News & Record Article Feed

Editorial: Do Big Ideas have legs?

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0400

In what, infamously, was not one of its finer moments, the City Council in 2002 quashed plans to place a downtown ballpark at South Elm and Lee streets.

The rest, as they say, is history. The ballpark became -- and remains -- a big hit in another location on Eugene Street. And the South Elm/Lee area remains stark and underdeveloped.

Until, maybe, now.

Four for the Fourth: Which four words would you use to express it?

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0400

We asked; you responded. Your feelings about America. In just four words.

It’s hard to do.

But enough of that.

In the end, we heard from more than 50 of you — via e-mail, letters, postcards and Twitter.

A few phrases were repeated, some several times. Others were unique.

We heard from 101-year-old Willa Lawrence of Stokesdale and 11-year-old Matthew Vernon of Greensboro.

And we got responses from students in Jill Wagner’s ESL class at GTCC.

Fireworks explosion at Ocracoke Isle kills 2, hurts 3

"The Associated Press" — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:37:09 -0400

OCRACOKE (AP) — A truckload of fireworks exploded Saturday morning on a dock at a remote North Carolina island, killing two workers and critically injuring three others preparing for an Independence Day celebration, authorities said.

The explosion shook homes and businesses and was heard across a village on the southern end of Ocracoke Island, which is the only inhabited part of the 15-mile spit of land, accessible only by boat.

Schools wait for word on UNC cuts

"Joe Killian ()" — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:00:47 -0400

GREENSBORO — The new fiscal year came and went Wednesday, but the state budget is still in flux. At UNCG and N.C. A&T, that means more waiting as administrators, faculty and staff anticipate just how deep the budget cuts at UNC schools will really be.

Those officials could get a better idea of those cuts as soon as Monday. Administrators have to submit their proposed budgets this week.

What’s council done for the city?

"Amanda Lehmert ()" — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:00:16 -0400

GREENSBORO — The slogans have been coined. The fliers and signs are at the ready.

It’s that time again: Greensboro election season.

But before filing begins for incumbents and for hopefuls on Monday, let’s review what the current City Council has accomplished since taking office in December 2007.

Major decisions, themes

FLAT TAXES: The tax rate has not gone up — despite contrary recommendations of city staff — since this council took office.

Community Foundation delays trip to D.C.

"Staff Reports" — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0400

GREENSBORO — A trip to Washington by city and county officials, school system leaders, the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro and a developer from Tennessee has been postponed.

Greensboro businessmanRoy Carroll, a board member of the Community Foundation, offered his jet to fly the group to meet with the area’s elected representatives Tuesday in Washington, though his companies were not involved in the project.

The purpose of the trip was to talk about funding for a proposed school development at South Elm and Lee streets.

New era in NASCAR born 25 years ago

"Dustin Long ()" — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0400

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - This day would be different. Competitors knew it and felt it. Yet its significance would not be truly realized until years later.

All that was evident July 4, 1984, was that crew members had to arrive earlier than normal to the garage area at Daytona International Speedway. They gathered before the sun began its scorching arch.

Man robs Taco Bell in Greensboro

"Staff Reports" — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 05:34:21 -0400

GREENSBORO — A man armed with a gun robbed a Taco Bell restaurant Friday night, police said.

About 11 p.m., the man confronted an employee who went out to the Dumpster at the restaurant at 2610 Battleground Ave., according to Greensboro police.

Police identify woman hit, killed by train in Greensboro

"Staff and Wire Reports" — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:51:26 -0400

GREENSBORO — Police have identified a 40-year-old woman struck and killed by a train Friday night.

Connie Marie Whitsett of 2100 Everitt St., was walking west on the railroad tracks just east of Gillespie Street about 11:23 p.m. when a Norfolk Southern train traveling on the same track approached but was unable to avoid hitting her, Greensboro police said.

The train's personnel told police that they gave warnings but were unheeded, police said.

Whitsett was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police seek SUV passenger after chase, wreck

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:27:47 -0400

GREENSBORO -- Police searched Saturday night for a passenger from a sport-utility vehicle that led them on a chase through the city.

The passenger fled the scene of a crash on foot, although the driver and two other passengers who fled were caught, police say.

Police attempted to stop the SUV, which was reported stolen earlier Saturday, on East Bessemer Avenue. A chase ensued and took police onto North Church Street.

Take steps to reduce mosquito breeding areas

"Karen Neill ()" — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0400

Insects and bugs are everywhere now.

Topping the list, my daughter says, is mosquitoes. She said this after she suffered more than 15 bites while picking green beans the other evening. My, can 15-year-olds whine!

The word mosquito comes from the Portuguese, meaning "small fly." Around the world are 3,500 species of mosquitoes, which often interfere with outdoor activities and transmit disease.

I figured it was only a matter of time before we suffered an onslaught from these blood suckers.

Area briefs: NC Gaters off to 3-0 start at AAU tourney

"Staff Reports" — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0400

The Greensboro-based NC Gaters 12-and-under boys basketball team went 3-0 in pool play at the AAU National Championships in Hampton Roads, Va. On Thursday, the Gaters defeated the Princeton (N.J.) Basketball Club 65-20 and the Virginia Beach (Va.) Heat 53-42. On Friday, the Gaters beat the Chesapeake (Va.) Chargers 60-24. Sam Hildreth paced the Gaters with 62 points in three games. Colin Lipke had a total of 33 assists, and Ben Ferguson had a double-double in each game. The Gaters advance to the championship bracket and will face the New York City Fast Break today in the first round.

