Johnson

June 30, 2010 - GOLDSBORO - Randy Arive Johnson of Stanley Chapel Church Road, Mount Olive, is facing charges of First Degree Burglary, Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and Driving While License Revoked after an investigation by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office. According to information released by the Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched to a residence on Big Daddy’s Road in Pikeville early Wednesday morning. The resident reported that a person had entered their home. When confronted, the intruder assaulted the resident and left taking a handgun. The resident identified Johnson who was arrested and charged. Bond was set at $201,000. The victim was treated and released by Wayne Memorial Hospital Emergency Services.

June 30, 2010 - GOLDSBORO - Two juveniles are in the custody of their parents after being charged with a break-in at the Rosewood Middle School on June 19th. Several witnesses called and reported two subjects were breaking into a building on the school campus. Two deputies responded and detained the two individuals pending investigation. The juveniles were charged on juvenile petitions, and some property was recovered and returned.

June 30, 2010 - RALEIGH – Fish for free in all public waters — including coastal waters — on July 4 from 12:01 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. While everyone, residents and non-residents, can fish in public waters on this date without a license, all other fishing regulations, such as length and daily possession limits, as well as bait and tackle restrictions, apply.

Authorized by the N.C. General Assembly and started in 1994, North Carolina’s annual free fishing day, which always falls on July 4, was created to promote the sport of fishing.

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission manages recreational fisheries, stocks fish, and provides free access to fishing sites across the state.  And, while many sport fisheries in North Carolina are self-sustaining, the Commission annually stocks a variety of fish in public, inland waters — from trout in the mountains to striped bass in Piedmont reservoirs and channel catfish in Community Fishing Program (CFP) waters.

“We stock waters so anglers of all ages and skill levels have an excellent chance of catching fish,” said Kyle Briggs, a program manager with the Division of Inland Fisheries. “The purpose of a free fishing day is to get people hooked on fishing. The more positive a fishing experience is, the more likely a person will continue fishing.”

To make finding a spot to fish easier, the Commission has a list of free fishing-access areas on its website. Public Fishing Areas offer free access from the banks of many streams, rivers, lakes and ponds across the state while CFP sites provide fishing opportunities in urban areas. These sites typically feature solar-powered fish feeders, universally-accessible piers and periodic stockings of harvestable-sized channel catfish from April through September.

Some CFP sites have loaner rods and reels that anglers can borrow for the day on a first-come, first-serve basis. Through the Commission’s Tackle Loaner Program, anglers can check out a fishing rod and reel in much the same way they check out a library book. They receive a Tackle Loaner card, which is good at all tackle-loaner sites across the state, although the rods and reels must be returned to the location where they were borrowed. Anglers age 15 and younger who register for the Tackle Loaner Program for the first time receive a mini tackle box filled with hooks, fishing line, a bobber, a stringer — all the necessary components of a successful fishing trip.

North Carolina residents age 16 and older who are interested in fishing the remaining 364 days of the year can purchase a one-year comprehensive inland fishing license, which includes public trout waters, for $20. A one-year license to fish in coastal waters is $15; to fish in inland waters, including public trout waters, and coastal waters, a unified license is $35 and is valid for one year from purchase date. To purchase a license:

• Call the Wildlife Resources Commission at 1 (888) 248-6834. Hours of operation are 8 a.m.-5 p.m., 7 days a week;
• Visit the Purchase License page.
• Visit a local Wildlife Service Agent. Most are located in bait-and-tackle shops, hunting and sporting good stores and larger chain stores.

For a list of all public fishing areas, Community Fishing Program sites and Tackle Loaner Program sites, visit the Fishing page, or call the Division of Inland Fisheries, (919) 707-0220.

(press release by NC Wildlife Resources Division)

June 29, 2010 - RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Standards Division has collected fines from stores in Boiling Springs, Charlotte, Gastonia, Kings Mountain, Mount Airy, Rockingham, Shelby and Smithfield for excessive price-scanning errors.

The NCDA&CS Standards Division conducts periodic, unannounced inspections of a business’ price-scanner system to check for accuracy between the prices advertised and the prices that ring up at the register. If a store has more than a 2 percent error rate on overcharges, inspectors discuss the findings with the store manager and conduct a more intensive follow-up inspection at a later date. Undercharges are also reported, but do not count against a store.

“Consumers are watching their purchases closely and looking for sales in today’s economy,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “By checking the accuracy of price-scanning systems in retail stores, we are helping to ensure that when shoppers get to the checkout counter, they get the advertised price. Consumers can contact our Standards Division at (919) 733-3313 to register a complaint.”

Penalties are assessed if a store fails the follow-up inspection. In addition to the penalties paid, the store will be subject to re-inspection every 60 days from the last inspection until it meets the 2-percent-or-less rate. Additional penalties may be assessed if the store fails a re-inspection.

