Commissioners Plug Hole in Schools Budget
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Indicted Flourish A former senior officer with the The new women's Col. County Sheriff’s Office magazine is included in faces additional charges. today’s edition. uuSEE INSERT uuSEE PAGE 4A AUGUST 2018 The News Reporter Founded 1890. Published every Tuesday and Friday for the County of Columbus and her people. WWW.NRCOLUMBUS.COM Friday, August 24, 2018 75 CENTS City investigating BRAVE NEW WORLD dogfighting ring By Jefferson Weaver Witnesses have told police [email protected] of visitors to the home “taking dogs out of car trunks,” Hooker Whiteville Animal Control said. and Police are investigating a Neighbors also told police suspected dogfighting opera- they heard what sounded like tion. dogs fighting on the property Animal Control Officer Dar- when cars were parked in front rell Hooker said police were of the home. called to 317 W. Williamson St. Information from private on Saturday to investigate a citizens is vital in any dogfight- report of malnourished dogs. ing investigation, Hooker said, Sgt. C. Lemmon found a male and Saturday’s seizure of the pit bull chained to a tree at the two dogs is a prime example. home, Hooker said. The home at 317 W. William- “There was food and water, son St. is listed as abandoned, but the dog could not reach it according to the police. The because the chain was tangled,” property is owned by Kimberly a police report said. Bell, according to tax records, Another dog, a female brin- but there is no active water or dle pit bull, also appeared skin- sewer service to the property. ny and malnourished, Major Trees and bushes around the Alan May said. home shield most of the yard “Pus was oozing out of a hole from the street. in her head,” May said. Anyone with information Officers were contacted by about suspected dogfighting someone who said the dogs had in the city is asked to contact not been cared for in several Whiteville Police at 910-642- days, according to Hooker. He 5111. said the dog’s injuries were consistent with their use as bait A growing problem dogs. Both were frightened, and Hooker said dog fighting not aggressive toward officers, brings other crimes in its wake. Hooker said. “Drugs, prostitution, gang vi- The property has been on olence and other crimes against the city’s radar for some time, the community follow dog fight- Hooker said. ing,” he said. “That was what “This was not the first time was emphasized when I at- we have been contacted about tended the federal seminar on Staff photo by Grant Merritt this residence,” he said. Kindergarten student Liam Moody shows a face of uncertainty after getting out of the uuSEE 5A RING car on his first day of school at Columbus Christian Academy in Whiteville Wednesday. Commissioners plug hole in schools budget By Allen Turner $160,0000 for public utilities, on the request at their meeting [email protected] $112,000 for bus repair parts, two weeks ago. They ultimately $65,000 for contracted speech concluded Monday night that if The Columbus County Board services for exceptional children they increased appropriations of Commissioners Monday night and $163,000 for instructional for the county schools, they had unanimously approved $500,143 teaching positions, according to to do the same for the city schools. for Columbus County schools an Aug. 13 letter Superintendent Commissioners arrived at the to make up a shortfall in funds Alan Faulk wrote County Man- figures of $500,143 for the county to meet current expenses and ager Mike Stephens. and $202,857 for the city based also gave Whiteville city schools The county board of education on student enrollment in the This dog’s chain was tangled so tightly, the animal could not $202,857. requested the money a month ago. two systems. Their unanimous Commissioners deferred action reach its food or water. (WPD photo) The county schools will use uuSEE BUDGET 6A Elections director defends closure of early voting sites in minority communities By Allen Turner the closure of sites, which he and Fair Bluff. Early voting also [email protected] claimed will suppress minority will occur at the county elec- and low-income voter turnout. tions office on U.S. 701 north of Local Democratic party of- The county elections board, Whiteville. ficials say a decision to close like most county elections boards County elections director three early voting sites ahead of statewide, cut back on the num- Carla Strickland said Wednesday November’s general election will ber of early voting sites as a that rumors are being spread “ag- suppress minority turnout, but cost-cutting measure to comply gressively” that the Bolton, Chad- the county’s elections director with a new state law. The legisla- bourn and Fair