Daily Courier, Dec. 18, 2009

Tourism board hears activity is improving — Page 3 Sports Changing directions Chase High has removed Brad Causby as head football coach

Page 7

Friday, December 18, 2009, Forest City, N.C.

50¢

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

NATION

With a prediction of 1.5” of precipitation over the next three days in Rutherford County, the state’s Department of Transportation was busy Thursday spreading salt and brine on roadways. The salt water is economical, said DOT’s maintenance Matt Taylor from the Spindale office. Brad Boris, at the Broad River Water Authority who collects data for the National Weather Service, said there is “a slight to moderate chance that we (Rutherford) may see snow up to 4” Friday night into Saturday. It will all depend on the temperature.” In Lake Lure, Ron Morgan, said his team of emergency personnel will continue to monitor the weather situation with NWS. “We’re getting the chains ready and making sure everything is filled up, ready to go,” Morgan said.

Scientists see first under-sea eruption

Page 17

SPORTS

Garrett Byers/Daily Courier

Shroyer is new leader for Habitat Panthers will get up-close look at legend Page 7

GAS PRICES

Low: High: Avg.:

$2.51 $2.61 $2.56

DEATHS Forest City

By JEAN GORDON Daily Courier Staff Writer

FOREST CITY — Allyson S. Shroyer has been named the new executive director of Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity. She will assume her duties Jan. 1, 2010 at the retirement of Executive Director Sally Norman.

Norman has been at the helm of habitat chapter here for the past five years and has been a part of the construction of more than 20 new homes for families across the county.

“I will certainly miss my work with Habitat and our wonderful volunteers, as it has occupied a big part of my life and heart for the last five years,” Norman said Wednesday.

“But I’ve worked with Allyson for more than 15 months and have been impressed with her capabilities and her dedication to our mission,” Norman continued. “She is absolutely the right person for the job, and I have every confidence in turning the reins over to her. She’ll do a great job and Habitat will be in good hands.”

Since August 2008, Shroyer has been the Resource Development Director

Jean Gordon/Daily Courier

Allyson Shroyer (right) has been named the new executive director for Rutherford County Habitat for Humanity. She is filling the shoes of Executive Director Sally Norman, who is retiring at the end of the year. In the center is a model of a habitat home, built to scale a few years ago by the late Ted Tedford. The house was the focus of a habitat fund raiser.

for Habitat and Rutherford Housing Partnership, with her salary coming from a grant whose funding is expiring in the near future.

As the development director, Shroyer has supported Norman and RHP’s Nell Bovender by creating a development plan for each organization, planning and executing fund-raising events, and by main-

taining and developing relationships with current and potential donors.

Shroyer has been in training with Norman for the past few weeks, preparing for the leadership role.

Habitat plans to build at least four houses next year if enough eligible fami-

Please see Habitat, Page 6

Jared Epley

Ellenboro

Jack Ayers

Elsewhere

Mary Carpenter Page 5

WEATHER

High

Low

34 32 Today, rain and snow. Tonight. snow likely.

Complete forecast, Page 10

INSIDE Classifieds . . . 17-19 Sports . . . . . . . . 7-9 County scene . . . . 6 Opinion . . . . . . . . 4 Vol. 41, No. 301

Whitener breakfast is Saturday

By SCOTT BAUGHMAN

VA clinic in county now open

Daily Courier Staff Writer

By SCOTT BAUGHMAN

FOREST CITY — For more than six decades, the Basil Whitener breakfast has brought together the spirit of Christmas and the spirit of community politics. Saturday morning, the meeting will do so again.

Starting at 7:30 a.m., the breakfast will be $10 a person at the Forest City Clubhouse.

Scheduled guests include Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton, Representative Bob England and Basil Whitener, Jr., the son of the breakfast founder.

England is scheduled to be the emcee for the event, taking over for Dalton.

“Lt. Gov. Dalton had done it for a few years and I had a communication with him yesterday and he asked me if I would preside,” England said. “There is very little presiding necessary as we just get together and socialize a little, eat breakfast, recognize a few folks and sing some Christmas carols.

Daily Courier Staff Writer

Please see Breakfast, Page 6

Scott Baughman/Daily Courier

Melinda Bates (left) and Dr. Keturah Bell review electronic patient records at the VA Clinic in Rutherfordton. Bell is a Rutherford County native who has returned home thanks to the job at the clinic. See story, Pg. 2

Now on the Web: www.thedigitalcourier.com

RUTHERFORDTON — The Rutherford County Veterans Administration Clinic is up and running, and seeing about 25 patients a day — a slightly higher number than officials were expecting.

“We sent out many letters to veterans in the area informing them they could switch their care from the VA center in Asheville,” said Marty Brotemarkle, administrative officer for the Rutherfordton center. “Some of them already had relationships established with their doctor in Asheville and decided not to change, but many are now being treated here.”

The Community Based Outpatient Clinic — or CBOC — is similar to one opened in Franklin earlier this year.

“But we’ve seen a lot more patients in our first month than they did in theirs” Brotemarkle said. “Many of the veterans that come to see

Please see Clinic, Page 2

2

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 18, 2009

local

Clinic Continued from Page 1

us have given us high marks, and lots of patients have told us how grateful they are to have this facility closer to home.”

The $400,000 project to convert the former CVS pharmacy at 374 Charlotte Road was finished in November and has been running full steam ever since. And the center is a model of modern medical technology.

“One of the most interesting things we have set up is our VTEL conference room,” Brotemarkle said. “The room is set up so that a specialist in Asheville can interact with a patient in our facility.”

A large plastic sheet microphone is so sensitive, it can pick up whispers across the room and transmit them via the Internet to the doctor on the other side of the state — or the world.

Video cameras combine with electronic patient data to allow specialists to make a diagnosis without even being in the same time zone as the patient.

“There are a lot of veterans from

Florida and other places that vacation near here,” Brotemarkle explained. “This way, we can get their electronic records from where ever their home VA is and interact with their regular doctor if they have some kind of need while they are in our facility. And there’s no reason this is limited to Asheville based doctors.

You can be in Montana and talk to a specialist in New York.”

The facility has three primary care physicians — including Rutherford County’s own Keturah Bell (see sidebar) and two mental health providers. There are 28 other staff at the facility.

“That includes social workers and a pharmacist,” Brotemarkle said. “Our pharmacist will be doing diabetic work and working with patients who take multiple medications that might have interactions that are detrimental to the patient.”

Veterans who are eligible to be reassigned to the Rutherfordton clinic have already received a letter Scott Baughman/Daily Courier informing them or will receive one Nicholle Moffett removes a blood sample from a censoon, officials said. trifuge in the lab at the VA Clinic in Rutherfordton. The

Wildlife hearings planned

RALEIGH – Additions to the Public Mountain Trout Waters program, a statewide length and creel limit for muskie, a change in squirrel season dates and additions to the game lands program are among the 2010 proposed changes to the state’s hunting and fishing rules.

In January, the Commission will hold its annual series of nine public hearings across the state, inviting public comments on proposed changes to hunting, fishing and trapping regulations. After hearing public comments clinic has state of the art medical equipment including and reviewing written an Internet-enabled conference room for patients to comments, the Wildlife Contact Baughman via e-mail at meet with specialists at other hospitals. sbaughman@thedigitalcourier.com.

Commission will meet in March and vote whether or not to adopt the proposed rules.

The public can also visit www.ncwildlife. so in the end it was the org to comment online her back to Rutherford graduated from Chapel practice in Tennessee, or submit comments right decision,” Bell County.

Hill med school in 1997 but was glad to find by mail to 1701 Mail said. “And the pace of “I went to all my and did my residency the job posting for the Service Center, Raleigh, work here at the VA is schools around here in Tennessee. But I was clinic online. from Kindergarten excited when the oppor“Actually, my husband a little slower so that is N.C. 27699-1701.

Comments must be subnice.” through two years of tunity came up to work Lee Pierce found the mitted before January It isn’t the first time high school at Central,” here.” listing,” she said. “But members of Bell’s fam- 22.

Bell said. “And then Bell spent most of her I had to do a little soul Fishing proposals I left for the last two time, after finishing her searching because I did ily have treated patients include adding Wildcat in Rutherford County. years of high school. I residency, at a family like my job.”

Lake and almost two “My great-greatFamily made the ultimiles of Elk Hollow grandfather was a Dr. mate decision easier, Branch in Avery County as Bell said she enjoyed Twitty,” she said. “And and a two-mile porwe still have the buildthe idea of raising the tion of the Yadkin River ing of his clinic on our couple’s three children in Caldwell County family farm.”

— Owen, Ella Lou and as designated Public Anderson — closer to Mountain Trout Waters. their grandfather.

Contact Baughman via The Commission e-mail at sbaughman@the“I have family here also proposes allowing digitalcourier.com. and family history here, government or nonprofit entities conducting organized hunting events to obtain exemptions allowing all participants in these events to hunt without first obtaining licenses.

New VA clinic doctor has county roots

By SCOTT BAUGHMAN Daily Courier Staff Writer

RUTHERFORDTON — Dr. Keturah Bell was very happy to get her job at the new VA Clinic here. And not just because of the pay check, it helps to bring

See Our Classified Ads On The Web At:

www.thedigitalcourier.com

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

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

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

Send us your

january BIrTHDayS to be included in our

Birthday Calendar Send your name or your loved one’s name and birth date with One Dollar to be included in our

BIrTHDay CalenDar to be published the first of January.

Submit birthdays for January by December 28th

Send to: The Daily Courier Attn: Birthday Calendar 601 Oak Street Forest City, NC 28043 Name: Birth Date: your Name: Full address: Phone:

• • • • •

A Large Clubhouse Swimming Pool Lawn Maintenance Meal Delivery Transportation

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

EASTWOOD VILLAGE Hwy. 74 East, Forest City, NC

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

For information or a tour, please contact: John Cilone, Broker — 245-9095 Ruby Lowery, Broker — 248-2018 Mack McKeithan, Broker — 245-9095

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 18, 2009 — 3

LOCAL

TDA hears some improvement in occupancy taxes

DELIVERING JOY OF CHRISTMAS

By JEAN GORDON Daily Courier Staff Writer

FOREST CITY — Occupancy tax collections in October could be a positive sign the tourism business is improving in Rutherford County, the Tourism Development Authority was told Thursday.

“We are not even 1 percent below (last year) and that thrilled my soul,” said Michelle Whitaker, acting executive director. In the past few months, occupancy taxes have been as much as 12 percent below the previous year.

Whitaker told TDA members, she hoped October would give her an indication if occupancy taxes had “hit rock bottom or not.” She said it appears, visitors are on the increase and the future appears to be better for tourism.

Member Kevin McCammon, an owner of the Firehouse Inn in Rutherfordton, said they had a “great October.”

Echoing his remarks were Dawn Hemmelgarn, campground owner and Heather Alley, marketing director for the 1927 Historic Lake Lure Inn & Jean Gordon/Daily Courier Spa, who said they also experienced increases in Christmas Cheer Center volunteers (left photo, l-r) Taylor Swift, Moe Evans and Beverly Trumpler were among visitors in October. several volunteers who assisted during distribution day Thursday at the Salvation Army, Withrow Road, Forest “It does appear we are starting to edge up,” City. More than 1,100 children are receiving Christmas toys and food for Christmas through donations to the McCammon added. Taxes collected in October center this year. A second distribution day will be conducted today as families will again pick up toys, bicycles were $55,065. and Christmas dinner.

Also Thursday, the board voted to contract with Awen Group, owned by Amy Camper of Spindale, to take up some of the responsibilities from Whitaker as TDA’s communications manager.

Whitaker is continuing some duties as communications manager, but most duties will be performed by Awen Group. Cost is about $1,785 per month or $10,705, more than $7,000 under the proposed budget.

The group will assume multiple public relations and stakeholder service duties with Whitaker overseeing the work before it is released to the public.

The board will discuss the 2010-2011 budget at the January meeting and will submit it to county commission in February.

The board approved an amendment to an agreement with the Hickory Nut Gorge Chamber of Commerce to continue its contract on a month-tomonth basis, until the facilities committee comes up with a permanent agreement for a TDA office in Lake Lure.

The board also approved a resolution to support a feasibility study by the National Parks Service to develop an Over Mountain Victory Trail headquarters and the former Ruth School be considered as a possible location.

The NPS is looking at four potential locations for an official headquarters, and in the recent weeks, several Rutherford County groups and government agencies have passed the resolution to support the school as a permanent headquarters.

After a closed session, the board agreed to give Whitaker a salary increase for taking extra duties.

Thumbs Up to Lakeside Mills

Contributed photo

The Forest City Youth Council recently went to Lakeside Mills in Spindale to buy some flour for Salvation Army Christmas Cheer. Bryan King of Lakeside Mills said the group would have to negotiate with his daughter, Caroline King. Caroline donated about 4,000 bags of flour, grits and cornmeal. All the bags were given to Salvation Army Christmas Cheer. Shown here, from left, are: Anna Bross, Caroline Jolly, Caroline King, Cayla Green and Haley Holland.

Twas the SALE before Christmas and ALL through the store...

40% Off Maddie Sweaters 30% Off Carole Sleepwear 25% Off Jewelry 30% Off Koret 25%-50% Off Bath Towels 2 for $7.99 Shadowline Robes

Prices were SLASHED like never before!

Men’s Sleep Pants Enro Sport Shirts Men’s LEE Jeans Dickie Overalls Reg. 146

Men’s Socks 3 pr pkg.

Hanes Underwear North River Shirts LEE Casual Pants Selected Suits ENRO Dress Shirts Men’s Hush Puppies Nunn Bush Shoes

$9.99 $19.99 $19.99 $31.98 $4.99 25% Off 40% Off $22.99 $89.99 25% Off 20% Off 20% Off

FREE GIFT WRAP

DOWNTOWN FOREST CITY

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE

MONDAY-SATURDAY CLOSED SUNDAY

SALE ENDS SATURDAY, DEC. 19

4

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 18, 2009

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

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

E-mail: dailycourier@thedigitalcourier.com

Our Views Inmates may actually go free

N

orth Carolina Gov. Bev. Perdue this week made a stand on the courthouse steps to make her case against the early release of inmates whose life sentences would expire in the coming days and weeks due to a loophole in state law.

The Governor made her anger clear, but anger and even the power of the governor’s office may not be enough to keep these inmates in prison.

The state Court of Appeals on Thursday lifted its order blocking the release of two inmates. That order was entered Monday just hours before the two were to be released under an order from a Superior Court judge.

They will be released on Friday evening unless the state Supreme Court intervenes.

The issue revolves around a law that defined a life sentence as 80 years and the subsequent impact on prison sentences by the application of inmate credits for good behavior.

Dozens of inmates sentenced under that law, which was been changed in later sentencing laws, could eventually qualify for early release.

Thus far the courts have ruled against the state’s arguments that the credits should not be applied to these inmates’ sentences, and the legal issues appear strongly against the state.

Unless the Supreme Court disagrees, the anger and indignation expressed by the Governor for millions of North Carolinians will be all that can be done.

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

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

The editors reserve the right to edit letters for libelous content, factual accuracy and length.

All submissions should be sent to The Editor, P.O. Box 1149, Forest City, NC, 28043.

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

Our readers’ views Effort and result of Toy Run explained To the editor: It is sad to hear that Kathleen Miller became disappointed with the Toy Run last Sunday, but this was obviously caused by some grave misunderstandings of the Sunday event.

It is a shame that the spirit in which all these Christmas activities are intended is overshadowed by one person’s lack of knowledge of the overall picture. I hope to have this opportunity to enlighten her and any others.

The hosting at the Moose Lodge was a dual function event in its 10th year sponsored by both the Men’s Chapter and Women’s Chapter.

The Women of the Moose organize multiple fund raisers during the year with the sole beneficiaries to be a group of children from the Carver Center.

On the same day as the Men’s sponsored Toy Run, they host their Christmas Party for these designated children, supplying food, games and gifts. The astounding growth of support for the Toy Run in recent years has also allowed these children to select toys donated from the bikers and their parents to gather presents (unknown to the children) to distribute on Christmas day. The men’s Chapter also organizes many fund raisers throughout the year with the final event being the Toy Run. The men’s Chapter receives requests for assistance from many different sources, including but not limited to, Rutherford County School System participants, Dept. of Social Services, letters and phone calls.

In addition to the toys delivered on the Toy Run, funds raised are purchasing clothing and “wish list” specific toys and families

are receiving boxes of food in an effort to look beyond just Christmas morning.

If this year is like last year, some unfortunate people will even have a utility bill paid for them. This year over 20 families with nearly 50 children will enjoy a much happier Christmas because of these efforts.

This distribution happens after the Toy Run, and is handled discreetly so as to avoid any type of humiliation of those seeking help. Although the weather for this year’s Toy Run was far from inviting, it did my heart good to see the turnout of around 150 people (regretfully not near the 350 people Kathleen Miller assumed were present) and the gifts they brought will as always be locally distributed, 100 percent.

The $7000 value she stated was grossly overvalued, but does a dollar value really mean anything? I was raised to believe a “gift from the heart” was priceless. I think for an organization as small as the Rutherford County Moose Lodge to be able to help more than 70 children and their parents in these unfortunate times, is a great achievement and deserves applause rather than a bashing!

I would hope that her church has similar activities and hope the four families receive some assistance prior to Christmas. I truly hate the thoughts of any child wanting throughout the year, but especially at Christmas.

I am sorry for the children she sent unannounced to the wrong person on Sunday, and would love to travel back in time and have her call the Moose Lodge to arrange a greeting from one of the members of the Men’s Chapter responsible for organizing the Christmas contributions.

I have no doubt if this would have occurred, the families could

have enjoyed a wonderful meal, got a picture with Santa Claus and left with an arm load of toys! I hope these few words can dispel nasty rumors, and we can all continue spreading cheer and bringing smiles!

David Payne Forest City

Support local theater To the editor: I disagree with Mayor Tarlton’s views in Sunday’s paper about the Florence Mill Project. We are not in need of a theater in the county now. We should not even be discussing it.

The Retro Cinema has made drastic changes and there are more changes to be made. I know a lot of Rutherford County people have a bad taste in their mouth about the theater, but Mr. Packett has cleaned it up so much and brought in new things.

I think everyone needs to give it a try and meet Mr. Packett and his friendly staff. I think it will make you think.

Mr. Packett lives here in the community, goes to church in the community, and provides jobs to people in our community. I think we need to support him and not try to cut his throat. He has spent a lot of money fixing it up for us, the community, so we won’t have to go out of town to see movies, and to try and make us proud as a community. We could use the Florence Mill Project money to bring other businesses to our community and other jobs, not take away from local people who already have them.

Good Job Michael Packett and keep up the good work. My family and I will continue to support you, and I hope our town officials will give you a chance and support you, also.

Randy Herring Forest City

Time to give ‘Advent Conspiracy’ a real chance

Since this is likely my last column you’ll see before Christmas (we won’t publish on Christmas day this year) let me take this opportunity to wish all of you a merry Christmas.

I won’t bore you with tales of my great Christmases past or get into a dissertation about the true meaning of Christmas.

Nor will I spend time and words talking about the historical origins and the inaccuracies of this or that tradition.

Sometimes, you just have to tell your inner-Vulcan to be quiet and let people enjoy their holidays and their own personal traditions, regardless of what the beginnings were about.

This is the time of year that we celebrate Christ’s birth in my family and so that’s what Christmas means to me.

I don’t really care if there is this or that archeological evidence that shows Jesus was

Some Good News Scott Baughman

really born in the summer or what have you.

Moving the celebration doesn’t bother me but I’m also not the kind of Christian to go out and militantly demand that everybody celebrate the way I celebrate this time of year.

It doesn’t really get Christ’s message of love and compassion across when you get into a shouting match with the store greeter or manager about saying “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” to shoppers.

