The Warrenton Revitalization Committee presents a kid-friendly “Fright Night” on Saturday, October 26, 2019, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Historic Courthouse Square, 109 S. Main St., Warrenton.
Wear your costume, register for prizes, enter drawings, get your face painted by the Warren County Arts Council and take a ghost walk. A “local spirit” will lead the ghost walk at 8 p.m.
Music will be provided by DJ Lee Burrows with Solid Sound Productions and refreshments will be available for purchase.
(This is not a paid advertisement)
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Vance-Granville Community College announces the 2019/2020 Psychology Club officers and group members.
VGCC Psychology Club 2019/2020 Officers, Back – Left to Right: Alondra Torres-Ornelas (SGA Rep), Sonya Barnes (Secretary), Heather Horner (Treasurer). Front -Left to Right: Jacob Comer (President), Cody Greene (Vice-President), and Faculty Advisor/Psychology Instructor Sharon O’Geary. (VGCC Photo)
VGCC Psychology Club Group Members, Back – Left to Right: Deja Overby, Alondra Torres-Ornelas, Jade Puryear, Sonya Barnes, Alvin Foster, Milton Harper, Brian Ramirez, Haley Moore, Natalee Stephens. Front – Left to Right: Jacob Comer, Cody Greene, Sharon O’Geary (Advisor/Psychology Instructor), Heather Horner. Missing from picture: Kaleigh Booker, Paige Brown, Toni Chandler, Abbi Collier, Mataesha Cheek, Kristich Juengling, Norma Martinez, Dokota Mullins, Latolya Person, Michelle Townes, Isaiah Williams. (VGCC photo)
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-Press Release, USDA&CS
The N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission (NCTTFC) awarded more than $3.4 million through 22 grants fo agricultural and economic initiatives across the state. The grants place a high priority on projects that address ways to train people for new careers, stimulate the agricultural economy and help farmers with innovative ideas.
“Our Commission is dedicated to funding projects that will benefit farmers and their communities across the state,” said Bill Teague, Chairman of the NCTTFC. “In 2019 we were able to fund a diverse array of projects that will benefit a wide section of North Carolina agriculture.”
The $3.4 million supports projects that assist farmers with facility enhancements, research and educational opportunities. These projects assist with innovative on-farm projects, increase leadership skills and offer operational strategies that will help farmers increase farm income.
One project is with the N. C. Agricultural Foundation to study insect and mite management in hemp. Another project partners with the N.C. Agromedicine Institute to educate producers about managing their response to farm stress.
In addition to the grants awarded, the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission renewed its partnerships with the AgPrime and AgVentures to provide small grants directly to on-farm projects that support increasing farm profitability.
The N.C. General Assembly created the N.C. Tobacco Trust Fund Commission in 2000 to lessen the financialimpact to farmers and tobacco-related businesses caused by the sharp decline of tobacco in the agricultural economy.
The commission’s original funding was established through tobacco industry annual payments as a result of the Master Settlement Agreement. Its current funding comes from a set appropriation of funds. Since 2002, the NCTTF has awarded more than 360 grants to public and nonprofit agencies that meet the goals of strengthening the rural and tobacco-dependent economies of North Carolina.
For more information and a list of grant recipients, visit the NC TTFC website at www.tobaccotrustfund.org.
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-Information courtesy NC House Rep. Terry Garrison’s Sept. 2019 newsletter
North Carolina House Representative for District 32 Terry Garrison has written and released his latest from the NC General Assembly. In the September 2019 newsletter, Garrison and his office released the following text:
The last couple of months have been extremely demanding and chaotic to some degree at the NC General Assembly. While some business of the legislative body was standard procedure, some was nontraditional, and one major action was downright deceitful in my view.
The various standing committees continued to do their work and bills continued to be considered at the General Assembly in August and September. A total of 93 budget bills were considered by the House and Senate during this two (2-month) period.
State government operated under a continuing budget resolution during the last couple of months. However, due to the budget veto not being considered, a piecemeal budgeting approach, or mini budgeting, began in earnest in August as an alternative to the standard procedure for approving the 2019-2020 state budget. With this piecemeal budgeting method, state employees received a 5% pay increase with the passage of HB 226. Also, State Highway Patrol Officers will receive a 2.5% increase with the passage of HB 126. Pay increases for teachers and retiree supplements were re-referred to the Committee on Appropriations through HB 426.
A three-judge panel of the State Supreme Court ruled that State Legislative District lines discriminated against Democratic voters in violation of the state constitution. The court ruling struck down the Republican-drawn maps as illegal partisan gerrymanders and gave lawmakers two weeks to draw new district lines for the 2020 Elections. Both the House and Senate have drawn new maps that have been submitted to the three-judge panel. A decision is forthcoming as to whether or not the maps will be approved or new maps drawn by a master under the direction of the judge panel.
