News & Observer | newsobserver.com | Columns by Ruth Sheehan (2005)

Ruth Sheehan

Ruth Sheehan has been a metro columnist for The News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C., since 2002. Her columns appear Monday, Wednesday and Friday. You may reach her at ruth.sheehan@newsobserver.com or (919) 829-4828.



A last look at 2005

Today, a year-end wrap. First, an update on the Interfaith Food Shuttle, which collects leftover but still-good food from grocery stores and restaurants and distributes it quickly to groups that serve the hungry.

Updated: Dec. 29, 2005 4:18 AM | Full story

Well spouses not alone

Some people want Rosemary Rollmann to be a martyr or a saint.

Updated: Dec. 26, 2005 4:22 AM | Full story

TTA can't see its way

Larry Hester lost his sight years ago to a degenerative retinal disease, but he leads me into his comfortable North Raleigh home with barely a touch on chair back or table.

Updated: Dec. 22, 2005 4:18 AM | Full story

1 driver, 2 wrecks, 3 dead

On Nov. 3, 1990, Nancy Proctor Chappell's only brother was killed in a head-on collision with a drunken driver in Greene County.

Updated: Dec. 19, 2005 4:17 AM | Full story

He's out to protect students

Last week, a Harris Interactive survey commissioned by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network found that teens in North Carolina thought bullying and harassment -- particularly because of real or perceived sexual orientation -- were significant problems in schools. More so here than in the nation overall.

Updated: Dec. 15, 2005 5:45 AM | Full story

Don't be shy about firearms

Like me, Martha Schütz had known about the ASK campaign for quite some time.

Updated: Dec. 12, 2005 12:12 PM | Full story

A lottery drawing from hell

North Carolina's first state lottery director, Tom Shaheen, started work this week.

Updated: Dec. 8, 2005 4:44 AM | Full story

Aid in midst of tragedy

For one remarkable woman in Cary, last week's shooting of state Trooper John Horniak brought back a nightmare.

Updated: Dec. 5, 2005 1:11 PM | Full story

A violent society, not city

Remember when Janine Sutphen's disappearance first hit the news, in January 2003?

Updated: Dec. 1, 2005 4:34 AM | Full story

Home eludes patient

Phil Wiggins should have been kicked out of his group home in Zebulon a month ago today.

Updated: Nov. 28, 2005 5:17 AM | Full story

Feeling thankful? Read on

Forget about Tom Turkey. Last June a refrigerated truck was decapitated by a low overhang (and an overly optimistic driver) in the parking deck at Crabtree Valley Mall.

Updated: Nov. 24, 2005 5:18 AM | Full story

Brothel workers enslaved

The bust of three brothels in Raleigh and Fuquay-Varina last month differed from similar busts of North Raleigh whorehouses we've read about in recent years.

Updated: Nov. 21, 2005 5:17 AM | Full story

A dry land's rich idea: Just cut off water

So it's come to this: $1,000 fines, the threat of four-minute showers, and the image of restaurant patrons gasping to their servers, "Water ... please!"

Updated: Nov. 17, 2005 5:16 AM | Full story

Courting in church no failsafe

Singles, you probably already know this. On the top 10 list of places to find a date, church is No. 4 -- right behind the gym, the grocery store and environmental group meetings.

Updated: Nov. 14, 2005 3:26 AM | Full story

Scandal's lesson in honesty

For a minute there, Kevin Geddings had me going.

Updated: Nov. 10, 2005 3:22 AM | Full story

Crime's toxic effects seep beyond murdered spouse

Eric Miller was not the only one poisoned by his wife. The list of Ann Miller Kontz's victims is long.

Updated: Nov. 8, 2005 3:18 AM | Full story

Clinic gave hope to many

The foyer to Edenton Street United Methodist Church is always buzzing with activity. Tonight, it will be a little quieter than usual.

Updated: Nov. 3, 2005 3:24 AM | Full story

Election acute for schools

A week from tomorrow a very small group of people will decide the future of Wake County's school system.

Updated: Nov. 4, 2005 6:37 PM | Full story

Care cut from 2 sides

Ironic, isn't it? For 17 months, I have been following the journey of Phil Wiggins, who suffers from schizophrenia and has lived in state psychiatric hospitals for nearly 44 of his 62 years.

Updated: Oct. 27, 2005 3:18 AM | Full story

Handicap tags too handy

My first mistake was wearing high-heeled sandals. Turns out some of those handicapped parkers are mighty sprightly.

Updated: Feb. 13, 2006 5:28 PM | Full story

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