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SPORTS Fun at CCC&TI’s Fan Fest Page B1 PROUD TO BE CALDWELL COUNTY’S LOCAL NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1875 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2019 WWW.NEWSTOPICNEWS.COM $1.25 EPA grant saves small business BY VIRGINIA ANNABLE for an affordable price and N.C. Department of Envi- “(The property) was a VANNABLENEWSTOPICNEWS.COM finally had a place to call ronmental Quality. They good deal, but we didn’t Douglas Guerra saved his own. said he had to clean up the know what we were get- his money for over a “We always wanted to property by removing two ting in to,” Guerra said. “I decade. have our own building,” leftover underground gaso- was really worried about it Year by year while build- Guerra said. “I used to rent line tanks, which would cost ing Douglas Custom Paint- all the time, but I think ... tens of thousands of dollars. SEE GRANT/PAGE A5 ing, he stashed his savings, (owning) is a good oppor- waiting until he could buy tunity for my business to his own building for his grow.” Douglas Guerra, owner of Douglas Sutom Painting, business. Then the bottom fell bought the former Jo Ja’s gas station on U.S. 321-A Early this year, the time out. this year only to nd out it had old gas tanks that came. He bought the old Two months after the had to be removed — a costly process. Jo Ja’s gas station on U.S. deal closed, Guerra start- 321-A just north of Hudson ed getting letters from the VIRGINIA ANNABLE | NEWS-TOPIC Sheri ’s o  c e , school to honor students BY KARA FOHNER KFOHNERNEWSTOPICNEWS.COM The Caldwell County Sher- iff’s Offi ce has partnered with Gamewell Elementary School to honor one fifth grade stu- dent each month for their per- formance. Ava Grace Barker, 10, was nominated in September to be the fi rst fi fth grade citizen of the month. According to a press release from the school, Ava “shows great citizen strength by (being) always will- ing to help with student council KARA FOHNER | NEWS-TOPIC functions such as helping stu- Someone destroyed the interior of Priscilla Icenhour’s childhood home, breaking holes in the walls, shattering windows, dents to class, helping out our overturning furniture and ripping out the ceiling fan. cafeteria staff daily and being a strong leader.” Ava also does her homework and has a pleas- ant attitude, the release said. Woman’s childhood home damaged Deputy Holt Coleman, Gamewell Elementary School’s BY KARA FOHNER one day rent it or sell it. the fl oors — dishes, furniture, boxes, school resource offi cer, said he KFOHNERNEWSTOPICNEWS.COM But when they visited the house plastic bags and birthday cards, came up with the idea to help When Jake Icenhour last visited Monday, they found that it had been among other things. The inside of the give a kind of validation to stu- his wife’s childhood home on Christie extensively vandalized. There are house looks as if a giant picked up the dents who stood out. Road last week, it looked much the now many jagged holes in the inte- house and shook it. On the outside, Students selected to be the same as it had for years. The house rior walls. Someone ripped down the windows are broken, and the carport citizen of the month must meet hadn’t been lived in since 2008, but ceiling fan, leaving it dangling from roof has collapsed, its support beams a variety of criteria. Among Jake and his wife, Priscilla, still visited a cord, its blades broken. A layer of other things, all their home- the property regularly and hoped to debris and household items covers SEE HOME/PAGE A8 work must be turned in on time, they have to stay out of trouble, and they must show they are respectful and respon- sible, assisting teachers with tasks and reporting bullying Sawmills has favorite for new manager when they see it. Coleman said that the teach- BY GARRETT STELL could be the last stage of top candidates and some- and begin operating with a ers who select the students GSTELLNEWSTOPICNEWS.COM the search process, said times they don’t, but if town manager rather than struggled at fi rst because there The Sawmills Town Anthony Starr, executive things are successful with an administrator. The deci- were so many good students Council may be able to director of the WPCOG. this candidate, then they sion was made partly in that they wanted to honor. announce a new town man- “They have now inter- should be able to make an hopes that