| Blog and Media Roundup - Friday, February 6, 2009; News Roundup | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Feb 6 2009, 05:04 AM (361 Views) | |
| abb | Feb 6 2009, 05:04 AM Post #1 |
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http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1395658.html Published: Feb 06, 2009 12:30 AM Modified: Feb 06, 2009 01:44 AM Cooper: Probe of Johnston DWI cases near end Mandy Locke, Staff Writer Comment on this story RALEIGH - Attorney General Roy Cooper promised his office soon will complete an investigation into possible tampering with several dozen drunken-driving cases in Johnston County. Last spring, the Johnston County district attorney asked Cooper's special prosecution unit to investigate allegations that several lawyers had fraudulently dismissed drunken-driving cases. A News & Observer review of the files in question showed mismatched dates and inconsistent justification for dismissals. When asked about the investigation Thursday during a taping for WRAL's Headline Saturday show, Cooper said he expects to know the outcome "pretty soon." He said most pertinent interviews have taken place. "I believe soon there will be an announcement on what steps we are going to take," Cooper said. It's been nearly a year since the agents with the State Bureau of Investigation began examining the DWI cases. Meanwhile, the three lawyers at the center of the investigation continue to practice law. The N.C. State Bar has taken no public disciplinary action against the lawyers. An assistant deputy clerk of courts who was placed on paid leave in the midst of the investigation has not been allowed to return to work. Cooper said that he is taking seriously claims at the center of the investigation. "We take all kinds of public corruption seriously, particularly those that affect this court," Cooper said. mandy.locke@newsobserver.com or 919-829-8927 |
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| abb | Feb 6 2009, 05:05 AM Post #2 |
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http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1395609.html Published: Feb 06, 2009 12:30 AM Modified: Feb 06, 2009 01:43 AM Vigil a call to action on killings David Bracken, Staff Writer Comment on this story RALEIGH - About 30 people gathered outside City Hall in frigid temperatures Thursday evening to pray for victims of homicide in Raleigh last year. Raleigh had 35 killings last year, the highest number in records that date back to 1970. The vigil, held to remember those lost and express sympathy for their families, also turned into a call to action. "That's an incredible number," said Andre Smith, whose 21-year-old son, Daniel, was stabbed to death at a downtown Raleigh nightclub in December 2007. "We got to stop this. We have the capacity to do that. It doesn't have to be that way." Octavia Rainey, a Southeast Raleigh activist, said the City Council needs to make curbing gun violence a top priority. "There must be an outcry from our council that says this is unacceptable," Rainey said. ""We've got to look at gun legislation in the city of Raleigh." Two Raleigh City Council members, Russ Stephenson and James West, attended the vigil. West, who represents Southeast Raleigh where a number of recent homicides have occurred, said the issue isn't just about making violent parts of the city safer. "You can't put a wall around Southeast Raleigh," he said. "This effects all of the city." Several speakers at Thursday's vigil noted that Raleigh has had two more homicides since the first of the year. Pullen Memorial and Martin Street Baptist churches began holding Vigils Against Violence 10 years ago. After each homicide in Raleigh, the churches hold a vigil for the victim, the perpetrator, their families and communities. david.bracken@newsobserver.com or 919-829-4548 |
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| abb | Feb 6 2009, 05:08 AM Post #3 |
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http://heraldsun.southernheadlines.com/durham/4-1090039.cfm Ruffin asks for report on 10% cuts BY MATTHEW E. MILLIKEN : The Herald-Sun mmilliken@heraldsun.com Feb 6, 2009 DURHAM -- Durham County is staring at a $16.2 million income shortfall for 2009-10, and drastic steps may be needed to erase it, government leaders said Thursday. The county manager, Mike Ruffin, asked department heads Tuesday to submit plans for reducing their original 2008-09 appropriations by 10 percent. And while commissioners want to avoid laying off county workers, freezing or cutting salaries, or raising taxes, Ruffin feels that it's too early to rule anything out. "We're looking at a number of alternatives," Ruffin said. "Let me just say that nothing is off the table." The projected $16.2 million revenue shortfall was discussed at the county's annual budget retreat, with county commissioners and dozens of county department heads and their deputies attending. Ten