Bladen County Commissioners Recognize National 4-H Week with Proclamation
The Bladen County Board of County Commissioners met on Monday, October 3, 2022, for a regular meeting. The members recognized 4-H clubbers during the meeting and the National 4-H week. READ MORE.
Sheriff McVicker visits Elizabethtown Christian Academy
Sheriff McVicker was asked to visit Elizabethtown Christian Academy last week to talk about some of the responsibilities of the Sheriff and the Sheriff’s Office. Capt. Jeff Singletary and Cpl. Owen Peavy were also there to answer questions. Cpl. Peavy showed the 1 st graders his patrol car and explained all the many buttons and what they do… READ MORE.
Emereau: Bladen to Host Fall Festival
Madison McLamb with Emereau: Bladen announced the school will be hosting fall festivities for the public to enjoy.
Fun for the whole family will be held at the school located on Airport Road in Elizabethtown on October 15, 2023. READ MORE.
GRAND OPENING AND RIBBON CUTTING FOR THE BLADEN COUNTY OFFICE OF WILMINGTON AREA REBUILDING MINISTRY
The Elizabethtown Chamber of Commerce will be holding a Ribbon-cutting Ceremony on Monday, October 17 at noon for the Bladen County office of the Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministry (WARM). READ MORE.
Spooky Activity in Clarkton
By: Jair McElveen
The Clarkton Fire Department is getting back into the Halloween spirit as they plan to host their 2nd annual Trunk or Treat. This fun-filled event will be on October 31 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. If you would like to attend… READ MORE.
MERMAID CASTLE AS MERMAID N SAM RIBBON CUTTING ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14 AT 12 PM
The Elizabethtown – White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce invites businesses and residents to attend a Ribbon Cutting for Mermaid Castle as Mermaid N Sam, a new gift store in Elizabethtown on Friday, October 14 at 12noon. READ MORE.
I-95 Will Be Widened North of Lumberton
LUMBERTON – An eight-mile section of Interstate 95 north of Lumberton will be widened, after the N.C. Department of Transportation awarded a $247 million contract this week.
Flatiron Constructors Inc. of Morrisville will widen the interstate from its present four lanes into eight lanes from just south Exit 22 to mile marker 29. READ MORE.
Thoughts While Shaving
Headlines from yesterday … Aaron Judge hits home run #62 in Texas Tuesday, off Rangers’ Jesus Tinoco … passing longtime AL record holder Roger Maris.
A sad note from yesterday … Loretta Lynn, one of America’s long time, favorite country music song writers-entertainers, died at the age of 90. READ MORE
3 Things To Know For Wednesday
1. NC Grape Festival: Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., LuMil Vineyard
2. Church Homecoming: Sunday, Galeed Baptist Church, Bladenboro.
3. Agriculture Scholarship Golf Tournament: Oct. 15, Vineyard Golf at White Lake. READ MORE
• BLADEN ONLINE’S COMMUNITY CALENDAR
This Day in History For Oct. 5
1866 – 1st train robbery in US (Reno Brothers take $13,000)
1945 – Tavern owner ‘Billy Goat” Sianis buys seat for his goat for Game 4 of Baseball World Series, is escorted out and casts goat curse on Chicago Cubs.
2018 – Brett Kavanaugh is confirmed and sworn onto the US Supreme court. READ MORE
STORIES FROM TUESDAY, OCT. 4
Clarkton School of Discovery Blue Print Newspaper is Hot Off the Press
October 2 through October 8, 2022, is National Newspaper Week. Right on time, Clarkton School of Discovery students published the latest edition of their school’s newspaper, “The Blue Print.” READ MORE.
Fall in Bladen Series: Movies to Watch
By Cara Beth Lewis
With this cool weather we are having, it is the perfect time to get cozy with your favorite fuzzy blanket, a warm-scented candle burning, a yummy snack or maybe even a bowl of soup, and a movie on the TV. Watching a movie can transport you into whatever season you desire to be in for a while. READ MORE.
