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- The annual Martin Luther King Day march is Saturday (Jan. 13) at 10 a.m. Marchers will gather at Vineland Station in Whiteville and walk to the courthouse for music, speeches, and fellowship. The event is sponsored by the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Whiteville Alumni chapter.
- Cooperative Extension is hosting a youth livestock interest meeting on Tuesday at the Columbus County Extension Office in Whiteville. The meeting is from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at 45 Government Complex Drive, Whiteville. Contact Rebekah Benton or Aaron Blackmon at 910.640.6606.
- The next backpack buddies packing party is Tuesday at 630 p.m. at the Columbus Baptist Association. The goal is to pack 1,000 bags of food for needy children. Contact Reverend Dave Heller or the CBA on Facebook for more information. The CBA office is located on Franklin Street in Whiteville.
- Trinity Baptist Church in Whiteville is hosting a pancake brunch Saturday starting at 10 a.m. All proceeds go to the youth trip to Caswell.
- Turkey shoots aren’t just for the fall of the year. Sandy Plain Baptist Church is hosting a shoot Jan. 12-13, then again January 19-20. Starting time is 6:30. There will be $4 meat rounds, $5 50-50 rounds, and both stock and modified rounds. The church is located at 6824 Swamp fox Highway East, Tabor City.
- The N.C. Wildlife Federation has been working to preserve our hunting heritage and conserve our natural resources for decades. Lisa Yemma has started a local chapter of the NCWF, the Southeastern Swamp Stewards. Memberships are available online for as little as $25 a year. Go to the NCWF website and choose the southeastern Swamp stewards as your chapter.
- With a new year comes new opportunities to support the veterans memorial park. The 250 Club is seeking 3,000 people to donate a minimum of $250 to go toward the construction of the Veterans Community Outreach Center and monuments. Field of Honor, signs can be ordered for $25. The park is also planning to place a new order for engraved bricks. Contact Angela Norris at 910.840.3048 for more information.
- A Job Fair and Veterans Stand Down will be held at the county fairgrounds March 2. While the event focuses on honoring and assisting veterans, the public is welcome. Organizers are asking for donations of gift cards and door prizes for the event. Contact David Pattillo at 910.977.0762.
- School Bus driver training starts Tuesday at 830 am in roomnT120 at Southeastern Community College. Cost is $68.
- You can learn to be a beekeeper February 9 through 11 at Cooperative Extension. Cost for the three night course is $50. Call 910.770.0095 for more information.
- There’s a new face at Lake. Waccamaw Police Department. Tracey Brisson officially joined LWPD this week. She was welcomed by the town commissioners Wednesday during their monthly meeting.
- The cold wet weather of recent days may not make you think of baseball, but it’s that time. Wolfpack optimist sports will hold its showcase March 2, with April 13 opener. Online registration begins January 27 and runs through February 23. Check out the Whiteville Wolfpack Optimist Facebook page for contact information.
- Columbus Animal Protective Services has dropped the adoption fee to $20 through the month of February. With the end of hunting season the usual influx of unwanted hounds is pushing the shelter to capacity. Dogs, cats, puppies and kittens are available,. Call 910.641.3945 or drop by Monday through Friday, 10 until 4, at the shelter on Legion Drive.
The Good News always has room for your church announcements, civic club news, good Samaritan stories, pageant winners, funny experiences, little kids with big fish – anything that matters to you, matters to us. Email jeffersonweaver@columbuscountynews.com or call 910.914.6056.