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Bladen County School Lunch Menu - February 2012

1/21/2012

> Cape Fear region county-by-county roundup

> CFCC trustees to determine search process for new president

> Pantano, Rouzer duel over fundraising

> Norovirus infections spreading widely across North Carolina

> Caterpillar Manufacturing Company interested in Brunswick County

> Caterpillar considering plant site along Columbus-Brunswick county line, sources say

> CFCC President explains decision to retire

> Perdue courts company that could bring 1,100 jobs to Brunswick County


 

Education First - CLICK HERE TO VIEW NC SCHOOL REPORT CARDS

West Bladen Expected to Name New Football Coach?
 
Unconfirmed reports have Joe Salas being  named the new West Bladen Football Coach, possibly as early as Monday, subject to the approval of the Bladen County Board of Education.
 
Salas is currently the offensive coordinator of the Red Springs team.  He coached for seven years at South Johnson.
 
Red Springs reached the second round of the NCHAA playoffs last football season.  They defeated Midway in the first round for the teams first playoff win since 2005.
 
Salas is expected to replace Pat Byrd who resigned at the end of the 2011 football season after posting a 1-9 record.

Hardee Hunt and Williams Ranked Top Real Estate Team in Wrightsville Beach, N.C., Bladen Native Is An Owner

 

The agents at Hardee Hunt and Williams Real Estate have earned the distinction of top real estate team in Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina for 2011.  They listed and sold twelve properties on the island during the year, more than double that of competing agents.

Thoughts while shaving

 

Super Bowl Kick-Off is 6:30 PM.  The game pits the New England Patriots against the New York Giants.  The game to be played in Indianapolis. 
 
The Super Bowl prognosticators will be talking non-stop all day long.
 
Hope it's a good game.

Elizabethtown Upgrade Noted in Southern City
Photos courtesy of Erin Kinlaw

 

Elizabethtown recent upgrade of the downtown area was highlighted in the latest edition of Southern City, a publication of the North Carolina League of Municipalities.
 
Two photos of the downtown Elizabethtown area were included.  The League of Municipalities is the voice of cities and towns across the state.
 
Mayor Sylvia Campbell said she was pleased that the Town of Elizabethtown was included in the publication.
 
City officials recently completed a major renovation of the downtown area.

Bladen Commissioner Meet Monday
 
The Bladen County Board of Commissioners will meet in regular session Monday, February 6, at 6:30 p.m.
 
The Board will present resolutions in memory of Lynn Grey King, Sr. and Robert N. "Buster" Melvin to the families of both.
 
Kenneth T. Hill and Myra Johnson will be recognized upon their retirement.  Hill works for the Division of Aging and Johnson is a Public Health Nurse II with the Health Department.

Norovirus rapidly spreading!!

   

Citizens beware, tis the season for the Norovirus.  There have been reports of folks in Bladen County that are experiencing this virus.  What is the Norovirus?  The Center for Disease Control states that the “Norovirus is a highly contagious illness caused by infection with a virus called norovirus. It is often called by other names, such as viral gastroenteritis, stomach flu, and food poisoning. Norovirus infection causes acute gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines); the most common symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Anyone can get norovirus, and they can have the illness multiple times during their lifetime. Norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in the United States”. 

Two wrecks on Wednesday leave two injured
By Rhonda Griffin
 
Emergency personnel responded to two separate wrecks on Wednesday, with one involving a school bus.
 
At around 4 p.m., a Bladen County school bus with three students on board was rear-ended by a car at Cromartie Road and Hwy. 87 Bypass. Of the passengers on the bus and the driver and two passengers in the vehicle, there were no injuries, according to reports.

Disaster Relief Training Available
 
If you have an urge to volunteer for disaster relief, a real desire to help others in time of need, you need training and North Caroliina Baptist are providing the opportunity.  The training is available to anyone, not just Baptist.
 
