"They just love the fact that they can come to one area, not drive far and have a different type of environment," bakery owner Andrea Paul said.

Paul is living her dream, cooking Italian and French pastries at her shop. She said this was the perfect place to bake her European delights, right in the mix of dozens of authentic restaurants in town.

"For such a small town it has a log of diversity, a lot of great restaurants," Apex visitor Cheryl Crawford said.

And without sacrificing its old school charm, residents like Heather O'Sullivan Canney say the diverse businesses add to the culture in Apex.

"We have the best of both worlds; a small town character, small town feel, but we have different opportunities to do things," Canney said.

It's not only downtown that has these diverse businesses. On Highway 55 in Apex there are authentic Greek, Japanese and Indian restaurants.

"People like it in Apex and there are so many restaurants. I think they are doing good," owner of Tamerind Indian Bistro Jasper Singh said.

Yury Rojas owner of Anna's Pizzeria is hoping to open his restaurants in the next couple of weeks and says he moved his entire family to Apex because of what the town had to offer.

"We love its culture and diversity from the different restaurants that we have downtown, from the French Bakery to the Italian restaurants," Rojas said.

As for Paul, she said she will continue cooking up all her treats for the town of Apex in adding to this ever growing character.

The western part of the state was hit worst by Fay. Rising water damaged about 70 homes and prompted evacuations. Governor Mike Easley returned from the Democratic National Convention in Denver Thursday to see the damage.

"It is amazing how quickly water can accumulate when you have this kind of a rainstorm. People need to remember this is not going to go away overnight and just stay out of it," Easley said.

The Triangle fared much better, but the normally calm Haw River in Chatham County is now high, and considered at minor flood stage level according to emergency management.

Kayaker Kevin Cox stopped by the river to scope out when he can take a faster run than normal, but said he'll wait until the water level drops a little.

"At this level its more people just don't want to get in it and try to paddle," Cox said.

Estimates said as much as 8 inches fell in some parts of the Triangle, but North Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources Water Resource Engineer Woody Yonts said it will take some time to determine if the rain will make a major impact on the drought.

"We haven't seen total impacts yet, and so we'll have to see what the cumulative impact is on our stream flows, reservoirs and groundwater tables," Yonts said.

The latest drought numbers show 37 counties are classified as extreme, 21 counties including Orange and Chatham are in a severe drought, and Wake and Durham and 26 other counties are in a moderate drought.

Concertgoers sat on the lawn of the Singing Garden, eating hotdogs and drinking lemonade for the free show, which began at 5:30 p.m. Sammy O'Banion and the Mardis Gras Band performed until close to 9 p.m.

The concert series continues through October and features vendors from throughout Johnston County. The Roy Roberts Band is set to perform Oct. 23.

The Town's action follows a series of recent incidents involving Carlton Wood, including one occasion last weekend at Holding Park.

On Sunday, August 24 Wake Forest police questioned Wood at Holding Park, 133 West Owen Avenue, after reports that he had been asking parents at the park if he could push their children on the swings.

Investigators revealed that Wood is a registered sex offender in Tennessee following a conviction in 1987 for taking indecent liberties with a minor. He currently has no outstanding warrants and was not arrested Sunday.

Since Wood was convicted and served his sentence prior to the creation of the North Carolina Sex Offender and Public Protection Registry in 1996, he is not required by North Carolina law to register as a sex offender in this state, nor is he required to follow the restrictions of a registered sex offender. He remains registered as a sex offender in the State of Tennessee, however, because their laws differ from North Carolina's laws.

In the event Wood trespasses on the grounds or property of any Town of Wake Forest Park or recreational facility, he will be subject to arrest and prosecution.

The Town of Wake Forest operates and maintains nine parks including, Plummer Park, Tyler Run Park, Holding Park (including Forrest Field and the Wake Forest Community House), J.B. Flaherty Park, Taylor Street Park and the Alston-Massenburg Center, Ailey Young Park, H.L. Miller Park, Kiwanis Park, and Smith Creek Soccer Center.

The RailHawks will host the final of the Copa Mexico U-20 "Vive Sin Adicciones" tournament organized by the Consulate General of Mexico at WakeMed Soccer Park Field Two, on Saturday, August 30, at 5:30 p.m.

The match will be preceded by the women's final on Field Three at 3:30 p.m.

The Copa Mexico U-20 purpose is to promote sports, good habits and healthy living in our community and the Hispanic Soccer leagues of North Carolina.

A purpose that is shared by both the Consulate and the Carolina RailHawks. 

"Our involvement with the Hispanic Community continues to deepen and for that we are honored to support the Mexican Consulate in this event," said RailHawks owner Brian Wellman. "My life was changed forever after being at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico and seeing how big soccer is in Central America. To be able to provide gigantic matches with Mexican teams and to forge meaningful relationships while offering our services to the Latin community are major achievements to me. We hope to be able to organize more events with the Consulate that involve the ever-growing Latino population in our state." 

