'SFFêWFNJMFCJLFSJEF r(BUPST#SBDFZIFBET"MM$P FREE! Sat. BOEUXPNJMFXBMLUISPVHI "USJCVUFPO MVNCVTTFMFDUJPOTr4QPSUT&EJUPS 9am 8IJUFWJMMF4BUVSEBZBU QBHFT# %BO#JTFSSFNFNCFST4UFWJFѮF BOE#UP PEPSBLJTr$PMVNCVT%JYJF:PVUI Ride BNGSPN7JOFMBOE4UB the... UJPO BQBSUPGUIF$3)4 UIF$MBTTPG -FBHVF5PVSOBNFOUUPPQFO'SJEBZ Inside Sports 4FFQBHF# Saturday Bike-centennial! 'BNJMZ)FBMUI'FTUJWBM ThePublished News since 1890 every Monday and Tursday forReporter the County of Columbus and her people. Tursday, June 16, 2011 Brown indicted for fre, fraud Lawmakers Volume 114, Number 97 plus murder override veto Whiteville, North Carolina at Five Points of state budget 50 Cents n C h a db ou r n s c ho ol counselor faces first-de- nHill is one of five Democrats who gree murder in killing of voted with GOP. Inside Today Larry James Towns. 5-A By NICOLE CARTRETTE By BOB HIGH Staff Writer r4FDPOEBSTPOUSJBMJT Staff Writer EPVCMFKFPQBSEZ As a flurry of newspaper, radio and televi- Michael Shawn Brown, the sion advertisements made their way to the guidance counselor at Chad- public putting pressure on five House Demo- bourn Elementary who killed crats who voted for the Republican-drafted Next Issue Larry James Towns in March, state budget, Rep. Dewey Hill of Lake Wac- now faces charges of medical camaw made it clear he intended to support fraud and arson in the burn- the $19.7 billion spending plan despite the ing of his offices at Five Points opposition of governor and fellow Democrat west of Chadbourn. Bev Perdue. He has been indicted on The House voted 73-46 in a midnight session 16 counts of fraud involving Tuesday to overturn Perdue’s unprecedented private counseling of children, veto of the budget. A three-fifths majority plus the burning of his cinder- was needed to do that and was aided by the block offices a day before the assistance of the five conservative Democrats, SBI was to serve a search war- including Hill. rant seeking information on See Budget, page 2-A See Brown, page 4-A Monday’s American Profle Gunfre kills Deadline for features “Celebrat- ing Ziggy,” Amer- Tabor man rescue squad ica’s lovable loser turns 40. Wednesday certifcation nChadwick Bellamy vic- tim near his home in is July 1 DIDYOB? Tabor City. Did you observe ... Staff photo by Mark Gilchrist nChief says Cerro Gordo won’t meet it. By BOB HIGH World painters More than 400 at- Staff Writer By NICOLE CARTRETTE Halie Whitford of New Bern helps add a coat of paint to a home off Staff Writer tending Bible school Chadwick Bellamy, 23, of Prison Camp Road in Whiteville Wednesday. Whitford is part of the at Beaverdam Origi- Bay Street, Tabor City, was World Changers group of students and their families who are working It appears that one squad may not meet a county-mandated deadline of July 1 for all nal Freewill Baptist killed Wednesday morning in a on homes of people in need here this week. burst of gunfire after a fight at volunteer rescue services in the county to Church this week? ... the corner of Fourth and Bay obtain at least the EMT-I (Emergency Medical Annie Ward cel- streets, and the shooter sur- Technician-Intermediate) level of certifica- rendered in Whiteville within tion. ebrating her 94th seven hours. “We have offered to assist them in any way birthday by wading Albert “Bert” Henry, 34, of Fair Bluf fre, rescue, civic that we can but they haven’t asked for our into the ocean to the Stake Road Estates, Tabor City, leader Butch Meares was 72 help,” County Emergency Services Director breakers? ... More See Murder, page 4-A See Deadline, page 6-A joggers, walkers, By FULLER ROYAL runners and cyclists No tax increase Staff Writer than usual in the in Whiteville Longtime Fair Bluff Fire Chief WHS principal mornings, taking Ellis Devine “Butch” Meares died n Tuesday following an extended advantage of the Budget set for final ap- illness. resigns post cooler weather? ... proval June 21. The 72-year-old civic leader spent more than half a century as By FULLER ROYAL By JEFFERSON WEAVER a firefighter with the Fair Buff De- Staff Writer Staff Writer partment, later adding emergency County Deaths medical technician to his long list Whiteville High School Principal Deborah Whiteville’s City Council of accomplishments. Newman has stepped down. Whiteville turned down a suggestion by Meares, who was one of the first In a move that caught WHS staff and fac- Betty Ann Shipman City Manager Larry Faison to Eagle Scouts in Fair Bluff, used ulty by surprise – Newman had presided over Rupert Wade Gore raise property taxes by three the skills he learned in Scouting the WHS commencement exercises the day Gary Kenneth Bardin cents, opting instead to go for to become a firefighter. before – the Whiteville City Schools Board of more austere measures in this From 1969 until 2004, he was the Education announced only that Newman had Charles Marion Ward year’s budget. department’s chief. “retired.” Administration officials offered no Ilahni Ivyanna Campbell The three-cent increase He was also active with the Co- other comment Wednesday. Clarendon would have helped fund raises lumbus County Fire and Rescue Newman has put in enough years to retire, Velma L. Gurganus Tyree for a number of positions, in- Association and assisted with the having begun her education career in the cluding police officers, as well recertification process of both mid-1970s. One of her earliest posts was as a Hallsboro as helping fund other projects. Jewell L. S. Formyduval See Meares, page 7-A E.D. “Butch” Meares teacher and coach at West Brunswick High Lucille Council Greene See Whiteville, page 8-A See WHS principal, page 2-A Fair Bluf E.D. “Butch” Meares Lake Waccamaw Steven George Teodorakis Young worked during Chadbourn Veneer’s heyday n Chadbourn man recalls years of steam- Two lathes Crate factory ing logs so they could be peeled into sheets Young and Bill Parker, 80, also of However, the old mill was most Index of veneer. Chadbourn, are former employees of often called the Chadbourn Mill and the firm that was located along Kirkland Crate Company, and not known by its &EJUPSJBMT" By BOB HIGH Street, south of the east-west railroad proper name. 0CJUVBSJFT" Staff Writer line. Young said he began working at There were two lathes that cut