Courtesy photo

Mia Grace Franco, 11, dumps coins into a counter after raising $250 for another Operation Smile surgery. Franco donated some of her birthday money and collected from family members — including from her grandfather, who gave her money for making all As and $5 for each goal this soccer season.

It took her three years to raise the funds that she contributed last year.

Operation Smile is an international charity that “has provided hundreds of thousands of free surgeries for children and young adults in developing countries who are born with cleft lip, cleft palate or other facial deformities,” according to its website.

Courtesy photo Mia Grace Franco, 11, dumps coins into a counter after raising $250 for another Operation Smile surgery. Franco donated some of her birthday money and collected from family members — including from her grandfather, who gave her money for making all As and $5 for each goal this soccer season. It took her three years to raise the funds that she contributed last year. Operation Smile is an international charity that “has provided hundreds of thousands of free surgeries for children and young adults in developing countries who are born with cleft lip, cleft palate or other facial deformities,” according to its website.

http://yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_smilegirl-1.jpegCourtesy photo Mia Grace Franco, 11, dumps coins into a counter after raising $250 for another Operation Smile surgery. Franco donated some of her birthday money and collected from family members — including from her grandfather, who gave her money for making all As and $5 for each goal this soccer season. It took her three years to raise the funds that she contributed last year. Operation Smile is an international charity that “has provided hundreds of thousands of free surgeries for children and young adults in developing countries who are born with cleft lip, cleft palate or other facial deformities,” according to its website.

ROCKINGHAM — A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the culprit responsible for breaking into a car dealership.

Police Chief Billy Kelly announced the reward in a letter on Tuesday, related to an April 18 break-in at Dieffenbach G.M. Superstore.

The announcement made the rounds on Facebook, including the pages for the Rockingham Police Department and Richmond County Crime Stoppers.

According to an incident report, someone broke a garage door window and broke into a safe, stealing a large sum of cash, a Rolex watch and a 1-ounce South African coin.

The Daily Journal agreed not to disclose the amount of the stolen money or value of the pilfered items for security reasons.

Damages are estimated at $1,600 — $100 for the window pane, $1,500 for the safe — according to the report.

Once caught, the perpetrator — or perpetrators — will be charged with felony larceny, breaking and entering and safecracking.

Kelly said the investigation is ongoing and the department is “exploring multiple avenues,” adding that the ownership of the dealership decided to offer the reward “for information leading to the arrest and successful conviction of any parties involved in this criminal activity.”

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Detective Ronald Brigman at the Rockingham Police Department at 910-895-2468, or Richmond County Crime Stoppers at 910-997-5454.

Reach William R. Toler at 910-817-2675 and follow him on Twitter @William_r_toler.

Daily Journal file photo A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the conviction of the culprit responsible for an April 18 break-in at Dieffenbach G.M. Superstore.

http://yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_IMG_2552_cmyk.jpgDaily Journal file photo A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the conviction of the culprit responsible for an April 18 break-in at Dieffenbach G.M. Superstore.

ROCKINGHAM — An Anson County man is facing felony child sex crime charges for alleged incidents that happened more than a decade ago.

Anthony Paul Marino, 41, of Wadesboro, is accused of sexually abusing a child under the age of 13 and committing a “lewd and lascivious act” upon the body of the victim, according arrest warrants.

Warrants show the alleged acts took place between Jan. 1, 2004 and Dec. 31, 2006.

Marino was arrested Monday afternoon and booked into the Richmond County Jail under a $200,000 secured bond. He is charged with two felony counts each of first-degree rape of a child and taking indecent liberties with a child.

He is scheduled to appear in Richmond County District Court on May 18.

Records with the North Carolina Court System and N.C. Department of Public Safety Division of Adult Correction show Marino has no other pending charges or past criminal convictions in the state.

All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Marino

http://yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_ANTHONY-PAUL-MARINO.jpgMarino

HAMLET — A presidential quote has students and parents questioning the status of the free speech in Richmond County’s public schools.

A photo of the Richmond Early College High School yearbook posted to Facebook Tuesday afternoon shows a female senior’s photo with the quote “Build that wall” attributed to Donald Trump.

The words — referring to building a wall along the Mexican border to curtail illegal immigration — became one of several catchphrases during Trump’s presidential campaign.

“So Richmond county school system allowed this to be printed in their 2017 year book (sic),” wrote Artney Ellerbe, who posted the photo, along with the hashtag #share. “I already knew this city was racist. Get a court date you’ll find out. This doesn’t surprise me at all.”

Richmond County Schools took to Facebook Thursday afternoon to address the situation.

“Earlier this week, it was discovered by school administration that Richmond Early College yearbooks had errors and inappropriate comments,” the Facebook post read. “The principal immediately collected the distributed yearbooks. We regret that this incident has occurred and are currently working with the yearbook’s publisher to make corrections.”

The post continued: “As a district, we do not and will not tolerate inappropriate conduct toward any of our students. In each situation, our goal is to provide for the well-being of all of our students and prevent recurrences of inappropriate conduct.”

Parents with children at the early college say the quotes had to be approved by the principal.

Freshman Chase Brown said it’s not a big deal to him and he thinks everyone is overreacting.

His mother, Charity Davis, agrees.

“I feel that young lady only stood up for her freedom of speech by using the quote of her choice,” she said. “Every senior was given the opportunity to choose a quote. It was her right as an American to choose any quote under the sun.”

Davis said if there was an issue with the quote being offensive, it should have been addressed before the yearbooks went to print.

“Those kids, especially the seniors, have a right to the annuals they already paid for,” she continued. “Seems to me the error occurred with the yearbook committee. Someone didn’t proofread. Whose fault is that?”

Angelia Hinson, another parent, also said she thinks the issue is being “blown out of proportion.”

“I’m sure she (the student) isn’t the first or last to repeat this now-famous quote,” she said. “I do, however, have an issue with the fact my child…a senior, paid for her yearbook when they first went on sale…has yet to be given her yearbook.”

Many responses to RCS’ Facebook post are similar to those of Davis and Hinson, with a divide seemingly among racial lines.

While many commenters point to the First Amendment, another brings up the 1988 Supreme Court ruling in the Hazelwood case, where justices held 5-3 that a principal’s decision to prohibit a student newspaper from publishing controversial articles did not violate the students’ First Amendment rights.

Ashley-Michelle Thublin, public information officer for Richmond County Schools, could not be reached for comment Wednesday evening.

