The
ews
If it happened, iit's news to us
J oumal
No. 34 Vol. 95
ACFO«D

Wednesday, November 13, 2002
Sandhills Youth Center may move from Hoke
Bv VicTORiANA Summers
Staff writer
The aging Sandhills Youth Center
in McCain is one of three prisons
across the state that could be closed.
Costly maintenance at the site is the
reason Department of Correctional
officials could suspend the minimum-
security facility's operation, according
to Keith Acree, spokesman for the DOC.
“We are trying to explore the possi
bility of shutting down the facility,”
Acree said. “We are still trying to figure
out the particulars.
“There is no written plan or t i metable
at this point. We are discussing moving
the Hoke operation to one of two hoot
camps that have been closed in other
parts of the state.”
The Sandhills Youth Center is lo
cated on N.C. 211 near Aberdeen, and
has been operated since ld74 by the
Department of Correction. It currently
houses .'^02 inmates from 1S to 25 years
of age. It is capable of accommodating
.■^20 prisoners. The annual state budget
for salaries at Sandhills is $2.4 million.
DOC employs S5 staff at the prison.
“When you talk about people’s jobs,
staff can gel anxious,” Acree said. “The
Department of Correction would likely
offer the present staff transfer positions
to other facilities if Sandhills is closed.
“1 imagine it would have some im
pact on the local Moke economy.”
Acree said there are absolutely no
plans to close McCain Correctional
Hospital, a minimum-security medical
fSVe YOUTH CENTER, page 8A)
V
♦
% I ;/v
Models of history
Brittany Tyler displays her model of the historic Glen Echo School made during a social studies project at East Hoke
Middle in which models of historic buildings were made. She is the daughter of Carol Tyler and the late Mitch Tyler. See
other photos on page 2B.
This Week
Former doctor speaks
of prison life
page 7 A
Veterans stand up for
patriots
page 4A
Hoke High
celebrates good
character
|>age 8A
Index
Births 3B
Business/Farm 9A
Calendar 6B
Classifieds 5-6B
Deaths 9A
Editorials 2A
Engagements 3B
Legals 4B
Public Record 12A
Religion 5A
Schools 2B
Socials 3B
Sports 8A
Hoke’s top stories
are on the web
www.thenews-journal.com
Davis campaign manager
alleges assault in election
‘Warrior of wisdom,’
Tyler remembered
Bv 1’ai Ai-i.i n Wii.sos
Editor
Hoke Schools Superintendent Mitch
Tyler received his Eagle Feather in No
vember 2()()0, presented bv Hawkeye In
dian Cultural ('enter. It is one of the high
est honors to be earned in the American
Indian culture.
However, at a proclamation ceremony
in which Friday wasdeclared Mitch Tyler
Day. it was clear that Tyler’s unexpected
death in March of this year was not just a
loss to the Native American culture. "Stu
dents of all races trusted him and looked at
him as a role model,” said colleague Dr.
Zoe Locklear of the N.C. Dept, of Public
Instruction. "He poured his heart, mind,
body and soul into education in Hoke
County."
Tearfully, Locklear said, "He really
simply can't be replaced.”
Locklear spoke from the Hoke County
Library stage Friday afternoon, where
friends, family, co-workers and dignitar
ies gathered to rememher the man whose
death at age 46 of a heart attack was felt
throughout the education field in North
Carolina.
(See TYLER, page 11 A)
By Vic'roRiANA Summers
Staff writer
Cumberland County resident Rashad
Rahmaan filed an assault complaint
against Alvin Walker, one of Hoke’s
DemtKratic election judges following a
dispute on election day.
The incident occurred when Rahmaan
attempted to enter Raeford Precinct No.
4atthe RaefordCivicCentcrand Walker
at first denied him entry.
In the complaint, Rahmaan alleged
Walker assaulted and struck him, pull
ing him on several occasions.
“I did not do anything to Mr.
Rahmaan,” Walker said. “He was not
authorized to be inside the precinct on
election day. I just tried to carry out my
duties.
“1 never assaulted him.”
Walker said Rahmaan was not en
titled to enter becau.se he is neither a
resident of Hoke County nor a regis
tered voter, and for him to enter would
he a violation of N.C. election law.
Walker, 66, of Old Maxton Road,
was allowed to surrender at the Hoke
Magistrate’s office on election night.
Hoke Sheriff’sdeputicsscrvcdhim with
the arrest warrant on Nov. 5. He was
charged with misdemeanor assault. A
(See ASSAULT, page I2A)
Lead dancer Waya Dimelanta’s movements and regalia were explained by Keith
Colston of Baltimore.
Board certifies election with only minor changes to totals
By Victoriana Summers
Staff writer
No chad mistakes were found
in Hoke County’s election like in
Florida during the presidential
election, but light print on some
numbers at one precinct was in
correctly read as zeros, accord-
ingtoCarolineShook, Hoke Elec
tions Board supervisor.
“This caused some of the
Allendale precinct’s totals to
change, hut did not change the
outcome of any races,” Shook
said. “When the voting sheets
were examined during the final
canvass last week, the misread
totals were discovered.”
Shook said official election re
sults were satisfactorily certified
on Friday and sent into the State
Board of Elections. Provisional
ballots were also counted on
Thursday and combined, she
(See CERTIFIED, page I2A)
County places restrictions on
daycare centers, group homes
changes were recommended by
Hoke’s Planning Board after com
plaints were received from many
concerned citizens, said Hoke
Planner Linda Revels, who also
supervises the zoning department.
“I feel this will propel our
county forward,” Revels said.
(See ZONING, page 7A)
By Victoriana Summers
Staff writer
In an effort to preserve the
quality of residential neighbor
hoods, Hoke commissioners
unanimously approved new zon
ing restrictions for future group
homes and daycare centers. The
Sleuth or consequences...
Shown from left: Onnie Dudley, Elections Board secretary, Caroline Shook, Elections Board supervisor,
and Whiteford Jones, chairman, detect a printing error in Allendale precinct totals. The error changed
the totals, but not the outcome of the election.