VGCC Introduces Online Career Coach Program for Students

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Vance-Granville Community College recently introduced a new web-based service that will help students explore careers and make plans for their future.

Through the interactive “Career Coach” program, students can:

  • take a career assessment and get suggestions for possible career goals, based on their interests;
  • access the latest information about jobs and salaries in the region for various career fields; and
  • learn about particular VGCC education and training programs that lead to the careers they want.

By linking jobs to education, current or future students can see the potential “return on investment” of community college programs. They can even see a list of employers in the region who have posted jobs for a particular type of career within the last year.

“Not only current students, but also people who are thinking about becoming students, can use the site to learn more about various career options and the VGCC programs that prepare them for those careers,” said VGCC Director of Career Services Linda Fletcher. “Users can create accounts which allow them to save the results of their assessments and their favorite careers or programs of study. We think this will help members of our community make well-informed career decisions and get training for skills that are in demand by employers.”

Other special features of Career Coach include a tool that allows veterans of the armed services to find civilian careers that are related to their military occupations and a tool that helps users create a professional resume.

Career Coach is linked from the VGCC.edu home page and can be accessed directly at vgcc.emsicc.com.

I Voted Sticker

Warren Co. Board of Elections to Hold Voting Systems Demonstration

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-Information courtesy Warren County, NC

Notice is hereby given that the Warren County Board of Elections will hold a public demonstration of voting systems recommended for use in Warren County, NC.

The demonstration will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 12, 2019, at the Warren County Armory Civic Center, 501 US Hwy 158-Bus E, Warrenton, NC.

This notice is given by order of Esther Terry, Chairman, Warren County Board of Elections.

For further information, contact Warren County BOE staff at (252) 257-2114.

Scholarship Fund Established at VGCC in Memory of Local Teacher

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-Press Release, Vance-Granville Community College

Friends and colleagues of the late Robert C. Pirie, Jr., have established a scholarship fund in his memory at Vance-Granville Community College.

Pirie passed away in May at the age of 75. A Vance County native, he was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, including service in Vietnam. He retired from the Vance County school system after teaching for more than 30 years, primarily at Zeb Vance Elementary School.

From left, Mike Bullard, Billy Horner, Wanda Bullard and VGCC Endowment Director Eddie Ferguson meet to discuss plans for the scholarship in memory of Robert Pirie. (VGCC photo)

Retired educators Michael and Wanda Bullard, along with Pirie’s best friend, Billy Horner, and his wife, Patricia Horner, helped set up the scholarship at VGCC. “I was a student of Mr. Pirie’s during his first year of teaching and then had the honor of teaching with him for 12 years,” Wanda Bullard said. “He encouraged me to become a teacher and then became my mentor. We became very close and I thought of him as a second father. I am one of many that he encouraged and supported.”

Bullard noted that Pirie received several awards for his math teaching abilities. He also coached the Zeb Vance Eagles Pee Wee football team for many years and was well-respected in the school system and the community. She recalled that Pirie and Horner shared a love of college sports, attending numerous Duke University home football games and ACC basketball tournaments together.

When Pirie struggled with health issues in his later years, Bullard and Horner helped take care of him. “He was like family to both of us,” Bullard said. “We wanted to start the scholarship in his name as a way to continue his legacy of encouragement and support of students being the best they can be.”

“We are touched that those who knew and worked with Mr. Pirie, those he taught and those he inspired, have been generous and thoughtful enough to honor his memory through a scholarship,” said VGCC Endowment Director Eddie Ferguson. “When fully endowed, this new scholarship will help VGCC students continue their education, and that’s a perfect way to pay tribute to an outstanding educator.”

Through the Endowment Fund, VGCC has awarded more than 9,400 scholarships to students since 1982. Scholarships have been endowed by numerous individuals, industries, businesses, civic groups, churches and the college’s faculty and staff.

Tax-deductible donations to the VGCC Endowment Fund have often been used to honor or remember a person, group, business or industry with a lasting gift to education.

For more information or to make a contribution to help fully endow this scholarship, call Kay Currin at (252) 738-3409.

Contributions to the scholarship fund can be mailed to the Vance-Granville Community College Endowment Fund, at P.O. Box 917, Henderson, NC 27536.

Town of Warrenton Announces Fall ‘Movie Nights on the Square’

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-Information courtesy the Town of Warrenton Facebook page

The Town of Warrenton, NC announces its fall schedule of three free outdoor “Movie Nights on the Square!” Movies will be played at dusk in the Historic Courthouse Square, 109 S. Main Street in Warrenton.

Saturday, September 14 – “A Dog’s Way Home” (rated PG)

Saturday, October 5 – “Bumblebee” (rated PG-13)

Saturday, October 19 – “Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween” (rated PG)

Admission is free; popcorn and refreshments will be available for purchase. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy an evening of family fun.

