Sen. Thom Tillis

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) sent a letter to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) urging the reimbursement of veterans who were billed for emergency treatment at private hospitals.

In January, the VA announced that it would not retroactively reimburse veterans for their emergency treatment despite a court decision that ruled the VA is responsible for emergency medical costs at private, non-VA hospitals.

In response, the Senators wrote to VA Secretary David Shulkin urging him to reimburse veterans who filed a claim for emergency medical costs before the court ruling.

“Between 2010 and April 16, 2016, the VA erroneously denied thousands of veterans’ claims for emergency treatment,” the Senators wrote. “With the VA’s recent interpretation of this ruling, veterans who filed claims before April 16, 2016 would see no relief from the VA’s wrongful application of the law and would be stuck paying medical bills that Congress intended that the VA pay. We ask that the VA include those veterans whose claims were decided before April 16, 2016, so that all veterans can fully take advantage of a benefit Congress intended they receive.”

The Expansion of Veteran Eligibility for Reimbursement Act, enacted in 2010, directed the VA to pay for veterans’ emergency treatment at non-VA facilities unless the veteran has another form of insurance that entirely covers their medical costs. Since 2010, the VA has denied thousands of claims because a veteran’s other insurance partially paid for their treatment, leaving veterans to cover the difference for costly emergency care.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims ruled on April 16, 2016, that the VA’s interpretation of its responsibility for non-VA emergency treatment was wrong and ordered the VA to begin paying these claims. Despite that, the VA has chosen not to pay veterans who filed before the 2016 court ruling.

The VA released its new policy regarding payment or reimbursement for emergency treatment at private hospitals on January 9, 2018. The VA will only pay for new claims or those not decided prior to April 16, 2016.

The letter was also signed by Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) also signed the letter to Secretary Shulkin.

The Senators’ letter to Secretary Shulkin can be read online here.

DUBLIN – Bladen Community College has sealed fifty years of history in a time capsule ceremony that culminated a year of celebratory events.

“The college was chartered in 1967,” remarked President William Findt. “In 2017, the campus enjoyed numerous activities that celebrated fifty years of changing lives for students across our county and region. It was appropriate that the finale event should be preserving the history of the college with a time capsule.”

When the capsule is opened in 2067, many of the items encased in the capsule will be 100 years old. A copy of the minutes from the very first board of trustees meeting, yearbooks with student, faculty, and staff photos, an engraved ashtray, a Pepsi from 1967, and a personalized hair comb will amuse the beholder.

“We collected items for the capsule throughout the year in 2017,” stated coordinator for the 50th anniversary celebration, Cathy Kinlaw. “There are vintage items such as Life magazines from the 1960s, as well as current documentation about the college. It will be an intriguing surprise for those who open the capsule.”

Public event part of annual N.C. Aquaculture Development Conference

NEW BERN – The 30th annual N.C. Aquaculture Development Conference returns to New Bern March 7-10. The conference features workshops, seminars and farm tours for aquaculture farmers across the Southeast. This year’s event also will include the first-ever Cultured Seafood Festival offering a variety of all-you-can-eat aquaculture dishes for the public.

The Cultured Seafood Festival will be held on March 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center. Chef James “Smoke” Boyd, owner of The Flame Catering and Banquet Centre will offer variations of aquaculture dishes including North Carolina oysters, crab cakes, clams, tilapia, mountain trout, hybrid striped bass, crawfish and catfish. Tickets are $50 per person and are available online on the event site at http://www.ncaquaculture.org/registration.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss.

“The Cultured Seafood Festival offers visitors a chance to discover the variety of farm-raised seafood available in North Carolina,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “Aquaculture is a great example of our state’s diverse agriculture industry, and contributes about $58 million annually to the state’s economy.”

The N.C. Aquaculture Development Conference includes an aquaponics workshop on March 7. On March 8, there will be presentations for those interested in starting or just beginning an aquaculture operation, as well as tours of a prawn-to-crawfish farm and hybrid-striped bass farm. Friday and Saturday’s events include research presentations, workshops and a trade show. Speakers will provide market insights, best management practices and industry updates for aquaculture operations. The keynote speaker is Tom Losordo, professor emeritus from N.C. State University and co-founder of the N.C. Aquaculture Development Conference.

