Updated: The “New Town Square” Development Plan is underway.
by Charlotte Smith
Downtown Bladenboro has been prone to flooding since the 1990s. When Hurricanes Matthew and Florence hit in 2016 and 2018, the famous Bladen County municipality was devastated. READ MORE
Grand Opening of Chandler’s Back Street Beauty Shop
by Blake Proctor
Chandler’s Back Street Barber Shop, located at the corner of South Ash Street and West Railroad Street in Bladenboro, is expanding its business services: Owner Chandler Lennon and his mom Sara Lennon will be expanding to provide beauty shop offerings co-located with Chandler’s Barber Shop. READ MORE
State Board of Elections Meeting Notice for 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 29, 2021
Patrick Gannon, Public Information Director with the North Carolina State Board of Elections, released the following Notice of Meeting. READ MORE
Drug Overdoses Increase, Drug Treatment Facility Release Financials and Bladen County Substance Misuse Task Force Plan Roundtable Discussion
Although officials announced a significate increase in substance overdoses for this year the Bladen County Substance Misuse Task Force continues to push forward to create change. Dr. Cathy Gantz, director of the task force, wants to remind everyone the next task force meeting will be held this Tuesday, May 18, 2021. READ MORE
2021 Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics
Contributed
On Sunday, May 16, 2021, the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with staff and students from West Bladen High School, participated in the 2021 Law enforcement Torch run for Special Olympics. A combined total of 13 individuals participated in the event held at West Bladen High School, Dublin, North Carolina. READ MORE
Board of Education Regular Monthly Meeting Will Be Remote, but Foundation Meeting Open to the Public
The Bladen County Board of Education will hold its regularly scheduled meeting on May 17, 2021, remotely. The Bladen County Educational Foundation will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at 5:30 p.m., in the public meeting room of the Bladen County Board of Education on US Highway #701, South, in Elizabethtown. READ MORE
Arrest Made in Bladen County Child Sex Offense
On April 22, 2021, the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office received a report from a parent that her 13 year-old daughter had been sexually assault over several years by here ex-boyfriend. READ MORE
Open Letter – Gross misconduct; stripping of constitutional rights
On April 19, 2021, the Bladen County Board of Education and the Bladen County Schools Superintendent, along with certain members of his administration, colluded to strip me, my wife, and all the Parents of Bladen County school students of our constitutional right to participate in a public, in-person meeting. Below you will find my complete statement as was sent to the Bladen County Schools Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Administration, Antonia Beatty. (Please forgive the misspelling in Dr. Beatty’s title, I copied that directly from the Bladen County Schools website. See for yourself – HR – Human Resources / HR Staff (bladen.k12.nc.us) ) READ MORE
Thoughts While Shaving
Today is the last day to file Federal and State forms for 2020 … without penalty.
If you are traveling NC 242 between Elizabethtown and the Bladenboro bypass pack your patience … Crews are repaving the road. READ MORE.
Bladen Commissioners To Discuss Budget Monday
The Bladen County Board of Commissioners will discuss the fiscal year 2021-22 budget during a special meeting Monday at 5 p.m. It will take place prior to the board’s regularly scheduled meeting set for 6:30 p.m.
Both meetings will be held in the Commissioners’ Room, which is located on the lower level of the Courthouse in Elizabethtown. Occupancy will be limited to 24 people. READ MORE
3 Things To Know For Monday
1. Bladen County Commissioners meeting: today, 5 p.m. for budget discussion, 6:30 p.m. regular meeting, Superior Courtroom
2. Bladen County Educational Foundation meeting: Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Bladen County Board of Education.
3. Today is tax deadline day. Federal and state taxes must be filed — or at least postmarked — by midnight. READ MORE
• BLADEN ONLINE’S COMMUNITY CALENDAR
This Day in History for May 17
1944 – General Eisenhower sets D-Day for June 5th.
1954 – US Supreme Court unanimously rules on Brown v Topeka Board of Education, reverses 1896 “separate but equal” Plessy v Ferguson decision. READ MORE.
NEWS FROM MAY 16, 2021
Thoughts While Shaving
Interesting experience … mmm … yesterday. Thought we heard someone at the back door … heard a knocking sound … Open the blinds, big red-headed woodpecker, pecking away at our entrance, the woodwork around our deck … Dang bird had pecked a couple of holes in the woodwork … We have decided he is not welcomed at our house anymore… READ MORE.
