MARSHVILLE — Working in conjunction with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Union County Sheriff’s Office, Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department, Greensboro Police Department, United States Secret Service, and the Marshville Police Department, the Wadesboro Police Department conducted an operation that resulted in the arrest of Dewon Rayquan Hailey at a residence in Marshville, NC.

On Wednesday March 6, the Wadesboro Police Department responded to a call at the Oak Hill Apartment Complex. Upon arriving at the complex, officers discovered 30-year-old Jamarcus D. Sellers of Rockingham suffering from numerous gunshot wounds.

Sellers was taken to Atrium Health Anson where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Working quickly, the Wadesboro Police Department, in conjunction with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, determined there to be one suspect in the case, 26-year-old Dewon Rayquan Hailey of Wadesboro. Immediately, warrants were obtained for Hailey’s arrest, charging him with the First Degree Murder of Jamarcus D. Sellers.

Following a lengthy search and investigation for Hailey that spanned across two counties, Anson and Union, law enforcement brought Hailey into custody on Thursday, April18.

He has been placed in the Anson County Jail without bond and is currently awaiting trial.

Taking a brief moment to share his gratitude, Chief Brandon H. Chewning stated, “I’d like to thank the numerous agencies, officers, and citizens who assisted in this investigation and apprehension.”

March 22

WADESBORO — At 1:29 a.m., deputies arrived at Green Hill School Rd. following a report of suspects driving their gray Honda Accord into the front yard of the victim, damaging the vehicle of the homeowner. Taking it to the streets, the victim advised dispatch they were currently in pursuit of the suspects, who had fled the scene without determining damage or injury. When Sgt. Ryan Melton arrived on scene, he was was informed by WPD that the suspects had, “just left their homeboys house on Green Hill School Rd. when this Honda was following him all the way to his residence.”

The victims further admitted to leaving the residence without looking around to see if anything had been damaged.

Traveling back to the victim’s residence on Green Hill Rd., Sgt. Melton found the vehicle of the victim to have bullet holes in the side of the driver’s door. Two shell casings was found in the vicinity to of the victim’s vehicle. Additionally, the sounds of three gunshots was recorded on the victim’s home security, Total damage to property is valued at $300.00. Case is closed by the arrest of Rashard Little.

LILESVILLE — At 3:31 a.m., deputies responded to Power Plant Rd. following a report of stolen Landmark brand shingles valued at $6,500.00. A pallet and a quarter of shingles were stolen from the back of the victim’s parked trailer. Case is active.

March 23

POLKTON — At 8:01 p.m., deputies responded to Martin St. following a report of a domestic disturbance underway. Arriving on scene, deputies quickly restored calm and order, case closed by means of exception.

WADESBORO At 9:31 p.m., deputies responded to Pineview Circle following a report of an assault on a female taking place. Arriving to the scene, deputies spoke with the victim, obtained photographic evidence of the claimed assault, and determined the incident had occurred the previous night. Case closed by means other than arrest.

March 24

POLKTON — At 9:00 p.m., deputies responded to Wightman Church Rd. following a report of damage to a vehicle. Arriving at the scene, deputies discovered the victim’s boyfriend had an ex girlfriend, who, unhappy with her reassignment, had taken out her vengeance on the victim’s Toyota corolla. Deputies could visually ascertain a dent in the front passenger door, possibly caused by a foot. Additionally, it appeared to deputies as if the love lorn assailant bent on destruction had made a half hearted attempt to scratch a word into the hood of the corolla, before her ire may have run out of steam. Case has been closed by means other than arrest.

March 24

POLKTON — At 8:05 p.m., deputies responded to Ansonville Polkton Rd. following a report of a broken glass door valued at $200.00, case has been closed by means other than arrest.

LILESVILLE — At 6:48 p.m., deputies responded to the Magistrate’s Office following a report of a domestic disturbance previously unfolding at a residence on NC 145. The victim stated that her ex boyfriend assaulted her, and deputies sighted marking on the victim consistent with her claim. Tyreq Carelock of Union County, was found in Union County, and placed under arrest.

POLKTON — At 4:32 a.m., deputies responded to Blonnie Ross Rd. following a report of an assault involving a firearm. Deputies secured the scene upon their arrival and obtained statements from witnesses to the incident. Case closed by means other than arrest.

March 28

WADESBORO — At 9:00 a.m., deputies at ACSO heard from a victim of a recent domestic altercation. The suspect, Tyler Helms, was later located at the victim’s residence and placed under arrest at the Anson County Jail, with an unsecured bond of $1,000.00.

WADESBORO — At 7:54 p.m., deputies at ACSO heard from a victim of larceny. During a recent visit to her home, the guest the victim had welcomed into her living room had allegedly stolen her wallet from out of her purse, positioned at the feet of the would be perpetrator during their visit in the home. Value of stolen property is $ 1,660.00. Case is active.

March 29

WADESBORO — At 8:09 p.m., deputies responded to a report of a located backpack containing personal items, including two identification cards bearing the name Shaniqa Pegues. Entering the bag and its contents into evidence, the case remains active.

PEACHLAND — At 11:59 a.m., deputies responded to Tucker Rd. following a report of credit card fraud taking place, the value of monies stolen totaling $400.00. Case is closed by means other than arrest.