Rev. Bruce Cannon can provide the information.  Call 910-862-3496, Monday through Thursday and he will assist in arranging to help you register for the training.
 
The next class in this area is the first week in March in Lenoir County.  The cost is $40 per person which includes t-shirt, hat, manual, ID badge and meals.  Sleeping is in a gym or church classrooms with each trainee bringing their own sleeping gear.
 
For more information you are invited to visit two websites: http://www.baptistsonmission.org/Training-Opportunities/Disaster-Relief-Training or http://www.baptistsonmission.org/Training/Training-Opportunities/Disaster-Relief-Training/Disaster-Relief-Training-Region-2-Basic.

Diabetes Educational Meeting

 

Do you love your kidneys?  You are invited to a meeting about the health of your kidneys and what you can do to keep them healthy.   

 

Healthy Bladen Lifestyles is sponsoring a Diabetes Educational Meeting, Thursday, February 9th, 2012 from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM at the Bladen County Health Department.  

 

Guest speaker is Donna H. Harward, Director of Education and Outreach for UNC Kidney Center.  

 

For more information, call Cathy Kinlaw at 876-2403, Carol Strickland or Marianne Valentiner at 862-6900 ext. 5.

Bladen County LEPC Plans for Emergencies

The Bladen County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) met Thursday, February 2 and continued making plans and updating information.

Joe Blake of Dupont is the chairman of the committee, Dwight Sheppard is vice chair. Debra Conner, at the Bladen County Health Department, is the secretary. Members of he committee consist of representatives from many county agencies, the private sector and the clergy.

Harmony Hall Activities 

 

Thirty cannoneers and spectators showed up last Sunday at Harmony Hall Plantation for the first in a series of Cannon Day Celebrations.  Organizers expressed surprise that we had 4 cannons shooting from a swivel gun, like the ones that guard small boats, to a 4" cannon mounted on wagon wheels. As cannons fired, smoke drifted across the back yard of the plantation house and those in attendance held their ears to keep out the loud sounds they came to hear.  Cannon Day Celebration is planned for the Fifth Sunday of each calendar quarter.  The goal for next Cannon day is to have 8 cannons present and this will be held on April 29, 2012.   

Dublin Elementary School 2nd nine weeks Honor Roll
 

Third Grade
Superintendent’s List
Katelyn Hankins
Holly Hester
Sammi Jiang
Andres Gonzalez-Monroy

NSDAR Meets
 
The Battle of Elizabethtown Chapter NSDAR met at San Jose Restaurant recently and celebrated Women's Health Month by wearing red.  Terri Duncan, R.N. with Bladen County Hospital, spoke to the group on Women's Health from the Revolutionary War until the Present."
 
Front row:  Kim White, Brenda Gooden, Deloris King, Margaret French,Gena Anderson, Kitty Cole, Hazel Yarbrough, Susie Prevette.
 
Back row.  Ethelene Barnes, Ann McDuffie, Cecile Bryan, Elizabeth Morris, Carolyn Singletary, Linda Smith, Ina Brown, Dolli Albrecht, Shirley Clark, Terry Smith, Sharon Natale, Joyce Gooden and Terri Duncan.

Farm Bureau makes a difference

 

An integral part of fulfilling Farm Bureau’s mission is to make leadership development available to our members.  We feel that education is an important component of leadership.  Providing opportunities for our future leaders to obtain an education is important to us.  We are proud to offer the following to our members.

Volunteers are unpaid, not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless

 

Bladen County Division on Aging needs your help!  They are looking for volunteers to deliver meals to senior citizens.  Daily routes begin at 10:30 AM and the trip normally takes about an hour and a half.  Currently, there are about twenty five (25) folks who depend on the Aging Department for a hot meal at lunch time.  Are you willing to be a volunteer? Contact Amy Ruffin at (910) 872-6331.