All proceeds of the tournament will go to IME Becas, a program instituted by the Mexican Government and administered by the University of California at Berkley that is committed to elevate the educational level of first generation Hispanics.

It is focused in schools, parent centers and nonprofit organizations that offer programs for Hispanic immigrants first.

The winning teams of the tournament will be recognized at halftime during the RailHawks match against the Montreal Impact at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night, and a check for $12,000 will be presented to the consulate from Guerrero Foods to benefit IME Becas. 

This event continues the tradition the Carolina RailHawks are implementing in reaching out to the Hispanic Community.

Whether signing players of Hispanic heritage, organizing exhibition matches with Central-American National teams and Mexican First Division Teams, forging partnerships with local nonprofit organizations or working with the Wake County 4-H youth development program in providing positive role models to at-risk Hispanic Youth. 

"We are very excited about the continued partnership with Wake County 4-H Youth Development and the Carolina RailHawks," Said Amy Schafer, Coordinator of the Wake County 4-H Youth Development Project. "The players' commitment to our program and our participants has been phenomenal! The students have enjoyed and greatly benefited from the time the players have spent with them. Helping students one-on-one with homework or tutoring, sharing knowledge and experiences that relate to the participants, and being a positive and successful role model have contributed to the growth that our participants have experienced. This organization has also provided financial support to supply needed school supplies for the families and invited our participants and families to attend their games. We thank the RailHawks for their great commitment to this community." 

The press conference also served the purpose of introducing two of the RailHawks latest additions to the roster.

MLS veteran and Salvadorian International Ronald Cerritos and Cuban International Rey Martinez were officially introduced to the media further cementing the commitment the RailHawks have to reaching out the Hispanic community. 

The RailHawks continue their hunt for the playoffs this Saturday, August 30, at 7:30 p.m. as they host the Canadian rivals the Montreal Impact.

Tickets for this and all Carolina RailHawks events are available at the LGFCU Box Office, by calling 919-859-KICK (5425), at all Ticketmaster outlets or by visiting www.carolinarailhawks.com.

Each of these projects meets the Town's Comprehensive Transportation Plan ( http://www.townofcary.org/depts/dsdept/engineering/transportationplan/comptransplan.htm ), which incorporates the needs of a multitude of transportation modes - automobiles, cyclists, public transit and pedestrians.

"Cary has a history of doing what it takes to keep our citizens' quality of life high, and sometimes this means spending local tax dollars to improve infrastructure that's technically the responsibility of another governmental entity," said Town of Cary Engineering Director Tim Bailey. "Whether walking, biking, or driving, these corridors are very important for tens of thousands of Cary citizens who use them every day."

The $8.9 million conversion of Tryon Road between Kildaire Farm Road and Piney Plains Road from a two-lane rural road to a four-lane, median-divided urban street began in the winter of 2006 in response to increased traffic and congestion.

The project included widening outer lanes to ensure the safety of cyclists, installation of curb and gutter, sidewalks, and drainage structure, and inclusion of a median.

With the completion of this particular section of Tryon Road, all sections of the state's Tryon Road within Cary's corporate limits have been widened to at least four lanes.

The $6.3 million widening of Evans Road between Northwest Maynard and Thorpe Drive to five lanes began in the spring of 2007.

The improved segment includes wider outside lanes and sidewalks on both sides.

There are also pedestrian signal heads and raised pedestrian crossing islands at Evans Road and Dynasty Drive.

The Southwest Maynard Road Widening Project was the last leg in creating a four-lane loop of Cary by widening Maynard from Kildaire Farm Road to West Chatham Street.

Begun in the spring of 2007, the $11.6 million road project involved installation of curb and gutter, sidewalks, crossing signals, drainage structures, and a new traffic signal at Kilmayne Drive.

The project also rehabilitated about 2,000 feet of an unnamed protected tributary to Swift Creek.

"These were three very significant projects to have underway at the same time, and we really appreciate the support of adjacent citizens and the traveling public as we worked hard and fast to get these projects completed," added Bailey.

For more information about these road projects, visit the Town of Cary Engineering Department at http://www.townofcary.org/depts/dsdept/engineering/engoverview.htm or call (919) 469 4061.

The meeting is from 6-8pm in Suite B of the Public Safety and Municipal Services Building, located at 260 Town Hall Drive adjacent to the Chamber of Commerce.

At its August meeting, the Planning Board held a public comment session regarding the Plans.

The meeting on Sept. 2nd is intended as a work session for the Board Members to discuss some of the key topics in the Plans with each other.

The meeting is open to the public, but there will not be an opportunity for public comment.

