Bladen County Agriculture and Forest Landowners Heard from Congressman David Rouzer about NAFTA
A meeting was held for agriculture and forest landowners on Tuesday, January 23rd, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Bladen County Extension Office located at 450 Smith Circle Drive in Elizabethtown.
Topics to be discussed included Forest Management as an Investment and Working with a Consulting Forester; Landowner Property Rights, and NC Wildlife Resources; North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and its impacts on agriculture; Farm Bill and Farm Services Agency; Natural Resources Conservation District, Bladen Soil and Water District, Bladen Tax Office Updates, and Pesticide Reminders/Best Practices. READ MORE
Community Announcements, Upcoming Events and Fundraisers
Regionals: WHQR.ORG: Brunswick County tops the PFAS Contamination Report
New Report Shows PFAS Contamination More Widespread, With High Local Numbers
By: https://www.whqr.org/
The Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment, released a national report on PFAS contamination in water supplies. At the top of the list: Brunswick County, North Carolina. WHQR’s Vince Winkel spoke with one of the report’s authors. READ MORE
NC Superintendent of Public Instruction Letter on Reducing Testing in Schools
North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction, Mark Johnson released a public letter this morning in reference to reducing testing in schools. Following is the letter.
Parents, Caretakers, and Educators – READ MORE
This Week at NCDOT: Public Comments, Safety Grants, REAL ID
This Week at NCDOT: Public Comment Opportunity, GHSP Grant Applications, and REAL ID Enforcement RALEIGH – The following are highlights from this week at the N.C. Department of Transportation. The stories below are also featured in NCDOT Now, the department’s weekly newscast. Public Comment Opportunity for Future Projects READ MORE
PreBudgetReleaseJan2020 – Press Release
Public Invited to Comment on Budget Priorities The Bladen County Board of Commissioners values citizen involvement in County government. As the County of Bladen develops the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Budget, residents are encouraged to share feedback and priorities to help guide the upcoming budget development process. READ MORE
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, January 28, 2020, at 5:30 P.M. READ MORE
Elizabethtown Woman Dies in Auto Accident
By Charlotte Smith
A single car accident on Wednesday ended in a fatality according to North Carolina Highway Patrol Officer Jason Weissinger. The accident occurred outside of Elizabethtown on Johnsontown Road off of Highway 242.
According to the report, the driver, Elizabeth Mary Watson, over corrected after veering off the road. READ MORE
Infant Not Breathing in the Dublin area saved by Bladen County First Responders
On Thursday morning Deputies with the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office responded to a medical emergency involving an infant child in the Dublin area at Twisted Hickory Apartments, according to the Sheriff’s Office media statement. The infant was not breathing and life support was started by Corporal Jennifer Popynick. READ MORE
Opinion: Thoughts While Shaving for January 24
By Robert G. Hester
A quick check of the weather indicates … stormy weather over the next few hours … High today in the mid 60s … 30% chance of thunderstorms possible after 1 pm and windy, gusts up to 17 mph. .
We tend to concentrate on bad news … and there is an ample supply. … There is much good, if we look for it. READ MORE
Bladen Online Pet of the Week: Sissy
Bladen Online’s Pet of the Week is Sissy, a 3-month-old female cat.
She is very sweet and loves to play, says Bladen County Animal Shelter manager Karen Suggs, and would make a great addition to a family. READ MORE
Buddy Clips Fundraiser In Memory Of Marvin Burney
Marvin Burney spent nearly 24 years on dialysis, but he never let the daily treatment keep him from helping in his Clarkton community.
A Scentsy Buddy Clips fundraiser in memory of Burney is being held through Jan. 28. The clips will be donated to patients at the Elizabethtown DaVita Dialysis Clinic. READ MORE
Three Things to Know for January 24
1. High school basketball today has Red Springs at East Bladen and West Bladen at East Columbus.
2. “Resilience: The Biology of Stress & the Science of Hope” documentary is showing Monday at 6 p.m. at Bladen Community College auditorium.
3. Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center is having a blood drive Feb. 3 at the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. READ MORE
This Day in History for January 24
1899 – Rubber heel for boots or shoes patented by American Humphrey O’Sullivan.
