Post-EOG week

Lots of debate being generated over our stories on post EOG "celebrations" and such.

One argument I'm hearing a lot is: "We need a break after those stressful tests."

Isn't that what summer vacation is for?

A quiz

I have been so pleased to see an increase in the number of local names and faces in The Star. Last Thursday, I decided to count them all.

Question: How many local names or faces appeared in last Thursday's edition of The Star (I did not count survivors in obits - if a name appeared with a face (i.e. mug shot), I only counted that once).

The closest guesser gets a Star coffee mug.

Couple changes in The New Star

First, we have bumped up the point size in what we call our "graphics copy." Basically this is non-body copy. Hmmmm -- that still may confuse you. Let me put it this way, the typeface that appears in regular stories did not change during our overhaul. But we did change the typeface that is used for "non-paragraph" copy, such as lists, honor rolls, jail logs and the left hand rails that were created.

We increased that point size to make for easier reading.

Also, we went back to a 1-column format for the obits. We found that readers didn't like following one line of copy all the way across two columns.

Anyway, hope you are enjoying the increase in local news in the paper.

Terrible bill ....

How can anyone defend a law which would require 80-year-old people to be carded??????

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee is one step away from becoming the first state to require stores selling beer to check the age of every buyer, even those obviously older than 21.
The universal carding legislation sponsored by Rep. Gary Moore, D-Joelton, is on its way to the governor for his signature after passing the House Thursday on a vote of 75-20. The legislation was unanimously approved in the Senate last week.
``This bill will put Tennessee first. It's an innovative approach to prevent the sale of beer to minors,'' Moore said.
Besides requiring carding, the legislation would also create a voluntary ``responsible vendors program.''
In return for training and certifying clerks, stores in the responsible vendors program would face lower fines and couldn't have their beer permits revoked for a first offense of selling to underage drinkers.
Some local governments, which control beer permits, opposed the bill over that provision.
Universal carding would apply to all vendors regardless of whether they enroll in the program. The carding rule would expire after one year unless the General Assembly renews the law next legislative session.

Predictions

OK, I reserve the right to change these as the election draws near, but I'm going to stick my neck out and make predictions for the main local races in November.


Sheriff:
Incumbent Raymond Hamrick will barely hold off a strong bid by Republican Don Allen -- it will be something like 52-48 or 51-49 Hamrick. And this definitely could change in the next 5 months.

Commissioner:
Again, the Democratic ticket will prevail as Jo Boggs and Eddie Holbrook win over Kelly Hastings and Bill Chambless

Clerk of Court:
I see Sharon Jones emerging from the Democratic runoff and besting Claudia Glenn.

DA:
Democrat Rick Shaffer (helped by the loss of commissioners candidate Ron Schaeffer who might have caused name recognition problems) will defeat Republican lawyer Colin McWhirter.

N.C. House
Finally, a Republican who will win! Incumbent Tim Moore will hold off Democrat Betsy Fonveille.

N.C. Senate
I think this is the toughest race to call. When in doubt, though, go with the incumbent. I'll take Democrat Walter Dalton over GOP challenger Wes Westmoreland.


So, it's a long way until the general election, but if these predictions hold true, it will be a big night locally for Democrats.

We shall see.

What do YOU think?