The state and local tax exempt products-including appliances like washers, freezers, refrigerators, air conditioners, dishwashers, and thermostats-meet federal guidelines for energy efficiency.

Generally, the Energy Star appliances cost more than less efficient models, but they should save money in the long run by trimming utility bills and making owners eligible for tax credits.

Energy Star appliances that are intended to be used for a business or as rentals are not part of the Tax Free Holiday offer.

The holiday runs from 12:01 a.m. on the first Friday in November, through 11:59 the following Sunday.

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She says state lawyers tell her there's a possibility the courts will take up the issue in the late Fall or perhaps by early January.

Perdue says she feels confident she's doing the right thing in trying to stop the releases, despite any legal repercussions that may occur as a result of her efforts.

After meeting with lawyers on Monday, she believes the state will have a compelling argument against release.

"I feel very comfortable the attorney general is moving forward to aggressively prepare a case," she said. "I hope that we can present a different set of circumstances for them to consider."

After the state Supreme Court upheld an appellate court ruling saying a 1974 law defined a life sentence as only 80 years and that former death row inmates could be set free when the courts added in good behavior credits, many were outraged.

"The state is poised to release a group of offenders who are a threat to every man, woman and child in North Carolina," said Thomas Bennett of the North Carolina Victim Assistance Network when word of the impending releases became public back on Oct. 15th.

But some of those inmates are already on the outside.

Inmate Faye Brown is a convicted murderer who is out on work release and Governor Perdue says she is OK with that.

"I've always been a big fan of work release because it's a supervised program and at night they go back to the unit," she said.

It's that concept of control and punishment for bad behavior that makes work release and parole acceptable to Governor Perdue.

"I believe folks who are on parole, who are monitored and supervised, can indeed participate in the community because there's always a set of rule and parameters," she maintained. "Nobody is just out there as a free agent. It's totally different from what we're talking about now."

Chapel Hill police arrested Stephen James Howard, and charged him with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. He was placed under a $20,000 secured bond and taken to the Orange County Jail.

The arrest came after a stabbing was reported at 106 Big Fraternity Court at 1:20 a.m. Sunday. The victim in the case had been stabbed in the thigh by a someone who fled the area in what was then described by witnesses as a costume of a black robe with a gold cross medallian. The investigation into the case continues, according to police.

Chapel Hill Police said they expected around 40,000 people for the event, which is about the same number as last year.

Around 9:30 Saturday night, police closed Franklin Street to traffic, which sent thousands of people into the street to celebrate.

Town officials continued efforts this year to limit the crowds and make the event, called "Homegrown Halloween," more family-friendly.

Police closed some streets and limited parking downtown.

Law enforcement from a variety of departments, including Cary, Morrisville and the N.C. Highway Patrol were on hand to control the crowds.

"My daughter and her unborn child were brutally murdered," said Michele Dye, whose daughter, Lucy Johnson, was 15 months pregnant when she was murdered.

Dye said current North Carolina law is not making her daughter's killer pay.

For ten years, victim's families have pushed for a new law to charge a person with two counts of murder if they kill a pregnant woman.

Current state law allows for only one murder count.

"We cannot stop all violent crimes, but we can make our laws tougher," Dye said.

Dye and other parents of murdered pregnant women are campaigning through out the state to get a law passed increasing the charges if someone kills a pregnant woman.

Kevin Blaine's daughter, Jenna Nielsen, was killed in 2007 while she was 8 months pregnant.

The killer has not been found.

"The bill simply makes sense," Blaine said. "What i prefer to call, common sense."

Opponents say a murder law designed specifically for pregnant women is not needed.

Under current state law, if a person knowingly murders a pregnant woman and causes a miscarriage or still birth they are automatically charged with a higher class felony than the actual crime.

The American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina is on the record opposing a change in the law.

"We already have a way to deal with it so this new bill is completely unnecessary," ACLU lobbyist Sarah Preston said.

Some opponents also say the passage of this bill could interfere with a woman's legal right to an abortion.

Supporters of the bill we spoke with today call the claim "ridiculous" saying abortion is legal, but murder is not

For more than five years in North Carolina, the bill has died in committee but these family members still have hope.

