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Local Government
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By Administrator
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Wednesday, 20 March 2013 10:53 |
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RALEIGH, (AP) — A new study ranks Wake County as the healthiest in North Carolina.
The University of Wisconsin released the rankings, which show the county has a relatively low smoking rate of 14 percent, compared to 21 percent for the state. It also cites the number of primary physicians and dentists available in the county.
The study released Wednesday says 12 percent of Wake County residents are in poor or fair health, compared to 18 percent statewide.
Columbus County ranked as the unhealthiest county, with 37 percent of children living in poverty, compared to 25 percent statewide. The study says 28 percent of its residents are in poor or fair health.
Most of the unhealthiest counties are in southeastern or northeastern North Carolina. The healthiest counties tend to be clustered around cities. |
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 20 March 2013 10:53 |
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Local Government
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By Administrator
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Wednesday, 20 March 2013 10:48 |
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ASHEVILLE, (AP) — Buncombe County's Board of Commissioners has approved providing health and other benefits to domestic partners of county employees.
The four Democrats on the board voted in favor of the benefits Tuesday evening, while the three Republicans voted no.
The board heard from the public before the vote.
The Rev. Cody Sturgill told the board that approving the benefits would degrade the importance of marriage and the family.
Patrick Simmons told the board the issue was not about religion or marriage, but simply about providing equal benefits for all employees. |
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 20 March 2013 10:49 |
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Local Government
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By Administrator
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Tuesday, 19 March 2013 14:32 |
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KERNERSVILLE, (AP) — The police chief in the Forsyth County city of Kernersville has resigned.
The city issued a statement late Monday saying that Police Chief Ken Gamble had resigned, citing differences in leadership and management style with the town manager and the town board.
The resignation came the day Gamble was to return from a two-week administrative leave.
There was no comment from Gamble or from Town Manager Curtis Swisher late Monday.
Swisher had placed Gamble on paid administrative leave March 4 but would not say why.
Gamble had been police chief since 2009 and earned nearly $87,000 a year.
Gamble also had been placed on administrative leave in July after his patrol car hit two handcuffed men as they sat beside a road following a police chief. |
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 19 March 2013 14:32 |
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Local Government
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By Administrator
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Friday, 15 March 2013 15:06 |
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RALEIGH, (AP) — Republican lawmakers are attempting to kill a land deal for a new Raleigh park, and City Councilwoman Mary-Ann Baldwin has turned to social media to express her outrage with the help of her dog Jack.
Baldwin on Friday posted a photo on Facebook of her Maltese-Yorkie mix. The dog named for the anti-terror agent from the TV show "24" is relieving himself on a marble column outside the North Carolina General Assembly.
The Democratic councilwoman concedes the image is undiplomatic, but suggests it is emblematic of the Republican-dominated body's treatment of the state's citizens.
Bills introduced Thursday would essentially tear up a contract allowing Raleigh to lease the grounds of the closed Dorothea Dix mental hospital for a regional park. GOP lawmakers say the deal is not good for taxpayers.
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Last Updated on Friday, 15 March 2013 15:07 |
