Updated regularly
Tar Heel family loses home to fire
By Charlotte Smith
Tragedy has struck Bladen County repeatedly this week. Multiple fires have firefighters using their teamwork skills. However, one family lost everything according to Bladen County Fire Marshall, Kenneth Clark. READ MORE
Historical place in Bladen County
Each week we present an historical place in Bladen County. This week we present the Purdie House and Purdie Methodist Church.
Purdie House and Purdie Methodist Church is a historic home and Methodist church located near Tar Heel, Bladen County, North Carolina. READ MORE
EVENT: Bladen County Relay for Life Cancer Survivor’s Gala set for Sunday
By Erin Smith
The annual Bladen County Relay for Life Survivors Gala will take place on Sunday, March 24th, at the Cape Fear Farmers Market in Elizabethtown at 4 p.m. The theme for this year’s event is Super Heroes of Hope. The event is open to cancer survivors and their caregivers. READ MORE
Bladen County Headlines…35 Years Ago
Elizabethtown’s Rick Hester was entering his second year of pro baseball in the Texas Ranger farm system.
Applications for Boost the Boro Scholarship Announced
Boost the Boro, Inc. announced today that the organization will again be making two scholarship awards in 2019. Selections will be made in May and awards presented at our June 11 th Boost the Boro monthly meeting. READ MORE
Upcoming church events and fundraisers
Opinion: Thoughts While Shaving
For college basketball fans, this is the best time of the year.
POLITICS: Annual County Democratic Party Convention
Contributed
The Bladen County Democratic Party will have its annual county convention on Saturday, March 23. The guest speaker will be Professor Irving L. Joyner.
The meeting will be held at 10 a.m. in the Bladen County Courthouse Superior Courtroom. READ MORE
Former Poet Laureate of North Carolina to Speak at BCC
Joseph Bathanti, former Poet Laureate of North Carolina (2012-14) and recipient of the 2016 North Carolina Award for Literature, will be speaking on Tuesday, March 25 th at Bladen Community College. The presentation starts at 12:30 pm and will be held in the Student Resource Center. READ MORE
Extremes for Bladen County, NC, on March 23
Highest Temperature 85 degrees 2011Precipitation
This Day in History – March 23
1775 – Patrick Henry proclaims “Give me liberty or give me death” in speech in favor of Virginian troops joining US Revolutionary War.
Celebrating Ms. Shelby Patrick and Ms. Berline Graham
By Charlotte Smith
A large crowd gathered celebrating Ms. Shelby Patrick and Ms. Berline Graham for their work with the with Bladen County Senior Citizens with the Department on Aging at the Baltimore Community Center in Council. The Retirement Luncheon was organized by the Carvers Creek Citizens Association with Director, Ms. Quessie Peterson. READ MORE
Special election estimated to cost Bladen County tens of thousands
By Charlotte Smith
The Special Election is fast approaching. Some voters have voiced concerns with the costs of the election and others have questions over exactly what the Special Election is for and how it will work out. READ MORE
Former Carvers Creek Fire Chief dies in auto accident
By Charlotte Smith
A beloved Carvers Creek Fire Chief passed away on Thursday, March 21 due to injuries sustained in an auto accident. The accident occurred at the intersection of Highway 87 and Elwell Ferry Road. READ MORE
North Carolina’s February Employment Figures Released
RALEIGH — The state’s seasonally adjusted February unemployment rate was 3.9 percent, increasing 0.1 of a percentage point from January’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.2 of a percentage point to 3.8 percent. READ MOREBladen County Road Closings
Bridge replacement, debris removal and high water all are contributing factors for roads being closed in Bladen County. Roads in Elizabethtown, Kelly, Council and White Oak are affected from closings. READ MORERoseboro Rescue gets tech upgrade
Contributed by Star Telephone and Kristy D. Carter, Sampson Independent
The Roseboro EMS will now have Wifi capabilities throughout the building as part of a Smart Rural CommunitySM Collaboration Challenge grant awarded to Star Communications.
Star Communications is one of four companies across the United States awarded the grant as part of the Rural Broadband Association’s initiative to highlight efforts that make rural communities vibrant places to live and do business. READ MORE
UPDATED: Teenager hit and killed in Bladen County
By Charlotte Smith
Early Friday morning some Bladen County residents reported a body laying on the side of Highway 701 North near Clara’s Corner. The victim was not from Bladen County, but was spending time at White Lake according to Bladen County Coroner, Kenneth Clark. READ MORE
Hurricane Florence still causing problems in Bladen County
By Charlotte Smith
Some Bladen County residents are still displaced from the damages caused by Hurricane Florence. There are some locals living in homes with black mold growing. Yesterday, Bladen County Emergency Services Director and other emergency officials explained how the effects of Hurricane Florence is hurting Bladen County’s budget. READ MORE
Students succeed in Bladen County Battle of the Books
Contributed
Bladenboro Middle School Battle of the Books team won the Bladen County Middle School Battle of the Books Competition, which was held at Bladen Community College on Thursday, March 14. READ MORE
Amateur Radio at Southern Farm Days
Contributed
Despite the grinding roar of tractor-pulling contests going on behind them, and the thunderous concussion from a Confederate reenactors cannon exploding from across a road next to them, Bladen County’s amateur radio enthusiasts proved that they can operate and maintain worldwide communications, including emergency radio networks, even under the toughest of circumstances, and in any kind of weather. READ MORE
Full day of problem solving for county officials
By Charlotte Smith
Bladen County officials met at the Mac Campbell, Sr. Terminal Building in Elizabethtown on Thursday, March 21 from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Election costs, highway widening, Parks, county planning, economic development, beaver management, board policies and procedures, diversity, inclusion and the county budget were some items on the Bladen County Board of Commissioners’ meeting agenda.