However, Thublin told the Raleigh News & Observer there would not be enough time to distribute a new version of the yearbooks before students get out on May 18.

Screenshot A controversial quote from President Donald Trump used in the yearbook by a Richmond Early College High School student led to the annuals being pulled by the principal.

http://yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_yearbookblur-1.jpgScreenshot A controversial quote from President Donald Trump used in the yearbook by a Richmond Early College High School student led to the annuals being pulled by the principal.

ROCKINGHAM — An alleged drug dealer is facing more than 20 felony charges after investigators say he sold cocaine and pills to a confidential informant on multiple occasions.

According to arrest warrants, 42-year-old Paul Thomas Bright Morrison, of Oak Avenue in Rockingham, was selling drugs out of a blue single-family home on Safie First Street in East Rockingham.

Morrison allegedly sold a confidential informant 1.1 grams of cocaine on April 24, 1 gram of cocaine on April 26, 0.6 grams of cocaine on April 28, and 0.6 grams of cocaine and 13 oxycodone pills on May 2, warrants show.

He was arrested on May 3 and charged with: eight counts of selling or delivering a Schedule II controlled substance; five counts of possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a Schedule II controlled substance; five counts of maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance; one count of trafficking opium or heroin; one count of selling a Schedule II controlled substance; and one count of delivering a Schedule II controlled substance.

Morrison was booked into the Richmond County Jail under a $100,000 secured bond and released on bail May 7, court records show. He also has an attorney.

He is scheduled to appear in court on those charges May 18. Online court records Morrison has another court appearance on June 16 on three counts of resisting a public officer, possession of up to a half-ounce of marijuana and possession of marijuana paraphernalia — all misdemeanors.

There are no records of previous convictions with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Division of Adult Correction for Morrison with the birth date listed on court records.

All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Reach William R. Toler at 910-817-2675 and follow him on Twitter @William_r_toler.

Morrison

http://yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_PAUL-THOMAS-BRIGHT-MORRISON.jpgMorrison

FLORENCE, S.C. — On Saturday, May 13, McLeod Children’s Hospital will host a free asthma camp for children ages 8 to 10. During the camp, children will learn how to manage their asthma through fun and interactive games. Game stations will demonstrate lung anatomy, trigger avoidance, as well as asthma medication and proper usage. Games will also teach the importance of asthma control during activities such as sports.

The camp also includes a parent education session conducted by a certified asthma educator, focusing on asthma basics, symptom recognition, trigger avoidance, proper medication administration, and the Asthma Action Plan.

The camp will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the McLeod Children’s Hospital Child Life Activity Center. Snacks and lunch will be provided.

To register for the McLeod Children’s Hospital Asthma Camp, call McLeod Reservations and Scheduling at (843) 777-2095. For more information about the camp, call the McLeod Asthma Educator at (843) 777-8506.

ROCKINGHAM — Richmond County mail carriers hope to be picking up more than bill payments and letters on Saturday.

Carriers with the Rockingham post office are participating in the Stamp Out Hunger food drive — an annual event sponsored by National Association of Letter Carriers and the National Rural Letter Carrier Association — collecting food for those who need it.

According to the U.S. Postal Service, it is the largest one-day food drive in the nation and has delivered more than one billion pounds of food the past 24 years.

Bran Faw, postmaster, said 10,000 bags were passed out this week in anticipation of Saturday’s collection in Rockingham and Hamlet. He added that some bags were sent to the Ellerbe post office.

Residents are encouraged to leave a sturdy bag containing non-perishable foods, such as canned soup, canned vegetables, pasta, rice or cereal next to their mailbox prior to the time of regular mail delivery on Saturday. Faw said bags can also be left on the porch.

“As long as they let us know where they’re leaving them, we’ll get them,” he said.

The Rockingham post office, which also serves Hamlet, delivers to about 12,500 residents along 25 routes, according to Faw.

The postmaster, who has been with the Rockingham post office since 1990, said he usually brings extra help to assist with the collection.

Last year, carriers collected about 10,000 pounds of food, which is consistent with years past. Faw said that it usually takes several truckloads to get it all hauled off.

“All the food we collect stays local,” he added, with the recipients being Our Daily Bread and Second Harvest Food Bank.

Faw said bags can also be dropped off at the post office’s front window.

ROCKINGHAM — With musicians playing on each end of the event path, hundreds of people walked along East Washington Street for Affair on the Square.

This is the third time in two years the event has brought artists and other vendors to downtown sidewalks.

“We started this as a new idea for downtown, thinking that if it was successful, we would make it annual,” said Sharon Nichols, a member of the event planning committee for the Rockingham Downtown Corp.

“But it was such a huge success, we decided to do it twice a year,” she added. “So now there’s one in May — the spring version — and the fall version in October.”

Nichols said the number of vendors per event has remained about the same and that several new downtown merchants have moved in since the event began: Bold Moves Dance Studio, Evolution Health Club, Kool Kakes and Todd’s Computers. Re/Max Southern Realty and Simply Chic participated in earlier events.

One business, Helms Jewelers, closed down since the last Affair on the Square after owners Steve and Cynthia Morris decided to retire. The couple was seen making their way down the sidewalk observing the activities.

“They get to walk around and enjoy it this year,” said Judy Cagle, another member of the committee, with Nichols adding, “It’s the first year they’ve done that.”

Every participating merchant that was open held a drawing for a giveaway of a gift certificate or item valued at $25 or more, Nichols said.

This year, there were 17 merchants and 17 sidewalk vendors — including jewelry and clothing — or artist exhibitors. Local storyteller J.A. Bolton was selling copies of his book, while on the other side of the street Kim Kirkpatrick was painting faces and Shelley Moore was showing off a spinning wheel and woven pieces of fabric.

Peggy Andersen and other members of the Pee Dee Artists Guild were set up across from the Prelipp & Scott law office, each painting the building from their perspective.

Down at Harrington Square, Frankie Moree and Jeff Broom, performing as Dark Horse Duo, played a mix of country and classic rock songs ranging from Van Morrison to Chris Stapleton.

“We really appreciate Pam and Walt Easterling from Ella’s Ballroom sponsoring the band this year,” Cagle said, adding the band has already been booked for the fall Affair.

Mervyn Celso was also performing at Hudson Brothers Deli.

Earlier in the evening, Nichols said the turnout wasn’t as large as it was last year, but said she expected those participating in the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce event down the street to filter through when it was over.

The first Affair on the Square was a little rainy, but the weather cooperated with organizers this year.

Reach William R. Toler at 910-817-2675 and follow him on Twitter @William_r_Toler.

Photos by William R. Toler | Daily Journal Frankie Moree and Jeff Broom, Dark Horse Duo, perform Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic” in Harrington Square on Thursday afternoon for Affair on the Square.

http://yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_Affair_s17_frankie-1.jpgPhotos by William R. Toler | Daily Journal Frankie Moree and Jeff Broom, Dark Horse Duo, perform Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic” in Harrington Square on Thursday afternoon for Affair on the Square.

Shelley Moore, right, shows Mechell Young, center, and her daughter, Daivah Young, fabric from her spinning wheel.

http://yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_affair_s17wheel-1.jpgShelley Moore, right, shows Mechell Young, center, and her daughter, Daivah Young, fabric from her spinning wheel.

Peggy Andersen, of the Pee Dee Artists Guild, paints the Prelipp & Scott law office building from across the street.

http://yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_affair_s17paint-1.jpgPeggy Andersen, of the Pee Dee Artists Guild, paints the Prelipp & Scott law office building from across the street.

HAMLET — The Small Business Center of Richmond Community College will present a free three-hour seminar on how to develop a budget and cash flow for a nonprofit business.

Sam Gore, a nonprofit specialist, will conduct the seminar that will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, May 18, at the Cole Auditorium.

“With or without significant cash reserves, most small to mid-size nonprofit organizations need to keep a watchful eye on their cash flow,” Gore said. “This seminar will explore the importance of understanding how budgeting and cash flows into and out of an organization and will present various cash flow reports and tools to help the leaders of nonprofits create an accurate picture of their organization’s financial situation. With that in mind, one of the most important areas of finances for any organization is cash flow.”

Gore is a 17-year veteran presenter for the small business network of the N.C. Community College System. He conducts more than 70 seminars annually and covers all phases of nonprofits from new startups, to the revitalization of existing ones.

He is the founder, president and executive director of Towards A Fruitful Ministry Inc., an organization dedicated to assisting nonprofits in developing functional structures, enabling them to reach full potential.

Pre-register for this free seminar by contacting Deborah D. Hardison, Small Business Center director, at ddhardison@richmondcc.edu or (910) 410-1687. You can also register online at http://tiny.cc/seminars.

Preregistration preferred, but walk-ins are welcome.

Gore

http://yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_RCC_SAMGORE.jpgGore

With 92 being named North Carolina Scholars and 72 earning the President’s Award for Educational Excellence, school officials say Richmond Senior High School has quite the gifted Class of 2017.

The North Carolina Scholars Program was adopted by the State Board of Education in March of 1983. In order to qualify, students were required to maintain an overall four-year grade of 3.5 or above in 28 rigorous pre-college or high level courses as specified by the State Board of Education.

Richmond County Schools offers congratulations go to the following member Seniors for earning the prestigious award:

Malcolm Conner Adams, Briana Nicoele Allen, McKenzie Allen, Zackary Chase Allen, Laurin Nicole Barrington, Hailey Elizabeth Bass, Brianna Danielle Baxley, Megan Nicole Beggs, Nicholas Garrett Beggs, Madeline Anne Bellanger, Skyler Chase Bennett, Jada Bethea, Abigail Danae Blackmon, Sarah Grace Bowman, Zachary Dawson Branch, Joshua Scott Brewer, Charlaja Nyasia Brown, Jenna Elizabeth Caraway, Maggi Patrice Chambers, Amanda Rae Chriscoe, Kimberly Nicole Clark, Jada Sirod Monet Coleman, Janet Naomi Copeland, Madeline Ashley Crawford, Keshia Der’aye David, Nideya Mulan David, Andrew Steven Davis, Carrie Eller, Jerry Leigh Goodwin, Vincenzo Antonio Gordon, Aldarias Thaikio Griffin, Joshua Andrew Griffith, Kallie Marie Hammond, Erin Leigh Harrelson, John Chase Haywood, Courtney Paige Heaton, McKenzie Henson, Judy Her, Jack Ronder Hill, Jacob Thomas Howell, Bryson Jay Hudson, Cameron Elizabeth Hudson, Mikhaila Savannah Hudson, James Chandler Johnson, Nicholas Donald Johnson, Destiny Candic Jones, Itzel Juarez, Noemi Juarez, Hanna Noelle Leigh Kreinbrink, Carson Leviner, Matthew Howard Locklear, Cameron Allen Mabe, Victoria Lane Mabe, Jasmine Nicole Mason, Amelia Sue Mauk, Joshua Wade McGee, Anna Jennifer Mejia Reyes, Michaela Alexis Mitchell, Brandon Stancil Morse, Cherilyn Faye Morse, Timothy Ray Newton, Jessica Catherine Paone, Tessa Sandoval Perez, Da’Shawn Peterkin, Brandon Wane Pressley, Ja’Von DeQuail Quick, Kelsey Nicole Quick, Catherine McKenzie Ransom, Allison Michelle Roberts, Jelisa Deiara Robinson, Myles Austin Rohleder, Alec Eteo Rushing, Shadiesha Zykieyah Short, Dawon Wade Smith, Justin Scholl Smith, Jenna Rose Staub, Stevie Lynn Steen, Emma Louise Capel Stogner, Payton Brooke Stutts, Kristin Surgeon, Kathryn Amelie Taylor, Jada Elise Terry, Prashil Ronak Thakar, Brayden Chandler Thomas, Keiyon Janae Thomas, Bayleigh Alysse Varner, Nydia Jevon Wall, MaKenzie Marie Ward, Brenden Watson, Skylar Michelle Watts, Anyanna Marie Williams and Brianna Imani Williams.

Having earned the scholar status, students will receive: a seal of recognition attached to their diploma; additional consideration for specific scholarships; as well as special acknowledgement at graduation exercises.

Similarly, the President’s Award for Educational Excellence was initiated in 1983 to honor students who have achieved outstanding academic records. Based in part on cumulative grades, the academic award series is an ongoing incentive for students to always do their best.

To qualify, students had to achieve an average of at least a 3.5 on a 4.0 GPA scale as well as test at or above the 85th percentile on a state-normed standardized test or earn an ACT/SAT score greater than 1,000 on the reading and math portions.

Representing the Class of 2017 are: Briana Nicoele Allen, McKenzie Allen, Laurin Nicole Barrington, Hailey Elizabeth Bass, Brianna Danielle Baxley, Megan Nicole Beggs, Madeline Anne Bellanger, Skyler Chase Bennett, Jada Bethea, Abby Mae Black, Sarah Grace Bowman, Joshua Scott Brewer, Austin Wayne Campbell, Jenna Elizabeth Caraway, Maggi Patrice Chambers, Amanda Rae Chriscoe, Kimberly Nicole Clark, Andrew Joseph Coble, Jada Sirod Monet Coleman, Janet Naomi Copeland, Madeline Ashley Crawford, Nideya Mulan David, Andrew Steven Davis, Summer Lynn Dawkins, Natalie Grace Dawkins, Jerry Leigh Goodwin, Vincenzo Antonio Gordon, Aldarias Thaikio Griffin, Joshua Andrew Griffith, Yoanna Gutierrez, Kallie Marie Hammond, Erin Leigh Harrelson, John Chase Haywood, McKenzie Henson, Judy Her, Jack Ronder Hill, Dalton Luke Hodges, Jacob Thomas Howell, Cameron Elizabeth Hudson, Bryson Jay Hudson, Itzel Juarez, Noemi Juarez, Hanna Noelle Leigh Kreinbrink, Carson Leviner, Victoria Lane Mabe, Jasmine Nicole Mason, Joshua Wade McGee, DeVonte McNair, Da’Shawn Peterkin, Catherine McKenzie Ransom, Anna Mejia Reyes, Allison Michelle Roberts, Raven Roberts, Myles Austin Rohleder, Alec Eteo Rushing, Justin Scholl Smith, Dawson Wade Smith, Jenna Rose Staub, Stevie Lynn Steen, Emma Louise Capel Stogner, Payton Brooke Stutts, Kristin Surgeon, Nicholas Scott Taunton, Kathryn Amelie Taylor, Prashil Ronak Thakar, Brayden Chandler Thomas, Keiyon Janae Thomas, Bayleigh Alysse Varner, Anyanna Marie Williams and Brianna Imani Williams.

Courtesy photos 92 seniors at Richmond Senior High School were named North Carolina Scholars.

http://yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_rcs_NC-Scholars17.jpgCourtesy photos 92 seniors at Richmond Senior High School were named North Carolina Scholars.

72 seniors at Richmond Senior High School earned the President’s Award for Academic Excellence.

http://yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_rcs_presaward17.jpg72 seniors at Richmond Senior High School earned the President’s Award for Academic Excellence.

BENNETTSVILLE, S.C. — For almost a week now, law enforcement and the community at large have been focused on one burning question — “Where is Iyana?” — and one desperate, heartfelt desire – to bring her home.

Eight-year-old Iyana Lowery turned up missing Friday morning, May 5, the same time her mother, Ella Lowery, 36, was found dead inside their home on Craig Circle in Bennettsville.

Ever since, the little girl has been the object of an extensive search involving local, regional, state and federal law enforcement.

Homes, fields, wooded areas, a trash dump and the depths of Lake Paul Wallace have all been subject to their scrutiny. One man, Dwayne Bright, has been charged in connection with Ella Lowery’s death. But as of this morning, there are still no signs of Iyana.

“It’s painful and sad,” said Marlboro County Sheriff Charles Lemon, a 30-plus year veteran of law enforcement. “It’s one of the worst cases I’ve ever worked.”

It all began around 8 a.m. Friday, May 5, when Ella Lowery’s mother came home from work and found her daughter’s body. She had been stabbed to death, Lemon said.

Ella lived at 656 Craig Circle with her mother, her son and daughter. The little boy, who is about 10, was accounted for, having apparently slept through the ordeal. But Iyana was gone.

By that afternoon, the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office had put out a picture and description of the little girl, with an urgent call for information. More pictures, and more pleas for help, would follow over the next few days.

The S.C. Law Enforcement Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation quickly got involved. Other agencies that have provided assistance include the McColl and Bennettsville police departments, SBI, S.C. Highway Patrol and Department of Natural Resources, and many sheriff’s offices from both Carolinas.

A mobile command post was first set up next to Bennettsville Intermediate School on Cheraw Street, and later moved to the Walmart shopping center.

Donations of food and water have poured into the command center and the Sheriff’s Office as people, desperate to help, contributed to the cause in the only way they knew how.

A community prayer vigil, organized in a matter of only hours, drew hundreds of citizens to the front lawn of the Marlboro County Courthouse Sunday evening.

“Missing” posters have been placed on utility poles and in businesses, and social media has been flooded with pictures of Iyana.

Dwayne Jermaine Bright, 36, had initially been charged with Ella Lowery’s murder, but the sheriff announced in a Friday press release that all charges had been dropped.

“Information developed in the ongoing investigation led to the release of Mr. Bright from Custody,” Lemon said in a statement. “As our work in this case is ongoing and very active, it would be inappropriate to discuss specific details at this time.”

According to Lemon, Bright had been in a relationship with Lowery.

The murder weapon has not been located.

Lemon said officers have been working nearly around the clock, searching and following up on any and all leads. “Our main, top priority is finding Iyana and getting her to her immediate family,” he said.

The sheriff has been “humbled” by the outpouring of support from the community and said there will be a time when the public will be called on to help in the search – but not yet.

“At this point, law enforcement is trying to clear certain areas,” he said. “But there will be a time that I will ask citizens to meet me at Lindsay Park to discuss areas to search.”

He urges anyone with information — no matter how small or insignificant it might seem — to call the sheriff’s office immediately. Call 843-479-5605 or 1-888-CRIME-SC.

Courtesy photo Eight-year-old Iyana Lowery has been missing since her mother was discovered murdered in Bennettsville, South Carolina on May 5.

http://yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_missing_SC.jpgCourtesy photo Eight-year-old Iyana Lowery has been missing since her mother was discovered murdered in Bennettsville, South Carolina on May 5.

WASHINGTON — A North Carolina man, who owned a tax preparation business in Rockingham, was sentenced to serve 11 years in prison today for conspiring to defraud the Internal Revenue Service and assisting in the preparation of fraudulent tax returns, announced Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Hairston for the Middle District of North Carolina.

According to documents filed with the court, from at least January 2012 through April 2016, Herbert Lee Martin of Rockingham owned and operated a tax preparation business known as “Herb’s Helping Hands,” where he prepared and filed federal income tax returns that fraudulently claimed refunds for clients. Martin also taught others how to prepare false returns and supervised their preparation of these returns. Martin and his co-conspirators reported fictitious or inflated income and dependency exemptions to generate false or inflated Earned Income Tax Credits, false business income and losses, and false deductions. On occasion, Martin and his co-conspirators purchased, and sometimes stole, personal identifying information of individuals, including minor children, and listed these individuals as false dependents on returns to generate larger fraudulent refunds for their clients. Martin would on occasion, direct some of the clients’ refunds into his own bank account or a bank account he controlled.

“Herbert Martin used his business — Herbs Helping Hands — to literally help himself to false and fraudulent deductions and tax credits, which he then sprinkled on his clients’ returns even though he knew they were not eligible to claim them,” said Goldberg. “The bogus returns his business created caused more than $10.6 million in losses for the U.S. Treasury. Martin’s 11-year sentence is a stern warning to those engaged in preparing fraudulent tax returns that they will be identified and held fully accountable for their criminal conduct.”

“Martin constructed an elaborate scheme to defraud the federal government that resulted in the loss of millions of dollars in tax revenue,” said Hairston. “With the sentence that was imposed today, Martin has been brought to justice for his crimes.”

“Today’s substantial sentence for Herbert Martin for preparing and filing false tax returns is a triumph for all honest return preparers,” said Chief Richard Weber of IRS Criminal Investigations. “The only “Helping Hands’ Herb offered were to himself and his co-conspirators by stealing from U.S. Treasury and the wallets of decent taxpayers. Let this be a reminder to others seeking to enrich themselves illegally — IRS CI Special Agents and their law enforcement partners will find you; we will uncover your fraudulent schemes.”

In addition to the term of prison imposed, Martin was ordered to serve three years of supervised release and to pay $10,605,420 in restitution to the IRS.

On May 9, Martin’s niece, Jessica Shanice Taylor, was sentenced to serve 24 months in prison for aggravated identity theft, which she committed as part of Martin’s scheme. She also was ordered to pay $36,569 in restitution to the IRS.

Goldberg and Hairston thanked special agents of IRS–CI, who conducted the investigation, and Trial Attorney Kathryn A. Kimball of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Clifton Barrett of the Middle District of North Carolina, who are prosecuting the case.

Richmond County has been chosen to receive $21,805 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the Richmond County.

The selection was made by a national board that is chaired by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from: the American Red Cross; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA; The Jewish Federations of North America; The Salvation Army; and the United Way Worldwide. The local board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high need areas around the country.

A local board will determine how the funds awarded to Richmond County are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the county. The local board is responsible for recommending agencies to receive these funds and any additional funds and any additional funds made available under this phase of the program.

Under the terms of the grant from the national board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must:

• be private voluntary non profits or units of government;

• be eligible to receive Federal funds;

• have an accounting system;

• practice nondiscrimination;

• have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs; and

• if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board.

Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Richmond County has distributed Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds previously with Our Daily Bread, Southern Mission Ministries, Helping Hands of Hamlet-Back Pack Pals, Richmond County Aging Services, New Horizon’s Life and Family Services, Samaritan Colony and The Salvation Army.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must contact Michelle Parrish at 910-997-2173 for an application or email michelleparrish@bellsouth.net.

The deadline for applications to be received is Monday, May 19, 2017 by 2 p.m. No late applications will be accepted.

HAMLET — Richmond Community College Foundation Citizen of the Year John Jackson was formally recognized for this honor at the 2017 Anniversary Gala at the Cole Auditorium last Saturday, May 6.

“This is not about being a good citizen, this is about family,” said Jackson, who is president of Richmond Memorial Hospital and Sandhills Regional Medical Center.

While Jackson had many personal family members in attendance, Jackson said family includes the people he works with at the hospital, the patients served by the hospital and the people in the community.

“Family takes care of family. That’s the way I was raised. It’s what you do,” Jackson said, explaining how he learned this life lesson from his parents and siblings, and how it has shaped him into the person he is today.

Jackson first started working as a consultant for Richmond Memorial Hospital in 1984.

“From the first day, I felt like I was treated like family. With this recognition, I feel like part of the Richmond County family,” he said.

Jackson is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the NCHA Political Action Committee and past member of the NCHA Policy Development Committee. He is currently a member of the Richmond Community College Foundation Board, Community Care of North Carolina-Sandhills Board and Rockingham Rotary Club. He was a longtime board member of the United Way of Richmond County, a past chairman of the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Rockingham Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow.

RichmondCC Foundation Board member Russell Bennett introduced Jackson at the Gala, describing him as a great leader and a great family man who has done much to support the community and the College.

Dr. Dale McInnis, president of RichmondCC, described Jackson as a “servant leader before it became a buzzword.”

“He serves his patients, his employees and our community,” McInnis said. “He has long supported our college and has been a true partner for education.”

A Fundraiser for RichmondCC Students

A spectacular night of food, cocktails, live music and dancing, the Anniversary Gala is an annual fundraiser for the Working Scholarship, which is awarded to working students whose income may disqualify them from receiving state and federal financial assistance.

Two students, Alvin Goins and Kimberly Sheppard, were invited to speak at the Gala and provide testimonies to how RichmondCC is helping them achieve their career goals.

Goins, who wants to be a substance abuse counselor, is double majoring in social services support at RichmondCC and sociology at the University of North Carolina-Pembroke. He hopes to complete his degree from RichmondCC in December.

An accounting major, Sheppard received the Academic Excellence Award for 2017. She will graduate from RichmondCC in May and will continue her accounting studies online at Gardner Webb University this fall. Currently, she is an administrative assistant for the Bobby E. Singletary, CPA, firm in Hamlet.

Wylie D. Bell is director of marketing and communications for Richmond Community College.

Courtesy photo Pictured is John Jackson, center, being presented with the Richmond Community College Foundation Citizen of the Year award at the 2017 Anniversary Gala on May 6. Presenting the honor was President of the RichmondCC Foundation Joyce McDow and Dr. Dale McInnis, RichmondCC president. Jackson was joined by his wife, Brenda, left, and many other family members at the Gala.

http://yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_RCC_John-Jackson-honored.jpgCourtesy photo Pictured is John Jackson, center, being presented with the Richmond Community College Foundation Citizen of the Year award at the 2017 Anniversary Gala on May 6. Presenting the honor was President of the RichmondCC Foundation Joyce McDow and Dr. Dale McInnis, RichmondCC president. Jackson was joined by his wife, Brenda, left, and many other family members at the Gala.

MOUNT GILEAD — Duke Energy has completed construction of the new Clarks Creek Access Area and improvements to the Tillery Tailrace Fishing Trail at the Tillery Hydroelectric Plant on the Pee Dee River In Montgomery County, the company announced in a press release Monday.

