The Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced this week the launch of FindTreatment.gov, a newly designed website that will help connect Americans looking for substance abuse treatment with approximately 13,000 locations across the United States.

“Better access to treatment, prevention, and recovery services is one of the five pillars of HHS’s strategy to end the opioid crisis,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “Under President Trump, we have unequivocally and strongly supported medication-assisted treatment in particular because we see addiction as a medical issue, not a moral failing. Addiction demands treatment, not judgment. We know that finding access to the right provider, at the right time, can be essential to helping someone start on the road to recovery. Now, thanks to FindTreatment.gov, more Americans will have easier ways to the find the treatment that they or loved ones might need.”

“An easily-accessible system to locate treatment will be a critical tool for individuals to get the care they need” said Elinore F. McCance-Katz, Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use. “Increasing treatment access is an integral part of the approach to address substance use disorders across the country.”

Over 19.3 million American adults had substance use disorder (SUD) in 2018, and connecting them with appropriate treatment is a critical step to combating the opioid crisis in America.

In 2019, estimates suggest 1.27 million Americans are receiving medication-assisted treatment, a 38 percent increase from an estimated 921,000 Americans in 2016.

FindTreatment.Gov is designed to provide the most relevant information for each individual’s recovery needs by creating a modern, user-friendly experience that is visually clear, simple, and welcoming to those in crisis.

Visitors can access information on location, treatment options, payment and insurance information, and over 13,000 state-licensed facilities, based on data compiled by SAMHSA.

Examples of treatment include:

• Residential treatment – Live-in care, lasting for a month up to one year.

• Outpatient treatment – Treatment at a program site while the patient continues to live on their own.

• Detoxification – Supervised withdrawal from substance use.

• Interim care – When immediate admission to other care isn’t available.

Content and design were developed over the last year by incorporating 300 pieces of feedback, plus 60 long-form informational interviews, from recovery professionals, help line operators, local advocates, parents seeking help, and Americans in active recovery.

The post FindTreatment.gov launched to help people dealing with substance abuse appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

Charles Victor Davis, 83, of Cary passed away Tuesday, October 29. Vic was the son of the late Daniel Roy and Ruby King Davis. He graduated from Bladenboro High School and was promptly signed by the New York (now San Francisco) Giants as a right handed pitcher, where he spent 10 years in minor league. He often led the league in strike-outs, and was inducted into the Ripley’s Believe It Or Not for striking out 26 men in an 11-inning game. He once struck out Willie Mays, with only three pitches, in spring training with the Giants in Florida.

After his ball career, he was employed by Xerox Corporation, retiring after over 30 years.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Velma, sons Charlie of the home, and Adam and wife Melissa of Poolesville, MD, 3 granddaughters Sophie, Violet, and Audrey, brothers, Richard (Bess) of Fayetteville, Danny (Cynthia) of Bladenboro, sisters, Frankie Roberts of Dublin, and JoAnn (Larry) Whitley of Knightdale.

Visitation will be at 11:00 am Friday, November 1 at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 SE Maynard Rd. Cary, NC 27511, with funeral services following at noon. Interment will be at Raleigh Memorial Park.

Arrangements with Brown-Wynne Funeral Home of Cary.

Online condolences at Brown-Wynee Funeral Home site.

The post Charles Davis, formerly of Bladenboro, dies at 83 appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

Harrells Christian Academy senior kicker Will deAndrade is raising money to battle cancer this season through his efforts on the football gridiron for the Crusaders.

DeAndrade has pledged money to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for every one of his kickoffs that travels over 55 yards. Will set a goal to have 50 kicks over 55 yards in hopes of raising over $1,000. So far this season he has booted 45 kickoffs of over 55 yards and has raised $2,150.

The Crusader senior learned about the campaign during a trip to Wisconsin this past summer at the Kohl’s and ESPN National Innovational Scholarship Camp.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) partnered with Kohl’s to develop a program through which youth sports could help. Last year their partnership helped raise 2 million dollars for the foundation.

ALSF was started by a Connecticut girl, Alexandra Scott, who raised over $2,000 in her front yard lemonade stand when she was 4-years-old and battling cancer. By the time of her death from cancer at the age of 8 in 2004, she had raised $1 million and inspired a legacy of hope and cures for childhood cancer.

Nearly 1000 research grants at 135 institutions have been funded by ALSF. The foundation also provides emotional, financial and logistical support to childhood cancer families making their challenges more manageable.

Two of Will’s grandparents have fought battles with cancer, and deAndrade also recognized Bladen County’s Cody Clark as a young person who is fighting an inspiring battle with cancer as well.

DeAndrade grew up as a soccer player through middle school but then turned to football and kicking at the end of his freshman year of high school. He is in his third season as Harrells’ starting kicker and is ranked first in the Big East Conference and in the top 3 in the state.

