deadlinediva's Blog

Yes, the rumors are true. In just a matter of days I will no longer be sitting in live trucks trying to turn a story for the  5 and 6 o'clock newscasts. For everything in life there really is a season and like many-a-professional athlete who has also faced the reality of time and age, I had to know when to hang it up. Now is that time.

But, I won't be going far. I'm just headed over to Burlington where the fine folks at the Alamance-Burlington School System have given me a wonderful opportunity to serve them in the capacity of Director of Community Relations. While I will miss the adrenaline rushes of hard news, I am sure the next chapter of life will have its own successes. When we talk about the FOX 8 FAMILY, that's not fake. It truly is a wonderful family which adopted me into the fold seven years ago and I am proud to forever be a part of it.  There've been so many stories, so many amazing people I've met in my time here. So, here's what I want you to do. Keep watching FOX 8. Keep writing in the blogs and sharing your thoughts and ideas. Change is never easy, but I'm only a mouse-click away. And know that I still want to hear from you - only now I'm going to be a lot more focused on telling story after story of the outstanding students and faculty of the Alamance-Burlington School System.

Wang Xing has a patch over one of his eyes. It's because he says his eyes were beaten with a golf club. So was his head. He has the scars to prove it. His belly has a hole from a feeding tube. His throat still bears the scars of a ventilator tube. He was in a coma for weeks.

In late July, Wang - who owns the Dragon City Restaurant in High Point - made a food delivery. Unknown to him at the time, it was a ruse. Instead, he says, two men were waiting to rob him at the Raintree Apartment complex in High Point. Armed with a gun and a golf club, he says the men began to beat him - taking his wallet and what little cash he had on him. Then, they left.

He says he staggered to his car, fearful he was going to be followed by the men, decided not to go home. With a wife and three children at home, he envisioned a horrific outcome. So, he drove back to his restaurant and locked himself in the men's room. Then, losing a massive amount of blood from the gashes on his head and body, he passed out.

The next morning, his wife - with three kids in tow - found him. He was near death.

Now that  Wang is out of the hospital, he wonders about his future. He can't afford to pay his bills because he is the sole source of income for his family. He's depended the help of others who have provided for his wife and kids while he's been in the hospital healing.

Still, this 40-year-old Chinese native says he's thankful he came to America. He says the generosity of the people here overwhelms him. However, his pride finds it difficult to accept money from others. It's not something he would ever ask for.

He says he's also thankful to the High Point Police Department for their pursuit of justice in his case - thankful, too, that the men accused are behind bars, unable to hurt anyone else.

Once he regains his strength - both mentally and physically - he hopes to reopen the Dragon City Restaurant. But not until he heals.

And he, more than anyone, knows he's a walking, talking miracle.

It was a long road to recovery for Jeremy, Tiffany and Stephen Pollard. On August 27th, 2007, a head-on collission on Highway 150 in Davidson County nearly cost them their lives. But one year later, after months of care at Baptist Hospital and countless hours of physical therapy, the family is finally on their feet. They say the prayers of others is what saved them. And as strange as it may sound to some, their close brush with death has given Jeremy and Tiffany a greater perspective on life. They say they are thankful for their church family - Union Grove Baptist Church - and are now expecting a new son in October.

If you have thoughts you can share on the miracles this family says they saw over the past year, please share them with us. So many people followed this family, like we did, day after day.

It's nice to be able to share good news... for a change!

Watch the entire video shot by Timothy X of Greensboro. (And yes, that's his name - he changed it to X years ago.)

In it, it shows two Greensboro Police officers struggling with a suspect - 20-year-old Charles A. Montgomery, Jr.

But it's what happens during the struggle that has many asking questions.

Greensboro Police won't identify the officers in the video, nor will they tell us if the officers considered using their tasers or if they did use pepper spray.

All they will say is, "The incident is under review."

You review - you decide. And if you have an opinion on this... let us hear from you.

After much soul searching, Doug Evans and Mindy Stinner were on board with allowing two of their bengal tigers to go to the war-torn- country of Iraq. Not an easy decision for folks who consider their 87 big cats as their children.

So, after many hours of phone tag and ironing out the details, two tigers - Hope and Riley - became the chosen ambassadors of peace.

