East Bladen High School has released their honor roll.

9th Grade

Superintendent’s List

Jackson H Bostic, Sammi Jiang, Lily Lin, Nicholas L. Norris, and Aaron J. Smith.

“A” Honor Roll

Anders, Kaleb Dawson Anders, Devin Oneal Bowen, Katie B. Evans, Alyssa Ann Futrell, Sara Anna Gargala, Elizabeth Gray Guy, Joshua S. Hayes, William Clinton Hester, Colin Jacob Hill, Brady Duane Dean Hollingsworth, Cheyanne Naveah Jacobs, Alisa Sharday Jessup, Ashanti M. Kelly, Aiyana Marie Lowry, Tatianna Jenai McElveen, Kenia Median Leal, Garret A. Melvin, Nacaela M. Melvin, De’Angela Moore, Anette G. Munoz-Ventura, Kristen Nicole Pate, Ayden Michael Piland, Jacob K. Priest, Kayleigh Raynor, Gavin Hoytt Register, Carlie L. West, and Hannah Paten Wheeless.

“A/B” Honor Roll

Shamaya Niasia Antone, Sidiamond D. Atkinson, Heaven Ta’Nyaih Baldwin, Harold Alfonzo Banks, Jayson M. Baxter, Renee Simone Beasley, Maggie Carroll Beyer, Victor Campbell, Jakye Rashawn Ellis-Bennett, Aminah Nydasia Felder, Sayvi Angelinne Fuentes Eleria, Chandler Daniel Gross, Chelsey Janiah Herring, Lavada K. Jackson, Makia Simone Johnson, Kylee D. Kellam, Aaron Michael Lamb, Cheylee Mathis, Jaquez S. McKoy, RaSean Maurice McKoy, Zay’Quan McKoy, Jonae Nakole McLaughlin, Zachary Meares, Emilie Medina, Cheyanne Elizabeth Merritt, Rae’Shaan Shelton Monroe, Laney Nicole Richardson, Briana Lisette-Marie Spears, Merissa Yareth Vazquez-Olarte,  and Mark Anthony-Nicholas Wallace.

10th Grade

Superintendent’s List

Michelle Soto Mota

“A” Honor Roll

Alexis Noel Allen, Tayshaun E. Berkeley, Cadee Orissa Bryan, Marissa Cruz, Zoey Lent, Jacob Lyde, Khalil Akoi McKoy, Lorna Jade Mendell, Johanna Marie Parker, Ramon S. Ponce,  David Rohrbacher, Lexus A. Smith, Samantha Smith, Ashley Stewart, and Cassidy E. Watts.

“A/B” Honor Roll

Al Gozy, Ebrahim Ali Al Gozy, Sarah D. Beyer, Ja’Majah Katlin Brown, Abigail H. Cross, Charles Whitney Dixon, Milton Jose Estrada-Gonzalez, Aaliyah Mya Jene Gregg, Tamara Olivia Grissett, Ahlrich Hendrix, Scarlina Highsmith, Tiara Highsmith, Lee Irvin Hill, Angelica Janae Hines, Yisell Lopez-Castro, Alicia R. McKiver, Deysias McKoy, Ebony D. McKoy, Shanell M. McMillian, Venna Patrice Metz, Alan Mojarro-Luna, Jose Luis Monroy, Connor Pate, Jaylin K. Peterson, Destiny Richardson, Kaleb Robbins, Jaylin D. Robinson, Elizabeth Santiago, Garria Monae Smith, Chasity Cheyenne Terry, Aaron Dwayne Todd, and Ruth A. Ward.

11th Grade

Superintendent’s List

Morton, Cameron Alexander Morton, Gabriel Bradford Barber, Grace Amelia Faircloth, Christian Alayna Hester, Ting Ting Lin, and Elijah J. Turner-Dobson.

“A” Honor Roll

Jan Carlos Alvarez Nunez, Maggie Ann Basilio Zuniga, Demeary Hope Britt, Cybil Campbell, Abigail Cooley, Bailee R. Davis, Ashley Brooke Early, Jake A. Evans, Faith Ariel Faircloth, Ashlyn, Futrell, Lashonda Lenay Graham, Ashley Nicole Hardin, Sarah Ashley Johnson, Destini D. Jones, Mary Gracyn Martin, Lila Kate McDuffie, Jay Thomas McGill, Corey Donell Miller, Jazmin Mondragon, Adrionna Gabriel Monroe, Katie Summer Pontak, Michael Reid Potter, Constance Brianna Smith, Isabella Rae Smith, Jordan S. Stanley, Cemizah O. Stephens, Madison Todd, and Zachary R. Yankasky.

