Injured boy improving

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Lakers F Walton out six weeks with pinched nerve

Los Angeles Lakers forward Luke Walton will miss at least the next six weeks with a pinched nerve.

Walton was averaging only 3.7 points and 1.9 assists in nine games this season.

"Walton was examined today by back specialist Dr. Robert Watkins and has been diagnosed with a pinched nerve," the team said in a release. "Walton is expected to be out a minimum of six weeks."

Two from Lejeune die in Afghanistan

Two Marines from Camp Lejeune, including one of the base's most senior enlisted men, were killed Tuesday in southern Afghanistan, the Pentagon announced Friday.

First Sgt. Luke J. Mercardante, 35, of Athens, Ga., and Cpl. Kyle W. Wilks, 24, of Rogers, Ark., were killed when an improvised bomb exploded near their convoy in Kandahar province. Family members were told two other Marines were wounded in the blast.

Both men were with the Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and Mercardante was the battalion's senior enlisted Marine, said a spokesman for the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force.

Shankle going to UNC

South Stanly High cornerback/wide receiver Terry Shankle committed to North Carolina this morning, as the Tar Heels continue to assemble a highly rated recruiting class.

"He had scholarship offers from 17 schools," South Stanly coach Luke Little said. "He narrowed it down to North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and N.C. State."

Little said Shankle picked the Tar Heels because it was fairly close to home and because he felt comfortable on his visits to the school. He added that the Tar Heels plan to use Shankle as a cornerback and kick-return man.

Highly rated cornerback picks Tar Heels

South Stanly High cornerback/wide receiver Terry Shankle committed to North Carolina this morning as the Tar Heels continue to assemble a highly rated recruiting class.

"He had scholarship offers from 17 schools," South Stanly coach Luke Little said. "He narrowed it down to North Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and N.C. State."

Little said Shankle picked the Tar Heels because it was fairly close to home and because he felt comfortable on his visits to the school. He added that the Tar Heels plan to use Shankle as a cornerback and kick return man.

Mayors place their bets

It's barbecue vs. ham and pierogies off the ice.

Raleigh mayor Charles Meeker and Pittsburgh mayor Luke Ravenstahl confirmed Monday that a friendly wager between the cities has been set.

If the Penguins defeat the Hurricanes in the NHL's Eastern Conference finals, Meeker will send 10 pounds of The Pit's chopped barbecue and a case of Raleigh-brewed Big Boss beer to Ravenstahl, 29, who was first elected in 2006.