ANSON — In a long anticipated moment for Anson County, Dr. George Truman, Chairperson for the Anson County Board of Education and Superintendent Howard McLean, officially signed the contract to build the new Anson Middle School.

The new school will be located on land off of Highway 74, adjacent to Anson High School, and will serve the youth and citizens of Anson County for many years to come.

The contract is resultant of the many hours Mr. Freeman, and Mr. McLean, spent in consultation with the board, architects, and government officials, so the signing of this contract carries with it the Anson County School District’s tremendous gratitude to Mr. Michael Freeman, retired Superintendent of ACS’s from 2013 to 2020, and current Superintendent Howard McLean.

The pair are also responsible for putting in place the plans and funding needed to make the new middle school project a reality.

The contract for the new middle school has been a labor of love, involving many hours of planning and visits by the Anson County Board of Education and the administrative staff of our school system.

In a released statement, the ACSD shared, “It’s heartening to see the collaboration and dedication of individuals like Mr. Freeman, Superintendent McLean, the Anson County Board of Education, Anson County Commissioners, and Pinnacle Architecture all working together to make this project possible. This new school will undoubtedly benefit generations of students and contribute to the growth and development of Anson County.”

WADESBORO — “I don’t want anyone to forget about her and the five babies she left behind,” pleads Starla Gunn, three years after the murder of her best friend and adopted cousin, Felicia Ann Rollins.

Rollins, 36, of Marshville was reported missing on September 5, 2021.

For three long, anxious days her family and friends gathered in prayer and held out hope that their Felicia, the girl whose smile could brighten anyone’s bad day, would be found safe.

Gunn, who was babysitting for Felicia up until the Friday she went missing, remembers with heart breaking clarity the call she received from a DSS worker.

“At first when she said they found Felicia, I was so happy,” recalls Gunn, the moment still a kaleidoscope of jumbled puzzle pieces in her mind. For many bewildered seconds, Gunn clutched the phone, her elation preventing her from understanding what the DSS worker meant.

Her joy was to be short lived, traded for denial and despair, as understanding began to take hold. In her mind ‘found’ should have meant coming home.

“I remember my husband and my mom came rushing in,” shares Gunn, reliving the moment her pain brought her to her knees.

She had just been told that Rollins would not be coming back home to Marshville, to her babies… instead Rollins was found dumped in a wooded area in the early morning hours of September 8, at the National Wildlife Refuge.

Suddenly, the best friend Gunn had known since wearing diapers, the girl who had been present through every major milestone and hurdle in her life, was just… gone. In one quick murderous moment, Rollin’s life ended and Gunn’s would never be the same again.

“We used to love riding around with the wind in our hair… Felicia didn’t like to be a part of drama and we used to really enjoy getting away from everything on the open road,” says Gunn.

Sometimes these car trips would find them ending up at Hatley’s Skating Rink, blowing off steam as they sang along to all the latest hits thundering out of the rink’s speakers.

Both girls grew up with a love of Halloween and all things spooky. For Rollins, Halloween was a favorite holiday, and for Gunn, her birthday.

“Felicia loved sugar skulls and flamingos. She had just gotten an umbrella and bag with sugar skulls on them… those were missing too,” she recounts, reminded anew of her friend’s murder. “All of her belongings were gone, they weren’t at the hotel either.”

Gunn states that Rollins was taken to the America’s Best Inn, where it is believed that inside one budget friendly room, her life was ripped from her.

Within days of Rollin’s disappearance, and the discovery of her body, Cedric Sturdivant was arrested for her murder.

Almost three years later, and he is still residing in jail, charged, among other crimes, with concealing/failing to report a death, and first degree murder.

Gunn wonders when she will have an opportunity to face Sturdivant in court, “It has been almost three years and we have never heard anything about a trial.”

Sturdivant had an initial court date of September 14, 2021, and most recently appeared before the court on Monday, April 8, 2024.

Calls to the attorney listed as Sturdivant’s current legal representation have gone unanswered and unreturned as of time of print.

Gunn wants a chance to face Sturdivant in court and ask him why he killed her best friend, “I want him to see my face, the tears I have shed every day because he took her life.”

Sturdivant is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, as is the American way, but Gunn is waiting for a trial, waiting for her chance to face Sturdivant, and hear about the last moments of her friend’s life.

Sturdivant, too, has been left waiting almost three years for his day in court.

The memories of her friend eventually proved too much to bear, and Gunn moved away from her hometown of Monroe, explaining, “I just could not take it anymore.”

She is afraid Rollins will be forgotten, reduced to a footnote in the lore of a small town or recounted as a cautionary tale to be shuddered over on dark nights.

These days, Gunn prefers to think of her friend as hidden safely away in a hum-drum life at the seashore, maybe in witness protection.

“I couldn’t see her when she died so it’s easy to imagine her off somewhere… still alive.”

According to her life-long friend, Rollins loved digging her toes in the sandy shore, lying with her face turned up to soak in the warmth of the sun.

Gunn wants people to know Rollins loved her five children with all her heart, that she was the kind of woman who wasn’t scared to voice her opinions, she loved acting silly, her favorite color was pink or any bright colors, and getting lost in a good movie.

