Elizabethtown Middle School Students AdoptaPlatoon

Elizabethtown Middle School students sent a little love to a Platoon of US Soldiers stationed at Camp Korean in Iraq.  Thirty-nine soldiers received three huge boxes filled with over 150 Valentine Cards and candy.  Students are looking forward to other campaigns to show their support for our Troops.  AdoptaPlatoon Soldier Support Effort® founded in 1998 is a volunteer based nonprofit 501C-3 dedicated to serving deployed United States Service Men and Women ensuring that they are not forgotten by a grateful Nation.  AdoptaPlatoon strives to provide a better deployment quality of life by sending cards, letters and care packages to lift the morale of Troops as they serve far from home and assist military families.

AdoptaPlatoon provides an on-going mail support system, creates projects that meet the need of military requests, and establishes special projects that benefit deployed Troops representing all branches of the U.S. military. AdoptaPlatoon also serves  injured Troops through AAP Walking Wounded Project and assists military veterans who remain our Nation’s Heroes. www.adoptaplatoon.org. 

60 Year Old Female Killed on NC 87

The body of a 60 year old female was discovered about 1:45 AM Monday on NC 87 about 18 miles east of Elizabethtown.

The body was run over by at least two vehicles and maybe more.  An auto and an 18 wheeler stopped.  According to Bladen County Coroner Hubert Kinlaw, Zellas L. Allen may have been the victim of a hit and run prior to being struck by the two vehicles that stopped and called 911.  The body was badly mangled.  An autopsy will be performed to confirm identity.  

Filing for Public Office Begins

One of the busiest places in the county at noontime Monday was the Bladen County Board of Elections.  Filing for local, state and national offices got underway and will continue through Friday, February 26.

The lines were long as Larry Hammond, Election Supervisor, Cynthia Shaw and Marsha White worked feverishly to move the process along.  (use pic #2469)

Elizabethtown Man’s Real Estate Firm Leads Property Sales On Wrightsville Beach

Hardee, Hunt and Williams, a real estate firm located on Wrightsville Beach, was the top seller of properties on the beach during 2009. According to THE WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH MAGAZINE, Hardee, Hunt and Williams sold 14 properties for a total of $10,705,000. In volume dollars sold Hardee, Hunt and Williams came in third among ten real estate firms operating on Wrightsville Beach.

The average sales price of a property sold on the beach during 2008 was $1,024,302. This average decreased to $944,033 during 2009.

Jim Hardee, formerly of Elizabethtown, along with Ronnie Hunt and Bruce Williams are owners of Hardee, Hunt and Williams.

Jim Hardee is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hardee of Elizabethtown and is married to the former Beverly Hester of Clarkton.

Class reunion for Bladenboro High School Planned

Anyone interested in helping to plan the 31 year class reunion for Bladenboro High school class of 1979, please meet at the San Jose Restaurant in Elizabethtown on March 4, 2010, at 6:30 pm.

What We Are Paying Bladen County Employees In 2010

The University of North Carolina School of Government has released the salaries for all county employees in North Carolina. We are now running a weekly series entitled WHAT WE’RE PAYING THEM IN 2010.

We will be comparing Bladen County with our neighboring counties of Columbus, Brunswick and Cumberland.

County Manager

Bladen---$99,754 plus $7,200 travel

Brunswick---$172,202

Columbus---$93,500

Cumberland---$181,678 plus $8,100 travel

Statement from Bladen County School Superintendent Greg Killingsworth regarding the death of Margaret Moore:

"Margaret Moore was a great ambassador for Bladen County.  I  had the honor of working with her in Robeson County as a teacher where she was an advocate for doing the right thing where students were concerned.  In Bladen County she served the school system as a principal and most recently was the Drop Out Prevention Coordinator at the District Office. She represented Bladen County schools as our 2008-2009 Wachovia Principal of the Year.  Mrs. Moore was a straight-up person. You knew exactly where you stood with her and she pulled no punches. She was always true to her word and had the interest of Bladen County at heart.  Mrs. Moore's presence will truly be missed by all in the school system.  Our sincerest condolences go out to the family of Margaret Moore."

Cape Fear River Update

The flood warning continues for the Cape Fear at William O. Huske Lock and Dam

3 until Friday evening or until the warning is cancelled.  At 8:30 PM Sunday, the

stage was 52.3 feet.  Flood stage is 42.0 feet.  Moderate flooding is occurring and

moderated flooding is forecast.  The river will continued to rise to 52.3 feet.  The

river will fall below flood stage Friday morning.  At 52.0 feet, extensive flooding will

occur along the left bank of the river. 

Thoughts while shaving

Good Super Bowl game, SAINTS WIN 31 - 17

Daytona 500, March Madness, spring training, a most wonderful time of the year.

Time to put up or shut up for candidates, filing time has arrived.

Keep up with who has filed on BladenOnline.com. 

2010-2011 Bladen County Memorial Day Queens

The 2010-2011 Bladen County Memorial Day Queens were crowned recently at Wesley's Chapel United Methodist Church. The queens mission is to raise awareness for breast cancer and that early detection is the best prevention.

Bladen County Commissioner Dies Saturday

Mrs. Margaret Lewis Moore, 55, of 1625 Porterville School Road, Clarkton, NC, died Saturday. 

She suffered an attack at her home Saturday morning.  She was rushed to Bladen County hospital and transferred to Cape Fear Valley in Fayetteville.  She reportedly died Saturday afternoon.

Arrangements will be announced by Peoples Funeral Home of Whiteville.

Mrs. Moore was an educator.  She was promoted from East Arcadia principal to the Board of Education office prior to this school year.  She has served as a member of the Bladen County Board of Education and most recently as a County Commissioner.

Filing for Political Offices Begins Monday

A new political process begins Monday.  Many local, state and national offices are up for grabs.

Filing begins at 12 noon Monday and continues through noontime Friday, February 26.

At the local level, County Commissioners, Board of Education, Sheriff, Register of Deeds, Clerk of Court, Coroner, Judges, District Attorney and more.  State Senate and House seats will be up for grabs and at the national level, House and Senate seats will be available.

Many have announced their intentions for various positions.

Follow the filings on BladenOnline.com. 

John Szoka to run for NC House of Representatives, District 22

HOPE MILLS, N.C.  --  Republican John Szoka, U.S. Army Veteran and local business owner, announced his intentions to run for District 22 in the NC House of Representatives.  District 22 covers the southern part of Cumberland County including the Stoney Point area, much of Hope Mills and extends east thru the Gray’s Creek, Cedar Creek, Stedman and Beaver Dam areas and all of Bladen County. Szoka announced first at the Hope Mills Recreation Center at 11:00 am and at 2:00 pm on the steps of the Bladen County Courthouse. 

Dan Allen of Elizabethtown was selected as “Chairman of the Year in North Carolina” for his work in the Bladen County Junior Miss Program.

Sew-It-Seams had taken over operation of the Sportee Plant in Clarkton.

Mark Lloyd Malpass, 17, of Delco was Bladen County’s first highway fatality in 1985.  

The Raleigh Report

From the Office of Representative William Brisson  

February 4, 2010

The work of the General Assembly is wide ranging and has great influence over spending priorities, economic policies, education, health care and other critical areas.

The Legislature is also responsible for working with law enforcement and judicial officials to write the state's criminal laws. This past session, we approved new laws making our drug laws stronger, toughening sex offender laws and cracking down on illegal weapons. These laws help make our communities safer and help protect our families. A few of them are highlighted in the information below.  

Bladen County Sheriff Issues Warning

The Bladen County Sheriff's department has issued a warning to residents.  A rash of vehicle break-ins is occurring in various areas of the county.

Lt. Eric Bryan said residents should remove valuables from their vehicles, park in a lighted area, if possible and be sure to lock it.  Bryan said, make it more difficult for those committing the crimes.

According to Bryan, the Sheriff's department is working diligently to arrest the guilty persons.

The problem began in the White Lake area but has spread to other parts of the county.

Bladen County Man Shot in His Yard

Sheriff's deputies and Bladen County EMS responded to a call about 10 PM Thursday evening and found 31 year old Johnnie Tevel Jessup in the front yard of his residence at 164 Old Hickory Lane, Elizabethtown.  Despite efforts by EMS he was dead at the scene.  

