thedrifter
01-01-07, 07:53 AM
2006: THE YEAR IN REVIEW
January 01,2007
Three charged in double murderThree Camp Lejeune Marines were charged in August for allegedly killing two lance corporals in Jacksonville.
Lance Cpl. Amanda Carrithers, 19, and Lance Cpl. Jordan Barrow, 19, both of 2nd Supply Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, were gunned down Aug. 15 in the home they rented on East Drive. Both Marines were from the Chicago area.
Jondre Lowemincey, 20, of Georgia, and Tharon Johnson, 19, of Florida, were both charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection to the slayings. The two could face the death penalty if convicted. They are both former privates first class and remain in Onslow County jail under no bond awaiting trial.
Former Marine Cpl. Julie Delice, 21, of South Carolina, was charged with two counts of accessory after the fact to felony murder. Delice was released from jail on $150,000 bond in October and also is awaiting trial.
Jacksonville police were called to 43 East Drive at 12:24 a.m. Aug. 15 in reference to shots fired. When they arrived, they found Carrithers, who was about six weeks pregnant, dead in her bed. She had been shot twice in the back and was on the phone with the father of her unborn child at the time of the incident.
Barrow was found next door on the walkway. Barrow, who answered the door at the residence, was shot once in the face and twice in the chest.
Police haven’t released the motive for the first double homicide in Jacksonville in more than 20 years, but Carrithers and Lowemincey had some type of relationship. Carrithers was the intended target of the crime.
Jacksonville police and Naval Criminal Investigative Service arrested Lowemincey and Johnson a week after the homicides were committed.
Man killed in
police standoff
A Jacksonville police officer was wounded and a New River Marine staff sergeant was killed during a standoff with police on Croatan Court in November.
The State Bureau of Investigation was called in to investigate the incident that took place at about 7:13 a.m. Nov. 20. and involved the Jacksonville Police Department’s SWAT team.
When the SWAT team arrived, they entered the back door of a townhouse that was owned by Staff Sgt. Neil Manson’s estranged wife. The wife told authorities that Manson, 40, was on antidepressants.
Officers tried to negotiate with Manson and convinced him to lay down a loaded .38-caliber revolver. Manson opened the front door of the house and was met by a member of the SWAT team. Officers also approached Manson from behind.
Manson then allegedly reached into his coat pocket and displayed a .40-caliber gun in a threatening manner and was shot two times. He was taken to Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville and died later that day.
Officer Shawn Marcinowsky was shot in the ankle during the incident and was taken to Onslow Memorial Hospital for treatment.
Chief Assistant District Attorney Ernie Lee held a press conference three days after the incident to announce that no criminal violations were committed when police shot Manson. While authorities never indicated who shot Marcinowsky, Lee said, there wasn’t any evidence showing that Manson ever fired his weapon.
Four Jacksonville police officers, who fired their weapons during the standoff, were put on administrative duties while an internal investigation was done. Authorities never released their names.
Some rough water
for Tall Ships
When 13 tall ships sailed into Carteret County over the Fourth of July holiday, folks got a chance to view the majesty of what it was once like to sail on the high seas.
The public, however, also got an eyeful of crowds, traffic and profiteering at one of the largest events ever held in Carteret County.
A crowd of more than 150,000 people reportedly came to Beaufort and Morehead City to see the ships and enjoy the entertainment offered by the Pepsi Americas’ Sail hosted by the Friends of the N.C. Maritime Museum.
The 249-foot Brazilian ambassador ship Cisne Branco was a star attraction, the N.C. Symphony played under stars, tall ships paraded through Beaufort Inlet, and fireworks and a parade highlighted the holiday.
But with the event has come troubled waters.
Before the ships had sailed, there were complaints about the long lines in unbearable heat. And in the months since, the Friends of the North Carolina Museum and organizers of the event have come under fire on more than one front.
The event, initially dubbed a fund-raiser for the Maritime Museum’s Gallant’s Channel annex, had a reported net loss of $1.8 million, leaving the Friends with bills to pay.
