The Daily Dispatch - Saturday, December 19, 2009 by The Daily Dispatch

CMYK Holtz says he’ll stay at ECU

Christian goods often spoofs

American Profile magazine

Sports, Page 1B

Faith, Page 1C

Inside Today SATURDAY, December 19, 2009

Volume XCV, No. 297

(252) 436-2700

Arrest in shooting of pair By DISPATCH STAFF

Henderson police have arrested a 41-year-old city man and charged him in connection with the shooting last month of two other men. Eddie Williams of 1830 Farm St. was charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury and felony conspiracy. Police on Nov. 29 responded to a report of a shooting in the 400 block of Merriman Street. Officers found two men with gunshot wounds, Williams and Michael Brodie, 39, who were taken by ambulance to Maria Parham Medical Center. A third man,

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Salvtion Army Major James McCurdy was slightly injured Thursday night in an attempted robbery outside the organization’s building at 355 Alexander Ave. McCurdy said the last of his advisory board members had left about 8:30 following a meeting, and his wife, Nancy, and his sister-in-law, Ramona Barber, returned in the organization’s van from picking up some Christmas

kettles in town. Nancy McCurdy came inside and Barber remained in the van, he said. They heard the vehicle alarm and went outside to find McCurdy a man wearing a black ski mask beating on the van. Barber, he said, was screaming. James McCurdy said the man had a gun in his hand.

“I believe he was under some medication,” he said. McCurdy said the man kept repeating, “Give me your money. Give me your wallet.” “I told him, ‘I’m not going to give you anything.’” The gun “didn’t look real,” McCurdy said, so he pushed it away. When the man came toward him, McCurdy said he kicked the suspect, who dropped the gun. The man retrieved the gun and “popped me beside the head

Storm brings snow, sleet

Our Hometown . . . . . 2A Business & Farm. . . . 5A Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . 6A Light Side . . . . . . . . . 7A Sports. . . . . . . . . . 1-4B Comics . . . . . . . . . . . 6C Classifieds. . . . . . . 7-9C

Weather Today Snow likely

High: 33 Low: 26

Sunday Mostly cloudy

High: 38 Low: 21

Details, 3A

Deaths Newark, N.J. William C. Wyche Jr., 57 Oxford Jerry E. Johnson, 76

Obituaries, 4A

Send comments to news@hendersondispatch.com.

Requests for Vance Manor due By AL WHELESS Daily Dispatch Writer

By DISPATCH STAFF

Index

pretty good,” McCurdy said. By then his wife and sister-inlaw had called police. When police could be heard coming, McCurdy said the man ran. McCurdy said he was treated at the scene for a cut. Police, he said, told him the suspect had been involved in three other similar incidents that same night.

Board to hear results of use, cost studies

Cattle rustlers take nine calves

Send comments to news@ hendersondispatch.com.

50 cents

Salvation Army leader disappoints robber

Please see ARREST, page 4A

Cattle rustlers may be on the loose in Vance County. Amos Brewer of 1755 Poplar Creek Road reported Wednesday that nine calves are missing from a pasture on Landing Road. He said he last saw the animals four days before. Brewer said he doesn’t know how or when the calves were taken. The retiree, who has about 100 head of cattle, valued the stolen black angus at $4,500. That, he said, is what he could have sold them for at six months old. Brewer, 73, said the heifers were having their first calves, and he moved them to the 30-acre pasture and away from the other cattle. The pasture is about a mile down a dirt road.

Daily Dispatch/ASHLEY STEVEN AYSCUE

Shoppers walk to their cars in the snow after shopping at Food Lion at the Henderson Mall on Dabney Drive Friday afternoon.

Vance official: ‘Level of impact’ of storm worsened By DISPATCH STAFF

The first snow starting falling in the Tri-County early in the afternoon on Friday and weather forecasters were indicating we likely would have more. By press time, more it was. But the snow had given way to freezing rain and sleet, making roadways treacherous. Police reported numerous accidents. “The level of impact from our approaching storm system has worsened from this time yesterday,” Brian Short, director of Emergency Operations for Vance County, said early Friday afternoon. Short said that National Weather Service forecasters were predicting a rain and snow mix through the night, changing to freezing rain and sleet and then back to all snow overnight. “Total snow fall accumulations for our area are expected to be around 3 inches,” Short said. “The National Weather Service is quick to point out that this is a largely a best guess based on current model data. If the system were to shift a little to the west or east our total accumulations could change dramatically in either direction.” Short also noted that strong winds were predicted for today. “With the ground being saturated already and with the possibility of some ice accumulation on trees and power lines, the possibility does exists for power outages,” Short said. Tanya Evans, community relations manager for the Northern Region of Progress Energy, said the utility company is mobilizing crews and equipment to be ready “for whatever Mother Nature Please see SNOW, page 3A

