By Catharin Shepard • Editor • The Hoke County Board of Education voted Tuesday for a “wishlist” 2023-2024 local funding budget that included raises for the board, bus drivers, bus monitors and mechanics among others, plus $6 million to buy land for a future new school and $4 million for a new bus garage. Interim...
Month: April 2023
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Malabunga is Amazon Future Engineer Teacher of the Year
[Photo: Mario Malabunga received the award this Monday at a surprise announcement. (Contributed photo) Mario Malabunga, Drone Pilot Instructor at Hoke County High School, was selected as an Amazon Future Engineer Teacher of the Year. Students, CTE staff, and school administrators surprised Malabunga Monday morning with the announcement. The Amazon Future Engineer Teacher of the Year...
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Hoke High drone piloting students win first, fourth in state, will compete nationally
[Photo: Chancellor Morton and Andrew Scott, Hoke High students, won big at the state championship drone piloting Chancellor Morton and Andrew Scott of Hoke County High School this weekend placed first and fourth, respectively, in the SkillsUSA North Carolina Championships Drone competition. Team members Branson Winburn and Johnathan Halstead helped with drone practice, maintenance, repair...
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Hoke County names sports complex in honor of late Parks and Rec Director Elgin Blue
[Photo: The presentation to the Blue family at the board meeting Monday night.] By Catharin Shepard • Editor • When members of the Parks and Recreation advisory board asked people to talk about the late Parks and Rec Director Elgin Blue, nobody could find anything negative to say about him. “He was a dear, respected...
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Glitz and glamour at JALARC opening
[Photo: Commission Vice Chairman James Leach speaks on stage above a bust of himself, gifted by the companies that built the new recreation center. (Catharin Shepard photo)] By Catharin Shepard • Editor • A shrouded object sat just below the stage set up in the gymnasium at the James A. Leach Aquatic and Recreation Center,...
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Oopsie Daisy Florist celebrates grand opening
[Photo: Joyce Bullard and Paula Oldham cut the ribbon Saturday on Oopsie Daisy Florist, with John Jordan of the Raeford City Council and Rick Sandy of the Raeford-Hoke Chamber of Commerce. (Catharin Shepard photo)] By Catharin Shepard • Editor • Joyce Bullard and Paula Oldham stood outside their new shop Saturday and carefully snipped the...