daily courier january 15, 2010

TJCA will hit the pool on Friday — Page 7 Sports Special night at Palace R-S Central will honor former coach Stacy Lail with dedication of gym during tonight’s game against Burns

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Friday, January 15, 2010, Forest City, N.C.

NATION

Orphanage spared in quake

By JEAN GORDON

More coverage

Daily Courier Staff Writer

Habitat accepting aid donations

FOREST CITY — The children at the Jesus Way Orphanage in Port-Au-Prince are safe.

The orphanage is standing, with only minor damage to the second story which was under construction. Blocks laid at Christmas to begin the second story crumbled.

And Webby Williams, Jr. is so excited, he can’t talk.

Webby received a telephone call at

Obama pushes for new fees on banks Page 12

SPORTS

50¢

Page 6 U.S. takes lead in rescue, recovery Page 15 Up to 50,000 feared dead Page 18 about 5 p.m. Thursday with the news the orphanage was still standing and no one was hurt. Weeping, he called his wife Evelyn at her part-time job in Forest City

and asked her to relay the message to friends.

Evelyn said the director of the orphanage told Webby people outside of the orphanage compound have moved inside the gates of the orphanage where they are sleeping and living.

“They can’t go in their houses,” Evelyn said.

The orphanage director is also feeding the additional Haitians with food supplies from the orphanage and medical

Recalling the fight By the time I was 11, I had been in jail 13 times – and those were the times we could document. They would put us in cells meant to hold two people, but I’ve never been in a cell without 40 to 60 people jammed in there.

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GAS PRICES

Low: High: Avg.:

$2.69 $2.79 $2.74

Daily Courier Staff Writer

DEATHS Rutherfordton

Verner Hardin

Forest City

Connie Forney Page 5

Joanne Bland, cofounder of the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute in Selma, Ala., spoke at Isothermal Community College Thursday as part of the college’s Martin Luther King Celebration. Bland took part in Bloody Sunday and Turn Around Tuesday with King.

Civil rights activist tells story

By ALLISON FLYNN Daily Courier Staff Writer

SPINDALE ­— Joanne Bland remembers being an eight-year-old girl, watching through the windows of the drug store as other little girls her age spun in circles on red naugahyde vinyl covered stools, licking ice cream cones.

As a black child in Selma, Ala., she wasn’t allowed to sit at the counter.

Her grandmother knelt down, telling her, “When we get our freedom, you can do that, too.”

It was an instant visual for Bland as a child as to what it meant to not have the same rights as her white counterparts.

Cliffside plant gets support

By SCOTT BAUGHMAN

— Joanne Bland

Bobcats may have found the right path

Please see Orphanage, Page 6

Now an adult, Bland shared her experiences during the civil rights movement with students, faculty and staff at Isothermal Community College Thursday morning. The event was held as part of the college’s observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and was hosted by the Isothermal Afro-American Club and the college’s Minority Male Fellows Program.

In his introduction of Bland, Student Government Association President Bryon Davis said “I never thought I’d meet someone who took a beating so I could go to school.”

Bland is co-founder of the National Voting Rights Museum and Institute in Selma, Ala.

FOREST CITY — Chase High school’s auditorium has seen many public hearings about Duke Energy’s Cliffside plant.

Thursday night’s was the quickest and calmest so far with 11 speakers who were all in favor of renewing the air quality permit for the utility.

The hearing, from the North Carolina Department of the Environment and Natural Resources Division of Air Quality, was focused on renewal of the permit for the five existing generators at the Cliffside Steam Station, while part of it did apply to the project currently constructing unit six at the site. The future was on the minds of many of the speakers.

“I’d like to offer our support for Cliffside Steam Station,” said County Commission Chairman Brent Washburn, speaking for himself, ViceChairman Margaret Helton and Commissioner Eddie Holland who represents the Cliffside district. “The station should be allowed to continue to operate and generate the power that is so critical to the future of Rutherford County. Duke has been a responsible corporate citizen of the county for decades and we hope they continue.”

Representatives from the Cleveland County Commission and from cities like Kings Mountain and Shelby were on hand to also express their support. Unlike past hearings where supporters and opponents sniped at each other with contentious comments and name calling, Thursday’s event was calm and orderly and finished in roughly 45 minutes.

Please see Duke, Page 6

WEATHER

Doctor certified in Long Term Care High

Low

By SCOTT BAUGHMAN

58 33

Daily Courier Staff Writer

Today, sunny.

Tonight, cloudy.

Complete forecast, Page 10

INSIDE Classifieds . . . 15-17 Sports . . . . . . . . 7-9 County scene . . . . 6 Opinion . . . . . . . . 4 Scott Baughman/Daily Courier

Vol. 42, No. 13

Dr. Phillip Whitworth recently got his certification in Long Term Care.

Now on the Web: www.thedigitalcourier.com

FOREST CITY — Dr. Phillip Whitworth has been working in geriatrics for most of his career and now the attending physician at Autumn Care nursing home is a Certified Director in Long Term Care.

Whitworth completed training and courses for the certification from the American Medical Directors Certification Program earlier this month.

“This program gives new details about how to better understand regulations for nursing homes and apply them,” Whitworth said. “It’s really about the difference in administration and clinical care.”

Dealing with patients and with regulations can be a daunting task, but Whitworth does both on a regular basis.

“This certification is totally elective,” he said. “But to be board certified in North Carolina you have to keep focusing on continuing education in various fields. For me this Please see Doctor, Page 6

2

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, January 15, 2010

State/Nation

N.C. troops deploy to Haiti

PRAYING

Associated Press

Liesette Lenai sobs during a prayer service at the First Haitian Church of Grace in Charlotte Wednesday. Lenai says nearly all her family is still in Haiti, and she has heard no word from any of them.

FORT BRAGG (AP) — Thousands of soldiers and Marines from North Carolina were preparing Thursday to deploy to Haiti as part of a massive international effort to provide humanitarian aid after this week’s earthquake.

More than 100 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division’s Bravo Troop, 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment will deploy Thursday. The rest of the battalion of about 800 soldiers is scheduled to deploy Friday.

The 82nd’s 2nd Brigade has been one of the division’s most frequently deployed units, sending soldiers to Iraq or Afghanistan seven times. The unit is the U.S. military’s global response force.

The unit has been on standby since June, ready to deploy anywhere in the world within 18 hours.

Meanwhile, on the North Carolina coast, more than 2,000 Marines from the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit will leave aboard the amphibious ships USS Bataan, Fort McHenry and Carter Hall in the coming days. The Marine Corps did not say when the unit would depart.

The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit recently returned from a seven-month deployment to Europe and the Middle East.

Disaster relief and humanitarian assistance is one of the Marines’ core missions. The unit can provide engineering support, medical aid and water purification. Camp Lejeune Marines have deployed to Haiti to provide humanitarian aid three times since 1994.

“Our Marines and sailors are trained and ready to make a difference,” said Col. Gareth F. Brandl, commanding officer of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit.

The aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson was expected to arrive off the coast Thursday, and the Baltimore-based Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort was scheduled to leave for Haiti late this weekend.

Text donations top $5 million NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. cell phone users have contributed more than $5 million in $10 increments to the Red Cross for Haiti disaster relief, by far the largest outpouring of support via mobile devices in history.

The response to the devastating earthquake produced the highest amount of mobile donations “that we have ever seen,” said Jenifer Snyder, executive director of mGive Foundation, the nonprofit group that is working with the Red Cross and wireless carriers to channel the donations.

To donate to the Red Cross, mobile users are texting the word “Haiti” to the number 90999. Snyder said the money is coming in at a rate of roughly $200,000 an hour. As of Thursday afternoon, people had donated $5.1 million.

“We could be handling more,” she said. “We are not at capacity.”

Red Cross spokesman Roger Lowe called the outpouring of $10 donations by hundreds of thousands of mobile users “nothing short of awe-inspiring.” But he said the largest donations the organization is getting is still coming in online.

So far, the Red Cross has released $10 million for earthquake relief in Haiti.

On Thursday morning’s “The Early Show” on CBS, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton asked Americans to contribute to the Red Cross via text donations. And on social networks Twitter and Facebook, users continued to urge one another to text money as well.

Other charities, such as singer Wyclef Jean’s Yele, were also collecting mobile donations. To send $5, donors can text “Yele” to the number 501501. The William J. Clinton Foundation was accepting $10 per text from users sending the word “Haiti” to 20222.

Verizon Wireless said Thursday morning its users have pledged more than $1 million to the Red Cross through text donations. The outpouring easily surpassed earlier records for mobile giving.

Dear Friends, Chase Corner Ministries has had a blessed year.

We have fed 820 families, 1,933 individuals, of these 701 were children. The 820 families have had to come 2,746 times this year for food assistance.

We do this with the help of the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Chase Middle School, Chase High Beta Club, Pepsi, Dole Fresh Vegetables, and numerous churches, as well as individuals with monetary gifts. Thank you so much for your blessing now and throughout the year.

How do I dare call it a blessed year with those kind of numbers? Rutherford County was ranked 13th in the nation as one of the hardest hit with job loss and recession. Blessed is the only word I know to describe us. We still have food to give out and we are still helping families even though our number of families has doubled. God has been good to us over and over again.

We would like to thank all for your part in a blessed 2009.

We wish you a happy 2010.

And we ask that your prayers will include Chase Corner Ministries for the year 2010.

Thank you again, Crystal Tate Director Chase Corner Ministries

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, January 15, 2010 — 3

Local

At Your Leisure KidSenses having its own Olympics

RUTHERFORDTON — KidSenses children’s museum here is hosting its own Winter Olympic Experience Saturdays with the Virtual Reality Ride. The Winter Olympics in Vancouver begins in February.

The Virtual Reality Ride ride provides Alpine Skiing, Bobsled, Luge at Olympic Speed, ice hockey and Sky Jumping off the 120 Meter Tower.

The ride also provides visitors a rare perspective of being a Winter Olympic athlete, said museum staff.

Also at the museum Saturday beginning at 2 p.m. with be “Meet the Animals Day” with Blair Ogubrn of the Balsam Mountain Trust.

Blair will demonstrate several mammals, including the Sugar Glider. She will also have numerous mammal skins and skulls on hand.

On Friday KidsSenses will celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. with a “Celebrate a night of American diversity.”

Children will have an opportunity to create a one-ofa-kind “I Have A dream” mural in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The mural activities will be in the art room, Creation Station. Activities begin at 5 p.m. KidSenses is open until 8 p.m. After 3 p.m. admission is only $3.

Foothills Bridal Fair returns to Shelby

SHELBY — The Foothills Bridal Fair is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 30, from noon to 4 p.m. at Cleveland Mall in Shelby.

Foothills Bridal Fair is a large wedding show with resources, information, and products that will assist brides-to-be and their guest from the surrounding counties, Cleveland, Rutherford, Polk, Gaston, Lincoln, and Cherokee, S.C. Over fifty exhibitors will be present to showcase their services and information.

Attendees will be able to talk to experts about wedding attire, catering, entertain-

ment, party rentals, floral designs, health and wellness, travel services, photographers, videographers, wedding planners, transportation, wedding venues, and much more.

Foothills Bridal Fair is sponsored by Time-Out Management, Foothills Bridal Magazine.com, and Glassicial Heirlooms, Inc. Brides who plan to attend can pre-register at www. foothillsbridalfair.com, which would make them eligible for a special prize drawing. However, if you do not pre-register, you may register at the event.

The schedule of events includes live entertainment

by Royal Groove of Asheville, bridal showcase by Joy’s Bridal, cake dive, prize drawings, giveaways, and interactive exhibits.

Rodney Greene, president of Time-Out Management, states, “our winter show will generate over 150 brides and we want to be able to assist the brides’ year around with more wedding shows and our new online magazine. We anticipate this will be largest bridal event held at the mall venue.”

Other events Stamp and Postcard Show: Jan. 23 and 24, Spring Valley High School cafeteria, 120 Sparkleberry Lane, Columbia, S.C.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 13 dealers; door prizes each hour beginning at 11 a.m.; no admission, free parking; sponsored by The Columbia Philatelic Society; call 803-254-3727 for more information.

Benefit dance: Friday, Jan. 22, at the Cleveland County Council of Aging, 100 TR Harris Dr., Shelby; spaghetti dinner from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.; wide variety of music, 7 to 10 p.m., with DJ Don Dysart; a love offering will be taken for Belson Dysart (cancer patient); call 704-4823488 for more information.

Legal Grounds, 217 North Main St., Rutherfordton,

offers the following entertainment: Jan. 16 — TRIAD Jan. 23 — Holy Ghost Tent Revival Jan. 30 — Big Daddy Love Feb. 6 — Calm and Collective Feb. 12 — Larry Keel & Natural Bridge Web site www.legalgrounds. net.

Barley’s Taproom & Pizzeria, 115 W. Main St., Spindale, (no cover charge) announces the following entertainment: Jan. 18 — Alan Biggerstaff Jan. 19 — Dave Desmelik Jan. 26 — 26 Ways Web site www.barleystaproom.com.

M Squared Restaurant, located at 125 West Main St., Spindale., offers the following entertainment/events: Tuesday — Alex Thompson on keyboard, soup/sandwich night Wednesday — Trivia at 8 p.m. (half price wine bottles) Thursday — Sushi Night Friday — Alex Thompson on keyboard, Martini Night Saturday — Beer tasting and six-course dinner, 7:30 p.m., reservations required, $35 per person Sunday — Brunch and Bloody Mary Bar (weekly) Web site www.msquaredrestaurant.com.

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

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

Wagon Wheel Dance Club, W.E. Padgett Rd., Bostic, offers a variety of music for line dancing, partner dancing, swing and more. The following entertainment is announced: Jan. 16 — Broken Axle Band, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Admission $7. Concessions,

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

Web site www.wagonwheeldanceclub.com.

LuLu’s Country Club & Karaoke has karaoke and dancing every week, Thursday - Saturday. Doors open at 7 p.m. Cover charge $3 on Thursdays, and $5 Friday and Saturday (BYOB). Ages 18 and up with valid ID. The club is located off Railroad Ave., at 156 Sunset Street in Rutherfordton.

Positively Paper Inc., located at 121 East Main St., Forest City, offers the following classes: Jan. 15 — Calendar class, 6 to 9 p.m.

Jan. 21 — Card class, 6 to 8 p.m.

Jan. 26 — Card class, 6 to 8 p.m.

Jan. 29 — Open (scrapbook) crop, 6 to 11:30 p.m.

Open New Year’s Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Jan. 2.

For supply requirements or other information call 2482455.

Web site www.positivelypaperinc.com.

Off the Beaded Path, located at 120B West Trade St., Forest City, offers Try-it-Tuesdays (every Tuesday) which features brief jewelry-making demos. The following classes are also available: Jan. 16 — Sparkly Necklace, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Jan. 18 — Ornament Class, 6 to 8 p.m.

Jan. 22 — Ring Workshop, 6 to 10 p.m.

Jan. 23 — Wire Wrapped Sea Anemone, 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 25 — Felted Purse Part 2, 6 to 8 p.m.

Jan. 26 — Vintage Oasis Ring, 6 to 8 p.m.

Jan. 28 — Adjustable Woven Ring, 6 to 8 p.m.

Web site offthebeadedpathbeadstore.com.

Next Level Gamez, 118 E. Main St., Forest City, offers: Tuesdays — Magic the Gathering League, 4 to 8 p.m.

Wednesdays — New comic

DINING GUIDE

Black Pearls Farm in Bostic, a non-profit Equine and CSA Learning Center, announces the following events: Open horse lessons — Saturdays beginning at 10 a.m., (call ahead) Contact Barbara Henwood at 245-0023.

Web site blackpearlsfarm. com.

“The Taste of New York” Upscale Affair: Saturday, Jan. 23, Apostrophe Lounge, 1440 South Tryon St., Charlotte; featuring Buffalo’s Bad Boy, DJ Hassan; for more information visit www.mrdwilson.com or call 866-4933280.

Guitar diva Liz Melendez will bring her high energy electrified southern fried blues to Asheville’s Jack of the Wood on Saturday, Jan. 23. Music begins at 9 p.m.

Born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Liz maintains a regular touring schedule to promote the national release of her most recent recordings as a highly sought-after performer, songwriter and recording artist.

Copies of her newly released CD “Liz Melendez LIVE” will be available at the show. Web site www.jackofthewood.com.

Seafood & Steak House Inc.

January Specials Porterhouse Pork Chops Shrimp & Grits Chicken Con Vonogle

Brunswick Stew & Delicious Ribs Served Daily!

Mon. - Thurs. 11 - 8:00 Fri. & Sat. 11 - 8:30

Union Mills Learning Center is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings to assist the community with its computer and printing needs. The gymnasium is also open Saturdays at 4 p.m. for pickup basketball games and shoot-arounds.

Web site unionmillslearningcenter.org.

Seafood-Steaks-Lobster-Chicken-BBQ-Prime Rib

Delicious Hand patted Hamburgers Great Selection of Vegetables

Opal & Darvin Crain - Owners

Max Cruise (Ron McKinney) performs every Saturday from noon to 3 p.m., at 57 Alpha Café, Rutherford County Airport. Weather permitting.

SCOGGIN’S

Bluegrass every Friday Night from 6-8.30 pm

dine-in or take out

books arrive, Star Wars Miniatures, 6 to 9 p.m.

Thursdays — Dungeons & Dragons, 5 to 8 p.m.

Fridays — Friday Night Magic starts at 4:30 p.m.

Saturdays — Magic the Gathering tournament from 1 to 5 p.m.

Web site nextlevelgamez. com.

Drink Specials Every Weekend!

300 Chimney Rock Road, Rutherfordton

221 South, Rutherfordton, NC

Dinner:

(828) 287-2020

828-287-3167

Tues. - Sat. 4 -11pm

Best Mexican Food In Town!

One mile west of Rutherfordton NC Hwy 74

Want Downhome Cooking Served Downhome Friendly?

Then stop in and see us at

Gilkey Cafe

420 S. Broadway Forest City, NC 28043 828-248-2879

(Formally Doc And Ollies)

Open 7 Days A Week!

Mon- Thurs 11-10 Fri & Sat 11-10.30 Sun 11-10

Come And Enjoy Our

Great Variety Of Delicious Plates.

Daily Specials

For Lunch And Dinner.

Marga Speciarita l

$2.99

Planning a SuPerbowl Party, We are taking orders for Wings!

Now Taking Reservations for Valentine’s Day! Featuring 5 Dinner for two specials!

Call for details!

TuscanyItalianGrille@gmail.com 619 Oakland Road Spindale, NC 28160

Phone: 828-288-3883 Fax: 828-288-3885

Pizza • Subs • Salads • Hamburgers • Hot Dogs • Beef Dogs & More!

Lunch Specials EVERYDAY!

NOW DeliveriNg Pizzas Friday and saturday Nights Call For Details!

Located at 2310 US Hwy. 221, Gilkey on 221 N. (Inside Gilkey General Store)

Call-Ins Welcome: (828) 287-0542

4

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, January 15, 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 People of Haiti need our help

T

he graphic images of destruction and suffering coming out of Haiti in the wake of this week’s devastating earthquake are stark reminders of just how close to disaster we all are.

Perhaps none of us felt this as intensely as the Webby Williams family who are the supporting patrons of an orphanage on the island or Chase High teacher Greg Deshommes who is a native of Haiti and his mother, who fortunately was visiting here when the quake struck.

Still one cannot help but be moved by the plight of the people of Haiti. That is why those who can should try to help with donations.

Locally, the Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity are collecting for relief efforts. Wireless phone companies are also collecting with their $10 Text campaign.

If you can, please give.

Our readers’ views Offers additional thanks for VA Clinic To the editor: On Jan. 7th, the Veterans Clinic was officially opened.

This was due to hard work on the part of many people. We thank them all.

