Columbus
Bladen Journal
Paratroopers train on aeromedical evacuations, build airborne capabilities
FORT LIBERTY (Formerly Fort Bragg)– U.S. Army Paratroopers from 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, completed simulated aeromedical evacuation training, alongside Airmen, utilizing a North Carolina Air National Guard medically configured C-17 Globemaster III aircraft during a field training exercise known as Devil Strike, Jan. 24, 2024. “The...
Smithfield Foods Names New Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer
Smithfield Foods has named Brendan Smith as its chief marketing officer and Allyson Bouldon as its chief ethics and compliance officer. Smith, a senior marketing executive with global and domestic expertise in sales, top consumer brand management, strategic development and planning, brand strategy and digital marketing, will serve as Smithfield’s chief marketing officer. In this role, he will lead Smithfield’s marketing team to deliver the planning, development and execution of the company’s marketing, advertising, innovation and strategic planning initiatives, with responsibilities for its brands throughout the retail, deli and food service channels. He reports to Steve France, Smithfield’s president of packaged meats.
Economic development projects growing in Bladen County and region
From a glass company to an IT service firm, the past two years have brought several major economic development announcements in rural southeastern North Carolina. There’s more on the way, local officials say. The Border Belt region — Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland counties — has announced more than...
Community Calendar
Welcome to the Bladen Journal’s Community Calendar. If you have a calendar item, please send it to David Kennard by email at news@bladenjournal.com. BOOK CLUB: The Bladen County Public Library has released its list of books for the Pastries and Print Book Club. February: “None of this is True” by Lisa Jewell; March: “The American Heiress” by Daisy Goodwin; April: “And If I Perish” by Evelyn M. Monahan; May: “The Lost and Found Bookshop” by Susan Wiggs; June: “The Choice” by Edith Eva Eger. For more information contact Kim Wilson at 910-863-4586 or email kwilson@bladenco.org. Meetings are at 3 p.m. every third Monday at the library’s Main Branch, 111 N Cypress St. Elizabethtown.
West Columbus wins…barely
ELIZABETHTOWN — The West Columbus Vikings defeated the East Bladen Eagles for a 47-46 victory on Wednesday night in a Waccamaw Conference match-up. The Vikings escaped with the win after the host missed the go-ahead shot at the buzzer to secure their ninth victory on the year. West Columbus...
MARTIN: A NYC diner and NC roadside eateries
What does Old John’s, a diner on the Upper West Side of New York City, have to do with North Carolina?. An article titled “The Best Diners Are Still Just Diners” in the Jan. 7 edition of The New Yorker praised Old John’s for staying true to its nostalgic ideal.
Braves men dominate Mount Olive
PEMBROKE — The UNC Pembroke men’s basketball team started off fast and propelled themselves to a dominant win over the Mount Olive Trojans Wednesday night. A 97-73 win improved the Braves to 16-4 on the season and a Conference Carolinas record of 10-1. The Braves jumped out to an early 6-3 lead and a 11-0 run sparked a huge lead for the Braves that was topped off with back-to-back 3-pointers by Javonte Waverly to take a 24-9 lead halfway through the first half. The defense of UNCP stepped up big to close the first half while continuing to pour into their scoring, taking a 47-24 heading into the locker room.
Lady Braves pull away to top Mount Olive
PEMBROKE — The UNC Pembroke women’s basketball team shook off a shaky first quarter and pulled away over the course of the game for a convincing 72-44 win over the Mount Olive Trojans Wednesday night. The Braves improved to 14-6 and 9-2 in Conference Carolinas action. “Here’s the...
Bladen County jobless rate improves in December.
ELIZABETHTOWN — Bladen County’s unemployment fell to 3.9% in December, according to data released Thursday by the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The data shows that Bladen County is among many counties across the state that saw an improving jobless rate. In factr, unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted)...
Lady Eagles fall to Red Springs at home
ELIZABETHTOWN — The East Bladen Lady Eagles defeated the West Columbus Lady Vikings for a 53-10 victory on Wednesday evening in a Waccamaw Conference clash. The Lady Eagles took the victory with ease as they jumped ahead 24-0 in the first quarter with little resistance from their opponents. Wednesday’s win marks Head Coach Patty Evers 599th career win and improves the Lady Eagles to 15-3 overall on the season.
LETTER: Gymnasium named after Cross made me smile
I realize that I am three months behind, for which I am ashamed and must apologize. But, seeing the news of West Bladen getting its gymnasium named after Coach Ken Cross really made me smile. Kudos go out to all of those who made this possible, and the accolades bestowed...
Elizabethtown Mayor Sylvia Campbell presented with Order of Long Leaf Pine
ELIZABETHTOWN — Sylvia Campbell, Mayor of the Town of Elizabethtown and area businesswoman was presented with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest award in the North Carolina, at the Annual Meeting of the Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, January 25. Chamber Member Robin...
Lumber River United Way hosts free volunteer income tax assistance program
LUMBERTON – With the 2024 tax filing deadline approaching, theLumber River United Way has planned a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for the third year. The IRS created the VITA Program in 1969 to assist taxpayers in the preparation and e-filing of their federal and state tax returns at no cost to the participant. Taxpayers eligible for this service should have a household income below $57,000, be an elder or have a disability. Through VITA tax clinics, taxpayers will participate in a brief interview, be assisted in creating an IRS customer portal account, and have their tax documents scanned so that an IRS certified tax preparer volunteer can complete the return. After the return is completed, the taxpayer can either log into the IRS’s website to review/sign and have their return e-filed, or they can schedule an appointment to meet with someone to review their return.
They Said It
“She also loved to sing and get all dressed up but was not afraid of a little mud, either. A jack of all trades, Lynn loved using her hands whether with tools or doing crafts. She could do anything she put her mind to.”. An obituary for Jacqueline “Lynn” Elaine...
HOOD: State superintendent races draw five candidates
RALEIGH — Of the 10 executive offices that make up North Carolina’s Council of State, half will be open seats in the 2024 elections. That is, there’ll be no incumbents. The politicians currently in those offices are leaving, either to retire or to run for something else.
My Time To Shine auditions set for Feb. 9.
LUMBERTON — The Carolina Civic Center Historic Theater in downtown Lumberton will hold auditions for its annual “My Time to Shine Talent Competition” on Feb. 9. Those interested in auditioning can find all audition information, forms and materials at the theater’s web site at www.carolinaciviccenter.com. The...
Bladen among counties to be last to transition to eCourts
Counties in southeastern North Carolina will not transition to the eCourts digital record management system until 2025, according to the state Administrative Office of the Courts. Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Mecklenburg and Wake counties transitioned last year to the $100 million eCourts system. The state has announced plans to expand the...
Activists strategize solutions at NC summit
Community activists often don’t have the luxury of working on one problem at a time — environmental, political and health care issues, for instance, often arrive on their doorstep bundled together. “The same areas that are impoverished, the same areas that have these environmental issues, have low political...
Sponsors needed to help provide summer meals for students
More than one million North Carolina students rely on the nutritious meals and snacks served during the school year through the School Breakfast, School Lunch and Afterschool Meals Programs. When school is out of session, North Carolina’s Summer Nutrition Programs help fill the gap by providing free meals and snacks...
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