4 k 1 C
DeiTinlHT 3, 2(M)3
THE NEWS-JOURNAL
Raeftird, N.C.
3A
Tragedy averted in cotton picker blaze, co-workers save friend
By Vktokiana Summi-rs
AND PaI' Al.LhN Wl.'.S()N
A t'iirm worker narrowly avoided
being severely burned while he was
operating a cotton-picking machine
late Monday afternoon near the
Robeson County line. Heavily laden
with cotton, the farm vehicle ignited
suddenly while John I lenry Gay was
operating it in the middle of a field on
Archie McGougan Road,
"I saw fire at the bottom of the
machine," Gay said. "I could not get
out."
As the fire rapidly engulfed the
vehicle, two co-workers realized
Gay's precarious situation in the cab.
Alvin McCutchen and James liarl
Urcklear pulled Gay out of the cot
ton-picker.
“He was just sitting there and did
not move," McCutchen said. “His
shirt was already burning.
"There was burning cotton falling
all around him until we rescued
him."
A faulty bearing on the machine is
the suspected cause of the fire, ac
cording to Dav id Shook, a Red Spri ngs
farmer and employer of Gay. Co-
owner ofS&S farms with his brother.
Steve, the Shooks rushed to the acci
dent site when they learned Gay was
possibly injured.
"1 smelled smoke, and it got real
hot," Gay, a 37-year veteran of S&S
farms, said. "Next thing I know 1 saw-
flames, and the cotton was on fire in
the back of the truck.
Gay tried to save the machine and
cotton he had already picked.
“1 tried to raise the basket to dump
out the cotton," Gay stiid. "Then the
wind changed and it blew the cotton
hack into the iiKichine. All the cotton
was falling on tire right on top of me."
McCutchen said he saw (iay at
tempt to unlotid his cotton and called
him with ;i cell phone. Getting no
response, he ctilled Locklear. “We
went to him. Thank (iod he's OK."
G;i\ initially declined being trans
ported to the hospital for an examina
tion. I le sat down in his pickup truck,
smoking a cigarette to cal m his ner\ es
after the close call. I lissliirt wassinged
with holes w here the fire had partially
penetrated.
"I guess 1 was real lucky." Gay
said. "I was scared. It happened so
fast that 1 could not sax e my self w ilh-
out help.
"I appieci.ite them helping me get
out ot the machine."
(Jay pointed to a rapidly swelling
ankle that he said was heginning to
hurt badly. He said his drop from the
picker was about five feet.
l-'irefighters from South Antioch
Volunteer Lire Department and Red
Springs Volunteer Lire Department
responded immediately to the emer-
ge ncy cal I around 4:3( I p. Ill. The tea ms
worked for more than an hour extin
guishing the blaze on the cotton-
picker.
The massive machine was still
smoldering after dusk set in.
"We were the first firefighters on
the scene."said Red Springs LireChief
George I lall. “We w-ere just happy w'e
could assist the Antioch fireman,
“The machine was already on fire
when we arrived."
Adrian Empire
looking for
participants
Have you ever wanted to be a lady
of the court or maybe a man of arms or
a knight? Perhaps a minstrel or a
jester is more to your liking.
Then the Shire of Galloway, a new
subdivision of the Adrian L.nipire, has
u place for you.
Adrian Empire is a non-profit, edu
cational organization dedicated to
enlightening the local community by
providing them with a way to explore
the lifestyles and .societies of the pe
riod of history between the years of
1066 and 1603.
If you are interested, call 875-7512
or attend a meeting of the shire on
December 6 at 4 o’clock in the after
noon at the keepof His E.xcellency Sir
Duncan Lang, 407 McDougald Driv e.
Martin
(Continued from page 2A)
healthy.'
Still believing that the Presi
dent made the wrong initial choice
about Iraq, 1 want very much for
him to make this project a success.
Success will not come easy. Iraq is
proving even hardertogovern than
1 thought back in March. Impos
ing order on the many dissident
groups more and more seems to
require the ruthless style of
Saddam Hussein — a style our
military is not conditioned to du
plicate. Nor can we in good con
science now leave those groups to
fight among themselves until an
other Hussein rises up to impose
order by crushing all dissent.
The leaders we most admire
are not only determined ones, but
ones who learn that to stay the
course to success, they often have
to make painful adjustments.
Those of us who wish for a
successful conclusion in Iraq
should advocate for those adjust
ments, including an immediate and
real internationalization of the
occupation, and urge them on the
President — even as we admire
his determined spirit.
D.G. Marlin iiosls UMC-TVs
North Caroiina Bookwuuii, which
airsSundaysal5 p.in. This week's
(December 7) Bookwatch wili he
preemptedby other programming.
Bookwatch wiil return on Decem
ber i4 wiiii a program featuring
Catherine Bishir and Michaei
Southern, auliiors of A ClttiJe to
the Historic A rchiieclure of Pied
mont North Caroiina.
7^
fi;
w
if".
Wri
' . 7?
A
‘'•■/.I, "
-«.? '.IT
Firefighters from South Antioch and Red Springs work to extinguish the blaze on a cotton picker that John Henry Gay, right, escaped from. Top photo, Alvin McCutchen, a co
worker, helped to rescue Gay from the fire. ^
Sheriff hosts holiday lunch
A special holiday festiv al luneheon
is plannei! bv Sherilf I lulicTt'Pcterkm
on Decembei 12. (’ounty employees
will be the guests of honor, hut all
residents of the 1 loke community are
also inv ited tocelebr.ite the advent of
the Christmas season, according to
Peteikin.
"We want this luncheon event to
repiesent a time of fellovvship and to
bring mir community together,"
Peterkin said. "I am looking forward
lopeisonally meeting our county staff
anil citizens next fiidav."
