| Clean wells left to chance
But it was a tough budget year, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said no. Gov. Mike Easley never saw the request; nor did legislators, who make the final decision. The agency has not tried again.Thirty-five counties have some sort of construction oversight or well-testing program, but only 14 require even minimal tests. In the other 65 counties, well drillers are on the honor system when it comes to construction standards."That's like putting up speed limits but not setting anything up to regulate drivers," said B.K. Jones, a former Richmond County environmental health supervisor responsible for well inspections. "If we knew there was no Highway Patrol, how many of us would drive at 65 miles per hour?" Next page > .
TheStar.com | Sports | Shaquille O'Neal traded to Suns in blockbuster ...
O'Neal's move west adds fuel to the already intense rivalry between the Suns, the Lakers and his old teammate Kobe Bryant. The trade required a significant financial commitment from the budget-conscious owner Robert Sarver because O'Neal is scheduled to make $20 million (all figures U.S.) this season and $20 million more each of the next two. Marion makes $16.4 million this year and could opt out of the $17 million final year of his contract after this season. Banks has been in and out of the Suns' rotation the past two seasons. The Heat also waived Luke Jackson. O'Neal entered this season talking about how he wanted to win at least one more title, saying his "legacy" wouldn't be complete unless he left the game with at least five rings.
After two-month odyssey, dog still looking for a home
BETHLEHEM — Cold, scrawny and scared, a white German shepherd wandered across at least three towns for at least six weeks before an intercommunity effort finally corralled him last week."What a story," said Morris Animal Control Officer Cynthia F. Brissett. "I couldn't understand what this dog was doing. Seemed to me he was trying to find someone, trying to find home. But no one had called me to report this dog missing."A Morris resident first called Brissett about the dog on the morning of Dec. 24. The dog was sniffing around the man's yard with tags dangling from a collar. But as many others would note over the next month-and-a-half, the moment anyone tried to approach the dog, it would run away.Brissett spotted the dog later that morning at White Flower Farm on Route 63, and another officer spotted a dog fitting its description at Black Rock State Park in Watertown on Dec.
Jags acquire Williamson from Vikings
It's part of a makeover for Jacksonville despite an 11-5 finish and a first-round playoff win over Pittsburgh. The team decided not to re-sign receiver Ernest Wilford and backup quarterback Quinn Gray, opting to try to improve both positions. It also has given three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Marcus Stroud permission to seek a trade. Stroud missed eight games the last two seasons because of a nagging ankle injury. He also was suspended four games for violating the league's steroid and related substances policy. .
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