daily courier march 05 2010 by Digital Courier

Local man honored by Boy Scouts — Page 5 Sports Diamond action Chase played host to McDowell on a cold night for baseball, Thursday.

Page 7

Friday, March 5, 2010, Forest City, N.C.

NATION

50¢

The Ants Go Marching

Non-profits receive $68K from FEMA By JEAN GORDON Daily Courier Staff Writer

Sebelius scolds insurance companies Page 13

SPORTS

Fire ant threat continues to rise in county By LARRY DALE Daily Courier Staff Writer

R-S Central’s softball team plays at home Page 7

GAS PRICES

Low: High: Avg.:

$2.69 $2.74 $2.72

FOREST CITY — A fire ant quarantine has been expanded to include more of Rutherford County. In the county, the quarantine line has been moved to include the area south and east of N.C. 108 from the Polk County line to the junction of U.S. 64 East to the McDowell County line. In essence, the line has moved northward in most areas of the county. Only the northwestern corner of the county remains outside of the quarantine area. All of Polk and Cleveland counties are inside the quarantine lines. The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is expanding the state quarantine for the imported fire ant in a continuing effort to monitor and address this pest. With the expansion, the quarantine now includes portions or entire areas of 70 counties. Lane Kreitlow, entomology program specialist with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in Raleigh, said on Thursday, “Every year, the NCDA&CS conducts statewide surveys along the existing quarantine boundaries to determine whether movement of the quarantine line is warranted. Several factors come into play, including, of course, population density of the fire Garrett Byers/Daily Courier ant in addition to the number of nurseries Fire ants swarm this yard stick near the Please see Ants, Page 6 Courier in Forest City.

Please see Non-profits, Page 6

DEATHS

Several involved in area wrecks

There were no obituaries reported Thursday.

WEATHER

By JEAN GORDON Daily Courier Staff Writer

Kennedy.” President Franklin Roosevelt’s likeness is on the dime and President John F. Kennedy is on the half-dollar. “President Reagan was a modern day statesman, whose presidency transformed our nation’s political and economic thinking,” McHenry continued. “Through both his domestic and international policies he renewed America’s self confidence, defeated the Soviets and taught us that each generation must provide opportunity for the next.” McHenry has 15 co-sponsors of the bill, but not everyone is a fan. “As much as we all admire President Reagan, I seriously question why Mr. McHenry thinks

SPINDALE — A 17-yearold Isothermal Community College student was charged with driving while impaired and reckless driving Thursday at about 10 a.m. when she crashed her car at the college. Kasey Marie Gilbert of Powell Street, Forest City, was driving a 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier east on Piney Ridge Road when she ran off the road to the right, crossed the center line, ran off the road to the left, traveled across the Isothermal Community College campus before becoming airborne. She traveled airborne across ICC Loop Road and came to rest in a wooded area, across the road from the Communications Building. Two friends with Gilbert, who were not injured, said they had left the campus to go get food and were returning when the crash occurred.

Please see Reagan, Page 6

Please see Wrecks, Page 2

Photo Illustration by Garrett Byers/Daily Courier

High

Low

52 26 Today, sunny. Tonight, clear. Complete forecast, Page 10

It’s all about the Reagans? n Proposal to change $50 bill draws mixed reviews locally By SCOTT BAUGHMAN Daily Courier Staff Writer

INSIDE Classifieds . . . 16-19 Sports . . . . . . . . 7-9 County scene . . . . 6 Opinion . . . . . . . . 4 Vol. 42, No. 55

FOREST CITY — Twelve nonprofit agencies in Rutherford County were selected by United Way of Rutherford County to receive supplement money for emergency food and shelter programs across the county. Faye Hassell, executive director of United Way, said the $68,122 in emergency money came from the Federal Emergency Management Agency after the county was selected by a national board chaired by the Department of Homeland Security. Hassell and board members from United Way were charged with distributing funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas. Rutherford County has among the highest unemployment rates in North Carolina. Non-profit groups in the county had an opportunity to apply for the funds, but they had to be an organization to apply or receive the money. Receiving money this year are — Yokefellow Service Center, Spindale, $15,000; Family Resources Inc., $20,000; Salvation Army, $2,500; Grace of God Rescue Mission, Forest City, $9,000; New Beginnings Soup Kitchen, Rutherfordton, $6,000; Foothills Harvest, Forest City, $2,260; Liberty Baptist Church, Ellenboro, $1,500; Rutherford/Polk Smart Start, $2,500 to be used for the schools’ backpack program; $5,000 to Washburn Community Outreach, Bostic; $1,500 to Rutherfordton Presbyterian Church; $1,500 to Forest City Four Square Church; and $1,362 to United Way to cover the cost of supplies, materials and newspaper advertising for the program. The four newest recipients, Smart Start, Washburn, Presbyterian Church and Four Square Church, must purchase food with the allocations, Hassell said. The backpack program for

FOREST CITY — Congressman Patrick McHenry wants to make American currency a little more .... current. McHenry introduced new legislation this week to replace the portrait of Ulysses Grant on the $50 bill with that of Ronald Reagan. “Every generation needs its own heroes,” said McHenry in an e-mail statement. “One decade into the 21st century, it’s time to honor the last great president of the 20th and give President Reagan a place beside Presidents Roosevelt and

Now on the Web: www.thedigitalcourier.com

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, March 5, 2010

local/state Wrecks

Continued from Page 7

Jean Gordon/Daily Courier

Emergency personnel assists Kasey Marie Gilbert, 17, from her vehicle after she crashed her car at Isothermal Community College Thursday morning. Gilbert was taken to Rutherford Hospital where she is a patient. She was charged with driving while impaired and reckless driving. Less than 24 hours before Thursday’s crash, Gilbert was involved in another wreck on Piney Ridge Road and was charged with texting while driving. Shown at left are Cpl. Andy Millard, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department, and Stephen Matheny, vice president administrative services, Isothermal Community College.

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Trooper W. S. Morrow said Gilbert was driving 60 mph when she struck an Isothermal Community College sign as the crash began unfolding. Before she hit the sign she was driving 65 mph. Less than 24 hours earlier, Gilbert was involved in another accident on Piney Ridge Road, and was charged with texting while driving and driving left of center. Trooper Morrow investigated both accidents. Morrow said at 2:14 p.m. Wednesday, she was involved in a wreck when she crossed the center line, ran a vehicle off the road, she ran off the road and struck a mail box. She was driving her 1999 Chevrolet Cavalier. There was no damage to the car and she was not injured. In an accident Thursday morning on US 74B, Ellenboro, Amita Smith, 39, of Ellenboro was driving a 2000 Nissan traveling west on US 74B when Preston Morrow, 18, pulled out of the parking lot at Needmore and hit Smith’s car. She was taken to Rutherford Hospital for treatment. Trooper Randy Patterson investigated. On Wednesday at 7 p.m. four people went to Rutherford Hospital for treatment after they were injured in a three-car collision on Hudlow Road, Forest City. According to the highway patrol, Joseph Samuel Maney, 24, of Rutherfordton was driving a 1993 Mitsubishi, Patricia Lee Brackett, 55, of Bostic, was driving a 2005 Nissan and Gary L. Shipley, 69, of Forest City, was driving a 1990 Honda. Shipley was traveling north on Hudlow Road, Brackett was traveling south on Hudlow. Maney was also driving south on Hudlow without rear tail lights. Maney came to a stop in the road and Brackett’s vehicle struck the rear of Maney’s car. Maney’s car then ran off the right side of the road and Brackett crossed the center line and was hit by Shipley’s vehicle. Brackett then crossed the center line and hit Maney’s car. Shipley’s vehicle came to rest on the shoulder of the road while Brackett’s car came to rest against Maney’s car. Maney said his lights were out due to mechanical problems with his alternator. He was charged with reckless driving. Shipley, Maney, Brackett and a passenger in Maney’s car, Ronnie McAbee, were all taken to Rutherford Hospital for treatment in the emergency room. Brackett is a patient at Rutherford Hospital. Trooper Baxter Hill investigated the accident. Contact Gordon via e-mail at jgordon@thedigitalcourier. com.

N.C. is named a finalist in ‘Race to the Top’

MIAMI (AP) — The U.S. Department of Education named 16 finalists Thursday in the first round of its “Race to the Top” competition, which will deliver $4.35 billion in school reform grants. Selected from a pool of 41 applicants are: Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Tennessee. The winners will be chosen in April, and a second round of applications accepted in June. “These states are an example for the country of what is possible when adults come together to do the right thing for children,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said. North Carolina, one of the states named a finalist, sought $4.69 million over four years to expand use of computer-based assessments that evaluate students throughout a school year. “Every child in this state must graduate prepared to go on to college, a career or technical training,” Gov. Beverly Perdue said. “And we can accomplish that through innovation and rethinking the way we track our students’ progress.” The grants are designed to reward states that have adopted and will continue implementing innovative reforms to improve student performance. The money is part of President Barack Obama’s economic stimulus law, which provided an unprecedented $100 billion for schools. Much of that has gone toward preventing teacher layoffs and addressing other budget concerns. The $4.35 billion “Race to the Top” fund is targeted specifically for education reform. Applications were read and scored by panels of five peer reviewers. Those with the highest average score were selected to visit Washington later this month to present their proposals. The Education Department said it expects no more than half of the money to be awarded in the first phase of the competition. Duncan said they are setting a high bar in the first phase and anticipate few winners. “But this isn’t just about the money,” Duncan said. “It’s about collaboration among all stakeholders, building a shared agenda, and challenging ourselves to improve the way our students learn.” The money may go to a handful of states. In a conference call with reporters on Thursday, Duncan said it was a “fair statement” to anticipate a total in the single digits. One standout rejection: California, where districts have laid off thousands of teachers and slashed academic programs in light of steep budget cuts. Lawmakers there wrangled for weeks before passing a package of school reform measures designed to make the state more competitive for the funding. “This decision by the Obama administration demonstrates that we need to be more aggressive and bolder in reforming our education system,” Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said.

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, March 5, 2010 — 3

local

At Your Leisure Lifestyle Show coming to Carolina Event Center

2nd annual Foothills Women’s Lifestyle Show will be held Saturday, March 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the new Carolina Event & Conference Center in Forest City. More than 40 booths, interactive exhibits, free mini-massages, facials and other beauty treatments, as well as health screenings, workshops and presentations. Admission is $3 per person, or $5 for mothers and daughters who attend together. Visit www.foothillswomenshow.com for further details. 2nd Annual Mayberry’s Coming to Beaver Dam presents “Ernest T. Bass Gets an Education,” on March 5 and 6, at Beaver Dam Baptist Church, 123 Beaver Dam Church Road, Shelby. Meal at 5:30 each evening, auction 6:45 p.m., and the show begins at 7 p.m. Saturday matinee at 2, popcorn and drinks will be sold, auction before show. Call 704-4346261 to serve seats. No set prices, donations accepted for the building fund. Tryon Fine Arts Center presents “Yesterday Today,” a unique interactive Beatles experience, Friday, March 5, beginning at 8 p.m. Adults $20, students $10. Tryon Fine Arts Center is located at 34 Melrose Ave., Tryon. Call 828-859-8322 for more information. Tweetsie Railroad opens Friday, April 30, for the 2010 season. Golden Rail Season Passes are offered now through May 2, where guests can take advantage of preseason rates and save up to $15 per pass (adults save $15, children $10). Adults can visit Tweetsie all season long for $65, and children ages 3-12 for $45. After May 2, season pass rates are $80 and $55. For more information call 1-877-TWEETSIE. Web site tweetsie. com. Ballet Spartanburg Presents Hansel & Gretel, March 20 and 21, in the David Reid Theatre at the Chapman Cultural Center. There

will be two shows on Saturday at 3 and 7 p.m., and one show on Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are adults/$25, seniors/$20, and children/$15. To purchase tickets, call 864-583-0339 or visit the box office MondaySaturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Web site ChapmanCulturalCenter.org.

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.

191 Prime, located at 191 N. Main St., Rutherfordton, announces the following entertainment: Wednesdays — Tony Coccagna Thursdays — Grayson Saine Drinks specials Tuesday - Friday every week. Web site www.191prime.com.

Wagon Wheel Dance Club, W.E. Padgett Rd., Bostic, offers a variety of music for line dancing, partner dancing, swing and more. The following entertainment is announced: March 6 — Broken Axle Band, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Admission $7. 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.

M Squared Restaurant, 125 West Main St., Spindale, offers the following entertainment: Tuesdays — Soup/Sandwich Night, Alex Thompson on keyboard Wednesdays — Trivia at 8 p.m. (half price wine bottles) Thursdays — Seafood Night Friday — Alex Thompson on keyboard, $5 Martini Night Saturday — No entertainment Sundays — Brunch and Bloody Mary Bar (weekly) Web site www.msquaredrestaurant. com. Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria, 115 W. Main St., Spindale, (no cover charge) announces the following entertainment: March 5 — Peace Jones March — 6 Matt Walsh March 12 — Alan Barrington March 13 — Hey Mama March 19 — Billy Gilmore March 20 — Ashleigh Caudall & Narrow Gauge Web site www.barleystaproom.com. Legal Grounds, 217 North Main St., Rutherfordton, offers the following entertainment: March 6 — Mountain Still with David Via March 13 — Sharkadelics March 20 — TRIAD Web site www.legalgrounds.net. Club L.A. is a private club for members and guests, located at 319

Celebrate Home!

Seams to Be Fabrics, located at 256 U.S. Hwy. 74 Bsn., (beside the Moose Lodge), offers a variety of sewing classes. Web site seamstobefabrics.com. LuLu’s Country Club & Karaoke has karaoke 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 in card making and scrapbooking. Web site www.positivelypaperinc. com. Off the Beaded Path, located at 120B West Trade St., Forest City, offers Try-it-Tuesdays (every Tuesday) which features brief jewelry-making demos and a variety of classes. Web site offthebeadedpathbeadstore.com. Southern Spring Home & Garden show celebrates 50 years as the Carolina’s largest garden and lifestyle show. Featuring 24 spectacular landscaped gardens, designer rooms dec-

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The 8th Annual “Whole Bloomin’ Thing” Spring Festival committee is now accepting applications for this year’s event to be held Saturday, May 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Waynesville’s Frog Level. Local growers, artisans, and wellness and nature-related professionals are invited to participate. To request an application call 828-734-9777, or via email froglevelfestival@yahoo.com. Biltmore Concert Series tickets will go on sale April 6. The following entertainment is scheduled: June 4 — Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Diana at Biltmore June 11 — The Original Drifters, Diana at Biltmore July 16 — Brandon Heath, Diana at Biltmore July 17 — Gaither Vocal Band, South Terrace July 22 — Mary Chapin Carpenter, South Terrace July 23 — Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard, South Terrace July 29 — Steve Miller Band, South Terrace July 30 — Legendary Temptations, South Terrace All concerts start at 8 p.m. For more information about the performers and ticket information, call 866336-1255 or www.biltmore.com. Bo Eason’s Runt of the Litter: Friday, March 26, beginning at 8 p.m., at The Tryon Fine Arts Center, 34 Melrose Ave., Tryon. Tickets held for the original performance (postponed due to weather) will be honored. For more information call 828859-8322.

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— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, March 5, 2010

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

Jodi V. Brookshire/ 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 Better health should be focus

resident Obama is calling for a vote on the health care reform bill, and it will likely come. Whether the outcome is what he wants or not is still very much in doubt. Whatever the outcome, health care will continue to be a problem in America. The reason for that is simple. All the efforts to date have been focused on the care part of the equation. It would serve Americans better if we went to the first step, which is to focus on health. Just think how much money could be saved if people were healthier. There is a growing body of evidence that is tending to show that the real savings in health care will come when people do not need to see doctors or go to hospitals as often. America’s health care problems go far beyond access to insurance and health care services. When the U.S. is compared to other industrialized nations, we do not measure up well when it comes to quality of life and health issues. If we truly want a better health care system, we can start by focusing on health.

Our readers’ views Says volunteers and officials deserve thanks To the editor: I want to stop and take a minute to thank all the people who volunteer time for a worthy cause and thank our elected officials for the job they do for our county. It was interesting as I listened to the public section in the Monday night commissioners meeting and all the negative comments. I reflected back over the times I have volunteered on government projects and watched as county employees and county elected officials struggle everyday to do the best possible job for us, the citizens of Rutherford County, and in turn what they receive is this type of negative nonconstructive feedback – Monday morning quarterbacking. Interestingly enough, I have never seen most of these individuals working to help solve any of these problems for our county (there are plenty of volunteer opportunities). I have no doubt that I will receive many negative comments about my outrage and this letter; however, it is time that someone stands up and says “Thank you.” No, I do not always agree with a decision; however, I respect the tough decisions they must make every day and stand alongside every one of them to make this a better county. I challenge anybody who sees a problem to jump in with the rest of us to find a solution versus always telling everybody how they did it wrong. Last time I checked, I do not know anyone who is a perfect

human and it is easy to sit back and tell someone what they did wrong after the fact. It takes leaders to have the courage to make the best decision with the information they have at the time and adjust to the curve ball thrown their way. I encourage everyone to stop the disrespect and get involved with your passion. There is enough work for us all to make a difference. Even more important – even if you do not always agree – thank a volunteer and thank your elected officials, county and local employees for the work they do for you the citizen of Rutherford County. They have dedicated their time to serve you and this great County. I ask that every citizen in Rutherford County share a nice comment everyday to someone and enjoy the experience of making someone feel good. You are also invited to share those comments on Twitter by following RCDYK (Rutherford County Did You Know). Thank you and have a great day! Keven McCammon Rutherfordton

more spending.” And guess what? They went about business as usual, money flowed out the windows. The school board is getting a big chunk of it. Mr. (Paul) McIntosh felt that electronic chalkboards would really help the children or was he thinking of the votes that he could get from such a deal? Let me ask you Mr. McIntosh, do you think that these chalkboards will help with the dropout rate? And (Brent) Washburn you were out of line to reprimand a citizen when he was addressing his county commissioner. (Eddie) Holland was elected to represent his district, and when a citizen requested some public information, then he should have assisted him with that. Is that not what these meetings are about, to address issues that we can not get resolved on our own? JT Russell Rutherfordton

Criticizes commission for school tech vote To the editor: Our county commissioners must have all attended the Obama School of Economics. A very interesting meeting last night for those of you who missed it. Six out of eight citizens got up and told our commissioners, “No

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

MJROTC shooting team are a great example

When R-S Central High’s corps of Marine Corps JRTOC cadets went to Camp Perry, Ohio for a rifle competition last week, many of their competitors had no idea where Rutherford County was. But they know now.

History was made not once, not twice, but three times by the ROTC last week. The group’s rifle team won the Sporter Air Rifle National Championship. Also at the same competition seniors Logan Hartzog and Jessica Eberhart won the Junior Distinguished Shooter award and Hartzog was declared national individual champion. Eberhart and Hartzog’s distinguished shooter awards are the first ever earned by R-S Central cadets. I covered the team’s practice that lead up to the national championships two

Some Good News Scott Baughman

weeks ago and thought the story was interesting then. Now that they’ve brought home the big trophy, I’d call it downright amazing. And I’m not the only one who thinks so. I’ve gotten calls from other publications asking if they can run the article and photos so kindly submitted by the team’s coach, Major Russ Armentrout. He’s pretty proud of them, too, as you might imagine, and recently shared his thoughts with me on the accomplishment. “I never dreamed they’d win something like this,”

Armentrout said. “This is truly, truly an elite level of competition. There are about 30,000 Marine Corps JROTC cadets in the country. Of those, there were 1,525 shooters that were invited to the competition participating on 321 teams.” Like a true champion’s story, the Central team’s journey in the finals didn’t start out so well. Armentrout said their score on qualifying day — the number to get them into the next round — was pretty lackluster. In fact, their first attempt was one of the worst combined scores for the team all season. But there’s always tomorrow and in this case Central’s tomorrow saw several national records set by the Hilltopper shooters. “Nobody knew who we were or where Rutherford County was on the first day,”

said Eberhart. “But they knew who we were after our next round. And they all know who we are now.” Even more astonishingly, Hartzog won the gold medal for individual score and Eberhart won the bronze. Cadet Jessica Swink came in sixth place in the nation. Three of the top eight finishers were from Central. No other high school in the nation had more than one student in the top eight. Central owned almost 50 percent of the podium. Hartzog has already translated his rifle success into real world success, with a JROTC scholarship to the University of South Carolina. After college, he’ll join the Marines for a minimum of six years, but says he plans to stay longer. “It’s just something I’ve always wanted to do,” Hartzog said.

