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Jefferson Weaver

Jefferson Weaver is the Managing Editor of Columbus County News and he can be reached at (910) 914-6056, (910) 632-4965, or by email at jeffersonweaver@ColumbusCountyNews.com.

In addition to electronic calls, nighthunting, dogs and bait, hunters have another tool to use in hoghunting– technology. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has unveiled a new online reporting tool for people to report any sightings of feral swine or damage to the agency. Feral swine, also called wild boar and feral hogs, are an invasive species that cause significant damage to plant communities and wildlife habitat, prey on native wildlife, compete with native species for limited food and clean water resources and potentially spread diseases that pose substantial risk to livestock, wildlife, humans and pets. Commission biologists, along with other members of the N.C. Feral Swine Task Force, are seeking information from the public to better understand the distribution and abundance of feral swine across the state, and to estimate type and extent of damages they are causing, including damage to agricultural crops, timber, wildlife habitats, landscaping and others. Reported sightings will help members of the task force determine priority areas where they can focus management efforts. Education and outreach events, technical assistance staff, loaner traps, and other control measures will be focused in areas of greatest need. “Reports we receive from the public will be extremely important for developing a baseline of information, which we will then use to track how feral swine move across the landscape,” said Falyn Owens, the Commission’s extension biologist. “Changes in the reports we receive over time will also provide a measure of effectiveness of feral swine control efforts across the state.” Feral swine are highly adaptable animals that can live in urban, suburban and rural areas from the mountains to the sea. In North Carolina, they are typically found in isolated pockets, and have been reported in most counties of the state. Commission biologists hope that citizen reports will help them better assess the extent that feral swine are impacting the states natural resources. In Columbus county, hogs have displaced deer in many areas around the Waccamaw River. Feral swine are also reportedly moving up the river toward the sensitive ecosystems around Lake Waccamaw State Park. They root cemeteries in Nakina, Old Dock and Crusoe, and destroy crops around Tabor and Clarendon. Rodney Register has become known as the “Hawg Eradicator” for his efforts to trap pigs across the county over the past two years. He expects to top the 300 mark this fall. Opportunistic feeders and omnivorous, feral swine will eat almost anything, include a wide range of vegetative matter. While foraging, feral swine root into and turn up the soil, causing extensive damage to landscaping, stream banks, lawns, and agricultural fields. On agricultural and developed lands, they cause an estimated $1.5 billion per year in damages to crops across the United States. While feral swine eat a wide range of vegetation, they also eat snakes, turtles, lizards, the eggs and young of ground nesting birds like quail and turkey, and white-tailed deer fawns. Feral swine have the potential to carry at least 30 diseases and nearly 40 different parasites that can affect humans, pets, livestock and other wildlife. Diseases like brucellosis, pseudorabies, foot and mouth disease, and African swine fever are just some of the concerns when feral swine and people or livestock interact. “Simply put, feral swine are invasive and undesirable as free-ranging animals on North Carolina’s landscape,” Owens said. “Unfortunately, illegal releases continue to supplement the growing population, making control of these destructive animals challenging. “In order to direct resources that will allow landowners and managers to better control feral swine populations and reduce the damages they cause to North Carolina citizens, the natural environment and our native wildlife, we need the public to report sightings to us.” The N.C. Feral Swine Task Force comprises state and federal agencies that are working collaboratively to learn more about and manage the impacts of feral swine in the state. In addition to the Commission, current members include USDA-Wildlife Services, N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Natural Resource Conservation Service, NCSU Cooperative Extension Service, USDA-Veterinary Services, N.C. Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts and N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. For more information on feral swine in North Carolina, visit the Commission’s feral swine web page.
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State seeks feral swine sightings

In addition to electronic calls, nighthunting, dogs and bait, hunters have another tool to use in hoghunting– technology. The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has unveiled a new online reportin...

Jefferson Weaver
October 28, 2020
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A place surrounded by trees  
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The magic hours

The phone rang, strident and screaming in the pre-dawn, at an hour that nothing good ever comes via telephone call. I tapped Toni the Pillow Puppy, and she moved without...

