Marih l.V 2(K)2 THE NEWS-JOHKNAE Karford, N.C. 5A -y- ’ /i ' tti 1 V*' r V V » MV. ' ./ ' L V - ¥,. ^;V.' y^fr-' ^'^’h' if .', :i ■ i. M'l >\i: t, ■ L»r!'! A Cumberland County Arson Task officer surveys the scene of a barn fire where a registered stallion died. Rames take life of registered staUion Fire believed to have been deliberately set By Pap Allen Wii son Editor The person wlio .set fire to a barn this weekend had to have known there was a horse in one of the stalls, ac cording to the animal’s owner. "Skip probably thought he was going to be fed. Whenever people come around, he nickers and talks," Beth Goerz said in the present tense — as if the regis tered quarterhorsc was still alive. Skip’s charred body was partiallv hidden by a piece of tin as an investi gator with the Cumberland Countv Arson Task Force checked out the scene. Beth’s husband, Keith, drove by the barn, which is about a quarter mile from their home off Calloway Road, near midnight Saturday. He saw a familiar car at the barn but did not stop. Later, he saw flames from his house but thought a neighbor was burning trash. Now he is sorry he did ,not check out the fire,, thinking he might have saved Skip. The following morning Mr. Goerz, a soldier, leaving for a temporary as signment in Florida, drove by the barn shortly before 6 a.m. and saw that the barn had been virtually destroyed w ith flames licking upward from burning timber. He did not know until full daylight that Skip’s body was under a piece of tin that was once the roof. “As soon as I saw it, 1 knew he burned it," Mr. Goerz said of the man they suspect torched the barn. "We knew something was going to h;ip- pen." The barn, valued at SKUHH), did not belong to the Goerz couple, but was owned by a man in Spring Lake who owns an additional lb acres at the site. He said he was approached by a man who asked about bus ing the barn. When the barn's owner refused, the man threiitened to "gel even" and ^ lid he "would make life hard" for liim. The Goerz couple bel ieves the man w ho made the threats got his revenge b ’ setting fire to the barn. Mrs. Goerz points out th;it there ' as no electrical power in the barn, hich held two horse stalls ;md two eds. She also said a "livable" apart- 'iit was in the building. "It wasn't a junk horse," said the lend who sold Skip to Beth Goerz in change for the furrier services she rovides. Skip, whose registered name IS "Skip a Little Magic," was 20 irs old and was used for breeding. ■ He was dark red and big and beau- .. It and he was bred for racing," said die formerowner. Sheexplained that, ' I though Beth had owned the horse lot just a short time, she had taken care of him for years. Skip was valued at $5,000. Said Mrs. Goerz, "He was the calmest stal lion 1 ever had." A slight correction The Rev. Rich Vaughan asked that we point out that Lenten Luncheons will be held each Wednesday through Mar. 27 at the Fi'rst Baptist Church at noon. The cost is $5. 3lapfif di vcMUuf ^ (£ Qon^mtulaUem on yxuix Sietixement M^.. Cltmie Simtcfiex Mxuf Qod SlicM^ ymi! We Zone you Sn Vex^ Much! Jathie, ‘June, Jlwia, tUxandan, Jaamine S. iDefimond Get Back To The Things You Enjoy Back pain can stop you trom (Joing the things you enioy about lite Pertorming your tegular lob and tamity requirements can sometimes be overwhelming ' Wilh regular ctiiiopiaclic examinations and treatment, it is possible to regain your lilestyle and move on to new cfallenges. Chiropractic care has irr^irovefl greatly in acceptance and Rockfish Chiropractic and Acupuncture, P-A- 7619 Rockfish Road Raeford, NC 28376 904-0716 ^ww.docrQykfish^coni popularity with people who are looking lor an alternative tieatmern without the use ol drugs or surgery. Ae can answer any ol your questions and concerns about Chiropractic Ae can help you with problems you may have been living with lor years lei us help you get back into the swing ol things. Dr. Dennis A. Desjardins Mrs. Goerz is an animal cruelty iii\estigatoi