I couldn’t be more proud of these cadets and I just met them a few weeks ago. This is a prime example of how your choices and actions make your fate, not who you know or where you’re from. This crew had tried in the past to win national gold. For many, it wasn’t their first trip to Camp Perry. Last year they did well, but they didn’t win the gold. Did that deter them from trying again? Certainly not, and Hartzog said his previous performance only served to push him even farther. This just goes to show if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish incredible goals no matter where you’re from. And that’s some good news. Contact Baughman via e-mail at sbaughman@thedigitalcourier. com.

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, March 5, 2010

—

local/state

Miller begins run for Congress From Staff Reports

HENDERSONVILLE — Henderson County businessman Jeff Miller officially opened his Congressional campaign headquarters with a number of endorsements from current and former western North Carolina office holders and prominent Republicans Wednesday afternoon. Among those endorsing Miller were NC Senator Tom Apodaca of Henderson County, former NC Senator Robert Carpenter, of Franklin, former NC Senator Dennis Davis,who served Rutherford and Cleveland Counties, former NC Senator Keith Presnell of Yancey County, NC Representative Carolyn Justus of Dana, former Henderson County Sheriff George Erwin, former Polk County Commissioner Ted Owens and curContributed photo

David Hunt, recipient of the Silver Beaver Award, the highest honor a local Boy Scout Council can bestow on an adult volunteer, is pictured here with his wife, Laura, and sons, Sterling and Roland. Hunt is Cubmaster for Pack 165, of which Sterling and Roland are members.

By ALLISON FLYNN Daily Courier Staff Writer

FOREST CITY – David Hunt was shocked to see his wife and sons as he entered the Boy Scout banquet in February. He was even more shocked to see his college and Army buddy from New York City among the crowd. And then it dawned on him what their presence meant. Hunt is one of six of the Boy Scouts of America’s Piedmont Council volunteers who received the Silver Beaver Award, the highest honor a local Boy Scout Council can bestow upon an adult volunteer. The award is given based on service and outstanding performance as a volunteer Scouter. “I wasn’t looking for it,” Hunt said of the honor. “I figured some day I’d get it. I was surprised with all the great candidates, my name was selected. There are certainly people who do a lot more community work.” In order to be awarded the Silver Beaver, individuals also have to have served volunteer roles within their community outside of Scouting, said Travis Walker, district executive for Chimney Rock District. “Someone from Rutherford County only receives an award like this around every five years or so,” Walker said. “It is an incredibly high honor in Scouting, and it is only given to the absolute best within our communities that we serve.” Hunt has been involved with Scouting since 1968, joining as a Cub Scout in Dekalb, Ill., and earning his Eagle Scout with Palms along the way. Hunt has been Cubmaster for Pack 165 in Rutherfordton for three years and also serves as District Chairman for Chimney Rock District. He opted to stay involved in Scouts not only for his sons – Roland and Sterling, who are members of Pack 165 – but because of the values the organization offers to young men. “It’s what we can pass on to the next generation,” Hunt said. “It’s a wholesome organization – we’re building the future not only for our youth but around the globe.” Serving as Cubmaster for his sons is special, Hunt said, and he gets a kick out of the boys. His wife, Laura, while not actively involved in all Scouting activities, supports the Scouting mission. “I couldn’t imagine doing what I do on a day-to-day basis without her concern and help,” he said. And even though being Cubmaster sometimes involves a lot of hours and hard work, “It is highly gratifying.” Hunt’s father has also received the Silver Beaver Award. In addition to Hunt’s sons, Hunt has a nephew involved in Scouts and another he said he feels certain will get involved next year. “Grandpa is watching four grandsons come up through the ranks,” he said. Hunt said in his years in Scouting, the most memorable adventure came just before his oldest son’s birth, when he took a troop to Mexico and his dad was able to make the journey with them. “To finally do our dad and lad trip was one of the big thrills of my life,” he said. Receiving the Silver Beaver was humbling, Hunt said. “I still get a little emotional thinking about it.”

all these endorsements and am working hard to get the most important endorsement of all – the endorsement of the people of the Eleventh Congressional District. I look forward to hearing from them and letting them know that I will be honored to represent the wonderful people from our wonderful mountains.”In an address to his supporters, Miller added, “When I get to Washington, I hope to be on the Small Business Committee and the Veterans Committee. As a small businessman, I think I can be helpful and our veterans deserve the very best because they have given us the very best. Miller for Congress Headquarters is at 214 N. King Street, Hendersonville. The telephone number is 828 693-1132. The website is JeffMiller2010.com.

State Today Chairmanships shuffled

David Hunt honored by Boy Scouts of America

Contact Flynn via e-mail at aflynn@thedigitalcourier.com.

rent Henderson County Commissioners Bill Moyer and Chuck McGrady. “Jeff Miller’s volunteer work has shown that he has a real heart for service and his business experience is badly needed in Washington,” said Apodaca. Justus said, “Two kinds of people run for office. One runs for self gain. The other runs strictly to serve the people. Jeff is definitely a service oriented person. That and his common sense approach is exactly what we need in Congress.” Davis agreed that Miller’s ‘Common Sense for Congress’ approach is, “just what America needs.” He added, “Jeff Miller knows what it’s like to work hard, run a business and listen to the people. He will put the word represent back in Representative.” “I’m really appreciative of

RALEIGH (AP) — There’s been some shuffling of committee chairmanships after the recent departures of two members of the North Carolina House. Democratic Reps. Cullie Tarleton of Watauga County, Earl Jones of Guilford County and Phil Haire of Jackson County have new leadership positions. Those come following the resignations of Rep. Ty Harrell and of Margaret Dickson, who is now in the Senate. House Speaker Joe Hackney says Tarleton is now chairman of the House Commerce Committee, replacing Dickson. Jones is Harrell’s successor as chairman of the Committee on Science and Technology. Dickson’s position leading the University of North Carolina Board of Governors

Nominating Committee now belongs to Haire.

Complaint over dues dismissed RALEIGH (AP) — The State Board of Elections has dismissed a complaint against the North Carolina Association of Realtors over requiring members to give extra dues to fight local votes over raising the land sales tax. Board members determined on Thursday after more than two hours of testimony that the association didn’t break the law when it required up to $75 extra from each member in 2008 to so it could oppose the land transfer tax. Becky Harper is a Wake County real estate agent who filed the complaint. She said she would have lost her livelihood by refusing.

Police Notes Sheriff’s Reports The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office responded to 149 E-911 calls Wednesday. n Eloise Whisnant Fuleihan reported the theft of motor parts from a vehicle. n Bethann Lynett Harris reported a breaking and entering and the theft of a television and other items. n The theft of a French horn was reported at Chase High School. n The theft of gasoline was reported at Needmore, 406 New House Road, Ellenboro.

n Roger Sams reported damage to property. n An employee of Mason Auto Brokers reported a larceny. n Jamie Barnes reported a larceny. n An employee of Belk reported an incident of counterfeit money. n Denunica Hardy reported an assault with a deadly weapon. n Nancy Byrd reported an assault and interfering with emergency communication. (See arrest of Flack.)

EMS/Rescue

Rutherfordton

Arrests

n The Rutherfordton Police Department responded to 30 E-911 calls Wednesday.

n Daveion Flack, 17, of Duke Street, Forest City; charged with assault and battery and interfering with emergency communication; placed under a $1,000 secured bond. (FCPD)

Spindale n The Spindale Police Department responded to 10 E-911 Wednesday.

Lake Lure n The Lake Lure Police Department responded to nine E-911 calls Wednesday.

Forest City n The Forest City Police Department responded to 78 E-911 calls Wednesday. n Terry Bridges reported an incident of lost property.

33, of 106 Sunbelt Court; charged with failure to comply; placed under an $800 cash bond. (RCSD) n Kathy Slaughter Barnett, 33, of 1003 Rock Corner Road; charged with two counts of harassing phone calls; released on a $1,000 unsecured bond. (RCSD) n Titus Branard Thompson, 22, of 2821 Wood Road; charged with injury to real property and communicating threats; released on a written promise to appear. (RCSD)

n Kathrine Howell Barron, 56, of 131 Hidden Acres Lane; charged with contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile; released on a written promise to appear. (RCSD) n Thomas Harlon McElrath, 31, of 131 Locust Trail; charged with misdemeanor child abuse; released on a $1,500 unsecured bond. (RCSD) n Jimmy Ernest Flack II,

n The Rutherford County EMS responded to 22 E-911 calls Wednesday. n The Volunteer Life Saving and Rescue, Hickory Nut Gorge EMS and Rutherford County Rescue responded to three calls Wednesday.

Fire Calls n Ellenboro responded to a motor vehicle crash. n Green Hill responded to a motor vehicle crash and to a house fire, assisted by Rutherfordton and Shingle Hollow firefighters. n Hudlow responded to a motor vehicle crash. n Rutherfordton responded to a fire alarm.

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. Phone: (828) 245-6431 Fax: (828) 248-2790 Subscription rates: Single copy, daily 50¢ / Sunday $1.50. Home delivery $11.75 per month, $35.25 for three months, $70.50 for six months, $129 per year. In county rates by mail payable in advance are: $13.38 for one month, $40.14 for three months, $80.27 for six months, $160.54 per year. Outside county: $14.55 for one month, $43.64 for three months, $87.28 for six months, $174.56 per year. College students for school year subscription, $75. The Digital Courier, $6.50 a month for non-subscribers to The Daily Courier. Payment may be made at the website: www.thedigitalcourier. com The Daily Courier is not responsible for advance subscription payments made to carriers, all of who are independent contractors.

When Roger lost everything, she gave him back his hope.

Yvonne donates to give back.

Give to the Red Cross and change a life, starting with your own. Call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcross.org. H20400

redbrd7011_mag7x4_625_support2.i1 1

12/19/07 11:43:32 PM

Red cross

xxxxxxxxxxx

tom gilmore

REDBRD7011

7x4.625

greg

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catherine

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, March 5, 2010

Calendar/Local Ants Continued from Page 1

Red Cross Blood drives schedule: March 6 — Goodes Creek Baptist Church, Mooresboro, 7:30 a.m. to noon, call 245-3513 for an appointment; March 12 — Rutherford Hospital, noon to 5 p.m., call 286-5338 for an appointment; March 13 — Cliffside Masonic Lodge, Cliffside, 7:30 a.m. to noon, call 245-7606 for an appointment. March 22 — Red Cross Chapter, Forest City, 2 to 6:30 p.m., call 287-5916 Class schedule: Free Adult CPR — March 13, 9 a.m. until noon, ICC gymnasium Adult CPR — March 15, begins at 6 p.m. Child and Infant CPR — March 16, begins at 6 p.m. First Aid — March 20, begins at 8:30 a.m., Preventing Disease Transmission All classes must be paid in advance. Call 287-5916 for further information.

Hospice Hospice of Rutherford County offers the following services: GRACE support groups: Meets the first Tuesday of each month at Rutherford LifeCare from 4 to 5:30 p.m.; and the third Friday of each month at the Senior Center from 1 to 2:30 p.m.; GRACE is for anyone caring for a loved one in the community; programs scheduled — Tuesday, March 2 “Yoga Tips for Caregivers,” with Kay Sheets, and Friday, March 19, “Self Care” with Patty Olson. HOPE support group: Tuesdays for four weeks beginning March 2 at the Center of Living. This group is for any adult who has lost a loved one. Hospice Memorial service: April 22, 6 p.m., at CECC featuring Rev. Billy Honeycutt. On My Own Series workshop: Thursday, March 25, 1 p.m., at the Carolina Event and Conference Center; topic “Lawn and Yard Maintenance”; this seminar is for anyone living on their own due to the loss of a loved one to death or illness. PROMISE Support Group: This group is for parents who have lost adult children. The group is conducted for in four week increments. Call for details. Widow/Widower’s Lunch Bunch meeting: Third Friday of each month at the Carolina Event and Conference Center. Dutch treat, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for anyone in the community who has lost a spouse. Volunteer training: April 12-14, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the HNG office in Lake Lure; and April 26-29 at the Carolina Event and Conference Center from 6 to 9 p.m. Training is also available on DVD.

Meetings/other County Convention: The Rutherford County Convention will be Saturday, March 6, at the county annex; registration begins at 8:30 a.m.; Precinct organizational meetings at 9 a.m.; Convention 10 a.m.; all registered republicans are encouraged to participate. Lincoln Day dinner: The Rutherford County GOP Lincoln Day Dinner will also be Saturday, March 6, at the Rutherfordton Clubhouse, beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets are $25. Guest speaker, Tom Fetzer, NC GOP State Chairman. Carolina Nature Photographers Association, Foothill Region, Rutherford County, will meet Monday, March 8, at the county annex Building at 6:30 p.m. For more information call 429-5096.

and other business in the area that may transport regulated articles.” The Department of Agriculture reported that in 2009 it surveyed 125 acres of land in Rutherford County and found 224 new sites for fire ants. “Fire ants move naturally,” Kreitlow said, “but the fastest way fire ants are moving is by man through infested materials. As such, certain articles that may house fire ants are regulated.” The quarantine expansion means residents and business owners in all of Currituck, Durham and Hertford counties, and portions of Alamance, Granville, Guilford, Iredell, Rutherford and Vance counties will now need to obtain a permit before moving plants, sod and related equipment into or through non-infested areas. Items requiring a permit include

Non-profits Continued from Page 1

children is to provide food for school children on weekends. Statistics have proven some children do not have food for weekends and backpacks with food are sent home with the designated children each weekend. Under the terms of the grant from the national board, agencies chosen in Rutherford County had to meet certain criteria to receive funds: n Be private voluntary non-profits

Reagan Continued from Page 1

this is a priority when nearly one in five people are out of work,” said Scott Keadle, the democratic opponent of McHenry in this years race for the district 10 seat. “While President Reagan certainly deserves to be memorialized, I doubt whether he would have focused on this issue when we have such urgent problems facing North Carolina’s workers and families.” County Democrats seemed to agree with Keadle. “We ought to be worrying about more important things right now than who’s face is on the $50 bill,” said Gene Mitchell, county Democratic Party chairman. “I had never thought of putting Reagan on the $50 bill,” said County Republican Party Chairman Mike Hager. “You tend to think of those iconic men in history and never think of replacing them, but then I think that Reagan fits into that category. He is the first president I voted for as an 18-year-old voter. If you look at his accomplishments when it comes to tearing down the iron curtain and showing communism for what it

sod, soil, hay and straw, nursery plant material, logs or pulpwood with soil, and soil-moving equipment. Movement of infested materials could result in the establishment and secondary spread of the pest to noninfested areas. Businesses and individuals within the quarantined areas need to obtain a permit to move these materials through or to non-quarantined areas. Kreitlow noted that non-quarantined areas are not necessarily safe from the ants. “Keep in mind, though,” the doctor said, that just because an area is not under quarantine does not mean it is fire ant free. Many areas north of the quarantine lines do have fire ants but not at population levels to justify a quarantine. Kreitlow said climate has an impact on whether the fire ant can establish in an area, which is why they are mainly in the southern United States at this point. “The NCDA&CS Plant Industry/

or units of government; n Have an accounting system; n Practice non-discrimination; n Have demonstrated the capacity to deliver emergency food and or shelter programs; n If a private voluntary organization, a voluntary board has to be in place; In past years, FEMA’s supplementary money was distributed

The bill introduced by Patrick McHenry (R-NC) has 15 co-sponsors. Co-Sponsors: Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD) Kevin Brady (R-TX) Elton Gallegly (R-CA) Scott Garrett (R-NJ) Louis Gohmert (R-TX) Kay Granger (R-TX) Samuel Graves (R-MO) Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) John Kline (R-MN) Doug Lamborn (R-CO) Jeff Miller (R-FL) Ted Poe (R-TX) Bill Posey (R-FL1) Tom Price (R-GA) Zach Wamp (R-TN) was. I also really respected his ability to communicate and that he didn’t change his message regardless of who is in the audience. He had the conservative qualities that I value and I

FOREST CITY — Rutherford County is conducting its annual search for the county’s top Volunteer of the Year, with the winner landing a $1,000 donation for the agency he or she most helps. Nomination forms are due by Friday, March 19. Volunteers are lifelines for the organizations they serve, said Faye C. Hassell, executive director of United Way of Rutherford County, the sponsor of the $1,000 award. “The donation draws attention to

Benefit spaghetti supper: For Marshall Baynard, (retired Assistant Chief FCFD); Saturday, March 6, begins at 4 p.m., Forest City Clubhouse; ages 13 and up, $7; ages 4-12, $4; under 4 free; take outs available; all proceeds to help defray medical expense.

Contact Gordon via email:jgordon@thedigitalcourier.com

think he is a fine candidate for someone to be on our currency.” Others chimed in on the proposed change. “I would rather see it not changed,” said Morgan Bridges of Rutherfordton. “It would be a waste to print more bills just because of a new face on it.” “This seems like just another thing for Republicans and Democrats to argue about,” said Travis Kesterson of Cliffside. “The $50 bill is going to do the same thing no matter who’s face is on it.” Tammy Fowler of Forest City said, “I think it’d be great. I love Ronald Reagan.” “It’s a good idea to do that. I think they need to update the money. I like Reagan and thought he was a good president,” said Onnie Scroggs of Spindale. “I’ve never heard of (the proposal). I think it’s weird any of our latter day presidents are on any money,” said Jim Dover of Boiling Springs, S.C. “No, they shouldn’t do it. They’ve been messing with our money enough,” said John Kalinowski of Spindale. Contact Baughman via e-mail at sbaughman@thedigitalcourier.com.

the value of volunteers in this community,” she said. Applications for the 2010 Rutherford County Awards for Outstanding Volunteer Service are now available. The annual volunteer recognition program is coordinated by Volunteer Rutherford. The program is sponsored by the Rutherford County Commissioners. Volunteers may be nominated in five categories – individuals, youth (18 years and younger), senior adults (60

years and older), group or team, and business. Any individual, group, business or organization whose volunteer activities benefit the community in a substantial, important or unique way is eligible. All nominees will be honored at the annual luncheon Friday, April 23. Nomination forms are available at the Cooperative Extension office, 193 Callahan Koon Road, Spindale, or at the Habitat ReStore, 686 W. Main St., Forest City. For an on-line application call Cynthia Clark, 287-6190.

About us... Circulation

Bingo: Friday, March 5, 6 to 9 p.m., at the Spindale House; $1 per card; sponsored by the ‘98 Rutherford Rumble Team.

