daily courier march 25 2010

Reward offered in ABC Store robbery — Page 5 Sports Battle tested Duke’s Kyle Singler has the scars to prove just how hard he plays the game

Page 7

Thursday, March 25, 2010, Forest City, N.C.

NATION

More people are doing their own taxes

By SCOTT BAUGHMAN Daily Courier Staff Writer

FOREST CITY — The number of Americans using tax-preparers has dropped, according to a national report.

But Rutherford County’s agents say they haven’t seen a huge drop.

As the economy continues to be sluggish, nationally the trend is for people to

European debt fears stall stock market rally

50¢

prepare their own taxes at home using software or Web sites like TuboTax. USA Today reported that nationally H&R Block has seen about a 9 percent drop in sales while Jackson Hewitt has seen an 18 percent drop.

Numbers are down in Rutherford County, but preparers say it is because so many in Rutherford County don’t have to

file a tax return for 2009.

“The biggest thing we’ve seen in the county as a whole is people not required to file,” said James Harris, manager of the Forest City and Spindale offices of H&R Block. “Our filing is consistent, but we see people who have no income

Pet center plans are developing

Serious lessons

Page 13

SPORTS

By SCOTT BAUGHMAN Daily Courier Staff Writer

Isothermal Community College students took part in the sixth annual Alcohol Awareness Event held on the campus Wednesday.

Courses and activities were set up to simulate the experience of operating a vehicle while having a blood alcohol level over the legal limit.

Johnson enters Martinsville red hot, again Page 7

GAS PRICES

Garrett Byers/ Daily Courier

Low: High: Avg.:

$2.71 $2.81 $2.76

DEATHS Rutherfordton

Vaughn Edwards

Forest City

Martha Harrill

Elsewhere

Willena McKinney Therman Tipton Page 5

Please see Taxes, Page 6

Students get DWI class

By ALLISON FLYNN Daily Courier Staff Writer

SPINDALE – There were 85 alcohol-related crashes in Rutherford County in 2008 – one of which was a fatality – according to the North Carolina Alcohol Facts Web site.

On Wednesday, Isothermal Community College hosted an alcohol awareness event to provide information to students on the risks of drinking and then getting behind

the wheel of a car. The event, held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., was sponsored by the college’s Student Government Association, the college’s Career Center, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department and the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Governor’s Highway Safety Program.

This year marks the sixth the college has Please see DWI, Page 3

RUTHERFORDTON — Planning continues for the new Rutherford County Animal Shelter and Community Pet Center, and the latest design may include using the crematorium to provide hot water for the building.

Members of the Animal Shelter Building Committee met Wednesday morning at the current facility on Laurel Hill Road and heard from Steve Crisp a specialist with Biomass Marketing on the process of using the carcasses to fuel the hot water.

“It is a gasification process,” Crisp said. “It is a way of using this heat for the water. At first, you might not be able to do it for the whole building, but over time you may.”

The gasification process isn’t the same as using an incinerator or crematorium to dispose of carcasses.

The waste is loaded into a hearth type system where it is super-heated gradually until reduced to a highly flammable gas. This gas is then piped into another chamber where it will combust and be burned off to heat the next carcass placed in the hearth chamber. Eventually, the design shows the machine will generate more heat than needed, with the excess being used for water heating.

The committee also discussed some tips for a new facility following a trip to Union County’s center.

Lynne Faltraco gave an update on the group’s visits.

“We met their sheriff and he was one of the driving factors for having this complex built in Union County,” Faltraco said. “And it is a complex, they have many offices and sheriff’s buildings there, so it is similar to what we have in mind for Daniel Road.”

Faltraco said the kennel set up was well done with no smells and low noise. The Union County group emphasizes cleaning with simple chemicals to help better care for the animals. She also said the square Please see Center, Page 6

WEATHER

High

Students do e-books for kids

Low

68 51

By ALLISON FLYNN Daily Courier Staff Writer

Today, mostly cloudy. Tonight, showers likely.

Complete forecast, Page 10

INSIDE Classifieds . . . 18-19 Sports . . . . . . . . 7-9 County scene . . . . 6 Opinion . . . . . . . . 4 Vol. 42, No. 72

Garrett Byers/Daily Courier

Students in Matt Tiller’s Spanish II class at East Rutherford High School Wednesday presented their Spanish children’s e-books via a Web cast to elementary students at Sunshine, Forest CityDunbar and Ellenboro Elementary Schools. The presentation was suggested by East Principal Tony Smith.

Now on the Web: www.thedigitalcourier.com

FOREST CITY – Students in Matt Tiller’s Spanish II class at East Rutherford High School got to share their Spanish children’s e-book project with elementary students in Rutherford County Schools Wednesday.

Students began work on the assignment – a children’s electronic book – in February, Tiller said.

“The assignment was, it had to be a children’s story and appropriate for school and use the preterite and imperfect indicative tenses,” Tiller said. “They worked on this while doing their regular school work.”

Please see Students, Page 6

2

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Thursday, March 25, 2010

State/Nation

BoA takes rare step to help troubled borrowers

CHARLOTTE (AP) — Bank of America Corp. is giving some of its most troubled mortgage borrowers relief from the threat of foreclosure.

The bank, the largest mortgage servicer in the country, said Wednesday it will forgive up to 30 percent of some customers’ total mortgage balance. The homeowners must have missed at least two months of mortgage payments and owe at least 20 percent more than their home is currently worth.

The plan is the newest provision of an agreement the Charlotte, N.C.-based bank reached 18 months ago with state attorneys general to settle charges over high-risk loans made by Countrywide Financial Corp.

The loans were made before Bank of America acquired the mortgage lender in mid2008. The bank has since stopped making those loans.

Although the motivation for Bank of America’s announcement was to resolve legal problems, it has the potential of putting pressure on other banks to also forgive principal on loans that are in danger of failing. Bank of America is the nation’s largest bank, and it’s among the first to take a systematic approach to reducing mortgage principal when home values drop well below the amount owed.

The Treasury Department, which already has a mortgage modification program, is developing similar plans for principal reductions at other mortgage servicers, according to industry officials speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the conversations. They said an announcement could come in the next few months.

“They’re talking about doing something and talking seriously about it,” Julia Gordon, senior policy counsel at the Center for Responsible

Associated Press

In this Jan. 19 file photo, a branch office of Bank of America is shown in New York. Bank of America is taking a major step to help some of its most troubled mortgage borrowers. The bank said Wednesday it will forgive up to 30 percent of some customers’ loan principal.

Lending, a consumer group, said of Treasury officials.

“I think the concern now is fairness and making sure that the public understands the importance of principal reductions toward stabilizing the housing market and helping everybody.”

Bank of America estimates that about 45,000 customers will qualify for its plan. The offer will cut total reduced principal by about $3 billion.

Some banks said they have already reduced principal on some mortgages. Wells Fargo & Co. said Wednesday it has modified more than 52,000 adjustable-rate mortgages that it inherited through its acquisition of Wachovia Corp. in late 2008. As of the fourth quarter, the bank also had reduced the principal on those mortgages by more than $2.6 billion.

Citigroup Inc. would not say whether it planned a similar program, but it did issue a statement that said in part,

“Citi does reduce principal for borrowers on a case-bycase basis after other options to address affordability are exhausted.”

A spokeswoman from JPMorgan Chase & Co. declined to comment on whether it planned a similar program.

Bank of America’s announcement came as another report pointed to continuing problems in the housing market. The government said new home sales dropped to a record low last month, a day after the National Association of Realtors said sales previously occupied homes also fell in February, the third straight monthly decline.

Millions of homes have gone into foreclosure since the housing market collapsed in late 2007. The loans affected by Bank of America’s announcement include certain subprime and option adjustable rate mort-

Rutherford County Schools

Kindergarten Registration In Progress

State law requires that children be five years of age on or before August 31, 2010 to enroll.

Where: All RCS Elementary Schools When: What:

gages. Option ARMs allow borrowers to start with minimal monthly payments that actually increase the loan’s balance.

The borrowers who can take advantage of the Bank of America program must also qualify for the Obama administration’s $75 billion mortgage loan modification program.

The program announced Wednesday could lower the bank’s earnings, which have already been hurt by consumers’ continuing defaults on mortgage and credit card loans. Bank of America was among the hardest hit by the credit crisis and recession.

It’s not clear how big a financial hit Bank of America will take by reducing mortgages. But the move will likely be less costly than having homeowners walk out on their mortgages or opt to do a short sale, banking analyst Bert Ely said. A short sale happens when a seller

owes more than the house is worth, and the lender is willing to accept less than the mortgage balance.

“This is about loss minimization,” Ely said. “There’s going to be losses (for Bank of America). The question is what’s the easiest way out.”

The plan does carry risks.

For starters, borrowers who aren’t 60 days behind on their mortgages may stop making payments so they can qualify. The more borrowers who try to qualify, the bigger the potential loss for Bank of America. The bank will also have to absorb the costs of renegotiating the loans.

Even so, “the move helps create the best prospect of avoiding a further downward home price spiral, which would result in even deeper losses” for the bank, said Howard Glaser, a mortgage industry consultant.

Investors appeared pleased with the news, and sent Bank of America shares up 44 cents, or 2.6 percent, to close Wednesday at $17.57.

According to new plan, which begins in May, Bank of America will first offer to set aside a portion of the principal balance, interest free. That principal can be forgiven over five years, if homeowners don’t miss any payments. The maximum decrease in principal will be 30 percent.

The forgiveness allows a homeowner to bring a mortgage balance back down to 100 percent of the home’s value, the bank said.

Glaser said that if the Obama administration launches a similar effort for the entire industry, that would be a “major shift in loan modification efforts.”

Lenders including Bank of America have been criticized for not helping enough borrowers to complete the Obama administration’s $75 billion mortgage modification program.

Governor begins Medicaid fraud, waste effort

Right Here in the Foothills Clothing for Women Vanilia pants, Pure handknit sweaters, Tyler Boe sweaters and tees, Barbour for Women, Foxcroft blouses, Grace Chuang jackets, scarves, jewelry and accessories from around the world and much, much more…

Clothing for Men Peter Millar, Alex Cannon, Bill’s Khakis, Berle trousers, MINE shirts, Southern Tide, Barbour for Men, Bimini Bay, jeans, tees, sweatshirts, accessories and much more… (and coming for Fall Beretta USA) And, a chance to save

86 N. Trade St. Tryon, NC 828.859.9962

Redeem this ad for Morris Bucks® to spend in the store (because in these economic times we think everyone needs a break)

…The Look Of The Foothills HOURS: M- F 10-6; SAT 10-4; SUN 1-4

See Our Classified Ads On The Web At:

www.thedigitalcourier.com

RALEIGH (AP) — Gov. Beverly Perdue says it’s time for North Carolina to enter the technological age when it comes to curbing fraud and abuse of the state’s $10 billion Medicaid program.

Perdue announced on Wednesday the state’s Medicaid office has started using a computer program designed to review Medicaid files to determine whether patients or physicians are gaming the system. The effort requires scanning untold pages of paper documents.

Health and Human Services Secretary Lanier Cansler said the effort won’t require a large state investment since program provider IBM will get paid based on what is recovered.

Regular School Hours

Your Child’s Birth Certificate, Social Security Number, and immunization Records

IT’S THE LAW!

A physical exam and required immunizations should be completed prior to the beginning of school. Don’t wait until the last minute!

Schedule a physical exam and immunizations NOW.

Register NOW and BE READY for Kindergarten Orientation on April 29 from 4:00-6:00 PM. For more information, contact the elementary school in your school attendance district, or call Rutherford County Schools at 245-0252, Ext. 132

Get up to

160

$

by Mail-In Rebate2 when you purchase a set of four select Goodyear tires on the Goodyear Credit Card.

Hurry in! Offer ends April 2, 20101.

See Retailer for complete details

Offer ends April 3, 2010.

Ask Retailer for details.

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Thursday, March 25, 2010 — 3

local

It only took a few seconds, but students who experienced the Seat Belt Convincer Simulator (top left) got to truly feel the force of an automobile collision. Simulated Field Sobriety tests (bottom left) were set up to give students a feel for trying to maintain mobility while under the influence of alcohol.

Garrett Byers/Daily Courier

DWI Continued from Page 1

presented the event, said Ruth Colnot, student activities coordinator at Isothermal.

“The reason for the event is to provide alcohol and drunk driving awareness,” Colnot said.

The event is usually held in conjunction with National Alcohol Screening Day, which is April 8. It was held early this year because the college will be on spring break that day, she said.

Students start by filling out a survey that asks about their alcohol use – such as how often they drink and if their drinking has begun to interfere with their everyday lives. Surveys are done anonymously, Colnot said, but can be used to refer students to a counselor.

“Last year we had maybe one student who had enough of a problem to need to speak to a counselor,” Colnot said.

Certified substance abuse counselors were on hand during the event to speak with anyone who needed their service, said Kimberly Snyder, a counselor in the college’s Career Center. Snyder is responsible for bringing the event to Isothermal; she took part in similar events at Gardner-Webb University.

Students could take part in several different activities throughout the day, including driving a golf cart through a course set up by orange traffic cones with Fatal Vision

*MARCh 25Th ON

Be There Thursday, March 25 from 5-7PM

Come Party With Us And Enjoy: • DOOR PRIZES! • GREAT FOOD! • MUSIC! • TONS OF FUN!

The firsT 100 guesTs receive a free gifT!

Free Basketball

with purchase of a new or used vehicle!

Mad March Sale AT

SAVINGS! Financing as low as months or rebates up to

0%

for 60

$5,500

New 2009 GMC

Sierra Trucks New 2010 GMC

Acadia

New 2009 GMC

Yukon Hybrid

New 2010 Buick

Lucerne

Our Largest Selection of Used Cars, Trucks and SUvs Ever!

www.mccurry-deck.com

www.mccurry-deck.com

Celebrate Our 22nd Birthday with Us.

www.mccurry-deck.com

LIFESTyLE IS 22 yEARS yOUNG! CENTS!* JOIN FOR ONLy 22 Ly*

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

www.mccurry-deck.com

www.mccurry-deck.com

BirtHday!

Byers said between 150 and 160 students took part in the activities.

Last year, Colnot said, around 100 took part.

“We want it to truly be a sobering event,” she said. “We do hope it might serve as a wake up call.”

www.mccurry-deck.com

Happy

beer goggles on. The goggles, said Isothermal Campus Enforcement Officer Christopher Byers, varied in strength to replicate what it would be like to drive drunk.

“The driving course is to show that with your motor skills impaired, how difficult it is to operate a motor vehicle,” Byers said.

Driving the course with the goggles and hitting the cones, Byers said, served as a gentle reminder of the ramifications associated with driving drunk.

“We tell them, ‘The cone you just hit was a child,’” he said. “It brings in the psychological impact.”

Harley Bradley, an R-S Central High School student enrolled in a criminal justice course at Isothermal, drove the course.

“I only hit one cone and I couldn’t parallel park,” Bradley said. “In the other simulator, I hit a deer and a car.”

Students at Rutherford Early College High School took part as well as other students on the campus.

The event was beneficial for all ages, Snyder said, because it would help dispel any myths associated with drinking and driving.

4

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Thursday, March 25, 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 Housing mess not going quietly

T

he latest news on the nation’s housing industry is not good.

Homes sales nationwide hit a record low in February, foreclosures continue at record setting paces and home values continue to be in jeopardy.

These problems are not going to help as business and political leaders seek to keep an economic recovery in motion.

The mess that was created in the housing industry with the free-wheeling and dealing days that led to the collapse of the market and eventually led to the wider recession is not going to be easily cleaned up.

Even if the economy continues to grow, the problems created by the shattered housing bubble will linger.

The efforts that are being made to help troubled mortgage holders are just not going to be enough.

What we are faced with now is that home values are shaky and will continue to be that way for a while as the banks and government agencies work through the mess. Some progress has been made and some new efforts have been launched.

But it is going to take a bit longer for confidence to return and for value to stabilize, and until that happens, the housing problem will be a dark shadow hovering over our economic recovery.

Our readers’ views Responds to writer on school lawsuit letter To the editor: In response to J. Treehorn’s letter and in reference to the statute I quoted, I plainly stated that “there is a difference between appropriations and funding.”

I am not advocating “for the other side.”

I think it’s unfortunate that some people believe this is an issue to be handled on a personal level instead of sticking to the real issues and the impact of this lawsuit.

I will leave it up to the court system to interpret the law. If the law is interpreted differently than it was intended, I am confident that our state legislators will amend the statute to prevent any confusion in the future.

I am unclear as to what the Monty Python show or the color of the sky has to do with this lawsuit.

Furthermore, I am personally only interested in the opinions of Rutherford County taxpayers and students who reside in Rutherford County.

I also lived out west for 10 years, but I am home now and I pay my share of taxes in Rutherford County.

Those who question my intelligence do not bother me. I had much rather have my intelligence questioned than my ethics.

Mr. Buck Petty could not have said it any better when he said that TJCA and its lawyers may find a way to make it legal, but they will never make it right.

Betsy Lane Rutherfordton

Says health care reform battle is not over To the editor: Health Care Reform isn’t over yet. Republicans will still mess it

up if they can find a way. Not one Republican in the House voted for the Bill.

(Patrick) McHenry (R) 10th district and Heath Shuler (D) 11th District both voted against the bill.

When it is finished, 32 million more Americans will have health insurance. Health care is a right and should never be considered a privilege.

I have no idea how this will play politically. However, I do know that it is the right thing to do. It is the moral thing to do. I think God smiled after the vote.

How were we so selfish to wait till now to do something? This is a big step for America and one we can be proud of. Pundits are now talking about who this is a big win for: the President, the speaker; I contend it is a big win for folks who were without health care.

Ray Crawford Rutherfordton

Says health care vote was total arrogance To the editor: With our economy mired in high unemployment and unsustainably high levels of federal and personal debt, the solution of our President and Democratic Congress is a massive new entitlement.

It will be funded initially through a $500 billion tax increase, burdening every job creator, and $500 billion in cuts to Medicare, a program already spiraling to bankruptcy. These irresponsible actions have placed an enormous burden on future generations.

Instead of attempting to address the specific problems within our excellent health care system, as the Republicans’ bills did, a massive new bureaucracy is being created that is more about power

and redistribution of wealth than improving health care.

Tort reform, increasing competition for insurance companies, and the tax on unions’ “Cadillac plans” are off limits — because unions are the largest contributors to the Democratic party and are calling the shots.

Andy Stern, the president of SEIU, has visited the White House in Obama’s first year more than any other leader. Imagine the outrage from Democrats and the media if the president of Halliburton had made that many visits to the Bush White House.

We have seen bribes, payoffs and special deals. And how did they respond when these deals were revealed? They eliminated the Nebraska bribe, but kept most of the others, and tried to sneak though at least two new ones (North Dakota and Tennessee).

Never before has there been such contempt and disdain for the American people. Even with all these deals, they had to resort to a reconciliation vote, never before utilized on a major social legislation bill. And, they had to hurry a vote on a Sunday before Easter break so lawmakers don’t have to face their constituents. This is an affront to our representative form of government founded on the principal of elected individuals representing the people.

There have been months of huge protests across the country with polls decidedly indicating disapproval for their plan. Their response is that they are “doing what’s best for the country.” We are assured we will like this bill “once we see what’s in it” — a direct Pelosi quote.

Is this the change we can believe in? It is total arrogance. The only thing they’ll understand is voting them all out of office. Let’s take a major step in that direction this November.

Bill Saer Rutherfordton

Froggy’s adventure brings a mom’s reality home Around 20 years ago, my family went on vacation. I can’t really remember where or even exactly when, but what stands out in my mind is that Mama thought she’d lost Puffy.

Puffy was my sister, Laura’s, beloved stuffed animal. Where Laura went, Puffy went too.

On the fateful vacation, something happened so that Puffy was briefly misplaced.

And my mama was upset with a capital U. Fortunately, Puffy was located. (And now is so worn from being loved for so many years, Puffy lives in a Ziploc bag in Laura’s closet.)

I remember at the time thinking my mom was freaking out for no reason.

Fast forward to last Friday night.

At approximately 8:30 last

Total Mom Sense Allison Flynn

Friday night, my household was in absolute chaos in search of Nathan’s beloved Mr. Froggy.

