McIntyre Co-Introduces Estate Tax Repeal
Permanently abolishes punitive tax on family farms and small businesses
 
Washington, D.C. – At a Capitol Hill press conference today, U.S. Congressman Mike McIntyre co-introduced legislation in the U.S. House to permanently repeal the federal estate tax.  Enacting this bill, better known as the death tax, will finally put an end to the punitive tax on family farms and small businesses upon the death of an owner.
 
          Congressman Mike McIntyre stated, “The death tax penalty is the wrong tax at the wrong time on the wrong things!  It is time to once and for all remove this unfair burden placed on our family farms and small businesses. 

Elizabethtown restaurant robbed at gunpoint Tuesday

   An Elizabethtown restaurant was robbed by two men Tuesday night, according to Elizabethtown Police Chief Bobby Kinlaw. At least one of the men displayed a gun, he said.
  
   Elizabethtown police officers were called to No. 1 Chinese restaurant at 318 South Poplar Street about 10:30 p.m. to investigate a report of a 911 call hang up, Kinlaw said. Officers were told that two men entered the back of the restaurant when an employee opened the door to take out the trash. The men took two cash registers and left on foot headed toward Dunham Street.

Story Teller at Library

Rodger Ellingwood will tell stories at the Elizabethtown Library Thursday, June 20th at 6 PM.  His stories have an ironic twist because he appreciates day to day events!  He writes many of his stories but also tells the old traditional ones we love.  He performs for civic groups, churches, schools and senior citizens.  He lives in Rock Hill, SC with his wife Tina and works at the Catawba Nuclear Station as a Senior Reactor Operator.  Treat yourself to an old fashioned evening listenin' to tales at your Public Library! 

Special Called Board of Ed Meeting

The Bladen County Board of Education will have a special meeting on Thursday, June 27, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.  The purpose of the meeting is to discuss budget related issues for the 2013-2014 school year and personnel matters, as per NCGS 143.318.11 (a) (1) and to consult with an attorney, if needed, as per the NCGS 143.318.11 (a) (3). The meeting will be held in the board room of the Bladen County Administrative Office, 1489 US Hwy 701 South, Elizabethtown, NC  28337.

United Way of Bladen County accepting funding applications

   United Way of Bladen County has begun accepting funding applications from nonprofit organizations and agencies that provide health services or human services in Bladen County.
  
   Bladen County Executive Director Gail Johnson says applications are available by request by calling (910) 879-9843 and leaving a name and number or by email at: unitedwaybc@eastnc.twcbc.com. Application deadline is Aug. 31 at noon.
  
   To qualify for funding an agency must be a 501C-3 providing health or human services to the residents of Bladen County and have a volunteer board of directors.

Alligator captured in ditch across from Smithfield Foods - Click HERE For Photos

   An alligator estimated to be 12 feet long and weighing 700 pounds was captured Wednesday morning in a ditch across the street from Smithfield Foods.
  
   The alligator had apparently walked through a ditch in a field near the Cape Fear River. The animal was spotted by a passing motorist at about 8 a.m. on the edge of N.C. 87 West, according to authorites.

Chamber Holds 61st Annual Meeting at Lu Mil
 
Doug Peters, President and CEO of Fayetteville Regional Chamber was the guest speaker Tuesday evening for the 61st Annual Meeting of the Elizabethtown-White Lake Chamber of Commerce.
 
Peters spoke of the importance of the Chamber of Commerce and the need for a focus.  He said "Chambers do profound things,"
 
Several were recognized for their efforts.

Bladen County Headlines...35 Years Ago
  
A new Board of Directors for the Bladen County Arts Council was elected. The new board consisted of Betty Jane King, Jim McKee, Charles Moore, Elise Bridger, Sherry Zimmer, Esther Huntley, Estelle Summerlin, David Wall, Edna Earle Hair, Peyton Royal, Vera Royal, Donna Skandier, Cathi Faircloth, Ed Harris and Jim Mitchell.
 
