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Prisoners evacuated from WNC with long-term water, power outages expected
evacuations became necessary at three facilities due to the long timeframes for water and power restoration.
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Governor’s response to hurricanes key issue in close HD 46 contest
House District 46 (Robeson and Columbus counties.) • Brenden Jones, Republican. (first-term incumbent). Occupation: Small business owner. Education: Fayetteville Technical Community College, mortuary science associate’s degree. Career highlights: Serves as House majority freshman whip. Former Columbus County Board of Elections chairman. Southeastern Community College Board of Trustees member. Member of Tabor City Committee of 100,...
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Battle for House District 46 gets physical
The three-way race in House District 46 turned into a two-man tussle. Democrat Tim Benton and Republican Brenden Jones were involved in a minor physical altercation with each other at the recent Bladenboro Beast Fest, which shows how hot the race has become. Or at least how hot under the collar they are with one...
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Local Issues Drove Local Voters, Analysts Say
RALEIGH — More than 1,100 candidates or ballot measures were decided by voters, according to the State Board of Elections. Nearly a half-million North Carolinians voted, a turnout rate of nearly 14.4 percent. One analyst notes that the results in mayoral races in most major cities underscored the growth of Democratic Party influence in the state's largest urban areas.
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Booze on the Ballot Across North Carolina
RALEIGH — While it could be a stretch to say that politics are driving people to drink, in a number of municipalities across North Carolina, voters will be deciding issues related to alcohol. Of the 49 local issues on the ballot in the Tar Heel State, a majority — 26 — have to do with the sale of alcohol.
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Award Presentation for Longtime Sen. Soles Canceled
RALEIGH — A Monday event in Whiteville honoring former state Sen. R.C. Soles, D-Columbus, has been canceled. Soles decided Thursday to cancel the event awarding the Order of the Long Leaf Pine after the Tabor City attorney learned that Carolina Journal had been unable to find any record showing that former Gov. Bev Perdue approved the award.
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Alleged Soles Victim Goes Public In Wilmington Paper
RALEIGH — The story marked the first time Toby Faircloth, a former resident of Tabor City who is now 49, identified himself publicly as a former Soles victim. Faircloth did not want his name used in an interview he gave to Carolina Journal in October 2009 about the alleged abuse.
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Soles Victim Gives Account of August 2009 Shooting
RALEIGH — Something happened at attorney and Democratic state Sen. R.C. Soles’ Tabor City home on the evening of Aug. 23, 2009, but neither court testimony nor non-existent police reports have shed any light on exactly what. Now, one participant in the event has come forward to give his version to Carolina Journal.
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North Carolina Candidates Gear Up in Swing Districts
RALEIGH — For the first time in over a century, minority Republicans have a shot at wresting control of the legislature from Democrats, and it’s banking on a string of competitive races to do it.
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Soles Receives Fine, No Jail Sentence in Shooting Case
RALEIGH — State Sen. R.C. Soles Jr., D-Columbus, is free to return to his law practice and his seat in the General Assembly. The 75-year-old lawmaker pleaded guilty Thursday in Columbus County Superior Court to a misdemeanor charge of assault with a deadly weapon. Under the plea agreement, Soles will pay more than $1,000 in court costs but face no other penalties.
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Corruption, History Could Sting Democrats in 2010
RALEIGH — As a series of volatile midterm elections approach this November, most eyes are on the nation’s capital. But North Carolina could be in for some historic races of its own, as scandals, retirements, and political tides threaten Democrats’ majorities in the state General Assembly.
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Ex-Easley Lawyer Pleads the Fifth, Ducks Testimony
RALEIGH — Mike Easley’s longtime legal aide and law partner, Ruffin Poole, ducked a State Board of Elections’ subpoena Thursday by pleading the Fifth Amendment, the second time since October that Poole has avoided testifying before the board about his relationship with the former governor.
