VGCC announces free Small Business Summit with holiday focus

/by

The Vance-Granville Community College Small Business Center has scheduled its sixth annual Small Business Summit for Tuesday, Oct. 24, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m., at the Lake Gaston Lions Club in Henrico. Entitled “Making the Holidays Pay Off,” the free event is designed to help local businesses plan ahead for the upcoming holiday season with innovative marketing practices.

CenturyLink is the presenting sponsor for the event. Local partners helping VGCC to organize the summit are the Chamber of Commerce of Warren County, the Warren County Economic Development Commission and the Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center.

Business representatives and interested members of the community are invited to attend. Registration is now open at tinyurl.com/holiday-summit.

The day starts off with registration and networking with attendees and vendors at 8 a.m. The first hour-long seminar will be “Shop Local — Buy Local — Invest Local to Gain More Business for You and Your Area” at 8:30 a.m. Presenter Martin Brossman will help participants get the most out of a “Shop Local” program, including the use of social media.

“Holiday Event Planning for the Small Business Owner” follows at 9:45 a.m. with Lisa Gingue of Vino Oasi in Stem. Gingue will discuss planning events that attract holiday shoppers.

At 11 a.m., Brossman will present “Take Photos like a Pro to Get More Business with Your Social Media.” This session covers the basics of low-cost photography techniques to attract more customers with social media and web marketing.

The keynote presentation, from noon until 1 p.m., will be “Get Social! Grow Your Business!” with Kristen Baughman and Stacey Price Sprenz, both of Raleigh-based Tabletop Media Group. Baughman, the founder of the agency, and Sprenz, a photographer, will teach attendees how to take their social media to the next level using photos and videos. They will offer a few tips and tricks on how to promote participants’ businesses and unique holiday offerings to media outlets and social influencers in their community. Tabletop Media Group is a boutique agency serving clients in the food, beverage, agriculture and lifestyle industries.

Lunch will be provided free of charge to the first 100 registered participants by CenturyLink. For more information, contact VGCC Small Business Center Director Tanya Weary at (252) 738-3240 or smallbusiness@vgcc.edu.

–VGCC–

Boys and Girls Club Welcomes New Members

/by

Vance County

Please join our Vance family in welcoming Mr. Qundarious Freeman back for the 2017-2018 school year. Qundarious has been a member for almost a year now. Though the start of his membership was rocky he has truly become a member that recognizes and accepts positive change.

Granville County

We are so excited to welcome a ton of new members this school year, including Jayla!

Jayla is a spunky 4th grader that has really been enjoying her first couple weeks at the club. She stated that she was most excited to start Boys & Girls Club so that she can make new friends. Jayla has made made some great friendships already, but her favorite thing so far is joining cooking club! She loves cooking at home & is looking forward to learning more in the kitchen!

Warren County

Terrance Wiggins is a club member at the Mariam Boyd Extension of the Warren Unit! He is an exceptional young man, always willing to help other club members and staff. Very respectful and a model club member! He enjoys playing basketball and computer time at the club! He’s a great joy to be around and admired by his peers. He’s excited about finishing up his Elementary journey and heading to the middle school next year.

Franklin County

Meet Georgia! She is a 1st grader who is attending our Franklin Unit for the first time this year! Some of Georgia’s favorite things to do at The Boys & Girls Club is play dodgeball and compete in Hula Hoop competitions! Georgia has already made some new friends at the club and enjoys playing with Trinity and Jesus.

She is most excited about having fun with her friends, doing science experiments and reading all of the books in our library!!

Halifax County

Please welcome Amura Minggic. This is her first year at the Boys and Girls Club of North Central North Carolina, Halifax Unit! Amura is a tomboy who loves learning!  Her favorite subject in school is math.  Amura also loves to read!  Her favorite thing about the club is all the FUN she has at the club.  Amura is always willing to help out however she might be needed;  from helping others with homework to helping staff with projects!  Amura is extremely excited about the upcoming school year!!!

Warrenton Revitalization Presents Family Movie Night

/by

by Craig Hahn

Come join us September 23rd at 7:00 p.m. on the courthouse square in Warrenton for a viewing of 2016’s “The Jungle Book!” Free Admission. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket.

Refreshments will be sold…start a new family tradition and join us for this classic movie under the stars.

A huge thank you to our local grocery stores, Just Save and Food Lion for donating hot dogs! So, hot dogs, popcorn and beverages will all be sold! Y’all come on out and enjoy the evening with us!