At the ceremony, most of these people were acknowledged.

Unfortunately, one person was overlooked by the Master of Ceremonies — Bob Goulette worked hard for years, contacting our representatives, attending meetings and burning up phone lines. Veterans of Rutherford and Cleveland Counties, let us now give Bob a loud round of applause for his work.

Robert and Nancy Boyer Forest City

Says firefighters go above and beyond To the editor: I would like to thank Janice Meeks for her recent letter of gratitude for our county firefighters.

My son is with S-D-O Fire Department and has been since he was sixteen as a junior firefighter.

He will be 19 this week and received the firefighter of the year for his department on Jan. 9.

He never complains, no matter what the call is or what time of night it is. He has chosen this as a career path and is presently attending the firefighter’s academy.

Our firefighters and emergency personnel do go above and beyond the call. I myself would

also like to thank all of them.

May God bless and keep you safe.

Feebie Keever Rutherfordton

Says extremism is the real political problem To the editor: As a faithful reader of Our readers’ views I enjoy responding to various opinions on several subjects.

Those familiar with my politics know that as a proud Independent I am disgusted with our two party system.

Both Democrats and Republicans each accuse the other for America’s down slide.

As an example, take John Kurtz’s attack on Ray Crawford in his Jan. 13 letter to the editor.

Mr. Kurtz demonstrated an excellent example of what is wrong in today’s political agendas. It’s called extremism.

Now for those of you who either

totally agree or disagree with the letter, no need to read any further.

For those of you who believe that both parties are responsible for America’s situation, please read on.

It is absurd to believe that any administration, either Democratic or Republican, can correct decades of political blunder in one short year.

If you agree then start standing up and saying so!

Remember the old saying that the squeakiest wheel gets the grease. Extremists of both parties have gotten the grease for too long because they are the loudest and most vocal.

Make your voice heard. Speak out. I will continue to respond to extremist of both parties as long as The Daily Courier will allow me to do so. I hope you will too!

Ron Atchley Forest City

New Star Trek game expands horizons for fans This week I’ve had the pleasure of being one of a very limited number of Beta testers for the new Star Trek Online video game.

Yes, it’s going to be a Star Trek column so if you’re bored by this stuff you can turn the page now. Go on, I’ll wait.

Still here? Awesome, I’ve got some cool things to tell you about.

Long ago, in the halcyon days of the BBS (that’ bulletin board system for those who are either too young or not geeky enough to know the abbreviation) we had video games you could play with your friends across town. Or across campus, if you were in college.

These BBS’s are what most computer historians (now THERE’S a job title) consider the genesis of the Internet as we know it today.

But the thing about BBS games were they were almost always exclusively text affairs. That’s right, no graphics. Look, people, what did you want from a 33.3K modem?

Yeah, I said modem and I

Some Good News Scott Baughman

used K as in kilobytes.

These systems typically sprung up on and around college campuses because, ostensibly, the idea was to transmit data in bits and bytes and little chunks so that various professors and students could collaborate from their own personal computers.

And what TV show do academic types like this usually obsess over? That’s right — Star Trek.

But the “no graphics” thing was a bit of a pain when it came to showing the Enterprise in all her glory and so while there were many attempts at a Star Trek BBS game — it never really hit warp speed if you know what I’m saying.

One game that DID take off pretty well was “Legend of the Red Dragon” and to

my incredible surprise I found it on a Web site just the other day.

Apparently, die hards are still playing the heck out of that old TEXT ONLY game set in a mythical, dangerous and stuffed full of cliche’s fantasy world. The popularity of LORD (as we affectionately dubbed it when it started making people skip class) led to what I consider an overload of fantasy/medieval role playing games on the Internet.

In the beginning of the recently passed decade, Sony Online Entertainment busted out the grandmother of all fantasy online games EverQuest.

It was an MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) and it created a new industry.

That industry gave birth to Ultima Online, EverQuest 2 and the 800-pound gorilla of MMOs, World of Warcraft.

These games all have their high and low points, but the thing was after LORD — every game designer out there wanted to make their

game medieval fantasy.

In other words, people were less likely to talk like Shatner and more likely to remind you of some dude from the local renaissance fair.

“Forsooth, yon gaming field is choked with all manner of knights, wizards and ladies in waiting, but nary a starship is in sight!”

For some reason, no sci-fi based MMO seemed to work well.

Until now.

No joke, Star Trek Online is one of the best games I’ve ever played.

It looks beautiful, even with the graphics set to medium detail and the sound effects are spot-on from the TV shows and movies. You can create almost any alien species you’ve ever seen on the show as your character and you can even design your own starship.

As captain of your own boat, you’re in charge of plotting your course on a giant, 3D starmap (wow does it look cool) and you get to select your own away team from your bridge officers to beam down to planets.

The Klingons are enemies once again (the game is set in 2409) and you often find yourself staring down the barrel of a disruptor or facing the forward torpedo launchers of a Bird-of-Prey.

Still not enough Trek?

Once you reach the higher levels of rank, you can join the bad guys and make yourself a Klingon character.

How cool is that?

But in keeping with Trek’s vision of a future of diplomacy and exploration, plenty of missions involve just that.

You have to talk to some disgruntled miners near Vega Colony and answer their questions properly to resolve the situation without going in, phasers blasting.

The game is still in the Beta test and has a few areas that need spit and polish, but so far, players really feel they’re able to boldly go where no one has gone before.

And that’s some good news.

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

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, January 15, 2010

MOREHEAD CITY (AP) — A North Carolina port closed after an explosive leaked from damaged cylinders has reopened.

The U.S. Coast Guard announced Thursday that the port of Morehead City was reopened after workers completed the cleanup.

The Coast Guard directed the cleanup.

No one was hurt when a forklift operator on Tuesday accidentally punctured containers of pentaerythritol tetranitrate, or PETN, stored at the port.

The N.C. Ports Authority said more damaged containers were discovered Wednesday and a small spill was found inside the large container carrying the cylinders.

PETN was part of a device authorities say a Nigerian man used to try to bring down a Detroitbound Northwest flight on Christmas Day. It is often used in military explosives, and is also the primary

Obituaries

ingredient in detonating cords used for industrial explosions.

Land-preservation target missed RALEIGH (AP) — North Carolina environmentalists say the state missed former Gov. Jim Hunt’s challenge to protect a million acres of land from development within a decade.

Conservation groups on Thursday issued a report estimating the state got less than two-thirds of the way toward reaching the goal of preserving a million acres of open space by 2010.

The report by the group Environment North Carolina said the state instead saw more than one million acres of natural land developed in the decade.

Hunt challenged governments and private groups in January 2000 to do more to protect the state’s quality of life in the face of rapid population growth. His plan to buy undeveloped land was never fully funded, and the

recession further slowed pur- Verner Hardin chases in recent years.

Verner R. Hardin, 78, of Rutherfordton, died Pot found growing Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010, at Rutherford Hospital. in buried school bus A native of Rutherford County, he was a son of the KINSTON (AP) — An late John Patrick and Linnie undercover drug buy led North Carolina detectives to Biggerstaff Hardin.

He was a member of an underground marijuana Fellowship Baptist Church, garden in a buried school a retired human resourcbus. es manager for Drexel Multiple media outlets Furniture, and an Air Force reported Thursday the veteran having served in Lenoir County Sheriff’s Korea. He was also a charOffice had looked for the ter member of the Piedmont source of the marijuana for Gun Club and a Gideon. three years and had been Survivors include his wife, flying over the area with a Gail Cole Hardin of the helicopter. home; a son, Tony Hardin of Then sheriff’s narcotJacksonville; and two grandics officers bought several children. pounds of pot in a recent Funeral services will be undercover buy. Sgt. Eddie Eubanks says officers traced conducted at 2:30 p.m.

Sunday at Fellowship Baptist the pot to a rural residence.

A search dog fell through a Church with the Revs. Terry camouflaged trap door lead- White, Tony Hardin and John Perry officiating. Burial ing down to a full-length will follow in the Southern school bus buried eight feet Baptist Church cemetery under a backyard tool shed. with military honors proDeputies seized 68 plants, each 4 feet tall and weighing vided by Rutherford County Honor Guard. The family about 35 pounds. will receive friends Saturday Three people have been from 6 to 8 p.m. at Crowe’s arrested.

Mortuary.

Faulty brakes cause accident

By JEAN GORDON Daily Courier Staff Writer

ELLENBORO — Brittany Michelle Ruppe, 16, of Old Hollis Road, Ellenboro, got her driver’s license Wednesday morning, went back home before leaving for school in the 1991 Subaru she received on Tuesday.

When she approached the intersection at Piney Mountain Church Road, her brakes failed and she traveled into the highway striking the 2004 Pontiac driven

by Ruby Elizabeth Bradley of Ellenboro.

Bradley was traveling north on Piney Mountain Church Road and Ruppe as traveling west on Old Hollis Road.

Bradley was taken to Rutherford Hospital by Rutherford County EMS

where she was treated and released.

There was minor damage to the vehicles.

North Carolina Highway Patrolman D.R. Walker said Ruppe was not charged as there was evidence the brakes failed.

Also assisting at the scene were Ellenboro firefighters.

As the fire department arrived on the scene, three additional calls were dispatched for Ellenboro within three minutes.

A truck was dispatched to the corner of Piney Mountain Church Road after a CSX train ignited a small grass fire; another call was dispatched for a medical problem and the fourth call was a vehicle fire off Race Path Church Road.

“For about four minutes we were very busy here,” said

Police Notes Sheriff’s Reports

n The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office responded to 170 E-911 calls Wednesday.

Rutherfordton

n The Rutherfordton Police Department responded to 17 E-911 calls Wednesday.

Spindale

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

Lake Lure

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

Forest City

n The Forest City Police Department responded to 45 E-911 calls Wednesday. n A police officer reported an incident of an assault with a deadly weapon. n An employee of Ingles Grocery Store reported a larceny. (See arrest of Splawn.) n An employee of Walmart reported an incident of larceny. n Sarene Holloway reported a dog bite.

Arrests

n James Edward Wright, 59, of Second Street, Forest City; arrested on a warrant for failure to comply; placed under a $428 secured bond.

(FCPD) n William Justin Norton, 24, of 324 Horse Path Road; charged with driving while license revoked, simple possession of schedule VI controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia; released on a $1,500 unsecured bond. (LLPD) n Shawn Donnell Murray, 40, of 217 Maryland Drive; charged with harassing

5

Local/Obituaries/state

Carolina Today N.C. port closed by spill reopens

—

phone call; released on an unsecured bond. (RCSD) n Kenny Allen Van Dyke, 40, of 120 Sunny Slope; charged with possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver schedule II controlled substance, felony possession of cocaine, simple possession of schedule IV controlled substance, simple possession of schedule VI controlled substance, felony possession of schedule I controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia; placed under a $35,000 secured bond. (RCSD) n April Bland Wood, 38, of 133 Fairfax; charged with possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver schedule II controlled substance, felony possession of cocaine, simple possession of schedule IV controlled substance, simple possession of schedule VI controlled substance, felony possession of schedule I controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and maintain vehicle/ dwelling/ place for controlled substance; placed under a $45,000 secured bond. (RCSD) n Pamela Hudson Hill, 44, of 707 Flynn Road; charged with felony probation violation; placed under an $8,000 secured bond. (RCSD) n Jeffery Wayne Vickers, 37, of 316 Church St.; charged with failure to comply; placed under a $400 cash bond. (RCSD) n Lamond Rashad Harris, 32, of 153 Robin Hood Road; charged with injury to real property, communicating threats and assault by pointing a gun; released on a $1,000 unsecured bond.

(RCSD) n James Wendell Hargett, 40, of 178 Elm St., Rutherfordton; charged with resist, obstruct and

Robbie Downey, Ellenboro Fire Department captain.

Also Wednesday, three people went to Rutherford Hospital for treatment as a result of a two vehicle wreck on East Spruce Street, Forest City.

Tammy Proctor of East Spruce Street was driving a 1996 Honda west on East Spruce Street and Kimberly Dennis was driving a 2007 Ford pickup truck out of a driveway when she failed to yield and Proctor’s Honda collided with the truck.

Three children, Bernadine Briggs, Tatyana Proctor and Jevon Proctor, all passengers in the Honda, were transported to the hospital, said Forest City Patrolman Samuel Bailey.

Their injuries were minor.

Also assisting at the sene were Forest City firefighters.

Online condolences www. crowemortuary.com.

Connie Forney Canathaus “Connie” Forney, 69, of 142 McDaniel St., Forest City, died Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010, at Willow Ridge Nursing Home.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced

by Thompson’s Mortuary.

Deaths Mary Thomas CHICAGO (AP) — The mother of Hall of Fame basketball star and Florida International coach Isiah Thomas has died.

Mary Thomas, 86, died Wednesday morning at Adventist Hinsdale Hospital in suburban Chicago, hospital spokeswoman Lisa Parro said. Mary Thomas had battled heart problems for years and underwent open-heart surgery in November, the same day her son made his coaching debut for FIU.

Teddy Pendergrass NEW YORK (AP) — R&B singer Teddy Pendergrass, delay; placed under a $1,000 who had been one of the secured bond. (RPD) n Mary Elizabeth Laughter, most electric and successful figures in music until a car 29, of 406 Oakland Road; crash 28 years ago left him charged with driving while in a wheelchair, has died of impaired and driving while license revoked; placed under colon cancer. He was 59.

Unlike the songs of many of a $2,000 secured bond. today’s male R&B crooners, (SPD) Pendergrass’ music bordered n Martha Lynette on eroticism without explicit Crawford, 55, of 406 Oakland Road; charged with lyrics or coarse language — just through the raw emotion aid and abet impaired drivin his voice. ing, aid and abet driving He was first heard with while license revoked and Harold Melvin and the Blue fictitious/ altered title/ regNotes in such hits as “If You istration card/ tag; placed Don’t Know Me By Now,” under a $2,000 secured and later shone as a solo perbond. (SPD) former in “Close the Door,” ‘’It Don’t Hurt Now,” ‘’Love Citations T.K.O.” and other hits that n Angela Splawn, 43, of have become classics.

Twelve Oaks Drive, Forest “Turn Off the Lights” perCity; cited for larceny; haps best represented the released on a written prommany moods of Pendergrass ise to appear. (FCPD) — tender and coaxing yet strong.

EMS/Rescue

n The Rutherford County EMS responded to 28 E-911 calls Wednesday. n The Volunteer Life Saving and Rescue, Hickory Nut Gorge EMS and Rutherford County Rescue responded to two E-911 calls Wednesday.

Fire Calls n Ellenboro firefighters responded to a motor vehicle accident, to a grass fire and to a vehicle fire. n Forest City firefighters responded to a motor vehicle accident. n S-D-O firefighters responded to a motor vehicle accident. n Spindale firefighters responded to a motor vehicle accident and to an industrial fire alarm. n Shingle Hollow firefighters responded to a smoke report.

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.

Pendergrass was an international superstar and sex symbol, his career still climbing, when his Rolls-Royce hit a tree in 1982. He was 31.

He was left paralyzed from the waist down and spent six months in the hospital.

He returned to recording the next year with the album “Love Language.” He continued to sing and recorded several more albums, receiving Grammy nominations.

After 19 years, he even resumed performing at his own concerts in May 2001 with two sold-out shows in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Born in Philadelphia in 1950, Pendergrass got his break in the music business not with his voice but through his skill as a drummer.

Richard C. Bain, Jr. Richard C. Bain, Jr., 74, of Campobello,SC, passed away Sunday, January 10, 2010 at his home.

Richard was born in New York City on October 7, 1935. He graduated from the Asheville School in North Carolina.

Richard, also known as Dick to his family and friends in the West, received a scholarship to Duke University and went on to complete his Masters Degree in Civil Engineering at Yale University.

He spent the majority of his adult life on the West Coast, a pioneer in the fledgling field of Environmental Engineering. He was involved in problem solving the clean up strategy for the Santa Barbara oil spill and was a life long proponent of conservation and ecology long before it was fashionable. He worked in San Francisco for the U.S. Public Health Service and then for Brown and Caldwell Engineering firm. He was promoted to Vice President, to manage their Seattle office in 1973, and relocated with his family including infant daughter Margery (now deceased) to Vashon Island, Washington. He continued this work in Seattle until the mid 1980’s when he relocated to Ellensburg Washington. He then commenced a consultancy practice primarily addressing farmers’ irrigation, pollution and salmon hatchery issues in Eastern Washington until his retirement in early 2001.

He was recognized at a state and federal level for his professional contributions to the area of water pollution and waste management.

Dick referred to himself as a "Luddite" and often commented he was born in the wrong century.

He designed and built 4 homes incorporating features of English Tudor Design. One of these homes is the former "Swan Inn" of Vashon Island. The Swan Inn operated as a Bed and Breakfast in the 1980's and again in the early 1990's. The site of many weddings; it won several awards and was featured in periodicals.

While on Vashon Island Dick renewed his early interest in music and joined the Celtic Players increasing his confidence and proficiency as a fiddler. He went on to compete and place in numerous competitions around the USA most recently in October 2009 winning back his title of Georgia State Senior Fiddler Champion!

A keen traveler, post retirement he maintained a home in New Zealand. In 2003 he realized his dream of owning a log cabin in the Smoky Mountains. He then married and settled in Campobello, South Carolina, continuing to spend time in the Southern hemisphere until illness prevented travel.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Clark Bain, and daughter, Miranda Bain Jarman and her husband, Jeff, of Queensland, Australia; his mother, Margery Bain Franklin of Tryon, NC; a sister Gale Ironside of Landrum, SC; a brother, Peter D. Bain of Hendersonville, NC; three stepchildren, Ann Moore of Rutherfordton, NC, Sid Clark of Durham, NC and Lisa Clark of San Diego, California; two stepgrandchildren, Nicole Moore and Dean Moore, and his faithful dog Toby.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, January 17, 2010 at 2:00pm at the First United Methodist Church in Rutherfordton. The Reverend Tonya Hill will officiate. In lieu of flowers donations should be made to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, 130 Forest Glen Drive, Columbus, NC 28722 or First United Methodist Church of Rutherfordton, 264 N. Main Street, Rutherfordton, NC 28139.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center, Hendersonville is in charge of the arrangements.

Paid obit

6

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, January 15, 2010

Calendar/Local

Habitat accepting donations for Haiti Meetings/other PWA meeting: The Professional Women’s Association meets at noon the third Tuesday of each month in the private dining room of Rutherford Hospital. The next meeting is Jan. 19. Guest speaker, Dr. Sharai Amaya, Rutherford OB/ GYN Associates, discussing women’s health. Lunch is dutch treat.

Door prizes. For information, call 286-5218.

Humane Society: Rutherford County Humane Society will hold its quarterly, general membership meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 19, at the county annex building. The meeting begins at 7 p.m.

Monthly meeting: Rutherford County Beekeeper’s Club will meet Tuesday, Jan. 19, 6 p.m., at the Cooperative Extension Office, Callahan-Koon Road, (behind the Senior Center); Edd Buchanan will speak on Spring Startup; prospective members welcome.

Senior citizens club: Young at Heart Senior Club will meet Saturday, Jan. 23, at Rollins Cafeteria; meeting begins at 11 a.m.; Dutch treat lunch 11:30 a.m.; fellowship and Bingo; for more information contact Roy McKain at 245-4800.

Annual membership meeting: Saturday, Jan. 30, 3:30 p.m., at Union Mills Learning Center, 6495 Hudlow Road, for all UMLC members and potential members to review the 2009 activities and for an update on what is planned for 2010; for information, call 287-2191.

Miscellaneous Free clothing: Good secondhand clothing will be offered free to those in need Saturday, Jan. 16, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 250 Mt. Pleasant Church Road, Sandy Mush, from 8 a.m. to noon.

