Here`s - North Carolina Press Association

NCPA’s
News, Editorial &
Photojournalism Awards
ONE NIGHT ONLY!
Headliners:
The Roanoke Beacon, The Alamance News, INDY Week,
The Kinston Free Press, High Point Enterprise, News & Record, The Lumina News,
Triangle Business Journal, Smoky Mountain News, The Wilson Times, Jacksonville Daily
News, News & Observer, The Havelock News, The State Port Pilot, The Pilot, The Dispatch,
The Daily Tar Heel, The Charlotte Observer ... and many more!
C h a p e l
H i l l ,
N o r t h
Feb. 26 - 2015
C a r o l i n a
6:00 p.m.
Tickets $0, All Seats Reser ved
Hugh Morton Photographer of the Year
Community Newspaper Winner
Daily Newspaper Winner
Jerry wolford
News & Record
Greensboro
Judge’s comments: We found
this category most difficult. The
winner rose to the occasion
with unique moments, strong
composition, variety of images
and consistency in presentation. Good job explaining your
community.
Aaron Moody
Eastern Wake News
Zebulon
Judge’s comments: Outstanding results in a wide variety of
challenging situations, from
action to close quarters to lessthan-perfect light. No matter
the subject of the photo, you’re
always drawn to the faces.
Index
Hugh Morton Photographer of the Year ....................... 2
General Excellence ............................................................ 4-5
Division A .................................................................................. 6
Division B ............................................................................... 10
Division C ............................................................................... 14
Division D ............................................................................... 18
Division E ................................................................................ 23
Division F ................................................................................ 30
Media and the Law Awards............................................... 38
Duke Higher Education Award ....................................... 39
Freedom of Information Award ...................................... 39
Community/Public Service Awards................................ 41
More Photos by Aaron Moody
More Photos by Jerry Wolford
General excellence
Division A
Division B
BURLINGTON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
VALEDICTORIAN, SALUTATORIAN NAMED, 2B
Meet candidates in municipal
elections, pages 1 & 2 B
Roanoke Beacon
RECIPE OF THE WEEK:
STRAWBERRY TRIFLE,
CHOCOLATE TORTE
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Serving Washington County Citizens Since 1889
Plymouth, Roper, Creswell, North Carolina
LOCAL RECIPES BY
HELEN ROLFES
PAGE 1B
NOW JUST
ALAMANCE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
Changing grades: Standard or dishonest
ing to people inside the school
system: If a student scores lower
than 60 percent, teachers change
it to a 60. Bear in mind, 70 percent is required for a passing
grade.
Some say, “It doesn’t really
make an appreciable difference.” Others say it “encourages
dishonesty and fraud.”
School board vice chair Lyn
West said that while she is unaware of a “board policy,” con-
By Mary Wayt
Publisher/Editor
Should teachers change a
student’s grades? What if the
changes don’t alter the final outcome, just make things not quite
as bad?
Apparently, that’s exactly
what Washington County teachers have been asked to do. Some
believe it is “board policy.”
Here’s how it works, accord-
cerning that custom, it is not an
unusual practice in education,
adding that she has seen it utilized elsewhere.
“I don’t know how it is practiced here,” she said, “but in my
experience, it was just for grading period report cards.”
Former state school board
member Jean Woolard said she
believes the state leaves that decision to local boards and that
she could “argue it either way.”
As she explained, if a child
has a 35 on his or her report
card, there is no way to bring it
up to a passing grade for the semester. But, bringing a 60 up to
passing is possible.
“Sixty is still not passing,” she
said, “but it gives the child an
incentive to work hard to pass.”
At least one person, though,
thinks there is a bigger picture.
“They report real grades on
progress reports and then switch
Plymouth
lands grant
to develop
ball park
them all at the last minute before submitting final grades.
This practice has caused Plymouth High to have one of the
highest graduation rates in the
state while also having one of
the lowest college attendance
rates. Even worse than that, it
belittles the work of the teachers
and encourages dishonesty and
fraud.”
“It seems to me that they are
See ‘GRADES,’ Page 8A
By Maria D. GranDy
Staff Writer
Four members of the AlamanceBurlington school board voted Friday
afternoon during a specially-called
meeting to accept the resignation of
superintendent Lillie Cox and pay her
$200,000 in severance, or about the
equivalent of a year’s salary.
The specially-called meeting included a 45-minute closed session –
the third in a series of longer meetings totaling nearly 12 hours behind
closed doors that the school board has
held for personnel issues over the past
month – after which board chairman
Tony Rose announced Cox’s resignation, which is to take effect June 30.
The school board will pay Cox a lump
sum of $200,000 in severance on June
30, as well, according to her resignation agreement.
nounced plans for the Alamance
County side.
The biggest of those that the
city
landed,
code-named
“Swordfish,” was the $100 million Walmart distribution center that will be built in the
Hawfields
area
between
Mebane and Graham. The two
cities each committed to spend
about $5 million – which was
used to buy land (186 acres) that
will be given to Walmart, as well
3 supt.
supporters
don’t show;
criticize
decision
Three Alamance-Burlington
school board members who did not
Coxwasnotpresent.
attend a specially-called meeting on
Cox had three more years on her Friday afternoon – Jackie Cole, Dr.
current contract, which was to have Kristen Moffitt, and Steve Van Pelt –
run until June 30 2017.
have denounced a decision to accept
Three members of the board, who superintendent Lillie Cox’s resignacontinued to voice their support for tion.
Cox after the meeting, did not attend
At the special meeting Friday afFriday’s meeting – two ostensibly be- ternoon, four of the school board’s
cause of a scheduling conflict and a seven members – chairman Tony
third who said he wouldn’t be attend- Rose, vice chairman Patsy Simpson,
ing because he believed the meeting Brad Evans, and Pam Thompson –
violated a school board policy.
voted to accept Cox’s resignation.
It was not clear
In a letter they
how the four memsent
The
bers, who did con- STORIES By KRISTSY BAILEY, Staff Writer
Alamance News
stitute a quorum of
Friday evening,
(See MAYOR SKEPTICAL, 8A)
the seven-member board, failed to
comply with either the law or board
policy.
School board members have been
universally mum about the cause for
Cox’s departure, which has all the
earmarks of a firing, although Rose
and board vice chairman Patsy
Simpson have repeatedly denied that
characterization or that Cox was in
any way forced out.
the three dissenting school board
members stated, “There has been no
justification given for recent decisions made by the majority of this
board, and we believe these actions
have placed the future success of our
school district and integrity of the
ABSS board of education in jeopardy.”
The letter from Cole, Moffitt, and
Van Pelt also said Cox had earned
(See 4-0 VOTE, 9B)
(See DISSENSION, 9B)
council aimed at answering some of the questions
that had been brought up
earlier.
Why North Carolina?
A few years ago, state
representatives said that
by 2021 at least 12.5 percent of the state’s elec-
tricity must come from
renewable sources, like
the sun. To help make that
happen, they allow a 35
percent tax credit to companies who construct these
sources, like solar farms.
That financial motive is
added to the revenue such
What are residents thoughts?
By Mary Wayt
Publisher/Editor
“I’ve got a lot of reservations about where this
site is going,” said adjoining property owner and
county commissioner Bill
Sexton, speaking against
the solar farm.
Rogers made good
points, he said, but even
if there aren’t hazardous
materials, who is going to
clean up the mess in case
of a natural disaster?
Swearingen
(Since 1986) Realty
Rogers responded that
the company would have
incentive to repair any
damage, getting their investment back online as
quickly as possible.
Rogers had also said
Ecoplexus would consider
a hedge or similar “visual
barriers,” something that
should a requirement.
“As a commissioner,
we’ve worked with big
companies who have
made promises and not
See ‘CITIZENS,’ Page 8A
ANOTHER NEW LISTING! $24,000
208 E. Fourth St., Plymouth!
Classic 3BR/1B Frame Home On .24-Ac!
Gas Wall Heaters! Downstairs Master & 2nd BR!
3rd BR & Loft Up! Fenced Home!
By TOMAS MURAWSKI
Staff Writer
Alamance County’s commissioners reached a resounding decision this week to cut
the county’s property tax rate
as part of the county’s next annual budget – a move that
came in response to an outcry
that, strangely enough, never
actually occurred.
In fact, no one other than the
commissioners themselves
expressed any interest in a tax
cut during a brief, and
sparsely attended, public hearing that preceded the budget’s
passage on Monday.
Even so, the county’s governing board approved a 1cent reduction in the property
tax rate when it passed the
companies would realize
from selling the power.
Why Plymouth?
Ecoplexus, and other
solar companies, prefer
flat land with pockets of
dry land. They also need
good sun intensity, good
electrical load – not too
much, not too little – highway access, and interconnection options.
And, Ecoplexus doesn’t
necessarily like to be the
first company in a specific
geographical area. They
like to be the second, to
study ups and downs of
the process. With one so-
The new budget ultimately
calls for $130.9 million in expenditures from the county’s
general fund, which is replenished largely through sales
and property taxes. A number
of new items have been rolled
into this spending plan, including additional vehicles
for many county depart-
county’s new budget, which
was otherwise identical to a
draft that Alamance County’s
manager presented two weeks
ago. The commissions gave
the new budget a unanimous
nod immediately after another vote just on the tax cut –
which passed by a margin of
3-to-2.
to head up school system – neither temporarily nor long-term, 9B
ments, a new crew of paramedics for Emergency Medical
Services, and funds for a pay
and reclassification study
that may recommend raises
for many county staff members in the summer of 2015.
The new budget also set
aside some $33.4 million for
the
Alamance-Burlington
school board – or about $3 million less than the local school
board had sought from the
county. The commissioners
have nevertheless urged the
school board to use some of
this revenue to tack half a percentage point onto an 8 1/2
percent salary supplement
that teachers and other em-
MUNICIPAL BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
‹ BURLINGTON council passes budget with property tax
rate unchanged: 58¢ per $100 valuation, 4A
‹ MEBANE trims manager’s spending by $410k, tax
hike cut from 3¢ to 2¢; new rate set at 49¢, 8A
‹ GRAHAM ups tax rate by 1½¢, to 45½¢; will return
to curb employee & retiree benefits next month, 3B
INDEX
‹ GIBSONVILLE aldermen pass budget 3-2, after taking
out $500 raises for themselves, also by 3-2, 6A
‹ New ELON town manager proposes first budget: no
change in tax rate, little change in spending, 5B
‹ HAW RIVER town manager outlines proposed budget:
With two local municipalities having shown no interest at all and two
more that are less than enthusiastic, Burlington city councilmen
turned their discussion this week
to the possibility that the city might
establish a bus system to serve just
its own residents.
4B
Volume 76, Number 23
©2014 The Alamance News
ployees get on top of their
state-funded wages.
In order to pay for these
items, Alamance County’s
manager Craig Honeycutt
had originally advised the
commissioners to keep the
county’s property tax rate at
54 cents for every $100 of property. The commissioners had
established this rate a year
earlier when they approved a
2 cent tax increase due, in part,
to concerns over the depletion
of the county’s cumulative
savings or fund balance. The
state encourages counties and
municipalities to maintain
savings equal to at least 8 percent of their annual budgets,
and Alamance County’s re-
no tax hike, no raises for employees, 4B
Mark Newsome, who has headed up
the community college’s finance
department since 2010, is leaving,
the second college vice president to
announce a departure within the
past month.
3B
Wall steps down from
United Way; will go to
the Burlington School
Burlington mayor Ronnie Wall, who
has served as executive director of
the Alamance County United Way for
the past two years, has announced
his resignation from the non-profit
effective at the end of the month.
He will become director of admissions at the Burlington School, a local
private school.
2B
See ‘FARM,’ Page 8A
252.793.5745
a-realty@mchsi.com
Business Brokerage • Commercial Real Estate • Farms • Land • Waterfront • Residential Real Estate
www.albemarle-realty.com • www.unitedcountry.com/plymouthnc • www.realtor.com (National Multiple Listing Service) • www.ar-nc.com (Albemarle Regional MLS)
FIRST PLACE
FIRST PLACE
Judge’s comments: The liveliest news cover-
Judge’s comments: Newsy cover stories
led me in to more news, well-written columns
and full listings, all in a well-designed package.
Thoughtful and excellent.
The Alamance News
Graham
Plymouth
Judge’s comments: Fiesty and newsy. I enjoyed
the coverage of the school board meeting, accompanied by probing editorial columns by the
publisher/editor . It’s all lively.
Lumina news
age of the group, while thoroughly covering a
half dozen towns. This paper works hard
for its readers.
Your Coastal CommunitY newspaper sinCe maY 2002
SECOND PLACE
June 26–July 2, 2014
Source: National Weather Service
Lumina News
Wrightsville Beach
Judge’s comments:
Page C1
Page B2
Governor invited to see films in works
Mayor and
legislators invite
McCrory to tour sets
By Cole Dittmer
By Miriah Hamrick
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
New Hanover County
Commissioner Brian Berger
will receive a mental health
evaluation before his probation
violation case is considered by
the courts.
Assistant public defender
Mercedes Pinckney, Berger’s
court-appointed counsel, filed a
defense motion during a June 24
court appearance requesting a forensic mental health
evaluation.
The prosecution did not oppose
the motion, leading District Court
Judge Robin Wicks Robinson to
approve it and set his next court
date for July 22. Berger was
returned to the New Hanover
n See berger Page A5
Lumina News file photo
Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo speaks during a rally to support the film industry in North Carolina on April 20, 2013. Saffo and Rep. Susi Hamilton held a press
conference in Raleigh on Wednesday, June 25 asking lawmakers for an extension of the state’s current tax credit.
De-annexation legislation awaits rubber stamp
By Marimar McNaughton
Staff Writer
Lumina News file photo
A bill proposing the de-annexation of the Galleria property on Wrightsville Avenue has been introduced in the North
Carolina Senate.
A North Carolina Senate bill sponsored by Harry Brown,
R-Jones/Onslow, bundles the de-annexation of 12.2 acres of
Wrightsville Beach mainland holdings with a Jacksonville, N.C.,
room occupancy tax bill.
Brown, chairman of the Senate Joint Legislative Economic
Development and Global Engagement Oversight Committee,
introduced the bill amendment June 19, two days following the
voluntary annexation of the two-piece parcel June 17.
Senator Bill Rabon, R-Bladen, Brunswick, New Hanover,
Pender, chairman of the Revenue Laws Study Committee, introduced substitute bill SB 523 June 23 calling for the Wrightsville
Beach de-annexation/Wilmington annexation. Rabon’s bill passed
its second reading 113-0 June 24.
The de-annexation was staged in a rapid two-part process beginning with the unanimous vote of the Wrightsville Beach Board
of Aldermen, rescinding its 2013 decision to decline a rezoning
n See galleria Page A5
Fourth of July plans finalized
By Cole Dittmer
Staff Writer
Public safety officials from Wrightsville
Beach, New Hanover County and U.S. Coast
Guard met on Thursday, June 19, to finalize the
unified command plan for handling the Fourth
of July festivities around Wrightsville Beach
and Masonboro Island.
Wrightsville Beach Police Chief Dan House
said his department would operate in four
groups on Friday, July Fourth. Two of the
groups will monitor illegal water taxiing around
the public and private boat docks along the
shores of Banks Channel, another will conduct
law enforcement from the WBPD boat, and
another team will patrol the beach strand.
House said last year his officers were successful in catching boaters attempting to charge
for rides to Masonboro Island, beginning their
patrols of the boat docks in the morning before
peak boat traffic hours. That tactic will be used
again this year and House said anyone caught
attempting to ferry people to the island could
be issued a citation and a $100 fine.
One of the issues of concern this year is the early
evening Masonboro Inlet tidal cycle predicted for
7:13 p.m. House said that means the tide will be
sucking out to sea through the inlet during the
n See Fourth Page A5
Police RePoRt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3
editoRiAl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A4
FoR the RecoRd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A6
liFestyles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B1
sPoRts/MARine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B4
For daily updates visit
LuminaNews.com
NewRiveRPotteRy.com
Lumina News file photo
People gather on the western side of Masonboro Island July 4, 2011. Public safety
officials from Wrightsville Beach, New Hanover County and U.S. Coast Guard will work
together to patrol Wrightsville Beach and Masonboro Island during the Fourth of July
holiday.
ReAl estAte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . c1
Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C2
cRosswoRd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . c3
clAssiFieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . c6
sAvoR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . c10
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THURSDAY &
FRIDAY ONLY
ANY 1 ITEM
With A Retail Price
of $50 Or Less
5744 Market St. (1 Mile N. of 1-40) (910) 791-7522
With time growing short for
the North Carolina General
Assembly to include a film
incentive package in the state’s
fiscal year 2014-15 budget,
Representative Susi Hamilton,
D-Brunswick and New Hanover,
and Wilmington Mayor Bill
Saffo called a press conference
in Raleigh, Wednesday, June 25.
Saffo and Hamilton called for a
one-year extension of the current
film incentive program to give
time for the completion of an
independent study by the NCGA
Program Evaluation Division.
The program evaluation is a
non-partisan division within the
general assembly that evaluates whether public services are
n See Film Page A5
Budgets
reveal
different
strategies
for coming
year
By Miriah Hamrick
Staff Writer
New Hanover County, City
of Wilmington and Town of
Wrightsville Beach officials have
adopted budgets for the 201415 fiscal year, outlining the local
governments’ approaches to tax
rates, employee raises and more.
While both the county and city
budgets increased by 1.1 and
2.4 percent respectively from the
2013-14 fiscal year, Wrightsville
Beach’s $12.4 million budget
dropped 3.1 percent.
The Wrightsville Beach Board
of Alderman adopted the budget
on June 12. The New Hanover
County Commissioners approved
a $327.2 million budget June 16
and the Wilmington City Council
approved a $144.8 million budget June 17.
The city budget included a
1 cent property tax increase,
bringing the rate to 46 cents per
$100 of value. The county budget maintained its tax rate of
55.4 cents per $100, but county
manager Chris Coudriet told
commissioners to expect a 5 cent
n See budgets Page A5
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MAY NOT BE USED ON SALE ITEMS, ORANGE TAGGED ITEMS, OR FLORAL
ARRANGEMENTS. MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER. LIMIT 1 COUPON
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CO VER I NG T H E
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CO M M UN I T Y
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1 9 8 6
Published Wednesdays
in Southport,
North Carolina
stateportpilot.com
Bottorff
to be new
manager
Retired Marine
to start Nov. 11
By Drew C. Wilson
drew.wilson@havenews.com
Charlie Jones, 10, of Trent Woods, flips on a Vertical Reality amusement game at the Havelock Chili Festival on Saturday. Despite
some rain, thousands came out to enjoy chili, chicken wings, games and entertainment during the two-day event.
FESTIVAL FUN IN HAVELOCK
Spotty showers don’t dampen spirits of those at annual Chili Festival
By Drew C. Wilson
in Havelock’s Walter B. Jones raise money for Havelock-area
INSIDE TODAY
Park.
charities.
drew.wilson@havenews.com
Rain fell Friday night but
Deanna Reed, of Havelock,
For more pictures from the
cleared for most of Saturday be- said she enjoyed her chicken
Intermittent rain didn’t chili festival, see page B1.
fore moving back in during the wings.
dampen charitable spirits as
“I’m not a spicy type of perthousands turned out for the in the rain to enjoy the festival,” afternoon. Still, Duncan said
Havelock Chili Festival on Fri- said Stephanie Duncan, execu- the festival had 15,000 chicken son and it’s got the perfect
tive director of the Havelock wings for the festival kickoff on amount of bite,” she said.
day night and Saturday.
“I was surprised at the num- Chamber of Commerce, which Friday with thousands of cups
See FESTIVAL, page A3
bers of people that stayed out puts on the annual fundraiser of chili on Saturday, all sold to
Frank Bottorff, a former
base commanding officer
at Cherry Point, has been
hired as Havelock’s new
city manager.
Mayor Jimmy Sanders
made the announcement
Tuesday morning.
“ T h e
board has
worked
hard on
this for a
number
of months
and I think
t h e y ’ v e Bottorff
done a good job,” Sanders said. “I’m pleased. We
had some very good candidates and Frank prevailed.”
Bottorff, a retired colonel with 28 years in the
Marine Corps, was selected from a group of 51 applicants. Bottorff served
as commanding officer at
Cherry Point from 2006 to
2009.
“I’m extremely excited
and honored to be a part
of the team in Havelock,”
Bottorff said. “We’ve been
part of the community
for a number of years
now, and I certainly feel
honored that the Board
of Commissioners had
See BOTTORFF, page A3
Authorities seize Internet gaming machines
Members of the Havelock Police
Department and the Craven County Sheriff’s Office Special Response
Team seized full-size Internet
sweepstakes gambling machines,
cut phone lines and gathered boxes filled with more than 300 pieces
of evidence.
drew.wilson@havenews.com
According to a release from
Police executed search warrants Havelock Police Chief G. Wayne
at seven Havelock businesses last Cyrus, the search warrants were
week and confiscated more than a served at known sweepstakes and
truckload of Internet gaming ma- gaming establishments following
an 11-month investigation.
chines.
Businesses included: Internet
A week after the raids, no charges
have been brought against any of Connections at 1329 East Main St.;
B&B Internet Access at 925 East
the business owners.
By Drew C. Wilson
AROUND
HAVELOCK
Obituaries
A2 Community
Editorial
A4
Civic
B2
Sports
A6 Club News
B3
B1
A7-8 Classifieds B4-10
Robert/Havelock Elementary
Main St., Suite 38; U.S. Mini Mart at
221 East Main St.; Food Fare at 227
West Main St.; Mr. P’s Sweepstakes
at 900 U.S. 70 West; Jean’s Place at
220 East Main St.; and Super Expressway at 807 East Main St.
Cyrus said that evidence was also
removed from Ben’s Beach Bingo at
1333 East Main St., after investigators observed suspected sweepstakes/gaming machines in plain
Drew C. Wilson/Havelock News
view.
A search warrant was executed Authorities confiscate an Internet gaming machine
at Friend’s Bar at 571 U.S. 70 West from Super Expressway in Havelock. Havelock police
late last month that resulted in the and Craven County deputies conducted searches and
confiscated gaming machines from several HavelockSee MACHINES, page A2 area businesses last week.
C
Fall Festival
herry Point Baptist Church in
Havelock has scheduled its Fall
Festival from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday.
The event features a non-scary costume
contest, homemade hat contest, bounce
house, games, dinner, pie-eating contest
and trunk-or-treat. For more information, call the church at 447-5462.
HAVEN
More than 2,500 new Baby Boomertargeted units are on tap in northwest
Raleigh/eastern Durham, boosting the
area’s role in the retiree market
BY AMANDA HOYLE, PAGES 12-13
Anthony and Kathy Grassia
are new homeowners in the
Carolina Arbors community in
eastern Durham County.
JOHN WEST
TECH BEAT
Bots that cater to
your every whim
SMALL BUSINESS
ART MEETS WORKPLACE
CULTURE 10
Tracking local
chambers’
membership
growth 16-17
Raleigh entrepreneur Richard Boyd’s
startup, SZL, just completed a $1.6
million funding round to boost its
e-marketing tool.
LAUREN OHNESORGE, 9
WALL STREET
Raleigh’s Baxano
at risk of delisting
Medical device company Baxano
hasn’t seen stock prices close above
$1 since April. Unless the Raleigh
company comes into compliance by
Dec. 1, Nasdaq could delist its shares
from its market.
40 UNDER 40
HERE THEY COME,
READY OR NOT INSIDE
REAL ESTATE
NEW APARTMENTS COMING
TO KIDDS HILL 5
TRIANGLE
BUSINESS JOURNAL
June 13, 2014
Vol. 29, No. 41, $3.00
3600 Glenwood Ave.
Suite 100
Raleigh, NC 27612
r
JASON DEBRUYN, 6
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A Good Newspaper in a Good Community
By Jason Tyson
Staff Writer
Southport’s new city manager is a North Carolina
native with 16 years of municipal government experience, and says he hopes to be in Southport for a long
time to come.
Southport aldermen voted 5-0 at a special meeting Tuesday night to hire Kerry McDuffie as its new
city manager. Mary Ellen Poole was not present for
the proceedings but did give her endorsement via an
email, which was read by mayor Robert Howard.
Earlier in the afternoon, McDuffie’s selection was
announced to staff and department heads.
McDuffie is scheduled to begin work here on November 11 and will be paid an annual salary of $75,000. He
will also be given a $200 per month allowance for incounty travel.
“I know that I am not a voting member, but I too
wish to give my approval of this hire,” said mayor
Howard. “We made a decision to do this unanimously,
and when we were going through the applications, Mr.
McDuffie
An interesting editorial
page, good sports section and fun community
photos make it a wellrounded read.
McDuffie’s name rose to the top.”
After signing paperwork, the board presented
McDuffie with a key to the city.
McDuffie has served as chief administrator for the
towns of Tobaccoville, St. Pauls and Fremont for the
past 15 years. He previously was assistant to the town
manager in Troy.
“I am humbled and honored that the board of aldermen picked me out of 113 candidates,” McDuffie said
Tuesday. “I appreciate the opportunity and am lookSee Manager, page 20A
Oak Island
By Lee Hinnant
Staff Writer
Beach rules
Tents and cabanas would be
allowed but must be removed
at night, and setbacks from
emergency access points
increased to 25 feet, under a
set of beach gear rules town
council is studying. Story on
page 16A.
up traffic several miles from the
bridge to McDonald’s.
“We can’t do business under
those conditions,” Webster said.
Glynn said that during the winter months, bridge work would
involve lane shifts and maintain
two-way traffic. In the spring,
when it is necessary to close a
lane, such closures can only hapSee Oak Island, page 11A
Boiling Spring Lakes
High water level plague
Mirror Lake residents
Photo by Jim Harper
Participants in this year’s Warrior Ride arrive at Southport’s waterfront for last Thursday’s ceremony. Organizers
Bob and Debra Racine named the ride in honor of longtime supporter Col. Charlie Sunder, who was on hand to see the
riders take to Howe Street for the next segment of their four-day Coastal Carolina Tour.
Southport
Injured veterans
welcomed at
city ceremony
Event honors Col. Sunder;
shutdown affects numbers
By Terry Pope
Associate Editor
When U.S. Army Col. Charlie Sunder led
an expedition in Vietnam to open a supply
route to aid Marines in the thick of the battle there, one of the Marines on the receiving end of that help was Bob Racine.
Decades later, the two men would reconnect in Southport-Oak Island.
Racine now heads up the Warrior Ride,
which last week hosted up to 20 injured
veterans who use adaptive bicycling for rehabilitation and recreation. The Southport
portion of the ride this year was named in
honor of Col. Sunder at a Thursday morning ceremony on the Southport waterfront.
“This is the first time I’ve had so many
from North Carolina participate in the
ride,” stated Racine. “With the government
shutdown we were supposed to have about
15 more riders, but they couldn’t make it.”
Racine and Sunder first met in 2002 at a
local military association meeting. He honored Sunder with a plaque last week just
before the injured veterans took to their
cycles and pedaled up Howe Street.
After leaving Vietnam, Sunder became
commander of Military Ocean Terminal
Sunny Point near Southport from 1972-74,
but remained in the area after his retirement and since then has devoted his life to
volunteer service.
When Racine and his wife Debra, who
live at Oak Island, developed an idea to
See Warrior Ride, page 11A
St. James
By Jason Tyson
Staff Writer
The water level at Spring Lake is drawing most of the attention
of city officials in Boiling Spring Lakes these days, but a handful of
residents along another body of
water nearby say they are dealing with water level issues of
their own, and they’d like to have
some assistance.
Joy Gregory’s trailer on Myrtle
Lane in Boiling Spring Lakes
used to sit 50 feet back from
the Mirror Lake water line, but
storms and heavy rains have
pushed the lake closer and closer
to her back doorstep and have
flooded her neighbor.
Gregory’s backyard used to be
a waterfowl sanctuary of sorts,
teeming with Canada geese and
domesticated ducks. She would
Resident Joy Gregory
often buy 50-pound bags of corn
to feed the flocks, and there was
plenty of room for the waterfowl to waddle around.
“Right after my husband George and I moved here, Hurricane
See Lakes, page 16A
In just two years, ‘Garage Band’ fundraising is off the charts
By Amanda Hutcheson
Staff Writer
Find us on
Facebook
cancer. The band had raised several
thousand dollars, Haase said, when
they learned a group of healthcare
providers had agreed to donate $10
for every $1 the band raised, with the
money going to provide breast cancer
treatment for those who could not afford it.
“When we found out the medical
community had stepped up, ten-toone, it was very exciting,” Haase said.
“It brought our total over $117,000.”
At its first concert two years before,
band members set out an empty guitar case for donations to help offset
the cost of cleaning at the St. James
Community Center. When the total
at the end of the night was more than
they expected, they decided to donate
the money—and a tradition was born.
“Now, every single performance,
that’s the mainstay,” drummer Marty
Wozniak said of the guitar case. “It’s
always open, and there’s always money in it.”
“The first night we played, we just
put out the old guitar case,” bass
player Ken Haubrich recalled. “We
made about $600 or something like
See Band, page 14A
File photo
Mike’s Garage Band recently
celebrated a major milestone: it
has raised more than $100,000
in donations for local nonprofits and charities.
Vol. 95, No. 46
Follow us on
www.oldtownbanking.com
THIRD PLACE
The State Port
Pilot
Southport
Judge’s comments:
Thick with news coverage,
appealing photos and
appealing features.