The national Americas’ Sail organization has publicly criticized the Friends and Pepsi Americas’ Sail LLC and is in arbitration with them over contract disputes. Meanwhile, a state audit is also under way to review financial issues related to the event.
In a related incident, there was criticism of a cruise hosted by the N.C. State Ports Authority for state legislators and other officials during the tall ships event. The cruise intended to promote the port and area was criticized as a lavish party at taxpayer expense.
Beach property values soar in 2006
It was a year of highs and lows on Topsail Island.
Highs came in the form of tax bills from Onslow County. The lows arrived when some on the island discovered they would be forced to sell their beach or soundfront homes because they could no longer afford to pay the taxes.
Homeowners in North Topsail Beach and Surf City saw their tax bills go up three, four or even five times what they were the previous year. The Onslow County tax revaluation sent home values on North Topsail up by nearly 400 percent. Landowners who went to sleep one night with a $175,000 home, woke up the next day with a $1 million residence.
The Onslow County portion of Surf City, which along with North Topsail Beach is a place with a number of elderly and retired residents, also saw a tremendous increase. That forced many to put up “For Sale” signs.
By year’s end, many were still up. Island real estate agents said the tax revaluation coincided with a slowdown in the housing market, which left many owing large tax bills but with no takers for their homes.
North Topsail Beach, Holly Ridge and Surf City recently passed resolutions in hopes of implementing legislature to find tax relief for residents — especially seniors.
North Topsail voters reject sand tax
In November, North Topsail Beach residents soundly defeated a $34 million beach nourishment referendum.
If approved, the referendum would have paid for a beach nourishment project, which would include dredging New River Inlet and placing that sand and sand from offshore borrow areas on the town’s 11 miles of beach. Townwide, the referendum was voted down 277-73 and in the oceanfront tax district by 100-32.
Had it passed, oceanfront residents would have paid back 80 percent of the bond through taxes, short of what outside agencies pledged. Both the county and state had declined to place a dollar amount on their contribution by the time of the vote, saying they wanted to see if the town was committed to the project.
Opponents of the bond said the tax was too much on top of the Onslow County tax revaluation, which increased the town’s property values across the board by almost 400 percent.
Despite the overwhelming vote, the town is considering pushing forward to obtain permitting for the project, while going back to the drawing board on how to pay for beach nourishment.
Singletary retires as superintendent
Both Onslow County Schools and Camp Lejeune Dependents Schools changed leaders in 2006.
In June, former Onslow County Superintendent Ron Singletary announced his retirement after 15 years.
“It’s just time for me to step aside and let the system continue to move and let the (Board of Education) work towards getting some new leadership,” he said at the time.
On Nov. 7, the board named Kathy Spencer, the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, to the post. She will officially begin in her new role Monday.
Spencer is a former student, teacher, principal in the school system.
Robert Brinton retired after four years as superintendent on base. He was replaced by Elizabeth Thomas, assistant superintendent for Camp Lejeune in the North Carolina district.
Death claims longtime principal
One of Onslow County’s most popular principals died suddenly in December.
Swansboro High Principal Joe Beasley collapsed during an Onslow County Board of Education meeting on Dec. 6. He died at a Wilmington hospital the next day from bleeding of the brain stem.
About 1,500 people packed Swansboro High School for his funeral. He served as principal at the school for about 30 years.
“He was a constant barometer of what was good about Swansboro,” said former Onslow County Schools Superintendent Ron Singletary.
The school system named Swansboro Middle School Principal Christine Andre to replace Beasley beginning on Tuesday.
Battle over building in Swansboro
In August, the Swansboro Board of Commissioners passed a controversial building moratorium.
The moratorium affects construction and demolition in the town’s historic district and the waterfront district. Supporters say the one-year moratorium, which began in August, will allow the town to come up with ways to protect the Historic District’s character.
The planning board and Historic Preservation Commission are crafting a series of recommendations to present to commissioners in lieu of the moratorium.