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is one of the sponsors of the event. More information about the conference, including online registration and hotel details, is available at www.ncaquaculture.org?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss.

The North Carolina House of Representatives passed House Bill 90 by a vote of 104-12, after the Senate voted to move the measure last week. House Bill 90 was introduced by the House and aims to address the needed funding for school districts bill to lower class size in hopes of better educating our children., House Bill 90 will direct over $60 million in funds to schools primarily in the eastern part of the state, with Robeson County receiving over $7.5 million. A significant portion of the funding for H90 comes from funds received from Duke Energy and Dominion Energy in the announcement of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline’s construction through eastern North Carolina. While Governor Cooper has described this as a “voluntary contribution,” Democratic lawmaker Rep. Pricey Harrison (Guilford) has described it as “a condition of getting the permit granted.”

“Gov. Cooper’s obtainment of $57.8 million in a pay-for- play scheme with large energy companies so he can create a slush fund for his own special interest projects concerned me when I learned of it. Under the North Carolina State Constitution only the North Carolina General Assembly has the power of the purse,” said Rep. Brenden Jones. “I spoke with Speaker Moore in favor of using the funds to meet a pressing need in our community, which is meeting needs for funding to create smaller class sizes. Using the allotment of over $7.5 million from H90 Robeson County will be able to invest in more teachers and classroom support and give our students a further tailored education they deserve.

“Under previous Democratic leadership North Carolina experienced pay-for- play politics, and our economy was hampered by our predecessors lack of planning and cronyism. When we experienced the recession in 2008 North Carolina under Democratic leadership was not prepared, and the voters rightfully elected Republicans. Under Republican leadership we have eliminated pay-for- play schemes, increased our savings reserves in case of recession or natural disasters, and raised teacher pay for four years in a row. I’m proud to have been a voice for using these funds to give our community further investment and support,” Rep. Jones added.

“As Majority Freshman Whip, Rep. Brenden Jones is an invaluable member of our leadership in the state House responsible for directing these funds to the Public Schools of Robeson County,” said House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland). “His active involvement throughout this process signals his commitment to serving as a strong voice for eastern North Carolina schools.”

House Bill 90 will now be sent to Gov. Cooper’s desk for him to sign.

GREENVILLE – The United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Robert J. Higdon, Jr., announced in federal court, before United States Magistrate Judge Kimberly A. Swank, Daquanjra Tasha White, 28, of Fayetteville,  pled guilty to one count of Sex Trafficking of Children.

During the defendant’s guilty plea hearing, the Government summarized the evidence supporting the defendant’s guilty plea.  Throughout the fall of 2015 into 2016, White, met the minor on Facebook, struck up conversations about White’s escorting services, and convinced the minor to meet with her.  When the minor got together with White, she took pictures of her (in various stages of undress), posted those pictures on Backpage, took the victim or arranged for her transport to various hotels, arranged for her to have sex for money with men, and took portions of the monies collected. White told the minor what to charge and what to do, even stating the girl worked for her.

At sentencing, the defendant faces not more than life in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Fayetteville Police Department conducted the investigation of this case.  Assistant United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

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Photos by Kenneth Armstrong

The Warriors completed an undefeated season with a perfect 6-0 record to win Bladen Recreation’s 10-12 Boys League regular-season championship.

The league’s post-season double-elimination tournament will begin Tuesday.

The final standings for the regular-season follow:

Warriors 6-0

Knicks 5-1

Bulls 4-2

Clippers 3-4

Celtics 2-4

Lakers 1-5

Nuggets 0-6

By Erin Smith

A Clarkton resident has taken on a new role with the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Rusty Marsh has moved into the role of Division 6 Construction Staff Engineer and is now working out of the Fayetteville office.

Marsh said, “I like it. It’s a change of pace.”