"We are demanding that they at least, at the very least, allow a vote to take place in the North Carolina house," Jeff Gerber, founder of the "justice for all Coalition," said.

The North Carolina Arts Council is accepting applications for the 2010-2011 Artist Fellowship awards until Monday. The awards are for visual arts, crafts, choreography and film or video. The award is $10,000.

The Legislature funds the program, which supports creative development of North Carolina artists and new work by them. The awards allow artists to set aside time to work and to buy supplies and equipment.

Artists who have been year-round residents of North Carolina for at least a year immediately prior to the application deadline may apply. Students are not eligible.

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"We're working with lawyers to try to be sure that we've done everything that we can do to prove that the method that was used to compute these suggested releases was wrong," said Gov. Bev Perdue.

Twenty-six men and one woman had been named eligible to be released, because 1974 law that appeared to define a life sentence as 80 years.

The list includes convicted murderers, rapists, and robbers-some of whom were originally sent to death row.

"The question becomes, do you want those folks to live next to you in an unsupervised capacity," said Perdue. "I don't, and I don't believe anyone in North Carolina does."

But some groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina argue that blockage of the inmates' releases is outside Perdue's authority.

"We don't object to the Governor or the Attorney General double-checking the math. But they cannot retroactively change the rules of the game. That would violate Due Process," said Jennifer Rudinger, executive director of ACLU-NC. "The Governor and the Attorney General took an oath to uphold the laws of the state as those laws were written at the time they were applied, not as they wished the laws had been written."

The Orange, Durham, Person/Caswell Drug Treatment Court Collaborative will be working to improve services for drug court participants through mental health screenings, detox, access to life skills training and job placement programs. The Freedom House Recovery Center in Chapel Hill will be the provider for the services.

Judge Beverly Scarlett who oversees the drug court said the services are vital to getting people back on their feet.

"If we can create a better person who would not be prone to engage in those bahaviors, we don't have to worry about filling up the jail so quickly and releasing people who have not been treated," said Judge Scarlett.

The Collaborative will target 459 adults for enhanced and expanded drug treatment court services in the next three years.

Mark Kleinschmidt, an eight-year council member, said he's experienced in handling issues he believes are most important to the town. For example, he said downtown safety, the commercial and residential tax disparity and helping downtown businesses succeed are some of his priorities.

"Having been the only mayoral candidate that's sat down with the businesses and asked why they've left or stayed or moved to Chapel Hill, that information and experience will be critical to success," said Kleinschmidt.

He said planning for future growth while keeping the economy in mind is crucial.

"We will best be served by putting density in places that will enhance other objectives, like creating a walkable community that's bicycle friendly," said Kleinschmidt.

Matt Czajkowski, also a current council member, said managing growth and reducing property taxes are some of his priorities.

"(I want to) ask the manager to create a budget for the next two years which has a zero increase in property taxkes," said Czajkowski.

In addition, Czajkowski said he wants to improve downtown safety and eliminate panhandling. He said he also wants to encourage more retail development.

"If we don't let retail developers know that Chapel Hill is open to having them come here, they will put their sights elsewhere," said Czajkowski.

Augustus Cho said his priorities are more affordable housing for the middle class and addressing the town's budget deficit. He also lists safety as a top priority.

"We need to extend street lights that are on campus to the rest of the community, as well," said Cho.

He said the fact that he's not currently on the council gives him a fresh perspective on the issues.

"Matt (Czajkowski) and Mark (Kleinschmidt) have to answer for decisions they've made which have impacted our town and I question if that was a positive impact," said Cho.

NBC17 News contacted Kevin Wolff for an interview, but he did not return an e-mail or phone call. A couple of weeks ago, Wolff announced he was withdrawing from the race, however, he has not submitted that in writing to the Board of Elections so his name will appear on the ballet.

Incumbent Mayor Kevin Foy is not running for re-election.

Water Department officials say customers in the Orange Mobile Home Estates and Colonial Hills area will be affected.

The Water Department will perform work from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. Crews must turn off water in the area for a few hours to make connections for a 12-inch water main that will replace an old one that runs under I-85.