The two plans will also be discussed at the next Planning and Zoning Board meeting on Thursday, September 11th, with a possible recommendation from the Board at that time.

The Plans will be before the Town Council probably in October or November, and we will send updates to notify you of public hearing dates once we know for sure.

As always, if you have a comment for the Board(s) please feel free to email ajones@ci.morrisville.nc.us or submit a copy in writing to the Planning Department and we will make sure they are distributed to the Board members.

Be sure to check the Town website http://www.townofmorrisville.org/ or the project website http://www.morrisvillelutp.org/ to view the Draft Plans or for updates and key dates.

Thank you all for your interest and participation along the way in this important Town project. We appreciate the time, effort and input from all of the citizens.

The Dog Olympics is a charitable event that is open to dogs of all breeds, shapes, and sizes. Medal events include athletic and non-athletic competitions such as doggie limbo, musical sit (similar to musical chairs), best beggar, best pet trick, Frisbee toss, doggie high jump, longest tail, wiener toss, "Roll over Beethoven," and the howling contest. A panel of judges comprised of CVM faculty members will oversee the events and award prizes to gold, silver, and bronze medalists.

The family-friendly event also features demonstrations by the Raleigh Police K9 Unit and other canine groups, information booths sponsored by various breed and shelter rescue groups, and refreshments for dogs and their human companions.

Admission is $1 for spectators and owners and $6 for dogs; children five and younger are free. The cost of canine admission covers an entry fee for one event and a photo of your dog in the winner's circle. Each additional event or photo is $1.

The "Olympic Village" will include a free microchip clinic sponsored by the Raleigh Kennel Club. Trained personnel will painlessly implant a microchip that, if needed, can be scanned with a handheld device to reunite a lost dog with its owner. The Wake County Animal Shelter will also be on site for a rabies vaccination clinic from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sponsored by the CVM Student Chapter of the American Animal Hospital Association (SCAAHA), the Dog Olympics helps raise donations for the student chapter and for local animal shelters and rescue organizations. SCAAHA is proud to support the efforts of the Wake County Animal Shelter and the Raleigh Kennel Club to promote animal health, safety, and responsible pet ownership.

Dog attendees must be at least four months old and current on vaccinations in order to participate. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. Parking will be on the field at the University Club, which is next to the College of Veterinary Medicine.

In the event of rain, the Dog Olympics will be held on Saturday, Oct. 11th. For more information, call (919) 513-6662 or click here.

The 9 a.m. ribbon cutting will open the doors to a store that's been updated and is much more easily accessible from major thoroughfares and DATA routes.

Special sales planned for the store's opening weeks include:

Aug. 29-30 Penny Days. Bring a 1963 penny (in commemoration of the store's founding) and get a voucher for 10% off your entire purchase on Aug. 29 or Aug. 30.

Sept. 2-6 Back to Campus. 10% off all purchases with a valid college student ID.

Sept. 8-20 Central American Independence Day celebration. Greet the cashier in Spanish and get 10% off all purchases.

Sept. 29-Oct. 4 Pink and Green Days, celebrating the 100th anniversary of AKA. 10% off if you wear your letters.

Purchases at The Salvation Army Family Store benefit Salvation Army programs for people in need throughout Durham, Orange, and Person counties. The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian church, has been supporting residents of our communities in God's name without discrimination since 1910. Local services include the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club, a Teen Center, food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, outreach to the elderly and ill, and clothing and comfort for the homeless. About 83 cents of every dollar raised goes to program support nationwide.

The bus routes established at the start of the school year are to remain in place, after dozens of parents spoke out against a plan to make an area within a mile and a half of the school a no-transport zone.

Parents argued that their children would not be safe walking along Leesville Road during heavy morning traffic, maneuvering around cars entering and exiting a Fransiscan school, and having no sidewalks on sections of the route.

Others said that alternative routes through adjacent neighborhoods were longer and also had areas where there were no sidewalks for children to use.

In a statement Don Haydon, chief facilities and operations officer, said, "Senior Director of Transportation Services Eddy Adams and other Transportation Department staff met with parents, listened to their concerns and carefully considered the issues. We feel it would be in the best interest of the children's safety to provide transportation."

The bus routes can be found the Sycamore Elementary website.

Police say in the early morning hours of August 17th, Kearney got behind the wheel with a blood alcohol level of .18 percent, more than twice the legal limit. They say he then hit and injured two female pedestrians on the 200 block of Columbia Street in Chapel Hill.

After the accident, the two victims, Carolyn Anne Kubitschek, 21, and Casey Marie LeSawyer, 21, were taken to UNC Hospitals in serious but stable condition. On Thursday, the two women's attorney said they were transferred to hosptials in Asheville and are still recovering.

Kearney, a former tennis ACC Freshman of the Year, has withdrawn from UNC and returned home to Irvine, California.