the the veneer plant in 1953. His first job 4QPSUT# (See today’s Living Page for photos of Chadbourn green logs into long, thin sheets of wood was to put the sawed sections of logs $SJNF" Veneer) termed “veneer.” into a kiln so the fresh-cut (green) logs -JWJOH$ “They were good people to work for,” Paul Young The veneer was used in many types could be steamed. Steam allowed the Jr. said as he relaxed on the front porch of his Chad- of furniture manufacturing, includ- wood to soften and easily be peeled by bourn home. Young was referring to Willis A. “Bill” ing the thin back on TV sets and other two large lathes that spit out miles of Bunch Jr. and Scott Russ, the men who operated the electronic equipment made with wood veneer from poplar, gum, maple and Chadbourn Veneer Company from about 1945 to the frames, and also to make the small bas- other deciduous trees. mid 1970s. kets and hampers used to handle fruit Paul Young Jr. Young, who has never owned a ve- “One day Mr. Bill came over to where I was work- and vegetables. hicle, said he regularly walked to work ing and asked why I hadn’t been at work the couple The site was almost on the same location as the from his home near the plant. He built his present of previous days,” the 90-year-old Young recalled. old Columbus Manufacturing Company, which had home just west of Chadbourn’s limits in 1962 in what “I told him I hadn’t been at work because my wife produced crates for Chadbourn’s giant strawberry is known as Vaught’s Square – a collection of homes was sick.” industry and vegetable farmers since the early years on the north side of the railroad. “He told me, ‘Sorry I asked. Forget it.’” of the 1900s. See Veneer, page 6-A 2-A – The News Reporter, Thursday, June 16, 2011 Budget Vets honored at Take the Lake Continued from page 1-A After fighting for our coun- try for years, Columbus Coun- Republicans have a veto- “I think we are going to be Columbus County school of- ty veterans are finding people proof majority in the Senate fine. I met with educators from ficials told The News Reporter ready to fight for them. and are expected to vote on our area today who wanted to recently that cuts equal 40 to The fitness event Take the the override today (Thursday). know why I voted for budget. 45 teaching positions, half of Lake is teaming up with Qual- This weekend Perdue made They were nice about it and the teachers for More at Four ity Ford to help build excite- history when she vetoed the understood. programs may lose their jobs budget–the first veto of its “They asked me to come and when federal funds for ment for the free event this kind since the legislature gave home and talk to our people education positions end next Labor Day weekend, offering the governor veto power in the about it. I do believe there is year the county will have lost early registrants chances to late 1990s. information out there that is about $6 million in funding win a pair of beautiful Ford In her veto message Perdue not accurate,” Hill said. and 100 to 110 positions in the Mustangs. wrote, “We have a legislature “We will see how many jobs last six years. Take the Lake, in its third that is turning its back on get cut now –I am hoping not “If I vote for the budget I year, has adopted a theme our schools, our children, our too many,” Hill said, pointing am going to vote for the bud- program, starting with the longstanding investments in out that too many jobs were get and that’s it,” Hill said in patriotic theme of military education and our future eco- funded with nonrecurring recent weeks. “I think there is and veterans for 2011. nomic prospects.” funds. a misconception out there that veteran. What makes the themes Quality Ford has bought Perdue said that classrooms “I absolutely did not enjoy if the governor vetoes the bud- different than those of other Quality Ford has found a 260 tickets for this drawing, will be “underfunded, teachers what I did. Did the governor get we will get what we want. events, is that when Take the national drawing that ben- and Take the Lake organizers laid off, community colleges do a good job? Absolutely,” You can’t. You just can’t when Lake adopts a theme, they also efits the Healing Heroes Net- will give one to each of the and universities adversely Hill said. you don’t have the money to do target members of that group work, an organization that first 260 people who register impacted. He added that he had been it with,” Hill said. as honored participants. provides treatment to “the for the September event. “They chose to risk our thanked by many people “We tried to work out a Take the Lake is challeng- men and women of the armed More than 60 people have children’s futures –for less across the state and from Co- budget and protect as much ing the more than 4,000 Co- forces injured in the line of already registered, so fewer than a penny,” Perdue said lumbus County for his vote for education as we could,” he lumbus County veterans to duty in Iraq and Afghanistan than 200 tickets remain. in reference to the sunset of the budget. added. participate this year, either on or after Sept. 11, 2001.” Drawing for the Mustangs a three-quarter cent sales tax “So many and some from Sen. Bill Rabon, a South- walking, running, cycling or The winner of the drawing will be July 4, but participa- that GOP lawmakers say will my district said ‘we really port Republican, said in recent paddling around Lake Wacca- will receive a pair of Boss 302 tion in at least one Take the generate new jobs in the pri- appreciate you voting for that weeks the sunset of the sales maw, or swimming across it. Ford Mustangs, including a Lake Personal Endurance vate sector. budget’. I have had so many of tax was non-negotiable. Rabon In many fitness events, classic 1969 limited edition Challenge is required to win. “As I’ve reviewed the Gen- those emails all over the state,” said Republicans campaigned participants act in the name restored and in show condi- Prize awards will be with- eral Assembly’s plan for how Hill said. on reducing taxes and spend- of a relative or friend. tion, and a 2012 exclusive held until the September North Carolina should run the He said the discontent with ing. But, Take the Lake encour- Patriot