The Daily Dispatch - Saturday, November 21, 2009 by The Daily Dispatch

CMYK Raiders open season with win over Eagles

New Life Baptist to dedicate sanctuary

American Profile magazine

Sports, Page 1B

Faith, Page 1C

Inside Today SATURDAY, November 21, 2009

Volume XCV, No. 273

(252) 436-2700

N.C. jobless rate rises to 11 percent

www.hendersondispatch.com

50 cents

Father: ‘Continue to pray for us’ By WILLIAM F. WEST Daily Dispatch Writer

“It’s just one more page in the book,” he said. “We’ve just got to move on from here.” Currin was commenting after a hearing in which he and his wife, Juanita, retained temporary custody of Kelly Currin Morris’ and Scott Morris’ 6-yearold daughter, Haley. The girl had been in the custody of Scott Morris, who had been living with his parents. Scott Morris is jailed without bond on the murder charge and on a charge of burning a dwelling house. Moments earlier at the custody hearing, Pat and Juanita Currin were in

the same room with Scott Morris for the first time, according to Pat Currin, “in probably over a year.” Kelly Currin Morris had been missing for 14 months. Pat Currin, when asked what he would say to Scott Morris if he could do so, said, “Nothing at this time.” As for the importance of having custody of Haley, Pat Currin said, “We’ve not had much time with her for the last 14 months, so we’re just glad to have her where we can look after her and tend to her.” Pat Currin and Juanita Currin, who is the step-

OXFORD — The father of deceased Granville County woman Kelly Currin Morris on Friday By EMERY P. DALESIO afternoon spoke publicly AP Business Writer for the first time since the Sheriff’s Department on RALEIGH — North Tuesday evening arrested Carolina’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 11 per- his son-in-law, Scott Morris, on a charge of firstcent in October, a fraction off its historic peak earlier degree murder. Pat Currin expressed this year and the ninth Pat Currin feelings of some relief and straight month in double added he was glad his mother of Kelly Currin digits, the state’s EmployMorris, filed a complaint ment Security Commission daughter’s remains were found on Monday off Sam hours before the arrest reported Friday. Moss Hayes Road. “At least of Scott Morris and Chief The jobless rate continwe got some closure with District Judge Daniel ued to hover around 11 Finch signed an emergenpercent, as it has for nearly that,” he told reporters. all of this year. September’s rate was 10.8 percent. The state’s unemployment rate in October 2008 was seven percent. “The most important feature is that it’s not coming down, which verifies the fears of economists and the Obama administration that unemployment will continue to rise coming out of the recession,” said John Coleman, an economist at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. Though Wall Street has been on the upswing for months, companies remain cautious about building back their work forces because they continue to see worrying signs on the horizon such as the risk of rising inflation and tax rates, Coleman said. If the pattern of the current economic recovery sticks to the pattern set in the last two U.S. recessions, Daily Dispatch/ASHLEY STEVEN AYSCUE it would likely be many months before employment prospects improve substan- Melted siding and smoke damage are visible on this house at 705 Jefferson St. after a fire Thursday night that killed a 22-year-old man. tially, he said. Construction suffered the greatest job losses in October as employers shed about 6,600 North Carowhere the fire apparently From STAFF REPORTS originated in the bedroom. Please see JOBLESS, page 4A “The heater was too An early evening close to the bed,” Wilkerfire claimed the life of Heating equipment fires accounted for 21 percent son said. “The whole room a 22-year-old Jefferson of home fire deaths and 16 percent of all reported was gutted by the fire. Street man on Thursday, home fires in 2006, according to the National Fire The bedding material was Our Hometown . . . . . 2A the Henderson Fire DeProtection Association. Three deaths in less than consumed by the fire.” partment reports. Business & Farm. . . . 5A two weeks in Henderson have been attributed to The fire burned a hole in It was the third fire Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . 8A electric space heaters. death in Henderson in less the roof over the bedroom Light Side . . . . . . . . . 9A than two weeks. The leading factor contributing to home heating of the 900-square-foot Sports. . . . . . . . . . 1-4B fires and deaths was heating equipment placed too As in the fire that killed structure, the fire chief Faith. . . . . . . . . . . . 1-5C two children on South close to things that can burn, such as upholstered said. furniture, clothing, mattresses, bedding and bags. Comics . . . . . . . . . . . 6C Elizabeth Street last week, “When we got there he If you must use a space heater for heating, fire appeared to have a chance Classifieds. . . . . . . 7-9C an electric space heater safety officials offer the following tips to guarantee placed too close to combus- of survival,” Wilkerson that you are using it as safely as possible: tible materials was said to said. “We gave him CPR • Keep the heater three feet away from drapes, be to blame. and the ambulance took furniture, bedding, bags or other flammable materiFredrick Harris, the him to Maria Parham.” Today son of Cleola Owens, was als. Fredrick was uncontaken to Maria Parham • Place the heater on a level surface away from scious upon arrival at Partly Medical Center after atareas where someone might bump it or knock it Maria Parham Medical High: 60 tempts were made by fire over. Center and was proLow: 42 personnel to revive him, nounced dead in the Emer• When buying a heater, look for one that has Fire Chief Danny Wilkergency Room, according to a been tested and labeled by a nationally recognized son said. Sunday hospital spokesman. testing company. The victim was found The fire report indicated • If you must use an extension cord with the at the front door of the that firemen searched the heater, make sure it is a heavy-duty cord marked Likely residence when firemen house when it was believed with a power rating at least as high as that on the High: 51 arrived at 6:11 p.m., Wilka second victim was not label of the heater itself. If the extension cord gets Low: 46 erson said. The front door accounted for. No one else Please see HAZARDS, page 3A of the house was probably Please see FIRE, page 3A Details, 3A less than 30 feet from

Juanita Currin cy order granting Pat and Juanita Currin custody of Haley. Pat Currin said he has Please see FATHER, page 3A

Another fatal fire in Henderson Currins

Space heater to blame in death of man, 22 Heating equipment can be fire hazards

Index

Weather

Deaths Henderson Fredrick J. Harris, 22 Cedric D. Perry, 38 Macon Emma Goode, 84 Warrenton Ida Perry, 76 Washington, D.C. Vernell Bullock, 62

Army relents, will allow media at Palin book event

RALEIGH (AP) — The U.S. Army said Friday it would open Sarah Palin’s appearance on Fort Bragg to media, a reversal from earlier in the week when the military wanted the event closed out of fears it would prompt political grandstanding Obituaries, 4A against President Barack Obama. The attempt to ban media at the event scheduled for Monday was met with protests from The Associated Press and The Fayetteville Observer. The military then proposed limited media coverage, but lifted that plan Friday.

“Given an outpouring over the past two days of media interest in covering the Nov. 23 book signing at Fort Bragg’s North Post Exchange, Fort Bragg will assist interested news media who wish to cover former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin,” said a statement released by Fort Bragg spokesman Tom McCollum. The Army now plans to allow any interested media to cover Palin’s appearance, including allowing interviews with people who attend the event and rotating journalists into the building where Palin will be

signing books. McCollum said Thursday officials planned to allow the general public on base but prevent media from attending so the Palin book signing would not become a political platform to express opinions “directed against the commander in chief.” Palin’s visit to Fort Bragg is one of many stops on a tour promoting a new memoir, “Going Rogue.” Publisher HarperCollins said Friday that the book sold 300,000 copies its first day, among the best openings ever for a nonfiction book.

retain custody of child Morris daughter stays temporarily with grandparents By WILLIAM F. WEST Daily Dispatch Writer

OXFORD — Custody of the 6-year-old daughter of Kelly Currin Morris and Scott Morris temporarily remains with Pat and Juanita Currin after Chief District Judge Daniel Finch issued an order after a brief hearing on Friday afternoon at the Granville County Courthouse. The judge set another hearing for 9:30 a.m. Jan. 7 so Scott Morris will have time to retain an attorney in the civil matter. Scott Morris, 35, of 113 W. Church St., Creedmoor, remains jailed without bond on a charge of first-degree murder of Kelly Currin Morris and the burning of a dwelling house. He faces a Dec. 2 court date in the criminal matter. Pat Currin is the father of Kelly Currin Morris and Juanita Currin is her stepmother. The couple has had custody of the child, Haley, since Finch issued an emergency order in response to a complaint by the couple hours before the arrest of Scott Morris. At the custody hearing Friday afternoon, Scott Morris appeared in an orange jail jumpsuit and in shackles and was seated at the table to Finch’s left. Seated at the table to Finch’s right were Pat and Juanita Currin, represented by their attorney, Tom Currin. Finch told Scott Morris, who did not have legal counsel, that he has 30 days to file an answer to the civil complaint. Under questioning by Finch, Scott Morris said that, being in the position he is in, he did not see what he can do. Please see CURRINS, page 3A

