“Life” inmates cannot shorten sentences — Page 5 Sports Bring on the Falcons R-S Central’s long-awaited 2nd round appearance in the NCHSAA playoffs will come against one of the finest teams in the state.
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Friday, November 20, 2009, Forest City, N.C.
NATION
50¢
Stimulus will fund appliance program
FLIGHT TRAINING
By SCOTT BAUGHMAN Daily Courier Staff Writer
FOREST CITY — North Carolina has received an “F” on the second annual March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card, but the state is making strides in improving on criteria that can help give all babies a healthy start in life. The report card was released Tuesday on the Seventh Annual Prematurity Awareness Day, when the March of Dimes focuses the nation’s attention on the growing problem of premature birth – birth before 37 weeks gestation. The U.S. as a whole earned a “D” for the second consecutive year, demonstrating that more
FOREST CITY — North Carolina has joined several other states in a “Cash for Appliances” program designed to get consumers to switch old appliances for new Energy Star efficient models. Backed by more than $300 million in federal stimulus funds, North Carolina’s share of the money for rebates is about $8.8 million. Each new appliance purchased could qualify for a rebate between $50 and $200. But unlike the “Cash for Clunkers” program from earlier this year, consumers won’t have to trade in their old clunker of a dishwasher. The rebates will be handled right at the cash register. “The plan calls for rebates of 15 percent to be offered to replace major home appliances with Energy Star-rated appliances over a four-day period next spring during Earth Day weekend — Thursday, April 22, through Sunday, April 25, 2010,” said Seth Effron, Communications Director for the North Carolina Department of Commerce. “Energy Star rebates will be in addition to any store, manufacturer or other discounts being offered.” “The Energy Star program does equate to some energy savings,” said Duke Energy Spokesperson Paige Sheehan. “We have calculators on our Web site and you can learn about the savings in your energy bill and how quickly you can pay off that upgraded appliance. Depending on how much energy efficient stuff you have in your house you can even qualify for a special rate from Duke Energy. In the coming months you’ll see Duke Energy offer
Please see State, Page 6
Please see Program, Page 6
Flu vaccine problems cause some concern Page 16
SPORTS
Garrett Byers/Daily Courier
Students taking part in the Isothermal Community College Center for Pre-Hospital Medical Education EMS Program got a chance to experience first hand the how-tos of working in and around an emergency medical helicopter. Here flight nurse Barry Nelson with Carolinas Medical Center of Charlotte explains the specifics of the Medcenter Air’s patient loading bay Thursday.
Tim Lincecum wins 2nd Cy Young Award Page 8
GAS PRICES
Low: High: Avg.:
$2.43 $2.65 $2.55
DEATHS
State gets ‘F’ on infant deaths From Staff Reports
After school program gets $300,000
Forest City
From staff reports
WEATHER
FOREST CITY — The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has approved a $300,000 21st-Century Community Learning Center grant to support innovative after school programming in Rutherford County. Rutherford County Arts Council, Rutherford County Schools, Isothermal Community College, Realize Rutherford
James Logan, Jr. Bostic Fannie Roberson Elsewhere Madge Hawkins Page 5
and the County of Rutherford are partnering on the project, which is entitled “Playing For Keeps.” The program will run for four years. Sites selected for the first year of the program include: Chase Middle School, East Middle School, R-S Middle School, Forest City-Dunbar Elementary School, Forrest Hunt Elementary School and Pinnacle Elementary School. The program is designed to enhance
the academic success of students in core subjects by sharpening their skills and encouraging their creative development, through project-based, enjoyable activities scheduled during the three-hour period after the regular school day. The activities are divided into five-week sessions focusing on six areas: mathematics and science, literature and public Please see Grant, Page 6
TDA looking to move its headquarters TDA cuts budget, Page 3 By JEAN GORDON
High
Daily Courier Staff Writer
Low
66 42 Today, sunny. Tonight, clear. Complete forecast, Page 10
INSIDE Classifieds . . . 16-19 Sports . . . . . . . . 7-9 County scene . . . . 6 Opinion . . . . . . . . 4 Vol. 41, No. 277
Jean Gordon/Daily Courier
The Tourism Development Authority began its regular business meeting Thursday by candle light and lantern, due to a power outage. After about 15 minutes, lights were back on for the more than two hour meeting.
Now on the Web: www.thedigitalcourier.com
FOREST CITY — The Tourism Development Authority is looking for a new home and Acting Executive Director Michelle Whitaker is seeking relocation for office space. Ideally, she told the TDA board Thursday, the new office space would be near the Rutherford County Annex in Rutherfordton. Tax collecting, human resource issues and finance matters are handled at the annex and it would be a cost savings to tourism to be closer to Rutherfordton. However, a move from the Rutherford County Visitors Center at U.S. 221 and U.S. 74 does not mean the tourists in
Please see TDA, Page 3