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Some tobacco is still in the greenhouses of Sampson County. According to Cooperative Extension agent Wayne Batten, adverse weather has delayed farmers in getting the crop to the field. The result is that farmers have to keep their greenhouses operating longer, requiring more propane than normal which is very costly. (Lauren Williams/Sampson Independent)
Cool temps early slows crops to fields
The cool, and at times downright cold, weather that kicked off the month of April put Sampson County farmers, who were eager to get started on their spring planting, a little behind schedule. “Late. I think that pretty much sums it up. Most everything is late,” said Cooperative Extension agent Allan Thornton. “Farmers just did not put it out due to the weather.” “Sweet potatoes are really late,” Thornton pointed out as fellow agent Wayne ...
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Big sister Madison Mitchum reads with her little brother Earl Mitchum during Union Elementary's "I Read to You, You Read to Me" event. (Lauren Williams/Sampson Independent)
Book ‘em
Union Elementary School has been very booked this week as it held its second annual “I Read to You, You Read to Me” event. The event invites the students’ parents or guardians to come out to the school and read with their children for a few minutes at the start of the school day, between 8 and 9 a.m. To keep everything orderly and running smoothly, each grade level was assigned one day this week for the event; yesterday was the final day ...
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Classic cars, motorcycles focal point of second ‘Drive In’ event
For the second year, a local drive-in event will bring a horde of classic cars and trucks to downtown Clinton while benefiting a drug awareness and prevention program for Sampson County middle schoolers. The second-annual “Drive In to Drive Out Drugs” event will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 26, in downtown Clinton and at the Clinton City Market on Lisbon Street. Organizers said the Drive-In will be a family-friendly event featu...
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Kerr names April top student nominees - kindergarten Kerr Elementary School recently selected its kindergarten Student of the Month nominees for April. Those chosen were: Ariana Rivera, Cadence Best, Jonatan Hernandez-Velasquez, Evan Gillespie, Jaliah Harris, Leonardo Mendez, Trinity Landrau, Julie Rodriguez, Lilybeth Sanchez, Samoya James, Yuri Gutirrez, Lenny Olivera and Josue Miguel. (Courtesy photo)
Kerr’s April Student of Month nominees- Kindergarten
Kerr Elementary School recently selected its kindergarten Student of the Month nominees for April. Those chosen were: Ariana Rivera, Cadence Best, Jonatan Hernandez-Velasquez, Evan Gillespie, Jaliah Harris, Leonardo Mendez, Trinity Landrau, Julie Rodriguez, Lilybeth Sanchez, Samoya James, Yuri Gutirrez, Lenny Olivera and Josue Miguel.
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The Sampson County Board of Commissioners this week discussed employee pay, which has dominated budget discussion for the last couple years. County administrative staff put forth a few options to consider, however no action was taken. The issue will be further discussed in the coming months. (Chris Berendt/Sampson Independent)
County puts employee pay options back on table
A county employee pay modification is still in the air, with a one-time bonus set to expire at the end of June and several options laid on the table as to how to address significant challenges with the existing pay system going forward. “We have been discussing some of the challenges of our pay and performance system for several years. Issues with our pay scale have been well documented,” said county manager Ed Causey. “There has not been a...
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Hagrove's Students of the Month Hargrove Elementary School recently named its Students of the Month for March. They are: Claire Meyer, Dai'vian Murrell, Kylie Skaggs, Skittle Hunter, JaQuan Bell, Jonathon Mendieta-Mata, Lluvia Pena, Antrell McKoy, Nicole Hernandez, Chase Kennedy, Leon Corbett, Johan Ramon, Michelle Mendez Verdugo, Patrick Stegal, Will Bowden, Miriam Mendieta, Laney Pope, Angel Gonzalez-Lozada, Caleb Lucas and Luis Padilla. (Courtesy photo)
Hargrove’s Students of the Month
Courtesy photo Hargrove Elementary School recently named its Students of the Month for March. They are: Claire Meyer, Dai’vian Murrell, Kylie Skaggs, Skittle Hunter, JaQuan Bell, Jonathon Mendieta-Mata, Lluvia Pena, Antrell McKoy, Nicole Hernandez, Chase Kennedy, Leon Corbett, Johan Ramon, Michelle Mendez Verdugo, Patrick Stegal, Will Bowden, Miriam Mendieta, Laney Pope, Angel Gonzalez-Lozada, Caleb Lucas and Luis Padilla.