“Will truly has a passion for the game of football and kicking,” said his father David deAndrade.

Harrells Christian completed the regular season with an 8-2 record and will host SouthLake Christian from Huntersville Friday at 7 p.m. in the opening round of the NCISAA Division III playoffs.

Will is the son of David and Marcia deAndrade.

For more information about helping with Will’s Kick-It campaign go to Kick-It! with Will deAndrade

The post Harrells Christian’s Will deAndrade Kicking to Battle Cancer appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

By Charlotte Smith

Jones Lake State Park, one of the oldest state parks in North Carolina first established in 1939, recently underwent some renovations and additions. The local park located in Elizabethtown held a ribbon cutting on Thursday, October 31, at 11 a.m. to celebrate their new additions made possible by the 2016 Connect NC Bond.

“We are celebrating our new campgrounds we have just opened at the Park,” Josh Copenhaver with the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation announced.

The State Park considered by some to be a hidden treasure in Bladen County now has six (6) new full hook-up RV campsites have been built with electricity, water and sewer on each site. One of the new RV campsites is also handicap accessible.

There are 14 renovated tent and trailer campsites. Each campsite will have a tent pad, and a gravel drive. Each has a picnic table, firepit and lantern hanger. One of the renovated campsites is also handicap accessible with specialized grills and picnic table.

The Park also has a new shower house, with paved parking and is ADA compliant.

Before the improvements the park only had one campsite with electric and water access, 20 tent camp sites, and the bathhouse was built in the 1950’s and was not ADA complaint, according to Park Superintendent Shane Freeman.

The Connect NC Bond was introduced by former NC Governor Pat McCrory and NC voters overwhelmingly passed the bond in the March of 2016 election. The bond package was about $2 billion and was earmarked be used to facilitate projects at state parks, the University of North Carolina system, public safety, and the North Carolina Community College system. Jones Lake received $651,750 for their campground improvements, according to the State park Bond Project report.

Jones Lake State Park is comprised of 2,208 acres, which include Jones Lake at 224 acres and Salters Lake at 315 acres. Established in 1939, Jones Lake is one of the oldest state parks in North Carolina. Both Jones and Salters lakes are Carolina Bays.

Related article:

First Connect NC Bond Sale Takes Advantage of Historically Low Interest Rate

The post Jones Lake State Park celebrates completion of Connect NC Bond project with a ribbon cutting appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

Responsible for billing/collecting revenues for the Town of White Lake including ad valorem
taxes, utility bills, and other revenues. Assists the public with various information and fees
regarding Town services for establishing and closing utility accounts, and serve as backup for
coworkers as needed. One to four years’ experience in municipal tax and/or utility billing,
accounting, accounts payables/receivables preferred. Work is performed under the general
supervision of the Administrative Services Director.

Desirable Education/Experience: Graduation from a two-year college or business school,
supplemented by courses in tax law and collection procedures, and considerable experience in
collections, billing, or fiscal work, preferably in a municipal or county finance or tax office; or an
equivalent combination of education and experience. Special requirements: Valid NCDL, ability
to obtain Tax Collector’s Certification from the UNC School of Government within 24 months of
employment in this position. Salary Grade 15, Range $35,433-$54,921 plus excellent benefits.
Obtain applications at White Lake Town Hall, 1879 White Lake Dr. or at www.whitelakenc.org?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss
and return in a sealed envelope to Brenda Clark, Administrative Services Director at 1879 White
Lake Dr. PMB 7250, White Lake, NC 28337. Position is open until filled. Equal Opportunity
Employer.

The post Town of White Lake: Revenue Collections Specialist appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

High School football scores from last night …
South Columbus 35 – West Bladen 22
Red Springs 55 – West Columbus 0
Whiteville 28 – St Pauls 6
Fairmont 30 – East Columbus 0
East Bladen open date
East Duplin 16 – Wallace Rose Hill 14
Clinton 35 – James Kenan 13

One more week of high school football this season … West Bladen at East Bladen, next Friday night.

Oops … Turn time pieces back one hour tonight … Fall Back.

Early voting is over, Municipal Elections, Tuesday.

Believe it or not … filing for other political offices, courthouse, statehouse, to DC begins in about a month … December, 2019.

Forecast for frost in some nearby areas last night … Right on time … Today’s early forecast … sunny with a high in the mid 60s, calm wind this morning … great day to cut the grass and pick up the leaves … one more time.

Tonight, clear with a low around 39 and little wind. Sunday, high near 61, light north wind in the 5-to 9 mph range, gusting to about 17 mph.

Mark your calendar … Monday, 5 p.m. Naming of Robert Mazur Drive, Bladen County Recreation Park on US 701. All are welcomed.