1908 – Lieutenant General Robert Baden-Powell publishes “Scouting for Boys” as a manual for self-instruction in outdoor skills and self-improvement. The book becomes the inspiration for the Scout Movement. READ MORE
Extremes for Bladen County on January 24
Highest Temperature 80 degrees 1974
Lowest Temperature 14 degrees 1970
Greatest One-Day
Precipitation 2.43 inches 1999
Greatest One-Day
Snowfall 1.0 inches 2016
Yesterday’s High Temperature was 52 degrees
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT …
Gil Granda Trades Restaurant Management Career for Auto Sales Profession
Clint Hester, Manager with Nissan of Clinton announced today, Gil Granda has joined the auto sales team at their dealership. Granda is an Elizabethtown resident and many may know him as the friendly, newly-wed manager. READ MORE
Update on Bladen County Elections Precinct Names, Locations and Candidates
Christopher L. Williams, Director of the Bladen County Board of Elections announced Thursday afternoon the Precinct names, locations and codes for the upcoming election to be held on March 3, 2020. Also, Bladen County Candidates registered for the election was announced on December 20, 2019, however, one Candidate has publically withdrawn from the County-wide Commissioner race. READ MORE
Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce invites all to Grand Opening in announcement
The Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerece released it’s weekly newsletter this past Monday. The newsletter came with an invitation.
Bladen’s Blooming, Bladen County, Bladen County Community College, the town of Elizabethtown and the Elizabethtown – White Lake Chamber of Commerce invite everyone to attend the Grand Opening of the Elizabethtown Small Business Incubator on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 from 4-6pm. READ MORE
Public Letter: Moore Withdraws from County-wide Bladen County Commissioner Race
Below is a letter submitted to BladenOnline.com from Mr. William Moore dated January 18, 2020.
Dear Friends,
As you know, I filed to run for an At-Large seat on the Bladen County Board of Commissioners. However, being new to the political process, I quickly discovered that there is much more to running for office than the average citizen would think and I am not prepared to proceed at this time. READ MORE
Unconstitutional Threat of Arrest Against Protected Speech
On Thursday, January 16, 2020 Louella Thompson, Chair of Bladen County Board of Elections was sent a letter warning against unconstitutional threats made at the Tuesday, January 14, 2020 board meeting. The letter was sent by Liberty Counsel. READ MORE
Dr. Steele Challenges People to Wake Up and Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy
By Charlotte Smith
The Elizabethtown Presbyterian Church hosted the annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 20, 2020 in their activities center. Dr. Frederica Renee Steele, a seventh-grade social studies teacher at Elizabethtown Middle School and the 2019-2020 Bladen County Schools’ Teacher of the Year sounded the alarm and encouraged those in attendance to “Wake Up!” as the Guest Speaker of the Event. READ MORE
Classic Cruisers Car Club donates to Bladen We Care for the 22nd year
The Classic Cruisers Car Club holds the Made In The Shade car show, each year to assist Bladen County charities. In 2019, the show had almost a record number of entries and raised more than $6,300 for local charities.
Wayne Dove, President of Classic Cruisers Car Club, presented a $1000 donation to Charles DeVane for Bladen We Care. READ MORE
Update: Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr with Unity in the Community
By Charlotte Smith
Update: Unity in the Community was a success. Over the four day celebration thousands came out in attendance. “I appreciate you,” Fletcher “Big Show” Collins said to all who came out to support Unity in the Community held in Elizabethtown.
“I’m not going to stop doing what I’m doing,” Collins added, “I thank the Lord for what He does for me. I am going to do what God puts on my heart to do.” READ MORE
NC Junior Beta Clubs, Youth Ambassadors work together to make a difference
North Carolina Junior Beta Club President Jair McElveen lead the charge to help non-profits and hurricane victims. McElveen and other NC Junior Beta Club members joined forces with the Youth Ambassadors to help make a difference with their clubs. By working together the club members learned they could make a bigger impact by helping each other and hurricane victims. READ MORE
Draft Study Released with Alternatives for the Future of Three Locks and Dams along the Cape Fear River
WILMINGTON, N.C. – The US Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District (Corps) released a draft study evaluating three alternatives regarding the future of three locks and dams and associated property located along the Cape Fear River.
The three alternatives evaluated in the study include no action, deauthorization and removal, and deauthorization and transfer to a willing non-federal government entity. READ MORE
Bladen County Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
By Kenneth Armstrong, https://www.kenarmphoto.com/
NCDOR Now Accepting Business Income Tax Returns
The North Carolina Department of Revenue (NCDOR) officially opened the 2020 business income tax filing season and began accepting Corporate Income and Franchise, and Partnership tax returns Thursday, Jan. 16. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) began accepting business income returns Jan. 7. The NCDOR will announce the opening of the 2020 individual income tax filing season in the near future. READ MORE
Bladen County Listed in Secretarial Disaster Designation for Hurricane Dorian
Raleigh, NC – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) has granted a primary agricultural disaster designation for 14 North Carolina counties for losses caused by Hurricane Dorian. Hurricane Dorian, which struck North Carolina in Sept. 2019, caused sufficient production losses to warrant a Secretarial natural disaster designation. READ MORE
FSA Encourages Producers to Enroll Soon in Agriculture Risk Loss and Price Loss Coverage Programs
Producers, Beat the Rush – Call Today to Make an Appointment, WASHINGTON, D.C., Jan. 15, 2020 – USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) encourages agricultural producers to enroll now in the Agriculture Risk Loss (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs. March 15, 2020 is the enrollment deadline for the 2019 crop year. READ MORE
West Bladen Selected to Participate In Teen Mental Health Program
West Bladen High School is participating in the expanded teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) pilot program, the first of its kind developed for high school students in the U.S., beginning this month.