Marsh is a familiar face in Bladen and Columbus counties where he held the title of Resident Engineer for 21 years. During that tenure, he worked out of the Whiteville DOT office overseeing various construction projects.

He said when he was assigned to the Whiteville DOT office, it was just opening. Marsh said work on the NC 87 Bypass project was nearing completion and the widening of US 74-76 was taking place. Marsh said during his time working out of the Whiteville DOT office 111 bridges have been constructed or replaced.

Marsh said in his new role, the biggest project hat is coming up is the preliminary design work for the widening of I-95 in Harnett County.

“All of the existing interchanges have to be totally rebuilt,” said Marsh of the I-95 project.

He is looking forward to his new role and says he misses the people he worked with in Bladen and Columbus counties.

He is married to Gail McKee and they have three children — Kelly Mize, Billy Marsh and Allie Marsh.

DUNN – The inside southbound lane of Interstate 95 near mile marker 73 in Harnett County is expected to remain closed until Friday while bridge maintenance is completed.

An N.C. Department of Transportation contractor is working on the I-95 bridge that spans U.S. 421 (East Cumberland Street) in Dunn. The single lane closure is needed for the safety of workers.

Transportation officials remind motorists to slow down in the work zone, watch signs for construction information, stay alert and obey the posted speed limit.

For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on Twitter.

LUMBERTON – A Robeson County intersection will close starting next week to begin construction of a roundabout.

Workers for McArthur Construction Co. of Lumberton plan to close the intersection of West Carthage and Pine Log roads, just outside of Lumberton, on Monday, Feb. 19. The intersection is scheduled to reopen in four months when the roundabout is substantially completed, leaving permanent striping and landscaping to be completed by the fall.

Traffic will detour around the construction using N.C. 211, Piney Grove, Watts and Norment roads.

NCDOT is building the roundabout to reduce crashes. Utilities around the intersection had to be relocated after the state Department of Transportation awarded a $1.1 million contract to McArthur Construction last fall.

For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on Twitter.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) and U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Mich.) and Elijah E. Cummings (D-Md.)  introduced the Stopping Abuse and Fraud in Electronic (SAFE) Lending Act, a bill to crack down on some of the worst abusive practices of the payday lending industry, which strips wealth from working families across the country. The bill, which underscores the importance of state usury limits in controlling predatory lending, is cosponsored by various members of the House and Senate.

“Payday lenders will go to great lengths to trap struggling families in an endless cycle of debt,” said Rebecca Borné, Senior Policy Counsel at the Center for Responsible Lending.  “Triple-digit interest rates of 300% or more APR exacerbate people’s financial distress, including low-wealth families and communities of color, leading to a cascade of financial consequences—exorbitant fees, harassing debt collection practices, lost bank accounts, and even bankruptcy. We applaud Senator Merkley and Representatives Bonamici and Cummings for their leadership on this issue and will work with them to push this legislation forward.”

The bill would explicitly require all lenders, including banks, to comply with state lending laws. Banks have typically claimed preemption over state usury limits—at times making payday loans exceeding 300% APR directly to their customers, or forming “rent-a-bank” shams with nonbank predatory lenders to help those lenders circumvent state law. This bill is especially important as high-cost lenders push to expand these rent-a-bank shams.

The bill would also prohibit “lead generators” and anonymously registered websites from disseminating consumers’ private financial information to payday lenders; prohibit overdraft fees on prepaid cards, some of which are issued by payday lenders; and aim to give payday loan borrowers more control of their bank accounts.

In the Senate, the SAFE Lending Act is cosponsored by Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tom Udall (D-NM), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Tina Smith (D-MN), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Dick Durbin (D-IL).

In the House, it is cosponsored by Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Judy Chu (D-CA), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Keith Ellison (D-MN), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Louise Slaughter (D-NY).

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Contributed

The seventh grade science classes at Elizabethtown Middle School had a visit from Bionetwork on Wednesday.  The company set up a crime scene lab in the classroom, according to Teacher Crystal Buffkin.

