Local News
Keep up-to-date on the latest news from Richmond County
New Hampshire Firefighters Aid in Hurricane Florence Rescue Efforts
Written by William R. Toler
CORDOVA — Although separated by 800 miles, two groups of firefighters formed a camaraderie in the midst of Hurricane Florence.
A FEMA-credentialed swiftwater task force comprised of firefighters from several departments in New Hampshire made the drive to Richmond County last week to work with Cordova Fire and Rescue.
“People have come up to help us in the past, so we’re just returning the favor,” said Patrick Laforge of the Goffstown Fire Department said Monday while waiting to try Eastern North Carolina-style barbecue at the East Rockingham Fire Department.
Joining Laforge from Goffstown was Chris Couturier as well as: Keith Folsom, Jon Strong and Capt. Ben Selleck from the Bedford Fire Department; Jeff Chickering, Dustin Holmes and Brad Keay from the Keene Fire Department; Tom Defina and Mike Meehan from the Manchester Fire Department; Cal Weichert and Darren Schriever from the Amherst Fire Department; and Garrett Meador and Chad McCarthy from the Conway and North Conway Fire Departments, respectively.
Although they weren’t needed much in Richmond County, last Sunday night they rescued more than 30 people from homes and cars in Laurinburg as the parts of the city began to flood.
Hamlet Police Collecting Supplies for Florence Flood Victims
Written by William R. Toler
HAMLET— While Richmond County was spared the type of destruction experienced by other counties in North Carolina from Hurricane Florence, some first responders are doing what they can to help others.
At noon Thursday, the Hamlet Police Department began filling its enclosed traffic trailer with donated supplies. Although officers haven’t yet determined where the supplies will be going, Capt. Randy Dover said residents in Robeson County will more than likely be the recipients … again.
“We did it for Hurricane Matthew and the community really turned out for that,” Dover said, adding that the trailer “was pretty full” in 2016.
Scotland County, which is also dealing with flooding, is a possibility, but Dover said Robeson County is “the main concern.”
Dover was born and raised in Scotland County and said he’s “never seen flooding like this.”
2 Charged With Stealing Generator After Leading Hamlet Officer on Chase
Written by William R. Toler
HAMLET— Two men are facing theft charges following a chase with police late Wednesday night.
Sgt. Robert Carlisle was patrolling the area around Rollins Avenue when he saw a Nissan Altima on the side of the road, according to a police report. When he got closer, the car pulled out and turned right onto N.C. 177— with the left rear door still open.
The report notes that Carlisle could see something lodged in the door, but couldn’t tell what it was.
He caught up with the Altima near Oak Street and turned on his lights to make a traffic stop. Instead of pulling over, the driver allegedly accelerated to between 75 and 80 mph.
Pee Dee Electric Wraps Up Hurricane Florence
Written by Press Release
WADESBORO, NC (Sept. 19, 2018) – Pee Dee Electric reported over 10,000 members without power as Hurricane Florence slowly moved over Pee Dee’s service area Friday, September 14th.
Crews encountered high winds and flooding as they worked to restore power.
By Sunday evening, the number of outages dropped below 2,500, but due to the high winds and heavy rains those numbers increased to 3,170 Monday morning.
By Wednesday evening, 100% of the membership was back online.
Hamlet's Former VFW Building Gets Face-Lift, New Mission as an Event Venue
Written by Amy Guinn
HAMLET - For over two years, Jo Jenkins drove by the empty shell that was the VFW before deciding one day that it was time to make the move to make an offer on the building. Her thought was, “this would be gorgeous.”
The offer was accepted and she, along with her husband Donald, bought the property at 146 Boyd Lake Road in Hamlet adjacent to City Lake in the fall of 2016. She has been working diligently on it ever since, relying heavily on the decorating sense of a good friend for color and other décor choices to make the building a special place for events. The name of the facility is now Lakeside Venue.
NWS: Florence Remnant Could Return to Carolinas
Written by William R. Toler
ROCKINGHAM— Florence may not be finished with the Carolinas just yet.
A remnant of the once-Category 4 hurricane that devastated parts of North and South Carolina over the weekend could be headed this way.
According to the National Weather Service, a low pressure system left over from Florence has looped back around and currently has gale-force winds. As of 8:07 p.m. Thursday, the system was 100 miles northeast of Bermuda heading southwest at 15 mph.
While the probability is only 20 percent, meteorologists say the low could develop tropical characteristics over the next five days.
Rockingham Council Accepts USDA Loan Conditions for Downtown Campus
Written by William R. Toler
ROCKINGHAM ― Mayor Steve Morris had a bit of paperwork to sign following a special meeting Thursday evening after the City Council approved a resolution to accept the conditions set forth by the USDA on a permanent financing loan for the Richmond Community College downtown campus.