Bluff precincts told commissioners during their ture mandated that early voting are being closed completely and meeting Monday that it’s too late hours at each site be increased that she has heard about those to change the plan. from the 36 previously offered rumors from both voters and Franklin Thurman, chairman to 156 hours at each site for the candidates. The reality is that of the Columbus County Demo- November general election but the three precincts will be open cratic Party, said that instead of didn’t appropriate funds to pay as usual on Election Day, Nov. 6. closing voting sites in Bolton, for the extra hours. Chadbourn and Fair Bluff, the Previous early voting sites Potential legal threat Staff photo by Allen Turner county should open more sites. in Ransom and Tabor City will Thurman read commission- Columbus County Democratic Party Chairman Franklin H. And he implied that the Ameri- remain in place. A new site will ers excerpts from an unnamed can Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) be added in Cerro Gordo to re- Thurman and county Elections Director Carla Strickland speak might take legal action to prevent place sites closed in Chadbourn uuSEE SITES 9A at the county commissioners meeting Monday night. Volume 127, Number 016 Zack and Jessica Maultsby giving birth to Liam on Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2018?... Pickup trucks on county Whiteville, North Carolina DIDYOB roadways hauling trailers filled with newly harvested green tobacco leaves?... A bounty of casseroles and DID YOU OBSERVE? summer vegetables at First Presbyterian Church’s Family Night Supper Wednesday?... 2A • The News Reporter • Friday, August 24, 2018 BACK TO SCHOOL FOR COLUMBUS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (Above) Alace Murphy is happy to start her first day of fifth grade at Columbus Christian Academy. (Top right) Emily and Holland Pridgen carry school sup- plies to their fifth grade classroom. (Bottom right) Kindergarten student Remmi Jayms Noble smiles back at her mom, CCA Principal Jennifer Noble, as she makes her way through the front door on the first day of school. Staff photos by Grant Merritt Harpers’ Stitches and Wood fills a vacancy on TC’s Main Street By Clara Cartrette name. When they opened season, which is the fourth now Randall’s brothers, [email protected] the business, it was a Harp- week in October. Redell and Mayor Royce er adventure, but now it “It’s a hobby that’s Harper operate it. The When Randall Harper’s is a Harper store that not turned into a job, or a pas- Harper men also have a wife Lynda commented only sells their wares, but sion,” Randall said of his sister, Janelle. about a wooden nightstand also takes in merchandise woodwork. Lynda and Ran- at the Dogwood Festival from other vendors to sell Lynda, who previously dall worked with Penny in Fayetteville, she said on consignment. lived in Fayetteville, and McPherson in her down- she would like to have one They got a chance to Randall have a blended fam- town florist and gift shop like it. buy an embroidery ma- ily, “but I can’t tell any dif- for eight months before “I can build one just chine and started doing ference in hers and mine,” opening their store. “Their like it,” Randall said, and vinyl decals, so now they’re Randall says. “I’m proud of business got busy and this he did. also in the embroidery all of them.” Lynda has two store became available,” A friend wanted a wood- business. They embroider sons, Zack and Buie, and Randall explained. “The en tractor rocker for his T-shirts and other items, Randall has a son, Allen, Lord has been good to us. grandson, so Randall built and Lynda has a knack for and a daughter, Sara. “My wife runs the one for him. repurposing artificial flow- Randall is the son business,” he continued. And that was just the er arrangements, return- of Mildred and the late “Amanda Norris and Jen- beginning. Randall got ing them to their original Cordell Harper, both of nifer Harper run the em- a wooden window frame beauty and beyond. High whom were Tabor City broidery and vinyl part, from a house and converted school and college athletic business owners. Cordell and Sharon Land and Sa- it into an interesting pic- emblems are always popu- operated the NAPA store vannah Norris run the ture frame. lar with teens and adults and Mildred operated Ma- embroidery.” Those volunteer ef- who follow their favorite ma’s Restaurant a few steps Lynda said they do a lot forts might be one reason sports teams. south of the NAPA store. of consignment, all local the Harpers are now in Randall said he started The restaurant got its name products such as original business on Main Street cutting out wooden Yam because the family would oil paintings, candles made in downtown Tabor City.