High School and college seniors are being ‘treated’ , as they should be in. … Traditional graduation ceremonies are ‘out’ in most areas … being…
Posts published in “Opinion”
The first of many springtime/summertime holidays is over … obvious coronavirus was on the minds of many, no concern for some … from one extreme…
The COVID-19 Pandemic taught many to appreciate those who sacrifice their lives for the safety and wellness of others in more sincere ways. The year…
By Blake Proctor In honor of Memorial Day on the 25th, I have been asked to come up with one of my unforgettable memories; so here’s a tale of happenstance I…
By Jefferson Weaver They stand frozen in time, two men far younger than I am now, Gary Cooper-esque smiles under dark eyes. The taller of…
Contributed by Blake Proctor Written by Col. Lawrence G. Kelley USMC (Ret.) On an overcast morning in the spring of 1984, I received an unexpected…
Happy Memorial Day … and thanks to all who have served our great country … especially to those who gave their all. Many will be…
Thinking back over the years … 30 to 40 years … Memorial Day weekend, we have spent most, if not all, at White Lake. ……
Memorial Day weekend began like a lion … roaring … windy, raining. … Hopefully, the next 72 hours or so will be more normal. I…
When all is said and done, don’t expect much to be done in DC for the next few months … except parties playing ‘gotcha’. ……
And the rain came down, and more is expected… Rainfall at the Curtis Brown Airport weather station in Elizabethtown totaled 1.78 inches between 6 p.m.…
Gov. Cooper is expected to update the status of the recovery of COVID-19 today or tomorrow. … Not about to guess changes … but do…
Opinion: Is the DOJ Targeting McCrae Dowless? https://voterintegrityproject.com/doj-targeting-mccrae-dowless/ Share:
Stock market had another good day yesterday, hopeful it will soon return to pre-COVID-19 levels … good for all my wealthy friends… Feel bad for…
Interesting weekend … a brief rain shower at our house … maybe a tenth of an inch, none recorded at the NWS official weather site…
A new court order puts a temporary hold on Governor Roy Cooper’s restrictions related to indoor religious services. That order (ruling) came yesterday, not sure…
Just curious about how the current virus rates with previous, based on deaths… The Hester Research Team, consisting of 1, (me) … researched the info……
We keep chuggin’ along, hopefully, headed to better times, and making some progress, as a nation … I hope. Feel bad for small owner-operators in…
We are suffering as a nation … COVID-19 has changed what we do, how we do it and when we do it … tough at…
Life as we know it has changed, but despite the slowdown caused by COVID-19, much good continues … Progress continues in the Elizabethtown Industrial Park…
Looking forward to a visit to the barber shop… Crime appears to be moving forward as usual … and our judicial system is closed due…
‘Bout this time of the year … as church-goers, we would be saluting Mothers on their special day … youngest mother, oldest mom and who…
Happy Mother’s Day to mothers everywhere … a mother … something we all have. … If you are fortunate to still have a mom, a…
We are now into phase 1 of efforts to return to normal … not sure how many phases are planned, but surely, more than one……
Bladen County residents are to be commended for doing their part in following the COVID-19 related guidelines of public health officials. Effective at 5:00 pm…
By Dr. Mike Walden The coronavirus crisis continues to be “the” story of our day. Few events have hit our lives and our economy with…
Well, after a couple of months of surviving COVID-19, we begin the return to normal … with phase one. … As of 5 p.m., some…
It’s odd how some things surround the memories you can cherish. The Old Man and I had just finished supper when he got a call…
Been an interesting few days, weatherwise … ’bout ready for normal May weather for Bladen County. Stormy over portions of the area in the past…
Several notes of interest … Rainfall totals over the past 24 hours, from 5 a.m. to 5 a.m. appear to be in the range of…
According to the National Weather Service, had nearly a half inch of rain at the Curtis Brown Airport overnight, mostly around 4 to 4:30 a.m.…
“Welcome to My World”, remember that old Jim Reeves country tune? “Won’t you come on in? Miracles, I guess … Still happen now and then.…
Sunday … Church Day for many … but COVID-19 has altered how we receive the service … Technology has made it possible … So we…
Looking forward to some changes in rules we are currently operating with … at the same time, concerned about all of us changing to much,…