Mark It Down Today Reunion — The former Henderson and Warrenton Guard Unit #505 will hold a reunion from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Western Sizzlin, Ruin Creek Road, Henderson. For more information, call Lee Wade at (252) 213-1580 or James H. Henderson at (252) 492-6337. Bead-making class — Art du Jour, 209 E. Nash St. in Louisburg, will be featuring a bead-making workshop series hosted by artist Cheryl Yoacham. The first in the series will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today (with a one-hour lunch) and features making, baking and glossing beads. Please bring your own lunch. Class fee is $5 for ages 12 and up. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Contact Yoacham for more info at (919) 496-7215 or Art du Jour at (919) 496-1650. Oxford Farmers’ Market — The Oxford Farmers’ Market, located on the corner of McClanahan and Lanier streets across from the police station in Oxford, is open from 7 a.m. to noon. Vance County Farmers’ market — The Vance County Farmers’ Market is open from 8 a.m. to noon. The market is located at the intersection of Williams and Arch streets in downtown Henderson. Dee’s Music Barn — Dee’s Music Barn, 3101 Walters Road, Creedmoor, will be featuring Ace In The Hole with the James Potreat Band at 7 p.m. For more information, call (919) 5285878. Historic restoration project — The Wise Historic Restoration Project will meet at 10 a.m. in the frame school in Wise. All alumni of the two schools are invited to attend. The project hopes to restore and preserve the two-story brick school, the one-story frame school and the early 1900s medical office of Dr. Thomas Holt. For more information, call Patricia Lorenz at (336) 380-3716. Ridgeway Opry House — Performing this week are Julia Morton, Jackie Turner, Joyce Chisenhall, Wayde Schuster, The Honorable Dwight Moody, Wilton Junction, Alan and Betsy Reid, Donny Gilliam, Matt Nelson and Ronald Puett. Doors open at 6 p.m. Show starts at 7 p.m. Coming soon: Dec. 12, Doc Branch Band.

Monday Masonic meeting — Beacon Light Masonic Lodge #249 will hold its stated communication at 7 p.m. at the lodge, located at 1204 West Andrews Ave. For more information, contact Michael Edwards at 767-3672. Mental health meeting — The regularly scheduled meeting of the Five County Mental Health Authority will be held at 7 p.m. at the authority’s administrative building, 134 S. Garnett St., Henderson. The public is invited to attend. City Council — The Henderson City Council will meet at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers of City Hall, 134 Rose Ave. A work session will follow. Chess Club — Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, the Henderson/Vance Chess Club, an affiliate of the U.S. Chess Federation, will meet today at the First United Methodist Church from 6-9:30 p.m. All are welcome, adults and youth, novice or experienced. For more information, call Rudy Abate at (252) 438-4459 (days) or (252) 738-0375 (evenings).

Guidelines The Daily Dispatch staff asks that items intended for inclusion in the calendar be submitted in writing at least five days in advance of the event. Please include a contact person’s name and phone number in case there are questions. Items for this listing can be e-mailed to communitynews@hendersondispatch.com.

Authorized Agent

WAYNE KINTON (252) 438-2635

• Individual Health Plans

• Medicare Supplement Insurance

• Dental Plans for Individuals

• Health Savings Accounts

Girls are catching up with boys with regard to alcohol, tobacco and illegal drug use, and in some cases, have surpassed them. Help your daughter stay healthy and drug-free. Give her your time and attention regularly. Inspire your daughter’s interests and talents to help her build strong selfesteem. Recognize good behaviors and praise your daughter often. Love but limit. Set expectations

Henderson Auction Gallery 117 Horner St., Henderson, NC 27536

Selling the Estate of Dr. Joseph Mayo, Jr., M.D.

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(PG) FRIDAY: 5:10, 7:10 & 9:10PM SAT: 1:10, 3:10, 5:10, 7:10 & 9:10PM SUN: 1:10, 3:10, 5:10 & 7:10PM MON: 5:10 & 7:10PM TUE: 5:10, 7:10 & 9:10PM WED: 1:10, 3:10, 5:10, 7:10 & 9:10PM THANKSGIVING: 3:10, 5:10, 7:10 & 9:10PM

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is currently accepting applications for children 0-5 years old. We are a three star center. We offer breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack. Hours of operation are 6:30 am to 5:30 pm Mon.-Fri.

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FRIDAY: 7:00 & 9:00PM SAT: 3:00, 5:00, 7:00 & 9:00PM SUN: 3:00, 5:00 & 7:00PM MON: 5:00 & 7:00PM TUE: 5:00, 7:00 & 9:00PM WED: 1:00, 5:00 & 9:00PM THANKSGIVING: 5:00 & 9:00PM

CritiC’s ChoiCe THE INVENTION OF LYING (PG13) FRI: 1/20/09 @ 5:00PM SAT & SUN: 11/21-11/22/09 @ 1:00PM

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Vance County 4-H Centennial Donor by making a taxdeductible donation so that more Vance County youth can be served. For more information on how you can become involved, please contact Pam Jones, 4-H youth development extension agent, at (252) 438-8188. I wish to express a huge thank you to Phyllis C. Stainback, former home economics agent with Vance County Cooperative Extension from Dec. 1, 1959, until Jan. 30, 1995. She has spent hours sorting through hundreds of pieces of Vance County 4-H history as well as contacting 4-H alumni to share their stories and memorabilia as part of that history. Come by the extension office to view the 4-H history display at 305 Young St., Henderson.

(Deceased) of Henderson, NC, Plus Several Exquisite Antique Consignments. Pre Civil War Parlor Set, Victorian Sets, Y & J Cherry Corner China Cabinet, Eastlake Furniture, Sterling, Exquisite Glass, Furs, Jewelry, Antique Toys, High End Household Items & Appliances, SO MUCH MORE!

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SATURDAY, Nov. 28th at 12:00 pm

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sentative in 1938 on a trip to Bermuda. These were the first of many state and national recognitions for Vance County 4-H youth. Following Plummer’s strong leadership came Esther Burgess Roscoe Winston, who served as the first Negro home economics agent from 1949-1976. Like Plummer before her, she also had 4-H responsibilities. The state recognized Winston when Vance County became the first county in the state to organize Negro 4-H clubs countywide. Vance County 4-H invites you to share your 4-H experiences with us as we continue to compile our rich county 4-H history. We are looking for adult volunteers who want to offer their time, talents or resources to make a positive difference in the lives of Vance County youth. I cannot imagine a greater legacy than to have a young adult credit a volunteer with helping to shape his/her life for the better. Consider becoming a

By Anne Williams, Five County Mental Health Authority

For more info call (252) 433-4970

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Source: www.ncparentresourcecenter.org

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Teen years tough on girls

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Serving Henderson for 32 years

uniforms were worn during presentations and publicspeaking competitions. The recurring theme that has been voiced is that 4-H helped shape these alumni into the successful men and women that they are today. They unanimously state that the life skills they learned through hands-on 4-H projects and the leadership, communication, and organizational skills learned in 4-H gave them confidence and enriched their lives in ways they could not foresee as young people. While digging into Vance County’s 4-H history, a camp photo was found from the early 1920’s. It shows a large group of youth at Balance Rock in the Bobbitt community led by Hattie F. Plummer who began 4-H in Vance County in 1914. Plummer was the home demonstration agent in Vance County from 1914-1946 with what was then known as the Vance County Center of the North Carolina Cooperative Agricultural Extension Service, now N.C. Cooperative Extension. During Plummer’s tenure, Vance County 4-H established itself as a strong program on the county, state and national level. Strong leadership led to a Vance County 4-H’er winning the state competition in food preparation in 1937 and another 4-H youth winning in rural electrification in 1938. A female Vance County 4-H member was selected as the North Carolina 4-H repre-

Tips from the Vance Co. Parenting Task Force

Call me for information on:

LIVE WITH THE PAIN!

