Stogner loses his battle with ALS
DURHAM — Larry Stogner, a reporter and anchor in the Raleigh-Durham television market for more than 40 years, died at his home after fighting ALS. He was 69.
The station reported on its web page that Stogner died at his home Sunday night, Sept. 25.
Stogner began his television career at UNC-TV, then worked as an anchor and reporter at WRAL-TV in Raleigh. He joined WTVD-TV in Durham in 1976 and was named anchor of the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts in 1982. He retired in 2015, announcing on air that he was battling ALS. He became an activist, fighting to raise awareness and find a cure for the disease.
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Man charged with 5 counts of rape
CLINTON — A Clinton man has received five counts of statutory rape following an eight-month investigation by the Clinton Police Department and the Sampson County Child Advocacy Center.
Devonte Keeshae Williams, 23, was charged with the five felony counts of the offense. He was arrested on Sept. 28 and placed under $500,000 secured bond for the charges against him.
The incident was reported on Jan. 20 and the victim was 15 years old at that time.
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Three arrested in murder of man
TABOR CITY — Three suspects are in jail under no bond for allegedly beating another man to death in Tabor City on Sept. 2.
Devonate McCrea and Samari Vereen were arrested Sept. 29 after State Bureau of Investigation agents took out warrants for them in the death of Albert Phillip Grainger, 41. Officials said Prendaysheya Reaves, 19, was captured Monday.
Special Agent Mac Warner of the SBI said Grainger was beaten to death on Bell Street, a short distance from his home.
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Man charged with 2 counts of rape
CLINTON — A Fayetteville man is facing two felony charges of rape and indecent liberties.
Steven Mark Franklin, 43, was charged with statutory rape/sex offense on a child over 6 years old and indecent liberties with a child. Franklin turned himself in at the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office and was served the warrants for his arrest, issued Sept. 29.
Franklin was placed under $100,000 secured bond.
The victim was 14 years old at the time of the incident.
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Local academy leader is honored
SALEMBURG — Col. Edward Timmons, the director of Tarheel ChalleNGe Academy in Salemburg, recently earned a Governor’s Award for Excellence in the category of Outstanding State Government Service.
According to state officials, he inherited a program that was crumbling at its foundation. It failed to meet graduation requirements for close to 20 years. The grounds and the facilities were falling apart. Technology resources were inadequate to meet 21st century academic needs.
The program was facing a shutdown.
From staff and wire reports.