The ews Journal ned,ifsnewstous^ 75t No.18Vol.102 Wednesday, July 18,2007 63 dogs rescued from West Hoke home By Victoriana Summers Staff writer More than 60 puppies and dogs - some on the verge of dying from heatstroke and others already dead - were found abandoned in a puppy breeding mill in western Hoke last Tuesday, according to Michelle Que- ja, Hoke animal shelter director. Jimmy Carthens, Hoke Animal Control supervisor encountered the gruesome sight of 63 dogs and puppies starving, without shade, in soaring temperatures and in need of medical attention after responding to complaints of the deteriorating situation at the breeding kennels, Queja said. A few months ago a complaint had been investigated, but when the animal control officers arrived the dogs had food in the bowls. ‘ The place was so remote,” Queja said. ‘The puppy mill was hidden away in an area hard to get to with even with a vehicle.” Golden retrievers. Collies, Ger man Shepherds, Akitas, Samoyeds, Bassett hounds, Huskies, Jack Rus sell terriers, and ShihTzus were just some of many purebred dogs left to die in cages. Carthens quickly rushed back to the Hoke Animal Shelter to advise Queja that the situation was dire, Queja said. With the help of Cindy Bristow, director of the non-profit organiza- (See RESCUED, page 6A) “Collie” (left) with new guardian. r New Habitat house Volunteers gathered at 555 Saunders St. Saturday for the dedi cation of the Raeford-Hoke chapter of Habitat For Humanity’s q- I newest homeAbove,StephanieSpecht,who will own the home, and her son turn the first shovel of dirt as Bill Evans, president of the local chapter, and William McDonald, treasurer ,await their turns.At right, R. Benjamin Clark, secretary of the Execu tive Board, speaks to a crowd, who in the coming weeks, will build the house. sWee Slain Lumberton minister has ties here Raeford Police offer citizen academy pi^eSA Grant to fund recreation study here p,^e3A Cameron gets top fanner award page 3 A Meeting on downtown parki^ heads south Daniels files for Council, deadline nears By Victoriana Summers Staff writer With only 48 hours to go before filings end at noon on Friday, only one additional candidate has filed for Rae ford City Council in the la.st week. Fonner Hoke County com page4A Index 1 Births ....3A Calendar IB Classifieds 5-6B Court 3A Deaths 3A Editorials 2A Legals 4B Sch(X)ls 7A Sports 7A Social News IB Weddings IB We’re on the web at www.thenews-jourTud.com Read by 4,000 each week missioner Charles V. Daniels filed yesterday for the unex pired term of Buddy Blue who died before he took the oath of office two years ago. Daniels, 67, resides at 502 N. Main Street with wife Dottie Daniels. He co-owns and operates Daniels Ser vice Center with son Brian Daniels. Daniels previously served two terms on the Hoke board of commissioners, serving three of the eight years as board chairman. He has also served on the Raeford Downtown Revitalization commission and the Hoke Raeford Economic Develop ment board. “I decided to run for of fice on the city council after a number of citizens ap proached me,” Daniels said. “1 believe my experience as a commissioner and involve ment in city affairs will be an asset.” Also filing for the last two years of Blue’s term was 39-year-old Shelley Wil burn, who declared on July 6. Owner operator of the Chatterbox Cafe on N. Main Street, Wilburn is the only competitor running against Daniels. Wilburn is a former (See COUNCIL, page 8A) With main courtrexjm tied up, sessions move all over town Raeford nativeVictoria Lynch is onThe Reveille dance team for the Fayetteville Guard. She is the daughter of Cecil and Jackie Lynch of Raeford. Related story, page 7A. By Victoriana Summers Staff writer As jury selection in Hoke’s Superior courtroom contin ues for the fourth week in the April Pate murder case, other superior court felony cases were transferred out of the courtroom because of the jammed up schedule. Potential jurors have been sequestered at Raeford’s city hall meeting room and every other available public gov ernment space downtown. Hoke sheriff deputies have been posted outside facilities to keep jurors from being exjxised. Daily, jurors wait to he in- terv iewed by defease attorney Carlton Mansfield and Dis trict Attorney Kristy Newton in the pending murder trial in the Hoke Courthouse. Hoke assi,stant district at torney Chris Rhue said it is the first time in Hoke shistory that superior court has ever been held outside of court. Rhue successfully pros ecuted three ca.ses back-to- back in a two-day session last week in the Hoke board of commissioners’ assembly rot)m. (See related article.) It is also the first time (See COl ‘RT. page 6A) 'H. :ws News -I Journal Ba Ken M acDonai d Publisher 3 guilty in felony cases Standing in an aisle of Home IxxkI Feed and Seed store Saturday, 1 was pondering why roses get “fcxxl” when every other plant gets fertilizer, and 1 felt a cold prickly sting on my neck followed by wetness flcHKling down my I turned around to see Andrew Sutton, a teenagerand employee of the .store, standing2() feet away, holding a water spray bottle, which Other stuff was aimed in my direction, not at the piece of pea-shelling equipment he was apparently supposed to be cleaning. Before 1 could react, another stream of water crossed the store and struck me dead- on in the face. “Oh no you didn’t!” 1 mumbled to my self. Still in a bit ot shock 1 mean, who ever expects to be garden shopping one moment, and the victim of a senseless \ iolent attack the (See 01 HER STUFF, page 8A) By Victorian v Summers Staff writer Three people charged in different felony cases pleaded guilty last week in Hoke Su perior Court. Assistant district attorney Chris Rhue said he is satisfied that three defendants received the maximum penalties by law in separate Superior Court ca.ses. “Justice was served,” Rhue said. “There were no situa tions of plea-bargaining, or reductions in charges. "The three defendants pleaded guilty as charged.” 1 n t he li rst ctise, 17-year-old Jamel Gates was convicted for in\’o)iinlarv fr>''!i'»':i!l^’\t..'i 'n the accidental shcxiting of his girlfriend, 16-year-old Jerticha Ford, of Malloy Street. Both (See FEL ONIES, page 6A)