Second Saturday Gardening Workshops

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Second Saturday Gardening Workshops

Written by Paul McKenzie, Agricultural Extension Agent for Vance/Warren Counties

Join the Master Gardeners for a series of gardening workshops at the Vance County Regional Farmers Market. These free or low-cost workshops will help gardeners get the most out of their gardens and landscapes. Pre-registration is required, just call 252-438-8188 or visit https://go.ncsu.edu/secondsaturday. All workshops begin at 10 am, and the complete schedule is as follows:

May 13 –HERBS A Go Go – Learn about growing herbs then plant a container of herbs, perfect as a gift for Mother, another special person or yourself. $12 fee.

June 10 – WEEDS – the Good, the Bad and the Ugly – What is that weed growing in the lawn, garden and landscape? Friend? Foe? And what’s the best way to control? Free!

Sept 9 – Creative Ideas for FALL COLORS – Get the inside scoop of adding color to the fall landscape with plants other than mums and pansies. Free!

Oct 14 – BULBS – Plant Now, Enjoy Later – Stagger the bloom time next spring by planting in layers after determining what is a quality bulb. Select bulbs and place in a container to take home. $12 fee.
—
Paul McKenzie
Agricultural Extension Agent, Vance/Warren Counties
NC Cooperative Extension
305 Young St., Henderson, NC 27536
158 Rafters Ln., Warrenton, NC 27589
https://www.ces.ncsu.edu
252.438.8188 (Vance) 252.257.3640 (Warren)
@pgmckenzie

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

VGCC presents free business seminar on Pinterest

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The Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center is offering a free seminar, “Pinterest Made Easy,” on Thursday, May 11, from 2-4 p.m., in Building 7 on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County.

Leading the seminar will be Chisa Pennix-Brown, CEO of Lady Bizness, based in Greensboro. Pennix-Brown has 15 years of experience in business coaching, community outreach, and social media insight. She recently gave a pair of well-received presentations on using mobile apps and Facebook at VGCC’s Small Business Summit in Warrenton. 

With 175 million monthly active users, Pinterest is an increasingly popular social media site for sharing images and videos. “If you have a business where visuals are important, then you want to be on Pinterest,” said Pennix-Brown. She will discuss ways that businesses can use Pinterest to drive traffic to their websites and their other social media outlets. Attendees will learn how to start a business Pinterest page, create their own images for Pinterest sharing, build followers on Pinterest, and use applications to integrate Pinterest with their other marketing.

Registration can be completed online at www.vgcc.edu/schedules/small-business-center. Because this will be a hands-on seminar in a computer lab, seating is limited to the first 18 participants who register by May 5.

For more information, contact Tanya Weary at smallbusiness@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3240.

–VGCC–

NCDMV REAL ID and ID Cards

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North Carolina to Offer REAL ID Licenses and ID Cards
DMV to provide new federal identification cards in May

Press Release April 26, 2017 – Courtesy: NC Department of Transportation

RALEIGH – On May 1, the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles will begin producing the state’s first REAL ID, an optional license or identification card that meets the security requirements of the federal REAL ID Act.

Frequent air travelers and visitors to military installations and federal facilities may want to consider applying for an N.C. REAL ID. Beginning on Oct. 1, 2020, the Transportation Security Administration and other agencies will require a REAL ID for commercial air travel and access to federal buildings, military installations and nuclear facilities.

Persons without a REAL ID will still be able to board flights and enter federal facilities, but they will need to provide additional identification along with their standard license. For more information about required documentation, contact the TSA or other relevant federal agency.

“The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles has worked extremely hard to prepare our state to meet this new federal requirement,” said NCDOT Chief Deputy Secretary David Howard. “We are glad to offer this optional, single ID to help our citizens travel and access federal facilities.”

Residents must visit a driver license office to apply for their first N.C. REAL ID. Applicants must provide:

One document that proves identity, such as a birth certificate, valid U.S. passport, or immigration documents;
One document that verifies birth, such as a birth certificate, valid U.S. passport or immigration documents;
One document that confirms their Social Security number, such as a Social Security card or W-2 form;
Two documents that establish residency in North Carolina, such as a utility bill, vehicle registration card, or bank statement.

