By Catharin Shepard • Editor • They didn’t use “the M word” – “moratorium” – but Hoke County commissioners still hit the pause button this week, immediately cutting off approvals for any new major subdivisions in Hoke County. After hearing Monday morning from Utilities Director James McQueen on where things stand with the county’s water...
Month: April 2025
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EDITORIAL: Credit where it’s due, they made the right call
[This editorial is solely the opinion of The News-Journal Editor Catharin Shepard and does not necessarily reflect the official views of the newspaper.] By Catharin Shepard • Editor • The Hoke County Board of Commissioners made a decision Monday that won’t be popular with everyone, but it was a much-needed step to begin the long,...
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BREAKING: Hoke County Commissioners vote to stop new major subdivision development until further notice
The Hoke County Board of Commissioners voted Monday morning in a resumed meeting to effectively stop new major subdivision development in Hoke County until further notice. Under the county ordinance, a “major subdivision” is six or more houses. The board specified that the motion will apply to any major subdivision development not already submitted to...
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Hoke County school board meeting ends in gridlock
Members clash in tied votes over continuing business with The News-Journal By Catharin Shepard • Editor • The school district last week effectively joined Hoke County local government in no longer publishing public notices and other advertisements in The News-Journal, with two members of the board asserting that it is unethical for the district to...
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Mishap cut water service for thousands in Rockfish
By Catharin Shepard • Editor • Residents of Rockfish were left without water last week, then were under a boil water advisory, after an accident with a utility line left workers scrambling around the clock to fix the problem. What caused the water line break, what can be done to permanently fix it, how the...
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Woman escorted from Hoke County commission meeting
[Screenshot: Michelle EK is escorted out from the April 7, 2025 Hoke County Board of Commissioners meeting. Taken from county video.] By Catharin Shepard • Editor • Commission Chairman James Leach and Commission Vice Chairman Harry Southerland told a Hoke County Sheriff’s Office deputy to escort a woman out of the board meeting Monday night,...
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Hoke County celebrates Special Olympics
Hoke County celebrated the Special Olympics today at Raz Autry Stadium at Hoke County High School. When some of the competitors weren’t present for a scheduled race, Scott Boucher of Hoke County Schools jumped on the track to run – his clipboard still in hand – so the Special Olympics athlete could race to the...
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What’s at stake for Hoke students, teachers? – Q&A with superintendent explains what federal funding pays for in Hoke County Schools
By Catharin Shepard • Editor • The fate of federal funding for school programs including Exceptional Children, Career and Technical Education, Indian Education and others is still unclear as education officials in North Carolina and across the country wait to see what happens on the national level. Hoke County’s school district leaders have learned the...
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“We’re not just hoarding money” – Hoke County audit shows growth, fund balance key for school construction
[This story was originally published in The News-Journal in March 2025.] By Catharin Shepard • Editor • Hoke County’s revenue increased by about $3.3 million in fiscal year 2024 to top $72 million, while its expenditures rose by about $7.7 million to a total $63.2 million. The county’s fund balance at the end of the...