“A/B” Honor Roll

Ezequiel Arteaga, Lindsey Brooke Collins, Nesiah Shante Davis-Mckoy, Uriel De Jesus Delarosa, Peyton Noel Fell, Ethan Lane Fletcher, Kiara Fantasia Gibbs, Anahilee Hernandez Cruz, Greyson Miller Heustess, Whitney L. Highsmith, Olivia McKensi Gabrielle Hollingsworth, Quadre D. Jackson, Briana M. Johnson, Wyatt Timothy Kersey, Tyrese Rashad McElveen, Shadecia Rene McMillian, Sarah Kathryn Meares, Pierce Alexander Melvin, Jatyra Shanice Moore Peterson, Mitzi Morales-Baza, Vanessa Munoz Miranda, Michelle Najera, Dyneisha Owens, Taylor Elizabeth Packer, Jamie Lynn Pike, Ashlee M. Rivenbark, Donald Lee Russell, Spencer Wiliam Scott, Anna Marie Smith, Marshall Wade Tatum, Dayveon Washington, and Anna Katelyn White.

12th Grade

Superintendent’s List

Cameron Alexander Morton

“A” Honor Roll

Arteaga, Josue Isaac Artega, Quinton Russ Bedsole, Malachi Bush-Morgan, Lataiya Daniels, Nicholas Le Dove, Nadia Yanez Evans, Jaquandra Unique Faulk, Sadrah Joel Jenkins, Benita Arianna Laforte, Tyler Jordan Lloyd, Kenneth Ray Moore, Asia Yvonne Munn, Tucker Reid Norton, Brittney Chantelle Townsend, Juan Carlos Venegas-Esteva, Kerry L. Watson, and Michael Leander Wax.

“A/B” Honor Roll

Ackiss, Summer Nicole Ackiss, Isavier Blake, Kathrine Ann Bockover, Rhett Austin Burney, Ethan A. Chavis, Majesti Corbett, Elijah J. Council, Tyler James Ezzell, Jayme LeeAnn Frady, Estevan Gonzalez, Sonita Janai Hayes, Shaylene Aqualla Jacobs, Dawson Tyler Jessup, Faith Johnson, Reyna J. Juarez Mendez, Hope Ramsey Lewis, Drea’Breanne McCormick, Marquez Daquan McDaniel, Braydan Tyrese McDowell, Dy’Asia McDowell, Dylan Payne Melvin, Jessica Leanne Pridgen, Tyree Damel Rhone, Raquel Salado, Jakob Scott Stanley, Susana Lizbeth Valadez Vazquez, Glenys Vasquez, Kimberly Marie White, and Alexis Charlet Young.

1850 – Original Washington’s Farewell Address manuscript sells for $2,300.

1873 – US Congress passes the Coinage Act of 1873, abolishing bimetallism and placing the country on the gold standard.

1906 – George Cohan’s musical “George Washington” premieres in NYC.

1909 – National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) forms.

1914 – “The Squaw Man”, first feature-length film shot in Hollywood, directed by Cecil B. DeMille and Oscar Apfel, is released in the US.

1924 – George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody In Blue” premieres at Aeolian Hall, NYC.

1937 – Cleveland (now Los Angeles) Rams granted an NFL franchise.

1949 – “Annie Get Your Gun” closes at Imperial Theater NYC after 1147 performances.

1955 – McGuire Sisters “Sincerely” single goes #1 & stays for 10 weeks.

1964 – US female Figure Skating championship won by Peggy Fleming.

1973 – First US POWs in North Vietnam released; 116 of 456 are flown to Philippines.

1982 – Wayne Gretzky scores 153rd point of season, breaking NHL record.

1984 – Cale Yarborough becomes 1st Daytona 500 qualifier above 200 MPH.

1989 – 50th PGA Seniors Golf Championship: Larry Mowry

1995 – Bonnie Blair skates female world record 500m (38.69 sec)

1997 – Fred Goldman says he will settle for a signed murder confession from O.J. Simpson in lieu of his $20.5 million judgement.

