WWW.YOURDAILYJOURNAL.COM May 25-26, 2013 Weekender $1.50$1.00 Caution around RR tracks urged John Charles Robbins one too many, and we need to stop guidelines in English and Spanish Daily Journal Editor this troubling increase in railroad to motorists at designated intersec- fatalities,” said McCrory. “We urge tions. About every 3 hours, a person everyone to put safety first and use “We are stepping up our rail safe- or vehicle is hit by a train in this caution when approaching railroad ty efforts to help curb train-related country. crossings, avoid trespassing on the crashes and fatalities and remind North Carolina Governor Pat tracks and always yield to oncoming everyone that they need to stay off McCrory has proclaimed May as trains.” the tracks,” said Transportation “Rail Safety Awareness Month,” to Last month, NCDOT partnered Secretary Tony Tata. encourage safety on and around rail- Other safety blitzes will be held road tracks throughout the state. with local law enforcement, rail- road police and other officials in in June and July in Charlotte, Since the beginning of this year, 12 Greensboro and Dunn, respectively, people have died on North Carolina’s Fayetteville to conduct the first of at some of the crossings with the Cassidy Odom | Daily Journal railroad tracks, an unusually high several “Crossing Safety Blitzes” number of fatalities in such a short planned for the coming months. highest number of train-car colli- Trains cannot stop quickly. A freight train traveling sions in the state. at 55 miles per hour needs more than a mile to stop. span of time. During the blitz, officials passed Caution is always advised when near railroad tracks. “One death on our railways is out cards with rail safety tips and See TRACKS | 3A Gas prices, Locals urged to economy means spread word on more drivers seat belt safety Staff Report on the road The Governor’s Highway Staff Report Safety Program or GHSP, officially launched its An estimated 897,300 Memorial Day “Click It or North Carolina motorists — Ticket” campaign, mark- a 1.5 percent increase over ing 20 years of seat belt last year — are expected to safety awareness efforts hit the road as the summer that have saved countless travel season kicks off this lives. To honor this mile- Memorial Day weekend. stone and show support for A significant drop in gas the cause, GHSP is ask- prices, currently at $3.43 ing North Carolinians to in North Carolina, down 37 Photos by Dawn M. Kurry | Daily Journal get out their cell phone cents since peaking on Feb. Flags wave across Richmond Memorial Park during Memorial Day weekend. cameras, snap a self-por- 22, is helping to fuel the trait of them buckled up increase in holiday travel. while parked and share it North Carolina’s average on social media, using the price is 12 cents per gallon hashtag, “#SafetySelfie.” less than on May 22, 2012. “As the state that start- “Lower gas prices and a ed ‘Click It or Ticket’ two slowly improving economy decades ago, we’re known means more people will Flags for the fallen for finding unique ways to travel this holiday weekend encourage people to fasten to spend time with family Dawn M. Kurry Sergeant of the U.S. their seat belts,” said Don Richmond County Daily Journal Army, came home with a and friends,” said David E. Nail, interim director of Purple Heart after years Parsons, president and CEO GHSP. “The ‘#SafetySelfie’ of service and deploy- of AAA Carolinas. “This For the second year in is just one more example of ments in combat that left weekend’s favorable weather a row, youth from Temple our innovative approach to him injured. With pins in forecast will also encourage Christian Academy changing motorists’ behav- his leg and a variety of many last-minute travelers helped a Word War II and ior for the better. By har- other ailments, Brigman to get away for Memorial Korean Conflict veteran nessing the power of social said he still does what Day.” place flags on the graves media, we hope to convince he can for other veter- A total of 1,017,200 North of other veterans in honor the small percentage of ans. He is a member of Carolinians are expected to of Memorial Day. Youth from Temple Christian Academy helped people who aren’t buckling the Disabled American travel more than 50 miles Veteran RT “Jimmy” RT “Jimmy” Brigman place 4,000 flags on the their seat belts that it’s the from home, with a drop in Brigman, a retired Master See FLAGS | 3A graves of veterans. right thing to do.” those flying to 59,900, down The process is easy and 5 percent from 63,100 last takes less than a minute year. Other travel (bus, rail, to complete. With your