124 Pages
S U N D A Y, J U N E 8 , 2 0 1 4
Southern Pines, N.C.
Price $1.00
Golf’s Future, Rooted in the Past
THIRD PLACE
The legacy of Pinehurst No. 2’s restoration is less reliance on water, fertilizer and other chemicals to preserve wide expanses of green, resort officials say.
Course Restoration
T
About Long-Term
Sustainability
owner and CEO of Pinehurst and
honorary chairman of the
INSIDE
back-to-back U.S. Open
and U.S. Women’s Open
championships that begin
this week.
“[No. 2] was wall-towall green,” said
Dedman. “It was really
monochromatic out
there. I think it had
become really part of the
homogenization of the game of golf.
BY BRAD KING
Pilot Open Daily Editor
he factors that propelled the
Pinehurst Resort and Country
Club’s ambitious $2.5 million
restoration of its famed No. 2 golf
course in 2010 have been welldocumented. Foremost, the resort’s
decision-makers felt their 104-yearold Donald Ross design had lost its
authenticity and “specialness.”
No. 2 had become “too much like
everybody else,” says Bob Dedman,
Arrests
Made in
Robberies
BY TOM EMBREY
Senior Writer
see ROBBERIES, page A9
JOANN DOST/Open Daily
“We lost the uniqueness of being
this beautiful, 30-milewide, 80-mile-long
Sandhills of North
Carolina. We wanted to
restore the character we
think Donald Ross
intended — and certainly
that Mother Nature had
intended.”
In addition, the course
TODAY
see RESTORATION, page A12
Bill Would
Give School
To T-Town
GOING, GOING … GONE
A West End man faces armed robbery and felony breaking and entering charges after he was arrested
by Southern Pines police.
Jyhe Miciel Utley, 22, of 115 Holly
Place, is charged with three counts
of robbery with a dangerous
weapon and two
counts of felony
breaking and entering of a motor vehicle.
Utley was placed
in
the
Moore
County jail under a
$50,000
secured
UTLEY
bond awaiting his
first appearance in
Moore County district court, which is
set for June 24.
In
addition,
Aberdeen police
have made two
arrests in a home
LILES
invasion and robbery that happened
last
Wednesday,
and two other
arrests in a string
of larcenies that
started on Sunday.
On
Thursday,
Aberdeen police,
YORK
with the help of a
Southern
Pines
Police
Department’s K-9 unit,
arrested Tyshawn
Jermaine Liles, 20,
of the 200 block of
6th
Street,
Aberdeen,
and
WILLIAMS
Christian Martrell
York, 22, of the 100 block of
Seagraves Street, Aberdeen.
Liles is charged with first-degree
burglary, and York is charged with
accessory after the fact.
At 11:30 p.m. Wednesday,
Mayor Calls Building
Integral Part of Town
BY DAVID SINCLAIR
Managing Editor
Taylortown Mayor Ulysses Barrett says he has
never seen something unite the town the way the
desire to acquire the old Academy Heights
Elementary has in his 25 years of service.
So many residents have told him it would “be a
shame” if town doesn’t get it.
“We feel like it is an integral part of the community,” Barrett said. “Almost everyone here
has a family connection to Academy Heights.”
The problem is that under state law, the school
system cannot give the property
away. It must sell it for fair market value, which is $500,000,
according to school board
Chairwoman Kathy Farren.
So state Rep. Jamie Boles has
introduced a local bill that would
allow the school board to give
Academy Heights Elementary
BARRETT
School to Taylortown.
“It is something we all want to happen,” Boles
said. “Taylortown would get it free and clear. We
tried to do it last year. It went back and forth. We
have been talking about this for about two
years.”
The school was closed in June 2011 as a costsaving measure implemented by the Board of
Education to help absorb an $8.2 million funding
shortfall from the state. Students were transferred to West Pine Elementary and Pinehurst
Elementary schools.
“We just want it off our books,” Farren said.
“They (Taylortown) have always expressed an
interest in that property.”
In March 2012, the county commissioners — as
holders of the property — exercised its right of
refusal, saying it had no desire to own the land
and buildings. They voted to recommend that the
school board offer the property to Taylortown,
which hopes to use it for a community center.
PHOTOS BY BRANDI SWARMS/The Pilot
Wade Williams, Nash Tucker and Kendrick Williams enjoy the benefits of having their
grandparents, Jan and Art Williams, own an ice cream stand. The Williamses are
owners of Ben’s Homemade Ice Cream, in Eagle Springs. All was fine until little
Wade tipped his cone a bit too far.
see SCHOOL, page A9
facebook.com/thestateportpilot
SANDHILLS SCENE
OPINION
Rockinʼ the Opens
Letʼs Greet Them
With Open Arms
Itʼs a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity for us all to
show our stuff!
HOW TO REACH US
(252) 444-1999 phone
(252) 447-0897 fax
230 Stonebridge Square
P.O. Box 777
Havelock, N.C. 28532
www.havenews.com
2045 South Main Street
Waynesville, NC 28786
Telephone: 828-456-3006
NEVER pay ATM fees again!
— See page D1
Rehabilitation of the 41-yearold G.V. Barbee Sr. Bridge at Oak
Island is scheduled to begin next
week, with crews performing
work expected to improve the
deck surface and extend the lifespan of the structure by 20 years.
During the first phase of the
work, all travel lanes will remain
open but the roadway will be narrowed by 10 feet and the speed
limit will be lowered to 25 miles
per hour.
Amanda Glynn, an engineer
with the N.C. Department of
Transportation, addressed concerns raised by Mike Webster,
who works with the Cox family furniture company. He said
daytime lane closures during a
recent bridge inspection backed
Just two years after their first concert, members of Mike’s Garage Band
are celebrating a major milestone:
more than $100,000 raised for nonprofit organizations.
The band’s performance at St.
James’s Military Appreciation Day in
early September got the band close,
said band member and namesake
Mike Haase. But it was a concert later
in the month in Leland that pushed
the band over a hundred grand.
The band was playing for about
200 people, and proceeds benefited
the Pretty In Pink Foundation, a nonprofit that assists people with breast
Judge’s comments: Lots
of news inside made this
a good read, and goodlooking too.
Football player suspended after racial slurs Page 14
NATIONAL CHAMPS IN GOLF!
Barbee bridge faces
renovation work
Warrior Ride
Havelock News
Havelock
Judge’s comments:
Smoky Mountain
News
Waynesville
Election coverage starts this week Inside
Sports – 1C
Aldermen pick new city manager
THIRD PLACE
SECOND PLACE
South’s cross country team prepares for conference meet.
Fremont’s Kerry McDuffie makes the move to Southport
Jones, 61, has lived in Havelock since 1971. He served
Drew C. Wilson/Havelock News
COVER STORY
ACTIVE-ADULT
Southport • Oak Island • Boiling Spring Lakes • St. James • Caswell Beach • Bald Head Island • Eastern Brunswick County
50 cents
Candidates discuss why they should get your vote
JASON DEBRUYN, 7
THE STATE PORT
75 cents
eight years in the Marine Corps
“I believe in Havelock and and has worked at Cherry Point
The five candidates to fill two Jim Stuart, Peter Van Vliet and of Columbus, and a volunteer
seats on the Havelock Board of Brenda Wilson are running for member of the Havelock Fire I believe I can do a better job since 1980. He is a longtime
Commissioners say they bring the seats in the Nov. 5 election. Department since 1991. He al- knowing the background and member of Craven Corner MisCorbin, 68, a 30-year career so has also served on the city’s being involved with the city for sionary Baptist Church. He has
a diverse set of experiences
Marine, moved to Havelock in adjustment, unified develop- the last 20 years,” he said. “I’ve been the district president for
plus new ideas to the table.
George Corbin, Matthew 1989. He has been a member of ment ordinance, stormwater got an idea of what’s going on
See CANDIDATES, page A2
in different areas.”
“Sugarbear” Jones, incumbent the Masonic Lodge and Knights and brownfields boards.
Seven businesses in
city targeted as part
of 11-month probe
PILOT
October 9, 2013
Five seeking two seats on board
By Drew C. Wilson
drew.wilson@havenews.com
Packed with news and
appealing photos. The
breadth of coverage is
Amazing.
See A10
Thursday, October 24, 2013
North Carolina insurer
reorganizes divisions, structure
Judge’s comments:
Off
PROVIDING
HELP
See A6
Triangle Business
Journal
Raleigh
30%
Survivors recall aftermath of the bombing
that killed 241, many of whom were Marines,
on the 30th anniversary of attack
See A9
BCBSNC shuffle
SECOND PLACE
MAY NOT BE USED ON SALE ITEMS, ORANGE TAGGED ITEMS, OR FLORAL
ARRANGEMENTS. MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFER. LIMIT 1 COUPON
PER HOUSEHOLD PER DAY. COUPON EXPIRES 7/2/14.
Marine wife
organizes food
drive to help
Ministerial
Outreach
Vol. 28, No. 43
Church
The big
picture
Stormfest
educates,
inspires
Page B1
Mental
health
evaluation
prescribed
for Berger
Looks good and is a
pleasure to read. A variety
of stories and thorough
writing.
REMEMBERING
BEIRUT
Volume 13 | Issue 26 | 25¢
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’Mater
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INDY Week
Durham
October 2-8, 2013 Vol. 15 Iss. 18
Roanoke Beacon
MILESTONE
ACHIEVED
Conceal-carry permit holders can now bring guns into restaurants
and bars. What could go wrong? by lisa sorg
(See COUNTY BUDGET, 4A)
Burlington council begins Newsome stepping down
looking at costs of “going as VP of finance at
it alone” for bus system community college
Classifieds .............. 6B
Legals .............. 7B-9B
FIRST PLACE
Havelock running
back Derrell Scott
goes over 5,000
career rushing
yards as the Rams
role to a third
straight league
shutout victory
by beating
White Oak 54-0
Appetite for destruction
‹ Timing of Cox, Wall resignations coincidental; no plans for Wall
County commmissioners cut 1¢ from county property tax rate
By Mary Wayt
Publisher/Editor
town’s Board of Adjustment for a Conditional
Use Permit, and permitting from at least two state
agencies.
Even without official
action, Ecoplexus representative Nathan Rogers
made a presentation to
ABSS to superintendent, promise of mutual “non-disparagement,”
promise not to file lawsuit 9B
A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for this morning at the new Morinaga America, Inc. plant along Ben Wilson Drive in
Mebane. A new pharmaceutical research company is rumored to be looking at land near the Morinaga site for a similar, $35
to $50 million investment.
New board members will soon take their
seats to support the county’s recreation efforts and make recommendations to officials.
County commissioners unanimously approved a new ordinance during their meeting Monday evening, October 21, that sets
up the board.
Commissioners Tracey Johnson and Cole
Phelps spearheaded the effort.
See ‘REC BOARD,’ Page 8A
With the music soft and low, a couple is sillouhetted on the
dance floor and Dick Feyer sings a love song during Feyer
on the River held Saturday evening, October 19. The event,
which highlighted Feyer and the Opry Boys Quartet was a
fundraiser for the Blue and Gold Stompers Relay for Life
Team. For more photos from the event, see Page 8A. (Staff
photo by Mary Wayt)
glitch, they were not able
to do so. Plymouth Planning Board is sending the
application to council, recommending approval.
If the property were rezoned, Ecoplexus would
still have other hurdles to
clear, including asking the
Serving Northeastern NC!
Mebane mayor warns that city
must tighten incentives policy;
shouldn’t provide front-loaded
benefits to new companies
10|23|13
Western North Carolina’s Source for Weekly News, Entertainment, Arts, and Outdoor Information
Ecoplexus wants to
build a five-megawatt solar farm on a 61-acre parcel near the intersection of
NC Hwy 32 and Morrattock Road. First, even before they purchase the parcel, they want it rezoned.
That process has been
met with various questions
and some resistance.
Plymouth Town Council
was slated to hold a public
hearing on the request during their meeting Wednesday evening, October 16.
However, because of a
Cox OUT as supt.;
board accepts
resignation 4-0
(See NEW BUSINESS, 8A)
Without mentioning any particular pending incentives, Mebane
mayor Glendel Stephenson has
twice recently warned that his city
cannot continue obligating its taxpayers to the level of economic incentives that it has provided during the past year.
During the past year, the city
landed three large projects and
committed to significant taxpayerfunded subsidies to each.
In addition to Morinaga, which
is on the Orange County side of the
line, two other companies an-
durham•chapel hill raleigh•cary
THE PUBLIC ASKS
‹ Resignation agreement includes $200,000 payment from
County forms
rec board
Ecoplexus answers citizens’ concerns about solar farm
By Mary Wayt
Publisher/Editor
THURSDAY, JUNE 5, 2014
company’s plans, but the newspaper has learned that there is considerable attention and excitement about the project, which reportedly will involve a compa-
erty was rezoned for industrial use
last fall, the city also rezoned an adjacent 40 acres next to it, also for industrial use.
Officials in both Mebane and Orange County were mum about the
Mebane could be on the verge of
landing another large corporate
investment.
The Alamance News has confirmed that a large pharmaceutical research company is considering building a multi-million headquarters in Mebane, on the Orange
County side of the city.
The new company would be located near the site for Morinaga
America, Inc., the subsidiary of a
Japanese candy manufacturer
that announced last September its
plans to build in the southeast part
of the city, in Orange County.
The candy manufacturer announced plans to build a $34 million plant, with 98,000 square feet,
on 21 acres off Ben Wilson Road
near I-85/40, just across the
Alamance-Orange County line in
western Orange County; the plant
is across the interstate from
Tanger Outlet and the large
Armacell plant.
The Morinaga plant is expected
to employ about 90 people, with average salaries of $38,000. A groundbreaking ceremony for the company is planned for this morning.
The pharmaceutical company
is reportedly considering an investment of comparable or larger
size in the same area near the
Morinaga plant, where grading is
now underway.
At the time the Morinaga prop-
Trying to get back to business as usual,
Rhonda Woolard, Director of Washington
County Social Services, wants to make clients aware of what the end of the federal
shutdown means for them.
“Effective immediately, all Work First
programs and services are reinstated. This
includes Work First Family Assistance
(WFFA), Work First Benefits (WFB), Benefit Diversion (BD), Services at or below
200% of poverty, and child care subsidies,”
she said.
Dodging the bullet of defaulting on the
country’s loans, lawmakers came to an
agreement at the 11th hour on Wednesday
night, October 16, to end the partial shut
down.
Although most services were started back
immediately, employment services will not
begin until November 1.
Participants were not required to complete October work activities according to
prior guidance.
“Our agency is relieved that services
have resumed for the families we serve,”
she said.
By Mary Wayt
Publisher/Editor
„
New company eyeing Mebane
DSS gets back
to normal after
shutdown
While Washington County works to get
a recreation commission off the ground,
Plymouth is celebrating a $500,000 windfall to help its leisure offerings. If all goes
as planned, the town will be able to add
another $350,000 to make significant progress on its Wilson Street ball park.
Interim Town Manager Joanne Floyd announced the boon during council’s meeting
Wednesday, October 16.
Funding, she said, is coming through the
NC Department of Commerce; from 2010
grant monies that have not been spent.
Why Plymouth?
More than a year ago, Plymouth applied
for a Catalyst grant, but found out earlier
this year that the project had not been funded.
Mayor Brian Roth said he called Commerce a couple of weeks ago, asking about
potential problems with the application.
He was told that although no local match
was required, all funded projects had some
amount of money to match the grant funds.
At least one was as low as $5,000.
However, a day or two later, he received
a call that Commerce had $500,000 in 2010
funds that had not been spent available, if
Plymouth would accept it. The only challenge: Those funds are “aging out quickly,” meaning the town will “have to move
quickly.”
It is not uncommon for remnants of grants
to become available later, Roth explained,
which worked well for Plymouth.
Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF)
has a funding cycle in the near future, and
Roth said he is confident of project approval from that group.
Ninety-nine of North Carolina’s counties, he said, have received funding through
PARTF. Washington County is the only exception.
See ‘GRANT,’ Page 8A
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Kilby
CRUMBLES
Gay couple says state’s
recent changes pushed
them to move away
Seven years after moving to
North Carolina to be closer to family, Bob and Wilbur KingstonParrott are headed to Massachusetts. They don’t feel North Carolina, which banned gay marriage,
is welcoming. Jeri Rowe, B1
lll
View list of top donors
in municipal election
Evening thunderstorm
dooms historic building
You’ll recognize many of the
names and companies — Marty
Kotis and Michael Winstead,
Replacements Ltd. and Lomax
Properties. They’re among the top
donors to local candidates this
election season. Story, B1
BY PAT KIMBROUGH
ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER
HIGH POINT — A large portion of the former Kilby Hotel
building collapsed Wednesday afternoon, spilling a mass of
brick and other debris onto Washington Street.
No one was injured when por tions of the front and side
walls of the vacant structure came crashing down about 3:15
p.m.
After the par tial collapse, demolition crews took down
most of the remainder of the building.
Prior to the collapse, city officials had already been on the
scene for hours to assess damage to
par t of the building’s east wall that
apparently occurred during an earlymorning thunderstorm.
They had closed Washington Street
and demolition crews had been called
in and were about to start work tearing
down part of the front wall.
High Point Enterprise photographer
Laura Greene was on the scene and
took several pictures that showed the
sequence of the building’s collapse.
— Laura Greene She was standing across the street
Enterprise photographer from the Kilby speaking with some
firefighters when she heard a cracking
sound. A small part of the side of the building fell and then
the rest of it gave way.
“I had my camera and started firing away until this dust
cloud kind of came at me and they made me clear the area
because a power line had snapped,” Greene said. “It fell forward into the street, and I was completely covered in a dust
cloud.”
Greene arrived at the scene planning
to photograph demolition crews at work.
A contractor had brought some equipEnterprise
ment to the scene, but further disaster
photographer
was aver ted, since crews were apparLaura Greene
ently minutes away from star ting to
photographed
work on the building when the collapse
the destruction
occurred.
at the Kilby on
The Kilby was at the hear t of High
Wednesday
Point’s black business and cultural commorning and
munity during the era of segregation,
returned to
but had fallen into severe disrepair over
the scene that
the years.
afternoon. She
The city first identified the 104-yearwas talking with
old structure as unsafe 18 months ago
a firefighter when
after the roof of the three-stor y building
she heard a loud
collapsed all the way through it to the
crack. She raised
ground floor.
her camera and
Since then, the owners of the propcaptured these
erty, along with historic preser vationists
and others, successfully petitioned the
images as the
City Council to delay demolition numerwalls crumbled.
ous times to allow them opportunities to
Find more of her
secure funding to shore up the building.
photographs on
Early this year, the council gave the
page A7.
owners until late May to come up with
a plan to save the building. The council granted another 45-day reprieve after Kilby suppor ters
reported last week that a California economic development
firm was going to put up the money to preser ve the structure
and convert it to a combination of a culinar y arts school and
housing.
lll
State to hold hearing
on new Medicaid system
State officials say a new Medicaid billing system is performing
well, but providers say they still
struggle with the system, which
went live months ago. Story, B1
Investigation launched
into Capitol shooting
Some deadly-force experts
agree scrutiny is warranted for
Thursday’s high-speed chase in
Washington that ended with officers shooting the driver. Capitol
Police internal affairs is investigating, which is standard protocol in
such cases, police said. Story, A8
INDEX
‘Butch’ Barnes,
67
Christine
Johnson, 63
Fay A. Jordan, 67
Wanda Keith, 84
‘Alice’ Mincey, 81
Joel Payne, 67
Charles Quick,
74
Steve
B4
B8-10
LOTTERY
NEIGHBORS
OBITUARIES
OPINION
SPORTS
TV
A2
A6
A4
A8
B1-3, 8
A9
Radonavitch,
53
Dolan G. Small,
Jr., 51
Tasha Terry, 33
Helen
Underwood,
91
Arlene Walker,
51
A4
WEATHER
T-storms | High 85, Low 66
Victoria L. Winstead, family
therapist and clinical
supervisor, has been
named to the board
of Heartstrings, a
nonprofit organization
that provides
compassionate
validation,
bereavement education and hope
to Triad families who have suffered
pregnancy, infant and child loss.
n
PATRICK GEOTSCH
GRADE 5 | SHADYBROOK
ELEMENTARY
INSIDE
B TW
taft.wireback@news-record.com
The multibillion-dollar State Health Plan
took most North Carolina residents by surprise five years ago when it hit the skids,
costing taxpayers big bucks just as the Great
Recession began to tighten its grip.
Not long before, state officials supervising
the insurance plan for 660,000-plus teachers, state employees and government retirees had predicted a $58 million surplus for
the 2008 fiscal year.
Instead, the plan finished $80 million
in the red, hobbled by unrealistic budget
projections and contract secrecy that pre-
ONLINE: Read
the first part at
News-Record.com
NEWS: Catch up on stories you
may have missed from this
week’s News & Record in our
weekly news roundup at NewsRecord.com.
PHOTOS: See photos you may
have missed from this week’s
News & Record in our weekly
photo roundup at NewsRecord.com.
Schorr Johnson,
See Disaster, Page A11
spokesman for state
Treasurer Janet Cowell
These preachers took unusual paths
n The Triad has special
preachers, even if they
don’t have a TV show.
ON MONDAY
B N ML
nancy.mclaughlin@news-record.com
GREENSBORO — A reality TV show debuting
this week focuses on the
lifestyles and pasts of six
men in the ministry — a
skateboarder, a former
gangbanger, a GrammyLYNN HEY/News & Record nominated singer and more.
“Preachers of L.A.,
Deborah Suess, the pastor at First Friends Meeting in Greens- Leading the God Life” airs
boro, once operated a singing telegram business in Iowa
at 10 a.m. Wednesday on
before coming to the ministry.
the Oxygen channel.
84
67
TODAY’S
FORECAST HIGH
Sunny to partly
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“The complex
nature of the
health care
system will
continue to
present financial
challenges.”
vented leaders from accurately predicting
expenses.
Taxpayers soon forked over $250 million
to bail out the publicly-funded plan, administered under a lucrative contract by a privately-run nonprofit, Blue Cross and Blue
Shield of North Carolina.
“The State Health Plan, by any assessment, was not being managed well,” said
state Sen. Ralph Hise, a GOP lawmaker
from Spruce Pine who is active in reform efforts.
“We were not allowed even as legislators
to see the contract with Blue Cross and Blue
ILLUSTRATION BY TIM RICKARD/News & Record
October is Breast Cancer
Awareness Month and fundraisers
abound. Life
Closer to home, there’s
the pastor who donned a
gorilla suit while delivering singing telegrams.
An NBA player who
traded his sneakers for a
white clerical collar.
A pastor whose HarleyDavidson has 16-inch ape
hangers.
Call them the Preachers
of Greensboro.
Start with song
It wasn’t that Deborah
Suess was a great singer.
“When you do singing
telegrams in a gorilla costume, it really doesn’t mat-
ter how good you sing,”
said Suess, 58, pastoral
minister at First Friends
Meeting of Quakers.
It was the 1980s and the
popular book “What Color
is Your Parachute?” urged
people to make money pursuing their passion.
To Suess, her passion
was obvious: the poems she
and a friend set to music
for their friends’ baby and
bridal showers.
Though it was popular
elsewhere, there wasn’t
a singing telegram business in her part of Des
See Preachers, Page A4
LOW
INFO
PLAN YOUR
WEEKEND:
HEALTH
CHECK
An occasional
series about the
business end of
delivering health
care in North
Carolina.
NEWSRECORD.COM
n
cloudy with no
chance of rain.
Full report, B8
COMICS
B5
FUN & GAMES
B4
ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT B6-7
The health plan for state workers has survived poor management and a flawed contract
lll
Civilian defense staff
to return to work soon
SEE KILBY/PAGE A2
ABBY
CLASSIFIED
FROMNEARDISASTER
Most of the Pentagon’s 400,000
furloughed civilian workers will
be back on the job in coming days.
Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel
says a bill passed by Congress last
week exempts from furlough civilians who provide direct support to
the military. Story, A2
INSIDE
WHO’S NEWS
REBOUNDING
NATION & WORLD
“It fell forward
into the street,
and I was
completely
covered in a
dust cloud.”
OBITUARIES
$1.50
NORTH CAROLINA STATE HEALTH PLAN
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B4
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D8
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H6
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• NEWS & RECORD
YOUR COMMUNITY. YOUR NEWSPAPER.
FIRST PLACE
The Free Press
Kinston
Judge’s comments: Strong local content and
design that actually helps the reader.
FIRST PLACE
FIRST PLACE
Judge’s comments: Some of the strongest
inside-page design of all entries. Very lively presentation overall, great use of white space and
color, stronger-than-average opinion pages.
Judge’s comments: Extremely strong visuals,
High Point Enterprise
High Point
TURKEY
Ku
Mosul
rd
Tikrit
is
Kirkuk
ISIL militants declared they
would impose Shariah law in
Mosul, which they captured
on June 10, and in other
areas they seized.
on
Hawija
gi
Irbil
Deir el-Zour
SYRIA
re
Raqqa
h
Aleppo
Beiji
Samarra
Ramadi
Falluja
Iraq insurgency
Towne Pointe
Obama considering options but no boots on ground. b2
‘History sets it apart.’ d1
Two communities
near Tikirt – the
key oil refining
center of Beiji
and the city of
Samarra, home to
a prominent Shiite
shrine – remained
in government
hands, according
to Iraqi
intelligence
officials.
IRAN
Baghdad
I R A Q
JORDAN
The Wilson Times
Wilson
Judge’s comments:
TheWilsonTimes
Gray Whitley | Times
Fifth case of Legionnaires’ diagnosed
and Rehabilitation Center
resident is recovering at
Wilson Medical Center,
A fifth case of Legionaccording to local health
naires’ disease has been di- officials.
agnosed in Wilson County.
The person is being
A Wilson Pines Nursing
treated for pneumonia,
By Janet Conner-Knox
Times Staff Writer
said Joyce Wetherington,
public information officer
for the Wilson County
Health Department.
Wetherington said they
are still waiting to get the
results back for two other
people who have been tested for suspected cases.
There are still no answers about the source of
the Legionella bacteria.
“We thought the results
would be back before now,
but we are still waiting,”
A sign posted on the door
Wetherington said.
of Wilson Pines Nursing
Wetherington said an en- and Rehabilitation Center
gineering team is in Wilson from an administrator said
working with Wilson Pines they are working with WilNursing and Rehabilitation
Center.
See CASE, Page 8A
EMBRACING LIFE
Young woman fighting
aggressive cancer
learns how to really live
Bold, audacious, colorful design, strong local
content.
By Lisa Boykin Batts
Times Life Editor
Kristen Owens said she probably
wouldn’t have gone skydiving before her
cancer diagnosis.
“I would have been scared,” the Elm
City woman said Tuesday morning.
But she wanted an adventure. She
wanted to do something she might have
done at some point in her life. She didn’t
want to miss out.
“ ’Cause you never know what will happen,” she said.
The adventure last month was awesome for Kristen: “The best adrenaline
rush ever.” And it was good for her mother, Becky, who cried as she watched her
daughter descend from the tandem jump.
But it was tears of happiness. She was
happy that Kristen felt good enough that
day to jump, that she could still do daring
things after 47 chemotherapy treatments
in less than two years.
Since that jump, Kristen has taken a
turn for the worse, and last week, her
doctor told her and her parents that it
was time to start planning.
Dr. Arthur Hanson, who did her first
cancer surgery to remove a tumor on her
ovary that was bigger than a softball, was
there for her again when it was discovered the cancer had metastasized to her
abdomen and told them they should start
getting things in order. It was a hard conversation for all of them, including the
SECOND PLACE
The Daily News
Jacksonville
Judge’s comments:
Kristen Owens did a tandem skydiving jump at Triangle Skydiving Center in Louisburg
with Greg Upper — crossing off another item on her bucket list. At left, Kristen, a Fike
High School alumni, speaks at the school’s 2014 commencement ceremonies. Contrib-
By Janet Conner-Knox
It was 1970 when thenteenager Charles Battle
was drafted into the Army
and served in the Vietnam
S E RV I N G
D AV I D S O N
C O U N T Y
S I N C E
1 8 8 2
4A
War.
Battle felt the country
needed him and that was
why he was drafted. He
was proud to serve his
country.
Today, Battle is fighting a
different kind of battle. He
battles poverty.
Battle and other local veterans were at the
American Legion Post
13 Wednesday afternoon
where they could receive
In militant control
Contested with government
Attacked but in governement control
60 mi
KUWAIT
60 km
AP
IRAQ MILITANTS 061314: Map shows
areas of militant activity; 3c x 3 inches;
with BC-Iraq; PH; ETA 3 p.m.
Editor’s Note: It is mandatory to include all
sources that accompany this graphic when
repurposing or editing it for publication
SaTUrDay, JUNe 14, 2014
Big
Rock
»
C o v e r i N g
less a lot in his adult life.
“I had been living in a
rooming house,” Battle
said. “But it was bad in
there. I couldn’t stay there.”