percent spending cuts for 2009-10 are not set in stone. Ruffin said he asked administrators to plan for that amount so he could learn how much it would affect services. He also sent an e-mail message Tuesday asking all county employees to work creatively to reduce spending without hurting services and without cutting personnel. One of the first budget cuts is likely to be a $4 million performance-based increase for salary and benefits, Ruffin said. But that would leave the county still facing more than a $12 million shortfall. That number assumes a $2 million drop in Register of Deeds fee revenues, a $1 million decline in interest income (down 40 percent from 2008-09), and a $5.8 million decrease in sales taxes (down 11 percent from the current budget). Other key points from Wednesday's budget talks: * Budget director Pam Meyer assumed that no increases will be granted to any department or outside agency, including Durham Public Schools, Durham Technical Community College and joint city-county initiatives. * The biggest single component of the revenue gap, about $7 million, is cash reserves that must not be spent in order to keep the county's credit rating healthy. * Meyer did not factor in the cost of opening South Regional Library and reopening the expanded Southwest Regional Library in 2010. She also didn't account for increased jail health-care costs. Commissioner Brenda Howerton opposes balancing the budget through either layoffs or a tax hike. "I can't even consider it at this point," she said of higher taxes. "People are just trying to maintain right now and keep a roof over their head, [get] food, and to burden them with a tax is just unfathomable." Commission Chairman Michael Page said he wanted to avoid layoffs and would "work diligently" to stave off a tax hike, "even though it does seem highly likely at times." Commissioner Joe Bowser said the county had to change how it does business. He wouldn't discuss specific changes but said he would rule out a tax increase and layoffs. |
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| abb | Feb 6 2009, 05:10 AM Post #4 |
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http://heraldsun.southernheadlines.com/durham/4-1090075.cfm Duke-Durham partners face tough donor climate By Gregory Childress : The Herald-Sun gchildress@heraldsun.com Feb 6, 2009 DURHAM -- Mary Lou Rollins doesn't expect the road ahead to be a smooth one. Because of a tough economy, Rollins, the newly appointed director of the 2009 campaign for the Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership, expects to hear some regular donors say "not this year" when staff and volunteers go knocking on doors for the cash and in-kind donations needed to sustain the 12-year-old community outreach program. "We'll deal with that and we understand that," said Rollins, director of special projects in Duke's Office of Durham and Regional Affairs. "I still think our story is compelling and those who can give will still do so." The partnership raised about $250,000 in cash last year and $800,000 in in-kind donations in an effort lead by Sam Miglarese, Duke's director of community engagement. "We'd love to match that this year," Rollins said. "The cash [contributions] may be where the big issue is this year." The year before the campaign, which Miglarese led for nine years, only raised $720,000 total. Miglarese will now focus more time on growth and development neighborhoods north of East Campus and student engagement with Durham. Donations made to the partnership benefit 12 neighborhoods adjacent to Duke's campus and eight public schools near the campus. Its main focus has been and will continue to be boosting student achievement and improving the quality of life in the 12 neighborhoods through collaborative efforts with residents and school officials. "As a long-time resident, I'm thrilled to be a part of this campaign," Rollins said in a news release. "I love this town and I can think of no greater goal than helping make Durham all she can be, an excellent place to live and work and play for every citizen." Rollins says the partnership will continue to build on efforts in the Durham Public Schools. She said academic enrichment, tutoring and youth development will remain among the partnership's top priorities. "I think a lot of that is still going to be where the money is going." Rollins said. The partnership also is involved in creating affordable housing opportunities, neighborhood revitalization, providing accessible health care and creating community-involvement opportunities for Duke students and employees. Last year, for example, Departments and contractors donated more than $700,000 in in-kind services to the campaign, including landscaping and a new soccer field at Forest View Elementary School. They also donated 1,500 computers to Durham Public Schools. Miglarese said he is leaving the campaign in very good hands. "I believe strongly in the importance of this campaign to the city of Durham," Miglarese said. "I'm also pleased that it is in Lou's [Rollins] very capable hands." |
