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Chris Berendt/Sampson Independent A headquarters that would contain the City of Clinton's fire and police departments was discussed briefly during a recent meeting, with city staff to further examine the possibility. City capital projects encompassing nearly all departments will mean millions of dollars in the next several years, and the most cost-effective solutions are being sought. Shown, from left, are: fire chief Adon Snyder, police chief Jay Tilley and recreation director Jonathan Allen.
Building combining police, fire departments being considered
With big-money projects on the city of Clinton’s horizon, there has been some discussion of how best to proceed with necessary capital expenses. Renovation and construction for the fire and police stations are needed, and one alternative — broached only in broad strokes to this point — could see those stations combined into a single entity. Talk by city managerial staff and City Council about a preliminary 2013-2018 Capital Improvement Plan...
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Starling Chamber’s Member of Year
Two men were touted for their selfless efforts to make Clinton and Sampson County a better place during a magical evening dedicated to honoring Chamber of Commerce members Tuesday night. Clinton Mayor Lew Starling was surprised with the Chamber’s highest honor, that of Member of the Year, and Bill Johnson took home the first-ever awarded Lifetime Achievement Award. Both men were praised for their integrity and their endless love for the cit...
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Courtesy graphic There are 81 counties in North Carolina, pictured in yellow and green, (PLEASE CHANGE THIS TO 'SHADED AREAS' IF THE PIC RUNS IN BLACK AND WHITE) that have smoke-free regulations for county government buildings. The white areas have no formal document in place, including Sampson County.
County’s health director urging formal smoke-free regs
Sampson County is one of just 19 counties in the state that does not have formal smoke-free regulations in place for its county buildings. Health director Wanda Robinson wants to change that. She recently brought the issue up to the Board of Commissioners, who were split on the issue during discussion. “I’m asking for the possibility of putting in place an ordinance that we are a smoke-free grounds,” said Robinson. “Secondhand smoke is ve...
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Crimewatch
Arrets/Citations 2/25 - Latifah Latasha Syeh, 16, 208 South Bell St., Warsaw, misdemeanor larceny. Bond $500; court date March 28. 2/25 - Donald Leroy Corbin, 30, 6729 Rockfish Road, Fayetteville, possession drug paraphernalia, felony breaking and entering, conspiracy to break and enter. Bond $2,000 for drug charge; $10,000 for felony charges. Court date set for March 1. 2/25 - Ronald Leslie Bordeaux Jr., 27, 312 Stetson St., Clinton,...
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Rochelle Stuart, director of the Sampson Crisis Center, works hard to prepare for their upcoming gospel sing. She is thankful that so many businesses, churches, and community members support the Crisis Center through this annual fundraiser. (Lauren Williams/Sampson Independent)
Crisis Center gets up for fundraising sing
As they carry on with the day-to-day work of serving the community, the staff at the Sampson Crisis Center is also busy preparing for their seventh annual gospel sing fundraiser. Unlike last year when the event took place on a Sunday afternoon, this year’s sing will be held Friday, March 29 at 6 p.m. at the Sampson County Agri-Exposition Center. Rochelle Stuart, director of the Crisis Center, encourages the community to come out and join ...
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Chris Berendt/Sampson Independent The Sampson County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved moving toward participation by the county in the N.C. Spay/Neuter Program, a 100 percent reimbursement program that would offer no-cost procedures to pets of eligible residents. Shown are commissioners Jefferson Strickland, Jarvis McLamb and chairman Billy Lockamy,
Low-cost spay, neuter program may soon be in Sampson
The county is moving toward participation in a state program that will see full reimbursements for all local animal spay and neuter procedures, ultimately offering them at an extremely minimal cost to eligible pet owners. The N.C. Spay/Neuter Program focuses on reducing the population of unwanted animals in the state by encouraging the spaying and neutering of dogs and cats. Under the program, cities and counties are eligible to apply for r...
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Students make bullying statements Hargrove Elementary's Daughtry Jackson and Susan Davis showed exemplary character during bullying week at the school recently, Hargrove educators said. Daughtry passed out bracelets that read 'I’m a Buddy, not a Bully' and Susan sang her personally written song over the intercom, 'It’s not Nice to Bully.' (Courtesy photo)
Students make ‘bullying’ statements
Courtesy photo Hargrove Elementary’s Daughtry Jackson and Susan Davis showed exemplary character during bullying week at the school recently, Hargrove educators said. Daughtry passed out bracelets that read ‘I’m a Buddy, not a Bully’ and Susan sang her personally written song over the intercom, ‘It’s not Nice to Bully.’
