DANCING WITH THE STARS: Meet the couples, get your tickets • Page 3A
The Sanford Herald FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2010
SANFORDHERALD.COM • 50 CENTS
LONGTIME BUSINESS SHUTTING DOWN
ACCIDENT
Soldier was kind, devoted family man Second man killed in weekend collision was veteran of Iraq, Afghanistan By ALEXA MILAN amilan@sanfordherald.com
WESLEY BEESON/The Sanford Herald
Ronnie Stanley, owner of Stanley Lawn & Garden, on Thursday afternoon at his store on Wicker Street, which will close in coming months after seven decades in Sanford.
SEEDS OF CHANGE Sanford losing an icon in Stanley Lawn & Garden after seven decades WANT TO GO?
Stanley Lawn & Garden is located at 501 Wicker St. near downtown Sanford. Currently, it is holding a massive liquidation sale on everything from lawn equipment to seeds to fertilizer — everything is discounted, according to owner Ronnie Stanley.
By JONATHAN OWENS owens@sanfordherald.com
SANFORD — Ever since Sept. 1, 1968, Ronnie Stanley has opened his doors at Stanley Lawn & Garden to serve all the needs of farmers and gardeners. But with a heavy heart in coming months, Stanley will turn the lights out at the building for the last time
WESLEY BEESON / The Sanford Herald
Jonathan Shockey (left) talks to Ronnie Stanley, owner of Stanley Lawn & Garden, on Thursday afternoon. — and the store that has served Sanford for the better part of seven decades will
cease to exist. It’s not a move Stanley will make lightly. He said “there
will be a lot of tears” when the store finally closes, which he expects by October. But it’s a sign of the times, he said. Sanford’s ever-dwindling pool of gardeners and farmers is just not large enough to support his business anymore. Add to that competition from big box stores like Lowe’s Home Improvement and Tractor Supply Co., and two severe droughts in the past decade, and he said he just can’t keep the store open any longer. It’s just another of “Sanford’s icons” that can’t thrive in the modern economy, he said. “There’s just no need for us
See Stanley, Page 6A
QUICKREAD
EATING SMART, MOVING MORE
GULF OIL SPILL
Nine local churches complete challenge for healthy lifestyles By ALEXA MILAN amilan@sanfordherald.com
BP OFFICIALS TESTING SEAL ON BROKEN WELL In the strongest indication yet that BP’s broken oil well in the Gulf of Mexico may be plugged for good, officials on Thursday said they’re conducting tests to determine if further work to seal the well is needed Page 9A
TO INFORM, CHALLENGE AND CELEBRATE
Vol. 80, No. 190 Serving Lee, Chatham, Harnett and Moore counties in the heart of North Carolina
SANFORD — For nine Lee County churches, the key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle is about more than just physical health. This week the churches completed the Faithful Families Eating Smart and Moving More program, which challenges participants to work toward healthier living by learning about diet and exercise in a faith community setting. A series of nine lessons taught participants about topics such as planning healthy meals, reading nutrition labels, food safety and making
HAPPENING TODAY n The Second Annual Dancing with the Lee County Stars, to benefit the Communities in Schools of Lee County, will be held at the Dennis Wicker Civic Center. The event will feature emcee Mike Wheless of 94.7 WQDR and performances from 10 local couples.
LEARN MORE To learn about the program recently completed by nine local churches to promote healthier lifestyles and better food choices, go online to www.eatsmart movemorenc.com
good drink choices. “Throughout the state there are programs that go to businesses and schools, so we thought one area we needed to reach was faith communities,” said Debbie Stephenson, program coordinator for Faithful Families Eating Smart and Moving More. Stephenson piloted the
program in Harnett County before introducing it to Lee County. She is also about to start the program at a 10th Lee County Church, Faith Hope Deliverance Christian Center. Stephenson recruited lay leaders from each congregation to teach some of the lessons and assist her with the spiritual aspect of the program, including reading devotionals to the group and connecting healthy eating and physical activity to spiritual health. “A lot of the scripture revolved around the idea that your body is a temple and
See Healthy, Page 6A
High: 91 Low: 73
Sanford: Lessie Thomas, 85 Cameron: Sebastian Talley, 18 Raleigh: Billy Hubbard, 80 Siler City: Marie Bray, 86
See Soldier, Page 6A
ELECTION 2010
Former GOP candidate for governor to speak locally From staff reports SANFORD — Pat McCrory, the former Charlotte mayor and 2008 GOP gubernatorial candidate, will make a guest appearance in Sanford on Saturday on behalf of the Mike Stone for Stone’s N.C. House District 51 campaign. McCrory McCrory became the first seventerm mayor in the history of Charlotte, and he established
See McCrory, Page 6A
INDEX
More Weather, Page 12A
OBITUARIES
SANFORD — A local soldier who died from injuries sustained in a two-car wreck was a kind-hearted man who was very close with his family, said Tonnette McLeod, a math teacher at East Lee Middle School. McLeod met Wayne Fausz after he returned home from a tour in Afghanistan while she taught his son Nathaniel Fausz Fausz at East Lee. When she learned he was set to return, McLeod said she instantly noticed a change in Nathaniel Fausz. “(Nathaniel) lit up and said ‘My dad’s coming home!’” McLeod said. “I could see the excitement in him. His father was so nice and to see how much he meant to Nate, it proved they had a really close relationship.” According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, Cameron resident Sebastian Talley, 18, was driving his Chevrolet Blazer down N.C. 87 near Win-
FROMA HARROP Laugh if you will at Sen. John Kerry, but at least he is willing to raise his own taxes
Page 4A
Abby, Graham, Bridge, Sudoku............................. 5B Classifieds ....................... 9B Comics, Crosswords.......... 7B Community calendar .......... 2A Horoscope ........................ 5B Obituaries......................... 5A Opinion ............................ 4A Scoreboard ....................... 4B