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| abb | Feb 6 2009, 05:12 AM Post #5 |
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http://heraldsun.southernheadlines.com/state/6-1090019.cfm Bond lowered for 2 men charged in student's death Feb 5, 2009 CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A Gaston County Superior Court judge has granted a new, lower bond for two men charged with the murder of a student at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The Charlotte Observer reported Thursday night that 54-year-old Neal Leon Cassada Jr. of Mount Holly and 40-year-old Mark Bradley Carver of Gastonia were being held in the county jail under $1 million bond each on charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Judge Tim Patti granted secured bonds of $100,000 for each man. Thursday's order requires the men to report to pre-trial services and be placed under electronic house arrest. The sheriff's office said Cassada was released Thursday night, while Carver remained behind bars. The men are charged in the May 5 death of 20-year-old Irina Yarmolenko of Chapel Hill. |
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| abb | Feb 6 2009, 05:23 AM Post #6 |
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http://heraldsun.southernheadlines.com/opinion/hsedits/56-1089773.cfm Voting change deserves a look Feb 6, 2009 A money-saving idea suggested by the Durham Board of Elections to change the way citizens vote for City Council is certainly worth a second look, and maybe a third. Switching to a nonpartisan plurality election for this fall's City Council election could save the city as much as $185,000, the Board of Election estimated. That's nothing to sneeze at when you consider the city may face a budget shortfall in the coming year of between $24 million and $40 million. Every dollar saved will help. That would mean Durham would have just one election, bypassing the municipal primary in October and going straight to the general election Nov. 3. On the ballot this year are mayor and City Council, Wards I, II and III. Without the primary to winnow the field, the top vote getter would win for mayor, and the three top candidates would win City Council seats. Many other cities have already gone to the nonpartisan plurality format. According to a letter from Durham Board of Elections chairman Ronald Gregory, 487 of the state's 549 towns and cities use the system. Some might see it as a negative that a candidate could be elected without winning a majority of votes cast. An upside would be doing away with the municipal primary, which is traditionally ignored by the vast majority of voters. In 2007, the city primary drew a pitiful 10 percent turnout, which is typical. The general election that year, even with a competitive mayoral race, drew only 25 percent. No matter the turnout, the cost of balloting is similar in the primary and the general election, since the Board of Elections still has to open polling stations, print and process ballots, etc. Those who are up for election may try to parse out whether changing from the current nonpartisan primary and general election system would help or hurt their chances. But that shouldn't be the main consideration. The question should be, can Durham save money and also maintain a good process in which the public's voice is heard? If yes, the next step may be obvious. |
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| abb | Feb 6 2009, 05:25 AM Post #7 |
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http://heraldsun.southernheadlines.com/opinion/hsletters/ 2 hours on chickens? After watching the Feb. 2 Durham City Council meeting, I was truly concerned that City Council would spend almost two hours discussing a chicken-keeping ordinance. On many occasions when there is discussion of issues such as gang violence, increasing crime rates, drug trade and vacant and boarded-up properties, there has never been more than a handful of people in attendance. Often there are only two citizens, Dr. Lavonia Allison and Victoria Peterson, who continue to speak on the more serious concerns of the city. Am I to believe that the people who filled the City Council chamber on Monday night are more concerned about chicken-keeping than the more challenging issues that plague Durham? Council members and city officials seem to have problems monitoring the ordinances that already exist. Do we really need to add chasing chickens to the list? I think not. JACQUELINE WAGSTAFF Durham February 6, 2009 This is new? In his of the city address, Durham Mayor Bill Bell stated that city employees will have to "find new and effective ways of performing our jobs." I suppose he is finally admitting that they haven't been doing that all along! Seems to me that is the job they are being paid to do, regardless of the state of the economy. If this was being done routinely on a national, state and local level, perhaps we would not be in quite as much trouble. However, better late than not at all. CHARLES CATO Durham February 6, 2009 |
