Sycamore Street change Midway thriller Two-lane becomes permanent, Midway defeats Southside in Friday night comback thriller, Page A6 Page B1 INDEPENDENTTHE SAMPSON www.clintonnc.com $1 dollar F Vol. LXXXVII; Issue 180 Sunday, September 11, 2011 Clinton, North Carolina F 22 pages Remembering the tragedy Sampsonians’ memories vary, but emotions alike about tragedy of 9/11 By BILLY TODD closer to home.l heartbroken for the families of all those being attacked or that Staff Writer Anita Lane, who works with the who lost their lives and were injured,” things like this could Sampson County Lane explained. “It was hard to believe happen here. Now we American citizens feel differently about Register of Deeds that this had happened to our country. I do,” concluded Lane. their memories of Sept.r 11, 2001. Their office, expressed had always felt that we were a country that Environmental thoughts and reflections vary almost as she and her mother reached out to others when so many oth- Health office man- much as the 10 years that have passed were traveling to ers did not. If something tragic happened, ager Janice Butler since that horrible day when terrorism Fayetteville on a we were there to help. Then to have some- shared that she was came home to everyone in the United shopping trip when one to attack us, it was just unbelievable.” on her second day States. they heard the news Lane stated that she felt safe here but of work with the Several individuals shared their over the car radio. stressed her belief that things had defi- Health Department. J. Butler thoughts as to where they were when they “I can’t even begin nitely changed. “I think the attacks have “I remember being in heard the news of the terrorists attacks to describe how I felt. caused us not to trust each other as we the old building where My emotions were so once did. Security is another issue. Before and expresed their feelings of that day and Lane See RESIDENTS, Page A2 changes they have seen in America and mixed. I was totally 9/11, we never thought of things such as Man A 9/11 tribute beaten, Police Department gives back to other emergency workers robbed By DOUG CLARK Assistant Editor by friend DOUG CLARK Outside of the Clinton Police Department By Friday, the American flag was flown at half- Assistant Editor mast to remember the fallen in the 9-11 trag- A 21-year-old Roseboro edy; inside, emergency workers, law enforce- man, who was spending the ment officers and members of the Clinton PHOTO BY DOUG CLARK night at a motel in Clinton, Fire Department were sharing fellowship and Clinton Police Sgt. Robbie King, right, was beaten and robbed ear- memories of that fateful day a decade ago. PHOTO BY DOUG CLARK and officer Tracy Jackson position the lier this week by someone Most who were on duty that day remem- Clinton Police Sgt. Anthony Davis U.S. flag in front of the Clinton Police who is alleged to be his ber with clarity how all departments were on enjoys some food Friday with others Department at half-mast in honor — friend. watch for any other attacks. officers, firefighters and EMS work- and memory — of those involved in the According to reports “I was just returning from a fire call,” said ers at the Clinton Police Department Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. released Friday morn- Clinton-Sampson Emergency Management Friday. police for taking the time to honor the fire ing by the Clinton Police director Ronald Bass.”It was a very uncertain The chief continued that the luncheon, department. Department, the man met time. The uncertainty of not knowing what catered by Sandpiper Seafood, was a way for “We really do appreciate it,” he said. “It is up with a friend around 4:15 was coming next — it really changed every- the department to say thanks. a real treat for us to come out here with the a.m. Monday and the two thing.” “We lost so many public service workers other departments, have some laughs and began walking down Knolly On the 10-year anniversary of the attacks, at the Trade Center bombings in New York, have a nice lunch. We remember 9-11 and the Street. Reports note that at Clinton Police chief Mike Brim said he came and we wanted to recognize the public service lives lost there and hope that something like some point during the walk, up with the idea to honor the brave men and workers — police, fire and EMS — here and let that never happens again.” the suspect began beating women who serve locally. them know how much we appreciate them,” Bass agrees. his friend, and then pulled “I am sure that I speak for all