C o a S T a l
LeadeRboaRd:
Boat
Weight
inspiration 754.3
eye Catcher 606.9
Carnivore
410.7
C a r o l i N a
S i N C e
1 9 5 3
«
JaCkSoNville, N.C.
newS hook:
Captain
Casey Wagner
Burrows Smith
edward Petrilli
Angler
Bruce Brown
randy kelley
Brandon Bass
ReLeaSeS: 3 blue marlins; 2 white marlins
weigh-inS: 0
if a slow day of fishing is better than no day of fishing, things certainly
turned around for Magic Moment. Despite a lack of blues boated — and
only three hooked up — on the second-to-last day of fishing, the Magic
Moment was repaired and back on the water Friday after a lightning
strike disabled the 55-foot Jarrett Bay on Tuesday.
For coverage of the tournament, turn to C1.
Armed robbery suspect being sought
By Matthew Adkins
Eastwood Drive neighborhood has been hit with rash of crimes
was taken to Onslow Memorial
Hospital for immediate treatment,
Jacksonville police say the on an access road behind one of not injured.
The neighborhood where the then transferred to another medisearch continues for an uniden- the homes, according to Jackson“Jacksonville Police (Depart- armed robbery took place has seen cal facility to recover, according to
previous Daily News reports. On
tified subject wanted for armed ville Police spokeswoman Beth ment) is conducting interviews a rash of crime in recent weeks.
robbery.
Purcell.
and following leads. We are in the
On April 22, officers were drawn June 13, 2013, an Eastwood Drive
The robbery occurred around
Purcell said the alleged victim preliminary stages of this continu- to the area while investigating the
See ROBBERY » A9
2:15 p.m. Friday at Eastwood Drive in the robbery is a man who was ing investigation,” she said.
shooting of a 27-year-old man. He
Matthew.adkins@JDNews.com
JaCkSonViLLe » HONORING OUR NATIONAL EMBLEM CAN POSE PROBLEMS
Synthetic stars and stripes
» COMMENCEMENT
GRADUATION DAY
American Legion
puzzles over how to
retire modern flags
without burning
By Thomas Brennan
Thomas.Brennan@JDNews.com
Hundreds of American flags
have been given to local service
organizations for retirement
— but the synthetic materials
they’re made of have left them
to collect dust.
American flags were traditionally made out of natural materials such as cotton and wool;
however, synthetic versions
such as nylon and polyester are
becoming increasingly popular
since they last longer. Cotton
and wool flags are authorized
to be burned in large quantities
during a retirement ceremony
while the synthetic flags, due to
state regulations, are not.
The American Legion post in
Jacksonville had been storing
more than 200 synthetic American flags that were given to them
from citizens across Onslow
County for proper retirement.
Prior to being picked up by the
Fleet Reserve Association on a
recent morning, the flags were
stored in a small supply closet
leaving Gerald Griffin, a past
commander at the Legion post,
“stumped” on what to do.
“We feel bad because these
people came to us in order to
retire their American flags but
there was just nothing we could
do with them,” Griffin said. “We
want to do right by these people
and retire their flags, but certain rules prevent us from doing
that for them.”
According to the United States
Federal Flag Code, the American flag should be customarily
folded and burned while an individual either comes to attention or salutes while reciting
Arianna Lewis has her cap adjusted by Curlissa Jefferson prior
to graduation at Jacksonville High School on Friday. Photo by
John Sudbrink / The Daily News
Ceremonies held at 3 high schools
n Northside High School sends 199 into the wider world.
STORY, A3
n More than 150 Southwest seniors turn into alumni.
STORY, A5
n At Jacksonville High School, 240 graduates take wing.
STORY, A10
Legislators
seek clarity
on state law
Ruling could
affect suits over
groundwater
The Alex Moore House 1906, in the historic district of Swansboro, proudly displays an American flag.
Whether indoors or out, the American flag, if not on a pole, should be displayed either vertically or
horizontally with the union, or blue field, to the observer’s left, according to the U.S. Federal Flag
Code. Photo by John Sudbrink / The Daily News
T-SToRmS
86°/66°
FOReCAST, B8
courts.
The state House of Representatives voted unanimously Friday for clarifications to the “statute of
repose,” which bars lawsuits brought more than
By Jannette Pippin
Jannette.Pippin@JDNews.com 10 years after any alleged
contamination occurred.
Area legislators say they The modifications state that
are working quickly in the 10-year period should
Raleigh to clarify the in- not be interpreted as bartent of a state law so that ring personal-injury cases
it does not prevent those involving certain groundaffected by contaminated water contamination.
groundwater from seeking
See LEGISLATORS » A9
compensation through the
Bond set for attempted murder suspect
George Evans is
escorted by an Onslow
County Sheriff’s
deputy into Onslow
County Superior Court
for his bond hearing
Friday morning.
Evans is charged with
attempted first-degree
murder, assault with
a deadly weapon and
more for allegedly
shooting his estranged
wife. Photo by John
Althouse/The Daily
News
Veterans fight homelessness;
project, group reaching out
household items, food,
along with other veterans
pillows and personal care
helped assist veterans as
items. It was all sponsored they came in.
by BB&T Lighthouse ProjBattle came in for some
ect for the third year. Volfood and toiletries.
unteers with Veterans ResiBattle, who isn’t homedential Services of Wilson
less now, has been home-
Basra
ISIL advancment in Iraq region
See FLAGS » A4
uted Photo and Gray Whitley | Times
Times Staff Writer
SAUDI ARABIA
50¢ Daily
$1.25 SUNDay
June 13, 2014
ReSuLTS
Solid presentation, uses
many tried-and-true design techniques. Fair mix
of local content.
See OWENS, Page 8A
A different kind of battle
well-edited and integrated with editorial content. Pages are dramatic where they need to be
dramatic, and not when they don’t.
Insurgents make fresh gains, capturing more towns
Friday, June 20, 2014 wilsontimes.com 1A
IT’S UNDER CONTROL: PAGE 2A
SECOND PLACE
News & Record
Greensboro
By Matthew Adkins
gued Evans’ previous criminal his- pointing a gun, assault with a deadly
Matthew.adkins@JDNews.com
tory showed he was a flight risk and a weapon with intent to kill or seriously
injure and possession of a firearm by
A New Hanover County man ac- clear danger to the community.
Evans’ prior record stems from a a felon, all of which he pleaded not
cused of shooting his estranged wife
in the Olive Garden parking lot in 1977 armed robbery in New Hanover guilty to during the bond hearing.
Evans is accused of shooting his esJacksonville had his bond set Friday County. He was sentenced to 30 years
in prison, and served 9.5 of those tranged wife, Audry Evans, at about
morning.
11:30 p.m. March 29 and then fleeGeorge Evans, 60, was given $2.5 years, according to court officials.
In addition to attempted first-de- ing in her vehicle. He was located in
million bond in Onslow County Supegree murder, Evans was indicted Columbus County the following day.
rior Court.
Representing the State was Dis- Friday for two domestic violence
See MURDER » A4
trict Attorney Ernie Lee, who ar- protective order violations, assault by
Business ............ b3
Classified ....... d2-8
Comics ........... C10
Entertainment ...... C9
Lottery .............. a2
Obits ............... a4
Opinion ......... b7-8
Puzzles ............. C8
Sports ............ C1-7
See FIGHT, Page 3A
SECOND PLACE
WWW.THE-DISPATCH.COM
Volume 132 | Number 110
INDEX:
Calendar
Classified
5A
8B
Comics
Dear Abby
5B
5B
Lifestyles
Obituaries
6A
10A
Opinion
Sports
11A
1B
Gov. Pat
McCrory (left)
presents a state
flag to Harry
Kim, general
manager of
Custom
Nonwoven,
after McCrory
announced
Friday at
Davidson
County
Community
College that
the
company is
moving to
Thomasville
and plans to
employ 72
people. Behind
the two are
N.C.
Community
College System
president Dr.
Scott Ralls and
N.C. Commerce
Secretary
Sharon Decker.
About 75 laid off
BYSHARONMYERS
The Dispatch
Employees at Tarheel Plastics on U.S. Highway 64 East received some unwelcome news
Friday when the company announced it was closing its doors.
Sources state that approximately 75 people have been laid
off effective immediately.
On its website, IP3 Plastics
announced in September that
it had “reached an agreement
to acquire the injection molding specialist (Tarheel Plastics)
… subject to confirmatory due
diligence.” Officials with IP3
Plastics could not be reached to
comment why the acquisition
did not take place.
Officials with Tarheel Plastics also couldn’t be reached for
comment.
Tarheel Plastics announced
in March that it would expand
into Davie County and create
48 new jobs and invest $2.5
to $3.5 million. Terry Bralley,
president of the Davie County
Economic Development Commission, said the Mocksville
expansion closed down within
the last month, and he was told
the company was consolidating
back in Davidson County. He
also stated that there were only
four employees located at the
Davie County facility at the time
of closure.
“It is disappointing news,”
Bralley said. “Our hearts go
out to those families in Davidson County impacted by this
closure.”
> tArheel | 5A
DONNIE ROBERTS/THE DISPATCH
County gains 72 jobs
Governor announces
plant in Thomasville
which will move into an existing building on
Sunrise Center Drive, plans to create 72 jobs
and invest about $12.8 million over the next
three years, McCrory said.
“We might have you build a new cushion
for the chair in downtown Thomasville,” McCrory joked to Harry Kim, who will serve as
the Thomasville plant’s manager.
Gov. Pat McCrory hopes a South Korean
Custom Nonwovens develops and manucompany locating to Thomasville will be part factures polyester nonwoven pads and rolls
of what he called a “Carolina comeback” in through a thermal bonding process. Workers
manufacturing.
at the Thomasville plant will manufacture a
McCrory announced Friday that Custom new production line of fire retardant barriers
Nonwovens Inc. will locate its first North Car- and mattress pads for use in cushion seatings
olina plant in the Chair City. The company, for medical, military and institutional applica-
BYNASHDUNN
The Dispatch
tions, local and state officials said.
The Davidson County Economic Development Commission has been working with
the company since January. EDC Executive
Director Steve Googe said company officials
originally sought a banking relationship. After
that was set up, they came back and worked
with the EDC to find a building in the area.
Custom Nonwovens will move into a building at 113 Sunrise Center Drive, which is in
an industrial park setting. The building once
housed Automotive Motors of Thomasville.
“It’s been sitting empty for a long time,
and it’s a great building,” Googe said. “We’ve
> County | 5A
Lolly Wolly Doodle opens
new distribution facility
BYNASHDUNN
The Dispatch
DONNIE ROBERTS/THE DISPATCH
Here,catch
Southwood Elementary School preschooler Joselyn Gonzalez (right)
tosses a ball to classmate Trevor Ghent during the Young Athletes event
Friday at Davidson County Community College. See story on 3A.
It didn’t take long for children’s
clothing manufacturer Lolly Wolly
Doodle to make use of a $20 million investment.
The company, which received
the hefty pledge from the Revolution Growth Fund earlier this
year, recently expanded its operations into a distribution facility just
southwest of Lexington, founder
and owner Brandi Tysinger Temple confirmed Friday.
Temple said the investment
helped to renovate and open the
80,000-square-foot facility on Old
Hargrave Road, which will now
house the company’s shipping
and fulfillment, order assembly,
stock and sales operations.
The company will still maintain
its cutting, sewing and corporate
offices on Piedmont Drive.
“We wanted to keep it here
in Davidson County and keep it
close to our other facility,” Temple
said of the distribution facility. “It
was like splitting up families, so it
was hard to do it in two different
locations.”
Lolly Wolly Doodle added
about 15 jobs in the past month
at the distribution center, adding
to an employee base of about 150
workers.
Temple said the $20 million
investment also assisted in jumpstarting an expansion to its factory operations. The company is
immediately hiring cutters and
sewers, and prospective applicants can apply at the Piedmont
Drive address, she said.
“It’s been a whirlwind of about
three years that just keeps going,”
Temple said. “What launched off
the latest whirlwind was the $20
million investment in June. It enabled us to go ahead and get our
new facility open and expand our
factory.”
The distribution center, at 474
Hargrave Road near the Lexington Business Center, was built
> lolly | 5A
Art exhibit provides a new perspective on a favorite toy
O
ne never knows what will
trigger a long-forgotten CONNECTIONS
childhood memory. A plane
flying above Lexington pulling a
CHAD
banner did that to me Friday.
KILLEBREW
I was on my way home for
lunch when I saw the plane in the
distance, south of the city. I never
made it close enough to see what
the banner said, but I recalled see- football. I attended several games
ing a similar sight over Neyland growing up, and I hadn’t thought
Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., where of those planes in a long time. A
the Tennessee Volunteers play similar sight can often be seen at
the beach, too.
Many of us have special memories that serve as touchstones to
our childhoods. I indulged one
last week during vacation when I
traveled to Graham to view an art
exhibit made entirely out of LEGO
blocks.
LEGOs remain probably the favorite toy from my childhood. My
sister and I spent hours and hours
building spaceships, cities and
other structures with the multi-
colored blocks. We even named
some of the people LEGOs and
created stories that we played out.
One of the greatest things
about LEGOs was the way it stimulated the mind. I recall receiving
boxes of various shaped blocks
and special pieces for Christmas.
That guaranteed hours upon hours
of enjoyment.
I passed my love of LEGOs
down to my two sons, although the
toy has changed a lot over the past
35 years. You can still find tubs of
free-form blocks, but today many
of the boxes contain specific patterns. A favorite of my sons’ was
the “Star Wars” LEGOs; each of
their bedrooms contained numerous models of various ships featured in the movie series.
Putting the sets together offered some wonderful father-son
time. But we followed instructions
in a booklet, rather than letting our
> Art | 12A
Dignitaries, loved ones
gather to remember poet.
PREVIEW
IN SPORTS
a Local, 19A
THIRD PLACE
The Dispatch
Lexington
Judge’s comments:
Strong local front pages.
David Shannon
was a UnC freshman
when he was found
dead on oct. 27 at
a concrete plant in
Carrboro. his autopsy
was released on
Monday.
By Jenny Surane
City Editor
An autopsy report released
Monday for David Shannon shows
the UNC freshman died from blunt
trauma to the head, neck and torso
and had a blood alcohol concentration of .22 at the time of his death.
Shannon, a pledge in the Chi Phi
fraternity, sustained the injuries after
falling 30 feet from a piece of machinery at the Ready Mixed Concrete
Plant in Carrboro in the early hours of
Oct. 27, the report states.
The autopsy and toxicology reports
were released Monday after being certified, but the autopsy was completed
on Oct. 29 and the toxicology report
was completed on Nov. 2.
Kirsti Clifford, a spokeswoman
for N.C. Department of Health and
Human Services, would not comment on why there was a delay in
the autopsy certification.
Clifford said the department does
not have any additional comments
beyond the release.
The Carrboro Police Department is
the investigating agency for the case.
The autopsy results haven’t
changed the direction of the investigation, said Capt. Chris Atack, the
spokesman for the department.
The findings are consistent with
the evidence gathered at the scene,
he said.
From the beginning police have
said that alcohol played a role in
Shannon’s death.
At a blood alcohol concentration
of .20, a person can feel disoriented
and might need help standing or
walking, according to data from
the University of Missouri-Rolla
Center for Personal and Professional
Development.
The study estimated that someone Shannon’s size would have to
consume 11 drinks within one hour
to reach a blood alcohol level of .22.
At that level, a person might not
in orange County, a refuge
realize they’re hurt because they
likely won’t feel pain, the research
states. And if a person is aware he is
injured, he likely won’t do anything
to address the injuries.
Police are still trying to figure out
what led Shannon to the concrete
plant that night. He was last seen at a
party on McCauley Street on Oct. 26.
In his most recent update sent
to the town manager last month,
Carrboro Police Chief Walter Horton
said the department had not ruled
out hazing in Shannon’s death.
“Depending on what information
See Shannon, Page 7
New
drop/add
policy
criticized
UnC-Ch administrators say
the change in policy is not
necessary for this University.
By Sara Salinas
Staff Writer
dth/MeliSSa key
Eh Pay works at Transplanting Traditions Community Farm in Chapel Hill. The farm provides entrepreneurial training to refugee farmers from Burma.
A thousand people from Burma live in the county area
By Corinne Jurney
Staff Writer
Yard-long beans and spicy peppers were
among the native Burmese ingredients used in
preparing a fundraising dinner last week for
Orange County’s large population of refugees
from the Asian country.
The dinner, hosted by Transplanting
Traditions Community Farm and featuring a
variety of authentic Burmese dishes, was organized to raise money for the farm, which provides local refugees with a place to be close to the
earth. Transplanting Traditions — where farmers
cultivate land subsidized by the organization to
help feed their families and earn supplemental
income — is one of several organizations in the
county that supports people from Burma.
More than 1,000 people from Burma are living in Orange County — many of them refugees
from their home nation — said Kelly Owensby,
project manager for Transplanting Traditions.
Many of those refugees work for UNC.
More than 30 different vegetables native to
Burma are grown on the farm, Owensby said.
This month’s dinner at the restaurant
Panciuto sourced more than 75 percent of its
vegetables from the farm.
Burma, also known as Myanmar, is a country
in Southeast Asia that has been involved in civil
conflict for years, forcing many of its residents
into refugee camps. These refugees were identified as a priority by the U.S. State Department
during the Bush administration.
This year will mark the end of their priority status, said Flicka Bateman, director of
Carrboro’s Refugee Support Center. She said
the reason for ending their priority status is not
known, but it is not because the situation in
Burma is improving.
“Burma is a country that’s broken into seven
main ethnic groups which are all very distinct
and speak different languages,” Owensby said.
The conflict in Burma stems from ethnic
groups wanting to break away from the country
and create independent countries, she said.
“I do not think Myanmar is going to the right
direction for democracy,” said Zan Win Maung,
who’s from Burma and now lives in Chapel Hill.
Maung speaks English, Burmese and
Rakhinee and came to the U.S. in 2005.
Most refugees from Burma in the county are
Karen, an ethnic minority, and speak the language Karen. The majority of ethnic groups in
Burma are in conflict with the Burmese government, so many do not identify as Burmese.
Working in Chapel Hill
Many people from Burma work full-time for
UNC in different departments including house-
See refUgeeS, Page 7
With Wiley case, prosecutors test agent law
laws like the one cited
in last week’s indictment
exist in 43 states.
By Lucinda Shen
Assistant State & National Editor
The indictment of former UNC
tutor Jennifer Wiley Thompson
under the state’s Uniform Athlete
Agents Act Thursday raised questions about the legal proceedings
of her case after officials revealed
hers was the first of its kind.
Thompson was indicted on four
Inside
HOMEGROWN ART
The N.C. Botanical Garden hosts an
outdoor exhibition featuring sculptures by local artists that accentuate
seasonal changes. Page 4
counts of athletic agent inducement under the UAAA. Each of her
charges carry a maximum sentence
of 15 months in prison.
Further indictments are expected to come down later this week.
“As far as we know, nobody has
ever been charged under the act
before, so there are a lot of questions that I’m not going to be able to
answer,” said Orange County District
Attorney Jim Woodall Thursday.
But runners, or those who communicate between agents and
student athletes, might be more
cautious about doing favors for
athletes now that Thompson’s
indictment has proven that officials will take action.
“I think that this case has a tremendous educational impact as
serving notice to other runners that
they will be prosecuted as well,” said
Barbara Osborne, a professor in the
department of exercise and sports
science who specializes in legal
issues in intercollegiate athletics.
Michael McCann, a legal
analyst for Sports Illustrated
and director of the University of
New Hampshire Law Sports and
Entertainment Law Institute, said
in an email that it seems prosecutors want to make an example out
PHARMACY AND PUBLIC
HEALTH DUAL DEGREE
Two UNC pharmacy students create
a curriculum that allows students to
get a dual degree in pharmacy and
public health. The program will allow
students to graduate in five years
instead of six. Page 3
of Thompson’s case.
“This case will attract media and,
in doing so, discourage tutors at the
University of North Carolina and
other colleges in the state to not
give money to players,” he said.
The Uniform Athlete Agents
Act was drafted in 2000 by the
Uniform Laws Commission — an
independent organization that
drafts legislation for states.
The law aims to protect the
interest of student athletes and
academic institutions by regulating
agent activity. The draft, which was
See agenTS law, Page 7
Today’s weather
October showers...
H 63, L 53
Wednesday’s weather
...bring mold?
H 65, L 54
UNC-Chapel Hill students will soon
no longer be able to take comfort in
knowing that they have eight weeks to
drop a menacing course — and administrators aren’t happy about it.
A policy passed by the UNC Board
of Governors in April establishes a
systemwide drop period — shortening
UNC-CH’s current drop period from
eight weeks to ten days.
Any course dropped after the 10th
day of the semester will appear as a
withdrawal on students’ transcripts.
UNC-CH administrators are fighting
back against the policy, saying that the
change did not take into account the
individual need of the campuses.
The new regulations will go into
effect prior to the fall 2014 semester
and will affect every student.
“This is a precipitous change on a
campus where nobody seems to feel
that anything is broken,” said Ron
Strauss, executive vice provost and chief
international officer.
The creators of the systemwide policy, the Academics First Workgroup, say
it will make classrooms more efficient.
The group included 12 members
from a variety of UNC-system schools
— but it did not include a UNC-CH
administrator.
“(After the 10 days) you’re going to
be stuck with that class, and you either
pass or you fail it, but you can’t drop it,”
said Julie Poorman, director of financial
aid at East Carolina University.
The policy also establishes a limit
of four withdrawals that a student can
accumulate over the course of his or her
college career. Exceptions can be made
for extenuating circumstances, such as
illness or military service.
Poorman said the change is intended
to foster student success and standardize policies across the 17 UNC-system
campuses.
“There is a sense that students want
to be able to take classes at several UNC
campuses, so there needs to be similar
drop periods,” said Poorman. “Really,
it’s helpful to get everyone on the same
page.”
The policy aims to graduate students
in a timely manner and utilize classroom space more effectively.
“I think the goal is to make sure that
campuses are paying close attention to
many factors that could unnecessarily
prolong the amount of time it takes a
student to complete a degree,” said Joan
Lorden, provost and vice chancellor for
academic affairs at UNC-Charlotte and
chairwoman of the Academics First
Workgroup.
But UNC-CH administrators say the
systemwide policy should not apply to
all of UNC’s campuses.
Approximately 95 percent of seats
filled at the end of the second week at
UNC-CH remain filled until the end of
the semester, said Bobbi Owen, senior
associate dean for undergraduate education.
■ +
charlotteobserver.com
SUNDAY • JUNE 8, 2014 • $2.00
THIRD PLACE
CAUGHT ON THE
CROSSWALK
The Daily Tar Heel
Chapel Hill
Judge’s comments:
DTH has strong local content, good opinion page.
Clean design.
As South End booms,
fears rise for pedestrian safety
on an increasingly
congested South Boulevard
N
JEFF SINER - jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
South Boulevard, known for narrow lanes and heavy traffic, creates challenges for pedestrians in the high-growth area.
early seven years after Charlotte
officials brought light rail to South
End, the area is booming with new
apartments, restaurants and shops.
But residents say the city overlooked one
crucial task: making South Boulevard – the
main road through the area – safe for pedestrians and cyclists.
They say South Boulevard can’t safely
accommodate all the new walkers, runners
and bikers being drawn to the new apartments and businesses
sprouting along the EYE ON
corridor.
DEVELOPMENT
It’s not as though
residents
haven’t
been speaking up.
They have been asking the city for pedestrian safety improve- ERIC FRAZIER
ments on South Boulevard since at least
2005.
City leaders hope to get more citywide
sidewalk money through a bond referendum this fall, but they don’t have any dedicated for South Boulevard, or a timetable
for improvements.
That worries residents who are watching
a Publix supermarket and a new apartment
complex going up along South Boulevard
just north of Ideal Way, at Iverson Way. A
Harris Teeter, restaurants and more
Sandy Alkoutami
Thomas Churchill
Arianna Grevious
Sarah Hendrix
Dana King
St. Stephens
North Mecklenburg
Fort Mill
cfa Academy
Marvin Ridge
Police, medical examiner didn’t
find wound on Fred Lookabill;
no one was ever prosecuted
By Ames Alexander
aalexander@charlotteobserver.com
Megan Lauterer
Thea Scott
Aaron Torres
Hunter Ubersox
Tranice’ Warner
East Lincoln
Phillip O. Berry
South Mecklenburg
Charlotte Country Day
CATO Middle College
All-Star Scholars dream
of solving problems
By Lawrence Toppman
ltoppman@charlotteobserver.com
Of course they’re smart. Naturally,
they’re well-rounded. Teachers respect every one; colleges bid for their favors. Passions drive them forward like steam-powered locomotives.
So what makes the 2014 Charlotte Observer
All-Star Scholars distinctive? They’re fixers.
One hopes to go back to his native Ecuador to improve public services. Another
wants to polish the U.S. Navy’s reputation
around the world, reminding people of its
ONLINE
Learn more about the winners at
charlotteobserver.com/youngachievers.
a NATION
Tracy Morgan
critically injured
The crash killed a
member of the comedian’s entourage; a
Georgia truck driver is
charged. 2A
See Drop/aDD, Page 7
We live in the age of the refugee, the age of the exile.
ariel dorfman
+
motto: “A global force for good.”
A future engineer plans to design an alternative to current traffic signals and crosswalks, so visually impaired people will be
safer. Another engineer-to-be expects to improve technology and make developing nations greener.
All of them see problems, ponder solutions and seize their tools.
These 10 Seniors of the Year, who each
get $1,000 scholarships, come from a group
of 29 regional finalists in the Observer’s
SEE ALL-STARS, 12A
ALL-STAR SCHOLARS 2014
A complete list from 90 schools across
eight counties. 12A
WADESBORO — The clink of shotgun pellets on the metal embalming table was
the first sign of something nefarious.
A day earlier, a state medical examiner
and a detective concluded that
71-year-old Fred Lookabill had died of
natural causes.
It wasn’t until the Anson County funeral
home embalmed his body that the truth
emerged: Lookabill had been killed.
The handling of Lookabill’s 2007 case
provides more evidence that the North
Carolina medical examiner system is
prone to error. A recent Observer series
found that medical examiners often skip
basic investigative steps, casting doubt
on the accuracy of thousands of rulings
in suspicious deaths.
Lookabill’s niece, Macie Ross, was so
troubled by the mistakes in her uncle’s
case that she wrote to the heads of several state agencies.
“It is hard enough to hear that your
loved one died of natural causes, but it is
a tragedy to learn two days later that he
was shot in the back with a shotgun …
and that the personnel at the funeral
home are the ones that found the cause
of death,” Ross wrote in her letter to state
Attorney General Roy Cooper.
a LOCAL
a BUSINESS
a COMICS
a WEATHER
Camp teaches
kids resilience
McGuire prepares
to lead firm
‘Get Fuzzy’ back
on Sundays
85o
/67o
Learn how to donate
to the Observer’s
Summer Camp Fund
and read about Camp
Grier. 19A.
SEE SOUTH END, 16A
A missed gunshot
haunts Anson family
Meet the 2014 Seniors of the Year
Charlotte’s Mike
McGuire will head one
of the nation’s largest
accounting firms,
Grant Thornton. 1D
We heard your requests and are happy
to bring Satchel
Pooch and Bucky
Katt. 2, Comics
Today’s forecast:
Chance of storms. 30A
Char
lotte
485
52
W adesboro
74
M onroe
N .C .
74
M arshville
601
S .C .
DAVID PUCKETT – STAFF MAP
Teacher assistantsin North
Carolina arefunded through
several streamsof money, includinglocal, stateand federal
sources. Thelargest iswhatʼs
known asthestateteacher assistant “allotment” fund. Hereʼs how
that account hasbeen funded by
lawmakerssincethebudget year
that began on July 1, 2004.
Fred Lookabill,
gunshot victim
ONLINE
Lookabill’s daughter discusses the case
in a video at charlotteobserver.com.
And read the Observer’s full series about
the failings of the state medical examiner system at charlotteobserver.com/
examiners.
Lookabill rarely acted like a man over
70, family members say.
Medication controlled his high blood
pressure. He kept a full schedule, chopping firewood, gardening and working
SEE SHOTGUN, 12A
Ask Amy ......4C Lottery ........20A
Business .......1D Movies ...........2C
Classified ...14B Obituaries ..25A
Editorial .....28A Sports.............1B
Horoscope ..4C TV ...................2C
Customer Service 800-532-5350
The Charlotte Observer, Vol. 145, No. 159, ©2014
$2.00
Ar t s & Living
$ 2 m RA LEIGH, N.C.
FIN A L ED IT IO N
PINEHURST
EMBRACES
THEOPEN
IN1999, THEVILLAGE
VIEWEDTHEMAJOR
CHAMPIONSHIPAS
ANINCONVENIENCE.
NOW, ITʼSAN
OPPORTUNITYTO
SHOWCASETHEAREA.
PHOTOSBYROBERTWILLETT- rwillett@newsobserver.com
People fill t he st r eet s on a Fr iday in May for a fr ee music event on t he Village Gr een in Pinehur st . Ar ea businesses hope t o
dr aw mor e local r esident s and visit or s t o t he villageʼs downt own dur ing t he back- t o- back menʼs and womenʼs U.S. Opens.
By Mart ha Quil l in
mquillin@newsobserver.com
Amount
(inmillions)
$377.8
$420.2
$459.0
$488.7
$519.3
$512.7
$528.2
$537.6
$554.1
$453.6
$240.2*
Year
PINEHURST
art of the charm of the U.S. Open is that itʼs
opentoall competitors.Theoretically,anamateur could qualify and win the championship
against someof thegreatest playersin golf.
