Daily Courier, December 11, 2009

Local Foundation awards $17,000 in grants — Page 2 Sports Carolina’s new No. 3 Matt Moore admitted to being a little too indecisive in his first start and promises to be better Sunday

Page 7

Friday, December 11, 2009, Forest City, N.C.

50¢

Rippy found guilty, gets life in prison

NATION

By LARRY DALE Daily Courier Staff Writer

Snow blankets much of the Midwest, East

Page 10

SPORTS Larry Dale/Daily Courier

Kelvin Jerome Rippy is escorted from the Rutherford County Jail on Thursday afternoon for the trip to Central Prison in Raleigh.

RUTHERFORDTON — Kelvin Jerome Rippy was found guilty of first-degree murder Thursday afternoon in Rutherford County Superior Court and was given a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The jury convicted Rippy, 28, in the Nov. 3, 2007, strangulation and stabbing of Heather Lowery, 24, who died at Hospice of Rutherford County on Dec. 24, 2007.

The jury returned its verdict about an hour and a half after receiving the case a few minutes before noon.

Jurors could have returned a verdict of

guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter, or not guilty.

In less than an hour and a half after the verdict, Rippy was on his way to Central Prison in Raleigh for processing. After processing, he could be placed in any of the state’s maximum security facilities.

After the verdict, Judge Bradley Letts allowed Lisa Tolleson, Lowery’s mother, to read a letter that Lowery had written to her young son. In it, the mother said her son came along and changed her life for the better. Among other things, she had written, “You are my everything.

I am so proud of you.”

Rippy is the boy’s

father, and Lowery had taken him to Rippy’s apartment to see him the day she was assaulted. The two reportedly had argued when Rippy realized he would not be getting back together with Lowery, and he had asked for custody of their son.

Carolyn Humphries, Lowery’s grandmother, also spoke, saying she was glad the firstdegree murder verdict was returned and said she hoped the family could get on with their lives now.

District Attorney Brad Greenway convinced jurors during the trial that the state had proven the five points necessary to convict Please see Guilty, Page 6

Giant generator reaches Cliffside Tar Heels ready for return to Charlotte Page 7

GAS PRICES

Low: High: Avg.:

$2.50 $2.61 $2.55

DEATHS Rutherfordton

Jean Lewis

Workmen lift power lines to allow the giant load to pass beneath. The trip to Cliffside has taken weeks.

After a journey of more than 300 miles, the 800,000-pound stator part of the new generator for Duke Energy’s Cliffside Steam Station was delivered to the construction site Thursday. The component will now rest in the construction yard for a few days and then be hoisted onto the 50 foot high generator platform to be bolted into place. The entire project is about 50 percent complete, according to Duke, and is still on track to come online in 2017.

Courier photos/ Scott Baughman

Forest City

Lillie Jones Amy Proctor Bostic Joel Turner Elsewhere Robert Hill Page 5

By JEAN GORDON

WEATHER

High

Low

44 25 Today, mostly sunny. Tonight, partly clear.

Complete forecast, Page 10

INSIDE Classifieds . . . 17-19 Sports . . . . . . . . 7-9 County scene . . . . 6 Opinion . . . . . . . . 4 Vol. 41, No. 295

Couple gives county war site for free

Beloved teacher ends decades of teaching Daily Courier Staff Writer

FOREST CITY — Surrounded by moving boxes and other personal items, long time art teacher Mildred Lawler is packing for a move later this month to be near her daughter Lorie, in Columbia, S.C. For decades Lawler has touched the lives of little children, young adults and older adults, teaching them to paint with oils. She was an art instructor at Isothermal Community College with Carl Veney.

When she was contacted by Isothermal staff about teaching art, she agreed to “teach people what I knew,” she said. “ Mr. (Carl) Veney was at Isothermal and they needed another teacher.

“So I taught adults at Isothermal and children in the basement of my house,” she said.

Even after her retirement from Isothermal, some of her students, including Patsy Hope Mitchell and Katherine Washburn, took art at Lawler’s home.

“We begged her to let us come to her house for lessons,” Mitchell said.

Some of the art students honored her at a luncheon Tuesday. “It was really good seeing them all,” she said.

“We remained great friends although I could no longer teach.”

“I am so blessed to know her,” said Katherine Washburn of Bostic.

“She first taught us about colors,” Washburn said.

With four basic colors — white, blue, red and yellow —“You can paint anything,” Washburn said.

“We couldn’t mix colors at first,” Mitchell said.

Lawler admits she didn’t know much about painting, either, until she learned the basic colors.

“She has changed the lives of so many people in Rutherford County,” Mitchell continued.

“When you are with her, you’re really with a celebrity,” Mitchell added. “Everyone knows her and wants to talk with her.” (See sidebar for Lawler’s friendships with “Nelle” Harper Lee and

Now on the Web: www.thedigitalcourier.com

By JEAN GORDON Daily Courier Staff Writer

Truman Capote.)

On the walls of Lawler’s dining room and kitchen are six of her paintings. Others are already packed away, some have been given to her daughter Lorie and her grandchildren. Others have been gifts.

A favorite painting is of several little children sitting in front of their easels painting.

Many of her pictures are

BOSTIC — A Revolutionary War historical site off Whiteside Road near Sunshine will soon become the property of Rutherford County — without the county having to spend any money to purchase the land.

The 17-acre property known as Biggerstaff Old Fields was purchased by a Rutherfordton couple for the purpose of preservation.

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Nelson of South Ridgecrest Drive, Rutherfordton, bought the property for preservation efforts and with the stipulation the property always remain a historical tract of land.

The project of preservation has taken more than two years and Preservation North Carolina holds the deed for the property. Convenant work continues, but the county will be the owners of the land in the near future. “We want to make sure the property is preserved

Please see Teacher, Page 2

Please see Site, Page 6

Jean Gordon/Daily Courier

Mildred Lawler, long time art teacher in Rutherford County, is leaving her Forest City residence for a new home in Columbia, S.C., to be near her daughter.

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Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 11, 2009

LOCAL

Teacher Continued from Page 1

centered on children and so many of her students were children.

Several years ago, Lawler’s little daughter Carol Ann “Missy,” 5, died of a brain tumor. She underwent surgery at Duke Medical Center. Lawler and her mother were at Duke with Missy.

One day Lawler’s mother suggested she get a “paint-by-numbers” set in order to take some of the stress from her.

“That’s really how I got started painting,” she said.

Some of the paint-by-numbers were clowns which made Missy smile.

Missy, who was a kindergarten student at First Baptist Church, didn’t get to come back home from the hospital. But Lawler wanted to continue painting, hoping to brighten the lives of other children.

Lawler enrolled in a correspondence course, where she learned to paint and later took classes in Spartanburg, S.C. “I always wanted a picture of Missy. She was such a loveable child,” Lawler said.

Later Lawler painted a picture of Missy, which remains a treasure.

And in some of her childrens’ pictures, she can see Missy.

Some years later, Lawler lost a second infant daughter to crib death.

Discussions in the recent past with Lawler and daughter Lorie, both agreed it would be best to live closer.

Lorie and her friends will help her mom move.

“We’re going to form a caravan,” she said of the moving trip to Columbia.

Should a budding young artist ask Lawler for advice today, she’d tell the student the same thing she taught her first students here several years ago.

“You have to know how to draw and then you get your four basic colors, a big tube of white, red, blue and yellow. You can paint a lot of things with that.”

Lawler’s first oil painting was a vase of flowers.

“I actually did better on the vase than the flowers,” she said pointing to the work.

Lawler stopped painting a few years ago when she moved from her house to an apartment. The basement was great for teaching and painting. But an apartment isn’t conducive to painting, she said.

Instead of painting, Lawler is using color pencils to make greeting cards. “That’s what I’ve been doing lately,” she said, retrieving a card from her bedroom. The card was edged with pink and white ribbon and a flower petal and stem was on the front. She has drawn and colored vegetables, animals and flowers.

She really isn’t sure how much money she made in her teaching career. “But it was enough.

Whatever it was, it was plenty for me and I got a lot out of it.”

Lawler said she will miss her friends in Forest City and Rutherford County; her First United Methodist Church friends and the friends at the senior center.

Foundation awards grants of $17,000

The Rutherford County Foundation recently announced $17,000 in grants to county nonprofits providing services for recession relief. The grantees are: n Consumer Credit Counseling Service of the Carolina Foothills – $5,000 toward support of a part-time housing counselor to improve agency services that help families resolve financial issues and remain in their homes. n Family Resources of Rutherford County Inc. – $6,000 toward operating expenses of the domestic violence shelter and the support of therapeutic counseling to women and children struggling to live normal lives in challenging family situations exacerbated by the economy. n Yokefellow Service Center – $6,000 to provide emergency utility and housing assistance to working families affected by layoffs or reduced income.

A large part of this series of grants was made possible due to a $10,000 gift from the Eaton Corporation’s Forest City plant.

“On behalf of the board, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to the donors who made this year’s Contact Gordon via e-mail at jgordon@thedigitalcourier.

Recession Response Fund campaign an overcom. whelming success,” said Chair Michael Gavin.

“At our last meeting, we reflected with pride on Send greetings to Lawler at: Mildred Lawler, 9370 our ability to flex our grant programs to meet curWindsor Lake, Bld. Aplt. 149, Columbia, SC 29223 rent and pressing needs, distributing more than $45,000 to local nonprofits since March 2009.

We also welcomed the opportunity, due to a more stable market environment, to reflect on our role a couple years older than the girls and because as a permanent resource for our community. Gifts he actually lived beside Lee, the three were good from donors will now be directed to our permafriends. nent endowment, which continues to grow to meet After a slight stroke last year, Lee lives in a the needs of our community tomorrow and in pernursing facility in Alabama and up until a few petuity.” years ago, the friends still visited. They’ve always To help the Rutherford County Foundation, exchanged Christmas cards. donate on-line at www.cfwnc.org or by mail to “I always tried to see her when I was in Alabama, the Rutherford County Foundation, P.O. Box 1171, but I don’t go anymore. She was my best friend.”

Rutherfordton, NC, 28139-1171. Contributions of “We went to the movies every Saturday and usu- any size are welcome and are tax-deductible. ally saw a double feature for a quarter. We used to An affiliate of The Community Foundation of watch them over and over again,” she said.

Western North Carolina, the Rutherford County “Truman would come over a lot and Nelle, him Foundation was established in 1996 by a group and me ran around together,” she said. “One day of local residents as a permanent endowment my daddy came home from the drug store and and resource for charitable efforts that benefit Truman was at the house and he ran him off,” Rutherford County. The local volunteer board Lawler recalled. of directors works to raise awareness of the But Capote left the area when he was a teenager Rutherford County Foundation and to build assets and spent most of his time in New York City. for the future. These board members are: Michael The last time Lee and Lawler were together in E. Gavin, chair; Sally Lesher, vice-chair; Joan Alabama, they played golf. “She had taken up golf King, secretary; C. Philip Byers, Lucille Dalton, so we played together our last visit.”

Phil de Montmollin, Vernon Hoyle, Katy Hunt, “Later on when Nelle would go see her relatives Myra Johnson, Al Lovelace, Sandra McGriff, in Alabama, it would be in March and I always William Morris, Juanita Newton, Michael Tanner, went a different time of year, so we didn’t see each Nancy Tanner, Diane Warner, Claudia Wilkins, other as much.

Dick Wilkins, Faye Wilson and Midge Yelton.

Teacher’s childhood friends: Capote, Harper Lee

By JEAN GORDON Daily Courier Staff Writer

FOREST CITY — Artist Mildred Lawler’s two childhood friends — Harper Lee and Truman Capote — thought she would be the first of the threesome to write a book. It didn’t happen.

Growing up in Monroeville, Ala., Lawler’s best friend was “Nelle” Harper Lee. Truman Capote was the other friend.

Lee penned the first book, “To Kill A Mockingbird,” in 1960 and Capote wrote “In Cold Blood” in 1966.

One of Lawler’s prized possessions is one of the first copies of “To Kill a Mockinbird” autographed

by Lee. “It’s in my lock box. She also gave my mother a copy,” Lawler said.

“Nelle and Truman both thought I’d be the first to finish a book,” she said. “I wasn’t interested in writing.”

Although Lee is known as “Harper Lee,” Lawler still calls her Nelle, the name she grew up with.

They lived in the same town and were in the same school and became close friends when Lee started taking violin lessons at age 8 from Lawler’s mother. Lawler was 9. Their friend Truman Capote was

DOWNTOWN FOREST CITY 2009 DECEMBER EVENTS Santa House

Carriage Rides

Downtown Craft Event

Fridays, Dec. 4, 11, & 18 6:00 – 9:00 PM and 2:00 – 9:00 PM Saturdays Dec. 5, 12, & 19 Sat. - Dec.5, 12, & 19 2:00 – 9:00 PM 2:00PM – 9:00 PM Sundays, Dec. 6, 13, & 20 There is no charge to talk to 2:00 – 6:00 PM Last tickets sold between Santa. Photos available Located at 109 W. Main 8:00 – 8:30 PM for $3:00 donation Street Craft booths and Co-sponsored by demonstrations Sponsored by Liberty Christian Academy the Rotary Club The Santa House is located in the of Rutherford County Bring your pets for a photo with Kimbrell’s Parking Area.

Santa at the Santa House.

Sundays - Dec. 6, 13 & 20 2:00 – 6:00 PM Fri.- Dec. 4, 11, & 18

Saturdays - December 5, 12 & 19 6:00 – 9:00 PM Load at the Fountain Area $7 adults & $3 children under 12

Santa Paws

Hay Rides

Fridays - Dec. 4, 11, & 18 6:00 – 9:00 PM Load at the fountain Area Adults & Children - $2 each

Co-sponsored by the Community Pet Center.

Donations of $5 for photos

FOR MORE INFORMATION Call 828/248-5200 Events Line - 828.247.4430 www.forestcityevents.com

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 11, 2009 — 3

local

For your Leisure A benefit concert, sponsored by Krucifyd Ministries and featuring Thalon, will be held tonight at Father’s Vineyard in Spindale. The concert begins at 7 p.m.

Also on program are LP “Like Paul” and special guest David Coffin. Tickets for the event are $10 and proceeds beyond expenses will go to SheDances International, a non-profit organization whose mission is to rescue young women from human trafficking situations. The organization was founded

by Thalon bassist Jeremy Springer. Visit www.shedances.org.

Father’s Vineyard is located at 724 Oakland Road, Spindale.

Chimney Rock: Santa will rappel from the top of Chimney Rock down to Vista Rock on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 11 a.m., and again at 2 p.m.

Guests can get a great photo of Santa from the parking lot area as he climbs. Local choirs will perform holiday music while visitors enjoy hot apple cider available in the Sky Lounge Deli, and the Park will be decorated for the holidays. Mrs. Claus will also be on hand this year to talk with kids and pose for photographs. www.chimneyrockpark.com.

Wedding show: The Blue Ridge Wedding Show will be held Saturday, Jan. 9, at the new Carolina Event and Conference Center, Hudlow Road, Forest City, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information on early bird specials for the mother-daughter brunch, bridal registration, or vendor Information call (828) 447-2674 or visit the website www.freshstartwes.com.

Legal Grounds, 217 North Main St., Rutherfordton, offers the following enter-

and dancing every week, Thursday - Saturday. Doors open at 7 p.m. Cover charge $3 on Thursdays, and $5 Friday and Saturday (BYOB).

Ages 18 and up with valid ID. The club is located off Railroad Ave., at 156 Sunset Street in Rutherfordton.

Positively Paper Inc., located at 121 East Main St., Forest City, offers the following classes: Dec. 15 — Greeting card class, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., six cards with three different themes; Dec. 17 — Greeting card class, 6 to 8 p.m., six cards with three different themes; Dec. 29 — Greeting card class, 6 to 8 p.m., six cards with three different themes; For supply requirements or other information call 248-2455.

Web site www.positivelypaperinc.com.

Thalon performs tonight at Father’s Vineyards.

tainment:

Dec. 11 — Matt Ryan Band Dec. 12 — Sharkadelics Dec. 18 — Clark Road Band Dec. 19 — TRIAD Dec. 26 — Sharkadelics Dec. 31 — New Year’s Eve Party with the Clark Road Band and DJ Adrenaline.

Web site www.legalgrounds.net.

Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria, 115 W. Main St., Spindale, (no cover charge) announces the following entertainment: Dec. 11 — Mike Holstin Dec. 12 — Laurel Ridge Dec. 18 — Alan Biggerstaff Dec. 19 — Dave Desmelik Dec. 26 — 26 Ways Web site www.barleystap-

room.com.

M Squared Restaurant, located at 125 West Main St., Spindale., offers the following entertainment/events: Tuesday — Alex Thompson on keyboard, soup/sandwich night Wednesday — Trivia at 8 p.m.

(half price bottled wine)

Friday — Alex Thompson on keyboard, 7:30 p.m. ($5 Martinis) Saturday — Mike Rogers and Friends, 8 p.m., threecourse dinner $19.95 Sunday Brunch and Bloody Mary Bar (weekly) The restaurant is also collecting stocking stuffers and larger toys for children ages 11-12 in exchange for a cup of soup through Sunday, Dec. 13. The toys will be given to the Salvation Army’s Christmas Cheer program.

Web site www.msquaredrestaurant.com.

Live music is played every Friday and Saturday from 4 to 10 p.m. at Jake’s Barbecue (the former Golden Valley Music Park). Karaoke every Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. The Matt Ryan Band plays on Fridays, and the Lonesome Road Band on Saturdays. For more information call 248-2223. Jake’s is located at 136 Music Row, Bostic.

ATTENTION ADULTS AGE 55+ In these unusual economic times, planning for future health care needs is more crucial than ever. One option available is EASTWOOD VILLAGE, Rutherford County’s only complete retirement and health care concept.

Club L.A. is a private club for members and guests, located at 319 W. Main St., Spindale. Admission — members free, guest $5.

Saturdays from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. Each Thursday is ladies’ night and Karaoke from 8 to 11 p.m. Shagging every Friday night from 8 to 11 p.m. Memberships available (ages 25 and up). ABC permits.

Wagon Wheel Country & Western Dance Club, W.E. Padgett Rd., Ellenboro area, hosts the following entertainment: Dec. 12 — Broken Axle Band, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Admission $5.

Concessions, game room, family entertainment. Dance lessons every Tuesday night from 7:30 to 10 p.m., $3 per person.

Web site www.wagonwheeldanceclub.com.

LuLu’s Country Club & Karaoke has karaoke

A Large Clubhouse Swimming Pool Lawn Maintenance Meal Delivery Transportation

Christmas Concert: The Spartanburg Community Band will present a Christmas concert Tuesday, Dec. 15, at the Chapman Cultural Center, beginning at 7 p.m. General admission $5. Enjoyable concert for all ages.

Baby’s 1st Christmas

2009

Homes are individually owned and designed for maintenance-free living with the following amenities:

• • • • •

Off the Beaded Path, located at 120B West Trade St., Forest City, offers Tryit-Tuesdays (every Tuesday) which features brief jewelrymaking demos. The following classes are also available: Dec. 12 — Beautiful Beaded Pin, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dec. 14 — Snowflake Pendant, 6 to 8 p.m.

Dec. 15 — Soldered Ornament Class, 6 to 8 p.m.

Dec. 21 — Fit for a Queen Ring, 6 to 8 p.m.

Dec. 22 — Pearl Cuff Bracelet, 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Dec. 29 — New Years Necklace, 6 to 8 p.m.

Web site offthebeadedpathbeadstore.com.

• 24 Hour Emergency Nursing Services • Skilled Care & Assisted Living Care available on campus

EASTWOOD VILLAGE

Miles Matthew Adkinson Parents: Rebecca & Mat Adkinson Birthdate: February 13, 2009

Hwy. 74 East, Forest City, NC

In addition to the 34 existing homes, lots are available for the construction of your custom retirement home.

For information or a tour, please contact: John Cilone, Broker — 245-9095

Ruby Lowery, Broker — 248-2018 Mack McKeithan, Broker — 245-9095

Only $15 Please print clearly! The following information will appear with the photo.

Baby’s Name: Parent’s Name: Birthdate:

For Our Records We Need: Your Name: Mailing Address: Home #:

Daytime #:

Photos will be Published in a Special Advertisement on Thursday, December 24th.

Deadline is 5pm, on Wednesday, December 16th.

Please bring by or mail to:

115 Ryans Dr, Forest City-828-286-8022

The Daily Courier Attn: Baby’s 1st Christmas 601 Oak St. • Forest City, NC 28043

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Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 11, 2009

■ A daily forum for opinion, commentary and editorials on the news that affects us all.

James R. Brown/ publisher Steven E. Parham/ executive editor 601 Oak Street, P.O. Box 1149, Forest City, N.C. 28043 Phone: 245-6431 Fax: 248-2790

E-mail: dailycourier@thedigitalcourier.com

Our Views Be giving, but also be careful

A

t this time of year, people are interested in helping others less fortunate than themselves and there are plenty of opportunities to do that. Unfortunately, some of those opportunities may not be all that they seem.

While there are many worthy charities out there that could use help, contributors should be careful who they give their money to whenever they are making donations.

State attorney general Roy Cooper offers the following advice: n Decide what causes matter to you. n Research who to give to. You can use sites like www.give.org <http:// www.give.org>, www.guidestar.org <http://www.guidestar.org> , and www. charitywatch.org <http://www.charitywatch.org/> to check out charities. n Give to someone whose work you know. n Watch out for telemarketing pleas. n Ask how the charity plans to spend your money. n Know how to spot a fraud.

