Youth Ambassadors for a better community Recognition Banquet
Municipal election approved by local board, criminal investigation dismissed
The Bladen County Board of Elections discussed more than the municipal election during the canvass meeting. The 2019 municipal elections were held Tuesday, November 5th and the final canvass for the election was closed out on Friday, November 15th, 2019 with an approval from the local board of elections. READ MORE
Bladen Sheriff Warns About Reported Phone Scams In Area
Bladen County Sheriff James McVicker is warning the public about several phone scams being seen in the area.
“We are getting reports from citizens who are telling us they are getting calls from someone pretending to be a United States Marshall saying they owe the IRS money or that they missed jury duty and have to be arrested unless they pay a fine immediately,” McVicker said in a news release. READ MORE
BCC Sends ‘Tubs of Love’ to Ocracoke Island
Contributed
DUBLIN – Bladen Community College reaches out to its sister college, Beaufort Community College, to help others impacted by recent hurricanes with a special effort entitled “Tubs of Love.”
Donations of “Tubs of Love” were sent to Ocracoke Island. The tubs were filled to the brim with essentials for those still recovering in Ocracoke from Hurricane Dorian. READ MORE
Opinion: Thoughts While Shaving for November 19
By Robert G. Hester
I recently received info from the North Carolina High School the NCHSAA related to football playoffs … the schedule for all the classifications … was interested seeing who in our area was still playing. As I strolled through the info I discovered pages of info on playoffs, back to the 60s … Elizabethtown and East Bladen were the most notable. I know Bladenboro and Clarkton won 6-man state, maybe regional titles in the 50s … maybe others. Just using the info received. READ MORE
Beast Fest’s White addresses Bladenboro Rotary Club
Don White Jr. was the guest speaker for the Monday meeting of the Bladenboro Rotary Club. He updated the group on the huge success of the 2019 Beast Fest and future projects to upgrade the downtown area. [Contributed photo]
Bladen County Farm Bureau donates trailer to East Bladen FFA
Bladen County Farm Bureau President Albert Beatty on behalf of Bladen County Farm Bureau is shown presenting East Bladen FFA Teacher Earl Miller and his student’s paperwork showing ownership of the stock trailer shown behind them that Bladen County Farm Bureau purchased and donated to their FFA Chapter. [Contributed photo]
N.C. pecan growers report good crop for Thanksgiving
Contributed
RALEIGH – Pecan pie lovers can celebrate. The North Carolina pecan growers have a good crop ahead of the holidays despite a relatively dry summer and damages sustained during last year’s hurricane season, reports the N.C. Department of Agriculture.
“Reports from growers are showing a good quantity and quality of pecans this year, with pecan season running into December,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. READ MORE
Opinion: ‘Tis the season to overspend – not
By Melissa Martin
It’s decided. I’m giving Squirrel in Underpants Air Fresheners as my holiday gifts. I hope the scent is pine and not wet rodent. My gift is fun, functional, and funky. No wrapping paper needed. I’m guarding my credit cards from the retail racketeers and shopping scammers. And I won’t be participating in Black Friday or Cyber Monday. READ MORE
Extremes for Bladen County on November 19
Highest Temperature 83 degrees 1958
Lowest Temperature 17 degrees 2014
Greatest One-Day
Precipitation 1.10 inches 1915
Yesterday’s High Temperature was 47 degrees.
This Day in History – November 19
1805 – Lewis and Clark expedition, led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, reaches the Pacific Ocean, first European Americans to cross the west.
1997 – McCaughey septuplets born to Bobbi McCaughey in Des Moines, Iowa. First set of septuplets to survive infancy. READ MORE
Community Announcements, Upcoming Events and Fundraisers
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT …
Bladen County’s Mark McLean with NCDOT earns award for rescue efforts
Ken Clark, District Engineer with North Carolina Department of Transportation confirmed last week Mark McLean, Transportation Technician II was presented with the NCDOT “Extra Mile” award. McLean received the award on for going above and beyond his regular scope of work. READ MORE
Toys for Tots is in need of toys and volunteers
The Toys for Tots campaign in Bladen County is in need. The district director, Ms. Carmen Jones reported there are currently 88 local families registered for the program.
