Sampson Independent

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All are welcome as local churches come together Friday Sept. 11 at Graves Memorial Presbyterian Church to remember 9/11 on the 25th anniversary with a communion service led by Pastor Katie Rives with other local pastors contributing. In a phone interview, Rives shared how the idea for the service came about, describing the group of pastors, including herself, who gather on Tuesdays at noon, bring a lunch, fellowship, pray and consider how they can serve the community.

Student enrollment numbers are drawing concern from leaders in both the Clinton City and Sampson County school systems, with each district reporting fewer young people than anticipated during the opening weeks of the 2026-27 school year. “This is the first time we’ve seen a number like this,” Clinton City Schools Superintendent Dr. Wesley Johnson told his Board of Education last Thursday after reporting the district was down 100 students from the 10th day of the previous school year.

The Halls Fire and Rescue Ladies’ Auxiliary raised $5,320 from its Aug. 11 barn quilt raffle, and the money is already being put to good use to support not only the firefighters but also the surrounding community. The newly reorganized Ladies’ Auxiliary officially reformed in April, and President Judye Tart, shared her excitement for the plans the group has made to use the money they raised by raffling two barn quilts Tart made.

For nearly four years, Roseboro residents have known what it is like to live in a town without something many communities take for granted — a bank. That is about to change. KS Bank’s announcement that it plans to open a financial center in downtown Roseboro this November is more than another business opening its doors.

A Clinton funeral director is appealing disciplinary action handed down by the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service after the state regulatory agency found multiple violations involving the handling of cremated remains, a forged signature on a cremation authorization and a charge for embalming services that were neither requested nor performed.

The Clinton City Board of Education reorganized itself Thursday, naming Jeremy Edgerton vice chairman and approving the process for filling the seat vacated last week by Carol Worley, all during a called meeting following last week’s unfinished agenda. Worley had been the board’s vice chairwoman. In the board’s second meeting this month, two priorities were at the forefront of discussions — determining a new vice chairman and establishing the timeline for how the board will fill its vacant seat.

The Dark Horse Fellows program was created with a straightforward idea: Grow Clinton City Schools’ future teachers from within. For Woodlyn Pierre, that concept is no longer just a goal on paper. The “Grow Your Own Teacher” initiative supports aspiring educators with forgivable loans, resources and mentorship with the goal of having them return to teach in Clinton City Schools.

Local kids with Sampson County Parks and Recreation gathered Tuesday evening with Lakewood High School to host the Lakewood Football Camp. Participants had the opportunity to work with the Leopards players, along with the coaching staff, in order to help with skill development and game education, such as strategy and team dynamics. Participants at the Union football camp line up against each other to simulate the offensive and defensive linemen drills.

The Clinton Dark Horses (1-0) protected their home turf in their junior varsity football matchup against the Midway Raiders (1-1), winning 34-0 Wednesday evening. The game was originally scheduled for Thursday, but was moved up due to inclement weather conditions. The first quarter of the game was a defensive slugfest, as neither offense was able to break past the opposition. In the second, it was the Dark Horses that landed the first significant blow.