VGCC Golden LEAF scholarships Spring/Summer 2017

/by

— news release courtesy of VGCC

A group of students from Vance-Granville Community College recently received scholarships through the Golden LEAF Scholarship program for the North Carolina Community College System. The scholarship program, designed to help North Carolinians attend the state’s community colleges, is funded through a $750,000 grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation.

The scholarship can be used to assist with tuition, books, fees, supplies, transportation and childcare expenses related to attending classes during the 2016-17 academic year, and industry-recognized credential testing expenses that address skill gaps upon course completion. Eligible students must demonstrate financial need and reside in rural counties that are tobacco-dependent and/or economically distressed. Scholarships for both occupational (continuing education) and curriculum students are available during the fall, spring and summer semesters.

The VGCC students who were awarded Golden LEAF scholarships for the spring 2017 semester, the summer 2017 term, or both (with their respective programs of study), included:

Sally Alston of Louisburg (Associate in Arts);
Jennifer Bauduin of Louisburg (Associate in General Education – General Science);
Sonia Bishop of Stem (Computer Technology Integration – Networking and Security Technologies);
Gloria Chavis of Butner (Human Services Technology/Substance Abuse);
Whitney Cox of Oxford (Radiography);
Taylor Crisp of Warrenton (Associate Degree Nursing);
Catherine Demming of Oxford (Criminal Justice);
Emory Gant-Hawkins of Henderson (Business Administration);
Latosha Hunt of Oxford (Business Administration);

Quiana Miller-Fisher of Henderson (Human Services Technology);
Nahu Palacios of Henderson (Associate in Arts);
Crystal Satterfield of Oxford (Associate Degree Nursing);
Kimberly Vargo of Oxford (Associate in Arts); and
Tiffany Williams of Henderson (Culinary Arts).

“The Golden LEAF Foundation is proud to have awarded over 11,800 Golden LEAF Scholarships to help North Carolinians attend our state’s community colleges,” said Dan Gerlach, Golden LEAF president. “Our hope is that these scholarships will help build the talent, knowledge and skills of our current and future workforce, which are in demand by industry, especially in the rural areas of our state.”

The Golden LEAF Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 1999 to help transform North Carolina’s economy. The foundation receives one-half of North Carolina’s funds from the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement with cigarette manufacturers and places special emphasis on assisting tobacco-dependent, economically distressed and/or rural communities across the state. The Golden LEAF Foundation works in partnership with governmental entities, educational institutions, economic development organizations and nonprofits to achieve its mission. The foundation has awarded 1,346 grants totaling more than $591 million since its inception. For more information about the foundation, visit www.goldenleaf.org or call (888) 684-8404.

Students interested in applying for a Golden LEAF Scholarship should contact the VGCC Financial Aid Office at (252) 738-3280.

–VGCC–

Warren County Logo

Warren County Irma Preparedness

/by

— courtesy Warren County Government, Robert Davie

Hurricane Irma is just off the coast of Florida as a category 5 with possible impacts to Warren County by early next week as a wind and rain event. Warren County Governmental Departments continue to monitor Hurricane Irma and its path and all sheltering staff have been placed on stand-by. If conditions warrant, a shelter will be opened as needed.

Warren County officials urge residents to responsibly plan to survive the storm by keeping a minimum three-day supply of non-perishable food and bottled water per person. More information for preparing emergency kits can be found at www.ReadyNC.org.

Warren County officials also encourage residents to check local media outlets, social media and www.ReadyNC.org for updates as weather conditions worsen. Residents may also sign up to the Warren Emergency Notification System from the Warren County web site at www.warrencountync.com or directly at: https://public.coderedweb.com/cne/en-US/722FDAD749F7.

Pesticide Collection Event Sept. 13

/by

— by Paul McKenzie, Vance/Warren Ag. Ext. Agent

On Wednesday, September 13, NC Cooperative Extension​ in Warren County​ ​will host a Pesticide Collection event. This will be held at the Warren County Center of NC Cooperative Extension, 158 Rafters Lane, 10 am to 2 pm.

Bring any unneeded/unused pest control products for safe disposal. We will accept all pest control products including herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, etc. whether liquid, dust, granular, fumigant, or other formulation. This program is offered to all, whether you are a farmer, home gardener or just have some household pest sprays you no longer need. This is offered in collaboration with the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. This is a free service, no questions asked, but please call in advance for larger containers or larger quantities.

Any products that are more than three years old are good candidates for disposal, as they may have lost effectiveness. For more information, contact paul_mckenzie@ncsu.edu or 252-257-3640.

