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Courtesy photo This is Jett, a very playful and energetic pup. He has a lot of energy, is great with other dogs and cats and playful with children, staff at the Sampson County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center said. Jett, a Labrador mix, weighs 29 pounds and is about 5 months old. He has been at the shelter since Feb. 22 and 'wants to find a loving home!' To adopt Jett, or inquire about other animals, call the shelter at 910-592-8493 or 910-592-1294.
Pet of the Week
Courtesy photo This is Jett, a very playful and energetic pup. He has a lot of energy, is great with other dogs and cats and playful with children, staff at the Sampson County Animal Shelter and Pet Adoption Center said. Jett, a Labrador mix, weighs 29 pounds and is about 5 months old. He has been at the shelter since Feb. 22 and ‘wants to find a loving home!’ To adopt Jett, or inquire about other animals, call the shelter at 910-592-8493 o...
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Courtesy photo Jessica and Luke Martin with 2-year-old son Sammy.
Shave it for Sammy
It has been nearly a year since a visit to the doctor’s office changed the course of Sammy Martin’s life, along with those of his parents and extended family, just shy of his second birthday. Sammy Martin is the son of Luke and Clinton native Jessica, who now live in Raleigh, and grandson of Gary and Patsy Rouse of Clinton. Diagnosed with ocular melanoma in December, Sammy has been receiving ongoing treatment at Duke — but through it all, h...
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Makin’ the grade
Restaurant Grades Week of April 1, 2013 Subway (Newton Grove) 97.5 McDonald’s (Newton Grove) 95.5 Lewis Barbeque 96.5 Beth’s 95.5 Bessie Burger 97 Taste of Sensation 93.5 Sunset Donuts 93.5
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Vital statistics
Building Permits Mar. 28 - Apr. 2 Amber Linda Leon, 565 sq. ft., mobile home setup Jose Romon Torres, 1120 sq. ft., double-wide setup Arnold Edge, 529 sq. ft., metal building Jimmy Lee, 980 sq. ft., mobile home setup Robert Rich, 1120 sq. ft., residential addition - carport Stephanie and Gregory Blanchard, 280 sq. ft., residential addition - deck Mary Ann Hill, 304 sq. ft., residential addition Evelyn Autry, 800 sq. ft., rem...
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Although the little town of Salemburg works hard to take care of things on its own, Mayor Bobby Strickland shared that grants, like those from the Golden LEAF Foundation, have been "a great benefit" to the town. A grant from Golden LEAF helped fund the Strickland building in downtown Salemburg. (Lauren Williams/Sampson Independent)
Loss for Golden Leaf, a loss for Sampson, some say
The Golden LEAF Foundation’s funds could wither away if Gov. Pat McCrory’s budget proposal passes as is, and Sampson County, which has reaped greatly from those grants, would feel the effects. According to McCrory’s recommendations, “the budget transfers $412 million in FY 2013-14 and $135 million in FY 2014-15 from various funds and other sources into the General Fund. The primary sources include retaining $65 million from the Master Settl...
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Seventeen area high school students demonstrated the seven C.O.P.E. goals while participating in many activities throughout the leadership weekend sponsored by Four County EMC. Pictured are, back row, from left: Austin Redmond, Heide Trask High School; Savannah Nabours, Heide Trask High School; Erica West, Union High School; Travis Walters, West Bladen High School; Thomas Allen, Topsail High School; Bria Cromartie, Pender High School; Roddric Newton, Wallace-Rose Hill High School; Shaquasha Williams, Pender Early College; and front row, from left: Rodolfo Sandoval, Union High School; Gaby Alcala, East Bladen High School; Cole Nye, Harrells Christian Academy; Izzy Evans, East Bladen High School; Hayley Hall, West Bladen High School; Jackie Calderon, Wallace-Rose Hill High School; Brandon Coates, James Kenan High School; Jessica Vara, Topsail High School; Tyler Pugh, Pender High School and (center) C.O.P.E. Director George Howard.
Local students attend Four County youth leadership weekend
Seventeen area high school juniors attended Four County EMC’s sixth annual Youth Leadership Weekend held March 22-24 at the Cape Fear Scout Reservation in Bladen County. Participating schools were East Bladen High School, West Bladen High School, Wallace-Rose Hill High School, James Kenan High School, Pender High School, Pender Early College, Heide Trask High School, Topsail High School, Harrells Christian Academy and Union High School. The w...