Telemarketers that refuse to answer your questions, offer to pick up your donation or pressure you for a credit card number are usually up to no good. n Watch out for questionable websites and emails. Some scammers use copycat web sites of legitimate charities to try to trick donors. n Get the tax facts. Not all contributions to non‑profits are tax deductible.

There are many people who need the help that charitable organizations provide and making donations is something that should be encouraged.

Just make sure that the contributions you make are going to the right people.

Our readers’ views Volunteer commends Christmas Cheer To the editor: The Miracle of Rutherford County. I am not a resident of Rutherford County, I live in neighboring Cleveland County, but I wanted to share with you something that the residents of this fine county are blessed with.

It is quality of its people and the Salvation Army.

I have been volunteering for the past week, as I am, like many others, unemployed, and I have truly been blessed by my experiences.

The people of this county, who have suffered and continue to suffer financial hardships, with double digit unemployment rates have swamped the Salvation Army with gifts and food for their Christmas Cheer Program.

I understand that in the past year, there have been some unpopular changes at the management level of this Salvation Army.

I commend the previous management for I am certain the success of the Christmas Cheer program, is in large part, due to their efforts.

The fine employees, who have been given the daunting task of continuing the outreach that The Rutherford County Salvation Army has been providing for years, are not immune to the economic conditions that plaque this county, state and country.

They are having to do more with less employees and resources.

Their resolve and commitment

to helping the people of this county, during Christmas and throughout the year is just as strong as it has ever been.

If you have a few minutes to spare, I would recommend stopping by The Salvation Army, and taking a look at the blessing that is the people of Rutherford County and the staff of this Salvation Army.

Darrell Harris Shelby

More thoughts about the law To the editor: The more I look at law, the more interesting conclusions I find.

For example, we see in two different amendments regarding both state and federal prosecution that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.

Here’s a most interesting problem which our judges and courts choose to ignore, for some reason: since “due process” existed prior to the existence of the US Constitution, it cannot exist within any monopoly control of either federal or state prosecution.

The reason is simple enough.

Since Justice Joseph Story has plainly said that it is a remnant of rights going back to Magna Carta, it pre-existed any laws limited by the powers of the US Constitution.

The Constitution, of course, recognizes this fact in its Ninth Amendment, when it says the right enumerated by the Constitution shall not be con-

strued to deny or disparage other rights retained by the people.

Since we know from Hamilton’s statement in “Federalist 84” that “in strictness, the people surrender nothing”, all deprivation regarding life, liberty, or property must be decided by a process that preexisted the Constitution, defined

by Justice Story as “lawful judgement of peers, or by law of the land”.

Since law of the land, as Justice Story pointed out, is Common Law, and North Carolina recognizes the sovereignty of God, then any deprivation of life, etc, will be subject to what “God” says on the matter, and since all law officials are asked to swear on the Bible and to recognize the sovereignty of God, they can possess no monopoly jurisdiction on due process.

Wonder why they never tell us that?

Ralph Haulk Forest City

Letter Policy The Daily Courier would like to publish letters from readers on any subject of timely interest.

All letters must be signed. Writers should try to limit their submissions to 300 words. All letters must include a day and evening telephone number.

The editors reserve the right to edit letters for libelous content. All submissions should be sent to The Editor, P.O. Box 1149, Forest City, NC, 28043.

Letters may also be submitted via e-mail at dailycourier@thedigitalcourier.com or via our website at thedigitalcourier.com

What would you do with 12 partridges, 12 pear trees?

As we prepare for our Adaville Choir Christmas Spectacular this weekend — performed Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. — I’ve been gearing up for my part in the Twelve Days of Christmas.

It’s an old song and these days is used mainly for comic relief. Everyone seems to know the words, but they don’t understand why those would be Christmas gifts.

Back in the 1990s, a Catholic priest Fr. Hal Stockert — a Byzantine Catholic parish priest from Granville, N.Y. — wrote an article about how the true meaning of the Twelve Days of Christmas was a secret code for helping young children remember the Catholic Catechism.

The lone partridge in the pear tree represented Jesus Christ. The three calling birds represented the Holy Trinity and so forth.

Years later, Fr. Stockert admitted that he had gotten this information from a dubious source and had lost the original information when a plumbing leak struck the church and destroyed his

Some Good News Scott Baughman

documentation.

But the idea that persecuted Catholics in ancient England used the song as a way to secretly keep their faith, only showed up via the Internet (and e-mail forwards ad infinitum) around 1995.

So, it would appear that the song is really just what it says, a big collection of gifts.

Although, we get a few things wrong in the retelling of the tale. The original song was French, so there probably was no pear tree involved.

The French word for partridge is “perdrix” which is pronounced “per-dree.” So, the original line is “A partridge, une perdrix.”

Also, the “Four Calling Birds” were supposed to be “Four Colly Birds” which in England means four blackbirds. And then you’ve got

five golden rings — which is actually supposed to be five gold rings and references five ring-necked pheasants. The first seven gifts are all birds in the original song.

The song is still fun to sing the way we do it in modern times, though, and apparently has no deeper meaning than just a round or “hear and repeat” song that used to be a popular game in medieval times.

The caller would say one line and the crowd would repeat.

Then he’d add a line and they’d have to repeat them all and so on until somebody made a mistake and they were out.

It’s kind of like an oldschool version of Simon Says, eh?

Now, in a truly American twist to this convoluted tale, the PNC Bank in Pittsburgh, Penn., uses the song for their humourous economic indicator every year. They’ve done this each year since 1984.

It’s called “The True Cost of Christmas” and tracks how much money it would cost to buy all the gifts for your ‘true love’ today.

Let’s dissect is shall we?

The price of each item is set as follows: n The pear tree comes from a local Philadelphia nursery. n The partridge, turtle dove and French hen prices are determined by the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. n The price of a canary at Petco is used for the calling bird. n Gordon Jewelers sets the cost of the gold rings. n The National Aviary in Pittsburgh sets prices for swans and geese. n The maids are assumed to be unskilled laborers earning the Federal Minimum Wage. n A Philadelphia dance company provides estimates for the salary of “ladies dancing.” n The Philadelphia Ballet estimates the salary for the “leaping lords.” n The going-rate for drummers and pipers is that of a Pennsylvania musicians’ union.

The bank comes up with two numbers from this exercise, one is the “Christmas

Price Index” that tracks how much it would cost to buy one each of the items in the song. For 2009, the CPI is $21,465.56, about 1.8 percent higher than 2008.

The “True Cost of Christmas,” however, is much higher. This is how much it would cost to buy everything referenced in the song in the amounts the song references.

In other words, you can’t just buy a partridge in a pear tree because the song says you gave your girl one of those for 12 consecutive days. So, you gotta buy her 12 partridges in 12 pear trees and so on.

So, the “True Cost of Christmas” this year is ... $87,402.81!

Wow, and I thought I had spent a lot on Christmas. So, I hope this has taught you that sometimes a song is just a song.

Perhaps it also taught you to be thankful you don’t have to buy your sweetie all the stuff mentioned in the lyrics.

And that’s some good news.

Contact Baughman via e-mail at sbaughman@thedigitalcourier. com.

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 11, 2009

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OBITUARIES/POLICE NOTES

Obituaries Amy Proctor Amy Coffey Proctor, 80, of S. Woodland Avenue, Forest City, died Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009, at Hospice House of Forest City. Born in Rutherford County, she was a daughter of the late Horace Edward and Nancy Luanna Collins Coffey. She was a retired beautician and a member of Harmon Street Baptist Church. She was also preceded in death by her husband, William Jennings “Bill” Proctor, and a son.

Survivors include two sons, David Proctor of Oklahoma City, Okla., and Mike Proctor of Forest City; a daughter, Nancy Ferguson of Forest City; a sister, Rubye Arledge of Rutherfordton; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday in the Cool Springs Cemetery with Chaplain Travis Smith officiating. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County, P.O. Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043.

The Padgett and King Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences www.padgettking.com.

Lillie Jones Lillie N. Jones, 92, of the Carolina House, Forest City, died Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009, at Hospice House.

Born in Rutherford County, she was a daughter of the late Russell Nanney and Ethel Owens Nanney. She was a member of Missionary Wesleyan Church for more than 79 years, a homemaker, and also worked in textiles.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years,

Luther Howard Jones.

Survivors include three daughters, Glennett Bridges of Shelby, Sandra Garver of Shelby, and Judi Byers of Ellenboro; six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, two step great-grandchildren, and three nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Missionary Wesleyan Church with the Rev. Matt Mitchell officiating.

Interment will follow in the Sunset Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time.

At other times, the family will be at 1921 Oak Grove Church Road, Ellenboro.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County, P.O. Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043; or to the Missionary Wesleyan Church, 811 Doggett Road, Forest City, NC 28043.

Harrelson Funeral Home is serving the family.

Online condolences www.harrelsonfuneralhome.com.

Jean Lewis Jean Lewis, 65, of Poors Ford Road, Rutherfordton, died Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009, at Hospice House of Forest City.

Born in Rutherford County, she was a daughter of the late Lonnie Charles Lewis, Sr. and Ruth Romaine Lovelace. Jean worked as a manager for Olan Mills Studios and was a member of Tri-City Baptist Church.

Survivors include two brothers, Lonnie Lewis, Jr. of Rutherfordton, and Jerry Lewis of Chesapeake, Va.; two sisters, Jeanette King of Forest City, and Jeanice Laughter of Rutherfordton; a number of nieces and neph-

Police Notes Sheriff’s Reports n The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department responded to 145 E-911 calls Wednesday. n David Kruse reported a burglary at R-S Self Storage. n Joann White reported larceny of medication. n Virginia Arrowood reported a burglary and larceny. n Jenna Skipper reported larceny of a dog. n Robert Carver reported larceny of medication.

Rutherfordton n The Rutherfordton Police

Department responded to 26 E-911 calls Wednesday.

Spindale n The Spindale Police

Department responded to 19 E-911 calls Wednesday.

Lake Lure n The Lake Lure Police

Department responded to four E-911 calls Wednesday.

Forest City n The Forest City Police Department responded to 106 E-911 calls Wednesday. n Holden Hipp reported an incident of larceny. n Robert Ledford reported an incident of larceny. The incident occurred on First Street. n Donald Payne reported an incident of larceny. n An officer of the Forest City Police Department

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reported an incident of found property. The incident occurred on Woods Drive. n Jennifer Atchley reported an incident of obtaining property by false pretenses.

The incident occurred on West Main Street.

Arrests n Owen Penton, age 28, of Long Street in Rutherfordton was arrested for domestic violence protective order violation. He was placed under a 48 hour hold.

EMS/Rescue n Rutherford County EMS responded to 29 E-911 calls Wednesday. n The Volunteer Life Saving and Rescue, Hickory Nut Gorge EMS and Rutherford County Rescue responded to seven E-911 calls Wednesday.

Fire Calls n Ellenboro responded to a gas leak and powerline fire. n Forest City responded to two motor vehicle collisions. n Green Hill responded to a motor vehicle collision. n Hudlow responded to a motor vehicle collision. n Sandy Mush responded to a motor vehicle collision.

THE DAILY COURIER Published Tuesday through Sunday mornings by Paxton Media Group LLC dba The Daily Courier USPS 204-920 Periodical Postage paid in Forest City, NC. Company Address: 601 Oak St., P.O. Box 1149, Forest City, NC 28043.

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ews.

Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday at the Padgett and King Mortuary with the Revs. Stephen Cooper and Brent Herron officiating. Interment will follow in the Rutherfordton City Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the mortuary.

Online condolences www.padgettking.com.

Robert Hill Robert Lee Hill, 78, of 3104 Rush Ave., Charlotte, formerly of Forest City, died Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009, at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced

by Thompson’s Mortuary.

Joel Turner Joel Carl Turner, 58, of Bostic, died Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009, at his residence.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he was a son of the late Earl and Sylvia Shiff Turner. He was an independent book seller and former owner of Undercover Books, his family business in Cleveland, Ohio.

Mr. Turner was of the Jewish faith.

Survivors include his brother, Philip Turner of New York City, N.Y., and his sister, Pamela Turner of Orange, Ohio.

A family memorial service will be held at a later date in Ohio and interment of his ashes will be in the Bet Olam Cemetery in Beachwood, Ohio.

The Padgett and King Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Sen. Burr to take on administration

By MIKE BAKER Associated Press Writer

RALEIGH, N.C. — Republican Sen. Richard Burr said Thursday he will hold up a White House attempt to replace the federal prosecutor overseeing a probe of two-time presidential candidate John Edwards.

The North Carolina lawmaker said in a statement he will support the nomination of Charlotte lawyer Thomas Walker only after current U.S. Attorney George Holding completes investigations into Edwards and former Democratic Gov. Mike Easley. Burr said Walker’s political contributions to Edwards and Easley “represent a conflict of interest.”

“Given the importance of these investigations to the people of North Carolina, and in the interest of good governance and transparency, I believe the investigations must be directed by and have the full attention of the U.S. attorney, and the U.S. attorney himself must have the full faith of the people of North Carolina,” Burr said.

Campaign finance records show Walker gave $750 to Edwards’ presidential campaign in 2003. He donated $2,000 to Easley in 2004 and $250 in 2002.

The announcement was a shift for Burr, whose office said last week he planned to sign the so-called “blue slip” that home-state senators give to the Senate Judiciary Committee to move the nomination process along. Burr’s Democratic counterpart,

Sen. Kay Hagan, has also pressed the White House not to replace Holding but has not decided whether to block Walker’s nomination.

Little is known about the status of the Edwards and Easley probes. Edwards, a former North Carolina senator who competed with President Barack Obama in the 2008 Democratic primaries and later went into seclusion after acknowledging an extramarital affair, has denied any improper use of campaign funds.

Easley has also denied wrongdoing. A federal grand jury has been hearing testimony about Easley’s travel, a coastal subdivision where he owns property, and his wife’s hiring at North Carolina State University.

Walker, 45, is a partner at Alston & Bird, LLP. He was an assistant U.S. attorney in the western district of North Carolina from 1994 to 2001.

Nearly 5 inches of rain in December FOREST CITY — Brad Boris, Broad River Water Plant supervisor, reported 1.75 inches of rain was collected at the plant from 7 a.m. Tuesday to Wednesday.

“Almost 5 inches of rain in the first nine days of December is pretty impressive,” Boris said.

The Lake Lure Fire Dept. collected 2 inches.

Online condolences www.padgettking.com.

Car accidently runs into church

SPINDALE — The entrance to the Spencer Baptist Church family life center sustained damage Tuesday night after it was struck by a 1997 Buick. There were no personal injuries.

Donald Miller Spratt, 84, of Rutherfordton, was leaving the annual Rutherfordton Lions Club Christmas dinner held at the church, when he was picking up someone at the door of the family life center. Spratt apparently hit the gas pedal instead of the brake and hit the side of the church. There were no charges. Spindale Police investigated.

Milford Dale Milford Gale “Jock” Dale, 96, of 153 Dale Summey Road, Rutherfordton, died Wednesday, December 9, 2009.

A native of Burke County, he was born April 28,1913, to the late Walter J. and Mary Magdalene Lowery Dale. He retired from Reeves Brothers in Chesnee, S.C., and was a member of Holly Springs Baptist Church. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Lula Mae Tomblin Dale; five brothers, Horace Dale, Forest Dale, Arthur Dale, Hoskey Dale and Albert Dale; four sisters, Carrie Henderson, Ollie Barrett, Bessie Summer and Etta King.

He is survived by three sons, Rex Dale and wife, Geraldine, of Rutherfordton, Gene Dale and wife, Sharlene, of Rutherfordton, and Henry Dale and wife, Nita, of Rutherfordton; three daughters, Faith Brown and husband, Jay, of Greenville, S.C., Judy Hayes of Elizabethtown, Ky., and Audrey Epley and husband, Gerald, of Rutherfordton; 13 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, at Holly Springs Baptist Church with the Rev. Wade Huntley officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m.

Friday, December 11, at McKinney-Landreth Funeral Home, Cliffside.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County, P.O. Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043.

Online condolences www. mckinneylandrethfuneralhome. com.

Paid obit

Jerry Douglas Annas

Jerry Douglas Annas, age 70, of 168 Eastwood Village Drive, Bostic, NC, died Wednesday, December 09, 2009, at his home.

Born July 18, 1939, he was a native of Hildebran, NC. He retired from Ingles Supermarket where he was the meat department manager. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church of Ellenboro, a Mason and a Shriner. He served in the U. S. Army.

Mr. Annas was preceded in death by his parents, Douglas Leroy Annas and Mabel McNeely Annas, a stepdaughter, Ann Sprouse, and a brother, Jim Annas.

Survivors include his wife, Joanne Sailors Campbell Annas of the home; two daughters, Tawanna Padgett and husband, Roger and Teresa Smart and husband, Dan, all of Shelby; two sons, Tallant Annas and wife, Angie of Boiling Springs and Tracy Annas and wife, Beth of Gaffney; two stepdaughters, Lynn Heneks and husband, Ray of Kernersville, Terri Jo Frashier and husband, Todd of Harris; two sisters, Betty Steelman and husband, Guy of Connelly Springs and Linda Whisnant of Icard; 11 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

The funeral service will be held at Bethel Baptist Church, Ellenboro, Saturday, December 12, 2009, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. David Easley and the Rev. Ron Williams officiating.

Visitation will be will be held at Bethel Baptist Church Family Life Center Saturday, from 1 until 2 p.m. prior to the service Burial will follow in the Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery Memorials made be made to Bethel Baptist Church Family Life Center, Ellenboro, NC or to the American Diabetes Association.

The family will be at the home.

On Line Condolences: /www. clevelandfuneralservice.com” www.clevelandfuneralservice. com Cleveland Funeral Services is serving the Annas family.

Lillie N. Jones

Lillie N. Jones, 92, of the Carolina House, Forest City, died Wednesday, December 9, 2009, at Hospice House.

Lillie was born June 5, 1917, in Rutherford County to the late Russell Nanney and Ethel Owens Nanney. She was a homemaker and also worked in textiles. She was a member of the Missionary Wesleyan Church where she had been a member for over 79 years.

She devoted herself selflessly to her family and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Luther Howard Jones; her sister, Ruby Estelle Nanney; her brother, Reverend Roy Nanney and by her niece, Janet Scism.

Survivors include three daughters, Glennett Bridges and her husband, John Carroll Bridges, of Shelby; Sandra Garver and her husband, Dean, also of Shelby and Judi Byers and her husband, Wayne, of Ellenboro; six grandchildren, Mike Bridges and his wife, Margie, of Atlanta, GA, Karen Bell and her husband, Gary, of Boiling Springs, NC, Susie Goins and her husband, Gene, of Shelby, Steve Padgett of Shelby, Tammy Morgan and her husband, Joe, of Apex, NC and Donna Hood and her husband, Stephen, of Ellenboro; five great-grandchildren, Chris Bridges, Shannon Bridges, Matthew Bridges, Jacob Bell and Lucas Hood; two step-great grandchildren, Lillie Morgan and Olivia Morgan and three nephews, the Rev. Keith Nanney, the Rev. Mark Nanney and Scott Nanney.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009, at the Missionary Wesleyan Church with the Reverend Matt Mitchell officiating.

Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. At other times the family will be gathered at 1921 Oak Grove Church Road, Ellenboro.

The family requests memorial donations be sent to Hospice of Rutherford County, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043 or to the Missionary Wesleyan Church, 811 Doggett Road, Forest City, NC 28043.

Harrelson Funeral Home is serving the family.

An online registry is available at www.harrelsonfuneralhome. com Paid obit

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— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 11, 2009

Calendar/Local Guilty Continued from Page 1

Birthday celebration: Sunday, Dec. 13, at 3 p.m.; New Salem CME Church; Rev. Nathaniel Poole and the Russell Tabernacle CME Church family of Spindale, will be the guests.

Christmas Cheer: M Squared Restaurant, 125 West Main St., Spindale, will be collecting stocking stuffers and larger toys for children ages 11-12 in exchange for a cup of soup through Sunday, Dec. 13. The toys will be taken to Salvation Army for the Christmas Cheer program.

Hospice Hospice of Rutherford County offers the following services: G.R.A.C.E. Caregiver Support Group for anyone caring for a loved one. Offered at two locations.

Friday afternoons at the Senior Center and Tuesday evenings at Rutherford LifeCare.

Stress Management: “Self care, Stress Management, and Sharing Experiences”; Friday, Dec. 18, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Patty Olson, BSW, Facilitator.

Adult sitting services: Free adult sitting services available on Tuesday evenings. Sponsored by Hospice of Rutherford County, the Senior Center, and Rutherford Lifecare.

The Hospice Library is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Anyone can check out a book dealing with caring for a loved one, grief, children and loss, Alzheimer’s and other relevant topics.

For information or to register for any of the above events, call 245-0095.

Holidays Annual Holiday Tour: Sponsored

by Family Resources; Dec. 12 and 13, from 1 to 5 p.m., this year’s tour features the home of Blue and Julie Pittman; tickets are $8 in advance or $10 at the door; the reception center will be at the new Rutherfordton Elementary; for more information or advance tickets call 247-1440, ext. 105.

Christmas Concert: David Roach will present a Christmas Concert on Saturday, Dec. 19, at Chase High School auditorium. The program begins at 7 p.m. Admission will be $10 at the door with all proceeds going to the Chase Trojan Marching Band Uniform Fund.

Miscellaneous Food truck: A mobile food truck will be at Providence United Methodist Church, 161 Providence Church Road, Forest City, on Tuesday, Dec. 15, from 10:30 to 1 p.m. The food is free and will be given to those in need (no credentials necessary). Bring box or laundry basket to carry food. Sponsored by the church.

