Robinson Band Boosters

TIMES: Sat, May 17 10a-1p

COST: Meat tickets $7

Jay M. Robinson High School PTSO (Parent, Teacher, Student Organization), Athletic and Band Boosters will be hosting the Fourth Annual Silent Auction / Dinner on May 17th from 10am to 1pm. This year’s event, aligned with the NASCAR Nextel All-Star Challenge, will enable visiting race fans and the local community to bid on the products and services donated from local and regional businesses as well as an amazing display of NASCAR memorabilia.

J. M. Robinson High School
300 Pitts School Rd.
Concord, NC 28027
704-788-4500

Robinson Band Boosters
300 Pitts School Rd.
Concord, NC 28027
704-788-4500

Steering Committee Interest Meeting

The Steering Committee Interest Meeting for Habitat for Humanity Cabarrus County Women Build 2008 will be held Tuesday, May 20, beginning at 7 p.m. at the office, located at 8 Church St. S.E., Concord. People interested in being on the steering committee should attend the meeting.

EMSC Recognizes Group’s Contributions that Benefit Children

RALEIGH – A service organization’s efforts aimed at equipping hundreds of North Carolina ambulances with color-coded pediatric bags drew praise and recognition Tuesday during a meeting of the North Carolina Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council.

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs/North Carolina Juniors received a plaque during a meeting of the EMS Advisory Council at the Jane S. McKimmon Center in Raleigh. EMS-Children Program Manager Gloria Hale made the presentation.

“The NC Juniors have done a tremendous job in fulfilling a great need in our communities, helping them to be better prepared for medical emergencies involving children,” Hale said. “We greatly appreciate their generous donations to EMS agencies throughout the state.”

Two representatives of GFWC/NC Juniors received the plaque: Dottie Jennings of Elizabeth City, director of NC Juniors; and Stephanie Wallace of Fuquay-Varina, Junior’s special projects chairman. Through the clubs’ ongoing efforts, begun in May 2006, more than 400 bags have been distributed at a cost of more than $55,000, about half the number needed to outfit all ambulances in the state.

The pediatric bags are used with color-coded measuring tapes that estimate the child's weight and size and that list the appropriate sized equipment and medication dosages. The bags help to organize corresponding pediatric equipment, supplies, and medication dosages by color. They help EMS responders to save critical time, reduce provider stress, and decrease the risk of potential dosing errors.

Contact: Jim Jones (919) 733-9190
Public Affairs Office

IRS Announces Economic Stimulus Payment Schedules,
Provides Online Payment Calculator
WASHINGTON - The Internal Revenue Service announced today that it will begin sending more than 130 million economic stimulus payments starting May 2. The initial round of weekly payments will be completed by early July.

The IRS also announced the availability of a new online calculator on IRS.gov to help people determine the amount of their stimulus payments.

Stimulus payments will be made by direct deposit to people who choose to receive their 2007 income tax refunds through direct deposit. All others will receive their economic stimulus payments in the form of a paper check.

"To receive an economic stimulus payment, people just need to file their tax returns as they usually do," said IRS Acting Commissioner Linda E. Stiff. "The payments will be automatic for the vast majority of taxpayers. Some lower-income workers and recipients of certain Social Security and veterans benefits who don't normally need to file a tax return will need to do so in order to receive a stimulus payment. IRS.gov has all the information people need to help them obtain a stimulus payment."

Stimulus payments will be sent out in the order of the last two digits of the Social Security number used on the tax return.

Because the IRS will use the Social Security number to determine when checks are mailed, taxpayers may receive their checks at different times than their neighbors or other family members. On a jointly filed return, the first Social Security number listed will determine the mail-out time.

The IRS expects to make about 34 million payments within the first three weeks after the payment schedule begins May 2. With more than 130 million households expected to receive stimulus payments, more than 25 percent of the payments will be made in the first three weeks.

Taxpayers who choose direct deposit on their federal income tax returns can expect to receive their economic stimulus payments between May 2 and May 16 provided their returns were received and processed by April 15, 2008. For taxpayers who did not choose direct deposit on their tax return but whose returns were processed by April 15, the paper checks will be in the mail starting May 16, with the initial mailings completed by around July 11.

The IRS is also announcing today the availability of an on-line calculator on IRS.gov to help taxpayers determine if they are eligible to receive an economic stimulus payment and if they are, how much they can expect. Anyone who has prepared a 2007 income tax return can use the calculator. It will ask taxpayers a series of questions, so they should have their 2007 tax returns handy. After answering the questions, the calculator will provide the projected dollar value of the payment.

Below are the schedules for economic stimulus payments related to tax returns processed by April 15, 2008.

Stimulus Payment Schedule for Tax Returns
Received and Processed by April 15

Direct Deposit Payments

If the last two digits of your Social Security number are:

Your economic stimulus payment deposit should be sent to your bank account by:

00 - 20..... May 2

21 - 75..... May 9

76 - 99..... May 16

Paper Check

If the last two digits of your Social Security number are:
Your check should be in the mail by:
00 - 09..... May 16

10 - 18.... May 23

19 - 25.... May 30

26 - 38.... June 6

39 - 51..... June 13

52 - 63..... June 20

64 - 75.... June 27

76 - 87..... July 4

88 - 99..... July 11

A small percentage of tax returns will require additional time to process and to compute a stimulus payment amount. For these returns, stimulus payments may not be issued in accordance with the schedule above, even if the tax return was processed by April 15.

All or part of an economic stimulus payment may be applied to back taxes or certain other debts of the taxpayer, such as delinquent child support and student loans. In such cases, the IRS will send a letter to the taxpayer explaining the offset.

