The week began with celebrating and remembering the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and ended with us hunkered down in our homes following Winter Storm Jonas. In between, there was a drug arrest, search for a shooting suspect, a squirrel attempting to attend church and the two Bladen County high school basketball teams renewed their rivalry.
Those were among the highlights in Bladen County for the week of Jan. 17-23. Here’s a recap.
** While the temperatures were frigid, spirits were high for parade goers on Monday, Jan. 18 in Elizabethtown. Several celebrations took place in the region to mark the celebration of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., including the annual parade through downtown Elizabethtown.
** Although preparations were made, Bladen County Emergency Management Director Bradley Kinlaw said that the county did not experienced any major issues with Winter Storm Jonas. However, we did get a dusting of snow early Saturday morning and there was some ice on roads, but Bladen missed the worst of the winter storm.
** The Elizabethtown Police Department investigated a shooting they are calling “gang-related” that occurred on Monday, Jan. 18. Police were attempting to locate Meredith J. Cromartie of Fox St. in Elizabethtown.
** Four individuals were arrested and charged with the sell and deliver of crack cocaine and prescription pills in the county, according to Bladen County Sheriff Jim McVicker. Three other individuals were being sought in connection with the case.
** In true Ray Stevens fashion, a squirrel has recently been attempting to join the congregation of the Elizabethtown Presbyterian Church. Say what?
** There was an air of excitement on a brisk Wednesday, Jan. 20 as town staff and firefighters gathered to watch as a new apparatus arrived. The department officially accepted delivery of a new 2015 E-One pumper which will replace a 1987 Pierce pumper.
** The Bladen County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday night and heard a request from Bladen Community College President William Findt regarding the Connect NC Bond. The board voted to approve a resolution of support for the Connect NC Bond.
** Remember, North Carolina’s primary election will be in March this year instead of the traditional May. The Bladen County Board of Elections announced that One Stop Voting for the March Primary will begin March 3 and ends at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 12.
** In sports, the N.C. High School Athletic Association released its second draft for the 2017-21 realignment on Friday, Jan. 22, and there was only one slight improvement for Bladen teams. Goldsboro was moved to another conference, but, if approved, Bladen teams will still have long trips for conference play.
** East Bladen’s Lady Eagles remained atop the latest NCPreps.com Class 2A Women’s State Basketball poll that was released Tuesday, Jan. 19.
** On the court, junior Sayaun Dent fired in 14 of his game-high 19 points in the second half as West Bladen rallied for a 62-58 Four County Conference boys basketball victory over visiting East Bladen on Tuesday, Jan. 19.
In the girls game, senior Lacey Suggs pumped in 18 points, and East Bladen opened up a 31-5 halftime lead en route to a 46-16 win.
That’s the week that was in Bladen County.
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