By: Jefferson Weaver It’s sometimes hard to notice the forest for one or two great big trees that overshadow everything else. The pages of a…
A week ago, was glued to the TV … the NFL draft … anxiously waiting for Larrell Murchison’s name to be called … actually spent…
Last day of April … been a trying time for many, maybe a light at the end of the tunnel, but return to normal anytime…
By Melissa Martin I am grateful for the option of working from home and getting paid, unlike others who lost jobs or filed for unemployment.…
Who would ever dreamed on Valentine’s Day that the local unemployment rate would go from near 4 percent to near 20 percent by the end…
By Damon Circosta and David Black NC State Board of Elections. If our world is an ant mound, this novel coronavirus was a boot that…
Interesting WRAL-TV news article … Thankless job: F.W. Newton & Sons Mortuary. Bryan Mims broke the story last night. … F.W. Newton Jr. owner of…
Difficult to believe we are in the final few days of April 2020. How are you doing with New Year’s Resolutions? I am a dreamer,…
Congratulations to Larrrell Murchison. … He will continue his football career with the Tennessee Titans. … I must have been one of several hundred, locally,…
The final four rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft resumes at 12 noon today and is expected to last about 7 hours. Bladen County’s own…
Up late last night watching the NFL draft … first round complete. … North Carolina ACC teams failed to show up … 3 or 4…
Coronavirus has taken over as topic ‘1’ in just about every conversation … weather still near the top… Today’s forecast is for showers, mainly before…
Contributed NCDEQ Secretary Michael Regan’s Message As we ushered in the new year, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality had grand plans to commemorate…
Update on COVID-19 stats as of 5:30 a.m. today (Wednesday April 22) as determined by COVID-19 Tracker… Worldwide Confirmed cases: 2,565,059 Active cases: 1,700,920 (+54,527)…
COVID-19 reportedly began in China, now cause for concern in Bladen County. Not sure if confirmed, but the virus is now being reported at two…
Sometimes we forget the roles of the President, Congress and the U.S. Supreme Court. When I was in in high school, only remember one course…
Sunday at our house means … Sunday School and worship service … but it is delivered much different today than what we are accustomed to…
I like to think our overall situation, nationwide is improving, but not sure. A Friday afternoon tour of downtown Elizabethtown was overall … not what…
I like to think I am an optimists … pray for a return to how it was a month or so ago, before news of…
By: Jefferson Weaver The second alarm went off, and I reluctantly, slowly rolled out of bed. The day started as they almost all do: let…
COVID-19 (coronovirus) – Wish it would just go away … but others do as well … Not that easy, best I can tell. I miss…
Understand some folks are waking up to discover a deposit from ‘Uncle Sam’ … Supposed to spend it, to help restart our economy … Hope…
For most of my lifetime, April 15 has been the deadline for filing taxes with ‘Uncle Sam’ and state governments … unless you had permission…
Easter Monday … Keep an eye on the sky … Unsettled weather … mainly before 11 a.m. Showers and thunderstorms. Some storms could be severe,…
By Melissa Martin Individuals across the globe have died from COVID-19. Whether we knew them personally or not — we may cry, feel sadness, experience…
Happy Easter to ALL. … For most, no church as we have known it, but most will have a service, Facebook, or some other… The…
Happy Easter season … Some of my fondest memories have been centered around Easter and the Easter story… This year, will need to rely on…
By Dr. Mike Walden There is now little question among economists – and, I expect, most people also – that the economy is in a…
So, how are you doing during these interesting times? Unusual Easter season … as a youngster, always attended church services at Zion Hill Baptist Church,…
Greetings on Thursday, April 9. It’s been a month since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak in the US. Been a tough 30 days for…
Covid-19 has changed our world… Less traffic, just about everywhere … empty parking lots … long lines at drive-in restaurants near meal-time… See folks communicating…
By: John S Kiernan, Managing Editor • Apr 6, 2020 On a normal Easter Sunday, millions of Americans participate in group activities like going to church services,…
Yesterday was a beautiful day, in many ways … lots of sunshine, temps in the 80s… Forecast for today … Mostly sunny, with a high…
