The
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J oumal
If it happened^ it's news to
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No. 50 Vol. 96
ouo & Hoke Co? -
Wednesday, March 3, 2004
Local National Guardsmen deploy to Iraq
Family members cheer, shed tears as troops depart from Pope Air Force Base
By VmoRiANA Si mm^ks
Staff writer
Family of the l()5th Engineer Battal
ion of the U.S. National Guard in Raeford
will soon be sending letters overseas to
an unknown brigade headquarters.
They bid final goodbyes at Pope Air
Force base last week to Companies A,
B, and C. Hailing also from
Rockingham, Wadesboro, Laurinburg,
Hamlet and St. Pauls, their peacekeep
ing mission as part of the 3()th Heavy
Separate Brigade is scheduled for at
least one year as part of the Operation
Iraqi Freedom.
Unfortunately, family may never
know where their husbands, wives, fa-
t hers, mothe rs, sons or daughte rs w i 11 be
stationed in Iraq, according to Capt.
Robert N. Carver, chief of public affairs
for the N.C. National Guard.
“Families might eventually be told
where they are based, but not right now,"
Carver said. “1 was honored to see the
Guard deployed last week at Pope Air
Force Base.
“It is always difficult when you put
friends on an airplane to a place where
they will be in harm’s way," he said.
“I was watching family members —
some upset, some entirely stoic. It was a
range of emotions."
This, as a voyage to participate in the
peacekeepingassignment began for 129
liKal National guardsmen in one of the
largest deployments of the volunteer
military force since World War II.
Fort died by farnily cheers and tears.
National Guard troops from the l()5th
Engineer group in Raeford tlcw to Ku
wait on Thursday and in the wee hours
ol Sunday before daybreak. Their final
de.stination will be Iraq, joining 5,()(K)
(.See or ployed, page HA)
Below; It hurts so bad... a relative is consoled as a family member from
the 105'*’ Engineer Battalion is deployed to Iraq. Right; Boarding a
transport plane for Iraq at Pope AFB last Thursday are members of the
105'*’ Engineer Battalion headquartered in Raeford.
1
(Photos contributed by TSgt. Brian Christiansen of the N.C. Nationai Guard)
# f f I • ■
Snow storm
in pictures
page iA
School workshop
teaches parents
page (>A
Balm in Gilead
addresses AIDS
with prayer
page 4A
Anniversaries 3B
Births 3B
Calendar 2B
Classifieds 7-8B
Deaths 8A
Editorials 2A
Engagements 3B
Legals 4-6B
Religion 4A
Schools 6A
Socials 3B
Sports 5A
Hoke’s top stories
are on the web;
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www.thenews-Journal.com
Raeford City Council studies streetscape plan
Members hear Redevelopment Commission presentation of a future Raeford
By Pa I Ai.i.i n Wii son
Editor
Raeford councilmen kept the purse
stringsclosed Monday night as they opted
to study one proposal that would mean
taking money from the coffers and re
jected another.
The council tabled and is to address on
March 15 a request by the Redevelop
ment Commission of the City of Raeford
that the city demolish the vacant and
decaying former Raeford Hotel and pre
pare the site for sale as well as authorize
a design plan and implement Pha.se I of a
streetscape plan presented to them.
Councilmen decided against priKeed-
ing with Phase II of a water improve
ments project begun in 2001. Phase 1,
consisting of a 12-inch water line along
Highway 20 to Oakdale Gin Road and to
Highway 401 Business as well as a new
water tank, is near completion. 1 lowevcr,
the laying of a 12-inch water line along
the Palmer Street E.xtension, a Phase II
project, was to go on a N.C. Dept, of
Transportation roadway right-of-way
whose route is not yet finalized. Delaying
the project may result in a loss of a Rural
Center grant of approximately $62,000,
part of an approximate $400,000 grant
obtained to pay for the entire project at a
cost of $1.5 million. Approximately
$188,000 is needed to complete Phase II.
The city could recoup part of the ex
pected grant loss by piggy backing on
dot’s right-of-way and not having to
pay landowners from city funds.
Two weeks ago, engineers for the
project recommended Phase II be contin
ued, and Public Works Director Mike
Lucas, when asked his opinion Monday
night, told councilmen, “From my stand
point, I’d like to see it done but 1 can’t tell
you how to spend your money.”
Councilman Wayne Mills suggested
the city “hold to Phas^ I right now" and
(See STREETSCAPE, page 7A)
Attorney and school board chair Smith seeks state house seat
B> ViCtOKIANA SUMMI-.RS
Staff writer
Raeford attorney
Russell Charles Smith,
serving his second term
as chairman of the Hoke
Board of Education,
Smith says he is vying for the
48th District House of
Representatives seat in the upcoming
November election.
A former Hoke High teacher. Smith is
the first candidate residing in Hoke to
announce he will run for the state office
for the next term.
Outlining his future campaign. Smith
supports an improved road system in the
county, including the expansion of N.C.
211 and U.S. 401.
Committed to a high caliber of educa
tion for students in Hoke, Scotland and
Robeson counties. Smith said he would
urge the state to contribute more educa
tional funding to these neighboring coun
ties.
“This is something that I have always
wanted to pursue,” Smith, who will con
tinue tooperate his Iwal law firm if elected,
said. “I am not a profc.ssional politician. 1
am here to represent the people.
“I think my valuable experiences as a
sole practitioner of a law firm and small
businessman in Raetord and serving on
the school board will be taken to the state
By VirroRiANA Summi;Rs
Staff writer
With the presidential and gubernato
rial races approaching November 2,
Hoke’s board of elections is faced mainly
with local challenges because of a shifted
filing period and primary dale. The de-
he news-
News
Other stuff
By Ken MacDonai-D
General Manager
It’s not every year we get eight inches
of snow in Raeford. The storm last week
waskindoflikea lOO-yearflood.Interms
of rarity, yes, but also in the sense that
water was appearing in places it isn’t
supposed to.
The tirst such report here at the office
was that water was pouring from the ceil
ing of the darkroom. That we abated by
constructing a contraption with a funnel
and tubes - resembling a still - to divert
the flow into a sink. Then little drips
began appearing all over the building.
To the roof!
We discovered the snow was acting as
a sponge, holding four inches of slush in
place and the slush was looking for a way
in the building.
Apparently several businesses down
town with Hat roofs experienced the same
indoor rainfall.
When the going gets tough, the tough
(See OTHER STUFF, page 5A)
(See SMITH, page 7A)
Redistricting impacts Hoke House district
bate centers around a redistricting feud on
the state level betweeri Republicans and
the predominantly Denyocratic-controlled
General Assembly.
The federal court hj^s set a trial date of
April l3toconsiderthe redistricting plans
submitted by North Carolina legislators.
(See REDISTRICTHVC, page 8A)
Chief jailer quits
after demotion
By VlCTORlAN^ Summers
Staff writer
Citing several serious incidents, Sher
iff Hubert Peterkin detvioted Chief Jailer
Michael Sparks Friday. Sparks resigned
yesterday.
Peterkin said after numerous incidents
of a serious nature at the Hoke County
Food Lion opens Detention Ccntei had j^one unreported to
cu •« u u 1 • him, there was no,choice left
Sheriff Hubert Peterkin was among oil ,i .
dignitaires on hand for the grand open- sequen ly resigned yester-
ingofthe Food Lion at Hoke Landing this afternoon after a surprise visit by
morning. He Is shown with store man- state inspectors from the
ager Jackie Robinson. JAILER, page 7A)