03/28/2024
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Week In ReviewWho said summer is a slow period for news? Not in Bladen County.

In the past week, a tax administrator was fired, two law enforcement officers were cleared of wrongdoing in a fatal shooting in March, the school system asked for more money from the county and teachers went back to work in preparation for the opening of another school year.

Oh, and an eyewitness to a plane crash in Bladenboro told his story, high school football season opened, a fundraiser was held for a little girl with a congenital heart defect, and the Bladen County Animal Shelter held an adoption event.

Whew!

Chris Ellis was fired as Bladen County tax administrator Aug. 17 by the Board of Commissioners for “unacceptable personal conduct.” He had been on the job for a little more than six years, and had recently received a new four-year appointment. The decision, however, wasn’t unanimous. Commissioners Dr. Delilah Blanks, Michael Cogdell and Arthur Bullock voted against the termination. Blanks told The Fayetteville Observer, “I thought it was a little harsh. I think they went too far. It was not related to his work performance. It was related to sexual harassment.” Commissioners announced that Renee Davis and Carol Cain will handle the duties of the office until a replacement for Ellis is found.

Bladen County Sheriff’s Deputy Cley Carroll and Bladenboro police Officer Donnie Williamson were justified in using deadly force when they shot and killed 24-year-old Declan Owen in March and no criminal charges will be filed, District Attorney Jon David announced Aug. 21. David’s ruling came after an SBI investigation into the shooting. On March 15, Carroll and Williamson fired several shots and fatally wounded Owen, of Elizabethtown, after he pointed a gun at the officers in a wooded area off N.C. 41 near West Bladen High School.

On Aug. 16, commissioners were asked to approve another $200,000 for Bladen County Schools by Supt. Dr. Robert Taylor, but many in the room were not receptive. Taylor also told the board, “I will be bringing a consolidation proposal to the board at the September meeting for the public to provide feedback. Through consolidation of the schools we will eliminate a lot of these (funding) issues.”

At the Bladenboro Airport on Aug. 15, a small plane crashed into a ditch trying to take off. The accident destroyed the plane, but its two passengers escaped with only cuts and bruises. On Aug. 16, eyewitness Richard Bryan told what happened. “All of a sudden I heard (the pilot) cut power and (the plane) started fish-tailing. (It) ran back and forth (across the runway), then the wing hit the ditch bank (on the left). From where I was, the only thing I saw was the tail go up in the air, and it flipped over. Then all I saw was a dust cloud.” Bryan sped to the scene in his pickup and was surprised when the two people were climbing from the ditch.

In other news,

** Bladen County’s high school football teams won their season openers. West Bladen shut out South Robeson 46-0, while East Bladen rolled past South Columbus 36-6.

** People from Bladen County and beyond gathered at Center Road Baptist Church on Aug. 22 to enjoy a BBQ plate and fellowship. Most important, they gathered to help 5-month old Eva Pait’s family with medical expenses. Eva, who is the daughter of Jason and Kimmi Pait, was born with a congenital heart defect and will require surgery. Once again, Bladen County folks showed their willingness to help those in need.

** Bladen County may soon own the former Bladen County Correctional Center. The North Carolina General Assembly on Aug. 18 passed a bill that would transfer ownership of the facility to Bladen County for $1. The bill now goes to Gov. McCrory for his approval.

** The Elizabethtown Rotary Club officially presented Frankie Oxendine of the Wounded Warrior Project with a donation from money raised at the 8K Trail Run and Walk that was held in April at Brown’s Creek Nature Park & Bike Trail.

That’s the week that was in Bladen County.

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