Bob Wendorf of Cypress Gardens, Florida, was the winner of the East Coast Delta Wing Kite Tournament held at White Lake.
 
Singletary Lake State Park received a $1.7 million grant.

Bladenboro Town Police Arrest Report
 
The following arrests were filed by the Bladenboro Police Department from Friday, June 7 through Monday, June 17.  The people listed below have not been convicted of the charges and are presumed innocent.
 
June 7 through June 17
None
 
Friday, June 7
William Kevin Parker, 39: Communicating Threats (misdemeanor)
Harassing phone calls (misdemeanor)  $1,000 secured bond.

Clark Pleads Guilty to Drug Charges
 
Jimmy Ray Clark plead guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Possess With Intent to Distribute More Than 100 Kilograms of Marijuana.  Clark was committed to the custody of the US Bureau of Prisons to be imprisoned for Time Served.
 
Supervised Release
 
Clark will be on supervised released for a term of 1-5 years.
 
The defendant shall not possess a firearm, destructive device, or any other dangerous weapon.  He shall cooperate in the collection of DNA as directed by the probation officer.

High Water and Maintenance Halt Elwell Ferry
 
Elwell Ferry is out of business for a few days due to high water and maintenance.  DOT has not released a date when it will be back in action.

Binkley Named Volunteer Of The Year
 
ELIZABETHTOWN – Anne Binkley has been named Bladen Healthcare’s 2012 Volunteer of the Year by working more than 1,000 hours last year.
The Winston-Salem native began volunteering with Bladen County Hospital in December 2011. Her original goal was to help the medical records department catch up on paperwork. She attained the goal while also working in the hospital mailroom on Tuesdays and Fridays and the gift shop on Friday mornings.
Binkley’s enthusiasm and willingness to work wherever needed helped her win the award. She also always smiles and provides friendly conversation to patients, family members and staff members alike.

(Note: With so much coverage recently through national tragedies, "Bladen Online" decided to spotlight some of our local "first responders." This article is a part of a series and introduces our readers to the work and dedication of one local emergency personnel. Let's not wait until a tragedy occurs to recognize what our first responders do for us every day right here in Bladen County.)
　
Chief Chris Hunt
Bladenboro Police Department
Marsha Burney
 
The people in Bladenboro have so very, very much to be proud of – terrific schools, awesome churches, a tight-knit community full of the finest folks, and probably the most picturesque town anywhere around. Let’s don’t forget that Bladenboro folks also have a police chief who rolls all those good traits into one and adds another thing for the citizens to brag about.

State Climate Office of NC Look Back
 
According to the State Climate Office of NC, the past spring was the 7th coldest and 50th driest on record for NC.  That includes a March that was actually colder than January in many locations across the state.
 
This year's March-April-May period bucked the recent trend of warm springs, according to the report.  The three previous springs all ranked the top 20 warmest on record, including the spring of 2012 that was the warmest on record for North Carolina and much of the country. 

Mother, two children identified as victims of crash near Tar Heel - Click HERE For Photos

   A woman and two of her young children have been identified as the victims in Saturday's fiery crash outside of Tar Heel, according to Bladen County Coroner Hubert Kinlaw.
  
   Maria Esther Morales Garcia, 25, of Shannon, and her children, eight-year-old Jean Michel Morales Garcia and three-year-old William Jimenez Morales, died when their 1999 Plymouth van collided with a truck filled with wheat at the intersection of Chickenfoot Road and Purdie-Hall Road about seven miles outside of Tar Heel.

Commissioners Recognize Employees
 
Bladen County Commissioners recognize employees who have reached important milestones in their career with the county.
 
Monday night the list included:
 
Majorie Bordeaux       Dept. of Aging
Sonia Johnson           DSS
Eleanor McKoy          DSS
Sandra Rogers           EMS
Annie Jackson           Housekeeping

Bladen County Commissioners Met Monday
 
Bladen County Commissioners met in regular session Monday and passed the FY 2013-14 budget for the county.  The work sessions were contentious at times, however on Monday night the board voted unanimously for approval.
 