A complete list of documents that are acceptable proofs of identity and residency is available at NCREALID.com.

The N.C. REAL ID will have a gold star in the top right corner to indicate the identity and residency documents are permanently stored with the NCDMV record. Citizens who prefer to keep their current license or ID will receive credentials that carry the notation “Not for Federal Identification.”

North Carolina’s REAL ID will be available at the same cost as a standard driver license and identification card. An N.C. REAL ID can be obtained at the time of renewal or before the renewal period for the cost of a duplicate.

The new standards were established by the federal REAL ID Act, which was passed in 2005 following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The Act is administered by the Department of Homeland Security.

More information on North Carolina’s REAL ID is available at NCREALID.com.

***NCDOT***

Franklin County Approves Incentives for Palziv North America Manufacturer to create 40 jobs and invest $5.7 million in Louisburg

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Franklin County, N.C. – April 26, 2017: Franklin County welcomes the expansion of Palziv North America (Palziv) at 7966 NC 56 Highway in Louisburg. Palziv is a leading manufacturer of polyethylene foam-based products used in packaging, automotive, construction, orthopedic and the leisure industries.

Palziv is expanding its capacity with the relocation of its Canadian manufacturing division at its North American headquarters in Louisburg. This $5.7 million expansion will increase its production with new manufacturing lines.

Palziv North America’s Louisburg facility serves as the North American headquarters for Israel-based Palziv, Inc. The company is one of Franklin County’s largest employers with 157 full-time employees. This expansion will create 40 new jobs over the next four years in the advance manufacturing sector that include machine operators and technicians.

“Franklin County continues to offer an attractive location for advanced manufacturing industries to thrive,” stated Richie Duncan, Director of Franklin County Economic Development. “Palziv’s continued investment further demonstrates our strength in having a skilled workforce to meet the demands of industry within the Research Triangle region.”

Palziv’s Louisburg facility opened in 2010 and serves the company’s North American, South American and Canadian markets for chemically cross-linked foam. Palziv continues to experience tremendous growth over the past six years that has led to this expansion.

“We are excited to grow our manufacturing presence at our North American headquarters in Louisburg in Franklin County,” said Paul Robertson, Chief Operating Officer of Palziv North America. “Due to the growing demand for our products, this expansion will allow Palziv to serve our markets and meet the demands for new foam-based products in the future. We are grateful to Franklin County and the state of North Carolina for their support for our operation.”

Contact: Richie Duncan Economic Development Director Phone: (919) 554-1863 Fax: (919) 496-2683
228 Park Avenue Youngsville, NC 27596 www.franklinedc.com rduncan@franklincountync.us @FrankliNCoEDC
FRANKLIN COUNTY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, APRIL 25, 2017 END

Palziv’s expansion will be facilitated, in part, by a local Franklin County cash grant incentive of $131,982 paid over a four-year period after taxes are paid and requirements are fulfilled. Palziv also has been recently awarded $40,000 from the Governor’s One North Carolina Fund as well as a customized training grant through the North Carolina Community College System. “This is a great day for Franklin County,” said Cedric Jones, Chairman of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners. “We are excited to see Palziv’s continued growth in jobs and tax base for our citizens and county as it expands its manufacturing capacity.”

Franklin County was joined by numerous partners in supporting Palziv’s expansion. They include the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and the North Carolina Community College System.
About Palziv North America: Located in Louisburg, NC, Palziv North America (Palziv) is the North American headquarters for Israelibased Palziv, Inc. Palziv supplies the North American markets with chemical Cross-Linked bun (Vizion™) and chemical Cross-Linked roll (Fuzion™). These Cross-Linked foams are produced with the latest technological advancements and offer superior product performance. Visit www.palzivna.com for more information.

Franklin County Government is committed to effective and innovative public services for all Franklin County citizens and businesses.

Franklin County Schools Receives $192,000 Golden LEAF Technology Grant

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Louisburg, N. C. – Earlier this month, Franklin County School officials received word that the district was awarded a $192,000 technology grant from the Golden LEAF foundation. The grant will build on the district’s current technology initiatives by providing additional Google Chromebooks, compact web-based laptops, for high school students during the 2017-18 school year.

