Area News

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com     Note: This story has changed to reflect a burning ban ordered for much of eastern North Carolina, including Columbus County, by the NC Forest Service.      Very dry conditions have prompted Horry County Fire Rescue to extend a burning ban for all unincorporated areas there, with a similar ban in place…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      Another StarMed sponsored COVID-19 vaccination clinic will take place in Whiteville Saturday, this one offering an opportunity for those as young as age 12.      Scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Whiteville City Hall, the clinic will offer both the Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Only the Pfizer vaccine…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      “Open-air drug markets” in the Tabor City area have been targeted for attention by the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, now partnering with the Brunswick County Sheriff’s office, Sherriff Jody Greene announced Thursday.      Sheriff Greene, in a news release, said he and Brunswick County Sheriff John Ingram “ are joining forces to…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      Gunshots that killed a Loris man near Watson Park Wednesday evening was heard by an officer just moments after conducting a  security check of the area, Loris Police Chief Gary Buley said Thursday.      In the moments it took for the officer to return, the driver of a car struck by multiple…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      Columbus County’s current tax rate won’t change under an $81.5 million budget proposal presented to county commissioners Monday, but many property owners will see higher tax bills this fall under the plan.      County Manager presented the spending plan for the year beginning July 1 to commissioners Monday, recommending no change in…

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…

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…

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,…

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…

Mother Nature could not have been more kind to the inaugural Spring Has Sprung Festival sponsored by the Greater Tabor City Chamber of Commerce Saturday. Clear sky and near perfect temperatures greeted patrons, vendors, car show participants, and those taking part in the festival’s parade. Chamber President Mary Lou Molina said she was pleased with…