Art Exhibit: Rutherford County Visual Arts Guild presents the Young Budding Artist exhibit through Jan. 30, at Norris Public Library, Rutherfordton. The young artists are students of Judy Ockert.

Low-cost rabies clinic: Saturday, Dec. 12, noon to 1 p.m.; Thunder Road Animal Hospital; $9 cash, one-year rabies; $10 cash, threeyear rabies; other discounted vaccines available; call 286-0033.

Financial aid workshop: Monday, Jan. 4, 6 to 8 p.m., R-S Central High School; parents of college bound seniors encouraged to attend.

Holiday hours: All Rutherford County convenience centers and the central landfill will be closed Dec. 24 and 25 in observance of the Christmas holiday. Regular hours will resume Saturday, Dec. 26.

Fundraisers

Toy and book sale: Saturday, Dec. 12, 8 a.m. to noon, Sandy Springs Baptist Church, 382 Sandy Springs Road, Rutherfordton; large variety of children’s books and toys; proceeds go toward international missions.

a first-degree murder charge: that it was done intentionally and with malice, that the attack was the proximate cause of death, that there was intent to kill, that there was premeditation and that there was deliberation, or a “cool state of mind,” when the attack occurred.

The trial day began with closing arguments by both attorneys.

Greenway said intent was demonstrated when Rippy grabbed Lowery by the throat and began to choke her to the floor and when her lips and fingernails turned blue from the lack of blood.

He pointed out that Rippy choked her until she was unresponsive, and he took a knife and stabbed her.

“That’s not a sign of love,” the district attorney said.

He also noted that Rippy’s mother and aunt said they had never seen him carry a knife, yet he carried a steak knife into the bedroom when he went in to talk with Lowery.

He said testimony indicates that Rippy came out of the bedroom “cool and calm.”

The prosecution offered 13 witnesses, including Forest City Police Department Officer C.J. Byers, who testified that when he asked Rippy what his involvement was, he replied, “Man, I’m guilty.”

Greenway commented that at one point in Rippy’s statement to FCPD Detective Sgt. Tommy Turner, Rippy said he was “contemplating whether he was not going to kill her.”

At least two witnesses had testified that they thought Rippy and Lowery were having sex behind the closed bedroom door. But Greenway said the groans that were heard coming from the room came from Lowery being choked.

Defense attorney Marvin Sparrow offered jurors a different possible scenario of what happened in the room.

He speculated that they did, in fact, have sex and then were putting their clothes back on when they began to discuss their relationship.

When Rippy realized that the two would not get back together and that she would not surrender custody of their son, his emotions overwhelmed his reason.

“He did snap,” the defense attorney said.

“He was in a rage.”

Site Continued from Page ##

and protected forever,” said Rutherford County Historian Chivous Bradley.

Two years ago the site of the trails and the hangings were listed for sale, having belonged to the Long family for many years and was available for potential preservation. Two sisters in the family, Martha Shinn and Linda Gordon, first approached the county about their desire to preserve the property, that was part of the Morrell Family Trust.

Historians wondered where the funding would come to purchase the site.

The Nelsons heard about the opportunity and the need for funds and approached the county with an offer to underwrite the purchase of the land as long as it was set aside for preservation. The property was held

by Preservation North Carolina.

In the years to come, the National Park Service will continue to partner with the county to develop a master plan for the site, conduct appropriate studies and develop trails and interpretive information to allow the public to visit and learn more about the events that took place in the fall of 1780.

“Your commitment to the preservation of this important remnant of Biggerstaff’s Old Fields reflects not only your reverence for the past, but your foresight for the future,” David Vela, regional director Southeast Region, told the Nelsons during an October event at the Kings Mountain Battleground.

“As the site of this dramatic and sad event during the Kings Mountain campaign, the area will allow visitors to learn more about the American Revolution and reflect on its consequences to all sides of the conflict.

“In years to come, it will also serve the community and future generations of Americans a setting for educational programs and special events

Jean Gordon/Daily Courier

Biggerstaff Hanging Tree national marker is located off Whiteside Road near Sunshine.

that tell the many stories associated with the Kings Mountain campaign,” Vela said.

The couple’s generosity and foresight was noted by the National Park Service as it presented the Nelsons with a Certificate of Achievement.

Contact Gordon via e-mail at jgordon@thedigitalcourier.com.

n Historic overview of the property The Biggerstaff Old Fields property is a contributing site to the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail (OVNHT), part of the National Park Service National Trails System.

The OVNHT follows the route of Patriot militia men from Virginia, today’s eastern Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia to the battle of King Mountain,

By MIKE BAKER Associated Press Writer

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — State prosecutors plan to seek an assault charge against North Carolina’s longestserving lawmaker after a grand jury found probable cause Thursday that he acted criminally when he shot a man on his property.

The grand jury determined that there was probable cause to conclude that state Sen. R.C. Soles acted “unlawfully, willfully and feloniously” in the August shooting. The office of Attorney General Roy Cooper plans to submit an indictment in January on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, which the grand jury would have to

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James R. Brown/publisher . . . . . . . . . . . . .209 Steven E. Parham/executive editor . . . . . .210 Lori Spurling/ advertising director . . . . . . .224 Pam Dixon/ ad production coordinator . . . 231 Anthony Rollins/ circulation director . . . . .206

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Reunions Cole family reunion: Saturday, Jan. 9, covered dish meal 2:30 p.m., Goode’s Creek Baptist Church fellowship hall; bring well-filled basket.

S.C., the site of the Kings Mountain National Military Park.

The site known as Red Chimneys or Biggerstaff’s Old Fields, while not on the historic trail has been designated by the National Park Service (NPS) in the management plan for the trail as a contributing site.

At this site on Oct. 13-14, 1780, seven days after the battle at King’s Mountain, Patriot forces led by Colonels Isaac Shelby and William Campbell camped on a tract of land with Loyalist prisoners who had been taken in the engagement at Kings Mountain.

The location is described some nine miles north east of Rutherfordton known as Biggerstaff’s or Biggerstaff’s Old (Rd Chimneys). At this location, several Patriot officers chose to make an example of their Loyalist prisoners.

When Isaac Shelby learned that 11 patriots had been hung at Ninety-Six, S.C., a few days before, he called for a copy of the North Carolina statues to be brought from Gilbert Town and authorized a trial using North Carolina law that provided capital punishment for anyone found guilty of murder, arson, house breaking, riots and other criminal offences.

(Some scholars indicate this was the first court martial in NC. And following the hanging, the Patriot forces were greatly diminished in fear of receiving like punishment for supporting the British.)

The number of Loyalists convicted is unknown, but nine Tories were hanged at the location.

Eight were cut down and buried in a shallow trench just two feet deep and Capt. Chitword was buried some half a mile away.

The burial spot remained undisturbed until about 1855 when roadwork in the area accidently exhumed the graves.

Four bodies were unearthed but the bones crumbled.

The remains of Col. Ambrose Mills were moved to the family burial plot in Polk County on the Green River.

approve.

Authorities have said that Soles shot a man, Thomas Kyle Blackburn, in August after two intruders kicked in the front door of his home.

Attorney Joe Cheshire has said that Soles fired in self defense.

Cheshire did not return a call seeking comment Thursday, and a message left for Soles was not returned.

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Shape-Note singing: Christian Harmony Shape-Note Singing; Saturday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., St. John’s Historical Church, Rutherfordton; covered dish lunch.

Contact Dale via e-mail at ldale@thedigitalcourier.com

State seeking to indict Sen. Soles who shot man

Fish fry: Saturday, Dec. 12, 4:30 to 8 p.m.; Concord Community Clubhouse; adults $10; ages 6-12, $5; under 6 free; includes dessert and drink; all take outs $9.

SheDances benefit concert: Friday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m., at Father’s Vineyard, 724 Oakland Road, Spindale; featuring Thalon and LP (Like Paul), with special guest David Coffin; admission $10; sponsored by Krucifyd Ministries; for more information call (828) 243-3445 or visit www.shedances. org.

Sparrow said the stab wounds were not life threatening, but were more like “pokes,” intended to wake Lowery up. Sparrow added that if Rippy had wanted to kill Lowery with the knife he could have easily done it, since she was not fighting him and there was no one to stop him.

Sparrow also raised the legal issue of proximate cause of death, a crucial element in a first-degree murder conviction.

He said that while he certainly did not argue with the family’s decision to take Lowery off life support, he noted that she was in stable condition and could have lived perhaps four or five more years if hydration and nutrition had not been removed. Sparrow said, therefore, an intervening act was the cause of death, not the injuries from the attack.

Greenway had said earlier, in his closing argument, that jurors should not lose sight of the fact that none of the things that occurred after Lowery’s injuries would have happened, “but for the strangulation.”

The verdict was returned on the fourth day of the trial.

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The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 11, 2009 — 7

Inside Scoreboard . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8 Notre Dame . . . . . . . . . Page 8 MLB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 9

‘Moore’ With Less

Prep Report

IOC approves cycling changes, tennis mixed doubles LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Olympic leaders made two roster changes Thursday for the 2012 London Games: Track cycling’s signature endurance race is out and tennis mixed doubles is in.

The International Olympic Committee executive board agreed to a program of five men’s and five women’s track cycling events as part of a plan proposed by cycling’s governing body. As a result, the Olympics will lose track cycling’s 4,000-meter individual pursuit for men and 3,000-meter pursuit for women.

Cycling had seven track events for men and three for women at the 2008 Beijing Games. Thursday’s changes were designed to make sure male and females compete in an equal number of events in London.

Contributed Photo

Central’s Angelo Nunez is currently 11-3 on the season with nine pins.

TJCA has eight All-Conference selections from 2A/1A WHC

Mac Brown becomes a $5 million man AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas coach Mack Brown is a $5 million man, not just this season, but for the life of his contract.

With the Longhorns playing for their second BCS national championship in five years, school officials agreed to raise Brown’s annual salary from $3 million to at least $5 million.

Brown was scheduled to receive a one-time $2 million payment early next year.

University system regents agreed to make that an annual payment for the rest of his contract, which runs through 2016.

Nebraska’s Suh continues to win honors HOUSTON (AP) — Ndamukong Suh picked up another honor, taking home the Rotary Lombardi Award as the nation’s top lineman.

But in this week of picking up trophies, he took some time away from the celebration to apologize to fellow Lombardi Award finalist Jerry Hughes of TCU for not knocking off Texas in the Big 12 Championship game on Saturday.

Suh delivered his regrets to Hughes earlier in the week when the two were up for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which Suh won.

Associated Press

Carolina Panthers’ Matt Moore (3) prepares to throw a pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Charlotte in this Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009, file photo.

Panthers’ QB settles in CHARLOTTE (AP) — Carolina Panthers quarterback Matt Moore is still learning on the job, so it’s only natural he’s still learning to trust his instincts.

Moore, who’s likely to start Sunday against the New England Patriots with Jake Delhomme missing his second straight game with a broken finger, isn’t a guy who lacks for confidence. That’s

why he’s been kicking himself over a conservative play call he made during this past weekend’s 16-6 win over Tampa Bay. It came in the fourth quarter, three plays after Moore completed 66-yard pass to Steve Smith setting up first down at the Tampa Bay 13. After two Please see Panthers, Page 8

Local Sports BASKETBALL 6 p.m. Owens at East Rutherford 6 p.m. Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy at Lincoln Charter SWIMMING 5 p.m. Freedom, Patton and East Rutherford at Isothermal Community College

On TV 5 p.m. (ESPN2) College Soccer NCAA Cup, First Semifinal: Teams TBA. 7 p.m. (FSS) NHL Hockey Carolina Hurricanes at Washington Capitals.

7 p.m. (TS) NBA Basketball Atlanta Hawks at Toronto Raptors. From Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

8 p.m. (ESPN) NBA Basketball Portland Trail Blazers at Cleveland Cavaliers.

8 p.m. (ESPN2) College Football NCAA Division I, First Semifinal: Teams TBA. 10:30 p.m. (ESPN) NBA Basketball Orlando Magic at Phoenix Suns.

Associated Press

North Carolina’s Deunta Williams (27) hoists teammate Kendric Burney (16) into the air as they celebrate after Burney returned an interception 30-yards for a touchdown during the first half against Boston College Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, in this file photo.

Tar Heels back in familiar bowl setting CHAPEL HILL (AP) — North Carolina matched last year’s victory total with another eight-win regular season. It makes sense then that the Tar Heels are headed back to a familiar setting in the postseason.

The trick now is to actually win that home-state bowl game.

The Tar Heels (8-4) earned a return trip to the Meineke Bowl in Charlotte to face No. 17 Pittsburgh on Dec. 26.

It wasn’t the destination some of the Tar Heels had in mind when they were entering the finale against North Carolina State with a chance at nine wins, which would have been the highest total for the program in a dozen years.

Then again, maybe that’s a sign of the progress made in three seasons under

Butch Davis.

As senior left tackle Kyle Jolly put it, “I know the older guys didn’t have a problem with it because this is only the second bowl I’ve been to.”

North Carolina had a shot at a bigger bowl game in the Atlantic Coast Conference pecking order. But the Tar Heels lost to N.C. State 28-27, then Bobby Bowden’s impending retirement at Florida State threw the bowl bids in the league out of whack by sending the Seminoles (6-6) to the Gator Bowl.

But Davis said his team won’t lack motivation after sliding down the league’s bowl list and that his Tar Heels had a great experience at the bowl last Please see Tar Heels, Page 9

By SCOTT BOWERS Daily Courier Sports Editor

AVONDALE — The Western Highlands 2A/1A Conference announced its first-ever AllConference honors and eight student-athletes from Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy were among the winners.

Gryphons’ senior quarterback Will Beam was selected to represent the program in football.

Beam switched to quarterback over the summer and finished with just over 1,400 passing yards during the 2009 season.

In soccer, TJCA’s Heath Thompson was selected by the coaches of the WHC. In volleyball, Ryanne Corder was chosen to represent the Lady Gryphons.

In men’s cross country, Konner Mungas and Billy Kirer earned honors. Mungas finished 11th in the state in the 1A Cross Country state finals this fall.

In women’s tennis, three Lady Gryphons were honored for their efforts. Kasey Owens, Claire McCurry and Grace McCurry earned the All-Conference grade from WHC coaches.

Thomas Jefferson completed the school’s first ever sports season as a member of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, and the eight Gryphons are the school’s first ever winners of All-Conference honors.

Tracy Ross named Runner of the Year RUTHERFORDTON — R-S Central’s Tracy Ross, a 2009 South Mountain All-Conference Cross Country Runner, was named 2009 Runner of the Year in the 3A/2A South Mountain Athletic Conference.

Ross was selected by the coaches of the seven schools that make up the SMAC, including Central, Chase, East Rutherford, Burns, Shelby, Freedom and Patton.

Central wrestles in Falcon Frenzy HENDERSONVILLE — R-S Central’s wrestling team took part in the Falcon Frenzy, this past weekend, and finished 14th out of 26 teams despite having several wrestlers out due to illness.

Aris Smith placed 6th in the tournament at 189-pounds and knocked off a wrestler in from the 2008-09 state quarterfinals, Jake Phillips, of Robbinsville, who was 3rd in the 2A state Please see Prep, Page 9

8

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 11, 2009

sports

Scoreboard FOOTBALL National Football League

Associated Press

Brian Kelly, above, in this file photo, celebrates a touchdown by his Cincinnati Bearcats. Kelly, according to reports, is expected to be introduced as the new head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Cincinnati’s Brian Kelly heading to Notre Dame

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Notre Dame is betting Brian Kelly is the man who can finally win it all for the Irish.

Two people confirmed to The Associated Press on Thursday that a deal has been reached with the Cincinnati coach. They requested anonymity because an official announcement had not been made.

Notre Dame has been searching for a coach for about a week and a half since firing Charlie Weis, who failed to lift the Irish out of mediocrity, much like his two predecessors.

Now, it’s up to the man who turned Cincinnati into a national championship contender to revive the fortunes of a team that just completed the worst decade of football in the history of the storied program with a 70-52 record and three losing seasons.

Bearcats players still hadn’t heard anything official when they showed up for their annual football banquet at a downtown hotel on Thursday night.

Kelly arrived at the banquet after most players, accompanied by police officers. He didn’t stop to talk to reporters, saying, “No word. We’re here to celebrate out seniors.”

Members of the University of Cincinnati’s board of trustees, however, already had been told of Kelly’s decision, a person in the school’s administration told the AP on condition of anonymity because the school had not made an announcement.

The 47-year-old Kelly is 34-6 in three seasons at Cincinnati, leading the Bearcats to backto-back Big East titles and two straight Bowl Championship Series berths. The Bearcats set a school record last season for victories with an 11-3 record, then topped that with a 12-0 mark this season.

There was no immediate word on who would coach the No. 4 Bearcats in their first Sugar Bowl game against Florida.

Receiver Mardy Gilyard, one of the last players to arrive at the banquet, said in an interview that he was upset Kelly had accepted the Notre Dame job after telling him and other players before their last game that he was staying.

Kelly has long admired Notre Dame, which seemed to be the perfect fit for an Irish Catholic coach raised in the Boston area. His name first popped up as a possible candidate last season before Notre Dame said Weis would be back for a fifth year.

Panthers Continued from Page 7

runs by Jonathan Stewart left the Panthers with a third and 4, Moore approached the line with a runpass option. He elected to handoff to Stewart again instead of throwing a fade route to Smith or Muhsin Muhammad, both of whom had man-to-man coverage on the outside.

Stewart’s run picked up just 2 yards, drawing disappointed grumbles from the home crowd and forcing the Panthers to settle for a short field goal.

AMERICAN CONFERENCE East

W L T Pct PF New England 7 5 0 .583 328 Miami 6 6 0 .500 278 N.Y. Jets 6 6 0 .500 249 Buffalo 4 8 0 .333 199 South

W L T Pct PF x-Indianapolis 12 0 0 1.000 331 Jacksonville 7 5 0 .583 225 Tennessee 5 7 0 .417 246 Houston 5 7 0 .417 277 North

W L T Pct PF Cincinnati 9 3 0 .750 254 Baltimore 6 6 0 .500 271 Pittsburgh 6 6 0 .500 272 Cleveland 1 11 0 .083 145 West

W L T Pct PF San Diego 9 3 0 .750 342 Denver 8 4 0 .667 240 Oakland 4 8 0 .333 142 Kansas City 3 9 0 .250 196 NATIONAL CONFERENCE East

W L T Pct PF Dallas 8 4 0 .667 279 Philadelphia 8 4 0 .667 327 N.Y. Giants 7 5 0 .583 303 Washington 3 9 0 .250 200 South

W L T Pct PF x-New Orleans 12 0 0 1.000 440 Atlanta 6 6 0 .500 279 Carolina 5 7 0 .417 215 Tampa Bay 1 11 0 .083 187 North

W L T Pct PF Minnesota 10 2 0 .833 359 Green Bay 8 4 0 .667 323 Chicago 5 7 0 .417 233 Detroit 2 10 0 .167 206 West

W L T Pct PF Arizona 8 4 0 .667 297 San Francisco 5 7 0 .417 245 Seattle 5 7 0 .417 243 St. Louis 1 11 0 .083 139

PA 224 296 208 261 PA 201 273 316 266 PA 187 215 231 309 PA 242 202 282 326 PA 213 235 285 238 PA 251 279 262 330 PA 233 229 270 358 PA 234 233 267 314

x-clinched division Thursday’s Game Pittsburgh at Cleveland, late Sunday’s Games Seattle at Houston, 1 p.m.

Green Bay at Chicago, 1 p.m.

Detroit at Baltimore, 1 p.m.

New Orleans at Atlanta, 1 p.m.

Buffalo at Kansas City, 1 p.m.

Denver at Indianapolis, 1 p.m.

Carolina at New England, 1 p.m.

N.Y. Jets at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.

Miami at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.

Cincinnati at Minnesota, 1 p.m.

St. Louis at Tennessee, 4:05 p.m.

Washington at Oakland, 4:05 p.m.

San Diego at Dallas, 4:15 p.m.

Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants, 8:20 p.m.

Monday’s Game Arizona at San Francisco, 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 17 Indianapolis at Jacksonville, 8:20 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 19 Dallas at New Orleans, 8:20 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 20 Miami at Tennessee, 1 p.m.

Arizona at Detroit, 1 p.m.

Atlanta at N.Y. Jets, 1 p.m.

Houston at St. Louis, 1 p.m.

Chicago at Baltimore, 1 p.m.

New England at Buffalo, 1 p.m.

Cleveland at Kansas City, 1 p.m.

San Francisco at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.

Oakland at Denver, 4:05 p.m.

Cincinnati at San Diego, 4:05 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Seattle, 4:15 p.m.

Green Bay at Pittsburgh, 4:15 p.m.

Minnesota at Carolina, 8:20 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 21 N.Y. Giants at Washington, 8:30 p.m.

Bowl Glance Saturday, Dec. 19 New Mexico Bowl At Albuquerque Wyoming (6-6) vs. Fresno State (8-4), 4:30 p.m.

(ESPN) St. Petersburg (Fla.) Bowl Rutgers (8-4) vs. UCF (8-4), 8 p.m. (ESPN) Sunday, Dec. 20 New Orleans Bowl Southern Miss. (7-5) vs. Middle Tennessee (9-3), 8 p.m. (ESPN) Tuesday, Dec. 22 Las Vegas Bowl BYU (10-2) vs. Oregon State (8-4), 8 p.m.

(ESPN) Wednesday, Dec. 23 Poinsettia Bowl At San Diego Utah (9-3) vs. California (8-4), 8 p.m. (ESPN) Thursday, Dec. 24 Hawaii Bowl At Honolulu SMU (7-5) vs. Nevada (8-4), 8 p.m. (ESPN) Saturday, Dec. 26 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl At Detroit Ohio (9-4) vs. Marshall (6-6), 1 p.m. (ESPN) Meineke Bowl At Charlotte North Carolina (8-4) vs. Pittsburgh (9-3), 4 p.m.