There is currently no word on when a date will be set for Sturdivant’s trial. This is a developing story and updates will be provided as they become available.

April 17:

In 1521, Martin Luther went before the Diet of Worms (vohrms) to face charges stemming from his religious writings. (Luther was later declared an outlaw by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.)

In 1961, “The Apartment” won the Academy Award for best picture of 1960; Burt Lancaster was named best actor for “Elmer Gantry,” while the best actress award went to Elizabeth Taylor for “Butterfield 8.”

In 1961, some 1,500 CIA-trained Cuban exiles launched the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in an attempt to topple Fidel Castro, whose forces crushed the incursion by the third day.

In 1964, Ford Motor Co. unveiled the Mustang at the New York World’s Fair.

In 1969, a jury in Los Angeles convicted Sirhan Sirhan of assassinating Sen. Robert F. Kennedy.

In 1970, Apollo 13 astronauts James A. Lovell, Fred W. Haise and Jack Swigert splashed down safely in the Pacific, four days after a ruptured oxygen tank crippled their spacecraft while en route to the moon.

In 1972, the Boston Marathon allowed women to compete for the first time; Nina Kuscsik was the first officially recognized women’s champion, with a time of 3:10:26.

In 1973, Federal Express (later FedEx) began operations as 14 planes carrying 186 packages took off from Memphis International Airport, bound for 25 U.S. cities.

In 1975, Cambodia’s five-year war ended as the capital Phnom Penh fell to the Khmer Rouge, which instituted brutal, radical policies that claimed an estimated 1.7 million lives until the regime was overthrown in 1979.

In 1986, at London’s Heathrow Airport, a bomb was discovered in the bag of Anne-Marie Murphy, a pregnant Irishwoman about to board an El Al jetliner to Israel; she’d been tricked into carrying the bomb by her Jordanian fiance, Nezar Hindawi.

In 1991, the Dow Jones industrial average closed above 3,000 for the first time, ending the day at 3,004.46, up 17.58.

In 1993, a federal jury in Los Angeles convicted two former police officers of violating the civil rights of beaten motorist Rodney King; two other officers were acquitted.

In 2012, riding on the back of a 747 jet, retired space shuttle Discovery traveled from Cape Canaveral, Florida, to Chantilly, Virginia, to be installed in its new home: the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum annex in Virginia.

In 2013, 15 people were killed in an explosion at a fertilizer plant in the city of West, Texas.

In 2018, Barbara Bush, who was both a first lady and the mother of a president, died in Houston at the age of 92; she was survived by her husband, George H.W. Bush; their marriage of 73 years was the longest of any presidential couple in American history.

In 2020, President Donald Trump urged supporters to “LIBERATE” three states led by Democratic governors, apparently encouraging protests against stay-at-home mandates aimed at stopping the coronavirus.

In 2022, Ukrainian fighters holed up in a steel plant in the last known pocket of resistance inside the shattered city of Mariupol ignored a surrender-or-die ultimatum from the Russians and continued to hold out against the capture of the strategically vital port.

The atmosphere may seem a bit oppressive today, Sagittarius. You like to be free to do what you want to do, and it may bother you that the people around you don’t make themselves available to you. They seem preoccupied by their own business. This could bring out some old wounds that haven’t completely healed.

Capricorn (Dec. 21 - Jan. 19)

You may feel a bit tied down today. It won’t necessarily be a bad day, but you may wonder about certain aspects of your family life. Don’t try and kid yourself. You should think hard about what you want for your family for the next few years and how you intend to go about getting it.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 17)

There are days when you should take everything with a grain of salt. Today you may realize how important it is to gain the appreciation and respect of a certain person. It isn’t worth getting worked up about. You will only make things worse. You may just need to do something that puts the fire back into your emotions.

Pisces (Feb. 18 - March 19)

Pisces, you shouldn’t even try to find a reasonable explanation for what goes on around you today. There isn’t one. Be carried by the tides of emotions from the past that run through your body and soul. There’s no use trying to control them - they need to come out. Instead, take the time to revitalize yourself in the intimacy of your home or at a friend’s, if possible.

Aries (March 20 - April 19)

Today you may ask yourself if you’re satisfied. How is your personal life? Do people live up to your standards or are you always left feeling dissatisfied? It may be time to make some important decisions in your life. What do you really want out of life? You might find some of the answers today.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20)

Nothing is simple where your family is concerned. If you’ve forgotten that, don’t worry. Today will remind you. You may have to deal with some of your lingering problems with certain family members. You will find you have all the energy you need in order to find the solutions to the conflicts that have been eating at you for a while.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20)

You like to give people advice and help them find direction in their lives - sometimes when they haven’t even asked. But now it’s your turn to feel a little lost. You may need to get away from it all to get some perspective on your life. What about taking a trip to some faraway land? Today is a good day to make your future vacation plans.

Cancer (June 21 - July 21)

Cancer, you may put your integrity under the microscope today. We all have deep convictions that we would never let go of. But society pressures us, and it isn’t always easy to live in perfect harmony with our ideals. The question to ask yourself today is just how willing are you to change your most heartfelt beliefs in order to live in society? Do you have the courage of your convictions?