But many residents and developers h ave criticized the moratorium. Property owners filed a lawsuit in October to get the moratorium overturned. No court date has been set.
The moratorium is set to expire next August, but many say it could end earlier.
Historic election
in Carteret
Carteret County’s 2006 election season proved to be momentous in more ways than one. Voters elected a new sheriff for the first time in 20 years and a seat on the Board of Commissioners was decided by three votes.
Democrat Wade Nelms was certified the winner of the District 2 seat on the Board of Commissioners after a race that bounced between leaders and narrowed at one time to a one-vote margin between Nelms and incumbent Ray Muns, who was running for a second term.
Nelms’ held a 41-point lead on election night, but after the official canvass of votes by the Board of Elections Muns had pulled ahead by one vote. Muns’ lead widened to nine votes after a machine recount.
Nelms called for a second recount by hand. Nelms received a total of 10,638 votes, edging by Muns at that time by three votes.
Muns protested the results, alleging errors occurred in the counting. But the protest was dismissed by the Board of Elections following a preliminary hearing. Muns chose not to appeal to the state Board of Elections.
Nelms was sworn into office Dec. 18, becoming the first Democrat to serve on the Board of Commissioners in 10 years.
In the highly contested race for Carteret County’s top law enforcement seat, the results weren’t so close.
Republican Asa Buck, a nine-year member of the Carteret County Sheriff’s Department, won 60 percent of the vote to become the county’s new sheriff. He edged out a slate of five other Republicans for the party nomination and then defeated Democrat Frank Galizia, a 30-year member of the department, in the general election.
With the win, Buck becomes Carteret County’s first new sheriff in 20 years and takes the reins after a 40-year rule by one family.
Previous Sheriff Ralph Thomas Jr. retired after serving five terms. His father, Ralph Thomas Sr., served the 20 years before that.
No. 1 in the NFL draft and at home
It was a big day for Richlands, Onslow County, N.C. State — heck, the whole state.
A native son was No. 1.
On April 29, Mario Williams, an All-America defensive end at N.C. State and Richlands native, was the first player selected in the National Football League’s draft of college prospects. Williams was the first ACC player ever selected No. 1 overall by an NFL team.
Williams, who played at Richlands High School, signed a six-year, $54 million contract with the Houston Texans.
On June 16, Williams was honored by the town of Richlands with a special “Mario Williams Day” celebration at the high school. In a special one-hour ceremony attended by more than 700 people, Williams watched as former teammates, coaches, local officials and members of the Williams family spoke of the remarkable accomplishments of the former Wildcat, both on and off the football field.
“I’m gonna tell you why Mario Williams was picked No. 1 in the NFL draft,” said former Richlands High School football coach Kevin Wilson at the ceremony. “First, he has talent. … tremendous upside potential. Second. … scholastic aptitude. He listened to people and he trusts and believes in his parents, family and friends. Third, he has character. The last two traits I’ll combine. … integrity and compassion.”
Another bypass section opens
Onslow County residents witnessed a Christmas miracle when a main artery of the U.S. 17 bypass opened in December of 2005. December 2006 proved no less miraculous.
The Coretta Scott and Martin Luther King, Jr. Highway — another bypass section — opened Dec. 11, tying Lejeune Boulevard with the northern end of Marine Boulevard and providing alternate access to and from Jacksonville’s commercial area.
Because of Councilman Turner Blount’s perseverance with the City Council and County Commissioners, the 2.1-mile stretch was named after the late civil rights leader and his wife in October.
But there was bad news on the bypass front, too. In May, the state Department of Transportation projected a $1 billion deficit over the next three years due, in part, to rising construction costs, declining gasoline and automobile sales and a corresponding drop in tax revenues. Most of the shortfall, however, was attributed to the loss of $720 million of federal funding.
A public hearing in December outlined the DOT’s future plans for extending the bypass, which won’t begin until 2010.Two features of the expansion — an off-ramp near Onslow Memorial Hospital from the King Highway and a “Western Parkway” extension across Marine Boulevard — are funded through the state’s 2007-13 transportation improvement plan.