Froggy has been Nathan’s best buddy since his first birthday, when he picked him out of a lineup of other stuffed animals at the Builda-Bear Workshop in Myrtle Beach. They’ve been inseparable ever since.

But on Friday night, Froggy was nowhere to be found.

Mentally, I started to retrace my steps. I’d picked Nathan up from preschool

and headed to the grocery store for steaks to grill for supper. I didn’t remember Froggy falling out of the van, but as it was a possibility, Stephen raced to the phone to call the store.

No Froggy.

I ran back to the van and tore through it, hoping maybe Froggy was buried under the other pile of toys that hang out back there.

No Froggy.

Back into the house, I turned the laundry room upside down and searched back through Nathan’s bedroom.

No Froggy.

Frantic, I asked Laura to read Nathan his bedtime story and began to send text messages to the preschool director to see if there was any way possible to go back

inside and check for Froggy.

Flashlight in hand, off we went to try and peer through the windows to see if we could see Froggy.

We drove through the grocery store parking lot and even checked inside to see if by any chance Froggy had been turned in. Not having the most faith in the human race’s ability to turn in my sweet baby boy’s best friend, I told Stephen I feared we were in for some pretty tough talks ahead explaining how the frog had leapt out of our lives.

Froggy wasn’t at the store, so back to preschool we headed.

The director agreed to let us in, and we dashed in, hoping by some miracle Froggy was in Nathan’s cubby.

He wasn’t.

My heart sinking, tears filling my eyes, I just happened to glance in the next classroom and saw one chubby Froggy foot sticking out from another stack of cubbies.

Clutching him to my chest like he were my own, I cried to have finally found Froggy, safe and sound.

All the way home and inside the house, I snuggled Froggy, excited Nathan wouldn’t be without his friend.

Nathan was sound asleep, peacefully breathing in and out when we got there. His little arms empty, I wrapped them around Froggy and kissed his head good night.

Maybe Mama wasn’t so crazy after all.

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

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Thursday, March 25, 2010

—

5

Local/Obituaries

Obituaries

THE GRASS MOWERS

Martha Harrill

Jean Gordon/Daily Courier

Kimberly Dennis (left) and Heather Kesterson spent Wednesday afternoon on their jobs with Forest City Housing Authority where they are the grounds technicians. They are the authority’s only female grounds keepers and were cutting the lawns near Oak Street extension. Dennis has been on the job for 2 1/2 years and said Kesterson was hired this year to join the grounds keeping department, using Stimulus Funds.

Reward offered in ABC robbery

FOREST CITY — A $1,000 reward is being offered to anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who robbed the ABC store on Oak Street in Forest City on March 12, said Assistant Police Chief Bob Ward.

The reward money is coming from ABC funds and Crimestoppers.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact the Forest City Police Department at 2455555 or the Tip Line at (828)

245-7771 or mytip@forestcitypd.com or the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department.

According to police, at about 8 p.m. March 12, a suspect described as a black male who is 5 feet, 10 inches to 6 feet tall entered the ABC store.

He was wearing a dark coat with a hood, blue jeans and tan boots.

Another customer was in the store when the robber entered, so the suspect waited for that customer to

leave before he walked up to the counter with a bottle, set it down and then came around the counter holding a gun and took money from the two cash registers.

The two female employees who were in the store at the time were told to leave the store and walk toward Oak Street.

The robber then left in the direction of Hardin Road.

The store clerks flagged down passing motorists to report the robbery.

IPDC planner offers safety tips for motorists and pedestrians From Staff Reports

FOREST CITY — The regional planner for Isothermal Planning Development Commission expressed condolences Wednesday afternoon regarding the death of pedestrian Robert McEntire, Tuesday morning on U.S. 74A, Forest City.

Planner Josh King said, the Isothermal Regional Planning Office has been working throughout the region to make walking safer.

“The Isothermal RPO will work with NCDOT and the Town of Forest City to see what can be done at the intersection in the future,” King said in a statement.

“Even when improvements can be made, education may be our best defense against future pedestrian incidents.”

King submitted these tips from the UNC Highway Safety Research Center:

Tips for Pedestrians

n Be predictable. Stay off freeways and restricted zones. Use sidewalks where provided. Cross or enter

streets where it is legal to do so. n Where no sidewalks are provided, it is usually safer to walk facing road traffic. n Make it easy for drivers to see you — dress in light colors and wear retro-reflective material. It might be wise to carry a flashlight in very dark areas. n Be wary. Most drivers are nice people, but don’t count on them paying attention.

Watch out - make eye contact to be sure they see you! n Alcohol and drugs can impair your ability to walk safely, just like they do a person’s ability to drive. n Use extra caution when crossing multiple-lane, higher speed streets.

Tips for Drivers n You can encounter pedestrians anytime and anywhere — even in places where they are not supposed to be found. n Pedestrians can be very hard to see — especially in bad weather or at night. You must keep a lookout and slow down if you can’t see clearly. n When entering a crosswalk area, drive slowly and

RUTHERFORDTON —Rebecca Marie Martin of Green Street received a traffic citation Monday night after she ran off the road while traveling on Green Street and struck a fire hydrant owned by the Broad River Water Authority.

She was not injured, but damage to the fire hydrant was estimated at $1,000 and to her 2010 Kia at $800.

She told Sgt. J.J. Padgett her dog was in the vehicle and she was trying to deal with it when she ran off the road and hit the hydrant.

She received a safe movement citation.

Sheriff’s Reports

n The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department responded to 173 E-911 calls Tuesday. n An employee at White Oak Manor reported the theft of money, credit cards and debit cards after a burglary

and forcible entry into the building. n Dessie Chapman reported the larceny of currency.

Department responded to 15 E-911 calls Tuesday.

Spindale

Citations

n The Rutherfordton Police

n The Spindale Police

Department responded to 23 E-911 calls Tuesday.

Lake Lure n Lake Lure Police Department responded to 11 E-911 calls Tuesday.

Forest City n The Forest City Police

Department responded to 68 E-911 calls Tuesday. n An employee of Wal-Mart reported an incident of shoplifting, concealment and second degree trespassing. (See Wilson arrest).

An employee of Charles Watkins Automobile reported a lost/stolen tag.

Vaughn Edwards Vaughn E. Edwards, 87, of Rutherfordton, died Wednesday, March 24, 2010, at White Oak Manor, Rutherfordton.

Arrangements are incomplete and be announced by McMahan’s Funeral Home.

Willena McKinney

Rev. Therman Tipton

n Eunice Cooper reported a dog attack. n An employee of Camp Electric Co. reported a felony larceny of copper wire at the construction site of Crestview Baptist Church. n An employee of Smith’s Drug reported a forged prescription.

Rutherfordton

Online condolences www.padgettking.com.

Willena Costner McKinney, 83, of Spartanburg, S.C., died Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at her residence.

Born in Avondale, she was a daughter of the late Joe H. and Metal Fite Costner, and be prepared to stop. n Stop for pedestrians who also preceded in death by her husband, Felix A. McKinney are in a crosswalk, even if Jr. it is not marked. When you She was a member of the stop for a pedestrian in a Baptist church and worked crosswalk, stop well back at Belk, Ivey’s, and Dillard’s so that drivers in the other lanes can also see the pedes- throughout the years.

She is survived by her son, trian in time to stop.

Trent McKinney, and daughn Do not overtake and pass ter, Felicia McKinney, both of other vehicles stopped for Pauline, S.C.; a sister, Wanda pedestrians.

C. Robbins of Spartanburg; n When you are turning, and a brother, Joe Dean you often will have to wait for a “gap” in traffic. Beware Costner of Green Creek.

Cryptside services will that while you are watching be held at 2 p.m. Friday for that “gap,” pedestrians at Greenlawn Memorial may have moved into your Gardens Mausoleum intended path.

Complex conducted by the n Be especially attentive around schools and in neigh- Rev. Dr. P. Randall Wright. borhoods where children are The family will receive friends following the service active. at the cryptside.

Memorials may be made “As the warmer weather approaches please keep these to SRMC Hospice Special Needs Fund, 120 Heywood tips in mind, and let’s work Ave., Suite 300, Spartanburg, together to make our roads SC 29302. safer for everyone,” King The family is at their said. respective homes.

For more information Floyd’s North Church Street please contact King at Chapel, Spartanburg, is in Isothermal Planning and charge of arrangements.

Development Commission or send an email: :jking@ regionc.org” jking@regionc.

Online condolences www.floydmortuary.com. org or call 287-2281.

Police Notes Woman’s car slams into a fire hydrant

Martha Hope Harrill, 84, of Elizabeth Ave., Forest City, died Wednesday, March 24, 2010, at Fairhaven Home, where she was a resident.

Born in Forest City, she was a daughter of Hope and Willie Lou Hardin Harrill.

She was a homemaker and lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Forest City.

Mrs. Harrill was a graduate of Cool Springs High School and also preceded in death by her husband, James Roy Harrill.

She is survived by cousins, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at The Padgett and King Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Barry K. Keys officiating. Visitation will follow the service at the mortuary. Interment will be private in the Cool Springs Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 211 West Main St., Forest City, NC 28043; or to Hospice of Rutherford County, P.O. Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043.

n Jaqualynn Bates Wilson, 27, of W.V. Thompson Road, Rutherfordton, was cited for second-degree trespass and larceny; she received a written promise to appear.

(FCPD)

EMS n Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services responded to 28E-911 calls and rescue crews responded to fourcalls.

Fire Calls n Forest City firefighters responded to an industrial fire alarm and a motor vehicle accident.

The Rev. Therman Briscoe Tipton, 79, of Hartselle, Ala., died Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at Decatur General Hospital.

Born is North Carolina, he was a son of the late Earnest 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.

Geter Tipton and Bessie Ann Dills Tipton.

He was a minister and a member of Victory Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Lillie R. Tipton; one son, Therman A. Tipton of Moulton, Ala.; three daughters, Nanette Luna of New Braunfels, Tex., Sybil Kincaid of Shelby, and Rebecca Stewart of Hartselle, Ala.; 20 grandchildren; 22 greatgrandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Saturday at Peck Funeral Home Chapel in Hartselle with the Rev. Chuck Oden officiating. Burial will follow in the Hartselle City Cemetery.

Visitation is Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home.

Deaths Robert Culp LOS ANGELES (AP) — Robert Culp, the actor who teamed with Bill Cosby in the racially groundbreaking TV series “I Spy” and was Bob in the critically acclaimed sex comedy Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, died Wednesday after collapsing outside his Hollywood home, his agent said. Culp was 79.

Los Angeles police Lt. Robert Binder said no foul play was suspected. Binder said a jogger found Culp, who apparently fell and struck his head.

Culp had been working on writing screenplays, Elkins said.

“I Spy,” which aired from 1965 to 1968, was a television milestone in more ways than one. Its combination of humor and adventure broke new ground, and it was the first integrated television show to feature a black actor in a starring role.

Culp played Kelly Robinson, a spy whose cover was that of an ace tennis player.

(In real life, Culp actually was a top-notch tennis player who showed his skills in numerous celebrity tournaments.). Cosby was fellow spy Alexander Scott, whose cover was that of Culp’s trainer.

The series greatly advanced the careers of both actors.

He followed “I Spy” with his most prestigious film role, in Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice.

The work of first-time director Paul Mazursky, who also co-wrote the screenplay, it lampooned the lifestyles of the sexual revolution of the 1960s.

Culp also had starring roles in such films as The Castaway Cowboy, Golden Girl, Turk 182! and Big Bad Mama II.

Willena Costner McKinney Willena Costner McKinney, 83, of Spartanburg, SC, passed away on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at her residence. Born March 3, 1927, in Avondale, NC, she was the daughter of the late Joe H. and Metal Fite Costner and the wife of the late Felix A. McKinney, Jr. She was a member of the Baptist Church and a devoted wife, mother, and sister.

She was a valued employee at Belk, Ivey’s, and Dillard’s throughout the years.

Mrs. McKinney is survived by her son and his wife, Trent and Betty McKinney, and her daughter, Felicia McKinney, all of Pauline, SC; her sister, Wanda C. Robbins of Spartanburg, SC; and her brother and his wife, Joe Dean and Francine Costner of Green Creek, NC. Cryptside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 26, 2010, at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens Mausoleum Complex conducted by the Rev. Dr. P. Randall Wright.

The family will receive friends following the service at the cryptside.

In remembrance of Willena, memorials may be made to SRMC Hospice Special Needs Fund, 120 Heywood Avenue, Suite 300, Spartanburg, SC 29302.

The family is at their respective homes.

An online guest register is available at: www.floydmortuary.com Floyd’s North Church Street Chapel, Spartanburg, SC is in charge of arrangements.

Paid obit.

6

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Thursday, March 25, 2010

Calendar/Local

Camp gets $250,000 foundation grant

By JEAN GORDON Daily Courier Staff Writer

Meetings/other Regular meeting: RutherfordPolk-McDowell District Board of Health will meet Tuesday, March 30, 7 p.m., Rutherford County Health Department, 221 CallahanKoon Road; open to the public.

Miscellaneous Spring Fling: Friday, March 26, 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.; Rutherfordton Elementary School; games, inflatables, Bingo, cake walk, sand art, food and lots more.

Easter egg hunt, picnic: For special needs children and adults; Saturday, March 27, 1 to 5 p.m., at Crestview Park, Rutherfordton; sponsored by Ken and Diane Dellinger.

Fundraisers 4-H small fruit sale: The Rutherford County 4-H Program and Cooperative Extension Service will sponsor a small fruit plant sale on Thursday, March 25. Strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, grape and muscadine plants, and apple trees are available. Call 2876080 for more information.

Supper: “Taste of North America”; Friday, March 26, 6 p.m., at Shiloh Clubhouse across from Shiloh Baptist Church; no set price, donations accepted; sponsored by the church; proceeds for North American missions.

Annual barbecue: Sponsored by Forest City Lions Club; Saturday, March 27, 4 to 7 p.m., at First Baptist Church, Forest City; adults $8; children $4; under 6 free; bag lunch ($5 each) 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Yard sale: Saturday, March 27, begins at 7 a.m., at 1491 Centennial Church Road, Union Mills; large variety of items; sponsored by Centennial UMC; proceeds for church projects.

Country ham, chicken pie supper: Saturday, March 27, begins at 4:30 p.m., Mt. Vernon Clubhouse; adults $8; ages 6-12, $5; ages 5 and under free; all proceeds go toward the Mt. Vernon Baptist Church children/ youth programs.

Breakfast buffet: Saturday, March 27, 7 to 10 a.m., Long Branch Road Baptist Church, 621 Long Branch Road, Forest City (Shiloh community); donations accepted.

Fish fry: Saturday, March 27, 4 to 7 p.m., Temple Baptist Church, Henrietta, (beside the post office); no set price, donations accepted; all proceeds go toward the Haiti mission team.

Yard sale: Saturday, March 27, begins at 7 a.m., Campfield Baptist Church, Ellenboro; country ham breakfast, car wash and yard sale items; proceeds for a youth mission.

Music/concerts The Dixie Melody Boys will be in concert Sunday, March 28, at Crestview Baptist Church, Forest City. Music begins at 6 p.m.

Singing: Sunday, March 28, 6 p.m., Bostic Missionary Methodist Church; featuring The Lamberts.

Trojan Concert Series: “New Fire Youth Rally”; Saturday, March 27, 7 p.m.; Chase High School auditorium; $5 per person; speaker, Steve Collins, South Mountain Christian Camp; worship music by Restoration Praise Band; for more information call 245-1716.

Singing: Sunday, March 28, 2 p.m.; Harris Baptist Church; featuring Point of Life from Pickens, S.C. The Far City Boys will be in concert Sunday, March 28, at Full Gospel Revival Church, 10 miles west of Rutherfordton on Hwy. 74.

Music begins at 2 p.m.

LAKE LURE — The Mary B. Mullen Bible Camp, Inc., Lake Lure has received a $22,500 grant from The Janirve Foundation of Asheville.

The grant will be used to complete a partially constructed rest room facility at the camp, located off Bill’s Creek Road.

The camp is a 501c3 non-profit organization. The grant was submitted last November by the camp’s board president, Yvonne Gordon.

“I can’t express hardly how we feel,” Gordon said. “I announced (we received) this at the churches last Sunday and everybody is quite pleased.” She said volunteers have “worked so hard, for so long, and we were wondering how we were going to get the bathroom finished because our finances are low. It’s a miracle this happened,” Gordon added.

The board of directors and other camp volunteers have been working to construct the rest room facility on limited funds since 2008. Plans were drawn up and donated by Thurl

Taxes Continued from Page 1

to report other than unemployment benefits. We’ve done 75 to 100 of those for no charge.”

Tax laws don’t consider unemployment insurance benefits to be taxable income, leading to some disheartened customers who were looking for large refunds, Harris said.

“We’re seeing a lot of people who normally have income but don’t have it this year,” Harris said. “We’re seeing a lot of people cash in their 401k and other retirement benefits. And it is sad because these people will likely never have the opportunity to amass $50,000 or $60,000 again in their lifetime. There will come a time in the future, 20 years or so, and they will need that retirement.”

For Jackson Hewitt officers, the same situation is playing out at their Forest City location. However, as the

Center Continued from Page 1

footage was similar and there were 15 to 20 dog runs and a designated cat room.

“The cat room was something we didn’t really care for,” Faltraco said.

“And their quarantine room was set up with facing cages instead of opposite cages which makes it hard to clean and the cages were too small for quarantining larger dogs.”

The center used skylights for more green-friendly lighting. The floor of

Students Continued from Page 1

back when students were practicing presenting the books, East Principal Tony Smith suggested presenting it in front of elementary students. From there, Tiller and Smith decided to do it via a Web cast.

A group of children from Sunshine Elementary attended the event in person, while others from the school and from Ellenboro and Forest CityDunbar watched via the Internet.

“We believe there’s over 500 people viewing these presentations today,” Smith said.

Each group of students in the

Religion Shut-in service: Friday, March 26, begins at 7:30 p.m. (all night); Holy Temple No. 2; song, praise and fellowship.

Family and Friends service: Sunday, March 28, New Harvest Church; guest speaker, Pastor Josh Bunton from of True Vine Tabernacle in Taylorsville; also “Puppets on a Mission” will perform; a meal will be provided following the 11 a.m. service.

are also planned.

Volunteers constructed a new pump house and large multi-purpose picnic pavilion where they have conducted community programs and fund raising activities.

The camp is fully funded with grants, donations and fund raisers. Items on the camp’s “wish list” include playground equipment, gazebos, in-ground barbecue grills, perennials, grass seeds, fertilizer, lime, gravel, commercial trash cans, and picnic tables.

Volunteers over the past couple of years have also refreshed the basketball court, horseshoe pits, constructed a corn toss game and are working on the volleyball court and a small community greenhouse where plants and seeds will be obtained through a bartering system, Gordon explained.

The $22,500 grant from Janirve Foundation is the second in three years. In 2007, the camp received $10,000 to help build the pavilion.

later part of tax season approaches the numbers are coming up.

“The early season saw many people doing it at home because all they had was unemployment,” said Dan Thomas, enrolled agent with Jackson Hewitt. “They have no credits then because it is not earned income. But since Feb. 20, our numbers are up and we’re taking on more complex returns with issues.”

Refund anticipation loans — once a hallmark of the businesses clamoring for tax customers — are almost a thing of the past after the banking collapse.

“We have a two day loan product that we’ll offer on up until April 15,” Harris said. “One thing I’m seeing a lot of is people not understanding that unemployment is not earned income.

A couple with two kids that comes in with only unemployment walks away with nothing because it doesn’t count as earned income. Your Earned Income Credit, your child tax credit

don’t calculate on unemployment, and that is hard for our people to understand. You see that look come over their face and there is nothing you can do.”

Harris said the amount of unemployment benefits he’s seen come through the door is amazing. He estimated it was almost double the normal yearly total.

Both businesses had seen an increase in certain sectors, though.

“We’ve seen a lot of the first time home buyers in this area as well, because we’ve done about 150 of those. We’re seeing a lot of it on mobile homes and that qualifies,” Harris said.

“We’re doing a lot more with the small business support because so many people have recently gone into business for themselves,” Thomas added.

the center was epoxy coated concrete and the building was brick.

