Bladen County Coverage

Nearly 30,000 gallons of animal waste from farm released into creek in Bladen County

Nearly 30,000 gallons of hog waste was released from a lagoon in Bladen County.

WECT

Tar Heel Traveler: Bladesmith in Bladen County

A man from Bladen County is a certified master at making knives. Few people in the world can claim such credentials. He uses fire and water, power and might, similar to a blacksmith.

Community complaints lead to narcotics arrest of Bladen County man

After receiving numerous community complaints alleging the sale and delivery of drugs near Russ Street in Elizabethtown, the Bladen County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation.

Bladen County man arrested for selling cocaine near day care facility

A 40-year-old Bladen man was arrested on Friday for the sale and delivery of cocaine. The man was caught selling cocaine within 1,000 feet from a local day care.

WECT

Bladen correctional officer accused of fake traffic stop defends himself

A Bladen County correctional officer was fired from his job after being accused of impersonating an officer and initiating a fake traffic stop. He claims that he was trying to stop a woman who was aggressively driving from hurting someone on the road.

Bladen County's 'Turkey Mike' has been donating turkey feathers for 15 years

Turkey hunting season has just begun, and there's no bigger turkey fanatic than Mike Davis of Elizabethtown in Bladen County. Mike does more than just hunt turkeys and mount turkeys--his house is stuffed with turkeys!--he plucks the feathers and donates them to an Indian tribe in New Mexico. To date, he's donated almost three million turkey feathers.

Two men arrested after Durham man found dead in Cape Fear River

A body found Saturday in the Cape Fear River near the Bladen-Columbus county line has been identified as a Durham man, authorities said Monday.

Chase leads to arrest for stolen motorcycles

Two people were arrested after a chase in Bladen County where police said they stole a motorcycle from a local business.

Jason O. Boyd, Multiplatform producer

Three arrested after report of burglary turns into manhunt

A call about a break-in at a residence turned into a manhunt where three people were arrested and charged on Friday.

Jason O. Boyd, Multiplatform producer

Durham man found dead in Cape Fear River

A body found Saturday in the Cape Fear River near the Bladen-Columbus county line has been identified as a Durham man, authorities said Monday.

Fayetteville man killed in high-speed chase in Bladen

A Fayetteville man was killed late Tuesday in a high-speed chase in Bladen County, authorities said.

Man shot multiple times in Bladen County on Memorial Day

Bladen County deputies are investigating two shootings that happened over the weekend, one that resulted in a man shot multiple times and sent to the hospital.

Nearly 1,000 meat plant workers test positive for COVID-19

The number of workers infected with COVID-19 at meat-processing facilities has more than doubled in the last week, from 479 to 982 cases across North Carolina.

Joe Fisher, WRAL multimedia journalist

Smithfield Processing plant: Sick worker talks

WRAL's Joe Fisher talked with a COVID-19 survivor who worked at the Smithfield Processing plant in Bladen County.

Thankless job: Bladen County mortuary handles coronavirus cases from near and far

The coronavirus has claimed more than 300 lives in North Carolina. One mortuary in Bladen County has handled at least 25 cases, some from as far as the Triangle and Charlotte.

Bryan Mims, WRAL reporter

Mortuary helps handle COVID-19 cases

A mortuary in Elizabethtown has been handling a high number of coronavirus deaths because many funeral homes don't want to prepare the bodies themselves.

Smithfield Foods employee: 'It's rough. It's no fun'

WRAL's Joe Fisher spoke with an employee of Smithfield Foods in Bladen County who has COVID-19. He said there are many others at the plant either sick or may be sick and don't even know it.

Employee with Smithfield Foods still fighting coronavirus after outbreak at facility

An employee at the Smithfield Foods plant in Bladen County said he's still battling the COVID-19 virus after an outbreak at the massive plant.

Joe Fisher, WRAL multimedia journalist

Bladen County deputies arrest man on drug charges near school

Deputies with the Bladen County Sheriff's Office arrested and charged a man after he was involved in an undercover drug purchase at his home, which is near a school.

Woman played dead to survive shooting in Bladen home that killed three

Taurean Reshaul Johnson, the suspect in a home invasion shooting in Bladen County that left three dead, turned himself in to authorities Sunday night.

Authorities: Man shot 4 people, killing 3 of them

Authorities in Bladen County were searching for the man suspected of shooting four people, killing three of them.

Suspect sought after three killed in Bladen home

Authorities were searching Sunday for a Bladen County man after three people were killed in a Clarkton home.

Mikaya Thurmond, WRAL anchor/reporter

NC man creates custom casket honoring Kobe Bryant's life

Collins' company, Glorious Custom Designs, is known for making designer caskets, with photos and messages to loved ones to remain buried with them. His tribute to Bryant includes the Los Angeles skyline, the Lakers' basketball court and photos of each person who died on the helicopter.

Nia Harden, WRAL reporter

Bladen County man creates custom casket honoring Kobe Bryant's life

A professional custom casket designer from NC created this beautiful tribute to Kobe Bryant's life. The casket took three days to design and includes a silhouette of the Los Angeles skyline, sparkling around the borders, with a model Lakers' basketball court on top. One side represents the city of Philadelphia, where Bryant was from. The number 24 and several MVP trophies are included in the design.

No one removed from office over Pledge of Allegiance arrest threats in Bladen

The latest unrest in Bladen County's elections structure goes before the State Board of Elections.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter