As the weather begins to cool down, events are heating up in Columbus County for the fall. SCC is on the roll with education adventures, police departments are welcoming new family members, and the little town of Fair Bluff is gearing up for big things. You can read all about those stories and more in this week’s edition of the Good News.
Southeastern Community College broke ground on Monday morning on a new $22 million, 22,000 sq. ft. Transportation Technology STEM Building on the campus. Dr. Chris English of SCC said the facility will support automotive systems and truck driver training programs, meeting a rapidly growing regional workforce need. The new facility will feature two classrooms, a CDL lab, office and storage spaces, a breakroom, an automotive lab, a Dyno lab and a parking lot.
The CDL lab will come equipped with lifts to perform maintenance and inspections on SCC’s 18-wheeler trucks and become a diesel program space. The Dyno lab is an enclosed driving load simulator facility where vehicles are parked on a platform and tested without moving.
You can read more about the new project at https://columbuscountynews.com/2025/08/scc-breaks-ground-on-transportation-tech-building/.
Whiteville Police Department is currently accepting applications for three police officer positions opening up in October. If you’re a certified LEO looking to join a proactive community-focused department, WPD wants to hear from you.
Those interested in joining are asked to visit www.whitevillenc.gov/job/police-officer for details and application instructions. To speak with someone directly about the job openings, call 910.642.5111.
The Columbus County NAACP will host a presentation and listening session on flood preparedness. Partners include the West Whiteville Initiative, Southern Coalition for Social Justice, Blueprint NC, and North Carolina Conservation Network. Refreshments will be provided.
Registration by RSVP is required. The meeting is from 6 – 8 p.m. on Aug. 21 at St. Mark AME Zion Church located at 114 West Virgil Street in Whiteville. Call 919.323.3380 ext. 142 to RSVP.
The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office Animal Protective Services is now at max capacity and bursting with furbabies at the seams. No dog or cat traps, owner surrenders, or strays will be accepted until further notice.
They ask that everyone post displaced pets online to find their homes, rehome animals with trusted sources, and to consider adopting from the shelter if you are look for a new furry best friend. APS is always in need of supplies and will gladly take donations of towels, blankets, flat sheets, cleaning products, wet or dry dog food and cat food, toys, and dog/cat treats.
The shelter can be found at 288 Legion Drive in Whiteville. To find out how you can help or for animal adoption information, call 910.641.3945. Rescue centers and fosters are welcome and needed at this time.
The Lake Waccamaw Police Department is now fully staffed. Officer Alexandria Benton was sworn in last week, and Tracey Brisson was promoted to Sergeant. Congratulations on your new positions.
If a last-minute road trip is in order for your family before the school year begins, hop over the county line to the Southwest Brunswick Branch Library for the ‘Touch a Truck’ event on Aug. 22 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Kids can explore trucks, emergency response vehicles, heavy machinery, and so much more.
The library can be found at 9400 Ocean Highway West in Carolina Shores. For all the details, visit www.brunswickcountync.gov/library.
The Columbus County Farmers Market will be doing a little traveling on Saturday, Aug. 30. The facility will be holding a pop-up event at the Veterans Memorial Park of America instead of setting up at their usual location on Government Complex Drive.
You can come out and shop their vendors, crafters, bread makers, bakers and all the other sellers native to the market family.
Be sure to check out the VMPA exhibits and memorials honoring all the branches of the military while you’re there. The park can be found at 6354 James B. White Highway South in Whiteville.
If you’re looking for something fun to do for Labor Day, the Lake Waccamaw community will be having their annual town wide yard sale on Sept. 1. The event will begin at 7 a.m., and those participating will set up in their yards, driveways, and garages throughout the town. For more information, contact Ginger Littrell via Facebook.
Southeastern Community College will also be getting in on some Bee-asics as they buzz into beekeeping with their beginner’s class. Whether you’re starting a backyard hive or just curious about the little ladies, this course is your gateway into the world of honeybees.
Learn about their biology, seasonal care, pest control, and their vital role in pollination. Classes will meet every Tuesday and Thursday, Sept. 2-18, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Cartrette Building in Room 148.
Register today by visiting www.southeasterncc-register.fundfive.com/course/section/22790. The college can be found at 4564 Chadbourn Highway in Whiteville.
Losing a loved one is never easy, but Liberty Hospice wants to help you through it. The center will be hosting a free nine-week grief support group from Sept. 4- Oct. 30. The group will meet each week from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Elizabethtown Public Library located at 111 North Cypress Street.
Each session will include a short video with accompanying discussions offering hope, healing, and support along the grief journey. If interested, call Jovona Bellamy at 910.640.8039, or send her an email at jbellamy@libertyhomecare.com.
Chadbourn Pentecostal Holiness Church will be holding a chicken bog plate sale for Kent Ivey on Sept. 5 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the church located at 518 Elm Street. Plates are $10 each, and they can be picked up from CPHC the day of the event.
Delivery will also be available during the fundraiser for large orders. To purchase your ticket, contact Shonte Gore Nance via Facebook.
Don’t forget to mark your calendars for a fun-filled day in Fair Bluff on Sept. 6. The ‘Sweater Weather and Yard Sale Treasures’ event will run from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. on Riverside Drive next to the Riverwalk.
Folks can eat at the Collard Wagon food truck, participate in the First Saturday Market fishing contest, gain a new animal during the Livestock Swap, or shop the vendors and artisans set up at the market.
You can find out about all the awesome events going on in the town by visiting www.fairbluff.com.
A little girl named Emma recently turned 8 years old and wanted the most unusual of gifts for her birthday this year. She didn’t ask for things for herself, but she did request that everyone bring donations for the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office APS.
The BCSO APS and all her furry friends wished Emma a very happy birthday during her donation drop-off last week.
Veterans Day events are already being planned in Columbus County, and there’s no better way to honor our past and present military members than to attend the opening of the Veterans Memorial Park of America’s Community Outreach Center.
On Nov. 11 at 11 a.m., you can join them for their annual veterans ceremony and help them celebrate as they cut the ribbon officially opening the space dedicated to supporting those who served.
Following the ceremony, there will be a complimentary meal served to the vets in attendance. Again, the VMPA can be found at 6354 James B. White Highway South in Whiteville.
The Boys and Girls Home of NC received a major donation from the Seby Jones Foundation last week. Chip and Rose Jones presented a check for $31,000 for the BGHNC’s current campaigns to raise $10,000 for Carolyn’s Kaleidoscope Child Advocacy Center and $10,000 for new tables and chairs in the Fellowship Hall at the campus chapel.
Remember to check out our Good News tab throughout the week. We love to hear about all the great things happening around you. Email your submissions to thegoodnews@columbuscountynews.com or crystalfaircloth@columbuscountynews.com; call us at 910.914.6056 or just drop by our office at 1015 South Madison St., Whiteville. We love visitors. If the blinds are open, we’re open for business.
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