Both sites are expected to open for public use on May 18.

“These improvements provide quality access areas to the public for recreation and are a direct result of a cooperative stakeholder agreement during federal relicensing of the Tillery Plant,” said John Crutchfield, director of Duke Energy’s public safety and recreation strategy planning services.

Amenities at the Clarks Creek Access Area include a boat ramp, accessible parking and information signs. The access area will be maintained by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission through a cooperative partnership with Duke Energy.

Visitors can also use the improved trail to access the fishing platform at the Tillery Tailrace Fishing Area. The sites are located at 177 Tillery Dam Road in Mount Gilead.

Duke Energy will begin scheduled recreation flow releases into the Pee Dee River below the Tillery Plant for boating and fishing enthusiasts beginning Saturday, May 20. The Clarks Creek Access Area will provide the public an entry point for those releases. Interested public and recreation users can obtain more information about the scheduled recreation flow releases at duke-energy.com/lakes.

BENNETTSVILLE, S.C. — A body was found Sunday morning after authorities received information that led investigators to a remote area near McColl, South Carolina, the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office announced Sunday. The coroner confirmed an autopsy will be performed Tuesday.

“The body was recovered in an area off New Bridge Road,” according to Marlboro County Sheriff Charles Lemon. “An autopsy and forensic tests will be needed to make a positive identification.”

An aquatic investigation and recovery was out on New Bridge Road in McColl Monday. Dive teams were searching the pond where body was found Sunday.

Coroner Tim Brown said the autopsy will be conducted Tuesday at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Jejauncey Fernando Harrington, 32, from Bennettsville, South Carolina has been arrested and charged in connection with the May 5 death of Ella Lowery and the disappearance of her eight-year-old daughter, the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office announced Saturday.

A neighbor told WMBF News reporter Erin Edwards she tipped off police after she saw a suspicious car on her security camera on May 5. The neighbor said her camera caught a man sitting in his car across from their house Friday night. She said he drove away with no lights on after sitting there for three hours. The neighbor called police Saturday night, and police reviewed the footage.

Authorities said Ella Lowery was found dead in the Bennettsville home she shared with her daughter May 5. The girl has not been seen since despite a massive search by state police and the FBI.

Harrington was charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime in connection with the May 5 stabbing death of Ella Lowery of Bennettsville. Harrington has also been charged with kidnapping and possession of a weapon during a violent crime in connection with the disappearance of Lowery’s daughter, Iyana.

“This is a major break in this case, but there is still much work to do as the investigation is ongoing,” according to Marlboro County Sheriff Charles Lemon. “We are keeping out focus on finding Iyana Lowery and bringing her home to her family. That’s a continuing priority for everyone that’s been a part of this investigation.”

Harrington was booked and is being detained at the Marlboro County Detention Center.

Sheriff Lemon said the charge of murder is a felony, which carries a penalty upon conviction of death or a minimum of 30 years to life in prison. The charge of possession of a weapon during a violent crime carries a penalty upon conviction of five years in addition to the penalty for the principal crime. The charge of kidnapping carries a penalty upon conviction of up to 30 years in prison.

A $10,000 reward was being offered for information leading to the recovery of Iyana Lowery.

Saturday’s arrest came after charges were dropped against another man arrested last week and charged in Lowery’s murder. All charges against 36-year-old Dwayne Jermaine Bright were dropped Friday, according to a news release sent by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division on behalf of the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office.

Iyana Lowery

http://yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_missing_SC-1.jpgIyana Lowery

Harrington

http://yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_missinggirl_harrington_mug.jpgHarrington

U.S. Senator Thom Tillis, R- N.C., held a Facebook Live question and answer session on May 11.

As of Monday afternoon, the post had more than 25,100 views, 266 shares, 720 likes and reactions, and 3,473 comments including Tillis’ responses to comments left beneath the video.

The online town hall lasted more than 47 minutes. Tillis sat in front of the camera reading from a nearby laptop, and said he was reading questions he’d already selected while off-camera staff also looked at the comments. He read aloud and answered select questions, while many others were left in the comments below and the page left replies to many.

Some users thanked him for holding the question-and-answer session, but many criticized the senator for not holding a town hall in person, and doing it in a format where answers were pre-selected rather than on the spot.

The first question he addressed was whether he would call for a special prosecutor or independent commission to investigate President Donald Trump’s alleged ties with Russia.

“I think what we have to do first is let the investigation that is being chaired by Sen. (Richard) Burr, the senior senator from North Carolina, and the ranking member, (Sen.) Mark Warner from Virginia (D-Va.), and let them complete their investigation so that we know what, if any, steps are required,” Tillis said. “That’s a process that was agreed to on a bi-partisan basis, and I think rather than chasing the distractions that we sometimes get in part just because of the hyper-partisan environment we’re in, both ends of the spectrum, I think it makes more sense to let them complete their investigation. And I would not object to an independent counsel, if that’s where the data leads them, but I’m going to wait until I get the recommendation out of the intelligence committee.”

“‘You support pre-existing conditions,’” Tillis read, identifying the writer as Chad. “‘The current health bill passed (in) the House allows states to opt out of covering pre-existing conditions. How will you respond to the House bill’?

“We’re going through this now,” Tillis responded. “The House bill just got to us late last week. We’re going through a scoring process, which is necessary before we can actually go to formal consideration of the bill. But I think covering pre-existing conditions is pretty important. I don’t have a problem leaving it to the states to figure out how to implement it. I really find it hard to believe that any state would not have this as a part of their coverage strategies, but I think it’s something that’s best left to the states.

“In North Carolina, as a practical matter, I can’t imagine that we would move forward with the consideration for pre-existing conditions,” he continued. “I was in the legislature before I came to the Senate, and the fact of the matter is, North Carolina’s optional Medicaid benefits — they’re behind the minimum required by the federal government — are beyond what many states have to offer. So thematically, we’re already going beyond the minimum federal standards, so I would advocate for a framework coming out of the Senate bill that really provides a significant incentive to have pre-existing requirements in the bill. I believe we’ll have it in North Carolina, and I’ll be working on policies that’ll make it even more likely that every state will have that option.

