SCC and State Employees’ Credit Union sponsor Camp Biz Kid$

Submitted by Justin Smith, Southeastern Community College Director of Marketing and Public Affairs

Friday, May 17th, 2013, 3:37pm

SCC and State Employees’ Credit Union sponsor Camp Biz Kid$

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) - Southeastern Community College will partner with the Whiteville branch of the State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) this summer to offer free financial literacy camps to rising eighth graders at three local schools.

The camps will meet Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., on the following dates: June 24 – 27 at Tabor City Middle School; July 15 – 18 at Central Middle School ; and August 5 – 8 at Chadbourn Middle School.

Lunch will be provided daily. Enrollment is limited to 20 students per camp. Attendees must be participants in SCC’s Educational Talent Search Program.

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WEATHER: Super summery weekend forecast

Submitted by Colin Hackman, First Alert Meteorologist, Reporter

Friday, May 17th, 2013, 7:52am

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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Citizens outraged over mail damaged, lost on postal truck that caught fire

Submitted by Gavin Johnson, Reporter

Friday, May 17th, 2013, 7:45am

LELAND, NC (WECT) - Some people in Leland who had mail on a U.S. Postal Service truck that burned believe the post office should pay for their losses.

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Panel: No confidence in Carolina Southern

Submitted by WECT Web Staff

Thursday, May 16th, 2013, 10:46am

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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Mail damaged, destroyed when postal truck catches fire

Submitted by Ashlea Kosikowski, WECT News

Thursday, May 16th, 2013, 7:36am

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – A United States Postal Service transportation vehicle caught fire along Highway 74/76 in Columbus County, damaging and destroying some mail.

The driver reported that there was an engine fire Wednesday night, while he was transporting mail collected from two offices in Leland.

Officials said the truck had collected mail from the Leland Post Office and a contract postal unit in Leland. Customers who sent letter mail and/or packages from either postal location in Leland, NC are being asked to contact the Consumer Affairs Office at 704-424-4422.

No one was injured in the incident. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

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2 BB&T locations could close their doors

Submitted by Gavin Johnson, Reporter

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013, 5:07pm

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – The BB&T branches in Fair Bluff and Lake Waccamaw could be closing down, according to Fair Bluff Mayor Randy Britt who said he received a call with the news a few days ago.

Britt said he was told the banks are not producing like they should.

The mayor said he's seen several banks come through Fair Bluff and leave after they reach a certain size and they can't help it grow anymore.

Britt believes the only way a bank will succeed in Fair Bluff is if it's a small, community bank with its purpose to serve the area.

The mayor plans to make some calls soon to see if there's any interest for another bank to come to town. He thinks it's ridiculous people could have to drive nearly 20 miles for a bank.

WECT is waiting on a call from BB&T to confirm it is closing the two locations.

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Texas fugitive arrested in Fair Bluff

Submitted by Gavin Johnson, Reporter

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013, 2:20pm

Thoqan Akran Al-Rousan (Source: Fair Bluff Police Department)

FAIR BLUFF, NC (WECT) - Officers with the Fair Bluff Police Department and the NC Alcohol Law Enforcement Division worked together to arrest a fugitive from Texas.

According to the police department, Thoqan Akran Al-Rousan, 54, was managing Cousin's Mini Mart in Fair Bluff.

Al-Rousan is being held for the Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Police say he was wanted for felony larceny and ICE wants to question him on unrelated or unknown matters.

Investigators say he could also face ABC charges.

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