During the early part of the war, we saw images of the animals being slaughtered for food, others simply running rampant. It was the worst of times. But a few veterinarians stationed with the military at the zoo, took it upon themselves to rebuild the zoo - and in some ways make it better than before.

The military says the Baghdad Zoo, located just out of the green zone, is one of the safest areas around the region. It's a respite for famiies who want to go on vacation between IEDs blowing up on roads around them.

The plan did not come without the ney-sayers. Peta - People for the ethical treatment of animals - say the action violages the cities treaty. And are on the record saying they think the animals are being put intio harms way.

So what do you think?

Should large cats from this region go a world away???

It went from elation to devastation in a matter of seconds.

23-year-old Marxavi Angel Martinez was all smiles when Judge Russell Eliason rebuffed the assistant US attorney‘s request to keep her in custody. Sitting in front of a federal courtroom, she turned around and blew a kiss toward her parents. Her father smiled. To secure her freedom - albeit home incarceration - a close family friend had volunteered his home as a place for her to remain in third-party custody so she could spend time with her 15-month-old son. It would mean she could not leave the home without the friend, or his wife.

The judge asked if she understood if she violated the order, she could go to prison for 10 years and pay a $250-thousand dollar fine. She smiled, shook her head, and said, “Yes, sir.” In spite of handcuffs and shackles… and being flanked by her attorney and three deputy US Marshals… you could the thrill, the delight in her face. But it was to be short-lived.

Within moments of being processed for release, another motion from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) remanded her to federal custody again - keeping her in jail. The extremely petite - maybe four-foot-six librarian… young mother and wife… would stay in her dark blue jail garb and her family would leave the courtroom in tears. In spite of what side you fall on regarding illegal immigration, the sight was still emotional.

 Marxavi came to this country in the arms of her parents as a three-year-old. Her mom and dad, and baby sister, came to this country LEGALLY. They had proper documentation, but then stayed beyond their visa. At which point, ALL became illegal immigrants. Over the past 20 years, Marxavi’s dad has worked hard in kitchens as a cook and dishwasher - working on the side in construction. He made money - more money than he would have made, he says, than in Cancun, Mexico. Marxavi and her sister went to school… graduating in the top of their classes. Marxavi met her high school sweetheart there and two years ago, they married, rented a mobile home and started a family. She also went back to college to become a kindergarten teacher. But it was during this time, she had a social security number - it can be traced back in her school records.

Eventually, Marxavi got a job as a librarian, working for Alamance county. But on her paperwork, where it asked citizenship status, law enforcement says she checked “citizen”. Her co-workers say they loved her gentle, sweet spirit. And the fact that she ALWAYS had a smile on her face. They supported her through her pregnancy… thrilled for the new life within her. But it was during her pregnancy, when she went for prenatal care at the Alamance County Health Department, that put her illegal status in the spotlight. Unbeknownst to the young mother-to-be, as she was getting prenatal treatment, a health director was being investigated by the SBI, which led to names of illegals being dropped, which led to other investigations by a myriad of law enforcement agencies, including local, state and federal agencies investing her and other. Marxavi was arrested, taken away in handcuffs from her job at the local library. Friends and co-workers who witnessed it say they were appalled - not understanding why someone with her pristine record and personal - would be arrested in the first place.

But law enforcement officials say there was nothing they could do. By possessing a social security card that was not issued to her - rather a man who had died in the 1940s - and for claiming to be a US citizen, while putting on her baby’s birth certificate she was born in Mexico, she had broken the law - the federal law.

So, now, her husband Marco Miranda has been arrested - he, too, is illegal. Her parents and sister turned themselves into ICE on Tuesday, admitting to their illegal status - being arrested on administrative charges but released on their own recognizance - as a family member cares for the 15-month-old baby boy. However, when asked if it was worth it, coming to America, her father says it was. Now, they’ll support their daughter’s fight for deportation, knowing the reality is, they’ll all likely head back to Mexico when all is said and done.

So, what do think? Is this fair or not? Should the system be changed or not?

23-year-old Marxavi Angel Martinez was living out the American dream. She married her high school sweetheart, a man she married two years. The two settled down in Graham, rented a mobile home, owned four cars, and have a 15-month-old son,

Marxavi got a job with the local library and is attending college classes, in hopes of becoming a kindergarten teacher.

