Our network

Man arrested, accused of forcing pregnant girlfriend to do illegal drugs

Man arrested, accused of forcing pregnant girlfriend to do illegal drugs

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Deputies in Columbus County have arrested a man accused of forcing his pregnant girlfriend to do drugs, including cocaine.

According to investigators, Leon Bellamy made Alicia Gleason to the drugs in July.  They say he also hit and sexually assaulted her.

Bellamy’s bond is more than $100,000.

Copyright 2011 WECT. All rights reserved.

Drivers advised to detour through Bolton tonight as crews work on road

Drivers advised to detour through Bolton tonight as crews work on road

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) — The west-bound lane near the intersection of Hwy. 214 and Hwy. 74/76 will be closed tonight, according to DOT officials.

The lane heading to Whiteville from Wilmington will be closed from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m. so that crews can work on the new interchange.

Drivers are asked to make a left when they arrive at the Hwy. 214 intersection and will be directed to a detour on Hwy. 211 through Bolton.

Copyright 2011 WECT. All rights reserved.

License plate agency shuts down in Columbus County

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) - The license plate agency in Whiteville is closing this Friday and the closest one will be more than twenty miles away in Bladen County.

A temporary license plate office will open next Tuesday in the drivers license office in Whiteville off Washington Street. People will only be able to do their annual vehicle registration at the temporary office. If you need to get a title for your vehicle or new registration, you'll need to go to Elizabethtown or another agency.

Copyright 2011 WECT.  All Rights Reserved.

Two men receive first-place title even though they finished 14 mins. apart

Two men receive first-place title even though they finished 14 mins. apart

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) — Apparently there was some confusion during the Take the Lake X-TREME! challenge this past weekend in Lake Waccamaw.

According to the event’s website, Thommy Mintz, of Ash, and Eric Brandt, of Lake Waccamaw, were both given the first-place title even though they finished 14 minutes apart.

The two participants reportedly finished the 48-mile race (4-mile swim, 12 mile-bike, 3-mile hike, 14-mile paddle and 15-mile walk/run) in less than 12 hours.

Congratulations to you both!

Copyright 2011 WECT. All rights reserved.

SCC to offer continuing education seminars, classes

SCC to offer continuing education seminars, classes

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) — Southeastern Community College is offering several continuing education seminars and classes in the coming weeks.

Here is a list provided by Justin Smith, the Communications Specialist at SCC:

Basic Pipefitting

Basic Pipefitting will be offered on Monday and Tuesday evenings from 7-9:30 p.m. in M-Building, room 132 beginning Sept. 12 through Nov. 14. The $120 registration and $1.25 insurance fees must be paid at the first meeting. This course provides practical hands-on and classroom instructions on basic principles and practices of the pipefitting trade. Emphasis will be placed on safety, specifications, blueprint reading, layout, math, measurement process, and fabrication methods. Upon completion of the course, students should be able to read basic piping drawings, take field measurements, develop isometric pipe sketches, and fabricate and install small bore piping systems (butt weld, socket weld, threaded).

Spanish in the Workplace

Spanish in the Workplace is scheduled for Mondays, Sept. 12-Nov. 28, from 6-8 p.m. at the DREAM Center. A $65 registration fee must be paid at the first meeting. This course is designed to establish a beginning vocabulary for those who have Spanish-speaking customers and/or employees. Topics include basic fundamentals of grammar, oral comprehension, various dialects, and basic conversations.

Spanish for Heath Care Professionals

Spanish for Health Care Professionals will be offered on campus in A-Building, room 129. The class will meet on Mondays, Sept. 12-Nov. 28, from 6-9 p.m. A $65 registration fee must be paid at the first meeting. Students will learn vocabulary, situational dialogues and grammatical points pertinent to health care professionals.

Bartending

Commissioners debate metal or brick building for Department of Aging

Commissioners debate metal or brick building for Department of Aging

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Commissioners in Columbus County will discuss how they will handle the Department of Aging’s money shortage of more than $800,000.

Commissioners will decide whether to expand the current Department of Aging Center in Whiteville with a brick or metal building. They are leaning towards metal since it could be cheaper.

Commissioners will also discuss whether to go with recommendations to cut nursing assistant’s holiday and vacation pay and mile reimbursement.

Copyright 2011 WECT. All rights reserved.

Residents concerned with large trucks on Old Lake Road during school hours

Residents concerned with large trucks on Old Lake Road during school hours

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Commissioners in Columbus County say residents are concerned about large trucks driving on Old Lake Road, which is where Acme-Delco Elementary School is located.

Commissioners can’t change traffic ordinances, but decided Tuesday night to send a letter to the Department of Transportation to encourage them to make it illegal for 18-wheelers and other large trucks to drive down the road during school hours.

Many truck drivers use the route to get to the international paper company in Riegelwood.

Copyright 2011 WECT. All rights reserved.