News

West Columbus student charged for having gun on campus

Submitted by Debra Worley, Digital Content Director

Monday, March 4th, 2013, 4:51pm

West Columbus student charged for having gun on campus

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Deputies in Columbus County were called to West Columbus High School last week for reports of vehicles being sprayed with milk.

Investigators said some students made violent threats about what they would do if their vehicle was sprayed with milk.

According to deputies, a 17-year-old student showed a gun after going to his truck.

Investigators say the student claims it was a mistake, and the gun was left in his truck from when he went coyote hunting.

The student was charged with having a weapon on school property.

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SCC to honor the 'godfather of community colleges'

Submitted by Debra Worley, Digital Content Director

Monday, March 4th, 2013, 4:46pm

SCC to honor the 'godfather of community colleges'

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Schools across North Carolina, including Southeastern Community College, will honor Dr. W. Dallas Herring Wednesday.

Herring, originally from Duplin County, served as the chair of the State Board of Education. He was instrumental in the creation of the community college system.

To commemorate his legacy, SCC will hold a celebration at 11:00 a.m. in the A-Building Lobby.

Herring is widely regarded as the philosophical godfather of community colleges in North Carolina. He may be best known for his belief that education should be available to all.

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Watch live WECT newscasts on your smartphone

Submitted by Sarah Crandall, Web Producer

Saturday, March 2nd, 2013, 1:00pm

Watch live WECT newscasts on your smartphone

SOUTHEASTERN NC (WECT) – With many smartphones these days, you have the option to bring music, movies and TV shows on the go with you wherever you are. Even better, you can now watch WECT’s newscast live as they happen.

The feature works on the iPhone and most Android phones through the WECT App.

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SPECIAL REPORT: Carfax vs. Auto Check, are they reliable?

Submitted by Ann McAdams, Investigative Reporter

Thursday, February 28th, 2013, 10:13am

Carfax® has only been around a few years, but experts say its reports are generally reliable.

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – You need a good ride to get from point A to point B, but if you're buying a used car you might be buying its baggage too.

Robert Lowe bought a used 2007 Toyota Camry from Car City in Whiteville last summer.

Lowe said the car was in his price range and the dealership provided him with a free Auto Check report showing the vehicle had never been in an accident.

"I didn't have air conditioning in my car, so I bought the car from him," said Lowe.

Once Lowe owned the vehicle and the air conditioning kicked in, he started noticing problems. He said the paint didn't match, the tires were out of alignment, and there was something wrong with the headlights.

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Peggy Yoder Blackmon nursing scholarship established at SCC

Submitted by Justin Smith, Southeastern Community College Director of Marketing and Public Affairs

Wednesday, February 27th, 2013, 12:03pm

Peggy Yoder Blackmon nursing scholarship established at SCC

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) - A retirement event honoring Peggy Yoder Blackmon was held on Jan. 15 in recognition of her 31 years of service to Southeastern Community College. During this time, Blackmon served as dean of nursing and was a teacher, mentor and advocate for innumerable nursing students and instructors as well.

She retired with the title dean of allied health and technologies, as her duties over the past few years had increased.

“Whether taking care of her own family or her Southeastern family, Peggy seems to always be tending to the needs of others,” SCC President Kathy Matlock said at the event. “That nurturing spirit, along with her background, has enabled her to relate so well to the students we serve.”

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Driver involved in deadly wreck charged with murder, DWI

Submitted by WECT Web Staff

Monday, February 25th, 2013, 2:35pm

Pierre Jamar Walker (Source: Columbus Co. Jail)

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Authorities have charged a man with murder, felony death by vehicle and DWI following a wreck that killed a woman on Hwy. 74/76 on the Columbus, Brunswick County line.

Law enforcement officials say Pierre Jamar Walker also faces a felony charge of habitual DWI. He was treated for minor injuries at the hospital and is currently being held in the Columbus County Jail. His bond was set at $202,000. But Monday morning during his first appearance, Walker's bond was set to $1,000,000. Walker also asked for a court appointed attorney.

Authorities say he was involved in a hit-and-run in Leland and was driving to flee the scene when he lost control of the vehicle, crashing into the driver of a small Chevy.

Troopers said Walker was trying to pass a semi-truck in the median of the highway, when he hit a car that was turning onto the highway from Pineland Road.

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Colleen Ringrose art exhibit at SCC explores watermarks

Submitted by Justin Smith, Southeastern Community College Director of Marketing and Public Affairs

Thursday, February 21st, 2013, 4:24pm

Colleen Ringrose art exhibit at SCC explores watermarks

Southeastern Community College will hold a public reception on Feb. 25 from 5-7 p.m. to mark the opening of an art exhibit featuring work inspired by watermarks and wall papers from the 1930s.

Artist Colleen Ringrose created the collection of encaustic paintings by combining the ancient art of wax painting with the computer technology of digital copy transfers. Her work focuses on the intersection of pictures of people and text.

These specific works were inspired by a book for stamp collectors from 1936.