The students had to identify suspects who had broken into a kitchen and stole food.  The students were asked to compare and analyze crime scene evidence with evidence presented to them.  You can notice from the images the students were engaged and excited with the classroom set up and the real-life like scenarios they had presented to them.

Candidates are steadily filing for elected offices across North Carolina. As of 4 p.m., only one additional had added their name to the list of those seeking elected offices.

William Brisson, who switched his voter registration to Republican, filed on Wednesday seeking re-election to his seat as North Carolina House District 22 representative.

To view the complete of candidates who have filed, thus far, click here.

Updated: Feb. 15, 2018

Winter sports
Lacey Suggs Basketball Sophomore UNC Wilmington East Bladen		John Bowen Basketball Freshman Belmont Abbey West Bladen
Recent: Scored 4 points and had 2 rebounds in 14 minutes as she dealt with foul trouble with 4 fouls in the Seahawks’ 58-40 loss to Drexel on Feb. 11. Suggs is averaging 12.1 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. UNCW is 8-16 overall and 1-12 in the Colonial Athletic Association.		Recent: Scored 5 points on 2 of 4 from the field, including a 3-pointer, and had 4 rebounds in 17 minutes Feb. 14 in the Crusaders’ 71-69 loss at North Greenville. Belmont Abbey is 10-16 overall and 5-11 in Conference Carolinas.
Next: vs. Delaware, Feb. 19		Next: vs. King, Feb. 17
Schedule | Statistics | Bio		Schedule | Statistics | Bio
Rahu Purdie Basketball Junior Lander West Bladen		Stefan McDonald Basketball Freshman Caldwell Community West Bladen
Recent: Scored 19 points on 7 of 10 from the field, including 5 3-pointers, with 2 rebonds and 2 assists in Lander’s 92-79 win over Georgia Southwestern on Feb. 12. Purdie scored 14 points and made 4 3-pointers in the second half. Lander is 10-14 overall and 6-12 in Peach Belt Conference.		Recent: Went 0-for-3 from the field with 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals in the Cobras’ 102-75 win Feb. 11 at Brunswick Community College. Caldwell has a 17-7 record.
Next: vs. Young Harris, Feb. 15		Next: vs. Davidson CC, Feb. 15
Schedule | Statistics | Bio		Schedule | Statistics |

Spring sports
Trevor Lesane Baseball Sophomore Wake Tech West Bladen		Kayla Thompson Golf Senior UNC Wilmington West Bladen
Recent: Went 2-for-7 with 3 runs scored and 4 stolen bases in the Eagles’ 10-0, 9-1 sweep of NC State Club on Feb. 3.		Recent: Named Colonial Athletic Association Golfer of the Week after her 9th-place finish in the UCF Challenge in Orlando, Florida, on Feb. 4-6. She had rounds of 71, 72 and 75 for a 218. That was 9 shots behind winner Dewi Weber of Miami. She leads UNCW with a 74.06 scoring average. It was the fourth Top-10 finish of her career.
Next: at USC Salkehatchie, Feb. 18		Next: Edwin Watts/Kiawah Island Classic, Kiawah, SC, Feb. 25-27
Schedule | Statistics | Bio		Schedule | Statistics | Bio
Eian Hines Track and field Freshman Mount Olive East Bladen		Morgan Sweeney Softball Junior Newberry West Bladen
Recent: Finished 2nd in the long jump at 6.83 meters (22 feet, 4 inches) on Feb. 4 in the Vince Brown Invitational in Newport News, Virginia. Hines also had jumps of 6.74 (22-11), 6.41 (21-0), 6.04 (19-8), 6.48 (21-3) and 6.35 (20-8). The winning jump was 6.92 (22-7).		Recent: Has gone hitless in 7 at-bats in three games. Defensively, playing outfield, has made 7 putouts and 3 assists with no errors.
Next: at Conference Championships, Feb. 18		Next: at USC Aiken, Feb. 15
Lexi Dawson Softball Junior St. Andrews East Bladen		Laikyn Pait Softball Freshman Southeastern Comm. College West Bladen
Recent: Went 2-for-3 with a double and run in the Knights’ 5-0 win at Methodist in the first game of a doubleheader Feb. 6. In the second, Dawson had the game-deciding sacrifice fly in the seventh in St. Andrews’ 3-2 victory.		Recent: Went 3-for-3 with 2 runs scored and an RBI Feb. 6 in the Rams 8-0 win against Stratford.
Next: at Saint Augustine’s, Feb. 15		Next: vs. Florence-Darlington Tech, Feb. 16
Schedule | Bio		Schedule
Kyle Tatum Baseball Freshman Brunswick Comm. College East Bladen
Recent: Was injured during a scrimmage prior to the season and has yet to play.
Next: vs. USC Lancaster, Feb. 17
Schedule

