Town needs money
to tear down homes
FAIRMONT — The Fairmont Board of Commissioners members discussed on Tuesday taking steps to demolish 11 abandoned homes, the owners of which owe the town nearly $8,000 in back taxes.
“Code enforcement has to be in the forefront of your thoughts,” Town Manager Katrina Tatum said during the board’s regular meeting. “You can destroy whole neighborhoods by not addressing code enforcement.”
How to pay for demolition is the problem. There is no money in the fiscal year 2019-20 budget for demolition of homes because of budget restrictions, Tatum said. Demolition money will be considered when the 2020-2021 budget is crafted.
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Church shooting
forum is Thursday
LUMBERTON — Sheriff Burnis Wilkins is expecting a large turnout for an educational forum on what to do in case of an active shooter situation at a church.
The Prevention and Response to the Active Shooter in Houses of Worship Robeson County Forum is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday in Robeson Community College’s A.D. Lewis Auditorium. The forum is free and open to the public, but church leaders, people with concealed carry permits and people interested in obtaining permits are encouraged to attend.
Contact the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office at 910-671-3100 for information.
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County recognizes
40-year employee
ELIZABETHTOWN — Bladen County paid tribute Tuesday night to one of its longest-serving employees.
In a segment of the county commissioners meeting, Agnes McCall was recognized for 40 years of service. She’s the assistant librarian at the Elizabethtown branch of the Bladen County Public Library.
Librarian Kelsey Edwards noted that McCall worked three years with the library in another role before becoming a county employee. Edwards said she is the eighth librarian during McCall’s tenure.
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Those who searched
honored by county
WADESBORO — Participants in a search party were honored during the Anson County Board of Commissioners meeting on Jan. 7.
The search was for a 10 year old girl who went missing from Ansonville Elementary School at 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 18, 2019. She was located in the wooded area close to the school community approximately three hours later at 5:45 thanks to the efforts of the search party.
“The outcome was a fine example of agencies working together to address a crisis situation,” said Superintendent Michael Freeman.
A total of 22 individuals participated in the search and rescue.
From regional Champion Media newspapers.