Today’s Weather
Dr. David Lipschitz shares health tips in his weekly column.
THOMASVILLE
Times
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Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Partly Cloudy, 87/68
119th Year - No. 128 50 Cents
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County gets a “C” for employee growth
WEDDING WISH ‘It was a dream come true for her. They granted her wish.’
BY ERIN WILTGEN Staff Writer Davidson County ranks average in terms of county government workforce growth, according to a study conducted by the John. W. Pope Civitas Institute. The first ever County Government Workforce Growth study examined changes in county government employees from 2000 to 2009 in all 100 of North Carolina’s counties, comparing that data to changes in each county’s population and private sector jobs. “At a time of heightened concern over the explosive growth of government, citizens should be concerned about their county government adding workers at a pace faster than population growth — or even as the county sheds private sector jobs,” said Brian Balfour, an Institute analyst. The study assigned each county a letter grade along the lines of the academic grading scale, each grade reflecting the comparison between county employee growth and county population. Davidson County, along with 32 other counties, received a “C,” meaning that the county increased government employees at a rate less than the rate of population growth or less than twice the rate of population growth. In Davidson County’s case, county employee growth rate from 2000 to 2009, marked at 13.1 percent, remained less than twice the population growth, at 8.9 percent. “Davidson County was given an average ‘C’ grade because they fell into a group of counties that at least showed some restraint in terms of county government employee growth,” Balfour said. “While they did add
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INDEX Weather Health Opinion Obituaries Sports Crossword Classified
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Bryan Ruff and Michelle Causey celebrated a commitment ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 21, the fullfillment of Causey’s wish by Pennsylvaniabased Unity, A Journey of Hope. Causey was diagnosed with cervical cancer a year ago, and the disease has since spread to her liver and bones. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Ceremony is a dream come true The fairy tale unfolds. Flanked by father and step-father, a vision draped in a glistening white gown, Michelle Causey paraded down the aisle lined with 30 family and friends in Heartland Little River Wedding Chapel in Townsend, Tenn. A little rain fell, but hey, it’s her wedding day. Nobody minded. Causey clutched a wildflower bouquet, eyes trained on the groom, Bryan Ruff. The bride’s daughter and son stood proudly by, dressed in teal — teal, the col-
or of cervical cancer. The Thomasville-born bride had been diagnosed with the disease a little more than a year ago. But doomsday thoughts didn’t mar the simple commitment ceremony, held Aug. 21 through the support of Unity, A Journey of Hope. The organization works to fulfill wishes for adults ages 18 and older with life-limiting illnesses. “It was just gorgeous,” said Kim Bass, aunt of the bride. “It was a dream come true for her. They granted her wish.” Causey, 38, was diagnosed with cervical cancer in July 2009. Af-
Staff Writer
ter two hysterectomies, doctors thought they had removed the cancer but requested a few follow-up appointments to be safe. Her six-month exam came back clear of any signs of cancer, but the next day Causey felt an acute pain in her side. A few emergency room visits later, one doctor ordered an ultrasound, and the test revealed that the cancer had spread to her liver and her bones. “Emotionally, it’s been hard,” Causey said. “Mentally, I’ve got a great support system. I’ve got
— Kim Bass
Staff Writer
BY ELIOT DUKE Whenever a person suffers a stroke, every second is precious to doctors and emergency personnel as nearly two million nerve cells in the brain die each minute. A new program at Thomasville Medical Center’s Stroke Center is giving neurologists quicker access to patients any time, day or night, in an effort to save those vital minutes that can make all the difference in the world when it comes to recovery. TMC’s Stroke Center, a nationally accredited facility since 2006, launched its new teleneurology program, enabling medical staff to connect almost instantly with neurologists using videoconferencing technology at the patient’s bedside in the emergency department. “We are proud to continue to offer our patients the best possible emergency neurologic care,” Dr. Keith Miller, medical director of the TMC Stroke Center, said. “This teleneurology service adds to the clinical strength of our stroke center and will help us to even better serve our stroke patients as well as our local community.” TMC will be linked to Specialists On Call (SOC), a joint commission, accredited organization of board-certified,
Aunt of the Bride
BY ERIN WILTGEN
TMC unveils new stroke technology center
Deputies find man naked under bridge BY ELIOT DUKE Staff Writer Davidson County Sheriff ’s Office deputies had an interesting afternoon last Thursday while searching for a robbery suspect near Scenic Way. Deputies with the DCSO Breaking and Entering Task Force responded to an armed robbery call from a store commonly referred to as “The Lucky R” on Scenic Way last Thursday at 1:30 p.m. According to a DCSO press release, deputies, while conducting a canvas of the area for the suspect, discovered a naked man underneath the bridge at the intersection of N.C. Highway 109 and Ironwood Drive. Jerry Leon Blackwell Jr., 50, of 3886 Evergreen Drive in Trinity, was found in the nude and in possession of crack cocaine and a smoking device. Deputies determined Blackwell had no connection to the robbery but charged him with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Blackwell was taken to the Lexington Magistrates Office and issued a $25,000 secured bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 13. “We were investigating a robbery at the Lucky
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CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
BUSINESS OF THE MONTH Sunrise Diner located on Randolph Street has been named Business of the Month for August by the City Beautification Committee. Sunrise has remodeled nearly the entire restaurant.
Is your hospital remarkable? At Thomasville Medical Center, we are proud of our physicians and staff who deliver remarkable care for our patients. We invite you to check the North Carolina Hospital Quality Performance Report and compare hospitals across our region and state. Get the facts. And get the care you deserve.
www.thomasvillemedicalcenter.org/quality
Remarkable People. Remarkable Medicine.
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