GlaxoSmithKline announced today that it has reached a $3 billion settlement agreement with the federal government, which had been investigating the company's marketing of its diabetes drug Avandia.

GSK announced back in January that it was taking a $3.5 billion charge to cover expenses linked to investigations and suits over Avandia.

The British company, which has its North American headquarters in Research Triangle Park, has set aside more than $6 billion for legal costs tied to the drug, which has been linked to increased risk of heart attacks.

European regulators ordered Avandia off the market more than a year ago, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration restricted its use in the United States.
 

BB&T Bank has purchased nearly 50 acres along N. Arendell Avenue in Zebulon.

The Winston-Salem-based bank paid $4.8 million for the land, according to Wake County property records.

The seller was Arendell North, an entity whose address is that of Whichard Real Estate, a Raleigh company that owns a number of malls across the U.S.

Whichard's group bought the property in May 2007 for $6.5 million.

It's unclear what BB&T plans to do with the land.

“This was a good opportunity for BB&T and we are evaluating the property for future use,” said David White, a bank spokesman.

Expect the report to show the crime rate in this eastern Wake County town remains low.

Rocky Winstead, who runs free summer golf clinics for youth at Zebulon
Country Club, came by the office yesterday to talk about the Eastern
N.C. Junior Golf League but all he really did was stir up my
imagination.

Census workers are starting their door-to-door efforts now that the mail-in period has ended.

There's a new date for this year's meal-bagging event for Stop Hunger Now.

Senior golfers in the Triangle have several choices for tournament competition.

Among the options is the Down East Senior Amateur Tour, which finally
had some good weather Monday to get its season going with a tournament
at Southern Wayne Country Club in Goldsboro, tour organizer Bill Stone
reported. (Top finishers are below.)

The N.C. Court of Appeals rules in favor of the town in the Darryl Wright wrongful termination lawsuit.

The Purple Shoe Thrift Shoppe on 407 West Gannon Ave, Zebulon, is in need of donations, according to Alice Coleman, executive director of Domestic Violence Outreach Stores. The thrift shop that opened last spring has been generating consistent shoppers. The proceeds from the store help shelter victims of domestic violence.

The Purple Shoe is always accepting donations of men’s and women’s clothing, jewelry, handbags, shoes, belts and accessories. The shop also accepts household décor and small furniture items.

For more information or to make a donation call 269-0109 or visit http://www.ncadvos.org

Zebulon joins Wendell and Rolesville in approving a new policy the county will enforce.