“It doesn’t matter where you are, you are nowhere compared to where you can go.” Bob Proctor

“I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But, I can’t accept not trying.” Michael Jordan

“One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching.” Unknown

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

The post Thoughts While Shaving for November 2 appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

1852 – Franklin Pierce elected as President of US.

1867 – Women’s fashion magazine “Harper’s Bazaar” is 1st published.

1889 – North Dakota becomes 39th & South Dakota becomes 40th state in the United States.

1907 – US banker J.P. Morgan locks over 40 bankers in his library to force them to find ways to avert New York banking crisis.

1920 – Warren G. Harding is elected President of the United States, defeating Democrat candidate James M. Cox.

1947 – Howard Hughes flies “Spruce Goose”, a huge wooden airplane for the first and last time.

1948 – US President Harry Truman is re-elected in an upset victory over Republican candidate Thomas E. Dewey.

1950 – The Clover Dairy Company test-market the first concentrated milk (Sealtest) in the U.S. in Wilmington, Delaware.

1954 – Charles Diggs,Jr. is elected Michigan’s 1st black congressman to the House of Representatives.

1954 – Strom Thurmond is the 1st US senator elected by write-in vote (South Carolina)

1959 – Charles Van Doren confesses that TV quiz show “Twenty One” was rigged.

1960 – Penguin Books cleared of obscenity for publishing DH Lawrence’s “Lady Chatterley’s Lover”

1976 – Democrat candidate Jimmy Carter is elected President of the United States, defeating incumbent Republican President Gerald Ford.

1983 – US President Ronald Reagan signs bill establishing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

1984 – Velma Barfield (NC) becomes the first female executed in the United States since 1952.

1988 – The Morris worm, first internet-distributed computer worm to gain mainstream media attention launched from MIT, strikes Pentagon, SDI research lab & 6 universities.

1993 – Rudy Giuliani wins the New York mayoral election, becomes 1st Republican mayor since 1965.

2012 – New York City Marathon cancelled because of the effects of Hurricane Sandy in NYC the week before.

2017 – Jerome Powell nominated by US President Donald Trump to be next Chair of the Federal Reserve.

The post This Day in History for November 2 appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

BLADENBORO – An onside kick recovery keyed a 14-0 spurt that propelled South Columbus to a 35-22 Three Rivers Conference football victory over West Bladen Friday night.

The Knights enjoyed a 16-13 halftime lead, but the Stallions capitalized on a 30-yard return of the second-half kick-off by Deonta Elmore and covered 40 yards in 4 plays to take a 21-16 lead.

Letrell Brown scored the touchdown on a 6-yard run, after senior Jaquan Jordan ripped off runs of 19 and 12 yards. Jordan also carried for the 2-point conversion.

The Stallions recovered their onside kick and ground out 48 yards in 10 plays. Jaquan Jordan gained 33 yards on 4 carries before Captn Jordan dove one yard for the touchdown and a 27-16 lead 5:36 before the quarter break.

“That onside kick was big,” said Knight Coach Jon Sherman. “Then they hurt us with the buck-counter and the wing-counter. We have got to do a better job of preparing for it, and we will certainly see some more of it next week at East Bladen.”

Freshman Gary Parker pounced on the next Stallion onside kick to give the Knights their first possession of the second half at the 5:30 mark. West Bladen drove 53 yards in 6 plays to trim the margin to 27-22.

Senior quarterback Tyre Boykin fired a 12-yard pass to senior Andrew ‘A. J.’ Brown to ignite the drive then broke loose for gains of 10 and 9 yards. Sophmore Damarius Robinson banged into the end zone from 3 yards out for the touchdown with 2:28 on the clock.

South Columbus responded with a 61-yard drive in 6 plays. Senior Rajon Graham started the march with runs of 12 and 8 yards. Quarterback Carlos Register darted 23 yards on the keeper. Jaquan Jordan picked up 14 yards then scored from a yard out on the first play of the final quarter. He also tacked on the conversion for a 35-22 lead.

The Knights mounted a 41-yard drive that consumed 15 plays but was halted on downs at the Stallion 22 yard line. Boykin carried 8 times for 40 yards on the drive and completed a 10-yard pass to A. J. Brown.

Boykin rushed 22 times for 129 yards in the game and connected on 4 of 5 passes for 42 yards – all to A. J. Brown. Boykin scored 2 touchdowns and a pair of 2-point conversions. Robinson ran for 35 yards and a TD on 11 carries.

Injuries limited the options for the Knights as junior ShyRon Adams was hurt on the game’s first play and West Bladen lost both starting fullbacks in the game. “That is part of football,” said Sherman. “ShyRon was a big part of our offense last week and losing him hurt, but you have to adjust to who is available.”

