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Three teens arrested in Hallsboro murder

Bob High

Two 16-year-old boys and an 18-year-old male have been arrested on indictments for first-degree murder in the April 13 shooting death of Keith Douglas Gachett, 44, in the victim’s Hallsboro home.

Boys fired guns day before they killed, robbed Hallsboro man

By BOB HIGH Staff Writer

Bragging to some East Columbus High School classmates about getting guns, cash and jewelry and having to kill a man in April proved to be part of the crime puzzle sheriff’s investigators put together this month.

Citywide boil water advisory

The entire City of Whiteville is under a “Boil Water” advisory until further notice, Mayor Terry Mann said today (Friday).

Firefighters seriously injured in wreck

Two Fair Bluff firefighters were seriously injured Saturday afternoon while responding to a wild fire in Horry County.

Assistant county attorney resigns

By NICOLE CARTRETTE Staff Writer

County Attorney Mike Stephens announced this week that assistant county attorney Terri Martin has submitted her letter of resignation, following several months of medical leave.

SBI arrests Fair Bluff chief in drug conspiracy

By BOB HIGH Staff Writer

Marty Allan Lewis, 42-year-old chief of police in Fair Bluff, was arrested Tuesday afternoon while in uniform and charged with at least five counts of dealing in cocaine and/or prescription medication.

Chadbourn woman wins $4 million in lottery

Clariece Hammonds of Chadbourn in Columbus County became the second person to win the top prize in the N.C. Education Lottery’s $4,000,000 Cash Blowout game.

Lewis' bond tripled in Fair Bluff cases

Marty Allan Lewis, 42-year-old former chief of police in Fair Bluff, was arrested Tuesday afternoon while in uniform and charged with at least five counts of dealing in cocaine and/or prescription medication.

DEMPSEY DEWAYNE ‘WAYNE’ NOBLES

CHADBOURN -- Dempsey Dewayne “Wayne” Nobles, 31, died Wednesday, May 9, 2012 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington.

Fair Bluff terminates police chief, town clerk

By ALLEN TURNER News-Times Editor

After meeting in a closed hour-and-a-half emergency session late Wednesday afternoon, members of the Fair Bluff Board of Commissioners resumed open session and voted to terminate immediately the employment of Police Chief Marty Lewis and Town Clerk/Treasurer Tamika Packer, both of whom ha…

‘Multiple’ problems with Whiteville’s water reported

By JEFFERSON WEAVER Staff Writer

A number of area restaurants were closed on one of the busiest weekends of the year after the City of Whiteville issued a water advisory Friday morning.

Fair Bluff firefighters injured

By ALLEN TURNER News-Times Editor

Two firefighters from Fair Bluff Fire and Rescue remained hospitalized Sunday following a 5:59 p.m. Saturday crash that occurred as they were responding to a mutual aid request in South Carolina from Horry County Fire and Rescue.

EZELLE HORNE WALKER

WHITEVILLE -- Mrs. Ezelle Horne Walker, 84, died Saturday, May 12, 2012. She was born Jan. 18, 1928, in Columbus County, the daughter of the late Lonnie Horne and Easley Stephens Horne. She was the widow of Roedell Walker. She was also preceded in death by one brother, Waldo “Budd…

ROBERT GLENN CAIN

BLADENBORO -- Robert Glenn Cain, 17, died Saturday, May 12, 2012. He was born Dec. 15, 1994 in Robeson County.

JUANITA ELIZABETH WARD

SUNSET BEACH -- Juanita Elizabeth Ward, 43, died Sunday, May 13, 2012 at her home.  Born in Wilmington, she was the daughter of Larry Dillion Ward and Mary Lou Simmons Ward. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Priest and Fannie Simmons and Dillon and Melneta Ward.

Amy Bailey is N.C. Pecan Festival’s new director

Amy Bailey is the 2012 North Carolina Pecan Harvest director.

DIANNE H. HORNE

LITTLE RIVER -- Dianne H. Horne, 69, died Saturday, May 12, 2012 at her home.

Hunt is on for suspects in felonies

By BOB HIGH Staff Writer

The hunt is on for 25 men and women wanted by the Sheriff’s Office on a variety of felony charges, plus one man wanted on misdemeanor counts, and several for failure to appear after their initial court appearance.

Whiteville residents are under a boil-water advisory - Update by Saturday afternoon.

Houseman - Yamada

Esther Houseman of Baltimore, Md. and Randy Yamada of Arlington, Va. are planning a June 2 wedding at The Atrium by Ligon Flynn with a reception to follow at The Balcony on Dock Street in Wilmington.