In case of inclement weather, movies will be shown indoors at the newly renovated Warrenton Town Hall.

Duke Energy

Duke Energy Reports First Storm Outages, Provides Important Reminders

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Please check the WIZS website, Facebook page and listen live to WIZS 1450 AM and 100.1 FM for storm updates. The latest briefing from the National Weather Service can be found any time by clicking here.

-Information courtesy Tanya Evans, District Manager, Duke Energy

We are beginning to see the first storm-related outages this afternoon as Hurricane Dorian storm bands reach our state. And while we aren’t expecting hurricane force winds locally, we do anticipate severe weather conditions which will lead to outages.

Across the state, we are still projecting as many as 700,000 customers or more could experience extended outages from this storm.

How to see outages in your area

See the outage map at www.duke-energy.com/outages.

You can view outages in a few ways. On all devices, you can use the search bar to find a specific address or location.

When looking at the map, you will see circle icons of varying sizes indicating the location and number of customers without power. One outage on the map could represent multiple homes and businesses. Pan the map and select a circle to zoom in on your location.

Or you can select the zoom (+/-) in the lower right corner of the map, and then use the mouse to drag left, right, up or down to navigate to the location you want to view. Or, you can select the zoom (+/-) in the lower right corner of the map, and then use the mouse to drag left, right, up or down to navigate to the location you want to view.

On a mobile device, use the pinch open gesture to zoom in and the pinch close gesture to zoom out, and then use the drag gesture to move the outage map to the desired location.

Email and text communication

We have been sharing prepare messages and updates with customers who have email addresses registered with us. In addition, a text message was sent today to customers who do not have an email on file with us:

“Duke Energy Storm: Dorian is bringing high winds & excessive rainfall to parts of our state. Prepare for dangerous conditions & extended outages. Our crews are nearby and ready to move as soon as conditions allow.  Visit https://duk.us/06 for latest info. Heed all warnings and stay safe. Text STOP to cancel.”

 Outage reporting  

Customers who experience an outage during the storm can report it by:

Visiting duke-energy.com on a desktop computer or mobile device.

Texting OUT to 57801 (standard text and data charges may apply).

Calling the automated outage-reporting system at 800.419.6356.

For storm or power restoration updates, follow Duke Energy on Twitter (@DukeEnergy) and Facebook (Duke Energy). See the outage map at www.duke-energy.com/outages.

Important reminders

The following tips can help you and your family stay safe if the power goes out:

  • Stay away from power lines that have fallen or are sagging. Consider all lines energized as well as trees, limbs or anything in contact with lines.
  • Charge cellphones, computers and other electronic devices in advance of the storm to stay connected to important safety and response information. Consider purchasing portable chargers and make sure they are fully charged as well.
  • Maintain a plan to move family members – especially those with special needs – to a safe, alternative location in case an extended power outage occurs or evacuation is required.
  • Pet owners should make arrangements to stay at evacuation shelters that accept pets; friends’ or family members’ homes; or pet-friendly hotels.
  • Report all power line hazards using the following phone numbers:
  • Duke Energy Carolinas customers – 800.769.3766
  • Duke Energy Progress customers – 800.419.6356
  • Please do not use 911 to report a downed power line unless it is a life-threatening emergency. If a power line falls across a car that you’re in, stay in the car and dial 911. If you MUST get out of the car due to a fire or other immediate life-threatening situation, do your best to jump clear of the car and land on both feet. Be sure that no part of your body is touching the car when your feet touch the ground.Click here for a video demonstration and to read more about safety around power lines.

McGregor Hall Announces Audition Dates for ‘Black Nativity’

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-Information courtesy McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center

Be a part of the retelling of Christ’s birth through gospel song and movement! “Black Nativity” incorporates the poetry of Langston Hughes with drama, dance, and both contemporary and traditional gospel song.

ALL actors of ALL appearances are welcome.

You may choose to audition on either Saturday, September 14 at 10 a.m. or Sunday, September 15 at 3 p.m. You may subsequently be asked to attend a callback audition on Tuesday, September 17 at 7 p.m.

Auditions will be held at McGregor Hall, 201 Breckenridge Street in Henderson. Please enter through the backstage door facing Winder Street at the top of the handicap ramp.

There will be a movement component for the auditions, so please wear appropriate shoes and clothing.

The production opens on Thursday, December 12 with two daytime school field trip performances. There will also be evening performances at 8 p.m. on December 13-14 and a 2 p.m. matinee performance on December 15.

Rehearsals will begin Monday, October 7. Onstage chorus members may be asked to purchase or rent costumes at their own expense.

For more information or to sign up for auditions visit www.mcgregorhall.org/auditions or email markhopper@mcgregorhall.org.

Break a leg!

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Wildcats Softball to Host 220 Seafood Fundraiser

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-Information and photo courtesy Amanda Pegram, Wildcats Softball 

The Wildcats Softball team will hold a fundraiser at 220 Seafood Restaurant in Henderson on Monday, September 9, 2019, from 4 to 7 p.m.