Four County EMC Offers Basketball Scholarships
 
BURGAW, N.C.— Four County Electric Membership Corporation is proud to announce two basketball scholarship programs for 2012, sponsored by North Carolina’s Touchstone Energy cooperatives.  Four County EMC will sponsor one rising 6-8 grade female student to attend the Kellie Harper Basketball Camp at NC State University and one rising 6-8 eighth grade male student to attend the Roy Williams Basketball Camp at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

USDA Announces Conservation Reserve Program  General Sign-Up  
 

Acting Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services (FFAS) Michael Scuse announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will conduct a four-week Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general signup, beginning on March 12 and ending on April 6. CRP has a 25-year legacy of successfully protecting the nation's natural resources through voluntary participation, while providing significant economic and environmental benefits to rural communities across the United States.

DCS Motors Supports School EOP's

Valerie Newton

 

Elizabeththown, NC - For the past two years DCS Motors has supported the Bladen County Educational Office Professional's (EOP) with their fundraising efforts.  The Melvin family, father Donnel and sons Corey and Sheldon, recently donated the use of their large cooker grill and gas tank for the EOP Potato Bar fundraiser.  
 
The EOP organization sold baked potatoes with all the fixings throughout the school district for $5.00 each with the money going into the state conference fund. This is the first year the organization has held a Potato Bar fundraiser to support State Conference expense.
Bladen Headlines...35 Years Ago

         

Dr. Caroline Callison resigned as director of the Bladen County Health Department.
 
Charles Lee Campbell, Jr., formerly of Clarkton, was named top advisor to Lt. Governor Jimmy Green.
 
Walter McDuffie of Elizabethtown was named a regional Vice President for the North Carolina Pest Control Association.  

SRMC Employees Honored for Service
 
One hundred and seventeen employees and 22 retirees were honored recently at the  Southeastern Regional Medical Center's annual service awards banquet in Lumberton.  Included were 18 from the Bladen County area.
 
Service pins were presented during the after dinner ceremony held in the hospital's dining room.  Guest speaker was UNC Pembroke Head Football Coach Pete Shinnock.

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Bladen County Voluntary Agriculture District (VAD)
 
North Carolina is one of the fastest growing states in the country, which has led to significant loss of farmland and forest land. While Bladen County has not lost much farmland and forests, we did see a 9% increase in population from the 2000 to 2010 census numbers.  New residents moving into the county may not understand or appreciate rural land uses such as forestry or farming.  In North Carolina there are local ordinances, called voluntary agricultural district (VAD) ordinances that establish programs to promote and preserve farming and forestry.  A VAD ordinance was passed on June 4, 2007 and amended on January 17,2012 in Bladen County.  

Bladen January Education Lottery Winners Announced
  
During the month of January Bladen County had only four large Education Lottery winners. They were:
 
Pauline Singletary, $1,200, purchased from Food Plus #1 in Bladenboro
Carlton Pone, $2,500, purchased from Minuteman #17 in Elizabethtown
Shirley Henry Melvin, $1,000, purchased from Kangaroo Express #3166 in Elizabethtown
Sheena Fields, $1,000, purchased from 41 Grocery in Bladenboro

Bladen County Fire Departments Receive Grant
 
Congressman Mike McIntyre announced today that the Lisbon Volunteer Fire Department had been awarded a $416,250 grant for operations and safety improvements.
 
Bladen County Fire Marshall Bradley Kinlaw provided more information late Wednesday.  The grant is really a county-wide effort to provide Vipor radios for all fire departments in the county.  Kinlaw said Lisbon graciously agreed to host the grant.  He said all the agencies have a limited number of the new radios.  The grant will provide for more fireman to be better equipped.  
 
Kinlaw said most all other agencies in the county are operating on the Vipor system.  The Fire Marshall was pleasantly surprised at today's announcement.

Traffic stop leads to drug arrest
By Rhonda Griffin
 
Two men were taken into custody in the early morning hours of Jan. 31 when a traffic stop led to a search of their vehicle near South Poplar and King streets in Elizabethtown, Police Chief Bobby Kinlaw said Wednesday.
 
