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Regional Briefs: N.C. to get $3.2 million in recession aid
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Published: April 11, 2009
North Carolina will receive $3.2 million in federal money to help local communities provide food and shelter for people affected by the recession.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is providing the money through its Emergency Food and Shelter Program. The money is part of a $100 million federal stimulus package.
Such organizations as United Way, the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross will use the money to help people buy food, pay rent and mortgages, and pay utility bills.
The counties in the Triad and Northwest North Carolina that will receive a share of the money are Forsyth, $114,413; Alleghany, $3,972; Ashe, $10,028; Surry, $30,813; Watauga $12,196; and Wilkes, $26,654.
Senate backs arts-education bill
RALEIGH -- Public-school students in North Carolina would have to learn about painting, theater, music or dance to get their diploma in a measure backed by the N.C. Senate.
The Senate gave initial approval Thursday to legislation requiring one arts-education class in order to graduate. The requirement would begin with ninth-graders in 2011.
The bill's sponsor, Sen. Katie Dorsett of Guilford County, and other supporters said that the arts requirement would create well-balanced students and teach skills needed for the work force. But other legislators questioned placing another requirement on local schools to meet when they should be focused on reading, writing and math.
The bill passed by a vote of 34-13. A final Senate vote could come next week.
Downtown wine festival is May 9
Salute! the North Carolina Wine Celebration will return to Fourth Street from noon to 6 p.m. on May 9
Tickets will be $20 in advance or $25 on the day of the festival.
Like last year, special wine dinners will be held at local restaurants the night before and an after-party is planned on Fourth Street on May 9.
For more information, visit www.salutencwine.com or call 354-1500.
Another local wine festival, the North Carolina Wine Festival, will be May 30 at Tanglewood Park. For more information, visit www.ncwinefestival.com.
Caterpillar cutting jobs in Clayton
CLAYTON -- Caterpillar Inc. is cutting its work force again at a North Carolina plant.
The company won't say how many jobs are being cut at its plant in Clayton, about 15 miles southwest of Raleigh. Jim Dugan, a company spokesman, said that workers were notified this week.
Caterpillar, based in Peoria, Ill., announced furloughs of hundreds of employees in December at plants in Clayton and Sanford. Before those cuts, the company employed about 1,400 in the Raleigh area, including 800 in Clayton.
Civil War site found near Winnabow
WINNABOW -- Archaeologists and volunteers digging in Western North Carolina have uncovered a wooden platform for a cannon that Confederate soldiers used to defend themselves.
The cannon was uncovered Thursday, the last day of a four-day excavation at the Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic site near Winnabow.
Archaeologists hope to reconstruct the platform for the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. Festivities begin in 2011.
Mecklenburg cutting programs
CHARLOTTE --Mecklenburg County may close its libraries on Sundays and eliminate a drug and alcohol abuse program in an effort to cut $38.6 million from its budget, officials said.
The cuts would eliminate 256 positions, including 38 that now are filled, The Charlotte Observer reported yesterday. The county faces a $78.9 million shortfall in next year's budget.Cuts also include reducing benefits to foster children and taking $8 million from the county sheriff's office.
Mecklenburg County commissioners will vote on a budget for 2009-2010 next month.
In addition to losing positions funded with tax dollars, the county also may lose 78 code enforcement jobs that are paid for with fees.
County Manager Harry Jones announced the $38.6 million in cuts on Tuesday, but didn't reveal details, which were posted Thursday on the county's Web site.
The cuts were taken from recommendations made by department heads, who were told to find ways to reduce spending as much as 20 percent.
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