(ESPN) Emerald Bowl At San Francisco Southern Cal (8-4) vs. Boston College (8-4), 8:30 p.m. (ESPN) Sunday, Dec. 27 Music City Bowl At Nashville, Tenn.

Clemson (8-5) vs. Kentucky (7-5), 8 p.m. (ESPN) Monday, Dec. 28 Independence Bowl At Shreveport, La. Texas A&M (6-6) vs. Georgia (7-5), 5 p.m.

(ESPN)

Although that made it a twopossession game at 16-6 with 7:20 remaining, Moore was upset with himself for not being more aggressive.

“As soon as I didn’t make that call (to throw), I was walking off the field like ’You’ve got to trust yourself and go with it and make a big play,”’ said Moore.

As he reached the sidelines quarterbacks coach Rip Scherer pointed out to Moore that the Tampa Bay defense was vulnerable to the pass given how they had lined up.

“I walked over there and he was looking at me, (like) ’What’s going on? That’s the look we wanted,”’ said

Tuesday, Dec. 29 EagleBank Bowl At Washington Temple (9-3) vs. UCLA (6-6) or Army (5-6), 4:30 p.m. (ESPN) Champs Sports Bowl At Orlando, Fla. Miami (9-3) vs. Wisconsin (9-3), 8 p.m. (ESPN) Wednesday, Dec. 30 Humanitarian Bowl At Boise, Idaho Bowling Green (7-5) vs. Idaho (7-5), 4:30 p.m.

(ESPN) Holiday Bowl At San Diego Nebraska (9-4) vs. Arizona (8-4), 8 p.m. (ESPN) Thursday, Dec. 31 Sun Bowl At El Paso, Texas Stanford (8-4) vs. Oklahoma (7-5), Noon (CBS) Armed Forces Bowl At Fort Worth, Texas Air Force (7-5) vs. Houston (10-3), Noon (ESPN) Texas Bowl At Houston Missouri (8-4) vs. Navy (8-4), 3:30 p.m. (ESPN) Insight Bowl At Tempe, Ariz.

Minnesota (6-6) vs. Iowa State (6-6), 6 p.m.

(NFL) Chick-fil-A Bowl At Atlanta Virginia Tech (9-3) vs. Tennessee (7-5), 7:30 p.m.

(ESPN) Friday, Jan. 1 Outback Bowl At Tampa, Fla. Northwestern (8-4) vs. Auburn (7-5), 11 a.m.

(ESPN) Capital One Bowl At Orlando, Fla. Penn State (10-2) vs. LSU (9-3), 1 p.m. (ABC) Gator Bowl At Jacksonville, Fla. Florida State (6-6) vs. West Virginia (9-3), 1 p.m.

(CBS) Rose Bowl At Pasadena, Calif.

Ohio State (10-2) vs. Oregon (10-2), 5 p.m.

(ABC) Sugar Bowl At New Orleans Florida (12-1) vs. Cincinnati (12-0), 8:30 p.m.

(FOX) Saturday, Jan. 2 International Bowl At Toronto South Florida (7-5) vs. Northern Illinois (7-5), Noon (ESPN2) Cotton Bowl At Dallas Oklahoma State (9-3) vs. Mississippi (8-4), 2 p.m. (FOX) PapaJohns.com Bowl At Birmingham, Ala. Connecticut (7-5) vs. South Carolina (7-5), 2 p.m.

(ESPN) Liberty Bowl At Memphis, Tenn.

East Carolina (9-4) vs. Arkansas (7-5), 5:30 p.m.

(ESPN) Alamo Bowl At San Antonio Michigan State (6-6) vs. Texas Tech (8-4), 9 p.m.

(ESPN) Monday, Jan. 4 Fiesta Bowl At Glendale, Ariz.

Boise State (13-0) vs. TCU (12-0), 8 p.m. (FOX) Tuesday, Jan. 5 Orange Bowl At Miami Iowa (10-2) vs. Georgia Tech (11-2), 8 p.m.

(FOX) Wednesday, Jan. 6 GMAC Bowl Mobile, Ala. Central Michigan (11-2) vs. Troy (9-3), 7 p.m.

(ESPN) Thursday, Jan. 7 BCS National Championship At Pasadena, Calif.

Alabama (13-0) vs. Texas (13-0), 8 p.m. (ABC) Saturday, Jan. 23 East-West Shrine Classic At Orlando, Fla. East vs. West, 3 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 30 Senior Bowl At Mobile, Ala. North vs. South, 4 p.m. (NFL) Saturday, Feb. 6 Texas vs. The Nation All-Star Challenge At El Paso, Texas Texas vs. Nation, 3 p.m. (CBSC)

BASKETBALL National Basketball Association EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L Pct 17 4 .810 10 14 .417 7 15 .318 5 17 .227 2 20 .091 Southeast Division

W L Pct Orlando 17 4 .810 Atlanta 15 6 .714 Miami 11 9 .550 Charlotte 9 11 .450 Washington 7 12 .368 Central Division

W L Pct Cleveland 15 7 .682 Milwaukee 10 11 .476 Detroit 9 12 .429 Chicago 7 13 .350 Indiana 6 13 .316 WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division

W L Pct Dallas 15 7 .682 Houston 12 9 .571 San Antonio 10 9 .526 New Orleans 10 11 .476 Memphis 9 12 .429

Boston Toronto New York Philadelphia New Jersey

GB — 8 1/2 10 1/2 12 1/2 15 1/2 GB — 2 5 1/2 7 1/2 9 GB — 4 1/2 5 1/2 7 7 1/2

2 3 4 5

Moore. “I was like, ’I know, I just couldn’t pull the trigger.’ His biggest thing was I needed to trust myself, and he was absolutely right.”

Moore added, with a laugh, “It was just me being weak, I guess.”

The Panthers could get away with it against the offensively challenged Buccaneers, but it might be a different story when they head Foxborough, Mass., to face the New England Patriots this week, a team that is averaging more than 32 points per game at home this season.

“I didn’t take a chance there and I wish I would have,” said Moore, who finished 14 of 20 for 161 yards with one interception while improving his

Attorney John Crotts www.kinglawoffices.com

(828) 286-3332

KING LAW OFFICES A PROFESSIONAL LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

GB — 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2

Northwest Division

W L Pct Denver 16 6 .727 Portland 14 9 .609 Utah 12 9 .571 Oklahoma City 11 9 .550 Minnesota 3 19 .136 Pacific Division

W L Pct L.A. Lakers 17 3 .850 Phoenix 15 7 .682 L.A. Clippers 9 12 .429 Sacramento 9 12 .429 Golden State 7 14 .333

GB — 2 1/2 3 1/2 4 13 GB — 3 8 1/2 8 1/2 10 1/2

Wednesday’s Games Portland 102, Indiana 91 Detroit 90, Philadelphia 86 Atlanta 118, Chicago 83 Golden State 105, New Jersey 89 Milwaukee 117, Toronto 95 New Orleans 97, Minnesota 96 San Antonio 118, Sacramento 106 Houston 95, Cleveland 85 L.A. Lakers 101, Utah 77 Thursday’s Games Denver at Detroit, late Boston at Washington, late Orlando at Utah, late Friday’s Games New Jersey at Indiana, 7 p.m.

Houston at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

Atlanta at Toronto, 7 p.m.

Dallas at Miami, 7:30 p.m.

New York at New Orleans, 8 p.m.

Golden State at Chicago, 8 p.m.

Oklahoma City at Memphis, 8 p.m.

Portland at Cleveland, 8 p.m.

Charlotte at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m.

Orlando at Phoenix, 10:30 p.m.

Minnesota at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m.

Saturday’s Games Indiana at Washington, 7 p.m.

Golden State at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.

Boston at Chicago, 8 p.m.

Portland at Milwaukee, 8:30 p.m.

Charlotte at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

L.A. Lakers at Utah, 9 p.m.

Phoenix at Denver, 9 p.m.

Minnesota at Sacramento, 10 p.m.

HOCKEY National Hockey League EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division

GP W L OT Pts GF New Jersey 29 21 7 1 43 85 Pittsburgh 31 20 10 1 41 99 N.Y. Rangers 30 14 14 2 30 84 Philadelphia 28 14 13 1 29 86 N.Y. Islanders 31 11 13 7 29 80 Northeast Division

GP W L OT Pts GF Buffalo 28 17 9 2 36 76 Boston 29 15 9 5 35 76 Montreal 31 15 14 2 32 80 Ottawa 29 14 11 4 32 84 Toronto 30 10 13 7 27 86 Southeast Division

GP W L OT Pts GF Washington 31 19 6 6 44 111 Atlanta 28 15 10 3 33 90 Tampa Bay 30 11 11 8 30 76 Florida 31 11 14 6 28 82 Carolina 30 7 18 5 19 72 WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division

GP W L OT Pts GF Chicago 29 19 7 3 41 87 Nashville 30 17 11 2 36 77 Columbus 30 14 11 5 33 92 Detroit 30 14 11 5 33 83 St. Louis 29 13 11 5 31 71 Northwest Division

GP W L OT Pts GF Calgary 30 19 8 3 41 90 Colorado 33 17 10 6 40 98 Vancouver 30 16 14 0 32 93 Edmonton 31 14 13 4 32 93 Minnesota 30 14 13 3 31 79 Pacific Division

GP W L OT Pts GF San Jose 32 19 7 6 44 108 Los Angeles 32 19 10 3 41 100 Phoenix 30 18 11 1 37 75 Dallas 30 13 8 9 35 88 Anaheim 30 11 13 6 28 86

GA 63 83 90 81 98 GA 62 72 88 91 106 GA 85 81 88 106 109 GA 65 82 105 83 77 GA 72 96 79 97 88 GA 87 97 68 89 99

Wednesday’s Games New Jersey 4, Carolina 2 Columbus 3, Florida 0 Toronto 3, N.Y. Islanders 2 Buffalo 3, Washington 0 Edmonton 3, Tampa Bay 2 St. Louis 1, Detroit 0 Chicago 2, N.Y. Rangers 1, OT Minnesota 1, Colorado 0 Calgary 3, Atlanta 1 Los Angeles 5, San Jose 4, OT Thursday’s Games Ottawa 2, Philadelphia 0 Boston 5, Toronto 2 Pittsburgh at Montreal, late Columbus at Nashville, late Atlanta at Vancouver, late Phoenix at Los Angeles, late Friday’s Games Florida at New Jersey, 7 p.m.

Carolina at Washington, 7 p.m.

Chicago at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m.

Anaheim at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.

Edmonton at St. Louis, 8 p.m.

Tampa Bay at Colorado, 9 p.m.

Minnesota at Calgary, 9 p.m.

Dallas at San Jose, 10 p.m.

Saturday’s Games Boston at N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m.

Montreal at Atlanta, 7 p.m.

Buffalo at N.Y. Rangers, 7 p.m.

Philadelphia at New Jersey, 7 p.m.

Washington at Toronto, 7 p.m.

Carolina at Ottawa, 7 p.m.

Anaheim at Columbus, 7 p.m.

Florida at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m.

San Jose at Phoenix, 8 p.m.

Detroit at Nashville, 8 p.m.

Minnesota at Vancouver, 10 p.m.

Dallas at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m.

career record as a starter to 3-1. “I wanted the guaranteed points. I figured we’re in field goal range, we’re going to put three points up, go up by two scores... But that’s a decision I wish I would have made differently.”

Of course, there might have been some outside influences at work, too.

Prior to last week Moore had spent the season watching Delhomme throw 18 interceptions, three of which were returned for touchdowns.

Earlier in the game, Moore had thrown an ill-advised pass to the left side of the field which was picked off.

And, across the field, Tampa Bay’s Josh Freeman was in the midst of a wretched five-interception game.

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 11, 2009 — 9

sports

Patriots’ Thomas upset at being sent home by Belichick

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Adalius Thomas wasted no time defending himself after coach Bill Belichick sent him home for being late to a team meeting.

The New England Patriots linebacker said after returning Thursday that he was “dumbfounded” and “can’t figure out what Bill thinks or Motivation is for kindergartners. I’m knows.”

Three other playnot a kindergarters were sent away for ner. Sending some- showing up late on Wednesday — wide body home, that’s receiver Randy Moss like, ’Oh, you’re and linebackers Gary expelled,’ and come Guyton and Derrick Burgess. All four were back and make at practice on Thursday, good grades. That’s but the other three ridiculous.” declined to speak with reporters.

Adalius Thomas Thomas, a starter in Patriots LB nine games this year, called ahead on a snowy Wednesday morning, as players are instructed to do when they’re going to be late, he said. Traffic was tied up and he nearly got into an accident, he said. But when he showed up about nine minutes late for an 8 a.m. team meeting, Belichick told him to leave.

That surprised him.

“You’re told to call and you call, you get sent home,” Thomas said.

“That’s not an excuse,” he said, but “I could have been in the ditch. They really don’t give a damn, honestly. As long as you ain’t in the meeting they really don’t give a (expletive).”

The situation arose at a critical time for the Patriots (7-5) and could be a distraction heading into Sunday’s game in Foxborough against the Carolina Panthers (5-7). New England’s AFC East lead is down to one game after losses in three of the last four games.

Patriots players rarely question Belichick publicly, often echoing his bland comments about their performances and upcoming opponents. But this isn’t the first time Thomas has been upset.

Belichick didn’t activate him for a 59-0 win over the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 18 even though he was healthy.

When asked three days after that game why he was benched, Thomas said, “Ask Bill. He has all the answers.”

Thomas, 32, is in the third year of a five-year contract that he signed after becoming a free agent following seven seasons with the Baltimore Ravens in which he had 38 1/2 sacks. He had 11 1/2 sacks the past two years but has been inconsistent this year with 27 tackles and three sacks.

Belichick said at the time he activates players who he feels give the Patriots the best chance to win. The Titans were 0-6 after that loss. Thomas has had two sacks since then.

“There’s a lot of things that go on that you’re dumbfounded by,” Thomas said.

He scoffed at the idea that Belichick sent him home Wednesday to motivate him.

“Motivation is for kindergartners. I’m not a kindergartner,” he said. “Sending somebody home, that’s like, ’Oh, you’re expelled,’ and come back and make good grades. Get that (expletive) out of here.

That’s ridiculous.”

Tar Heels Continued from Page 9

year.

“The competitors look at it as a challenge,” Davis said Thursday at a news conference. “They look at it as an opportunity to play the game kids love playing. If they didn’t, we probably wouldn’t have qualified for a bowl game.”

Now they get a shot at some measure of redemption after losing to West Virginia 31-30 last season, and they figure to have the same advantage of playing in front of a home-state crowd.

The Tar Heels began bowl practices Thursday, the first of six they’ll have in Chapel Hill before heading to Charlotte on Dec. 21.

“We’re very fortunate we get to the Meineke again. They took care of us last year,” cornerback Kendric Burney said. “Everybody wants to point a finger and say we should have been in a better bowl game, but we did that to ourselves.

We’re happy with the fact we’re playing a good Pittsburgh team ... We’re definitely looking forward to a good show.”

Atlanta Braves pitcher Rafael Soriano throws against the Houston Astros during a baseball game in Houston in this Sept. 9, 2009, file photo.

Associated Press

Meetings over, teams & players willing to wait each other out INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — As general managers headed out the hotel doors and into the bone-chilling air, most had much work to do. Only the New York Yankees, Houston, Texas and Milwaukee accomplished a lot this week during the winter meetings.

The top three free agents — John Lackey, Matt Holliday and Jason Bay — remained unsigned.

Toronto ace Roy Halladay was still being shopped.

With two weeks left until the holiday break, agents and teams figure to try to wear each other down. Some premier players may not know their spring training destination until January.

Essentially, teams are acting as if they were shoppers waiting for price drops. Why pay full price when markdowns might be coming soon, especially for position players?

“You can turn left, you can right, you can look up and down and you’ve got a DH sitting right there begging for a job,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said.

Some players seem to be waiting to find out where the Yankees will bid for them. The big-market teams are holding back, and the small-market clubs are hunting for bargains.

“I’ve kind of been programmed since Day 1 here not to use those words: ’small market.’ But the facts of it are that’s what we are,” Kansas City manager Trey Hillman said. “We have to get a

Prep Continued from Page 7

tournament.

Freshman Josh Stephens placed 3rd in the tournament at 119-pounds and beat two state qualifiers from last year, Jason Bottoms from Tuscola and Tucker Creasman from Enka.

Angelo Nunez continued his strong season as he placed 2nd in the tournament at 145-pounds. Nunez pinned state qualifier Jordan West from North Henderson in the semi-finals and Tennessee state qualifier Edward Holland in the quarterfinals before losing to two-time Independent state

spur-plus developed within our own system to be able to fund it ourselves.”

The Los Angeles Dodgers were a major story at the meetings — for what they didn’t do.

Seemingly paralyzed by owners tangled up in a divorce, the Dodgers don’t appear to be involved in any big-money moves, removing one of the traditional market makers.

The World Series champion Yankees obtained All-Star center fielder Curtis Granderson in the only major trade of the meetings, a three-team, seven-player swap that also included Detroit and Arizona. New York also kept pitcher Andy Pettitte for an $11.75 million, one-year deal.

Houston bolstered its bullpen by acquiring Matt Lindstrom in a trade with Florida, reached a preliminary agreement with Brandon Lyon on a $15 million, three-year contract and agreed to a $4.5 million, one-year deal with third baseman Pedro Feliz.

Milwaukee also raced to add arms, striking preliminary deals with starter Randy Wolf ($29.75 million over three years) and reliever LaTroy Hawkins ($7.5 million over two seasons).

The cash-strapped Rangers, in the process of being sold, created some flexibility by shipping pitcher Kevin Millwood and $3 million (to cover part of his $12 million salary) to Baltimore for reliever Chris Ray. Texas then reached a preliminary agreement on a $7.5 million, one-year deal with Rich Harden.

As the meetings wound down, Texas and Boston were discussing a trade that would send 2007 World Series MVP Mike Lowell to the Texas Rangers.

The 35-year-old was an AllStar four times from 2002-07, hitting .324 with 21 homers and 120 RBIs in 2007. But he slumped to 73 RBIs in 2008 and 75 RBIs this year, hitting 17 homers each season. He was slowed by surgery in October 2008 to repair a torn labrum in his right hip and a remove bone spur on a thigh bone.

He is owed $12 million in 2010, the final season of a $37.5 million, three-year contract.

Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said the team still are discussing the trade, which also would be subject to physicals.

Boston would have to give Texas money to offset a portion of Lowell’s salary.

“Both clubs are evaluating. I think the general parameters are understood and both clubs need to decide whether it’s the right fit,” he said.

champion from Forsyth Country Day School, Christian Funder.

Angelo Nunez is currently 11-3 with 9 pins. He has placed 2nd in both of the individual tournaments the Hilltoppers have competed in.

Freshman, Tyler Lowery was 2-2 wrestling despite wrestling through illness.

the split 3A/2A conference.

Murray lead the team in touchdowns and rushing yards in a season shortened by injury.

Thomas was one of the leading tacklers for a much-improved Hilltoppers defense.

Murray, Thomas receive honorable mention

SPINDALE — East Rutherford’s swim team will host Freedom and Patton in a conference meet at Isothermal Community College, tonight, at 5 p.m.

The Cavaliers will be seeking a 2A title this season against a strong Chase team and Shelby in the 2A-side of the South Mountain Athletic Conference.

RUTHERFORDTON — In addition to the seven Hilltoppers who earned All-Conference honors from the SMAC, Oddie Murray and Cody Thomas earned honorable mention from

Surprised that Rafael Soriano accepted salary arbitration, Atlanta was close to sending the reliever to Tampa for pitcher Jesse Chavez. The teams were waiting for the medical reports to be approved, and Soriano seemed set to approve the trade.

He had 27 saves last season for the Braves, who signed free agent relievers Billy Wagner and Takashi Saito — making Soriano redundant.

SMAC swimming action continues today

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10

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 11, 2009

weather/nation Weather The Daily Courier Weather Today

Tonight

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Partly Cloudy

Isolated Rain

Scat'd Rain

Partly Cloudy

Few Showers

Precip Chance: 5%

Precip Chance: 10%

Precip Chance: 30%

Precip Chance: 40%

Precip Chance: 10%

Precip Chance: 50%

44º

25º

41º 34º

45º 34º

56º 38º

49º 35º

Almanac

Local UV Index

Around Our State Today

Statistics provided by Broad River Water Authority through 7 a.m. yesterday.

0 - 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11+

Temperatures

0-2: Low, 3-5: Moderate, 6-7: High, 8-10: Very High, 11+: Extreme Exposure

High . . . . . .

Low . . . . . . .

Normal High Normal Low .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

.66 .37 .54 .29

Precipitation 24 hrs through 7 a.m. yest. .0.00" Month to date . . . . . . . . .4.72" Year to date . . . . . . . . .55.30"

Barometric Pressure

Sun and Moon Sunrise today .

Sunset tonight .

Moonrise today Moonset today .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

.7:26 .5:16 .2:42 .1:46

a.m. p.m. a.m. p.m.

