McNamara died at 5:30 a.m. at his home, his wife Diana told The Associated Press. She said he had been in failing health for some time.

For all his healing efforts, McNamara was fundamentally associated with the Vietnam War, "McNamara's war," the country's most disastrous foreign venture, the only American war to end in abject withdrawal rather than victory.

Known as a policymaker with a fixation for statistical analysis, McNamara was recruited to run the Pentagon by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 from the presidency of the Ford Motor Co. He stayed seven years, longer than anyone since the job's creation in 1947.

His association with Vietnam became intensely personal. Even his son, as a Stanford University student, protested against the war while his father was running it. At Harvard, McNamara once had to flee a student mob through underground utility tunnels. Critics mocked McNamara mercilessly; they made much of the fact that his middle name was "Strange."

After leaving the Pentagon on the verge of a nervous breakdown, McNamara became president of the World Bank and devoted evangelical energies to the belief that improving life in rural communities in developing countries was a more promising path to peace than the buildup of arms and armies.

A private person, McNamara for many years declined to write his memoirs, to lay out his view of the war and his side in his quarrels with his generals. In the early 1990s he began to open up.
He told Time magazine in 1991 that he did not think the bombing of North Vietnam - the biggest bombing campaign in history up to that time - would work but he went along with it "because we had to try to prove it would not work, number one, and (because) other people thought it would work."

Finally, in 1993, after the Cold War ended, he undertook to write his memoirs because some of the lessons of Vietnam were applicable to the post-Cold War period "odd as though it may seem."

"In Retrospect: The Tragedy and Lessons of Vietnam" appeared in 1995. McNamara disclosed that by 1967 he had deep misgivings about Vietnam - by then he had lost faith in America's capacity to prevail over a guerrilla insurgency that had driven the French from the same jungled countryside.

Despite those doubts, he had continued to express public confidence that the application of enough American firepower would cause the Communists to make peace. In that period, the number of U.S. casualties - dead, missing and wounded - went from 7,466 to over 100,000.

"We of the Kennedy and Johnson administrations acted according to what we thought were the principles and traditions of our country. But we were wrong. We were terribly wrong," McNamara, then 78, told The Associated Press in an interview ahead of the book's release.

The best-selling mea culpa renewed the national debate about the war and prompted bitter criticism against its author. "Where was he when we needed him?" a Boston Globe editorial asked. A New York Times editorial referred to McNamara as offering the war's dead only a "prime-time apology and stale tears, three decades late."

McNamara wrote that he and others had not asked the five most basic questions: "Was it true that the fall of South Vietnam would trigger the fall of all Southeast Asia? Would that constitute a grave threat to the West's security? What kind of war - conventional or guerrilla - might develop? Could we win it with U.S. troops fighting alongside the South Vietnamese? Should we not know the answers to all these questions before deciding whether to commit troops?

He discussed similar themes in the 2003 documentary "The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara." With the U.S. in the first year of the war in Iraq, it became a popular and timely art-house attraction and won the Oscar for best documentary feature.

The Iraq war, with its similarities to Vietnam, at times brought up McNamara's name, in many cases in comparison with another unpopular defense secretary, Donald H. Rumsfeld. McNamara was among former secretaries of defense and state who met twice with President Bush in 2006 to discuss Iraq war policies.

In the Kennedy administration, McNamara was a key figure in both the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion of April 1961 and the Cuban missile crisis 18 months later. The crisis was the closest the world came to a nuclear confrontation between the Soviet Union and the United States.

McNamara served as the World Bank president for 12 years. He tripled its loans to developing countries and changed its emphasis from grandiose industrial projects to rural development.

After retiring in 1981, he championed the causes of nuclear disarmament and aid by the richest nation for the world's poorest. He became a global elder statesman.

McNamara's trademarks were his rimless glasses and slicked down hair and his reliance on quantitative analysis to reach conclusions, calmly promulgated in a husky voice.

Koopman e-mailed a letter of intention Monday.

"I can confidently report we have been successful on these counts including raising impact fees on new growth as well as protecting and preserving several beautiful parks such as Horseshoe Farm, Durant Nature Park, and Strickland Road Park. From rezoning cases to fighting to make sure there is public input in the upcoming comprehensive plan, standing up for our neighborhoods has been a consistent mantra for me," Koopman wrote.

"We face continuing challenges including implementing our new comprehensive plan, increasing transit options, and re-focusing our Water Utility from the assumption that water is an infinite resource to a vision that understands water is finite one. I will also continue to work hard to ensure we protect the rate payer and the environment. Even though Raleigh continues to be one of the fastest growing communities in the nation, we must prepare to take advantage when the economy turns around and bring in more high quality jobs. Good government matters. Good local government is important because it is closest to the people and directly affects them in their daily lives."

The municipal election for Raleigh is Oct. 6.