Benefit singing: Saturday, March 6, 7 p.m., Isothermal Community College, library auditorium; sponsored by REaCH students Shelley Stacy and Carina Escalera as part of their senior project; proceeds for Terry Griffin (kidney transplant patient) and children’s kidney research.

to Yokefellow Service Center, The Salvation Army, New Beginnings Soup Kitchen, Chase Corner Ministries, Foothills Harvest, Little White Country Church Neighbor’s Pantry, Liberty Baptist Church Food Pantry, Grace of God Rescue Mission and Family Resources, Inc. Each year newspaper advertising invites non-profits to apply for funding through United Way of Rutherford County.

Nominations sought for county Volunteer of the Year

Fundraisers

Relay for Life fundraiser: March 5 and 6, at Rutherford Internal Medicine; Friday from 6 to 8 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon; wedding dresses and formal gowns (new and used) on sale.

Plant Protection Division employs nursery inspectors throughout the state that are in charge of specific counties,” Kreitlow said. “Once an area becomes under quarantine, nurseries that are impacted may contact their regional nursery inspector, who will help them become under compliance.” Rutherford County is in Work Area 16, which also includes Burke, Catawba, McDowell and Cleveland counties. Wayne Packard, in Morganton, is the plant protection specialist. He can be reached at 828437-9637 or by e-mail at Wayne. Packard@ncagr.gov. Certified nurseries must be inspected annually in order to distribute and sell nursery stock or collected plants, so they should be familiar with their regional inspector, Kreitlow said. Fire ants can damage seedlings and roots, possibly wiring in situation where they build mounds in places like electrical boxes, and they can be a health hazard to humans or small animals, Kreitlow added.

David Cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208 Virle Martin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208

Business office

Administration

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

Newsroom

Scott Bowers, sports editor . . . . . . . . . . . . .213 Jean Gordon, features editor . . . . . . . . . . . . 211 Abbe Byers, lifestyles editor . . . . . . . . . . . . .215 Allison Flynn, editor/reporter . . . . . . . . . . . .218 Garrett Byers, photography . . . . . . . . . . . . .212 Scott Baughman, reporter . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216 Larry Dale, reporter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .217 Bobbie Greene, typesetting . . . . . . . . . . . . .220 Virginia Rucker, contributing editor

Phone: 245-6431

Jessica Higgins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .202 Cindy White . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .200

Advertising

Chrissy Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .226 Jill Hasty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227 Jessica Hendrix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .228

Classified

Erika Meyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .205

Maintenance

Gary Hardin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222 An operator will direct your call during business hours, 8 a .m . to 5 p .m ., Monday-Friday . After business hours, you can reach the person you are calling using this list . As soon as you hear the automated attendant, use your Touch Tone phone to dial 1 and the person’s extension or dial 3 for dial by name .

Fax: 248-2790

Missed your paper? If you did not receive your paper today please call 245-6431 and ask for circulation. If you call by 9 a.m. on Monday through Friday, a paper will be brought to your home. If you call after 9 a.m., we will make sure your carrier brings you the missed paper in the morning with that day’s edition. If you do not receive your paper on either Saturday or Sunday and call by 8 a.m., a customer service representative will bring you a paper. If you call after 8 a.m. on Saturday or Sunday, the missed paper will be brought out on Monday morning. Our carriers are instructed to deliver your paper by 6 a.m. Tuesday through Friday, by 6:30 a.m. on Saturday and 7 a.m. on Sunday. Remember, call 245-6431 for circulation customer service.

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E-mail: dailycourier@thedigitalcourier .com

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, March 5, 2010 — 7

Inside Scoreboard . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8 ACC Women . . . . . . . . . Page 9 NFL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 9

Shocker: Favre undecided about playing MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Brett Favre says he still hasn’t decided whether he’ll play again next season. Appearing on NBC’s “The Tonight Show” Thursday, the Minnesota Vikings quarterback told Jay Leno he’s not going to say anything anytime soon and that he just plans to sit back and enjoy the offseason for now. Favre is the NFL’s career leader in nearly every major passing category and a threetime league MVP. The former Green Bay Packer had one of his best seasons ever after deciding to play for his former bitter rival in Minnesota. But Minnesota’s overtime loss in the NFC championship game at New Orleans Jan. 24 left the 40-year-old battered. He has said his main concern was whether his body could hold up for another season.

Greg Paulus pleased with NFL workout

Garrett Byers/Daily Courier

Chase’s Blake Moffitt (10) takes in the throw at first base to record the put out in the baseball game against McDowell, Thursday, at Chase High.

4A Titans shut out Trojans

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Quarterbacks Greg Paulus and Cam Dantley and tight end Mike Owen worked out on Thursday for at least a dozen NFL teams at Syracuse’s pro day. Among the teams who made the trip for the closed-door evaluations were the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts. The day started in the university’s training center and then moved to the Carrier Dome.

By JACOB CONLEY Daily Courier Sports Reporter

Local Sports SOFTBALL 5 p.m. Kings Mountain at Chase GIRLS SOCCER 6 p.m. East Henderson at R-S Central BASEBALL 1 p.m. R-S Central and East Rutherford at Myrtle Beach TRACK & FIELD 4 p.m. Chase at Polk County

On TV 11 a.m. (TS) Women’s College Basketball ACC Tournament, First Quarterfinal: Teams TBA. 12 p.m. (FSS) Women’s College Basketball SEC Tournament, First Quarterfinal: Teams TBA. 2:30 p.m. (FSS) Women’s College Basketball SEC Tournament, Second Quarterfinal: Teams TBA. 3 p.m. (TS) Women’s College Basketball ACC Tournament, Second Quarterfinal: Teams TBA. 6:30 p.m. (FSS) Women’s College Basketball SEC Tournament, Third Quarterfinal: Teams TBA. 7 p.m. (ESPN) NBA Basketball Detroit Pistons at Cleveland Cavaliers. 7:30 p.m. (TS) NBA Basketball Golden State Warriors at Atlanta Hawks. 8 p.m. (ESPN2) College Basketball Kent State at Akron. 9 p.m. (FSS) Women’s College Basketball SEC Tournament, Fourth Quarterfinal: Teams TBA. 9:30 p.m. (ESPN) NBA Basketball New Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs. 10 p.m. (ESPN2) Boxing Friday Night Fights. Wilton Hilario (12-0-1, 9 KOs) vs. Martin Honorio (27-4-1, 14 KOs), junior lightweights, 12 rounds.

Garrett Byers/Daily Courier

Chase’s Dakota Whitaker, above, looks into the dugout for instructions prior to an at-bat by McDowell during the baseball game Thursday at Chase High.

HARRIS — Coach Matt Tipton drew a tough assignment for his first game as the Trojans head baseball coach, the 4A McDowell Titans. Chase fell victim to the Titans in a 7-0 season opening loss, which witnessed McDowell one-hit the Trojans. On the bright side, Chase’s Robert Johnson struck out 10 in his first start of the year. But a cold night chilled the Trojans’ bats and Johnson received no offensive support. McDowell pitcher Justin O’Dear was more dominant than Johnson, as he nohit the home team through four innings of play. The Trojans’ Jared Allen broke up the no-hitter in the 5th on a two out, line drive that fell in front of McDowell’s left fielder. Chase, however, was unable to turn Allen’s lone hit into a charge. The Titans struck for one run in the first, three more in the top of the 5th, and three insurance runs in the top of the 7th. Chase (0-1) will look to regroup ahead of Tuesday’s game at Chesnee.

R-S Central escapes in home opener By KEVIN CARVER Daily Courier Sports Reporter

RUTHERFORDTON — It wasn’t the most dramatic of walk-offs in the history of sports, but Thursday’s result will do for the R-S Central softball team. The Lady Hilltoppers’ Taylor Sullivan hit into a walk-off fielder’s choice in the bottom half of the final frame to begin the season in a good way, beating West Henderson at home, 4-3. Though Central does start off the season with a win, this one wasn’t exactly pretty. Three overall errors, a base running mistake and one hit through the first three innings of the contest looked worrisome, but the veteran group that went deep into postseason last year overcome all that to notch their first win of 2010. “Hopefully that was just nerves with all those mistakes we made in the game today, but the ladies finally pulled together late, got some hits and then the Garrett Byers/Daily Courier win,” R-S Central softball coach Melvin Digh said. “We lacked a little offensively Central’s Chelsea Smith delivers a pitch during the softball game against West Please see Softball, Page 8

Henderson Thursday at R-S Central High.

â&#x20AC;&#x201D; The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, March 5, 2010

sports

Scoreboard BASEBALL Major League Baseball Spring Training Glance AMERICAN LEAGUE W L Pct Texas 1 0 1.000 Baltimore 1 1 .500 Detroit 1 1 .500 New York 1 1 .500 Seattle 1 1 .500 Tampa Bay 1 1 .500 Toronto 1 1 .500 Boston 0 0 .000 Chicago 0 0 .000 Cleveland 0 0 .000 Los Angeles 0 0 .000 Minnesota 0 0 .000 Kansas City 0 1 .000 Oakland 0 1 .000

Associated Press

Atlanta Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar throws to first base for a double play after forcing out New York Metsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Josh Thole (30) at second during the sixth inning of a spring training baseball game in this March 3, 2010, file photo in Kissimmee, Fla.

McLouth helps Braves top Pittsburgh, 4-2

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; This time last year Nate McLouth was hoping to avoid another season in last place. This year, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s poised to be the starting center fielder with serious championship hopes. McLouth scored a run to lead off the first inning and help lead the Braves to a 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, his former team. Kenshin Kawakami pitched two scoreless innings and struck out one in his spring training debut. Second baseman Brooks Conrad had two doubles in three at-bats for Atlanta. Pittsburgh starter Charlie Morton, who was part of the deal that send McLouth to the Braves last year, allowed one hit and one run in two innings, but walked three. Reliever Brian Burriss walked four and gave up two runs for the Pirates and took the loss. Pirates pitchers walked 10 batters. Andy LaRoche homered for Pittsburgh. McLouth opened up the 2009 season with the Pirates but was traded to Atlanta in June for three players, immediately making an impact as the Braves everyday center fielder through the second half of the season. McLouth said that he felt a complete change in atmosphere, comparing the Braves clubhouse to the one with the Pirates last year. Manager Bobby Cox was happy with Kawakamiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first start of the spring. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expected to join Jair Jurrjens, Derek Lowe, Tommy Hanson and Tim Hudson in the Bravesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; formidable rotation. If any of them stumble, Cox said Jo-Jo Reyes, who gave up one run in two innings, could also start.

Softball Continued from Page 7

today until the late innings, but the season is young and we will continue to work.â&#x20AC;? Tied at 3-3, Central offensively began the latter half of the seventh inning with a walk to Lorenda Bivens, but Carrie Lovelace took her place at first base as a pinch-runner. Cory Hipp and Taylor Crowder each beat out a bunt to give the Lady Hilltoppers the bases loaded with no outs, setting up the winning run to stand just 60-feet way. On the second offering, Sullivan lined a shot to third that hit the dirt and Lady Falconsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; third baseman, Hannah Watts fielded it cleanly. However, Lovelace took off as a soon as the ball was hit and she made it across the plate before Wattsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; high throw to the plate was corralled to give Central the win. West actually took the initial lead in the third inning when Natalie Rice (3-for-4) hit an RBI ground out for the 1-0 lead. Centralâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Klinnin Carson ripped a shot into right field and to the fence during the next inning as two Lady Hilltoppers were aboard. Both Brandy Whitener and Adrienne Alexander scored on the play to give Central the 2-1 lead. Carson crossed on the next pitch when Kalie Holmstrom roped a right for a 3-1 lead. Two errors in the fifth inning by the Central defense allowed two more runs to cross to tie the game up. However, R-S Centralâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s starting pitcher, Chelsea Smith, stayed strong on the mound. Smith got out of three different jams, gave up nine hits and fanned four, before Sullivanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heroics ended the contest. Central was held to seven hits on the afternoon and just four in the first six innings by West Hendersonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christina Cable.

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NATIONAL LEAGUE W L Chicago 1 0 Colorado 1 0 Florida 1 0 Houston 1 0 Philadelphia 1 0 San Francisco 1 0 Atlanta 2 1 New York 2 1 Cincinnati 0 0 Los Angeles 0 0 Milwaukee 0 0 Arizona 0 1 Pittsburgh 0 2 San Diego 0 1 St. Louis 0 1 Washington 0 2

Pct 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000 .667 .667 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000

Wednesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Games N.Y. Yankees 6, Pittsburgh 3 Atlanta 9, N.Y. Mets 5 Detroit 7, Toronto 6 Baltimore 12, Tampa Bay 2 San Francisco 8, Seattle 7, 10 innings Thursdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Games Florida 10, Washington (ss) 4 Houston 15, Washington (ss) 5 Toronto 9, Detroit 7 Philadelphia 3, N.Y. Yankees 2 Atlanta 4, Pittsburgh 2 Tampa Bay 6, Baltimore 5 N.Y. Mets 17, St. Louis 11 Colorado 11, Arizona 1 Seattle 9, San Diego 3 Chicago Cubs 9, Oakland 3 Texas 13, Kansas City 3 San Francisco 5, Milwaukee 3 Chicago White Sox vs L.A. Angels at Tempe, Ariz., late Minnesota vs Boston at Fort Myers, Fla., late Fridayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Games Washington vs Atlanta at Kissimmee, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Philadelphia vs Toronto at Dunedin, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Boston vs Minnesota at Fort Myers, Fla., 1:05 p.m. N.Y. Mets (ss) vs St. Louis at Jupiter, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Tampa Bay vs N.Y. Yankees at Tampa, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Houston vs Detroit at Lakeland, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Florida vs N.Y. Mets (ss) at Port St. Lucie, Fla., 1:10 p.m. Texas vs Kansas City at Surprise, Ariz., 3:05 p.m. Cleveland vs Cincinnati at Goodyear, Ariz., 3:05 p.m. San Diego vs Seattle at Peoria, Ariz., 3:05 p.m. Colorado (ss) vs L.A. Angels at Tempe, Ariz., 3:05 p.m. Milwaukee vs Oakland at Phoenix, Ariz., 3:05 p.m. L.A. Dodgers vs Chicago White Sox at Glendale, Ariz., 3:05 p.m. Colorado (ss) vs San Francisco at Scottsdale, Ariz., 3:05 p.m. Arizona vs Chicago Cubs at Mesa, Ariz., 3:05 p.m. Pittsburgh vs Baltimore at Sarasota, Fla., 7:05 p.m. Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Games Minnesota vs Boston (ss) at Fort Myers, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Boston (ss) vs Tampa Bay at Port Charlotte, Fla., 1:05 p.m. N.Y. Mets vs Washington at Viera, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Baltimore vs Detroit at Lakeland, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Toronto vs N.Y. Yankees at Tampa, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Philadelphia vs Pittsburgh at Bradenton, Fla., 1:05 p.m. St. Louis vs Florida at Jupiter, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Atlanta vs Houston at Kissimmee, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Seattle vs San Diego at Peoria, Ariz., 3:05 p.m. Chicago White Sox (ss) vs L.A. Dodgers at Glendale, Ariz., 3:05 p.m. L.A. Angels vs Oakland at Phoenix, Ariz., 3:05 p.m. Kansas City vs Texas at Surprise, Ariz., 3:05 p.m. San Francisco (ss) vs Milwaukee (ss) at Phoenix, Ariz., 3:05 p.m. Cincinnati vs Cleveland at Goodyear, Ariz., 3:05 p.m. Chicago White Sox (ss) vs Chicago Cubs at Mesa, Ariz., 3:05 p.m. Arizona vs San Francisco (ss) at Scottsdale, Ariz., 3:05 p.m. Milwaukee (ss) vs Colorado at Tucson, Ariz., 3:10 p.m.

BASKETBALL National Basketball Association

EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L Pct 38 21 .644 31 28 .525 22 38 .367 21 39 .350 6 54 .100

Boston Toronto Philadelphia New York New Jersey Orlando Atlanta Miami Charlotte Washington Cleveland Chicago Milwaukee Detroit Indiana

Edmonton GB â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Â 7Â 16 1/2 17 1/2 32 1/2

Southeast Division W L Pct 42 20 .677 39 21 .650 30 31 .492 28 31 .475 21 37 .362

GB â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Â 2Â 11 1/2 12 1/2 19Â

Central Division W L Pct 48 14 .774 31 29 .517 31 29 .517 21 40 .344 20 41 .328

GB â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Â 16Â 16Â 26 1/2 27 1/2

WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division W L Pct Dallas 41 21 .661 San Antonio 34 24 .586 Memphis 31 30 .508 New Orleans 31 31 .500 Houston 30 30 .500

GB â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Â 5Â 9 1/2 10Â 10Â

Northwest Division W L Pct Denver 40 21 .656 Utah 38 22 .633 Oklahoma City 36 24 .600 Portland 37 27 .578 Minnesota 14 48 .226

GB â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Â 1 1/2 3 1/2 4 1/2 26 1/2

Pacific Division W L Pct 46 15 .754 39 24 .619 25 36 .410 21 40 .344 17 43 .283

GB â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Â 8Â 21Â 25Â 28 1/2

L.A. Lakers Phoenix L.A. Clippers Sacramento Golden State

Wednesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Games Atlanta 112, Philadelphia 93 Orlando 117, Golden State 90 Boston 104, Charlotte 80 Cleveland 111, New Jersey 92 New York 128, Detroit 104 Milwaukee 100, Washington 87 Memphis 104, New Orleans 100 Dallas 112, Minnesota 109 Sacramento 84, Houston 81 Denver 119, Oklahoma City 90 Portland 102, Indiana 79 Phoenix 127, L.A. Clippers 101 Thursdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Games Memphis at Chicago, late L.A. Lakers at Miami, late Utah at Phoenix, late Fridayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Games L.A. Lakers at Charlotte, 7 p.m. Milwaukee at Washington, 7 p.m. Detroit at Cleveland, 7 p.m. New York at Toronto, 7 p.m. Boston at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. Golden State at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m. Orlando at New Jersey, 8 p.m. Sacramento at Dallas, 8:30 p.m. Indiana at Denver, 9 p.m. New Orleans at San Antonio, 9:30 p.m. Oklahoma City at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m. Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Games Golden State at Charlotte, 7 p.m. Atlanta at Miami, 7:30 p.m. New Jersey at New York, 7:30 p.m. Dallas at Chicago, 8 p.m. San Antonio at Memphis, 8 p.m. Houston at Minnesota, 8 p.m. Cleveland at Milwaukee, 8:30 p.m. L.A. Clippers at Utah, 9 p.m. Indiana at Phoenix, 9 p.m.