1999 – US President Bill Clinton acquitted by the Senate in his impeachment trial.

2009 – Colgan Air Flight 3407 crashes near Buffalo, NY, killing 50 people.

2014 – Intel entrepreneur and co-founder of the X-PRIZE Foundation, Peter Diamandis claims that 50% of US jobs are under threat of being mechanized within 10 years.

School bus drivers across North Carolina will bask in well-earned attention next week during School Bus Driver Appreciation Week, as individual schools and districts recognize drivers’ key role with various events and celebrations. Nationally, February is Love the Bus month, aimed to raise awareness and appreciation for the safe experience of riding the bus to and from school.

Dozens of events are planned for this week across the state to honor drivers, from sit-down breakfasts to offerings of student-made valentines. Loyd E. Auman Elementary School in Cumberland County is organizing an ’80s flashback dance party at Seventy-First High School on Feb. 16 for all bus drivers in the school district. South Greenville Elementary School in Pitt County has scheduled an entire lineup of daily events starting Monday, when each bus driver will receive a bag of M&M’s with a note saying, “Thanks for Driving Miles & Miles.” In Craven County, Oaks Road Elementary School will be highlighting drivers on social media with shout outs on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

State Superintendent Mark Johnson will join the festivities Monday morning with Pitt County Schools, where he’ll attend a breakfast at H.B. Sugg & Sam D. Bundy Elementary Schools in Farmville.  Later that morning he’ll travel to Johnston County to greet students and bus drivers at Johnston County Early College Academy in Smithfield. On Thursday morning, he’ll join Wake County students riding their bus to Rogers Lane Elementary in Raleigh.

Additional details about these activities and many others planned across the state can be found on the 2018 Love the Bus Event listing.

More than North Carolina 750,000 students board over 13,000 school buses each day. Their drivers must complete rigorous training and be certified to drive a bus.

Kevin Harrison, transportation services section chief for the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, said the state’s bus drivers earn the week of recognition every day of the school year.

“School bus drivers are entrusted with a great responsibility: to safely transport our children to and from school each day,” Harrison said. “To do this, they must drive their students, watch out for them, listen to them and teach them. We ask so much of bus drivers every day. I hope that all students, parents and staff will take a moment to express their appreciation for the many things their bus drivers do.”

Gov. Roy Cooper has proclaimed Feb. 12-16 as School Bus Driver Appreciation Week in North Carolina, and urges all school communities to take a moment to thank bus drivers for their service.

The Love the Bus program, launched in 2007 and coordinated by the American School Bus Council, is not only a way to raise awareness and appreciation for the hundreds of thousands of school bus drivers nationwide, but also provides an opportunity for parents and children to learn more about the safety and environmental benefits of school bus transportation.

Students nationwide are about 70 times more likely to get to school safely if they take the school bus instead of traveling by car, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In addition, school buses reduce traffic by keeping more than 17 million cars off roads each year, the American School Bus Council says, while also saving approximately 2.6 billion gallons of fuel.

Parents, teachers and children are encouraged to visit the American School Bus Council’s website to share stories about their favorite bus drivers and find a variety of other resources for honoring drivers.

Rep. Robert Pittenger

CHARLOTTE – Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09), Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism, released this statement after Israel launched air strikes on Iranian and Syrian military positions:

“In its strategy to achieve a Shia crescent around Israel with control of Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon, Iran has continued its provocation and challenge against Israel.  Russia will continue to aid and abet Iran in the region.  America should support Israel’s right to defend itself, as well as pursue additional sanctions against Iran for breach of the Iran nuclear agreement.”

The Bladen Baptist RA/GA Basketball League concluded their church basketball season Saturday with a food drive as a Mission Project.

Donations from spectators and players filled this back of the pictured pick-up truck and the food was donated to the Bladenboro First Baptist Church Food Closet.

League Director Pam Stephens said, “We would like to thank all those that made the donations and helped to make this a successful project.”

Here are results from Bladen RA/GA basketball games played Saturday, Feb. 10.

K-3 GIRLS

Hickory Grove Black 24, Hickory Grove Grey 24

HG Black (24) – Taylor Evans 8, Kaylee Fisher 6, Cristen Singletary 4, Haley Taylor 2, Harper Allen 2, Hazel Cummings 2.