Leo (July 22 - Aug. 22)

Your freedom is more important to you than anything else in your life. It’s often very difficult for you to get involved, whether personally or professionally. Nevertheless, today you may have to think about it. Could it be that your thirst for freedom is just an escape? You may need to ponder this question. Who knows? You could decide to take the leap!

Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22)

Certain very narrow-minded people may get on your nerves. You’re lucky enough to be an open, tolerant person, Virgo. You take people and situations just as they come. Today you may find yourself in the middle of negotiations between two people with opposite views. Help them open their eyes to each other’s point of view.

Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22)

Today you will be able to explore the power of your emotions. Don’t try and fight what you call your “oversensitivity.” A force from childhood will permeate you and help you to find out what your real needs are. Shouldn’t you think about staying away from people who influence you a little too much? Think about it and go with your emotions.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21)

Scorpio, you feel secure in the warmth and depth of your emotions. Today you will have the opportunity to reenergize and regenerate yourself from the inside out. Take advantage of the energies at play to deepen your relationships with the people you love. Get to know them even better. Your powers of seduction will mesmerize them.

LILESVILLE — Working in conjunction with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, the Anson County Sheriff’s Office executed search warrants at the Lilesville Game Room, located at 1522 West Wall St., and also at 100 Fellowship Dr. in Hamlet, regarding illegal gambling, on Friday, April 12.

During the search, officers discovered and seized firearms, U.S. Currency, and Narcotics.

Resultant of evidence obtained during the search, the following individuals have been charged, according to an issued press release from the ACSO,

“Monir Gorgy Scafik Dawoud, 67, of Norman, North Carolina, has been charged with Felony Operating more than 5 Video Gaming Machines. and was placed in the Anson County Jail under a $5,000.00 secure bond and has a court date of Monday, May 6, 2024, in Anson County District Court.

David Lee Painter JR., 54, of Hamlet, North Carolina, has been charged with Felony Operating more than 5 Video Gaming Machines and was placed in the Anson County Jail under a $5,000.00 secure bond and has a court date of Monday, May 6, 2024, in Anson County District Court.

Denise Ann Painter, 52, of Rockingham, North Carolina has been charged with Felony Operating more than 5 Video Gaming Machines and was placed in the Anson County Jail under a $5,000.00 secure bond and has a court date of Monday, May 6, 2024, in Anson County District Court.

Mary Christal Cummings, 53, of Wadesboro, North Carolina has been charged with Felony Possession of Methamphetamine, Felony Possession with Intent to Manufacture, Sell and Deliver, Schedule II Controlled Substance and Misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana and was placed in the Anson County Jail under a $10,000.00 secure bond and has a court date of Monday, May 6, 2024, in Anson County District Court.

Sheriff Scott Howell would like to thank the North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement Division and the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this case. He would like to remind all residents and businesses that it is illegal to play and/or have a business allowing others to play on any video gaming machines that have pay out cash prizes.”

POLKTON — In the early morning hours of Thursday, April 11, deputies with the Anson County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Fast Stop convenience store on Highway 742 North, following a report of an armed robbery taking place.

Arriving at the scene, deputies found a female employee in the store who had been assaulted and robbed during the incident.

The victim was transported from the scene to Atrium Anson where her injuries were evaluated.

Armed with video footage of the crime from the store’s security system, in conjunction with witness interview statements, deputies developed an accurate description of the suspect.

Given the serious nature of the crime, deputies utelized K-9 Landi, who tracked the suspect to a location nearby the store.

Later that day, at approximately 1:00 p.m., deputies arrested Marvin Lee Medley at his residence.

Medley is charged with Robbery with a Dangerouus Weapon, Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury, and Larceny of a Firearm. Placed in Anson County Jail, Medley has no bond, and a court date scheduled for Tuesday, April 23 in Anson County District Court.

Following the speedy resolution to the matter, Sheriff Scott Howell issued a statement wishing to thank the Burnsville community, stating, “It’s a perfect example of when the sheriff’s office and the communities we serve form a partnership to make our communities safer.”

Sheriff Howell added that he is praying for the victim in this case to have a speedy recovery.

ANSON — Congratulations to Luke Hyatt on his commitment to Guilford College to continue his academic and football career. Anson High School Athletics hosted a Celebratory College Football Signing Day on Thursday, April 11, 2024. The celebratory football signing day was filled with excitement and pride as Luke officially committed to play football at Guilford College. Friends, family, coaches, teammates, and school staff gathered to celebrate this momentous occasion and show their support for Luke as he pursues his dreams of playing at the collegiate level. Luke’s coach (Landon Allen), teammate (Kendrick Maye), and principal (Chris Stinson) gave speeches, reminiscing on their time together and expressing their excitement for Luke’s future in football. Today’s celebratory football signing day was a memorable event that highlighted Luke’s hard work, dedication, and perseverance. It was a day of joy, pride, and anticipation for the journey ahead as he prepares to take the next step in his football career.

My wife and I have been catching up on episodes of “The Mysteries of Laura,” the 2014-2016 NBC series starring Debra Messing. Forget murders and chases. The real reason the show resonates with me is because as Laura Diamond juggles the duties of a single mother and police detective, she’s understandably a slob with her car.