Letters of interest from organizations wanting to locate projects in the former Vance Manor building are due by mid-January, according to a county official. Jordan McMillen, director of planning and development, said at a meeting Thursday that hopes are to have the results of use and cost studies to the Board of Commissioners by its March meeting. It would be up to the board to determine whether to seek a reuse grant from the North Carolina Rural Center to fund major repairs and renovations to the structure the county has owned since 1923. A $25,000 grant from the center is funding the studies being conducted by Entasis Design, an architectural firm in Kannapolis. A representative, Eric Colson, told those attending the meeting Thursday that the extensive work on the former Vance Manor facility will include removal of lead-based paint and asbestos. “All-in-all, it’s a good sound building,” Colson said. He mentioned that new heating, plumbing and hot water systems — and Please see VANCE MANOR, page 4A

VGCC among schools computer hacker invaded By DAVID IRVINE Daily Dispatch Writer

Daily Dispatch/ASHLEY STEVEN AYSCUE

A woman walks through heavy snow to put a Christmas wreath on a gravesite at Sunset Gardens on Oxford Road Friday afternoon.

Daily Dispatch/WILLIAM F. WEST

This is snapshot from the front of the Granville County Courthouse, looking in the direction of Hillsboro Street and minutes after the start of Friday afternoon’s snow.

A hacker invaded the North Carolina Community College System’s computer system, which contains personal information on students. As many as 51,000 library users at 25 campuses were victims of the security breach. Vance-Granville Community College was one of the campuses affected. VGCC President Randy Parker told The Daily Dispatch that the security breach affected records of about 11,000 students at the college. Those records include students who were enrolled over a period of years. The students’ information exposed by the hacker included driver license numbers and Social Security numbers. The Raleigh News and Observer quotes Community College System Senior Vice-president Saundra Williams as saying that officials do not Please see HACKER, page 4A

The Daily Dispatch

Mark It Down Today Dee’s Music Barn — Dee’s Music Barn, 3101 Walters Road, Creedmoor, will be featuring James Potreat and The Ace In The Hole Band at 7 p.m. For more information, call (919) 528-5878. Ridgeway Opry House — Performing this week are Julia Morton, Joyce Chisenhall and Matt Nelson with guest bands Tri- County Band and Classic Country. Doors open at 6 p.m. Music starts at 7 p.m.

Monday NARFE meeting — The National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Chapter #28 will hold its annual Christmas gift meeting at the Dabney Drive Restaurant at 9 am. Federal active and retired employees are encouraged to attend and bring a wrapped Christmas present ($10 and under). There will also be a talk on preventing falls.

Tuesday Workshop — The Warren County Extension Center, in conjunction with the Warren Family Institute and the Warren County Schools, will host a workshop entitled “Holiday Safety and Encouraging Academic Success” at 6 p.m. Guest speaker will be Lorrie Crawley, director of New Beginning Daycare in Warren County. Free turkey and food boxes will be given to the first 40 families that pre-register. Dollar General of Norlina and its customers have been collecting toys that will also be given away at the event. To register, contact Rachel Monterverdi at (252) 257-3640 or Lori Parrott at (252) 257-1134. Alpha Phi Alpha — The members of the Rho Beta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity will meet at 6 p.m. at W.T. Ramey’s home at 2555 Raleigh Road. The members be delivering Christmas gifts and food to the family the group has adopted for Christmas.

Guidelines

Our Hometown

The science and art of pruning This may be a sign that it’s time for a career change, but over the years I have developed a philosophy about pruning. Pruning should be about gently sculpting a plant to improve its health, function and appearance, not about humanity’s futile attempt to Paul dominate M cKenzie nature. Cooperative OK, so Extension I probably at least need a couple days of vacation. But honestly, neatly clipped hedges are not my cup of tea. Nor am I a fan of planting a large shrub in a small space, then attacking it with hedge clippers twice a year. I do not, have not, and will not

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The art of pruning has to do with shaping the plant and deciding which limbs to cut. Screens, hedges and foundation shrubs normally need only light shaping. However, the dogwood, crepe myrtle or flowering cherry that is your wife’s pride and joy should be approached carefully. My best advice is to work slow, start with small limbs, and step back frequently to circle the plant and evaluate your work. With larger limbs, make a partial “undercut” first to avoid ripping a strip of bark off the plant as the limb falls. Stop pruning before you think you are done. You can always do more next year, but you can’t glue back what you cut. Most importantly, remember that limbs grow back and plants are replaceable. Hopefully your spouse will remember that too!