The Stallions moved 58 yards in 4 plays on their second possession of the game. A 20-yard run by Graham preceded a 31-yard touchdown burst by Jordan Johnson on a counter-play. Tomas Acosta booted the extra point for a 7-0 lead.

The Knights bounced back with a 55-yard drive in 9 plays. Boykin reeled off runs of 7, 18 and 6 yards before starting left and reversing back across the field on an 11-yard TD run. Boykin dashed into the end zone for the 2-point conversion and an 8-7 West lead 9:21 before halftime.

Back came the Stallions with a 69-yard drive in 8 plays. Twelve and 16-yard runs by Graham and a 14-yard gain by Letrell Brown led to a 1-yard touchdown run by Luke Duncan that vaulted South ahead 13-8.

Knight junior Xzavion Morrison grabbed the Stallion onside-kick attempt at the West Bladen 46. Boykin threw a 16-yard pass to A. J. Brown to ignite the 7-play drive. Robinson bulled through the line for 14 yards, before Boykin hurdled a tackler on a 7-yard touchdown run then bolted over the goal line for the conversion and a 16-13 lead with 1:45 left in the half.

Graham led the Stallion runners with 112 yards on 14 carries. Jaquan Jordan ran 12 times for 77 yards. Johnson added 66 yards on 6 rushes. The Stallions held a 329-175 edge in rushing yards and a 355-217 edge in total yards.

“You can’t fault the effort of the kids,” noted Sherman. “We moved the ball and our passing game was much better. We are banged up but that’s football. We will get back to work this week and get ready for East Bladen. “

The post Football: South Columbus 35, West Bladen 22 appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

Here are results from high school football games from the Three Rivers Conference and the region played Friday, Nov. 1:

Three Rivers Conference
South Columbus 35, West Bladen 22
Red Springs 55, West Columbus 0
Fairmont 30, East Columbus 0
Whiteville 28, St. Pauls 6
East Bladen, Open

NCISAA Division III Playoffs
SouthLake Christian 42, Harrells Christian 34

Other Area Games
Clinton 35, James Kenan 13
East Duplin 16, Wallace-Rose Hill 14
North Brunswick 42, Wilmington Laney 14
South Brunswick 36, Wilmington Ashley 0
Scotland 48, Lumberton 0
Hoke County 49, Purnell Swett 0
South View 23, Terry Sanford 17, 2 Overtimes
Cape Fear 36, Pine Forest 19
Pinecrest 17, Jack Britt 15
Grays Creek 40, Douglas Byrd 0
Hobbton 45, Union 28
Goldsboro 15, Midway 0
Overhills 62, Westover 48
Princeton 42, Lakewood 0
Topsail 9, Wilmington Hoggard 6
Wilmington New Hanover 28, West Brunswick 7
Southwest Onslow 62, Heide Trask 14
Croatan 55, Pender 18
Richmond Senior 45, Seventy First 6

The post Friday’s High School Football Results appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

Murray McNeill Todd of Bladenboro was sentenced Friday to more than seven years in prison for his role in a money laundering scheme, U.S. Attorney Robert J. Higdon Jr. announced.

Todd, 47, pled guilty in April to conspiracy to commit money laundering. He was sentenced in federal court in Raleigh to 87 months in custody followed by three years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. Todd also was ordered to pay $517,379 in restitution.

“This case is an example of the predators targeting senior citizens all across the country and here in the Eastern District of North Carolina.” Higdon said. “Todd preyed upon our older citizens and stole more than a million dollars of the victims savings, their retirement, their future. Prosecuting those who defraud our senior citizens is a top priority for the U.S. Justice Department and for federal prosecutors here in the Eastern District.”

According to the charges, statements made in court and other public information, Todd conspired with one or more Africa-based scammers over a multi-year period to launder over $1.2 million. The proceeds originated from various Internet-enabled fraud schemes, including elder fraud, stolen identity tax refund fraud and payroll diversion.

For example, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s office, one elderly fraud victim became acquainted with an individual who purported to be a U.S. soldier stationed abroad. The individual later requested financial assistance and fraudulently induced the victim into wiring funds to Todd.

Investigators also identified a significant number of payroll checks that were diverted from employers across the country — particularly, hospital organizations — into Todd’s accounts or accounts under his control. The diversion typically resulted from the compromise of the victim’s network through phishing and computer intrusion techniques.

Additionally, investigators observed an extensive pattern of unlawful deposit activity associated with intercepted federal and state tax refunds.

Todd used a variety of means and methods to receive and transfer money as part of the conspiracy, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office. Among other things, Todd conducted transfers to international recipients in Nigeria and elsewhere through his own accounts and those connected to a wider network of “money mules.”