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Scientists to pay visit to CHS next week
Clinton High School has been chosen, as one of only 100 high schools in the state to host two scientists for the annual North Carolina DNA Day. Next week, on Thursday, April 25, two scientists, who happen to be husband and wife although one is from UNC Chapel Hill and one is from NC State University, will travel to Sampson County to spend a couple of hours with Clinton High biology students. Clinton High science department chairman Matthe...
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Crimewatch
Arrests 4/16 - Rashon Dobson, 28, 106 Brown’s Terrace Circle, Pink Hill, failure to comply. Bond $293; court date May 6. 4/16 - Tameka Branson, 32, 865 Cecil Odie Road, Clinton, failure to return rental property. Bond $500; court date May 9. 4/17 - Cassandra Elizabeth Hardy, 32, 100 Legacy Lane, Lillington, failure to comply. Bond $290; court date April 30. 4/17 - Juan Carlos Core, 34, 84 April Lane, Clinton, possession with intent ...
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Former Garland town clerk Teresa Vaught takes notes during a meeting in late 2011. She now stands charged with 11 counts of embezzlement and a single count of financial card fraud following a State Bureau of Investigation probe. She was fired by the town in March 2012. (File photo/Sampson Independent)
Former Garland clerk faces myriad felonies
A former Garland town clerk is expected to be in Sampson County court later this month to face a dozen felony charges in connection with a state investigation into illegal operations that allegedly included embezzlement and financial card fraud. Longtime clerk Teresa Vaught, who was officially dismissed by the town in March 2012, stands charged with 11 counts of embezzlement by a public officer or trustee and a single count of financial car...
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"That Donut Place" owner Elaine Larson picks donuts out of her showcase to box for a customer. Her donuts are made from scratch fresh every morning and it isn't unusual for her to sell every donut or croissant in her showcase before closing time. (Lauren Williams/Sampson Independent)
Sweetening Salemburg
Salemburg citizens have discovered the town’s sweet spot. Even though it’s only been open for business for just three weeks, “That Donut Place” has experienced early success, becoming a popular stop for locals and many who are just passing through. “I am a little surprised,” said owner Elaine Larson of how well the shop is doing. “Salemburg is a small town but people are really supporting us. Lots of people in the offices at the Justice Aca...
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Kerr's top student nominees - Kindergarten Kerr Elementary School recently honored its kindergarten Student of the Month nominees for March. They are: Britney Diaz-Escobar, Haley Best, Essence Jones, Cilia Funez, Barbara Eugenio, Yahir Serrano-Mejia, Griffin Heard, Chloe Straughn, Zaire Smith, Mireya Zalavarria, Christpher Melvin, Amir Boykin and Zoie Allemore. (Courtesy photo)
Kerr’s top student nominees - Kindergarten
Courtesy photo Kerr Elementary School recently honored its kindergarten Student of the Month nominees for March. They are: Britney Diaz-Escobar, Haley Best, Essence Jones, Cilia Funez, Barbara Eugenio, Yahir Serrano-Mejia, Griffin Heard, Chloe Straughn, Zaire Smith, Mireya Zalavarria, Christpher Melvin, Amir Boykin and Zoie Allemore.
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SI’s MyOwn Apps opens new doors to consumers, advertisers
The Sampson Independent is opening new doors to its advertisers, their current customers and a whole world of new ones, all with the stroke of a fingertip. And it’s been done through MyOwn Apps, a new high-tech advertising venue that offers advertisers a way to reach on-the-go consumers looking for information fast and in the palm of their hand. “It’s an affordable avenue that advertisers can utilize to get their word out,” said SI publis...
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Commissioners Albert Kirby, left, and Jefferson Strickland listen to budget numbers during Monday night's Sampson County Board of Commissioners' pre-budget work session. (Chris Berendt/Sampson Independent)
Commissioners: Don’t raise taxes or drop services
During a three-hour session Monday night, Sampson County commissioners said they wanted to see no tax hike or drop in services in the 2013-14 budget but said cuts would at least have to be considered with oncoming school construction debt, declining revenues and continued drops in state funding amounting to a nearly $500,000 shortfall facing the county. At Monday night’s pre-budget work session, a budget impact summary highlights anticipate...