Moon Phases

High yesterday . . . . . . .30.18"

Relative Humidity High yesterday . . . . . . . . .88%

New 12/16

First 12/24

Full 12/31

City

Saturday

Hi/Lo Wx Hi/Lo Wx

Asheville . . . . . . .40/21 Cape Hatteras . . .46/34 Charlotte . . . . . . .44/26 Fayetteville . . . . .47/28 Greensboro . . . . .41/25 Greenville . . . . . .44/25 Hickory . . . . . . . . . .41/23 Jacksonville . . . .45/23 Kitty Hawk . . . . . .46/35 New Bern . . . . . .45/24 Raleigh . . . . . . . .44/26 Southern Pines . .45/26 Wilmington . . . . .48/29 Winston-Salem . .41/25

s s s s s s s s s s s s s s

41/33 51/48 44/34 44/37 40/33 49/37 43/33 50/39 48/44 49/39 41/35 42/36 50/43 40/33

ra s mc mc pc s mc mc s mc pc mc mc pc

Weather (Wx): cl/cloudy; pc/partly cloudy; ra/rain; rs/rain & snow; s/sunny; sh/showers; sn/snow; t/thunderstorms; w/windy

Last 1/7

North Carolina Forecast Durham 43/24

Winston-Salem 41/25 Asheville 40/21

Greensboro 41/25

Elizabeth City 43/27 Greenville 44/25

Raleigh 44/26

Associated Press

Karalee Briggs walks her dogs Babe, left, and Boomer through the streets of Janesville, Wis., Wednesday. Briggs was walking in the road because some sidewalks were not cleared following the overnight storm that dropped more than a foot of snow on the city as it crossed much of the central plains.

Storms leaves behind death, major outages

By CAROLYN THOMPSON Associated Press Writer

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A deadly, windy storm that has paralyzed a wide Kinston swath of the nation for days left bitFayetteville 44/24 ter cold behind as it finally made its 47/28 Shown is today’s weather. exit Thursday, with temperatures Temperatures are today’s highs below freezing in several states and Wilmington and tonight’s lows. gusts that made it feel as cold as 48/29 minus 25.

Across Our Nation Today’s National Map Power failures in the Midwest, dozens of lost hunters in the West and Today Saturday 10s howling winds that helped blow over 0s 30s City Hi/Lo Wx Hi/Lo Wx a bus in New York provided just a 10s 20s 20s few lingering miseries from the first Atlanta . . . . . . . . .50/33 s 48/38 ra Baltimore . . . . . . .34/24 s 39/31 s H major storm of the season.

30s 40s Chicago . . . . . . . .25/18 s 30/23 s 30s Emergency rooms took in people Detroit . . . . . . . . .26/19 sn 30/23 pc who had slipped and fallen, overdone Indianapolis . . . .31/23 s 35/26 s H shoveling or reached their hands Los Angeles . . . .64/50 ra 63/50 ra 40s 60s 50s Miami . . . . . . . . . .80/72 sh 81/73 sh into clogged snowblowers, while tow 50s New York . . . . . . .30/24 s 41/26 s trucks freed drivers from the sides 60s 60s Philadelphia . . . .31/22 s 40/25 s of icy roads and everyday residents Sacramento . . . . .51/46 ra 53/46 ra 70s simply struggled to get around in the San Francisco . . .57/50 sh 57/49 t This map shows high temperatures, type of precipitation expected and Seattle . . . . . . . . .38/29 mc 40/32 sn location of frontal systems at noon. frigid winds.

Tampa . . . . . . . . .67/60 cl 78/65 sh L H “Like I stuck my face in the freezer,” Washington, DC .35/23 s 41/30 s was how Bincy Mathew described the feeling in Chicago on Thursday, complaining about his watering eyes: “I think they are going to freeze up.”

Aileen Azares, 42, of Dallas, spent part of the day taking photos in Chicago’s Millennium Park, where sculptures sported snow hats and icicle beards. Azares wore a pink scarf but was still cold.

“Right now my ears are hurting,”

By ALLISON FLYNN Mathis can be contacted at Azares said.

287-0262, ext. 1233.

Daily Courier Staff Writer The days-old storm made its first When deciding which training SPINDALE – If you were to register punch in the West before plowing areas to offer, college and workforce for courses to become a millwright across two-thirds of the country development officials decided to hone through Isothermal Community with heavy snow, icy winds, and even in on construction trades because College, it would cost around $500. lightning and thunder before preparthose that area employers identified Through the JobsNOW program, ing to blow out to sea off Maine. as being in demand. unemployed participants can take In northern Arizona, 25 to 30 elk “Those employers have indicated the courses at no cost. hunters remained stranded for a a demand for dozens and dozens of JobsNOW, also known as fourth day in below-freezing weathjobs if not hundreds of jobs,” said “12-in-6,” is an occupational trainer, and searchers feared the parties Mike Gavin, Isothermal’s director of ing program designed to provide would run out of food and heating public relations and marketing. training in 12 areas that could fuel before the next storm hit, possiPipefitting is another popular trainbe completed in six months or bly over the weekend. ing area, Saunders said.

The first less. Funded by the American The Coconino County Sheriff’s group of students to go through the Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Office said the hunters were trapped pipefitting courses offered through Department of Commerce, Division by the 2 to 3 feet of snow that fell JobsNOW are finishing up training of Workforce Development and the Monday.

Authorities received several now.

Region C Workforce Development reports of stranded or overdue hunt“On Feb. 3, we will graduate 18 Board, courses are offered through ing parties but expected to get more pipefitters who will have National Isothermal Community College and calls as the elk hunting season drew Center for Construction Education began in September. to an end Thursday. and Research certifications,” Courses being offered on “The storm just hit when everyone Saunders said.

Isothermal’s Spindale campus was out in the field,” said sheriff’s NCCER certification is key for include pipefitting, millwright, nurse those seeking jobs in construction spokesman Gerry Blair. assistant one and nurse assistant Michigan residents hunkered trades, he added. two; courses on the Polk campus down under a blizzard warning as All students enrolled in courses include equine studies and managethe coldest air of the season crossed through JobsNOW will have to ment, sustainable farming, veteriobtain career readiness certification. Lake Michigan. More than 120,000 nary equine assistant and viticulture. Participants also have to take human people lost power in the state, in the Another millwright class will begin middle of a swath from Iowa to West resource development courses. in January, said Mike Saunders, Virginia and up to Maine where resiJobsNOW courses will be offered director of Customized Training and dents were in the dark at some point. through September, Saunders said.

Development at Isothermal.

High snow totals, fueled by winds For more information on courses “Students will need to complete blowing over lakes Erie and Ontario, or to register, contact Dee Spurlin, career readiness certification, 286-3636, ext. 229, or dspurlin@iso- were possible for parts of New York employability skills and construction through Saturday, including south of thermal.edu. core skills,” Saunders said. “People Buffalo and north of Syracuse. who are interested should contact While less than three inches of Contact Flynn via e-mail at aflynn@theTim Mathis.” snow fell on Buffalo, winds gusting digitalcourier.com. between 50 mph and 60 mph blinded drivers, grounded flights and forced For great Joe and Kim Kinney of Forest most schools to close. Frequent thunlocal sports City are the proud parents of der and lightning lit up the sky before coverage, dawn. a baby boy born on September A double-decker bus carrying 12 read 27, 2009. Morgan Phillip passengers from New York City to Kinney weighed 8 lbs. and The Daily Toronto overturned on the New York 1 oz. and was 22”long. He State Thruway near Buffalo when the Courier was welcomed by his brother, driver made an unsafe lane change Matthew Whitener and his sister, Michelle Kinney.

Grandparents are Deborah Create a letter in Word Walker, Roy Yelton and Bobby Obtain FREE email account Basic Internet Search 146 N. Main St. and Brenda Kinney. His greatCreate, send, receive, Rutherfordton, NC 28139 Save files to a Flashdrive grandfather is Gene Swink. reply, forward email (828) 288-1650 Forest City 44/25 Charlotte 44/26

Cold Front

Stationary Front

Warm Front

Low Pressure

High Pressure

JobsNOW program to pay for classes at ICC

See Our Classified Ads On The Web At:

www.thedigitalcourier.com

Need Help with Basic Computer Skills?

El Nino grows, affects South WASHINGTON (AP) — The El Nino climate phenomena has strengthened and is expected to last into spring, potentially affecting weather around the globe for the next few months, the government said Thursday.

El Nino is a periodic warming of the water in the tropical Pacific Ocean accompanied by changes in air pressure and winds that can influence weather worldwide.

Sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific were about 3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 Celsius) above normal in November, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.

Computer models used to forecast climate do not all agree, but the agency said it seems likely the conditions will strengthen, or at least persist, through spring.

Potential impacts through February, NOAA said, include: n Above-average precipitation for the southern tier of the United States, with below average precipitation in the Pacific Northwest and the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys. n Below-average snowfall and above-average temperatures across the northern tier of states, except New England, and cooler than average temperatures in the Southeast. n Increased rainfall over the central tropical Pacific Ocean and a continuation of drier-than-average conditions over Indonesia. n Warming in the far eastern equatorial Pacific and increased rainfall in portions of Peru and Ecuador. during the worst of the storm early Thursday, state police said. Nine on board were taken to hospitals with injuries not considered life threatening.

“The winds were just whipping the snow back across the road, and you couldn’t get a lane or two cleared or kept cleared,” State Police Capt.

Michael Nigrelli said.

In Rochester, where a blustery 28-degree day finally dispatched an unseasonably mild fall in upstate New York, Mike Hartman said he was getting in shape for ski season with a lunchtime jog around Cobbs Hill Park with his Chinese shar-pei dog and a friend.

“I did enjoy the mild weather, but I’d rather have snow than sleet and rain and a temperature in between freezing and not freezing,” he said.

At least 17 people have died in the meandering storm.

As often, the coldest spot was International Falls, a small city along the Canadian border that has proclaimed itself the “Icebox of the Nation.” Jake Haney, who fuels planes at the International Falls Airport, said it was 13 below zero with a steady wind when he got to work at 6:30 Thursday morning.

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The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 11, 2009 — 11

stocks/business

THE MARKET IN REVIEW

STOCK EXCHANGE HIGHLIGHTS

u

NYSE

7,104.50 +36.88

GAINERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last OxfordInds 24.16 LeeEnt 3.58 Gildan 22.19 HWinstn g 9.90 FtBcp pfD 10.65 Sparton 5.20 FtBcp pfC 10.58 PallCorp 34.08 Fortress 4.26 GenSteel 5.10

Chg +3.09 +.39 +2.15 +.96 +.92 +.42 +.84 +2.69 +.32 +.38

%Chg +14.7 +12.2 +10.7 +10.7 +9.5 +8.8 +8.6 +8.6 +8.1 +8.1

LOSERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last UnivTrav n 8.99 ReneSola 4.05 ADairy 20.25 CitiS&P14 n 9.36 Cambrex 5.17 FstPfd pfA 5.45 AVangrd 7.24 NYMAGC 17.37 ZaleCp 3.17 RedL pfA 20.96

Chg %Chg -1.36 -13.1 -.42 -9.4 -2.05 -9.2 -.82 -8.1 -.44 -7.8 -.45 -7.6 -.59 -7.5 -1.36 -7.3 -.23 -6.8 -1.44 -6.4

MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE) Name Vol (00) Last Chg Citigrp 2556597 3.87 +.01 BkofAm 2392604 15.21 -.18 SPDR 1186752 110.64 +.62 SprintNex 760612 4.03 -.10 SPDR Fncl 672434 14.29 -.02 US NGsFd 585300 9.75 +.64 GenElec 547767 15.61 -.05 WellsFargo 511386 25.32 -.64 iShR2K 498687 59.61 -.24 FordM 488014 9.05 +.19 Advanced Declined Unchanged Total issues New Highs New Lows Volume

DIARY

1,844 1,208 112 3,164 204 5 3,946,552,705

u

AMEX

u

1,778.75 +10.87

GAINERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last NTS Rlty 5.50 SoCTBcp 2.90 EvgUtilHi 14.55 ChNEPet n 6.24 SinoHub n 4.08 HKHighpw 7.20 AmShrd 3.03 Taseko 3.93 DocuSec 2.60 ChMda wt 5.18

Chg %Chg +.66 +13.6 +.30 +11.5 +1.31 +9.9 +.43 +7.4 +.28 +7.4 +.44 +6.4 +.18 +6.3 +.23 +6.2 +.15 +6.1 +.27 +5.6

LOSERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last BarHarb 29.68 Engex 2.81 BioTime wt 2.55 CaracoP 5.89 ManSang 2.40 ChinaEd n 6.15 LGL Grp 3.30 WellsGard 2.30 EVInsPA 13.72 Gastar grs 4.39

Chg %Chg -2.82 -8.7 -.19 -6.3 -.15 -5.6 -.33 -5.3 -.12 -4.8 -.28 -4.4 -.15 -4.3 -.10 -4.2 -.58 -4.1 -.19 -4.1

MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE) Name Vol (00) Last Chg GoldStr g 54313 3.56 -.02 Gastar grs 41746 4.39 -.19 Taseko 27271 3.93 +.23 Rentech 26981 1.69 -.03 LibertyAcq 26496 9.54 ...

NovaGld g 26271 5.60 -.10 NwGold g 25122 3.32 -.13 CelSci 19429 1.12 -.11 NthgtM g 18108 3.24 +.04 BPW Acq 17520 10.32 -.13 DIARY

Advanced Declined Unchanged Total issues New Highs New Lows Volume

245 257 54 556 16 1 98,908,681

NASDAQ 2,190.86 +7.13

GAINERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Amriana TandyBr Oncothyr h CmBkIN AlliedMot CambLrn n Escalade BannerCp MackFn pSivida

Last 2.85 3.52 5.56 6.99 2.54 4.09 2.30 2.59 4.95 3.60

Chg +.40 +.47 +.69 +.81 +.28 +.44 +.25 +.27 +.50 +.35

%Chg +16.3 +15.4 +14.2 +13.1 +12.4 +12.1 +12.1 +11.6 +11.2 +10.8

LOSERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last SptChalB 3.71 BkVA 3.11 TigerLogic 3.65 SigaTech h 7.32 Lihua Int n 10.37 ProvFnH 2.50 SCmntyFn 2.00 FFBcArk 2.42 WestwdO n 5.01 ValleyFin 3.05

Chg -.90 -.59 -.68 -1.34 -1.83 -.44 -.33 -.37 -.73 -.44

%Chg -19.5 -15.9 -15.7 -15.5 -15.0 -15.0 -14.2 -13.2 -12.7 -12.6

MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE)

Name Vol (00) PwShs QQQ687251 3Com 520661 Microsoft 449085 Intel 427723 SunesisPh 351974 Oracle 333678 Cisco 330888 Comcast 328797 Dell Inc 305085 BrcdeCm 299102

Advanced Declined Unchanged Total issues New Highs New Lows Volume

Last Chg 44.30 +.22 7.46 +.12 29.87 +.16 20.15 +.14 1.39 +.79 22.59 +.64 23.94 +.08 17.58 +.04 13.23 +.12 7.47 -.20

DIARY

1,043 1,641 141 2,825 96 23 1,908,529,349

DAILY DOW JONES

ASK ABOUT AN INSURANCE HAVE YOU REVIEWED YOUR

52-Week High Low

NEEdS ANAlySIS. LATELY?

10,520 Dow JonesINSURANCE industrials LIFE

Close: 10,405.83 Change: 68.78 (0.7%)

10,516.70 4,122.43 397.29 7,285.67 1,887.23 2,214.39 1,119.13 717.75 11,480.36 625.30

10,360 10,200

11,200

10 DAYS

10,400 9,600

6,469.95 2,134.21 288.66 4,181.75 1,130.47 1,265.52 666.79 397.97 6,772.29 342.59

STOCK MARKET INDEXES Dow Industrials Dow Transportation Dow Utilities NYSE Composite Amex Market Value Nasdaq Composite S&P 500 S&P MidCap Wilshire 5000 Russell 2000

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

Name

PIMCO TotRetIs American Funds GrthAmA m American Funds CapIncBuA m Vanguard TotStIdx TOCKS OF OCAL NTEREST American Funds CpWldGrIA m Fidelity Contra YTD YTD American Funds IncAmerA m Name Div Yld PE Last Chg%Chg Name Div Yld PE Last Chg %Chg American Funds InvCoAmA m AT&T Inc 1.64 5.9 14 27.76 +.20 -2.6 LeggPlat 1.04 5.2 73 19.82 -.15 +30.5 Vanguard 500Inv Vanguard InstIdx Amazon ... ... 80 135.38 +4.07+164.0 Lowes .36 1.6 20 23.09 +.28 +7.3 American Funds EurPacGrA m ArvMerit ... ... ... 8.99 +.22+215.4 Microsoft .52 1.7 19 29.87 +.16 +53.7 Dodge & Cox Stock American Funds WAMutInvA m BB&T Cp .60 2.3 18 25.91 +.07 -5.6 PPG 2.16 3.7 26 59.04 -.40 +39.1 Dodge & Cox IntlStk BkofAm .04 .3 ... 15.21 -.18 +8.0 ParkerHan 1.00 1.9 26 53.76 -.16 +26.4 American Funds NewPerspA m BerkHa A ... ... 3098399.00-101.00+1.9 Fidelity DivrIntl d Cisco ... ... 24 23.94 +.08 +46.9 ProgrssEn 2.48 6.0 14 41.32 +.14 +3.7 American Funds FnInvA m ... ... 61 27.66 +.53+109.2 PIMCO TotRetAdm b Delhaize 2.01 2.6 ... 77.85 +1.55 +23.6 RedHat Dell Inc ... ... 18 13.23 +.12 +29.2 RoyalBk g 2.00 ... ... 52.45 +.52 +76.8 American Funds BalA m DukeEngy .96 5.4 15 17.67 +.22 +17.7 SaraLee .44 3.6 20 12.19 +.06 +24.5 FrankTemp-Franklin Income A m Vanguard Welltn ExxonMbl 1.68 2.3 17 72.40 -.39 -9.3 SonicAut ... ... ... 9.52 -.09+139.2 Vanguard 500Adml FamilyDlr .54 1.9 13 27.91 -.12 +7.1 SonocoP 1.08 3.7 21 29.52 ... +27.5 American Funds BondA m Fidelity GrowCo FifthThird .04 .4 ... 10.08 -.21 +22.0 SpectraEn 1.00 5.0 16 20.11 +.43 +27.8 Vanguard TotStIAdm FCtzBA 1.20 .8 15 154.11 -.93 +.9 SpeedM .36 2.3 ... 15.70 -.08 -2.5 Vanguard TotIntl GenElec .40 2.6 14 15.61 -.05 -3.6 .36 1.5 ... 24.79 +.15 +26.3 Vanguard InstPlus GoldmanS 1.40 .8 20 166.73 +.29 +97.6 Timken Fidelity LowPriStk d UPS B 1.80 3.1 34 57.63 -.13 +4.5 T Rowe Price EqtyInc Google ... ... 38 591.50 +2.48 +92.3 KrispKrm ... ... ... 2.94 -.09 +75.0 WalMart 1.09 2.0 16 54.69 +.62 -2.4 Hartford CapAprA m Pioneer PioneerA m Goldman Sachs ShDuGovA m Stock Footnotes: g = Dividends and earnings in Canadian dollars. h = Does not meet continued-listing standards. lf = Late filing with SEC. n = New in past 52 weeks. pf = Preferred. rs = Stock has undergone a reverse stock split of at least 50 Alliance Bernstein GrowIncA m percent within the past year. rt = Right to buy security at a specified price. s = Stock has split by at least 20 percent within the DWS-Scudder REstA m Hartford GrowthL m last year. un = Units. vj = In bankruptcy or receivership. wd = When distributed. wi = When issued. wt = Warrants.

S

L

I

Mutual Fund Footnotes: b = Fee covering market costs is paid from fund assets. d = Deferred sales charge, or redemption fee. f = front load (sales charges). m = Multiple fees are charged. NA = not available. p = previous day’s net asset value. s = fund split shares during the week. x = fund paid a distribution during the week.Gainers and Losers must be worth at least $2 to be listed in tables at left. Most Actives must be worth at least $1. Volume in hundreds of shares. Source: The Associated Press.

Sales figures are unofficial.

