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Sampson County Public Works director Lee Cannady points out the existing lines and customers served through the county's distribution system. There are a lot fewer lines in the southern part of the county, which could be a source of future growth with cost savings from two permanent wells set to be constructed. (Chris Berendt/Sampson Independent)
County looks at what diversified water system could mean
Water production could pay serious dividends for Sampson in the future, with the county continuing to make outside purchases from other municipalities, but selling its own resource and using cost savings to build more wells and infrastructure to grow the system and extend service to the rest of the county. There are many opportunities before the county, Public Works director Lee Cannady said at a special meeting Monday night, the second of ...
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Two named to All-District Band Two Sampson County School students were recognized by the Sampson County Board of Education for being named to the Southeastern District All-District Band. Jonathan Arp, from Midway High, and Caitlin Joyner, from Hobbton High, participated in a rigorous selection process to be chosen for this honor.
Two named to All-District Band
Courtesy photo Two Sampson County School students were recognized by the Sampson County Board of Education for being named to the Southeastern District All-District Band. Jonathan Arp, from Midway High and Caitlin Joyner, from Hobbton High, participated in a rigorous selection process to be chosen for this honor.
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Kevin Register
Traffic stop leads to meth arrest
The resurgence of methamphetamine use continues to reverberate through Sampson County with the arrest of another resident on charges of having the drug in his possession this week. This arrest, on the heels of several in the last 10 days involving both the use and the manufacture of the illegal substance, came following a traffic stop by agents with the county’s Special Investigation Division. Arrested was Kevin Register, 47, of 1200 Need...
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Old Bluff’s Doubt Certain to Entertain
Old Bluff Theatre Company announces its spring show, Doubt, a Parable by John Patrick Shanley. This show is being sponsored by Happy Belly Deli. Lucy Lockamy directs this Pulitzer Prize-winning show, set in a Catholic school in the Bronx in the 1960s, about a self-righteous nun who suspects a parish priest of immoral behavior. Doubt has been praised as, “That rarity of rarities, an issue-driven play that is unpreachy, thought-provoking, and...
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Chris Berendt/Sampson Independent County staff members have urged the Sampson County Board of Commissioners to consider filling a county administrative position to offer assistance in coutny operations they say is sorely needed. As part of the 2012-13 budget approval last year, commissioners approved delaying the hire until January 2013. In recent months, the open position has been advertised and applications received, but the board opted to hold off on filling the vacancy.
County admin still hoping open position will be filled
Months past the application deadline for a county administration position, there is still a vacancy that Sampson managerial staff said is being felt daily in county operations — the Sampson County Board of Commissioners has set no timetable for filling it. The position was approved last summer as part of the 2012-13 budget to be filled as of January 2013, so it was included in the current budget as a funded, but vacant, position. The county...
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'Lost' enters final weekend Friday What would you do if, like Alex Revenna (right), you had Thomas Jefferson (Chadwick Lewis, left) appear in your living room? What would you say? What questions would you ask? Find out by attending Rick Harlowe's hilarious comedy, 'Lost on the 4th of July' at the Sampson Community Theatre's final weekend performances - Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. (Tom Wilbur/SCT)
‘Lost’ enters final weekend Friday
Tom Wilbur/SCT What would you do if, like Alex Revenna (right), you had Thomas Jefferson (Chadwick Lewis, left) appear in your living room? What would you say? What questions would you ask? Find out by attending Rick Harlowe’s hilarious comedy, ‘Lost on the 4th of July’ at the Sampson Community Theatre’s final weekend performances - Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m.
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Nestled in cherry blooms The Sampson Community College fountain is perfectly centered in this arbor of pink blossoms, just some of the many that can be found on the campus right now, with the cherry trees in full bloom. (Gloria Edwards/Special to the Independent)
Nestled in cherry blooms
Gloria Edwards/Special to the Independent The Sampson Community College fountain is perfectly centered in this arbor of pink blossoms, just some of the many that can be found on the campus right now, with the cherry trees in full bloom.
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William Johnston and other members of the North Carolina Association of Teacher Assistants (NCATA) traveled to Raleigh a few weeks ago to talk with NC House Speaker Thom Tillis about the important role teacher assistants play in the state's public schools. Just days later, Gov. Pat McCrory presented his recommended state budget which calls for a reduction in the number of teacher assistants in grades K-3. (Courtesy photo)
Fighting for teacher assistants
As part of his proposed state budget, Gov. Pat McCrory has recommended that the number of teacher assistants in grades K-3 be reduced in favor of hiring more full-time teachers, something that is raised concern among TAs and their supporters. According to McCrory’s recommendations, the state should “focus teacher assistant funding on grades K-1 by lowering the ratio of teacher assistant to student to 1:17 in those grades…Local school admini...
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County educators earn advanced degrees The Sampson County Board of Education recognized several employees in early 2013 who have received advanced degrees since last May. Pictured are: Andrea Hill of Union Middle, Michelle Perry of Midway High, Shajuana Sellers of Alternative Learning Program, and Kelly Honeycutt of Roseboro-Salemburg Middle. Not present were Angie DeJesus of Hobbton Elementary, Angie Herring of Lakewood High, and Keeli McLamb of Hobbton High.
County educators earn advanced degrees
The Sampson County Board of Education recognized several employees in early 2013 who have received advanced degrees since last May. Pictured are: Andrea Hill of Union Middle, Michelle Perry of Midway High, Shajuana Sellers of Alternative Learning Program, and Kelly Honeycutt of Roseboro-Salemburg Middle. Not present were Angie DeJesus of Hobbton Elementary, Angie Herring of Lakewood High, and Keeli McLamb of Hobbton High.
