Newspapers / The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.) / Jan. 31, 2007, edition 1 / Page 1
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The ews out: If It happened, it’s news to Na46VoLl01 Raeford & Hoke CotiNTY >^V5' 75t Wednesday, January 31,2007 Schools’ ABCs scores disappointing Math scores took big dip, five of seven schools now on state priority list By ViCTORiANA Summers Staff writer Hoke County schools’ scores decreased slightly in reading, and dipped significantly in the new math section of the ABCs profi ciency test. The End of Grade scores for 2005-06 ranked significantly below the state average. Of further concern, five out of seven Hoke elementary schools have been placed on prior ity status because of lower proficiency. This puts schools on an academic watch list to be scrutinized by the state Department of Public Instruction. The results came after Gov. Mike Easley released the state’s ABC benchmark results for elementary and middle schools today. Dr. Lora Hodges, new Hoke assistant school superintendent of curriculum and instruction, said a snapshot of the state report cards would be sent to parents the week of February 12. The scores were delayed from October because of a revised math test added last year of a more “rigorous” nature, according to Hodges. ‘ ‘We are embracing the chal lenges,” Hodges said. “We are struggling to get there. Schools statewide scored lower this year because of the math test being re-normed to be more difficult. “Our focus is on teachers teaching a (See ABCs SCORES, page 4A) 4 Jr I I Li ^ V Sr ♦ Left; Dignitaries break ground; Right: John Cooper, Sheriff Peterkin. Jail addition dedicated, constraction work begins By ViCTORiANA Summers a flourish on Monday at the and 13 guests symbolically cold weather because we are cct is designed to raise the bar structed bec^.se it is “the Staff writer ’’Let’s dig,” Hoke commis sioner Jean Powell said with groundbreaking ceremony for the Hoke County Detention Center. Powell extended thanks to federal and state officials join ing Hoke leaders in breaking ground for the $7.7 million fa cility. With approximately 50 dignitaries attending, Powell flung the first shovels of dirt at the Jail construction site across from the Hoke Sheriff s Office. “Welcome to Hoke Coun ty,” Hoke commission chair man James A. Leach said to out-of-town guests. “The Lord has blessed us in this celebrating a great occasion to start a new jail facility on this ground where we stand. “This is for our citizens. We stand tall with Hoke County and the City of Raeford, work ing together to make this jail facility possible.” Hoke’s jail expansion proj- for public safety and quality of life for inmates returning to society, John Cooper, state clirector of the U.S. Depart- rnent of Agriculture’s rural development, told officials. Cooper, keynote speaker, reminded guests that the jail expansion is being con- law.” Inmates must be housed in a secure facility that meets safety standards, he added. A half-block of East Ed- inborough Avenue was per manently closed behind the Hoke Courthouse to thor oughfare traffic prior to the (See JAIL, page 6A) Life coach works with EHMS girls page7A $50,000 embezzelment was‘Polk* not‘Hoke’ page 8A Museum sets new hours jrageSA The News-Journal shows its love p;^e8A,lB Index Calendar 2B Classifieds 5-6B Deaths 3A Editorials 2A Legals 3-4B Schools 7A Socials 1-2B Sports 5A Weddings 1-2B IVeVe on the web at ivunv. thenews-joumal. com Read by 3,000 each week Efforts underway to save Raeford DMV office By ViCTORiANA Summers Staff writer Hoke County will soon be without a N.C. Department of Motor Vehicles office unless local efforts to save it are successful. County residents and many people from surrounding counties, who work in Hoke, will have to travel elsewhere to conduct business. Operated for at least 43 years by Raeford resident Frances Jones, the N.C. State License Plate Agency is scheduled to be closed on March 1. With the announcement that Jones, contractor-agent of the local DMV agency, is retiring, also comes other con cerns. Jones’s office manager, Jennifer Brock, and a second employee recently hired face losing their jobs. “It would also put people iri a real bind not to be able to use a DMV agency here in Raeford,” Brock said. “We are a thriving business. Just between November 2005 and October 2006 we completed 60,000 transactions for cus tomers. “We particularly have a lot of people that travel ■here from Robeson and Scotland counties to use (See DMV, page 6A) Hoke soldier killed in Iraq had tried to save his men By ViCTORiANA Summers Staff writer A Hoke County soldier from the 82nd Airborne Divi sion last week was one of the group’s first casualties since its recent deployment to Iraq. A Rockfish resident and native ofMcClure, Pennsylva nia, Sgt. 1 St Keith A. Callahan died after a roadside bomb exploded south of Baghdad while he was on patrol. Cal lahan, according to a spokes man from the 82nd Airborne, sacrificed his life to save his men. The Hoke hero was serv ing his fourth tour in Iraq. He had returned from his third deployment in December 2005 only to be shipped out again in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Callahan joined the U.S. Army in 1996. Attached to the 2nd Brigade combat team, he was a platoon sergeant with the 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment. A decorated soldier, Cal lahan was protecting some of his platoon members at a road intersection at the tir ' the terrorist’s bomb detonated, according to the Department of Defense. He already was a recipient of the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star medal, the Army Com- ntendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with one ojik cluster, the Army Good Conduct Medal and other notable commendations. Also a sports lover, Cal lahan was popularly known as “Bam-bam”in the boxing ring. Callahan won numerous boxing titles while at Fort Bragg. “Keith Callahan’s death is a tragic loss to our task force, and our thoughts and prayers go to SFC Cal lahan’s family,” Lt. Col. Ross E. Davidson of the 82nd Airborne Division said. “At the time of his death, his sole concern was for the welfare of his men,” he said. (See SOLDIER, paye 4A) Irhe News-1 Journal ] News Oth^r stuff 11 i tl By Ken MacDonald Publisher “Did you go down one of the big slides?” an excited yute asked as we stood dripping a mixture of two parts chlorine and one part water on*o fK, clay t'k' fl '- Salu;da>. ‘ ILvk yeah,” 1 said proudly, a little like Barney Fife when asked if he’d captured a dangerous criminal - head cocked, tongue pushing the cheek out. “Wasn’t it awe.vfwne?” .she asked. Terrifying is more like it, 1 thought. We were at an indoor water park the size of Raeford. You can surf in it, ride a “lazy” river where people shoot at you with water cannons, take your pick of three hot-water pools - where if you’re young all you see is hal f-naked chicks, but if yuu ic olu woiiUci wnai son oi oigan- isms might survive the chlorine - and yes, you shoot yourself through giant water-filled tubes that give you an idea of what it’s like to be the fruit in a potato gun. (See OTHER STUEE, page 8A) MP dies in motorcycle wreck during weekend memorial event By VicroRiANA Summers Staff writer A Fort Bragg military policeman lost his life on a Hoke rural road northeast of Raeford on Saturday after noon after losing ctAftrol of his motorcycle. An experienced rider, Jeff G, “Tinker” Barfield was a retired patrol sergeant from the Hope Mills Police Depart ment and had ties to Raeford. Barfield formerly worked with Hoke chief deputy Gary Hammond for several years when they served as officers with the Hope Mills Police rX,J;aiallclu. Dv^^iiiinng ni.s law enforeement career at the F'ayette\ille Police Depart ment in 1988, Barfield was also a former colleague of (See WRECK, page 4A)
The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.)
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Jan. 31, 2007, edition 1
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