Anthony Frank Wilkins (L), 21, of 1302 N.C. Hwy. 53 W., Elizabethtown, and Samuel Louis Speciale III (R), also 21, of 2910 Lambrusco Place, Fayetteville, were each charged with felony possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana; felony manufacture marijuana; felony maintaining a vehicle for the keeping and selling of marijuana; and possession of drug paraphernalia, Kinlaw said.

Wells Fargo Supports School
Valerie Newton
 
Elizabethtown, NC  - Elizabethtown Primary School principal Cheryl White Smith was particularly excited when Judy Harrelson, Vice-President for the Elizabethtown branch of Wells Fargo came walking through the door with check in hand.  Ms. Harrelson presented the $1,000 grant money to Mrs. Smith as part of Wells Fargo's Community Partners program and the Wells Fargo Foundation.
  

Above - Elizabethtown Primary School Principal Cheryl White Smith with Wells Fargo Vice-President, Elizabethtown branch, Judy Harrelson

 

Through the program, branch employees select organizations or groups that are delivering important services in the local community.  The Community Partners program came about as a result of combining Wachovia with Wells Fargo.

A. J. McKoy Signs to Play Football With Western Carolina
 
A. J. McKoy, East Bladen High School's all time rushing leader sign to play his college football with the Catamounts of Western Carolina Wednesday, the National Signing Day.
 
McKoy with family, coaches and EB Adminstration
 
McKoy was recruited by new Head Coach Mark Speir.  Speir signed another East Bladen Grad, Kevin Richardson, a few years ago, who became an all-conference performer at Appalachian State University.  Speir was an assistant coach at ASU for several years.

EBHS History Club
 

East Bladen High School  has become the 16th school in the State of North Carolina to organize a National History Club.  The Eagles’ affiliation with the National History Club makes them one of 427 chapters in 43 states.  Additionally, over 12,000 students in the country are involved in a National History Club at their local
schools.

The National History Club offers many opportunities to its charters’ members, including a “History Student of the Year” award, Student Leadership awards, and a National History Scholars Society for the top students in each chapter.

McIntyre Announces $416,250 in Federal Funds for Lisbon Volunteer Fire Department
             
Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Mike McIntyre announced today that the Lisbon Volunteer Fire Department has received $416,250 in federal funds for operations and safety improvements. 
 
Congressman McIntyre stated, “Our fire departments are on the front lines in protecting our citizens and communities.  These federal funds will help the Lisbon Volunteer Fire Department continue to do their job!  Congratulations to all for securing these funds!”

We’re Paying Them What?
 
In the next few weeks we will be comparing Bladen County employee 2012 salaries with salaries of employees of our neighboring counties. These counties are Columbus, Brunswick and Pender. The figures we use will be coming from the UNC School of Government. This week we will start with our County Commissioner chairman.
 
COUNTY COMMISSIONER CHAIRMAN
 
Bladen…..$9,026 plus $4,800 travel expense
Columbus…$16,234 plus $1,500 travel expense
Brunswick…$26,000
Pender….$14,473 plus $4,800 travel expense

16-year-old arrested on attempted murder charges
By Rhonda Griffin
 
A 16-year-old White Oak man is being held in the Bladen County Jail under a $1,026,000 secured bond after shooting into a residence on Jan. 7, Capt. Rodney Hester of the Bladen County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday morning.
 
Rodriquez Deion McNeil of 2054 Tar Heel Ferry Road was charged with attempted first-degree murder and injury to real property. According to reports, the owner of the home called 911 after hearing gunshots outside in the yard, but the shooter could not be located when deputies arrived. The following morning, the homeowner realized that the residence had been shot several times and deputies were dispatched once again to the home, Hester said.