Yes, my poor Altima gets woefully neglected inside and out. It’s a magnet for the abundant tree sap in my yard and the interior is home to an archive of fast-food wrappers, receipts, seasonal changes of clothing, mail I dread taking to the kitchen table, books discarded by the public library, broken CDs, etc. No room for an air freshener “tree,” so I duct-tape a couple of Tic Tac mints to the rearview mirror.

It’s like the mobile version of that legendary school locker that houses everything. I mean, there are definitely science experiments being conducted on the floorboard. And I suspect that if I ever have a collision, instead of the airbag deploying, I’ll be greeted with a voice that advises, “Walk it off, walk it off.”

My conveyance has devolved into the opposite of the trope about new cars. You know, “As soon as you drive it off the dealer lot, it loses half its value.” No, whenever I drive off a parking lot, the real estate value of the lot doubles.

Although my car is a 2010 model, it’s a throwback to the 50s. Back then, lots of cars had FINS, and I wouldn’t bet against there being an aquarium somewhere in all the clutter.

Some guys baby their car because of a midlife crisis. I face more of a midwife crisis. (“I think another mouse is experiencing a breech birth in the trunk!”)

I know. You’re supposed to take pride in your vehicle and display it as a status symbol. Well, here’s my status: I’ve got a life! When sandblasting, vacuuming, waxing and decluttering become The Most Important Thing to Do Today, I’ll buckle down. But after all this time, the National Audubon Society fears I would disrupt the migratory pattern of all North American birds. (“Divebomb!”)

Yes, I could stop at one of those Saturday morning fundraiser carwashes, but I would feel guilty about the copious amount of elbow grease it would require. A carwash should be a fun entrepreneurial enterprise for teens, not a lesson in indentured servitude. I’m not out to proselytize, either – I would hate to force the Methodist Youth Group to send out for an exorcist.

Granted, my situation makes me more cautious about traffic violations. You don’t want to hear “May I please see your license and registration?” when your glove compartment is prone to projectile vomiting.

I struggle not to be jealous of those of you who have the time, money and energy to keep your vehicle immaculate. We all have our troubles. (“Oh, pooh, Biff! I ran over a unicorn and it’s going to take AAA a whole five minutes to get here and clean it up.”)

Sometimes I do get riled up about the “perfect” people and daydream about really telling them off, but then a little voice whispers in my ear, “Buddy, can you let us out of the back seat near that big tent? If we’re late, the ringmaster will hire 12 NEW clowns.”

In 1920, the taverns ran dry. The Eighteenth Amendment, also called the Volstead Act, was passed by the U.S. Congress and the amendment was ratified by three-quarters of the nation’s states, despite a veto from President Woodrow Wilson, (bless his heart). It was never illegal to “consume” alcohol during Prohibition, you just couldn’t make it, sell it or ship it.

Alcohol was condemned as the root of all evil. Many churches required their members to sign an abstinence pledge. Alcohol was the cause of the high crime rate, domestic violence, and child abandonment.

When the 1920s came roaring in, women could vote for the first time, and with that new-found power came freedom. Women bobbed their hair, smoked cigarettes, and danced the Charleston in short fringed skirts. Speakeasies operated in the back rooms of upstanding establishments and, by knowing the correct password or that special knock on the door, one could gain entry into an exciting world where it was considered chic to defy the law.

Due to the increased demand for alcohol, the price skyrocketed. To meet this new demand, bootleggers became major suppliers and distillers. Moonshiners became millionaires. Organized crime, led by Al Capone in Chicago, bribed political leaders as well as entire police departments. Mobsters like Lucky Luciano and Bugsy Siegel became famous, or, rather, infamous. It was not alcohol, but the lack of alcohol, that caused an increase in crime.

Gambling has been around since 1665, when settlers in Jamestown held a lottery to raise funds to support their colony. In 1776, Continental Congress organized a lottery to help finance the Revolutionary War.

In 1876, Wild Bill Hickok was shot while playing poker. He held all aces and eights, which became known as the dead man’s hand. However, gambling was acknowledged as acceptable entertainment in many states. But, in the 1920s, gambling became illegal, along with alcohol, and mobsters quickly expanded their operations to include casinos and gambling halls.

Book banning is nothing new. In 1873, Anthony Comstock (the Comstock Act) prevented pamphlets about contraception from being sent through the mail. In the 1920s, many authors wanted to have their books “banned in Boston” because they knew it would increase sales. Hitler not only banned books, but cosmetics as well. The Aryan ideal was a modestly dressed woman wearing no makeup and no jewelry.

Today, friends meet at their favorite watering hole to watch ”the game.” Forty-five states now offer government-operated lotteries and all but six states have casinos, many tribal. Books that were banned and burned remain on the best-seller list, while the “banners” continue to try to “take away.”

The United States still suffers from a high crime rate, domestic violence, and child abandonment. History tells us that none of these problems were solved by taking away freedoms that people had openly enjoyed since the first colonists arrived in the New World.

In 1933, the 21st Amendment turned the regulation of liquor laws back to the states. Two states (North and South Carolina) rejected the 21st Amendment preferring to remain “dry,” while Mississippi kept its Prohibition laws for another thirty years.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt amended the Volstead Act to allow people to have a beer or two while they waited for the 21st Amendment to be ratified – and the first team of Budweiser Clydesdales rewarded him with a ceremonial case of beer.

