Area Upfront News

By DEUCE NIVEN An overnight break-in last week at The Gun Exchange near Whiteville netted thieves 51 weapons worth more than $26,000 dollars, Columbus County Sheriff’s Office reports show. Store workers discovered the break-in Friday morning, thieves apparently making entry after closing Thursday night by forcing open a door, sheriff’s spokeswoman Michelle Tatum said Monday.…

  By DEUCE NIVEN Cases of animal cruelty near Tabor City and Whiteville resulted in the seizure of eight dogs and multiple charges of cruelty to animals and failure to vaccinate for rabies, Columbus County Animal Control Director Joey Prince said. Andrew and Ashley Wilson of Herbert Norris Road east of Tabor City were issued…

  Story & Photo By DEUCE NIVEN A big mound of tires burned at the end of Deer Lane east of Tabor City Tuesday afternoon in a fire apparently resulting from an effort to get rid of some yard debris that got out of control. First responding firefighters reported up to 2,000 tires involved, prompting…