HG Grey (24) – Bristol Allen 8, Alyssia Singletary 6, Josey Pait 6, Briley Guyton 4.

Dublin 18, Galeed 10

Dublin (18) – Jenna Brice 6, Karlee Gause 4, Taylor Dowless 4, Bailee Thompson 4, Leah McGill 2.

Galeed (10) – Hadley Dove 4, Anna Walters 2, Chole Walters 2, Maycee Kinlaw 2.

K-3 BOYS

Dublin 22, Hickory Grove 3

Dublin (22) – Tyler 10, Fox Sutton 4, Gaston Russ 4, Conner Hill 2, Keithan Russ 2.

Hickory Grove (3) – Andrew Wren 2, Quincy Davis 1.

Dublin 12, Hickory Grove 10

Dublin (12) – Conner Hill 8, Tyler 2, Gaston Russ 2.

Hickory Grove (10) – Ashton Davis 4, Cole Brisson 2, Brooks Carroll 2, Brayden Bryan 2.

4-6 GIRLS

Galeed 17, Hickory Grove 9

Galeed (17) – Emily Williams 11, Autumn Nye 6.

Hickory Grove (9) – Neavah Singletary 2, Trinity Meares 2, Kayli Allen 2, Abbie Hickman 2, Emmee Ward 1.

4-6 BOYS

Galeed 26, Dublin 9

Galeed (26) – Jonah Bryan 10, Justin Spaulding 6, Jemiah Ross 4,Trenton Bostic 2, Quinton Lennon 2, Darren Davis 2.

Dublin (9) – Joshua Ceanon 2, Richard Severine 2, Conner Padrick 2, Aiden Russ 1.

Hickory Grove 38, Dublin 20

Hickory Grove (38) – Landon Stanley 25, Cade Allen 7,Trent Meares 2, Weston Hilburn 2.

Dublin (20) – Joshua Ceanon 8, Aiden Russ 4

7-9 BOYS

Hickory Grove 45, Galeed 12

Hickory Grove (45) – Brycen Blackmon 12,Ethan Davis 11, Bryley Williams 10, Allen Breakfield 4, Ricky Brisson 4, Daniel Kinlaw 2.

Galeed (12) -Aaron Wren 5, Cameron Bostic 2, Cameron McLaurin 2, Hunter White 2, Jacob Bryan 1.

Here are results from Lil Knights basketball games played Saturday, Feb. 10.

NBA LEAGUE

Lakers 31, Cavaliers 22

Lakers (31) – Cade Allen 10, Caleb Clark, Blaine Pope 2, Isaiah Mainor 2, Landon Stanley 17, Jaylen Smith, Riley McIntyre.

Cavaliers (22) – Aaron Lewis 4, Hezekiah Blanks 14, Hunter Hester, Conner Monroe, Kaden Richardson 2, Bryant Ortiz Aguilar 2.

Rebounds – Lakers: Allen 8, Pope 2, Mainor 1, Stanley 7, Smith 1, McIntyre 1.

Cavaliers: Lewis 4, Blanks 3, Aguilar 1, Hester 4, Monroe 3, Richardson 2.

Assists – Lakers: Pope 1.

Cavaliers: Monroe 1.

Steals – Lakers: Allen 3, Stanley 4, Pope 2.

Cavaliers: Lewis 2, Blanks 1, Hester 2.

Rockets 31, Thunder 28

Thunder (28) – Ty Allen, Jackson Pait 6, Chase Williams 12, Megan Pait, Tylik McCall 10, Jack Combs, Makenna Thurman, Trey George.

Rockets (31) – Walter Baelon 7, Jordan Hester 4, Jaquan Lesane 14, Joseline Abreu Lezama, Aubrey Schwabble, Jonathan Ortiz Hernandez, Jonah Bryan 6, Kendell Lesane.

Rebounds – Thunder: Allen 3, Williams 9, J. Pait 2, M. Pait 1, McCall 2, Combs 1, George 1.

Rockets: Baelon 2, Hester 4, J. Lesane 3, Bryan 2, Lezama 1.

Assists – Thunder: J. Pait 2, M. Pait 1, McCall 2.

Rockets: Baelon 2.

Steals – Thunder: Williams 1, J. Pait 1, Thurman 1.