There are two kinds of people in the world. The ones who give and the ones who take it away. History has proven that “taking away” rights doesn’t always work out as expected.

WADESBORO — Following an article that appeared in the Richmond Daily Journal and Anson Record updating the case of Anson County’s Jane Doe, found behind the National Guard Armory on May 12, 2022, the ACSO released a statement on the case Friday, April 5th, that reads as follows,

“On Friday, January 19, 2024, dental records confirmed that the unidentified remains found in Anson County are not April Michelle Reid.

On January 19, 2024, Anson County called the Bullhead City Police Department in Arizona, asking to speak with Det. Sharpe and were told he no longer worked there. Bullhead City requested ACSO to contact a supervisor via email. The email was sent on the same day.

On the morning of Monday, January 22, 2024, Anson County confirmed Amber Johnston did not have dental records available via NamUS for comparison. Monday afternoon Anson County spoke with Det. Sharpe who stated we were told in error that he no longer works there. Det. Sharpe stated he would follow up with Sharon Johnston, mother of Amber Johnston, to get dental information. On this same date, ACSO spoke with Sharon Johnston.

Sharon Johnson has been an invaluable resource and has provided the ACSO with the names of every place she thought her daughter had or may have had dental treatment as well as insurance companies that would have covered the treatment. Every provided dental office and health insurance company in several states were contacted by the ASCO. The ACSO was able to obtain the dental records on February 26, 2024, from a dental office in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. The records were sent to NamUs, the North Carolina Human Identification and Forensic Analysis Laboratory, and the Medical Examiner’s Office on the same date, for comparison.

On March 27, 2024, the Anson County Sheriff’s Office was notified by the Medical Examiner’s Office that the unidentified remains located in Anson County on May 12, 2022, were referred to a forensic odontologist with the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) for dental comparison with missing person Amber Johnston. In their expert opinion, there is insufficient information to support any dental exclusion or inclusion of Amber Johnston.

IMAGES

NamUs has been provided the original unaltered photos. None of the photos related to this case are in color, and all colorized photos have been altered.

The ACSO has not applied filters to any of the images but has compared photos taken during the day by the same trail camera, and confirmed what some see as possibly being individuals in the photos is the foliage and vegetation.

THE BACKPACK

An extensive search of the area for the backpack and any other items has been completed, as well as interviewing rabbit hunters from Florida who found the backpack in February of 2022. The hunters cannot recall what the backpack looked like or what area in the woods they saw it. There has been no information from any source indicating the backpack had a large sum of money or any personal items. As stated by Captain Tice in February, this information is not sufficient to determine whether the backpack is related to the unidentified remains.”

Law enforcement would like to remind and assure the public that, “The ACSO cannot disclose all details, and actions taken by ACSO related to this case as this is an ongoing investigation. The ACSO will continue to investigate and follow up all tips and leads in this case.”

April 10:

In 1866, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was incorporated.

In 1912, the British liner RMS Titanic set sail from Southampton, England, bound for New York on its ill-fated maiden voyage.

In 1932, German President Paul Von Hindenburg was reelected in a runoff, with Adolf Hitler coming in second.

In 1947, Team President Branch Rickey called Jackie Robinson up to the Brooklyn Dodgers from their minor league affiliate the Montreal Royals. (Less than a week later, Robinson would become the first Black player in Major League Baseball when he took the field for the Dodgers.)

In 1963, the fast-attack nuclear submarine USS Thresher (SSN-593) sank during deep-diving tests east of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in a disaster that claimed 129 lives.

In 1971, a table tennis team from the United States arrived in China at the invitation of the communist government for a goodwill visit that came to be known as “ping-pong diplomacy.”

In 1972, the United States and the Soviet Union joined some 70 nations in signing an agreement banning biological warfare.

In 1974, Golda Meir announced her resignation as prime minister of Israel.

In 1998, the Northern Ireland peace talks concluded as negotiators reached a landmark settlement to end 30 years of bitter rivalries and bloody attacks.

In 2005, Tiger Woods won his fourth Masters with a spectacular finish of birdies and bogeys.

In 2010, Polish President Lech Kaczynski (lehk kah-CHIN’-skee), 60, was killed in a plane crash in western Russia that also claimed the lives of his wife and top Polish political, military and church officials.

In 2012, Rick Santorum quit the presidential race, clearing the way for Mitt Romney to claim the Republican nomination.

In 2017, Justice Neil Gorsuch took his place as the newest addition on the bench of the Supreme Court, restoring a narrow conservative majority.

In 2018, during five hours of questioning from a U.S. Senate panel, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg batted away accusations that he had failed to protect the personal information of millions of Americans from Russians intent on upsetting the U.S. election, though he conceded that Facebook needed to work harder to make sure the tools it creates are used in “good and healthy” ways.

In 2019, scientists released the first image ever made of a black hole, revealing a fiery, doughnut-shaped object in a galaxy 53 million light-years from earth.

In 2021, speaking to Republican donors at his new home inside his Mar-a-Lago resort, former President Donald Trump slammed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell as a “stone-cold loser” and mocked McConnell’s wife, Elaine Chao, who had been Trump’s transportation secretary.

