Columbus County Community Chat

• State begins evidence today in murder trial of Clarkton man charged as one of two who killed Chase Powell, 19, of Whiteville, in March 2002.

By BOB HIGH
Staff Writer

A three-hour session of Superior Court Thursday morning ended with a ruling that recordings of telephone calls from an Horry County, S.C., jail in 2002 could be used by the state in the first-degree murder trial of Ramel Theodore Troy.

The conversations contained several references to what the state says is the murder of 19-year-old Chase Powell, who disappeared on March 27, 2002, after driving from Whiteville to Clarkton in the edge of Bladen County.

Judge Gregory Weeks denied a defense motion to withhold the recordings made from the telephone system inside the J. Reuben Long Detention Center near Conway.

By JEFFERSON WEAVER
Staff Writer

A new campground may be in the works on Dupree Landing Road.

The Columbus County Planning Board Thursday approved a plan submitted by Mike Butts to build a 45-lot recreational vehicle campground on Dupree Landing Road near Lake Waccamaw. The campground, called Last Chance Campground, will be situated just west of the town limits.

The Planning Board gave the go-ahead to send the plan to the county commissioners with a favorable endorsement. The senior county board has the final say on whether a permit for the project will be granted.

By BOB HIGH and
FULLER ROYAL
Staff Writers

Extra sheriff’s deputies will be on duty at Evergreen and Cerro Gordo Elementary schools today (Monday) after written threats by a person or group invoking the name of the Ku Klux Klan made threatening statements involving the absorption of minority students from the closed Fair Bluff Elementary

The letter, making generous use of the “N” word, said that the Cerro Gordo and Evergreen communities did not want the black children from Fair Bluff enrolled in their schools. (Click on title for full story.)

By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

It’s a five-party agreement commissioners signed off on more than two years ago.

But terms of that agreement are looking as though it may cost county taxpayers and commissioners seem hesitant to agree to a 40-year lease to own agreement that is related to the project.

The multi-million-dollar system, paid for entirely with grants, will pump sewer from three Columbus County municipalities, to a treatment plant in Fairmont.

Nationally known homemaker turned environmental activist speaks in Whiteville, Lake Waccamaw.

By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

Lois Gibbs wasn’t all that different from other housewives in her community. She graduated from high school, married her high school sweetheart and bought a house in Niagara Falls, N.Y.

The smell of chemicals in the air didn’t bother her or her neighbors and she described the community as “idyllic.”

“We smelled chemicals; we smelled a good economy,” Gibbs said. “We knew we would have food on our table, good benefits and healthcare.”

After her son Michael developed epilepsy, a urinary tract disorder, an immune system disorder similar to HIV and major liver problems her fairy-tale life was taking a terrible turn for the worst. (Click on title for full story)

By RAY WYCHE
Staff Writer

Most of Columbus County is faring better, weatherwise, than the rest of the state but extreme heat and prolonged periods with little or no rain in certain areas are having a detrimental effect on farm crops.

• EMS personnel divided over complaints of favoritism, poor communication; Obrecht cites missed calls and controversial 911 recording

By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

Rescue squad personnel from throughout Columbus County packed the commissioners’ chambers Monday night.
Eight of nine rescue chiefs voted at a Columbus County Fire and Rescue Association meeting to ask that the Board of Commissioners fire Dr. Fred Obrecht from his contract position as EMS medical director and eliminate nurse liaison Becky Smith’s position, association president Tony Miller said.
The board took no action but said they would take the request under advisement.

By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

Columbus County’s Emergency Services Medical Director may have thought a debate that erupted years ago involving the renewal of his contract was over.
But it’s not.
Columbus County Fire and Rescue Association President Tony Miller will ask the Columbus County Board of commissioners to not only remove Dr. Fred Obrecht from his position but also nurse Liaison Becky Smith.
A letter signed by the association’s Vice President Sara Spivey lists all rescue squads but Whiteville as being in favor of the removal but does not specify why.
Attempts to get in touch with Miller at his home Friday were unsuccessful.
“We wish both Dr. Obrecht and Mrs. Smith well, but believe that Columbus County and its Emergency Medical Service providers will be better served with a change at this time,” the letter reads.
A separate letter bearing Miller’s name requests the item be added to the commissioner’s agenda for Monday night.
“I’m probably headed out but I’m going to tell the truth when I go out,” Obrecht said Sunday (Aug. 19). “I have a rebuttal planned.” (See full story by clicking on title)

By Jefferson Weaver
Staff writer

Of the 215 bridges in Columbus County, 80 spans – 37.2 percent – are in need of major work, according to a study by a national motor club. (See full storyby clicking on title.)

Residency challenge is over: or is it?

By NICOLE CARTRETTE
Staff Writer

The Columbus County Board of Election decided Thursday (Aug. 16) that a Fair Bluff commissioner would keep his seat, be qualified to run for re-election and retain his right to vote in municipal elections.
Challengers John Wayne Phillips and Chris Scott alleged incumbent Jack Meares’ official residence was a home at Timber Cove in Whiteville but Meares maintained that a home at 305 Conway Road in Fair Bluff is his residence.
The board rejected, in a 2-1 vote, the residency challenges.