What does it really matter as long as you have the joy of Jesus in your heart on Dec. 25 and every other day of the

year?

Now, this year is my first Christmas without my mother, as she passed away in August.

Thankfully, my wife, Meda, the boys and I will be spending it with my sister and my dad so it should help some.

But I’ve been struck recently by the ideas sent to me in an e-mail about changing Christmas entirely.

A new group, calling itself “The Advent Conspiracy” has endeavored to change the way that we celebrate Christ’s birth in this country.

Truthfully, I doubt Jesus appreciates or even agrees with what his birthday celebration has become.

There are endless traffic jams at the malls. People rushing from one Christmas appointment to another and Americans spending huge amounts each year on presents.

Many of us go into debt just to buy all this stuff for our

loved ones and sometimes they’re presents that people don’t want or need.

How many times have you gotten a gift only to think about how quickly you’ll be able to return it for cash or credit?

The Advent Conspiracy encourages people to give “presence” rather than presents and spend less money on gifts each year. Here’s a statement from their Web site which you can find at www. adventconspiracy.org: “Before you think we’re getting all Scrooge on you, let us explain what we mean.

We like gifts. Our kids really like gifts. But consider this: America spends an average of $450 billion a year every Christmas.

“How often have you spent money on Christmas presents for no other reason than obligation? How many times have you received a gift out of that same obligation? Thanks, but no thanks, right? We’re

asking people to consider buying ONE LESS GIFT this Christmas. Just one. Sounds insignificant, yet many who have taken this small sacrifice have experienced something nothing less than a miracle: They have been more available to celebrate Christ during the advent season.

Time is the real gift Christmas offers us, and no matter how hard we look, it can’t be found at the mall.

Time to make a gift that turns into the next family heirloom. Time to write mom a letter. Time to take the kids sledding. Time to bake really good cookies and sing really bad Christmas carols.

“Time to make love visible through relational giving.

Sounds a lot better than getting a sweater two sizes too big, right?”

I encourage you to try this so maybe you’ll rediscover a life-changing savior at Christmas.

And that’s some good news.

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 18, 2009

—

5

obituaries/police notes/STATE “DARBY RUMBLE DOLLS” TO PERFORM SATURDAY

Garrett Byers/Daily Courier

The Rutherford County Arts Council presented their Christmas musical, “Darby Rumbles’ Dolls,” yesterday morning for Elementary School students at The Foundation at Isothermal Community College in Spindale. “Darby Rumbles” is the charming tale of an eccentric old woman, played by Diane Tucker, and her dolls who come to life, dancing, clowning, singing and fighting. The original musical was written by Rutherfordton author Drew Sherer (Diane Tucker) and inspired by her own doll collection of dolls. Public performance for the show is set for Saturday Dec. 19 at 3 p.m.

Former Easley aide won’t testify before state board

By GARY D. ROBERTSON Associated Press Writer

RALEIGH, N.C. — An aide to then-Gov. Mike Easley declined to testify Thursday before the State Board of Elections, which sought more information from him in its months-long investigation into Easley’s campaign committee.

Through his attorney, Ruffin Poole exercised his Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate himself during a brief hearing before the five-member board.

Poole had been subpoenaed to testify during the election board’s investigation, and evidence during an October board hearing showed Poole was involved in fund-raising for the governor’s campaign.

Poole’s decision adds further intrigue to the probe into Easley’s campaign, which the board penalized $100,000 in October for failing to disclose previously dozens of private airplane flights for a former Easley political ally, McQueen Campbell.

A local prosecutor is now examining whether Easley or others should face criminal charges.

Federal prosecutors also are investigating activities surrounding Easley and his associates. A Thursday report by The News & Observer in Raleigh also raised questions about Poole’s role in the permitting of a coastal development assembled by brothers Gary and Randy Allen, who were Easley’s political supporters.

Poole and his attorney, Joe Zeszotarski, declined to comment further after leaving the board hearing. Poole is also an attorney who joined a law firm with Easley after the two-term Democrat left office in January.

Poole’s potential testimony was delayed in October when he successfully got a Superior Court judge to quash the subpoena when Poole claimed attorney-client privilege prevented him from speaking.

But the Court of Appeals issued a stay on the lower court order, and the board rescheduled his appearance to seek testimony. On Thursday, Zeszotarski told board chairman Larry Leake that Poole wouldn’t answer any questions, citing the privilege, and that his motion to quash the subpoena was still pending.

Police Notes Sheriff’s Reports

n The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office responded to 154 E-911 calls Wednesday. n Anthony Colarulo reported a burglary and the theft of a flat-screen television and other items. n Bradley Lee Davis reported the theft of a tree stand and other items. n Lisa Ann Blanton reported the theft of a car stereo. n Larry Dean Hembree reported a breaking and entering. n Wayne Beaver reported the theft of a chain saw. n Zebby Fay Chapman reported scratched paint on a vehicle. n Alfred Navey reported the theft of a gold ring and other items.

Rutherfordton

n The Rutherfordton Police Department responded to 47 E-911 calls Wednesday. n The town of Rutherfordton Department of Public Works reported the theft of a sign.

Spindale

n The Spindale Police Department responded to 28 E-911 calls Wednesday.

Lake Lure

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

Forest City

n The Forest City Police Department responded to 84

E-911 calls Wednesday. n John Szilagyi reported a dog bite incident. The incident occurred on Big Springs Avenue. n Rodney Wood reported an arson. The incident occurred on Bellvue Street. n Golden Shelton III reported a breaking and entering and larceny. n An employee of WalMart, on Plaza Drive in Forest City, reported a larceny.

Arrests n Jonathan Santiago Borras, 27, of Wells Drive, Forest City; charged with driving while impaired and left of center; placed under a $1,000 secured bond.

(FCPD) n Laura Mae Couch, 34, of 136 Big Springs Ave.; charged with aid and abet violation of domestic violence protective order; placed under a 48-hour hold.

(FCPD) n Erwin Jamaal Hamilton, 26, of 388 Seitz Drive; charged with second-degree burglary and larceny after break/enter; released on a $20,000 unsecured bond.

(RCSD) n Sherry Crawford McDowell, 42, of 379 Oak Springs Rd.; charged with possess/ sell non-taxpaid alcoholic beverage; placed under a $3,000 secured bond. (RCSD) n Troy Edward Ellis, 46, of 1887 Union Rd.; charged with manufacture liquor/ no permit; released on a $1,000 unsecured bond. (RCSD)

Obituaries Jack Ayers Jack G. Ayers, 75, of 289 Burns Road, Ellenboro, died Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009, at Spartanburg Regional Restorative Care.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced

by Washburn & Dorsey Funeral Home.

Jared Epley Jared Epley, of Forest City, died Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009, at Rutherford Hospital.

Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced

by McMahan’s Funeral Home.

Mary Carpenter Mary Burgess Carpenter,

86, of Prosper, Tex., died Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009.

Born in Polk County, she is survived by her husband of 65 years, Sidney A. Carpenter; four daughters, Sue Howard of Celnia, Tex., Kay Dawson of Amarillo, Tex., Donna Roediger of Grand Prairie, Tex., and Deena Rea of Denton, Tex.; two brothers, Charlie Burgess of Rutherfordton, and Dean Burgess of Spindale; nine grandchildren, 18 greatgrandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Services will be conducted Friday at Shannon Rose Hill Funeral Home, Fort Worth, Tex. Crowe’s Mortuary & Crematory is in charge of local arrangements.

State sex offender law ruled unconstitutional

PITTSBORO, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina law that limits sex offenders’ ability to n Donald Lee Searcy, 25, of worship unconstitutional, a 4006 Pleasant Grove Church judge ruled Thursday.

Rd.; charged with disorderly Two parts of a North conduct in public building or Carolina general statute facility; placed under a $500 aimed at protecting children secured bond. (RCSD) from child molesters are n Billy Lee Greene, 45, unconstitutionally vague and of 2070 Ferry Rd.; charged overbroad, Superior Court with domestic violence Judge Allen Baddour said protective order violation; Thursday. He said the statplaced under a 48-hour hold. utes infringe on the consti(FCPD) tutionally protected right to worship.

The decision comes after Citations authorities arrested registered sex offender James n Gary Anthony Robbins, Nichols in March for attend44, of 1311 Big Island Rd., Rutherfordton; cited for pos- ing a Baptist church outsession of an open container side of Raleigh because the church provided on-premise of alcoholic beverage in the childcare. Baddour dismissed passenger area of a motor vehicle and inspection sticker the charges.

The statute says offenders violation. (RPD) must stay 300 feet away from any area intended for the use, care of or supervision of EMS/Rescue minors and any place where n The Rutherford County minors gather for regularly EMS responded to 31 E-911 scheduled events. calls Wednesday.

Baddour said the laws n The Volunteer Life “infringe upon protected Saving and Rescue, Hickory rights ... to practice reliNut Gorge EMS and gion, which are fundamental Rutherford County Rescue rights protected by the First responded to two E-911 calls Amendment.”

Wednesday.

He added that it is impossible for a sex offender, law enforcement officer or citizen Fire Calls to determine which areas fall under the category of a place n Forest City firefighters where minors gather for responded to an industrial regularly scheduled events. fire alarm and to a mulch He ruled the law too vague fire. n Rutherfordton firefight- to follow. Baddour pointed to less drastic measures ers responded to a motor the state could take to provehicle accident. tect children from offendn SDO firefighters ers, including an exception responded to a grass fire, to already in the statute that a vehicle fire and to a motor allows offenders to be on vehicle accident.

school property for a specific purpose.

“I’m very happy for these individuals and the congregations that supported them that they will be able to attend church on Christmas,” said Katy Parker, legal director for ACLU North Carolina, which filed an amicus brief.

Parker said the decision comes at a time when sex offender legislation is under fire across the U.S. “For a good while, the courts were upholding any restrictions against sex offenders no matter how drastic and you’re starting to see the courts realize that some of these laws have gone way overboard,” Parker said.

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.

6

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 18, 2009

Calendar/Local

Red Cross Blood drives scheduled: Dec. 16 — Harris Elementary, 1:30 to 6 p.m., contact Don Ingle at 248-2354 Dec. 21 — Oak Grove Methodist Church, Ellenboro, 4 to 8:30 p.m., contact Dawn Kanipe at 289-1279; Dec. 28 — Red Cross Chapter House, 2 to 6:30 p.m., call 287-5916 for an appointment; Jan. 28 — R-S Middle School (6th grade building), 2 to 7:30 p.m., call 286-8314 for an appointment.

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

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

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

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

Miscellaneous Athletic Boosters: Chase High Athletic Boosters will meet Monday, Jan. 4, at 6:30 p.m. in the office conference room.

Book signing: Historian and author, Robin S. Lattimore, of Rutherfordton, will sign copies of his book, “Spindale — The Story of a Southern Textile Town,” on Thursday, Dec. 17, at the Spindale Public Library, beginning at 1 p.m.

Limited supply. All proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit of Spindale Public Library.

Community Christmas party: Saturday, Dec. 19, 6:30 p.m., Union Mills Clubhouse on Hudlow Road; asking for $5 donations to go to the Carver Alumni Association Scholarship Fund.

Appreciation Day service: In honor of Wayne McCurry; Saturday, Jan. 16, Sunshine Elementary School; chili supper 5 to 6:30 p.m.; special music by The (retired) Carlson Trio; sponsored by Fairview Baptist Church and Cherry Mountain VFD. Art Exhibit: Rutherford County Visual Arts Guild presents the Young Budding Artist exhibit through Jan. 30, at Norris Public Library, Rutherfordton. The young artists are students of Judy Ockert.

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

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

Christmas musical: Floyds Creek Baptist Church will present “Child of Darkness, Child of Light,” a Christmas musical written by David Roach, on Sunday, Dec. 20, at 6 p.m. The musical will feature members of the youth group portraying characters and the sanctuary choir.

Cantata: “Glorirus Impossible” will be presented Sunday, Dec. 20, during the 11 a.m. worship service at Caroleen Baptist Church.

Christmas Eve candlelight service: Thursday, Dec. 24, 5 p.m., Caroleen Baptist Church; the service will conclude with communion.

Walk to the Manger: Dec. 21, 22 and 23, begins at 6:30 each night; those who wish to walk with the group meet in the parking lot of Riah Salon, near Spindale Restaurant; otherwise, meet in the parking lot of Main Street Baptist Church, Spindale, at 6:40 p.m., where characters dressed in Biblical attire will lead guests to the manger for a true celebration of Christmas; narration, Christmas carols and songs of praise.

Christmas Eve service: Drop-in communion service at Spindale United Methodist Church, Thursday, Dec. 24, 6 to 8 p.m.

Christmas Eve services: Candlelighting and Holy communion at First United Methodist Church, Rutherfordton; Thursday, Dec. 24, at 5:30 p.m., later that night at 11, Christmas message “A People of His Own,” followed by candle-lighting and Holy communion.

Lessons and Carols service: Sunday, Dec. 27, 11 a.m. worship service, Advent Lutheran Church; scripture passages relating to the nativity will be read accompanied by a Christmas carol related to it; Jeff Brooks, organist, will provide special music; congregational members will serve as readers and liturgists for the service; church located at 102 Reveley Street, Spindale.

Rotary’s craft show on through the weekend n Show

in 100 block of West Main Street From staff reports

FOREST CITY — The Rotary Craft Show continues through this weekend.

The show includes a wide variety of items, including pottery, jewelry, home décor, woodcraft, toys and candles, among other things. An array of Christmas items is available. Food also will be for sale, including homemade fried pies.

Crafts people with items at the show include 16-year-old potter Dustin Williams of Forest City and 94-year-old Lucille Rogers of Asheville, who makes baskets out of pine needles.

Rogers started making pine needle baskets at the age of 73.

She began by making split baskets at the age of 65.

Williams works for Jim Crabtree at Greenhill Pottery in Rutherfordton. Crabtree said the teenager is a talented potter who has been working for about two years.

The works of a Seagrove potter also are available.

The show, on the 100 block of West Main Street, will be open today and Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m.

The show is a Jim Crabtree production with the Rotary Club Larry Dale/Daily Courier of Rutherford County, in conDustin Williams demonstrates pot throwing at a wheel in the display window of the Rotary junction with the town of Forest Craft Show.

City.

Breakfast Continued from Page 1 This is the most political non-political meeting you can ever attend. We’ve had congressmen and many of our local elected officials, and this year we’ll have many more.”

It is the 64th year for the breakfast which started in the 1940s when Navy Lt. Basil Whitener returned to Forest City following his service in World War II. He came to the county just before Christmas and gathered with a few county folks at Ron and Eddie’s Restaurant in downtown Forest City.

The group talked about community affairs and the holidays, and thus began the tradition which has become an annual event. Ron and Eddie’s has long since closed, but the breakfast tradition continues.

“It is to honor someone that has

Habitat Continued from Page 1 lies are located.

“We like to build houses when we have a family,” Norman said. “And we also want to keep our volunteers busy.

“The push is to recruit more families,” she said.

“It’s like a two-edged sword. The economy has slowed down and creates more need and it also creates more people not working,” Norman continued.

“Habitat is a ‘Hand Up’ not a ‘Hand Out’ and participants have to be able to pay the mortgage and also put sweat equity into the homes,” she said.

been very helpful to the community and it is good for all of us to come together,” said Mike Hager, Rutherford County Republican Party Chairman. “You’ll see all the parties represented there, Democrats, Republicans all coming together to honor this man who has been an icon in the community and we forget our affiliations and come together.”

England is slated to be the emcee for this year’s event.

“It should be a great crowd. We’re getting a lot of positive reaction from people that are calling,” said Fran Christen, one of the breakfast organizers. “Early on, my dad got involved in the breakfast, and he started calling and reminding people to come. As soon as I got old enough to dial, I’ve been helping call and remind people.

For a lot of us, it is what gets us in the Christmas spirit. The business people rushing around doing things all year long anyway and they don’t really

have time to think about Christmas and it is the start of the Christmas season for them.”

Hager said the breakfast isn’t really about politics, but about the community coming together.

A homeowner must put 300 hours of his/her own labor into a home as well as the homes of others.

To recruit more homeowners and to educate potential homeowners, Shroyer said Habitat will sponsor a workshop in January 2010 for anyone interested in owning a home. Specific dates and times will be announced soon.

She came to Rutherford County from Blue Ridge Mediation Services, LLC, a company she owned, to provide mediation services for private and court-ordered mediation. She has also been an attorney/consultant with Shroyer Legal Services and has been a staff attorney, project coordinator and also been a volunteer coordinator for firms in Louisiana and Mass.

In Rutherford County, her community involvement has been as a Guardian Ad Litem volunteer, Pinnacle Elementary School parent volunteer, and a Community Pet Center volunteer.

Shroyer can be reached via email: rutherfordhfh@bellsouth.net

Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no-interest loans. The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are then used to build more houses.

Shroyer received her Juris Doctor degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La. and is also a Spanish major with a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts.

“From a political point of view we need to listen to the community and see what their concerns are,” Hager said. “Sometimes we as politicians think we know the issues but we need to listen to our constituients. I think everyone can agree that jobs are a big issue because we all know someone who has lost a job, is looking for a job or worried about their job. We could have more job losses than what we’ve seen, and we know some companies are teetering right now, and we hope they teeter back to the good side and not the bad side.”

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

Contact Gordon via email: jgordon@thedigitalcourier.com

About us...

Circulation

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

Business office

Administration

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

Newsroom

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

Phone: 245-6431

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

Advertising

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

Classified

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

Maintenance

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

Fax: 248-2790

Missed your paper?

If you did not receive your paper today please call 245-6431 and ask for circulation.

If you call by 9 a.m. on Monday through Friday, a paper will be brought to your home. If you call after 9 a.m., we will make sure your carrier brings you the missed paper in the morning with that day’s edition.

If you do not receive your paper on either Saturday or Sunday and call by 8 a.m., a customer service representative will bring you a paper.

If you call after 8 a.m. on Saturday or Sunday, the missed paper will be brought out on Monday morning.

Our carriers are instructed to deliver your paper by 6 a.m. Tuesday through Friday, by 6:30 a.m. on Saturday and 7 a.m. on Sunday.

Remember, call 245-6431 for circulation customer service.

www.thedigitalcourier.com

E-mail: dailycourier@thedigitalcourier .com

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 18, 2009 — 7

Inside Scoreboard . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8 NCAA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 8 NASCAR . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 9

Causby removed as football coach

By SCOTT BOWERS Daily Courier Sports Editor

Porter weighs in on Johnson-Ginn feud DAVIE, Fla. (AP) — Miami Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter says the challenge race between teammate Ted Ginn Jr. and NFL rushing leader Chris Johnson may yet take place.

Porter said the foot race was to be held at the Dolphins’ training complex last Memorial Day weekend, but plans fell through. On Thursday, Porter said the race is under discussion again.

The Dolphins play Johnson and the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.

Johnson said the idea for the race came up at a pool party he and Ginn attended in Miami Beach. Johnson said they agreed to race that night on Ocean Drive, but Ginn failed to show.

Porter, who was also at the party, said the race instead was to be held the next morning on the Dolphins’ field.

FOREST CITY — Chase High has removed head football coach Brad Causby after five seasons in a decision that Principal Greg Lovelace termed was “a change of direction.”

“Well, first I want to say that we appreciate everything that Brad has done for Chase,” said Lovelace. “I felt that it was time for a change in direction.”

Lovelace offered no comment when asked why he felt a change in direction was needed.

Causby is expected to remain as an instructer in the Rutherford County School system.

Causby, a former assistant football coach at East Rutherford under Jerry Cash, was hired after the 2004 season and lead the Trojans into the playoffs twice in five seasons.

Causby was a Carolina Panthers High Garrett Byers/Daily Courier School Head Coach of the Week winChase Head Football Coach Brad Causby talks with his assistants during a football Please see Causby, Page 9

game at Chase in this 2008 file photo.