ELIZABETHTOWN – East Bladen opened the game with a 14-0 blitz and went on to defeat East Columbus 68-46 Wednesday night in the girls basketball semi-finals of the Three Rivers Conference Tournament.

The Lady Eagles ran their winning streak to 20 consecutive games and improved to 24-1 overall. East Bladen advances to the tournament championship game Friday at 6 p.m. against the winner of Thursday night’s Red Springs/West Columbus semi-final.

Junior Ja’Tyra Moore-Peterson drilled in a 3-point shot, and sophmore Patience Ward sank 2 free throws to start the game. Moore-Peterson nailed a jumper from the top of the key then drove for a lay-up.

Senior Shardajah Brown banked in a 3-point shot, and junior Erica McKoy popped in a 13-foot jumper to give the Lady Eagles the 14-0 lead three minutes into the first period.

Shynicquel Watson finally broke the scoring ice for East Columbus with a 16-foot jumper with 4:39 left in the quarter.

McKoy banked in a floater, then drove for a lay-up. Moore-Peterson canned 2 free throws to push the Lady Eagle lead to 20-4 at the quarter break.

“We hit some big shots early,” said East Bladen Coach Patty Evers. “Erica, Ja’Tyra and Patience did a great job of pushing the tempo.”

Watson and Alanna Deal knocked down 3-point shots as the Lady Gators closed the gap to 20-12 with an 8-0 run. Ward snapped the streak by banking in a runner and tacking on a free throw.

Tia Campbell’s steal and lay-up pulled East Columbus to within 23-15. McKoy answered with a free throw, and sophmore Izzy Smith’s assist produced a Ward basket. McKoy delivered an assist to Moore-Peterson for a lay-in and a 28-15 lead.

McKoy connected on a 17-footer. Moore-Peterson sent a pair of assists to Ward for a pair of lay-ups, and Ward stole the ball and sprinted for a lay-up and a 36-21 East Bladen halftime lead.

Ward turned a McKoy assist into a lay-up that began the second half. Ward and McKoy scored on follow shots as the lead grew to 42-23. A pair of Watson baskets trimmed the margin to 42-29.

Moore-Peterson hit a free throw, junior Ashley Hardin made 2 free throws, and junior Anna Kate White dropped in a lay-up off of a pass from sophmore Lorna Mendell.

Mendell and Ward flipped in short jumpers, and Ward added a rebound basket to boost the East Bladen lead to 53-32 at the quarter break.

Ward dished an assist to McKoy for a lay-up then stole the ball and dashed for a lay-up and a 57-32 lead. McKoy hit a free throw, and Brown tossed in a short jumper then netted a lay-up off of a Moore-Peterson assist.

Senior Kaley Smith hurled in a short bank shot off of an assist from Hardin to give the Lady Eagles their biggest lead at 64-32 with 3:44 remaining. White pumped in 2 free throws and closed out the Lady Eagle scoring with a lay-up.

Ward racked up 23 points, 8 rebounds, 6 steals and 2 assists to lead the East Bladen attack. McKoy finished with 14 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Moore-Peterson added 12 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals.

Brown scored 7 points and pulled down 7 rebounds. White totaled 6 points, and Izzy Smith grabbed 4 rebounds.

