Category: Robeson County

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Education, Environment, Robeson County

UNC Pembroke partners with NC State on sustainable protein research center

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org  The University of North Carolina at Pembroke is partnering with N.C. State University to open a new research center that will focus on the production of sustainable protein sources, including plant-based products and meat grown from animal cells.  The Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein that launched last month on N.C. State’s Raleigh campus is funded by a $30 million grant from …Read more Continue reading UNC Pembroke partners with NC State on sustainable protein research center

Avatar photoRachel Baldauf
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Culture, Robeson County

Q&A with Kaden Thompson: Honoring Lumbee culture through youthful creativity

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  By exploring major historical events of his people, 19-year-old Lumbee author Kaden Thompson is bringing his cultural identity to the forefront of his creative work. The Robeson County native has self published three books in his young career, two of which explore flashpoints of the Lumbee tribe. With each story he examines how events of the past, including the Lowry War …Read more Continue reading Q&A with Kaden Thompson: Honoring Lumbee culture through youthful creativity

Avatar photoBen Rappaport
Bladen County, Columbus County, News, Robeson County

Columbus County farmers face big losses amid severe drought

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  It was supposed to be beautiful: Thick green husks of sweet corn growing eight feet tall for as far as the eye could see across Ethan Jordan’s farm in Columbus County.  At the beginning of May, the stars seemed to be aligning for a perfect growing season. The fields were lush, the soil was moist and the temperatures stayed steady.  Then …Read more Continue reading Columbus County farmers face big losses amid severe drought

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Politics / Government, Robeson County

NC’s diverse Robeson County now has GOP voting streak. What’s behind support for Trump?

By Ben Rappaport and Rachel Baldauf benrappaport@borderbelt.org Jimmy and Timmy Bullard, 32-year-old twins who grew up in the Robeson County town of Pembroke, were raised to believe they should always vote for Democrats.  Then came Donald Trump.  “My granddaddy was a Democrat. He goes to church, he’s a Christian,” Timmy Bullard said. “But when he saw what Trump did, that’s when he turned from Democrat …Read more Continue reading NC’s diverse Robeson County now has GOP voting streak. What’s behind support for Trump?

Avatar photoBen Rappaport
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Politics / Government, Robeson County

Robeson County elections board dismisses Pembroke mayor’s protest, again

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org Just off the main drag in Pembroke, behind a plaza with a convenience store, an auto repair shop and a gas station, about a dozen people live in tents.  The unhoused people in the small tent community are central to the ongoing legal dispute surrounding last year’s race for mayor in the Robeson County town.  Allen Dial, who owns the property …Read more Continue reading Robeson County elections board dismisses Pembroke mayor’s protest, again

Avatar photoBen Rappaport
Bladen County, Columbus County, Public Safety, Robeson County, Scotland County

At least 37 homicides recorded in NC’s Border Belt in first six months of 2024

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org  At least 37 people, including four children, have died in homicides in Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland counties so far this year, according to an analysis by the Border Belt Independent. Robeson County has seen at least 25 homicides since Jan. 1. Scotland County has reported at least 8 homicides this year, and Columbus and Bladen counties have both reported at …Read more Continue reading At least 37 homicides recorded in NC’s Border Belt in first six months of 2024

Avatar photoRachel Baldauf
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Public Safety, Robeson County

North Carolina sheriff promises transparency. Is ‘On Patrol: Live’ the way to get it?

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org  Robeson County sheriff’s deputy Donel McCallum approaches the passenger side door of a car he’s pulled over. It’s nighttime, and the blue and white flashing lights from his patrol vehicle illuminate the scene. “Hey look boss. Just turn that way and it won’t be in your damn face, all right?” McCallum tells the man in the passenger seat before ordering him …Read more Continue reading North Carolina sheriff promises transparency. Is ‘On Patrol: Live’ the way to get it?

Avatar photoRachel Baldauf
Politics / Government, Robeson County

Robeson County elections board delays ruling on Pembroke mayoral election

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org   Greg Cummings and his family used to visit Gary Locklear’s house every Christmas Eve to share stories and break bread in joyous tradition.  But Cummings didn’t show up last December.  The two men were high school classmates who later bonded over decades spent in the Robeson County political arena. Cummings has served two terms as Pembroke mayor after spending several years …Read more Continue reading Robeson County elections board delays ruling on Pembroke mayoral election

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

Already-strained child care centers in NC’s Border Belt fear loss of state funding

By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org Cynthia Mitchell, who has been the director of Beverly’s Day Care in Columbus County for 36 years, has always had a tough job. But it’s gotten even harder since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic caused a drop in enrollment and a spike in supply costs.  Funding from North Carolina’s Child Care Stabilization Grants helped Mitchell stay afloat. Since 2021, the pandemic …Read more Continue reading Already-strained child care centers in NC’s Border Belt fear loss of state funding

Avatar photoRachel Baldauf
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News, Robeson County, Scotland County

Robeson and Scotland counties are growing, slowly, for the first time in years

By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org  Robeson and Scotland counties grew between 2020 and 2023, mirroring population increases across much of rural North Carolina during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Robeson County grew by 0.91% during the three-year span, accounting for an increase of 1,056 people, according to a new report from the North Carolina Rural Center. Neighboring Scotland County grew by 0.25%, an increase of 86 people. While …Read more Continue reading Robeson and Scotland counties are growing, slowly, for the first time in years

Avatar photoBen Rappaport