But her life all changed earlier this week when Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested her at her job.

She called her sister, saying she was scared and worried for her son.

Now, she sits in a jail cell awaiting hearings.

The charges are she claimed to be a US citizen and wasn't AND possessed a social security card... one legally issued, but not to her. In fact the man it belonged to is now dead.

So, what do you think should become of Marxavi?

She came to America when she was only 3. She has a child and has no memory of ever living in Mexico. In fact, she has no immediate famiy there.

Should she be sent "Home"? Where is home for her?

I've never been a circus performer, but I do know what it's like to walk a tightrope.

All too often we tell tragic tales... stories of real human tragedy... of families that shed real tears... whose cries and wails tear at the very heart and soul of anyone who stands in their presence.

Today was one of those days.

I inately knew when I walked into our morning production meeting that I would tell the story of a little boy... and 11-month-old... whom police say was murdered at the hands of his mother's 18-year-old boyfriend.

After getting the hard facts from police - real men, most fathers themselves who were sickened at the sight of a child who died so tragically - I found out where some of the family members lived.

So, photojournalist David Weatherly and I locked the address in to the GPS, and drove to the family's home. On the way we pondered how we'd be received. In some cases, we are welcomed. In others, we are turned away harshly. Everyone deals with death differently.

As we pulled into the driveway, I took a deep breath, opened the door and walked toward the front porch of the home. There a young grandfather met me. He was gracious and kind and thankful that I cared enough about his grandson that I would come and want to honor him. You have no idea how rare that reception is. I told him how sorry I was for his loss and assured him we were there to pay respect to this little boy. As I apologized for having to be there in the first place, I also let him know how his words about his grandson would be an open tribute to him and his short life. Then I saw the child's mother - a young woman herself who was obviously broken-hearted. There was a hollow void in her eyes, a quiver to her lips, a sadness from her soul that permeated the porch.

I asked her if she wanted to tell the story of what happened. At first she shook her head "no". I understood. It's a lot to ask anyone  to recount such a horrible event, much less the woman who had given birth to him only months before. Then, she recanted. She didn't want the microphone on her, which I held in my hand instead, but she would tell the story so other young mothers would not make her mistake. Her message was for mothers not to leave their children with just anyone. She said she walked outside the motel room for a few minutes to smoke a cigarette and while she was outside her boyfriend became enraged with her baby's crying. She says he admitted to her later that he didn't mean to do it, but he got so angry. She says she did not know when she walked back inside and saw the baby "twitching" that he was actually dying. Hours later she says she awakened to change the baby's diaper and found him still and lifeless. He was pronounced dead at a hospital that was only about 500 feet away.

It is a tightrope when telling these stories. As a journalist, you don't want to exploit a family's grief, ever. Never. But you realize stories have a short shelf-life and you have an obligaton to viewers to share as much about the story as you possibly can from those who were there, who can shed light and tell the story acurately.

As a mom myself, I can tell you I am heartbroken for this family that they would ever have to go through such grief. I ache for a child who will not take his first step, speak his first word, grow into a man and have his own kids. Being the conduit between the victims and the viewers is not always easy. But it is an honor and a privilege I do not take lightly.

Is the sale of Petty Enterprises a sign of racing times? A precursor of what's to come with other racing dynasties? We saw it with Roush Racing... and Evernham Racing... where partners became important to be remain competitive.

Now, it's the King who has been trumped by time and money. For 60 years... six decades and four generations, the Petty family raced from Level Cross. Late last year, they moved to Mooresville. Little did we know (for sure) that it was the first step for what was to come: the sale of a majority interest in the team to a Boston-based sports and entertainment captial investment company called Boston Ventures. At a news conference on Wednesday, at the Lowes Motor Speedway, Richard and Kyle Petty made it official. 

Even in his podium speech, behind the sunglasses, under a trademark cowboy hat, with his bright white grin, the King said the decision was somewhat emotional... but necessary to become competitive again. The team, which has won on in big league racing some 200 times, and won 7 championships, hasn't seen victory lane since 1999. Both Kyle Petty and his dad admitted the past few years have been a struggle.

