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[] | 2016-08-26T13:03:10 | null | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | A parent-led initiative is hoping to cut down on cars idling in front of the school. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.valleyjournals.com%2F2016%2F08%2F22%2F120039%2Faltara-elementary-parent-spurs-district-to-become-idle-free.json | http://locable-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/resource/file/287209/gallery_Idle01.jpg?1472216590 | en | null | Altara Elementary Parent Spurs District to Become Idle Free | null | null | www.valleyjournals.com | By Julie Slama | julie@mycityjournals.com
Altara Elementary parent Cindy Boyer would gripe about how early parents and caregivers would come to the school at pick-up time only to sit in their cars in a long line with their engines on.
“It made me mad to see the cars running their motors, just sitting there,” Boyer said. “I didn’t want my kids breathing all these pollutants coming out of the cars. It was hard to see the mountains and breathe any fresh air. It’s silly that people aren’t opening their eyes to see what is going on. Either they don’t care, they’re naïve or simply oblivious, because it affects all of us.”
One time while complaining to her husband, she recalled him saying, “You won’t make a difference if all you do is rant about it. Go do something about it.”
So she did.
“I called the superintendent (Jim Briscoe of Canyons School District). He took my call and I talked to him and told him my concerns. He jumped right on board. It amazed me that he took action right away,” she said.
Briscoe noted the importance of the idea.
“Besides educating students, I feel we have some responsibility for their health, and their future health,” he said.
Already, many Canyons schools, and all of its buses, have been idle free for some time, Canyons Energy Specialist Christopher Eppler said.
And while hundreds of Utah schools have implemented idling reduction programs under an initiative spearheaded by the
Utah Clean Cities Coalition
, Canyons is the first to take it district-wide, the nonprofit’s northern coordinator Tammie Bostick Cooper said.
District spokesman Jeff Haney said
Boyer’s concern was taken up with the Canyons Board of Education. The board approved the initiative to reduce idling during morning drop-offs and afternoon pick-ups
.
“On
Earth Day, Canyons District launched the state’s first district-wide idle-free initiative,” Haney said.
The district announced the initiative at Ridgecrest Elementary in Cottonwood Heights where fifth-grader Kaleb Broderick, who also was concerned about the air, wrote the city, asking to install “no idling” signs near public parks. Cottonwood Heights agreed and also donated an extra sign to Ridgecrest.
The campaign kicked off in the morning at Ridgecrest Elementary School where “no idling” signs were installed and students greeted drivers with placards, window clings to place in vehicles and informational pamphlets explaining the cost-effectiveness, the concern to improve air quality and improve children’s health and the fact Salt Lake County cities have anti-idling ordinances, Haney said.
After unveiling the initiative, students at Mount Jordan Middle as well as Ridgecrest and Copperview Elementary in Midvale were given materials to take home and signs were posted at their schools.
At Copperview, students in the upper elementary grade levels had written argumentative essays about the benefits of reducing idling.
At the school’s assembly, Principal Chanci Loran said students learned about the new initiative.
“Students held signs and chanted ‘turn your key, be idle free,’” she said. “They also recited information about the benefits of being idle free and the hazards of air pollution.”
Haney said the initiative will be evident when school resumes this fall.
“We aim to have all the (idle free) signs at all the schools by the time schools starts in the fall. It’s voluntary, but we hope all those who visit our schools in their vehicles will do their part, no matter how small, to contribute to cleaner air,” Haney said.
The plan also calls for schools to place information on websites, newsletters and other means of communication with parents. “No idling” pledges also will be sent home with students, encouraging parents to voluntarily pledge to “turn their key and be idle free.”
Boyer said she thinks this also will help teachers and safety-patrol students while they are out on duty not to breathe the exhaust.
“I hope it will make a huge difference on inversion and it becomes a habit to stop idling. I hope parents will respect teachers and the school district in this and see it as a benefit for their kids,” she said.
According to the Utah Division of Air Quality, 38 percent of the state’s air pollution comes from cars and trucks — some of it from idling vehicles. Monitoring at schools in other states has shown elevated levels of pollutants during drop-off and pick-up times. And because children breathe about two gallons of air per minute, and their lungs are still developing, they are more susceptible to the harmful effects of pollutants, the division reported.
Boyer said this will help remind those who pick up school children to “just be smart. If you’re going to be there longer than a minute or so, just turn off the engine.” | http://www.valleyjournals.com/2016/08/22/120039/altara-elementary-parent-spurs-district-to-become-idle-free | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.valleyjournals.com/1a99e1e66d2d70ca5031ec08d501feea4790509680df5ab6a8afaffe76da3267.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T22:52:13 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | City partners with a local artist for a community mural and mosaic. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.valleyjournals.com%2F2016%2F08%2F30%2F120899%2Fcommunity-made-mural-beautifies-west-view-park.json | http://locable-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/resource/file/290357/gallery_mural_202.jpg?1472597533 | en | null | Community-Made Mural Beautifies West View Park | null | null | www.valleyjournals.com | Aug 30, 2016 03:25PM, Published by Travis Barton, Categories: News, Today
Local artist Roger Whiting, along with West Valley City interns and kids, painted a mural along a blank wall at West View Park. –Travis Barton
Gallery: Community-Made Mural Beautifies West View Park [5 Images] Click any image to expand.
To any artist, a blank space is a canvas waiting to be painted. For the new mural at West View Park, it was the city interns who first imagined a mural there.
July 28 marked the unveiling of a mural along one of the West View Park walls at 4100 South 6000 West. West Valley City collaborated with local artist Roger Whiting and the Salt Lake County Youth Programs to create a work of art for the city.
“I hope it brings a sense of pride to the community,” Whiting said.
West Valley City hired three interns, masters of public administration students from the University of Utah and Brigham Young University, to take on special projects that would be interesting to the city. Among those projects was a mural at West View Park.
“[It started] just to make a fun, colorful thing to connect the neighborhood with that wall and the rest of West Valley,” Todd Andersen, management analyst intern, said.
The mural starts from the left displaying the planets in space before gradually focusing in on where the park is located on a map. Andersen, a MPA student from University of Utah, said he was inspired by the mats that looked like cities he used to play on as a kid.
“I thought that idea would associate it with West Valley—so basically like a fun cartoon map,” Andersen said.
Andersen, along with the other interns Romauld Rambikarison and Moses Cissoko, approached Whiting in early June about the project. Whiting, founder of the nonprofit organization Community Arts of Utah, is known for his work with youth programs and Andersen said they wanted that type of community connection.
“It was better to get the community involved so they had a stake in their own city and neighborhood,” Andersen said.
Whiting said he loves that he made a career out of community work and was happy to participate.
“It’s what I love doing…to be doing something that brings joy to kids, brings joy to me and makes communities look more beautiful,” Whiting said.
About 15 kids from the Salt Lake County Youth Program helped with the design and painting of the mural which includes a “seek and find” activity where tiny painted objects are hidden throughout the mural. It was an idea the kids loved.
“Most of the kids have never been involved in something like this before so it was pretty fun for them,” Solo Tuiaki said. Tuiaki is the teen counselor from the Salt Lake County Housing Authority who supervised and painted with the kids.
“[The kids] just had the best attitudes about the whole thing—always looking to do more—and they were really excited about the seek and find part,” Lyndzie Nielson, Whiting’s art assistant, said. Nielson moved back to Salt Lake County from St. George to help Whiting with some summer-long art projects.
The interns’ other projects are scheduled to be completed Aug. 18.
Rambikarison’s project will be nine panels of mosaic art along the TRAX green line on 2700 West, also done by Whiting and Nielson, while Cissoko’s project will see stenciled path markers laid out for students at four different elementary schools. The path markers will highlight the mascots of each school.
Andersen said he hopes the $1,500 mural, paid for by the city administration budget, can be something the community rallies around as its already started with city officials.
The interns and their supervisor, Andrew Wallentine, were quick to credit the support they received from the city manager and the city council.
“It’s awesome to have an administration that cares enough to do small projects like this to make the city a better place,” Wallentine said.
Rambikarison, a native of Madagascar, said people have the idea that West Valley is a sketchy city and their projects were aimed to beautify the city.
Whiting said it’s ideas like these that people remember.
“When you think about where you grew up the things that stand out to you aren’t the supermarkets or the Home Depot…it’s the things that are completely unique to the community,” Whiting said. “And since this is one of kind, it belongs to [the community].” | http://www.valleyjournals.com/2016/08/30/120899/community-made-mural-beautifies-west-view-park | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.valleyjournals.com/effff358d38e01ed5f669aea2e9c9b8e13740ef95ce58bbdc9c4a5e288711c68.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T18:49:46 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | On July 24, Murray hosted the 2016 Pacific Southwest 14-year-old Babe Ruth Regional Tournament where nine teams from across the region competed for historic championship title. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.valleyjournals.com%2F2016%2F08%2F26%2F120506%2Fmurray-hosts-babe-ruth-regional-tournament.json | http://locable-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/resource/file/288674/gallery_Babe_20Ruth_205.jpg?1472237386 | en | null | Murray Hosts Babe Ruth Regional Tournament | null | null | www.valleyjournals.com | Aug 26, 2016 12:33PM, Published by Sarah Almond , Categories: Sports, Today
The Murray Spartans made it to the fourth round of the tournament before losing 12-1 to the Reedley California team. Top row left to right: Jaxon Konishi, Ryan Wolfe, Ryan King, Ben Beal, Chris Thompson, Davis Foster. Bottom row left to right: Noah Hardman, Jaden Durfee, Mitch Valez, Sony Smith, Nick Cooper. (Craig Lake/Murray)
Gallery: Murray Hosts Babe Ruth Regional Tournament [5 Images] Click any image to expand.
On July 24, nine Babe Ruth Baseball teams from around the Pacific Southwest region ascended on the Ken Price Field to kick off the five-day 2016 Pacific Southwest 14-year-old Babe Ruth Regional Tournament.
“In the six years that I’ve been involved with Murray Babe Ruth this was the best tournament I’ve seen,” President of Murray Babe Ruth Baseball Craig Lake said.
Babe Ruth League, Inc. was formed in Hamilton Township, N.J. in 1951 when 10 men developed a baseball program for boys between ages 13 and 15 in hopes of giving them the tools they need to develop into contributing members of the community.
Since its inception more than 60 years ago, the non-profit organization now has more than 60,000 chartered teams with a combined one million co-ed players. Nearly two-million volunteers help run more 11,000 leagues across the nation — several of which are in the Salt Lake valley.
Murray’s Babe Ruth baseball league is an organization independent from Murray City that is chartered under the National Babe Ruth League and associated with the Utah Babe Ruth Baseball organization.
“This year I had six teams made of up kids that all lived within my boundaries,” Lake said.
The Murray boundaries in which Lake is referring to encompass any child between the ages of 13 and 18 that attend school or work between Cottonwood High School and Murray High School. Kids that attend Skyline High School and Olympus High School have the choice of joining either the Spartan’s team or the East Side team.
“We had 12 kids on each team, so about 70 players total,” Lake said. “We’re a mid-sized league. Places like Riverton have a ton of kids but other areas like East Side only have a few teams.”
Because of the amount of kids who joined Murray Babe Ruth this season, Lake was able to divide the teams up by age, creating two teams of 13 year olds, two teams of 14 year olds, and two teams of 15 year olds. These teams also competed separately at the state tournament.
“This year I had four teams that played in the state tournament,” Lake said. “My 13-year-old team won state and went to Arizona to play in the regional tournament; my 14-year-old team took second in state, and my 15-year-old team took third place.”
In 2012, Murray hosted the Babe Ruth World Series where region champions from across the country competed for the national title. Eager to host another event, Lake applied to host the 2016 14-Year-Old Pacific Southwest Regional Tournament at the Ken Price Ball Park in Murray; his application was accepted by Utah State Babe Ruth commissioners.
“Murray always does a great job — there is no doubt about that,” Utah State Babe Ruth League President and CEO Mario Mascaro said. “The people behind the scenes work so hard and are always there to support and represent Murray City.”
Because Murray hosted the regional tournament, the Spartans’ 14-year-old team got an automatic bid, along with Cyprus who won the state tournament.
“Our Murray team did pretty well,” Lake said. “They went 2-2 in the tournament which was pretty good considering how tough the competition was.”
Murray welcomed nine of the best teams from across the Pacific Southwest region. Though the Spartans lost to the Reedley, Calif. team in the fourth round of the tournament, Lake was impressed with how well the Spartans and other region teams did.
“It was really, really good baseball,” Lake said. “It was a lot of fun to watch these teams who have just high-quality, good players and good kids,” Lake said. “We had 135 kids who traveled in, all 14 year olds, and they are all well behaved.”
The teams played 17 games over a five-day period, and while Lake notes that hosting a regional tournament was easier than a World Series, he does admit that the event took a lot of effort, coordination, and support from volunteers across the Murray area.
“It was a lot of work,” Lake said. “And I had a great group of volunteers that helped plan it and put it on. Murray City is a huge supporter of Murray Babe Ruth and Babe Ruth Baseball. Without the support from Murray City and all of the volunteers, we wouldn’t have had the success that we did.”
With another Babe Ruth series in the books, Mascaro, Lake, and baseball fan throughout Murray City are looking forward an eventful 2017 season. For more information on Murray Babe Ruth Baseball or to sign up for the spring season, visit murraybaberuth.org. | http://www.valleyjournals.com/2016/08/26/120506/murray-hosts-babe-ruth-regional-tournament | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.valleyjournals.com/6f17ae745dd90f3e5b26b445401c43eb464c74e31e148ebc6b219e692523d8b4.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T22:51:48 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | With a national backdrop of tension between residents and police, Salt Lake aims to alleviate those concerns. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.valleyjournals.com%2F2016%2F08%2F26%2F120526%2Fencouraging-police-community-relations.json | http://locable-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/resource/file/288758/gallery_Police1.JPG?1472511107 | en | null | Encouraging Police-Community Relations | null | null | www.valleyjournals.com | Aug 26, 2016 02:58PM, Published by Jordan Greene, Categories: News, Today
Salt Lake City Police cruiser parked outside the courthouse. – Jordan Greene
Gallery: Encouraging Police-Community Relations [2 Images] Click any image to expand.
Amid tensions around the nation between law enforcers and their communities, Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski is hoping to improve the relationships residents have with their police officers. The Mayor organized a workshop called, “Transforming Together” in late July to encourage a dialogue about these issues.
The Mayor’s office has said that the goal of the workshop is to “foster constructive dialogue and address steps being taken to strengthen relationships between police and the community.” The Mayor wants this workshop to generate feedback from residents about their current ongoing efforts to improve relations between police and civilians. These ongoing efforts include “de-escalation training, use-of-force policy, the role of the Civilian Review Board, and training and hiring of police officers.”
Joshua Ashdown, community intelligence officer for Sugar House, said he feels very positively about the Mayor’s efforts and thinks that the anxiety a lot of people feel toward police these days could be caused by a few things.
“We are flooded with news stories and articles more than ever,” he said. “A lot of things get reported without all the facts and that can add to a person’s anxiety when something bad has happened. So we can tend to think that more bad things are happening than there is. It’s every topic too, not just with police incidents. We see more shootings, or animals being killed, more than ever because of the technology and all the social media we have.”
With reports of police-community relationships breaking down in other parts of the country, Ashdown thinks that this sort of dialogue is extremely helpful.
He said, “What the Mayor is doing is a great step in the right direction and I have no doubt that it will continue on that path.”
He believes that this sort of dialogue will help communities such as Sugar House in several ways, one of which is simply “knowing that they have a mayor and a police chief committed to communication with the public we serve and no hesitation to get involved with the process with the process themselves if they see the need.”
The Mayor’s vision is that increased communication between the police and the community they serve is intended to solve any issues before they arise. Keeping close relationships and open lines of communication between the two will help prevent any tensions from rising in the first place. Ashdown said that the Mayor’s workshop and other future efforts like it will help in this effort because “some of this bridge work [between community and police] has already started and they [the Sugar House community] have a great avenue to seek information and be heard.”
Their hope is that if residents are concerned, that they feel comfortable coming forward, feel that they will be heard and that concerns will be honestly discussed and addressed.
One thing that Ashdown thinks would be helpful in keeping anxiety levels down, is to be patient for the facts. He said, “It’s hard to be patient and wait for all the details to come out, but be patient. The same way if you were accused of doing something wrong you would want the time taken to get all the facts straight first. But if you think something wrong has occurred then definitely contact the proper channels.”
He also mentioned that many people don’t realize the struggle the police themselves face when trying to build trust.
“Police officers do not want bad cops in their ranks. Because it takes years to build the communication and trust with the community and one bad cop can set back all the effort of the entire department even if it’s not in their city. We want to connect with the community and want them to trust us,” he said. | http://www.valleyjournals.com/2016/08/26/120526/encouraging-police-community-relations | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.valleyjournals.com/2d23361fc4d14d946da285960cb9e77b9721bf815fcdb1f8a29ab05903456291.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T22:52:16 | null | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | Football preview for Granger, Hunter and Cyprus | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.valleyjournals.com%2F2016%2F08%2F30%2F120910%2Fimproving-westside-football.json | http://locable-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/resource/file/290391/gallery_Improving_20westside_20football_20photo_20_231.jpg?1472597535 | en | null | Improving Westside Football | null | null | www.valleyjournals.com | Aug 30, 2016 03:54PM, Published by Travis Barton, Categories: Sports, Today
Granger players have focused on believing they can compete against bigger and better teams. — Greg James
Gallery: Improving Westside Football [3 Images] Click any image to expand.
Coaches at the three West Valley high schools have used their team’s past success as a way to motivate their players to want to participate for their west side schools and make them great again.
The players at Granger, Cyprus and Hunter have embraced their team’s idea to help them succeed. Lancers have been asked to believe in themselves. The Pirates have “I am we are” everywhere the team looks. The Wolverines are taught to “Live the tradition.”
Granger
The Lancers have missed the playoffs since 2012. Teaching the players to believe in themselves has become a focus of third year head coach Mike Morgan.
The Lancers hope that Morgan will solidify its coaching carousel. He is the seventh coach since 2000 to pilot them. Despite the revolving door in leadership the Lancers continue to find themselves trying to prove to the outsiders they belong.
The experience that the younger Lancer players gained last season is expected to help them this year. They have another year of experience in Morgan’s double wing offense and 4-3 defense. They return seven starters on both sides of the ball. This experience could be a key to the team improving on last season.
The Lancers have won 212 games since 1970. This includes last season’s 4-6 overall record. Their offense averaged 27.1 points per game. The problem came in stopping their opponents. They allowed 282 points and they did not win a game on their home field; both glaring points they hope to change going into 2016.
They started their season Aug. 19 against Copper Hills (after press deadline). Their first Region 2 contest is scheduled for Sept. 16 against cross town rival Hunter. The Lancers are 5-18 all-time against the Wolverines.
Key players to watch this season include tight end Sydney Alofipo, running back Ryno Tavai, running back/ defensive back Sione Houma and Hector Magallanges. As team captains they are expected to provide the leadership for the team.
The City Journals sports staff picks the Lancers to finish sixth in Region 2.
Hunter
The Wolverines have not missed the state playoffs since the school’s inaugural season in 1990. Their only state championship came in 2003.
The Wolverines finished in second place in Region 2 last season. Their overall record was 6-4, their defense only allowed one opponent (Herriman) to score more than 30 points. Their continued ability to stop their opponents will be a key to the team's success this season.
The Wolverines have holes to fill on the offensive side of the ball, all of the team’s experienced running backs and the quarterback graduated. Gordon Nai and sophomore Tanner Lunceford are competing for the open quarterback position. The Wolverines offense always includes a power running game. Several players are vying for those key touches including Ty Carlson and Carson Pututau.
The offense and defensive lines continue to be a team strength. They won the Ute shoot lineman challenge this summer. Lorenzo Fauatea is a leader on that line. He has received several division one scholarship offers.
Hunter started its season Aug. 19 against American Fork. After facing Riverton they are scheduled to host Mountain View from Meridian, Idaho on Sept. 1. The highlight on the team’s schedule could be its Sept. 16 game against its rival Granger.
The City Journals sports staff picks Hunter to finish second in Region 2.
Cyprus
A renewed enthusiasm has entered Magna. In his second year as head coach Jed Smith has embraced the importance of the team to its community. His renewed vigor has pumped life into the team. He has encouraged players to participate in off season academics programs to help more of them stay eligible.
The Pirates went 2-8 last season. Despite its dire looking record the team did see a renewed success. They defeated Skyline in a region game and also topped Copper Hills 23-12 in a preseason contest. This year they toned down their schedule with teams more in their realm. They are scheduled to open the season at home against Grantsville Aug. 19 (after press deadline).
The excitement has poured over onto the student body. They packed the stadium for its annual preseason scrimmage. The cheerleaders and Spinakers performed and the team showcased its new talent.
The Pirates are in the second year of Smith’s pro-style offense. They only return four starters from last years team. Its 4-3 defense returns five starters. The relative inexperience could affect them in the beginning this season. The team is on the right track embracing its “I am we are” slogan.
The City Journals sports staff picks the Pirates to finish fifth in Region 7. | http://www.valleyjournals.com/2016/08/30/120910/improving-westside-football | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.valleyjournals.com/5f11f2b1c3123480434d02463d22a77491222b7a224a5d362aca1b678497d41f.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:59:32 | null | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | Not enough patrons could be drawn to the local farmer's market to keep it afloat. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.valleyjournals.com%2F2016%2F08%2F22%2F120023%2Fearly-closure-for-holladay-farmer-s-market.json | http://locable-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/resource/file/287132/gallery_Market_202.jpg?1472216371 | en | null | Early Closure for Holladay Farmer’s Market | null | null | www.valleyjournals.com | Aug 22, 2016 01:50PM, Published by Carol Hendrycks, Categories: News, Today
The Holladay Farmers Market closed in August.--Kimberly Roach
By Carol Hendrycks | carol@mycityjournals.com | http://www.valleyjournals.com/2016/08/22/120023/early-closure-for-holladay-farmer-s-market | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.valleyjournals.com/92d26230533ee5490302e78b159844dc4365b309f6dfbd28a12cf56a64fd2470.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T20:49:33 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Famous musicians cap a festive week for Harvest Days | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.valleyjournals.com%2F2016%2F08%2F26%2F120512%2Ffamous-headliners-close-harvest-days.json | http://locable-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/resource/file/288703/gallery_concert_203.jpg?1472244573 | en | null | Famous Headliners Close Harvest Days | null | null | www.valleyjournals.com | Aug 26, 2016 01:24PM, Published by Chris Larson, Categories: Local Life, Today
Alex Boye performed at the Midvale Harvest Days on Aug. 5. –Midvale Arts Council
Gallery: Famous Headliners Close Harvest Days [4 Images] Click any image to expand.
The conclusion of the Midvale Arts Council’s Levitt AMP Midvale Music Series and the Midvale Harvest Days came with a bang — literally — as fireworks and concerts by “American Idol” season five winner Taylor Hicks and local sensation Alex Boye dazzled attendees.
The Midvale Arts Council, a local non-profit, was awarded a $25,000 matching grant from the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation to put on a free concert series to “(e)nrich lives through the power of free, live (m)usic.”
According to Wade Walker, chairman of Midvale Arts Council Board of Directors, much of the total $50,000 went to paying artists.
On top of directing most of the grant money to the artists, the arts council was able to advertise the free concert series, something that Concert Chair Melanie Beardall identified as a limitation to the success of the previous free concert series.
On average, between 400 and 600 people attended the concerts. One of the better attended events was the 23rd Army Band.
However, with the combination of the Midvale Harvest Days, the concert series and two very popular acts, attendance estimates hovered around 1,500 concert attendees.
“Part of (the grant) was to attract local, regional and national artists to an area,” Walker said. “(The Levitt Foundation) really wanted us to up our game and get more professional artists.”
Walker said the purpose of the Levitt AMP Midvale Music Series and the art council generally is to bring the community together with art experiences that people may not get the opportunity to experience otherwise.
The city-organized Midvale Harvest Days approached the arts council about the possibility of combining the conclusion of both events.
This created a great deal of anxiety for Beardall, a volunteer.
“When the city initially approached us about doing a combo event, I had no intention of getting two big acts,” Beardall said.
The booking of both acts, despite the anxiety of having to fill two headline slots, came with a bit of serendipity.
When trying to book Boye for the conclusion of the Levitt AMP series, slated on Aug. 5, she happened to be referred to the same booking agent she worked with to book the bands, The Crescent Super Band and Latin Roots, who performed in earlier concerts.
“[Boye] loves to perform locally and that makes it a little easier to book him…He can stay close to his family,” Beardall said.
As is offered with the grant, Levitt AMP helped Beardall connect with booking agents to fill the second closing concert.
“We kind of happened upon Taylor Hicks,” Beardall said. “His agency said he would love to and he was in our price range. It really happened by luck.”
Beardall said her favorite acts were the Latin band, Incendio, and up-and-coming folk/indie group, Edison.
The Denver-based Edison was founded by a former member of the The Lumineers, Maxwell Hughes. Beardall said Edison heard about the grant and approached them about performing.
“They are up and coming and thought it would be a good opportunity to sign on a band who had just gotten a recording contract,” Beardall said.
Beardall appreciated Edison’s humor and laid-back approach to the administrative side of things. Specifically, she liked that the band had named their van, “Van Morrison” and their trailer, “Trailor Swift.” | http://www.valleyjournals.com/2016/08/26/120512/famous-headliners-close-harvest-days | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.valleyjournals.com/fa0c697811cfbbb3189b8dad83bbc6bf9e65b72193357d81706436b30b9cd04d.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:02:46 | null | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | Jordan football wants to improve in 2016 by being more physical and dedicated to the game. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.valleyjournals.com%2F2016%2F08%2F24%2F120285%2Fjordan-football-getting-tough-for-2016.json | http://locable-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/resource/file/288116/gallery_Jordan_20FB_202.JPG?1472216566 | en | null | Jordan Football Getting Tough for 2016 | null | null | www.valleyjournals.com | Jordan’s football team is ready to tackle the 2016 season hard. The team has been focused on coming out more physical this season since getting bounced from the state bracket last year in a tough one-point loss to Pleasant Grove. Jordan, who took second in their region last season with a record of 8-3, is looking to take that physical focus all the way to a region title and a possible state championship.
“We want to take region and then state, those are always our goals,” said Eric Kjar, Jordan’s head coach of eight seasons.
His team has zeroed in on their physical toughness. The boys spent time during the offseason in the weight room and ran to stay on top of their conditioning for the grueling fall schedule.
The team began practice officially on Aug. 1 and has added many competitive drills that require the players to get more physical, emphasizing the hard-working, one-more-try approach the team is going for.
Kjar is hoping the mentality will culminate at the end of the season. He said the team functions very well as a tight-knit group, which has adopted the philosophy and has been applying efforts as a group since last season ended.
“Together they will be able to dig deeper, working and striving to push themselves,” Kjar said.
Kjar thinks the young men on his team have done a great job staying focused and preparing for football season, but also stated that the only way to truly be in shape for football is playing football.
“We’re trying to get back into shape, getting back to being consistent with our techniques,” Kjar said about what their first weeks of practices were like.
The team is led this year by several returning starters, many of whom will be part of Jordan’s potent offense. Senior Alec Evans will be a familiar face carrying the football at running back and outstanding receiver Spencer Curtis, also a senior, will be hauling in passes up and down the field. On defense, leading the rush and coverage will be outside linebacker, Beau McRae, who is a junior. On special teams, returner Malik Davis hopes to chew up some yardage in 2016.
What makes Jordan a special team, according to Kjar, is the fact that they have stayed absolutely dedicated to the 2016 football season. His players were required to do a lot during the offseason; they have been staunch participants in the weight room and at the gym.
“We want to be the hardest-working team out there, a high-effort team, all the time,” Kjar said.every opportunity they have been given to get better,” Kjar said, “and it definitely shows on the field.”The Beetdiggers opened their season against Desert Hills at home on Aug. 19. They will have to travel south to face off against Pleasant Grove, the team that eliminated Jordan in last year’s state tournament, in their third contest of the 2016 season. And they will play their second to last contest against region rival Bingham in mid-October, also an away game. The Beetdiggers will certainly be tested as the season advances, but they have done their diligence and are as prepared as a team who worked as hard as they did can be. | http://www.valleyjournals.com/2016/08/24/120285/jordan-football-getting-tough-for-2016 | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.valleyjournals.com/e34bb42138f9f4fb26bb444d4599576e05b8d5976dbc390ac0999b18e0981473.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:00:22 | null | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | The Draper City Mayor’s Youth Council helps the city in a number of ways. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.valleyjournals.com%2F2016%2F08%2F22%2F120010%2Fmayor-s-youth-council-supports-city-through-service.json | http://locable-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/resource/file/287091/gallery_Youth_20Council_201.jpg?1472216421 | en | null | Mayor’s Youth Council Supports City Through Service | null | null | www.valleyjournals.com | Aug 22, 2016 01:02PM, Published by Kelly Cannon, Categories: Local Life, Today
The Draper City Mayor’s Youth Council consists of teen residents dedicated to helping the community. —Caroline Sagae
Gallery: Draper Mayor's Youth Council [3 Images] Click any image to expand.
By Kelly Cannon | kelly@mycityjournals.com
A bunch of teenagers are making a difference in their community through the Draper City Mayor’s Youth Council. The group, which boasts over 50 members, helps the city by volunteering at various city-sponsored events, as well as doing their own service projects.
“We do Haunted Hollow, which is a city event. We also do the Christmas tree lights in Draper Park. We do a lot of food bank activities,” 16-year-old Amber Rasmussen said. “We do Capitol on the Hill where we take a day off of school and we go to the capital and we have all of these meetings and lectures on how to be better leaders and things like that. And there’s the Easter egg hunt. So it’s city things but also wider.”
Amber joined the youth council after three of her older siblings had spent their teenage years in the organization.
“I heard a lot of good thing about it from my siblings but then also, what other way can you get involved in your community?” Amber said. “I knew most youth don’t know the things going on in their cities and I think this is great way to find out more about it.”
Kaitlyn Wampler, 17, joined the organization after learning about it in the newspaper.
“There are service aspects to it and I had already been involved in service at my school. I was like, ‘I’m already involved. Why not just add more to it?’” Kaitlyn said. “I decided this would be a great way to meet new people besides people at my school and I also get to serve the community.”
Kaitlyn is currently serving as the mayor pro-tem in the group while 17-year-old TK Polevoy is mayor.
TK described the purpose of the youth council as getting youth together to form a group to do service for the community, learn about the role of government and to have fun.
“One thing I’m focusing on this year is making sure our youth know how to talk to their legislators and the city council and people who work here to get their voice out,” he said.
Learning more about how to be a leader is a major part of the youth council. Every year, the group travels up to Utah State University for a leadership conference.
“We drove up to Utah State and we were out of school for this and we had more lectures on how to be better leaders,” Amber said. “We spent two nights there because it was really fun but I also learned a lot. You can have fun on the youth council but you can also learn how to better the youth council.”
The youth council also have a chance to interact with state legislators during the legislative session when the council is invited up to the capitol.
“You listen to speakers on how to become a better leader,” TK said.
Draper residents may recognize the youth council volunteering at the city run events. Kaitlyn said she enjoys helping out at these events.
“I personally have fun at the Haunted Hollow because it’s fun to see kids dressed up in their costumes and then you get to help with the activities they’re doing. I’ve helped with the different games we’ve put on and it’s just fun to see all the kids and how excited they are,” Kaitlyn said. “The Easter egg hunt is also fun. It’s a little bit more of letting the kids do it and you just kind of watch. That’s why I like the Haunted Hollow because it’s more of an interaction with the kids.”
Being on the council isn’t without its challenges. Kaitlyn said being an active member of the youth council is a time commitment.
“It’s not a huge time commitment but you do have to be like, ‘This thing is happening.’ You have to let people know you are going to be there and plan around it,” Amber said. “You have to make sure you know when things are planned and what’s going on throughout the year; that way you can plan stuff around that.”
However, all three teens have enjoyed their time on the council and find it to be a rewarding experience.
“I think you get out of it what you put into it. If you come with a positive attitude, it can be more than just what looks good on a college application,” Amber said. “It’s a great experience. It really has been.” | http://www.valleyjournals.com/2016/08/22/120010/mayor-s-youth-council-supports-city-through-service | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.valleyjournals.com/0d11afd648163c83feab67995c96d66ce0851b4c9131792d6cde78859a10b13c.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:02:19 | null | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | After beginning their official season on Aug. 1, the 23 members of Brighton High School’s girls tennis team are working hard in hopes of defending their title as 5A Region 3 Champions. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.valleyjournals.com%2F2016%2F08%2F22%2F120016%2Fbhs-girls-tennis-finding-passion-and-friendships-in-a-lifetime-sport.json | http://locable-assets-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/resource/file/287117/gallery_BHS_20Tennis_201.JPG?1472216539 | en | null | BHS Girls Tennis: Finding Passion and Friendships in a Lifetime Sport | null | null | www.valleyjournals.com | Aug 22, 2016 01:23PM, Published by Sarah Almond , Categories: Sports, Today
The Brighton High School girl’s tennis team poses for a photo during a hot afternoon practice. Though more than 30 girls tried out of the team on Aug. 1, Head Coach Natalie Meyer selected just 23 to make the team.—Sarah Almond
By Sarah Almond | sarah@mycityjournals.com
Aug. 1 was a big day for division 5A high schools sports. This special day marked the official start of the girls tennis season with new and seasoned players attending team tryouts across the valley in hopes of making the cut. At the Brighton tennis courts in Cottonwood Heights, this day was no different.
“I had more than 30 girls show up for tryouts this year,” Head Coach Natalie Meyer said. “We ended up taking 23, but knowing that the interest is out there and that there will be seven players ready to join the team next year is pretty great.”
Meyer, who has coached Brighton High School’s tennis programs for 13 years, is excited about this season’s roster.
“Twenty-three is a great number,” Meyer said. “We’ve got a lot of returners and several new players.”
Though the Bengals graduated six key seniors last year, the team has filled the void by welcoming back 16 returning players and introducing seven new members to the team, two of whom are freshman.
“We have nine seniors on the team,” Meyer said. “So we definitely have an older group this year.”
Though Meyer elected just one of the nine seniors to be named team captain, she is adamant about each upperclassman stepping up and setting a good example for the group’s new, younger players.
“Sarah Fackrell is our team captain, but even though she has a title I want all of my seniors to have a job,” Meyer said. “I want to focus on senior leadership this year and I really want to stress that this year is about the seniors; it’s their team, they have been on it for years and I want them to be in charge. I make the coaching decisions but I want them all to be involved in the leadership opportunities.”
By encouraging the senior group to take charge of leadership decisions, Meyer believes the entire team benefits. Not only does it allow each player’s personality to shine, but it also instills a greater sense of accountability throughout the team’s culture.
“The girls have responded really, really well,” Meyer said. “I’ve seen them become more competitive both personally and in their game.”
Following tryouts, Meyer addressed the team about her expectations for the season. Along with keeping a grade point average of 2.0 or higher, Meyer expects the players to conduct themselves as representatives of the Bengal tennis program both on and off the courts, and in and out of the classroom.
“I’ve also talked with the girls about what they expect this season,” Meyer said. “They took first in region last year — are we going to try and repeat and get that title again? Is it possible for us to get that title again?”
While Meyer believes the Bengals are capable of defending their region title, she says that the dedication and hard work will have to come from the players. So far, the team is off to a strong preseason start.
“We beat Bingham 4-1 on August 9 and they were our main competition last year,” Meyer said. “But Jordan is always a really tough team and we’ll have to play them first to know where we stand, but right now it’s looking pretty promising.”
As with most sports, winning matches is important to the Bengals tennis team. More than anything though, Meyer hopes these Brighton players will leave the program with the skills to play a lifetime sport and the connections of lifelong friendships.
“I’ve set of all of these expectations, and big standards and all of these things, but most of all tennis is about creating relationships and friendships with each other,” Meyer said.
For the players, establishing lifelong relationships and cultivating valuable friendships is one of the most unique aspects of the Brighton tennis program.
“I met my best friend on the tennis team last year,” senior captain Sarah Fackrell said. “And I almost tried out for soccer this year, but I just missed the atmosphere of tennis. It’s the girls on this team that really make tennis fun.”
The Bengals will play to defend their championship title at the Region III Tournament on Sept. 28-29 at the Brighton High School tennis courts. The courts are located at 2433 Bengal Boulevard in Cottonwood Heights. | http://www.valleyjournals.com/2016/08/22/120016/bhs-girls-tennis-finding-passion-and-friendships-in-a-lifetime-sport | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.valleyjournals.com/ddd4811af883cd46b92d4e349e7ced1e378b5812850bf284eb10e50212ddd294.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T14:47:50 | null | 2016-08-30T10:11:59 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fsports%2F91364%2Freed-gets-off-the-bubble-mcgirt-finishes-strong-at-the-barclays.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_William_McGirt-5.jpg | en | null | Reed gets off the bubble, McGirt finishes strong at The Barclays | null | null | robesonian.com | FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — Patrick Reed occupied the eighth and final spot in the Ryder Cup standings going into the final qualifying event, which brought him the attention no one wants. He was the guy on the bubble, and most of the chatter was negative.
Even more aggravating to Reed was that it was his own fault.
The American had developed the consistency he needed. Over the last 20 months, he had 22 finishes in the top 10 around the world, with five runner-ups. Missing during that stretch was winning, and that’s all that matters to Reed.
“Because at the end of the day, a lot of top 10s … it’s great, but it’s going to make you be on that bubble,” Reed said. “I’ve had it feels like 100 top 10s this year. And I’ve just kind of stayed there on that No. 6, 7, 8, 9 on the Ryder Cup. And it takes something like a win to be able to solidify yourself.”
The timing couldn’t be better for Reed. The moment couldn’t be better for his confidence.