Rockets: Baelon 1, J. Lesane 1, Hernandez 1, K. Lesane 2.

COLLEGE LEAGUE

UNC 6, Wake Forest 5

UNC (6) – Jeremiah Bryan 2, Karlee Gause 2, Stephen Smith, Laney Roberson, Austin McCleney 2.

Wake Forest (5) – Jude Culbreth 2, Colt Lewis, Gunner Lewis 3, Cayden Smith, Luke Bryant.

Duke 10, N. C. State 4

Duke (10) – Brody Rhodes 6, Drake McIntyre, Maycee Kinlaw, Tyler Thurman, Ellie Kinlaw 4.

N. C. State (4) – Enoch Brown, Corben Chadwick, Everlee Nance, Gregory O’Neal 4, Evalynn Gonzalez.

The busiest place in the county today may be the Bladen County Board of Elections.  Filing for  political office begins at 12 noon.  Check BladenOnline often for updates over the next few days.  Filing period ends February 28.

Thinking about the Bladen County Commissioners call for a public hearing to be held Monday, February 19 at 6:30 p.m. ‘seeking input regarding a possible law making it illegal to hunt or discharge a firearm on, from, or across a state maintained right-of-way or to retrieve dogs from a public road while in possession of a loaded firearm’ is likely to draw a crowd.  May need to make sure someone has a key to the ‘big courtroom’ to accommodate all who want to be heard, pro and con.

A Casino Night Fundraiser is planned for Saturday, March 3, 2018 at Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery, sponsored by Bladen’s Bloomin’ Agri-Industrial, Inc. and Bladen County Committee of 100.  Doors open at 7 p.m.  Play time is from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 person.

Valentine’s Day is Wednesday, lest you forget!  A box of candy and a card may not work this time.

BladenOnline Stat Update:

February 4-10
Page views: 127,467
Visits: 22,540

January 28-February 3
Page views: 11,170
Visits: 20,549

MOST READ STORIES
4,479: Commissioners discuss deer hunting from highway
3,801: Mexican eatery opens its doors in Elizabethtown
2,229: Walgreen restroom policy shocks many
1,762: Pedestrian struck on South Poplar Street
1,670: Baden County employees recognized for service

The first week of a new year for BladenOnline is off to a great start.  Our promise!  The Best Is Yet To Come.

Recent Church Signs:

Come as you are.  You can change inside.

Is your life a fixer upper?  Jesus is a master re-modeler.

ATM inside.  Acceptance, truth, mercy.  No card needed.

Elizabethtown – The Youth Missionary Ministry of Baldwin Branch Missionary Baptist Church is collecting white athletic socks to distribute to the local nursing homes.  The goal is to have 200 pairs of socks.

Sometimes it’s the small things that are the greatest gifts. The youth believe that giving a pair of socks to keep the nursing home residents’ soles warm and comfortable can bring the Love of Jesus to their soul.  Collection Dates: February 12 – March 11, 2018.  Drop off locations: WBLA Radio Station 1440 AM located at 512 Peanut Road, Elizabethtown on  Mondays – Fridays and at the church Sundays 9 a.m. – 12 noon and Wednesdays 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Baldwin Branch is located at 4047 NC 242 HighwaySouth; Elizabethtown NC. Contact: Minister Leslie Smith at Lesliemsmith2011@yahoo.com for additional information.  The Rev. Dr. Louie Boykin is the pastor.

Desserette is a historic plantation house and national historic district located near White Oak, Bladen County, North Carolina. The house was built about 1840, and is a two-story, frame double-pile house in the Greek Revival style. It rests on a brick pier foundation and has a hipped roof. Also on the property are the contributing kitchen, meat house, log barn, and family cemetery.

It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

By Erin Smith

The Bladenboro Town Board will meet tonight (Monday, February 12) and consider several items on their agenda.

In the consent agenda, the board will be asked to approve, the agenda, minutes, departmental reports, and the 2017 Tax Lien Advertisement for March 27, 2018.

In the action items, the board will consider approving the pretreatment program administration charges; a Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grant proposal, McLean Park field lighting, an update to the 20-year Capital Improvement Plan, and appoint an alternate board member to the Lumber River Council of Government.

The board will also discuss funding options for the Elm Street project and discuss the Open Meetings laws.

