Area officials met in Macon County on Monday with Joel Yelverton, the southern coordinator for Partnership for Rural America campaign, to discuss what consequences may arise if the Secure Rural Schools Act (SRSCA) expires at the end of the year.

States have received funding from the federal government since 1911 to offset the loss states would experience from property tax revenues which occurred when National Forest lands were established across the county. SRSCA, which was established in 2000, is an act intended to subsidize payments to counties and took into consideration historic payment levels before the decline.

Lab implementing changes, working toward international standards

The State Crime Laboratory continues to solve crimes and make improvements as part of its mission to serve the criminal justice system and protect the public, Attorney General Roy Cooper said today.

“Quality work by the crime lab is critical to solving crimes and ensuring justice for victims and suspects,” Cooper said. “I expect the SBI to keep pursing the highest standards and the latest science.”

Raleigh – Policies and procedures used at the North Carolina State Crime Laboratory are now available to the public online, Attorney General Roy Cooper said today.

Making lab information publicly available is one of a series of recommendations implemented following an independent review commissioned by Cooper to examine past serology cases and lab practices dating from the late 1980’s. In a report completed this week, the Ombudsman to the SBI also recommended posting lab policies.

And help parents with back-to-school

The upcoming sales tax holiday will be a big help to small businesses still struggling to recover from the economic recession, says Gregg Thompson, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, (NFIB)North Carolina’s leading small-business association.

The holiday is Aug. 5-7.