By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      An “altercation” between two students at South Columbus High School on Tuesday has prompted a request from the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office for a state investigation into a School Resource Officer.      Sheriff Jody Greene, in a news release Wednesday, said the incident took place during lunch, and the altercation “between the…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      Former Columbus County Sheriff’s officer Jason Soles bested another former deputy, Victor Jacobs, in the Democratic Primary vote Tuesday, earning the right to challenge their former boss and incumbent Sheriff Jody Greene on the November general election ballot.      Though turnout was light, at less than 16 percent of eligible voters casting…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      A woman and her mother died following a head-on auto crash on U.S. 701 just north of the Sidney Community Wednesday morning.      An 18-year-old man driving the second vehicle was seriously injured, First Sgt. Andrew Pait of the North Carolina Highway Patrol said.      Teva Norris, 44, of Tabor City died in…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      An assistant who helped a former doctor operate a “pill mill” in Tabor City has been handed a five year prison sentence for her crimes.      Tammy Lynn Thompson, 57, a Bladen County resident, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan Thursday, said a news release from the U.S. Attorney…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      UPDATE: Willie Lee Wheeler, 67, died after apparently being shot at his Lewis Street home in Tabor City Monday morning, Maj. Russell Conway of the Tabor City Police Department said Monday evening.      A “person of interest” has been identified in the shooting, and is being sought by law enforcement, Conway said.…