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Meth dump site discovered
More remnants of methamphetamine manufacturing were discovered along the roadside early this week, leading law enforcement officers to once again warn residents to be careful when they come upon what appears to be trash and, at the same time urging them to report anything that appears suspicious. A Department of Transportation employee discovered the latest dump site Monday afternoon while working in the Giddensville Road/Harvey Lewis Road ...
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The Mount Olive concert choir rehearses for upcoming concert. (Courtesy photo)
Mount Olive Concert choir to present spring performance
MOUNT OLIVE – The Mount Olive College Concert Choir is presenting its spring concert on Thursday, April 25th at 7:30 p.m. in the Assembly Hall, located at 207 Wooten Street in Mount Olive. The concert, entitled “An American Patchwork Quilt,” will feature sacred and secular American music of three centuries, ranging from folk music to classical. Selections will include childhood favorites like “Home on the Range,” and the frontier hymn “I Wi...
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Sampson Middle School band students.
Sampson Middle receives three Love of Learning grants
The Simple Gifts Fund has just awarded college scholarships for its third year to deserving Samson County students. Did you know that the Simple Gifts Fund is now much more than a scholarship program? Last month Simple Gifts provided the funding for the North Carolina Symphony to perform their educational program at Sunset Avenue School. Furthermore, Simple Gifts is in its second year of awarding grants for the advancement of education to ben...
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Crimewatch
Arrests 4/15 - Brian Lee Williams, 38, 3307 Ozzie Road, Clinton, felony habitual impaired driving. Bond $5,000; court date April 26. 4/15 - Willie Monk, 43, 2559 Smith Road, Fayetteville, sell cocaine, deliver cocaine, maintaining a dwelling for the sell of cocaine. Monk turned himself in at the Sampson County Detention Center. Bond $65,000; court dates of April 30 and May 13 listed. Incidents 4/15 -The front window of WCLN-1170 A...
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Little girls and big girls alike break out the fancy hats for the N.C. Pickle Festival’s Pickle Me Pink Tea Party. This year’s event is set for Sunday, April 21, from 3-5 p.m., in the historic Mount Olive Depot. Tickets are available at the Mount Olive Area Chamber of Commerce. The N. C. Pickle Festival gets under way the following Saturday, April 27 in downtown Mount Olive. (Courtesy photo)
Tickets available for Pickle Me Pink Tea Party
MOUNT OLIVE — Pull out your best manners and your fanciest hat for the N.C. Pickle Festival’s third annual Pickle Me Pink Tea Party. The event is set for Sunday, April 21, from 3-5 p.m. in the historic Mount Olive Depot. The event is an afternoon of frilly fun, filled with crafts and activities, delicacies, tea, and pickles (of course). Those attending are encouraged to wear their fancy hats. Tickets are $25, and admit one little girl of ...
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Hobbton High students and robotics club members Hope Rogers and Byron Martinez share with the Sampson County Schools' Board of Education how they constructed their robot and how it works. (Sherry Matthews/Sampson Independent)
Hobbton High going to the … robots
Robots are taking over Hobbton High School. Recently started just this past fall, the after-school robotics club has proven popular and successful, leading to the development of a robotics class. According to Richard Warren, an alumnus of Hobbton High who now teaches Technology, Engineering, and Design at the school, the robotics class is already included in the list of courses to be offered next year. “I have already signed up for the cl...
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During their visit to the Greenville Museum of Art, Hobbton High students had the opportunity to create their own art - collages - at the museum's education facility. (Courtesy photo)
Grant exposes Hobbton art students to the bigger picture
A Love of Learning grant from Simple Gifts recently sent 40 students from Hobbton High School to Greenville with their art teacher Jennifer Jackson to visit East Carolina University and the Greenville Museum of Art. Jackson, who graduated from ECU with her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, was eager to take her students out of Sampson County and expose them to a variety of art and to a college campus. “I’m always talking about when I went ...
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