Edition. event. next two years, I’ve found it is the budget is alarming. In his newsletter this week, ages participants to take this Drawing organizers will More information and an ideologically driven budget “People on entitlements are Rabon said he was looking a step further, and rather than pay federal withholding taxes Take the Lake registration is that rips at our classrooms and raising sand. We have had the “forward to overriding Gov- walk, cycle, paddle or swim equal to 25 percent of the available at Take the Lake’s campuses, our environment most security up here we have ernor Perdue’s veto of the “for” a veteran, to actually prize, which is valued at more official website, at Taketh- and quality of life, our ser- had in a long time,” Hill said. budget. team up and walk “with” the than $100,000. elake.org. vices for the needy and ill, and “Some of the members have “As I’ve said to you before, the safety of our streets and security guards walking them I couldn’t be happier with the communities,” the governor to their car. That is not good, budget that has been passed by insisted. we don’t need that up here.” the General Assembly,” Rabon WHS principal “The state’s budget is more Hill told The News Reporter said. “All three of my original Continued from page 1-A than just a roadmap for how recently that a veto would have goals were met and surpassed. state agencies operate. It is a been problematic and lead to We’ve preserved and widened School in the late 1970s. school board named Newman centennial in May, 2010. reflection of the state’s values, a government shutdown that education in vital areas, we’ve Newman was hired as an as the fulltime principal of The school also experi- of what we believe in. I will would be costly. cut taxes, and we’ve balanced assistant principal in the fall the school. enced a turn-around in test not put my name on a plan With the support of five the budget. of 2008 working for Principal During Westberg’s time at scores. Newman also over- that so blatantly ignores the Democrats – one of them Hill “It’s a good budget, and John Westberg. Westberg WHS, the staff and faculty saw the board’s new uniform values of North Carolina’s – the N.C. House passed a $19.7 the fact that we’ve got enough was beginning his second turnover rate was the high- mandate. people. I cannot support a billion budget with a veto- votes to override the veto year at the time. By October, est in the school’s 100-year Newman’s former job was budget that sends the message proof majority. The vote was shows just how much sup- Westberg’s term at the school history. While not able to com- posted Wednesday morning that North Carolina is mov- 73-45 in support of the spend- port we have for our spending had become controversial and pletely stem the turnover rate, on the school system’s web- ing backwards, when we have ing plan that originated in measures in North Carolina,” by mid-spring of 2009, he had Newman was able to slow it site. Anyone interested has always been a state that led the the House, was revised in the Rabon said. “I believe that this resigned. Under Newman, the school until July 15 to submit an ap- nation,” Perdue said. Senate and later vetoed. is the beginning of a new era Newman was named the started to rebuild its athletic plication. “I think we’ve done well. Under the plan, a three- of prosperity for our state, and interim principal, guiding the program as well as its athletic Everybody has a different quarter cent sales tax that though it will take time, we are Fuller Royal school through the remainder boosters. Friends of White- opinion,” Hill said Tuesday. He was set to expire will leave moving in the right direction.” 910-642-4104 ext. 228 of the year. ville High School was begun said without the five conserva- about $1 billion in the private Rabon could not be reached [email protected] In the summer of 2009, the and the school celebrated its tive Democrats there would be sector for job creation, GOP for comment Wednesday prior less funding for the schools, leaders say. Several Democrats to press deadline. colleges and universities. argued that the budget would “We got some things for cut thousands of jobs in public Nicole Cartrette voting for the budget. We got schools, community colleges 910-642-4104 ext. 225 money for education and uni- and the university system [email protected] Federal money paid versities, the Golden LEAF among others. and Tobacco Trust Fund and $300,000 million for K-12 that was not originally in the bud- for health agency sign get,” Hill said. Heat, drought damages “We are not happy with the By RAY WYCHE over last year. I wish more cessive exposure to the sun. budget and nobody is happy people had come in. We used Smith said the messages Staff Writer with the budget,” Hill said, still slowing crop growth preparedness money we had can be changed electronically adding that Republicans were Farm crops continue to Bill Ghent’s weather instru- The recently erected sign at received for the sign,” she with control mechanisms in not willing to budge on letting suffer as unusually high tem- ments in Whiteville recorded the Columbus County Depart- said. health department offices. the sales tax sunset. peratures, coupled with scant .32 inches of rain Sunday and ment of Public Health was If the local department had “They absolutely refused to rainfall, continue to plague de- a high temperature reading of paid for by an allocation from not used the money within do that,” Hill said. velopment of farm plantings. 