Todd also arranged the purchase of prepaid debit cards that were loaded with funds acquired unlawfully. The funds, in turn, were wired overseas.

The post Murray Todd sentenced for conspiring to launder over $1.2 million appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

Almost 900 people cast ballots in municipal election races during the early voting period that ended Friday, according to figures released by the Bladen County Board of Elections.

Election day is Tuesday for Bladen County’s seven municipalities. Polls will open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. Voters do not need photo identification to vote. Only voters registered in Bladenboro, Clarkton, Dublin, East Arcadia, Elizabethtown, Tar Heel and White Lake are eligible to vote in town elections.

Two of the four contested races among the municipalities are for mayoral seats. White Lake incumbent mayor Goldston Womble is being challenged by Gray Marshburn. In Clarkton, incumbent Arthur Whedbee is being challenged by Tim Tart and Jon Hall. There also are contested races for three seats on the Elizabethtown Town Board and the Bladenboro Board of Commissioners.

Bladen Online will provide election results soon after polls close Tuesday.

The Bladen County Board of Elections reported that 889 votes had been cast during the two-week early voting period held at the board’s office in Elizabethtown. Only three towns – Bladenboro, Clarkton and Elizabethtown – participated in early voting.

Here are precincts that will be open Tuesday, according to the Board of Elections:

BETHEL: Singletary United Methodist Church, 241 3rd Street, Dublin

BLADENBORO 1: Historical Building, 818 S. Main Street., Bladenboro

BLADENBORO 2: Old Spaulding Monroe School, 508 MLK Drive, Bladenboro

BROWN MARSH: Town Hall, 81 N Elm Street, Clarkton

CARVERS CREEK: East Arcadia Town Hall, 1472-A East Arcadia Road, Riegelwood

COLLY: Fire Dept., 1879 White Lake Drive, White Lake

ELIZABETHTOWN 1: Bladen County Recreation Dept. Gym, 803 W. King Street, Elizabethtown

ELIZABETHTOWN 2: Powell-Melvin Agricultural Service Center, 450 Smith Circle, Elizabethtown

HOLLOW: Municipal Building, 14867 NC 87 West, Tar Heel

LIST OF CANDIDATES

Here is a list of candidates. (i) means incumbent.

Bladenboro
Commissioners (3 seats): (i) Gene Norton, (i) Patsi Callihan, (i) Sara Jane Benson, Joey Todd, Stephanie A. Thurman, John (Mac) Bowen and Claudette Lewis Guy.

Clarkton
Mayor: (i) Arthur Whedbee, Tim Tart and Jon Hall.
Commissioner (1 seat): Linda Croom

Dublin
Mayor: (i) Darryl Dowless.
Commissioners (2 seats): (i) David Hursey and (i) David Kirby.

East Arcadia
Mayor: (i) Perry Blanks.
Commissioners (3 seats): (i) Carlee Carter, (i) Rhonda Hall and (i) Horace Munn.

Elizabethtown
Mayor: (i) Sylvia Campbell.
Commissioners (3 seats): (i) Ricky Leinwand, (i) Howell Clark, (i) Dicky Glenn, Crysal Lewis Crumb, Mary A. McMillian, Jessica McKoy Wilson and Debbie Heyward.

Tar Heel
Mayor: (i) Roy Dew
Commissioners (3 seats): (i) Sam Allen.

White Lake
Mayor: (i) Goldston Womble and Gray Marshburn.
Commissioners (3 seats): (i) Tom Riel, (i) Tim Clifton, Jay Young and Dean Hilton.

The post Almost 900 vote in early voting for Tuesday’s municipal elections appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

Lt. Governor Jimmy Green of Clarkton applied for the position of President of Bladen Tech.

Ashley Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. B.C. Smith of Elizabethtown, was the Morehead Scholarship nominee for Bladen County.

The Elizabethtown Jaycees were having a car wash to support Boy’s Home of Lake Waccamaw.

The post Bladen County Headlines…35 Years Ago appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

The need for volunteers was announced and Bladen County responded. Mrs. Barbara Knight, United Way of Bladen County Day of Caring coordinator exclaimed, “It was wonderful to see all the people come out to help!”

Sponsors and volunteers of the United Way of Bladen County Day Of Caring rolled your their proverbial sleeves and got the work done on Friday, November 1st for the annual day of community service. Mrs. Knight laid out the ground work for the day during the morning gathering at the Cape Fear Farmer’s Market in Elizabethtown.

Over 300 bags of food and hygiene products were packed and delivered to local schools, the local park was cleaned up, and damaged homes in Bladenboro, Clarkton and Elizabethtown received needed repairs. Volunteers from the Bladen Baptist Association, Bladen Community College, Bladen Disaster Recovery Team, DuPont, Elizabethtown Rotary Club, and Emereau:Bladen Junior Beta Club joined United Way of Bladen County.

