Area Upfront News

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      Traffic bypassing a four-vehicle collision on U.S. 701 at NC 410 Friday crept slowly, but generally kept moving following the 2:25 p.m. mishap.      Several people were taken by ambulances to area hospitals, though none of the injured appeared life threatening, Maj. Greg Sibbett of the Tabor City Police Department said.      An…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      Allegations of sexual misconduct by Columbus County Manager Mike Stephens have prompted an outside investigation initiated by county commissioners months after the Sheriff Jody Greene tried to look into the allegations.      Commissioners meeting in closed session Monday agreed to seek outside counsel to look into the allegations from Board of Elections…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      “Conner’s Law,” a bill that if approved will provide enhanced penalties for those who harm law enforcement officers and other public safety personnel and improved benefits for public safety personnel murdered in the line of duty, cleared another legislative hurdle Wednesday, state Rep. Brendon Jones said.      Jones, a Tabor City Republican,…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      A teen has been missing from the Chadbourn area for nearly a week, and the Columbus County Sheriff’ Office is asking for help finding her.      Melina Caulder, 16, was last seen on Bird Cage Estates on June 8, leaving in the middle of the night, a sheriff’s news release said. She…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      Sheriff Jody Greene’s election last November was formally certified by the Columbus County Board of Election Thursday.      It took the board just 14 minutes to certify the sheriff’s race, a mixed drink referendum for Tabor City, and hear public comment that included an admonishment not to repeat mistakes that delayed Greene’s…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      A man wanted on drug charges connected to the arrest of his girlfriend was back at her Tabor Landing apartment Wednesday, trigging a manhunt that included a state Department of Public Safety K9 tracking team.      Rain likely hampered the search, called off after a few hours, Maj. Greg Sibbett of the…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      Jody Greene’s election as Columbus County Sheriff is expected to be certified by the Columbus County Board of Elections Thursday, a day after a judge in Raleigh denied a request to stay certification as an election protest moves from the political to the judicial.      Superior Court Judge Bryan Collins ruled against…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      Taking down a man wanted on a habitual felon warrant brought some unexpected cocaine and marijuana discoveries inside a Tabor Landing apartment Friday and warrants for three residents there, Maj. Greg Sibbett of the Tabor City Police Department said Monday.      Janicka Rayeann Buchanan, 33, Kenneth Tyree Mason, 29, and Jarmaine Oneal…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      Scattered rainfall that began late last week and continued into this one has brought an end to burning bans for Columbus and Horry counties.      Horry County lifted its ban Monday morning, a news release sent just before 10 a.m. said.      Columbus County was included in a regional ban covering 18 eastern…

By DEUCE NIVEN tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com      Felony death by vehicle charges are among those served on a Whiteville pastor in connection with an auto crash that claimed South Columbus art teacher Joy Timmons and her husband Brad Timmons on Friday.      Gordon Lee Griffen, 57, of Bitmore Road, Whiteville, was charged with two counts of death by motor…