CHARLOTTE – Wachovia Corp. (NYSE: WB) today reported net income of $1.88 billion, or $1.17 per share, in the third quarter of 2006, compared with $1.66 billion, or $1.06 per share, in the third quarter of 2005.

CHARLOTTE – Wachovia Corporation (NYSE: WB) announced that its board of directors has approved the company’s regular quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of 56 cents per share.

SANFORD – The Pantry, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTRY), the leading independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern U.S., today announced that it expects fiscal 2006 earnings per share to substantially exceed its previous guidance.

RALEIGH – Progress Energy (NYSE:PGN) today announced that on Nov. 27 it will redeem the entire outstanding $350 million principal amount of its 6.05% Senior Notes due April 15, 2007, and the entire outstanding $400 million principal amount of its 5.85% Senior Notes due Oct. 30, 2008. The redemptions will be funded with existing cash and no additional debt will be incurred in connection with the redemptions.

ABERDEEN – The O’Connor Company has been awarded a $3.2 million contract to construct a 70,000-square-foot metal building at Fort Bragg that will house an indoor shooting range for Special Operations Forces.

RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley announced today that Mount Gilead is one of three towns in North Carolina selected to participate in the Small Town Main Street Program.

PINEHURST – Nick Valvano, chief executive officer of The V Foundation for Cancer Research, has announced that the Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic will move to Pinehurst Resort next year.

RAEFORD – Gov. Mike Easley today announced that Burlington WorldWide will expand its Hoke County facility, creating 65 jobs and investing about $7 million during the next three years.

SANFORD –The Pantry, Inc. (Nasdaq: PTRY), the leading independently operated convenience store chain in the southeastern U.S., today announced the opening of the first convenience store in the United States to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.

ASHEBORO – FNB United Corp. (Nasdaq: FNBN), the holding company for First National Bank and Trust Company and Dover Mortgage Company, has announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2006.

ASHEBORO – FNB United Corp. (Nasdaq: FNBN) today announced that it has restructured its investment portfolio to eliminate certain under-performing investments and to improve the net interest margin.

TROY – First Bancorp (Nasdaq: FBNC), the parent company of First Bank, has announced net income of $4,372,000, or 30 cents per diluted share, for the three months ended Sept. 30, compared to a net loss of $691,000, or 5 cents per diluted share, for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2005.

DUNN – Adams Products Company, a maker of concrete block, has purchased 42 acres in Edgerton Industrial Park, Phase II, where it plans to build a 100,000-square-foot manufacturing plant and 20,000 square feet of office space.

WINSTON-SALEM – North Carolina doctors score higher in five key areas of patient satisfaction than doctors in the United States as a whole, but they still have room for improvement, according to statistics compiled by a national doctor-rating website.

CARY – Crescent Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: CRFN), parent company of Crescent State Bank in Cary and Port City Capital Bank in Wilmington, today announced unaudited net income for the quarter ended Sept. 30 of $1,274,000, or 18 cents per diluted share, compared to $845,000, or 17 cents per diluted share, for the prior year quarter.

RALEIGH – Following the lead of states like North Carolina, a new national website promoting college access, going2college.org, brings together college planning resources offered at state and national levels.

DALLAS – ClubCorp Inc. announced today that it has entered into purchase agreements with KSL Capital Partners, LLC for its portfolio of nearly 170 clubs and three resorts, and with the Robert Dedman family for Pinehurst Resort.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Alltel Wireless announced that the company has been named the “Official Wireless Corporate Partner of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association,” which includes Fayetteville State University.

RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley has announced several key rankings that provide further proof North Carolina continues to be a global leader in economic development.

RALEIGH – Capital Bank Corporation (Nasdaq: CBKN), the parent company of Capital Bank, has announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2006.

RALEIGH – The U.S. economy continues to grow in spite of being pounded from all directions, according to the latest Business Barometer from the North Carolina Bankers Association.

RALEIGH – North Carolina’s flagship education and training initiative for the biotechnology industry sector, NCCCS BioNetwork, has a new director who will start work on Nov. 1.

RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley has announced that $1.75 million in Community Development Block Grants will be distributed to seven rural counties and communities, including the towns of Siler City and Star in the Sandhills.

WINSTON-SALEM – BB&T Corporation (NYSE: BBT) announced that it will begin offering health savings accounts to qualified clients.