The Siler City Police Department arrested a man for allegedly committing armed robbery at a Siler City bank last week.

On January 25, officers arrested Jimmy Eugene Elixson, Jr., 44, of 302 Palmers Chapel Road, Siler City for robbing First National Bank in Siler City on January 22.

Officers found Elixson at a home on Morris Road in Pittsboro.

According to a police department spokesman, Elixson admitted to the robbery. He was charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon.

According to Maj. Bill Harman, Elixson was charged with armed robbery although he did not show a gun while committing the crime.

"The statute reads that if a robber makes mention of a weapon in the note but does not show the weapon, you still have to charge them with armed robbery," Harmon explained.

Harman said numerous tips from the community helped lead police to the suspect.

RALEIGH — The Opening Day of the 2007 N.C. General Assembly was a new beginning of sorts for the N.C. House of Representatives.

Opening Day marked the election of a new Speaker of the House—Rep. Joe Hackney, whose district includes Chatham County.

Hackney replaced as speaker Rep. Jim Black of Mecklenburg County, who had been speaker or co-speaker since 1999.

Hackney was already one of the most experienced state representatives as he is beginning his 14th term.

He also has served on a number of committees and had a strong voice in ethics reform in state government.

The N.C. Legislative Building at Jones Street could not have been much more crowded than it was on this day.

more- See Thursday, February 1 paper: Vol 87, No. 9

Construction can be daunting.

"Construction takes a lot out of you," said Norma Boone, Jordan-Matthews principal.

Boone would know. For several months, a new cafeteria on the high school campus has been in the works.

"It’s completely dried-in, and it’s about 70 percent complete," said Randy Drumheller, Construction Manager for Chatham County Schools. "The structure is up and basically complete. Now finishes are ongoing."

The cafeteria will be ready to use after the finishes – such as flooring, kitchen equipment installation, painting – are completed.

The replacement cafeteria was anticipated to be completed in April and is on schedule, said Drumheller.

"I am excited about the new cafeteria," said Boone. "We will be able to get more students into the cafeteria at a time."

Boone said she hopes Jordan-Matthews will be able to condense the four lunches the school has to provide now into three.

The old cafeteria will not be wasted, Boone said. She said she hopes to utilize the building for additional classroom space.

Finishing the new cafeteria at Jordan-Matthews is but one of the current construction projects currently underway in the district.

Virginia Cross Elementary in Siler City is also in the process of construction.

"The project is 50 percent complete," said Drumheller. "The structure itself is in progress along with mechanical, electrical, and plumbing rough-in in progress."

The elementary school is scheduled to open its doors in the fall.