Tips from the Vance Co. Parenting Task Force Holiday safety tips for grandparents Get down low and look at all of the things you may have out on the counter tops or stored in low drawers. Household items, such as prescriptions, scissors, matches and lighters, even cosmetics, can pose serious risks to young children. Store them out of reach or out of sight before children visit. If in a cabinet or drawer, make sure to use a child-safety latch. Pick up and put away all small items such as buttons, coins, jewelry and pills that look like candy. Window blind cords

should not have a loop, or place them high out of reach. Put emergency numbers by your phones, including the National Poison Control Hotline, 1-800-222-1222. Source: Karen DeBord, Ph.D., safety expert; MeriK Appy, president of the non-profit Home Safety Council. By Mary Helen Jones, N.C. Cooperative Extension

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ous reasons. Always cut back to a bud, branching point, larger limb or trunk. A plant will not send water and nutrients down a dead end path, so any stubs you leave are sure to die. Once dead they will rot, and the wood rotting fungi can move into healthy living limbs. With shrubs that are way to large for the space, a last ditch approach is to cut them back to within two or three feet of the ground. Vigorous, healthy, fast growing shrubs tolerate this better than those that are slow-growing or unhealthy. A plant that is often plagued with insect or disease problems may benefit from thinning, as darkness and humidity are ideal conditions for insects and fungi. Thinning involves cutting back entire limbs so that air and light can more easily penetrate the interior of the canopy.

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is the process of taking written medical records and converting them into a numerical language in order to submit a bill for services or supplies to an insurance company for payment. VGCC’s program provides area residents with the necessary skills and understanding to allow them to seek entrylevel coding positions in one of the nation’s fastestgrowing occupations. Students must have a high school diploma or GED to enter the program. For more information, call VGCC at (252) 738-3417.

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own any pruning equipment that is powered by gasoline or electricity. Pruning is both science and art, and from the scientific standpoint dormant season is the time to do major corrective pruning. Major corrective pruning is done when a tree or shrub is seriously misshapen, or when it has been mistakenly planted in an area where it does not have room to reach its full size. For most plants, late in the dormant season is preferred, i.e. early March. However, light shaping cuts can safely be made now. Put off the severe pruning jobs until later, unless the tree or shrub is causing problems with safety, home maintenance or marital harmony. Of course, any plant that has already formed flower buds (e.g. azalea, forsythia, dogwood) should be pruned carefully if at all prior to blooming, for obvi-

VGCC to hold medical coding program orientation

Vance-Granville Community College will hold The Daily Dispatch staff asks that items intended for incluorientation and registrasion in the calendar be submitted in writing at least five days tion for its upcoming mediin advance of the event. Please include a contact person’s cal terminology course on name and phone number in case there are questions. Items Jan. 6 at 6 p.m. in for this listing can be e-mailed to communitynews@henderBuilding 7, room 7107, on sondispatch.com. the college’s main campus in Vance County. Medical Guidelines for Community terminology is the first of four courses required for News Submissions the medical coding certificate program. The Daily Dispatch communitynews@henderMedical coding is a encourages readers to submit sondispatch.com or faxed to 13-month program that news items and photos for (252) 436-0125. Submitted includes training in codinclusion in the paper. News photos are kept for 30 days ing, billing, insurance, items may be dropped off at after appearing in the paper our newspaper offices at 304 and may be picked up at any medical terminology, and S. Chestnut St. in downtown time after they appear in the preparing for a certificaHenderson or mailed to The paper. For more information tion test. Medical coding Daily Dispatch, P.O. Box 908, on community news guideHenderson, NC, 27536. News lines, contact Linda Gupton, items may also be e-mailed to features editor, at 436-2837.

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Local & State

The Daily Dispatch

Deaths Jerry E. Johnson OXFORD — Jerry E. Johnson, age 76, a resident of Oxford, died Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009, in Wake Med in Raleigh. A native of Vance County, he was the son of the late Sam and Myrtle Haithcock Johnson. Mr. Johnson was a member of Delrayno Baptist Church, the Loyal Order of Moose and a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He was employed by Butner Public Safety. Memorial services will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at Gentry-Newell and Vaughan Funeral Home Chapel by the Rev. Rick Clayton and the Rev. Hilton Moore. The Johnson family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, from 1 to 1:45 p.m., at the funeral home. Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife, Jean Sherman Johnson; a son, Mike Ward of Bullock;

William C. Wyche Jr. NEWARK, N.J. — William Carlton Wyche Jr., 57, died Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009, at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, N.J. He was born in Vance County and was the son of William Carlton Sr. and Carrie WycheAllen. He was educated at John F. Kennedy School in Newark, N.J., majoring in music. He played drums for Eddie and The Mustangs for many years at the Price’s Lounge in Newark, N.J.

two daughters, Lisa Hart and Jerry Overby, both of Oxford; and a sister, Onita Clayton of Durham; five grandchildren, Jessie Poole, Aaron Poole, Michael Ward Jr., Michele Ward and Whitney Cox; and two great-grandchildren, Riley Marie Ward and Grant Shields Harvell. He is preceded in death by a daughter, Edi Poole; a brother, Billy Johnson; and a sister, Majesty J. Grissom. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Delrayno Baptist Church, 208 Rayland St.; or Antioch Fire Department, c/o Mac Peace, 4093 Charlie Harris Road, Oxford, N.C. 27565. For online condolences, go to www.gnvfh. com and select obituaries. Gentry-Newell and Vaughan Funeral Home is in charge of assisting the Johnson family. Paid Obituary

Survivors include his mother, Carrie Wyche Allen; two sisters, Lenora W. Muhammad of Virginia Beach, Va., and Gale Sykes Harroll of Hillside, N.J.; and three brothers, Ronnie Wyche of Stafford, Va., Aaron Green of Riverview, Fla., and David Wyche of Newark, N.J. Chapel services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Sunday at Davis-Royster Funeral Service. Burial will follow in St. Paul Church in Middleburg. Arrangements are by Davis-Royster Funeral Service.

