Public Safety

Woman charged in Friday Bladen fatality. Two people died in unrelated crashes within 24 hours in Columbus, and a Clarkton man died in a Bladen crash Friday afternoon. Charges have been filed in the Bladen fatality, and charges are pending in Thursday’s crash near Union Valley. The Columbus wrecks were the 12th and 13th fatalities here this year, and the seventh and eighth in less than two weeks.  “It’s been...

The man who beat his uncle to death in a Clarkton home has been found guilty. Gabriel James McDowell, 21, was a teenager when he assaulted Leon Leach in a home off Ida’s Lane in Clarkton. He was found guilty of first degree murder, and could face up to life in prison.  The killing occurred Dec. 6, 2017. A woman who was checking on Leach found him covered...

Suspect had more drugs hidden in underwear at jail, CCSO says. Two stolen guns, methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana were confiscated after a traffic stop involving a Leland woman Monday. Taleesha Angel Bryant, 22, was held under $47,000 secured bond on charges of possession of marijuana, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver cocaine, meth and marijuana, possession of paraphernalia, possession of drugs in a jail, two counts...