Hoke County’s newspaper since 1905 75¢ No. 39 Vol. 111 RAEFORD & HOKE COUNTY N.C. Wednesday, November 30, 2016 2 killed, 3 hurt in Thanksgiving wreck Police blame alcohol, speed as car rear-ends SUV causing it to roll Charges are pending against a man from Fayetteville and an unidentifi ed 9-year-old child who were passengers who allegedly drove drunk and caused a wreck that killed in the SUV were also taken to the hospital with injuries two people on the way home from grocery shopping the and were reportedly in stable condition Monday. night before Thanksgiving. Police believe Gil Kennytie Garcia, 34, of Fayetteville Ervin Lee McCain, 66, of the 100 block of Meadow- was at fault for the wreck, according to Raeford Police De- wood Lane in Raeford and Betty Ann Patricia Wall, 46, partment Maj. Marc Godwin. The investigation is ongoing of the 2700 block of Highway 401 Business were killed and charges are pending. Authorities suspect alcohol and November 23 when another vehicle rear-ended McCain’s speed were factors in the accident. Ford Explorer on U.S. 401 Business near Sandhills Com- Garcia was driving a 2012 Dodge Challenger that hit the A Highway Patrol accident reconstruction team at the site munity College. SUV, according to reports. Monday. (Ken MacDonald photo) Leader McMillian, 58, of the 200 block of Starlite Drive (See FATALITIES, page 9) Ringing handbells at rehearsal. The program also includes trumpets, fl utes, clarinets,, guitars and percussion. (Ken MacDonald photo) Area musicians to perform 40th Christmas program Lumber Bridge choral event is Dec. 4, 5 When more than 40 area singers when she moved from a Baptist church and 30-plus other musicians per- upon getting married, and asked the form at Lumber Bridge Presbyterian Lumber Bridge session to approve a Church this weekend, the Christmas program similar to what she’d known. program will be the 40th since Marvin The Lumber Bridge Community Lynne Maxwell began it just after high Choir and Instrumental Ensemble school. Christmas Musical Service combines Rehearsal recently at Lumber Bridge Presbyterian Church. Marvin Lynne Maxwell doubles as director and The program has grown from 14 Christmas carols and other music pianist. (Ken MacDonald photo) participants that fi rst year in 1976 (See 40th PROGRAM, page 6) This Week ‘Hometown Christmas’ returns to downtown next week Last year, festive crowds packed Raeford streets BY CATHARIN SHEPARD to the public and sponsored by the Raeford- Staff writer Hoke County Chamber of Commerce with support from the city of Raeford and Hoke The second annual Raeford-Hoke Home- County Schools. town Christmas is next week, with carolers, Hometown Christmas premiered last year Christmas movies, horse-drawn carriage as a way to shine a light on local businesses rides and much more ready to help families while giving families a chance to enjoy an kick off the season. evening downtown. This year brings even Hometown Christmas will be held more offerings, with three horse-drawn GardenGarden CClublub Thursday, December 8 from 5:30-8 p.m. on rides, live music, arts and crafts for kids and House Tour Main Street in downtown Raeford, with a freebies from local businesses. coming up rain date of December 15. The event is free (See HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS, page 10) Viewing a store display at last year’s festivities. Page 2 Animal abuse, hate crime cases Democratic Party chairman fi les protest over ballots due in court BY CATHARIN SHEPARD toward the election, arguing that sional ballots because there was no valid. Page 4 Staff writer those citizens may have mistakenly registration on fi le for those voters, The voters may have gotten believed same-day voter registration according to local elections offi cials. confused and thought they could Look for Hoke County Democratic Party extended to Election Day. Davis sent an email Monday register to vote and cast a ballot on this symbol to fi nd stores Chairman Jim Davis fi led a protest During its canvass on Novem- to local and state elections boards Election Day, when in fact same- that sell The this week seeking to have 485 dis- ber 22, the Hoke County Board asking that those voters be added to day voter registration was only NJ News-Journal carded provisional ballots counted of Elections discarded the provi- the rolls and the ballots counted as (See PROTEST, page 9) SOLD HERE Mims, Bataan Death March veteran, dies www.thenews-journal.com www.raefordnj.com BY CATHARIN SHEPARD Despite the torturous beat- ers about World War II and Staff writer ings, unspeakable living condi- the Bataan Death March, died tions and starvation he expe- Sunday in a nursing home in John Leroy Mims was 19 rienced as a prisoner of