The tax rate remains the same and the changes to the original recommendation from Greg Martin were minimal with one exception.  The budget includes a $200,000 one time payment to the school system to help-off set the proposed cuts in the state funding for teacher assistants.

North Carolina's motor fuels tax rate to increase  

   The North Carolina motor fuels tax for gasoline, diesel, and alternative fuels will increase from 37.5 cents per gallon to 37.6 cents per gallon for the period from July 1 through Dec. 31, Secretary of Revenue Lyons Gray announced Tuesday.
  
   The tax rate is computed using a flat rate of 17.5 cents per gallon and a variable wholesale component. The variable wholesale component is either 3.5 cents or 7 percent of the average wholesale price of motor fuel during the preceding six-month base period, whichever is greater.

Bladen Adopts FY 2013-14 Budget, State Has Not
 
Bladen County Commissioners, using the best estimates available to them, approved their FY 2013-14 budget Monday evening.
 
In the meantime, the state has not adopted a budget and the NC House, Senate and Governor's budget proposals are from one end of the spectrum to the other.
 
Many local agencies, DSS, Schools and others are funded by federal, state and local funds.

Thoughts while shaving

Heather Guyton Thompson of CSD (Clarkton School of Discovery) fame has posted great pics of the CSD and Bladenboro Middle School Jr. Beta Club students at the National Convention in Mobile, Alabama.  Allie Marsh was not successful in her bid for a national office....but what a great experience for all....One of those special events that will never be forgotten....and hopefully many of them are future leaders in Bladen County...
 
Gov. Jim Holshouser died recently...He was the first Republican Governor I remember...A former legislator from the far west....He won at a time when D's ruled.  He had a successful term and was later the County Attorney in Moore County, his adopted home after his time in Raleigh.  He was a gentlemen.

Carver's Creek Methodist Church Listed In The National Register Of Historical Places
  
Carver's Creek Methodist Church was added to the National Register of Historical Places in North Carolina in 2008.
 
Carver's Creek is located on highway 87 near the town of Council. It was founded originally as a Quaker Meeting Place about 1740. It became a Methodist meeting place between 1790 and 1800.
 
The church was built on 3.4 acres of land in 1859. It was of Greek architecture and was designed by Levy Carter.

FORT BRAGG REGIONAL ALLIANCE NAMED DEFENSE COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR FOR ITS MODEL PARTNERSHIPS
 
Honored at Special Capitol Hill Ceremony
 
The Association of Defense Communities (ADC) has recognized the Fort Bragg Regional Alliance with its 2013 Defense Community/State of the Year Award “for serving as a national model for community-military partnership organizations that enhance the effectiveness of military missions, efficiency of installations and economic strength of communities.”
 
The award was presented June 13 at a special Congressional Breakfast on Capitol Hill during the Defense Communities National Summit hosted by ADC

Commissioners Approve Budget
 
Bladen County Commissioners approved the FY 2013-14 budget Monday evening.
 
After several months of negotiating and splits votes during the process, it was approved unanimously.
 
The tax rate remains the same and the additional $200,000 approved for the school system was included.

(Note: With so much coverage recently through national tragedies, "Bladen Online" decided to spotlight some of our local "first responders." This article is a part of a series and introduces our readers to the work and dedication of one local emergency personnel. Let's not wait until a tragedy occurs to recognize what our first responders do for us every day right here in Bladen County.)
 
Melanie Duncan, Dispatcher
Bladen Communications Center
Marsha Burney
 
When Bladen County folks have an emergency and need fire, rescue, or law enforcement help, they call 911. The person who answers that call is THE first in a line of "first responders" who will come to your aid. Some people do not realize that dispatchers are first responders, too, but they truly are. Without the dispatchers, help might not ever get to you in your greatest time of need.