Drop Off Sites Needed for Toys for Tots in Bladen County
The Toys for Tots campaign in Bladen County is in need. The owner of the Mermaid Castle, Terri Maria Mills, is the Toys for Tots director. Terri Maria reported she needs toy drop-off locations for this year’s campaign.
Terri Maria wants to ensure local children will have something new to play with this Christmas from the benefits of Toys for Tots. She is reaching out to business owners and organizations for assistance. READ MORE.
Police Officer Recognized After Saving Father and Son
Contributed
During Monday night’s Elizabethtown Town Council meeting, Mayor Sylvia Campbell recognized Police Sergeant Joseph Butler IV for his rescue of a father and son at Lock & Dam #2 on August 4th. Police Chief Tony Parrish told the audience of the daring rescue from the Cape Fear River. READ MORE
Let’s Eat Out, But Where?
Hello again Bladen County. You might have been skeptical last month when I mentioned the expectation of some cooler weather but at long last, it’s here. Have you turned on your heat yet? I have.
As you know, our friends over at the… READ MORE.
Bladen County Christian Store Celebrates 35th Anniversary
By: Jair McElveen
Last month on September 19th, Faith Partners Christian Supply celebrated its 35th year in business.
Owner, Mildred Jackson was working in management over 46 women when she spoke to the man up above about a new job. She states that he answered back telling her to open up a Christian book store in Elizabethtown. READ MORE.
Thoughts While Shaving
Temp early Tuesday morning, 50 degrees.
Don’t you love this time of year?
Time for bib overalls and flannel shirt … guess bib overalls are still available. Last pair I had was in the early to mid 50s… READ MORE
STORIES FROM MONDAY, OCT. 3
CAMPAIGN MESSAGE
Hello Bladen County! I am Althea Dixon Weaver (formerly Althea D. Lesane) and I want to be your next Clerk of Superior Court for Bladen County. I am a lifelong resident of this great county currently residing with my husband Greg in the southeastern area of the county in East Arcadia. I am a people person with a BIG smile and service is engrained in my spirit. I am the… READ MORE.
Thirty-fourth Annual MLK Parade
Contributed
Elizabethtown – Preparations are underway for the thirty-fourth (34th) annual parade honoring the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. which will be held in Elizabethtown, North Carolina on Monday, January 16, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. The 2023 theme is “Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Dr. King’s I Have A Dream Speech.” READ MORE.
911 Consolidation, Enhancements Awarded $16.3 Million in Grants; New Funding Round Opens
Raleigh, N.C. – The North Carolina 911 Board has awarded $16.3 million in grants that will benefit 911 call centers in 11 counties and cities across the state. The board also is opening a new round of funding for cooperation and enhancements by local public safety answering points (PSAP) around the state. READ MORE.
Lumber River Council of Governments Receives Multiple National Association of Development Organization Impact Awards
On September 22, 2022, the National Association of Development Organizations announced the winners of the 2022 NADO Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Awards. The NADO Impact Awards recognize creative approaches to the advancement of regional economic development and the improvement of quality of life. This year, only 107 projects from across the country were recognized, with the Lumber River Council of Governments receiving three of these awards. READ MORE.
Thoughts While Shaving
It’s back to school for me for a couple of days … A workshop for an old ‘codger’ must be interesting … Like attempting to teach an old, old dog, new tricks … remember an old saying … I’m ‘sot’ in my ways.
Local high school action tonight after being postponed from Thursday and Friday … East Bladen at West Bladen … could be a good match-up … both teams strugglin’. READ MORE
STORIES FROM SUNDAY, OCT. 2
Thoughts While Shaving
Thinking back over the past few hours and days … so much to digest…
A few hours ago, the wind was howling, several inches of rainfall, to much in fact, or so it seemed in a short time frame. That was Friday … 24 hours later, a beautiful day … many working hard to clean up after the storm … and a beautiful wedding at Historic Trinity Church. READ MORE
STORIES FROM SATURDAY, OCT. 1
Updated: Small Business Spotlight of the Week: Twisted Terror Extreme Haunted Trail
By Cara Beth Lewis
Update: Grand Opening moved to Friday, October 7th for the Twisted Terror Extreme Haunted Trail. READ MORE.