VANCE MANOR, from page one possibly electric — will be needed. Several organizations have expressed interest in moving into the building, according to McMillen. Deryl Von Williams, who runs the Vance County Learning Center, gave Colson information Thursday on her organization and its proposal for the old Vance Manor

structure. She has previously told the Commissioners that the learning center, numerous services, a computer lab and some businesses could exist in the building if it becomes a community center for the Flint Hill area. Contact the writer at awheless@hendersondispatch.com.

Release of two murderers halted N.C. Supreme Court disagrees with lower court, gives state second chance By MIKE BAKER Associated Press Writer

RALEIGH — North Carolina’s Supreme Court temporarily halted the release of two convicted murderers serving life sentences Friday just an hour before the inmates were set to go free, and two lower court judges have now issued conflicting opinions on whether the prisoners should get early releases. The high court ruling gives the attorney general’s office another chance to make arguments after inmates Alford Jones and Faye Brown won two lower-court victories during a week of drama. Convicts who were sentenced to life between 1974 and 1978 received terms defined as no more than 80 years long. Some of them contend sentence-reduction credits mean they’ve completed their time behind

bars. If the courts continue to side with the inmates, dozens could be set free in the months to come. But after a string of losses in the courts, state attorneys secured a victory Friday that seemed to complicate the legal tangle. Superior Court Judge Gentry Caudill determined in an order released by state officials that the Department of Correction secretary has discretion in how to award good behavior credits, and said the secretary has decided not to apply those discounts to release the “life” prisoners early. “No Secretary of Correction has ever directed good-behavior credits be applied to calculate an unconditional release date for a life sentence,” Caudill wrote as he denied inmate William Folston a request for freedom. His ruling went contrary

City arrests on drugs charges, break-in By DISPATCH STAFF

The Henderson Police Department has arrested one man on drugs charges and another for breaking and entering in a separate incident. Sedrick Boyd, 28, of 105 Fox Run was arrested Thursday following a traffic stop on East Andrews Avenue. He was charged with driving with a revoked license. A search of the driver yielded 30 grams of cocaine, police said. Police said Boyd, also known as “Sed,” was additionally charged with trafficking cocaine by possession and trafficking cocaine by transportation. The suspect is being held in the Vance County jail

on $100,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing on Jan. 25 in Vance County District Court. In the other incident, patrol officers responded Friday to an alarm activation at the Hard Times Pawn Shop at 106 Dabney Drive. Police said Gerald Dunston of 911 Bane Ave. was discovered inside the business, and when the suspect attempted to run, he was apprehended. Dunston was arrested and charged with felony breaking and entering. He is being held in the Vance County jail on $30,000 bond pending a preliminary court hearing Jan. 19. Send comments to news@ hendersondispatch.com.

to an order from Superior Court Judge Ripley Rand earlier this week, who ordered quick release of Jones and Brown. Attorneys for the inmates had argued before Rand that the prisoners regularly earned a variety of credits that should be applied to their 80-year terms. The court of appeals briefly intervened to keep the inmates behind bars before rejecting the state’s appeal of Rand’s decision. Gov. Beverly Perdue said earlier in the week she was “disgusted” with the judicial system, but her office seemed more upbeat Friday evening. “Gov. Perdue believes Judge Caudill’s decision is the correct one as this important issue now moves to the Supreme Court,” said spokeswoman Chrissy Pearson in a statement. “The bottom line remains:

Inmates sentenced to life should not be allowed to walk out the prison door without a parole review and appropriate postrelease supervision.” Brown, who is held at Raleigh Correctional Center for Women, was sentenced for her role in the shooting death of a state trooper during a bank robbery in 1975. Jones, who is currently at New Hanover Correctional Center in Wilmington, was convicted in the January 1975 shooting of William B. Turner Sr. Wanda Short, who employs Brown as part of a work release program, said the 56-year-old is ready for life outside of prison. Brown spent Friday working at the Raleigh beauty school. “Nothing’s changed,” Short said. “The routine is still the same. She’s just as normal as anyone else.”