Ms. Jones wants to ensure children will have a brighter Christmas this year with the benefits from Toys for Tots. READ MORE
Bladen Co. Early College High School Celebrates and Recognizes Honor Roll
DUBLIN – Bladen Early College High School celebrated and recognized thirty-five students in an event where the 2019 first quarter honor roll was announced. In a very uplifting ceremony, students who demonstrate academic excellence and achievement were recognized in three ways. Each student was presented with a certificate and a school logo “cup of knowledge” for their achievement. READ MORE
AG News: USDA Issues Second Tranche of Market Facilitation Program
(Washington, D.C., November 15, 2019) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the second tranche of 2019 Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments aimed at assisting farmers suffering from damage due to unjustified trade retaliation by foreign nations. The payments will begin the week before Thanksgiving. READ MORE
Winners of the 2019 Pork & Beats Festival BBQ Cook-off sanctioned by the NC Pork Council announced
The 3rd annual Pork & Beats Festival draws biggest crowd to date
By Charlotte Smith
Although the weather Saturday was frigid, blustery, and drizzly; the third annual Pork & Beats Festival held at the Cape Fear Farmer’s Market in Elizabethtown was a great success, according to the organizers. The BBQ cook-off drew a large crowd and fed many. The entertainment had folks dancing in the rain and vendors held on tight with smiles offering their services. READ MORE
UNC Asheville to Retire Sheila Ford Duncan’s Jersey
Contributed
UNC Asheville athletics announced last week it will retire jersey No. 54 in honor of former Clarkton High School standout Sheila Ford Duncan during the Bulldogs homecoming basketball doubleheader on February 22.
She played for coach Raymond Marlowe at Clarkton High School in the late ’70s and her father is former Clarkton High basketball coach Harold Ford. READ MORE
Updated: Bladen County Sheriff’s Office Promotional Ceremony held on November 12
The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office held a Promotional Ceremony in the morning on Tuesday, November 12th at the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office located at 299 Smith Circle in Elizabethtown. Sheriff Jim McVicker welcomed the friends and family of law enforcement being honored. READ MORE
Bladen Online Pet of the Week: Charlie
Bladen Online’s Pet of the Week is Charlie, a 2- to 3-year-old male cat. He is very sweet and affectionate, says Bladen County Animal Shelter manager Karen Suggs, and would make a great addition to a family.
Charlie has been looking for a special someone to give her a loving home. Could it be you? READ MORE
DMV Adding Driver License Transactions to the myNCDMV Platform
The online driver license services available on the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles website moved to the myNCDMV section of the site Sunday. Drivers will now be able to renew their licenses through the application where vehicle owners now go to renew their registration and pay their property tax online.
Drivers will be able to skip traveling to a local license office by using the myNCDMV online service to renew their license, order a duplicate license or update their address. READ MORE
Bladen County Headlines … 35 Years Ago
In September of 1984 Bladen County Hospital showed a profit of $2,258.23 for the month.
Bladen County had it’s 10th road fatality of 1984. READ MORE
NC State Board of Elections notice and agenda
The State Board of Elections will hold an in-person meeting beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 26, 2019. The meeting will be held in the Utilities
Commission’s boardroom on the second floor of the Dobbs Building, 430 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh. READ MORE
Bladen County Schools’ teacher among finalists for the NC Regional Teacher of the Year Award
Frederica Renee Steele, a seventh-grade social studies teacher at Elizabethtown Middle School and the 2019-2020 Bladen County Schools’ Teacher of the Year has been selected as one of two finalists for the North Carolina Regional Teacher of the Year. This is the first time that Bladen County Schools has had a regional finalist for teacher of the year. READ MORE
Local farms open for winter events
RALEIGH – Farms across the state are opening their gates for travelers looking for ways to celebrate the season with unique and fun farm experiences. From choose-and-cut Christmas trees and light shows to pop-up markets and visits with Santa, there are plenty of holiday options to choose from. READ MORE
Nolan was named the 2019 West Bladen High School Heisman Winner
Nolan was named the 2019 West Bladen High School Heisman Winner. Nolan is the son of Jason and Ashley Bryant.