Community Input Needed for Revised School Grade Model
Elizabethtown, NC—The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NC DPI) is asking for public input on restructuring the model for measuring school quality. On the heels of recently released data and school grades—the first time since before the COVID-19 Pandemic—there is a renewed interest across the state to review and update the current model. READ MORE.
State Board of Education Meets Next Week, Oct. 5-6
The State Board of Education will meet Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 5 and 6, in the 7th floor Boardroom, Education Building, 301 N. Wilmington St., Raleigh. READ MORE.
Thoughts While Shaving
Hurricane Ian has departed the scene … now, time for the cleanup.
Rainfall totals for Bladen County will no doubt vary widely … Power companies reported over 358,000 outages yesterday, many have been restored … For others, hopefully soon. Highest wind gust I saw was about 1:30 local time … 49 mph. READ MORE
STORIES FROM FRIDAY, SEPT. 30
Meeting Announced for Mother County Genealogical Society
The Mother County Genealogical Society will meet in the Bladenboro Historical Society Building at 818 South Main Street, Bladenboro, NC, on Saturday, October 8th, at 12:30. The program speaker will be Henry Singletary. READ MORE.
Bladen County Schools Selected for Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
Contributed
A record-setting 232 elementary schools across North Carolina have been selected and approved by the State Board of Education to participate in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program for the 2022-23 school year. This is North Carolina’s largest number of schools ever to participate in a given school year. Every school that applied was selected and approved to participate. READ MORE.
Bladen County Under Tropical Storm Warning, Flood Watch
Bladen County is under a tropical storm warning as Ian is expected to impact eastern North and South Carolina on Friday and into Friday night.
The National Weather Service also has issued a flood watch for Bladen County until 2 a.m. Saturday as excessive rainfall from the storm is expected. READ MORE
Thoughts While Shaving
Hurricane Ian has re-energized after departing Florida late yesterday, and is expected to re-enter the US mainland between Charleston, SC and Myrtle Beach today. Button up and hunker down.
Between the weather and the stock market … We need a break from bad news … This too will end… READ MORE
People Urged to Avoid Unnecessary Travel When Tropical System Ian Hits N.C.
RALEIGH – State transportation officials are prepared for Ian and are urging people to avoid any unnecessary travel starting Friday into the weekend.
“This storm could make travel treacherous in North Carolina,” said J. Eric Boyette, North Carolina’s Transportation Secretary. “Please monitor your local weather, and if you don’t need to be on the roads, stay home.” READ MORE.
Bladen Commissioners Expected To Consider ARPA Project Applications
Bladen County commissioners are expected to consider approving various American Rescue Plan Act-enabled projects Monday during the board’s regularly scheduled meeting.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. inside the Commissioners’ Room located on the lower level of the Bladen County Courthouse in Elizabethtown. The meeting is open to the public. READ MORE
Bladen County Headlines … 50 Years Ago
• New ABWA officers were: Eunice Kinlaw, President, Alma Farris, Treasurer, Hilda Sutton, Vice President. READ MORE
Bladen Unemployment Rate at 4.7% For August
RALEIGH — Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 98 of North Carolina’s counties in August and remained unchanged in two, according to figures released Thursday by the N.C. Department of Commerce.
Southeastern North Carolina counties unemployment rates: Bladen 4.7. READ MORE
STORIES FROM THURSDAY, SEPT. 29
Bladen County Press Release for Tropical Storm Ian
In anticipation of Tropical Storm Ian, the County of Bladen is making preparations to open the Emergency Operations Center tomorrow, Friday, September 30 th , from 7:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m. Extended hours will be dependent upon storm impact. READ MORE.
NWS Releases Hurricane Ian Update
The National Weather Service of Wilmington released an update on expected impacts of Hurricane Ian.
Following are the changes in the advisory results with potential impacts. READ MORE.
