News

Several new businesses opening in Columbus County

Submitted by Gavin Johnson, Reporter

Friday, May 17th, 2013, 5:42pm

Several new businesses opening in Columbus County

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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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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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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WEATHER: Warm and sunny

Submitted by Colin Hackman, First Alert Meteorologist, Reporter

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013, 7:46am

Sunny and mild conditions will be the norm for the next couple of days as Bermuda high pressure sets up shop over the western Atlantic.

Expect to see high temperatures today moving into the mid 80s as a more summer like pattern emerges.

Plenty of Atlantic and Gulf moisture streams into the region on the west side of the high pressure giving us enough moisture to touch off a sea breeze induced shower or thunderstorm each afternoon as we go through the weekend.

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