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The heading of the recent 4-H ad in The Daily Dispatch read “Vance County 4-H - A Rich History and A Bright Future.” It has been my pleasure to research the history of Vance County 4-H recently with the help of some wonderful volunteers. This year is the centennial Pam Jones of North Cooperative Carolina Extension 4-H and to celebrate, all 4-H agents in our state’s 100 counties as well as the Qualla Boundary (the land trust of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians) were encouraged to celebrate each county’s 4-H history as well. During this year, I have spoken with many Vance County 4-H alumni. They have told me stories of livestock shows they participated in and presentations they gave at the county, district, state and national levels. They’ve shared their prizewinning recipes. I have seen photos of blue ribbon dresses made by teenagers that would rival those of the most accomplished seamstress. Alumni have shared their awards, photos, and even a 4-H uniform from the 1960’s when

Quality Coverage

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Vance County 4-H organization celebrates its strong foundation

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From Page One

The Daily Dispatch

FIVE-DAY FORECAST FOR HENDERSON TODAY

TONIGHT

SUNDAY

Partly Cloudy

Mostly Cloudy

Rain Likely

60Âş

42Âş

51Âş 46Âş

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

Rain Likely

Mostly Sunny

61Âş 40Âş

65Âş 41Âş

60Âş 37Âş

Almanac

Sun and Moon

Temperature

Sunrise today . . . . . .6:57 Sunset tonight . . . . .5:02 Moonrise today . . . .11:02 Moonset today . . . . .9:14 Sunrise tomorrow . .6:58 Sunset tomorrow . . .5:02 Moonrise tomorrow 11:35 Moonset tomorrow .10:12

Raleigh -Durham through 6 p.m. yest. High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 Low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 Normal High . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 Normal Low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Record High . . . . . . . . .78 in 1991 Record Low . . . . . . . . .19 in 1951

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

Moon Phases

Precipitation Yesterday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0.00" Month to date . . . . . . . . . . . .5.88" Normal month to date . . . . .1.99" Year to date . . . . . . . . . . . . .33.31" Normal year to date . . . . . .39.03"

First 11/24

Last 12/8

Full 12/2

New 12/16

Lake Levels Elevation in feet above sea level. Data as of 7 a.m. yesterday. Lake Gaston Kerr

24-Hr. Lake Capacity Yest. Change Jordan 240 218.1 -0.9 Neuse Falls 264 252.3 0.0

24-Hr. Capacity Yest. Change 203 199.5 0.0 320 306.9 -0.2

Regional Weather

Asheville 59/42

Rocky Mt. 62/41

Greensboro 60/45 Raleigh 61/44 Charlotte 62/46

Fayetteville 64/46

Shown is todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weather. Temperatures are todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highs and tonightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lows.

Cape Hatteras 63/53

Wilmington 67/51

Regional Cities Today

Today

Sun.

Hi/Lo Wx Hi/Lo Wx City

Hi/Lo Wx Hi/Lo Wx

Asheville Boone Burlington Chapel Hill Chattanooga Danville Durham Elizabeth City Elizabethton Fayetteville Goldsboro Greensboro Greenville Havelock Hendersonville

59/42 54/40 60/43 61/43 59/47 62/43 61/43 62/44 60/43 64/46 63/46 60/45 65/47 65/48 58/42

60/45 66/48 64/47 65/48 67/53 66/52 61/53 65/48 61/44 62/41 61/41 62/41 62/45 67/51 60/45

49/41 43/40 48/45 51/46 57/47 48/45 51/46 61/52 53/41 55/51 56/52 48/45 61/52 61/54 48/40

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

High Point Jacksonville Kinston Lumberton Myrtle Beach Morehead City Nags Head New Bern Raleigh Richmond Roanoke Rapids Rocky Mount Sanford Wilmington Winston-Salem

pc s s s pc s s s s s s s s s pc

48/45 62/55 60/53 59/49 64/55 63/59 62/58 62/54 52/47 56/45 53/47 54/49 52/47 65/56 47/44

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

not received word from investigators when he will receive his daughterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s remains so he can arrange for the funeral. Pat Currin said he and his wife have received offers to do something in memory of Kelly Currin Morris.

When a reporter asked the couple whether there was anything anyone could do for them, Pat Currin replied, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Just continue to pray for us, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all.â&#x20AC;? As for the purple ribbons in the county that reminded persons of Kelly

Cold Front

Stationary Front

Warm Front

Low Pressure

High Pressure

Yesterdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Extremes High: 86Â° in Indio, Calif. Low: -7Â° in Laramie, Wyo.

XII I

II III

VIII VII VI

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X IX

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VIII

Est. Aug. 12, 1914 304 S. Chestnut St. P.O. Box 908 Henderson, N.C. 27536

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In that fire, Chief Wilkerson said the small heater did not appear to have malfunctioned. He explained then and reiterated again Friday that combustible materials should always be at least three feet away

from any type of heater. The house and its contents, considered a total loss, were valued at $35,840.

Contact the writer at bwest@ hendersondispatch.com.

was home at the time of the fire, he said. The call came at 6:08 and the fire was under control by 6:45 p.m., reports indicated. The State Bureau of Investigation, Henderson Police Department and the fire department returned to the scene around 10:30 p.m. and stayed until 2:30 a.m. Friday investigating the cause of the blaze. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Upon further investigation of the Henderson Arson Task Force and the State Bureau of Investi-

gation, the cause of the fire was determined to have started from a space heater that was possibly located too close to combustible materials in the room of origin,â&#x20AC;? the report said. Investigators also had decided that a floor space heater that was placed too close to combustible plastic bags of clothing was the probable cause of a bedroom fire that killed two children at 132 S. Elizabeth St. on Monday, Nov. 9.

warm to the touch while in use, discontinue use of it. â&#x20AC;˘ Never leave a space heater unattended or running while you sleep. If you leave the room, turn the space heater off. If you may fall asleep, turn the space heater off. â&#x20AC;˘ Keep electric heaters away from water. Never use an electric heater new a sink or in the bathroom.

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was Kelly Currin Morrisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; mother, Wanda Hollis. District Attorney Sam Currin and District Judge Carolyn Yancey also were in the courtroom at the time of the hearing.

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Currin Morris when she was missing, Juanita Currin said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gotten us through the last 14 months.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We truly have had an unbelievable amount of support,â&#x20AC;? Pat Currin said. Additionally present for the custody hearing

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Then-Sheriff David Smith next declared Scott Morris a person of interest in the disappearance of Kelly Currin Morris and in connection with the arson. By Sept. 25, the first SBI documents were made public and they showed statements by Scott Morris about the vanishing of Kelly Currin Morris were inconsistent. The SBI in documents additionally said that Scott Morris and Kelly Currin Morris had marital problems and that sources specifically said the couple had separated before and had discussed divorcing. Pat and Juanita Currin, in their complaint on Tuesday, said that, in the months prior to the disappearance of Kelly Currin Morris, Scott Morris â&#x20AC;&#x153;engaged in a pattern of emotional abuse directed toward Kelly and both of her children.â&#x20AC;? And the complaint cited SBI documents saying that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the past, Scott punched holes in the wall during arguments and once threw a computer out of a window.â&#x20AC;?

FIRE, from page one

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

sional counseling in dealing with the loss of their mother, but that Scott Morris had not cooperated in Haleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s participation. The complaint said that, on information and belief, Scott Morris had sold or otherwise disposed of many of the assets he owned at the time of his wifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disappearance, was not gainfully employed and had not established a new home for Haley. And the complaint said that Haley was â&#x20AC;&#x153;exposed to a substantial risk of harm and bodily injuryâ&#x20AC;? when in the care of Scott Morris. Shortly before 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 4, 2008, a caller to Emergency 911 reported a fire at Kelly Currin Morrisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; residence off Tump Wilkins Road southeast of Stem. Sometime between 4:30 and 5 p.m., the then-28year-old Kelly Currin Morrisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 2005 Honda Accord was found abandoned approximately a mile away at a future subdivision, with her cell phone, pocketbook and other personal belongings still inside the car. On Sept. 12, the State Bureau of Investigation concluded the house fire had been set deliberately.