In 2023, a Louisville bank employee shot and killed five co-workers, including a close friend of the governor, and wounded eight others in a livestreamed workplace shooting at a bank branch; the shooter, 25-year-old Connor Sturgeon, was fatally shot by police.

ELLERBE — Bridget Hudson of Ellerbe passed away unexpectedly on her way to work on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the age of 30.

Bridget was born on March 3, 1994, to William T. Hudson and Dianna Culley. She attended Richmond County Schools and later obtained her Bachelor of Science from Garner-Webb. She worked for Novant Health and really and truly loved her job as a lactation consultant.

Bridget had a firecracker personality while being willing to help anyone who needed it. She was a loving mother of four. Along with her children and her fiancee, Deion, Bridget found joy at the beach.

She is preceded in death by her father, her grandparents, Ben and Lib Nuttall, Monnie “Marie” Nuttall, Carl and Ruby Hudson.

She leaves behind her fiancee, Deion Davis, and her children, Aiden, Trinity, Arianna, and Olivia, all of Ellerbe; her mother, Dianna Culley, and her husband, Michael, of Hamlet; her brothers and sisters, William H. Hudson, Jordan Wilson, Makayla Wilson, Jennifer Culley and Matt, Phillip Culley; her grandparents, Donnie Nuttall, Sr. and his wife, Dottie, of Rockingham, James and Louise Culley of Hamlet, Archie and Flo Wilson of Auburn, AL; her great-grandmother, Monnie “Took” McCormick; her uncles, Donnie Nuttall, Jr. and his wife, Shari of Jackson Springs; Robbie Nuttall and his wife, Lisa of Rockingham, Aaron Davis of Mechanicsburg, PA; her mother and father-in-law, Shanta Hicks and Howard Davis; many cousins and friends whom she held very dear.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at 3:00 pm. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. All other times at 190 Clayton Carriker Road in Ellerbe.

Interment will be in Eastside Cemetery in Rockingham following the service.

Care of the family is entrusted to Crumpler Funeral Home-Aberdeen.

RALEIGH — According to a statement released by the N.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, an offender’s death has now been ruled a homicide.

Offender Michael F. Crumbley, 58, was assaulted by fellow offenders while serving a twelve-year sentence for a 2018 conviction in Cleveland County as a habitual felon and for drug possession. Crumbley, who is originally from Bessemer City, was serving out his sentence at the Tyrrell Prison Work Farm at the time of the incident, which took place on June 9, 2023.

Following the assault, Crumbley was airlifted to ECU Health Greenville and admitted into ICU. Crumbley succumbed to his injuries five days after the attack at ECU Health Greenville, on Wednesday, June 14, at 1:33 a.m.

Conducting a lengthy investigation, the N.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has issued its final report on the incident Monday.

The State Bureau of Investigation and the Tyrrell County Sheriff’s Office are continuing to investigate the incident. The Department of Adult Correction has also fully cooperated with the above investigation as well as opened one of their own into the incident.

Crumbley had a projected release date of January 7, 2026 and was a minimum custody offender at the facility in Columbia at the time of his murder.

PEACHLAND — Ignoring the controversy swirling around them, the owners and representatives of the proposed Peachland Flea Market have quietly set about forging a livelihood in the long vacant, tranquil fields of the Burnsville area of Anson County.

With determination and grit, attributes long respected as representative of the ingredients integral to carving out one’s American Dream, the father and son duo, Jose and Tona Diaz, are painstakingly weaving their family legacy into the landscape.

“The middle is going to be for food trucks and parking is going to be out back, ” shares the son of the business team, Tona Diaz. He is proud to display the hard work already taking place at the site.

In addition to parking, an anticipated and widely publicized animal auction will be housed in the back, offering livestock options such as chicken, goats, and rabbits.

The proposed flea market is expected to accommodate upwards of six hundred people, and the Diaz’s are confident their freshly graded parking area will function under the burden of a heavy traffic flow pattern, should the venture take off as the Diaz’s envision.

Previously, a poultry farm operated on the site.

Now, one can hardly tell from the newly constructed joist beams, to the cleared away debris from the former dilapidated buildings, that the place was ever a home for fowl. With the sides of the abandoned barns now removed, sunlight can stream in, its rays lighting on various tools and neatly stacked planks of wood.

Gesturing towards the wide open spaces yawning down the length of neatly swept flooring, Tona Diaz confides, “Eventually these buildings will all be enclosed. We still have to put up a fire wall, I know the fire marshal has already mentioned that.”

The Diaz’s have steadily graded the site, aesthetically seeded areas for grass and peach trees, as well as designed an office operational for part-time hours during the week for the ease of customers desiring to rent booth spaces.

In a nod to their new community, the Diaz’s are planting peach trees around the flea market, good naturedly promising not to charge for any of its fruit.

“Before we open we want to invite our neighbors to come out and visit,” shares the elder Diaz, eager to foster goodwill. He is looking forward to breaking bread with their adopted community and building bonds through shared commonalities.

Diaz adds that, “We hope to one day offer horse or donkey rides here for kids. We really want to be a part of this community, a fun place for the people.”

