Regional Briefs: Board approves 3 new principals for area schools

Three new principals have been unanimously approved by the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school board:

□ Ingrid Medlock will be the principal of Hill Middle School.

□ Rusty Hall will be the principal of Rural Hall Elementary.

□ Ramona Warren will be the principal of Sedge Garden Elementary.

Medlock is returning to the school system. At one time, she was the principal of Latham Elementary School. More recently, she has been the principal and head of school of Durham Nativity School, an all-male middle school. She is replacing Becky Hodges, who will be the principal of the new Flat Rock Middle School.

Hall comes to Rural Hall from Nancy Reynolds Elementary in Stokes County, where he was named the 2009 Stokes County Principal of the Year. He has been principal of Nancy Reynolds for three years. He also has worked as an assistant principal at West Stokes High School, and as a math and science teacher at North Davidson Middle School. He is replacing Frank Holcomb, who is retiring.

Warren has been the assistant principal of Clemmons Elementary School since 2004. She taught for nine years, including several as an exceptional children's teacher at Clemmons Middle School, before becoming a N.C. Principal Fellow in 2002. She served her administrative internship at Mineral Springs Middle and Clemmons Elementary schools. She replaces Gaye Weatherman, who will be the principal of the new Kimmel Farm Elementary School.

Fire intentionally set, fire officials say

Investigators have determined that someone intentionally set the fire that damaged an apartment building in downtown Winston-Salem Tuesday, authorities said yesterday.

The fire started shortly after 6 a.m. in the 1400 block of Peace Court, off East 14th Street.

When firefighters arrived, flames were coming out of the front and roof of the building.

One resident was treated at the scene for minor smoke inhalation.

The fire caused $290,000 in damage to the building and contents.

The American Red Cross helped five people displaced by the fire find shelter.

Anyone with information about the fire can call Crime Stoppers at 727-2800.

Kernersville considers lower tax rate

KERNERSVILLE -- The town's board of aldermen is considering a proposed budget of $24.58 million for 2009-10 that decreases the property-tax rate to 49.75 cents for every $100 of value.

The town's current budget is $24.88 million, with a property tax-rate of 55 cents for every $100 of value.

Town Manager Curtis Swisher said that a January revaluation of Kernersville property increased its value by 3 percent over the 2005 revaluation. Under the spending plan, the town would hire a fire inspector and a project engineer in the town's transportation division.

Swisher recommended that the town replace 35 computers in police cars and buy six police cars.

Swisher also recommended that the public-works department reduce garbage collection to four days a week from five days.

Town employees would not receive a salary increase.

The aldermen will hold a workshop on the budget May 27 in Town Hall and a public hearing on the budget June 2 at Town Hall.

GOP leader wants special prosecutor

RALEIGH -- A key Republican wants a special prosecutor to look into potential campaign finance problems of former Democratic Gov. Mike Easley.

Senate Republican Leader Phil Berger said yesterday that an independent prosecutor would ensure that any investigation is free from political pressure.

The Raleigh News & Observer reported that Easley flew on private jets provided by several businessmen while in office. He didn't pay for some flights. The value of other trips appears to exceed campaign-donation limits.

Easley's campaign has also said that a vehicle driven by Easley's son actually was a campaign car.

The State Board of Elections is investigating.

Attorney General Roy Cooper, a Democrat, would not comment, but a spokeswoman said that his department has investigated several Democrats who went to prison, including former House Speaker Jim Black.