At the County School Board’s April meeting, Superintendent Dr. Pascal Mubenga commended Dr. Rhonda Schuhler, Associate Superintendent, and the team who worked on this project, saying that technology skills are a big part of the District’s strategic plan.

“In order to be competitive, our students need to have access to technology so that they can gain the skills they need to be successful in school and beyond,” Mubenga said, adding “Thank you to Dr. Schuhler and our team that worked diligently on this proposal – we’re excited to continue to work towards a one to one initiative in our district.”

The grant will allow the district to purchase 700 Lenovo Chromebooks and 28 Laptop Management Carts in total. Devices and carts will be distributed using a formula that takes each high school’s enrollment into consideration to ensure that devices are distributed equitably based on student population.

As the largest high school in the district, Franklinton High School will receive 11 management carts housing 308 devices. Bunn High School will receive 252 devices and nine management carts; Louisburg High School will receive 168 devices and six management carts. Franklin County Early College High School, which houses just 185 students, will receive 56 devices and two management carts.

According to Schuhler, even though the grant will be used to purchase devices, the project, which is entitled T3 – Technology, Teaching, and Transformation, is focused on student achievement.

“The scope and impact of the T3 project is directly focused on increasing student proficiency in core content areas, increasing digital skills and competencies, and creating more well-rounded, competitive students,” says Schuhler. “Our hope is to use this experience to better prepare for the implementation of a complete one to one initiative across the district,” she added.

News 04/26/17

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Embrace Henderson Family Spectacular 2017

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The 2017 Embrace Henderson Family Spectacular was attended by 745 guests, 21 decisions for Christ and 130 volunteers worked the event this past Saturday.  Another big day for the local Embrace event, which was the 7th annual gathering.

Click the picture to learn more about the event. The Embrace Henderson Family Spectacular is an annual event in Henderson and Vance County.

Heavy Rain and Inflow of Stormwater into Sewer System Cause Wastewater Bypass

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Youngsville, North Carolina April 25, 2017: Franklin County Public Utilities experienced a bypass of untreated wastewater at two separate locations, one in the Youngsville District and the other in the Franklinton District. The spills occurred after receiving heavy rainfall over the course of 56 hours. The main cause of both bypasses is attributable to the direct inflow of stormwater into the sewer collection system. The spill in the Youngsville District (sewer main off of Railroad St) is estimated to have released 20,000 gallons into an unnamed tributary of Richland Creek and in the Franklinton District (manhole at lift station off Chavis St) is estimated to have released 19,000 gallons.

Franklin County staff was notified of the spill by electronic monitoring equipment and appropriate staff responded to the incident. All operating equipment was found to be in working order but was unable to handle the inflow of stormwater.

As required by North Carolina State Law, the spill was reported to the North Carolina Division of Water Quality and is currently under review.

For additional information concerning this event, please contact Mike Bailes, Franklin County Public Utilities Interim Director at (919) 556-6177. Additional contact numbers can be obtained by visiting Franklin County’s website at www.franklincountync.us.

Franklin County Government is committed to effective and innovative public services for all Franklin County citizens and businesses.

NVHS Student Clara Bobbitt attends Rotary Youth Leadership Conference

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Clara Bobbitt, a junior at Northern Vance High School, attended the Rotary Youth Leadership Award Conference for the Rotary Clubs of District 7710 from April 21 through April 23 at Camp Oak Hill in Granville County.

Bobbitt represented the Rotary Club of Henderson at the leadership conference.

The Rotary Youth Leadership Award Conference is designed for high school juniors who have demonstrated leadership potential in scholastic, athletic and civic activities. Those students who attend the conference are expected to be future leaders for their communities.

The aim of the conference was to: demonstrate Rotary’s respect and concern for youth; provide an effective training experience for selected youth leaders and potential leaders; encourage leadership of youth by youth; and recognize publicly young people who are rendering service for their communities.

The conference was led by adult moderators for discussions, professional facilitators and alumni counselors who come from many different disciplines. Discussions and experiential sessions focused on what leadership is, qualities of leadership, teambuilding activities, trust activities and time and stress management. There also was a high and low ropes challenge course and the opportunity to complete a personal profile.

