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Hamlet man sentenced to 125 years in child sex abuse case
ROCKINGHAM — A Hamlet man has been sentenced to more than 100 years after being convicted on multiple sex offenses. Kurtis Scott Madsen, 31, was convicted June 24 on four counts of statutory sex offense with a child by an adult, and one count each of statutory rape of a child and assault on a child under 12.
OBITUARY: Rebecca Helms Evans
Rebecca Helms Evans (Becky) passed away on June 29, 2024 after a brief stay at Richmond Co. Hospice Haven. Becky was born Jan. 15, 1949 and is the daughter of the late Coy and Celia McLean Helms. Becky is preceded in death by her husband, Gil Evans; her sister, Hazel...
OBITUARY: James Elmer Howe Jr.
John Elmer Howe Jr. died May 25, 2024 at his home in Palm Springs, California, following a diagnosis of terminal cancer just four weeks prior. In typical John fashion, he accepted this news with grace and made his decision to receive only comfort care. He began putting the remainder of his affairs in order and saying his “goodbyes” to family and friends.
OBITUARY: Faye Brigman Yates
Faye Brigman Yates, 86, of Rockingham, passed away Thursday, June 27, 2024 at Richmond Co. Hospice in Rockingham. She was born Feb. 2, 1938 in Richmond County, a daughter of the late Conley and Maggie Smith Brigman. Mrs. Yates retired from Sandhurst Hosiery Mill and attended 3 Rock Church. She...
PHOTOS: Hamlet Boxcar Concert series featuring the Beach Fever Band
HAMLET — The third installment of the Boxcar Concert Series kicked off Friday evening at Main Street Park with the Beach Fever Band. The playlist featured beach music classics from bands like Chairmen of the Board, as well as a beach-rock-country medley of Jim Quick’s “Mama’s Drinkin’ Liquor Again,” Free’s “All Right Now” and Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Achey Breaky Heart.”
OBITUARY: James G. Laton
James G. Laton, 82, of Marston, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 28, 2024 at Richmond County Hospice Haven. He was born Oct. 31, 1941, in Jackson Springs, son of the late James Luther Laton and Zula Jane Covington Laton. James served in the United States Army and was proud...
Sandhills singers set sights on Sin City
ROCKINGHAM — Robert Wilkerson is heading to Las Vegas — along with five others. Wilkerson, of Hamlet, placed first Wednesday night in the Carolina finals of the Karaoke World Championships at Striker’s Lounge. The finals, as well as the previous auditions, were hosted locally by Steve Bryant...
How to protect your pets this 4th of July
Food. Fireworks. Parties. While many people love the July 4 holiday, it can be traumatic for pets who have a phobic reaction to the loud sights and sounds that are synonymous with Independence Day celebrations. With dogs and cats getting spooked and running away from yards, doors, and even screened...
Sex offender charged with registration violations in Richmond County
ROCKINGHAM — A convicted sex offender is facing several charges related to registration. Richmond County Jail records show 47-year-old Jonathan Verneil Cooper was booked on June 27, and is charged with two counts of failing to register as a sex offender and one count of failing to report a new address as a sex offender.
Hamlet’s Main Street Park heats up with Beach Fever Band
HAMLET — As the summer sun sets at Main Street Park on Friday, the Beach Fever Band will take the stage. This will be the third installment of the Seaboard City’s Boxcar Concert Series. The Beach Fever Band has been performing across the region for the past several...
Lucky Dog bringing endurance race to Rockingham Speedway roval
ROCKINGHAM— Racing returns to Rockingham Speedway for “Release the Rock Hounds.”. The event is part of the California-based Lucky Dog Racing League’s endurance series, where drivers can race anywhere from 7-12 hours, according to Cathy McCause Fuss, who co-founded the series in 2015 with her husband, Greg.
OPINION: Stop the budget games
Once again North Carolina won’t have a revised budget at the start of the new fiscal year, July 1. Revising and updating the budget passed in 2023 was their primary task when the General Assembly convened in Raleigh April 24. Legislators are playing budget games. They are reportedly some...
OPINION: What’s the biggest issue facing the country?
At the numerous presentations I give during the year, I am frequently asked this question: What is the most important issue facing the country? Since I know the question is coming, I’m always thinking about it. Also, since I’ve been making public presentations for almost half a century, my answer has often changed.
Eason holds signing ceremony for Pfeiffer baseball
ROCKINGHAM — A summer filled with a lot of success on the baseball diamond for James Eason added another milestone Thursday. A night after pitching a complete game for the Hamlet American Legion baseball team to clinch the division title, the recent Richmond Senior High School graduate held a signing day ceremony at Raider Field.
PHOTOS: Richmond soccer camp celebrates 25th anniversary
ROCKINGHAM — One of Richmond County’s largest youth athletic camps of the summer wrapped up Thursday, complete with scrimmages, popsicles, water balloons and squirt guns. The Richmond Senior High School soccer program hosted around 115 campers at its annual development camp this week. The camp celebrated its 25th anniversary this year.
US 74 Bus. closed in Rockingham due to gas leak
ROCKINGHAM — Drivers through the town’s main strip are being detoured due to a ruptured gas line. According to Rockingham Fire Chief Harold Isler, construction crews struck a gas line at the site of the future Chick-Fil-A, at the corner of E. Broad Avenue (U.S. 74 Bus.) and John Street.
OBITUARY: Mervyn P. Celso
Mervyn “Merv” P. Celso, 69, of Red Springs, formerly of Rockingham, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, June 24, 2024. He was born Jan. 10, 1955, in the Philippines, son of the late Ireneo Celso and Paz Payongayong Celso. Merv worked as a hotel and restaurant...
OPIOID EPIDEMIC: Teen dies of overdose; Richmond County regains highest fentanyl-involved death rate
ROCKINGHAM — A 15-year-old girl was among the Richmond County overdose patients attended to by FirstHealth EMS in May. Her case was the only fatality for the month. Records from the Sandhills Opioid Response Consortium, presented to the Drug Endangered Family Task Force on June 26, show FirstHealth EMS responded to 19 overdose calls.
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