SPORTS: Wicker wins his third Brick Capital Classic • Page 1B
The Sanford Herald TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 2010
SANFORDHERALD.COM • 50 CENTS
QUICKREAD
ELECTION 2010
NATION
Cole to address legality of his bid
LONGTIME WEST VA. SEN. BYRD DIES AT 92
Senator Robert C. Byrd, a son of West Virginia coal country who used his mastery of Senate rules and a taste for hardball tactics to become a passionate and often feared advocate for the state and the Senate he loved, died Monday at age 92
A gathering of
Twi-Hards
Commish hopeful faces questions about new job as town manager in Coats
Local theater expecting to host hundreds of young fans at tonight’s ‘Twilight’ debut
By BILLY BALL
Page 8A
bball@sanfordherald.com
BY ALEXA MILAN • amilan@sanfordherald.com
ECONOMY
CONSUMER CONFIDENCE FUELS DEFICIT DEBATE A tepid gain in consumer spending last month could fuel a debate over whether the United States and other governments should further stimulate their economies to sustain the recovery Page 10A
ENTERTAINMENT
A NIGHT OF COMEBACKS SUNDAY AT BET AWARDS Kanye West, T.I., 1980s hitmaker El DeBarge and, most unexpectedly, Chris Brown, made appearances at the annual awards show Page 9A
GULF OIL SPILL THREATENING STORM COULD HALT CLEANUP Tropical Storm Alex steamed across the Gulf of Mexico on Monday on a path that could keep it away from BP’s busted well but could still stir up heavy winds, rain and choppy seas Page 10A
STATE FINISHING TOUCHES PUT ON DEM BUDGET Democratic budget-writers said Monday their nearly $19 billion final budget for state government negotiated over the past three weeks will hurt some programs but should preserve school teacher and university faculty positions Page 6A
Vol. 80, No. 151 Serving Lee, Chatham, Harnett and Moore counties in the heart of North Carolina
et ready, “Twilight” fanatics. It’s only been seven months since “New Moon” hit theaters, but the vampires and werewolves of Forks, Wash., are already heading back to the big screen. “Eclipse,” the third installment in the successful supernatural franchise, will be released at midnight tonight.
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Based on the popular young adult book series by Stephenie Meyer, the “Twilight” films tell the story of a human high school girl who falls in love with a vampire. If the turnout for the “New Moon” premiere is any indication, the “Eclipse” midnight screening should be a success for Sanford’s Spring Lane Cinemas. “‘New Moon’ was definitely the biggest midnight screening we’ve ever had,” said Ben Johnson, assistant manager at Spring Lane Cinemas. “So we’re expecting this one to be just as big, if not bigger.” The first “Twilight” book was published in 2005 and has since spiraled into a global literary phenomenon. The books have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide. “It’s sort of like lightening striking twice,” said Jennifer Gillis, youth services librarian
AP photo
In this film publicity image released by Summit Entertainment, Taylor Lautner, left, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson are shown in a scene from, “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.” WANT TO SEE IT? What: “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” midnight screening When: 12:01 a.m. tonight Where: Spring Lane Cinemas, 1351 Douglas Drive, Sanford Tickets: $9.50 for adults, $8.50 for military with ID, $7
See Twilight, Page 7A
for children (age 2-11) and seniors (age 65 and older) More information: 708-5600 or www.franktheatres.com Online: Watch for Alexa Milan’s video report from tonight’s showing this week at sanfordherald.com.
SANFORD — Lee County Board of Commissioners hopeful Kenneth Cole says he will address lingering questions today about the legality of his bid for elected office. Cole, who on Thursday is set to take over full-time duties as town manager in the Harnett County municipality of Coats, said questions have persisted about whether state statutes bar him from holding an elected office while maintaining town manager duties elsewhere. The Democratic nominee for a Lee County commissioners seat promised to issue a statement at 8 a.m. today concerning his candidacy. Cole, a Sanford resident, would not comment Monday on whether or not he will stay in the race to replace outgoing Lee commissioner Jamie Kelly in the District 4 seat. “I have not done anything unethical,” Cole said. The Democratic nominee, who is set to face GOP candidate Jim Womack in November, learned this month that officials in Coats had tapped him to become manager with a $58,000 annual salary in the small, Harnett County town. Reached Monday, Cole said he has already begun part-time work as manager in Coats. Cole dismissed concerns earlier this month that serving as the top administrator in Coats would be a conflict if he is elected to the Lee County Board of Commissioners. State statutes read that a city manager position “may be held concurrently with other appointive (but not elective)
See Cole, Page 6A
STATE GOVERNMENT
Future of chocolate milk could be in jeopardy By CHELSEA KELLNER kellner@sanfordherald.com
RALEIGH—Monday night, Raleigh lawmakers debated a bill guaranteed to spark tempter tantrums in toddlers across Lee County: banning chocolate milk. The contested beverage is just one of the drinks restricted at child care centers in House
HAPPENING TODAY Chatham County invites residents interested in the rebuilding of the Historic County Courthouse to share their ideas at a community forum slated fat 6:30 p.m. at Northwood High School’s cafeteria in Pittsboro.
CALENDAR, PAGE 2A
Bill 1726, which seeks to improve child nutrition standards at child care centers. The bill nixes sugar-sweetened beverages and flavored milk, as well as whole milk for children over the age of two. Juice consumption is limited to six ounces per day, and must be served in a cup, not a bottle.
See Milk, Page 6A
WESLEY BEESON / Sanford Herald
Assistant director Nancy Beard (left) pours glasses of cold milk to Casey Penny, Karleena Grant, Solana Brewington, and Dylan Patterson on Monday afternoon at Childcare Network.
High: 93 Low: 71
INDEX
More Weather, Page 10A
OBITUARIES
SCOTT MOONEYHAM
Sanford: Joshua Buie, 23; Chuck Coffer, 46; Richard Fehr Sr., 64; Russell Johnson, 94 Linden: William Tschirley, 65 Pittsboro: Annie Eubanks, 83
Some improvements are starting to be seen in the state’s graduation rates
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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