Public Safety

While Southeastern North Carolina missed most of the mess last weekend, a new system brewing could bring snow to the area Saturday into Sunday – along with record cold temperatures. Last weekend’s winter storm brought very limited freezing precipitation to parts of Columbus, while much of the state was hit by sleet, freezing rain and ice. Western portions of the Columbus saw more wintry mix than the rest...

Leaked evidence, bail for a murder suspect and the effects of social media on criminal cases will come together in Columbus County Superior Court today with the start of Xavier Thomas’ first degree murder trial. Thomas, 24, is alleged to have killed Julian Juan Fipps, 31, during a shooting on MM Ray Road on Jan. 9, 2023. A motive for the murder has not been officially released.   In...

The driver and victim in Sunday morning’s fatal crash have been identified. Zachary Snowten, 19, of Evergreen died when his vehicle was hit on U.S. 74 around 1:30 a.m., according to the Highway Patrol. Jordan Alexander Kelly, 21, of Chadbourn rear ended Snowten’s vehicle in the west bound lane near the Union Valley exit. Kelly was driving a Chevrolet Impala automobile when he collided with Snowten’s Ford. Kelly...