'I he luncheon will be held from
11:3() a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Se
nior Center located at the former Na
tional Guard Armory on Central Av
enue. The event is free to all citizens,
but no carryout plates will be avail
able. rhe menu will consist of
harbeque, chicken, baked beans, and
cole slaw.
“We anticipate at least 600 guests
will attend the gathering," Peterkin
said. "It is being sponsored by the
1 loke Sheriff s Office and also through
the generosity of Hoke and Raeford
businesses."
Rezoned
iContinued from page I A)
aiea," Riddle said. "1 think it would he
good for the aiea."
I low ev er, the I loke Planning Ho.ard
recommended denying Shepley's re
quest, according to Linda Revels,
county plannei.
"The ;ire;i is generally more resi
dential," Revels said prior to the vot
ing.
The board also encountered strong
resistance born 13 opposing neigh
bors vv ho reside vv ith their families in
the Stonewall-Rockfish communities.
One ol the protesters even presented
the board with a petition against the
re/oning, which was signed by 53
property ow ners.
Lactois mentioned by neighbors
opposed to the rezoning included fears
for their children’s safety if the area
becomes moie commercially popu
lated; increased traffic congestion; a
perception the area could become
more "junktified ” in appearance: and
the threat the rural appearanceofeoun-
try life could become spoiled.
"I just built a new home there,"
Daniel Wright said. “When 1 built the
home, I did not want to live next to a
commereial property. This area drew
me becau.se it is rural.
“Once it is zoned commercial, there
is no turning back. 1 would rather see
two houses eonstructed there."
Landowner Russell Austin nega
tively described the rezoned acre as
"smack dab in the middle’’ of a resi
dential aiea.
"It is a great neighborhood, and we
would like to keep it that way," Jessie
Scott said.
Landowner Robert Sisk, a 26-year
resident of the are;i, said the commu
nity, vv hich is located near I lope Mills
and not far fiom Raeford, has become
more populated.
"1 moved out theie because it was
rural," Sisk said. "1 very much want to
see it remain residential.
"Once it is commercial, we cannot
control what would go in there."
Shelley Ray said she and her hus
band had reti red to the area because of
its rural appeal.
"Our property is nice and quiet, ”
Ray said. "1 believe it would detrimen
tal to the safety of ourcommunity tosee
a tremendous increase in traffic.”
Many property owners not in favor
of the zoning change left the meeting
dissatisfied. One shrugged his head in
disgust at their failure to gain the
board’s backing.
Following the board’s approval of
Shepley’s rezoning, two consecutive
requests for rezoning in the Rockfish-
Davis Bridge area were unanimously
approved. Raeford attorney Regina
Sutherland represented landowner
Don Ratley, speaking on his behalf.
One tract consists of 1.7 acres, but she
said there were no “concrete" plans
yet for the land. Another 1.2 acres
located at Rockfish and Camden roads
was also zoned commercial. It is al
ready surrounded by neighborhood
businesses, she added.
Inother action. Commission Chair
man Bobby Wright and Daniels were
reelected for another term as chair
and vice chair of the board. Their
nominations met w ith unanimous sup
port from other board members.
Commissioners also agreed to pur
chase a new software system for the
Hoke Courthouse computers. The
current system used by Vera
1 lollingsvvorth, clerk of the Superior
Court, is no longer compatible with
the county’s system that was recently
revamped. She requested immediate
action because she must prepare a
pool of prospective jurors by Decem
ber 5 for upcoming trials.
\
I
■.'n.
Working Together, Firjt in Quality, first m Health
HEALTH & FITNESS
CARDIAC REHAB
The Gift of Fitness
A gift certillcale from the Firstllealth Center for
1 lealth Ac Fitness is a great stocking stulfer and is
sure to please everyone on your C’hristmas list.
For more information on these gift certificates, see the
Front Desk and beat the holiday hustle and bustle'
Christmas Massage Special
From Dec. 1-23. take advantage of these great ideas
for special C’hristmas gifts:
• One-hour traditional massage, S4(l
• Two traditional ma.ssages. S7.‘'
• Three traditional massages. SI 10
For more information, or to purchase a massage,
call 904-7400.
Autumn Pep N’ Step
Friday, Dec. 5, 6-7:30 p.m.
Join us for a 9()-minutc workout consisting of floor
and .step aerobics. Nursery prov ided on request.
Free/$8. Registration required.
The FirstHealth Center for Health & Fitness-Raeford
is located at 313 Teat Drive. For more information on
memberships, or to register for programs, call 904-7400.
flic FirstHealth Center for Health & Fitness-
Raeford ofl'ers a comprehensive rehabilitation
program for patients with a variety of heart-related
diagnoses. Medical profe.ssionals can help patients
return to a nonnal lifestyle and learn keys to their
continued good health.
For information, call the FirstHealth Center for Health &
Fitness-Raeford at 904-7400.
WEIGHT-LOSS
SURGERY INFO
Wednesday, Dec. 3, 6:30-9 p.m., FREE.
Morbidly obese individuals who are interested in
having bariatric surgery or in scheduling a
consultation with Dr. C. Kenneth Mitchell of
Pinehurst Surgical Clinic to determine if they are a
bariatric surgery candidate must first attend an
infonnation session. Programs are held in the
Conference Center, Rooms A & B, of FirstHealth
Moore Regional I lospital in Pinehurst.
Space is limited, so please call (910) 215-2646 or
(910) 295-0884 to reserve your space.
FirstHealth
OF THE OAROLINAS
Moore Regional Hospital
Family Care Center
Center for Health & Fitness
Center for Rehabilitation
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Emergency Medical Service (EMS)
Diabetes Self Management Program
Dental Care Center
1556E-170-3
Over 100 years of service for one simple reason. You.
Sprint