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| abb | Feb 6 2009, 05:33 AM Post #8 |
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http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/news/columnists/issac_bailey/story/773335.html Posted on Fri, Feb. 06, 2009 S.C. does too little to reach true justice Tim Cole was a victim. There are others. We're not supposed to talk about victims these days. In the world of ultra-conservative political correctness, victim is a dirty word. In that world, there are no victims, just people who've made bad choices or refuse to pull themselves up by their bootstraps. In that world, to speak of those wronged by failed or failing systems isn't an attempt to prevent future ones; it's an underhanded attempt to make people feel unnecessarily guilty. Pardon me if I ignore that for a second. In 1985 Cole was convicted by a Texas jury for a rape he didn't commit. It was based on faulty eyewitness testimony, the kind that numerous studies have proven is unreliable. According to various reports, he refused a plea bargain that would have kept him out of prison. He was sentenced to 25 years. He died in prison. Years later another prisoner, a rapist and murderer, confessed to the crime. He contacted those who tried the Cole case - multiple times - told them what he did and that he was willing to prove it. They ignored him. It wasn't until he got in touch with Cole's family that the case got moving. DNA tests were done. They proved Cole's innocence. With the assistance of the Innocence Project, which has helped free more than 230 wrongly convicted men, a judge decided to hear the case Thursday to exonerate Cole. Cases such as his continue to pop up all across the nation. The Innocence Project helped free one man in South Carolina so far and six in North Carolina. But while South Carolina took a step in the right direction last year by passing a preservation-of-evidence law, it remains light years behind North Carolina's recent reforms. North Carolina requires recorded interrogations, which cut down on false confessions. South Carolina does not. North Carolina compensates the wrongly convicted up to $750,000. South Carolina does not. North Carolina has mandated a change in its eyewitness identification policy. Misuse of eyewitness identification procedures was at the heart of the famed Duke lacrosse rape scandal. South Carolina has made no such policy reform. It's good when the public bands together to prevent crime. It's bad when we don't recognize that it's a crime to not reform a system that creates victims. Remember the disgust you felt after the Duke lacrosse injustice? Why aren't we doing more to make sure that doesn't happen again? |
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| teach1975 | Feb 6 2009, 08:57 AM Post #9 |
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http://tertiumquids.blogspot.com/2009/01/whos-on-hook-for-duke-lacrosse.html Who's on the Hook for the Duke Lacrosse Team/Stripper Case? You are, thanks to the federal bailout of AIG: After creating a national news frenzy, the North Carolina attorney general eventually dropped the case against the young men after seeing insufficient evidence to support the woman's claims. The three players at the center of the suit then sued Duke for its handling of the case. Duke settled with the players for an undisclosed sum but continues to fight lawsuits brought by more than 40 other lacrosse players and the former coach. Duke claims that two policies with National Union promise to protect it from losses incurred by legal claims, but the insurance company has not yet paid a dime. In its court filing, Duke claims that National Union has acknowledged it "potentially" could be responsible for the claims. Since the government is now the majority owner of AIG, and AIG is the majority owner of National Union Fire Insurance, Duke is essentially suing the Feds. So the case that effectively started with the attorney general in North Carolina has now come full circle back to the U.S. government. Government intervention: the consequences are priceless. |
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| HSLAXMOM | Feb 6 2009, 01:27 PM Post #10 |
