No one can tell whose hands are dirty, but mud is flying in the race for New Hanover County sheriff. Democratic candidate Col. Sid Causey has been forced to fend off apparently baseless allegations of corruption, while Republican Marc Benson reels from the circulation of personnel records detailing his 1997 termination from the department. The allegations against Col. Causey, a 20-plus-year veteran of the department, have been leveled via anonymously authored e-mails, a Web site and mailings that claim he's corrupt. [continues 1319 words]
Sources Of Booze Have Increased Since 1999 Survey About the same percentage of local kids are using drugs and alcohol now as in 1999, but more of them report that they can get booze from many sources. Meanwhile, students are more likely to use marijuana than tobacco. These are some of the more significant findings from the California Healthy Kids Survey administered to local students in the fall of 2001. It was the second time local educators have given the survey, which aims to gauge the health and lifestyle of county youth. [continues 941 words]
MORRO BAY - Federal officials are trying to seize a home owned by a now-deceased Morro Bay man who was accused of being a drug trafficker. The U.S. Attorney's Office filed court documents a month ago seeking the seizure of the late Timony Marc Whitelaw's $599,000 home on Juniper Avenue. Whitelaw, a 46-year-old massage therapist, was arrested in August on suspicion of growing marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale. He committed suicide on Sept. 17, according to the county coroner's office. [continues 488 words]
BOLIVIA - Jurors began deliberating Tuesday in the trial of a Winnabow man charged with attempted first-degree murder of a Brunswick County narcotics officer during a drug raid last year. The jury is trying to decide whether Paul Pelham was a drug dealer and knew they were narcotics officers he was shooting at after they kicked down his door. Narcotics officer Steven Lanier was shot during the raid. Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons gave the jurors several sets of instructions to base their verdict on including the legal definitions of self-defense. [continues 351 words]
The ex-sheriff is out of touch with the people he hopes to represent. In Spring 2000 voters overwhelmingly passed Proposition 36 that enabled some drug users to get treatment instead of jail. Out-of-touch Jim Thomas opposed Prop 36. The out-of-sync sheriff backed measure U 2000 to increase our taxes for a $100 million jail, promoting it with a video, illegally using county funds. The measure failed by a wide margin. Last spring, the ex-sheriff's handpicked and heavily promoted candidate Dorsey was soundly defeated. The voters ignored Thomas's endorsement and chose Anderson for sheriff. Out of touch and out of sync. [continues 86 words]
It's harvest time, and South Okanagan RCMP have cashed in on the season's crops several times in recent days. Several hundred thousand dollars in marijuana was seized during four separate busts this week and last. On Tuesday afternoon, Penticton RCMP received a report of a break-in in the 1100 block of Redlands Road in the city. A man was seen leaving the residence. When officers arrived, they found the home was not secure and that it had likely been broken into. [continues 300 words]
AUSTIN -- Where there's smoke, there may not be fire, the Court of Criminal Appeals concluded Wednesday in ruling that the odor of marijuana didn't give Abilene police officers probable cause to enter a home. "The odor of marijuana, standing alone, does not authorize a warrantless search and seizure in a home," wrote Judge Charles Holcomb in a 6-3 opinion. "This case is about the right of citizens to be left alone in the privacy of their homes," wrote Judge Cathy Cochran in a concurring opinion. [continues 424 words]
Gubernatorial Candidate John Sophocleus Supports Full Legalization Of Marijuana, While Sen. Ted Little, D-Auburn Is Opposed To Any Legalization Of The Drug Alabama state law allows for medical marijuana research programs. However, no program has been operational yet. State bill 559 was passed on July 30, 1979. It allows the State Board of Medical Examiners to create a review committee to administer marijuana therapeutic research programs. Laws require that the programs must study the medical value of marijuana for patients with glaucoma and for patients undergoing chemotherapy for cancer. [continues 820 words]
Methamphetamine use has reached epidemic proportions in Camrose. Commonly called Crystal Meth, the drug that was at the high school level two and a half years ago is now reaching down to 10-year-olds at elementary and junior schools in the city and county. "I don't think we can eliminate the problem because it won't go away, but we want to reduce the numbers. We're not looking for miracles," said Camrose City Police detective Lorne Blumhagen. "We have to balance enforcement and preventative measures." Blumhagen explained to community leaders who deal with youth on a daily basis how 'meth' can be made from products purchased at local stores. He made a community presentation at the Ribstone office, Oct. 17. [continues 134 words]
MORRO BAY - Federal officials are trying to seize a home owned by a now-deceased Morro Bay man who was accused of being a drug trafficker. The U.S. Attorney's Office filed court documents a month ago seeking the seizure of the late Timony Marc Whitelaw's $599,000 home on Juniper Avenue. Whitelaw, a 46-year-old massage therapist, was arrested in August on suspicion of growing marijuana and possession of marijuana for sale. He committed suicide on Sept. 17, according to the county coroner's office. Meanwhile, the government's seizure attempt has tied up Whitelaw's estate. [end]
