SPORTS, 1B INSIDE NEWS, 8A INSIDE OPINION, 4A WEATHER Showers early then scattered Drivers, fans gear Bankruptcies United Way thunderstorms. HIGH: 74 100% recycled LOW: 50 newsprint up for Carolina 200 surge in N.C. makes strides Days left Richmond County 5 to buy tickets. Daily Journal 910-205-8800 TUESDAY • April 14, 2009Rockingham, N.C. 50 cents Storms Taxpayers leave get frugal 2 dead with tax ATLANTA (AP) — A swath of severe weather moved across a refunds storm-weary South on Monday, killing at least two, downing Stephen Ohlemacher trees and cutting power to thou- Associated Press Writer sands of homes. The storm system that hit WASHINGTON — Hopes for an eco- Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, nomic boost fueled by this year’s tax Kentucky and northern Florida refunds could be dashed as most people brought torrential rain, flooding, say they plan to be frugal with their hail and gusty winds to states annual windfalls. still reeling from strong storms In previous years, tax refunds have and tornadoes last week. helped increase retail sales in March, And the states braced for April and May by 12 percent to 20 per- more rough weather expected cent over sales in February, Internal later Monday. Tornado watches Revenue Service Commissioner Doug or warnings were in effect in Shulman said Monday. several states. “The tax filing season is its own stimu- In eastern Tennessee, lus to the economy,” Shulman said in a McMinn County Sheriff Steve speech at the National Press Club. “It Frisbie said 18-year-old Michael helps kick off the spring shopping season Aaron Byers Jr. was killed in and can help kick start the economy.” Etowah early Monday morning Thirty-eight percent of those receiv- when a tree fell on his family’s ing a refund said they intend to spend at home as he slept. A second per- OLIVIA WEBB/DAILY JOURNAL least part of it, according to an Associated son was killed in Atlanta after a Keshia David (top left), Press-GfK poll released Monday. But the tree fell on their car. Their name 3, takes a bite out of spending appears to be mostly on basic was not immediately released. her prize while friend Erin needs: 17 percent said they would use Many areas that were spared Alvarez, also 3, saves hers the money for everyday needs such as from Monday’s rain and hail for later at the Dobbins food and clothing, up from 7 percent a were hit with high winds that Heights Easter Egg Hunt year ago. blew over trees weakened by Monday morning. Sharon The survey found that 54 percent several days of soaking rain. Johnson (side left) helps of those receiving refunds said they planned to pay off credit card, utility, “The ground is so wet that her son, 4-year-old Emoni the root system is loose, so it housing and other bills. That compares McBride, look for eggs with 35 percent who said the same thing doesn’t take a lot to blow the while his aunt, Sheantae trees over,” said Nate Mayes, a a year ago. Woodard, gets his Easter Only 5 percent, about the same as a meteorologist with the National basket in order. Weather Service in Peachtree year ago, said they planned to go on a City, Ga. shopping spree. High winds on the Tennessee The deadline for individuals to file River in northern Alabama blew their 2008 tax returns is Wednesday. the roof off covered boat slips Phillip Barks of Aberdeen, Md., said at the Guntersville Yacht Club, he and his wife, Kristy, have spent their causing floating docks to pull $3,800 refund. Most went toward a credit apart and blow onto U.S. 431, card bill. said Anita McBurnett, emer- “We didn’t pay that off, though,” said gency management director for Barks, 31, who serves in the Army. “We just put a big dent in it.” The Barks, who were not part of the STORMS poll, were interviewed on a downtown CONTINUED ON PAGE 5A street in Washington. A few blocks away, Shannon Wyss of Washington said she plans to save most of her $1,066 refund. She will, however, Traffic stop ends with arrest on meth charges treat herself a bit; she’s already spent $99 on a device for her iPhone. Tom MacCallum possession of marijuana and possession of set at $10,000. “I need a pair of shoes,” said Wyss, 36, Richmond County Daily Journal drug paraphernalia. ■ Marcus Lee Ricardo Wilson, 22, who works for the National AIDS Fund. His bond was set at $25,500. Dogwood Lane, Rockingham, was arrested The AP-GfK poll found that 57 percent A Wadesboro man stopped on a traffic • • • • • of adults said they expect to receive a tax matter by Rockingham Police Department on a felony charge of possession of marijuana Other arrests by Rockingham police