Ellie
January 01,2007
Three charged in double murderThree Camp Lejeune Marines were charged in August for allegedly killing two lance corporals in Jacksonville.
Lance Cpl. Amanda Carrithers, 19, and Lance Cpl. Jordan Barrow, 19, both of 2nd Supply Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, were gunned down Aug. 15 in the home they rented on East Drive. Both Marines were from the Chicago area.
Jondre Lowemincey, 20, of Georgia, and Tharon Johnson, 19, of Florida, were both charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection to the slayings. The two could face the death penalty if convicted. They are both former privates first class and remain in Onslow County jail under no bond awaiting trial.
Former Marine Cpl. Julie Delice, 21, of South Carolina, was charged with two counts of accessory after the fact to felony murder. Delice was released from jail on $150,000 bond in October and also is awaiting trial.
Jacksonville police were called to 43 East Drive at 12:24 a.m. Aug. 15 in reference to shots fired. When they arrived, they found Carrithers, who was about six weeks pregnant, dead in her bed. She had been shot twice in the back and was on the phone with the father of her unborn child at the time of the incident.
Barrow was found next door on the walkway. Barrow, who answered the door at the residence, was shot once in the face and twice in the chest.
Police haven’t released the motive for the first double homicide in Jacksonville in more than 20 years, but Carrithers and Lowemincey had some type of relationship. Carrithers was the intended target of the crime.
Jacksonville police and Naval Criminal Investigative Service arrested Lowemincey and Johnson a week after the homicides were committed.
Man killed in
police standoff
A Jacksonville police officer was wounded and a New River Marine staff sergeant was killed during a standoff with police on Croatan Court in November.
The State Bureau of Investigation was called in to investigate the incident that took place at about 7:13 a.m. Nov. 20. and involved the Jacksonville Police Department’s SWAT team.
When the SWAT team arrived, they entered the back door of a townhouse that was owned by Staff Sgt. Neil Manson’s estranged wife. The wife told authorities that Manson, 40, was on antidepressants.
Officers tried to negotiate with Manson and convinced him to lay down a loaded .38-caliber revolver. Manson opened the front door of the house and was met by a member of the SWAT team. Officers also approached Manson from behind.
Manson then allegedly reached into his coat pocket and displayed a .40-caliber gun in a threatening manner and was shot two times. He was taken to Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville and died later that day.
Officer Shawn Marcinowsky was shot in the ankle during the incident and was taken to Onslow Memorial Hospital for treatment.
Chief Assistant District Attorney Ernie Lee held a press conference three days after the incident to announce that no criminal violations were committed when police shot Manson. While authorities never indicated who shot Marcinowsky, Lee said, there wasn’t any evidence showing that Manson ever fired his weapon.
Four Jacksonville police officers, who fired their weapons during the standoff, were put on administrative duties while an internal investigation was done. Authorities never released their names.
Some rough water
for Tall Ships
When 13 tall ships sailed into Carteret County over the Fourth of July holiday, folks got a chance to view the majesty of what it was once like to sail on the high seas.
The public, however, also got an eyeful of crowds, traffic and profiteering at one of the largest events ever held in Carteret County.
A crowd of more than 150,000 people reportedly came to Beaufort and Morehead City to see the ships and enjoy the entertainment offered by the Pepsi Americas’ Sail hosted by the Friends of the N.C. Maritime Museum.
The 249-foot Brazilian ambassador ship Cisne Branco was a star attraction, the N.C. Symphony played under stars, tall ships paraded through Beaufort Inlet, and fireworks and a parade highlighted the holiday.
But with the event has come troubled waters.
Before the ships had sailed, there were complaints about the long lines in unbearable heat. And in the months since, the Friends of the North Carolina Museum and organizers of the event have come under fire on more than one front.
The event, initially dubbed a fund-raiser for the Maritime Museum’s Gallant’s Channel annex, had a reported net loss of $1.8 million, leaving the Friends with bills to pay.