Lt. Eric Bryan said the investigation was underway by the Sheriff's department and the SBI.  He also ask that anyone with any information to contact deputies at 862-6960.

Bladen County Coroner Hubert Kinlaw says an autopsy will be performed. 

BCC enrollment breaks record…again

Jack McDuffie

Bladen Community College has set yet another enrollment record. 

According to Barry Priest, dean of enrollment services, total enrollment for the semester is 1,774, 17 percent above spring 2009 enrollment, and 30 percent above enrollment two years ago.  This is the second consecutive year that spring enrollment has exceeded the preceding fall number.  Traditionally fall enrollment has exceeded spring enrollment throughout most of the North Carolina Community College System.

The increasing enrollment has filled classrooms in virtually all of the programs at the College.  Nearly all of the classes offered in the spring semester were full when registration ended. 

Golden Leaf Foundation Meeting Set for Tuesday

The next meeting of the Golden Leaf Foundation is scheduled for Tuesday, February 9 at 6 PM at Bladen Community College Auditorium, located at 7418 Highway 41 West in Dublin.

The purpose of the forum is to continue the Golden Leaf Foundation's Community Assistance Initiative process, finalize priority issues and begin discussing desired results and impacts. 

RALEIGH - United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that yesterday a Federal Grand Jury returned a four-count Criminal Indictment charging FREEDMAN FARMS, INC., and WILLIAM BARRY FREEDMAN, 45, of Clarkton, North Carolina, with violations relating to the illegal discharge of hog waste into Browder’s Branch, which runs into White Marsh, a tributary to the Waccamaw River. The Indictment charges one count of violating the Clean Water Act, in violation of Title 33, United States Code, Sections 1311 and 1319; two counts of false statements, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1001; and one count of obstructing justice, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1503. 

EMS to Sponsor Relay for Life Fundraiser

Bladen County EMS Relay for Life team is sponsoring a fundraiser scheduled for February 27.   A chicken and rice plate will be provided for a $5 donation.  The event is scheduled for the Elizabethtown Fire Department, 401 Swanzy Street, Elizabethtown.  Large orders can be delivered.

Public Workshop Held For The Town of White Lake Pedestrian Plan

The Town of White Lake received funding from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Bicycle and Pedestrian Planning Grant Initiative to develop a Pedestrian Transportation Plan.   A public workshop was held Thursday night for the purpose of allowing public input on the Draft of the White Lake Pedestrian Plan.  The Plan features sidewalks, pedestrian-friendly crossings, and a multi-use trail.

 Greenways INC., project consultants, presented the project overview at the Town Hall to a full room of residents, business owners and stakeholders. 

2 Vehicle Accident at Elizabethtown Intersection

A log truck and a pick up truck were involved in a crash at the intersection of US 701 and NC 87 bypass Thursday evening.  There were no serious injuries.

The empty log truck stopped, on its side, just west of the intersection.  It reportedly had about 75 gallons of fuel on board. 

Elizabethtown fireman worked to stop the flow of the fuel before it could reach a stream that could have allowed it to eventually reach the river.

The accident occurred about 7:30 PM.

Murder Suspects Arrested in Georgia

Two Bladen County residents have been arrested in Douglas County, Georgia and face numerous charges.  Kevin Christopher Rogers, 29, of Mitchell Ford Road, Clarkton and Laterra Shovonda Ross, 17, of 803 Brisson Avenue, Elizabethtown are charged in the shooting death of 37 year old Sean Maurice Lesane of Elizabethtown.

Lt. Eric Bryan, of the Bladen County Sheriff's Department, says Rogers and Ross face numerous charges including conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed robbery, first degree burglary and first degree murder. 

BCC gets two new English instructors

Jack McDuffie

The English department at Bladen Community Colleges has two new faces this semester.  The new faculty members are Dr. Joyce Bahhouth and Sara Neeley.  Both have extensive instructional experience.

Dr. Bahhouth is a native of Lebanon who taught in universities in that country for many years before immigrating to the United States.  She taught for 19 years at Notre Dame University in Lebanon and then at the University of Maryland as both a content advisor for an Arabic online class and as a writing center faculty advisor.

