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John K. Fanney Joins DeMent Askew LLP

The law firm of DeMent Askew announces that Criminal Law Attorney John K. Fanney has joined its Raleigh, N.C., office.

Raleigh, NC (Vocus/PRWEB) February 15, 2011

The law firm of DeMent Askew announces that Criminal Law Attorney John K. Fanney has joined its Raleigh, N.C., office.

has nearly 21 years of experience and is admitted to the North Carolina, U.S. District & Court of Appeals, and Eastern District North Carolina bars.John Fanney has been named in SuperLawyers and recognized by Martindale Hubbell Peer Review Ratings. He is also a Board Certified Specialist in both state and federal criminal law, State Delegate to the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD) and a frequent speaker at DWI seminars around North Carolina. He merges his successful criminal law practice with DeMent Askew, an established AV-rated law firm.

DeMent Criminal Law Group is led by Rusty DeMent, who’s attained an AV rating with Martindale-Hubbell and was named to Business N.C.'s Legal Elite for criminal law. The addition of Fanney solidifies DeMent Askew as a leading . In addition to their prowess in criminal law, DWI and traffic violations, the firm is also accomplished in civil litigation, personal injury,and real estate.

“We are pleased and excited to have John Fanney join our firm.We’re looking forward to adding his expertise to the services we offer our clients,” says Rusty DeMent.

About DeMent Askew LLP

DeMent Askew, LLP was founded in 1968 by Russell W. DeMent, Jr. and quickly established a reputation for unwavering trial advocacy.Thenow boasts seven attorneys, five partners and two associates, and an exceptionally experienced and professional staff. They stand ready to protect their clients’ rights in civil and criminal litigation in North Carolina’s state and federal courts.

Attorneys at the law firm of DeMent Askew offer legal counsel primarily in the following areas: Criminal defenseDWI/TrafficPersonal injuryCivil litigation

DeMent Askew is proud that the majority of their new clients are referred to them by former, satisfied clients and other law firms in NC.In most cases, they offer free initial consultations so clients can quickly find out what their rights are, and what they can do to help.

Founded in 1968, the lawyers at DeMent Askew, LLP are confident that our exceptional law firm & litigation team can help you find the right solution to your legal problem.For more information about the firm, please go toor call 919-833-5555.

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Rusty DeMent, PartnerDeMent Askew919-833-5555Email Information

British Columbia unveils budget in political vacuum

VICTORIA, British Columbia (Reuters) – British Columbia introduced a "status quo" C$41.9 billion ($42.3 billion) budget on Tuesday designed to give financial wiggle room to the Canadian province's next premier.

But the package could soon run into trouble if voters overturn a controversial tax deal with the federal government.

The budget projects a C$925 million deficit for the 2011-2012 fiscal year that begins in April, with spending up about 2 percent and total revenue expected to increase 3.4 percent as the province's resource-based economy makes a slow, steady recovery.

The 2010-2011 fiscal year is expected to end with a C$1.26 billion deficit, down from the C$1.7 billion projected when that budget was introduced last March.

The new budget is being unveiled into a political vacuum as the B.C. Liberal government picks a leader at the end February to replace Premier Gordon Campbell, who is stepping down after a wave of voter anger over a new tax policy. The opposition New Democrats are also picking a new leader.

Officials wrote a "status quo" budget, with no major spending to tax initiatives and C$350 million contingency fund, to give "as much flexibility as possible" to whoever takes over a premier, Finance Minister Colin Hansen said.

But the budget and government will face a major test this year, when voters will decide whether to scrap an agreement by Campbell last year to merge the provincial and federal sales taxes and create into a harmonized sales tax (HST) that covers more goods and services.

"It is true if the HST does not survive the referendum there will be increased risks to the plan," Hansen told reporters, adding that scrapping the HST would put the province's economy in "uncharted waters."

The vote in the westernmost Canadian province is scheduled for September but the opposition New Democrats say they will introduce legislation on Wednesday to move it up to June.

In addition to reducing tax revenues, the province would have to repay about C$1.6 billion that Ottawa agreed to pay it to accept the tax deal that is similar to deals already struck by Ontario, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces.

The government is forecasting the province will return to balanced budgets in two years, but those forecasts also assume the HST survives.

The province's total debt is forecast to rise to C$53.4 billion from last budget's C$47.3 billion, with the taxpayer-supported debt-to-GDP ratio increasing to 17.5 percent from 16.5 percent.

"We are living within our means," Hansen said.

But the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation said the rising debt level was "alarming" and on a per-capita basis, the province is much higher than in other jurisdictions with resource economies.

Provincial economists, who have a tradition of giving conservative economic forecasts, are projecting British Columbia's economy will grow by 2 percent in 2011, which is less than 2.7 percent forecast by private sector economists.

The province's economy, which weathered the recession better than much of North America, has still been hit by the slow recovery of the U.S. housing market and low natural gas prices.

($1=99 Canadian cents)

(Reporting by Allan Dowd; Editing by Frank McGurty)

Moderate 5.2 earthquake strikes off Oregon coast

PORTLAND, Oregon (Reuters) – A moderate earthquake struck off the coast of Oregon on Tuesday, but there were no reports of damage or injuries.

The quake, which hit at about 2 p.m. local time and registered a magnitude 5.2, was centered in the Pacific Ocean 230 miles west-southwest of Salem, Oregon, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The earthquake followed a 4.7 magnitude earthquake reported shortly before noon on Monday off the southern coast of Oregon.

Earlier on Tuesday, a 3.2 magnitude quake occurred near the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington, the USGS reported.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said the quake would not generate a tsunami.

(Reporting by Dan Whitcomb and Dan Cook, Editing by Greg McCune)

Bentley leads Penn State past No. 20 Iowa, 82-75

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Alex Bentley scored 25 points to lead Penn State to an 82-75 victory over No. 20 Iowa on Sunday.

Freshman reserve Maggie Lucas added 18 points, including four 3-pointers, and Mia Nickson had 15 rebounds to help the Nittany Lions (20-5, 9-2 Big Ten) win their fourth straight.

The Hawkeyes (17-7, 5-6) lost for the second time this week, following a defeat at Purdue on Thursday night, and will likely knock them out of the Top 25 for the first time this season.

Kamille Wahlin had 24 points for Iowa with six 3-pointers. Jaime Printy scored 20 points and Kachine Alexander had 12 points, 17 rebounds, and six assists.

Penn State led 44-32 at halftime. Iowa cut the lead to 54-51 on a fastbreak layup by Kelly Krei but the Lions responded with an 8-0 run.

Galifianakis to join Ryan Reynolds in "R.I.P.D."

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – Zach Galifianakis is finally ready to join the dead.

The comedian has been circling "R.I.P.D.," a supernatural action comedy about a ghost-busting police force, since the fall.

This week, the actor took a step toward the light, entering serious talks to star opposite Ryan Reynolds in Universal's adaptation of the Dark Horse comic.

"R.I.P.D." follows a murdered cop (Reynolds) who is recruited to work in the Rest in Peace Department, a police force comprised of ghosts who battle spirits unready to depart this world. Robert Schwentke ("Red") will direct.

If a deal is made, Galifianakis would play Reynolds' partner, a wise-cracking officer who's been hunting spirits since the 1800s. Galifianakis next stars in "The Hangover Part 2," which opens May 26.