Darts — To the brief visit to North Carolina paid by Hurricane Earl, which flashed across the state's eastern edge on Thursday night and Friday morning. The powerful Category 4 storm could have inflicted greater damage on this community had it turned westward, but instead brought needed rain and steady breezes before shuffling off toward the Mid-Atlantic and New England.

Laurels — To “Operation All Hands on Deck,” which deployed all available law enforcement personnel from the Greenville Police Department to the city's high-crime neighborhoods. The effort was intended to raise the police profile in troubled areas and collect information that could prove useful to fight criminal behavior. It could prove to be a valuable tactic for police.

Laurels — To the latest meeting of the North of the River focus group, which continues to solicit ideas about how to raise the quality of life for residents there. Sadly, the meeting only drew about 35 people, but those in attendance demonstrated their passion for improving the community. While hoping for more interest, the determination and potential of their work is admirable.

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