HOCKEY National Hockey League EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division GP W L OT Pts GF New Jersey 62 38 21 3 79 166 Pittsburgh 63 37 22 4 78 198 Philadelphia 62 33 26 3 69 190 N.Y. Rangers 63 29 27 7 65 165 N.Y. Islanders 63 26 29 8 60 164 Northeast Division GP W L OT Pts GF Ottawa 64 36 24 4 76 179 Buffalo 62 33 20 9 75 169 Montreal 64 30 28 6 66 168 Boston 61 27 23 11 65 150 Toronto 62 19 32 11 49 163 Southeast Division GP W L OT Pts GF Washington 63 42 13 8 92 250 Atlanta 61 27 24 10 64 186 Tampa Bay 62 26 25 11 63 162 Florida 63 25 28 10 60 164 Carolina 62 25 30 7 57 173 WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division GP W L OT Pts GF Chicago 63 42 16 5 89 207 Nashville 62 34 23 5 73 174 Detroit 63 29 22 12 70 165 St. Louis 63 29 25 9 67 168 Columbus 64 25 28 11 61 169 Northwest Division GP W L OT Pts GF Vancouver 63 39 22 2 80 204 Colorado 63 36 21 6 78 184 Calgary 63 30 24 9 69 156 Minnesota 62 31 27 4 66 175

GA 147 181 169 170 197 GA 183 158 177 158 213 GA 178 196 189 185 195 GA 153 176 172 174 207 GA 158 164 160 178

San Jose Los Angeles Phoenix Dallas Anaheim

63 19 38 6 44 158 Pacific Division GP W L OT Pts GF 63 40 14 9 89 207 62 38 20 4 80 190 64 37 22 5 79 169 62 28 22 12 68 176 63 30 26 7 67 180

220 GA 157 167 163 191 193

Wednesdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Games Washington 3, Buffalo 1 Florida 7, Philadelphia 4 Vancouver 6, Detroit 3 Chicago 5, Edmonton 2 Minnesota 4, Calgary 0 Colorado 4, Anaheim 3 Thursdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Games Boston 3, Toronto 2, OT Pittsburgh 5, N.Y. Rangers 4, OT Washington 5, Tampa Bay 4 Carolina 4, Ottawa 1 Atlanta 6, N.Y. Islanders 2 Los Angeles at Nashville, late St. Louis at Dallas, late Colorado at Phoenix, late Montreal at San Jose, late Fridayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Games Philadelphia at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m. Nashville at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. Vancouver at Chicago, 8:30 p.m. New Jersey at Calgary, 9 p.m. Minnesota at Edmonton, 9 p.m. Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Games Dallas at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m. Boston at N.Y. Islanders, 2 p.m. Toronto at Ottawa, 7 p.m. N.Y. Rangers at Washington, 7 p.m. Carolina at Florida, 7 p.m. Atlanta at Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m. Anaheim at Phoenix, 8 p.m. St. Louis at Colorado, 9 p.m. Montreal at Los Angeles, 10 p.m. Columbus at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.

TRANSACTIONS Thursdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sports Transactions BASEBALL American League KANSAS CITY ROYALSâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Agreed to terms with 1B Billy Butler and INF Alberto Callaspo on oneyear contracts. TEXAS RANGERSâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Agreed to terms with OF Nelson Cruz, SS Elvis Andrus, C Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C Taylor Teagarden, INF Joaquin Arias, 1B Chris Davis, LHP Matt Harrison, RHP Eric Hurley, RHP Warner Madrigal, RHP Guillermo Moscoso, RHP Darren Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Day, RHP Alexi Ogando, RHP Pedro Strop and C Max Ramirez on one-year contracts. TORONTO BLUE JAYSâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Claimed RHP Casey Fien off waivers from Boston. Placed RHP Scott Richmond on the 60-day DL. National League NEW YORK METSâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Agreed to terms with RHP Kiko Calero on a minor league contract. FOOTBALL National Football League ARIZONA CARDINALSâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Released S Antrel Rolle. ATLANTA FALCONSâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Re-signed CB Brian Williams to a one-year contract. Announced the retirement of LS Mike Schneck. CINCINNATI BENGALSâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Released WR Laveranues Coles. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARSâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Signed DL Atiyyah Ellison and G Kynan Forney. KANSAS CITY CHIEFSâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Signed LB Mike Vrabel to a contract extension. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTSâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Released TE Chris Baker. WASHINGTON REDSKINSâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Announced the retirement of OT Chris Samuels. HOCKEY National Hockey League BOSTON BRUINSâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Placed G Dany Sabourin on re-entry waivers for the purpose of recall. Recalled G Matt Dalton from Reading (ECHL) on an emergency basis. American Hockey League BINGHAMTON SENATORSâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Recalled D Mat Robinson from Elmira (ECHL). HARTFORD WOLF PACKâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Released D Mathieu Dandenault. PROVIDENCE BRUINSâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Assigned D Scott Fletcher to Reading (ECHL). TORONTO MARLIESâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Reassigned F Greg Scott, F Alex Berry and D Joey Ryan to Reading (ECHL). ECHL READING ROYALSâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Released D Chris Clark. SOCCER Major League Soccer SEATTLE SOUNDERS FCâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Signed F Blaise Nkufo. Major Indoor Soccer League PHILADELPHIA KIXXâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Traded S Leo Gibson to Rockford for a first-round draft pick. Claimed F Gary Brooks, D Tijani Ayegbusi and F Semir Mesanovic off waivers. COLLEGE PACIFIC-10 CONFERENCEâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Named Gloria Nevarez senior associate commissioner and senior woman administrator. CENTRAL MICHIGANâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Agreed to terms with wrestling coach Tom Borrelli on a five-year contract. ELONâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Named Jay Bateman assistant head football coach, Charles Porterfield tight ends coach, Kevin Downing defensive assistant coach and Corey Bass director of football operations. NORTH CAROLINA STATEâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Named Pete Hoyer assistant volleyball coach. VANDERBILTâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Named Mike Pelton defensive line coach.

Hurricanes run winning streak to 7 RALEIGH (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Tom Kostopoulos and Rod Brindâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Amour scored about a minute apart in the first period, Manny Legace made 25 saves and the Carolina Hurricanes beat Ottawa 4-1 on Thursday night for their seventh straight victory. Chad LaRose and Brandon Sutter also scored to help the Hurricanes win for the 11th time in their last 13 games. Legace, a midseason acquisition after an injury to starter Cam Ward, has at least one victory against all 30 NHL teams. He stopped Daniel Alfredsson on a breakaway midway through the third period, then denied Jason Spezza in front of the net.

Former Hurricane Matt Cullen, traded to Ottawa on Feb. 12, scored a goal in his return to the RBC Center, breaking up the shutout on a wraparound with 8:05 left. Kostopoulos and Brindâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Amour, part of Carolinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fourth line, scored 65 seconds apart on backup goalie Pascal Leclaire, who was pulled after the second goal and replaced by usual starter Brian Elliott. Zach Boychuk had two assists for Carolina, which used a new lineup a day after a flurry of activity at the NHL trading deadline. The Hurricanes traded five players and a minor-leaguer, mainly for future draft picks.

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The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, March 5, 2010 — 9

sports

NFL free agency begins today By BARRY WILNER AP Football Writer

NEW YORK — The NFL has swallowed the poison pill. When the league and the players association reached a new collective bargaining agreement in 2006, a clause called for eliminating the salary cap in 2010. Both sides assumed an uncapped season would be so distasteful that a new contract would be finalized long before the cap disappeared. Even when the owners opted out of the CBA in 2008, little thought was given to an actual removal of the salary cap that generally has been beneficial for both owners and players.

On Friday, pro football’s salary cap dies. Free agency begins under a whole new set of rules, and no one is sure where it will lead — perhaps even to a work stoppage in 2011. Yes, the most profitable and Associated Press popular sport in America is Maryland’s Lori Bjork (31) celebrates with Jackie Nared (3) after beating North Carolina 83-77 during an entering territory even more uncharted than the end zone opening round game of the Atlantic Coast Conference was for the St. Louis Rams last women’s basketball tournament on Thursday, in Greensboro. season. “The situation we’re walking into is certainly unknown for everyone,” Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik says. “So no one can really look at the crystal ball and say here’s what people are GREENSBORO (AP) — Wake Forest put its going to spend and here’s what highest Atlantic Coast Conference tournament people aren’t going to spend. It’s seed in 20 years to good use. all pure speculation.” Brittany Waters scored six of her 21 points in Marc Ganis, president of overtime to help the Demon Deacons beat Miami Chicago-based consulting com66-65 on Thursday in the first round of the ACC pany Sports Corp. Ltd., thinks tournament. teams will be tightfisted. “I told the team afterward that this group has “That’s one of the possibilibeen very resilient,” Wake Forest coach Mike ties in the uncapped season, Petersen said. “I like the word, and it sounds good will some teams be spending far when we say it.” below the current floor, espeWaters delivered a three-point play on an offcially teams that perform poorly balance, sweeping hook shot to give the fifthon the field?” says Ganis. “Teams seeded Demon Deacons (18-12) a 66-63 lead with 1 will have the option of spending minute left. Shenise Johnson had a chance to win the amount on their team that the game for 12th-seeded Miami (17-13), but her they think it is worth. A 4-12 jumper from the right baseline failed to draw iron team does not have the caliber as time expired. players a consistently 12-4 team Sandra Garcia had 18 points and 13 rebounds has. for Wake Forest, which will play fourth-seeded Georgia Tech in Friday’s quarterfinals. Secily Ray “I expect the small and midsize added 15 points for the Demon Deacons, who nev- market clubs are going to start er have won two games in the same ACC tournato pay in this uncapped year ment. based on what they can afford.” But sports agent Joe Linta, Maryland 83, North Carolina 77 who represents Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco among others, is GREENSBORO (AP) — Brenda Frese isn’t optimistic the pocketbooks will focused on Maryland’s chances of making the NCAA tournament just yet. Not with Duke await- remain open. His thoughts echo ing in the Atlantic Coast Conference quarterfinals. those by many of his colleagues: “The owners are all wealthy,” “Like we told the team, we control our destiny,” Linta says, “and as much as they she said. need and want to make money, Regardless, Frese knows her Terrapins certainthe need to win is greater than ly helped themselves by beating North Carolina 83-77 in Thursday’s first round of the ACC tourna- the need to make money — they ment. Maryland went ahead early, then pushed the already have plenty. Their insatiable desire to win will override margin to 16 points before holding off a rally that their greed to save and make saw the Tar Heels get within a basket in the final money. So, yeah, they’ll spend.” seconds. Some can spend more than Lynetta Kizer had 22 points and 10 rebounds to others. But the crop of unrelead ninth-seeded Maryland (19-11), while Tianna stricted free agents contains few Hawkins added 13 points and 11 rebounds for the difference makers and is inferior defending champion. The Terrapins had lost eight to the group of restricted free of 12 games before Thursday to put their NCAA agents. hopes in jeopardy, but they’ll get another chance Under the CBA that expires to bolster their resume Friday against the ninthnext March, the top conference ranked and top-seeded Blue Devils. semifinalists from January’s Frese had plenty to like about how her team played against the eighth-seeded Tar Heels (18-11). playoffs have extra restrictions in signing free agents. The final “I thought our young guns just grew up today,” four, for example, must lose an Frese said. “... It was just tremendous passion and intensity in terms of what we wanted to do against unrestricted free agent (UFA) before they can sign one. UNC.” That hamstrings the Saints, Colts, Jets and Vikings. Wright wins ACC player of year “I think it is a penalty for CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Virginia’s sure,” Jets coach Rex Ryan says. Monica Wright left no doubt about who the best “Maybe you need a tight end or player in the Atlantic Coast Conference was this whatever it is and you don’t have year, sweeping the individual awards. that ability to go out and get Now, the ACC player of the year and Virginia’s some of the top guys that might career scoring leader can chase what she really be available.” wants — to lift the program back to the lofty Many of those top guys aren’t heights that once were the norm. available at all. With no salary The ACC scoring leader with a 23-point average cap, it takes six years of serand steals leader with 3.6 per game, Wright was a preseason All American, and Thursday added the player of the year award to the defensive player honor she got a day earlier. She could also become the first Cavaliers player to be a first-team AllAmerican since the team began being selected in 1994-95.

Wake a winner; Tar Heels ousted in ACC

Associated Press

Carolina Panthers’ defensive end Julius Peppers reacts after recovering a fumble in the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game against the Washington Redskins on in Charlotte in this Aug. 23, 2008, file photo.

vice to become an unrestricted free agent, two more than in the past. Players with four and five seasons now are restricted, meaning the team losing them would earn compensation or would have the right to match offers from other clubs. Among the 212 players who now are not totally free because of the uncapped season are All-Pro defensive end Elvis Dumervil of Denver, who led the league in sacks in 2009; San Diego linebacker Shawne Merriman and receiver Vincent Jackson; Miami running back Ronnie Brown; Dallas receiver Miles Austin; and Houston linebacker DeMeco Ryans. While Dumervil, Austin and Ryans might be worth the heavy compensation they would cost, how many teams are willing to part with high draft picks and all the money it will take to sign such standouts? “For us it’s not changing,” San Francisco 49ers GM Scot McCloughan. “We’re going to go forward as if there is a cap. ... We’re not going to be considered a big free agency team anyway. But we’ll do what we need to do in free agency if we think it’s a smart move.” Not that there won’t be lots of bucks flying into players’ bank accounts. Teams always want to procure as much talent as they can. If someone perceives defensive end Julius Peppers as the answer to their line issues, the money figures to be there — although certainly not on the scale of the $20 million-plus Carolina would have needed to spend to make him a franchise player for the second straight year. “When we talk about possible free agents, certainly Julius is one of the guys we talk about,” Cleveland Browns president Mike Holmgren says when asked if Peppers could have the kind of impact free-agent Reggie White had in Green Bay when Holmgren was the coach. “Then I have to put on my other hat because there are some financial ramifications there.

“As great a player as Julius is, I’d be reluctant to compare anybody to Reggie White. We did it, at the time we bonused him for I think $8 million. Everybody thought we were nuts. It was numbers off the chart. Now think of that today.” Think of this today, as well: NFL teams must consider the ramifications of high spending in an uncapped 2010 if a salary cap returns in subsequent years. The money spent on Peppers or another quality UFA this year might be unlimited, but contract provisions beyond that could hinder staying under a salary cap in the future. Lions coach Jim Schwartz sees more experienced, but possibly more worn-down players available in free agency this year. That, too, could curtail spending. “Most of the ... unrestricted players are going to be players that are 29, 30, 31 years old. I think the biggest thing about that is, it places a lot more emphasis on getting the player right,” says Schwartz, whose club needs all the talent it can get just to reach mediocrity. “You can get mileage out of a 29-yearold or a 30-year-old as long as you have a very specific role in mind for him and he fits your scheme and you feel good about that, because you’re not going to have a whole lot of startup time with him.” Many team executives also believe April’s draft carries more significance than usual because of the flux in free agency. “I sense that we are a lot more focused seemingly this year on draft preparation,” Atlanta Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff said. “Usually we take this in cycles or segments. There was definitely a free agent segment leading up to beginning of free agency. Now we tend to be focusing on the draft that much earlier. I will be interested to see how much interest there is going into free agency with the fewer numbers.” Dimitroff and everyone else can only wonder.

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Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, March 5, 2010

nation/weather Weather The Daily Courier Weather Today

Tonight

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Sunny

Clear

Sunny

Mostly Sunny

Few Showers

Precip Chance: 0%

Precip Chance: 5%

Precip Chance: 30%

52º

26º

57º 27º

62º 33º

64º 39º

59º 41º

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 .

. . . .

.47 .20 .58 .32

Precipitation 24 hrs through 7 a.m. yest. .0.00" Month to date . . . . . . . . .0.20" Year to date . . . . . . . . .10.98"

Barometric Pressure

Sun and Moon Sunrise today . Sunset tonight . Moonrise today Moonset today .

. . . .6:52 a.m. . . . .6:27 p.m. . . . . .No Rise . . . .9:35 a.m.

Moon Phases

High yesterday . . . . . . .29.90"

Relative Humidity High yesterday . . . . . . . . .80%

Last 3/7

New 3/15

First 3/23

City

Asheville . . . . . . .45/21 Cape Hatteras . . .43/37 Charlotte . . . . . . .53/26 Fayetteville . . . . .51/27 Greensboro . . . . .49/26 Greenville . . . . . .50/30 Hickory . . . . . . . . . .50/25 Jacksonville . . . .50/28 Kitty Hawk . . . . . .42/36 New Bern . . . . . .48/29 Raleigh . . . . . . . .50/27 Southern Pines . .51/27 Wilmington . . . . .50/31 Winston-Salem . .49/26

Full 3/29

Saturday

Hi/Lo Wx Hi/Lo Wx s pc s s s s s s pc s s s s s

51/23 47/37 56/28 55/29 55/28 55/29 56/27 54/31 46/36 53/31 54/28 55/29 54/33 55/27

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

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

North Carolina Forecast Durham 49/27

Winston-Salem 49/26

Elizabeth City 47/32

Associated Press

The wreckage of a helicopter that was hit by an airplane and crashed in the Hudson River is repositioned by a crane on a pier in Hoboken, N.J. in this Aug. 10, 2009, file photo. For the third time in seven months, the judgment of those who operate the nation’s air traffic control system has been called into question and raised concerns that the system may not be as safe as officials claim.

Controller complacency could jeopardize air safety

WASHINGTON (AP) — For the third time in seven months, the Greenville Greensboro Asheville judgment of those who operate the 50/30 49/26 45/21 nation’s air traffic control system has Raleigh been called into question and con50/27 cerns have been raised that complaForest City Kinston cency may be causing controllers and 52/26 Charlotte their supervisors to bend rules. Fayetteville 49/30 53/26 While major air crashes have 51/27 Shown is today’s weather. declined sharply over the last decade, Temperatures are today’s highs Wilmington thanks largely to improved technoland tonight’s lows. 50/31 ogy, aviation safety experts say they are seeing signs that vigilance may Across Our Nation Today’s National Map have eroded. Today Saturday The latest incident was reported City Hi/Lo Wx Hi/Lo Wx this week: A controller twice brought 30s a child to work at the control tower 50s Atlanta . . . . . . . . .55/29 s 60/29 s 30s 40s at John F. Kennedy International H Baltimore . . . . . . .44/30 pc 49/32 s 40s Airport in New York, one of the Chicago . . . . . . . .39/26 s 42/35 s H 40s Detroit . . . . . . . . .38/21 s 43/26 s nation’s busiest airports, and L H Indianapolis . . . .44/24 s 51/33 s allowed the child to radio instruc60s Los Angeles . . . .65/50 s 61/43 ra 50s 50s tions to pilots. The Federal Aviation 70s Miami . . . . . . . . . .68/48 s 71/53 s Administration has suspended the New York . . . . . . .43/29 mc 48/31 s 60s 70s Philadelphia . . . .44/29 mc 49/31 s controller and his supervisor pending Sacramento . . . . .56/44 mc 59/45 sh an investigation of the incident last 60s 70s San Francisco . . .57/47 ra 57/48 sh month. Seattle . . . . . . . . .59/43 s 59/42 s “This is a stunning example of a Tampa . . . . . . . . .64/41 s 66/42 s L H Washington, DC .45/30 pc 50/31 s lack of professionalism, not following the rules, not using commonsense,” Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told a Senate committee Thursday. The FAA has declined to identify the controller, but a person with political machine, faced rapidly wan- knowledge of the situation identified Palin pitching TV show ing support Thursday even among him Thursday as Glenn Duffy, a 20 NEW YORK (AP) — Producer New York City’s most influential year veteran of the job with experiMark Burnett said Thursday he is black leaders, while his top spokesence at several of the big air hubs pitching a series to television netman resigned and said he couldn’t “in that serve New York. The person works that would be about Alaska good conscience continue.” spoke with The Associated Press on seen through the eyes of its most The Rev. Al Sharpton convened the condition of anonymity because famous resident, Sarah Palin. a meeting of black politicians at a he was not authorized to talk about Palin and Burnett have been meetsoul food restaurant in Harlem in the case. In the late 1990s, Duffy was ing this week to talk about the idea an effort to craft a message asking a frequent critic of the FAA while with executives at ABC, CBS, NBC Paterson to resign, according to a serving as the union representative and Fox, according to three broadsenior state Democrat briefed on the for controllers at Newark Liberty cast executives, who spoke on condimeeting. International Airport. tion of anonymity because the netThe problems with safety and works don’t publicly discuss story A state panel accused Paterson on vigilance extends to airline pilots as pitches. Wednesday of illegally obtaining well. In several accidents in recent Burnett, one of TV’s busiest proWorld Series tickets, then lying about years — the crash of a regional airducers best known for his “Survivor” it. liner in upstate New York a year ago series on CBS, said he approached That charge came on top of an that killed 50 people is one example the 2008 Republican vice presideninvestigation of whether the governor — pilots broke a cardinal safety rule tial candidate with the idea. It will or staff members had inappropriate prohibiting nonessential conversation be shot in the style of Discovery’s contact with a woman who made — during landing approaches. “Planet Earth” show, feasting on the but later inexplicably dropped — an “The hair is beginning to stand up natural beauty of the state where abuse complaint against an aide who on the back of our necks a little bit,” Palin was governor. had accompanied Paterson to the said Jack Casey, an aviation safety Palin will visit commercial fishbaseball game four days earlier. consultant and former airline pilot. ing boats and tour either coal or gold “When you get complacency, you run mines and other spots unique to her a higher risk of having an accident.” Two police officers shot state. “It’s being in and experiencing WASHINGTON (AP) — A gunman the great charm and beauty of Alaska Other recent incidents: opened fire at the subway entrance to with Sarah Palin,” he said. n In October, controllers in Pentagon complex Thursday evening, Minneapolis handed off responsibilThe former governor is such a ratwounding two Pentagon police offiings magnet that the series should ity for a Northwest Airlines jet withcers, a spokesman said. draw interest from broadcast and out alerting the next controller that The alleged gunman also was cable networks, he said. they had been unable to make radio wounded, said Chris Layman, a contact with the plane. Supervisors spokesman for the Pentagon Force also failed to follow procedures for Paterson’s stature erodes Protection Agency. Authorities said alerting a national security commuNEW YORK (AP) — David all three were taken to a hospital. nications network to the problem. As Paterson, New York’s first black govNone of the injuries were thought to a result, the Airbus A320 carrying ernor and a product of the Harlem be life-threatening, Layman said. 144 passengers was out of radio contact for 69 minutes before the security network was alerted. Rules put in place after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks are supposed to trigger an alert when a plane can’t be raised by radio for 10 minutes. The larger issue at play in the incident, however, was the conduct of LOOK FOR VALUABLE the cockpit crew on the Northwest COUPONS IN plane, who flew more than 100 miles AUDREY’S FLOWERS GIFTS past their destination. The Federal & THE SPORTSMAN DEN Aviation Administration revoked the flying licenses of two pilots, who are This map shows high temperatures, type of precipitation expected and location of frontal systems at noon.

