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Man Injured In Assault

A man is in serious condition after being assaulted at an apartment complex in Durham, WRAL reports.

Del. State University Picks New President With NC Ties

Delaware State University has named Harry Lee Williams as its new president.

The university's board of trustees announced Friday that Williams will lead the historically black institution as its 10th president. Williams has been provost and vice president of academic affairs since July 2008.

Williams succeeds Allen Sessoms, who left last year to become president of the University of the District of Columbia.

Claibourne D. Smith, chairman of the board of trustees, has been acting president since Sessoms' departure.

Williams has held previous posts at University of North Carolina, Appalachian State University and North Carolina A&T University.

Guy Fieri's Roadshow Comes To Raleigh

The Progress Energy Center was booming with excitement Saturday night as Food Network's Guy Fieri took the stage for his first-ever rock and roll culinary tour.

Click here to read more.

Historic Health Care Bill Clears Senate Hurdle

Invoking the name of Edward M. Kennedy, Democrats united Saturday night to push historic health care legislation past a key Senate hurdle over the opposition of Republicans eager to inflict a punishing defeat on President Barack Obama. There was not a vote to spare.

The 60-39 vote cleared the way for a bruising, full-scale debate beginning after Thanksgiving on the legislation, which is designed to extend coverage to roughly 31 million who lack it, crack down on insurance company practices that deny or dilute benefits and curtail the growth of spending on medical care nationally.

The spectator galleries were full for the unusual Saturday night showdown, and applause broke out briefly when the vote was announced. In a measure of the significance of the moment, senators sat quietly in their seats, standing only when they were called upon to vote.

Republican Sen. George Voinovich of Ohio missed the vote.

H1N1 Clinics Get More Efficient

Just two weeks ago at an H1N1 vaccine clinic, Sheriff's deputies had to direct traffic around the public health center off Sunnybrook road and wait times were up to 3 hours.

At the county's latest clinic Saturday, it took less than 30 minutes.

"Actually it was pretty fast," Raleigh resident Yesenia Lopez said. "I thought it would be a long line or whatever with it being the H1N1 shot."

Lopez came to the county sponsored swine flu clinic to get her and her children vaccinated.

"I'm pregnant," she said. "So I've heard there's a lot of people needing the shot due to that."

Lopez and all three of her children were through the line and vaccinated in less than thirty minutes.

Wake county has held 12 H1N1 clinics and organizers said more clinics have helped them become more efficient.

In addition, officials said the supply of the vaccine is increasing.

"There has been a slow process coming out from the manufacturers," Wake County Community Health Director Sue Lynn Ledford said. "That is beginning to pick up."

The county has already vaccinated more than 20,000 people, but health officials still are reserving the vaccine for those in high risk groups like pregnant women and people 24-years-old or younger.

There've been 10 flu deaths in the past two weeks alone.

In North Carolina, 48 people have died from swine flu since the end of September.

"We are well beneath where we feel we should be to hit that priority group of children, pregnant women and the others that are on the list," Ledford said.

County officials said they will continue the clinics as long as they get the vaccine.

They are urging people to check with their primary doctor before coming to a clinic to see if they have the vaccine.

The county sent vaccine supplies to more than 270 private practice doctors.

Meanwhile, Lopez is just glad she was able to get the shot.

"It's very important to get up to date with all the shots and to get vaccinated for our sake and for the sake of our children," Lopez said.

NC Republicans Decide To Keep Primaries Open

Republican primaries in North Carolina will continue to be open to unaffiliated voters.

GOP spokesman Jordan Shaw says the party's Executive Committee overwhelmingly rejected a resolution that would only allow Republicans to choose the party's nominees.

Voters unaffiliated with a party have been helping pick who runs on the GOP ticket since 1988.

Republicans pushing the change argued party members should be the ones picking their nominees because independents are more inclined to back moderates.

But many state leaders worried changing the rules could damage Republican chances to win elections in 2010.

Unaffiliated voters have been allowed in Democratic primaries since 1996.

Column: Three Keys To Making the Most Of Black Friday

Eight years ago, I experienced my first retail Black Friday. I had been working at jcpenney.com for almost a year, and we were feverishly gearing up for the busiest season of the year.

