VGCC offers online four-week summer classes

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Students can earn college credits on an accelerated schedule at Vance-Granville Community College by taking four-week online classes this summer.

For the first time, VGCC has scheduled certain curriculum courses on back-to-back four-week schedules during the summer term. The first four-week mini-term will begin May 30 and end on June 26. Then, the second mini-term starts June 27 and ends on July 31.

Five courses are scheduled for the first mini-term: Personal Health/Wellness (HEA 110), Critical Thinking (HUM 115), Music Appreciation (MUS 110), American Government (POL 120) and Keyboarding (OST 131). All five are offered completely online. During the second mini-term, the same courses will be offered, except for Keyboarding.

Registration for these classes is currently underway, and will close on May 25 for the first session and June 23 for the second.

“This summer, students can accelerate their education in a fast-paced period of study,” said Jeffrey Allen, VGCC’s dean of enrollment and outreach. “We had a great response when we offered four-week classes for the first time in late December and early January, so we are excited about continuing to use this format to meet the needs of our diverse learning community.” He added, “These courses can give many students the opportunity to quickly make progress toward a degree.”

Not only current VGCC students, but also new students, including students at four-year universities, are welcome to enroll. Current VGCC students are encouraged to talk with their advisors to see if the four-week courses are right for them.

All the courses on the schedule except for Keyboarding transfer to most North Carolina colleges and universities. Students are encouraged to check with their four-year school of choice on transferability before registering for particular courses. New students will need to complete a VGCC application for admission first.

Financial aid is available for qualified students. For more information, contact the VGCC Financial Aid Office at fao@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3280.

For registration information, visit the Student Learning & Success Center on any VGCC campus or call (252) 738-3330.

–VGCC–

News 03/17/17

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GrassStreet Opens For The HillBenders’ During April 1st Concert At McGregor Hall

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HENDERSON, N.C. (March 16, 2017)— On April 1st, Vance County’s Bluegrass band GrassStreet will perform live on the stage of McGregor Hall Performing Arts & Learning Center as they open for The HillBenders. GrassStreet is comprised of Wayne Kinton on guitar, David Kinton on upright bass and mandolin, Ricky Hargis on banjo and Tab Kearns on dobro.

Since 2003, GrassStreet has performed across the state and region, offering a high-energy mix of original material and Bluegrass standards. The band is noted for their unique ability to cover musical styles ranging from Rock to Blues to Jazz, which sets them apart from the average Bluegrass band.

GrassStreet recently released the album “Time Moves On,” which was produced by Steve Dilling and recorded at Reminiscence Recording Studio in Henderson, N.C. Thirteen of the 14 tracks on “Time Moves On” are original compositions by the four band members collectively, drawing from personal family situations such as depicted in the tunes “Cotton Miller’s Lament,” “Time Moves On” and “Going to Caroline.” Additional favorites include the Civil War era tune “Warren County Clay,” several songs of faith such as “Look Beyond Life’s Storms,” and a song about a late night car race, “Street Fight.”

“We are pleased to have GrassStreet perform on the McGregor Hall stage for the first time,” said Tommy Deadwyler, Executive Director of McGregor Hall Performing Arts and Learning Center. “Not only is it an honor to support these local musicians, but the band’s level of talent is stupendous and concert-goers will be in awe by the energy and excitement that they bring.”

Equally talented, according to Deadwyler, are The HillBenders, which will headline the April 1st concert. Also a Bluegrass band, The HillBenders will perform their unique version of songs from The Who’s “Tommy” album, one of the biggest “Rock operas” of all time.

Originally composed by guitarist Pete Townshend, “Tommy” by The Who tells the story about a deaf, dumb and blind boy, including his experiences with life and the relationship with his family. The original album has sold 20 million copies and has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for “historical, artistic and significant value.”

With a stylish mix of musicianship and rock-star vocals, The HillBenders will bring Pete Townshend’s original vision to life in a new and exciting way during the concert at McGregor Hall Performing Arts and Learning Center on April 1st at 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale at www.McGregorHall.org, by calling (252) 598-0662 or by visiting the Box Office at 201 Breckenridge Street in Henderson, N.C. For more information, contact McGregor Hall’s Executive Director Tommy Deadwyler at (252) 598-0662 or email him at tommydeadwyler@mcgregorhall.org.

G.K. Butterfield Comments on Trump’s Budget Blueprint

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WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement on President Donald Trump’s budget blueprint for FY2018:

“Budgets demonstrate priorities.  And once again, President Trump- though, light on details- clearly demonstrates regressive priorities that will have an extreme impact on working families.

“If Congress adopts President Trump’s proposed budget, agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Institutes of Health, and the State Department face large cuts. Smaller agencies such as the National Endowment for the Arts and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting stand to be eliminated under President Trump’s plan.  The President’s proposal also calls for the elimination of key economic development agencies including the Minority Business Development Agency and the Economic Development Administration.

“This budget fails to address our economic problems by slashing funding that supports our long-standing commitment to increase economic opportunities through investments in education, infrastructure, affordable housing, and job training.  Many of these programs sustain older Americans and so many in eastern North Carolina.

“I am outraged by the President’s call to drastically cut funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  This will be devastating to programs that support public housing in low-income communities and, quite frankly, keep a roof over people’s heads.  Under the President’s proposal, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) will be cut entirely, significantly impacting small, rural communities like the ones in my congressional district.  More than 88,000 households in North Carolina benefit from LIHEAP, and the very threat of this program’s elimination could push these families beyond the tipping point.  The CDBG program has been a successful means of helping communities secure federal funding for local neighborhood revitalization, housing rehabilitation, and economic development activities.

