Arrest Victory Whiteville Police arrest man Vikings baseball and softball beat St. Pauls wanted in shooting uuSEE SPORTS, 1B uuSEE SHOOTING, 5A The News Reporter Founded 1890. Published every Tuesday and Friday for the County of Columbus and her people. WWW.NRCOLUMBUS.COM Tuesday, April 16, 2019 $1 New hemp manufacturer eyes Tabor By Jenn Causey Tabor-Loris Tribune Hemp manufacturing may be coming to a former downtown Tabor City business site, with a critical fi rst step approved by the Tabor City Council last Tuesday. Council approved a recom- mendation from the town’s Plan- ning Board to amend the local zoning law to allow agricultural processing in Tabor City’s Cen- tral Business and Offi ce (CBO) zone. Chapman Family Properties LLC, a South Carolina corpora- tion registered in Greenville and operating on the Grand Strand, has its eye on the former W.F. Staff photos by Justin Smith A crowd of up to 200 people attended a Columbus County GOP rally in support of Jody Greene Saturday morning outside the courthouse annex. Th e business owners told town council they plan to extract CBD oil from hemp Speakers at Greene rally slam Democratic Party plants grown locally and organically, without pesti- and decry elections board decision on residency cides. By Allen Turner of the whole thing is they’ve got Cox building downtown, with [email protected] nothing but sour grapes. The accusation that Jody doesn’t live plans to open a business extract- here is a bunch of hogwash.” ing oil from hemp plants. Own- ers Steve and Shelley Chapman A rally at the Columbus Coun- “They’re trying to steal it. and Myrtle Beach attorney Matt ty Courthouse Annex Saturday They’re trying to take it away,” McGee told council they plan sponsored by the county Repub- said Greene, who defeated in- to extract CBD oil from hemp lican Party in support of Sheriff cumbent Democrat Lewis Hatch- plants grown locally and organi- Jody Greene drew a crowd of er by 37 votes in the November cally, without pesticides. up to 200 people unhappy with a general election. “I have done Hemp has “potential for tre- recent decision the right thing. mendous growth in the area,” by the county I have not lied McGee said. The business, if elections board and I have not “I have done the right thing. it comes, will provide jobs on- that Greene cheated. I will site and opportunities for area does not meet I have not lied and I have not quit. I am farmers. the residency not backing not cheated. I will not quit. I Though the zoning law change requirements down.” was approved by council, Town for sheriff. am not backing down.” The county Manager Al Leonard called that “We elected board of elec- Jody Greene a “fi rst step” for the Chapman a sheriff back tions ruled in group, which is heavily involved in November,” a party line 3-2 in doing “due diligence” before said party Chairman Sammy vote earlier this buying the W.F. Cox property Hinson. “You went out and voted month that Greene does not meet and moving forward with their and did your civic duty and, be- the residency requirements and project. cause it didn’t turn out the way the matter has gone back to the Jody Greene, center, listens to a speaker during the rally Sat- Investors still have to “de- a handful of people wanted it to, uuSEE RALLY 3A urday. they are giving us grief. The crux uuSEE HEMP 3A Janice Young awarded the Order of the Longleaf Pine By Grant Merritt help celebrate what she has done or that I truly appreciate,” Young [email protected] for your community.” explained. “I am humbled by the Alcoke explained some phrases faith and opportunities Bob and During a surprise presenta- that stood out to her during the I have had since we moved here. tion at the Reuben Brown House nomination process: “an extraor- “What I do know is that we are Preservation Society’s annual lun- dinary human being, an effective all brothers and sisters,” Young cheon fundraiser Thursday, Janice role model for healthy living, said. “We are all North Carolin- Young was awarded the state’s strong proponent for art as a unify- ians, and we are all Whitevillians. highest honor, The Order of the ing force, a change agent, faith and And I thank you for this honor.” Longleaf Pine. Merrie Jo Alcoke, family fi rst, innumerable talents, Young’s past accomplishments director of the governor’s eastern skilled negotiator, morals beyond include serving as president of offi ce, presented the award. Reuben Brown House Preserva- “It is my honor on behalf of tion Society for the past fi ve years, the 75th governor of North Caro- Young served as the executive serving as executive vice president lina, Roy Cooper, to present this vice