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Wagram native celebrates five years with Pioneer Strategies
LELAND — Senior Creative Strategist Zach Drennan, a Scotland County native, recently celebrated his five-year anniversary with Brunswick County-based Pioneer Strategies. Drennan, who joined the public relations and strategic communication firm as an account coordinator in 2019, now oversees the company’s creative, graphic design and web design practice. His graphic design and web video production work has earned MarCom Awards, Hermes Creative Awards and a dotCOMM Award.
PHOTOS | Bees take over Summer Read Program
The Wagram Recreation Center was abuzz with children on Wednesday to learn all about the bees. Mary Stone with the Wagram Apiary spoke to the more than 60 in attendance about the importance of bees and even let those curious enough try some local honey. The program was part of the Scotland County Memorial Library’s Summer Reading Program. The next program will be on July 10 at 10:30 a.m. and at 1 p.m. at the Laurel Hill Community Center featuring Rockstar Magic with Chris and Neal.
RichmondCC signs on to Aspire Appalachian co-admission program
HAMLET — Appalachian State University has invited Richmond Community College to be a partner in its Aspire Appalachian co-admission program. Aspire Appalachian is a seamless pathway for students enrolled at RichmondCC to complete a bachelor’s degree at App State. Students participating will receive dedicated advising assistance from both RichmondCC and App State, access to admission and financial aid counseling, priority consideration for select App State scholarships, as well as access to special webinars, events and newsletters.
UNCP’s Revels, Smith selected for UNC System’s Executive Leadership Institute
PEMBROKE — Two upper-level administrators at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke have been selected for the fifth cohort of the UNC System’s Executive Leadership Institute. Angela Revels, assistant vice chancellor for Human Resources and Kyle Smith, dean of students and associate vice chancellor of Student Affairs,...
St. David’s Episcopal Church launches ‘Raise Our Praise’ campaign for a historic organ installation
LAURINBURG — In the heart of our community, St. David’s Episcopal Church has embarked on a noble endeavor to purchase a piece of musical history. The “Raise Our Praise” campaign is not just about the purchase of a new organ; it’s about revitalizing a cultural treasure that has been an integral part of our church for many years.
Meet Avery Stutts, the 3A Player of the Year
LAURINBURG — The Scotland Fighting Scots softball team has recently gotten a lot of recognition from the North Carolina High School Coaches Association with six girls earning a spot on the 3A All District team last week. One of them was rising senior Avery Stutts, who was named 3A Player of the Year for the Scotland County Schools district. The numbers don’t lie, she was a dominant force the entire season.
Jamie McGee named Veterans Services officer for Scotland County
LAURINBURG — Scotland County Manager April Snead announced Friday that Jamie McGee has been named the new Veteran Services officer for Scotland County. McGee is a proud veteran, having served in the Navy during the Gulf War as an engineer in the Reactor Department. She has been employed in the Veterans Services Department since September 2023, in the position of Veteran Services assistant.
PHOTOS | Laurel Hill gets patriotic with parade
Celebrations of patriotism began early with Laurel Hill Community Center’s Independence Day Golf Cart Parade held on Thursday. This year’s parade featured food, candy, face painting, and, of course, golf carts, decorated in all things red, white and blue to commemorate the holiday. Golf carts were award for decor. In first place was Linda Locklear. Placing second was Sara Radford and Kyle Whykoff placed third.
Gibson leaders approve modest 2024-25 budget
GIBSON —The Gibson Board of Commissioners approved without preamble a balanced budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year. No one spoke for or against the proposed budget ordinance during a public hearing held Tuesday on the matter. The vote on the budget was unanimous, however commissioners Eric Stubbs and Ronnie Hudson were not present.
Scotland softball lands four on All-State team
LAURINBURG — The Scotland Fighting Scots softball team continues to get recognized by the North Carolina High School Coaches Association. After having six girls named to the 3A All-District team last week, the team had four girls get named to the 3A All-State team on Thursday afternoon. The list...
Wagram commissioners approve 2024-25 budget, town terminate clerk/finance officer
WAGRAM — Shortly after unanimously approving a 2024-25 fiscal year budget, the Wagram Board of Commissioners voted to terminate the town’s clerk/finance officer, Roosevelt Henegan Jr., during a reconvened meeting held Thursday. The commissioners decided after discussing the matter in closed session during the town’s regular June 6...
Four Fighting Scots head to Area 2 Conference playoffs
LAURINBURG — Four members of the Scotland Fighting Scots baseball team will head into the Area 2 Conference playoffs as part of the team with the No. 1 seed starting on Monday night. The Hamlet American Legion baseball team (49ers) went 8-0 against conference opponents and won the Area...
Scotland football participates in another 7 on 7 practice
LAURINBURG — The Scotland Fighting Scots football team participated in another seven-on-seven practice with other high school teams from around the area Wednesday morning at Scotland High School. The team competed in one of these sessions last Wednesday before traveling to North Carolina State University for a camp last Friday in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Scotland CountySchools Board ofEducation OK’sjob appointments
LAURINBURG — Scotland County Schools recently announced a series of new school administrative appointments, approved by the SCS Board of Education at their June 24 Committee of the Whole meeting. Wenona Mishue has been named the new principal at Sycamore Lane Primary School. Mishue will replace Elisabeth Harrell, who...
Maxton commemorates Juneteenth
MAXTON — Maxton’s second annual Juneteenth celebration drew throngs of revelers ready to celebrate the national holiday on Saturday. The event started with a parade on West Carolina Street that eventually wound its way onto Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. The lineup featured the mayor, girl scouts, dancers, churches, and women on motor trikes.
Border Belt Independent | Scotland, Robeson counties see slow growth for first time in years
Scotland and Robeson 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.
Students raise a sound at SAU
St. Andrews University Community Music School presented a recital on June 23 in Vardell Hall. Featured were the students of Alice Wilkins. Students performed their own selections on piano, guitar, ukelele, violin, banjo, electric guitar, and/or voice.
Car show supports the veterans
LAURINBURG — Despite the sweltering heat Saturday, the Tuesday Cruisers car club showed up and showed out in support of veterans and the fallen with a cruise-in at the Laurinburg National Guard Armory. . The show was organized by Navy veteran and Tuesday Cruiser member Derrick “Squirl” Chisolm with...
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