“Overall I thought we played a complete game,” said Coach Evers. “This group is working hard. We have got to rebound better. We missed some easy shots and still scored almost 70 points.”

Campbell led the East Columbus scoring with 18 points, and Watson followed with 9 points.

EAST BLADEN (68) – Katie Evans, Erica McKoy 14, Kaley Smith 2, Izzy Smith, Shardajah Brown 7, Anna Kate White 6, Abbey Cross, Kabarah Moore, Patience Ward 23, Ashley Hardin 2, Ja’Tyra Moore-Peterson 12, Lorna Mendell 2.

The Bladen County Soccer Association will be hosting a College ID Camp at East Bladen High on March 17.

The following colleges will be represented: Mount Olive, Winthrop University, St. Andrews, and Cape Fear Community College. Other schools may be added in the coming weeks.

Registration starts at 9 a.m. on March 17th. Players are encouraged to register before the day of the Camp. Spots are limited. Forms need to be printed and the bottom section mailed or emailed to jbraynor1203@email.campbell.edu.

All checks should be made payable to Bladen County Soccer Association College ID Camp. Forms and checks should be mailed to BCSA – Jay Raynor at 4087 Hwy 701 S, Clarkton NC, 28433.

Cost is $80 for pre-registration and $95 the day of the camp. Schools who send 5 or more players to the ID Camp will receive a $10 discount per player reducing the fee to $70. All players must pre-register to receive that discount.

Campers will receive a camp t-shirt. The Camp will include two training sessions for field players and goal keepers, 11 v 11 scrimmages, and a recruiting talk/question and answer session.

This is an amazing opportunity for kids of Bladen and surrounding counties. To bring rebuttable colleges to our area and put kids in front of them for identification purposes is extraordinary.

Players and parents will also learn what it takes to be recruited and the recruiting process. A lot want to be recruited but don’t know what it entails or how to go about it.

There are kids in this area who can absolutely play at the next level. Bladen County has players who have played or are currently playing college soccer. Those players will tell you that it’s all about exposure. Bringing a College ID Camp here will help increase that exposure for those potential college bound players.

This College ID Camp combined with our travel program is BCSA’s way of making sure our players have exposure. We want our players to continue playing the game and have opportunities for earning a higher education. The BCSA will be looking to make grow this as an annual event.

The BCSA will also look to do the same kind of event for girls soccer in the fall /winter months.

For more information contact Jay Raynor at 910-876-0003.

Sponsorships and donations are need for a Bladen County All-Star team that plans to compete in a 500-team Spooky Nook Sports Basketball Tournament in Mannheim, PA beginning March 14th.

The team is composed of Bladen area players from grades 7-9. A Bladen All-Star team competed in the Mannheim tournament last year.

Approximately $3,500 is needed to fund the trip. For more information contact Coach Rick Whitaker at 910-876-0557.

After a strong beginning, filing for public office has slowed to a snail’s pace.  Yesterday, the local ballot grew by one, maybe two. Rep. William Brisson filed for re-election and DA Jon David  added his name to the list.  Actually, some of the those seeking state positions and running in more than one county can file in either of the counties they are serving, or will be serving, or file at the state level, if my memory is correct and the laws remain the same.

Filing so far has been mostly by current office holders, a couple of exceptions.  Filing deadline is February 28.  Think you can do a better job?  Now is the time to step up.  No more complaining, just do it.

A couple of reminders, the BBQ fundraiser for Jackie Singletary is Saturday, February 17 from 11AM – 4PM at the Tar Heel Volunteer Fire Department.  Plates are $8 per plate.  Proceeds will go to Jackie Singletary medical expenses.  Jackie passed away recently after a sudden illness.  For more info about the event, call 910-862-5947.

Sponsors are needed for the Summer Concert Series sponsored by the E-town-White Lake Chamber of Commerce.  If you are interested, contact Dawn Maynard at the Chamber office.

Facebook, Messenger, LinkedIn, email, texting, Instagram, Twitter, and there are others, more than I can keep up with, but it’s fun trying.  I read and then forget where…..

