By Catharin Shepard • Staff writer • Hoke County on Wednesday added a record daily high number of cases to its COVID-19 virus tally, and in the last two weeks two more Hoke residents have died due to the contagious illness. The county has now seen at least 509 known cases of the COVID-19 virus...
Year: 2020
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Mary Kemp Thomas was first grad of Sandhills
Photo caption: Thomas receives high school equivalency certificate from James Dunlap, left, and Dr. Raymond Stone, becoming Sandhills’ first graduate. By Ellen McNeill • Mary K. Thomas, born and reared in Hoke County, was truly an amazing woman. Among her many achievements, she was the first person to graduate from Sandhills Community College. Mary K. was...
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McNeill named Chamber director
[cmsmasters_row][cmsmasters_column data_width=”1/1″][cmsmasters_text] The board of directors of the Raeford-Hoke Chamber of Commerce has named Raeford native Elizabeth McNeill executive director. After growing up in Raeford, McNeill says she is excited to give back to the community and learn more about what Hoke County and Raeford have to offer its residents and visitors. Having previously worked...
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Influential teacher, civic leader killed in wreck
Dr. Mary Elizabeth Kemp Thomas, 89, an educator who taught students for more than 28 years in Hoke County Schools, died this week after a car crash that also injured two other people. The accident happened just before 5 p.m. Thursday, July 9 on N.C. 211 near Fulford McMillan Road. Thomas was the passenger in...
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More details on hybrid school schedule, sign-ups for online instruction open through July 27
Hoke County Schools plans to use a hybrid school schedule when students return to class next month, but families can choose to keep their child at home and enroll them in an online-only remote learning academy provided by the school system. Students who enroll in the hybrid schedule will be split into two groups and...
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2,400 boxes of produce to be given away Friday
Noonday Kitchen of Fayetteville, in partnership with multiple other organizations, will hold a fresh food giveaway Friday at Raeford Evangelical Methodist Church. The group is working with Mercy Chefs, and the USDA program Farm to Family to give away 2,400 boxes of fresh produce. The produce boxes are 15 pounds each and are free to...
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Happy hibiscus
Mary Roper has a way with hibiscus flowers, and this year she’s done it again. The plant grows in front of her apartment at Woodcreek Village. (Contributed photo)
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Wright files for School Board
By Catharin Shepard • Staff Writer • Local financial advisor John Wright was the first person to file the paperwork announcing his intent to run for a seat on the Hoke County Board of Education, according to the Board of Elections office. Wright, a Raeford native, filed last week. So far he is the only...
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Cape Fear gets new COVID-19 testing
Cape Fear Valley Health has a new tool in its fight against COVID-19. The state’s eighth-largest health system is now using diagnostic lab equipment that can diagnose inpatients for the COVID-19 coronavirus in an hour, the healthcare system announced this week in a press statement. The BioFire FilmArray system cost $140,000 and was purchased with...
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Browsing the Files: looking back at old papers
Photo Caption: The incoming president of the U.S.—Calvin Coolidge— arrives after the sudden death of Pres. Warren Harding. (94 years ago) 94 Years Ago • August 16, 1923 ”The board of education has let the contract for a colored high school and actual construction has begun on the building. “The school is located a mile...
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Yard debris everywhere, but nowhere to take it
Photo caption: Raeford City Council members meet, socially distanced. By Ken MacDonald • The City of Raeford has a yard debris problem. 401 Sand, the company it contracts with for disposal of debris, is out of room, City Manager Dennis Baxley told City Council Thursday morning at its July meeting. The company has applied to...
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Keeps Rockfish beautiful
To the Editor: Come down to Rockfish and see the monument and the art work of the flowers and manicured landscaping. The grass is kept and cut every week along with seasonal flowers planted. The monument lights shine brightly at night to reflect its beauty. None other than our own Larry Chason, solely does this...
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Huff: Hoping for real racial reform
It has often been said that America needs to have a serious conversation about race. That time may be now, especially if Americans can focus their attention on it for more than a few weeks, after the news outlets lose interest. Hopefully that will happen. The terrible killing of George Floyd was just a little...
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Democrats hold meetings
A meeting of officers and precinct chairs of the Hoke County Democratic Party will be held at 6:30 p.m. on July 16 on Zoom. The party’s regular monthly meeting will be held July 21 at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. For information call the chairman at 910-494-8054 or the secretary at 910-303-6060.