'Friends' raise hundreds

The Friends of the Court were busy Saturday morning and into the afternoon as they reached out to residents to raise funds for Burke County's DUI/Drug and Family Violence courts. The group set up blocks at the intersections by the courthouse and Wal-Mart, collecting $873.63 in just four hours. The funds will be used to help support the two court programs, which are aimed at stopping drug abuse and domestic violence. Organization member and county coroner Betty White said she was very pleased with the success of the roadblocks while adding that the group has been working extremely hard and appreciates every donation that has been made.