Post & Voice 2.1.2018

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The Pender-Topsail

Pink Out at Topsail

Volume 48, No.17

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Thursday, February 1, 2018

In This Edition... • Feel like building a sand castle? Coming in March, you can, and help raise money for cancer survivors. Read more about it on page 1B. • County rivals Pender and Trask will face off again next week after Pender’s one point win. Read more in Sports on page 7A.

The Media of Record for the People of Pender County

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Two Pender County deaths reported

Flu cases on the rise, no outbreak yet in Pender By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher Despite rising cases of the influenza across Pender County, health officials say the flu has yet to break out in the county. Two deaths have been attributed to the flu so far this season in Pender County, both were elderly victims. Pender County Health Director Carolyn Moser says the holiday break for schools and several days out with snow has contributed to keeping

the spread of the flu down. Schools are often the first to show flu outbreaks with large numbers of students in close proximity to each other. Moser says the schools which are showing the largest number of flu cases are in the Hampstead area. “Topsail Middle School and Topsail High are running the largest number of students out with the flu. When you have larger schools, you will see more cases,� Moser said. “Penderlea School has had 19 cases as of last week.�

Moser says the flu has not hit county schools hard, but we are not through the season as of yet. Pender County Schools notified parents through their phone system to keep children home that are showing flu symptoms and continue good hygiene practices to help cut down on the spread of the illness. “This strain of the flu seems to be affecting middleaged people more than children. That is often the age group that doesn’t take the flu vaccine,� said Moser.

Burgaw traffic stop results in big drug, cash bust

Sheriff’s election uneasy

Tyshawn Jermel Cooper

ing to elude arrest, possession with intent to manufacture,

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who have been hired by the sheriff. With Smith leaving at the end of the year, some employees are worried as to what will happen. Couple Smith’s leaving with the pending retirement of at least three top supervisors in the office, a lot of uncertainty exists. According to North Carolina each sheriff has “the exclusive right to hire, discharge, and supervise the employees� in the sheriff ’s office.

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Staff photo by Katie H. Pettigrew

John-Ward Farrior was at the Burgaw Depot last week for photos, and took time give his new puppy Wallace a big hug.

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Burgaw Chamber annual banquet Feb. 22 SALES • SERVICE • PARTS • DELIVERY By Lori Kirkpatrick Post & Voice Staff Writer

The Burgaw Area Chamber of Commerce (BACC) will hold its Annual Meeting Banquet. Feb. 22 at the Historic Depot in Burgaw. At the banquet, BACC Executive Director Emily Baker will present awards on behalf of the Chamber for both Volunteer of the Year and Business of the Year for

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Puppy love

time for department With eight candidates running for sheriff so far in Pender County, the election brings an uneasiness in the Sheriff ’s Office among deputies and employees. “This is our career, and we don’t know what is going to happen,� one Sheriff ’s deputy said. Sheriff Carson Smith has held the position for more than 15 years. That brings a stability for the employees

the spread of the flu. Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness caused by flu viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The flu is different from a cold. The flu usually comes on suddenly. People who have the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms: s&EVER OR CHILLS s#OUGH s3ORE THROAT s2UNNY OR STUFFY NOSE

Antoine Keith Sims

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By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher

room with the flu, but we have only admitted five to the hospital,� said Pender Memorial President Ruth Glaser. The hospital is taking precautions to prevent the spread of flu by masking all patients who present with symptoms, as well as asking visitors to the emergency room to wear a mask as well. The peak of the flu season will last through February. Health officials continue to urge caution during the season and continued practice of good hygiene to help prevent

From Staff Reports Burgaw police arrested two men Jan. 28 on a variety of charges, including felony drug charges. A Burgaw police officer attempted a traffic stop a white BMW for a speeding violation. Once the officer activated his blue lights and siren, the driver of the vehicle sped up to elude the officer. The chase continued out of Burgaw and into the Rocky Point area of Pender County and ended on Little Kelly Road. The suspect’s eventually wrecked the vehicle and fled on foot into a wooded area. The Pender County Sheriff ’s Office Patrol Division and K-9 assisted the Burgaw Officer in the search for the two suspects. After a short period of time, both suspects were located and taken into custody. Officers recovered almost six pounds of marijuana and more than $51,000 in cash in the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle, Antoine Keith Sims, 19, from Lawrenceville, Georgia, was charged with felony possession of marijuana, flee-

The Health Department is hoping to partner with Pender County Schools next year to get the flu vaccine into the schools. “We’ve been talking with Dr. (Steven) Hill and hopefully next year we can get to the schools and give immunizations to the students,� Moser said. Pender Memorial Hospital reports five admissions to the hospital as of last week for the flu. “We have seen a number of patients in the emergency

attendance ofAvailable Chamber memFinancing

2016. The awards are given each year in recognition of individuals and businesses providing outstanding service to the community. The event will begin with afford time for networking beginning at 6:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7:15. As always, a BACC member will cater the dinner with a delicious menu. Baker said that she is looking forward to the

bers at this year’s event. “This is one of the Chamber’s biggest events of the year. Our Annual Membership Meeting Banquet is a time for us to recognize the outstanding contributions that business men and women have made to this community. I am looking forward to announcing the Business of the Year Award and Volunteer of

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the Year Awards. We also take pride in announcing our new directors and officers of the board for the coming year. The support of our sponsors is of great help for successfully organizing this event each year. We appreciate all that our sponsors do,“ said Baker. At last year’s banquet, Burgaw Mayor Pete Cowan

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