Entertainment: Library of Congress celebrates Bob Hope • Page 9A
The Sanford Herald SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2010
QUICKREAD
SANFORDHERALD.COM • 50 CENTS
LEE COUNTY High School Graduation
Class of progress
SPORTS
SUCH’S RUN WITH CPL TEAM COMES TO END Although it came to an unexpected end, former Lee County High School baseball standout Trey Such had a once in a lifetime experience with the Morehead City Marlins Page 1B
Economy
Less spending to slow recovery A sharp drop in retail sales revenue for May shows that shoppers remain cautious, and it could lead economists to curtail their expectations for growth Page 8A
Gulf Oil Spill
LARGER LEAK MAY BE DEADLY TO BIRDS, BP The mind-boggling news that the oil leak at the bottom of the sea may be twice as big as previously thought could have major repercussions for both the environment and BP’s financial health
WESLEY BEESON/The Sanford Herald
Robert Young shows off his cap which reads, “I DID IT!,” at Lee County High School’s Graduation Commencement on Friday evening. About 300 seniors graduated at the 59-year-old campus, which is slated for a major renovation over the next three years.
Lee graduates insist they won’t be defined by renovations project By ALEXA MILAN
amilan@sanfordherald.com
SANFORD — As the Lee County High School senior class left the football stadium Friday night after graduation, they left behind a school that will have a very different face if they choose to visit their old stomping ground in the years to come. The class of 2010 is the last class to graduate before the new renovations start to take shape. Though future classes will be the ones to enjoy the new Lee County High School on a daily basis, school counselor and graduation committee member Rachel Wolf said this
INSIDE See more photos from Thursday night’s graduation ceremony. Page 5A
ONLINE The Herald will post a video story and online photo gallery from the Lee County Commencement at sanfordherald.com
year’s graduating class will still be able to reap the benefits. “It’s a close-knit community,” Wolf said. “Lots of students still have siblings here. It’s
See Graduation, Page 5A
Graduates cheer for Valedictorian Taylor Batten as she prepares to give her address at Lee County High School Graduation Commencement on Friday evening.
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Health Care
Downtown Sanford
Chatham County
EMPLOYERS TO CHANGE PLANS AFTER OVERHAUL
‘Function at Junction’ among summer events
Commissioners choose not to increase occupancy tax rate
An early draft of an administration regulation estimates that many employers will be forced to make changes to their health plans under the new law Page 8A
STATE KISSELL STAFFER ADMITS HE MADE MISTAKES A former staffer to U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell who’s now mulling a chance to challenge him in November said Friday he feels betrayed after the congressman filed an ethics complaint against him Page 7A
TO INFORM, CHALLENGE AND CELEBRATE
Vol. 80, No. 137 Serving Lee, Chatham, Harnett and Moore counties in the heart of North Carolina
T
his week, we Take 5 with Downtown Sanford Inc.’s David Montgomery about the “Function at the Junction” summer concert series and other goings-on downtown. Montgomery is the Executive Director of DSI and the City of Sanford’s Chief Planner. Prior to coming to Montgomery Sanford seven years ago, he worked as a Community Development Planner for the North Carolina Department of Commerce, where he was primarily involved with the
Happening Today n A banquet on the Camelback Bridge will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. at Deep River Park, 3485 R. Jordan Road, Gulf. Grilled barbecue chicken, red potatoes, green beans, bread and dessert for $6 per plate. CALENDAR, PAGE 2A
Take with
5
David Montgomery
DSI Director State’s Community Development Block Grant Program. He also spent several years in Greenville County, S. C., as an Economic Development Planner. Montgomery received his graduate degree in Urban Planning at the University of
See Take 5, Page 3A
From staff reports PITTSBORO— The Chatham County Board of Commissioners voted not to proceed with the increase in the lodging occupancy tax from 3 to 6 percent at its Monday meeting. The increase had been proposed as part of the County Manager’s budget recommendation for fiscal year 2010-11. “The commissioners received valuable feedback from lodging owners and other concerned residents,” said Commissioner Chairman Sally Kost. “Given the
High: 96 Low: 75
economic situation, the Board unanimously voted not to pursue an increase in the tax at this time.” The room occupancy tax is paid on overnight lodging at hotels and inns, with all revenues required to be spent on activities to attract more visitors. The funds are managed by the PittsboroSiler City Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), which promotes tourism countywide. “We know that Chatham County needs to enhance its efforts to attract more
See Tax, Page 3A
INDEX
More Weather, Page 10A
OBITUARIES
D.G. Martin
Sanford: Janice Garners, 58; Lois Thomas, 78 Cameron: Elizabeth Lyles, 82 Carthage: Brenda Cummings, 60 Garner: Susanna Ridgeway, 57
Duke and UNC professors team up for new book on N.C.’s poverty fund
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Abby, Graham, Bridge, Sudoku............................. 5B Classifieds........................ 8B Comics, Crosswords........... 7B Community calendar........... 2A Horoscope......................... 5B Obituaries.......................... 6A Opinion............................. 4A Scoreboard........................ 4B