The school is one of 40 sites selected in the country to take part in the second cohort of the pilot program. READ MORE
Clarkton identified as one of the areas most impacted by Hurricane Florence
Federal Notice Allows NC to Move Forward with Hurricane Florence Recovery Program
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has released details of a federal register notice which will allow the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR) to move forward with developing a draft action plan for more than $542 million in Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding for Hurricane Florence. Once HUD approves a final action plan READ MORE
NCDOT Seeks Division 6 Input on STIP Development
People will have the opportunity to provide input on what transportation projects they would like to see built in the next State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for years 2023 through 2032.
The public comment period will run from Jan. 27 through Feb. 28. READ MORE
Bridgers’ Barber Shop Celebrates 55 Years with Dennis Hawes
By Charlotte Smith
On this day in 1965 Lyndon B. Johnson was president, the cost of a stamp was .05 cents, The Beatles appeared on Shindig, and Mr. Dennis Hawes began his career at Bridgers’ Barber Shop in downtown Elizabethtown. Today Hawes celebrated 55 years in his career as a Barber.His first day on the job was Wednesday, January 20, 1965. “We had just had a snow and there was still a little snow on the ground,” Hawes recalled. READ MORE
Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade Honors the Dream
By Charlotte Smith
It has been 57 years since Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave the “I have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., but the dream carries on across the nation today. Many proved the dream is still alive this morning as they lined the street in Elizabethtown, North Carolina for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade.
Leading the great procession was Retired Army Veteran and Educator, Deacon Harold Ford, the Grand Marshal of the parade. READ MORE
National Endowment For The Arts Awards Funds to NC Arts Groups
Washington, DC — The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced that 20 organizations in North Carolina will receive over $400,000 for arts projects in this round of fiscal year 2020 funding. Overall, 1,187 grants totaling $27.3 million will provide Americans opportunities for arts participation, and several this year’s funded projects will celebrate the Women’s Suffrage Centennial. READ MORE
East Bladen Teacher, Ms. Linda Beard, Recognized as a 2020 Hunger Hero
Almost 60% of the 1.5 million North Carolina public school students are eligible for Free or Reduced-Price school meals, according to reports. Friday, East Bladen High School announced Ms. Linda Beard, an East Bladen teacher, has been recognized as a 2020 Hunger Hero by No Kid Hungry North Carolina.
No Kid Hungry North Carolina was formed in 2011 in partnership with state leaders and the national campaign. READ MORE
West Bladen Students Succeed In Simulated Workplace Project
Workplace learning is used to allow students to practice the knowledge and skills they acquire in the classroom within a “real-world” business or industry setting. The Simulated Workplace Project at West Bladen High School was implemented in Mrs. Elliott’s Family and Consumer Sciences classes during the first semester of this school year, according to a media post. READ MORE
Wildlife Commission Seeks Input on Sunday Hunting on Game Lands
RALEIGH — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is seeking input from the public, agency constituents, and stakeholders to help identify issues and options related to Sunday hunting on game lands. Bladen Community College will host one of six forums across the state to discuss the topic. The forum is scheduled Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. in the college’s auditorium. READ MORE
Bladen Online Week in Review: Jan. 12-18
Should the Pledge of Allegiance be recited prior to the Bladen County Board of Elections meetings? Can Bladen County count on you? Champions crowned in the Bladen County Middle School basketball tournaments.
