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Richmond County judge gets call from alleged scammer

ROCKINGHAM — An alleged would-be scammer attempted to con a local judicial official on Tuesday. The Rockingham Police Department issued a social media post warning residents to be wary of …
Community News

2025 N.C. State Fair competition entries now open

RALEIGH — If you have ever dreamed of winning a ribbon at the N.C. State Fair now is the time to figure out what you want to enter and sign up! The State Fair is now accepting entries for the …

Dr. Raymond Washington; Dr. David Grantham.

Metabolic & Weight Management Center earns Bariatric Center of Excellence designation

PINEHURST — The Metabolic & Weight Management Center’s bariatric surgery program has once again been recognized for delivering exceptional care to patients undergoing weight-loss …

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Benghal dayflower, or tropical spiderwort (left), has leaves less than twice as long as they are wide and appear more egg-shaped with a rounded edge. A common lookalike, Asiatic dayflower (right), has a tapered leaf at least twice as long as it is wide, coming to a point.

NCDA&CS encourages farmers to search fields for tropical spiderwort following recent discovery

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services–Plant Industry Division is encouraging farmers statewide to inspect their fields for the presence of tropical spiderwort …

Berry, McKenzie to face off in Ellerbe mayoral race

ROCKINGHAM — One municipal race in Richmond County is heating up, pitting a current councilman against a former mayor. Lee Berry, co-owner of the Berry Batch, went to the Richmond County …

Hamlet Police seek missing teen girl

HAMLET — Police are asking for the public’s help locating a teen who hasn’t been seen in several days. The Hamlet Police Department posted a photo Sunday of 16-year-old Mariah …

Richmond County Health Department offering student vaccine clinics

ROCKINGHAM — The Richmond County Health Department is offering immunization clinics starting later this week for the upcoming school year. Public school students are required to receive …
Representatives of Pee Dee Electric present a check for $15,000 to Barbara and Leo McAuley of Krystal Dawn Retreat.

Krystal Dawn Retreat awarded $15k grant from Pee Dee Electric, CoBank

ROCKINGHAM — A local nonprofit aimed at serving the families of children with special needs is one of two organizations to recently receive a grant to help continue its mission. Krystal …

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Sports
Sports sponsor

Team camp a 'confidence booster' for Lady Raider volleyball

The Lady Raider volleyball team takes a photo after winning the bracket tournament at Tusculum University's camp last week.
GREENEVILLE, TENN. — Looking to fine-tune its skillset ahead of the quickly approaching season, the Richmond Senior High School volleyball program saw immediate results last week.  …
Rising senior edge rusher Terande Spencer became the first Richmond Raider football player to verbally commit for the upcoming school year.

Spencer, reigning conference DPOY, verbally commits to East Carolina

ROCKINGHAM — Following his breakout sophomore season in 2023, Terande Spencer saw his collegiate football stock rise with another strong performance during his junior campaign last fall. …
ROSports File Photo: The Hamlet Junior baseball team suffered a double-elimination loss Wednesday to Moore County Post 12, ending its season.

Season ends for No. 4 Junior 49ers against Moore County

MOCKSVILLE — Trying to keep its postseason run alive Wednesday, the job couldn’t be done for the Hamlet American Legion Junior baseball team. Capping its first playoff appearance in …
Rising junior defensive back Kyngston Kirby makes an interception against Cheraw during Wednesday's jamboree.

PHOTOS: Second 7-on-7 jamboree in the books for Raiders

ROCKINGHAM — Following a 10-day break, the Richmond Senior High School football program got back to work this week. The most interactive part of the Raiders’ practice schedule was …
ROSports File Photo: The Hamlet Junior baseball team made its program playoff debut Tuesday as the No. 4 seed in the Area 3 Conference tournament.

Early lead undone for Hamlet Juniors to start playoffs

LEXINGTON — The Hamlet American Legion Junior baseball team achieved a program milestone by making its debut playoff appearance Tuesday. In just its second season since its inception, and …

Hodges, Nolan rep Raider Diamond at State Games

Evan Hodges (left) and Caden Nolan (right) have their picture taken at the 2025 BodyArmor State Games.

GREENSBORO — For two local baseball players, the grind seemingly never stops. And neither does their representation of the Raider Diamond.  Evan Hodges and Caden Nolan, both rising …

Rockingham Speedway puts Crown 9 on pause

ROCKINGHAM — The grassroots racing series at Rockingham Speedway is being put on hold. The track announced Monday afternoon that it was “pausing” its signature Crown 9 Champion …

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Collin Hill (left) first bumps Caden Nolan (10) following an out in the third inning of Sunday's playoff game.
American Legion Baseball

PHOTOS: Post 49 at Eastern Randolph, game two
Obituaries
Obituaries
 OBITUARY: Barbara Brooks Mudd
Barbara Brooks Mudd, of Laurinburg, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away at the age of 80 on July 11, 2025 after a brief, courageous battle with cancer. Barbara was …
OBITUARY: Diana Lynne Todd
Diana Lynne Todd passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at the age of 66 in Hamlet. Born on July 23, 1958 to the late Walter and Anna Thomas, Diana was a woman of quiet strength, …
OBITUARY: Alfonso Ladson
Alfonzo "Pone" Ladson, 62, of Rockingham, passed on Saturday, July 5, 2025.  A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2025 in the chapel of Nelson Funeral Home, 1021 …
OBITUARY: Frances C. Ellerbe
Frances C. "Dulla" Ellerbe, 67, passed on Thursday, July 10, 2025.  Funeral will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 at Philadelphia United Methodist Church, 157 Philadelphia …
OBITUARY: Richard 'Ozzy' Graham
Richard “Ozzy” Graham, 41, of Laurinburg, formerly of Rockingham, passed away Wednesday, July 9, 2025. He was born Feb. 15, 198, in Rockingham, son of the late Angela Marie Reynolds and …

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Opinion
On July 14, Roman Storm's trial  — on charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business, and violating U.S. sanctions — began in a …
 If I didn’t believe public-policy research mattered, I wouldn’t have spent so much of my career commissioning and funding it. At the national level, studies conducted by …
When I recently reviewed my columns of past years, I was surprised I hadn’t written about “the debt” — meaning the national debt — in six years. If anything, concerns …

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Running 5 minutes a day can add 3 years to your life
Hone Health reports that running just 5-10 minutes daily can increase life expectancy by three years, promoting better health and longevity.
The Tour de France is one of the most physically taxing sporting feats imaginable.
Tour de France: How many calories will the winner burn?
Riders in the 2022 Tour de France will ride more than 2,100 miles (3,400 km) over the 21 flat and mountainous stages of the race. And they will burn an incredible amount of energy while doing so.
Lionel Messi celebrates with fans after Argentina won the FIFA World Cup championship in 2022 in Qatar.
2026 FIFA World Cup expansion will have a big climate footprint, with matches from Mexico to Canada – here’s what fans can do
Big sports events face a sustainability conundrum: They’re under pressure to grow bigger, but at the same time, their athletes are dealing with increasingly dangerous heat and shorter snow seasons.
Cyber-safe summer: How to travel smart and stay secure
(BPT) - Summer is in full swing, and with it the thrill of travel. Whether you're chasing sunsets, road-tripping with friends or exploring new places, the last thing you want is a scam ruining the …
Former Navy SEALs are diving to save the ocean
Reasons to be Cheerful reports on Force Blue, where veterans use their skills for marine conservation, healing both ocean and themselves.
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