Business software company SAS said today that its revenue increased 5.2 percent last year as IT spending picked up and more corporations turned to analytics to improve performance.

SAS, which makes business intelligence and analytics software that is used to analyze operations and forecast trends, said 2010 revenues totaled $2.43 billion.

The growth was largely driven by the company's business analytics group, which saw revenue increase 26 percent.

SAS is a private company and doesn't release detailed financial information. The company typically releases its annual revenue numbers.

Revenue growth in 2010 was more than double that in 2009.

SAS' workforce in North Carolina increased 4.2 percent -- the company now employs 4,611 at its Cary headquarters. Global head count grew by 2.4 percent to 11,489.

"We are seeing corporations loosening up their budgets," said Jim Davis, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, in an interview this morning. "The economy feels very differently than it did 12 to 18 months ago."
 

The Town of Cary will collect Christmas trees and vegetative material such as wreath and garlands for free through curbside pickup and drop-off locations beginning Jan. 4, 2011.

Brian Ceccarelli of Apex has published a 33-page illustrated treatise, filed a 16-page class-action lawsuit (see today's story with reader comments), and created a website stuffed with documentation -- all devoted to his crusade for longer yellow lights at Cary's red-light camera intersections.

He explained his campaign in an e-mail message, with an unusual appeal to a higher law: ... [MORE]

Here's a great way to save money while you sharpen your skills for your spring golf league: free greens fees.

The News & Observer soon will be selling a buy-one-get-one golf card for $69.

Golfers who pay regular price for one greens fee get the second greens fee for free.

CARY -- For the second straight year, Panther Creek met Cary in the final week of the season for what P.C. fans were calling the "biggest game in school history."

Last year, the Catamounts needed a win to secure a berth in the NCHSAA 4-A playoffs. This year, a conference championship was on the line, and for the second straight year the Cats edged their cross-town rivals in the "biggest game in school history" as Panther Creek won 10-7.

CARY – Entering this week’s ACC women’s soccer tournament, North Carolina had made every final since the league started the event in 1988.

Not this time.

It took a gutsy 1-1 (5-4) shootout victory by Wake Forest at WakeMed Stadium on Friday to snap that 22-year streak.

Wake Forest-Rolesville tops Leesville Road 20-14 in overtime. Marcus Jones runs six yards for the winning score. Leesville had fumbled on its overtime possession.  Wake Forest, Wakefield and Leesville Road all finish 5-1 in the Cap 8.(FINAL)

No. 1-ranked Durham Hillside defeated Northern Durham 38-6 to finish the regular season 11-0 and claim the Piedmont Athletic 4-A championship. QB Vad Lee rushed for 138 yards and passes for 161. (FINAL)

Panther Creek got a 25-yard field goal from Garrett Lang in the final minutes to defeat Cary 10-7 and clinch the Tri-Nine's No. 1 seed into the playoffs.

Athens Drive 35, Holly Springs 31 (FINAL)

Broughton 51, Sanderson 20 (FINAL)

Cardinal Gibbons 28, Oxford Webb 6 (FINAL). Crusaders win league championship.

Cary Christian 57, Northeast Academy 56 (FINAL) (NCISAA eight-man semifinals) (Teams score on first 15 possessions and Cary Christian gets game winner with 15 seconds left)

Clayton 38, Smithfield-Selma 6 (FINAL) (Clayton coach Gary Fowler notches his 200th win. He is 200-11-1 in his career, all at Clayton. Comets grab No. 3 berth from Greater Neuse No. 3 berth)

Fuquay-Varina 31, Lee County 10 (FINAL). Bengals finish 10-1, share Tri-Nine title.

Garner 42, Harnett Central 0 (FINAL) (Garner goes undefeated in Greater Neuse) (Central QB Brian Taylor apparent shoulder injury and out)

Knightdale 28, East Wake 14 (FINAL)

Middle Creek 42, Apex 31 (FINAL)

Millbrook 21, Enloe 20 (FINAL)

Pittsboro Northwood 41, Cedar Ridge 17 (FINAL)

Rosewood 27, Princeton 6 (FINAL)

Triton 40, South Johnston 34 (FINAL)

Southeast Raleigh 47, West Johnston 30 (FINAL). Bulldogs finish runner-up in the Greater Neuse.

Word of God 54, Kinston Parrott 7 (FINAL): Undefeated Rams roll into NCISAA eight-man title game.

CARY – ACC commissioner John Swofford announced on Friday harsh sanctions for Florida State following coach Mark Krikorian’s decision to leave the team’s starters behind for this week’s ACC conference championship.

Krikorian will be suspended for Florida State’s next game, while the school will be forced to forfeit the women’s soccer championship expense reimbursement of approximately $15, 000. In addition, the Seminoles will be fined $25,000, which will be applied directly to the ACC Post Graduate Scholarship Fund. 

The weather is turning colder, but around the Triangle fall - and even winter - will provide great days for running in road races and cross country events.

Two of the Triangle’s bigger events on a very full fall schedule (a list is below) take place over the next two weeks, with the City of Oaks Marathon and Rex Healthcare Half Marathon on Nov. 7 and the Old Reliable Run on Nov. 14.

Nov. 7 also is World Run Day.

SANFORD - Cary head coach Ben Kolstad told his players that they controlled their own destiny following the Imps win over Lee County on Friday.

That was made possible because Cary’s defense simply controlled the Yellow Jackets.

Cary recorded its sixth straight win with a 7-0 shutout over Lee County, putting itself in a position to potentially capture a share of the Tri-Nine conference title. The Imps (9-1 overall, 6-1 conference) have a bye next week and then host Panther Creek in their regular season finale.