In other filing news, Rita Rakestraw has announced that she plans to file for the Wake County Board of Education District 1.

Rakestraw is a child development specialist and a former teacher according to her press announcement.

The proposed ordinance would require dogs to be on a leash when off the owner's property. Female dogs must be in a secure enclosure when in heat. And dogs will not be able to bark, whine, or howl for periods exceeding 10 minutes.

Pet owners could be fined as much as $50 per day for each violation.

A public hearing is scheduled for tonight at Town Hall at 7 p.m.

Officials say 23-year-old Thomas Monroe shot Officer D.J. Youmans last week during a burglary call.

Monroe is currently in the Durham County Jail under a $250,000 bond.

Youmans was shot in the abdomen and is now recovering.

He said those killed were Terry Holland, 51; Lisa Simmons, 42; Charles Kirkland, Jr., 49; Mark Hill, 21.

Wilson said all were from Wayne County.

He said Holland also worked as the church's building maintenance supervisor, and Kirkland's father is an associate pastor at the church.

"He was just a precious guy," Wilson said. "He was one of the most squared-away individuals I've ever met."

ATF officials tell NBC 17 that they have ruled the explosion accidental.

According to ATF spokesman Earl Woodham, "we have determined that this was not a deliberate act and that no criminal intent exists." Woodham declined to provide further details about what caused the explosion.

Sunday afternoon a silent memorial parade was held on Ocracoke Island as a way of paying tribute to those who lost their lives after yesterday's fireworks explosion. And as of Monday, all ferry service has returned to normal to the island.

The deaths happened after a tractor trailer carrying fireworks exploded at about 9 a.m. July 4 on Ocracoke.

Officials say one victim was pronounded dead at the scene,another died shortly after arriving at Pitt County Memorial Hospital, a third victim died at the burn center in Chapel Hill late saturday; the fourth victim passed away Sunday afternoon at Pitt County Memorial Hospital.

Officials at UNC Hospitals tell NBC 17 that the patient at UNC has burns to 18 percent of their body and is currently listed in fair condition.

Two volunteer firemen were treated and released for inhalation and exhaustion, officials said. Emergency crews had already been on the scene as a safety precaution for the fireworks preparations.

The explosion happened near the island's south dock in the parking lot of the NCCAT campus.

"The Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department and Hyde County EMS were here and promptly responded en masse immediately after the incident", said Jane Hodges, Hyde County interim Emergency Manager.

"There was an immediate response from Hyde County Sheriff's Department, the National Park Service, NC DOT Ferry Division, Marine Fisheries, and volunteers to handle the crowds and assess the situation. Fortunately, there were three doctors including a medical examiner and volunteer nurses who responded immediately along with the staff of the Ocracoke Health Center and Hyde County EMS."

The fireworks were from Melrose Pyrotechnics in South Carolina. Crews were setting up the island's fireworks when the explosion happened.

The Hatteras Island ferry was temporarily suspended but has resumed operation. Highway 12 had to be temporarily shutdown but has since reopened.

Nick Samuel was staying in a hotel on Ocracoke when he heard the explosion. "I was in bed at the time of the explosion. It was a loud boom almost like thunder that lasted about 5-10 seconds and at first didnt think anything of it. But when I left the room I noticed the cloud of smoke. The end of the island, harbor outlet was on fire and burning and the trucks were parked by the old coast guard station, Samuel said."

Gwen Myers of Washington, who used to work at WITN, was at Ocracoke over the holiday weekend.

"The explosion happened near the ferry docks," Myers said. "It was unreal. There was a huge boom. The explosion peeled the top off the 18-wheeler truck."

Myers said even hours after the explosion you could still smell fireworks in the air.

Representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Company were on site throughout the weekend evaluating the scene.

Searchers found the marsupial named Sydney near Monument Park in Rolesville shortly before 11 p.m., Saturday evening.

The young wallaby got loose after it jumped a fence at the Rolesville Veterinary Hospital Wednesday afternoon.

Sydney was at the hospital receiving treatment for an abscessed tooth when he escaped.

Residents and volunteers spent nearly two days calling in sightings of the missing wallaby.

At one point Friday night, searchers said they were within five feet of Sydney but his quick feet allowed to him to get away.

The wallaby is owned by Noah's Landing, a petting zoo located in Coats, North Carolina.

Searchers put him in a cage and transported him back to the clinic where we are told he has been slurping up water while doctors give him fluids and give him a complete check.

His owners tell NBC-17, he'll need to stay at the veterinary hospital for few days. (Indoors this time!)

The Wildlife Resource Commission says 23-year-old Stephen Patrick Russell drowned while swimming at the lake on Saturday night.

Officials say Russell tried to swim across a cove, but didn't make it.

Divers found his body around 10 a.m. Sunday at Farrington Point Boat Ramp.

According to N.C. State's website, Russell played for their club hockey team.