Customers on Kennedy Circle, Adams Place, Lawrence and Piney Grove Church roads, Lannie, Jefferson and Washington drives and sections of Old N.C. 10 will also be under a water boil advisory. The Town advises customers to boil all water used for human consumption or to use boiled water from 10 p.m. Thursday until further notice. This includes water used for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, making ice, and washing hands. Vigorous boiling for one minute should kill any disease-causing organisims.

After work has been completed, the Town of Hillsborough will test water samples and issue notices to stop boiling water.

For more information, contact the Water Department at 732-3621.

The Kidzu Children's Museum wants to construct a new building on the top floor of the Wallace Parking Deck on Rosemary Street, which is currently a plaza where the town holds community events.

Kidzu's executive director, Cathy Maris, said they have outgrown their current location on Franklin Street and moving it to the new location would enhance that part of town and have a positive economic impact.

Chapel Hill Resident Cory Williams agrees, saying Kidzu has become a meeting place for parents and kids to enjoy the day and spend time downtown after going to the museum.

"Keeping children and young families downtown is an important and vibrant part of our community," said Williams.

Kidzu would raise the $6 millon to construct the building.

There will be more opportunities for public comment before council makes its decision.

Customers were incorrectly charged at the peak seasonal water rate of $7.09, instead of the new off-peak rate of $3.73, on their October 16 bill.

Affected customers are in Carrboro, the Southern Village, and downtown Chapel Hill.

"We apologize for any inconvenience to our customers, and we have made process changes to prevent recurrence of this problem," said Jane Showerman, OWASA's Customer Service Manager, in a press release.

Officials said a credit will be applied to the customer's next bill to correct the balances.

Ninety volunteers cleaned up five areas around Hillsborough and Northern Orange County, collecting an estimated 2,470 pounds of trash.

"While we didn't eclipse last year's record in total weight, we did set a local record for number of volunteers," said Terry Hackett, stormwater resource officer with Orange County Erosion Control and coordinator of the local Big Sweep event. "Having 90 volunteers on a rainy, cool Saturday morning is outstanding."

Volunteers cleaned up about 4 miles of parkland along the Eno River and its tributaries, collecting about 89 bags of litter as well as other trash and debris that could not be bagged. Within Hillsborough, they picked up litter in and around Gold Park, King's Highway Park and River Park. They also cleaned up Cedar Grove Park in the county and C.W. Stanford Middle School's eco-classroom.

Most of the items collected included cans and bottles as well as various scrap metal. About 475 pounds of the total weight were separated as recyclable. Some unusual finds included two lawnmowers, a clothes dryer, two desks, shingles, tile and railroad rails.

"I was thrilled about the focus on C.W. Stanford's eco-classroom," Hackett said. "Getting the trash and debris from this area allows plans for the classroom to move forward, something that will benefit a lot of students."

The school's outdoor classroom will include an amphitheater and trails and will provide a wide range of educational opportunities that align with the middle and high school curricula. Orange High School is located next to Stanford.

"As a local scout leader, I was especially thrilled from the turnout of our local scout units," said Hackett, who coordinates the Town of Hillsborough's stormwater management program.

Local Cub Scout and Boy Scout units accounted for about 65 volunteers. They included Cub Scout packs 438 and 821 and Boy Scout troops 438 and 449. Other volunteers included parents and students from Stanford and A.L. Stanback middle schools and from Montessori Farm School 4H as well as the Hillsborough Public Works and Orange County Solid Waste departments and other local citizens.

"All the volunteers deserve a big pat on the back and appreciation from their neighbors," Hackett said.

NC Big Sweep is an award-winning grassroots nonprofit organization whose mission is litter-free watersheds. It started 22 years ago as North Carolina's component of the Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup and has grown into a statewide effort to clean up litter and educate the public.

Litter is harmful, especially when allowed to enter local waterways. As it decomposes, it can leach harmful chemicals into surface and ground water. Wildlife often mistake litter for food, which can entangle them, suffocate them or clog their digestive systems. Litter also hurts an area's economy by causing tourists and businesses to avoid visiting and locating in those areas.

The bureau tells NBC-17 it has several concerns about the contest created by a man who runs a small marketing firm out of his Apex home.

"There's just a lot of red flags," Beverly Baskin, president of the Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina, said.

Robert Brown is the person behind the CarolinaChristmasCash.com, an online essay contest which the Better Business Bureau had given an ‘F' grade.

