The Local Skinny! 100 Deadliest Days

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Sandwiched in between two national holidays – Memorial Day and Labor Day – is a period of about 100 days that parents of teen drivers never want to commemorate: During those three or so months have proven to be the deadliest for teen drivers.

During the summer months, teen drivers find themselves with more time on their hands – school is out, and they may be driving to summer jobs or be a taxi service for younger siblings.

In 2021, NCDOT statistics show almost 14,000 car crashes involving teens during the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day, resulting in 36 fatalities.

The state’s graduated driver license program includes measures that can help new drivers, including restricted nighttime driving and non-family passenger limits.

Of course, experienced drivers of a particular age may have had those same restrictions placed on them by their parents before the graduated driver license system began, and parents today can still be a positive influence on their children when they get behind the wheel.

The top factors for crashes are speeding, lane departure and distracted driving.

Be a good role model for your children and follow all the safety tips: don’t text and drive, even if you’re using the phone to navigate or change the music you’re playing.

Read more at https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/safety/driving-safety/Pages/teen-driver-safety.aspx

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Cooperative Extension with Wayne Rowland: Vegetable Systems

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Listen live at 100.1 FM / 1450 AM / or on the live stream at WIZS.com at 11:50 a.m. Mon, Tues & Thurs.

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Vance County United Way Grant Applications Due June 10

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The United Way of Vance County’s 2024 grant application period is now open. Deadline for submission is close of business on Monday, June 10, 2024, and grants are planned to be awarded by the end of June.

According to information from Grants Committee Chairperson Sheri Jones, the turnaround time is quick, but the application is straightforward.

Agencies eligible to apply for the grants must be a 501( c ) 3 not-for-profit with an IRS tax exempt status and licensed under the 1975 solicitation of Charitable Funds Act unless specifically exempt, Jones noted.

Applicants may contact Secretary/Treasurer Jane Haithcock at 252.432.3778 or unitedwayofvance@gmail.com.

The plan is to interview eligible applicants on June 17 and announce grant awards on June 27.

Completed applications must be mailed to United Way of Vance County, P.O. Box 1352 – not dropped off at the office – or email scanned applications to unitedwayofvance@gmail.com.

If mailing a hard copy to P.O. Box 1352, Henderson, NC 27536, the application must be received by the 5 p.m. Monday, June 10 deadline as well.

Applications must be completed in their entirety to be accepted.

Warren Residents Invited To May 30 S-Line Mobility Hub Meeting

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Warren County Community and Economic Development, the N.C. Department of Transportation Integrated Mobility Division and project engineers will be at the Warren County Recreation Complex on May 30 for a community engagement event to talk about the future of the S-Line as part of the project’s mobility hub feasibility study.

NCDOT is working with communities along the proposed S-Line passenger rail corridor to conduct feasibility work for potential mobility hubs in each community. Feasibility work consists of initial design and environmental analysis.

But what exactly are mobility hubs? Transportation officials define them as  safe and comfortable public areas to transfer from one mode of transportation to another. A mobility hub may look different and have different transportation amenities depending on the community’s existing transportation needs, and that’s where input from local residents comes in.

The engagement session on May 30 is designed for the public to express their current transportation needs, as well as what they desire to see in the future regarding transportation in and around Warren County; input will be collected about community desire around transportation options to access places outside of Warren County. These transit options could include a train stop on the S-Line as well.

The engagement session is floating and will run from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. on May 30 at the Warren County Recreation Complex. In the event of rain, the event will be held at the same time and date at the Warren County Memorial Library.

For more information, email Charla Duncan, director of Warren County Community and Economic Development, at charladuncan@warrencountync.gov.

Franklin Commissioners Considering $180 Million Total Budget; Public Hearing June 3

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Franklin County commissioners are considering a total budget of more than $180 million, which includes adding more than a dozen new county employees, calling for new fees and increases in others, and setting the property tax rate at .505 per $100 valuation.