December County Unemployment Rates For North Carolina Released, Bladen At 12.6 Percent
 
RALEIGH — Unemployment rates increased in 93 of North Carolina’s 100 counties in December. Rates decreased in four counties and remained the same in three.
 
“Our focus is helping existing and new employers grow jobs in North Carolina,” said N.C. Department of Commerce Deputy Secretary Dale Carroll. “Assisting our customers with finding work and helping them through programs at our DES offices and JobLink Career Centers statewide remains our priority.”

Bladen Healthcare Picks up Financial Support
 
U.S. Under Secretary Agriculture for Rural Development, Dallas Tonsager, Congressman Mike McIntyre and North Carolina's USDA State Director Randall Gore were in Bladenboro Tuesday to announce grants and loan guarantees for Bladen and Robeson County projects.
 
Four County Electric Membership Corp received a $300,000 grant that will be used for the purchase of medical equipment for a new health clinic in Bladenboro.  Four County also received loan guarantees to establish a revolving loan fund.
NC DOT Holds Public Hearing on Proposed Highway 87 Widening
by Joy Warren

NC Department of Transportation held it's first public hearing tonight regarding the proposed to improve Highway 87 from Elizabethtown to Riegelwood. The hearing tonight was the first step to include the public as a part of the project development process. An informational session was held from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., for citizens to view maps, ask questions and give their feedback. A formal presentation was given at 7:00 p.m. Several citizens from Bladen and Columbus counties spoke regarding the proposed plan. Most of the speakers were not in favor of the proposal.
Elizabethtown Middle School New Parent Assistant Module
 
A new Parent Assistant Module is up and running on the NCWise (NC Window of Information on Student Education) system for parents of Elizabethtown Middle School students.  Parent Assistant is designed for parents/guardians to access student information via any Internet access at work or at home.  This module will allow parents to review and/or change specific information on their student.  Parents will be able to view posted grades, check attendance, change an address and review notes from teachers.  Each parent or guardian will be provided with a username and password and will have access to student records 24 hours a day and communicate with the school or teacher as needed.  Parents are invited to learn more about the Parent Assistant at the next PTSO meeting on February 13, 2012 in the gym.

Melvin art show at E-town library
 
Donna Melvin has her work on display at the main library in Elizabethtown during the month of February.  Donna retired from the Bladen County School System after teaching 28 years.  Now she has more time to create art as well as teach art classes at BCC.  Her paintings, pottery and stained glass are in the gallery of the library.  When you stop by for tax forms, linger to enjoy her work. 

 

Bladen County Sheriff’s Office Thanks ED Staff

 

ELIZABETHTOWN – The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office recently recognized Bladen County Hospital Emergency Department employees for treating an injured deputy.
Sgt. Greg Bullard injured his back while on duty and had to be taken to the ED. While there, he was given X-rays to both his back and neck as a precaution because he had a prior neck injury.

 

“The service was quick,” Sgt. Bullard said. “They did a fantastic job.”

Bladen Lakes Yearbook Cover Contest

 

Bladen Lakes Primary School has announced the winners of the yearbook cover contest.

 

Students were to create a drawing illustrating the theme: “Bladen Lakes Primary School: Our Window to the World.”  The first place drawing will serve as the front cover of the school’s yearbook.  The other finalists’ drawings will be featured on the back cover of the yearbook. Yearbook adviser and fourth grade teacher Ashley Umphress said of the contest, “The students were very creative, and I was impressed with their designs.”  Bladen Lakes is recognized by UNC Chapel Hill as a World View School, and the yearbook cover contest is part of the school’s plan to increase awareness of the world around us and other cultures.

Dixie Youth Scholarship Deadline Approaching
 
The deadline for applying for a Dixie Youth Baseball college scholarship is March 1, 2012.  High School seniors who played at least one season of Dixie Youth baseball is eligible to apply for a $2000 scholarship.
 
Scholarship applications can be downloaded from the Dixie Youth website at www.dixie.org and then clicking on the Dixie Youth emblem and then clicking on the scholarship link.
 