Free clothing: Saturday, Jan. 16, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., free clothes will be offered at the old K-Mart building (behind Denny’s restaurant).

Free clothing: Coats and blankets will be given away Saturday, Jan. 30, from noon to 3 p.m. at Holy Ground Community Church, (beside Forest City Post Office).

Soup will also be served free.

Free food: Free food will be given away to those in need Saturday, Jan. 23, at Forest City Foursquare Church, from noon to 3 p.m, (or until food runs out).

Fundraisers Buffet breakfast: Saturday, Jan. 16, 7 to 10:30 a.m., Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Forest City; $5 per person, all you can eat.

Spaghetti supper: Saturday, Jan. 23, begins at 4 p.m., Little White Country Church, 184 Painters Gap Road, Rutherfordton; $5 per plate, all you can eat; ages 6 and under, $3; all proceeds to benefit the Neighbors Pantry.

Breakfast buffet: Saturday, Jan. 23, 7 to 10 a.m.; Long Branch Road Baptist Church; no set price, donations accepted; proceeds for a new fellowship hall; church located at 621 Long Branch Road, Forest City,(Shiloh Community).

Spaghetti supper: Saturday, Jan. 30, 4:30 to 6 p.m., Union Mills Learning Center, 6495 Hudlow Road, Union Mills; adults $6, and children younger than 12, $4; allyou-can-eat.

Poor man’s supper: Thursday, Feb. 4, 4 to 7 p.m., Providence United Methodist Church, Chase Middle community; adults $5, children $3, under 6 free; proceeds will go toward Feed the Hungry Ministry; bake sale proceeds for the purchase a keyboard.

FOREST CITY — Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity will be accepting donations for the next 60 days to help with Habitat for Humanity International’s recovery efforts on the devastated island nation of Haiti.

“Habitat for Humanity International will mobilize all available resources to address shelter solutions for low-income families affected by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on Tuesday,” said Allyson Shroyer, executive director

Orphanage Continued from Page 1

supplies taken there in November are being used to treat those in the area who are injured.

“In November the Kentucky volunteer group took a lot of medical supplies, bandages and things, and now they are being used to treat the people who are hurt in the area,” Evelyn added, almost breaking down in tears.

“Webby is going to get there as soon as he can.”

“I’ve got to get down there and see for myself,” Webby said.

As the Williams couple received the good news, another Rutherford County resident still waits for news from his former Haitian home.

Greg Deshommes, Chase High

Activist Continued from Page 1

In 2007, she opened Journey for the Soul, an organization whose primary purpose is teaching the history of struggle in America. A nationally known speaker, Bland also spoke to students at Rutherford Early College High School while on campus.

“I grew up during segregation when there were vastly different laws for non-whites,” Bland said.

Bland recalled hearing her grandmother and others talking of making a change and steps to take toward freedom. Bland was a participant in activities, and said she remembered going to church to pray “for these mean white men ... praying that our parents could vote for us until we could ourselves.”

“By the time I was 11, I had been in jail 13 times – and those were the times we could document,” she said.

“They would put us in cells meant to hold two people, but I’ve never

Duke Continued from Page 1

“Over the years Duke has been respectful of our environment,” said Rutherford County Economic Development Commission Chairman Keven McCammon. “They continue to show that dedication to our environment by constantly upgrading these generators making them cleaner, more efficient and more environmentally friendly. The EDC urges you to

Doctor Continued from Page 1

time was medical director topics.”

Whitworth has been practicing medicine in Rutherford County for more than 25 years, and for the last 20 years has been working with Autumn Care.

“We are so very fortunate to have a medical director with his vast

Gospel singing: Sunday, Jan. 24, 6 p.m., Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 130 Pleasant Grove Road, Rutherfordton; featuring In His Glory.

Religion Spiritual services: Spiritual Awakening services will continue through Sunday, Jan. 17, 6:30 nightly, at Forest City Foursquare Church.

Revival: Jan. 31 - Feb. 5, Little White Country Church, 184 Painters Gap Road, Rutherfordton; speaker, Rev. George Wright; Sunday service 6 p.m.; M-F, 7 nightly; special singing each night.

to help, but they want to be assured that their donations are getting to the right place and the right people,” said Shroyer. “Folks can be assured that their donations will go directly towards Habitat International’s relief efforts in Haiti.”

Middle School teacher and soccer coach has not been able to contact anyone in his former community.

Thankfully Deshommes’ mother came to Rutherfordton for Christmas to visit her son and family and has not returned to Haiti.

But her home is located in the hardest hit areas where there are cousins, nieces and nephews and other relatives.

While Williams is making his plans to travel to Haiti as soon as possible, Rutherfordton couple Dr. and Mrs. Hobart Rogers are at the Haitian border today. The couple has been in nearby Dominican Republic for the past two weeks on a medical mission trip.

Their son, David Rogers of Rutherfordtonn, received a message from his parents late Thursday. Dr.

Rogers traveled to the Haitian border and by mid-afternoon Thursday had already treated 145 patients.

San Cruz de Barahona, Dominican Republic, where the Rogers have been is east of Port-au-Prince, and according to David is about 45 miles from the quake’s epicenter.

There was no damage to the area, but by Wednesday refugees were fleeing Haiti to the Dominican Republic, Dr. Rogers said.

The Rogers couple joined medical professionals from churches in Shelby and High Point to work during the past two weeks with the Rev. Connie DiLeo, a missionary who has served in the Dominican Republic for several years.

been in a cell without 40 to 60 people jammed in there.”

Once released, Bland said she and others would get out and take a bath, eat a good meal and usually wind up back in jail the same day “because we were back up in their faces.”

Bland joked with the audience, telling them “I was taught to be nonviolent, but it didn’t take. God’s still working on me.” Sobering, she told of Bloody Sunday, when marchers began the journey from Selma to Montgomery, Ala., only to be pushed back from Pettus Bridge.

“You know what I remember the most ... the screams,” she said. “The gunshots I heard were not gunshots, but tear gas canisters. With tear gas you cannot see or breathe, and sometimes you were turning for help to the very one who had done it.

“The next thing I remembered is being in the back of a car with my head in my sister’s lap. I realized that what was falling on my face was not my sister’s tears, but blood. She’d been beaten so badly she required 26

stitches.”

Bland also took part in Turn Around Tuesday, when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. got a court order for the march from Selma to Montgomery to be allowed.

“Those same policemen who beat us up on the seventh had to protect us on the twenty-first,” she said.

Following her presentation, Bland took questions from the audience, which ranged from her definition of freedom to her thoughts on Dr. King.

“I love Dr. King,” she said. “I think he’s one of the key figures of the 20th century, if not the number one.

“He didn’t just fight for black people, he fought for people period.”

Bland was also asked if she ever got to sit at that lunch counter.

“No,” she said.

But a friend plans to put a lunch counter in his building.

“I’m going to be the first to sit on those stools.”

renew the existing permit.”

Speakers also highlighted Duke Energy’s employment opportunities at the plant. Company officials have emphasized that once unit six comes online, the plant will retire the older units one through four that were constructed in the 1940s. While the 1,800 or so construction jobs will cease, the company doesn’t plan to lay off any workers at Cliffside even though units one through four are being retired. The unit six project will add between 20 and 30 full time jobs

at the plant.

A counter-rally, held by some environmental groups in Charlotte, took place at the same time as the public hearing.

knowledge and experience,” said Alice Dixon, administrator at Autumn Care.

director as central to delivery of quality care,” said Mary Logan, executive director of the American Medical Directors Certification Program.

“The increased presence of managed care in long term care settings has emphasized credentialing, and CMD certification has taken on additional importance.”

According to a study by the American Medical Directors Association, facilities who have a certified medical director saw a 15 percent improvement in quality scores.

“Federal regulations and changes in the health care environment have established the role of the medical

Anyone interested in helping, can send donations to RCHFH/Haiti Recovery, PO Box 1534, Rutherfordton, NC 28139. Please make Checks payable to Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity and write Haiti Recovery in the memo line.

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

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

Written comments for the hearing can still be submitted between now and 5 p.m. on Jan. 22. Comments may be mailed to Donald van der Vaart, N.C. Division of Air Quality, 1541 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, N.C. 27699-1641 or via e-mail to: donald.vandervaart@ncdenr.gov.

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

About us...

Music/concerts Gospel singing: Celebration of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, Sunday, Jan. 17, 3 p.m., St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church; featuring St. John’s AME Zion Church, Piney Ridge CME Church Choir, Spirit of 67 and Rufus Johnson reciting “I Have a Dream.”

of Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity. “They are closely monitoring the situation and have been in contact with Habitat for Humanity Haiti. They will begin Habitat’s recovery efforts as soon as possible.” Early media reports estimate that three million people were affected.

All donated funds will be sent directly to Habitat for Humanity International in the form of a special tithe to a fund set up for Haiti Recovery.

“At times like this, many folks want

Circulation

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Remember, call 245-6431 for circulation customer service.

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The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, January 15, 2010 — 7

Inside Scoreboard . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8 NBA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8 NFL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 9

TJCA will swim in county meet

By SCOTT BOWERS Daily Courier Sports Editor

Zach McKelvey wins Phil Wallace Junior SHELBY — R-S Central’s Zach McKelvey will need to make some more room in his trophy case.

McKelvey claimed the title of the Phil Wallace junior golf tournament at the River Bend YMCA Golf Course, in Shelby, on Monday.

McKelvey shot a 76 to win the 16- and 17-year old division.

FOREST CITY — There will be Lady Gryphons in the pool.

Two days after a firestorm erupted around three TJCA swimmers being excluded from the County Swim Meet, R-S Central Principal Phil Rogers issued a statement allowing their inclusion at the event.

“My previous stated concerns regarding the scheduling approval of athletic events at R-S Central has not changed,” said Rogers. “However, in

this case, given the late notice and its effect on these three young ladies, I will permit these students to participate in this event.”

The meet will be held tonight at Isothermal Community College at 5:30 p.m.

The three Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy swimmers, Sammi Jo Thompson, Sarah Thompson and Amber Brooks, were thrilled with the decision.

“I am elated that Phil Rogers decid-

Remember the Hilltoppers?

Panthers fire coach Danny Crossman CHARLOTTE (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have fired special teams coach Danny Crossman after ranking near the bottom of the NFL in several key categories.

Crossman was let go Thursday as coach John Fox and general manager Marty Hurney continue offseason evaluations. The Panthers ranked 31st out of 32 teams in kickoff return average, 30th in kickoff coverage and 29th in punt return coverage.

Crossman had been with the Panthers since 2003 and was promoted to special teams coach in 2005.

Hurney says it was “an extremely hard decision and we wish Danny the best.”

The moves comes as Fox prepares to coach next season in the final year of his contract after being denied an extension by owner Jerry Richardson.

Events this weekend honor Coach Lail, 1980 team

By SCOTT BOWERS Daily Courier Sports Editor

Brewers, Hopper agree to deal MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers and outfielder Norris Hopper have agreed to a minor league contract.

Hopper, who turns 31 in March, did not play in the major leagues last year. He spent the previous three seasons with the Cincinnati Reds and appeared in 121 games in 2007, when he batted .329 with 14 stolen bases and scored 51 runs.

Hopper was traded twice in 2009, from Cincinnati to the Chicago White Sox and then later to the Washington Nationals, spending all of his time at Triple-A. He has played in 168 major league games, hitting .316 with one home run and 20 RBIs in 396 at-bats.

If Hopper, a graduate of Shelby High, is added to Milwaukee’s 40-man roster, he would make $430,000 in the majors and $72,000 in the minors.

Local Sports BASKETBALL 6 p.m. Burns at R-S Central 6 p.m. East Rutherford at Shelby 6 p.m. Chase at Freedom 4:30 p.m. TJCA at Owen WRESTLING 7 p.m. Shelby at East Rutherford 6 p.m. Freedom at Chase 6 p.m. R-S Central at Eden Morehead High SWIMMING 5:30 p.m. County Swim Meet: Chase, East Rutherford and R-S Central at ICC

On TV 8 p.m. (ESPN) (TS) NBA Basketball Phoenix Suns at Atlanta Hawks.

9 p.m. (ESPN2) Boxing Friday Night Fights. Fernando Beltran (33-3-1, 18 KOs) vs.

Tomas Villa (21-6-4, 14 KOs), featherweights, 12 rounds.

10:30 p.m. (ESPN) NBA Basketball Orlando Magic at Portland Trail Blazers.

ed to overturn the exclusion from county championships and allow us to compete,” said Brooks. “I am glad he has realized this one meet is not about any problems between the school or administrators, but is about three girls who love to swim. I think this is setting a much better example for all students in the county.

“I am especially happy for Sammi Jo because it is her senior year and this is a big event for her. I would like to thank everyone who stood behind us in this highly controversial situation.”

Associated Press

Charlotte Bobcats guard Stephen Jackson shoots a 3-pointer against the Houston Rockets in the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, in Charlotte. Jackson scored 43 points as Charlotte won 102-94.

Bobcats are looking like a playoff team

By MIKE CRANSTON AP Sports Writer

CHARLOTTE — When this city was awarded an expansion team two years after the Hornets bolted town, there was little excitement. The losses outnumbered only the empty seats.

Not even Michael Jordan becoming a part-owner created buzz.

Six years in, the Bobcats have never been to the playoffs and the crowds are still thin. But there are things you can no longer say — they’re not boring and certainly no pushover.

With a Hall of Fame coach, a newly acquired scorer with

much-needed swagger and an emerging player on the cusp of being an All-Star, the Larry Brown-led Bobcats are acting and looking like a legitimate playoff contender.

Consider their accomplishments since the calendar flipped to 2010: victories at Cleveland and Miami while running their home record to 14-4. It’s included Gerald Wallace’s acrobatic, game-winning putback at the buzzer and Stephen Jackson’s franchisebest 43-point performance.

“Everything is starting to come together,” point Please see Bobcats, Page 9

RUTHERFORDTON — It should be a very good weekend to be a Hilltopper.

Tonight, R-S Central will dedicate its gym to former coach Stacy Lail during the game against Burns.

On Saturday, during the 2010 MLK Classic, at East Rutherford, a special presentation will be made to Coach Lail’s’ finest team — the 1979-80 undefeated Hilltoppers, who claimed the state title.

That presentation will be made to the team during the halftime of the Central-Kings Mountain boys game, which is scheduled to tip at 4:30 p.m.

Lail, reached at his home on Wednesday, seemed excited and yet, a little overwhelmed by the recent attention.

“Old coaches don’t die, they just fade away,” said Lail. “I don’t like the attention, but I am honored and excited.”

Lail recalled his career and the young men he guided in the classroom and from the sideline.

“I enjoyed those young men and those experiences, with both of the title teams,” Lail said. “But, I enjoyed every moment, all those moments of practices and games, with all the young men, including those that perhaps didn’t have the success that others had.”

Lail spoke about the uniqueness and the pressure of the incredible 1979-80 season that found the Hilltoppers with a perfect 32-0 record and a state title.

“It was a very special time in the county,” said Lail. “Everywhere you went, folks wanted to offer you best wishes and good luck. Sure, we had all those rivalries and whatnot, but people around the county put that aside and genuinely cheered us on.

“Here we are 30 years later and folks still bring it up. So, what we did must have been pretty special.”

Lail continued, “The thing that I also recall is the pressure that built. The pressure to win, when the expectations were so high.”

Lail is not solely being honored for his sideline guidance of the basketball team, but for a lifetime dedicated to R-S Central, the school where in his youth he was a three-sport letterman. Lail was named All-Conference in three different sports, a rarity for any athlete, but he soft sells his own athletic accomplishments, “I was a jack of all trades and a master of none,” he said.

When Lail returned to the school as a teacher in the 1970s, he took the helm of the Hilltoppers. In an attempt to get his charges into better shape he introduced a new sport to the school — cross country running.

“Well, the motivation for me was basketball,” said Lail. “I wanted us to be in better shape, so that we were fresh in the fourth quarter. We were always going strong and as it evolved we ended up with athletes who became good cross country runners.

Some of them never played basketball, but I felt it was a good discipline.”

Lail will be on hand at R-S Central for the dedication, tonight, and members of the 1980 team are expected to attend Saturday’s presentation at East Rutherford.

Holtz leaving ECU for South Florida GREENVILLE (AP) — Skip Holtz is leaving East Carolina to take over as coach at South Florida.

Team spokesman Tom McClellan says Holtz informed the team of his decision in a meeting Thursday afternoon.

AOL FanHouse was first to report the hiring.

Holtz replaces Jim Leavitt, who was fired earlier this month after a school investigation concluded he grabbed a player by the throat, slapped him in the face, then lied about it. Holtz compiled a 38-27 record in five seasons with the Pirates, including wins in the past two Conference USA championship games and high-profile victories against Virginia Tech and West Virginia in 2008.

Holtz

Holtz was under contract through the 2013 season and had only a $100,000 buyout.

He made $605,000 in base salary this year, though that figure rose to nearly $900,000

due to several incentives.

Holtz, the son of former Notre Dame and South Carolina coach Lou Holtz, has been an annual fixture on the

list of top candidates for coaching vacancies elsewhere. He flirted with Cincinnati and Syracuse in recent years, but insisted he wasn’t looking to leave the program he rebuilt from its miserable state earlier this decade.

East Carolina had lost 22 of 25 games — 19 by double-digit margins and seven by at least 33 points — when he arrived after the 2004 season. The Pirates steadily rose from there, reaching a bowl game in his second season and winning one the following year.

The consecutive league titles were the first conference crowns for the program since 1976, sending the Pirates to the Liberty Bowl each time.

East Carolina was an independent from 1977-96 before joining C-USA.

8

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, January 15, 2010

sports

Scoreboard Milwaukee at Utah, 9 p.m.

Cleveland at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m.

FOOTBALL NFL Playoff Glance Wild-card Playoffs Saturday, Jan. 9 N.Y. Jets 24, Cincinnati 14 Dallas 34, Philadelphia 14 Sunday, Jan. 10 Baltimore 33, New England 14 Arizona 51, Green Bay 45, OT Divisional Playoffs Saturday, Jan. 16 Arizona at New Orleans, 4:30 p.m. (FOX) Baltimore at Indianapolis, 8:15 p.m. (CBS) Sunday, Jan. 17 Dallas at Minnesota, 1 p.m. (FOX) N.Y. Jets at San Diego, 4:40 p.m. (CBS) Conference Championships Sunday, Jan. 24 AFC, 3 p.m. (CBS) NFC, 6:40 p.m. (FOX)

Associated Press

Davis Love III follows his drive off the first tee during the first round of the Sony Open golf tournament, Thursday, in Honolulu.

Four-way tie for early lead at Sony Open

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer

HONOLULU — Davis Love III went two months without competing, the last month without even feeling grass under his feet. He played Thursday at the Sony Open like he had never been away from the game.

Love played bogey-free in more wind than he was expecting at Waialae, making birdie on his last hole for a 5-under 65 that put him into a four-way tie for the lead among early starters with defending champion Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer and PGA Tour rookie Troy Merritt.

“It’s a nice way to start the year,” Love said.

The relative calm on Oahu during practice rounds gave way to swaying of palm trees at sunrise along the shores of Waikiki, providing tough conditions for the morning.

Johnson, playing in the same group with Love, made seven birdies over his final 11 holes to join him atop the leaderboard.

Johnson had no idea that he inspired another player to get off to a calm start. Palmer was looking for something to read earlier in the week when he came across an article about Johnson that dealt with taking golf one day at a time. He didn’t look at leaderboards or worry about the weekend until he signed for his 65.

“Best start in my seven-year career,” Palmer said.

The biggest surprise was Merritt, one of four players in his first PGA Tour event.

Merritt played alongside 21-year-old Rickie Fowler, who brought loads of expectations into his rookie season. But it was Merritt who shined, plodding his way along and finishing with a birdie on the par-5 18th to join the leaders.