Franklin County Manager Kim Denton’s May 20 budget presentation calls for just slightly more

than the revenue-neutral rate of .4991 per $100.

And although the budget includes taking more than $4.1 million from the fund balance – $2.3 million of which will be used for capital purchases – it’s still $1.3 million less than was taken last year.

As part of her presentation, Denton shared data about the county’s overall growth – with a 4.1 percent annual growth rate, Franklin is the fastest growing county in the Triangle area, the 3rd fastest growing in the state and the 61st fastest growing county in the nation, according to Census data.

On the expense side of things, $873,193 will be spent to add 13 new full-time employees, including an animal cruelty investigator, as well as staff in IT and facilities management. The county’s departments requested a total of 34 new vehicles during the budget process, and the budget includes more than $1.6 million to purchase 23 vehicles.

Franklin County Schools requested $33 million and the proposed budget includes $29,259,067.

On the revenue side, new fees – several of which are for storage, towing and more at the airport – will be introduced effective July 1.

Animal adoption fees are going up, but fees will be waived for TNVR feral cat adoptions.

It’ll cost $30 to revoke membership in the county’s Voluntary Ag District program and the $5 fee for gun permits has been dropped – residents will be able to get gun permits free of charge.

Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Monday, June 3 at regular scheduled board meeting. Residents are invited to view the livestream broadcast of the meeting and to submit comments about the budget via a public portal found on the county’s website www.franklincountync.gov.

The budget may be adopted at the end of the June 3 meeting or at the June 17 commissioners’ meeting.

View the complete budget document at  www.franklincountync.gov.

VCS Begins Graduations; 202 Graduate from VCHS, Early College At 6 PM

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-information courtesy of VCS Chief Communication Officer Aarika Sandlin

Graduation season is officially underway in Vance County Schools, as Vance County High School awarded 202 students with their high school diplomas on Friday, May 24, 2024, in the Vance County High School stadium. The ceremony began at 9 a.m. Posting of Colors was presented by the North Carolina 81st Air Force Junior ROTC Color Guard.

Principal Dr. Nealie Whitt III shared words of encouragement to the graduating class, and VCHS Class of 2024 graduate Chedaria Turner delivered the farewell address to fellow classmates.

Turner shared a moment of gratitude to those who have impacted the lives of the Class of 2024, expressing that “Your belief in our dreams has been our strongest foundation.”

She continued by stating that the door to their futures had opened, the knob has twisted and opened “to a future where we will prosper and come out stronger than any others before or behind us.” She finished her words to her fellow graduates with well wishes, sharing “May your future play out to its fullest extent.”

Students were presented their diplomas by Principal Dr. Nealie Whitt III, Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett, and Randy M. Oxendine, VCS Board of Education Chair.

Vance County Early College graduation will take place today at 6 p.m. in the Civic Center at Vance-Granville Community College.

AdVance Academy graduates on Friday, June 14 at 3 pm. followed by Vance Virtual Village Academy at 6 pm. The ceremonies will be held  at the Center for Innovation and require a ticket to enter. There’s a livestream link on the VCS webpage: https://www.vcs.k12.nc.us/

 

Congratulations, Vance County High School Class of 2024!

VCHS Class of 2024 Fast Facts: 

  • The following seniors enlisted in the military:

○ Dalton Black (U.S. Army)

○ Sarah Baldwin (U.S. Army)

○ Joshua Hicks (U.S. Army)

○ Na’Sean Jones (U.S. Air Force)

○ Ashley Yancey (U.S. Air Force)

○ Kimora Allen (U.S. Navy)

○ Jaliah Snickles-Fields (U.S. Navy)

○ Tony Bolanos-Armas (U.S. Marine Corps)

 

  • 36 students graduated with distinction:

○ 17 seniors graduated Cum Laude (weighted GPA 3.25-3.5)

○ 15 seniors graduated Magna Cum Laude (weighted GPA 3.6-3.9)

○ 4 seniors graduated Summa Cum Laude (weighted GPA 4.0+)

  • Students graduated with a variety of honors, including:

○ North Carolina Scholar

○ National Beta Club

○ President’s Award for Educational Excellence

○ President’s Award for Achievement

○ Music Honors

○ Council on International Exchange

○ Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Scholar

○ International Cultural Exchange Service

 

Follow Vance County Schools on social media to see photos from the graduation exercises.

