Joy Night Sing around the tree Graves youth remember birth of Harrells getting in holiday spirit Jesus through song, puppetry, with annual event, Page B1 Page A9 THE SAMPSON www.clintonnc.com F INDEPENDENTF 50 cents Vol. LXXXVII; Issue 249 Friday, December 16, 2011 Clinton, North Carolina 16 pages Arrest makes No. 40 in ‘Op. Rehab’ Still more arrests expected, say officials Doug Clark Dorcilla Kamissoki Parker, 42, 137 Daybreak Lane, The arrest comes on the heels of 10 individuals Assistant Editor Newton Grove, was arrested while working at her job charged just six days ago, and Sampson County law in Newton Grove around 11 a.m. She was charged with enforcement officers say more are expected to be On Wednesday morning, agents with the Sampson three counts of selling marijuana and three counts of jailed before the Christmas holiday. County Special Investigation Division nabbed the 40th delivering marijuana. Others arrested in connection with “Operation person charged in connection with a six-month narcot- Parker was given a $10,000 unsecured bond and Rehab” were: Daisy Cash, 48, of 1120 Minnie Hall ics investigation called “Operation Rehab.” later released. See ARRESTS | A2 Teen reportedly Christmas comes early for U Care strangled by Billy Todd Staff Writer For anyone that may know friend’s mother Pam Gonzalez, it is difficult to find her without words. But No arrests made in case Thursday morning, Rhonda Campbell and Don Butler of Doug Clark Murphy-Brown LLC did just Assistant Editor that — left Gonzalez without An 18-year-old woman was reportedly strangled by the words. The company presented mother of her friend while visiting her home Wednesday U Care with a check for $5,000 night, however, the teen has yet to take out a warrant for to be used for the domestic the suspect. abuse shelter. According to reports from the Sampson County Sheriff’s “I cannot say anything. I Office, the 18-year-old was at a friend’s home, located in am still in shock,” expressed the 4000 block of Roanoke Road in Newton Grove, around Gonzalez, executive director 4:15 p.m. when the friend’s mother and the teen got into a of U Care. “I need to sit here disagreement. The dispute allegedly turned violent when and take all this in,” added the the mother, who is in her 40s, put her hands around the director. victim’s neck and began choking and threatening her. Once Butler shared that Murphy- the teen broke away from her grip, she ran out of the house Brown is committed to sup- and called law enforcement. porting worthy causes in the Officers took the report and talked with the mother. As communities where they oper- of Thursday morning, investigators reported that the case ate, and when he heard of the Billy Todd l Sampson Independent was still open. need at the domestic violence Pam Gonzalez, executive director of U Care is speechless and totally surprised To report any information on this case call the Sampson shelter he knew that fit nicely by the Murphy-Brown LLC donation. County Sheriff’s Office at 910-592-4141. into the causes they support. “While we are not headquar- glad to be able to step up and This generous donation from To reach Doug Clark call 910-592-8137 ext. 123 or email to [email protected]. tered in Sampson County, we’re provide some support in their Murphy-Brown just shows that just across the county line in time of need,” asserted Butler. when you wait upon the Lord, Duplin, and we have many “We understand and appreci- he will provide,” said the cen- employees and contract grow- ate the important work U Care ter director. er partners who call Sampson does, especially at this time of The U Care director City educators attend County home,” explained year,” add the Murphy-Brown explained that the funds would Butler, director of government representative. be used to pay some bills, and relations and public affairs for Gonzalez stated that the continue some programs that Murphy-Brown LLC. money was an answer to already exists. “The money Common Core “We are a part of this com- prayers. “I tell people all the could not have come at a better munity. When I read the lead time that you just have to have time. It is proof of the rewards story about U Care in the Dec. faith that God will provide. of faith. Finally I can purchase 13 edition of The Sampson We just completed a govern- some training materials for our Curriculum workshop Independent, it was easy to ment audit, and they don’t like counselors that will help them see that the U Care organiza- to hear us talk about having tion needs help now. We are faith that things will work out. See U CARE | A3 