To accommodate people whose tax returns are processed after April 15, the IRS will continue sending weekly payments. People who file tax returns after April 15 and receive a refund can expect to receive their economic stimulus payments in about two weeks after receiving their tax refunds, but not before the date they would have received their payment if the return had been processed by April 15. To ensure taxpayers receive their stimulus payment this year, they must file a tax return by Oct. 15.

Two bureaus of the Treasury Department are involved in making the payments. The IRS will calculate the amount of each economic stimulus payment based on the tax year 2007 income tax returns it receives. The IRS will then forward the information to the Financial Management Service (FMS), which is the bureau of the Treasury Department that makes federal payments such as Social Security benefits, federal income tax refunds and, now, economic stimulus payments.

The IRS reminds taxpayers that they can get their stimulus payments faster by using direct deposit when they file their tax return.

In addition, the IRS urges taxpayers to file electronically. For people who normally dont need to file a tax return, the IRS and Free File Alliance have a special program set up to allow for free electronic filing.

May Blood Drives

The following American Red Cross blood drives are scheduled for the month of May:

• 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Friday, May 9, Cardinal Logistics, 5333 Davidson Highway, Concord.

• 2:30-7 p.m., Tuesday, May 13, Rocky River Presbyterian Church, 7940 Rocky River Road, Concord.

• 2:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, Midway United Methodist Church, 708 S. Main St., Kannapolis.

• 1-5:30 p.m., Thursday, May 15, Heritage at Town Center, 6300 Roberta Road, Harrisburg.

• 3-7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15, Jackson Park United Methodist Church, 715 Mable Ave., Kannapolis.

• 2-6 p.m., Friday, May 16, Kannapolis YMCA, 101 YMCA Drive, Kannapolis

• 2:30-7 p.m., Monday, May 19, First Presbyterian Church, 39 Church St. N., Concord.

• 3-7 p.m., Tuesday, May 27, Southside Baptist, 561 Union Cemetery Road, Concord.

• 2:30-7 p.m. Thursday, May 29, Lantern Green Development, Lantern Way, Kannapolis.

• 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Saturday, May 31, Mount Olivet United Methodist Church, 301 Mount Olivet Road, Concord.

Blood donors must be age 17 or older and weigh at least 110 pounds. Because blood cells replace themselves, people can safely donate every 56 days. For more information, please call 704.720.7425.

First ever Got to Be NC Festival set for State Fairgrounds June 5-8

RALEIGH -- A four-day festival celebrating North Carolina’s agricultural heritage and locally produced foods will take place June 5-8 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh.

The Got to Be NC Festival will feature a food trade show, antique tractors, draft horse and antique tractor pulls, the official state barbecue cooking championship, carnival rides, games, a petting zoo, pig races, a bluegrass band competition and country, bluegrass and beach music performances.

Festival hours will be 3 p.m.-midnight Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m.-midnight Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free. Tickets to events in the Sam Rand Grandstand will be $5.

“We’re excited to show off agriculture in North Carolina with more than 70 N.C. food companies sampling and offering delicious foods for sale,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “In addition, this could be the largest gathering of antique farm equipment in North Carolina, based on the response we’ve gotten so far. Mix in the N.C. Barbecue Championship and great music, and it’s going to be a real celebration of our agricultural heritage.”

Teams from across North Carolina will compete in the 2008 N.C. State Barbecue Cooking Championship on Friday and Saturday. It is sponsored by the N.C. Pork Council.

The bluegrass band competition will be in Heritage Circle Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. There also will be daily music from Sweet Potato Pie, a North Carolina band that performs a musical blend of bluegrass, country, classical and blues.

Each night, the Sam Rand Grandstand will host entertainment. Greenville’s Super Grit Cowboy Band kicks off the series Thursday. The Coastline Band of Charlotte brings beach music on Saturday, and Steep Canyon Rangers from Asheville plays bluegrass on Sunday. The winner of the bluegrass competition will open for the Sunday show. All concerts begin at 8 p.m. A draft horse and mule pull will take place in the Grandstand Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.

The key festival sponsor is Kids’ Green Earth. Additional sponsors include Food Lion, Touchstone Energy, Kerr Drug, Quality Equipment LLC, Golden LEAF Foundation, Clearwater and Davi’s Guns.

For more information, log on to www.ncagfest.com.

THE CLASS OF 2008 GRADUATION SCHEDULE...

Thursday, June 12, 2008: 7:00 PM Northwest Cabarrus High School

Friday, June 13, 2008: 9:00 AM Central Cabarrus High School

12:30 PM Concord High School 4:00 PM Jay M. Robinson High School

7:30 PM Mt. Pleasant High School

Summer Camp to Start June 16 at RCCC

The Early Childhood Center at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC) has an answer to a question on many parents' minds: "What are we going to do with the kids this summer?"

RCCC invites school-aged children who have completed kindergarten through fourth grades to participate in the college's Summer Adventures Camp. The camp begins June 16 and continues through Aug. 15 on RCCC's North Campus in Salisbury. The all- day, summer-long camp hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The Summer Adventures Camp will offer children a summer full of fun and learning opportunities, including creative art and music programs, computer labs, outdoor and indoor games, on- campus field trips, nature trail activities, guest speakers and a variety of exploration activities.

Camp fees are $85 a week. A $25 registration fee is required to enroll. This is a summer-long camp with no part-time schedule or fees. Campers are asked to bring a bag lunch each day. Snacks will be provided. Enrollment space is limited.

For Summer Adventures Camp details, contact Carolyn Arey, director of the RCCC Early Childhood Center, at 704-216-7252 or 704-216-3730.