He didn’t flinch in the final round at The Barclays until he could afford a few mistakes. Reed went from a two-shot deficit early in the round to a three-shot lead with three holes to play, and he hung in from there for a 1-under 70 and a one-shot victory over Sean O’Hair and Emiliano Grillo.
Fairmont native William McGirt posted a bogey-free, final-round 67 to jump to 41st in the tournament, earning a payout of $29,750. He fell to 18th in the FedEx Cup standings, but remains in good position to make a deep playoff run.
“Top 10s are great for making a living,” Reed said. “But at the end of the day, every time we play golf tournaments, we don’t play for top 10s. We’re going there to try to get a W and try to get hardware, try to get a trophy.”
The crystal trophy was on the table, and Reed glanced at it every now and then.
It was his fifth victory on the PGA Tour, and even though he faced one of the strongest and deepest fields of the year, Reed still favors one of his early victories as the most significant. That was two years ago in a World Golf Championship, when winning was still new to him.
“Probably the biggest difference between this week and that week was I had another guy in black and red in the group in front of me,” Reed said with a smile.
That guy was Tiger Woods, whom Reed grew up idolizing to the point that he prefers to wear black trousers and a red shirt in the final group. That day at Doral, Woods played in the group ahead and Reed didn’t blink. Woods was starting to cope with back issues — he would have the first of three back surgeries a month later — though Reed didn’t give anyone much of a chance.
The victory at Bethpage required a little more work.
He trailed Rickie Fowler early, and even when he caught him with a birdie on the seventh hole, Reed felt another tournament slipping away.
Reed couldn’t help but think about all the missed chances in the opening hour — four putts from 10 feet or in that failed to drop, including an 8-foot eagle attempt. He wondered if this was one of those stretches that had kept him from winning since the 2015 opener at Kapalua.
That’s when his caddie, brother-in-law Kessler Karain, stepped in and told him to quit worrying about it and keep hitting good shots.
“It was kind of creeping back in, just going through my mind on events earlier this year when I had these kind of stretches,” Reed said. “To get over that hump and put the pedal down … I felt like that just set the tone for me and let me run with it.”
Two tough par saves gave him the lead. A birdie on No. 12 stretched it two shots, and no one got closer until Reed made bogey on the final hole.
He was no longer on the bubble, moving to No. 4 in the Ryder Cup to qualify easily. He went up to No. 9 in the world, a little closer to that boast that he felt like a top 5 player when he won at Doral. And he is No. 1 in the FedEx Cup.
That’s significant because Reed now is assured of being among the five players who only have to win the Tour Championship at East Lake to capture the FedEx Cup and claim the $10 million bonus, the richest payoff in golf.
And he’ll be at Hazeltine when the Ryder Cup begins Sept. 30.
It was at the Ryder Cup two years ago when Reed first showed his pugnacious side. He placed his finger over his lips for a “shush” sign that riled up Scottish gallery at Gleneagles and earned him a small measure of respect for his moxie. Reed was one of the bright spots for the Americans, and he’s eager to play before a home crowd.
What does he have planned for a Minnesota crowd?
“If I tell you,” he said with a grin, “then it won’t be a surprise.”
McGirt http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_William_McGirt-5.jpg McGirt | http://robesonian.com/sports/91364/reed-gets-off-the-bubble-mcgirt-finishes-strong-at-the-barclays | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/77a1ff70fe918bd3ce8239df7070975d806424ccf99b3b0d2c7d1f060971b5a5.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:46:53 | null | 2016-08-26T07:58:27 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91234%2Fstorm-soaking-dominican-republic.json | http://robesonian.com/news/91234/storm-soaking-dominican-republic | en | null | Storm soaking Dominican Republic | null | null | robesonian.com | MIAMI (AP) — Rivers surged across a large section of the Dominican Republic on Thursday as a broad area of low pressure headed east to the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Bahamas, officials said.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami said the system’s strongest winds were below tropical storm strength but that it could strengthen as it approaches Florida and the Gulf of Mexico over the weekend.
Nearly 4 inches of rain fell in the Dominican Republic and 19 of its 32 provinces were on alert as rivers rose rapidly and flooding was expected, said Francisco Olguin, a spokesman for the Dominican meteorological office.
Residents of areas at a high risk for flooding were advised to begin evacuations because of possible flooding, said Juan Manuel Mendez, coordinator of the Emergency Operations Center.
Authorities in the Turks and Caicos Islands and Bahamas said heavy wind and rain was expected in parts of both island chains through Thursday night and small boats were advised to stay in port.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Gaston, which weakened from a hurricane earlier Thursday, was out over the Atlantic, about 1,160 miles (1,865 kilometers) east-northeast of the Leeward Islands. It had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (110 kph).
In the Pacific, Tropical Storm Lester was strengthening far off Mexico’s coast. The storm’s maximum sustained winds were near 50 mph (85 kph). Lester was expected to become a hurricane on Friday.
Lester was centered early Thursday about 465 miles (750 kilometers) south-southwest of the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula and was moving west-northwest near 12 mph (19 kph). | http://robesonian.com/news/91234/storm-soaking-dominican-republic | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/21ec5a4dbbd4913c814b2e60aaab674371e74945827752e3b59c68d3b55ed79a.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T14:48:22 | null | 2016-08-31T09:28:53 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fsports%2F91397%2Fgame-of-the-week-purnell-swett-south-robeson-to-play-on-thursday.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Luke.jpg | en | null | Game of the Week: Purnell Swett, South Robeson to play on Thursday | null | null | robesonian.com | PEMBROKE — Making sure that his team doesn’t look past South Robeson has caused Purnell Swett coach Jon Sherman to take Thursday’s game with a heightened awareness this week during practice.
“To be honest, I’ve been more worried about South Robeson than I have been against anybody so far,” Sherman said. “Just because the kids won last year and our mentality might be, ‘Oh, if we beat somebody we will always beat somebody,’ it’s not true.”
The Rams (1-1) are coming off a 43-20 win over Red Springs last week and host South Robeson on Thursday at 7 p.m., due to a chance of inclement weather for Friday. Other games are also expected to be moved to Thursday. Check robesonian.com for the latest updates.
Purnell Swett won 21-8 last year in Rowland and Sherman hopes his team doesn’t get a sense of complacency riding the wave of emotion from the win over Red Springs.
“They’re excited, but it’s not like we’re going to just show up and beat people,” Sherman said. “We were beaten almost every game last year so they’ve got to understand that it’s going to be a hard mental practice.”
South Robeson (0-2) lost to Trask 42-12 and is in search of its first win.
“Our younger guys have played hard, but it’s hard to win when you put the ball on the ground a lot,” said South Robeson coach Clay Jerningan of his team’s tendency to fumble over the first two games. “A lot of our backs are not experienced at playing at the varsity level yet.”
The Mustangs’ first two opponents have started the season off 2-0 and with a road game against a much larger school in Purnell Swett set for Thursday, Jernigan sees how these games can help his team moving forward.
“You don’t get better by playing down, you get better by playing up,” he said of the matchup. “I’ve really challenged the kids by playing tough teams now so that way it can prepare them for when we get to conference games.”
In preparation for the Mustangs, Sherman hasn’t changed his defensive approach as Purnell Swett sets to take on its third straight run-heavy team.
“The past three weeks in the sets we’ve seen on film are basically the same thing,” Sherman said. “It’s the same mentality as far as stopping the run and being controlled in the pass and not letting anything slip past by us.”
With a stout defense that held Red Springs in check last week, it’s the Rams’ offense and its use of no-huddle and hurry-up schemes that concern Jernigan most.
“That’s one thing I don’t know if our kids are ready for,” he said of Purnell Swett’s fast-paced offense. “It’s a smart move because you’re a bigger school with a bigger roster to do that.”
Lumberton at South View
After putting on a defensive showcase in it’s season-opening shutout, the Lumberton defense didn’t look as sharp in Week 2 against Pine Forest in a 49-7 loss at home. The Pirates (1-1) travel to South View for their first road game of the season. In the the meeting last year at Lumberton, the Tigers won 19-14. Senior Tyreik McCallum is the only Pirate to score in both games this season.
Red Springs at Harrells Christian
Looking to build off the second half of last week’s loss at Purnell Swett, Red Springs travels to Harrells Christian Academy this week. Last year, Red Springs (1-1) won by forfeit. After being shutout in the first half last week, the Red Devils went score for score with the Rams behind two rushing touchdowns by Marquis Ray.
St. Pauls at East Bladen
After giving Ernest King his first win at St. Pauls with a 12-6 victory on the road at Douglas Byrd, the Bulldogs travel to East Bladen, who is fresh off blowing out Whiteville 43-15. The Eagles downed St. Pauls 54-10 last year. The game will feature a clash of running games with St. Pauls (1-1) tailback Chris Graham coming off a 154-yard performance and East Bladen’s Eian and Ethan Hines combining for 283 yards against Whiteville.
Fairmont at Ashley
The Golden Tornadoes are the other Robeson County team still looking for win No. 1 after suffering sizable losses in the first two weeks. Run defense has still been an issue that has plagued Fairmont (0-2) as it goes to Ashley, a team it beat 26-14 last year. Through two games, quarterback Julius Caulder and wide receiver Jarique Moore have connected for 11 receptions, 305 yards and four touchdowns.
Jonathan Bym | The Robesonian Purnell Swett quarterback Luke Oxendine leads the Rams’ offense against South Robeson at home on Thursday night. The junior had 147 yards passing and 28 more rushing against Red Springs last week. http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Luke.jpg Jonathan Bym | The Robesonian Purnell Swett quarterback Luke Oxendine leads the Rams’ offense against South Robeson at home on Thursday night. The junior had 147 yards passing and 28 more rushing against Red Springs last week.
Weather could force other county teams to move Week 3 games
By Jonathan Bym [email protected]
Jonathan Bym can be reached at 910-816-1977. Follow him on Twitter @Jonathan_Bym.
Jonathan Bym can be reached at 910-816-1977. Follow him on Twitter @Jonathan_Bym. | http://robesonian.com/sports/91397/game-of-the-week-purnell-swett-south-robeson-to-play-on-thursday | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/ceda9130857fb769be5615ca68fd652d498353751ab29ae677220c0b79a04f9a.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T18:46:21 | null | 2016-08-27T14:45:22 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91298%2Ftriathlon-puts-fun-in-fitness.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_triathlon5.jpg | en | null | Triathlon puts fun in fitness | null | null | robesonian.com | PEMBROKE — Two hundred and forty-two feet kicked, pedaled and ran across the finish line at Saturday’s Tri-Warriors Youth Triathlon.
The 121 participants, ages 6 to 15, made a record for the sixth annual event at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where the triathletes swam, rode bikes and jogged throughout campus.
“… When they cross that finish line and hear people cheering, my hope is that that does pass on to when they’re older — to know that literally anything they want to try, they’re going to be able to do,” said race Director Mike DeCinti.
The 6- to 10-year-old participants swam 50 yards before putting on their sneakers and helmets and biking three miles, followed by running or walking one mile. The 11- to 15-year-olds swam 100 yards, biked six miles and ran or walked two miles. Everybody got a medal and the top finishing boys and girls in each of four ages groups were presented with trophies by Robeson County native Ashton Locklear, who recently traveled to the Rio Olympics as an alternate on the U.S. women’s gymnastics team.
“I’m proud of all of you for trying hard and pushing yourself,” Locklear told the group.
The event was a sport for spectators too as parents raced around the course to catch a glimpse — and a photo — of their child in action.
Saturday’s event was a family affair for the MacDonalds. Twelve-year-old Charles Ann has participated in the Youth Triathlon since it began. Her sister, Sara Wallace, 10, took third in the girls’ 9-to-10 age group, and 6-year-old Anna Jason joined the race for the first time.
“I like the feeling when you finish and you know you did it,” said Charles Ann, a soccer player and rock climber who prepared by riding bicycles with her friends.
Ann MacDonald said their daughters see the event as a fun thing to do with friends. The family now lives in Fayetteville, but previously lived in Lumberton, so the Triathlon is “a bit of a homecoming,” Ann said.
“I’m a happy mom today that all my kids are blessed with good health and can participate,” she said.
Kearsay Lowry, 9, liked the biking leg of the race the best. She and her brother, 10-year-old Zaviar, both participated last year, and train every week on the UNCP track with their father.
“She does it for the fun and the exercise,” said their grandmother, Kimberly Chavis. “… I’m proud of them. I love it. It’s teaching them to be healthy. The earlier you teach them that, the better off they are.”
Jeremy Hall, 9, said the shiny, red and gold trophies are his favorite part of the Youth Triathlon. He added a third to his collection Saturday when he won first place for the boys’ 9-to-10 age group. Hall said it takes “hard work and focus” to get ready for the event. He’s been training since age 4 with the goal of one day running track in the Olympics.
First-time Tri-Warriors volunteer Sunny Harrell said her daughter is itching to join the fun. The 7-year-old already posts a workout-of-the-day schedule at home for the family.
Harrell is a school social worker and saw many of her students bright and early Saturday morning.
“There are a lot of smiles when they come through and people are cheering,” she said.
Those smiles keep volunteers and participants alike coming back year after year. Billie Jo Harris has volunteered for four years and looks forward to it every year. About 150 volunteers helped out Saturday, setting up cones and tape marking the running and biking lanes, directing children flying through the course, and helping them through the “transition area” where they switched to the next activity.
Also a fourth-year volunteer, Iris Locklear said the event promotes a culture of fitness in Robeson County.
“I want to see some changes on our community as far as our health … This is a good way to get kids involved because they’re the ones that will make a change,” she said.
DeCinti said it takes a certain kind of kid to be a triathlete.
“Triathlon is an individual sport. You are by yourself a lot. It takes a certain mentality. You’re whisked away and told to get in a pool and somehow get down there and come back, then you get on your bike and just go,” he said. “You’ve got to have that internal fortitude to do that.”
DeCinti said he’s honored people keep coming back for the race. While he would love for all 121 participants to become triathletes, seeing them smiling and enjoying the results of their hard work is enough.
“They may not call this exercise,” DeCinti said, “but we hope they realize exercise is fun and they can do more when they’re fit.”
Charley Whitley admires her trophy from Saturday’s Tri-Warriors Youth Triathlon. Children ages 6 to 15 swam, rode bikes and ran or walked in the annual event. http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_triathlon6.jpg Charley Whitley admires her trophy from Saturday’s Tri-Warriors Youth Triathlon. Children ages 6 to 15 swam, rode bikes and ran or walked in the annual event. Sarah Willets | The Robesonian Mike DeCinti, Tri-Warriors Youth Triathlon race director, introduces Ashton Locklear, a Robeson County native and alternate on the U.S. women’s Olympic gymnastics team. Locklear presented trophies to the top finishers in Saturday’s race. http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_triathlon7.jpg Mike DeCinti, Tri-Warriors Youth Triathlon race director, introduces Ashton Locklear, a Robeson County native and alternate on the U.S. women’s Olympic gymnastics team. Locklear presented trophies to the top finishers in Saturday’s race. Sarah Willets | The Robesonian Billie Jo Harris, Iris Locklear and Sunny Harrell http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_volunteers.jpg Billie Jo Harris, Iris Locklear and Sunny Harrell Sarah Willets | The Robesonian The Hall family http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_halls.jpg The Hall family Sarah Willets | The Robesonian The Lowry family http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_lowrys.jpg The Lowry family Sarah Willets | The Robesonian The MacDonald family http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_macdonalds.jpg The MacDonald family Sarah Willets | The Robesonian A Youth Triathlon participant gets a high-five as he walks from the swimming phase of the race to the biking section. http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_triathlon3.jpg A Youth Triathlon participant gets a high-five as he walks from the swimming phase of the race to the biking section. Sarah Willets | The Robesonian A cyclist gets cheers from the crowd as he completes the biking portion of Saturday’s Tri-Warriors Youth Triathlon. http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_triathlon5.jpg A cyclist gets cheers from the crowd as he completes the biking portion of Saturday’s Tri-Warriors Youth Triathlon. Sarah Willets | The Robesonian
By Sarah Willets [email protected]
Sarah Willets can be reached at 910-816-1974 or on Twitter @Sarah_Willets.
Sarah Willets can be reached at 910-816-1974 or on Twitter @Sarah_Willets. | http://robesonian.com/news/91298/triathlon-puts-fun-in-fitness | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/94a3cf6e11182c3bd27e0e76c03660fd86a023ecc61b4ed39014a9167408fc2a.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T20:47:06 | null | 2016-08-28T14:40:10 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Ffeatures%2F91317%2Fsign-up-for-a-library-card-this-september.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Leah.jpg | en | null | Sign up for a library card this September | null | null | robesonian.com | September is Library Card Sign-up Month — a wonderful time to remind parents that a library card is the most important school supply of all. Libraries play an important role in the education and development of children. Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning. A famous doctor once said “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” That doctor was, of course, Dr. Seuss in his book “I Can Read with My Eyes Shut.”
A Robeson County Public Library card is free to those living in the library’s service area. This includes residents of Robeson County, students and faculty of a Robeson County school, college or university. Membership is also available for free to residents of surrounding counties (Scotland, Hoke, Cumberland, Bladen, Columbus and Dillon) with reduced borrowing privileges. All Robeson County Public Libraries require proof of identity and current address, which can be met with a state issued ID, military ID, school or work ID, passport or another official picture ID. Proof of residency can be met with a post-marked piece of mail, lease, deed or utility agreement, pay stub and/or a checkbook with the resident’s name and current address. There is no minimum age requirement to apply for a library card. Children under the age of 18 must be present with a parent or legal guardian with current ID to sign their library card application. After a library card is issued, borrowing privileges are granted on the spot. Phone and online registration options are not available at this time.
In addition to books, newspapers, magazines, DVDs, audiobooks, playaways, computers and other multimedia materials, Robeson County Public Library offers patrons of all ages a wide range of programming, including free classes and instruction on technology, Internet and resource use. Our new career development program aims to help people improve their workplace computer skills, create resumes, search for jobs and apply for jobs online. Microsoft Office Word classes will be offered in Red Springs on Sept. 13 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. and in Maxton on Sept. 20 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Additional program schedules can be found on Robeson County Public Library’s website at RobesonCountyLibrary.org. These classes are made possible through funding from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Library of North Carolina, a division of the state Department of Cultural Resources.
Mark your calendars for the DVD release of “Captain America: Civil War” on Sept. 13. Watch Captain America and Iron Man fight it out on the big screen in the Osterneck Auditorium at 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.
All Robeson County Public Libraries will be closed in honor of Labor Day on Sept. 5. Be sure to celebrate National Read-a-Book day on Sept. 6. Can’t decide what book to read? Check out up to 25 books with your library card.
http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Leah.jpg | http://robesonian.com/features/91317/sign-up-for-a-library-card-this-september | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/7adaa67e4e1bc0dc1ed0af433faf99c52af25821a07e3026c9063dbb58a1eff6.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T12:48:18 | null | 2016-08-31T08:14:32 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91384%2Faugust-rainfall-helps-but-problems-persist-in-western-nc.json | http://robesonian.com/news/91384/august-rainfall-helps-but-problems-persist-in-western-nc | en | null | August rainfall helps, but problems persist in western NC | null | null | robesonian.com | ASHEVILLE (AP) — While August rainfall has eased drought conditions in western North Carolina, hot and dry weather has already taken its toll on agriculture and could linger into fall, according to a state climatologist.
A North Carolina Drought Management Advisory report says Buncombe County has been in a drought since April. The weekly report also says Buncombe and surrounding counties have ranged between three categories – abnormally dry, moderate drought and severe drought.
The dry conditions came as climate scientists recorded July being the hottest month on record in Asheville, with a monthly average temperature was 78.9 degrees, 4.2 degrees above normal., the Asheville Citizen-Times reported.
State Climatologist Rebecca Ward says the regional drought has browned grass, lowered hay yields, left some creek beds dry and caused tulip and yellow poplar trees to lose leaves.
Farmers in Buncombe County haven’t seen a major decrease in annual crops like tomatoes, corn and cold beans, since most are watered through irrigation. Reductions have been seen in hay and livestock profits, Buncombe County Extension Director Steve Duckett said.
There has also been “early marketing of calves to relieve pressure to the feed supplies,” Duckett said.
Rainfall measured at Asheville Regional Airport since the beginning of the year is 2.24 inches below average, according to data from the National Weather Service in Greer, South Carolina.
Beginning in late June, monthly rainfall totals have bounced back to near or above normal but it’s not enough to cut into the prolonged period of drought, said Doug Miller, a professor in the atmospheric sciences department at UNC Asheville.
The rainfall total from Aug. 1-24, was 6.58 inches, which was 3.41 inches above normal, according to the National Weather Service. Last year, 2.68 inches of rain fell from Aug. 1-24.
La Niña is on the horizon with rainfall predicted to be below normal and temperatures to be above normal, Ward said.
La Niña is the opposite of El Niño, which western North Carolina experienced last winter, and typically builds at the end of fall and into the winter, Miller said. The pattern of cooler-than-average winter temperatures in the Pacific Ocean tends to bring dry, warm weather to the southern U.S. in the winter.
Whether any type of La Niña happens remains uncertain, said Anthony Artusa, a meteorologist and seasonal forecaster at the Maryland-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Climate Prediction Center.
“Current data shows that if one manifests, it would be weak,” he said. | http://robesonian.com/news/91384/august-rainfall-helps-but-problems-persist-in-western-nc | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/05dc79725f591b9d24056ff13e65e31937d591a7379e60b94a450331b26af5e4.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T12:46:48 | null | 2016-08-28T08:33:09 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Ffeatures%2F91304%2Fjack-of-all-trades.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_LOWERYMardella2.jpg | en | null | Jack of all trades | null | null | robesonian.com | PEMBROKE — Seed jewelry making and soapstone carving, laced with stories of history and tradition, are just a sample of the creative treasure trove Mardella Lowery will share this year with workshop students at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke’s Museum of Southeast Native American Indian.
When Lowery is approached by class organizers about sharing some of her skills, she comes to the table with about 30 possibilities, depending on the age of the students. But whether it’s seed jewelry or soapstone carving, Lowery plans for every student to leave her workshops with a finished project.
Born and raised in Robeson County, Lowery is a member of the Lumbee tribe. She moved to Philadelphia where she became involved in the United American Indians of Delaware Valley and began her teaching and art career. She focuses in the areas of bead and leather work, quilting, wood, bone and soapstone carving and storytelling.
Lowery has been the featured artist at hundreds of festivals, powwows, schools and libraries and recently appeared at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. She was the only American Indian among 152 artists accepted for Pennsylvania’s Artists in Education program.
She learned much of her craft from her family, but it was during one of her storytelling presentations years ago that she met her soapstone carving mentor, Old Bear Grinning. With his encouragement, she discovered a talent and love of carving, and learned to never leave work unfinished.
“He told me to never go into a class, or sit down to a piece of work, if you can’t finish it,” she said.
Lowery has the same expectation for her workshop students.
While it took her four nights to complete a turtle for Old Bear Grinning, workshop participants will have only two and a half hours to create their pieces. To make sure they can successfully complete their work, Lowery times how long it takes her to finish a potential workshop project, and then allows an extra 20 to 30 minutes for a student to be able to complete the same project.
Seed jewelry workshops are tentatively planned for Sept. 6 and 16, and she hopes to have soapstone carving workshops scheduled soon.
If a soapstone carving workshop is scheduled, students will be provided a 4-inch-by-5-inch piece of soapstone, a nail, a file and three weights of sandpaper. The cost of this class will depend on the weight and cost of the soapstone.
Seed jewelry students may choose from North Carolina and Navajo corn, three types of pumpkin, two kinds of cantaloupe or watermelon, or chinaberries. Seeds, beads, No. 8 needle and thread will be provided and the cost is $30 per person. If a child attends this workshop, the adult companion is responsible for ensuring both projects are complete with the allotted workshop time, or they can make one together.
Participants who want to bring a child to one of Lowery’s workshops should call Alisha Locklear Monroe, museum assistant, at 910-521-6282, to confirm age appropriateness of proposed projects. Lowery said if a project is shared, the cost for the child won’t be for the full amount.
The museum is located in Old Main on the campus of UNCP. For information call 910-521-6282 or visit uncp.edu/nativemuseum.
Juanita Lagrone | The Robesonian Tentatively scheduled for Sept. 6 and 16, seed jewelry workshop will offer students the opportunity to use cantaloupe, pumpkin, watermelon, chinaberry, Navaho corn or North Carolina corn. http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_seedjewelry2.jpg Juanita Lagrone | The Robesonian Tentatively scheduled for Sept. 6 and 16, seed jewelry workshop will offer students the opportunity to use cantaloupe, pumpkin, watermelon, chinaberry, Navaho corn or North Carolina corn. Juanita Lagrone | The Robesonian Lumbee artist and storyteller Mardella Lowery carved her own eagle smudge bowl. Accented with abalone shell, the bowl has been “colored” by the sweat of her hands. http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_LOWERYMardella2.jpg Juanita Lagrone | The Robesonian Lumbee artist and storyteller Mardella Lowery carved her own eagle smudge bowl. Accented with abalone shell, the bowl has been “colored” by the sweat of her hands.
Lowery creates jewelry, quilts, wood and bone creations
By Juanita Lagrone [email protected]
Reach Juanita Lagrone at [email protected] or call 910-416-5865.
Reach Juanita Lagrone at [email protected] or call 910-416-5865. | http://robesonian.com/features/91304/jack-of-all-trades | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/add211741eed0e184979b33346277877239d1b138269be36d0f70591e7ec61f7.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T12:48:30 | null | 2016-08-31T07:21:59 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91377%2Frepair-work-to-close-lumberton-bridge.json | http://robesonian.com/news/91377/repair-work-to-close-lumberton-bridge | en | null | Repair work to close Lumberton bridge | null | null | robesonian.com | LUMBERTON — A Lumberton bridge will be closed for several months for repairs, according to the Department of Transportation.
The bridge over Gum Swamp Canal at N.C. 41 will be closed beginning at 6 a.m. Tuesday through early December to replace a culvert under the roadway.
Motorists are asked to use Fifth Street and Starlite Drive during the closure.
For updates on road closures, visit tims.ncdot.gov/tims. | http://robesonian.com/news/91377/repair-work-to-close-lumberton-bridge | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/fe6a9b1b6e7d259e23a862dfbdc2f18506d6b8c7235817ef4f5046ac1b201558.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T14:47:32 | null | 2016-08-29T09:59:14 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Ffeatures%2Fhealth%2F91326%2Fafter-accident-lumberton-man-praises-southeastern-health-nurses.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_jones.jpg | en | null | After accident, Lumberton man praises Southeastern Health nurses | null | null | robesonian.com | On Aug. 3, 69-year-old Steve Barfield was injured while running a backhoe at his home in Lumberton.
“The load shifted, threw me out of the seat and I struck the top of the cab and fell back down in the seat,” Barfield said. His son drove him to Southeastern Health Mall Clinic at Biggs Park Mall, where the staff immediately sent him to the emergency department at Southeastern Regional Medical Center.
Once he arrived at the emergency room, Barfield said he never sat down.
“When I went into the hospital the triage nurse, Renee Britt, did what she was supposed to do,” said Barfield. “She put a neck brace on me and sent me straight to Fast Track where I met Ms. Jones.”
“Ms. Jones” is board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner Jimmi Jones, who has worked in emergency medicine since 2011. She enjoys working in the field so much that she works in an emergency department in a South Carolina hospital part-time during her time off from SRMC.
Barfield was thankful Jones was on duty the day of his accident.
“She had a good personality and she treated me with care and respect,” Barfield said. “If I ever have to go back, I hope I get the same ones.”
When recalling the care he received for his injuries, Barfield said, “I could not have gone anywhere else and gotten any better care than what I got there.”
Barfield and his family were able to make the most of a difficult situation. He recalled that their outbursts of laughter prompted someone to ask for the door of his treatment room to be closed but Jones did not to close the door because laughter was a rare but welcomed sound in the emergency department. The joy his family was bringing to him, even in the midst of his injury, was something to be shared.
Barfield and his wife returned to SRMC a week later to personally thank the staff who cared for him.
“I appreciate them working on me as well as they did and I know, in their circumstances, they don’t get a lot of thank you’s,” said Barfield.
When asked about her passion for emergency medicine, Jones said it was the constant learning environment and the interactions she has with her patients that appeal to her most.
“There is always something new and always something to learn,” she said. “I encounter patients when they are at their weakest point and it is an opportunity to change someone’s life and be a shoulder for them.”
Barfield’s accident resulted in 10 staples in his head and a fracture in his neck. After his treatment at SRMC, he followed up with a neurosurgeon who continues to give him good reports.
A part of Southeastern Health, SRMC’s emergency department offers urgent care, known as Fast Track, and trauma care. Providers, like Jones, are contracted through Emergency Medical Associates. For more information, visit southeasternhealth.org.
Amanda Crabtree http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Amanda-Crabtree.jpg Amanda Crabtree Jimmi Jones, a family nurse practitioner who works in the Fast Track section of SRMC’s emergency department, got special thanks recently from patient Steve Barfield, who she treated after an accident that left him with a fractured neck. http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_jones.jpg Jimmi Jones, a family nurse practitioner who works in the Fast Track section of SRMC’s emergency department, got special thanks recently from patient Steve Barfield, who she treated after an accident that left him with a fractured neck. Courtesy photo
‘They don’t get a lot of thank you’s’ | http://robesonian.com/features/health/91326/after-accident-lumberton-man-praises-southeastern-health-nurses | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/3fe7f858730aad4bf3fcff25a93c33336636f5b80fa4aaf09b34a29a5028700c.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:52:02 | null | 2016-08-26T07:17:34 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91226%2Fwomans-death-ruled-of-natural-causes.json | http://robesonian.com/news/91226/womans-death-ruled-of-natural-causes | en | null | Woman’s death ruled of natural causes | null | null | robesonian.com | PEMBROKE — A Pembroke’s woman death has been ruled natural, but a burglary at her home is still under investigation, according to Pembroke police Detective Todd Harris.
Susie Oxendine, 74, was found dead in her North Jones Street home at about noon on Tuesday by her nurse.
Oxendine’s death was initially investigated as suspicious because doors in the home were open and it was apparent someone had gone through her belongings, Harris said. An autopsy by the Office of the State Medical Examiner has since determined she died of natural causes, although a specific cause is pending the results of a toxicology test.
Harris said it’s possible Oxendine, who lived alone, died before her home was burglarized. Police and relatives have not been able to identify anything stolen from the home.
Anyone with information about the burglary should call Harris at the Pembroke Police Department at 910-521-4333.
By Sarah Willets [email protected]
Sarah Willets can be reached at 910-816-1974 or on Twitter @Sarah_Willets.
Sarah Willets can be reached at 910-816-1974 or on Twitter @Sarah_Willets. | http://robesonian.com/news/91226/womans-death-ruled-of-natural-causes | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/0b57df3e532286870ab17cf6918cae66a6b8530f2d2100ae8b82245a537a39f2.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T14:47:30 | null | 2016-08-29T10:25:59 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91339%2Funiversity-faculty-lacks-diversity.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_john-hood-9.jpg | en | null | University faculty lacks diversity | null | null | robesonian.com | RALEIGH — Election season may not be the best time to go looking for sober reflection or respectful dialogue. For example, consider what happened recently when professors at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill got wind of a new project on campus, created and funded by state legislators, to provide technical assistance on environmental matters.
The North Carolina Policy Collaboratory will receive $1 million in initial funding plus another $3.5 million in state appropriations if UNC-Chapel Hill raises matching funds from other sources. Its stated purpose is to study the “environmental and economic components” of natural resources management and “new technologies for habitat, environmental, and water quality improvement.”
As soon as they heard about the project, some professors were skeptical. Once they heard the rumor that Dr. Jeff Warren, currently a science-policy advisor for N.C. Senate leader Phil Berger, might be in the running for a job with the project, the professors’ skepticism turned into active opposition. They encouraged media outlets to run stories about Warren, whose political background and policy views they find objectionable. In response to Berger’s complaint that the existing faculty was wildly imbalanced in favor of liberal Democrats, a UNC-CH neurologist even wrote an op-ed for the Raleigh and Charlotte newspapers arguing, in part, that the imbalance reflected an “anti-science attitude” on the part of conservatives and Republicans. Other professors argued that Berger’s imbalance claim was fictitious.
I’m not going to argue in favor of the N.C. Policy Collaboratory itself, because I don’t know enough about its origins. But the Left’s response to it illustrates precisely the nature and significance of the diversity problem that Sen. Berger described.
It’s not just him, by the way. Many commentators across the political spectrum have discussed the fact — and it is a well-established fact — that the faculties of UNC-Chapel Hill and most other universities are far more liberal and Democratic than the general population is. In fact, university professors are far more liberal and Democratic than are other voters with similar educational backgrounds.
In the 2012 election, for example, North Carolinians opted for Mitt Romney over Barack Obama by two percentage points. You may find it surprising that there wasn’t a large difference between voters with college degrees (50 percent Obama, 49 percent Romney) and those without college degrees (52 percent Romney, 47 percent Obama). More to the point, voters with graduate degrees — 15 percent of the state’s electorate — went 51 percent for Obama and 48 percent for Romney. Again, nothing to write home about.
Although the direct evidence for how the faculty voted isn’t as readily available — that’s not a category tested in exit polls — other surveys and voter-registration data suggest that professors have voted overwhelmingly for Obama and other Democrats. Credible estimates range from 5-to-1 to 9-to-1. Professors are also far more likely to identify as “left” or “liberal” than they were a generation ago.
It varies quite a bit by discipline, however. Sociology, anthropology, ethnic studies, and English departments tend to be the most leftist. Disparities are smaller in the hard sciences, engineering, medicine, and economics. The greatest political diversity is usually found in business administration, finance, accounting, and nursing.
Although anecdotal evidence suggests some of the imbalance on campuses may reflect explicit or (more likely) implicit bias in hiring and promotion, I think it is mostly due to self-selection. Intellectually inclined young people have choices. Generally speaking, those with liberal leanings find academia more attractive as a career than do those with conservative leanings, who are more likely to pursue graduate degrees so they can become doctors, attorneys, engineers, or managers in the private sector.
Lack of intellectual diversity on campus is a real problem, whatever its cause. Among students, the biggest losers are liberal students, who despite the best efforts of well-meaning liberal professors are simply less likely to have their preconceived notions challenged — which is an indispensable element of a real education.
But it’s hard to have a serious talk about this during election season. It’ll have to wait.
John Hood http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_john-hood-9.jpg John Hood
John Locke Foundation chairman John Hood is the author of Catalyst: Jim Martin and the Rise of North Carolina Republicans.
John Locke Foundation chairman John Hood is the author of Catalyst: Jim Martin and the Rise of North Carolina Republicans. | http://robesonian.com/news/91339/university-faculty-lacks-diversity | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/a0e010fabc53edc6153374f74412ea6b22e10d47d3543c5eb51602aee7a7425d.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:47:22 | null | 2016-08-26T07:54:33 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91233%2Fplyler-former-lawmaker-dies.json | http://robesonian.com/news/91233/plyler-former-lawmaker-dies | en | null | Plyler, former lawmaker, dies | null | null | robesonian.com | MONROE (AP) — Former state Sen. Aaron Plyler, a lawmaker who wielded power over the state budget and was a strong advocate of higher education, has died. He was 89.
Linda Sims of Gordon Funeral Service confirmed that Plyler died on Tuesday. The cause of death was unknown.
Plyler was elected to the House in 1974 and Senate in 1982. The Charlotte Observer reports he rose to become chairman of a budget committee and a member of a super subcommittee, a handful of lawmakers who wrote the state budget behind closed doors.
Plyler also was a strong advocate of higher education and played a pivotal role in the growth of UNC Charlotte.
Funeral services for Plyler are scheduled for Friday at Benton Heights Presbyterian Church in Monroe. Visitation will precede the service. | http://robesonian.com/news/91233/plyler-former-lawmaker-dies | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/43343ef45cfce536001630ece37f625d9dc02c7c33b99bd7b627871eb3a178bd.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:54:23 | null | 2016-08-26T07:42:08 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91229%2Fpolice-group-endorses-mccrory.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_pat-mccrory.jpg | en | null | Police group endorses McCrory | null | null | robesonian.com | RALEIGH — North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory sought to invigorate his re-election campaign Thursday by accepting in person another key law enforcement endorsement and rolling out a new ad proclaiming a close relationship with police.
Making a public campaign appearance at a Raleigh hotel, McCrory received the backing of the North Carolina Police Benevolent Association, the state’s largest law enforcement lobbying group with more than 10,000 members.
Following interviews last month, the association chose McCrory over Democratic rival Attorney General Roy Cooper, who in recent polls has been shown slightly ahead or statistically even with the incumbent in one of the nation’s most watched gubernatorial races.
Association leaders said McCrory pledged to work more inclusively with law enforcement groups, particularly during a time of recent negative stories nationwide about police. In 2012, the association endorsed McCrory’s Democratic rival, Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton.
“We believe a vote for Gov. McCrory is a vote for the men and women of law enforcement and for the citizens they selflessly serve each and every day in our communities,” state PBA President Randy Byrd, a Cary police sergeant, said at the event.
McCrory spoke about working as governor to raise pay for state troopers and correctional officers. He also referred to a law he signed that states the footage of police body and dash cameras are not public records, but it can be released in certain situations. He said the law promotes both transparency and the constitutional rights of officers.
“Endorsements are usually about politics and politicians,” McCrory said. “This one is not. This one matters.”
Still, McCrory’s campaign used this endorsement and two previous ones — from the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police and the North Carolina Troopers Association — in a commercial released Thursday. The ad features Michael Potts, a state trooper shot five times during a Durham traffic stop in 2013. The governor visited him in the hospital and invited him and his family over to dinner after he recovered.
McCrory is “law enforcement’s friend. And, mine,” Potts says, looking into the camera.
McCrory also used Thursday’s event to take verbal swings at Cooper for declining to defend or ending the defense of some state laws in court, and by accusing him of failing to fix fully problems at the state crime laboratory within Cooper’s department.
