Newspapers / The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.) / March 5, 2003, edition 1 / Page 1
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The ews f it happened^ it's news to us Journal Hill Ml 50( No. 50 Vol. 95 Wednesday, March 5, 2003 Council votes to raze vacant Raeford hotel By Pat Allen Wilson Editor With negotiations with those who have expressed an interest in the old Raeford Hotel broken down, coun- cilmen voted Monday night to have it torn down — if the demolition cost is reasonable. Mayor Bob Gentry said an Atlanta firm interested in developing the di lapidated downtown hotel into an assisted living facility had not pro duced anything in writing. He also said a Raeford man was interested in purchasing the building, located at the intersec tion of Main and Central. However, Councilman Eddie McNeill moved to have the hotel demolished, expressing concern about liability since the city owns the building. “If From a postcard, the old Raeford hotel in its heyday. a kid sets it on fire, it could burn down half of Raeford,” he said. “This has been going on for four years.” Although he joined other councilmen who (See HOTEL, page 3A) Ruling against Leach stands Moore judge dismi'ises appeal of Hoke commissioner By Victoriana Summers Staff writer Raeford attorney Harry L. Southerland and his clients. Hoke County Commissioner James Leach and his wife, Valerie, were “no shows” in Moore County Superior Court last Thursday. Initially seeking to reverse a court decision that adversely affected them, Leach said this week they changed their minds. “We decided not to pursue the appeal to prevent the estate of my parishioner, Dorothy Dawkins Allen, from being reopened,” Leach said. “We have done nothing wrong,” he said. The Leaches face civil litiga tion concerning allegations by Allen’s family that they misap propriated the estate of Mrs. Allen, who died of cancer at age 83 in January 2001. They were removed as personal represen tatives of Allen’s estate last year in a court order that declared Leach “breached” his duties as executor, and Mrs. Leach “acted (See LEACH APPEAL, page lOA) Dorothy Allen r / A smiling face of a child is seen as she adopts a pet from The Haven. Rescuers seek better treatment of animals 700 animals abandoned here last year By Victoriana summers Staff writer Three animal-rescuers say mistreatment of animals in Hoke is rampant. They cite several cases in a48-hour period as typi cal, and say more than two ani mals are abandoned i n Hoke each day. “We have witnessed the aban donment of more than 700 dogs and cats in Hoke this past year,” said Linden Spears, executive director of The Haven, a rescue, no-kill pet sanctuary in western Hoke. “People have got to take the blinders off,” Spears said, “We want to make them aware. They have to have the courage to get involved and start seeing,” she said. “Wc see terrible things done to animals every day, and we get numb to it.” One pet owner left a crate of kittens at The Haven recently unbeknownst to Spears until the next day. Finding a vague note attached to the box, Spears pre sumed the felines were perma nently abandoned. However, there were no explicit instruc tions, she said. The owner wrote; “Dear An gels, (to kitties) Hope I can see you more soon. (See ANIMALS, page 7A) Black history military display draws hundreds page IB Dental equipment donated to museum page 6A Shroud of Turin expert speaks here page 5A Births 3B Calendar 2B Classifieds 7B Deaths 9A Editorials 2-3A Legals 5-6B Public Record 9A Religion 5A Schools 4,8B Socials 3B Sports 8A Hoke’s top stories are on the web; send us stories, subscribe www.thenews-journal.com Sandhills Community College reaccredited, commended By Victoriana Summers Staff writer Sandhills Community College Hoke Center has something to brag about. In an era when kudos to col leges are practically extinct, SCC in Southern Pines and its satellite Hoke Center in Raeford have been recognized with asuperior commen dation. The Southern Association of Col leges and Schools has reaccreditated Sandhills Community College with hon ors, culminating years of work by staff, faculty, the board of trustees, foundation board, and community leaders, said SCC President John Dempsey. “Our college is 40 years old this year,” Dempsey said. “Obviously, we are thrilled that the visiting committee from the asso ciation thought highly enough of us to only issue six recommendations out of 485 requirements—none of which had to do with