Historic Preservation Commission

Event Date: August 21, 2008
The Historic Preservation Commission meets every third Thursday of each month at 7:00pm

City of Concord City Hall Building, second floor 26 Union Street, South Concord, NC 28025

Contact: Margaret Pearson
Phone: 704-920-5151

Board of Adjustment Meeting

Event Date: August 26, 2008
Board of Adjustments

The Board of Adjustments meets on the fourth Tuesday of the each month at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall - 26 Union Street, S

Contact: Margaret Pearson,
Director of Development Services
Phone: 704-920-5151

City Council Meeting

Event Date: September 11, 2008
6 p.m., City Municipal
Building, 26 Union St. S.
Contact: Deborah Clark
Phone: 704-920-5215

Planning and Zoning Commission

Event Date: September 16, 2008
The Planning and Zoning Commission meets every third Tuesday of each month at 6:00pm

City of Concord Municipal
Building, 2nd Floor
26 Union Street, South
Concord, NC 28025

Contact: Margaret Pearson
Phone: 704-920-5151

Historic Preservation Commission

Event Date: September 18, 2008
The Historic Preservation Commission meets every third Thursday of each month at 7:00pm
City of Concord City Hall Building,
second floor
26 Union Street,
South Concord,
NC 28025
Contact: Margaret Pearson
Phone: 704-920-5151

Fire Prevention Week

Event Date: October 5, 2008
Fire Prevention Week is October 5 - October 11, 2008.

In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation, and since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9 falls. According to the National Archives and Records Administration's Library Information Center, Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record. The President of the United States has signed a proclamation proclaiming a national observance during that week every year since 1925.

Contact: Norman Franklin, Fire Safety Educator Phone: 704-920-5529

N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources

NORTH CAROLINA HEALTH OFFICIALS ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO ‘FIGHT THE BITE!’

RALEIGH – State environmental and public health officials are reminding all North Carolinians that warmer weather and rain bring mosquitoes and ticks, which carry dangerous diseases. All North Carolinians are urged to take simple steps to prevent the threat of biting insects and reduce insect breeding conditions around the home.

“Spring rains and warmer weather provide ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes and ticks,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Jeff Engel. “Ticks and mosquitoes can be more than just a nuisance – they can also make people seriously ill. Now is the time to fight the bite!”

Dr. Nolan Newton, chief of the Public Health Pest Management Section of the Division of Environmental Health, said that people can take steps to prevent illness.

“You can make your backyard a whole lot less tick- friendly,” he said. “Keep grass short and remove plants that attract wild animals like deer and rodents, which carry ticks.”

Newton said that removing any containers that hold water will take away mosquito breeding grounds.

“Now is the time to take a good look at your environment, before the mosquitoes really start biting,” he said. “Things like bird baths, old tires, planters and even small containers like tin cans can give mosquitoes a place to thrive.”

He added that it is also important to remember to make sure you tightly screen all openings on rain barrels used for water conservation. A window screen makes an excellent screening mechanism on rain barrels to prevent breeding grounds for mosquitoes, while allowing you to continue your conservation efforts.

Engel and Newton said that insect repellant can also be useful, particularly against mosquitoes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend several repellants against mosquitoes – DEET, picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus. According to the CDC, oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years old. Repellents containing permethrin provide excellent protection against ticks but may only be used on clothing. Consumers should look for products that contain the CDC-recommended ingredients, and should read and follow all label instructions.

Exposure to both mosquitoes and ticks can be limited by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants and socks. People should also check themselves and their families for ticks when in tick-prone areas.

Proper and prompt removal of ticks is the key to preventing infection. Use fine-tipped tweezers to remove ticks, getting as far forward near the head as possible and pulling steadily. Note the day you removed the tick on a calendar. If you become ill in the next three weeks, be sure to tell your physician the date you removed the tick.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is the most common tick- borne illness in North Carolina. According to the N.C. Division of Public Health, 544 cases of RMSF were reported in North Carolina during 2007. The state also has other tick- borne illnesses, including Lyme disease, with 47 cases reported last year and ehrlichiosis with 54 cases. Tick-borne diseases occur statewide.

La Crosse virus is the most common mosquito- borne illness; it is found mostly in the western part of the state. Two other mosquito-borne diseases, Eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus, are also found in North Carolina. While Eastern equine encephalitis is found largely in the eastern part of the state, West Nile virus is found statewide.

For additional information regarding mosquitoes and ticks, please visit the following Web sites: www.deh.enr.state.nc.us/phpm, www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/arbov irus and www.epi.state.nc.us/epi/tick.

Federal Bureau of Investigation

CONNECTICUT MAN SENTENCED TO 30 MONTHS IN PRISON
FOR CRIMINAL COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT
Forty Defendants Convicted in Operation Copycat to Date

WASHINGTON – David M. Fish, 26, of Woodbury, Conn., was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court in San Jose, Calif., to 30 months in prison on charges of criminal copyright infringement and circumvention, Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California Joseph P. Russoniello announced today.

Fish was also sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ronald M. Whyte to a three year term of supervised release following his release from prison, a mandatory special assessment of $500, and the forfeiture of computer and other equipment used in committing the copyright offenses.

The case is part of Operation Copycat, an investigation by the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office targeting online warez groups, which illegally distribute newly-released movies, games, software and music online. Operation Copycat has resulted in 40 convictions thus far and is part of a larger federal crackdown against the illegal online distribution of copyrighted materials known as Operation Site Down.

On Feb. 27, 2006, Fish pleaded guilty to five counts in federal court in San Jose, including four counts in the Northern District of California case for conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement; distribution of technology primarily designed to circumvent encryption technology protecting a right of a copyright owner and aiding and abetting; circumventing a technological measure that protects a copyright work and aiding and abetting; copyright infringement by electronic means and aiding and abetting. On the same day, Fish also pleaded guilty to one count of criminal infringement of a copyright in the Southern District of Iowa. The two cases involved separate investigations and conduct in both jurisdictions. The charges were consolidated and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California.