“Urine, even just the vapors, can really destroy the metal,” said Sheriff Deputy Brian Jones. “ We should look at the skylights and we need to remember we can’t use mercury lights in the center because the frequency and the noise drives the animals crazy,” Keven McCammon said.

“Overall, we were really impressed,” Faltraco said.

The group had a plan for the shelter from Shelter Planners of America, but have decided it is not the design they

want.

The goal for dog runs is 25 to 30 — with half of those set up for quarantines — and 15 to 20 cat rooms.

“One thing we don’t have today is a good place for cats to socialize,” McCammon said. “And that makes them hard to adopt.”

Spanish class wrote an e-book and presented it Wednesday. Topics ranged from dreams to friendship and even dipped into pop culture, with stories featuring Sandy the Squirrel from Spongebob Squarepants and a new take on “Star Wars.”

Going from reading and speaking Spanish every day to actually writing a book in Spanish was a challenge, said student Chip Helton.

“It was pretty hard,” he said. “Every day we had to work on pronouncing the words right.”

Helton’s younger elementary age brother, Preston, was in the classroom during the presentation.

“He was making faces at me,”

Helton said, smiling.

Helton said he was “relieved” the presentations were over. Tiller said he would hang on to them and students who wanted to keep a copy of the e-book – which was presented as a PowerPoint – could have them for their portfolios.

“The kids had a lot of fun,” he said.

“Every day it was literally getting bigger and bigger.”

The Web cast was a first for Tiller, who said last semester’s Spanish II class also did e-books, which were presented for Tiller’s wife and children.

For more information about volunteering or making donations, call 1-828-625-0966.

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

When completed, the new center will be just one part of the proposed Daniel Road Complex which is set to include soccer fields, an agricultural center and many other amenities.

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

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

About us...

Singing: Sunday, March 28, 6 p.m., Shingle Hollow Congregational Holiness Church; featuring the Lumberton River Quartet.

Big Gospel Singing: Sunday, April 4, 5 p.m., Dunbar Community Center; doors open at 4 p.m.; On program — The New Telenaires and Kings of Joy from Forest City, 2gether of Spartanburg, Harris Brothers of Gaffney and others; admission $7; ages 8 and under free; senior citizens half price.

Freeman of Charlotte for the restrooms and construction began with Contractors John and Brian Bittle.

Earlier this month, Community Service Interns from Davidson College spent a week at the camp and while there leveled the floor in preparation for the plumbing for the rest rooms. Charles Sims of Chimney Rock will do the plumbing work.

The roof is being built by volunteer members of Fairfield Mountains Chapel.

Gordon said camp volunteers have been working since 2006 in an effort to refurbish and rebuild the 104-yearold camp. Their mission is to develop all 52 acres of camp property into a viable community setting which will serve the citizens of Rutherford and surrounding counties.

Future plans for the camp include developing a retreat/conference center, summer camp facilities, walking/ hiking trails, multi-purpose gym and indoor sports facility. A classroom building where workshops can be conducted is also a future plan.

The refurbishing of the old chapel and dormitory on the camp property

Circulation

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.

www.thedigitalcourier.com

E-mail: dailycourier@thedigitalcourier .com

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Thursday, March 25, 2010 — 7

Inside Scoreboard . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8 Golf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 9 NHRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 9

Lady Gryphons remain undefeated

By KEVIN CARVER Daily Courier Sports Reporter

Gooden charged with driving on drugs FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. (AP) — Former Major League Baseball star Dwight Gooden has been charged in New Jersey with driving under the influence of drugs and leaving the scene of an accident.

Franklin Lakes police Capt.

Joseph Seltenrich says the 45-year-old former pitcher for the New York Mets and Yankees had a child in his vehicle at the time of the twovehicle crash around 9 a.m.

Tuesday. It wasn’t clear whose child it was.

Police say he was also charged with child endangerment and several motor vehicle violations. They didn’t say what drugs they believe Gooden was on.

Gooden was released on his own recognizance until a municipal court hearing.

AVONDALE — Anna Dedmon put back four goals en route to a Thomas Jefferson 5-1 win over Madison, Wednesday. The victory keeps the Lady Gryphons among the ranks of the unbeaten in girl’s high school soccer.

Dedmon had just one goal in the first half, but the freshman lashed out in the second half for three more as TJCA sported another dominating performance on the field of play.

“We will take the win and we got the whole bench in and that is what’s important,” TJCA girls soccer coach Brian Espinoza said. “We could be playing better soccer, but we have got to teach the kids how to play with intensity from start to finish.”

The Lady Gryphons posted a goal in the fifth minute off a Wendy Harmon assist to Dedmon, whose left-foot shot scored. Madison committed a foul on Courtney Flack during the 16th minute and was awarded a free kick. On the kick, Flack had no problem in hit-

Duke’s Kyle Singler (12) goes to the hoop as Georgia Tech’s Brian Oliver (11) and Derrick Favors defend during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in the ACC tournament in Greensboro, Sunday.

FOREST CITY — The Owls are offering a spring special on their Bonus Book ticket packages.

For any Bonus Books purchased from now through April 5, receive four free general admission tickets.

That is 14 undated general admission tickets for $40, an $84 value. Normally, Bonus Books contain 10 undated general admission tickets that can be used for any regular season college game or regular season Owls game played at McNair Field.

For more information call (828) 245-0000.

NEW YORK (AP) — Forbes’ annual rankings show that Hendrick Motorsports is the most valuable team in NASCAR for the second consecutive year.

Forbes’ report released Wednesday shows NASCAR’s top team is worth $350 million. But the report claims the average team value has declined $5 million over the past year.

Roush Fenway Racing is ranked second at a value of $238 million, and Richard Childress Racing is ranked third at $153 million.

For the day, Thomas Jefferson put up 28 shots to three for the visitors.

TJ visits Mountain Heritage, Monday.

No More Mr. Nice Guy

Owls offer specials on Bonus Books

Hendrick valued as top NASCAR team

ting the back of the net from the right side for the 2-0 lead.

A break down on defense allowed Madison to score on their only attempt in the half, in the 25th minute, as Thomas Jefferson (8-0, 4-0) held a 2-1 lead at the break.

Dedmon simply took over in the second half. The freshman scored three times with assists by Lynsie Stevens and Ryanne Corder.

Singler’s battle scars prove his intensity DURHAM (AP) — If it’s the NCAA tournament, then it must be time for Duke star Kyle Singler to collect a few more scars.

His latest badge of honor: Six stitches below his eye, courtesy of an errant elbow from a teammate this week during practice.

The injury isn’t expected to bother him Friday night when the top-seeded Blue Devils (31-5) face the No. 4 seed Purdue Boilermakers in the South Regional semifinals in Houston.

But it has led to some good-natured ribbing from his teammates.

“I think he tries to do it,” guard

Nolan Smith said with a laugh. “I think he thinks he looks tough with stitches or a black eye.”

Those battle scars also are painfully visible indicators of the energy and relentless drive Singler has brought to the postseason.

First, he emerged from the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament two weeks ago with a couple of noteworthy souvenirs: A slice of the Greensboro Coliseum net, and a 4-inch gash on the back of his right shoulder — the result of a spill over a courtside table during which he landed on ESPN play-by-play man Dan Shulman and

nearly took out Dick Vitale, too.

Now this.

Teammates say Singler slashed down the lane during practice and caught an elbow from Andre Dawkins below his right eye. That required six stitches, and prevented him from participating in the Blue Devils’ only media session before their Wednesday trip to Houston for the regional semifinals.

Coach Mike Krzyzewski says Singler will be “ready to go” to face Purdue.

Jon Scheyer, whose long list of superficial wounds includes the lastPlease see Singler, Page 9

Local Sports MEN’S TENNIS 4 p.m. R-S Central at Freedom

On TV 1 p.m. (ESPN) MLB Preseason Baseball New York Mets at St. Louis Cardinals.

7 p.m. (WBTV) (WSPA) College Basketball NCAA Tournament, Regional Semifinal: Teams TBA. 7 p.m. (FSS) NHL Hockey Washington Capitals at Carolina Hurricanes.

7 p.m. (TS) NHL Hockey Toronto Maple Leafs at Atlanta Thrashers.

8 p.m. (TNT) NBA Basketball Miami Heat at Chicago Bulls.

9:30 p.m. (WBTV) (WSPA) College Basketball NCAA Tournament, Regional Semifinal: Teams TBA. 9:30 p.m. (ESPN2) MLS Soccer Philadelphia Union at Seattle Sounders FC. 10:30 p.m. (TNT) NBA Basketball Dallas Mavericks at Portland Trail Blazers.

11 p.m. (FSS) Boxing

NASCAR’s Jimmie Johnson (48) and Jeff Gordon (24) enter pit road in this 2008 photo.

Kevin Carver/ Daily Courier

Garage Talk: Johnson and spoilers

By KEVIN CARVER Daily Courier Sports Reporter

FOREST CITY — Expecting a calm and a cool weekend at Martinsville?

Not a chance.

While the old paper clip short track, that sits on the footsteps of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Martinsville, Va., becomes NASCAR’s venue this weekend, the racing isn’t the only topic of discussion.

Current Martinsville’s streaks and the return of the rear spoilers are among hot commodities in the sport, which set up well for the Goody’s Fast Relief 500, Sunday.

The biggest question comes in the form of Jimmie Johnson’s ‘Supermanlike’ performances at the start of this season.

Since the Daytona 500, Johnson has won three of the last four events in 2010 and comes into the 0.526-mile

short track with a very interesting streak of his own.

Johnson has finished inside the top 10 at the Martinsville Speedway an outstanding 15 consecutive times.

More impressively, Johnson has also finished fourth or better at the end of the last nine Martinsville races.

Johnson knows the way to victory lane as well, by winning six times, so

Please see NASCAR, Page 8

8

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Thursday, March 25, 2010

sports

Scoreboard x-L.A. Lakers Phoenix L.A. Clippers Sacramento Golden State

BASEBALL Major League Baseball Spring Training Glance

Associated Press

Charlotte Bobcats guard Stephen Jackson (1) looks to pass as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Wayne Ellington defends in the first half, Wednesday, in Charlotte. The Bobcats won 108-95.

NASCAR Continued from Page 7

far in his career at Martinsville and is the defending winner of last season’s race.

Though Johnson will again be picked among the favorites this weekend, there are a few names who can make things tougher for the No. 48 Lowe’s team.

Denny Hamlin, who drives the No. 11 Fedex Chevy for Joe Gibbs Racing, won in October at Martinsville. During the October event, Johnson believed that he was pinched by Hamlin in turn three in a last ditch attempt to pass for the lead late, which sparked a little bit of disagreement between the two drivers. Whether that comes into play this weekend, is yet to be determined.

Meanwhile, Jeff Gordon, similar to teammate Johnson, hasn’t finished outside the top ten at the Martinsville Speedway in the last 14 events there.

Gordon and his No. 24 Dupont Chevy have also claimed finishes of fifth or better in the last 12 Martinsville appearances.

The outsider of the bunch may just be Juan Pablo Montoya. Montoya grabbed a surprising third place effort in October and led 37 laps and completed a rarity and passed Jimmie Johnson ontrack during the event. For Montoya, he has six Martinsville starts and has finished 16th or better — all six times.

On the flip side, Kurt Busch has been strong out of the hauler this season in his No. 2 Miller Lite Dodge. Busch has led 407 laps over the past two races and was upset about not winning at Bristol this past Sunday after seeming to have the dominating car on the afternoon. Although Busch has one win in the last eight years there, he hasn’t scratched the top ten at Martinsville since 2005.

As for the spoilers re-entering the sport over the wing, it is a welcome sign for most drivers after doing some recent testing of late. ”Yes, I think the spoiler is going to be a good thing,” Jeff Burton, driver of the No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet said. “It’s something that we all thought should have been on there from the start. The spoiler is what it’s all about, compared to the wing, because that’s what NASCAR racing is all about.”

The four-time Sprint Cup Champion, Jimmie Johnson knows that the returning spoiler will be an issue this weekend, but seemed confident about the change.

“Yeah, I don’t see it being a big difference at Martinsville,” Johnson said. “We went to Little Rock (half-mile track in Rockingham) and tested and within a couple of laps of looking in the mirror and realizing there wasn’t a wing, you just kind of forget about it and go on.”

Personalities and on-track arguments are among debate as well. Jeff Gordon recently said that NASCAR needs more rivalries.

And if drivers have a grudge, Martinsville is usually a place where drivers have dealt with those issues in the past. Brad Keselowski and Kevin Harvick have been among the criticizers of Carl Edwards and NASCAR has told the drivers to “have at it” this season. While the chances are not certain, a forecast of tempers are likely to flare this weekend.

Looking for affordable group health insurance?

Group Coverage

AMERICAN LEAGUE

W L Cleveland 12 6 Tampa Bay 14 7 Detroit 12 8 Minnesota 11 8 Toronto 9 8 Kansas City 8 8 Oakland 9 10 Boston 10 12 New York 8 11 Seattle 8 11 Baltimore 8 13 Chicago 6 11 Texas 6 12 Los Angeles 5 12

Pct .667 .667 .600 .579 .529 .500 .474 .455 .421 .421 .381 .353 .333 .294

NATIONAL LEAGUE

W L San Francisco 16 6 Atlanta 12 7 Colorado 13 9 Chicago 11 8 Milwaukee 12 9 New York 12 9 Philadelphia 10 8 Houston 11 9 Florida 11 10 Arizona 10 10 San Diego 10 10 St. Louis 9 10 Cincinnati 8 9 Los Angeles 7 10 Pittsburgh 5 13 Washington 5 14

Pct .727 .632 .591 .579 .571 .571 .556 .550 .524 .500 .500 .474 .471 .412 .278 .263

BASKETBALL National Basketball Association

WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division

W L Pct Dallas 47 24 .662 San Antonio 42 27 .609 Memphis 38 33 .535 Houston 36 33 .522 New Orleans 34 38 .472 Northwest Division

W L Pct Denver 47 24 .662 Utah 46 25 .648 Oklahoma City 42 27 .609 Portland 42 29 .592 Minnesota 14 57 .197 Pacific Division

W L Pct

18 26 45 47 51

.743 .634 .366 .338 .271

— 7 1/2 26 1/2 28 1/2 33

x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division Tuesday’s Games Charlotte 95, Washington 86, OT Indiana 98, Detroit 83 New York 109, Denver 104 Dallas 106, L.A. Clippers 96 Wednesday’s Games Atlanta 86, Orlando 84 Boston 113, Denver 99 Charlotte 108, Minnesota 95 Indiana 99, Washington 82 Utah 113, Toronto 87 Sacramento at New Jersey, late Philadelphia at Milwaukee, late Cleveland at New Orleans, late Houston at Oklahoma City, late L.A. Lakers at San Antonio, late Memphis at Golden State, late Thursday’s Games Miami at Chicago, 8 p.m.

L.A. Clippers at Houston, 8:30 p.m.

Dallas at Portland, 10:30 p.m.

Friday’s Games Washington at Charlotte, 7 p.m.

Utah at Indiana, 7 p.m.

Denver at Toronto, 7 p.m.

Atlanta at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

Minnesota at Orlando, 7 p.m.

Sacramento at Boston, 7:30 p.m.

L.A. Lakers at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.

Detroit at New Jersey, 8 p.m.

Miami at Milwaukee, 8:30 p.m.

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

New York at Phoenix, 10 p.m.

Wednesday’s Games St. Louis 4, Baltimore 2 Minnesota 4, Florida 1 Atlanta 8, Philadelphia 0 Tampa Bay 5, Toronto 3 Boston 6, Pittsburgh 4 N.Y. Mets 5, Houston 2 Chicago White Sox 10, Arizona 3 Chicago Cubs 12, Texas 1 L.A. Angels 8, Kansas City 6 Cincinnati 10, San Francisco 3 Washington vs N.Y. Yankees at Tampa, Fla., late San Francisco (ss) vs Kansas City (ss) at Surprise, Ariz., late Seattle vs San Diego at Peoria, Ariz., late L.A. Dodgers vs Oakland at Phoenix, late Thursday’s Games N.Y. Mets vs St. Louis at Jupiter, Fla., 12:05 p.m.

Florida vs Boston at Fort Myers, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Minnesota vs Tampa Bay at Port Charlotte, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Toronto vs Detroit (ss) at Lakeland, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Atlanta vs Pittsburgh at Bradenton, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

N.Y. Yankees vs Baltimore at Sarasota, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Houston vs Philadelphia at Clearwater, Fla., 1:05 p.m.

Chicago Cubs vs Arizona at Tucson, Ariz., 4:05 p.m.

Seattle (ss) vs Kansas City at Surprise, Ariz., 4:05 p.m.

Chicago White Sox vs San Diego at Peoria, Ariz., 4:05 p.m.

Texas vs L.A. Angels at Tempe, Ariz., 4:05 p.m.

Seattle (ss) vs Cleveland at Goodyear, Ariz., 4:05 p.m.

Milwaukee vs L.A. Dodgers at Glendale, Ariz., 4:05 p.m.

Cincinnati vs Colorado at Tucson, Ariz., 4:10 p.m.

Detroit (ss) vs Washington at Viera, Fla., 7:05 p.m.

Oakland vs San Francisco at Scottsdale, Ariz., 10:05 p.m.

EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division

W L Pct Boston 45 25 .643 Toronto 35 34 .507 New York 26 45 .366 Philadelphia 24 47 .338 New Jersey 7 63 .100 Southeast Division

W L Pct x-Orlando 50 21 .704 Atlanta 45 25 .643 Miami 37 34 .521 Charlotte 37 34 .521 Washington 21 48 .304 Central Division

W L Pct y-Cleveland 56 15 .789 Milwaukee 39 30 .565 Chicago 33 37 .471 Indiana 25 46 .352 Detroit 23 48 .324

52 45 26 24 19

GB — 9 1/2 19 1/2 21 1/2 38 GB — 4 1/2 13 13 28 GB — 16 22 1/2 31 33 GB — 4 9 10 13 1/2 GB — 1 4 5 33 GB

NCAA Tournament Glance EAST REGIONAL Regional Semifinals Thursday, March 25 West Virginia (29-6) vs. Washington (26-9), 7:27 p.m.

Kentucky (34-2) vs. Cornell (29-4), 30 minutes following Regional Championship Saturday, March 27 Semifinal winners SOUTH REGIONAL Regional Semifinals Friday, March 26 Saint Mary’s, Calif. (28-5) vs. Baylor (27-7), 7:27 p.m.

Duke (31-5) vs. Purdue (29-5), 30 minutes following Regional Championship Sunday, March 28 Semifinal winners MIDWEST REGIONAL Regional Semifinals Friday, March 26 Ohio State (29-7) vs. Tennessee (27-8), 7:07 p.m.

Northern Iowa (30-4) vs. Michigan State (26-8), 30 minutes following Regional Championship Sunday, March 28 Semifinal winners WEST REGIONAL Regional Semifinals Thursday, March 25 Syracuse (30-4) vs. Butler (30-4), 7:07 p.m.