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is a â&#x20AC;&#x153;high probabilityâ&#x20AC;? that Scott Morrisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; father, Jimmy Morris, â&#x20AC;&#x153;was also involved in the coverupâ&#x20AC;? of the homicide. Jimmy Morris is not charged with any wrongdoing. The orders signed by Finch and the complaint filed by Pat and Juanita Currin are public record. The complaint said that Scott Morris â&#x20AC;&#x153;is mentally and emotionally unstableâ&#x20AC;? and that Haley â&#x20AC;&#x153;should not be subjected to the risks inherent in being in his custody.â&#x20AC;? Kelly Currin Morris additionally was the mother of a daughter who has a different father than Scott Morris. The complaint said Pat and Juanita Currin have a close relationship with the father of the other daughter and had, since the disappearance of Kelly Currin Morris, arranged for the two girls to spend time together. And the complaint said that the continued separation of the two girls was causing Haley â&#x20AC;&#x153;substantial emotional distress.â&#x20AC;? The complaint said that Pat and Juanita Currin had arranged for the two girls to receive profes-

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Scott Morris, when asked by Finch whether he had any objection to Pat and Juanita Currin continuing to have custody of Haley, replied, â&#x20AC;&#x153;No sir.â&#x20AC;? Scott Morris said he would like to make sure his parents see Haley. Scott Morris, prior to being booked by the Sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Department, had been living with his parents. Kelly Currin Morris had been missing since Sept. 3, 2008. Authorities on Monday received information leading to skeletal remains being discovered in a wooded area off Sam Moss Hayes Road in the southern part of the county. The N.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner identified the remains through the dental records of Kelly Currin Morris. Scott Morris was arrested on Tuesday evening. The judge, in signing the emergency custody order prior to the arrest, said the findings of fact included that false statements by Scott Morris to investigators â&#x20AC;&#x153;were made with the intent to deceive them.â&#x20AC;? And the findings of fact included that there

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The Daily Dispatch

Thanksgiving dinner set at Recovery Home By DAVID IRVINE Daily Dispatch Writer

NORLINA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Lake Area Recovery Home will host its first Recovery Home Thanksgiving Dinner on Nov. 26 for men and women who are in recovery from substance abuse and their families. The public is invited to join the staff and residents for the dinner, which will be served at 3 p.m. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by Tuesday, Nov. 24, by calling telephone (242) 456-6541. Lake Area Recovery Home is located at 519 Walker Ave. in Norlina. The main course will be turkey, of course. A number of turkeys were donated by David Gardner of Warrenton Furniture Exchange and by Food Lion of Norlina. To supplement that mainstay, those attending are asked to bring a covered dish to share. Lake Area Recovery Home (LARH) is a residential facility for men with a history of substance abuse. It is the major program of Lake Area Counseling, Inc. a 501 (c) 3 organization. Individuals who would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to support the work of the organization should make the check payable to Lake Area Counseling, Inc. and mail it to 519 Walker Ave., Norlina., N.C. 27563. Contact the writer at dirvine@ hendersondispatch.com.

JOBLESS, from page one lina jobs. Government jobs saw some of the greatest employment growth, adding 5,800; education and health services added an equal number. Since the recession started in December 2007, North Carolina has lost 240,100 jobs, the Employment Security Commission said. North Carolinaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unemployment rate has been worse than the national average for more than a year and that continued in October, when the U.S. figure was 10.2 percent. North Carolina had the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seventh-highest unemployment rate in October. Michigan was worst with 15.1 percent. South Carolina was fifth at 12.1 percent.

Local & Nation

Senator: Letters to Santa in North Pole to resume By RACHEL Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ORO Associated Press Writer

ANCHORAGE, Alaska â&#x20AC;&#x201D; North Pole elves have good reason to celebrate again, thanks to a decision by the U.S. Postal Service to resume a Santa Claus letter program thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thrilled children from around the world for decades. Gabby Gaborik, chief elf among several dozen volunteers, was pleased with the agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s announcement Friday that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reversing a recent decision to drop a program begun in 1954 in the small Alaska town of North Pole. The program was suspended over privacy concerns. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great!â&#x20AC;? she said. Gaborikâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s group, Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mailbag, responds to thousands of letters addressed to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Santa Claus, North Poleâ&#x20AC;? each year. The letters will now be answered by the North Pole elves under tightened privacy rules implemented nationwide by the Postal Service in response to security concerns that arose in a similar program in Maryland last year. The group also has been assigned a specific address that will allow its volunteers to run their own alternative program, bypassing the stringent new rules and perhaps lessening the Santa letter load for the Postal Service. The restrictions donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t affect privately

run letter efforts. Children can write to Santa through that program at: 1 Santa Claus Lane, North Pole, AK 99705. At least 100 volunteers are expected to help in both letter efforts, Gaborik said. Members of Alaskaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s congressional delegation hailed the decision to resume the Postal Service program, which brings as many as 150,000 letters to Santa from children worldwide. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Democratic Sen. Mark Begich and Republican Rep. Don Young sent letters this week to Postmaster General John Potter expressing their concerns. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This decision today by the Postal Service brings the Christmas spirit back to Alaska,â&#x20AC;? Murkowski said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a perfect Christmas present for Alaskans and children across the country who love to write to and get a letter back from Santa,â&#x20AC;? Begich said. People in North Pole, a town of about 2,100, were outraged by the idea of losing a beloved holiday tradition. The town prides itself on its Christmas identity, and signs of it abound, from striped light posts curved like candy canes to streets with names like Kris Kringle Drive. The biggest attractions are the post office â&#x20AC;&#x201D; where tourists can get their postcards hand stamped with the

Deaths Vernell Bullock

Cedric D. Perry

WASHINGTON, D.C. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Vernell Bullock, 62, of Washington, D.C., formerly of Warren County, died Monday, Nov. 2, 2009, at his residence. Funeral North Pole postmark â&#x20AC;&#x201D; services are incomplete and Santa Claus House, a at this time, but will be store featuring everything announced later by Boydâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas. The Postal Service imple- Funeral Service of Warrenton. mented the tighter restrictions after a postal worker in Maryland recognized a Emma Goode volunteer with its Operation Santa program as a MACON â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Emma registered sex offender. The Goode, 84, of 974 Maconworker intervened before Embro Road, Macon, died the individual could answer Friday, Nov. 13, 2009, at a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s letter, but the Maria Parham Medical agency viewed the scare as Center in Henderson. a reason to tighten security. Funeral services will be The Postal Service conducted at 2 p.m. Sunhad already restricted its day at Mt. Zion Baptist policies in such programs in Church in Macon. The 2006, including requiring Rev. Terrance Gregory volunteers to show identiwill officiate and burial fication. But the Maryland will follow in the church episode prompted more cemetery. changes, such as barring She is survived by a volunteers from having ac- daughter, Andrea Goode cess to childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s last names of the home; a son, Melvin and addresses. The agency Goode of Greensboro; two instead redacts that inforgranddaughters; and a mation from each letter and sister, Earnestine Allen of replaces the addresses with Macon. codes that match computerThe body will be on view ized addresses known only from noon until 7 p.m. at to the post office. Boydâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Funeral Service Postal Service officials, Chapel in Warrenton. who consider the North Arrangements are by Pole effort part of the Boydâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Funeral Service in agencyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s giant Operation Warrenton. Santa program, originally said the Alaska district had Fredrick J. Harris too few resources to deal with the time-consuming HENDERSON â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Frenew rules and was theredrick Jamon Harris, 22, fore opting out. of 705 Jefferson St., died â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re just going to Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, have to knuckle down,â&#x20AC;? at his residence. said agency spokesman The family will be Ernie Swanson. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We never receiving friends at 1512 wanted to spoil peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Oxford Road, the second Christmas.â&#x20AC;? house from Hardeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Funeral arrangements will be announced later by Davis-Royster Funeral Service. were too intense. Villar said there were several vehicles parked about 50 feet away from the home and the sides closest to the flames had melted. Investigators have determined that the fire started www.ďŹ&#x201A;owersfuneralhome.com when a candle that had been â&#x20AC;&#x153;Commitment to sitting on a hutch inside the home was knocked over. Caring Personal Serviceâ&#x20AC;? The family did not have 438-4717 insurance. A memorial fund 1833 Oxford Rd., Henderson has been established at Wells Fargo bank.