Cooper said his office wouldn’t defend a state law limiting rules designed to protect LGBT people because it was discriminatory. The Department of Justice defended other laws in court until federal appeals rulings struck them down. Cooper found the problems at the crime lab after becoming attorney general, his campaign said.
McCrory’s “false attack is nothing more than a desperate attempt to mislead voters,” Cooper campaign spokesman Jamal Little said in an email. McCrory didn’t take questions at the news conference.
Cooper previously has been endorsed by the National Association of Police Organizations. His campaign on Thursday unveiled another endorsement from the Professional Firefighters and Paramedics of North Carolina.
McCrory was scheduled to hold a private campaign fundraiser later Thursday in Fayetteville featuring South Carolina GOP Gov. Nikki Haley. | http://robesonian.com/news/91229/police-group-endorses-mccrory | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/384bad88111adb9e889bd9accde807bc8114274c28c1fd184e3c28e71219456b.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T12:48:27 | null | 2016-08-31T08:45:24 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fopinion%2F91386%2Ftv-ads-drive-cooper-gains.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_john-hood-10.jpg | en | null | TV ads drive Cooper gains | null | null | robesonian.com | RALEIGH — Labor Day traditionally begins the homestretch of political campaigns. So now is a good time to assess how key candidates are faring in North Carolina — and what would need to happen for them to finish first by Election Day.
In the presidential race, the average of the seven polls publicly released in July and August gives Hillary Clinton 43 percent and Donald Trump 41 percent of the vote, with Libertarian nominee Gary Johnson and Green Party nominee Jill Stein accounting for a combined (and impressive) 9 percent. That leaves an average of about 7 percent undecided at this point.
Since March, Clinton has usually enjoyed a narrow edge over Trump in North Carolina polling. While at the national level the succession of Republican and Democratic conventions seems to have given her at least a modest net gain, her position in our state hasn’t changed very much.
In the U.S. Senate race, incumbent Richard Burr averages 46 percent, vs. 42 percent for his Democratic challenger, former state Rep. Deborah Ross. According to polling averages, this race hasn’t changed dramatically over the past several months, either. Burr has generally led Ross in most surveys, with Libertarian Sean Haugh averaging in the low single-digits.
By contrast, the latest polling has shifted in the governor’s race. Before midsummer, Republican incumbent Pat McCrory and Democratic challenger Roy Cooper were usually within one or two points of each other, averaging in the low to mid- 40s. Over the five publicly available surveys in July and August, however, Cooper leads McCrory by an average of five points.
Interestingly, both the governor and the attorney general are outpolling their respective presidential tickets. McCrory currently averages 44 percent vs. Trump’s 41 percent. Cooper currently averages 49 percent vs. Clinton’s 43 percent. There are quite a few Republican-leaning voters who like McCrory much more than they like Trump. Even more Democratic-leaning voters are more confident in Cooper than they are in Clinton.
It’s important to keep in mind, though, that some of these Cooper (and McCrory) voters are still “leaners.” They aren’t completely locked into their choices. What explains Cooper’s August surge? I believe it reflects the Democratic campaign’s significant placement of TV ads, particularly in the Triangle media market (which is where most of Cooper’s statewide lead is actually located). Swing voters are now hearing more about the candidate with whom many were unfamiliar (Cooper) and hearing negative things about the candidate whose name they already recognized (McCrory).
This is not to diminish Cooper’s gains. Pollsters ought to ask undecided voters how they lean, and then report those findings. Otherwise, they are suppressing critical information with which to predict what would happen if the election were held today.
Cooper’s ads are well-produced and well-placed. According to the Wesleyan University Media Project, pro-Cooper ads (by the campaign and other groups) had run nearly 9,000 times through Aug. 18, while pro-McCrory ads had run about 6,000 times. More to the point, the pro-Cooper forces had spent $5.6 million and the pro-McCrory forces had spent $2 million, suggesting the Cooper ads have been placed in higher-rated timeslots, reaching more potential voters.
If you are already sick of seeing ads from these candidates, I’m afraid your symptoms will only get more acute. The McCrory campaign and its supporters will be responding on the air — and giving Cooper the first hard hits he’s gotten in many election cycles. Burr and Ross will go on TV in a major way, too. And the Trump campaign, with diminishing prospects in other traditional battlegrounds, will be betting heavily on North Carolina. Keep in mind, too, that there are other important races on the statewide ballot — competitive ones for attorney general, state treasurer, lieutenant governor, and the state courts, among others. You’ll see ads from them, as well.
August was a Democratic month. But the 2016 chapter of the book of North Carolina politics is still being written. Our electorate has become closely divided. Our elections have become closely watched. And there are no permanent victories.
http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_john-hood-10.jpg
John Hood, the chairman of the John Locke Foundation chairman, is the author of “Catalyst: Jim Martin and the Rise of North Carolina Republicans.”
John Hood, the chairman of the John Locke Foundation chairman, is the author of “Catalyst: Jim Martin and the Rise of North Carolina Republicans.” | http://robesonian.com/opinion/91386/tv-ads-drive-cooper-gains | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/0e671307a3a501b155b1d72c7297575c7526a98dbd0893aeb331247fdf6e6d6c.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:53:27 | null | 2016-08-25T18:53:36 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fsports%2F91223%2Ftornadoes-edge-pirates-in-season-opener.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_London.jpg | en | null | Tornadoes edge Pirates in season opener | null | null | robesonian.com | FAIRMONT — With two evenly matched volleyball teams facing off as Fairmont hosted Lumberton on Wednesday, both coaches knew what set their teams apart in the final score.
Fairmont (1-0) held its own against Lumberton (3-2) and won a tightly-contested, four-set match by scores of 25-22, 23-25, 25-17 and 25-22.
“We had runs, they had runs. When you play two teams that are even, that’s how they’re going to play — a game of runs,” Fairmont coach Michael Baker said. “I think our runs went a little bit longer. That was it.”
“A couple little things kept us out of the big plays. If we do a couple little things right there toward the end — that one play at the end doesn’t make or break the game — but like I told the girls I could think of a dozen other things that would’ve changed the outcome,” Lumberton coach Tre’ Britt said. “Until we start doing the little things right, we aren’t going to win big ballgames or close ballgames.”
Lumberton mounted comebacks in the first two sets as the Lady Golden Tornadoes opened up sizable leads. In the first, the Lady Pirates’ run came too late in the set, but in the second they were able to break the 23-all score with two straight points to claim their only set of the match.
“At times we looked real good. At times we looked real bad,” Britt said. “Volleyball is a game of momentum. If you keep the momentum on your side, it’s amazing how things roll for you. At times, we hit the ball well when we hit the ball down. Then there’s times passing wise we don’t have a clue.”
After shaking off an early lead from Lumberton early in the third set, Fairmont claimed the third set. Both sides traded points in the final set before a late push from Fairmont closed it out.
Working on a new 5-1 system this year, Baker was pleased with how his team fell into the new formation in Wednesday’s season opener.
“I thought it looked pretty good for being the first time out,” Baker said. “We revamped everything. We have new starters and I think the girls did well for the first game.”
Fairmont was led by MacKenzie Johnson as she dished out 12 assists, Maya Bellamy had 10 kills and five blocks, Maya Strickland had six kills and three blocks, Kiara Page had seven kills and five service aces.
Fairmont totaled 14 blocks in the match and disrupted the Lady Pirates offensive attack at the net with long, athletic hitters like London Thompson, Madison Canady, Destiny Hardin and Trinity McBryde.
“We worked on blocking about all summer,” Baker said. “From spring to summer we worked on getting our hands up and making blocks.”
Lumberton was led by Thompson with six kills, Canady with two kills, Erin Maynor with 10 digs and Alyssa Oxendine with three service aces.
“We’ve just got to get things rolling into conference because we need to be hitting on all cylinders, especially when we roll into conference play,” Britt said.
Lumberton plays at Red Springs and Fairmont goes to Purnell Swett on Thursday.
West Bladen routs Purnell Swett soccer
After falling into a hole in the first half, the Purnell Swett soccer team was unable to come from behind at home as West Bladen took a 4-1 win.
The Ram’s lone goal came off the foot of Vidal Velasquez in the second half.
Purnell Swett plays at home against West Columbus on Monday.
Jonathan Bym | The Robesonian
Lumberton’s London Thompson, left, has her shot blocked at the net by Fairmont’s Niya Graham (7) and Maya Bellamy (10) during the Lady Golden Tornadoes’ four-set win on Wednesday. http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_London.jpg Jonathan Bym | The Robesonian
Lumberton’s London Thompson, left, has her shot blocked at the net by Fairmont’s Niya Graham (7) and Maya Bellamy (10) during the Lady Golden Tornadoes’ four-set win on Wednesday.
Fairmont volleyball wins in four sets over Lumberton
By Jonathan Bym [email protected]
Jonathan Bym can be reached at 910-816-1977. Follow him on Twitter @Jonathan_Bym.
Jonathan Bym can be reached at 910-816-1977. Follow him on Twitter @Jonathan_Bym. | http://robesonian.com/sports/91223/tornadoes-edge-pirates-in-season-opener | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/ccb018dcb34503972f051f96f1ac4dcd5a890b5a891b6d652b352a5a36d8b18e.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T16:47:03 | null | 2016-08-28T12:13:06 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91305%2Fclean-and-green-meets-tuesday.json | http://robesonian.com/news/91305/clean-and-green-meets-tuesday | en | null | Clean and Green meets Tuesday | null | null | robesonian.com | PEMBROKE — The next meeting of Robeson County’s Clean and Green Committee will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the office of the Lumber River Council of Governments, located in COMtech business park.
The group organized in 2015 in an effort to get people mobilized to clean up the county’s roadsides. | http://robesonian.com/news/91305/clean-and-green-meets-tuesday | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/94eff60a3011c4f8d4bab1bbe4d758dfb2535742f2d70470948c288ae940fb3a.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:50:59 | null | 2016-08-26T07:29:42 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91227%2Fcourt-urged-to-suspend-voter-id-for-election.json | http://robesonian.com/news/91227/court-urged-to-suspend-voter-id-for-election | en | null | Court urged to suspend voter-ID for election | null | null | robesonian.com | RALEIGH — The federal government and others who sued to overturn North Carolina’s voter identification law told the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday that keeping the photo ID mandate and other rules in place for the November elections would harm black voters and increase confusion.
Their lawyers also want early in-person voting restored to 17 days in the fall election season because the 2013 law, which had reduced it to 10 days, was struck down justifiably for racial discrimination. They were responding to last week’s request by Republican Gov. Pat McCrory and other state officials to delay a ruling by a lower appeals court striking down several sections of the law.
Last month, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the Republican-led General Assembly enacted the 2013 law with intentional discrimination in mind by targeting black voters more likely to support Democrats.
“Once an electoral law has been found to be racially discriminatory, and injunctive relief has been found to be necessary to remedy that discrimination, the normal rule is that the operation of the law must be suspended,” wrote Ian Heath Gershengorn, the acting U.S. solicitor general. He warned that failing to suspend the law “would inflict irreparable injury on minority voters.”
State officials disagree. If the state’s delay request is successful, the voter ID requirement would be enforced and early voting would remain covering 10 days in North Carolina, a presidential battleground state. The delay is needed, the attorneys for the state argue, while they ask justices to consider weighing legal issues in the case.
State officials wrote Aug. 15 that orders to revert to old election rules before the 2013 law would make it difficult for both voters and election officials entering the election season, which also includes races for governor and U.S. Senate. The voter ID requirement already was used in this year’s primary elections. Ten days of early voting began earlier.
In two filings Thursday, the plaintiffs wrote that more trouble for voters would come by keeping the 2013 law’s requirement in place, especially since election officials are already re-arranging voting plans based on the result of the 4th Circuit decision July 29.
Elections boards in all 100 counties have been ordered to approve new 17-day schedules for early voting sites and hours. The State Board of Elections held a training conference recently to plan for the adjustments. And a state-mandated voter guide getting mailed to 4 million households soon has been changed to remind people a qualifying ID no longer will be necessary to vote, according to a filing for the state NAACP, League of Women Voters and other groups and registered voters who sued.
“The state has already taken a number of critical remedial steps to implement the 4th Circuit’s decision,” the groups’ lawyers wrote.
Chief Justice John Roberts, who receives such appeals for North Carolina matters, had asked for a response from the plaintiffs’ lawyers by Thursday afternoon. Outside lawyers for the state could yet file another brief countering Thursday’s arguments. A ruling date is unknown.
Legislative leaders and McCrory, who is seeking re-election this fall, have said the 4th Circuit decision was wrong. McCrory has said voter ID is a common sense requirement to increase the integrity of elections. The appeals court judges pointed out the state provided no evidence of the kind of in-person voter fraud the ID mandate would address. A trial court judge in April had upheld the 2013 law.
The office of North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper, a Democrat challenging McCrory in November, is no longer helping defend the voter ID law after the 4th Circuit decision. | http://robesonian.com/news/91227/court-urged-to-suspend-voter-id-for-election | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/525a31a32f0817f93683d1d9e184151cae46b147554ade72a14822a0e390e6b7.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T14:45:54 | null | 2016-08-26T09:20:59 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91238%2Fschools-keep-tight-grip-on-road.json | http://robesonian.com/news/91238/schools-keep-tight-grip-on-road | en | null | Schools keep tight grip on rod | null | null | robesonian.com | DEXTER, Ga. — Two licks with a wooden paddle in the principal’s office was the price 11-year-old Kaley Zacher paid for ignoring warnings about falling behind in her school work.
Rules are rules, said her mother, Kimberly Zacher, so why shouldn’t the punishment be the same as at home when her daughter falls out of line?
“What we instill in our children is if you break the rules, there’s a punishment that you have to suffer the consequences for,”said the Dexter, Georgia, resident. “You don’t want to give two sets of rules.”
Although corporal punishment in American schools has declined in recent decades, paddling is still on the books in 19 states despite calls from the U.S. Education Department to curb punitive discipline, which has been shown to affect minority and disabled students disproportionately.
That is certainly the case in North Carolina and Robeson County.
Robeson County is ranked first in the state for its use of corporal punishment in public schools out of the four counties in North Carolina where paddling is still permitted, according to a report released in March by the Department of Public Instruction. The report found that 88 of the 147 children who were physically punished in the North Carolina school system during the 2014-2015 school year were students in the public schools of Robeson County. Eighty of those 88 in Robeson County were American Indian, according to the report.
According to the Department of Public Instruction, Prospect Elementary School accounted for 80 percent of the corporal punishment cases in the county last year. In Robeson County, parents must sign a consent form before corporal punishment can be administered.
The other counties in North Carolina that still allow corporal punishment are Graham, Macon and Swain.
Black children were more than twice as likely to be corporally punished than white children, and nearly eight times more likely to be corporally punished than Hispanic children, the Children’s Defense Fund said in a 2014 report that analyzed 2009-10 Education Department data.
But in corners of the country where it remains deeply woven in culture and tradition, some school administrators say corporal punishment has broad support from parents, that it preserves learning time that would be lost to a suspension, and that they see little need to give up a practice that dates back generations.
“Corporal punishment is an immediate consequence to an action, and there’s no down time. … It’s really pretty effective,” said Camille Wright, a superintendent in Enterprise, Alabama, part of the mostly southern swath of states where paddling is still allowed.
The U.S. Education Department, whose statistics show that more than 100,000 students are subjected to corporal punishment annually, has been urging schools through its “ReThink Discipline” initiative to create safe and supportive climates that emphasize positive behavior.
“The Department of Education strongly believes that states have the power to change,” Deputy Assistant Secretary Tanya Clay House said in a statement Tuesday.
Several medical and human rights groups have called for an end to a practice criticized as ineffective and potentially harmful.
“You want to keep kids in the classroom, but to suggest that the only way to keep them in is to beat them with a stick is ludicrous,” said Dennis Parker, director of the ACLU’s Racial Justice Program. The ACLU teamed with Human Rights Watch for a 2009 report that called for banning corporal punishment in schools, saying things like peer courts, conflict resolution programs and character education were better approaches.
“Paddling can cause pain, humiliation, and in some cases deep bruising or other lasting physical or mental injury,” the report said.
Debate spiked in April after a mother in Georgia aired video of a Jasper County school official holding her crying kindergartner as he was about to be paddled and said she regretted giving the school permission to discipline him that way.
In her Alabama district, Wright said few parents sign an opt-out form that is sent home each year, a practice common in schools that paddle. Her district, like others, also phones parents for permission before administering up to three swats, even if they’ve already granted blanket consent, and requires another administrator as a witness.
There is a cultural element in support for the practice, notably among black parents in the rural South, Parker said.
“When we did our report it was sometimes difficult, particularly in southern states, to get support from communities of color for getting rid of corporal punishment. Some of that is a reflection of … ‘This is what I’m used to. This worked for me,’” he said.
Wright said her district nevertheless is slowly moving away from corporal punishment for things like cursing a teacher or leaving without permission, even though there is little opposition.
Many states have outlawed corporal punishment in schools, but it remains legal in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming.
Kaley Zacher said the paddling she received from her vice principal last year after missing several assignments and receiving numerous warnings at Southwest Laurens Elementary School in Rentz, Georgia, left her shaken.
“I was sad and still scared and shaking, and I was crying a little,” she said. “I was just, ‘Suck it up and continue class.’”
But did she get better about her work?
Yes, her mom said. “She talked about it for a couple of weeks, and she said she didn’t want that to happen again.”
Corporal punishment still popular in South
By Carolyn Thompson Associated Press
Terri Ferguson Smith of The Robesonian contributed to this report. Reach her at 910-416-5865.
Terri Ferguson Smith of The Robesonian contributed to this report. Reach her at 910-416-5865. | http://robesonian.com/news/91238/schools-keep-tight-grip-on-road | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/1d8f0241893a7ad79e156258edfd619387ee16d6b469b5ff276efdab1f49de35.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T14:47:49 | null | 2016-08-30T10:12:22 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fsports%2F91366%2Ftuesdays-local-roundup-2.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Schools-5.jpg | en | null | Tuesday’s Local Roundup | null | null | robesonian.com | St. Pauls soccer grabs first win
ST. PAULS — Two second half goals lifted the St. Pauls boys soccer team to a 3-1 win over Overhills at home on Monday.
Alexis Mendez, Abdoul Kabre and Victor Garcia found the back of the net for the Bulldogs (1-4). Mendez added two assists and leads the team in assists and is tied for the lead in goals.
St. Pauls plays at Corinth Holder tomorrow.
St. Pauls tops Purnell Swett
The St. Pauls girls tennis team captured a 6-3 non-conference win over Purnell Swett at home on Monday.
The Lady Bulldogs (4-0) grabbed five wins in singles and another in doubles to finish the season sweep of the Lady Rams(0-3).
Nayeli Estrada, Hailey Hughes, Abigale Moncrief, Brianda Barrera and Isabella Dugarte took wins in singles for St. Pauls and Hughes and Moncrief teamed up for the doubles win.
Harlie Scott won Purnell Swett’s lone singles match. the teams of Brooke Huggins and Kari Brooks along with McKenzie Cummings and Harlie Scott won in doubles.
St. Pauls plays at Fairmont today and Purnell Swett travels to Scotland on Thursday.
Purnell Swett routs Vikings on pitch
PEMBROKE — The Purnell Swett boys soccer team netted three goals in both the first and second half to topple West Columbus at home on Monday and shut out the Vikings for the second time this season.
Purnell Swett plays at Red Springs tomorrow.
http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Schools-5.jpg | http://robesonian.com/sports/91366/tuesdays-local-roundup-2 | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/82ebb2294ab2bb0fa85bb18b0e24c78c664dbfed9b6f5f4efca6208b9f8d19e9.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T12:47:47 | null | 2016-08-30T07:05:26 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91357%2Fex-judges-offer-nonpartisan-nc-congressional-map.json | http://robesonian.com/news/91357/ex-judges-offer-nonpartisan-nc-congressional-map | en | null | Ex-judges offer nonpartisan NC congressional map | null | null | robesonian.com | RALEIGH — An exercise to draw North Carolina’s congressional boundaries while bypassing political data hopefully will increase interest in “nonpartisan” redistricting and avoid extensive future litigation seen for decades over challenged maps, former state jurists said Monday.
Former state Supreme Court chief justices and other judges from both parties unveiled the districts they drew for North Carolina’s 13 seats in the U.S. House using basic population numbers and other guidelines laid out in proposed legislation.
But the judges didn’t look at voter registration and election results, which are almost always used by North Carolina state lawmakers when they draw districts for Congress and the legislature based on census data every 10 years.
The result, according to organizers of the demonstration map, is geographically compact districts that still created three toss-up seats politically. Ten of the seats on the current map drawn by GOP legislators and used this November are now held by Republicans and aren’t likely to be won by Democrats this fall.
Critics of traditional redistricting methods say it’s in the interest of the majority party — Democrats or Republicans — to create noncompetitive districts.
“We want people to understand that there is another way and that this can be done fairly and it can be done in a way that doesn’t take into account party politics,” said Tom Ross, the former University of North Carolina system president now working at Duke University’s Sanford School of Public Policy. The Sanford school and Common Cause North Carolina helped organize the mapping project.
In the demonstration map, the group said voters in six districts would likely elect Republicans and four would likely elect Democrats.
Redistricting maps drawn by the North Carolina legislature have routinely been met with lawsuits. Maps approved in 2011 have been struck down by courts just this year following five years of litigation accusing mapmakers of racial gerrymandering for partisan gain.
Congressional races for the March 15 primary were delayed until June because maps had to be redrawn in February. Legislative maps were overturned just this month and may have to be redrawn next year. The whole process begins again in 2021.
“People are getting tired of having elections that don’t count because the map that they were voting under is declared unconstitutional,” said Rhoda Billings, the chief justice in the mid-1980s, appointed by Republican Gov. Jim Martin.
The House passed in 2011 a bill creating a five-member redistricting commission that essentially followed the same rules as the judges, except that any maps would still need legislative approval. Similar commissions have not been well received in the Senate.
Current redistricting leaders at the legislature blasted Monday’s project as a “charade” with a map that was unconstitutional. They pointed out the national Common Cause organization sued them three weeks ago to have the state’s latest congressional map declared an illegal partisan gerrymander.
“Common Cause’s only problem is that (the current map) doesn’t elect enough Democrats,” said Rep. David Lewis, R-Harnett, and Sen. Bob Rucho, R-Mecklenburg, in a release.
Billings and former Chief Justice Henry Frye, an appointee of Democratic Gov. Jim Hunt, shared duties of leading the panel of five former chief justices and five other judges. Ross advised the panel.
The panelists were split into two groups and created draft maps. A final map was completed earlier this month, after considerations with its compliance with the U.S. Voting Rights Act. | http://robesonian.com/news/91357/ex-judges-offer-nonpartisan-nc-congressional-map | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/a31985a5748da707b937e3650428efcfa6725772dca2c493a76cad72aaab9799.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T16:46:17 | null | 2016-08-27T11:07:52 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fopinion%2F91289%2Fmore-words-on-new-schools-but-wheres-the-money.json | http://robesonian.com/opinion/91289/more-words-on-new-schools-but-wheres-the-money | en | null | More words on new schools, but where’s the money? | null | null | robesonian.com | On Tuesday members of the Board of Education for the Public Schools of Robeson County will huddle with Treasury officials and two local lawmakers to discuss the need for new schools, but missing will be the county commissioners, who are boycotting the meeting.
In doing so, the commissioners will exit the high road, which they had traveled previously in pushing a plan for new schools that our children desperately deserve. They are also signaling to the school board — and the voting public — that new schools, as we have predicted, are unlikely to be built anytime soon because the money locally doesn’t exist.
We defer to Jane Smith, the state senator who represents Robeson County and called for the meeting: “This is an extremely important issue for our county. We need to build schools and we need to figure out how to pay for them. We know we can’t build them with our tax base.”
Therein is the rub: Robeson County taxpayers cannot afford to build a sufficent number of schools to put more than a dink in the problem, which is why Senate Bill 554, which the Treasury’s Office fought and killed with an assist from our school board while our legislators napped, was critical. That legislation, which we hope can be revisited in some form when the General Assembly reconvenes in 2017, was critical because it allowed for some state money to be used for building schools.
We can tell you now that nothing more will emerge from Tuesday’s meeting beyond an acknowledgement of the need — of that, we aren’t even convinced, because some school board members are oblivious to the infrastructure challenge — and the suggestion that bonds be sold to raise about $75 million to build two or three schools. But voters will never say yes in such a referendum because that money pays for only two or three schools and comes with a tax hike of up to 20 cents.
There is simply no way that poor, rural counties — and we are among the poorest with probably the largest infrastructure problem — can build new schools in adequate numbers without the help of the state. Perhaps all the noise that came from this county while school consolidation was pushed was heard in Raleigh because we learned last week that $1 million has been put aside to study the infrastructure challenges facing poor school systems.
We are glad that Smith called the meeting if only because it will again put the problem in all caps. The meeting should have been held months ago, but egos got in the way. Understand that much of the opposition on the school board had less to do with whether new schools are needed or not, but that some members didn’t feel sufficiently involved in the process by the commissioners when they called for the Ferris study.
The commissioners are taking what they think is a strong approach, but in truth it shows weakness, demonstrating an indifference to what really matters here, which is to identify a road that can be traveled. If nothing else, the commissioners should pull up a chair and smirk when school board members and Treasury officials realize the impossibility of the task without state money.
Absent the resurrection of SB554 or a satisfactory hybrid, Robeson’s and other poor school systems will have to make do with what they have. State legislators are poised to spend $1 million to figure out what we just told them. | http://robesonian.com/opinion/91289/more-words-on-new-schools-but-wheres-the-money | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/0dcdb629de20cfaea7ced4d3121a4ac587f8f6351f8d768393d0ddb95f1a34ca.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T20:45:58 | null | 2016-08-26T16:12:02 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91272%2Fsmith-zika-doesnt-pose-threat-in-robeson-in-short-term.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Bill-Smith_cmyk-2.jpg | en | null | Smith: Zika doesn’t pose threat in Robeson in short-term | null | null | robesonian.com | LUMBERTON — The director for the Robeson County Health Department says local residents need not worry about the Zika virus anytime soon, but it could be a threat down the road.
“Now that it’s being transmitted in Florida, you’ll see it creeping up the map,” Bill Smith said Thursday during a Health Board meeting. “The longer it takes, the better off we will be. At the rate it’s going now, it won’t be transmitted in North Carolina for one or two more years, and they’re working on a vaccine.”
As of Wednesday, there were no locally-acquired cases of the Zika virus in North Carolina, but there were 36 travel-related cases, meaning a person contracted the virus elsewhere before returning to North Carolina. Within the United States, 2,517 cases have been reported, but only 29 of those have been locally acquired, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Locally-transmitted cases of the virus have been identified in Miami, Fla., but a case identified this week in Tampa Bay, Fla., shows the virus is sneaking northward.
Dr. Obiefuna Okoye, medical director of Infectious Diseases for Southeastern Health, said that no travel-related Zika cases have been reported in Robeson County. Southeastern Health employees are continuing to keep their eyes on updates from the Centers for Disease Control to stay informed.
“The CDC is a wonderful organization and is putting out guidance for what to look for,” Okoye said. “The symptoms, for example, are non-specific, like fevers, headaches, rashes, joint pain and conjunctivitis.”
Because those symptoms are common, Okoye advises anyone presenting them who has traveled to areas where the virus is prominent, like South America, should visit their medical provider. Okoye said a patient can be tested for Zika through a simple blood or urine test. The CDC is currently working on a vaccination, which Okoye said would be similar to the one for the flu.
According to the World Health Organization, the Zika virus is transmitted by the Aedes mosquito and was first identified in monkeys living in Uganda in 1947 and in humans in 1952. The first large outbreak of the virus occurred in 2007 on the Island of Yap. The virus has been linked to birth defects, meaning pregnant women are most at risk.
Since its discovery, scientists have found that the Zika virus can also be transmitted through sex. On Friday, the FDA asked all U.S. blood banks to screen blood for the virus.
“In most people, you get it and you get better, but if you’re a female and you’re pregnant, it has been that it can be passed onto the baby and cause them to develop complications when they’re born,” Okoye said.
In July 2015, Zika was linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare condition that causes a person’s immune system to attack their peripheral nerves. It is most common in adults and in males, and those with the condition generally recover fully, even in the most severe cases. But, in rare cases, Guillain-Barré syndrome can result in near-total paralysis.
In October 2015, it was found that the Zika virus can affect the unborn child of an infected mother, causing the child to be born with microcephaly —a condition in which a child is born with an undersized head. Babies with microcephaly can suffer convulsions as well as physical and mental disabilities as they mature. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, the risk for microcephaly with Zika infections is 1 to 13 percent in the first trimester.
To avoid contracting the Zika virus, the CDC recommends being fully clothed in areas where the virus is prominent and to use mosquito repellent.
Smith said Thursday that he believes the virus may travel next to Louisiana following recent flooding there.
“In this kind of county, we advise to be watchful,” Okoye said. “We can’t really tell, but we advise to be observant. If you’ve been in areas where the virus is prominent and you have symptoms, go get checked out.”
Dr. Obiefuna Okoye http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Okoye-2c-Obiefuna-1.jpg Dr. Obiefuna Okoye Bill Smith http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Bill-Smith_cmyk-2.jpg Bill Smith
By Gabrielle Isaac [email protected]
Gabrielle Isaac can be reached at 910-816-1989 or on Twitter @news_gabbie.
Gabrielle Isaac can be reached at 910-816-1989 or on Twitter @news_gabbie. | http://robesonian.com/news/91272/smith-zika-doesnt-pose-threat-in-robeson-in-short-term | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/4233d7de4b7d0cff26b9203edd96ef8588110cc9ec94eaf0d512aacdb3e95e9e.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T18:45:55 | null | 2016-08-26T13:52:10 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2Fcrime%2F91261%2Frobeson-county-crime-report-41.json | http://robesonian.com/news/crime/91261/robeson-county-crime-report-41 | en | null | Robeson County crime report | null | null | robesonian.com | Thefts
Johnny Arnette, of King Tuck Road, St. Pauls, reported Thursday that he was robbed at gunpoint of $9 in cash, his $10 wallet, bank and ID cards and a $100 cell phone, according to a police report.
Gary Locklear reported Thursday that someone broke into a U.S. 4 Less Distribution Inc. truck at Starlite Food Mart on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Lumberton and stole $15,000 in cash and a $200 handgun, according to a police report. | http://robesonian.com/news/crime/91261/robeson-county-crime-report-41 | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/69e6ced9661f8da11dce3670229abd6973c0bf292966878884d2c3190c45958e.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T12:48:20 | null | 2016-08-31T08:11:37 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91382%2Fusda-to-reopen-offices-closed-after-email-threats.json | http://robesonian.com/news/91382/usda-to-reopen-offices-closed-after-email-threats | en | null | USDA to reopen offices closed after email threats | null | null | robesonian.com | WASHINGTON — The Agriculture Department will reopen some offices Wednesday that were closed after an unspecified email threat.
USDA spokesman Matthew Herrick said offices in Colorado, Maryland, North Carolina and Kearneysville, West Virginia, will open Wednesday with additional security enhancements. USDA offices in Hamden, Connecticut, and Leetown, West Virginia, will remain closed while waiting for security improvements or notifications to union officials.
Herrick said earlier Tuesday that the department had received “several anonymous messages” late Monday that raised concerns about the safety of USDA personnel and facilities. Offices in six locations in five states were closed Tuesday morning “until further notice.”
Herrick said the threat was one email message sent to multiple employees at all the locations.
“Without getting into detail of the email message, USDA continues to work closely with federal and local law enforcement, including the FBI, to determine whether the threat is credible,” Herrick said.
Herrick said USDA is continuing to work with law enforcement but officials determined the offices could be re-opened with additional security.
The closed facilities include offices for eight USDA agencies, including the Forest Service and the Food Safety and Inspection Service. Among the sites affected was USDA’s sprawling agricultural research center and library in Beltsville, Maryland, where employees were informed of the threat Tuesday morning and sent home. In Fort Collins, Colorado, four buildings at the Natural Resources Research Center — a campus where over 1,000 people work — were closed.
In an email to employees, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said USDA is closing the offices “due to the serious nature of these threats.” He did not characterize the threats, but asked employees to be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity. He said employees could telework or take authorized leave.
White House Spokesman Josh Earnest said the Department of Homeland Security is working with USDA “to ensure the safety of their offices and the personnel that work there.”
The temporary closures may have affected some tourists. In Colorado, the Forest Service’s Canyon Lakes Ranger District tweeted that its information center was closed.
By Mary Clare Jalonick Associated Press
Associated Press writers Ben Nuckols, Darlene Superville and Colleen Slevin contributed to this report.
Associated Press writers Ben Nuckols, Darlene Superville and Colleen Slevin contributed to this report. | http://robesonian.com/news/91382/usda-to-reopen-offices-closed-after-email-threats | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/b313ca16c0aa43f738046cf40588d59769bf338e7c92cae5364af04d623fe6a9.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T20:47:35 | null | 2016-08-29T15:19:18 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91349%2Fman-wanted-in-connection-with-murder-robbery-in-red-springs.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_DANIEL-RICHARD-CUMMINGS.jpg | en | null | Man wanted in connection with murder, robbery in Red Springs | null | null | robesonian.com | RED SPRINGS — The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a Red Springs man in connection with a robbery and murder early Sunday morning.
The Sheriff’s Office identified Daniel Richard Cummings as a suspect in the death of 26-year-old Nakoma Deshane Jacobs. Authorities are also trying to identify another person of interest in the crime.
According to a statement from the Sheriff’s Office, deputies went to a home on the 200 block of Bryant Road at about 5:20 a.m. Sunday after receiving a call of a subject shot. There, they found Jacobs laying on the ground by the back door of the home with a gunshot wound in his chest. Jacobs, who lived at another address on Bryant Road, later died at Southeastern Regional Medical Center as a result of his injuries.
Investigators determined that robbery had been the motive for the murder. According to the statement, Jacobs had been robbed of items including jewelry and a firearm.
Cummings, 30 of Old Lowery Road, has been charged with first-degree murder in Jacobs’ death, as well as conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed robbery, discharging a weapon into an occupied dwelling and possession of a firearm by a felon.
According to Department of Public Safety records, Cummings has previously been convicted of felony possession of stolen goods, animal cruelty, breaking and entering, assault with a deadly weapon, larceny of a motor vehicle, injury to real property, and other crimes. He was released from Lumberton Correctional Institution in March 2014.
Anyone with information on the murder or Cummings’ whereabouts should call the Sheriff’s Office at 910-671-3100.
Daniel Cummings http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_DANIEL-RICHARD-CUMMINGS.jpgDaniel Cummings
By Sarah Willets [email protected] | http://robesonian.com/news/91349/man-wanted-in-connection-with-murder-robbery-in-red-springs | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/7be24530fc2eefc6a73ec4cd149773aa7f5adaf1ed466a29bd9611dcb864e2c5.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T12:48:24 | null | 2016-08-31T07:41:34 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91379%2Fstorm-threat-thins-beach-crowd-at-outer-banks.json | http://robesonian.com/news/91379/storm-threat-thins-beach-crowd-at-outer-banks | en | null | Storm threat thins beach crowd at Outer Banks | null | null | robesonian.com | RODANTHE — Crowds thinned Tuesday on the beaches of North Carolina’s Outer Banks ahead of a tropical weather system that threatened to bring strong winds and heavy rains that could flood low-lying areas.
Elsewhere, a powerful hurricane threatened to pass “dangerously close” to Hawaii, and a hurricane watch was issued for parts of Florida’s Gulf Coast because of a tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico.
On North Carolina’s Hatteras Island, a slow stream of dozens of cars from places including Maryland, New York and Ohio headed north toward a bridge to the mainland — but other vacationers stayed and some surfers dove in for taller waves. Several Outer Banks businesses reported cancellations and slower foot traffic.
Some beaches were all but empty. Near Rodanthe, a couple and their 11-year-old son had the shore to themselves for a morning stroll. Joe and Kelley Walker of Markham, Virginia, said their family plans to wait out the rain with movies or card games.
“We’re not worried about the storm so much unless they say there’s something to worry about,” Joe Walker said.
In nearby Frisco, whipped-up waves attracted out-of-town surfers. A break in the rain before more showers were expected also brought families out at midday.
Steven Kavika, a 58-year-old surf instructor, said he relished the opportunity.
“I saw it coming in last week and kind of made a prediction of what day would be best to come down,” said Kavika, who drove down with a friend from Virginia Beach, Virginia.
The weather system was expected to pass near the Outer Banks by late Tuesday before eventually curving out to sea, likely reaching tropical storm status overnight with sustained winds of 45 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Heavy rains of up to 5 inches were expected in some areas.
With the storm centered about 70 miles (115 kilometers) south of Cape Hatteras on Tuesday night, a tropical storm warning was in effect for much of the Outer Banks. Forecasters have said it’s not expected to surpass tropical-storm strength.
Coastal Carteret County emergency officials issued an advisory on Tuesday saying that wind problems were likely to be “mostly minor,” but advised residents in case trees topple or lightweight objects are blown around.
At the same time, a tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico prompted the National Hurricane Center to issue a hurricane watch for areas of Florida’s Gulf coast stretching from the Anclote River northwest of Tampa to Indian Pass on the Panhandle. An area west of Indian Pass was under a tropical storm watch.
Forecasters say they expect that system to turn to the northeast toward Florida and become a tropical storm by sometime Wednesday. That depression was about 415 miles (670 kilometers) southwest of Tampa, Florida.
National Weather Service meteorologist Tom Lonka said the storm in the Gulf was forecast to move across northern Florida later this week toward the Atlantic, but likely to stay south of North Carolina. Still, he cautioned its path was difficult to predict days in advance.