Kansas State (28-7) vs. Xavier (26-8), 30 minutes following Regional Championship Saturday, March 27 Semifinal winners FINAL FOUR At Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis National Semifinals Saturday, April 3 East champion vs. South champion Midwest champion vs. West champion National Championship Monday, April 5 Semifinal winners

HOCKEY National Hockey League EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division

GP W L OT Pts GF New Jersey 72 43 25 4 90 195 Pittsburgh 73 42 25 6 90 225 Philadelphia 73 37 31 5 79 212 N.Y. Rangers 72 31 32 9 71 186 N.Y. Islanders 72 29 33 10 68 189 Northeast Division

GP W L OT Pts GF Buffalo 71 39 22 10 88 200 Ottawa 74 39 30 5 83 198 Montreal 73 36 30 7 79 196 Boston 72 33 27 12 78 180 Toronto 73 26 35 12 64 193 Southeast Division

GP W L OT Pts GF y-Washington 72 48 14 10 106 283 Atlanta 73 32 30 11 75 218 Florida 72 30 31 11 71 190 Tampa Bay 73 29 32 12 70 191 Carolina 73 30 34 9 69 203 WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division

GP W L OT Pts GF Chicago 72 46 19 7 99 236 Nashville 74 42 27 5 89 207 Detroit 72 36 23 13 85 196 St. Louis 72 34 29 9 77 196 Columbus 73 29 32 12 70 190 Northwest Division

GA 172 208 201 197 222 GA 180 212 200 181 242 GA 203 234 210 227 229 GA 179 206 193 199 235

Vancouver Colorado Calgary Minnesota Edmonton

GP W L OT Pts GF 73 44 25 4 92 238 72 40 25 7 87 216 73 37 27 9 83 187 73 35 32 6 76 199 73 24 42 7 55 187 Pacific Division

GP W L OT Pts GF San Jose 73 44 19 10 98 236 Phoenix 74 46 23 5 97 201 Los Angeles 71 42 24 5 89 211 Dallas 73 32 27 14 78 211 Anaheim 72 34 30 8 76 204

GA 190 194 182 215 250 GA 193 181 188 231 220

y-clinched division Tuesday’s Games Florida 4, Toronto 1 New Jersey 6, Columbus 3 Boston 4, Atlanta 0 Ottawa 2, Philadelphia 0 Tampa Bay 3, Carolina 2, OT Dallas 3, Nashville 1 San Jose 4, Minnesota 1 Chicago 2, Phoenix 0 Calgary 3, Anaheim 1 Edmonton 3, Vancouver 2 Wednesday’s Games N.Y. Rangers 5, N.Y. Islanders 0 Washington 4, Pittsburgh 3, SO Montreal at Buffalo, late St. Louis at Detroit, late Los Angeles at Colorado, late Anaheim at Vancouver, late Thursday’s Games Tampa Bay at Boston, 7 p.m.

N.Y. Rangers at New Jersey, 7 p.m.

Calgary at N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m.

Minnesota at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

Washington at Carolina, 7 p.m.

Toronto at Atlanta, 7 p.m.

Chicago at Columbus, 7 p.m.

Florida at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

Los Angeles at St. Louis, 8 p.m.

Phoenix at Nashville, 8 p.m.

Dallas at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.

Friday’s Games Ottawa at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m.

Minnesota at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.

Anaheim at Edmonton, 9 p.m.

RACING 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule and standings Feb. 6 — x-Budweiser Shootout (Kevin Harvick) Feb. 11 — x-Gatorade Duel 1 (Jimmie Johnson) Feb. 11 — x-Gatorade Duel 2 (Kasey Kahne) Feb. 14 — Daytona 500 (Jamie McMurray) Feb. 21 — Auto Club 500 (Jimmie Johnson) Feb. 28 — Shelby American, Las Vegas (Jimmie Johnson) March 7 — Kobalt Tools 500 (Kurt Busch) March 21 — Food City 500, Bristol, Tenn. (Jimmie Johnson)

March 28 — Goody’s Fast Pain Relief 500, Martinsville, Va. April 10 — Subway Fresh Fit 600, Avondale, Ariz.

April 18 — Samsung Mobile 500, Fort Worth, Texas April 25 — Aaron’s 499, Talladega, Ala. May 1 — Crown Royal Presents The Heath Calhoun 400, Richmond, Va. May 8 — Southern 500, Darlington, S.C. May 16 — Autism Speaks 400, Dover, Del. May 22 — x-Sprint Showdown, Concord May 22 — x-NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, Concord May 30 — Coca-Cola 600, Concord June 6 — Pocono 500, Long Pond, Pa. June 13 — Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400, Brooklyn, Mich.

June 20 — Toyota/Save Mart 350, Sonoma, Calif.

June 27 — Lenox Industrial Tools 301, Loudon, N.H. July 3 — Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola, Daytona Beach, Fla. July 10 — LifeLock.com 400, Joliet, Ill. July 25 — Brickyard 400, Indianapolis Aug. 1 — Pennsylvania 500, Long Pond, Pa. Aug. 8 — Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at The Glen, Watkins Glen, N.Y. Aug. 15 — Carfax 400, Brooklyn, Mich.

Aug. 21 — Irwin Tools Night Race, Bristol, Tenn.

Sep. 5 — Labor Day Classic 500, Hampton, Ga. Sep. 11 — Richmond 400, Richmond, Va. Sep. 19 — Sylvania 300, Loudon, N.H. Sep. 26 — AAA 400, Dover, Del. Oct. 3 — Price Chopper 400, Kansas City, Kan. Oct. 10 — Pepsi Max 400, Fontana, Calif.

Oct. 16 — NASCAR Banking 500, Concord Oct. 24 — TUMS Fast Relief 500, Martinsville, Va. Oct. 31 — AMP Energy 500, Talladega, Ala. Nov. 7 — Lone Star 500, Fort Worth, Texas Nov. 14 — Arizona 500, Avondale, Ariz.

Nov. 21 — Ford 400, Homestead, Fla. x-non-points race 2010 Driver Standings 1. Kevin Harvick, 774 2. Matt Kenseth, 773 3. Jimmie Johnson, 760 4. Greg Biffle, 750 5. Tony Stewart, 685 6. Kurt Busch, 677 (tie) Jeff Burton, 677 8. Dale Earnhardt Jr., 621 9. Paul Menard, 614 10. Kyle Busch, 606 11. Jeff Gordon, 603 12. Clint Bowyer, 601 13. Carl Edwards, 585 14. Brian Vickers, 584 15. Jamie McMurray, 581 16. Mark Martin, 579 17. Joey Logano, 558 18. Scott Speed, 552 19. Denny Hamlin, 515 20. Martin Truex Jr., 513

Hudson, McCann carry Braves past Phillies, 8-0 KISSIMMEE, Fla. (AP) — Tim Hudson pitched six scoreless innings and Brian McCann hit two home runs to lead the Atlanta Braves to an 8-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday.

Hudson, out until September last season after undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery, is 3-1 with a 1.35 ERA in five starts this spring. All three of the hits off the veteran right-

hander were singles, and he had four strikeouts with two walks.

McCann was 3 for 4 with four RBI while raising his spring average to .483. He hit a mammoth homer over a TV production truck behind the right-field fence leading off the second inning, then connected against left-hander J.A. Happ for a long two-run homer to right-center in the fourth.

The left handed-hitting catcher also had two homers in a game against Houston on March 14.

His RBI single in the seventh inning against Philadelphia gave him 13 RBI this spring.

Happ, who was 12-4 a year ago as a rookie, also allowed a home run to Martin Prado in his fiveinning outing. The left-hander allowed six hits and four runs, walking three and striking out three.

For your next new Ford or Mercury come by and visit Scott Brown and the Hunnicutt Ford Team!

Designed for companies with 1 - 99 employees • Select from more than 1,000 benefit combinations • Choose payment options that fit your company’s needs and budget

Authorized Agent

Cooper Flack 828-245-6467

• Enjoy wider choice with our large networks • Access specialist with no referrals

Give us a try before you buy!

You will be glad that you did!

HUNNICUTTFORD 565 OAK STREET, FOREST CITY

Contact your authorized Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina agent for costs and further details of coverage, limitations, exclusions and terms under which the policy may be continued in force. An independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. U3105b, 11/08

828-245-1626

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Thursday, March 25, 2010 — 9

sports

Ready, Set, Go!

Associated Press

Arnold Palmer, left, walks down the first fairway with Tom Ridge, former Homeland Security director, during the Pro-Am round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament at Bay Hill in Orlando, Fla., Wednesday.

Palmer thinks Woods should 4-wide racing brings buzz to NHRA open up more

Associated Press

Funny car drivers from left, John Force, Mike Neff, Tim Wilkerson,Del Worsham compete in a four-wide drag racing event at the ZMax Dragway, in Concord, in this Sept. 20, 2009, file photo.

By JENNA FRYER

AP Auto Racing Writer

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer

ORLANDO, Fla. — Arnold Palmer believes redemption for Tiger Woods starts with being more open with the media.

Palmer initially was guarded with his opinion about Woods and the sex scandal that has tarnished golf’s biggest star. But when asked at Bay Hill how Woods could show more respect for the game — as Woods pledged in his public apology last month — Palmer’s suggestion was for him to let his guard down.

“It’s up to him to do and say whatever he feels he needs to do to redeem the situation, put it in the proper place,” Palmer said. “My opinion, as I said ... I was going to keep to myself. But I suppose the best thing he could do would be open up and just let you guys shoot at him. And that’s just my thought.”

Such advice comes from an 80-year-old, seventime major champion who first made golf popular among the masses in America with his charisma, hard-charging comebacks and a connection with fans unlike any other player. Palmer won them over by looking them in the eye and speaking from the heart.

Even after he finished his press conference Wednesday, the King looked comfortable facing more than a dozen reporters until it was time for him to get ready for the pro-am in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Woods is missing the tournament for the first time in his career. It had been the only regular PGA Tour event he played every year.

Palmer said he was disappointed Woods wasn’t playing, instead choosing to make his return to competition in two weeks at Augusta National, where each has won four green jackets.

Woods is the two-time defending champion and a six-time winner at Bay Hill. Among the more indelible images are Woods and Palmer embracing behind the 18th green before the trophy presentation.

It is doubtful Woods will take Palmer’s advice.

The only time they have spoken since Woods’ private life of infidelity was exposed came last week, when he called Palmer to tell him he would not be playing at Bay Hill this year.

“He called me one evening and we had a conversation,” Palmer said. “I wasn’t in a position to hear him very well, so I asked him if he would call me the next morning just to confirm what he had said, and he did. And the situation was that he didn’t feel his game was sharp enough to come and compete that soon, so he told me that he was not going to play. He would go to Augusta first.

“That’s really the conversation.”

“I will say we are disappointed Tiger isn’t here to play,” Palmer replied to the first question about Woods.

Woods has spoken publicly only twice since the Nov. 27 car accident that started his spectacular downfall, which cost him three major endorsements and turned a global icon into a butt of jokes.

He gave a 13½-minute statement to his closest supporters on Feb. 19, then gave interviews to ESPN and The Golf Channel, which were aired the same time Sunday evening.

CONCORD — The mind games start the moment drivers roll up to the stage lights at a dragstrip.

One driver may pull up early, gamesmanship intended to intimidate their opponent.

Another may stall his approach, an obvious attempt to rattle the other driver.

It’s head-to-head psychological warfare leading up to the fastest four seconds in auto racing.

Now, double it.

The NHRA will race four-wide this weekend for the first time in a sanctioned event, and fittingly it will be at zMax Dragway, the Speedway Motorsports Inc.owned facility regarded as “The Bellagio” of dragstrips.

“I’m pretty sure it’s going to be as exciting as anything we’ve ever done,” said seventime Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher.

But the uniqueness of the event, which begins Friday at the facility located on the grounds of Charlotte Motor Speedway, has drivers worried about the mental aspects of drag racing against three opponents instead of the usual one.

“Normally I always say there’s another car in another lane and he thinks he can beat me,” Schumacher said. “Now there’s going to be three, and it’s going to be fun. We’re going to stage that car, and all I can say is I hope no one is going to screw around. One of the guys can, and mess with the other three

Singler Continued from Page 7

ing scar he picked up in 2007 during the Blue Devils’ oneand-done NCAA loss to Virginia Commonwealth, admitted that Singler has outdone even him.

“I thought I was in the lead my freshman and sophomore year, by far,” Scheyer quipped, “but he caught me pretty quickly.”

Those bumps and bruises don’t seem to affect Singler’s productivity.

He played through the slice on his shoulder to score 20 points — most coming from the foul line — in the ACC title game to claim tournament MVP honors.

He’s averaging 19 1/2 points in

guys, and that’s going to be pretty unique.

“It’s so far different and off the norm for us.”

SMI chairman Bruton Smith had all of this in mind when he built the dragway in 2008.

The fourth dragstrip in his collection, he began construction with the goal of turning the new facility into the showplace of the sport.

In addition to 30,000 seats, 28 suites and the latest fan amenities, Smith wanted four lanes.

The plan was to essentially build two dragstrips side-by-side to create a one-of-a-kind facility.

It seemed preposterous considering the NHRA didn’t run four-wide, but Smith and SMI were able to convince the series to give it a try.

“The big thing came years ago when my dad got interested in drag racing, and at that time he started talking about going four-wide with all the dragstrips and how it could help with TV, help the show, and help the sport move along more quickly,” said Marcus Smith, president and CEO of SMI. “Of course, it was a really outlandish idea at the time. But when we started to build zMax Dragway, he said ’Let’s build it four-wide so we can do that.’ The guys at NHRA were fantastic and said they wanted to embrace the idea and take the leap with us. So here we are, and we think it’s going to be pretty awesome.”

The NHRA held a four-wide exhibition last fall at zMax, the only time in series history cars have raced in that size pack.

Drag racing caters to a specific race fan, and the unveiling of four-wide racing can potentially bring attention and new interest to a series that lags far behind NASCAR in ratings and attendance. But this weekend’s events have drawn a buzz that Schumacher believes can carry the NHRA into mainstream sports coverage.

“Our sport was built very differently. It wasn’t built over great TV coverage, it’s built over being live,” he said. “Maybe one person will tell two people they have to show up. But more than anything, the buzz around the country over this weekend ... is pretty neat. People calling from all over to ask about four-wide.

“So we’ve already got their attention. I am sure it will get a lot of coverage on TV, but also on the news, showing the inaugural and the winners. And that’s what we need.”

the NCAA tournament, hitting a combined 13 of 24 shots in wins against Arkansas-Pine Bluff and California while finding ways to create shots, both inside and out, in the framework of a motion offense that was tweaked to free him up more often after a late January loss to Georgetown.

“It gives him a chance to play outside, go back inside where he played the first two years at (power forward),” Smith said.

“People can’t match up with him inside. Then, he goes outside and guys can’t guard him out there, either. He really gets to move and get shots wherever he wants.”

In turn, that has led to more productivity for each of the Blue Devils’ “Big Three.” Scheyer,

Smith and Singler are trying to become the third trio in Duke history to average at least 17 points apiece, and they’re the highest-scoring threesome in the nation. Their combined average of 53 points accounts for 68 percent of the team’s scoring.

At least two of them have scored in double figures in every game but one: Georgia Tech held Singler and Smith to nine points apiece in a 71-67 win over the Blue Devils two months ago in their ACC road opener.

“They’re unselfish. They’re not hunting their own points; they’re hunting our points,” Krzyzewski said. “And for guys who have to put up points, that’s really good because everybody has different game plans.”

Although there were four-wide races in the 1970s on old airstrips, those drag races were not NHRA-sanctioned.

But if there’s a place to do it for real, Top Fuel driver Antron Brown says zMax is it.

“I call it the Disney World of drag racing — the attraction that everyone from all around needs to go to,” he said. “It’s the top facility, the best we have on our circuit, and I actually think it’s one of the top racing facilities in the world, period. So it’s the logical place to do something new, and maybe help turn our sport into a spectacle, something closer to NASCAR.”

Your Hometown Honda Service HeadquarterS Jill and Kerrie’s Contest Special* EXPRESS OIL AND FILTER CHANGE CLIP THIS OUT AND CALL TODAY!

• Change oil with up to 5 qts. Honda oil • Change filter with Honda Genuine Filter • Replace drain plug gasket • Perform 19 point inspection

• Perform electronic battery test • Inspect tire tread depth and set pressures • Check for open recalls and product updates

Come Meet Kerrie and Jill!

25.95

$

DONE WHILE YOU WAIT ENJOY OUR COFFEE READ OUR NEWSPAPER FREE WIRELESS INTERNET!

**

*The mean old sales manager will make Jill and Kerrie eat beans and weenies for lunch if they don’t win this contest! **Plus taxes and shop supplies/disposal fees. Coupon must be presented at the time of write-up, please. Expires 3/31/10. Some models slightly higher. Ask your service advisor for details.

EXTENDED HOURS Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday 7:45 am-7pm Wednesday & Friday 7:45am-5:30pm 284 Daniel Rd., Forest City, NC

828-286-2614 • 1-877-60-HONDA

10

— The

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, THURSday, March 25, 2010 — 11

WEST VIRGINIA TEAM NAME Duke

Hardin’s Carpet & Floor Covering 1016 E. Main Street Spindale, NC 28160 Phone: (828) 286-3527 Treating Disorders (828) 287-9625 8:15-4:30 of Bones & Joints Mon.-Fri. (434) 793-4711 Sports Medicine

Piedmont Regional Medical Center 125 Executive Dr., Suite A Danville, VA 24541 ST. MARY’S Duke

0.2623” D TEAM NAME

TENNESSEE UNC

LIFE INSURANCE LATELY?

WAL★MART SUPERCENTER Frank & Tracy Faucette Financial Advisors 612 Oak Street, Forest City, NC

George A. Allen

Financial Advisors 612 Oak Street, Forest City, NC

Lovelace Financial Group • Stocks & Bonds • Variable Annuities • Mutual Funds • IRA Rollovers • Life Insurance • Long-Term Care Insurance

Locally in Rutherford County for over 25 years!

431 South Main Street, Suite 8 Rutherfordton, NC 28139 Tel. (828) 288-1378 • Fax (828) 288-0763 Al S. Lovelace and Phyllis Lovelace-Briscoe offer securities through AXA Advisors, LLC (NY, NY 212-314-4600), member FINRA, SIPC, Annuity and insurance products offered through AXA Network, LLC and its subsidiaries. Lovelace Financial Group is not owned or operated by AXA Advisors or AXA Network. Lynne M. Searcy offers support services only.

GE-44148(co) (5/08)

CORNELL Duke

GENERAL DENTISTRY FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY DRILL-LESS DENTISTRY AVAILABLE

Financial Advisor 117 Laurel Drive, Rutherfordton, NC 828-286-1191

We each are committed to helping families through this & GARDENcenter difficult time in their life.

Sweet-Sixteen (4) Maryland (12) N.M. St.

85-83 National St. Semifinals 70-67

forest dale motors, inc.

1251Memorial Hwy 221ADr. 1799 Forest City NC 28043 Danville

(behind BB&T Bank) 1-434-793-3733

(828) 6383 (434) 657791-2700

www.barkhouser.com 828-286-9781

Louis

Sun., March 28

National Championship Indianapolis April 3

Semifinals

Thurs., 7:27 p.m.

1 Syracuse (8) Gonzaga (16) Vermont

87-65 79-56

Fri., 9:57 p.m.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP April ?? ????

WEST

Salt Lake City

54-52 77-59

Final Four Indianapolis • April 3

April 5

Thurs., 7:07 p.m.

5 Butler (13) Murray St. (12) UTEP

?????

All times EDT

Sat., March 27

SOUTH Houston

(10) Missouri (15) Morgan St. Duke (8) California (16) Ark.-P.B. (5) Texas A&M (13) Siena

Sun., March 28

Fri., 7:27 p.m.

2 Kansas St. (7) BYU 84-72 (15) North Texas 82-62

Regional Semifinals

Regional Championship

(2) Villlanova (7) Richmond

www.MyRutherfordHospital.com

1

XAVIER Virginia

68-53 73-44 4 63-61 72-64

284 Daniel Rd., Forest City, NC

3

10

828-286-2614 1-877-60-HONDA

75-68 80-71

Regional Semifinals

SOURCE: NCAA team name OHIO STATE UNC

68-59 77-50

(11) OldSouth Dominion 76-68 Regional ???????????

(14) Sam Hou. St. 68-59 ??????

St. Mary’s

Regional Championship

11

(3) New Mexico 82-64 (6) Marquette 80-78

Baylor Thurs., 9:37 p.m.

        

78-65

Purdue

6 Xavier (3)West Pittsburgh 71-68 Regional ???????????

(11) Minnesota 65-54 ??????

(5) Temple

??????

Championship Game Indianapolis



Midwest Regional West Virginia 2 ???????????

??????

Final Four Indianapolis • April 3

1

National (4) Wisconsin Sweet-Sixteen Syracuse, N.Y. 87-69

Sat., March 27

(828) 247-1540 793-6178

Rutherford Orthopaedics

12

Washington

Final Four April 1

Regional 2East Ohio St. ???????????

Cornell

2323 Drive,Street Suite K 822Riverside West Main Danville, 24540 Forest City,VANC 28043

KANSAS STATE Virginia

(9) Wake Forest 90-60 (16) E. Tenn. St. 100-71

2010 NCAA Division 1 MEN’S Basketball Championship EAST

Fri., 7:07 p.m.

(10) Georgia Tech 75-66 (15) UCSB 68-51

Kentucky

Thurs., 9:57 p.m.