“I cannot and will not support measures that take a wrecking ball to programs that have long supported low and moderate-income Americans.

“President Trump calls his proposal the ‘America First’ budget, but this plan puts many Americans last.”

https://butterfield.house.gov

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News 03/16/17

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Nurse Facing Seventy Five (75) drug related charges

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The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit has arrested a nurse on seventy five (75) drug related charges.

The arrest is the result of a joint on-going investigation conducted by the Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the State Bureau of Investigation; in consultation with the District Attorney’s Office.

The Investigation was initiated after FCSO personnel reviewed and became suspicious of invoices for prescription medication which was allegedly ordered by the alleged suspect (Tamsey H. Watkins) for inmates. An examination of the invoices determined that prescriptions were ordered for inmates that were no longer in the custody of the Franklin Detention Center.

Ms. Watkins is an employee of Southern Health Partners, who provides contract medical services to correctional facilities including the Franklin County Detention Center.

Tamsey H. Watkins

33 Duke Valentine Wynne Road

Louisburg, NC 27549

DOB: 03-09-1980

Ms. Watkins has been charged with the following offenses: 

25 Felony Counts of Obtain Controlled Substance by Fraud

25 Felony Counts of Trafficking Opiates by Possession

25 Felony Counts of Trafficking Opiates by Transport

Ms. Watkins is being held in the Franklin County Detention Center under a $250,000 bond.

This is an on-going investigation and as a result the Sheriff’s Office will have no further comments at this time.

 

Terry M. Wright

Chief of Staff

 

Middlesex Police Chief Arrested for Alleged Assault

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Chief William D. Murray of the Middlesex Police Department was arrested on Wednesday March 15, 2017 by the Nash County Sheriff’s Office and was turned over to Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Personnel. Chief Murray was arrested after warrants were obtained by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend and communicating threats.

Mr. Murray is facing the following charges: Misdemeanor Assault on a Female and Misdemeanor Communicating Threats.

William Dennis Murray

3128 Prophecy Road

Middlesex, North Carolina

DOB: 07-06-1973

Mr. Murray is currently being held in the Franklin County Detention Center with no bond.

 

Terry M. Wright

Chief of Staff

Vance County Fire Department, Henderson Fire Department, Vance County Sheriff’s Office Partner for Operation Medicine Drop

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Operation Medicine Drop – Dispose of Your Unused, Expired Prescriptions

Who: Vance County Sheriff’s Department, Vance County Fire Department and Henderson Fire Department

What: Prescription drug take-back event where you can safely dispose of your expired, unused prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications and keep them out of the wrong hands. Operation Medicine Drop cannot accept biohazard materials.

Where: Vance County Fire Department at 188 Bickett Street, Henderson, NC 27536 and Henderson Fire Department at 211 Dabney Drive, Henderson, NC 27536

When: March 21, 2017 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at both above locations

Why: Unintentional poisoning from prescription medications is on the rise in North Carolina. Since 1999, nearly 4,500 people have died from prescription poisoning. Operation Medicine Drop offers the public a free and convenient option for disposing of their prescription and over-the-counter medications to protect their families and the environment.

More information is available at ncsafekids.org.

Contact: Captain W.W. Bullock at the Vance County Sheriff’s Office (252)-738-2200

 

H-V Chamber Announces 2017 “Meet Me In The Street” Concert Series

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The Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce is proud to host another season of “Meet Me in the Street”, a series of concerts offered free to the local community.

The first concert for the year will be held on Thursday, May 25 and will feature “The Konnection Band”. This band is a local favorite and is one of the East Coast’s premiere party bands, specializing in a variety of music including Top 40, Rock, Country, R & B, Beach and Oldies.

The second concert is set for Thursday, June 22 and will host “Steve Owens & Summertime”. A band with a beach music focus and chart-topping songs since their start in 2011, Summertime presents a mix of Carolina Beach Music, soul and rock-n-roll.

The third and final concert of the season is on Thursday, September14 and will feature “Liquid Pleasure”. After more than two decades of bringing audiences to their feet, this band has become a multi-cultural icon. Veteran member Melvin Farrington says “We love being in touch with people like us, who love a variety of good music, and appreciate hearing it performed live”. Liquid Pleasure presents a mix of Oldies, Beach Music and Disco.

In addition to the live music and dancing, a kids section will also be included this year. So bring the whole family for an evening of food, friends and fun!

Sponsors for this year’s concert series are: CenturyLink, Duke Energy and Maria Parham Health – Gold Sponsors; BB&T, Mars Petcare, Wake Electric Membership Corporation and Walmart DC #6091 – Silver Sponsors; and Express Employment Professionals – Bronze Sponsor.

All concerts are free to the public and will be held at the corner of North Garnett and Breckenridge Streets from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available for 2 Presenting Sponsors and more. For more information, contact the Chamber at 438-8414 or annette@hendersonvance.org.

Vance County Schools to host Healthcare Info Session

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Vance County Schools

For Immediate Release

March 15, 2017

The Vance County Schools Family Resource Center, located in our Administrative Services Center on Graham Avenue in Henderson, will host a Healthcare Information Session from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22. A registered dietitian, eye doctor and dentist will be on hand to share information with parents. The dietitian will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The eye doctor and dentist will be available from 1 to 5 p.m. All parents are invited to attend this free information session