http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline en-us Copyright CNHI All Rights Reserved. 5 Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:15:00 +0000 http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_320091529.html http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_320091529.html Last week was a busy and important one in Washington. While health care dominated the news and much of the national debate, there were many other things going on in Congress in the shadow of that one important issue.For me, last week began with a trip to Afghanistan to get a first-hand operational assessment from our military leaders, and to visit our troops. It was important for me to be able to directly see what they are facing and to hear what the commanders on the ground think of our efforts there. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:08:00 +0000 http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_324090829.html http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_324090829.html This has been a trying week for emergency crews all across North Carolina. Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:09:00 +0000 http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_322091050.html http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_322091050.html Monday evening's meeting of the Stanly County Commissioners was a short one in minutes spent, but a long one in matters discussed. Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:11:00 +0000 http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_320091219.html http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_320091219.html An announcement from NASA earlier this week is very encouraging. Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:14:00 +0000 http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_317091452.html http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_317091452.html With the heavy rains of Wednesday, the Veterans Day Parade was postponed despite the sentiment that “the soldiers never got a day off.” Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:37:00 +0000 http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_315093821.html http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_315093821.html On Saturday, Stanly County dedicated both Aquadale and Locust elementary schools, once again showing the county’s quest for giving our youth better opportunities. In concluding these dedications, Superintendent Dr. Sam DePaul led the attendees in a Litany of dedication, which follows as a reminder for us all of our commitment to Stanly County youth. Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:33:00 +0000 http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_315093420.html http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_315093420.html The following column is written by Specialist Samuel Taylor, who is serving with the National Guard in Iraq. He is a 2003 graduate of Albemarle High and a 2007 graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and is a Chaplain Assistant with the Guard. It’s been a kind of difficult day. The Ft. Hood Shooting is a real blow to me and a lot of folks in the unit. I’m very familiar with Ft. Hood. A lot of folks in my unit are. I really don’t want to sound cold or inhuman, but over here, we’re at war. You steel yourself up for monstrous things to happen. You have plans, you try to accept the possibility without letting the worry about it get the best of you. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:32:00 +0000 http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_313093356.html http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_313093356.html While we are disheartened daily with news of suicide car-bombers in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and other hot spots around the world killing innocent victims and our American men and women in uniform, the unimaginable occurred Thursday ... our own were critically wounded and killed within the security of our own military base by a comrade-in-uniform. Our prayers go out to all the victims of this tragedy … this consequence of war and the mind-altering effect of war's horrors. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:30:00 +0000 http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_313093150.html http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_313093150.html As we consider the events at Ft. Hood on Thursday and prepare for our observance of Veteran's Day on Wednesday, we are once again hit right between the eyes with the horrors of war and the demons that man's divisions create among us. When immersed in this vein of contemplation, my mind often recalls one of our own, Jim Nance, whose life has and continues to be an inspiration for me. Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:31:00 +0000 http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_310093138.html http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_310093138.html They often catch a lot of heat and are seldom on the receiving end of “attaboys.” Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:13:00 +0000 http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_308091434.html http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_308091434.html Beginning today and running through Thursday at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center, nearly 800 third graders will have the opportunity to learn about life on the farm and how better to protect the environment at the 5th Annual Agriculture Awareness Day. The event will run from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. each day. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:18:00 +0000 http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_306091928.html http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_306091928.html It wasn’t that long ago that the construction sector was one of the fastest growing and most profitable industries in our state. From July 2006 to July 2007, North Carolina’s population grew 2.2 percent, sixth fastest of all the states. The national growth rate was one percent.With the state growing at such a rate, the construction industry was thriving. Approximately 477,000 jobs were supported directly or indirectly by the state’s nonresidential construction spending. Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:04:00 +0000 http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_306090456.html http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_306090456.html Nov. 1 kicks off Nonprofit Awareness Month all across North Carolina. Despite the United Way's recent debacle in Mecklenburg County, our communities are far better places to live because of the work these groups do.Our front page today shares information on a holiday fashion show which will help the local American Red Cross rebuild its depleted Disaster Relief Fund, which is most often used to help families who are victims of home fires. Despite the fund being in the red when fires stuck the last time, Red Cross Director Jean Hendley saw that this family in need was not left without by pulling funds from the general fund. Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:42:00 +0000 http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_303094307.html http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_303094307.html On Wednesday afternoon, the Agri-Civic Center was filled with excited, happy third graders as they took a reprieve from the classroom and enjoyed their peers in a performance of Disney’s “The Jungle Book” by the local youth theater group named The Talent Company. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:59:00 +0000 http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_301120046.html http://www.clintonherald.com/thesnaponline/opinion/local_story_301120046.html Much as the rotten apple in the barrel full of good ones, the chaotic incident at North Stanly High Saturday night, involving parents and coaches of a youth football team, taints an entire league.For all the time spent by volunteer coaches and for all the good they do with the youngsters, this incident is unfortunate … but very real. It did happen and as such, all involved must take a serious look at the situation.