Local News
Keep up-to-date on the latest news from Richmond County
Forest Service agencies reminding residents across the state to keep drones away from wildfires
Written by Press Release
RALEIGH – As spring fire season enters its third month, the USDA Forest Service and N.C. Forest Service are reminding the public to keep drones away from wildfires. Flying drones or unmanned aircraft systems, near wildfire activity is not only extremely dangerous, but illegal.
Continuing a 'Legacy of Passion and Quality': Sammy L. Whitley Construction coming under new ownership
Written by Betty Gallo McIntyre
ROCKINGHAM — One local contractor is handing over his hammer to the next generation.
NCDOR: Deadline to apply for Business Recovery Grants is June 1
Written by Press Release
RALEIGH — The deadline for businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic to apply for Phase 2 of the Business Recovery Grant Program is Wednesday, June 1. BRG will issue a one-time payment to eligible North Carolina businesses that suffered an economic loss of at least 20 percent during the pandemic. BRG is funded by the federal American Rescue Plan. The N.C. Department of Revenue is administering the program.
USDA to allow producers to request voluntary termination of Conservation Reserve Program contract
Written by Press Release
RALEIGH — The U.S. Department of Agriculture will allow Conservation Reserve Program participants who are in the final year of their CRP contract to request voluntary termination of their CRP contract following the end of the primary nesting season for fiscal year 2022. Participants approved for this one-time, voluntary termination will not have to repay rental payments, a flexibility implemented this year to help mitigate the global food supply challenges caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and other factors. Today, USDA also announced additional flexibilities for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and Conservation Stewardship Program.
Plaintiffs urge N.C. Supreme Court again to move forward on Leandro
Written by Mitch Kokai - Carolina Journal
RALEIGH — Advocates for hundreds of millions of new dollars in court-ordered N.C. education spending are renewing their appeals to the N.C. Supreme Court. Two filings Thursday urge the state’s highest court to take its next step in the long-running Leandro lawsuit.
Single statewide health plan for foster children aims to end chaotic status quo
Written by David Larson - Carolina Journal
RALEIGH — Currently, members of both parties and both chambers at the General Assembly seem in agreement that the status quo on health care for N.C. foster children is unacceptable. The children are moved frequently, and when they arrive at their new placement, they are frequently dropped from their health providers and have to start over.
Budd tops Beasley in new poll of U.S. Senate race
Written by David Bass - Carolina Journal News Service
RALEIGH — U.S. Senate candidate Ted Budd is polling slightly ahead of Democratic candidate Cheri Beasley, according to a new Civitas poll of general election voters.
Richmond County Memorial Day service slated for Saturday
Written by Staff Report
ROCKINGHAM — Richmond County’s veterans organizations will come together this weekend to remember those who have fallen in service to the nation.
Bill aims for ‘equity’ in fueling vehicles for free
Written by Carolina Journal Staff
RALEIGH — There’s no free lunch. And there’s no “free” charging of electric vehicles. Charging stations have a cost that would become more transparent under a bill filed in the N.C. House.
Senate Republicans back Medicaid expansion, with health care access reforms
Written by Donna King - Carolina Journal
RALEIGH — On Wednesday the N.C. General Assembly’s Senate leadership announced a health care proposal that includes Medicaid expansion under the federal entitlement program, the Affordable Care Act. House Bill 149 contains work requirements for Medicaid expansion enrollees and measures the senators say would cut regulations on the health care industry that limit the number of providers and facilities. State Medicaid expansion could put more than 600,000 able-bodied, working-age adults onto the taxpayer-funded health care program.
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Sparks fly as N.C. Senate Education Committee OK’s Parents’ Bill of Rights
Written by David Bass - Carolina Journal News Service
RALEIGH — North Carolina Senate Education Committee passed a measure May 25 that would enshrine a Parents’ Bill of Rights into state law.
Hamlet High School grads celebrate school's centennial anniversary
Written by William R. Toler
HAMLET — More than 350 former students, staff and spouses celebrated the 100th anniversary of the former Hamlet High School this past weekend.
N.C. Senate bill looks to help hemp growers, change how farm equipment is repaired
Written by Theresa Opeka - Carolina Journal
RALEIGH — Hemp growers and retailers in North Carolina may be helped by a provision in a Senate bill that was discussed in Senate’s Agriculture, Energy, and Environment Senate Standing Committee meeting Tuesday.
N.C. Parents' Bill of Rights heads to first committee hearing
Written by David Bass - Carolina Journal News Service
RALEIGH — A “Parents' Bill of Rights” will get its first discussion in committee Wednesday morning in the N.C. Senate. Senate leaders in the N.C. General Assembly outlined the measure in a press conference on Tuesday evening, saying that it established a parent’s right to request information about what their child is learning in school, including lessons, textbooks, tutoring services, and other details about how their child and their school are operating. Schools would be required to develop a system for parents to access that information.
