4QPSUT r4UBMMJPOHJSMT $PVHBSCPZTDMBJNWJDUPSJFT r(BUPSTHFUѮSFF3JWFST$POGFSFODFXJOT PWFS7JLJOHTr8BSSJPSTBCTPSC)PNFDPNJOH MPTTFTUP'MPSB.BDEPOBME 4FFQBHF# ThePublished News since 1896 every Monday and Tursday forReporter the County of Columbus and her people. Monday, January 31, 2011 Volume 114, Number 62 Whiteville, North Carolina 50 Cents Inside Today 4-A r1PTTJCMFIPNJDJEF JONBOTGBMM'SJEBZ Staff photo by Mark Gilchrist Army soldiers carry the body of Pfc. Amy Renee Bullock Sinkler into earned on the evening of Jan. 19 in Baghlan province, Afghanistan West Columbus High School Saturday. Sinkler is the frst Columbus when a rocket propelled grenade struck her as she was protecting her County woman to be killed during service to her country, and the frst convoy. An overfow crowd attended her funeral in the same audito- Today’s to receive Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals, commendations she rium she graduted in fve years earlier. American Profle features “Marty Stu- art,” on a mission to save the treasures of Community bids fallen soldier farewell country music. By NICOLE CARTRETTE native who family and friends described as “caring, Sinkler, who was assigned to Fort Richardson. Staff Writer outgoing and ambitious” died Jan. 20 from injuries Alaska last January after an assignment at Fort sustained when her unit was attacked in Afghani- Leonard Wood, Mo., grew up in Chadbourn. DIDYOB? In the spring of 2006, Amy Renee Sinkler was stan, where she had been stationed since July 2010. “I just saw this glimmer in her eye that she Did you observe ... one of several excited seniors being awarded her Sinkler was 23. had,” her cousin and mentor Col. Kevin Vereen diploma before a large crowd at West Columbus People, soldiers, friends and family lined the said, recalling the day Sinkler graduated from basic Te sign in front of High School. walls, some standing in the center aisles and others training. “That was an awesome feeling.” Old Dock Elementary This Saturday the auditorium at her alma mater spilling over into the hallways of the high school “This is a sad day for our family,” Vereen said. School reading “Mrs. overflowed not for a graduation but one of the larg- after about 1,000 people came to say their final “I ask you not to just feel sad for our family because McDowell: We Will est funerals ever held in the county. The Chadbourn goodbyes to U.S. Army Pfc. Sinker. See Sinkler, page 3-A Miss You.” Regina McDowell, a long-time teacher at the school, died last week. ... Allen One robbery Turner honored to be Plan for Chadbourn civic Fair Bluf ABC asked by Sen. Bill Ra- suspect found, bon to hold the Bible for man at large center gets thumbs up election early his oath-taking ceremo- nMaster plan was needed for meeting. ny last week? ... WHS nDriver escaped on foot grant application. Capps has made the rounds of civic vote under way after traffic stop, woman cheerleader Macelyn clubs and other groups in recent weeks, nReferendum would allow beer sales with him arrested for By JEFFERSON WEAVER seeking input on what people want in Batten performing Lumberton robbery. in restaurants front and center during Staff Writer terms of recreational opportunities in Chadbourn. The town sent out 1,100 By NICOLE CARTRETTE the Pro Bowl halfime By BOB HIGH questionnaires to water billing and tax Chadbourn’s town council Thursday Staff Writer show Sunday? You had Staff Writer approved submitting a grant applica- addresses, and received 100 responses. to look fast. Te Fox tion that could help bring a new com- “That was actually a pretty good One-stop voting is underway for the Fair Network only showed Sheriff ’s deputies searched munity center to downtown. return rate,” Capps said, noting that a Bluff ABC Election set for Feb. 8 but not one for more than three hours early Howard Capps of Capps and As- countywide recreation survey in Bruns- ballot had been cast as of Thursday. Early vot- a six-second clip of the Friday for a robbery suspect sociates, a Wilmington planning firm, wick County went to far more homes, ing at the Whiteville Board of Elections office performance. ... who fled on foot after being presented the master plan for the facil- and garnered just over 200 responses. began Jan. 20 and ends Feb. 5. stopped for speeding near Ta- ity and grounds at a specially called The survey – which is similar to If approved, the referendum would allow bor City. meeting. The facility is part of a project the one being gathered by the City of for the “the on-premises sale of malt bever- County Deaths A female riding with the Mayor Kenneth Waddell said could Whiteville – helps officials identify ages by Class A hotels, motels, and restaurants suspect was arrested on