In the Northern District of California case, according to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, from approximately August 2004 to July 2005, Fish served as the site operator as well as a scripter, equipment supplier, broker and encoder for warez sites. As a site operator, he built and managed the warez site and controlled the daily operations of the site and server. Fish also circumvented technology measures designed to protect or limit access to copyrighted materials. Without circumvention, many of the copyrighted works could not be reproduced and made available to others. Once the DVDs were circumvented, they were uploaded onto the warez site and downloaded and accessed by hundreds of other warez participants.

Scripters for warez sites create, program and help build the sites. Suppliers provide an unauthorized copyrighted movie, game or software while equipment suppliers provide hardware (such as hard drives, computer parts, and computer servers) to the warez site. Brokers find groups to participate on the warez site and encoders circumvent the technological measures and protections of copyrighted works on the DVDs designed to prevent unauthorized access and copying.

In the Southern District of Iowa case, Fish participated in a separate warez site from Jan. 21, 2003, through April 21, 2004. The warez server used in this case was determined to contain approximately 13,000 pirated software titles including movies, games, utility software and music. Transfer logs confirm that defendant Fish assisted in the uploading of 131 software titles and downloading 373 software titles to and from the warez FTP server between Aug. 16, 2003, and March 29, 2004. The Iowa case resulted from an earlier national initiative against online piracy known as Operation FastLink.

Operation Site Down and Operation FastLink are the largest and most successful global criminal enforcement actions ever taken against the organized piracy groups which are responsible for most of the initial illegal distribution of copyrighted movies, software, games and music on the Internet. Consisting of multiple FBI undercover investigations, these two operations have so far resulted in a total of 108 felony convictions; more than 200 search warrants executed in 15 countries; the confiscation of hundreds of computers and illegal online distribution hubs; and the removal of more than 100 million dollars worth of illegally-copied copyrighted software, games, movies and music from illicit distribution channels. Countries participating in these U.S.-led operations include: France, Canada, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Hungary, Israel, Spain, Australia, Singapore, Belgium and Germany.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Krotoski, currently at the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) prosecuted the case with the support of Paralegal Lauri Gomez. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hanley Chew and Shawna Yen have also assisted on the prosecution of other defendants convicted in Operation Copycat. CCIPS Assistant Deputy Chief Clem McGovern and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Richards prosecuted the Southern District of Iowa case with the assistance of the FBI.

U.S. Department of Justice

Ansonia Man Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison for Participating in Two Jewelry Store Armed Robberies

U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
District of Connecticut
Connecticut Financial Center
157 Church Street
New Haven, Connecticut
06510
www.usdoj.gov/usao/ct

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANTHONY CURRAL, 31, of Ansonia, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 70 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his involvement in two jewelry store armed robberies. On February 5, 2008, CURRAL pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, CURRAL, along with Charles Kertesz, participated in the armed robberies of Hannoush Jewelry in Natick, Massachusetts, on July 20, 2005, and Lux Bond and Green in South Windsor, Connecticut, on February 1, 2006. On each occasion, Charles Kertesz entered the store dressed in women's clothing and wearing a wig. He then brandished a firearm and forcibly stole diamond rings and other jewelry. CURRAL served as a getaway driver for both robberies.

On February 19, Kertesz pleaded guilty to federal charges related to these and two other jewelry store robberies. He awaits sentencing.

Today, Judge Burns ordered CURRAL, jointly and severally with Kertesz, to pay restitution in the amount of $345,777.88 to the victim jewelry stores and their insurance company.

CURRAL has been detained since his arrest on September 25, 2007.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation - New Haven Violent Crimes Safe Streets Task Force, and the members of local law enforcement agencies including the Greenwich, South Windsor, Glastonbury, Bridgeport, Ansonia, Shelton and Natick (MA) Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Kaplan and Assistant United States Attorney Paul Murphy.

CONTACT:
Tom Carson
Public Information Office
(203) 821-3722
(203) 996-1393 (cell)

Former Oakdale Resident Indicted for Tax Evasion, Mail Fraud, and Embezzlement of Employees' Pension Plan

FRESNO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that a grand jury returned a six-count superseding indictment against PATRICK NEAL YOUNG, 40, formerly of Oakdale, with four counts of tax evasion for the years 2001 through 2004 and for embezzlement of the employees’ pension plan accounts.

The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

According to Assistant United States Attorney Stanley A. Boone, who is prosecuting the case, YOUNG was the former operating officer of Plyco Foundation Vents, Inc. of Waterford, California. Beginning in 2000 and continuing to August 2004, the defendant embezzled approximately $710,389 from Plyco for his own use. He used the embezzled Plyco funds to purchase a home in Oakdale, landscape his yard, buy automobiles, travel, including a trip to Europe, and for other personal expenses. In May 2003, the defendant requested that certain employee benefit accounts be closed because the employees were no longer working for the business. In truth, however, some of the employees were still working for Plyco. The monies were mailed to YOUNG who then did not remit the pension funds to the employees who were entitled to them.

The tax evasion and embezzlement of pension benefit counts carry a maximum of five years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine. The mail fraud count carries a maximum of 20 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables and any applicable statutory sentencing factors.

The charges are only an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Department of Justice

Ansonia Man Sentenced to 70 Months in Prison for Participating in Two Jewelry Store Armed Robberies

U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
District of Connecticut
Connecticut Financial Center
157 Church Street
New Haven, Connecticut
06510
www.usdoj.gov/usao/ct

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that ANTHONY CURRAL, 31, of Ansonia, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Judge Ellen Bree Burns in New Haven to 70 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for his involvement in two jewelry store armed robberies. On February 5, 2008, CURRAL pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery.

