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NEWS FOR THURSDAY, JULY 20

Nicholson Liquidation store opens its doors in Elizabethtown

New businesses are making their mark on the landscape of downtown Elizabethtown. A new store opened on Saturday at 106 West Broad Street called Nicholson Liquidation: A Little Bit of Everything.

The business is owned by Tyler and Heather Nicholson. READ MORE

Fire at Laundry Mat in Elizabethtown

A clothes dryer caught fire inside the Washtubs Laundry mat located on Martin Luther King Drive in Elizabethtown on Thursday afternoon. READ MORE

Partnerships are key to Economic Development

Partnerships are important to economic development. That was the message from Chris Lloyd Sr., the Vice-President of Infrastructure and Economic Development, McGuire Woods Consulting, to the Bladen County Committee of 100 on Wednesday night.

Lloyd said despite what is being written by such entities as the New York Times about the death of rural America, economic development in rural America is doing well. READ MORE

Upcoming Events for Bladen County

From July 22nd all the way to August 31st, the Bladen Smart Start and School Readiness Center will be starting a new event called B. E. A. R. S. which will take place from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. The event will only take place Monday, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Mondays will feature Math Monday, Tuesdays will be Tech Tuesdays, and Thursdays will be called Tall Tale Thursdays. All of these activities will be taking place at the Bladen Smart Start office. To register your child, space is limited, call 910-862-3335, ext. 206. READ MORE

Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery Recognized in National Hall of Fame Competition

Elizabethtown, NC – Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery of Elizabethtown, NC has been recognized by Varco Pruden Buildings, one of the world’s largest building-solutions companies. Varco Pruden is a division of BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc., and has a network of more than 1,000 builders across the United States and Canada.

Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery has been named to Varco Pruden’s 2017 Hall of Fame for Agricultural Renovation of a building. The highly competitive Hall of Fame Awards are presented annually to the independent authorized VP builders whose work reflects innovation and excellence though the integration of VP building systems, products, architectural appearance, end use and design. READ MORE

Update: House fire claims Bay Tree Lakes home

A home in the Bay Tree Lakes community was destroyed by fire on Wednesday evening. No one was injured in the incident.

The home, a log cabin, was located at 596 Horsepen Drive. The home’s owner, Todd Karpinski, said, “I was home sitting in the living room watching tv when I heard a popping noise.” READ MORE

Opinion: Back To School … 2017-18 School Year

By Amy Schumacher

I remember when summer vacations seemed to stretch on forever. The days were hot and long and offered multiple opportunities for fun, playing with friends, enjoying every minute of sleeping in late and staying up much later than we were ever allowed during the school year.

Nearing the end of the summer my parents would begin adjusting my schedule a little at a time to prepare me for the days when I would need to wake up early. READ MORE

House at Bay Tree burns

Click for larger photo

A Bladen County home caught fire Wednesday evening according to a neighbor. The home is located in the Bay Tree Lakes’ community. No injuries have been reported at this time.

Emergency responders are on the scene to assist the fire fighters due to the heat outside and the task of fighting the fire. More information will be provided as soon as it becomes available.

Opinion: Thoughts While Shaving

Changed my shaving habits, only shave on ‘special occasions’ and the number of ‘special occasions’ are shrinking as I mature.

What is your favorite time of the year? I enjoy spring and fall, April & October. READ MORE

Extremes for Bladen County, NC, on July 20

Highest Temperature 100 degrees 1977

Lowest Temperature 62 degrees 1973

Greatest One-Day
Precipitation 1.92 inches 1937

7 Day Forecast

This Day in History for July 20

1858 – Fee 1st charged to see a baseball game (50 cents) (NY beats Brooklyn 22-18).

1868 – 1st use of tax stamps on cigarettes.

1894 – 2000 federal troops recalled from Chicago, having ended Pullman strike.