Bengals’ WR Henry dies, 26

San Jose State hires MacIntyre as coach

By MIKE CRANSTON AP Sports Writer

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Mike MacIntyre had to change his Christmas plans at the last second. He’s more than happy about it.

San Jose State has hired the Duke defensive coordinator to replace Dick Tomey as football coach. MacIntyre, who assumes his first head job, was formally introduced Thursday.

The 44-year-old MacIntyre spent the past two seasons at Duke. He has also worked as a secondary coach in the NFL with Dallas and the New York Jets and spent five seasons as an assistant at Mississippi.

Pepsi not advertising in 2011 Super Bowl MILWAUKEE (AP) — Pepsi will not advertise its drinks in next year’s Super Bowl, ending a 23-year run so the company can focus on a new marketing effort that will appear mostly online.

Pepsi beverages have been advertised in the Super Bowl since 1987. Frito-Lay, a unit of parent company PepsiCo Inc., will still advertise.

The company, which is based in Purchase, N.Y., wouldn’t say how much it spent last year on Super Bowl ads, but it was one of the biggest advertisers, buying several minutes of commercial time. Ad time last year cost about $3 million for 30 seconds, on average.

Local Sports BASKETBALL 6 p.m. R-S Central at Chase 6 p.m. Patton at East Rutherford 6 p.m. Thomas Jefferson at Avery SWIMMING 5 p.m. Shelby, Patton, East Rutherford, and Chase at ICC

On TV 7:30 p.m. (FSS) NHL Hockey Carolina Hurricanes at Florida Panthers.

7:30 p.m. (TS) NBA Basketball Utah Jazz at Atlanta Hawks.

8 p.m. (ESPN) NBA Basketball Milwaukee Bucks at Cleveland Cavaliers.

8 p.m. (ESPN2) College Football NCAA Division I Championship: Teams TBA. 10:30 p.m. (ESPN) NBA Basketball Washington Wizards at Golden State Warriors.

11 p.m. (SHO) Boxing ShoBox: The New Generation.

Minnesota Vikings QB Brett Favre.

Panthers respect Favre CHARLOTTE (AP) — Carolina Panthers rookie cornerback Captain Munnerlyn can barely contain his enthusiasm this week.

It’s not often NFL players get a chance to play against their childhood hero.

Munnerlyn was only 3 years old when Brett Favre was drafted into the NFL by the Atlanta Falcons, but Munnerlyn has been a fan ever since he can remember and can tell you all about Green Bay’s glory days. He wore a Favre’s green and gold No. 4 jersey until the number began to fade off from being washed so

many times and kept his Packers Starter jacket handy for colder days growing up in Mobile, Ala. “You want to know the truth, that’s my favorite player,” Munnerlyn said, the excitement growing in his voice.

“Growing up, he always was. My friends have been calling me. They marked this game on the calendar. Oh man, I love Brett Favre. Like for real, seriously.”

On Sunday night, Munnerlyn will get a chance to play against Favre — and Please see Favre, Page 9

Marshall tabs Doc Holliday as new head football coach HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) — After nearly three decades in someone else’s program, John “Doc” Holliday is finally a college head coach.

Holliday, the associate head coach at West Virginia, was introduced as Marshall’s new coach on Thursday. He replaces Mark Snyder, who resigned Nov. 29 after going 22-37 in five seasons.

Holliday, 52, was overcome with emotion when he was introduced at an afternoon news conference, saying he wasn’t sure if he would ever get an opportunity to lead a team on the Football Bowl Subdivision level.

“There’s only 120 of them,” Holliday said. “There’s not many head jobs in America that are out there. Until it actually happens, you’re never sure.”

Holliday signed a five-year contract for $600,000 per season. Known as a solid recruiter in the state of Florida, he has the task of restoring respectability to a program that hasn’t had a winning season since 2003.

Marshall saw a steady decline in atten-

dance under Snyder. Marshall’s stadium was half empty for its final three home games and the team averaged 22,236 in attendance this season, the lowest in Snyder’s five seasons, and 2,000 fewer per game than a year ago.

In tight financial times, Holliday will also have to tackle the issue of Marshall’s lack of an indoor practice facility. And he must deal with skeptical fans who loathe his longtime ties with cross-state foe West Virginia.

“I’m a Marshall guy now,” Holliday said. “They’ll get to know me. I’ll work my tail off.”

Athletic director Mike Hamrick called it a “gutsy” hire.

“In this search, I didn’t get caught up in formulas,” he said. “I got caught up in who is the best person to shake our fan base. We weren’t interested in where they were from and where they had been. He didn’t go to Marshall. But Bo Schembechler was from Ohio.”

Holliday, who grew up 30 miles away from Marshall’s campus in Hurricane, played linebacker at West Virginia from 1976-78.

CHARLOTTE — Chris Henry was no stranger to trouble.

Indeed, his multiple arrests during a five-year NFL career were among the factors prompting the league to toughen its personal conduct policy.

But to hear his teammates tell it — even the team’s owner — the Cincinnati Bengals receiver was determined to leave behind his troubled past and move ahead toward a bright future.

Tragically, his efforts were cut short when he died from injuries in what police said was Henry a domestic dispute with his fiancee.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said the 26-year-old Henry died early Thursday, less than 18 hours after he fell off of the back of a pickup truck on a curvy residential street about eight miles northwest of downtown Charlotte.

The cause of death was not immediately released.

Henry was away from the Bengals after suffering a season-ending broken forearm in a game last month.

“We knew him in a different way than his public persona,” Bengals owner Mike Brown said.

“He had worked through the troubles in his life and had finally seemingly reached the point where everything was going to blossom. And he was going to have the future we all wanted for him. It’s painful to us. We feel it in our hearts, and we will miss him.”

Bengals receiver Andre Caldwell said: “People thought he was a bad guy, but he had a big heart.”

Police provided few details about the investigation, other than that homicide detectives were assigned to the case.

Two 911 tapes released Thursday provided some clues.

The first was from an unidentified woman who said she was following a yellow pickup truck.

“It’s got a black man on it with no shirt on, and he’s got his arm in a cast and black pants on,” she told a dispatcher. “He’s beating on the back of this truck window. ... I don’t know if he’s trying to break in or something. It just looks crazy. It’s a girl driving it.”

Just over a minute later, an unidentified man called 911 and said he saw a man “laying in the road” and “definitely unconscious.”

Police spokeswoman Rosalyn Harrington wouldn’t say if the woman, whom police would not

Please see Henry, Page 9

8

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 18, 2009

sports

Scoreboard FOOTBALL National Football League

Associated Press

Duke’s Brian Zoubek (55) and Kyle Singler (12) pressure Gardner-Webb’s C.J. Hailey (5) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Durham, on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009. Duke won 113-68.

Bouldin hopes to play Saturday vs. Duke

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — It’s not clear whether leading scorer Matt Bouldin will be recovered enough from a head injury to play when No. 15 Gonzaga faces No. 7 Duke in Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

Bouldin, who averages nearly 17 points per game, bumped heads with Augustana’s Troy Rorer in the first half of their game on Dec. 9. He sat out the rest of that game and also the game against Davidson on Dec. 12, which the Zags won 103-91 Bouldin said he is feeling better.

“It really gets down to as long as I’m feeling better, I’m sure I’ll be able to go,” Bouldin said.

Gonzaga (8-2) will need him against the prolific offense of Duke (8-1), which is playing its annual game in the Garden. Bouldin is one of only a handful of veterans on a young Gonzaga team and is the only player left who played on the team that lost to Duke in Madison Square Garden on Dec. 21, 2006.

He had four points, four rebounds and four assists in that game.

“Not many programs have a chance to play with Duke,” coach Mark Few said. “We welcome that, and now we have to play probably close to great to be able to get it done.”

The Zags have been playing well in what had been expected to be a rebuilding year, with wins over Wisconsin, No. 25 Cincinnati and Washington State. Their losses are to No. 12 Michigan State and Wake Forest by tiny margins.

“They are the best of the best,” Few said of Duke.

“They are a really, really smart team that’s incredibly skilled.”

Senior Jon Scheyer leads a veteran Duke team with 18 points and 5.7 assists per game. Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith each average 16 per game.

The Blue Devils play a home game at Madison Square Garden each year, and have a large following in the New York City area.

“If you go to the East Coast, you have to deal with Duke fans,” Gonzaga’s Robert Sacre said.

The 7-foot Sacre, who averages 13 points and 5 rebounds, is more excited about seeing former Gonzaga post Abdullahi Kuso at the game.

“That’s a bigger deal for me personally,” said Sacre.

Otherwise, the Garden is “just another place to play basketball,” Sacre said.

Freshman Elias Harris adds 13 points and nearly seven rebounds a game for the Zags.

Duke and Gonzaga are both small private schools that have enjoyed amazing success on opposite coasts. Duke’s 291 wins in this decade are tops in the nation. Gonzaga’s 264 are third, after Kansas’ 282.

The Zags return to Spokane after the game to play Eastern Washington on Dec. 28 and Oklahoma on Dec. 31.

Wayne St RB Bell leads AP Little All-Americans

NEW YORK (AP) — Wayne State tailback Joique Bell, the Harlon Hill Trophy winner as Division II’s top player, and West Liberty quarterback Zach Amedro were selected to The Associated Press Little All-America team.

The team made up of players from Division II and III, along with NAIA, was released Thursday.

Bell is the all-division rushing leader in the NCAA, averaging 189.5 yards per game. He also led the nation in scoring at 17 points per game for Wayne State, located in Detroit.

Amedro threw 49 touchdown passes, the most in college football this season.

Also selected to the first team was Augustana (Ill.) College’s Blaine Westemeyer, the first offensive lineman to win the Gagliardi Trophy as Division III’s top player.

Bursitis/Tendonitis?

Call Dr. Burley, D.C., FACO Chiropractic Orthopedist

Rutherford County / Boiling Springs Chiropractic Center

828-245-2442 / 704-434-2911

AMERICAN CONFERENCE East

W L T Pct PF New England 8 5 0 .615 348 Miami 7 6 0 .538 292 N.Y. Jets 7 6 0 .538 275 Buffalo 5 8 0 .385 215 South

W L T Pct PF x-Indianapolis 13 0 0 1.000 359 Jacksonville 7 6 0 .538 235 Tennessee 6 7 0 .462 293 Houston 6 7 0 .462 311 North

W L T Pct PF Cincinnati 9 4 0 .692 264 Baltimore 7 6 0 .538 319 Pittsburgh 6 7 0 .462 278 Cleveland 2 11 0 .154 158 West

W L T Pct PF San Diego 10 3 0 .769 362 Denver 8 5 0 .615 256 Oakland 4 9 0 .308 155 Kansas City 3 10 0 .231 206 NATIONAL CONFERENCE East

W L T Pct PF Philadelphia 9 4 0 .692 372 Dallas 8 5 0 .615 296 N.Y. Giants 7 6 0 .538 341 Washington 4 9 0 .308 234 South

W L T Pct PF x-New Orleans 13 0 0 1.000 466 Atlanta 6 7 0 .462 302 Carolina 5 8 0 .385 225 Tampa Bay 1 12 0 .077 190 North

W L T Pct PF y-Minnesota 11 2 0 .846 389 Green Bay 9 4 0 .692 344 Chicago 5 8 0 .385 247 Detroit 2 11 0 .154 209 West

W L T Pct PF Arizona 8 5 0 .615 306 San Francisco 6 7 0 .462 269 Seattle 5 8 0 .385 250 St. Louis 1 12 0 .077 146

PA 234 306 211 271 PA 217 287 323 273 PA 217 218 244 315 PA 259 230 316 342 PA 273 233 330 251 PA 274 305 282 356 PA 243 243 291 406 PA 258 242 301 361

x-clinched division y-clinched playoff spot Thursday’s Game Indianapolis at Jacksonville, late Saturday’s Game Dallas at New Orleans, 8:20 p.m.

Sunday’s Games Miami at Tennessee, 1 p.m.

Arizona at Detroit, 1 p.m.

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

Houston at St. Louis, 1 p.m.

Chicago at Baltimore, 1 p.m.

New England at Buffalo, 1 p.m.

Cleveland at Kansas City, 1 p.m.

San Francisco at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.

Oakland at Denver, 4:05 p.m.

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

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

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

Minnesota at Carolina, 8:20 p.m.

Monday’s Game N.Y. Giants at Washington, 8:30 p.m.

Friday’s Game San Diego at Tennessee, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 27 Buffalo at Atlanta, 1 p.m.

Houston at Miami, 1 p.m.

Seattle at Green Bay, 1 p.m.

Carolina at N.Y. Giants, 1 p.m.

Baltimore at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.

Tampa Bay at New Orleans, 1 p.m.

Oakland at Cleveland, 1 p.m.

Kansas City at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

Jacksonville at New England, 1 p.m.

Detroit at San Francisco, 4:05 p.m.

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

N.Y. Jets at Indianapolis, 4:15 p.m.

Denver at Philadelphia, 4:15 p.m.

Dallas at Washington, 8:20 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 28 Minnesota at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.

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

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

(ESPN) Wednesday, Dec. 23 Poinsettia Bowl At San Diego Utah (9-3) vs. California (8-4), 8 p.m. (ESPN) Thursday, Dec. 24 Hawaii Bowl At Honolulu SMU (7-5) vs. Nevada (8-4), 8 p.m. (ESPN) Saturday, Dec. 26 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl At Detroit Ohio (9-4) vs. Marshall (6-6), 1 p.m. (ESPN) Meineke Bowl At Charlotte North Carolina (8-4) vs. Pittsburgh (9-3), 4:30 p.m. (ESPN) Emerald Bowl At San Francisco Southern Cal (8-4) vs. Boston College (8-4), 8 p.m. (ESPN) Sunday, Dec. 27 Music City Bowl At Nashville, Tenn.

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

(ESPN)

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

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

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

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

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

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

(CBS) Rose Bowl At Pasadena, Calif.

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

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

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

(ESPN) Liberty Bowl At Memphis, Tenn.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BASKETBALL National Basketball Association EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division

W L Pct GB Boston 20 4 .833 — Toronto 11 17 .393 11 New York 8 16 .333 12 Philadelphia 6 19 .240 14 1/2 New Jersey 2 24 .077 19 Southeast Division

W L Pct GB Orlando 19 6 .760 — Atlanta 18 6 .750 1/2 Miami 12 11 .522 6 Charlotte 10 14 .417 8 1/2 Washington 7 16 .304 11 Central Division

W L Pct GB Cleveland 19 7 .731 — Milwaukee 11 12 .478 6 1/2 Detroit 11 14 .440 7 1/2 Indiana 9 14 .391 8 1/2 Chicago 8 15 .348 9 1/2 WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division

W L Pct GB Dallas 19 7 .731 — San Antonio 13 10 .565 4 1/2 Houston 14 11 .560 4 1/2 New Orleans 11 13 .458 7 Memphis 10 15 .400 8 1/2 Northwest Division

W L Pct GB

Denver 19 7 .731 Utah 15 10 .600 Portland 15 11 .577 Oklahoma City 12 12 .500 Minnesota 4 22 .154 Pacific Division

W L Pct L.A. Lakers 20 4 .833 Phoenix 17 8 .680 L.A. Clippers 11 13 .458 Sacramento 11 13 .458 Golden State 7 18 .280

— 3 1/2 4 6 15 GB — 3 1/2 9 9 13 1/2

Wednesday’s Games Cleveland 108, Philadelphia 101 Atlanta 110, Memphis 97 Orlando 118, Toronto 99 Indiana 101, Charlotte 98 Utah 108, New Jersey 92 L.A. Clippers 120, Minnesota 95 L.A. Lakers 107, Milwaukee 106, OT Dallas 100, Oklahoma City 86 New Orleans 95, Detroit 87 Denver 111, Houston 101 San Antonio 103, Golden State 91 Sacramento 112, Washington 109 Thursday’s Games New York at Chicago, late Orlando at Miami, late Phoenix at Portland, late Friday’s Games New Jersey at Toronto, 7 p.m.

Utah at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.

Philadelphia at Boston, 7:30 p.m.

Milwaukee at Cleveland, 8 p.m.

L.A. Clippers at New York, 8 p.m.

Indiana at Memphis, 8 p.m.

Detroit at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.

Denver at New Orleans, 8 p.m.

Sacramento at Minnesota, 8 p.m.

Houston at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

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

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

Portland at Orlando, 7 p.m.

L.A. Clippers at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.

L.A. Lakers at New Jersey, 8 p.m.

Atlanta at Chicago, 8 p.m.

Sacramento at Milwaukee, 8:30 p.m.

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

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

Washington at Phoenix, 9 p.m.

HOCKEY National Hockey League EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division

GP W L OT Pts GF New Jersey 32 23 8 1 47 93 Pittsburgh 34 23 10 1 47 111 N.Y. Islanders 34 13 14 7 33 86 Philadelphia 32 15 16 1 31 91 N.Y. Rangers 33 14 16 3 31 89 Northeast Division

GP W L OT Pts GF Buffalo 32 20 10 2 42 85 Ottawa 33 17 12 4 38 94 Boston 32 16 10 6 38 84 Montreal 35 15 17 3 33 89 Toronto 34 12 15 7 31 100 Southeast Division

GP W L OT Pts GF Washington 34 21 7 6 48 124 Atlanta 32 17 12 3 37 102 Florida 35 14 14 7 35 99 Tampa Bay 33 11 13 9 31 81 Carolina 33 8 19 6 22 82 WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division

GP W L OT Pts GF Chicago 32 21 8 3 45 95 Nashville 34 20 11 3 43 95 Detroit 33 17 11 5 39 92 Columbus 34 14 14 6 34 100 St. Louis 32 14 13 5 33 78 Northwest Division

GP W L OT Pts GF Colorado 36 19 11 6 44 104 Calgary 33 19 10 4 42 96 Vancouver 34 19 15 0 38 106 Minnesota 33 16 14 3 35 86 Edmonton 33 15 14 4 34 100 Pacific Division

GP W L OT Pts GF Los Angeles 36 22 11 3 47 110 San Jose 34 19 8 7 45 111 Phoenix 34 20 12 2 42 87 Dallas 33 14 9 10 38 96 Anaheim 33 13 13 7 33 94

GA 69 88 108 94 98 GA 70 96 80 101 122 GA 95 94 115 101 120 GA 67 95 89 119 88 GA 105 81 88 94 103 GA 106 92 78 99 105

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

Toronto at Buffalo, 7:30 p.m.

Carolina at Florida, 7:30 p.m.

Tampa Bay at St. Louis, 8 p.m.

Boston at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.

Washington at Vancouver, 10 p.m.

Saturday’s Games N.Y. Rangers at Philadelphia, 1 p.m.

Detroit at Dallas, 3 p.m.

Phoenix at Anaheim, 4 p.m.

Nashville at Calgary, 4 p.m.

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

New Jersey at Atlanta, 7 p.m.

Minnesota at Ottawa, 7 p.m.

Florida at Carolina, 7 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Buffalo, 7 p.m.

Boston at Toronto, 7 p.m.

Columbus at Colorado, 9 p.m.

Washington at Edmonton, 10 p.m.

Tracy Smith, N.C. State holds off Elon, 79-76 RALEIGH (AP) — Tracy Smith scored 13 of his 21 points in the second half — including two key baskets in the final 90 seconds — that helped North Carolina State rally past Elon 79-76 on Thursday night.

Dennis Horner scored a careerhigh 23 points for the Wolfpack

(8-1), who turned in an unimpressive performance in their final game before an early start to Atlantic Coast Conference play.

N.C. State trailed by as many as 11 points in the first half and didn’t push ahead for good until

the final 6 minutes, then had to hang on until the buzzer.

Smith’s three-point play put the Wolfpack in front with 5:25 to play. He then came through with a layup and a turnaround shot over Adam Constantine for a 73-68 lead with 45.9 seconds left.

