Area Upfront News

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      Preparations for the 2026 North Carolina Yam Festival at Tabor City, a 55 year tradition, are pretty much complete with a host of activities already in the rear-view, “The Big Yam Day!” looming on Saturday, Oct. 24.      Special honors have already been handed out during separate festival events this week, including…

By JENN BOYD tribjenn@tabor-loris.com      Counting down to Saturday, the Loris Chamber of Commerce and City of Loris officials say they are ready for the 47th annual Loris Bog-Off Festival.      “Bring your appetite to sample the best chicken bog around, along with dancing shoes,” said chamber executive director Samantha Norris. “We have a jam-packed day of…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      Early voting for the Nov. 3 general election in North Carolina started today (Oct. 150, with five one-stop sites across Columbus County accepting voters. Schedule      Early voting at all of the one-stop voting sites is scheduled for: Weekdays, from Thursday Oct. 15 through Friday, Oct. 30, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      Events preceding the North Carolina Yam Festival at Tabor City’s biggest day offer plenty opportunity for fun and fellowship, including two with a new look for 2026.      JamieLynn & Carolina SunSet will deliver a different sound to this year’s Taste of Tabor, set for Sunnyfield Equestrian Farm on Thursday, Oct. 22.…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      Family and friends of Everlene Davis, honored Tuesday for 70 years of teaching in the Columbus County Schools, said they knew the education legend was surprised because she had no prepared remarks.      “They didn’t tell me nothing,” Davis said following the hour-long program, still seated in an elegant white high-backed chair…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      An auto crash involving two pick-up trucks, one that caught fire after hitting a church sign, sent five people to area hospitals Friday afternoon, two by helicopter.      It appeared that no one suffered burn injuries, those in the pick-up that caught fire able to escape in time. The burned truck appeared…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      Twin City Airport’s future is again in doubt, with a growing chorus of support spearheaded by one of its newer operators.      John Stephenson purchased a hanger on the edge of the county owned airport property five years ago and operates Attitude Aviators, a flight school on the property. He and other…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      America’s semiquincentennial celebrations reaches its peak this weekends, with significant events this weekend. America 250 Fireworks      Fireworks will be the biggest in many years with more than $10,000 raised and spent for this Saturday’s pyrotechnics display at South Columbus High School, Greater Tabor City Chamber of Commerce Chamber Executive Vice President…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      Funeral services for Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Damien Draper Bost, who died in the line of duty in a vehicle crash on Thursday, June 25, have been set for Monday, June 29.      Services, with full honors, will begin at 1 p.m. in the auditorium at South Columbus High School. Burial…

Story & Photos By DEUCE NIVEN & JENN BOYD     Life will bring pressures, South Columbus High School Principal Kelly Beck told the Class of 2026 during their June 6 commencement.      Commencement exercises at Loris, Green Sea and South Columbus high schools were all held last week. Some of those details, and photos, are below.…