NEWS FROM MAY 15, 2021
Thoughts While Shaving
Weather for today, perfect, unless you really wanted rain. Sunny, with a high near 78 and a breeze becoming north in the 5 to 7 mph range this afternoon. Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 49…..Looking ahead Sunday thru Thursday…. Mostly sunny with highs in the low 80s, overnight lows low 50s to mid-60s…. We need rain, but none in the forecast…. READ MORE.
NEWS FROM MAY 14, 2021
Open Letter: Compliments to Bladen County Water Department
Donna Edge Beaty contacted BladenOnline about a recent water main break and the exceptional service provided by the water department.
Beaty wrote on Saturday, “We received an alert about a water main break in Bladen yesterday morning. I would like to give a shout out to all the Water Dept. crew READ MORE
Mask and Social Distance Guidelines Lifted for Fully Vaccinated NC Citizens
New mask and social distancing guidelines were announced today by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper during the COVID-19 task force update. On Thursday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidance about wearing masks. READ MORE
Open Letter: Require Action from Bladen County Schools Officials
Bladen County School officials do not follow their policies. The Public is denied answers, participation in Bladen County Board of Education meetings, and timely responses to grievances.
Parents, educators, and other community members have stated multiple concerns and grievances to the Board of Education and the current and past superintendents asking for action. READ MORE
CoastalReview.org: Moderate drought returns to southeastern North Carolina. READ MORE
Word of the Day- Accent
by Danna Martínez
Different factors can alter the tonality, intensity, and rhythm of speaking. This alteration within words is called an accent. The term accent comes from the Latin term accentus. READ MORE
Harrells Christian Academy Terrific Kids Receive Awards
Eight HCA Crusaders were recognized as Terrific Kids during the 4th nine weeks of school. These students stood out to their teachers for being especially hard-working and determined. READ MORE
BladenOnline Weekly Recipes Offered on YouTube
by Bladen Online Team
Every Thursday the BladenOnline team publishes a new video with recipes. In last week’s video, Nicole and Charlotte made a Mexican Meatloaf with Microwave Potatoes, fresh green beans, and for dessert, Monkey Bread. READ MORE
Bladen County Headlines…50 Years Ago
The 1971 Blueberry Festival was underway at White Lake. Television personality David Hartman was the “Duke of Blueberry”. Leon D. Ricks, Jr. was the General Chairman of the event. READ MORE
The Southeastern Times- English Muffins Make Perfect Cheese Dreams
The Southeastern Times published recipes in the 1970s and 1980s for Bladen County Readers. Leyton Ezzell, a BladenOnline intern, found one recently to share with our readers. READ MORE
Colonial Pipeline System Disruption System Restart and Operational
Update: Thursday, May 13, 4:40 p.m.
Colonial Pipeline has continued to make substantial progress in safely restarting our pipeline system. We can now report that we have restarted our entire pipeline system and that product delivery has commenced to all markets we serve. READ MORE
Opinion: Thoughts While Shaving
Thought back to a time when gasoline was in short supply, in fact a few times, but most memorable, for me, was when Jimmy Carter was president … fuel was scarce, lines were long, prices were crazy high … Another was during the President Richard Nixon term of office … 1973. READ MORE
NEWS FROM MAY 13, 2021
Opinion Series- A House Divided Can Not Stand
by Trey Johnson
Regardless of your beliefs, a house divided can not stand. Aw man, I hit a nerve that time. I can feel it. But listen Bladen County, for so long we have allowed division to cause problems with us getting along as a community. READ MORE
Bladen County Road Closing Updates – NC53 will be closed starting May 17, 2021 through May 28, 2021
The North Carolina Department of Transportation released an update on Bladen County Road closings on Thursday, May 13, 2021.
According to Faye Boyne with NCDOT following are the road closings. READ MORE
Elections Board Gets Tentatively Definite Election Date
by Blake Proctor
With Board member Deborah Belle excused absent, Elections Board Chair Louella Thompson called the May 11th meeting of the Bladen County Board of Elections to order at 4:58 pm. READ MORE
National Military Appreciation Month
by Danna Martínez
Military Service Members are those people willing to collaborate, defend and help, despite the circumstances. They are who we call heroes. Who we want to thank and recognize in May.
