Newspapers / The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.) / March 5, 2014, edition 1 / Page 1
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The ews I ournal Hoke County’s newspaper since 1905 r No.52Vol.108 Raeford & Hoke County n.c. Wednesday, March 5,2014 Voting site splits elections board Member withdraws support, things get a little heated By Catharin Shepard Staff writer Two weeks after Hoke County Board of Commissioners Chairman James Leach spoke out againstusing the county public library as a one- stop voting site, a county elections board member chose not to sign off on the one-stop voting site plan that the board had already unanimously approved. At a commission meeting Febru ary 17, Leach opposed moving the county one-stop voting site from the county offices to the library in Raeford. Leach called the move “a disgrace” and said he had concerns about accessibility and parking at the library. The move was part of a one-stop voting site plan that in January passed a unanimous vote by the Hoke County Board of Elections. Ultimately, county commission ers do not have the authority to determine where polling places are located, according to North Carolina state law. At a called meeting Friday after noon, Board of Elections Chairman Robert Vaughn and board secretary Gene Shelnutt signed the previously approved one-stop voting site plan that would open early voting sites at the Hoke County Public Library and the Conference B Headquarters on Highway 401 (R.L. Douglas Head quarters Building). Board member Gloria Hill did not sign the plan and said she did not approve of us ing the library as a one-stop voting site, although she previously voted in favor of it. The proposal will now move on (See VOTING SITE, page 6A) Clockwise from top left: routine and vertical formation winners Josh D’Annunzio and Alex Verner; best trick win ner Ray Kubiak; best trick youth winners Trey Verner and Cam Timberlake. (Contributed photos) Moor skydiving championship draws international competitors By Catharin Shepard Staff writer More than 150 of the world’s best body fliers came to Raeford last weekend to suit up and step into the wind tunnel at Paraclete XP SkyVenture to test their skills. People from ages eight to 60, hailing from six different countries, visited Hoke County to take part in the two-day 4th An nual World Invitational Indoor Skydiving Championships. The event challenged the best of the best body fliers to see who could perform some of the most complicated, best synchronized orfastestmid-airmoves. People from as far away as Belgium, France and Qatar came to compete, while others - notably, the United States Army Golden Knights - were closer to home. The competition included six different categories of flying, including the four-way formation on pro, amateur and rookie levels, the eight-way formation, the two- way VFS, two-way routine and best trick. The local wind tunnel is the site of the championships because it’s a unique place to go flying, media specialist Keith Greedy said. The tunnel is the biggest indoor skydiving facility in America. “It’s the only tunnel you can fly eight way (formation flying),” he said. Three judges carefully watched each performance to give the contestants their scores. “They use a camera at the top of the tunnel,” Greedy said. The judges look for different things in each category. For example, in the formation flying competition, it’s about how many tricks the group can perform in 35 seconds. The people competing in the champion ship have typically dedicated years and a (See SKYDIVING, page 6A) 12 vie for commission Debate set for candidates in contested races By Catharin Shepard Staff writer By the time the candidate filing period closed Friday, a dozen candidates had filed to run for one of the three available seats on the Hoke County Board of Commissioners. Republicans John F. Harry and Angela Thomas, and Democrats William “Brownie” Brown, Richard Byrd, Charles Daniels, Tony Hunt (incumbent), Michael Lindsay, Fred die McPhaul, Clifford “Cliff’ Overby, Jean Powell (incumbent), Harry Southerland and Allen Thomas filed to run for the commission. Incumbent Ellen McNeill is not running for reelection. Several incumbents in major local races will run unopposed this year. Incumbent Sheriff Hubert Peterkin was the only candidate to file to run for that office. Incumbent Hoke County Clerk of Court Evelyn McLeod and long-time county coroner G. Franklin Grumpier are also unopposed. Three District Court judges in District 16A are running unopposed. Incumbent judges Scott T. Brewer and Regina M. Joe and can didate Chris Rhue are seeking office without challengers. Rhue is seeking incumbent Chief District Judge William Mcllwain’s seat. Mcll- wain is not running for reelection. Three people filed to run for incumbent Robin Hudson’s seat as a Supreme Court As sociate Justice. Hudson and candidates Eric (See ELECTION, page 5A) Former veterans officer in race By Catharin Shepard Staff writer Freddie McPhaul Former Hoke County Veterans Service Officer Freddie McPhaul announced last week that he plans to run for a seat on the county board of commissioners. Several people approached McPhaul about running for the board and he felt it was time to go for it, the candidate said. “I told them I still love my county and if they got the committee together I would run, because you got to have community backing, and I feel like I have that,” he said. McPhaul said he is interested in becoming a commissioner because he hopes to be part of the county’s leadership. (See MCPHAUL, page 6A) News-Journal awarded for excellence The News-Journal was named the third-best newspaper of its size in the state last week at the 2013 North Carolina Press Association News, Editorial and Photojournalism awards banquet. The News-Journal won third place in General Excellence for the Category A com munity newspaper division. Considered the top prize presented by the NCPA, General Excellence awards are given to publications that demonstrate mechanical excellence, gen eral and departmental news coverage, literacy excellence, promotion of community interests, graphics and appearance, editorial vigor, use of photographs and advertising enterprise. A contest judge commented that The News- Journal showed “Good reporting on many news stories. Advertising, design and layout are strong.” Volunteers from the New Jersey and Michigan press associations judged the contest. Additionally, News-Journal reporter Catha rin Shepard received first place in Feature Writ ing and second place in News Feature Writing. The NCPA presented the awards atabanquet Thursday night in Chapel Hill. The News-Journal has received 15 awards in the last three years from NCPA contests. This Week I Calendar 2B Classifieds 6B Deaths 3 A Editorials 2 A Legals 3-5B Sports 7 A Worship 6B www.thenews-journal.com www.raefordnj.com Turkey Festival to change name to reflect changing poultry Mustry By Catharin Shepard Staff writer Move over, Turkey Lurky. You’ve got company. The North Carolina Turkey Festival committee is hoping fans of the annual event, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, will be just as happy talking chicken as they have been talking turkey. After years of discussing the possible change. the festival committee has reserved the named “North Carolina Poultry Festivaf ’ and plans to reboot the annual event in 2015 with an altered focus that includes chicken and other fowl as well as turkey. The change is an attempt to keep up with the times and economy in Hoke, festival executive director Melissa Pitt man said. “Thirty years ago, turkey was the largest commodity in Hoke County. It no longer is and we still want to promote the largest commodity, but we don’t want to leave the turkey behind,” she said. Many people have been “assuming and thinking and talking” about a possible change since last year, but the committee was a bit sentimental about making (See EESTIVAL, page 4A) Going digital Hoke County teachers work with a digital science textbook in preparation for its use in elementary schools.The county received a $54,500 grant from the state to help“digital learning” in the schools.The“Techbook” will be available to students at all times and will allow teachers to create individual lessons based on need.
The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.)
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March 5, 2014, edition 1
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