The national Americas’ Sail organization has publicly criticized the Friends and Pepsi Americas’ Sail LLC and is in arbitration with them over contract disputes. Meanwhile, a state audit is also under way to review financial issues related to the event.
In a related incident, there was criticism of a cruise hosted by the N.C. State Ports Authority for state legislators and other officials during the tall ships event. The cruise intended to promote the port and area was criticized as a lavish party at taxpayer expense.
Beach property values soar in 2006
It was a year of highs and lows on Topsail Island.
Highs came in the form of tax bills from Onslow County. The lows arrived when some on the island discovered they would be forced to sell their beach or soundfront homes because they could no longer afford to pay the taxes.
Homeowners in North Topsail Beach and Surf City saw their tax bills go up three, four or even five times what they were the previous year. The Onslow County tax revaluation sent home values on North Topsail up by nearly 400 percent. Landowners who went to sleep one night with a $175,000 home, woke up the next day with a $1 million residence.
The Onslow County portion of Surf City, which along with North Topsail Beach is a place with a number of elderly and retired residents, also saw a tremendous increase. That forced many to put up “For Sale” signs.
By year’s end, many were still up. Island real estate agents said the tax revaluation coincided with a slowdown in the housing market, which left many owing large tax bills but with no takers for their homes.
North Topsail Beach, Holly Ridge and Surf City recently passed resolutions in hopes of implementing legislature to find tax relief for residents — especially seniors.
North Topsail voters reject sand tax
In November, North Topsail Beach residents soundly defeated a $34 million beach nourishment referendum.
If approved, the referendum would have paid for a beach nourishment project, which would include dredging New River Inlet and placing that sand and sand from offshore borrow areas on the town’s 11 miles of beach. Townwide, the referendum was voted down 277-73 and in the oceanfront tax district by 100-32.
Had it passed, oceanfront residents would have paid back 80 percent of the bond through taxes, short of what outside agencies pledged. Both the county and state had declined to place a dollar amount on their contribution by the time of the vote, saying they wanted to see if the town was committed to the project.
Opponents of the bond said the tax was too much on top of the Onslow County tax revaluation, which increased the town’s property values across the board by almost 400 percent.
Despite the overwhelming vote, the town is considering pushing forward to obtain permitting for the project, while going back to the drawing board on how to pay for beach nourishment.
Singletary retires as superintendent
Both Onslow County Schools and Camp Lejeune Dependents Schools changed leaders in 2006.
In June, former Onslow County Superintendent Ron Singletary announced his retirement after 15 years.
“It’s just time for me to step aside and let the system continue to move and let the (Board of Education) work towards getting some new leadership,” he said at the time.
On Nov. 7, the board named Kathy Spencer, the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, to the post. She will officially begin in her new role Monday.
Spencer is a former student, teacher, principal in the school system.
Robert Brinton retired after four years as superintendent on base. He was replaced by Elizabeth Thomas, assistant superintendent for Camp Lejeune in the North Carolina district.
Death claims longtime principal
One of Onslow County’s most popular principals died suddenly in December.
Swansboro High Principal Joe Beasley collapsed during an Onslow County Board of Education meeting on Dec. 6. He died at a Wilmington hospital the next day from bleeding of the brain stem.
About 1,500 people packed Swansboro High School for his funeral. He served as principal at the school for about 30 years.
“He was a constant barometer of what was good about Swansboro,” said former Onslow County Schools Superintendent Ron Singletary.
The school system named Swansboro Middle School Principal Christine Andre to replace Beasley beginning on Tuesday.
Battle over building in Swansboro
In August, the Swansboro Board of Commissioners passed a controversial building moratorium.
The moratorium affects construction and demolition in the town’s historic district and the waterfront district. Supporters say the one-year moratorium, which began in August, will allow the town to come up with ways to protect the Historic District’s character.
The planning board and Historic Preservation Commission are crafting a series of recommendations to present to commissioners in lieu of the moratorium.
But many residents and developers h ave criticized the moratorium. Property owners filed a lawsuit in October to get the moratorium overturned. No court date has been set.