Cold Front

Stationary Front

Warm Front

Low Pressure

High Pressure

Nation Today

Flowers

The hair is beginning to stand up on the back of our necks a little bit ... you run a higher risk of having an accident

Jack Casey

Aviation safety consultant

now appealing to have them reinstated. n Last August, an air traffic controller at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey who handed off a private plane to controllers at a neighboring airport failed to correct the plane’s pilot when he read back the wrong radio frequency. Controllers at both airports later tried unsuccessfully to reach the pilot. The plane collided moments later with a tour helicopter over the Hudson River. Three people in the plane and six in the helicopter were killed. The Teterboro controller was chitchatting on the phone with a female friend until seconds before the collision. The controller’s supervisor had left the airport to run a personal errand. The incidents suggest a casualness about rules that undermines safety, said Carol Carmody, a former National Transportation Safety Board member and former FAA official. Even more serious is that the controllers in the Teterboro and Kennedy incidents appear to have felt free to break rules, which suggests supervisors tolerated such lapses, said Michael Barr, who teaches aviation safety at the University of Southern California. FAA spokeswoman Laura Brown said the incidents were “isolated occurrences” and not indicative of a broader safety problem. The FAA is implementing a new program that encourages air traffic controllers to report safety problems, including their own mistakes, so that the agency can spot trends and act to prevent future problems, Brown said. To encourage reporting, controllers aren’t punished for errors they identify. The agency has had a similar program for pilots for nearly a decade. FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt, in speeches and congressional testimony, has called on pilots and air traffic controllers to create a professional atmosphere in cockpits and radar facilities and not to tolerate rule-breaking by colleagues. The NTSB is concerned enough about the situation that it has scheduled a forum this spring on pilot and air traffic controller professionalism. In a statement responding to the Kennedy incident, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association — the union that represents controllers — said it doesn’t “condone this type of behavior in any way.” But Mary Schiavo, a former Transportation Department inspector general who has filed a lawsuit against the FAA on behalf of the families of five Italian tourists killed in the Hudson River collision, said there needs to be a strong message sent from the top. She suggested Babbitt and LaHood call “an allhands-on-deck meeting and make sure air traffic controllers know it’s every rule every time.”

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The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, March 5, 2010 — 11

business/finance

THE MARKET IN REVIEW

STOCK EXCHANGE HIGHLIGHTS

NYSE

7,173.07 +8.41

GAINERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last AldIrish 3.42 NACCO 65.29 Resolute wt 2.21 AberFitc 41.52 BkIrelnd 6.20 Conseco 5.75 ChinaSecur 8.51 Valmont 81.56 Quiksilvr 2.92 NY&Co 4.32

Chg +.50 +9.32 +.29 +5.28 +.67 +.62 +.85 +8.12 +.27 +.36

%Chg +17.1 +16.7 +15.1 +14.6 +12.1 +12.1 +11.1 +11.1 +10.2 +9.1

LOSERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last Methode 11.52 Darling 7.60 WendyArby 4.59 BallyTech 38.66 GoodrPet 19.93 Spartch 10.43 NatGsSvcs15.51 Synovus 2.54 VangNatR 22.93 W Holding 17.96

Chg %Chg -1.49 -11.5 -.59 -7.2 -.35 -7.1 -2.56 -6.2 -1.31 -6.2 -.67 -6.0 -.97 -5.9 -.16 -5.9 -1.45 -5.9 -1.10 -5.8

MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE) Name Vol (00) Last Chg Citigrp 3116290 3.43 +.03 BkofAm 1352645 16.40 +.03 S&P500ETF1200360112.64 +.34 FordM 869494 12.79 +.10 iShEMkts 588154 39.91 -.21 Pfizer 553427 17.33 +.01 SPDR Fncl 501779 14.93 +.15 GenElec 460869 16.11 +.08 DirFBear rs 430275 16.87 -.43 iShR2K 420724 65.29 +.17 Advanced Declined Unchanged Total issues New Highs New Lows Volume

DIARY

1,813 1,258 119 3,190 226 1 4,033,119,133

AMEX

1,902.72 +4.35

GAINERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last Chg ChiArmM 8.50 +3.20 Aerocntry 18.30 +3.19 SagaComm17.26 +2.28 EmersnR h 3.56 +.36 AvalonHld 3.13 +.22 SinoHub n 3.40 +.23 Sifco 15.46 +.99 ChiGengM 3.38 +.20 SbdCp 1386.00+73.00 MetroHlth 3.06 +.15

%Chg +60.4 +21.1 +15.2 +11.3 +7.6 +7.3 +6.8 +6.3 +5.6 +5.2

LOSERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last NewConcEn4.56 PolyMet g 2.23 MercBcp 2.36 Lannett 4.92 GerovaFn 5.45 UnvSecInst 5.86 Vicon 5.08 ImpacM n 3.90 Continucre 4.42 Libbey 12.74

Chg %Chg -.52 -10.1 -.18 -7.5 -.14 -5.6 -.25 -4.8 -.27 -4.7 -.27 -4.3 -.22 -4.2 -.13 -3.2 -.14 -3.1 -.41 -3.1

MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE) Name Vol (00) Last Chg ChiArmM 64573 8.50 +3.20 RexahnPh 29127 1.34 +.15 NthgtM g 25003 2.96 +.06 GoldStr g 21620 3.38 +.03 Rentech 20203 1.08 +.04 EmersnR h 18250 3.56 +.36 Xfone 17992 1.12 +.37 NovaGld g 16513 6.14 +.05 BPW Acq wt 14486 1.58 +.13 NA Pall g 14265 4.22 +.01 DIARY

Advanced Declined Unchanged Total issues New Highs New Lows Volume

238 235 48 521 22 2 98,586,938

NASDAQ 2,292.31 +11.63

GAINERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last Chg Zanett h 2.12 +1.81 TiVo Inc 16.53 +6.32 WestwdO n 8.50 +2.50 SinoCkg n 41.87+11.64 ColdwtrCrk 6.71 +1.30 Penwest 2.91 +.46 DivX 7.12 +1.11 EuroTech 2.38 +.34 BellMicro 5.13 +.68 Cowlitz rs 7.15 +.95

%Chg +581.7 +61.9 +41.7 +38.5 +24.0 +18.8 +18.5 +16.7 +15.3 +15.3

LOSERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last OhioLegacy 3.30 Innodata 4.67 MediciNova 7.04 HghwyH 2.16 XenithB nh 4.88 SevernBc 3.80 BirnrDntl 15.87 CmtyFinl 3.75 Spreadtrm 6.10 WillmValV 3.40

Chg -.65 -.80 -1.20 -.28 -.62 -.44 -1.83 -.40 -.65 -.35

%Chg -16.5 -14.6 -14.6 -11.5 -11.3 -10.4 -10.3 -9.6 -9.6 -9.3

MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE)

Name Vol (00) TiVo Inc 745535 Intel 592123 PwShs QQQ478952 Microsoft 407442 Cisco 388776 Novell 379515 NewsCpA 296551 Qualcom 284370 ApldMatl 266854 CienaCorp 245831

Advanced Declined Unchanged Total issues New Highs New Lows Volume

Last Chg 16.53 +6.32 20.53 +.01 45.75 +.15 28.63 +.17 24.95 +.11 6.01 -.07 13.90 +.20 39.25 +.56 12.26 -.13 13.97 -.58

DIARY

1,552 1,094 146 2,792 134 5 2,082,695,571

DAILYREVIEWED DOW JONES YOUR HAVE YOU retiring soon? let’s talk.

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10,729.89 4,265.61 408.57 7,471.31 1,908.81 2,326.28 1,150.45 763.23 11,941.95 653.88

10,320

6,469.95 2,134.21 288.66 4,181.75 1,234.81 1,265.52 666.79 397.97 6,772.29 342.59

STOCK MARKET INDEXES Name

Dow Industrials 10,444.14 Dow Transportation 4,160.18 Dow Utilities 374.21 NYSE Composite 7,173.07 Amex Market Value 1,902.72 Nasdaq Composite 2,292.31 S&P 500 1,122.97 S&P MidCap 759.16 Wilshire 5000 11,735.93 Russell 2000 652.47

Name

PIMCO TotRetIs American Funds GrthAmA m Vanguard TotStIdx American Funds CapIncBuA m TOCKS OF OCAL NTEREST Fidelity Contra American Funds CpWldGrIA m YTD YTD American Funds IncAmerA m Name Div Yld PE Last Chg%Chg Name Div Yld PE Last Chg %Chg Vanguard 500Inv AT&T Inc 1.68 6.7 12 24.96 +.07 -11.0 LeggPlat 1.04 5.1 27 20.27 +.36 -.6 American Funds InvCoAmA m Vanguard InstIdx Amazon ... ... 63 128.53 +2.64 -4.5 Lowes .36 1.5 20 23.79 +.17 +1.7 Dodge & Cox Stock ArvMerit ... ... ... 12.02 +.39 +7.5 Microsoft .52 1.8 16 28.63 +.17 -6.1 American Funds EurPacGrA m American Funds WAMutInvA m BB&T Cp .60 2.2 24 27.81 +.43 +9.6 PPG 2.16 3.4 22 62.91 -.03 +7.5 Dodge & Cox IntlStk BkofAm .04 .2 ... 16.40 +.03 +8.9 ParkerHan 1.00 1.6 36 62.07 -.34 +15.2 PIMCO TotRetAdm b BerkHa A ... ... 24124080.00-370.00 +25.1 American Funds NewPerspA m Cisco ... ... 24 24.95 +.11 +4.2 ProgrssEn 2.48 6.4 13 38.99 -.08 -4.9 Fidelity DivrIntl d ... ... 73 29.88 +.53 -3.3 American Funds FnInvA m Delhaize 2.01 2.5 ... 80.73 +.79 +5.2 RedHat Dell Inc ... ... 19 13.67 -.04 -4.8 RoyalBk g 2.00 ... ... 55.75 +.33 +4.1 FrankTemp-Franklin Income A m DukeEngy .96 5.9 14 16.33 -.07 -5.1 SaraLee .44 3.2 12 13.91 +.08 +14.2 American Funds BalA m Vanguard 500Adml ExxonMbl 1.68 2.6 16 65.40 -.03 -4.1 SonicAut ... ... 11 11.69 +.40 +12.5 Vanguard TotStIAdm FamilyDlr .62 1.8 16 35.24 +2.63 +26.6 SonocoP 1.08 3.6 20 29.83 +.02 +2.0 Vanguard Welltn American Funds BondA m FifthThird .04 .3 17 12.33 -.21 +26.5 SpectraEn 1.00 4.6 16 21.72 -.16 +5.9 Fidelity GrowCo FCtzBA 1.20 .7 16 180.59 +.59 +10.1 SpeedM .40 2.3 ... 17.04 -.09 -3.3 PIMCO TotRetA m GenElec .40 2.5 16 16.11 +.08 +6.5 .36 1.3 ... 27.00 -.11 +13.9 Vanguard TotIntl d GoldmanS 1.40 .9 8 163.61 +5.89 -3.1 Timken Fidelity LowPriStk d 1.88 3.2 27 59.20 +.02 +3.2 T Rowe Price EqtyInc Google ... ... 27 554.59 +9.27 -10.5 UPS B KrispKrm ... ... ... 3.50 -.19 +18.6 WalMart 1.21 2.2 15 53.96 +.30 +1.0 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.

Net Chg

YTD %Chg %Chg

+47.38 +12.11 +.65 +8.41 +4.35 +11.63 +4.18 +.76 +41.23 +3.21

+.46 +.29 +.17 +.12 +.23 +.51 +.37 +.10 +.35 +.49

+.15 +1.48 -5.98 -.17 +4.26 +1.02 +.71 +4.47 +1.62 +4.33

12-mo %Chg

+58.38 +85.60 +26.31 +68.08 +50.77 +76.39 +64.53 +84.67 +69.44 +86.71

MUTUAL FUNDS

Member SIPC

Last

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.

Total Assets Obj ($Mlns) NAV

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

CI 122,927 LG 62,872 LB 59,564 IH 56,411 LG 55,524 WS 53,325 MA 48,112 LB 47,853 LB 46,864 LB 44,500 LV 40,010 FB 38,266 LV 37,278 FV 35,758 CI 31,614 WS 31,178 FG 29,870 LB 29,675 CA 29,675 MA 29,215 LB 28,279 LB 28,262 MA 28,252 CI 27,514 LG 27,150 CI 25,333 FB 25,302 MB 24,867 LV 15,084 LB 9,595 LB 4,231 GS 1,496 LV 1,216 SR 430 LG 180

+0.9 +17.4/C +2.7 +55.7/C +3.1 +64.5/B +0.4 +37.5/C +3.0 +51.1/D +0.1 +57.2/D +1.2 +45.2/B +2.6 +61.0/B +1.8 +53.4/E +2.6 +61.2/B +1.3 +75.4/A -0.4 +60.0/C +1.3 +53.2/D -0.5 +88.3/A +0.9 +17.1/C +1.7 +61.5/C +0.2 +58.7/D +2.3 +59.4/C +0.6 +56.3/A +1.7 +44.0/C +2.6 +61.2/B +3.1 +64.7/B +1.6 +42.6/C +0.7 +19.6/B +4.0 +63.4/B +0.8 +16.9/C +0.6 +70.8/A +3.8 +76.5/B +2.4 +72.1/A +1.6 +75.0/A +3.0 +58.3/C +0.2 +4.0/C +2.4 +51.3/D +5.1+106.2/B +2.9 +54.4/C

11.01 27.44 27.91 47.20 58.32 32.85 15.50 103.75 25.89 103.08 97.70 36.91 24.68 31.30 11.01 25.29 27.09 32.87 2.05 16.49 103.77 27.92 29.11 11.99 69.87 11.01 14.06 33.25 21.27 30.83 36.27 10.39 2.99 14.05 15.06

+7.4/A +2.9/B +1.2/B +3.6/C +4.3/A +4.9/A +2.7/B +0.4/C +1.4/B +0.5/C -0.6/D +6.5/A +0.1/C +4.2/A +7.1/A +5.4/A +2.7/D +3.8/A +3.7/B +2.3/C +0.5/C +1.3/B +4.6/A +2.9/E +5.5/A +6.9/A +4.2/B +3.7/A +0.7/B +3.3/A +1.1/B +4.9/A -1.7/E +1.3/C +0.8/D

NL 5.75 NL 5.75 NL 5.75 5.75 NL 5.75 NL NL 5.75 5.75 NL NL 5.75 NL 5.75 4.25 5.75 NL NL NL 3.75 NL 3.75 NL NL NL 5.50 5.75 1.50 4.25 5.75 4.75

5,000,000 250 3,000 250 2,500 250 250 3,000 250 5,000,000 2,500 250 250 2,500 5,000,000 250 2,500 250 1,000 250 100,000 100,000 10,000 250 2,500 1,000 3,000 2,500 2,500 1,000 1,000 1,000 2,500 1,000 0

CA -Conservative Allocation, CI -Intermediate-Term Bond, ES -Europe Stock, FB -Foreign Large Blend, FG -Foreign LargeGrowth, FV -Foreign Large Value, IH -World Allocation, LB -Large Blend, LG -Large Growth, LV -Large Value, MA -Moderate Allocation, MB -Mid-Cap Blend, MV Mid-Cap Value, SH -Specialty-heath, WS -World Stock, Total Return: Chng in NAV with dividends reinvested. Rank: How fund performed vs. others with same objective: A is in top 20%, E in bottom 20%. Min Init Invt: Minimum $ needed to invest in fund. Source: Morningstar.