Duncan calls out NCAA’s ‘renegade’ coaches

ATLANTA (AP) — Education Secretary Arne Duncan praised the NCAA for developing leaders on Thursday while sharply criticizing “renegade” coaches and calling for players to remain in college at least two years before leaving for the NBA. “The extraordinary power of intercollegiate sports can train young men and women in ways that can’t be done in any other way,” said Duncan, the son of a longtime NCAA faculty representative, who delivered the keynote speech at the NCAA convention.

Pro Bowl Sunday, Jan. 31 At Miami AFC vs. NFC, 7:20 p.m. (ESPN) Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 7 At Miami NFC champion vs. AFC champion, 6:25 p.m.

(CBS)

BASKETBALL National Basketball Association EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division

W L Pct Boston 27 10 .730 Toronto 19 20 .487 New York 16 22 .421 Philadelphia 12 26 .316 New Jersey 3 35 .079 Southeast Division

W L Pct Orlando 26 13 .667 Atlanta 25 13 .658 Miami 19 18 .514 Charlotte 17 19 .472 Washington 12 25 .324 Central Division

W L Pct Cleveland 30 10 .750 Chicago 16 20 .444 Milwaukee 15 21 .417 Indiana 13 25 .342 Detroit 12 25 .324 WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division

W L Pct Dallas 25 13 .658 San Antonio 24 13 .649 Houston 22 17 .564 New Orleans 20 17 .541 Memphis 19 18 .514 Northwest Division

W L Pct Denver 25 14 .641 Portland 24 16 .600 Oklahoma City 21 17 .553 Utah 21 17 .553 Minnesota 8 32 .200 Pacific Division

W L Pct L.A. Lakers 30 9 .769 Phoenix 24 15 .615 L.A. Clippers 17 20 .459 Sacramento 15 22 .405 Golden State 11 26 .297

GB — 9 11 1/2 15 1/2 24 1/2 GB — 1/2 6 7 1/2 13 GB — 12 13 16 16 1/2 GB — 1/2 3 1/2 4 1/2 5 1/2 GB — 1 1/2 3 1/2 3 1/2 17 1/2 GB — 6 12 14 18

Wednesday’s Games Atlanta 94, Washington 82 Indiana 122, Phoenix 114 New York 93, Philadelphia 92 Boston 111, New Jersey 87 New Orleans 108, L.A. Clippers 94 San Antonio 109, Oklahoma City 108, OT L.A. Lakers 100, Dallas 95 Houston 120, Minnesota 114,3OT Denver 115, Orlando 97 Portland 120, Milwaukee 108 Miami 115, Golden State 102 Thursday’s Games Chicago at Boston, late Cleveland at Utah, late Friday’s Games San Antonio at Charlotte, 7 p.m.

Sacramento at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.

Washington at Chicago, 8 p.m.

Minnesota at Memphis, 8 p.m.

Phoenix at Atlanta, 8 p.m.

New Orleans at Detroit, 8 p.m.

Indiana at New Jersey, 8 p.m.

Toronto at New York, 8 p.m.

Oklahoma City at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

Miami at Houston, 8:30 p.m.

Milwaukee at Golden State, 10:30 p.m.

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

Orlando at Portland, 10:30 p.m.

Saturday’s Games Phoenix at Charlotte, 7 p.m.

New Orleans at Indiana, 7 p.m.

Sacramento at Washington, 7 p.m.

New York at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.

San Antonio at Memphis, 8 p.m.

Miami at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.

Thursday’s Women’s Basketball Scores EAST Cabrini 58, Keystone 39 Delaware 63, UNC Wilmington 59 Drexel 51, Hofstra 41 Goldey Beacom 61, Georgian Court 50 James Madison 72, Towson 68, OT Johns Hopkins 60, Haverford 55 Long Island U. 74, Wagner 60 Monmouth, N.J. 65, St. Francis, Pa. 61 Mount St. Mary’s, Md. 60, St. Francis, NY 47 Muhlenberg 60, Gettysburg 59 Quinnipiac 56, Cent. Connecticut St. 45 Robert Morris 79, Fairleigh Dickinson 50 Sacred Heart 76, Bryant 64 Washington, Md. 68, Dickinson 65 SOUTH Auburn 74, Alabama 62 Belmont 55, North Florida 51 Campbellsville 85, Pikeville 53 Christian Brothers 65, Ouachita 62 Cumberland, Tenn. 67, Blue Mountain 57 Duke 69, Miami 62 E. Illinois 60, E. Kentucky 50 ETSU 78, Stetson 59 Florida Gulf Coast 64, Campbell 59 Florida St. 80, Clemson 50 Georgia Tech 72, Wake Forest 66 Jacksonville 66, Lipscomb 48 King, Tenn. 64, Dist. of Columbia 45 Maryland 72, Boston College 65 Mercer 57, S.C.-Upstate 53 Midway 83, Asbury 78 Morehead St. 75, SE Missouri 37 Murray St. 78, Jacksonville St. 49 Old Dominion 79, George Mason 49 South Carolina 79, Kentucky 71 Tenn.-Martin 56, Tennessee Tech 52 Tennessee 66, Florida 64 Trevecca Nazarene 76, Bethel, Tenn. 65 Union 92, Lyon 63 Va. Commonwealth 76, Georgia St. 60 Vanderbilt 66, Georgia 44 Virginia Tech 79, North Carolina 64 William & Mary 74, Northeastern 65 Xavier, NO 70, Spring Hill 45 MIDWEST Cleveland St. 81, Butler 68 Creighton 63, Evansville 37 Detroit 66, Ill.-Chicago 65 Findlay 83, N. Michigan 80, OT Grand Valley St. 72, Ashland 50 Indiana 62, Michigan 60 Indiana St. 65, Wichita St. 61 Lake Superior St. 48, Northwood, Mich. 47 Loyola of Chicago 63, Wright St. 56, OT Michigan Tech 78, Hillsdale 74, OT Minnesota 74, Purdue 47 Ohio St. 72, Illinois 61 Penn St. 68, Iowa 62 Point Park 78, Malone 53 S. Illinois 80, Drake 60 Valparaiso 66, Youngstown St. 41 Wayne, Mich. 68, Saginaw Valley St. 58 Wis.-Parkside 72, Drury 71 Wisconsin 48, Michigan St. 45

HOCKEY National Hockey League EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division

GP W L OT Pts GF New Jersey 44 32 11 1 65 127 Pittsburgh 48 29 18 1 59 152 N.Y. Rangers 46 22 17 7 51 120 Philadelphia 45 23 19 3 49 140 N.Y. Islanders 47 20 19 8 48 124 Northeast Division

GP W L OT Pts GF Buffalo 44 28 11 5 61 123 Boston 45 22 16 7 51 117 Montreal 47 22 21 4 48 119 Ottawa 47 22 21 4 48 127 Toronto 47 15 23 9 39 125 Southeast Division

GP W L OT Pts GF Washington 46 28 12 6 62 171 Atlanta 45 20 19 6 46 143 Tampa Bay 45 18 17 10 46 118 Florida 46 18 20 8 44 132 Carolina 45 14 24 7 35 114 WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division

GP W L OT Pts GF Chicago 46 31 11 4 66 152 Nashville 47 28 16 3 59 136 Detroit 45 23 16 6 52 115 St. Louis 45 19 19 7 45 119 Columbus 48 18 21 9 45 125 Northwest Division

GP W L OT Pts GF Calgary 47 26 15 6 58 126 Colorado 47 26 15 6 58 138 Vancouver 47 27 18 2 56 149 Minnesota 47 24 20 3 51 131 Edmonton 45 16 24 5 37 124 Pacific Division

GP W L OT Pts GF San Jose 47 30 10 7 67 152 Phoenix 47 26 16 5 57 121 Los Angeles 46 25 18 3 53 135 Anaheim 47 21 19 7 49 133 Dallas 46 19 16 11 49 131

GA 94 131 123 128 144 GA 102 111 126 147 164 GA 132 150 136 145 154 GA 102 132 116 131 158 GA 114 134 117 139 152 GA 119 115 130 146 147

Wednesday’s Games Washington 5, Florida 4, SO Minnesota 5, Vancouver 2

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

Nashville at Calgary, 9 p.m.

Saturday’s Games Chicago at Columbus, 2 p.m.

Detroit at Dallas, 2 p.m.

New Jersey at Colorado, 3 p.m.

Boston at Los Angeles, 4 p.m.

Edmonton at San Jose, 4 p.m.

Ottawa at Montreal, 7 p.m.

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

Tampa Bay at Florida, 7 p.m.

Atlanta at Carolina, 8 p.m.

N.Y. Rangers at St. Louis, 8 p.m.

Minnesota at Phoenix, 8 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Vancouver, 10 p.m.

TRANSACTIONS

Thursday’s Sports Transactions BASEBALL American League CHICAGO WHITE SOX—Agreed to terms with RHP Greg Aquino, RHP Daniel Cabrera, LHP Erick Threets, INF Freddie Bynum and OF Jason Botts on minor-league contracts.

DETROIT TIGERS—Agreed to terms with RHP Enrique Gonzalez, RHP Ruddy Lugo, RHP Josh Rainwater, LHP pitchers Phil Dumatrait, LHP Ryan Ketchner, LHP Macay McBride, LHP Sam Narron, LHP Jason Waddell, C Andy Bouchie, C Robinzon Diaz, C Mike Rabelo, C Max St. Pierre, INF Kory Casto, INF Santo De Leon, INF Cesar Nicolas, INF Jason Stokes and OF Ryan Patterson on minor league contracts.

National League ATLANTA BRAVES—Agreed to terms with OF Melky Cabrera on a one-year contract.

COLORADO ROCKIES—Agreed to terms with INF Clint Barmes and RHP Taylor Buchholz on one-year contracts.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS—Designated RHP Merkin Valdez for assignment. American Association SIOUX CITY EXPLORERS—Acquired OF Kurt Crowell from Winnipeg (Northern) for a player to be named. Can-Am League BROCKTON ROX—Traded LHP Fraser Robinson to Quebec Capitales for cash and a player to be named.

FOOTBALL National Football League CAROLINA PANTHERS—Fired special teams coach Danny Crossman.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS—Named Romeo Crennel defensive coordinator.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES—Fired special teams coach Ted Daisher. Named Bobby April special teams coordinator.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS—Named Sean Kugler offensive line coach.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS—Named Bobby Turner assistant head coach and running backs coach. Signed OL Kory Lichtensteiger to a futures contract.

HOCKEY National Hockey League CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS—Signed senior vice president of business operations Jay Blunk to a contract extension.

OTTAWA SENATORS—Recalled G Mike Brodeur from Binghamton (AHL).

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING—Assigned RW Martins Karsums to HC MVD Balashikha (KHL). Recalled G Dustin Tokarski from Norfolk (AHL). American Hockey League ALBANY RIVER RATS—Announced F Harrison Reed has been reassigned to the team from Florida (ECHL).

ECHL CHARLOTTE CHECKERS—Announced F Kenny Roche has been loaned to Providence (AHL).

SOCCER Major League Soccer MLS—Named Nelson Rodriguez executive vice president of competition, technical and game operations. Announced executive vice president of player relations and competition Todd Durbin will also oversee the signing of all player contracts, manage League labor relation and oversee an expanded youth development initiative.

RED BULL NEW YORK—Acquired D Chris Albright from New England for a 2010 secondand third-round pick in the MLS SuperDraft.

COLLEGE SAINT ROSE—Announced the addition of men’s lacrosse, beginning with the 2011-12 season.

TEXAS TECH—Announced interim head coachdefensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill, inside receivers coach Lincoln Riley, running backs coach Clay McGuire, cornerbacks coach Brian Mitchell and special teams coordinator Eric Russell will not return to the football program. Announced the retirement of safeties coach Carlos Mainord.

Announced wide receivers coach Dennis Simmon will work with the athletic department.

NBA’s Arenas charged with felony gun possession

WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Wizards guard “Why do we allow the NCAA, why do we allow Gilbert Arenas was charged universities, why do we allow sports to be tainted Thursday with felony gun poswhen the vast majority of coaches and athletic session in connection with a directors are striving to instill the right values?”

Dec. 21 locker room confrontaDuncan asked. “Why do we allow our reputations, tion with a teammate. our universities and the NCAA as a whole to be Prosecutors charged Arenas stained by the actions of a few?” with one count of carrying a Duncan said he’s troubled by the recent accusapistol without a license, which tions of the mistreatment of players by college footcarries a maximum penalty of ball coaches. He also criticized coaches who move five years in prison. The charges to new jobs while their former schools are being were filed in D.C. Superior Court investigated for violations. in an “information,” a document “It’s troubling. It’s disturbing,” Duncan said. “It’s that generally signals a plea deal. disturbing when you see folks run a program into Arenas is scheduled to appear the ground and somehow get a pay raise when they Friday afternoon before a judge. jump to the next place.”

Arenas’ lawyer had no immediNCAA interim president Jim Isch said Duncan’s ate comment. The NBA declined speech was “fantastic.” to comment.

“I just think he made some interesting observaThe Wizards said in a statetions I know we’ll be talking about in the months ment that they were aware of the and years ahead,” Isch said. charge and were carefully fol“I think we’re all concerned about the coaches lowing the legal process. that are able to leave and leave their problems “We will also continue to behind,” Isch added. “We’re in the process as well cooperate fully with the proper of trying to address that issue. I think we’ll make authorities and the NBA,” the progress in the next year in the legislative cycle.”

Duncan said the NCAA “continues, unfortunate- team said.

Arenas, who has been susly, to be very publicly defamed by renegade coaches pended indefinitely by the NBA or institutions who don’t respect you, who don’t respect your values and in their heart have no true pending the investigation, has concern for the student-athletes they are supposed said he kept multiple guns in his locker at the Verizon Center. to lead.”

Washington’s Gilbert Arenas.

The 28-year-old three-time AllStar said he wanted to keep them away from his children and didn’t know it was illegal.

He says he took them out of the locker Dec. 21 in a “misguided effort to play a joke” on a teammate.

League officials have said the

locker-room incident stemmed from a card-game dispute between Arenas and teammate Javaris Crittenton on a plane trip back from the West Coast two days earlier.

At least seven Wizards players and coach Flip Saunders have appeared before a grand jury or been questioned by authorities.

There are conflicting reports about what happened in the locker room. It’s unclear what role Crittenton played and whether he had a gun. He has kept a low profile and has said he did nothing wrong.

Earlier Thursday, police searched for a gun at Crittenton’s Arlington, Va., apartment but did not seize any evidence, according to court documents.

Police were specifically looking for a silver or chrome-colored semiautomatic handgun with a black handle. A search warrant indicated police are investigating crimes including brandishing a weapon and violating the District of Columbia’s gun laws.

Crittenton’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, said Crittenton was there during the search, which occurred shortly after 7 a.m.

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, January 15, 2010 — 9

sports

Peterson faces boyhood favorites

Associated Press

Charlotte Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace, left, shoots over Houston Rockets forward Carl Landry in the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, in Charlotte. Charlotte won 102-94.

Bobcats Continued from Page 7

guard Raymond Felton said Thursday.

After remaking the roster to Brown’s liking with five trades involving 15 players over the past 14 months, the versatile Bobcats (17-19) sit in seventh place in the Eastern Conference entering Friday’s home game against San Antonio.

“We have good people. There’s no jealousy here,” said Brown, in the second year of his record ninth NBA head coaching job. “Stephen is an unusual personality, but he’s a great teammate and he’s a good guy.”

Jackson’s acquisition on Nov. 16 from Golden State was the riskiest move Jordan has signed off on since becoming the team’s managing partner in 2006. A superior talent, Jackson had been feuding with Warriors coach Don Nelson. His past includes his role in the infamous brawl in Auburn Hills, Mich., and being accused of firing a gun into the air outside a strip club.

He’s been a model teammate so far in Charlotte, giving the Bobcats multiple scoring options.

“Gerald Wallace needed another guy to take some of the pressure off him,” Jackson said. “I fit in good in that role. I did it for Baron Davis (at Golden State). I made it easy because I’m easy to get along with. I know what it takes to be a great teammate.”

It’s clear Jackson and Wallace have clicked. When not constantly needling each other — Wallace jumped onto Jackson’s back as he was doing an interview Thursday — they’re giving opposing teams fits.

Wallace was averaging 13.7 points before Jackson arrived and 19.3 points since. Despite being just 6-foot-7, Wallace is fourth in the NBA in rebounding at 11.5 per game and a candidate for his first All-Star game.

Chow rebuffs USC, stays at UCLA

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Norm Chow declined the chance to switch teams again in Los Angeles’ fierce football rivalry.

Chow said Thursday he’ll stay at UCLA for his third season as offensive coordinator, rebuffing overtures from Lane Kiffin to return to Southern California.

After a couple of uneasy days during which the Trojans openly courted Chow, UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel was grateful to learn his widely respected offensive mastermind had passed on a lucrative contract offer at USC. “It’s an exciting time to be at UCLA,” Chow said.

“I certainly understand the challenges, but I’m looking forward to what lies ahead at UCLA.” USC athletic director Mike Garrett acknowledged Wednesday he hoped to lure Chow to Kiffin’s new staff, joining defensive guru Monte Kiffin and top recruiter Ed Orgeron. But the rumblings began to circulate through the media before USC had even made contact with Chow, who was on vacation in Florida when his imminent departure from UCLA was being reported as fact.

“At that point I hadn’t spoken to anyone, and to me, that was very, very unfair,” said Chow, who was at a hospital with his wife to visit a sick friend when he first heard he was leaving UCLA.

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(AP) — As a kid growing up in Palestine, Texas, Adrian Peterson idolized the Dallas Cowboys.

A poster of Deion Sanders hung on the wall in his bedroom.

He had trading cards of Emmitt Smith. He rejoiced while watching Michael Irvin restore the swagger and success to the team that won three Super Bowls in the 1990s.

Come Sunday, that famed Cowboys star will look so much different to the Minnesota Vikings All-Pro running back.

It once represented a target to shoot for, the symbol of all his boyhood dreams.

Now that star is just the next barrier standing in his way in pursuit of his first career playoff victory and a berth in the NFC championship game.

The Vikings (12-4) host the Cowboys (12-5) on Sunday in an NFC divisional playoff game that, remarkable as it may sound, even has Peterson’s family divided.

“I was a huge Cowboys fan growing up, the days of Michael Irvin, Prime Time, Emmitt,” Peterson said Thursday. “It’s going to feel good to play those guys. I’ve got a lot of family that is kind of (undecided) which side they’re pulling for.”

Most of Peterson’s family still lives in Texas and their loyalties are being tested this week.

“Even family members,” Peterson said with a sheepish grin. “We have some die-hard Cowboys fans.”

He has one message for those relatives on the fence: Ask a Cowboys player for tickets. “(I’ve said that) to a couple of them,” Peterson said with a chuckle.

All joking aside, if the Vikings are going to prevail over the surging Cowboys, Peterson likely will play a pivotal role. He hasn’t topped 100 yards rushing in a game in two months, though he has been more active in the passing game since Brett Favre took over the offense.

Peterson set a team record and led the league with 18 rushing touchdowns and finished fifth in the NFL with 1,383 yards. He averaged a career-low 4.4 yards per carry and lost six fumbles, but the Cowboys have made him a focus of their defensive game plan.

“You need to commit to the running game with that guy,” Dallas coach Wade Phillips said.

“He’s such a tremendous talent.

He’s done everything already

Associated Press

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson looks on during football practice Thursday, in Eden Prairie, Minn., in preparation for Sunday’s NFL divisional playoff football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Minneapolis. Peterson grew up in Texas idolizing the Cowboys but he’s a Viking now.

and still doing more. I wish we wouldn’t have let him get out of Texas, but we did.”