According to documents filed with the Court and statements made in court, CURRAL, along with Charles Kertesz, participated in the armed robberies of Hannoush Jewelry in Natick, Massachusetts, on July 20, 2005, and Lux Bond and Green in South Windsor, Connecticut, on February 1, 2006. On each occasion, Charles Kertesz entered the store dressed in women's clothing and wearing a wig. He then brandished a firearm and forcibly stole diamond rings and other jewelry. CURRAL served as a getaway driver for both robberies.

On February 19, Kertesz pleaded guilty to federal charges related to these and two other jewelry store robberies. He awaits sentencing.

Today, Judge Burns ordered CURRAL, jointly and severally with Kertesz, to pay restitution in the amount of $345,777.88 to the victim jewelry stores and their insurance company.

CURRAL has been detained since his arrest on September 25, 2007.

This matter was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation - New Haven Violent Crimes Safe Streets Task Force, and the members of local law enforcement agencies including the Greenwich, South Windsor, Glastonbury, Bridgeport, Ansonia, Shelton and Natick (MA) Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant United States Attorney Anthony Kaplan and Assistant United States Attorney Paul Murphy.

CONTACT:
Tom Carson
Public Information Office
(203) 821-3722
(203) 996-1393 (cell)

United States Department of Justice

Minneapolis couple indicted for document trafficking, conspiracy to commit a crime against the U.S.

A Minneapolis couple was indicted this week by a federal grand jury in connection with a scheme to steal others’ identities for the purpose of fraudulently obtaining money and prescription drugs.

Eric Christopher Thorsen, 25, and Amy Ruth Bergquist, 30, were both charged April 22 in Minneapolis with one count of conspiracy to commit a crime against the United States, one count of document trafficking and one count of aggravated identity theft. The targeted victims were people the two met on the Internet. Both Thorsen and Bergquist made their initial appearances in federal court today.

Their indictment alleges that from August 2007 through March 9, 2008, Bergquist and Thorsen did knowingly and willfully conspire with each other to commit several offenses against the U.S. Those offenses are: 1) knowingly possessing with intent to use unlawfully five or more identification documents which were not issued to the defendants for their use; 2) knowingly possessing and using, without lawful authority, the identification of another person with intent to commit an unlawful act; and 3) knowingly stealing and taking mail from a mailbox.

Thorsen and Bergquist allegedly placed advertisements on the Internet seeking to meet other adults to engage in sexual acts, and would meet those who responded to the ads in either a hotel room or a private residence. The indictment alleges that while Thorsen and Bergquist were inside one of these locations they would steal, among other items, an identification document of one of the other adults.

The indictment also alleges that Thorsen and Bergquist would use the stolen documents to fraudulently obtain money and other items, including prescription drugs, as well as steal mail from the victims’ home mailboxes in order to obtain personal checks and other identifier information.

More specifically, the indictment highlights several dates when Thorsen and Bergquist allegedly stole identification documents. On Aug. 13, 2007, they stole a victim’s driver’s license and bank debit card, and allegedly used the card to make purchases at a Bloomington grocery store.

On Sept. 12, 2007, they allegedly used a counterfeit check to paid for two forged prescriptions for Adderall and Dexedrine in the name of another victim. Also on Sept. 12, they allegedly purchased merchandise at a Roseville store using fraudulent checks in the name of two victims. On Sept. 16, they allegedly purchased medical items from a St. Paul store using a counterfeit check in the name of two victims.

On Sept. 18, they allegedly cashed a counterfeit check in the name of another victim at a Richfield grocery store, and cashed another counterfeit check in that victim’s name at a Roseville store on Sept. 24. On March 9, 2008, they allegedly cashed a stolen check at a Minnesota casino and obtained cash from the same casino using a victim’s stolen bank credit card.

The indictment alleges that on Sept. 29, 2007, the defendants knowingly possessed five or more identification documents, including the driver’s licenses of three Minnesota victims and one Massachusetts victim, as well as the birth certificate of a fifth victim.

If convicted, Thorsen and Bergquist each face a maximum penalty of five years in prison on the conspiracy count, five years on the document trafficking count and two years on the identity theft count. All sentences are determined by a federal district court judge.

This case is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the U.S. Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Minnesota Financial Crimes Task Force, the Roseville Police Department, with assistance from other local law enforcement. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erica H. MacDonald and Kimberly A. Svendsen.

An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by the defendant. The defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until he or she pleads guilty or is proven guilty at trial.

Frank J. Magill,
Acting United States Attorney< BR> David Anderson,
Public Affairs Specialist
(612) 664-5684; cell: (612) 730-2251

United States Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello

CONTACT: JOSHUA EATON
(415) 436-6958
WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/CAN
Josh.Eaton@usdoj.gov

TWO SITE OPERATORS RECEIVE PRISON TERMS FOR CRIMINAL COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT Forty Defendants Convicted In Operation Copycat To Date; Substantial Forfeitures and Restitution Ordered

SAN FRANCISCO - U.S. Attorney Joseph P. Russoniello announced today that Chirayu Patel, 26, of Fremont, Calif., and William Veyna, 37, of Chatsworth, Calif., were both sentenced to prison terms on Monday in U.S. District Court in San Jose, Calif., on charges of criminal copyright infringement. Patel was sentenced to a term of 18 months in prison and Veyna to 15 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Ronald M. Whyte. They also were both ordered to serve a three year term of supervised release following their release from prison, a mandatory special assessment of $200, and the forfeiture of computer and other equipment used in committing the copyright offenses. Both defendants were each ordered to pay restitution, under joint and several liability, in the total amount of $969,001.20.