99.9 degrees. the federally funded Centers a certain date in Columbus Ray Wyche Hill said he has been criti- The Border Belt Tobacco Extension Agent Michael for Disease Control (CDC) in County, the money would have 910-642-4104 ext. 229 cized about cuts to Smart Start Research Station reported Shaw said, “Even a half-inch Atlanta to encourage residents been withdrawn and turned but that former Gov. Jim Hunt .47 inches of rain Sunday rain has helped but I think to get a vaccination against over to the state to be reallo- himself is happy with what night that was short of what we’ve got more crop damage the H1N1 strain of influenza. cated to other counties. was done. is needed as the area is about than a week ago.” County health department Messages on the sign will “With the money we had nine inches below the annual Rain was predicted for the director Kim Smith said the be changed to emphasize dif- Family Health I thought we got everything precipitation for the year. area for today (Thursday). ferent phases of health care, lighted sign cost about $28,000. we could get,” Hill said. “Gov. Smith added. The messages The money came from a Fest Saturday Hunt thought we came out real will emphasize the need for preparedness fund and is well with Smart Start.” getting flu shots when flu sea- By JEFFERSON WEAVER aimed at increasing the num- Hill said a successful veto son arrives. Staff Writer ber of people immunized would have been a stalemate. Greenhouse Clearance Sale-Great Buys! “I made the decision. We against H1N1 strain of influ- “I don’t believe the stale- Round Concrete needed to do some planning,” Two groups dedicated to Daylillies (Gal.) $4.95 or 4/$20.00 enza, Smith said. mate would move the leader- Table Set she said, “and the sign will health—one that cares about She added that despite ship and the governor would t+BQBOFTF.BQMFTt4BHP1BMNT $225.00 stress the need for following a healthy downtown, and the extensive publicity about the not be able to get much done. It good health habits. other about healthy people— dangers of H1N1, Columbus is time to go home,” Hill said, 3&.&.#&3%"%+6/& “In a couple of weeks you’ll are sponsoring the Whiteville County’s record of immuniza- hinting that there were several see something totally differ- Family Health Festival Sat- (SJMMTt'JTI$PPLFSTt)BNNPDLTt4IPQ'BOT.PSF tions against the disease was bills that he viewed as bad bills ent. There are a whole lot of urday. not good in the flu season last along with the governor. things we can do with it,” she Columbus Regional Health- The Cement Barn winter. Hill said many understand said. care and the Whiteville Down- Concrete Lawn Ornaments & Garden Center “We had some vaccine left his vote for the budget. Currently, the sign has a town Development Commis- #ERRO 'ORDO .# s The News Reporter warning against the dangers sion are working together for (USPS 387-600) of skin cancer caused by ex- the event, which will be held at Vineland Station from 9 a.m. Published twice weekly by until 2 p.m. All events are free. Just In Time For Father’s Day . . . The News Reporter Co. Inc. A Family Fun Walk kicks 127 W. Columbus St. High school off the event at 9 a.m., fol- Whiteville N.C. 28472 lowed by a morning filled with Mailing address: family-friendly activities. La-z-boy Recliner P.O. Box 707, awards lists Visitors can have their Whiteville, N.C. 28472-0707 blood pressure, weight, blood needed sugar, cholesterol and body Periodical postage paid at SALE mass checked by profession- Whiteville, N.C., 28472-0707 The News Reporter is asking the public and private high als. Free dental check-ups and Postmaster: send address schools in Columbus County to varnishing will also be avail- Save changes to P.O. Box 707, submit their lists of award and able for children 1 through 18 Whiteville, N.C. 28472 scholarship recipients for 2011. years old. Jim High, Publisher Scholarships must have Whiteville Police will hold 40% to Mail Subscriptions been awarded to and accepted a child passenger safety clinic (Columbus County) by the recipients. Group photos to introduce the department’s $30.00 year if available are welcome. newly certified child safety 50% Please submit information seat instructors. The popular Other N.C. Counties to education reporter Fuller Kids Fun Block will also be $46.00 year Royal by hand delivery or held on the green across Madi- Hundreds Home Delivery $40.00 year email at fullerroyal@white- son Street. Out of State $55.00 year ville.com. For more information about the event, call 641-3673. In Stock! ©2008, The News Reporter Co., Inc. No faxes will be accepted. CINEMA III Coming Soon - Cars 2 X-Men Kung Fu Panda 2 Priest Hangover 1423 N. J.K. Powell Blvd., Whiteville 1 • 4 • 7 • 10:00 Daily 1 • 3:30 • 7:30 Daily 5:30 • 10:00 Daily 1 • 4 • 7 • 10:00 Daily on Hwy. 701 at Hwy. 74 Overpass (PG13) (PG) (PG13) (R) MOVIE LINE 910-642-6025 Daytime: $5.50 • Nighttime: $7.50 910-640-2900 The News Reporter, Thursday, June 16, 2011 – 3-A Sidewalk tables mulled by Whiteville council By JEFFERSON WEAVER cumstances.” tional ABC rules. Staff Writer Haire said the city staff con- The number one concern, tacted officials in Wilmington, Haire explained, is that the Whiteville restaurants may Southport, Carolina Beach and businesses don’t own the side- soon have the chance to offer Beaufort, S.C. to see how other walk area in front of some outdoor dining downtown. communities handle sidewalk establishments. Several downtown busi- dining. The Department of Trans- nesses – primarily the South- While Southport does not portation has a wide right of ern Kitchen – have inquired allow outside seating due to way through downtown be- about having café-style seat- its narrow sidewalks, most cause Madison Street is a state ing in front of their eateries. towns allow it in some form or highway - U.S. 701 Business. The city currently has no another, Haire said. Alcohol sales are generally regulations in place regarding Major concerns, Haire said, not permitted in DOT rights of outside seating for downtown include maintaining pedestri- way, and pedestrian encroach- restaurants. an pathways and making sure ment is considered a priority Planner Jerry Haire briefed the business owner has proper with the highway department. the city council Tuesday on liability insurance. The city council instructed what will be necessary to grant Two other big hurdles could Haire to schedule a meeting the request. complicate matters, Haire with DOT officials, after which Representatives of several said. Most of the restaurants they will hold a workshop to area businesses as well as the interested in the café-style discuss how to proceed with Chamber of Commerce and seating have ABC permits. the requests. Whiteville Downtown Devel- The city would have to mod- “We have all been in cities opment attended Tuesday’s ify its ordinances about public where they had outside seating meeting, but did not address consumption, Haire said, and like this,” Haire said. “If done the open-air seating request. the businesses would have to properly it can be a good thing, Haire told the board that be in compliance with addi- and a boost to downtown.” while the city has not tra- ditionally addressed the is- sue, “there can be social and Now open on economic benefits to allow outside seating in some cir- Thursday & Friday nights 5 pm to 9 pm Monday - Friday 11 am to 3 pm for Lunch