ARREST, from page one Antonio Hart, 33, was taken to the hospital by private vehicle. Brodie and Hart were transferred to Duke Medical Center, but their wounds were not lifethreatening. Police said Williams is being held in the Vance County jail pending a preliminary hearing Dec. 28

in Vance County District Court. Williams is currently on 24-month probation for carrying a concealed weapon, police said. He was convicted of that charge in Vance County on Sept. 25. Send comments to news@ hendersondispatch.com.

HACKER, from page one believe the hacker actually gained access to those numbers. Parker said the college system office is mailing letters to the 51,000 potentially affected individuals. Asked about the local response, he said, “We are no longer

taking that kind of information,” and added that driver license numbers and Social Security numbers are being removed from the local computer system. Contact the writer at dirvine@ hendersondispatch.com.

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Business & Farm

The Daily Dispatch

Death sentence in China for fraud BEIJING (AP) — A Chinese businesswoman was sentenced to death Friday for cheating investors out of $56 million — the latest case in the country’s struggle against widespread corruption. The 28-year-old Wu Ying started out a decade ago with a single beauty salon but eventually built up a holding group, Bense Holdings, that was known around the country, the state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.

The report said Wu collected the $56 million from investors over two years and was arrested in 2007. Video posted online of her sentencing had the petite, ponytailed Wu showing little emotion as she was led into the courtroom. In China, the death penalty is used even for nonviolent crimes such as corruption or tax evasion. The country’s highest court, which reviews all death sentences, this year called for it to be used less

often and for only the most serious criminal cases. The Intermediate People’s Court in Jinhua city, eastern Zhejiang province, said Wu used the money for personal use and operating costs and to pay off loans. The Xinhua report said Wu confessed but then retracted her confession in April. Rights group Amnesty International has said China put at least 1,718 people to death in 2008.

Business Wire Progress Energy Carolinas said it is negotiating to extend a major new natural gas pipeline to the site, which would provide a cleaner energy source. The company provides electricity to parts of North and South Carolina. Progress Energy said earlier this month it will close 11 coal-burning power plants in North Carolina that don’t have scrubbers by 2017.

Allstate agency owner earns service designation Jeff Ayscue, an Allstate exclusive agency owner in Henderson, has been designated a Premier Service Agency for 2009, the company announced. Less than 22 percent of Allstate’s nearly 13,000 agency owners across the country are recognized with the designation, which was presented to Ayscue for his commitment to exceeding customer expectations. The Premier Service Agency designation is awarded to Allstate agency owners who have consistently met designated levels in customer service and business performance.

GM repays part of loans from Canada, U.S. governments DETROIT (AP) — General Motors Co. says it has repaid $1 billion of its loans to the U.S. government and $192 million to the Canadian government. The automaker says it followed through on a commitment to begin repaying the loans by the end of this month. Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre Jr. says in a statement that GM looks forward to repaying all of its loan balances by the end of June. He says the repayments are contingent on no downturns in the economy or GM’s business. GM owes the U.S. government $52 billion, with $6.7 billion of that in loans. At least part of the rest will be repaid when GM issues stock, perhaps as soon as next year. The automaker also

N.C. utility plans gas-powered plant to replace coal RALEIGH (AP) — Progress Energy wants to build a new power plant fueled by cleaner-burning natural gas as it phases out coal-fired units in North Carolina. The Raleigh power company said Friday it filed an application with the North Carolina Utilities Commission to build the new generation unit on the grounds of an existing coal-fired power plant near Wilmington. Formerly Millennium Glass of Oxford

owes the Canadian and Ontario governments about $1.4 billion.

Mullaly says Ford plans to speed up debt repayment WAYNE, Mich. (AP) — Ford Motor Co. CEO Alan Mulally says the automaker plans to speed up its debt repayment as its financial condition continues to improve. Mulally also told reporters at a briefing Friday on its new vehicles that Ford will keep its advantage over Chrysler and General Motors next year. Ford has gained sales and market share while its Detroit competitors were forced to take government aid and go through bankruptcy protection. Ford has about $27 billion in debt. Mulally says the company repaid $10 billion this year and plans to sell $1.6 billion worth of stock. He says the automaker will accelerate payments as it continues to move toward profitability in 2011.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Area