“The key here is a political consequence,” he added. “I think if a state chooses not to do it it will really be at their own peril. Not only will they have to answer to the constituents, but it doesn’t make sense to leave that part of the — it’s a relatively small number in the scheme of things, and I think if they work it in, and we’re only talking about a fairly small percentage of the population — we have to recognize that what we’re talking about here in terms of Obamacare is the minor part of the people who are insured in North Carolina to begin with. So not having that in there is illogical, but having a healthcare alternative that allows the states to make a lot of the decisions that we’ve all of a sudden concentrated in Washington I think is a better, sustainable way to go about it. And I think pre-existing conditions, as I’ve said for several years, has to be baked into the North Carolina solutions.”

One user, named as Sandy McFarland on Facebook, asked, “Why are no women involved on the healthcare committee when women represent over 50 percent of the U.S. population?”

“Sandy, the working group is open to any senators who wish to attend as we seek to make improvements to the American Health Care Act, as noted in the article below,” Tillis responded in a comment, linking the article, “McConnell promises women can take part in healthcare meetings,” from The Hill. “This is only the first step in a long process before the bill goes to the floor for a vote, and we will have to be voted out of the Finance Committee and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee before it comes before the full Senate.”

Tillis one read question from someone he identified as Joe about the United States-Mexico border wall proposed by President Trump. The question asked what Tillis’ thoughts on the wall are, and how he thought it should be funded.

“I was on the Texas border for a four-day tour a couple of months ago, and I spent hours — literally about 14, 16 hours a day — with border control agents, the rank-and-file,” he said. “I’ve been out on ranches where we have people crossing the border, many of them dying, out in a very difficult area to navigate through. I spoke with the heads of departments, but I spoke with the people driving those boats and on the ATVs on the ground. What they tell me is we need a secure border — but we don’t need necessarily need a wall, a physical structure.

“You know, imagine a three-foot-thick wall, 30 feet high, in every place,” Tillis said. “We need a secure border. We need people, technology and infrastructure at the right place, which also includes walls, but let’s not put it where it may not be necessary. Let’s not put it on top of a 1,500 foot cliff. We probably don’t need that. But we probably need aerial surveillance or some other surveillance just to make sure that we have situational awareness and border patrol agents can be there if they need to be.

“I don’t necessarily think that we should take down fences that are working to put up a wall, and I will use the California sector as an example of an area where the fences are generally working,” he continued. “They’re not coming over the fences, they’re coming under the fences in tunnels. Walls don’t fix that, but some sort of penetration in the ground is probably necessary, or intelligence. But I try to tell everybody the logic test here for me is more than anything else. I was on a television show a week or so ago, and I said, ‘I want to listen to the people who put on a bulletproof vest every day and go out there to protect the border. And if they tell me a wall is what’s absolutely necessary for them to be safe and do their job, then I’m for a wall. None of them have said that.”

Instead, Tillis said border security agents have told him that the nation needs structures only in key places and other methods to protect the rest of it. The senator said he toured a 7,500 acre ranch where he learned that they had recovered 100 bodies of people trying to cross the border but were left alone by their smugglers.

“So it’s a humanitarian crisis,” he said. “People who are against the wall should at least recognize there are people dying out there because we simply don’t know that they’re there. So through people, technology and infrastructure, building a virtual wall, a virtual capability to secure the border, if something that I support, and I think the funding can come from several sources. There’s already money that’s available. I think if we build this and we’re smart, it’ll be sustainable, cost a lot less than just a thinking about a hardened structure, and it’ll make our border security personnel much more safe. It will also reduce the cost to build the wall, or create a virtual wall, so that we can spend more money on the legal crossings, where about 85 percent of all the drugs that come across, we don’t have the technology and personnel to identify. So we’ve got to be smart, listen to people and get out of these absolutes.”

Tillis addressed several other questions relating to Hurricane Matthew recovery funding, Alzheimer’s funding, medical marijuana, climate change, immigration reform, criminal justice reform and a variety of other topics.

To watch the full video and read the comments and replies, visit the Facebook page ‘Senator Thom Tillis,’ @SenatorThomTillis.

Reach reporter Imari Scarbrough at 704-994-5471 and follow her on Twitter @ImariScarbrough.

Screenshot U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) held a digital town hall over Facebook Live on May 11. The senator addressed several questions, including on border control,climate change, medical marijuana and Alzheimer’s funding.

http://yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_Thom-Tillis-Facebook-Live-May-2017-fz-1.jpgScreenshot U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) held a digital town hall over Facebook Live on May 11. The senator addressed several questions, including on border control,climate change, medical marijuana and Alzheimer’s funding.

HAMLET — A Saturday night checkpoint led to more than 40 citations and the recovery of a stolen Scotland County firearm.

According to Hamlet police, 22-year-old Lesedric Buchanan, of Laurinburg, had a Taurus 9 mm handgun, which had been reported stolen from Laurinburg, when he was stopped at one of four locations during a multi-jurisdictional checkpoint.

Joining the Hamlet Police Department were the Vass and Pinehurst police departments from Moore County, the Laurinburg Police Department from Scotland County and the Rockingham Police Department and Richmond County Sheriff’s Office.

Officers had checkpoints set up at the intersection of N.C. 177 and Jefferson Street, intersection of Main and Bridges streets, intersection of Main and Oakhurst streets and on Gin Mill Road from 10 p.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Monday.

Buchanan is charged with a felony county of possession of a stolen firearm, as well as one misdemeanor count each of possession of marijuana between a half-ounce and 1.5 ounces and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

He was booked into the Richmond County Jail under a $2,500 secured bond. Buchanan is scheduled to appear in Richmond County District Court on June 8.

Online records with the N.C. Court System and the N.C. Department of Public Safety Division of Adult Correction show Buchanan has no other pending charges or previous criminal convictions in the state.

Two arrest warrants were also served for probation violations, police say, as well as the following citations issued:

• driving while impaired —1

• driving after consuming alcohol under the age of 21 — 1

• open container — 2

• littering — 1

• inspection violation — 1

• failure to carry a driver’s license — 5

• child restraint violations — 10

• window tint violations — 4

• driving while licensed revoked — 5

• driving left of center — 1

• having an expired registration — 6

• having no operator’s license — 4

• allowing an unlicensed driver to operate a motor vehicle — 1

• improperly displaying a license plate — 2

• headlight violation —1

All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Reach William R. Toler at 910-817-2675 and follow him on Twitter @William_r_toler.

Buchanan

http://yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_lesedric-buchanan.jpgBuchanan

HAMLET — In an ongoing effort to rid the streets of drugs, investigators have arrested and charged four men with selling weed.

Following an undercover buy, with help from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, Hamlet police arrested 47-year-old Clarence Anthonie Zeigler, of Rose Street in Dobbins Heights, on May 5.

