Author: Rachel Baldauf

Rachel Baldauf is a reporter at the Border Belt Independent. She is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, where she helped produce in-depth stories for the Medill Investigative Lab.
Education, Scotland County

As St. Andrews University in NC struggles, its world-class equestrian program thrives

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org Grace Gerberry has been riding horses since she was big enough to sit up on one. When it came time to choose a college, a Google search led her to St. Andrews University in North Carolina.  After talking with the roughly 40 members of the school’s equestrian program, which boasts a 300-acre facility, nearly 70 horses and a reputation for success, …Read more Continue reading As St. Andrews University in NC struggles, its world-class equestrian program thrives

Rachel Baldauf
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Columbus County, Education, News

‘Not enough dentists’: Border Belt counties need better access to dental care

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org  On any given day throughout the school year, you’re likely to see a blue and white recreation vehicle parked outside a public school in Columbus County. It’s the Toothmobile, a mobile dental clinic that serves more than 1,000 students each year. Students can visit the Toothmobile during the school hours for cleanings, fillings and other critical dental procedures. Those without dental …Read more Continue reading ‘Not enough dentists’: Border Belt counties need better access to dental care

Rachel Baldauf
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Bladen County, Columbus County, Health, News, Robeson County, Scotland County

CDC unveils strategic plan aimed at combating rural health issues

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org  The Office of Rural Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unveiled a new strategic plan last week aimed at combating health issues in rural areas across the country. The new plan, which was developed alongside local partners like the N.C. Office of Rural Health, outlines a vision for the next five years to combat health issues like obesity, …Read more Continue reading CDC unveils strategic plan aimed at combating rural health issues

Rachel Baldauf
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Education, News, Robeson County

UNC Pembroke, known for its diversity, eliminates DEI office

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, one of the most diverse colleges in the South, dissolved its diversity office to comply with a new policy that eliminated diversity and inclusion mandates throughout the UNC System. As part of the change, UNC Pembroke eliminated two positions: director of student inclusion and diversity and American Indian liaison to the chancellor. In addition, …Read more Continue reading UNC Pembroke, known for its diversity, eliminates DEI office

Rachel Baldauf
Bladen County, Education, News, Public Safety

Parents question schools after Bladen County bus driver accused of multiple sex crimes

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org Some Bladen County parents say the school district should have done more to protect students from a school bus driver who is accused of sexually assaulting several young girls.    The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office began investigating on April 10 after a student told a school employee she was sexually assaulted by David Earl Denkins on the bus on the way to …Read more Continue reading Parents question schools after Bladen County bus driver accused of multiple sex crimes

Rachel Baldauf
Health, News, Robeson County, Scotland County

Rural North Carolina hospitals say recruiting surgeons is key to long-term success

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org  Rural hospitals across the country often struggle to recruit doctors. Recruiting surgeons is even tougher.  In southeastern North Carolina, the hospitals in Scotland and Robeson counties are investing in surgical programs that health care experts say are vital to the survival of rural hospitals.  Scotland Health in Laurinburg built new operating rooms and renovated the hospital’s surgical services department as part …Read more Continue reading Rural North Carolina hospitals say recruiting surgeons is key to long-term success

Rachel Baldauf
Bladen County, Columbus County, Economy, News

Two flood-prone NC towns rebuilt downtown districts on higher ground. Did it work?

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org  After Hurricane Florence pummeled Bladen County in 2018, Amanda West had to start over.  West, the owner of Over Yonder Coffee, Teas, & Creamery in Bladenboro, said flood waters were 3 feet deep inside her store. The cooler and refrigerator were destroyed, along with 42 tubs of ice cream. “We lost everything,” she said. “So we just took everything out and …Read more Continue reading Two flood-prone NC towns rebuilt downtown districts on higher ground. Did it work?

Rachel Baldauf
Bladen County, Columbus County, News, Robeson County, Scotland County

Debby could bring more flooding to southeastern North Carolina

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org Flooding remains a threat in southeastern North Carolina on Friday after Tropical Storm Debby marched slowly through the state. In the Border Belt, Robeson County was under a flood watch Saturday morning, according to the National Weather Service. Lumberton near the Lumber River was under a flood warning. The Lumber River at Lumberton was classified as “major flood stage” with a …Read more Continue reading Debby could bring more flooding to southeastern North Carolina

Rachel Baldauf
Bladen County, Columbus County, News, Robeson County, Scotland County

Tropical Storm Debby brings heavy rain to southeastern NC. Here’s the latest

We stopped updating this story on Wednesday, Aug. 7. See our latest story here. By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org Tropical Storm Debby is bringing heavy rain to southeastern North Carolina as forecasters warn about possible flooding.  The slow-moving storm was off the coast of Charleston, South Carolina, on Wednesday evening and will likely make landfall along the South Carolina coast late Wednesday or early Thursday, the …Read more Continue reading Tropical Storm Debby brings heavy rain to southeastern NC. Here’s the latest

Rachel Baldauf
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Bladen County, Columbus County, Health, Robeson County, Scotland County

HIV and syphilis are on the rise in Robeson County

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org  When Brenda Hunt helped start the Borderbelt AIDS Resources Team in 1996, the small nonprofit was the only place in Robeson County for people living with HIV or AIDS to get support and connect to resources. Hunt, who now serves as the BART director, would drive clients to Laurinburg or Chapel Hill to receive a cocktail of medications. She would deliver …Read more Continue reading HIV and syphilis are on the rise in Robeson County

Rachel Baldauf