Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010

News Briefs

Two charged in home break-ins

Police charged two Garner men last week in connection with a series of home break-ins that began late last month, authorities reported.

Investigators have charged Irvin Louis Spraggins, 26, of 219 Kentucky Drive; and Ronald Keith Miller, 19, of 323 Kentucky Drive, with nine counts each of felony breaking and entering and larceny, Garner police announced recently.

Police said the residential break-ins started in late July, near the neighborhood where the suspects live.

Someone was committing the break-ins during the day when the residents were away from home, the police reported.

So far, police have recovered more than $1,500 in stolen property. Items include jewelry, cash and small electronics.

Investigators think the break-ins are not related to earlier ones this summer while residents were on vacation.

College welcomes new finance chief

Michael Cross is the new vice president of finance and administration at Johnston Community College in Smithfield.

A native of Whittier, Calif., Cross comes to JCC from N.C. State University, where he was assistant dean for finance and business in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Before N.C. State, Cross was director of financial services at California State University, Los Angeles. He is a certified internal auditor.

JCC President David Johnson said he was pleased to have Cross join the management team at the college. "Mike brings a mixture of experience from higher education and private industry, and probably as important as his experience is the fact that he is a community college graduate," Johnson said. "Mike is a clear thinker with a can-do attitude, and I have the fullest confidence in his ability to help us meet students' needs."

Cross said he was excited about his new career. "With the growth in this community as well as in student enrollment, JCC is poised to do great things," he said. "I truly believe this college is going to make a name for itself in the future, and I look forward to being a part of that success."

Cross earned his master's degree in business administration from California State University, Los Angeles. He received his bachelor's degree from California State University, Fullerton, and his associate's degree from Rio Hondo College in Whittier, Calif. He and his wife, Susan, live in Raleigh.

Clayton schedule

The Town of Clayton has the following events scheduled for August and September:

Labor Day Holiday - Offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 6.

Council meeting - 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7.

2010 Harvest Music Festival - September 15-19.

Board of adjustment meeting - 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 15.

Town Square Concert: The Embers - 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 16.

Council meeting - 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 20.

Surgeon joins Johnston practice

Triangle East Surgery is growing its practice.

Dr. Jeri Dickinson, a native of Holcomb, Kan., is joining the general surgery group, which includes Drs. Dennis S. Koffer, James B. Collins III and Thomas W. Powell.

Dickinson recently completed her residency in general surgery at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. In 2001, she graduated cum laude with bachelor's degrees from Kansas State University in Manhattan. She earned her medical degree in 2005 from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita.

Throughout high school, Dickinson excelled in the sciences, particularly biology. But it was a knee injury during a basketball game that led to her interest in medicine. The surgeon who repaired her torn ligament showed her the anatomy of a knee and explained how he would fix it. She was hooked.

"I love caring for patients and their families," Dickinson said. "I think it's important that surgeons take extra time to explain to patients what they can expect. Patients need to feel comfortable with their decisions."

As a general surgeon, Dickinson is trained to operate on every part of the body, except the brain and the bones. During her residency, she gained valuable experience in doing advanced laparoscopic procedures.

Dickinson and her husband, Jason Ball, live in Clayton. She has since given up basketball, she says, but she and her husband still enjoy outdoor activities such as camping and hiking.

To schedule an appointment, call the Smithfield office at 919-934-5441 or the Clayton office at 919-550-2829.