Investigation Of Lowe's

Federal invcstigators continue searching fbr links between bombings at Lowe's stores in North Carolina and a bomb tkeat to the Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.

Lowe's is corporate sponsor of the racetrack, where three spectators were killed and eight injured May I when an Indy race car crashed, sending parts flying into the stands.

According to an anonymous caller to the Greensboro News & Record, a relative ol' one of the victims of the accident had called Lowe's headquarters, complaining about the lack of support and aid given to the victims and their f'amilies.

Then, at 5:50 p.m. Sept. 22, a device exploded in the paint department of Lowe's Salisbury home center. Two minutes later, a similar device detonated 42 miles away, in the paint section of the Asheboro store.

The stores' sprinkler systems quickly extinguished fires caused by the explosions, although the areas sustained some water and fire damage.

One customer received second and third degree burns on her back and head when her hair and clothes caught fire. Onlookers rushed to her aid and, according to 48-year-old Mary Clay, "had me on the floor, rolling around with a towel or rug, trying to put the fire out."

Several others shoppers and employees were treated for minor injuries.

Six days later, Lowe's Concord, N.C., store was evacuated after an employee found a similar explosive device inside. Saf'ety ofTicials disarmed the bomb-considered to be planted by the same party-and no one was injured.

The same day, the nearby speedway

Bombings Continues

reported a bomb threat. Lowe's officials, though, said they had received no threats prior to the explosions.

Immediately, security was beef'ed up at Lowe's stores, as well as at the racetrack. On Oct. l, law enforcement officials posted a $30,000 reward for information about the bombings leading to arrests.

Agents are also exploring possible connections between the bombings and recent eflbrts to organize Lowe's employees.

Investigators fbund no connection between the bombings and a small Oct. 3 fire that caused damage to a door at Lowe's Lexington, N.C., store.

Rayonier ls Florida Bound

Ending months of speculation, Rayonier has chosen Jacksonville, Fl., as the site of its soon-to-be-relocated headquarters (see Oct., p.-41).

Based in Stamford, Ct., since 1979, the firm briefly considered Savannah, Ca., before deciding on Jacksonville after being offered an attractive city and state economic incentive package, according to a spokesperson.

Jacksonville is near Rayonier's expanding Southeast asset base, including 980,000 acres of Florida, Georgia and Alabama timberland the firm recently purchased from SmurfitStone Container Corp. The sale brings its total timber ownership in the region to 1.8 million acres.

The firm expects about 35 employees to move to Florida, where they will be joined by 35 to 40 additional employees to be hired after the relocation.

Separately, as part ofits debt-reduction program, Rayonier agreed to sell a Hoquiam, Wa., marine terminal to the Port of Grays Harbor for $9.5 million.