INSTANT CLASSIC FANTASTIC FINISH
CHAMPS COME HOME
THE BIG 3
Minute by minute, second by second, the NCAA title game got better and better. Then came the final four seconds that produced one of the most dramatic finishes ever seen.
The only thing missing from a perfect scene at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham Tuesday was the man who brought Duke University its fourth title — Coach Krzyzewski
Jon Scheyer, Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith — the Duke Blue Devils’ “Big Three” — simply wouldn’t be denied their first title and the first one for the school since 2001
Complete Duke championship coverage, Page 1B
The Sanford Herald WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, 2010
QUICKREAD
SANFORDHERALD.COM • 50 CENTS
ROBERT ‘BOB’ BLUE: 1957-2010
MINE DISASTER
SANFORD
HIS LOVE OF THEATER City approves WAS CONTAGIOUS
CREWS SEARCH FOR SURVIVORS; 25 DEAD
complex rezoning
Rescuers held out slim hope Tuesday that four missing coal miners might have survived when a mine repeatedly cited for improperly venting methane gas exploded, killing 25 people
120-unit apartment development to be built in Jonesboro
Page 10A
By BILLY BALL ball@sanfordherald.com
NATION
TERRORIST NUKES THE NATION’S BIGGEST THREAT The White House on Tuesday called the spread of atomic weapons to rogue states or terrorists a worse threat than the nuclear Armageddon feared in the Cold War Page 12A
STATE PERDUE CALLS ON GUARD TO HELP IN SEARCH
N.C. National Guardsmen started to help Tuesday in the search for two women linked to the discoveries of seven bodies Page 9A
HERALD FORUM CANDIDATES FOR SCHOOL BOARD DEBATE APRIL 12 The Herald will host a forum featuring the seven candidates for three open positions on the Lee County Board of Education on April 12 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center in Sanford. The forum will begin with a 6 p.m. reception outside of the center’s auditorium, and the question-and-answer session will begin at 7. Candidates will be provided the opportunity for opening and closing statements and will answer questions submitted by The Herald and its readers. To submit a question for the April 12 forum, e-mail Herald Publisher Bill Horner III at bhorner3@sanfordherald.com. Admission to the forum will be free.
TO INFORM, CHALLENGE AND CELEBRATE
Vol. 80, No. 80 Serving Lee, Chatham, Harnett and Moore counties in the heart of North Carolina
Students, friends say they’ll miss Bob Blue By CAITLIN MULLEN cmullen@sanfordherald.com
W
hether you were a close friend of his since childhood or simply acted with him in high school, Bob Blue left his mark on you. The former Lee County High School drama teacher and community theater director will be remembered for his talent and generosity in the community. Blue, 53, died March 28. He is survived by his mother Mabel Blue and sister Debs Harrison. See Blue, Page 8A
TEMPLE THEATRE
SANFORD — Sanford officials gave the go-ahead Tuesday on a rezoning that clears the way for a planned apartment complex on 11.5 acres in the Jonesboro area. The City Council unanimously voted to accommodate a developer’s request to allow a higher-density complex than Sanford’s previous residential mixed district allowed. Developer Brad Parker of South Carolina-based Greenway Residential Development LLC wants to build a 120-unit community called Autumn Oaks Apartments spread out over six, three-story buildings, in addition to a singlestory clubhouse with a leasing office, exercise and computers rooms and laundry facilities. According to a city staff analysis of Parker’s request, Autumn Oaks would have a density of 10 units per acre, although the property’s current zoning only allowed for 3.5 units per acre. Tuesday’s vote establishes Autumn Oaks as a conditional zoning district, or a “stand-alone district with (its) own unique conditions,” the
See City, Page 5A
AND IT WAS ALL YELLOW ...
‘Chicago’ to headline the 2010-11 season By CAITLIN MULLEN cmullen@sanfordherald.com
SANFORD — To draw greater numbers of people to the Temple Theatre, the 2010-11 schedule promises comedy, drama and musicals. Producing Artistic Director Peggy Taphorn said she was aiming for variety this year.
HAPPENING TODAY n Sanford Jobseekers will meet at First Baptist Church from 8:30 to 10:30 am. All who are job searching are welcome to the support group. This week’s program: “Avoiding Financial Pitfalls” by Sara Harrington of Harrington Law Firm. CALENDAR, PAGE 2A
“We’re trying to mix it up a little bit,” she said. “I’m hoping that people will start to believe in the quality of the Temple Theatre.” The schedule lists hit musicals “Chicago” and “Beguiled Again,” comedy “Flaming Idiots,” holiday classic “Christmas Carol,”
See Temple, Page 8A
ASHLEY GARNER/The Sanford Herald
The yellowish-green tree pollen blanketing Sanford is wreaking havoc on clean cars and itchy eyes this week. Above, a mower covers his face as the pollen flies around him in Sanford Tuesday.
High: 90 Low: 61
INDEX
More Weather, Page 12A
OBITUARIES
R.V. HIGHT
Sanford: Jerry Quick, 62; Loretta Rockwell, 85; Helen Wilson, 93 Broadway: Rev. Joseph Watterson
Paul Gay Gala will be a wonderful chance for Sanford to salute its coach
Page 4A
Abby, Graham, Bridge, Sudoku............................. 6B Classifieds ..................... 10B Comics, Crosswords.......... 7B Community calendar .......... 2A Horoscope ........................ 6B Obituaries......................... 5A Opinion ............................ 4A Scoreboard ....................... 4B