“The Heisman High School Scholarship continues the legacy of the Wendy’s® High School Heisman® Scholarship, a program created in 1994 READ MORE
Bladen County Schools’ teacher, Lara Johnson, among 27 finalists for NCCAT Beginning Teacher of the Year Award
Twenty-seven teachers from across North Carolina have been selected as finalists for the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) Inaugural Beginning Teacher of the Year Award for their dedication, innovation and ability to inspire students to achieve. READ MORE
Updated announcement on Bladen County roads
On Friday, November 14 Ms. Faye M. Boyne with the North Carolina Department of Transportation announced some roads that continue to be closed. Ms. Boyne listed dates the roads are expected to remain closed through as well as detour routes. READ MORE
Bladen County Solid Waste holiday hours for Thanksgiving
Bladen County Solid Waste Hours of Operation for Thursday, November 28 & Friday, November 29 – Thanksgiving:
All convenience sites will be closed Thursday, November 28. READ MORE
Show your spirit for Christmas in the Bladenboro Christmas Parade
Contributed
The holidays are fast approaching. Bladenboro Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 10:30. READ MORE
Opinion: Friday Funny to observe our ridiculousness
Sometimes you just have to sit back and realize the sheer ridiculousness of people. This week’s Friday Funny memes found across the world wide web are not so much funny, but they showcase mockery. READ MORE
Update on flag and pledge issue with the Bladen County Board of Elections
To update our readers, the Bladen County Board of Elections did meet on Tuesday, November 12 for a regular scheduled meeting and discussed whether or not to display an American flag in their meeting room and the issue about reciting the pledge. The board decided to continue meeting without displaying the flag and without saying the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America. READ MORE
Crime: Judge hands down life sentence to robbers of Lumberton bank
RALEIGH – Robert J. Higdon, Jr., the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, announces that Chief United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle, sentenced DAQUAN MADRID PRIDGEN, 27, of Whiteville, North Carolina, to life imprisonment plus an additional ten years imprisonment, JERAMIE ROSS VAUGHN, a/k/a “Vido,” 30, of Parkton, North Carolina, to 180 months’ imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and RASHAD DEVONTE YOUNG, a/k/a “Rep,” 28, of Whiteville, North Carolina, to 180 months’ imprisonment, followed by 5 years of supervised release. READ MORE
DAV celebrated with Veterans Day Ceremony
On Monday, Veterans Day, the Robert Curtis Hester Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 99 observed the national holiday with their annual Veterans Day Ceremony at the Bladenboro Historical Building. The event is organized each year to acknowledge the service and sacrifices made by our country’s Veterans. READ MORE
Clarendon, SC lands deal with IT outsourcing company instead of Bladen County, NC
By Charlotte Smith
In October there was a buzz all over Bladen County due to the news Bladen Community College would be hosting a regional informational session and networking event for a growing IT service organization interested in coming to the area. However, today, Provalus, the information technology company behind last month’s event announced they would be opening their new facility in Clarendon County, South Carolina. READ MORE
Plain View Primary School 1st Nine Weeks Honor Roll
Contributed
Home of the Busy Bees
3rd Grade 4th Grade
A Honor Roll A/B Honor Roll READ MORE
UNC-TV Presents Resilience: The Biology of Stress & The Science of Hope During ‘Resilience Week’ in North Carolina
Documentary Premieres Statewide Tuesday, November 19, at 8 PM. READ MORE
Town of White Lake Prepares for Lake Water Public Workshop
The White Lake Board of Commissioners met Tuesday evening in regular session and heard an update on the Lake Water Project. To help share information on the project, Dr. Diane Lauritsen has designed a new web site www.whitelakewatch.com and email address info@whitelakewatch.com which is now available as a communication resource for the community. READ MORE
You don’t want that old house
By Jefferson Weaver
As Miss Rhonda napped and I marked the halfway point home, I glanced at a longleaf pine standing solitary by a recently-turned field.