Five VGCC Students Participate in Signing Ceremony for Apprenticeship Program

/by

Five students from Vance-Granville Community College were among a dozen who committed to participate in the North Carolina Triangle Apprenticeship Program (NCTAP) at a signing ceremony in Wake Forest on Wednesday, Aug. 16.

The students are now apprentices with eight industries in Granville, Franklin and Wake counties as they finish high school and earn their associate’s degrees at either VGCC or Wake Technical Community College. VGCC students Baylor Chapple and Sebastian Hughes, both of Louisburg, will be working at CaptiveAire in Youngsville, Xavier Durham of Warrenton with Dill Air Controls Products LLC in Oxford, and Zach Willey of Raleigh and Micah Peters of Youngsville with Revlon Inc. of Oxford.

Working through Wake Tech, the signees and the other companies were: Spencer Downing, Accu-Fab Inc. of Raleigh; Ben Elkins and Rhett Keaton, Bühler Aeroglide Corp. of Cary; Daniel Benson, Schmalz Inc. of Raleigh; Brennan Burns and Reily Rhoades, Schunk Intec Inc. of Morrisville; and Nathaniel “Nate” Corl, Superior Tooling of Wake Forest.

Parents of the apprentices and employers from the participating industries joined the students on stage for the signing ceremony as each made a commitment to follow the program. 

“We are grateful to NCTAP for providing the leadership to foster the collaboration between public and private partners that makes this effort successful,” VGCC President Dr. Stelfanie Williams shared with the students, their parents, industry representatives and guests at the dinner and ceremony in the Wake Forest Renaissance Center.

“Apprenticeship is a proven strategy to close the skills gap and meet the workforce needs of industries while at the same time making education more affordable for promising young students,” Dr. Williams added. “To our apprentices, the benefits of this wonderful program are nothing short of life-changing, and that’s why we are so excited to be an educational partner for NCTAP.”

“To our new apprentices, I want to extend congratulations and a warm Vanguard welcome, on behalf of Vance-Granville,” Dr. Williams added. “You are truly ‘Vanguards,’ because you are leaders and pioneers, and you will lead the way for many more apprentices in the future. You will also develop into leaders for your industries.”

NCTAP is a partnership that seeks to provide new opportunities for local students and to prepare a skilled workforce. Typically starting in the junior year of high school, NCTAP is a four-year program that leads to a student obtaining an associate degree at the community college and paid, on-the-job training at the participating employer. Eligible students’ tuition is covered by a waiver from the state of North Carolina. After they graduate from high school, students in the program will be employed full-time by the company.

“Apprenticeships are not exactly what people think they are,” said Marc Bertoncino of Bühler Aeroglide, chairman of NCTAP and master of ceremonies for the event. “This is a very beneficial program for the companies. This is a very beneficial program for young people starting their careers.”

Dr. Stephen Scott, president of Wake Tech, cited the importance of apprenticeships, internships and cooperative education in “bridging the skills gap,” adding, “Parents, we want to tell you that your kids are going to have a job for the next couple of years. They are going to graduate from either Wake Tech or Vance-Granville Community College. And they will have a good paying job and zero debt when they come out (of college). They will have the opportunity to further their education even beyond where this program takes them. So that is a win-win for everyone in this room.”

Bertoncino praised N.C. Sen. Chad Barefoot, R-Wake, for his help in getting legislation changed to boost the apprenticeship program. Whereas companies previously had to pay the state to have an apprentice, Barefoot helped enact legislation that now has the state providing reimbursement for tuition.

“There are apprenticeship programs across the state of North Carolina, but this particular group (NCTAP) has played a really important part in where apprenticeships are today,” Barefoot said. “This continued growth and expansion reaching into new communities will ensure that NCTAP remains the model apprenticeship program for the State of North Carolina.” He added, “Apprenticeships are the key to a successful future for the manufacturing industry of our state.”

Also speaking were Kathryn Castelloes, apprenticeship director for the N.C. Department of Commerce, and Wake Forest Mayor Vivian Jones. Robbie Earnhardt, owner of Wake Forest-based Superior Tooling and former chairman of the apprenticeship program, was recognized by Bertoncino for his vision, leadership and passion in guiding and promoting NCTAP. In attendance also were representatives of the offices of U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, R-NC, and U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-NC.

Representing VGCC’s NCTAP participating industries were Chris Clough and Cindy Walsh of CaptiveAire, Stephen Tsotsoros and Vanessia Alvarado of Dill Air Controls, Sean Anderson and Pat McKinney of Revlon, and Shaler Chewning of Glen Raven in Norlina. The latest industry to join NCTAP, Glen Raven will be taking its first interns in the coming year. Also present from the VGCC TechHire program were Ken Wilson, project manager, and Tiffani Polk, academic and career coach.