Jefferson Weaver
October 27, 2020
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The Board of Elations is investigating after this woman allegedly appeared to prevent a man from casting a ballot Thursday.
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Voting case sent to state for investigation

Thursday’s incident involving a mentally challenged man whose caretaker allegedly kept him from casting a ballot as he wished has been sent to the state Board of Elections for further...

Jefferson Weaver
October 26, 2020
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Simpson badge
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Jilted lover allegedly fired shots, burned home, jeep

A scorned woman in Riegelwood allegedly stole a handgun, burned a home, a Jeep and shot at two people Oct. 21, according to the sheriff’s office. Monica Renee Simpson, 33,...

Jefferson Weaver
October 26, 2020
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Voting at the Tabor city poll has remained steady but not overwhelming. (contributed photo)
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Polls staying busy, see few issues

Despite long lines in the first few days, early polls are flowing smoothly across the county. Senior elections specialist Kathy Enzor said Friday that 9,809 ballots have been cast in...

Jefferson Weaver
October 23, 2020
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Justin Williamson is being held under $100,000 secured bond, charged with felony child abuse.
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Clarendon man charged with injuring infant

Updated More details have been released in the case of a father charged with abusing his 13-day-old infant girl. Warrants show that Justin Dewayne Williamson, 22, of 2323 Jim Jolly...

Jefferson Weaver
October 23, 2020
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The Board of Elations is investigating after this woman allegedly appeared to prevent a man from casting a ballot Thursday.
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Caretaker appears to keep man from casting ballot

The Board of Elections is investigating whether a caretaker kept a local man from voting for Donald Trump at the Whiteville one stop poll Thursday. Brandon Patrick said he had...

Jefferson Weaver
October 23, 2020
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Garrison Simmons and Jonathan Hammond
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Bringing home the bacon

Garrison Simmons and Jonathan Hammond took this wild hog in Nakina recently with a Browning 6.5 mm. Email your trophy photos and some basic information to news@ccnews2020.com or message us...

Jefferson Weaver
October 23, 2020
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Rapid testing will be available by appointment Friday at the Health Department in Whiteville.
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County marks 60th death from COVID

The most recent death from COVID0-19 in Columbus County brings the local toll to 60. The Columbus County Health Department, in its regular Thursday report, said the individual died today...

Jefferson Weaver
October 22, 2020
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Alberto Leon
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Local man jailed for sending pictures to child, 8

Local, state and federal authorities worked together to arrest a Riegelwood man accused of sending nude photographs to an eight year old girl. Alberto Leon, 29, is being held under...

Jefferson Weaver
October 22, 2020
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Gov. Roy Cooper
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Phase 3 reopening extended to Nov. 13

Gov. Roy Cooper extended the ‘modified’ Phase 3 COVID lockdown to Nov. 13.  Meanwhile 36 counties have been told to do more to control the spread of the novel corona...

Jefferson Weaver
October 21, 2020
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Jefferson Weaver
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When this is all over

Two conversations with dear friends got me to thinking the other day about what things will be like when “this is all over.” Whether “this” is the pandemic, the quarantine,...

Jefferson Weaver
October 20, 2020
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The sidewalk project currently underway in Whiteville is federally funded and being managed by the NCDOT.
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Whiteville vision meeting Tuesday

Whiteville officials want to know what residents and business owners think will help downtown grow and become more attractive.The city will be holding the first public meeting for the downtown...

Jefferson Weaver
October 19, 2020
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Stewart Thomas Luck in custody (CCSO photo)
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Out of ‘Luck’ suspect caught after chase, manhunt

A high speed chase started in Whiteville and ended with a manhunt in the Mount Olive community Sunday.  Stewart Thomas Luck, 46, is being held under more than $1 million...

Jefferson Weaver
October 19, 2020
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Coleman Johnson
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Bladenboro man charged in store break-ins

Candy, cigarettes, laundry detergent, even laundry hampers were among the things allegedly stolen by a Bladenboro man during a string of break-ins at area stores, according to the sheriff’s office....

Jefferson Weaver
October 16, 2020
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Samantha Kirsch (J. Reuben Long photo)
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Weapons, four-wheeler recovered in state line ATV, car chase

Deputies arrested an Horry County woman and recovered two handguns, brass knuckles and an ATV after a chase back and forth across the state line Tuesday. Samantha Elizabeth Kirsch faces...

Jefferson Weaver
October 16, 2020
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