At Ride The Wind Surf Shop on Ocracoke Island, owner Bob Chestnut said he canceled all of his kayak tours and other rentals for Tuesday because he was concerned about the wind. Foot traffic was sparse.
“The amount of day-trippers has been pretty minimal because I think people were worried they’d get down here and not be able to get back,” he said by phone, referring to people who take a ferry to the island on the southern stretch of the Outer Banks.
Thousands of miles away, residents of Hawaii’s Big Island are bracing for what could be the first Pacific hurricane to make landfall in that state in decades.
Meteorologist Chevy Chevalier said Tuesday that Pacific hurricane Madeline, now a major Category 3 storm, is expected to weaken but likely will remain a hurricane as it passes Hawaii. The forecaster said any shift in the storm’s forecast track could mean it would hit land.
Up to 5 inches of rain possible | http://robesonian.com/news/91379/storm-threat-thins-beach-crowd-at-outer-banks | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/b4eae32e522b6ae1fa7314d7fa1f3f803d57e127c0c86239241e15a2308866a1.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T14:48:24 | null | 2016-08-31T09:40:18 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fsports%2F91399%2Fwednesdays-local-roundup-2.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Schools-7.jpg | en | null | Wednesday’s Local Roundup | null | null | robesonian.com | Feliciano leads Rams past South Robeson
ROWLAND —Behind 14 service points and six aces from Alaiya Feliciano, the Purnell Swett volleyball team claimed a three-set victory at South Robeson on Tuesday.
The Rams won 25-14, 25-8 and 25-13 to earn the victory.
Purnell Swett will travel to Fairmont this afternoon and South Robeson will host the Golden Tornadoes on Thursday.
St. Pauls tennis remains unbeaten
ST. PAULS — Isabella Dugarte and Lillian Cummings closed out a 10-3 match in No. 3 doubles to give the St. Pauls girls tennis team a 6-3 win over Fairmont.
The Bulldogs improved to 5-0 with the win and will travel to Red Springs on Thursday.
http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Schools-7.jpg | http://robesonian.com/sports/91399/wednesdays-local-roundup-2 | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/16a025d0ba13d266ee9672c61856f274907a80e70b28e140b992f8c7a9ebb531.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T14:47:34 | null | 2016-08-29T09:59:54 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2Fbusiness%2F91330%2Fwoodys-bar-b-q-to-open-in-lumberton.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_woodys2.jpg | en | null | Woody’s Bar-B-Q to open in Lumberton | null | null | robesonian.com | LUMBERTON — Barbecue enthusiasts have another choice to look forward to when Woody’s Bar-B-Q opens next month.
A year ago, husband-wife team Jason and Wendy Olsen intended to open the restaurant in Fayetteville, where they live. Six months ago, they changed their minds.
“Woody himself came up and looked around,” said Jason, referring to Woody Mills, one of the company’s founders.
The Olsens were presented with different opportunities during negotiations with a landlord, and Jason said they “really felt like the Lord was telling us ‘you’re going here.’”
“Here” is the former Nelson’s Barbecue location at 4880 Kahn Drive, next to Golden Corral.
“I also know a lot of people in Lumberton and Bladenboro, and they are happy about the location so they can come and support the new business,” Jason said.
Mills, who founded the company with Yolanda Mills-Mawman 36 years ago, said on Thursday the location is ideal, and the proximity of other restaurants can even be a plus.
“We were looking at Fayetteville originally. The Olsens found this location and I went and looked at it. I liked it being next to a Golden Corral. I like that it is on I-95,” Mills said.
Woody’s Bar-B-Q cooks its meats on site through a slow-smoke process. Dishes are served without sauce so customers can choose the one they prefer.
“We have a sweet sauce, which is a tomato-based sauce, we have a mustard sauce, which is a southern thing — I guess you’d call it, from South Carolina, Georgia and Florida,” Mills said. “We’ll have a Carolina sauce, which is vinegar-based. Whatever they want, it will be on the table.”
The menu includes baby back ribs, spare ribs, smoked pork, beef, chicken and turkey, as well as burgers and salads.
The turkey is a favorite of Wendy’s.
“It’s very healthy but it’s good, very good,” she said.
With an anticipated grand opening on Sept. 19, the restaurant is working to hire 43 employees, including 20 servers, 10 cooks, four dishwashers, four cashiers and, if permits are approved, five bartenders.
Jason said there is not a lot of structural work required in the old restaurant.
“We’re trying to revamp the inside,” he said. “Just a new look.”
The company boasts more than 30 restaurants, primarily in the Southeast, with four locations in Colorado, and another in New York.
Woody’s Bar-B-Q’s new location comes with a culinary history. The building briefly housed Nelson’s Barbecue, which folded after a few months in 2012. It was constructed after the previous building, which had long housed John’s Restaurant, was razed. Johns opened its doors on May 8, 1978, and remained open for 28 years as a favorite spot for local people as well as interstate travelers. Before John’s, the spot had been home to Blanchard’s restaurant.
The Olsens are excited to get the restaurant going and to be good neighbors.
“We also want to give to and do for the community we live in,” Wendy said.
Wendy, J.T., and Jason Olsen are looking forward to the mid-September opening of Woody’s Bar-B-Q in Lumberton. http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_woodys2.jpg Wendy, J.T., and Jason Olsen are looking forward to the mid-September opening of Woody’s Bar-B-Q in Lumberton.
Woody’s adds Lumberton location
By Juanita Lagrone [email protected]
Terri Ferguson Smith contributed to this report. Reach her at [email protected] or call 910-416-5865.
Terri Ferguson Smith contributed to this report. Reach her at [email protected] or call 910-416-5865. | http://robesonian.com/news/business/91330/woodys-bar-b-q-to-open-in-lumberton | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/bb2f5b8b7f13e6242090ab2919443eb65ba955a0129a46a6e0cd8510afae20ac.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T16:45:53 | null | 2016-08-26T12:43:10 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2Freligion%2F91257%2Frural-church-among-those-providing-aid-after-louisiana-flood.json | http://robesonian.com/news/religion/91257/rural-church-among-those-providing-aid-after-louisiana-flood | en | null | Rural church among those providing aid after Louisiana flood | null | null | robesonian.com | WALKER, La. — Outside the small town of Walker, Louisiana, a rural Baptist church has become an oasis for flood victims.
As waters rose amid torrential rains earlier this month, National Guard rescue crews dropped people off at South Walker Baptist Church because it sits on a ridge of relatively high ground in Livingston Parish near Baton Rouge. Even as flooding has receded in recent days, the church — like many other places across south Louisiana — has continued providing sustenance for the body and soul.
It sheltered 96 people in the days after the storm, and Pastor Mark Carroll said the sanctuary is still a dormitory for more than 20 who lost their homes, including a man who had been living in his car until Saturday. It is also housing volunteers who have come to help people rebuild.
With a congregation of about 100 and with help from the community, the church is offering hot meals, running a pantry stocked by donations from around the U.S. and conducting prayer services. Carroll said the church had been planning a revival in about a month, but he believes the storm recovery is making that happen now as people build relationships with each other through God.
“It’s been this entire community,” Carroll said by phone Sunday. “We couldn’t have done anything without everyone, and I mean just about everyone, pitching in.”
Chuck Craft, a member of South Walker Baptist, said Sunday that he and his wife, Karen, lost their home about a mile from the church but have been able to salvage some irreplaceable items such as photos of their four children and 16 grandchildren. He said everyone in their family is safe, and that’s the most important thing.
“My story is no different than anybody’s down the road,” Craft said Sunday. “Everybody’s life is out on the curb to be picked up by garbage.”
The Baton Rouge area got thunderstorms with at least 2 to 3 inches of rain Sunday, said the National Weather Service, which posted a flash flood warning for part of the day.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said Sunday that people around the U.S. are just starting to pay attention to the extent of flooding that killed at least 13 people in Louisiana. He told CNN’s “State of the Nation” that the disaster has received less attention because it wasn’t a hurricane or named storm.
“Typically, by this point in a storm, I think Red Cross would be receiving a lot more donations,” Edwards said. “I think there would be more volunteers signing up. Although we have some of that in place now, it would be very helpful if people would donate to the Red Cross, to the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, and also to come in and volunteer to help people get back in their homes as quickly as possible.”
Officials are setting up a temporary bus system to help people in and around Baton Rouge whose vehicles were damaged by flooding. The bus service, provided by a private company, will run from downtown Baton Rouge to the towns of Gonzales, Walker, Denham Springs, Central and Geismar. The contract is for one week, but services could be extended if there’s a need, state Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Shawn D. Wilson said in a news release.
Mike Steele, spokesman for the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, said Sunday that two disaster recovery centers also have opened in areas that flooded in south Louisiana. He says more will open as buildings are found with enough parking and proper access for people with disabilities.
Steele said more than $30 million in federal housing assistance has been approved for residents in the state. About 3,200 people remained in shelters.
Craft, 57, said the home where he and his wife have lived more than three decades is elevated nearly three feet, but it still had about five feet of water standing inside for the better part of a week. Because of the damage, he said they’ll start over, as will many others affected by the flood. For now, the Crafts are staying with relatives and trying to keep a sense of humor.
“We’re like cockroaches down here,” Craft said with a laugh. “You can’t kill us.” | http://robesonian.com/news/religion/91257/rural-church-among-those-providing-aid-after-louisiana-flood | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/f6b2d8a3ad4758ca63dd6d5740a3e8ce194d8b1eb70fe29c6e64c0c61c37a966.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T20:47:08 | null | 2016-08-28T14:00:15 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Ffeatures%2Flifestyle%2F91311%2Fwhats-happening-10.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_IMG_2354-1.jpg | en | null | What’s Happening | null | null | robesonian.com | COMMUNITY
• Sept. 10
Grand opening: The Robeson County Arts Council will host a grand opening celebration at its new location at 700 Roberts Avenue in Lumberton from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Sept. 16 – 17
Saddletree powwow: The Saddletree community will hold its 16th annual powwow at 1031 Mt. Olive Church Road in Lumberton. The event will feature food, dancing, arts and crafts and a gospel singing on Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. For information, call Eric Locklear at 910-225-0768; Nancy Johnson at 910-301-9004; or Elaine Collins at 910-316-4201.
• Sept. 23 – 24
Kuumba pageant and festival: The African American Heritage Committee, Inc. will be sponsoring the Kuumba Pageant on Sept. 23 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Laurinburg Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 5 to 12, including food. For information, call 910-384-1186. The festival will be held on Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Market Park off of Lee’s Mill Road in Laurinburg. The festival will include music, drumming, dancing, chefs, storytelling, crafts and more. Interested vendors should call 910-217-4452. For information, visit KuumbaFestNC.org.
• Nov. 5
Cruise in: Station No. 36 Whitehouse Fire Department will host a cruise in . The registration fee is $10 per vehicle, which includes a meal, and $5 a rider. Registration will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Extreme Soundz in Lumberton. In the event of rain, the even will be held on Nov. 12. For information, call 910-785-4663 or 910-740-0537.
• Nov. 11
Veterans Day Tribute: The Border Belt Museum in downtown Fairmont will host a tribute to veterans at 8 a.m. Coffee, juice and pastries will be served to all veterans who attend.
• Nov. 12
Cruisin’ Pembroke Street Festival: The sixth annual event will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a soup cook-off from noon to 2 p.m. There will be live entertainment, food and craft vendors, a raffle, free kids activities, live reptiles and $2 train rides. For information, call 910-522-2162 or 910-536-7816.
FUNDRAISERS
• Sept. 29
Golf Tournament: Robeson Community College Foundation and the Bullard Restaurant Group will host its 32nd annual Clifford Bullard Memorial Golf Tournament at Carolina Plantation Golf Club in Lumberton. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Proceeds will support the Robeson Community College Foundation.
• Oct. 13
Bark at the Moon: A cocktail reception will be held to benefit the Robeson County Humane Society from 6 to 9 p.m. Donations and supplies are welcome at this free admission event where attendees can enjoy beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres and meet animal lovers. For information, call 910-738-8282.
WORKSHOPS
• Sept. 9
Corn necklace workshop: The Museum of the Southeast American Indian will host the workshop from 2 to 4 p.m. The workshop will be taught by Lumbee artist Gloria Tara Lowery and her husband Wendell. Cost for the workshop is $25 and is due on the day of the workshop to pay for all materials that are needed. Participants must be 14 years old or older. For information, call Alisha Locklear Monroe at 910-521-6282 or email [email protected]
MEETINGS
• Sept. 2
U.S. Army Reserves: The 1st/108th Army Reserves Retired Group will meet at Dale’s Seafood in Whiteville at 6 p.m. For information, call Mitch Lowry at 910-521-3637.
• Sept. 9
REDOC: Retired employees of the Department of Corrections will meet at Village Station in Lumberton at 6 p.m. For information, call Barry Deese at 910-628-7386.
REUNION
• Sept. 3
Chavis family reunion: The Archie Chavis and Carrie Mae Smith Chavis family will have a reunion at noon at Saddletree Church of God. Bring a covered dish. For information, call Rosie Oxendine at 910-740-1241 or Glenn Hammonds at 910-734-0041.
• Sept. 10
Allenton High School reunion: The alumni of the Allenton High School who graduated between 1928 and 1955 are invited to attend a reunion at Pier 41 Restaurant in Lumberton at 11:30 a.m. Contact one of the following by Aug. 30 to reserve a seat: Hazel N. Taylor at 910-739-5886; Betty Lou Prevatte at 910-739-2433; Billy Meares at 910-618-6442; Ray Branch at 704-544-2417; or Joyce Freeman at 910-618-7337.
• Sept. 18
Bullock family reunion: The descendants of Henry Rawl Bullock will hold a family reunion at 1p.m. at Centerville Baptist Church, located at 3428 N.C. 41 South in Lumberton. Bring a covered dish. For information, call Nancy Allen at 910-734-5125.
• Sept. 24
Jacobs family reunion: The descendents of Willbert and Rose Ellen Jacobs will gather for a family reunion on at 1 p.m. at St. Annah Church on St. Annah Church Road in Pembroke. Family members are to bring a covered dish. For, call Lay Elk at 910-521-3197 or Dorine Jones at 910-521-8010.
• Oct. 1
Jones family reunion: The descendants of William, Fannie and Ollie Jones will hold a reunion at 12:30 p.m. at JC HUT on 2411 Buchanan St. in Lumberton. Everyone should bring a covered dish. For information, call Dorine Jones at 910-521-8010 or Bevery Locklear at 910-844-5731.
• Oct. 8
Sampson family reunion: The family of Henry Sampson and Nancy Carter Sampson will have a reunion on Oct. 8 at Mt. Olive Pentecostal Holiness Church, located at 610 Normal St. in Pembroke, at 1 p.m. Bring a covered dish. For information, call Pat Locklear at 910-867-9583, Margaret Honeycutt at 910-739-9433 after 8 p.m., Shelby Lowery at 910-706-2816, or Johnny Baker at 910-521-9413.
• Oct. 15
Fairgrove alumni classes 1952 to 1969: Fairgrove Middle School alumni are planning a reunion that will begin at 5 p.m. If interested, call Betty Locklear at 910-739-7838 or Shirlean C. Hunt at 910-738-5103.
• Oct. 15
Fairmont class reunion: The reunion is for Fairmont High School’s class of 1984. The cost to attend is $40 a person and deadline to submit that free is Sept. 16. For information, call 910-733-0114 or 910-740-0167.
• Oct. 22
Graham family reunion: The descendants of John, Annie and Joe Graham will gather for a family reunion at 1 p.m. at Deep Branch Church on Deep Branch Road in Pembroke. Family members are asked to bring a covered dish. For information, call Gail Graham 910-521-3063 or Dorine Jones 910-521-8010.
ONGOING
Alumni Association: The Rosenwald Alumni Association meets 4 p.m. every fourth Saturday at The Stage, which is located at 205 W. Thompson St. in Fairmont. All former students are welcome to attend.
Autism Society: The Robeson County chapter of the Autism Society of North Carolina meets at 6 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month at Hyde Park Baptist Church in Lumberton. For information, call Wendy Britt at 910-740-5562.
Community Watch: The East Lumberton Community Watch meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the East Lumberton Community Resource Center located at 1608 E. Fifth St. For information, call 910-740-3406. Godwin Heights Community Watch meets at 7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at the Godwin Heights Park. For information, call Councilman Burnis Wilkins at 910-734-4841.
Disabled Veterans: The Disabled American Veterans of Lumberton Chapter 7 holds its monthly meeting at Golden Corral at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. For information, call 910-301-2383.
Social Group: The OK Club will meet the first Tuesday of every month for business meeting at 1:30 p.m. at Pine Street Senior Center. A planning meeting will be held at noon on the second Tuesday of every month. Members must be 50 and older. For information, call Tonya at 910-671-3881.
VFW: The Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Ladies hold monthly meetings every fourth Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. at the Pine Street Activity Center in Lumberton. The center is located at 801 N. Pine St. The Veterans of Foreign Wars post 2843 of Pembroke holds is monthly meeting at 6 p.m. on the first Monday following the second Sunday of each month. The post home is located at 1509 Union Chapel Road.
SUPPORT GROUPS
For the Blind: Sunshine Seekers is a support group that meets at 10 a.m. on Thursdays at the Pine Street Senior Center. Participants must be legally blind. Some of the activities include attending musicals, sports camps, exercise, bowling and fishing trips. For information, call Tonya at 910-671-3881.
For the Deaf and Hearing Impaired: A support group for the deaf and hard of hearing is held every third Saturday of each month from 2 to 5 p.m. at Pine Street Senior Center.
For Seniors: The Golden Ladies support group will meet at 10 a.m. every Thursday at the Pine Street Senior Center. Members must be 50 years old or older. For information, call Tonya at 910-671-3881.
For Family and Friends of Homicide Victims: The Chad Allen Arnette Families and Friends of Murder and Homicide Victims support group meets the last Tuesday of each month at Bible Alive Ministries in Lumberton. For information, call Debra Arnette at 910-734-1527.
CLASSES.
• Ongoing
Aerobics: Aerobics and kickboxing classes are held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Bill Sapp Recreation Center in Lumberton. Classes cost $3 each, or $20 a month. The instructor is Joan Townsend. For information, call Tanya 910-671-3962.
Chair Aerobics: A low-impact chair aerobics class will be held from 3 to 4 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Pine Street Senior Center. Participants must but 50 and older. The instructor is Timothy Clark. For information, call Tonya at 910-671-3881.
Crafts: Craft classes will be held 1 to 4 p.m.on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Pine Street Senior Center and on Thursdays at the East Lumberton Resource Center. No experience is necessary. For information, call Tonya at 910-671-3881.
Painting: Painting classes will be held at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday at 1314 Mimosa St. in Lumberton. For information, call Tonya at 910-671-3881.
Quilting: Quilting classes will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday at the Pine Street Senior Center. No experience is necessary. For information, call Tonya at 910-671-3881.
Shag Lessons: The Lumberton Recreation Department offers shag dancing lessons the first Monday of each month at the Pine Street Activity Center. Advance classes start at 6 p.m., beginner lessons start at 7 p.m and intermediate classes start at 8 p.m. For information, call 910-671-3881.
Smocking/Sewing: Smocking classes will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. every Monday at the Pine Street Senior Center. For information, call Tonya at 910-671-3881.
Visually Impaired Crafts: Craft classes for the visually impaired are held at 10 a.m. on Thursdays. No experience is necessary. For information, call 910-671-3881.
Zumba: Zumba classes will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Bill Sapp Recreation Center in Lumberton. The instructor is Kim McVicker. For information, call Tanya at 910-671-3962. | http://robesonian.com/features/lifestyle/91311/whats-happening-10 | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/40d7a4c940166fe0c3167dd7728f77c27553c6feb8608eecf951cc2b02865ea6.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T14:46:03 | null | 2016-08-26T09:54:07 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fsports%2F91250%2Ffridays-local-roundup.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/school-sport-roundup-3.png | en | null | Friday’s Local Roundup | null | null | robesonian.com | Fairmont comes from behind, tops Purnell Swett
PEMBROKE — After the Purnell Swett volleyball took the first two sets against Fairmont at home on Thursday night, Fairmont stormed back to take the final three to grab the five-set win.
Fairmont (2-0) won with scores of 14-25, 19-25, 25-23, 25,14 and 15-13.
Fairmont’s Mya Bellamy had 10 kills and two blocks. Brittany Hunt had eight kills, Kiara Page and Mya Strickland added seven kills each. Niya Graham had five aces, four assists and three kills. MacKenzie Johnson had 25 assists and four kills and one ace.
Alicia Freeman led the Lady Rams (1-2) with two aces and 16 assists, Alaiya Feleciano had a team-high six kills, Hunter Bullard had five kills, Rebekah Chavis had four kills and Tiana Jacobs had four aces and three blocks.
In the third set that featured 19 ties and neither team gaining more than a two-point lead, both teams were tied at 23, leaving Fairmont two points away from a straight set loss. A hitting error gave Fairmont set point and Johnson fed Page for the set-clinching point to start the Fairmont comeback.
Fairmont plays at Lumberton and Purnell Swett plays at South Robeson on Tuesday.
Lumberton volleyball defeats Red Springs
The Lumberton volleyball team bounced back from two losses this week to close the week with a four-set win at Red Springs on Thursday.
Madison Canady had 10 kills, London Thompson added nine kills and Christina Dickerson had 16 assists for Lumberton (4-2).
Lumberton hosts Fairmont on Tuesday and Red Springs hosts Westover on Wednesday.
Lumberton ties with South View
Lumberton boys soccer goalkeeper Joan Carrillo had six saves in the Pirates’ scoreless draw at home against South View on Thursday. Lumberton (1-2-1) plays at West Brunswick on Wednesday.
http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/school-sport-roundup-3.png | http://robesonian.com/sports/91250/fridays-local-roundup | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/895d663b3a2942cfbb4003a1a8325991acc2f43a7c1a02b726b39f0b5277a3b5.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T20:47:37 | null | 2016-08-29T15:53:07 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fopinion%2F91350%2Frdl-president-says-group-wants-whats-best-for-lumberton.json | http://robesonian.com/opinion/91350/rdl-president-says-group-wants-whats-best-for-lumberton | en | null | RDL president says group wants what’s best for Lumberton | null | null | robesonian.com | To the Editor,
While we certainly appreciate the editorial coverage in the Aug. 25 edition of the Robesonian, I feel that some clarification regarding Rediscover Downtown Lumberton as an organization needs to be made. RDL has been in existence for about three years. Our main goal is to assist the city of Lumberton in the area of revitalization. To say that we are a “not-always-easy-to-please bunch” denotes a negative tone. While every new organization has growing pains and bumps in the road, we are trying to be pro-active rather than re-active. Our group consists of positive, intelligent, and energetic citizens who want to see good things happen for Lumberton. The success of the new Performance Shelter is clearly a positive example of our efforts. With the city’s upcoming projects, we are very excited and motivated to help.
It should be remembered that our 12-member board of directors is a group of volunteers who give of their time and energy with no expectations of individual benefits or money. Our efforts during the past three years have called for a great deal of research and many hours spent in discussions and planning. We do these things because we care about our community. To say that we are “sometimes squeaky” sends the message that we may not always be about doing good things for our town. That is simply not true. If the editor means that the “squeaky wheel gets the oil”, then call us guilty for discussing and sharing ideas with our local government officials. The editorial also says that we are “always determined.” My response is that I certainly hope so. We are determined to help the city of Lumberton to provide an attractive, alluring downtown area to entice visitors and local citizens to enjoy the many qualities and benefits of our beautiful community.
Finally, we encourage the editor to attend any and all of our board meetings and general meetings. We had over 80 interested citizens at our general meeting last week. The air was filled with excitement and motivation to do good things for Lumberton. That is the very theme of RDL.
Richard H. Monroe
President
Rediscover Downtown Lumberton | http://robesonian.com/opinion/91350/rdl-president-says-group-wants-whats-best-for-lumberton | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/fdecadfd712ec7e3ee4f1d8bc1b1cb33722f81a5d4102d9317d4d993e80a4a2d.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T14:45:49 | null | 2016-08-26T09:34:36 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91243%2Fmccrory-touts-tuition-cut.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Gov-1.jpg | en | null | McCrory touts tuition cut at UNC Pembroke | null | null | robesonian.com | PEMBROKE — Gov. Pat McCrory touted a plan that will lower tuition at The University of North Carolina Pembroke during a visit to the school on Thursday, one that appears popular with students there.
McCrory met with a group of students to talk about legislation passed earlier this year in the General Assembly that will bring down tuition at UNC Pembroke, Western Carolina University and Elizabeth City State University to $500 per semester for in-state students and $2,500 per year for out-of-state students beginning in the fall of 2018.
During a roundtable discussion, students shared their concerns with him and their relief at not having to borrow as much money to go to college.
“It’s very disturbing for me to hear about kids getting into further debt and not being able to climb out of that debt within a reasonable time,” McCrory said at a press conference after his meeting with students. “This generation is having to deal with much greater financial pressures than my generation.”
McCrory’s Pembroke stop was part of a tour to discuss college affordability on campuses statewide.
McCrory said he is pleased that lower tuition rates will open the door for more students to get an education. He said he was further heartened by the fact that students told him they believed they would find good jobs when they graduated from UNCP.
“Hopefully there will be a very positive response from the students regarding the affordability of this great institution and that’s our major goal,” McCrory said, “to lower the cost of education, not only for the students but for the taxpayers of North Carolina.”
The state’s budget also freezes undergraduate tuition at all UNC system schools for students who graduate in four years, or five years for those enrolled in a five-year degree program. Another college affordability measure included in the budget caps university fee increases at 3 percent annually.
While these cost cuts help students, it will cost taxpayers more, McCrory said, because the state budgeted $40 million to replace what will be lost in tuition. Responding to questions that the tuition drop might lead to overcrowded campuses, McCrory said he and Chancellor Dr. Robin Cummings discussed the possibility of one day having to cap on the number of students.
“I think that’s an issue that we’re all going to have to resolve during the next year,” McCrory said, “knowing what the cost will be versus the capacity.”
Logan John, UNCP Student Government Association president, said the more people learn about the state’s efforts to make college more affordable, the more they appear to like it.
“Our student government endorsed the plan. I think as part of that, there is a level of trust with us because that may not exist with people they don’t know or they’ve never heard of in Raleigh,” John said.
Zachary Pisano, a freshman, was happy to hear of the tuition drop.
“I think it’s really good, especially for someone who had to take into consideration the fact that they didn’t really have a lot of money and they had to use some financial aid and loans to pay for the first semester,” Pisano said while on campus Wednesday. “Having the rates really low is really beneficial to some of the students because that lessens the amount of loans that they have to take out and it really helps with the costs.”
Destiny Lesmith, a freshman studying Physical Therapy, said the tuition cut may prevent her from having to take out a loan. Chrystal Threatt, a freshman with two sisters also attending UNCP, also saw that benefit.
“It will be less expensive so that way I can come without having to take out so many loans,” Threatt said.
Christopher Ajagbawa, a freshman, said he knows people wo want to attend UNCP, but didn’t have the money.
“I think it’s good that the school is opening up like that to a lot of people who can now afford to come here,” he said.
The tuition plan hasn’t been popular with everyone. The proposal, from Sen. Tom Apodaca, a Western Carolina alum, was met with backlash from students, alumni and faculty who worried it would devalue diplomas from the affected schools and cost schools needed revenue. Two schools initially included in the plan, Fayetteville State and Winston-Salem State, were taken out at their request.
Marco Benitez is also a freshman who favors the reduction, but said he has heard differing opinions from other students who have talked about transferring.
“They said a lot would change if we had so many more students. In my personal opinion, if I could still get my major, my education, it wouldn’t bother me,” Benitez said. “I’m not too picky about what school is like, personally.”
The governor on Thursday also talked about the state’s budget, which provides $23 million in new funding to UNCP through Connect NC to build a new business school on campus. In total, Connect NC provides $1.3 billion in investments for universities and community colleges throughout the state.
UNCP Chancellor Robin Cummings, Gov. Pat McCrory and NC Secretary of Education Catherine Truitt met with UNCP students on Thursday to talk about the state’s efforts to make college more affordable. http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Gov-1.jpgUNCP Chancellor Robin Cummings, Gov. Pat McCrory and NC Secretary of Education Catherine Truitt met with UNCP students on Thursday to talk about the state’s efforts to make college more affordable. Pisano http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Pisano.jpgPisano Lesmith http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Lesmith.jpgLesmith Benitez http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Benitez.jpgBenitez
Governor makes a stop at UNCP
By Terri Ferguson Smith [email protected] | http://robesonian.com/news/91243/mccrory-touts-tuition-cut | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/b9cf1193748a5dedeede2818fea2f2646f59f1c2366dcd9859339b57e7b24001.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T20:46:04 | null | 2016-08-26T15:38:50 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91267%2Fseeking-a-third-term-in-u-s-senate.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Deborah_Ross.jpg | en | null | Seeking a third term in U.S. Senate | null | null | robesonian.com | RALEIGH — Republican Sen. Richard Burr drives alone, steering his white 2013 Hyundai sedan to dozens of factory tours and other North Carolina stops. If there’s a TV camera or a reporter, he’ll talk. If not, he’ll move on.
Large-scale campaign events are rare for him less than three months before voters decide whether to keep him in office. That’s the way the Senate Intelligence Committee chairman likes it, and it’s been part of a winning formula in several elections, including two for the Senate. It’s like his penchant for wearing loafers without socks, even in the dead of winter. Why change?
In the year of Donald Trump, a divisive state law limiting anti-discrimination rules for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, and GOP Gov. Pat McCrory’s rocky tenure, Burr’s stay-the-course approach will be sorely tested. His Senate duties take precedence, even during the summer recess.
“I become a candidate on Oct. 7, when the United States Senate is adjourned,” Burr insisted in a recent interview with The Associated Press. “I don’t want there to be any question between the separation of Senate business, so I have very few conversations with campaigns and it really plays no role in my actions.”
Polls show a close race with Democrat Deborah Ross, a former state legislator from Raleigh who has raised more money than Burr in recent months. A Burr defeat would give Senate Democrats a surprise seat as they try to regain the majority.
Ross is traveling the state accusing Burr of voting to support cutting Social Security benefits and proposing to privatize Medicare. She says Burr also failed to speak forcefully against North Carolina’s recently passed LGBT law. She says anger over how Republicans are running the state follows to her federal race.
“Everywhere I go I feel the energy that the people of North Carolina want to take the state back and they want a change from what North Carolina has had,” Ross said. “This is about me, it’s about the governor’s race, it’s about all up and down the ticket.”
Reaching voters soon in the presidential battleground state is important because absentee voters begin mailing their ballots in mid-September, and popular early in-person voting begins Oct. 20.
Each candidate began running their first ads this week, but many more were expected from Burr for what he says is his final election. Through June, Burr had more than $6.9 million in cash on hand compared with $1.9 million for Ross. Still, in a possible sign of worry from Washington, a super PAC dedicated to helping Senate Republicans is running $1.5 million in commercials favorable to Burr on Medicare.
Burr said Ross’ claims about Social Security and Medicare are “laughable,” calling a recent vote about Social Security purely procedural. In 2012, Burr co-sponsored a plan to overhaul Medicaid that in part would have raised the eligibility age and shifted older adults to private insurance more quickly.
Burr and his campaign staff have signaled a topic for future ads — Ross’ previous career as state director of the American Civil Liberties Union. His campaign team has repeatedly accused her of a “radical” record while representing the ACLU, saying she opposed a state sex offender registry and amending the U.S. Constitution to ban flag burning. Ross says the group defends individuals against government overreach and raised concerns 20 years ago about an early registry bill because it could have indirectly identified victims.
Ross has tried to tie Burr to the LGBT law, even though he had nothing to do with its passage. He has made measured comments about the law, which also directs transgender people to use bathrooms in government buildings aligned with the gender on their birth certificates. Burr has criticized both the Charlotte City Council for passing an ordinance that led to the state law and the General Assembly for going too far with what it passed.
The law has “really been a black eye for our state,” Ross told 75 young entrepreneurs at a question-and-answer session this month in Durham. “Too bad that our senior federal senator didn’t recognize that it was a federal issue,” she added, noting federal lawsuits challenging the law could be ultimately settled by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Republicans dismiss Democrats’ talk about the state law as a distraction to this race. Still, Ross’ strong opposition to it is attractive to unaffiliated voter Isa Watson, 29, of Chapel Hill, the founder of a technology company to help nonprofits raise money who attended the Durham event.
“I really want someone who intently listens to people, which I think clearly Deborah has done,” Watson said, and “someone who is standing up for the right things.”
Ross said Trump’s candidacy is also helping her because Burr “has given him a bear hug” by endorsing him. Burr said he’s been vocal when he’s disagreed with Trump, but “I’m supportive of the nominee. I’m not going to run from that.”
Republican Ken Brown, 64, of Raleigh said he’s more likely to back Burr knowing that he supports Trump. While Burr has been a regular on television news programs talking about national security issues since becoming the Intelligence Committee chairman in 2015, he’s otherwise kept a low profile.
“I’d rather see somebody like Richard Burr, who doesn’t seem to get a lot of flak and does his job in office, as opposed to wiping the (slate) clean,” said Brown, a real estate agent. “You’ve got to have some kind of stability.”
Richard Burr http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_richard-burr.jpeg Richard Burr Deborah Ross http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Deborah_Ross.jpg Deborah Ross | http://robesonian.com/news/91267/seeking-a-third-term-in-u-s-senate | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/a6c5834f3be640974fae58d08011f2c60967c4e6391e3cd672afb1bbe1fa7b84.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T16:47:31 | null | 2016-08-29T10:56:46 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91343%2Flawsuit-robeson-man-ripped-off-prospective-homebuyers.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_roy-cooper.jpg | en | null | Lawsuit: Robeson man ripped off prospective homebuyers | null | null | robesonian.com | RALEIGH — Attorney General Roy Cooper has filed a lawsuit against a Robeson County man accused of pocketing money people gave him to buy manufactured homes that he never provided, according to a statement from Cooper’s office.
According to the statement, George Henry Smith “pressured consumers” to buy manufactured homes he wasn’t authorized to sell and the kept their deposits.
“Using the dream of homeownership to trick consumers out of their hard-earned money is just plain wrong,” Cooper said. “My office is here to protect consumers from these misleading and fraudulent business tactics.”
The Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Division filed the lawsuit against Smith on Thursday, asking the court to cancel all contracts buyers signed with Smith and to order Smith to pay refunds to consumers and $5,000 in civil penalties.
According to the Attorney General’s office, Smith advertised used and repossessed manufactured homes to consumers at Page Talk, a phone store where he worked, and at other locations in Robeson County. He targeted consumers who spoke limited English, using business cards in Spanish, the statement said.
Smith showed prospective buyers mobile homes he was not authorized to sell at Prevatte Home Sales and Terry Pate Home Sales in Lumberton, where he told consumers he was a salesman and sales lot employees he was an agent for the consumers.
Consumers paid deposits as large as $9,800. When the homes did not arrive, consumers contacted the sales lots and learned that the homes had already been sold or were never for sale. According to the statement, Smith has refused to refund the deposits, “leaving several families unable to afford rent and forced to move in with relatives.”
In the lawsuit, Cooper has asked that Smith be permanently barred from engaging in unfair or deceptive business practices, advertising or attempting to sell manufactured homes without a license, or accepting new orders or payments in North Carolina.
“Before you put down money on a manufactured home, check out the dealer or agent thoroughly,” Cooper said in the statement. “Buying a home is the biggest purchase many families will ever make, and you owe it to yourself to ask around in your community for a reputable place to make such an important purchase.”
Consumers can check out manufactured home companies with the Attorney General’s Office by calling 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or by contacting their local Better Business Bureau. Consumers can find out if someone is licensed to sell manufactured housing with the North Carolina Manufactured Housing Board.
Any consumer who has paid Smith for a manufactured home is encouraged to file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division in English by calling 1-877-5-NO-SCAM or in Spanish at 919-716-0058. Consumer complaints can also be filed at ncdoj.com in English or Spanish.
Roy Cooper http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_roy-cooper.jpg Roy Cooper | http://robesonian.com/news/91343/lawsuit-robeson-man-ripped-off-prospective-homebuyers | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/75d4cd278552d23e320f175c86d26f82935312aea6073489829472f016e49eb6.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T12:47:55 | null | 2016-08-30T08:32:33 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fsports%2F91359%2Fchay-locklear-get-tastes-of-team-usa-baseball.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Chay.jpg | en | null | Chay Locklear get tastes of Team USA baseball | null | null | robesonian.com | Chay Locklear, a rising senior at St. Pauls, was selected to play for the Team USA’s Southeast 17-and-under National Team Identification Series baseball squad.
The series is a comprehensive player identification program offered by Team USA.
The 17U and 16U events were held last week at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary and Duke University.
Locklear’s main goal was to make the 18-man roster in hopes of being selected to participate in Cary and represent Team Southeast.
“It’s definitely a privilege and honor to represent my school, Robeson County, North Carolina, and the Southeast region,” Locklear said.
He describes the experience as a “huge step” toward reaching his goal of playing at the collegiate level.
Locklear http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Chay.jpg Locklear | http://robesonian.com/sports/91359/chay-locklear-get-tastes-of-team-usa-baseball | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/d61712594b5e358acb5312e6dc640bcb4354727e272436fd978428e2185c89b9.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T12:48:33 | null | 2016-08-31T07:33:01 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91378%2Fdeadly-chase-reached-speeds-of-100-mph.json | http://robesonian.com/news/91378/deadly-chase-reached-speeds-of-100-mph | en | null | Deadly chase reached speeds of 100 mph | null | null | robesonian.com | CHARLOTTE — A deaf driver shot to death by a North Carolina state trooper drove up to 100 mph during the chase and didn’t stop even after the officer intentionally wrecked his vehicle, according to police radio traffic released Tuesday.
The conversation between Trooper Jermaine Saunders and the dispatcher does not include any interaction between Saunders and Daniel Harris. Saunders also doesn’t say why he shot Harris when he turned down the road leading to his Charlotte home, jumped out of the car and ran.