On the morning of 9-11-2019, a vote on the Governor’s Veto Override Bill was held during what was slated to be a No Vote Session per understanding of Democrats in the House. The bill passed on a vote count of 55 Yes (Republicans) to 15 No (Democrats). The Democrats present expressed outrage and protested against a vote on the bill in absence of the majority of Democrats in the House who were not aware of a vote to be taken during that Session. Without question, Democrats had been lied too or deliberately misled so as not to be present for a vote on the bill.
A No Vote Session means that no votes will be be taken during that session. Although the Speaker of the House is not under any constitutional mandate to follow that process, it has been a longstanding practice for advance notice to be given to members for Voting Sessions. Giving advance notice of Voting Sessions provides the opportunity for the rights and interests of citizens to be represented by way of a vote on lawful matters of the state. The vote taken on the budget veto override broke a bond of trust, honor, and respect within the NC House of Representatives that may imperil efforts for times to come for the achievement of bipartisanship support on matters of great importance to citizens of the state.
The relocation of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to the Triangle North Granville Business and Industrial Park is included in the current budget bill. The Veto Override Bill has now been sent to the Senate for consideration. If the Senate also overrides the Veto Budget Bill, then DHHS will likely come to Oxford, if no changes are made to the bill. Also, the relocation of DHHS could come to Oxford by way of approval of a mini-budget for capital outlay, if the project remains in the bill as now proposed. On the other hand, if the Senate fails to override the Budget Veto Bill, then the matter will be determined during budget re-negotiations which may or may not lead to imminent relocation of DHHS to Granville County.
Medicaid Expansion is still undecided. It was not included in the budget. However, HB 655 Healthcare for Working Families Bill or Carolina Cares Bill offers a form of Medicaid Expansion. The bill has a work requirement component disliked by many Democratic legislators but may be acceptable in order that many persons without healthcare can receive it.
The Small Business Healthcare Bill (SB 86) became law in August and will provide an opportunity for many small business owners without health insurance to now get health care coverage.
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Join VGCC for the college’s Annual Domestic Violence Observances the week of October 14 – October 17:
Main Campus (Henderson) –
Monday, October 14 from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. in the Student Lounge
Franklin Campus –
Tuesday, October 15 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Student Lounge
South Campus –
Wednesday, October 16 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. in Building 2
Warren Campus –
Thursday, October 17 from 12 until 2 p.m in Room W4103
Students will be able to:
Meet area professionals in the field of domestic violence
Learn some of the signs of someone in need and where to go to get help for yourself or others
Learn about community resources.
Refreshments will be served
This event is co-sponsored by the VGCC Counseling Department and the VGCC Domestic Violence Awareness Committee.
If you have any questions, please contact Cathy Davis at (252) 738-3350 or davisc@vgcc.edu.
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Vance-Granville Community College students volunteered at Franklin-Granville-Vance Smart Start’s 10th Annual “Ducky Derby” fundraiser in downtown Henderson on Saturday, September 21.
The Ducky Derby festival, the local Smart Start program’s signature fundraiser, was a sell-out event, with record-setting attendance. Young children and their families watched over 2,250 yellow rubber ducks, purchased by supporters, swim down the “river” on Garnett Street and race to the finish line.
VGCC student Simone Rose assists with F-G-V Smart Start’s 10th Annual Ducky Derby fundraiser in downtown Henderson. (VGCC photo)
A part of the festival included providing entertainment and games for the children, such as corn hole and ring toss, face painting and balloon animals.
Students from VGCC’s Early Childhood Education degree program assisted with implementing the games and helped to make sure that all the ducks had a safe journey down the “river.” Additionally, students assisted with the setup and cleanup of the event.
Participating VGCC students included Tiffany Bailey, Debi Brotherton, Brittaniana Channell, Cornisha Mitchell, Simone Rose and Ashley Wright.
“This event was an excellent example of our instructors and students serving as stellar representatives of VGCC and collaborating with the community we serve and was particularly appropriate since these students are in training to teach and nurture children,” said Antoinette C. Dickens, the college’s Department Chair of Public Service and Work-Based Learning Coordinator.
VGCC’s Early Childhood Education curriculum prepares students to work with children from birth through eight in diverse learning environments. Employment opportunities include child development and child care programs; preschools; public and private schools; recreational centers; Head Start Programs; and school-age programs.
The program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
For more information, contact Dr. Tracey Bennett Carter at (252) 738-3471 or cartert@vgcc.edu.
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-Information courtesy Cynthia Bowen, City Clerk, City of Oxford
The NC Institute of Political Leadership and the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce present the 2019 Hometown Debate Series: A Conversation on the Delivery of Medical Services.
The event is free to the public and will be held at the Civic Center of Vance-Granville Community College’s Main Campus in Henderson on Thursday, October 17, 2019. The discussion begins at 7 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m.