STATE SUPERINTENDENT CALLS FOR EXEMPTING PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS FROM PERSONAL STATE INCOME TAXES
 
State Superintendent June Atkinson today asked North Carolina lawmakers to increase the state's competitiveness in teacher pay and recruitment by exempting public school teachers from having to pay any personal state income taxes.
"Much has been said about the need for North Carolina to become more competitive with our surrounding states when it comes to corporate income taxes," said Atkinson. "Those supporting a cut in corporate income taxes say that the reduction will attract more corporations and then we will have more jobs for North Carolinians.

Food Preservation Class to be Offered
 
North Carolina Cooperative Extension in Bladen County will hold a class to teach the basics of preserving foods by canning and freezing including  pickling, and making jams. The class will be held on Monday, July 1, 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. at the Powell-Melvin Agricultural Center in Elizabethtown.    Updated food preservation guidelines will be discussed.  There is no charge to attend but spaces are limited.  To put your name on the list, please call Sandra Cain at 910-862-4591.  

Three people killed in fiery wreck outside Tar Heel - Click HERE For Photos

   A fiery crash between a van and a tractor-trailer loaded with wheat killed at least three people Saturday afternoon near Tar Heel. A six-year-old girl in the van and the driver of the truck survived.
  
   Authorities were trying to determine how many people were in the van at the time of the accident late Saturday afternoon.

Senator Bill Rabon

June 14, 2013

Tax reform compromise reached in Senate

The North Carolina Senate ten­tatively passed compromise tax reform legislation Thursday that will begin the process of elimi­nating the state personal income tax and eventually eliminate the corporate income tax, business franchise tax, food tax and death tax – without expanding the sales tax on services.  

2nd Annual Senior Luau a Huge Success
 
The Bladen County Senior Center was the scene of the 2nd Annual Senior Luau Friday night and it was a huge success.
 
Senior Director Joan Allen said, "this is a way for us to express our gratitude to our clients who come join us each and every day.

A Father’s Day Salute to Frankie Burney
Marsha Burney
 
There’s usually a close bond between a grandpa and his first grandchild, but the connection that Frankie Burney has with his granddaughter is truly unique.
Frankie and 20-month-old Riley Grace spend every day together.  “Just call me ‘PaPa’s Day Care,’” Frankie joked.
 
Ever since Riley Grace was two weeks old, she’s been spending her days with her PaPa.  Riley Grace’s mom (and Frankie’s daughter, Whitney) has a hectic work schedule where she has to report to work very early in the morning at the Elizabethtown Dialysis Clinic.  Riley Grace’s “MeMe” (Frankie’s wife, Christy) is a full-time college student.  It just seemed like the perfect solution for PaPa to babysit Riley Grace every day.

CSD/Bladenboro Jr. Betas Headed to Nationals
 
18 Clarkton Junior Beta Club members and another 8 or 9 from Bladenboro Middle School leave around midnight tonight (Friday) for the National meeting in Mobile, Alabama.
 
Both clubs are competing in several events, and Allie Marsh, CSD student, will be running for National Jr. Beta Reporter.  Both local clubs have unified to perform her award winning skit.

Cleaning Supplies Headed to Oklahoma
 
Cleaning supplied donated by area residents will be shipped out shortly headed to storm ravaged Moore, Oklahoma, thanks to employees and owners of Campbell Oil Co, Elizabethtown.
 
Tamara Wyatt, one of the leaders in the effort, indicated Friday afternoon that they had originally planned to ship the supplies on Friday, however several individuals, groups and businesses indicated they were on the way with more.  Now the shipping date appears to be Monday.

Bladen escapes heavy damage from Thursday storm

   There were frightening flashes of lightning, loud claps of thunder, strong gusts of wind, and more than an inch of rain, but Bladen County appeared to escape heavy damage from Thursday night's storm that roared through the Cape Fear region.
  
