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Columbus County is under a severe thunderstorm watch until 11 p.m.

Columbus County is under a severe thunderstorm watch until 11 p.m.

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) - A series of strong thunderstorms may be possible this evening in southern North Carolina and into South Carolina. The entire viewing area is under a severe thunderstorm watch until 11 p.m. Columbus County is also under a severe thunderstorm warning until 5:15 p.m.

Nickel sized hail has been reported in the Nakina area.

A leftover stationary front may be the focal point for strong thunderstorms as temperatures rise into the low 80s this afternoon. Those thunderstorms may roll through the Carolinas this afternoon and continue to the coast this evening.

The primary threats in the stronger thunderstorms will be large hail and damaging winds. An isolated tornado threat cannot be ruled out.

Stay informed by downloading our free mobile news and weather apps. The news app is available on iPhone and Android phones, while the weather app is available on iPhone, Android and Blackberry.

Just like WECT on Facebook & sign up to win an iPad2

Just like WECT on Facebook & sign up to win an iPad2

OFFICIAL PROMOTION RULES
WECT-TV – iPad2 Facebook Contest  

1.    Promotion Description.  This promotion is sponsored by WECT-TV, 322 Shipyard Blvd. Wilmington, NC 28412. Sponsor(s)").  The promotion begins at 3:00pm Monday, May 09, 2011 and ends at Noon Monday, June 27, 2011.  Promotion is void where prohibited.  By entering, each entrant accepts and agrees to be bound by these promotion rules.

This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. You are providing your information to WECT News and not to Facebook. The information you provide will only be used for contacting winners and for directional demographic research. There's no purchase necessary to win.

2.    Eligibility.  No purchase necessary to enter or win.  This promotion is open only to legal U.S. residents of the following counties of Wilmington's Designated Market Area(Viewing Area): New Hanover, Brunswick, Columbus, Bladen and Pender.

All winners must be 18 years of age or older., Employees and immediate family members of employees of Raycom Media, Inc., American Spirit Media Inc., their respective parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, agents, and their advertising and production agencies are not eligible to participate in this promotion.  

3.    How to Enter.  There is one way to enter this promotion.  Beginning at 3:00pm Monday, May 09, 2011 through 12 Noon Monday, June 27, 2011, individuals can log on www.wect.com/facebook AND click the iPad 2 Giveaway link to enter their email. All participants who enter their email address are automatically entered for a random drawing of the iPad2 and must meet  the eligibility requirements. 

All entries must be received by Noon Monday, June 27, 2011 and become the property of Sponsor(s), and Sponsor(s) reserves the right to use any information submitted by entrants.

No mechanically reproduced, software-generated or other automated multiple entries are permitted.  Sponsor are not responsible for lost, late, illegible, misdirected or mutilated entries, including due to transmission, technical, and/or network failures of any kind, including, without limitation, malfunctioning of any hardware or software (whether originating with sender or Sponsor(s), telephonic failures, human error, or any other error or malfunction. 

N.C. Strawberry Festival will feature parade, concert & spitting contest

N.C. Strawberry Festival will feature parade, concert & spitting contest

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) — The North Carolina Strawberry Festival is gearing up for a weekend full of events in Chadbourn, including a parade at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

From 6-9 tonight, the Chadbourn Depot Museum will host an “Evening of Strawberry Encounters” for the public.

The main events begin tomorrow, though. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. for all of the professional arts, crafts and food court vendors at the event field. Entries for the strawberry quality contest and for the food products contest will be taken from 8-10 a.m.

West Columbus High will host the band concert festival beginning at 8 a.m. and there will be a variety show at 9 a.m. on the event field next to Food Lion.

If you’re into spitting, then there’s an event for you too. At 5 p.m., Chadbourn residents will have a strawberry spitting contest. West Columbus will also host the N.C. Strawberry Festival Scholarship Pageant at 6:30 p.m.

North Carolina’s longest running senator RC Soles will be the strawberry parade marshal. Some community leaders told WECT.com off the record they don't think Soles should be grand marshal. What do you think about the decision to make Soles the marshal? 

Kim Ratcliff to speak at 28th annual Senior Picnic/Fair

Kim Ratcliff to speak at 28th annual Senior Picnic/Fair

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) — The Columbus County Department of Aging Advisory Council, Inc. is hosting the 28th annual Senior Picnic/Fair in conjunction with Friends of Aging on Tuesday, May 10.

The event will be held at the County Fair Grounds from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. WECT’s very own Kim Ratcliff will be speaking, along with Congressman Mike McIntyre and Rev. Harvey Williams of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Whiteville.

Allied health students encouraged to apply for Camp Disaster

Allied health students encouraged to apply for Camp Disaster

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) — Are you interested in pursuing a career in allied health? Rising ninth and tenth graders are encouraged to apply for enrollment in Camp Disaster, a four-day camp that offers hands-on opportunities in medical laboratory technology, pharmacy, nursing simulation laboratory, CPR and first-aid training at Southeastern Community College.

Students must register for the camp no later than Friday, May 27. The camp will meet Monday, June 20 through Thursday, June 23 from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., with a light breakfast and lunch provided daily.

Campers will tour Columbus Regional Healthcare System as well as use their new training in a mock disaster.

SCC offers 3 certification, renewal courses this month

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) — The Continuing Education Division at Southeastern Community College is offering three certification and renewal courses this month.

Here is the information:

  • Vehicle Safety Inspection: Tuesday and Thursday, May 17 and 19 from 6-10 p.m. in T-Building, room 120. The registration fee is $65, plus $5 for class materials.
  • Independent Auto Dealer Renewal Class: Wednesday, May 18 from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. in T-Building, room 122. The registration fee is $65, plus $13 for materials and lunch.
  • Escort Vehicle Operator Re-Certification: Saturday, May 21 from 8 a.m. until noon in T-Building, room 122. The registration fee is $65.

Columbus County GOP sends 3 names to state Republican party for board of elections

Columbus County GOP sends 3 names to state Republican party for board of elections

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) — The Columbus County GOP announced in a press release that three names have been sent to the state Republican party to be given to the board of elections. The board is expected to appoint the first eligible candidate.

Here are the names:

  • Doris Strickland
  • Brendan Jones
  • Randy Norris