Little did I know what that meant. But the next few weeks pulled me into a world of craziness that I now look forward to every year.

There are a number of explanations for the origin of the term Black Friday. Some people link it to the cut-throat approach consumers take to stake out and claim their bounties.

Others note that most retailers do the bulk of their business near year's end, when shoppers push retailers "into the black" - an accounting term signifying profitability. Whatever the origin, it's the best time of year for bargain hunters to save.

There are three keys to getting the most out of Black Friday.

The first is planning, and it is essential. Many Web sites get Black Friday advertisements well in advance of the newspaper inserts delivered on Thanksgiving Day. (My company, DealTaker.com, is one of the most known, to the point that retailers ask us to post their ads early.)

By seeing these listings early, you have more time to determine what you want, where to get it, what time to be there and how much you will save.

The second key is organization. With all the information you have at hand early, you need to get it in order.

You can create your own system. Some people use alphabetical accordion folders. Others put everything in a spreadsheet so items can be sorted or marked as needed. Whatever helps you organize, use it - it will save you time and money.

The third key is attention. Pay attention to when sales start, when they end and when they may pop up in the middle of the day.

The word "doorbusters" is often used for early sales, while other stores offer afternoon specials. And make sure the item you pre-screened is the one you actually pick up off the table. It's a mad house sometimes, and products get scattered about the store - you could think you have the $17.99 DVD player but find out later it's the top-of-the-line model for $179.99.

One other note: If you see something now that you think is a good deal, buy it. Retailers have less in inventory this year after being left with surplus last year as the recession was taking hold. Deeper discounts later in the season may not exist like they did last year.

I enjoy watching the action up close. Our team plans to attend several sales to get a good flavor of the hottest items of the year - and how to save people more time and money.

Then we will come back to our offices and gear up for the online version of shopping's Super Bowl - Cyber Monday, the Monday after Thanksgiving.

Go forth, bargain hunters, and let the holiday savings begin.

"King of Koupons" Kevin Strawbridge is president of DealTaker.com, an online shopping Web site owned by Media General that collects and shares online coupons and deals. E-mail KingofKoupons@gmail.com or follow @dealtaker on Twitter.

N.C. County GOP Challenges Aiken's Registration

The head of the Republican Party in a North Carolina county wants election officials to check on Clay Aiken's registration after a political outburst.

Wake County GOP Chairman Claude Pope filed a complaint Friday challenging whether the former "American Idol" runner-up can vote lawfully in the county.

Records show Aiken voted last month using the address of his mother's home in Raleigh, where he once lived. He now has a house in nearby Chatham County.

Aiken blogged last week that candidates who won Wake County school board elections are "selfish idiots" who may ruin the school system.

Pope said the challenge isn't about Aiken's words but making sure people are lawfully registered.

An Aiken publicist didn't return a phone call seeking comment.

Vicks Recalls Sinex Nasal Spray

The Procter & Gamble Company announced today it is voluntarily recalling three lots of its Vicks Sinex nasal spray in three countries: the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom.

The company said it is taking this precautionary step after finding the bacteria B. cepacia in a small amount of product made at its plant in Gross Gerau, Germany. There have been no reports of illness. However, the bacteria could cause serious infections for individuals with a compromised immune system, or those with chronic lung conditions, such as cystic fibrosis. B. cep acia poses little medical risk to healthy individuals.

P&G detected this problem during routine quality control at the plant and promptly took action. The company's analysis to date shows this problem is limited to a single batch of raw material mixture involving three lots of product. These three lots were sold only in the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom.
The lot numbers of the products involved are:
9239028831: United States
9224028832: United Kingdom
9224028833: Germany

This lot number is listed on both the outer carton and the bottle. Consumers should simply discard the affected product as they would any OTC medicine.

P&G is removing the product in question from store shelves and has informed regulatory authorities in the affected countries. P&G said it found the bacteria B. cepacia in a small amount of product from U.S. lot 9239028831 and is conducting testing on the U.K. and German lots that have been produced from the same batch of raw material mixture.

