Tag Archive for: #vancecountyncnews

Contractor Moves Start of I-85 Lane Shifts in Vance/Warren Counties to Friday

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RALEIGH – Motorists who travel through the work zone for the I-85 upgrade project now under way in Vance and Warren counties will be encountering a series of lane shifts and ramp closures over the next several weeks.

They will start about noon on Friday, Jan. 27, when I-85 South traffic will be shifting over to the northbound side between U.S. 158 Bypass West/Dabney Drive and U.S. 1. The southbound traffic will move to the inside of the northbound side, while I-85 North traffic will shift to the outside.

The move into the two-lane, two-way pattern will allow crews to safely work on the southbound side of the highway. That shift is expected to remain in place until November.

The eastbound U.S. 158 ramp to I-85 will remain closed through November as well, while the I-85 South on ramp from Parham Road will be closed, also until November.

By the end of the month, or in early February, traffic in Warren County will undergo the same shift, with I-85 South vehicles being moved to I-85 North to share those lanes between mile markers 224 and 229.

The timing of the shifts and closures is dependent on the progress of the prep work needed to get the roadways ready, as well as weather conditions.

It is all part of a five-year, $137.3-million project that is improving the interstate between Dabney Road in Vance County and the Virginia state line. In addition to repairing the deteriorating road surface, the work calls for replacing the bridges on I-85 and improving bridges over the interstate. That includes raising the clearance on several of those bridges to create safer conditions for tractor trailers traveling underneath them along the interstate.

The improvements are needed because of the expected increase in traffic volume on this key connector highway for travelers and commercial trucking that links cities of the Mid-Atlantic and northeast United States to Greensboro, Charlotte and Atlanta. Traffic is currently at about 37,800 vehicles a day, but is expected to rise to 60,000 per day over the next 20 years.

A project this big means considerable impacts for motorists with lane and ramp closures, traffic shifts and detours continuing through the end of the project in 2020. And it’s not just the interstate that will be affected, as roads such as N.C. 39 and Satterwhite Point Road, which provides key access to Kerr Lake State Recreation Area, will have lane restrictions and closings at times.

NCDOT staff works closely with local officials, towns, schools and emergency services to make sure everyone knows when their areas will be impacted. For more information about the project, you can contact NCDOT Resident Engineer Boyd Tharrington at btharrington@ncdot.gov or (919) 562-7000.

For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on Twitter.

***NCDOT***

 

Kerr-Vance Academy Students watch Presidential Inauguration

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The fifth and sixth grades at Kerr-Vance Academy took time out today from their regular classes to watch the television broadcast of the Presidential Oath of Office and the Inaugural Address.

Language Arts teacher Anne Almand planned the lesson and said,  “This is the first Inauguration that our students have been old enough to experience with an understanding of the significance of this event.  As part of their study of the governmental structure of the United States, they have discussed the elements of the election process, and they have been witness to this controversial time in our American history.  So that the students can feel a part of today’s ceremony, they have memorized the Oath of Office to repeat as administered to the new President.

As a class, our students are aware of the message of excitement and hope that Mr. Trump has communicated to the nation in his challenge to ‘Make America Great, Again.”

(From Headmaster Frank Wiggins)

VGCC Vanguards upset JV Tar Heels with 106-100 victory

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The Vance-Granville Community College Vanguards men’s basketball team achieved one of the most stunning upsets in program history on Jan. 18, defeating the University of North Carolina junior varsity team by a score of 106-100 at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill.

This was VGCC’s second trip to Chapel Hill and the team’s first win over the JV Tar Heels, who were undefeated this season before the contest.

Henderson-based radio station WIZS 1450 AM provided live coverage of the game, just as in the first meeting of the two programs in 2016. “In what was going to be an incredible experience in and of itself for the VGCC Vanguards, they came out more ready to play than the Tar Heels,” reflected Kevin Bullock, who called the game for WIZS. “The Vance-Granville locker room was electric before the game, while the UNC JV locker room was all but silent.”

The Vanguards got off to a strong start, trading leads with the Tar Heels and settling on a 51-51 tie at the half. The back-and-forth continued through the second half toward a nail-biter of a conclusion. After taking a five-point lead and then falling behind by as many as five in the second half, the Vanguards fought back to tie the Heels with two minutes to go.

With 20 seconds left on the clock, the Vanguards pulled away from a 100-100 tie and never looked back, making four straight free throws to seal the victory.