in Hoke Conntv. "It is ironic this happened to an animal cru elty investigator." said her friend. Pinehill Volunteer Fire Dept, ('hief Billy Williams called the ('nmberland County Ar.son Task Foice to look into the fire since Hoke Conntv Fire Mar shal Al Schwarcbher was out of town. The lesponding inv'estigator took a re port but explained he could not inves tigate because it w as not in his jurisdic tion unless he was called in. He indi cated his willingness to help. Once an investigation into the fire by the 1 loke County Sheriff's Office is completed, Skip will be buried in the field where her mares run, Mrs. Goerz said. The couple owns seven horses and expressed concern about the welfare of those animals. One is valued at $25,000, she pointed out. Mrs. Goerz thinks whoever set the fire might brag about it. Anyone who might have information is asked to call the Hoke Countv Sheriff's Office al 875-5 111. Rekindled Sunday afternoon shortly after noon, sparks from the barn fire ig nited nearby w(x,)ds, and firefighters were called in toextinguish the flames whipped by high winds. A plow from N.C'. Forestry Service plowed a line around the fire to contain it. Hayes pays tribute on House floor to Tyler WASHINGTON, DC - Congress man Robin Hayes (Republican, 8tli District)spokcon the lloorof the U.S. House last Thursday to pay tribute to the Hoke County Superintendent of Schools M itch Ty Icr who passed away February 2. Here is that tribute: "I rise to today to join Hoke County, North Carolina in mourning the loss of one of our most respected citizens, Superintendent of Schools Mitch Tyler. "At the age of 46, Mitch was taken from us far too early, and we will feel the losstoourcommnnity foryearsto come. Mitch had been Superinten dent for less than two years, but his more than 20 years i[i education - from the state and university levels to Hoke and Cumberland counties-made him a well-known, trusted figure and ;i respected role model. "Mitch, a Robeson County ntitive, started his career in I loke County. He was a teacher or administrator at West Hoke Llementary Scliool, .I.W. Mcl.anclilin Elementary Scliool and the Turlington Scliool. From lOSO to I 'W2, he was principal of I loke County High Scliool. He tilso worked as a Mitch Tyler coordinator of 1 loke County’s Indian Education Program, a senior assistant to state Superintendent Mike Ward ;uid a director at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where lie was a liai.son to region schools. "He was a tireless and sellless ad vocate tor citildren, and an enthusias tic consensus-builder, encouraging camaraderie and teamwork among teacliers and staff. 'I'liey knew tliey could trust liis word and lliat he would do things right. "Mitcii was also a man of faith Congressman Robin Hayes who served as assistant pastor and Sunday school teacher at Shannon Assembly of God. 'I’oday we moitm the loss of Mitch I'y ler, a man of great character, and a Iciider who always strived to do what was iiest for citildren. Barbara and I join the Hoke County community in prayer for Mitch's wife ;md two teen age citildren as they grieve the loss of linsband and fatlier, yet we celebrate tile life of one who lived so well. Our thoughts and prayers are with von." Hoke TeC to survey community technology 'I'he Hoke County Technology C'onsortium (Hoke TeC) lias an nounced a pltin to survey and assess community Inisinesses, agencies, or- ganiztitions, and government as part of tlie ongoing initiative to link Hoke County residents and citizens to a better future. 