PRISCILLA LEE SMITH ROWAN

NAKINA -- Priscilla Lee Smith Rowan, 71, died Friday, May 11, 2012 at her residence.  

HOYT INMAN

ASH -- Hoyt Inman, 76, died Sunday, May 13, 2012. He was born Feb. 15, 1936 in Brunswick County, the son of the late Henry Inman and Velma Smith Inman. He was a retired farmer and served in the U.S. Navy. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Shannon Inman; and three brothers, Kermit …

LEVERN KELLY

TABOR CITY -- Levern Kelly, 61, died Wednesday, May 9, 2012 in Chapel Hill. He was the son of the late Pearlene Kelly Grant.

ELOISE BABSON

BLADENBORO -- Eloise Babson, 78, died Thursday, May 10, 2012. She was predeceased by her parents, Floyd and Bessie McLean Rich; her husband, Ted Babson; granddaughter, Yolanda Bookmyer and sister, Judy Tatum.

JOHN D. COGDELL JR.

WHITEVILLE -- John D. Cogdell Jr., 69, died Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at his residence.

MICHAEL DICICCO

BLADENBORO -- Michael DiCicco, 47, died Sunday, May 13, 2012. He was preceded in death by his mother, Gertie Lee Watts DiCicco; and two brothers, Paul and Jeffrey DiCicco.

Amendment One passes

By NICOLE CARTRETTE Staff Writer

Voters across North Carolina agreed to make a change to the state’s constitution and amend it to read that the only civil union recognized in the state will be marriages between one man and one woman.

RYAN CHRISTOPER HOMMEL

CHADBOURN -- Ryan Christopher Hommel, 21, died May 3, 2012 in an automobile accident. He was born in Columbus County Dec. 8, 1990.

Board tables action on four-day work week

By NICOLE CARTRETTE Staff Writer

Columbus County commissioners decided this week to table a request to change the health department from a five to four-day workweek beginning June 1.

Broadband service speeds to bridge digital divide in southeastern Columbus

By NICOLE CARTRETTE Staff Writer

Households and businesses in southeastern Columbus County now have access to something many never thought possible: high-speed broadband Internet service via a fiber optic network.

Wife finds murdered husband in Hallsboro

By BOB HIGH Staff Writer

Keith Douglas “Gadget” Gachett, 46, of Red Bug Road, Hallsboro, was found murdered in his home Friday afternoon by his wife returning to the residence from work, according to sheriff’s reports.

Hunting some species at night appears likely

By JEFFERSON WEAVER Staff Writer

Wild hogs and coyotes may soon find nights a bit less restful.

Election results: NC House, Commission

By NICOLE CARTRETTE Staff Writer

Waddell tops Leonard in Democrat House run

Five to seven years prison for murder in Chadbourn

By BOB HIGH Staff Writer

Jonathan Cromartie pleaded to voluntary manslaughter in 2009 death.

Byrd will keep District 3 seat

By NICOLE CARTRETTE Staff Writer

County Commissioner Buddy Byrd has a greater lead over challenger Perry Dixon in the District 3 commissioner race following the May 15 canvas of provisional ballots.

BRIAN LEE BOLT

BLADENBORO -- Brian Lee Bolt, 50, formerly of Disputanta, Va., died Thursday, May 10, 2012. He was preceded in death by his father, Delmer Lee Bolt.

Commissioners to meet on hospital lease request tonight

By NICOLE CARTRETTE Staff Writer

Columbus County commissioners and Columbus Regional Healthcare officials will meet in a special workshop tonight to discuss the hospital board’s recent request to extend its lease on the county-owned property and approve $25 million in additional debt for upgrades.

Norris-Spivey

Mr. and Mrs. Connor Norris of Evergreen, Debbie Norris of Whiteville and Winfread Livingston of Tabor City announce the engagement of their daughter, Lucinda Faith Norris, to Dustin Ray Spivey, son of Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Spivey of Tabor City.

Perkins-Britt

Jerry Perkins of Clarkton and Dixie Britt of Clarkton announce the engagement of their daughter and son, Penelope Gail (Penny) Perkins, and Robert D. (Bobby) Britt Jr.

Group calls for justice in shooting

By BOB HIGH Staff Writer

The family of Jasmine Thar, the teenager ruled accidentally killed in Chadbourn in December, gathered on the steps of the courthouse here Wednesday and called for justice – one day before they were here to meet with District Attorney Jon David.

Edwards-Thompson

Robert and Loretta Edwards of Cerro Gordo announce the engagement of their daughter, Robin Lynn, to Jeremy Lance Thompson, son of Julian Thompson of Evergreen and Laura Thompson of Evergreen.