All schools participating in NCTAP can send students to the educational partner institution that best meets the needs of the industrial partner, Wilson said.

2018 Criminal Superior Court Session Dates Announced

/by

2018 CRIMINAL SUPERIOR COURT SESSIONS

FOR THE NINTH PROSECUTORIAL DISTRICT

 

*JANUARY 2            VANCE TRIAL (TUES)                                            O’NEAL

 

JANUARY 8              GRANVILLE TRIAL                                                O’NEAL

 

*JANUARY 16          FRANKLIN TRIAL (TUES)                                     HOBGOOD

WARREN CMS (TUES)                                              O’NEAL

                                    VANCE CMS (WED, THURS, FRI)  

 

JANUARY 22             WARREN TRIAL                                                      HOBGOOD

GRANVILLE CMS (MON, TUES)                              O’NEAL

FRANKLIN CMS (WED, THURS)

 

JANUARY 29             NO CRIMINAL SUPERIOR COURT

 

FEBRUARY 5           VANCE TRIAL                                                         HOBGOOD

 

FEBRUARY 12         FRANKLIN CMS (MON, TUES)                                O’NEAL

GRANVILLE CMS (THURS, FRI)                             

 

FEBRUARY 19         GRANVILLE TRIAL                                                HOBGOOD

WARREN CMS (MON)                                               O’NEAL

                                    VANCE CMS (TUES, WED, THURS)           

 

FEBRUARY 26         FRANKLIN TRIAL                                                  HOLT

 

MARCH 5                  WARREN TRIAL                                                      HOLT

 

MARCH 12                VANCE TRIAL                                                         O’NEAL

 

MARCH 19                GRANVILLE CMS (MON, TUES)                              HOBGOOD

FRANKLIN CMS (WED, THURS)

 

*MARCH 26              WARREN CMS (MON)                                               O’NEAL

VANCE CMS (TUES, WED, THURS)           

 

APRIL 2                     GRANVILLE TRIAL                                                HOBGOOD

 

APRIL 9                     FRANKLIN TRIAL                                                  O’NEAL

 

APRIL 16                   VANCE TRIAL                                                         O’NEAL

FRANKLIN CMS (MON, TUES)                                HOBGOOD

GRANVILLE CMS (WED, THURS)

 

APRIL 23                   WARREN CMS (MON)                                               HOBGOOD

                                    VANCE CMS (TUES, WED, THURS)           

 

APRIL 30                   WARREN TRIAL                                                      O’NEAL

 

MAY 7                        GRANVILLE TRIAL                                                O’NEAL

MAY 14                      WARREN CMS (MON)                                               ?????

                                    VANCE CMS (TUES, WED, THURS)

 

MAY 21                      GRANVILLE CMS (MON, TUES)                             ?????

FRANKLIN CMS (WED, THURS)

 

*MAY 28                    NO CRIMINAL SUPERIOR COURT

 

JUNE 4                       FRANKLIN TRIAL                                                  O’NEAL

 

JUNE 11                     VANCE TRIAL                                                         O’NEAL

FRANKLIN CMS (MON, TUES)                                ?????

GRANVILLE CMS (WED, THURS)

 

JUNE 18                     NO CRIMINAL SUPERIOR COURT

 

JUNE 25                     GRANVILLE TRIAL                                                O’NEAL

WARREN CMS (MON)                                               ?????

                                    VANCE CMS (TUES, WED, THURS)

 

*JULY 2                     WARREN TRIAL                                                      LAMBETH

 

JULY 9                       FRANKLIN TRIAL                                                  LAMBETH

 

JULY 16                     GRANVILLE TRIAL                                                LAMBETH

WARREN CMS (MON)                                               HIGHT

                                    VANCE CMS (TUES, WED, THURS)

 

JULY 23                     GRANVILLE CMS (MON, TUES)                              HIGHT

FRANKLIN CMS (WED, THURS)

 

JULY 30                     VANCE TRIAL                                                         LAMBETH

 

AUGUST 6                 NO CRIMINAL SUPERIOR COURT

 

AUGUST 13               FRANKLIN TRIAL                                                  HIGHT

 

AUGUST 20               GRANVILLE TRIAL                                                LAMBETH

WARREN CMS (MON)                                               HIGHT

                                    VANCE CMS (TUES, WED, THURS)           

 

AUGUST 27               VANCE TRIAL                                                         LAMBETH

FRANKLIN CMS (MON, TUES)                                HIGHT

GRANVILLE CMS (WED, THURS)

