Michael Watson has been named acting deputy secretary for health services in the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. The announcement by HHS Secretary Lanier Cansler was made last week as part of a shake-up in management of the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services.

Watson served 26 years as director of Sandhills Center and resigned last year to accept the position of assistant secretary with oversight for mental health services with the state agency.

HOLSHOUSER - Former Gov. Jim Holshouser, now a Moore County resident, has endorsed Harold Johnson for the 8th Congressional District seat. He joined former Gov. Jim Martin this past week in announcing support for Johnson, a longtime WSOC sportscaster.

Johnson will face Tim D'Annunzio, of Raeford, in a second Republican primary on June 22. Johnson lives in Concord.

"I strongly endorse Harold's candidacy based on his conservative values and his dedication to serve the people of North Carolina," Holshouser said in a May 20 news release. "Harold Johnson has served this country honorably and has the sound judgment and composure required to do the job effectively."

Winner of the runoff will -challenge incumbent Democrat Larry Kissell, of Biscoe, who is serving his first term. Moore County was part of the 8th District for many years until it was moved into the 6th District through congressional reapportionment in the latter part of the 20th century.

SUSIE'S LAW - Susie's Law received a boost from the Moore County Board of Commissioners at the May 17 meeting, when the board adopted a resolution of support.

The law calls for a change in the felony designation of the state animal cruelty law that would allow judges to sentence a first-time violator to jail time.

The resolution says the law is named for Susie, a pit bull-shepherd mix dog found harshly beaten and set afire in a Greensboro park last year.

KENAN FELLOWS - At the same meeting the commissioners gave a standing ovation to Kenan Fellows Stefanie Phillips and Jason Harris. Phillips teaches science at North Moore High School, and Harris is a teacher at Southern Pines Primary School.

Superintendent Susan Purser introduced the two teachers and reported that they were selected through a competitive process to participate in the prestigious two-year fellowship while remaining active in the classroom.

The Kenan Fellows Program is an initiative of the Kenan Institute for Engineering, Technology and Science at N.C. State University.

COUNTY 101 - Graduates of the 2010 class of County Government 101 were recognized at the commissioners' May 17 meeting. Human Resources Director Denise Brook read the names of the graduates, who received certificates from County Manager Cary McSwain, then shook hands with the commissioners.

Completing the course were Daniel P. Armstrong, Scott Boucher, John Eltschlager, Dorothy Hines, Marianne Kernan, Joan Quinn, Bill Parke, Linda Parke, Barry R. Price, Wiley D. Waters and John H. Wilson.

County 101 participants were taken on behind the scenes tours of several county agencies, including the sheriff's quarters and the jail, and also spent time in classroom study of how local government operates.