AP Business Writer

Christmas Special

828.245.3383

133 Old Colony Lane, Bostic, NC customwbymichael@bellsouth.net

+.67 +.33 +1.33 +.52 +.61 +.33 +.58 +.63 +.49 -.44

+18.57 +15.15 +7.54 +23.41 +27.28 +38.92 +22.04 +30.15 +24.52 +19.21

+21.49 +25.25 +9.74 +29.06 +34.60 +45.29 +26.19 +42.09 +29.98 +31.95

Total Assets Obj ($Mlns) NAV

Total Return/Rank Pct Min Init 4-wk 12-mo 5-year Load Invt

CI 114,653 LG 65,022 IH 58,268 LB 56,221 WS 56,060 LG 55,503 MA 49,018 LB 48,458 LB 47,844 LB 43,018 FB 40,409 LV 39,492 LV 38,894 FV 35,777 WS 32,502 FG 31,850 LB 30,369 CI 30,253 MA 29,744 CA 28,628 MA 28,113 LB 27,983 CI 27,836 LG 27,285 LB 26,873 FB 25,417 LB 24,423 MB 23,633 LV 15,231 LB 9,646 LB 4,251 GS 1,416 LV 1,228 SR 415 LG 185

+0.8 +17.6/C +0.7 +32.7/C +0.5 +23.1/D +1.0 +28.1/C -0.2 +35.6/C 0.0 +28.7/D +1.6 +27.6/B +1.6 +27.3/C +1.0 +25.7/C +1.0 +25.8/C -0.4 +44.1/A +0.7 +32.8/A +2.2 +19.1/D -1.1 +50.0/A +0.8 +40.2/B -1.0 +39.0/D +1.0 +32.5/B +0.8 +17.3/C +1.3 +22.2/D +2.1 +42.6/A +1.0 +25.9/C +1.0 +25.8/C +0.9 +19.1/B +0.9 +38.5/B +1.1 +28.2/C -0.8 +43.0/A +1.1 +25.9/C -0.2 +41.8/B +0.5 +23.7/C +1.2 +42.6/A +0.8 +23.8/D +0.4 +6.0/B +0.7 +26.0/B +4.8 +27.7/B -0.3 +34.2/C

10.88 27.03 48.24 27.12 33.95 56.96 15.53 25.82 102.03 101.40 38.64 95.30 24.70 31.91 25.62 27.66 32.33 10.88 16.26 2.03 29.01 102.06 11.90 66.75 27.13 14.63 101.41 30.98 20.77 30.10 35.31 10.55 2.95 13.51 14.69

+6.9/A +3.1/A +4.3/C +1.0/B +6.8/A +4.8/A +3.2/B +1.9/B +0.5/C +0.6/C +8.7/A -0.3/D +0.5/C +6.4/A +6.3/A +4.6/D +4.3/A +6.7/A +2.2/C +3.8/B +5.2/A +0.6/C +2.6/E +4.2/A +1.1/B +6.3/A +0.6/C +3.4/A +1.0/B +4.1/A +1.3/B +4.8/A -1.4/E -0.1/B -0.3/D

NL 5,000,000 5.75 250 5.75 250 NL 3,000 5.75 250 NL 2,500 5.75 250 5.75 250 NL 3,000 NL 5,000,000 5.75 250 NL 2,500 5.75 250 NL 2,500 5.75 250 NL 2,500 5.75 250 NL 5,000,000 5.75 250 4.25 1,000 NL 10,000 NL 100,000 3.75 250 NL 2,500 NL 100,000 NL 3,000 NL200,000,000 NL 2,500 NL 2,500 5.50 1,000 5.75 1,000 1.50 1,000 4.25 2,500 5.75 1,000 4.75 0

Associated Press

Americans regaining net worth

By DANIEL WAGNER and DAVE CARPENTER AP Business Writers

WASHINGTON — Inch by inch, Americans are recovering some of their vast loss of wealth from the recession, thanks to gains in stock investments and home values.

It’s likely to be a long trek.

Net worth — the value of assets such as homes, bank accounts and investments, minus debts like mortgages and credit cards — rose 5 percent last quarter, to $53.4 trillion, the Federal Reserve said Thursday. That was the second straight quarterly increase.

Yet even with those gains, Americans’ net worth remains far below its revised peak of $64.5 trillion reached before the recession began. That underscores the vast loss of wealth over the past two years.

Net worth would need to rise an additional 21 percent just to return to its pre-recession height.

And many analysts don’t expect a repeat of the strong second- and third-quarter gains any time soon. That’s why Scott Hoyt, senior director of consumer economics at Moody’s Economy.com, thinks household wealth won’t match its prerecession peak until about 2012.

“We’re clearly moving in the right direction, although we have questions about whether we can get there as quickly as we have in the past couple of quarters,” Hoyt said.

Stock investments delivered the biggest boost to net worth in the July-September period. The value of stocks jumped $1.04 trillion, or about 17 percent — slightly less than the previous

quarter’s rise.

That increase mirrored the stock market’s powerful showing. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index, a barometer of the market, rose 15 percent in the third quarter. And it’s surged about 60 percent since March.

Still, even with an additional 4 percent gain so far in the fourth quarter, the S&P index is still 32 percent off the peak of October 2007. The recession began in December 2007.

Net worth hit bottom at $48.5 trillion in the first quarter of 2009. That followed three huge quarterly declines: 5 percent in the third quarter of 2008, 10 percent in the fourth quarter and 6 percent in the first quarter of this year.

In coming months, the gains in net worth are expected to slow, along with the broader economic recovery. Credit remains tight. And consumers still aren’t spending freely.

Some analysts fear the Fed’s policy of cheap lending and the weak dollar are inflating stock market performance and encouraging too much speculation. They say the gains of recent quarters aren’t sustainable.

“We will eventually recover the loss in net worth, but it may take three to five years,” said Mark Vitner, senior economist for Wells Fargo Securities in Charlotte, N.C. Real estate was a smaller part of the increase in thirdquarter net worth. The value of American households’ real estate holdings rose 2 percent, or $348 billion. But analysts expect prices to dip again this winter as foreclosures spread and economic growth remains modest.

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News on trade helps stocks to modest gains

NEW YORK — A jump in exports lifted stocks Thursday, offsetting concerns about an increase in unemployment claims.

The market came away with modest gains for the day after the Commerce Department said rising exports helped narrow the nation’s trade gap to $32.9 billion in October. Economists had been expecting an increase.

A weaker dollar is raising demand for U.S. goods by making them less expensive for overseas buyers.

That trend helped to lift U.S. exports by 2.5 percent, the sixth straight monthly increase.

James Cox, managing partner at Harris Financial Group in Colonial Heights, Va., said stepped up demand for U.S. goods will boost the nation’s economy.

“Any time you have a small trade balance, that will really contribute greatly to GDP,” Cox said, referring to gross domestic product.

The trade figures helped offset mixed jobs numbers. The Labor Department said the number of laid-off workers seeking jobless benefits rose more than expected last week to 474,000 after falling for five straight weeks. That was higher than analysts were expecting but a less-volatile four-week average fell to the lowest level since September 2008.

The gains in stocks came as the dollar stabilized.

For months, stocks and the dollar have moved in the opposite direction. Record-low U.S. interest rates have made the dollar less attractive to investors who are more confident in an economic recovery and seeking assets like stocks and commodities that can offer better returns than cash.

Anthony Chan, chief economist at JPMorgan Private Wealth Management in New York, said the increase in weekly unemployment claims eroded some of the enthusiasm over rising exports.

The Dow Jones industrial average rose 66.78, or 0.7 percent, to 10,405.83, pushing it back into the winning column for the month. The Dow is up 120 points in two days after falling 104 on Tuesday.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 6.40, or 0.6 percent, to 1,102.35, while the Nasdaq composite index rose 7.13, or 0.3 percent, to 2,190.86.

The S&P 500 index is up 22 percent for the year after a nine-month rally but hasn’t gained much ground in the past month.

In other trading, Treasury prices fell for a second day after an auction of 30-year bonds drew weak demand. The slump in prices for long-dated bonds pushed yields higher. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note rose to 3.50 percent from 3.44 percent late Wednesday, while the yield on the 30-year bond rose to 4.51 percent from 4.42 percent.

Gold rose to $1,126.40 after a four-day slide, while oil fell for a seventh day, losing 13 cents to settle at $70.54 a barrel at the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Three stocks rose for every two that fell on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to 1.1 billion, in line with Wednesday.

The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell 2.65, or 0.4 percent, to 595.38.

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Michelle Meyer forecasts an 8 percent drop in prices before they hit bottom next spring.

Other analysts expect a drop of 5 to 10 percent.

Americans also are paying off debt at record levels, the Fed said. They reduced mortgages, credit cards and other loans by 2.6 percent in the third quarter and have been cutting household debt levels for a year. That’s a healthy sign for personal finances, but a cautionary one for economic growth: Consumers are paring their debt with money they might otherwise be spending.

Economists say they doubt the higher net worth will lead many consumers to spend more, thereby invigorating the economic recovery.

“The psychological effects of the big declines are so fresh that people are still scared — they don’t have faith in the wealth,” Hoyt said. “And much of the gains are from stock increases.

How many consumers are confident enough that those gains are real and not going to evaporate next week that they’re going to go out and spend more?”

Even though stocks remain far below their pre-recession levels, employees who have stayed invested in 401(k) plans and continued to contribute have fared better: Major 401(k) providers say nearly 60 percent of such participants now have more money in their accounts than before the market decline.

A higher net worth has made Michael Robinson a lot more hopeful than when the recession began — enough to start spending a bit more freely and to plow some of his pay back into the stock market.

12

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 11, 2009

washington

Budget deficit zooms upward, Nov.: $120.3B

By MARTIN CRUTSINGER AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON — The federal deficit for the first two months of the new budget year is piling up faster than last year’s record imbalance.

Economists worry the flood of red ink could push interest rates higher and raise the cost of borrowing for consumers and businesses, a potential drag on the fragile economic recovery.

The November deficit totaled $120.3 billion, the Treasury Department said Thursday. That’s less than analysts had expected and down from a $176.4 billion imbalance in October. It was a record 14th straight monthly deficit.

Even with the improvement, the deficit is 5.7 percent higher than the first two months of the 2009 budget year when it hit a record $1.42 trillion. The Obama administration expects the 2010 deficit will set a new record at $1.5 trillion.

In a sign of the recession’s depth, the government said individual income tax collections totaled $63.9 billion in November, less than the $70.5 billion the government collected in Social Security taxes and taxes for Medicare and disability insurance programs.

Analysts said it is not unusual for individual income taxes to fall sharply during a recession because the volatile category not only reflects the number of people working, but also

bonuses and individual investment earnings that plunged during the downturn.

The amount of revenues that reflect Social Security and Medicare taxes, while down because fewer people are working than a year ago, are not subject to such large swings.

The flood of red ink reflects the downturn’s effect the government’s books. Both individual and corporate tax receipts have been cut sharply, while government spending on unemployment benefits, food stamps and other programs surged.

In addition, the deficit reflects heavy spending from the $700 billion financial bailout fund to stabilize the financial system, and the $787 billion economic stimulus program to

jump-start growth.

For October and November, government receipts totaled $268.9 billion, down 13.1 percent from the same two months a year ago.

Government outlays over the past two months totaled $565.6 billion, a drop of 4.2 percent from the yearago period.

Spending to shore up the financial system was much lower over the past two months compared with a year ago, but the administration still projects that for the entire year, total government outlays will be 3 percent higher.

A forecasted deficit of $1.5 trillion for the fiscal year that began Oct. 1 would represent a third straight record annual imbalance.

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4. Best Doctor Name Location

6. Best Dentist Name 7. Best Optometrist Name

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8. Best Insurance Agent Name Business 9. Best Waiter/Waitress Name Restaurant 10. Best Car Salesperson Name 11. Best Hair Stylist Name Salon 12. Best Sales Team Business 13. Best Auto Mechanic Name Business 14. Best Attorney Name 15. Best Service Team Business 16. Best Real Estate Team Business 17. Best Real Estate Agent Name 18. Best Dental Hygienist Name Office 19. Best CPA Name

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47. Best Nail Salon Business

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48. Best Barber Shop Business

30. Best Computer Sales/Service Business

49. Best Carpet Dealer Business

31. Best Car Rental Business

50. Best Drug Store Business

32. Best Dry Cleaner Business 33. Best Hair Salon Business 34. Best Furniture Store Business 35. Best Video Rental Store Business 36. Best Gas/Service Station Business 37. Best New Cars Business 38. Best Dance Studio Business 39. Best Garage (Automotive) Business 40. Best Florist Business 41. Best Home Improvement Company Business 42. Best Nursery/Garden Center Business 43. Best Kennel Boarding Business 44. Best Tattoo Parlor Business 45. Best Gift Shop Business

1. At least 50% of the questions must be answered on your ballot.

2. When voting on names, please put the first and last names and put “Jr.”, “III”, etc. when applicable.

3. When voting the name of a chain (for example: Hardee’s, Pizza Hut, Burger King, McDonalds, etc.) be sure to specify which location.

Name (Please Print) Phone (Home)

70. Best Quick Food Restaurant

74. Best Coffee Shop Restaurant or Store 75. Best Pancake and Waffles Restaurant 76. Best Deli Subs Restaurant or Deli 77. Best Hot Dogs Restaurant or Grill 78. Best Hamburgers Restaurant or Grill

53. Best Appliance Store Business

79. Best Barbeque Restaurant

54. Best Pawn Shop Business

80. Best Fried Chicken Restaurant

55. Best Mattress Dealer Business 56. Best Heating & Cooling CO. Business 57. Best Preschool or Day Care Center 58. Best Book Store 59. Best Hotel/Bed & Breakfast Business 60. Best Photography Business

81. Best Hushpuppies Restaurant 82. Best Soups Restaurant or Grill 83. Best Salad Bar Restaurant or Grill 84. Best Mexican Restaurant Restaurant or Deli 85. Best Pizza Restaurant or Delivery Service 86. Best Steaks Restaurant

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87. Best Seafood Restaurant

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63. Best Massage Therapist Name

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67. Best Home-Cooked Breakfast Business

71. Best French Fries Restaurant

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66. Best Restaurant Restaurant

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6. Send your completed entries to “The Best of Rutherford County” 601 Oak Street, Forest City, NC 28043 7. Ballots must be received by December 29, 2009 8. One entry per person.

9. Must be 18 years or older to participate.

Address Signature

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 11, 2009 — 13

WORLD/nation

Chinese crush mega Christian church

By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN Associated Press Writer

LINFEN, China (AP) — Towering eight stories over wheat fields, the Golden Lamp Church was built to serve nearly 50,000 worshippers in the gritty heart of China’s coal country.

But that was before hundreds of police and hired thugs descended on the megachurch, smashing doors and windows, seizing Bibles and sending dozens of worshippers to hospitals with serious injuries, members and activists say Today, the church’s co-pastors are in jail. The gates to the church complex in the northern province of Shanxi are locked and a police armored personnel vehicle sits outside.

The closure of what may be China’s first mega-church is the most visible sign that the communist government is determined to rein in the rapid spread of Christianity, with a crackdown in recent months that church leaders call the harshest in years.

Authorities describe the actions against churches as stemming from land disputes, but the congregations under attack are among the most successful in China’s growing “house church” movement, which rejects the state-controlled church in favor of liturgical independence and a more passionate, evangelical outlook.

While the Chinese constitution guarantees freedom of religion, Christians are required to worship in churches run by state-controlled organizations: The Three-Self Patriotic Movement for Protestants and the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association for Roman Catholics.

But more and more Chinese are opting to choose their own churches, despite them being technically illegal and subject to police harassment. Christians worshipping in China’s independent churches are believed to number upwards of 60 million, compared to about 20 million who worship in the state church, according to numbers provided by scholars and church activists.

House churches have been around for decades, but their growth has accelerated in recent decades, producing larger and larger congregations that are far more conspicuous than the small groups of

friends and neighbors that used to worship in private homes, giving the movement its name.

Their expansion and growing influence has deeply unsettled China’s rulers, always suspicious of any independent social group that could challenge communist authority. Fears that Tibetan Buddhism and Islam promote separatism among Tibetans and Uighurs also drive restrictions on those religions.

“They are so afraid of rallying points developing for gathering of elements of civil society,” said Daniel Bays, who follows Chinese Christianity at Calvin College, a religious school in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

While house churches have faced varying degrees of repression depending on the region and political climate, the latest crackdown appears to specifically target the largest congregations.

Authorities want to dismantle large churches “before they grow out of total control,” said Bob Fu, a former Communist Party researcher in Beijing who now heads the China Aid Association, a Texas-based church monitoring group.

At least two other large churches have recently faced similar crackdowns.

In Beijing in October, authorities locked parishioners of Shouwang house church out of the space they had rented to worship in. In Shanghai, the Wangbang congregation faced a similar lockout. Both congregations had grown to more than 1,000 members.

Shouwang and Wangbang church leaders have not been detained, but activists fear further arrests are coming.

In a brief phone conversation,

Scam artist shot, killed in Times Square

NEW YORK (AP) — An undercover cop chased a Times Square scam artist through sidewalks crowded with holiday shoppers and tourists Thursday, exchanged gunfire with the suspect and killed him.

No one else was injured. The 25-year-old suspect was believed to be conning tourists along Broadway and 46th Street when he was recognized by a sergeant who works on a

task force that monitors aggressive panhandling, chief NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said.

When the officer approached, the man ran through the Marriott Marquis hotel’s passenger drop-off area, Browne said. The sergeant pursued, and the man turned and fired with a Mac-10 machine pistol that held 30 rounds; he got off two shots before it jammed, Browne said. The

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Wangbang’s pastor Cui Quan said worship continued in small groups while he fought to have their lease restored. He declined to give other details.

Christianity was long associated with foreign interference in traditionally Buddhist and Taoist China, and came under heavy attack after the 1949 Communist revolution.

The most onerous restrictions were lifted after the death of communist leader Mao Zedong in 1976.

Although Christians still account for a less than 10 percent of China’s 1.3 billion people, recent years have seen rapid growth in house churches in both cities and rural areas, Adding to official concerns about their numbers, house-church Christians also emphasize missionary work — illegal in China — and some have even operated an underground network to help smuggle North Korean refugees and Uighurs out of China in defiance of the security forces.

The Golden Lamp Church was built by husband and wife evangelists Wang Xiaoguang and Yang Rongli as a permanent home for their followers, whose numbers had soared to more than 50,000.

Wang, Yang, and three other church leaders were convicted on Nov. 25 on charges including illegally occupying agricultural land and assembling a crowd to disrupt traffic. Yang, 51, received a seven-year sentence, while Wang, 56, and the others received terms of three to four years.

Courts, police and government officials in Linfen refused to comment on the claims of violence and persecution.

A huge church built near power lines is seen in Linfen, Shanxi province, China. Towering over fields beside a provincial highway, the massive Golden Lamp Church was built to house a fast growing congregation in gritty heart of China’s coal country, however, it sits empty, it’s doors fastened with bicycle locks and its top leaders in prison. The closure of what may be China’s first mega-church is an indication of the communist government’s determination to rein in fast growing congregations worshiping outside the Protestant Three-Self Patriotic Movement loyal to the officially atheistic communist government.

Associated Press

Points To Ponder Lanny funchess ––––– funeral director –––––

CHILDREN ATTENDING FUNERALS

Should children attend funerals and if so what age is appropriate?

Specialists in the field of grief agree that even as early as age three, children have an awareness of and respond to death. Children must know the truth that the funeral tells and should be allowed to attend the services if they desire.

There is also widespread agreement that children should not be denied this privilege because it is a significant part of the life experience. If they are denied the opportunity to participate there may be future emotional implications.

Most experts agree that children who are kept away from such an important family event may develop a sense of abandonment instead of belonging.

Nonetheless, the final decision on whether a child should attend a

funeral or memorial service should remain with the adults who have responsibility for the child. They know the child best and their final determination can be based on wisdom tempered with personal knowledge. However, it should also be noted, that grief specialists say that under no circumstance should an unwilling child be forced to participate.

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14

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 11, 2009

NATION

Great Lakes fear invasion of Asian carp

By JOHN FLESHER AP Environmental Writer TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.

(AP) — After nearly four decades as a fishing guide on the Great Lakes, Pat Chrysler has seen enough damage from invasive species to fear what giant, ravenous Asian carp could do to the nation’s largest bodies of freshwater.

“It’s like introducing piranhas to the Great Lakes,” Chrysler said from South Bass Island in Lake Erie, which teems with walleye, perch and other fish that draw anglers from near and far.

Federal and state officials are mounting a desperate, last-ditch effort to prevent the marauding carp from breaching an electrical barrier and slipping into the Great Lakes from the Mississippi River. Michigan is drawing up a lawsuit demanding the closing of shipping locks on a waterway that links the lakes with the Mississippi. And last week, Illinois officials poisoned a six-mile stretch of a canal to wipe out any of the carp.

The prospect of a carp invasion alarms environmentalists and people whose livelihoods depend on a strong fishing and tourism economy, from charter boat skippers to those who sell bait and tackle, rent personal watercraft and operate lakefront restaurants and motels.

The Great Lakes fishing industry alone is valued at $7 billion a year.

“I’m afraid they can wipe us out in a hurry,” said Jim Conder, a charter boat operator on Michigan’s St. Joseph River, which flows into Lake Michigan. “We need to spend all we can to keep them out.”

Over the years, parasitic sea lampreys, zebra mussels and other invasive species have killed trout and birds, left prized salmon and whitefish skinnier, and done other damage to the lakes.

Now, many fear that the

Associated Press

The invasive species silver carp, a variety of the Asian carp, is pictured by the Illinois River in central Illinois. Thousands of fish may die when poison is dumped into a canal near Lake Michigan, but it’s necessary to prevent an onslaught of Asian carp that could devastate the $7 billion Great Lakes sport fishery, officials said.

despised Asian carp, which can reach 4 feet long and weigh up to 100 pounds, will wreak havoc, too — not by attacking native fish, but starving them out by gobbling up plankton.

The carp were imported from Asia to cleanse fish ponds and sewage lagoons in the Deep South but escaped into the Mississippi and have been working their way north since the 1970s.

Much is unknown about what will happen — and how quickly — if they conquer the Great Lakes. But the carp’s ability to take over is evident in places like the Illinois River, where it has caused native fish such as gizzard shad and bigmouth buffalo to go hungry.

They are also apparently spooked by the sound of motors and have a nasty habit of leaping from the water like missiles and colliding with boaters with bone-

breaking force.

Steve Munton of Fulton County, Ill., said Asian carp tore his nets, and one jumper knocked his pet Labrador out cold. “They’re nuts,” he said.

a 16-foot craft about five years ago. “They just about swamped us. They were like flying torpedoes,” she said.

“We were hitting them with a broom, boat oars, anything.”

Tavern manager Betty DeFord of Bath, Ill., recalled a battle with soaring carp during an excursion on

Afterward, DeFord’s family established the Redneck Fishing Tournament “to get those carp out so we can

take back the river.” But their population explosion continues.

Fishing for Asian carp isn’t an attractive option for many anglers. Salmon are fighters and fun to pursue, while the carp have small mouths and aren’t inclined to bite at baited hooks. Also, most Americans would much rather eat salmon, walleye or whitefish. While Asian carp’s defenders say their meat is tasty, they are quite bony.

