Town passes its

2018-19 budget

ST. PAULS — The St. Pauls Board of Commissioners approved on Tuesday a $3.5 million 2018-2019 budget that maintains the current property tax rate, gives town employees a pay raise, but also increases water and sewer fees.

The spending plan keeps the tax rate at 65 cents per $100 of property value.

Town employees will get a 3 percent pay raise — 2 percent in merit pay and a 1 percent cost-of-living increase.

The cost for water will go up in the coming fiscal year from $14 to $16 a month for the first 2,000 gallons. The base sewer services rate will increase from $24 to $26 for up to 2,000 gallons.

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City man killed

along interstate

LUMBERTON — A 21-year-old Lumberton man has been identified as the person who was struck and killed by a vehicle on Interstate 95 on Tuesday at about 9:21 p.m.

No charges have been filed in the death of Harley Chase Mustoe, who was dead by the time emergency personnel arrived at the accident scene in the northbound lane of the interstate, near Kayser Roth.

Police say John Clayton, 55, of Richmond, Va., and his wife were driving a 2016 Dodge passenger vehicle at about the posted speed limit when it struck Mustoe, who was standing in the travel lane and not wearing any reflective clothing. Neither Clayton nor his wife was injured.

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Public assists in

gaining arrests

CLINTON — Two people have been arrested in a Hayne Stretch Road break-in and theft, with the community circulating a surveillance photo posted by the Sampson County Sheriff’s officials Monday that helped identify one of the suspects.

Arrested were Christian Thomas Romanger, 19, and Ramsey Manuel Rangel, 24, both of Salemburg, were each charged with breaking and entering, larceny after breaking and entering, and possession of stolen goods. Romanger received an additional count of injury to personal property.

Bond for both set at $30,000 secured.

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Truck driver gets

charged with DWI

WHITEVILLE — The driver of a an 18-wheeler who refused to stop for deputies was places under arrest Monday.

Aman Beshir Juman, 58, of Garland, Texas, was charged with DWI, driving left of center, fleeing to elude arrest, and reckless driving to endanger after a slow-speed chase that started near New Hope Monday.

His bond was set at $1,500.

From staff and wire reports.

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