president of the Greater of the Greater Whiteville Cham- award,” Alcoke said during the ber of Commerce for 12 years and event at Vineland Station. “I am Whiteville Chamber of Com- winning the Duke Energy Lifetime happy to be here and to help honor merce for 12 years. Membership Award in January at an outstanding member of your the chamber’s annual banquet and community — your immediate mini business expo. past-president of the preserva- reproach and the best of the Old “I am overwhelmingly proud, tion society, Mrs. Janice Jordan North State.” and I couldn’t have imagined a bet- Young.” “I keep getting surprises,” ter role model growing up,” said “I can tell by the look on your Young said to the audience after Young’s daughter, Peyton Earey. face, you do not care for the atten- winning the award. “I’m not good “Seeing and understanding all tion,” Alcoke said after revealing with surprises. I need time to the things she has accomplished the winner’s name. “We at the gov- process.” along the way is just inspirational Staff photo by Grant Merritt “But let me just say from the to me as a mom, as a daughter, as ernor’s offi ce have learned about Janice Young her life and work, and we want to bottom of my heart, this is an hon- a citizen.” Volume 128, Number 083 e Boys and Girls Homes Exhibition Center gearing up to host 11 horse show weekends Whiteville, North Carolina DIDYOB and a 3-day rodeo between April and August?...Full orange trash bags dotting downtown DID YOU OBSERVE? Whiteville following a volunteer litter sweep Saturday morning…Actors in West Colum- bus High School’s production of “Newsies” using copies of e News Reporter as props? 8 95297 00000 6 2A • The News Reporter • Tuesday, April 16, 2019 IN BRIEF County commissioners to hold retreat today at Lake The Columbus County Board of Commissioners is sched- uled to hold a retreat today (Tuesday) from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Lake Waccamaw State Park. See NRcolumbus.com and Friday’s edition of The News Reporter for coverage. The retreat comes as the county prepares its 2019-2020 budget, which must be finalized by July 1. Chadbourn has budget workshop tonight Chadbourn Town Council will hold a workshop tonight (Tuesday) at 7 p.m. to discuss its proposed budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Town Manager John Bauer is proposing a general fund budget that sees only a modest increase from $1.391 million over the current year’s $1.309 million and holds the property tax rate at 62 cents per $100 of assessed evaluation. Staff photo by Justin Smith In a memo to town council members, Bauer asked them to keep in mind scripture from Matthew 25:14-30, which is Rep. Brenden Jones speaks at the Columbus Chamber’s legislative luncheon Friday afternoon at Vine- referred to as the parable of the talents and which encourages land Station in Whiteville. the wise use of one’s resources and gifts. In the proposed budget, Bauer projects no growth in sales tax revenue, a slight decrease in property tax collections and no growth in Powell Bill street money from the state. –Allen Jones provides Chamber Turner Light the Lake is tonight with legislative update The Seventh Annual Light the Lake Walk for Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness is set for today (Tuesday) at Lake Urges county commissioners to reach out Waccamaw. This special event, coordinated by the Commu- By Justin Smith lawmaker able to attend “This session has been eral level that our governor nity Based Services Department at Boys and Girls Homes [email protected] the BBQ luncheon held at very interesting compared refused to ask for without of North Carolina, will start at 6 p.m. at 160 Rube McCray Vineland Station. Chamber to the last,” he said, ex- giving us any explanation Circle. The public is invited to participate. Rep. Brenden Jones (R- President Jennifer Holcomb plaining that agreeing on a why. We finally got to the “We have received overwhelming support from local and Tabor City) urged business explained that Sen. Danny budget could be a challenge point where we are asking neighboring communities over the past several years,” said and civic leaders attending Britt (R-Lumberton), who this year. While Republi- (for the money), but we’ve Vice President for Community Based Services Donna Yalch. the Columbus Chamber’s is an attorney, was work- cans still dominate both only spent three percent.” “We are hoping that Light the Lake continues to grow.” Legislative Luncheon Fri- ing on a murder trial and chambers of the legislature, Jones said he has been The walk will proceed down Flemington Drive and turn day to ask the county board that Rep.