She has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, a Master of Arts in Education, and a PhD in English as a Second Language.  

Chamber Meeting Set for Tuesday

Elizabethtown-White Lake Chamber of Commerce meets Tuesday, February 9th, 12 noon at the Front Porch Restaurant.  The guest speaker will be Connie Fisk, Duplin County Cooperative Extension Muscadine/Grape Agent.

All members are encouraged to attend and bring prospective members.  If you are in interested in joining the Chamber, and no one has invited you, come to the meeting and see Dawn Maynard.

Upcoming Events

Feb 8.......There will be a Eagle Scout Gathering on Feb. 8, 2010 on the Court House lawn at noon. We would like to invite all Eagle Scouts and community member to join us in celebrating 100th anniversary of Scouting. Contact Mark Gillespie for information at 910-876-7394.

Feb. 11...On February 11, Relay for Life of Bladen County will have "A Night For A

Cure" for survivors.  The event will take place at the Banner Warehouse in Clarkton

from 6 PM until 8 PM.  Survivors who plan to attend should RSVP to Shala Cox by

February 4.  Her number is 876-1240.

Feb 19.... RELAY FOR LIFE FISH FRY. Delicious fried fish with all the trimmings!  11 am to 2 pm at Zion Hill Activity Center, Hwy 410 North, Bladenboro, NC.  Plates are $6 - eat in or take out. Delivery available for orders of 5 or more.  Just call 910-874-4454.  Join us in the fight against cancer by supporting Relay for Life of Bladen County and the American Cancer Society.  Tickets can be purchased from any member of the Zion Hill Relay for Life team or by calling 863-3208; 648-4864 or 645-6938.  

Jacquelyne "Gigi" Creed-Enloe has announced her candidacy for Bladen County Clerk Of  Superior Court.

Creed-Enloe graduated from Harrells Christian Academy in 1992 and Meredith College in 1997.  She has been a teacher with the North Carolina Public Schools for 12 years.   Creed-Enloe is dedicated to serving the people of Bladen County just as her father did for over 30 years. She is the daughter of the late Dr. Don Creed and Donna Creed who still resides in Bladen County. 

Creed-Enloe and her  husband Mark along with their three children reside in White Oak.

Brisson Seeks Another Term in NC House

Rep. William Brisson has announced he will seek re-election to the NC House of Representatives.  He is in his second term as the Representative of the 22nd House District.  

The District includes all of Bladen County and a portion of Cumberland.

Prior to serving in the NC House, Brisson served as a Bladen County Commissioner.

He and his wife Brenda reside in Dublin.

SIGN UP FOR ORGANIC INITIATIVE UNTIL MARCH 12

Bladen County, NC –The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has set the sign-up date for the Organic Initiative to end on March 12, 2010.  The 2008 Farm Bill provides specific opportunities for organic producers and those transitioning to organic farming. 

North Carolina farmers who are transitioning to organic or who are currently certified organic can now apply to receive assistance under the Organic Initiative through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).  Under the Organic Initiative, approved applicants can receive up to $20,000 per year or $80,000 over six years.   

Black History Celebration

The Bladen County Black History Appreciation Committee will sponsor the 6th Annual Black History Celebration at the Spaulding Monroe Cultural Center in Bladenboro on February 10, 2010.  The program will begin at 10:00am and feature various speakers and good entertainment.  A meal will be provided.  For more information, please call Ann Wright at (910) 648-2138, Nelson Brownlee at (910) 862-4591 or Thomas Starling at (910) 862-3179.  Everyone is invited to attend.  

10 year old Kayla Nunnery continues to battle stage 3 Lymphoma.  

Smellie Bloomers is spearheading a drive to assist in support for Kayla as she continues to receive treatment.  They are featuring Kisses for Kayla, beautiful long sleeve shirts for just $20 each, and $13 from the sale of each shirt goes to Kayla.  Stop by Smellie Bloomers and join Kayla's circle of friends.

Relay For Life Fundraiser

Filing Fees for Various Political Offices

Larry Hammond, Bladen County Director of Elections, reports inquiries regarding filing fees for various offices related to the 2010 Primary elections have been coming to the local office.  The filing period begins Monday, February 8 and ends Friday, February 26. 

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