State Broadband Office Publishes Homework Gap Report

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-Information courtesy NC DIT

Eric Boyette, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Information Technology (DIT) and State Chief Information Officer, announced today the release of the “The Homework Gap in North Carolina,” a report that provides communities with strategies to bridge the homework gap that occurs when students are assigned homework that requires internet access but lack an internet connection at home.

N.C. DIT’s Broadband Infrastructure Office developed the homework gap report in partnership with The William & Ida Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at North Carolina State University. This report contributes to a growing body of research and strategic policy recommendations designed to equip state and local policymakers, educators, and other key stakeholders with information to understand the homework gap and strategies to address it.

“We know we have many children in our state that are victims of this digital divide,” Secretary Boyette said. “Understanding the nature and scope of this problem is key to closing the homework gap.”

Governor Roy Cooper’s budget proposal makes closing the homework gap a significant priority. Governor Cooper proposes a $5 million fund to support schools that need internet hot spots for students and Wi-Fi technology for school buses.

“Too often I hear of students doing homework in the parking lots of fast food restaurants or driving long distances to use free Wi-Fi at churches and friends’ homes,” Governor Cooper said. “This is unacceptable in this day and age and it creates inequity in our educational system.”

Governor Cooper also signed Executive Order 91, which establishes a new Governor’s Task Force on Connecting North Carolina and directs state government leaders to identify and remove barriers to facilitate private-sector deployment of last-mile infrastructure, eliminate the homework gap, and support the adoption of affordable, high-speed internet access.

N.C. DIT has already begun implementing the report’s recommendations, including the BIO’s continued effort to gather more and better data through surveys such as the Speak Up survey. Speak Up is an annual research project and a free service to all schools and was the first online research tool designed to help parents share their ideas directly with schools and national policymakers. BIO partnered with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction to include homework gap specific questions in the 2018-2019 Speak Up survey.

One way the state is currently working to combat the homework gap is through the State Library of North Carolina and N.C. DIT’s pilot program with the Robeson County Public Library and Public Schools of Robeson County. The pilot program is funded by a $250,000 two-year grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and will provide Robeson County Public Library with 35 Wi-Fi hotspot devices for up to 35 K-12 households.

To access the report, please visit The Homework Gap in North Carolina on the Broadband Infrastructure Office website. To take the Speak Up survey, please visit https://speakup.tomorrow.org.

Aycock Rec. Center to Offer Spring Water Aerobics Classes

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-Information and flyer courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center

The Aycock Recreation Center will offer spring water aerobics classes for both swimmers and non-swimmers alike beginning April 1 and ending June 28, 2019. Classes will not be held April 19 or May 27.

Classes will combine low and high impact exercises with a focus on strength building, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility and having fun!

Classes will be offered Monday – Wednesday – Friday from 10:30 – 11:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.; Tuesday – Thursday from 7:15 to 8 p.m.

Cost is $1 for monthly pass members and $2 for non-members.

Contact:

Lauren Newlin, Aquatics Program Supervisor

lnewlin@ci.henderson.nc.us ~ (252) 438-3160

(This is not a paid advertisement)

News 03/15/19

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Drugs, Firearms Among Items Seized in McCoin Ave. Search

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-Press Release, Henderson Police Department

On March 12, 2019, members of the Henderson Police Department Special Operations Division along with the Special Response Team executed a search warrant at the residence of 1214 McCoin Ave. Henderson, NC.

During the execution of the search warrant over 1,163 grams of THC butter and edibles, 2.5 grams of cocaine, 7 Ecstasy pills, over $3,000 in US Currency, miscellaneous paraphernalia, two firearms, and several rounds of ammunition were located and seized.

Raheen Kabar Satterfield, 39, of 1214 McCoin Ave. Henderson, NC was arrested and charged.

Satterfield was charged with PWIMSD Cocaine, PWIMSD Marijuana, Manufacturing Schedule II, Manufacturing Schedule VI, Possession of Schedule I, Felony PWIMSD Controlled Substance within 1000 ft of a school, Maintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling.

His bond was set in the amount of $125,000.00 secured.

Raheen Kabar Satterfield, 39, of 1214 McCoin Ave. Henderson, NC was arrested and charged on March 12, 2019, with PWIMSD Cocaine, PWIMSD Marijuana, Manufacturing Schedule II, Manufacturing Schedule VI, Possession of Schedule I, Felony PWIMSD Controlled Substance within 1000 ft of a school, Maintaining a Vehicle/Dwelling. (Photo courtesy HPD)

During the execution of the search warrant at 1214 McCoin Ave. Henderson, NC 1,163 grams of THC butter and edibles, 2.5 grams of cocaine, 7 Ecstasy pills, over $3,000 in US Currency, miscellaneous paraphernalia, two firearms, and several rounds of ammunition were located and seized. (Photo courtesy HPD)

E.M. Rollins to Hold a Paint Night for Parents & Students

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-Information and flyer courtesy the Vance County School’s Facebook page

E.M. Rollins Elementary School will hold a “Parent Paint Night” for parents and students on Wednesday, March 27, 2019, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Cost is $25 for parent/student. Come out and paint a masterpiece with your child.