A DAY ON WALL STREET

Dow Jones industrials

10,000

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 8,000

+20.63 A

10,328.89

Stocks

11,000

December 18, 2009

Pct. change from previous: +0.2%

High 10,372.35

7,000

Low 10,263.90

December 18, 2009

2,400

Nasdaq composite

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

+31.64 2,211.69

Pct. change from previous: +1.45%

High 2,213.18

Low 2,190.69

December 18, 2009

Standard & Poor’s 500 +6.39 1,102.47

Pct. change from previous: +0.58%

High 1,103.74

1,400

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

Low 1,093.88

SOURCE: SunGard

MARKET ROUNDUP 121809: Market

charts show Dow,M S&P 500, and Currencies & etals

Nasdaq; stand-alone; 2c x 4 1/2 inches; 96 mm x 114 mm; staff Aluminum - $1.0042 per lb., London Metal NEW YORK (AP) — Key currency exEditors: All figures as of: 5:25:56 PM EST change rates Friday: Exch. NOTE: Figures reflect market fluctuations after not match other AP content close; Coppermay -$3.1297 Cathode full plate, LME. Dollar vs: ExchgRate PvsDay Copper $3.1210 N.Y. Merc spot Fri. Yen 89.96 89.90 Lead - $2331.00 metric ton, London Metal Euro $1.4349 $1.4516 Exch. Pound $1.6156 $1.6310 Zinc - $1.0702 per lb., London Metal Exch. Swiss franc 1.0466 1.0397 Gold - $1104.50 Handy & Harman (only Canadian dollar 1.0702 1.0630 daily quote). Mexican peso 12.9620 12.7080 Gold - $1110.80 troy oz., NY Merc spot Fri. Metal Price PvsDay Silver - $17.260 Handy & Harman (only NY Merc Gold $1106.80 $1135.50 daily quote). NY HSBC Bank US $1103.00 $1132.00 Silver - $17.305 troy oz., N.Y. Merc spot Fri. NY Merc Silver $17.180 $17.679 Platinum -$1423.00 troy oz., N.Y. (contract). Platinum -$1429.30 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:

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

Granville school official to be speaker The Testing and Accountability Coordinator/ Public Information Officer for Granville schools will be guest speaker Monday, Jan. 11, at the first New Year meeting of the South Council of the Granville Chamber of Commerce. Stan Wilborne’s topic will be “The Redesign 2.0 Initiative.” This is a partnership among SAS, the N.C. New Schools Project, the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation

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and South Granville High School to create highly effective schools that can demonstrate effective teaching practices through the use of technology. The meeting will be held at the VGCC South Campus meeting room, beginning at noon. Box lunches will be available for $5. Those expecting to attend should respond to Theresa at the South Office, theresa@granville-

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CMYK 6A

Opinion

The Daily Dispatch

XII I

II III

VIII VII VI

IV V

X IX

XII

VII

II III

VIII

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 There was a man sent from God, whose name [was] John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all [men] through him might believe. He was not that Light, but [was sent] to bear witness of that Light. [That] was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. John 1:6-9

Our Opinion

Take caution if ice comes Folks in Henderson, Vance County and the rest of the Tri-County area were holding their breath into the night last evening as a winter storm threatened any possibility from a light coating of snow to several inches or — worse yet — freezing rain. Progress Energy issued a notice that it has its crews and equipment on alert, if needed. The Emergency Operations Center for Vance County raised the possibility in its updates that high winds, saturated grounds and ice from freezing rain could prove to be a risky combination. In addition to the possibility of a mix of rain, snow and freezing rain, Brian Short, director of emergency operations for the county, noted that strong winds were in today’s forecast, raising the possibility of falling tree limbs and trees. This possibility of icy conditions presents an appropriate time to revisit the precautions that should be taken in the event of falling power lines and power outages. Progress Energy has advised its customers to take the following precautions: • Stay away from downed power lines. Keep children and pets away as well. Always assume downed lines are energized. • Do not stand under ice-laden limbs or power lines. Be on the lookout for falling ice. • Never use a generator indoors. Always follow manufacturer instructions. • Keep at least one battery-powered flashlight where it can be located easily in the dark. Listen for storm information on a battery-powered radio. Keep an extra supply of fresh batteries. • Make sure you are adequately stocked with canned goods and bottled water. • Make sure any indoor heaters, such as wood stoves or kerosene heaters, have adequate ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Likewise, make sure the flue of your fireplace is working properly. Never use outdoor grills in the house. • Make sure you have adequate fuel on hand for supplementary heating sources, such as a fireplace, wood-burning stove or kerosene heater. Should the power go out, Progress Energy recommends using their automated system at 800-419-6356. Because power restoration times are difficult to predict, the utility said, customers are encouraged to be prepared in the event that an outage occurs. Customers with special needs who experience an outage should be prepared to seek alternate shelter until service is restored, according to the company. Progress Energy customers can track outages and see other storm information on their web site at www.progressenergy.com/storm. Specific steps are taken after severe weather by Progress Energy to restore power under a priority system that ensures the largest number of customers are restored as quickly as possible, officials say. For example, hospitals, emergency responders and other essential services are given top priority. The utility said they send out damage assessors at first to assess damage and determine what crews, equipment and supplies will be needed to make repairs. Take the necessary steps to be prepared as recommended, and be extra cautious should we find ourselves dealing with icy conditions today or sometime in the near future.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

