Briefly
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on August 3, 2004 1:58 PM
Vulture hit jet
A vulture caused an F-15E Strike Eagle to crash May 6 near Callaway, Va., investigators reported Monday.
Investigators determined that a large black vulture was sucked into the right engine, causing it to fail and starting a fire, according to an Air Combat Command Accident Investigation Board report.
The $42 million aircraft, assigned to the 335th Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, crashed in a field and was destroyed upon impact.
The jet's crew ejected safely from the plane. The pilot was Capt. Darren P. Wees, and the weapon systems officer was Capt. Daniel C. Spier. They were in one of two planes performing a low-level training mission.
National Night Out
The annual National Night Out program to give crime and drugs a going-away party will be held from 6 to 9 tonight in Herman Park.
SBI Director Robin Pendergraft is scheduled to speak soon after the opening ceremonies. Law-enforcement displays, entertainment, information booths and refreshments also will be provided.
The program is sponsored by the Goldsboro Police Department, Wayne County Sheriff's Office and Goldsboro Housing Authority.
The town of Pikeville will hold its National Night Out event on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. outside the Town Hall. There will be gospel music, police displays and food.
Animal camouflage
Animal camouflage will be the topic of the next education program at the Cliffs of the Neuse State Park.
On Sunday at 2 p.m., join the park ranger at the picnic shelter to learn about camouflage and how animals use it to survive. This is a great program for children, say park officials.
Call the park office at 778-6234 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for more information and to reserve your space.
Change of command
Brig. Gen. Rick Rosborg will relinquish command of the 4th Fighter Wing to Col. Mike Holmes on Aug. 16.
The change-of-command ceremony at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base will begin at 10 a.m. in the 916th Air Refueling Wing hangar.
Lt. Gen. Walter Buchanan, 9th Air Force commander, will preside.
Holmes comes to Seymour Johnson from Columbus Air Force Base, Miss., where he served as the 14th Operations Group commander. He is a command pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours in various aircraft, including the F-15E Strike Eagle, the T-38 Talon and the T-37 Tweet.
Sickle Cell Telethon
The annual Epicurean Civic Club Sickle Cell Telethon will be held Saturday, Aug. 28, at Berkeley Mall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The goal is to raise $10,000, according to Chairman Curtis Meadows Jr.
Donation containers are at several businesses throughout Wayne County. Television coverage will be furnished by Channel 10 and radio coverage will be provided by WSSG-AM. Pledges on Aug. 31 can be made by calling 734-6120.
Donations can also be made by sending them to the Epicurean Civic Club, Post Office Box 1882, Goldsboro, N.C. 27533. Pledges will be accepted through Sept. 30.
Entertainment for the telethon will include Bridgett Mooring, Miss Goldsboro; the Interpretation Dancers with Cheryl Gibson; the BSA Gospel Singers; The Goldsboro Ballet under the direction of Peggy Wingate; the Set Apart Gospel Singers; and Master Andre Elliott.