Category: News

Columbus County, News

Scenes from Columbus County, where heavy rain caused flooding

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org Heavy rains pummeled Columbus County on Monday, flooding roadways and leading to water rescues. The county saw 8.5 inches of rain in 24 hours, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Coastal North Carolina communities saw the most flooding from “Potential Tropical Cyclone #8,” but rain pelted much of the state on Monday. Bladen County got 3.5 inches of rain, Robeson County …Read more Continue reading Scenes from Columbus County, where heavy rain caused flooding

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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
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News, Politics / Government, Robeson County

Lumberton residents push back against high utility bills

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  Danny Parsley and his family were excited to move from northern Virginia to Lumberton, where they appreciate the small-town charm and more affordable housing prices. Shortly after they arrived in April and settled in a quaint neighborhood on the north end of town, however, they quickly realized there was a factor they had not accounted for in their house hunting: the …Read more Continue reading Lumberton residents push back against high utility bills

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

Public, private, home schools: Student enrollment by the numbers in NC’s Border Belt

By Sarah Nagem sarahnagem@borderbelt.org Teachers at Scotland High School last week put final touches on their classroom decorations, set up lessons on their smart boards and walked the halls with excitement for a new school year. Across the highway, Cross Pointe Christian Academy served as a new option for students in kindergarten through 12th grade in Scotland County. Rural southeastern North Carolina matters. That’s why …Read more Continue reading Public, private, home schools: Student enrollment by the numbers in NC’s Border Belt

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Columbus County, Culture, News

The abandoned pools of Columbus County

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org This story is published in partnership with The Assembly. It was a sight that ruined Lauren Cole’s childhood memories: cracked concrete filled with murky green water, overgrown weeds, and hundreds of waterbugs. “This is hard to look at,” said Cole, now 71. It was the first time she’d returned to Whiteville’s Wedgewood Road swimming pool in nearly two decades. “We used …Read more Continue reading The abandoned pools of Columbus County

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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
Economy, News, Politics / Government, Robeson County

How young entrepreneurs and town leaders are revitalizing downtown Fairmont

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  Hip-hop music blared from speakers on a humid August Saturday night. People were sweating from dancing, and the lights pulsed to the beat of the music. It’s been a long time since downtown Fairmont has seen this kind of energy. The Robeson County town, where more than half of the 2,500 residents are Black, has struggled since the loss of the …Read more Continue reading How young entrepreneurs and town leaders are revitalizing downtown Fairmont

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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