Columbus County News

Hydrilla is a submerged aquatic plant that can create nearly impenetrable mats of stems and leaves on a lake’s surface. An invasive species from central Africa, hydrilla impedes recreational use of waterways, crowds out native vegetation and can ultimately harm fish and other aquatic species. Its spread is often attributed to boats that are trailered from one lake to another. Full story...

A Chadbourn man faces life in prison after a federal jury convicted him of a 2010 carjacking in Columbus County. Full story...

Columbus County Sheriff's deputies and State Bureau of Investigation agents say they've made the largest crystal meth bust in county history. Full story...

It was a war of words Tuesday night in the small town of Chadbourn. Councilman Edwin Roberts was at the center of controversy during a town council meeting and some say it's time for him to go. Full story...

After years of research, Columbus County upgraded its antiquated emergency radio system two years ago. But is the county getting its money's worth from the million-dollar system really worth it? Two years after the digital trunk system went into service, emergency workers are still struggling with static. Full story...

The lives of two Columbus County families drastically changed Saturday night, but what could have been done differently to prevent the death of two children? Full story...

Close to a decade ago a Chadbourn Park was built using private money, but it needs public upkeep to stay viable. That has caused some bickering among town leaders. Full story...

This weekend the North Carolina Museum of Forestry in Whiteville will open up its doors on Saturday for a fossil fair. Full story...

After three years of waiting testimony began in the Danny Ray Nobles murder trial. Full story...

A trial 18 months in the making came to a head Friday. Now both the prosecution and defense are left wondering what's next. Chadbourn Town Manager Stevie Cox finally had his day in court last week, but Cox said his life is still on hold after a mistrial left a cloud hanging over his head. Full story...

A Wisconsin man who had been accused of domestic violence and slashing his wife's tires took a gun into the spa where she worked Sunday and shot seven women, three fatally, before killing himself, a police chief said. Full story...

After five and a half hours of deliberation, jurors in the Stevie Cox officer impersonation trial were hung at a 7-5 vote of not guilty Friday, which forced the judge to declare a mistrial. Full story...

It took more than 18 months for Chadbourn's town manger to go to trial on charges of impersonating a police officer. After all that time, there's still no resolution in the case. Full story...

Jurors in Stevie Cox's officer impersonation trial went home without reaching a verdict Thursday. Jurors began deliberating in the afternoon after a second day of testimony wrapped up in the case against Chadbourn's town manager. Full story...

More than a year after he was charged with impersonating a police officer, Chadbourn's town manager went on trial today. The charge stems from a traffic stop in March 2011. Full story...