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With spring fast approaching, Poplar Grove Plantation in Scotts Hill will be offering free mini-tours of the grounds. Find out more about Poplar Grove on page 3A.
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Pirates even the score In a rematch of a December game, the Topsail Pirate cagers edged Pender to even the score between the county rivals. Read more in sports on page 8A.
Thursday, February 9, 2017
Volume 47, No. 18
After January peak, cases declining
Pink Bowz for cancer patients
Flu vaccine is working this season, official says By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher This flu season looks to be rather mild so far and the vaccine appears to be working, according to Pender County Health Department Director Carolyn Moser. Moser says flu cases spiked around the middle of January, but have declined some in February. “What we are seeing is most of the people who are getting the flu did not receive the vaccine,� Moser said. “We had five children last week between the ages of two and 15 diagnosed with the flu and none of them had received the vaccine.� Pender County schools have
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not reported any widespread absenteeism due to the flu. Moser says the message from health officials is always the same. “The flu is out there and if you haven’t had a flu shot, there is still time. The vaccine will also minimize the symptoms if you do catch the flu,� said Moser. “It takes about two weeks for the vaccine to become fully effective, but the flu season will continue through the end of March. Some places may have run out of vaccine, but we still have it at the Health Department.� Unusual to the flu this season is the absence of a major symptom of the illness – fe-
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Pender dropout rate falls Pender County Schools’ dropout rate continues to decline, according to numbers recently released in the State Board of Education’s annual Consolidated Data Report. The overall dropout rate in Pender County fell from 1.84 percent to 1.5 percent, with 43 students dropping out in 201516. Pender County Schools is a leader in the Southeast region. In 2015-16, Brunswick County Schools and New Hanover County Schools reported drop-
out rates of 3.28 and 1.65 percent, respectively. Staff photo by Andy Pettigrew “Pender County Schools Kirsten Warrick sings the National Anthem at before the Topsail High School basketball game on Pink Bowz is dedicated to ensuring our night. The event, a fundraiser for cancer patients, was started by three THS cheerleaders. Read about Pink Bowz students are successful,� said on page 1B. Superintendent Dr. Ter ri Cobb. “We know that in order for them to be successful, they need to graduate with a high school diploma. I’m very proud By Andy Pettigrew of the efforts of our high proposed median project will “If there is a worse intersection in Hampstead, I Post & Voice Publisher school principals, student supbegin very close to the interdon’t know about it,� port coordinators, and school section. But recent accidents Frequent accidents at the Pender County Commissioner David Williams counselors.� have made safety improveMary Mortensen, Director intersection of Sloop Point ments imperative. of Secondary Education, said Loop Road and U.S. Hwy. 17 the top of N.C. Department funded. “I think now they realhave pushed safety improve- of Transportation priorities The improvements, esti- ize that we need to go ahead ments at the intersection to in the area. mated at $95,000, will include and do something,� Williams Continued on page 7A D. Chad Kimes, Deputy Di- advance flashers and a dy- said. “I go through that invision Engineer for Division 3 namic red extension, which tersection every day and I told Pender County Commis- will monitor traffic and ex- see someone either run the sioner David Williams in an tend the red time if it detects light or stop halfway through email the request for funding opposing traffic possibly run- the intersection every week. There is such a long stretch for the safety improvements ning a red light. Williams says the original between the Surf City light will be submitted the first and Sloop Point that people week of February and all idea was to try to hold off indications are the project any extensive improvements get up to speed and want to has a good chance of being to the intersection since the keep going.�
Sloop Point-U.S. 17 intersection most dangerous in Hampstead
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By Miranda Roberts Special to the Post & Voice
Rocky Point man sentenced in home invasion
Photo contributed
The Pender County Health Department participated in the National Go Red for Women Day, Feb. 3. Go Red for Women Day is part of the American Heart Month awareness events. During the month of February, stop by for a free blood pressure screening at the health department. Also, browse our American Heart Month table of information in the health department and the DSS lobbies. Join the Pender County Health Department and Pender Adult Services, as they host a Hollywood Heart Day. The event is Feb. 23 at Heritage Place in Burgaw from 11 a.m until 1:15 p.m. Event attendees are encouraged to wear red, and walk the red carpet, while they learn about Hollywood stars and heart disease. The event will also include a Geri-Fit class, blood pressure screenings, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a program where participants will learn the warning signs of a heart attack, and more.
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From Staff Reports Theio Robert Manley, age 25 of Rocky Point, entered pleas Jan. 30 of guilty to second degree murder, attempted robbery with a dangerous Push Mowers • Lawn Tractors • Zero Turn weapon, conspiracy toTrimmers com& Chainsaws mit robbery with a dangerous weapon, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury, first degree burglary, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and two counts of cruelty to animals. The Honorable Judge PhylTheio Robert Manley lis M. Gorham sentenced Manley to 360-408 months impris- Hanover County Sheriff ’s onment. Department responded to 412 Of ficers with the New Point View Court May 4 2015
in reference to a home invasion and shooting. When they arrived they found Joshua Roydes who was shot in the elbow, Yancey Edwards, who was shot multiple times and Mowers pronounced dead on scene, and two dogs that were also shot and subsequently died. Witnesses told deputies that two black males entered the home, shot the two dogs, burst into the bedroom, and demanded money from them. One of the suspects was armed with a .22 caliber rifle. A struggle over the rifle ensued which lead to the shooting of Joshua
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