advertising for “You see terrifi c kids all the ager within weeks. viewed their top candidates announcement in the next a town manager — a more time,” Coleman said. “It’s usu- After a closed session and have entered into couple of weeks.” popular position with well- ally a pretty hard decision for meeting Tuesday night negotiations with a favored After the previous town defined responsibilities them. They want to pick two or with representatives of the choice,” he said. “I’ve done administrator, Christopher under state law — would three of them, but you can only Western Piedmont Council this search process many Todd, resigned in July, attract better candidates. pick one.” of Governments, the town times. Sometimes the nego- the town council voted to council moved into what tiations work out with the amend the town charter SEE SAWMILLS/PAGE A5 SEE STUDENTS/PAGE A8 Visit us online at www.newstopicnews.com. OBITUARIES WEATHER INSIDE Lenoir Hudson TODAY Pansy Absher Jay Williams Astrology ...... B4 Clarence Co ey Rhodhiss Abby ...... A7 Charles Barbara Mundy Calendar ...... A7 Roberts Sr. Classifieds ...... B5-6 PAGE A6 Comics ...... B4 HIGH LOW Crossword ...... B4 Opinion ...... A4 95 66 Scoreboard ...... B2 1070 Taylorsville Road, Lenoir, NC PAGE A7 Stocks ...... A3 VOLUME 1,880 facebook.com/ 828-754-7979 CONTACT US thenewstopic NEWS: 828 610 8719 CLASSIFIEDS: 828 610 8220 @newstopic www.evansfuneralservice.com CIRCULATION: 828 610 8220 NEWS-TOPIC | www.newstopicnews.com THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2019 PAGE A5

The grant is tech- GRANT nically only for study- Former N.C. GOP head pleads ing and testing water FROM THE FRONT PAGE and soil on the prop- erties but, as Icen- because we spent all hour told the EPA, guilty to lying in bribery case our savings.” the soil at Guerra’s He’d been to the property couldn’t be BY TOM FOREMAN JR. agreed to recommend 2020 reelection cam- a motion last month he Caldwell Community properly tested for AND EMERY P. DALESIO a sentence “at the low paign, prosecutors said. was using his constitu- THE ASSOCIATED PRESS College and Techni- contaminants without end” of that range, along Hayes initially pro- tional free-speech rights removing the tanks. CHARLOTTE — with monetary penal- tested, saying that mov- to support Causey. Lind- cal Institute’s Small The former chairman ties, prosecutors said. ing so much money berg “simply sought a Business Center A few weeks ago, of North Carolina’s “Today was a big step would draw attention, fair and reasonable reg- before for classes, a large backhoe and Republican Party admit- forward. Robin looks but eventually relented ulatory examination by so Guerra turned to heavy equipment ted Wednesday that forward to completing during the conversation, a competent and neutral the center for help. were out at the prop- he broke the law by this process and mov- according to the indict- decision-maker” for his Director Ben Willis, erty uncovering the lying to federal agents ing ahead,” said Kearns ment. company, his lawyers who is also a Lenoir large, metal tanks about his role in an Davis, Hayes’ lawyer. “Whatever you all said. City Council mem- and hauling them alleged effort to bribe Hayes left the court- want to do, we’ll do,” Lindberg and two ber, was not hopeful. away. Again, Guer- the state’s top insur- house without speaking Hayes said, according to associates charged with “I was like, ‘This ra got lucky — the ance regulator to help a to reporters. the indictment. “Alright, conspiracy to commit is not good,’ ” Wil- tanks had no leaks, major GOP donor. In an indictment I’ll get ‘er done.” honest services wire lis said, then asked Willis said. Robin Hayes, 74, unsealed in April, pros- Causey, a Republican, fraud, bribery, and aiding Guerra, “Did you do “Most of the time pleaded guilty to mak- ecutors said Hayes reported the alleged and abetting are sched- due diligence?” there’s some leak- ing a false statement agreed to use the state bribe attempt to federal uled to go on trial as early Guerra had age — like 90% of the in August 2018 to FBI Republican Party as offi cials and for months as mid-November. bought the prop- time there’s some agents conducting the a conduit for filtering helped them gather evi- Hayes gave up erty for cash, and residue and they rust bribery investigation. $250,000 to state Insur- dence, prosecutors said. operational duties as at a price so much and they leak and