This year, that come-one, come-all attitude
will extend beyond the ropes of the storied
CourseNo.2,asthislongtimeplaygroundfor thecaptains
of American commerce, finance and industry opens its
armsto swarmsof spectators.
Thr ee gener at ions pose wit h t he st at ue of Donald Ross,
When the menʼs U.S. Open first came to Pinehurst Re- ar chitect of Pinehur st No. 2. Fr om left ar e Cindy St ant on of
sort and Country Club in 1999, it was dreaded by some West Windsor, N.J., Jean Bur ns of Sout her n Pines and Jenna
St ant on of New Yor k City.
area residents who saw it as a traveling carnival. They
worried an invasion of the masses would create gridlock Inside
on roads and in restaurants and turn their picturesque, In Sports: Meet the first family of Pinehurst. 1C
tree-lined villageof fewer than 10,000 full-timeresidents
SouthernPinesandgreater MooreCountyseeintheevent agoldinto atacky tourist trap.
en opportunity.
The Charlotte
Observer
Charlotte
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
2014-15
* Senate proposal reduces funding
and changes formula for funding
teacher assistants.
Source: Department of Public Instruction,
N.C. General Assembly
To d ay ʼs
w eat h er
* * *
Not only do merchants, hotels and restaurants hope to earn a
By thesecond go-round, in 2005, localsviewed theOpen more shareof the$169millionthat Opencrowdsareexpected tospend
as a giant, weeklong party next door: a relatively minor and in- from June 9-22. They want to reap long-term benefits by showfrequent inconvenience.
casing their region asagreat placeto vacation, start anew busiNow, asthehistoricback-to-back menʼs andwomenʼs Opensbe- nessor retire.
gin their two-week run, the Village of Pinehurst, neighboring
SEEPINEHURST, PAGE10A
85°Ú 65°
30% chance pr ecip.
Det ailed
for ecast
on 8B
A B
In d ex
Lotteries.......2A Books...........4D Puzzles .......10D
Television .....9D Obituaries....5B Employment .8E Editorials....22A
Sandhills Golf Card
Online
Vol. 2014, No.159
Not acoupon. Visit
triangle.dealsaver.comto
purchasedeals.
For assistance,
call 919-829-4600.
$
Judge’s comments:
50 1,000
$
value
newsobserver.com
A great newspaper.
+
Maureen Lear, Anson
medical examiner
Wor k & M oney
American CHROME
Dance
LOSESAT
Festivalseeks
youngerfans BELMONT
Spor t s
THIRDP PLACE
Teacher assistants in N.C.
Shannon inveStigation
The report was released
almost a year after David
Shannon’s death.
+
Localcompaniesfretoverbeesʼhealth
FORTHEMOSTCOMPLETECOVERAGEINCLUDINGPROFILES, HOLE-BY-HOLEFLYOVERS, LEADERBOARDSANDMORE, GOTONANDO.COM/ USOPEN.
SEEASSISTANTS, PAGE12A
READ BY 1 MILLION+ IN PRINT AND ONLINE
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Shannon autopsy: Alcohol level at .22
Television 6B-7B
Weather
2A
Tarheel
Plastics
closes
By J. Andrew Curl iss
acurliss@newsobserver.com
ThestateSenateʼs proposal tocut
millionsin funding for second-and
third-grade teacher assistants is
part of aplan from itsleadersto reshape elementary education – a
plan that now emphasizes paying
more money to all teachers over
keeping aides who assist teachers
in someclassrooms.
Senate leader Phil Berger, an
Eden Republican, said in an interview that he is relying mainly on research from Tennessee and the United
Kingdom that casts
doubt on the effectiveness of teacher
assistants in helping
Berger
studentslearn, while
other studiespoint toteacher quality as a more crucial factor in student results.
The Tennessee study, a major
project begun in the 1980s and
known as Project STAR, found little difference in test scores of children in kindergarten through
fourth grade, especially after first
grade, when comparing classes
with and without teacher assistants.
But it concludedthat classesof13
to17children produced substantial
improvement, leadingtoinitiatives
to reduce class sizes across the
country; other research also suggests the lower the class size, the
better.
Anauthor of theU.K.studies,the
deepest in theworld on teacher assistants, said in an interview that
his teamʼs research should not be
used tosupport amoveby lawmakerstocut aides,morecommonlyreferred to asTAs.
“We went out of our way to say
publicly and to anyone who asked
usthat gettingridof TAsisactually
going to cause schools far more
problems than it will solve,” said
Rob Webster, a researcher at the
University of Londonʼs Institute of
MAYA ANGELOU
U.S. OPEN
$195
IN COUPONS
L E X I N G T O N , N O R T H C A R O L I N A | S A T U R D A Y, O C T O B E R 5 , 2 0 1 3 | 5 0 ¢
Aut hor says cut t ing
assist ant s is wr ong
vol. lXii No. 165
2014 TOTAL: $5,046
dailytarheel.com
new sobser ver.com
Berger
cites
research
on TAs
Judge’s comments:
Partly sunny
Volume 121, Issue 88
JUNE8, 2014
Clean, elegant design,
great use of white space
and art. Unusually
strong local editorial/oped content.
HI 91 LO 72
UP TO
87
IN COUPONS
The News &
Observer
Raleigh
Serving UNC students and the University community since 1893
COUNCIL MEETING: Wilson holds line
on taxes, increases fees in budget.
$
13 Rounds of Golf Now Only $50
triangle.dealsaver.com
DIVISION A
GENERAL NEWS REPORTING
1st Place
Staff
The Perquimans Weekly
Hertford
Tornado coverage
Good use of photography and solid reporting.
Story and sidebars provide the impact of a
tornado on a community and its people.
2nd Place
Justin Caudell
Crossroads Chronicle
Cashiers
Mail tampering angers residents
Good solid story with appropriate quotes.
Sidebar is helpful.
3rd Place
Brad Richs
Tideland News
Swansboro
Hoffman violation notes
NEWS FEATURE WRITING
1st Place
Bill Moss
Hendersonville Lightning
Hendersonville
Behind-the-scenes talks result in a joint
deal for health building
Reporter made a confusing land/building deal
easy to follow.
2nd Place
Lauren Collins
The Times-Leader
Grifton
Support during time of need
3rd Place
Lauren Collins
The Times-Leader
Grifton
Baby squirrel takes refuge
Simple story that easily could have been
overlooked or dismissed, but writer gave
this enough of a narrative arc to keep me
interested and reading about a man and his
squirrel. Nice detail.
PROFILE FEATURE
1st Place
Bill Moss
Hendersonville Lightning
Hendersonville
Apodaca keeps up the banter
Wonderful lede which sets the tone for this
masterful profile.
2nd Place
Bill Moss
Hendersonville Lightning
Hendersonville
Kirby brings stability to Pardee
A fine profile of a hospital CEO that keeps the
reader’s interest and offers an insight to the
subject’s thinking and his handling of a sensitive job.
3rd Place
Mary Wayt
The Roanoke Beacon
Plymouth
Pops
Readers certainly must have appreciated
this review of the life of a gentle man seen by
many in his community as the peanut man but
perhaps not as well known during life as he
was after his passing.
Community newspapers under 3,500 circulation
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
REPORTING
1st Place
Scott Brings Plenty
The Cherokee One Feather
Cherokee
Goshorn wins NACF Fellowship
2nd Place
Jeff Eason
The Blowing Rocket
Blowing Rock
Cocktail hour with Tom Robbins
3rd Place
Scott Brings Plenty
The Cherokee One Feather
Cherokee
Interactive Cherokee exhibit opens
EDUCATION REPORTING
1st Place
Barbara Hootman
Black Mountain News
Black Mountain
Brain drain
2nd Place
Drew C. Wilson
The Havelock News
Havelock
Dog fight
3rd Place
Drew C. Wilson
The Havelock News
Havelock
Ear of the beholder
3rd Place
Graziella Steele
The Mecklenburg Times
Charlotte
Up in the air
This is service to readers at its best.
2nd Place
Phillip Bantz
NC Lawyers Weekly
Raleigh
A costly business
Excellent piece on a mandate public fee that
apparently is not always being collected by
the courts.
3rd Place
Bill Moss
Hendersonville Lightning
Hendersonville
Tree to table
SPORTS NEWS REPORTING
1st Place
Ken Buday
The Havelock News
Havelock
Rams get signature win
Captured the excitement of the moment.
2nd Place
Ken Buday
The Havelock News
Havelock
Trojans get bragging rights
What a lede!
Great quotes.
FEATURE WRITING
SPORTS FEATURE WRITING
1st Place
Brad Rich
Tideland News
Swansboro
Sweet sound of scraps
1st Place
Rich Levey
Tideland News
Swansboro
Hugo Rubirosa, still a hero
Nice tone to story, good choice of details.
Reporter was questioning the subject well and
paying attention.
2nd Place
Fred McCormick
Black Mountain News
Black Mountain
Happy hackers
2nd Place
Drew C. Wilson
The Havelock News
Havelock
Frequency Flyers
6
1st Place
David Donovan
NC Lawyers Weekly
Raleigh
Supreme Court - Dimished Return Harmonious discord
3rd Place
Michael Jaenicke
Wayne-Wilson News Leader
Fremont
Falcons outlast Saints
Very well researched and an interesting topic.
Gave me a good view of the club and the
personalities and their interplay.
NEWS ENTERPRISE
REPORTING
First Place, Sports Feature Photo, Division A, by Drew Wilson, Havelock News
3rd Place
Michael Jaenicke
Princeton News Leader
Fremont
Above the net
DIVISION A
GENERAL NEWS
PHOTOGRAPHY
1st Place
Pete Rulon
Tideland News
Swansboro
Dragged
Difficult photo with nice perspective.
2nd Place
Joe Burnett
Spring Hope Enterprise
Spring Hope
Hands-on medical history
Interesting and a little creepy.
3rd Place
Joe Burnett
Spring Hope Enterprise
Spring Hope
Bailey-Middlesex park playground
behind locked gate
This was a good concept and has a starkness
to it that fits the story.
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
1st Place
Drew C. Wilson
The Havelock News
Havelock
Helping hands
This photo really stood out at the top of the list.
2nd Place
Lauren Collins
The Times-Leader
Grifton
Baby squirrel takes refuge
3rd Place
Rich Levey
Tideland News
Swansboro
Pier at dusk
The lighting in this photo really makes it stand
out.
SPORTS FEATURE PHOTO
1st Place
Drew C. Wilson
The Havelock News
Havelock
Football Friday
A great display of Friday night action, both on
and off the field.
2nd Place
Ken Buday
The Havelock News
Havelock
Big rock
Great emotional display in this series.
Community newspapers under 3,500 circulation
3rd Place
Ken Buday
The Havelock News
Havelock
Something to chew on
2nd Place
Ken Ripley, Joe Burnette, Vickie
Corbett Ripley
Spring Hope Enterprise
Spring Hope
2013 Spring Hope Pumpkin Festival
2nd Place
Ken Buday
The Haveock News
Havelock
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY
3rd Place
Ken Ripley, Vickie Corbett Ripley
Spring Hope Enterprise
Spring Hope
2013 History Alive
SERIOUS COLUMNS
Not just your average player at bat - this photo
shows something more
1st Place
John Cate
Princeton News Leader
Princeton
A tough loss for the Dawgs
Great emotion in this shot.
2nd Place
Ken Buday
The Havelock News
Havelock
Battle for the ball
Good action and framing. Can almost hear
them straining for control.
3rd Place
Ken Buday
The Havelock News
Havelock
Swimmer loses goggles
Nicely frozen action.
PHOTO PAGE
1st Place
Drew C. Wilson
The Havelock News
Havelock
Drying Up
I love this story and all of the pictures! What a
beautiful photo story!
2nd Place
Ken Buday
The Havelock News
Havelock
Fourth of July
Love the layout and variety of pics for this
spread!
3rd Place
Ken Buday
The Havelock News
Havelock
Tee Time
Love the kids’ facial expressions.
BEST VIDEO
1st Place
Drew Wilson
The Havelock News
Havelock
Icy roads in Havelock
Very good use of video. Truly shows the conditions of the road.
It shows off the celebration very well. This
could not be done without video.
BEST MULTIMEDIA PROJECT
1st Place
Ken Buday
The Havelock News
Havelock
Gurganus students delight
2nd Place
Drew C. Wilson
The Havelock News
Havelock
Visit to Cape Lookout
Video is very nice and adds a lot to the story.
3rd Place
Ken Buday
The Havelock News
Havelock
Super Sunday
EDITORIALS
1st Place
Bill Moss
Hendersonville Lightning
Hendersonville
An eloquent series of editorials that shows
respect for those who disagree but still takes
strong positions on behalf of the public.
2nd Place
Ken Ripley
Spring Hope Enterprise
Spring Hope
Nobody has to wonder where this newspaper stands on the issues of the day.
3rd Place
Ken Buday
The Havelock News
Havelock
Thoughtful editorials, well considered and
respectfully stated.
LIGHTER COLUMNS
1st Place
Jeff Eason
The Blowing Rocket
Blowing Rock
Breezy writing style, fun subject material. Good
work.
1st Place
Bill Moss
Hendersonville Lightning
Hendersonville
2nd Place
Mary Wayt
The Roanoke Beacon
Plymouth
3rd Place
Ken Buday
The Havelock News
Havelock
SPORTS COLUMNS
1st Place
Ken Buday
The Havelock News
Havelock
A nice eye for storytelling
HEADLINE WRITING
1st Place
Scott Brings Plenty
The Cherokee One Feather
Cherokee
2nd Place
Drew C. Wilson
The Havelock News
Havelock
3rd Place
Ken Buday
The Havelock News
Havelock
EDITORIAL PAGE
1st Place
Staff
The Havelock News
Havelock
They did not always have an editorial, but
they got a lot on the page. All local, as far as I
could see.
2nd Place
Staff
Tideland News
Swansboro
The strength here is in the editorials, which
show good research and good writing.
3rd Place
Staff
Crossroads Chronicle
Cashiers
7
DIVISION A
Community newspapers under 3,500 circulation
3rd Place
Staff
The Times-Leader
Grifton
BEST COMMUNITY
COVERAGE
1st Place
Staff
The Havelock News
Havelock
A good mix of all the news a community could
want. Good local sports and school coverage
and an interesting feature section, too.
2nd Place
Staff
The Times Leader
Grifton
First Place, General News Photograpgy, Division A, by Pete Rulon,
Tideland News, Swansboro
GENERAL EXCELLENCE FOR
WEB SITES
1st Place
Pat Bradford, Marimar McNaughton,
Cissy Russell
Lumina News
Wrightsville Beach
www.LuminaNews.com
2nd Place
Scott Brings Plenty
The Cherokee One Feather
Cherokee
www.TheOneFeather.com
SPORTS COVERAGE
1st Place
Rich Levey
Tideland News
Swansboro
Great use of visual elements and broad
coverage of different sports on the front page.
With multiple sports in playoffs going on, you
showed solid coverage without favoring one
team over another.
2nd Place
Scott Brings Plenty, Amble Smoker
The Cherokee One Feather
Cherokee
3rd Place
Staff
The Havelock News
Havelock
www.HaveNews.com
3rd Place
Staff
The Havelock News
Havelock
APPEARANCE & DESIGN
1st Place
Staff
The Havelock News
Havelock
1st Place
Staff
The Roanoke Beacon
Plymouth
2nd Place
Staff
Crossroads Chronicle
Cashiers
3rd Place
Scott Brings Plenty
The Cherokee One Feather
Cherokee
8
USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS
NEWS COVERAGE
1st Place
Staff
The Havelock News
Havelock
2nd Place
Staff
Hendersonville Lightning
Hendersonville
A tremendous amount of news in a small package.
Good use of photos and graphics, too.
3rd Place
Staff
Crossroads Chronicle
Cashiers
A nice mix of local stories. Particularly good
school coverage.
SPECIAL SECTION
1st Place
Jeff Eason
The Blowing Rocket
Blowing Rock
Blowing Rock: My Hometown
Really impressive section packed with useful
information.
2nd Place
Staff
Hendersonville Lightning
Hendersonville
2014 Apple Festival
It’s obvious a lot of hard work and thought
went into this section.
3rd Place
Staff
Hendersonville Lightning
Hendersonville
Primary Election Guide 2014
BEST NICHE
PUBLICATION
1st Place
Pat Bradford, Marimar McNaughton,
Allison Potter
Lumina News
Wrightsville Beach
Wrightsville Beach Magazine,
Sept. 2014
Clean, modern layout. The whole magazine
flowed nicely and had great editorial content.
2nd Place
Pat Bradford, Marimar McNaughton,
Allison Potter
Lumina News
Wrightsville Beach
Wrightsville Beach Magazine, July 2014
3rd Place
Staff
The Times-Leader
Grifton
Ayden Magazine - Water World
Very informative to visitors, newcomers and
locals.
CONGRATULATIONS to the following Cooke Communications News, Editorial &
Photojournalism Winners! Thank you for your hard work and commitment to excellence!
The Daily Reflector (Greenville, NC)
1 Online Breaking News Coverage,
Kristin Zachary, Sharieka Breedan
st
1 Feature Writing, Kim Grizzard
1st Profile Writing, Kim Grizzard
1st Investigative Reporting, Abbie Bennett
1st Photography, Feature, Aileen Devlin
1st Photo Page, Aileen Devlin
1st Illustration/Photo Illustration – Dailies Only,
Aileen Devlin
1st Best Video, Sara Cowell
1st Best Multimedia Project, Staff
1st Best Niche Publication, Jane Hudson, Wendy Gurganus
2nd Online Breaking New Coverage, Staff
2nd Education Reporting, Jane Dail
2nd Investigative Reporting, Kristin Zachary
2nd Business Writing – Dailies Only, Michael Abramowitz
2nd Best Multimedia Project, Staff
2nd Editorials, Al Clark
2nd Lighter Columns, Janet Storm
2nd Sports Columns, Nathan Summers
2nd Sports Coverage, Staff
st
Duplin Times/Duplin Today (Kenansville, NC)
2nd
2nd
3rd
3rd
3rd
Best Niche Publication, Jane Hudson, Wendy Gurganus
General Excellence for Newspaper Websites, Staff
General New Reporting, Jane Dail
Investigative Reporting, Kristin Zachary
Deadline News Reporting – Dailies Only,
Michael Abramowitz, Bobby Burns
3rd Headline Writing, Janet Storm
1st Editorials, Gary Scott
2nd Editorial Page, Gary Scott, Staff
3rd Feature Writing, Trevor Normile
The Perquimans Weekly (Hertford, NC)
1st General News Reporting, Staff
Bertie Ledger-Advance (Windsor, NC)
Rocky Mount Telegram (Rocky Mount, NC)
3rd Serious Columns, Barry Ward
1 Deadline News Reporting – Dailies Only,
Brie Handgraaf
nd
2 Headline Writing, Ross Chandler
3rd Photography, Sports, Adam Jennings
3rd Feature Section Design – Dailies Only, Ross Chandler
st
The Times-Leader (Ayden-Grifton, NC)
The Daily Advance (Elizabeth City, NC)
1st Sports News Reporting, Owen Hassell, Jimmy LaRoue
1st Editorial Page, Staff
2nd Best Multimedia Project, Owen Hassell, Jimmy LaRoue,
Chris Day
2nd Graphics – Dailies Only, Chris Day
3rd Editorials, Bob Montgomery
3rd Serious Columns, Robert Kelly-Goss
2nd
2nd
2nd
3rd
3rd
3rd
News Feature Writing, Lauren Collins
Photography, Feature, Lauren Collins
Best Community Coverage, Staff
Feature Writing, Lauren Collins
News Coverage – Community Only, Staff
Best Niche Publication, Staff: Ayden Magazine
1150 Sugg Pkwy
Greenville, NC
252-329-9500
We’re on a roll...
12 Awards in 2014 North Carolina Press Association Editorial Contest
FIRST
Arts and Entertainment Reporting
Best Community Coverage
Best Niche Publication
Investigative Reporting
Passing on the song of Appalachia
SMN Community Coverage
Beverly Hanks
It’s my party: GOP shake-up
Jeremy Morrison
SMN Staff
SMN Staff
Becky Johnson
General News Reporting
Profile Feature
Jailer’s Love Saga
Boiling down the essense of humanity
Becky Johnson
Garret K. Woodward
Investigative Reporting
News Feature
Double Dripping
Back to the future: Preppers learn to
ready themselves for times ahead
Becky Johnson
News Enterprise
Wake of the Bust
SECOND
THIRD
Holly Kays
Becky Johnson
General Excellence for Newspaper Websites SmokyMountainNews.com
Travis Bumgarner
Duke University Green Rossiter Award
for Distinguished Newspaper Work
SMN Staff
Cap and Gone
in Higher Education
N.C. Bar Association Media & the Law Award Cherokee Police
Covering
Haywood, Jackson,
Macon & Swain
counties.
Holly Kays
Beating the odds for several years running:
Investigative Reporting Awards:
2014,2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005 and 2004
News Enterprise Reporting Awards:
2014,2013, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006
General News Reporting Awards:
2014,2013, 2012, 2010, 2008, 2006, 2005 and 2004
General Excellence for Websites:
2014,2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010
News Feature Writing Awards:
2014,2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010
Education Reporting Awards:
2014,2013,2012, 2011 and 2010
72567
DIVISION B
GENERAL NEWS REPORTING
1st Place
Lee Hinnant
The State Port Pilot
Southport
Ferry grounding injures 13
2nd Place
Ritchie Starnes
The Stanly News & Press
Albemarle
The last stand
Great story told in word and photo.
Well sourced, interviewing around the subject
before we ever get to him.
2nd Place
Jason Tyson
The State Port Pilot
Southport
Why? Mentally ill Lakes teen shot
3rd Place
Andrew Mundhenk
Mitchell News-Journal
Spruce Pine
Goldstein retires
This is a tragic story told effectively.
3rd Place (tie)
Tim Chandler
The Courier-Times
Roxboro
Luck was on our side/Operation ICU2
ONLINE BREAKING NEWS
1st Place
Lauren Ohnesorge
Triangle Business Journal
Raleigh
HCL Technologies adding jobs
NEWS FEATURE WRITING
1st Place
Matthew Osborne
Cherokee Scout
Murphy
Militarization
Great follow through on this piece which
tracked down every gun and piece of equipment.
2nd Place
Lee Hinnant
The State Port Pilot
Southport
Why are there no venomous snakes?
Good writing, great use of lists of different
kinds of snakes
3rd Place
Renee Sloan
The State Port Pilot
Southport
His determination honors comrades
Great story of a recovering veteran’s desire and
drive.
FEATURE WRITING
1st Place
Lauren Ohnesorge, John West
Triangle Business Journal
Raleigh
Vault of tradition
Wow. Just an excellent, polished effort.
10
PROFILE FEATURE
1st Place
Lee Hinnant
The State Port Pilot
Southport
Still serving
Was lovely to read.
2nd Place
Kitsey E. Burns
The Yadkin Ripple
Yadkinville
Canning makes a comeback
3rd Place
Renee Sloan
The State Port Pilot
Southport
Thank goodness for Mr. Jim
A great lede draws the reader right into this story.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
REPORTING
1st Place
Mark Schultz
The Durham News
Durham
The master’s class
What a wonderful story.
2nd Place
Mark Schultz
The Durham News
Durham
One night only
Very enjoyable reading.
3rd Place
Ed Harper
The State Port Pilot
Southport
Love, and a new venue, helped open
Bat’s eyes
Community newspapers 3,500-10,000 circulation
EDUCATION REPORTING
1st Place
Jonathan Alexander
The Durham News
Durham
DPS targets truancy problem
Story provides a very real look at the complexities of a serious problem
2nd Place
Melissa Dean
The News-Record & Sentinel
Marshall
Teaching Werewolf
Solid reporting and writing about a modern
trend.
3rd Place
Renee Sloan
The State Port Pilot
Southport
Teachers leaving the classroom
NEWS ENTERPRISE
REPORTING
1st Place
Jim Wise
The Durham News
Durham
Poverty 10.01
his is the type of story that grabs readers by the
collar on an issue that many aren’t affected by
and tells you why you should care.
2nd Place
Amanda Jones Hoyle
Triangle Business Journal
Raleigh
You’re on the hook
A real eye-opener for readers. Strong public
watchdog journalism that not only affects
readers but every person in the community.
3rd Place
Lauren Ohnesorge
Triangle Business Journal
Raleigh
YY’s next move
Very strong overall package.
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
1st Place
Anthony Gonzales, Wendy
Byerly Wood
The Tribune
Elkin
DSS case brings state changes
How did the DSS so horribly mishandle this
case? Good reporting brings small changes;
great reporting brings the changes you brought
about. Well done!
2nd Place
Melissa Dean
The News-Record & Sentinel
Marshall
Board of Elections
Lots of legwork went in to this series, with a
great deal of twists and turns. But through
solid investigative reporting, the News-Record
& Sentinel navigated through it all. Well done.
3rd Place
Renee Sloan
The State Port Pilot
Southport
Attorney reviews legality of board
pay raises
Outrageous story. Great reporting.
SPORTS NEWS REPORTING
1st Place
Doug Rutter
The State Port Pilot
Southport
Huffman runs away with conference
championship
Loved the lede.
2nd Place
Staff
The Courier-Times
Roxboro
Bulldogs, McGhee shoot down Vikings
3rd Place
Doug Rutter
The State Port Pilot
Southport
South advances to third round
of playoffs
SPORTS FEATURE WRITING
1st Place
Sougata Mukherjee
Triangle Business Journal
Raleigh
Green days
2nd Place
Renee Sloan
The State Port Pilot
Southport
Larry Legend brings his game, message
to South
3rd Place
Anderson Clayton
The Courier-Times
Roxboro
Anderson’s day at the track
DIVISION B
Community newspapers 3,500-10,000 circulation
2nd Place
Kelly Snow
The Courier-Times
Roxboro
Rockets look to rebound
Well framed and great action.
3rd Place
Ed Harper
The State Port Pilot
Southport
Out of reach
First Place, General News Photography, Division B, by Jeff Davis,
The Chatham News, Siler City
GENERAL NEWS
PHOTOGRAPHY
1st Place
Jeff Davis
The Chatham News
Siler City
Fun at National Night Out
This was the clear winner. Well framed with
interesting, candid action.
2nd Place
David Butler
The Smoky Mountain Times
Bryson City
Restoring sicklefin redhorse population
Nice, tight shot of something we’ve never seen
before.
3rd Place
David Butler
The Smoky Mountain Times
Bryson City
House destroyed in Saturday blaze
Not just another fire photo. This one is unique
in that it focuses on the damage and smoke
and shows how devastating the fire was to a
family.
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
1st Place
David Leone
The Wake Weekly
Wake Forest
Living the arts
The emotion and composition really make this
photo a stand out.
2nd Place
Mike Floyd
The Courier-Times
Roxboro
Thursday afternoon at sunset
The cloud lines draw the reader right to the
sunset and make for a beautiful feature.
3rd Place
W. Curt Vincent
The Bladen Journal
Elizabethtown
Spring special
SPORTS FEATURE PHOTO
1st Place
Scott Wallace
Cherokee Scout
Muphy
Winter Wonderland
Excellent natural alignment of the sledders
with the dog. Definitely a unique shot.
2nd Place
Scott Wallace
Cherokee Scout
Muphy
Harlem Wizards
Great choice to focus on the enjoyment of the
event instead of the action on the court.
3rd Place
Renee Sloan
The State Port Pilot
Southport
Surf-Off
Great feature series.
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY
1st Place
David Allen
The Wake Weekly
Wake Forest
Cougars tear through Panther Creek
The basketball shot is the one I’m ranking first
here. The look on his face says it all.
2nd Place
Renee Sloan
The State Port Pilot
Southport
Sgt. Hakey makes a surprise visit
You really get the emotional impact of the
reunion with the video.
Can almost hear her groan as she realizes it’s
too late.
3rd Place
Jason Tyson, Terry Pope
The State Port Pilot
Southport
Storm of the Century:
Hazel Remembered
PHOTO PAGE
EDITORIALS
1st Place
Scott Wallace
Cherokee Scout
Murphy
Feeling their pain
Great story, pics and layout! The facial expressions in the pics make the story!
2nd Place
Morgan Harper
The State Port Pilot
Southport
Fired Up!
Love the water shots and all of the great facial
expressions!
3rd Place
Jeff Davis
The Chatham News
Siler City
Jam Camp
Great layout.
BEST VIDEO
1st Place
Renee Sloan
The State Port Pilot
Southport
Spotlight on talent
This story wouldn’t be nearly as good without
the video.
2nd Place
Renee Sloan
The State Port Pilot
Southport
Dr. Seuss Chorus
Very cute and good use of video.
BEST MULTIMEDIA PROJECT
1st Place
Meredith Hamrick, Amanda Jones
Hoyle, John West
Triangle Business Journal
Raleigh
Transforming a Town
The video and the blogs really help keep the
reader involved and up to date on the project.
1st Place
Ed Harper
The State Port Pilot
Southport
Clever, crisp writing with a sensible and strong
point of view.
2nd Place
Jessica Waters
The Franklin Press
Franklin
These editorials are written with confidence.
3rd Place
Matthew Osborne
Cherokee Scout
Murphy
LIGHTER COLUMNS
1st Place
David Leone
The Wake Weekly
Wake Forest
2nd Place
Bob Allen
The Wake Weekly
Wake Forest
3rd Place
Morgan Harper
The State Port Pilot
Southport
SERIOUS COLUMNS
1st Place
David Brown
Cherokee Scout
Murphy
All three columns were well written.
2nd Place
Morgan Harper
The State Port Pilot
Southport
3rd Place
Staff
Bertie Ledger-Advance
Windsor
11
DIVISION B
SPORTS COLUMNS
Community newspapers 3,500-10,000 circulation
2nd Place
Staff
The Alamance News
Graham
3rd Place
Staff
The Franklin Press
Franklin
Hands-down the best of the division.
Certainly strongly opinionated. Long
editorials. Lots of details.
2nd Place
Chris Rice, Melissa Dean
The News-Record & Sentinel
Marshall
2nd Place
Jamie Shell
The Avery Journal-Times
Newland
3rd Place
Staff
The State Port Pilot
Southport
3rd Place
Dathan Kazsuk
Triangle Business Journal
Raleigh
BEST COMMUNITY
COVERAGE
3rd Place
Charles Curcio
The Stanly News & Press
Albemarle
GENERAL EXCELLENCE FOR
WEB SITES
1st Place
Kelly Snow
The Courier-Times
Roxboro
HEADLINE WRITING
1st Place
Ed Harper
The State Port Pilot
Southport
2nd Place
Rebecca Troyer
Triangle Business Journal
Raleigh
Interesting, well-written editorials.
1st Place
Staff
The State Port Pilot
Southport
www.StatePortPilot.com
2nd Place
Staff
Cherokee Scout
Murphy
www.CherokeeScout.com
3rd Place
David Leone
The Wake Weekly
Wake Forest
3rd Place
Staff
The Wake Weekly
Wake Forest
www.WakeWeekly.com
EDITORIAL PAGE
APPEARANCE & DESIGN
1st Place
Staff
Cherokee Scount
Murphy
Small but mighty. Powerful editorials.
1st Place
Staff
The Chatham News
Siler City
Excellent job!
Beautifully laid out pages. Colorful and well
constructed.
Excellent use of space and color.
SPORTS COVERAGE
1st Place
Kelly Snow
The Courier-Times
Roxboro
2nd Place
Staff
The State Port Pilot
Southport
3rd Place
David Allen, Clellie Allen, Becky
Kimbrell-Norris
The Wake Weekly
Wake Forest
USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS
1st Place
Staff
Cherokee Scout
Murphy
2nd Place
Staff
The State Port Pilot
Southport
3rd Place
Jeff Davis
The Chatham News
Siler City
NEWS COVERAGE
1st Place
Staff
The State Port Pilot
Southport
With strong writing and reporting and
wide-ranging, timely coverage, The State Port
Pilot achieves a high standard for local news
coverage.
2nd Place
Staff
Cherokee Scout
Murphy
Second Place, General News Photography, Division B, by David Butler,
Smoky Mountain Times, Bryson City
12
Coverage goes beyond writing up meeting
minutes and press releases from law enforcement agencies and gets to the people involved
in its stories.
Provides its readers with a diverse picture of
their community.
1st Place
Staff
The State Port Pilot
Southport
Lots of news for and about residents, further
enhanced by great photos. Residents must feel
they can’t miss their local paper.
2nd Place
Nicholas Elmes, Amanda Dodson,
Cheryl Vaden
The Stokes News
Walnut Cove
A nice mix of stories residents need to know.
3rd Place
Chris Rice, Melissa Dean
The News-Record & Sentinel
Marshall
Full of stories I’m sure the community is reading and talking about.
SPECIAL SECTION
1st Place
Staff
Cherokee Scout
Murphy
Country Roads, Spring 2014
Beautiful, clean design with great photography and articles.
2nd Place
Staff
The News Journal
Raeford
Pulse: The State of Business in
Hoke County
This section is packed with local coverage. The
articles are well thought out and the design is
clean. Nice work!
3rd Place
Staff
The Chatham News
Siler City
A Special Salute to Veterans
This seems like a section you can build on and
make ever bigger and better. Really fine work!
Continued on page 36
The North Carolina Press Association would like to
thank the following sponsors for their support:
DIVISION C
GENERAL NEWS REPORTING
1st Place
John H. Tucker
INDY Week
Durham
No man’s land
Wow. Polished, thorough, fascinating story.
2nd Place
Becky Johnsonl
Smoky Mountain news
Waynesville
Jailer’s love saga
What a story. Reporter did a good job of trying
to answer everyone’s questions about what
happened and why.
3rd Place
Sam Hickman
The Brunswick Beacon
Shallotte
SBI probes officer’s fatal shooting of
teen
Good job getting the family to talk to you.
Good descriptions of the sequence of events.
NEWS FEATURE WRITING
1st Place
John H. Tucker
INDY Week
Durham
A time bomb
Powerfully written and intensely reported.
2nd Place
Tom Embrey
The Pilot
Southern Pines
Who killed Chris Thomas
A great example of how to cover life. Writer
tells the story with compassion and avoids
maudlin tone.
3rd Place
Holly Kays
Smoky Mountain News
Waynesville
Back to the future: Preppers learn old
time skills
Great job of turning what could have been a
ho-hum assignment into something that left
an impression.
FEATURE WRITING
1st Place
Deb Salomon
The Pilot
Southern Pines
On the plus side
Great lede. pulled me in and then discussed an
important health issue.
14
2nd Place
Jefferson Weaver
The News Reporter
Whiteville
Woman brings soldier, dog
back together
Created emotion right off the bat. Got to the
heart of the story right away..
3rd Place
Trevor Normile
Duplin Times
Kenansville
Vietnam pilot finds ‘741’
Could feel the connection between the pilot
and machine. Quotes brought the story to life..
PROFILE FEATURE
1st Place
John H. Tucker
INDY Week
Durham
Flesh and bone
An absorbing and scholarly story about solving a murder. The reader is pulled along in this
expertly crafted story to a rewarding epilogue.
2nd Place
Garret K. Woodward
Smoky Mountain News
Waynesville
Boiling down the essence of humanity
This profile is one to enjoy, clip and share with
others.
3rd Place
Paul A. Specht
Cary News
Cary
Finding her passion
The writer does an excellent job telling how
the subject conceived of and created her
potato food truck by her own initiative and her
parents’ help.
Community newspapers over 10,000 circulation
EDUCATION REPORTING
1st Place
Carrie Eidson
Mountain Xpress
Asheville
The ‘good kids” school
Story conveys the time and attention paid
to reporting. As a result, the reader is given a
front-row seat to what goes on at this school
and how it makes a difference.
2nd Place
Billy Ball
INDY Week
Durham
Gay is OK
A sensitively reported look at an issue facing
many schools today.
3rd Place
Paul A. Specht
Cary News
Cary
Agents: School caps hurt housing
market
This story shows there are some hidden story
gems out there when considering that schools
are usually the top employers and taxers in a
community.
NEWS ENTERPRISE
REPORTING
1st Place
Lisa Sorg
INDY Week
Durham
Appetite for destruction
The lede anecdote put the reader at the scene
and keeps them reading, the ending is perfect
and the accompanying breakouts are fine
examples of public service.
2nd Place
John H. Tucker
INDY Week
Durham
A new approach
3rd Place
Becky Johnson
Smoky Mountain News
Waynesville
Wake of the bust
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
1st Place
Becky Johnson
Smoky Mountain News
Waynesville
It’s my party: GOP shake-up
I’ve never--EVER--experienced what Ms.
Johnson went through covering this issue.
Ridiculousness to the extreme. Great reporting,
and keep sticking to your guns!
2nd Place
John H. Tucker
INDY Week
Durham
Camp fear
Solid reporting with a lot of memorable
characters and descriptive writing makes for a
particularly strong piece.
3rd Place
Becky Johnson
Smoky Mountain News
Waynesville
Double dripping
Great investigative piece on elected officials
filling in for sanitary workers.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
REPORTING
1st Place
Jeremy Morrison
Smoky Mountain News
Waynesville
Passing on the song of Appalachia
2nd Place
Alli Marshall
Mountain Xpress
Asheville
Pressing matters
3rd Place
Shelby Harrell , DeeAnna Haney
The Mountaineer
Waynesville
Lights, camera, action
First Place, Sports Feature Photography, Division C, by James Nix,
Independent Tribune, Concord
DIVISION C
SPORTS NEWS REPORTING
1st Place
Tom Embrey
The Pilot
Southern Pines
Believe It
2nd Place
Dan Biser
The News Reporter
Whiteville
Gore fires no-hitter in Wolfpack’s win
3rd Place
Zach Colburn
Wilkes Journal-Patriot
North Wilkesboro
Staley no-hits Trojans
SPORTS FEATURE WRITING
1st Place
Andy G. Moore
Wilkes Journal-Patriot
North Wilkesboro
Baseball was his sanctuary
2nd Place
Tom Embrey
The Pilot
Southern Pines
It’s a family affair
3rd Place
Michael Paul
The Brunswick Beacon
Shallotte
Coach ‘A” says farewell to baseball
GENERAL NEWS
PHOTOGRAPHY
1st Place
Tim Hale
The Pilot
Southern Pines
Shell games
Nice perspective and tinting on main art. Good
depiction of subject matter.
2nd Place
Brandi Swarms
The Pilot
Southern Pines
A magical wish
3rd Place
Hannah Sharpe
The Pilot
Southern Pines
Boom daysl
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
1st Place
Mark Schultz
Chapel Hill News
Chapel Hill
A blast of British
Wow! This photo is easily the first place finisher
in this division.
2nd Place
Mark Schultz
Chapel Hill News
Chapel Hill
You can dance if you want to
I love when a photo can literally make me
laugh out loud.
3rd Place
Dylan Ray
Carteret County News-Times
Morehead City
Boat work
This photo has a lot of great things going for it.
SPORTS FEATURE PHOTO
1st Place
James Nix
Independent Tribune
Concord
The Bell
The emotion with the player and his fans, and
the action on the bell just sets this apart from
the rest of the field.
2nd Place
Hannah Sharpe
The Pilot
Southern Pines
Powder Puff for a Cure
The variety on this photo series is impressive.
Well done!
3rd Place
Glenn M. Sides
The Pilot
Southern Pines
Playing Through
This is quite a unique feature shot.
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY
1st Place
Michael Paul
The Brunswick Beacon
Shallotte
BCC baseball
I like everything about this photo
2nd Place
Christine Adamczyk
Cary News
Cary
Nubian Spann breaks the backboard
Great action and framing.
Community newspapers over 10,000 circulation
3rd Place
James Nix
Independent Tribune
Concord
The Rock
Angle works well here to convey the intense
action.
PHOTO PAGE
1st Place
Douglas Sasser
The News Reporter
Whiteville
Birds of a feather
Beautiful pictures and spread!!! I absolutely
LOVE these pictures!!!.
2nd Place
Staff
The Pilot
Southern Pines
Eye on the ball
Great photo spread. Love all the facial expressions.
3rd Place
Douglas Sasser
The News Reporter
Whiteville
The Sunflower Patch
BEST MULTIMEDIA PROJECT
1st Place
Hannah Sharpe, Tom Embrey
The Pilot
Southern Pines
Moore County Hounds mark 100 years
2nd Place
Brandi Swarms, Deb Salomon
The Pilot
Southern Pines
Bearing witness
3rd Place
Hannah Sharpe
The Pilot
Southern Pines
Living through 100
EDITORIALS
1st Place
Gary Scott
Duplin Times
Kenansville
Solid, clear writing. Concise. Firm stands well
supported by reasoning and facts.
2nd Place
Jackie Torok
The Brunswick Beacon
Shallottee
A lot of “voice,” personality in these editorials.
3rd Place
Michael Gebelein
Lincoln Times-News
Lincolnton
LIGHTER COLUMNS
1st Place
Brian Slattery
The Brunswick Beacon
Shallotte
2nd Place
Robert Levy
The Pilot
Southern Pines
3rd Place
John Nagy
The Pilot
Southern Pines
SERIOUS COLUMNS
1st Place
Jim Dodson
The Pilot
Southern Pines
Awesome columns. The October ghosts was
my favorite.
2nd Place
John Nagy
The Pilot
Southern Pines
Great columns. As a parent, Alfie was my
favorite.
3rd Place
Andrew Warfield
Lake Norman Citizen
Huntersville
Three great columns. Season of Hope should
run every year.
SPORTS COLUMNS
1st Place
Jim Dodson
The Pilot
Southern Pines
Hands-down the best writing among the
entries.
2nd Place
Elliott Warnock
Chapel Hill News
Chapel Hill
Great with a turn of phrase and professional in
tone. Solid set of columns.
3rd Place
Justin Parker
Lake Norman Citizen
Huntersville
Pair of locally focused columns and one that is
personal -- but he earns it with a fun and funny
friendship.
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DIVISION C
HEADLINE WRITING
1st Place
Deb Salomon
The Pilot
Southern Pines
2nd Place
Faye Dasen
The Pilot
Southern Pines
3rd Place
David Sinclair
The Pilot
Southern Pines
EDITORIAL PAGE
1st Place
Steve Bouser
The Pilot
Southern Pines
Wow. A really wide range of columnists covering North Carolina.
2nd Place
Gary Scott, Staff
Duplin Times
Kenansville
Some very good things. Strong local historical
columnist.
3rd Place
Staff
Wilkes Journal-Patriot
North Wilkesboro
GENERAL EXCELLENCE FOR
WEB SITES
1st Place
Kyle Kirkpatrick, Brad Messenger,
Stefan Colosimo
Mountain Xpress
Asheville
www.MountainX.com
2nd Place
Staff
The Pilot
Southern Pines
www.ThePilot.com
3rd Place
Travis Bumgarner
Smoky Mountain News
Waynesville
www.SmokyMountainNews.com
APPEARANCE & DESIGN
1st Place
Staff
The Mountaineer
Waynesville
Excellent use of photos, color and clip art
together to create a beautiful front page. 2nd
16
Community newspapers over 10,000 circulation
2nd Place
Staff
The Pilot
Southern Pines
3rd Place
Staff
Carteret County News-Times
Morehead City
3rd Place
Staff
The News Reporter
Whiteville
BEST COMMUNITY
COVERAGE
Good use of pictures.
Nice use of pictures.
SPORTS COVERAGE
1st Place
J. Mike Blake
Southwest Wake News
Apex
Good use of not only photo elements, but of
different fact boxes as well. Nice balanced
coverage.
2nd Place
Staff
The Clayton News-Star
Clayton
Nice college signings package, and great art to
go with centerpiece story on Feb. 26.
3rd Place
Staff
The Smithfield Herald
Smithfield
Great photos and package on wrestling, along
with good coverage of other sports.
USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS
1st Place
Staff
Carteret County News-Times
Morehead City
Good mix of photos: news, sports, etc. Photos
are good size, different angles and locations.
Good hustle on getting photos from Arthur.
2nd Place
Staff
The Pilot
Southern Pines
Lots of photos,
NEWS COVERAGE
1st Place
Staff
The Pilot
Southern Pines
A well-rounded news report that provides thorough coverage of many issues of importance.
2nd Place
Staff
INDY Week
Durham
Indy Week is an alternative weekly that delivers its readers strong, smart coverage of local
issues.
A solid, thorough news report.
1st Place
Staff
Smoky Mountain News
Waynesville
Great coverage of local issues. Stories covered all
the angles and were well written. Interesting story
on the cost of community fireworks displays and
even the sewer story should have caught readers
eyes. Best arts coverage- hands down. Great
paper..
2nd Place
Staff
Independent Tribune
Concord
Great job covering issues people in the community were no doubt talking about. Nice
calendar and good feature stories, too.
3rd Place
Staff
The Pilot
Southern Pines
An attractive paper with some very good
feature stories, particularly the one on the
breast cancer survivor. Sports coverage was
also good.
SPECIAL SECTION
1st Place
Staff
The Pilot
Southern Pines
Open Daily, June 8, 2014
The photography and writing in this section
stands ahead of the pack. Creative layouts,
impressive photography and great articles
combine for an excellent end product.
2nd Place
Staff
INDY Week
Durham
Ride: The INDY’s Bike Guide
This is a really great special section that pulls
together great writing, excellent photography
and clean design. The layouts were creative
and fun, drawing the reader in. Excellent job
3rd Place
Staff
The News Reporter
Whiteville
50 Years: Southeastern
Community College
This anniversary special section for the community college was comprehensive and really
told the story it needed to tell .
BEST NICHE PUBLICATION
1st Place
Staff
Smoky Mountain News
Waynesville
Beverly Hanks
Great mixture of locales information and feature stories. Great background information for
the area for anyone looking to move there or
locals who may want to rediscover something.
Very clean layout as well!
2nd Place
Staffr
The Pilot
Southern Pines
Pinestraw Magazine
Great publication! The pride the staff shows
for their community is evident in the feature
stories and amount of work that went into
this publication. Love the playful cover. The
modern layout was clean and very appealing
to the eye.
3rd Place
Staff
INDY Week
Durham
INDY Eats
Very colorful and eye-catching publication.
Great organization in the back of areas with
food genres. The feature stories were also
educational which was appreciated.
CONGRATULATIONS!
We’re proud of the journalists at The Charlotte Observer and the McClatchy Publishing Center in Charlotte, who won 30 awards this year from the North Carolina
Press Association. It’s the 18th consecutive year in which we’ve won at least 20 awards from the NCPA. More importantly, it continues a tradition of journalism
that not only distinguishes The Charlotte Observer and CharlotteObserver.com, but also connects day after day with our communities and readers.
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It’s what we do!
•FIRSTS
Staff: Deadline News Reporting, Mayor
resigns after corruption charges
Gary Schwab: News Feature Writing,
A Binding Truth
Elizabeth Leland: Profile Feature, Club
owner on Cannon: He was a good friend
Pam Kelley: Arts and Entertainment
Reporting, Dark Novel, Bright Talent
Ames Alexander, Fred Clasen-Kelly,
Elizabeth Leland and Gavin Off:
Investigative Reporting, Fatally Flawed
Staff: Sports News Reporting, Tragedy
on the track
Peter St. Onge: Editorials
Peter St. Onge: Serious Columns
Mark Washburn: Lighter Columns
Mark Washburn: Criticism
Scott Fowler: Sports Columns
Staff: Editorial Page
Staff: General Excellence for
Newspaper Websites,
CharlotteObserver.com
Staff: Sports Coverage
Staff: Best Niche Publication,
SouthPark (May 2014)
1. Sarah Crosland 2. David Scott 3. Tracie Stafford 4. Rick Thames 5. Helen Schwab
6. Roland Wilkerson 7. Eric Edwards 8. Elizabeth Leland 9. Cheryl Carpenter 10. Scott Fowler
11. Pam Kelley 12. Fred Clasen-Kelly 13. Gavin Off 14. Ames Alexander 15. Mark Washburn
16. Tony Lone Fight 17. Andrew Dunn 18. Michael Gordon 19. Michael Weinstein 20. April Bethea 21. Hope Paasch
22. Ann Doss Helms 23. Mike Persinger 24. David Puckett 25. Taylor Batten 26. Dave Enna 27. Jason Benavides
28. Ely Portillo 29. Katie Coleman 30. Gary Schwab 31. Peter St. Onge 32. Steve Harrison 33. John Arwood 34. Jim Walser 35. Ronnie Glassberg 36. Cristina Wilson 37. Sergio Tovar
•SEC ONDS
Staff: Online Breaking News Coverage,
Cannon to plead guilty
Staff: General News Reporting, The two
worlds of Patrick Cannon
Elizabeth Leland: News Feature Writing,
Stonewall Jackson secrets: Children
against monsters
Pam Kelley: Feature Writing, Sex and the
store that survived
Jason Benavides: Illustration/Photo
Illustration, Haunt this House
Taylor Batten: Editorials
Ann Doss Helms: Education Reporting,
N.C. Brain Drain
Staff: Best Niche Publication, Carolina
Bride (April/June 2014)
Helen Schwab: Criticism
Staff: Special Section, Spring into Action
Pam Kelley: Arts and Entertainment
Reporting, What Hollywood didn’t want
from Ender’s Game author
•THIRDS
Mark Washburn: Profile Feature, From a
tragic past, a hopeful future
Andrew Dunn: Business Writing, City’s
new landlords quick to evict
Staff: Best Multimedia Project, Progress
at the Pound
Note: Observer reporter Rick Rothacker
was part of a McClatchy team on the
series Contract to Cheat, entered by
The News & Observer. It won 3rd place
in Investigative Reporting.
DIVISION D
GENERAL NEWS REPORTING
1st Place
Olivia Neeley
The Wilson Times
Wilson
Records open in Finch case
Great pursuit of opening records while covering a serious court case thoroughly.
2nd Place
Lisa Wall, Jessie Isaacs, Tyler Johnson
The News-Herald
Morganton
Bloody day in Burke
Great follow-up reporting really complemented the comprehensive initial coverage.
3rd Place
Nathaniel Axtell
Times-News
Hendersonville
Federal shutdown: Local parks, USDA
sevices are impacted
I enjoyed all the “real people” faces you put
on the issue while still holding government
representatives accountable.
DEADLINE NEWS REPORTING
1st Place
Corey Friedman, Olivia Neeley
The Wilson TImes
Wilson
Water Rises
“Water Rises” stood out for its extensive
reporting, which included voices and descriptions that made it easy to picture the scene.
It included information pertinent to the community about the weather for the days ahead.
Kudos to going beyond a standard storm story.
2nd Place
Caitlin Byrd
Times-News
Hendersonville
Fire destroys condominiums
3rd Place
Caitlin Byrd
Times-News
Hendersonville
School resource officer arrested
Caitlin’s lede engaged me immediately. I could
envision the scene so well with her descriptions
- what a way with words she has!
ONLINE BREAKING NEWS
1st Place
Janet Conner-Knox, Jon Jimison,
Brad Coville
The Wilson Times
Wilson
7-year old killed after gunman shoots
into home
The reporters did a great job of getting to the
scene of a tragic situation quickly.
18
2nd Place
Darrick Ignasiak
The Dispatch
Lexington
Woman, 81, dies in house fire
The reporter does a good job of getting real
emotion into a difficult story.
3rd Place
Staff
The Washington Daily News
Washington
First Christian Church fire
The story is quick and to the point, but it
provides all the necessary detail,
NEWS FEATURE
1st Place
Nathaniel Axtell
Times-News
Hendersonville
Rare owl a hoot for bird-watchers
Nice variety of voices in these stories. Entertaining, informative and well-researched -- all
the ingredients of a news feature.
2nd Place
Jessica Pickens
The Star
Shelby
Cow chaos- Officials: Two-dozen
escaped animals cause wrecks
You had me when state police used the chalk
outline on the dead cow, and clinched me with
the line “alleged cow owner.”
3rd Place
Nathaniel Axtell
Times-News
Hendersonville
Family, friends say goodbye to a biker,
Harley style
Nicely done
FEATURE WRITING
1st Place
Lisa Boykin Batts
The Wilson Times
Wilson
Homegrown following; back from the
brink
This is a story that easily could have been
overwritten -- and it wasn’t. The writing is
straightforward but also puts you there, giving
it all greater impact. Nicely done.
2nd Place
Joey Millwood
Times-News
Hendersonville
Reporter during Kennedy’s Dallas visit
tells his story
Daily newspapers under 12,500 circulation
3rd Place
Emily Weaver
Times-News
Hendersonville
Haunted Hendersonville
PROFILE FEATURE
1st Place
Rochelle Moores
The Wilson Times
Wilson
Historic fun
Lot of detail and color makes this a winning
piece.
2nd Place
Olivia Neeley
The Wilson Times
Wilson
The road back
3rd Place
Caitlyn Byrd
Times-News
Hendersonville
Man says liver transplant is just one
miracle that saved his life
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
REPORTING
1st Place
Jessica Pickens
The Star
Shelby
Living Legacy: Scruggs Center continues to draw visitors
2nd Place
Stephanie Creech
The Wilson Times
Wilson
Shining Moments
3rd Place
Janet Conner-Knox
The Wilson Times
Wilson
The art of the church hat
EDUCATION REPORTING
1st Place
Olivia Neeley
The Wilson Times
Wilson
Finding their voice
It is apparent in the writing the reporter did
more than attended a few classes and got a
few quotes. It appears the writer went into this
article with a strong background knowledge.
2nd Place
Molly McGowan
Times-News
Hendersonville
More kids living in poverty
A story that doesn’t bog itself down in statistics
but instead uses the statistics to direct the
conversation..
3rd Place
Melonie Flomer
Richmond County Daily Journal
Rockingham
3-D takes middle schools by storm
Goes beyond the surface.
NEWS ENTERPRISE
REPORTING
1st Place
Nathaniel Axtell
Times-News
Hendersonville
Affordable housing remains elusive
for families
This reporter tells the story through the lens
of families struggling to make ends meet and
gets them to open up about some very tough
financial realities of their lives. Great journalism. That is excellent reporting, and the piece
is so well done.
2nd Place
Emily Weaver
Times-News
Hendersonville
Wait gets longer for muder trials
Excellent trend piece that shows how justice
delayed affects not only the families of victims
but also the defendants in murder cases.
3rd Place
Judi Brinegar
The Courier-Tribune
Asheboro
Focus: How does your favorite
place rate?
Great piece and overall package on an issue
that truly affects every reader.
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
1st Place
Jenny Gray
The Daily Herald
Roanoke Rapies
Harsh reality
2nd Place
Rochelle Moore
The Wilson TImes
Wilson
Sealed documents, money seized
DIVISION D
Daily newspapers under 12,500 circulation
3rd Place
Oliva Neeley
The Wilson TImes
Wilson
Chain of violence
3rd Place
Mark Dolejs
The Daily Dispatch
Henderson
Season sweep for Southern
BUSINESS WRITING
1st Place
Jon Jimison
The Wilson Times
Wilson
A game-changer?
This is a nice image capturing the reaction
after a score.
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY
1st Place
Ben Earp
The Star
Shelby
Getting a grip
A lot of details on a story that was written
on deadline. Good background and good
explanation of what the change will mean to
a consumer.
2nd Place
Chris Berendt
The Sampson Independent
Clinton
‘Southern’ sensation
First Place, Feature Photography, Division D, by Mark Dolejs,
The Daily Dispatch, Roanoke Rapids
A well-done business profile.
3rd Place
Jon Jimison
The Wilson Times
Wilson
Detailing the deal
Good, solid information on a business change
that will impact the community.
SPORTS NEWS REPORTING
1st Place
Owen Hassell, Jimmy LaRoue
The Daily Advance
Elizabeth City
Coach: Administration knew about
arrests
Good reporting here showing how administration turned blind eye.
2nd Place
Alan Wooten
The Daily Dispatch
Henderson
Answering the bell
Story did a good job explaining exactly what
the win meant for Duke and made the reader
care about Blue Devils football.
3rd Place
Shawn Stinson
Richmond County Daily Journal
Rockingham
U.S. Women’s Open coverage
Good reporting and consistently interesting
stories.
SPORTS FEATURE WRITING
1st Place
Joey Millwood
The Times-News
Hendersonville
Playing for keeps
I thoroughly enjoyed these... what a great job
of telling their stories.
2nd Place
Travis Durkee
The Daily Herald
Roanoke Rapids
Man with the mic
A great story on an unsung hero in the sports
world.
3rd Place
David Cucchiara
The Washington Daily News
Washington
Remembrande
GENERAL NEWS
PHOTOGRAPHY
1st Place
Patrick Sullivan
Times-News
Hendersonville
Guess who came to town?
Nice series of photos that follow the story.
2nd Place
Mark Dolejs
The Daily Dispatch
Henderson
Wreck on Garnett Street
Great access. Good job of layering all the elements, drawing your eye to the background
and subject.
3rd Place
Brad Coville
The Wilson Times
Wilson
Crash closed I-95
Good job of capturing subtile emotion as the
crew uses a stethoscope to check the injured
driver.
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
1st Place
Mark Dolejs
The Daily Dispatch
Henderson
Counting down to Christmas
I’ve always liked these unique “found” photos.
The kitschy-ness of the santa adds a fun aspect
to the pictures.
2nd Place
Brad Coville
The Wilson Times
Wilson
Homecoming
Great tender moment.
3rd Place
Brittany Randolph
The Star
Shelby
Fun at the Bethware Fair
Great expression.
SPORTS FEATURE PHOTO
1st Place
Donnie Roberts
The Dispatch
Lexington
Error in ninth sinks HiToms
Nice work by the photographer for sticking
with the play after the “action.”
2nd Place
Mark Dolejs
The Daily Dispatch
Henderson
Emotional ending
This image is about the emotional toll on one
of the players to whom the game obviously
meant so much. Nice picture..
Great frame! I love the reaction on the wrestler’s
face.
2nd Place
Mike Dirks
Times-News
Hendersonville
Prep soccerr
Great action shot.
3rd Place
Donnie Roberts
The Dispatch
Lexington
High Point’s disqualification kills American Legion’s credibility
It’s always a tough shot to get! This was
executed flawlessly!.
PHOTO PAGE
1st Place
Brad Coville, Allison Moore Pridgen
The Wilson Times
Wilson
Fire levels home
2nd Place
Ashley Vansant
The Washington Daily News
Washington
On the big stage
3rd Place
Zach Frailey
The Free Press
Kinston
Dog days of summer
ILLUSTRATION/PHOTO
ILLUSTRATION
1st Place
Robert Oden
The Wilson Times
Wilson
Measuring children’s health
Very clean, effective work.
