The News-Journal is working on compiling a list of all the closures, changes, cancellations and other schedule alterations resulting from the efforts to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have a closure, schedule change or event cancellation in Raeford/Rockfish/Hoke County that you would like added to the list, please email the information...
Year: 2020
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Executive order changes unemployment benefits
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper announced Tuesday an executive order to make it easier for workers affected by the coronavirus pandemic to access unemployment insurance benefits. The executive order eliminated the one-week waiting period for benefits. It removed the requirement that recipients have to be looking for work while they receive benefits. In some cases,...
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Gov. Cooper orders restaurants, bars close dining rooms
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper ordered Tuesday that all restaurants and bars in the state close their dining rooms, but allowed those with the capability of doing take-out and delivery orders to continue doing so. The press release follows: Governor Roy Cooper and members of the Coronavirus Task Force are holding a media briefing today...
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Commissioners declare emergency
The Hoke County Board of Commissioners voted tonight to declare a State of Emergency. The board members additionally approved the following measures in response to the coronavirus pandemic: Suspend county sewer and water service non-payment cutoffs for 30 days Suspend foreclosure proceedings for non-payment of taxes, and defer tax payment plans during the State of...
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City issues statement on virus
Public Notice by the City of Raeford The City of Raeford will be implementing steps to limit the exposure of our staff and citizens to COVID-19 and other infections. Our main priority is the safety and security of our community, therefore the following measures will be implemented beginning Tuesday, March 17: 1. City services...
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Letter from county manager
From Hoke County Manager Letita Edens: As we continue to receive information about COVID-19, also known as Coronavirus, we wanted to share with you the steps we are currently taking in Hoke County Government to prevent the spread of this virus. We have been communicating with state and federal officials about COVID-19 and the best...
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Live From The Field
All public schools in North Carolina will close for two weeks, Gov. Roy Cooper said in a live-streamed press conference this afternoon (3/14/20). The governor’s executive order also banned mass gatherings of more than 100 people. Details are still in the works as this was just announced.
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We want your info
If you know someone who is going out of their way to help others amid all the cancellations and closures, please let us know so we can give them a shout-out for helping! Our phone is (910) 875-2121 during business hours, or email cshepard@thenews-journal.com.
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‘Freedom Park’ to feature document replicas
By Catharin Shepard • Staff writer • Local officials and representatives from the nonprofit organization Foundation Forward broke ground last week on the new “Freedom Park” in downtown Raeford. The park will feature monuments displaying replicas of some of the nation’s most historic documents, including the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and the Bill...
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Commission race goes to recount
By Catharin Shepard • Staff writer • Incumbent Hoke County Commissioner Bobby Wright has requested the Board of Elections conduct a recount of a close race between himself and candidate Lonnie Baldwin. “Mr. Wright has asked for a recount,” Hoke Elections Director Towanna Jackson said Tuesday. In the preliminary results of the primary race for...
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Other Stuff, not necessarily the news
By Ken MacDonald • Is it “red and yellow, pet the fellow,” or “red and yellow, bite a fellow?” Becky, the alleged Texas tour guide, was no help to us last week as what seemed to be a coral snake suddenly darted across the bike path in front of my sister, sending her backwards in...
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‘Piper’ gives community, family good scare
The Wendell Branch family of Raeford had a scare recently when two-year-old Piper, a retriever mix, escaped from her “Dad” while out on a walk. Her owner uses a wheelchair and wasn’t able to catch Piper, who serves as a support dog for him, according to a missing dog flyer that the Branch family shared...