Public Safety

Improving conditions led state and local officials to end the burn bans effective Wednesday (April 2) at 8 a.m. Agriculture Secretary Steve Troxler made the announcement today. Columbus County Fire Marshall Shannon Blackman said the county will end its ban concurrent with the state. Local officials have jurisdiction to 100 feet from any dwelling or building, with the N.C. Forest Service handling fires outside the 100 foot range....

A suspect who allegedly ran from deputies was caught after he tried the same escape again, according to reports. Dustin Lloyd Long, 30, of 2699 Macedonia Church Rd., Evergreen, was held under no bond on charges of resisting an officer and two counts of assault on an officer. He was held without bond because he was on pretrial release when the new charges were filed. The sheriff’s office...

  Children and their parents can get to know local first responders, have bikes, safety seats and golf carts inspected, and have fun Saturday at Chadbourn Safety Day. Chadbourn Police, along with Chadbourn and Whiteville fire departments and the N.C. Forestry Service, will host the free event. Residents can learn about bicycle and fire safety, register golf carts, get pointers on proper child safety seat installation and dispose...