The case is part of Operation Copycat, an investigation by the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office targeting online warez groups, which illegally distribute newly-released movies, games, software and music online. Operation Copycat has resulted in 40 convictions thus far and is part of a larger federal crackdown against the illegal online distribution of copyrighted materials known as Operation Site Down.

On October 11, 2005, Veyna pleaded guilty and on November 14, 2005, Patel pleaded guilty separately to conspiring to commit criminal copyright infringement, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371; and committing copyright infringement by electronic means and Aiding and Abetting, in violation of 17 U.S.C. § 506(a)(1)(B), 18 U.S.C. §§ 2, 2319(c)(1). Based on information in the court record, the two defendants shared site operator responsibilities on the warez server VS (aka Victoria Secret) and VS2. As site operators, they were responsible for maintaining, administering and supporting the warez sites and controlling the daily operations of the site and server.

Operation Copycat has resulted in a substantial number of forfeitures, including approximately 157 Central Processing Units; 15 laptops/notebooks; 40 PlayStation and XBOX players; 5,343 CD/DVD roms; 414 VHS Tapes and floppies; 3 CD/DVD players, 27 keyboard monitors; 5 digital cameras and video cameras; 15 I-pods; in addition to other equipment.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark L. Krotoski prosecuted the case with the support of Paralegal Lauri Gomez. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hanley Chew and Shawna Yen have also assisted on the prosecution of other defendants convicted in Operation Copycat. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Hinds and Paralegal Alicia Chin provided essential assistance on the forfeitures in the case.

Further Information:
A copy of this press release may be found on the U.S. Attorney's Office's website at www.usdoj.gov/usao/can.

Electronic court filings and further procedural and docket information are available at https://ecf.cand.uscourts.gov /cgi-bin/login.pl.

Judges' calendars with schedules for upcoming court hearings can be viewed on the court's website at www.cand.uscourts.gov.

All press inquiries to the U.S. Attorney's Office should be directed to Joshua Eaton at (415) 436-6958 or by email at Josh.Eaton@usdoj.gov.

MISSOURI WOMAN INDICTED ON CHARGES OF USING MYSPACE
TO 'CYBER-BULLY' 13-YEAR-OLD WHO LATER COMMITTED SUICIDE

LOS ANGELES - A Missouri woman was indicted today on federal charges for fraudulently using an account on the social networking Web site MySpace, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Thomas P. O'Brien announced today. The woman posed as a teenage boy who feigned romantic interest in a 13 year-old girl, who later committed suicide after the "boy" spurned her and told her, among other things, that the world would be a better place without her.

Lori Drew, 49, of O'Fallon, Mo., was named in a four- count indictment returned this morning by a federal grand jury. The indictment charges one count of conspiracy and three counts of accessing protected computers without authorization to obtain information to inflict emotional distress on the girl who, because of juvenile privacy rules, is referred to in the indictment only as M.T.M.

The indictment alleges that Drew, along with others, registered as a member of MySpace under the name "Josh Evans." Drew and her co- conspirators then used the Josh Evans account to contact M.T.M. and began what the girl believed was an on-line romance with a 16- year-old boy. In taking those actions, the indictment alleges, Drew and her co-conspirators violated MySpace's terms of service that prohibit users from, among other things, using fraudulent registration information, using accounts to obtain personal information about juvenile members, and using the MySpace communication services to harass, abuse or harm other members.

After approximately four weeks of flirtatious communications between "Josh Evans" and M.T.M., Drew and her co-conspirators broke off the relationship. Within an hour, M.T.M. had hanged herself in her room. She died the next day.

"This adult woman allegedly used the Internet to target a young teenage girl, with horrendous ramifications," said U.S. Attorney Thomas P. O'Brien. "After a thorough investigation, we have charged Ms. Drew with criminally accessing MySpace and violating rules established to protect young, vulnerable people. Any adult who uses the Internet or a social gathering Web site to bully or harass another person, particularly a young teenage girl, needs to realize that their actions can have serious consequences."

To become a member of MySpace, individuals are required to submit registration information - including name and date of birth - and have to agree to certain terms of service that regulate their use of the Web site. Among other things, MySpace terms of service require prospective members to provide truthful and accurate registration information; to refrain from using any information obtained from MySpace services to harass, abuse or harm other people; to refrain from soliciting personal information from anyone under 18; to refrain from promoting information that they know is false or misleading; and to refrain from posting photographs of other people without their consent. The indictment alleges that Drew and her co- conspirators violated all of those provisions.

"Whether we characterize this tragic case as 'cyber- bullying,' cyber abuse or illegal computer access, it should serve as a reminder that our children use the Internet for social interaction and that technology has altered the way they conduct their daily activities," said Salvador Hernandez, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI in Los Angeles. "As adults, we must be sensitive to the potential dangers posed by the use of the Internet by our children."

The conspiracy count carries a maximum statutory penalty of five years in federal prison. Each count of accessing protected computers, each of which alleges that the access was for the purpose of intentionally inflicting emotional distress on M.T.M., carries a maximum possible penalty of five years in prison.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Drew will be summoned to appear for an arraignment in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles in June.

This case was investigated by special agents with the FBI in St. Louis and Los Angeles.

Central District of California
CONTACT: Thom Mrozek

BEAUMONT MAN GETS FEDERAL PRISON SENTENCE FOR HURRICANE FRAUD

BEAUMONT TX – United States Attorney John L. Ratcliffe announced that a 44-year-old Beaumont man has pleaded guilty and been sentenced to federal prison for hurricane- related fraud in the Eastern District of Texas.

DEMITRI LEE DAVIS was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 6, 2007 and charged with making a false statement to FEMA in connection with an application he filed for federal disaster relief. He pleaded guilty to those charges today and was sentenced to 7 months in federal prison by United States District Judge Thad Heartfield.

