This story was originally published in The News-Journal August 5, 2026 By Catharin Shepard • Editor • A homeowner who lives in a subdivision next to the Shahbain Farms & Event Center told commissioners that noise, traffic and littering at the event center are impacting the lives of residents who live near it. A speaker who introduced himself as Kevin...
Permit documents appear to confirm Hoke County ordinance violation
By Catharin Shepard • Editor • Documents sent to The News-Journal last week in response to a public records request appeared to confirm some of what was said during a recorded phone conversation between Hoke County Manager Letitia Edens and Interim Planner Jackie Lowery. In the recording, Lowery told the county manager that a Hoke County commissioner allegedly told her...
Recording reveals ordinance violation in Hoke County Planning Office
Commissioner denies telling interim county planner to sign unapproved permit By Catharin Shepard • Editor • A Hoke County commissioner allegedly told the interim county planner to remove a special use permit from the board’s meeting agenda, and allegedly told her to approve the permit although the board never voted on it, according to a recording of a phone conversation...
Homegrown Hoke music artists performing May 23
Homegrown Hoke County rap and R&B artists will present a pop-up listening experience Saturday, May 23, 2026 at Deep Freeze Productions, located at 645 Laurinburg Road. “That’s not just a listening session – it’s a statement,” a press release for the event said. The O.M.3 “They Live, We Mutate” is part of a “shift” happening in Hoke County that’s putting...
Eagle Scout project guides the way at Hoke County Community Forest
By Catharin Shepard • Editor • Hoke High School student Quinton Douglas has been busy the past few months, scoping out the trails at the Hoke Community Forest. The 16-year-old Boy Scout approached the Hoke County Board of Commissioners in January, alongside Jesse Wimberley of the NC Sandhills Prescribed Burn Association, to seek permission to install trail markers on the...
Tango Kilo Event Center grand opening honors CMSgt. King
By Catharin Shepard • Editor • As Euniceteen Diggs and her family prepared Friday afternoon to cut the ribbon on the Tango Kilo Event Center, a gust of wind came along and knocked the portrait of her daughter, the late Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Tresse Z. King, off of its stand. Amid the surprise from the crowd at the...
Newcomer ousts incumbent Hoke County commissioner in Democratic primary election
By Catharin Shepard • Editor • There was a changing of the guard for the Hoke County Board of Commissioners in the Democratic primary election Tuesday night, with candidate Deborah McMillan-Evans winning more votes than longtime incumbent Commissioner Tony Hunt. Voters chose to send McMillan-Evans, and incumbent Commissioners Harry Southerland and Allen Thomas through to the election in November on...
Presbyterian Church observing World Day of Prayer
Raeford Presbyterian Church will observe the World Day of Prayer Friday, March 6. The church sanctuary will be open to anyone interested in praying between 12 noon-2 p.m. This event is an international and ecumenical movement where churches come together to promote unity, understanding and social justice through communal prayer. It is celebrated annually in over 170 countries.
Engineer Brigade conducting demolition training March 2-6
The 20th Engineer Brigade will conduct demolition testing and training on Fort Bragg from March 2-6. The demolition charges will occur multiple times a day during daylight hours. The explosions will occur in the middle of the Fort Bragg ranges, but there is a chance that the noise and possible shaking will be felt of the installation. Fort Bragg trains...
“She brings out the best” : Burney honored with Raeford Kiwanis Club Citizen of the Year Award
By Catharin Shepard • Editor • Sharon Burney breathed life into the Partners for Education program, seeking out funding, recognizing teachers and students, planning the annual golf tournament and more – all while working a full-time career at Burlington Industries. “Sharon worked tirelessly, tirelessly. She got gift cards, she went to Walmart, she got donations, she got sponsorships,” John Jordan...
Funeral home and crematory starts new “Legacy” in Raeford
By Catharin Shepard • Editor • Comfortable couches, soft chairs, delicate chandeliers and a sense of quiet welcome, help make the new funeral home in Raeford put the emphasis on “home.” That was Jonathan Prather’s goal in the designing and planning for Legacy Funeral Home: he didn’t want it to feel like a funeral home at all. And with the...
Crumpler sworn in as Raeford police chief
A familiar face in Raeford has a brand-new badge. With his family and friends gathered in support at city hall Tuesday, Ray Crumpler of the Raeford Police Department took the oath to become the new Chief of Police. Chief Crumpler has served with the department for over 20 years, including seven years as assistant chief. “It’s an honor. I appreciate...
