A plea for safety stirs a pledge for Columbus County sports facility study
By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com Shaken by gunfire at the Nolan Avenue park Thursday as children were getting set for youth softball play, a parent and league leader pleaded with Columbus County Commissioners to establish a sports complex in a safer area. Commissioners, who listened empathetically, responded quickly, agreeing to appoint a committee to explore options…
Read MoreAlfredia Ward Ikner: Whiteville
1935 – 2021 Alfredia Ward Ikner of Whiteville died Monday, May 17, in Columbus Regional Healthcare, Whiteville. She was 86. Born in Columbus County, she was the daughter of the late Leamon George Ikner and Rosettie Williams Ikner. She is survived by one daughter, Shelvey Jean Long of Clarendon; a son, Terrance Alverd Ward of…
Read MoreRobert Chester Hipp: Loris
1954 – 2021 Robert Chester Hipp of Loris, died Sunday, May 16, at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center in Myrtle Beach after a lengthy hospitalization. He was 67. Chester was a life-long resident of Loris and a devoted member of the Loris First United Methodist Church, where he served as President of the United Methodist…
Read MoreKipling “Kip” Eliga Godwin: Tabor City
1965 – 2021 Kipling “Kip” Godwin of Tabor City went to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 13, at McLeod Loris hospital. He was 56. Born Jan. 5, 1965 in Whiteville, he was the son of the late David Eliga Godwin and the late Walneta Caulder Godwin. Kip graduated from NC State and went…
Read MoreVirginia Watts Carter: Longs
1932 – 2021 Virginia Watts Carter of Longs passed away on Thursday, May 13, at her home. She was 88. Born Nov. 18, 1932 in Conway, SC, she was the daughter of the late Gaston Watts and the late Mattie West Watts. Mrs. Carter loved the Lord and her family very dearly. She worked with…
Read MoreThomas Michael Brannon of Duluth, Ga.
1957 – 2021 Thomas Michael Brannon of Duluth, Georgia passed away on Friday, April 30, at McLeod Seacoast. He was 64. Born Jan. 3, 1957 in Charleston, he was the son of the late Thomas Paul Brannon and the late Bobbie Jean Platt Brannon. Mr. Brannon was the owner of Collision Care in Lawrenceville, Georgia…
Read MoreMask mandates, COVID recommendations largely lifted for vaccinated in the Carolinas
By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com “A big step forward” in the continuing COVID-19 pandemic has been taken in North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper said Friday, ending mask gathering limits and mask mandates for those who have received vaccinations for the coronavirus. South Carolina health leaders largely echoed those orders Friday, concurring with the state’s Department of…
Read MoreShirley Allen Fowler: Thomasville
1936 – 2021 Shirley Allen Fowler of Thomasville passed away on May 12. She was 84. She was born on June 22, 1936 in Tabor City to the late Dude Vance Allen Jr. and Emma Georgia Hewette Allen. She worked at Thomasville Furniture Plant A for many years before retiring. Shirley was a loving mother…
Read MoreTri-County team makes area drug, gun arrests
By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com Men and women from Tabor City, Loris, Chadbourn and Whiteville are among those facing felony drug and weapons charges following an operation by the Tri-County Community Impact Team (C.I.T.) Task Force on May 7, a news release Wednesday from Columbus County Sheriff Jody Greene said. “Specially trained deputies from Bladen, Robeson,…
Read MoreEmergency services remain available as county urges conservation, patience during gas shortage
By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com Conservation and patience are key recommendations from Columbus County government as gas stations throughout the region struggle to keep up with demand in the aftermath of a ransomware attack impacting the east coast’s major gas pipeline. Despite the shortage, “the County is prepared to provide continued availability of emergency services,” a…
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