3-year-old leads toddler to safety in Ariz. fire PHOENIX (AP) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; A 3-year-old Arizona boy helped his 1-year-old sister escape Friday from a house fire that killed their mother and injured two other adults, authorities said. Fire crews responding to the fire in the Pinal County community of Maricopa south of Phoenix found the mother, 22-year-old Michelle Mariano, lying just a couple of feet from the mobile homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doorway, said sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s spokeswoman Lt. Tamatha Villar. Authorities said Marianoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sister, 28-year-old Marion Mariano, was also severely burned. She and the little girl, named Eden, were airlifted to Maricopa Medical Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s burn unit in Phoenix. The girl had facial and torso burns covering more than 40 percent of her body and was listed in critical con-

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dition late Friday, Villar said. Marion Mariano was burned over 17 percent of her body and was in critical but stable condition, she said. A fourth victim, a man in his 40â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s or 50â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, suffered minor injuries. The home is located on a state highway and among several used by workers on a nearby farm. Villar spent about three hours talking to the boy, Jalen, after the fire. He told her his mother had helped them to the doorway and that he had guided his sister outside before the girl fell and their uncle helped them to safety. The uncle had been working in nearby fields when the fire broke out at about 8:30 a.m. He saw the flames and rushed to the home. The man tried going into the home to reach the childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother but the flames

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WARRENTON â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Ida Perry, 76, of Warrenton, died Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, at Maria Parham Medical Center in Henderson. Funeral services will be conducted at noon on Monday at Mitchell Missionary Baptist Church in Louisburg. The Rev. Dr. Daniel W. Lilly Jr. will officiate and burial will follow at St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church in Warrenton. She is survived by a daughter, Cheryl Lewis of Warrenton; a son, Nathaniel Perry of Havelock; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and a sister, Lillie Wilson of Newark, N.J. The body will be on view Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Boydâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Funeral Service Chapel in Warrenton. Arrangements are by Boydâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Funeral Service of Warrenton.

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HENDERSON â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Cedric Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Keefe Perry, 38, of 269 Pinnacle Place, died Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009, at his residence. He was the son of Mary Perry and the late Milton Jones. A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Wright Funeral Home in Oxford by the Rev. Brenda Perry. Other survivors include a wife, Denise Perry of Atlanta, Ga.; two sons, Cedric Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Keefe Perry Jr. of Atlanta, Ga., and Dominic Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Keefe Perry of Wallingford, Conn.; and two brothers, Milton Jones Jr. of Hampton, Va., and Corey Jones of Raleigh. The family will receive visitors at 1655 Gun Club Road. Arrangements are by Wright Funeral Home.

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Dow Jones industrials

10,000 8,000 J

Pct. change from previous: -0.14%

High 10,342.72

2,400

Nasdaq composite

2,200 2,000 1,800 1,600

-10.78 J

Pct. change from previous: -0.5%

High 2,150.08

Standard & Poor’s 500

eBay pop-up store

Shoppers experience eBay’s first interactive pop-up storeFriday, previewing select items and using Internet kiosks to shop its entire marketplace at the “eBay @ 57th Pop-up Marketplace”, New York. The store, called pop-up because it’s temporary for the holidays, closes on Dec. 29.

More states add jobs, but many for temporary staff By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER AP Economics Writer

WASHINGTON — In a sharp improvement, more than half of U.S. states added jobs in October, though economists said many of the gains likely occurred in temporary employment. That’s customarily a positive a sign. Employers usually hire temporary workers before they add full-time jobs. But in this case, the temporary hiring may be inflated by the auto sector, which has boosted production to replace depleted inventories. As a result, the increase might not be sustainable. Some of last month’s job gains also were in sectors such as education, health care and government, which have fared relatively well during the recession. By contrast, there’s little evidence that companies in hard-hit industries are hiring full-time staff. Overall, 28 states added jobs in October. That’s up from only seven in September and eight in August. It’s also the largest number to record increases since 33 states did so in February 2008, according to the Economic Policy Institute, a think tank. “It’s a positive signal ... that states are mixed rather than uniformly bad,” said Jim Diffley, a regional economist at IHS Global In-

sight. Previous reports have all been “doom and gloom,” he said. The unemployment rates rose in 29 states in October from the previous month, the Labor Department said Friday. Thirteen states saw their jobless rates drop. Michigan still had the nation’s highest unemployment rate in October: 15.1 percent. It was followed by Nevada at 13 percent, Rhode Island at 12.9 percent, California at 12.5 percent and South Carolina’s 12.1 percent. California, Florida, Delaware and Washington, D.C., posted their highest unemployment rates on records dating to 1976. Still, Michigan’s jobless rate fell from 15.3 in September, as the state gained 38,600 jobs, mostly in professional and business services sector. That category includes temporary workers. Other states with heavy auto manufacturing activity also saw jumps in the professional and business category. They included Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. Sophia Koropeckyj, managing director at Moody’s Economy.com, said the gains could reflect greater use of temp workers by auto makers. The government’s Cash for Clunkers auto rebate program led to big sales gains in August, forcing auto makers to increase production to replace inventories.

But sales dropped after the clunkers program ended. And demand for new cars is likely to remain weak, Koropeckyj said. “We won’t necessarily see a sustained increase” in auto employment, she added. Koropeckyj said her firm hopes to see higher manufacturing and construction employment. That would reflect increasing business investment, a key ingredient for a healthy recovery. But it wasn’t apparent in Friday’s report, she said. Still, there were other positive signs. Texas added 41,700 jobs, increasing its total payrolls for only the second time in the past year. Its unemployment rate edged up to 8.3 percent from 8.2 percent. Most of Texas’ gains were in education, health care and government. California, which added over 25,000 jobs, saw a similar mix. Oklahoma added 8,800 jobs, the fourth-highest in the country, mostly in professional and business services, education and health care. Nevada, meanwhile, saw its unemployment rate drop to 13 percent, from 13.3 percent. That’s the first decline in its rate since November 2005. The national unemployment rate jumped to 10.2 percent in October, the highest in 26 years, from 9.8 percent in September.

Corporation in N.C. offered $900,000 for 370 billing jobs GREENSBORO (AP) — One of the country’s largest medical sample testing companies could get nearly $900,000 in taxpayer incentives if it consolidates billing operations in North Carolina. Multiple media outlets reported Friday that Guilford County commissioners approved a plan worth nearly $250,000 in hopes of coaxing Laboratory Corp. of America to bring 370 jobs to Greensboro. Salaries would average about $27,000 a year. The state has offered

-3.52 J

Pct. change from previous: -0.32%

$275,000 and the city added $370,000 to the package. The Burlington company is considering a consolidated billing site in Greensboro or Danville, Va. LabCorp employs about 28,000 workers worldwide. LabCorp last month posted third-quarter profits of $131 million, but trimmed its profit forecast for the full year.

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600 Hedrick Dr. Henderson

High 1,094.66

1,400

Low 2,137.06

November 20, 2009

1,091.38

7,000

Low 10,271.68

November 20, 2009

AP Photos/Bebeto Matthews

Listed below are representative inter-dealer quotations at approximately 4 p.m. Friday from the National Association of Securities Dealers. Prices do not include retail mark-up, mark-down or commission.

9,000

-14.28

2,146.04

Stocks

11,000

November 20, 2009

10,318.16

Saturday, November 21, 2009

1,200 1,100 1,000 900 800 700 600

Low 1,086.81

SOURCE: SunGard

MARKET ROUNDUP 112009: Market charts show Dow, S&P 500, and urrencies etals Nasdaq; stand-alone; 2c x 4 1/2 inches; 96 mm x 114 mm; staff NEW YORK (AP) — Key currency ex Aluminum - $.9083 per lb., London Metal Editors: 5:25:56 PM EST change rates Friday: All figures as of: Exch. NOTE: Figures reflect market fluctuations after close; may not match other AP content Copper -$3.0662 Cathode full plate, LME. Dollar vs: ExchgRate PvsDay Copper $3.1050 N.Y. Merc spot Fri. Yen 88.96 89.01 Lead - $2333.00 metric ton, London Metal Euro $1.4857 $1.4919 Exch. Pound $1.6481 $1.6647 Zinc - $1.0199 per lb., London Metal Exch. Swiss franc 1.0182 1.0133 Gold - $1140.00 Handy & Harman (only Canadian dollar 1.0714 1.0626 daily quote). Mexican peso 13.0810 13.0462 Gold - $1146.40 troy oz., NY Merc spot Fri. Metal Price PvsDay Silver - $18.450 Handy & Harman (only NY Merc Gold $1146.40 $1141.40 daily quote). NY HSBC Bank US $1150.00 $1140.00 Silver - $18.433 troy oz., N.Y. Merc spot Fri. NY Merc Silver $18.433 $18.447 Platinum -$1437.00 troy oz., N.Y. (contract). Platinum -$1441.90 troy oz., N.Y. Merc spot Nonferrous Fri. NEW YORK (AP) — Spot nonferrous metal n.q.-not quoted, n.a.-not available r-revised prices Friday:

& M

ACS ATT Ball Corp. BankAmerica BB&T Coca-Cola CVS Duke Energy Exxon Ford General Elec. Home Depot IBM Johnson & Johnson Kennametal Krispy Kreme Louisiana Pacific Lowes Lucent Tech. Pepsico Phillip Morris Procter & Gamble Progress Energy RF Micro Dev Royal Bk Can RJR Tobacco Revlon Sprint Sun Trust Universal Verizon Comm. Vulcan Wal-Mart Wells Fargo Wendy’s Establis Delhaize

55.30 26.02 50.39 16.09 24.60 57.48 31.64 16.22 74.38 8.64 15.59 27.18 126.96 62.31 23.50 3.35 6.10 21.35 3.62 62.08 18.98 61.80 38.51 4.39 53.94 50.88 17.22 3.76 22.04 45.19 30.43 49.77 54.28 27.87 4.11 76.00

Producers urged to vote in FSA elections Denise Hight, Executive Director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Vance County today urged Vance County farmers, ranchers and other agricultural producers to vote in FSA county committee elections by Dec. 7, the deadline for casting ballots. Producers must return ballots to their local FSA offices by the close of business on Dec. 7. Newly elected committee members and alternates take office Jan. 1, 2010.