Dr. William Findt, Chairman of the board of United Way of Bladen County said, “All this amazing help sure makes a difference here in Bladen County.”

Mrs. Knight said, “I think this could be the biggest crowd we have had help with the Day of Caring.”

She added, “Two representatives with the Red Cross stopped in and said they would be helping next year, and Dr. Robert Taylor said each school will be assigned a project for community outreach to participate in the event next year as well.”

The partnerships and support are what it takes to make the day successful.

“We are grateful for the partnership with United Way of Bladen County,” Rev. Jason Williams with the Bladen Disaster Recovery Team stated. “United Way assisted us in helping families get appliances they needed, and they help with materials to help repair homes.”

The Bladen Baptist Association and the Bladen Disaster Recovery Team continue to have many projects happening across Bladen County due to the damages received during hurricanes. While United Way of Bladen County continues to work along side the organizations, volunteers are still needed.

Related information:

The post United Way of Bladen County Day of Caring was one for the record books appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

CARY – East Bladen senior Rachel Horrell and sophomore Cate Devane competed in the NCHSAA Class 2A MidEast Cross Country Regionals Saturday at WakeMed Soccer Park.

Horrell finished in 36th place with a time of 25 minutes, 7.34 seconds. Devane completed the 5k course in 45th place with a time of 26:26.69.

NC School of Science & Math’s Sofia Wong won the race in 19:25.03. St. Pauls sophomore Jasmine Lorenzo was the highest Three Rivers Conference finisher with a time of 23:59.72 that was good enough for 31st place.

East Bladen senior Efren Vargas finished in 53rd place in the boys’ race with a time of 21:16.89. Eagle freshman Jacob Lewis was 69th in 23:02.9.

Carrboro’s Quinn Baker won the boys’ race with a time of 16:09.62. St. Pauls’ Triston Lupo was sixth in 17:16.57.

The post East Bladen Runners Compete In 2A MidEast Cross Country Regionals appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

Dance Floor: Also known as the green, it’s that place you want your golf ball doing a tango with the pin. If
your ball is on the very edge of green, you are on the dance floor, but cannot hear the band.

Double Cross: When you try to hit a fade but end up hitting a hook and then all hell breaks loose.

Duck hook: A really, really, really bad snap hook often accompanied by your golf buddies’ quacking
sounds. As Lee Trevino once said, “You can talk to a fade, but a hook won’t listen.” The duck hook even
talks back.

Flop shot: A short game shot used around the green to loft a golf ball high in the air so that it will land
softly on the putting surface. By opening up the clubface and taking a full swing, you’ll either make a
lovely flop shot or skull the ball toward one of your partners on the other side of the green. FORE!

Flyer: A golf shot that literally flies too far. Usually the result of catching a “flyer lie,” when grass gets
trapped between the clubface and ball at impact, impeding the grooves on your club to spin the ball. You
can spot a “flyer lie” when you see thick rough growing in the same direction as the intended flight of
your ball.

Foot Wedge: Also known as the golfer’s 15th club, employing the foot wedge is the not-so-legal action of
kicking your golf ball into a more favorable spot before hitting it.

Fried Egg: A golf ball buried in the bunker. Upon entering the bunker to hit this shot, we suggest asking
your foursome “where’s my shot?”

The post More Golf Terminology You Might Not Be Aware Of appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

College football results …
Wake Forest 44 – NC State 10
Virginia 38 – UNC 31
Boston College 58 – Syracuse 27
Notre Dame 21 – Virginia Tech 20
Clemson 59 – Wofford 14
Miami (Fla) 27 – Florida State 10
Pittsburgh 30 – Georgia Tech 10
Georgia Southern 24 – App State 21
Cincinnati 46 – East Carolina 43
Air Force 17 – Army 13
Georgia 24 – Florida 17
Pittsburgh 20 – Georgia Tech 10
South Carolina 24 – Vanderbilt 7
Shaw 21 – Winston Salem State 0

Many teams had open dates …

Time for basketball …

Hopefully you set your clocks & watches, made the adjustment to new time.

Weather for today … sunny, with a high near 62 and windy … winds from the north at 5 to 10 mph, with gust as high as 18 mph.

Time to plan for Thanksgiving, begin addressing Christmas cards, so you can mail them before the last days of December …

A reminder of the Annual Meeting of Star Telephone member/owners, Saturday in Clinton …

As a youngster … I was very interested in how many days we would be out of school for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s.