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Crimewatch
Arrests 4/4 - Justin Nobles, 311 Madelin Lane, Autryville, unauthorized use of motor vehicle. Bond $1,000; court date April 29. 4/4 - Jeffrey Allen Jones, 40, 87 Old Drag Strip Road, Clinton, child support. Bond $1,500; court date not listed. 4/4 - William Harrell Hinson, 36, 1905 Indian Town Road, Clinton, failure to appear on child support charge. Bond $1,232; court date April 9. Incidents 4/4 - Gloria Ann Quick, Colt Lane, re...
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Chris Berendt/Sampson Independent Three conceptual designs for Royal Lane Park were put out to the public, each representing expansion of opportunities through consolidation of facilities. Feedback has already been solicited in the process by way of nearly 400 surveys and four focus groups. The revolving-door meeting earlier this week was the next step.
First glimpse at potential plans for park expansion offered
A more consolidated, user-friendly Royal Lane Park will allow for expansion and efficiency of recreational facilities, city officials and design engineers said. Potential plans were unveiled at a meeting Thursday night, allowing residents to get a glimpse of the park’s possiblitities and give feedback. It is the most recent step in soliciting public input toward developing a Royal Lane Master Plan, a joint venture between the city’s Recreat...
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Youngsters play with their Hula Hoops and balls during last Monday's Easter celebration at the Henry J. Fowler American Legion post. Balls, Hula Hoops and other goodies were provided by the auxiliary to the 30 children who attended the annual Easter Egg hunt. (Courtesy photo)
Legion auxiliary pairs exercise and healthy eating with annual celebration
The Henry J. Fowler American Legion Auxiliary Unit No. 319 brought smiles to the faces of dozens of youngsters during the annual Easter celebration, always held the Monday after the holiday. This year’s celebration paired the annual Easter egg hunt with healthy eating and exercise, themes designed to promote Children & Youth Month, which is recognized in April and is one of the programs of the auxiliary, according to president Helen Faison....
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Clinton City Schools' Board of Education recognized the 2013-14 Jack and Kitty Morisey Teacher of the Year recipients during a recent meeting. Recipients are: Stephanie Carter of Clinton High; Emily Colt of L.C. Kerr; Brenda Blackmon of Butler Avenue; Stormi Moore of Sunset Avenue; and Zulma Marin of Sampson Middle. (Lauren Williams/Sampson Independent)
City’s Teachers of the Year touted
Lauren Williams/Sampson Independent Clinton City Schools’ Board of Education recognized the 2013-2014 Jack and Kitty Morisey Teacher of the Year recipients during a recent meeting. Recipients are: Stephanie Carter of Clinton High, Emily Colt of L.C. Kerr, Brenda Blackmon of Butler Avenue, Stormi Moore of Sunset Avenue, and Zulma Marin of Sampson Middle.
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Master Ron Whitted teaches L.C. Kerr students in the Blazing Stars Academy after-school program simple taekwondo moves as well as character-building principles. (Lauren Williams/Sampson Independent)
Kicking into gear
A young student at L.C. Kerr Elementary School quietly comes into the multipurpose room after school, sits down on the floor, legs crossed with hands resting on his knees. “He knows how to sit properly,” pointed out taekwondo master Ron Whitted, obviously proud of his student. This young student is just one of the many who participate in Blazing Stars Academy, the city schools’ after-school program, which offers students a variety of oppo...
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Sampson County Schools recently held its Battle of the Books competition for their middle schools at Midway High School recently. Union Middle School's team placed second. Team members are: Cameron Baker, Taylor Barbrey, Megan Gardner, Shyderia Harris, Catherine Lockamy, Stephanie Malahias, Davion Vann, Jamaar Wallace, Tyson Weeks, Isaiah Wilson and their coach Debora Malahias. Students had to read 27 books and be able to answer questions from these books.
County Battle of the Books teams
Courtesy photo Sampson County Schools recently held its Battle of the Books competition for their middle schools at Midway High School recently. Union Middle School’s team placed second. Team members are: Cameron Baker, Taylor Barbrey, Megan Gardner, Shyderia Harris, Catherine Lockamy, Stephanie Malahias, Davion Vann, Jamaar Wallace, Tyson Weeks, Isaiah Wilson and their coach Debora Malahias. Students had to read 27 books and be able to ans...