FSA county committees help administer federal farm programs at the local level. Committee members make decisions on conservation programs; commodity price support loans and payments; disaster assistance payments; and other agricultural issues. County committees consist of three to five elected members who serve three-year terms. Committees may also have one or more female or minority

advisors to further represent the local interests of women and minority farmers and ranchers. Each year, one-third of all committee members are elected across the country. More than 8,000 county committee members serve in more than 2,300 local FSA offices nationwide. For more information about FSA county committee elections, visit http:// www.fsa.usda.gov/FSA/we bapp?area=newsroom&sub ject=landing&topic=cce

Natural gas plunges 12 percent this month NEW YORK (AP) — Natural gas prices have dropped by more than 12 percent in the past month as the country continues to sip at its energy reserves and a balmy November allowed homeowners to leave the heat off. Retail prices for natural gas, or what many consumers will pay to heat their

homes, are expected to be substantially lower this year. Spot prices for natural gas have dropped to almost half of what they were last year, though they’ve increased slightly this month, according to the Energy Information Administration. The recession has kept natural gas demand low most of the year. With

manufacturers shuttering factories and closing offices, the country is using less electricity and power plants are burning less natural gas. Analyst Stephen Schork noted that with industrial production still weak, home heating would be the primary source of natural gas demand for the rest of the year.

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Nation & World

The Daily Dispatch

News Briefs Fingers, tooth said to be Galileo’s found

Hospital hearing set for Ft. Hood suspect

ROME (AP) — A Florence museum says two fingers and a tooth believed to belong to Galileo Galilei have been found and will go on display next spring. Three fingers and a tooth were taken from the astronomer’s body in 1737 and placed in a container. Paolo Galluzzi, director of the Museum of the History of Science, said a private collector had bought a container at auction containing two fingers and a tooth. The collector contacted Florence cultural officials and the parts and the container were found to match descriptions of the Galileo relics in historical documents. The fingers, from the right hand, and the tooth, will be shown to the public next spring. Galileo, who died in 1642, was branded a heretic by the Vatican for saying the Earth revolved around the Sun. In the early 1990s, Pope John Paul II rehabilitated him.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (AP) — An attorney for the U.S. Army psychiatrist charged in the mass shooting at Fort Hood says his client will have his first court hearing today in his hospital room on. Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan’s civilian attorney, John Galligan, said Friday that prosecutors notified him of their plans for the hearing at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. Hasan has been recovering there since the Nov. 5 rampage that left 13 dead and more than 30 wounded. Hasan was shot by civilian members of Fort Hood’s police force. The hearing is to determine whether Hasan will be placed in pre-trial confinement — which usually means jail. But Galligan says he will argue that Hasan should remain in intensive care because he is paralyzed and still needs hospital care.

Pirates hijack Panamanian ship SANA’A, Yemen (AP) — Yemen’s coast guard says Somali pirates have hijacked a Panamanian cargo ship in the treacherous Gulf of Aden between the Arabian peninsula and the Horn of Africa. A coast guard official says the Red Sea Spirit was carrying an unknown number of crew when it was hijacked Friday morning 36 nautical miles from the Yemeni port of Balhaf. He says the ship sent the coast guard a distress signal and a vessel from the international naval force patrolling the pirate-infested region has been dispatched to the area. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to media. Poverty and hunger in Somalia are driving up the number of pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean.

Man guilty in hot-car death of father, 85

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Cancer screening guidelines differ by group By The Associated Press

Several doctors groups and advocacy groups set guidelines for cancer screening, and they update that advice periodically as new information emerges. Sometimes they agree, sometimes they don’t. Last year, a number of groups got together and issued consensus guidelines for colon cancer. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, a government-appointed, independent panel of doctors and scientists, also makes recommendations looked to by doctors groups, insurers and policy makers. The latest advice from the major medical groups for routine screening — primarily for people who don’t have a family history of a particular cancer or other risk factors: Breast cancer: • American Cancer Society: Mammograms yearly beginning at age 40; breast exam by doctor at least every three years in 20s and 30s, annually after 40; breast self-exam an option. • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Mammograms every 1-2 years for women in their 40s; annual mammograms age 50 and older; breast exam by a doctor annually

from age 19; breast self-exam can be recommended. • U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: Mammograms every two years for women ages 50 to 74, after 75 the risks and benefits unknown; recommends against self-exam; value of exams by doctors unknown. Cervical cancer: • Cancer Society: Start Pap tests about three years after first intercourse but no later than 21; annually or every 2-3 years for women over 30 who have three normal tests; stop at 70 after at least three negative tests and no abnormal tests in last 10 years; discontinue after a total hysterectomy. • ACOG: Start Pap tests at age 21 and then every two years; 30 years and older, every three years after three normal tests; reasonable to stop at age 65 or 70; discontinue after hysterectomy. • Task Force: Start Pap tests within three years of sexual activity or by age 21; at least every three years, stop after 65 if negative tests and no high risk; discontinue after hysterectomy. Prostate cancer: • Cancer Society: No routine testing recommended; doctors should discuss benefits and limitations, and offer screening — a physical exam and blood

test for a substance called PSA — to men beginning at age 50, with at least a 10-year life expectancy. • Task Force: No recommendation for or against screening for men under 75; men over 75 should not be screened. • American Urological Association: Men 40 and older should be offered a baseline PSA test and exam. Colon cancer: • Cancer Society and other major groups: Start screening at 50 with one of these tests: colonoscopy every 10 years; a sigmoidoscopy of the lower colon every five years; CT colonography or “virtual colonoscopy” every five years; barium enema every five years, stool blood test annually; stool DNA test, no interval given. • Task force: Screen from age 50 to 75 with one of three tests: colonoscopy every 10 years; a sigmoidoscopy every five years, combined with a stool blood test every three years; a stool blood test every year. On the Net: Task Force: http://www.ahrq.gov/ CLINIC/uspstfix.htm Cancer Society: http://tinyurl.com/ screening-guidelines

University students upset about fitness class

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A Pennsylvania university’s requirement that overPEEKSKILL, N.Y. (AP) weight undergraduates take — A New York state man a fitness course to receive has been convicted of reckless their degrees has raised the endangerment after leaving hackles of students and the his 85-year-old father in a car eyebrows of health and legal on a hot day and finding him experts. dead three hours later. Officials at historically Theodore Pressman of black Lincoln University Beacon was found guilty Fri- said Friday that the school day in Peekskill City Court. is simply concerned about The 49-year-old Pressman, high rates of obesity and a bus driver, was his parents’ diabetes, especially in the caretaker and often left African-American commuthem in restaurants while he nity. worked. On July 7, 2008, he The fallout began this took them to work with him week on Lincoln’s campus in Peekskill and left them in about 45 miles southwest of the car in a parking lot. Philadelphia, where seniors The windows were closed — the first class affected and the doors were unlocked. by the mandate — began When Pressman checked realizing their last chance to on them later, his mother take the class would be this was outside, disoriented, and spring. his father, Joseph Pressman, Tiana Lawson, a 21-yearwas dead inside. The outside old senior, wrote in this temperature had reached 82 week’s edition of The Lincoldegrees. Police estimated it nian, the student newspawas 120 inside. per, that she “didn’t come to Sentencing is scheduled Lincoln to be told that my for March. weight is not in an accept-

