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Keshaun Strickland
Traffic stop lands one behind bars
A traffic stop near Alex Benton Road for a tinted window violation Thursday has left the driver in jail facing far more than a minor highway violation. Kinston resident Keshaun Emmanuel Strickland,21, remained in behind bars late Friday afternoon under a $30,000 secured bond, charged with felony possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, maintaining a vehicle for the sell of a controlled substance, both felonies, as well as misde...
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James Williams
Break-in suspect in custody
An ongoing probe into residential thefts in the northern part of Sampson County has led to the arrest of a 20-year-old who now faces a string of felony charges. James O. Williams, of 1315 Alderman Mill Road, Dunn has been jailed in connection with three break-ins — two in late 2012, the other early 2013 — and remained behind bars late Thursday afternoon under a $12,000 secured bond. Williams now faces eight felony counts related to break-...
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Rallying around cancer survivors
Although Sampson County’s annual Relay for Life event is not until the end of May, local cancer survivors will be coming together this month for the Sampson County Survivors Dinner to celebrate life and share their support and encouragement with one another. The dinner, now in its sixth year, will be held Saturday, April 20 ,from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Clinton Family Worship Center. In addition to being served an Italian dinner of spaghetti ...
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Spell speaks at Rotary meeting Becky Spell addressed the Clinton-Sampson Rotary Club Monday, April 8, updating them on activities of her non-profit organization, Tim's Gifts. Shown with her is Rotarian Chris Fann.
Spell speaks at Rotary meeting
Becky Spell addressed the Clinton-Sampson Rotary Club Monday, April 8, updating them on activities of her non-profit organization, Tim’s Gifts. Shown with her is Rotarian Chris Fann.
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Lessons in N.C. counties Chip Pollock, eighth-grade Social Studies teacher at Hobbton Middle School, assigned the 'Counties of N.C.' project to his classes in an effort to further comprehension about the state in which they live. Students were required to contact their chosen county's Chamber of Commerce to request information that was later used for research. Before presenting to their classmates, each student was required to write a report, make a display and PowerPoint, create a pamphlet for tourists and design a county flag. Students pictured, from left, are: Nyreke Peters, Edwin Garcia, Nick Davis, Nina Devone, Alona Rhodes and Monica Farias. (Courtesy photo)
Lessons in N.C. counties
Chip Pollock, eighth-grade Social Studies teacher at Hobbton Middle School, assigned the ‘Counties of N.C.’ project to his classes in an effort to further comprehension about the state in which they live. Students were required to contact their chosen county’s Chamber of Commerce to request information that was later used for research. Before presenting to their classmates, each student was required to write a report, make a display and Power...
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Citizens providing feedback on bills
Greetings from Raleigh! I hope that everyone had a wonderful weekend and was able to enjoy the nice weather. It was another busy week in the North Carolina Senate this week with numerous bills being read on the floor and sent to various committees. I have received a lot of feedback over the past few weeks about various bills currently in the General Assembly. While I do try and respond to every email and call, please know that for the next se...
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Former Sampson County sheriff's deputy and Ivanhoe resident Edward Gillam was wounded Wednesday night during an altercation with a suspect. Gillam is currently the police chief in Bolton. (Photo courtesy the Whiteville News Reporter)
Former Sampson officer recovering from gunshot
A former Sampson County Sheriff’s officer, who still has ties to the area, was wounded Wednesday night when his service weapon discharged during a fight with an armed intruder inside the officer’s private vehicle. Edward Gillam, 41, now the Bolton police chief, was released from the hospital Thursday. He drove himself there Wednesday night after being injured in an altercation that began while he was stopped at a traffic checkpoint on West ...
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A Special day The 2013 Sampson County Special Olympics was held Thursday at Union High School from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Special needs students enjoyed a variety of games including the bean bag toss, the softball throw, the soccer ball kick, bowling, and horseshoes, to name a few. (Lauren Williams/Sampson Independent)
A special day
Lauren Williams/Sampson Independent The 2013 Sampson County Special Olympics was held yesterday at Union High School from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Special needs students enjoyed a variety of games including the bean bag toss, the softball throw, the soccer ball kick, bowling, and horseshoes, to name a few. For more Special Olympics photos, see A10.