The sunset was painting the fields in that way it has in March and November, when the season is reluctantly waiting for the last of the equinoctial change to give the all-clear. READ MORE
Opinion: Bladen County Board of Elections should pledge allegiance to the American flag
By Charlotte Smith
Since it’s Veterans Day, it seems a fitting time to urge people to be more patriotic. I will start by calling out two members of our local Board of Elections who do not see the need to pledge allegiance to our country’s flag. READ MORE
BCC Board of Trustee meeting scheduled
The Bladen Community College Board of Trustees will meet on Tuesday, November 19, 2019, at 6 P.M. in the boardroom of the Essic Williams Administration Building (Building 10). READ MORE
Bladen County high schools collect over 8,000 canned food for local pantries
Many in Bladen County may know that the Key Clubs at both East and West Bladen High Schools have been collecting canned foods throughout the month of October. The annual Can Food Collection Challenge is a contest between the two local high schools to collect canned food to benefit the Bladen Crisis Center food bank and other local food pantries. READ MORE
Lock and Dam No. 2 reopened after two years of being closed for repairs
The beloved Lock and Dam No. 2 on the Cape Fear River near Elizabethtown has been reopened as of Friday, November 8, 2019, according to Terri Dennison with the Town of Elizabethtown. The Lock and Dam has been closed for over two years due to hurricanes and high waters. READ MORE
Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce lunch coming soon
The Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce lunch coming soon will be held on Tuesday, November 19th at 12:00 noon, according to Chamber President, Mrs. Jennifer Leggett. The new New Executive Director, Terri Dennison will be the guest speaker for the monthly lunch and learn held at the Cape Fear Farmer’s Market. READ MORE
Church: Mt. Elam Missionary Baptist Church Pastor Search Announcement
Mt. Elam Missionary Baptist Church is located on Highway 210 West, between highways 242 and 701, in Bladen County. The Pulpit/Search Committee is prayerfully seeking applicants for a full-time Pastor. READ MORE
Classified: Emerau: Bladen Public Notice
The Emereau Bladen Board of Directors Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 19, 2019 has been rescheduled for Thursday, November 21, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. READ MORE
Let’s Eat Out, But Where?
Here we are in November, getting ready for the holiday season, visits with family and friends, and of course, lots of great food. Seems like a good time to look at the results of the sanitation inspections that were performed in October for our public dining places in Bladen County. READ MORENorth Carolina Criminal Justice Fellows Program is recruiting
The N.C. Criminal Justice Fellows Program is recruiting for the 2020 class according to Lt. Mark McMichael with the Elizabethtown Police Department. The program is offering forgivable loans for high school graduates and seniors who agree to enter an eligible criminal justice profession in an eligible county in NC. READ MORE
Voting Set for 2019 Farm Service Agency County Committee Elections
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will begin mailing ballots on November 4 to eligible farmers and ranchers across the country for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee elections.
To be counted, ballots must be returned to the Bladen County FSA county office or postmarked by December 2. The Bladen County FSA office is located at 450 Smith Circle in Elizabethtown across from the new Sheriff’s Office. The phone number is 910-862-3179. READ MORE
West Bladen High School Peer Group Connections Presents… Family Night
Contributed
PGC will be hosting a Family Night, and we hope you will join us!
Who: Freshmen (the Class of 2023) and their families.
When: November 21st, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00pm. READ MORE
Recent photo galleries
 East Bladen homecoming court |
 Bladenboro Beast Fest 2019 |
 Bladenboro Beast Fest car show |
Apply now for the Miss Bladen County Youth Focus Project Pageant
Contributed
Applications are now being accepted for the thirteenth annual Miss Bladen County Youth Focus Project pageant to be held on January 18, 2020. All ages may participate. December 20, 2019 is deadline for applications. READ MORE
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