Key to VGCC’s win was a balanced offense that featured six players scoring in double figures: NiQuan Cousins (30 points), TyQuon Reid (22), Chris Pernell (16), Jaylen Jones (11), Calvin Malik Manley (11) and Kenneth Finley, Jr. (10). Cousins was also the Vanguards’ leading rebounder (14). He leads the nation in rebounds per game (14.5) for NJCAA Division II. Cousins recorded three assists and three blocks, as well. Manley contributed seven rebounds to the winning effort. Jones led in steals (4).

The Tar Heels were led in scoring by Lucas Bouknight of Greensboro, with 21 points. An article in the student newspaper, the Daily Tar Heel, concluded that the JV “basketball team wasn’t just outplayed — UNC was outworked.” The article quoted Hubert Davis, the former Tar Heel guard and 12-year NBA veteran who coaches the JV squad, as saying, “Congratulations to Vance-Granville Community College. They earned it….I just felt like the entire game they were the tougher team. They were the team that worked the hardest, that wanted it more.”

Bullock, the WIZS sportscaster, concluded that “Carolina was hampered by poor free throw shooting and live ball turnovers. Vance-Granville was able to capitalize on those opportunities and shot the ball better than they had all season. It was the UNC JV team’s fourth game in nine days, which allowed the Vanguards to get out and run on Carolina and wear them down in the second half. NiQuan Cousins, Jaylen Jones, TyQuon Reid and the rest of the Vanguards will never forget the day they went to Chapel Hill and beat the Tar Heels.”

VGCC’s next home game is set for Saturday, Jan. 21, at 3 p.m., when the Vanguards face a conference opponent, Guilford Tech Community College, at Aycock Recreation Center in Henderson. Admission is free.

 

Old Vance County Animal Shelter Building Under Discussion

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To the Press:

Please be informed that the county’s properties committee (Brummit, Kelly, Wilder) is scheduled to meet Thursday, January 26 at 4:00 p.m. to discuss the old animal shelter building. The meeting will be held in the administrative conference room.

All commissioners are invited to attend.

 

Thank you,

Kelly H. Grissom

Clerk to Board/Executive Asst.

County of Vance

122 Young Street, Suite B

Henderson, NC 27536

Phone: 252-738-2003

Fax: 252-738-2039

 

(Info received via email to the local press)

The Hoppers Return to Henderson

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HENDERSON, N.C. (January 18, 2017)—Following the release of their new album “Life is Good” and back by popular demand, the legendary Gospel music group The Hoppers will grace the stage of McGregor Hall Performing Arts and Learning Center in Henderson, N.C., for their second concert there on Saturday, January 28th at 7p.m.

Known as “America’s Favorite Family of Gospel Music,” the multi-award winning group from Madison, N.C., have been singing to global audiences for over 55 years with appearances ranging from presidential religious inaugural ceremonies and New York’s Carnegie Hall to singing conventions and church platforms. Their unique blend of harmonies and song choices have landed them on top of the Billboard and Singing News charts and featured on Gospel music showcases such as The Gaither Homecoming videos and tours.

The Hoppers are comprised of family members Claude and Connie, sons Mike and Dean and his wife, Kim, and their daughter Karlye. A cancer survivor, Connie has been honored with numerous awards, including being inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Sons Dean and Mike have continued the family legacy with their musical talents and business abilities; and Kim, Dean’s wife, hails from her own nationally acclaimed musical family, The Greenes.

The Hoppers will be joined by two local opening acts: Unashamed and Lynn Cooper. Unashamed, a Southern Gospel Quartet from Henderson, N.C., are comprised of Bill Wheeler (bass), Chris Jarrell (baritone), Scott Brantley (lead) and Cliff Reavis (tenor). From a Country/Bluegrass sound to more progressive Southern Gospel, the quartet offers something pleasing for everyone.

Lynn Cooper is a rising Gospel/Christian recording artist from Durham County, N.C., who now resides in Granville County, N.C., with her family. This past December (2016), Lynn released her first Christian album titled “A Person From The Pew,” which was recorded and produced by three-time Grammy Award recipient Tre Corley of Oak Tree Studios in Hendersonville, Tenn. Along with her music ministry, Lynn and her husband, Joe Don, produce “House of Fate Ministries,” a faith-based performance held at Tungsten Baptist Church in Henderson, N.C.

For more information on the concert, visit www.McGregorHall.org, (252) 598-0662 or visit the box office at 201 Breckenridge Street in downtown Henderson.