Saunders tried to pull Harris over after clocking him going 88 mph in a 70 mph zone on Interstate 485 around 6:15 p.m. Aug. 18, according to the radio traffic.
Saunders chased Harris about six miles down the interstate with his lights on, reporting his speed at 100 mph, then 90 mph, before ramming Harris’ car with his cruiser to try and end the chase before Harris left the highway.
Saunders quickly radioed that Harris drove off. Officers are then heard discussing creating a rolling roadblock to box Harris’ car in on the two-lane road he was driving, but Harris made it to Seven Oaks Drive, where he lived with his family.
The chase ends with Saunders reporting a “jump and run” and then repeating “shots fired” several times before saying “I’ve got one person down.”
The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating. Saunders has been placed on administrative leave with pay.
Harris’ family said he was scared of police after several misunderstandings with officers because he could not hear.
Authorities haven’t said why Saunders shot Harris.
An Associated Press review of public records shows a few traffic charges against Harris from other states, including damaging his employer’s vehicle with his own car after he was fired last year, according to a Denver police report. In December 2010, he pleaded guilty to interfering with or resisting police in Watertown, Connecticut. | http://robesonian.com/news/91378/deadly-chase-reached-speeds-of-100-mph | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/b4c2604acb747b2c26482d51f3d2bf2e37ef3b0769728d51570682f2a810da0d.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T18:45:54 | null | 2016-08-26T14:39:09 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2Freligion%2F91264%2Fliving-near-god-loving-other-people.json | http://robesonian.com/news/religion/91264/living-near-god-loving-other-people | en | null | Living near God, loving other people | null | null | robesonian.com | Romans 12:1, 2; 13:8-10
So far, our lessons based on Paul’s words to the Romans have taught us about great doctrines of the faith. Now, the challenge for us becomes applying what we have learned.
Knowledge for the sake of knowing a thing is useless. Christians ought to desire a kind of knowledge that deepens our spiritual lives and brings us into the kind of relationship honoring our heavenly Father.
In Romans 12:1-2 the apostle beseeches, or calls for us, to present our bodies as living sacrifices, “holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” This, Paul wrote, should be done according to “the mercies of God.”
Paul is calling for us to do something that should not require a reason, but he gives us a reason and it is “by the mercies of God.” Consider the majesty and holiness of God whose Son suffered and died for us, and then consider our wretched, sinful lives. If anyone should need a reason for doing anything for God, let him think seriously about how mercifully his Father has dealt with him.
He invites us to present ourselves so completely to God that it might be said we have become living sacrifices. In light of God’s mercies, our total and continual sacrifice is “reasonable service.”
Do not, the apostle wrote, conform yourself to the world since such conformity removes a person from the will of God and places him hopelessly under the power of his own will. This is harmful not only to a believer, it is harmful to the world since we are no longer the salt and light our Savior spoke about.
Believers are a transformed people as our relationship with the Lord changes the way we think, speak and react. We are different people in the workplace, in friendships and in the home. This transformation is occurring as believers seek to live close to God, a closeness that molds us into people whose desire is pleasing God.
Our lives are to be so transformed that we are more careful in our relationships with other people. Paul wrote in Romans 13:8, “Owe no man anything, but to love one another.” We ought to live within our means, not giving way to any ill effects that might be brought into our lives by debts. Let nothing into our hearts that would keep us from loving people since this is fulfillment of the law, Paul wrote.
Paul gave a list of commandments dealing with our relationships with other people, and he began with “thou shalt not commit adultery.” A believer ought not to do anything that would harm a couple’s marital relationship. Real love produces a desire to never harm someone in this way.
Do not kill, Paul wrote, reminding us human life is sacred. A believer does not want to harbor any feelings in his heart that might lead to murder. Do not steal because in doing so a person decides he should possess another person’s property. When we honestly acquire possessions, it is because God has allowed us to have them. In a way, theft is taking from someone else and from God.
Do not bring false testimonies against other people. This is an offense that verbally murders a person. We are not to covet, or have an unusual desire for anything that belongs to another person. We do not deserve the money of property of other people, and covetousness certainly leads to a corrupt heart.
Love desires only what is best for people, summing up and fulfilling the law.
By Ed Wilcox
The Sunday school lesson is written by Ed Wilcox, pastor of Centerville Baptist Church. He can be reached at [email protected]
The Sunday school lesson is written by Ed Wilcox, pastor of Centerville Baptist Church. He can be reached at [email protected] | http://robesonian.com/news/religion/91264/living-near-god-loving-other-people | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/82aee10f3ae9862573568cdcdb5e76a3836f42a4146eb7a5b7272bb413c31b1b.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T12:46:50 | null | 2016-08-28T08:01:05 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91301%2Ffiling-begins-for-lumbee-elections.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_sheila-Beck-Jones_cmyk-1.jpg | en | null | Filing begins for Lumbee elections | null | null | robesonian.com | PEMBROKE — Candidate filings for the Lumbee Tribal Council will begin Monday, despite many tribal members being unaware of which voting district they reside.
The election will be held on Nov. 15.
According to Sheila Beck-Jones, chairman of the tribe’s Board of Elections, even election officials still have questions about the new districts that were recently approved by the Tribal Council. The council, not the Borad of Elections, is designated in the Lumbee Constitution as being responsible for redistricting following each national census, Beck-Jones said.
The maps, which were drawn by the Lumber River Council of Governments, were based on 2010 census data. Each district includes a population of 3,099 and was drawn “solely by census block.”.
Seven seats are up for grabs on the 21-member council, which until last week represented 14 voting districts. The new 21-district makeup gives each district one vote rather than some districts, such as Pembroke, having two or three votes.
The seven contested seats and those currently filling them are: District 21, Janie McFarland; District 15, Alton Locklear; District 3, Larry Townsend; District 1, Jan Lowery; District 17, David Jones; District 10, Areatha Patterson; and District 12, William Maiden. Terms are all for three years.
To be eligible to serve on the council, a candidate must be more than 21 years old, an enrolled member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, and have lived in the district they will represent for at least 30 days. The filing fee is $250.
The candidate filing period closes on Sept. 23 by 5 p.m. According to Beck-Jones, the Board of Elections is in the process of moving their office so filing hours will be limited to weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the board’s present office, 78D, Three Hunt’s Drive, Pembroke. The office is located in the COMtech business park, just off of N.C. 711.
Beck-Jones said that every year when election time approaches the Board of Elections is having to move its office. She wants that to end.
“I am begging the Tribal Council to find the money to build the elections board a permanent home,” she said.
Because of the redistricting, Beck-Jones said Friday that she will have to amend the $40,000 budget request she made to the council to fund this year’s election.
“We are going to have to hire more personnel to carry out the election, and I have to order all new maps,” she said. “I’m going to have to revise my budget,” she said.
Beck-Jones said that she expects the additional expenses associated with redistricting to total about $10,000.
Anyone wanting information about candidate filing or the election process should call the Lumbee Tribe Board of Elections office at 910-374-6290. | http://robesonian.com/news/91301/filing-begins-for-lumbee-elections | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/63f3bbf2f582b8572dacf8f7f6d55b094b7c6e9fd2a21567ad6da41836059d6e.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T14:47:34 | null | 2016-08-29T10:21:59 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Ffeatures%2Fannouncements%2Fengagements%2F91337%2Fengagement-6.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Cross-Flanagan.jpg | en | null | Robesonian | null | null | robesonian.com | Cross – Flanagan
Kurt and Cindy Cross, of Laurinburg, announce the engagement of their daughter, Brandi Nicole Cross, to Devan Ross Flanagan, son of James Brent Swett and Rhonda Flanagan.
The bride-elect graduated from The University of North Carolina at Pembroke and works for Scotland Health Care Systems, First Health of the Carolinas and is the varsity cheerleading coach at Scotland High School.
The groom-elect graduated from The University of North Carolina at Pembroke and works for Smithfield/Murphy Brown.
The wedding will be held in September. | http://robesonian.com/features/announcements/engagements/91337/engagement-6 | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/9619e9ae9bf91492eb611ea7c2110e95660d74ceb39067918548b0449c070106.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T14:48:19 | null | 2016-08-31T09:58:40 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91401%2Fschool-needs-discussed.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_IMG_0975.jpg | en | null | School needs discussed | null | null | robesonian.com | LUMBERTON — Treasury Department officials and Robeson County school board members came to a consensus Tuesday that new schools are needed for the Public Schools of Robeson County, and for that to happen locally the state will have to chip in.
“It’s going to take money and the state’s got to step up to make that happen,” said Edgar Starnes, legislative liaison for Treasurer Janet Cowell. “The low-wealth counties need special attention.”
State representatives said that they aren’t going to tell Robeson County’s Board of Education how and where to borrow the money, but they would tell them how much they can afford to borrow.
Nine school board members attended, with John Campbell and Brenda Fairley-Ferebee being absent. They were joined by Sen. Jane Smith, Reps. Charles Graham and Ken Waddell, and four representatives from Treasurer’s Office. Treasury representatives attended a school board meeting in May and cautioned against a proposed $1.4 billion plan to consolidate Robeson schools that they said the county could not afford.
Only a few members of the public attended, and there was no public comment time provided. The meeting lasted about 90 minutes.
Greg Gaskins, deputy treasurer for the state, said failing school infrastructure is a problem across the state.
“My job, or part of my job, is to work with units of government to try and find problems that need to be fixed,” Gaskins said. “One of those problems that came up and was identified was school infrastructure shortfall.”
Gaskins said a Blue Ribbon Committee recently commissioned a study to evaluate which schools in North Carolina have the most pressing infrastructure needs.
According to Larry Yates, principal program evaluator for the North Carolina General Assembly, the $1 million study should be completed in March.
The Blue Ribbon Committee will try to identify revenue sources for new schools, such as beefing up what is provided by the lottery. When the lottery began in March 2006, about 40 percent the profits went to school construction needs. Today, it’s 19 percent.
“With the funds that have been cut from this county in the last 10 years, and then they cut the lottery money from 40 to 19 percent, we are just supplanting the money that was taken away,” said Craig Lowry, the school board’s new District 5 representative. “The 40 percent needs to go back, but it doesn’t need to be put back for something else to be taken away.”
Tommy Lowry, superintendent of the Public Schools of Robeson County, said that the county has lost $48 million in state funding during the past several years.
Lowry asked Gaskins to recap why state officials opposed a school consolidation plan presented to the board in April. Gaskins said the N.C. Department of Public Instruction looked at the potential savings that the proposal promised and could not agree that those savings would be available.
The plan called for 30 schools to be closed and 14 news ones to be built, using savings from maintenance, energy and 170 eliminated positions to pay most of the 40-year mortgage. Robeson County commissioners agreed to provide up to $4 million a year in the short term that would have meant a 5- or 6-cent property tax hike. The plan was floated by a private, Raleigh-based architecture firm, sfL+a, that promised to build and fully furnish the new schools.
Gaskins said the Treasurer’s Office took issue with the length of the lease and worried that interest rates would be higher through sfL+a. The plan also depended on legislation that would have allowed some state money to pay for the schools.
The legislation, Senate Bill 554, was approved in the Senate 49-0 but died in the House without a vote.
“We were told at an initial meeting that the county would have to borrow $600 million,” Gaskins said. “Given the characteristics of the finances of the county, that seemed like a lot of load for the taxpayers to cover just for schools.”
The Treasurer’s Office has said Robeson could afford about $75 million in debt, perhaps through the sale of bonds, which would have to be approved by voters. County Manager Ricky Harris has said that could mean a tax increase of up to 20 cents to build two three schools.
The eight county commissioners were invited to Tuesday’s meeting, but none attended.
Yates mentioned that a report the Public Schools of Robeson County submitted to DPI in 2015 said that the county didn’t have any needs for school construction, but that resolving some issues in the schools would cost about $131 million.
The superintendent defended the report, saying that the school system fills it out every five years and never gets any additional money to address the issues.
“If the legislators gave us that $131 million, I could tell you our schools would not be in the condition that they are in today,” he said.
School board member Dwayne Smith floated the idea of a local 1-cent sales tax to generate revenue.
“The sales tax gets everybody involved to where you’re not just beating up on the property owners all the time,” Smith said. “I think that’s something that we really need to work on and we need to be aggressive on this. You can do all the studies in the world, but that don’t put a shovel in the dirt.”
The tax increase would have to be approved by the General Assembly.
Sen. Smith said that education is a top priority for Robeson County’s legislators, but new schools can’t be built with the county’s tax base. Waddell said there hasn’t been an “appetite” in Raleigh to do what needs to be done to help build schools.
“The problem with the state is that we try to tend to your business at home too much,” Waddell said. “I can’t for the life of me understand why the bulb doesn’t go on up there because schools and infrastructures brings in jobs. You’re going to have to stay on everybody’s butt in Raleigh.”
Gabrielle Isaac | The Robesonian Larry Yates, left, principal program evaluator for the General Assembly, and Edgar Starnes, legislative liaison to the treasurer, speak to Board of Education at a meeting Tuesday to address infrastructure needs for the Public Schools of Robeson County. http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_IMG_0975.jpg Gabrielle Isaac | The Robesonian Larry Yates, left, principal program evaluator for the General Assembly, and Edgar Starnes, legislative liaison to the treasurer, speak to Board of Education at a meeting Tuesday to address infrastructure needs for the Public Schools of Robeson County.
By Gabrielle Isaac [email protected]
Gabrielle Isaac can be reached at 910-816-1989 or on Twitter @news_gabbie.
Gabrielle Isaac can be reached at 910-816-1989 or on Twitter @news_gabbie. | http://robesonian.com/news/91401/school-needs-discussed | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/065759dd108c55933b635aed61aea495e3956b691b818571a600071a8ff6a099.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T12:47:53 | null | 2016-08-30T06:58:52 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91353%2Fraleigh-police-officer-wounded-man-dead-after-shots-fired.json | http://robesonian.com/news/91353/raleigh-police-officer-wounded-man-dead-after-shots-fired | en | null | Raleigh police: Officer wounded, man dead after shots fired | null | null | robesonian.com | RALEIGH (AP) — A man was killed and a police officer wounded after shots were fired at the end of a foot chase Monday in Raleigh, an official said.
Officers responded about noon to reports of someone with a gun on the city’s east side, Raleigh Police Department spokesman Jim Sughrue said in a statement.
An officer responding to the call spotted the man in the street and began a foot chase, then a second officer joined him, Sughrue said. The chase ended with shots being fired.
Jaqwan Julius Terry, 24, of Raleigh was killed and Officer B.F. Burleson, 29, was shot in the leg, the spokesman said. Burleson was being treated at the hospital for wounds that were serious but not life-threatening.
Officer B.S. Beausoleil, 30, was identified as the second officer involved in the foot chase. Details about who fired the shots were not available Tuesday night.
Sughrue said both officers will be placed on administrative duty, as is department policy, while the shooting is investigated by the Raleigh Police Department and the State Bureau of Investigation.
The races of the officers and the man weren’t immediately known. | http://robesonian.com/news/91353/raleigh-police-officer-wounded-man-dead-after-shots-fired | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/4c0139f3e5ee1d50b21ca60b9066f7a61086cc8d2f76e753d814d31cc3b0c888.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T14:47:39 | null | 2016-08-29T10:01:06 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2Fbusiness%2F91332%2Fperfect-nc-peaches.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_TamikaMcLean-1-.jpg | en | null | Perfect NC peaches | null | null | robesonian.com | Sweet and juicy peaches are one of North Carolina’s finest summertime fruits. Though they are available year round, they taste best and are less expensive during the summer. In our state, the peach industry is unique, because it sells 90 percent of its crop on the fresh market, directly to the consumer, just days after being picked off the tree.
In 2014, North Carolina produced 4,380 tons of peaches from 1,100 acres, totaling $6.2 million in value to the state’s economy. While our state may not be the biggest grower, it is surely one of the best, according to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences. N.C. peaches are available from the end of May through August. They can be found at roadside stands, farmers markets, and retail outlets.
Besides their great taste, peaches are full of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, riboflavin, and beta-carotene. Peaches are also low in calories, fat free, sodium free, and cholesterol free.
One medium peach contains the following nutritional value: Calories, 40; protein, 0.6 g; carbohydrates, 10 g; fat, 0 g; cholesterol, 0 mg; sodium, 0 mg; dietary fiber, 1.5 g; vitamin A, 47 RE.
Peaches can be eaten fresh in salads and smoothies; as a topping for yogurt, ice cream, cereal, pancakes, or waffles; and as a filling for pies, tarts, cobblers, or strudels. They can also be grilled and served as a unique side dish with meat, fish, or poultry. Peaches are also available dried, frozen, canned, and as nectar, jam, or jelly.
For best quality, select peaches that are firm to slightly soft and free from bruises. The best sign of ripeness in a peach is a creamy or golden undertone, often called “ground color.” The rosy “blush” on a peach is not a good indicator of ripeness and differs from one variety to another.
A fresh peach fragrance also indicates ripeness. Avoid peaches with a green ground color as they lack flavor and usually shrivel and become tough rather than ripen. Peaches that are picked green may develop more juice, but they will not become sweeter. When selecting canned peaches, look for those that are labeled “packed in its own juice,” “lite,” or “no sugar added.” These are healthier choices.
http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_TamikaMcLean-1-.jpg
By Tamika McLean
Tamika McLean is the Youth Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program Associate for North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Robeson County.
Tamika McLean is the Youth Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program Associate for North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Robeson County. | http://robesonian.com/news/business/91332/perfect-nc-peaches | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/512a0b56672204ce6ff43988249ed6bfad0a1493911b561ae490ec2a4300db18.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T14:47:33 | null | 2016-08-29T09:58:53 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Ffeatures%2Fhealth%2F91323%2Fsoutheastern-hospice-offers-support-group-volunteer-training.json | http://robesonian.com/features/health/91323/southeastern-hospice-offers-support-group-volunteer-training | en | null | Southeastern Hospice offers support group, volunteer training | null | null | robesonian.com | LUMBERTON — Southeastern Hospice will hold a training course for new volunteers interested in assisting hospice patients and their families in homes or at Southeastern Hospice House.
Prospective volunteers are required to attend all sessions, which will be held Tuesday and Thursday mornings, Sept. 8 through Sept. 27, from 9:30 a.m. until noon at Southeastern Hospice House, located at 1100 Pine Run Drive in Lumberton.
Volunteers must consent to a background check as well as a TB skin test and flu vaccination, all of which will be paid for by the agency.
Each volunteer session is designed to increase awareness of issues important to the care of dying patients and their families, including hospice philosophy, grief, concepts of dying, family dynamics; communication skills, and aging.
Applications are being accepted through Sept. 2. To register or for more information, contact Southeastern Hospice Volunteer Program leader Sheryl Taylor at 910-735-8915 or [email protected]
Southeastern Hospice House also hosts a support group for individuals who have lost a loved one. The group meets in the fall and spring. The next sessions will begin on Sept. 8. Meetings are held each Thursday for four weeks at 6:30 p.m. at Southeastern Hospice House. For information, call Chaplain Bonnie Reedy at 910-735-8887. | http://robesonian.com/features/health/91323/southeastern-hospice-offers-support-group-volunteer-training | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/866585bdd02998b2bd5f5d55aa5e8752d667cbe5e509ebde1b3a283c33c613c3.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T18:47:34 | null | 2016-08-29T14:14:16 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91345%2Fnorth-carolina-warily-watching-2-tropical-weather-systems.json | http://robesonian.com/news/91345/north-carolina-warily-watching-2-tropical-weather-systems | en | null | North Carolina warily watching 2 tropical weather systems | null | null | robesonian.com | RALEIGH — Business owners, beachgoers, and fishing captains on North Carolina’s Outer Banks were warily watching tropical weather Monday that could rain out one of the last busy weeks of the summer.
The first weather system was expected to become a tropical storm before brushing the North Carolina coast Tuesday, bringing heavy rain and high winds to barrier islands popular for serene beaches. Another tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico could hit northern Florida as a tropical storm later in the week and then move up the Atlantic coast toward North Carolina, though its exact path is hard to predict days in advance.
Coastal Dare County in North Carolina could face winds of up to 45 mph with higher gusts and heavy rain that could flood low-lying areas from through Wednesday, according to an emergency management news release. To the south, Carteret County officials also warned of flooding and advised residents to closely monitor forecasts.
A tropical storm watch was in effect for areas of the coast from Cape Lookout to the Oregon Inlet along the Outer Banks.
“I would advise everybody to take a look at the weather,” Dare County emergency management director Drew Pearson said in an interview when asked whether visitors should keep their travel plans. “They need to make those decisions based on what they see in the weather forecast.”
As of 11 a.m., the first depression was located about 200 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras with top sustained winds of 35 mph and moving to the northwest. It was expected to become a tropical storm by Tuesday but not grow stronger than that, said National Weather Service meteorologist Shane Kearns in eastern North Carolina.
“Anything is possible, but we’re not really seeing any kind of significant strengthening for the storm,” he said in an interview.
The second depression was about 170 miles southwest of Key West Florida with maximum winds of 35 mph. It was moving west, but forecasters expect it to curve back to the northeast in the coming days.
Staff for the Cape Hatteras National Seashore was discussing the weather conditions with visitors to its popular campgrounds, according to a National Park Service news release. It said tent camping isn’t advised during a tropical storm.
Business owner Jennifer Scarborough said her biggest concern was that the first storm could saturate the area before another blow by the second storm.
“The second storm is the one I’m more worried about,” she said. “I’m definitely keeping an eye on it and planning accordingly. … If we have a lot of rain in a short amount of time that could be a problem. “
Roads along the thin barrier islands are prone to flooding and damage from erosion, including the two-lane N.C. Highway 12 that is the area’s primary north-south artery.
“N.C. 12, our lifeline on Hatteras Island, even in a winter storm has some challenges,” Pearson said.
Scarborough, who manages Hatteras Harbor Marina and owns the Harbor Deli next door, said she’s getting concerned calls from customers and that some captains are canceling fishing trips for Tuesday and Wednesday. With Labor Day approaching, this week represents one of the last busy stretches of summer for the area.
“It’s definitely making people think twice about coming here,” she said.
In the central Pacific, Hurricane Madeline continued to strengthen Monday about 695 miles (1,115 kilometers) east of Hilo, Hawaii, while moving west-northwest at 10 mph (17 kph). Top sustained winds were 100 mph (155 kph) and forecasters urged the Hawaiian Islands to monitor the storm’s progress though no coastal watches or warnings were in effect.
Elsewhere in the Pacific, Hurricane Lester also was strengthening Monday with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 kph) while churning west at 15 mph (24 kph) some 1,290 miles (2,075 kilometers) west of the southern tip of Baja California, Mexico. Forecasters say it posed no immediate threat to land. | http://robesonian.com/news/91345/north-carolina-warily-watching-2-tropical-weather-systems | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/f50adaaf84aa0e88b27b5e3bbfa92e91a04c1ab6cbd089b8ca0002b1084e7c35.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T14:48:20 | null | 2016-08-31T09:25:35 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91393%2F91393.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_raymond-cummings_cmyk-3.jpg | en | null | Anti-littering campaigns promised | null | null | robesonian.com | PEMBROKE — Robeson County’s Clean and Green steering committee on Tuesday approved beefing up educational efforts to persuade people to stop littering.
During an hour-long meeting at the Lumber River Council of Government office at COMtech, ideas were kicked around about how to use highway billboards, public service announcements and videos to improve the visibility of the organization’s anti-littering campaign.
Robeson County Commissioner Raymond Cummings, who chairs the committee, said that as time passes people are becoming aware of the need to stop littering and dispose of trash properly.
“Folks are buying into our efforts to keep the county clean and green and are taking action to make it happen,” he said. “As we try to raise the issue and encourage a call for action, very positive things are happening.”
Cumming said that groups throughout the county are holding their own cleanups.
“I know we are going in the right direction when other groups are out there doing the things we are,” he said. “Imitation is the greatest form of flattery.”
Kristina Cummings, Robeson County’s recycling coordinator and coordinator of Clean and Green’s projects, said that during the last year there has been a significant increase in the amount of identified roadside trash being brought to the county landfill in St. Pauls. She said that from Jan. 1 to July 31 of this year there were 75.52 tons of trash identified as being collected along local roadways. During the same period in 2015, she said, 47.33 tons of identified roadside trash was brought to the landfill.
That represents an increase of about 60 percent.
According to Kristina Cummings, there has also been an increase in the number of tickets issued for littering. During the period of Jan. 1, 2016, to July 31, 2016, the number of tickets issued was 49. That was up from only 15 tickets issued during the same period the year before, she said.
Raymond Cummings pointed to the amount of trash collection and number of littering tickets issued as more evidence that people are becoming more aware of the need to stop littering and keep Robeson County clean.
“With those numbers it shows there is positive growth and results from what we are doing,” he said.
By the end of the meeting, the 10 Clean and Green members present agreed that $2,000 should be spent to rent two billboards along Interstate 95 and a third billboard in Lumberton. Also, the group plans to produce and air 30-second public service announcements, create a video that could possibly become part of the driver’s education course provided county school students, and ask that Clean and Green be mentioned at all county school and Park and Recreation Department athletic events.
The committee plans to hold its next meeting on Sept. 27.
Raymond Cummings http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_raymond-cummings_cmyk-3.jpg Raymond Cummings
Roadside trash going to landfill up 60 percent
By Bob Shiles [email protected]
Bob Shiles can be reached at 910-416-5165.
Bob Shiles can be reached at 910-416-5165. | http://robesonian.com/news/91393/91393 | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/0297421009fd4c49be05207ebab26a9c2571085037946493a2893a20469c6279.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T14:45:51 | null | 2016-08-26T08:51:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91236%2Flumberton-man-pleads-guilty-in-brothers-stabbing-death.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_IRA-FREDERICK-LOCKLEAR.jpg | en | null | Lumberton man pleads guilty in brother’s stabbing death | null | null | robesonian.com | LUMBERTON — A Lumberton man has pleaded guilty to killing his brother after recently being deemed fit for trial, according to Robeson County District Attorney Johnson Britt.
Ira Locklear pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for the stabbing death of his brother, 53-year-old Vicky Locklear, on Aug. 13, 2012.
Judge Mary Ann Tally sentenced Locklear, 58, to a minimum of seven years, 10 months and a maximum of 10 years, five months in prison.
According to Britt, Locklear, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, had threatened to kill his brother the night before he stabbed him to death while he was lying in bed. Relatives said he had been walking around the Saddletree Road neighborhood where he, his brother and sister lived with a butcher knife.
“The family had been calling the Sheriff’s Department, they said, for a couple of years prior to this trying to get help when he would have episodes,” Britt said.
Vicky Locklear was dead when emergency responders arrived and Locklear was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder.
According to Britt, Locklear was declared incompetent to stand trial shortly after being charged with his brother’s death and was taken to Central Regional Hospital for treatment. Locklear was again evaluated, deemed competent and brought to jail in Robeson County near the end of 2015.
Around that time, his lawyer, longtime Public Defender Angus Thompson, retired, and as Locklear’s case was shifted to Thompson’s successor, Ronald Foxworth, questions were again raised about his mental health. He was hospitalized and during a hearing in July, was deemed competent again.
Britt said Locklear was given the “low end” of the sentencing range in part because of his mental health and because he had no prior convictions. His time spent hospitalized will count towards his sentence.
Vicky Locklear’s son and daughter were present for the plea.
“Had there been help available from a mental health standpoint five years ago this wouldn’t have happened,” Britt said. “This is a reflection of the breakdown of our mental health system.”
Ira Locklear http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_IRA-FREDERICK-LOCKLEAR.jpg Ira Locklear
By Sarah Willets [email protected]
Sarah Willets can be reached at 910-816-1974 or on Twitter @Sarah_Willets.
Sarah Willets can be reached at 910-816-1974 or on Twitter @Sarah_Willets. | http://robesonian.com/news/91236/lumberton-man-pleads-guilty-in-brothers-stabbing-death | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/2e6a6db8ec761f8df0e9fbef3ce972ed88595f15a84f22611dea40d70717047b.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T14:47:37 | null | 2016-08-29T10:37:29 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fopinion%2F91341%2Flumberton-thrift-store-destroyed-by-fire.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_thrift-store-fire.jpeg | en | null | Lumberton thrift store destroyed by fire | null | null | robesonian.com | LUMBERTON — A Lumberton thrift store was destroyed by fire early Sunday morning, according to Lumberton Fire Chief Paul Ivey.
The fire at 3150 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive broke out at about 3:30 a.m.
“When our guys arrived there was heavy smoke coming through the roof,” Ivey said.
Ivey said firefighters pulled people from the building, but no one was injured. The house was being used as a thrift store and recording studio, Ivey said. Firefighters were on the scene until about 8:30 a.m.
Ivey said Monday morning that the cause of the fire had not been determined. Additional details were not immediately available.
A fire destroyed a Lumberton home that had been used as a thrift store on Sunday morning. http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_thrift-store-fire.jpeg A fire destroyed a Lumberton home that had been used as a thrift store on Sunday morning. Courtesy photo | http://robesonian.com/opinion/91341/lumberton-thrift-store-destroyed-by-fire | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/802e15d846885a735125948ba29781156814328039b1d14b7b30585076e7d400.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T12:48:32 | null | 2016-08-31T08:13:08 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91383%2Fman-who-played-santa-sentenced-to-30-years-for-child-porn.json | http://robesonian.com/news/91383/man-who-played-santa-sentenced-to-30-years-for-child-porn | en | null | Man who played Santa sentenced to 30 years for child porn | null | null | robesonian.com | WILMINGTON (AP) — Prosecutors say a man who played Santa Claus and did magic for children has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for making pornography with children he is related to.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a news release that the images were found in May 2015 when 65-year-old Leander Jones brought his computer to a repair shop in Raleigh.
Prosecutors say about 4,000 child porn images were found.
Authorities say Jones created the images while caring for the children. They did not give details about his magic shows or when he played Santa Claus.
Jones pleaded guilty in May. | http://robesonian.com/news/91383/man-who-played-santa-sentenced-to-30-years-for-child-porn | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/1bd94ecf6338deffe430da1e3e1fb891c017a3435029970d17d727c9dd469661.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T14:47:35 | null | 2016-08-29T09:59:31 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Ffeatures%2Fhealth%2F91328%2Ffive-exercises-to-cure-saggy-bottoms.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Kathy-Hansen-1.jpg | en | null | Five exercises to cure ‘saggy bottoms’ | null | null | robesonian.com | For me, inspiration for writing comes at the strangest times.
Recently while at CrossFit, we were doing a workout during which we had to perform a weighted squat with a five-second hold at the bottom. Five seconds when you are squatting with 100 pounds on your back seems like an eternity, so it gave me time to formulate today’s topic: “Saggy Bottoms.”
In the latter years of my father’s life, I noticed a new addition to his wardrobe — suspenders. Never in my life had I remembered him even owning a pair, so one day I got brave enough to ask him. He looked at me, shook his head and said, “My butt is gone and my pants won’t stay up without them.”
That night I inspected my own backside and thought, no way this is going anywhere because, No. 1, I had worked long and hard in the gym for years and No. 2, there was plenty to spare regardless.
Boy was I surprised when I hit the big 50 and suddenly my jeans were sagging in the back and my bottom had seemingly decided to take residence on the front side of me! Unfortunately, no matter how much junk we have in our trunk, as we age the perfect backside gets harder and harder to hold on to.
As we get older, fat naturally atrophies (shrinks). That is why our skin wrinkles and becomes looser, which makes our butts appear to be sagging. As skin and fat change, cellulite also becomes more apparent. And if that is not depressing enough for you, we also lose an average of 5 percent of muscle mass every 10 years after the age of 35, which means even more sagging. Ugh! Now that I have thoroughly depressed my female readers and sent the men running to the mall for their suspenders, let me offer a ray of hope — with some extra effort in your fitness routine you can keep your bottom up.
Here are five exercises guaranteed to keep your jeans fitting just right:
— Squats, squats and more squats: The No. 1 exercise you can do for a falling butt is the squat. With or without weights, squatting helps work all the lower body muscles and, in particular, the gluteal muscles that make up our bottoms. You can use a weighted bar across your shoulders, a squat machine at the gym, or hold a dumbbell in each hand to create resistance.
— Walk or run uphill: Walking or running on an incline gets your glutes (butt muscles) firing on all cylinders. You can incline a treadmill, or find an incline outdoors and do repeats. The more, the better.
— Lunges: Lunges are also a great way to get your bottom fired up. Alternate legs and either do them in place or travel. Make sure that the back leg knee touches or nearly touches the ground each time to get the most benefit. To up the intensity, carry some hand weights.
— Sprint: A great way to kick your own butt is to move faster. Add a little speed work into your walk or run. Alternate your normal pace with some short bursts of all out fast-as-you-can movement to fire up your metabolism and your legs.
— Glute bridges: This one you can do while watching TV. Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Lift your hips off the floor, squeeze your bottom and hold for 30 seconds. Repeat as many as you can and do them daily.
Kathy Hansen Contributing columnist http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Kathy-Hansen-1.jpg Kathy Hansen Contributing columnist
By Kathy Hansen
Kathy Hansen has over 25 years of experience in the health and fitness field and thanks to CrossFit has her booty back. She can be reached via e-mail at [email protected]
Kathy Hansen has over 25 years of experience in the health and fitness field and thanks to CrossFit has her booty back. She can be reached via e-mail at [email protected] | http://robesonian.com/features/health/91328/five-exercises-to-cure-saggy-bottoms | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/cf750f345ab151198af9a27d61943ef139042faa6e3e7be89aaf52140d8a0455.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:51:33 | null | 2016-08-25T18:54:48 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fsports%2F91225%2Fgame-of-the-week-purnell-swett-vs-red-springs.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Bass_cmyk.jpg | en | null | Game of the Week: Purnell Swett vs. Red Springs | null | null | robesonian.com | The Purnell Swett football team has dominated its rivalry with Red Springs over the years, but last season the Red Devils clipped their county rival for the first time in program history.
Rams coach Jon Sherman hasn’t forgotten about the 22-8 loss as his team prepares to host Red Springs (1-0) in Pembroke on Friday.
“We’ll see if we can play better than last year, ‘cause they got us,” he said. “It’s a good little rivalry we have going on. Our kids know a lot of their kids and are excited about that. They just want to play.”
Purnell Swett (0-1) enters Week 2 after suffering an 11-6 loss at Pine Forest last week. Offering no excuses for a missed call by the referees that could’ve determined the outcome of the game, Sherman is focused on seeing his team control what it can control: getting better.
“We’re not going to look for excuses (after last week),” he said. “We should never put ourselves in the situation where others dictate the outcome of the game. Offensively, we want to be smooth and eliminate penalties. Defensively, we want to keep it up with the good tackles and eliminate bad plays.”
So far, Sherman has liked what he’s seen in practice throughout the week ahead of the home opener.
“We’ve had a good past two days and a great week of preparation,” he said. “We’re just looking at being better than we were (last) Friday.”
Though students haven’t returned to school for the new year, Sherman still expects a crowd to be on hand for the first all-Robeson County matchup of the season.
“I’m looking for everyone in the community to come out and support the team,” he said. “Red Springs will obviously bring a crowd. The buzz is out there about how we look better than last year so hopefully that will help too.”
For the Red Devils, coming off a 35-8 win over Sandhills, it’s business as usual with an emphasis on defensive dominance.
Jerome Bass led the relentless attack on the Rams last season, collecting three sacks and five tackles for a loss. In Week 1, the Red Devils forced eight turnovers.
Red Springs coach Ron Cook hopes to see more of the same in Week 2, but he knows it will be battle.
“I think it will be a lot tougher than last year, especially since we’re going to their place” Cook said. “They have revenge on their minds. It’s a real big game for both of us.”
Cook is looking for linebacker Kaleb Locklear to continue leading the defense in the right direction.
“He’s been making a lot of plays for us and busting his butt off the field to become a student of the game,” he said. “He’s starting to be the coach on the field.”
Pine Forest (1-0) at Lumberton (1-0)
Coming off its first shutout since the 2014 opener, Lumberton looks to keep it rolling against a Pine Forest team that escaped Purnell Swett in an 11-6 win last week.
The Pirates rolled to a 40-0 win over Hunt in their season opener, with sensational performances on both sides of the ball.
After rushing for 120 yards in the opener, expect Montrez Howell to get a heavy workload once again as the Pirates’ latest threat out of the backfield. Lumberton accumulated 306 rushing yards last season in a 34-27 win over the Trojans in Fayetteville.
Lumberton has won the last two games in the series.
Carolina Forest (0-0) at Fairmont (0-1)
The Fairmont offense did its job in the opening game, led by 265 receiving yards and a trio of touchdowns from standout Jarique Moore, but its defense will continue to be spotlighted as the key to the team’s success throughout the year.
This week doesn’t get any easier as the Golden Tornadoes host Myrtle Beach’s Carolina Forest, before hitting the road for the next three weeks.
It’s the season opener for the Panthers, who posted a 5-7 record last season.
St. Pauls (0-1) at Douglas Byrd (0-1)
The Bulldogs took a beating in Ernest King’s debut as head coach, losing 56-7 to Grays Creek.
St. Pauls aims to bounce back this week as it travels to Fayettveille to face Douglas Byrd, which lost to Jack Britt, 12-0, in its opener.
The Eagles earned a 26-8 win at St. Pauls last season.
South Robeson (0-1) at Trask (1-0)
South Robeson will hit the road after dropping a 35-0 contest to West Bladen last week.
The Titans earned a 44-10 win over South Robeson last season. Trask opened its season with a 16-15 win over Topsail.
Rodd Baxley | The Robesonian Red Springs’ Jerome Bass (55) brings down Swett’s Lucas Oxendine for one of his game-high three sacks in the Red Devils 22-8 win over the Rams last season. It was Red Springs’ first victory over Purnell Swett in program history. http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Bass_cmyk.jpg Rodd Baxley | The Robesonian Red Springs’ Jerome Bass (55) brings down Swett’s Lucas Oxendine for one of his game-high three sacks in the Red Devils 22-8 win over the Rams last season. It was Red Springs’ first victory over Purnell Swett in program history.