House passes tax breaks for new hires WASHINGTON (AP) — Despite doubts among many lawmakers that it will create many jobs, the Specialist Kristian Loughlin works at his post House on Thursday passed legislation giving companies that hire the jobless a temporary payroll tax on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange break. in this Feb. 9, 2010, file The measure passed 217-201 on a mostly partyphoto. The Dow Jones line vote. The bill also extends federal highway industrial average jumped programs through the end of the year. back above 10,000 on Some Democrats feel the approximately $35 bilhope that the European lion jobs bill is too puny, while others say the tax Union will help Greece cut for new hires won’t generate many new jobs. manage its growing debt However, the pressure is on to address jobs and burden. deliver a badly needed win for President Barack Associated Press Obama and a Democratic Party struggling in opinion polls and facing major losses in the upcoming midterm elections. Further jobs measures are promised. “If that’s the only thing that I can vote on ... I’ll vote for it, obviously,” said Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J. “We’ve got to get something moving. We’ve got to get something done.” came to 960.8 million shares “It’s really not a jobs bill,” said Rep. Barbara Lee, compared with 936.7 million D-Calif. “It’s one small piece.” Lee said she instead shares traded at the same point wants money in the legislation for job training and Wednesday. youth summer jobs. Bond prices were mixed. The Thirty-five Democrats, mostly members of the yield on the benchmark 10-year Congressional Black Caucus, opposed the bill. Six Treasury note, which moves Republicans voted in favor. opposite its price, fell to 3.61 The House had passed a much larger measure percent from 3.63 percent late in December that contained almost $50 billion Wednesday. in infrastructure funding, $50 billion in help for Crude oil fell 66 cents to settle cash-starved state governments, and a six-month at $80.21 per barrel on the New extension of jobless aid. That bill conspicuously York Mercantile Exchange. left out the proposals to award tax credits for hirThe dollar mostly rose against ing new workers. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was other major currencies. Gold fell. Among retailers, Abercrombie among those skeptical of that idea. The Senate responded last week with the far jumped $5.28, or 14.6 percent, to smaller measure that the House is reluctantly $41.52, while Nordstrom rose 51 accepting. The House amended the measure cents, or 1.4 percent, to $38.32. Thursday to conform with so-called pay-as-you-go Target advanced $1.26, or 2.4 budget rules that have become an article of faith percent, to $52.94. Wal-Mart among moderate Democrats. The rules require rose 30 cents, or 0.6 percent, to future spending increases or tax cuts to be paid for $53.96. with either cuts to other programs or equivalent Bank stocks rose after the tax increases. Treasury Department took in The minor tweak means that the notoriously a record $1.54 billion from the balky Senate would have to act again before sale of warrants it received Obama could sign the bill into law. from Bank of America Corp. in The $35 billion bill — blending $15 billion in tax exchange for support during the cuts and subsidies for infrastructure bonds issued financial crisis. Warrants allow by local governments with the $20 billion in transthe owner to buy a stock in the portation money — is far smaller than the massive future at a certain price. The economic stimulus bill enacted a year ago. demand for warrants signals The jobs bill has been a source of tension that investors expect the stock between House and Senate Democrats. to go higher. Shares of Bank of The Senate plans to act on the jobs bill after America rose 3 cents to $16.40. wrapping up the unfinished-business bill, which The Russell 2000 index of means it probably won’t be sent to Obama until smaller companies rose 3.21, or next week. 0.5 percent, to 652.47. Overseas, Britain’s FTSE 100 fell 0.1 percent, while Germany’s DAX index and France’s CAC40 each fell 0.4 percent. Japan’s Nikkei stock average fell 1.1 perFabrics Sewing Center cent.

Dow erases its loss for 2010

NEW YORK (AP) — Optimism about the government’s February jobs report sent the Dow Jones industrials back into the black for 2010. Stocks ended Thursday with a moderate advance after managing only small moves for much of the day. Investors seemed to set aside concerns about the day’s mixed economic reports and focus instead on the Labor Department’s jobs report, due Friday morning. The monthly snapshot of employment is widely considered to be the most important reading on the economy because a lasting recovery won’t be possible if more jobs aren’t created. An unexpected drop in pending home sales held the market to a tight range for most of Thursday’s trading. The National Association of Realtors said that its index of home sales agreements fell 7.6 percent in January from December. Sales contracts fell to the lowest level since April. The housing numbers chilled some of the enthusiasm about stronger February sales at many retailers. Abercrombie & Fitch Co., Nordstrom Inc. and Target Corp. all posted monthly sales that topped analysts’ expectations. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. raised its dividend 11 percent. The Labor Department also said that initial jobless claims dipped last week after two straight weeks of unexpected increases. New claims fell to 469,000, better than the

470,000 economists had forecast. The weekly numbers provided some encouragement ahead of February’s employment figures. Friday’s report is expected to show that unemployment rose to 9.8 percent from 9.7 percent in January as employers cut 50,000 jobs. But economists also expect slight gains in both average hourly earnings and average hours worked. Increases in these areas often precede a pickup in hiring. The job market is often one of the last parts of the economy to recovery after a recession. Daniel Penrod, senior industry analyst for the California Credit Union League in Ontario, Calif., said employment gains are needed to stabilize the economy and add to a sense that a recovery is occurring. “It used to be that confidence led into actual employment where I think the reverse is true now,” he said. The Dow rose 47.38, or 0.5 percent, to 10,444.14, its highest close since Jan. 20. The Dow is now up 16 points, or 0.2 percent, for 2010. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 4.18, or 0.4 percent, to 1,122.97. It is up 0.7 percent for the year. The Nasdaq composite index rose 11.63, or 0.5 percent, to 2,292.31 and is up 1 percent in 2010. Three stocks rose for every two that fell on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume

Come in for a Good Deal and a Good Deal More

Rayna Layne Dale

Celebrates her 2nd Birthday on March 5th Parents are Kerry Pittman & Timmy Dale of Forest City. Maternal Grandparents are Freida & Ray Pittman Jr., of Bostic. Paternal Grandparents are Donnie Dale of Harris and Edith Morrow of Forest City. Great-Grandparents are Kathleen Pittman of Bostic, Mildred Skipper of Green Creek, & Willie Mae Collins of Chesnee.

Seams to Be

Pat Nanney

New class line up has been prepared. classes include quilting, garment construction, bags and more for the beginner and advanced sewers, along with serger instructions that will be held at the end of the month. due to computer problems the website won’t be updated until later this week. Feel free to stop by the store for details. 526 US Hwy 74 Business • Bostic, NC 828 245-5400 • www.seamstobefabrics.com

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, March 5, 2010

nation

Levin is acting chair of Ways and Means panel

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Sander Levin of Michigan took over as chairman of the powerful tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee Thursday after Democrats decided they wanted a consensus builder rather than a firebrand going into the midterm elections. Levin, a liberal, replaces Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., who stepped aside Wednesday while the House ethics committee continues to investigate his fundraising and finances after concluding last week that he violated House rules forbidding lawmakers from taking trips paid by corporate sponsors. Rep. Fortney “Pete” Stark, D-Calif., was next in line for the post and held it a day, until Democrats decided they didn’t want one of their most confrontational members — Stark once accused Republicans of wanting to send troops to Iraq “to get their heads blown off for the amusement of the president” — in such a high-profile job when their party already is under assault from voters.

The Ways and Means Committee is arguably the most powerful and influential in Congress. It originates all tax laws and has jurisdiction over trade, Social Security and benefit programs that pay about half the cost of Americans’ health care. In choosing Levin, Democrats went with a softspoken leader whom Democrats hope will help move them past Rangel’s ethics problems and provide a steady hand as Congress tries to pass a health care bill this month. Once health care is addressed, Levin will have to turn his attention to billions of dollars in tax cuts set to expire at the end of the year — a thorny issue that will only get more complicated and politically charged as congressional elections approach in November. Levin, 78, represents an auto industry district outside Detroit and is the Democrats’ foremost expert on trade, an issue that has been on the back burner since President Barack Obama took office. Levin said he hopes to work on health care, economic development and job creation. On the latter, Obama has wanted more focus on giving businesses tax incentives to increase their payrolls, an approach rejected by many Democrats in the House. In his new role, Levin could help bridge that gap. But the biggest issue that he and perhaps the entire Congress face once health care is out of the way will be the billions in tax cuts initiated by former President George W. Bush in 2001 and 2003 that expire at the end of this year. If Congress doesn’t act, taxes at every income level would increase, with the top income tax rate rising from 35 percent to 39.6 percent. The top capital gains tax rate would rise from 15 percent to 20 percent and the top tax rate on dividends would increase from 15 percent to 39.6 percent. The $1,000 child tax credit would be reduced to $500.

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Associated Press

President Barack Obama, from left, with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of KY., and House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio take part in a health care reform meeting at the Blair House in Washington in this Feb. 25, 2010, file photo.

Democrats mired in the swamp they vowed to drain WASHINGTON (AP) — A rash of ethics lapses has given Democrats an election-year headache: how to convince skeptical voters that they’re any cleaner than Republicans they accused of fostering a “culture of corruption” in 2006. From the conduct of governors in Illinois and New York to back-room deals over President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul, Democrats are drawing their own criticism when it comes to the ethics of public officials. The party that pledged to “drain the swamp” if given control of Congress finds itself sinking in the muck nine months from Election Day, when every member of the House and 36 Senate seats will be chosen. The sword of sanctimony cuts both ways, warns a Republican felled by his own scandal in the weeks before the 2006 elections, as then-Rep. Nancy Pelosi led the campaign cry to end “the culture of corruption that has thrived under this Republican Congress.” “If you claim that you are going to hold a group accountable, as she professed, then it requires you to really be serious about that and not make excuses when members of their own party don’t meet those same standards,” former Rep. Mark Foley, who resigned weeks before the 2006 election because of allegations he pursued former House pages, told The Associated Press. “Otherwise,” he added, “The public becomes cynical and suspicious.” Even embattled Rep. Charlie Rangel, the 20-term veteran who stepped down from the chairmanship of the Ways and Means Committee this week,

acknowledged that hanging on only would have prolonged distractions and political pain for Pelosi and other Democrats. “It’s not fair to her and it’s not fair to the many freshmen and those who have close districts, that instead of getting their message out, (reporters and constituents) are asking about me,” Rangel said. Between now and November can be several lifetimes in political terms. But there are plenty of scandalous developments that could pop in the interim. The closer to the balloting, the tougher it is to stem the damage. Democrats say they should get credit — or at least not be punished at the polls — for trying to clean up Capitol Hill with an independent ethics office that didn’t exist under Republican rule. “I think we’ve come a long way since I became speaker with the outside ethics groups and now we have a functioning ethics committee, bipartisan and independent of the speaker,” Pelosi told reporters Thursday. But because Democrats gained control of the White House and Congress in part by vowing to cleanse the institutions of government, breaches by party members high and low raise questions of hypocrisy. The list is long. Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is awash in corruption charges related to his efforts to fill President Barack Obama’s former Senate seat. New York Gov. David Paterson is hemorrhaging staff as he faces two misconduct investigations and increasing calls for him to quit. Paterson’s disgraced predecessor, Elliot Spitzer, pops up more and more in interviews

these days. New York is home to other political headaches for Democrats. Rangel gave up his committee chairmanship this week after the ethics committee admonished him for breaking House rules by accepting corporatefinanced travel. Rangel still faces an inquiry over the way he used his position to solicit corporate donations to an educational institution that bears his name, as well as the belated disclosure of hundreds of thousands of dollars in previously unlisted wealth. Then there’s the perception of payoffs to states represented by senators who hesitated on supporting the Senate’s health care bill, part of the overhaul that Obama had named his top legislative priority. Dubbed the “Cornhusker kickback” and the “Louisiana purchase,” the deals with Democratic Sens. Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana drew derision for the perception of sneakiness they created. Dark-of-night dealmaking and misbehaving members are traditions as old as government itself, the price of putting ambitious human beings in positions of power and showering them with privileges unknown to most people they govern. Winning seats, not cleansing candidates or the legislature, is the top priority of party leaders. Pelosi, at her news conference Thursday, announced the new acting chairman. “The issues that transpired in the last few days, they are behind us,” she said, hopefully but perhaps not realistically. “They are behind us.”

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The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, March 5, 2010 — 13

nation

Sebelius presses on rate hikes

WASHINGTON (AP) — Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told the nation’s leading health insurers Thursday to publicly justify a spate of double-digit premium hikes that have infuriated consumers in at least a half dozen states. Meeting at the White House with the CEOs of Wellpoint, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealth Group, as well as several state insurance commissioners, Sebelius asked the companies to post online their justification for proposed rate hikes primarily affecting customers who directly purchase their coverage. “At the very least, we need some transparency,” Sebelius told reporters after the meeting. “We need people to understand what’s going on.” The information can be difficult to obtain, since it’s usually filed state-bystate. Associated Press The White House staged the Eric Massa, Democratic candidate for New York’s 29th event to underscore what it Congressional District in Rochester, N.Y., in this Oct. calls the urgent need to pass 14, 2008, file photo. President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul. Obama advisers hope that highlighting the rate hikes will put pressure not just on insurers to lower rates but also on Congress to agree on final legislation after a yearlong effort. Obama has pointed to the rate hikes as one of the main arguments for Congress to pass his plan. It would set up a new WASHINGTON (AP) — The House ethics panel competitive marketplace for is reviewing a complaint against retiring New York individual customers and small Rep. Eric Massa by a male staffer who reportedly businesses, leading to more prefelt uncomfortable in a situation with Massa that dictable premiums. It also would had sexual overtones. create a new consumer protecA House aide characterized the complaint on tion body with the power to deny Thursday to The Associated Press. The aide did unreasonable rate hikes, roll not elaborate on the allegation against Massa, who them back and obtain refunds said Wednesday he will not seek a second term for policy holders. after a recurrence of cancer last year. The aide was Sebelius got a polite hearing not authorized to discuss the allegation and spoke from the executives, but there on condition of anonymity. was no agreement on her request The ethics panel issued a brief statement for full disclosure. Thursday saying it is “investigating and gathering “I think the response to it was additional information concerning matters related constructive, but there were no to allegations involving” Massa. commitments of any kind,” said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer on UnitedHealth CEO Stephen Wednesday said he was told the week of Feb. 8 by Hemsley. a staff member in Massa’s office about allegations Angela Braly, the head of of misconduct. Hoyer directed Massa to report the Wellpoint, said she wants to allegations to the House Ethics Committee within explore with the National 48 hours. Hoyer said he got confirmation within Association of Insurance 48 hours that the Ethics Committee had received Commissioners better ways to the report and would review the allegations. tell consumers about the reaMassa, who is married, was stricken with nonsons for rate hikes. Doctors and Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1996. He was elected in hospitals are charging more, she 2008, defeating Republican Rep. Randy Kuhl. explained, and “we’re often in The 29th district in the southwestern corner of New York has been dominated by Republicans since the party’s founding in 1854. It’s a largely agricultural district the size of Connecticut. Citing his cancer, the 50-year-old Massa said WASHINGTON (AP) — With Wednesday he would retire at the end of his term. the 2010 population count loomDuring a conference phone call with reporters, Massa dismissed a Politico story that cited uniden- ing, the government provided new assurances Thursday that tified House aides in reporting that the congressinformation Americans fill out man had been accused of harassing a staffer. on their census forms will be “There are blogs who are saying I am leaving because there were charges of harassment against kept confidential and not be used for law enforcement. my staff,” Massa said during the Wednesday call. In a letter to Congress, the “Do I or have I ever used salty language when I am Obama administration provided angry, especially in the privacy of my inner office or even at home? Yes, I have and I have apologized its legal position that census data cannot be disclosed under to those where it’s appropriate.”

Retiring Dem facing complaint by male staffer

Associated Press

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, center, speaks with Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger, left, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday.

the position of being the bearer of bad news.” Noting that the companies are making healthy profits, Sebelius said she will keep pressing her request. “At least the bright spotlight may help to discourage some of these wildly exorbitant increases from occurring,” she said. Obama dropped by the meeting in the Roosevelt Room and underscored Sebelius’ point that such rate hikes can’t go on forever. The president has painted a bleak picture of spiraling costs and eroding coverage if lawmakers fail to pass his plan — and he’s keeping the pressure on insurers as he demands a vote in Congress. The rate increases mainly affect people buying their own coverage directly, as opposed to the majority who have employer-provided policies. Wellpoint subsidiary Anthem Blue Cross recently announced plans to boost individual insurance premiums in California by as much as 39 percent. Since then, Sebelius said she’s

heard from many Americans who are worried they won’t be able to afford insurance. Wellpoint has temporarily put its rate hike on hold. Sebelius said the long-term solution is the new health insurance marketplace that Obama wants to create for individuals and small businesses. Once it goes into operation in 2014, it would foster competition and help keep rate increases in check. Although the insurance industry opposes much of Obama’s overhaul plan, the CEOs said they share the administration’s concern about rising cost. It’s leading their healthiest customers to drop coverage, leaving the companies with a relatively sicker pool of people. Aetna’s Ronald Williams praised the administration for bringing the group together and said: “This is what we need more of — everyone at the table collaborating.” “People are reaching the breaking point,” when it comes to premiums, said Sandy Praeger, Kansas’ insurance commissioner.

Gov’t offers new assurance census data is private the Patriot Act, the nation’s main counterterrorism law. The government has previously given legal assurances the information will not be used for immigration enforcement. “If Congress intended to override these protections it would say so clearly and explicitly,” wrote Assistant Attorney General Ronald Weich. The legal assurance had been a

sticking point for some minority groups, particularly South Asian and Muslim Americans, who argued that an ambiguity in federal laws could leave their census data open for use in prosecutions involving national security. Some said they could not feel confident in filling out the forms based on solely the verbal promises of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and other census officials.

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— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, March 5, 2010

nation/world

Pierre Desarmes, above, singer of the Reggaeton Boys, speaks in San Bernardo, Chile, Wednesday, March 3, 2010. Haitians Pierre Richard Desarmes, left, Philomene, center, and Jean Mary chat with their family members living in Haiti in San Bernardo, Chile, Wednesday, March 3, 2010. Associated Press

Haitian family survives 2 big quakes in 2 months

SAN BERNARDO, Chile (AP) — The Desarmes family left their native Haiti two weeks after the devastating Jan. 12 earthquake, joining the eldest son in Chile for what seemed a refuge from the fear and chaos of Portau-Prince. Their sense of security lasted barely a month. It was shattered at 3:43 a.m. Saturday when one of the most powerful quakes on record shook a swath of Chile. All the Desarmes’ immediate family survived both quakes. But twice cursed, the family now sleeps in the garden of a home that the eldest son, Pierre Desarmes, found for them just south of the Chilean capital of Santiago. They fear yet another temblor will strike.

going to die here!” Pierre Desarmes, 34, managed to get his family out of Haiti thanks to personal contacts at the Chilean Embassy in Port-au-Prince and the Chilean armed forces. Nine members of his family — his parents, two brothers and their families, and three cousins — arrived in Santiago on a Chilean air force plane Jan. 23.

“I left my country and came here because of an earthquake,” Seraphin Philomene, a 21-year-old student and cousin of Desarmes, said Wednesday. “And here, the same thing!” “My God, I left my country and I didn’t die, but I’m

receiving instructions on where to go via cell phone text messages from a relative in the United States who was in contact with Desarmes in Santiago. Philomene didn’t even have time to pack, dashing to the Chilean Embassy when she received word the family had been cleared to fly out. Saturday’s earthquake has made a difficult transition even more traumatic.

Desarmes, the lead singer of a popular Haitian reggaeton band in Chile, still gets choked up when he recalls seeing his family for the first time stepping off the plane. “I saw them but I didn’t believe it. I said, ‘My God, they’re here.’ It was a very difficult moment,” he said, speaking in French in the garden of the house the family now calls home. “Each time I think about it, I get sad, because I realize I was able to do this because I was here. But there are so many people who are there and I don’t know what’s going to happen to them.” His relatives had to leave Haiti with only hours’ notice,

“When the aftershocks come, they refuse to stay in the house,” Desarmes said, sipping a Coke at a table in the garden, his relatives sitting nearby. “I have to talk to them all day long telling them: ‘There are no problems, it’s a country that’s prepared for earthquakes, it’ll pass, it’s not so bad.’ But they don’t hear me. Psychologically for them, they’re still really affected by it.” Desarmes’ brother, Stanley Desarmes, 32, is deeply unsettled. The father of a 2-year-old girl, Nelia, who plays in the yard, he worries for his family’s safety and

is thinking about uprooting them again to move somewhere with less danger of earthquakes. “I don’t know what I can do, but staying isn’t possible,” he said. “I could die and I could lose my family. I have to leave. I don’t know where, I don’t know how. But I don’t want to die with my family here.” Philomene, his cousin, plans to stay, hoping to bring the rest of her family to Chile. She was the only member of her immediate family to get out because she was living with the Desarmes in the Haitian capital to finish her studies. Her mother, father, two sisters and a brother are still in Cap-Haitien, a town in northern Haiti about 90 miles from the capital. “I’ve had no news from them,” she said, choking up. Reached late Wednesday by The Associated Press in CapHaitien, Philomene’s father, Luigene Philomene, was elated at the news that his daughter was safe. He said he hadn’t heard from her since before Chile’s earth-

quake and had been trying to reach relatives in Port-auPrince for an update. The elder Philomene said when he heard that his daughter had been in the Chile earthquake he thought of a Haitian saying that loosely translates as “we saved her from the river and she ended up in the sea.” Now he feels she has divine protection and the 43-yearold said he would eagerly join his daughter in South America if he could. “God is looking out for us,” he said. “Our family didn’t die in Haiti so they aren’t going to die in Chile either.” Francius Pierre, a cousin of Seraphin’s in Port-au-Prince, had already learned from a brother that his relatives in Chile survived. Pierre, a university student who injured his knee in the Haitian quake, said Seraphin and his other relatives moved from Haiti for safety. “If they knew something like this could happen again they never would have gone,” he said.