"It's all fun and laughs and fireworks," said Ronda Crosby, who spent the day selling patriotic items like flags from her booth. "But let's not forget what today really means. It's freedom for everybody."

The fairgrounds hosted free games, dancing, activities and other fun to keep plenty of families busy before the fireworks display kicked off Saturday night.

The City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department, which organizes the event, said because of the economy, they decided to turn to more traditional games instead of contracting with outside companies for things like inflatable toys and rides for kids.

That meant kids tackled obstacle courses and competed in sack races inside Dorton Arena.

"Instead of contracting out different rides, we went to our staff and said ‘what can you do to create that old-school sense of Americana for the Fourth of July,'" said Scott Payne, Recreation Superintendent for City of Raleigh.

People gathered in the grandstands and across the fairgrounds as well as along the roads near the venue to watch the colorful fireworks light up the sky.

Dozens of families participated in the event Saturday afternoon. The department also set up games for kids to experience what it's like to be a firefighter.

"It's the citizens' taxes that fund this truck and allow us to have safe, reliable equipment. And so we want them to be a part of the celebration of putting this new truck in service," said Fire Chief Todd Wright.

The department's new truck cost $465,000. It's the department's seventh truck. And it carries more water than most trucks, so firefighters can take it to rural areas that don't have hydrants. It is expected to last 10 to 15 years.

"It's really family-oriented and it gets back to all the old-fashioned stuff that they used to do with the simple games," said participant Serena Johns.

The games, including a watermelon seed spitting contest, are a tradition for some families. Others, like the Sachs family, got a taste of them for the first time.

"Since I'd never done it before, it's my first time... it's awesome," said nine-year-old Samantha Sachs.

Her father, Tom Sachs, added, "it's gonna be a tradition that we hopefully carry on every year."

The town expected more than a thousand people to join in the free July 4th celebrations, which also included a fishing tournament, a parade, and fireworks.

"A lot of people are staying home, having more fun in their back year, so to speak," said Bond Park Supervisor Bill Eucker.

Many cities held their fireworks displays Friday night instead of on the fourth, including Garner.

Fireworks lit up the night sky with a heavy dose of reds, whites and blues for more than half an hour.

"I like the blue ones," said Kareem Alhertani. "Blue is my favorite color."

It's a spectacle that some 20,000 people came out to Lake Benson Park to see up close -- and that doesn't even count the folks watching from backyard bar-b-ques all over town.

The display capped off what has turned into a major event for Garner.

Hundreds of kids spent the afternoon swarming over a carnival-style play area, while the rest of the crowd sat back and listened to music ranging from classic soul hits by Johnny White and the Elite Band, to patriotic standards by the North Carolina Symphony.

"They come from all over because the communities they live in don't have anything that will rival this," said a proud Mayor Ronnie Williams.

And then of course, there was the food; thousands of picnic blankets covered the grass with all sorts of options.

"Mom and apple pie. You can't beat that," said one woman. "Baked it myself."

"We've seen some hot dogs and chicken over there. We brought sub sandwiches," said Ed Walaski. "If you look around people bring pizza; all kinds of stuff."

The celebration cost Garner about $50,000, but organizers say they're proud of the fact that they can keep it going without ever considering charging folks for it.

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Keep up with the stories Chris Cowperthwaite is working on every day: http://twitter.com/CCowperthwaite.

In the 1760's, taxation without representation had colonies questioning authority, including farmers and merchants in Orange County, North Carolina.

Joel Turner with the Orange County Historical Museum explained the issue of taxes led to an uprising called the "War of Regulation."

"Everything was in upheaval, people knew something was going to change, they weren't really sure how."

After the war, six "Regulators" or rebels, were convicted and hanged in Hillsborough.

"At least in North Carolina it was kind of the first little tremor before the revolution," Turner said.

On July 4, 1776 the colonies broke away from the crown by signing the Declaration of Independence. One of North Carolina's three delegates to sign the declaration was from Hillsborough, William Hooper, whose house still stands today.

And in the heart of Hillsborough is the original site of where North Carolina's delegates debated the Constitution of the United States, and helped change it, to how we know it today.

"They sent it back to Philadelphia and said no we're not going to ratify it until you guarantee us certain rights," Turner explained. "It's because of North Carolina because of the delegates that met here in Hillsborough that we have the Bill of Rights, so, it's something you should be proud of."

Hundreds of people hit Jordan Lake Friday afternoon to kick off the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Including Elizabeth Wilkie and her family from Siler City.

"It's $5 to get in, we brought snacks, it's not a whole lot of money to spend," said Wilkie.

Although she said they're enjoying the three-day weekend, they're still remembering the reason for it.

"It's for our independence day as a nation," said Adam Bullard, Wilkie's nephew. "I think it's an important holiday."