Rams, Red Devils highlight Week 2 slate
By Rodd Baxley [email protected]
Rodd Baxley can be reached at 910-416-5182. Follow him on Twitter @RoddBaxley.
Rodd Baxley can be reached at 910-416-5182. Follow him on Twitter @RoddBaxley. | http://robesonian.com/sports/91225/game-of-the-week-purnell-swett-vs-red-springs | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/481a5cefc56da3ecb54a1b2ec1775e765e99ddc98d9d2416addc70e7e3bdbfff.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T12:48:21 | null | 2016-08-31T07:58:40 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91381%2Fbiden-to-attend-nc-fundraiser.json | http://robesonian.com/news/91381/biden-to-attend-nc-fundraiser | en | null | Biden to attend NC fundraiser | null | null | robesonian.com | RALEIGH (AP) — A national group seeking to elect Democratic governors says Vice President Joe Biden will attend one of its fundraisers next month in North Carolina, where Attorney General Roy Cooper is seeking to unseat Republican incumbent Pat McCrory.
The Democratic Governors Association confirmed this week that Biden will participate in its Sept. 12 private fundraising event at a Raleigh home. The association considers McCrory’s seat the best chance for Democrats to flip a gubernatorial seat that a Republican now holds.
Association spokesman Jared Leopold says the group is proud to have Biden’s support and that the event highlights the importance of governors shaping economic policies. | http://robesonian.com/news/91381/biden-to-attend-nc-fundraiser | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/20a7373876b72bc2625fa4a069c4d6f30b94a1f141865de01b9af300ab95ce5f.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T14:45:47 | null | 2016-08-26T09:50:11 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fsports%2F91248%2Fboys-soccer-2016-season-preview.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_PS-Soccer.jpg | en | null | Boys Soccer: 2016 season preview | null | null | robesonian.com | With boys soccer season underway, here’s a look at each of Robeson County’s four high school teams and what they have to offer on the pitch this season.
St. Pauls
A roster loaded with 13 seniors is what the St. Pauls boys soccer team brings into the 2016 season, with a slew of tough challenges facing the squad before it hits Three Rivers Conference play.
“It’s going to be one of the most difficult seasons we have played ever,” St. Pauls coach Brent Martin said. “Our first opening eight non-conference games are against 4A competition.
“It’s going to be a challenge for these guys.”
With a tough non-conference slate to prepare his team for conference play and an experienced roster, Martin knows that this season is for the taking for his team that will have three returners next year.
“These guys are going to have a great opportunity. I just hope they take advantage of it,” Martin said. “I’m hoping this year that playing at this high level will pay off for them.”
Captain Anthony Espinosa along with Ricardo Flores, Chris Irra and Victor Garcia head the 13-member senior class on a team that wishes to build off of last year’s first-round home playoff loss. Espinosa is a facilitator for the team out of the midfield and Flores finished third in the TRC in goals and led the team with 14 goals.
“We feel like we can go really far this season,” Espinosa said. “Last season, we got really close. I feel really confident with this team.
“I think with all of the seniors we can do really good.”
Coming off a three-way tie for second for the TRC regular season crown, the Bulldogs feel that the conference title is a reachable this season.
“Every year that’s a goal and especially this year that’s something we can attain,” Martin said. “The conference is not going to be easy, but I feel that if we really want to win the games I feel like we can.”
Lumberton
Around a core of some top returners from last year’s 13-8-2 team, Lumberton has younger players that will look to fill holes in the lineup this season.
“We’ve got some experienced players and we’re trying to blend in some younger guys,” Lumberton coach Kenny Simmons said. “We’ve had the injury bug hit us. … So we are going to need the younger players to come around.”
Leading the returners for Lumberton is junior Rene Altamirano who led the Southeastern Conference in goals last season with 21. Offensively, sophomore Christian Santos and junior Noah Taylor will be looked upon to provide scoring from the forward position, and seniors Zach Cox and Jose Galindo will anchor the defense with senior Alex Wober splitting time in goal with a few others.
“Our team is pretty much based around Rene Altamirano,” Simmons said. “We’ve got some good seniors that make up the defense.”
“I think we’re going to be very good,” Altamirano said. “We can go to the conference championship and we can go pretty far. We’ve got a pretty good team with young players, but they give it all they got.”
With a team of new faces, Simmons is working to see what kind of style of play his team will showcase.
“We’ve got pretty decent team speed,” he said. “We’re still trying to figure out our style of play. I’m not sure if we’re going to be a good possession team, or if we will be a team that plays a little more direct.”
Last season, Lumberton finished the season in a tie for second in the SEC regular season and made it to the conference tournament championship before falling 2-1 to Pinecrest. The goal for this year’s team is to replicate that success.
“We’re a program that we like to think we can keep that same level of play,” Simmons said.
Red Springs
Red Springs coach Eduardo Torres feels strongly about his team’s postseason chances going into the 2016 season after making the second round last season.
“I expect to hit the playoffs and at a very minimum the second or third round,” Torres said.
The Red Devils posted a 8-5-1 record last season and finished in a three-way tie for second in the TRC, but to follow up and match the feats from last season will require leadership. Leadership is something Torres is looking to build within his team that has experience despite losing the team’s top goal scorer from 2015.
“They’re bringing speed, they’ve got the endurance, they’ve got the skills and they just need teamwork,” he said. “They’re young and don’t have that leadership attitude. Sometimes you can’t teach that. We’re trying to instill it.”
Red Springs returns its two of its top scorers from last season in Jose Villalva and Francis Rodriguez who scored seven goals apiece last season. Villalva led the team with seven assists as well. Oscar Cruz, Martin Mendoza and Bernardo Lopez will also be contributors on the field for Red Springs as well.
While leadership is still being formed, chemistry is something the team has on its side, according to the coaching staff, from growing up and playing together.
“They’re technically sound and make good passes,” assistant coach William Garcia said. “Most of these guys play Sunday league together so they know how to work with each other.”
Purnell Swett
With a pair of experienced forwards leading the offense, Purnell Swett hopes for improved season this fall after a 2-15-2 season in 2015.
Purnell Swett coach Alaric Strickland sees improvement from his team in their technical abilities out on the field so far this season.
“They understand what I’m asking of them more,” Strickland said. “Instead of just kicking and running, they’re looking to make a pass to teammates’ foot.”
Senior transfer Brayan Azua and junior Vidal Velasquez will be looked upon to lead the offense with their experience. Azua comes in from Red Springs.
“He’s another one we’re going to count on because he had 10 goals last year,” Strickland said. “The addition of Brayan and him is a good combination for the offense.”
Senior midfielder Dawson Brooks and defender Michael Connor will also be leaders of the team. The Rams feature rising freshman goalkeeper Nick Ramirez, who Strickland said has impressed him leading up to the season.
Bonding is an area Strickland said the team usually takes a few weeks into the season to build, but this year, with the help of camps and summer workouts, he see his team has bonded and gelled together.
“The bonding is there so they’re already working hard for each other,” he said. “I’m looking for consistency and improvement as the season goes on,”
Jonathan Bym | The Robesonian Lumberton’s Rene Altamirano scored 21 goals last season and will look to carry a bigger load of the offense this season. http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Rene.jpg Jonathan Bym | The Robesonian Lumberton’s Rene Altamirano scored 21 goals last season and will look to carry a bigger load of the offense this season. Rodd Baxley | The Robesonian St. Pauls’ Anthony Espinosa is the lone captain on a team with 13 seniors and sees the potential of a big season for the Bulldogs. http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Espinosa.jpg Rodd Baxley | The Robesonian St. Pauls’ Anthony Espinosa is the lone captain on a team with 13 seniors and sees the potential of a big season for the Bulldogs. Jonathan Bym | The Robesonian
Red Springs’ Francis Rodriguez is the Red Devils’ leading returning scorer from last season and will lead the team’s forwards this season. http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Francis.jpg Jonathan Bym | The Robesonian
Red Springs’ Francis Rodriguez is the Red Devils’ leading returning scorer from last season and will lead the team’s forwards this season. Jonathan Bym | The Robesonian
Purnell Swett’s Dylan Chmura (3) and Pacey Brooks (14) will anchor the Rams’ defense this fall. http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_PS-Soccer.jpg Jonathan Bym | The Robesonian
Purnell Swett’s Dylan Chmura (3) and Pacey Brooks (14) will anchor the Rams’ defense this fall.
Senior-laden St. Pauls leads the way
By Jonathan Bym [email protected]
Jonathan Bym can be reached at 910-816-1977. Follow him on Twitter @Jonathan_Bym.
Jonathan Bym can be reached at 910-816-1977. Follow him on Twitter @Jonathan_Bym. | http://robesonian.com/sports/91248/boys-soccer-2016-season-preview | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/17eb6c0a71cbcde9c705bcbbeeb4d6061a8ace5dc72eb6b607fe80ea1419eabd.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:49:54 | null | 2016-08-26T07:51:08 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91232%2Fvermont-cancel-games-with-unc-over-lgbt-law.json | http://robesonian.com/news/91232/vermont-cancel-games-with-unc-over-lgbt-law | en | null | Vermont cancel games with UNC over LGBT law | null | null | robesonian.com | BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — The University of Vermont has canceled its women’s basketball team’s upcoming game in North Carolina over a state law that governs transgender bathroom access.
The Catamounts were scheduled to face the Tar Heels on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus on Dec. 28, but announced the cancellation on their athletic website Wednesday night.
UNC team spokesman Mark Kimmel told The Associated Press on Thursday that the Tar Heels were working to find a replacement on the schedule.
UVM athletic director Jeff Schulman said in a statement that the cancellation was a result of concerns over the law, which requires transgender people to use the restrooms in schools and many public buildings that correspond to the sex on their birth certificates, rather than their gender identity.
Schulman said the law discriminates against the transgender community.
“We strive very hard to create an inclusive climate for our students and staff in which they all can feel safe, respected, and valued,” he said in statement. “It would be hard to fulfill these obligations while competing in a state with this law, which is contrary to our values as an athletic department and university.”
Fellow America East team Albany had cancelled a men’s basketball game against Duke in November.
The NBA has moved the 2017 All-Star Game to New Orleans instead of hosting it in Charlotte, North Carolina, as originally scheduled because of the law.
The Burlington Free Press reported that UVM and UNC had agreed to the nonconference game on March 29, less than a week after the law went into effect. | http://robesonian.com/news/91232/vermont-cancel-games-with-unc-over-lgbt-law | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/fddd3c7f7fd25b3753df048b7e9d72cce268c89227c1f6fc37b1d210c6cc16cc.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T14:46:14 | null | 2016-08-27T08:54:04 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fopinion%2F91288%2Ftime-to-raise-juvenile-age.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_susanna-birdsong.jpg | en | null | Time to raise juvenile age | null | null | robesonian.com | North Carolina is one of only two states left in the country that continues to treat 16- and 17-year -olds as adults in the criminal justice system — without exception. It’s a law that dates back to 1919, and in the intervening 97 years, criminal justice experts, child psychologists, neuroscientists and others have compiled a mountain of data that tells us just how wrong this policy is.
Under our current system, any 16- or 17-year-old who makes one bad decision and is charged with even the most minor offense — like stealing a candy bar — is housed in an adult jail, where they face an increased risk of suicide and sexual assault. They are also branded with a criminal record that will make it harder for them to go to college, find a job, and contribute to society — putting North Carolina’s young people at a competitive disadvantage compared with youth in other states.
Despite all the evidence, state lawmakers have yet to change the law, although over the last several years there has been increasing momentum to get it done. In 2014, the North Carolina House of Representatives approved — with overwhelming bipartisan support — a bill that would have raised the age of jurisdiction for misdemeanor crimes. But the Senate failed to take it up, and here we are more than two years later with the same archaic law.
Thankfully, there is reason to believe that 2017 could be the year that North Carolina finally adopts the evidence-based, commonsense, cost-saving policy of treating young people under the age of 18 like the juveniles that they are in the criminal justice system.
Over the last several months, the North Carolina Commission on the Administration of Law and Justice — convened by Chief Justice Mark Martin to examine many facets of the court system and make recommendations for change — has been examining the issue of juvenile jurisdiction. A variety of participants, including judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys and law enforcement officers, have come together to find common ground, and recently released an interim report recommending that North Carolina direct 16- and 17-year-old offenders to the juvenile justice system.
We know a lot more about adolescent brains than we did in 1919. We know that juveniles engage in more risk-taking behavior without a real understanding of the consequences, and that they are more impulsive and more responsive to peer influence. We also know that when kids go through the juvenile system instead of the adult system, they are significantly less likely to commit another crime in the future. The juvenile system offers rehabilitation rather than strictly punishment and allows kids to right their wrongs without saddling them with a lifetime of collateral consequences.
Until recently, South Carolina was one of a handful of states in the country that treated 16-year-olds as juveniles but funneled 17-year-olds into the adult system. Earlier this year, the South Carolina legislature voted unanimously to raise the age of juvenile jurisdiction to include 17-year-olds. And South Carolina wasn’t the only state to raise the age in 2016: Louisiana made it happen too.
There are more people and more organizations than ever before who are willing to take a stand and say that North Carolina must raise the age. People who have historically been on opposing sides of this issue are coming together and agreeing that the time has come. Additionally, advocates, parents, and youth who have been impacted by the current law have spoken passionately about the urgent need to raise the age at recent public forums around the state. People are engaged, motivated, and organizing to act.
A candy bar shouldn’t cost a kid his future — or taxpayers a lifetime of support. It’s time to raise the age.
http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_susanna-birdsong.jpg
Susanna Birdsong is policy counsel at the ACLU of North Carolina.
Susanna Birdsong is policy counsel at the ACLU of North Carolina. | http://robesonian.com/opinion/91288/time-to-raise-juvenile-age | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/4a83d757faaa52c805540b194927c63bb4d849cb5216a5bc8962dd4a9bdcd15c.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T18:47:54 | null | 2016-08-30T13:12:46 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fopinion%2F91369%2Fpolitical-diversity-not-allows.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_phillip-stephen-2.jpg | en | null | Political diversity not allows | null | null | robesonian.com | Senate Majority leader Phil Berger noted a truth recently that Democrats outnumber Republicans 12 to one within the UNC system faculty, suggesting conservatives are discriminated against.
The statistic was no surprise. But liberal professors were surprisingly offended. Their heads began to spin, suggesting the reason there are more liberal professors is they discriminate against conservatives. What is even more alarming is their response that liberals are simply scientifically smarter and less biased.
A Chapel Hill professor made a fair point that political affiliation never comes up in job interviews. That may be true. But if they’ve seen the professor’s resume they can pretty much conclude political leanings. They are smart enough to detect philosophical political cues. They shouldn’t pretend they don’t.
Nevertheless, the liberal professor labels all conservatives as evolution denying, climate-change opposing and abortion- bashing idiots. So conservatives can’t possibly discuss women’s reproductive issues, climate or evolution. He thinks conservatives are biased but liberals are not. He should have stopped while he was ahead.
The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science published a comprehensive review of the literature on this topic in its March 2015 issue regarding politics and science. They objectively studied the claim that conservatives are biased to reject scientific evidence by reviewing the scientific literature.
Research indeed suggests a theory of political motivated reasoning does exist. People desire to reach conclusions consistent with their prior beliefs and if they are asked to process information inconsistent with those beliefs, they respond in an emotionally biased manner. Sort of like the UNC professor.
Interestingly, they found, contrary to popular belief, this biased processing actually occurs among people with greater reasoning and cognitive capabilities — not less. What’s more important though is that the scientific literature concludes no partisan or ideological group is superior to the other regarding immunity to motivated ideological bias.
Republicans will be skeptical about climate change data as it intersects with their political beliefs. But Democrats tend to be skeptical of scientific claims that undermine their policy preferences or values as well. Like X and Y chromosomes determine gender.
They also specifically found that those with the greatest education are many times more likely to “allow their values to color their scientific understanding.” According to the evidence, values influence bias more than political affiliation.
To be fair, there is also evidence that among some groups like teachers and scientists, more knowledge leads to less political bias. But again, neither group has a monopoly on being less biased. This is an argument for more political diversity in education — not less.
So it really comes down to values. Despite the scientific safety of nuclear energy and fracking, it challenges liberal values of environmentalism. The same as climate change and evolution challenge conservative values. But it doesn’t mean that a liberal scientist isn’t qualified to work at a nuclear power plant or a conservative scientist can’t teach evolutionary biology. Academics should be able to fairly differentiate science from ideology.
Economist Amy Liu studied 148 universities and found that after college, self-described liberals increased by 32 percent and self-described conservatives decreased by 28 percent. Interestingly, after entering the workplace these numbers begin to reverse in the real world devoid of safe zones and speech codes.
The point is UNC professors are smart and really do a great job. But they tend to think like those around them. Political diversity is the only diversity not valued on campus.
So even if the professor is right and there is no overt discrimination, the quantitative evidence is too clear to ignore.
Critical thinking is intellectual discipline. Many times the biggest challenge of critical thought is questioning our own thoughts and beliefs.
More than 90 percent of UNC faculty is liberal and that isn’t at least covert agreement to discriminate? One study showed 96 percent of Ivy League professors were liberal. You can’t get 96 percent of Ivy League professors to agree daily tooth brushing is a good idea. Sen. Berger may be on to something.
http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_phillip-stephen-2.jpg
Phillip Stephens is chairman of the Robeson County Republican Party.
Phillip Stephens is chairman of the Robeson County Republican Party. | http://robesonian.com/opinion/91369/political-diversity-not-allows | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/d9b89ca9cf1509cee06c173cadc23706e05639e49ec5bbb866bd01a41e7b9fc3.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T20:47:10 | null | 2016-08-28T14:57:07 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Ffeatures%2F91319%2Ftakea-vacationonce-in-a-while.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_gabbie_cmyk-1-1-1.jpg | en | null | Takea vacationonce in a while | null | null | robesonian.com | More than half of Americans don’t use all of their vacation days. That statistic hit me like a brick when I found that I still had nine of my 10 vacation days still available to me.
When I was growing up, my mom used to love to go to the beach, sink her toes in the sand and let the hot summer sun melt away the stress her 9-to-5 had helped accumulate in the previous months.
I never really liked the beach growing up. No matter how many layers of sunscreen I applied, I still attracted UV rays like a magnet. Second worst was always the sand which seemed to cover me like cinnamon sugar on a doughnut.
But perhaps the thing I hated most about going to the beach was that my mama glued her butt to her beach chair and didn’t want to do anything other than that for the rest of our trip.
My favorite thing about going on vacation to the beach as a child was spending about an hour or two on the beach, taking a swim in the not-so-salty-and-sandy pool and hitting the town to see a show. Looking back now, I have no idea how she could have afforded that. Sorry mom.
When my mom stopped taking us to Myrtle Beach and eventually decided every beach vacation would be held on Ocean Isle Beach, a remote island near Myrtle Beach with nothing but vacation homes lining its streets, I spent just a few hours on the beach and in the pool, but most of my time on the couch.
I remember my mom packing up a cooler for the beach, inquisitively staring at my short frame wrapped like a burrito in a blanket, lying on the couch watching Disney movies.
“Why come to the beach if you’re going to stay inside the whole time?” she’d ask.
Why was I there? I liked the smell of the ocean and I liked getting away from home, even if it was just to plop down on a considerably comfier couch to indulge in a movie marathon with possibly the best view of the sea anyone could ask for.
Now that I’m getting older, however, I long for those days in the sand and time away from the chaos that is everyday life.
There are a lot of reasons why people don’t use their paid vacation days. Some are afraid to come back to their desk to find a plethora of missed calls or mountains of paperwork, and many think their bosses may feel that they aren’t as dedicated to the job if they’re ready to hit the road for a week at the beach.
But like many Robesonians, I’m blocked by something far more limiting than the idea that my coworkers will hate me for going on vacation — my wallet. I can’t exactly afford to rent out a beach house for the week, nor can I afford to spend a week in even a bed bug-ridden hotel.
To combat my stir-craziness last weekend, I decided to hop in my car with my boyfriend and get on the road to Columbia, S.C., to visit Riverbanks Zoo. We hit the road around 6 a.m. and stopped in St. Pauls for a quick bite to eat. We got to the zoo around 8:45 a.m. and were finished seeing all the demonstrations and exhibits by 1 p.m.
I remember a smile playing across my face as my boyfriend and I exited the giant gates. He looked at me and could instantly tell I had a blast, despite the fact that I had to jog to keep up with his long strides all day.
“I needed this,” I laughed.
Afterwards, we rested our tired feet at Olive Garden where we indulged in bottomless salads and soups before heading home for the evening.
Everyone needs to get away, even if it’s just for the day. It is considerably cheaper than spending money on hotels and food for a week. Obviously, if you have that option, you should take it. But with one-third of the population here living in poverty, and a considerably large portion of the remainder making only enough to pay their bills, a long vacation isn’t always an option.
Take a day trip to the park, go see a movie, buy tickets to a show at the Carolina Civic Center or GPAC, take a hike, go to the beach for the day. Find your equivalent to sinking your toes in the sand because, according to The New York Times, vacations help your physical health by reducing stress on your heart. Men and women who take a vacay every two years have a considerably lower chance of having a heart attack than those who vacation every six years.
Vacations can also improve your mental capacity, strengthen familial bonds and increase a worker’s productivity. So make time for yourself just like I did. I came back feeling a lot less stressed because I had something else to focus on rather than work — the cute and cuddly animals at the zoo.
Gabbie’s Gab
By Gabrielle Isaac http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_gabbie_cmyk-1-1-1.jpg Gabbie’s Gab
By Gabrielle Isaac
Gabbie’s Gab By Gabrielle Isaac
Gabrielle Isaac can be reached at 910-816-1989 or on Twitter @news_gabbie.
Gabrielle Isaac can be reached at 910-816-1989 or on Twitter @news_gabbie. | http://robesonian.com/features/91319/takea-vacationonce-in-a-while | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/dcb574ab74895b98aa7678856652448d07db3d5b0a058544a95c0cf4ad5a7834.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T18:47:57 | null | 2016-08-30T13:32:06 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fopinion%2F91370%2Fparents-should-encourage-meat-free-menu-for-students.json | http://robesonian.com/opinion/91370/parents-should-encourage-meat-free-menu-for-students | en | null | Parents should encourage meat-free menu for students | null | null | robesonian.com | To the Editor,
With the new school year starting, parents’ to-do lists are now filled with shopping for school clothes, school supplies, and school food. That’s right — school food!
In past years, our nation’s schools were used by the USDA as a dumping ground for surplus meat and dairy commodities. It is neither a surprise nor coincidence that one-third of our children have become overweight or obese. Such dietary mistakes at an early age become lifelong addictions, raising their risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
Then came President Obama’s Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 requiring double the servings of fruits and vegetables, more whole grains, less sodium and fat, and no meat for breakfast. The guidelines are supported by 86 percent of Americans.
Most U.S. school districts now offer vegetarian options. More than 120 schools, including the entire school districts of Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Detroit, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Oakland, Philadelphia and San Diego, have implemented Meatless Monday. Some schools have dropped meat from their menu altogether.
As parents, we need to involve our own children and school cafeteria managers in promoting healthy, plant-based foods in our own schools. Going online and searching for “vegetarian options in schools” provides lots of good resources.
Ruben Desilets
Lumberton | http://robesonian.com/opinion/91370/parents-should-encourage-meat-free-menu-for-students | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/0ad3845e4f140da5a7dfc814b4ffe88b7765dc3f70d38a349605465ebd7a1400.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T20:46:01 | null | 2016-08-26T16:03:47 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91269%2Ffewer-parking-places-for-panthers-this-season.json | http://robesonian.com/news/91269/fewer-parking-places-for-panthers-this-season | en | null | Fewer parking places for Panthers this season | null | null | robesonian.com | CHARLOTTE. (AP) — An uptown development boom means fans of the Carolina Panthers will need to reverse field to find parking and tailgating space in uptown Charlotte during the upcoming season.
The Charlotte Observer reports with the loss of parking lots at the newspaper’s old site, the prime spaces in the shadows of Bank of America Stadium are no longer available. Ben Sands, general manager at Preferred Parking, said the project means there are nearly 500 fewer parking spots at which to tailgate before games this season. Preferred was responsible for leasing out the spots that went for between $60 and $100 for spots on the old Observer site. | http://robesonian.com/news/91269/fewer-parking-places-for-panthers-this-season | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/483dfda580364033bdf3f752c3db9c8669e126f45aaad294bb19b7428f6cffc7.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T12:47:52 | null | 2016-08-30T06:57:47 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91352%2Fjudge-weighs-if-nc-man-was-wrongly-convicted-of-murders.json | http://robesonian.com/news/91352/judge-weighs-if-nc-man-was-wrongly-convicted-of-murders | en | null | Judge weighs if NC man was wrongly convicted of murders | null | null | robesonian.com | DURHAM — A North Carolina man was wrongly convicted of killing a woman and her daughter two decades ago in part because jurors didn’t know about DNA evidence that implicated another man, defense attorneys said Monday.
Lawyers for Darryl Howard, who has been in prison for 21 years, told a judge that he deserves a new trial because of new DNA evidence and misconduct by police and prosecutors, including ex-district attorney Mike Nifong, who was disbarred and jailed for his handling of the Duke University lacrosse case.
“In other words, based on these (DNA) results and based on the evidence presented at the original trial, would a reasonable juror have a reasonable doubt about Mr. Howard’s guilt?” Jim Cooney, an attorney working with the Innocence Project, told the judge.
Prosecutors said witnesses who lived in the same housing project as the victims placed Howard at the scene of crimes around the time they happened. Howard was convicted of strangling Doris Washington, 29, and her 13-year-old daughter, Nishonda. He was sentenced to 80 years in prison in 1995.
Howard, 54, has remained behind bars ever since. On Monday, he sat with his wrists in handcuffs alongside his attorneys, including Barry Scheck, who was part of a team that won an acquittal at the 1995 murder trial of ex-NFL star O.J. Simpson.
Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson is hearing three days of arguments before deciding if Howard should get a new trial.
Two years ago, the judge threw out Howard’s conviction, but a state appeals court ruled he should have considered a broader range of evidence before his ruling.
In 2011, DNA tests — unavailable at the time of Howard’s trial — identified a Tennessee convict as the man who had sex with Doris Washington shortly before her 1991 death. That man, Jermeck Jones, told police he had dated Nishonda Washington.
Jones was in court Monday and appointed an attorney, who said he would refuse to testify based on his constitutional right against incriminating himself.
An unidentified second man’s semen was found in Nishonda’s body, but it was not Howard’s, DNA analysis expert Meghan Clement testified Monday.
The girl was sexually assaulted on the same bed as her mother before both were killed and their apartment set on fire.
Jurors at Howard’s 1995 trial knew that neither DNA nor physical evidence tied Howard to the crime, prosecutor Stormy Ellis told the judge.
Jurors “listened. They looked at the witnesses. They evaluated the credibility of the witnesses. And they came back that even though his DNA was not there, that he was guilty,” Ellis said.
Marilyn Miller, a forensic sciences professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, said Howard’s trial lacked physical evidence in part because police investigators didn’t thoroughly comb the crime scene.
Based on her experience as a crime scene investigator in the 1990s, “I would have done more than what was done here,” said Miller, an expert witness hired by Howard’s team. What is clear from the DNA is that there was no evidence Howard was there, she said.
Also expected to testify is Nifong, the former Durham County district attorney. The judge said in his 2014 ruling that Nifong failed to share with defense attorneys a police memo and other evidence that pointed to suspects other than Howard. A Durham police detective testified at Howard’s trial that investigators never considered that the sexual assaults were linked to the killers. Nifong repeated that claim despite a police memo in the prosecution’s files that contradicted him.
Nifong was disbarred in June 2007 for his handling of the Duke University lacrosse case, in which three Duke athletes were accused of raping a stripper hired to entertain a team party. State investigators later determined Nifong lied and buried evidence proving the lacrosse players were innocent. North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper declared the players victims of a “tragic rush to accuse.” Nifong served a day in jail for contempt of court. | http://robesonian.com/news/91352/judge-weighs-if-nc-man-was-wrongly-convicted-of-murders | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/7d0bdb0231a34d03d6236ea772ec0a2d860dce4351a7d37f12c5f9375f3e02f0.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T12:47:44 | null | 2016-08-30T08:33:03 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fsports%2F91361%2Ftop-performers-swetts-offense-takes-center-stage.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Pankey.jpg | en | null | Top Performers: Swett’s offense takes center stage | null | null | robesonian.com | Robeson County football teams posted another 2-4 record this week and now four of the six teams have 1-1 records with Fairmont and South Robeson still in search of that first victory.
Purnell Swett downed in-county rival Red Springs and St. Pauls used a late touchdown drive against Douglas Byrd to give Ernest King his first win with the Bulldogs for the two county wins. As the season progresses, we’ll highlight the top performances of the week — from teams and individuals — and give insight on the teams trending up and players to keep an eye on as the state playoffs draw closer.
TEAM OF THE WEEK
Purnell Swett: The Rams bounced back from a season-opening 11-6 loss to Pine Forest to avenge last season’s defeat at Red Springs with a convincing 43-20 win at home.
With the help of its depth, Purnell Swett amassed more than 350 yards of total offense and took a 29-0 lead after the first drive of the third quarter against a Red Springs team that held the Sandhills Titans to eight points in the opener. With over 200 yards on the ground and quarterback Luke Oxendine passing for nearly 150 yards and leading the fast-paced offense, the Rams scored three times on their first six possessions and wore down the Red Springs defense.
By taking away the run game from Red Springs in the first half, the Rams forced three straight three-and-outs and kept Red Springs to 63 yards of total offense on 32 plays. Dylan Lowry and Jessup Oxendine picked on Red Devils quarterback Toddrick Lockhart on his final two passes in the first half, with Lowry’s being returned 15 yards for a touchdown.
The 43-point performance is the highest scoring output for the Rams under second-year coach Jon Sherman.
EYE-POPPING PERFORMANCE
Chris Graham, RB, St. Pauls —The senior running back was a workhorse for the Bulldogs in their first win of the season, rushing for 154 yards on 25 carries en route to scoring the go-ahead touchdown to give Ernest King his first victory as head coach.
Graham found the end zone on a 12-yard run in the final minutes of the game to seal the road win.
Purnell Swett’s rushing attack — Behind the legs of Damion Holloway, Deandre Pankey and Al’Drique Thompson, the Rams’ three-man rushing attack took advantage of the Red Springs defense, combining for 181 yards on 25 attempts and two touchdowns.
Thompson finished with a team-high 83 yards on four rushes. He broke his first run free for 42 yards and then on the next drive ran for 35 yards to set up the Rams’ second touchdown of the game. Pankey had a game-high of 13 rushes and finished with Purnell Swett’s first touchdown and 50 yards. Holloway finished with eight carries for 48 yards.
Quarterback Luke Oxendine also added 28 yards rushing on five carries.
OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Marquis Ray, RB, Red Springs — Scored two touchdowns on 10 carries and totaled 136 rushing yards.
Chandler Brayboy, WR, Purnell Swett — Finished with five catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns.
Derrick Arnette, WR, Fairmont — Had a team-high 110 yards receiving on 10 catches.
Tyreik McCallum, KR, Lumberton — Had a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Aubrey Savannah, DL, Lumberton — Finished with two sacks.
Darrius Brown, KR, South Robeson — Had an 83-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
Jonathan Bym | The Robesonian Purnell Swett running back Deandre Pankey eludes Red Springs’ Bobby McRae. Pankey rushed 13 times and was a part of the Rams’ rushing attack that totaled over 200 yards in the game. http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Pankey.jpg Jonathan Bym | The Robesonian Purnell Swett running back Deandre Pankey eludes Red Springs’ Bobby McRae. Pankey rushed 13 times and was a part of the Rams’ rushing attack that totaled over 200 yards in the game.
Rams’ rushing attack, St. Pauls’ Graham highlight Week 2 | http://robesonian.com/sports/91361/top-performers-swetts-offense-takes-center-stage | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/342729a89119043114dfc64c7de926c37c81ce95b848f105608e72756be9c7bb.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T04:46:02 | null | 2016-08-27T00:30:29 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fsports%2F91284%2Flocal-football-roundup-late-score-lifts-st-pauls-over-douglas-byrd.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_sport-football-2.jpg | en | null | Local Football Roundup: Late score lifts St. Pauls over Douglas Byrd | null | null | robesonian.com | FAYETTEVILLE — Running back Chris Graham was a workhorse for the St. Pauls football team on Friday night, scoring the go-ahead touchdown in a 12-8 comeback win over Douglas Byrd on Friday night.
Graham finished the game with 154 yards on 25 attempts, helping the Bulldogs (1-1) get their first win under new coach Ernest King.
The Eagles struck first with a 55-yard touchdown to take an early 8-0 lead, but St. Pauls answered with a 3-yard run by Noah Wheeler trimming the lead to 8-6 at the break.
Graham’s go-ahead score came on a 12-yard run. Wheeler finished with 51 yards on the ground, 122 through the air and a pair of interceptions. Dakota Oxendine hauled in five catches for 70 yards.
St. Pauls’ Elijah White finished with three tackles, including a team-best two tackles for loss. Manuel Rojas tallied four tackles.
Panthers’ rushing attack too much for Fairmont
FAIRMONT — Carolina Forest senior running back Dyverse Simmons overwhelmed the Fairmont defense with 225 rushing yards and two touchdowns as the Carolina Forest Panthers topped the Fairmont Golden Tornadoes 48-16 on Friday night.
The Panthers’ running attack took effect early, as the Panthers took a 13-0 lead heading into the second quarter behind 81 rushing yards from Simmons.
Simmons’ success took some pressure off junior quarterback Matt Beale, who attempted just one pass in the first quarter.
Simmons was pulled in the third quarter for senior running back Nasier Nasmith, who finished the game with 147 yards on 12 carries.
After returning from his suspension halfway into the opening period, Julius Caulder went 14-of-28 for 109 yards in the first half for Fairmont (0-2). Caulder finished the game 19-of-37 for 231 yards.
Fairmont receiver Jarique Moore pulled in a game-high four catches for 104 yards.
Trask routs South Robeson
The Trask football team earned a 42-12 victory over South Robeson on Friday night, dropping the Mustangs to 0-2 on the season.
South Robeson’s Darrius Brown had an 83-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and the Mustangs’ defense accounted for the final score on a 2-yard fumble recovery.
http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_sport-football-2.jpg | http://robesonian.com/sports/91284/local-football-roundup-late-score-lifts-st-pauls-over-douglas-byrd | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/12e5313b3dc62411a642e7d68d5e3368f3b2930f578f5975a62ec8ab4e56cc34.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T14:45:46 | null | 2016-08-26T10:43:44 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fsports%2F91256%2Flumbertons-london-thompson-featured-on-espnws-basketball-watch-list.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_rsz_lthompson.jpg | en | null | Lumberton’s London Thompson featured on espnW’s basketball watch list | null | null | robesonian.com | LUMBERTON — London Thompson, a rising junior at Lumberton, was added to ESPN’s 100 watch list among the Class of 2018 HoopGurlz basketball prospects.
Thompson, a 5-foot-9 point guard, is listed as a 3-star prospect with a scout grade of 90.
ESPN’s Dan Olson, director of espnW Hoopgurlz, on Thompson: “Athletic lead-guard with a scorer’s mentality; manufactures, elevates in mid-range game, developing deep threat consistency; uptempo contributor; anticipates, defends in pressure.”
As a sophomore, Thompson was co-player of the year of the Southeastern Conference, averaging a league-best 16.5 points per game for the Lady Pirates. She was also a terror on the defensive end, averaging six steals per game.
Thompson http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_rsz_lthompson.jpg Thompson
By Rodd Baxley [email protected]
Rodd Baxley can be reached at 910-416-5182. Follow him on Twitter @RoddBaxley.
Rodd Baxley can be reached at 910-416-5182. Follow him on Twitter @RoddBaxley. | http://robesonian.com/sports/91256/lumbertons-london-thompson-featured-on-espnws-basketball-watch-list | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/65d7c2031c6c142980aa91c1ddc7576dd67cf4114c8727c473ffc9e698c99d33.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T20:47:38 | null | 2016-08-29T10:25:59 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fopinion%2F91339%2Funiversity-faculty-lacks-diversity.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_john-hood-9.jpg | en | null | University faculty lacks diversity | null | null | robesonian.com | RALEIGH — Election season may not be the best time to go looking for sober reflection or respectful dialogue. For example, consider what happened recently when professors at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill got wind of a new project on campus, created and funded by state legislators, to provide technical assistance on environmental matters.
The North Carolina Policy Collaboratory will receive $1 million in initial funding plus another $3.5 million in state appropriations if UNC-Chapel Hill raises matching funds from other sources. Its stated purpose is to study the “environmental and economic components” of natural resources management and “new technologies for habitat, environmental, and water quality improvement.”
As soon as they heard about the project, some professors were skeptical. Once they heard the rumor that Dr. Jeff Warren, currently a science-policy advisor for N.C. Senate leader Phil Berger, might be in the running for a job with the project, the professors’ skepticism turned into active opposition. They encouraged media outlets to run stories about Warren, whose political background and policy views they find objectionable. In response to Berger’s complaint that the existing faculty was wildly imbalanced in favor of liberal Democrats, a UNC-CH neurologist even wrote an op-ed for the Raleigh and Charlotte newspapers arguing, in part, that the imbalance reflected an “anti-science attitude” on the part of conservatives and Republicans. Other professors argued that Berger’s imbalance claim was fictitious.
I’m not going to argue in favor of the N.C. Policy Collaboratory itself, because I don’t know enough about its origins. But the Left’s response to it illustrates precisely the nature and significance of the diversity problem that Sen. Berger described.
