Been an interesting few days, weatherwise … ’bout ready for normal May weather for Bladen County. Stormy over portions of the area in the past 72 hours or so, now cooler weather…
Sunny today, high near 68 with winds gusting as high as 21 mph. Clear and cool tonight, low around 45. Friday, increasing clouds, with a high near 74, and winds increasing from 10 to 15 mph in the AM to as high as 20 mph, later…
Looking ahead to Mother’s Day … Mostly sunny, with a high near 70.
Happy to see senior’s at our local schools being recognized. … They have earned it. Coronavirus has robbed them of many senior experiences…
More broadband is being added to the Star Telco service area … Star Communications recently received a $23 million grant, that must be matched by an additional 25%. … The grant is being shared with about 50% for rural Bladen and the other half for rural Sampson County, for a total of about $30 million upgrade to the system. A 5 year project that will be a huge ‘plus’ for Star member/customers.
I know, can hear folks … aren’t land lines being replaced by cell phones?, yep … but even cell phones need the Internet … Fiber is a must for cell towers, video & security systems, land line telephones, and more.
In addition to the recent grant from federal funds, the state of North Carolina, like other states, continues support for broadband for schools, health care facilities, farmers and more … and Star is currently completing 3 smaller projects in Bladen … From Pusey’s store at the intersection of NC 41 and NC 210 north toward US 701, another along Mote Road in the Colly Chapel Church area near White Lake and between Bladenboro and Elizabethtown in the Oak Grove FWB church area. Several hundred homes eligible to be served at the 3 sites, some ready for hook-ups, others nearing final stages.
All are rural areas that qualify for such projects … Demand is great, dollars limited … Need about $30 million more to upgrade the entire Star Communications service area … sometime in the future … FYI…
If you see Underground Construction work crews in the area, chances are good they are busy, adding fiber to the Star TMC system…
“The only time my prayers are never answered is on the golf course.” Billy Graham
“Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines.” Robert H. Shuler
“The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it.” Robert H. Shuler
robert g hester
rgh4612@gmail.com
910-876-2322
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