Following are stores that paid civil penalties after failed inspections:

• CVS #7057 at 212 Main St., Boiling Springs, paid $705 in civil penalties for excessive price- scanner errors. The first inspection in January revealed an error rate of 5 percent, based on a sample lot of 100 randomly selected items. A follow-up inspection in March found an error rate of 2.33 percent based on seven overcharges out of a 300-item lot.
• Walgreens #5761 at 4701 South Blvd., Charlotte, paid a total of $7,905 in civil penalties for excessive price-scanner errors after four failed inspections. The first inspection in October 2009 found an error rate of 6 percent, based on six overcharges out of 100 randomly selected items. A follow-up inspection in December 2009 found an error rate of 3.67 percent based on 11 overcharges out of 300 randomly selected items. The store was assessed and paid a fine of $1,875 for the second violation. A third inspection in February found an error rate of 4.33 percent based on 13 overcharges in a 300-item lot. The store was assessed and paid a civil penalty of $2,735 for failing a third inspection. A fourth inspection found an error rate of 3.67 percent for 11 overcharges out of 300 randomly selected items. A civil penalty of $2,485 was assessed and paid.
• Lowes Foods #212 at 1949 Hoffman Road, Gastonia, paid $1,680 in civil penalties for excessive price-scanner errors. The first inspection in November 2009 found an error rate of 6 percent, based on three overcharges from 50 randomly selected items. A second inspection in January found an error rate of 3.67 percent based on 11 overcharges from a lot of 300 random items.
• CVS #6407 at 1017 Shelby Road, Kings Mountain, paid $630 in civil penalties for excessive price-scanner errors. In January, an inspection found an error rate of 6 percent, based on three overcharges out of 50 randomly selected items. In March, the inspection found an error rate of 3.67 percent based on 11 overcharges out of 300 random items.
• Petsense #302 at 692 South Andy Griffith Parkway, Mount Airy, paid $600 in civil penalties for excessive price-scanner errors. An initial inspection in November 2009 found a 6 percent error rate based on three overcharges in a 50-item lot. A second inspection found a 2.67 percent error rate based on eight overcharges from 300 randomly selected items.
• Food King #5 at 305 E. Washington St., Rockingham, paid $1,005 in civil penalties for excessive price-scanner errors. An initial inspection in February revealed an error rate of 12 percent, based on an inspection lot of 50 randomly selected items. A second inspection found an error rate of 4.33 percent, based on 13 overcharges in a 300-item lot.
• Dollar General #8919 at 1848 East Dixon Blvd., Shelby, paid $2,670 in civil penalties for excessive price-scanner errors. The first inspection in January found an error rate of 4 percent, based on four overcharges out of 100 randomly selected items. In March, a second inspection found an error rate of 4 percent based on 12 overcharges out of 300 randomly selected items.
• Rite Aid #11383 at 104 Brightleaf Blvd., Smithfield, paid $825 in civil penalties for excessive price-scanner errors. The first inspection revealed a 10 percent error rate, based on five overcharges in a 50-item lot. A second inspection found a 2.67 percent error rate, based on eight overhcharges in a 300-item lot.

Each store could have been assessed a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for each violation under the Weights and Measures Act of 1975. Money collected from civil penalties is distributed to school systems statewide.

Governor Bev Perdue

June 29, 2010 - RALEIGH - Governor Perdue was elected chair of the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) yesterday at its Annual Meeting in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.  As the chair of SREB’s 80-member Board, Gov. Perdue hopes to share the goals of her Career and College—Ready, Set, Go agenda, which includes preparing every student to graduate from high school ready for a career, college or technical training.  Drawing on her experience as a former teacher and having earned a doctorate in education administration, Gov. Perdue also is working to transform North Carolina classrooms through increased technology and a statewide online school initiative. Gov. Perdue’s term as chair will begin July 1 and she will succeed West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin III.

June 29, 2010 - GOLDSBORO - Around 6pm Monday, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, Sheriff’s Office Dive and K-9 Teams along with Arr-Mac Search and Rescue Team and Wayne County EMS Units responded to Buscoe Beach, south of Goldsboro, in reference to a possible drowning victim. Forty-four year-old Michael Gardner of Rocky Mount was fishing with his wife and two children when Gardner went under the water and did not surface.  All units executed an extensive search for the victim that continued through the night. Mr. Gardner’s body was recovered just after 11am today. The rescue units were also assisted by Wayne County Sheriff’s Office Chaplain W. C. Hutchins.

June 29, 2010 - GOLDSBORO - The City of Goldsboro will observe Independence Day Holiday on Monday, July 5, 2010.  All sanitation services scheduled for Monday, July 5, 2010 will be serviced on Wednesday, July 7, 2010.

June 29, 2010 - RALEIGH - Attorney General Roy Cooper is urging legislators to allow North Carolina to take DNA upon a felony arrest. Under the proposed legislation, DNA collected from arrestees by cheek swab would be entered into state and national DNA databases.  Crime scene evidence is searched against the DNA databases to help solve cases without a suspect.  The database also helps clear wrongly accused suspects. North Carolina’s DNA database, which currently includes samples from all convicted felons thanks to a 2003 law pushed by Cooper, has already helped solve more than 1,400 cases.  Adding DNA from arrestees is projected to crack as many as 100 unsolved murders, rapes and other violent crimes in just the first year alone. Across the country, 23 other states and the federal government are already allowed to collect DNA samples from arrestees, and courts have upheld the practice as constitutional.

June 29, 2010 - SMITHFIELD - Thirty-four year-old Matthew Hagert Salentine of Smithfield is charged with First Degree Murder, Armed Robbery, First Degree Burglary, and 3 Counts of Uttering Forged Instrument. Smithfield police responded to a residence on Third Street in Smithfield. Seventy-four year-old Patricia Warren Stevens was found dead. The investigation led to the apprehension and arrest of Matthew Hagert Salentine also of Third Street, Smithfield. Salentine was placed in the Johnston County Jail under no bond pending first appearance in Smithfield District Court on Monday.

Adrienne Core

June 27, 2010 - RALEIGH - The 2010 Miss North Carolina is Adrienne Leigh Core. The scholarship pageant concluded Saturday evening after a week of competition. Miss Core represented Raleigh. Miss North Carolina is part of the Miss America program, the world’s largest provider of scholarships for young women. Each year, the Miss America program awards about $45 million in scholarships.