Staff photo by Mark Gilchrist Man of words Chris Jefferson of Winston-Salem adjusts a sign before installing it in front of the New O’Reilly Auto Parts store off the U.S. 701 Bypass in Whiteville Wednesday. Emergency Brunswick connection to be examined Hwy 701 Bypass Whiteville NC (910) 642-7748 By JEFFERSON WEAVER the city, but wants to make the ing for the project, according
Staff Writer connection in case a natural to Hill’s letter. SAVE NOW! SAVE NOW! SAVE NOW! SAVE NOW! SAVE NOW! SAVE NOW! SAVE NOW! SAVE NOW! SAVE NOW! disaster or other problem The smaller town has ad- The town of Brunswick turns off the town’s water. equate generators and stor- wants to be ready if its water The Whiteville line actually age, Hill noted, but the water system fails, and the city of runs through the town. The connection would add an extra Whiteville may help. city has a similar agreement layer of security if a major Whiteville’s City Council with the county, Faison said. calamity occurred. Tuesday approved discus- Faison suggested the city Faison will meet with sions between City Manager charge Brunswick $1.30 per Brunswick officials to discuss Larry Faison and the town of 1,000 gallons, which is compa- the agreement in the coming OOL Brunswick for an emergency rable to the city’s retail sewer weeks. connection to the city’s water flow and bulk rates. Jefferson Weaver main. Brunswick has four If the connection is ap- 910-642-4104 ext. 227 proved, Brunswick will pro- good wells, according to a let- [email protected] ter from Mayor Nancy Hill to vide all equipment and fund- DOWN We have the Summer Color Sale June 11th throughwith 25th name brand prices COLOR Dad will love for Father’s Day! All Gold and Colored Stone Jewelry 40 to 50% off All Semi-Precious, Precious, and Fancy Colored Diamond Rings, Pendants, and Earrings Large Selection in Sterling Silver 30 to 60% off SPECIAL DRAWING ON YOUR PURCHASE The New Gold TO SAVE UP TO AN ADDITIONAL 25%!!! SPECIAL FATHER’S DAY PRICING
FREE Collier’s“Whiteville’s Leading Jewelers” Gift Wrapping "7 /"7 Ê7/ 6 ÊUÊ/ , -Ê -9Ê,, MEN’S STORE È{ÓΣnÎÊUÊÜÜÜ°ViÀÃiÜiiÀðV
Downtown Whiteville NOW! NOW! SAVE NOW! SAVE NOW! SAVE NOW! SAVE NOW! SAVE SAVE SAVE NOW! SAVE NOW! SAVE NOW!
WOW! 4A - The News Reporter, Thursday, June 16, 2011 Brown Crime briefs Continued from page 1-A Cocaine Paper possible fraud. volved, but charge Brown with Brown, died at the scene, In addition, the murder with filing paperwork that and he was unarmed. Brown Isis Ophelia King, 35, of Someone stole a roll of toilet case has been elevated to claimed he delivered mental had arrived at the building a Withlacoochee Avenue, Mari- paper, a .22 rifle and bullets for first-degree from the second- health counseling to certain few minutes before the shoot- on, S.C., was arrested June 10 the weapon during a break-in degree charge on which he is people without actually doing ing, and told officers he was for possession of cocaine on a at the home of Jessica Michelle currently on bond, with elec- the counseling. not open for business at the warrant obtained by Fair Bluff Helms in the 4100 block of N.C. tronic house arrest. However, The charges are from cases time of the killing. Police Officer Ricky Soles. 904 East, Tabor City, according Brown has been a resident of dating to late 2009 through The Five Points building to a June 13 sheriff ’s report. a Wilmington rehabilitation early 2011. burned on April 17, and the The rifle and bullets were facility since late May, and it Towns unarmed building was to be searched Shoplifer found in the victim’s yard. is not known when he is to be Towns, a 55-year-old Chad- for records relating to Mark Anthony Lewis, 46, released. bourn resident, was killed Brown’s payments from Med- of Hallsboro, was arrested Filed with state on March 29 by pistol shots icaid for private counseling here June 13 for stealing three Arrested The indictments have been to his chest at 3:55 p.m. in of children. Brown had met packages of steaks, hot sauce Heath Ray Locklear, 20, of filed with the state’s elec- Brown’s offices, near his Prin- with SBI agents on Friday, and peanut butter from the Soles Road, Whiteville, has tronic system, and police cess Ann Road home. Brown April 15, records show. Food Lion in the Northfield been arrested on charges of at the facility are aware of told investigators he thought Brown had been employed Shopping Centre. He was also breaking and entering, and the outstanding indictments Towns, known to him, was at Chadbourn Elementary as charged with trespassing. larceny on a warrant obtained brought by Sheriff ’s Detective Michael Shawn Brown “an intruder,” and shot him a guidance counselor since by Sheriff’s Detective Trina Sgt. Jeff Nealey and the SBI. Medicaid fraud do not show in the hallway of the building. October 1994. He took a leave Worley. The indictments for N.C. an amount of money in- Towns, who had dealings of absence after the murder. Locklear is charged with Medication breaking into David Edward A woman reported June 13 Little’s home along Thompson Prince gets probation Murder the theft of her medication Town Road, Whiteville, on May Continued from page 1-A while she was “trying on” a 18 and stealing 90 DVDs and a shirt that two other women had window air conditioner, total for sale of cocaine is charged with second-degree stolen from a Whiteville store, value $200. murder and possession of a according to a sheriff ’s report. Prison for same charge in 2008 firearm by a felon. His bond is The victim said she was told N i c k y M e l v i n in 2008 for sale of $1,020,000. to go to a friend’s home,and Prince, 49, of Pine cocaine recorded by Revoked Tabor City Police Chief Don was shown several items of R u s s e l l Circle Drive, Tabor videotape. Dowless