   More than 350,000 customers of Duke Energy were without power in North Carolina and South Carolina at some point during the storm, but the utility company did not report any outages in Bladen County. About 200,000 customers remained without power Friday morning, including some in adjacent Sampson County.

Bladen County Sheriff's Department Arrest Report: June 3 through June 9

   The following arrests were filed by the Bladen County Sheriff's Department from Monday, June 3 through Sunday, June 9. The people listed have not been convicted of the charges and are presumed innocent. Failure to appear charges are not listed.

Monday, June 3
   Kareem Jaquan Chancy, 21: Obtaining property by false pretenses (felony)
            
Tuesday, June 4
   Rebecca Sue Hall, 37: Resisting public officer (misdemeanor)
   Christopher George Barbeau, 33: Civil contempt: child support

A Father’s Day Salute to Grant Pait
Marsha Burney
 
Grant Pait says that his greatest purpose in life is to raise his three sons to be “good husbands, good fathers, good men,” and it’s obvious that he also believes he should set the example for them to follow.
 
A true “family man,” Grant is heavily involved in all three boys’ lives – coaching them all, at one time or another, in football, basketball, or baseball.  And while Grant loves all of his boys and has a special bond with each, there’s a strong connection between him and his middle son.  Grant and Nicholas, age 14, seem the most alike – friendly, out-going, crack-a-joke, never-met-a-stranger type guys.

McIntyre Announces $30 Million Loan for South River Electric Membership Corporation
 
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mike McIntyre announced today that South River Electric Membership Corporation has been awarded a $30,000,000 federal loan to help serve its customers in Johnston, Cumberland, Sampson, Bladen, and Harnett counties.

Congressman McIntyre stated, “Ensuring our citizens and communities have the affordable power and energy they need for every-day life is essential!  These funds will help South River do just that, and I congratulate them for their work to secure these funds.”

Kyle Melvin tapped for Assistant DA
Marsha Burney
 
The 13th Judicial District – serving Brunswick, Columbus, and Bladen counties – has gained an eager, gregarious, talented young man as its newest Assistant District Attorney.
 
Kyle Melvin has recently been selected as one of the Assistant DA’s for the three-county district; he will be based in the Columbus County DA’s office. Melvin currently practices with Womble and Campbell, PA, a law firm in Elizabethtown. He will be sworn in next week.

Brown Marsh Presbyterian Church Is Listed In The National Register Of Historical Places
 
Located near Clarkton is Brown Marsh Presbyterian Church. Near the end of the Revolutionary War the Battle of Brown's Marsh was fought in the fall of 1781.
 
The Battle of Brown's Marsh lasted less than an hour. The British had defeated the Whigs and had taken over their campsite. The Whigs, after the defeat by the British, fled north. The battle of Brown's Marsh was one of the high points of the Loyalists' success during the Revolutionary War.
 
Brown Marsh Presbyterian Church is listed in the National Register of Historical Places in the United States.

ROBERT G. HESTER TO SPEAK AT COMMITTEE OF 100 ANNUAL MEETING
 
The Bladen County Committee of 100, Inc. will hold their Annual Meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25th, at Lu Mil Vineyard.  The keynote speaker will be Robert G. Hester, President, Bladen’s Bloomin’ Agri-Industrial, Inc.  Mr. Hester will be speaking on Economic Development Activity over the years in Bladen County.
 
The Committee of 100 is a non-profit development corporation devoted to helping ensure that sustained economic growth occurs within the county.  It is funded by its members, who are citizens and others interested in the economic well-being of this area.

Bladen Farm Service Agency County  Committee Nomination Period Begins June 17 - Area Producers Needed For Important Decisions   
 
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the nomination period for Bladen Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committees begins on Monday, June 17. 
 
    "I encourage all eligible farmers and ranchers to participate in this year's county committee elections by nominating candidates by the August 1 deadline," said Vilsack.  "County committees are a vital link between the farm community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture and provide an opportunity to farmers and ranchers for their opinions and ideas to be heard.  We have been seeing an increase in the number of nominations of women and minority candidates and I hope that trend continues.”

