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Local Area News

Rowan Falls Back To Extreme Drought
There’s bad news on our water situation.  Rowan County—especially the western two-thirds of the county—is again in Extreme Drought.  That’s according to the latest federal drought map, and is a step back from the past several months, as Rowan had gained some ground of late.  Extreme Drought is one step from the worst designation—Exceptional Drought.  Keep in mind, however, that those numbers only take into account rainfall through early this week.  We saw substantial showers Wednesday.  That shot of wet weather will count towards next week’s drought map. 
          Rowan was one of the 13 counties that saw conditions worsen from Severe to Extreme.  Governor Mike Easley warned yesterday that the drought is likely to continue.  He says state climatologists have noted that weather forecast models are uncertain about rain for the near future; meaning the state could face another hot, dry summer.  

Severe Thunderstorms Possible This Weekend
Keep your eyes peeled—not just for rainfall this weekend, but for possible severe thunderstorms.  Meteorologist Greg Fishel says, by the time Saturday rolls around, a front will bring far warmer air, and that will make the atmosphere considerable more unstable.  He says, “once any little pocket of air starts to rise, it will accelerate very quickly, upward through the atmosphere, growing into these very tall thunderstorms.”  Fishel says there are a few parameters missing that could make these storms damaging in strength, and that’s good news, “still, with all that energy present there—at least potential energy—we do need to be on the lookout for the possibility of at least isolated severe storms Saturday afternoon and night, and it looks like the best chance for that would be in central and eastern North Carolina later on in the day.” Watch for highs in the upper 80’s to continue into next week.

One Man Rowan Crime Spree
It was an armed robbery at the Economy Inn in Salisbury Wednesday night that led police to arrest a suspect that Sheriff’s Deputies say was a one man crime spree.  The hotel guest was forced from his room at gunpoint, and drove the suspect to an out of the way gravel road where he was beaten and robbed.  WBTV News 3’s David Whisenant says some handy police work came into play next.  “The victim gave a description of the suspect and his girlfriend to police, and they knew who it was—Brian Sifford—a man wanted in Gold Hill for an armed robbery, there was also an Exxon Station last month, and Sifford was wanted for kidnapping.  East Spencer Police say he grabbed a woman at gunpoint and forced her to drive him to Charlotte.  Lots of folks say they’re glad he’s off the street.”  Deputies spotted Sifford driving the car belonging to the man who was kidnapped Wednesday night.  They chased Sifford down, and found him hiding in a bedroom in his mother’s home.  He’s being held on $150,000 bond.

Faith and the Environment Program Continues At Catawba College
A huge program connecting environmentalism and faith continues at Catawba College today and into the weekend.  The College’s Center for the Environment began the program yesterday, hosting guest speakers from the faith community, and holding workshops.  The programs and workshops continue through Saturday, led by environmentalist like Wanda Urbanksa, who covers the green issues on her PBS show, Simple Living.  On the show, she’s said, “No where is this more evident than at Catawba College, in the historic and progressive city of Salisbury, North Carolina.”  Guests start the day with nature walks, while speakers including Reverend Cannon Sally Bingham, Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb, and Dr. Matthew Sleeth. 

Charlotte Rep. Sue Myrick Wants More Offshore Drilling
Charlotte Representative Sue Myrick says there’s one way to bring gas prices down—and it starts at home.  NCNN’s Clayton Hinkle reports, “Congresswoman Sue Myrick has introduced legislation to end the moratorium for drilling off America’s coast.  The Charlotte Republican says if we don’t find and capture these resources, someone else will; pointing out that Cuba recently gave China the right to drill some 50 miles off the coast of Florida.  Myrick says they’re taking our oil.  Myrick’s bill would give state’s the option of imposing restrictions on oil and gas leasing, but hopes North Carolina won’t rule it out, as states would receive a share of the energy receipts.”  A similar bill passed the House two years ago, but gained no traction in the Senate.  Keep in mind, even if the bill passes, it would take years before that oil could be worked into America’s energy markets.

Links and Information

The IRS Has Released This List of Undelivered Refunds for Rowan County. If you are on this list, the feds have your money, and they want to give it back. It doesn't happen often, so get while the getting's good! Call the IRS Refund Hotline for more information, at 1-800-829-1954.

China Grove
CALDERON, JOSUE N
LARA DELGADO, ALONSO
MOOSE, BILLY RAY & SHIRLEY
POOLE, JOSEPH & ROXANNE
ROBERTSON, CINDY R

East Spencer
INGRAM, DEMARIO C

Kannapolis
MCCONNEAUGHEY, CHARLESK
MENZA, WILLIAM J
MOORE, WILLIAM KANNAPOLIS
ROMAN FLORES, MIGUEL
SMITH, LINWOOD W
SNIPES, JACKIE T & CHARLES E JR
HELMS, MONICA L
MCMANUS, CHARLES J
MONTI, SHAYNE S
MOORE, EDWARD
SPIEGEL, TED
TEAGUE, SHANNON E

Mooresville
BOST, MARY R
BOURASSA, ASHLEE M
CORNELIUS, TINA L
GARN, MERVIN M & NANCY L
GARTIN, GEORGE
MCDEVITT, DYLAN S
BOND, RICHARD M & MICHELLE L
CAPLES, JACK
GALITSIS, MICHAEL & KRISTA GAINES
KAMMER, ASHLEY C
LINDER, STACI A
SWENSON, AUSTIN M
TOMASINO, MATTHEW
WRIGHT, RANDOLPH M & PAMELA A

Rockwell
EDWARDS, SUSAN J
FUNDERBURK, DAVID
MOOSE, KEVIN W
SANDER, DOUGLAS W

Salisbury
CARRILLO-BARRERA, J SANTOS
DELGADO PINEDA, ALEJANDRO G
GIBSON, TYRONE A
HARRIS, WALTER M
HAYNES, DAVID L
KIM, HYOUNG-RAE
SURRETT, PETE
TOOMER, NAKIA R
WALLER, PAUL B
DAVIS, BARBARA D
JONES, PAIGE A
KOKOT, BRANDON
PORTER, MELANEY L
CARROLL, SHARON L
CHAPMAN, JUSTIN A
GORDON, VERNA
HALL, DAVID J
HODGES, JIMMY A JR
PARKER, WILLIAM C
SIFFORD, ANDREW
ALBARRAN, VALENTIN & GUILLERMINA
CAIN, JESSICA C
CUTHBERTSON, TIA B
GRANADOS, O & M PINEDA DE SEGUENZA
GUERRERO, JOSE
JOHNSON, DENNIS E & MARLENE E
MARTIN, TYESHA S
NICHELSON, RICHARD
POLK, SHANTA M
SILVA MARAVILLO, JOSE A
YOUNG, BENNY C