said Henry and Bel- clothing that had been stolen. Dejuan Liv- City, was placed on He was also given lamy were involved in a fight The women left her pocketbook ingston, 33, probation for three a split sentence of 90 and while police were going in a bedroom while she went to of Loris, S.C., years here last week days in jail, and given to the scene they received a a bathroom with the new shirt. was sent to after he pleaded to credit for 215 days report of “shots fired.” prison last selling cocaine – the served. Home targeted week when same charge he plead- Prince Prince’s prior re- Bellamy was found on the his probation ed to in 2008 and was sent to cord, in addition to the 2008 ground in front of his home, Concurrent was revoked Livingston prison. case, shows convictions for and had wounds in his back William Brandon Chiles, in Superior Court here. He will Prince sold cocaine to Sher- breaking and entering, plus and a leg. He died while being Albert Henry 24, an inmate at the Tabor serve six to eight months with iff’s Drug Detective Aaron receiving stolen property in taken to Loris Community Hos- Correctional Unit, was given a credit of 21 days. Herring on Nov. 6, 2010 in the 1981, larceny in 1983, fleeing to pital in Loris, S.C., or shortly not confirmed. a concurrent term of 27 to 33 Livingston’s probation vio- Green Acres community south- elude arrest in 1989, common- after he reached the medical Dowless said there was “a months here last week after lations included use of mari- east of Tabor City. He was sent law robbery in 1992 and assault facility. crowd” of people at or near the he pleaded in Superior Court juana, possession of weapons, to prison for 20 to 24 months on a female in 2006. Henry’s home was the target shooting location, but authori- here to malicious conduct by illegal possession of pills and of gunfire at 2 p.m. Wednesday ties have only a few witnesses. a prisoner. marijuana, and pending cases as authorities sought the sus- Most of the people nearby Chiles spit on a correctional in Horry County, S.C., of pos- Dixon’s plea brings pect. There were no injuries in when the incident took place officer on Feb. 27. He is serv- session of cocaine and mari- the afternoon shooting. told officers they didn’t see the ing a term of 22 years and five juana. Henry’s gold Honda was pro- shooting. months to 27 years and eight He was convicted in 2010 of prison and probation cessed by SBI agents Wednes- There was an unreported months for convictions in 2008 possession of marijuana with William Jerome on March 19, 2010 of day evening at the sheriff’s number of shots fired, and of armed robbery, kidnap- intent to sell. Dixon, 28, of Miller William Norris’ home facility here. He drove the car several shell casings of a small- ping, burglary and first-degree Road, Tabor City, will where a firearm was here to surrender. caliber weapon were recov- sex offense in Mecklenburg serve a prison term stolen; a break-in of Unknown reason ered. Dowless did not say how County. of 22 to 28 months David Long’s Nakina Unsupervised Dowless said he did not many shots struck Bellamy. before beginning a home where a TV was Ryan Christopher Hommel, know why the men were This is the third murder three-year term on stolen; the break-in 20, of Peacock Road, White- fighting, and Bellamy was in Tabor City in the past 13 Attempt probation with anoth- Dixon of Ila Gore’s Nakina ville, was placed on unsuper- home on March 18, 2010 where unarmed. There were several months. Abdo Ali Qoria, 42, The Home Race conve- er sentence of 33 to 42 months vised probation for 90 days two TVs were taken; and the reports Wednesday as to the was killed Jan. 16 during a rob- nience store here along U.S. suspended. here last week after he was break-in the same day at Glen- cause of the trouble, including bery of his convenience store, 701 Bypass was the site of an Dixon pleaded here last given deferred prosecution in nie Fowler’s home along M.M. one that suggested Henry made and Mario Deran Lewis, 29, attempted robbery at 9:58 p.m. week in Superior Court to a the series of vehicle break-ins Ray Road, Tabor City. some sort of remark about a was killed in a stabbing in his Monday, according to police. series of break-ins and thefts and thefts at Lake Waccamaw When his probation be- woman who is the mother of front yard along March Avenue A man told the clerk he in the spring of 2010. His prior last July. gins he will be on intensive Bellamy’s child, but this was on May 11, 2010. wanted money, and showed record shows convictions in Hommel, who has no crimi- supervision for the first six him a “shiny” item tucked in 2000, 2005, 2007 and 2008 of the nal record, is required to per- months, a condition requiring the waist of his pants. The same type crimes. form 32 hours of community Dixon was convicted of a daily curfew and community clerk showed the man a weap- service during the 90 days of Stolen items lead service. on, and the suspect said, “I’m breaking and entering the probation. His prior record shows two playing with you,” and left the Norris Country Store along His co-defendant in the Lake convictions for breaking and store. N.C. 904 East, Tabor City, on Waccamaw cases is Matthew March 7, 2010; breaking into entering, and larceny in 2000; to arrests for drugs Scott Hill, 20, of Whiteville, William Norris’ home along breaking into a vehicle in 2000 A Bruns- rested Owen who cases are pending action. wick County H o b s o n Courtney Square, Tabor City and 2007; breaking and enter- Probation the next week, where cash, ing, and larceny in 2005; two sheriff ’s dep- Morgan, 21, Denise Elaine Seaman, 51, jewelry and other items valued counts of the same charges in uty saw what and Donna of Clarendon and Hallsboro, at $1,250 were stolen; a break-in both 2007 and 2008. he thought to Jo Massey, was placed on probation for Shot be a stolen 19, both of two years here last week after Craig Legant Graham, 29, motorcycle Wilmington. she pleaded to possession of of Burkhead Street, was struck and a stolen B o t h cocaine. A prison term of six to by shots in the calf and ankle Grice sent to prison scooter in a Morgan and eight months was suspended. of his left leg at 11:25 p.m. here Adam Mitchell