Newspapers / The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.) / May 23, 2007, edition 1 / Page 1
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ews Journal If it happened, it’s news to N0.10V0L102 Raeford & Hoke County n.c, 75f Wednesday, May 23,2007 Video alleges animal abuse at turkey plant Animal rights group says it filmed inside plant undercover, company responds By Victoriana Summers Staff writer A video expose being aired na tionally accuses some employees at House of Raeford with handling turkeys in an inhumane manner. The video released by an animal rights organization, Mercy for Animals, has been picked up by TV stations .r V and is online at YouThbe. It shows alleged workers punching turkeys as they pass on a slaughter line, reach ing inside birds to retrieve eggs, and deliberately letting trucks run over some birds. The organization alleges the in humane practices were ignored by House of Raeford management. House of Raeford denounced the accusation in an online statement, indicating isolated incidents were filmed. House of Raeford executives said the video is not indicative of normal processing methods used at the local plant. In an immediate reaction to the allegations of animal mistreatment, Denny’s national restaurant chain, owning more than 500 restaurants. suspended its supplier relationship with House of Raeford on Monday. Denny’s executives said it would no longer purchase products from House of Raeford, pending further investigation of the allegations. “Denny’s has long advocated humane animal handling practices among our suppliers,” Debbie At- VIDEO, page 6A) Video: alleged worker punched bird. / Utility company worker raped Woman attacked near Raeford / t. Cunningham This little guy from the Hoke County Parks and Recreation Tigers Coach Pitch team gave every ounce of energy he had trying to hit that ball.The recreation ‘HooC Gibson remembered page4B Memorial Day celebration is Monday, 11a.m. HokeOurthouse Testknowle^e of area p^3tB Nine avoided at banquet pageSB Atheletes awarded page 1B Indec Calendar 9B Classifieds 5B Deaths 3A Editorials 2A Engagements 5A Legals 7B Schools 5B Socials 5A Sports 6A Weddings 5A We’re on the web at www.thenews-joumal.com Read by 4,000 each week leagues are winding down and the regular season will be complete after the first week of June. By Victoriana Summers Staff writer A female utility employee was raped Monday morning less than one-half mile from Raeford’s city limits. A repeat sexual offender on probat ion, living in a previously abandoned house in Silver City, allegedly dragged the victim inside where authorities say he beat and raped her before fleeing on foot. She is recovering from injuries sustained during the sexual assault. “She was in real bad shape,” one law enforcement officer, who asked to not be identified, said. “She suffered a lot of physical trauma.” Grady Cunningham, 42 and homeless, had been staying inside the dilapidated house for several weeks, according to neighbors. Known as a street person, Cunningham is charged with first-degree forcible rape and first-degree kidnapping. He is being detained in Hoke Jail on a $50,000 secured bond. With a history of sexual crimes, Cunningham was released on probation in August after being convicted of sexual battery. His other offeases include burglary, forgery and piossession of drugs. (See RAPE, page 5A) Man killed as he walked beside US 401 Willie Davis By Victoriana Summers Staff writer The family of a Queenmore grandfather killed by a hit and run motorist last Wednesday night is pleading for help in identifying the driver. The Raeford Police Depart ment is investigating the death of 81-year-old Willie Davis, who was hit as he walked along US 401 between Green Street and the State Credit Union on Fulton Street. The family is also demand ing to know why it took the county’s ambulance service so long to arrive at the scene. “It was way longer than fifteen minutes because I had already been called by someone and rushed to his side where he was laying in the road,” granddaughter April Bethea, whocollapsedcrying at the scene, said. “1 was there before the ambulance, and it took me about ten minutes to get there. “Another person who worked for the Hoke school system had also stopped, checking his vital signs.” ‘The coroner came and pronouncedhimdead. 1 think it was instant.” Bethea said they covered him with a white sheet. She said he was left lying in the rain while the accident site was investigated because police had to collect any evidence. Davis was in his pajamas when he was struck around 10:15 to 10:30 p.m. on May 16. An eyewitness, according to Bethea, described the flee ing vehicle as a blue-colored Sport Utility Vehicle with a headl ight destroyed by the im pact. The vehicle was travel ing north toward Cumberland County at the time of impact. However, Raeford Police chief Kevin Locklear said other witnesses have de scribed the SUV as red or (See KILLED, page 4A) Riddle acquires Wayside property for $2 million By Victoriana Summers Staff writer A pivotal piece of com mercial property between Raeford and the Fayetteville boundary line may become the next anchor site for major retailers to move into Hoke County. Fayetteville commercial developer Joseph “Joe” P. Riddle III has acquired the 30-acre tract of land from Hoke native Willa McFadyen Lindsay. Situated at the inter section of Wayside Road and U.S. 401, the property has been on and off the market during the last seven years. ReMax realtors in Fay etteville most recently listed the property for sale. In the past, Hampton Development Corporation had considered an option on the property to build a WalMart, a deal that eventually fell through. According to the Hoke reg ister of deeds office, the deed transfer bet ween Lindsay and Riddle w^s filed on May 3. Owner ofRiddleCommercial Properties, Riddle purchased the tract where soybeans were once cultivated in fields for $2 million. Riddle said he is counting on the “power’ property to attract major retailers. He has posted a sign advertising space is available for retail ers. Riddle said he does not have any immediate plans for specific tenants. “1 am hopeful to get some retailers so Hoke County will not lose out to Gillis Hill Road,” Riddle said of the site of the closest WalMart to Raeford located in Cum berland County. “1 hope to get some business for Hoke Count) so 1 am trying to (Sec RIDDIE, page 4A) Chamber of Commerce names Santangelo Citizen of the Year By Victoriana Summers Staff writer It was a full house and a night of high spirits for the 60th annual Raeford-Hoke Chamber of Commerce Banquet held last evening at West Hoke Middle School. Established movers and shakers shared the limelight with newcomers f’r''dmtine iiom leadership Hoke. Chamber first vice president Judy Pittman offici ated to recognize Chamber president Dr. Tony Santan gelo as the “Citizen of the Year.” Chamber board of direc (See CHAMBER, page 5A) Raeford soldier charged as accessory to murder Tony Santangelo - named Citizen of the Year - gets a hug from Judy Pittman. Bi Vk ioriana Summers Staff writer Hoke County High’s cam pus is back to normal alter fears of retaliation ptoved l> ,!t''V ^ :> - Eiil, that may have existed with the murder of a Fayetteville youth earlier this month. However, a Raeford man is now wanted in connection with the murder of Fayette ville teen Jourdhan Phillips, according to Jamie Smith, public affairs officer at I’he Fayetteville Police Depart ment. hoKu CAmniy High prin cipal Steve Hagen said last week it was purely rumor and conjecture, but they took the threat seriously just in case the (See SOL DIER, page 4A)
The News-Journal (Raeford, N.C.)
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May 23, 2007, edition 1
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