Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009

North Carolina news

State News in Brief

WILMINGTON

$95 million veterans clinic to open in '11

A U.S. congressman has announced plans for a $95 million Veterans Affairs clinic in eastern North Carolina.

The Star-News of Wilmington reported that Democratic Rep. Mike

McIntyre was in Wilmington on Tuesday to discuss plans for a new clinic set to open by July 2011.

The 100,000-square-foot facility will serve veterans who now have to drive 90 miles to Fayetteville for care. The clinic will offer a pharmacy and medical specialists.

Veterans Affairs officials say the new clinic in Wilmington will put a hold on plans for a similar facility about 50 miles west in Brunswick.

JACKSONVILLE

Gov. encourages employment of veterans

Gov. Beverly Perdue wants to promote North Carolina's military-friendly image by helping veterans and military spouses find work.

Perdue announced Wednesday during a Veterans Day ceremony in Jacksonville an initiative called "I Hire Military."

She wants businesses to sign a pledge to hire spouses and veterans whenever practical and put a decal on their establishments to promote their promise. Potential workers also can check a database to identify military-friendly employers.

Perdue's office says the campaign is already running in four counties and will soon expand statewide.

The North Carolina Military Business Center and the Eastern Carolina Workforce Development Board began the initial campaign.

CHARLOTTE

Request filed to have sheriff removed

A county attorney has filed the paperwork with a judge to have a North Carolina sheriff removed from office.

The Charlotte Observer reported that Lincoln County Attorney Jeff Taylor has asked a judge to conduct a hearing on the request involving Sheriff Tim Daugherty as soon as possible.

Lincoln County commissioners voted unanimously last month to authorize Taylor to begin legal proceedings to remove Daugherty.

The sheriff has been indicted on two counts of felony obstruction of justice. He is accused of covering up a fixed drunken-driving investigation.

Daugherty has pleaded not guilty and said through his attorney that he would not resign.

If he is suspended, Daugherty would be replaced by new Chief Deputy Larry Stanley.

CAMP LEJEUNE

Blows to the head killed marine

A North Carolina Marine whose body was found near his barracks died after blows to the head.

Officials at Camp Lejeune have released autopsy results in the death of Cpl. Joshua E. Hartzell. The body of the 22-year-old from Hamilton, Ohio, was found Friday in woods at the base in Jacksonville.

Camp Lejeune officials have arrested 21-year-old Pvt. Jonathan Law of Clark County, Nev. Law was found in his barracks with apparently self-inflicted wounds.

Law was sent to a Greenville hospital and is now in pretrial confinement.

RALEIGH

Authorities say Arizona fugitive arrested

An Arizona man authorities say assumed a new life while on the lam for 17 years has been arrested in Raleigh.

The U.S. Marshal's Service said Tuesday that 55-year-old Bobby Rea Irwin was arrested Monday night at his home. A warrant for Irwin's arrest was issued in 1992 in Maricopa County in Arizona, alleging he had violated probation.

The Marshal's Service said Irwin was on probation for a 1989 conviction for manslaughter.

Authorities say Irwin changed his name, married and worked in the computer industry. Irwin was arrested after authorities in Phoenix passed on information about his new identity.

He's being held at the Wake County Jail pending extradition hearings. Neither the jail nor the Marshal's Service had information on whether Irwin had an attorney.

LELAND

Pastor released after sex charges

A North Carolina pastor has been released from jail after being arrested on charges of having sex with a child.

The Star-News of Wilmington reported Wednesday that 46-year-old James T. Johnson was released after a church member put up property as collateral. Johnson is founder of The Olive Branch church in Leland and was being held on a $100,000 bond.

He was arrested Nov. 3 on six charges, including taking indecent liberties and first-degree sex offense against a child. Authorities say the victim is a 13-year-old girl.

Johnson's attorney, Robert Epstein, has said Johnson maintains he is innocent.

Court documents list offense dates that range from 2006 until this year.