Harvin still sidelined with headaches EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. (AP) — Percy Harvin’s exceptional rookie season for Minnesota has been painfully slowed.

Not by an opposing defense or a typical injury, but by a debilitating neurological problem that can keep even a tough, athletic football player from functioning properly: Migraine headaches, which kept Harvin out of practice again Thursday, increasing the possibility he will miss a second straight game when the Vikings (11-2) play at Carolina.

“It’s not like he can stand on the side and converse,” coach Brad Childress said. “He has to shut down.”

The coach said Harvin may be able to rejoin the team on Friday.

“Every day is a possibility,” Childress said. “We’ve had good dialogue back and forth.”

Migraines are more than just a bad headache. They can knock people out for hours, days or even weeks. Difficult to treat and predict, they often force sufferers to find a dark, quiet room to sleep until symptoms subside.

Medication helps, but it’s not a cure.

With his toughness as a runner, elusiveness as a pass catcher and straight-ahead speed as a kickoff returner, Harvin has given the Vikings a big lift since he was drafted in the first round from Florida this year. He’s second on the team with 681 yards and six touchdowns receiving, and his 29-yard average on

kickoff returns is second in the league. He’s taken two returns for scores.

Greg Lewis has been playing his slot position in three-receiver sets, and Darius Reynaud is returning kickoffs as well as punts.

“Of course without Percy out there, there is going to be a gap in our offense,” tight end Visanthe Shiancoe said. “But we had guys step up and fill in that void. That’s one thing about our team: We’ve got depth, man.”

Still, it’s not fun to see a teammate endure such pain.

“He has a bright future,” Shiancoe said. “Hopefully he’ll get over it and heal from this.

Our prayers are with him.”

The Vikings insist their game

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 18, 2009 — 9

sports

Patrick will make debut in California MOORESVILLE (AP) — Danica Patrick will ease her way into NASCAR by skipping the Nationwide Series opener at Daytona International Speedway in favor of a less-stressful debut one week later at California.

The IndyCar star is still working on piecing together a 13-race schedule for JR Motorsports in NASCAR’s second-tier series, but announced Thursday she’s marked the Feb. 20 race at Auto Club Speedway for her debut.

JR Motorsports also will field a car for Patrick in the Feb. 27 race at Las Vegas.

Although Patrick will make her stock-car debut in the Feb. Garrett Byers/Daily Courier 6 ARCA opener at Daytona, she Chase’s Tyreece Gossett, above, in this 2009 file will not attempt the Nationwide photo, was the sixth starting quarterback for the race. The opener is usually Trojans over a four year span. stacked with NASCAR’s top talent, and Sprint Cup drivers have won nine of the last 10 Nationwide races at Daytona.

The lone exception? Martin Continued from Page 7 Truex Jr., who won in 2005 in JR Motorsports car.

“The race is basically a Cup ner during the 2006 season, which saw the Trojans improve from a 1-10 mark in 2005 to a 6-6 record race, some 30 odd drivers in Cup run in it,” she said. “So, is that in 2006. Overall, Chase was 14-42 over Causby’s the right time for me to start five seasons at the helm. or not? You only get one grand “Well, I didn’t quit on the program, and if they opening, so I’ve heard. We want feel they need to change directions, then I guess it to be the right opportunity.” that’s what they will do. I am not bitter,” said Patrick made her first appearCausby. “But, I am really kind of shocked. I do ance with new boss Dale believe that God has a plan for me, and I may not Earnhardt Jr. since announcunderstand it, but I am sure He has a plan.

“As I have said before, ‘tough times don’t last, but ing a two-year contract last tough people do.’ I feel like if I had not given every- week to try NASCAR for JR Motorsports, the team owned in thing to the program that I could, then I would combination by Rick Hendrick, have a different view of it. There are a lot of variEarnhardt, his sister, Kelley, and ables, and I enjoyed the challenge, but in football, their cousin, Tony Eury Jr. no one man can do everything.”

Sitting on a stage at JR Causby was grateful for the players that had remained in the program through a tough 2009 season that saw the team finish 2-9, and to those players who had been in the program over his tenure.

“Also, I cannot even begin to say thank you to everyone, but I must say thanks to Mike and Continued from Page 7 Tammy Johnson for all that they have done for the football program and Mike Moffitt and his family for all that they have done,” said Causby. “I was identify, was present at the scene when police arrived. able to tell the football team this week, and they Henry and his 25-year-old were very supportive and I appreciate that supfiancee Loleini Tonga, who grew port.” up in Charlotte and received a Over the last five seasons, the Trojans have carvolleyball scholarship to North ried the smallest roster onto the football field, in Carolina A&T, were raising three two different conferences (2A/3A Southwestern children. Tonga’s MySpace page and the 3A/2A South Mountain Athletic), for a variety of reasons. The 2A program had 22 players identifies herself as “Mrs. C. Henry” and featured a post from on the roster this season, with just four seniors.

Following the 2006 season, which witnessed tail- Tuesday talking about buying back Princeton Davis run for just over 2,000 yards wedding rings. and 20 total touchdowns, then freshman quarter“We are greatly saddened by back Reggie Wilkins transferred to Crest. today’s tragic news about the The loss of Wilkins left the school without loss of Chris Henry,” NFL coman experienced quarterback and the program missioner Roger Goodell said. stumbled to a 1-10 mark in 2007, with Tyshawn “Our thoughts and prayers go Simpson at quarterback. Simpson gave way to out to Chris’ family, including Tyler Gaffney in 2008, and the then sophomore his Bengals family.” lead the Trojans to a 4-7 mark and a first round Bengals coach Marvin Lewis playoff contest, a loss at Hibriten. said: “It’s a very difficult thing The Trojans entered the 2009 season with with his loss and a young life Gaffney slated to be the starting quarterback. and one that won’t ever get to Gaffney was lost early on to an injury that reach its full potential.” occurred during baseball season. Dache Gossett Police said the domestic distook his spot. The senior Gossett was injured in the pute began Wednesday at a third game of the season against Bessemer City. home about a half-mile away Gossett’s younger brother, sophomore Tyreece from where Henry was found.

Gossett took over and started eight games. Gossett He had jumped into the bed of was 3-0 as the JV starting QB, and finished 2-6 as the pickup as his fiancee was the starting varsity QB, including a 23-17 overtime driving away from the residence, loss to county rival, East Rutherford. and at some point when she was In addition to the turnover at the QB spot, the driving “came out of the back of team has lost several players to other programs, and dealt with several key players being academically ineligible.

“What I have told the kids is the same — they must stay eligible, stay in the program and keep working hard,” said Causby. “To be successful, they Continued from Page 7 will have to do all of those things.”

Causby played his high school football at East Rutherford and graduated in 1981. He then attend- possibly even start — when the Panthers host the Minnesota ed Azusa Pacific University in Los Angeles, CA., Vikings on national television. where he received a degree in communications, before returning to Rutherford County.

With starting cornerback Causby received his degree in Physical Education Richard Marshall missing his at University of South Carolina-Spartanburg (now second straight day of pracUSC-Upstate). Causby was hired at East in 1992 tice on Thursday with an ankle and has been coaching for 17 years. injury, Munnerlyn, the team’s Lovelace said that at this time, there wasn’t a impressive young nickel back, leading candidate to replace Causby, but that the could get tossed into the starting position had been posted on the North Carolina lineup.

High School Athletic Association’s Web site.

“I hope I don’t get star-struck

Causby

Race car driver Danica Patrick

Motorsports flanked by her new team, she fielded questions from reporters before it was opened up to two preselected fans in attendance, as well as one question submitted through Facebook.

“I don’t ever think I’ve seen as much power up on stage in NASCAR as I do today,” Kelley Earnhardt said.

She wasn’t lying. This partnership combines the most marketable drivers in America’s top two racing series, and with it will come a tremendous amount of attention. Patrick, who is used to a low-key IndyCar schedule, joked that she might have to by a private plane since there were race fans waiting for her when she landed at the Charlotte airport.

Already the pressure is on: one fan in attendance asked Patrick who will win first in 2010, Earnhardt, JRM driver Kelly Bires or Patrick?

“It’s probably not going to be me,” she joked.

Patrick is approaching this new venture as an adventure.

She signed a three-year contract extension earlier this month with Andretti Autosport that will keep her racing full-time in IndyCar, where she is the face of the open-wheel series and relied upon to help boost its popularity.

The 27-year-old Patrick, who has just one victory and 16 topfive finishes in five IndyCar seasons, said she’s still got a long list of goals for that series — including winning the Indianapolis 500.

He was doing everything right

the vehicle,” authorities said.

Two women who lived nearby said Thursday they saw Tonga and the pickup at the scene when police arrived. Cheryl Hoffman said she came out with a blanket when she saw Henry wasn’t wearing a shirt.

“When I got to where he was laying on the ground out there he was very unresponsive, laying flat on the ground,” Hoffman said. “He was foaming at the mouth, and I was very worried what was happening then.”

When players received word Henry had died, quarterback Carson Palmer called them together in the locker room and said they should dedicate the game and rest of the season to Henry and the wife of defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, who died unexpectedly during the season.

The Bengals will wear a helmet sticker Sunday against San Diego to remember Henry, and Goodell requested clubs observe a moment of silence before each game.

“He was doing everything

right,” receiver Chad Ochocinco said.

Henry grew up south of New Orleans in the suburban community of Belle Chasse and soon dreamed of playing in the NFL. But after he was ejected from a game and suspended for another at West Virginia, the Bengals were the only team to bring him in for a pre-draft visit in 2005.

Selected in the third round, Henry played a vital role as a speedy, deep threat as Cincinnati reached the playoffs in his rookie season. But in the final month of the season he was arrested for marijuana possession.

It was the first of five arrests, and Henry and former Tennessee cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones became known as the league’s two most troublebound players. Goodell suspended both in 2007 — Jones for a full season, Henry for half of it — as part of a toughening of the league’s conduct policy.

After Henry was arrested for a fifth time following that season on an assault charge, Municipal Court Judge Bernie Bouchard called Henry “a one-man crime wave.” He was released by the Bengals the same day.

But Brown gave him a second chance, re-signing him before the 2008 season.

when he’s under center. I don’t want to be out there playing and be like, ’Man, this is Brett Favre!’ and he’s like, ’Hike!”’ Munnerlyn said with a laugh.

So what if Munnerlyn is fortunate enough to pick Favre?

“I’ll probably ask him to sign the ball,” Munnerlyn said. “For real. I don’t know if that would be a good idea. I’ll probably send it to (South Carolina college teammates and current Vikings) Sidney Rice or Jasper Brinkley and be like, ’Hey, tell Brett Favre to sign this ball.’ I don’t know.

It’s going to be crazy out there

playing against my favorite player.”

Favre, who has twice retired from the game, is having an MVP-type season at age 40, defying those critics who called him ridiculous and selfish for returning this season.

Not only are the Vikings 11-2 and on the verge of clinching the NFC North division title and a first-round bye in the playoffs, but he has the second-highest quarterback rating (106) in the league behind only New Orleans’ Drew Brees. Favre has completed 68.1 percent of his passes.

Henry

Favre

Chad Ochocinco Bengals WR

Chinese Eat In & Take Out Restaurant 831 E. Main Street • Spindale, NC 28610 Tel: (828) 288-9898

20% Off Menu Offer Expires 12-31-09

Open 7 Days A Week

Women’s & Children’s Georgia Boots 50% off 50% off Select Styles Men’s Georgia Boots

Monday to Sunday 11:00am to 10:00pm

MSG 126 Park Lane Dr., Rutherfordton, NC (behind BB&T Bank) • 828-286-9781

10

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 18, 2009

weather/nation Weather The Daily Courier Weather Today

Tonight

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Senate panel sends Bernanke nod ahead

By JEANNINE AVERSA

Rain/Snow

Snow Likely

Rain/Snow

Partly Cloudy

Mostly Sunny

Mostly Sunny

Precip Chance: 90%

Precip Chance: 90%

Precip Chance: 40%

Precip Chance: 10%

Precip Chance: 5%

Precip Chance: 5%

34º

32º

39º 28º

45º 29º

44º 25º

44º 28º

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 .23 .52 .28

Precipitation 24 hrs through 7 a.m. yest. .0.00" Month to date . . . . . . . . .5.22" Year to date . . . . . . . . .55.80"

Barometric Pressure

Sun and Moon Sunrise today .

Sunset tonight .

Moonrise today Moonset today .

. . . .7:31 . . . .5:18 . . . .9:11 . . . .7:21

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

Moon Phases

High yesterday . . . . . . .30.40"

Relative Humidity High yesterday . . . . . . . . .83%

First 12/24

Last 1/7

Full 12/31

City

Saturday

Hi/Lo Wx Hi/Lo Wx

Asheville . . . . . . .33/32 Cape Hatteras . . .50/45 Charlotte . . . . . . .37/34 Fayetteville . . . . .42/35 Greensboro . . . . .35/30 Greenville . . . . . .43/37 Hickory . . . . . . . . . .32/31 Jacksonville . . . .47/39 Kitty Hawk . . . . . .46/44 New Bern . . . . . .46/40 Raleigh . . . . . . . .37/31 Southern Pines . .39/32 Wilmington . . . . .49/41 Winston-Salem . .35/30

rs ra rs ra sn rs rs ra ra ra sn sn ra sn

38/26 52/38 40/27 38/31 33/27 41/31 37/27 43/32 49/35 43/32 36/29 36/30 47/36 33/27

ra ra ra ra sn rs ra ra ra ra rs rs ra sn

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

New 1/15

North Carolina Forecast

Greensboro 35/30

Asheville 33/32

Forest City 34/32 Charlotte 37/34

Today

City

.40/35 .39/28 .36/28 .35/25 .44/29 .78/50 .81/65 .34/23 .38/24 .61/43 .63/48 .50/42 .73/54 .39/28

Raleigh 37/31

Kinston 44/38 Wilmington 49/41

Today’s National Map

Saturday

Hi/Lo Wx Hi/Lo Wx

Atlanta . . . . . . . .

Baltimore . . . . . .

Chicago . . . . . . .

Detroit . . . . . . . .

Indianapolis . . .

Los Angeles . . .

Miami . . . . . . . . .

New York . . . . . .

Philadelphia . . .

Sacramento . . . .

San Francisco . .

Seattle . . . . . . . .

Tampa . . . . . . . .

Washington, DC

Greenville 43/37

Fayetteville 42/35

Shown is today’s weather.

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

Across Our Nation

Elizabeth City 44/37

Durham 36/31

Winston-Salem 35/30

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

45/34 34/26 30/30 33/21 32/23 77/51 75/56 37/26 36/25 60/44 62/47 48/42 64/47 32/26

cl sn sn mc sn s s mc sn s pc mc s sn

40s 50s

H

H

10s 20s 30s

40s

50s

70s

50s

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

Cold Front

30s

L

40s

60s

20s

Stationary Front

Warm Front

70s

60s

L

60s

Low Pressure

H

High Pressure

Nation Today Lunch at Hooters no-no

PHOENIX — An Arizona music teacher whose students performed at a presidential inauguration event is on administrative leave after taking 40 high school students to a Hooters restaurant.

Paradise Valley school district spokeswoman Judi Willis says choir director Mary Segall accompanied the students to a performance in downtown Phoenix last week, and during the outing, they ate lunch at Hooters.

Willis says Segall explained that the restaurant, known for its waitresses’ somewhat revealing attire, was the only place that could accommodate a group of that size.

But district officials believe there were other options for lunch in the area.

Segall could not be reached for comment.

The teacher plans on retiring in January, and Willis says she does not know if she’ll return before then.

Record back 47 years late

EAST PEORIA, Ill. — You can’t blame the person who recently returned an old vinyl record to an Illinois library for slipping quickly out the door.

The record was a little late.

OK, 47 years late.

Fondulac District Library Director Amy Falasz-Peterson says the album by 1950s pop singer Julius La Rosa was checked out on Feb. 12, 1962

and was returned this month.

She says a person told library officials that they found the record among the belongings of a family member who had died. That person then left the library in East Peoria.

It’s been so long since the record was checked out that the library doesn’t know who the scofflaw was, but the fine would be $871.90.

Border crossing started SAN DIEGO — The federal government has begun construction to replace the nation’s busiest crossing.

The General Services Administration on Thursday detailed its $577 million plan to demolish the 30-year-old San Ysidro port of entry in San Diego for a new crossing at the same site by September 2015.

Authorities say it will sharply reduce waiting times for motorists crossing the border from Tijuana, Mexico.

The 50,000 vehicles that enter San Diego daily clog Tijuana roads during delays often as long as two hours.

California-bound lanes will grow to 30 from 24, and each lane will have two inspection booths instead of one.

Construction of a new pedestrian bridge that crosses Interstate 5 begins this month and is expected to be finished by June 2011.

LOOK OUT NOW HERE WE GO

— Associated Press

The Best Local Sports Coverage

The Daily Courier

AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Senate panel on Thursday approved the nomination of Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke to run the nation’s central bank for another four years.

The Senate Banking Committee voted 16-7 to send Bernanke’s nomination to the full Senate for consideration. Approval came after a twohour debate that heaped both praise and criticism on the Fed chief.

Although Bernanke, 56, appears to have enough votes in the Senate to win a second term, six Republicans and one Democrat on the committee did line up against him. They blame him for not spotting problems that led to the financial crisis, failing to protect consumers and supporting Wall Street bailouts.

Bernanke’s nomination comes at the height of public anger toward the Fed. Many ordinary Americans were disgusted by the Wall Street bailouts and hefty bonuses paid to employees of those rescued companies, while Main Street continued to suffer from rising unemployment, record-high home foreclosures and stagnant wages.

In turn, legislation in Congress would rein in the Fed’s powers, and a House-passed provision would subject the Fed to an audit by congressional investigators.

The opposition to Bernanke came from an odd coalition of liberals and conservatives.

Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama, the top-ranking Republican on the committee, was among the seven senators voting no.

“Our trust and confidence were misplaced,” Shelby said of Bernanke’s leadership.

The others were: Republicans Jim Bunning of Kentucky, Jim DeMint of South Carolina, David Vitter of Louisiana, Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas and Mike Crapo of Idaho. The sole dissenting Democrat was Jeff Merkley of Oregon.

So dissatisfied by the bailouts, Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent lib-

Associated Press

Ben Bernanke: His nomination for a second term as head of the Federal Reserve advanced Thursday.

eral from Vermont, wants to block the nomination on the Senate floor.

He has placed a “hold” on the nomination, meaning it will require a super-majority of 60 votes to confirm Bernanke.

Bernanke’s term ends Jan. 31 and unless Sanders relents a full Senate vote on his nomination is not expected until January.

Despite lawmaker anger over the bailouts and worries about stubbornly high unemployment, even many of Bernanke’s critics acknowledge that his out-of-the-box thinking helped prevent the Great Recession from turning into the second Great Depression.

Time magazine on Wednesday gave Bernanke its highest honor as Person of the Year. Bernanke’s “creative leadership” was credited with helping to assure that 2009 was a period of economic recovery, rather than “catastrophic depression.”

Bernanke was first tapped to run the Fed by President George W. Bush and took over in February 2006.

Cremated remains found in Atlanta storage units

By KATE BRUMBACK Associated Press Writer

ATLANTA — A legal team that was seeking a bankrupt funeral home’s financial records instead made a macabre discovery: nearly 100 boxes of cremated remains, some dating back more than two decades, stashed in a suburban storage unit.

The discovery has been a comfort for a few families that received the ashes of lost loved ones, but a conundrum for officials trying to figure out what to do with the rest.

Devotis Lee of Atlanta recently received the remains of her father, Julius Griffin, more than 10 years after his death in June 1999.

“It made me feel good, wonderful. It was fantastic,” Lee said.

