He says farmers must be sure that new legislators know that agriculutre is still the state's top industry. Easley also says the move toward contract buying of tobacco will put some auction houses out of business, but that it may result in more profit for farmers and therefore help local economies. A new charter school has the blessings of the state Board of Education, and two more are about to open their doors. The board approved the charter of Gaston College Preparatory in Northampton yesterday. Two others charter schools, in Burke and Franklin counties, could start their schools, leaving three slots under the 100 charter-school cap set by state law.
Board members say they tried to create geographical diversity with their recommendations.
Each of the schools that received a go-ahead is in a county that does not currently have charter schools. The board will decide on the final three slots next month. They climbed trees, set bonfires and even overturned a car, but most of the post-game victory party in Chapel Hill went without a major incident last night. Police blocked off a one-block section of Franklin Street to allow the party to go on unimpeded. Chapel Hill Police spokeswoman Jane Cousins says police estimate about six-thousand people joined in the spontaneous party.