war, Moore County after a long ill- years old when the United Mims was one of the Bataan ness. He was 94 years old and, States surrendered the Bataan Death March survivors who not at the time of his death, was Peninsula to Japanese forces only endured the march but also one of just a handful of remain- during World War II, leaving lived through three years of ing survivors of the infamous thousands of troops – includ- horror in prison camps and was march. ing Mims – to face a 65-mile there to see the Allied Forces Mims grew up on a Native forced march to prison camps declare victory in 1945. American reservation in the where many of the captured Mims, who spent much of southern United States. He Mims, on his return to Japan in 2012. (File photo) soldiers died. his later years educating oth- (See MIMS, page 9) 2 THE NEWS-JOURNAL Raeford, N.C. November 30, 2016 Kemp Crumpler and his wife Margaret have remodeled their home to reflect their western interests. Outside, visitors are greeted by a colorful rooster (left); inside, it’s cozy (above). House Tour is Dec. 11 The Raeford Garden Club’s • Frank and Delilah Eaddy, 904 annual Christmas House Tour McLean Street will take participants through the • Faye McMillan, 2038 Golf Williamson Farm and the whimsy Course Road of an outdoor display of hundreds • The Williamson Farm, 1275 of lighted decorations in Arabia. South Bethel Road The tour, Sunday, December • Jim and Penny Pusey, 1275 11, is set for 2-5 p.m. with $10 South Bethel Road tickets available at each house on • Jeanette Williamson, 1275 the tour or in advance from club South Bethel Road members. • Wanda Cohen, 1175 South The stops this year: Bethel Road • Kemp and Margaret Crum- • Raeford-Hoke Museum, 111 pler, 334 Crumpler Drive South Highland Street A carousel in the museum A Santa in the museum SUBSCRIBE to The News-Journal. Call 875-2121 or visit www.raefordnj.com A bright peacock welcomes visitors to the home of Frank and Delilah Eaddy at 904 McLean Street. A tree in the museum ‘Tis the Season... What better way to send holiday greetings to your customers, friends and family than with a personalized holiday ad. From The Directors & Members of ONLY RAEFORD- $4500 HOKE FULL COLOR Chamber sampleof Commerce (Actual size of ad shown) Advertising Deadline is December 14th. Holiday Greetings will appear in the December 21stissue of Contact Sue Ogas at (910) 875-2121 or (910) 286-3600 to be included. November 30, 2016 THE NEWS-JOURNAL Raeford, N.C 3 Viewpoints Prepare for ‘post-truth’ government BY THOMAS MILLS needs of people. ready seen what it’s like to have Politics N.C. This is the world we’re enter- a government that will run rough- ing. Facts are irrelevant and truth shod over local governments and BY SCOTT MOONEYHAM If Pat McCrory’s attempt to is in the eye of the beholder. A people to consolidate and protect Capital Press Association win the election through challeng- GOP that was once guided by their power. Despite some initial ing voters does anything, it should conservative principles is now apprehension, small government put to rest the Republican notion led by an ideologically bankrupt conservatives quickly fell in line of widespread voter fraud. His habitual liar—and the leadership and routinely defend heavy- appeals have shown that fraud is is falling into line. handed tactics, often with the lame rare and statistically insignificant. A big part of the post-truth and false excuse, “Democrats GOP attempts to restrict access to governance will be the fake news were worse.” Consequently, we’re the polls would clearly disenfran- industry. A trend started by Fox in a state where democracy has chise more people than it would News and copied by the likes been under assault for the past prevent fraud. of MSNBC has mutated into a four years. Unfortunately, in our dysto- powerful disseminator of dis- Now, our country is about to be pian government, House Speaker information. The new “trusted” led by a man who has no respect Tim Moore says that McCrory’s news sites don’t even pretend to for the truth and a propaganda baseless claims are reasons to be neutral. They’re blatantly, and machine to back up his lies. With revisit the voter suppression law often dishonestly, promoting poli- the GOP solidly in control of the found unconstitutional by the cies and politicians they support. federal government and most federal courts. And now, Donald They’re little more than propa- states, we’re dependent on them Trump’s claim that “millions of ganda machines in an age when to hold Trump accountable. If people voted illegally” will add consumers can increasingly pick North Carolina is any indication, Sewing class: Seated are Eva Lee Oxendine (left to right) and Linda Luck.