Columbus Ranks First in Toxic Air Pollution
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Monday, October 3, 2011 Nakina woman killed in crash Columbus Volume 121, Number 27 on Tursday Whiteville, North Carolina ranks frst n Victim was passenger 50 Cents in car that hit oak tree and fence. in toxic air Inside Today By BOB HIGH Staff Writer pollution 4-A By NICOLE CARTRETTE r8PNBOFTDBQFTLJE- A 56-year-old Reaves Ferry Road woman was killed Thurs- Staff Writer OBQQJOHBUUFNQU day afternoon in a single-vehi- cle crash that involved the car A report released by the Southern Envi- r+VSZDPOWJDUTUXPJO in which she was a front-seat ronmental Law Center, an environmental passenger that slammed into advocacy think-tank, puts Columbus County ESVHDBTFT a tree along N.C. 905 north of at the top of the list when it comes to toxic the Poley Bridge Church Road air pollution. intersection. The organization reports that, according Kimberly Smith died from to Federal Environmental Protection Agency the impact of the front and Data in 2010, Columbus County ranked higher passenger side of the 1999 than any other county in the state for the Ford Crown Victoria driven by pounds of toxic pollution released into the air. her daughter, Shauna Leanne Columbus County industries released Smith, 21, also of Reaves Ferry See Bad air, page 2-A Road, according to Highway Patrol Trooper Mark Gore. Shauna Smith was trapped in the wreckage for over an hour, and was airlifted to New Project Soccer Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington with appears unlikely Today’s several injuries. 8th of year By NICOLE CARTRETTE American Profle Kimberly Smith’s death is Staff Writer features “BOW the eighth of the year in rural Columbus County, compared to A project code named “Project Soccer” WOW WOW!” Ca- 22 at this time last year. that was expected to bring as many as 1,500 nine agility events Gore said Shauna Smith jobs to the Columbus County border via the was driving an estimated 65 establishment of a facility on property in bring out the best in mph on N.C. 905 about 2/10ths Brunswick County appears to be a win for people and dogs. South Carolina and loss for North Carolina. See Woman dies, page 4-A Spokespeople with Continental Tire are expected to make an official announcement today that they have chosen a more than 1,100- DIDYOB? Staff photo by Mark Gilchrist acre site in Sumter, S.C. for a multi-million Did you observe ... Charlotte dollar project that will establish a manufac- Fatal wreck turing facility, warehouse and research and A frefghter watches an approaching AirLink helicopter as he helps Tabor City native Jody Gore, frefghter development center, according to sources carry Shauna Smith, 21, from her destroyed car after a single-vehicle close to the N.C. Department of Commerce. recruitment coordinator for wreck on Seven Creeks Highway Thursday afternoon. Smith’s mother, The news comes after months of an- the University of Michigan is WFD chief Kim Smith, 58, was killed in the wreck. See Project Soccer, page 12-A and son of Linda and Joey By JEFFERSON WEAVER Gore of Bethel, on the Today Staff Writer Show last Tuesday when David Yergeau will be Investigation at Ann Curry did a segment on Whiteville’s Fire Chief, ac- New women’s business the school and admissions?... cording to City Manager Larry Faison. Social Services Jack McPherson driving a Yergeau has 30 years ex- group starting this week tractor and 30-foot goose- perience in fire operations in is still ongoing Charlotte, one of the largest neck trailor to WHS this it. They suggested we expand it metropolitan departments By JEFFERSON WEAVER nNew special session 9 a.m. Tuesday. morning to be decorated by in the state. He served as a Staff Writer to women throughout the county through the other chambers. The the FFA for Friday’s Home- chief/assistant chief in a vol- By NICOLE CARTRETTE A new networking group for area other chambers of commerce were coming Parade?... unteer department for more Staff Writer than 10 years. businesswomen will meet for the just as receptive and excited.” first time this week. Several national studies have Faison made the an- In the wake of the Columbus County Social Women Leading Columbus will shown the fastest growing trend in nouncement Friday. Services director being placed on investigative hold its first gathering Thursday the small business world is owner- “The city received more leave with pay, the social services board has County Deaths at 7:52 a.m. at City Cuisine Corner ship by women. Some have started than 30 applications for the called yet another special called meeting for Bistro in downtown Whiteville. The sideline businesses, while