ENTERTAINMENT: ‘Fly Girls’ hope to bring the ‘sexy back’ • Page 15A
The Sanford Herald WEDNESDAYS, MARCH 24, 2010
QUICKREAD SPORTS
FORMER CAV SHINES FOR HOKIES’ SOFTBALL TEAM
Softball star B.K. Smith, a freshman at Va. Tech (9-16, 21), is currently the leadoff batter and is second on the team in batting average at .286 and is tied for first in hits with 24 Page 1B
TECHNOLOGY
CHINA THWARTS GOOGLE’S REBELLION Google’s attempted detour around China’s Internet censorship rules was met with countermeasures Tuesday by the communist government Page 14A
MIDDLE EAST
NETANYAHU WARMLY GREETED IN WASHINGTON Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a warmer public reception from Congress than from the Obama administration Page 16A
ECONOMY BAILED-OUT EXECS TO SEE A PAY CUT
A CLOSER LOOK
ATTORNEYS GENERAL SUE
BIDEN’S PODIUM FLUB
The Associated Press goes over some features, along with details of a package of changes to the legislation Page 6A
Attorneys general from 13 states sued the government Tuesday claiming the bill is unconstitutional Page 6A
Vice President claims the bill to be a “Big (expletive) deal” to Obama, words caught on the podium mic Page 8A
HEALTH CARE IS REFORMED Historic $938B bill signed into law Tuesday; Dems jubilant
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STATE
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON — Claiming a historic triumph that could define his presidency, a jubilant Barack Obama signed a massive, nearly $1 trillion health care overhaul on Tuesday that will for the first time cement insurance coverage as the right of every U.S. citizen and begin to reshape the way virtually all Americans receive and pay for treatment. After more than a year of hyperpartisan struggle — and numerous near-death moments for the measure — Obama declared “a new season in America” as he sealed a victory denied to a line of presidents stretching back more than half a century. Democratic lawmakers cheered him on, giving the White House signing ceremony a rally-like atmosphere as they shouted and snapped photos with pocket cameras or cell phones. Not everyone was cheering. The Democrats pushed the bill through Congress without GOP support, and the Republicans said Tuesday that those Democratic lawmakers would pay dearly in this November’s elections. Opinion polls show the public remains skeptical, too, and Obama will fly to Iowa on Thursday for the first of a number of appearances that will be more like a continuing sales job than a victory lap. Aside from the huge, reallife changes in store for many Americans, the White House
North Carolina’s big-city motorists are losing nearly on average the cost of a tank of gas every week to pay for their troubles from pot holes, longer waits in traffic and perilous roads Page 11A
TO INFORM, CHALLENGE AND CELEBRATE
Vol. 80, No. 68 Serving Lee, Chatham, Harnett and Moore counties in the heart of North Carolina
By BILLY LIGGETT bliggett@sanfordherald.com
AP photo
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi peers over President Barack Obama’s shoulder as he signs the health care bill in the East Room of the White House in Washington. YOUR THOUGHTS The Herald wants to know your thoughts on the $938 billion health care reform bill signed into law Tuesday. E-mail Editor Billy Liggett at bliggett@sanfordherald.com, and we will consider your comments for future articles and letters to the editor. Please include your name, city and contact information (phone numbers will not be shared)
ONLINE Read the entire transcript of Obama’s speech, plus read analysis on whether or not the health care bill will mean victory or defeat for Republicans and Democrats in November www.sanfordherald.com
SANFORD — You have a job, and you’re happy with your current health coverage. You’re unemployed, and your child has asthma. You run a small business, and you’ve seen insurance premiums rise over the years. You’re looking to start a new company, and you’re unsure of what providing health care to your employees will cost in the coming years. And when it comes to health care and the $938 billion health care reform bill signed into law by President Barack Obama on Tuesday, the majority of you only want to know one thing — how the bill will affect you, your family and your business. Unfortunately, opinions differ across the board when it comes to what your health plan will look like five years from now, and even though the bill is now a law, many still aren’t sure how they will be affected personally. Americans will see health care changes take effect by the end of September this year, Obama said Tuesday. Other changes won’t kick in for another four years. By 2014, most Americans will be required to carry health insurance, whether it’s through an employer, through a government program or by buying it
See Effects, Page 7A
CAROLINA TRACE
LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS
Naval aviators given taste of Haiti devastation
Board to change little on Superintendent’s request
By CAITLIN MULLEN
TROUBLED ROADS COSTING DRIVERS MORE
How the bill may affect your family, business
By DARLENE SUPERVILLE
See Signed, Page 8A
The top earners at five big companies still living on federal bailout money will take a 15 percent pay cut this year, the Obama administration’s pay czar says — yet many will still make millions
SANFORDHERALD.COM • 50 CENTS
cmullen@sanfordherald.com
SANFORD — Command Sgt. Maj. James Westover provided a glimpse Tuesday into life in Haiti and the Army’s relief efforts following the 7.0magnitude earthquake that struck the country’s capital in January. Westover and Sgt. Mike Giraldo of the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division, who spent almost two months near Port-au-Prince, Haiti help-
HAPPENING TODAY n Sanford Jobseekers, a local support group for those looking for jobs, will meet at First Baptist Church from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. All who are job seeking are welcome to come. For questions, call (919) 776-6137. CALENDAR, PAGE 2A
ing with relief efforts, gave a presentation to the Carolina Blue Squadron of the Association of Naval Aviators at the Carolina Trace Country Club. The Carolina Blue Squadron — current and retired military and civilian pilots — meets monthly. The club’s organizer, Carl Woodard, is a friend and neighbor to Westover and invited him to speak to the club. Woodard said he wanted
See Haiti, Page 10A
By CAITLIN MULLEN cmullen@sanfordherald.com
SANFORD — The Lee County Board of Education decided Tuesday to accept the superintendent’s 2010-11 budget recommendations with one addition. The board, at the recommendation of member Shawn Williams, likely will add the Deep River Elementary request for the placement of a speaker at the upper playground. The board discussed the budget
High: 75 Low: 45
at their second work session Tuesday at the Heins Education Building. The total for Superintendent Jeff Moss’s recommendations using capital outlay funds amounts to an estimated cost of $788,196, which is added to the $1,420,700 for total 2010-11 lottery projects and total 201011 pod payment of $207,654 to make the total 2010-11 projects amount $2,406,550.
See Budget, Page 5A
INDEX
More Weather, Page 16A
OBITUARIES
R.V. HIGHT
Sanford: Betty Stabler Barber, 86; Joe B. Cook, 66; Wilbur Monroe Fields Jr.; Johnnie Benjamin Gunter, 82; Larry Douglas Kirby, 64
Hight writes on reunions and the NCPA awards ceremony at the Dean Dome
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Abby, Graham, Bridge, Sudoku............................. 7B Classifieds ..................... 13B Comics, Crosswords........ 10B Community calendar .......... 2A Horoscope ........................ 6B Obituaries......................... 5A Opinion ............................ 4A Scoreboard ....................... 4B