The Vikings are the richer for it. In Peterson, they have a player that the Eagles didn’t last week, someone who might have helped neutralize the ferocious pass rush from outside linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer.

“If we could hand it to him every time and you’re getting positive yards, that would be a great thing for our offense,” offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said. “I think it’s important to make sure that we do try to establish the run. You can’t just sit there and drop back all day because of what they present with their front seven.”

With the offensive line struggling to open holes and Favre excelling in the passing game, Peterson has topped 100 yards rushing only three times this season. Two of those came

against the lowly Browns and Lions.

He hasn’t complained one bit.

The Vikings reached the 12-win plateau for just the second time since 1975 and earned a muchneeded bye last week.

“If it takes us running the ball 25 times to get a W, if it takes us throwing the ball 50 times to get a W, it’s whatever it takes to win,” Peterson said.

And if that W comes on Sunday against those Cowboys, well, it would just make it that much sweeter for Peterson and three other native Texans on Minnesota’s roster — snapper Cullen Loeffler, defensive lineman Brian Robison and cornerback Cedric Griffin.

“It’s a big game for anybody from Texas,” said Loeffler, who grew up an Oilers fan in Ingram but still understands the significance. “The Cowboys are SO big throughout the state and throughout America.”

NFL’s seasoned QBs on display METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Shortly before Drew Brees turned 30, he had a talk with retired San Francisco 49ers quarterback Steve Young that made him feel a bit better about entering the fourth decade of his life.

“He said, ’Man, your prime as a QB is 30 to 35,”’ Brees recalled.

“Now I would say Kurt Warner and Brett Favre are breaking that mold by going toward 40 and playing at such a high level.

But that makes you feel good because it shows that your skills can still be very high at that age.”

Brees turns 31 on Friday (the same day his only child, son Baylen, turns 1) and is the youngest of four quarterbacks in the over-30 club whose teams are still playing.

At 40, Favre is the oldest, followed by Warner, 38, and Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, 33. Should Favre’s Minnesota Vikings beat Dallas and Warner’s Arizona Cardinals beat New Orleans this weekend, the average QB age in the NFC championship game will be 39 — a veritable Graybeard Bowl.

“It’s not like 30 is a very old player; a lot of guys are just getting into it,” said Warner, who did not play in an NFL game until he was 27. “But I definitely think the experience helps, especially at this time of year, and I think it takes time to build things. Very seldom do you have a quarterback that comes in in their first year and the team around them’s good.”

Of course, that does happen.

Many of the best quarterbacks in the game made their mark

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earlier in their careers. Tom Brady was 24, in his first season as a starter because of an injury to Drew Bledsoe, when he won his first of three Super Bowls in a four-year period.

The two youngest quarterbacks still playing this season are New York Jets rookie Mark Sanchez, 23, and Baltimore’s Joe Flacco, 24. They play on teams built in large part around defense and the running game and they threw for the fewest yards and touchdowns of any of the eight QBs suiting up this weekend.

On Sunday, Favre will try to outgun a quarterback 11 years his junior in 29-year-old Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, while San Diego’s Philip Rivers, 28, will be the senior signal caller in his game against the Jets.

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Diapers & Wipes Provided at Forest City Center Healthy Meals & Snacks Professional Speech Therapist available thru Alpha & Omega (screening)

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Contact your authorized Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina agent for costs and further details on coverage, limitation, exclusions and terms under which the policy may be continued in force.

1 Based on BCBSNC enrollment 9/30/08. 2 Plan f includes more benefits than most of the BCBSNC Blue Medicare Supplement plans, at one of the lowest rates. 3 When you enroll, you will lock in your entry age forever, as long as you stay in the Blue Medicare Supplement plan that you initially chose.

Any rate adjustments will only be due to medical inflation or overall claims experience. Rate are subject to change April 1st of each year and are guaranteed for 12 months, but you alone will not be singled out for premium increases based on your health or age. Any change in your rate will be preceded by a 30-day notice. 4 Monthly premium (rate) is for Plan F and is effective until April 1, 2010. An independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. U3198b, 12/08

10

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, January 15, 2010

Weather/state Weather The Daily Courier Weather Today

Tonight

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Mostly Sunny

Partly Cloudy

Mostly Cloudy

Rain Likely

Mostly Sunny

Mostly Sunny

Precip Chance: 5%

Precip Chance: 10%

Precip Chance: 20%

Precip Chance: 60%

Precip Chance: 5%

Precip Chance: 5%

58º

33º

51º 40º

46º 35º

54º 30º

53º 34º

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 .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

. . . .

.48 .13 .49 .26

Precipitation 24 hrs through 7 a.m. yest. .0.00" Month to date . . . . . . . . .0.04" Year to date . . . . . . . . . .0.04"

Barometric Pressure

City

Asheville . . . . . . .52/29 Cape Hatteras . . .54/39 Charlotte . . . . . . .59/34 Fayetteville . . . . .63/35 Greensboro . . . . .58/32 Greenville . . . . . .62/34 Hickory . . . . . . . . . .57/33 Jacksonville . . . .61/34 Kitty Hawk . . . . . .52/36 New Bern . . . . . .61/35 Raleigh . . . . . . . .60/33 Southern Pines . .61/34 Wilmington . . . . .62/39 Winston-Salem . .58/31

Sun and Moon Sunrise today . . . . .7:35 Sunset tonight . . . . .5:39 Moonrise today . . . .7:47 Moonset today . . . . .6:11

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

Moon Phases

High yesterday . . . . . . .30.40"

Relative Humidity High yesterday . . . . . . . . .93%

New 1/15

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

49/37 53/47 52/42 57/44 53/39 57/41 50/39 58/46 48/42 57/44 55/41 55/43 61/51 53/38

mc pc pc pc pc pc pc pc pc pc pc pc ra pc

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

Last 2/5

Full 1/30

First 1/23

Saturday

Hi/Lo Wx Hi/Lo Wx

North Carolina Forecast

Greensboro 58/32

Asheville 52/29

Forest City 58/33 Charlotte 59/34

Today

Kinston 62/34 Wilmington 62/39

Today’s National Map

Saturday

City

Hi/Lo Wx Hi/Lo Wx

Atlanta . . . . . . . .

Baltimore . . . . . .

Chicago . . . . . . .

Detroit . . . . . . . .

Indianapolis . . .

Los Angeles . . .

Miami . . . . . . . . .

New York . . . . . .

Philadelphia . . .

Sacramento . . . .

San Francisco . .

Seattle . . . . . . . .

Tampa . . . . . . . .

Washington, DC

.60/36 .50/33 .37/30 .36/25 .38/27 .76/50 .76/68 .46/32 .46/30 .55/45 .58/48 .51/46 .75/61 .50/33

s s mc mc cl s mc s s s s ra s s

Greenville 62/34

Raleigh 60/33

Fayetteville 63/35

Shown is today’s weather.

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

Across Our Nation

Elizabeth City 58/34

Durham 60/33

Winston-Salem 58/31

54/42 46/31 39/30 37/27 39/29 72/50 80/69 45/31 46/31 56/45 58/49 53/48 73/60 47/33

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

40s

20s

50s

H

40s

30s

60s

H

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

Cold Front

Stationary Front

30s

40s

H

50s

70s

Warm Front

60s

70s

60s

L

Low Pressure

30s

H

High Pressure

Nation Today Cocaine found at NASA

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA is investigating how a bag of cocaine got into the hangar that houses space shuttle Discovery at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA spokesman Allard Beutel said Thursday that the bag contained a tiny amount of the illegal substance. It was found by a worker in a secure part of the hangar that is accessible by about 200 NASA employees and contractors.

NASA is drug testing and interviewing workers, as well as using drug-sniffing dogs.

Ohio doctor gets 13 years

HAMILTON, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio pediatrician charged with sex crimes against former patients has pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor and has been sentenced to 13 years in prison.

Scott Blankenburg, who’s 54, also pleaded guilty Thursday to compelling prostitution, illegal use of a minor in a nudity-oriented material or performance, pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor and bribery and drug charges.

He agreed to the 13-year term in a plea deal with prosecutors. He did not plead guilty to sex crimes involving former patients.

Blankenburg’s twin brother and fellow pediatrician, Mark Blankenburg, was sentenced last week to 21 to 27 years in prison for sex crimes involving former patients, money laundering and drug charges.

Killer had sniper’s perch

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pennsylvania State Police say a man prepared a sniper’s perch in an upstairs bedroom at his home before fatally shooting a trooper who arrived to investigate a domestic-

abuse call.

Michael J. Smith arranged folded towels and blankets on a corner table to steady a hunting rifle that police believe he used to gun down Trooper Paul Richey on Wednesday.

Police believe Smith used the same weapon to kill his wife, Nancy Frey-Smith, and later himself. Their bodies were found in the home Wednesday evening.

Shooter gets life sentence SEATTLE (AP) — A judge sentenced a 34-year-old man to life in prison on Thursday for killing one woman and injuring five other people in a rampage at a Seattle Jewish Federation office.

Naveed Haq (nah-VEED’ hahk), of Pasco, and his father appealed to Judge Paris Kallas for forgiveness.

Haq said he thanks God every day more people were not killed and said a cocktail of poorly prescribed psychiatric drugs turned him into a violent man.

Kallas also heard from victims and their supporters, including Nicole Waechter (WEK’-tur), whose mother, Pam, was killed in the 2006 shooting. Waechter told the judge her mother would have wanted her friends and family to move on and keep laughing.

Haq was found guilty in December on aggravated murder and attempted murder charges.

US calls for extra security WASHINGTON (AP) — A law enforcement official says airlines have been told to do more of the toughened screening put in place after the attempted Christmas Day terrorist attack aboard a Detroitbound flight.

The official says airlines have been told more federal air marshals will be on international flights bound for the U.S. and airports should conduct more random screening.

Associated Press

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, right, walks with National Economic Council Director Larry Summers, at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland.

House subpoenas AIG e-mails and phone logs WASHINGTON (AP) — A House committee probing bailout deals has subpoenaed the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for correspondence from Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and other officials.

The House Oversight and Government Affairs Committee is examining New York Fed decisions that funneled billions of dollars to big banks including Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and Morgan Stanley.

Geithner was president of the New York Fed at the time. He approved decisions involving the money from the bailout of failed insurer American International Group Inc., according to an earlier watchdog audit.

On Wednesday, committee chairman Rep. Edolphus Towns, D-N.Y. formally invited Geithner to testify this month about his role in the AIG bailout and the decision not to disclose what banks benefited.

In a statement, Towns said he had subpoenaed the New York Fed for documents about the decision to pay off AIG’s business partners and keep their names secret.

The subpoena demands e-mails, phone logs and meeting notes from Geithner; Stephen Friedman, who succeeded him as New York Fed president; New York Fed general counsel Thomas Baxter; and Sarah Dahlgren, the New York Fed’s top manager on AIG. The November audit said the bank payoffs might have cost taxpayers billions more than necessary because Geithner did not demand concessions from AIG’s business partners.

Towns has called for Baxter to testify with Geithner. It remains unclear whether either will appear.

Towns criticized the deals’ secrecy, saying in a statement that they protected Wall Street at taxpayer expense.

“When average people were los-

ing their homes and their jobs, the Bush administration decided to use taxpayer dollars to give a backdoor bailout to the biggest players on Wall Street,” Towns said.

“We need to understand why and how taxpayer dollars were used to bailout the same people who helped cause the financial crisis in the first place.”

The subpoena also demands correspondence about the Fed’s decision not to name the banks that benefited from the deals. Federal Reserve officials refused to name the banks that benefited from AIG’s money.

They said releasing the names would undermine market confidence and make it harder to recoup the money committed to AIG, which eventually totaled $182 billion.

When the Fed reversed course and released the details, the financial markets took it in stride, the November audit pointed out.

California Rep. Darrell Issa, the top Republican on the committee, asked Towns to subpoena the New York Fed after the Fed blocked a separate request for documents.

Administration officials have defended Geithner in the AIG matter by saying he wasn’t involved in the e-mails released last week. But the subpoena makes clear that the committee probe involves separate decisions Geithner made.

A Treasury spokesman did not respond to requests for comment. A New York Fed spokesman said in a statement that the bank “will work with the committee to provide relevant information as appropriate.”

Issa’s office had asked the bailout watchdog, Neil Barofsky, for documents he used to prepare the report on AIG’s payments to other banks.

Barofsky has said the Fed “has directed us not to provide you with the documents that it has provided to us.”

Illinois terror suspects face charges for Mumbai attack CHICAGO (AP) — Two Chicago men were indicted Thursday on charges they planned a violent attack on a Danish newspaper and helped lay the groundwork for the November 2008 terrorist rampage killed 166 people in the Indian city of Mumbai.

Businessman Tahawwur Rana and his associate David Coleman Headley already had been charged with assistance to terrorism but the 12-count indictment expanded allegations against Rana to include the Mumbai attacks. Both are in federal custody in Chicago.

Retired Pakistani military officer Abdur Rehman Hashim Syed and reputed terrorist leader Ilyas Kashmiri — described as having been in regular contact with alQaida’s No. 3, Sheikh Mustafa Abu al-Yazid — also were charged in the new indictment. Abdur Rehman and Kashmiri are accused of being involved with the plans to attack the Danish newspaper Jyllands Posten, which in 2005 printed 12 cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad

that sparked outrage in the Muslim world.

Officials say the defendants were linked to the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba, translated as Army of the Pure, which has long been involved in violent conflict with India over the disputed Kashmir territory.

The Indian government has blamed the group for the Mumbai attacks and the U.S. government has designated it as a foreign terrorist organization.

Headley, 49, formerly named Daood Gilani, is the son of a Pakistani father and an American mother. He has authorized the government to disclose that he is cooperating in the investigation, prosecutors said. His attorney, John Theis, declined to comment Thursday.

Rana, 49, is a Pakistan-born Canadian national who has based his First World Immigration Service company and other businesses in Chicago for more than a dozen years.

A message seeking comment was left for his attorney, Patrick Blegen.

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The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, January 15, 2010 — 11

business/finance

THE MARKET IN REVIEW

STOCK EXCHANGE HIGHLIGHTS

u

NYSE

u

7,448.52 +18.38

GAINERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last LaBrnch 3.95 Gramrcy 4.00 CapitolBcp 3.08 Spartch 11.97 NetSuite 17.82 NStarRlt 4.88 MediaGen 9.10 SemiMfg 4.43 ChinaDigtl 7.22 ChinaSoAir18.03

Chg +1.17 +.61 +.42 +1.42 +1.98 +.54 +1.00 +.43 +.68 +1.70

%Chg +42.1 +18.0 +15.8 +13.5 +12.5 +12.4 +12.3 +10.8 +10.4 +10.4

LOSERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last Chg Medifast 22.99 -4.01 TrinaSolar 52.22 -6.96 Sealy cv16 94.00-10.80 Sealy s 3.46 -.37 CSGlobWm 7.58 -.80 MauiLnd 3.89 -.41 FredM pfT 2.07 -.20 Suntech 16.09 -1.46 SprintNex 3.69 -.31 ZaleCp 2.99 -.24

%Chg -14.9 -11.8 -10.3 -9.7 -9.5 -9.4 -8.8 -8.3 -7.8 -7.4

MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE) Name Vol (00) Last Chg Citigrp 2484734 3.51 +.01 SprintNex 1450325 3.69 -.31 BkofAm 1386638 16.82 +.20 SPDR 1026161 114.93 +.31 FordM 854040 11.76 +.08 US NGsFd 569981 10.09 -.27 SPDR Fncl 548827 15.25 +.07 GenElec 538101 16.70 -.13 iShEMkts 515452 42.44 -.11 Pfizer 471555 19.38 +.17 Advanced Declined Unchanged Total issues New Highs New Lows Volume

DIARY

1,735 1,305 136 3,176 297 2 3,945,616,405

AMEX

1,887.93 +2.36

GAINERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last NIVS IntT n 3.46 DocuSec 3.00 ChMda wt 5.13 Wstmlnd pf 22.26 KodiakO g 2.75 AmShrd 2.97 Neuralstem 2.37 PudaCoal n 7.34 BioTime wt 3.25 NA Pall g 4.60

Chg %Chg +.32 +10.2 +.27 +9.9 +.41 +8.7 +1.55 +7.5 +.18 +7.0 +.19 +6.8 +.13 +5.8 +.40 +5.8 +.16 +5.1 +.22 +5.0

LOSERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last Engex 2.91 ImpacM n 5.20 HeraldNB 3.11 SL Ind 8.57 AdcareH wt 2.25 B&HO 2.68 EnovaSys 2.10 UTEK 4.76 CoffeeH 4.44 CheniereEn 3.24

Chg %Chg -.29 -9.1 -.52 -9.1 -.27 -7.9 -.68 -7.4 -.15 -6.3 -.16 -5.6 -.12 -5.4 -.25 -5.0 -.21 -4.5 -.14 -4.1

MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE) Name Vol (00) Last Chg NA Pall g 38011 4.60 +.22 VantageDrl 33290 1.66 -.02 GoldStr g 25042 3.44 -.01 KodiakO g 21529 2.75 +.18 NovaGld g 21244 6.49 -.05 ParaG&S 20743 1.95 +.15 GranTrra g 17502 5.29 -.10 NwGold g 17344 4.36 -.14 DenisnM g 15734 1.60 +.11 NthgtM g 15254 3.33 -.02 DIARY

Advanced Declined Unchanged Total issues New Highs New Lows Volume

275 217 67 559 19 1 145,916,600

u

DAILY DOW JONES

NASDAQ 2,316.74 +8.84

GAINERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last Cardica 2.06 CaliperLSc 3.37 CmtyCntrl 2.30 Parkrvsn 2.00 RealNwk 4.62 JksvlBcFl 11.00 CmcFstBcp 6.19 GranCty rs 2.26 MannKd 10.37 EntFnSv 9.22

Chg +.69 +.65 +.42 +.36 +.76 +1.69 +.94 +.34 +1.47 +1.22

%Chg +50.4 +23.9 +22.3 +22.0 +19.7 +18.2 +17.9 +17.7 +16.5 +15.3

LOSERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last RosettaG 2.10 Flanders h 3.80 InfoLogx rs 4.00 ColonialBk 7.20 Intergrp h 9.00 Numerex 4.20 FPB Bncp 2.36 WestwdO n 4.25 eOnComm 5.14 BrdwindE n 6.37

Chg -.99 -.55 -.45 -.80 -1.00 -.46 -.25 -.45 -.54 -.64

%Chg -32.0 -12.6 -10.1 -10.0 -10.0 -9.9 -9.6 -9.6 -9.5 -9.1

MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE)

Name Vol (00) Intel 1292087 PwShs QQQ646407 Microsoft 594676 CellTher rsh 523127 Cisco 516777 Oracle 437084 Dell Inc 372326 MicronT 317939 ETrade 273668 FifthThird 263509

Advanced Declined Unchanged Total issues New Highs New Lows Volume

Last Chg 21.48 +.52 46.39 +.04 30.96 +.61 1.19 -.15 24.95 +.31 25.34 +.59 14.70 -.37 10.73 +.27 1.73 -.01 11.77 +.25

DIARY

1,565 1,105 135 2,805 153 2 2,213,818,050

you talk. we listen.

HAVE YOU REVIEWED YOUR 10,760 in person.

