Sunrise Headlines
Suspected Lenoir County Drug Dealer Arrested Last Updated: 6:28 AM 02/08/12 - A suspected Lenoir County drug dealer was arrested after someone tipped off police about suspicious activity. (Full Story)
	UPDATE: Motel Room Meth Lab Suspect, Now Charged In High Speed Chase 50 Comments Last Updated: 8:09 PM 02/08/12 - The Highway Patrol confirms a suspect busted for manufacturing methamphetamine at a Kill Devil Hills motel is back in jail after a high-speed chase along U.S. 64. (Full Story)
	Report: Teen Pregnancy Lowest In 40 Years 5 Comments Last Updated: 4:54 AM 02/08/12 - A new report from the Guttmacher Institute reveals teen pregnancies have reached their lowest level in almost 40 years. (Full Story)
	Halifax Man Charged With Stealing Nearly 50 Samurai Swords 12 Comments Last Updated: 9:12 AM 02/08/12 - A Halifax man is behind bars Wednesday morning after he was arrested for attempting to sell almost 50 stolen samurai swords, according to the Roanoke Rapids Daily. (Full Story)
	North Carolina Parties Submit 11 Names For Presidential Primary 2 Comments Last Updated: 3:37 AM 02/08/12 - More than half of the candidates expected on North Carolina's presidential primary ballots in May come from the Libertarian Party. (Full Story)
More Headlines...

Monday, February 6, 2012
Who: Bobby Merritt, Lenoir Community College
What: Neuse River Music Fest
When: Friday, February 17 - Saturday, February 18
Where: Lenoir Community College Gym, Highway 70 East, Kinston
Phone: (252) 233-6865
Web: www.lenoircc.edu
Details: Formerly known as the Kinston Winter Bluegrass Festival, the Neuse River Music Fest will be held on February 17-18, 2012 at Lenoir Community College. In addition to the continued tradition of bluegrass music, the LCC Foundation is expanding this festival by adding country entertainment to the program.
This year's bluegrass entertainment includes fan favorites Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, Marty Raybon, The Gibson Brothers, Rodney Dillard & the Dillard Band, Al Batten & the Bluegrass Reunion, and the Grass Cats. VIP tickets available which include an exclusive reception with Rhonda.
Sponsored by WRNS, country performer Sunny Sweeney will be singing "From a Table Away", her newest hit "Drink Myself Single", and much more. Check out our VIP tickets which will include an intimate reception with Sunny.
Bluegrass and country fans are treated to an entire weekend of music, food prepared onsite by Bojangles' and the LCC Grill, RV parking, VIP tickets, raffles, and more. The volunteers, committee, staff/faculty, ENCBA, and LCC administration are vital to the success of this event, so thank you for your support each year. Proceeds from this event benefit the Lenoir Community College Foundation Scholarship Program.

Who: Kelly Jochim, Development Coordinator, Pamlico-Tar River Foundation, Peter Beogetter
What: Kayak Fishing Clinic
When: Saturday, February 18, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Where: NC DENR Division of Marine Fisheries Conference Room (943 Washington Street) in Washington
Phone: (252)946-7211
Web: www.ptrf.org
Details: Enjoy the Tar-Pamlico River the best way possible: by fishing on it like a pro! You are invited to join local fishing experts and the Pamlico-Tar River Foundation (PTRF) on February 18th from 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM at the NC DENR Division of Marine Fisheries Conference Room (943 Washington Street) in Washington for the second edition to our fishing series, "Kayak Fishing".
Local fishing experts will provide information on the most popular species found in the river and the best way to fish for them in a properly outfitted kayak. Information will range from how to outfit a kayak for fishing to how to fly fish from a kayak. Informational handouts will be provided, and there will be plenty of time for questions and answers after each fisherman presents.


Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Who: Jeff Charles, Voice of the Pirates
What: Morning Drive with Jeff Charles
When: Weekdays, 7 a.m. - 8 a.m.
Where: Pirate Radio 1250 & 930 AM
Web: www.pirateradio1250.com
Details: "The Morning Drive" will be a fast paced and live morning show with updates on local news, sports, weather, traffic, plus a variety of daily features.


Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Who: Volunteer, Humane Society of Eastern Carolina
What: Pet of the Week
Phone: (252) 413-7247
Web: www.hsecarolina.org


Thursday, February 9, 2012
Who: Dawn Watson, Nursing Instructor at Wilson Community College. Clairice Dail, Nursing Student (class president of the Associate Degree Nursing Class of 2013)
What: Spaghetti Dinner Fund Raiser
When: Thursday, February 9
Where: Wilson Community College, 902 Herring Avenue, Wilson
Phone: (252) 246-1452
Details: My name is Dawn Watson and I am a nursing instructor at Wilson Community College. We are raising funds for our Nurse Education Endowment by holding a spaghetti dinner fund raiser. The event is February 9th and I would like to come to the studio to let everyone know about the fund raiser and the nurse it is named for, Priscilla Ballance. The endowment benefits nurse education. Plates are $8 dollars each and local delivery is available with purchase prior to February 6th. Plates are also available at the door.

Who: Bob Hanrahan, Brotherhood of Harmony
What: Valentine's Day Singing Telegrams
Phone: Greenville - (252) 321-7992, Washington - (252) 944-6567
Details: The singing telegrams are a fundraiser for the Brotherhood of Harmony Barbershop Chorus


Who: Chris Howell, Chairman, Charlie Brown Emergency Services Foundation. Braxton Manning, Vice Chairman, Charlie Brown Emergency Services Foundation
What: 2nd Annual Charlie Brown Emergency Services Foundation Gospel Concert
When: February 11, 7 p.m. Doors Open at 6 p.m.
Where: Martin County Auditorium, Williamston
Phone: (252) 217-4543
Web: www.charliebrownesf.org
Details: Featuring Gold City Quartet & Steadfast Quartet, Free Admission with Love offering to support foundations scholarship program. Concession and raffle items available.


