The Good News for July 22

Columbus Animal Protective Services needs adopters for loving pets like this little fellow. (APS photo)
(APS photo)

As the end of July draws near, Columbus County is preparing for fall events. Residents will get the opportunity to open up their minds, hearts, pockets, and closets to different causes throughout the area.  

• In preparation for Cycle NC on Oct. 7, the Columbus Chamber of Commerce and Tourism is looking for old bikes to decorate and place throughout downtown Whiteville. Items can be dropped off at the Columbus County Parks and Recreation Building located at 606 North Thompson Street from 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m. The office is closed from 12-1 p.m. for lunch.   

• The community of Tabor City will be holding a porkchop plate sale for Mayor Royce Harper on Saturday, July 23, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Plates are $10 each and can be picked up at the Tabor City Fire Department or at NAPA Auto Parts.

A bake sale will also be going on during the benefit. Whole cakes, cake slices, brownies, cookies and other baked goods will be available for purchase. All proceeds will go to medical expenses for the mayor. 

• Shizzy’s Wildcat Rescue, a non-profit animal rescue organization, is building a big cat sanctuary in Fair Bluff. They need volunteers to help with the construction of den boxes and installation of perimeter fencing on Saturday, July 23, from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. 

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, be able to lift a minimum of 20 pounds, and be comfortable working in various weather conditions. No experience is necessary. Groups are welcome. To sign up, contact Rhonda Billeaud at [email protected]or call 910.840.1886. 

Buddy the beagle. (Destiny Cambon via FB)

• Destiny Cambon proved last week that there are still kindhearted people in the world. The Lake Waccamaw resident rescued an emaciated hound and a beagle walking down Sam Potts Highway together, and when she found out the vet was booked several weeks out, she carted the good boys to Wilmington to the emergency clinic be checked out. 

One of the pups had a wounded paw. The furbabies received shots, antibiotics, other medications, and dewormers.  

Buddy the beagle is still looking for a furever home. If you’re interested in adopting him, or if you would like to donate something to help cover the cost of the vet bills, please contact Cambon via Facebook, or CashApp her at $Descambon. 

• Services for the Lakeside Ministry at the Lake Waccamaw Campground Pavilion are still ongoing and will continue to run every Sunday through Sept. 4 at 9 a.m. The speaker this weekend will be Rev. Ryan Edwards, and the singer will be Connie Hinnant. The campground is located at 250 Waccamaw Shores Road in Lake Waccamaw.  

• The Whiteville Police Department will be participating in the National Night Out 2022 on Tuesday, Aug. 2, from 6-9 p.m. The facility will have entertainment, free hotdogs and food, games for the little ones, fire trucks and patrol vehicles, and so much more. WPD is located at 117 East Columbus Street. 

The sheriff’s office will also host a National Night Out celebration at the East End Substation on Delco School Road from 6-9 p.m. There will be refreshments and activities throughout the evening, and you can meet deputies assigned to the eastern division.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes strong police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live and work.

Deputy John Reaves (CCSO)
Deputy John Reaves (CCSO)

• The quick response of a Columbus County Sheriff’s deputy saved a Delco woman’s life last week. Deputy John Reaves responded to the 4000 block of Delco Prosper Road to find a 19-year-old female blue and unresponsive. Witnesses on the scene advised the officer that the young lady may have overdosed on street drugs. 

Reaves grabbed Narcan from his patrol vehicle before entering the residence and quickly administered the lifesaving treatment to the woman. The female’s breathing improved a little, but her condition was still critical. The officer administered a second dose, and soon her breathing and pulse became more stable. 

Acme Delco Riegelwood Fire and Rescue arrived on the scene and transported the woman to Columbus Regional.  

• Whiteville Parks and Recreation is now holding registration for fall youth football until Aug. 12. The program is for child ages 7-12 years old, and fees are $38.50 for city residents and $48.50 for non-city residents. You can register your child at City Hall located at 317 South Madison Street or online at http://www.parksrec.egove.basgov.gov. For more information call 910.642.9052. 

