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The Pender-Topsail
Can you handle the fear? The haunted barn at Old River Farms will be open Oct. 30-31. There will also be hayrides for the faint of heart. See the Old River Farms ad on page 4B.
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Two Games Remain Pender County football teams have just two games remaining on their regular season schedules. Read about football and more in sports beginning on page 8A.
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Volume 45, No.4
50 Cents
The Media of Record for the People of Pender County
Four-county robbery spree hits Burgaw
Traveling troupe comes home
Suspect arrested in Duplin County By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher A crime spree that spanned four counties and lasted several days ended with a holdup in Burgaw and an arrest in Duplin County. Duplin County law enforcement officials arrested a Stacey Allen Rodgers, 56, of Wilmington Oct. 23. Rodgers is charged with felony robbery with a dangerous weapon in the Oct. 22 robbery of the Family Dollar Store on U.S. Hwy. 117 in Burgaw. Rodgers is also implicated in a string of robberies that
began Oct. 19 with holdups in Sampson, Duplin, New Hanover, and Pender counties. Robberies in Clinton, Rose Hill, Wallace, Wilmington, and Burgaw were all part of the investigation. Burgaw Police Chief Jim Hock says Rodgers was arrested in Duplin County after several law enforcement agencies worked together and shared information. Following the Family Dollar robbery in Burgaw Oct. 22, Hock says the information on the suspect was shared with neighboring
Continued on page 3A
Axe-wielding intruder arrested in break-in By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher
Staff photo by Andy Pettigrew
Burgaw’s Rural Academy Theater troupe returned to Pender County after a tour of the North Carolina high country and performances midstate. The group performed two shows in Pender County – one on the Burgaw Courthouse Square and another at Old River Farms.
Quarter Auction at Matthew 25 Center By Ashley Jacobs Post & Voice Staff Writer Time to get some “good stuff cheap,” according to Paula Schwefel, the director of The Matthew 25 Center. The center is a home away from home for families who may otherwise slip through the cracks of society. The Matthew 25 Center is a non-profit Christian ministry named after scripture, Matthew 25:40. Nestled in Burgaw, the facility spans more than 7,000 square feet and serves as a lodging facility for those traveling long distances to visit loved ones in prison. “We are the Matthew 25 Center help to keep families connected.” Keeping families connected means
keeping money rolling in and the Bid-toBenefit Quarter Auction is a great way to rake in cash for their mission. Last year’s auction was a success full of fun and opportunities to snag some great items at very low prices. “Because this is our third annual [auction] we have regulars that enjoy seeing each other and helping raise money for the center. All those new to the event get a tour of the center and an opportunity to find out more about what we do. We chose to
do it again because it is a much talked about event and we have great support from people in the community.” Money raised is typically used for the operating budget, but this year there is a strong need to replace the roof. “Our hope is to raise enough money to replace the roof this next year, also we are in the replacement years, it seems for everything else.” Schwefel said. They’ve already had to replace four of their five heat pumps over the past few years, the washing machine and know other items are in need of repair or replacement very soon. Though the needs to improve their
Continued on page 7A
School Board to report on bond projects at Nov. 9 Commissioners meeting By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher Pender County Manager Randall Woodruff told commissioners school officials would be at the Nov. 9 board meeting to update commissioners on the progress of the bond projects. Woodruff made the announcement at Monday’s board meeting. County Commissioner David Piepmeyer expressed disappointment with
the Pender County Board of Education with what he described as a lack of information on the progress of the Penderlea school bond project. Piepmeyer said the School Board agreed to get back with the commissioners within 60 days on the Penderlea project. “I am very reluctant to support them from a financial standpoint when they don’t meet their commitments and get back to us,” Piepmeyer said. School officials told commissioners at
an earlier meeting they were expecting to hear from architects regarding the direction of the Penderlea School project within 60 days. School Board passes budget The Board of Education passed a 201516 budget at a meeting Oct. 20. The new $83.1 budget was passed three-and-a-half months into the new fiscal year. The new budget includes $15.2 million
Continued on page 7A
A man who allegedly broke into the home of an elderly Burgaw resident and used an axe to chop through her bedroom door was arrested by Pender County Sheriff ’s deputies Oct. 20. The Pender County Sheriff ’s Office received a report of a burglary in progress at 1940 Hwy. 53 east Burgaw Oct. 20 at 2:56 a.m. Deputies responded and arrested Tyler Nathaniel Turner, 18, of 1704 Talon Trail, Snow Camp. Turner had kicked in the front door on the house and taken an axe and broken through the victim’s bedroom door. The home was occupied by an elderly female resident who was not injured. Further investigation revealed that Turner was in an earlier altercation with another individual and had apparently been forced to jump from a moving vehicle on I-40.
Tyler Nathaniel Turner Turner had sustained some minor injuries during his leap on I-40 and was transported to Pender Hospital where he was treated and released. Turner was taken into custody after being released from the hospital and charged with first degree burglary, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, and damage to real property. Turner is incarcerated in the Pender County jail under a $330,000 secure bond.
Burgaw ordinance unconstitutional, Pender Clerk of Court says By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher Pender County Clerk of Superior Court Robert Kilroy says the new Burgaw ordinance that restricts free speech at events such as the Blueberry Festival and Springfest violates both the United States and the North Carolina constitutions. In a letter dated Oct. 23 to Burgaw Mayor Eugene Mulligan, Kilroy outlined his objections to the ordinance,
which requires individuals or groups wishing to use venues such as the festivals to preach or distribute literature, to be restricted to a designated area away from the Courthouse Square. “The Ordinance as written violates the First and Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article 1, Section 14 and 19 of the North Carolina Constitution. Neither of these organic
Continued on page 2A
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