GREENSBORO -- The stately campus that once housed the Pilot Life Insurance Co. on High Point Road is now in the hands of a retirement center developer.

Lincoln National Corp., which bought the land along with Jefferson-Pilot Corp. two years ago, sold it formally on July 30 to a group representing Kisco Senior Living of Carlsbad, Calif.

According to documents at the Guilford County Register of Deeds, Kisco paid $9.8 million for the 141 acres and its traditional brick buildings. It plans to invest nearly $99 million to renovate three buildings on the property and build 224 independent living units and 72 high-care, skilled nursing units.

The Greensboro City Council has pledged a $1 million incentive to help cover development costs.

Pilot Life ceased to exist in 1987, when Jefferson Standard Life Insurance, which had owned controlling interest in Pilot since 1930, merged it and Jefferson into Jefferson-Pilot Life.

In 1990, what had been Pilot Life moved downtown. The 800 former Pilot employees moved in with former Jefferson people into Jefferson's 17-story skyscraper that opened in 1923, and an adjoining new 20-story building.

Charlotte officials report70 gangs operate in schools

CHARLOTTE -- Charlotte-Mecklenburg school officials say there are about 70 gangs operating in the county's schools, with about 450 members.

The school district issued a report Tuesday on what they say is the first comprehensive report on gangs in schools.

The Charlotte Observer reported that Superintendent Peter Gorman told the school board that it's important not to underestimate the impact of gang activity in schools.

Board member Larry Gauvreau said the report identifies the gangs by name and that members should be expelled.

The report said the gangs in Charlotte schools are not the kind of violent, organized "notorious" gangs in larger cities such as Los Angeles.

The report analyzed discipline records in the schools for five years, concluding gang activity has a relatively minor impact.

Winston to conduct fewer drug tests in its schools

WINSTON-SALEM -- There won't be as many drug tests for students involved in extracurricular activities in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County schools this fall.

The school board decided Tuesday night to reduce the number of random drug tests from 33 percent of students to 20 percent in order to reduce the costs of the program.

The Winston-Salem Journal reported a federal grant that had paid for the drug testing expires this fall. School officials say they'll have to spend about $30,000 to pay for the tests.

Kathy Jordan with the Safe and Drug Free Schools program told the school board that research shows that testing of 20 percent of students will still be effective in reducing drug use.

Two-block section of Elmto close at night for work

GREENSBORO -- City crews will close a two-block stretch of North Elm Street at night next week to continue repairs on sewer lines.

Starting Sunday, the northbound lanes of North Elm will be closed from Bessemer Avenue to Northwood Street. These lanes will be closed to all but local traffic from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. through Aug. 21.

Detours will be in place.

Pavement repairs to close right lane, exit on U.S. 29

GREENSBORO -- The N.C. Department of Transportation will close an exit on U.S. 29 for parts of two nights next week to make pavement repairs.

On Monday and Tuesday, state crews will shut down the right lane of southbound U.S. 29 near East Lee Street. Also closed will be the exit from southbound U.S. 29 to Lee.

The closure will be in effect from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. both nights.

-- Staff and Wire Reports

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