MOCKSVILLE -- Opening statements will begin today in the high-profile trial of Kirk Alan Turner, the Clemmons dentist accused of killing his wife.
A jury of 12 Davie County residents, with three alternates, was seated yesterday afternoon. Jury selection started Monday.
Deputies with the Davie County Sheriff's Office responded about 9:45 p.m. Sept. 12, 2007, to a disturbance at 627 Jack Booe Road. They found the body of Jennifer Jean Wittwer Turner, 54, in the shop building of the house she and her husband, Kirk Turner, once shared.
She was found with two gashes across her throat, both severing her windpipe. Kirk Turner had stab wounds on his thigh and groin. He has said that he was defending himself from an attack from his wife, who he said stabbed him with a spear with a 16-inch blade.
If convicted, Kirk Turner could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.
State wants stimulus money for I-85
North Carolina officials said yesterday that they have submitted a grant proposal asking for $300 million in federal stimulus money to improve the Interstate 85 corridor, including the I-85 bridge over the Yadkin River between Davidson and Rowan counties.
The 6.8-mile section of freeway carries almost 70,000 vehicles a day. Both the structure and the design of the current bridge are considered to be deficient.
The new corridor would include an overhaul of the freeway, the bridge and the railway line between U.S. 29/Business 85 in Davidson County and Long Ferry Road in Rowan County.
Transportation officials had said earlier this year that they would request a portion of the $1.5 billion in discretionary funds available nationwide in stimulus money for state projects.
Bass to return to local school system
A former assistant principal in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools will return to the school system as the principal of Atkins High's School of Computer Technology.
Rodney Bass has been the principal of North Rowan High in Spencer for the past four years. Before that, he had spent his entire career in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school system, serving as an assistant principal at East Forsyth and Parkland high schools. He also taught history for a while at North Forsyth High School.
He got his bachelor's degree and master's degree in school administration from Appalachian State University. Bass will replace Brad Craddock, who is now the principal of Glenn High School.
WFU Baptist names nursing officer
Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center said yesterday that Maureen Sintich has been named chief nursing officer and vice president for operations, effective Saturday.
Sintich also will continue as an interim vice president of Brenner Children's Hospital until a permanent hire is made. She is replacing Patricia Johnson, who is retiring after 15 years with the system.
"Maureen has extensive experience and background in management and nursing leadership," said Donny Lambeth, the president of N.C. Baptist Hospitals Inc.
Sintich has been with the system for 9½ years, serving as an administrator in Women's Health and holding director positions in oncology and behavioral health.
License-plate bill goes to Perdue
RALEIGH -- A bill designed to make sure that police officers can read North Carolina license plates by prohibiting plate frames that obscure information is going to Gov. Bev Perdue for her signature.
The N.C. House and Senate gave final approval this week to the bill, which would fine motorists up to $100 if they use a frame that covers the state name or plate date.
The bill also directs the legislature to study the state's more than 160 specialty license-plate styles.
Smokies parkway is being widened
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The gateway to the Smokies will open wider.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation says that workers have begun widening Tennessee 66 in Sevier County. The road between Interstate 40 and Sevierville is also known as the Great Smoky Mountains Parkway.
The $38.7 million project will expand the highway from four lanes to six lanes. Crews began work Monday night.
The highway is the main tourist artery to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
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