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County school board members recognized Sampson County Schools superintendent Dr. Ethan Lenker made a special presentation to school board members in honor of School Board Appreciation Month, which was in January. He presented members with a certificate and thanked them for their service to the students in Sampson County Schools. Pictured are Telfair Simpson, Mary Brown, Glenn Tart, Faye Gay, Dewain Sinclair, and Sonya Powell. (Not pictured-GH Wilson)
County school board members recognized
Sampson County Schools superintendent Dr. Ethan Lenker made a special presentation to school board members in honor of School Board Appreciation Month, which was in January. He presented members with a certificate and thanked them for their service to the students in Sampson County Schools. Pictured are Telfair Simpson, Mary Brown, Glenn Tart, Faye Gay, Dewain Sinclair, and Sonya Powell. (Not pictured-GH Wilson) Several board members receiv...
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Schools of Honor Sampson Early College High School and Plain View Elementary were each recognized during an early 2013 board meeting as Honor Schools of Excellence. The students from these schools scored above 90 percent proficient on the End of Grade and End of Course tests. Pictured are principals Susan Westerbeek from the Early Collge and Gaynor Hammond from Plain View Elementary.
Schools of Honor
Sampson Early College High School and Plain View Elementary were each recognized during an early 2013 board meeting as Honor Schools of Excellence. The students from these schools scored above 90 percent proficient on the End of Grade and End of Course tests. Pictured are principals Susan Westerbeek from the Early Collge and Gaynor Hammond from Plain View Elementary.
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Four County EMC kicks off Bright Ideas grant program
BURGAW — Four County EMC and North Carolina’s electric cooperatives have pledged nearly $600,000 to the state’s teachers in Bright Ideas education grant funding for the 2013-14 school year and are accepting grant applications beginning April 1. Grants of up to $2,000 will be awarded directly to educators for creative, hands-on classroom projects that would not otherwise be funded. Teachers can learn more and apply online at www.ncbrightideas....
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Social Security challenges you to a word game
In 1938 — only a couple of years after Social Security was signed into law — a depression-era, unemployed architect named Alfred Mosher Butts studied the front page of The New York Times to figure out how often each of the 26 letters was used. The result was a game he called Criss Cross Words, renamed ten years later as Scrabble. In honor of Scrabble’s 75th anniversary, we’d like to challenge you to a word puzzle. Here are your scrambled ...
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EMS director Ronald Bass
Sampson receives federal fire funds
Sampson County’s ambulances — as well as its Quick Response Vehicles — are seeing newer defibrillators coming aboard thanks to federal dollars and several grants that have allowed Emergency Medical Services officials to replace older models with the latest in technology. U.S. Representative Mike McIntyre announced last week that the Sampson County EMS has received $144,000 in federal funds for operations and safety improvements, monies that...
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Crimewatch
Arrests/Citations 4/5 - Mario Hernandez Medina, 23, 1435 N.C. Hwy. 455, Cofield, N.C., failure to appear on charges of driving while impaired, no opeartor’s license and driving after consuming. Bond $1,500; court date May 16. 4/5 - Victor Jeovani Urviba, 38, Roseboro, larceny/concealment of goods, failure to appear on charge of no operator’s license. Bond $1,000; court date April 15. 4/6 - Taraneshia Jefferson, 712 Stewart Avenue, sim...
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A culinary adventure
Final in a series United Way’s “Outstanding in Our Fields” fundraiser is only a couple of weeks away and chef Joanie Babcock, owner of Southern Exposure in Faison, is excited to be preparing the main course for the highly anticipated shabby-chic dinner event. “I will be making an Italian-style roasted pork,” shared Babcock, who said she is thrilled to be working with this particular meat. “I love pork; I’m fascinated with it. I’ve actu...
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Recently filed bills outlined
I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend. Monday we had a skeleton session and no votes were taken. Tuesday was the deadline to file a new bill and I will be updating you about all the bills that I have filed as soon as possible. NOTABLE LEGISLATION: SB 518 - An act that would amend the laws pertaining to divorce to establish two-year waiting period to file for an absolute divorce. This bill has been referred to the Rules and Oper...
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Patrick and his wife Elizabeth Kelso Murphy from Scotland settled in the vicinity of Ivanhoe in the 1770s. They are buried in the Black River Church cemetery. Their graves were originally marked with the above wooden markers, which were replaced by a marble marker. These wooden markers are presently located in the Sampson County History Museum. The markers read: P(atrick) M(urphy) De(parted) H(is) L(ife) M(onth) T(he) 11(th) 1785 (ag)ed 66 and E(lizabeth) M(urphy) De(parted) T(his) L(ife) M(onth) 8(th) 1798 (ag)ed 71.
The life of Patrick Murphy (1723-1785)
In September of 1774, Patrick Murphy and his wife, Elizabeth Kelso, sailed from Greenock, Scotland, aboard the ship Diana headed for North Carolina. They brought with them their children: Archibald, Hugh, Mary, Elizabeth, and Robert. Another daughter, Margaret, was born during the six-week voyage. Patrick’s brother, Finla, and his wife, Catherine Hendry, were also with them. After landing at the port of Wilmington, Patrick and Elizabeth set...
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Eye safety in the home
April is named National Home Eye Health Month to help bring attention to the dangers to our vision that exist in our everyday lives. I will help point out to you some of the simple things you can do to help protect your family’s sight without drastically changing the way you live. Believe it or not, the average home is full of dangers that often go unnoticed. In fact, accidents involving common household products cause 125,000 eye injuries ...
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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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