Charlie Kernodle, of the Personal Defense and Handgun Safety Center, says the latter really doesn't surprise him.

"More and more people now are learning how to shoot; a lot of couples learn to shoot," he said. "A lot of 40, 50 and 60 year-olds who have never fired weapons are coming in to take lessons."

"I would say that's probably tripled. One of the other instructors would do as many as 15 to 30 people in one week that are new to shooting."

According to the Wall Street Journal, gun sales were up earlier in the year: 27 percent for the first few months compared to the same time the year before. It meant 4 million background checks, which is one of the best measures of gun sales, according to the journal.

Kernodle said gift cards are popular here at the center; that giving a gun blindly for Christmas is not the best idea.

"You need to know how to use that particular gun," he said. "People should look at it as a sport. If you've never fired a gun before - to some people - it can be sort of frightening."

Jenny Jump came here to the center to fire a weapon for the third time. She doesn't want to own one. But she said she wants to protect herself by knowing how they work.

"The majority of things go wrong when you don't know what to do," Jump said.
"Even those who don't want a gun - too many safety issues for children or whatever - at least become knowledgeable as to how to operate one. So if one is ever in your distance, you're going to know. It's something worth taking the time if it's going to save your life."

Click here to read more about what people want this Christmas.

The university said Tuesday that a group of students and faculty selected Grisham to speak at the May 9 ceremony.

Grisham is the author of more than 20 books, including thrillers like "A Time to Kill" and "The Client." Nine have been made into movies. His latest book is his first collection of short fiction, called "Ford County." It was published earlier this month.

Next month's speaker for the Chapel Hill university's December commencement is Dr. Lisa Carey, the medical director of the UNC Breast Center.

The Health Department has received an additional supply of seasonal and H1N1 vaccines. A clinic will be held on Nov. 17 from 2-7 p.m. for children under the age of 18.

The clinic will be held at the Public Health Department, located at 517 N. Bright Leaf Boulevard in Smithfield.

Those seeking a vaccine must bring along their insurance card.

For more information, click here or call (919) 989-5600.

Talecris Biotherapeutics announced its Clayton plant in Johnston County beat out another location for an expansion.

The expansion is a $268 million investment that will create 259 jobs over 7 years. Currently, about 1,800 hundred people work for Talecris in Johnston County.

Jobs won't be immediate. Talecris will break ground for the expansion in the second quarter of 2010 and expects the project to take several years to complete.

Governor Bev Perdue made the announcement about the expansion Friday morning, and said the investment is important for the county and the state.

"The bottom line is, North Carolina is on the right track unlike other states and we're moving forward," Perdue said.

According to the Governor's Office, new jobs will pay an average salary of $51,066, not including benefits, which is higher than the Johnston County average of $33,800. That's good news for a county where top employers like Caterpillar and ConAgra Foods have cut way back.

The excitement is spreading to the Johnston Community College Workforce Development Center next to Talecris, where people are trained in biotech. It serves as a continuing education center for current Talecris employees, but Johnston Community College President David Johnson said people who hope to work at the company one day are also trained at the facility.

"They're very excited and this is a great opportunity for us to continue with our economic development opportunities here in Clayton," Johnson said.

As long as certain targets like job creation are met, Talecris will receive a $3.66 million Job Development Investment Grant from the state. It will also receive a $250,000 dollar grant from the "One North Carolina Fund" as long as it's matched by local government incentives.

Talecris Executive Vice President of Operations Mary Kuhn said the decision was close between expanding in Clayton and another location.

"The incentives were certainly helpful in supporting the investment but as well the rich biotechnology support that we have in the region," Kuhn said.

Computer company Dell recently left North Carolina despite a huge incentive deal, but Perdue said incentives are still a helpful tool to help keep companies like Talecris investing in the state.

"Incentives are part of every single recruitment job I do," Perdue said.

Talecris Biotherapeutics will expand its plant in Clayton, according to the Triangle Business Journal. The paper said the expansion will mean a $270 million investment and 250 new jobs.

An official announcement is expected Friday morning.

The expansion is a big deal for a county that's been hit hard with layoffs.