"The problem the BBB has is lack of disclosure," Baskin explained.

For a $100 entry fee, a contestant submits an essay that has the chance of winning a $50,000 prize if 5,000 people enter.

When asked how much money he'd get out of it, Brown said, "A portion of it, but not that much ... What we'll do is give some to charity."

In an investigatory phone call on Tuesday, Oct. 27, the BBB asked Robert to be more specific.

"We did call to see what charities would benefit, and as of today, they had not decided," Baskin said.

But, when NBC-17 interviewed Robert on Monday, Oct. 26, he had a slightly different response.

"We're even going to start a charity ourselves named after my 6-year-old son, called ‘Jared's Friends' to help out kids with leukemia and things like that," Brown said.

Also worrisome to the BBB is that the contest rules posted online do not say how the winner will be chosen.

"How exactly are these things being judged?" Baskin asked. "There's no criteria laid out."

Regarding the judging, Robert told NBC-17, "At first we thought we were going to do it, but right now I think we'll have some local pastors come aboard and do that."

When asked how many pastors would be judges, Robert replied, "About 10 to 15 at least."

As of Monday, Oct. 26, Robert said he had 32 entries, with all the money from those entries residing in a PayPal account.

The BBB says there ought to be some kind of independent accounting oversight with regard to the money.

"It doesn't sound like it's in any sort of escrow account," Baskin said. "Where is that money going the meantime? Is he using it to pay bills now?

After interviewing the BBB, NBC-17 did a follow-up with Brown seeking additional answers.

He said he does not have an escrow account, but "may put the money in a short-term interest-bearing account later," and admits there is nothing in place with regard to oversight of the contest.

Right now Brown says the money remains in the PayPal account and he says he is not spending any of it.

As for what charities that will get donations, Brown said he's now considering adding a feature to the Web site asking entrants to decide where the charity money should go.

On Wednesday, Oct. 28, the BBB changed its previous 'F' rating of CarolinaChristmasCash.com to an 'NR,' citing insufficient information to issue a rating.

"Based on BBB files, Advango Marketing has a BBB Rating of NR," the BBB's Web site says. "Reasons for this rating include: This business is not currently rated. BBB does not have sufficient information to issue a rating for this business." 

The trial study at UNCH will test the drug in addition current therapies a patient is taking. Those results will be compared to the outcomes of those who took a sugar pill.

Hurt said they expect to have enough patients to enroll in the trial in the next few months. If the trial is successful, the company that makes Peramavir could petition the FDA to approve the drug.

Wake County's health department depleted its 6,600 doses in a matter of days.

Durham, Johnston, and Orange counties are also out of the vaccine. Chatham County recently filled its appointments for its remaining supply of the nasal mist H1N1 vaccine.

According to Wake County officials, 5,000 doses were distributed to hospitals in the county, and 9,000 were given to private medical care providers.

Sue Lynn Ledford, director of Wake County Community Health, has encouraged people in high priority vaccination groups to contact their private healthcare providers to see when they can be vaccinated for H1N1.

However, many doctors in the county don't have the vaccine.

"I hear on the news that it's in your doctor's office, and it's not," said Dr. Nicole Parkerson, of Raleigh Pediatric Associates. "We're waiting like everyone else. The frustrating part is, I don't know it's coming until it shows up at my door."

"There's very little of any vaccine available," said Mike James, owner and pharmacist at Person Street Pharmacy. "The thing we're being told almost every week is, it's going to be next week."

State Health Director Dr. Jeffrey Engel said he is hesitant to predict when more of the H1N1 vaccine will arrive in North Carolina.

"You might have to wait a month," he said. "I hate to say that to people, pregnant women and so forth, but that's the simple matter of the supply that's at hand."

Engel said people need patience and simple prevention-such as washing your hands frequently and staying home when sick-until there is enough vaccine for everyone who wants it.

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Both teams are still looking for their first ACC conference win and the game will be televised on ESPN.

The university began warning motorists about the game through signs.

UNC employees will get to leave work early to help ease some of the traffic congestion. And even though UNC is on fall break, the game is expected to draw a large audience.

"If you are coming on campus consider ride sharing," said Randy Young. "Share a ride on campus and it will make it easier for everyone to get in their seats on time to enjoy the game."

The game is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.