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DIVISION D
2nd Place
Janet S. Carter, Zach Frailey
The Free Press
Kinston
Help for those who need it
Good use of color. The illustration and display
type balance each other nicely.
EDITORIALS
SPORTS COLUMNS
Very strong writing, with clear personality and
effective tone of controlled passion.
This is the best set of columns by far.
1st Place
Guy Lucas
The News-Topic
Lenoir
3rd Place
Paul Durham
The Wilson Times
Wilson
Ironman 3
2nd Place
Sherry Matthews
The Sampson Independent
Clinton
BEST VIDEO
3rd Place
Bob Montgomery
The Daily Advance
Elizabeth City
Fun combination of display type and art for a
movie poster look.
1st Place
Anna Johnson, Wesley Beeson
The Sanford Herald
Sanford
Veterans Day Progam
Excellent use of audio, video and photos.
2nd Place
Donnie Roberts
The Dispatch
Lexington
The Yo-Yoist
Very informative. Good use of video.
3rd Place
Erin Kidd
The Daily Courier
Forest City
East Rutherford’s No. 1 fan
MULTIMEDIA PROJECT
1st Place
Mike Dirks, Nancy Tanker
Times-News
Hendersonville
Davidson River drum class inspires
students
The video adds a lot.
2nd Place
Owen Hassell, Jimmy LaRoue, Chris
Day
The Daily Advance
Elizabeth City
Multimedia project
Print layout is very striking and I like the game
previews and highlighting of the Twitter
updates as well. .
3rd Place
Caitlyn Byrd, Michael Dirks, Patrick
Sullivan
Times-News
Hendersonville
Fire destroys condominiums
Daily newspapers under 12,500 circulation
A lot of effective passion without being emotional in these editorials.
LIGHTER COLUMNS
1st Place
Amy Fuhrman
Statesville Record & Landmark
Statesville
Unique subject matter for columns. Something
different. Excellent writer.
2nd Place
Matt Lindberg
The Daily Herald
Roanoke Rapids
Good writer
Very easy to read
3rd Place
Guy Lucas
The News-Topic
Lenoir
Good writer. He has a way with words and gets
his point across.
SERIOUS COLUMNS
1st Place
Chad Killebrew
The Dispatch
Lexington
Killebrew does a nice job of using his column
to speak with readers about their newspaper,
including their criticisms, to demystify decisions by The Dispatch.
2nd Place
Alyssa Mulliger
The Daily Courier
Forest City
Mulliger reflects a simplicity and honesty that
surely represents her community and the audience of The Daily Courier.
3rd Place
Robert Kelly-Goss
The Daily Advance
Elizabeth City
1st Place
Randy Jones
The Wilson Times
Wilson
2nd Place
Cody Dalton
The Observer-News-Enterprise
Newton
3rd Place
Jimmy Lewis
The Wilson Times
Wilson
Love columns about people and issues -- not
about the columnist. That’s pulled off here
very well.
HEADLINE WRITING
1st Place
Lisa Wall
The News-Herald
Morganton
2nd Place
JonJimison
The Wilson Times
Wilson
3rd Place
Jennifer Gentile
Sanford Herald
Sanford
GRAPHICS
1st Place
Robert Oden
The Wilson Times
Wilson
Meth Busts
Very colorful and creative. Nice use of shading
and feathering edges of graphics. Excellent
coloring.
2nd Place
Chris Day
The Daily Advance
Elizabeth City
EDITORIAL PAGE
1st Place
Staff
The Daily Advance
Elizabeth City
Editorials are hard-hitting and well-displayed.
The Issue/Our Position good. Letters good.
Man on the Street interviews a plus.
2nd Place
Staff
The Washington Daily News
Washington
3rd Place
Diane Norman, Chris Horeth
Times-News
Hendersonville
Editorials are good discussions of local politics.
Columns strong.
GENERAL EXCELLENCE FOR
WEB SITES
1st Place
Staff
The Daily Advance
Elizabeth City
www.DailyAdvance.com
2nd Place
Staff
The Free Press
Kinston
www.Kinston.com
3rd Place
Staff
The Daily Courier
Forest City
www.TheDigitalCourier.com
APPEARANCE & DESIGN
1st Place
Staff
Statesville Record & Landmark
Statesville
Good, clean design with dominant art and
clean, easy-to-read graphics.
3rd Place
Staff
The Sanford Herald
Sanford
Clean entry points, good use of dominant and
multiple images.
3rd Place
Staff
The Daily Dispatch
Henderson
SPORTS COVERAGE
1st Place
Paul Schenkel
The News-Herald
Morganton
Clean design. Variety of coverage. Overall nice
look and good use of space.
2nd Place
Staffl
Times-News
Hendersonville
Good design and variety of coverage.
3rd Place
Sports Staff
The Wilson Times
Wilson
Nice design. Good variety.
DIVISION D
NEWS SECTION DESIGN
1st Place
Staff
The Star
Shelby
Strong centerpiece design sets this paper
apart. The packages are dominant and stand
out. The pages inside are clean, as is the
typography.
3rd Place
Staff
Sanford Herald
Sanford
Very attractive, clean layout. Good variety of
fonts and headline usage.
BEST COMMUNITY
COVERAGE
2nd Place
Allison Moore Pridgen, Robert Oden
The Wilson Times
Wilson
1st Place
Staff
The Sampson Independent
Clinton
Creative use of the nameplate helps this paper
set itself apart.
Though the paper is small, it is jam packed
with local news covering a variety of areas.
3rd Place
Lisa Wall, Robert Jordan
The News-Herald
Morganton
2nd Place
Staff
Richmond County Daily Journal
Rockingham
FEATURE SECTION DESIGN
1st Place
Staff
Times-News
Hendersonville
Nicely packaged. Easy for reader to follow.
Clever twists on “Core” for section names.
2nd Place
Michelle Moore, Jill Doss-Raines
The Dipatch
Lexington
Clearly covers issues that are concerns to the
area.
3rd Place
Staff
Statesville Record & Landmark
Statesville
Daily newspapers under 12,500 circulation
SPECIAL SECTION
2nd Place
Diane Norman, Jeff Zehr
Times-News
Hendersonville
Mountain Traditions, Fall/Winter 2013
1st Place
Staff
The Daily Dispatch
Henderson
Dispatch 100th Anniversary
Well photographed and wide open layout
makes it easy to read.
2nd Place
Dean Hensley, Joey Millwood
Times-News
Hendersonville
The Build
3rd Place
Annette Jordan, JD Walker,
Charles Wade
The Courier-Tribune
Asheboro
Thrive: Life in Our Town and Beyond October 2014
A very engaging insert.
3rd Place
Staff
The Washington Daily News
Washington
Profile Beaufort County 2014
BEST NICHE PUBLICATION
1st Place
Annette Jordan, JD Walker,
Charles Wade
The Courier-Tribune
Asheboro
Thrive: Life in Our Town and Beyond April 2014
Professionally done from beginning to end.
Photos are large and interesting.
Layout easy to follow but stories are great to
get lost in.
First Place, Graphics, Division D,
by Robert Oden
The Wilson Times, Wilson
CONGRATULATIONS
TO OUR GRADUATES
from Randolph Community College
Photographic Technology Program!
Randolph Community College,
where photographic excellence is a tradition.
RCC Graduate
Newspaper
Place/Category
Wesley Beeson (team)
Cindy Burnham
Janet S. Carter (team)
Mark Dolejs
Mark Dolejs
Mark Dolejs
Abbi O’Leary & Dillon Deaton
Abbi O’Leary
Dylan Ray
Donnie Roberts
Donnie Roberts
Donnie Roberts
Sam Roberts
Mike Spencer
Brandi Swarms
Brandi Swarms (team)
Bernard Thomas
Bernard Thomas
Jerry Wolford
Jerry Wolford
Sanford Herald
Fayetteville Observer
The Free Press (Kinston)
The Daily Dispatch
The Daily Dispatch
The Daily Dispatch
Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville Observer
Carteret County Times-News
The Dispatch
The Dispatch
The Dispatch
The Times-News (Burlington)
StarNews
The Pilot
The Pilot
The Herald-Sun
The Herald-Sun
News & Record
News & Record
1st/Best Video
3rd/Sports Photography
2nd/Photo Illustration
1st/Feature Photography
2nd/General News Photography
2nd & 3rd/Sports Feature Photo
1st/Best Video
3rd/Best Video
3rd/Feature Photography
1st/Sports Feature Photo
2nd/Best Video
3rd/Sports Photography
3rd/Sports Feature Photo
2nd/Photo Page
2nd/General News Photography
2nd/Best Multimedia Project
1st/Sports Photography
3rd/Feature Photography
1st & 2nd/Sports Feature Photo
3rd/Feature Photography
"Serving North Carolina's newspapers for over 45 years."
Creating Opportunities. Changing Lives.
22
(336) 633-0200 • www.randolph.edu • www.northcarolinaphotographyschool.com
DIVISION E
GENERAL NEWS REPORTING
1st Place
Sarah Willets
The Robesoniam
Lumberton
The path to freedom for McCollum,
Brown
Great series, great journalism.
2nd Place
Kevin Ellis
Gaston Gazette
Gastonia
Faked death
Great subject matter. Nice series.
3rd Place
Jane Dail
The Daily Reflector
Greenville
A giver learns to receive
Great example of service before self.
DEADLINE NEWS REPORTING
1st Place
Brie Handgraaf
Rocky Mount Telegram
Rocky Mount
Shooting wounds four on basketball
court
I particularly liked the lede - it’s what stuck out
to me.
2nd Place
Staff
The Daily Tar Heell
Chapel Hill
Finally following federal law
Obviously, this is a topic that is important
to the college community, and to get all the
information and sources pulled together is
great.
3rd Place
Michael Abramowitz, Bobby Burns
The Daily Reflector
Greenville
Tornado causes heavy damage
This stood out for its descriptions of the wreckage. Kudos to the staff for hustling to add
late-received information.
ONLINE BREAKING NEWS
1st Place
Kristin Zachary, Sharieka Breeden
The Daily Reflector
Greenville
Five Points murder
An excellent job of staying on top of a quickly
developing story and providing additional
information and context.
2nd Place
Staff
The Daily Reflector
Greenville
Snowstorm
Great job of covering many angles of an unusual weather story, from what officials were
saying to how everyday people were reacting.
3rd Place
Staff
The Daily News
Jacksonville
Sentry shot
Going outside the officials channels to find
people who could provide context was helpful
to readers.
NEWS FEATURE
1st Place
Kristin Zachary
High Point Enterprise
High Point
Putting a face to the figures
Zachary paints the face poverty.
2nd Place
Stephanie Butzer
The High Point Enterprise
High Point
Triangle of hunger
This is a story that people not only need to
read, but want to read. Well done!
3rd Place
Michael D. Abernethy
The Times-News
Burlington
The hidden battle
Abernethy looks beyond the symptoms to the
results. A moving tribute.
FEATURE WRITING
1st Place
Kim Grizzard
The Daily Reflector
Greenville
Rebuilt cottage ‘a sheer miracle.’
Strong voices, great quotes and good detail.
Well done.
2nd Place
Michael Barrett
Gaston Gazette
Gastonia
From slave to baron
Absolutely fascinating story. Good presentday and historical context, and nicely written.
3rd Place
Michael Barrett
Gaston Gazette
Gastonia
One jar is for Larry Clinton to enjoy; the
other will hold his ashes
A fun, quirky story.
Daily newspapers 12,500-35,000 circulation
PROFILE FEATURE
1st Place
Kim Grizzard
The Daily Reflector
Greenville
Fostering success; Long journey leads
graduate to Yale
2nd Place
Jimmy Tomlin
High Point Enterprise
High Point
Unbroken
3rd Place
Mark Wineka
Salisbury Post
Salisbury
‘I like being busy’
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
REPORTING
1st Place
Mark Wineka
Salisbury Post
Salisbury
Pop’s Picking Place
This story is magical. Wineka made me feel like
I was in the room. Great color, well organized.
2nd Place
Jimmy Tomlin
High Point Enterprise
High Point
Final Act
This clearly involved some digging and work
with sources to get to the bottom of the story.
3rd Place
Jaymie Baxley
The Robesonian
Lumberton
Jason Petty
Nicely done feature. Sidebar is a nice touch for
readers.
EDUCATION REPORTING
1st Place
Kristin Zachary
High Point Enterprise
High Point
Lunch? You’ve got 8 minutes
2nd Place
Jane Dail
The Daily Reflector
Greenville
Elementary school’s rapid growth causing problems
3rd Place
Jannette Pippin
The Daily News
Jacksonville
Changing pace
NEWS ENTERPRISE
REPORTING
1st Place
Emily Ford, Shavonne Potts
Salisbury Post
Salisbury
West End: In the line of fire
Outstanding package of stories on a topic of
great importance in this community.
2nd Place
Staff
The Daily Tar Heel
Chapel Hill
Sexual assault on campus
The various pieces of this excellent package
were thorough, well-sourced and well-written
stories. Well done.
3rd Place
Michael Barrett
Gaston Gazette
Gastonia
Challenges of Obamacare
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
1st Place
Abbie Bennett
The Daily Reflector
Greenville
Company associated with mayor
dissolved
A strong story.
2nd Place
Kristin Zachary
The Daily Reflector
Greenville
DWI backlog challenges system
Shows enterprise, prompted action.
3rd Place
Kristin Zachary
The Daily Reflector
Greenville
Assistant DA fired from office
BUSINESS WRITING
1st Place
Emily Ford
Salisbury Post
Salisbury
Rowan’s future in solar farms looks
sunny
2nd Place
Michael Abramowitz
The Daily Reflector
Greenville
A life-changing six seconds; Don’t sell
creativity short
Continued page 26
23
Congratulations on award-
Halifax Media Group newspapers
have years of tradition delivering
quality journalism to N.C.
readers and advertisers.
Our commitment to North
Carolina and community
journalism speaks for itself
with over 100 awards for
Halifax Media newspapers in
this year’s NCPA News
and Photojournalism contest!
Havelock News - Division A
1st
Use of Photographs/Community Only
1st
News Coverage/Community Only
1st
Best Community Coverage
1st
Sports News Reporting
1st
Photography, Feature
1st
Sports Feature Photo
1st
Photo Page
1st
Best Video
1st
Best Multimedia Project
1st
Sports Columns
1st
Editorial Page
2nd
Headline Writing
2nd
Best Multimedia Project
2nd
Feature Writing
2nd
Education Reporting
2nd
Sports News Reporting
2nd
Sports Feature Photo
2nd
Lighter Columns
2nd
Photography, Sports
2nd
Photo Page
3rd
Photo Page
3rd
Best Multimedia Project
3rd
Editorials
3rd
Photography, Sports
3rd
Serious Columns
3rd
Sports Feature Photo
3rd
Headline Writing
3rd
Sports Coverage
3rd
Education Reporting
Lexington Dispatch - Division D
1st
Sports Feature Photo
1st
Serious Columns
2nd
Online Breaking News Coverage
2nd
Best Video
2nd
Feature Section Design/Dailies Only
3rd
Photography, Sports
Staff
Staff
Staff
Ken Buday
Drew C. Wilson
Drew C. Wilson
Drew C. Wilson
Drew C. Wilson
Ken Buday
Ken Buday
Staff
Drew C. Wilson
Drew C. Wilson
Drew C. Wilson
Drew C. Wilson
Ken Buday
Ken Buday
Ken Buday
Ken Buday
Ken Buday
Ken Buday
Ken Buday
Ken Buday
Ken Buday
Ken Buday
Ken Buday
Ken Buday
Staff
Drew C. Wilson
Donnie Roberts
Chad Killebrew
Darrick Ignasiak
Donnie Roberts
Michelle Moore
Jill Doss-Raines
Donnie Roberts
Kinston Free Press - Division D
2nd
Illustration/Photo Illustration/Dailies Only Janet S. Carter
Zach Frailey
3rd
Photo Page
Zach Frailey
Hendersonvi
1st
Feat
1st
New
1st
New
1st
Spor
1st
Phot
1st
Best
2nd
Spor
2nd
Spec
2nd
Best
2nd
Dead
2nd
Feat
2nd
Feat
2nd
Feat
2nd
Edu
2nd
New
2nd
Phot
3rd
Gen
3rd
Dead
3rd
New
3rd
Feat
3rd
Prof
3rd
Best
3rd
Edit
Shelby Star 1st
Arts
1st
Phot
1st
New
2nd
New
3rd
Phot
Jacksonville D
1st
New
1st
Feat
2nd
Spor
3rd
Onli
3rd
Edu
New Bern Su
1st
Edit
2nd
New
2nd
Phot
-winning excellence across the state...
ille Times-News - Division D
ture Section Design - Dailies Only
Staff
ws Feature Writing
Nathaniel Axtell
ws Enterprise Reporting
Nathaniel Axtell
rts Feature Writing
Joey Millwood
tography, General News
Patrick Sullivan
t Multimedia Project
Mike Dirks, Nancy Tanker
rts Coverage
Staff
cial Section
Dean Hensley, Joey Millwood
t Niche Publication
Diane Norman, Jeff Zehr
dline News Reporting - Dailies Only
Caitlin Byrd
ture Writing
Joey Millwood
ture Writing
Joey Millwood
ture Writing
Joey Millwood
ucation Reporting
Molly McGowan
ws Enterprise Reporting
Emily Weaver
tography, Sports
Mike Dirks
neral News Reporting
Nathaniel Axtell
dline News Reporting - Dailies Only
Caitlin Byrd
ws Feature Writing
Nathaniel Axtell
ture Writing
Emily Weaver
file Feature
Caitlin Byrd
t Multimedia Project
Caitlin Byrd, Michael Dirks,
Patrick Sullivan
torial Page
Diane Norman, Chris Horeth
- Division D
and Entertainment Reporting
tography, Sports
ws Section Design - Dailies Only
ws Feature Writing
tography, Feature
Jessica Pickens
Ben Earp
Staff
Jessica Pickens
Brittany Randolph
Daily News - Division E
ws Section Design/Dailies Only
ture Section Design/DaIlies Only
rts Feature Photo
ine Breaking News Coverage
ucation
Staff
Staff
John Sudbrink
Staff
Jannette Pippin
un Journal - Division E
torial Page
Randy Foster, Chris Segal
ws Section Design - Dailies Only
Staff
to Page
Chuck Beckley
Gaston Gazette - Division E
1st
Sports Feature Photo
John Clark
1st
Headline Writing
Lauren Frame
1st
Graphics/Dailies Only
Randy Erwin
1st
Special Section/ 2013 Veterans Salute
Staff
2nd
General News Reporting
Staff
2nd
Feature Writing
Michael Barrett
2nd
Photography, General News
John Clark
2nd
Illustration/Photo Illustration/Dailies Only Randy Erwin
2nd
Best Community Coverage
Staff
3rd
Best Multimedia Project
Kevin Ellis/Nick Dumont
3rd
Editorials
Staff
3rd
Sports Coverage
Sports Staff
3rd
Feature Writing
Michael Barrett
3rd
News Enterprise Reporting
Michael Barrett
3rd
Special Section/ Discover Gaston 2014
Staff
Burlington Times-News - Division E
1st
Photography, General News
Scott Muthersbaugh
1st
Editorials
Madison Taylor
1st
Lighter Columns
Frances Woody
1st
Serious Columns
Jay Ashley
1st
Criticism - Dailies Only
Madison Taylor
2nd
Criticism - Dailies Only
Charity Apple
2nd
Graphics - Dailies Only
Linda Bowden
2nd
Editorial Page
Staff
2nd
Feature Section Design - Dailies Only
Staff
2nd
Special Section
Staff
2nd
Photography, Sports
Scott Muthersbaugh
3rd
Photo Page
Scott Muthersbaugh
3rd
Illustration/Photo Ill. - Dailies Only Scott Muthersbaugh
3rd
Lighter Columns
Jay Ashley
3rd
News Feature Writing
Michael D. Abernethy
3rd
Sports News Reporting
Conor O’Neill
3rd
Sports Feature Photo
Sam Roberts
Wilmington Star-News - Division F
1st
Best Community Coverage
Staff
1st
Special Section
Pressley Baird,
Chris McGaughey, Mike Spencer
1st
Best Multimedia Project
Staff
2nd
Criticism - Dailies Only
Ben Steelman
2nd
Photo Page
Mike Spencer
3rd
News Feature Writing
Julian March
3rd
Feature Writing
Julian March
3rd
News Enterprise Reporting
A. Wagner, M. Voorheis
3rd
Headline Writing
Scott Nunn
3rd
Feature Section Design - Dailies Only
Staff
25
DIVISION E
3rd Place
Mark Wineka
Salisbury Post
Salisbury
What for you? Retirement calls after 21
years behind counter at Hap’s
2nd Place
John Clark
Gaston Gazette
Gastonia
Pleads guilty
SPORTS NEWS REPORTING
3rd Place
Christine T. Nguyen
The Herald-Sun
Durham
Never forgotten
1st Place
Harold Guttmann
The Herald-Sun
Durham
Time runs out
Being able to take the reader to an event, with
words, and make them not only care about the
result but know exactly why it happened is a
gift. This story did that..
2nd Place
Staff
The Herald-Sun
Durham
Duke shocks Tech
3rd Place
Conor O’Neill
The Times-News
Burlington
Wire to wire
Solid story on what was one of the more
important events in the state this year.
SPORTS FEATURE WRITING
1st Place
Grace Raynor
The Daily Tar Heel
Chapel Hill
The man behind home plate
Best-told story. Best writing.
2nd Place
Nick Ironside
Hickory Daily Record
Hickory
Ryan Succop
3rd Place
Mark Wineka
Salisbury Post
Salisbury
‘Big Puma’
GENERAL NEWS
PHOTOGRAPHY
1st Place
Scott Muthersbaugh
The Times-News
Burlington
Special delivery from Elvis
Great image.
26
Daily newspapers 12,500-35,000 circulation
Good capture of quiet emotion during court.
Nice use of light a graphic composition keeps
us looking at this image.
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
1st Place
Aileen Devlin
The Daily Reflector
Greenville
ECU students have a (snow) ball on day
off
Lots of energy in this photo and composed
very well.
2nd Place
Christine T. Nguyen
The Herald-Sun
Durham
Splish Splash; rain floods area
3rd Place
Bernard Thomas
The Herald-Sun
Durham
Derby
SPORTS FEATURE PHOTO
1st Place
John Clark
Gaston Gazette
Gastonia
A super sweep
This outstanding picture brought an immediate smile to the judges and we’re sure it did to
readers, too.
2nd Place
John Sudbrink
The Daily News
Jacksonville
Hall first Croaton frosh champ
3rd Place
Sam Roberts
The Times-News
Burlington
Spector sport
The photographer saw something here in an
otherwise predictable scene, very nice work.
First Place, Feature Photography, Division E, by Aileen Devlin,
The Daily Reflector, Greenville
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY
1st Place
Bernard Thomas
The Herald-Sun
Durham
Heel’s Rx for success not same at Duke
I love the wide, low angle. It really shows the
peak of action and the sense of place with the
crowd.
2nd Place
Scott Muthersbaugh
The Times-News
Burlington
Sliding into the bench
Great action and not your typical basketball
shot.
3rd Place
Adam Jennings
Rocky Mount Telegram
Rocky Mount
N.C. State’s Lon Cherry
I love the angle and the color in this.
PHOTO PAGE
1st Place
Aileen Devlin
The Daily Reflector
Greenville
After the storm, picking up the pieces
2nd Place
Chuck Beckley
Sun Journal
New Bern
Daddy-Daughter Ball
3rd Place
Scott Muthersbaugh
The Times-News
Burlington
Spring has sprung
ILLUSTRATION/PHOTO
ILLUSTRATION
1st Place
Aileen Devlin, Janet Storm
The Daily Reflector
Greenville
Autopsy: Piecing together life-and-death
mysteries
Such a creative idea! The illustration works
perfectly with the display type and makes for
a much more visually interesting design than
just the staged autopsy photo would have.
2nd Place
Randy Erwin
Gaston Gazette
Gastonia
Charlotte Knights
Lots of tidbits of information packed in there
to keep readers on this story.
3rd Place
Scott Muthersbaugh
The Times-News
Burlington
Underage drinking
A very simple, effective concept that’s wellexecuted.
BEST VIDEO
1st Place
Sara Cowell
The Daily Reflector
Greenville
Domestic violence
Very informative. This wasn’t obtainable just
using photos or text.
2nd Place
Staff
The Daily Tar Heel
Chapel Hill
Tar Heels defeat Duke Blue Devils,
DIVISION E
Daily newspapers 12,500-35,000 circulation
A great storyteller.
SERIOUS COLUMNS
1st Place
Jay Ashley
The TImes-News
Burlington
Jay Ashley had an unfair advantage in this
competition. He is blessed with a writer’s eye
and a writer’s touch that made his columns a
clear winner.
2nd Place
Mark Wineka
Salisbury Post
Salisbury
First Place, General News Photography, Division E, by Scott
Muthersbaugh, The Times-News, Burlington
74-66
3rd Place
Christine T. Nguyen, John McCann
The Herald-Sun
Durham
Hillside runner blazing a trail
This was a very relatable video. Seeing him run
changes the story in a good way.
MULTIMEDIA PROJECT
1st Place
Staff
The Daily Reflector
Greenville
History Makers
Having the video to accompany the profiles
really helps out the story.
2nd Place
Staff
The Daily Reflector
Greenville
ECU-UNC
Very nice overall package with the story itself,
the video clips and the social media interaction. I’m sure the fans loved it.
3rd Place
Kevin Ellis, Nick Dumont
Gaston Gazette
Gastonia
Week lookback
The interactive map is really nice. It gives the
reader a better feel of just where the news is
coming from. I love that it has the option to
read the full story.
EDITORIALS
1st Place
Madison Taylor
The Times-News
Burlington
Beautifully written and thoughtfully argued
editorials. This newspaper stands up to those
in power with a rare combination of vigor and
respect.
2nd Place
Al Clark
The Daily Reflector
Greenville
Eloquence. This stirring series of editorials is a
joy to read and an inspiration to consider.
3rd Place
Staff
Gaston Gazette
Gastonia
An artful and compelling series of direct editorials that get to the point.
LIGHTER COLUMNS
1st Place
Frances Woody
The TImes-News
Burlington
Very easy to read. Has a way with words. Sense
of humor comes out in columns.
2nd Place
Janet Storm
The Daily Reflector
Greenville
Unique subject matter. Descriptive writing.
3rd Place
Jay Ashley
The Times-News
Burlington
28
Wineka injected a columnist’s voice without
hitting readers over the head with it. A plus is
that he writes about things that newspapers
don’t often address.
3rd Place
Elizabeth Cook
Salisbury Post
Salisbury
No columnist did a better job of creating a
conversation with readers than did Elizabeth
Cook. Her writing spoke to the reading audience about matters of local importance.
SPORTS COLUMNS
1st Place
Mark Wineka
Salisbury Post
Salisbury
Mercy rule here. This set of columns is not only
the best in this division, but one of the best regardless of circulation. I hope this community
appreciates this guy; his nose for interesting
angles is impressive and his execution solid.
2nd Place
Nathan Summers
The Daily Reflector
Greenville
Paints a great picture with his columns, and
lets the scene tell the story.
3rd Place
John McCann
The Herald-Sun
Durham
CRITICISM
1st Place
Madison Taylor
The Times-News
Burlington
Collection of book reviews
A conversational style of writing makes these
easy to read. I like the writer’s style and unforced efforts to turn phrases. The clear winner.
2nd Place
Charity Apple
The Times-News
Burlington
Collection of criticisms
A variety of subjects demonstrate the writer’s
versatility in handling both stage productions
and a concert. Both were handled deftly. The
writing style is simple and well-organized. A
strong entry .
3rd Place
Deirdre Parker Smith
Salisbury Post
Salisbury
Collection of criticisms
Showed versatility by reviewing different
genres. Pleasing writing style and good descriptions serve readers well.
HEADLINE WRITING
1st Place
Lauren Frame
Gaston Gazette
Gastonia
2nd Place
Ross Chandler
Rocky Mount Telegram
Rocky Mount
3rd Place
Janet Storm
The Daily Reflector
Greenville
GRAPHICS
1st Place
Randy Erwin
The Gaston Gazette
Gastonia
Incredible graphic skills. Wonderful coloring and
uses of graphics and fonts.
2nd Place
Linda Bowden
The Times-News
Burlington
Wonderful use of graphics and space. Great
clip art usage.
3rd Place
Andy Mooney
Salisbury Post
Salisbury
Good use of clip art and graphics program.
Visually appealing artwork.
EDITORIAL PAGE
1st Place
Randy Foster, Chris Segal
Sun Journal
New Bern
Cartoons in color. Strong local editorials. Strong
local columns. by staff writers and about local
topics. Like the way the columnists thanks the
DIVISION E
readers for their time. Lots of letters to the editor.
2nd Place
Staff
The Times-News
Burlington
Good local editorials. Good discussion of
business in the community and business incentives. Letters. Page of cartoons.
3rd Place
Vince Wheeler
High Point Enterprise
High Point
Lots of reader contact points. Uses a poll.
