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Debby could bring more flooding to southeastern North Carolina
By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org Flooding remains a threat in southeastern North Carolina on Friday after Tropical Storm Debby marched slowly through the state. In the Border Belt, Robeson County was under a flood watch Saturday morning, according to the National Weather Service. Lumberton near the Lumber River was under a flood warning. The Lumber River at Lumberton was classified as “major flood stage” with a …Read more Continue reading Debby could bring more flooding to southeastern North Carolina
Q&A with Kaden Thompson: Honoring Lumbee culture through youthful creativity
By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org By exploring major historical events of his people, 19-year-old Lumbee author Kaden Thompson is bringing his cultural identity to the forefront of his creative work. The Robeson County native has self published three books in his young career, two of which explore flashpoints of the Lumbee tribe. With each story he examines how events of the past, including the Lowry War …Read more Continue reading Q&A with Kaden Thompson: Honoring Lumbee culture through youthful creativity
Republican incumbents raise more money than Democratic challengers in NC’s Border Belt
By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org Republicans who represent rural southeastern North Carolina in the state legislature have raised significantly more money than their Democratic challengers ahead of the November election. With less than four months until Election Day, incumbent legislators from Bladen, Columbus, Robeson and Scotland counties are out-performing opponents in the cash race, according to campaign finance reports released by the North Carolina State Board …Read more Continue reading Republican incumbents raise more money than Democratic challengers in NC’s Border Belt
NC’s diverse Robeson County now has GOP voting streak. What’s behind support for Trump?
By Ben Rappaport and Rachel Baldauf benrappaport@borderbelt.org Jimmy and Timmy Bullard, 32-year-old twins who grew up in the Robeson County town of Pembroke, were raised to believe they should always vote for Democrats. Then came Donald Trump. “My granddaddy was a Democrat. He goes to church, he’s a Christian,” Timmy Bullard said. “But when he saw what Trump did, that’s when he turned from Democrat …Read more Continue reading NC’s diverse Robeson County now has GOP voting streak. What’s behind support for Trump?
Robeson County elections board dismisses Pembroke mayor’s protest, again
By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org Just off the main drag in Pembroke, behind a plaza with a convenience store, an auto repair shop and a gas station, about a dozen people live in tents. The unhoused people in the small tent community are central to the ongoing legal dispute surrounding last year’s race for mayor in the Robeson County town. Allen Dial, who owns the property …Read more Continue reading Robeson County elections board dismisses Pembroke mayor’s protest, again
Whiteville’s new gunshot sensors have been rejected by some other cities
By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org When the small southeastern North Carolina town of Whiteville decided to install sensors to detect gunshots, the police chief said the devices would allow officers to respond more quickly to emergencies and ease residents’ fears. But some other law enforcement agencies that have turned to the technology quickly abandoned it. Flock Safety is expected to install between 20 and 30 sensors …Read more Continue reading Whiteville’s new gunshot sensors have been rejected by some other cities
North Carolina sheriff promises transparency. Is ‘On Patrol: Live’ the way to get it?
By Rachel Baldauf rachelbaldauf@borderbelt.org Robeson County sheriff’s deputy Donel McCallum approaches the passenger side door of a car he’s pulled over. It’s nighttime, and the blue and white flashing lights from his patrol vehicle illuminate the scene. “Hey look boss. Just turn that way and it won’t be in your damn face, all right?” McCallum tells the man in the passenger seat before ordering him …Read more Continue reading North Carolina sheriff promises transparency. Is ‘On Patrol: Live’ the way to get it?
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Former St. Andrews student serving more than 23 years for on-campus sexual assaults
By Sarah Nagem sarahnagem@borderbelt.org A former St. Andrews University student-athlete accused of sexually assaulting three women on campus in 2022 and 2023 was sentenced to serve more than 23 years in prison. Mison Mickle, 24, pleaded guilty in March to four felony counts of sex offenses and failure to register as a sex offender. The Border Belt Independent recently learned of Mickle’s conviction and sentencing …Read more Continue reading Former St. Andrews student serving more than 23 years for on-campus sexual assaults
Fighting back against prostate cancer in Scotland County
By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org Greg McMillan’s barber shop in the northeast corner of Scotland County is more than a place to get a fresh lineup and a clean shave. It’s a community space where people share everything from tall tales to heart-to-hearts. McMillan’s shop in Wagram, Next Cuts, hosted Cuts and Conversations on Saturday in partnership with the Prostate Cancer Coalition of North Carolina. The …Read more Continue reading Fighting back against prostate cancer in Scotland County
Robeson and Scotland counties are growing, slowly, for the first time in years
By Ben Rappaport benrappaport@borderbelt.org Robeson and Scotland counties grew between 2020 and 2023, mirroring population increases across much of rural North Carolina during the COVID-19 pandemic. Robeson County grew by 0.91% during the three-year span, accounting for an increase of 1,056 people, according to a new report from the North Carolina Rural Center. Neighboring Scotland County grew by 0.25%, an increase of 86 people. While …Read more Continue reading Robeson and Scotland counties are growing, slowly, for the first time in years