Anyone who has these specific lots of this product can call P&G for a replacement coupon or refund at the following numbers:

From the United States, please call: 1.877.876.7881 (Hours of operation: Monday - Friday, 9AM - 6PM US ET, Saturday - Sunday, 9AM - 4PM US ET)

N.C. Mission Of Mercy Provides Free Dental Care

Hundreds of people lined up in front of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church to receive free dental work courtesy of Mission of Mercy.

"So many people are out of work and don't have insurance, it's very helpful," Carl Reardon, who was getting his teeth cleaned, said.

Mission of Mercy travels all over the state throughout the year offering the program to those who can't afford dental care. Though, Stephanie Raric with the group said they don't ask for qualifications or proof of need.

"We try to do this once a year and it's our fourth year here," Raric said.

Michael Grady said he is having a number of teeth pulled after years of putting it off.

"I'm currently out of work because of a brain injury. I got in a car accident and I have no money, no insurance so there is no way I could have done this without this event," Grady said.

Dena Lipscomb encourages people to take advantage of the program because she said problems with your teeth can lead to other health concerns.

"The infection caused an abscess under my arm...all because of an infection in my teeth," Lipscomb said.

The supplies for the clinic are donated and the workers are all volunteers.

They are expecting more than 300 people at the church today and tomorrow. Everyone must be registered by 3 p.m. on Saturday and doors will open at 6 a.m.

Local Athlete Selected For Army Bowl

A Raleigh high school athlete is being honored as one of the top football players in the country.

Army officials selected Athens Drive Senior Robert Crisp to play in the 2010 U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Only 90 student athletes from across the country are selected to play in the game in San Antonio, Texas.

Crisp says the honor is extra special because he hasn't been playing football very long.

"I was actually a basketball player before any of this ever started," he said. "I've been working pretty hard for the past two years."

It's the 10th Anniversary of the bowl.

You can see the game live on NBC-17 on January 9th.

Kick off is at 1pm.

Couple Uses Construction Layoffs To Build Careers

One married couple used the bad economy as a recipe to light a fire under their careers.

After Darren and Lori West were laid off from their construction jobs, they immediately began looking for other sources of income.

"We were sitting around looking for work and discovered this hot dog cart making business on the Food Network channel," Lori said.

Lori is from 40 miles outside Chicago and she wanted to bring the Midwest taste to the South.

Now on the corner of Fayetteville and Hargett streets, starting at $2.50 you can get a fully-loaded, Chicago style hot dog complete with mustard, onions, relish, a pickle, tomatoes, and a pepper.

They even take credit cards

"We tried to include everybody because we feel not a lot of people are walking around with cash these days," Darren said.

The dogs are hit with transplants from the windy city and first-time Chicago dog eaters alike.

"To get right here it's 112 miles from my house and i come down here three or four times a week," Customer Ricky Conner said after trying a hot dog. "I'm gonna stop down here and get me one of these bad boys every time i come."

The West's have only been operating the hot dog stand for about a week, but they said business is going so well that they are already looking at buying another cart.

Inmate Dies At Central Prison

A 28-year-old inmate at central prison died in his cell Thursday night, according to the state Department of Correction.

Inmate Kayin Whitfield was found unresponsive and not breathing during a regular 9:30 p.m. check. The DOC reported that medical staff performed CPR and took Whitfield to the Central Prison emergency room. He was pronounced dead at 10:20 p.m.

Whitfield's body was taken to the state medical examiner's office. Preliminary findings indicate that the death was of natural causes. An investigation and review is underway.

Whitfield had been serving a five-month sentence on for driving with a license revoked, assault on an officer and damage to property.

One Person Killed As Miley Cyrus Tour Bus Crashes En Route To Greensboro Show

A Miley Cyrus tour bus overturned on southbound Interstate 85 in Dinwiddie County today, killing the driver, Virginia State Police said. Cyrus was not aboard the bus, which was one of four traveling in a caravan to the pop star's next concert in Greensboro, N.C.

Poll: Do You Plan To See 'New Moon?'

Do you plan to watch the "Twilight" series film "New Moon?"

Visitation For Shaniya Davis Draws People From Community

A line of people formed quickly outside Rogers and Breece Funeral Home in Fayetteville Saturday evening, as the visitation was held for five-year-old Shaniya Davis.

Many of mourners who came never knew Shaniya, but said they were deeply impacted after hearing what happened to her.

