SPORTS SHERIFF BATTLES FOR THREE OFFICERS ANSWERED RIVERS SUPREMACY 20,185 CALLS THIS PAST YEAR uu THREE RIVERS 1 B uu CALLS 8 A The News Reporter Published since 1890 every Monday and Thursday for the County of Columbus and her people. WWW.NRCOLUMBUS.COM Thursday, September 15, 2016 75 CENTS Death penalty sought City School Board wants in Greer murder By Jefferson Weaver [email protected] $73.4 million high school Prosecutors will seek the death penalty for the man By Nicole Cartrette charged with killing retired [email protected] Whiteville music teacher Carol Greer. The Whiteville City School Board, in a 3-1 vote Monday At a press conference night, endorsed a $73.4 million plan to build a new Whiteville Wednesday, District Attorney High School and athletic complex at a new location. Jon David said a grand jury The plan was chosen over other options that, in one form returned a true bill of indict- or another, would keep the school or certain athletic fields at ment against James Edward the school’s present 16-acre location in town. McKamey on Wednesday School board members Rev. David Flowers and Chairwoman morning. A Superior Court Kandle Rogers voiced opposition. hearing will determine if the Though the chairperson votes only to break a tie among killing of Greer meets one or the five-member board, Rogers voiced a “nay” at the time of more of the factors needed for the vote along with Flowers. a capital murder case, David “Why are we doing all of this stuff at Legion now?” Flowers Several attended the Whiteville City School meeting. The said. said, referring to a new field house there. “We’ve got a lot board voted to endorse a plan to build a new high school. McKamey, 51, faces charges James Edward McKamey of money tied up there. I like of first degree murder, armed the idea of a new school but robbery, kidnapping, and as- I think we can do something where we are.” uu MCKAMEY 4 A He questioned if support for the school would dimin- ish as the result of a move and if students who walk to school would suffer, among Rail tie firm seeks other things. “Just because something is big doesn’t mean it is better,” employees though Flowers said. “I do share a lot of opin- ions with Rev. Flowers,” said SCC training classes Chairwoman Kandle Rogers. She pointed out that many By Allen Turner students walk to school and [email protected] after school walk to their par- ents’ place of work. S & A Railroad Ties, LLC is set to begin operations in Fair Carlton Prince made the Bluff soon and is partnering with Southeastern Community motion to endorse the plan College to offer pre-employment skills classes for prospective Architect Paul Boney presents one of three options for Whiteville High School’s building employees in the coming weeks. uu WHS 12 A plan on Monday at the Whiteville City School board meeting. Classes at SCC will begin on Sept. 26 to train potential S&A employees. S & A Railroad Ties will renew, recycle and repurpose rail- road ties and other forms of treated wood. The company will bring the railroad ties and other treated wood from four states to Columbus County where the wood will be graded for quality. The majority of the wood will be chipped and used as fuel for an alternative energy product to be produced at the former Georgia Boys and Girl Home celebrates Pacific plant in Whiteville. S&A expects to employ about 50 people locally. opening of Brill Middle School uu RAIL 6 A A dedication ceremony cel- set aside funds to help young tion has recognized that what the greater the opportunity for ebrating the Anthony J. Brill men and women achieve their we do makes a difference even our children.” Middle School at Flemington goal of attending college and before the students reach the With total enrollment for Juveniles arrested in Academy was held Tuesday at becoming better citizens. high school level. This new fa- Flemington Academy just the campus of the Boys and “The generosity of the Brill cility will allow us to provide above 100 students, the middle Girls Home at Lake Waccamaw. Foundation has helped several an even more individualized school enrollment includes a ‘clown purge’ case A light reception and tour of our students go on to pur- educational experience for waiting list. of the building will follow the sue higher education,” said middle school children. The ceremony. Simmons. “What we see with earlier we can make an impact, By Jefferson Weaver “We are excited that we have this grant is that the founda- uu BRILL 2 A [email protected] been able to start the year in the new building,” said Vice Two juveniles have been charged with felonies in what officials President for Education Dr. referred to as a “clown caper” that led to mass absences in city Tom Simmons said prior to and county schools Wednesday. the