Columbus County Community Chat

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.

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.

Michigan family donates photo collection showing Waccamaw Lumber’s operation in Bolton.

By BOB HIGH
Staff Writer

Local historian Robb Cross was in the county library about four months ago doing his usual work – trying to find out more about Columbus County.
A man and woman entered and inquired of library employees if anyone knew anything about Bolton, the small eastern county town at the northern edge of the Green Swamp.

Elected officials won’t get to bid on surplus items

By Jefferson Weaver
Staff Writer
Government auctions are gold mines for bargain hunters, but Whiteville’s City Council won’t join the bidders Sept. 14.
To avoid any appearance of impropriety, the board voted Tuesday to prohibit members of the city council from bidding on items at the city’s next surplus auction. Cars, trucks, a van, tools, computers and other extra equipment will go on the auction block in the first city auction since 2005.

By FULLER ROYAL
Staff Writer

The Whiteville City Schools Board of Education will consider reinstating the minimum 2.0 grade point average (GPA) requirement for participation in all extracurricular activities at Whiteville High School.
The requirement, originally implemented by former superintendent Jerry Paschal, was overturned in late 2004. That requirement applied only to athletes.
The removal of the requirement pushed the school down to the level of the minimum High School Athletic Association’s academic requirement – that athletes pass a majority of their classes each semester.
Because a student could pass three courses with a “D” and flunk the fourth, the new minimum GPA became 0.75.
Few school systems – and no others in the same athletic conferences as Whiteville – ever raised the minimum.
Superintendent Randall Shaver said that in his discussions, a significant portion of the community would like to see the minimum GPA requirement restored. (See full story by clicking on title.)

School board will make ban official at Sept. 10 meeting

By FULLER ROYAL
Staff Writer

Unless another system beats it to the punch, the Whiteville City Schools will become the 88th school district in the state to ban all tobacco on its campuses and property and at all school or school-sponsored events.
This will mean an end to smoking by students or employees on any campus and by spectators at any sporting event, indoors or out.
The decision, which comes in the wake of the North Carolina General Assembly’s smoking ban on any state property, was made through unanimous consent of the four board members present – chairman Carlton Prince, Dave Flowers, Jim DiMuzio and Larry Hewett. Board member Greg Merritt was absent. (See full story by clikcing on title.)

Should county taxpayers pay for county employees, such as the county attorney, to attend functions in neighboring counties, which have no relationship to the employees assigned duties? Should tax payers pay for decorating a conference room so it would look good for the county attorney’s visitors?

A reader requested a new blog topic entitled: Columbus County Schools. Here it is. What would you like to say about or discuss re: Columbus County Schools?