Wilmington, NC News

ASHEBORO, N.C. — The North Carolina Zoo has euthanized a gorilla undergoing treatment for cancer, the second such procedure by zoo staff in as many days.

A statement from the zoo said Katie, a 36-year-old female gorilla, was euthanized shortly before noon Wednesday.

Katie had been at the N.C. Zoo since July 1989 after being transferred from the San Diego Zoo.

Chief Veterinarian Dr. Mike Loomis said Katie had been diagnosed last May with non-operable cancer in her reproductive tract. She underwent radiation therapy at the N.C. State University College of Veterinary Medicine in an effort to shrink the tumor, but an examination last week revealed that the tumor had grown.

On Tuesday, zoo veterinarians decided to euthanize Donna, a 42-year-old female gorilla, after more than 2½ years of treatments for cancer.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Wilmington Police need your help locating a missing man.

John Michael Blume has been missing from his home on Beasley Road since Sunday. The 35-year-old’s car was found Wednesday morning on Lake Shore Drive. Blume’s family worries he may be a danger to himself because of his medical history.

If you have any information contact the Wilmington Police department at 343-3600.

RALEIGH — An aide to then-Gov. Mike Easley inquired about a permit for a development at the North Carolina coast months before Easley purchased a lot in the subdivision at a discount.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Thursday that Ruffin Poole contacted Division of Coastal Management director Charles Jones in June 2005 about the Cannonsgate development in Carteret County.

Jones told the newspaper the inquiry was treated as a high priority and records show much activity on the permit that month.

Two of Easley’s political supporters developed Cannonsgate. Easley bought a Cannonsgate lot at a $137,000 discount in December 2005.

An Easley spokesman declined comment. Poole and his lawyer have not returned messages.

Poole was slated to appear before the State Board of Elections later Thursday.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)