Marlisa Small and some of the wigs she shares with cancer survivors.

• The Bold and Beautiful Wigs for Cancer organization has paired with the Tidewater Golf Club to bring a fun-filled day to supporters all in the name of charity. A golf tournament will be held on Saturday, Aug. 27, at the club. Teams and sponsors are still needed at this time. 

Registration starts at 7:30 a.m., and the 4-person scramble tournament will begin at 9 a.m. The cost is $150 per player, and includes a round of golf, breakfast and lunch, prizes for top teams, and a reception at Joey’s Club House Grille.  

An automobile donated by Bell & Bell Buick GMC is among the prizes up for grabs at the fundraiser for the hole in one. Other prizes will be handed out for par 3 closest to the pin, the longest drive, and overall team winner of the tournament. Also planned is a 50/50 raffle, a silent auction, mulligans, and pay it forward. Sponsorships are still needed for the event, and the prices range from $100 to $5000.  The categories include hole sponsors, exclusive hole sponsors, breakfast and lunch sponsors, and event sponsors.  

Tidewater Golf Club is located at 1400 Tidewater Dr., North Myrtle Beach. For more information or to donate, call 843.424.1638. Registration and sponsor forms are available at Marlisa’s Wig Studio and Day Spa at 1561 Highway 17 in Little River. You can also visit the website at www.wigsforcancercharity.com

• The Columbus Baptist Association is also looking for teams to play in their 12th annual Toy Store Golf Tournament at the Land-O-Lakes Golf Course. The CBA will have a morning and an afternoon round on Saturday, Sept.10. The morning round will begin with registration at 8 a.m. and a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m.

The afternoon round will have registration at 12:30 p.m. with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and the cost is $240 per four-man team ($60 per player). Spots are limited to 22 teams. To sign up for this event, call the CBA office at 910.642.2155.  All proceeds will go toward the organization’s Christmas Toy Store.  

Members of multiple rescue squads participating in a joint training operation last Saturday at Lake Waccamaw. (Submitted)

• Lake Waccamaw was busy last weekend, but it wasn’t just tourists out on the water. Over 50 participants attended a countywide water rescue training session. The day began with Medical Director Dr. Peter Chambers speaking about water related incidents, and agencies spent the rest of the day working on skills such as patient care, boat operations, sonar use, SarTopo mapping and tracking, and recovery operations.  

• Columbus County Sheriff’s Animal Protective Services is in need of towels and blankets. Staff ask that if you find yourself cleaning out your closets, please considered donating unwanted items to the animals.  

The shelter is also currently full. If you are looking for your new furry best friend, please don’t shop. Consider adopting first. The CCSAPS is located at 288 Legion Drive in Whiteville. For more information about shelter needs or the adoption process, call 910.641.3945. 

• The Lake Waccamaw State Park will be hosting a free water safety camp on Friday, July 29, from 1-4 p.m. The class will be focused around teaching kids, ages 11-15 years old, water safety skills to prevent drowning. The speaker will be EMS Medical Director Dr. Peter Chambers. Preregister for this event at Southeastern Community College – Summer Camp Registration

Wear a swimsuit and bring a towel. The park is located at 1866 State Park Drive in Lake Waccamaw.   

CCSO Chief Deputy Aaron Herring (center) and Sheriff Jody Greene (left).

• The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office has a new N.C. State University graduate in their midst. 

Chief Deputy Aaron Herring graduated from the Administrative Officers Management Program this week. He was also elected the class president by his 29 fellow classmates. 

The curriculum is highly specific to law enforcement and is taught by seasoned law enforcement professionals and professors who are in touch with current on-the-ground practices. Since the start of this program in 1989, it has graduated 106 sheriffs and chiefs. 

The GOOD NEWS is featured every Saturday morning on WTXY, and throughout the week under the GOOD NEWS tab at z2j.c7e.myftpupload.com. Email [email protected]with your church announcements, fundraisers, yard sales, club news, community celebrations, or just plain happy stories. There is no charge for publicizing your events.