The News-Journal

14/07/2025

Firefighters will be collecting school supplies to donate to local schools, to help offset teacher's supply costs.
🕰 They'll be at the Raeford Walmart on Saturday, July 19th.

12/07/2025

We are proud to announce that The News-Journal received multiple top honors in the NC Press Association's annual contest — including a prestigious Public Service award.

The North Carolina Press Associations Public Service award recognizes a distinguished example of meritorious public service of a newspaper to its local community, reflecting exceptional courage or enterprise.

Awards announced today:
Staff of the News-Journal- 1st Place Public Service Award, "Fighting for the "right to know" is a public service", The News-Journal's fight for access to public records.
(Public Service Award)
https://www.thenews-journal.com/graphics/NJ496b.pdf
https://www.thenews-journal.com/graphics/NJ786.pdf
https://www.thenews-journal.com/graphics/NJ665.pdf
https://www.thenews-journal.com/graphics/NJ670a.pdf
https://www.thenews-journal.com/graphics/NJ487a.pdf

Catharin Shepard - 1st Place, Feature Writing
Article: Sharing prayers and love to help
Editorial Division A

Catharin Shepard - 1st Place, Beat Feature Reporting
Article: Rockholt pleads guilty, sentenced for 2019 “Ratty Shack” murder.
Editorial Division A

Catharin Shepard - 2nd Place Investigative Reporting
Collection of articles: The News-Journal sues Hoke County
Editorial Division A

Jessica Hendrix Brown - 1st Place, Special Publication Advertising (Graphic Design)
Body of work: Collection of Ads, EKOH Spring 2024
Advertising Division A

Jessica Hendrix Brown, Catharin Shepard, Sue Ogas - 1st Place, Magazine or Niche Publication
EKOH Magazine, Spring 2024
Division A

Jessica Hendrix Brown - 2nd Place, Newspaper Promotion Advertisement
Design: The "Watchdog", EKOH Spring 2024
Advertising Division A

Jessica Hendrix Brown - 3rd Place, Illustration/Photo Illustration/Print or interactive graphics Work: Cover, EKOH Spring 2024, Here comes the sun!
Editorial Division A

Catharin Shepard Sue Duimstra-Ogas Jessy Brown

11/07/2025

Vagn Hansen of Benchmark Planning (and RLUAC) let me know 250 people have taken the Hoke County Land Use Plan survery, with the deadline July 30. There are thousands of people who follow this page alone, who care about Issues like housing development, schools, roads, water, restaurants - all of which is related to land use planning! Don’t wait, make your voice heard! Challenging everyone who sees this to take 10 minutes to do the survey. This could impact Hoke County for the next 20 years.

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

11/07/2025

Going on now!

10/07/2025

From Hoke County Schools: There has been some questions about Hoke County Schools clear book bag rule. Mesh bags are allowed as long as contents are clearly visible from outside of the bag. Please view the book bag rules and frequently asked questions at this link.

https://www.hcs.k12.nc.us/clear-bookbag-requirements-updated

10/07/2025

SPREAD THE WORD.

10/07/2025

🚨 It's summer, but Student Safety is Our Priority! 🚨

Hoke County Schools is rolling out new extended stop arm technology on four of our school buses across the county. This advanced safety feature is designed to give drivers on the road greater visibility and warning, helping protect students during the most critical part of their bus ride — loading and unloading at the bus stop.

This new addition extends farther into the roadway than a traditional stop arm, acting as an extra layer of defense to ensure drivers stop when children are entering or exiting the bus.

📍 Remember: Always STOP for school buses.