Friday, February 10, 2012
HOW COOL IS YOUR SCHOOL? John Small Elementary in Washington

Who: Bobbie Parsons, Saving Graces for Felines
What: Cat Adoptions at PetsMart
When: Monday - Friday 2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sundays 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Where: PetsMart in Greenville
Phone: (252) 355-3404
Web: www.savinggraces4felines.com

NAME: Heather King TITLE: WITN News at Sunrise Anchor and Executive Producer E-MAIL: heather.king@witn.com ALMA MATER: University of Missouri PREVIOUS STATIONS: KOMU-TV MARRIED: Happily! CHILDREN: Lauren and Dixie the Dog FAVORITE TV SHOW: How I Met Your Mother FAVORITE BAND: U2, Kelly Clarkson FAVORITE BOOK: Impossible to pick a favorite, but one of the best recent ones is "The Glass Castle" by Jeanette Walls FAVORITE FOOD: Homemade pizza FAVORITE BEVERAGE: Green tea FAVORITE THING TO DO ON YOUR DAY OFF: Sleep in, spend time with my family, try new recipes - especially baking! FAVORITE SEASON: Autumn FUN FACT: I’m the youngest of four, and the shortest in my family. I am a towering 5’1” tall. IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERTED ISLAND AND COULD ONLY TAKE ONE ITEM WITH YOU, WHAT WOULD IT BE?: An airplane so I could fly home.

BIOGRAPHY:
Heather King always knew she wanted to be a journalist and tell stories, but she didn't figure out the TV part of it until high school. Heather says, "don't laugh, but a few years on the Glenbard West speech team made the difference." So, she left the Chicago suburb where she grew up for the heart of the Midwest and headed to the University of Missouri.

Heather worked as a reporter and anchor at KOMU-TV, the NBC affiliate in Columbia, Missouri. The minute she felt the buzz and energy of an actual newsroom, she knew she picked the right career. Heather's reporting has been recognized by the Radio and Television News Directors Association, the Society of Professional Journalists and the Society of Environmental Journalists.

Heather is the anchor and executive producer of WITN News at Sunrise and also reports. She's been fascinated by morning news since an internship with a Chicago television station. Heather will admit she hasn't always been a morning person, but she says it's easy to wake up well before the sun when you love your job!

Getting into work early often means getting out of work early in the day. That schedule has allowed Heather to enjoy quality time with her daughter each afternoon. She is also a member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Pitt County Corporate Board and is on the committee that plans the annual MS Walk in Greenville.

Heather and her husband Chris live in Greenville with their daughter, Lauren, and their dog, Dixie.

________________________________________________________________________

NAME: Jim Howard TITLE: Meteorologist WITN News at Sunrise E-MAIL: jim.howard@witn.com ALMA MATER: Florida State University PREVIOUS STATIONS: WMBB in Panama City, FL MARRIED: Yes CHILDREN: Two Stepsons FAVORITE TV SHOW: Law and Order: Criminal Intent FAVORITE MOVIE: Reservoir Dogs FAVORITE BAND: Billy Joel FAVORITE SONG: "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant" by Billy Joel FAVORITE BOOK: "Isaac's Storm" by Erik Larson FAVORITE FOOD: Michaelangelos Pizza in Greenville FAVORITE BEVERAGE: Dr. Pepper FAVORITE THING TO DO ON YOUR DAY OFF: Toss up between working in the yard and sleeping FAVORITE SEASON: Winter FUN FACT: I've skydived over 40 times. I've got an irrational fear of wasps. IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A DESERTED ISLAND AND COULD ONLY TAKE ONE ITEM WITH YOU, WHAT WOULD IT BE?: Computer with satellite internet connection...I could learn survival skills off the internet.

BIOGRAPHY:
"There's gonna be weather, whether or not."

These were the words Jim Howard's grandfather would tell him every time Jim would start talking about approaching snow. Growing up in Poughkeepsie, New York allowed Jim many opportunities to bug his family about the snow. Now, living in North Carolina allows him to bug them about hurricanes as well!

Jim's road to Eastern Carolina went from a childhood in upstate New York to his adolescence in South Florida. Looking out the airplane window his first time flying into West Palm Beach, Jim turned to his mom and said "look, there's snow on the ground!" Jim says she gave him a funny smile. The smile turned into a laugh when they stepped off the plane and Jim realized that the "snow" was sand, and the air felt like a furnace! This is just one of many experiences that fueled Jim's desire to learn more about the earth's atmosphere.

Jim's passion for weather took him to Florida State University, where he received a Bachelor's degree in Meteorology. Within a week, he secured his first job, as the morning meteorologist for a Panama City, Florida television station. Although he was very excited about his first job, he quickly discovered one big problem. He would have to readjust his alarm clock from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Strong coffee and cold showers became a regular part of his morning!

Jim says he was a fully transformed "morning person" when offered the opportunity to work as the meteorologist on WITN-7 News at Sunrise in 2001. With family in both New York and Florida, Eastern Carolina has proved to be the perfect location for Jim. He says being a part of WITN-7 News at Sunrise has been rewarding beyond his expectations. The people of Eastern Carolina are as kind and generous as any he's every met, and the variety of weather keeps him on his toes! From snow and hurricanes, to severe thunderstorms and flooding threats, Jim says there's one thing that can be definitely said about our climate:

"There's gonna be weather, whether or not!"