The vote was unanimous with Councilman John Hutchinson giving his “aye” over the phone.
Larry Sampson, a loan specialist with the USDA, rapidly went over the conditions for the $6.75 million loan which the city will have to pay back over a 25-year period at 3.875 percent interest. Sampson said if interest rates decrease during the span of the loan, then the rate will also. However, the loan rate is locked at 3.875 percent and will not go any higher.
NCDOT: Florence Flooding Closes 9 Richmond County Roads
Written by William R. Toler
ROCKINGHAM — There are currently nine roads closed in Richmond County in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
Some of the roads could be open as early as this week, while others may take a month or two to repair.
Derby Road is closed due to flooding between McBride Road and Sycamore Lane north of Hoffman. DOT officials expect it to be open again by Sept. 27.
Rockingham Businesses Flood Twice Following Florence
Written by William R. Toler
ROCKINGHAM — Several businesses along a low-lying stretch of East Broad Avenue are getting a double-whammy following heavy rains from a slow-moving Hurricane Florence.
Not only do they have to deal with water seeping into their shops, but flooded roads are preventing them from getting inventory.
Nick Murphy and his crew at Nick’s 4x4 Performance Center started cleaning up on Monday, with flood waters reaching 10 to 24 inches — but they had to do it all over again Tuesday when the shop flooded a second time Monday night.
According to Murphy, the first wave of floodwaters got into the shop after he left at 7 p.m. Sunday.
“We came in here yesterday (Monday) morning, the water had went down and we cleaned up everything, pressure-washed the parking lot and we’re leaving last night at 7:30 and there’s a creek flowing into the highway out here. Two lanes filled up and it came back in the building,” he said.
Murphy said he “didn’t have the heart” to call neighboring business owner Robert Lee to tell him “it had flooded again.”
Richmond County Schools Continue 2-Hour Delay on Thursday, 20th September
Written by Dr. Cindy Goodman
RICHMOND COUNTY - Richmond County Schools posted the following announcement:
Richmond County Schools will operate on a 2-hour delay for students and staff on Thursday, September 20th.
We believe that this will allow our bus drivers better visibility as some routes have been altered.
Breakfast will be served upon arrival.
For an updated list of road closures, please visit www.richmond.k12.nc.us.
Thank you and please be safe.
Briana Goins
Public Information Officer
Richmond County Schools
910.582.5860
More...
Some NCDMV Offices Remain Closed Due to Hurricane Florence
Written by Press Release
RALEIGH – Most N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles driver license and license plate agency offices in central and eastern North Carolina remain closed on Wednesday due to flooding and power outages following Hurricane Florence.
Some NCDMV offices could be closed for several days, depending on the conditions in areas most affected by Florence, which has already forced the closure of hundreds of roads in North Carolina.
Online services remain available for license and registration renewals.
NC Families United Offers Seminar to Fight Depression
Written by Press Release
Depression & Suicide
Sponsored by CONNECTIONS:
A Family Support Program of Sandhills Center in collaboration with NC Families United
Date & Location
Thursday, September 27, 2018
12 noon – 1:30 pm
Hampton B. Allen Library (Pritchett Room)
120 S. Greene St., Wadesboro, NC
Presenter
Shelia Raye, BS, QP
Sandhills Geriatric/Adult Mental Health Specialty Team Member
Therapeutic Alternatives, Inc.
Objectives
Participants will learn about the risk factors, warning signs, how to prevent suicide and treat depression.
Registration ends September 24th
Space is limited and registration is required.
Lunch and resources will be provided at no cost.
To register, contact:
Suzanne Maness, Family Advocate
Toll free: 877-211-5995
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Suzanne Maness, Family Advocate
Connections Family Support & Community Collaboration Program
Sandhills Center / www.sandhillscenter.org
NC Families United / www.ncfamiliesunited.org
910-627-1769 / Toll free 877-211-5995
Editor's note: It is the policy of the Richmond Observer to print news release material in its original format, as it was received, with minimal, if any, editorial adjustments.
FirstHealth Announces DAISY Award Winner
Written by FirstHealth of the Carolinas
PINEHURST – Ana Hermes, R.N., has been recognized as the July 2018 DAISY Award Winner for FirstHealth of the Carolinas.
Hermes is a nurse at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst and currently works on the cardiovascular (2CV) unit.
Rural Areas of NC Tried to Prepare for Hurricane Florence
Written by Press Release
ROCKINGHAM - As part of the ongoing mission of the Richmond Observer to provide expansive coverage of developing events, we offer the following links to allow ease of access to recent news garnering attention across the state and/or nation. These particular links relate to last week’s preparations for Hurricane Florence and how agricultural interests may benefit from such information in conjunction with future storms.
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