maritime) is expected to Events across N.C. tap Memorial Day spirit vehicle in a parked posi- remain flat at 60,000. tion, activate your cell Wilmington has the state’s Staff Report makes Memorial Day irre- the last Monday in May in phone camera and take highest gas prices at $3.45 sistible,” said Wit Tuttell, remembrance of those who a picture showing your on average. North Carolina’s North Carolina destinations marketing director in the died while serving in the U.S. seat belt buckled secure- cheapest gas is in Boone and are ready to welcome visitors North Carolina Department armed forces. North Carolina ly. Then, share the photo High Point, which are both for Memorial Day weekend, of Commerce’s Division of offers a harmony of solemn with your friends, family at $3.37. The state average the unofficial start of the sum- Tourism. “With the extra day, commemorations and fes- and co-workers via Twitter, of $3.43 is the ninth lowest mer travel season. Special you can see more, do more, tive events, often in the same Facebook, Instagram and in the country. events feed the urge to travel, relax more and reflect more on destination. At VisitNC.com, Pinterest with the hashtag, North Carolina motorists lodging packages make the the meaning of the holiday. It travelers can find information “#SafetySelfie.” GHSP also will enjoy lower gas prices trip more enticing, and lower all adds up to a real bonus of on events, attractions, lodg- encourages you to add in South Carolina, currently pump prices sweeten the deal. quality time.” ing and dining plus ideas and comments urging others See TRAVEL | 3A “The three-day weekend Memorial Day is observed See EVENTS | 3A See SAFETY | 3A Young People’s Theatre to march through Rockingham Dawn M. Kurry Lion King’ only on a smaller streamers or noisemakers, Richmond County Daily Journal scale,” said Walker, “with all instruments, anything festive the costumes, puppets and that will celebrate joyfully the Richmond Community masks made from paper, glue, youth of our community.” Theatre’s annual sum- cardboard, and material.” And after they arrive at the mer camp for kids, “Young “I’m especially excited about Cole Plaza, at 6 p.m. the young People’s Theatre,” is gearing the parade and performance,” people of the theatre program back up, and Director Shelly she said. “At 5:15 on the final will present their adaptation Walker has something differ- day of the program (July 19), of “Beautiful Blackbird.” The ent in store this year. we are planning a children’s performance will be free of The young people in the charge for all community program will be helping to cre- parade that all children can join ‘Pied Piper style’ through members. ate the adaptation of Ashley “The youth in the program Bryan’s picture book story, downtown Rockingham from will help make many masks “Beautiful Blackbird.” They Harrington Square to Cole and puppets, but in order to will also help create masks Plaza outside of city hall. All made out of paper mache, and children are welcome to join present the story, they’ll be large paper puppets made out us as we march to the per- operating several puppets and wearing multiple masks,” said Contributed photo of cardboard. formance space. They may Children who participate in this year’s theatre summer camp hosted by “Think the musical ‘The bring masks or puppets or See MARCH | 2A Richmond Community Theatre will make paper mache masks. Obituaries 5A INSIDE NEWS, 8A Vol. 82, No. 105 Index Opinion 4A Deaths ON THE WEB: www.yourdailyjournal.com Calendar 2A Puzzles 4C Venita Bratcher Feds look for temporary E-MAIL: [email protected] Classified 3B Sports 1B Mary Terry, 73, Rockingham fix after I-5 collapse Wesley Odom, 78 Comics 4C TV Listings 2C The Daily Journal is published with pride five Ronald Huffman, 88, Fayetteville days a week for the people of Richmond County, Material inside this edition is Obituaries can be found on Page 5A. N.C. The Daily Journal is committed to editorial © Richmond County Daily Journal. integrity and excellence. Reproduction without expressed consent of the If you spot an error, please contact us at Richmond County Daily Journal is prohibited. (910) 997-3111, ext. 13. Page 2A Richmond County Daily Journal, Rockingham, N.C. Weekender, May 25-26, 2013 www.yourdailyjournal.com LOCAL COMMUNITY CALENDAR The deadline for all Community Memorial Library, Sunday, June 2, at the in on Hamlet’s Main Calendar items is 4:30 p.m. the Rockingham, from 6 Ballroom in Hamlet. Street, from 5 to 8 p.m. day prior to publishing. To list your to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Everyone is invited to on Friday, June 7.