Twelve former North Carolina Dixie Youth players won one of the 70 national DYB scholarships awarded in 2011.  North Carolina has been awarded 144 scholarships since 1976.  The 2011 winners are named under the scholarship link on the Dixie Youth website.

Suspect in 2009 McDonald's shooting pleads guilty
By Rhonda Griffin
 
The second of four suspects in the Jan. 12, 2009, shooting of 19-year-old Jahkee Travaughn Sledge in the parking lot of McDonald's in Elizabethtown plead guilty Monday morning to second-degree murder.
 

Jason Jamar Johnson, 24, is awaiting sentencing in the case after his guilty plea, District Attorney Jon David said in a telephone interview on Monday afternoon.

Farmers Hear From the Experts
 
Over 50 Bladen County farmers attended a briefing Monday on the latest updates on corn, soybeans and sorghum production and composting.
 
Dr. Ron Heiniger, Corn Specialist for NC State University, updated farmers on the latest in corn production pointing out that the past two years had not been good years due to the weather.  Production has been way down while the demand has been up.
Bladen County Voting Maps Available
 
The Bladen County Board of Elections and the Bladen County E-911 Addressing Department have completed new maps for the upcoming elections. 
 
Changes were made in the County Commissioners/Board of Education maps to bring the 3 districts into compliance based on population. Those maps have been approved by the US Justice Department as required under the Voting Rights Act.  The majority of the changes were moving the Happy Valley and surrounding communities from District 2 (Bladenboro) to District 3 (Elizabethtown).  At the same time, the
Baldwin Branch Church community and surrounding areas were moved from District 2 to District 1 (Clarkton,East Arcadia).

Upcoming Events

 

Feb 16....Bladen County Relay For Life Invites you to join us for A Night to Celebrate at Clarkton Entertainment Center on Thursday, February 16 at 7:00 pm Music by Blackwater Rhythm & Blues Light Refreshments will be provided. Contact Information - Janet Melvin 910-309-1595 - Bonnie Britt 910-876-1652

   

Feb. 23......North Carolina author Mark de Casterique will will be at the Bladen County library in Elizabethtown, Thursday, February 23rd at 6 PM.  Mark writes mysteries about an undertaker in western North Carolina.  You are invited to an evening of grave discussions about NC local characters and mystery.   

 

March


March 3.....A BBQ benefit is planned for March 3rd beginning at 4 PM at the Bladenboro Historical Building.  BBQ plates will be $6 each, a cake sale auction begins at 5:30 PM.  The benefit is for 4 individuals who need support..including Stephanie Burney, Wanda Smith, Billy Ray Benson and Teresa Ransom.  Everyone is invited....  

Comments are welcome on Guestbook but must be signed. 

Concerned Citizen or John Q. Taxpayer is not a name. Identify yourself!!

robert g hester

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Monthly Meeting Articles
Regional Briefs

Convicted killer William Kreutzer's appeal seeking more credit for time served is denied
Ethridge's first campaign speech in North Carolina gubernatorial race focuses on schools

Some Fayetteville City Council members want priorities to change from downtown to neighborhoods

Emotion absent from first week of Racial Justice Act hearing in Fayetteville

Teens ponder future at Winter College Fair & Expo

When war comes home: Crime surge among veterans suggest some didn't leave horrors behind

Crime Report for Sunday, Feb. 5

Need to Know for Sunday, Feb. 5

Students tune in their homework at Central Carolina Community College

Cape Fear region county-by-county roundup

Hasty: Mom still grateful after house burns down

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Bladen DoIt Best Builders Supply
Britts Services Inc.
Campbell Oil
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Cape Fear Valley Hospital
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Corner Cafe
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Farm Bureau
Fishers Men and Ladies Shop
Four County Electric Membership Corporation
Front Porch Restaurant
Hester, Grady & Hester PLLC
Hester Tire
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Houston's Peanuts
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