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Whiteville man arrested on drug charges during checkpoint

Submitted by Sarah Crandall, Web Producer

Wednesday, March 20th, 2013, 11:34am

Whiteville man arrested on drug charges during checkpoint

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) – A Whiteville man was one of several suspects charged during a March 15 “Booze It and Lose It” checkpoint on Hwy. 74/76 West at the Brunswick River Bridge, according to a spokesperson for the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office.

Jarmall Akeem Collins, 28, was arrested and charged with trafficking in cocaine; possession with the intent to manufacture, sell and deliver cocaine; simple possession of schedule III controlled substance (two hydrocodone 10mg pills); simple possession of schedule IV controlled substance (30 grams of crack/cocaine and two grams of marijuana); and possession of drug paraphernalia (digital scales).

As of Monday, Collins was being held at the Brunswick County Detention Facility under a $100,000 bond.

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Commissioners discuss incentive grant for business expansion

Submitted by Justin West, Assignment Manager

Monday, March 18th, 2013, 11:45am

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Commissioners in Columbus County will discuss an economic incentive grant for a business to expand during their meeting Monday night.

West Fraser Timber, which already employees 200 workers in Columbus County, is planning to expand its operations.

Columbus County Economic Director Gary Lanier has put together a grant package worth almost $250,000 over five years. The project involves a total investment by West Fraser of $8,000,000 and the creation of six to eight jobs.

It is estimated that the grant would cover approximately 76% of taxes that West Fraser would have to pay over the next five years.

An earlier draft of the agreement called for the company to create a minimum number of jobs, but that item was dropped in the final draft.

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Whiteville man wins $10K lottery prize

Submitted by Sarah Crandall, Web Producer

Friday, March 15th, 2013, 7:12am

WHITEVILLE, NC (WECT) – A Whiteville resident recently won a $10,000 cash prize after playing a lottery game.

According to North Carolina Education Lottery spokesperson Ryan Kennemur, Edward Ward won the prize after playing the game Hot Streak.

Ward is one of several NC Lottery players across the state who won a prize of $10,000 or more.

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Law enforcement step up patrols for 'Booze it & Lose it' weekend

Submitted by Debra Worley, Digital Content Director

Thursday, March 14th, 2013, 2:34pm

Law enforcement step up patrols for 'Booze it & Lose it' weekend

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Law enforcement agencies will step up patrols this weekend for the St. Patrick’s Day “Booze It & Lose It” campaign.

According to the Governor’s Highway Safety Program, the campaign runs March 15-17 across the state.

Law enforcement will unveil the new BATMobile Friday morning at the launch of the campaign.

DWI’s can be processed in the BATMobile. The 40-foot long unit features two magistrate stations, a full office and surveillance cameras in the back.

According to a press release, the BATMobile also has six stations where officers can perform breath concentration tests.

More than 800 DWI citations were given out during the 2012 St. Patrick’s Day “Booze It & Lose It” campaign.

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WEATHER: Frigid

Submitted by Colin Hackman, First Alert Meteorologist, Reporter

Thursday, March 14th, 2013, 7:42am

Chilly, winter like conditions across the area today.

High temperatures will not only be below normal for March – but will be even below the highs we typically see in the heart of January's coldest days.

Those temperatures will be heavily influenced by a highway of Canadian air that will completely offset any benefit we see from the crystal clear – bright - sunny conditions. This doesn't yet bring into the equation the northwesterly winds at 10 to 15 mph. That will make those low 50s during the afternoon feel more like 45F.

Gradual warming is expected after another chilly start on Friday as we crawl into the low 60s. Saturday however the high pressure center that has been aiming the colder air at us starts to transition off shore. This will bump temperatures up into the weekend. Highs in the upper 60s.

Rain chances and cooler weather is expected by Wednesday.

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Spring forward tonight; daylight saving time starts

Submitted by Sarah Crandall, Web Producer

Saturday, March 9th, 2013, 1:00pm

Spring forward tonight; daylight saving time starts

SOUTHEASTERN NC (WECT) – Don’t forget that daylight saving time starts this weekend, which means that, sadly, we’ll all lose an hour of sleep.

But on the bright side, we’ll have a little bit more time to enjoy the sunshine every day as summer approaches.

Don’t forget before you go to bed tonight to set all of your clocks, watches, microwaves and ovens ahead one hour. Most smart phones will adjust on their own at 2 a.m. on Sunday, so you don’t have to worry about them.

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Deputies turn to social media to help catch deadbeat parents

Submitted by Debra Worley, Digital Content Director

Friday, March 8th, 2013, 12:38pm

Deputies turn to social media to help catch deadbeat parents

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Deputes with the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office are turning to social media to help catch parents who have fallen behind in paying child support.

The sheriff’s office created a “Deadbeat Parents” page on Facebook.

The page shows the names and pictures of people with arrest warrants out for not paying child support.

Hundreds of people already like the page.

The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office started using a similar Facebook page in January. That page now has more than 2,000 likes on Facebook.

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