Public Safety

Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies converged on the crossroads of N.C. 11 and N.C. 87 Friday night for a Click or Ticket enforcement effort.The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office organized the checkpoint. Deputies, Highway Patrol Troopers and police from multiple agencies participated as part of the statewide highway safety campaign. The BAT-mobile, a mobile alcohol testing facility, magistrate’s office and office, was also on hand to help speed...

A Loris woman became the county’s fourth highway death for 2021 this morning. The Highway Patrol reported that Jenny Fowler, 24, died after she was ejected from her GMC Yukon. Fowler lost control on a curve at the state line, overcorrected, and struck a ditch. The crash was reported at 9:30 a.m., Trooper A. Redwine said. The last road fatalities occurred when a man and woman died on...

A day in court turned into much more for a man charged with drug and assault offenses. Dan Maurice Gowans, 26, is being held under $306,500 secured bond in the Columbus County Detention Center, according to sheriff’s reports.  Gowans was a target in the ongoing saturation patrols by the Vice-Narcotics Unit working around Central Middle School in Whiteville, the sheriff’s office said. Agents obtained warrants charging him with...