By Catharin Shepard • Staff writer • Hoke County Schools students and teachers won’t be required to wear masks indoors starting Thursday, after the school board voted to make masks optional. The Hoke County school board held a special called meeting Tuesday night to revisit its policy requiring students and staff members to wear face...
Authorities seeking info in carjacking
A woman was robbed at gunpoint and her car stolen in the Walmart parking lot late last month, according to the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators are still searching for information that could lead to an arrest in the case. The victim, a 27-year-old woman, had her black 2017 Dodge Grand Caravan stolen at gunpoint,...
New subdivision developments to bring 579 houses
By Catharin Shepard • Staff writer • The Hoke County Board of Commissioners approved two major subdivision requests Monday night that will bring upwards of 579 new homes to the county in the coming years. The board unanimously approved two separate preliminary plat requests submitted by Double D Engineering for subdivision developments in the works....
Hoke High wind ensemble to perform in California
By Catharin Shepard • Staff writer • The evening practice last Thursday for the Hoke High School wind ensemble was like any other after-school rehearsal for the group, until band director Devon Pickett teased a special announcement by playing a video clip. The largest gathering of school boards in the United States is coming up...
Detectives investigating “Isolated incident” at Walmart
Hoke County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded Wednesday morning to Walmart on Fayetteville Road just outside of Raeford, in reference to what officials called an “isolated incident.” The incident was reported about 9:20 a.m. Law enforcement officers have already made arrests in the case, and the store is open for customers. “The appropriate individuals are in...
World War II veteran Wendell Young dies at age 99
[Photo: Wendell Young autographed a Jeep at a veterans parade held in Raeford last year. He died last week at the age of 99. (Contributed photo)] Wendell Young, a World War II veteran and beloved member of the Hoke County community, died Tuesday, January 25 at the age of 99. Besides serving his country, he...
Election date set for primary, no date for filing yet
By Catharin Shepard • Staff writer • As things currently stand, North Carolina voters will go to the polls for the primary election Tuesday, May 17. After a flurry of litigation regarding the most recent round of redistricting, lawmakers in Raleigh voted to push the date for the primary election to May. It was originally...
County seeks new utilities director as department restructures
By Catharin Shepard • Staff writer • Hoke County is seeking a candidate to serve as utilities director. The county posted the job on the county’s website January 10. Hoke local government is currently “restructuring the Utilities department due to recent retirements,” County Manager Letitia Edens said Monday. Former utilities director Hilton Villines is still...