Arrest made Got costume? Sampson man facing drug charges, Be sure to enter The Sampson Independent’s Costume Party Contest at www.clintonnc.com. Page A5 THE SAMPSON INDE www.clintonnc.comPENDENT 50 cents F Vol. LXXXVII; Issue 216 Tuesday, November 1, 2011 Clinton, North Carolina F 12 pages Another suspected case of E. Coli in Sampson Another family member could be infected By SHERRY MATTHEWS assessed, the two individuals hospital- N.C. Department of Health and Human ing contracted E. coli associated with Editor ized last week were expected to be Services, as of Oct. 30, the total num- this incident, to obtain more details, we discharged Monday, recovering from ber of cases was changed to 24 — 8 are also interviewing fair attendees who A seventh suspected case of E.coli in symptoms of the disease. confirmed and 16 suspect. Cases are did not get sick in the attempt to iden- Sampson County has now been report- That is good news, said Sampson’s residents from the following counties: tify the source or sources of exposure ed, yet another member of a single health director Wanda Robinson Wake (11), Sampson (7), Wilson (2), by using a comparison group,” state family network that either has been Monday, noting, too, that yet another Cleveland (1), Durham (1), Johnston health officials said in the release. confirmed to have the infection or is good thing was the fact that there had (1), Orange (1). So far, 250 of those contacted have suspected of having it. been no new cases reported in the last All 24, the release states, attended agreed to participate in the study and That family member, too, it was 24 hours. the state fair and all reported onset of 10 of the planned 75 in the study had noted by local health officials, attended “That’s a good sign,” Robinson symptoms since Oct. 13. been enrolled and interviewed. the N.C. State Fair. asserted. “It really is.” “In addition to interviewing and re- While the seventh case is being According to a release from the interviewing all cases identified as hav- See TWO, Page A2 Greensboro Rain doesn’t dampen Lockamy man linked the bewitching hour says he to B&E By DOUG CLARK lives in Assistant Editor A Greensboro man has been charged in same connection with a breaking, entering and larceny that took place late last week district in Roseboro. By CHRIS BERENDT George Anthony Staff Writer Graham, 28, of 1012 Westover Terrace, One commis- Greensboro, was Graham sioner is answering charged with break- to comments made ing and entering; larceny; possession during a recent pub- of stolen firearms; and possession of PHOTO BY CHRIS BERENDT lic hearing that a firearm by a felon. Halloween in the Park turned into Halloween in the Bellamy Center redistricting process He was placed under a $10,000 bond when rains descended on Clinton Monday night. The inclement weather is favoring protection and a trial date of Nov. 10 was set. For did not put a damper on the festivities, as many children still came out of incumbents to the the possession of firearm by a felon, he to get some candy and enjoy inflatable rides at the city’s eighth annual point that it is allow- Halloween event. Among them were princess Hanna Pickett, 5, with her ing for one to move See BOND, Page A2 parents, Bill and Julie Pickett. Lockamy out of his district as it is currently drawn. Commissioner Billy Carr Lockamy said that is simply not the case. He Troopers stepping up patrol efforts has not moved out of District 2 and his involvement in the formation of pro- Teens, speeders will be among focuses of campaign posed redistricting plans was minimal, By DOUG CLARK the year, a special enforce- if not practically non-existent. “No, I have not moved out of my Assistant Editor ment blitz that will target seatbelts, speeders and district,” asserted Lockamy. The N.C. Highway Patrol DWIs. His voter registration form and will be out in full force for the “We always target those GIS records list Lockamy’s address rest of November, in fact the anyway, but we want to put as 3764 Keener Road, the address he rest of the year, according more guys in place on the said he still maintains. Recently mar- to First Sgt. Ricky Hooks, roadways where that is all ried, Lockamy said his wife maintains a and their focus will be on they are going to do,” Hooks residence just outside Clinton. While he speeders, drunk drivers and noted. “Their primary duty alternates between the two homes, his teenagers. will be to enforce those home is on Keener Road, he said. Hooks said Monday the particular laws. They won’t “My address is in the Keener area,” patrol started an initiative let other violations go, but PHOTO BY DOUG CLARK said Lockamy. “I sometimes go back this week