Grice, 35, Jacobs, his grandmother, for pickup truck Morgan Massey Massey were Seaman was arrested on Tuesday, according to police. of Savannah Drive, Tabor a total of $300, while “he was Tuesday night, and followed charged with possession of 11 July 1, 2010 by a sheriff’s Graham and his brother, Di- City, was sent to prison for a taking care of her,” records the vehicle to HanDee Hugo’s grams of methamphetamine deputy after her vehicle was rell Kwame Graham, 20, were modified term of six to eight show. convenience store in Riegel- for the purpose of sale, plus stopped for no brake lights, and walking on Martin Luther months last week when his Grice depleted Jacobs’ wood. possession of five morphine she admitted she had cocaine. King Jr. Avenue at Calhoun probation was revoked in Su- bank account from $8,700 The driver stopped, and tablets, a Xanax pill, and pos- Her co-defendant is Michelle Street when a vehicle slowed, perior Court here. to $311 in three months by both he and his female passen- session of drug parapherna- Caffee Gore, 45, of Whiteville, and shots were fired. Craig Grice’s original suspended forging checks and using the ger, started to enter the store. lia – metal spoons, syringes, and her case is pending action. Graham discovered he’d been term was for 12 to 16 months woman’s debit card, according They were halted, and ques- digital scales, rolling papers, shot after jumping into some after he pleaded in August to sheriff ’s records. tioned about the motorcycle plastic bags and empty jelly bushes. His brother injured a 2009 to two counts of forgery His probation violation was and scooter, and both were pill capsules. hand jumping a fence. and “uttering” forged checks. failure to make court-ordered found to have been stolen in Morgan was also charged Indicted A report Wednesday showed Grice passed forged checks on payments. He has a credit of 82 Wilmington. with maintaining the 2007 Joshua Andre Williams, a bullet entered a Brookberry the account of Emma Hester days toward his prison term. Several different drugs were Chevrolet pickup truck as a 19, of Whiteville, has been Apartment. There were no found in the possession of the place to keep and sell illegal indicted for breaking into two injuries. two suspects, and the Colum- drugs. cars in August 2010 after the bus County Sheriff’s Drug Unit The motorcycle, a 2006 Su- cases had been dismissed in Ford goes to jail was called. zuki, had been stolen from District Court. Kiara Shar nelle 75-day suspended jail Detectives Justin Worley, Aaron Burgard. The scooter, Deferred Ford, 21, of Land sentence. Williams is charged with Prosecu- Aaron Herring and Sgt. Barett a Wasp, had been stolen from Street, Chadbourn, She was arrested in entering a car at Shoreland tion of As- Thompson responded, and ar- William Shouse. was sent to jail here January 2010 on two Healthcare, and a second in the treia Gause, last week to serve 65 counts of statutory Northfield Shopping Centre. 20, of Cerro days of a 75-day term rape and committing He also faces five counts of Gordo, was when her probation sex offenses on a ju- theft of copper gutters from d e f e r r e d Ellis put on probation in a 2009 sex case was venile girl in October victims in January. He has h e r e l a s t Marvin Earl El- it at her, and then put revoked. 2009. two co-defendants in the cop- week in Su- Gause Ford lis, 55, of Mill Pond it to her throat before Ford pleaded to Ford was found hid- per cases. perior Court for a year’s pro- Road, Whiteville, was getting a pistol. misdemeanor sexual battery ing in a closet when the vic- bation with 50 hours of com- placed on probation He threatened to in February, and was put on tim’s mother went to get her, munity service. for two years here last kill her and himself probation for a year, with a records show. Gause was arrested in July week after he pleaded and burn their home,
270 days 2010 for breaking and enter- in Superior Court to and held her for four Montorius “Easy” Vereen, assault by pointing a ing, and larceny, financial card Ellis hours in the home. 21, of Tabor City, was sent to theft and financial card fraud Fraud attempt dropped gun, and assault on his wife. She escaped when she prison for 270 days here last after she and a co-defendant A charge of attempted fraud against Broadus Jerome Justice, Ellis was arrested in Oc- finally talked him into going week when his probation in an broke into Wayne Lewis’ home 35, of Elizabethtown, was dropped here last week in Superior tober 2009 after he became to a storage building for more assault case was revoked. along Porter Swamp Road and Court. He is serving an active term for selling cocaine in a enraged when his wife tried to beer. A jail term of 90 days was Vereen’s major violation stole cash, plus other items Bladen County case, and there was no restitution involved, talk to him about his drinking, suspended, and Ellis had no was speeding up to 100 mph with a total value of $1,100. court records show. and he got a knife and pointed prior record. in an attempt to elude Horry She was also charged with Justice attempted to cash a counterfeit check on Perdue County, S.C., authorities in stealing a credit card from Farms in Tabor City in May 2010. He was also arrested last week March, with his girlfriend and Trantis Young of Casey Wil- on four counts of fraud on warrants from Lumberton police. Tree suspects $ a 3-year-old child in the back liams Road, Chadbourn, where Derek Neal Hinson, W.R. 100 REWARD seat. His reason for speed- $2,039 in goods and cash were Force causes air bags to deploy Cribb Road, Chadbourn, found ing was that he didn’t have a obtained in a three-day pe- three males taking items from Lost - beautiful A 1995 Ford van, owned by Columbus County, was struck driver’s license. riod. The bills included motel his home at 12:15 a.m. today with such force in the front that air bags deployed in an 11:30 male tabby cat with Vereen was convicted as one rooms, getting her nails done, (Thursday) as he returned a.m. crash in the Columbus Regional Healthcare circle parking of several young males that clothing and gas. home from Whiteville. fuzzy tail. area here Wednesday. committed a home invasion Gause has no prior record. Hinson chased the suspects, Police said Elgin Tremayne Collier, 36, of Whiteville, backed Last seen on Soles in August 2009 on N.C. 904 east Her co-defendant in the Wayne riding in a blue car, but lost his 1997 Chevrolet van into the county vehicle with Marcee of Tabor City, where males Lewis case is Thadeus Justin them on N.C. 410. He listed Road in Fox Estates. Swindell Thompson, a Department of Social Services worker, were assaulted and robbed, Miller, 21, of Fair Bluff, whose several electronic items stolen in the driver’s seat. Damages to the county van were estimated and a woman and child were cases are awaiting action. during the break-in. Call 642-5657 assaulted. at $4,500. The News Reporter, Thursday, June 16, 2011 - 5A Strickland’s 2nd trial would be double jeopardy Attorney says arson trial would violate ‘Frog’ Strickland’s rights