The flea market plans on having ten restrooms, including handicap accommodations. Regular parking is located in the back, but handicapped parking is marked for the front area of the market.

Aware there are rumors circulating in the community, the Diaz’s want to assure residents that no one will be residing on the grounds of the facility. The flea market plans to operate as does any other standard business in the area.

Knowing that safety is of great concern to area residents, the Diaz’s hope to allay these concerns by confirming that Sheriff Howell will allow for at least two off-duty deputies to patrol the flea market’s perimeter, even granting a patrol car to be present at the facility during hours of operation. Should deputies be hired, the Diaz’s confirm that compensation for their security services will come from the flea market, and will not be passed onto tax-payers.

Hours of operation for the flea market are Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., though Jose Diaz does apologetically caution, “We have to open exactly one hour early for vendors to come and set up.”

ANSON — Spearheading the search for new Anson County teachers, Dr. Josh McLaurin has faced the good, the bad, and the ugly on his hunt to recruit educators to the district.

While on the trail, McLaurin traveled to four of the state’s largest universities. Regarded as the top two teacher recruiting schools in North Carolina, McLaurin first stopped in at East Carolina and Appalachian State.

“There are 271 graduates coming from East Carolina this Spring,” shares McLaurin, adding that Appalachian State is projected to have about 275 graduates from their teaching program.

East Carolina informed McLaurin that this is the first year the school has had under 400 graduates from their program, while Appalachian State reports that in a normal year they would anticipate 350 graduates.

McLaurin notes that one circumstance from his travels he found interesting was, “There were 115 different school districts that came from nineteen different states to recruit from our two biggest schools in North Carolina. Not only are we in competition with other districts in North and South Carolina, we are now in competition with districts all across the nation,” he laments.

When leaving the recruitment fair, McLaurin had an opportunity to speak with other recruiters on their shared walk back to their cars.

“I asked them, ‘ What makes you want to come to North Carolina? Why would you come from Alaska or Arizona all the way to North Carolina?’ Their simple answer back to me was, ‘We pay enough that we can come in here and grab four or five teachers from these two [schools].’”

Two of the smaller schools pursued by McLaurin are UNC Pembroke and UNC Charlotte, with 36 and 94 seniors graduating respectively from their combined education programs.

“We are projecting that when you figure the state has a little bit under 8% attrition rate, 12% attrition rate for beginning teachers, the state of North Carolina is going to have to fill 8,700 teacher vacancies this year,” comments McLaurin.

McLaurin recalls that by day 40 of the last school year, North Carolina was still short 3,000 educators across the state.

Getting to the ugly, McLaurin reports, “We are projecting that number to be higher this year, and this year is not even the bad year. Next year is the year that is going to be really tough as far as recruiting teachers.”

Recognizing the work of high school Principals Chris Stinson and Carri Decker, Dr. McLaurin chose to save the best for last.

Stinson and Decker are involved in a teacher cadet curriculum, aimed at encouraging Anson County school students to consider a career in education.

“Ms. Decker found where we can offer an Associates of Arts and Teacher Prep so that our students can graduate from the Early College or from Anson High School with an associates degree and have those credits there ready to go,” boasted McLaurin.

Another encouraging prospect announced by McLaurin is a teacher assistant apprenticeship available to students through South Piedmont Community College.

“We finalized everything with Wingate so that we are going to be able to send students to Wingate’s teacher assistant program. With the Gateway Scholarship we will be able to get them back to Anson County with almost zero debt for them,” said McLaurin, proud to find a silver lining.

Fans of Bojangles’ cult-favorite dipping sauce—Bo Sauce, a sweet, tangy and creamy sauce with herbs and spices—have been lamenting the disappearance of their favorite condiment since the flavor left menus in 2022, and they haven’t suffered in silence.

Described by one devoted fan as “the biggest crime of 2022 (#devastated)” and another who said, “Every day is dry without Bo Sauce,” Bojangles has received more than 24,000 pleas on X alone for a Bo Sauce return.

“Back by popular demand, Bo Sauce is now available in restaurants to pair with all your favorite menu items,” said Tom Boland, Chief Marketing Officer at Bojangles. “Bo Sauce has been a fan favorite for years, and we are delighted to bring our signature sauce with a creamy, bold bite.”

Bo Sauce is a great complement to just about anything, but pairs best with Bojangles’ bold, juicy, golden Chicken Supremes and perfectly seasoned fries, which are all available at participating Bojangles restaurants. Guests also can conveniently order through the Bojangles app, Bojangles.com and popular food delivery services.

And for the truly devoted, Bo Sauce will be available by the bottle in 1,500 stores across the Southeast, including Food Lion, Harris Teeter, Ingles, KJ’s, Lowes Foods and Piggly Wiggly retailers, beginning in April. Bojangles is partnering with Sauer Brands to launch the new bottled dipping sauces.

“Bojangles’ dipping sauces hold a special place in our guests’ hearts because the flavors complement our delicious chicken so well,” said Boland. “We’re excited about the partnership with Sauer Brands, making it possible for even more fans to enjoy our most popular sauces in the convenience of their homes.”

In addition to Bo Sauce, the bottled dipping sauce flavors also include Bojangles’ signature Honey Mustard and BBQ. Each 14-oz bottle is sold individually.