Pennsylvania Transformer Technology breaks ground on $102 million manufacturing expansion in Hoke County’s industrial park
By Catharin Shepard • Editor • The “largest capital investment in the history of Hoke County,” slated to create over 200 jobs, got started this month with a toss of shovelfuls of dirt at the county industrial park on Golf Course Road. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein was one of the officials with his hands on a shovel handle, as...
With SNAP benefits not fully released yet, Hoke County commissioners look for ways to help citizens in need
By Catharin Shepard • Editor • When the Hoke County Board of Commissioners met Monday in a resumed meeting to discuss the impacts of the government shutdown, the board ended up voting to allow the county manager and Department of Social Services to use $100,000 in funds already moved from the DSS budget, to support food drives for those in...
Couple murdered in Hoke County, teen suspect commits suicide
By Catharin Shepard • Editor • A man and woman were killed Monday night at their home on Cope Road in Hoke County, and a teenage suspect wanted in connection with the case later committed suicide at the Lake Waccamaw Boys and Girls Home when confronted by authorities, according to law enforcement agencies. Ted Chavis and Joann Chavis were the...
Raeford Mayor, City Council candidates answer Q&A
The News-Journal sent out questionnaires to each of the three candidates running for Mayor of Raeford, and the three candidates running for two seats on the Raeford City Council. All six of the candidates responded. The candidates for mayor are Demetria Barker Augugliaro, Jeremy Hollingsworth, and John K. McNeill (incumbent). The candidates for Raeford City Council are Charles Allen (incumbent),...
Tickets available for Hoke Native American Scholarship Association Banquet November 21, 2025
The Hoke Native American Scholarship Association (HNASA) will hold its annual fundraising banquet and auction Friday, November 21, 2025. Tickets to the banquet are $20. The event will begin at 7 p.m. at Mt. Elim Baptist Church, 921 Wilson Road, Red Springs. Contact any committee member for tickets. Committee members include Kirk Lowery, Jacqueline Chavis, Tony Hunt, Chocajuana Oxendine, Della...
Gov. Josh Stein signs bill to ease congestion at DMV offices
By Catharin Shepard • Editor • North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein signed into law this week a bill intended to ease the congestion at Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices across the state. Senate Bill 245 changed the state’s policy to allow drivers to renew their driver’s licenses online twice in a row as long as the license is not...
Breaking: District Attorney sends Hoke commissioners cease and desist letter over electronic gaming ordinance changes
By Catharin Shepard • Editor • Hoke and Moore County District Attorney Mike Hardin issued a cease and desist letter Wednesday to the Hoke County Board of Commissioners, informing them that changes the board made to the zoning ordinance governing electronic gaming machines and establishments are against state law. Hardin directed the board to repeal the changes, and suggested the...
City of Raeford gets $175,000 grant for nature trails
By Catharin Shepard • Editor • The City of Raeford has received a $175,000 grant from the state to design the planned walking trails and park at the city-owned pond property off of Highway 20. Nature trails, and amenities like parking and public bathrooms are among the features planned for the future at the pond park as part of the...
Back to School Bash this Saturday offers fun, freebies
Hoke County Schools is inviting Hoke County families to a Back to School Bash from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, August 16 at East Hoke Middle School, 4702 Fayetteville Road. The event promises to be a fun one with carnival games and food. Hoke County students can pick up a free clear backpack for the new school year filled with school...
Hoke boys’ youth baseball wins big, team set for trip to Mississippi for DBB Boys World Series run July 25-30
By Catharin Shepard • Editor • The Hoke County Padres boys 14U baseball team last week clinched the win in the 2025 DBB State Tournament, going 6-1 with a single early loss to Duplin County – which they later avenged in the championship game – to bring home the title from competition in in Winnabow. Now the teens and their...
“He was the hero this morning”: Hoke County deputy medic saves elderly man from burning house
By Catharin Shepard • Editor • Deputy Medic Lee Black of the Hoke County Sheriff’s Office saved an elderly man’s life Monday when he went into a burning house, found the resident lying on the floor in a room full of smoke and carried him to safety over his shoulder, all without any fire protection equipment. Black has been saving...
250 responses so far for the Hoke County land use plan survey, last day to fill it out is July 30
The Hoke County Land Use Plan update survey is now accepting responses through July 30, asking questions that will help shape the future of the county’s growth for the next several decades. The survey is being conducted by Benchmark Planning, a third party the county commissioners hired to help the county update its 20-year-old land use plan. The land use...