This month, Kinlaw Furniture (910) 862-3325, located on Broad Street in Elizabethtown, offers a 20% discount for the Military. Accompanying this initiative, San Jose Restaurant (910) 862-8111, located on 1320 W Broad St, Elizabethtown, also offers a 10% discount for all the Military. READ MORE
Opinion: Thoughts While Shaving
I enjoy thinking back to yesteryear, think of folks who survived with so little … seemed to get-by and enjoyed life…
Will not call names, but an older gentleman lived nearby … He had a few chickens, he must have had a cow or two … He would go to town, ’bout 2 or 3 miles away, weekly … Sell eggs and butter along the way … He would take the money he made selling his products, visit one of the grocery stores in town … purchase what he and his bride needed, then head home … Best I could tell, he never seemed to be worried about much of anything… READ MORE
NEWS FROM MAY 12, 2021
Media Statement Update: Colonial Pipeline System Disruption
System Restart and Operational Update
Wednesday, May 12, 5:10 p.m.
Colonial Pipeline initiated the restart of pipeline operations today at approximately 5 p.m. ET. READ MORE
Word of the Day: Umbrella
by Danna Martínez
In addition to protecting the skin in the rain and sun, the umbrella has a significant historical and functional background.
The term umbrella comes from the word sub-umbra. The word sub-umbra means “under the shadow.” The first recorded use of umbrellas dates back approximately 3,500 years. READ MORE.
Four County Electric Membership Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer Plans to Retire
Contributed
After a 27-year career in the electric cooperative industry, Four County Electric Membership Corporation’s (FCEMC) Chief Executive Officer Mitchell Keel will retire effective June 30, 2021. Under Keel’s leadership, there was a significant focus on innovation and technology, assuring the cooperative’s abilities to meet its members’ needs for generations to come. READ MORE
Celebrating Nurses Week by Recognizing James “Zach” Davis, RN, BSN
Cape Fear Valley announced Nurses Week is May 6-May 12.
Today’s nurse’s Spotlight: James “Zach” Davis, RN, BSN
James “Zach” Davis is a Bladen County Native and was born in Bladen County Hospital. Zach graduated from BCC with an Associate’s degree in Nursing in 2017, he completed his BSN in 2019 from Fayetteville State University, and is presently pursuing an MSN from Walden University. READ MORE.
East Bladen Names Baseball Field In Honor Of Former Coach Russell Priest
There were a few tears and lots of fond memories Tuesday night as East Bladen High School named its baseball field in honor of former coach Russell Priest. Priest, who died last year, coached at the school for 44 years before retiring in 2019.
“I wish he could be here,” said Doll Priest, Russell’s wife. “He would have loved this.” READ MORE
• MORE PHOTOS by Kenneth Armstrong
Opinion: Thoughts While Shaving
Had the pleasure of attending the naming of the Russell Priest Baseball Field late yesterday … So many longtime friends of the popular baseball coach attended … The aging process has a way of causing one to put-off … I’ll do it next time … I was there and it was fun … Priest’s family, good folks, had lots of support … some I had not seen in years … Good to get together and recall days gone by. READ MORE
White Lake Making Plans for 2021 White Lake Water Festival
By Joy Warren
The Town of White Lake Board of Commissioners received a schedule of events for the White Lake Water Festival scheduled for Friday, May 21st and Saturday, May 22nd at its meeting Tuesday night.
The monthly White Lake “Lake” Water Management report was provided to the Board. It included “What We Know About White Lake.” READ MORE
NEWS FROM MAY 11, 2021
WECT: Economists: Overstocking on gas will only make pipeline shutdown worse READ MORE
Covid-19 Update 5/11/2021
East Bladen High School Graduate and Youth Program Participant Earns Doctorate
Contributed
Patricia Hammonds with the Lumber River Workforce Development Board announced this week a former youth program participant has graduated with a doctorate. Dr. Alexis Lacewell was an in-school participant under the WIA (Workforce Investment Act) Program. She won the NC Governor’s Award for Outstanding Youth in 2014. READ MORE
Antitrust Division and Fellow Members of the Multilateral Pharmaceutical Merger Task Force Seek Public Input
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division is pleased to be a part of the Multilateral Pharmaceutical Merger Task Force (Task Force), along with its counterpart competition enforcement agencies — the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Canadian Competition Bureau, the European Commission Directorate General for Competition, the United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority, and Offices of State Attorneys General. READ MORE
Word of the Day- Allegory
by Danna Martínez
Sometimes, to better understand a concept, we must study it from a different point of view. The allegory allows us to do this.
