Public Safety

Two felony animal cruelty charges and 19 misdemeanor counts have been filed against the Hallsboro woman who had dozens of animals in filthy conditions. Deborah Dahl, 70, of Pone Hill Road, was originally charged with 94 counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals and one charge of practicing medicine without a license. Most of those charges have been dismissed, and Dahl now faces the 21 new charges, including the...

A landmark florist in downtown Chadbourn burned to the ground Tuesday morning. Old Town Florist, on First Avenue, was destroyed when a lithium battery caught fire, Columbus County Fire Marshal Shannon Blackman said. An employee of the shop heard a smoke alarm and went to investigate around 9 a.m., Blackman said. He told firefighters that he found a burning glue gun and knocked it down it with a...

An 11-month-old child is in serious condition and a woman has been charged with abusing the girl. A male suspect s still being sought in the case. Hali Canter, 31, of 973 Lake Park Dr., Chadbourn, was arrested Monday on a single charge of felony negligent child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury. Her bond was set at $1,500. Wayne Kienzie is still sought in the case. The...