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No,21VoI.116
Raeford & Hoke County n.c.
Wednesday, July 21,2021
COVID on rise again in Hoke
County possibly worst in state for vaccination percentage
By Catharin Shepard
Staff writer
After months of seeing only a decline
in the number of new confirmed cases of
COVID-19, Hoke County, like the rest of
the state, began in recent weeks seeing an
increase in people catching the contagious
virus.
There have been 85 new cases of CO-
VID-19 in Hoke County over the last 14
days, including 49 new cases in the last
seven days, according to the North Carolina
Department of Health and Human Services
(NCDHHS).
Just a few weeks ago, the county was
seeing as few as 10 new cases in a seven-
day period. Now local leaders are con
cerned about the rise.
Hoke County Commission Chairman
Harry Southerland pointed to the increase
during a board meeting Monday. The chair
man asked County Manager Letitia Edens
to speak with Health Department staff
about what else the county can do to sup
port efforts to battle the pandemic.
Military numbers released
Hoke County remains among the lowest,
and possibly the lowest county in the state
for the percent of its population that has
been vaccinated against COVID-19, even
after accounting for members of the mili
tary who weren’t initially included in the
state’s vaccination totals.
Last week the Centers for Disease Con
trol and Prevention released more accurate
numbers showing how many people in each
county in North Carolina have received a
COVID-19 vaccine. The new maps include
people who were vaccinated through the
Department of Defense’s vaccination ef
forts, among other groups that are not
(See COVID-19, page 6)
A Gift From The King’
Hoke County Senior Services held an outdoor luau Friday evening with dinner,
dancing and the music of Elvis Presley for dozens of senior citizens at the Old
Armory ball park. In attendance were the dance group 1-40 Rhythm, one of many
activities available at Senior Services.At left,“Elvis” takes off his scarf and gives it
to a fan. At right, Linda Revels enjoys the show.
$20,000 reward offered for arrest in murder case
By Catharin Shepard
Staff writer
The Hoke County Sheriff’s
Office is offering a $20,000
reward for information leading to
an arrest of a suspect or suspects
involved in the January shooting
death of a man from Robeson
County.
The family of Jeremiah Woods
wept Tuesday morning as his
twin brother, Nehemiah Woods,
pleaded for the public to come
forward with information about
the shooting that took the 39-year-
old from his loved ones.
“I am broken and I can never
be whole again. Every time I look
in the mirror I see a part of me
that is gone. I will never get it
back,” Woods said.
“As a family we stand before
you and plead to you to come for
ward if you have any information
that will lead to an arrest in Jer
emiah Woods’ case. No informa
tion is too small. We want justice
and we need answers. Those
(See REWARD, page 6)
Raeford Animal Clinic closing after 4 decades
The family pleads for help Tuesday. (Catharin Shepard photo)
Parker announces bid for mayor
Parker
By Catharin Shepard
Staff writer
Raeford mayoral can
didate Chris Parker has
launched his campaign for
the office, and is planning
upcoming events to give
voters a chance to speak
with him.
Parker is the found
ing and senior pastor of
Abundant Life Ministries
in Raeford, where he has
been a part of the
(See PARKER, page 6)
By Catharin Shepard
Staff writer
For more than 40 years pet lovers
in Hoke County have brought their
four-legged friends to Raeford Ani
mal Clinic for care, but the longtime
staple of the community will close its
doors this week.
A letter to customers from clinic
founder Dr. Russell Tate Sr. and his
son, administrator Russell Tate Jr.,
explained that the practice is shutting
down.
“After providing over 40 years to
Hoke and surrounding counties with
veterinary service it saddens me to in
form you that we will be closing our
doors for good on Thursday, July 22,
2021,” the letter, posted on the clinic’s
website stated.
“Thousands of clients and a couple
of generations - your patronage has
been a blessing and it has been a sin
cere privilege to have served you.”
When Tate opened the practice in
the late 1970s, Raeford welcomed the
veterinarian to town in style. A group
of women in the city held an open
(See ANIMAL CLINIC, page 6)
Dr.Tate in the 1980s.
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