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The week began in tragedy when three people were shot and killed inside their home in Clarkton.

Taurean Reshaul Johnson (pictured, left), 36, of Clarkton, has been charged with three counts of murder and one count of attempted murder, according to the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office, for the slayings that took place early Sunday morning, Feb. 23 inside a home at 71 Tina Lane. One person survived.

In another case,

Bladen County District Jon David said that no charges will be filed in the officer-involved shooting death of Lance Edward Smith (pictured, right) following an investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation. Smith was shot by Elizabethtown police Nov. 22, 2019 during a hostage standoff in Elizabethtown. Smith fired at officers, who returned fire. Smith died from injuries during the shooting.

There was some good news during the week.

Two former Bladen County athletes were honored by their colleges. Former Clarkton High School basketball star Sheila Ford Duncan had her jersey retired by UNC Asheville. Former East Bladen basketball standout Sharon McDowell was inducted into the UNC Wilmington Hall of Fame.

In other news,

The former secretary-treasurer of the union representing workers at the Smithfield Foods plant in Tar Heel was sentenced in federal court in Raleigh. Terry Slaughter, 46, of Fayetteville, plead guilty to embezzlement of more than $200,000 in union assets.

Ashton Robeson became the first Eagle Scout in 37 years from the Dublin area. A ceremony was held at Dublin First Baptist Church.

Will one of the bridges spanning the Cape Fear River in Elizabethtown be replaced? It’s being considered, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation, but no decision has been made. The bridges have been damaged because of hurricanes in recent years.

Elizabethtown residents were challenged to start a Community Development Corporation at an NAACP-sponsored meeting. Community members and Elizabethtown officials attended to discuss economic development.

East Bladen teacher Linda Beard (pictured, right) was recognized as a NC Child Hunger Hero at the NC Child Hunger Leaders Conference in Chapel Hill.

In sports, the winter sports season officially came to an end in Bladen County during the week.

The East Bladen and West Bladen girls’ basketball teams were eliminated from the NCHSAA playoffs. East Bladen lost to Farmville Central in the second round. West Bladen lost to Kinston in the first round.

The Elizabethtown Middle School girls’ basketball team won the Waccamaw AA Division championship with a win against Bladenboro.

One former Bladen County athlete has led his team to a championship. West Bladen High graduate Sayaun Dent (pictured, left) and Sandhills Community College won the Region X district championship. Earler, Dent had been named region Player of the Year.