"I could just only imagine what (her family) are going through," said Kay Fuller. "I mean it's touched a lot of people because it's just something that's unbelievable."

Davis's body was found Monday after the girl went missing from her home at the Sleepy Hollow Mobile Home Park almost a week before.

Her funeral service will be held Sunday at Manna Church in Fayetteville at 3 p.m.

An arrest warrant released Friday revealed Davis was raped and killed the same day she was taken from her home.

Meanhwile, Mario McNeill, the man who police said admitted kidnapping her, appeared in court Friday on first-degree murder and first-degree rape charges.

Inside court McNeill had nothing to say and Shaniya grandmother, Ann Summers, never had the chance to ask him one question.

"I wanted to see him and ask him why did he take my granddaughter away," Summers said.

McNeill was transferred to Central Prison in Raleigh on Friday from the Cumberland County Detention Center. His next court date is scheduled for Dec. 9.

According to the State Medical Examiner's office, Davis was murdered. The preliminary test results show asphyxiation as the cause of death, but police said all examinations and testing have not been completed therefore a final report has not been issued.

Shaniya Davis' mother, Antoinette Nicole Davis, has been charged with human trafficking, felony child abuse/prostitution, filing a false police report, and resist, delay, or obstruct.

Summers said despite the charges her daughter is facing, she said Antoinette was not involved in drugs or prostitution and did not sell Shaniya.

"She took great care of her children, she would not harm her children she would not hurt her children," Summers said.

Davis is being held in the Cumberland County Detention Center.

According to warrants, McNeill admitted taking Davis. Police say he was with her the last time the 5-year-old girl was seen alive.

McNeill's girlfriend April Autry said "it's tough" and she's "hanging in there." She said the two share a child and have another on the way.

Marcus Haire said the couple was living in one of the vacant homes he owns on a Fayetteville street. He said McNeill burned down another of his homes in the past but it's hard to believe what he is accused of now.

"It's a sad thing, it doesn't seem like something he would do," Haire said.

Davis reported missing from her mobile home park around 7 a.m. on Nov. 10. Searchers found her body Monday off Walker Road, about six miles from the hotel where she was last seen alive. The official cause of Davis' death is still undetermined.

Listen to the 911 call made by Davis' Mother

Antoinette Nicole Davis could face more than 30 years in prison on her charges. Police have not given any further details about the human trafficking and child abuse/prostitution charges

Police search warrants of McNeill's car, a 1997 Mitsubishi Galant, indicate that police found a black and yellow girl's jacket and a child's pair of jeans. Police also took a plastic straw, swabbings and soil samples.

It is unknown at this time what McNeill's connection is to the child, police say. April Autry tells NBC17 that she is McNeill's girlfriend and is friends with Shaniya's aunt.

McNeill was put on unsupervised probation just weeks before Davis went missing. McNeill has been charged multiple times since 2001. The charges include assault inflicting serious bodily injury, possession with intent to sell marijuana and cocaine and with maintaining a vehicle for drug use and hitting a police officer with his car.

The Department of Correction said a judge granted McNeill's request to be released early from probation.

McNeill's attorney, Allen Rogers, said those types of decisions are normal if the person in question has been doing well.

"What's important is he fulfilled all of his responsibilities, all that was required of him and was terminated," Rogers said. "That's the standard. The judicial system did its part."

Previous suspect Clarence D. Coe was released from jail and charges against him have been dropped.

Watch Coe's interview with NBC17 shortly after he was released.

FBI, Cary Police Seek Fugitive From 2007 ATM Cary Shooting

The FBI and the Cary Police Department are looking for information that the agencies hope will lead them to suspect Phillip Thomas Williams. Williams also goes by the name of "Scoob."

Williams is wanted for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution on attempted murder charges. Detectives said Williams is wanted in a shooting of a woman at an ATM on Maynard Road in Cary in June 2007.

Witnesses reported seeing Williams leaving with two other men in a burgundy Buick with a New York license tag. The other two suspects have been arrested.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Charlotte office of the FBI at 704-377-9200.

State Unemployment Rate Rises To 11 Percent

North Carolina's unemployment rate rose slightly to 11 percent in October, a fraction off its historic peak earlier this year and the ninth straight month in double digits.