So, instead of selling out completely, they took a compromise... taking on Boston Venture as a majority partner... crowning Richard Petty as chairman Emeritus and Kyle as the company spokesman.

So is this just the beginning? Will other racing giants like Hendricks or Childress have to take on partners to see victory circle? Or will franchising teams finally come into play, as has been bantered for years?  

One Guilford County lawmaker wants a study on medical marijuana, in hopes of making it legal for people who suffer from medical problems that could benefit from the drug.

Representative Earl Jones of Greensboro says 12 states already allow doctors to prescribe pot for medical reasons. He's sponsoring a JOINT RESOLUTION (no jokes please) authorizing the legislative research commission "to study issues related to the public benefits of allowing marijuana or its chemical equivalent to be used for medical purposes."

It's an idea that's been studied before. One of the premiere researchers in the country on abusive drugs, including marijuana, is Dr. Steve Childers from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. He was part of a two-year study for the Institute of Medicine, a study commissioned by Congress.

He says marijuana does have benefits from some cancer patients who suffer the effects of chemotherapy. It quells the nausea and vomitting. He said it also helps AIDS patients increase their appetite. And some patients musculo-skeletor diseases, like MS, are also reaping rewards.

However, not everyone supports the idea. The North Carolina Family Policy Council sent me this email:

Ms. Myers,
Thank you for your call and the opportunity to comment on House Bill 2405-LRC Study/Alternative Medicines.

The North Carolina Family Policy Council opposes this legislation.  Although the bill calls for a study of “whether a public benefit would be derived from making it lawful for physicians to prescribe and patients to possess and use marijuana or its chemical equivalent for medicinal purposes only,” the only legitimate purpose for a study of marijuana is to promote its legalization in North Carolina. Considering that our state lawmakers are currently spending a great deal of time seeking to address issues like gang activity and the high school dropout rate, it would be counterproductive to use their time and the taxpayer’s dollars to study the “benefits” of smoking pot.

Please let me know if you have further questions.
Sincerely,

John

John L. Rustin
Vice President & Director of Government Relations
North Carolina Family Policy Council
P.O. Box 20607
Raleigh, North Carolina 27619
Phone:  919-807-0800
Fax:  919-807-0900
Email: jrustin@ncfamily.org

So, what are your thoughts? Should North Carolina become the 13th state in the country to allow people to use marijuana for medical reasons?

If horses are your passion... and harmony  in your soul is what you need, then a weekend at a dude ranch could be exactly what you need. But, with gas prices being so high, it may be seem unaffordable. Lucky for you, there's a dude ranch right down the road... literally... in Randolph County.

Branded Oak Ranch is nestled in the community of Level Cross... a town known for lots of horsepower, thanks to Richard Petty. But this is horsepower at a slower, more laid-back speed.

There are over 400 acres of trails to ride on. There are places to bunk... be it the lodge or the log cabins. Babbling brooks are around many corners and there are plenty of spots to set up camp. It all depends on your pleasure.

It's also a very kid-friendly place. And if you don't own your own horse, you can rent one.

The owners - Ken and Leslie - will make your stay comfy. You'll feel like you're in Texas... only you're really still in the Tar Heel State! Horses and Hospitality. What a great combination. And Ken plays a mean guitar by the fireside.

Get away for a weekend... but don't go too far!

The cost depends on the package you select.

Want to contact them?

They're located at 5700 Old Walker Mill Road.

Phone: 336-736-4101 or email at brandedoak.triad.rr.com

I couldn't help but wish my grandmother was still alive. Lois Parnell loved her orchids. She raised them by hand... cared for them like I care for my sweet dog, Poochie.

Like many of you, I didn't even know North Carolina HAD an Orchid Conservatory, so when photojournalist David Weatherly and I made the commute to Belmont, a small town just south of Charlotte on Interstate 85, we were both blown away by the beauty.

Located inside the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens, the Orchid Conservatory is a tranquil getaway from the daily grind. This glass house is home to thousands of tropical plants, with the 5-story wall of orchids being the star.

It only cost 10 bucks to get in - and that includes walking through the rest of the gardens which contains lovely foliage and fountains. It's a great respite, a wonderful way to spend a day.

