Attorney General urges consumers to place free security freeze, monitor credit reports

A recent report by Sony Playstation estimates that more than 780,000 North Carolina residents’ personal information may have been compromised as a result of a hacking incident, Attorney General Roy Cooper said today.

“With just a few key pieces of information, an identity thief can pretend to be you and ruin your good name and credit,” said Cooper. “If you learn that your information may be in the wrong hands, act fast to protect yourself.”

Duke Energy Renewables now owns a 1-megawatt solar farm on the grounds of an elementary school in the southwestern corner of NorthCarolina.

Approximately 4,400 ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) solar modules on the property of the Martins Creek Elementary School in Murphy, N.C., will generate an estimated 1.3 million kilowatt- hours of electricity each year – enough to power more than 150 average-sized homes.

Duke Energy Renewables, part of Duke Energy’s Commercial Businesses, acquired Martins Creek Solar N.C., LLC, from ESA Renewables, LLC, in March 2011.

The Franklin Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting at Deb’s Cats ‘N’ Quilts, to celebrate a major expansion to the store located at 106 W. Palmer Street. The ribbon was cut by shop owner Deb Heatherly and her husband, Phillip. Present to view the cutting were chamber board members, shop staff and customers thrilled with the new space.

Deb’s has been in this location for more than five years with approx. 1650 sq. ft. of retail space. The recent expansion added 2,300 sq. ft. more, giving them almost 4,000 sq. ft. total. New fabric lines were added and the classroom more than tripled in size, which was a big hit with staff and customers alike.

Nobody likes being nagged, but I’m going to risk reader displeasure by reminding everyone that there are hefty financial consequences if you owe income taxes and do not file a return on time – or at least request a filing extension. Ordinarily, the federal income tax deadline is April 15; but this year the IRS has granted a reprieve until April 18. Nevertheless, here’s why procrastinating is a bad idea: