Newspapers / The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.) / Aug. 23, 2000, edition 1 / Page 1
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The ews Journal No. 21 Vol. 93 happened^ it's ne 50 cents Wednesday, August 23, 2000 Visit us at our new web location www.thenews-journal.com This week State's top judge to speak at banquet page 4A High School stadium to be dedicated to Autry page 6A Congressmen meet with Hoke farmers page 8A Index Births.... 3B Calendar.... 2B Classifieds.... ....8-10B Deaths.... 5A Editorials .... 2,3A Engagements.... iB Legals.... 6-7B Public Record.... 5A Religion.... ....2,10B Socials.... 3,4B TV Listings.... 4-5B Weddings.... 3B Around Town n.._j irfeiii By Sam C. Morris Contributing Editor The 8 degree weather feels better than the high 9()s that we had the first of last week. Saturday and Sunday the highs were only in the 80s and the lows at night were in the low 60s. The thunderstorms that came through the county last Friday produced more thun der and lightning than it did rain. My guage registered about 3/4 of an inch of rain. I haven’t heard of any damage in 1 loke County, like there was in other parts of the state. My wife, daughter and son-in-law were returning to Raeford from Louisburg and they had to stop once and then travel slowly before they arrived safely home. The forecast for the remain der of the week, Wednesday through Saturday,calisforthe highs to be in the low 9()s or high 8()s and the lows to be in the high 6()s. There isachance of rain in the afternoons. * ♦ * ♦ il* Last Wednesday afternoon I went to the Earl Hendrix farm to meet Congressman Robin Hayes. He and another Congressman from Kansas were there to talk with Hoke farmers about agricultural is- suesand how they affect larms. There were many people there who were not tarmers, like myself. I had some ques tions that 1 wanted to ask the congressman and he was very gracious in taking time to talk with me. I think the Congress man made a good impression (See AROUND, pa%e 7A) Toxins from landfill found in water State warned Hoke about groundwater, never received response By Vktoriana Si'mmi rs Staff writer Hoke County officials were informed by the state more than six months ago that groundwater monitored in wells at the closed Hoke Landfill had flunked accept able ratings, but the warning went un heeded. If left imcorrected, the condition A gathering first envisioned to unify men of Hoke County expanded to include as many women and children, and crossed lines of races and creeds. (Photos by Victoriana Summers) could potentially contaminate drinking water in some county wells, says geolo gist Mark Poindexter of the North Caro lina Department of Environment and Natural Resources. "Volatile chemical compounds were detected” in November 1999 and June 21, 2000,” Poindexter said. “These chemi- calsexceededlevelsallowed. Hoke’s well samplesdidnotcomply with water quality standards,” he said. “County officials continued to ignore the condition existed,” he added. When the “low levels” of chemicals were discovered in the wells, Poindexter said the amounts definitely showed more than just traces. “We arc concerned,” Poindexter .said. "We don’t know if it could affect any body yet, or not — orifit is an immediate threat to public health.” he said. “Locally, there has been some seepage into the groundwater table. We don't know how far it has spread, and that has to be determined.” In February, the state requested the county acquire the services of a licensed geologist for its solid waste division, and (See lANDh'ILL, page HA) i\\ E5T1 200 men plus women, children fill church for service By Victoriana Summi.rs Staff writer “1 think this was one of the greatest I unity programs in Hoke Count), and will, perhaps, become a model for other coun ties,” said the Rev. Ray P. Owens, host of the first 200 Men Fellowship held at Freedom Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church on Sunday evening, August 20. "People are still feeling the spirit of this event, and it's something that will last in the hearts and minds of those who participated.” More than 206 men stood hand tt > shi 'ul der, forming symbolic pillars of strength in Freedom Chapel in a fraternity of broth erhood. Some wept, some lifted their eyes to God, while others stamped their feet in appreciation. Their daughters, sis ters, wives, mothers and grandmothers — 259 women — sat across the aisle, applauding and supporting the men. For three hours, guests shouted “Glory. Hal- (See FELLOWSHIP, page 9/1) Kennedy named Hoke High principal By Kristin Guthrie Staff writer Last Thursday night the Hoke County Board of Education met in a special session to approve the hiring of Donna Kennnedy as Hoke County High School’s new principal. Superintendent Mitch Tyler said Kennedy has been the administrator in charge since the school year began on August 1, and now with the board’s approval, her duties as principal are official. Kennedy served as the .school’s assistant principal from 1995-97 and from 1999 until her recent promotion. Kennedy’s duties at the high school began in 1990 when she taught math. She also worked as a math teacher at Upchurch Junior H