that will remain in they will be focused on those A N.C. Highway Patrol trooper checks a license at a and forth, but that is my permanent place throughout the rest of checkpoint earlier this summer. Troopers will be out in address.” See CAMPAIGN, Page A3 full force for the rest of 2011. Sampson Democratic Party chairman Johnny Kaleel, in recap- ping the Sampson County Board of Christmas in the City set to bring in the season Commissioners instructions in drawing By BILLY TODD have been made to decorate a Gingerbread Downtown and new district lines, said last week it is Staff Writer offer carriage and hay rides around historic Clinton. Choirs not clear that incumbents should be will be singing on the Courthouse Square and a fundraising protected. He questioned the extent It will not be long before everyone is caught up in holiday reception at the the History Museum. that it is covering for a commissioner, preparations for Thanksgiving and Christmas. But this year, Vickie Crane, director of the Sampson Convention & later identified as Lockamy, to move as you are making plans, you will want to include on your list Visitors Bureau, stated, “This first-time festive event pro- out of his district. a new event in downtown Clinton. The Clinton Main Street vides yet another opportunity for the Sampson Convention “Among the criteria set forth by this Program, in partnership with the Sampson County Arts & Visitors Bureau to promote this great county. I was espe- board are that the districts be drawn to Council, the Sampson County History Museum, the Clinton- cially eager to get involved with the Christmas in the City retain two majority/minority districts, Sampson Chamber of Commerce, and the Sampson County Committee when I learned that all proceeds of the event go that the incumbents be protected, and Visitors Bureau, will offer Christmas in the City. to support the Sampson County History Museum, which is that the municipal and precinct lines The first-time event will involve a variety of activities and will benefit the Sampson County History Museum. Plans See HOLIDAY, Page A2 See COMMISSIONER, Page A2 Index Web Poll Q. Should a partner- n Local, Page A3, 5, 12 n Page A12 ship be formed to save Support Your Local Economy National, the U.S. 421 rest area? When you have surgical eye care performed at your local hospital n Opinion, Page A4 n Deaths, Page A3 you are doing your part to support our great community. Surgery in n Kids Page, Page A7 Check out the results the morning and home by lunch. Call today to find out about the n Sports, Page A6 every day on Page A4. convenience of having your eye care conducted close to home. n TV, Page A8 n Page A9 Today’s Independent Comics, n Classifieds, Page A10-11 printed for R. Thomas Barowsky, M.D. Jordan Shopping Center (910) 592-5379 Edison McLamb Board Certified Ophthalmologist 346A Northeast Blvd. Clinton, NC A2 THE SAMPSON INDEPENDENT Tuesday, November 1, 2011 Commissioner says he’s had no input in maps SI Continued from Page A1 thorough examination of the propos- maps drawn by demographer John digest als, and the opportunity to fully review Morgan until the hearing at which be respected,” Kaleel said during a and analyze them.” Kaleel spoke. Wrapped up in some per- public hearing last week. “Clearly the That time has since been granted, sonal business matters, Lockamy said demographer has provided for the with four proposed maps for redistrict- he just hadn’t had the time to. retention of the minority/majority dis- ing currently available for public view “I did not meet with them the first tricts, and clearly he has provided for at the County Administration Building time (at the public hearing at the the protection of the incumbents. Less on County Complex Road. The maps end of September),” said Lockamy. “I Tomorrow’s Weather clear is whether he has protected the are on display from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. didn’t really need to. That’s the first integrity of the municipal and precinct in the County Administration Building time I had actually met with (Morgan) lines.” leading up to a public hearing Nov. 9. was this past hearing. That’s the first In making an argument for more The maps can also now be viewed on time I had seen (the maps). “ time to be allowed to review the the county’s website, at www.samp- Asked if he shared any input dur- four proposed maps, Kaleel called into sonnc.com. ing the process in regards to how question whether protecting incum- Each of the four plans — labeled A, B, lines should be drawn or modified to bents throughout the process was even N and O — contain Lockamy’s Keener begin with, Lockamy said “none what- a valid criteria.