Page 10 * Thursday, October 2, 2003
NEWS
The Pendulum
Breaking through the bubble
Davidson’s ‘toughest sheriff’ challenged,
indicted on counts of embezzlement
LEXINGTON, N.C. - Davidson County Sheriff Gerald K. Hege, self-described as
the “the toughest sheriff in America,” was suspended in September after being
indicted on charges of embezzling thousands of dollars from his department’s
accounts. He has also been indicted on charges of obstructing justice for trying to
cover up the embezzlement, according to Washington Post reports.
Hege’s shenanigans as sheriff included having the jail painted pink with murals
of teddybears carrying buckets of tears in an effort to taunt inmates and driving
around in a nitrous-oxide propelled hotrod.
Hege is accused of having employees do repairs on his home during work hours
and threatening to fire anyone who helped in criminal investigations of his office,
The Washington Post reports. He also had employees deliver orders of his “Sheriff
Hege’s Lexington-style Barbecue Dip” to restaurants during workdays.
Hege’s face is plastered on billboards, coffee mugs and t-shirts throughout
Davidson County and is widely recognized for his ‘bad to the bone’ reputation.
A possible trial is pending.
National gas prices see sharp decline
AMARILLO, C.A. - Gas prices have dropped an average of 10.23 cents per gallon
since Sept. 12, according to the Lundberg Survey of 8,000 stations. The nationwide aver
age for all grades and brands of gas stands at about $ 1.65 a gallon, according to AP reports.
A drop this large has not occurred since the terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001, when the
nationwide average per gallon dropped from $1.54 to $1.43.
The Lundberg Survey predicts prices will continue to fall gradually throughout the
upcoming fall and winter seasons.
University of Maryland student stabbed,
injured over spilt beer at party
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - A University of Maryland student was stabbed in the
back Saturday morning with an unknown object. He was treated and later released
from a local hospital.
Nicholas Salem, 21, was stabbed following a brawl in College Park Towers
near the university. Salem and another victim both had beer bottles smashed over
their heads, also. The argument and subsequent attack reportedly stemmed from
an argument over spilt beer at two separate parties in the Towers complex.
Two kitchen knives were found by police at the scene.
Prince Georges’ County Police Spokeswoman Cpl. Diana Richardson said the
initial police report made no mention of any arrests in the case, according to The
Diamondback, the university’s student newspaper.
- compiled by Lindsay Porter -
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