SPORTS: Second-half goals lift Crusaders over Falcons in rivalry match • Page 1B
The Sanford Herald TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 2010
SANFORDHERALD.COM • 50 CENTS
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LEE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
UNC MURDER
School officials ask for Council full funding of project calls for
SANFORD
EDC board term limits
SUSPECT IN CARSON CASE PLEADS GUILTY
Gaskins, Williams to represent city council on county EDC committee
The man accused of killing a University of North Carolina student body president found shot to death in the middle of a street two years ago pleaded guilty Monday to federal crimes, avoiding the death penalty
By BILLY BALL bball@sanfordherald.com
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LOCAL
ASHLEY GARNER/The Sanford Herald
Students stroll out of classes in the math building on the campus of Lee County High School.
GOLDEN KNIGHTS’ JUMP MARKS 1974 CRASH
The U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team landed in a field in Silk Hope Saturday , during the town’s annual Farm Heritage Day festivities Page 3A
NATION
OKC BOMBING RECALLED 15 YEARS LATER It’s been 15 years since a terrorist’s bomb destroyed the Oklahoma City federal building, killing 168 people and injuring more than 600 others. The passage of time hasn’t made mourning any easier for many victims’ family members. Page 9A
STATE PERDUE TO CUT $1B FROM STATE BUDGET Gov. Beverly Perdue’s spending proposal for next year likely will contain aggressive efforts to improve North Carolina’s public education and mental health systems as well as spending cuts of around $1 billion to help pay for them Page 7A
EASLEY AIDE PLEADS GUILTY
An ex-aide to former North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley pleaded guilty Monday to one count of federal income tax evasion for failing to report a $30,000 investment return Page 8A
Vol. 80, No. 92 Serving Lee, Chatham, Harnett and Moore counties in the heart of North Carolina
More federal bonds likely to make up difference By BILLY BALL bball@sanfordherald.com
SANFORD — Local school officials made their case for more dollars Monday. Now it’s up to county commissioners to determine how much more Lee County can afford to borrow to pay for long-sought renovations at aging Lee County High School. “At the end of the day when the dust settles, the question is how do we want to educate our students in this community?” said Lee County Schools Superintendent Jeff Moss. County commissioners and the board of education huddled Monday to discuss the possibility of seeking an additional $2.6 million in lowinterest Recovery Zone Economic Development bonds for work at the school. Commissioners have
Students wall the halls at Lee County High School. Although the county allotted $19.6 million for the renovation of the school, the lowest bid came in at nearly $1 million more. already approved $19.6 million in spending for the project, which includes renovations to the building, mechanical power grid, boiler and chiller, new construction and site
n The Lee County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing at 5 p.m. Thursday on the LCHS project in the Commissioners’ Room at the Lee County Government Center
See LCHS, Page 6A
SANFORD — Add the Sanford City Council to the list of parties who are apparently displeased with the Lee County Economic Development Corporation. The council discussed ways for revamping the county’s economic recruiting group in recession-wracked Lee. LCEDC has been a target of late for 2010 election candidates and current Lee County commissioners who say it has not been active enough. “It’s sad right now,” said Sanford Mayor Pro Tem Michael Stone. “... We’re losing the battle in the retail sector majorly.” City officials called for a restructuring of the LCEDC Economic Development Board, namely imposing two-term limits and seeking a more “diversified” roster, Stone said. Stone said the board is too homogeneous in terms of race and socio-economic background. “We have to represent more than one segment of the community,” he said. Sanford officials also focused on growing the county’s retail base, complaining that LCEDC focuses chiefly on industry recruitment and retention. Stone said surrounding communities have been able
See Council, Page 6A
ELECTION 2010: LEE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
Atkins: The teachers need a voice Political newcomer wants a more open board By CAITLIN MULLEN
THE CANDIDATES
cmullen@sanfordherald.com
SANFORD — Dana Wicker Atkins is not a political person and, until recently, didn’t have any desire to hold public office. But after talking with educators in Lee County and sharing her thoughts with her husband Brandon night after night, she decided to throw her hat into the ring for a seat on the Lee County Board of Education this May. “My main reason for running is because I got upset in talking with a lot of teachers in town,” she said. “Many felt they didn’t have a place to go if they didn’t agree with policy changes.” Atkins said she’s a firm believer in being able to speak her mind, and that goes for
HAPPENING TODAY n The Festival Singers of Lee County will rehearse at 7 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church choir room, 203 Hawkins Ave., Sanford. This community group welcomes new members to join and sing in our upcoming May 23 concert. For more information please call 774-4608.
Throughout the week, The Herald will profile (in alphabetical order) the seven candidates vying for three open seats on the Lee County Board of Education. The schedule: o April 18: Mark Akinosho o Today: Dana Wicker Atkins o Wednesday: John Bonardi o Thursday: Shannon Gurwitch o Friday: Kim Lilley o Saturday: Ellen Mangum o Sunday: Linda Smith
others as well. “That hit me,” she said. “From there, I started talking to parents. It was kind of
See Atkins, Page 6A
ASHLEY GARNER/The Sanford Herald
Dana Atkins is seeking a seat on the Lee County Board of Education for the first time.
High: 71 Low: 50
INDEX
More Weather, Page 10A
OBITUARIES
SCOTT MOONEYHAM
Sanford: Betty Johnson, 79; Judy McQueen, 40; Edmon Morris; Annie Yow, 89 Cameron: Jimmy Sellers, 64 Carthage: Ruth Ross, 85
The field of potential Senate candidates have just one name you may have heard
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Abby, Graham, Bridge, Sudoku............................. 5B Classifieds ....................... 8B Comics, Crosswords.......... 7B Community calendar .......... 2A Horoscope ........................ 5B Obituaries......................... 5A Opinion ............................ 4A Scoreboard ....................... 4B