FIELD OF GREENS The wet and warm weather this summer has been a blessing for local tobacco farmers. The crop is tall and green along the rolling hills of farmland located off SanLee Drive in Eastern Lee County. WESLEY BEESON/ The Sanford Herald
The Sanford Herald SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2010
SANFORDHERALD.COM • 50 CENTS
AUG. 13: DANCING WITH THE LEE COUNTY STARS
ELECTION 2010
ENCORE!
Former sheriff hopeful eyes ballot
After the inaugural event all but saved Communities in Schools, Round 2 has high expectations
By BILLY LIGGETT bliggett@sanfordherald.com
SANFORD — As Lee County’s emergency management coordinator, Shane Seagroves is used to handling tense situations and performing under fire. But no amount of training in the field could prepare Seagroves for the type of pressure he’ll face Aug. 13 when he’ll be called on to show off his moves in front of 500 to 600 people. “I would be greatly surprised if I don’t lock up on stage and have to be pulled off,” Seagroves said. “Today, it doesn’t seem like that big of a deal ... but I’m sure by Aug. 13, it will be a whole different story.” Seagroves and 19 other dancers and “stars” will fight off the butterflies and perform for a good cause at this year’s second annual Dancing With the Lee County Stars. The 10 couples are competing to see who can raise the most money for Communities in Schools, which will again host the event, to be held at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. But come “dance night,” it’s their skills that’ll take center stage. CIS Director Heather Little hopes the opportunity to see friends, neighbors and well-known “local celebs” will draw the big crowd last year’s inaugural event experienced. Last year, a poor economy and nearly nonexistent bank account forced CIS to make the tough decision of whether
Democrats say choice will be announced in early August
to disband or hang its hopes on a major fundraiser. Adding to the uncertainty was the event itself — CIS chose the dancing fundraiser after hearing of its success in other counties. But Dancing with the Stars didn’t disappoint. The event exceeded expectations by nearly $20,000 and allowed CIS room to breathe and head into 2010 with more certainty. And while this year’s event is expected to raise more than 50 percent of the nonprofit organization’s total revenue, it’s not do-ordie if things don’t go perfectly. “We still need it to do well,” said Little, who took over at CIS this year after Laura Biediger left in the spring for graduate school. “Last year was a success because it was something new. Lee County had never seen something like this before.”
By BILLY BALL bball@sanfordherald.com
SANFORD — Local Democrats remain mum about a potential candidate for county commissioner this fall, although at least one man from past elections is in the picture. Butch Johnson, a one-time candidate for Lee County Sheriff with a long history in local law enforcement, said he submitted an application to run for the county’s District 4 seat last week and believes he’s made it to the “short list” of Democrats in the running. “I am rather Johnson optimistic about it,” Johnson said Friday. “But you obviously don’t want to get out and count your eggs before they lay.” Lee County Democrats closed the application process for candidates Saturday, and have scheduled an Aug. 2 closed-door meeting with local party members to vote on a replacement for former candidate Kenneth Cole. Cole bowed out of the race for the county commissioner
See Dancing, Page 6A
WANT TO GO? The second annual Dancing with the Lee County Stars, hosted by Communities in Schools of Lee County, will be held at 6 p.m. Aug. 13 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center. For tickets or to donate to your favorite couple, go online to www.dancingwiththeleecountystars.com.
Meet the Dancers
See Ballot, Page 5A Read their bios on Page 6A
Roger King and Holly Hight
Shane Seagroves and Lynn Smith
Alexander Brower and Jane Pomilio
Jon Owens and Kelly Buie-Godfrey
Margaret Murchison and Jeff Ward
Michele Bullard and Micah Tyler
Lee West and Terri Robinson
Kevin Yow and Karla Koballa
Lee Arnold and Gregg Hamm
Charles and Suzanne Clifford
Vol. 80, No. 173 Serving Lee, Chatham, Harnett and Moore counties in the heart of North Carolina
HAPPENING TODAY n Local farmers will be selling their fresh products from 9 a.m. to noon at Deport Park in downtown Sanford as part of the weekly Sanford Farmer’s Market. To get involved or to learn more, e-mail David Montgomery at david.montgomery@sanfordnc.net. CALENDAR, PAGE 2A
High: 100 Low: 76
INDEX
More Weather, Page 10A
OBITUARIES
D.G. MARTIN
Sanford: Jessie Burns, 74; Thelma Stone; Cathy Thomas, 56; Leon Venable Greensboro: Polly Barnett, 76
Longtime UNC system leader Bill Friday believed in affordable tuition for all
Page 4A
Abby, Graham, Bridge, Sudoku............................. 5B Classifieds ....................... 8B Comics, Crosswords.......... 7B Community calendar .......... 2A Horoscope ........................ 5B Obituaries......................... 5A Opinion ............................ 4A Scoreboard ....................... 4B