6 Tennessee (14) Ohio 83-68 (11) San Diego St. 62-59

126 Park Lane Dr. Rutherfordton, NC

FORD • LINCOLN • MERCURY

National Champion

MIDWEST

PROMOTIONAL CONSULTANTS, Inc.

April 10th 8-2 pm

Seed, team and scores of matchups leading to the title game:

Fri., 9:37 p.m.

ALLGOOD

We have financing available with Reasonable Down Payments!

See Jerry or Julie

MARCH MADNESS

Men’s Sweet 16 69-67 69-66

Ginger Bread Ace Equipment House BARKHOUSER Open House

Now offering live webcasts at chapel services.

EMERGENCIES & NEW PATIENTS WELCOME 990 Main Street, Danville 793-6936 or 792-9447

Shop WAL-MART For Your Pet Supplies • Pet Foods

5 Michigan St.

TEAM NAME BAYLOR Duke

D.D.S., P.C.

The

799-6902

(1) Kansas (8) UNLV

GO SAINT MARY’S GAELS! Come visit our friendly pharmacy!

DONALD G. CAIRNS,

515 MT.David CROSS RD. Smith

9 Northern Iowa

Forest City, NC 28043 (828) 245-4591

SYRACUSE Virginia Tech

HAVE YOU REVIEWED YOUR

Size banner

3.4433” W x 5” D Actual withSt. banner 139 E.Size Main

DUKE Virginia TEAM

team name NORTHERN IOWA Clemson

Team Name PURDUE James Madison

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, THURSday, March 25, 2010

AP

WASHINGTON KENTUCKY MICHIGAN Virginia Virginia STATE Tech James Madison <AP> NCAA M SWEET 16 032210: Bracket shows matchups of the round of WANT PERSONAL 16 for the 2010 NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championship; 3c x LOCAL 5 SERVICE? LET’S TALK. inches; 146 mm x 127 mm; with related stories; stf; ETA 11:30 p.m. </AP> Hardin’s Carpet

TEAM NAME BUTLER Clemson

Note: It is mandatory to include all sources that accompany this graphic when & Editor’s Floor Covering repurposing or editing it for publication

We each are committed to helping families through this difficult time in their life.

Now offering live webcasts at chapel services.

1251 Hwy 221A Forest City NC 28043

(828) 657- 6383

1016 E. Main Street, Spindale, NC 28160 Phone: (828) 286-3527 • (828) 287-9625

Bonus Book Special!

10 undated GA tickets for $40 PLUS 4 free tickets!

That’s 14 undated tickets for $40.

Offer expires April 5

245-0000

We guarantee you’ll love our service and selection for all your flooring needs.

Family Owned and Operated Since 1987 • Hardwoods & Laminates • Tiles and Carpeting • Countless Styles • Expert and Insured Workmanship • Free Estimates

A Partner with the Healthcare Industry info@rivertextileservices.com

Frank & Tracy Faucette George A. Allen Financial Advisor Financial Advisor 612 Oak Street 612 Oak Street Forest City, NC Forest City, NC 828-245-1158 828-245-1158

www.edwardjones.com

David Smith Financial Advisor 117 Laurel Drive Rutherfordton, NC 28139 828-245-1158

Member SIPC

$4 Generics Sheila Shehan, R.P.H. Forest City, NC 28043 Phone 828-245-1696

12

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Thursday, March 25, 2010

Weather/Nation Weather The Daily Courier Weather Today

Tonight

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Mostly Cloudy

Showers Likely

Showers Likely

Mostly Sunny

Few Showers

Few Showers

Precip Chance: 20%

Precip Chance: 60%

Precip Chance: 60%

Precip Chance: 5%

Precip Chance: 40%

Precip Chance: 30%

68º

51º

67º 40º

62º 42º

62º 45º

63º 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 .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

.65 .35 .64 .37

Precipitation 24 hrs through 7 a.m. yest. .0.00" Month to date . . . . . . . . .2.00" Year to date . . . . . . . . .12.78"

Barometric Pressure

City

Asheville . . . . . . .64/45 Cape Hatteras . . .66/56 Charlotte . . . . . . .72/53 Fayetteville . . . . .76/57 Greensboro . . . . .71/54 Greenville . . . . . .74/55 Hickory . . . . . . . . . .67/52 Jacksonville . . . .74/55 Kitty Hawk . . . . . .64/56 New Bern . . . . . .73/55 Raleigh . . . . . . . .74/56 Southern Pines . .74/56 Wilmington . . . . .72/54 Winston-Salem . .71/54

Sun and Moon Sunrise today .

Sunset tonight .

Moonrise today Moonset today .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

.7:24 .7:44 .2:54 .4:18

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

Moon Phases

High yesterday . . . . . . .30.06"

Relative Humidity

Full 3/29

High yesterday . . . . . . . .100%

sh s pc s pc s mc s s s s s s mc

58/37 64/48 69/41 72/42 67/37 66/46 65/39 69/48 64/48 65/48 68/39 71/41 70/47 66/37

sh sh sh ra ra sh sh sh sh sh ra ra sh ra

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

First 4/21

New 4/14

Last 4/6

Friday

Hi/Lo Wx Hi/Lo Wx

North Carolina Forecast

Greensboro 71/54

Asheville 64/45

Forest City 68/51 Charlotte 72/53

Today

Kinston 73/55 Wilmington 72/54

Friday

Hi/Lo Wx Hi/Lo Wx

Atlanta . . . . . . . .

Baltimore . . . . . .

Chicago . . . . . . .

Detroit . . . . . . . .

Indianapolis . . .

Los Angeles . . .

Miami . . . . . . . . .

New York . . . . . .

Philadelphia . . .

Sacramento . . . .

San Francisco . .

Seattle . . . . . . . .

Tampa . . . . . . . .

Washington, DC

.69/50 .65/50 .45/35 .52/25 .52/30 .66/52 .79/71 .61/44 .65/48 .62/46 .59/49 .54/46 .79/67 .67/49

61/42 50/32 44/38 43/26 48/33 71/51 84/67 48/29 52/32 65/46 63/49 53/44 77/54 50/31

Raleigh 74/56

Today’s National Map

City

t pc ra sh ra s s pc mc sh ra sh s pc

Greenville 74/55

Fayetteville 76/57

Shown is today’s weather.

Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Across Our Nation

Elizabeth City 69/58

Durham 74/55

Winston-Salem 71/54

mc ra s s s s t sh ra s s sh t ra

L

50s

30s

40s 40s

60s 70s 80s

H

50s

50s

60s

L

60s

70s 70s 80s

This map shows high temperatures, type of precipitation expected and location of frontal systems at noon.

Cold Front

Stationary Front

Warm Front

L

Low Pressure

H

High Pressure

Nation Today Teacher drunk in class

THERMAL, Calif. (AP) — A Southern California school teacher has been arrested for allegedly teaching while drunk.

Toro Canyon Middle School teacher Tonya Neff was taken to the Indio jail Tuesday afternoon and booked for investigation of felony child endangerment.

Administrators at Thermal’s Toro Canyon Middle School told the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department that the 47-year-old teacher was apparently intoxicated on campus.

Sheriff’s Sgt. Mike Tapp says Neff had taken prescription drugs and alcohol and an alcoholic beverage was found inside a container.

Robbers called ahead

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (AP) — Police in Connecticut say they had ample warning of a bank robbery because the two suspects called the bank ahead of time and told an employee to get a bag of money ready.

Police arrested 27-year-old Albert Bailey and an unidentified 16-yearold boy on robbery and threatening charges Tuesday afternoon at a People’s United Bank branch in Fairfield.

Sgt. James Perez says the two Bridgeport residents showed up about 10 minutes after making the call and were met by police in the parking lot. Perez told the

Connecticut Post the suspects were “not too bright.”

Attorneys to sue Toyota SAN DIEGO (AP) — More than 150 attorneys are meeting in San Diego to sharpen their legal tools on the eve of a major federal court hearing on whether dozens of Toyota acceleration cases will be consolidated before a single judge.

The main topic at Wednesday’s conference was a hearing scheduled before a panel of federal judges on Thursday. The judges will decide whether to combine more than 100 Toyota lawsuits.

Pot growers are worried REDWAY, Calif. (AP) — The smell of pot hung heavy in the air as men with dreadlocks and gray beards contemplated a nightmarish possibility in this legendary region of outlaw marijuana growers: legal weed.

If California legalizes marijuana, they say, it will drive down the price of their crop and damage not just their livelihoods but the entire economy along the state’s rugged northern coast.

Local residents are so worried that pot farmers came together with officials in Humboldt County for a standing-room-only meeting Tuesday night where civic leaders, activists and growers brainstormed ideas for dealing with the threat.

Associated Press

In this Tuesday photo, ATF agents investigate while gathering evidence at the scene where four City of Hemet code enforcement vehicles where set on fire and burned in the parking lot behind city hall in Hemet, Calif. Four city trucks were torched in a Southern California town plagued by booby trap attacks on police officers, and authorities said Wednesday the fires might be linked to the previous attempts.

Truck fires may be tied to threats against police LOS ANGELES (AP) — Four municipal trucks were set ablaze in a rural Riverside County town plagued by bizarre booby trap attempts to kill police officers, and authorities said Wednesday the fire may be linked to the earlier attacks.

“Everyone is worried, everyone is being careful,” said police Lt. Duane Wisehart. “You get scared a little bit and then you get angry. It keeps happening.”

Someone called police around 11:10 p.m. Tuesday to report a fire in the parking lot at Hemet City Hall, located within two blocks of the police department, Police Chief Richard Dana said. No one was hurt.

Police were working with state and federal investigators to determine the cause of the blaze, which sent flames several feet above the trucks in the cab and hood area. The white trucks were for use by code enforcement officers.

Early indications were that some kind of flammable substance was used and not an explosive, Dana said.

Hemet, a traditionally quiet retirement city about 90 miles southeast of Los Angeles, has been rocked by a series of booby trap attacks against police officers in recent weeks.

“We are operating under the theory (the fire) is connected to the other assaults,” Dana said.

New ancestor?

Scientists study DNA from Siberia NEW YORK (AP) — In the latest use of DNA to investigate the story of humankind, scientists have decoded genetic material from an unidentified human ancestor that lived in Siberia and concluded it might be a new member of the human family tree.

The DNA doesn’t match modern humans or Neanderthals, two species that lived in that area around the same time — 30,000 to 50,000 years ago.

Instead, it suggests the Siberian species lineage split off from the branch leading to moderns and Neanderthals a million years ago, the researchers calculated. And they said that doesn’t seem to match the history of human ancestors previously known from fossils.

So the Siberian species may be brand new, although the scientists cautioned that they’re not ready to make that claim yet.

Other experts agreed that while the Siberian species may be new, the case is far from proven.

“We really don’t know,” said Ian

Birthday!!!

Clerk of Court

An unheAlthy mix

Lucas is the son of Brooke Harris of Ellenboro and Adam Harris of Boiling Springs, NC. Grandparents are William and Shelia Higgins of Rutherfordton, Rick Harris and Beth Black of Ellenboro.

Tattersall of the American Museum of Natural History in New York, who wasn’t involved in the new research.

But “the human family tree has got a lot of branchings. It’s entirely plausible there are a lot of branches out there we don’t know about.”

The discovery “is like many new finds,” said Eric Delson of Lehman College of the City University of New York, who didn’t participate in the new work. “You say, ‘I think this is different, but I’m not sure.’ And then you look for more material and you try to make better comparisons.”

The researchers, who say the Siberian species is not a direct ancestor of modern-day people, hope further genetic analysis will show if it’s a new species. Some experts are skeptical about whether such analysis will resolve that.

In any case, the finding emphasizes that quite unlike the present day, anatomically modern humans have often lived alongside their evolutionary relatives, one expert said.

“We weren’t alone,” said Todd Disotell of New York University.

Vote edna Walker

Happy 2nd

Lucas Harris celebrates his 2nd birthday on March 25th. An Elmo birthday party will be held on Saturday, March 27th for family and friends.

On Dec. 31, a natural gas pipe was rerouted into the headquarters of a gang task force. The building filled with flammable vapor, but an officer smelled the danger before anyone was hurt.

In a second attack, some kind of ballistic device rigged to a security fence at the same building went off when an officer opened the gate, but the bullet missed.

The third attack involved a deadly device found under a police officer’s unmarked car after the officer drove to a convenience store.

Dana said there has been at least one other booby trap uncovered, but he declined to release details.

In the past week or so, officers have received threats daily, either on their non-emergency telephone lines or via e-mail.

“They say things like, ’It’s too bad they missed, the next one’s gonna get you,”’ Dana said.

Investigators believe the attacks are the work of more than one individual, partly because of the sheer volume of activity.

Wisehart said a confidential informant last week overheard two people talking about how they were going to blow up a Hemet police car over the weekend. The informant told the Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies, who notified Hemet authorities.

The blood thinner known as Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate) reduces the risks of heart attack and stroke, but because the drug can upset users’ stomachs, they are often prescribed stomach acid-blocking drugs to counter this side effect. The trouble is that a popular variety of these heartburn medications can interfere with the blood-thinning effect of Plavix. As a result, the FDA recommends that patients taking Plavix substitute drugs from the H-2 blocker family for the stomach-soothing drugs Prilosec (omeprazole) and Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium). Nexium and Prilosec belong to a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors, and the FDA does not have sufficient information about other drugs in that class to judge whether they are safe to use with Plavix.

If you have any concerns about today’s column, speak with our pharmacists at SmITH’S DrugS oF ForeST CITy. Whether you have a question about medication your physician has prescribed, an over-the-counter remedy, or a health aid, we will be happy to help you with your answers.

We are conveniently located at 139 e. main Street, (828) 245-4591. It is always easy to pick up your prescription at our drive-thru window.

Hint: H-2 blockers include Pepcid and Zantac, which have not been shown to interfere with the effectiveness of Plavix.

Rutherford County is a great place to live. I want our county to prosper and thrive.

As Clerk, I will make the clerk’s office user friendly for you - the citizens. A Clerk who works for you!

Vote edna Walker

www.walkerforclerk.com Paid for by Walker For Clerk Campaign

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Thursday, March 25, 2010 — 13

Business/finance

THE MARKET IN REVIEW

STOCK EXCHANGE HIGHLIGHTS

d

NYSE

7,408.16 -70.60

GAINERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last Chg PMI Grp 4.49 +.85 StratHotels 4.65 +.85 RadianGrp 14.52 +2.63 FelCor 6.25 +1.03 Newcastle 3.13 +.50 MBIA 6.40 +.80 Nwcstl pfC 16.33 +1.90 Nwcstl pfD 16.29 +1.85 MLSPRt5-103.75 +.42 TorchEn lf 5.05 +.50

%Chg +23.4 +22.4 +22.1 +19.7 +19.0 +14.3 +13.1 +12.8 +12.6 +11.0

LOSERS ($2 OR MORE)

d

AMEX

1,875.44 -20.66

GAINERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name SunLink ChinaNet Arrhythm ChiGengM VirnetX CoastD MercBcp SinoHub n NTS Rlty TrnsatlPt n

Last 4.19 4.45 8.06 3.25 5.43 4.40 2.35 2.96 5.48 3.39

Chg %Chg +1.22 +41.1 +.41 +10.1 +.66 +8.9 +.20 +6.6 +.33 +6.5 +.25 +6.0 +.13 +5.9 +.16 +5.7 +.29 +5.5 +.17 +5.3

LOSERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last Chg %Chg MS S&P12-1112.11-1.93 -13.7 EscoTech 30.28 -4.22 -12.2 Jaguar g 9.82 -1.18 -10.7 Jabil 16.53 -1.83 -10.0 CaptlTr pf 2.96 -.29 -8.9 W Holding 10.16 -.92 -8.3 E-TrSPGld26.85 -2.15 -7.4 BkA BM RE 2.42 -.19 -7.3 Goldcp wt 4.55 -.36 -7.3 RobbMyer 24.75 -1.76 -6.6

Name Last PudaCoal n 9.25 SwGA Fn 12.50 AdcareHlt 5.20 VistaGold 2.01 EndvSilv g 3.16 WellsGard 2.26 AdcareH wt 2.75 NovaGld g 7.35 Rubicon g 3.91 Banro g 2.04

MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE) Name Vol (00) Last Chg Citigrp 4430395 4.15 +.02 BkofAm 2668797 17.57 +.44 S&P500ETF1698437116.84 -.57 SprintNex 1369759 3.94 +.11 GenElec 1234010 18.45 +.12 FordM 886107 13.90 ...

Pfizer 733313 17.61 +.07 SPDR Fncl 692915 15.91 +.01 iShEMkts 614110 41.01 -.62 DirFBear rs 546403 13.55 -.12

MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE) Name Vol (00) Last Chg Rentech 34964 1.05 -.04 GoldStr g 33146 3.70 -.09 LibertyAcq 31900 9.87 -.02 NthgtM g 27133 2.98 -.16 NovaGld g 23955 7.35 -.41 NwGold g 23891 4.30 -.22 BPW Acq wt 20336 1.48 +.02 AbdAsPac 16493 6.51 -.09 Taseko 16177 4.88 -.02 ExeterR gs 15970 6.62 -.13

Advanced Declined Unchanged Total issues New Highs New Lows Volume

DIARY

1,055 2,014 119 3,188 271 4 4,757,561,982

Chg %Chg -.75 -7.5 -.90 -6.7 -.31 -5.6 -.12 -5.6 -.18 -5.4 -.13 -5.4 -.15 -5.3 -.41 -5.3 -.22 -5.3 -.11 -5.1

DIARY

Advanced Declined Unchanged Total issues New Highs New Lows Volume

205 290 34 529 21 1 113,599,817

d

NASDAQ 2,398.76 -16.48

GAINERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Gentium Radcom ChinaBio CelsiusH Funtalk n StarScient AdeptTch PAB Bksh InnovSol HKHighpw

Last 3.23 3.46 11.26 3.59 6.87 2.64 4.01 2.35 5.64 6.35

Chg +1.41 +1.31 +2.18 +.57 +1.06 +.36 +.54 +.30 +.67 +.72

%Chg +77.5 +60.9 +24.0 +18.9 +18.2 +15.8 +15.6 +14.6 +13.5 +12.7

LOSERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last AutoChi n 33.68 DoverSadl 3.65 OrrstwnF n 26.40 PlumasBc 2.34 XenithB nh 4.99 FrontFn rs 2.40 LimeEngy 4.63 GlenBurnie10.19 MedCath 11.16 BBC pf II 7.20

Chg -8.75 -.60 -4.10 -.36 -.73 -.35 -.56 -1.23 -1.31 -.80

%Chg -20.6 -14.1 -13.4 -13.3 -12.8 -12.7 -10.8 -10.7 -10.5 -9.9

MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE)

Name Vol (00) PwShs QQQ605928 Intel 533918 Microsoft 334313 ApldMatl 331208 Yahoo 319588 Cisco 317756 Dell Inc 293291 ETrade 284860 Oracle 273480 Symantec 235748

Advanced Declined Unchanged Total issues New Highs New Lows Volume

Last Chg 48.02 -.23 22.43 -.24 29.65 -.23 13.00 -.24 16.09 +.06 26.45 -.19 14.99 -.23 1.59 -.03 25.76 -.23 16.97 -.08

DIARY

784 1,881 142 2,807 143 9 2,250,865,703

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

LIFE 10,920 LATELY? Dow JonesINSURANCE industrials Close: 10,836.15 Change: -52.68 (-0.5%)

Lowe’s CEO gets compensation worth $11.7M

10,800 10,400 10,000

www.edwardjones.com

9,600 9,200

NEW YORK (AP) — Lowe’s Cos. CEO Robert A. Niblock received compensation valued at $11.7 million in 2009 from the nation’s No. 2 home-improvement retailer, up 3 percent from 2008.

Lowe’s reported that Niblock, 47, who is also chairman, received a salary of $1.1 million, the same as in 2008, and a performancebased bonus of $2.8 million.

He received other compensation worth $204,515, including $30,297 for personal use of company aircraft and a $6,816 contribution to 401(k) plan.

The bulk of his award came as stock options and grants valued at $7.5 million.

