Public Safety

A nine-year-old girl is recovering after she was struck by a car at Lake Waccamaw Sunday. Lake Police Chief Corey Finch said the collision happened around 5:30 p.m. in the 1500 block of Canal Cove Road. The girl apparently stepped from behind a bush into the path of an oncoming 2014 BMW driven by Pamela Ann Ashenfelter. Ashenfelter told investigators she never saw the girl, but knew she...

A Hallsboro family reported finding a hidden camera in their home July Saturday. The sheriff’s office was called to the home around 10:31 a.m., according to the sheriff’s office. Three people live in the home, according to the report. Additional details were not provided due to the ongoing investigation. State law allows the use of hidden cameras for security in common areas of homes as long as audio...

A six-year-old is recovering after a man allegedly threw hot water on the child. Derrick Vitanza, 18, of 402 W. Williamson St., Whiteville, was held without bond on a single charge of misdemeanor child abuse, according to court records. The sheriff’s office took Vitanza into custody July 25, after the child was taken to Columbus Regional for medical care. The victim’s condition was not immediately available. We have...