By Jefferson Weaver I have always loved blacksmithing. Whether my love of metalwork is philosophical or genetic, I cannot say. At least one ancestor was…
Normally, this is a busy time of the year for ‘special events’, a little different this year. … Most, if not all, are cancelled or…
I rise early, check the headlines, mostly national news and wonder what will be next… Will be happy when we get to the other side…
By Charlotte Smith Since the Coronavirus outbreak, a lot of bad news has hit the airwaves. What is disappointing is the way some people respond…
Checking headlines… President Trump says, reluctantly, it’s OK to wear mask, but he will not wear one. … Saw more mask yesterday than ever uptown…
Bladen County has moved from no coronavirus victims to one. … Hope the unidentified person recovers quickly and we have no more, but not likely.…
Wish my mom was still living … for many reasons, but main topic would be about how her family survived during the depression in the…
April Fool’s Day… Goodbye March, 2020 … It’s been like a bad dream come true… Coronavirus has played a trick on the world … sorry,…
How are you doing in the environment we are operating in? Bored??? I attempt to stay busy … cleaning up files that should be thrown…
By Casey Roman This won’t make news headlines but if you’re concerned about empty grocery shelves AND just how crooked our judicial system can be…this…
Contributed March 29, 2020 Dear Friend, Here’s today’s update: A reminder about the statewide Stay-at-Home Order issued by Governor Cooper that goes into effect at 5…
A new week, last days of March. Time for a new beginning, but most likely … more of the same… Wish our leaders, especially our…
North Carolina State Board of Elections Legislative Recommendations COVID-19 Contributed March 26, 2020 (Raleigh) Never letting a crisis go to waste, NC State Board of…
Many, maybe most area churches will not be meeting today, as they normally do, but many will have worship services … online … many on…
President Trump signs $2 trillion legislation that will hopefully keep American afloat ’til the storm passes by… Governors and local officials further limit movement attempting…
By Dr. Mike Walden Most crises have lasting effects. World War II spawned the United Nations but also the Cold War. The Vietnam War caused…
By Jefferson Weaver I was patiently waiting in line at a local store the other day, a few routine purchases in my cart, and the…
I keep looking for something positive from coronavirus! Guess it would be, it has come as close as possible, to forcing the US Senate and…
By Melissa Martin Dog stories give us fuzzy feelings, giggles and guffaws, and comforting connections. And in the mist of the current pandemic, humans need…
“The Senate unanimously passed a $2 trillion emergency relief bill Wednesday night aimed at limiting the financial trauma that the coronavirus pandemic is inflicting on…
Dear Friend, A bipartisan deal on a major coronavirus relief package was reached late last night, however several members of the Senate have identified a…
Hopefully, a deal has been struck by US Congressional leaders of both political parties and will be approved today. Deal was struck late last night,…
Saw a few cute quotes on Internet … will share a few. … “Our cleaning lady just called and told us she will be working…
Did not attend church yesterday, in person … even missed my usual early Sunday morning meeting with friends at Wesley’s Chapel UMC …, (I could…
Good morning. … It’s Sunday and for many congregations, no church services that we are accustom to. … Many will be having online church. ……
By Melissa Martin What did I do with the unexpected time off due to the pandemic? Well, I stayed at home to prevent germ-sharing and…
By Charlotte Smith Yesterday, the Bladen County Board of Commissioners declared a State of Emergency. For the past week or so, we have been encouraged…
My thoughts are my thoughts only … not for the purpose of spreading fear … just the facts, as best I understand. I have discovered…
Today is the first day of Spring … Looking forward to a new planting season… April 15 is the last day to file your taxes…
Woke up early this AM, as usual, but with the state of the union on my mind … scarry. … I’m OK … old ‘poot’…
By Jefferson Weaver In Act II, Scene 2 of Macbeth, the title character is having a crisis. Fraught with a guilty conscience, with a murderous…
Drastic action at the Federal and State level of government announced yesterday… President Trump and his staff announced a $1 trillion or more stimulus package…
Submitted By Rev. Dr. Chris Denny on Mar 14, 2020 10:22 pm May we who are merely inconvenienced Remember those whose lives are at stake.…