He is charged with one felony count each of: selling or delivering a Schedule VI controlled substance; possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana; maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance. He is also charged with a misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana paraphernalia of allegedly having a set of scales and cigar wrappers.

Zeigler was booked into the Richmond County Jail under a $7,500 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.

On May 8, investigators arrested and charged 18-year-old Jaylan Ingram, of Ivy Trail in East Rockingham, and 20-year-old Chad Andrew Phillips, of Dave Kings Road, northwest of Rockingham, for allegedly selling pot out of truck at the car wash across from Convenience Corner in Hamlet, according to an arrest report.

Investigators say the pair also had grinders, pipes and cigar wrappers.

Ingram is charged with two felony counts each of: possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana; maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance and conspiracy to sell or deliver marijuana.

Phillips is charged with two counts each of conspiracy to sell or deliver marijuana and maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance.

They are both charged with a misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

Ingram and Phillips were each jailed under a $20,000 secured bond and are scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.

The same day, police arrested 27-year-old Christopher Stewart McDonald, of Thomas Street in Hamlet, and charged him with one count each of selling or delivering a Schedule VI controlled substance and conspiracy to sell or deliver a Schedule VI controlled substance.

McDonald was jailed under a $10,000 secured bond. He is also scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.

The arrests are the continuation of a narcotics investigation that netted 18 arrests in March — including a mother and son allegedly caught with more than 19 pounds of pot — and three arrests in April on cocaine charges.

Following a vehicle stop for speeding on April 27, police also charged 53-year-old Paula Marie Bledsoe with a felony count of possession a Schedule II controlled substance for allegedly having a small amount of crack cocaine. She was also charged with simple possession of a Schedule II controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, both misdemeanors, according to an arrest report.

Bledsoe is also facing a traffic infraction for speeding and is due in court June 29.

According to records with the N.C. Department of Public Safety Division of Adult Correction, Zeigler was previously convicted on charges of both selling and possessing a Schedule II controlled substance in Richmond County and Bledsoe was convicted of possession with intent to sell a Schedule IV controlled substance in Brunswick County.

All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Reach William R. Toler at 910-817-2675 and follow him on Twitter @William_r_toler.

More than two dozen businesses from the region received safety awards during a banquet Monday evening.

Businesses from Peachland, Polkton, Lilesville, Wadesboro, Burlington, Charlotte, Cordova, Greensboro, Rockingham, Eagle Springs, Marston, Winston-Salem and Troy were honored during the event.

Carolinas HealthCare System-Anson and the public works department of the city of Rockingham received first-year silver awards.

“Under program rules, companies must have been free of fatal accidents at the site for which the award is given to be eligible,” a release on the awards explained. “The gold award criteria are based on a DART rate that is at least 50 percent below the statewide rate for its industry. The rate includes cases of days away from work, restricted activity or job transfer. The silver award is based only on cases with days away from work. They are recorded when the worker misses at least one full day of work, not including the day of the injury. The applicant must attain an incidence rate for cases with days away from work that is at least 50 percent below the rate for its industry.”

The administration, building and grounds, recreation, wasterwater treatment plant and water treatment plant, all with the city of Rockingham, received first-year gold awards. Lynn Thomas Grading, Inc., the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Forest Service District 3, Perdue Foods, LLC, Eagle Springs Hatchery, Richmond County Government, Unimin Corporation, Marston plant, and Vulcan Construction Materians LP, Mideast division-Rockingham quarry also received the first-year gold award.

Cascades Tissue of Rockingham, the Richmond plant of the International Textile Group, Perdue Foods, LLC, Rockingham processing plant and Troy Medical Services all received second-consecutive-year gold awards.

Allen’s Professional Investigations, Inc., Oldcastle Stone Products and Piedmont Natural Gas, Rockingham Resource Center all received third-consecutive-year awards.

Southern Piedmont Piping received the fifth consecutive gold award, and Hanes Brands, Inc. Champion Distribution Center received the sixth-year award.

Two parts of Chandler Concrete Company, Inc., Biscoe Building Supply No. 116 received the 14th- and 15th-year awards. Hildreth Wood Products, Inc. was the sole recipient of the 19th-year gold award.

The top award — the 29th consecutive year gold award — went to APAC Atlantic, Inc., Candor Sand Plant.

Shelby Emrich, executive director of the Anson County Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the guests at Oliver’s Hometown Restaurant and Bar before dinner was served. Joe Dutton, Chamber board chairman, introduced North Carolina Commissioner of Labor Cherie K. Berry as the guest speaker.

Berry thanked the Chamber for sponsoring the event, one of 33 safety award banquets held across the state this year. She told the guests the importance of Chambers, which she said represent them and speak to legislators on their behalf when business owners and managers are too busy to do it themselves.

She stressed the importance of businesses focusing on safety. The state’s injury and illness rate is now 2.6 per 100 full-time employees in the private industry, the lowest it has ever been, she said.

“I wish I could take credit for it, but I can’t,” she said. “It’s all you, and what you do every single second of every single workday.”

Berry said that while it has plateaued some years, the rate has never risen since she has been in office. It has declined since she became the state’s labor commissioner in 2001.

While her office has certain safety standards companies must meet unless they receive a waiver, Berry said her office tries to find solutions for everyone, and that there is “more than one good answer to a question.”

“Most important of all is keeping families united, looking out for each other and keeping each other safe,” Berry said. “It’s not an easy world out there…but if we just are each others’ keepers, we’ll be all right.”

Last year, Berry received word that a worker from out of the area died in Anson County after being electrocuted the day she gave the 2016 safety awards.

Reach reporter Imari Scarbrough at 704-994-5471 and follow her on Twitter @ImariScarbrough.

Imari Scarbrough | Anson Record North Carolina Commissioner of Labor Cherie Berry addresses a crowd of award-winning business representatives, praising them for their lack of worker illnesses and injuries.

http://yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_IMG_8399-1.jpgImari Scarbrough | Anson Record North Carolina Commissioner of Labor Cherie Berry addresses a crowd of award-winning business representatives, praising them for their lack of worker illnesses and injuries.

Imari Scarbrough | Anson Record Businesses from several towns gather at Oliver’s Hometown Restaurant and Bar for an awards banquet with the state labor commissioner.

http://yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_IMG_8467-1.jpgImari Scarbrough | Anson Record Businesses from several towns gather at Oliver’s Hometown Restaurant and Bar for an awards banquet with the state labor commissioner.