PUBLIC SAFETY

Hurricane Ian rapidly intensified this morning, and is taking aim at the Florida coast before knocking on the doors of Southeastern North Carolina later this week. WTXY Meteorologist Christopher Cawley urged caution, not panic, in [Read More]

Deputies in Columbus and Bladen counties are investigating a rash of car breakins that occurred Thursday night. The thieves hit areas north of Whiteville, and along the N.C. 211 corridor between Bladenboro and Clarkton, according [Read More]

A pre-dawn raid turned up crack cocaine and illegally shortened AR-15 rifle Tuesday in Green Acres. Banks Raphel Batten, 35, of 60 Pine Circle Drive, was held under $1.5 million bond. He is charged with [Read More]

Quick response by Whiteville Police led to the arrest of two armed felons Wednesday. Lafayette Treshaun Davis, 24, of 1855 Mill Pond Rd., Whiteville, and Jesse Lee Thomas Jr., 38, of 1465 Princess Ann Rd., [Read More]

Whiteville Fire Chief David Yergeau is on suspension pending the outcome of an investigation. City Manager Darren Currie said he could not further comment on the suspension, citing personnel rules. “When the investigation is completed, [Read More]

Isaac Miller pleaded guilty to murder Wednesday (today) in the shooting death of his father in 2019. Miller, 27, will serve 94 to 125 months (7.5 to 10.5) years in prison, according to the plea [Read More]

Monday’s wreck at N.C. 87 and U.S. 74 might not have been deadly had the driver been wearing a seatbelt. The Highway Patrol reported that Deshawn Ford, 27, of Paddlefish Drive, Fayetteville, was pronounced dead [Read More]

Two men are in jail after a theft victim spotted his property being pulled down the road Aug. 30. Casey Jacobs, 34, of 6534 Old Lake Rd., Bolton, was held under $30,000 secured boind, charged [Read More]

Crystal methamphetamine and cocaine were found in a vehicle minutes after midnight Saturday morning. The sheriff’s office reported that John Strickland, age 59, and Peyton Thomas, age 25, had 70 grams of cocaine and 28 [Read More]

Tractors along area roadsides aren’t unusual, especially at this time of year, but a local man recovered his stolen tractor before he knew it was gone. Teddy Inman told deputies that he was driving on [Read More]

Two people were charged with child abuse after allegedly taking a juvenile along during a drug deal Tuesday. Richard Manning Thomas III, 55, was held under $10,000 secured bond on charges of felony possession of [Read More]

Changing names didn’t help a narcotics suspect Tuesday.  Vickey Lynn Huggins, 46, was charged with felony cocaine possession, drug paraphernalia and resisting an officer, according to detention center records. Her bond was set at $10,000. [Read More]

Updated: 3:14 p.m. Corey Tashombe Hines was convicted of first degree murder this morning (Thursday) in Columbus County Superior Court. Superior Court Judge Tiffany Powers sentenced Hines to life without parole after the jury returned [Read More]

It was a rude awakening for a Tabor City area man who took a nap after he and a second suspect allegedly broke into an outbuilding.  Shykem Lavonce Newman, 19, and Joseph Jarame Stephens, 20, [Read More]

The suspect in a domestic violence case has been charged with damaging a window in a holding cell at the courthouse. Joe Frank Rich II, 33, was arrested Sept. 5 for assault on a female [Read More]

Checkpoints across Columbus County turned up stolen firearms, narcotics and open alcohol over the weekend The sheriff’s office is participating in the ongoing Click or Ticket crackdown on impaired and aggressive drivers. Multiple agencies are [Read More]