WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A commitment Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center made to Dr. John McConnell, its chief executive, when he was recruited led to a nearly 50 percent increase in his total compensation for fiscal year 2010-11, the center reported Tuesday.

McConnell was paid almost $2.5 million in total compensation, compared with $1.68 million for fiscal 2009-10.

Because Wake Forest Baptist’s fiscal year ended June 30, 2011, the latest compensation figures are 10½ months old.

The executive compensation numbers are becoming public six weeks after McConnell told employees the center is considering reducing its workforce as part of a major initiative aimed at improving patient outcomes at a lower cost.

With 13,588 full- and part-time employees, the center has the county’s largest workforce.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A 19-year-old Winston-Salem man pleaded guilty for his role in a home invasion in which he and two others broke into a house, put a gun in a 2-year-old girl’s mouth and threatened to shoot her, her younger sister and her mother.

Herbert Juwan Fullard pleaded guilty Tuesday in Forsyth County Superior Court to first-degree kidnapping, robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, felony breaking and entering, felony larceny, larceny of a motor vehicle and breaking and entering of a motor vehicle.

He also entered what is known as an Alford plea to sexual battery, which means he did not admit guilt but acknowledged that prosecutors had enough evidence to convict him.

Judge Edgar Gregory sentenced Fullard to 11 years and eight months to 15 years and six months in prison.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Winston-Salem’s National Little League organization says Monday rains caused their ballpark to flood.  

Officials said the National Little League fields off Phillips Bridge Road in Winston-Salem likely won’t be ready to reopen until next week. 

The league president said flooding caused thousands of dollars in damage, including damage to appliances in the concession stands.

While the fields have flooded before, Kay Nelson said it’s been a long time since they’ve looked this bad.

“I’m sorry for the people that have to come and clean all this up and sorry for the players that have to be put on hold for a while,” Nelson said.

All games scheduled for this week are canceled until further notice.