Mike Schafer, owner of a processing plant in Thomson, Ill., sells about 100,000 pounds a week for human consumption overseas or conversion into fertilizer.

“We’re the only country in the world that looks at a carp as a trash fish,” he said.

For now, the carp are being kept at bay by an electric barrier in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, part of the waterway linking the Mississippi with the Great Lakes. The barrier emits electric pulses to scare off approaching carp and gives a non-lethal jolt if they don’t take the hint.

Critics, including environmentalists and Michigan officials, questioned the electricity’s effectiveness after Asian carp DNA was found past the barrier this fall. Some want to sever the century-old, manmade route between the Mississippi and the lakes — a proposal strongly opposed by tug and barge companies that haul millions of tons of iron ore, coal, grain, scrap metal and other cargo on the waterway.

Even if a few Asian carp reach the lakes, “it’s not the end of the game yet,” said Phil Moy, a researcher with the University of Wisconsin.

In fact, a few have turned up in Lakes Erie and Michigan over the past couple of decades but apparently didn’t reproduce.

To gain a foothold, they would have to multiply in large numbers.

Oft-delayed hearing on Polanski underway

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LOS ANGELES (AP) — A hearing to determine the fate of Roman Polanski’s long-delayed sex case began Thursday with three appeals court justices repeatedly interrupting and questioning an attorney for the fugitive director.

Attorney Chad Hummel said during his opening statement that the California Second District Court of Appeal panel has the authority to dismiss the case in the interest of justice.

The justices, however, quizzed Hummel about what facts were before a lower court judge when Polanski argued for the dismissal of the case earlier this year.

Presiding Justice Dennis M. Perluss also said there appeared to be substantial misconduct by the judge who handled Polanski’s case in the 1970s.

But Perluss said many of the misconduct issues raised in recent months were known to Polanski’s attorneys at the he fled the country more than 30 years ago and should have been raised then.

Polanski has been a wanted man since he fled to France on the eve of sentencing in 1978 for having unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl.

He was accused of plying the teen with champagne and part of a Quaalude pill then raping her during a modeling shoot at Jack Nicholson’s house in 1977. Polanski was initially indicted on six felony counts, including rape by use of drugs, child molesting and sodomy. He later pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful sexual intercourse.

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WORLD

Climate leaders are pressing for a united front

By MIKE CORDER Associated Press Writer

BRUSSELS — Western European nations struggled to convince their poorer eastern neighbors Thursday to present a united front on climate change by helping pay developing nations to cut emissions and adapt to climate change.

The European Union casts itself as the world’s leader of efforts to combat climate change.

Two years ago, it was ahead of the pack when it pledged to cut 20 percent of emissions from 1990 levels by 2020 and to increase that to 30 percent if other big polluters made similar promises.

Japan and Russia have now outpaced Europe with 25 percent cuts and diplomats said EU leaders will discuss Thursday raising their own bar to 30 percent — even if climate talks in Copenhagen fail to agree a new treaty.

Eastern EU nations are reluctant to participate in costly emissions cuts or to offer help for a fund intended to help developing nations cope with the effects of global warming and start curbing emissions before a new climate treaty being negotiated in Copenhagen comes into force in 2012.

Leaders of richer EU nations are hoping for a firm

Associated Press

Rag pickers search for recyclable material in a garbage dump near waste water flowing out of industrial units in Jammu, India, Thursday. The $10 billion a year proposed by rich nations to help the poor adapt to climate change is “not sufficient” and the gap between what’s offered and what’s needed could wreck the Copenhagen climate conference, American billionaire investor-philanthropist George Soros said Thursday.

monetary figure that could spur other wealthy countries — notably the United States — into helping the developing world more, especially if they aren’t making large emissions cuts. The U.S. is promising a 3 percent reduction from 1990 levels.

Failure to persuade the poorer EU nations to con-

World Today Kenya sues over Gitmo detainee

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The family of a man held at Guantanamo Bay for his alleged involvement in an attack on a Kenyan hotel and an attempt to bring down an airliner is suing the Kenyan government for $30 million in damages, claiming wrongful detainment and torture.

Mohamed Abdulmalik, 37, is accused by American officials of involvement in the 2002 attacks, and the U.S. says he is a member of alQaida.

His family maintains he was held in Kenyan custody without charge longer than Kenyan law allows and was tortured by Kenyan officials. U.S. officials later took him from Kenya, to Djibouti, to Afghanistan and then to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, a human rights group says.

U.S. officials, who have held Abdulmalik without charge since early 2007, have declined to release even basic information about him. The Department of Defense has declined to release a transcript of his “enemy combatant” hearing at the U.S. base in Cuba, as they have done for other prisoners.

Europeans target bank bonuses

BRUSSELS (AP) — European leaders ganged up Thursday against a favorite target — fat bonuses to bailed-out bankers.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy agreed it was a good idea to slap higher taxes on performance pay, especially considering they are back on the rise soon after last year’s financial meltdown that led to taxpayer-funded bailouts in some cases.

Brown’s government on Wednesday said it would impose a one-time 50 percent tax on 2009 bonuses above 25,000 pounds ($40,800).

tribute would tarnish the appearance of EU unity on climate change, but is not expected to hold up the fund.

Sweden’s minister for European affairs Cecelia Malmstrom said that “even small contributions can show that all European countries want to contribute.”

The EU was expected to

announce a figure Thursday night, but in an apparent attempt to preserve the bloc’s perceived unity, it will not break down the amount into national contributions.

Britain has announced it will contribute $1.3 billion over three years, and Sweden will give euro800 million ($1.2 billion).

The Dutch say they will contribute euro300 million ($442 million) over three years, and the Belgians euro150 million ($221 million).

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Germany would contribute but gave no figure.

Polish officials said Thursday that their country could donate the money it raises from selling unused pollution permits from the EU’s cap-and-trade program.

It gave no details on how much that would be worth.

The two-day summit is the first since EU-wide reform known as the Lisbon Treaty entered force this month, bringing new rules to accelerate decision-making.

Leaders huddling for the first time without their usual armies of advisers to thrash out decisions on climate change and international banking supervision. On Friday, they will discuss the West’s nuclear standoff with Iran and Tehran’s violent suppression of pro-democracy protests.

Before the summit got under way, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy agreed on the need for higher taxes on bankers’ bonuses to compensate from some of the damage risky banking has caused to the global economy.

Egypt bids to curb smugglers

By SARAH EL DEEB Associated Press Writer

CAIRO — Egypt has been digging trenches and installing metal sheets underground along its border with Gaza in an apparent attempt to curb smuggling into the Palestinian territory through tunnels, Gaza border guards and area residents said Thursday.

The project appears to be one of a series of measures Egypt has taken, some of them in cooperation with the U.S., to crack down on smuggling since the end of Israel’s war on Hamasruled Gaza last winter. The tunnels are a key route for funneling weapons and explosives to the Palestinian militant group Hamas and were a main target of Israel’s offensive.

Residents along the border said they have seen Egyptian construction crews clearing a corridor along the frontier, then drilling holes about 20 meters (yards) deep for the past weeks.

They said the workers then filled the trenches with sand. The residents spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.

A Hamas border guard and a Gaza official said the Egyptians have been digging for the past 17 days in the area where the borders of Egypt, Israel and Gaza meet. They said they dig during the day, and put metal into the ground at night. Egyptian secu-

rity officials confirmed a project was under way to curb smuggling.

A senior Egyptian security official would not confirm nor deny the reports and government officials did not return calls seeking comment. Egypt has been harshly criticized by Arab and Muslim groups for cooperating with Israel in blockading the 1.4 million residents of the impoverished Gaza Strip for more than two years.

“We in Hamas can’t believe that Egypt would put barriers between us,” Hamas lawmaker Yehiye Moussa told The Associated Press. “This is hard to believe,” he added. “We know that Egypt is under American and international pressure, but we hope that this is not true.

We demand that Egypt open its border.”

Egyptian security officials and Israeli officials said the project along the border was in cooperation with the U.S. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the issue.

But an American embassy official in Cairo denied the U.S. involvement in any wall or barrier project on the border.

“We are aware of and appreciate the efforts being made by the government of Egypt to combat smuggling efforts on the GazaEgypt border. Any questions on

Pamper Yourself

Pamper Yourself

specific projects on that border should be directed to the government of Egypt which has sole responsibility for securing the Egyptian side of the border,” the official said on condition of anonymity because of U.S. government restrictions.

Israel’s three-week Gaza offensive, aimed at halting rocket fire from the territory, ended in January.

At the conclusion of the war, Israel and the U.S. administration signed an agreement that said the U.S. would provide military and intelligence assets, including detection and surveillance equipment, as well as logistical help and training to Israel, Egypt and other nations in the region.

There were some signs that Egypt, Israel and the United States stepped up security cooperation to combat cross-border smuggling.

In February, U.S. Army engineers have arrived at the frontier to set up ground-penetrating radar to detect smuggling tunnels.

Israel has long criticized Egypt for not doing enough to halt smuggling of weapons, people and money into Gaza. But the tunnels are also a lifeline for the seaside territory to get around a crippling economic blockade by Israel and Egypt for the past two years.

Your children watch closely how you love their mother.

This Christmas make them feel almost as excited as Mom

Vassey & Hemphill Jewelers, Inc. 110 W. Main St • Spindale • 286-3711

The Hair Company Invites You To Come Join Us For Customer Appreciation Day! Thursday, December 17th 9 am - 6 pm

Surprises of all shapes and sizes are now available at places that are just a quick sleigh ride away. But hurry, because these little gifts are tops on most good girls’ lists–probably some naughty one’s too–and are sure to be gone in a snap.

THE SURPRISE KIT FOR $54 (A $145 VALUE)

Impressions by Phyllis 311 W. Main St Spindale NC 28160 828-287-3178

Thanks For A Great Year!

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Unece

EXPERIENCED HAIRSTYLIST NEEDED

EXTENDED EYELASHES! 177 Oak St. • Forest City 828-248-3412

Call for your appointment on Thursday or Friday!

Food and Fun! 136 Allendale Drive Forest City, NC • 245-9005

16

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 11, 2009

SHOE by Chris Cassat and Gary Brookins

THE GRIZZWELLS by Bill Schoor

BROOM-HILDA by Russell Myers

DILBERT by Scott Adams

GIL THORP by Jerry Jenkins, Ray Burns and Frank McLaughlin

THE BORN LOSER by Art and Chip Sansom

ARLO AND JANIS by Jimmy Johnson

FRANK AND ERNEST by Bob Thaves

EVENING

DECEMBER 11 DSH DTV 7:00

7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30

BROADCAST STATIONS

# WBTV $ WYFF _ WSPA ) WSOC ` WLOS 0 WGGS 5 WHNS A WUNF H WMYA Q WRET Æ WYCW

3 4 7 13 2 12 6 8 97 10

Vir Big Medium Å NUMB3RS News Football Late Law & Order Dateline NBC Jay Leno News Tonight Show Late Vir Big Medium Å NUMB3RS News Letterman Late Supernanny Ugly Betty (N) 20/20 Å News Night J. Kimmel Supernanny Ugly Betty (N) 20/20 Å News Night J. Kimmel Nite Line Wis Praise the Lord Å Good Tonight Dollhouse (N) Å News Blitz Sein Frien Frien Jim North Wash Peo Brain in Love Bill Moyers BBC Rose WWE Friday SmackDown!

News Holly TMZ Dr. Oz Show Chea Wash NOW Bill Moyers Euro Euro Smi BBC Charlie Rose Smallville Smallville News Office Fam 70s Name Lopez

3 4 7 9 13 16 21 33 40 62

News Mil Enter Inside News Scene Inside Enter For Jeop In Touch-Dr Two Sein Busi NC Payne My Franc Con Fam Office

265 329 249 202 278 206 209 360 248 258 312 229 269 252 299 241 244 247 256 280 245 296 649 242 307

Criminal Criminal Criminal Criminal CSI: Miami Criminal 106 & Park The Unit The Unit The Unit Mo’Nique W. Williams Daily Col Pre Pre Pre Com Com Com Gotham Dave Attell CNN Tonight Camp. Brown Larry King Anderson Cooper 360 Å Larry King Ext. Bodies Monsters, Me Monsters, Me Monsters, Me Monsters, Me Monsters, Me Sport NBA NBA Basketball NBA Basketball: Magic at Suns NFL Foot College Football SportsCenter NFL Foot FOX Report O’Reilly Hannity On Record O’Reilly Hannity NHL Hockey: Hurricanes at Capitals Post My Final Poker Final Top 50 Spider-Man 3 } › Deck the Halls (‘06) } › Deck the Halls (‘06) Austin Norma Rae :11 } ››› The Diary of Anne Frank (‘59) Å Diary of Anne I’ll Be Home Macomber’s Mrs. Miracle } Mr. St. Nick (‘02) Å Gold Gold House House Holidays House Buck House House Un First House Buck Marvels Hunt for John Wilkes Booth Sex-Civil War Sex Civil War Hunt-Booth Grey’s Anat.

Grey’s Anat. } A Christmas Proposal Will Will Fra Me Spon Spon The The HALO Lopez Lopez Nanny Nanny Nanny Nanny DEA DEA DEA DEA DEA DEA Sanctuary Sanctuary Sanctuary Sanctuary (N) Stargate Sanctuary Name Name } ››› Blades of Glory } ››› Blades of Glory My Best Hitch-Hiker } Cry, the Beloved Country } ››› A World Apart Wilby Consp.

Dress Dress Dress Dress Dress Dress Weddings Dress Dress Weddings Bones Å Bones Å } ›› Con Air (‘97) Å :10 } Lethal Weapon 4 (‘98) John Bat John Ben Star De King King Chick Amer Office Squid NBA Basketball: Hawks at Raptors Post 3 Race FIGHTZONE FIGH NCIS NCIS Å I Now Pronounce You House Å Law CI Home Videos } ››› Fargo (‘96) Å WGN News Scru Scru S. S.

8651 8182 8181 8650 8180 8192 8183 8190 8184 8185

CABLE CHANNELS

A&E BET COM CNN DISC ESPN ESPN2 FNC FSS FX FXM HALL HGTV HIST LIFE NICK SPIKE SYFY TBS TCM TLC TNT TOON TS USA WGN-A

23 17 46 27 24 25 37 15 20 36 38 16 29 43 35 40 44 45 30 42 28 19 14 33 32 -

118 124 107 200 182 140 144 205 137 133 187 112 120 108 170 168 122 139 132 183 138 176 437 105 239

PREMIUM CHANNELS

MAX ENC HBO SHO STARZ

510 520 500 540 530

310 340 300 318 350

512 526 501 537 520

Ghost Town Romncing 8 Seconds In NFL Jurassic 3

} ››› The Thing (‘82) } ›› Yes Man Life on Top } ››› Scarface (‘83) Al Pacino. Å Walk Hard } ›› Eagle Eye (‘08) Å } The Strangers George Lopez Nurse Wee Cali Cali Dexter Ronna In NFL :10 } › Obsessed (‘09) Crash (N) } Vantage Point

Sex Show Shaq Crash

Fiance’s kids rule the roost Dear Abby: I have been living with my fiance, “Trevor,” for three years.

When his children — ages 7 and 8 — are here for their visits, he treats me like a third wheel. Trevor shows me absolutely no affection, nor will he have as much as a two-sentence conversation with me.

His children dictate what we will be having for dinner and what we’ll do for the weekend they are here. They hang on him as if they are growths on his skin. I can’t even get a hug from him. We don’t have five minutes alone. Trevor allows them to stay up as late as they want, and once they go to bed, he goes, too. Most times he doesn’t even say good night.

Many times he has left me and my 5-year-old son sleeping and has taken his kids for breakfast without even giving me the courtesy of asking if we’d like to join them. Abby, as soon as his children return to their mother, he becomes himself again — attentive, loving and always including me in what he’s doing.

I have told Trevor many times how I feel about this. I understand he loves his children and wants to spend as much time as possible with them when they’re here. But must I be put on hold while they visit? I’m ready to pick up and leave. — Low Priority Dear Low Priority: Feeling as you do, that might be best for all concerned. For whatever reason, you

Dear Abby Abigail van Buren

perceive your fiance’s visitations with his children as competition. From my perspective, however, Trevor loves his children, may carry some guilt that the family is no longer intact, and tries the best he can to concentrate all his energy on them during the short periods they are with him. This is not about you and him; it is about THEM. Dear Abby: I’m a 56-year-old woman. When I was growing up, I missed out on a lot in school because of a hearing problem. I was able to graduate from high school — but just barely. I can read and write, but there are things I should know how to do but can’t. I am very embarrassed that I’m not able to do things most people take for granted — for example, make change. I could never work as a cashier because I know I’d be fired on the spot. How can I learn about money without embarrassing myself or my family? — Challenged Dear Challenged: Because you want to supplement your math skills, start checking opportunities in your area for adult education.

Can alternatives remedy nausea?

Dear Dr. Gott: I am a 48-year-old female who has suffered with debilitating nausea for about 15 years. I have been to many doctors and have had many tests. They still can’t find the reason for my nausea.

I saw your article about slipperyelm bark and am thinking of trying this herb. At this time, I am taking ondansetron and domperidone. Some days I get a little relief. I also take oxycodone, tizanidine, amitriptyline/ perphenazine, lorazepam and sometimes lansoprazole. I was wondering if I could also take the slippery-elm bark and would appreciate an answer as soon as possible.

Dear Reader: There are countless causes of debilitating nausea, including Addison’s disease, pancreatitis, depression, medication side effects, gastroesophageal reflux disease, chemotherapy and other possibilities. The condition can be physical or psychological in nature — induced by pain, medications and non-gastroin-

PUZZLE

Ask Dr. Gott Dr. Peter M. Gott

testinal diseases of several organs.

While you list your medications, you don’t specifically state why you are taking them. For example, ondansetron is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by medications for cancer, but it can be prescribed for other reasons.

Domperidone treats nausea and vomiting caused by drugs to treat Parkinson’s disease. Tizanidine is a short-acting muscle relaxant, but can be prescribed for other reasons. This medication is prescribed for muscle spasms, spinal-cord injuries and for patients with multiple sclerosis.

Amitriptyline/perphenazine is prescribed for anxiety.

IN THE STARS

Your Birthday, Dec. 11;

There are strong indications that you could become involved with several constructive alliances.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) - Don’t hesitate to involve yourself with a big group.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) - Make accomplishments your top priority.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) - The people you’ll be with will find you a warm and delightful person and want nothing from you.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) - Associates are inclined to share things with you, both tangible and intangible.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) - Circumstances could bring you in contact with someone you’ve wanted to meet.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) - It’s not unusual for you to make much of nothing, but this talent will expand.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) - Owing to your wonderful positive and philosophical attitude, you are likely to be even more popular than ever.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) - If there is some kind of critical adjustment to make, do it today.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) - When engaging with key people, try to deal with them on a one-on-one basis.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept.

22) - Whether you are your own boss or an employee, do your very best.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) - You will not be intimidated by outside factors or by jobs that overwhelm others.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) - If you don’t attempt to over steer what’s at hand, things will work out quite successfully for you. Lady Luck is in your corner. So don’t get in her way, and she’ll be able to do better.

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 11, 2009 — 17 The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, FRIDAY, December 11, 2009 — 17

WASHINGTON

Dems may change compromise Son uses backhoe

By DAVID ESPO

to try to steal 90 paintings

Rewards offered for letters against plan

AP Special Correspondent

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats are considering changing a proposed expansion of Medicare to address complaints from doctors and hospitals and defray costs for consumers, officials said Thursday, two days after party leaders hailed it as part of a breakthrough for health care.

Under the plan, uninsured individuals ages 55 to 64 could purchase coverage under Medicare. The expansion is part of a compromise for dropping a full-blown national government-run insurance plan from the legislation that Democrats and the White House hope to push through the Senate by Christmas.

The American Hospital Association and American Medical Association have both criticized the proposed Medicare expansion since it was announced Tuesday night, saying the program pays health care providers less than private insurance companies, and warning against increasing the number of patients.

“We are trying to find a solution,” Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, told report-

WASHINGTON (AP) — Internet users seeking free gifts, including “virtual” money for use in online games, have been enticed to send e-mails to members of Congress to express opposition to President Barack Obama’s health overhaul effort.

The letters would be generated to lawmakers from a Web page run by Get Health Reform Right, a coalition of 10 insurance industry groups that opposes Obama’s health overhaul effort.

Officials of the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Association, which runs the coalition, said it did not know where the ads came from and that its contract with an Internet advertiser specifically prohibits financial rewards for letter writers. They said the coalition’s activities were being temporarily suspended while they investigate.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they were not authorized to discuss possible changes publicly.

The other key part of Tuesday night’s compromise called for creation of private insurance plans to be overseen by the Office of Personnel Management, the federal agency that oversees the insurance program used by members of Congress and their families.

When Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid unveiled the compromise, he told reporters he could finally see the end in sight of the long struggle to Rush Limbaugh was “upset at Sen. overhaul the McConnell because he’s not opposing the nation’s health health care bill enough.” care system.

The measure — Sen. McClain with tongue in cheek under debate in the Senate ers in the Capitol, saying that would extend coverage to tens the groups had raised legitimate of millions who lack it, ban the concerns. insurance industry practice of Separately, officials said there denying insurance because of were discussions about the possi- pre-existing medical conditions bility of defraying the expense of and generally rein in the skyMedicare coverage for uninsured rocketing cost of medical care individuals under 65. Under nationally. some estimates, the cost could Democrats need 60 votes to be as high as $7,600 annually overcome Republican opposi— more than $600 a month — tion and pass the legislation, until subsidies become available and optimism has seemed to in 2014. increase since the Tuesday night Current Medicare beneficiaries announcement. pay $96.40 per month, with the While Democrats worked prigovernment picking up the rest vately to wrap up changes to the of the premium cost. legislation, debate on the Senate

By MICHAEL RUBINKAM Associated Press Writer

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A Pennsylvania man used a backhoe to break into a museum owned by his father — the pioneering fantasy artist Frank Frazetta — in an attempt to steal 90 paintings valued at $20 million, police said Thursday.