According to information presented in court, beginning in October 2005, Davis filed a claim with FEMA in which he requested Disaster Housing and Individual Assistance for losses he reportedly suffered from Hurricane Rita, although he did not suffer those losses. Davis received $2,000.00 in assistance as a result of his fictitious claims.

In September 2005, the U.S. Department of Justice created the Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force, designed to deter, investigate and prosecute disaster-related federal crimes such as charity fraud, identity theft, procurement fraud and insurance fraud. The Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force – chaired by Assistant Attorney General Alice S. Fisher of the Criminal Division – includes members of the FBI, the Federal Trade Commission, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Executive Office for United States Attorneys, among others.

This case is being investigated by the United States Postal Service and the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Randall L. Fluke.

CONTACT: DAVILYN WALSTON
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
PHONE: (409) 839-2538
CELL: (409) 553-9881

The United States Department of Justice

DRUG TRAFFICKER USES HOT IRON TO SEND MESSAGE, INDICTMENT SAYS

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – A Kansas man was assaulted with a hot iron over a drug deal, according to a federal indictment filed Thursday charging five individuals with trafficking in crack cocaine.
Cecil A. Brooks, 45; L emark D. Robertson, 46; Ronda R. Barnett, 40; Gaylon W. Steele, 50; and Luis M. Rivera-Cotto are charged in a 12-count superseding indictment. The crimes are alleged to have occurred from April 3 to July 14, 2006, in Topeka, Kan., and Kansas City, Kan.

The indictment charges that the defendants conspired to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute, crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of Topeka High School, 800 W. 10th Street in Topeka, Kan.

According to the indictment, on Nov. 23, 2007, in furtherance of the conspiracy, Brooks attacked and injured another man, Adam G. Newton, during an encounter in the Winstone Apartment Complex, 800 SW Polk in Topeka. Brooks accused Newton of being responsible for stealing or losing $1,000 work of crack cocaine that belonged to Brooks. Brooks struck Newton on the side of the head with a bottle, knocking Newton to the ground. Then Brooks picked up a hot iron and burned Newton on the back with the iron several times. The attack was for the purpose of sending a message to Newton and other people that Brooks and his co- conspirators would not tolerate anyone stealing crack cocaine from them.

The defendants face the following charges:

Cecil A. Brooks: One count of conspiracy, and one count of maintaining a residence (1942 N. 24th, Kansas City, Kan.) in furtherance of drug trafficking.
Lemark D. Roberson: One count of conspiracy, one count of maintaining a residence (800 SW Polk, Apt. 38) in furtherance of drug trafficking; one count of maintaining a residence (800 SW Polk, Apt. 35) in furtherance of drug trafficking; and one count of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. Ronda R. Barnett: One count of conspiracy, and one count of distributing crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of Topeka High School.
Gaylon W. Steele: One count of conspiracy and three counts of distributing crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of Topeka High School. Luis M. Rivera-Cotto: One count of conspiracy, two counts of distributing crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of Topeka High School, one count of maintaining a residence (800 SW Polk, Apt. 16) in furtherance of drug trafficking, and one count of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine.

Upon conviction, the crimes carry the following penalties:
– Conspiracy: Not less than 10 years and not more than life in federal prison and a fine up to $8 million.
– Maintaining a residence in furtherance of drug trafficking: Not less than one year and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $2 million.
– Distribution of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school: Not less than 1 year and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $2 million.
– Possession with intent to distribute more than 5 grams of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school: Not less than 5 years and not more than 80 years and a fine up to $4 million.
– Possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or less of crack cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school. Not less than 1 year and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $2 million.

The Topeka Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation worked on the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tris Hunt is prosecuting.

OTHER INDICTMENTS

A grand jury meeting Thursday in Kansas City also returned the following indictments:

Raymond F. Gentry is charged with intellectual property crimes. The crimes are alleged to have occurred from April 3, 2006, to July 14, 2006, in Shawnee County, Kan.

Gentry is charged with one count of unlawfully making copies of copyrighted motion pictures on DVDs, and one count of circumventing technological measures meant to protect the copyrighted DVDs. A separate count seeks the forfeiture of a DVD duplicator, a computer and DVDs seized during the execution of a search warrant at his home in Topeka.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not more than 5 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of unlawfully making copies; and a maximum penalty of 5 years and a fine up to $500,000 on the charge of circumventing technology to protect copyrighted material.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation worked on the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Hare is prosecuting.

Dion Coates, 28, is charged with escaping from custody at the Federal Prison Camp in Leavenworth, Kan., after having been convicted of drug trafficking in Missouri. The crime is alleged to have occurred April 14, 2008.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 5 years and a fine up to $250,000. The U.S. Marshals Service is investigating the case and attempting to apprehend Coates. Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Rask is prosecuting.

Erick Jeovany Lopez-Flores, 26, a citizen of El Salvador, and Felix Antonio Guardado-Delgado, 21, a citizen of El Salvador, are charged with one count of conspiracy to pass counterfeit bank drafts, two counts of passing counterfeit bank drafts, and one count of possessing false documents in order to stay in the United States. The crimes are alleged to have occurred April 12, 2008, in Shawnee County, Kan.

If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the conspiracy charge, and a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000 on each of the other counts. The U.S. Secret Service investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Hendershot is prosecuting.

James M. Zimmerman, 47, is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of maintaining a residence at 138 O Lane, Clearview City, Kan., in furtherance of drug trafficking. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in August 2006 in Johnson County, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a penalty of not less than 5 years and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $2 million on the possession charge, and a penalty of not less than year and not more than 40 years and a fine up to $2 million on the charge of maintaining a residence in furtherance of drug trafficking. The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel is prosecuting.