The board is also expected to conduct a closed session for personnel matters and Town Administrator John O’Daniel will give a report.

Rep. Brenden Jones

North Carolina Republican lawmakers yesterday introduced comprehensive reform and funding for smaller class sizes with House Bill 90. In 1995 the General Assembly passed legislation that changed the classroom allotment of teachers into a single category for determining allotment throughout K-12. House Bill 90 will reintroduce a new category for K-5 Program Enhancement teachers that exists separately from the classroom teacher allotment. By creating this new category additional positions are secured and smaller class sizes will be achieved.

House Bill 90 appropriates more than $61 million to fill this need, and will be phased in over the next four fiscal years as school districts prepare for the new allotment.

“This is an exciting step forward for education in our region. By ensuring that we have funding for more educators and resources we are providing students with more time for personal instruction from their teachers,” Rep. Brenden Jones said. “A strong education program is one of the fundamental parts of growing our community and I look forward to its passage next week.”

The Golden Leaf Scholarship fund is accepting applications through March 1, 2018. The scholarship is open to North Carolina high school seniors and community college transfer students who plan to attend  a four-year college or university.

To be eligible to receive the scholarship, recipients must be from certain rural counties, demonstrate both financial need and merit, and plan to attend participating North Carolina colleges and universities.  The number of years of scholarship support are dependent on the type of degree being sought and the number of credit hours transferred. 

The scholarship is valued at $3,000 for four years to hogh school seniors or $3,000 for up to three years to community college transfers.

To learn more or to apply, click here.

RALEIGH – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced that today in federal court, Chief United States District Judge James C. Dever III sentenced Jermaine Dale Rogers, 39, of Wilmington, to 210 months of imprisonment followed by 6 years of supervised release.

Rogers was named in an indictment filed on July 19, 2017.  On October 25, 2017, Rogers pled guilty to distribution of a quantity of heroin.

In February 2017, a confidential informant (informant) advised law enforcement in New Hanover County that Rogers was actively selling heroin.  At the time, Rogers was residing in a federal halfway house in Wilmington following his release from the Bureau of Prisons.  The informant admitted to purchasing two clips or two grams of heroin from Rogers approximately 15 times over the course of three months.  In April 2017, under the direction of law enforcement, the informant made arrangements to conduct a controlled purchase of heroin from Rogers. On April 18, 2017, the informant purchased approximately 2 grams of heroin from Rogers in exchange for $600 in United States currency.

On June 21, 2017, Rogers was subsequently arrested and the defendant admitted to selling heroin to the confidential informant.

The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI conducted the criminal investigation of this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Bradford Knott handled the prosecution of this case for the government. At the sentencing, Judge Dever highlighted, among other reasons, Rogers’ persistent involvement in drug trafficking as a motivating factor for the sentence imposed.

RALEIGH – United States Attorney Robert J. Higdon, Jr. announced  in federal court, Chief United States District Judge James C. Dever III sentenced five members of a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) operating in Robson County, responsible for shipping and distributing large quantities of cocaine and marijuana within the Eastern District of North Carolina.  The following sentences were handed down:

MITCHELL RAY LOCKLEAR, 55, of Maxton, North Carolina was sentenced to 180 months imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release.

TIMMY LLOYD HUNT, 43, of Maxton, North Carolina was sentenced to 120 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

BRANDON DARRIS LOCKLEAR, 36, of Maxton, North Carolina was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

ARCHIE LYNN STRICKLAND, 41, of Fairmont, North Carolina was sentenced to 60 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

TORREY LOCKLEAR, 38, of Maxton, North Carolina was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release.

The defendants were named in an Indictment filed on April 11, 2017 charging them with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute marijuana, cocaine, and cocaine base (crack).  Four additional defendants are pending sentencing in this case.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).  Additional assistance was provided by the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the North Carolina National Guard, and the United States Department of Agriculture.  Assistant United States Attorney Lawrence J. Cameron is prosecuting the case for the government.

CHARLESTON, S.C.– CresCom Bank, a leading community bank in North and South Carolina, is pleased to introduce Cindy Register to the CresCom Bank team as branch manager and assistant vice president.

In her new position at CresCom Bank serving the Tabor City, N.C. market, Register will oversee the branch’s day-to-day operational programs, policies, procedures and sales while ensuring a high level of customer care.

