RALEIGH, N.C. — Wake County Human Services officials will hold a roundtable discussion Monday with three North Carolina Congressmen to brief them on Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP), a nationally recognized, evidence-based program that operates a site in Wake County.

The group will discuss how the program is helping transform the lives of first-time, low-income Wake County parents and their children.

A Wake County NFP nurse and enrolled mother will also share their experiences during the roundtable discussion.

WHO: Participants and interview opportunities include:
* Regina Petteway, Wake County Human Services’ Director of Community Affairs
* Sharon Sprinkle, NFP National Service Office Eastern Regional Manager, Nursing Consultation and Program Support
* Ida Dawson, Wake County NFP Administrator
* Susan Little, Wake County NFP Nurse Supervisor
* NFP Nurse and Mother
* Congressman Bob Etheridge
* Congressman Brad Miller
* Congressman David Price

The discussion will take place at 2 p.m. Monday at the Wake County Human Services, Sunnybrook Building, 10 Sunnybrook Road in Raleigh.

RALEIGH, N.C.  – A former North Carolina congressman now out of federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy says prosecutors targeted him unfairly.

Democrat Frank Ballance was released from home confinement last month after serving 3 1/2 years. He told WRAL-TV in an interview aired that Tuesday that he never should have been behind bars.

He pleaded guilty in 2004 to conspiring to divert taxpayer money to his family and others through a charitable organization he helped start while in the state Legislature.

Ballance said he didn’t get a fair shake and prosecutors threatened to charge his elderly mother unless he pleaded guilty. U.S. Attorney George Holding in Raleigh said there was no evidence that statements in court wrongly swayed Ballance’s case.

RALEIGH, N.C. – Former North Carolina Rep. Frank Ballance has been released from prison but is serving the rest of his four-year federal sentence under home confinement.

A Federal Bureau of Prisons official said Monday that Ballance is scheduled to complete his term June 23. He was released from prison March 23.

The former Democratic congressman pleaded guilty in 2004 to diverting taxpayer money to his family and others through a charitable organization he helped start. He began serving his sentence in December 2005, but sentences can be reduced for good behavior.
 
Community correction manager Gary Moore said Ballance is wearing an electronic surveillance bracelet that prevents him from leaving his home.

Ballance served in the General Assembly before being elected to Congress in 2002. He resigned in June 2004, citing his ill health.

Congressman Bob Etheridge will hold a round table discussion on Monday, Feb. 23 at 10 a.m. at Northwood High School.

The topics will be his commitment to school construction funding in the economic recovery package; discussing the needs in our area; and the importance of supporting school construction in general.

Congressman Etheridge will be joined by members of the Chatham County Board of Education, Chatham County Board of Commissioners, Superintendent of Schools Robert Logan, and the principal of Northwood, Chris Blice.

LUMBERTON, N.C. – A man accused of making threats against a North Carolina congressman’s staff has been ordered to stay away from the lawmaker and his employees.

The Fayetteville Observer reported Wednesday that a Robeson County judge issued the order against Michael Locklear of Maxton.

The order says Locklear was in Rep. Mike McIntyre’s office in Lumberton last month demanding workers contact the Democratic congressman, then refused to leave and threatened to come back with a gun.

Locklear remains in jail. He has a Jan. 22 court date on charges of injury to personal property, resisting a public officer and communicating threats.

In his first court appearance, Locklear said he was a political activist and could petition elected officials.