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able range. I came here to get an education.” In an interview Friday, Lawson said she has no problem with getting healthy or losing weight. But she does have a problem with larger students being singled out. The mandate, which took effect for freshmen entering in fall 2006, requires students to get tested for their body mass index, a measure of weight to height. A normal BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. Students with one that’s 30 or above — considered obese — are required to take a class called “Fitness for Life,” which meets three hours a week. The course involves walking, aerobics, weight training and other physical

activities, as well as information on nutrition, stress and sleep. As of this fall, James L. DeBoy, chairman of Lincoln’s department of health, physical education and recreation, estimated about 80 seniors — 16 percent of the class — had not had their body mass index tested nor taken the fitness class. Health experts applaud the school’s intent, if not its execution. Mark Rothstein, director of the bioethics institute at the University of Louisville’s School of Medicine, said being forced to disclose such health information is “at least awkward and often distasteful.” DeBoy stressed that students are not required to lose weight or lower their

BMI; they must only pass the class through attendance and participation. “It’s the sound mind and the sound body concept,” DeBoy said. “I think the university, to its credit, is trying to be proactive.” Some experts said recent amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act might lead to exemptions for morbidly obese students, who could argue that participating in the class would be dangerous. Also, students need more than exercise, said Marcia Costello, a registered dietitian in the Philadelphia area. The university should make sure its dining halls and vending machines offer healthy choices, she said.

For

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State & Region

The Daily Dispatch

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Tamiflu-resistant swine flu cluster reported in N.C. ATLANTA — Four North Carolina patients at a single hospital tested positive for a type of swine flu that is resistant to Tamiflu, health officials said Friday. The cases reported at Duke University Medical Center over six weeks make up the biggest cluster seen so far in the U.S. Tamiflu — made by Switzerland’s Roche Group — is one of two flu medicines that help against swine flu, and health officials have been closely watching for signs that the virus is mutating, making the drugs ineffective. About 52 resistant cases have been reported in the world since April, including 15 in the U.S. Almost all in the U.S. were isolated, said officials with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The BBC reported another cluster of five Tamiflu-resistant cases this week in Wales, in the United Kingdom. The CDC has sent three disease investigators to North Carolina to help in the investigation there, said Dave Daigle, a CDC spokesman. CDC testing confirmed the Tamifluresistant cases. All four cases at the hospital were very ill patients in an isolated cancer unit

Miley Cyrus tour bus overturns in Va., killing driver DINWIDDIE, Va. (AP) — The driver of a Miley Cyrus tour bus was killed Friday when the bus overturned, but the 16-year-old “Hannah Montana” star wasn’t on board, Virginia State Police said. Sgt. Thomas Molnar said the bus ran off the left side of Interstate 85, struck an embankment and overturned. The accident occurred around 8:15 a.m. in Dinwiddie County, about 40 miles south of Richmond. Speed and weather weren’t considered factors. The driver, William G. Douglas, 53, of Austin, Texas, died at the scene, police said. Marty Zilio, 48, of Canada, was injured in the crash and treated at a local hospital. He was one of nine members of Cyrus’ production crew who were riding in the bus. They escaped the crashed bus through the front windshield. The Cyrus family said on her Web site that they were “deeply saddened by the loss of Bill ‘Uncle Bill’ Douglas” and that he would be missed. “Members of our tour are like members of our family,” the statement said. A wrecker arrived late Friday morning to haul away the black and maroon luxury tour bus, which was on its side in a ditch off the highway where it had apparently skidded for several hundred feet. The bus was hauled by the wrecker up to the next exit off I-85, where two other tour buses and members of the tour were waiting. About two dozen members of the tour, some still wearing pajama bottoms, began transferring backpacks and laptops from the wrecked bus into two other buses parked outside a restaurant. They declined to speak to reporters. Molnar said the bus was one of four traveling together after the singer’s two-show stint Wednesday and Thursday in Long Island, N.Y. The group was heading to Greensboro, N.C., where she is scheduled to perform Sunday. Cyrus was not traveling with the group at the time of the crash, authorities said. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

on the hospital’s ninth floor, and it is believed they all caught the flu while at the hospital, said Dr. Daniel Sexton, professor of medicine and director of the Duke Infection Control Outreach Network. Three of the four patients died, and one is recovering, he said. Flu seems to have been a factor in each death, but they were very sick so it was hard to say that it was the

primary cause, he added. The first patient had been given Tamiflu before becoming ill with the virus, as a preventive measure. The three others were given Tamiflu after developing flu symptoms, he said. The case is under investigation, but hospital officials said they have no evidence the cases represent a hospital-wide concern.

The North Carolina cluster is unusual, but “at this time we don’t have any information that should raise concerns for the general population,” said Dr. Alicia Frye, epidemiologist in the CDC’s flu division, in a prepared statement. The first reported instance of Tamiflu-resistant swine flu spreading from one person to another occurred about four months ago at a summer camp in

western North Carolina, where two teenage girls — cabin mates — were diagnosed with the same drug-resistant strain. Health officials said at the time that the virus may have spread from one girl to the other, or it’s possible that the girls got it from another camper. Overall, CDC officials said Friday that swine flu cases appear to be declining throughout most of the

U.S., with reports of swine flu illnesses widespread in 43 states last week, down from 46 the week before. CDC officials also said reports have been increasing in a few states, including Maine and Hawaii. They said it’s hard to know whether the epidemic has peaked or not, and many people will be gathering — and spreading germs — next week at Thanksgiving.

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Opinion

The Daily Dispatch

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Editorial Board: James Edwards, Publisher jedwards@hendersondispatch.com

Don Dulin, News Editor ddulin@hendersondispatch.com

304 S. Chestnut St./P.O. Box 908 Henderson, N.C. 27536 PHONE: 436-2700/FAX: 430-0125

Daily Meditation A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him. Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once. Proverbs 28:17-18 (KJV)

Our Opinion

New life downtown Perhaps you didn’t grow up here. Whether you did or not – as you read the words of Henderson City Councilman Mike Inscoe in Friday’s edition – you probably couldn’t help but reminisce about the streets of your own hometown in days gone by. Some of us remember quite well buying that lemonade at Page’s drug store downtown, checking out the fish in the huge tanks at the back of Rose’s right next door, and listening to the first few seconds of the latest 45s at Henderson Music – “The Record Shop” – at the other end of Garnett Street. Chances are we actually called it Main Street more frequently than we called it Garnett back then. And, for the record, some of us did more than just eat a hot dog at The Smoke Shop pool room down where Thomas’ is located now. The list of memorable shops and stores – Grady’s, Roth-Stewart, Davis, Leggett, Parker’s, Loughlin-Goodwyn, Western Auto, J.C. Penney, Alford’s, Lamar’s, just to name a few – conjures up great memories of being dragged from store to store by mom in search of new Buster Browns or a Sunday dress. It’s safe to say that few downtowns in Small Town America will ever thrive like that again. But can we really say never? Who truly knows what lies ahead in our rapidly changing world? The Hope VI revitalization project that was celebrated with a “wall breaking” on Thursday won’t bring back the good old days as we remember them. But you can’t deny that this project is a great shot in the arm for keeping our downtown alive. We actually have much already of which to be proud with our downtown. Furniture stores are thriving. We’ve got good restaurant choices. Where shops may have been one time, there are now law offices and government offices and the like. And, still, plenty of unique shops are still doing business up and down Garnett. The concept of people living downtown is certainly not new for us. The Vance County Senior Center has been a good addition. There’s something charming about folks living above these shops – just like they do in the big cities. And the federal government has chipped in more than $2 million to help make it happen. The Hope VI Main Street program was set up by the feds to provide assistance to smaller communities in the development of affordable housing that is undertaken in connection with revitalizing central business districts. The Henderson-Vance Downtown Development Commission wrote the grants to get the project going. While not the first of these projects to be funded by the federal government, Henderson’s is the first in the nation to “break ground … to put the bricks and mortar to the test,” remarked Ed Lipsky, president of Rehab Development, the company that built the Senior Center and was selected to construct these 12 apartment units. You may be one of those opposed to federal dollars being used for projects like this, but it’s a safe bet the money was going to be given to some community. We’re smart to take it for our town, and we’ll bank on the potential for growth it affords us. Perhaps we’ll see the foot traffic pick up more like the old days as more shops and more people are drawn to our downtown.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Stimulus equals deception It seems the president has a new trick up his sleeve to convince us his bloated “stimulus” packages are solving our economic woes: deception. ABC News called out the Obama administration the other day when, on the official Recovery.gov Web site, the administration reported “jobs added” in Congressional districts which didn’t even exist. Now, those responsible for the Web site say they’re just reporting the number they’re given, and Vice President Biden has told them to fix it. So that’s all good, right? We’re in the clear; the president is on top of it… Not likely. This is the transparency we were promised? Huge sums of money going to clearly unknown places to create clearly nonexistent jobs? In Oklahoma alone, this Web site tells us $19 million went to parts nonexistent. $11 million in Iowa. $48 million to Puerto Rico. $34 million in Arizona. $140.5 million in the U.S. Virgin Islands. That is, we think. But as none of the districts mentioned in Oklahoma, Iowa, Arizona, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands seem to exist on any

