The following items had to be cut from today's issue of YES! Weekly due to space constraints:
Riverkeeper continues journey down Yadkin to highlight environmental issues
Dean Naujoks, the Yadkin Riverkeeper, continues his 23-day trek down the Yadkin River this week to bring attention to the growing environmental and economic development issue facing the citizens of Stanly County and the 25 counties that comprise the Yadkin River Basin. On April 6, Naujoks kicked off the “Tour de Yadkin” in Blowing Rock at the old Green Park Inn at the river’s headwaters. On April 9, a crowd of 25 people greeted Naujoks when he reached Crater Park in Elkin, according to Naujoks’ online blog. “This is part documentary and part activist in its efforts,” Naujoks said in a press release. “It is designed to capture people’s interest and raise awareness about the river among people in North Carolina who depend on it for drinking water.” The Yadkin Riverkeeper is part of a coalition of private citizens, nonprofit groups and government entities that are opposed to Alcoa’s re-licensing efforts to seize another 50 years of monopolistic control over the water rights along a 38-mile stretch of the river. Last year, Stanly County filed a legal appeal of a water quality certification issued by the NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources, or DENR, to the aluminum-maker for the Yadkin Hydroelectric Project. An environmental study commissioned by Stanly County and conducted by professor John Rodgers of Clemson University established a connection between contamination of polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, in fish and soil samples taken from Badin Lake near Alcoa’s Badin Works operation. Rodgers’ findings led the Yadkin River Coalition to appeal the water quality certification issued by NC DENR. — KTB
Sheriff candidate’s case put off until next month
The criminal case of Scott A. Jones, a Republican candidate for sheriff in Guilford County, has been continued until next month by Judge Polly Sizemore. His lawyer, Joe Williams, characterized the continuance as “a mutually agreed upon thing.” Jones faces misdemeanor charges of assaulting a government official and making a threatening phone call, which were originally scheduled to be heard on Monday. The defendant faces incumbent BJ Barnes in the May 4 primary. Barnes said he does not expect the case to be heard until after the primary. Jones referred questions to his lawyer. — JG
UNCG receives $6.9 million federal grant to train teachers
UNCG has won one of 12 teacher quality partnership grants awarded by the US Department of Education as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The $6.9 million grant will allow UNCG’s School of Education to recruit college graduates without teaching credentials, who will earn a living wage while undertaking residencies in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools as they pursue master’s degrees, the university announced last week. — JG
‘Rash’ of home heating oil spills identified in High Point
The Guilford County Department of Public Health reports that four home heating oil spills have occurred in High Point since the beginning of the year. The department speculates that “thieves may be stealing the tanks for the oil left inside them and stealing the lines to sell the copper.” The department warns that such spills can lead “to major environmental contamination” of soil and water. Responsibility for cleaning up a home oil spill falls on the homeowner, and can add up to thousands of dollars, exceeding coverage in most homeowner insurance policies. The department recommends that homeowners regularly check their tanks, including legs, for leaks and rust, considering that rusty legs might collapse and cause tanks to leak. — JG
Beautification of day center scheduled for Saturday
Homeless Greensboro residents and allies will hold a gardening day at the future homeless day center on East Washington Street on Saturday. The building was donated by the Richard Strasser family, and will begin providing services this fall following renovations. The day center, known as the Interactive Resource Center, is temporarily housed in a church on East Bessemer Avenue. The gardening event and celebration on Saturday will include music by Cakalak Thunder, food by Deep Roots Market, Food Not Bombs and a Sweet Success! Bakery, a sculpture demonstration by John Martin, a bike maintenance workshop by BikeMe!, an informational tables by groups involved in sustainability and ending homelessness. — JG
Free advice for pet owners
The Humane Society of the Piedmont holds a free educational workshop under the banner “Healthy Pet, Ask a Vet” on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Call 336.299.3060 or visit www.hspiedmont.org for more information. — JG
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