The state's drought mascot has a name.

Conservin' Irvin will be featured on drought education materials. He was named by Jane Patterson's first and second grade exceptional education class at Deep River Elementary School in Sanford.

Gov. Mike Easley asked the state's elementary school students to suggest names for the mascot and 829 classes sent in entries. The winning name was picked by a committe of employees from the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, the two agencies that would take the lead for the state in drought management.

The News & Observer recently asked readers to suggest other public policy problem mascots. Dome is thinking that Easley has had a tough time of things lately. Maybe his office could use a mascot. Anyone have suggestions?