RALEIGH — In advance of Hurricane Ian’s remnants moving through the state, Governor Roy Cooper declared a State of Emergency on Wednesday to activate the state’s emergency operations plan, waive transportation rules to help the transport of fuel and critical supplies, help first responders and the agriculture industry and protect consumers from price gouging.

LILESVILLE — Kwame Fernanders was found guilty of first-degree murder in the 2016 death of Lilesville resident Destry Dean Horne.

DOBBINS HEIGHTS — The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office has charged a man in a Sept. 8 shooting on Earle Franklin Drive in Dobbins Heights.

Diamondback moths (DBM) are a pest that almost exclusively targets cole (brassica) crops to lay their eggs on. Cole crops are a broad group of vegetables and include cabbage, broccoli, and collards. Once these eggs hatch the caterpillars that emerge can decimate the entire crop.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and a group of Senate Republicans demanded an explanation from the Justice Department and FBI for the abnormal and aggressive dawn raid on the home of a pro-life advocate in Pennsylvania last week. The senators include members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has legislative and oversight jurisdiction over the Justice Department, and one of the advocate’s home-state senators.

A banner celebrating the 40th year of the Seaboard Festival was unveiled outside the Hamlet Opera House Friday morning with the Richmond County Chamber of Commerce, community members and elected officials present. “I can’t say enough about the Seaboard Festival,” said Hamlet Mayor Bill Bayless, thanking all of the volunteers. “It’s fantastic.”

The 14th Annual John. W. Coltrane Music ‘Edu-tainment’ Festival (JCMEF) is still planned for this Saturday, although the event will take place on Zoom if necessary due to Hurricane Ian.

ROCKINGHAM — Hoptoberfest, originally scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 1, will now be held on Oct. 8.