It’s not just him, by the way. Many commentators across the political spectrum have discussed the fact — and it is a well-established fact — that the faculties of UNC-Chapel Hill and most other universities are far more liberal and Democratic than the general population is. In fact, university professors are far more liberal and Democratic than are other voters with similar educational backgrounds.
In the 2012 election, for example, North Carolinians opted for Mitt Romney over Barack Obama by two percentage points. You may find it surprising that there wasn’t a large difference between voters with college degrees (50 percent Obama, 49 percent Romney) and those without college degrees (52 percent Romney, 47 percent Obama). More to the point, voters with graduate degrees — 15 percent of the state’s electorate — went 51 percent for Obama and 48 percent for Romney. Again, nothing to write home about.
Although the direct evidence for how the faculty voted isn’t as readily available — that’s not a category tested in exit polls — other surveys and voter-registration data suggest that professors have voted overwhelmingly for Obama and other Democrats. Credible estimates range from 5-to-1 to 9-to-1. Professors are also far more likely to identify as “left” or “liberal” than they were a generation ago.
It varies quite a bit by discipline, however. Sociology, anthropology, ethnic studies, and English departments tend to be the most leftist. Disparities are smaller in the hard sciences, engineering, medicine, and economics. The greatest political diversity is usually found in business administration, finance, accounting, and nursing.
Although anecdotal evidence suggests some of the imbalance on campuses may reflect explicit or (more likely) implicit bias in hiring and promotion, I think it is mostly due to self-selection. Intellectually inclined young people have choices. Generally speaking, those with liberal leanings find academia more attractive as a career than do those with conservative leanings, who are more likely to pursue graduate degrees so they can become doctors, attorneys, engineers, or managers in the private sector.
Lack of intellectual diversity on campus is a real problem, whatever its cause. Among students, the biggest losers are liberal students, who despite the best efforts of well-meaning liberal professors are simply less likely to have their preconceived notions challenged — which is an indispensable element of a real education.
But it’s hard to have a serious talk about this during election season. It’ll have to wait.
John Hood http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_john-hood-9.jpgJohn Hood | http://robesonian.com/opinion/91339/university-faculty-lacks-diversity | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/9632bf47911a6892b3dd46b11ba6b8287dc78e246583798ad83ba283bac8fe77.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T04:46:00 | null | 2016-08-27T00:30:42 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fsports%2F91286%2Ffast-paced-rams-down-red-springs.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Tackle.jpg | en | null | Fast-paced Rams down Red Springs | null | null | robesonian.com | PEMBROKE — There is strength in numbers and the Purnell Swett football team used its roster that dwarfed Red Springs’ to its advantage on both sides of the ball Friday night.
With a balanced, fast-paced offensive attack and a swarming defense, the Rams avenged last year’s loss to the Red Devils with a 43-20 win at home.
With a 22-point lead at the half, Purnell Swett (1-1) came out of the locker room and sped up the offense and was able to catch the Red Devils (1-1) winded and out of position to quickly build onto the lead with a Damion Holloway rushing touchdown from a yard out to go up 29-0, less than two minutes into the third quarter.
“I’ll give credit to Coach (offensive coordinator Robbie Brown) for that. I just said, ‘Coach, do what you’ve got to do,’ and he ran it,” Purnell Swett coach Jon Sherman said. “I thought that was a pretty good adjustment.”
The change caught Red Springs off guard and coach Ron Cook saw the problems it caused.
“They came out in the second half and they knew it. They came out and sped up their tempo on offense and we had a little bit of trouble getting lined up,” he said. “Fatigue definitely played a part, especially in the second half.”
Holloway, along with Al’Drique Thompson and Deandre Pankey formed a three-back force that tallied 181 yards and two touchdowns. Pankey was the workhorse early with 13 carries in the game, including the first score of the game on a 10-yard carry. Holloway came in relief later in the game and Thompson found holes and broke them for big gains. Thompson finished with four rushes for 83 yards.
“Damion is a horse and he came back from injury and he ran hard,” Sherman said. “Al’Drique Thompson showed me something tonight. He ran the way I think Al’Drique Thompson runs and Pankey does what Pankey does. Those are three backs I think we can live off and have a great game with.”
While Purnell Swett’s established its run game early and often, Red Springs struggled in the first half gaining yardage on the ground, a staple of the Red Devils’ offense, with 25 yards rushing going into halftime.
“They had a solid gameplan,” Cook said of Purnell Swett stacking the box and taking their chances with their defensive backs going one-on-one with Red Springs’ receivers, “they believed they could take that chance and they got away with it.”
The Red Devils established their run game in the second half with Marquis Ray finishing with 136 yards on the ground and two touchdowns. His first touchdown came on the following play from scrimmage after Holloway’s rushing touchdown as he went 59 yards out for the score. His other came on Red Springs’ most sustained drive on the night, an eight-play, 64-yard drive that ended on a 20-yard score to start the fourth quarter and cut the lead to 36-14.
“I felt the defense was pretty good but it lapsed,” Sherman said. “I felt like we could’ve held it to zero. The touchdowns you saw were mental lapses.”
Outside of Ray, the Rams defense pursued the ball well and contained the ball like they gameplanned for.
“We were just trying to keep the ball from going too far outside and keep on squeezing the middle,” Purnell Swett linebacker Richie McCrimmon said. “We stopped the outside run and stopped their running game basically.”
In his second start at quarterback, Luke Oxendine went 10-for-18 passing for 147 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Both his touchdown passes went to Chandler Brayboy who scored on a pass over the middle late in the second quarter and on a screen in the fourth quarter.
Purnell Swett hosts South Robeson next Friday. Red Springs travels to Harrells Christian Academy.
Jonathan Bym | The Robesonian
Purnell Swett’s Blake Lowry, left, and Cameron Oxendine, right, converge to tackle Red Springs running back Justin Locklear. Lowry had an interception in the game for Purnell Swett. http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Tackle.jpg Jonathan Bym | The Robesonian
Purnell Swett’s Blake Lowry, left, and Cameron Oxendine, right, converge to tackle Red Springs running back Justin Locklear. Lowry had an interception in the game for Purnell Swett.
Depth key for Swett in 43-20 win
By Jonathan Bym [email protected]
Jonathan Bym can be reached at 910-816-1977. Follow him on Twitter @Jonathan_Bym.
Jonathan Bym can be reached at 910-816-1977. Follow him on Twitter @Jonathan_Bym. | http://robesonian.com/sports/91286/fast-paced-rams-down-red-springs | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/e1f47d8cd14335ce1f982ef31433916f83894a213bc0f96647d952a244a4a7d0.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T14:47:40 | null | 2016-08-29T10:03:42 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91333%2Fsmithfield-employees-return-to-plant.json | http://robesonian.com/news/91333/smithfield-employees-return-to-plant | en | null | Smithfield employees return to plant after chemical reaction | null | null | robesonian.com | TAR HEEL — The Smithfield Packing Plant in Tar Heel has allowed its employees to return to the facility after being evacuated because of an early morning chemical reaction.
According to Bradley Kinlaw, Bladen County Emergency Services director, the employees returned at 8:15 a.m. today
At about 3:30 a.m., a chemical reaction occurred between sodium hypochlorite and acid during a cleaning process. The chemical was contained inside the building. All employees were evacuated as well as several homes nearby for precautionary measures. Residents were allowed back in their homes at about 4:30 a.m.
Seven employees were transported to area hospitals with minor injuries.
Kinlaw said the incident appeared to be accidental.
Units responding included Tar Heel Fire Department, Tobermory Fire Department, Dublin Fire Department, Elizabethtown Fire Department, White Oak Fire Department, Bladenboro Fire Department, Tar Heel EMS, Bladenboro EMS, Bladen County EMS, Cape Fear Valley EMS, Robeson EMS, Bladen County Sheriff’s Office, state Highway Patrol, Bladen County Emergency Management, Cumberland County Emergency Management, North Carolina Emergency Management, and Fayetteville Fire Department. | http://robesonian.com/news/91333/smithfield-employees-return-to-plant | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/50a389111d1059c55ee23801a83a0435721dd45d4b38fb18037e5a9bdf2be988.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T22:45:56 | null | 2016-08-26T16:58:52 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91280%2Flowering-juvenile-age-pushed.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_J.Stanley_Carmical_cmyk.jpg | en | null | Lowering juvenile age pushed | null | null | robesonian.com | LUMBERTON — Raising the age at which some offenders in North Carolina are considered adults would require programs in Robeson County to beef up, but advocates say the change would save the state money, reduce court caseloads and help teens become productive adults in the long term.
North Carolina and New York are the only states that prosecute 16- and 17-year-olds in adult criminal court. There is a push in North Carolina to raise that threshold to 18 for all crimes except violent felonies and traffic offenses. This month, the N.C. Commission on the Administration of Law & Justice is holding statewide public hearings on how to improve North Carolina’s courts, including the prospect of raising the juvenile age.
Raising the juvenile age is also a goal of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.
“We think that the juvenile justice system is custom-built for that age population, so it would have the right services for the right age at the right time,” William Lassiter, deputy director of juvenile justice for DPS said during the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council of Robeson and Scotland counties’ June legislative breakfast. “The juvenile justice system tends to be much more responsive, the sanctions tend to be much more immediate and the services tend to be much more immediate.”
According to DPS records, there is one 16-year-old and one 17-year-old serving time in prison in Robeson County. Another 28 Robeson County 16- and 17-year-olds are probation.
During a presentation to representatives of local law enforcement and juvenile justice agencies, Lassiter cited research that shows critical decision-making skills aren’t fully developed until a person is in their 20s. As they get older, teenagers think more about their futures and the consequences of their actions, he said.
“Right now, if you’re 16 years old you may end up in a program with a 50-year-old sitting right beside you,” Lassiter said. “There’s no way that those two people are in the same mindset and trying to change those two individuals at the same time is very difficult.”
Jim Barbee, executive director of Robeson County Teen Court and Youth Services, agrees that the juvenile justice system is better suited for 16- and 17-year-olds. His organization already serves some offenders older than 15 in its efforts to divert teens from District Court and a damaging criminal record.
“My whole team and the board of directors are in support of raising the age,” he said.
According to Lassiter, raising the juvenile age would be costly up front because its more expensive to work with juveniles; the juvenile system is more hands-on, with counseling and other treatment built-in. But over time, he says, the change would save the state money as recidivism rates are reduced, expenses from housing inmates in adult prisons are saved and juveniles kept out of the prison system are able to grow into productive adults. One cost-benefit analysis shows that raising the age would ultimately save North Carolina $70 million per year.
“Having the aged raised to 18 keeps our future citizens of the community taxpayers and not a tax burden,” said Barbee.
The added population would likely require Teen Court to increase its hours. The organization has been operating part-time, serving about 50 to 60 individuals per year. At full-time, Teen Court and its ancillary counseling and support programs reached 140 to 150 teens per year.
“It would require us to expand our scope of services but it would allow us to definitely provide better services for the population versus them just getting a slap on the wrist,” he said. “… They’d probably get more consequences in Teen Court.”
Through Teen Court, first-time offenders can plead guilty to misdemeanor charges and their cases will be pulled out of the Juvenile and District Court systems and their charges dismissed. Referrals can come from courts, school resource officers, school administrators and the Department of Juvenile Justice.
Defendants’ cases are heard by a jury of their peers, made up of volunteers and previous offenders serving jury duty as part of the sanctions handed down in their own cases. Teens also serve as the lawyers, while an adult judge takes the bench. Barbee said taking on older teens would mean revisiting the sanctions the jury is able to choose from during trial. Other sanctions include decision-making classes and reparations.
“I think with 16, 17, 18 year-olds we would have to increase those because it would allow better impact,” he said. “… Anytime you increase duration of service and intensity, you always see better results.”
According to Lassiter, juvenile crime has been on the decline statewide for the past six years, largely because of programs like Robeson County Teen Court, which Lassiter said the state hopes to replicate elsewhere, and other local programs funded by the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council.
Chief District Court Judge J. Stanley Carmical doesn’t foresee a drastic change in Robeson County courts if the juvenile age were raised. Some adult court cases would be shifted to juvenile court, but the overall number wouldn’t change, he said.
“I really do think the biggest impact may be in the number of juvenile court counselors that are necessary to screen and supervise the cases,” he said.
Some additional court sessions may be needed. Juvenile court is held in Robeson County about five days each month. The District Attorney’s Office already actively looks for cases where a 16- or 17-year-old facing a minor charge could do community serve and have the charge dismissed, he said.
In Carmical’s experience, most Robeson 16- and 17-year-olds who end up in court don’t need to be treated as adults. Many end up in the court system for violations at school — like fighting or making threats — that in the past would have led to suspensions rather than criminal charges.
“Most of these young people that come into adult court now haven’t committed horrendous offenses,” Carmical said. ” … When they come into adult court, the main thing they look is frightened. They look bewildered. Something happened at the high school and all of a sudden they’re standing in adult criminal court with judges, lawyers, DA’s and a lot of times they’re overwhelmed by it.”
Carmical agrees that in some cases, those teens could be better served by the juvenile justice system. They should still be held accountable for their actions, he said, but in a way that can keep them from re-committing and keep a conviction from following them “like a newfound shadow.”
“In juvenile court, we’ve got an opportunity to hopefully intervene in a positive way,” he said. “This age change is going to happen. It may not happen this year, but it’s going to happen.”
Jim Barbee http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_jim-barbee.jpg Jim Barbee William Lassiter http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_william-lassiter.jpg William Lassiter J. Stanley Carmical http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_J.Stanley_Carmical_cmyk.jpg J. Stanley Carmical
By Sarah Willets [email protected]
Sarah Willets can be reached at 910-816-1974 or on Twitter @Sarah_Willets.
Sarah Willets can be reached at 910-816-1974 or on Twitter @Sarah_Willets. | http://robesonian.com/news/91280/lowering-juvenile-age-pushed | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/4c65ed750213350097669f8542c8c1299437bff51e3466acd25e92647fa0f0f2.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:50:28 | null | 2016-08-26T07:47:57 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91231%2Fman-awarded-3-25m-after-rape-conviction-overturned.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Willie_Grimes.jpg | en | null | Man awarded $3.25M after rape conviction overturned | null | null | robesonian.com | RALEIGH — A North Carolina man awarded $3.25 million in a settlement for the 24 years he spent in prison for a rape he didn’t commit likely will continue to live simply, as he has done since he was paroled in 2012, his attorney said Thursday.
The Hickory City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to approve the settlement with Willie Grimes, who was sentenced in July 1989 to life for two counts of first-degree rape and nine additional years for one count of second-degree kidnapping for the assault of 69-year-old Hickory woman in 1987.
He was paroled in May 2012 after the state Innocence Inquiry Commission unanimously agreed that enough credible evidence existed to refer Grimes’ case to a three-judge panel. That panel later declared that Grimes was innocent, as the now 69-year-old man had always maintained.
Grimes is “a man of faith, and he lives simply, and I think he will continue to live simply,” attorney Burton Craige said. Grimes didn’t want to comment, Craige said.
Grimes refused to participate in prison programs that could have helped him reduce his sentence because he would have had to acknowledge guilt and express remorse, another attorney, Chris Mumma of the N.C. Center on Actual Innocence, has said.
When the commission started investigating, almost all the physical evidence in the case had inexplicably disappeared although no one found a court order to destroy it. All that remained were fingerprints found on bananas in the victim’s home. The victim, who has since died, told investigators that her attacker took fruit from a bowl in the kitchen of her apartment before he left.
An analyst testified before the innocence commission in April 2012 that the fingerprints matched a different man, who had a lengthy criminal record of misdemeanors, including assault on a female.
The physical evidence presented at trial was that of a hair that the State Bureau of Investigation only identified as being “microscopically consistent” with Grimes. Friends testified that Grimes was with them when the victim was raped.
He sued the city and various officials in 2014, leading to mediation that resulted in the settlement agreement. The city will pay $2,250,650, with the city’s insurance carrier, National Casualty, responsible for the remaining $999,350. | http://robesonian.com/news/91231/man-awarded-3-25m-after-rape-conviction-overturned | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/2274930c66db95e18290ec5dd94e52c28c39cd908c6db61c37c1b9113d195f8a.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T14:48:21 | null | 2016-08-31T09:17:23 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91389%2Fphysical-therapist-named-new-chairman-of-robeson-dss-board.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_dss1_cmyk-1.jpg | en | null | Physical therapist named new chairman of Robeson DSS board | null | null | robesonian.com | LUMBERTON — A physical therapist from Lumberton was unanimously elected Tuesday as chairman of the Robeson County Department of Social Services board, replacing Raymond Cummings, who had chaired the board for more than a decade.
Also on Tuesday, county Commissioner Roger Oxendine was sworn in to a three-year term on the board. He fills a seat vacated by Cummings earlier this month after county commissioners failed to appoint him to another three-year term.
Derick Coe, the new chairman, has served on the five-member DSS board since August 2014, when he was named to replace Commissioner Jerry Stephens. Stephens gave up his board seat after only a month, saying he had a conflict of interest because a niece works for DSS.
“I want to thank the board for its confidence in me,” said Coe, who manages rehabilitation services for Southeastern Health in both Red Springs and Pembroke. “I will do my best and promise to do the will of the people.”
Oxendine thanked the Board of Commissioners for having the confidence to appoint him to the board.
“I take this oath to heart,” he said. “The work we do here is for and about DSS.”
The county commissioners had to take three votes before they finally voted 7 to 1 on Aug. 15 to accept Cummings’ nomination of Oxendine to replace him on the board. Cummings has served on the DSS board for 18 years.
“I am honored to have been appointed, but I would have loved to have seen Raymond continue to serve,” Oxendine said after being appointed. “He has done a great job.”
At two previous meetings, the commissioners had failed on 4 to 4 votes to reappoint Cummings or name someone to replace him. Cummings’ term expired June 30, but he was allowed to continue to serve until he was either reappointed or replaced.
Cummings, however, has been frequently criticized for being too involved in daily DSS operations, especially the hiring of department employees. Some called for him to step down from the board, saying he has a conflict of interest as a result of his son’s marriage to a DSS social worker.
In other business, the DSS board heard a brief update on the department’s 2016-17 budget from Faye Lovell, the department’s finance officer.
According to Lovell, the county’s share of the department’s $441 million budget is about $15 million. Of that total, about $13.7 million is to cover salaries for the department’s 335 employees, said Lovell.
Lovell said that more money will eventually come from the county commissioners to cover all employee salaries. During the 2015-16 fiscal year, she said, a total of $14.2 million was spent for salaries.
The commissioners are also providing $125,000 for the purchase of six vehicles, said Lovell, as well as $245,000 for continuation of a program that gives DSS field workers the ability through use the use of modern technology to do most of their work on-site rather than having to return to the office to complete investigations and submit case reports.
Derick Coe http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_coeIMG_5927_cmyk-1.jpg Derick Coe Roger Oxendine http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_dss1_cmyk-1.jpg Roger Oxendine
By Bob Shiles [email protected]
Bob Shiles can be reached at 910-416-5165.
Bob Shiles can be reached at 910-416-5165. | http://robesonian.com/news/91389/physical-therapist-named-new-chairman-of-robeson-dss-board | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/c64ec53c623ec5a5237cd65b0b997f9a22275b5e29a27110db45a23ce926e254.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T16:47:02 | null | 2016-08-28T12:36:15 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91309%2Fschoolneedsback-onagenda.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_tom-taylor_cmyk.jpg | en | null | Schoolneedsback onagenda | null | null | robesonian.com | LUMBERTON — Key players in a discussion to build new schools in Robeson County will meet Tuesday but apparently without representation of a key group — the Robeson County Board of Commissioners.
The meeting is set to include the Board of Education of the Public Schools of Robeson County’s, Robeson County legislators and representatives from the N.C. Treasurer’s Office and the Local Government Commission. According to an email from Rep. Charles Graham, Tammy Freeman, clerk to the Robeson County Board of Commissioners, confirmed Aug. 16 that county commissioners wouldn’t be attending the meeting.
“I’m not meeting with them (Treasury),” said Roger Oxendine, District 3 commissioner. “They didn’t want to meet with us before the (state legislative) session ended. Why should I meet with them now?”
School construction has been a contentious topic in Robeson County since April when sfL+a, an architecture firm based in Raleigh, presented a $1.4 billion plan to shutter 30 middle and elementary schools in favor of building 13 consolidated K-8 ones. The county’s high schools and Early College would have remain unaffected, and six middle and elementary schools would have been remodeled into K-8 schools.
Supporters touted the plan as a way to use savings generated from the closing of the schools to pay more of the 30-year lease, saying the status quo would be more expensive in the long run.
The commissioners agreed to put up the extra money needed to fund consolidation, meeting a long-standing request from school board members that the county give more of its budget to the Public Schools of Robeson County. The Board of Commissioners on May 16 signed a pre-development agreement needed to begin work on consolidation, but the Board of Education never took action on that agreement, and consolidation has stalled since the Treasurer’s Office warned that the plan could burden Robeson County with debt.
“This is between the school board and Treasury,” said District 7 Commissioner Tom Taylor. “This is not an issue the commissioners are involved in. They put the cart before the horse last time … They will call us if they need us.”
Two Robeson County delegates, Reps. Garland Pierce and Ken Goodman, said they wouldn’t be attending Tuesday’s meeting because of prior commitments, but Graham and Sen. Jane Smith will be attending. Smith said that it’s up to the county commissioners whether or not they attend, but she says they will have to become involved sometime.
The plan also hinged on some state money being put toward lease payments, but legislation that would have allowed that, Senate Bill 554, failed to pass the General Assembly before legislators convened their most recent session.
Shortly after the plan was presented by Robbie Ferris, CEO of sfL+a Architects in April, representatives from the Office of the State Treasurer attended a school board meeting and said the lease agreement would increase the debt in the county to an unmanageable amount. State Treasurer Janet Cowell also denounced the plan and urged legislators to oppose both the overall plan and Senate Bill 554. Cowell said the bill, which allowed money saved from eliminating jobs to go toward lease payments, took money out of the classroom and gave it to a private company.
The locations of the 13 new schools called for in the consolidation plan could not be set in stone until the Board of Education and the Board of Commissioners signed the pre-development agreement, causing concerns among some parents that their children would have to travel long distances to get to school.
Representatives from the Treasurer’s Office refused to meet with Ferris to discuss the consolidation plan and Senate Bill 554, saying they did not want to negotiate with someone who would profit from the bill’s passage.
“This is an extremely important issue for our county,” said Smith, who called for the joint meeting. “We need to build schools and we need to figure out how to pay for them. We know we can’t build them with our tax base.”
In mid-June, the Treasurer’s Office said it was working on its own plan to help school systems like Robeson County’s build new schools without taking on too much debt. Cowell didn’t produce a plan to fund new schools in Robeson County, but said that Robeson County could afford $75 million in debt.
County Manager Ricky Harris said that much money would build two or three schools, and force a tax increase of about 20 cents. The plan to build 14 new schools included a 5- to 6-cent tax hike.
The meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Public Schools of Robeson County’s central office.
Jane Smith http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Jane-Smith_cmyk.jpg Jane Smith Roger Oxendine http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_roger-oxendine_cmyk-2.jpg Roger Oxendine Tom Taylor http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_tom-taylor_cmyk.jpg Tom Taylor
Robeson school needs back on agenda
By Gabrielle Isaac [email protected]
Gabrielle Isaac can be reached at 910-816-1989 or on Twitter @news_gabbie.
Gabrielle Isaac can be reached at 910-816-1989 or on Twitter @news_gabbie. | http://robesonian.com/news/91309/schoolneedsback-onagenda | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/eb640037aaca280f335765758fdb38db1b01f79713c03b534a6cc97c2123c199.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:53:55 | null | 2016-08-25T17:21:40 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91221%2Fi-95-reopens-after-cross-county-chase-wreck-near-st-pauls.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_police-2.jpg | en | null | I-95 reopens after cross-county chase, wreck near St. Pauls | null | null | robesonian.com | ST. PAULS — Southbound Interstate 95 near St. Pauls is open again after a cross-county chase Thursday afternoon that ended with the driver wrecking.
The wreck occurred around 1:35 p.m., according to the Department of Transportation, forcing lane closures that were in effect for nearly two hours.
According to television station WRAL, the high-speed chase began in Harnett County after an attempted traffic stop. Law enforcement pursued the driver, with speeds reaching 120 mph, before a Highway Patrol trooper forced the driver off the road, WRAL reported.
Additional details were not available from Highway Patrol in Robeson or Harnett counties or Dunn Police at about 5 p.m. Thursday.
WRAL reports that the driver, who was not identified, was charged with speeding, reckless driving and speeding to elude arrest.
http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_police-2.jpg | http://robesonian.com/news/91221/i-95-reopens-after-cross-county-chase-wreck-near-st-pauls | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/a646eeec4b02162f96b32bab2e16c507bcfb201293aa77313c4c6db740f7edc9.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T22:45:57 | null | 2016-08-26T16:48:40 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91276%2Fnew-districts-in-place-for-tribal-election.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_sheila-Beck-Jones_cmyk.jpg | en | null | New districts in place for tribal election | null | null | robesonian.com | PEMBROKE — With candidates able to begin filing for Lumbee Tribal Council seats on Monday, the tribe’s Board of Elections learned just this week that November’s election will be held with 21 newly drawn districts.
New district maps were introduced to the Elections Board by Larry Townsend, chairman of the tribe’s Constitution and Ordinance Committee, on Wednesday, according to Sheila Beck-Jones, chairman of the Board of Elections. Townsend had said new maps would not be drawn in time for November’s election. As required by the tribe’s constitution, the maps have been approved by the members of the Lumbee Tribal Council.
Townsend did not return phone calls from The Robesonian requesting comments for this story.
The Tribal Council is now made up of 21 members representing 14 districts. The newly drawn maps allow for one council member per voting district. Under the 14-district system, some of the tribe’s districts, such as in Pembroke, had up to three representatives.
Beck-Jones said that the sudden change from 14 districts to 21 districts so close to the beginning of the month-long candidate filing period will be a challenge for her board, potential candidates and tribal voters.
“This is more of a challenge than any other thing I have seen since I have served on the board,” Beck-Jones said. “We still have some questions, but we will work though it and find solutions. Finding solutions is what we do.”
The maps, which were drawn by the Lumber River Council of Governments, were based on 2010 census data. Each district includes a population of 3,099 and was drawn “solely by census block,” according to Councilman Alton Locklear.
“Council members were not involved in drawing the maps. There was not a single change to the final maps as drawn by the Council of Governments,” Locklear said.
Jan Maynor, executive director of the Lumber River Council of Governments, said that the maps were reviewed and approved by the Tribal Council in two meetings.
“Council members were allowed in the process to protect incumbents,” she said. “The only protection the council required was that incumbents live in their districts.”
All of the former 14 districts were affected by the remapping, said Councilwoman Anita Hammonds-Blanks, who as a result of the changes will no longer be representing Saddletree. Since she cannot seek another term, she will be representing a newly created district in Cumberland County, where no race is being held this year.
“The districts were all cut up and (district) numbers changed. Not all of the council members are happy,” Hammonds-Blanks said. “There is no easy fix from going from 14 districts to 21 districts.”
Hammonds-Blanks said that the big issue that must be addressed is getting word out to voters about the new districts.
“People don’t know what voting district they are in, but we have a couple of months to get the word out before the election,” she said.
Beck-Jones said that when candidates come into file for the November election, the first thing they will be asked is to show on a map exactly where they live.
“If there is no race there (in the new district), they will be ineligible to run for a seat on the council,” she said.
Sheila Beck-Jones http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_sheila-Beck-Jones_cmyk.jpg Sheila Beck-Jones
Elections Board expects some confusion
By Bob Shiles [email protected]
Bob Shiles can be reached at 910-416-5165.
Bob Shiles can be reached at 910-416-5165. | http://robesonian.com/news/91276/new-districts-in-place-for-tribal-election | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/b1aa79b9181904709c387133b2fd060627ac9f79a4f16d55e07c635078cd0b80.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T20:47:09 | null | 2016-08-28T14:17:10 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Ffeatures%2F91315%2Fjoseph-mitchell-to-be-focus-of-series.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Joseph-Mitchell.jpg | en | null | Joseph Mitchell to be focus of series | null | null | robesonian.com | LUMBERTON — The Robeson County Arts Council and the Robeson County Public Library will hold a series of discussions on famed journalist and Fairmont native Joseph Mitchell.
The series, titled “River Voices: Robeson Reads Joseph Mitchell,” celebrates Mitchell, a journalist and writer who died in 1996 and helped usher in the literary journalism movement with articles about bearded ladies, gypsies, street people and unique places like Fulton’s Fish Market and McSorley’s Old Ale House.
“Joseph Mitchell’s work is revered throughout the world and is still taught in journalism classes,” said Mary Ann Masters, president of the Robeson County Arts Council. “We want to be sure future generations remember and appreciate Mr. Mitchell’s talent and his love for his homeland, our county.”
Mitchell was born in 1908 to a prosperous agribusiness family in Fairmont. He left the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1929 and arrived in New York the night before the stock market crash that prompted the Depression. He quickly took to news writing at The World and then at the Herald Tribune and World Telegram.
He covered the Bruno Hauptman’s trial for the kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh’s young son — heralded the “trial of the century.” In 1938, he joined The New Yorker magazine where he wrote articles on eccentrics as well as working men and women.
The series will being on Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. in Mitchell’s hometown of Fairmont at the Old Stage, located at 205 Thompson St. Jim Pate, a native of Fairmont, will provide music at 6 p.m. and join in the panel discussion at 7 p.m.
Panelists for all seven events include Wendy Miller, chair of The University of North Carolina at Pembroke’s English, theatre and foreign languages departments who specializes in Southern writers. Scott Bigelow and Stephen Byrd will moderate the program at alternating events. Miller; Joey Mitchell, Mitchell’s nephew; and Pate, a mentee of Mitchell’s, will answer questions from the audience in an interactive format after their presentations.
The series will focus not only on Mitchell’s career and life, but also articles from “Up in the Old Hotel,” the last book Mitchell published. The events are sponsored by the Robeson County Public Library, UNC P, the city of Lumberton, the Lumberton Visitors Bureau and the Robeson County Board of Commissioners. Live music, refreshments and audience participation will accompany each discussion.
The Mitchell series will continue with the following events:
— Sept. 29: The Rowland Public Library will host a reading on “McSorley’s Wonderful Saloon” with music provided by slide-guitarist Lakota John and Kin.
— Oct. 13: Maxton Public Library will host a discussion on “Mazie” and “Lady Olga” with music by Lakota John and Kin.
— Nov. 3: Pembroke Public Library will host a discussion on “The Downfall of Fascism in Black Ankle” and “Mohawks in High Steel.” Music will be provided by Lakota John and Kin.
— Nov. 17: Red Springs Public Library will host a discussion on a yet-to-be-determined Mitchell piece with music by Delano Townsend on jazz keyboard.
— Jan. 12: St. Pauls Public Library will host a discussion on an undetermined Mitchell piece with music by Delano Townsend.
— Feb. 2: Osterneck Auditorium of the Robeson County Public Library in Lumberton will host a discussion on “The Bottom of the Harbor.” Music will be provided by Delano Townsend.
Reservations for the Fairmont event can be made by calling the Robeson County Arts Council at 910-323-1776.
Courtesy photo | Joseph Mitchell was a journalist and writer from Fairmont who died in 1996. A new series through the Robeson County Arts Council and the Robeson County Public Library will explore Mitchell’s career, life and work. http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Joseph-Mitchell2.jpg Courtesy photo | Joseph Mitchell was a journalist and writer from Fairmont who died in 1996. A new series through the Robeson County Arts Council and the Robeson County Public Library will explore Mitchell’s career, life and work. Joseph Mitchell http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Joseph-Mitchell.jpg Joseph Mitchell
Famous journalist, writer’s work to be discussed | http://robesonian.com/features/91315/joseph-mitchell-to-be-focus-of-series | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/07eb79436eb48c71f1a1f486ca9693497de506178a1561937ebb2808505d9733.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T20:45:59 | null | 2016-08-26T15:43:43 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91268%2Fshooting-death-ruled-an-accident.json | http://robesonian.com/news/91268/shooting-death-ruled-an-accident | en | null | Shooting death ruled an accident | null | null | robesonian.com | LELAND (AP) — No criminal charges are being filed after investigators concluded a man was accidentally shot when a friend attempted to take a firearm away from him earlier this year.
The Brunswick County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release Thursday that 32-year-old Daniel T. Adams was shot dead on Jan. 5 in Leland as the result of a “tragic accident.”
Deputies say the unidentified friend was trying to disarm Adams after noticing Adams was handling the weapon in an “unsafe manner.”
Authorities say alcohol was a contributing factor in the shooting. | http://robesonian.com/news/91268/shooting-death-ruled-an-accident | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/963b4b01481d0a739ac7f73606309f09ff3f7a80f62ab0ee5693ff8f98c3b31c.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T14:47:38 | null | 2016-08-29T10:21:53 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Ffeatures%2Fannouncements%2Fweddings%2F91335%2Fwedding-2.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_336A0241-Large-.jpg | en | null | Robesonian | null | null | robesonian.com | Herring – Woodruff
Brooke L. Herring, of Lumberton, and James O. Woodruff, of Harrells, were united in marriage at 5 p.m. on April 2 at Herring Farms and the orchard of Geraldine’s Peaches and Produce in Lumberton. The wedding was officiated by the Rev. Joe Woodyard, cousin of the groom.
The bride is the daughter of Roy and Geraldine Herring, of Lumberton. She is the granddaughter of the late Memory and the late Agnes Herring of Lumberton and the late Alton and the late Dorothy Graves of Lumberton.
She graduated from Lumberton Senior High School and The University of North Carolina Wilmington, and works at Geraldine’s Peaches and Produce.
The groom is the son of the Rev. Jim and Linda Woodruff, of Harrells. He is the grandson of the late Marion and the late Francis Woodruff, of Mansfield, O.H. and Winfred and the late Mary Jo Merritt, of Harrells.
He graduated from East Bladen High School in Elizabethtown and works for Woodruff and Son Construction.
The matron of honor was Brandy Nix, of Wilmington, and the bridesmaid was August Hammonds of Atlanta, Ga. Both are lifelong friends of the bride. The honorary bridesmaids were Tarrah and Erin Woodruff, sisters of the groom.
The best man was the Rev. Jim Woodruff, father of the groom. Groomsmen were Charles Lewis, of White Lake, cousin of the groom, and Brandon Herring, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., brother of the bride. Ushers were Corey McMillan, Bruce Smith and Jonathan Wright, lifelong friends of the groom, and Mark Merritt, cousin of the groom.
The flower girl was Hailey Bennett, and the ring bearer was Spencer Graves, cousin of the bride. Music was provided by Tarrah Woodruff, sister of the groom, and Aaron Carlyle.
The wedding was directed by Reglyn Reid.
A rehearsal dinner was held at Colly Chapel Church in Harrells and hosted by the parents and sisters of the groom. The reception was held under a grand tent elaborately decorated by the bride’s uncle, Steven Graves, owner of Gingham ‘N Grace Event Planning and Steven Graves Design in Southern Pines.
The bride wore a Tarik Ediz designer silk crepe sheath dress with beading, featuring sheer illusion sleeves with beaded cuffs and waistline and a cathedral length train. Accessories included a beaded headpiece and her maternal grandmother’s heirloom three-strand pearl necklace and earrings.
A bridal shower was hosted by Linda Woodruff, Abby Cain, Carolyn Lewis, Tarrah and Erin Woodruff and ladies of the church at Colly Chapel Church in Harrells. Another bridal shower was hosted by Phyllis Pate and the ladies of Zion’s Tabernacle Baptist church at Zion’s Tabernacle in Lumberton.
The couple spent their honeymoon in Aruba, Curacao and Grand Turk and reside in Lumberton. | http://robesonian.com/features/announcements/weddings/91335/wedding-2 | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/f90b8ffa4315af4c9374cdae2d04a268d658883c4b080638f4464542f91f25e4.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T18:45:57 | null | 2016-08-26T14:00:14 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2Freligion%2F91262%2F91262.json | http://robesonian.com/news/religion/91262/91262 | en | null | Church events | null | null | robesonian.com | Special events
Pentecostal United Holy Church will have a pre-pastoral anniversary speaker on Sunday. The speaker will be elder Larry McLean. On Sept. 11, the church will celebrate Pastor Russell Rogers’ 19th pastoral anniversary at both services. The 4 p.m. service will feature elder Stephen Bradley of Ekklesia United Holy Church in Wilmington. The church will also celebrate its Dorcus Missionary Anniversary on Oct. 2 at 4 p.m. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Kittie Jacobs of Chrysolite AME Church. For information, call 910-734-6173.
Cromartie Temple of Praise will honor Syvalla Washington for 25 years of dedicated service with a pastor appreciation celebration today to Sunday. Today’s speaker will be the Rev. T.S. Byrd of Sandy Grove Baptist Church; the Saturday service will feature “Love in Action”; and the Sunday morning speaker will be the Rev. Judith Daniels. Cromartie Temple is located at 107 Lessane St., Lumberton.
Zion Hill Baptist Church, located at 12883 N.C. 41 North in Lumberton, will host David Ring Ministries on Saturday and Sunday. Ring will speak on Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Holy Swamp Baptist Church, located at 216 Anointed Drive in Lumberton, will celebrate its senior choir anniversary on Sunday at 4 p.m. For information, call 910-671-4607.
Centenary Memorial Methodist Church will celebrate its 67th annual homecoming on Sunday at 11 a.m. Pastor Kelly Barr of Rowland United Methodist Church will conduct the morning service, and the Rev. Jack Ward Page will also be a guest. The church invites attendees to bring a covered dish to share. The church is located at 2585 N.C. 130 East in Rowland.
New Beginning Church will have class registration on Monday at 7 p.m for the William Ervin Theological Seminary School. Course offerings are associate, bachelor and master degrees in Christian ministry and biblical studies; a bachelor degree in divinity and theology; and a master and doctorate degree in divinity. For information, call 910-738-8047. The church is located at 950 Linkhaw Road in Lumberton.
