GREENSBORO -- A drug-sniffing police dog? On a university campus? This pooch may have its work cut out for it. UNCG police welcomed its first four-legged officer to the force last month. Now in training, Aja, a German shepherd bred overseas, should be ready for duty by fall semester. The dog and her handler, Sgt. David Combs, spend four days each week in north Greensboro with K9 officers from the city police department. So far, so good, said Combs, a 16-year veteran of the campus force. [continues 508 words]
GREENSBORO -- His name is linked to high-profile efforts over the past five years to rid Greensboro of blight. Consider the list: The South Gate Motor Inn? Check. Massage parlors? Check. Crack stem pipes? Check. Critics say he craves undeserved recognition for plans already under way by city employees. His supporters counter that without his presence, it is possible nothing would have been accomplished. Yet everyone agrees that Ben Holder, a Gate City native who runs a Web log dubbed "The Greensboro Troublemaker," uses the Internet to feed a passion for challenging the local status quo. [continues 1420 words]
GREENSBORO - You can lie to the officer after blowing the speed limit, but it's hard to fool that police dog sniffing your exhaust pipe for drugs. The U.S. Supreme Court expanded police search powers Monday by allowing canines to circle vehicles stopped for routine traffic infractions, even if officers have no reason to suspect drugs are hidden inside. In the Piedmont Triad, expect little to change. Several area agencies already use canines in the same fashion just sanctioned. Had the Supreme Court's decision been different, well ... it's safe to say K-9 officers across Guilford County breathed a collective sigh of relief Monday afternoon. [continues 530 words]
