Latest News

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  • Sibling rivalry over family home: No one wins
    Jul 31, 2010 — Washington Post
    Benny L. KassQ: Mom died a year ago, leaving the family home to my brother and me. Partition suits are an acceptable means of resolving property disputes. In the end, neither party was happy.Benny L. Kass is a Washington lawyer.
  • Caterpillar quick to react to swings in the economy
    Jul 30, 2010 — Winston-Salem Journal
    We became more disciplined and committed to execution. And we developed an intense focus on cost. Caterpillar is the largest local economic-development project since Dell made its decision to open a $110 million plant in Forsyth County that was supposed to employ up to 1,700 people.
  • N.C. mental health provider loses accreditation
    Jul 30, 2010 — The News and Observer
    MHA ever filed its tax returns for 2008 or 2009. Allied with Easter Seals Last month, MHA announced a new "strategic alliance" with Easter Seals. After the Maryland-based Council on Quality and Leadership removed its accreditation from MHA on Monday, Wainwright said the state has been coordinating with Easter Seals to take over many of MHA's remaining service programs. The U.S. government requires groups that provide mental health services to have accreditation from the council...
  • Residents urge state to move on beltway
    Jul 30, 2010 — Winston-Salem Journal
    Northern Beltway is very last on the list of the state's priority road projects, what do you think should be done about it now? A draft priority list of urban loops obtained by the Winston-Salem Journal on Wednesday lists the eastern leg of the Winston-Salem beltway in last place among 21 projects statewide. The western leg -- which is actually a lower priority to local officials -- ranked a little higher, but no portion of the beltway is in the state's draft plans for construction or...
  • The estate tax mistake
    Jul 30, 2010 — The Boston Globe
    George Steinbrenner's family could end up saving around half a billion. And now, time is ticking down for Democrats to stand up for a strong estate tax. The party, as usual, has been unable to control the message - or to rein in their own in the Senate. In the wake of decades of intense lobbying, the Democrats have done what they do best: very little.
  • Wealth Matters: Partnerships May Aid Your Estate, but the I.R.S. Is Watching
    Jul 30, 2010 — New York Times
    Family limited partnerships are primarily used to reduce the size of an estate for tax purposes. Setting up a partnership on a parent’s deathbed will certainly draw scrutiny. “It’s not just a wrapper or a label that you put around assets to obtain discounts for tax purposes,” Mr.
  • Work on new Outer Loop section could begin this fall
    Jul 30, 2010 — The Fayetteville Observer
    Last year, the state awarded a $52 million contract to grade and build eight bridges on that segment using federal stimulus dollars. The Army wants to eventually close Bragg Boulevard on the military post for security reasons and reroute civilian traffic onto Murchison Road. State budget problems halted the work, and some Charlotte area politicians groused that Fayetteville had leapfrogged their city in loop funding. Charlotte will get its outer loop finished.
  • Bush tax cuts: Keep some, allow others to expire
    Jul 29, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
    The economy may grow faster after a tax cut, but not enough to make up the lost revenue. A place to start would be the tax rate on capital gains and dividend interest, which the Bush cuts capped at 15 percent for all Americans. If Congress takes no action, the top capital gains tax rate will rise to 20 percent, and dividend income to 39.6 percent.
  • DOT study lists alternatives to NC 109 traffic
    Jul 29, 2010 — High Point Enterprise
    Alternative two provides interchanges with Interstate 85 and Interstate 85 Business Loop, and it implements part of the future Thomasville Southern Loop. The alternative provides a multilane route with interchanges at Interstate 85 and Interstate 85 Business Loop. It joins National Highway north of Thomasville instead of N.C. 109 to provide access to Interstate 85 Business Loop.
  • No-shows for public transportation remain a problem
    Jul 29, 2010 — Richmond County Daily Journal
    In April, there were 46 and in March there were 43. For social services, each no-show for an ART transportation appointment costs $8.40.
  • Obama Trumpets Democrats' Small-Business Bona Fides
    Jul 29, 2010 — New York Times
    Obama, in New Jersey, emphasized that he had cut taxes for small businesses eight times. “Helping small businesses, cutting taxes, making credit available. With the midterm elections just three months away, Senate Republican leaders see little reason to hand Mr.
  • State advises parents to immunize their children before school starts
    Jul 29, 2010 — The Herald-Sun
    Parents who want to participate should contact their health care provider or their local health department or visit http://www.immunizenc.com/vfcinfo.htm. There is no need to enroll in the program. Recent changes to the North Carolina Immunization Program mean that free, state-funded vaccines are no longer provided to insured children. The vaccine will be distributed to children entering kindergarten through eighth grade.