$7.00 per plate. Eat-in or take out.

Dinner includes fried trout, french fries, coleslaw and hushpuppies. Drink included for eat-in only. Glad to serve walk-ins.

Proceeds will be used to fund tournaments and purchase needed equipment.

Please help support this great group of girls from Granville, Vance, Warren, and Halifax counties.

(This is not a paid advertisement)

VCRFM Memorial Garden

Join the Master Gardener Volunteers for a Fall Gardening Symposium

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-Information courtesy Paul McKenzie, Agricultural Extension Agent, Vance/Warren Counties

Join the Master Gardener℠ volunteers of Vance/Warren Counties on Saturday, October 5, 2019, for their fall Gardening Symposium, which will be held in historic Warrenton, NC.

The symposium will feature Brie Arthur, author of The Foodscape Revolution. Brie studied Landscape Design and Horticulture at Purdue University and since has worked as a grower, propagator, author, and correspondent on the Growing A Greener World show on PBS. She has a passion for sustainable, local food production and will share advice on how to practice this in your own backyard, with an emphasis on native plants.

The presentation by Brie Arthur will take place at 1 p.m. in the Warren County Courthouse. Registration is $20 and may be submitted by downloading a registration form from https://go.ncsu.edu/foodscapewarren.

As a special bonus, the Master Gardener volunteers are partnering with Preservation Warrenton to offer a free walking tour of historic downtown starting at 10 a.m. that morning, which will highlight many fascinating stories from the town’s past. The tour will end in plenty of time for folks to enjoy downtown shopping and dining before heading over to the Courthouse for the 1 p.m. main event.

For more information, call the NC Cooperative Extension office for Warren County at 252-257-3640, or email paul_mckenzie@ncsu.edu.

Kerr Tar Regional Council of Governments

Kerr-Tar Regional COG to Offer Eligible Residents Emergency Home Repairs

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-Press Release, Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments

The Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments (COG) has been awarded $200,000 by the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) under the 2019 cycle of the Urgent Repair Program to assist residents in the counties of Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance and Warren.

The Urgent Repair program finances emergency home repairs for homeowners who are elderly or have special needs and whose incomes are below 50% of the median for the area. Only repairs that address imminent threats to the life and/or safety of occupants of the dwelling unit or accessibility modifications will be performed under the program. A total of 18 households are projected to be assisted.

In the Urgent Repair Program, one or two critical problems may be repaired, but the entire house is not addressed. Examples of work typically done under this program include roof or HVAC system repair, well or septic system repairs, adding accessibility features like ramps, bathroom grab bars and wider doors.

The COG will provide assistance to those whose homes are selected for repairs in the form of a loan. Homeowners will receive an unsecured deferred, interest-free loan, forgiven at a rate of $2,000 per year until the principal balance is reduced to zero. The maximum amount of the loan available is $10,000.

Applications are available starting September 2, 2019, and must be returned to the COG office by 5 p.m. on November 1, 2019. Clients to be assisted will be selected by January 1, 2020.

The application and program information are available on the Kerr-Tar Regional COG website at www.kerrtarcog.org or by calling 252-436-2040.

The funds provided by the NCHFA for the Urgent Repair Program come from the North Carolina Housing Trust Fund.

NCDOT

NCDOT Suspending Most Major Lane-Closing Projects for Labor Day Travel

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-Press Release, NCDOT

To ensure the safest and most efficient travel possible for North Carolina residents and visitors this Labor Day weekend, the N.C. Department of Transportation will suspend most road construction projects causing lane closures on major routes across the state.

Where possible, closed lanes will be opened from Friday morning until Tuesday evening. There are, however, some locations where the type or stage of construction will not allow an opening for safety reasons.

Drivers can check the status of the route they plan to take in advance by visiting DriveNC.gov. They can also follow NCDOT on social media to track travel updates by region or route.

NCDOT encourages drivers to follow these tips to navigate the roads safely over the holiday weekend:

  • Leave early to get a head start on your drive. Travel at non-peak hours when possible;
  • Stay alert. Even if construction work is suspended, you may encounter narrowed lanes and traffic shifts in work zones;
  • Be patient and obey the posted speed limit;
  • Use alternate routes when possible to avoid traffic congestion;
  • Travel at times when you are normally awake and take frequent breaks;
  • Avoid distracted driving; and
  • Don’t drive drunk or impaired.

Labor Day weekend is also a time for law enforcement to crack down on drunk driving. The N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program has already started its “Booze It & Lose It” campaign, geared toward catching people who are driving under the influence.

Sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols will be in place in all 100 counties through Monday to keep impaired drivers off the roads. If you plan to drink over the holiday period, NCDOT and GHSP strongly urge you to call a friend, use a ride-share service or take a cab or public transit.