Allegory seeks to represent an idea in different known forms and styles. Consequently, the idea is more easily understood. The parable creates a connection between the concept and its symbolic representation READ MORE
Bladenboro Has Light Agenda, Receives Budget Proposal
by Blake Proctor
Bladenboro’s May 10th Commission meeting began at 6 pm sharp with a bang of the gavel by Mayor Rufus Duckworth; all members were in attendance. The invocation was provided by Commissioner Greg Sykes, and the Pledge to the Flag was recited by all attendees.
During the Open Forum, Mr. Ezra Blanks of Monroe Street appeared before the Commission READ MORE
Public Announcement from Emereau Bladen
The Emereau Bladen Board of Directors will meet on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at 6:00
p.m. The meeting will be held at Emereau: Bladen Charter School, 995 Airport Road,
Elizabethtown, NC 28337. Due to COVID social distancing will be maintained. READ MORE
Bladen County Master Gardeners’ Plant Sale – Extended
Contributed by the Bladen County Cooperative Extension
If you missed the Bladen County Master Gardeners’ Plant Sale – you have another opportunity to purchase plants. We will have a drive-thru/pick up with a limited selection of plants at the Extension Office located at 450 Smith Circle in Elizabethtown. READ MORE
Tax Day for individuals extended to May 17: Treasury, IRS extend filing and payment deadline
WASHINGTON — The Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service announced today that the federal income tax filing due date for individuals for the 2020 tax year will be automatically extended from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021. The IRS will be providing formal guidance in the coming days. READ MORE
Celebrate Russell Priest Day
The Town of Elizabethtown is celebrating Russell Priest Day! Today the East Bladen High School baseball field officially will be named for the late Russell Priest, who coached at the school for more than 40 years before retiring after the 2019 season.
The ceremony will take place between the junior varsity and varsity games when the Eagles host county rival, West Bladen. The JV game is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. and the varsity game at 7. READ MORE.
Cape Fear Valley Health opens COVID-19 vaccine to younger teens and pre-teens ages 12 to 15
FAYETTEVILLE – MAY 11, 2021 – Starting today, Cape Fear Valley Health’s COVID-19 vaccine clinics will vaccinate individuals ages 12 and older following Monday’s US Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use authorization for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for younger teens and adolescents ages 12 to 15. READ MORE.
Appointments now being accepted for children ages 12-15 to receive Pfizer vaccine
UNC Health Southeastern is now accepting appointments beginning next week for children ages 12-15 to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination, pending CDC approval. The emergency use authorization issued by the US Food and Drug Administration expanding the vaccine for children in this age range is now effective. READ MORE.
East Arcadia Hears of Successful Litter Removal Efforts
by Blake Proctor
With Councilmember Pamela Graham excused absent and Town Clerk Josephine Smith still out ill, Mayor Perry Blanks called the May 10th meeting of the East Arcadia Council to order at 7:05 pm. READ MORE.
Opinion: Thoughts While Shaving
I spent the night tossin’ and turnin’ preparing for a high school football game … Had trouble falling asleep … first too hot, then too cold … on the bed, on the couch and back to bed … Ongoing all night long … Planes flying overhead for a while … noisy … Haven’t broadcast a football game in several years … I do miss it, miss my friends who were a part of the team for years … but why last night? Don’t know, and do not understand, but all is well … now. READ MORE
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Bladen County Educational Foundation Public Notice
The Bladen County Educational Foundation, a non-profit corporation organized and existing to provide financial help for the public schools and educators of Bladen County, will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 18, 2021, at 5:30 P.M., in the public meeting room of the Bladen County Board of Education on US Highway #701, South, in Elizabethtown. READ MORE
Bladen County News Outlets Bring Home Numerous NCPA Awards
North Carolina Press Association members were honored during the 148th annual convention held virtually due to Covid-19 protocols and made available to NCPA members on Friday, February 26, 2021. NCPA’s editorial and advertising contest is one of the largest in the nation, with over 4,000 entries submitted by more than 100 newspapers and news organizations. Judging was completed by members of the West Virginia Press Association. READ MORE
Best of the Best Essential Workers
The year 2020 has been a year for the history books. Although times are tough, there is enduring beauty all around us. BladenOnline has a goal to celebrate the beauty in our communities.
The Best of the Best Essential Workers contest votes were collected during the month of September. READ MORE
Notice To Bladen County Taxpayers
The Bladen County Tax Office is in the process of data collection for the 2022 Revaluation.
Contracted tax appraisers will be visiting each property in the county to review the real property listing.
These appraisers have marked vehicles and Bladen County ID badges. READ MORE
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