The haze of Copenhagen Thousands are now gathered in Copenhagen to embark on an aggressive plan to reach a framework for reducing carbon emissions, with the goal of instituting a more formalized, binding agreement within six months. Now, many others have rightly criticized and written on the faulty research used to support the panic of “global warming” and supposedly retreating icebergs. In the past two weeks, this justified skepticism has gained significant traction in light of the recently released “ClimateGate” e-mails, wherein researchers and peers of the notable Climate Research Unit of East Anglia University appear to concede that climate change is due to natural, not human, activity. However, in this week’s column I want to pivot around that important debate for a minute to talk about the politics and economics of this week’s climate gathering Predictably, the United States is the main target of the thousands of protesters, media and conference participants — all more than willing to wave the finger of blame on our nation for all the world’s perceived climate ills. You see, folks in Beijing, Bandung and Bangalore all want the United States to accept stringent

restrictions on her own industries without accepting even less stringent restrictions on their own countries. In one of many possible examples, just Wednesday India reiterated its refusal to accept any sort of binding restrictions limiting carbon emissions for their Michael country — Reagan while at the same time Tribune Media Services demanding an increase in proposed cutbacks for our country! It seems as though negotiators are utterly ignoring the official projections from the Indian government which indicate that Indian emissions will triple or quadruple in the next 20 years, even as American emissions are projected to drop.Yet we’re not even asking for cuts in Indian emissions, just a slower rate of growth. In a similar position, Chinese leaders have been equally antagonistic to the United States. Beyond even projections, this idea of the United States as the Great Polluter is increasingly less justified. In

recent years, China has risen to become the greatest emitter of greenhouse gases. According to the World Bank, Indonesia clocks in at third, with India, Russia, and Japan also sitting at the top. The U.S. still ranks second, but is the only top-ranked country which has been curbing, rather than increasing, emissions of greenhouse gases. At the same time, these nations expect astronomical levels of financial assistance from the same countries they claim are not doing enough. Developed, Western nations have proffered a significant $10 billion annually to aid new technologies and industrial developments in developing nations to help them implement emissions changes without severely damaging their economies. But these poorer nations insist that price tag is absurdly low — never mind the global economic recession which has hit Western nations the hardest. I wonder if any of the 10 percent of Americans looking for jobs today or the millions of others simply trying to make ends meet really want their tax dollars to be directed to ensure that China, Indonesia or India’s economies remain stable while they implement tougher carbon

restrictions based on faulty science. Even if we were to accept the dubious scientific and environmental arguments which have sparked these Copenhagen negotiations, the idea that America should sign a binding legal treaty when other nations are given a free pass is absurd. Not only it is a blatant disregard of our sovereignty, but it would also only lead to the exporting of dirty jobs and industries to China and other privilegedstatus nations, boosting their economy at the expense of ours and doing nothing to accomplish the treaty’s environmental goals. The United States must never allow other nations to dictate our interests and objectives. We can, and should, partner with the world in friendship, but all friendships have limits. If the developing nations of the world expect our help, they will have to do their part. 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 Library Foundation could use donations To the editor: The H. Leslie Perry Memorial Library has now completed its third year of operation in its new library facility; and although the statistics for library usage during the second year of operation in the new facility were extraordinary, the statistics for this third year continue to show an increase in usage of the library by the citizens of our community. During the 12-month period ending June 30, 2009: 161,112 people visited the library; Overall circulation in the library increased by 3%; 40,296 people used the public computers available at the library which was a 8% increase over the previous year; 2,729 new library cards were issued, bringing the total number of library card holders to 32,192. This year’s statistics were achieved despite the fact that Maybe Nike will give Elin the library was forced to operate on a reduced schedule due an endorsement deal. Who wouldn’t want to buy the clubs to budget constraints. Our community is very forthat beat Tiger? The two have tunate to have an exceptional given a whole new meaning to: library building facility. If we “Just do it.” are going to realize the full 3. Somali Pirates. Who potential of this fine facility, knew piracy was a 21st cenour community needs to assist tury career track? What’s next: with providing the financial scurvy? support necessary for funding 2. Sarah Palin. Alaska the programs and services. deserves decisive leadership, The H. Leslie Perry Library which is why she proved she’s Foundation, Inc., a tax-exempt foundation, was established in not a quitter by resigning. 1998 to receive and manage More Sarah Logic we city folk contributions made to support just don’t understand. Then the library. The foundation she writes a book that sells provides two funds to which almost a million copies to nondonors may contribute — the readers. Queen of the Illiterati. Endowment Fund and the 1. Teabaggers and Health Capital Fund. Contributions Care Rioters. Easy to unto the Endowment Fund will derstand why these folks are be invested, and the income so leery of public health care from that fund will be used to when you realize how obvious- strengthen the library’s collection of materials, resources ly they’ve been failed by our and services. public education system. You have the opportunity to San Francisco-based provide greatly needed funding political comic Will Durst for our library’s many benefiwrites sometimes, this being a cial programs and services by sterling example, and expects making a tax-deductible con2010 to provide him with even tribution to the perpetual Enricher grist. dowment Fund of the Library Foundation. Contributions to Will Durst is a political the Library Foundation can be either a direct gift or through comedian who has performed your estate plan and the conaround the world. He is a familiar pundit on television and tributions can be in the form of cash, securities, insurance radio. E-mail Will at durst@ policies or other assets. caglecartoons.com. Check out The library needs your supwillandwillie.com for the latest port now. Please consider a gift podcast. Will Durst’s book, to the H. Leslie Perry Library “The All American Sport of Foundation before the end of Bipartisan Bashing,” is avail2009. able from Amazon and better bookstores all over this great FELIX C. McDANIEL land of ours. President, Library Foundation