Bobbitt was selected to attend the conference based on her top academic achievements in her junior class at Northern Vance High School, as well as her leadership skills already exhibited in her school, community and church.

She is the daughter of Ruxton and Karen Bobbitt of Henderson.

VGCC students inducted into honor society

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Vance-Granville Community College recognized 75 students who were inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for students of two-year colleges, on April 18 in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus. VGCC students honored with induction into Phi Theta Kappa must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.5 in associate degree curriculum programs and have completed at least 12 credit hours toward their degrees.

As advisors for VGCC’s PTK chapter, instructors Olu Ariyo, Isaac Talley and Maureen Walters conducted the ceremony. Walters, the head advisor, told the new inductees and their families and friends in attendance that since VGCC’s chapter of PTK, “Alpha Sigma Chi,” was chartered in 1991, more than 1,900 students have been selected for induction. She said that while scholarship is the first aim of PTK, the society also encourages fellowship, leadership development and service to others, and she noted that the letters Phi Theta Kappa stand for the Greek words for “Wisdom,” “Aspiration” and “Purity.”

Serving as guest speaker for the ceremony was Danny Wright of Henderson, a retired Vance County commissioner and the current chair of the VGCC Board of Trustees. “On behalf of the trustees, we salute you for your accomplishments and achievements,” Wright said. “The most important element of a democratic society is the education of its citizens. The greatest anti-poverty program this country has ever administered is a good education. The foundation for any nation to become a peaceful, ordered society is the education of its people. Each of you has demonstrated how much you value and how much you believe in education, so you are well on your way.” Education, he noted, does not, in and of itself, make students better people. “Life is a constant exercise in self-improvement,” Wright said, and the most important thing in life is the cultivation of relationships. “Technical competency alone is not enough to achieve career success,” he added, but rather, students must develop their interpersonal skills as well.

This year’s inductees into the Alpha Sigma Chi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa are:

From Franklin County

Rebekah Glasheen, Christopher Plumley, Charles Sawyer and Mya Wilson, all of Franklinton;

Madison Waddle of Kittrell;

Loganne Driver, Michael Gokee, Katelyn Jensen, Mark Meinhart, Katlyn Riley and Charmaine Sutton, all of Louisburg;

Hope Crute, Skylar Davenport, Jordan Dowdy, Lindsay Henry and Sydney Venezia, all of Youngsville.

 

From Granville County

 

Jordan  Ligon and Katie Weary, both of Bullock;

Debra Duncan of Butner;

Caitlyn Good, Carlos Matinote, June Matinote, Sara Reid, Martin Spencer and Hunter Thompson, all of Creedmoor;

Cedric Rodebaugh of Franklinton;

Cecilia   Barrenechea, Nicole Bowman, April Brogden, Larecia Bullock, Kristel Dehart, Timothy Farley, Keodric Grant, Aaron McNeill, Sharon Ray, Francis Scotland, Sydney Towers, Alana Towles, Johnathan Williamson and Ymani Yancey, all of Oxford;

Alex Jackson of Stem;

Kellyann Cook of Stovall.

 

From Vance County

 

Lauren  Beauchamp, Angela Burrell, Anthony Henderson, Victoria Inscoe, Jacquella Jones, Lindsey Perry, Katelynn Ray, Janet Rodriguez-Morales, Fatima Saleh, Melissa Simmons, April Thompson,

Bailee Tippett, Makala West and Shanetta Wright, all of Henderson;

Beverly Ellis, Renee Jackson, Leslie Leake and Allison Long, all of Kittrell.

 

From Warren County

 

Shima’a Hauter of Norlina;

Ellen Denning, Nubia Lockett, Amanda Miller, Raina Mills, Rowan Morris, Daniel O’Malley, Hannah Ortiz and Joshua Taylor, all of Warrenton.

 

From Wake County

David Jeanblanc and Charles Keith, both of Raleigh;

Kathryn Catlett of Zebulon.

From other counties

Joshua Jacobs of Durham;

Brian Stevenson of Gastonia;

Brianna Lynch of Hollister.