1921 – Congresswoman Alice Mary Robertson becomes the first woman to preside over the US House of Representatives. READ MORE

NEWS FOR WEDNESDAY, JULY 19

Division on Aging’s Housing and Home Improvement Program helps Seniors stay in their homes

As our senior adults age, maintaining their independence becomes a high priority. Bladen County Division on Aging’s Housing and Home Improvement Program offers seniors a way to have minor repairs or home modifications made.

The program is funded through the Home and Community Care Block Grant for Older Adults. The Bladen County Board of Commissioners approved the grant as part of the consent agenda during their Monday night meeting. The grant is administered by the Lumber River Council of Government. READ MORE

Local Students Thrilled by Latin and Math

School is officially back in session for roughly 2,400 students at the top scoring Charter Day School, Columbus Charter School and South Brunswick Charter School. Parents and students braved heavy rains to pack into each campus early on Tuesday morning. The schools are part of the Roger Bacon Academy network of charter schools that focus on direct instruction and a classical curriculum. Each charter school routinely tops the ranks for academic performance in their respective counties. READ MORE

Youth Summer Camps at Bladen Community College

DUBLIN – Bladen Community College is hosting summer activities for youth ages 9 to 17.

Beginning July 24 and continuing through July 27, students may register for Performing Arts, Cake Decorating, and Sewing classes on the Dublin campus. READ MORE

BCC Welcomes Lacie Jacobs to Campus

DUBLIN – Accountant Lacie Jacobs has joined the staff at Bladen Community College as the college financial controller.

Jacobs, a native of Whiteville, will experience unique opportunities in the community college environment. READ MORE

First hog farm nuisance lawsuit may be moving forward in NC

One pending federal nuisance lawsuit against Murphy-Brown, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, potentially could go to trial later this year in North Carolina. The lawsuit is just one of 26 nuisance lawsuits that have been filed against Murphy-Brown. Attorneys representing the plaintiffs in the case argue the lawsuits are not filed against individual farmers but rather against Murphy-Brown, with whom the farmers are contracted to raise hogs. READ MORE

Hester, Myers file for seats on Clarkton board

Incumbent Jerome Myers was one of two men who filed for seats on the Clarkton Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, joining incumbent Tim Tart in the race for the two seats available.

Stephen Wayne Hester also filed for the Clarkton commissioners race Tuesday, according to Gina Ward, who is the deputy director for Bladen County Board of Elections. READ MORE

Bladen County Pet of the Week

A 3 year old Pit-mix, male dog by the name of Bubba was chosen as Pet of the Week. He’s very affectionate and gets along with other dogs, cats, and kids. Bubba also does a good job walking on a leash but he’ll let you know when he’s excited.

Bladen County Animal Shelter is located at 506 Smith Circle, Elizabethtown, NC 28337. For more information or questions call (910) 862-6918. READ MORE

NEWS FOR TUESDAY, JULY 18

“In God We Trust” is a must

By: Charlotte Smith

Opinion: Last week I met with the Bladen County Sheriff, Jim McVicker, and was vexed by a letter he shared with me. Addressed to Sheriff McVicker was a letter from Madeline Ziegler, a staff attorney, writing on behalf of the Freedom from Religion Foundation out of Madison, WI urging Sheriff McVicker, Bladen County’s highest ranking, duly elected law enforcement official, to remove “In God We Trust” from Bladen County Sheriff vehicles.

What caught me by surprise was Ziegler’s claim to be representing Bladen County residents and taxpayers. The letter stated, “On behalf of Bladen County residents and taxpayers, we ask that you refrain from promoting religion in your official capacity as Sheriff, and we urge you to remove “In God We Trust” from all Bladen County Sheriff vehicles.” READ MORE

Wilma Lesane presented with Bladen’s first LITE Award

Cape Fear Valley Health System’s Nursing Congress set out to establish an award to recognize exemplary bedside nursing support staff. The LITE award stands for Leadership, Integrity, Tireless, and Excellence. Bladen Hospital is proud to announce that Wilma Lesane, NA II has been chosen as Bladen’s first LITE recipient. READ MORE

Crime: Bladen Hardware is victim of weekend break-in

The Bladen Hardware Store was broken into on Sunday night and items were taken, according to the Elizabethtown Police Department.

