Category: Robeson County

Bladen County, Columbus County, Elections, News, Recent Stories, Robeson County, Scotland County

More than 1,500 ballots in Border Belt challenged in NC Supreme Court race

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  More than 1,500 voters in Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland counties had their votes challenged in the disputed election for a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court.  Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs won the statewide election by 734 votes in November, but her opponent, Republican Jefferson Griffin, challenged the validity of more than 60,000 ballots. Griffin has said he challenged the …Read more Continue reading More than 1,500 ballots in Border Belt challenged in NC Supreme Court race

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Justice, News, Recent Stories, Robeson County

Court of Appeals rules against Robeson County sweepstakes operator

By Heidi Perez-Moreno heidiperez-moreno@borderbelt.org In a split decision, the N.C. Court of Appeals ruled against a video sweepstakes operator in Robeson County, saying the company’s games violated state gambling laws.  The ruling handed down Dec. 31 dealt the latest blow to video sweepstakes in North Carolina, where state lawmakers have been limiting the industry for two decades.  No Limit Games sued Robeson County, the town …Read more Continue reading Court of Appeals rules against Robeson County sweepstakes operator

Heidi Perez-Moreno
Bladen County, Columbus County, Justice, News, Public Safety, Recent Stories, Robeson County, Scotland County

Robeson County saw fewer murders in 2024, unofficial tally shows 

By Sarah Nagem sarahnagem@borderbelt.org Robeson County saw a significant drop in reported murders in 2024 after experiencing what might have been a record high the prior year.  Law enforcement agencies in the county investigated at least 41 homicides last year, according to a list compiled by the Border Belt Independent. That’s down from 51 in 2023. (The 2024 figure could change when the State Bureau …Read more Continue reading Robeson County saw fewer murders in 2024, unofficial tally shows 

Sarah NagemSarah Nagem
Bladen County, Columbus County, Economy, News, Recent Stories, Robeson County, Scotland County

NC’s Border Belt sees increase in homelessness

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  Ninety-five people in Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland counties were identified as homeless in 2024, a 90% increase from the prior year.  The local numbers, released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, reflect a rise in homelessness across North Carolina and the country. The number of unhoused people in the state increased 19% last year compared to 2023, …Read more Continue reading NC’s Border Belt sees increase in homelessness

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Bladen County, Health, News, Recent Stories, Robeson County

UNC Health Southeastern updates maternity ward with a focus on comfort

By Heidi Perez-Moreno heidiperez-moreno@borderbelt.org When Mary Campbell gave birth to her first daughter in 2021, her maternity room at UNC Health Southeastern was cramped and loud. The hospital’s thin walls did little to muffle the sounds of crying babies and foot traffic in the hallways, and Campbell could barely nap during her 36-hour stay.  But when Campbell, who works as an emergency room nurse at …Read more Continue reading UNC Health Southeastern updates maternity ward with a focus on comfort

Heidi Perez-Moreno
Bladen County, Columbus County, News, Robeson County, Scotland County

Stories that mattered most in NC’s Border Belt in 2024

Looking back at 2024, the Border Belt Independent brought readers in-depth news coverage about the election, the economy, education, health care and so much more. Most importantly, we told stories about people who are making a difference in the community. Here are some of the stories that mattered most to our readers over the past year. ‘Feel more pain’: Southeastern NC is at the heart …Read more Continue reading Stories that mattered most in NC’s Border Belt in 2024

Border Belt Independent
News, Politics / Government, Recent Stories, Robeson County

US House passes Lumbee recognition bill

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Lumbee Fairness Act on Tuesday, moving North Carolina’s largest Native American tribe a step closer to its 136-year fight for full federal recognition. The tribe has gotten this close before, only for the Senate to leave its version of the bill on the table without voting on it. The legislation has been introduced 30 times …Read more Continue reading US House passes Lumbee recognition bill

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Public Safety, Robeson County

Suspect pleads guilty six years after 13-year-old girl’s murder in Robeson County

By Sarah Nagem sarahnagem@borderbelt.org The man accused of kidnapping and killing 13-year-old Hania Aguilar in Robeson County in 2018 pleaded guilty on Friday, according to local District Attorney Matt Scott and Lumberton police.   Michael McLellan, 40, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after pleading guilty to first-degree murder, the Lumberton Police Department said in a news release. Superior Court …Read more Continue reading Suspect pleads guilty six years after 13-year-old girl’s murder in Robeson County

Sarah NagemSarah Nagem
Bladen County, Columbus County, Elections, Robeson County, Scotland County

Rural southeastern NC gets more red, even as Democrats win key state races

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  Democrat Josh Stein trounced Mark Robinson in the North Carolina governor’s race, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at unofficial results in rural southeastern North Carolina.  Voters in Bladen, Columbus and Robeson counties picked Robinson, the Republican candidate whose campaign took a huge hit in September when CNN reported that he called himself a “Black Nazi” and made other disturbing …Read more Continue reading Rural southeastern NC gets more red, even as Democrats win key state races

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Bladen County, Columbus County, Elections, Politics / Government, Robeson County, Scotland County

Incumbents in NC’s Border Belt keep seats in NC General Assembly 

By Sarah Nagem sarahnagem@borderbelt.org Voters in Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland counties elected their representatives in the North Carolina General Assembly to new terms. Every state legislature incumbent in the four-county region who was up for re-election won on Tuesday, according to unofficial results from the state Board of Elections.  To keep up with more election news, sign up for our free newsletter. None of the …Read more Continue reading Incumbents in NC’s Border Belt keep seats in NC General Assembly 

Sarah NagemSarah Nagem