gh School from 1979-90. Her masters of school admin istration and her undergraduate degree in mathematics both came from Pembroke State University. While studying education, Kennedy did her student teach ing at her own alma matter, Hoke County school system. Prior earning to her college degrees, she attended Hoke County High School where she graduated in 1971. Tyler says as far as he knows, Kennedy is the first female prin cipal of the high school and also the first alumnus to hold the po sition. In a comment about how the first year is going, Kennedy said, “I’m loving it... I think it’sgoing to be the best one we’ve ever had.” She said that the teachers, stu dents and parents are all excited about this new school year, and she has high hopes for all that is to come. Donna Kennedy Heated meeting sinks one-stop voting grant for county By ViaoRiANA Summers Staff writer Hoke County Board of Elections held a heated meeting to consider whether to establish one-stop voting sites for the upcoming November election. The meet ing was described by some as “more than lively.” The term “racist” was reportedly said to have been used by Hoke Elections Chairman Willie McCaskillas he debated with board Member Delbert Minshew, a Republican, treasurer Roman Jacobs and two other precinct judges that were present. However, McCaskill denied it, saying he did not consider Minshew a racist — merely a “conservative.” Minshew said he recollected the name-calling, but did not think McCaskill specifically called him a racist during their debate. “Mr. McCaskill claimed he had been hoodwinked, because he wanted the one- stop voting really bad,” Minshew said. “He was pretty hot, and he did use the word racist during our discussion, but I did not take it personal.” In a two-to-one vole, McCaskill and Jacobs, both Democrats, voted to estab lish a one-stop voting site at the Hoke County Public Library for absentee vot ers, after opposition from Republicans to McCaskill’ssuggestiontodesignate three sites in Antioch, Blue Springs and Robbins Heights. Those sites were predominantly African American voting districts, says Minshew, who voted against the issue. “There wasn’t adequate time to prepare apian required by the slate, or time to train staff to man three sites in order toqualify,” Minshew said. “The ItK’ationsdid not seem fair for all voters, and I thought there should be abalance,” Minshew said. "Be sides that, I felt it was uncalled for and it would have just cost ourstate more money out of taxpayers’ pockets.” Minshew’s one dissenting vote auto matically disqualified Hoke to request a $ 15,000 grant from the state for one-stop voting sites. The Elections Board was required by the state to garner “unani mous” approval. At the August 15 meeting. Chairman Gene R. Shelnutt of Hoke's Republican Party had submitted a letter, which sug- (See ONE-STOP, page HA) Commissioners unravel leases, consider costs, other options By Victoriana Summers Staff writer 1 loke Commissioner L.E. McLaughlin, along w ith help from fellow comm ission- ers, put the brakes on county spending at the com m ission’s one-hour meeting Mon day night. Commissioner Charles V. Daniels “brainstormed” how the county could save more money by eliminating some need less office leasing. McLaughlin, outspoken about wasting taxpayers’ money,quizzed Hoke’sTrans- portation Department supervisor about why she expanded their offices into the adjoining suites vacated by Hoke’s Se nior Services, after that agency moved to new offices on Elwoctd Avenue. Trans portation Director Kimberly Morrison said County Manager Bernice MePhatter was aware of the expansion. However, McLaughlin said the board had not been privy to the development. “Does transportation need this space?” McLaughlin asked Morrison. “I recom mend Senior Services move back, be cause they are using the same space at the new location as they were using back there.” Originally, Transportation and Senior Services agencies shared side-by-side of fice space, totaling $575 per month. Since Senior Services moved, its agency alone is spending approximately $575 for of fices. Avery Financial Group is request ing Transportation s monthly rental fee for occupying both spaces he increased to $750 in the new lease. This would more than double the combined rental expenses of the tw'o departments. Morrison said it was necessary for her agency to expand due to congestion, with three office staff and additional bus driv ers who operate 13 vans. “We average 2,500 trips per month,” Morrison said. “Now, we have a drivers’ room, where they can wait between scheduled trips to fill out reports.” Commissioner Charles Daniels recom mended an alternate solution, moving Senior Services and Transportation into office space at the old National Guard Armory building on Central Avenue. It w ill soon be vacated by FirstHealthEMS, Daniels said. “I would like to table this lease and have the chairman (James Leach) report back to us at the next meeting about both (See LEASES, page 8A)
The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.)
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Aug. 23, 2000, edition 1
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