At 4 a.m. each weekday morning, attorney Bryan Wilson grabs a cup of coffee and looks over dozens of files of neglected and abused children from southeastern North Carolina. It’s his job to make sure they’re safe during the months — and sometimes years — that their cases trudge through the court system. Hours later […]
Ivey Schofield
Ivey Schofield is a staff writer at Border Belt Independent.
Posted inCourts & Justice
‘An attack on our people:’ North Carolina’s missing and murdered Indigenous women
When Lisa Hardin didn’t return to her southeastern North Carolina home in the summer of 2003, her mother knew something was wrong. Days later, police found the body of 36-year-old Hardin in the woods on the east side of Lumberton in Robeson County. Her orange Harley Davidson T-shirt was pulled over her chest, and her […]
Posted inBusiness & Economy
Howard: Internet access a barrier for Columbus development
This is the second installment of a series about economic development in the Border Belt, which encompasses Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland counties. For years, Jeff Howard watched eastern Columbus County struggle to create opportunities for people because of poor internet access. The pandemic has made it even worse. “When you go from just a […]
Posted inBusiness & Economy
Workforce is key to capitalizing on agribusiness and population growth in Columbus
Editor’s note: This is the second in a series of stories that provides an overview of the economies of Bladen, Columbus, Robeson, and Scotland counties in southeastern North Carolina. The 954 square miles of vast farmland and forests have shaped Columbus County’s economy for generations. Workers assemble greenhouses for specialty crops near Southeast Regional Industrial […]
Posted inHealth
Columbus health department funding has plummeted over last decade
This is the first in a series of several stories that will analyze funding and spending of health departments across the Border Belt. Elizabeth Kinlaw readies her supplies to conduct breast and cervical cancer screenings. For more than a decade, Columbus County women have had fewer and fewer affordable options for breast and cervical cancer […]
Posted inHealth
Scotland County 14th best in vaccine access
Scotland County got plenty of vaccine early and had success vaccinating those over age 65. Scotland County has consistently had one of the best COVID-19 vaccine allocation rates in the state — and certainly the best of the Border Belt counties. Since the beginning of vaccine distribution in mid December, the North Carolina Department of […]
Posted inBusiness & Economy
Bladen entrepreneur turns bankrupt property into destination with peacocks, wine and bourbon
Bladen entrepreneur turns bankrupt property into destination with peacocks, wine and bourbon
Posted inEducation
‘A second chance school’ in Bladen County instills discipline in its cadets despite challenges
Tenth-grader Kalil Bellamy practices drills with a fake rifle at the Paul R. Brown Leadership Academy in Elizabethtown on May 3. The academy has drill teams that compete at the school and perform throughout the community. Photo by Maddy Gray The founder of the only military-style charter school for grades six through 12 in North […]
Posted inBusiness & Economy
‘Strong human capital and innovation:’ How Bladen County has created plans for future development
Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of stories that provide an overview of the economies of Bladen, Columbus, Robeson, and Scotland counties in southeastern North Carolina. A track hoe demolishes a section of downtown Bladenboro that was destroyed by flood from Hurricane Florence. A revitalization project will restore the business district. Photo […]