war- revitalize downtown. local wants and needs for recreation only; and to permit off-premises sales by other Whiteville rants from Lumberton police “We have to look at new ways to opportunities and infrastructure. The permittees.” Marie Williams McDufe charging her with armed rob- make our town vibrant and attractive,” information is used in applying for That means restaurants could serve beer by Evergreen bery there on Jan. 19, and he said. grants from the state’s Parks and Rec- the drink but not necessarily all types of alco- Robert Lucas she was also charged here for The 7,000-plus square foot build- reation Trust Fund (PARTF). hol, Mayor Randy Britt explained in December. Chadbourn possession of marijuana with ing would be located on the corner of Chadbourn is seeking $500,000 in Officials in Fair Bluff are hopeful an A.B.C. intent to sell. Brown and Railroad streets, and would PARTF money which, if the town is election will open the door to more economic Maxine Brisson Jones Residents along U.S. 701 feature an exercise room, aerobics approved for a Rural Center grant/loan development in downtown. Daniel Rorie north of Tabor City, N.C. area, general purpose rooms and other combination, would significantly re- Town commissioners requested the refer- Martha Rae H. Dalton amenities. Several residents spoke in duce the overall cost of the project. The endum in a 3-2 vote taken in November 2010. Brunswick See Robbery, page 4-A support of the proposal at Thursday’s See Center, page 2-A See Fair Bluff, page 2-A Cecil E. Hammond Sr. Nakina Regina S. McDowell Odies Bell Norris Hounds down at county shelter this year Cerro Gordo By JEFFERSON WEAVER “We just haven’t had that many,” he said. Charles Tompson Jr. Staff Writer “We’re glad of it, but I can’t tell you why. Ei- Nakina ther fewer people were hunting with dogs this Odies Bell Norris Fewer unwanted hunting dogs turned up year, or more were taking care of what dogs at the Columbus County Animal Shelter this they have.” January than in years past – and many ended The usual steady stream of Walkers, beagle- with new homes. crosses, and plain hounds has been more of a Index Extra hounds are a perennial problem in trickle this year, Hayes said. &EJUPSJBMT" many counties, especially when deer season “We may be getting one or two, maybe three 0CJUVBSJFT" ends Jan. 1. Unwanted dogs, or those which a week,” he said. 4QPSUT# don’t hunt well, are often dropped off at the Hounds are among the most popular adop- Columbus County Animal Shelter. Some hunt- tees through the county’s Petfinder webpage, $SJNF" ers abandon less-than-stellar hunting dogs, Hayes said. The Internet site allows prospective -JGFTUZMFT" which are captured by animal control workers petowners from across the country a chance as strays. Some wander up to county homes to see hounds which might otherwise be eu- looking for a free meal and are turned in. thanized. Animal Control Supervisor Rossie Hayes More than just hunting dogs have a reason to said he doesn’t know why fewer hounds left appreciate the website, Hayes said. The county the field for the shelter this year. Statewide, had an adoption rate of 81.75 percent last year, there was a slight drop in reported numbers with 2,095 of the 2,557 dogs that came into the of hunters using hounds, due in part to rising shelter going to new homes. The remaining This lucky dog found a new home after she was abandoned gas prices. 462 were euthanized due to health problems, at the end of hunting season and her owner couldn’t be lo- Hayes said he saw plenty of local hunters injuries or inability to be socialized. cated. Abandoned hounds were fewer in number this year, with packs of hounds this year, but apparently The county’s Petfinder page is maintained according to Columbus County Animal Control, and adop- they were holding on to their animals. See Hounds, page 9-A tions were up at the county shelter. 2-A – The News Reporter, Monday, January 31, 2011 This week, on... Center Continued from page 1-A overall projected cost for the the walls, you can’t see that project is $2.5 million. Town anything is going on—it’s just Manager Stevie Cox said the another building.” town is seeking grants from a The proposed location of number of different sources the center will completely January 31, 2010 as well as the Rural Center change the viewscape of a and PARTF. rundown area of the down- Whiteville.com If the town can acquire town commercial district. The Biser Ball the desired property, Capps center would be located just up Sports Trivia explained, the facility would the street from the Chadbourn be an anchor for special events Depot, giving the town an area Question #83: Where did as well as day-to-day activities.