Lisa Alves said there is a steady stream of people applying for jobs at the gas station convenience store where she works.

"There are people coming in daily asking for jobs and applying for jobs and coming back and checking on the jobs; you can see it's hitting hard," Alves said.

First construction giant Caterpillar laid off employees. Then nearby ConAgra Foods announced they'd cut back after an explosion that killed three people and destroyed a section of the building.

But the possible Talecris announcement is giving hope to people like Kelley Shields.

"It'll bring a lot of people to come and try and find jobs to that company," said Shields, who is job hunting.

It's not clear if local and state incentives were used to lure the company to expand in Clayton.

Johnston County Commissioner Wade Stewart would not confirm it's the Talecris plant that's expanding, only saying there will be a "good news" announcement Friday.

"People need jobs and a plant expansion like this is a wonderful thing for Johnston County," Stewart said. "There's going to be some six-figure jobs and 10 to 15-dollar-an-hour jobs."

High water has been reported along creeks flowing into the Roanoke river in nourtheast Halifax county, Patch Rubber road in Weldon has been closed due to high water. Persistent rainfall into streams and saturated soils will continue the risk of flash flooding thorugh early afternoon.

A downed tree on Maynard Road and Ralph Drive in Cary caused two separate five-vehicle accidents Thursday morning, but the tree has since been cleared from the road.

NBC 17 Precision Traffic

Raleigh Police believe strong winds overnight knocked down telephone powerlines onto Corporation Parkway and New Bern Avenue in Raleigh, forcing police to close the road in that area.

A flood warning has been issued for the Neuse and Haw rivers. 

Rainfall totals, so far have been 4 to 5", more rain is expected this afternoon with another inch possible.  A Wind Advisory for wind with gusts up to 35 mph is in effect for the area until early Friday morning.  This will be strong enough to bring down some trees and possibly cause power outages.

Temperatures will hold in the 50s both Thursday and Friday.  Rain should let up Friday morning with light scattered rain and drizzle mainly in the morning, improving to sunshine and 70s for the weekend.

Get More Details On The Latest Forecast & Check Out Radar Here

Apartment dwellers on Dana Drive in Raleigh are keeping a wary eye on the water from Crabtree Creek that rushes past their homes.

“I’m concerned because I’ve been in two floods over here before,” said resident Abdul Abdarrahin.

Every 30 minutes Abdul says he checks the water level and if it reaches a tree near his apartment, he’s out of there.

“I’m waiting and when I see that water coming, I’ll stop, take our cars and go stay with friends or something,” he said.

On the other side of the apartment complex, one resident was less worried Wednesday night than she was Wednesday morning because the creek didn’t look as threatening as it did earlier.

“Our concern was little higher this morning as it was rising more and more,” explained Victoria Krantz. “But now, the water has defiantly gone down 6 to 12 inches.”

Meanwhile, the Army Corps of Engineers says the area's two major water supplies need this precipitation.

“Any rainfall in the Piedmont area will help our projects,” said Daniel Emerson, a hydrologic engineer with the Corps.

With Falls Lake three and a half feet below normal and with Jordan Lake two feet below where it needs to be, the Army Corps says it has plenty of room to take whatever amount of water is dumped into the watershed from this storm system.

“We have not increased discharges at Jordan or Falls Lake so no one has to worry about our contribution to any downstream flooding,” said Emerson.
Crabtree Valley Mall has blocked off parking areas prone to flooding, just in case.

In Chapel Hill, Bollin Creek along Estes Drive was filled to the brim by Wednesday afternoon. It's an area that floods easily, so officials will keep an eye on it.

Hall had just moved to Smithfield, Stevens said.

Stevens introduced him to people in the community. He even wrote a recommendation for Hall to get a job in the brokerage industry, Stevens said.

Through the years, Stevens often stopped by Hall's downtown restaurant.

"We felt that we knew Mark very well and were very comfortable with him. And that's why we did business with Mark," Stevens said. "The extent of it was that I totally trusted the person. I told him to start with, ‘I need someone who can control my money.'"

Stevens never suspected his investments were in danger until September, when he found out that Hall's office had closed and that Hall was arrested and accused of embezzlement.

