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Flooding in Pender
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The Pender-Topsail
Flooding from Hurricane Matthew hit western Pender County hard as the Black River ooding drove many from their homes. See photos of the ood on page 11A.
Volume 47, No. 3
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Thursday, October 20, 2016
Sports are back Hurricane Matthew kept students out of school last week, which means no high school sports. Schools are back, and so are sports. Read more beginning on page 8A.
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The Media of Record for the People of Pender County Governor in Burgaw
Thanking those who give
McCrory praises Pender EM response, giving spirit of local volunteers By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher Volunteers were busy unloading food, water, cleaning supplies and other items for flood victims at the Gateway Community Church community center in Burgaw. While Pastor Ted Mercer waited for Governor Pat McCrory, several people walked up and volunteered to help in the center. McCrory first visited the Pender County Emergency Operations Center for an update on flood relief efforts and moved on to Gateway Community Church, which is handling local flood relief donations. McCrory praised the work of the volunteers at the church and elsewhere in the floodravaged areas. “This is what makes North Carolina great – neighbor helping neighbor,� McCrory said. “Here in Pender County there
Photo contributed
Governor Pat McCrory talks with Pender Sheriff Carson Smith (left) and Emergency Management Director Tom Collins at the EOC Monday. has been incredible teamwork between government and the faith community in helping those in shelters. The shelter population has dropped in
Pender County but there are still a lot of people in need. Our next goal is long-term
Continued on page 2A
Nothing like this since 1945, locals say Black River Flood
The water has largely receded now, nearly two weeks after Hurricane Matthew hit coastal Pender County with heavy rain and winds. Residents along the Black River who were hastily evacuated ahead of the rising flood waters have returned to their homes – what is left of them. Many have begun the task of assessing the damage and begun clean-up, while unable to live in the flood-ravaged dwellings. Along Black River, flood water reached places where previously no flood had – with
exception of possibly the legendary flood of 1945. Pender County Sheriff Carson Smith was county emergency management director during the late 1990s when the two most recent catastrophic flood events occurred – Hurricanes Fran (1996) and Floyd (1999). “Only about 20 percent of the county is being affected by Matthew. In some cases, the other 80 percent doesn’t even understand what is happening, because life is normal for them,� Smith said. “What is different about Matthew
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By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher
is the flooding on the Black River. It is the worst flooding I have seen along Black River since I have been in public life in Pender County. More rain hit the Black River basin in Matthew than Floyd.� People along the Black River talk about the hurricane of 1945. They compare last week’s event to the flood of 71 years ago. “Only the older folks remember it, and they are comparing Matthew to then, saying it was very similar,� said Smith. Pender County did not have the rainfall from Matthew that
Continued on page 2A
Staff photo by Andy Pettigrew,
North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory visited Burgaw on Monday, stopping by the county Emergency Operations Center and Gateway Community Church, which serves as a ood relief center. The governor talks with Gateway Pastor Ted Mercer and thanked the church for their volunteer work.
Pender shelter rescues pets, livestock By Lori Kirkpatrick Post & Voice Staff Writer Pender County Animal Shelter (PCAS) has been working tirelessly to care for a large number of animals in danger due to area flooding. Joining in their efforts, the Code 3 Animal Rescue Team arrived Oct. 12 to assist with animal river rescue. Code 3 Associates, Inc, a non-profit organization, provides professional
animal disaster response and resources to communities, as well as professional training to individuals and agencies involved in animal-related law enforcement and emergency response. Its Riders on the Storm Team provides disaster services 24/7. By the morning of Oct. 14, , PCAS had acquired two horses, six mini-donkeys, six goats, a pig, and more than 50 dogs. According to PCAS employee Tabbatha Boyett,
most came from the places affected by the Black River flooding in Currie and adjacent areas. “They brought two more dogs out yesterday afternoon, and they (Shelter Manager Jewell Horton and others) are still out today with the team trying to get more animals in. The larger animals - they were able to walk them out, since it was about chest
Continued on page 7A
Candidates discuss ideas at forum; Pender early voting begins Oct. 20 By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher
McCoy (District 5) and Democrat Demetrice Keith (District took the stage withTurn chalPush Mowers • Lawn4)Tractors • Zero Pender County commislengers Sheree Shepard Trimmers & Chainsaws and sion candidates, along with Jackie Newton. Shepard is other candidates on the local running against McCoy and ballot, participated in the Newton against Keith. Post & Voice Candidates FoThree candidates for Surum Oct. 13 in Hampstead. perior Court Judge attended About 50 residents attend- the forum – Kent Harrell, ed the event, with commis- Melinda Crouch, and Connie sioner candidates answering Jordan. questions from the audience, State Representative Rewhile other candidates were publican Chris Millis and Staff photo by Andy Pettigrew given time to speak. Democrat challenge Steve UnIncumbent county com- ger were also present to share Pender County Commissioner candidates Demetrice Keith, Fred McCoy, Jackie Newton, missioners Republican Fred their positions on issues and and Sheree Shepard discussed issues at the Oct. 13 Candidates Forum.
talk with those attending the forum. Early voting begins Mowers Oct. 20 Early voting in Pender County begins Oct. 20 and runs through Nov. 5. This election, the number of early voting locations across the county has increased. Refer to the chart on page 15A of the Post & Voice for detailed information on early voting. Voting information is also available on the county website www.pendercountync.gov.
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