 

*SEPTEMBER 4        WARREN TRIAL (TUES)                                        HIGHT

 

SEPTEMBER 10        FRANKLIN TRIAL                                                  HIGHT

 

SEPTEMBER 17        GRANVILLE CMS (MON, TUES)                              HIGHT

FRANKLIN CMS (WED, THURS)

 

SEPTEMBER 24        WARREN CMS (MON)                                               HIGHT

                                    VANCE CMS (TUES, WED THURS)

 

OCTOBER 1              GRANVILLE TRIAL                                                HIGHT

 

OCTOBER 8              VANCE TRIAL                                                         LAMBETH

 

OCTOBER 15            NO CRIMINAL SUPERIOR COURT

 

OCTOBER 22             FRANKLIN TRIAL                                                  HIGHT

WARREN CMS (MON)                                               LAMBETH

                                    VANCE CMS (TUES, WED, THURS)

 

OCTOBER 29             FRANKLIN CMS (MON, TUES)                                LAMBETH

GRANVILLE CMS (WED, THURS)

 

NOVEMBER 5          WARREN TRIAL                                                      LAMBETH

 

*NOVEMBER 12      VANCE TRIAL (TUES)                                            LAMBETH

 

*NOVEMBER 19      NO CRIMINAL SUPERIOR COURT

 

NOVEMBER 26        GRANVILLE TRIAL                                                HIGHT

WARREN CMS (MON)                                               LAMBETH

                                    VANCE CMS (TUES, WED, THURS)

 

DECEMBER 3           GRANVILLE CMS (MON, TUES)                              HIGHT

FRANKLIN CMS (WED, THURS)

 

DECEMBER 10         FRANKLIN TRIAL                                                  HIGHT

 

DECEMBER 17         VANCE TRIAL                                                         LAMBETH

 

*DECEMBER 24       NO CRIMINAL SUPERIOR COURT

 

*DECEMBER 31       NO CRIMINAL SUPERIOR COURT

 

*DENOTES A WEEK WITH A HOLIDAY

VGCC offers Fall Mini-Term classes

/by

Although the Fall 2017 semester at Vance-Granville Community College is underway, there are still opportunities to register for a variety of classes offered during “mini-terms.” These sections start later during the semester, but end on Dec. 11, at the same time as the full 16-week courses, and they include just as many hours of instruction as under the traditional schedule.

The Fall 12-Week Mini-Term begins on Tuesday, Sept. 12. The complete list of courses is available by visiting schedules.vgcc.edu and clicking on the printable “Fall 12-Week Mini-Term” schedule.

VGCC has scheduled more than 30 curriculum classes on the 12-week schedule. Most are online, while others are offered in a hybrid format that combines online and traditional on-campus instruction. The courses include not only College Transfer general education courses in subjects such as English, Humanities, Sociology or Spanish, but also courses required for associate degrees such as Paralegal Technology.

Certain 12-week Criminal Justice courses are scheduled through the “Vanguard Online Learning through Technology,” or VOLT, initiative, which allows students to complete an entire associate degree online.

There are also a few courses offered during the Second 8-Week Mini-Term, which starts Thursday, Oct. 12.

Not only current VGCC students, but also new students are welcome to enroll. 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–

State Highway Patrol Promotes Back To School Safety

/by

RALEIGH – In anticipation of the upcoming school year, the State Highway Patrol is focusing on safety in and around school zones.  Motorists should be aware of an increase in school traffic and familiarize themselves with local school bus stop locations.  Teen drivers will also increase as some will be driving to and from school for the first time.  Drivers should also expect an increase in pedestrian traffic in and around school zones.

“Ensuring the safety of students as they travel to and from school is a responsibility shared by everyone”, said Col. Glenn McNeill Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol.  “Our mission is to educate the motoring public on safe driving behaviors before, during and after school.”

Troopers statewide will monitor school bus routes, attempting to ensure motorists comply with stopping for school buses as they pick up and release students. 

According to state law, motorists are required to stop when a school bus is displaying its mechanical stop signal or flashing red lights and the bus is stopped for the purpose of receiving or discharging passengers.  The driver of any other vehicle that approaches the school bus from any direction on the same street, highway, or public vehicular area shall bring that other vehicle to a full stop and shall remain stopped.

Officials also encourage students to ensure all traffic has stopped before entering the roadway when boarding or exiting their respective school bus. 

In an attempt to increase safety and awareness, SHP is using social media to highlight a “Back to School” PSA, which can be viewed by vising the Patrol’s Facebook page.  A digital copy of the PSA is available upon request.