The state's Employment Security Commission on Friday reported the jobless rate continued to hover around 11 percent, as it has for nearly all of this year. September's rate was 10.8 percent.

The state's unemployment rate in October 2008 was 7 percent.

North Carolina's unemployment rate has been worse than the national average for more than a year and that continued in October, when the U.S. figure was 10.2 percent.

Construction suffered the greatest losses, shedding about 6,600 North Carolina jobs in October. Education, health services and government jobs saw the greatest employment growth.

Police Still Searching For Clues In 4-Year-Old Barbershop Murder

The family of Creg Johnson and Fayetteville Police Department personnel will be in the area of The Line-Up Barbershop, 6376 Yadkin Road, on Friday, Friday at 11 a.m. to mark the fourth anniversary of Creg Johnson's murder.

The family will be distributing fliers in the area once again with the hope of gaining new information in the case. A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest of the person or persons responsible for Creg's murder.

This reward is being provided by the victim's family, Fayetteville/Cumberland County CrimeStoppers, and the North Carolina Department of Justice.

Creg Johnson was 35-years-old when he was murdered inside of the barbershop sometime in the evening hours after 7 p.m. on Nov. 19, 2005.

The murder was discovered the morning of Nov. 20, 2005. Creg Johnson had been shot five times.

Detectives are requesting that individuals with knowledge of Creg Johnson's activities in the two week period leading up to his death contact them. Additionally, this investigation revealed that Creg Johnson attended a private party for a brief period of time on Kelmscot Court, a short distance from the barbershop, during the late afternoon/evening hours on Nov. 19, 2005 prior to his death.

Detectives are requesting that patrons of this party contact them, regardless of whether or not they remember seeing Creg Johnson there.

Anyone with information regarding this incident are asked to call CrimeStoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477) / toll-free at (866) 542-8477, or contact lead investigator Detective Chuck Dew directly at (910) 433-1879.

This Week On MyNC: The Sitti Experience

As the Triangle continues to grow, there are more people who move here seeking good, inexpensive and local restaurants to enjoy. We thought we'd help in the search with a new segment on "This Week on MyNC."

This week, we feature Sitti, a Lebanese restaurant, in the heart of downtown Raleigh that mixes tradition with the food it serves.

Click on the videos above to learn more about the history and food Sitti has to offer.

Essay Leads To Unexpected Friendship Between School Bus Driver, 4th Grader

School bus drivers may never know the kind of impact they have on their young passengers.

But thanks to a nationwide essay contest, one driver in Orange County recently learned he's made quite an impression on a certain fourth grader at New Hope Elementary.

"My bus driver, Mr. Sam McBroom, is the best because he's always in a good mood even when children break the rules. He's been the best bus driver that I could ever imagine, since I moved to North Carolina. This year Mr. Sam was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He didn't want to miss driving the bus so he takes his treatments every other Friday. That way he'll be sick on the weekends and not when he's supposed to be driving the bus. He's awesome."

That was the essay Chase Kimball submitted after hearing about the Thomas Built Buses' Driver of the Year essay contest in school.

Earning second place in the national contest, McBroom never imagined the impact he might have on the kids he's shuttled back and forth until now.

"You never know each day that goes by that someone is watching us. And when someone is watching, sometimes we make a difference in their lives and sometimes we don't even know it," said McBroom.

Mr. Sam tells us he's won Orange County's School Bus Driver of the Year two years in a row, but says this latest honor is something special.

"It's an honor for me to know that a young child is noticing that I'm doing something right," said McBroom.

In addition to winning runner up in the Driver of the Year contest, last month the Orange County School Board also recognized driver Sam McBroom.

Mother Accused Of Leaving 9-Month-Old Baby In Car While Shopping At Carolina Premium Outlets

A Goldsboro woman has been charged with leaving her 9-month-old baby in a car while shopping at the Carolina Premium Outlets.

Father Charged With Abusing 7-Week-Old Son

A Four Oaks man has been charged with abusing his 7-week-old son.

Microsoft Provides Training Vouchers In NC

Microsoft Corp. is giving away nearly 24,000 vouchers to North Carolina residents who want to improve their computer skills so they can improve their lot in the work force.