The event is hosted by Building Successful Men and Eric Cheek.

For more information, please call or text (252) 425-3614.

 

Vance County Logo

Apply Now: Vance Soil & Water to Sponsor Student for NC State Summer Workshop

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-Information and flyer courtesy the Vance County Government Facebook page

Vance Soil & Water Conservation District sponsors a student to attend a week-long Resource Conservation Workshop at North Carolina State University each year.

It is a wonderful opportunity for a rising junior or senior to experience college life, as they will be staying in a dorm for the week. Students must have an interest in natural resources.

You can also find more information on this workshop at the NC State website by clicking here. Interested students must click the “For Students” tab on the right of the website to fill out an application and submit it by Wednesday, May 8, 2019.

If you have any questions, please call (252) 438-5727, ext. 3.

Flat Creek Missionary Baptist Male Choir to Celebrate 32nd Singing Anniversary

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-Information courtesy Lois Bullock, Flat Creek Missionary Baptist Church

The Flat Creek Missionary Baptist Church Male Choir will be celebrating their 32nd Singing Anniversary on Sunday, March 24, 2019, at 4 p.m. at the church – 1135 Stagecoach Road, Henderson, NC.

Appearing on the program will be the Rev. Vincent and the Volunaries of Littleton, NC, Mt. Zion UCC Male Choir, The Soullifters of Henderson, Davis Chapel Chorus of Stovall and Mr. Harvey Robinson of Kittrell.

The Pastor, Rev. William Everett, and the Flat Creek Congregation invite you to attend.

Vance Co. Regional Farmers Market

More Food Trucks on the Way for Farmers Market

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The Vance County Regional Farmers Market will be opening on Saturday, April 27 for the season, according to market manager Tracy Madigan.

Following a decision made by the Vance County Board of Commissioners at their Monday night meeting, there will be a greater presence of food trucks at the market this year.

Vance County Manager Jordan McMillen told WIZS News, “The popularity of food trucks is undeniable. They are beginning to gain notoriety in this area as they’ve already done in the triangle, and ultimately they can serve as a good way of drawing people to the market who may have never visited.”

“Specifically, at the farmers market, they have experimented with a food truck already and it has added an exciting and different dimension to the market. As individuals become familiar with the local food trucks this should improve the overall attendance at the market and introduce new patrons to the market. We see food trucks as a compliment to the market and believe it may also open up opportunities to push products from the farm to the table, complimenting the existing vendors as well.”

Food trucks, in general, have been in the news in our area in recent months, specifically when Gavin’s Grub Hub, owned and operated by Gavin Jackson, was looking for a semi-permanent location and wound up receiving a six-month approval from the City of Henderson to operate. We’ve also seen Backyard BBQ, which typically locates in the old Armory parking lot on Dabney Drive.

These additional approvals may indicate that our local leaders are getting more comfortable with food trucks and keeping in tune with what consumers have been enjoying for at least a decade or more in other larger urban areas.

Vance County NC

City Seeking Grant for Park at Corner of Williams/Montgomery St.

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At the corner of Williams and Montgomery Streets in Henderson, NC used to stand the Vance Hotel. The big beauty burned to the ground in the early 1980s. Now the City of Henderson plans to revitalize the area with a park.

When asked if the City was moving forward with the item that appeared on the agenda of Monday night’s Henderson City Council meeting, City Manager Frank Frazier told WIZS News, ”Yes – seeking a grant to help pay for this, so the project would be contingent on receiving it. This is the old Vance Hotel site. City originally bought this for the police station.”

If received, the grant could total some $500k for the project.

If you’d like to see a picture of the old hotel, which most people younger than 40 never saw while it was still standing, check it out at facebook.com/wizsradio.

NC Drivers May Soon Face Stricter Restrictions on Cell Phone Use

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State lawmakers are working on getting a bill passed that would ban NC drivers from talking on their cell phones while operating a motor vehicle.

HB 144 proposes fines for first offenses of talking on the phone while driving. Subsequent convictions would result in fines and insurance points.

Exceptions would allow drivers to talk on cell phones while parked. Drivers 18 and older would also be able to use a mounted cell phone if the call could be placed and ended with a single button.

Drivers who experience emergency situations and emergency responders are exempt under the proposed bill.

The bill needs the approval of the House, Senate and NC governor to officially become law.

According to a car accident lawyer Daytona beach, North Carolina currently bans texting while driving for all drivers and talking while driving for those younger than 18 and all school bus drivers.

In last week’s Town Talk interview with North Carolina Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey, the topic of HB 144 was briefly discussed.

“Distracted driving is the leading cause of deadly accidents today,” said Causey. “Texting and talking while driving have killed so many people needlessly.”

Causey believes the bill, which has been brought up several times in past years, will pass this go around thanks to “broad bipartisan support.”

“The time is now right with the number of deadly accidents and the pressure it’s putting on raising auto insurance rates. It’s a common sense safety move that would also help hold down insurance rates.”