She said she had tried repeatedly to contact the funeral home several years ago but finally gave up in frustration. Then the Fulton County medical examiner’s office got in touch to say the ashes had been found.

It’s not clear whether any state laws were violated, but authorities are trying to determine whether sanctions should be brought against the Sellers Brothers Funeral Home or its last operator.

Juanita Sellers Stone, whose family operated the Atlanta funeral home for decades, said she put the remains in the storage units — along with furniture, files and other items from the business — about a year and a half ago because the funeral home had declared bankruptcy in May 2006 and its building was set to be demolished. But she said she never

withheld remains — called “cremains” by people in the funeral business — from families.

“That’s impossible,” she said. “I’ve never been out of touch. Everyone had an opportunity to retrieve the cremains. That’s one reason for keeping them, so the families could get them when they wanted.”

Stone said she’s seen people weep for joy when they picked up the ashes of a relative who died years before.

She didn’t want to deprive any family of that chance.

Sharon Seay, executive director of the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, said the situation isn’t unusual.

“You’d be surprised how many families don’t come to pick up their cremains,” she said. “In the Sellers case, she was trying to accommodate the families. She’s spending money to store the cremains so the families can get them if they want.”

The 96 boxes of cremated remains, some dating back to the mid-1980s, were found in July in three storage spaces by the staff of Neil Gordon, the funeral home’s bankruptcy trustee. “They were shocked and dismayed,” Gordon said. “You can imagine, you’re looking for books and financial records and you come across something like this instead.”

It took months to figure out where the people had died and to get probate courts in six counties to approve releasing the remains to the appropriate medical examiner or coroner.

The Fulton County medical examiner’s office received the bulk, 85 boxes, on Nov. 13 and is trying to notify the families.

Luke Rich is

Come in for a Good Deal and a Good Deal More

The Big

30!

You are a blessing!

Love Forever & Always, Mom

Ron Venhuizen

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 18, 2009 — 11

financial/business

THE MARKET IN REVIEW

STOCK EXCHANGE HIGHLIGHTS

d

NYSE

d

7,063.75-117.02

GAINERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last CedarF 11.20 Winnbgo 13.29 SchiffNutr 7.52 ClearChOut10.61 DirLatBear 46.22 Pier 1 5.45 ProUShBrz25.50 Primedia 3.72 DirxEMBear 5.60 StageStrs 11.87

Chg +2.12 +2.39 +1.23 +1.09 +4.51 +.47 +2.15 +.31 +.44 +.89

%Chg +23.3 +21.9 +19.6 +11.4 +10.8 +9.4 +9.2 +9.1 +8.5 +8.1

Name Last Chg %Chg Merrimac 10.04 +1.08 +12.1 SearchM wt 2.65 +.23 +9.5 LGL Grp 3.20 +.26 +8.8 NewConcEn4.47 +.36 +8.8 Wilber 7.39 +.50 +7.3 ComndSec 2.22 +.14 +6.7 MidsthBcp 13.79 +.82 +6.3 SbdCp 1297.08+75.33 +6.2 HMG 3.50 +.19 +5.7 GSE Sy 4.85 +.25 +5.4

LOSERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last AlphaPro 4.29 ManSang 2.36 TiensBio 2.71 Minefnd g 9.72 TanzRy g 3.31 SeabGld g 22.16 Aurizon g 4.32 BioTime wt 2.18 SinoHub n 3.77 Nevsun g 2.81

%Chg -16.8 -14.8 -13.1 -12.5 -12.4 -10.9 -10.7 -10.6 -10.4 -10.3

DIARY

Chg %Chg -.47 -9.9 -.26 -9.9 -.29 -9.7 -1.03 -9.6 -.35 -9.6 -2.29 -9.4 -.44 -9.2 -.22 -9.2 -.38 -9.2 -.27 -8.8

MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE) Name Vol (00) Last Chg NthgtM g 50329 3.06 -.22 NwGold g 50077 3.42 -.20 GoldStr g 47923 3.12 -.20 GrtBasG g 44910 1.63 -.07 Rentech 42267 1.39 -.08 NovaGld g 32427 5.07 -.39 Aurizon g 27220 4.32 -.44 Taseko 23326 4.22 -.08 Oilsands g 22603 1.13 ...

AbdAsPac 21721 6.14 -.18

MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE) Name Vol (00) Last Chg Citigrp 3763931197 3.20 -.25 BkofAm 2587781 14.86 -.42 SPDR 1583908 110.18 -1.34 SPDR Fncl 845961 14.06 -.27 WellsFargo 802621 26.07 +.23 iShEMkts 718955 40.25 -1.19 GenElec 678498 15.79 +.10 SprintNex 576171 3.77 -.16 iShR2K 558875 60.62 -.68 FordM 540524 9.39 -.10 Advanced Declined Unchanged Total issues New Highs New Lows Volume

1,762.11 -25.08

GAINERS ($2 OR MORE)

LOSERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last Chg W Hld rs lf 20.51 -4.14 LDK Solar 7.84 -1.36 ZaleCp 2.53 -.38 Textr pfA 150.00-21.48 BrdgptEd n 15.25 -2.15 MSSPMid105.97 -.73 Prime pfB 4.17 -.50 GamGld g 10.37 -1.23 FtBcp pfC 11.20 -1.30 Agnico g 53.99 -6.21

AMEX

870 2,227 88 3,185 128 4 7,900,581,049

DIARY

Advanced Declined Unchanged Total issues New Highs New Lows Volume

166 348 42 556 9 2 175,305,458

d

DAILY DOW JONES

ASK ABOUT AN INSURANCE HAVE YOU REVIEWED YOUR

NASDAQ

Dow Jones industrials ANAlySIS. NEEdS LIFE INSURANCE LATELY? Close: 10,308.26 10,520

2,180.05 -26.86

Name Last NthnStat 4.40 AdeptTch 3.19 PECO II rsh 5.15 SonicSolu 11.53 PhysnsF h 2.34 BldrFstSrc 3.93 WldHeart 5.00 ExactSci h 3.06 Trnscnd 19.59 HiTchPhm 26.52

Chg +.90 +.52 +.84 +1.84 +.34 +.53 +.65 +.37 +2.37 +3.08

Chg -1.04 -5.47 -1.07 -.98 -5.00 -1.63 -.74 -.79 -.68 -.37

9,600

Advanced Declined Unchanged Total issues New Highs New Lows Volume

8,000

J

J

719 1,975 133 2,827 67 34 1,866,686,516

A

S

O

N

Create a letter in Word Basic Internet Search Save files to a Flashdrive

Net Chg

Dow Industrials 10,308.26 -132.86 Dow Transportation 4,124.92 -49.71 Dow Utilities 401.16 -2.22 NYSE Composite 7,063.75 -117.02 Amex Market Value 1,762.11 -25.08 Nasdaq Composite 2,180.05 -26.86 S&P 500 1,096.08 -13.10 S&P MidCap 711.26 -8.20 Wilshire 5000 11,300.98 -131.22 Russell 2000 604.25 -6.96

Name

D

PIMCO TotRetIs American Funds GrthAmA m American Funds CapIncBuA m Vanguard TotStIdx TOCKS OF OCAL NTEREST American Funds CpWldGrIA m Fidelity Contra YTD YTD American Funds IncAmerA m Name Div Yld PE Last Chg%Chg Name Div Yld PE Last Chg %Chg American Funds InvCoAmA m AT&T Inc 1.64 6.0 13 27.22 -.30 -4.5 LeggPlat 1.04 5.2 74 20.01 -.15 +31.7 Vanguard 500Inv Vanguard InstIdx Amazon ... ... 75 126.91 -1.45+147.5 Lowes .36 1.5 20 23.69 ... +10.1 American Funds EurPacGrA m ArvMerit ... ... ... 10.41 +.20+265.3 Microsoft .52 1.8 19 29.60 -.50 +52.3 Dodge & Cox Stock American Funds WAMutInvA m BB&T Cp .60 2.4 18 25.37 -.28 -7.6 PPG 2.16 3.7 26 58.31 -.97 +37.4 Dodge & Cox IntlStk BkofAm .04 .3 ... 14.86 -.42 +5.5 ParkerHan 1.00 1.8 26 54.20 -1.49 +27.4 American Funds NewPerspA m BerkHa A ... ... 3098989.00-836.00+2.5 Fidelity DivrIntl d Cisco ... ... 24 23.18 -.27 +42.2 ProgrssEn 2.48 6.0 14 41.01 -.27 +2.9 American Funds FnInvA m ... ... 64 28.94 +.06+118.9 PIMCO TotRetAdm b Delhaize 2.01 2.6 ... 76.53 -.45 +21.5 RedHat Dell Inc ... ... 19 13.74 +.04 +34.2 RoyalBk g 2.00 ... ... 51.28 -.87 +72.9 American Funds BalA m DukeEngy .96 5.5 15 17.33 -.22 +15.5 SaraLee .44 3.7 20 12.05 -.21 +23.1 FrankTemp-Franklin Income A m Vanguard Welltn ExxonMbl 1.68 2.5 16 68.22 -.21 -14.5 SonicAut ... ... ... 9.77 -.04+145.5 Vanguard 500Adml FamilyDlr .54 1.9 14 28.13 +.05 +7.9 SonocoP 1.08 3.7 21 29.05 -.24 +25.4 American Funds BondA m Fidelity GrowCo FifthThird .04 .4 ... 9.55 -.07 +15.6 SpectraEn 1.00 4.9 16 20.35 -.16 +29.3 Vanguard TotStIAdm FCtzBA 1.20 .8 15 156.15 -6.21 +2.2 SpeedM .36 2.2 ... 16.44 -.07 +2.0 Vanguard TotIntl GenElec .40 2.5 14 15.79 +.10 -2.5 .36 1.5 ... 23.53 -1.07 +19.9 Vanguard InstPlus GoldmanS 1.40 .9 19 160.93 -4.06 +90.7 Timken Fidelity LowPriStk d 1.80 3.1 34 58.23 -.77 +5.6 T Rowe Price EqtyInc Google ... ... 38 593.94 -3.82 +93.1 UPS B KrispKrm ... ... ... 2.82 -.06 +67.9 WalMart 1.09 2.1 15 52.76 -.56 -5.9 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.

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.

Amusement parks hit by economy

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — The amusement park industry’s bumpy ride this year took another twist as one of the nation’s biggest park operators said it has reached a deal to be acquired by a private equity firm.

North America’s third-largest chain, Ohio-based Cedar Fair LP, will turn over its 11 amusement parks — including Carowinds— , seven water parks and five hotels to Apollo Global Management for about $635 million in cash.

The deal announced late Wednesday tops off 12 months that have turned the industry upside down with declining attendance, private acquisitions and the bankruptcy of Six Flags Inc., the world’s largest regional theme park company.

Cedar Fair’s deal comes just two months after AnheuserBusch InBev announced it would sell its 10 theme parks across the U.S., including the three SeaWorlds and two Busch Gardens, to private equity firm Blackstone Group for at least $2.3 billion.

“It all says we’re seeing limited growth,” said Dennis Spiegel, a theme-park consultant who is president of Cincinnati-based International Theme Park Services Inc. “We’re still drawing and attracting a lot of people, but this does say we’re a mature industry now.”

Attendance and revenues at many big parks have flattened out in recent years and it’s no longer a guarantee that opening an expensive roller coaster at a major theme park will bring in waves of new customers.

That made it tough for Cedar Fair and Six Flags to pay off huge debt that they accumulated on spending sprees for new parks.

Cedar Fair’s chairman and chief executive, Dick Kinzel, said the industry’s future is still bright, but it’s not likely to match the growth seen in the 1990s when parks had huge revenues and spent millions on new roller coasters and thrill rides.

“I don’t think it’s peaked,” he said. “People still like escaping and having a good time.”

Cedar Fair transformed from a regional chain to an industry giant in 2006 with its $1.24 billion acquisition of Paramount Parks Inc. The deal added five amuse-

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

Last

YTD %Chg %Chg

-1.27 -1.19 -.55 -1.63 -1.40 -1.22 -1.18 -1.14 -1.15 -1.14

+17.45 +16.62 +8.20 +22.70 +26.09 +38.24 +21.35 +32.14 +24.36 +20.98

12-mo %Chg

+19.79 +21.98 +9.77 +25.74 +30.29 +40.43 +23.81 +36.82 +27.18 +26.10

MUTUAL FUNDS

S

%Chg -21.5 -19.3 -18.6 -16.1 -15.8 -13.1 -12.3 -11.9 -11.7 -11.7

Last Chg 43.82 -.54 19.07 -.31 29.60 -.50 1.61 -.08 23.18 -.27 9.29 -.02 22.88 -.24 13.74 +.04 1.36 +.08 15.82 +.03

DIARY

Name

8,800

MOST ACTIVE ($1 OR MORE)

Name Vol (00) PwShs QQQ713197 Intel 518422 Microsoft 431951 ETrade 343286 Cisco 332258 SunMicro 330577 Oracle 327346 Dell Inc 317583 DltaPtr 293501 Yahoo 259406

10 DAYS

10,400

LOSERS ($2 OR MORE)

Name Last CenJrsyBc 3.80 CareerEd 22.88 BrdwyF 4.68 SmthtnBcp 5.10 GeoEye 26.71 Nanomtr 10.81 CitizFst 5.26 Transcat 5.87 FstBkshVA 5.07 FstSecGrp 2.80

10,200

11,200

%Chg +25.7 +19.5 +19.5 +19.0 +17.0 +15.6 +14.9 +13.8 +13.8 +13.1

10,516.70 4,198.60 408.57 7,285.67 1,887.23 2,220.46 1,119.13 721.99 11,494.55 625.30

10,360

Change: -132.86 (-1.3%)

GAINERS ($2 OR MORE)

STOCK MARKET INDEXES

52-Week High Low

Total Assets Obj ($Mlns) NAV

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

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

+0.5 +16.6/C -1.4 +30.7/C -1.2 +19.3/D -0.8 +26.7/B -3.0 +29.2/C -1.5 +26.4/D 0.0 +25.2/B -0.7 +25.6/C -1.1 +24.2/C -1.1 +24.4/C -3.3 +35.2/A -1.2 +29.8/A -0.1 +18.4/D -2.8 +43.7/A -2.0 +34.0/B -3.0 +30.2/D -1.2 +29.6/B +0.5 +16.3/C -1.2 +20.0/D +2.6 +45.0/A -0.4 +22.5/C -1.1 +24.4/C +0.4 +17.6/B -0.7 +36.8/B -0.8 +26.8/B -3.4 +33.5/A -1.1 +24.4/C -0.6 +38.7/B -0.9 +23.3/B -0.9 +38.8/A -1.0 +21.8/D +0.3 +5.2/B -1.3 +22.1/C +4.2 +25.1/C -2.3 +30.9/C

10.91 26.93 47.92 27.08 33.37 56.81 15.49 25.70 101.48 100.85 38.14 95.22 24.59 31.73 25.38 27.38 32.08 10.91 16.12 2.05 28.94 101.51 11.92 66.71 27.09 14.42 100.86 31.24 20.68 29.99 35.16 10.37 2.93 13.80 14.65

+7.1/A +2.8/A +4.0/C +0.8/B +6.2/A +4.5/A +3.0/B +1.7/A +0.3/C +0.4/C +8.1/A -0.6/D +0.3/C +6.0/A +5.8/A +4.1/C +4.0/A +6.8/A +2.0/C +3.7/B +5.0/A +0.4/C +2.7/E +4.0/A +0.9/B +5.6/B +0.4/C +3.2/A +0.7/B +3.6/A +1.1/B +4.8/A -1.7/E +0.3/B -0.4/D

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

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.

Dollar, weak profit report subdues stocks

By TIM PARADIS AP Business Writer

NEW YORK — A stronger dollar and disappointing corporate news muscled stocks lower Thursday over concerns that the economy will struggle to recover.

Major stock indexes slid 1 percent Thursday, including the Dow Jones industrial average, which fell 133 points for its third straight loss. Treasury prices jumped.

The dollar climbed to a three-month high against the euro, a sign investors were seeking safety. Investor confidence was further sapped as Citigroup Inc. sold stock at a steep discount as part of a plan to repay government loans and a forecast from FedEx Corp. fell short of expectations.

More downbeat news came in on the economy as the government reported an unexpected rise in unemployment claims. The number of new jobless claims rose to 480,000 last week, up 7,000 from the previous week.

Stocks could get a boost Friday from BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd. and software company Oracle Corp., which posted quarterly profits after the closing bell Thursday that topped expectations.

The slide Thursday came as the dollar rose, which can cut into profits of U.S. companies that do business abroad. The euro slumped after Standard & Poor’s lowered its debt rating on Greece, the latest European country to have credit problems.

A pair of improved economic reports did little to shore up the market. The Conference Board’s index of leading economic indicators rose in November for the eighth consecutive month, while the Philadelphia Federal Reserve said manufacturing in its region rose.

John Merrill, chief investment officer of Tanglewood Wealth Management in Houston, said the rising dollar was overshadowing the improvement in the economic numbers. He said the dollar was benefiting as traders concerned about rising Associated Press debt levels in countries like Greece pulled out of the euro.

Fourth of July fireworks explode over a ferris wheel at Cedar Point in “There are a lot of shifting sands as people, not Sandusky, Ohio. It’s been a bumpy ride for two of the nation’s biggest amusement park operators this year. A mountain of debt and declining just federal reserve banks, look at the underpinattendance have forced both Six Flags and Cedar Fair to shake up their nings of those currencies,” he said. operations. Ohio-based Cedar Fair LP has agreed to be acquired by asset The Dow fell 132.86, or 1.3 percent, to 10,308.26. manager Apollo Global Management for about $635 million in cash.

The broader Standard & Poor’s 500 index fell 13.10, or 1.2 percent, to 1,096.08, and the Nasdaq composite index fell 26.89, or 1.2 percent, to ment parks to its lineup, cash distributions to unit hold2,180.05. including Kings Island near ers.

Bond prices jumped, pushing yields lower. The Cincinnati, but also gave Cedar It also put up for sale two of yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note fell Fair a heavy debt load that it its amusement parks along with to 3.48 percent from 3.60 percent late Wednesday. could not escape. the site of a now-closed park The ICE Futures U.S. dollar index, which meaApollo now will assume Cedar near Cleveland, but no deals ever sures the greenback against a basket of foreign Fair’s $1.7 billion debt as long as materialized. currencies, rose 1 percent. holders of two-thirds of the comNone of that was enough, Gold rose to $ 1,107.20, while crude oil dropped 1 pany’s shares approve the transespecially in the face of a weak cent to settle at $72.65 per barrel on the New York action. economy.

Mercantile Exchange.

Cedar Fair, based in Sandusky, “We never thought it was going About three stocks fell for every one that rose already had made a number of to be as bad as it was,” said on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume moves in the past year to shore Kinzel, who got his start supercame to 1.7 billion shares compared with 1.2 billion up its bottom line. It sold a large vising food stands in 1972 at the Wednesday. chunk of land next to Canada’s company’s flagship park, Cedar The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies fell Wonderland, its park outside Point in Sandusky, and became 6.96, or 1.1 percent, to 604.25.

Toronto, and the company cut chief executive in 1986.

Christmas Special

146 N. Main St. Rutherfordton, NC 28139 (828) 288-1650

Obtain FREE email account Create, send, receive, reply, forward email

Need Help with Basic Computer Skills?

10% off total bill with this ad*

Staffed by Foothills Connect Volunteers, this FREE service is available

*Not eligible with a gift certificate *Excludes alcohol *Not Valid with Christmas Parties

at Foothills Connect on Wednesday mornings between the hours of 9am to 12pm.

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

To take advantage of this service, please call 828-288-1650 to reserve at time.