The Special Election costs for Bladen County were announced at the meeting. READ MORE
Lock and Dam No. 2 Recreational Area will remain closed through late summer / early fall 2019
Contributed
WILMINGTON, NC- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wilmington District has closed the recreational area at Lock and Dam No. 2 on the Cape Fear River located near Elizabethtown. READ MORE
Conner’s Law passes the NC House
By Charlotte Smith
Accident at Saw Mill sends one to hospital
By Erin Smith
An accident at a sawmill on NC 210 near Ivanhoe sent one man to the hospital on Wednesday afternoon.
Suggestions for Kelly Dike, Commissioners visit DC
By Erin Smith
The Bladen County Commissioners have been working in Washington DC and in Bladen County with federal legislators for assistance to help the local rural communities. US Congressman David Rouzer spoke with the commissioners on Wednesday afternoon and the commissioners gave a report on the National Association of Counties annual Legislative Goals Conference they attended in Washington DC. READ MORE
Tips about firearm safety
Maryellen Robeson with Shooter Ready, LLC spoke to the Elizabethtown Rotary Club about gun safety this week at Cape Fear Vineyard & Winery. Robeson is a NRA Certified Firearms Instructor, NC Certified Concealed Carry Instructor, Staff Instructor for NRA Whittington Center, New Mexico, Women’s Wilderness Escape, NRA Certified Range Safety Officer, and is a Retired Youth Pastor. “We do as Americans get to enjoy our right to be gun owners, but with that right we have to be responsible,” Robeson opened the presentation saying. READ MORE
Residents express anger, ask questions about White Oak Dike repairs
By Erin Smith
Residents of the Kelly community gathered at Centerville Baptist Church on Tuesday night for a public hearing regarding the White Oak Dike. The dike was breached during Hurricane Florence and led to the flooding of the community.
Bladen County Commissioner Chairman Charles Ray Peterson opened the meeting and told the audience that the information gathered at the meeting will be documented and utilized to develop a plan to repair the dike. READ MORE
Underage driver charged in Hernandez death
A West Bladen High School student died from injuries he sustained in a wreck on Butler Mill Road occurring on Sunday, March 10 at 1:50 p.m., according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol (NCHP). Charges have been filed against the underage driver according to the NCHP report. READ MORE
Traditional Calendar Approved for Bladen County Schools
by Joy Warren
The Bladen County Board of Education met Tuesday evening for a special called meeting to discuss the school calendar for 2019-20. Prior to discussion of the calendar action item, citizens were allowed to address the board. The only participant was White Lake Mayor Goldston Womble. READ MORE
Kiwanis busy making a difference
Contributed
Kiwanis of Elizabethtown had a busy agenda Tuesday evening. Relay For Life, Boys Scouts, Beta Club, the Boys & Girls Homes, and Lower Cape Hospice were all on the list for the club to assist in at least one way. READ MORE
Best Biscuit and Pound Cake Contests at Spring Fling
Contribute
2nd Annual Best Biscuit Baker Contest & 1st Annual Pound Cake Contest
“Searching for the Best Pound Cake & Best Biscuit Baker”
Judging will be at the stage Downtown READ MORE
Commissioners hear from citizens regarding beaver issue
By Erin Smith
The Bladen County Board of Commissioners heard from two Bladen County citizens regarding issues with beavers in the county. READ MORE
Series of Dublin fires remain under investigation
By Erin Smith
Three suspicious fires remain under investigation near Dublin, according to the Bladen County Fire Marshal’s Office. Investigators have developed persons of interest in the case. READ MORE
Bladen County Commissioners Discuss Building for Sheriff’s Office
By Erin Smith
The Bladen County Board of Commissioners approved a lease agreement for the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office to utilize a building located on West Broad Street in Elizabethtown to store evidence. READ MORE
Bladen Disaster Recovering Team fundraising to make a difference
The Bladen Disaster Recovery Team has heard the cries of local hurricane victims for months now. The newly organized group is striving to make a difference and meet the needs of those in Bladen County devastated by Hurricane Florence. READ MORE
POLITICS: Bladen County Republican Party annual convention is Monday
On Monday, March 25, 2019 the Bladen County Republican Party annual convention will be held at the Powell Melvin Agriculture Building, 450 Smith Circle, Elizabethtown. READ MORE
Celebrating 100 years with Key to the City
By Erin Smith
An Elizabethtown man recently celebrated his 100th birthday in style as he was presented with the Key to the City.
Deacon Grover Cleveland Hall was greeted by fellow church members, friends and family at Glenda’s Just Desserts in Elizabethtown recently. READ MORE
Voters Challenge to State Voter ID Moves Forward
RALEIGH, N.C. – On Wednesday, Wake County Superior Judge Vince Rozier, Jr. issued an order that allows a state constitutional challenge to North Carolina’s voter ID law to move forward in front of a three-judge panel. Chief Justice Beasley will appoint the three members of the panel. The case was heard by Judge Rozier on March 4. Plaintiffs in the case brought the challenge immediately after the voter ID enabling legislation went into effect when the Legislature overrode Gov. Cooper’s veto. READ MORE
LIFESTYLES: Kelly Spring Fest is planned for April 27
The annual Kelly Spring Fest will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2019, at the Kelly ball field. Food, arts and crafts vendors are welcome. READ MORE
April Job Fair planned, vendor space available
A Job Fair is planned for Tuesday, April 16, 2019, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Bladen Community College Auditorium. Vendor space is available. READ MORE
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