 He is scheduled to be back in Orange County court in November.

In total, he is charged with two counts of personal injury, one count of driving while impaired, two counts of possessing a fake ID, felony hit and run causing personal injury, consuming alchol under the age of 21, and two counts of assault by vehicle.

Tickets are available through all Ticketmaster locations, online at ticketmaster.com the RBC Center box office or by calling 919-834-4000. Prices range from $30-$75.

The ceremony will be held at Durham City Hall on Sept. 2 at 7 p.m.

Sixty Durham youth who want a voice in their City government will begin serving their one-year terms on the 2008-09 Durham Youth Council after Tuesday's Induction Ceremony. A welcome reception for the new members, along with a chance to meet City Manager Thomas Bonfield, will occur at 6 p.m. in the lobby of City Hall.

New for this year, the Durham Youth Council consists of 60 members from grades 9-12 chosen by a selection committee composed of the Durham City Council, City staff members and Partners Against Crime (PAC) leaders. In previous years, the Council has only included 30 members.

Durham Youth Council members reside within the corporate city limits and have committed to a one-year term of service without compensation in addition to serving on City boards and committees as appointed and attending all meetings of the Durham Youth Council. New members have also agreed to attend and actively participate in all meetings, service projects, and special events sponsored by the Durham Youth Council.

For more information on the Durham Youth Council, visit the City's website or contact Evelyn Scott, youth services coordinator with the City's Office on Youth, at (919) 560-1265 or via e-mail at evelyn.scott@durhamnc.gov.

Thursday's announcement comes one day after the firing of three employees in connection to the beating of a patient and a week after Health and Human Services Secretary Dempsey Benton announced the closing of a ward at the psychiatric hospital due to concerns over patient safety. A 50-year old patient died in April after he sat in a chair for 22 hours unattended and without food, prompting a federal investigation.

Benton has directed the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services to contract the services of an independent hospital management firm to evaluate the operational and management structure of Cherry Hospital.

Related Stories:
NC Man Dies After Waiting 22 Hours At Hospital

Two Cherry Hospital Workers Arrested

"The serious and ongoing nature of issues at Cherry Hospital has convinced me that an outside evaluation by an independent hospital management group is necessary in order to identify problems and to recommend immediate steps for corrections and improvements," Benton said in a written statement.

The outside firm will do an operational and clinical evaluation of the hospital and will have on-side management responsibility while conducting the evaluation.

The Division hopes to identify a firm and have a contract in place within two weeks.

Bradley is currently a managing director of Allen & Company LLC and host of American Voices, a weekly radio show that highlights the accomplishments of both famous and unknown Americans. He represented New Jersey in the U.S. Senate from 1979 to 1997. In 2000, he was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States.

From 2001 to 2004, he acted as chief outside advisor to McKinsey & Company's nonprofit practice. He was a senior advisor and vice chairman of the International Council of JP Morgan & Co. Inc. from 1997 to 1999. During that time, he also worked as an essayist for CBS Evening News and was a visiting professor at Stanford University, the University of Notre Dame and the University of Maryland.

Prior to serving in the Senate, he was an Olympic gold medalist in 1964 and a professional basketball player with the New York Knicks from 1967 to 1977, during which time they won two NBA championships. In 1982 he was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Bradley received his bachelor's degree in American history from Princeton University and a master's degree from Oxford University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar. He has authored six books on American politics, culture and economy.

For more information, visit www.ncsu.edu/millenniumseminars.

Search by county or view the entire state to see where ranges are located. The map is part of the commission's new Hunting Heritage Program, which aims to remove obstacles to hunting and increase hunter recruitment and retention.

"There are more shooting ranges out there than people may be aware of, and we wanted to make that information easy to find for the public," said Walter "Deet" James Jr., the commission's Hunting Heritage biologist. "We hope men and women of North Carolina use this information to find ranges and that it helps lessen one of the barriers to hunting and shooting in our state."

To find the interactive map, visit www.ncwildlife.org, and click on "Public and Private Shooting Opportunities in North Carolina" under "Hot Topics."

It'll house its major airlines including Delta, American, and United. Terminal 2 will be nearly three times larger than Terminal C and become RDU's primary terminal for both domestic and international travelers. 

The new terminal will cost a total of $570 million to build and while tough economic times have been forcing airlines to scale back, airport authorities say growth in the Triangle demands a bigger airport. 

"Planning for Terminal 2 as you see it today did begin immediately following the September 11 attacks," said RDU's Airport Authority Marketing Manager, Mindy Hamlin. "And even during those times when the number of flights dropped below 200 daily departures, the need for a new terminal and a new infrastructure was in place." 

Before Terminal 2 officially opens for business RDU will host an open house on October 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the public is welcome.