Counting down the top ten comedic news stories of 2009 Okay. Here’s the deal: the Top Ten Comedic News Stories of 2009 are not to be confused with the Top Ten Legitimate News Stories of 2009. They are as different as night and day. Fire and frogs. Popeyes chicken and ballet fundraisers. High-rise condo balconies and balsawood furniture. Southern Baptist 4th of July church picnics and snow tires. There were all sorts of heavy- duty stories that impacted the country and the planet. Can’t think of any right now, but trust me, there was a bunch. Rather, the Top Ten Comedic News Stories of 2009 are the accounts that provoked a slow shake of the head and a soft chuckle without having to bear a moral weight larger than Manitoba, owing to the extreme unfunny nature of the death, destruction and gruesomeness inherent in the legitimate news. So here is the flip side, the stories from ‘09 most filled with mirthing possibilities. 10. Gov. Mark Sanford, RS.C., and Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., both found to have a bit of a problem in the monogamy department. The GOP breathes a sigh of relief that at least they were caught with women. 9. Beer Summit. Resolution sounded like the set-up for a joke. A professor, a cop and a president walk into a bar. Because as we all know, beer fixes racism. 8. Swine Flu. To keep from

defaming our proud American factory pig farms, government attempts to change name to SOIV: Swine Originated Influenza Virus. Fails to catch on. 7. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. For David Souter’s replacement, the president chooses Will a Catholic Durst diabetic woman from Tribune Media Services the South Bronx of Puerto Rican descent. Apparently that search for the albino midget lesbian unwed Bangladeshi mother with a bum leg and lycanthropy fell just a bit short. 6. Cash for Clunkers. Upon first hearing about the program, many thought it was about raising the per diem for the Senate. Or a recurring entry on a lobbyist’s expense report. 5. Nobel Peace Prize. The outcry from the right made you think the president had been caught naked under a goat at a Junkie Hookers for Satan Convention. Glenn Beck so outraged, it’s a miracle he didn’t pull a Kanye West, rush the award ceremonies and yell how Dick Cheney deserved it more. 4. Tiger Woods. Fall from Mt. Olympus is steep and loud.

The Daily Dispatch

Dear Abby

News From The Light Side SATURDAY Morning / Early Afternoon 12/19/09

On this date: In 1777, Gen. George Washington led his army of about 11,000 men to Valley Forge, Pa., to camp for the winter. In 1907, 239 workers died in a coal mine explosion in Jacobs Creek, Pa. In 1946, war broke out in Indochina as troops under Ho Chi Minh launched widespread attacks against the French. In 1974, Nelson A. Rockefeller was sworn in as the 41st vice president of the United States. In 1984, Britain and China signed an accord returning Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty on July 1, 1997. In 1998, President Bill Clinton was impeached by the Republican-controlled House for perjury and obstruction of justice (he was later acquitted by the Senate). Ten years ago: Space shuttle Discovery and seven astronauts roared into the night toward the crippled Hubble Space Telescope. Macau spent its last day under Portuguese control before being handed back to China, ending 442 years of colonial rule. Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Orlando Brown was ejected for pushing referee Jeff Triplette to the ground during a game

One year ago: An unwavering Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich served notice he had no intention of quitting over his corruption arrest, declaring: “I have done nothing wrong.” Today’s Birthdays: Country singer Little Jimmy Dickens is 89. Composerlyricist Robert Sherman (“Mary Poppins”) is 84. Actress Cicely Tyson is 76. R&B singer-musician Maurice White (Earth, Wind and Fire) is 68. South Korean President Lee Myung-bak is 68. Actress Elaine Joyce is 66. Actor Tim Reid is 65. Paleontologist Richard E. Leakey is 65. Rock singer Alvin Lee (Ten Years After) is 65. Musician John McEuen is 64. Singer Janie Fricke is 62. Jazz musician Lenny White is 60. Actor Mike Lookinland is 49. Actress Jennifer Beals is 46. Actor Scott Cohen is 45. Actor Robert MacNaughton is 43. Magician Criss Angel is 42. Rock musician Kevin Shepard is 41. Actress Kristy Swanson is 40. Model Tyson Beckford is 39. Actress Amy Locane is 38. Actress Rosa Blasi is 37. Actress Alyssa Milano is 37. Actor Jake Gyllenhaal is 29. Actress Marla Sokoloff is 29. Rapper Lady Sovereign is 24.