10 DAYS

George A. Allen Financial Advisor 612 Oak Street Forest City, NC 828-245-1158

S

O

N

D

J

10,893.89 4,439.24 408.57 7,497.88 1,925.54 2,416.51 1,174.72 800.36 12,292.92 690.85

7,278.78 2,517.16 320.44 4,832.15 1,321.21 1,482.15 772.31 464.38 7,801.35 405.71

STOCK MARKET INDEXES Name

M

S

L

Total Assets Obj ($Mlns) NAV

Name

I

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

Sales figures are unofficial.

Home sales have been sluggish during the winter even though the deadline for a tax credit for firsttime home buyers was extended. It had been set to expire on Nov. 30.

Congress extended the deadline until April 30 and expanded it to cover existing homeowners who move. But economists, builders and real estate agents say the extension has not had much of an impact on sales.

DIAMOND SPECIALS

Net Chg

-52.68 -48.33 -3.54 -70.60 -20.66 -16.48 -6.45 -6.64 -69.99 -6.62

YTD %Chg %Chg

-.48 -1.10 -.93 -.94 -1.09 -.68 -.55 -.83 -.57 -.96

+3.91 +6.40 -5.17 +3.11 +2.77 +5.71 +4.72 +9.17 +5.79 +9.32

12-mo %Chg

+39.82 +64.69 +13.30 +44.49 +36.42 +56.89 +43.48 +61.18 +48.00 +60.29

MUTUAL FUNDS

Member SIPC

F

Last

Dow Industrials 10,836.15 Dow Transportation 4,362.06 Dow Utilities 377.43 NYSE Composite 7,408.16 Amex Market Value 1,875.44 Nasdaq Composite 2,398.76 S&P 500 1,167.72 S&P MidCap 793.31 Wilshire 5000 12,217.45 Russell 2000 683.68

PIMCO TotRetIs American Funds GrthAmA m Vanguard TotStIdx American Funds CapIncBuA m TOCKS OF OCAL NTEREST Fidelity Contra American Funds CpWldGrIA m YTD American Funds IncAmerA m YTD Name Div Yld PE Last Chg%Chg Name Div Yld PE Last Chg %Chg Vanguard 500Inv AT&T Inc 1.68 6.4 12 26.26 -.29 -6.3 LeggPlat 1.04 4.8 29 21.51 -.20 +5.4 American Funds InvCoAmA m Vanguard InstIdx Amazon ... ... 63 128.04 -1.22 -4.8 Lowes .36 1.5 20 24.38 -.45 +4.2 Dodge & Cox Stock ArvMerit ... ... ... 13.78 -.08 +23.3 Microsoft .52 1.8 16 29.65 -.23 -2.7 American Funds EurPacGrA m American Funds WAMutInvA m BB&T Cp .60 1.9 27 32.12 +.02 +26.6 PPG 2.16 3.3 22 65.43 -.62 +11.8 Dodge & Cox IntlStk BkofAm .04 .2 ... 17.57 +.44 +16.7 ParkerHan 1.00 1.5 38 65.34 -1.23 +21.3 PIMCO TotRetAdm b BerkHa A ... ... 24122090.00-1340.00 +23.1 American Funds NewPerspA m Cisco ... ... 25 26.45 -.19 +10.5 ProgrssEn 2.48 6.3 13 39.25 -.60 -4.3 American Funds FnInvA m ... ... 75 30.70 +.53 -.6 Fidelity DivrIntl d Delhaize 2.01 2.5 ... 80.60 -1.54 +5.1 RedHat Dell Inc ... ... 21 14.99 -.23 +4.4 RoyalBk g 2.00 ... ... 58.43 -.82 +9.1 FrankTemp-Franklin Income A m DukeEngy .96 5.9 14 16.32 -.14 -5.2 SaraLee .44 3.2 12 13.88 -.14 +14.0 American Funds BalA m Vanguard 500Adml ExxonMbl 1.68 2.5 17 66.50 -.45 -2.5 SonicAut ... ... 12 12.01 -.50 +15.6 Vanguard TotStIAdm FamilyDlr .62 1.7 17 36.10 -.43 +29.7 SonocoP 1.08 3.5 21 31.30 -.15 +7.0 Vanguard Welltn American Funds BondA m FifthThird .04 .3 19 13.58 +.12 +39.3 SpectraEn 1.00 4.5 17 22.29 -.19 +8.7 Fidelity GrowCo FCtzBA 1.20 .6 18 204.00 -2.02 +24.4 SpeedM .40 2.5 ... 15.73 +.06 -10.7 PIMCO TotRetA m GenElec .40 2.2 18 18.45 +.12 +21.9 .36 1.3 ... 28.35 -.26 +19.6 Vanguard TotIntl d GoldmanS 1.40 .8 8 174.41 -.42 +3.3 Timken Fidelity LowPriStk d 1.88 2.9 29 63.77 -.85 +11.2 T Rowe Price EqtyInc Google ... ... 27 557.33 +8.33 -10.1 UPS B KrispKrm ... ... ... 3.94 -.07 +33.6 WalMart 1.21 2.2 15 55.58 -.31 +4.0 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.

percent last month.

The increase was led by another surge in demand for commercial aircraft — an increase of 32.7 percent that followed a 134.9 percent rise in this volatile category in January. Excluding transportation, orders posted a 0.9 percent increase, much better than the 0.6 percent decline in January.

In its report on new homes, the Commerce Department said sales plummeted in parts of the country that were hit by bad weather. In the Northeast, they fell 20 percent from a month earlier. Midwestern sales fell 18 percent. Sales fell nearly 5 percent in the South but rose 21 percent in the West.

The sales report reflects signed contracts to buy homes rather than completed sales. It allows economists to assess how many buyers were out shopping for new homes in a given month.

The number of new homes up for sale in February rose slightly to 236,000. At the current sales pace, it would take more than nine months to exhaust that supply.

There was some positive news for builders: The median sales price climbed on both a monthly and yearly basis. It rose to $220,500, up more than 5 percent from a year earlier and up about 6 percent from January.

Lay-A-Way or Open An Arnold’s Charge

10,480

11,200

Housing sales hit low; durable goods are up WASHINGTON (AP) — Sales of new homes fell unexpectedly to their lowest point on record in February, in part because stormy winter weather kept buyers away.

The results pointed to the housing industry’s struggle to rebound from the worst slump in decades.

Sales fell 2.2 percent last month to a seasonally adjusted annual sales pace of 308,000, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. The news follows a report Tuesday that sales of existing homes fell for a third straight month in February, to the lowest level since July.

The results “provide yet more evidence that the housing market is heading for a double-dip in both activity and prices, if it isn’t there already,” wrote Paul Dales, U.S. economist with Capital Economics.

The drop in new-home sales was the fourth consecutive monthly decline and the worst showing on records dating to 1963. January’s results, meanwhile, were revised upward slightly to a pace of 315,000.

Economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters had expected new-home sales in February to rise to an annual rate of 320,000.

“While bad weather could well have suppressed the February result, it was dismal no matter how one tries to slice and dice it,” wrote Joshua Shapiro, chief U.S. economist at MFR Inc. As the housing market sputters, manufacturing remains a source of strength for the economic recovery.

Orders for big-ticket manufactured goods rose for a third straight month in February, bolstered by demand for commercial aircraft and machinery. The Commerce Department said Wednesday that orders for durable goods rose 0.5

10,700

52-Week High Low

CI 122,927 LG 64,425 LB 59,564 IH 56,242 LG 55,524 WS 53,078 MA 48,457 LB 47,853 LB 47,616 LB 44,500 LV 40,010 FB 38,069 LV 37,537 FV 35,758 CI 31,614 WS 31,553 LB 30,216 FG 29,870 CA 29,675 MA 29,546 LB 28,279 LB 28,262 MA 28,252 CI 27,481 LG 27,150 CI 25,333 FB 25,302 MB 24,867 LV 15,542 LB 9,595 LB 4,231 GS 1,496 LV 1,216 SR 430 LG 180

11.01 28.30 28.97 47.67 59.95 33.60 15.71 107.98 26.59 107.28 102.07 37.88 25.41 32.39 11.01 25.99 33.85 27.64 2.09 16.79 108.01 28.97 29.77 11.94 73.13 11.01 14.36 34.57 22.30 31.96 37.54 10.35 3.08 15.34 15.72

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

+0.7 +15.9/C +5.2 +43.7/D +5.8 +51.0/B +2.3 +31.0/C +5.2 +42.1/D +4.6 +43.8/D +2.5 +37.9/B +5.8 +48.0/B +4.6 +41.1/E +5.8 +48.1/B +6.2 +61.7/A +4.8 +46.9/C +4.6 +41.3/D +6.5 +67.0/A +0.7 +15.7/C +4.9 +48.4/C +5.5 +46.5/C +4.5 +44.8/D +3.1 +46.0/A +3.4 +34.8/C +5.8 +48.1/B +5.8 +51.1/B +3.5 +34.2/C +0.4 +18.2/B +7.7 +52.8/A +0.7 +15.4/C +4.9 +53.9/A +6.7 +63.9/B +6.5 +55.4/A +5.8 +57.2/A +5.3 +46.7/C -0.2 +3.5/B +4.4 +37.3/E +11.2+108.4/C +7.1 +44.9/C

+7.6/A +4.1/B +2.6/B +4.2/C +5.4/A +5.9/A +3.6/B +2.0/C +2.7/B +2.1/C +0.7/D +7.5/A +1.5/C +5.5/A +7.3/A +6.6/A +5.0/A +3.5/D +4.6/A +3.3/C +2.1/C +2.7/B +5.7/A +3.1/E +7.0/A +7.1/A +5.2/B +5.1/A +2.2/B +5.0/A +2.5/B +4.8/A -0.4/E +3.9/C +2.6/C

NL 5.75 NL 5.75 NL 5.75 5.75 NL 5.75 NL NL 5.75 5.75 NL NL 5.75 5.75 NL 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 5,000,000 250 250 2,500 1,000 250 100,000 100,000 10,000 250 2,500 1,000 3,000 2,500 2,500 2,000 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.

Europe’s debt stalls rally NEW YORK (AP) — Major stock indexes fell from their 2010 highs Wednesday as weakness in the housing market and rising European debt loads revived investors’ pessimistic view of the economy.

The Dow Jones industrial average fell about 53 points. It was only the Dow’s second drop in 12 days.

Broader stock indexes also slid.

Treasury prices tumbled after a government debt auction drew only modest demand for a second straight day. That raised concerns that the government will have to pay higher interest rates to attract buyers for its debt. Washington has been issuing record amounts of debt to help revive the economy.

The drop in stocks came after Fitch Ratings lowered Portugal’s credit rating. The agency said the country’s recovery will be slower than others that use the euro. Fitch contends that could hurt Portugal’s ability to repay its debt.

Deficit problems in Europe have been one of the few drags on stocks this year. Rising debt in Greece, Portugal and other nations that use the euro have investors worried that troubles there could upend a nascent global recovery.

The dollar rose to a 10-month high against the euro. The stronger dollar makes commodities more expen-

sive to foreign buyers. That cuts into demand.

Stocks have been carving steady gains for more than a month as reports signal a slow strengthening of the economy.

The Dow fell 52.68, or 0.5 percent, to 10,836.15, a day after closing at its highest level since September 2008.

It was the biggest point and percentage drop since Feb. 25.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index dropped 6.45, or 0.6 percent, to 1,167.72. The index also closed Tuesday at its highest level in nearly 18 months.

The Nasdaq composite index fell 16.48, or 0.7 percent, to 2,398.76. On Tuesday, the index reached its best level in 19 months.

Bond prices dropped after an auction of $42 billion in five-year Treasury notes drew weak demand.

The yield on the five-year note, which moves opposite price, rose to 2.59 percent from 2.42 percent.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year note rose to 3.86 percent from 3.69 percent late Tuesday.

An auction Tuesday of $44 billion in two-year notes also saw a drop in demand.

Crude oil fell $1.30 to $80.61 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Gold fell.

SAVE THE

DATE!

Your Weekly Guide to What’s Coming Up In Rutherford County!

14

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Thursday, March 25, 2010

Nation

Debate over Fannie and Freddie resumes WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers are starting to wrestle with how to replace Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the mortgage giants that nearly collapsed at the start of the financial meltdown.

In September 2008, the government seized control of Fannie and Freddie — massive companies that purchase home loans, package them

into investments and guarantee them against default.

Since then, the government has pumped a combined $126 billion into the companies to keep them afloat.

House lawmakers on Tuesday took tentative steps toward figuring out what to do next, holding their first hearing about how to restructure the mortgage system in the wake of the

financial crisis. For the time being, the market is still resting on three government pillars: Fannie, Freddie and the Federal Housing Administration.

Last year, the two companies backed about 70 percent of all home loans, according to Inside Mortgage Finance, a trade publication. The duo also manage the Obama administration’s $75 billion

loan modification program.

Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, said there is consensus about replacing Fannie and Freddie, but little agreement on what should take their place.

“You can’t really tear down the old jail until you’ve built a new one,” said Frank, who traded barbs with

Republicans about who deserved more blame for the collapse of Fannie and Freddie.

Since the government took over Fannie and Freddie, Obama officials have given few details on their longterm thinking. In the meantime, officials plan to seek public comment on a list of questions to be published next month.

Bailed out execs will be paid less

SAVE ON SUPPLIES FOR HOME OR BUSINESS Prices valid 3/25/10 - 3/29/10 unless otherwise noted.

Rated a best buy by a leading consumer magazine

now

5360

$

was 67 $

5-gallon size

Interior Flat Finish Paint #30104

that’s only $

1072

per gallon

ASK FOR

10

FREE

100

$

When you open and use a new Lowe’s Business Credit Account. Some exclusions apply. Offer valid 3/25/10 - 3/29/10. See store associate for application and required coupon.

See below for details.

for every $499 purchase of in-stock Owens Corning Oakridge 30-year Shingles. Offer valid 3/25/10 3/29/10. See store for details.

now

698

$

was $747 each

5

$

QUIKRETE® Concrete Mix

now

#12212

was $268 40 lbs.

228

$

OFF

YOUR FIRST PURCHASE

GIFT CARD VIA MAIL-IN REBATE

7/16" x 4' x 8' OSB Sheathing

%

97 each

4" x 4" x 8' Treated Lumber

#04030

•Limited lifetime warranty against rot and decay #201596

Items and brands may vary by market.

Also available on Lowes.com

Pricing and selection for commodity items may vary due to market conditions.

We reserve the right to limit quantities.

Full set of accessories included

Includes 24", 28", 30", 32" and 36" width

now

198

$

was $224 32" or 36" Savannah Retractable Screen Storm Door •Screen retracts into door frame and out of sight

now

19

now was $498

$

$

6-Panel Interior Door Slab

Flexible Elbow/Connector

3

•Primed and ready to paint #10973,4,5,6,7

17

was $4497

1997

$

•Expands to 21" •Provides flexibility in tight places #259819

3-HP (Peak), 6-Gallon Wet/Dry Vac •Easy conversion to blower •6' power cord #215727

now

488 was 698

$

$

Carry-On 5' x 8' Trailer with Gate #100369 Plus deposit where required.

now

249

$

now was $299

14

$

now

99 was $2096

2.0-HP (Peak), 6-Gallon Air Compressor Combo

11" Tri-Fold Jab Hand Saw

•3-tool kit included •3.7 SCFM @ 40 PSI #253002

•Tri-fold design for superior access and comfort #117756

347

$

was $397

32pack

16.9 Oz. that’s only Purified Bottled Water 11¢ #309791

per bottle

4' x 6' Trailer with Gate #145557

now

was

$398

$498

5' x 10' Trailer with Gate #185886

now

was

$898

$1098

May be Special Order in some areas.

We make it convenient.

Lowe’s stocks job-lot quantities for all your projects. And we can deliver the supplies you need to your business, property or job site seven days a week in most areas. See store for details.

Details on our policies and services: Prices may vary after 3/29/10 if there are market variations. “Was” prices in this advertisement were in effect on 3/18/10 and may vary based on Lowe’s Everyday Low Price policy. See store for details regarding product warranties. We reserve the right to limit quantities. While Lowe’s strives to be accurate, unintentional errors may occur. We reserve the right to correct any error. Prices and promotions apply to US locations only, and are available while supplies last. Ask for 10% off your first single-receipt in-store purchase charged to your new Lowe’s® Accounts Receivable or Lowe’s® Business Account or Lowe’s® Business Rewards Card from American Express when you open your new account in any Lowe’s store and make your first purchase between 3/25/10 and 3/29/10. Cannot be combined with other credit related promotional offers. Coupon must be presented at time of purchase and cannot be used in conjunction with any other coupon or discount. If you request this promotion, your purchase will not be eligible for any other credit related promotional offers. This coupon is good for a single-receipt purchase of any in-stock or Special Order merchandise only up to $5,000. The maximum discount with the coupon is $500. Coupon is not redeemable for cash, is non-transferable and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. Void if altered, copied, transferred, or sold through any online auction. Limit one coupon per business. Not valid on sales via Lowes.com, previous sales, purchase of services or Gift Cards. Offer must be requested, and coupon presented, at the time of purchase. Coupon valid for one time use only. Offer is subject to credit approval. Offer is not valid for accounts opened prior to 3/25/10. Excludes Lowe’s® Consumer Credit Card Accounts, Lowe’s® Project CardSM Accounts, Lowe’s® VISA® Accounts and all Lowe’s® Canada Credit Accounts. © 2010 by Lowe’s®. All rights reserved. Lowe’s and the gable design are registered trademarks of LF,LLC. (R100391) 001/100391/123

WASHINGTON (AP) — The top earners at five big companies still living on federal bailout money will take a 15 percent pay cut this year, the Obama administration’s pay czar says — yet many will still make millions.

Kenneth Feinberg also said cash salaries would be capped at $500,000 this year for the vast majority of the top executives at the five companies. Any further compensation has to be in stock.

Still, he said, 69 of the 119 executives covered by the restrictions will take home pay packages worth more than $1 million.

The announcements Tuesday were the administration’s latest effort to deal with outrage over lucrative pay provided to executives of bailed-out companies while the public struggles with stagnant wages and high unemployment.

Taxpayers can still expect to lose tens of billions on the rescues of the five companies: American International Group, GMAC Financial Services, Chrysler Financial, Chrysler and General Motors.

Feinberg said his review refuted companies’ complaints that pay restrictions would drive away top talent.

Inside the five companies, 84 percent of the top executives covered by last year’s pay limits have stayed put, he said.

“These statistics undercut the argument that if you don’t pay more, people will leave,” Feinberg said. “They are not leaving.”

Feinberg set pay rules in October for the seven companies that received the most money from the government’s $700 billion bailout fund.

Since then, Citigroup and Bank of America have paid back the money and are no longer covered by the pay guidelines.

It’s far from clear that the five remaining companies will repay their taxpayer billions.

AIG, the world’s largest insurer before it nearly collapsed in the financial crisis, has been selling assets to repay some of its $182 billion bailout package.

The Congressional Budget Office has also estimated that only about $15 billion of the $55 billion extended to GM, Chrysler and their financing arms and suppliers would be repaid.

Independent watchdogs have accused Feinberg of being overly generous with the pay packages.

Elizabeth Warren, chair of the oversight panel, has said Feinberg’s decisions should be scrutinized.

Feinberg also said he is asking 419 companies that received bailout money to provide details of compensation their executives received at the height of the crisis at the end of 2008 and in early 2009.

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Thursday, March 25, 2010 — 15

Nation

Reading scores hold steady for U.S. students

NEW YORK (AP) — Reading scores for fourth and eighth grade students held mostly steady last year, continuing a stubborn trend of minimal improvement across most racial, economic and geographic groups.

Scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, a series of federally funded achievement tests, rose in two states and the District of Columbia in grade four and in nine states for grade eight in 2009.

Overall, the fourthgrade average remained unchanged while eighth graders rose one point.

The average score for both grades was only four points higher than it was in 1992.

“Today’s results once again show that the achievement of American students isn’t growing fast enough,” Education Sec. Arne Duncan said in a statement. “Like the NAEP 2009 math scores released last fall, the reading scores demonstrate that students aren’t making the progress necessary to compete in the global economy.”

Fourth grade math scores flattened last year and eighth grade scores improved two points, scores that were considered stagnant compared to years of dramatic improvements; there has been a 27 point increase overall for fourth grade students since 1990. By contrast, those leaps have never been seen in reading.

