SPORTS: As Duke preps, two teams punch their tickets for the Final Four • Page 1B
The Sunday Herald SUNDAY, MARCH 28, 2010
SUNDAYQUICKREAD NATION
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SOUTHERN LEE STAR TO FACE UNC
CHATHAM
A father’s pride
OBAMA HAD A GOOD WEEK, BUT STILL FACES SERIOUS CHOICES Doubted and deeply in need of a comeback, President Barack Obama had a political dream week: a historic remaking of America’s health care system, a vast overhaul of how students pay for college and a groundbreaking deal with Russia to shrink nuclear arsenals
Town begins clean-up process Files, computers, belongings lost in massive fire BY BETH VELLIQUETTE The Durham Herald-Sun
Page 14A
PITTSBORO — OrangeChatham District Attorney Jim Woodall walked into the office building across from the burnt ruins of the Chatham County Courthouse with a box of office supplies and set it down on a table in an empty room. “Welcome to the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office,” Woodall said Friday morning. The makeshift office is normally the grand jury room located behind the District Court courtroom. It comprises a large conference table surrounded by chairs. The acrid smell of smoke from the courthouse across the street drifted over in the wind.
CAROLINA
WINSTON-SALEM SIBLINGS FINALLY UNITED AFTER YEARS APART Until last month, Don Carter had no idea he had siblings. Turns out, he has seven of them. In the process of finding out that he had siblings, Carter, who lives in Florida, learned that Nancy Isley, someone he grew up thinking was a cousin, was his sister. Page 1C Submitted photo
BUSINESS
A dad’s passion leads Sanford teen to the bright lights of Madison Square Garden
DURHAM COMPANY CRUNCHES THE NUMBERS BEHIND THE MADNESS As John Wall swishes another three-point shot, an employee of a little-known Durham company sitting courtside speaks quietly into a wireless headset. Almost instantly, Kentucky fans watching the game on television know it’s Wall’s third three-pointer of the night. Page 11B
STATE GENETICALLY MODIFIED TOBACCO COULD BE A SOURCE OF ENERGY Some researchers say an age-old cash crop long the focus of public health debate could be used to help solve the nation’s energy crisis, by genetically modifying the tobacco leaf for use as a biofuel Page 10A
ECONOMY MORE AMERICAN RELY ON SCHOOL LUNCHES DURING RECESSION In the midst of a blistering recession, more families are flocking to the federal program that gives students free or reduced-priced lunches. Schools are watching for who enrolls in the program because it gives teachers insight into life at home and officials consider it a barometer of poverty. Page 16A
Vol. 80, No. 72 Serving Lee, Chatham, Harnett and Moore counties in the heart of North Carolina
See Fire, Page 5A
Sanford native and former Southern Lee basketball star Akeem Richmond set a University of Rhode Island school record for the most 3-pointers made by a freshman and garnered Atlantic 10 All-rookie team honors this season.
Editor’s Note: Akeem Richmond, the former Southern Lee High School basketball star who now plays for the University of Rhode Island, will lead his team against the University of North CarolinaChapel Hill in the final four of the NIT Tuesday night in New York City. Richmond and his father Eric have been lifelong fans of the Tar Heels. This is their story.
owens@sanfordherald.com
alexp@sanfordherald.com
T
See Akeem, Page 8A
Two men charged with armed robbery By JONATHAN OWENS
By ALEX PODLOGAR he father did the work himself. Working second shift, he had the mornings and early afternoons to himself and the kids. After his youngest son had
SANFORD
Submitted photo
Eric Richmond and his son, Akeem, stand outside the Dean E. Smith Center on the campus of UNC-Chapel Hill in 2000 before a basketball game. Akeem was 8 years old.
SANFORD — The Sanford Police Department arrested two men Friday night in connection with an armed robbery at a local restaurant. Officers responded to Bubba’s Subs and Pizza located at 1932 S. Horner Blvd. at 10:24 p.m. Friday night to investigate an alleged armed robbery. An
See Armed, Page 9A
VFW TEACHER OF THE YEAR
Dianne Davis (left) listens as David Dubuc dedicates a song to her on Friday at Lee Christian School.
Students past and present honor beloved teacher By CAITLIN MULLEN cmullen@sanfordherald.com
SANFORD — A gymnasium full of current, future and former students of Dianne Davis were proud to talk about the “Dr. D ef-
HAPPENING TODAY n Downtown Sanford’s Merchant Open House will be held in downtown. For more information, call DSI at (919) 775-8332 or downtownsanford.com.
CALENDAR, PAGE 2A
fect” Friday at Lee Christian School. Davis, a teacher and middle school administrator at the school, was awarded the VFW Citizenship Teacher of
ASHLEY GARNER/ The Herald
See Teacher, Page 3A
High: 60 Low: 52
INDEX
More Weather, Page 16A
OBITUARIES
BILLY LIGGETT
Sanford: Patrick Buchanan, 20; Jack Dollar, 83; Robert Easterling, age 80; Marie Evans, 77; Norman Quick; Bill Vick Sr., 82; Dr. Wolfgang Wessling, 81
The Herald’s editor takes a look through his family tree — with some surprises
Page 6A
Abby, Graham, Bridge, Sudoku............................. 6B Business .......................... 9B Classifieds ..................... 13B Sunday Crossword ............ 7C Community calendar .......... 2A Horoscope ........................ 6B Obituaries......................... 5A Opinion ..........................6-7A Scoreboard ....................... 4B