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The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, March 5, 2010 — 15 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

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

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Inner beauty masked by scary mole Dear Abby: I have been dating a guy who is wonderful, caring — everything a woman would want. There’s just one problem. When he takes off his shirt, he has an extremely ugly mole. It looks suspicious and is irregularly shaped. I can’t stand looking at it, but my eyes are drawn to it like to a car wreck. To top it off, it has hair growing out of it. I know he probably pays no attention to it because it’s on his back. But I see it staring back at me. How do you tell a loving and caring man that you’re turned off by his scary mole? — Grossed Out Dear Grossed Out: Because man was not born equipped with a rearview mirror, it takes a caring friend to tell him — or her — what’s going on behind his/her back. It’s not necessary to say that you are “grossed out” at the sight of the mole. All you need to say is: “Honey, you have a large, irregularly shaped mole on your back that looks suspicious. It doesn’t look right, and you need to have it checked out by a dermatologist as soon as possible because I’m worried about you.” Dear Abby: It’s tax season, and once again, my husband and I are faced with our annual “conflict.” We buy a tax program for our computer and do our own taxes. Every year, one of our daughters has my husband do her taxes. After he completes

Dear Abby Abigail van Buren

them, he returns the forms so she and her husband can sign them. The problem is, they never pay the taxes they owe. My daughter and son-in-law owe thousands of dollars, and I know they risk being audited by the IRS. If that happens, I am sure the kids will say that my husband actually did the taxes, which could draw us into their problem. It might even target us to be audited. I don’t want to be dragged into this potential problem. My husband thinks I’m being silly and borrowing trouble unnecessarily. What do you think? — Honest Taxpayer Dear Honest Taxpayer: Because your husband is preparing the tax return as a favor and not being paid, I doubt he will get into trouble. But there’s a good chance your daughter and her husband will. What she needs to do is contact the IRS and work out some kind of workable payment plan. And as loving parents, you and your husband should encourage them to act like responsible adults and do that.

Finding a prevention for UTIs Dear Dr. Gott: I am a 68-year-old female. I am now on medication for yet another urinary-tract infection. This is my fourth infection in four months. I have been to my family doctor twice and to urgent care twice because two happened over a weekend. The pressure, burning and hurting just seems to come on rapidly, along with running to the bathroom real often. Are there any preventive options I can practice, because I seem to be prone to these infections? Dear Reader: Urinary-tract infections affect millions of people each year. Women are more prone than men, and infections typically involve the urethra and bladder. Urine is normally sterile and free of bacteria and/or viruses in a healthy person. Most infections come from one single type of bacteria known as Escherichia coli (E. coli), which ordinarily live within the colon. There are other micro-organisms, such as chlamydia and mycoplasma, that can

PUZZLE

Ask Dr. Gott Dr. Peter M. Gott

cause a UTI, but they tend to be limited to the urethra and reproductive system. Symptoms of a UTI include a strong urge to urinate, hematuria (blood in the urine), a burning sensation and strong odor on urination. Chlamydia and mycoplasma can be sexually transmitted; in order to eradicate either, both partners will require medical treatment. Your physician should have ordered a clean-catch urine and sensitivity specimen that should have been sent to your local hospital, unless he or she can test on the premises. The drug of choice and duration of treatment will be determined by what your specimen is sensitive to.

IN THE STARS

Your Birthday, March 5;

Make this upcoming year count, because you will be luckier than usual. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) — You might be a charismatic person to begin with, but you will be even more so than usual. ARIES (March 21-April 19) — Something unique is likely to occur, owing to a strange set of circumstances. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — Much joy and happiness is likely to come your way. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — Even though this may be the last workday of the week, something quite fortunate could develop. CANCER (June 21-July 22) — Lady Luck is going to continue to make sure that things go well for you. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — You don’t realize the value of some recently performed good deeds. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Cooperation and sharing will be responsible for your success. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — You’re in a brief but precise cycle where two or more personal victories can be achieved. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Don’t be fearful about going after what you want, provided you think each step thoroughly. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Activities with family members or other loved ones will prove to be some of the most gratifying and fulfilling. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Although you don’t mind being alone, the more people you have around, the better. If you haven’t already made plans, put something together. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — It’s one of those days where you’re likely to be daring and generous when it comes to priming the pump.

16 — The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, March 5, 2010 16 — The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, FRIDAY, March 5, 2010

world

Arms race on the high seas: Armed pirate attacks soar

Associated Press

Passenger Margit Kohe Ternes of Germany talks to reporters after getting off the Cypriot-owned Louis Majesty cruise ship, background, at Barcelona’s port, Spain, on Thursday.

Cruise travelers tell of deadly wave off Spain

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — The Mediterranean was heaving as the 68-year-old Italian stood in the cruise ship lounge. A moment later a monstrous wave shattered the windows and sent shards into her head, leaving her bleeding on the floor and calling out for her husband. Torrents of water gushed into the Louis Majesty, pouring through several floors of the ship. “I thought I would end up in the sea, drowned,” said Anna Lita, who had a black eye and bandages on her head and hand Thursday. The three waves that struck the Cypriot-owned ship Wednesday claimed two lives off the coast of northeast Spain. The vessel was carrying 1,350 passengers and 580 crew members, from a total of 27 countries. Lita’s husband Carlo, 69, who had been beside her on a sofa, was thrown in the air and ended up with five stitches in the head and a leg injury. Another Italian, Giovanni Zanoni, said that after the waves blew out the windows of the lounge, the ceiling caved in and pandemonium broke out. “People were screaming, panicking. They were grabbing life vests,” Zanoni said. He said he saw one huge shard of glass hit a man in the face, killing him. It took a while to find the body because he was under the wreckage of the ceiling, Zanoni said. The ship’s owner and operator, Louis Cruise Lines, said the vessel was struck Wednesday by three “abnormally high” waves more than 33 feet (10 meters) high that broke glass windshields in the forward section on deck five, which is one of 10 used by passengers. Two people died and 14 were slightly hurt, the company said. Large waves are not rare in the Mediterranean, but ones that size occur only once or twice a year, said Marta de Alfonso, an oceanographer with the Spanish government. This accident happened in an area of the Mediterranean called the Gulf of Leon, which is known for big waves when storms hit. The ship was on a 12-day cruise from the ports of Genoa and Marseilles in the western Mediterranean, calling at Tangiers, Casablanca, Tenerife, Lanzarote, Cadiz, Cartagena, Barcelona and had been due to return to Genoa on Thursday. Passengers said the weather was terrible as they left Cartagena in eastern Spain Wednesday, and the captain announced he was skipping a planned stop in Barcelona and heading straight for Italy.

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Somali pirates hit a Spanish fishing boat off the coast of Kenya with a rocket-propelled grenade Thursday as private security on board returned fire at the would-be hijackers. The successful defense of the fishing vessel Albacan illustrates two trends driving up the stakes for sailors and pirates off the Horn of Africa: Better trained and protected crews are increasingly able to repel attacks, but pirates eager for multimilliondollar ransoms are now resorting to violence much more often to capture ships. Two-thirds of attacks by Somali pirates are being repelled by crews alone, without the aid of the coalition warships that patrol the Gulf of Aden, according to an analysis by The Associated Press of attacks reported to the London-based International Maritime Bureau. Most did so without the use of armed guards, although private security contractors helped repel pirates in at least five incidents off the Somali coast last year. As it gets harder for pirates to capture ships, the Somali gangs are more likely to fire at sailors with automatic weapons to make ships stop. The bureau says only seven ships were fired on worldwide in 2004 but that 114 ships were fired on last year off the Somali coast alone. That’s up from 39 incidents off Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden in 2008. Most crews now post extra lookouts, register with maritime authorities and practice antipiracy drills, said Cyrus Mody of the IMB. Increasing speed and

If you’re being chased by a lion, you don’t have to be faster than the lion. You just have to be faster than the person next to you. Gibbon Brooks

Dryad Maritime Intelligence

maneuvering so a ship produces more wake or heads into rough waves can also make it more difficult for pirates. The International Maritime Bureau does not recommend using armed guards due to potential legal problems and fears of starting an arms race with the pirates or increasing the danger to sailors. Moody told AP in October 2008 that armed guards on ships may encourage pirates to use their weapons more — a prediction that appears to have become reality. None of the 33 crew members or three guards was hurt in Thursday’s incident, the ship owners association Cepesca said in a statement from Spain. None of the pirates was believed to be hurt either. But maritime officials expect more gunfire attacks to happen this spring as calmer seas will likely bring a spike in attacks. Many ship owners are investing in physical defenses like stringing razor wire and adding fire hoses that can hit attackers with streams of high-pressure water. Some ships are even having electric fence-style systems installed. Secure Marine has installed 45 electric fence-style systems around ships. It also has new devices that can create a type of waterfall around a ship to flood pirate skiffs that get close. The water can be heated “so the

higher the pirates climb, the hotter it gets,” said company chief Raphael Kahn. Skin irritants or dye can also be added that help coalition forces identify attackers for possible arrest, he said. Some ships have been forced to rely on sailors’ ingenuity. Crews have thrown everything from oil drums to wooden planks at would-be hijackers clambering up ladders. Last month a crew played the sound of dogs barking over an amplifier to frighten off attackers. Dogs are considered unclean in Islam and few Somalis keep them as pets. Shipping industry officials are discussing putting guard dogs on high-risk vessels to help frighten off pirates, Mody said. Most hijackings are opportunistic and pirates who encounter resistance often give up and chase an easier target. “If you’re being chased by a lion, you don’t have to be faster than the lion,” said Graeme Gibbon Brooks of Dryad Maritime Intelligence. “You just have to be faster than the person next to you.” Better training and preparations mean that although 2009 saw 217 Somali pirate attacks — the highest number on record — most were unsuccessful. Fortyseven ships were taken, about the same as in 2008, which saw 111 attacks, according to the International Maritime Bureau.

Coins from Alexander the Great found in Syria DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — More than 250 silver coins dating back to the time of Alexander the Great were unearthed in northern Syria, a Syrian archaeologist said Thursday . Youssef Kanjo, the head of archaeological excavations in the ancient city of Aleppo, said the coins were discovered two weeks ago in northern Syria when a local man was digging the foundations of his new home. The man handed the coins, that were found in a bonze box,

to authorities, Kanjo said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. The coins date from the Hellenic period, which ranges from 4th to the 1st centuries B.C. after Macedonian warriorking Alexander the Great spread Greek culture into Middle East and beyond with his conquests. Kanjo added that the box contained two groups of coins, 137 “tetra” drachmas (four drachmas) and 115 single drachma coins. One side of the tetra drachma

coins depicts Alexander the Great, while the other side shows the Greek god Zeus sitting on a throne with an eagle perched on his extended arm. Some of the coins bear the inscription King Alexander in Greek, while others say Alexander or carry the name of King Philip, most likely referring to his father. After Alexander the Great’s conquests, many of the successor kingdoms in the Middle East adopted drachmas as their currency.

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

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.

*Private party customers only! This special must be mentioned at the time of ad placement. Valid 3/1/10 - 3/5/10

Apartments

Homes

Want

Mobile Homes

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.

1BR APT Bostic area Appliances & water furnished. No pets or smoking. $350/mo. + dep. Call 245-1883

Special $200 dep.!

For Sale

For Rent

to Rent

For Sale

For Rent

Arlington Ridge

1-888-684-5072

Spacious 1 & 2BR Some utilities paid by landlord. Winter special: 1 mo. rent free w/1 yr. lease!

Call 828-447-3233

2BR/2BA Nice, large Townhome Private deck, w/d hook up. Water included! $485/mo.

Sell or rent your property in the Classifieds! 828-245-6431

3BR/1BA Brick home Nice out building Also, 3BR/2BA DW on property. Owner financing with DP. $119,900 657-4430 FSBO 3BR/2BA Upper Greenhill Owner fin. w/10% down. $161,000 Call 828-287-1022

3BR/1BA Brick home in Chase area. $725/mo. + dep. Call 828-748-8801

Homes For Rent or Sale Houses, mobile homes & apartments for sale & rent. Owner fin. avail. 453-9946

Would like to rent or poss. lease/purchase option 4+BR home w/large yard in quiet clean area. 289-8311

Find your next home in the Classifieds!

3BR/2BA DW on 1/2 acre Danieltown area Owner financing with DP. $64,900 657-4430

3BR DW in Harris. Water & sewer incld. $450/mo. + dep. 828-748-8801

Mobile Homes

MUST SEE! Like new

For Rent 2BR/2BA in Ellenboro. Cent. heat & gas logs. $100/wk + $200 dep. 453-8250

3BR/2BA in Rfdtn. $650/mo. + securities. 748-0658 or 286-1982

CALL TODAY 828-245-6431

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, FRIDAY, March 5, 2010 — 17 NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having qualified as Ancillary Administrator of the Estate of Lewis Hines a/k/a Louis Hines, deceased, late of Union County, New Jersey, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to present them, duly verified, to Shermetta Watkins, 5925 Prescott Ct., Charlotte, NC 28269 and/or c/o Joseph B. Henninger, Jr., Wishart, Norris, Henninger & Pittman, 6832 Morrison Blvd., Charlotte, North Carolina 28211, on or before the 12th day of May, 2010 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate settlement with the undersigned.

Having qualified as Co-Administrator CTA of the estate of ALICE AVANT GREENE of Rutherford County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the estate of the said ALICE AVANT GREENE to present them to the undersigned on or before the 19th day of May, 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 19th day of February, 2010. Robert Michael Newton, Co-Administrator CTA 117 Carver Lane Forest City, NC 28043

This the 12th day of February, 2010. Todd Avant Newton, Co-Administrator CTA 516 Smith Grove Road Forest City, NC 28043

Shermetta Watkins Ancillary Administrator

Mobile Homes

Help Wanted

Pets

For Rent

Now hiring experienced Kitchen Manager or Asst Kitchen Manager Competitive salary and benefits. Call for appt. La Strada at Lake Lure 828-625-1118 after 10am www. lastradaatlakelure.com

Autumn Care of Forest City has the following position: 2nd shift LPN 3pm-11pm and every other weekend. Great benefits and competitive salary. Please apply in person: 830 Bethany Church Rd., FC, Gina Walker, RN, DON or April Sisk, RN, ADON 828-245-2852 or fax resume: 828-248-2590 or email Admin122@ autumncorp.com EOE

Free to a good home Male and female cats. All shots, neutered and/or spayed. Call 828-245-9795

2BR/2BA on large lot in Rfdtn area $350/mo. + $300 dep. Landlord ref’s. Call 286-4333 Clean 3BR/2BA in quiet area. Stove, refrig. No pets! $400/ mo. + dep. 287-7043 2BR/1BA on Taylor Rd. in Rfdtn $300/mo. + $300 dep. No pets. Call 287-2511 2BR near East High $300/mo. Dep. & ref’s req. Senior discount. Call 248-1909

North Carolina, Rutherford County NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 10 SP 22 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Samuel P. Davis Jr, an unmarried man to TRSTE, INC. Trustee(s), which was dated January 23, 2006 and recorded on January 23, 2006 in Book 882 at Page 364, Rutherford County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Brock & Scott, PLLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on March 10, 2010 at 11:30AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Rutherford County, North Carolina, to wit: Situate, lying and being in the Town of Lake Lure, Chimney Rock Township, Rutherford County, North Carolina, and being Lot 95, Shumont Estates Phase I, Fairfield Mountains, as shown on a plat of record on Plat book 14, at Pages 101-102, and amended Plat of record on Plat book revised 15, at Page 4, Rutherford County Registry. Subject to restrictive covenants and restrictions as filed of record in Deed Book 386, Pages 404 through 440, Register of Deeds, Rutherford County, North Carolina. Being the same and identical property which was conveyed by Vicki M. Marshall, single, to Samuel P. Davis, Jr., by deed dated January 16, 2006, and of record in Deed Book , at Page , Rutherford County Registry.

Work Wanted Will cut grass, mulch, gutters, trim hedges, landscaping, etc. Call 429-4924 or 748-1548

Help Wanted BAYADA NURSES is now hiring full and part time CNA’s for Polk County area. Call 828-696-1900 to apply Full time electrician and helper wanted. Minimum 5 yrs. exp., valid NC driver’s license

Send resume to: PO Box 1149 • Box A Forest City, NC 28043

Massage therapist needed Mon., Fri., Sat. Apply in person at Lifestyle Wellness & Spa business office Mon-Fri 8A-4P Part time customer service Afternoons & Sat. Apply in person at Folk’s Cleaners in the Rockwood Plaza Rehab Administrative Assistant Position St. Luke’s Hospital Outpatient Rehab. Part time position, 12:30pm-5:30pm Monday-Friday with potential to flex to full-time if needed. 2-5 yrs. experience, high school diploma. Skills needed: computer skills including Microsoft Office, patient reception & scheduling, office organization, clerical duties and monthly statistic tracking. Please email resume to: smcdermott@ saintlukeshospital.com

or fax 828-894-0538

Find the job you are looking for in the Classifieds! New listings every Tues.-Sun.

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Said property is commonly known as 310 Shumont Estates, Lake Lure, NC 28746 Third party purchasers must pay the excise tax, and the court costs of Forty-Five Cents (45¢) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) pursuant to NCGS 7A-308(a)(1). A cash deposit (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance "AS IS WHERE IS." There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Samuel P. Davis, Jr. and Shipyard Property Management, LLC. 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. The notice shall also state that 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. 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 confirmation of 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 their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Jeremy B. Wilkins, NCSB No. 32346 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No. 09-25966-FC01, 669125 2/26, 03/05/2010

Having qualified as Executor of the estate of VIRGINIA P. WALKER of Rutherford County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the estate of the said VIRGINIA P. WALKER to present them to the undersigned on or before the 19th day of May, 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 19th day of February, 2010. Cristina N. Byers, Executor 348 Leonard Lane Ellenboro, NC 28040

NOTICE OF SALE Pursuant to the provisions of G.S. 44A-40, various items of personal property contained in Self-Storage Unit(s): 123, 223, 227, 306, 408, 502 and 807 will be sold at public auction at Palmetto Storage on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at exactly 10:00 AM, 903 W. Main St., Forest City, NC 28043. Sale is being made to satisfy the Self Storage LIEN on said goods for storage charges due and unpaid. Due notice has been given. Management reserves the right to remove any unit from the sale list process prior to the commencement of the auction.