Dow Jones industrials LIFE INSURANCE LATELY? Close: 10,710.55 Change: 29.78 (0.3%)

52-Week High Low

10,709.26 4,265.61 408.57 7,471.31 1,887.23 2,326.28 1,149.74 755.91 11,941.95 648.40

10,580

10,400

11,000

10 DAYS

10,500 10,000

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

STOCK MARKET INDEXES Name

Dow Industrials 10,710.55 Dow Transportation 4,230.91 Dow Utilities 399.55 NYSE Composite 7,448.52 Amex Market Value 1,887.93 Nasdaq Composite 2,316.74 S&P 500 1,148.46 S&P MidCap 753.02 Wilshire 5000 11,908.27 Russell 2000 646.43

9,500

+29.78 +4.17 -2.04 +18.38 +2.36 +8.84 +2.78 +1.46 +28.43 +2.87

YTD %Chg %Chg

+.28 +.10 -.51 +.25 +.13 +.38 +.24 +.19 +.24 +.45

+2.71 +3.20 +.39 +3.67 +3.45 +2.10 +2.99 +3.63 +3.11 +3.36

12-mo %Chg

+30.42 +33.48 +10.40 +39.28 +39.17 +53.24 +36.12 +47.85 +39.50 +39.73

MUTUAL FUNDS

9,000 8,500

Net Chg

Last

J

A

S

O

N

D

J

Name

PIMCO TotRetIs American Funds GrthAmA m American Funds CapIncBuA m Vanguard TotStIdx TOCKS OF OCAL NTEREST Fidelity Contra American Funds CpWldGrIA m YTD YTD American Funds IncAmerA m Name Div Yld PE Last Chg%Chg Name Div Yld PE Last Chg %Chg American Funds InvCoAmA m AT&T Inc 1.68 6.4 13 26.19 -.45 -6.6 LeggPlat 1.04 5.0 51 20.71 +.03 +1.5 Vanguard 500Inv Vanguard InstIdx Amazon ... ... 75 127.35 -1.76 -5.3 Lowes .36 1.6 20 23.19 -.03 -.9 American Funds EurPacGrA m ArvMerit ... ... ... 11.53 -.17 +3.1 Microsoft .52 1.7 20 30.96 +.61 +1.6 Dodge & Cox Stock American Funds WAMutInvA m BB&T Cp .60 2.1 20 28.52 +.62 +12.4 PPG 2.16 3.4 25 62.79 +1.32 +7.3 Dodge & Cox IntlStk BkofAm .04 .2 ... 16.82 +.20 +11.7 ParkerHan 1.00 1.7 29 58.79 +.54 +9.1 American Funds NewPerspA m BerkHa A ... ... 3099000.00-150.00 -.2 Fidelity DivrIntl d Cisco ... ... 25 24.95 +.31 +4.2 ProgrssEn 2.48 6.3 13 39.23 +.06 -4.3 American Funds FnInvA m ... ... 73 29.77 +.28 -3.7 PIMCO TotRetAdm b Delhaize 2.01 2.6 ... 76.44 -1.37 -.4 RedHat Dell Inc ... ... 20 14.70 -.37 +2.4 RoyalBk g 2.00 ... ... 54.43 +.41 +1.6 FrankTemp-Franklin Income A m DukeEngy .96 5.6 14 17.07 ... -.8 SaraLee .44 3.6 20 12.27 +.02 +.7 American Funds BalA m Vanguard 500Adml ExxonMbl 1.68 2.4 16 69.68 +.01 +2.2 SonicAut ... ... ... 11.07 -.11 +6.5 Vanguard Welltn FamilyDlr .54 1.8 14 30.34 +.03 +9.0 SonocoP 1.08 3.6 22 30.08 -.17 +2.8 Fidelity GrowCo Vanguard TotStIAdm FifthThird .04 .3 ... 11.77 +.25 +20.7 SpectraEn 1.00 4.5 17 22.18 +.48 +8.1 American Funds BondA m FCtzBA 1.20 .7 17 179.99 +1.00 +9.7 SpeedM .36 2.1 ... 17.42 +.34 -1.1 Vanguard TotIntl GenElec .40 2.4 15 16.70 -.13 +10.4 .36 1.4 ... 25.73 +.09 +8.5 Vanguard InstPlus GoldmanS 1.40 .8 20 168.53 -.54 -.2 Timken Fidelity LowPriStk d 1.80 2.9 37 62.20 +.13 +8.4 T Rowe Price EqtyInc Google ... ... 38 589.85 +2.76 -4.9 UPS B KrispKrm ... ... ... 2.99 -.01 +1.4 WalMart 1.09 2.0 16 54.21 -.80 +1.4 Hartford CapAprA m Pioneer PioneerA m Goldman Sachs ShDuGovA m Stock Footnotes: g = Dividends and earnings in Canadian dollars. h = Does not meet continued-listing standards. lf = Late filing with SEC. n = New in past 52 weeks. pf = Preferred. rs = Stock has undergone a reverse stock split of at least 50 Alliance Bernstein GrowIncA m percent within the past year. rt = Right to buy security at a specified price. s = Stock has split by at least 20 percent within the DWS-Scudder REstA m Hartford GrowthL m last year. un = Units. vj = In bankruptcy or receivership. wd = When distributed. wi = When issued. wt = Warrants.

S

L

I

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

Sales figures are unofficial.

Total Assets Obj ($Mlns) NAV

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

CI 115,919 LG 66,116 IH 58,324 LB 58,004 LG 57,153 WS 56,527 MA 49,431 LB 49,143 LB 48,312 LB 44,401 FB 40,624 LV 39,986 LV 38,906 FV 36,757 WS 33,009 FG 32,048 LB 30,966 CI 30,268 CA 29,740 MA 29,690 LB 28,379 MA 28,289 LG 28,159 LB 27,762 CI 27,358 FB 26,043 LB 24,767 MB 24,672 LV 15,493 LB 9,880 LB 4,328 GS 1,486 LV 1,245 SR 438 LG 188

+0.8 +13.1/C +3.5 +45.1/C +0.8 +28.4/D +3.8 +42.1/B +3.2 +39.5/D +2.7 +46.3/C +1.0 +32.3/C +2.8 +38.1/D +3.2 +39.6/C +3.2 +39.7/C +3.3 +54.3/A +4.0 +45.0/A +2.0 +31.4/D +4.1 +65.3/A +3.3 +51.5/B +3.9 +48.4/D +3.6 +45.6/A +0.8 +12.8/C +3.5 +39.9/A +2.1 +28.8/D +3.2 +39.7/C +2.1 +29.8/C +4.4 +50.7/B +3.8 +42.2/B +0.9 +14.6/C +4.2 +56.5/A +3.2 +39.7/C +5.4 +53.0/B +4.0 +40.4/B +4.7 +57.4/A +3.3 +36.1/D +0.1 +3.9/B +2.5 +29.6/E +1.2 +56.1/B +4.8 +44.7/C

10.93 28.10 48.79 28.32 59.16 35.04 15.78 26.70 105.81 105.10 39.62 100.22 25.32 33.12 26.40 28.94 33.81 10.93 2.11 16.62 105.81 29.58 70.51 28.32 11.95 15.01 105.10 33.14 21.80 31.79 36.78 10.36 3.01 13.95 15.56

+7.1/A +3.9/A +4.4/C +2.1/B +5.5/A +7.1/A +3.5/B +2.7/B +1.4/C +1.5/C +8.8/A +0.6/D +1.2/C +6.8/A +6.9/A +5.0/D +5.2/A +6.9/A +4.6/A +2.8/C +1.5/C +5.7/A +5.7/A +2.2/B +2.7/E +6.7/B +1.5/C +4.5/B +1.9/B +4.9/A +2.2/B +4.8/A -1.0/E +1.6/C +1.1/D

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

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.

Growth is in, value is out In this Dec. 11 file photo, a shopper passes a sale sign at Scottsdale Fashion Square mall in Scottsdale, Ariz. Retail sales fell in December as demand for autos, clothing and appliances all slipped, a disappointing finish to a year in which sales had the largest drop on record.

By MARK JEWELL AP Personal Finance Writer

BOSTON — Growth is in, value is out. And it’s likely to stay that way this year.

Investors who loaded their portfolios with growth stocks were rewarded in 2009. Those stocks gained an average 37 percent, nearly twice as much as value stocks.

Growth’s notable performance was largely fueled by technology stocks, the biggest part of the growth category. Experts say those companies will continue to prosper as customers ramp up tech spending coming out of the recession. But experts caution a tech rally as big as last year’s is unlikely.

There’s no pat definition for growth stocks, but typically they generate revenue and earnings at an above-average rate. Examples are Apple and Google. Value stocks generally produce steady earnings, often pay out dividends and are considered cheap based on their price-to-earnings ratios.

Companies like Bank of America, McDonald’s and Wal-Mart fall into this category.

The leadership shift to growth from value marks a break from historical patterns. All told, the annual performance of growth stocks surpassed value stocks just twice in the last decade. Also, value stocks normally do much better coming out of a recession, as more economically sensitive stocks like banks and utilities rebound at the earliest signs that the economy is expanding.

This recovery has been tepid. The economy is growing about half as fast as it usually does exiting a recession.

Still it’s clear that growth stocks were hot in 2009. Growth stocks within the Russell 3000, a broad index covering 98 percent of the U.S. stock market, surged 37 percent last year. Value stocks ended with a more modest 20 percent gain.

That big gap was reminiscent of the late 1990s, when growth had its last big run.

Ultimately, investors trying to forecast whether growth or value will lead the market should closely watch the economy.

In each of the past four recessions since 1980, growth stocks fared better than value as the economy shrank, a Russell Investments study found.

That’s because growth companies’ competitive advantages tend to hold up even if the economy is lousy. Value stocks tend to fall more sharply because many are in industries that are unusually sensitive to economic cycles — think of banks that see loan losses multiply in a bad economy, or energy companies that see demand from industrial customers shrink.

When the economy began expanding coming out of past recessions, value stocks began rising faster than growth stocks, the study found.

That’s not the case now, so the current market is breaking with the norms. Still, after value stocks led the market nearly all the past decade, Many figure growth stocks could be in favor for a long while.

Come in for a Good Deal and a Good Deal More Ron Venhuizen

Associated Press

Sales news, jobs claims surprise WASHINGTON (AP) — Retail sales unexpectedly fell in December, leaving 2009 with the biggest yearly drop on record and highlighting the formidable hurdles facing the economy as it struggles to recover from the deepest recession in seven decades.

In another disappointing economic report, the number of newly laid-off workers requesting unemployment benefits rose more than expected last week as jobs remain scarce.

Still, many economists, puzzled by the retail sales decline that follows reports from retailers of brighter holidays, cautioned that the December figures don’t necessarily signal a big consumer pullback and could be a blip.

Taking November and December figures together provides a picture of modestly positive spending, they said, but the monthly drop undercores how tentative the economic recovery remains, given all the headwinds facing consumers.

“Consumer spending is growing very weakly, but the key thing is that it’s growing,” said Scott Hoyt, senior director of consumer economics at Moody’s Economy.com. “The consumer is very weak. Confidence is exceptionally low.” He added he expects tepid sales growth into the summer.

The Commerce Department said Thursday that retail sales declined 0.3 percent in

December compared with November, much weaker than the 0.5 percent rise that economists had been expecting.

Excluding autos, sales dropped by 0.2 percent, also weaker than the 0.3 percent rise analyst had forecast.

For the year, sales fell 6.2 percent, the biggest decline on government records that go back to 1992. The only other year that annual sales fell was in 2008, when they slipped by 0.5 percent.

The 0.3 percent decline in December was the first setback since September, when sales had fallen 2 percent. Sales posted strong gains of 1.2 percent in October and 1.8 percent in November, raising hopes that the consumer is starting to mount a comeback.

A separate report showed that business inventories rose by 0.4 percent in November. It marked the second straight month that stockpiles have increased after a stretch of 13 monthly declines in inventories. The hope is that future sales gains will convince businesses to keep restocking, a development that will boost production and provide support for the recovery.

In the jobs report, the Labor Department said new claims for unemployment insurance rose by 11,000 to a seasonally adjusted 444,000. Wall Street economists polled by Thomson Reuters expected an increase of

only 3,000.

The rise was partly a result of large seasonal layoffs in the retail, manufacturing and construction industries, a Labor Department analyst said. The second week of January usually sees the largest increase in claims, unadjusted for seasonal trends, during the year, the analyst said.

Still, the increase didn’t disrupt the longer-term downward trend in claims. The four-week average dropped to 440,750, its 19th straight drop and lowest level since August 2008.

Initial claims are considered a gauge of the pace of layoffs and an indication of companies’ willingness to hire new workers.

Meanwhile, the number of people continuing to claim benefits dropped sharply to 4.6 million from 4.8 million the previous week. The continuing claims data lags initial claims by a week.

But the so-called continuing claims do not include millions of people who have used up the regular 26 weeks of benefits customarily provided by states, and are receiving extended benefits for up to 73 additional weeks, paid for by the federal government.

More than 5.3 million people were receiving extended benefits in the week ended Dec. 26, the latest data available. That’s a drop of about 135,000 from the previous week.

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12

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, January 15, 2010

Nation

Obama tells banks: ‘We want our money back’

President Barack Obama pats Budget Director Peter Orszag on the back as he walks to the podium to speak at the opening session of the Forum on Modernizing Government Thursday in the South Court Auditorium in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus in Washington.

Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama told banks Thursday they should pay a new tax to recoup the cost of bailing out foundering firms at the height of the financial crisis. “We want our money back,” he said.

In a brief appearance with advisers at the White House, Obama branded the latest round of bank bonuses as “obscene.” But he said his goal was to prevent such excesses in the future, not to punish banks for past behavior.

The tax, which would require congressional approval, would last at least 10 years and generate about $90 billion over the decade, according to administration estimates. “If these companies are in good enough shape to afford massive bonuses, they are surely in good enough shape to afford paying back every penny to taxpayers,” Obama said.

Advisers believe the administration can make an argument that banks should tap their bonus pools for the fee instead of passing the cost on to consumers.

The president’s tone was emphatic and populist, capitalizing on public antipathy toward Wall of dental and vision coverage.

Street. With the sharp words, he also tried to They added it would provide an deflect some of the growing skepticism aimed at exemption for residents of states his own economic policies. where the cost of health care is The proposed 0.15 percent tax on the liabilities particularly high, as well as for of large financial institutions would apply only employees of high-risk profesto those companies with assets of more than sions. $50 billion — a group estimated at about 50.

A union official familiar with Administration officials estimate that 60 percent the details said the tentative of the revenue would come from the 10 biggest agreement would raise the ones. threshold on insurance policies They would have to pay up even though many did subject to tax from $8,500 in not accept any taxpayer assistance and most that the Senate-passed bill to $8,900 did have repaid the infusions. for singles and from $23,000 Obama said big banks had acted irresponsibilto $24,000 for family coverage. ity, taken reckless risk for short-term profits and Even the new thresholds would plunged into a crisis of their own making. He cast be subject to adjustment if unex- the struggle ahead as one between the finance pected rises in health care occur industry and average people. by the time the plan is effective, “We are already hearing a hue and cry from Wall this official said.

Street, suggesting that this proposed fee is not only Additionally, AFL-CIO unwelcome but unfair, that by some twisted logic, President Richard Trumka told it is more appropriate for the American people reporters that beginning in 2017, to bear the cost of the bailout rather than the health plans covered by colindustry that benefited from it, even though these lective bargaining agreements executives are out there giving themselves huge would be permitted to seek cov- bonuses,” Obama said. erage in insurance exchanges He renewed his call for a regulatory overhaul of that would be set up under the the industry and scolded bankers for opposing the bill to allow consumers to shop tighter oversight. for coverage issued under federal At issue is the net cost of the fund initiated by the regulations.

Bush administration to help financial institutions Originally, the tax included in get rid of soured assets. The $700 billion Troubled the Senate bill was estimated to Asset Relief Program (TARP) has expanded to raise $149 billion through 2019. help auto companies and homeowners.

Trumka said the revisions would Insurer American International Group, the largreduce that amount by $60 bilest beneficiary at nearly $70 billion, would have to lion — money that negotiators pay the tax. But General Motors Co. and Chrysler would have to find elsewhere or Group LLC, whose $66 billion in government loans else reduce the coverage in the are not expected to be repaid fully, would not. legislation.

Administration officials said financial institutions were both a significant cause of the crisis While the tax would be and chief beneficiaries of the rescue efforts, should applied to high-cost plans, the Congressional Budget Office has bear the brunt of the cost.

Bankers did not hide their objections. said its principal impact would “Politics have overtaken the economics,” said be to prompt consumers to Scott Talbott, the chief lobbyist for the Financial purchase lower-value coverage.

Services Roundtable, a group representing large That, in turn, would raise the income tax they pay by reducing Wall Street institutions. “This is a punitive tax on companies that repaid TARP in full or never took the deduction they can take for TARP.” health care.

Tentative tax deal breakthrough reported in health care bill talks

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a major breakthrough, union leaders bowed Thursday to White House demands for a new tax on high-cost health plans as part of landmark health care legislation taking final shape in intensive negotiations.

The tentative agreement on the tax, which included significant concessions by the administration, was disclosed as leading lawmakers set an informal timetable of Friday for an agreement on the health care bill that President Barack Obama made a top priority in taking office a year ago.

Democrats expressed the hope that the agreement would quickly open the way for progress on other key issues where House and Senate-passed bills differ, as well as attempts by the White House to squeeze additional financial concessions from drug makers, nursing homes and other health care providers.

On a separate issue, makers of generic drugs, backed by the White House and a senior congressional ally, sought to reduce the patent protection that pharmaceutical companies receive for their new-to-market biotech products. The House and Senate bills both limit competition for 12 years.

The fast-paced events came as senior lawmakers went to the White House for the second straight day of bargaining over terms of a final compromise, and Obama arranged an appearance before the House Democratic rank-and-file in late afternoon Thursday in the Capitol complex.

The president wants legislation to expand health care to millions who lack it, crack down

on insurance industry practices such as denial of benefits on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions and slow the growth of health care costs generally.

The president has told lawmakers he wants the tax on high-cost plans included in the legislation to help rein in costs. But that position courted conflict with labor leaders who fear exposing their membership to higher taxes, as well as with House Democrats who omitted it from the legislation they initially passed.

The day’s events underscored the urgency with which the White House and top Democrats were working, and the tentative agreement on a new tax on highcost plans was the most prominent fruit of the effort.

“This was a very critical issue that had to be resolved, and I think it has been,” said Rep. Rob Andrews, D-N.J., who told reporters he had been briefed on the emerging agreement to impose a tax on costly insurance plans.

While not all details were set, it appeared the union leaders had backed down on their outright opposition to a new tax, and the White House had agreed to several concessions to mollify their concerns.

In a significant victory for unions, the 40 percent excise tax would not apply to policies covering workers in collective bargaining agreements, state and local workers and members of voluntary employee benefit associations through Dec. 31, 2017.

Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., and others said the tax would apply to fewer plans than was the case in the Senate-passed bill and would exclude the value

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The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, January 15, 2010 — 13

nation

Prospects dimming on jobs bill An AP News Analysis

By ANDREW TAYLOR Associated Press Writer

Associated Press

Judy Braiman, consumer activist, poses for a photo in Rochester, N.Y., Wednesday with a “Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer” bracelet in front of the store where she purchased the item in November.

Parents warned on cheap jewelry

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The warnings from the nation’s chief product safety officer were unprecedented: Don’t give your child any of that cheap metal jewelry you’ve been hearing about. And don’t let your young ones play with it either — those shiny $3.99 bracelets and charms could contain toxic cadmium or lead, almost definitely imported from China.

The initial advice Wednesday from U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission chairman Inez Tenenbaum contained plenty of don’ts — but didn’t say what to do with the jewelry if you have it. When pressed, Tenenbaum’s spokesman Scott Wolfson explained parents should grab the trinkets and toss them. Just be sure to “safely dispose” of the merchandise under applicable state and federal environmental law.

It was another escalation in the serious health concern that began Sunday, when The Associated Press published its first investigative report on tests that showed the presence of high levels of cadmium in imported children’s jewelry.

So what are America’s Moms and Dads to do?

While neither Tenenbaum nor Wolfson would outright say not to buy cheap children’s jewelry, that inference was clear, too.