Toys for Tots still collecting gifts Even after Saturday’s event, donations can still be made Doug Clark Assistant Editor Despite battling a tough economy and limited donations, Sampson Center director Tim Boykin said he is thankful to be able to bring smiles to 150 children due to the department’s annual Toys for Courtesy Photo Tots drive this holiday season. Clinton City Schools teachers learn skills at a recent Common Core Boykin and a host of volunteers will be acting Curriculum workshop. as a “surrogate Santa” and his elves this Saturday, Doug Clark tems during the 2013-14 handing out the gifts to the 150 that pre-registered. Assistant Editor school year. “Spaces filled very quickly,” Boykin said of the Although the official registration process. “Unfortunately, due to the cur- Math teachers in the standards of the curriculum rent economy and the situations a lot of people are Clinton City School sys- have not been released yet, in right now, our donations were down this year. tem recently attended educators got together at You know, people are struggling and it is under- a workshop to prepare the workshop to work on standable. We are just thankful that these kids will for the implementation strategies to prepare them be getting something that will bring a smile to their faces.” of the Common Core the best they can. Courtesy photo State Standards and N.C. Lenora Daughtry, direc- Unlike previous years, Boykin worked with the Partnership for Children of Sampson County, who Members of the Clinton Rotary Club wrap gifts for children at Essential Standards, which the Sampson Center earlier this week. is on its way to school sys- See WORKSHOP | A2 See TOYS | A2 Become a volunteer Index Web Poll n Local, Page A3, 8, 9 Q. Should Christmas n National, Page A3, 9 in the City become an MAKE A DIFFERENCE n Opinion, Page A4 annual event? Our volunteers work in a variety of areas to n Deaths, Page A3 n Page B1-3 provide services for our patients and visitors. Faith&Famiy, Check out the n Sports, Page A5 n Page A6 results every day on TV, Page A4. Today’s Independent n Comics, Page A7 printed for n Classifieds, Page B4-5 Ray Smith To join our team, call Judy Naylor at 592-8511 Ext. 8516 A2 THE SAMPSON INDEPENDENT Friday, December 16, 2011 Toys SIdigest From page A1 provided him with a list of names of families who were in desperate need of a boost this holiday season. Others registered at the depart- ment; some unfortu- nately were turned Tomorrow’s Weather away. “It is very difficult,” Boykin said. “But we can only do so much. I want to make it clear that this is the season not about giving out presents, this season is about the birth of Jesus Courtesy photo Courtesy photo Christ. On the other Chris Fann, right, puts the finishing touches on a gift earlier this side of that, kids want Judi Nicholson, director of Clinton Recreation and Parks, poses week. with Tim Boykin, Sampson Center director, in front of donated and expect presents, toys. were busy wrapping the Sampson County and we do everything donated gifts, some of Pinochle Club, the we can to make sure we community. years, Boykin has been them toys individual American Legion, Mary Cloudy and rainy early Saturday are doing our part to “People need help,” he involved with bringing club members contrib- and Nicole Boykin, the morning with highs topping out help. Believe me, I wish said. “I will except gifts smiles to those families uted. Rotary Club and all around 53. Cooler Saturday we could help every- up until Christmas day. who need it. He has “We were delighted to of our volunteers, and night with lows dipping to one.” Sometimes people like gotten plenty of help be able to help,” said supporters. You just the mid-30s. Today’s weather Which is why Boykin to drop things by and as from community mem- club president Sherry don’t know how much I picture was drawn by Tiffany said that even after the long as they are willing bers who have donated Matthews. “My club appreciate it.” Cortez, a fifth grader at Union event Saturday at the to take their time and to the program over members have very gen- Those wishing to Intermediate School. Sampson Center (at 2 do that, I am going to the years, as well as erouse hearts, and when contribute can take p.m.) he will still be make sure they get to local businesses and it comes time to help an unwrapped pres- collecting presents to someone who needs it.” organizations who have out the children each ent to the Sampson pass out to others in the Over the past six helped wrap gifts for year, we are thrilled to Center, 808 Barden St., Local briefs the youngsters.