Municipal election will likely have top billing this week. … Elections will be held Tuesday …

And the courts and our distinguished political leaders still squabbling over re-districting. … My opinion? Thanks for asking … Politicians should not be drawing lines that protect themselves. … Too late, but what about a bi-partisan committee of non-office holders. … Courts will apparently decide. … It can’t be that difficult … just be fair to all … let fourth graders do it, using crayons … and current population info.

“An honest man in politics shines more there than he would elsewhere.” Mark Twain

“A politician thinks of the next election – a statesman of the next generation.” James Freeman Clarke

“Politics is the gently art of getting votes from the poor and campaign funds from the rich, by promising to protect each from the other.” Oscar Ameringer

“Politics has become so expensive that it takes a lot of money even to be defeated.” Will Rogers

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

The post Thoughts While Shaving for November 3 appeared first on BladenOnline.com.

1868 – Ulysses Grant (R) wins US presidential election over Horatio Seymour (D)

1883 – US Supreme Court decides federal courts have no jurisdiction over Native American tribal Council (Ex parte Crow Dog)

1896 – J.H. Hunter patents portable weighing scales.

1900 – First US automobile show opens at Madison Square Garden (NYC)

1911 – Chevrolet officially enters the automobile market in competition with the Ford Model T.

1917 – 1st class US mail now costs 3 cents per ounce.

1930 – Bank of Italy renamed Bank of America.

1931 – First commercially produced synthetic rubber manufactured.

1936 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt wins a second term in office, defeating Republican candidate Alf Landon in the most lopsided election in American history in terms of electoral vote.

1953 – First live color US coast-to-coast telecast (NYC)

1964 – Lyndon B. Johnson is elected President of the United States in a landslide, defeating Republican candidate Barry Goldwater.

1964 – For 1st time since 1800, residents of Washington, D.C. permitted to vote.

1970 – US President Richard Nixon promises gradual troop of Vietnam.

1975 – U.S. advice columnist for “Good Housekeeping” Ann Landers asks parents in a mail-in survey “if you had it to do over again, would you have children?” 70% of participants say no.

1987 – On Wall Street, after 5 consecutive gains, Dow Jones down 50.56.

1987 – Gordon Gould issued US patent US4704583 for the laser, ending his 30-year battle to be credited as the inventor of the laser.

1988 – President Reagan signs credit-card disclosure-bill.

1990 – MLB club owners agree to pay players $280 million in damages under a settlement to close aftermath of the owners’ 3-year conspiracy case against free agents; largest owner-to-owner payment ever made in sports.

2014 – New York’s 104-story One World Trade Center officially opens 13 years after the September 11 attacks.

2015 – Game Maker Activision Blizzard (Call of Duty) buys King.com (Candy Crush) for $5.9 billion.

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By Melissa Martin

Do you ever think about what’s going on in the three pounds of tissue inside your skull that sets on the top of your neck? The human brain is composed of 75 percent water and 60 percent fat. Who knew? The human brain has 86,000,000,000 (86 billion) neurons. Crikey! The brain is miraculous.

The brain is so astounding that it gets its own annual Brain Awareness Week in March. Bravo to the brain. Celebrate your cerebellum and cerebrum. Love your lobes. Nurture your neurons.

The Global Council on Brain Health is a collaboration of scientists, health professionals, scholars and policy experts from around the world that work in areas of brain health related to human cognition. Shazam!

“The brain is the most complex of the human body. This three-pound organ is the seat of intelligence, interpreter of the senses, initiator of body movement, and controller of behavior. Lying in its bony shell and washed by protective fluid, the brain is the source of all qualities that define our humanity. The brain is the crown jewel of the human body.” www.ninds.nih.gov.?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

Are you getting brain strain from too much stress? We only get 168 hours per week to do everything we want and need to do. That’s it. So, stop trying to squeeze so may activities into your week.

“We live our lives as if they were one big emergency! We often rush around looking busy, trying to solve problems, but in reality, we are often compounding them,” wrote Richard Carlson, author of the book, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff. Calm down your brain strain.

Are you getting brain drain from too little sleep? Study after study shows that getting seven to eight hours of sleep per night is necessary for memory, learning, and focusing. So, stop guzzling caffeine and get your zzz’s.

Brain Check-Up

Take an online self-assessment (no cost) by the Cleveland Clinic at www.healthybrains.org.?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss You will get your personal Brain Health Index (BHI) Score, Individual Pillar Scores, Brain Health Guide, Memory Score, Dashboard, and Recommendation and Tips Designed For You. Your Brain Health Index is a measurement of lifestyle choices that contribute to your overall brain health. Results are based on your answers. Good news—I am not showing signs of dementia. FYI: Shopping at a mall is not considered a cardio exercise—unless you speed-walk through the racks and jog from store to store.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

An estimated, 283,000 children seek care in U.S. emergency departments each year for a sports- or recreation-related traumatic brain injury. TBIs sustained in contact sports account for approximately 45 percent of these visits. Football, bicycling, basketball, playground activities, and soccer account for the highest number of emergency department visits. From 2010 to 2016, football contributed to more emergency room visits (52,088) among males than did any other sport. www.cdc.gov.?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

Did you know that falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury overall, particularly in older adults and young children?

