COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) - Business in Columbus County is booming, according to Jennifer Holcomb, Director of the Greater Whiteville Chamber of Commerce and Director of the Tourism Development Authority Business.

Holcomb says that so far this year, 14 new businesses have opened, with most of them being small businesses.

Holcomb says that next week, two more ribbon cuttings are scheduled, and five more are in the process of being scheduled.

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Ready for the weekend?  It looks like beach goers and pool rats will be excited for the forecast. 

The Bermuda high off of the western Atlantic will continue to keep conditions mostly sunny and mild, however with enough moisture in place, as the weekend rolls on - we will return to the typical summer pattern where an afternoon shower or thunderstorm pops up along the sea breeze. 

Look for an afternoon high today in the upper 80s.

Temperatures will cool slightly (down to the mid 80s) for the weekend, with a bit of a better chance for showers during the early work week.

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LORIS, SC (AP) - A panel of government officials from both Carolinas has given a vote of no confidence to the owners of the Carolina Southern Railroad that has not operated in more than a year.

The Sun News of Myrtle Beach reports the panel on Wednesday said it would not support a federal grant for the line and approved a resolution encouraging new ownership.

The railroad serves Horry and Marion counties in South Carolina and Columbus County in North Carolina.

Owner Ken Pippin says there have been no serious offers to buy the line. He has said a $2 million federal grant is needed to fix bridges on the line.

Officials say the line is needed to keep a Georgia Pacific lumber mill and its 400 jobs in Columbus County.

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