By BOB HIGH ‘Discovered’ “trial is tainted by the evidence that was withheld,” he said. Staff Writer The new evidence was an audio and video- ‘Misconduct’ A second trial for Allen Wayne “Frog” taped conversation between Tabor City police Wright noted in his motion that the “audio/video recording” Strickland on charges of arson and fraud and Strickland on July 30, 2009 – the day after had been in the possession of Tabor City police for almost two involving his Tabor City home would open Strickland’s home burned. The evidence had years before it was brought to the state’s attention. Strickland to double jeopardy and be against been “discovered” on Sunday, April 24 of this Failure of the state to provide Wright and Strickland a copy his constitutional rights, according to a motion year by former Tabor City Police Detective was “due to the misconduct, intentional or otherwise,” of police, filed here Tuesday by the suspect’s attorney. Greg Sibbett. it was noted in the motion. Craig Wright said Superior Court Judge Trawick said he learned there was informa- He also stated, “There was no necessity and certainly no Gary Trawick declared a mistrial in Strick- tion on the tape that would have helped both manifest necessity” for the mistrial declaration by Trawick, and land’s case on April 25 although Wright ob- the state and the defense, and he didn’t want “there was no finding of the same by the Court, and no reason- jected to the action. Wright’s motion is to be to recess the trial so both sides could review able alternatives to a mistrial were considered.” heard here on June 29, which is 12 days before the contents because such action would “invite The fraud charge against Strickland, based on his claim the second trial is to begin. error.” for insurance proceeds for the burned home, was lowered to a The mistrial came after prosecutors told The judge, obviously upset in April at the de- Class H felony from a Class C charge. Trawick ruled that since Trawick on April 25 they wanted to present velopment of “new” evidence, and astonished Strickland didn’t claim a loss for personal belongings, the additional evidence, although the state had at the failure of police to provide the tape to SBI amount of fraud reverted to under $100,000, a prerequisite for rested its case. Allen Wayne Strickland investigators, declared the mistrial because the the Class C felony. Robbery, drug cases Rural, local wrecks injure several Recent rural and Whiteville traffic at 8:54 a.m. Hernandez, 34, of Whiteville, Road at 4:20 p.m. He went off wrecks caused injuries to driv- None of the six passengers wrecked a 1997 Ford SUV on the road into a ditch and over- dismissed against pair ers and passengers, according in the county van were injured. C h a r g e s when Hayes Peacock Road near Beaverdam turned. He was not injured. to Highway Patrol and local Bellamy had minor injuries. i n v o l v i n g w a s s h o t police reports. They include: s *UNE n 4WO VEHICLES a t t e m p t e d three times s *UNE n ,ILA *OHNSON 'AL- from Fair Bluff collided here m u r d e r , as he fled his Break-ins, thefs noted loway, 59, and Willie Rudolph at 1:49 p.m. at the intersection The following were victims tubing from home along Lealer armed rob- home on Nov. Bellamy, 83, both of Whiteville, of U.S. 701 Bypass and Leslie of a break-in and/or theft re- Lyons Drive here. b e r y a n d 22, 2009. had minor injuries in a 2:52 Newsome Drive. Drivers were ported on date shown: s *UNE n %LOUISE 'IVENS theft of mar- B e r r y o n a.m. crash on East Williamson Carol Anderson Graham, 70, s *UNE n *OSEPH -ITCHELL Dothan Road, Tabor City – ijuana from Baulkman Jacobs Larel Baulk- Street here. Galloway drove a in a 2006 Nissan pickup truck, Prince, Whiteville – theft of Ya- break-in, theft of Sylvania TV a Bolton man in 2009 against man, 26, also of Bolton, was 2003 Buick into a utility pole AND 4RACY -ICHELLE #ANNON maha four-wheeler from Wright OWNED BY -ALESHA 2IGGINS two defendants have been charged with conspiracy at 30 mph as she headed to the 20, in a 1996 Honda. Road, Tabor City. Compaq laptop computer. dismissed by prosecutors who to commit armed robbery hospital because of breathing Graham’s passenger, John s *UNE n 'LORIA *EAN -US- s *UNE n (ARRY $UNCAN say they can’t proceed with for driving Jacobs to Hayes’ problems. Ray Graham, 71, also of Fair selwhite, Fair Bluff – theft of Lee, Whiteville – attempted the cases. home. s *UNE n *OSHUA -ICHAEL Bluff, was seriously injured as 2005 Dodge Neon from Braswell break-in of building along Halls- Demetric La’Rail Jacobs, Hayes was shot twice in his Reed, 21, of Winston-Salem, Cannon drove into the inter- Road, Chadbourn; keys in igni- boro Road South. 34, of Loop Lane, Bolton, thigh and once in the buttocks and Troy Donahue Jacobs, section from the Southtowne tion. s *UNE n 1UALITY &ORDS was charged with attempted as he ran from the suspects 41, of Pembroke were both Shopping Center, and was s *UNE n /# *ENKINS 1UICK ,ANE 7HITEVILLE n THEFT OF first-degree murder of Eddie after being robbed of $125, seriously injured in a 9:40 a.m. struck at 40 mph by Graham’s Cerro Gordo – theft of 50 tobacco seven Uniroyal Tiger Paw tires. Hayes of Smith Lane, Bolton, records show. crash on N.C. 904 near Fronis vehicle. rack supports. s *UNE n *ACQUELINE *ACOBS Strickland Road. s *UNE n $ANIEL !LLEN "AT- s *UNE n 7EST &RASER