What could be more exciting than a snow day or a tied hockey game heading into overtime? The changes made in the North Carolina Government on Nov. 7 are exciting enough to beat any of the above.

One of the returning faces this term will be Republican Donnie Harrison, who won the race for Wake County Sherriff by 26 percent. When Harrison was sworn into office in 2002, he became the first law enforcement officer to be elected as Sherriff of Wake County. While holding office, Harrison has continued to be a hands-on officer. He often accompanies detectives investigating cases and “works the road” with other law enforcement officers. During his upcoming term, Harrison wants to “to continue to protect and serve the citizens of Wake County and to provide them with the best law enforcement services available.”

A new politician in Wake County will be Superior Court Clerk Nancy Freeman. Before being elected to office, Freeman helped start both the Juvenile Drug Court and the Teen Court. Freeman’s father is also involved in local politics, as he is an advisor to Governor Mike Easley. Freeman hopes to “create a more user friendly and efficient court system for the people of Wake County by pushing for an increased use of technology, retaining well-trained, effective employees and rebuilding working relationships.” Freeman also wants to try to allow citizens to handle “simple court business” over the internet.

Another significant race included the one for District Attorney for district 14. Democrat Mike Nifong beat Lewis Cheek and Steve Monks, as he pulled in almost 50 percent of the votes. Nifong is commonly known throughout the area for his involvement in the Duke Lacrosse rape case. Some of Nifong’s top priorities include keeping young people out of gang activities and “securing a local forensic facility for the processing of crime scene evidence,” which would help speed up the court system.

Other political news includes the creation of several new laws that will affect high school students throughout the state. The first law is a ban on minors talking on cell phones while driving a vehicle, unless they are talking to a parent or making an emergency phone call. Also, state authorities are cracking down on underage drinking and driving. A law was passed that states that a minor who has any trace of alcohol in their blood can be convicted of a DWI.

A huge win for schools was the decision to invest $970 million in school construction and renovations. These funds will mainly go towards constructing 17 new schools by 2011, and “extreme” renovations at 13 other schools. Over 100 schools will receive some amount of money that will be used to help maintain the county facilities. Other plans include the creation of several new ninth grade centers to try to cope with the already overcrowded high schools.

When the local government mixes their new faces with the old, there may be many significant changes that will take place to help strengthen the county’s legal and school systems.