 

For More Information About McGregor Hall, Contact:

Tommy Deadwyler, Executive Director

McGregor Hall Performing Arts & Learning Center

201 Breckenridge St., Henderson, NC  27536

(252) 598-0662

tommydeadwyler@mcgregorhall.org

Pre-K and Kindergarten Registration begins for Vance County Schools

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Parents should begin now applying for their child to attend pre-kindergarten and registering their child for kindergarten classes for the 2017-2018 school year.

Parents should contact the elementary school in the area where they live to get registration information.

We urge parents also to watch out for more information soon on special events and activities at our elementary schools for children who will be eligible to attend pre-kindergarten and kindergarten next school year.

Any child who will be four years old by August 31 of this year is eligible for pre-kindergarten for the new year and any child who will be five years old by August 31 is eligible to attend kindergarten.

(Vance County Schools News Release)

KVA Student selected for Senate Page Program in Virginia

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Sarah Allen, an eighth grader at Kerr Vance Academy has been selected for the Senate Page Program for the Commonwealth of Virginia.  The General Assembly will be in session during January and February.  The Senate Page Leadership Program is structured similar to a college preparatory program with components centered on developing future leaders.

Students who receive admission to the program carry on the tradition of page service in the legislature while fulfilling requirements in a professional development track comprised of speakers, site visits and classroom-like instruction. The mission of the program is to facilitate a structured environment in which young Virginians embrace responsibility and accountability, develop professional characteristics through strict standards of conduct and engage in the legislative process through work, observation and discussion. Sarah is the daughter of Richard and Jill Allen of Clarksville, Virginia.

KVA Student selected for prestigious Rotary Leadership Conference

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John Averette, a junior at Kerr Vance Academy was recently selected to attend the Rotary Club Youth Leadership Conference in April at Camp Oak Hill in Virginia.  The conference will include experiential sessions on leadership, team building activities, and a rope course among other experiences.  RCYL award winners are selected for demonstrating leadership potential in scholastic, athletic, and civic activities.  John is a native of Henderson and the son of Curtis and Angie Averette.

Wednesday Closings / News 01-10-2017

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Wednesday Closings / News 1-10-17

Refresh Your Browser for the Latest!

Text or Email closings or announcements to 252-432-0774 or johncharles@wizs.com or call 252-492-3001

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Update 5:40 p.m. Tuesday

  • Crosscreek Charter School closed Wednesday, January 11
  • Crossroad Christian School closed Wednesday, January 11
  • Davita Dialysis of Louisburg delayed until 7:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 11
  • Durham Public Schools closed Wednesday, January 11 (workday for teachers)
  • Franklin County Government Offices delayed until 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 11
  • Franklin County Schools closed Wednesday, January 11
  • Franklin County Superior Court postponed until Thursday, January 12 at 10:00 a.m.
  • Granville County Schools closed Wednesday, January 11
  • Granville County Government Offices delayed 1.5 hours Wednesday, January 11
  • Granville Vance District Health Department delayed until 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 11
  • Henderson Collegiate closed Wednesday, January 11 (workday for teachers)
  • Henderson Family YMCA delayed until 7:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 11
  • Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department has cancelled all practices and games for Tuesday, January 10
  • Kerr-Vance Academy delayed 3 hours Wednesday, January 11
  • Mecklenburg County (VA) Schools closed Wednesday, January 11
  • Oxford Preparatory School closed to students Wednesday, January 11 (optional workday for teachers)
  • Person County Schools closed Wednesday, January 11
  • Roxboro Community School closed Wednesday, January 11
  • Vance Charter School closed Wednesday, January 11
  • Vance County Schools closed Wednesday, January 11
  • Victory Christian School and Daycare will operate on a 2-hour delay Wednesday, January 11
  • Wake County Schools closed Wednesday, January 11
  • Warren County Schools closed Wednesday, January 11

 

Henderson PD Crime of the Month – Individual Robbed at Henderson Food Mart

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On December 24, 2016 at approximately 9:45 PM officers with the Henderson Police Department responded to Henderson Food Mart in reference an armed robbery. Upon arrival, officers found that a Mr. Jason Rodriguez had been robbed while transporting an unknown subject. Mr. Rodriguez stated that he was lost and that the suspect was picked up to provide directions. Mr. Rodriguez was struck in the face two times by the suspect. Taken from Mr. Rodriguez were US currency and a cellular phone.

The investigation is being conducted by members of the Henderson Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division. If anyone should have any information related to this case, they are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141. Crime Stoppers offers a reward of up to $2,000 for information that may lead to an arrest. Callers may remain anonymous.

Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow

Press Release: January 10, 2017