The city of Raleigh wants residents to unleash their grease.
City crews will collect used cooking oil and grease from resident's homes as part of a pilot program being enacted for the holiday season. The collected oils will be converted into biofuels by Triangle Biofuels, a local company that's buying the grease from the city for $0.25 a gallon.
The free program is up and running, so residents can begin putting their grease out on the curb along with their trash and recycling once they contact the city's Solid Waste Service Department to arrange a pickup.
The program will run through Jan. 15 and includes pick-ups at churches and places of worship.
Pickup won't be automatic, residents need to call solid waste workers at 996-6890 to arrange a pickup at least a day before their weekly trash day.
The grease should be in a sealed container, like a milk jug or old coffee can, but can not be kept in glass containers.
Questions? Call the city of Raleigh's Public Utilities Department at 857-4540.

The City of Raleigh is the state's only recipient of federal grants to promote geothermal energy.

Raleigh this week won a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. The money will be used to build a geothermal air conditioning and heating system at a municipal solid waste facility planned to be built by 2011.

"Because we're getting this grant, it'll pay for itself in two years," said Frederick Battle, Raleigh's director of solid waste services. "After that it's all savings to us."

Raleigh will pitch in the rest of the cost to build the $2.6 million high-efficiency system that will cut energy costs by more than 30 percent.

Over 1000 dogs compete in the 5-day AKC event hosted at the N.C. State Fairgrounds

Got several letters in defense of having dogs at establishments with
outdoor dining. Haven't heard from anybody defending officialdom. We'll
be printing other letters this week. Read the Aug. 21 story here and
our Aug. 22 editorial here.

Teachers, students and parents prepare for upcoming classes.

A mass baptism draws nearly 10,000 church members

Scheduling conflicts for two of the headliners have forced cancellation of the Moton, Noel and May Celebrity Golf Classic. 

The event hosted by new N.C. Central University men's basketball LeVelle Moton and former
University of North Carolina basketball teammates David Noel and Sean
May had been scheduled for  Aug. 17 at Brier Creek Country Club in Raleigh.

As junior golfers from around the nation are being introduced to some
of the Pinehurst region's outstanding courses this week,  a golfer
already acquainted with the layouts has put his local knowledge to
work. 

Zachary Martin of Pinehurst combined great putting with course
familiarity to win the 88-player Boys Division of Sunday's K12
qualifying tournament for this week's Golf Pride Junior Classic, which runs Tuesday through Thursday at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Southern Pines.

The 18-hole stroke-play qualifying event, conducted by the American Junior Golf Association, was played at the Mid Pines Inn and Golf Club at Southern Pines.

Will Minton of Raleigh put together three straight rounds under par
(71-69-71—211) to win the boys’ 12-13 division at the Dogwood State
Junior Championship conducted by the Carolinas Golf Association Aug.
4-6 at Cabarrus Country Club in Concord.

Michael McGowan (73-69-68—210) of Southern Pines won the overall boys
title, and Raleigh golfers Alex Ehlert (69-70-73—212) and Spencer
Lawson (71-66-75—212) tied for second overall.

Charlotte's Allison Emrey (73-75-71—219 ) won the overall girls title,
and Clayton's Lizzie Bundy (78-73-79—230) was one of three golfers who
tied for third.