Coming Soon in The Star

Just a heads up on a few upcoming stories I'm working on:

- Tasers have been all over the media in recent weeks - from a woman being repeatedly tased on camera to a John Kerry heckler who refused to cooperate with police. I'll be taking a look at how they're used in Cleveland County, what officers think of them, and how effective they are compared to other weapons police carry. I found out just yesterday that the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office has offered us training footage of one of their deputies being tased to go with the story (sheriff's deputies are required to be tased in order to carry one and each certification is recorded on film).

- I'm sure many who have stopped by the fair this week watched the pig races. They always draw a big crowd, young and old. I talked with the guy who runs it and even sat in on a show. I didn't realize the races also include ducks and goats. And what do the animals race for? Cheese Doodles. Put a DiGiorno out there and I'd be racing too : )

- If you've been to the fair you have no doubt noticed the police presence. From directing traffic outside to making sure everyone is safe inside, it's a big team operation. You wouldn't imagine the capabilities of the cameras that surround the fairgrounds - even perched high in the air they can zoom in with crystal clarity to a rock on the ground. The cameras have helped find missing elderly and children and have even caught a few people in the midst of drug deals.

Also, coming up this weekend you can expect to see another full-page crime map and the most updated listing of the most wanted.