Across the Southeast

Governor will pardon former employees

FRANKFORT, KY. - Gov. Ernie Fletcher, on the eve of an appearance before a grand jury investigating his administration's hiring practices, said Monday he would issue pardons to current and former members of his administration charged in the probe.

Mr. Fletcher also said he would appear before the grand jury but would not testify.

"I cannot allow state government to continue to be consumed by this game of political 'gotcha,' paralyzing our ability to serve you, the people of Kentucky," Mr. Fletcher said at the Capitol Rotunda.

The grand jury was impaneled in June and has charged nine current and former members of Mr. Fletcher's administration with misdemeanor violations of the state's personnel law for basing hirings on political considerations rather than merit.

Mr. Fletcher said anyone who violated the law could face penalties imposed by two administrative agencies that are also investigating.

Lawmaker will plead guilty to taking bribes

MEMPHIS, TENN. - A Tennessee state lawmaker will plead guilty to taking bribes from undercover FBI agents in exchange for legislative favors, part of a continuing federal investigation, his lawyer said Monday.

State Rep. Chris Newton was set to enter his plea today in federal court, said defense lawyer Thomas Greenholtz.

If the judge accepts the plea, as expected, Mr. Newton will become the first lawmaker charged in the investigation to admit guilt. Two men described as bag men for lawmakers have pleaded guilty.

Mr. Newton and four current or former state senators were charged in May with taking payoffs to help a company called E-Cycle Management get favorable legislation passed in the General Assembly.

The lawmakers had all pleaded innocent.

Mr. Greenholtz would not say why Mr. Newton, who sponsored the E-Cycle legislation, decided to change his plea.

Beachfront dwellers fear development

CAROVA BEACH, N.C. - Carova Beach lacks paved roads, stores and traffic lights. It's said to be the one of only three places on the East Coast with undeveloped beachfront land that's not owned by the government.

The roughly 150 people who live in the remote Outer Banks community like it that way.

Now, they're worried that proposals to build a 50-room inn, about 300 apartments and shops just south of the community will turn it into another overdeveloped beach town.

"Give it another 10 or 15 years," said Debbie Deane, of Riggs Realty. "I foresee it turning into something like Corolla."

Their concern centers on fears that even a small amount of commercial development will lead to the paving of a road from either Virginia to the north, or from Corolla, a community about 11 miles south. The road would encourage even more development, endangering the wild horses that graze freely near the community.

The area is already home to residential development, including some huge beachfront homes worth millions.