Hayes, a former con- ance Commissioner Lindberg is an insur- chairman of the North lower than the tax you have to do these gressman, was initially Mike Causey’s reelec- ance and investment Carolina Republican value that he leaped monitoring wells, also charged with con- tion campaign. Prosecu- firm founder who has Party after the charges at the opportunity and it gets pricey,” spiracy and bribery. His tors said Hayes agreed been among the state’s became public. He had without taking a sec- Willis said. plea deal included the to funnel the money to top political donors announced just before ond look. The NCDEQ is promise that he would Causey at the request in recent years, giving the indictment was Lucky for Guerra, pleased with the help prosecutors build of insurance magnate more than $5 million to unsealed that he was Willis remembered cleanup, and Guer- a case against co-defen- Greg Lindberg and an state and federal candi- not seeking reelection the U.S. Environ- ra’s business is back dants and potentially associate. Lindberg pro- dates and committees to the post. mental Protection on track, Guerra testify against them. posed moving $250,000 since 2016. He favored Hayes, an heir to a Agency grant that said. Prosecutors agreed through the party’s Republican causes and textile fortune, repre- the city of Lenoir “It was a blessing,” that Hayes could avoid coffers to Causey each politicians , but also sented North Carolina’s was awarded in 2018. he said. any time behind bars, quarter as part of his gave to Democrats. 8th District Congressio- The money is for Now, Guerra can but a judge could sen- plan to provide the Lindberg’s attorneys nal for a decade begin- tence him to no more insurance regulator with have asked that charg- ning in 1999. He was the city to study and focus on building than six months in pris- $2 million in contribu- es against him be dis- defeated by Democrat test properties for his business the way on. The government tions for his expected missed, arguing in a in Larry Kissell in 2008. contaminants to find he’d always dreamed. potential brownfield The property will properties, which have to be repaved are formal industrial since the ground was or commercial prop- torn up to take up P  B erties that have the the tanks, but it’s a potential of contami- small price to pay for $1,000 secured bond. Joni Lynn Church, 41, Pioneer Arrests reported Oct. 1 nation from previous a large problem to be Justin Lee Barnwell, 21, Trail, Hudson, arrested by the Michael Scott Jordan, 35, uses, which creates solved, he said. Hickory Street SW, Lenoir, Lenoir Police Department, Merriman Street NW, Lenoir, a liability that often Willis said he arrested by the N.C. Probation possession of stolen property, arrested by the Caldwell County stops businesses plans to use the and Parole, probation violation, $2,500 secured bond. Sheriff’s Offi ce, two counts from building on and experience to form $10,000 cash. Ashley Nicole Creasy, 29, failure to appear in court, $10,000 using the properties. a new class at the Raymond Gene Lewis, 37, Meadow Lane Drive, Granite secured bond. Willis thought the small business cen- Cordova Street, Asheville, Falls, arrested by the Hudson Alan Scott Nichols, 48, grant could be used ter teaching busi- arrested by the Caldwell County Police Department, larceny, Blowing Rock Boulevard, Lenoir, to help. ness owners about Sheriff’s Offi ce, failure to appear possession of stolen property, arrested by the Caldwell County Willis reached out brownfields and in court, $1,000 secured bond. $750 secured bond. Sheriff’s Offi ce, assault on a to Greg Icenhour, doing due diligence Erica Leigh Hall, 22, Ironwood Cathy Lynn Rivas, 62, 34th female, $1,000 secured bond. vice president of before buying prop- Court, Granite Falls, arrested by Street SW, Hickory, arrested Stephen Thomas Larned, Mid-Atlantic Associ- erty, so others don’t the N.C. Probation and Parole, by the Granite Falls Police 34, West View Street, Lenoir, ates, the engineering end up in the situ- probation violation, $5,000 Department, driving while arrested by the Lenoir Police firm helping the city ation Guerra found Department, assault on a female, secured bond. impaired, $500 secured bond. administer the grant, himself in. who found that the “In some cases, money could be used it’s way worse,” Wil- to remove the gas lis said. “There are tanks. Willis called some horror stories, World War II-era