Christopher Jackson, 32, is charged with unlawful possession of a home made knife while he was an inmate at the U.S. penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan. The crime is alleged to have occurred March 5, 2007.

If convicted, he faces a maximum of 5 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. The Federal Bureau of Investigation worked on the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sheri McCracken is prosecuting.

Juan Cenciceros-Jurado, 38, a citizen of Mexico, is charged with unlawfully re- entering the United States after being convicted of an aggravated felony and deported. He was found April 8, 2008, in Kansas City, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Martin is prosecuting.

Salvador Beltran-Lara, 28, Kansas City, Kan., is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm by an illegal alien and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm that had been altered to remove the serial number. The crimes are alleged to have occurred March 23, 2008, in Kansas City, Kan.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of unlawful possession by an illegal alien, and a maximum of 5 years and a fine up to $250,000 on the charge of possessing a firearm that had been altered to remove the serial number. Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Martin is prosecuting.

As in any criminal case, a person is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The indictments filed merely contain allegations of criminal conduct.

Contact: Jim Cross
PHONE: 316-269-6481
FAX: 316-269-6420

United States Attorney
EAST HAVEN HOUSING AUTHORITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HUSBAND, CHARGED WITH STEALING HUD PROGRAM FUNDS

Nora R. Dannehy, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, and Kenneth M. Donohue, Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, today announced that CASSANDRA ASHE, 36, and her husband JONATHAN ASHE, 43, of North Haven, have been arrested pursuant to a criminal complaint charging them with conspiracy and theft from a program receiving federal funds. CASSANDRA ASHE is the Executive Director of the East Haven Housing Authority.

The affidavit in support of the criminal complaint alleges that CASSANDRA ASHE and JONATHAN ASHE have engaged in an ongoing scheme to steal money from a bank account used by the East Haven Housing Authority to administer the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program in East Haven. Under the program, qualifying low-income individuals receive assistance in obtaining rental housing on the private market from HUD. It is alleged that from approximately May 1, 2007 through March 2008, CASSANDRA ASHE and JONATHAN ASHE conspired to and did steal approximately $173,000 from the East Haven Housing Authority bank account through approximately 253 separate ATM withdrawals.

CASSANDRA ASHE and JONATHAN ASHE were arrested this morning. They appeared today before United States Magistrate Judge Thomas P. Smith in Hartford and were released on bonds in the amount of $200,000.

If convicted, CASSANDRA ASHE and JONATHAN ASHE each faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000 on the charge of theft from a program receiving federal funds, and a maximum term of imprisonment of five years and a fine of up to $250,000 on the conspiracy charge.

Acting U.S. Attorney Dannehy stressed that a criminal complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are entitled to a fair trial at which it is the Government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, with the assistance of the United States Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Susan Wines.

Federal Bureau of Investigation

FORMER UCLA HOSPITAL EMPLOYEE INDICTED FOR SELLING INFORMATION FROM CELEBRITIES’ MEDICAL FILES TO MEDIA

A Los Angeles woman has been indicted for accessing the private medical records of celebrity patients at the UCLA Medical Center and selling information obtained from those files to a national media outlet.

Lawanda Jackson, 49, w as indicted under seal on April 9. That indictment, which alleges one count of illegally obtaining individually identifiable health information for commercial advantage, was unsealed this morning.

Jackson, an administrative specialist at the UCLA Medical Center from 2006 until she w as terminated on May 21, 2007, allegedly received at least $4,600 from the media outlet in exchange for providing the private medical information. The media outlet paid Jackson by w riting checks to her husband, the indictment alleges.

Jackson, who faces a potential sentence of 10 years in prison if she is convicted of the charge, is expected to be arraigned on the felony count on June 9 in United States District Court in Los Angeles.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case w as investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Thomas P. O’Brien
United States Attorney
Central District of California
Thom Mrozek,
Public Affairs Officer
(213) 894-6947
thom.mrozek@usdoj.gov www.usdoj.gov/usao/cac

Flowers and Ornamentals Brighten Landscape

RALEIGH – With longer, warmer days and ample rainfall, many homeowners are anxious to get outside to repair some of the damage done to their landscapes by last year’s drought. With a little planning, landscapes can be revived and filled with plants that are beautiful, drought tolerant and locally grown.

“More than 1,000 varieties of flowers and ornamentals are raised in the state,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “North Carolina ranks sixth nationally in floriculture production and we’re in the top 10 for production of many high- demand plants.”

Gov. Mike Easley recently recognized May as Floriculture Month, based on the industry’s economic impact of more than $202 million.

There are many resources available to provide homeowners information about how to select appropriate plants, such as the Water- Wise Works! tips available at TarHeelGardening.com. Retail nurseries and garden centers are also stocking more drought tolerant plants and are prepared to help homeowners select plants to suit their needs.

Gardeners can find North Carolina-grown plants at retail nurseries and garden centers and at the state-run farmers markets in Asheville, Charlotte, Colfax, Lumberton and Raleigh. Many smaller farmers markets also have plant vendors on-site during the spring season.

Additional information on the North Carolina floriculture industry is available at the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Web site, www.ncagr.com, or the N.C. Commercial Flower Growers Association Web site, www.nccfga.org

NCDA&CS Public Affairs
Division, Brian Long, Director
Mailing Address:
1001 Mail Service Center,
Raleigh NC 27699- 1001
Physical Address:
2 West Edenton Street,
Raleigh NC 27601
Phone: (919) 733-4216;
FAX: (919) 733-5047

CONTACT:
John Aydlett, marketing specialist
NCDA&CS Marketing Division (252) 331-4773