Beginning the first few weeks in February, Duke Energy customers will have to start paying a little more on their monthly power bill. The North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) has officially approved Duke Energy Carolinas’ request for an average increase of 7.2 percent on the average customer’s electric rates in North Carolina.

After holding public hearings across the state, Duke Energy Carolinas and the North Carolina Public Staff reached an agreement which called for the rate hike of 7.2 percent instead of the original request of 15 percent.

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Candidates gear up to claim Governor’s seat.

Last week the news waves were hot as word spread that North Carolina Governor Beverly Perdue would not be seeking reelection for a second term.

Perdue, who first assumed office in January of 2009, cited that her decision not to run for another term was influenced by the “highly partisan times” and felt that a reelection campaign would only make bipartisan efforts within the state more difficult.

Veteran lawmaker will seek a seventh term in House District 120

Rep. Roger West (RMarble) announced today that he will seek re-election to the North Carolina House of Representatives, where he has served since first being elected in 2000.

“It is an honor to serve the citizens of the 120th District,” West said. “For over a decade, I have fought for my constituents in far Western North Carolina, and I’m hopeful I can continue to do so for a seventh term.”

The United States Constitution mandates for citizens to be at least 25 years old before serving in the U.S. House of Representatives. A citizen must be at least 30 to serve in the United States Senate and 35 to be the nation’s Commander in Chief. On Jan. 30, Ethan Wingfield, a 26 yearold native of Buncombe County, announced his candidacy to be the next Congressional Representative of the 11th district of North Carolina. He formally filed to run on Dec. 22, 2011. Clearly, the new candidate believes his youth will be an asset rather than a liability.

The house seat is occupied by Democratic incumbent Heath Shuler, who has served WNC in Congress since defeating Republican Charles Taylor in the 2006 midterm elections.