Public Safety

Eight different law enforcement agencies and four mobile blood alcohol testing units will be in Columbus Thursday as part of the Memorial Day Click or Ticket program. “Our primary goal with this campaign is not to only make arrests or issue tickets, but to safeguard our community,” Sheriff Bill Rogers said in a press release. “Seat belts save lives and ensuring that everyone is buckled up is one...

Former Sheriff’s Lt. Kenneth Aaron Smith allegedly rammed Matthew Duncan’s truck Friday before attacking Duncan, according to warrants. Smith, 33, resigned Friday when he was arrested on misdemeanor charges of assault with a deadly weapon and assault inflicting serious injury. Smith was released on a $100,000 secured bond. The warrants were obtained by the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). Smith was off-duty when the incident occurred Friday...

A Whiteville man is alleged to have raped his own child on the suspect’s birthday, according to warrants. Phillip Michael Stephens, 39, is being held under $2 million secured bond, jail reports show. He was arrested Thursday on charges of indecent liberties with a minor, statutory rape and incest. Warrants obtained by Whiteville Police show Stephens allegedly committed sex acts on the ten year old, including forced sexual...