Woodley, a University of Michigan defensive end who is projected as a first-round NFL pick, and Ryan, a Michigan State University defensive tackle who also is an NFL draft prospect, got the ball rolling on the fundraising event in 2005 after city budget cuts eliminated rec efforts around town. Woodley, a University of Michigan defensive end who is projected as a first-round NFL pick, and Ryan, a Michigan State University defensive tackle who also is an NFL draft prospect, got the ball...

County representatives: Smoking ban would violate rights Seth Stratton Staff Writer Thursday, March 29, 2007 Similar bills proposed in both chambers of the North Carolina General Assembly are calling for a smoking ban in all public places and worksites, but Rockingham County legislators argue the bill would violate personal property rights. County representatives: Smoking ban would violate rights Seth Stratton Staff Writer Thursday, March 29, 2007 Similar bills proposed in both chambers of...

I stared out at the same wild, coastal view that a dying George Orwell took in whenever he raised his eyes from writing his last book, the dystopian epic, "1984. Back in 1946, after Orwell published "Animal Farm" to rave notices and considerable success, a long-sought, steady income he called "fairy gold" began to flow in. Eventually, we surmounted the last rolling hill (Scots do not call them "moors" -- that's an English word) and could see the white stone farmhouse glinting in the...