Fall in Bladen Series: Halloween Costumes
By Cara Beth Lewis
Fall has come, and with fall comes Halloween! As September comes to a close and October begins, it is time to start Halloween costume prepping. If you are having a hard time getting those creative juices flowing – no worries. We can help you out! READ MORE
North Carolina Earns ‘A’ Grade on National Digital States Survey, Award for Resilience Capabilities
Raleigh, N.C. –North Carolina has achieved an overall grade of “A” and received special recognition for its resilience capabilities in the 2022 Digital States Survey, marking the state’s highest ranking ever on the national biennial survey administered by the Center for Digital Governance to evaluate state governments’ use of digital technologies. READ MORE.
NC MedAssist Announces Two New Board Members
NC MedAssist is pleased to announce the arrival of two new Board members, Laura Magennis, DNP, MSN, RNC-OB, NPD-BC and Jay Vora, PharmD, MBA. Both Laura and Jay’s first terms of service are in effect 2022-2025, bringing the total number of Board members to 18. Board members play an instrumental role in NC MedAssist’s mission of dispensing opportunities… READ MORE.
Motor Vehicle Regulations Waived To Help Farmers
Contributed
RALEIGH – Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler released the following statement regarding Gov. Roy Cooper’s issuance of Executive Order 270 in preparation for Hurricane Ian: READ MORE
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Fall Festival On the Way
By: Jair McElveen
On the third full weekend of October, Jones Lake State Park will be hosting a Fall Festival. This fun-filled event takes place on Saturday the 22nd, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and will have plenty of things to participate in, including… READ MORE.
Businesses and Church Work Together for the annual Tent or Treat
Foundation Church, along with several other local businesses, will host our annual Tent or Treat October 31st, from 6-8pm. Just like last year, the event will take place on our new property located on Corporate Drive, right off Hwy 87 Bypass and MLK Drive. READ MORE.
Hickory Grove Baptist Church Hosts Fall Festival
The public is invited to this year’s Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat at Hickory Grove Baptist Church on Saturday, October 22. The event will be set up near the Picnic Shelter. There will be bounce houses, hayrides, ladies’ pie contest, men’s chili cook-off, plenty of food, and lots of other fun activities. READ MORE.
Bladen Community College Small Business Center to Host Free Veteran Business of Farming Program
DUBLIN, NC –The Small Business Center at Bladen Community College will offer a no-cost series, “The Veteran Business of Farming Program.” The webinars will be held each Wednesday, starting September 21st through Wednesday, October 23rd, from 6:00p.m.until 8:00 p.m. READ MORE.
Let’s Get Stomping!
The 2022 annual Grape Festival is fast approaching! Along with the multiple arts & crafts, food, and business vendors, will be the North Carolina Grape Festival Grape Stomp. READ MORE.
Bladen Community College Foundation to Host Annual Dinner at Lu Mil Vineyard
DUBLIN, NC – The Bladen Community College Foundation will host its 2022 Annual Dinner, “55 Years of Making a Difference” on Thursday, October 13, 2022, at Lu Mil Vineyard, 438 Suggs Taylor Road, Elizabethtown, NC. The dinner will begin at 6 p.m.
“Proceeds from the Annual Dinner provide scholarships… READ MORE.
Suggs Grove Baptist Church Homecoming Oct. 9
Suggs Grove Baptist Church will celebrate homecoming Sunday, Oct. 9.
Worship service will begin at 10 a.m. followed by The Lumber River Quartet performing at 11 a.m. READ MORE
Galeed Baptist Church Homecoming Announcement
Ms. Genia Hester with Galeed Baptist Church announced that the church’s Homecoming is scheduled for October 9, 2022. Everyone is invited to attend.
Sunday School at 9:00 a.m.
Worship Service at 10:00 a.m. READ MORE.
Local Lions Host A “Strides” Walk For Diabetes Awareness
On Saturday, October 8, members of the Clarkton Lions Club, along with their friends and Families, will walk in their 8th Annual Strides: Lions for Diabetes Awareness event.
Registration for the walk will begin at 8:30 AM and the 5K (3 Mile) walk will begin at 9:00 AM. A registration fee of $15.00 will get you an event T-shirt. Registration without… READ MORE.