Category: Columbus County

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Bladen County, Columbus County, Education, Robeson County, Scotland County

Here’s how high schools in NC’s Border Belt performed in latest rankings

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org  Scotland Early College High School in Laurinburg is the 70th best public high school in North Carolina, according to new rankings from U.S. News & World Report. The school far out-ranked other public high schools in the Border Belt region of Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland counties. PSRC Early College at Robeson Community College ranked 168th. All others fell below the …Read more Continue reading Here’s how high schools in NC’s Border Belt performed in latest rankings

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

Thousands of southeastern NC residents will likely lose discount for internet service 

By Sarah Nagem sarahnagem@borderbelt.org Tens of thousands of people in rural southeastern North Carolina are set to lose access to a federal program that helps pay for internet service. The Affordable Connectivity Program allows eligible residents to save up to $30 on their monthly internet bill. But the program for low-income families is set to end in May unless Congress agrees to extend its funding. …Read more Continue reading Thousands of southeastern NC residents will likely lose discount for internet service 

Sarah NagemSarah Nagem
Columbus County, Economy

‘Red Whiteville and Blue’ film follows fight for income equality in Columbus County

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org  Patriotic Millionaires, a political advocacy group run by a group of wealthy Americans who want higher taxes for the rich, went to the N.C. Pecan Harvest Festival in Whiteville in November 2022 to ask fairgoers a question: What do you think about the economy? The group was in the midst of launching a pilot program aimed at engaging local voters in …Read more Continue reading ‘Red Whiteville and Blue’ film follows fight for income equality in Columbus County

Rachel Baldauf
Bladen County, Columbus County, Culture, Profile

Q&A with Terry Mann: Jewish synagogue donation honors close relationship with communities

By Kerria Weaver kerriaweaver@borderbelt.org Terry Mann believes in giving back to the community while also making sure the Jewish community is recognized and remembered.  Mann and other Jewish families who were members of the Beth Israel Synagogue came together earlier this year to donate $200,000 to the Southeastern Community College Foundation and Bladen Community College.  Mann, 71, currently serves as the mayor of Whiteville. For …Read more Continue reading Q&A with Terry Mann: Jewish synagogue donation honors close relationship with communities

Kerria Weaver
Columbus County, Politics / Government

Columbus County elections board likely violated state law. Here’s what to know

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  The Columbus County Board of Elections likely violated state law by revising its plan for statewide runoff elections without properly notifying the public.  Here’s what to know about the board’s actions, along with some context about the board’s history and the upcoming runoffs.  Why are there runoff elections? In North Carolina, a second-place candidate can call for a runoff election if …Read more Continue reading Columbus County elections board likely violated state law. Here’s what to know

Avatar photoBen Rappaport
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Columbus County

Southern Columbus County: Where new development collides with a rural way of life

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  This story was co-published by the Border Belt Independent and The Assembly. The aroma of cigarettes, coffee, and Snickers bars fills the air outside of Fowler’s Supermarket on a rainy Sunday morning. Just before they head to church, a dozen men gather on the long wooden benches and plastic rocking chairs outside the store and debrief the local goings on. It’s …Read more Continue reading Southern Columbus County: Where new development collides with a rural way of life

Avatar photoBen Rappaport
Waccamaw-Siouan tribe, PFAS, Native American, STEM Sticky post
Columbus County, Culture, Education, Environment

Border Belt People: Ashley Lomboy brings Western science, Indigenous culture together

By Kerria Weaver kerriaweaver@borderbelt.org Ashley Lomboy of the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe took an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) from a young age. This fascination led her to become a Global Information Security Manager at Corning Optical Fiber and Cable, and later, founder of the Waccamaw Siouan STEM Studio. The Border Belt Independent spoke with Lomboy about her many accomplishments and how she …Read more Continue reading Border Belt People: Ashley Lomboy brings Western science, Indigenous culture together

Kerria Weaver
Columbus County

Columbus County jail beating highlights bigger supervision lapses, lawsuit says

By Sarah Nagem and Carli Brosseau  Under former Columbus County Sheriff Jody Greene, the supervision at the Whiteville jail was so lax that a man who had told authorities he faced a safety threat in his assigned pod was beaten nearly to death without detention officers taking any steps to intervene, a newly filed federal lawsuit alleges.  Filed in the U.S. District Court in North …Read more Continue reading Columbus County jail beating highlights bigger supervision lapses, lawsuit says

Sarah NagemSarah Nagem