Those were some of the top stories in Bladen County for the week of January 12-18, 2020. READ MORE
Bladen County Headlines … 35 Years Ago
Former Clarkton Police Chief Steve Gunsallus graduated from the North Carolina Highway Patrol School and is now a highway patrolman. READ MORE
Census Workers Wanted in Bladen County
The U.S. Census Bureau is recruiting thousands of people across the country to assist with the 2020 Census count. Greg Elkins with the Bladen County Cenus Committee announced there are temporary positions available in the area. Only 53.9% of the recruiting goal for Bladen County has been achieved, according to the interactive map. READ MORE
Board of Elections Adding Pledge of Allegiance to Agenda, Easier Said Than Done
By Charlotte Smith
According to elected and appointed officials Chairperson Louella P. Thompson has stated the Pledge of Allegiance will be added to the agenda for the Bladen County Board of Elections’ meetings starting in February. On January 14, 2020 the local Elections Board voted against adding the Pledge of Allegiance to the agenda. READ MORE
Mr. James David Souter receives the Bladen Auxiliary Scholarship
On January 16th , Ms. Jackie Goodnight, Bladen County Hospital Auxillary President, presented a $1,000.00 Scholarship check to the winner of the Bladen Auxiliary Scholarship, Mr. James David Souter, according to Ashley Dowless with Cape Fear Valley Healthcare – Bladen County Hospital. READ MORE
Public comment period extended on Chemours’ proposed Groundwater corrective action plan
RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is extending the public comment period until March 6, on a proposed groundwater corrective action plan to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in groundwater and surface water at the Chemours Fayetteville Works Site. READ MORE
Opinion: Bladen County Citizen Responds to Bladen County Board of Elections Lack of Support for Flag
By Terri Stanley, Clarkton, NC
I am not a very educated person nor do I keep up with politics. I am a person of simple ideas. I viewed, online, the Bladen County Board of Elections meeting of January 15, 2020. There are just a few things that really irritate me and one of these was addressed at that meeting. READ MORE
Bladen County Economic Development topic of Chamber luncheon
By Charlotte Smith
The Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon was held on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at the Cape Fear Farmer’s Market. Jennifer Leggett, the Chamber President announced the guest speaker, Chuck Heustess, Director of Bladen County Economic Development.Heustess gave a report on the economic development in the county. READ MORE
Updated: Democrats vote out pledge and refuse to stand for flag
By Charlotte Smith
The Bladen County Board of Elections held a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, January 14, 2019 at the local office located at 301 S. Cypress Street in Elizabethtown. The meeting ended with threats of law enforcement being called to the next meeting. READ MORE
Lifestyles: A love of words, history and Coca-Cola
Around 2015 or so, Ray Wyche leaned around the corner of his cubicle and waved a
pair of dollar bills at me.
“Jefferson, if you’ll go get us a Coca-Cola, I’ll split it with you. You can keep the
change.” READ MORE
CLASSIFIED AD: BUSINESS/INDIVIDUAL PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXATION
According to the North Carolina General Statutes, all property that is not defined as “real estate” or real property” is considered to be “personal property.”
Business personal property is taxable whether it is owned, leased, rented, loaned, or otherwise made available to the business. READ MORE
Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center in critical need for blood donations
FAYETTEVILLE – JAN. 13, 2019 – Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center has less than a two-day supply of most blood types and is in critical need for blood donations. The shortage is due to a low turnout of local volunteers, seasonal illness, and busy holiday and travel schedules. READ MORE
NCDOT Announces Update on US Highway 701 Bridge repairs
The US Highway 701 bridge in Elizabethtown is extremely important to the economy in Bladen County. The North Carolina Department of Transportation emergency repair project to the bridge has a lot of people concerned and asking questions. READ MORE
Grants Available For Agricultural Projects
Supporting the agricultural industry, impacting rural communities and stimulating economic development are key objectives for the 2020 NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission (NCTTFC) grant cycle. Funds will be awarded in the fall of 2020 for selected innovative projects. READ MORE
January 2020 Schedule – Bladen Community College Small Business Center
Seminars
Bladen Community College, Dublin, NC The Small Business Center (SBC) of Bladen Community College is offering many great no-cost seminars and webinars in January. The new “Online Non-Profit Academy” will be presented online via webinar and livestreamed on the Main Campus in Building 2 on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 8:00 PM READ MORE
Board of Elections: No Photo ID Needed To Vote In March Primary
RALEIGH – The State Board of Elections on Monday released a video of Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell informing North Carolina voters that they will not be required to show photo ID for the March 2020 primary election.
The primary is March 3. In-person early voting begins February 13. Absentee by-mail ballots are scheduled to go out beginning January 13. READ MORE
It’s an early start date for the 2020-2021 Bladen County School Year
In a unanimous decision, the Bladen County Board of Education approved an early start calendar for the 2020-2021 school year at their December 9 board meeting.
The 2020-2021 school year will begin on August 10 for teachers and students will return to classes on August 17. READ MORE
Early primary voting begins February 13, includes Sunday hours
Early voting for the March primary will begin February 13 and include Sunday afternoon voting at the three sites under a plan requested by the Bladen County Board of Elections and approved by the State Board of Elections. The primary is scheduled March 3.
Early voting sites will be at the Board of Elections office in Elizabethtown, East Arcadia Town Hall and Spaulding Monroe in Bladenboro, according to the plan. READ MORE
RESILIENCE – a special documentary viewing is scheduled in January
The traumatic events we suffer as children can lead to lasting physical and mental health challenges, two decades of research show. According to researchers, those negative health outcomes don’t have to be a child’s destiny. Recently, communities across North Carolina have been actively working to find ways to help reshape the paths for children in such situations. READ MORE
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