[cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_column data_width=”1/1″][cmsmasters_text] Caption: Bridgett Floyd is emotional during service for her brother. (Ken MacDonald photos) By Catharin Shepard • Staff writer • Grief, gospel, demands for justice and acknowledgement of an historic moment not only for Hoke County but for America, characterized a public viewing and family memorial held here Saturday for George Floyd. “Perry...
[cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_column data_width=”1/1″][cmsmasters_text] By Catharin Shepard • Staff writer • Hundreds of people marched through downtown Raeford Friday afternoon, many carrying signs and wearing shirts with messages speaking out against racism, and local law enforcement leaders walked with them. It was the second of two peaceful protests held in Raeford last week after the death...
By Catharin Shepard • Staff writer • Le’tour Ardel was awake at 1:30 in the morning one day last week, thinking about the death of George Floyd and wondering what he could do to take action in Hoke County. Out of that desire to help the community and in the wake of Floyd’s death at...
A man fled from authorities Sunday after allegedly murdering his wife in Rockfish, according to Hoke County Sheriff Hubert Peterkin. Investigators caught and arrested the suspect in Forsyth County. Law enforcement arrested Donald McMillian of the 9800 block of Rockfish Road in connection with his wife’s death. Investigators accused McMillian of killing his wife, Geovanna...
A police chase that started in Lumberton Sunday when a man allegedly fired gunshots at officers, ended in Hoke County with his arrest. Authorities arrested Emanuel Lee McPherson, 31, of Lumberton on charges of felony assault on law enforcement officers, first-degree kidnapping, drug charges for marijuana possession and a citation for failure to wear a...
By Catharin Shepard • Staff writer • Hoke County was up to a total of 283 known cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, according to numbers from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The county added about 35 known positive cases over the past week. The total number includes the county’s known active cases,...
The School Nutrition Association has named Hoke County Schools Child Nutrition Executive Director Deborah Carpenter the 2020 Director of the Year for the state of North Carolina. “On behalf of SNA, I would like to thank you for the great work you do every day to ensure well-nourished students are prepared for success,” SNA President...
The School Nutrition Association has named Hoke County Schools Child Nutrition Executive Director Deborah Carpenter the 2020 Director of the Year for the state of North Carolina. “On behalf of SNA, I would like to thank you for the great work you do every day to ensure well-nourished students are prepared for success,” SNA President...
By Catharin Shepard • Staff writer • Hoke County Commissioners got their first look at the county manager’s proposed 2020-2021 budget ordinance, which does not include a property tax increase. “My proposed budget does not have an increase to the tax rate, it remains the same,” Hoke County Manager Letitia Edens said last week. The...
By Catharin Shepard • Staff writer • Hoke County Commissioners got their first look at the county manager’s proposed 2020-2021 budget ordinance, which does not include a property tax increase. “My proposed budget does not have an increase to the tax rate, it remains the same,” Hoke County Manager Letitia Edens said last week. The...
Raeford City County unanimously approved its budget for 2020-2021 at an 8 a.m. Monday meeting in chambers. The $5.6 million budget is changed from a draft the board examined last month, reflecting preferences of city workers. City Manager Dennis Baxley said instead of a 1.5 percent cost of living increase for employees, an increase of...
Raeford City County unanimously approved its budget for 2020-2021 at an 8 a.m. Monday meeting in chambers. The $5.6 million budget is changed from a draft the board examined last month, reflecting preferences of city workers. City Manager Dennis Baxley said instead of a 1.5 percent cost of living increase for employees, an increase of...
After a long struggle during which he cheated death many times, Jack Putnam Huff, my last uncle, headed for heaven in mid-May. Jack was my dad’s youngest brother and was the last sibling standing of four. He will be greatly missed. My first recollections of Jack were when I was very young in the early...
After a long struggle during which he cheated death many times, Jack Putnam Huff, my last uncle, headed for heaven in mid-May. Jack was my dad’s youngest brother and was the last sibling standing of four. He will be greatly missed. My first recollections of Jack were when I was very young in the early...
To the Editor: I wish to extend my sincere condolences to the family of George Floyd here in Hoke County and elsewhere. 1) The police officer, who held George Floyd down, knee on neck, has rightfully been arrested. Charges have been upgraded to 2nd Degree murder. Those officers with him, who made no attempt to...
To the Editor: I wish to extend my sincere condolences to the family of George Floyd here in Hoke County and elsewhere. 1) The police officer, who held George Floyd down, knee on neck, has rightfully been arrested. Charges have been upgraded to 2nd Degree murder. Those officers with him, who made no attempt to...
To the Editor: I wanted to send a letter to share my experience with Smart Start in Hoke County during the pandemic. One of the many struggles of daycares and preschools trying to open back up is getting cleaning supplies as they are so hard to find to the pandemic. While I know all the...