A tough conversation around the kitchen table: don’t buy any new stuff, don’t give out any new stuff, don’t play with the old stuff. In fact, get rid of the old stuff, but in a manner that doesn’t risk putting toxins from the jewelry into the environment.

And make sure you don’t go out and resell the jewelry through online auctions or to a thrift store, said Wolfson.

WASHINGTON — The Senate is where legislation often goes to die, and it’s looking more and more like that’s the fate awaiting a new jobs bill wanted by President Barack Obama.

After barely limping out of the House last month, prospects for a deficit-financed jobs bill appear bleak in the Senate, where it’s probably going to take all 60 votes in the Democrats’ coalition to pass it.

That’s doubtful. About one in six House Democrats voted no when the bill squeaked through the House last month.

Prospects for getting the required unanimity among Senate Democrats is especially bleak since the first item of business on the Senate’s agenda when it returns next week is a bill to let the government sink itself another $925 billion into debt. To turn around and take up legislation to spend perhaps $75 billion to $150 billion of that strikes some Democrats as a bad vote.

There’s also Obama’s upcoming budget projecting another record deficit atop last year’s record $1.4 trillion, adding to the difficulty in passing a new, debtfinanced jobs package.

Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., supports the idea of a new stimulus measure but acknowledges the hurdles to passing one.

Democratic moderates like Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Evan Bayh of Indiana have already registered concerns.

“It’s hard to answer in a vacuum without knowing what’s in it, but if it’s just a wish-list of spenders’ favorite items, that’s not going to go through,” said Bayh.

“Senator Nelson is very concerned about the level of federal spending and the deficit,” said Nelson spokesman Jake Thompson. “He would look at a jobs package, but those factors would weigh heavily in his mind.” Nelson also thinks there’s plenty of stimulus money still in the pipeline, Thompson said.

Obama has proposed new spending for highway and bridge construction, for small business tax cuts and for retrofitting millions of homes to make them more energyefficient. He also proposed an additional $250 apiece in stimulus spending for seniors and veterans and billions of dollars in aid to state and local governments to avert layoffs of teachers, police officers and firefighters.

Talk of a second economic stimulus measure — more pleasingly packaged as a “jobs” bill — intensified after the nationwide unemployment rate topped 10 percent last fall.

Obama has proposed new spending for highway and bridge construction, for small business tax cuts and for retrofitting millions of homes to make them more energy-efficient. He also proposed an additional $250 apiece in stimulus spending for seniors and veterans and billions of dollars in aid to state and local governments to avert layoffs of teachers, police officers and firefighters.

The House responded with an approximately $174 billion measure accepting many but not all of Obama’s ideas. But the 217-212 vote on Dec. 16 vote was hardly encouraging. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., had to work the floor for a full hour to win the tally, which was held just after Democratic leaders forced through stopgap legislation to raise the debt limit by $290 billion.

In the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., who’s been preoccupied with health care, has handed off the jobs issue to allies Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and Dick Durbin, D-Ill. They’ve taken a roster of more than 100 ideas submitted by lawmakers and have tried to winnow it

So far, there’s been no word of any official recalls.

When asked if the recommendations were bigger than a recall, Wolfson replied, “Yes.”

Editor’s note: Associated Press writer Andrew Taylor has covered Congress for 20 years.

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Just two current Republicans — Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine — voted for Obama’s $787 billion economic stimulus bill early last year, and neither is committing to a second round, though they’re likely to endorse elements of the plan, such as extending unemployment payments to the long-term jobless.

“I personally believe that we need more stimulus. I think this thing is still quite weak, especially in the jobs area,” Conrad said.

But he’s less certain whether it can pass, saying: “I just don’t know.”

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down to about a dozen proposals, including steps to help small businesses create jobs, money for so-called green jobs and funding for infrastructure projects like roads and bridges.

The idea is to enact fast-acting steps that would boost employment before next fall’s election.

But infrastructure spending is notoriously slow. Projects need to be planned and can require a lengthy contracting process before jobs appear on construction sites.

Congress is overdue to pass legislation reauthorizing highway and transit programs but action on that front isn’t expected until later in the year.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said in a new report Thursday that “fewer projects are ’shovel ready’ than one might expect” and predicted that most of the hires resulting from new infrastructure funding wouldn’t occur until after 2011.

Democrats muscled through the first stimulus bill almost immediately after Obama took office with high approval ratings in public opinion polls.

Now, Obama’s numbers are significantly lower. Health care has consumed much of his political capital and his marks with the public on the economy are fading. His approval rating is below 50 percent in some polls.

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14

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, January 15, 2010

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Vegetarian feels picked on Dear Abby: I am 27 and have been a vegetarian for five years. I am trying to develop a thick skin when it comes to people who question or make fun of my choice, but I’m tired of laughing and letting the comments “roll off” my back.

When my grandfather sits near me at a family event, he will analyze my plate, look at me in disgust and then tell me, “Carrots have feelings, too.”

When I go to a well-known sandwich shop, I order a basic and “boring” sandwich, which I really enjoy.

The sandwich makers give me funny looks and ask, “That’s all?” or, “You’re spending five bucks on THIS?” followed by laughter or a shake of their heads. One even asked me if I was crazy! What is the best response to people who are so rude about my choices? — Herb Dear Herb: Sorry, there is no onesize-fits-all snappy one-liner. But take comfort in the fact that a growing number of people are choosing to avoid meat and poultry not only for the ethical reasons, but also because they prefer to avoid the hormones and antibiotics used in the production of these food products.

When someone comments or questions you, it’s important to consider the source as well as the intent behind the remarks. Your grandfather may be trying to be humorous — or he may be showing concern

Dear Abby Abigail van Buren

because he comes from a generation that didn’t learn there can be benefits from a vegetarian diet. Because he’s getting under your skin, rather than take the bait, sit next to some other relatives at family events.

Dear Abby: For the last three years I have been dating a woman who, 15 years ago, divorced an Army colonel after 20 years of marriage. She loved the prestige of being an officer’s wife.

There always seems to be a reason why she must mention her ex, no matter what the topic is. I finally told her it seemed like she missed him. I am an Army vet and I cannot mention anything about the Army because if I do, she’ll one-up me with yet another war story about him.

What’s going on? —Overshadowed Dear Overshadowed: This woman is surprisingly insensitive to your feelings. Second, when people feel the need to “one-up” others, it usually stems from insecurity. Third, when a woman consistently speaks in the singular about her plans, it’s a strong indication that she doesn’t regard herself as part of a couple.

Drinking water cures diarrhea Dear Dr. Gott: I am a 65-year-old female. For about five years, I suffered from unpredictable fecal incontinence and diarrhea. Both afflictions were unpleasant and caused me considerable anxiety.

My 84-year-old aunt was not a bit shocked when I confided this to her.

She simply told me to drink more water. Of course, my reaction was “Huh?” to which she said, “You’re dehydrated. Just do it!”

I can tell you that it really did work.

Although I disdain the heaviness of so much water, I changed from iced water to room temperature, and the feeling isn’t so bad. I now drink about four ounces 12 times a day and have no more problems.

How could this be — more water curing me of both afflictions? I need to know the reason this works, because people don’t believe me when I tell them.

Dear Reader: Diarrhea is typically caused by an infection or functional

PUZZLE

Ask Dr. Gott Dr. Peter M. Gott

bowel disorder, such as irritable bowel syndrome. It can lead to dehydration, so it is important to take in additional fluids during an episode.

Constipation often responds well to increased fluid intake. I am just as baffled as you are, but I am printing your letter with the request that if any of my readers have heard of or have had experience with this, they should write to me with their results.

I will briefly discuss dehydration.

This condition occurs when the body loses more water than it takes in.

This can occur due to diarrhea, vomiting, excessive sweating, decreased water intake and the use of certain medications.

IN THE STARS

Your Birthday, Jan. 15;

In the year ahead, a number of little things could make a positive impact.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Obstacles or challenges aren’t likely to keep you from accomplishing something.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — The thoughtful way you correct an associate will be appreciated.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) — Do not underestimate the impact of doing small, considerate deeds.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) — Although you like fun and games, you’re likely to derive greater satisfaction participating in serious undertakings.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — The pluses you have going for you are likely to be an effective blend of imagination and determination.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — Most of the difficult situations that confront you will be past problems.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) — Most colleagues or associates might not be endowed with your staying power.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — An assignment might not be accomplished without help and input from coworkers.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept.

22) — Adjustments can be made for something recently accomplished for which you weren’t properly compensated.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — An important endeavor upon which many are depending isn’t likely to realize success under its present management.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Your unselfish attitude toward those who work at your side is commendable.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — You are likely to have the best ideas that will produce the greatest good for the largest numbers of your peer group.

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, January 15, 2010 — 15 The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, FRIDAY, January 15, 2010 — 15

nation/world

U.S. takes lead in Haiti rescue, recovery effort

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama and the U.S. moved to take charge in earthquake-ravaged Haiti on Thursday, dispatching thousands of troops along with tons of aid to try to keep order as well as rescue the suffering in a country dysfunctional in the best of times.

Tested with the first largescale humanitarian disaster of his presidency, Obama ordered a relief effort of historic proportions despite the deep strains it was sure to put on both the U.S. bud-

get and on military forces who are already fighting two wars. He pledged an initial $100 million — with the likelihood of more later.

“The United States is providing a lot of the glue that is keeping people communicating and working together as we try to assert authority, reinstate the government and begin to do what governments have to do to rebuild,” Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said.

Aware of the deep political cost George W. Bush paid for an ineffective response

to Hurricane Katrina, the White House has labored to show Obama has been intensely engaged since immediately after the 7.0-magnitude quake late Tuesday afternoon. Details of evening Situation Room meetings, phone calls with world leaders and canceled events were being released almost hourly.

Obama announced that “the first waves” of the American response were in place Thursday, with two search-and-rescue teams on the ground, Coast Guard

cutters in port, the U.S. Southern Command in control of the airport and airlifts bringing in urgently needed supplies and ferrying out the injured.

But the chief emphasis out of Washington was the huge amount of U.S. help that was still on the way.

Officials noted the difficulty of getting resources in as fast as they would like because of needed preparation time and then the barriers of damaged communications, roads, airport and port. Obama himself warned

it would take hours “and in many cases days” to get the full U.S. contingent to Haiti.

The role of heading the relief effort and managing the crisis quickly fell to the United States, for lack — in the short term, at least — of any other capable entity.

The government of Haitian President Rene Preval was severely disabled, with the president’s own residences damaged and the Parliament building collapsed along with other ministries and departments.

CLASSIFIEDS Contact Erika Meyer to place your ad!

4 FOR 24 REAL ESTATE WEEKLY SPECIAL NEED TO SELL OR RENT YOUR PROPERTY? LET US HELP! 4 Lines • $2400 One Week In The Paper

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 Tuesday Edition.............Monday, 12pm Wednesday Edition......Tuesday, 2pm Thursday Edition......Wednesday, 2pm Friday Edition...............Thursday, 2pm Saturday Edition................Friday, 2pm Sunday Edition......................Friday, 2pm

Please check your ad on the first day that it runs. Call us before the deadline for the next edition with corrections.

We will rerun the ad or credit your account for no more than one day.

*4 line minimum on all ads Apartments 2BR washer/dryer hookup, stove, refrig. furnished. $325/mo + $200 dep. 286-1851 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.

Nice 2 Bedroom on one floor & 1 Bedroom Apt across from Super 8 Motel in Spindale $385/mo. & $515/mo.

Call 828-447-1989 2BR/1.5BA Cent h/a, washer/dryer included.

No pets! Owner lives on property. FC area. $450/mo. 429-1030 Special $100 dep.!

1, 2 & 3BR Nice, large Townhomes Priv. decks, w/d hook up. Water incld.!

Starting at $375/mo.

1-888-684-5072 2 & 3BR Close to downtown Rfdtn. D/w, stove, refrig., w/d hook up. No pets! 287-0733 Arlington Ridge

Spacious 1 & 2BR Some utilities paid by landlord.

Winter special: 1 mo. rent free w/1 yr. lease!

Jerre 828-447-3233

Run ad 6 consecutive days and only pay for 5 days*

2 WEEK SPECIAL

Run ad 12 consecutive days and only pay for 9 days*

3 DAY WEEKEND SPECIAL

YARD SALE SPECIAL

Run a 20 word yard sale ad Thurs., Fri., & Sat. for ONLY $20.

Additional words are only 75¢ each. Deadline: Wed. at 2 p.m.

*Private party customers only!

This special must Private party only! This be mentioned at the time of ad be mentioned ad placement. placement.

Valid 6/15/09 1/11/10 - 0/15/10 Valid 6/19/09

*

Apartments

Mobile Homes

Mobile Homes

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Help Wanted

Extremely nice newly remodeled 1BR APT. in Rfdtn. $300/mo w/small sec. dep.

Water included, 704-297-1042 ask for Justin

For Sale

For Rent

INSURANCE ASSOCIATE AGENT Applicant must be able to perform a variety of general office duties.

Applicant must hold both Property and Casualty Insurance licenses within a prescribed time frame.

Applicant will be expected to assist our agency force in marketing insurance products. Applicant must possess strong people skills and be able to work with the public in a professional manner.

Mon.-Fri. 8a-5p.

Employer performs credit check & aptitude test and is an equal opportunity employer.

Please send resume: Attn: Job Opening 105 Reservation Dr., Spindale, NC 28160

MAINTENANCE LEAD PERSON Aallied Die Casting of NC has an immediate opening for a Maintenance Lead Person for 2nd shift.

This position requires minimum 5 years of maintenance exp. in a manufacturing environment and supervision experience is required. This position is completely a hands on job that requires someone who can handle multiple tasks under high pressure deadlines.

We are seeking applicants w/electrical, hydraulics, & welding experience. Must be capable of troubleshooting and repairing all machinery problems in a timely manner. Experience in die casting or plastic injection a plus. Pay commensurate with skills and experience level. Aallied offers medical/dental insurance, vacation, & 401k retirement plan.

Successful candidate must apply in person at: Aallied Die Casting 401 Aallied Drive Rutherfordton, NC 28139 EOE

WAITRESS/CASHIER Apply in person at Scott’s On Broadway, 753 S. Broadway, FC. between 2-5PM MonFri. No phone calls.

Must be 21. Exp. a + but not necessary.

Homes For Rent Beautiful country cottage Hudlow Rd. 2BR/1BA $500/mo.

704-376-8081 Secluded on 1.5 acres

2,000 sqft. 3BR/2BA $700/month + deposit References. No pets.

Call 336-364-1534 or 919-943-8931

1, 2 & 3 BEDROOM

HOUSES & APTS. FOR RENT! $285/mo.-$750/mo.

Rentals Unlimited

245-7400 2BR/1BA Shiloh area $350/mo. + $350 dep.

Call 289-2700

Mobile Homes For Sale 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

Adventure In Real Estate...

Let this old timer show you tracts with a history - an old railroad line - possible evidence of gold mining hidden river - even a haunted house. Exploring is fun and rewarding. Our red Jeep will take you there.

Enticing prices!

Call Russ Isham Real Estate 453-7700 Anytime

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

Mobile Homes For Rent 3BR/1.5BA SW in Chase area. $400/mo.

Ref’s & $400 dep. req.

No pets! 289-2074

2BR Stove, refrig., cable, lawn service & trash incld. $260 /mo. + dep. No cats! Long term only!

2BR/2BA in nice area Stove, refrig. No Pets! $350/mo. + deposit Call 287-7043 2BR/2BA 14x70 $375/mo. + dep. No pets. Ref’s. required.

Call 828-453-8483

Business Opportunity Tired of looking for work? Create your own job by starting your own business!

And the government’s Project GATE can help! Call Toll Free 1-877-962-4283 or go to

Call 453-0078 or 429-8822

www.ncprojectgate.org

3BR Mobile Home Large Lot, quiet

Isothermal Community

section. Owner lives on

property. 245-8734 SPACIOUS & PRIVATE

3BR/2BA in Rfdtn. $650/mo. + securities.

748-0658 or 286-1982 3BR SW & 3BR DW in Harris. Water & sewer incld. $350 & $450/mo. + dep. 828-748-8801 3BR/1.5BA in Sunshine Community. Appliances furnished. $300/mo.

Call 828-289-3933

2BR & 3BR in quiet park in Forest City & Ellenboro. $325-$400 per month 287-8558

Come to a Free orientation at the College Small Business Center (Foundation Building) Wednesday at 9AM (Mention Coupon DCC for free advertising for your business.)

Work Wanted Responsible mature male will sit with elderly, CNA certified Call 980-4869

Find what

you are looking

for in the Classifieds!

OAKWOOD VILLAGE APARTMENTS 710 N. Washington Street Rutherfordton, NC 28139 Elderly Households

1 BEDROOM APARTMENTS Units for Persons with Disabilities Available

Rental Assistance Available Please Call 828-287-2871 TDD/TYY # 800-735-2962 “This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer”

M.D.S. Coordinator White Oak ManorRutherfordton is currently seeking RN, MDS Coordinator.

Candidates should possess the following qualifications: must have one year experience as a MDS Coordinator in long term care, leadership abilities, interaction with all departments in a mature and professional manner.

Works five days each week. Excellent benefits. If interested apply in person to Gail Eller, RN, Director of Nurses, Mary Whitworth, RN, Ass't Director of Nurses, Brenda Sue Lowman, Human Resources Manager. No phone calls please. EEOC PT HABILITATION TECHNICIANS Providing services for individuals with MR/DD diagnosis. Min. req.: proof of HS diploma/ GED, proof of CPR/FA Certification (training available), criminal/ DMV background checks, proof of valid DL & vehicle insurance.

Contact Judith at 828-247-0622 or 284 West Main St., Forest City

Medical Records/ Data Processing Clerk - Duties: Enter all doctor’s orders into computer system.

Maintain medical records by professional standards. Complete other medical clerical duties as assigned.

Qualifications: Exceptional data entry skills without error, well organized, efficient & complete tasks in a timely manner. Associate degree in Medical Office Administration preferred or good working knowledge of medications and physician orders.

To apply send resume to: Mary Lance, Administrator, White Oak ManorTryon, PO Box 1535, Tryon, NC 28782 or e-mail to mlance@ whiteoakmanor.com

PART TIME HOUSING COUNSELOR position available with CCCS. Starting salary $12/hr.

D.O.E., with partial benefits and daytime hours. Minimum qualifications: Graduation from a four year college with a degree in Counseling, Business, Human Services or related field; OR High School diploma or equivalent & five yrs satisfactory work experience in banking, mortgage lending or related field.

NO PHONE CALLS! Mail letter of interest &

resume to: Executive Director, PO Box 6, Spindale, NC 28160 Pre-employment drug testing required. EOE. Part-Time Director Needed for non-profit organization at the Washburn Community Outreach Center.

Responsibilities include overseeing the daily and long-term operations of the resale store and assistance program.

Strong oral and written communication skills.

Associate degree preferred. To apply, please send interest letter, resume, and three references to: Outreach Director PO Box 220 Bostic, NC 28018 or submit by email to salemumc@rfcinet For a complete job description call 245-5603, or email the address provided.

Help Wanted Lead teacher position

6:30 am at Wee The People 30-35 hrs./ wk. Must have 18 hrs. EDU classes or 2 yrs exp. in child care. 289-8774 or 288-2844 White Oak ManorRutherfordton is currently seeking FT LPN for second shift with at least three years exp. in long term care. Works five days each week. Excellent benefits. If interested apply in person to Gail Eller, RN, Director of Nurses.

No telephone calls, please. EEOC Substance Abuse Care Managers to provide assessment & case management to clients involved in the criminal justice system.

Stable, full-time position with benefits.

Must be highly organized and able to work independently.

Minimum of BA/BS (no exceptions) & human services experience.

