On Tuesday, February 2, 2010, Clayton Police Officers were called to 3145 Vinson Road, Clayton (Powhatan Elementary School) to a call of vandalism.

Officers arrived to find that someone has set the interior of a school bus on fire. The damage occurred sometime between January 29th and February 3rd. The Fire Department was not called or notified, because the fire had been out for a period of time when the vandalism was discovered. Additionally, the school reported windows being broken on Jan. 24th.

The Powhatan Elementary School has been the victim of vandalism in the past with suspects breaking out windows to the school and busses in the past. Officers have responded over 5 times in the past year to vandalism calls.

The Clayton Police Department is requesting the public’s help in locating the suspect(s) responsible for these crimes. Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to contact the Detectives Division of the Clayton PD ( 919.553.4611 919.553.4611 ) or their local law enforcement agency / 9-1-1 Center.

Additionally, anyone with information about the location of these suspect(s) may also contact Clayton Crime Stoppers at 359-TIPZ (8479). A cash reward is available for information which leads to the arrest of these suspect(s). Callers may remain confidential.

Gov. Bev Perdue appointed Keith O'Brien Gregory to the District Court bench for the 10th Judicial District for Wake County. Gregory will be appointed to the seat which was created by the General Assembly in 2008.

“For more than 15 years Keith Gregory has distinguished himself as a private practitioner and former prosecutor,” Perdue said. “He will make an excellent addition to the District Court bench.”

Gregory, a senior partner in the law firm of Gregory and McClinton, PLLC in Raleigh, represents clients in District and Superior Court and serves as a mediator. He began his legal career as an assistant public defender in Cumberland County and then worked for four years as a Wake County Assistant District Attorney. Gregory is an active member on several boards and committees in the community. He is currently on the Wake County Bar/10th Judicial District Bar Board of Directors, Wake County Fire Commission, North Carolina State Bar Continuing Legal Education Committee Board Member, 10th Judicial District Bar Fee Dispute Resolution Committee Member and REENTRY, Incorporated Board. He has also served on the N.C Rules Review Commission and the N.C. General Statutes Commission.

Gregory received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia and his law degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law. Gregory was previously married and has one son.

The Goddard School located at 801 Earp Street in Holly Springs has recently earned the Five Star Child Care License. The State of North Carolina has a rating system for all licensed childcare centers. One star is the lowest rating and Five stars is the topmost rating. Top rated schools have well-qualified teachers and maintain desirable class sizes. Other requirements of top rate preschools include multi-cultural books and toys, and high-class health and safety practices.

“We are proud to earn this top honor and be recognized for our commitment to reach the highest professional standards”, said Nandita Upadhyaya, owner of The Goddard School located at 801 Earp Street in Holly Springs. “This recognition demonstrates to our community that children in our program receive the best possible care and learning experiences. Our management and faculty have earned this achievement by performing their very best every day.”

The Goddard School has also earned the top rate Standing Ovation award as recognized by Metro Magazine readers who voted Goddard Schools the top rated Preschools in the Triangle. The schools are earning a reputation for being the best choice for early childhood development wherever they operate throughout the Raleigh-Durham market.

The Holly Springs location opened in March 2008. The school accommodates 136 children, ages 6 weeks to 6 years. Parents are encouraged to drop in for a tour or call Nandita Upadhyaya at the school at 919-552-3196 to arrange for a personal appointment.

Recently named the number one Childcare Franchise in the United States, by Entrepreneur magazine, for the eighth consecutive year (January 2009) and one of the Top 200 Franchise Systems (in worldwide sales), by Franchise Times, for the second consecutive year (October 2008); Goddard Systems, Inc. (GSI) is expanding The Goddard School® network throughout the United States. Headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, GSI currently licenses 320+ franchised schools with more than 40,000 students in 37 states. With a successful system in place and dedicated franchisees, GSI has achieved its initial goal as the acknowledged leader in franchised childcare. The company now has its sights on the next level — recognition as the premier childcare provider in the United States.

For more information about the Goddard School at Holly Springs, please visit:

http://www.goddardschool.com/Schools/Holly-Springs-NC/Schools.gspx