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

Split Duals with Stainless tips for Full size Ford, Chevy or Dodge 1500 series Trucks. $275 including tax (add $25 for Flowmaster)

828.245.3383

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

Gift s te ti r Ce ficable! a il a Av

12

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 18, 2009

WASHINGTON

Key player in health care vote is saying ‘no’

By ERICA WERNER Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON — A moderate Democrat whose vote could be crucial said Thursday an attempted Senate compromise on abortion is unsatisfactory, raising doubts about whether the chamber can pass President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul by Christmas.

“As it is, without modifications, the language concerning abortion is not sufficient,” Nebraska Sen. Ben Nelson, a key holdout on the health care bill, said in a statement after first making his concerns known to Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. Nelson said there were positive improvements dealing with teen pregnancy and adoption, and that he was open to further negotiations.

But in a radio interview earlier in the day with KLIN in Lincoln, Nebraska, Nelson also said that abortion wasn’t his only concern and he didn’t see how the Christmas deadline was achievable.

The development came with Senate leaders working round the clock trying to finalize their 10-year, nearly $1 trillion bill in time for a final vote on Christmas Eve. Nelson is emerging as a major obstacle — perhaps the only remaining one — since Democrats need his vote to have the 60 necessary to overcome Republican stalling tactics.

“Senator Reid will continue to work with Senator Nelson and other senators as we work to get 60 votes,” said Reid spokesman Jim Manley.

At the same time, liberals were criticizing the Senate bill for lacking a government-run insurance option, with former Democratic Party Chairman Howard

Dean calling the measure a boon for insurance companies. Andrew Stern, head of the 2.1 millionmember Service Employees International Union, said he was deeply disappointed in the bill but stopped short of urging rejection.

The Obama administration and its allies — including former President Bill Clinton — pushed back on the criticism. Clinton said that while the bill isn’t perfect, inaction would be a mistake.

“Allowing this effort to fall short now would be a colossal blunder, both politically for our party and, far more important, for the physical, fiscal, and economic health of our country,” he said in a statement in which he alluded to his own failed effort to remake health care in the 1990s.

The attempted abortion compromise offered to Nelson was written by another anti-abortion Democrat, Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, among others, and was an attempt to secure Nelson’s support for the health care bill while also keeping liberals on board.

It’s the Democrats’ latest attempt to strictly separate public and private money that could pay for abortion coverage under a remade health care system in which many lower-income people would be using new federal subsidies to buy health insurance.

Several previous attempts have been dismissed by Roman Catholic bishops and anti-abortion groups as accounting gimmicks, and this one looks like it may fare no better.

The language has not been made public but is already drawing criticism from outside groups.

Speaking to reporters,

Casey declined to directly address Nelson’s objections but said he would keep trying for a compromise.

“We’re trying to get this right,” Casey said. “I’ve had ideas on the table for a while now, I’m still working through them and we’ll keep talking to anyone who wants to discuss it.”

According to Casey, the proposed compromise included a two-year increase, from $10,000 to $11,000, in an adoption tax credit; $250 million over 10 years in new funding to help pregnant teens and others with alternatives to abortion and stronger “conscience clause” language to give protections to health care providers who don’t want to perform abortions. Casey declined to go into additional detail, but according to anti-abortion groups and others briefed on the language, another element would allow individuals opposed to abortion to seek assurances that none of their premium dollars would pay for that service.

That provision, in particular, angered anti-abortion activists.

Julie Schmit-Albin, executive director of Nebraska Right to Life, said that in her understanding the new language “still allows federal subsidies for plans that cover abortion on demand, which is entirely unacceptable.”

“The proposed opt-out clause is particularly offensive,” Schmit-Albin said.

“The federal government would treat abortion on demand as if it was really health care, and then allow people to apply for status as conscientious objectors? Give me a break.”

The abortion issue also threatened to derail health care legislation in the House, before Speaker Nancy Pelosi

ATTENTION CITIZENS AND TAXPAYERS OF RUTHERFORD COUNTY PROPERTY TAX LISTING FOR 2010 You are hereby notified that North Carolina General Statute 105-285 requires all persons to list their property annually for tax purposes.

Listing forms for the 2010 tax year will be mailed to individuals who own personal property items (such as single wide manufactured homes, boats, unregistered motor vehicles, farm equipment, and aircrafts) or received the Disabled Veteran or Homestead Exclusions for 2009.

If you have made changes to your real property, have recently purchased one of the personal property items listed above, or wish to apply for one of the exclusions, please contact the Listing/Billing office at (828) 287-6175 to receive a form or application.

For your convenience, listing assistance will be available at the Rutherford County Tax Office where there is easy ground floor accessibility. You may receive a listing form if necessary or receive assistance completing your form. Please remember to bring your pre-printed form if you received one, information on untagged vehicles you own, and social security numbers for you and your spouse.

Rutherford County Tax Office 229 North Main Street, Rutherfordton, North Carolina (Courthouse – ground floor entrance under stairwell) Weekdays, Monday through Friday, January 4 – February 1, 2008 8:30 am – 5:00 pm *Closed January 18th for Martin Luther King’s Birthday NOTE: All taxable personal property, including untagged motor vehicles, must be listed prior to February 1st to avoid a late listing penalty. Extensions may be granted for businesses until March 15th.

PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR ELDERLY AND PERMANENTLY DISABLED PERSONS For those taxpayers who are 65 years of age by January 1, 2010 or are totally and permanently disabled, you may qualify for the Homestead Exclusion or Homestead Circuit Breaker Deferment Programs. You will need to bring information on your total available income for 2009, and if disabled, a letter from your doctor must be filed with the County Tax Office. If you are currently receiving the Homestead Exclusion a new application is not necessary, however you must report your income for 2009 to continue to receive the exclusion. Failure to do so may result in the loss of your exclusion.

Applications for the Homestead Circuit Breaker Deferment program must be submitted annually. Applications may be obtained from the following: Pick up application at Rutherford County Tax Office at 229 N. Main St. Rutherfordton, NC Contact the Rutherford County Tax Office at (828) 287-6176.

Download application from county website at www.rutherfordcountync.gov APPLICATION FOR TAXATION AT PRESENT USE VALUE (LAND USE) G.S. 105-277.4. New applications for taxation at present use value must be filed during the regular listing period by any property owner desiring to have his or her property taxed at present use value. Property owners that are currently being taxed at their property’s present use value need to reapply only if they have had a change in use, acreage, or ownership in 2009.

Applications for present use value are available at the County Tax Office.

NORTH CAROLINA LAWS REGARDING PRESENT USE VALUE CHANGE ALMOST EVERY YEAR. YOU MAY WANT TO OBTAIN A COPY OF THE LAW CHANGES, WHICH ARE ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE COUNTY TAX OFFICE. DUTY TO LIST: PENALTY FOR FAILURE G.S.105-308. Every person in whose name any property is to be listed shall list this property with the County Tax Office within the time allowed by law on an abstract setting forth the information required by this Subchapter. Any person whose duty it is to list any property who willfully fails or refuses to list the same within the time prescribed by law shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) or imprisonment not to exceed six months. The failure to list shall be prima facie evidence that the failure was willful. Any person who willfully attempts, or who willfully aids and abets any person to attempt, in any manner, to evade or defeat taxes imposed, whether by removal or concealment of property or otherwise shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) or imprisonment not to exceed six months or by both such fine and imprisonment.

NOTICE OF DEADLINE FOR PAYING 2009 RUTHERFORD COUNTY REAL PROPERTY TAXES January 5, 2010 is the deadline for paying 2009 real property taxes for Rutherford County, all municipalities, and all special districts without incurring interest. On January 6, 2010, 2% interest will be added to all tax bills that are paid during the remainder of January and an additional ¾% will be added the first day of each subsequent month as required by NC General Statutes. You may go online at www.Rutherfordcountync.gov to see if you still have outstanding taxes due. However, please note that this website is normally updated during the first week of every month. Payments are accepted in the Tax Office, 229 N. Main St., Rutherfordton, a 24-hour secure drop box outside the office, or by mail to P.O. Box 143, Rutherfordton, NC 28139. Taxpayers may also pay by major credit cards online @ www.Rutherfordcountync.gov and choose the look up & pay taxes link or by telephone 1-800-272-9829, jurisdiction code 4346. Tax bills not paid by this deadline will be considered delinquent and will be subject to collection enforcement such as garnishment of wages, attachment of bank accounts, and attachment of income tax returns, rents, or foreclosure.

Associated Press

An opponent of President Obama’s health care overhaul poses with a banner during a demonstration outside the offices of Sen. Ben Nelson D-Neb., in Omaha, Neb., Tuesday.Democratic leaders in Washington were trying to finalize language restricting abortion coverage that could secure the support of Sen. Nelson, considered a moderate.

agreed to the demands of anti-abortion Democrats, who added stringent restrictions to the bill that infuriated liberals.

In the House bill, any health plan that receives any federal subsidies could not offer abortion coverage.

The Senate language as filed — and apparently under the attempted compromise — would allow federal subsidies to go to health plans that offer abortion coverage but would attempt to ensure that only private money went for the procedures.

Swine flu vaccine now available, health officials urge shots for all WASHINGTON (AP) — A flu shot for the holidays?

Finally, the nation’s supply of swine flu vaccine will reach 100 million doses by week’s end, opening the way for everyone, not just those at highest risk, to get protected.

For people who’ve been at the back of the line, “Now it’s your turn,” Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said Thursday.

Even though this new flu that scientists call the 2009 H1N1 strain is ebbing, specialists stressed that it’s too soon to say it’s over. There’s plenty of illness going around, and the 1957 flu pandemic ebbed in the fall only to bounce back in January and February.

“We have a wonderful window of

opportunity to prevent or lessen a third wave,” Sebelius said.

She got her own shot Wednesday.

Nearly half the states already had lifted restrictions on who can get vaccinated, and more will rapidly with the additional supplies, which have reached pharmacy chains in parts of the country.

The first wave of the swine flu pandemic began in April, when the strain was discovered. A larger wave started in the late summer. Through mid-November, about one in six Americans have caught this new H1N1, and about 10,000 have died, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates. Far more children and young adults have gotten seriously ill and died than in a normal flu year.

The Daily Courier office will be closed on Friday, December 25, 2009 for Christmas.

The following early deadlines apply: Publishes: Saturday, Dec. 26 Sunday, Dec. 27 Tuesday, Dec. 29 Deadline: Wednesday, Dec. 23 • 4:00 pm

Happy Holidays!

From The Staff of The Daily Courier

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 18, 2009 — 13

NATION/WORLD

U.S. doctor on run for fraud found in Italy

By MARTA FALCONI and CHARLES D. WILSON Associated Press Writers

An American doctor on the run for five years as charges of fraud and malpractice mounted against him at home was arrested as he was camping out on a snowy mountain in northern Italy, and stabbed himself in the neck as he was taken into custody, police said.

Mark Weinberger, 46, of Merrillville, Ind., was apprehended earlier this week on a mountain in Val Ferret, where he was living in a tent, police in the town of Aosta

said Thursday.

Authorities were alerted to Weinberger’s presence by a mountain guide, said police official Guido Di Vita.

Weinberger had previously rented out an apartment in the area but then left without paying and was likely trying to sneak into Switzerland, Di Vita said.

The mystery surrounding Weinberger, who was known as the “Nose Doctor,” began more than five years ago when he disappeared while traveling with his wife in Greece. He was the subject of an international dragnet

and his case was featured on “America’s Most Wanted” as recently as August.

His wife said at the time that they had been vacationing on his 79-foot powerboat in Mykonos and she woke up to find him gone. Michelle Kramer, who filed for divorce after the disappearance, told CNN’s Larry King in August 2005 that he had been troubled by malpractice lawsuits before the trip. After he vanished, she learned he had purchased diamonds before leaving, withdrew a large sum of money from his business and had taken sur-

vival gear that he kept at his Indiana clinic.

He could have been anywhere: He’d acquired yachts, vacation properties and private jets after he opened his surgery center, she told King.

As the disappearance stretched on, patients’ horror stories multiplied.

Attorney David Cutshaw of Indianapolis, whose firm represents more than 100 of Weinberger’s former patients, said Weinberger promised patients $40,000 modern sinus surgeries that should have taken up to two hours. Instead, Cutshaw

said, Weinberger performed outdated procedures that took as little as 24 minutes, enabling him to grind patients through his private surgery center as if they were on an assembly line.

Many of those patients are now seeking medical reviews by physician panels, which in turn lead to lawsuits seeking unspecified economic and emotional damages, he said.

Weinberger was indicted by a federal grand jury in Hammond, Ind., in 2006 on 22 counts of fraud for creating a scheme to overbill insurance companies.

OFFICIAL BALLOT FOR THE 2009 “BEST OF RUTHERFORD COUNTY”

THE

BEST

People

1. Best Contractor Name 2. Best Electrician Name

4. Best Doctor Name Location

6. Best Dentist Name 7. Best Optometrist Name

Rutherford County 2009

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

Dining

OF

3. Best Pharmacist Name

5. Best Nurse Name

Your ballot automatically enters you in the 2009 “BEST OF RUTHERFORD COUNTY” SWEEPSTAKES!

Firm

20. Best Chiropractor Name 21. Best Physical Therapist Name

Goods & Services 22. Best Bank Bank 23. Best Tires Business 24. Best Department Store Business 25. Best Funeral Home Business 26. Best Jewelry Store Business 27. Best Used Cars Business

28. Best Assited Care/Nursing Facility Business

47. Best Nail Salon Business

29. Best Fitness Center Business

48. Best Barber Shop Business

30. Best Computer Sales/Service Business

49. Best Carpet Dealer Business

31. Best Car Rental Business

50. Best Drug Store Business

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

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

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

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

Name (Please Print) Phone (Home)

70. Best Quick Food Restaurant

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

53. Best Appliance Store Business

79. Best Barbeque Restaurant

54. Best Pawn Shop Business

80. Best Fried Chicken Restaurant

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

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

61. Best Golf Course Business

87. Best Seafood Restaurant

62. Best Veterinarian Business

88. Best Iced Tea Restaurant or Grill

63. Best Massage Therapist Name

89. Best Ice Cream/Milkshakes Location

65. Best Interior Designer/Decorator Name

(Day)

69. Best “Southern Style” Meal Restaurant

73. Best Chinese Food Restaurant

52. Best Plumbing Company Business

RULES FOR ENTRY

68. Best Value Meal Restaurant

72. Best Italian Food Restaurant

51. Best Manufactured Homes Business

4. No mechanical reproductions (copies) of “answered ballots” will be accepted.

5. All answers must be applicable to Rutherford County for eligibility.

67. Best Home-Cooked Breakfast Business

71. Best French Fries Restaurant

64. Best Insurance Company Name

46. Best Groomer Business

66. Best Restaurant Restaurant

90. Best Desserts Restaurant, Deli or Bakery

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

9. Must be 18 years or older to participate.

Address Signature

14

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 18, 2009

NATION/WORLD

China, U.S. both make moves on climate pact

By CHARLES J. HANLEY AP Special Correspondent

COPENHAGEN — The United States and China took steps Thursday toward a broad agreement that could be sealed by President Barack Obama and Premier Wen Jiabao when they arrive at the flagging U.N. climate talks.

Fresh off a plane from Washington, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced that the U.S. would join others in raising $100 billion a year by 2020 to help poorer nations cope with global warming.

That’s a “good first step,” China’s vice foreign minister, He Yafei, said later.

Clinton made the offer contingent on reaching a broader agreement at the 193-nation conference that covers “transparency,” a reference to U.S. insistence that China allow some international review of its actions controlling emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

Going some way to meet U.S. demands, the Chinese official told reporters that Beijing was ready for “dialogue and cooperation” on its emissions actions “that is not intrusive, that does not infringe on China’s sovereignty.”

The diplomatic duel between Washington and Beijing has marked the two weeks of climate talks, which ground to a near-halt Wednesday as a chronic richpoor divide flared into the open again, dimming the hopes of the Danish hosts for a comprehensive deal — a preliminary framework for a formal treaty next year on combating climate change.

Environment ministers, having taken over from lower-level negotiators, got down to the final hours of talks Thursday in hopes of producing partial agreements to put before Obama, Wen and more than 110 other leaders at Friday’s summit.

Such accords might include the issues raised by Clinton at a news conference here: long-term goals for financing climate aid and monitoring of emissions controls.

Associated Press

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announces U.S. concession at climate talks in Copehagen Thursday.

The Clinton offer represented the first time the U.S. government has publicly cited a figure in discussions here over long-term financing to help poorer countries build sea walls against rising oceans, cope with unusual drought and deal with other impacts of climate change, while also financing renewable-energy and similar projects.

The $100 billion, a number first suggested by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, falls short of what experts say would be needed.

The World Bank and others estimate the long-term climate costs for poorer nations, from 2020 or so, would likely total hundreds of billions of dollars a year.

China and other developing countries say the target should be in the range of $350 billion.

Although the initial Chinese reaction to Clinton’s announcement was somewhat positive, a leading Bangladeshi delegate felt otherwise. “This is inad-

equate,” said Quamrul Islam Chowdhury. “We are looking for around $600 billion.”

In addition, the developing nations want long-term financial support based on stable revenue sources, such as an aviation tax that might be the goal of future international climate talks.

“It’s good there’s now been a statement of support for a clear number on long-term finance,” U.N. climate chief Yvo de Boer said of the U.S. offer. “This discussion will have to take place with other parties, whether they feel that sum is adequate.”

More immediately, the conference has been discussing a short-term climate fund to help developing countries — a $10 billion-a-year, threeyear program. European Union leaders last week committed to supplying $3.6 billion a year through 2012. On Wednesday, Japan, seeking to “contribute to the success” of Copenhagen, announced it would kick in $5 billion a year for three years.

U.S. funding is hovering

at only around $1 billion this year, and Clinton, when asked, did not specify how much Washington would contribute to the “fast start” package.

“We’ll do our proportion of ‘fast start’,” the secretary of state said.

De Boer commented afterward, “I’m keenly looking forward to hearing what the U.S. contribution to that fund will be.”

The “transparency” issue relates to recent pledges by such major developing countries as China, India and Brazil to rein in the growth of their emissions by specific amounts — on a voluntary basis.

Under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, 37 industrialized nations that must cut their emissions — not including the U.S., which rejects Kyoto — are required to file detailed reports to the U.N., where they are subject to review.

China and other developing nations were not required to reduce emissions under Kyoto or file regular greenhouse-gas “inventories.” Now that they have pledged voluntary controls, the United States wants their emissions actions to be “measurable, reportable and verifiable,” in U.N. terminology.

The Chinese had resisted what they see as a potential intrusion on their sovereignty. But without that, Clinton told reporters, “there will not be the kind of concerted global action that we so desperately need.”

The issue is particularly sensitive in the U.S. Congress, where members want to ensure China is living up to its own internal commitments.

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., said he had discussed the issue with Chinese officials Wednesday and progress was being made. Conference observer Jake Schmidt, of the New York-based Natural Resources Defense Council, suggested the Chinese might satisfy their critics by submitting yearly reports, with more detail.

China’s seeming willingness to enhance the verifiability of its actions was “a clear

shift in their position,” said Srinivas Krishnaswamy of Greenpeace.

The monitoring problem “is a big one because we don’t know what we’re counting,” said Melinda Kimball, senior vice president of the U.N. Foundation and a former top U.S. climate negotiator.

In China, so many new coal-fired plants are being built that it is difficult for international energy experts to figure out the precise carbon dioxide output.

Experts’ estimates of carbon dioxide emissions are based on fuel going into power plants and complex formulas based on power plant efficiency. But those estimates are also dependent on reliable information about fuel and efficiency; they could be skewed by inaccurate input.

The detailed talks on a range of issues — from emissions commitments, to preventing deforestation, to transferring clean-energy technology — reached an impasse Wednesday when developing nations objected to the process that produced a core draft document.