Congressional map, we really have no idea. Perhaps we’re stimulating Tolkein’s Middle Earth, instead! Even these fictional stimulus projects seem unable to do much. That $19 million in Oklahoma only managed to create 15 jobs. Nice salaries, those. This isn’t simply a matter of changing a few numbers on a Web site, Michael a mistyped Reagan district Tribune Media there, an Services extra “4” over there. No, this is a desperate floundering to appear to meet unmet promises. Even in the real districts, these numbers, this great transparency we’ve been offered, mean nothing. If someone thinks a transaction saved someone a job, it gets counted. Not only is that job hypothetical, it’s also one of those “saved” jobs, not actually new employment created. Not

even the slightest bit of help to an unemployment rate higher than anything we’ve seen in over two decades. There’s talk of yet another stimulus to “create jobs.” Are we supposed to have simply forgotten that creating jobs was the stated purpose of the last stimulus? The most recent package promised to “create or save” 3.5 million jobs by next year. Even the unbelievable Recovery.gov doesn’t believe that has happened. Moreover, 90 percent of those jobs were supposed to have been created in the private sector. Instead, most of the jobs we’re seeing claimed are in fact public sector jobs, and there have been multiple challenges to the accuracy of those reports. And as more and more taxpayer money goes to unnecessary and inefficient projects, we are only told that the effort is working, we’re saving jobs and President Obama has us on the right track. He might need a little bit more of your money to get us all the way there, of course, but that’s only because what we’re doing is accomplishing so much. I don’t know about you, but

I’m tired of this. Real people are struggling to keep their jobs and to make ends meet. Real people are circling ad after ad in the Sunday paper praying this time, please, let it work. Real people are seeing their tax dollars frittered away on foolishness. Real people and real problems should not be made into political semantics. On one level, it makes for an entertaining story. Heard the one about my brother-in-law taking one of those stimulus jobs? Yeah, he had to move to Missouri’s 83rd District to take it. It was only after he arrived he found Missouri only had nine. Yet on every other level this is the sad story, already grown stale in the repeating, of an administration which promises things it cannot deliver and then backs away from responsibility. Mike Reagan, the elder son of the late President Ronald Reagan, is chairman and president of The Reagan Legacy Foundation (www. reaganlegacyfoundation.org). Look for Mike’s books and other information at www.Reagan.com. E-mail comments to Reagan@ caglecartoons.com.

Letters to the Editor Dissatisfied with lack of justice for Shaniya Davis To the editor, I am not pleased that investigations into the death of little Shaniya Davis appear to be held up by an issue of jurisdiction. I read on WRAL.com this week that the investigation is being held up because authorities don’t know if Davis actually died in Cumberland or Lee County. Actual murder or other charges related to her actual death apparently must be filed by the agency whose jurisdiction her death occurred in. My question is, can the State Bureau of Investigation file the appropriate charges? If authorities are trying to determine whether Shaniya died in Lee or Sarah Palin is neither savior Cumberland County, it (that job has been taken by the sounds like they are cercurrent president, or didn’t you tain that she died in North know?) nor is she satanic. She Carolina. I would just like is a politician, a species of huto know if an agency with man like the rest of us. statewide jurisdiction I’m fairly certain that if you can charge someone with read many of her public-policy murder, manslaughter, or positions but concealed her byline, many of her worst enemies whatever is appropriate for an apparent homicide that would say “that sounds about right,” and some of her biggest definitely occurred in their state. That way, no jurisfans would say “that sounds dictional technicality will crazy.” But most people would prevent justice for Shaniya. say that her views are perI’m not confident in the fectly within the mainstream Fayetteville police anyway of American politics. She may at this point. After surbe more religious than coastal veillance photos of Mario elites in the lower 48, but that McNeill holding Shaniya is something some bigots need in a Sanford hotel first to get over anyway. surfaced, Fayetteville poI’m happy about the books lice spokesperson Theresa she’s selling thanks to the controversy over her, but that Chance told WRAL, “We doesn’t mean I think these con- believe she is safe. We troversies are justified. Palin have no reason to believe holds no public office and, as of he (McNeill) would harm yet, is not running for one. But her.” She also said Shaniya the Associated Press assigned appeared to be, “well taken 11 reporters to “fact-check” her care of”). book, while doing nothing like Sounds to me like the that to fact-check then-candiFayetteville police weren’t date Obama’s or current Senate taking the case as seriously Majority Leader Harry Reid’s as they should have early no doubt riveting book. on, and now this agency is As it stands, my sense is that saying it cannot pursue an Palin is good for the Republiinvestigation to find out can Party but not necessarily who is responsible for her great. She generates enthudeath and charge them. siasm among, and donations I’d have more confidence from, the base. But she also if another agency were turns off many of the people investigating this crime at the GOP needs to persuade and attract. That could change this point. Whatever it takes to get with this book tour, and I hope justice for Shaniya — short it does. Whether she’s ready or of all of us citizens rushing qualified for the presidency is the Cumberland County another matter. But the presiJail and dragging McNeill dency is a long way off, and out to get the answers out besides, that’s what primaries of him the hard way — let’s are for. do it and do it quickly. (You can write to Jonah Goldberg in care of this newspaper or by e-mail Jason Alston at JonahsColumn@aol.com.) Greensboro

Palinphobes will hate first and ask questions later Slate magazine is just one of the countless media outlets convulsing with St. Vitus’ Dance over that demonic succubus Sarah Palin. In its reader forum, The Fray, one supposed Palinophobe took dead aim at the former Alaska governor’s writing chops, excerpting the following sentence from her book: “The apartment was small, with slanting floors and irregular heat and a buzzer downstairs that didn’t work, so that visitors had to call ahead from a pay phone at the corner gas station, where a black Doberman the size of a wolf paced through the night in vigilant patrol, its jaws clamped around an empty beer bottle.” Other readers pounced like wolf-sized Dobermans on an intruder. One guffawed, “That sentence by Sarah Palin could be entered into the annual Bulwer-Lytton bad writing contest. It could have a chance at winning a (sic) honorable mention, at any rate.” But soon, the original contributor confessed: “I probably should have mentioned that the sentence quoted above was not written by Sarah Palin. It’s taken from the first paragraph of ‘Dreams From My Father,’ written by Barack Obama.” The ruse should have been allowed to fester longer, but the point was made nonetheless: Some people hate Palin first and ask questions later. My all-time favorite response to John McCain’s selection of Palin as his running mate was from Wendy Doniger, a feminist professor of religion at the University of Chicago. Professor Doniger wrote of the exceedingly feminine “hockey mom” with five children: “Her greatest hypocrisy is in her pretense that she is a woman.”

The best part about that sentence: Doniger uses the pronoun “her” — twice. Just this week, a liberal blogger at the Atlantic who has dedicated an unhealthy amount of his life to proving a one-man birther conspiracy theory about Palin’s youngest child (it’s both too slanderous and too deranged to detail here) shut down his blog to cope with the epochal, existential crisis that Palin’s book presJonah ents to all Goldberg humankind. The un-selfTribune Media consciously Services parodic announcement seemed more appropriate for a BBC warning that the German blitz was about to begin, God Help Us All. Indeed, some of us will always be sympathetic to Mrs. Palin if for nothing else than her enemies. The bile she extracts from her critics is almost like a dye marker, illuminating deep pockets of asininity that heretofore were either unnoticed or underappreciated. In fairness, just as there are people who hate Palin for the effrontery she shows in daring to draw breath at all, there are those who love her with a devotion better suited for a religious icon. I hear from both camps, often. And while I don’t think both sides are equally wrong (after all, the acolytes of the Doniger school openly reject reality more than any so-called creationist), I don’t think either position is laudable or sufficient.

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