Area News
Sheriff’s detective fired after drug arrest
By DEUCE NIVEN A detective arrested on drug charges was immediately fired by Columbus County Sheriff Lewis Hatcher on Monday, an agency news release said Tuesday. Christy Caraballo Heath, 32, of the 100 block of Mt. Moriah Church Road, Whiteville, was arrested after tips led Vice/Narcotics Unit detectives to her. Heath was not…
Read MoreStorm largely spares TLC
By DEUCE NIVEN Heavy rain caused some low-level flooding, high winds brought down just a few power in the Tabor-Loris Community, but no serious problems were reported in Columbus or Horry counties as a result of the system that wreaked havoc in other areas of the country. “It looks like it’s pretty much…
Read MoreWind threat closes Horry schools, Columbus early
Columbus closing at 11:30 a.m. A threat of severe weather Wednesday has prompted the closing of the Horry County Schools, with the Columbus County Schools to close at 11:30 a.m. With a wind advisory extending from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., the decision by the Horry County School District Tuesday afternoon was made…
Read MoreLoris Public Works Director fired
Robert E. Turner was fired as Public Works Director for the City of Loris during a special meeting of City Council Monday, and escorted by police from council chambers at City Hall. Turner had been Interim Public Works Director for more than a year before being appointed permanently, with a six-month probationary status,…
Read MoreHigh water an issue at Brunswick line
Swamps feeding the Waccamaw River near the Columbus-Brunswick counties border, overfilled by the volume of recent rains, are causing some traffic problems. Barricades on NC 904 just east of the county line were routinely ignored Thursday morning, and a Nakina Fire-Rescue crew was sent to investigate a report of a stranded motorist, 911…
Read MoreRoads closed around East 5th & Wall
A power pole clipped by a tractor-trailer truck making a turn off of East 5th Street onto Wall Street Monday afternoon closed both roads to traffic. A Duke Power representative on the scene said replacing the poles would be complete later in the afternoon, possibly about 5 p.m. Crews should be well practiced,…
Read MoreColumbus schools will open at 10 a.m. Monday
Students and staff of the Columbus County Schools will report to campus at 10 a.m. Monday, due to “adverse weather conditions,” the district announced Sunday afternoon. Heavy rains have caused flooding and other roadway concerns across the county since early Sunday morning.
Read MoreEx-couple charged in Bolton double-murder
Reynolds was one victim’s son By DEUCE NIVEN Suspects in the grisly murders of two women at their Bolton area home more than a year ago were told they could face the death penalty as they appeared before a judge for the first time Thursday. Justin Gray Reynolds, 28, who has had addresses…
Read MoreCar was ‘deadly weapon,’ warrant says
By DEUCE NIVEN Efforts to avoid arrest on traffic charges have landed a Chadbourn man in jail on charges of assault on an officer with a deadly weapon and fleeing police, twice, jail records show. Christopher Caleb Cromartie, 22, of South Wilkes Street in Chadbourn, was arrested Monday, also charged with resisting police,…
Read MoreCouncil candidates familiar in Loris
By DEUCE NIVEN Voters will be forgiven a sense of déjå vu as they head to the polls in a special Loris City Council election next month. Kimberly Rudelitch filed for a seat on City Council on Thursday, a day ahead of the deadline for the March 29 special election. Rudelitch will…
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