In a reprise of a perennial complaint at the annual conferences, the poorer nations said they were being excluded from the drafting of the text, that wealthier nations’ views were being imposed on the developing world.

The U.S. came under renewed pressure to improve its pledge of greenhousegas emission cutbacks — by about 17 percent by 2020, compared with 2005 figures. That’s only a 3 percent to 4 percent reduction from 1990, the benchmark year for the Kyoto countries and the basis for the EU’s pledge to cut emissions by at least 20 percent by 2020.

Climate Action Network International, the coalition of environmental groups at the conference, estimate that emissions path would raise global temperatures about 4 degrees Celsius (7 degrees Fahrenheit) by midcentury, well beyond what scientists say is a 2-degree C (3.6-degree F) threshold for seriously damaging climate change.

DINING GUIDE

DINING GUIDE We would like to say Thank you to our customers for patronizing us this year! We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Open New Year’s Day All you can eat Buffet with all your New Year’s Favorites $7 including beverage and dessert

dine-in or take out

Opal & Darvin Crain - Owners

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

221 South, Rutherfordton, NC

(828) 287-2020

Want Downhome Cooking Served Downhome Friendly?

Then stop in and see us at

Doc & Ollie’s Deli Now Open for Breakfast Open 7 Days A Week!

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

SCOGGIN’S Seafood & Steak House Inc.

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

December Specials We know Christmas can be tough so our present to all our customers is

25% off every night

between now and Dec. 31st. Starts at 4pm (includes gift certificates)

Mon-Sat 11am-9pm Closed Sun

Ribeye Surf & Turf Five Cheese Ravioli Buccaneer’s Platter Drink Specials Every Weekend!

300 Chimney Rock Road, Rutherfordton

828-287-3167 Curt Hall Owner/Operator

Lunch Tues-Fri. 11:00am-2:00pm One mile west of Rutherfordton Dinner: Tues. - Sat. 4:00pm -11pm NC Hwy 74

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 18, 2009 — 15

world

al-Qaida sites hit, 34 killed

SAN’A, Yemen (AP) — Yemeni security forces struck several al-Qaida hide-outs and training sites Thursday, killing at least 34 suspected militants, including four would-be suicide bombers who planned attacks at home and abroad, officials said. At least 17 suspected militants were arrested.

It was an unusually direct assault against alQaida by Yemen, which is under U.S. pressure to act more vigorously against the terrorist network on its territory.

An impoverished nation on the southwestern corner of the Arabian Peninsula, Yemen has struggled to deal with al-Qaida’s growing presence in its mountains and deserts as well as its homegrown Islamic extremism.

Al-Qaida militants, including fighters returning from Afghanistan and Iraq, have established sanctuaries among a number of Yemeni tribes, particularly ones in three provinces bordering Saudi Arabia known as the “triangle of evil� because of the heavy militant presence, according to Yemeni authorities.

Thursday’s operations were aimed at al-Qaida in an area not far from the capital, San’a, and in the southern province of Abyan.

In the south, airstrikes followed by a ground operation targeted a training camp and killed 30 suspected militants, said Saleh el-Shamsy, a security official for Abyan province.

Other local security officials and several witnesses said civilians were also caught up in the government offensive in the southern province. The security officials said the number of dead had reached 52, of which only seven were known in their communities to be al-Qaida operatives.

Their claims could not be independently verified. Airstrikes destroyed several civilian homes and troops stormed others, mistaking them for al-Qaida hide-outs, they said.

Suicide bomber in Kabul

Associated Press

A Turkish soldier with the NATO led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) stands guard, right, at the scene of a suicide car bomb attack in Kabul, Afghanistan on Tuesday. A suicide car bomber struck a heavily guarded neighborhood Tuesday near the home of a former Afghan vice president and a hotel favored by Westerners, killing at least eight people and wounding dozens, officials said.

Place Your Holiday Orders!

Close 2:00pm December 24 ÂŽ

Chicken Tenders Barbecue Chicken

Since 1968 W. Main St., Forest City Open Tues-Thur 11-8 • Fri-Sat 11-9 CALL TODAY.........245-6241 1-800-897-6820 • Whole Shoulders • Pork or Beef • Pounds

Re-Open Dec. 29-31, 2009 Reopen 11:00 AM Fri., Jan. 2, 2009

Closed December 25th - January 1st

For A Special Christmas Gift Give A Book

Precious Memories The history of Bill’s Creek community since 1785 and the development of Lake Lure in the 1920’s with a history of Lake Lure School.

Call 1-828-625-4575

LIFECare

ď€

ď€ " Openings for all agesď€ & Adult Day Serving Ellenboro and the surrounding areas ď€

open 6.30am to 6.00 pm

Providing Loving Care in a Christian Environment State approved food program

821 Webb Rd. Ellenboro

828-453-8700

“Teach them the good way to walk’’ 1 Kings 8:37

Points To Ponder Lanny funchess

––– funeraL director –––

Planning Makes sense

Many of us have been forced to make decisions about funeral arrangements for relatives or friends when we are most overcome by grief and unsure of what to do. This often leaves us with the question, “Did I do the right thing?�

requirements, and funeral options can reduce confusion or uncertainty later. Writing down your funeral wishes and discussing them with your probable survivors will reduce the burden on them by letting them know how you would like things conducted. This not only will allow for your wishes to be followed, but will be a blessing to those who are left behind to make the final decisions

Death is not a subject with which most people feel comfortable. They find it troubling to preplan their own funeral, but planning ahead is the best way to assure that whoever arranges your funeral, whether it is a relative, friend or caretaker, will handle it in a way you deem most meaningful. Your final desires can be carried out carefully by preplanning with a funeral service professional.

“Quality Service with Compassionate Care�

Securing information in advance about cost

(828) 657-6383

Harrelson Funeral Home 1251 hwy. 221-a, forest city, nc

www.harrelsonfuneralhome.com

Is Now Also Offering Video Surveillance for Residential & Commercial All types of security cameras available.

Break Ins are at an all time high!

Have peace of mind today!

Call 828-657-4401

Owned & # by Wayne Litaker Operated

The Best ) in Adult Day Care Liberty Daycare A Ministry of Liberty Baptist Church

Video Specialties & Photography

Service

N Nurse on Duty N Safe Environment '$( N Activities, Outings N Medical Monitoring N Nutritious Meals N Chaplain on staff N Call for a Free Trial Visit 859 Thunder Road, Spindale (828) 288-1697

We welcome former AirCare patients to our comprehensive oxygen, C-PAP machine and professional respiratory services.

Please visit or call.

139 E. Main St., Forest City

828-245-4591

Over 30 Years Experience

ď€

Time for ď€ Just

in

ď€ Christmas....

!

LOTS of new merchandise ď€ ď€‚ď€ƒď€‚ď€„ď€…ď€ƒď€‚ď€‚ď€†ď€‡ď€ˆď€‰ď€Šď€… and &

on Mark-down select items!!!!!!!

Monograms and More 149 South Main Rutherfordton NC

286-2266

16

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 18, 2009

SHOE by Chris Cassat and Gary Brookins

THE GRIZZWELLS by Bill Schoor

BROOM-HILDA by Russell Myers

DILBERT by Scott Adams

GIL THORP by Jerry Jenkins, Ray Burns and Frank McLaughlin

THE BORN LOSER by Art and Chip Sansom

ARLO AND JANIS by Jimmy Johnson

FRANK AND ERNEST by Bob Thaves

EVENING

DECEMBER 18 DSH DTV 7:00

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

BROADCAST STATIONS

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

3 4 7 13 2 12 6 8 97 10

3 4 7 9 13 16 21 33 40 62

News Mil Ent. Inside News Scene Inside Ent. Wheel J’par In Touch-Dr Two Sein Busi NC Payne My Mkg Con Fam Office

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

Criminal Criminal Criminal Criminal CSI: Miami Criminal 106 & Park } ››› Boyz N the Hood Drea Drea Mo’Nique W. Williams Blue Collar Comedy Tour Ron White Ron White Ron White Ron White CNN Tonight Camp. Brown Larry King Anderson Cooper 360 Å Larry King Deadliest Deadliest Deadliest Deadliest Deadliest Deadliest Sport NBA NBA Basketball: Bucks at Cavaliers NBA Basketball NFL Foot College Football SportsCenter NFL Nation FOX Report O’Reilly Hannity On Record O’Reilly Hannity My NHL Hockey: Hurricanes at Panthers Post Final Poker Final Top 50 Double Jpdy } ›› Next (‘07) } ››› The Departed (‘06) Matt Damon Rom Film William Shakespeare William Shakespeare The Note } Christmas in Canaan (‘09) Most Wonderful Gold Gold House House Prop Prop House Buck House House Un First House Buck Marvels Christmas Decoding Ancient Dis. Rituals Christmas Grey’s Anat.

Grey’s Anat. } An Accidental Christmas Will Will Fra Me iCarly iCarly Merry Christmas Lopez Lopez Nanny Nanny Nanny Nanny UFC Fight Night UFC: Best of 2009 Video Justice Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man Sanctuary (N) Stargate Sanctuary Name Name } Madagascar (‘05) :45 } ››› Madagascar Funny The Holiday George } ›› Enchanted April 4 Weddings Amazing Dress Dress Dress Dress Dress Weddings Dress Dress Weddings Bones } ›› The Nativity Story } ›› The Nativity Story Cheaper John Bat John Ben Star De King King Chick Amer Aqua Moral Dan NBA Basketball: Jazz at Hawks Post Race Wm. Basketball } ››› Elf (‘03) Å } ››› Enchanted (‘07) :01 House American Home Videos } ›› Behind Enemy Lines WGN News Scru Scru S. S.

8651 8182 8181 8650 8180 8192 8183 8190 8184 8185

Frosty Frosty Celebrating Law & Order Dateline NBC Frosty Frosty Medium Å Supernanny 20/20 Å Supernanny 20/20 Å Nite Line Wis Dollhouse (N) Å North Wash Peo Ex Friday Night SmackDown!

Wash NOW Bill Moyers Vampire Vampire

NUMB3RS News Letterman Late Jay Leno News Tonight Show Late NUMB3RS News Letterman Late 20/20 Å News Night J. Kimmel 20/20 Å News Night J. Kimmel Praise the Lord Å Good Tonight News Blitz Sein Frien Frien Jim Christmas Bill Moyers BBC Rose News Ac TMZ Dr. Oz Show Chea Globe Tavis BBC Charlie Rose News Office Fam 70s Name Lopez

CABLE CHANNELS

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

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

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

PREMIUM CHANNELS

MAX ENC HBO SHO STARZ

510 520 500 540 530

310 340 300 318 350

512 526 501 537 520

Street Kings My Blue Hvn. Fool’s Gold In NFL Prom Night

} ››› Patriot Games } ››› Clear and Present Danger Life } ›› Desperado :45 } Enter the Dragon (‘73) } ›› Dragnet (‘87) Joe Buck } ››› Tropic Thunder } ››› The Wrestler (‘08) Nurse Wee Cali Cali Dexter Boxing: ShoBox National Treasure: Book Crash (N) Confess-Shop

Menu battle ruins Christmas feast Dear Abby: My wife and I are involved in a power struggle with my brother. At Christmas we invite him and his family to our home. We try to make our Christmas dinner fun and festive, so a lot of planning goes into the menu.

Every year, a day or two before the event, my brother calls to ask what’s on the menu, then offers his unwanted opinion on what we should or shouldn’t serve.

Last year he told me he wouldn’t be able to enjoy the meal because we weren’t serving one of the items he feels is “traditional” in our family.

He says he’s family so he’s entitled to make suggestions. When I was unwilling to accommodate his “simple” request, he got upset. I’m on the verge of not inviting his family in the future. Who is right? — Offended Dear Offended: You are. Your brother may be family, but his behavior is childish and impolite. When he calls this year and starts the drill, if he tells you he doesn’t think he will enjoy the meal if he can’t dictate the menu, serve him a dose of reality. Tell him that your menu is already set and if he wants something in addition he can prepare it and bring it with him — or make other plans.

Dear Abby: When my in-laws moved to town, we exchanged keys in case of emergencies. The problem is they never call prior to using our

Dear Abby Abigail van Buren

key. Although they do nice things, like dropping off gifts or plants, when I see something on the counter that wasn’t there before I left home, I feel invaded. They drop off these “presents” specifically when no one is home.

Abby, they are retired and could drop things off when we are home and the children can see them and visit with them.

I was taught not to use a key unless specifically instructed to do so or for an emergency. My neighbors and I have called regarding perishables that need to be dropped off, so why can’t family? My husband thinks my feelings are off base and that family is forgiven for almost everything.

Please advise, as I am about to change the locks. — Invaded Dear Invaded: Before changing the locks, have a chat with your inlaws and explain that coming home and finding things that weren’t there when you left makes you uncomfortable. Tell them you would prefer they not come in without giving you prior notice.

Empty sella syndrome causes headaches Dear Dr. Gott: My 45-year-old daughter has had a headache every day for the past six months and is now being treated for migraines. She recently had an MRI of her brain, which showed that her pituitary gland is empty. What in the world does that mean? Please help me to understand.

Dear Reader: I believe your daughter is suffering from empty sella syndrome. This is a condition in which the pituitary gland shrinks or becomes flattened and does not show up on MRI scans.

The pituitary gland produces several important hormones that control other glands within the body. It is vital to the maintaining normal function of the ovaries, testicles, thyroid and adrenal glands. The ovaries produce the female hormone estrogen. The testicles produce the male hormone testosterone. The thyroid gland produces several hormones that aid metabolism. The adrenal

PUZZLE

Ask Dr. Gott Dr. Peter M. Gott

glands also produce several life-sustaining hormones, such as cortisol, which aid stress responses and have many other functions.

There are two forms of empty sella syndrome: primary and secondary.

Primary occurs when a hole develops in the pituitary gland covering. This allows fluid to get in and press on the gland. Secondary occurs when the gland has become damaged. This is often the result of radiation therapy, a tumor or surgery. It may also be the result of a condition known as pseudotumor cerebri, which causes intracranial pressure to increase, such as is seen with a tumor but without the actual tumor.

IN THE STARS

Your Birthday, Dec. 18;

Conditions in general are likely to be far more enjoyable for you.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) - Use your powers of persuasion to bargain for something.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) - Should you find that very person you need to promote something for you in a good mood today, take advantage.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) - Conditions are stirring in ways that could produce benefits.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) - Give full reign to your imagination and resourcefulness.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) - Shoot for something different today, even if it is a bit grander than anything you’ve ever gone for.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) - Closely observe another whose mode of operation you admire.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) - There’s money out there to be made. Give priority to whatever it is you can do to try.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) - Contact that associate who has been a bit standoffish lately. Constructive measures can be taken.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) While working on a project you’ve taken on, chances are you’ll think of a unique new way of putting it together.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept.

22) - Take advantage of the holiday’s festivities that are likely to bring you in close contact with someone you’d like to get to know better.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) - Follow your impulses if they are directing you to purchase something different.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) - You’re presently in a hopeful cycle where your fondest wishes have wonderful chances of being gratified. Remain positive in your outlook.

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 18, 2009 — 17 The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, FRIDAY, December 18, 2009 — 17

NATION/WORLD

Pentagon says insurgents have hacked drone videos

By PAULINE JELINEK Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON — Insurgents in Iraq and Afghanistan have hacked into live video feeds from Predator drones, a key weapon in a Pentagon spy system that serves as the military’s eyes in the sky for surveillance and intelligence collection.

Though militants could see the video, there is no evidence they were able to jam the electronic signals from the unmanned aerial craft or take control of the vehicles, a senior defense official said Thursday, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence issues.

Obtaining the video feeds can provide insurgents with critical information about what the military may be targeting, including buildings, roads and other facilities.

Shiite fighters in Iraq used off-the-shelf software programs such as SkyGrabber — available for as little as $25.95 on the Internet — to regularly capture drone video feeds, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. The interception, first done there at least a year ago, was possible because the remotely flown planes had unprotected communications links.

Within the last several months, the military has found evidence of at least one instance where insurgents in Afghanistan also monitored U.S. drone video, a second defense official said. He had no details on how many times it was done in Afghanistan or by which group.

The Defense Department has addressed the issue, and is working to encrypt all of its drone video feeds from Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan, defense officials said. One defense official noted that upgrading the encryption in the drones is a lengthy process because there are at least 600 unmanned vehicles along with thousands of

Associated Press

This undated handout photo provided by the U.S. Air Force shows a MQ-9 Reaper, armed with GBU-12 Paveway II laser guided munitions and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, piloted by Col. Lex Turner during a combat mission over southern Afghanistan.

ground stations to address.

Officials said that systems in key threat areas were upgraded first.

Dale Meyerrose, former chief information officer for the U.S. intelligence community, compared the problem to street criminals listening to police scanners.

“This was just one of the signals, a broadcast signal, and there was no hacking. It is the interception of a broadcast signal,” said Meyerrose, who worked to field the unmanned systems in the 1990s, when he was a senior Air Force officer.

The problem, he said, is that when the drones were first being developed they were using commercial equipment, which as time goes on could become vulnerable to intercepts.

The Predator, also currently used in the hunt for al-Qaida and other militants in Pakistan, Somalia and elsewhere, can fly for hours remotely controlled by pilots thousands of miles away. It can fly armed or unarmed, and is part of a growing arsenal of such craft that includes the Reaper and Raven as well as a new, high-tech video sensor system called the Gorgon Stare, being installed on Reapers.

The military has known about the vulnerability for more than a decade, but assumed adversaries would not be able to exploit it.

Then in December 2008, the military apprehended a Shiite militant in Iraq whose laptop contained files of intercepted drone video feeds, the Journal reported. In July, they found pirated feeds on other militant laptops, leading some officials to conclude that groups trained and funded by Iran were regularly intercepting feeds and sharing them with multiple extremist groups.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates asked the Pentagon’s intelligence chief, James R. Clapper, Jr., to look into the problem and coordinate the work to address it. Officials said that when the intercepts were discovered in July 2008, it raised concerns, but technical adjustments were not difficult and were put in motion quickly.

The hacking is just another example of how formidable and inventive the extremists can be. The U.S. has spent billions of dollars, for instance, fighting homemade bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan, the No. 1 killer of troops and the weapon of choice by militants who have easy access to the materials needed to make them and use modern telecommunications networks to exchange information about how to improve them.

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said the military continually evaluates the technologies it uses and quickly corrects any vulnerabilities found.

Scientists watch deep-sea volcano eruption for first time

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Scientists have witnessed the eruption of the deepest submarine volcano ever discovered, capturing for the first time video of fiery bubbles of molten lava as they exploded 4,000 feet beneath the surface of the Pacific Ocean in what researchers are calling a major geological discovery.

A submersible robot witnessed the eruption during an underwater expedition in May near Samoa, and the high-definition videos were present-

ed Thursday at a geophysics conference in San Francisco.

Scientists hope the images, data and samples obtained during the mission will shed new light on how the ocean’s crust was formed, how some sea creatures survive and thrive in an extreme environment and how the earth behaves when tectonic plates ram into each other.

“It was an underwater Fourth of July,” said Bob Embley, a marine geologist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

“Since the water pressure at that depth suppresses the violence of the volcano’s explosions, we could get the underwater robot within feet of the active eruption.”

The eruption was a spectacular sight: Bright-red magma bubbles shot up releasing a smoke-like cloud of sulfur, then froze almost instantly as they hit the cold sea water, causing black rock to sink to the sea floor.

The submersible hovered near the blasts, its robotic arm reaching into the lava to collect samples.

Earth and ocean scientists also said the eruption allowed them to see for the first time the real-time creation of a material called boninite, which had previously been found only in samples a million or more years old.

Witnessing this deep-sea volcanic eruption was 25 years in the making. Researchers from NOAA and the National Science Foundation had studied deep-sea volcanoes extensively but never witnessed an eruption this deep and in this detail.