GENERAL EXCELLENCE FOR
WEB SITES
1st Place
Staff
The Daily Tar Heel
Burlington
www.DailyTarHeel.com
2nd Place (tie)
Staff
Gaston Gazette
Gastonia
www.GastonGazette.com
2nd Place (tie)
Staff
The Daily Reflector
Greenville
www.Reflector.com
3rd Place (tie)
Staff
The Daily News
Jacksonville
www.JDNews.com
3rd Place (tie)
Staff
Rocky Mount Telegram
Rocky Mount
www. Rocky Mount Telegram.com
APPEARANCE & DESIGN
1st Place
Staff
The Times-News
Burlington
Like the front pallete. Design is consistent
through sections. Nice use of photos.
Daily newspapers 12,500-35,000 circulation
2nd Place
Staff
The Daily Tar Heel
Chapel Hill
Clean design. Nice use of symmetrical graphs
and pictures.
3rd Place
Staff
The Daily News
Jacksonville
Good use of art.
SPORTS COVERAGE
1st Place
Staff
The Daily News
Jacksonville
Extensive local results, a lot of info there. Well
organized.
2nd Place
Staff
The Daily Reflector
Greenville
Extensive pre-game coverage. Game-day
coverage good.
Lobbying & the Legal Hotline
These are just two of the many benefits the
NCPA offers member newspapers.
NCPS Ad Networks play a big part in providing funding for these benefits.
Selling a network ad makes money for your newspaper,
the N.C. Press Association, and more importantly,
keeps the newspaper industry strong.
For more information or to set up a network training with your newspaper’s
advertising staff, contact NCPS at ads@ncpress.com or 919-516-8018.
3rd Place
Sports Staff
Gaston Gazette
Gastonia
Great local coverage. Design is good.
NEWS SECTION DESIGN
1st Place
Staff
The Daily News
Jacksonville
Clean front pages and the simple yet effective use
of the nameplate space gives this paper the edge.
Front pages are clean and not busy. Inside pages
are clean and organized.
2nd Place
Staff
Sun Journal
New Bern
Clean above-the-fold look helps this newspaper.
3rd Place
Staff
The Daily Tar Heel
Chapel Hill
Clean front pages. Nothing flashy, but easy to
read.
Continued page 36
DIVISION F
GENERAL NEWS REPORTING
1st Place
Drew Brooks
Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville
With the troops in Afghanistan
An incredibly compelling series that reminds
readers of the work and the many dangers
that continue in Afghanistan. The writer
weaves the trials, tribulations and tragedies
with an intricate finesse.
2nd Place
Staff
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
The two worlds of Patrick Cannon
It’s clear there was plenty of scouring records
followed by a lot more hitting the street reporting to get as accurate and fair a behind-thepublic-face look into this situation as possible.
3rd Place
Amanda Dolasinski
Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville
Lumbee housing issues
What would have been a solid story if it had
stopped at the analysis of audits is turned into
an even stronger package by going beyond the
numbers and showing how it effects the every
day people who were supposed to be helped by
the money at the heart of the scandal.
DEADLINE NEWS REPORTING
1st Place
Staff
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
Mayor resigns after corruption charges
There are several aspects to compliment this team
of reporters on: the clear, engaging writing; putting
the allegations into context with events and facts
previously reported; providing readers with a
timeline and excerpts from the investigation; and
dissecting the charges and resignations from several angles - all on deadline. I can only hope me and
my coworkers could pull a story off this well should
such news come to our community.
2nd Place
Richard Carver
Winston-Salem Journal
Winston-Salem
Reynolds-Lorrillard deal
Wow. To do that much reporting for a breaking
news story is impressive. And to present it as
clearly as Richard did is even better, as it was
clearly complicated. Nice work.
3rd Place
Nathan Hardin, Nancy McCleary
Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville
Rampaging gunman kills two
Good lede, straight to the point.
30
ONLINE BREAKING NEWS
1st Place
Staff
The News & Observer
Raleigh
Road crews prepare for Round 2; state
moves trucks from coast to Triangle
This snowstorm was covered from seemingly
every conceivable angle
2nd Place
Staff
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
Cannon to plead guilty
The Charlotte Observer’s work on this story
shows the value of deep sourcing.
3rd Place
Sarah Newell Williamson
News & Record
Greensboro
Update: Search, lockdown end on N.C.
AT&T campus
Williamson’s work on this story shows the
value of blending social media savvy with oldfashioned shoe-leather reporting..
NEWS FEATURE
1st Place
Gary Schwab
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
A binding truth
Schwab reels me into the story like a fish on a
hook.
Daily newspapers over 35,000
2nd Place
Pam Kelley
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
Sex and the store that survived
3rd Place
Mark Washburn
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
From a tragic past, a hopeful future
3rd Place
Julian March
Star News
Wilmington
Families cope with loss 25 years after
boat never returned
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
REPORTING
Well researched, well written, an fascinating topic
all make a really good read.
A compelling tale about loss and the struggle
to move on with life.
PROFILE FEATURE
1st Place
Elizabeth Leland
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
Club owner on Cannon: He was a
good friend
This story shows the reporter’s tenacity in
finding sources and getting them to talk, and
the resulting article leaves you with a real
understanding of the man.
2nd Place
Dawn DeCwikiel-Kane
News & Observer
Raleigh
Downtown Diva
Lots of telling details paint a full picture of
Betty and her work.
Sensitively written and told; compelling without
being overwrought.
1st Place
Pam Kelley
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
Dark novel, bright talent
Rich, nuanced profile; well-reported and
smoothly written.
2nd Place
David Menconi
News & Observer
Raleigh
The most important guitar player
you’ve never heard of
Great way to seize on a piece of music news
and turn it into a great read..
3rd Place
Pam Kelley
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
What Hollywood didn’t want from
Ender’s Game author
Author did a great job in coping with tough
reporting assignment.
2nd Place
Elizabeth Leland
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
Stonewall Jackson secrets: Children
against monsters
Leland takes us back in time, writing to help right
a wrong. Stonewall Jackson Training School was
supposed to help wayward boys find their way.
According to many of its occupants, what they
found was brutal abuse.
3rd Place
Julian March
StarNews
Wilmington
Bodies were found; identities missing
March brings her story, and the stories of five
others back to life with compelling story-telling
that makes me want to find an answer.
FEATURE WRITING
1st Place
Andrea Weigl
News & Observer
Raleigh
Doing God’s work in Southeast Raleigh
Well crafted, excellent use of quotes and setting scenes. A pleasure to read.
First Place, Sports Feature Photo, Division F, by Jerry Wolford,
News & Record, Greensboro.
DIVISION F
EDUCATION REPORTING
1st Place
Arika Herron
Winston-Salem Journal
Winston-Salem
Today’s classrooms series on K-12
Winston-Salem/Forsythe County
Schools
An ambitious undertaking. The upfront planning is clear and the objective is explained to
the reader with transparency.
2nd Place
Ann Doss Helms
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
N.C. Brain Drain
Clear and concise issues are supported with
real-life examples.
3rd Place
Ann Doss Helms
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
Charter school dreams fade in startup
turmoil
NEWS ENTERPRISE
REPORTING
1st Place
Greg Barnes
The Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville
‘Seeking safety’
Thorough reporting, excellent writing, great
variety of sources.
2nd Place
Andrew Barksdale
The Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville
Fractured North Carolina. Day 1: Risk and
reward
I can’t think of an angle not explored. This
was well planned and executed. Online page
also wonderful, so were graphics and photos.
Outstanding effort all around.
3rd Place
A. Wagner, M. Voorheis
StarNews
Wilmington
Heroin series
Thorough, engaging reporting and writing.!
INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING
1st Place
Staff
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
Fatally Flawed
Some of the best reporting I’ve ever seen.
The total package. Thorough, authoritiative
reporting on a subject of tremendous importance. Clear, compelling writing. Exceptionally
well-organized and presented. Tenacious
reporting, insightful data analysis and
compelling interviews. Beautifully wrought
storytelling documented outrageous neglect,
with terrible consquences, and prompted calls
for reform.
2nd Place
Staff
The News & Observer
Raleigh
Checks without balances: Big pay in
tough timesr
A great idea, lofty in its ambition, that served
the public good and turned up some eyeopening stories. Well-written, well-packaged.
3rd Place
Mandy Locke, David Raynor, Rick
Rothacker
The News & Observer
Raleigh
Contract to cheat
Ambitious. Dogged. Thorough. Eye-opening.
BUSINESS WRITING
1st Place
Richard Carver
Winston-Salem Journal
Winston-Salem
Reynolds-Lorrillard series
This report covers everything, from what it
will mean to the businesses involved to how it
affects the community.
2nd Place
Dale Neal
Asheville Citizen-Times
Asheville
Stanley Furniture closes, and its impact
on Graham County
It delivers the news, but also examines what
the future may hold.
3rd Place
Andrew Dunn
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
City’s new landlords quick to evict
The report is comprehensive and backed up
with numbers.
SPORTS NEWS REPORTING
1st Place
Staff
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
Tragedy on dirt track
Outstanding coverage of one of the largest
sports stories of the year nationally. Gave all
the information, perspective and there was
clearly a lot of digging done here.
Daily newspapers over 35,000
2nd Place
Staff
Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville
Men’s U.S. Open coverage
There’s a lot of great information here. A
ton of planning went into this and it was all
worthwhile.
FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY
1st Place
Corey Lowenstein
News & Observer
Raleigh
Catching raindrops
Beautifully composed and lit. Very nice capture
of a sweet moment.
3rd Place
Andrew Carter
News & Observer
Raleigh
Terps’ exist worried Heels AD
2nd Place
Andrew Craft
Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville
Deployment
SPORTS FEATURE WRITING
3rd Place
Jerry Wolford
News & Record
Greensboro
T-Rex Standoff
Good reporting get. Provided a lot of insight
into why things happened and the TV money
involved with the conference shift.
1st Place
Tim Stevens
News & Observer
Raleigh
Supersized
Great piece. Interesting angle, well-researched,
lots of subjects, but also data analysis to back
up anecdotes.
2nd Place
Nancy McLaughlin
News & Record
Greensboro
Church of NASCAR
Unique and different.
3rd Place
Andrew Carter
News & Observer
Raleigh
Carolina dreamers
Thorough, informative.
GENERAL NEWS
PHOTOGRAPHY
1st Place
Andrew Craft
Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville
Farewell to a hero
Good job of finding the light and respecting the
moment.
2nd Place
Lynn Hey
News & Record
Greensboro
Heritage House moving day
.
3rd Place
Travis Long
News & Observer
Raleigh
Seeing the invisible
.
The scene is both nice and a bit strange which
makes it intriguing.
I’m sure this sort of scene happens with every
passing precocious kid. Kudos to the photographer for capturing it so well.
SPORTS FEATURE PHOTO
1st Place
Jerry Wolford
News & Record
Greensboro
You’re out!
What a great picture of baseball, a young boy
and his sheer love of the game. It’s a great
example of how sports is more than just the
action between athletes on a playing field,
it’s also about the love of game in our culture.
Nice work.
2nd Place
Jerry Wolford
News & Record
Greensboro
Potato head football
Beautifully photographed.
3rd Place
Ethan Hyman
News & Observer
Raleigh
His team, his time
Well executed.
SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY
1st Place
Joseph Rodriguez
News & Record
Greensboro
Community swim meet
Love, love, love this! The timing on this had to
be perfect.
Continued page 36
31
Congratulations
to the entire Wilson Times newsroom on
North Carolina Press Association Editorial Contest Awards
First Place
Olivia Neeley - General News Reporting
Corey Friedman & Olivia Neeley - Deadline News Reporting
Janet Conner-Knox, Jon Jimison & Brad Coville - Online Breaking News Coverage
Lisa Boykin Batts - Feature Writing
Rochelle Moore - Profile Feature
Olivia Neeley - Education Reporting
Jon Jimison - Business Writing
Brad Coville & Allison Moore Pridgen - Photo Page
Robert Oden - Illustration/Photo Illustration
Randy Jones - Sports Columns
Robert Oden - Graphics
Second Place
Olivia Neeley - Profile Feature
Rochelle Moore - Investigative Reporting
Brad Coville - Photography, Feature
Jon Jimison - Headline Writing
Allison Moore Pridgen & Robert Oden - News Section Design
Stephanie Creech - Arts and Entertainment Reporting
Third Place
Olivia Neeley - Investigative Reporting
Jon Jimison - Business Writing
Brad Coville - Photography, General News
Paul Durham - Illustration/Photo Illustration
Jimmy Lewis - Sports Columns
Sports Staff - Sports Coverage
Janet Conner-Knox - Arts and Entertainment Reporting
MORE THAN A NEWSPAPER - A COMMUNITY INSTITUTION SINCE 1896
BH
BH Media Publishing Solutions
MEDIA GROUP group manages the printing of most
Publishing Solutions of the company’s 30 daily newspapers as well as over 200 other
weekly newspapers and other specialty publications.
We offer complete printing solutions that can meet almost any web
offset need at one of our state-of-the-art printing facilities in the
United States.
For more information,
please call, Mike Sewell,
828-446-8261
Msewell@bhmginc.com
DIVISION F
2nd Place
Ethan Hyman
News & Observer
Raleigh
Twisting and remove
Great action and being in the right place, at the
right time, with the right lens.
3rd Place
Cindy Burnham
Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville
Open and shut
PHOTO PAGE
1st Place
Andrew Dye
Winston-Salem Journalr
Winston-Salem
Recuits get hands-on training
2nd Place
Mike Spencer
StarNews
Wilmington
Healing journey
3rd Place
Scott Hoffmann
News & Record
Greensboro
Return of the owls
ILLUSTRATION/PHOTO
ILLUSTRATION
1st Place
Mariano Santillan
The Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville
Military Cuts
You see a lot of illustrations involving cash
when it comes to money stories, but this goes
that extra mile. The dark background and scissors add an ominous feel, and the skin colors
and uniform details humanize the figures. I
really like the story this illustration is telling.
2nd Place
Jason Benavides
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
Haunt this House!
What a fun idea! Nice way to get readers
involved.
3rd Place
Robert Cohn
The Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville
Basketball gods giveth, taketh away
Creative and funny take on a game preview
story. Works well with the display type and
smaller elements below.
34
Daily newspapers over 35,000
BEST VIDEO
1st Place
Abbi O’Leary, Dillon Deaton
Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville
Young violinist: ‘I just want people to
listen’
2nd Place
Lauren Carroll
Winston-Salem Journal
Winston-Salem
Same place, same time, every year
3rd Place
Abbi O’Leary
Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville
82nd Airborne memorial
MULTIMEDIA PROJECT
1st Place
Staff
StarNews
Wilmington
15 Under 15
The videos are stellar. Love to hear the kids answers in their own words and it really reflects
their personality.
2nd Place
Staff
Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville
Playing Pinehurst No. 2
Very, very cool. It really makes the view feel like
they are on the course.
3rd Place
Staff
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
Progress at the pound
A lot to like here. A very versatile story that covers
a lot.
EDITORIALS
1st Place
Peter St. Onge
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
Wow. I just won an editorial writing award
and I could only wish I would have written
these. Great, clear writing. To the point.
2nd Place
Taylor Batten
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
3rd Place
Frank Taylor
Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville
First Place, General News Photography, Division F, by
Andrew Craft, Fayetteville Observer
LIGHTER COLUMNS
SPORTS COLUMNS
Very well written. Humorous subject matter.
The Cam’s Kids column had me alternating
between smiles and tears the entire time. Well
done.
1st Place
Mark Washburn
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
2nd Place
Myron B. Pitts
Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville
Good writer. He keeps your attention
throughout the columns.
3rd Place
Kim Hasty
Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville
Social media column was a hoot. I’m sure
many older people can relate.
SERIOUS COLUMNS
1st Place
Peter St. Onge
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
This judge found no columnist made such
profound observations so succinctly as Peter
St. Onge.
2nd Place
Tim White
Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville
No one does indignant as well as Tim White.
His columns have a clear focus and a sharp
edge.
3rd Place
Jim Buchanan
Asheville Citizen-Times
Asheville
No columnist was more relatable than Jim
Buchanan. He knows his audience, and it
shows.
1st Place
Scott Fowler
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
2nd Place
Luke DeCock
News & Observer
Raleigh
Great, great, great reporting on the Tripp piece.
Jaw dropped a few times. ... Loved the word
play in the U.S. Open piece, especially the lede.
3rd Place
Bret Strelow
Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville
Good stuff that showed this columnist’s
versatility.
CRITICISM
1st Place
Mark Washburn
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
This particular entry was appealing because
the writer successfully engaged readers.
Excellent work.
2nd Place
Ben Steelman
StarNews
Wilmington
Liked how the writer worked to make the
reviews pertinent to readers by referencing geography, ranging from the book set in North
Carolina to the movie, “Tammy,” filmed locally.
3rd Place
Helen Schwab
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
Reviewing food and restaurants is a lot
tougher than it sounds. It’s time for lunch.
DIVISION F
HEADLINE WRITING
1st Place
Beth Hutson
Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville
2nd Place
Bobby Parker
Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville
3rd Place
Scott Nunn
StarNews
Wilmington
GRAPHICS
1st Place
Tim Rickard
News & Recordr
Greensboro
Very informative and colorful. Awesome
graphics. Humor used in choosing characters.
Wonderfully put together. Excellent job!
2nd Place
Robert Cohn
Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville
Love the pipes for the ‘Pipe Dreams’ headline.
Very colorful and informative. The ‘center of attention’ was well represented also. Well done.
3rd Place
Cassandra Sherrill
Winston-Salem Journal
Winston-Salem
Very colorful. Extremely informative. Full of
useful information.
EDITORIAL PAGE
1st Place
Staff
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
Lots of reader touch points. a blog, a caption
contest, limericks contest. Loved thumbnails with
letters. Lead editorials good. Good use of color
and photos.
2nd Place
Staff
Winston-Salem Journal
Winston-Salem
Editorials were good, though not terribly controversial. Liked the mission statement. What’s
Next attempt to gather letters on a topic a
good idea, too. Thumbnails with letters good.
3rd Place
Ned Barnett, Burgetta Eplin Wheeler,
Jim Jenkins
News & Observer
Raleigh
.
GENERAL EXCELLENCE FOR
WEB SITES
1st Place
Staff
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
www.CharlotteObserver.com
2nd Place
Staff
News & Observer
Raleigh
www.NewsObserver.com
3rd Place
Staff
Star News
Wilmington
www.StarNewsOnline.com
APPEARANCE & DESIGN
Daily newspapers over 35,000
NEWS SECTION DESIGN
FEATURE SECTION DESIGN
Attractive centerpiece design makes this paper
standout.
Wow! Lots of local stories and photos.
1st Place
Staff
News & Record
Greensboro
2nd Place
Staff
Winston-Salem Journal
Winston-Salem
Strong front pages with good headline
hierarchy, but the clean and well-organized
inside pages help this paper standout.
3rd Place
Suzanne Schubert, Bobby Parker,
Robert Cohn
Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville
Good-looking pages, and covers.
1st Place
Staff
News & Observer
Raleigh
2nd Place
Suzanne Schubert, Gloria Holt
Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville
Nice, BIG photos. Like each funny person’s
portrait, along with one of their roles.
3rd Place
Staff
StarNews
Wilmington
Continued page 40
1st Place
Staff
News & Record
Greensboro
Really clean design that is consistent
throughout. Great headline treatment.
2nd Place
Staff
StarNews
Wilmington
Consistent design using a good variety of
photos. Good selection of fonts.
3rd Place
Staff
News & Observer
Raleigh
Strong art, symmetrical design, good use of
white space.
SPORTS COVERAGE
1st Place
Staff
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
Advances, gamers, design and great variety.
Writing as good as expected.
2nd Place
Staff
The News & Observer
Raleigh
Great variety, design and writing. Tough
choice.
3rd Place
Staff
The Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville
Very sharp design and great coverage of
signing day.
School of Communications
• One of 18 private universities in the
nation accredited by ACEJMC
• More than 1,100 students and
60 full-time faculty members
• Publishes the nationʼs only
undergraduate research journal
in communications
• Partners with the Pulitzer Center
on Crisis Reporting
• Six undergraduate majors plus a
masterʼs program in Interactive Media • Home of the North Carolina Open
Government Coalition
• Home of the internationally renowned
Imagining the Internet Center
• Pioneered the Elon in LA program
ABOVE: The School of Communications will soon
double in size thanks to a new communications
quad that will include two new buildings and an
atrium, plaza and news studio.
35
DIVISION B
DIVISION E
cont.
cont.
BEST NICHE PUBLICATION
FEATURE SECTION DESIGN
Very clean and eye-appealing layout..
Good clean layout with variety of fonts and headlines to
provide visual interest. All local content, which was a plus. Nice
photos.
1st Place
Derek McKissock, Leigh Trapp, Sean Trapp
The Transylvania Times
Brevard
Summertime Magazine
2nd Place
Parker Barker, Sean Trapp, Leigh Trapp
The Transylvania Timest
Brevard
Bike Transylvania 2014
BEST COMMUNITY COVERAGE
1st Place
Staff
The Daily News
Jacksonville
1st Place
Staff
The Daily Tar Heel
Chapel Hill
2nd Place
Staff
The Times-News
Burlington
2nd Place
Staff
The Gaston Gazette
Gastonia
Kudos on a wonderful first year publication
Lots of content. Good local stories.
3rd Place
Staff
Montgomery Herald
Troy
Discover Guide 2013-2014
3rd Place
Ross Chandler
Rocky Mount Telegram
Rocky Mount
Clean layout.
Clean, simple layout is easy to read. Editorial information is to the point and organized nicely.
The Daily Tar Heel is a very impressive piece of work. Not a typical
paper that serves a university’s community and its students – with a
little bit of everything. Keep up the great work!
The Gaston Gazette really pushes the envelope with storytelling as it
explores alternative methods to better illustrate the story.
3rd Place
Staff
High Point Enterprise
High Point
A mix of local, national and state news with hyper local content on
the front page..
SPECIAL SECTION
Congratulations to the winners of the
2014 North Carolina Press
Association Editorial Awards
1st Place
Staff
Gaston Gazette
Gastonia
2013 Veterans Salute
Beautifully done!
2nd Place
Staff
The Times-News
Burlington
Chamber of Commerce: A Century of Growth
3rd Place
Staff
Gaston Gazette
Gastonia
Discover Gaston 2014
BEST NICHE PUBLICATION
1st Place
Jane Hudson, Wendy Gurganus
The Daily Reflector
Greenville
Her Magazine
7411 Old Branch Avenue
Clinton, Maryland 20753
301-868-7200 | 800-638-8791
FAX: 301-868-2611
www.walterry.com
Walterry Insurance Brokers has been insuring
Community Newspapers and the Media since 1978.
36
2nd Place
Jane Hudson, Wendy Gurganus
The Daily Reflector
Greenville
Greenville, Life in the East
3rd Place
Staff
Goldsboro News-Argus
r
Goldsboro
Go! Wayne County.
The North Carolina Bar Association
Congratulates the 2014 Recipients of the
Congratulations to the contestants!
NCBA Media and the Law Awards
Nondaily Newspaper Article
Holly Kays
Smoky Mountain News
Daily Newspaper Article
Emily Weaver
Keep up the fight for free press rights
and open government!
Attorney John Bussian has decades of experience representing individuals and companies in
state and federal courts across the country.
Times-News
Best Series (Daily Or Nondaily Newspaper)
The News & Observer
Joseph Neff
Congratulations
to our award-winning staff!
Vol. 94, No. 103
72 Pages
W E D N E S D A Y, O C T O B E R 9 , 2 0 1 3
60 Pages
Southern Pines, N.C.
Southern Pines, N.C.
S U N D A Y, N O V E M B E R 9 , 2 0 1 4
Price 50 Cents
SP Park’s
Changes
Safety
Possible
In Focus
Police to Discuss
At Center
FirstHealth
A NTIQUING
Opens
Hoke TO R EMEMBER
W EEKEND
Hospital
Thousands
Attend SP
Veterans
Day Parade
Vol. 95, No. 90
BY TED M. NATT JR.
Staff Writer
Price $1.00
Better late than never.
FirstHealth
Moore
Regional
Hospital-Hoke Campus, which was
scheduled to open last week, welcomed its first patients at 8 a.m.
Monday.
The opening was delayed because
the N.C. Department of Health &
Human Services did not finish its
licensure survey until last Thursday.
The survey is part of the process of
BY JOHN LENTZ
BY JOHN LENTZ AND
opening a hospital.
Staff Writer
TOM EMBREY
Canfield,
chief operating
Spectators lined theBrian
streets
of
Staff Writers
officer
at Moore
Southern Pines Saturday
morning
for Regional, called the
William Dean grew up hanging out in the
BY DAVID SINCLAIR
monumental event for
the second annual opening
Veterans“aDay
Downtown Park in Southern Pines. Now, the
Managing Editor
parade, marking the both
beginning
of a and Hoke County”
FirstHealth
downtown
business owner won’t let his
With all of the controversy
surrounding
weekend of activitiesbecause
honoring
it isthe
the county’s first hospichildren doMoore
the same.
their animal control operations,
nation’s military.
tal.
“I havethe
a 12-year-old
and a 15-year-old, and
County officials are now exploring
posThe event, called a “great
success”
“We are
extremely grateful for the
I don’tover
let them
sibility of turning that function
to thehang out down there,” said
by promoters, featured
traditional
community’s
support,” Canfield said.
Dean, owner of Cup of Flow, a coffee shop on
private sector.
parade favorites such“We
as fire
aretrucks,
looking forward to serving
North
East
Broad Street just blocks from the
County
Manager
Wayne
Vest
acknowlShriners in their miniature
cars and of Hoke County for
the residents
park.
edged in an email to an animal
advocate last
candy thrown to children
from
passmany
more
years to come.”
“I grew upfrom
here and hung out in that park 20
week that he is gathering information
ing vehicles. But the FirstHealth
overarchingand Cape Fear Valley
years
ago,outside
and it upsets me that my kids can’t
other counties that contract
with
theme to honor area veterans,
particHealth System engaged in a lengthy
agencies for providing sheltering
and
place-Dean said.
hang out
there,”
ularly those from World
War which
II, system would conbattle over
ment functions.
Some residents and business merchants
moved many in its effort
to recognize
struct
a hospital in Hoke County
“This may be the ultimate
direction
downtown
are raising concerns about safety
those to whom most believe
wesettling
owe so the dispute in April
before
Moore County takes, but the decision will befollowing a shooting that
much.
2012.
made with the benefit ofoccurred in the park at
“It is great to have this
opportunity
Last
November,
FirstHealth
having as much accurateapproximately 7:45 p.m.
to show our respect and gratitude to
received conditional approval from
information regarding prosSunday.
the veterans, particularly those from
the state to add 28 beds to its original
and cons as we can pro- Police say they responded
World War II, “ said
a second operating room to
vide,” he said in an email toto the park at 135 SE Broad
schooleight
boardand
member
the Hoke
Campus. But Cape Fear
Jim Truemper, a formerSt. after receiving a report of
Ed Dennison,
himself
appealed
the decision.
animal center volunteer,a fight in progress.
a 6-year
Navy veterwho had lambasted the Police received informaTheare
matter
an. “There
veter-will go before the N.C.
TEMME
commissioners
at their Octtion that gunshots were
Office of
Hearings if
VEST
ans riding
inAdministrative
the
21 meetingheard
for coming
not doing
two
paradethe
who
aresides
from cannot reach resolufrom the park. No victim was
enough about what he called “a huge
tion. old on
100-years
located, but police learned a short time later
problem” with the center.
down. ItFirstHealth,
is amazing.” the largest employer
that a gunshot victim was being treated at
DENNISON
That
prompted
Vest at the Nov. 3 commisMoore feaCounty, hosted a grand
The inparade
Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst.
sioners’ meeting to defend the accomplishopening
for its $34.1 million Hoke
tured 40 grand marshals,
all veterans
Thenew
victim,
an 18-year-old Southern Pines
ments of the animal center and
Animal
onrepSept. 22 and expected to
of World War II and/orCampus
Korea who
resident,
Operations Director Brenda
Sears. refused to cooperate with the police
open
the doors
resented many of the
conflicts
of 10 days later. But the
The teen was later taken to an
Truemper, who was not investigation.
at that meeting,
openingvehicles
was delayed because the
those wars. As the vintage
hospital for further treatment of
responded back in an emailundisclosed
last Wednesday
had not
finished the survey.
carrying the veteransstate
traveled
down
his non-life-threatening
injuries.
that he was “profoundly disappointed
and
The
Hoke Campus is located on
Broad Street, master of
ceremonies
Police
Chief he
Bob Temme said the incident
disgusted” by what happened, saying
Tom Bernett read theirU.S.
names
theof Raeford. Adjoining
401and
east
reported
about 30 minutes after a police
thought relations between awas
group
of animal
fronts in which theythe
served.
Pearl
hospital
is a 20,000-square-foot
officer
on foot
patrol went through the area.
center volunteers and the
county
would
Harbor, the Battle medical
of the Bulge,
office that houses cardioloTemme
described
the victim as a “highimprove
after
meeting
separately
with
Vest
Omaha Beach, Normandy
and Iwo
gy services,
internal medicine and a
risk individual
and Commissioner Nick Picerno
last monthengaged in high-risk behavJima were some of thewound
namescare
listed.
center.
after that Oct. 21 meeting. ior,” but would not elaborate, citing an open
One such veteran Cape
wasFear
Jack
Valley plans to invest
Those with information on the
It was in the string ofinvestigation.
back-and-forth
Heerema of Seven Lakes,
who
rode
in million at its 60-acre
more
than
$100
incident
are asked
emails that talk of exploring
privatization
of to call the criminal invesstyle in a chariot red 1962
Mark
site MGA
on U.S.