citizens when he said. “What better way to take a little time “We certainly appreciate the chief and the out a knife and robbed him. I saw that sometimes we don’t pay tribute to to tell them‘thank you for all they do for the department doing this today,” he said. “It is Taken was an undisclosed these men and women enough,” Brim said. citizens than have some fellowship and feed great food and great fellowship. We all have amount of cash, an identifi- “But they truly do provide a great service them a meal. That is what this is all about.” good working relationships and we are proud cation card and the man’s for our citizens and we thank them for their Clinton Fire Chief Todd Solice, who was of that and to be here to give each other hotel key. dedication.” with his on-duty crew, said he appreciated the thanks for what we do is pretty special.” See SUSPECT, Page A3 SWAT teams Sampson liason among Fibrowatt layoffs descend on Local ED says layoffs not a signal company won’t come to county By CHRIS BERENDT “I understand that everybody Salemburg Staff Writer has hard times,” said Thornton, who was no less taken aback by Amid cutbacks, an industry the move. “My reaction when Over 17 agencies I heard about the downsizing, I PHOTO COURTESY OF BARBARA YOW attempting to make inroads into was extremely surprised. I was participate in competition Participants work to get the best Sampson County has reported- time in saving the life of a victim ear- ly laid off several high-ranking shocked. I knew the commitment at N.C. Justice Academy lier this week. employees, as well as one who to Fibrowatt and the community has served as a key local face and still remains, but it was a money By DOUG CLARK 19th Annual SWAT Conference. training that not only is designed proponent of the company for issue.” Assistant Editor Although the three-day event, to improve individual skills but three years. Fibrowatt officials did not which is co-sponsored by the hone their team skills, as well as Among several laid off by immediately answer requests for SALEMBURG — Seventeen North Carolina Justice Academy build unity among the different Fibrowatt in recent months, comment, however local officials law enforcement agencies from and the North Carolina Tactical teams. Greg Thornton, community liai- said they have been informed of all over North Carolina gathered Officers Association, brought out The teams faced off in com- son for Fibrowatt LLC, said his no change in Fibrowatt’s direc- earlier this week at the North the best in the competitors, it petitions that were not only last day with the company was tion. Carolina Justice Academy in also gave the close to 200 law Friday. Salemburg to participate in the enforcement officers additional See CONFERENCE, Page A2 See LAYOFFS, Page A2 over the money YouYou willwill gogo NUTS you will save in gas Index Web Poll NUTS with the Ford Fusion.41mpg!41mpg! n Local , Page A3, 6-8 Q. Do you think Alive n National , Page A9 After 5 was a success? n Agriculture, Page A5 n Opinion, Page A4 To answer, visit our n Deaths, Page A3 Web site at www.clintonnc. n Lifestyles, Page C1-3 com. Results Page A4 daily. of n Sports, Page B1-3, 6 Take a Test DriveDrive, n Kids’ Page, Page C6 Today’s Independent TODAYY! n TV/Comics, Page C4-5 printed for n Classifieds, Page B4-5 Robert Moore 213 Southeast Blvd • Clinton, NC • 910-592-8734 A2 THE SAMPSON INDEPENDENT Sunday, September 11, 2011 SIdigest Residents reflect on where they were Continued from Page A1 consume your life,” declared Spell. go so far as to are all more cautious of who and Renae Jacob,s who works as a hurt so many where we are. Now when I travel we had a television and the news salon manager and waitress, said innocent peo- I am constantly checking to see came over the screen. Everyone she was working at Lewis’ BBQ ple,” asserted who is around me and where I am. just seemed to stand in utter amaze- when she heard about the attacks Simmons. I do not like the feelings I now ment and shock, like this could not on the World Trade Center tow- “Today, I have since the attacks that were have happened,” expressed Butler. ers and the think people not there before. The 9/11 attacks Tomorrow’s Weather “It was an eerie feeling. I don’t Pentagon. are more care- have changed our lives forever,” think anyone ever thought of a “It is still ful about their concluded Benton. terrorists attack here at home. It hard to think surroundings “I had just moved back home was surprising and alarming, and it about what and maybe from Charlotte to assist in care made us speechless.