Stock market attempting to comeback, that’s good, interest rates rising, bad for borrowers, good for investors.  Life can become complicated.

A note to students and parents interested in Bladen Early College High School.  Parents and 8th grade students are invited to an informational session at BCC, Monday, February 19 at 6PM.  The new school begins August, 2018.

Sad situation at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.  At least 17 dead, killed by 19 year old, former student.  Will it ever end?

We need to change the culture of this topic and make it OK to speak about mental health and violence.

We need, ultimately, to be able to view mental health with the same clear-headedness we show when talking about physical health.  Matt Haig

There are so many clichés associated with mental health – such as the ‘fine line between lunacy and genius’ – which are, on the whole, a load of rubbish.  Jo Brand

robert g hester
rgh4612@gmail.com
910-876-2322

1768 – 1st mustard manufactured in America advertised, Philadelphia.

1879 – US Congress authorizes women lawyers to practice before Supreme Court.

1898 – USS Maine sinks in Havana harbor, cause unknown, 258 sailors die.

1903 – 1st Teddy Bear introduced in America, made by Morris & Rose Michtom.

1916 – NY Yankees buy Frank “Home Run” Baker from the Athletics for $37,500.

1926 – Contract air mail service begins in US.

1932 – George Burns & Gracie Allen debut as regulars on the “Guy Lombardo Show”

1941 – Duke Ellington first records “Take the A Train”

1950 – Walt Disney’s animated film “Cinderella” premieres in Boston.

1961 – Entire US figure skating team of 18, dies in Belgian Sabena 797 crash.

1964 – Bill Bradley scores 51 points for Princeton.

1972 – Sound recordings are granted U.S. federal copyright protection for the first time.

1978 – Escaped mass murderer Ted Bundy recaptured, Pensacola, Florida.

1981 – 23rd Daytona 500: Richard Petty wins (169.651 MPH)

1987 – Craig Stadler disqualified from Andy Williams Open for kneeling on a towel to make a shot.

1992 – Jeffrey Dahmer found sane and guilty of killing 15 boys.

1992 – 100th episode of “Cops” airs on Fox.

1996 – Bill Belichick is fired by the Cleveland Browns, finishing his Cleveland coaching career with a record of 36-44.

2005 – YouTube, Internet site on which videos may be shared and viewed by others, is launched in United States.

2011 – US President Barack Obama awards writer and activist Maya Angelou the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

By Erin Smith

Truck Wreck US 701 3

Truck Wreck US 701

Markus Cody Cain of Harrells was driving the truck with a chip trailer north on US 701 when he

ran off road to the right. The truck struck a ditch then a concrete culvert and several trees before coming to rest in the ditch.

North Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper Weissinger said, “He said a deer ran out in front of him.”

Cain will be charged with failure to maintain lane control, according to Trooper Weissinger.

By Erin Smith

Voters going to the polls in 2018 will notice a new prosecutorial district on the ballot following judicial and prosecutorial redistricting which took place in the fall of 2017. Bladen County was in the 13th Prosecutorial District which consisted of Bladen, Brunswick, and Columbus counties.

Following the redistricting process, Bladen County is now in the 15th Prosecutorial which still consists of Bladen, Brunswick and Columbus counties. Other the change of number, the prosecutorial district remains in tact. District Attorney Jon David, who is a Republican, filed on Monday seeking re-election to his seat.

“I got an email at 9:07 a.m. (Wednesday) referencing the district numbers changing,” said Bladen County Board of Elections Director Cynthia Shaw.

Elsewhere in the state, Prosecutorial District 9A, which consisted of Person and Caswell counties, was removed. Person County was moved into the new Prosecutorial District 10 with Franklin, graham, Vance and Warren counties. Caswell County joins Rockingham County in the new Prosecutorial District 22. Other prosecutorial districts simply changed numbers.

The Republican controlled legislature adopted House Bill 717 in October 2017 and the bill becomes effective on January 1, 2019 “except as provided in this act, elections in 2018 thereafter shall be held accordingly.”