Concussions and High School Football

According to a 2012 report in the American Journal of Sports Medicine, 49 percent of concussions in high school football happen during running plays. Tackling is responsible for 63 percent of concussions in high school football. Linebackers sustain 59 percent of all concussions among high school football defensive players. Running backs sustain 46 percent of concussions among high school football offensive players.

Children, the Brain, and Football

Should tackle football for banned for children 12 years and under?

“Removing tackling from football altogether would likely lead to a decrease in the incidence of overall injuries, severe injuries, catastrophic injuries, and concussions. The American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes, however, that the removal of tackling from football would lead to a fundamental change in the way the game is played. Participants in football must decide whether the potential health risks of sustaining these injuries are outweighed by the recreational benefits associated with proper tackling.” That’s the response from The American Academy of Pediatrics.

Should your state legislatures ban tackle football for children 12 and under? A controversy is brewing. However, bills seeking to ban tackle football for kids under 12 or 14 have been proposed — and failed — in five states, according to a 2019 article in USA Today.

How are your treating your magnificent brain? You only get one brain in this lifetime, so treat it with safety and respect.

Melissa Martin, Ph.D., is an author, columnist, educator, and therapist. She lives in Ohio.

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By Brenda Brown
Social Security Public Affairs Specialist, Fayetteville

Time is one of our most valuable commodities. That’s why at Social Security, we are constantly
improving our online resources to make doing business with us easier and faster.

With a My Social Security account, those receiving benefits can change their address and direct
deposit information; get proof of their benefits; and request replacement documents, like a
Medicare card. If you aren’t currently getting benefits, you can check your earnings record, get
estimates of your future benefits, and view your Social Security Statement. In many states, you
can even request a replacement Social Security card online. See everything you can do with a my
Social Security account and open one today and at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

You don’t need a My Social Security account to:

* Select or change the way you receive information from Social Security if you are
blind or visually impaired at www.socialsecurity.gov/people/blind.?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

* Block electronic and automated telephone access to your personal information at
www.socialsecurity.gov/blockaccess.?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

* Apply for extra help with your Medicare prescription drug plan costs at
www.socialsecurity.gov/extrahelp.?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss

Be sure to share My Social Security with friends and family. By freeing up their time, they may
plan on spending more of their valuable time with the people they love.

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Farrell Murchison has rushed for 604 yards and 7 touchdowns for the Winston-Salem State Rams this season after missing all of last season due to a battle with cancer.

Murchison had piled up 542 yards rushing and scored 4 touchdowns in 2017 in his first season with the Rams after a stellar career at Louisburg College where he was named the Offensive Player of the Year in 2015.

The Elizabethtown native returned to the gridiron in the Winston-Salem opener at UNC-Pembroke and rushed for 109 yards in a narrow 27-21 loss. Murchison broke loose for a 62-yard run in the third quarter of that game.

In a 21-14 loss to Catawba, Murchison carried 14 times for 51 yards and a touchdown. At Tuskegee Murchison rushed 18 times for 42 yards and banged into the end zone for the deciding touchdown on a 1-yard run in a 23-20 victory.

At Virginia Union, Murchison plowed into the end zone from a yard out to put the Rams up 15-10 in the fourth quarter, but a pair of late field goals by the Panthers resulted in a 16-15 WSSU loss.

Murchison opened the scoring with a 3-yard TD run against Bowie State, but the Bulldogs rallied for a 23-13 victory. The 6-1, 228-pound workhorse gained 57 yards on 16 rushes in a 23-7 win over Johnson C. Smith.

In the Furniture City Gridiron Classic in High Point, Murchison battered St. Augustine’s with touchdown runs of 5, 16 and 2 yards and set up an Ivan Caro field goal with a 50-yard dash. The East Bladen grad posted the best game of his Ram career with 134 yards rushing on 13 carries.

Murchison reeled off runs of 15, 10, 7 and 5 yards on the Rams second touchdown drive in a 21-0 victory over Livingstone and totaled 67 yards on 13 attempts. In a 21-0 loss to Shaw Murchison was a Ram standout with 96 yards rushing on 13 carries.

For the season, Murchison has averaged 5.1 yards per carry as Winston-Salem State has posted a 4-5 overall record and 3-3 mark in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association. The Rams will host Fayetteville State on Saturday at 2 p.m. in their regular season finale.

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