Rutherford Weekly

"RUTHERFORD COUNTY'S ONLY AUDITED NEWSPAPER" Apply for a Refund Anticipation Loan. * *A Refund Anticipation Loan (RAL) is a loan secured by your federal tax refund and is offered by Republic Bank & Trust Company to qualifying applicants, and is available to Assisted Refund (AR) customers. If approved for a RAL, a Finance Charge and Credit Investigation Fee will be deducted from the loan amount and customer will receive $1,500 net proceeds. RAL proceeds are available within 24 hours of IRS acceptance. A Tax Refund Administration Fee and other fees may apply for the AR, and will be deducted from the customer's tax refund. Visit your tax preparer to learn about all fi ling and product options, including obtaining your refund without a loan and at no additional cost. Most offi ces are independently owned and operated. 2270 US Hwy. 74A Bypass Suite 526 • Forest City Our 20th Year • Issue No. 3 • January 19, 2012 DRAGON Arrives Braised Chicken with Egg & Vietnamese Chicken Salad! Happy Lunar New Year! Hope to see you There! Year of the 828-247-0171 Tornado V ctims Outcr ...Help Wanted! nado Viictims Outcry...Help Wanted! By: M.A. Andrews By: M.A. Andrews maandrews@rutherfordweekly.com maandrews@rutherfordweekly.com Around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11th it hap- pened. The miracle that took place was that after rearing ford Around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 11th it hap- pened. The miracle that took place was that after rearing its' ugly head, a tornado touching down in Ruther its' ugly head, a tornado touching down in Rutherford County destroyed homes, uprooted trees, left heartaches, County destroyed homes, uprooted trees, left heartaches, but did not kill anyone. but did not kill anyone. As one resident who lost everything but her family our mobile home started shaking and before we knew it we were picked up an tossed about 100 feet away." They we were picked up an tossed about 100 feet away." They were left in a pile of rumble - scared, shaken, and bruised, en up. Now they need your help. The next morning with puffs KNOWLEDGE in the mind, HONESTY in the hear Y in the heart, STRENGTH in the body. cardio/muscle toning program in the nation. Rated the # 1 Anniversary$29.95 Special First 2 weeks & uniform Classes for 5 years to adult Since 1975 140 W. Main St. • Forest City 828-245-5792 † Licensed & certi ed nationally recognized award-ti winning member of the US Black Belt Schools W 'ORM GM Y 828-245-2557 859 W. Main Street Forest City Starting January 2012 Open 24 Hours 7 Days A Week $ 20. month per Internet starting at Faster, more reliable Internet. 12 Mbps. 8x faster than DSL. (828) 245-1633 yournorthland.com When compared to 1.5 Mbps DSL service. Offer ends 3/31/12. Offer valid for new customers. Some restrictions may apply. May not be available in all areas. See www.yournorthland.com/offers for more details. S Left to right: Sam Henderson, Holly Baynard, Susan Baynard, Dave Henderson, & Amanda Bay- nard came out to help their cousin whose home was completely de- stroyed. Samantha Owens overlooks what used to be her home. Her mother, her four children and herself, who were all inside when the tornado hit, miraculously survived. North Carolina Lieutenant Gov- ernor Walter Dalton and his wife view the sight and listen to one of the victims sister. One survivor said: It was like being thrown around like a rag doll - and indeed it was. were left in a pile of rumble - scared, shaken, and bruised, but alive! A few are in the hospital getting repaired, but most got away with scratches, bruises and mentally shak- en up. As one resident who lost everything but her family said: "It started raining very hard about 5:30 p.m and then said: "It started raining very hard about 5:30 p.m and then our mobile home started shaking and before we knew it but alive! A few are in the hospital getting repaired, but most got away with scratches, bruises and mentally shak- Now they need your help. The next morning with puffs of clouds in a Carolina blue sky and in nearby farms, cows of clouds in a Carolina blue sky and in nearby farms, cows and bulls quietly grazing in the pastures, it was hard to and bulls quietly grazing in the pastures, it was hard to believe what had transpired the evening before. The only believe what had transpired the evening before. The only thing breaking the sad silence was the constant sound of thing breaking the sad silence was the constant sound of helicopters going round and round over the site of de- struction. As residents, family and friends went through the rub- brought tears to the eyes of many. A family photograph, a favorite piece of furniture, a child' favorite piece of furniture, a child's fi rst present to mother or grandparent, so many treasures all gone or destroyed. As residents, family and friends went through the rub- ble, memories of special belongings and past treasures helicopters going round and round over the site of de- struction. ble, memories of special belongings and past treasures brought tears to the eyes of many. A family photograph, a s fi rst present to mother or grandparent, so many treasures all gone or destroyed. The constant balance of thought as you saw and went The constant balance of thought as you saw and went through the destructive pieces was: "thank God nobody through the destructive pieces was: "thank God nobody lost their life!" It had to be repeated often to give solace to lost their life!" It had to be repeated often to give solace to the victims. the victims. If you put yourself in their place, you can only imag- If you put yourself in their place, you can only imag- ine how much they will appreciate any help or assistanceine how much they will appreciate any help or assistance someone might give. A blanket, some clothing, furniture, someone might give. A blanket, some clothing, furniture, cooking items, appliances - just anything and everything cooking items, appliances - just anything and everything needed to once again make a home. Checks and money needed to once again make a home. Checks and money orders are most welcome. orders are most welcome. We want to help and want you to help too. The victims main strong and look forward to a brighter tomorrow! See more benefi ts for tornado victims on page 20. •How You Can Help• If you'd like to help the tornado victims, here is what you can do: Mail checks or money orders to: Campfi eld Memorial Baptist Church, 369 Campfi eld Church Road, Ellenboro, N.C. 28040. Mark Checks: TORNADO RELIEF. Clothing, blankets, clothes, toiletries are being accepted at Campfi eld Memorial Baptist Church. Arrangement are being made for larger items at storage sheds. For these items and other informa- tion, call the Ellenboro Fire Depart- ment 828-453-8141, and ask for Assistant Chief Robbie Downey. There is no listings at this time for specifi c items needed. Family, friends and neighbors gather around yet another pile of destruction and decide how to help. want to help and want you to help too. The victims are reaching out to Rutherford County for assistance. For each of the victims, there is no doubt that your are reaching out to Rutherford County for assistance. For each of the victims, there is no doubt that your neighbors will respond to your call for help. May you re- neighbors will respond to your call for help. May you re- main strong and look forward to a brighter tomorrow! See more benefi ts for tornado victims on page 20. Furniture, bedding, toys, siding, appliances and insulation came to rest all in one mixed pile a hundred feet away. The American fl ag still fl ies in the front yard, while family and friends go through the piles of debris to see what can be saved. The front steps to nowhere still standing after the tornado took the family house away with six people inside. ©Community First Media ©Community First Media 16,000 COPIES COPIES 6,000 THURSDAYSTHURSDAYS

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