News: Lee County

Apr. 17, 2013 @ 05:00 AM

City considers rezoning for new shopping center

City Council held several public hearings during its Tuesday meeting, including one involving a proposed shopping center near the Southside Plaza Shopping Center.


Apr. 17, 2013 @ 04:59 AM

Students prepared to garner laughs in ‘Lil Abner’

A variety of elements, including a live pig, music, dancing, and social and political commentary, are combined to create widespread appeal in “Li’l Abner” — a musical that Lee County High School students will perform tonight through Saturday.


Apr. 17, 2013 @ 04:57 AM

‘Warriors on the Water’ gives veterans chance to relax, fish

A joint force of civilians and active duty Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard personnel will occupy Jordan Lake this Friday.


Apr. 16, 2013 @ 09:49 PM

Belk workers beautify, build at B.T. Bullock

The faculty and staff at B.T. Bullock Elementary School didn’t ask Belk employees to come by to volunteer Tuesday morning, but the school happily accepted the store’s offer to contribute.


Apr. 16, 2013 @ 05:02 AM

'We'll never forget'

Many of the houses are new, their lawns neatly manicured. If not for a single house with boarded up windows, missing shingles, smashed cars rusting in the yard and weeds growing in the driveway, it might appear that the neighborhood in and around the 1200 block of St. Andrews Church Road was never ravaged by a deadly tornado — a twister that touched down two years ago today.


Apr. 16, 2013 @ 05:00 AM

Sales tax distribution officially changes

In a split vote, the Lee County Board of Commissioners changed the county's sales tax distribution method during its Monday meeting. 

The change from the per capita method to ad valorem — which will net the county a $1.4 million in funds and decrease of $1.3 million and $100,000 to the municipalities of Sanford and Broadway, respectively — was approved with Commissioners Andre Knecht, Charlie Parks, Kirk Smith and Jim Womack voting for the resolution. Commissioners Amy Dalrymple, Ricky Frazier and Robert Reives voted in opposition. 


Apr. 15, 2013 @ 06:20 PM

A community united, forever changed

The twisted metal of the Lowe's Home Improvement building and the wreckage of the homes in the St. Andrews community were among the images burned into the minds of Lee County residents from April 16, 2011. Local officials especially remember the countless unknowns in the immediate aftermath of that day's devastating tornado — which took two lives and resulted in millions of dollars in damage.


Apr. 14, 2013 @ 05:03 AM

Volunteers keep Block Party going in East Sanford

Filling in driveway potholes, painting walls planting shrubs, raking leaves and picking up trash, about 100 people came to Maple Avenue to spruce up the neighborhood Saturday morning.


Apr. 14, 2013 @ 05:02 AM

Kudzu bugs overrun Lee County locales

They're small, black, smelly and driving some Lee County residents crazy.


Apr. 14, 2013 @ 05:01 AM

LEE COUNTY: Commissioners will consider various economic matters

The sales tax distribution method, economic incentives and the county's economic alignment are all slated for the Lee County Board of Commissioners's Monday meeting.


Apr. 14, 2013 @ 05:00 AM

Lee County Partnership for Children receives clean audit

Lee County Partnership for Children (LCPFC) has a “clean bill” of financial health, according to an independent audit. An audit of FY 2011-20012 found the organization was in compliance and had appropriate internal controls. LCPFC administers Smart Start for children, ages birth to five, and North Carolina Pre-K programs for at risk 4-year-old children.


Apr. 13, 2013 @ 06:22 PM

Lee County Democrats elect leaders

Chris Rey, chairman of the 2nd Congressional District Democratic Party and the mayor of Spring Lake in Harnett County, spoke at Saturday's county convention of the Lee County Democratic Party to urge locals to keep the faith even though Republicans control both houses of the General Assembly, the governor's mansion and, in Lee County, the only partisan elected board.


Apr. 13, 2013 @ 05:02 AM

Answers elusive in fatal shooting

Police are searching for information about a Thursday night shooting on Dudley Avenue that left one Spring Lake man dead.


Apr. 13, 2013 @ 05:01 AM

Sanford Police investigating ad listing sale of 2-year-old

The Sanford Police Department is investigating an attempt to sell a 2-year-old Sanford girl on the auction website, eBay, for $125.


Apr. 13, 2013 @ 05:00 AM

Sanford, Broadway leaders contemplate re-election bids

While still many months away, several Sanford and Broadway officials are considering filing for re-election in the upcoming municipal election.


Apr. 12, 2013 @ 05:26 PM

Feathered friend


Apr. 12, 2013 @ 05:01 AM

Tax preparers deluged as deadline draws near

Lee County residents have a few days left to meet the looming tax-filing deadline, and tax return agencies are working hard to help them meet the April 15 cutoff.


Apr. 12, 2013 @ 05:00 AM

Tax tips for last-minute filers

The April 15 tax-filing deadline is a few days away, and the Internal Revenue Service has provided a list of tips for last-minute filers.


Apr. 12, 2013 @ 05:00 AM

St. Luke fundraiser mixes fashion with philanthropy

Like all the garments that will grace the runway Saturday at St. Luke United Methodist Church, the white dress has a past.


Apr. 11, 2013 @ 10:06 PM

Family values important to company

The Wilkinson family has been selling automobiles in Sanford for 60 years now — including about 40 in their present location off of Spring Lane — and they are counting on recent renovations to keep them in that building for at least another decade.


Apr. 11, 2013 @ 05:01 AM

Lee school board votes 4-3 opposing Stone's N.C. House bills

Choosing Andy Bryan as the next superintendent of Lee County Schools was far from the only action the Lee County Board of Education took in Tuesday night's meeting.


Apr. 11, 2013 @ 05:00 AM

LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS: Bonardi explains lone vote against hiring of new supt.

The vote to hire Andy Bryan as the next superintendent of Lee County Schools was met with a standing ovation at the Lee County Board of Education at about 8:15 p.m. Tuesday night. The vote took less than a minute, came with no public discussion and — with a 6-1 vote — wasn't unanimous.


Apr. 11, 2013 @ 05:00 AM

LEE COUNTY SCHOOLS: Batten leaving Lee for Scotland County

As the end of the school year nears, three administrators from two Lee County schools have announced plans to leave their positions.


Apr. 10, 2013 @ 07:06 PM

Flames raze Sanford home

Flames engulfed one home and damaged at least one other residence Wednesday afternoon at the intersection of Winterwind Circle and Windjammer Court, but no injuries resulted from the blaze.


Apr. 10, 2013 @ 07:03 PM

Sanford Housing Authority reaches agreement to purchase Wilrik Hotel building

After several years of discussions, the Sanford Housing Authority has reached an agreement to purchase a downtown landmark.