401, which is located less
department at (910) 693-1481 or the
animal operations came to tigations
light.
II driven by Leothan
Magiera
of
three
miles
from the Hoke
PHOTOS BY HANNAH
SHARPE/The
Pilotby phone
Women’s
Open
Crime
Line at (910) 693-4110.
Picerno,
reached
late Tip
Thursday,
Pinehurst.
Campus. The first phase — an outpaTop: Dawn Gibson and Mary Livingston, of Fayetteville, consider purchasing
bouquets
of Commissioner
said that
he and
Randy
Town Manager
Reagan Parsons said
“I served twice, fromtient
JulyPreview
1944
until
center
called Health Pavilion
PHOTOS BYStreet
BRANDI SWARMS/The
Pilot
Saunders,
make up the
board’smorning
budget that the Police Department
Tuesday
dried hydrangeas at the Cameron Fall Antiques
Fair Saturday.
Left:
Visitorswho
peruse
September 1947, and
again
Hoke
isfrom
under construction.
——Inside
force,
asked
Vest to look
into host
whether
it
the variety
Veterans
in theamong
Sandhills
eventbooths.
Saturday
with aAntique
paradeshops task
would
a community
meeting Oct. 16, but
of Weekend
items offered
vendor
Right:
along
N.C.
24-27
September 1950 until July 1951,” he Southern Pines kicked offthe
the time animal
and location had yet to be
that brought thousands downtown
to recognize
remember
those who
served.
parade
in downtown
Cameronand
were
full of shoppers
during
theThe
annual
event. would be “feasible” to outsource
Contact Ted M. Natt Jr. at (910) 693see VETERANS,
page A2 included marching bands, floats, dignitaries and a number of veterans.
see SHELTER, page A9 see PARK SAFETY, page A8
2474 or tnatt@the pilot.com.
Options
Privatization
Of at Meeting
Shelter in Review
Saving Man’s Best Friend
Lowes Foods
Parade, Memorial Sardine Festival to Pack ’em
To Anchor
New to Conflict
Timing
Training Instructs on Canine Emergencies
Project in SP
Monday, June 16, 2014
In
BY DAVID SINCLAIR
Managing Editor
Not everyone who comes to the
annual International Sardine Festival
they are doing all of these
Managing Editor
in Aberdeen partakes in its main
events that weekend to honor
course.
Organizers of an annual the veterans,”
Atkins, the
TOMsaid
EMBREY
BY TED M.observance
NATT JR. at the Moore group’sBYtreasurer.
“Some people don’t like sardines,
Senior Writer “We are
Staff Writer
but they enjoy seeing everyone,” said
County Veterans Memorial inIt’s athrilled
aboutsee-your-breath
that. We really
clear, crisp,
morning
McKenzie Road. Carolina Vista Drive.
Carthage say they are
know about Gun
it (the
at thedidn’t
Law Enforcement
Range inJamie Boles, an Aberdeen native who
Shaw Road. Pinewild Drive. Juniper Lake
“thrilled” about all of the
parade)
until
after it was
Carthage.
Dozens
of individuals
— policetook over the reins of the festival in
Road.
during a speannounced.
We’dvet
be techs
here and
for emer-2008 from its founder, the late Randall
officers,
veterinarians,
The names of those events
streets planned
have replaced
Veterans
Weekend
9- the
parade otherwise.”
responders,
along with volunteers —Moss. “They bring their own lunch
the numbers of each cial
checkout
stand
at the Nov.gency
11. Village under a
Plans
forthethe
Veterans
are spread
across
grounds
involved in aand eat it. They come to socialize.”
Lowes Foods in Olmsted
There’s justthe
onegroproblem:drill
A searching
Weekend for
were
announced
an active
shooter and The 21st edition of the popular festiremodeling that will incorporate
val takes place Friday at Aberdeen
Veterans
Day parade
23 when
the mayors of
humanSept.
and canine
casualties.
cery store chain’s new
rebranding
cam- planned
in downtown Southern PinesThey
Southern
are taking Pines,
part in a Pinehurst
role-playing exer-Lake Park. Activities will begin at 11
paign.
a.m.
and conclude about 2 p.m.
at
10
a.m.
Saturday,
Nov.
9,
is
and
Aberdeen
signed
proclacise
in
a
class
that
focuses
on
tactical
combat
Lowes Foods, the retail division of
Hundreds of sardine connoisseurs
theInc.,
same
timetoascarry
the ceremomations
declaring
casualty
care for
working the
dogs.special
Hickory-based Alex Lee
plans
ny at the
county
in“Prioritize,”
weekend.
urges Dr. Janice Baker as shecome back year after year.
the “local” theme throughout
each
of itsmemorial
100
observes
organized
“See the big “It is an annual tradition for so
Carriage
U.S. 15-501.
Inthe
addition
to chaos.
the parade,
stores by offering more
thanOaks
2,500offlocal
many people,” said Boles, who is also
picture.”
The observance is traditionthe weekend includes a fun
products for sale.
is aand
co-founder
and co-owner
ally
held
the Saturday clos-Baker
run
chili cook-off
thatof Vass-Moore County’s representative in the
While work is under
way
inon
Taylortown,
basedSaturday
Veterinary Tactical
Group, the
est with
to Veterans
morning
inorgani-N.C. General Assembly. “They really
it’s just a drop compared
what theDay,
gro- accordzationSouthern
hosting thePines,
two-dayaclass.
look forward to coming back.”
to The
Joanne
Atkins and
patriotic
cer is about to undergoing
locally.
company
the 30-minute
scenario
winds
has announced a planRuby
to expand
its Moore
Hendricks,
who areAs concert
Sunday
evening
at down, Boles said 1,500 cans of sardines,
BakerR.E.
offersLee
an honest
assessment
County presence with
a store inofthe
new
members
the
Veterans
Auditorium
at of the1,000 MoonPies and 1,000 RC Colas
exercise.
and Cokes have been ordered.
Morganton Park SouthMemorial
in Southern
Pines.
Committee.
Crackers are also available.
see PARADE, page A9
“We think it is great that
BY DAVID SINCLAIR
Wunderbar!
see LOWES, page A13
see TRAINING, page A12
OPINION SANDHILLS SCENE
INSIDE
A new village manager,
a smoothly run election,
and a ʻproperty wrong.ʼ
Maybe the congresswoman
A grateful veteran
will learn from this
recent
salutes
the U.S. Army.
gaffe —but just maybe.
A Heavy Heart
Pinecrest Rolls
UnstoppablePatriots
Pests knock off
For Rep. Ellmers,
Rising Through
A Dose of Reality
The Ranks
Books
Changing Channels • The Nine-Under Wonder • A RichBridge
History
Books
C3
C5-6
Classified Ads B4-10
Obituaries
A6-7
Communities B1-3
D7-9
Opinion
C4
B4-8
1
Classified Ads
Celebrations
B4-8
C4
Opinion
Obituaries
B1-3
A6-7
Obituaries
Puzzles
Puzzles
Sports
A Heavy Heart
Pinecrest Rolls
The Ranks
Rising Through
Wunderbar!
see LOWES, page A13
see TRAINING, page A12
exercise.
Baker offers an honest assessment of the
As the 30-minute scenario winds down,
zation hosting the two-day class.
based Veterinary Tactical Group, the organiBaker is a co-founder and co-owner of Vasspicture.”
observes the organized chaos. “See the big
“Prioritize,” urges Dr. Janice Baker as she
casualty care for working dogs.
cise in a class that focuses on tactical combat
They are taking part in a role-playing exerhuman and canine casualties.
drill searching for an active shooter and
are spread across the grounds involved in a
gency responders, along with volunteers —
officers, veterinarians, vet techs and emerCarthage. Dozens of individuals — police
at the Law Enforcement Gun Range in
It’s a clear, crisp, see-your-breath morning
Staff Writer
Project in SP
To Anchor New
Lowes Foods
see VETERANS, page A2
September 1950 until July 1951,” he
September 1947, and —
again
from
Inside
“I served twice, from July 1944 until
Preview
Pinehurst.
II driven byWomen’s
Leo Magiera
Openof
style in a chariot red 1962 MGA Mark
Heerema of Seven Lakes, who rode in
One such veteran was Jack
Jima were some of the names listed.
Omaha Beach, Normandy and Iwo
Harbor, the Battle of the Bulge,
fronts in which they served. Pearl
Tom Bernett read their names and the
Broad Street, master of ceremonies
carrying the veterans traveled down
those wars. As the vintage vehicles
resented many of the conflicts of
of World War II and/or Korea who reptured 40 grand marshals, all veterans
The parade feaDENNISON
down. It is amazing.”
100-years old on
parade who are from
ans riding in the
an. “There are vetera 6-year Navy veterEd Dennison, himself
school board member
World War II, “ said
the veterans, particularly those from
to show our respect and gratitude to
“It is great to have this opportunity
much.
those to whom most believe we owe so
WEATHER FORECAST
WEATHER FORECAST
THURSDAY
TUESDAY
TODAY
MONDAY
Cloudy
Sunny
Winds:
NESat
Winds:
at 10-20
5
Winds: N at 5
Afternoon High:
Overnight Low:
Religion
Sports
63°
39°
Printed
C8-9on
100% recycled
A4-5
paper.
AfternoonHigh:
High: 68°
64°
Afternoon
OvernightLow:
Low: 46°
55°
Overnight
Cloudy
Sunny
Winds:
at 10
Winds:
SWNE
at 10-15
AfternoonHigh:
High: 72°
64°
Afternoon
OvernightLow:
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53°
Overnight
Printed on
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paper.
Copyright 2014
The Pilot
paper.
100% recycled
Printed on
Overnight Low:
Afternoon High:
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63°
Winds: N at 5
Mostly Sunny
SANDHILLS SCENE
Morganton Park South in Southern Pines.
County presence with a store in the new
has announced a plan to expand its Moore
cer is about to undergo locally. The company
it’s just a drop compared with what the groWhile work is under way in Taylortown,
products for sale.
stores by offering more than 2,500 local
the “local” theme throughout each of its 100
Hickory-based Alex Lee Inc., plans to carry
Lowes Foods, the retail division of
paign.
cery store chain’s new rebranding camremodeling that will incorporate the groLowes Foods in Olmsted Village under a
the numbers of each checkout stand at the
The names of those streets have replaced
Road.
Shaw Road. Pinewild Drive. Juniper Lake
McKenzie Road. Carolina Vista Drive.
2014 NCPA
ADVERTISING AWARDS
8 First Place
4 Second Place
3 Third Place
GLENN M. SIDES/The Pilot
FRIDAY
Mostly Cloudy
Winds: NE at 10
Afternoon High:
Overnight Low:
68°
53°
TODAY
Overnight Low:
Afternoon High:
46°
68°
Overnight Low:
Afternoon High:
47°
72°
Winds: S at 5
Winds: SW at 10-15
MONDAY
TUESDAY
Sunny
Sunny
WEATHER FORECAST
Laura Miller works on the “wound” of one of the role-players in the training exercise.
DAVID SINCLAIR/The Pilot
910-692-7271
Saving
Man’s Best Friend
Senior Writer
Training Instructs on Canine Emergencies
BY TOM EMBREY
included marching bands, floats, dignitaries and a number of veterans.
that brought thousands downtown to recognize and remember those who served. The parade
Southern Pines kicked off the Veterans Weekend in the Sandhills event Saturday with a parade
PHOTOS BY BRANDI SWARMS/The Pilot
see SHELTER, page A9
would be “feasible” to outsource animal
task force, asked Vest to look into whether it
Saunders, who make up the board’s budget
said that he and Commissioner Randy
Picerno, reached by phone late Thursday,
animal operations came to light.
emails that talk of exploring privatization of
It was in the string of back-and-forth
after that Oct. 21 meeting.
and Commissioner Nick Picerno last month
improve after meeting separately with Vest
center volunteers and the county would
thought relations between a group of animal
disgusted” by what happened, saying he
that he was “profoundly disappointed and
responded back in an email last Wednesday
Truemper, who was not at that meeting,
Operations Director Brenda Sears.
ments of the animal center and new Animal
sioners’ meeting to defend the accomplishThat prompted Vest at the Nov. 3 commisproblem” with the center.
enough about what he called “a huge
21 meeting for not doing
VEST
commissioners at their Oct
who had lambasted the
animal center volunteer,
Jim Truemper, a former
vide,” he said in an email to
and cons as we can proinformation regarding pros
having as much accurate
made with the benefit of
Moore County takes, but the decision will be
2014 HIGHLIGHTS
Copyright 2013
The Pilot
The Pilot
Copyright 2014
salutes the U.S. Army.
A grateful veteran
OPINION
BY TED M. NATT JR.
D1-8
C3
SPORTS
and a ʻproperty wrong.ʼ
a smoothly run election,
A new village manager,
Monday, June 16, 2014
A6
C3
C3
D1-8
Sports
Puzzles
state playoffs next.
Hoke County, prepare for
Patriots knock off
a number of current events.
Readers share their views on
fromPUBLIC
start toSPEAKING
finish
dominates the U.S. Open
A Double Bogey
Germany’s Martin
An Eagle,Kaymer
a Birdie
9 First Place
13 Second Place
6 Third Place
Each year, the Sardine Festival draws a large crowd to enjoy sardines,
Moon Pies and RC Colas.
October 9, 2013
A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO
Celebrations
Classified Ads
l June 16, 2014
l June 16, 2014
2014 NCPA
EDITORIAL AWARDS
“Last year, we ran out,” said Boles,
One of the highlights of the festival
who has been involved with the festi- is the crowning of the “Sardine
val for about 12 years.
Queen.” The reigning queen is Kay
This year, everyone will get one can Moss, daughter of the founder,
of sardines instead of two to help
DAVID SINCLAIR/The Pilot
see SARDINE, page A8
accommodate the demand, Boles said.
Mostly Sunny
Readers share Hoke
their views
onprepare for
County,
a number of current
events. next.
state playoffs
to Go
246
1
C5-6
C3
Open Daily
Open Daily
Changing Channels • The Nine-Under Wonder • A Rich Bridge
History
Fall
TODAY
HOME & GARDEN
SPORTS
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Readers share their views on
a number of current events. Days
Wells Fargo Capitol Center, 16th Floor
Raleigh, N.C.
(919) 829-4900
john@bussianlaw.com
Laura Miller works on the “wound” of one of the role-players in the training exercise.
OPINION
An Eagle, a Birdie
Germany’s Martin
Kaymer
A Double Bogey
dominates the U.S. Open
fromPUBLIC
start SPEAKING
to finish
The Bussian Law Firm
| www.thepilot.com
• A sweep in General News Photography
• A sweep in Headline Writing
• A sweep in Multimedia Project
• Five awards for column writing
• Eight overall “staff” awards
SPECIAL AWARDS
Media and the Law Awards
Nondaily Newspaper Article
Holly Kays
Smoky Mountain News, Waynesville
Daily Newspaper Article
Emily Weaver
Times-News, Hendersonville
Best Series (daily or nondaily)
Joseph Neff
The Charlotte Observer
SPECIAL AWARDS
Duke University/Green-Rossiter Award for Distinguished
Newspaper Work in Higher Education
Community Division
Staff
Smoky Mountain News
Waynesville
Cap and Gone
Daily Division (tie)
Jane Stancill
News & Observer
Raleigh
UNC athletic and academic scandal; Duke in China; Peace president; Nichol speaks; Hofmann Forest
Daily Division (tie)
Staff
The Daily Tarheel
Chapel Hill
Higher education coverage
Henry Lee Weathers Freedom of Information Award
Under 20,000 circulation
Oliva Neely, Rochelle Moore, Corey Friedman
The Wilson Times
Wilson
Small-Town Battlegrounds
Over 20,000 circulation
Staff
News & Observer
Raleigh
Checks Without Balances: Big Pay in Tough Times
The Lassiter Award
North cArolinian of the year
Maya Angelou
Sen. Norm Sanderson
Maya Angelou became
an inspiration by developing
a love of truth, standing for
civil rights, enjoying life and
recording the experience. Her
words, both spoken and on
the printed page, promote
self-examination, equality and
friendship - not just in North
Carolina, but around the world.
The North Carolinian of
the Year is one of the highest
honors the NCPA bestows, and
celebrates a person who has
brought honor and recognition
to North Carolina and reflects
pride in his or her North
Carolina ties.
N.C. Sen. Norman Sanderson
is this year’s the prestigious NCPA
Lassiter Award winner. The award
acknowledges Sanderson’s courage in promoting the public’s
interest by keeping government
open to the people.
In the past two sessions alone,
Sanderson has supported public
notice legislation, promoting the
NCPA-backed Florida-Tennessee
statewide compromise legislation.
He has also voiced his inclination
to to support more transparency
in government employee hiring,
firing and performance.
DIVISION F
North Carolina Press Foundation congratulates
Lisa Lord
Club Boulevard Humanities Magnet
Elementary School
Durham, NC
on the 2015 Dave Jones Award for the
advancement of youth Readership.
BEST COMMUNITY
COVERAGE
BEST NICHE PUBLICATION
StarNews offers a slice of local stories mixed
in with national news. Especially liked how
social media plays into pet adoptions at a
local shelter in a story in print. Scope of coverage was vast, from a goat dairy to snake
bites, to heroin bust.
Photography is superb throughout especially
on the Food feature. I’m hungry. Layout is
great and stories interesting.
1st Place
Staff
StarNews
Wilmington
SPECIAL SECTION
1st Place
Presley Baird, Chris McGaughey,
Mike Spencer
StarNews
Wilmington
15 Under 15
2nd Place
Staff
News & Observer
Raleigh
Above & beyond
40
continued from p. 31
3rd Place
Staff
Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
Spring into action
1st Place
Staff
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
SouthPark: May 2014
2nd Place
Staff
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
Carolina Bride: April/June 2014
The perfect one-stop planning guide accentuated by well-written stories.
3rd Place
Staff
Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville
Elite Magazine
I love the photos accompanying The Perfect
Combination story. Well-done.
Community and public service AWARDS
Future students flow through WCU open house Page 12
1st Place
Staff
Smoky Mountain News
Waynesville
Hospital sale and its impact
on the community
Plans unveiled for Cherokee fly fishing museum Page 28
Western North Carolina’s Source for Weekly News, Entertainment, Arts, and Outdoor Information
Nov. 13-19, 2013 Vol. 15 Iss. 24
COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS
www.smokymountainnews.com
The Smoky Mountain News demonstrates
that one of the most important community
services a newspaper can perform is keeping
readers informed about major changes in the
community that could affect their lives.
2nd Place
Tomas Murawski, Tom
Boney, Jr.
The Alamace News
Graham
Openess in DOJ case vs.
Sheriff Terry Johnson
While ultimately unsuccessful, The Alamance
News was dogged in its push for the release
of records detailing an important issue
3rd Place
W. Curt Vincent
The Bladen Journal
Elizabethtown
Roger’s Wish
The Bladen Journal gathered community
support to help provide for one of the needs
of the homeless in its community.
DAILY NEWSPAPERS
UNDER 25,000 CIRCULATION
VOTING VOTING
RIGHTS FIGHTS
1st Place
Staff
The Wilson TImes
Wilson
Voting Rights Voting Fights
The Wilson Times was persistent in its
coverage of one of the most contentious
issues in our democratic process today. Its
stories show the impact at the local and
personal levels.
2nd Place
Melonie Flomer, Corey
Friedman
Richmond County Daily
Journal
Rockingham
Hidden Homeless
The Richmond County Daily Journal sheds
light on the problems facing a group that
all too often is left in darkness. The paper’s
reporting spurred the public to action and
held public officials accountable for their
decisions.
3rd Place
Staff
The Times-News
Burlington
Building a Community
Connection
This joint effort with Elon University
demonstrates that the Times-News takes
seriously its role as a forum for public
discussion and debate.
DAILY NEWSPAPERS
OVER 25,000 CIRCULATION
1st Place
Staff
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte
Fatally Flawed
This thorough investigation show a great
dedication to exposing the literally fatal flaws
in a broken system. When officials fought the
release of the necessary records, The Charlotte
Observer did not give up. The result is a
series that is well-researched and powerfully
personal.
2nd Place
Many Locke, David Raynor,
Steve Riley
News & Observer
Raleigh
Contract to Cheat
The News & Observer was dogged in its efforts
to expose the real-life consequences of an
issue that is wide-spread and all too often
ignored. The series uses records and interview
to shed light on the impact these scofflaws
have on both taxpayers and workers.
3rd Place
Staff
News & Record
Greensboro
Coal Ash Spill
The News & Record could have let the story of
a coal ash spill fade from the front page after
a few days or weeks. Instead, the newspaper
stayed on top of the story, shedding light on
the issue from nearly every conceivable angle
and holding government and corporate
officials accountable.
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An Insider Look at the North Carolina Press Association’s
News, Editorial and Photojournalism Contest
It may seem strange considering that we’ve just acknowledged the winners of the 2014 News, Editorial and
Photojournalism contest, but behind the scenes, work on the 2015 contest has already begun. Here’s a behind-thescenes look at North Carolina’s news, editorial and photojournalism contest - one of the largest press association contests
in the country.
Spring marks the real start of the contest year
Your involvement in the editorial contest starts with your publisher. Each spring NCPA asks member publishers and general managers to confirm their newspaper circulation with a recent postal statement or other “third party” document that
indicates your newspaper’s current circulation That information is used to determine the division your newspaper will
compete in during the contests.
NCPA has six contest divisions. Their parameters, like everything else related to the contests, are determined by the
Membership Services Committee each spring.
For non-daily newspapers, the division is calculated by multiplying the number of days of publication in a week by the
listed circulation number. For example, if you publish three times per week and your daily circulation on file is 7,000, your
total circulation would be 21,000.
Coming in 2015, a new online division will be added to the
contest. The new division will offer NCPA’s online members
an opportunity to compete in the editorial contest - along
with the web-only products of print newspapers.
Ensuring you compete in the correct division is a critical first
step. Once the June deadline for updates passes and staff
uploads your newspaper’s information into the online contest
system, no changes will be made.
NCPA Contest Divisions
Community Newspapers
Division A - circulation less than 3,500
Division B - circulation 3,500 to 10,000
Division C - circulation more than 10,000
Daily Newspapers
Division D - circulation less than 12,500
Division E - circulation 12,500-35,000
Division F - circulation more than 35,000
Spring also marks the annual “contest review” meeting for
NCPA’s Membership Services Committee. This group of
member volunteers meets for a full day each year to discuss
new (or retiring) contest categories, rules changes, judging instructions, and other contest related items. The work of this
committee ensures that NCPA’s contests continue to reflect current best practices in newspaper journalism while
evolving with the times.
Summer prep makes fall days easier
Summer months are ideal for planning your contest strategy - and for gathering in one place all the electronic files you
intend to upload into the contest system. Although the contest entry period is open for six weeks, it’s not uncommon for
heavy traffic on the contest website to impede your ability to upload files during the final days. North Carolina has one
of the largest editorial contests in the country, so plan on some competition for server space as the deadline draws near.
Some welcome relief for contest managers will come in 2015 as the contest moves to an “everything online” format. For
the first-time ever, NCPA will not accept mailed entries and all files will be uploaded to the online contest system.
So, what do you want to gather? The contest year will always run from Oct. 1 of the prior year to Sept. 30 of the current
year. The categories for entries (e.g. investigative reporting, feature profiles, etc.) typically don’t change much which allows
you to gather your best work in one place early. As you keep working toward the deadline, just add to your collection.
A few categories have entry parameters that won’t be announced until the contest rules are released in late July. These
categories typically require two consecutive issues, or even sections, and include general excellence, appearance and
design, community coverage, etc.
Your best option for these categories is to gather them together as soon as the rules are released. Sometimes, those files
need to be gathered from corporate archives or external servers.
Fall arrives ... and it’s finally contest time!
The most popular questions each fall revolve around “who” can enter. The answer: Any North Carolina newspaper that is a
member of the North Carolina Press Association and has paid its annual dues by Oct. 1 can enter the contest. Entries must
be submitted through the newspaper, though, and not by individuals.
At the time the entry was written, a contestant must have been a full-time or regular part-time employee or exclusive
contributor to the newspaper. A story, photograph or any entry that was published in more than one newspaper may be
entered only one time, and that must be in the largest circulation category in which the entry appeared. Entries that violate
this rule will be disqualified.
Journalists who worked at more than one newspaper during the contest year may enter work from more than one newspaper (community, daily or both), but the person will still have to obey the maximum entry rules for the category. For
example, no more than two total entries in a category. In case of doubt, entries from the current employer will take
precedence.
Once the contest ends, staff reviews each of the 5,000+ entries to ensure it was entered in the most appropriate category,
and that all rules were followed. That process takes about a month, and then the entries are sent to our judges.
A word about our judges...
Press associations sign “reciprocal judging agreements” for their contests years in advance. These agreements, which
currently extend beyond the year 2030, ensure each press association has a partner state to judge their contests.
Most states require about 40 judges for both the advertising and editorial contests. North Carolina, on the other hand,
requires upwards of 120 judges each year. That means we typically partner with multiple states. It’s also why we’re always
seeking volunteer judges from our membership.
The high quality of our entries also sets North Carolina apart. In addition to our reciprocal state volunteers, we have a
number of “every year” volunteers throughout the country who have asked to judge our contest each year. To prevent bias,
these judges are sent different categories each year.
Training and cordinating the 100+ volunteer judges throughout the judging process takes several weeks. Long before the
last entry has been reviewd by staff, we’ve already begun the process of training our volunteer judges on what we want
them to look for among the entries in the categories they’ll be judging.
Once entries are released to the judges, typically in November, we provide them three weeks for judging. In early
December, staff shares the contest results for each newspaper with its publisher and editor.
Winter contest wrap ups
The winter months are all about recognizing the work our state’s newspapers have done. Plaques and certificates are ordered for winners, the awards reception and ceremony at Winter Institute is planned, the tabs are prepared, and press
releases and publicity for award winners is prepared.
And last but not least, notes are made for the Membership Services Committee’s annual contest review meeting. Want to
become part of the process by serving on the Membership Services committee? Contact Laura Nakoneczny at NCPA
headquarters by email (laura@ncpress.com) or phone, (919)516-8015.
Thanks to NCPA’s Membership Services Committee 2014-15!
Tammy Dunn, Chair
The Montgomery Herald
Troy
Jon Jimison, Immediate Past Chair
The WIlson Times
Wilson
Brinn Clayton
The Courier-Times
Roxboro
Corey Friedman
Richmond County Daily Journal
Rockingham
Bryan Hanks
The Free Press
Kinston
Deuce Niven
Tabor-Loris Tribune
Tabor City
Terry Pope
The State Port Pilot
Southport
Ken Ripley
Spring Hope Enterprise
Spring Hope
Vanessa Shortley
The Daily Dispatch
Henderson
Mary Wayt
The Roanoke Beacon
Plymouth
Alan Wooten
The Fayetteville Observer
Fayetteville
We salute our winners
Congratulations to our staff, winners of 26 awards in this year’s NCPA News,
Editorial and Photojournalism Contest. They make The Fayetteville Observer
and fayobserver.com the place to go for news — and much more.
Jobs well done
The News & Observer Publishing Company
is proud to salute the journalists recognized
by the NCPA for their excellent work.
The News & Observer
First, online breaking news coverage, “Road crews prepare for Round 2; state moves trucks from coast to Triangle,” Staff
First, feature writing, “Doing God's Work in Southeast Raleigh,” Andrea Weigl
First, feature photography, “Catching Raindrops,” Corey Lowenstein
First, feature section design-dailies only, Fall Arts Preview, Staff
Second, investigative reporting, “Checks Without Balances: Big Pay in Tough Times,” Staff
Second, sports photography, “Twisting and Remove,” Ethan Hyman
Second, sports columns, Luke Decock
Second, general excellence for newspaper websites, newsobserver.com, Staff
Second, sports coverage, Staff
Second, special section, Staff
Third, investigative reporting, “Contract To Cheat,” Mandy Locke, David Raynor, Rick Rothacker
Third, sports news reporting, “Terps' exit worried Heels AD,” Andrew Carter
Third, sports feature writing, “Carolina Dreamers,” Andrew Carter
Third, general news photography, “Seeing the Invisible,” Travis Long
Third, sports feature photo, “His time, his team,” Ethan Hyman
Third, editorial page, Ned Barnett, Burgetta Eplin Wheeler, Jim Jenkins
The Cary News
Clayton News-Star
Second, sports photography, “Nubian Spann breaks the backboard,” Christine Adamczyk
Third, profile feature, “Finding her passion, as a food truck owner,” Paul A. Specht
Third, education reporting, “Agents: School caps hurt housing market,” Paul A. Specht
Second, sports coverage, Staff
Chapel Hill News
First, feature photography, “A Blast of British,” Mark Schultz
Second, feature photography, “You can dance if you want to,” Mark Schultz
Second, sports columns, “Do we really love soccer,” Staff
The Durham News
First, arts and entertainment reporting, “The master’s class,” Mark Schultz
First, education reporting, “DPS targets truancy problem,” Jonathan Alexander
First, news enterprise reporting, “Poverty 10.01: A special report,” Jim Wise
Second, arts and entertainment reporting, “One Night Only,” Mark Schultz
Smithfield Herald
Third, sports coverage, Staff
Southwest Wake News
First, sports coverage, J. Mike Blake