NASCAR notes: France continues to defend drug policy

"Dustin Long ()" — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0400

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR Chairman Brian France passionately defended the sport's drug policy Friday, two days after a federal judge granted Jeremy Mayfield an injunction to compete in Sprint Cup events for the first time since his suspension in May for a failed drug test.

France raised his voice and was as animated as he has ever been in any meeting with media members.

Hoppers prospect comes back from injury with a vengeance

"Jesse Baumgartner ()" — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0400

GREENSBORO -- The nature of the minor leagues revolves around movement -- preferably upward, as players work for promotions toward the major league level.

But for much of the first part of this season, speedy Hoppers outfielder Isaac Galloway has found himself resigned to inactivity. And it wasn't by choice.

Hoppers' offense goes silent

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0400

GRASSHOPPERS REPORT

BlueClaws 2

Grasshoppers 0

Site: FirstEnergy Park, Lakewood, N.J.

Why the Grasshoppers lost: Three Lakewood pitchers limited Greensboro to seven hits, including a pair of doubles, in a shutout victory. Trevor May (1-1) pitched the first six innings, blanking the Hoppers on six hits (one walk, six strikeouts). Robert Roth pitched a perfect seventh, and Brian Rosenberg picked up his 13th save with two effective innings.

Hardin: Richard Petty has stories he wants to share

"Ed Hardin ()" — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0400

LEVEL CROSS -- The roads are paved here now, and the race shop's a museum. For the first time in more than 50 years, Branson Mill Road seems quiet. If you drive past the old complex on the left, past Lee and Elizabeth's house and on out across the county line toward Appomattox, you can imagine what is was like all those years ago.

Frye to retire as Superior Court judge

"Jennifer Fernandez ()" — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0400

GREENSBORO — Henry E. Frye Jr., a Guilford County Superior Court judge for 12 years, is retiring midway through his second term, state officials said Thursday.

Frye’s retirement is effective Aug. 1, said Chrissy Pearson, a spokeswoman with the governor’s office. Frye sent Gov. Bev Perdue a letter dated June 15 informing her of his intentions.

Frye did not return a call Thursday. He declined to comment on his plans through a staff member at Love & Faith Christian Fellowship Church, which lists him on its Web site as a member of its pastoral staff.

Editorial: Cap on charter schools restricts opportunities

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0400

The state legislature should be getting a message about charter schools by now: Lift the cap.

North Carolina's statutory maximum of 100 charter schools could limit its chances of gaining federal funding through a program called Race to the Top that promotes innovation, U.S. Department of Education officials say.

"States that do not have public charter laws or put artificial caps on the growth of charter schools will jeopardize their applications under the Race to the Top Fund," U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced last month.

Mayfield misses Daytona deadline

"Dustin Long ()" — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0400

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A day after a federal judge in Charlotte allowed Jeremy Mayfield to again compete in NASCAR Sprint Cup series events, Mayfield and his team missed the deadline to enter in Saturday night's race at Daytona International Speedway.

His only hope is to participate as a relief driver, a change NASCAR must approve.

Although not at the track Thursday, Mayfield was the topic of conversation among drivers.

Editorial: UNCG’s 22,000 big givers

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0400

The top giver to UNCG’s $115 million Students First Campaign won’t have a scholarship named in her or his honor.

The donor of a $6 million gift was the famously anonymous benefactor who has given at least $70 million to colleges and universities across the country, all headed by a women.

Collectors find history in postcards

"Donald W. Patterson ()" — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:00:13 -0400

For postcard collectors, it’s not about the words. It’s the images that count.

“I never read the messages on the cards,” said Christine Layne, a Greensboro collector. “I just like the way they look. I just go for the pictures on the cards.”

Layne and others like her see vintage postcards as windows to the past.

NASCAR's Hall of Fame will speak with a Southern drawl, y'all

"Dustin Long ()" — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0400

Editor's note: Staff Writer Dustin Long is among those who will vote for the inaugural NASCAR Hall of Fame class.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Although some fans claim that the NASCAR has abandoned its roots, that's not true with the 25 men nominated for the sport's inaugural Hall of Fame class.

Gene Owens: South Carolina in the limelight

"Gene Owens" — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0400

As a native and current resident of South Carolina, I'm sick and tired of people talking about the embarrassment Gov. Mark Sanford has caused the state through his affair of the heart with Maria Chapur.

Embarrassment? The governor's philandering down in Argentina -- at the extreme Southern end of the Appalachian Trail -- has thrust the state into a limelight that even the epochal death of Michael Jackson could not dim. The last time the national attention was focused so intensely on our state was in 1861, when our forefathers fired on Fort Sumter.

Women seek fitness, confidence in pole dancing class

"Robert C. Lopez ()" — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0400

Nikki Craven grabs a metal pole, and to the tune of Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" lifts herself up on it, flips her legs over her head, does a twirl and slides down, hands first, onto the light-up tile floor.

Her students, on a Saturday afternoon at Inferno in downtown Greensboro, break into applause.

The 26-year-old Craven is a pole dance instructor. She is not, however, a stripper. And though she has had some students who were exotic dancers, most are just women wanting to spice things up in their relationships or looking for a unique way to get into shape.

UNCG campaign nets $115 million

"Staff Reports" — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0400

GREENSBORO — When UNCG ended its five-year Student First Campaign fund drive Tuesday, the final tally was more than $115 million — well beyond its goal.

“We were counting every penny,” said Patricia Stewart, the school’s vice chancellor for university advancement.

The campaign launched in July 2004 with a goal of $78 million. The bar was raised to $100 million in 2006.

Stewart said that when that goal was reached last year, she and Chancellor Linda Brady decided to stretch it again.