Area News
Columbus schools re-open at 10 a.m. Tuesday
By DEUCE NIVEN Columbus County Schools, closed all of last week and Monday of this week as a result of Hurricane Matthew, will re-open at 10 a.m. Tuesday, the school district just announced. School workers have been back on campus today, making things ready for students and staff. That includes clearing spoiled food…
Read MoreMatthew: Shelter relocates to Fair Bluff
By DEUCE NIVEN Some 90 men, women and children, already displaced by Hurricane Matthew, were relocated six miles west Sunday from West Columbus High School in Cerro Gordo to the gym at the Columbus Career & College Academy (CCCA) in Fair Bluff. That move sets the stage for classes to resume Tuesday throughout…
Read MoreWrongly accused murder suspect released, another man charged
By DEUCE NIVEN A new suspect in the brutal murder of a Tabor City man in the street just blocks from his home last month was arrested late Tuesday, hours after one of the initial suspects was freed, charges dropped, Tabor City Police Chief Donald Dowless said. William Jerome Dixon, 33, of Bermuda…
Read MoreMatthew: Schools in most of Horry open Monday, Columbus Tuesday
UPDATE: Saturday evening By DEUCE NIVEN Students will return to classes most of the Horry County schools Monday, all of the Columbus County Schools on Tuesday, school district officials have announced. Green Sea Floyds Elementary and GSF Middle-High School may not re-open Monday, a decision on those openings expected Sunday afternoon, the school…
Read MoreArrest in four armed robberies, two in TC
By DEUCE NIVEN A Tabor City area man has been charged in a string of four armed robberies dating back to July 4 in three Columbus County municipalities. James Laverne Bellamy, 45, of Pine Circle Drive, Tabor City, was arrested by a Columbus County Sheriff’s Deputy following a traffic stop late Monday afternoon,…
Read MoreUPDATE: Third arrest in Sept. 2 TC murder
By DEUCE NIVEN Monday update A third arrest was made Monday in the beating death of a Tabor City man in early September, Columbus County Detention Center records show. Prendaysheya Reaves, 19, of Miller Road, Tabor City, charged with murder and common law robbery, booked into the jail just before noon Monday. …
Read MoreUPDATE: Second arrest in animal case
By DEUCE NIVEN UPDATE A second woman charged in a Sept. 3 animal abandonment case in Tabor City was arrested Friday, Columbus County Detention Center records show. Morgan Blaire Gore, 24, is charged with five counts each of animal abandonment and failing to have the dogs vaccinated against rabies. Morgan Gore’s spouse,…
Read MoreUPDATE: Warrants charge animal cruelty, abandonment
By DEUCE NIVEN UPDATE Animal cruelty and abandonment warrants have been obtained for a woman accused of leaving cats and dogs without food and water, resulting in the death of one dog, Columbus County Animal Control Director Joey Prince said Wednesday. Thelma Rebecca Creech, 36, of Reaves Ferry Road, Nakina, is charged in…
Read MoreGovernor’s reward in April murder of Fair Bluff woman
By DEUCE NIVEN A state reward of up to $5,000 is being offered in connection with the murder of Fair Bluff woman in April, Gov. Pat McCrory announced Wednesday. Connie Jean Nealey Simmons, 60, was shot three times in what police at the time described as a home invasion on April 3. Her…
Read MoreManhunt ends with arrest in Chadbourn shooting
By DEUCE NIVEN Gunfire in Chadbourn last week led to an extended manhunt in the Fair Bluff area Tuesday and the arrest of a local man. Kyle Brannon Tucker, 33, of East Brooks Street in Fair Bluff was taken into custody following a brief vehicle chase, charged with assault with a deadly weapon…
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