By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      An elderly woman and male teen were hurt in an afternoon wreck on Swampfox Hwy East at Peacock Road Saturday.      Injuries did not appear to be life threatening, firefighters on the scene said, with both patients taken to McLeod Loris hospital in the same Tabor City Emergency Services ambulance after evaluation…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      Traffic bypassing a four-vehicle collision on U.S. 701 at NC 410 Friday crept slowly, but generally kept moving following the 2:25 p.m. mishap.      Several people were taken by ambulances to area hospitals, though none of the injured appeared life threatening, Maj. Greg Sibbett of the Tabor City Police Department said.      An…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      Allegations of sexual misconduct by Columbus County Manager Mike Stephens have prompted an outside investigation initiated by county commissioners months after the Sheriff Jody Greene tried to look into the allegations.      Commissioners meeting in closed session Monday agreed to seek outside counsel to look into the allegations from Board of Elections…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      “Conner’s Law,” a bill that if approved will provide enhanced penalties for those who harm law enforcement officers and other public safety personnel and improved benefits for public safety personnel murdered in the line of duty, cleared another legislative hurdle Wednesday, state Rep. Brendon Jones said.      Jones, a Tabor City Republican,…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      A teen has been missing from the Chadbourn area for nearly a week, and the Columbus County Sheriff’ Office is asking for help finding her.      Melina Caulder, 16, was last seen on Bird Cage Estates on June 8, leaving in the middle of the night, a sheriff’s news release said. She…