Three North Carolina localities are ready to build, set up or relocate a liquor store and get their alcohol revenue flowing.

But they have had to put their plans on hold because there is no one in Raleigh to give them approval to proceed.

The state Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission consists of a single commissioner at the moment. Two of the three seats, including that of the chairman, are vacant and have been since May. The commission needs two members to hold monthly meetings where it hears liquor law cases and approves new stores.

Gov. Beverly Perdue has not appointed anyone to fill the empty seats, but administration officials said Friday that an announcement could come as early as this week.

In North Carolina, liquor stores are run by local boards, not the state. The state commission runs the warehouse from which all stores buy their liquor, gives final approval for opening a store and hears cases of ABC law violations.

State commission member Mike Joyner of Charlotte stepped down last year. Then-Chairman Doug Fox of Wilmington resigned in May, at the request of Perdue, after Fox forwarded an e-mail message to friends and associates containing a racist illustration. That leaves only commission member John Lyon of Wake Forest. (N&O)

* At least 44 retired North Carolina judges are offering their time to keep courtrooms operating when judges call in sick or juggle a family emergency.

The problem is simple. Like most state agencies, the N.C. Administrative Office of the Courts had to make tough choices about what the state could afford this year with a skimpier budget.

The legislature cut 6 percent of the agency's budget, shaving $30 million from funds used for expenses such as salaries and training for judges, prosecutors and clerks.

On the chopping block: money to pay substitute judges. One by one, retired judges raised their hands to come back onto the bench as volunteers. (N&O)