Archives: 2008

North Carolina submarine commander leaving

The submarine North Carolina has a new commander. Mark Davis had commanded the sub during its commissioning here in Wilmington in May. He’s leaving the North Carolina to become the joint strategic plans and policy director at the joint task force for the Horn of Africa. Local congressman Mike Mcintyre gave the keynote address at today’s ceremony in Norfolk, Virginia….

Raleigh police officer charged with DWI

RALEIGH — A Raleigh police officer is scheduled to appear in court next month after a state Highway Patrol trooper charged him with driving while impaired. The News & Observer of Raleigh reported that 31-year-old Christopher M. Harmon was arrested just before 2 a.m. Monday. Court documents show that a breath test indicated Harmon had a blood-alcohol level of 0.11….

NC historically black college 1st to get NSF grant

RALEIGH — A North Carolina university has become the first historically black college to receive National Science Foundation funding for a research center. North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro will receive more than $18 million over the next five years to fund the Engineering Research Center for Revolutionizing Metallic Biomaterials. The school was chosen from 143 submissions and will…

NC university investigating police force at game

GREENVILLE — Police officials at East Carolina University are investigating reports that officers used excessive force as fans stormed the football field after a Pirate victory. University police chief Scott Shelton said investigators are reviewing photos and videotape and interviewing witnesses. The Daily Reflector in Greenville reported Monday that witnesses described police hitting fans and throwing some to the ground…

NC sheriff apologizes for immigrant comments

SMITHFIELD, N.C. — A North Carolina sheriff is apologizing for comments he made to a newspaper about illegal immigrants in an article about the growing Hispanic population in his county. Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell issued the apology after The News & Observer of Raleigh printed comments in a Sunday article. The newspaper reported the sheriff criticized immigrants as “trashy”…

Fort Bragg hosts task force on sexual assault

FORT BRAGG — A U.S. Defense Department Task Force on Sexual Assault will stop at Fort Bragg as it studies sexual assault trends in the military. The task force will be at Fort Bragg Sept. 9-12. Members of the task force will meet individually with victims or witnesses of past sexual assaults not under investigation. Post officials said the task…

NC Supreme Court to listen to lottery lawsuit

RALEIGH — North Carolina’s highest court will decide whether the Legislature approved properly a bill that created the state’s education lottery. State Supreme Court justices scheduled oral arguments Monday in a lawsuit originally filed by taxpayers who sued state and elected officials. The plaintiffs have argued that the procedures used by House and Senate leaders to approve the legislation in…

DTV switch coming Monday

videoThe countdown is almost over. We are less than one day away from the switch to digital television. Our area is the first in the country to make the switch. There are some people that still need to set up their converter boxes before those rabbit ears stop working.

Fayettville art class offers chances for inner-city youths

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) – Art classes being offered at Fayetteville State University this summer have offered inner-city youths a chance to express themselves in more creative ways. The Fayetteville Observer reports that the Ellington-White Community Development Corporation of Detroit teaches arts to inner-city youth. The Ellington-White Project, which is under the umbrella of the corporation, provides year-round arts programs for…

Beach driving group to keep truckin’

AVON — Members of a group negotiating a beach driving plan for Cape Hatteras National Seashore say they will continue their work even though they feel their chance for success is not good. The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk reports that the off-road-vehicle rulemaking committee will meet again Monday in Avon. The group is trying to create a long-term plan for off-road…