The moratorium is set to expire next August, but many say it could end earlier.
Historic election
in Carteret
Carteret County’s 2006 election season proved to be momentous in more ways than one. Voters elected a new sheriff for the first time in 20 years and a seat on the Board of Commissioners was decided by three votes.
Democrat Wade Nelms was certified the winner of the District 2 seat on the Board of Commissioners after a race that bounced between leaders and narrowed at one time to a one-vote margin between Nelms and incumbent Ray Muns, who was running for a second term.
Nelms’ held a 41-point lead on election night, but after the official canvass of votes by the Board of Elections Muns had pulled ahead by one vote. Muns’ lead widened to nine votes after a machine recount.
Nelms called for a second recount by hand. Nelms received a total of 10,638 votes, edging by Muns at that time by three votes.
Muns protested the results, alleging errors occurred in the counting. But the protest was dismissed by the Board of Elections following a preliminary hearing. Muns chose not to appeal to the state Board of Elections.
Nelms was sworn into office Dec. 18, becoming the first Democrat to serve on the Board of Commissioners in 10 years.
In the highly contested race for Carteret County’s top law enforcement seat, the results weren’t so close.
Republican Asa Buck, a nine-year member of the Carteret County Sheriff’s Department, won 60 percent of the vote to become the county’s new sheriff. He edged out a slate of five other Republicans for the party nomination and then defeated Democrat Frank Galizia, a 30-year member of the department, in the general election.
With the win, Buck becomes Carteret County’s first new sheriff in 20 years and takes the reins after a 40-year rule by one family.
Previous Sheriff Ralph Thomas Jr. retired after serving five terms. His father, Ralph Thomas Sr., served the 20 years before that.
No. 1 in the NFL draft and at home
It was a big day for Richlands, Onslow County, N.C. State — heck, the whole state.
A native son was No. 1.
On April 29, Mario Williams, an All-America defensive end at N.C. State and Richlands native, was the first player selected in the National Football League’s draft of college prospects. Williams was the first ACC player ever selected No. 1 overall by an NFL team.
Williams, who played at Richlands High School, signed a six-year, $54 million contract with the Houston Texans.
On June 16, Williams was honored by the town of Richlands with a special “Mario Williams Day” celebration at the high school. In a special one-hour ceremony attended by more than 700 people, Williams watched as former teammates, coaches, local officials and members of the Williams family spoke of the remarkable accomplishments of the former Wildcat, both on and off the football field.
“I’m gonna tell you why Mario Williams was picked No. 1 in the NFL draft,” said former Richlands High School football coach Kevin Wilson at the ceremony. “First, he has talent. … tremendous upside potential. Second. … scholastic aptitude. He listened to people and he trusts and believes in his parents, family and friends. Third, he has character. The last two traits I’ll combine. … integrity and compassion.”
Another bypass section opens
Onslow County residents witnessed a Christmas miracle when a main artery of the U.S. 17 bypass opened in December of 2005. December 2006 proved no less miraculous.
The Coretta Scott and Martin Luther King, Jr. Highway — another bypass section — opened Dec. 11, tying Lejeune Boulevard with the northern end of Marine Boulevard and providing alternate access to and from Jacksonville’s commercial area.
Because of Councilman Turner Blount’s perseverance with the City Council and County Commissioners, the 2.1-mile stretch was named after the late civil rights leader and his wife in October.
But there was bad news on the bypass front, too. In May, the state Department of Transportation projected a $1 billion deficit over the next three years due, in part, to rising construction costs, declining gasoline and automobile sales and a corresponding drop in tax revenues. Most of the shortfall, however, was attributed to the loss of $720 million of federal funding.
A public hearing in December outlined the DOT’s future plans for extending the bypass, which won’t begin until 2010.Two features of the expansion — an off-ramp near Onslow Memorial Hospital from the King Highway and a “Western Parkway” extension across Marine Boulevard — are funded through the state’s 2007-13 transportation improvement plan.
Ellie