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Chris Berendt/Sampson Independent Clinton Mayor Lew Starling, right, and City Councilman Steve Stefanovich look over documents during a recent meeting. The Council gave its informal consensus to move forward with a one-year lease for the city-owned property at 115 W. Lee St.
Council gives go-ahead for lease of Lee Street home
The city of Clinton is poised to offer a one-year lease for a vacant city-owned home on West Lee Street, built more than two years ago toward offering affordable housing in District 5. After one year, the home will be subject to the upset bid process but the tenant will have the chance to rent-to-own if there is no bid to purchase the home outright. After a great deal of research, city manager John Connet presented that process to City Coun...
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Blue lights from a Sampson County Sheriff’s vehicle bounce off the rain-drenched Royal Acres Kennels sign Tuesday morning as deputies await the arrival of Humane Society of America staff and volunteers who descended upon the site later in the day, removing over 60 dogs that were surrendered to them by the owners. The animals have been safely transported to a temporary emergency animal shelter where they will be thoroughly examined by a team of veterinarians and receive any necessary immediate medical treatment. (Sherry Matthews/Sampson Independent)
Over 60 dogs surrender at Sampson kennel
More than 60 dogs from a southern Sampson County kennel were surrendered to sheriff’s deputies and workers with the Humane Society of the United States Tuesday afternoon following a months-long probe into suspicions of cruelty at the facility. The sheriff’s office served a search warrant on the property and found a variety of small-breed dogs suffering from a multitude of untreated medical conditions. “This case is a prime example of why ...
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David Alan Mesimer
Sampson man arrested on meth charges
Yet another traffic stop has turned up evidence of methamphetamine and left a Sampson County man facing multiple charges, two of them felonies. David Alan Mesimer, 22, of 3228 Autry Hwy., Roseboro, was taken into custody Monday and charged with possession of a meth precursor, possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was placed under a $25,000 bond but has since been released. According to Sampson Sheriff’s Cpl. Marcus S...
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Crimewatch
Arrests/Citations 2/24 - Gonzalo Corral, 2204 Greens Bridge Road, Garland, driving while license revoked, failure to secure a passenger, injury to personal property and no operator’s license. Bond $7,000; court date March 27. 2/24 - Emanuel Laquan Jones, 27, 913 Person St., Fayetteville, shoplifting. Bond $300; court date March 28. 2/25 - Travie Ray Kemp, 33, 1577 Lakewood School Road, Salemburg, probation violation. Bond $10,000; cou...
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More fake money turns up
More counterfeit money turned up at local businesses over the weekend, the latest in a series of such cases that have been investigated by city and county law enforcement officers over the past several weeks. It is a clear sign, investigators say, that another round of fake cash is now in circulation and a warning for all those who receive cash, be it businesses or individuals, to be vigilant in giving money a good look before pocketing it....
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Community Male Chorus celebrating 66th anniversary Saturday
The Community Male Chorus of Clinton will celebrate their 66th anniversary Saturday, March 2, at the Beaver Dam Missionary Baptist Church, beginning at 6 p.m. The church is located on Odom Road. Various groups will sing, including Sampson Chapel Disciples male chorus; Cedar Point Disciples male chorus, Robinson Chapel male chorus, Point Level male chorus of Clinton, First Baptist Male chorus of Roseboro and Union Grove male chorus of Keener. ...
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Coharie Masonic Lodge installs officers The Coharie Masonic Lodge No. 379 at Salemburg recently installed officers for 2013. They are, front row, from left: Donald Winders, treasurer; Dean Butler, senior warden; Craig Swindell, worshipful master; Richard Bryant, junior warden; Greg Warren, social deacon; and back row: Pat Jones, chaplain; Louis Good, junior deacon; Gerald Strickland, senior steward; Clint Boney, senior deacon; Tommy Tew, secretary; and Danny Naylor, tyler.