  • A rising tide of refugees taxes local health system
    Jul 28, 2010 — Star-News
    Hanover County Health Department is in charge of the refugees' initial health screenings soon after they arrive. Betty Jo Bennett, a personal health nurse supervisor at the health department, described the services as an unfunded mandate, though she added the health department was fine with doing the tests. "It's growing faster than we anticipated," she said during a presentation on refugee health to the county health board this month. The health department so far has...
  • Apex joins Cary in U.S. 64 feedback
    Jul 28, 2010 — The Cary News
    The latest draft of the study removed the recommendation for a so-called superstreet at Laura Duncan Drive in Apex. To go back the other way, they would make U-turns across the median.
  • BRIEF
    Jul 28, 2010 — The Cary News
    ...-- MORRISVILLE -- The Town Council on Tuesday agreed to fork over its share of funds that will be used to build new sidewalks between Perimeter Park and the Western Wake Freeway. Council members instructed Morrisville staff to set aside $24,500 for the project. The sidewalks, which will cost $122,500, will be added along Chapel Hill Road between Lichtin Boulevard and the westbound exit ramp from N.C. 540. The remaining funds needed to construct the sidewalks, $98,000, will come...
  • Developers look to reinstate DOT deal
    Jul 28, 2010 — The Herald-Sun
    Opposition is considered certain from Commissioners Becky Heron and Ellen Reckhow. Whether the protest petition filed by neighbors stands or falls is thus likely to determine the outcome. If it remains valid, four commissioners have to approve the rezoning.
  • EDITORIAL
    Jul 28, 2010 — Los Angeles Times
    But government belt-tightening could also backfire, slowing the economy and promoting pessimism among consumers and business owners. The economy may grow faster after a tax cut, but not enough to make up the lost revenue. A place to start would be the tax rate on capital gains and dividend interest, which the Bush cuts capped at 15% for all Americans.
  • Grant funds to aid roads, trails
    Jul 28, 2010 — The Cary News
    A $200,000 grant will help Cary begin the preliminary engineering work during the final phase of this three-phase capital project, which is currently under way. Cary is responsible for $12,000. Installation of automated passenger counters and electronic fare boxes for C-Tran. Grant funds will pay for all but $56,800 of that amount. Installation of flashing beacons at existing greenway crossings on highly-trafficked regional trails.
  • Holly Springs preps for Outer Loop
    Jul 28, 2010 — The Cary News
    The Triangle Expressway, a toll road that will connect Holly Springs to Research Triangle Park by 2012, has been mostly cleared to N.C. 55.
  • Pearlstein: On tax fight, Obama can't afford to lose
    Jul 28, 2010 — Washington Post
    Steven Pearlstein: There is nothing wrong with a modestly progressive rate structure with three or four rates. Steven Pearlstein: if the farm is losing money, yes, you'd need to sell it to pay the taxes. Steven Pearlstein: It is possible stalemate will result in all the Bush tax cuts expiring.
  • Public health research thrives
    Jul 28, 2010 — The News and Observer
    We're just at the tip of the iceberg." He's adding employees as the company attracts new government contracts, including some funded with stimulus money. The expansion will give SciMetrika nearly 12,000 square feet, up from 3,500 square feet.
  • Three new highway signs mark James City community's boundaries
    Jul 28, 2010 — Sun Journal (New Bern, N.C.)
    James City were English, Michelle Forbes, Frances Foy, Alletha Daniels, Mabel Perez and Myrtle Downing. Three green highway markers read "WELCOME TO JAMES CITY COMMUNITY FOUNDED 1863." The historical organization purchased the markers for $180 each. The check for the markers was passed to N.C. Department of Transportation workers Jim Evans, Wesley Brazelton and Timmy Elam, part of the group that posts road signs on the 2,200 road miles from Cedar Island to James City. As...
  • Community awareness, involvement goals for new director
    Jul 27, 2010 — The Daily News (Jacksonville, N.C.)
    He has a very innate way of making people feel comfortable and in tune with what the community needs," Rochelle said. "We're always looking for community partners. We know we haven't heard from everybody yet. (Wagner) is going to be key in making that happen.
  • Food Bank to open new warehouse
    Jul 27, 2010 — Sun Journal (New Bern, N.C.)
    ...food assistance each week from food pantries, soup kitchens, or other agencies served by the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. A Hunger in America 2010 Study released in February by the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina and Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization, reported that in the central and eastern area, more than 75 percent of households interviewed are experiencing food insecurity or hunger. The 75 percent...
  • Health advice to augment services at Mexican Consulate
    Jul 27, 2010 — The News and Observer
    The El Pueblo representative will talk to them about how and where to get care, referring them to health departments and free clinics.
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