Columbus Co. switches health care insurance companies

Submitted by Gavin Johnson, Reporter

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013, 12:32pm

Columbus Co. switches health care insurance companies

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) - Starting July 1, all Columbus County employees who have health care will be covered under Cigna. Currently, employees are covered under United Healthcare.

County officials say that when they were negotiating with both insurance companies, United Healthcare wanted a 28 percent increase, and Cigna wanted a 14 percent increase.

Officials say both companies then lowered their prices, so that Cigna only wanted an 8 percent increase, and United Healthcare wanted a 19 percent increase. So the county switched to Cigna.

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Concerned citizens to crack down on crime

Submitted by Debra Worley, Digital Content Director

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013, 11:18am

Concerned citizens to crack down on crime

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Concerned citizens in Columbus County will continue to talk about cracking down on crime.

Another community in Whiteville is planning to bounce ideas off each other next week.

Mayor Terry Mann said people on the west side of town have invited city officials and police to attend a meeting at the Dream Center.

The meeting will be held Monday, April 29 at 6:00 p.m.

Last week, three other neighborhoods came together for a community safety meeting. There have been several shootings in the city over the past few weeks, including one where the police chief in Bolton was shot.

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Lanes narrow on Hwy 701 from Tabor City to Whiteville

Submitted by Caraline Waldrep, Traffic Reporter

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013, 10:33am

Lanes narrow on Hwy 701 from Tabor City to Whiteville

TABOR CITY AND WHITEVILLE, NC (WECT) - North Carolina DOT will narrow lanes on U.S. Highway 701 between Tabor City and Whiteville as crews pave new asphalt along the road.

According to the press release, crews will pave the highway in sections starting from the north side of Tabor City moving towards Whiteville. Flaggers will be on site to direct traffic through the work zone.

This project includes paving, shoulder building, new pavement markings and is expected to be completed by May 10.

DOT asks drivers to add extra time to your commute.

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WEATHER: Nice - but for how long

Submitted by Colin Hackman, First Alert Meteorologist, Reporter

Tuesday, April 23rd, 2013, 8:00am

High pressure moves in finally bringing some much nicer weather today with daytime high temperatures running close to 70F this afternoon.

While we will start the day with some clouds, by this afternoon it will be mostly sunny and nice. That high pressure moves directly overhead for Wednesday keeping conditions improving and warming quickly as we roll into the upper 70s on Wednesday near Wilmington.

Fact is some inland locations could push above the 80 degree mark as we will see temperatures push above average.

Thursday the chance for showers increases in association with an advancing cold front from the west.

Shower are by no means a given, but the middle levels of the atmosphere become more favorable for the development of showers and thunderstorms as this system skirts the area. Slightly cooler than normal conditions are expected as we head into the weekend - with more shower chances for Sunday afternoon.

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No charges to be filed against man who shot, killed Charlotte teen

Submitted by WECT Web Staff

Monday, April 22nd, 2013, 3:54pm

District Attorney Jon David appeared with Thar family attorney Willie Gary Monday. (Source: Gavin Johnson)

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) - No charges will be filed against the man who accidentally shot and killed a Charlotte teenager in late 2011 in the town of Chadbourn, according to Columbus County District Attorney Jon David.

The announcement came months after the investigation began into the teen's death. The District Attorney's office had been waiting on some additional laboratory testing before making a final decision. A news release from the DA did not elaborate on what the latest testing did or did not show them.

Police say James Blackwell fired a rifle from inside his home on Third Avenue in December 2011 while attempting to clean it. Blackwell told police he thought the rifle was empty. A bullet from the gun hit three people outside the home, including Jasmine Thar, then 16 years old.

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Get ready for the free Plant Swap & Sale

Submitted by Debra Worley, Digital Content Director

Monday, April 22nd, 2013, 11:01am

Get ready for the free Plant Swap & Sale

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – The Columbus County Farmers Market and the Columbus County Extension Master Gardeners will celebrate the arrival of spring with a free Plant Swap & Sale later this week.

This event will be held Saturday, April 27, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Participants are encouraged to bring plants, seeds, bulbs, cuttings, plant books, and gardening tools to swap or sell to other plant enthusiasts. Booth space and admission is free.

Lunch will be for sale for $5 a plate or $6 with a drink. Proceeds will benefit the Columbus County Farmers Market operating fund.

For more information, or to reserve a space, please contact Myra Godwin at 910-840-6744 or email info@columbuscountyfarmersmarket.com.

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D.A. to release lab test results in fatal teen shooting

Submitted by Sanah Sayani, Multimedia Journalist

Sunday, April 21st, 2013, 8:50pm

COLUMBUS CO., NC (WECT) - Columbus County District Attorney will be releasing lab test results on Monday at a press conference in Whiteville.

Family of Jasmine Thar and attorney Willie Gray will release the results that were completed by the FBI to help determine what happened in the case of Charlotte teen Jasmine Thar.

Thar was shot and killed in December 2011 by James Blackwell who claims his gun misfired.

The press conference will be at 11:00 a.m. outside the Columbus County District Attorney's Office in Whiteville, NC.

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