03/29/2024
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Bladen County slowed down a bit during the past week as many people celebrated the birth of Jesus, traveled over the hills and through the woods to grandma’s house, and youngsters tossed and turned in bed on Christmas Eve in hopes the big man in the red suit would pay a visit.

Of course, not every child is fortunate enough to have presents left under the tree on Christmas morning. That’s where many folks in Bladen County open their hearts and their wallets to help.

Operation Christmas3Among that group was the Bladen County Law Enforcement Officers Association, who helped Santa Claus during their Operation Christmas mission. The officers delivered gifts to some Bladen County children in need. The visits brought lots of smiles and, yes, a few tears.

In other news,

** A strong weather front moved through the area Wednesday, Dec. 23, kicking off thunderstorms and resulting the National Weather Service briefly issuing a tornado warning for Bladen County. Heavy rains inundated farm fields and yards, and causing water to pond on area roadways.

** The Bladen County EMS report showed needs in Bladen County. David Howell, EMS Chief, and Bradley Kinlaw, Emergency Services Director, gave a system update report Monday, Dec. 21 to the Bladen County Board of Commissioners and promised to bring back a budget so commissioners may assist them in their staffing needs.

** The field is now set for the 2016 March Primary Election as a flurry of candidates filed for election. The primary is in March.

White lake Icon** An icon in the town of White Lake was torn down Monday, Dec. 21, to make way for multi-family housing. The building that once housed the likes of Captain Willie’s Restaurant, Lois’ Seafood and Potter Seafood is no more.

** John Bowen fired in a 3-point shot with 4 seconds left in overtime that lifted West Bladen to a 67-66 victory over Hoke County on Wednesday, Dec. 23, in the championship game of the Woodmen Life Christmas Tournament. “When it went in my heart went crazy,” Bowen, a junior, said. It was the second year in a row the Knights won their own holiday event. West Bladen defeated Midway and Whiteville to reach the finals.

Kemp4** The No. 20 jersey that was worn by sisters JaToya and Jazmine Kemp was retired Monday, Dec. 21, in a ceremony before the Lady Eagles game with Whiteville.

** Washington Nationals Scout Paul Faulk and his son, Tripp Faulk, conducted a hitting camp Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Bladen County Recreation’s Grand-Slam Batting Cage in Bladenboro. Thirty-one young baseball players between the ages of 9-13 attended.

** One man was arrested and charged in connection to two breaking and entering cases involving commercial businesses in Bladen County. Jonathan Adam Andrews was arrested and charged in two different breaking and entering cases.

** The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office seized more than 130 weapons in the Kelly area on Friday, Dec. 18, and charged Andrew Jackson Simmons with one count of felonious possession of a firearm by a felon, and four counts of possession of a weapon of mass destruction.

That’s the week that was in Bladen County.

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