AIDS Awareness Month
 
June is AIDS Awareness Month and Eastpointe Healthcare is sponsoring a workshop at the Bladen Cooperative Extension Center (Ag Center) on Smith Circle in Elizabethown.
 
Dr. Steve Mason, of the University of NC at Pembroke will be the presenter on the topic, AIDS: "The Stuff You Didn't Know".  The program is open to the public Thursday, June 27, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
 
To register call Nicole Wilson at 1-800-913-6109 or by email at nwilson@eastpointe.net.
 
Eastpointe is the agency Managing Behavioral Healthcare for citizens of Bladen and 11 other eastern North Carolina counties.

Clarkton Town Board Schedules Two Public Hearings
 
The Town of Clarkton will hold two (2) Public Hearings on Tuesday, June 25, 2013, both in Town Hall, 82, N. Elm Street, Clarkton.. 
 
The first is scheduled for 5:25 p.m. and if for the purpose of receiving public comment on Proposed Amendment to Sec. 26-61 of the Town's Code of Ordinances.  A copy of the proposed amendment may be viewed at Town Hall.

"Non-Profit Business Seminar Series" at BCC
 
The Small Business Center at Bladen Community College is offering a no-cost “Non-Profit Business Seminar Series.”  If you ever thought about starting a non-profit or know someone who is considering starting one, this is the series for you!

The seminars will be held on Tuesday, June 11; Thursday, June 13; Tuesday, June 18; and Thursday, June 20, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Building 2, Room 207.

Sam Gore, a non-profit specialist with Towards a Fruitful Ministry, will be the presenter for this great series

Follow @BladenOnline on Twitter

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"Like" Bladen Online on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Bladen-Online/471796716174244

Neighborhood Watch Meeting Date Set
 
The next Bladenboro Neighborhood Watch is scheduled for Thursday, June 20, 7 p.m. at the Bladenboro Community Building.
 
Soon Neighborhood Watch signs will be going up in the area..

Bladen County Sheriff's Office offers drug tip line

   Do you know or believe there is unlawful drug activity in your neighborhood? The Bladen County Sheriff's Office has a way for you to report the suspicious activity anonymously. Email drug activity tips to bladendrugtips@gmail.com or text a tip to (910) 874-8124. The program is run by the Narcotic Intel Center of the Sheriff's Office Narcotic Division.

Upcoming events
 

June 16 - 21....Vacation Bible School will be held June 16-21 at Northside Baptist Church, 898 Sunset Park Road, Bladenboro. Tap into God's promise to give you courage to face your fears by trusting him.  In this one week adventure kids though adults will learn to trust God thought Bible stories, crafts, music, food and recreation.  This year's theme is Colossal Coaster World and you are invited.  For more information, call 910-863-3780.

June 17 - 21....Bethel Baptist Church in Dublin will hold VBS Monday, June 17- Friday, June 21 from 6-8:45 pm.

June 17-21...Center Road Baptist Church would like to invite you to our Vacation Bible School.  This event will be June 17-21.  A meal will be served to all participants each day at 5:30 pm and VBS will be from  6:15-9:00 pm.  Come out and join the fun of Colossal Coaster World:  Facing Fear, Trusting God!       

Comments are welcome on Guestbook but must be signed. 

Concerned Citizen or John Q. Taxpayer is not a name.

Identify yourself!!

robert g hester

Local storage auctions see rise in bidders seeking thrills as seen on TV
North Carolina House panel approves possible 75 mph speed limits
Fairmont budget proposal eliminates 11 jobs
Business Spotlight: Gin's Speed Shop
Applause for Wednesday, June 19
Live Wire: Princeton High School student who had guns on campus did graduate
Clean energy discussed at town hall meeting
Crime report for Wednesday, June 19
Laurinburg man wanted in connection with Monday shootings