with intent to sell or deliver. Bond was set at refund. As of last week, the IRS had sent officers was discovered to have outstanding include: $5,000. During the arrest, police seized 11 out about $200 billion in tax refunds. warrants against him. ■ Larry Lotharp, 53, Marshville, was grams of marijuana. Shulman said the agency expects to send Robert Christopher O’Neal, 25, arrested on a misdemeanor charge of lar- ■ Kenneth Wayne Bell, 25, Greenville, out more than $300 billion in refunds Wadesboro, was arrested on charges of driv- ceny. Bond was set at $500. S.C., was arrested on warrants for failure to this year. ing while license revoked and having an ■ Terrance Antez Gales, 18, Scales appear in court on charges of driving while The average refund this year is about expired license plate. Street, Rockingham, was arrested on three license revoked, an expired inspection stick- $2,700, compared with $2,500 last year, After running a check on him, police dis- counts of misdemeanor breaking and enter- covered outstanding orders for arrest on ing, and one count each of injury to real METH REFUNDS O’Neal for possession of methamphetamine, property and assault on a female. Bond was CONTINUED ON PAGE 3A CONTINUED ON PAGE 8A Flight to be topic Golden Egg runner-up of history meeting was near the original goal Tom MacCallum Richmond County Daily Journal Olivia Webb On March 21, Charles Richmond County Daily McIntyre of Ellerbe climbed Flight over Richmond County and where to Journal land in the early days will be the topic of the down an embankment in meeting of the Richmond County Historical By the time one local Rockingham Industrial Park Society at 7 p.m. Monday, Rockingham City woman and her son made West and found the Richmond Hall, Rockingham Road, Rockingham. it to Rockingham Industrial County Daily Journal’s Golden The public and members attending will be Park West three weeks ago, Egg. When he turned it in the asked to participate in discussions sharing the Richmond County Daily following Monday, he won a memories of the two known airports in the Journal Golden Egg was $500 pre-paid debit card and county. gone. a gift certificate for $250 in The History of Aviation in Richmond County They went after the next groceries from Edwards IGA will explore airports in the county and a best thing by entering their in Rockingham. county connection with the ill-fated German names in the Journal’s sec- According to Smith, she and dirigible Hindenburg. ond-chance drawing for a her son drove to the indus- Giving the presentation will be T. K. $100 prepaid debit card. trial park that Sunday morn- Thrower III, who has a diary of the early days “Second chances are great!” ing after Charles McIntyre of of the first airport; Dr. Wingate Williamson, said Beulah Smith, after com- Ellerbe found the egg. who watched the present airport being con- ing to claim her prize Monday “We followed the clues structed; and Doyle Haigler. morning. “When I called my every time one was in the Haigler, who is the present manager of the son and told him I’d won, he PETER WILLIAMS/DAILY JOURNAL said ‘great, I’m glad we got GOLDEN EGG FLIGHT Beulah Smith claims her $100 prize on Monday morning. something out of that trip.’” CONTINUED ON PAGE 8A CONTINUED ON PAGE 3A O.C. Sellers Sr., 87, Laurinburg Inside today Obituaries 5A Deaths Nathaniel Terry, 71, Rockingham Vol. 78, No. 167 Tracy Ward, 78, Rockingham ON THE WEB: www.yourdailyjournal.com Opinion 4A Thelma Chavis, 90, Rockingham Obituaries can be found on Page 5A. E-MAIL: [email protected] Calendar 2A Puzzles 3B Effie Goins, 79, Rockingham Josephine Leviner, 84, Gibson The Daily Journal is published with Material inside this edition is Classified 5B Sports 1B © Richmond County Daily Journal. Kay Lynch, 55, Rockingham pride Tuesday through Sunday for the Reproduction without expressed consent of the Comics 4B TV Listings 3B Charlie Puckett, 67, West End people of Richmond County, N.C. Richmond County Daily Journal is prohibited. C M Y K Page 2A Richmond County Daily Journal, Rockingham, N.C. Tuesday, April 14, 2009 www.yourdailyjournal.com LOCAL COMMUNITY CALENDAR APRIL 14 on S.C. Hwy 9 west of Walk for the Cure benefit- Five or more plates deliv- NAACP: Community Chesterfield, S.C. Church ing the Humane Society of ered for lunch between monthly meeting April 14 at services begin at 10 a.m. Richmond County and Relay hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. 7:30 p.m. at Pleasant Hill Bring a covered dish. for Life. Ellerbe Springs Bake sale throughout day. AME Zion Church, 105 Lake Inn & Restaurant, 10 a.m.