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Salemburg Students of the Month Salemburg Elementary recently selected its Pre-K, kindergarten and first grade Students of the Month for February. They are: Shawn Wheeler, Daniela Brava-Castaneda,Isabella Freeman,Lana Gilmore,Danielle Robinson,(not pictured) Lilly Preston(not pictured),Jahir Perez,Kenley Cannady,Zachary Honeycutt and Chloe Hatcher. (Courtesy photo)
Salemburg Students of the Month
Courtesy photo Salemburg Elementary recently selected its Pre-K, kindergarten and first grade Students of the Month for February. They are: Shawn Wheeler, Daniela Brava-Castaneda,Isabella Freeman,Lana Gilmore,Danielle Robinson,(not pictured) Lilly Preston(not pictured),Jahir Perez,Kenley Cannady,Zachary Honeycutt and Chloe Hatcher. Courtesy photo Students of the Month Students recognized in Salemburg Elementary’s second and third grades...
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City's April Students of Month honored The Clinton City Board of Education recently recognized the Students of the Month for April. Those honored were, from left: Megan Baldwin, Clinton High; Caroline Wilson, Sampson Middle; Napoleon Jacobs, Sunset Avenue; and Natalie Connet, Butler Avenue. Not pictured is Evan Gillespie of L.C. Kerr. (Lauren Williams/Sampson Independent)
City’s April Students of Month honored
Lauren Williams/Sampson Independent The Clinton City Board of Education recently recognized the Students of the Month for April. Those honored were, from left: Megan Baldwin, Clinton High; Caroline Wilson, Sampson Middle; Napoleon Jacobs, Sunset Avenue; and Natalie Connet, Butler Avenue. Not pictured is Evan Gillespie of L.C. Kerr.
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Chris Berendt/Sampson Independent Sampson County Board of Commissioners chairman Billy Lockamy, left, and commissioner Albert Kirby look over their agendas during a recent meeting. The board will meet as part of a pre-budget work session April 15, the type of meeting county manager Ed Causey said has never been held in Sampson.
Taking the budget plunge
The budget faced this year by the county is one that includes an additional $700,000 annual expense, a proposed employee pay adjustment plan and a slew of other impacts affecting the county’s bottom line. Called a “novel” occurrence, a pre-budget work session is being held later this month to examine those impacts and commissioners’ concerns in preparation for a proposed budget to be submitted. In addition to scheduling a second meeting to ...
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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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Clinton City Employees of the Month Clinton City Schools' Board of Education recognized the employees of the month for April during their recent March 25th meeting. Left to right are Jason Arnette of Butler Avenue, Nicole Black of Sunset Avenue, Ronald Bean of Clinton High, and Elizabeth Zaccardi of L.C. Kerr. Not pictured is Beverly Johnson of Sampson Middle. (Lauren Williams/Sampson Independent)
Clinton City Employees of the Month
Lauren Williams/Sampson Independent Clinton City Schools’ Board of Education recognized the employees of the month for April during their recent March 25th meeting. Left to right are Jason Arnette of Butler Avenue, Nicole Black of Sunset Avenue, Ronald Bean of Clinton High, and Elizabeth Zaccardi of L.C. Kerr. Not pictured is Beverly Johnson of Sampson Middle.
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At_MOC_Watson_becomes_the_person_she_always_dreamed_she_could_be0_1365101065.jpg
At MOC, Watson becomes the person she always dreamed she could be
MOUNT OLIVE – Thirty-year-old Seka Watson of Dudley is the youngest of five children. At 19, she knew she needed to travel far away from the nest in order to mature. “Being the baby of five, of course my siblings did not want me to move out. However, I expressed to them that it was time for me to spread my wings.” On May 4, she’ll be the first among her siblings to earn a bachelor of science degree, and one step closer to growing into the wom...
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New Sampson County Cooperative Extension director Eileen Coite addresses the Board of Commissioners this week after being introduced by Greg Hoover, district director for N.C. Cooperative Extension. Coite will assume the director's role effective May 1, replacing previous director Kent Wooten, who retired at the end of 2012.(Chris Berendt/Sampson Independent)
Sampson gets first female Coop. Extension director
Sampson County has a new Cooperative Extension director. Eileen Coite will assume the director’s role effective May 1, replacing retired Extension director Kent Wooten, who served in the capacity since 2008 before retiring at the end of 2012. Bryant Spivey, Extension director in Johnston County, has been serving in the interim for Sampson since Jan. 1. Coite’s hire was announced earlier this week at the Sampson County Board of Commissione...
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Daquan Williams
Police nab suspect after Dogwood Circle shooting
A Turkey Highway man remained behind bars this afternoon, charged in connection with a shooting on Dogwood Circle late Thursday night. No one was injured in the incident, but the man, 20-year-old Robert Andrew Daquan Williams, now faces several felony charges and a $50,000 bond. According to police reports, Williams, of 9350 Turkey Hwy., was charged with discharging a weapon into an occupied dwelling, possession of a firearm by felon and ...
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