bomber with the good news and that would have as soon as he found crushed (Guerra) out, Guerra said. — that would have crashes; at least 7 reported dead “He said, ‘I think crushed them.” you’re a lucky BY CHRIS EHRMANN “the victims are very dif- The National Trans- a B-17, “which you don’t man, we have some Reporter Virginia AND DAVE COLLINS fi cult to identify.” portation Safety Board normally see,” fl y directly Annable can be reached THE ASSOCIATED PRESS answers,’” Guerra At least six people sent a team to investigate overhead, apparently try- said. at 828-610-8724. WINDSOR LOCKS, were taken to the hos- the cause of the crash. ing without success to Conn. — A World War II- pital, three of them criti- The plane was a few gain altitude. era B-17 bomber with 13 cally injured, authorities minutes into the flight One of the engines The Best people aboard crashed said. One person on the when the pilots reported began to sputter, and ROSS WINDOWS For Less and burned at the Hart- ground was also hurt. a problem and said it smoke came out the • Any Size back, Hamer said. The Call Today 437-4848 ford airport after encoun- The retired, civilian- was not gaining altitude, • White tering mechanical trou- plane made a wide turn For Free Estimate registered plane was offi cials said. It lost con- • Double Hung ble on takeoff Wednes- associated with the trol upon touching down and headed back toward FANTASTIC FALL SAVINGS!! day, and a state official Collings Foundation, an and struck the shed just the airport, he said. • Double Pane “Then we heard all • Fully Welded ANY SIZE WHITE said at least seven were educational group that before 10 a.m. DOUBLE HUNG killed. brought its Wings of The airport — New the rumbling and the LIFETIME The four-engine, Freedom vintage aircraft England’s second-busiest thunder, and all the WARRANTY $189* propeller-driven plane display to the airport this — was closed afterward smoke comes up, and we * additional charges may apply Installed kind of fi gured it wasn’t Visit our showroom at Vinyl Siding $1.99 sq. ft. struggled to get into the week, offi cials said. but reopened a single 800 E. Union St., Morganton air and slammed into a The vintage bomber runway about 3½ hours good,” Hamer said. maintenance shed at — also known as a Fly- later. Bradley International Air- ing Fortress, one of the Flight records from port as the pilots circled most celebrated allied FlightAware shows the back for a landing, offi- planes of World War II — plane had traveled about cials and witnesses said. was used to take history 8 miles and reached an It had 10 passengers buffs and aircraft enthu- altitude of 800 feet. and three crew mem- siasts on short flights, In recordings of REGISTER TO WIN 2 TICKETS bers, authorities said. during which they could audio transmissions, The state offi cial who get up and walk around the pilot told an air traf- gave the death toll was the loud and windy inte- fic controller that he not authorized to discuss rior. needed to return to the the investigation and “Right now my heart airport and land imme- spoke on condition of really goes out to the diately. Asked why, he Rules: anonymity. families who are wait- said: “Number four Original form only - no photocopies. Connecticut Public ing,” Gov. Ned Lamont engine, we’d like to One winner per household. Safety Commissioner said. “And we are going return and blow it out.” James Rovella said hours to give them the best Brian Hamer, of Nor- Two lucky winners a day until October 11, 2019 after the crash that some information we can as ton, Massachusetts, of those on board were soon as we can in an hon- said he was less than a severely burned, and est way.” mile away when he saw Name: Address: didates,” Starr said. “I think the applicant City & State: pool was a lot stronger than it was the Zip Code: SAWMILLS last time they needed to hire someone.” FROM THE FRONT PAGE If negotiations reach agreement on Phone Number: topics including salary and contract Starr, who has been helping the length, the town will make a public council interview candidates, said that announcement of the new hire, Starr Clip this whole ad and mail to News-Topic c/o about two dozen applicants were well- said. Renaissance Festival, 123 Pennton Avenue, NW qualifi ed. Lenoir, NC 28645 or bring by the office. “In my view, there was a noticeable Reporter Garrett Stell can be reached at increase in the number of qualifi ed can- 828-610-8723.