Public Safety

Monday was a busy day for the sheriff’s office, as two departments made major narcotics arrests in two different parts of the county. Stefon Geathers, 38, of 4875 Old Lumberton Rd., Whiteville, was held under $256,000 secured bond. He faces multiple charges of trafficking in opiates and MDMA, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver marijuana and MDMA, felony possession of cocaine, driving while impaired, resisting an...

Dry, windy conditions and low humidity have led emergency officials to discourage outdoor burning today (Tuesday). The advisory is not the same as a burning ban. No ban has been put in place, but conditions are prime for outdoor fires to get out of control. Uncontrolled burns can result in fire damaging property not in the intended burn area, which can result in criminal and civil penalties. Since...

Timothy Ray Cain II was found guilty this morning for the 2021 murder of Jacqueline “Lynn” Landreth of Clarkton. Cain was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole by Superior Court Judge Paul Holcombe. The jury was given instructions and sent back Monday, returning this morning (Tuesday) to spend just over an hour in deliberation. Cain’s co-defendant, Jamal Green, is scheduled to be tried in March. Amanda...