Sandyfield gets new Town Hall and Fire Station

Submitted by Debra Worley, Digital Content Director

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011, 5:18pm

Sandyfield gets new Town Hall and Fire Station

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – A new Town Hall and Fire Station opened in Sandyfield a few weeks ago and could cut down response times in an emergency.

Before the new facility was built, town hall was a mobile home and the closest fire station was six miles away in Riegelwood.

Town officials said the new building is better insulated so they’ll save money heating and cooling it.

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Lake Waccamaw camping facility to close for Hurricane Irene

Submitted by Ashley Barker, Community Web Producer

Wednesday, August 24th, 2011, 3:10pm

Lake Waccamaw camping facility to close for Hurricane Irene

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) — Campgrounds at eight state parks in eastern North Carolina will close in anticipation of the passage of Hurricane Irene, according to the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

The Lake Waccamaw camping facility will close on Friday and Saturday nights. Visitors with reservations at those campgrounds are being notified of the closures.

State parks could close on short notice depending on the anticipated path of the storm.

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North Whiteville Academy plans open house for Wednesday night

Submitted by Ashley Barker, Community Web Producer

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011, 1:52pm

North Whiteville Academy plans open house for Wednesday night

WHITEVILLE, NC (WECT) — Open house for North Whiteville Academy has been scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 24 from 4 until 6 p.m., according to Whiteville City Schools.

The school is located at 2322 James B. White Hwy. North in Whiteville.

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Nursing instructor receives grant from SCC Foundation

Submitted by Ashley Barker, Community Web Producer

Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011, 9:18am

Nursing instructor receives grant from SCC Foundation

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) — A nursing instructor is the first person to receive the Clare R. Bailey Professional Development Grant.

Myra Thompson has taught nursing for 16 years and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and a Master’s degree in Education, according to SCC’s Justin Smith. Along with eight other SCC faculty members, Thompson was required to obtain a Master’s of Science in Nursing degree to comply with a recent decision by the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission.

“It was quite a shock to realize that an additional degree was necessary for me to remain as an instructor at SCC. Without this generous grant, returning to graduate school would have been a significant financial burden,” said Thompson in a news release.

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Documents stolen, commissioner charged with harassment

Submitted by WECT Web Staff

Monday, August 22nd, 2011, 6:52pm

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Columbus County Commissioner Giles Buddy Byrd was arrested and charged with first degree harassment, Friday in Horry County.

According to an incident report filed by Byrd's ex-fiance Brenda Drew, someone entered her home in South Carolina and removed documents from her kitchen table. The papers stolen contained passwords and account information to her email account. It states Drew decided to place her laptop computer on the edge of a placemat to see if it would be moved when she left for work. According to the report, the computer was moved from the edge of the placemat. It also states her favorites screen had been replaced and she could no longer open her electronic safe. She believes whoever entered her home tampered with the computer and typed the wrong password into the safe so many times, it froze.

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City leaders hope new program will cut down on crime

Submitted by Debra Worley, Digital Content Director

Monday, August 22nd, 2011, 6:08pm

City leaders hope new program will cut down on crime

WHITEVILLE, NC (WECT) – City leaders in Whiteville have approved a Residential Rental Remediate Program in an effort to crack down on crime.

Police will use a mathematical formula to rate the danger of certain crimes. If a property owner doesn’t notify the city about a tenant who continues to break the law, the landowner could then lose their rental registration.

The program will start next summer.

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Whiteville vs. West Columbus football rescheduled

Submitted by Ashley Barker, Community Web Producer

Monday, August 22nd, 2011, 3:51pm

Whiteville vs. West Columbus football rescheduled

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) — Due to the threat of severe weather, the Whiteville at West Columbus High School football game has been moved up in the week.

The two teams will play at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. The junior varsity squads will take the field at Whiteville at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Make sure you “Like” WECT’s Friday Night Football page on Facebook for complete coverage of all the games.

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