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The Special Olympics gave kids from across the county the opportunity to participate in many activities including a soccer ball kick event. (Lauren Williams/Sampson Independent)
The return of Special Olympics
Lauren Williams/Sampson Independent A popular event among the young participants in the Special Olympics was the bean bag toss. Some found that placing the bean bags in the holes was better than throwing them. Lauren Williams/Sampson Independent The Special Olympics gave kids from across the county the opportunity to participate in many activities including a soccer ball kick event. Lauren Williams/Sampson Independent Kids could hav...
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Garland Mayor Winifred Murphy reads a portion of an employee appraisal form, proposed to evaluate performance. The town's board, including Commissioner Ralph expressed apprehension in moving forward with using the form and unanimously tabled the matter. (Chris Berendt/Sampson Independent)
Garland board OKs $3,000 for park accessories
GARLAND — After months of discussion, the Garland Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to use funds recently withdrawn from a CD to purchase picnic tables, grills and shelters for the town park even after concerns were raised amongst the board as to how best to utilize the funds. In February, the board discussed improving the park, identifying ways that could be done while bringing revenue to the town. Adding shelters, tables and grills...
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Old Bluff to premier second production in May
Established in the fall of 2011, Clinton’s Old Bluff Theatre Co. is busy rehearsing for its second show, a production of the play “Doubt, a Parable” by John Patrick Shanley. “We just started rehearsals this past Monday,” said director Lucy Lockamy, “and our opening night will be Thursday, May 9.” According to Lockamy, “Doubt” is set in the 1960s and tells the story of a nun who has doubts about the nature of a relationship between a pries...
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Commissioner Matthew Register suggests a schedule of fines for residents who do not remove their trash cans from curbs by the Thursday morning after Wednesday's weekly collection. The board approved imposing an initial fine of $25, increasing by $25 for each subsequent violation ($50 for the second, $75 for the third, etc). (Chris Berendt/Sampson Independent)
Garland garbage cart fines coming
GARLAND — Town residents said they are tired of dealing with the same garbage. Garland residents have long raised concerns about trash cans being left at curbs, an issue that especially rears its smelly head when the weather gets warmer. In response to those concerns, some of which were raised at Tuesday’s town meeting, the Garland Board of Commissioners set a rule, and has attached sizable fines penalizing those who do not follow it. Wit...
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John Connet, city manager of Clinton, shared with Newton Grove's mayor and town commissioners the need for for long-term water supply planning. Agreeing with Connet, the town board decided to join Clinton and other surrounding towns in Sampson County to work together on the issue. (Lauren Williams/Sampson Independent)
Newton Grove joins long-term water planning effort
Clinton city manager John Connet visited the town of Newton Grove Tuesday on behalf of the Clinton-Sampson County Planning and Development department, meeting with town commissioners to discuss long-term water supply plans. According to Connet, a study of the county’s aquifers was done several years ago and showed local water supply to be “in good shape.” However, Connet stressed that the water supply is something to “keep a check on,” ad...
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Clement's Students of the Month Clement Elementary recently named its Student's of the Month for March. They are: Allen Peterson, Jania Luna-Castillo, Kimberley Melchor-Arredondo, Kaison Marley, Raychel Dale, Lance Wrench, Nicholas Hair, Ashley Williams, Emma Butler, Ethan Barbour, Corbin Horne, Abby Phillips, Demale Giddens, Cullen Faircloth, Erin Beasley, Ashlyn Honeycutt, Bryant Caldera, Trent Hair, Kaylie Robbins, Llansy Zavala, and Jada Washington. Not pictured are: Jania Luna-Castillo, Kimberley Melchor-Arredondo and Bryant Caldera. (Courtesy photo)
Clement’s Students of the Month
Courtesy photo Clement Elementary recently named its Student’s of the Month for March. They are: Allen Peterson, Jania Luna-Castillo, Kimberley Melchor-Arredondo, Kaison Marley, Raychel Dale, Lance Wrench, Nicholas Hair, Ashley Williams, Emma Butler, Ethan Barbour, Corbin Horne, Abby Phillips, Demale Giddens, Cullen Faircloth, Erin Beasley, Ashlyn Honeycutt, Bryant Caldera, Trent Hair, Kaylie Robbins, Llansy Zavala, and Jada Washington. Not...
