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Katie Compton Boyd

Snakes alive!

October 28, 2020 Columbus County News 2

By Katie Compton Boyd It was a rookie mistake buying an 8-year-old boy a very realistic rubber rattlesnake. I knew too, at the time, that its fangs might be plastic but this was going to bite [Read More]

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.

State seeks feral swine sightings

October 28, 2020 Jefferson Weaver Comments Off

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 [Read More]

Vicky McLamb is just one patient who has benefitted from COPD programs at Southeastern. (Submitted photo)

COPD events raise awareness of lung disease

October 27, 2020 Columbus County News Comments Off

Amanda Crabtree, Southeastern Health Last year, two Southeastern Health co-workers, Melanie McKee and Stephanie Smith, helped to organize an event designed to raise awareness and funds to assist COPD patients. Their involvement was in memory [Read More]

A place surrounded by trees

The magic hours

October 27, 2020 Jefferson Weaver 2

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 even waking up. The caller [Read More]

The Board of Elations is investigating after this woman allegedly appeared to prevent a man from casting a ballot Thursday.

Voting case sent to state for investigation

October 26, 2020 Jefferson Weaver Comments Off

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 investigation. It also wasn’t the [Read More]

Simpson badge

Jilted lover allegedly fired shots, burned home, jeep

October 26, 2020 Jefferson Weaver Comments Off

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, is under $161,000 secured bond [Read More]

Voting at the Tabor city poll has remained steady but not overwhelming. (contributed photo)

Polls staying busy, see few issues

October 23, 2020 Jefferson Weaver Comments Off

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 the county. The county has [Read More]

Justin Williamson is being held under $100,000 secured bond, charged with felony child abuse.

Clarendon man charged with injuring infant

October 23, 2020 Jefferson Weaver 1

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 Rd., Clarendon, was initially released [Read More]

The Board of Elations is investigating after this woman allegedly appeared to prevent a man from casting a ballot Thursday.

Caretaker appears to keep man from casting ballot

October 23, 2020 Jefferson Weaver Comments Off

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 taken his father to the [Read More]

Garrison Simmons and Jonathan Hammond

Bringing home the bacon

October 23, 2020 Jefferson Weaver Comments Off

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 on Facebook.

Rapid testing will be available by appointment Friday at the Health Department in Whiteville.

County marks 60th death from COVID

October 22, 2020 Jefferson Weaver Comments Off

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 (Oct. 22) in an area [Read More]

Alberto Leon

Local man jailed for sending pictures to child, 8

October 22, 2020 Jefferson Weaver Comments Off

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 a $50,000 cash bond on [Read More]

Gov. Roy Cooper

Phase 3 reopening extended to Nov. 13

October 21, 2020 Jefferson Weaver 1

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 virus. Cooper made the comments [Read More]

Katie Compton Boyd

My name is Katie

October 20, 2020 Columbus County News 5

Editor’s note — we’re pleased to welcome Katie Compton Boyd to Columbuscountynews.com. Katie is the owner and operator of Old South Tour Company in Southport. Rather than tell you about her, we’ll let Katie describe [Read More]

Jefferson Weaver

When this is all over

October 20, 2020 Jefferson Weaver Comments Off

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, the civil unrest, the safety [Read More]

The sidewalk project currently underway in Whiteville is federally funded and being managed by the NCDOT.

Whiteville vision meeting Tuesday

October 19, 2020 Jefferson Weaver Comments Off

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 streetscape master plan Tuesday evening [Read More]

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