event. “We will truly ex- “This may involve clowns, but it’s no laughing matter,” said perience the benefits of this District Attorney Jon David. facility for years to come.” Columbus County Sheriff Lewis Hatcher and Whiteville Ground was broken on Police Chief Jeff Rosier said they became aware of threats the 6,400-square-foot facili- against area schools Monday, and officers immediately began ty just under one year ago. investigating. The funding for construction A post on a now-private Instagram page, came largely through dona- Clownsofwhiteville, hinted that there would be violence at sev- tions, including a matching eral area schools Wednesday, perpetrated by clowns. The post grant from the Anthony J. was taken down and the page’s privacy setting changed Monday. Brill Foundation. Based in A new page, we_killer_clowns_of_whiteville, was up by Fayetteville, the foundation Tuesday, with similar threats being posted there. provides grants and support to County schools reported 1,342 absentees Wednesday, compared educational institutions, schol- to a typical day with 527 missing class. Whiteville City Schools arships, student financial aid had 652 of 2,307 checked as absent – or 72 percent attendance, services and awards. as opposed to an average 95 percent. A North Carolina native, Attendance in Whiteville City Schools was at 72 percent Brill returned to Fayetteville Wednesday. “Typically, our district is at 94-96 percent on a dai- when he retired from army ser- ly rate,” said Whiteville City Schools Superintendent Kenny vice with the rank of Colonel. Garland. A total of 652 students of 2,307 did not show up for Dedicated to helping young school Wednesday. adults realize their educa- tional dreams, Brill’s estate Owen Robison cuts the ribbon at the dedication of the Anthony J. Brill Middle School on Sept. 13 at the Boys and Girls Home. uu CLOWNS 5 A Jenny Greco showing off her latest acrylic painting, titled “Make a wish” on Facebook? • West Columbus and Whiteville Volume 126, Number 22 boys soccer players warming up in a downpour? • Everyone wishing Amy Fowler “happy birthday” yesterday? • Ashley Ward Whiteville, North Carolina DIDYOB inviting animal rescue groups to Saturday’s PAW event at Tractor Supply? Find out more inside today’s edition • Mason Gray Did You Observe? Evers turning five months old this week? He is the son of Meleah Collier Evers and Stacey Evers. 8 95297 00000 6 2 A • The News Reporter • Thursday, September 15, 2016 BRILL Continued from 1A “This is such an important investment in these students,” said Flemington Academy Director Tracy Coston. “These children know that we are committed to their success. Providing the middle school students with a space of their own will increase learning and make an even greater impact.” Flemington Academy is a North Carolina Public Charter School that educates middle and high school students. Located on the Lake Waccamaw campus of Boys and Girls Homes of North Carolina, the academy provides a tailored academic experience to students who are oftentimes in need of a more specialized, integrated curriculum. Flemington Academy was founded on personalization in education, unique offerings and educating through purposeful design. Enrollment is open to any student in grades six through 12. Science teacher Delayne Hines discusses Delicia Hine’s good grades to her mom, Shamia Hines during the tour of the Anthony J. Brill Middle School. Gary Faircloth, President of Boys and Girls Homes of NC, Felicia Maynor explains her daughter’s love for school to makes opening remarks and literature teacher Betty Hux during the tour of the Anthony J. welcomes the crowd to the Brill Middle School. A large crowd attended the ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday. ribbon cutting and dedication. Jason Beck DAR program Artists sought for N.C. Wildlife on Bill of Rights chosen for Resources duck stamp competition The Major General Robert Howe Chapter, Daughters of The N.C. Wildlife Appropriateness, accuracy Commission’s Waterfowl Fund, the American Revolution, Leadership Resources Commission and and detail in depiction of the which generates revenue for held its first meeting of the the Washington Tourism selected species’ habitat; the conservation of waterfowl new year Sept. 14 at Whiteville Development Authority Attractiveness and creativi- habitat in North Carolina. United Methodist Church. NC XXIV are calling all artists for ty of the composition, regard- For more information about Guest speaker was Nicole their annual N.C. Waterfowl ing spatial balance, lighting the Waterfowl Conservation Cartrette, news editor of The By Clara Cartrette Conservation Stamp Print and harmony of subject and Stamp and Print Competition, News Reporter. The program [email protected] competition.