Prior to joining CresCom Bank, Register worked as an area operations officer at BB&T. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Coastal Carolina University.

“The CresCom Bank team is excited to welcome Cindy as a new branch manager,” said David L. Morrow, CEO of CresCom Bank. “Cindy is an exceptional banking professional and will serve the Tabor City community well in her new role.”

For additional information about CresCom Bank or to locate a local branch, visit www.haveanicebank.com?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss.

CHARLESTON, S.C., Feb. 12, 2018 – CresCom Bank, a leading community bank in North and South Carolina, is pleased to introduce Erik Gray as a commercial loan office and vice president.

Based at the Wilmington branch, Gray will be responsible for managing commercial loans and deposits for customers throughout the area. Before joining CresCom Bank, Gray worked as a senior vice president in commercial banking. Gray holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from North Carolina State University.

“Please join CresCom Bank in welcoming Erik as our new commercial loan officer,” said David L. Morrow, CEO of CresCom Bank. “With his background and expertise, we know Erik will serve the bank and the North Carolina community well.”

For additional information about CresCom Bank or to locate a local branch, visit www.haveanicebank.com?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss.

CHARLESTON, S.C. – CresCom Bank, a leading community bank in North and South Carolina, welcomes new team members throughout its branches.

New team members include:

Cane Bay, S.C.

*Youvanska Herbas has joined the CresCom Bank team as a part time teller. Prior to joining the bank, Herbas worked as an assistant manager at Popular Community Bank in New York. She graduated from Queensborough Community College within the City University of New York (CUNY).

Charleston, S.C.

*Tiffany Williams has joined CresCom Bank as a customer service representative. Prior to joining the bank, Williams worked as a primary lead customer success specialist at Benefit focus. She graduated from Georgia Southern University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

*James Durant has joined the bank as a part time teller. Prior to joining CresCom Bank, Durant worked as a sales manager at Iris Consulting Group.

Conway, S.C.

*Krista Grant has joined the bank as head teller. Prior to joining CresCom Bank, Grant worked as an assistant branch manager and head teller at ESSA Bank.

Greer, S.C.

*Blake Joy has joined the bank as a credit underwriter. Prior to joining CresCom Bank, Joy worked as a portfolio manager and credit analyst at Capital Bank. He graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a Master of Business Administration.

*Ethnie Swanson has joined CresCom Bank as a full time floater. Prior to joining the bank, Swanson worked as a mortgage specialist at BB&T.

Holden Beach, N.C.

*Samantha Wescott has joined CresCom Bank as a full time customer service representative. Prior to joining the bank, Wescott worked as a teller at BB&T.

Myrtle Beach, S.C.

*Chardetta Brummell-Turrentine has joined CresCom Bank as a full time teller and customer service representative. Prior to joining the bank, Brummell-Turrentine worked as a head teller and personal banker at Sandhills Bank.

“It is our priority to hire outstanding professionals to ensure an exceptional customer service team for our communities,” said David L. Morrow, CEO of CresCom Bank. “Please join the bank in welcoming each of our new banking professionals.”

For additional information about CresCom Bank or to locate a local branch, visit www.haveanicebank.com?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss.

By Erin Smith

The Bladen County Grand Jury indicted a former Bladenboro town manager on Monday morning. The  indictment comes following a State Bureau of Investigation probe of Delane Jackson, who resigned from his post in 2013.

Jackson will face one felony count of obtaining property by false pretenses in excess of $100,000. The SBI probe involved a company called Cygnus to which Jackson is alleged to have ties. The company was contracted by the town to perform work at the town’s wastewater treatment plant.

Jackson is represented by Attorney Butch Pope of Whiteville.

The CSX railroad was unable to replace pavement on a couple of crossings due to weather. An update of road openings / closings is as follows:

OPENINGS:

Johnsontown

Johnsontown has been opened at 1.94 miles NW of US701

CLOSINGS:

Coley Road

Coley Road remains closed in order to replace the bridge over Hammonds Creek.  A signed detour is in effect to use Airport Road/White Plains Church Road/Vause Road/Rosindale Road.

UPCOMING CLOSINGS:

Johnsontown Road

Johnsontown Road will close February 13 BEGINNING AT 8 a.m. at 1.53 miles NW of US 701 to replace crosslines.

ELWELL FERRY:

Is operating