others position since the initial Tuesday Oct. 4 at 9 a.m. Whiteville formal meeting starts at 8:10 a.m. Ev- opened their doors due to retire- advertisement that followed The purpose of the meeting is to “continue Norman Beck eryone is welcome, but attendees are ment, unemployment and layoffs. John Cook’s resignation investigations,” DSS board chairman Michael asked to RSVP as soon as possible. The group’s mission is two-fold, Gracie Jernigan Byrd in mid 2010,” said Faison. Lewis explained. “This is to cover the opening “The idea to start this group Young said. “We want to support, Eloise Snowten Cook resigned as chief due meetings law if any more than two members came from Deborah Blythe, one of promote and develop women busi- to health problems, and now are present.” Bolton our chamber members,” said Janice ness leaders throughout Columbus works in the city’s inspec- The decision to call a special meeting comes Annie Ree Melvin Kinlaw Young, executive vice president of County, and promote the economy of tions department. after Lewis originally said board members Earl James Daniels the Greater Whiteville Chamber of Columbus County.” Since Cook stepped down, would work in sets of two to avoid the need to Commerce. “We took the idea to our WLC is primarily designed Tabor City the position has been held call a public meeting under state law. board, and they heartily endorsed See Women, page 2-A Gary Carlyle ‘Butch’ Lewis See Chief, page 9-A See DSS, page 2-A J.W. Brooks Wright Nakina Kimberly Smith Nettie G. Smith Cerro Gordo Hunting tourism meeting draws crowd Allen Ralph Burnett nBoard to be formed to explore options. for local businesses ranging from meat processors purchase hunting land. and taxidermists to hunting supply houses, motels “We have a lot of people interested in leases, even and restaurants. short-term leases,” he said. “People want someplace By JEFFERSON WEAVER “I don’t understand hunting,” Holcomb admitted, to go hunting.” Index Staff Writer “but I know tourism and marketing. That’s where While no one expects a flood of hunters and fisher- &EJUPSJBMT" you folks come in.” men into the county immediately, most of those who A new take on an old idea—encouraging hunting- 0CJUVBSJFT" Worley said the concept came about due to con- spoke at the meeting were supportive of the idea. related tourism in Columbus County—received 4QPSUT# cerns over the loss of tobacco buyout money. The When Holcomb asked how many in the room were enthusiastic support Tuesday from sportsmen, fund is being phased out, and could be gone within landowners interested in possibly making their $SJNF" farmers, business owners and community leaders. five years. With a turnover rate of four to one, that property available, nearly half raised their hands. -JGFTUZMFT" Jennifer Holcomb of the Columbus County Tour- means a loss of $48 million to the local economy. Another dozen or so were interested in possibly ism Bureau said she was encouraged by the turnout “A lot of smaller farmers count on the tobacco guiding visiting hunters for pay. and the discussion. money to pay their taxes,” he explained. “When that Lt. Matt Long of the Wildlife Resources Commis- “There is some incredible potential here for a is gone, they will have to sell their land. We don’t sion said the state’s rules on paid guiding are not whole new industry in Columbus County,” she said. want to see that happen here.” very stringent. Holcomb told the crowd of around 30 that Chan- Tuesday’s meeting brought together a range of “It’s pretty easy to get a hunting guide license,” dler Worley of the Tourism Board first came up with stakeholders from hunters and farmers to small busi- he said. the concept of connecting out-of-town hunters with ness owners and real estate dealers. Marty Lanier Long also answered questions regarding liability, limited access to land with local farmers and land- of Mossy Oak Properties, a national chain, said he the state’s registered land program, and an ongoing holders. Area hunters could act as guides, helping was curious about the initiative. Due to the down effort to connect hunters with available land across alleviate some of the unemployment problem in the economy, he said, his company has very few calls to area. Visitors would also be supplied with contacts See Tourism, page 2-A 2-A – The News Reporter, Monday, October 3, 2011 This week, on... This week, on... Tourism Continued from page 1-A the state. looking for a place to hunt,” On top of the agenda will be “We have much of this in- Long said. “That’s all they the establishment of a central October 3, 2011 formation already available,” want—a place to get in the website bringing everything Long said.