The thing I found most fascinatng is how people of all ages enjoyed the Orchid Conservatory equally. It was a great "leveler" for people from 25 to 95.

So, if you're looking for a relaxing way to spend the day, as well as a  place that won't bust your budget, the Orchid Conservatory on the northern shores of Lake Wylie is the place for you.

The story we did recently on Churches in Change has struck a chord with many of you.

For those who didn't see it, here's the gist of the story: For churches to remain vibrant and alive, many are having to come up with creative ideas to draw people in. The church we focused on was Osborne Baptist in Eden. They have installed a state-of-the-art coffee shop, complete with wi-fi internet capability, a 5 story children's tree house and have large flat-screen video monitors throughout the building. And the music is not out of the old hymnals. No more "Old Rugged Cross." Now it is more "prayer and praise" music. The organ was long since done away with, replaced with guitars and drums.

So, what do YOU think? Do churches need to change to keep them full? As long as the message hasn't changed, does it matter to you if the methods have? I really want to hear from you on this. You're the most insightful people I know!!! LOL!!!

The news business can be ruff... really ruff... just ask Delilah.

As photojournalist Nathan Parsons and I sat eating lunch at Bear Rock Cafe behind Furnitureland South in Jamestown, we saw a yellow lab darting in and out between cars.

The longer we watched, the more we saw the dog dodging death - cars, nearly hitting her several times.

As we walked out the out the door, the dog was trying to get in. Nathan and I cornered her. She was quite hyper, but we were able to read her tag, which said, "High Point Veterinary Clinic."

So, we loaded the dog into the news van and headed toward Main Street.

Upon arrival, we found out the 2-year-old yellow lab was named Delilah. According to Donna, who called Delilah's parents, she had escaped while her "dad" was mowing the lawn.

And as this dog tale would have it, it has a happy ending. Delilah is happy at home... but no bones about it... she liked being a news dog, if only for a moment.

Back in 2003, in the early days of the War in Iraq, my photographer, Chris Weaver, and I drove to Salisbury to see the members of the 846 Transportation Unit - an Army Reserve Unit - deploy for the first time to Iraq. In the days that followed, we did story after story of their wives and children, husbands and parents, as they waited and worried... feared and fretted. Then, when they returned home, we were there again... and again.

Now, for the third time, the 846 is returning to war. Although many of the first group have retired or left the military, we still saw some familiar faces. Like Brenda Reid. She's a mother of three. The first time we met her, her kids were one, 10 and 11. I remember her sister had not gotten to the ceremony in time and Brenda had to hand the child over to me, so she could line up. That baby is now 6. And once again, Brenda's sister is taking care of her kids. Brenda, who works as a counselor in a boy's rehabilitation home, says she has 12 more years before she can retire. And like the strong soldier she is, she's not afraid. She takes a lot of honor in the fact she is serving her country.

So does Marvin Brooks of Walkertown. In his civilian life, Brooks works as a lineman for Duke Energy. But driving a truck is his passion. He jokes about the last time he was in Iraq that word got out he was an electrician and he ended up fixing a lot of generators. He expects to do the same thing this time, and that's okay with him.

Then there's Travis Cox - what a trip he is! He and his brother used to have a gas station down the road from our TV station. Travis loves his job. He says he can't wait to run the trucks up and down the roads of Iraq. Travis is probably the unit's biggest extravert. His sense of humor helps keep morale up.

We also met Freddy McCall of Asheboro. For Freddy, the hardest thing about leaving is leaving his dog Sarin behind. He has raised the 7-year-old Shepherd/Chow mix since she was found as an abandoned puppy. She was there at his going-away ceremony, too. Lucky for Freddy and Sarin, his neighbor, John, has agreed to care for her.

But the group will be in goods. Captain Emilio Rodriguez, a native of Puerto Rico, is the unit commander. He promised family members in attendance he would take great care of each soldier, and told the soldiers, if they didn't write letters home at least twice a week, they'd be in big trouble! (Of course he was joking!) And even though Rodriguez is a strong leader, he, too, shed a few tears as he said goodbye to his little boy Andre.

No matter your stand on the war itself, prayers for these soldiers over the next 400 days of deployment will be covetted.