ews
Journal
If it happeT'ed, its news to
75t
No.37VoLl01
Raeford & Hoke County n.c,
Wednesday, November29,2006
School system gets clean audit report
By Victoriana Summers
Staff writer
An annual audit submitted to
Hoke County’s Board of Education
for 2005-06 received unanimous
approval recently, according to Hoke
finance officer Andrew Callihan.
‘The audit was turned in on time,”
Callihan said. “We are on a wave of
sound accountability.
“No reportable findings were
found in our audit, and there were
no material weaknesses reported,”
he said.
“Compliance was also shown in
our federal government funds so we
are in good shape.”
Callihan said the school board
was granted an “unqualified” opin
ion on the outcome of the audit.
“It is one of the highest rankings
for an audit,” Callihan said.
Auditors Petway, Mills& Pearson
inZebulon began the audit process in
June after winning the contract for a
second year. School board members
bad admonished them last year be
cause the audit was submitted late.
However, Callihan, who attributed
the lateness to fixed assets being
straightened out in 2004-05, said
this year went much smoother.
“We fine-tuned our process so our
financial books were in much better
(See SCHOOL AUDIT, page 4A)
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food
12-S.Ki
:ialist
This Week
Basketball season
The season’s off to a slow start for the
Hoke High Bucks, but it ain’t over yet.
Story, page 5A.
Left: Jermaine Roberts drives to the
basket on an E.E.Smith defender in the
first game of the season a week ago
in Fayetteville. Center; Antwan Mc
Gregor takes it to the basket on a E.E.
Smith defender last night in the Fighting
Bucks home opener against the Bulls.
Above; 3 year oidjania Hodges enjoys
the excitement of watching the Bucks
play inside MacDonald Gymnasium.
Hoke Hig^ Bucks
earn antlers
pj^eSA
The Creek held
summer fun
pi^elB
Lawson named
to Extension board
page3A
Man charged
with molesting
daughter
page6A
Index
Births 3B
Business/Farm 4B
Calendar 2B
Classifieds 7-8B
Deaths 8A
Editorials 2 A
Legals 5-6B
Public Record 6A
Religion 2B
School menus 5A
Socials 3B
Sports 5 A
We’re on the web at
www.thenews-joumaI.com
Read by 3,000 each week
Persistent ADDS rumor besets Hoke High
Officials say there’s no way blood drive statistics could implicate students
By Victoriana Summers
Staff writer
A widespread rumor at
Hoke County High School
that 40 to 89 percent of stu
dents tested positive for HIV
in a recent blood drive is likely
an urban myth.
This remains the opinion
of key local educators and is
apparently confirmed by local
statistics.
The rumors apparently
began after Cape Fear Val
ley Health System, located in
Fayetteville, held a blood drive
at Hoke High. The rumors
sent a panic among some
parents and students, and also
incensed several ministers
who mentioned them from
their church pulpits.
One of the leading methods
for the virus to be transmitted
is by sexual contact. Thus,
concern for youth health and
safety is displayed in Hoke,
where state statistics reflect
that 13 people have died
locally of AIDS between
1999-2003.
Yet schools officials such
as Dr. Freddie Williamson,
Hoke school superintendent,
and Steve Hagen, Hoke High
principal, have emphatically
dismissed the rumor as un
true.
In fact, Hagen says, the
American Red Cross is hold
ing ablood drive at Hoke High
today, recruiting teen donors
to give blood.
“Why would people be
(See AIDS, page 7A)
Educators: district
accreditation likely
By Victoriana Summers
Staff writer
Hoke school officials an
ticipate that for the first time
the local school district will
be accredited by the Southern
Association of Colleges and
Schools, and the Counsel
on Accreditation and School
Improvement.
The certification sought
by Hoke educators has been
iixlividually received by Hoke
County High School in the
past. However, the pending
approval would also bestow
the distinction on Turling
ton Alternative School and
Sandhills Hoke Early College,
which is in its infancy, as well
as all middle and elementary
schools.
“We have been recom
mended for the accreditation,”
an enthused Dr. Lora Hodges,
assistant Hoke .school sufter-
intendent of curriculum, said.
(See ACCREDIT, page 7A)
t
Tiriah Grace lngram,3,on Alad
din, and Rachel Thomas on Call
Mejudge ride at the Flaming Fall
horse show. Story on page 4A.
McDuffie asks to keep job
as Red Springs police chief
By Victoriana Summers
Staff writer
Red Springs Manager
Billy Joe Farmer said he is
still undecided as to w'hether
Red Springs chief of police
Troy McDuffie will remain
in his position. McDuffie
tendered his resignation after
five months on the job to run
for sheriff in Hoke County.
A write-in sheriff candidate
in the November 7 race,
McDuffie was defeated after
his opponent, Hoke sheriff
Hubert Peterkin, won in a
sweeping victor) for a second
term.
“It will ultimately be my
decision,” Farmer said. “It
is really a Judgment call on
my part.
“I have taken an informal
(See MCDUFFIE, page 3A)
he IN ews
News
4 Journal
Other stuff
B> Ken MacDonald
Publisher
The Riddle family Thanksgiving celebra
tion went on the road to Reidsville this year,
leaving behind Riddle-land (Ritalin) where
there was dysfunction, for the grandson’s
house, where it is celebrated.
“Is that ZZ Top on the stereo?” 1 asked
as 1 walked in the house on arrival and was
handed a beer.
It was.
“The game’s on the TV, I’ll give you a tour
ofthe house and later on we’ll play Taboo,” said
Jeremy, my nephew, who wasdres.sed in shorts,
a polo shirt and a ballcap. 1 looked around to
see if I had stepped into a frat party.
“Taboo?” 1 asked. “Is that a good idea?”
Introducing a board game like Taboo
to the Riddle Thanksgiving, it seemed
to me, was a little like hooking up some
(See OTHER STUFF, page 7A)