Kerr Lake Country Club

Chamber Member Spotlight: Kerr Lake Country Club

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– This post sponsored by the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce 

Kerr Lake Country Club is celebrating 60 years! Since the mid-1960’s, this semi-private club has been a destination for families and individuals who want to enjoy a round of golf, a game of tennis or who just want to relax poolside.

Located at 600 Hedrick Drive off Satterwhite Point Road, KLCC offers a variety of membership levels: family memberships include unlimited golf and full pool/tennis, and there are single memberships, young adult memberships, and pool-only memberships so you’re sure to get the best package to fit your needs.

The beautifully manicured golf course is open to the public, accepting green fee play, and is a favored course that attracts golfers from surrounding counties as well.

Call KLCC at 252.492.1895 to learn more. Jan DeMarco is the club manager.

This thriving local business is a proud member of the Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce, which recently featured the club in its Chamber Member Spotlight. Chamber President Sandra Wilkerson thanked KLCC for being a supportive member of the Chamber and Ronald Bennett, board member of the HV Chamber of Commerce presented the spotlight award and expressed gratitude for their longevity in providing great opportunities for locals as well as bringing tourism to Vance County. Bennett also wished them many more years of success ahead.

Vance County Schools Earns National Beta District Of Distinction Honor

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Vance County Schools has been named a 2023-2024 National District of Distinction by the National Beta organization, the largest independent, non-profit, educational youth organization in America.

According to information from VCS Chief Communication Officer Aarika Sandlin, the local school district is the only district in the state to receive the award, and one of only 64 districts nationwide. The award is given to those districts who offer National Beta in all schools in their district, and who induct qualifying students in all eligible grades – grades 4‐12.

Through the exceptional efforts of Superintendent Dr. Cindy Bennett, club sponsors and deserving Beta members, Vance County Schools has flourished since the district’s initial Beta charter. This national award speaks to the district’s commitment to academic excellence, leadership development and service involvement, and illustrates their dedication to preparing students for college, and career readiness. The students in their district understand the importance of these qualities and exemplify the Beta motto, Let Us Lead by Serving Others.

The National Beta organization is committed to providing students with a positive experience in a supportive manner in grades 4-12. The organization recognizes outstanding achievement, promotes character and social responsibility, encourages service involvement to school and community, and fosters leadership skills.

Award recipients received a National Beta District of Distinction award to proudly display at their district office. In addition, National Beta District of Distinction principals received a plaque to display at their school.

The Vance County Schools Beta Club district sponsor is Andrew Markoch, Director of Fine Arts and Physical Education.

For more information about National Beta, visit www.betaclub.org

Vance County High School

SportsTalk: It’s Football Season

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It might be a strange think to say a week before June but it’s football season!  At least at Vance County High School.  Head football coach Aaron Elliott was a guest on Thursday’s SportsTalk to explain why football is happening.

“Our spring game was last Friday,” Elliott said.  After practicing for ten straight days the Vipers took the field in an offense versus defense match up that saw the game end with the very baseball like score of 5-0.  “What I took away from the game was competitiveness,”  Elliott said.

The team now prepares for summer workouts and a trip to the FCA football camp at NC Wesleyan in Rocky Mount.  At $185 per player, it was expensive but Coach Elliott had help.  “Clearview Church helped out tremendously by paying for the entire camp,” Elliott said.

While the boys are preparing for next fall, the girls are taking the field tonight against Southern Durham for the first ever girl’s flag football team.  “We have lots of female athletes who can get it done,” Elliott said of the lady Vipers.  Next week the Vipers will take on Louisburg.   Elliott thinks by next season the sport will be fully sanctioned and they will have a full season.

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