Gov. Beverly Perdue and the software giant announced Thursday in Charlotte the state's portion of Microsoft's Elevate America program. The company wants to offer technology training to 2 million Americans over the next three years.

The 23,700 vouchers will be distributed over the next 90 days. They will provide free online training for Windows and Office software or advanced technical training. A recipient also may take the Microsoft Business Certification exam free of charge.

The vouchers are being distributed through the state community college system, Department of Commerce and Employment Security Commission.

Fort Bragg Will Open Palin's Visit To Media

Fort Bragg has reversed its decision and will now allow Sarah Palin's visit to be open to the media on Monday.

Oprah To End Show After 25 Years

Oprah Winfrey was set to announce Friday that her powerhouse daytime television show, the foundation of a multibillion-dollar media empire with legions of fans, will end its run in 2011 after 25 seasons on the air.

No. 6 UNC Defeats No. 15 Ohio State 77-73

There was so much to talk about after No. 6 North Carolina held on for 77-73 victory over No. 15 Ohio State in the 2K Sports Classic semifinals Thursday night.

Garner Talks To ConAgra About Incentives

About 300 ConAgra Foods workers in Garner are losing their jobs this week.

The layoffs are the result of the explosion in June that killed three people and seriously damaged part of the Garner plant, the company said.

Garner officials met with ConAgra representatives this week to talk about possible local, state, and federal incentives to keep the company in Garner.

"They are reevaluating dates and times and production and the cost of doing business. And I guess it's always a possibility that they may close," Mayor Ronnie Williams said.

Williams expects ConAgra will make a decision about its future in Garner within 60 to 90 days.

Restoring Lost Graves In The Old Chapel Hill Cemetery

It is the symbol of respect in a cemetery: headstones marking the areas where loved ones have been buried.

But it's a different story in the African American sections of the Old Chapel Hill Cemetery. It's a part of the cemetary that has been neglected over the years, many of the headstones are old and rotting or have been stolen.

Ernest Dollar, Chapel Hill Preservation Society Executive DIrector, said it's long overdue to find those lost graves.

"The earliest African American burial we have is 1853, compared to our earliest white burial at 1790 so there's a huge discrepency," said Dollar.

But with the help of archaeologists and technicians, they're hoping to do just that by using equipment that measures electrical currents in the soil and probing to see if there are disturbances that could be graves.

"Anywhere from three feet long from where a small child has been buried to 6 or 7 feet long and a couple feet wide or so that would fit a coffin in there," said Scott Seibel, principal investigator.

Seibel said it's hard to say for sure if an area is actually a grave, but combining the different types of technologies makes it pretty certain. He said he expects to find upwards of 100 graves there.

"You have a segment of the community that feels like they've been marginalized and trying to bring the history back and show the rest of the town the history is a really good thing," said Seibel.

After the graves are identified, the next step will be to figure out how the community wants the graves marked. The project is made possible through grants for the Preservation Society.

Garner Considers Downtown Revitalization

An effort is underway in Garner to revitalize the historic downtown.

"There's a lot of people that don't know where Main Street is," said Patricia Mason, who has a salon on Main Street. "That's a big problem."

The community started as a railroad stop on Main Street. Businesses opened next to the railroad. But in the 1950s, when Highway 70 was built, businesses and traffic went there. Main Street was forgotten by some, according to John Hodges, Executive Director of the Garner Revitalization Association.

"Garner has never really had a central core that has been maintained to give it its identity. People know there's a railroad track that runs through it. But people really don't think of this area as having a great identity of its own," he said.

Hodges is working to change that. He's drawing up a redevelopment plan that includes new restaurants, stores, housing, offices, and recreational facilities. The plan also calls for widening a road that connects Main Street to Highway 70.

"Improving this area will be a boost to all of Garner's economy," he said.

The plan does not have a price tag yet. But some residents, including Garner Mayor Ronnie Williams, are skeptical about it.

"People are going to have to be displaced. And property is going to have to be acquired. And it's going to be big bucks. It's going to be heavily expensive," Williams said.

Williams agrees that more attention should be paid to downtown. But with hundreds of people in Garner losing their jobs, he questions whether this is the time to do it.

The Garner Revitalization Association hopes to formally present a plan to the town council in early 2010.