State Representatives Donna McDowell White and Maryann Black will speak at the occasion, along with Gregory Griggs, with the NC Academy of Family Physicians and Jordan Roberts, with the John Locke Foundation.
The debate is sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina, Humana, IIANC: Independent Insurance Agents of North Carolina, NC Rural Center and the NCAHU: North Carolina Associate of Health Underwriters.
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The Warrenton Revitalization Committee will hold a Harvest Market event on Saturday, October 12, 2019, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in the Historic Courthouse Square in downtown Warrenton.
Crafts, art, gifts, jewelry, candles, produce, festival foods and more will be available. Enjoy live music by Ally J.
Vendor applications are due by October 8 and can be viewed by clicking here.
For more information, please contact (252) 257-1122 or email townadministrator@warrenton.nc.gov
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https://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Soiree-in-the-Swamp.png265504WIZS Staffhttps://wizs.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/wizswebsitelogoimage.pngWIZS Staff2019-10-04 16:57:532019-10-04 16:57:53McGregor Hall is Going ‘Shrek’ Green With Children’s ‘Soiree in the Swamp’
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-Press Release, Kerr Lake Park Watch
It’s been a long time coming and it’s only a little over a month, but in the immortal words of Fred Flintstone, “YABBA DABBA DO!” That’s the reaction to this week’s announcement by NC State Parks & Recreation that the camping season at Hibernia will be extended for the first time.
Kerr Lake is getting its first west bank winter (actually late fall) camping in an NC State Recreation Area. Winter camping has previously been restricted to certain areas of Nutbush and Satterwhite, but for the first time Hibernia’s Area 2 will be open this year until December 1. Hibernia usually closes around October 25 and reopens between March 15-20.
Campers may call Reserve America or go online to book. For nine years Kerr Lake Park Watch has advocated extending the camping seasons as more and more RV’s are equipped for cold-weather camping. You can see the extended camping area in the map below.
“We see this as the tip of the iceberg,” said a jubilant Frank Timberlake, Lead Public Affairs for Kerr Lake Park Watch, “and additional camping time should be added. We agree with state parks folks that December could be slow, so why not add a month earlier in the Spring. We hope the state will publicize this; we surely will.”
Kerr Lake Park Watch Steering Committee member Larry Matthews added, “It’s refreshing and rewarding to know that our state parks leaders are hearing and responding to the campers or moreover to the pleas of their customers; and customers we are because while there may be some tax revenues involved, we pay for every stay.”
Kerr Lake Park Watch has maintained that the salaries for rangers, maintenance and support staff for the seven state recreation areas go year-round, so more of the parks should be open for longer seasons. Campers continue to want more; and in some cases, demand or pass campgrounds by, that don’t build and rehab sites for RV’s with eight-foot bodies, three-foot slides, and eight-foot awnings with at least water and 50-AMP electrical service.
More and more of the RV’s today have enclosed bellies, heated lower sections and even heated water, sewer and grey water tanks. The folks who own those RV’s are looking for close-by facilities for “winter escapes,” not to mention there’s the added bonus of promoting and seeking out tourists passing through the Kerr Lake region.
“This is a long-awaited event for those of us who have winter-camped at Kerr Lake for many years, to now have another option on the west side of the lake,” commented long-time Kerr Lake Park Watch Steering Committee Member Tom Elmore, who’s camped at Kerr for over fifty years. “There are those of us who know the value of Hibernia and believe that this change will be an exciting opportunity for both the campers and the park system, plus the local businesses. On a personal camping basis, being year-round campers, we’ve been limited in the past and have not stayed, and get this, spent money locally, as much as we’ve wanted to.”
Timberlake added, “I would think that the tourism people in Vance and Warren, and even Granville counties would see what a monumental occasion this is as the park seasonal operations haven’t been changed or upgraded with the times in decades. It’s a small step, but certainly one in the right direction, and just 300 or so extra tourists in the area can really add to the community coffers.
I would think that some regular hours at the entrance station will need to be held, maybe at all three parks with extended seasons. Hopefully, we should be fairly cool in November, but in a recent stay, I had nine campers tell me that they could not buy stacked firewood at the entrance station because no one was there.”
Pointing to continued needed improvements, Timberlake, who’s been visiting many of the parks since he was a young child and camping at the SRA’s since he was 14, said, “The next thing we need to do at the seven state recreation areas is to standardize the open/close times for the gates. The other day a seasonal employee told me the gates closed at 10 p.m. Luckily, we were back before 9 p.m., where shortly after the camp host told us that the gate closed at 9 p.m. Mishaps like that can cause problems for staff and certainly inconvenience visiting customers of the parks, possibly leading to bad reviews and no returning campers.”
“We’ve had numerous requests for extended camping, so here it is,” said Timberlake.”If we get a high response, we can see getting the Division of State Parks to extend more time in more parks. Please share this new extended camping season with your Kerr Lake friends!”
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