Lt. D. Cheshire said someone gained entry to the store through the rear doors and removed some firearms from the premises. READ MORE

Commissioners discuss proposed Elizabethtown solar farm

The Bladen County Board of Commissioners met on Monday night and took up the issue of a proposed solar farm to be constructed in the town of Elizabethtown’s ETJ.

The town of Elizabethtown has already denied a request the propriety in question, which is located on M & M Drive be removed form the town’s extraterritorial jurisdiction. At Monday’s meeting a group of citizens was asking the Bladen County County Board of Commissioners to remove the property from Elizabethtown’s ETJ. READ MORE

Bladen County Commissioners recognize employees for years of service

The Bladen County Board of Commissioners met on Monday evening and recognized several employees for their years of service to the county. READ MORE

Bladen County Sheriff’s Officers search for suspect

Bladen County Sheriffs Officials are searching for a suspect involved in a breaking and entering on Old Boardman Road.

Bladen County Sheriff Jim McVicker said on Monday afternoon a man came home and caught someone coming out of the house. READ MORE

Desmond Bryant gives back to Bladen County

This past weekend the annual Desmond Bryant Free Football camp was held at East Bladen High School. Bryant, a 2004 East Bladen High School graduate gives back every year to Bladen County by hosting a free football camp. Bryant graduated from Harvard and currently plays for the Cleveland Browns. The nationally known football player has not forgotten the importance of giving back. Even though Bryant did not spend his whole high school career at East Bladen, he did play two seasons for the local high school Eagles and gives back to them every year. This summer marks the 6th year for Bryant’s football camp. READ MORE

NEWS FOR MONDAY, JULY 17

Gov. Roy Cooper encourages EPA to set limits for GenX

The recent findings of GenX and other contaminates in the Cape Fear River between Fayetteville and Wilmington, have led to a request from state officials to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to tighten limits. Federal officials must set limits for GenX and other emerging contaminants so that North Carolina can permanently control its discharge and ensure the safety of its drinking water, Governor Roy Cooper today told the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. READ MORE

New Medication Drop Box

A medication drop box has been donated by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, giving Bladen County residents a new way to dispose of medications. Health Educator and Safe Kids Coordinator, Berkleigh Pridgen, applied for the box as a means to address one of three top priorities identified by the 2015 Community Health Assessment. READ MORE

Judge dismisses Eastpointe lawsuit against Nash County

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by Eastpointe against Nash County attempting to prevent the county from switching mental health providers. Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Doug Parsons dissolved the temporary restraining order on July 3.

With the termination of the restraining order, Trillium Health Resources will now be providing mental health services to patients in Nash County. Eastpointe filed the lawsuit on June 8 and attorneys representing Nash County filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit claiming there is no federal jurisdiction in the matter. READ MORE

Public Input Sought on NC Public Transportation Plan

RALEIGH — The public’s input is being sought as the state’s public transportation blueprint, known as the Public Transportation Strategic Plan, is being developed.

The N.C. Department of Transportation is urging residents to take part in a survey to let the department know their top priorities for public transportation services in the state. READ MORE

Mark Harris visits VFW Post

Contributed

Mark Harris paid a visit to the VFW Post in Elizabethtown on Saturday. READ MORE

Rotary Club hears about updating of zoning ordinances

Rotarian Michael Leinwand addressed the Elizabethtown Rotary Club at their weekly luncheon meeting and discussed the updating of the town of Elizabethtown’s zoning ordinances. He said he is currently serving on the committee which is tasked with reviewing and updating the ordinances. READ MORE