Coharie Masonic Lodge installs officers
The Coharie Masonic Lodge No. 379 at Salemburg recently installed officers for 2013. They are, front row, from left: Donald Winders, treasurer; Dean Butler, senior warden; Craig Swindell, worshipful master; Richard Bryant, junior warden; Greg Warren, social deacon; and back row: Pat Jones, chaplain; Louis Good, junior deacon; Gerald Strickland, senior steward; Clint Boney, senior deacon; Tommy Tew, secretary; and Danny Naylor, tyler.
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State cutting safety net for many in our communities
As our state is continuing to recover from the recession, there are still many middle-class and low-income families who are struggling. I will continue to make job creation my top priority so that we can grow our middle-class and move more families out of poverty. This week SB 4, the bill designed to reject Medicaid expansion in North Carolina cleared the legislature and was passed on to Gov. McCrory for his consideration. I voted against t...
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Chris Berendt/Sampson Independent The old County Home, a familiar site at the County Complex that most recently housed the Cooperative Extension, Department of Aging, Head Start and Public Works, contains asbestos that must be removed. Bids are being solicited for the removal and disposal, with the subsequent step to possibly demolish the structure.
County Home building may have to go
Even with all the talk about expanding debt service for recent construction and the need to set aside funds annually for maintenance and repair of existing facilities, Sampson’s public works director said the cost does not stop when a building is paid off and its useful life is finished. One particular example with which the county is now dealing is the old County Home on Rowan Road, which is infested with asbestos and “needs to come down,”...
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Chinquapin author releases children’s book nationwide
CHINQUAPIN — Last week, North Carolina author Helen E. Bingham celebrates the nationwide release of her new children’s book, “Nanny Tess and Emma’s Distress.” The book takes readers on a journey into the thoughts of the two main characters in the book: Nanny Tess, who encounters a pit bull named Emma with very bad behavior and Emma, who doesn’t understand what the problem is with her behavior, which causes her great distress. Young readers ...
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Kerr, Butler honor bus drivers. Bus Driver Appreciation week was Feb. 11-15, and Butler Avenue and Kerr School paid special tribute to those who look after children to and from school every day. During the week, Kerr School and Butler Avenue School presented bus drivers with treats on Monday and Tuesday, biscuits on Wednesday, and valentines on Thursday. (Courtesy photo)
Kerr, Butler honor bus drivers
Courtesy photo Bus Driver Appreciation week was Feb. 11-15, and Butler Avenue and Kerr School paid special tribute to those who look after children to and from school every day. During the week, Kerr School and Butler Avenue School presented bus drivers with treats on Monday and Tuesday, biscuits on Wednesday, and valentines on Thursday.
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ESL Spell Bee held Each year students in English as a Second Language classes at SCC square off to test their ability to correctly spell a vast range of newly learned words. The annual ESL Spelling Bee is a highlight of the year drawing not only many contestants but also many family members and friends who are proud the spellers’ accomplishments. Participating this year’s event were the following students: Erika Castro, Melissa Martinez, Johana Ayala,Veronica Ortiz, Kim Kumja, Lidia Benitez, Angelica Lopez, Ivis Daniel Lara, Dany Acosta, Roxana Tejada, Kenia Chirinos and Domingo Velez. (Courtesy photo)
ESL Spelling Bee held
Each year students in English as a Second Language classes at SCC square off to test their ability to correctly spell a vast range of newly learned words. The annual ESL Spelling Bee is a highlight of the year drawing not only many contestants but also many family members and friends who are proud the spellers’ accomplishments. Participating this year’s event were the following students: Erika Castro, Melissa Martinez, Johana Ayala,Veronica O...
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Hmmmmm good Four-year-old twins Ben and Nathan Neal shovel in the pancakes and sausage Saturday morning during the annual Kiwanis Club Pancake & Sausage Feast, held ever year for the past 55 years. The fundraising event packed them in both Friday night and Saturday morning, with hundreds upon hundreds enjoying the meal and the fellowship. The fundraising supports several local Kiwanis Club projects, including their Terrific Kids program. (Sherry Matthews/Sampson Independent)
Hmmmmm good
Sherry Matthews/Sampson Independent Four-year-old twins Ben and Nathan Neal, sons of Matthews and Katie Neal of Clinton and Kids Only students, shovel in the pancakes and sausage Saturday morning during the annual Kiwanis Club Pancake & Sausage Feast, held every year for the past 55. The fundraising event packed them in both Friday night and Saturday morning, with hundreds upon hundreds enjoying the meal and the fellowship. The fundraising ...
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