WHITEVILLE, NC (WECT) – Council members in Whiteville is expected to make a decision Tuesday night about the future of a former town landmark.

The old Whiteville skating rink on Caldis Street has been closed for years and has become dilapidated. The housing inspector and fire marshal both said the building requires too many renovations to be brought back to building safety codes.

Now, council members will vote whether or not to tear down the building. A demolition date has not yet been set, but is expected to cost about $35,000, which was included in the budget.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.

CHADBOURN, NC (WECT) - The town council for Chadbourn plans to present a budget with no merit raises, cost of living adjustments or many travel expenditures for the 2012-13 fiscal year. However, the budget will not include a tax rate increase either, according to documents released Tuesday.

Town council members will not get paid this coming year as well.

The budget will require the town to dip into its general fund balance for $56,543 and enterprise fund balance for $65,667 to make ends meet this coming year.

Town leaders don't intend to increase the garbage, water and sewer rates for in-town customers, but will increase the outside of town rate for sewer.  

The total proposed budget is $2,282,736.

There is a public hearing scheduled at the next council meeting for June 28 at 4 p.m.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Columbus County Commissioners and officials with Columbus Regional Healthcare System will discuss the hospital lease during a meeting on Monday night.

Columbus Regional is leasing its building from the county and that lease will be up in five years. Administrators with the hospital are looking at millions of dollars worth of upgrades and would like to extend the lease.

Commissioners hope that during their negotiations healthcare officials will agree to add another commissioner to the hospital board.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.