'I'he underlying goals are to increase opportunities for life long learning, enhance economic de velopment, and improve the overall quality of life for residents by em ploying Internet acce.ss ;md digital technologies to solve community problems. The local initiative is part of tlie statewide e-NC Initiative of the Rural Internet Access Antliority tliat lias Rabies clinics Nortli Carolina requires that all dogs and cals more than four montlis old be vaccinated against rabies. Several low-cost rabies vaccina tion clinics have been set in Hoke County: • Saturday, March 16.10 a.m, -12 p.m., Raeford Health Dept; •March 18. Id,20and22,Raeford Animal Clinic; • Saturday, April 20, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Rockfish Fire Dept. rite cost is $6 per animal. Dr. Russell J. Tate, veterinarian, will ad minister the vaccine. "Siinv" Tanning Emporium Do You Have The Luck Of The Irish ? Puixhase any lotion for $2(1 (or more) and get ,\|| |„ registeix-d Cor u FREE month of unlimited tanning*. ‘Drawing to be held 3/17/02 Hillcrest Shopping Center 2I88-Ilwv40l Business Raeford • 875-9191 Spring lAike Plaza 316-1) Hwy 210N Spring Lake • 436-7869 WOOD'S TIRE & AUTO 114 RACKET ALLEY (91(9875-2079 ECONOMY TIRE SPECIAL 4 FOR ^89 or $22.25 EACH I55-80RI3 I65-80RI3 I75-80RI3 I85-80RI3 FOR ^109 FOR ^5 or $31.25 EACH 205-75RI5 225-75RI5 2I5-75RI5 235-75RI5 or $27.25 EACH I85-75RI4 205-75RI4 I95-75RI4 ALSO AVAILABLE Michelen • Bridgestone Goodyear • Uniroyal Grand Am Truck Tires • Farm Tires Mower Tires NO CARRY OUTS - VALVE STEM TAXES, BALANCING EXTRA SERVICES AVAILABLE FOR Oil Change — Brakes — Drive Axles Wheel Balancing — Rotation 2 & 4 Wheel Alignment Starters —Alternator —Water Pumps Struts — Shocks —Timing Belts Me NOW kilijv Abates MON.-FRI. 7:00 AM-5:30 PM • SAT. 8:00 AM-12:30 PM CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED; 3B3 VI B similar goals and olijcctivcs. Carolyn Olivarez, local Technol ogy Clianipion said, "This survey/ a.ssessment process project w ill help us liave a clear sense of the current level of electronic technology capac ity we have in our community. We should not rely only on information assemiiled at the state level, but rather on our own research and information gathered here," Olivarez continued, "As we plan for tlie future, we will have to know wiiere we are and where the people want to go so th;it we can prepare a teclinology pl;m and vision represen tative of onr community. W'c invite and encourage the participation of liusinesses, industry, agencies, and government in these efforts.” Hoke'l'eCwilil)ea.ssessingasample number of the more than 400 busi nesses and agencies in the county over the next montli. Tlie initially identified sample is representing roughly 10 per cent of those entities. This process will be carried out as partof a joint initiative of the Hoke TeC Consortium, Schoollink, and FayettevilleTechnical Community College. interested agencies and organiza tions may contact Carolyn Olivarez at 910-875-4106; Donna Sullivan at 910- 904-6536 ext.3; or Christina Davis- McCoy at 910-904-0312 for more information. Calloway Tract to be burned Tlie Calloway Tract w ill be blaz ing in the near future. A controlled burn issclieduled sometime between March 14 and April 26 — weather permitting. Tlie 2-500 acre Calloway Tract was recently bought by the N.C. Dept, of Transportation and donated to The Nature Conservancy, head- qutirtered in Southern Pines, l.ongleaf pines cover the acreage, which w'as bought to provide a habi tat for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. Tlie tract is located about five miles northwest of Raeford and ranges from N.C. Highway 211 West to the IWrt Bragg reserva tion. Tlie burn is being done to "main tain natural communities on the property," according to a notice issued by The Nature Conser vancy. If anyone has questions about the prescribed burn, they may con tact Ferry Severson at (910) 246- ()3()(). ns Things Into Focus If you*ve been putting off getting a new pair of glasses or contact lenses now IS the t?me to 115 W.F.Iwuod.Avenue (7 iLoi'aU’d heliveen The liinyk\\ttnn The Vni s^Jounuiti 875 - 6280 POOR nAN*S Friday, March 15,2002 11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Raeford United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall / Blackeye Peas • Beans Cabbage • Ham Cake SPONSORED BY: • . | Raefor^UnltedMethodlstWoniei^^^