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Flags were placed on the Commons at Mount Olive College representing the 11 million killed during the Holocaust. (Rhonda Jessup/MOC)
Mount Olive College holds events to remember Holocaust
MOUNT OLIVE – Mount Olive College held a Holocaust Day of Remembrance on Tuesday, April 9, which included a worship service on the church’s role in the Holocaust, a Jewish dance presentation, a faculty forum and a keynote speech from Holocaust survivor Abe Piasek. Talking to a standing room only crowd, Piasek shared his terrifying experience as a child in Nazi occupied Poland. He was only 12 years old in 1939 when Poland was occupied by Naz...
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Marie Peeden of Pamlico Engineering talks to the Garland Board of Commissioners about the town's parking requirements, which if they stood as they are currently, would prohibit Family Dollar from expanding at its proposed site. (Chris Berendt/Sampson Independent)
Garland Family Dollar likely to expand, if parking issue resolved
GARLAND — An expanded Family Dollar could be taking its place in town if hurdles presented by “outdated” town-enforced parking requirements can be alleviated. Marie Peedin of Pamlico Engineering spoke to the Garland Board of Commissioners about the desire from Family Dollar owners to get the process moving, something that could happen as early as the beginning of May if issues can be resolved. “We wanted to bring the project to you and co...
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Close to 900 county residents received winter energy help
The deadline for households to apply for the federally-funded Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) was the beginning of last week, should funds remain available. Sampson never sniffed that deadline, having exhausted its allocation two months ago, just days into opening the application process to everyone. Through LIEAP, eligible candidates receive a one-time cash payment to help pay utility costs, specifically heating bills. Payment...
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Isaac Franklin Feltwell
Probe into one crime leads to arrest in another
An investigation into a possible larceny in the Roseboro area didn’t uncover exactly what law enforcement officers were expecting nor what a surprised Pembroke man got, but charges were leveled all the same. The incident took place around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Runion’s Recycle, where Sampson sheriff’s officers were called to investigate what was believed to be suspicious activity related to a possible larceny. According to Cpl. Marcus Smi...
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Angel Pryor practices her cursive handwriting while in class at Butler Avenue Elementary School. Melissa Perry, a third grade teacher at Butler Avenue, shared that the students notice their parents writing in cursive and are excited to learn how to do it themselves. (Lauren Williams/Sampson Independent)
Local educators support cursive writing, but not bill
As the state’s political leaders debate over whether cursive writing needs to be taught in the public schools, local educators in both the city and county school systems are firm in their convictions that it is still a necessity in today’s world. The “Back to Basics” bill, which was passed by the state House of Representatives just last week, reads that “the standard course of study shall include the requirement that the public schools prov...
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Friends of Sampson County Waterways (FSCW) recently hosted a group, three professors and 12 students, from the University of Maine. The group joined the FSCW club at their monthly meeting and then took to the Black River where they paddled to see ancient cypress trees. (Courtesy photo)
Riding the river
For around 60 years now, Ralph Hamilton has been paddling the rivers of Sampson County, calling them the place “where I have always gone to get away from the frustrations of the day and to reflect on things.” “There is a gentle, peaceful, quiet solitude to be found out on the rivers,” shared Hamilton. “It is an escape, a place to go where you can just let all the pressure slip away.” Hamilton is a founding member of the nonprofit organiza...
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