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another hate crime... oops... close the door, stupid! http://www.connpost.com/localnews/ci_11639409 Fire Dept. 'noose' was an innocent slipknot By Aaron Leo Staff writer Posted: 02/05/2009 09:02:16 PM EST BRIDGEPORT -- A knotted rope found Jan. 15 in Fire Department Headquarters that was mistaken for a noose was really a slipknot used to hold a door closed. "This was a slipknot and it was misidentified," fire Capt. Luis Rivera, department spokesman, said Thursday, adding that the firefighters who tied it have come forward. "I don't think" they will be disciplined, he said. But Fire Chief Brian Rooney has issued an order reminding fire personnel that nooses will not be tolerated. The state's hate crime law was amended in October 2008 to make hanging a noose to intimidate someone illegal. Donald Day, a retired city firefighter and past director of the Northeast Region of the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters, said Thursday he heard of the finding. "Individuals should be a little more cognizant of the implications of what they're doing," he said. City Fire Lt. Shane Porter, the new director of the group, wasn't immediately available for comment. Day added that while he did not know the firefighters' motives, he said no one would admit to maliciously tying a noose. Ronald Mackey, past president of the Firebirds, another black firefighter group, agreed. He said in Syracuse, N.Y., a white rookie firefighter tied a noose and showed it to his colleagues, including a black woman, Mackey said, citing a report in The Post-Standard. He apologized and was disciplined after it was found he did not know the Advertisement historical meaning of a noose, the paper reported. Mackey added he wanted the chief to make a public statement regarding the Bridgeport incident. Meanwhile, Rivera explained what happened. A firefighter noticed a door wasn't locking and made a slipknot to hold it closed. "He looped that slipknot around both doors and cinched it down," Rivera said. He later untied it and threw it on the desk. "Now another firefighter comes in, notices the slipknot. [It] looks like a noose," he said. The firefighter, who was black, "did the right thing" by reporting it, Rivera added. The incident was also reported to police but no one in the department has commented on it. The chief then put out a memo "saying what happened and this should not happen again," according to the captain. "It wasn't hanging from a beam or something like that. A hangman's noose is supposed to have 13 knots," Rivera added. Tying knots is a skill taught in the Fire Academy, Rooney said. Firefighters carry rope with them in case they need an emergency escape method, or they can use the skill to tie things together to escape a burning building if necessary, he said. |
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| Quasimodo | Feb 6 2009, 01:36 PM Post #11 |
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http://durhamwonderland.blogspot.com/ Two items not to miss on other blogs: Bill Anderson calls for ending the practice of civil suit absolute immunity for prosecutorial behavior in light of Nifong's misconduct. John in Carolina takes the Chronicle to task for a peculiar passage in a recent editorial baldly asserting, on the basis of neither actual evidence nor any original reporting, that the lacrosse case didn't affect Duke fundraising. (links at site)
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| sceptical | Feb 6 2009, 09:36 PM Post #12 |
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http://www.laxpower.com/laxnews/news.php?story=12219 Duke Women's Lacrosse Defeats Team England DURHAM, N.C. – The third-ranked Duke women's lacrosse team continued its preseason scrimmage slate tonight, coming away with a 15-11 victory over the England national team at Koskinen Stadium. The Blue Devils were paced by four goals from senior Carolyn Davis. Megan Del Monte added a hat trick for the Blue Devils, while Caroline Cryer and Sarah Bullard scored twice and Emma Hamm, Lindsay Gilbride, and Kat Thomas chipped in one goal apiece in the win. Hamm and Davis each added two assists, while Hamm fired six shots. The Blue Devils led England 10-6 at the half and held on for the victory. Senior Kim Imbesi came up with four saves in the cage for Duke. England's Laura Merrifield was the leading scorer with four goals, and a pair of other players added two. Koskinen Stadium will play host to tomorrow night's match-up between the U.S. team and England, taking place at 6:30 p.m. The U.S. squad features four Blue Devils – current players Cryer and Bullard and 2006 graduates Katie Chrest and Megan Huether. Sunday, Duke completes its preseason slate with friendly scrimmages as part of the 2009 South of the Border tournament at the University of North Carolina. Duke will face off against George Mason and Georgetown and take another crack at the U.S. squad. The Blue Devils were downed by the U.S. last weekend in Florida by a score of 16-3. The Blue Devils open the regular season with a weekend road swing to Denver, Colo., where they face the University of Denver on Fri., Feb. 13 at 7:00 p.m. and California on Sun., Feb. 15 at 2:00 p.m., also played in Denver. The Cal game will mark the first-ever meeting between the programs. Edited by sceptical, Feb 6 2009, 09:37 PM.
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