New Zion United Methodist Church, located at 4739 U.S. 74 West in Lumberton, will host its revival services from Sept. 7 to 9 at 7 nightly. Following revival, the church will celebrate its 144th homecoming service on Sept. 11 with Sunday school at 10 a.m., morning worship service at 11 a.m. and lunch. At 3 p.m., the choir will release celebrate its 44th anniversary.
Mt. Pelier Presbyterian Church, located at 4389 N.C. 130 West in Rowland, will host its homecoming revival from Sept. 7 to Sept. 9 each day at 7 p.m. The speaker Sept. 7 will be the Rev. Frank McKeller of New Birth Church of Christ in Dillon, S.C.; the Sept. 8 speaker will be the Rev. Barry McFadden of St. Stephen United Methodist Church in Dillon, S.C.; and the Sept. 9 speaker will be the Rev. George Ellis of Union Road Baptist Church in Laurinburg. The church will have a homecoming celebration service on Sept. 11 at 11 a.m. The church will also have a male chorus 13th anniversary singing on Sept. 18 at 4 p.m.
Barnesville Baptist Church, located at 234 S. Creek Road in Orrum, will host a revival on Sept. 9 and Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. and Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. The revival will feature the Rev. Rick Kirchinger from Anchor Baptist Church in Columbia, S.C., and the Anchor Baptist Church Trio.
Harvest Church of the Assemblies of God will host its first H.C. Men’s Ministry Golf Tournament at Pinecrest Country Club in Lumberton on Sept. 10. The tournament will begin at 9 a.m. with lunch served following the tournament. Proceeds will support community outreach. For information, call 910-827-2610.
Preston Gospel Chapel, located at 2899 Preston Road in Maxton, will hold a week of meetings on the tabernacle, the place where God lived with his people in the wilderness. The meetings will be held Sept. 11 at 5 p.m. and each day Sept. 12 to Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. The speaker will be Larry Price from Florida. For information, call Flora Scott at 910-521-4827.
Fairmont First Baptist Church will host a flea market event on Oct. 1 beginning at 7 a.m. Booths for vendors are for sale for $10 for a 10-by-10 space, and tables can be rented for $5 each. The money raised through rentals will go towards the church’s community outreach fund which has a mission to “Feed the Body, Nourish the Soul.” For information, call 910-734-1232 or 910-628-0626.
Ongoing
First Presbyterian Church in Lumberton invites the community to listen to the church’s services online at FPCLive.com every Sunday at 11 a.m.
Lighthouse Ministries food pantry, located at 8878 N.C. 72 E. in Lumberton, serves the communities of Long Branch, Sand Hill, Broadridge, Mt. Elm, Smyrna, Proctorville, Orrum, Barnesville, Fairmont and Marietta. The pantry opens every second Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.
Lighthouse Ministries will distribute TEFAP government commodities between 10 a.m. and noon on the third Saturday of each month for all of Robeson County.
Bethany Christian Fellowship holds its worship services at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays and at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays at the HealthKeeperz building beside Maxway on West Third Street in Pembroke.
First Missionary Baptist Church holds its worship services at 8:30 and 11 a.m. on the first through fourth Sundays of the month. There is no 11 a.m. service on the fifth Sunday. The church is located at 501 Martin St. in Elizabethtown. For information, call 910-862-4649.
House of Joy of the Lord holds its Bible study Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and Sabbath service Fridays at 7 p.m. Morning events on Saturdays include Bible study at 9 a.m., Sabbath service at 10 a.m. and a free Hebrew class at 11 a.m. The church is located at 508 E. 15th St. in Lumberton
Freedom Christian Fellowship holds its celebration service Sundays at 10 a.m.; prayer Mondays at 7 p.m.; free instrument training and playing Tuesdays at 7 p.m.; youth and children christian training Wednesdays at 7 p.m.; adult discipleship Thursdays at 7 p.m.; and on the first Friday of every month is a men’s and women’s meeting at 7 p.m.
Cedar Grove Baptist Church of Fairmont holds Bible study at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Lumberton Aglow meets every third Saturday of each month at 9:30 a.m. at the Golden Corral in Lumberton. There is a new speaker each month.
The Pentecostals holds a group Bible study and prayer meeting Mondays at 6:30 p.m. and Tuesdays at 10 a.m. in the Refuge Youth Center. The church is located at 1011 Carthage Road in Lumberton.
Pentecostal United Holy Church holds youth and Adult Bible study at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays. The church is located at 2300 Gavintown Road in Lumberton. For information, call 910-734-6173.
Destiny Now Ministry of Lumberton meets at 11 a.m. each Sunday at the on Wintergreen Drive in Lumberton.
St. Joseph Miracle Revival Center Solid Rock Ministries holds its Sunday school services at 9 a.m.; Sunday worship at 10 a.m.; Tuesday Bible service at noon; Wednesday Bible study at 7 p.m.; and Early Worship at 8 a.m. each fourth and fifth Sunday. The church is located at 4657 Daniel McLeod Road in Red Springs. | http://robesonian.com/news/religion/91262/91262 | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/1d4580e4c1ec909feec4903cfe47d561a7c8ca9c0d429f9727c36f381b4a0834.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T12:47:51 | null | 2016-08-30T07:02:49 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91356%2Fnc-warily-watching-2-tropical-weather-systems.json | http://robesonian.com/news/91356/nc-warily-watching-2-tropical-weather-systems | en | null | NC warily watching 2 tropical weather systems | null | null | robesonian.com | BUXTON — A tropical weather system off the coast of North Carolina’s Outer Banks is expected to strengthen in the next day, bringing winds up to 45 mph and heavy rains that could flood low-lying areas, officials said.
Early Tuesday, the tropical depression with winds of 35 mph was about 95 miles (150 kilometers) south-southeast of Cape Hatteras and was expected to become a tropical storm Tuesday afternoon but not grow any stronger. A hurricane hunter aircraft was sent in to investigate the depression, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said early Tuesday.
A tropical storm warning has been issued for areas of the coast from Cape Lookout to the Oregon Inlet along North Carolina’s Outer Banks.
National Weather Service meteorologist Shane Kearns in eastern North Carolina said in an interview that “anything is possible, but we’re not really seeing any kind of significant strengthening for the storm.”
At the same time, forecasters at the National Hurricane Center in Miami said that another tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico could hit northern Florida as a tropical storm later in the week and possibly head toward the Atlantic coast. They cautioned that the storm’s exact path remained uncertain days in advance, but the storm was becoming better organized Monday night.
Beachgoers, boat captains and business owners waited warily for the storm to wash out one of the summer’s last busy weeks.
Tourists in North Carolina sought to take the approaching storm in stride.
Visitor Katherine Vega, 45, of Springhill, Tennessee, said she could handle a day indoors during her vacation. By Monday afternoon, she had already fled the Atlantic’s swelling waves and strengthening currents off Hatteras Island in Buxton.
“We were just knee-deep, and there were a few times where we had to run out because it kept sucking us in,” she said, adding she’d watch movies with her husband until the storm blows through.
“We came from Tennessee,” she said with a shrug. “There are tornado threats over there.”
“I would advise everybody to take a look at the weather,” Dare County emergency management director Drew Pearson said when asked whether visitors should keep their travel plans. “They need to make those decisions based on what they see in the weather forecast.”
The second depression was about 305 miles (495 kilometers) west of Key West, Florida, with maximum winds of 35 mph (55 kph). It was moving west, but forecasters expect it could curve back to the northeast in the coming days. Authorities at some locations in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area of Florida were hauling out sandbags Monday to offer residents amid predictions of heavy rains.
On North Carolina’s Outer Banks, business owner Jennifer Scarborough said her biggest concern was that the first storm could saturate the area before another blow by the second storm.
“The second storm is the one I’m more worried about,” she said. “I’m definitely keeping an eye on it and planning accordingly. … If we have a lot of rain in a short amount of time that could be a problem.”
Roads along the thin barrier islands are prone to flooding and damage from erosion, including the two-lane N.C. Highway 12 that is the area’s main north-south artery.
“N.C. 12, our lifeline on Hatteras Island, even in a winter storm has some challenges,” Pearson said.
Scarborough, who manages Hatteras Harbor Marina and owns the Harbor Deli next door, said she’s receiving concerned calls from customers and that some captains are canceling fishing trips for Tuesday and Wednesday. With Labor Day approaching, the week represents one of the last busy stretches of summer for the area.
“It’s definitely making people think twice about coming here,” she said.
In the central Pacific, Hurricane Madeline strengthened Monday into a Category 4 storm about 515 miles (830 kilometers) east of Hilo, Hawaii. Top sustained winds reached 130 mph (215 kph) as Madeline moved west at 9 mph (15 kph). A hurricane watch was posted for Hawaii County and those in the main Hawaiian Islands were urged to monitor the storm’s progress.
Elsewhere in the Pacific, Hurricane Lester weakened to a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 kph) while churning west near 14 mph (22 kph) about 1,435 miles (2,305 kilometers) east of the Hilo, Hawaii. It posed no immediate threat to land. | http://robesonian.com/news/91356/nc-warily-watching-2-tropical-weather-systems | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/31848eb86a996588f226a5288bb05bdcffb3a474af4843d8d1480cce1d397e9d.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T04:46:03 | null | 2016-08-27T00:29:36 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fsports%2F91282%2Faerial-assault-trojans-rout-pirates.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Tyreik.jpg | en | null | Aerial Assault: Trojans rout Pirates | null | null | robesonian.com | LUMBERTON — After earning a blowout victory in its season opener, the Lumberton football team entered Friday night looking to keep it rolling against Pine Forest.
Instead, the Trojans flipped the script on the Pirates, dishing out a 49-7 pounding at Alton G. Brooks Stadium.
“We got outcoached and we got outplayed — it’s as simple as that,” Lumberton coach Mike Setzer said. “We got beat in every facet of the game.
“The team was not ready to play and I take 100 percent responsibility for that. I didn’t think we were going to come out that flat.”
Behind a potent aerial assault led by junior quarterback Julian Hill, Pine Forest (2-0) wasted little time putting the game out of reach, scoring 21 first-quarter points to shellshock the Pirates (1-1).
For Hill, it was about putting an ugly 11-6 win in Week 1 behind him.
“We just had to come out intense,” said Hill, who finished 12-of-15 for 380 yards and five touchdowns. “We knew the first week was sloppy so at practice we gave it all we had.
“The offensive line played tremendous. We just kept saying, ‘Keep going, keep going,’ keeping our foot on the gas.”
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound signal caller threw three of his five touchdown passes in the first quarter, finding his receivers on scores of 81, 42 and 93 yards.
“(Julian) was a little rusty last week, but he settled down this week and he’s a very coachable kid,” said Pine Forest coach William Sochovka. “He picked up on them giving us the hot routes and he made some good reads.”
Sochovka also pointed out the motivation factor provided by the media ahead of Friday night’s game.
“We had some motivation from other people in (the media),” he said. “We wanted to prove we were a good team. They (the players) did everything we asked them to do.”
The Trojans racked up more than 500 yards of total offense and held Lumberton to less than 100 yards, tallying six sacks.
For Sochovka, the attitude adjustment was evident after the season-opening win over Purnell Swett.
“It really started at the end of the game last week,” he said. “When we came back (after the win) there was no joy. They were not happy with the way they played and I felt good about that.”
The Pirates’ only bright spot came early in the second quarter when Tyreik McCallum busted loose on a kickoff return for a 92-yard touchdown, trimming the lead to 28-7 with 9:55 remaining in the half.
The Trojans answered before the break on a 24-yard scamper by Willis Anthony, extending the lead to 35-7.
Anthony paced the ground attack, gaining a game-best 72 yards on 12 attempts.
Lavonte Carter finished with four scores, with three receiving touchdowns and one on the ground. Carter hauled in five catches for 215 yards, with touchdown grabs of 42, 93 and 55 yards — showing his ability to run after the catch once Hill found him in the seam. He also ran for 49 yards.
Looking ahead, Setzer hopes to see his team responds when it travels to South View next Friday for the first road game of the season.
“I still think we’re a much better team than that, so we have to pledge to do better and get better,” he said. “We haven’t arrived. We have to get back to the basics, but the biggest thing is we have to play with more heart.”
Rodd Baxley | The Robesonian Lumberton’s Tyreik McCallum (10) scored the lone touchdown for the Pirates in a 49-7 loss to Pine Forest on Friday. McCallum returned a kickoff 92 yards for the score. http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_Tyreik.jpg Rodd Baxley | The Robesonian Lumberton’s Tyreik McCallum (10) scored the lone touchdown for the Pirates in a 49-7 loss to Pine Forest on Friday. McCallum returned a kickoff 92 yards for the score.
Hill throws 5 TDs; Pine Forest beats Lumberton 49-7
By Rodd Baxley [email protected]
Rodd Baxley can be reached at 910-416-5182. Follow him on Twitter @RoddBaxley.
Rodd Baxley can be reached at 910-416-5182. Follow him on Twitter @RoddBaxley. | http://robesonian.com/sports/91282/aerial-assault-trojans-rout-pirates | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/1e8fc9cd179822a15d4dc9e8df0a1a10bc73990233c0a10e4c1849dff8d108b9.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T12:48:28 | null | 2016-08-31T07:52:28 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91380%2Ffayetteville-man-accused-in-2013-aduction-of-son.json | http://robesonian.com/news/91380/fayetteville-man-accused-in-2013-aduction-of-son | en | null | Fayetteville man accused in 2013 aduction of son | null | null | robesonian.com | FAYETTEVILLE (AP) — A Missouri man arrested in Fayetteville last weekend in the abduction of his son was quiet and mostly stayed indoors, neighbors said.
Corey Hotsenpiller, 24, was arrested Saturday in the abduction of his 5-year-old son Beck three years ago.
The U.S. Marshal Service’s Violent Fugitive Task Force, consisting of marshals, Fayetteville police and Cumberland County sheriff’s deputies had gotten a tip from U.S. marshals in Springfield, Missouri.
The Fayetteville Observer reported that neighbors said Hotsenpiller lived with his girlfriend and his son in the home.
Cumberland County sheriff’s spokesman Sean Swain says the girlfriend was not charged.
A next door neighbor, Pam Wolfe, said she occasionally talked to Hotsenpiller and his girlfriend. Wolfe said they told her they were from Wisconsin.
Wolfe said the girlfriend told her that she worked at the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville and Hotsenpiller handled band equipment at nightclubs.
“They seemed like really nice people,” Wolfe said. “They didn’t bother nobody.”
Wolfe’s sister, Patricia Shiflet, said the boy and his dad stayed mostly inside. She said she sometimes saw the boy in the backyard garden or going to the mailbox.
Swain says the boy has been taken into the custody of the Department of Social Services and is waiting for his mother, Autumn Breci, to pick him up.
Missing persons’ websites have carried a number of stories about the boy, and Breci once appeared on national television to talk about the case.
Springfield police spokeswoman Lisa Cox says the couple shared custody of their son when he was taken in 2013.
Hotsenpiller is expected to have a court hearing this week, Swain said. | http://robesonian.com/news/91380/fayetteville-man-accused-in-2013-aduction-of-son | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/bd70eada5a8aab431abf65676ad527e810c3cc93a1e2e82f7cb1bb9289f30158.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T12:47:45 | null | 2016-08-30T07:01:08 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91355%2Fsky-ride-to-make-its-debut-at-nc-state-fair.json | http://robesonian.com/news/91355/sky-ride-to-make-its-debut-at-nc-state-fair | en | null | Sky ride to make its debut at NC State Fair | null | null | robesonian.com | RALEIGH (AP) — Crews are finishing up construction on a new sky ride that will give people an aerial view of the North Carolina State Fair this fall.
The News & Observer of Raleigh reports (http://bit.ly/2bB20ZO) the State Fair Flyer will carry fair riders 1,400 feet from one end of the midway to the other in October.
State Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services spokesman Kent Yelverton says the State Fair Flyer is a ride experience and a transportation tool.
The ride, which looks like a mountain ski lift and has 127 chairs, will travel at about 2 mph and run between a location near Gate 8 and the east end of Restaurant Row, also helping riders bypass crowded walkways.
Advance tickets are on sale now at the State Fair website, http://www.ncstatefair.org/. | http://robesonian.com/news/91355/sky-ride-to-make-its-debut-at-nc-state-fair | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/9828fa682342be440184178701085797aca5be71da63eb1ac3f71d312f4a7a7e.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T12:48:16 | null | 2016-08-31T07:20:35 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91376%2Fbart-holding-3-day-yard-sale.json | http://robesonian.com/news/91376/bart-holding-3-day-yard-sale | en | null | BART holding 3-day yard sale | null | null | robesonian.com | LUMBERTON — The Borderbelt AIDS Resources Team will hold a yard sale today, Thursday and Friday.
The sale, which will take place at 415 Country Club Road in Lumberton, will feature name brand clothing. The big box blowout sale will be held each day from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Proceeds from the sale will go toward helping BART clients pay for medication.
For information, call 910-739-6167. | http://robesonian.com/news/91376/bart-holding-3-day-yard-sale | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/4c339bac6fdeefaddf935f904761b24b16db4a63077973b765dfc534f7b7de25.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T14:45:58 | null | 2016-08-26T10:32:59 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fopinion%2F91254%2Ftime-to-weed-the-tax-garden.json | http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_robert-pittenger-4.jpg | en | null | Time to weed the tax garden | null | null | robesonian.com | Thirty years ago, President Ronald Reagan signed the most recent major tax code overhaul into law. Since then, more and more loopholes, duplicative credits, and special provisions have wiggled their way back into the tax code, leaving us with the convoluted, unfair code we have today. Reagan’s Treasury Secretary, James Baker, at that time described the tax code as a garden that needs constant weeding. Unfortunately, our tax code hasn’t had a good “weeding” from the gardener since 1986.
Recent estimates indicate that Americans spend more than $409 billion and 8.9 billion hours trying to comply with our tax code. To simplify the tax code for all Americans, our House Republican Blueprint reduces the current seven different individual income tax brackets down to three brackets. Our plan also consolidates the five most common family tax benefits down to two benefits. These simplifications, along with other common sense reforms, would allow Americans to have a simple, fair “postcard” tax form.
In addition to being overly burdensome for hardworking American families, the current tax code presents a major hurdle for small businesses, which are the main drivers of America’s economic engine. For example, one of the most common types of small businesses, S corporations, pay an average of $12,000 per year in tax compliance. Our House Republican Blueprint would reduce taxes on small businesses, currently as high as 45 percent, to a new low tax rate of 25 percent. This reduction would make it easier for small businesses to save and invest in their future, raise wages for employees, and create new jobs for hardworking Americans.
For larger businesses, America currently has one of the highest corporate tax rates in the industrialized world, at 35 percent. Only Chad and the United Arab Emirates have higher rates. Most of America’s trading partners and economic peers have corporate tax rates around 25 percent, making it difficult for American businesses to compete. Our House Republican plan would install a flat 20 percent corporate tax rate to enable American businesses to be more competitive. We need our major businesses to retain jobs in America, instead of moving overseas because of overly burdensome taxes and regulations.
Tax reform means little, however, if the agency charged with collecting taxes isn’t reformed as well. Due to past scandals and the targeting of certain groups for political purposes, the IRS has lost the trust of the American people. Our House Republican Blueprint reorganizes the IRS to prioritize the taxpayer, not the government. The restructured IRS will have three primary branches: a families and individuals unit; a business unit; and a small claims court unit. The first two will be customer service oriented, with a focus on helping families, individuals, and businesses understand the tax code. The third unit will be an independent arm that will allow routine disputes to be resolved more quickly, meaning small businesses can spend less time and money on compliance.
With a new tax code built for growth, we can once again make America the best place in the world to hire and invest. The House Republican Blueprint offers a better way to reform the tax code by lowering and simplifying taxes without increasing the deficit. In doing so, we promote growth in American jobs, wages, and the economy overall.
http://robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_robert-pittenger-4.jpg
Robert Pittenger, a Republican from Charlotte, represents the 9th District in the U.S. House, which includes all of Robeson County.
Robert Pittenger, a Republican from Charlotte, represents the 9th District in the U.S. House, which includes all of Robeson County. | http://robesonian.com/opinion/91254/time-to-weed-the-tax-garden | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/13f29d45ceb44db82b3386164f24a7b7346392ed1319de13693cf2062e78180d.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T18:47:34 | null | 2016-08-29T13:54:48 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2Fcrime%2F91344%2Frobeson-county-crime-report-42.json | http://robesonian.com/news/crime/91344/robeson-county-crime-report-42 | en | null | Robeson County crime report | null | null | robesonian.com | Thefts
Amanda Locklear, of Trol Road, Maxton, reported Sunday that $100 in cash, a $150 purse, a $30 wallet and IDs were stolen from her room at Royal Inn on Lackey Street, according to a police report.
Herbert Lowry, of West Second Street, Lumberton, reported Sunday that someone broke into his car at Chestnut Street Methodist Church, causing $400 in damage, and stole a $40 wallet and $120 in cash belonging to Demetrius Locklear, of Townsend Chapel Road, Pembroke, according to a police report.
Nathaniel Stueck, of Bollinger Avenue, Lumberton, reported Saturday that bank and ID cards and $400 in cash were stolen from his car at Walmart on Fayetteville Road, according to a police report.
Shelly Hope, of West 31st Street, Lumberton, reported Saturday that a $100 Duffy bicycle was stolen from her yard, according to a police report.
Ernie Haggins, of West Fifth Street, Lumberton, reported Saturday that $880 worth of items including a television, medication and tools were stolen from his home during a break-in, according to a police report.
Armando Rodriguez, of Lockwood Drive, Pembroke, reported Saturday that $700 in cash and a $150 cell phone were stolen from him at Days Inn on Roberts Avenue in Lumberton, according to a police report.
Lloyd Carroll reported Saturday that $800 in cash was stolen from his room at Rodeway Inn on Capuano Road in Lumberton, according to a police report.
Talab Abudayya reported Friday that someone entered an unlocked vehicle at Starlite Food Mart on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Lumberton and stole cigars and $15,000 in cash, according to a police report.
Constance Wade, of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Lumberton, reported Friday that someone broke into her car at Citi Trends on Roberts Avenue and stole a $300 gun, according to a police report.
Tiffany Lewis, of Eastwood Terrace, Lumberton, reported Friday that a $20 back pack, $80 worth of paint, medication and a debit card were stolen from her car at her residence, according to a police report.
Jennifer Oliver, of East Eighth Street, Lumberton, reported Friday that $520 worth of jewelry was stolen from her apartment during a break-in, according to a police report.
Michael Baxley, of N.C. 211 West, Bladenboro, reported Friday that a $400 cooler was stolen from him at Walmart on Fayetteville Road in Lumberton, according to a police report.
Joshua Bryant, of Brooks Avenue, Red Springs, reported Friday that his 1992 Chevrolet Camaro, valued at $3,000, and $500 laptop were stolen from the parking lot of Food Lion on Roberts Avenue in Lumberton, according to a police report.
Jeff Chavis reported Friday that someone broke into McCall’s Supply on Clyborn Pines Church Road in Lumberton, causing $450 in damage, and stole a $250 safe and $928.91 in cash, according to a police report.
Vandalism
Sandra Jones, of Mercer Mill Road, Lumberton, reported Sunday that someone broke her car window at Chestnut Street Methodist Church on East Eighth Street, causing $400 in damage, according to a police report.
Break-ins
The following break-ins were reported to the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office:
Theresa Taylor, of Chime Drive, St. Pauls; Starvinski Cromartie, of Martin Road, St. Pauls; Gene Locklear, of Dixie Drive, Red Springs; Lacy Bullard, of Sumpter Circle, Maxton; Barbara Jones, of Pittman Road, Lumberton; Isaac Palmer, of Quail Run Road, Lumberton; Starling Jones, of Eddie Road, Pembroke; Tim Lewis, of Snake Road, Lumberton; Robeson County Dumpster Site, on Beaver Dam Road, Maxton; Lyndell Stone, of U.S. 301 South, Rowland; Stanford Jones, of Henry Berry Road, Rowland; Michael Hunt, of U.S. 301 South, Rowland; Savannah Locklear, of Back Swamp Road, Lumberton; and Mirna Garcia, of Sparrow Lane, Lumberton. | http://robesonian.com/news/crime/91344/robeson-county-crime-report-42 | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/5ff3ad422c02d6fed8cea498ee3135061095194f5b4727c1210c16a60d35ff2c.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T12:47:50 | null | 2016-08-30T06:59:59 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2F91354%2Fpence-to-hold-winston-salem-rally.json | http://robesonian.com/news/91354/pence-to-hold-winston-salem-rally | en | null | Pence to hold Winston-Salem rally | null | null | robesonian.com | WINSTON-SALEM (AP) — Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence is returning to North Carolina to rally supporters, this time in Winston-Salem.
Pence was slated to address a crowd at the Millennium Center on Tuesday night. He made his first North Carolina appearance as Donald Trump’s running mate in Winston-Salem last month shortly after the Republican National Convention. It was a joint visit by Trump and Pence with several North Carolina Republican leaders.
The Indiana governor has made several North Carolina visits since then, including appearances in Charlotte and the Wilmington area last week. | http://robesonian.com/news/91354/pence-to-hold-winston-salem-rally | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/335aa59e402bfe96e3b9144a1a6048f5a716fdc2b555a2b7fc6463ffced955f5.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T18:47:52 | null | 2016-08-30T13:58:33 | null | http%3A%2F%2Frobesonian.com%2Fnews%2Fcrime%2F91371%2Frobeson-county-crime-report-43.json | http://robesonian.com/news/crime/91371/robeson-county-crime-report-43 | en | null | Robeson County crime report | null | null | robesonian.com | Thefts
Monique Taylor, of Old Whiteville Road, Lumberton, reported Monday that a $1,300 air-conditioning unit was stolen from her home, according to a police report.
Charles Walker, of Holly Street, Lumberton, reported Monday that someone broke into his car at JCPenney on North Elm Street and stole $600 worth of items, including a Dell laptop, a laundry basket and clothes, according to a police report.
Break-ins
The following break-ins were reported to the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office:
Glenda Mauney, of Wire Grass Road, Orrum; Austin Jackson, of Wheat Drive, St. Pauls; Refugia Gomez, of Garrett Drive, Fairmont; Barbara Bell, of Stanton Road, Maxton; Mary Lowery, of Elmore Drive, Maxton; Tonya Oxendine, of McLettan Drive, Maxton; and Lamont Hatcher, of N.C. 41 South, Lumberton. | http://robesonian.com/news/crime/91371/robeson-county-crime-report-43 | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | robesonian.com/1841d79f27213a95f3edb22a467141cc47401f4df1156458ebc6be9dd91bd731.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:10:48 | null | 2016-08-22T08:00:00 | An Abbey Dash charity day in Whitby has helped raise £378.42 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.whitbygazette.co.uk%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fabbey-dash-cash-boost-for-air-ambulance-1-8075436.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.whitbygazette.co.uk/webimage/1.8075434.1471875227!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Abbey dash cash boost for air ambulance | null | null | www.whitbygazette.co.uk | An Abbey Dash charity day in Whitby has helped raise £378.42 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
Whitby Brewery invited local cyclists to go to the brewery, based up on the Abbey Headland, then go off on a 50km bike ride – or a 10km family friendly one – then return to the brewery for a beer and a barbecue, followed by a free brewery tour.
Dan Dunbar of Whitby Brewery was delighted with how the event went. He said: “We thank everyone that came for helping us raise £378.42 from our raffle and donations made throughout the day.”
Have you got something to share on the story? Were you there? What do you think? - Send your pictures, videos or story and we'll publish the best × Continue the story Abbey dash cash boost for air ambulance Loading ... Add up to 3 photos or 1 videos to the story There's been a problem uploading your files. Please try again. By uploading your file you agree to our Terms and Conditions × Continue the story Sign in to contribute sign in shape the news in your area... | http://www.whitbygazette.co.uk/news/local/abbey-dash-cash-boost-for-air-ambulance-1-8075436 | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.whitbygazette.co.uk/aa7fba45b2c9c9e38fffa07237e90b7326c6e5ccdc4070353a330a9c160b102e.json |
[
"Rhys Howell",
"Rhys.Howell Jpress.Co.Uk"
] | 2016-08-26T13:07:47 | null | 2016-08-24T11:38:20 | Whitby Town continued their unbeaten start to the 2016/17 campaign when they claimed a fine 1-0 success at Warrington. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.whitbygazette.co.uk%2Fsport%2Flocal-sport%2Fblues-win-at-warrington-1-8085780.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.whitbygazette.co.uk/webimage/1.8085771.1472035075!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Blues win at Warrington | null | null | www.whitbygazette.co.uk | Whitby Town continued their unbeaten start to the 2016/17 campaign when they claimed a fine 1-0 success at Warrington.
The Blues are now up to sixth place in the Evo-Stik Premier Division standings after two wins and a draw from their opening three fixtures.
Blues keeper Shane Bland kept a second successive clean-sheet
The game’s decisive moment arrived in the 63rd minute when Whitby found space on the edge of the Warrington box and the ball was laid off by Matty Tymon into the path of Dale Hopson, who planted the ball into the top corner for his third goal in as many games.
Hopson and Mikey Roberts then both had a couple of chances apiece to extend the visitors’ advantage, although the Seasiders’ own goal did come under some pressure from their hosts in the closing stages.
Goalkeeper Shane Bland and his teammates did however hold out to claim a second successive clean-sheet and another three-point haul, both of which were more than deserved according to Blues assistant-manager Lee Bullock.
“It would have been daylight robbery if the game had finished 0-0,” he said.
Whitby's assistant-manager Lee Bullock
“This was a really, really good performance from us. We controlled the game, especially in the first half where Warrington couldn’t deal with us.
“We didn’t create any real chances until after half-time, but it was always us that were the team who looked like scoring. They played a lot of long balls to their big men up top, but we dealt with it pretty well.
“In the end Dale [Hopson] has scored a really nice goal to win the game after Matty [Tymon] set him up with a good lay-off. It was what we deserved after another very pleasing display.”
Whitby return to action on Saturday when they travel to face Hednesford Town who were relegated from the National League North last season. Kick-off at Keys Park is 3pm. | http://www.whitbygazette.co.uk/sport/local-sport/blues-win-at-warrington-1-8085780 | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.whitbygazette.co.uk/1f52192547e4f500da4726a689a950c765e3cd9143b92bd00b0d2e87c984b236.json |
[
"Mike Tilling"
] | 2016-08-26T12:56:31 | null | 2016-08-09T09:03:57 | Drop into the the Stephen Joseph Theatre for some vintage Alan Ayckbourn fizz and sparkle in your lunch hour. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.whitbygazette.co.uk%2Fwhat-s-on%2Fout-about%2Freview-consuming-passions-stephen-joseph-theatre-bistro-scarborough-1-8058042.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.whitbygazette.co.uk/webimage/1.8058040.1470729799!/image/image.jpg | en | null | REVIEW: Consuming Passions, Stephen Joseph Theatre Bistro, Scarborough | null | null | www.whitbygazette.co.uk | Drop into the the Stephen Joseph Theatre for some vintage Alan Ayckbourn fizz and sparkle in your lunch hour.
Kevin Jenkins’ set, brilliantly compact, looks like it has always been a part of the Bistro. As lunch is served at your table, you are no longer only an audience member, but part of the action.
The plot revolves around Melanie (Louise Shuttleworth) who may experience a time shift, or she may be mentally unstable. Certainly the waiter (Leigh Symonds) is off-hand with her.
Enter Cora (Rachel Caffrey), incognito in best Hollywood cliché style - dark glasses and headscarf. She is meeting Freddy (Andy Cryer), her current squeeze. Melanie is astonished as, seated at her table, they begin to plot the murder of Cora’s husband. That’s enough about the plot. The rest of this review could easily concern itself with peeling back the layers of illusion and reality and still not reveal every subtlety.
However, as we have long ago come to expect, the fun in an Ayckbourn play is interleaved with some serious social comment. Failure to communicate, desperate personal lives and gradations of social class are all in the mix. Somehow, Hitchcock is there as well.
Great fun, and excellent value for money.
Consuming Passions runs until October 8 with some evening performances in the McCarthy.
Have you got something to share on the story? Were you there? What do you think? - Send your pictures, videos or story and we'll publish the best × Continue the story REVIEW: Consuming Passions, Stephen Joseph Theatre Bistro, Scarborough Loading ... Add up to 3 photos or 1 videos to the story There's been a problem uploading your files. Please try again. By uploading your file you agree to our Terms and Conditions × Continue the story Sign in to contribute sign in shape the news in your area... | http://www.whitbygazette.co.uk/what-s-on/out-about/review-consuming-passions-stephen-joseph-theatre-bistro-scarborough-1-8058042 | en | 2016-08-09T00:00:00 | www.whitbygazette.co.uk/91beee0968c5c49d63df185efe1f92339586859a4b966d9730b0598eba89d2d6.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:11:25 | null | 2016-08-18T08:05:36 | It is that time of year again when the combines start to roll and we supposedly reap the rewards of our labours. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.whitbygazette.co.uk%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fplease-be-patient-with-farm-traffic-during-harvest-time-1-8063091.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.whitbygazette.co.uk/webimage/1.8062861.1470924337!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Please be patient with farm traffic during harvest time | null | null | www.whitbygazette.co.uk | It is that time of year again when the combines start to roll and we supposedly reap the rewards of our labours.
If winter barley is anything to go by, there will not be any reward. I have yet to hear of any normal yield and bushel weights are down too.
Couple that with the price and we might as well have gone to the seaside for the year.
These things happen occasionally and we knuckle down and start all over again. It will be another two weeks before we do the wheat and my guess is that the yields for that will also not match those of last year.
However as I write, the price is about £10 per ton more than last year, which will help to reduce what I expect to be a deficit again.
Those of you not engaged in agriculture might sometimes get annoyed when you follow a combine, or tractors and trailers too at this time of year.
I would beg your indulgence, after all they are dealing with food ingredients essential to your welfare and the season does not last too long.
It would be quite easy at this time of year to mistake a pea vining machine for a combine and in actual fact they are a sort of combine, but only for fresh peas.
Growing vining peas is another skilled job, precise to the minute. The field officers for Birds Eye work out a programme which stretches over about three months for the drilling of early, medium and late maturing varieties.
They know to a day when they will be ready for harvesting and can plan a harvesting programme to ensure that the peas are at their most succulent and from going through the viner, they have to be frozen within 90 minutes to maintain top quality.
That means the viners work 24 hours a day and if you are out late at night you may well see small tipper lorries with their precious cargo.
It is essential that as much as the crop as possible is harvested in the optimal condition. Rest assured the frozen peas you buy are the tops.
Have you got something to share on the story? Were you there? What do you think? - Send your pictures, videos or story and we'll publish the best × Continue the story Please be patient with farm traffic during harvest time Loading ... Add up to 3 photos or 1 videos to the story There's been a problem uploading your files. Please try again. By uploading your file you agree to our Terms and Conditions × Continue the story Sign in to contribute sign in shape the news in your area... | http://www.whitbygazette.co.uk/news/local/please-be-patient-with-farm-traffic-during-harvest-time-1-8063091 | en | 2016-08-18T00:00:00 | www.whitbygazette.co.uk/b4b4499ed9efffd6a38400a7995a3fb9b07f1344bafada6f7d981befd9a2e27a.json |
[
"Rhys Howell",
"Rhys.Howell Jpress.Co.Uk"
] | 2016-08-26T13:06:47 | null | 2016-08-24T11:22:25 | Staithes CC are celebrating after beating Seamer to win the Beckett League Premier Division Cayley Cup. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.whitbygazette.co.uk%2Fsport%2Flocal-sport%2Fcup-glory-for-staithes-1-8085727.json | http://res.cloudinary.com/jpress/image/fetch/w_300,f_auto,ar_3:2,c_fill/http://www.whitbygazette.co.uk/webimage/1.8085725.1472034130!/image/image.jpg | en | null | Cup glory for Staithes | null | null | www.whitbygazette.co.uk | Staithes CC are celebrating after beating Seamer to win the Beckett League Premier Division Cayley Cup.
Staithes won the toss and elected to bowl first, a move which paid early dividends as controlled bowling from Paul and Stu Theaker saw Seamer restricted 37-1 after eight overs.
Gregg Chadwick then joined prolific opener Anthony Jenkinson and the pair started to up the tempo.
Chadwick eventually fell for 33, the duo putting 59 on for the second wicket, but the introduction of Tom Steyert created further problems, with the paceman claiming 3-25 from his four overs.
Jenkinson remained firm and grew in confidence, ensuring his side posted a competitive 144-5 from their 20 overs by finishing on an excellent 76 not out, which included 10 fours and two sixes.
Staithes’ reply began aggressively with Chris Morrison whacking 24, but they then fell to 33-2.
Simon Bowes followed for 13, caught behind by Seamer skipper Rory Skelton off the bowling of Paul Greenhough, and Seamer sniffed an opportunity, bowling some tight overs and at 75-4 at the halfway mark the game seemed in the balance.
Young Brad Lewis was joined by Steyert and the pair combined for some excellent running between the wickets to move the score past 100.
Despite Seamer’s best efforts, Lewis and Steyart remained calm and steered their side to a comfortable win with two overs remaining.
Lewis hit the winning runs with a maximum to bring up his half-century, finishing on 51 not out.
Steyert made 38 not out and was named player of the match for his excellent all-round contribution.
This was Staithes’ third top-flight Cayley Cup victory in seven years and they’ll look to wrap up a league and cup double this weekend when they travel to rivals Staxton. | http://www.whitbygazette.co.uk/sport/local-sport/cup-glory-for-staithes-1-8085727 | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.whitbygazette.co.uk/de9f668acb4e802637e35dffde9206039da7be1c4fb19d4bb04421d6d9ba97c7.json |
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