CLASSIFIEDS Contact Erika Meyer to place your ad!

Call: 828-245-6431 Fax: 828-248-2790 Email: emeyer@thedigitalcourier.com In person: 601 Oak St., Forest City DEADLINES: New Ads, Cancellations & Changes Tuesday Edition.............Monday, 12pm Wednesday Edition......Tuesday, 2pm Thursday Edition......Wednesday, 2pm Friday Edition...............Thursday, 2pm Saturday Edition................Friday, 2pm Sunday Edition......................Friday, 2pm

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

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

*4 line minimum on all ads Apartments Richmond Hill Senior Apts. in Rfdtn 1BR Units w/handicap accessible units avail.

Sec 8 assistance avail.

287-2578 Hours: Mon., Tues., & Thurs.

7-3. TDD Relay 1-800-735-2962 Equal Housing Opportunity.

Income Based Rent.

Apartments Nice 2 Bedroom Townhouse Apt & 1 Bedroom Apt across from Super 8 Motel in Spindale $385/mo. & $515/mo.

Call 828-447-1989 2 & 3BR Close to downtown Rfdtn. D/w, stove, refrig., w/d hook up. No pets! 287-0733

NOTICE TO BOSTIC ELECTRIC CUSTOMERS You will have an interruption in service on Sunday, December 20, 2009 at 1AM for 2 hours. The rain date will be Monday, January 4, 2010 at 1AM.

Apartments 2BR/1BA Apartment for Rent Close to ICC $325/month + deposit Call 245-7115

Classic & charming

Apt. with storage garage. Clean 2 Bedroom Brick at 433 E. Main St., Forest City $475/mo.

Call 828-447-3233 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

CLASSIFIED ADS WORK! CALL TODAY TO PLACE YOUR AD! 828-245-6431

1 WEEK SPECIAL

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

2 WEEK SPECIAL

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

3 DAY WEEKEND SPECIAL

YARD SALE SPECIAL

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

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

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

Valid 12/14/09 - 12/18/09

Homes

Homes

Homes

Homes

Mobile Homes

For Sale

For Sale

For Rent

For Rent

For Rent

2 & 3BR Homes for Rent in Spindale & FC. Must have ref’s. No pets! Call 287-6877

Furn. 2BR/1BA cabin in Lake Lure $680/mo. includes utilities & Dish TV 828-625-9253

GREAT STARTER in Cleveland County!

3BR/1BA Brick ranch w/great features - brick fireplace in family room, large eat-in kitchen, hardwoods, in-ground pool, large fenced backyard, swing set and 2 storage sheds remain. $94,900 #45277 Coldwell Banker Mountain View Real Estate Contact Marsha Brown 704-284-0137

1BR/1BA Owner financing with down payment! Central heat & air, 2 out buildings. $32,000 Call 657-4430

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

704-376-8081

1, 2 & 3 BEDROOM

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

Rentals Unlimited

245-7400

2BR/2BA on 2 ac. in Lake Lure, 200’ bold running stream, close to new charter school opening 2010, w/d, cen. h/a. $750/mo.

Call Eddy Zappel 828-289-9151 or Marco 954-275 0735 2BR/1BA Dual pane windows, ceiling fans, window a/c, w/d hookup. East Court St., Rfdtn. $310/mo.

1/2 off 2nd month App. 828-748-8801

Mobile Homes For Rent (2) 3BR/2BA on priv. road, full ac., quiet, wooded. Also, large camper accommodates 2 on priv. road, water & electric provided. Must be seen. Priced right!

Call 245-8734 3BR SW & 3BR DW in Harris. Water & sewer incld. $350 & $450/mo. + dep. 828-748-8801

2BR & 3BR Stove, refrig., cable, lawn service & trash incld. $260-$350/mo. + dep.

No cats! Long term only! Call 453-0078

or 429-8822

2BR/1BA in Ellenboro Refrig., stove, washer & dryer. $350/mo. + deposit. 828-305-4476 2BR in Chase area $325/mo. + deposit. No pets! 828-223-1030 or 657-1828 after 6pm Single wide Shiloh: 2BR/2BA No Pets! $425/mo. + $300 dep.

245-5703 or 286-8665

SUBSCRIPTIONS MAKE GREAT GIFTS! PURCHASE ONE TODAY!

18 — The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, FRIDAY, December 18, 2009 Real Estate

8039.0000006 09-SP-495

Wanted

NOTICE OF SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE'S FORECLOSURE SALE OF REAL PROPERTY UNDER AND BY VIRTUE of the power and authority contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed and delivered by Derrick K. Odom and Linda T. Odom, dated May 9, 2003 and recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Rutherford County, North Carolina, recorded on May 9, 2003, in Book 0728 at Page 0327; and because of default in the payment of the indebtedness secured thereby and failure to carry out and perform the stipulations and agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the indebtedness secured by said Deed of Trust, the under-signed Substitute Trustee will place for sale, at public auction, to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at Rutherford County Courthouse, in Rutherfordton, North Carolina at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, December 22, 2009, that parcel of land, including improvements thereon, situated, lying and being in the City of Bostic, County of Rutherford, State of North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Situate, lying and being in Cool Springs Township, Rutherford County, North Carolina and being a part of the division of the Ethel W. Magness, et vir Jack Magness and S.W. Washburn et ux Marguerite Property as shown on a plat which is of record in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Rutherford County in Plat Book 12, Page 136. It is more particularly described as follows; Being Lots Number 15 and 16 and 25, 26 and 27 as shown on said plat.

Also conveyed herewith is that property as described in deed to Charles N. James recorded in Deed Book 651, Page 148, Rutherford County Registry, described according to said deed as follows: Being a part of the division of the Ethel W. Magness, et vir. Jack Magness and S.W. Washburn et ux Marguerite Washburn Property as shown on a plat which is of record in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Rutherford Co., NC, in Plat Book 12, Page 136, an being to particular that strip 60 foot in width, noted on said plat as a private road, which strip is located between Lots 15 and 16 said plat.

THIS CONVEYANCE IS MADE SUBJECT TO the following easements: A utility and drainage easement for each lot ten (10) feet at the rear, ten (10) feet at each side and ten (10) feet at the front. Thirty (30) foot draining easement (fifteen) 15 feet on each side, along all creeks, branches and existing drainage ditches.

Mobile home w/land or

house. Need owner fin. $2,500 DP $350-$425/ mo. 864-972-0498

Vacation Property New Year’s Eve Retreat 2BR Condo at 5 star resort in Myrtle Beach 4 nights 12/281/1/10 $525 obo. Call 453-1532 or 429-6535

Help Wanted Entry level admin asst Accounting background helpful. PO Box 1000, Rfdtn, NC 28139

Immediate openings in Rutherford Co. for Substance Abuse Counselors & Mental Health Therapists. LCSW,

Help Wanted FT position for a Marketing Coordinator

at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.

Position requires a minimum of a two year associate degree in Business, Marketing, Communications or related field, bachelor’s degree preferred, and a minimum of four years experience in customer service, sales, marketing, and/or public relations.

Position requires excellent management skills, the ability to work well within a team and the ability to be innovative, flexible, creative & organized.

Knowledge of the hospice philosophy, reimbursement and certification issues preferred. EOE. Please apply at: http://www.hocf.org

LPC, CCS, LCAS or CSAC preferred.

Help Wanted Part Time RN/LPN Phlebotomy exp. req. Mobile insurance exams. Fax resume to 828-254-2441

For Sale Christmas wreaths & arrangements $20 & under, Christmas dishes (brand new in box - set of 4) $5 ea. some custom built furniture, 2 cherry sitting chairs w/floral pattern (like new) $20 ea., fireplace board w/duck painting $40, plum colored formal dress, size 7/8 (worn once, very nice) $15 All items are located in Boiling Springs, NC Call 704-472-7326

Want To Buy I PAY CASH FOR DIABETIC TEST STRIPS Up to $10 per 100 ct. Call Frank 828-577-4197

Fax resumes to: 828-245-2548 NOTICE OF CONSTRUCTION PRIOR TO RECEIPT OF AIR PERMIT

Being the same and identical property which was conveyed by Phillip S. Greene and wife, LaDonna H. Greene to Derrick K. Odom and wife, Linda T. Odom by deed dated March 13, 2000 and of record in Deed Book 749, at Page 698, Rutherford County Registry.

Address of property: 320 Pea Ridge Road, Bostic, NC 28018 Present Record Owners: Derrick K. Odom a/k/a Derrick Kenneth Odom and Linda T. Odom a/k/a Linda Turner Odom The terms of the sale are that the real property hereinbefore described will be sold for cash to the highest bidder. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. In the event that the Owner and Holder or its intended assignee is exempt from paying the same, the successful bidder shall be required to pay revenue stamps on the Trustee's Deed, and any Land Transfer Tax. The real property hereinabove described is being offered for sale "AS IS, WHERE IS" and will be sold subject to all superior liens, unpaid taxes, and special assessments. Other conditions will be announced at the sale. The sale will be held open for ten (10) days for upset bids as by law required.

If the Trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the Trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the Trustee, in his sole discretion, if he believes the challenge to have merit, may declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.

Notice is hereby given that Duke Energy Carolinas LLC is proposing to begin construction pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 143-215.108A. Construction will begin prior to the receipt of an operating air permit from the North Carolina Division of Air Quality (NCDAQ), for an alteration of the existing Cliffside Steam Station electric generating facility located in Cliffside, North Carolina. The proposed alteration involves minor changes to the design of various station support facilities, including coal, limestone, gypsum, and ash materials handling systems and associated particulate dust collectors (as applicable) which are to be constructed as part of the facility modernization project. Written comments regarding the proposed alteration may be submitted to the NCDAQ at the following address: Attention: Dr. Donald R. van der Vaart, Ph.D., P.E. Chief, Air Permits Section North Carolina Division of Air Quality 1641 Mail Service Center Raleigh, North Carolina 27699-1641 The NCDAQ will consider all comments received regarding the proposed construction.

The Cliffside Steam Station is located at the following address: Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC Cliffside Steam Station 573 Duke Power Road Cliffside, Rutherford County, NC 28024

Additional Notice Where the Real Property is Residential With Less Than 15 Rental Units: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days’ written notice to the landlord. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a bona fide lease or tenancy may have additional rights pursuant to Title VII of 5.896 - Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act which became effective on May 20, 2009.

Dated: December 1, 2009 _____________________________________ David A. Simpson, P.C. Substitute Trustee (704) 619-6551 Posted:_____ Witness:______ Assistant/Deputy Clerk of Superior Court

Facility Contact Person for Permit Revision: Kris W. Knudsen, Principal Environmental Specialist Duke Energy Corporation P.O. Box 1006, Mail Code 13K Charlotte, NC 28201-1006 The current air permit for this facility is Air Permit No. 04044T29, issued to Cliffside Steam Station, Cliffside, North Carolina, on March 13, 2009.

The facilities to be altered in this revision include the coal and limestone railcar unloading equipment; coal crusher building and associated wet particulate dust collector; coal and limestone conveyor belts; coal, limestone, and gypsum storage piles; and a clarification/addition of a fabric filter dust collector on the ash handling system. The total estimated change in particulate emissions (PM10) is estimated to be 1.3 tons per year.

The proposed construction for the alteration is scheduled to begin starting the later of January 1, 2010, or 15 days after receipt of this "notice of intent" by the Division of Air Quality for any of these changes which require advance notice and revisions to the existing permit. The construction is to be completed by approximately August, 2012.

Want To Buy

WILL BUY YOUR JUNK Cars & Trucks Pick up at your convenience!

Call 223-0277 Trucks 2005 Ford F-150 Pick Up 5.4 V8 engine, many extras, 29k mi.

Mint cond! 288-8593

Pets Free Mountain Feist mixed puppies 8 wks old Call 453-9921 leave message

Lost

M Black & white cat 2 1/2 yrs. old. Needs meds! Lost 11/13 on Freeman Rd. in Bostic.

Call 828-748-1165 Male Grey Tabby Cat 10-12 lbs., 3 yrs. old.

Needs meds! Lost 12/14 from Grayson Bostic Rd./ Bethany Church Rd. area. Call 289-5989 or 245-0222

Found Male Cat White with tiger grey. Found 12/15 Alexander Mills area, off Broadway.

Call 248-5668 lv msg Male Blue Tick Hound wearing collar.

Found 12/2 Shiloh/ Holly Springs area Call 245-7368

Yard Sales CHRISTMAS SALE Local Pottery by Diane Holland Fri. & Sat. 9A-5P Miller Rd. (off Hwy 108, 1 mi. from Hospital) TOYS FOR CHRISTMAS FC: 174 S. Quail Lane (off of Doggett Rd.) Saturday 7A-until

YARD SALE Ellenboro 1917 Oak Grove Church Rd. Sat. 8Auntil Chairs, locking bookcase, bar, wooden whisky barrel and more!

YARD SALES ARE A GREAT PLACE TO FIND A DEAL!

BUSINESS&SERVICE DIRECTORY

The Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, FRIDAY, December 18, 2009 — 19

AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING

HOME IMPROVEMENT

GRADING & HAULING

Specializing In Metal Roofing.....Offered In Many Colors Guaranteed Lowest Prices on Vinyl DH Windows

“We’re Not Comfortable Until You Are” “Serving Rutherford & Cleveland County For 30 Years” NC License 6757 • SC License 4299 FAST RELIABLE SERVICE ON ALL BRANDS Free Estimates • Best Warranties All Work Guaranteed Service • Installation • Duct Cleaning • IAQ Gas / Oil / Heat Pumps / Geothermal / Boilers Residential & Commercial 24 Hour Emergency Service

DAVID’S GRADING We do it all

No job too small

828-657-6006

245-1141

Track Hoe Work, Tractor Work , Dozer Work, Bobcat Work, Trenching, Grading and Land Clearing, Hauling Gravel, Sand, Dirt, Etc.

www.shelbyheating.com

FREE ESTIMATE

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

HOME REPAIR

WINDOWS & SIDING STORM DOORS

Family Owned & Operated Local Business

Free Estimates & Fully Insured Licensed Contractor

Licensed Contractor with 35 Years Experience

245-6367 PAINTING

Interior & Exterior 22 years experience

Great references Free Estimates John 3:16

ROOFING

Todd McGinnis Roofing Rubberized/Roofing Metal, Fix Leaks FREE ESTIMATES

828-286-2306 828-223-0633

FREE LOW E AND ARGON!

INSTALLED - $199*

*up to 101 UI

Wood & Vinyl Decks • Vinyl Siding • Kitchen & Bath Remodeling Reface Your Cabinets, Don't Replace Them!

Clean up at the end of each day GUARANTEED

H & M Industries, Inc.

828-248-1681

704-434-9900

Website - hmindustries.com

Visa Mastercard Discover

LAWN CARE

PAINTING

* Leaf Removal

Bill Gardner Construction, Inc ENTRANCE DOORS

Vinyl Replacement Windows Double Pane, Double Hung 3/4" Glass, Energy-Star Rated

* roofing * concrete * decks & steps * painting * carpentry * skirting * plumbing * sheet rock * room additions * metal roofing

No Job Too Small Discount for Senior Citizens

828-657-6518 828-223-0310

ROOFING

GARY LEE QUEEN’S ROOFING

Golden Valley Community Over 35 Years Experience ✓ All work guaranteed ✓ Specializing in all types of roofing, new & old ✓ References furnished ✓ Vinyl Siding ✓ 10% DISCOUNT FOR SENIOR CITIZENS CHURCHES & COMMUNITY BUILDINGS ALSO METAL ROOFS

5 YEAR WARRANTY ON LABOR FREE ESTIMATES

Call today! 245-8215

* Gutter Cleaning

Quality Lawn Care

Interior & Exterior INSURED FREE ESTIMATES Reasonable Rates

223-8191

Owner Jerry Lancaster 286-0822

TREE TREE CARE CARE

VETERINARIAN

Carolina Tree Care & Stump Grinding

10% discount Topping Removal on all& work Stump Grinding Valid 9/17-11/1/09

• Low RatesInsured Fully • Free Good Clean Work Estimates • Satisfaction Guaranteed 20 Years Experience • Fully Insured Senior Citizens & • Free Estimates

Veterans Discounts

Chad Reid Sisk Mark (828) 289-7092 828-289-1871 Senior Citizen Discounts

Thunder Road Animal Bi-Lo Hospital Super 8 Motel 74 Bypass

Spindale Denny’s 286-0033 *Dog/Cat spay/neuter program *Low-cost monthly shot clinic *Flea & tick control *Heart worm prevention *SALE* Save Up To $4600 Today

FILL UP ON VALUE Shop the Classifieds!

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

A TO Z, IT’S IN THE

CLASSIFIEDS!

20

— The

Daily Courier, Forest City, NC, Friday, December 18, 2009

world

Artifact lifted from Cleopatra’s underwater city

By KATARINA KRATOVAC Associated Press Writer

Associated Press

A sunken red granite tower, part of a pylon of the Isis temple is lifted out of the Mediterranean Sea off the archaeological eastern harbor of Alexandria, Egypt Thursday. Egyptian archeologists have lifted a major artifact out of the Mediterranean Sea in an elaborate effort to highlight ancient treasures buried under water off the harbor in Alexandria. It is intended to be the centerpiece of a planned underwater museum Egypt hopes will draw tourists to its northern coast, often overshadowed by hotspots such as Luxor, the Giza pyramids and Red Sea beaches.

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt — Egyptian archaeologists on Thursday lifted an ancient granite temple pylon out of the waters of the Mediterranean, where it had lain for centuries as part of the palace complex of Cleopatra, submerged in Alexandria’s harbor.

The pylon, which once stood at the entrance to a temple of Isis, is to be the centerpiece of an ambitious underwater museum planned by Egypt to showcase the sunken city, which is believed to have been toppled into the sea by earthquakes in the 4th century.

Divers and underwater archaeologists used a giant crane and ropes to lift the 9-ton, 7.4-foot-tall pylon, covered with muck and seaweed, out of the murky waters. It was deposited ashore as Egypt’s top archaeologist Zahi Hawass and other officials watched.

The temple, dedicated to Isis, a pharaonic goddess of fertility and magic, is at least 2,050 years old, but likely much older, and the pylon was cut from a single slab of red granite quarried in Aswan, some 700 miles to the south, officials said.

It was part of a sprawling palace from which the Ptolemaic dynasty ruled Egypt and where 1st Century B.C. Queen Cleopatra wooed the Roman general Marc Antony before they both committed suicide following their defeat by Augustus Caesar.

The palace and other buildings and monuments now lay strewn on the seabed in the harbor of Alexandria, the second largest city of Egypt.

Since 1994, archaeologists have been exploring the ruins, one of the richest underwater excavations in the Mediterranean, with some 6,000 artifacts.

Another 20,000 objects are scattered off other parts of Alexandria’s coast, said Ibrahim Darwish, head of the city’s underwater archaeology department.

In recent years, excavators have discovered dozens of sphinxes in the harbor, along with pieces of what is believed to be the Alexandria Lighthouse, or Pharos, which was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

The pylon is the first major artifact extracted from the harbor since 2002, when authorities banned further removal of major artifacts from the sea for fear it would damage them.

“The tower is unique among Alexandria’s antiquities, we believe it was part of the complex surrounding Cleopatra’s palace,” Hawass said, as the crane gently placed the pylon on the harbor bank.

“This is an important part of Alexandria’s history and it brings us closer to knowing more about the ancient city.”

DOWNTOWN FOREST CITY 2009 DECEMBER EVENTS Santa House

Carriage Rides

Downtown Craft Event

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

Santa at the Santa House.

Sunday - Dec. 20 2:00 – 6:00 PM Fri.- Dec. 18

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

Santa Paws

Hay Rides

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

Co-sponsored by the Community Pet Center.

Donations of $5 for photos

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

in case of possible cancelations, please call 247-4430