Hoke County,” Dempsey said. “I have only known of one college in my 30 years of experience that 1 am fami liar with having fewer than six recommendations.” Dempsey said Hoke Center ranked high based on the report. “They were completely pleased with the operations of Hoke Center,” Dempsey said. “There were no suggestions or rec ommendations for it at all.” Dempsey said it is “very unusual” for an off-campus facility such as Hoke’s to attai n a similar level as an on-campus site. He said the accreditation committee takes a closer look at satellite facilities, ensur ing standards are equal to that of its main campus. Dempsey also praised SCC Hoke Center’s director, Anna MePhatter, for her achievements in the success of the local college. “1 think the fact that Sandhills’ Hoke Center was commended is a real tribute not only to Anna and her staff, but to the commitment of all of the people of Hoke County,” Dempsey said. “We are very proud of the work Anna and her staff have achieved in Hoke.” Accord i ng to De m psey, reaff i rm i ng ac creditation is a complicated process, and each college in the region must undergo it every 10 years. SCC staff has been pre paring several years for the scrutiny by the association. The caliber of classes, services and programs are measured against strict standards, he said. “This is sort of the ultimate examina tion paper your colleagues subject you to pass,” Dempsey said. “To pass it means a great deal to faculty and, ultimately, to our students. “We are extremely pleased.” Dempsey addressed an assembly of college employees two weeks ago, relat ing the accolades. He told them SCC was (See SANDHILLS, page 3A) Sheriff convinces commissioners to purchase eight patrol cars By Victoriana Summers Staff writer The board of commissioners unanimously approved on Monday night the purchase of two used patrol cars for the Sheriff’s Office in what County Attorney Neil Yarborough de scribed as a “make it so” recommendation. The board also paved the way for Sheriff Hubert Peterkin to immediately order six, new patrol cruisers with equipment. The board agreed the Sheriff’s Office would not take possession of the vehicles until the budget year isover on June 30, according toCommis- sion Chairman Bobby Wright. “The sheriff was very persuasive of the need for these vehicles,” Wright. Peterkin told the board he would actually be asking the board to acquire 10 new vehicles in the upcoming 2003-2004 budget cycle — six coinciding with the annual rotation policy. He said it is one of the most critical issues and largest expenses facing the operating budget. (See PATROL CARS, page 7A) Most missing county equipment found By Victoriana Summers Staff writer Finance Director Scott Edwards told com missioners on Monday night that he and fi nance technician Ron Scurry searched every county department from broom closets to the county’s surplus storage, attempting to trace the county-owned equipment that was thought to be missing. Out of more than $100,000 of equipment listed in an inventory audit con ducted last November, at least 55 to 60 per cent of the total items reported missing were located intact, Edwards said. “Most of the other equipment still unac counted for was older than five years,” Edwards said. “Even if we knew where it was, it would be deemed obsolete and sold by the county as surplus.” Eduards said $68,369.25 worth of the $117,776.25 in equipment allegedly missing was found in the departments — “some in plain view” or in other storage areas. Edwards presented the board with a new policy manual for fixed assets he and Scurry prepared. Scurry will handle the tracking of future fixed assets. He will maintain an inven- (See EQUIPMENT, page 7A) ¥ V Flag donation Local VFW post 7930 has donated a flag to the National Senior Living assisted care facility. Present for the first raising of the flag are Richard Fergison (Post commander), Sally Woods (president of the Ladies Auxiliary), Sandra Clagett (commander over District 8) Harold Evans (chief of staff), Jaide Snapp (junior vice-commander), Willie Wood (judge advocate) Reheha Harimon, Thelma McAllister (guard). Charlie “Airborne Willie" Williams, jack Rilsy, (ai resident of the facility), Susan Baxley (activities director). Penny Pusey (administrator) and Jill Snow (office manager).
The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.)
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March 5, 2003, edition 1
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