Positions are available in Marion, Lenoir, Rutherfordton, Shelby and Gastonia. Please send resume to Region4TASC@ nctasc.org

Find the job you are looking for!

NEW JOB LISTINGS EVERY TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY

16 — The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, FRIDAY, January 15, 2010

FILL UP ON

V A L U E

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The public will take notice that the Town Council of the Town of Lake Lure will, at its special meeting to be held at 4:00 p.m. on the 26th day of January, 2010 in the Council meeting room of the Lake Lure Municipal Center consider a resolution authorizing the lease of the real property of the Town of Lake Lure described below:

Having qualified as Executor of the estate of EDGAR WEBB ESKRIDGE of Vance County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the estate of the said EDGAR WEBB ESKRIDGE to present them to the undersigned on or before the 8th day of April, 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 8th day of January, 2010.

All that tract or parcel of land designated as the Nineteenth Tract: Known as the LAKE LURE GOLF COURSE TRACT and all that tract or parcel of land designated as the Twentieth Tract: Known as the Club House Tract, as contained in that deed dated July 28, 1932 from Lureland Realty Corporation to the Town of Lake Lure recorded in Deed Book 153 at Page 356, Rutherford County Registry.

Saving and excepting from the above Golf Course tract any portion of the following "Lake Lure Classical Academy" tract which may be encompassed by the description in the first tract described above: Being a portion of the Town of Lake Lure property as described and recorded in deed book 153, page 356. Lying in Chimney Rock Township, Rutherford County, NC and beginning at a point in the common property line of Willard N. Buford property being the western line as described in deed book 712 page 719 and an eastern line of the said Town of Lake Lure property. Said beginning point located the following two (2) calls along the said common property line from a point in the centerline of Island Creek Road (1) N 02-53-45 E 12.27’ to a point, thence (2) N 03-43-51 E 972.74’ to the beginning point; thence through the said Town of Lake Lure property the following eight (8) new lines: (1) S 67-49-48 W 634.23’ to a point; (2) thence N 21-52-41 W 263.26’ to a point; (3) thence N 07-36-01 W 380.56’ to a point; (4) thence N 22-26-14 W 145.00’ to a point; (5) thence N 08-02-52 W 449.18’ to a point; (6) thence N31-25-21 E 169.77’ to a point; (7) N 45-05-08 E 103.67’ to a point; (8) thence S 69-08-30 E 520.76’ to a point being the southwest property corner of Barbara A. James property as described in deed book 882 page 126; thence with the southern property line of said James property for two (2) calls: (1) N 81-56-20 E 210.78 to a point; (2) thence N 86-50-28 E 38.20’ to a point being in the southern property line of said James property; thence through the said Town of Lake Lure property the following two (2) new lines: (1) S 07-31-48 W 455.79’ to a point (2) thence S 42-19-13 E 77.07’ to a point being the northwest property corner of the said Willard N. Buford property; thence two (2) calls with Buford’s western property line: (1) S 03-42-18 W 249.94’ to a point; (2) S 03-43-51 W 267.59’ to the beginning point, Containing 21.26 acres +/-.

Shop the Classifieds!

The Daily Courier

Susan E. Rose, Executor PO Box 556 Henderson, NC 27536

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the estate of CAROLYN M. HARDIN of Rutherford County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the estate of the said CAROLYN M. HARDIN to present them to the undersigned on or before the 15th day of April, 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 15th day of January, 2010.

Janet Morrow Carpenter, Executor 186 Birch Hutchins Road Forest City, NC 28043

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Administrator of the estate of HOUSAN P. HARRILL of Rutherford County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the estate of the said HOUSAN P. HARRILL to present them to the undersigned on or before the 15th day of April, 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 15th day of January, 2010.

Mary (Ginger) H. Harris, Administrator 6203 Robin Hollow Drive Charlotte, NC 28227

Also saving and excepting from either the Golf Course Tract above or the Club House Tract above any lots or parcels of land previously conveyed by the Town of Lake Lure to any third parties.

The annual lease payments for the real property of the Town of Lake Lure described above shall be as outlined in a payment schedule in the lease contract. A copy of the proposed lease is available for public inspection at Town Hall in the Lake Lure Municipal Center Monday through Friday during normal business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., holidays excepted. The term of the lease is for an initial lease period of slightly less than five years, with one option to renew for one additional five year period.

Call 828-245-6431 to place your ad.

This public notice dated the 13th day of January, 2010.

NORTH CAROLINA, RUTHERFORD COUNTY AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 09 SP 487 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by JACKIE B. MCENTYRE AND Rose Marie aka Rose Marie McEntyre, WIFE AND HUSBAND to WILLIAM R ECHOLS, Trustee(s), which was dated January 23, 2003 and recorded on February 3, 2003 in Book 0711 at Page 0340, Rutherford County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Brock & Scott, PLLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on January 19, 2010 at 10:00AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Rutherford County, North Carolina, to wit: Situate, lying and being in Morgan Township, County of Rutherford, State of North Carolina, and BEGINNING at the north side of Mountain Creek and the west side of Live Branch, at a point where said branch enters Mountain Creek, the said point being a corner of the original 113 acre tract; thence running North 75 deg West 538 feet to an iron pin; thence South 34 deg West 330 feet to an iron pin; thence South 61 deg West 260 feet to an iron pin; said point being the northwest corner of a lot conveyed to Edmond W. Brown and wife, Martha Brown; and running thence with the Edmond Brown line South 70 deg East 800 feet to an iron pin, said point being in the old line and in the center of Mountain Creek; and running thence with the center of Mountain Creek and the old line as it meanders 560 feet to the pint and place of Beginning and containing 11 acres more or less.

Less and except: Situate, lying and being in Morgan Township, Rutherford County, North Carolina and being all that 7.54 acre tract designated as "Proposed conveyance to Jason Lee McEntyre" on plat of survey prepared by Surveying Dimensions, Donald R. McEntire, Professional Land Surveyor dated Oct. 1, 2002 and of record in Plat Book 26 at Page 26, Rutherford County Registry, reference to which is hereby made for all purposes.

SUBJECT TO all plat notes as shown on the above referenced plat.

THE GRANTORS HEREIN reserve unto themselves, their heirs, and assigns, a forty-five (45) foot right of way which runs parallel with the Northern and Western lines of the above referred to 7.54 acre tract into the remaining 1.11 acre tract of the Grantors as depicted on the above referenced plat.

The above referenced 7.54 acre tract being a portion of the property which was conveyed by J.B. McEntyre and wife, Rose Marie McEntyre to J.B. McEntyre and wife, Rose Marie McEntyre by deed dated June 2, 1987 and of record in Deed Book 505, page page 523, Rutherford County Registry.

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

Said property is commonly known as: 543 Sara Lee Road, Rutherfordton, NC 28139.

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

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

An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. The notice shall also state that upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Jeremy B. Wilkins, NCSB No. 32346 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 09-20813-FC01

Miscellaneous

1998 VOLVO S70 181,500 mi. New tires, roters, brake pads & battery. Good cond.! $4,000 828-674-0027

I, Keith Allen Mitchell, will not be responsible for any debt occurred

by Stephanie Falmon Mitchell as of January 13, 2010.

Pets Free to good home One female hound mix and one female pit bull Both good dogs!

Call 245-1871

Thrift Shops WANTED: Quality items for consignment shop opening in Rfdtn.

Call 447-9129 for info

Lost

Yard Sales

(2) German Shepherd dogs 1 black, 1 black & silver Missing since 1/8 from Old 221A Reward! Call 657-6070

ESTATE SALE Rfdtn 126 Marys Lane (off Edwards St.) Fri. & Sat. 7A-until Dining room, den, bedroom furniture, household items, T.V.’s

Found Husky/Shepherd mix, 1 blue eye, brown collar & shock collar.

Found 1/2 Cliffside area. 657-9905 Puppy: Black with white markings on neck and paws. Found 1/2 Cliffside area.

Call 657-9905

MOVING SALE FC: 246 Maryland Drive (off Piney Ridge) Fri. & Sat. 7A-until Clothes, tools, furniture, lots of misc.!

Yard sales are a great place to find a deal!

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the estate of LETTIE L. CROWE of Rutherford County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the estate of the said LETTIE L. CROWE to present them to the undersigned on or before the 8th day of April, 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 8th day of January, 2010.

Clara Dianne Lovelace Smith, Executor 269 Walls Church Road Bostic, NC 28018

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Administratrix of the Estate of Mary Jane Wilkerson, deceased, late of Rutherford County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said estate to present them, duly verified, to the undersigned care of Thomas W. Dickinson, Attorney at Law, Rawls, Dickinson & Scheer, P.A., 1011 East Morehead Street, Suite 300, Charlotte, North Carolina 28204, on or before the 15th day of April, 2010, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate settlement with the undersigned.

This the 15th day of January, 2010.

ESTATE OF MARY JANE WILKERSON Elizabeth Harbison, Administratrix10 09-E-596 c/o Rawls, Dickinson & Scheer, PA Attorney Thomas W. Dickinson 1011 East Morehead Street, Suite 300 Charlotte, North Carolina 28204 Telephone: (704) 376-3200

Autos

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Co-Executor of the estate of FREDERIC P. WHITE, SR. of Rutherford County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the estate of the said FREDERIC P. WHITE, SR. to present them to the undersigned on or before the 15th day of April, 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 15th day of January, 2010.

Frederic P. White, Jr., Co-Executor 1411 Freeman Rd. Bostic Nc 28028 Patricia M. White, Co-Executor 1411 Freeman Rd. Bostic, NC 28018

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF RUTHERFORD IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 09-CvS-1014 FIRST CITIZENS BANK & TRUST COMPANY, INC., a South Carolina banking corporation Plaintiff, vs.

J D HARRISON INVESTMENTS, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company and STEPPE CONSTRUCTION, INC., a North Carolina corporation, Defendants.

NOTICE OF SALE UNDER AND BY VIRTUE of the authority contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by J D Harrison Investments, LLC and under and by virtue of the authority contained in that certain Judgment by Default of Superior Court of Rutherford County entered in the above-captioned matter on November 17, 2009, the undersigned, who was appointed Commissioner by said Judgment and ordered to sell the real property described in the Deed of Trust and the Complaint filed in this action, will offer for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the door of the Rutherford County Courthouse, 229 North Main Street, Rutherfordton, NC 28139 at 11:00 AM on the 29th day of January 2010, the real property together with all improvements located thereon, the same lying and being in Rutherford County, North Carolina and being more particularly described as follows: Being Lot Number 13 of the Blue Heron Point Subdivision as shown on a plat of survey done by Brooks & Medlock Engineering, PLLC, dated December 21, 2005 and recorded in Plat Book 27, Pages 17 through 21 and as revised in Plat Book 27, Pages 189 through 193, Rutherford County Registry, to which reference is hereby made for a more full and complete description.

SUBJECT TO the non-exclusive rights-of-way and easements over and across the private roads of Blue Heron Point Subdivision depicted on the plats recorded at Plat Book 27, Pages17 through 21 and as revised by those plats recorded in Plat Book 27, Page 189 through 193, Rutherford County Registry, and the utility easements referred to in the restrictive covenants of Blue Heron Point Subdivision recorded in Book 898, Pages 563-635 for ingress, egress and regress and for the installation and maintenance of utilities, Rutherford County Registry.

SUBJECT TO the right to use that seventy-five (75’) access road for ingress, regress and egress and utility easement, formerly known as Sandy Branch Road, leading to Boy’s Camp Road as shown on said plats referenced above, said access road to eventually be dedicated to the Town of Lake Lure for public use. This right of use is conveyed subject to the rights of others as detailed in deeds recorded in Deed Book 867, Pages 621-624 and Deed Book 867, Pages 629632 to use the said seventy-five foot (75’) access and utility easement.

HOWEVER, THE ABOVE DESCRIBED PROPERTY IS CONVEYED SUBJECT TO those Covenants and Restrictions of record in Deed Book 898, Pages 563-635, Rutherford County Registry.

The above described property will be sold free and clear of all interests, rights, claims and liens whatever except such liens for encumbrances existing prior to the recording of the abovereferenced Deed of Trust and will be subject to all taxes and special assessments outstanding against the property. In addition, the above-described property is being sold "AS IS WHERE IS".

Neither the Commissioner, nor the Plaintiff, nor the attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representatives of either the Commissioner or the Plaintiff make any representation or warranties relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, about or otherwise relating to the property being sold, and any and all such representations and warranties are hereby expressly disclaimed. The highest bidder at the sale will be required to make a cash deposit with the undersigned Commissioner of Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00) or five percent (5%) of the highest bid, whichever is greater, unless the highest bid is by the holder of the Notes secured by the Deed of Trust. The sale will be reported to the Court to remain open for upset bids for a period of ten (10) days as required by law. If no upset bids are filed with the Court, the sale will be confirmed directing the delivery of a deed upon payment in full of the bid, which shall be due and payable upon confirmation.

This the 29th day of December 2009. _____________________________ J. Ben Morrow Commissioner 312 South Chester Street Gastonia, NC 28052 704-865-2897

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The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, FRIDAY, January 15, 2010 — 17

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— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, January 15, 2010

nation/world

Quake aid snarled; 50,000 feared dead

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Doctors and search dogs, troops and rescue teams flew to this devastated land of dazed, dead and dying people Thursday, finding bottlenecks everywhere, beginning at a main airport short on jet fuel and ramp space and without a control tower.

The international Red Cross estimated 45,000 to 50,000 people were killed in Tuesday’s cataclysmic earthquake, based on information from the Haitian Red Cross and government officials.

Hard-pressed recovery teams resorted to using bulldozers to transport loads of dead.

Worries mounted, meanwhile, about food and water for the survivors. “People have been almost fighting for water,” aid worker Fevil Dubien said as he distributed water from a truck in a northern Port-au-Prince neighborhood.

From Virginia, from France, from China, a handful of rescue teams were able to get down to work, scouring the rubble for survivors. In one “small miracle,” searchers pulled a security guard alive from beneath the collapsed concrete floors of the U.N. peacekeeping headquarters, where many others were entombed.

But the silence of the dead otherwise was overwhelming in a city where uncounted bodies littered the streets in the 80-degree heat, and dust-caked arms and legs reached, frozen and lifeless, from the ruins. Outside the General Hospital morgue, hundreds of collected corpses blanketed the parking lot, as the grief-stricken searched among them for loved ones.

Brazilian U.N. peacekeepers, key to city security, were trying to organize mass burials.

Patience already was wear-

Associated Press

Haitians work at the collapsed St. Gerard Technical School in the aftermath of the earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Wednesday. Locals say that people trapped in the building have called out from their cell phones.

ing thin among the poorest who were waiting for aid, said David Wimhurst, spokesman for the U.N. peacekeeping mission.

“They want us to provide them with help, which is, of course, what we want to do,” he said. But they see U.N. vehicles patrolling the streets to maintain calm, and not delivering aid, and “they’re slowly getting more angry and impatient,” he said.

In Washington, President Barack Obama announced “one of the largest relief efforts in our recent history,” starting with $100 million in aid. The first of 800 paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division were bound for Haiti from North Carolina late Thursday, to be followed by more than 2,000 Marines. The American troops “will relieve pressure” on overworked U.N. ele-

ments, Wimhurst said.

From Europe, Asia and the Americas, other governments, the U.N. and private aid groups were sending planeloads of high-energy biscuits and other food, tons of water, tents, blankets, water-purification gear, heavy equipment for removing debris, helicopters and other transport, and teams of hundreds of search-andrescue, medical and other specialists.

But two days after much of this ramshackle city was shattered, the global helping hand was slowed by the poor roads, airport and seaport of a wretchedly poor nation.

Some 60 aid flights had arrived by midday Thursday, but they then had to contend with the chokepoint of an overloaded Toussaint L’Ouverture International Airport. At

midday, the Federal Aviation Administration said it was temporarily halting all civilian flights from the U.S. at Haiti’s request, because the airport was jammed and jet fuel was limited for return flights. The control tower had been destroyed in Tuesday’s tremor, complicating air traffic. Civilian relief flights were later allowed.

Teams that did land then had to navigate Haiti’s inadequate roads, sometimes blocked by debris or by quake survivors looking for safe open areas as aftershocks still rumbled through the city. The U.N. World Food Program said the quake-damaged seaport made ship deliveries of aid impossible.

The looting of shops that broke out after the 7.0-magnitude quake struck late Tuesday afternoon added to

concerns. The Brazilian military warned aid convoys to add security to guard against looting by the desperate population.

The quake brought down Port-au-Prince’s gleaming white National Palace and other government buildings, disabling much of the national leadership. That vacuum was evident Thursday, as no senior Haitian government officials were visible at the airport.

Edmond Mulet, a former U.N. peacekeeping chief in Haiti, arrived Thursday from U.N. headquarters in New York to lead the relief effort, along with a U.N. disaster coordination team. The first U.S. military units to arrive took on a coordinating role at the airport, but State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley underlined, “We’re not taking over Haiti.”

Across the sprawling, hilly city, people milled about in open areas, hopeful for help, sometimes setting up camps amid piles of salvaged goods, including food scavenged from the rubble. Small groups by roadsides could be seen burying dead. Other dust-covered bodies were being dragged down streets, toward hospitals where relatives hoped to leave them.

Countless remained unburied, stacked up, children’s bodies lying atop mothers, tiny feet poking from blankets.

The injured, meanwhile, waited for treatment in makeshift holding areas — outside the General Hospital, for example, where the stench from piles of dead, just a few yards (meters) away, wafted over the assembled living. Crews began removing unclaimed bodies with bulldozers, dumping them into trucks, possibly for mass burial.

World Today Iraq bars 500 candidates BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s electoral commission on Thursday barred 500 candidates from running in March’s parliamentary election, including a prominent Sunni lawmaker, in a decision that is sure to deepen Iraq’s sectarian divides.

Hamdia al-Hussaini, a commissioner on the Independent High Electoral Commission, said the commission made the decision after receiving the list from a parliament committee that vets candidates for ties to Saddam Hussein’s outlawed Baath party.

The decision to bar the candidates — most of whom are believed to be Sunni — potentially threatens the country’s fragile security because it risks leaving Sunni voters feeling targeted and disenfranchised. The Sunni boycott in a January 2005 election is considered one of the key factors that deepened the insurgency.

The candidates have three days to appeal, alHussaini said.

Among those barred is prominent Sunni leader Saleh al-Mutlaq, a strident critic of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Al-Mutlaq has already said he would appeal any ruling against him.

Italy recovers stolen art, relics ROME (AP) — Ancient frescoes, statues and decorated vases that graced tables more than 2,000 years ago were among tens of thousands of artifacts recovered last year by Italy’s art police, officials said Thursday.

Authorities said they recovered or seized nearly 60,000 pieces of looted or stolen artwork and archaeological artifacts worth euro165 million ($239 million) in 2009.

That compares with the euro183 million in art and artifacts recovered in 2008, the Carabinieri art squad said in its annual accounting of the government’s efforts to recover looted antiquities and stolen artwork.

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JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli Foreign Ministry says an explosive charge has gone off near a convoy of cars from the Israeli Embassy in Jordan in an apparent attempt to harm diplomats.

No one was hurt. The Israeli statement did not say if the ambassador was in the convoy.

The incident occurred at sundown Thursday.

Israel gave no further details.

There have been several attempts to hit Israeli diplomats in Jordan in past years.

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KABUL (AP) — A suicide bomber apparently planning to attack a meeting of NATO and tribal officials blew himself up in a busy market district Thursday in central Afghanistan, killing at least 20 people, officials said, making it the deadliest attack against civilians in more than three months.

The attack came a day after the U.N. released a report showing that the number of Afghan civilians killed in war-related violence was at its highest level last year, and suicide bombings and other attacks blamed on insurgents were the leading cause of death.