For Ashley Wilkie, Elizabeth's husband, the Fourth of July is extra special. He has a friend serving in Iraq.

"You talk about sacrifice, he has three young ones," said Wilkie. "It's his third tour, when I think of the Fourth of July, I think of him."

He said his family will spend the rest of the weekend with friends, going to the pool and watching fireworks. Wilkie said doing that in a free country is something he doesn't take for granted.

"It means a lot that he's over there fighting for us," said Wilkie. "He's doing it so most of us won't have to."

Instead, many will be at the lake or beach the next couple days, celebrating America and what it stands for.

"Why wait another day? Why not ask store owners to be good servants," Melvin Whitley said Friday. "Safe communities are good for business."

On Thursday, Whitley once again went to three convenience stores to buy glass stems that he says addicts can easily use as a crack pipe.

"Sixteen years ago this was my instrument. This was my tool of misery," he said as he held one up. "I think it's wonderful that today ... I'm God's tool of hope."

Whitley pushed lawmakers to regulate the glass tubes for years now. Last week, Governor Bev Perdue signed a law that will force store owners to keep better track of who's buying novelties like glass pens and "rose in a glass."

"They'll find ways and means to get high," Whitley said. "But why make it easier for them?"

Starting Dec. 1, retailers will require buyers of potential paraphernalia to:

• present a photo ID that includes the person's name and current address
• enter his or her name and current address on a record that the retailer keeps on hand to track these items
• sign his or her name, verifying by signature the glass tube or splitter will not be used as drug paraphernalia in violation of the criminal laws of the State of North Carolina.

Bekee Food Store owner Steven Ikecachukwu said the products like the "glass pen" only account for less than two percent of sales in the store, but can be used legitimately.

"If you look at it ... it's a pen. You can use it to write," he said. "It's none of my business to ask them - ‘what are you going to use it for.'"

He thinks regulating the items should start somewhere else.

"If this is a great problem that people abuse some of this, why should the government allow the products even brought into the country," he said. "Most of them are made overseas ... from China."

But Whitley believes controlling problems starts in communities.

"It's like saying the pharmaceutical companies shouldn't be allowed to sell narcotics. It's regulated," he said. "What we're doing now is regulating the sell of an instrument that we already know has a history towards drug addiction."

He hopes store owners will feel the new regulations will mean keeping items like glass tubes on-hand isn't worth the work required.

"Why not send a message: if you want [drug users] to take one step towards recovery, why not use this as a step to say ‘we understand; we're going to help you to do so.' They can take one small step and with this we take a small step."

Read more about the new law.

According to the police report, 19-year-old John Michael Dean was travelling west on New Bern Ave. at a high rate of speed when he lost control while approaching a curve.

The car collided with a stone wall and "ended in a vertical resting place between two trees", according to the report. Dean was ejected from the vehicle.

The accident report also states that alcohol is suspected in the crash.

Dean has been charged with DWI, careless and reckless driving and provisional DWI.

The Orange County Sheriff's Office says someone broke into the Abundant Life Church around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.

According to police, the church, located at 512 US 70, was unlocked at the time of the incident.

The suspects got away with four Sanyo flat screen TV's, a Playstation, a Wii, and games with a combined value of about $1,000.

But "Fun in the Sun" summer camp in Durham says it doesn't have to.

The program is being offered through the non-profit organization Star Foundation.

"Fun in the Sun" is a full day camp designed to accommodate working parents and runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

And at just $100 per week, per child, it's a bargain compared to most camps.

Camp organizers say their program includes playtime and exercise outside.

And when the sun's at its peak, the children go inside for arts and crafts and lessons on things like creative writing, and even ecology.

"If the camp was not around, we would have a lot of young kids that couldn't volunteer this summer, we'd have a lot of kids without summer jobs, we'd have kids who would be getting in trouble with gangs and stuff this summer," said camp administrator Joyce Waller.

The camp's in its fourth year and directors say it's about more than just having fun.

The non-profit also tries to teach life lessons to its campers and teenage volunteers, encouraging the older kids to be mentors and role models to the younger ones.

"I actually like when they smile at me and they make me feel good about myself. Making them happy, makes me happy," said teen staffer Janelle Whitley.

"If you take a smaller kid and you show them what you've learned so far, then someone a little older than you show you what they learned, then that's the way to just pass it down," said Ron Williams, another administrator with the camp.

Some days there are more volunteers than campers.

Directors blame the recession for low enrollment.

Even though the camp's running on a shoestring budget, organizers don't have the heart to turn anyone away.

"If you have a child that wants to go to camp, bring the child in, let's make some reasonable payment arrangements and hopefully the people in the community will start sponsoring these children," said Waller.

If you have more than one camp-aged child, it's only $75 for the second child and $50 for a third.

And because the camp is struggling financially this summer it has a couple fundraisers planned this month.

To find out when and where, click here.