Health

Seniors learn ways to stay safe and healthy during annual event

Submitted by Debra Worley, Digital Content Director

Tuesday, May 14th, 2013, 12:45pm

Seniors learn ways to stay safe and healthy during annual event

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – The 30th annual Columbus County senior picnic took place at the fairgrounds Tuesday.

The event is organized by the county’s Department of Aging.

Seniors say they enjoy the event because they see people who live in other parts of the county they haven’t seen in years.

The sheriff’s office and healthcare agencies have booths set up to inform seniors how to stay safe and healthy.

The event is organized by the county’s Department of Aging.

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Blood drive scheduled for Monday

Submitted by Sarah Crandall, Web Producer

Saturday, April 27th, 2013, 2:00pm

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Give the gift of blood Monday.

Between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., a blood drive will be held at Southeastern Community College, according to an event organizer.

SCC is located at 4564 Chadbourn Hwy. in Whiteville.

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SCC students raise substance abuse awareness with weekend event

Submitted by Debra Worley, Digital Content Director

Thursday, April 25th, 2013, 2:29pm

SCC students raise substance abuse awareness with weekend event

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Nursing students at Southeastern Community College are organizing a special event this weekend to raise awareness about substance abuse.

According to a post on the school’s website, Operation ASAP will include educational booths and activities for children.

"Substance abuse causes many families heartache and distress, including some family members of our own group of students,” said Jamie Ward, a student who is helping to organize the event. “Operation ASAP will promote programs that are available to help abusers and their families."

Operation ASAP will be held Saturday, April 27 on the SCC campus in front of A-building from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. In the event of rain, the event will be moved indoors.

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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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County doing self audit on Department of Aging

Submitted by Gavin Johnson, Reporter

Wednesday, March 20th, 2013, 6:06pm

County doing self audit on Department of Aging

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) - Officials in Columbus County are working to have a self audit on the county's department of aging finished by April 15.

County officials say that earlier this year, after receiving complaints from a client about not receiving services from the Department of Aging that were paid for, and seeing documentation discrepancies, they requested the state to come in and investigate.

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STUDY: Columbus Co. unhealthiest in NC...again

Submitted by WECT Web Staff

Wednesday, March 20th, 2013, 4:09pm

Once again, Columbus County falls at the bottom of the list, weighing in as the least-healthy county in the state.

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – A new study ranks Columbus County as the unhealthiest county in North Carolina...again.

The University of Wisconsin released the rankings, which shows 37 percent of children in the county are living in poverty, compared to 25 percent statewide.

The study says 28 percent of its residents are in poor or fair health.

According to the study, Bladen County didn't do much better, and was only ranked two place higher than Columbus at #98.

Most of the unhealthiest counties are in southeastern or northeastern North Carolina. The healthiest counties tend to be clustered around cities.

Wake County was ranked the healthiest county in the state, and New Hanover County was ranked 9th. Pender County came in at #20 on the list and Brunswick at #37.

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Angels on Wheels to host Columbus Co. Relay for Life Golf Tournament

Submitted by Iisha Scott, Weather Anchor/ Web Producer

Friday, March 15th, 2013, 4:28pm

Angels on Wheels to host Columbus Co. Relay for Life Golf Tournament

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) - Angels on Wheels will host its 1st annual Columbus County Relay for Life Golf Tournament next week, according to organizers.

The event will take place on Friday, March 22 at the Land-O-Lakes Golf Course located at 2950 Bill Hooks Rd. in Whiteville.

The tournament will feature a four player team, which at $240 per team includes a bagged lunch, goodie bag for each golfer and a sit down dinner during the hole sponsor.

All proceeds will benefit The American Cancer Society.

For more information, please contact Christy Cartrette at (910) 840-0072.

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