Semi Truck & Car Mechanic w/tools. Pay is DOE. Some benefits. Call for appt 248-9723 All K Scruggs Heating & Air Conditioning has immediate openings for Service technician with 5-10 yrs. exp. and Installer with 3-5 yrs. exp. Mail resume to: 1200 Ferry Rd., Mooresboro, NC 28114 or fax 657-0087

For Sale 2 Burial Plots in Ruth Co Memorial Cemetery Love section 243, spaces 1 & 2 beside the road. $2,000 Call 828-429-3313 2 Landscape Trailers 5x9 & 8x16 w/bin & 2 John Deere walk behind mowers GS45 Great cond.! 286-2223 Cemetery plot and concrete vault at Sunset, Vault value $1,200. Both for $1,000. 245-6694

HAY FOR COWS 4x5 rolls $15 per roll Call 828-863-4918

Want To Buy

Male Gray & white cat with black stripes. Lost 1/26 on Brooks Rd. in Sunshine area. Family misses him! 429-0803

Male Beagle wearing black collar. Lost 2/24 Shiloh area. Reward! 447-1613 or 245-9770

Female black & white huskey with blue eyes. 2 years old. Lost 3/1 near hospital. Please call 704-284-3474

Lost or found a pet? Place an ad at no cost to you! Yard Sales BIG SALE Spindale: 126 Campbell St. (off Spindale St.) Sat. 8A1P Plus size clothes, DVD’s, furniture, home decor and more! Factory Yard Sale: Oh Suzannah, 101 Callahan-Koon Rd., Spindale Saturday, March 6, 8AM-12PM Sewing supplies, finished goods, etc.

FC: 366 Toms Lake Rd Sat. 7A-12P Young boys clothes, fishing rods/reels and more!

HUGE CARPORT SALE Bostic: 117 Necktie Thompson Rd. (3rd road on right, past FC Fish Camp) Sat. & Sun. 8A-until Baby items and more!

WANT TO BUY OR REPAIR USED APPLIANCES. 247-6215 or 429-7728

Large, Rfdtn: Green River Baptist Assoc. & Dean’s Produce, Sat., 7AM-1PM.

Autos

MOVING SALE FC: 229 Big Springs Ave. Fri. & Sat. 8A-5P Furniture, toys, antiques, books, glassware, cookware. Everything must go!

2000 Saab convertible 93 80,100 miles, new tires, 5 spd., clean title Good cond.! $5,500 cash! 828-287-1022

Pets Cocker-Poo puppies 2 males, 2 females $150 ea. Ready Sat., March 6th. 286-4798 Male Miniature Pincher

Black with brown trim, pure bread, no papers.

Marie C. Eckard, Manager 248-3141 Palmetto Storage 903 W. Main St. Forest City, NC 28043

Lost

Born 2/4 $200 453-1876

ADVERTISE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Town of Lake Lure Notice is hereby given that a Public Hearing will be held by the Lake Lure Town Council at the Lake Lure Municipal Center, 2948 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure, North Carolina on the 9th day of March, 2010, at 7:00 pm or shortly thereafter, for the purpose of considering an amendment to Title IX, Chapter 92, Zoning Regulations, Town of Lake Lure, amending Section 92.054 to add a provision that waives design standards for commercial buildings in the regulations so that the adopted Design Guidelines for New Commercial Construction can be fully utilized to give maximum flexibility to commercial designers while protecting community character during the conditional use permit process for new commercial construction; and amending Section 92.056 and 92.057 to ensure consistency of these sections with the new provision proposed and described above for Section 92.054. Members of the public have the right to appear at said public hearing and present information with regard to the proposed ordinance. A copy of the proposed ordinance, identified as Ordinance Number 10-03-09A, is on file at Town Hall for inspection by all interested persons. The North Carolina Department of Transportation is seeking bids from mowing contractors for the following counties: Rutherford A mandatory pre-bid meeting will meet atShiloh-Danieltown-Oakland Fire Dept. ; 115 Tom’s Lake Rd. ; Forest City , NC 28043 on Friday, March 12, 2010 at 10:00 am. It is mandatory that all bidders attend the full meeting, including all mowing locations and the office presentation. Only bidders present at the mandatory pre-bid meeting will be allowed to bid. Only sealed bids in bid forms furnished by the Department of Transportation and sealed in envelopes furnished by the Department of Transportation at the pre-bid meeting will be considered. Bids will be opened Friday, March 19, 2010 at 10:00 am in the office of the Division Right of Way Agent of the Department of Transportation located at 79 Turtle Creek Drive ; Asheville , NC 28803. All Sealed Bids shall be delivered to the above address or mailed to Robert L. Haskett , Jr. Division Right of Way Agent, 79 Turtle Creek Drive ; Asheville , NC 28803, prior to 10:00 am, Friday, March 19, 2010 or the bid will not be considered. The Department of Transportation reserves the right to reject any and all bids. For full particulars, contact the above-mentioned office at the given address or telephone ( 828) 274-8435. In accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, minority business enterprises will be afforded full opportunity to submit bids and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color or national origin.

MOVING SALE Rfdtn 138 Honeysuckle Dr. Sat. 7A-12P Furniture, household items, plates, glasses, twin beds with box springs/mattress and more!

Yard sales are a great place to find a deal!!

FILL UP ON

V A L U E Shop the Classifieds!

The Daily Courier Call 828-245-6431 to place your ad.

18 — The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, FRIDAY, March 5, 2010 NORTH CAROLINA RUTHERFORD COUNTY

North Carolina, Rutherford County NOTICE OF SALE 09 SP 579

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 09 SP 384

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust executed by KSD, Inc., to MTNBK, Ltd, Trustee for Carolina First Bank, dated November 1, 2006, and Recorded in Book 925 at Page 582 in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Rutherford County, North Carolina, and under and by virtue of the authority vested in the undersigned by an Order of the Clerk of Court of Rutherford County, North Carolina, dated 13th day of January, 2010, default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness thereby secured and the said Deed of Trust being by the terms thereof subject to foreclosure, and the holder of the indebtedness having demanded a foreclosure thereof for the purpose of satisfying said indebtedness, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the courthouse door in Rutherfordton, North Carolina, at 11:00 a.m. on the 19th day of March, 2010, the land conveyed in said Deed of Trust, the same lying and being in Rutherford County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows:

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Richard E Chin aka Richard Chin, unmarried to PRLAP, INC., Trustee(s), which was dated January 4, 2007 and recorded on January 8, 2007 in Book 935 at Page 702, Rutherford County Registry, North Carolina.

The property is located in RUTHERFORD County at LOT 9 (Book 27 at Page 189 through 193) BLUE HERON POINT SUBDIVISION Lake Lure, North Carolina 28746 BEING Lot 9, 0.655 acres more or less, of Blue Heron Point Subdivision as shown on plat of survey completed by Brooks and Medlock Engineering, PLLC, dated December 21, 2005, and recorded in Plat Book 27, at Page 17, Rutherford County Registry, and revised in Plat Book 27, at Pages 189 through 193 of Rutherford County Registry, to which reference is hereby made for a more full and complete description. This sale is subject to taxes and all other prior liens of record. The high bidder at the sale will be required to deposit at the time of sale 5% of the purchase price or $750.00, whichever is greater. This the 19th day of February, 2010. /s/_____________________________ Andrea Leslie-Fite, Substitute Trustee Yelton, Farfour & Fite, PA PO Box 1329 211 South Washington Street Shelby, NC 28150 Phone: 704-482-7718 Fax: 704-482-6747 Publication Dates: 03/05/10 & 03/12/2010

A TO Z, IT’S IN THE

CLASSIFIEDS! North Carolina, Rutherford County NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 10 SP 19 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Ronald Lee Dalton, a separated man to Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, Trustee(s), which was dated September 13, 2006 and recorded on September 19, 2006 in Book 918 at Page 397, Rutherford County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Brock & Scott, PLLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on March 10, 2010 at 11:30AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Rutherford County, North Carolina, to wit: Situate, lying and being in Rutherfordton Township, Rutherford County, North Carolina and lying on the east side of State Road 1520, commonly known as Rock Road, and being all or a portion of the property as is shown in Deed Book 522, Page 113 of the Rutherford County Registry, being the property formerly owned by Rupert O. Mitchum, who was survived by his spouse, Virgie S. Mitchum who died in September 1996 and was also survived by his son, David Michael Mitchum who died in June of 1996; and being more particularly described by metes and bounds as follows: BEGINNING at a point in the centerline of State Road 1520, commonly known as Rock Road, said point being the centerline intersection point of State Road 1520 and State Road 1537, commonly known as Water Works Road; runs thence from said beginning point the following seven calls with the centerline of Rock Road: North 01º 44' 35" West 89.21 feet; North 01º 28' 05" West 29.01 feet; North 00º 14' 05" East 61.73 feet; thence North 02º 53' 38" East 89.91 feet; North 06º 40' 02" East 73.44 feet; North 10º 10' 03" East 79.83 feet; and North 12º 58' 16" East 107.53 feet; thence leaving Rock Road South 58º 16' 07" East 487.55 feet to a point in the centerline of a branch; thence with the centerline of the old southern railroad the following four calls: South 13º 08' 35" West 319.97 feet; South 11º 32' 52" West 35.35 feet; South 09º 20' 18" West 30 feet; South 07º 18' 35" West 30 feet; thence leaving the said railroad South 69º 42' 50" West 350.31 feet to a point in the center of Rock Road; thence the following five calls with the centerline of said Rock Road: North 20º 12' 58" West 36.67 feet; North 17º 12' 30" West 28.46 feet; North 13º 16' 02" West 45.34 feet; North 07º 32' 43" West 65.77 feet and North 03º 39' 36" West 86.71 feet to the point and place of BEGINNING, containing 5.76 acres, more or less, as shown on survey dated February 13, 1999 by Professional Surveying Services, Nathan Odom, Registered Land Surveyor. LESS AND EXCEPT the following 1.00 acre: Beginning at a point in the centerline of State Road 1520, commonly known as Rock Road, said point being the centerline intersecting point of State road 1520 and State Road 1537, commonly known as Water Works Road; running thence from said point the following courses with the centerline of Rock Road; (1) Length 75.00 feet, Bearing N01-38-33 W; (2) Length 5.78 feet Bearing N01-38-33W; to the POINT OF BEGINNING. Thence from the POINT OF BEGINNING as follows; with the centerline of Rock Road one course as follows, Length 35.71 feet Bearing N01-30-54 W; thence N 77-01-10 E 205.13 feet to a new iron; thence N 01-22-03 W 21.02 feet to a new iron; thence N 83-07-52 E 208.18 feet to a new iron; thence S 13-14-37 W 221.62 feet to a new iron; thence S 88-36-15 W 151.31 feet to a new iron; thence N 01-22-03 W 137.82 feet to a new iron; thence S 77-01-10 W 205.04 feet to the POINT OF BEGINNING and being more particularly described by a survey by Surveying Dimensions (2821 US Highway 64/74A, Rutherford, NC 28139) dated August 31, 2006, said survey being incorporated herein by reference for a more particular description said property containing 1 acre more or less and being part of the property as described in Deed Book 903, Page 254 as recorded in the Rutherford County, North Carolina Register of Deeds Office.

Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Brock & Scott, PLLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on March 17, 2010 at 2:30PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Rutherford County, North Carolina, to wit: Located in Rutherford County, North Carolina and being all of Lot 192, Greyrock Subdivision Phase 2A, as shown on a plat recorded in Plat Book 26, Page 117, Aforesaid County Registry, said plat being one of a series of plate recorded in Plat Book 26, Pages 114 Through 118. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as: Lot 192 on Bison Meadows Road in the Grey Rock Subdivision, Lake Lure, NC 28746 Third party purchasers must pay the excise tax, and the court costs of Forty-Five Cents (45¢) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) pursuant to NCGS 7A-308(a)(1). A cash deposit (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance "AS IS WHERE IS." There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are The 192A Grey Rock Trust. 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. The notice shall also state that 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. 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 confirmation of 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 their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Jeremy B. Wilkins, NCSB No. 32346, 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No. 09-17813-FC01, 670262 3/5, 03/12/2010

North Carolina, Rutherford County NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 10 SP 21 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Leslie G. Grene, a married man and his wife, Linda F. Grene to First State Service Corp. Trustee(s), which was dated January 26, 2005 and recorded on January 26, 2005 in Book 824 at Page 456, Rutherford County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Brock & Scott, PLLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on March 10, 2010 at 11:30AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Rutherford County, North Carolina, to wit: Situate, lying and being in Chimney Rock Township, Rutherford County, North Carolina, and being all of Lot Number 197 in Riverbend at Lake Lure, Section 5, a subdivision located in Chimney Rock Township, as recorded in Plat Book 10, at pages 76-81 of the Public Records of Rutherford County, North Carolina, to which reference is hereby made for a full and complete description. Acceptance of this deed certifies that the Grantees are the purchasers of the property shown and described herein, which is located in the subdivision jurisdiction of Rutherford County, and that they hereby accept this plan with their free consent, establish minimum building set back lines, and dedicate all streets for private use. Furthermore acceptance of this deed indicates the purchaser's knowledge that there is not any public water or sewer available to this subdivision. All water and sewer will be private. The purpose of this statement is to comply with G.S. 136-102.6. Subject to right reserved by Developer for the right, privilege and easement to enter upon, use and occupy temporarily the above referenced property for the purpose of constructing roads and drainage and for the accommodation of construction equipment, materials and excavated earth, over and across said property. Subject to all restrictions of record. Being the same and identical property which was conveyed by Ronald H. Stenberg and wife, Jane M. Stenberg TO Leslie G. Grene and wife, Linda F. Grene, by deed dated January 14, 2005 and of record in Deed Book , at Page , Rutherford County Registry. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as: 370 Rock Road, Rutherfordton, NC 28139

Said property is commonly known as: Lot 197 Pheasant Street, Lake Lure, NC 28746

Third party purchasers must pay the excise tax, and the court costs of Forty-Five Cents (45¢) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) pursuant to NCGS 7A-308(a)(1). A cash deposit (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance "AS IS WHERE IS." There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Ronald Lee Dalton.

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. The notice shall also state that 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.

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 c ounty 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. The notice shall also state that 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.

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 confirmation of 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 their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Jeremy B. Wilkins, NCSB No. 32346 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No. 08-08296-FC02, 669129 2/26, 03/05/2010

Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Jeremy B. Wilkins, NCSB No. 32346 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No. 09-25532-FC01, 669693 2/26, 03/05/2010

BUSINESS&SERVICE DIRECTORY

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, FRIDAY, March 5, 2010 — 19

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world Tragedy In India

Iraqi security forces inspect the scene where a blast killed seven people in the Hurriya neighborhood about 500 yards from a polling station, in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday. Associated Press

Voting in Iraq shattered by blasts

BAGHDAD (AP) — A string of deadly blasts shattered an early round of voting in Iraq Thursday, killing 17 people and highlighting the fragile nature of the country’s security gains ahead of crucial parliamentary elections this Sunday. Iraq security forces were out in full force, trying to protect early voters in an election that will determine who will lead the country through the crucial period of the U.S. troop drawdown and help decide whether the country can overcome its deep sectarian divisions. But three explosions — a rocket attack and two suicide bombings — showed the ability of insurgents to carry out bloody attacks. They have promised to disrupt the voting with violence. “Terrorists wanted to hamper the elections, thus they started to blow themselves up in the streets,” said Deputy Interior Minister Ayden Khalid Qader, responsible for election-related security across the country. Thursday’s voting was for those who might not be able to get to the polls Sunday. The vast

majority of early voters were the Iraqi police and military who will be working election day — when the rest of the country votes — to enforce security. Others voting included detainees, hospital patients and medical workers. A spokesman for the Independent High Electoral Commission, Muhammad Al-Amjad, said about 800,000 people were eligible to vote Thursday, although he had no figures on how many actually cast ballots. Many of the blast victims were believed to be security personnel, targeted by suicide bombers who hit police and soldiers lined up to vote. Convoys of army trucks and minibuses ferried soldiers and security personnel to and from polling stations. Many stores were shuttered, and normally crowded streets were nearly empty, as people stayed home on a holiday. About 19 million of Iraq’s estimated 28 million people are eligible to vote in the elections, and Iraqi expatriates can cast ballots

in 16 countries around the world. In the first attack, a Katyusha rocket killed seven people in the Hurriyah neighborhood about 500 yards (meters) from a closed polling station, police said. The second attack hit the upscale Mansour neighborhood, where a suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest near a group of soldiers lining up at a polling station, killing six and wounding 18, police said. The blast left a small crater in the middle of the street, and debris from the explosion splattered around the crater. Pools of blood and burnt human flesh littered the ground along with broken glass, rubble from buildings and the remnants of shops signs. In the third blast, another suicide bomber blew himself up near policemen waiting to vote in the Bab al-Muadham neighborhood in central Baghdad, killing four people and wounding 14 others, according to police and hospital officials. All the officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

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Associated Press

An Indian police officer surveys the scene as shoes and sandals are seen after a stampede at a temple in Kunda, 180 kilometers (112 miles) southeast of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh state, India, Thursday. Scores of people were killed and dozens of others injured in the stampede that broke out Thursday as thousands of people jostled each other to get free clothes and utensils being distributed during a religious function at the temple in north India, officials said.

World Today Another Afghan Taliban in custody ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s intelligent agents have arrested a senior Afghan Taliban commander, officials said Thursday, the latest move in a crackdown against the insurgent network in Pakistan. Agha Jan Mohtasim, a former finance minister for the Taliban before the U.S-led invasion in 2001, was detained in the southern city of Karachi, two intelligence officials said. They did not say when the arrest was made, and spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to give their names to the media. Pakistan and Afghan officials have said at least four other Afghan Taliban leaders have been arrested in Pakistan in recent weeks, including the No. 2 leader of the movement, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. The arrests have been hailed by U.S. officials and many analysts as a major blow to the Taliban in Afghanistan, though they caution that the group has rebounded from the death or detention of previous leaders.

Court orders retrial in singer killing CAIRO (AP) — An Egyptian court has ordered a retrial for an Egyptian real estate mogul who was convicted and sentenced to death for the killing of a Lebanese pop star. The court on Thursday overturned a previous conviction on procedural grounds and ordered a retrial for Hisham Talaat Moustafa. The Egyptian tycoon was sentenced to death last May after being convicted of paying a retired Egyptian police officer $2 million to kill 30-yearold Suzanne Tamim, while she was in Dubai in July 2008. Moustafa and Tamim were lovers. The case has captivated the Arab public.

Reasons of Knox verdict released ROME (AP) — The brutal murder of a British college student in Italy by American Amanda Knox and her former Italian boyfriend was not premeditated, the judges who convicted them said in a document released Thursday. Instead, the killing occurred spontaneously after what began as a sexual assault on Meredith Kercher, a 21-year-old Briton, the judges said.

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HOSPICE

Hospice, in the earliest days, was a care in the United States is given in the concept rooted in the centuries-old idea home, with a family member or members of offering a place of shelter and rest, or serving as the main hands-on caregiver. Rutherford County is fortunate to “hospitality” to weary and sick travelers on a long journey. Dame Cicely Saunders have an excellent hospice program that at St. Christopher’s Hospice in London first has provided care to many families in applied the term “hospice” to specialized our community. Hospice of Rutherford County not only provides excellent care care for dying patients in 1967. Hospice is a philosophy of care. The but has a world class facility that the hospice philosophy recognizes death as community can be proud of. Community the final stage of life and seeks to enable support is important to the maintenance patients to continue an alert, pain-free of this exemplary program. Donations life and to manage other symptoms so may be sent to P.O. Box 336, Forest City, that their last days may be spent with NC or those wishing to volunteer may call dignity and quality, surrounded by their 245-0095. loved ones. Hospice affirms life and does “Quality Service with not hasten or postpone death. Hospice Compassionate Care” care treats the person rather than the disease; it highlights quality rather than length of life. It provides family-centered care involving the patient and family in making decisions. 1251 hwy. 221-a, Hospice care can be given in the forest city, nc patient’s home, a hospital, nursing home, or private hospice facility. Most hospice (828) 657-6383

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