TARBORO —
The North Carolina Highway Patrol is cracking down on violators of school bus safety laws this week.
“Operation Stop Arm” began Monday morning and runs through the end of the school day on Friday. Troopers will be driving in marked and unmarked cars during the operation.
Motorists often become impatient and speed up when a stoplight changes to yellow to get through it before it turns red, said 1st Sgt. Martin Jones of the N.C. Highway Patrol. But a yellow stoplight, just like a yellow flashing light on a school bus, means slow down and be prepared to stop.
“When you see the yellow light, you should be looking for children. The school bus driver is telling you, ‘I’m getting ready to stop for a child,’” Jones said.
The fatality of a 7-year-old Edgecombe County child at a school bus stop in August has brought attention to bus stop safety. As part of “Operation Stop Arm,” troopers will be following school buses to ensure that stops are in “a good, safe location and not on a blind curve” and looking for any problems with children trying to cross streets at unsafe locations.
“Look out and make sure children aren’t darting into traffic to catch the bus,” said Trooper K.S. Howald. “Look for kids on the sides of the roads and be patient for the buses.”
Passing a stopped school bus is a six-point license violation, said Howald. Automated cameras and video recording systems can be used as evidence to prosecute motorists who pass stopped school buses in accordance with a state law that went into effect in December 2009.
The 2009 law also raised the penalty for striking a person, resulting in that person’s death, after passing a stopped school bus, to a Class H felony, punishable by a prison sentence of five to six months for offenders with no criminal record.
Howald urged motorists to be patient, even if a school bus stops at every house along their morning commute, because, “rushing is not worth hitting a child or rear-ending a school bus.”
North Carolina School Bus Stop Law states that when a school bus stops for passengers, traffic from both directions must stop on a two-lane roadway, a two-lane roadway with a center turning lane, and a four-lane roadway without a median separation. Only traffic following the bus must stop on a divided highway of four lanes or more with a median separation and a roadway of four lanes or more with a center turning lane.
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‘Operation Stop Arm’ - State Police watching school bus safety
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AIB co-chair Buddy Hooks, left, discusses courthouse square with AIB judge James Abraham, center, and chair of the courthouse square project Martie Thompson. James “Jim” Abraham, of Savannah, Ga., and Ed Hooker, of Fort Riley, Kansas, were in Tarboro Monday and Tuesday to judge the community’s entry in the America in Bloom competition
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America in Bloom judges to Tarboro: keep the momentum going
The Town Common and 200-year-old trees providing a canopy over the focal point of Tarboro were the first things that caught the eye of the America in Bloom (AIB) judges when they arrived in town Sunday evening.
“The trees are amazing…the canopy and the shade and the different varieties,” said Ed Hooker, III. “Trees are very important. They have almost a calming effect.” - LGC presents Princeville's 2013-2014 proposed budget
- ECPS awaits county budget decision
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America in Bloom judges to Tarboro: keep the momentum going
- Local News
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Nash Health Care seeking expanded affiliates
ROCKY MOUNT — The Board of Commissioners of Nash Health Care has voted to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to five, pre-selected regional tertiary hospital systems for evaluation of an expanded affiliation relationship.
Nash Health Care operates a number of facilities, including five hospitals totaling 403 beds — Nash General Hospital, Nash Day Hospital, the Bryant T. Aldridge Rehabilitation Center, Community Hospital and Coastal Plain Hospital. - AIB judging under way
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Nash Health Care seeking expanded affiliates
- Sports
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Ryan Chatt
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Chatt wins NC East District tourney
SouthWest Edgecombe Cougar Ryan Chatt recently won the North Carolina East District golf tournament through the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships. The match was held at Scotch Meadows Country Club in Laurinburg.
- Diver with Tarboro ties named academic all-America
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Chatt wins NC East District tourney
- Opinion
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You, too, can be a slacker spy
Think you're a loser just because you dropped out of high school and never finished the military training you began?
Think you're a dud just because you work as a security guard even though you dreamed of becoming a global savior?
Well, don't beat yourself up. You, too, can become an international superspy like Edward Snowden.
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You, too, can be a slacker spy
- Lifestyles
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Whitley/Webb
Pinetops-Caitlin Layne Whitley and John Robert Webb were married on June 8, 2013 at half past three in the afternoon at Pinetops Baptist Church.
The Reverend John Melancon performed the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Michael Whitley. Grandparents of the bride are the late Mr. and Mrs. James Carlton Jernigan and the late Mr. and Mrs. Clifton Lane Whitley.
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- Obituaries Archives
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CATHERINE MARIE VINES
TARBORO — Catherine Marie Vines, 65, died Wednesday, June 19, 2013, Arrangements are ending with Dickens Funeral Service, Tarboro.
- RUBY LEE C. WEBB
- IRENE GORHAM WOOTEN
- BRUCE EVERETTE
- ERNEST MURPHY
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CATHERINE MARIE VINES
- Food
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Elegant Entertaining With Bold Flavors
Summer entertaining is easy with simple, crowd-pleasing recipes from light bites to sweet delights that require almost no time in the kitchen.
Invite over a few of your closest friends, heat up the grill and set out your favorite wines for a truly memorable outdoor dinner party. Select simple recipes that can be prepared ahead of time and quickly seared on the grill once your guests have arrived. Everyone will enjoy the food and you'll love that you're not trapped in the kitchen. Prep, chop and marinate everything then store it all in containers.
Continue the trend of simplicity by serving food-friendly wines, such as those from Las Rocas. Las Rocas, which literally means "the rocks" because of the rocky soil where the grapes are grown, produces an incredibly vibrant Garnacha and refreshing RosÈ that pair wonderfully with these dishes. - Zesty Mexican Meals Made Fast
- It's grillin' time!
- Great fondue
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- Events
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Edgecombe Events June 20
Edgecombe Events should be submitted by noon the day before publication. Items eligible include notices of local meetings and activities of non-profit organizations, clubs, schools and civic groups in the community. Information should be brief and typewritten, neatly printed or via e-mail. Questions? 823-3106 or e-mail: events@dailysoutherner.com. Leave a daytime contact phone number.
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Edgecombe Events June 20
- Our Community
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WALTON EARNS SCHOLARSHIP
John Ronald Walton, a 2013 graduate of Edgecombe Early College High School and son of John and Lesa Walton, is presented a $2,000 scholarship check by Edgecomber County Farm Bureau Presidet Tom Proter. Walton is enrolled at NC State University for the fall semester.
- Edgecombe County Public Schools announces 2013-2014 teachers of the year
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