“I really think that there are tremendous implications for the quality of teaching and the development of school leadership to make sure we have high performing schools

across the country,” said Steven Paine, superintendent of West Virginia schools and a member of the National Assessment Governing Board, which oversees the tests.

The test results come eight years after the enactment of the No Child Left Behind law championed by

President George W. Bush, which set a goal for every student to read and do math at grade level by 2014. In 2009, just 33 percent of fourth grade and 32 percent of eighth grade students scored at the proficient level in reading.

Fourth-grade students scored 221 on aver-

age out of a 500-point scale. Eighth-graders posted an average of 264.

The average score of fourth-grade students declined in four states: Alaska, Iowa, New Mexico and Wyoming.

While the overall scores remain relatively unchanged, researchers say there are important

trends — and progress — taking place within subgroups.

Tom Loveless, a senior fellow with the Brookings Institution, noted that the gap between the lowest and highest performers has consistently been shrinking from year to year.

The lowest 10th per-

centile of fourth graders scored an average of 170 in 1992 and 175 in 2009, and those in the 25th percentile increased their average from 194 to 199 during the same years — a jump of five points each. Meanwhile, the highest-performing students jumped three points, from 261 to 264.

16

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Thursday, March 25, 2010

nation

GOP senators set last push to thwart health bill

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a final drive to thwart President Barack Obama’s health care remake, Republican senators plan to force Democrats to run a gantlet of politically dicey votes before they can finish a companion bill to the landmark law.

Voting was expected to start late Wednesday on a full list of Republican amendments to a “sidecar” bill making changes Democrats agreed to in the main legislation already signed by Obama. Major components of the “fix” legislation include scaling back a tax on high-cost insurance plans opposed by labor unions, closing the coverage gap in the Medicare prescription benefits, and higher taxes on upper-income earners.

But Republicans have other ideas. Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., wants a vote on his amendment to prohibit coverage of Viagra for sex offenders. Sen. Judd Gregg, R-NH, wants savings from Medicare cuts plowed back into the health care program for seniors, instead of being used to expand coverage to the uninsured. Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., wants to gut penalties on employers whose workers wind up getting taxpayer subsidized coverage.

Democrats are vowing to

Associated Press

Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., left, and Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Ill., arrive at the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Wednesday for President Barack Obama’s closed door signing of an executive order that reaffirms the health care reform law’s restrictions on the use of federal funds for abortion.

bat down the GOP amendments one-by-one. Should they lose on any major financing component, the bill would have to go back to the House. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has put members on notice they may be needed to vote on any changes that get through the Senate.

Meanwhile, the Senate’s second-ranking Democrat accused Republicans of refusing to accept the finality

of the health care overhaul.

“This is a political exercise for too many on the other side of the aisle,” said Sen. Dick Durbin. “We’re going to tell our people back home, ’It’s time to govern. It’s time to lead.’ “ Durbin appeared on NBC’s “Today” show Wednesday with GOP Sen. Jim DeMint of South Carolina, who had said last year he believed the health care overhaul would turn out to Obama’s

Jackson Byers

celebrated his 3rd birthday March 21.

Jackson is the son of Christopher and Cassie Byers of Forest City.

Jackson enjoyed a Thomas the Train party with family and friends at Kidz Play.

247 Oak St., Suite 145 Forest City

828-248-2947

www.lifestylewellnessspa.com

15% off total bill with this ad* *Not eligible with a gift certificate *Excludes alcohol

Lunch Hours: Tues-Sat. 11:30am-2:30pm • Dinner Hours: Wed-Sat. 5:30pm-9:00pm

828-287-2932 • 205 Fashion CirCle • rutherFordton, NC www.thewateroakrestaurant.com

Attorney Brandon Jaynes

Jennine Watts

The Girl at McCurry Deck invites all of her customers from Mountain/ Sparkies Chrysler Jeep Dodge to come see her when purchasing your new or used vehicle.

In Loving Memory of Doris Hill 10/06/32 - 03/25/09

The slings wrap around the chest so on-the-go parents can carry their babies or just stay close as they bond with their infants.

JOB FAIR Friday, March 26, 2010 9am to 4pm

POSITIONS AVAILABLE! Apply in person at

112 Mountains Blvd., Lake Lure, NC 28746

(828) 245-2223

A PROFESSIONAL LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

WASHINGTON (AP) — More than 1 million baby slings made by Infantino were recalled Wednesday after claims linking them to three infant deaths.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission said babies could suffocate in the soft fabric slings. The agency urged parents to immediately stop using the slings for babies under 4 months.

The recall involves 1 million Infantino “SlingRider” and “Wendy Bellissimo” slings in the United States and 15,000 in Canada.

Infantino President Jack Vresics said the company has been working closely with the commission on its sling concerns.

“Our top priority is the safety of infants whose parents and caregivers use our products,” Vresics said in a statement. He said the company would offer a free replacement baby carrier, activity gym or shopping cart cover to any affected consumer.

Rumbling Bald Resort

www.kinglawoffices.com

KING LAW OFFICES

ture on the bill at a celebratory White House ceremony, he declared “a new season in America” and hailed an accomplishment that had been denied to a line of presidents stretching back more than half a century.

Approval of the fix-it bill at the end of this week is virtually assured, since it’s being debated under fast-track budget rules that allow passage with a simple majority instead of the 60 votes usually required for action in the 100-seat Senate. Democrats control 59 Senate seats.

That didn’t stop Republicans, who are unanimously opposed, from using the floor debate that began Tuesday afternoon as an opportunity to repeat the accusations they’ve lobbed at Obama’s health legislation for the past year: that it raises taxes, slashes Medicare and includes a burdensome and constitutionally questionable requirement for nearly all Americans to carry health insurance.

The main suspense surrounding this week’s debate is whether the fix-it bill can emerge from the Senate unchanged. If it does, it can go straight to the president for his signature, since it’s already passed the House. If the Senate changes it even in a minor way, the legislation would have to go back to the House to be passed again.

Baby slings recalled

Celebrate Our Birthday With Us! Join Now for $22 Matthew Short Personal Trainer/NASM

“Waterloo.”

“America doesn’t want a broken presidency,” said Durbin, D-Ill. DeMint did not back down, saying “Americans are very angry,” not only with the substance of the sweeping health care bill Obama signed into law Tuesday, but also with the process Democrats used to muscle it through Congress.

The fixes under consideration by the Senate were demanded by House Democrats as their price for passing the mammoth overhaul legislation that will extend coverage to 32 million uninsured Americans over the next decade.

“They’re hoping that Americans don’t notice this is another power grab,” DeMint said of Democrats.

“So we’re going to bring these issues up.” He accused Democrats of breaking “a lot of protocols” in the Senate and said he couldn’t imagine Republicans working very hard to cooperate with Obama and Democrats on other issues.

In another move to block action by Democrats, Republicans invoked obscure Senate rules that prevent hearings from taking place without unanimous consent, resulting in the cancellation of a number of routine hearings Tuesday and Wednesday.

As Obama put his signa-

Go to www.rumblingbald.com for driving directions.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

NOTICE OF MEETING OF THE RUTHERFORD COUNTY BOARD OF EQUALIZATION AND REVIEW Pursuant to N.C.G.S. 105-322 the Rutherford County Board of Equalization and Review will meet as required by law.

PURPOSE OF MEETING To hear, upon request, any and all taxpayers who own or control taxable property assessed for taxation in Rutherford County, with respect to the valuation of such property, or the property of others, and to fulfill other duties and responsibilities as required by law.

Chloe Amanda Elliott Celebrates her 1st Birthday on March 25th Parents are Heather & Bryan Elliott, siblings are Hannah & Bryce Elliott all of Forest City.

Maternal Grandparents are Mike & Amanda Davis of Rutherfordton, and Tony & Lisa Roberson of Cliffside.

Paternal Grandparents are Clyde Elliott of Caroleen, and Mary Elliott of Rutherfordton

TIME OF MEETINGS The Board will convene for its first meeting on Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 9:00 AM in room 6 of the County Annex.

Subsequent meetings will start between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM as needed.

The Board will adjourn for the purpose of accepting request for hearing at its last meeting on Thursday, April 15, 2010.

Nanney, I can’t believe it has been a year since the Lord called you home.

Not a day goes by that I don’t feel alone.

A long hard path you had battled down never giving up or turning around.

That day that the Lord took your hand a piece of my heart followed you to the Promise Land.

I know that you are now whole and dancing on those streets of gold but always know Nanney, my heart you hold.

I miss you so much more than words can say but rest assured, we will be together again one day.

Your granddaughter

Request for hearings must be received no later than final adjournment which is scheduled for Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 12:00 PM.

Your Full Service Funeral Home Family Owned & Operated Since 1953

Steve Carroll Funeral Director/Owner

In the event of earlier or later adjournment, notice to that effect will be published in the newspaper.

The schedule for hearing of appeals which were timely filed will be posted at the office of the Assessor, serving as Clerk to the Board, and will also be provided to individuals and organizations that have requested notice pursuant to N.C.G.S. 143-318.12.

All requests for hearings should be made to: Kep Kepley, Clerk to the Rutherford County Board of Equalization and Review P. O. Box 143, Rutherfordton, NC 28139-0143, Telephone: (828) 287-6355.

She’s informed. Are you?

Read

4076 Hwy. 221-A, P.O. Box 337 Cliffside, NC 28024

828-657-6322

www.mckinneylandrethfuneralhome.com

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Thursday, March 25, 2010 — 17 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

MARCH 25 DSH DTV 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30

BROADCAST STATIONS

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

3 4 7 13 2 12 6 8 97 10

3 4 7 9 13 16 21 33 40 62

College Basketball College Basketball Ent Inside Com Parks Office Rock Marriage Ref News College Basketball College Basketball Inside Ent FlashForward Grey’s Anat.

Private Pract. News Wheel J’par FlashForward Grey’s Anat.

Private Pract. News Yukon Robin Niteline Mann Praise the Lord Å Two Sein Bones Å Fringe Å News Sein Busi NC Our Explr North Best of Festival Payne My } › Date Movie (‘06) News Ac TMZ Trek Big Old House Stories Lens Tavis Fam Ray Vampire Supernatural News Name Fam

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

The First 48 The First 48 The First 48 Man Man Man Man The First 48 106 & Park Movie } A Low Down Dirty Shame Mo’Nique W. Williams Dai Col Futur Futur Ugly South Martin Sarah Dai Col G. Lopez John King Camp. Brown Larry King Anderson Cooper 360 Å Larry King Extreme Peril Extreme Peril Death Be Alive Extreme Peril Death SpCtr Live Baseball Ton. SportsNation World Series SportsCenter SportsCenter Foot Box Tyson Tyson’s Hits MLS Soccer: Union at Sounders Live NAS FOX Report O’Reilly Hannity (N) On Record O’Reilly Hannity NHL Hockey: Capitals at Hurricanes Post My Final Boxing (L) › Big Daddy } ›› Night at the Museum (‘06) } ›› Night at the Museum (‘06) Moving } ››› Hot Shots!

Hot Shots! Part Deux } White Men Can’t Jump 7th Heaven 7th Heaven } Thicker Than Water (‘05) Gold Gold Gold Girls House House First My Sell Nails House House House First Sell Nails Marvels Marvels Food Tech Pick Pick Food Tech Marvels Grey’s Anat.

Grey’s Anat.

Prjct Runway Prjct Runway Mod Prjct Runway Mod iCarly Spon Mal Mal Chris Chris Lopez Lopez Nanny Nanny Nanny Nanny CSI CSI } ››› First Blood (‘82) MAN MAN Ac UFC Name of King Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man Caprica Pirates-Dead Sein Sein } ››› Mean Girls (‘04) Payne Payne Lopez Name Name Indiscretion } ›››› Interiors (‘78) } ›››› Ordinary People I Never Sang LA Ink Å Police Police LA Ink (N) Police LA Ink Å Bones Å NBA Basketball: Heat at Bulls NBA Basketball Stok John Ben Ben Total 6TEE King King Fam Fam Chick Aqua NHL Hockey Thras ACC Phen NHL Hockey NCIS Å House Å House “Ugly” House Å Burn Notice 12:05 House Home Videos WWE Stars Home Videos WGN News Scru Scru WWE Stars

8651 8182 8181 8650 8180 8192 8183 8190 8184 8185

News Late Jay Leno Late News Late Night J. Kimmel Night J. Kimmel Place Frien Frien Jim BBC Charlie Rose Dr. Oz Show Cheat BBC Charlie Rose Office Office 70s

CABLE CHANNELS

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

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

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

PREMIUM CHANNELS

MAX ENC HBO SHO STARZ

510 520 500 540 530

310 340 300 318 350

512 526 501 537 520

} The Uninvited } ››› Taken (‘08) } › Babylon A.D. Day Earth Stood Still Toy House } ›› Booty Call :20 } ››› Traitor :15 } ››› The Rock (‘96) Riding Car Monsters vs. Aliens Clash REAL Sports Real Sex 22 How Funn Family That Preys } ›› Soul Men (‘08) iTV. Nurse Tara Why We Ugly :40 } ›› Hancock (‘08) :21 } Step Brothers Spartacus Reign of Fire

Mom struggles to love child

DEAR ABBY: I can’t stand my 10-year-old daughter. I was an 18-year-old single mother when she was born. I find her ugly and annoying. Everyone tells me how “sweet” and “pretty” she is, but I can’t see it.

I dread when she comes home from school. I am not physically abusive to her ­— I would never do that. But I can be verbally abusive, and I know I need to stop.

I am now married with two more kids (boys), and I adore them. What’s wrong with me? How can I fix this?

-- ANONYMOUS DEAR ANONYMOUS: The circumstances of your daughter’s birth were very different from those of your sons. When you look at her, you may be reminded of a chapter in your life you would prefer to forget. How sad for both of you.

The way you treat her, particularly in relation to her half-brothers — will affect the way she perceives herself for the rest of her life. People whose parents treat them as unlovable often regard themselves as not “measuring up,” and it can cause self-esteem problems that last a lifetime.

I encourage you to seek therapy. If that isn’t possible, then I advise you to hold your tongue, control your temper and compel yourself to show your daughter approval and affection every day until it becomes a habit or she’s old enough to leave.

Dear Abby Abigail van Buren

DEAR ABBY: My workplace has instituted “casual dress Friday,” where everyone is supposed to make a donation to a charity selected by a different employee each fortnight.

While this is nice in theory, I often find that I don’t wish to donate to the chosen charity because I don’t agree with its ethics or its methods.

I give regularly to charities of my choice, which I have researched beforehand.

How do I bow out gracefully when the collection tin comes around? I have tried to explain to my co-workers why I don’t support a particular charity and simply say I have chosen not to participate. I am met with blank stares and demands that I explain myself.

-- FEELING AWKWARD DEAR FEELING AWKWARD: The policy you describe seems more like “friendly” extortion than charitable giving. While I’m all for casual Fridays, the policy of pressuring people to give, strikes me as one that should be modified or done away with completely.

Potassium related to cause DEAR DR. GOTT: Can you please address high potassium levels? My husband’s level went from 4.6 in 2008 to 5.6 in 2009. Other than food that is high in potassium, what could cause the level to jump? Should he be on a restricted diet? Can exercise bring it down?

His physical this year did show his total cholesterol level rose, mainly his LDL to 143, HDL to 77 and triglycerides to 115. His blood pressure is normal.

DEAR READER: Common causes of elevated levels are acute or chronic kidney failure. A normal blood-potassium level is between 3.6 and 4.8 milliequivalents per liter, known as mEq/L. Levels above 6.0 can be the result of type 1 diabetes; Addison’s disease; angiotensinconverting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors; alcoholism; heavy drug use; severe injury, such as burns, that cause destruction of red blood cells; and

PUZZLE

Ask Dr. Gott Dr. Peter M. Gott

potassium supplements.

Does your husband have a specific problem his physician was attempting to confirm or rule out? Or is he on a medication that might require monitoring? If so, the elevation might be medication-related and can be corrected with a substitute drug.

Elevated potassium levels can result in heart arrhythmias, weakness, fatigue, nausea and more. Treatment is commonly tied to the underlying cause, so your husband may need additional testing. At the very least, he should return to his physician for a thorough discussion of the situation and what can be done to correct it.

IN THE STARS

Your Birthday, Mar. 25

If you get on the wrong track, perseverance will get you back on the right course.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) - If you and another clash over an issue, neither will be able to force the other into an agreement.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) - Trying to postpone responsibilities to another time will likely make it far worse.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) - It’s to your advantage to avoid a certain clique that contains a couple of members you don’t like.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) - Don’t opt out of an activity because the opposition has some new members who look to be really tough.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Subdue inclinations to tell a friend what s/he wants to hear instead of the painful truth that should be told.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept.

22) - Spending monies you do not have right now will make you regret your wastefulness.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) - Do your own thing without driving off friends who want to do something collectively.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) - Unless you can get something off your chest, you may end up being a loner today.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) - Try to be helpful without getting so involved that you get caught up in a friend’s affairs.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) - When involved in a joint endeavor, yield to how the majority wants to handle things.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) - If others don’t think your ideas make much sense, try to do things their way for a change.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) - If involved in something about which you lack expertise, don’t pretend that you understand.

CLASSIFIEDS

18 — The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, THURSDAY, March 25, 2010

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

1 WEEK SPECIAL

DEADLINES: New Ads, Cancellations & Changes 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.

Tuesday Edition.............Monday, 12pm Wednesday Edition......Tuesday, 2pm Thursday Edition......Wednesday, 2pm Friday Edition...............Thursday, 2pm Saturday Edition................Friday, 2pm Sunday Edition......................Friday, 2pm

Apartments

Homes For

Mobile Homes

Special $200 dep.!

Rent or Sale

For Rent

3,000 sqft. home in FC Fixer upper! $45,000 3BR/2BA in Rfdtn. $650/mo. + securities.

748-0658 or 286-1982

2BR/2BA in Ellenboro.

Cent. h/a, stove, refrig. $85/wk + $200 dep.

Call 453-8250

1-888-684-5072

Nice 2 Bedroom Townhouse Apt across from Super 8 Motel in Spindale.

$525/month Call

828-447-1989 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.

Homes For Sale 3BR/1BA Brick House with large outbuilding.

Ellenboro area. Owner financing with DP! $64,900 657-4430

FSBO: 3BR/1.5BA Brick Veneer house Appliances included! $80,000 245-8233

Mobile Homes For Sale Homes R Us Single Wides, Double Wides and Modulars.

We’ve Got you covered!

Plus Receive $6,500 - $8,000 for purchasing a home.

Call 828-433-8455

Spring Time Specials!!

Spring is on the way.

Call 828-433-8412 and be in a new home by Spring. Use your Taxes as Down Payment Plus Get $6,500-$8,000 back to move in

828-433-8412

Mobile Homes For Rent 2BR near East High $300/mo. Dep. & ref’s req. Senior discount.

Call 248-1909

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.

*4 line minimum on all ads

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

Run ad 6 consecutive days and only pay for 5 days*

Additional words are only 75¢ each. Deadline: Wed. at 2 p.m.

Work Wanted

3BR/2BA DW 107 Cobra Dr., Forest City $650/mo. No credit check! 704-472-3100 3BR/2BA w/FP on 1/2 acre plot. Swimming pool & extras avail.!

Priced right! 245-8734

Real Estate Wanted Looking to buy 2/3 bedroom houses in Spindale or Rfdtn. I am not a real estate agent.

Call 919-604-1115 or dlbuff@yahoo.com

Business Services M & G Haul-N & Removing Things such as: Scrap Metal, Buses, Cars, Aluminum, Tin, Metal Call anytime 447-8969 or 286-9591

Find what you are looking for in the Classifieds!

IF YOU NEED YARD WORK OR GRASS CUT CALL 245-0701

Help Wanted 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 Physical Therapist Full time and PRN position available. St. Luke’s Outpatient Rehab, days, NC Licensure as a PT, CPR Certification.

New grads welcome!

Duties include: provide PT evaluation and treatment services for outpatient population.

PRN position available for acute care services & Outpatient.