State police charged Alfonso Frank Frazetta, 52, of Marshalls Creek, with theft, burglary and trespass after they say he was caught loading the artwork into his trailer and SUV. “Some of these paintings are worth a million a piece,” said Monroe County District Attorney David Christine.

The elder Frazetta, 81, is renowned for his work floor was desultory. A proposal on characters including Conan the Barbarian, to permit the importing of preTarzan and Vampirella. He was in Florida at the scription drugs from Canada time of the theft. and other countries as part of His son’s motive may stem from a family feud a cost-cutting move has been over the master illustrator’s assets, according to a awaiting a vote since Tuesday, law enforcement source who spoke on condition of and none has been scheduled. anonymity because it is still early in the investigaPolitical jousting did not rest, tion. though, and at times, it verged Frazetta was arraigned and sent to the Monroe on the personal.

County jail. Bail was set at $500,000. Officials When Reid outlined a prodidn’t know whether he had a lawyer yet. posed schedule under which the Police said that Frazetta and another man used Senate would take the weekthe backhoe to enter the Frazetta Art Museum in end off, Kentucky Sen. Mitch the Pocono Mountains region on Wednesday afterMcConnell, the Republican noon, tripping a burglar alarm. leader, noted that there earlier A trooper who responded said Frazetta claimed had been plans to debate health he had been instructed by his father “to enter care during that time. the museum by any means necessary to move all Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the paintings to a storage facility,” according to a spoke up, asking if it was pospolice affidavit. sible to have a vote and adding, The elder Frazetta told police that his son did not “I know New Orleans is very nice this time of year, but perhaps we have permission to enter the museum or to remove any artwork. Frank Frazetta’s attorney, Gerard ought to stay here and get this Geiger, said the stolen paintings were insured for job done.” $20 million, according to court documents.

That was a reference to a Geiger said his client, who spends the winters in fundraiser Reid had scheduled Florida, did not wish to comment yet. for the weekend — an event the majority leader later said he had canceled. But he got in a dig at Republicans, saying that Rush Limbaugh was “upset at Sen. McConnell because he’s not opposing the health care bill Tis enough.”

The Season To Say Thanks McConnell has given over 75 speeches in recent months For Your Patronage This Year criticizing the Democratic health care plan. He has also worked behind the scenes to try and prevent any defections from the ranks of Republican opponents.

CLASSIFIEDS Contact Erika Meyer to place your ad!

Call: 828-245-6431 Fax: 828-248-2790 Email: emeyer@thedigitalcourier.com In person: 601 Oak St., Forest City DEADLINES: New Ads, Cancellations & Changes Tuesday Edition.............Monday, 12pm Wednesday Edition......Tuesday, 2pm Thursday Edition......Wednesday, 2pm Friday Edition...............Thursday, 2pm Saturday Edition................Friday, 2pm Sunday Edition......................Friday, 2pm

Please check your ad on the first day that it runs. Call us before the deadline for the next edition with corrections.

We will rerun the ad or credit your account for no more than one day.

*4 line minimum on all ads ROSEDALE PHASE I APARTMENTS 121 Holly Lane Forest City, NC 28043 Family Households

1 BEDROOM APARTMENTS Units for Persons with Disabilities Available Section 8 Accepted

Please Call (1) 828-245-3417 TDD/TYY # (1) 800-735-2962 “This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer”

1 WEEK SPECIAL

Run ad 6 consecutive days and only pay for 5 days*

2 WEEK SPECIAL

Run ad 12 consecutive days and only pay for 9 days*

3 DAY WEEKEND SPECIAL

YARD SALE SPECIAL

Run a 20 word yard sale ad Thurs., Fri., & Sat. for ONLY $20.

Additional words are only 75¢ each. Deadline: Wed. at 2 p.m.

Apartments

Apartments

Apartments

Richmond Hill Senior Apts. in Rfdtn 1BR Units w/handicap accessible units avail.

Sec 8 assistance avail.

287-2578 Hours: Mon., Tues., & Thurs.

7-3. TDD Relay 1-800-735-2962 Equal Housing Opportunity.

Income Based Rent.

Broadway Apts in FC 1 & 2 BEDROOMS Stove & refrigerator.

No pets! 429-1217

2 & 3BR Close to downtown Rfdtn. D/w, stove, refrig., w/d hook up. No pets! 287-0733

Special $100 dep.!

1, 2 & 3BR Nice, large Townhomes Priv. decks, w/d hook up.

Water incld.!

Starting at $375/mo.

1-888-684-5072

Classic & charming

Apt. with storage garage. Clean 2 Bedroom Brick at 433 E. Main St., Forest City $475/mo.

Call 828-447-3233 Nice 2 Bedroom Townhouse Apt & 1 Bedroom Apt across from Super 8 Motel in Spindale $385/mo. & $515/mo.

Call 828-447-1989

1 & 2 BEDROOM APARTMENTS Some with free utilities! Ask about NO DEPOSIT! Call 245-0016 leave message

Sell or rent your property

in the Classifieds!!

*Private party customers only! This special must be mentioned at the time of ad placement.

Valid 12/7/09 - 12/11/09

Homes

Homes

Room Mates

For Sale

For Rent

Wanted

1, 2 & 3 BEDROOM

HOUSES & APTS. FOR RENT! GREAT STARTER in Cleveland County!

3BR/1BA Brick ranch w/great features - brick fireplace in family room, large eat-in kitchen, hardwoods, in-ground pool, large fenced backyard, swing set and 2 storage sheds remain. $94,900 #45277 Coldwell Banker Mountain View Real Estate Contact Marsha Brown 704-284-0137

Find your next home in the Classifieds!!

$285/mo.-$750/mo.

Rentals Unlimited

245-7400 3BR/1BA on Arlington St. in FC. $500/mo. + $300 sec. dep. No pets! 1-877-629-7042 Large 3BR/1BA w/lg. yard in Rfdtn. $550/mo. 2BR/1BA w/laundry in Rfdtn. $400/mo. 625-5554 Furn. 2BR/1BA cabin in Lake Lure $680/mo. includes utilities & Dish TV 828-625-9253

2 Rooms Available for shared house in nice neighborhood $200/ mo., shared utility bills $100 dep. Ref’s. req.

Call 828-447-9963

Mobile Homes For Rent 2BR/2BA on large lot in Rfdtn area. Refrig. & stove. $375/mo. + $300 dep. 286-4333 2BR/2BA in nice area Stove, refrig. No Pets! $380/mo. + deposit Call 287-7043

Looking for a home to rent?

Check out the Classifieds Tues.-Sun.

18 — The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, FRIDAY, December 11, 2009 Mobile Homes

Mobile Homes

Help Wanted

For Rent

For Rent

Local Advertising Sales Commissions from $40-$100 per sale plus residuals. Call 286-0741 lv. msg.

Single wide Shiloh: 2BR/2BA No Pets! $425/mo. + $300 dep.

245-5703 or 286-8665 2BR in Chase area $325/mo. + deposit. No pets! 828-223-1030 or 657-1828 after 6pm

2BR & 3BR Stove, refrig., cable, lawn service & trash incld. $260-$350/mo. + dep.

No cats! Long term only! Call 453-0078

or 429-8822

(2) Small 2BR in Pinewood Village. 1st months rent. No dep., no outside animals. $250/mo. 980-5288 MUST SEE! Like new

3BR/2BA in Rfdtn. $650/mo. + securities.

748-0658 or 286-1982

SUBSCRIBE TO THE DAILY COURIER

Immediate openings in Rutherford Co. for Substance Abuse Counselors & Mental Health Therapists. LCSW, LPC, CCS, LCAS or CSAC preferred.

Fax resumes to: 828-245-2548

CALL TODAY

Living Estate Auction of Frank Kraynak Saturday, December 12 @ 9:31 AM For partial listing and pictures visit www.southeasternauctionsales.com SALE SITE 604 Rollins Road, Forest City, NC Hwy 221 towards Forest City, Chevron Station on right (Key Largo), turn right onto 221A, turn left onto Rollins Road

TERMS Cash, Approved Check, MC or Visa, Payment Immediately Following Sale. All items sold “AS IS” “WHERE IS” Without Warranty Expressed or Implied, 10% Buyer’s Premium

Help Wanted FT position for a Marketing Coordinator

at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.

Position requires a minimum of a two year associate degree in Business, Marketing, Communications or related field, bachelor’s degree preferred, and a minimum of four years experience in customer service, sales, marketing, and/or public relations.

Position requires excellent management skills, the ability to work well within a team and the ability to be innovative, flexible, creative & organized.

Knowledge of the hospice philosophy, reimbursement and certification issues preferred. EOE. Please apply at: http://www.hocf.org Searching for PT Minister of Music for adult and youth choirs. Send resume to: Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, 2676 Hudlow Rd., Forest City, NC 28043

SOUTHEASTERN AUCTION SALES CHRIS EASLER NCAL #7022 • (864) 578-5045

Help Wanted

Autos

Found

Yard Sales

Mountain Creek Baptist Church in Gilkey, NC is searching for a part time Youth Pastor.

Send resume to: 710 Mountain Creek Rd., Rutherfordton, NC 28139 by 01/15/2010.

18” chrome Pasatti rims & tires, 5 lug Universal pattern.

Like new! $600 Call 748-0174 or 248-1662

Male PUPPY w/unique markings. 8 wks. old.

Found 12/7 in Bostic area. Call Tammy to identify 828-748-8634

CRAFT SHOW & YARD SALE Rfdtn: 280 Debby Lane (off Poors Ford Rd.) Fri. & Sat. 7A-2P 289-1967

Pets

2 female dogs, Bostic area, 1 gray poodle mix, 1 black/tan terrier mix, blue bandana collars. 245-9303

INDOOR CHRISTMAS/ YARD SALE Boiling Springs: 407 N. Main St. in shop bldg. (near Hamrick O’Shields, across from mexican restaurant, look for sale sign) Sat. 7A-til Christmas wreaths/ arrangements (great gifts) $20 & under, Christmas dishes (brand new in box) $5 for set of 4, some custom built furniture, 2 cherry sitting chairs w/floral pattern $20 ea., fireplace board w/duck painting $40, boys clothes 3T-4T (mostly winter) .50 each, household items, plum colored formal dress size 7/8 (worn once, very nice) $15, lg. mirrors and more!

For Sale King size bedroom suite, Kenmore washer/dryer, white baby crib. All like new.

248-1041 or 289-5980 New Reed & Barton Jewelry box Beautiful, mahogany. 1/2 priced at $140 828-248-2302 Power wheel chair Used once! Paid $5,000, will take $900 Call 657-6616 Two Chest of drawers $20 each, Bissell Upright Vacuum $15 Call 248-2255

Want To Buy 10x10x6 or larger portable chain link pet kennel.

828-429-2483

WILL BUY YOUR JUNK Cars & Trucks Pick up at your convenience!

8039.0000006 09-SP-495

Call 223-0277

NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE'S FORECLOSURE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY UNDER AND BY VIRTUE of the power and authority contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed and delivered by Derrick K. Odom and Linda T. Odom, dated May 9, 2003 and recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Rutherford County, North Carolina, recorded on May 9, 2003, in Book 0728 at Page 0327; and because of default in the payment of the indebtedness secured thereby and failure to carry out and perform the stipulations and agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the indebtedness secured by said Deed of Trust, the under-signed Substitute Trustee will place for sale, at public auction, to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at Rutherford County Courthouse, in Rutherfordton, North Carolina at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, December 22, 2009, that parcel of land, including improvements thereon, situated, lying and being in the City of Bostic, County of Rutherford, State of North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Situate, lying and being in Cool Springs Township, Rutherford County, North Carolina and being a part of the division of the Ethel W. Magness, et vir Jack Magness and S.W. Washburn et ux Marguerite Property as shown on a plat which is of record in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Rutherford County in Plat Book 12, Page 136. It is more particularly described as follows; Being Lots Number 15 and 16 and 25, 26 and 27 as shown on said plat.

Also conveyed herewith is that property as described in deed to Charles N. James recorded in Deed Book 651, Page 148, Rutherford County Registry, described according to said deed as follows: Being a part of the division of the Ethel W. Magness, et vir. Jack Magness and S.W. Washburn et ux Marguerite Washburn Property as shown on a plat which is of record in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Rutherford Co., NC, in Plat Book 12, Page 136, an being to particular that strip 60 foot in width, noted on said plat as a private road, which strip is located between Lots 15 and 16 said plat.

THIS CONVEYANCE IS MADE SUBJECT TO the following easements: A utility and drainage easement for each lot ten (10) feet at the rear, ten (10) feet at each side and ten (10) feet at the front. Thirty (30) foot draining easement (fifteen) 15 feet on each side, along all creeks, branches and existing drainage ditches.

Being the same and identical property which was conveyed by Phillip S. Greene and wife, LaDonna H. Greene to Derrick K. Odom and wife, Linda T. Odom by deed dated March 13, 2000 and of record in Deed Book 749, at Page 698, Rutherford County Registry.

Address of property: 320 Pea Ridge Road, Bostic, NC 28018 Present Record Owners: Derrick K. Odom a/k/a Derrick Kenneth Odom and Linda T. Odom a/k/a Linda Turner Odom The terms of the sale are that the real property hereinbefore described will be sold for cash to the highest bidder. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. In the event that the Owner and Holder or its intended assignee is exempt from paying the same, the successful bidder shall be required to pay revenue stamps on the Trustee's Deed, and any Land Transfer Tax. The real property hereinabove described is being offered for sale "AS IS, WHERE IS" and will be sold subject to all superior liens, unpaid taxes, and special assessments. Other conditions will be announced at the sale. The sale will be held open for ten (10) days for upset bids as by law required.

If the Trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the Trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Trustee, in his sole discretion, if he believes the challenge to have merit, may declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

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Lost

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a bona fide lease or tenancy may have additional rights pursuant to Title VII of 5.896 - Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act which became effective on May 20, 2009.

Dated: December 1, 2009 _____________________________________ David A. Simpson, P.C. Substitute Trustee (704) 619-6551 Posted:_____ Witness:______ Assistant/Deputy Clerk of Superior Court

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NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having qualified as Executor of the estate of NELLIE EARLENE HENSON of Rutherford County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the estate of the said NELLIE EARLENE HENSON to present them to the undersigned on or before the 20th day of February 2010 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment.

This is the 20th day of November, 2009.

Having qualified as Executor of the estate of PAUL JAMES of Rutherford County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the estate of the said PAUL JAMES to present them to the undersigned on or before the 21st day of February, 2010 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment.

This is the 21st day of November, 2009.

Dennis Wayne James, Executor 627 Pheasant St. Lake Lure, NC 28746

Frances Juanita Henson, Executor 105 Turpin Trail Forest City, NC 28043

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE RENEWAL OF AIR QUALITY PERMIT FOR DUKE ENERGY CLIFFSIDE PLANT Duke Energy has applied to the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Air Quality (DAQ) for the renewal of their existing air quality permit for the Cliffside facility located at 573 Duke Power Road, Cliffside, North Carolina in Rutherford County.

In October 2009 the DAQ issued a public notice requesting public comment on its preliminary decision to renew the existing permit. Comments were received requesting a public hearing.

Based on the comments received the Director of the DAQ has determined that a hearing is in the best interest of the public. Therefore a public hearing will be held on Thursday January 14, 2010 between 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm at Chase High School located at 1603 Chase High Road in Forest City, NC. Speakers may be allowed up to 3 minutes to deliver their remarks, but the hearing officer will have the discretion to reduce speaking times, as necessary, to accommodate the number of commentors.

The current air quality permit contains terms authorized under 15A NCAC 2Q .0500 "Title V Procedures" as well as terms authorized under 15A NCAC 2Q .0300 "Construction and Operation Permits." Those terms authorized under the Title V Procedures are being renewed in accordance with 15A NCAC 2Q .0513 and those terms authorized under the Construction and Operation Permits are being renewed in accordance with 15A NCAC 2Q .0304. Unit 6, which is presently under construction, is not required to obtain a Title V operating permit until after it begins operation. Therefore, Unit 6 is not being reviewed under the Title V Procedures at this time.

Materials used by the DAQ in making its preliminary decision are available for public inspection during normal business hours at the following locations: On the internet at: http://daq.state.nc.us/ Or NC DENR Division of Air Quality Air Permits Section 2728 Capital Blvd.

Raleigh, NC 27604

Additional Notice Where the Real Property is Residential With Less Than 15 Rental Units: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days’ written notice to the landlord. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

LOST OR FOUND A PET?

Or Asheville Regional Office 2090 Highway 70 Swannanoa, NC 28778 Information on the proposed permit, the permit application, and the staff review is available by writing or calling: Donald van der Vaart, Ph.D., P.E. Chief, Air Permits Section North Carolina Division of Air Quality 1641 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1641 Telephone: (919) 715-6253 After considering all comments from the hearing and all written comments postmarked by January 22, 2010, and other available information on the permit, the DAQ will make a final decision on the renewal request.

B. Keith Overcash, P.E. Director

A TO Z, IT’S IN THE

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20

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 11, 2009

world

Obama accepts Nobel Prize, to strive for peace

By BEN FELLER Associated Press Writer

OSLO — President Barack Obama entered the pantheon of Nobel Peace Prize winners Thursday with humble words, acknowledging his own few accomplishments while delivering a robust defense of war and promising to use the prestigious award to “reach for the world that ought to be.”

A wartime president honored for peace, Obama became the first sitting U.S. president in 90 years and the third ever to win the prize — some say prematurely. In this damp, chilly Nordic capital to pick it up, he and his wife, Michelle, whirled through a day filled with Nobel pomp and ceremony.

And yet Obama was staying here only about 24 hours, skipping a slew of Nobel activities. This miffed some in Norway but reflects a White House that sees little value in extra pictures of the president, his poll numbers dropping at home, taking an overseas victory lap while thousands of U.S. troops prepare to go off to war and millions of Americans remain jobless.

Just nine days after ordering 30,000 more U.S. troops into battle in Afghanistan, Obama delivered a Nobel acceptance speech that he saw as a treatise on the use and prevention of war.

He crafted much of the address himself and the scholarly remarks — at about 4,000 words — were nearly twice as long as his inaugural address.

In them, Obama refused to renounce war for his nation or under his leadership, saying defiantly that “I face the world as it is” and that he is obliged to protect and defend the United States.

“A nonviolent movement could not have halted Hitler’s armies. Negotiations cannot convince alQaida’s leaders to lay down their arms,” Obama said. “To say that force is sometimes necessary is not a call to cynicism, it is a recognition of history.”

Before an evening banquet, the Obamas stepped out onto their hotel balcony to wave to a crowd of thousands who had gathered for a torchlight procession. In the square below, there were chants of “Yes, we can” and “O-ba-ma” as scores of torches were held aloft.

Obama was to offer brief remarks at dinner to cap his brisk jaunt to Europe. Having left Washington on Wednesday night, Obama was due back by midday Friday.

In his speech earlier Thursday, the president laid out the circumstances where war is justified —

Associated Press

First Lady Michelle Obama and US President Barack Obama at a banquet in Obama’s honor in Oslo, Thursday.

in self-defense, to come to the aid of an invaded nation and on humanitarian grounds, such as when civilians are slaughtered by their own government or a civil war threatens to engulf an entire region.

“The belief that peace is desirable is rarely enough to achieve it,” he said.

He also spoke bluntly of the cost of war, saying of the Afghanistan buildup he just ordered that “some will kill, some will be killed.”

“No matter how justified, war promises human tragedy,” he said.

But he also stressed the need to fight war according to “rules of conduct” that reject torture and other methods. And he emphasized the need to exhaust alternatives to violence, using diplomatic outreach and sanctions with teeth to confront nations such as Iran or North Korea that defy international demands to halt their nuclear programs or those such as Sudan, Congo or Burma that brutalize their people.

“Let us reach for the world that ought to be,” Obama said. “We can understand that there will be war, and still strive for peace.”

In awarding the prize to Obama, the Nobel panel cited his call for a world free of nuclear weapons,

for a more engaged U.S. role in combating global warming, for his support of the United Nations and multilateral diplomacy and for broadly capturing the attention of the world and giving its people “hope.”

The Nobel committee’s announcement came in October when he wasn’t even nine months on the job, recognizing his aspirations more than his achievements.

Echoing the surprise that seemed the most common reaction to his win, Obama started his 36-minute speech by saying that others who have done more and suffered more may better deserve the honor.

“I am at the beginning, and not the end, of my labors on the world stage,” the president said.

“Compared to some of the giants of history who have received this prize ... my accomplishments are slight.”

The list of Nobel peace laureates over the last 100 years includes transformative figures and giants of the world stage.

They include heroes of the president, such as the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela and others he has long admired, like George Marshall, who launched a postwar recovery plan for Europe.

Missile fails, puts on light show MOSCOW (AP) — The failure of a new Russian intercontinental ballistic missile during testing was the cause of spectacular spiraling blue lights in the skies over northern Norway, analysts said Thursday.

Russia’s defense ministry said a Bulava missile was launched Wednesday by a nuclear submarine submerged in the White Sea and its third stage suffered an unspecified failure.

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December 18, 2009

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