"I actually was ill. I couldn't eat," said Stevens, who believes he lost about half of the money he invested with Hall. "I've always been an easygoing person, am an easygoing person. I'm afraid this has changed me. I'm afraid I'm going to be more cynical... this is absolutely eating me alive."

He is not alone. The North Carolina Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division, which is investigating Hall, has more fraud cases than ever before, according to Commissioner Wayne Goodwin. Goodwin attributes it to the high unemployment rate.

"Fraud comes in many forms. And one thing which I have learned is that it can happen to anybody," he said.

But Goodwin offers tips on how you can protect yourself:

-Always get a second opinion
-Ask family members to help with background checks
-Check out companies with the Department of Insurance
-Always ask brokers for verification and statements
-Never sign blank forms
-Never pay in cash for premiums
-And keep every record.

"I don't want to discourage people from developing trusting relationships. But you should always, always, when you are talking about your security get as much background information as you can and verify that that trust is warranted," Goodwin said.

The trust that Stevens placed in Hall has been costly.

"At 69 years of age, I've had to go back to work full-time as much as I can. Not a whole lot of jobs for 69-year-old men," Stevens said.

He will not be at peace until Hall is convicted and sent to prison, Stevens said.

Hall is in the Johnston County jail under $600,000 bond. More charges may be pending against him.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

To visit the website of the North Carolina Department of Insurance, click here.

To reach the North Carolina Department of Insurance Criminal Investigations Division, call 919-807-6840.

To reach the North Carolina Department of Insurance Consumer Services Division, call 1-800-546-5664.

Senior citizens with questions about fraud can also call the Seniors Health Insurance Information Program at 1-800-443-9354

A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. with Mayor Ronnie Williams of Garner and Mayor Jody McLead of Clayton in attendance.

The restaurant chain is opening its 72nd franchise location and 51st location in North Carolina at the intersection of Highway 42 and Interstate 40, on the left across the street from Wal-Mart.

Click here for more information about the tax credits.

Triangle Food Tour offers two walking guided tours featuring some of the city's best and most unique restaurants.

"We're really ambassadors for the city," said Julie Rulifson, a guide for the food tour. "People maybe have never been to downtown Raleigh, or maybe they've lived here for years and just don't get a chance to come down."

A Saturday tour features international cuisines. A Thursday morning edition features Southern cooking and comfort foods.

"It's an opportunity to walk the streets and see all of the little nooks and crannies," Rulifson said.

As you walk just enough to build up an appetite between the six of seven restaurant stops you'll also pick up some tidbits of local history as your guide points out local restaurants.

"There's lots of history," said Kim Humphrey, who took part in a Thursday morning tour. "You get a different perspective, walking rather than just driving through."

Click here for more information.

The state and local tax exempt products-including appliances like washers, freezers, refrigerators, air conditioners, dishwashers, and thermostats-meet federal guidelines for energy efficiency.

Generally, the Energy Star appliances cost more than less efficient models, but they should save money in the long run by trimming utility bills and making owners eligible for tax credits.

Energy Star appliances that are intended to be used for a business or as rentals are not part of the Tax Free Holiday offer.

The holiday runs from 12:01 a.m. on the first Friday in November, through 11:59 the following Sunday.

Click here to learn more.

Johnston Communications say the accident was reported shortly before 11:30 a.m. Friday. The accident occurred on Hwy 301 just north of the I-95 Interchange.

All lanes in both directions were closed after a logging truck and tractor trailer collided. The roads were re-opened at 3:45 p.m.

No other information about the accident was provided by officials.

The state Department of Insurance said Wednesday that 50-year-old Charles Mark Hall faces 12 additional embezzlement indictments and two indictments of exploiting disabled or elder trust.

Department spokeswoman Kristin Milam says the additional indictments involve 12 different victims.

Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin had said that Hall, who had an agency in Smithfield, embezzled and converted to his own use three annuities from the woman and convinced her to sign surrender forms for her annuities. Goodwin says Hall took the money without her knowledge or permission.

Hall was jailed in September, but phone calls seeking information on his current status weren't immediately returned Wednesday afternoon.