Send resume to: smcdermott@ saintlukeshospital.com

or fax 828-894-0538

NOTICE OF PARTY PRIMARY ELECTIONS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the qualified voters of Rutherford County that a Democrat and Republican Primary election will be held on Tuesday, May 4, 2010. The polls will open at 6:30 A.M. and close at 7:30 P.M. Voters registered with the Rutherford County Board of Elections as affiliated with the Democrat Party may vote only in the Democratic Primary; voters registered as affiliated with the Republican Party may vote only in the Republican Primary; voters registered as Unaffiliated may vote in either the Democratic Primary or the Republican Primary, not in both.

*Private party customers only! This special must be mentioned at the time of ad placement.

Valid 3/22/10 - 3/26/10

Help Wanted

Want To Buy

Found

Yard Sales

Chiropractic Assistant High energy, selfmotivated, team player needed for Chiropractic office. Must be wellness minded, organized with great attention to detail.

Experience with Med Office/Front Desk/Ins. a must. Fax resume 828-245-0422 or mail 152 West Main St., Forest City, NC 28043 Email ccp2@ bellsouth.net. Please include prof. ref’s.

I WILL BUY YOUR JUNK CARS & SCRAP METAL. Will haul away appliances or scrap metal.

Up to $200 for any car!

Call Jesse 447-4944 or email jking1571 @msn.com

Male Chihuahua Dark brown, no collar, lifts hind left leg when he runs. Behind Spindale Library. Call 288-3966

5 FAMILY Gilkey 1922 US Hwy 221 Sat. 7A-2P Household, lots of baby items, strollers, baby/girls/adult clothing, shoes, furniture, stovetop

Trinity Christian School seeking qualified Middle School Math/Science teacher.

Resumes can be dropped off at school office. 286-3900

For Sale 7 ft. Sleeper Sofa & Love seat. Blue with gold, rust & green floral print. Floor pillow to match. Excellent condition! $450 Call 248-5658 lv. msg.

Want To Buy I PAY CASH FOR DIABETIC TEST STRIPS Up to $10 per 100 ct. Call Bob 828-577-4197

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

Pets Free to a good home All types of kittens Fixed, shots, house trained. Need love!

Call 245-2468 anytime Looking for a small dog for my daughter.

Will provide a very loving home. Please call 287-5297

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

$200 Reward F Jack Russell Brown & white, 3 yrs. old, 9 lbs. Lost 3/15: High Shoals Rd. Henrietta/Cliffside area Call w/info 980-3062

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the estate of ROBERT E. WOODBRIDGE JR. of Rutherford County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the estate of the said ROBERT E. WOODBRIDGE JR. to present them to the undersigned on or before the 4th day of June, 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 4th day of March, 2010.

Have you lost or found a pet? Are you giving something away for free? Place an ad at no cost to you!

Residents who are not registered to vote must register by April 9, 2010, to be eligible to vote at the precinct. A person may register or make changes at the Elections office located at 298 Fairground Rd. Spindale, NC between the hours of 8:30 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, or by mail. Persons wishing to register and vote after the registration deadline may appear in person at a one-stop absentee voting site, complete the voter registration application form and provide proof of residence by presenting valid documents showing current name and address.

Lauree Doonan, Executor PO Box 416 Boiceville, NY 12412

An absentee application by mail must be submitted before April 27, 2010. Voting One-stop in the Elections office begins on April 15, 2010 and will be open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. There will be no additional One-Stop sites for the Primary Election. All One-Stop voting will end on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at 1:00 P.M.

1. Ordinance Number 10-04-13, an Ordinance Concerning Commercial Hospitality Uses; amending the Zoning Regulations of the Town of Lake Lure to modify the definition of residential vacation rental; to provide new definitions for hotels & motels and lodges; and to make lodges permitted uses in the CG Zoning District and conditional uses in the R-4 Zoning District.

The offices to be voted on are, Democrat and Republican US Senate, Democrat and Republican US House District 10, Democrat and Republican US House District 11, Republican NC House District 112, Republican County Commissioner District 1, Democrat County Commissioner District 4, Democrat and Republican County Commissioner District 5, Republican Sheriff, Democrat and Republican Clerk of Superior Court, Republican Coroner, and Nonpartisan Court of Appeals Judge Syble T. Scruggs, Chairman

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that at 7:00 p.m., on 13 April 2010, at the Lake Lure Municipal Center, 2948 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure, North Carolina, the Lake Lure Town Council will hold public hearings with regard to the following matters:

2. Ordinance Number 10-04-13A, an Ordinance Concerning the Protection of Public Infrastructure; Amending the Zoning Regulations of the Town of Lake Lure to make it a violation thereof to damage public infrastructure.

The public is advised that it has the right to appear at said public hearing and present information with regard to these matters. Copies of the proposed ordinances are available for review or purchase (at a nominal cost) at the Lake Lure Municipal Center.

Miscellaneous

BIG SALE FC: 443 Forest Lake Rd. Sat. 7A-1P Shoes, boots, camo, bikes, knives, desks, clothing, WWII jacket, caps, jeans

Washing machine to give away to a family in need. Please call 828-289-5684 after 5:30 pm

Yard Sales Multi-Family Rfdtn: 480 S Main St. (beside Encore) Sat. 7A-until Rocking chair, entertainment center, clothing, dishes, corner rack and more!

YARD SALE Hwy 221 North on the left before Thermal City Gold Mine Friday 10A-4P & Saturday 8A-until

2 FAMILY Spindale 236 Nebraska St. (turn at BB&T) Sat. 8A-until Household, furniture, Easter items, toys, books, clothes and more!

Ellenboro: Campfield Baptist Church Sat. 7A-until Country Ham Breakfast/Car wash.

Proceeds for youth mission trip!

ESTATE/YARD SALE Rfdtn: 131 Fleming Dr. (221N, left on Thompson Rd., across from RS Central) Sat. 7A-until Girls clothes YARD SALE Bostic 196 N. Main Sat. 7:30A-until Large variety of items!

Rfdtn: From Central High to Thompson, turn right on 64/74 West Sat. 7A Composter, french doors, baby items, clothes, keyboard

YARD SALE Rfdtn 251 W. 3rd Street (behind Courthouse) Sat. 3/27 7A-until Baby stuff, household items, elliptical, clothes and more!

YARD SALE PACKAGE AVAILABLE ONLY $20 Comes with a 20 word ad that runs in the paper on Thurs., Fri. & Sat., 3 yard sale signs, pricing stickers & a rain day guarantee!

Call or come by the office for more details M-F 8a-5p

ROSEDALE PHASE I APARTMENTS 121 Holly Lane Forest City, NC 28043 Family Households

1 BEDROOM APARTMENTS Units for Persons with Disabilities Available Section 8 Accepted

Please Call (1) 828-245-3417 TDD/TYY # (1) 800-735-2962 “This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer”

WEB DIRECTORY Visit the advertisers below by entering their Web address

AUTO DEALERSHIPS

HEALTH CARE

NEWSPAPER

REAL ESTATE

(828) 245-0095 www.hospiceofrutherford.org

(828) 245-6431 www.thedigitalcourier.com

(828) 286-1311 www.keeverrealestate.com

HUNNICUTT FORD (828) 245-1626 www.hunnicuttfordmercury.com

To List Your Website In This Directory, Contact The Daily Courier Classified Department at (828) 245-6431 Erika Meyer, Ext. 205 Thousands of Satisfied Customers Have Learned the Same Lesson...

CLASSIFIED ADS GET RESULTS!!!

BUSINESS&SERVICE DIRECTORY

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, THURSDAY, March 25, 2010 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 19

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

Residential & Commercial s !DDITIONS s $ECKS s 2EMODELING s 3IDING s 7INDOWS

NC License 6757 â&#x20AC;˘ SC License 4299 FAST RELIABLE SERVICE ON ALL BRANDS Free Estimates â&#x20AC;˘ Best Warranties All Work Guaranteed Service â&#x20AC;˘ Installation â&#x20AC;˘ Duct Cleaning â&#x20AC;˘ IAQ Gas / Oil / Heat Pumps / Geothermal / Boilers Residential & Commercial 24 Hour Emergency Service

245-1141 www.shelbyheating.com

CONSTRUCTION Winter has been hard.

Let us help make your spring improvements. s !LL TYPES OF (OME 2EPAIRS s 2EMODELING "UILDING !DDITIONS s $ECKS 0ORCHES s (OME )NSPECTIONS s )NSURED

Call today for all your home needs.

287-8934 447-1266 Daryl R. Sims â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Gen. Contractor HOME IMPROVEMENTS

Bill Gardner Construction, Inc WINDOWS & SIDING ENTRANCE DOORS

STORM DOORS

Family Owned & Operated Local Business

Free Estimates & Fully Insured Licensed Contractor

Licensed and Insured Benjamin Greene

828-289-2743 GRADING & HAULING

DAVIDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GRADING We do it all

No job too small

828-657-6006 Track Hoe Work, Tractor Work , Dozer Work, Bobcat Work, Trenching, Grading and Land Clearing, Hauling Gravel, Sand, Dirt, Etc. FREE ESTIMATE

CONSTRUCTION

Hutchins Remodeling

828-245-1986

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Not Comfortable Until You Areâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Serving Rutherford & Cleveland County For 30 Yearsâ&#x20AC;?

CONSTRUCTION Greene Construction

Seamless Gutters Decks Porches RooďŹ ng Painting Handicap Ramps Room Additions Free Estimates ~Lance Hutchins~

GRADING/PAVING

GUTTERS

RGRA E DI N NG D R , IN A and C G PAVING SERVICES

SPINDALE SEAMLESS GUTTER AND VINYL SIDING

Quality Fine Grading, Stone & Asphalt Work, Sealcoating and Striping at Competitive Prices!

OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE

FREE ESTIMATES

828-527-3036 828-527-2925

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Vinyl Replacement Windows Double Pane, Double Hung 3/4" Glass, Energy-Star Rated

INSTALLED - $199*

Vinyl Siding â&#x20AC;˘ Windows & Decks Kitchen & Bath Remodeling Redoor, Redrawer, Reface or Replace Your Cabinets!

H & M Industries, Inc.

Website - hmindustries.com

Visa Mastercard Discover

HOME IMPROVEMENT

HOME IMPROVEMENT

Does your business need a boost? Let us design an eye catching ad for your business! Business & Services Directory ads get results! Call the Classified Department!

245-6431 LANDSCAPING FOREST LAKE LANDSCAPING Landscape and Lawn Maintenance

* roofing * concrete * decks & steps * painting * carpentry * skirting * plumbing * sheet rock * room additions * metal roofing

No Job Too Small Discount for Senior Citizens

828-657-6518 828-223-0310

s ,ANDSCAPE $ESIGN )NSTALLATION s ,ANDSCAPE &ERTILIZATION s ,AWN 3EEDING AND 3ODDING s #OMPLETE ,ANDSCAPE 3ERVICES s -OWING s -ULCHING s 0RUNING s ,IGHTING Commercial â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Residential Free Estimates

Phillip Dowling 248-2585

PAWN SHOP

ROOFING

Small Cash Loans Available

Todd McGinnis Roofing

WE BUY GOLD & SILVER s 'UNS s (ANDGUNS s +NIVES ALER FFL DE nsfers a r T s *EWELRY n Gu e!

Welcom s 3ILVER #OINS

7E "UY 3ELL 4RADE

Give us a

Rubberized/Roofing Metal, Fix Leaks

287-3456

FREE ESTIMATES

A-1 Rutherford Locksmith & Pawn

828-286-2306 828-223-0633

2AILROAD !VE 2UTHERFORDTON .#

www.locknpawn.com

LOCKSMITHING

WE CAN SAVE YOU UP TO 50%!

s #HIP +EYS s $EALER /NLY +EYS s #AR 2EMOTES FOBS s $EADBOLT )NSTALLS s %MERGENCY #ALLS

-ENTION THIS AD FOR 1 FREE KEY! $ 00 KEY PER HOUSEHOLD 2. VALUE

828-287-1022

A-1 Rutherford Locksmith NCLL #553 901 Railroad Ave. Rutherfordton, NC 28139

www.locknpawn.com

ROOFING

GARY LEE QUEENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ROOFING

Golden Valley Community Over 35 Years Experience â&#x153;&#x201C; All work guaranteed â&#x153;&#x201C; Specializing in all types of roofing, new & old â&#x153;&#x201C; References furnished â&#x153;&#x201C; Vinyl Siding â&#x153;&#x201C; 10% DISCOUNT FOR SENIOR CITIZENS CHURCHES & COMMUNITY BUILDINGS ALSO METAL ROOFS

5 YEAR WARRANTY ON LABOR FREE ESTIMATES

Call today! 245-8215

Hensleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Power Washing

828-245-6333 828-253-9107 AFFORDABLE HOUSE WASHING WITH experience & knowledge & Great Customer service We Can Bring Water

HOME IMPROVEMENTS Blue Mountain Home Improvements

Chad Jones

828.447.3061 Decks â&#x20AC;˘ Porches â&#x20AC;˘ Windows Doors â&#x20AC;˘ Floors â&#x20AC;˘ Bathrooms Tiled Showers â&#x20AC;˘ Tile â&#x20AC;˘ Trim Carpentry â&#x20AC;˘ Painting Kitchens And Much More

Metal RooďŹ ng (Energy-Star Rated â&#x20AC;˘ 30% Return on Taxes)

INSURED! FREE ESTIMATES!

429-5151 HOME REPAIR

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

*up to 101 UI

704-434-9900

Licensed Contractor 30 Years Experience

286-2094 245-7779

FREE LOW E AND ARGON!

828-248-1681

â&#x20AC;˘ Painting â&#x20AC;˘ Replacement Windows â&#x20AC;˘ Decks

FREE ESTIMATES! WORK GUARANTEED!

Guaranteed Lowest Prices on Vinyl DH Windows

245-6367

â&#x20AC;˘ Remodeling

Installs Gutter Guards Cleans Gutters Repairs New & Old Vinyl Siding

Specializing In Metal Roofing.....Offered In Many Colors

Licensed Contractor with 35 Years Experience

David Francis

YOUR AD COULD BE HERE!

-

Carpentry Paint Tile Hardwood Flooring Landscape Services

J. ABRAMS

828-289-4564

Quality Work â&#x20AC;˘ Affordable Prices

Free Estimates

PAINTING

PAINTING

Interior & Exterior 22 years experience

Campbellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Paint

Interior & Exterior Residential and Commercial No Job Too Small or Too Big

Great references Free Estimates

FREE ESTIMATES 38 yrs experience

Charles Campbell John 3:16

TREE TREE CARE CARE

Carolina Tree Care & Stump Grinding

10% discount Topping & work Removal on all Stump Grinding Valid 9/17-11/1/09

â&#x20AC;˘ Low RatesInsured Fully â&#x20AC;˘Free Good Clean Work Estimates â&#x20AC;˘ Satisfaction Guaranteed 20 Years Experience â&#x20AC;˘ Fully Insured Senior Citizens & â&#x20AC;˘ Free Estimates

Veterans Discounts

ChadReid Sisk Mark (828) 289-7092 828-289-1871 Senior Citizen Discounts

828-289-6520 VETERINARIAN Thunder Road Animal Bi-Lo Hospital Super 8 Motel 74 Bypass

Spindale Dennyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 286-0033 *Dog/Cat spay/neuter program *Low-cost monthly shot clinic *Flea & tick control *Heart worm prevention *SALE* Save Up To $4600 Today

20

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Thursday, March 25, 2010

1-800-356-3166

Nation/World

828-245-0128

Automotive www.watkinsauto.com

Directory

Audi • BMW • Buick • Cadillac • Chevrolet Chrysler • Dodge Ford • GMC • Honda • Jaguar • Jeep • Joyner • Lexus Lincoln • Mercedes • Mercury • Mini Cooper • Mitsubishi Nissan • Pontiac • Satrun • Toyota • Volvo

BECAUSE MORE IS WHAT WE DO! 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 Ext. Cab Sport

#3814-A, V8, Auto, All Power Equipped, Nice Truck!

5,99 9

$

LOW BAN K RATE S 2006 Honda Civic LX

2001 Ford F-150 XLT #3767, V8, P-Seat, Tilt & Cruise, All Power Alloy Wheels

#3832, 4cyl, Auto, A/C, Full Power Equipped, New Tires, 36 MPG Hwy!

11,9 66

$

5,99 9

$

2004 GMC Yukon SLE 2005 Chevy Cavalier #3828, 4cyl, Auto, Tilt & Cruise, CD, All Power Equipped

#8143, V8, Auto, Front & Rear A/C, CD, All Power, 3rd Row Seat

6,98 0

$

HELPING YOU WITH YOUR AUTOMOTIVE NEEDS FOR 70 YEARS

13,8 85

$

2005 Lexus ES 330 #3800, V6, Leather, Moonroof, P-Seats, CD, All Power

13,9 80

$

2004 Nissan Maxima SE

#3740, V6, Leather, Heated Seats, CD, P-Seat, Moonroof

13,9 90

6,99 8

$

2003 Jeep Liberty Sport 4x4 #3829, V6, Auto, Tilt & Cruise, CD, Full Power, New Tires

8,99 0

$

2006 Mercury Montego #3072, V6, Auto, Tilt & Cruise, CD, Fully Equipped

9,99 9

$

2004 Chevy Trailblazer LS 4x4

#3798, 6cyl, Auto, A/C, Tilt & Cruise, All Power, CD

10,6 70

$

EU is seeking solution to Greece’s debt crisis BRUSSELS (AP) — European leaders are facing a moment of truth at a Thursday summit, as markets press them to come up with a financial safety net for Greece — with help from the International Monetary Fund — to stop the euro’s slide and keep debt crises from afflicting more eurozone countries.

The euro hit a 10-month low against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday as leading credit ratings agency Fitch Ratings downgraded Portugal’s debt, turning up the volume on investor fears that Europe’s currency union has no way to shore up members with troubled economies.

EU Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso called on European governments to end dithering over what to do and agree on a detailed plan of financial help for Greece.

He said their response at a two-day meeting would be a test of “their commitment to European and monetary union.”

But Germany has blocked efforts by European nations to come up with a bailout program, saying Greece isn’t asking for help, isn’t on the verge of bankruptcy and should turn to the IMF if it reaches a point where it can’t borrow from markets. France and some EU officials were opposed

$

2006 Saturn Ion #3650, 4dr, 4cyl, Auto, A/C, P-Locks, New Tires, Gas Sipper

Associated Press

European Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmstroem, left, and European Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Viviane Reding address the media on the data-sharing SWIFT agreement with U.S. authorities.

Spec i Finan al ce Plan s 2008 Ford Taurus X SEL

15,9 95

$

#3714, V6, Auto, 6 Passenger, CD, P-Seat, Alloys, Loaded

to IMF involvement.

European diplomats said frantic negotiations Wednesday could see both France and Germany soften their views and find a solution that includes the IMF and European Union sharing the burden of a financial rescue. Speaking on condition of anonymity, they said Spain’s Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero is heading efforts to get the 16 eurozone nations to meet separately Thursday on the crisis surrounding Greece, along with the meeting by all 27 EU member governments.

EU President Herman Van Rompuy is also asking for a eurozone summit, said another EU official. He met French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris on Wednesday, Sarkozy’s office said.

Greece’s debt crisis has undermined the euro by showing that the rules supporting it have not prevented governments from overspending and running up large deficits and debt loads. Athens’ woes have led to fears other eurozone countries with troubled finances, such as Portugal and Spain, will also come under pressure from the bond market and find themselves unable to borrow at acceptable costs.

Send us your

APRIL BIRTHDAYS to be included in our BRAND NEW

Birthday Calendar Send your name or your loved one’s name and birth date with One Dollar to be included in our

BIRTHDAY CALENDAR to be published the first of April.

Submit birthdays for April by March 29th

2007 GMC Sierra SLE Ext. Cab

#3730, 5.3L, V8, Auto, A/C, Tilt & Cruise, All Power, Just Off Lease SAVE!!

15,9 00

$

2006 Toyota Camry XLE

#3831-A, V6, Leather, Moonroof, P-Seats, Only 32K Miles, Fully Loaded, 6-Disc CD, Premium Alloy Wheels, Factory Warranty!

Send to: The DAily COurier Attn: Birthday Calendar 601 Oak Street Forest City, NC 28043

15,9 95

$

Name: Birth Date: your Name:

GREAT SERVICE! GREAT SELECTION!!

GREAT SAVINGS!!!

269 W. Main St. Forest City, NC

Full Address: Phone: