After accumulating more than 3,000 shares on Facebook, a student who was denied the chance to walk across the stage at Orange High School’s graduation ceremony on June 7 will finally have his moment.

Orange High School reverses decision, student will walk at graduation

Look around and you'll notice it everywhere on the roads - drivers looking down at their phones. Tonight at 6 p.m., what lawmakers and parents are doing to protect the group most at risk in North Carolina - teenage drivers.  

Tonight at 6: It's blamed for more crashes among NC teens than speed and alcohol combined. WRAL Investigates distracted teen driving.

Have you noticed an unusual smell or flavor in your tap water over the past few days?

What's wrong with Raleigh tap water? Algae bloom at Falls Lake behind the smell, color

'Earthy and musty:' Here's why your tap water may taste strange this weekend in Raleigh

Homeowners insurance doesn't cover floods, so purchasing separate flood insurance is crucial in North Carolina, especially in high-risk areas.

Homeowners insurance doesn't cover floods: How to protect your home in North Carolina

Princeville residents weigh options after Hurricane Matthew

All assets associated with the tag: Laurinburg

The City of Laurinburg is the county seat of Scotland County, North Carolina. The city is located approximately 10 miles from the South Carolina border.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Florence in September 2018, at least one person died in the flooding. The community saw a large section of Main Street in downtown Laurinburg washed away by flood waters.

Laurinburg Coverage

This small airport in Scotland County was once a sprawling military base, the largest of its kind in the world. The airport trained hang gliders to sneak up on enemy troops during World War II.  

BECAUSE OPENING PITCH WHEN KICKOFF VERY SOON. >> NORTH CAROLINA HAD THE WRIGHT BROTHERS AND HIS FIRST IN FLIGHT. BUT ITS HISTORY INCLUDES OTHER AVIATION MILESTONES AS WELL. TONIGHT WE FIND OUR TAR HEEL TRAVELER 10 MILES FROM THE SOUTH CAROLINA LINE. SCOTT NATION IS IN SCOTLAND COUNTY WITH THE STORY OF A SMALL AIRPORT MADE A MAJOR IMPACT AND HOPES TO AGAIN. >> WELL, LAUREN BIRD MAXTON AREA, A COMMUNITY THAT WAS TRYING TO BOLSTER ITS ECONOMY TO FIGURE OUT THE BEST WAY TO MAKE IT SO. >> WHAT A DAY TO FLY. HIGH ABOVE SCOTLAND COUNTY. THIS IS A GREAT AREA WHEN YOU SEE IT FROM THE AIR, IT'S JUST INCREDIBLY DIFFERENT. A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE. HE SAID DIAMOND IN THE RAW WAS BEST KEPT SECRET IN OUR AREA. THE AIRPORT. IT WAS BILL AND 6 MONTHS. THE WHOLE AIRPORT. IT WAS BILLED AS A MILITARY INSTALLATION TO SUPPORT WORLD WAR. 2, THE AIRPORT LOBBY WORLD WAR, 2 HISTORY. THE LONGER MAX AN ARMY BASE WAS THE LARGEST FACILITY IN THE WORLD FOR TRAINING GLIDER. PILOTS IN THE 40'S SIMILAR TO AN AIRCRAFT THAT JUST DOESN'T HAVE AN ENGINE QUIET. >> STILL WEREN'T. GRINDERS USED HEAVILY DURING THE DAYS. YES, YES. THIS WAS THE TRAINING FACILITY FOR A D-DAY. WHY DID THE MILITARY PICK HERE? WELL, IT WAS A CENTRAL LOCATION. SO IF YOU LOOK AROUND STILL TO THIS DAY, WE HAVE A LOT OF FLAT. GREAT LOCATION FOR THE LARGEST FACILITY IN THE WORLD FOR TURNING A LOT OF MONEY. THIS BASE WAS BUILT TO ACCOMMODATE UP TO 10,000 TROOPS TO THE HOSPITAL OUT HERE. THERE WAS A MOVIE THEATER. >> THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HERE. >> BUILT WELL, WHEN THEY BUILD IT, IT BUILT AND BUILT TO LAST. HE MEANS BOTH THE THIS HERE'S A 58 AND THE AIRPORT AND SOME OF THE CONCRETE AROUND HERE. THEY'RE STILL A TIE DOWNS IN THE CONCRETE WHERE THEY TIED THEIR DRIVERS THAT, YOU KNOW, I THOUGHT, OH, MY GOSH, LOOK AT THIS. STILL GIVES IT LIFE. HE DOESN'T JUST MEAN THE SPARK PLUGS WANT TO BACK HIM. BUT THE PAST IT'S AMAZING. AND IT'S AMAZING. THE HISTORY OF THIS PLACE. AND IT'S STILL HERE. YOU'LL SEE A NUMBER OF AIR FRYING SET OR TIED DOWN. >> THE MOST PART THEY'RE YEAR AGO. >> HAVE LESS THAN 10 PLANES AND OUR HIGHS TODAY WILL HAVE A RIGHT. >> AND THE DOOR ON OPPORTUNITIES. WHAT KIND OF PRODUCTS OUT, HOW INTO THE LIMELIGHT. >> AND SAID, HEY, WHERE WE'RE HERE, WE HAVE SPACE HERE. WE HAVE HANGERS HERE. A SMALL AIRPORT. BUT NOW A BUSY ONE. IT WILL HELP ATTRACT BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY. BUT IT'S THE COOLEST THING IN THE WORLD. THE SKY'S THE LIMIT ON AIRPORT WITH THE PAST AND HAD TO BE SPECTACULAR HERE AND AN AIRPORT WITH THE DESTINATION. NORTH CAROLINA. WE ARE FIRST IN FLIGHT HERE. SO IT'S JUST AN HONOR TO STILL BE PART OF THAT TO THIS DAY. THAT AIRPORT IS GROWING AND SO IS THE MAIN RUNWAY. NOW AT 6,000 FEET SOON EXTENDED TO

Tar Heel Traveler: Laurinburg-Maxton Airport

This week's Tar Heel Traveler is the Laurinburg-Maxton Airport, where many old airplanes, like the 747s and 737s, are parked. Once impressive passenger planes, now mere skeletons of their past lives, cannibalized for their parts. 

ALSO PERFORMED ON SNL. SHE DID A GREAT JOB. WELL, IT IS A FASCINATING BUSINESS AND IT'S REALLY JUST SCRAP SELLING USED METAL. TONIGHT WE FIND OUR TAR HEEL TRAVELER SOUTH IN MAXTON. >> SCOTT MASON TAKES US TO ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE BUSINESSES IN THE STATE. >> CALL IT A GRAVEYARD. A BONE YARD, SKELETAL REMAINS NOT OF PEOPLE BUT PLAYING TIME WAS LIKE EVERY PIECE ON AIRPLANE CAN BE REUSED. IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE PLANE IS CANNIBAL ON STUFF. THAT'S REALLY WHAT YOU'RE DOING. YEAH. YEAH. AND IT WAS JUST CUT IN HALF. YEAH. JUST CUT IN HALF A DC 10. IT'S ALL DONE WITH THE HANDS OFF TO GET THE GUTS OF THE PLANE. AND AFTER THIS MARBLE JUST START SLICING AND LIKE A BANANA SLICING AND SELLING EVERYTHING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE THE WHEEL TO THE LABORATORY TO THE OVENS. EVERYTHING PARTS AND PIECES AIRLINES AROUND THE WORLD, DELTA OR UNITED OR UPS. LUFTHANSA AIR FRANCE. ANYBODY WANTS TO BUY THE LAURINBURG MAXTON AIRPORT IN SCOTLAND COUNTY WHERE PLANES GO TO DIE, PERCHED AT THE END OF AN OLD TAXIWAY PUT OUT TO PASTURE. THEIR PAINT FADED, BUT THERE ARE PARTS SALVAGEABLE. REUSABLE >> THE BACK OF THE AIRPLANE. IT'S ONE OF THE BODY PANELS ON THAT. THIS IS GOING ON AND AIRBUS AND AIR FRANCE AIRBUS. WHEN THE SENATOR ARE THERE, THEY COULD USE IT LIKE IT'S BRAND NEW FROM LAURINBURG MAXTON TO PARENTS. IT'S CRAZY AS YOU SEE RIGHT HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA, IT'S GOING TO GO HALFWAY ACROSS THE ROAD TO BE ON AN AIRPLANE. THE PART WILL FLY AGAIN. BUT THAT PLANE, IT CAME OFF OF NEVER WILL SAID THEY'VE JUST PUT THE WING OFF CHARLOTTE AIRCRAFT CORPORATION IS THE COMPANY THAT DOES THE DISSECTION EACH LITTLE TINY PIECE, EVERYTHING WE CAN SELL, INCLUDING THE ENGINE, EVERYTHING WE CAN SO FAR. HOW DID THE COMPANY BEGIN? SO IN 1953, MY GRANDFATHER WENT TO LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY AND FOUND THE REST DROPPED THE FUSELAGE OF AN AIRPLANE MUCH LIKE THIS. >> BURIED IN CONCRETE. HE RIPPED IT UP, PUT WINGS AND TAIL BACK ON IT. 2 ENGINES AND SOLEDAD, PIEDMONT AIRLINES FOR THEIR FIRST EVER AIRPLANE. THAT WAS PIEDMONT AIRLINES FIRST PLANE FIRST AIRPLANE EVER. AND FROM THERE TO BUY AND SELL IN AIRPLANES ALL AROUND THE WORLD. THEN CAME DOWN HERE, LUMBER, MAXTON AND THEN WE STARTED PART IN THE MOUNT. YOU CAN MAKE SOME MONEY OFF THESE PLANES AND IT'S SO MUCH CHEAPER THAN BUYING SOMETHING NEW FROM BOEING BUT NOT CHEAP. IT WAS $26,000 SHOULD BE USED JUST FOR ONE TIME JUST FOR ONE TIRE COMMITTED TO TAKING APART IN CLEAN THESE THINGS AND PUT IT BACK TOGETHER. IT'S REALLY FASCINATING THAT THERE ARE A LOT BIGGER THAN YOU THINK THEY ARE MEAN. YOU LOOK UP IN THE SKY LIKE MATT LOOKED REALLY SMALL AND YOU GET ONE RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU LIKE WOW. AND PARTS OF IT WILL FLY AGAIN. YEAH. ABSOLUTELY. 100%. I LOVE IT. AND THEN MY FAMILY'S WELL, 70 YEARS NOW AND I WOULDN'T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY. >> 26 GRAND FOR ONE TIRE GOODNESS, THOSE ALL THEIR PLANES CARRIED. WHO KNOWS HOW MANY PASSENGERS AND THEIR DAY. BUT NOW THEY'RE NOT OPEN FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEE THE REST IN

Tar Heel Traveler, plane graveyard at the Laurinburg-Maxton Airport

A high school band director was arrested on Tuesday and accused of having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student. 



NC high school band director accused of sexual relationship with a student

Britton Goodwin, band director at Scotland High School

State officials revoked the charter for a small North Carolina town this week, saying there were thousands of dollars in misappropriated funds. The mayor of East Laurinburg, however, says that this was not case. She claims that the state is "punishing" the town for past wrongs. 

HAS BEEN FULFILLED. >> THE DOT APPROVED THE BRIDGE IN 2019 BUT THE PANDEMIC DELAYED THE EVENT. >>> THE STATE IS GOING TO DISSOLVE THE TOWN OF LAURINBURG IN JUNE. SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? >> Reporter: THE NEW MAYOR OF EAST LAURINBURG IS DRESSING UP THE TREE FOR THE TREE LIGHTING. THIS COULD BE THE LAST EVER MAYOR OF THIS TOWN OF 281 PEOPLE. >> WE ARE A COMMUNITY AND COME TOGETHER AS COMMUNITY. WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE OUR FAMILY. >> Reporter: IT'S A TOWNOVER OLD MILL HOUSES, A COUPLE CHURCHES AND SICK GOAT STATION. THE GOVERNMENT VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO STRIP THE TOWN OF ITS CHARTER EFFECTIVE JUNE 30th, CITING YEARS OF FAILING TO FILE STATE AUDIT REPORTS. >> THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FAILED TO BE REPORTED OR MAYBE EVEN MISSING. >> Reporter: IT'S THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE USED THE CHARTER TO DISBAND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT. >> THERE'S NO TOOL THAT I THINK COULD HAVE FIXED EAST LAURINBURG. >> Reporter: THIS IS THE FIRST TOWN TO HAVE THE STATE YANK ITS CHARTER, BUT NOT THE FIRST TOWN TO HAVE THE STATE TAKE CHARGE OF ITS FINANCES. SMALL TOWNS WITH DWINDLING POPULATIONS CAN RUN INTO TROUBLE PAYING THEIR BILLS, AND COVID ONLY MADE MATTERS WORSE. >> WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE THE GOVERNMENT AND COMPETENCE TO PRODUCE AN AUDIT, THAT'S WHERE WE ARE. >> Reporter: THEY PROVIDE A FEW STREET LIGHTS AND GARBAGE PICKUP, BUT THE PASTOR FEARS THE TOWN'S IDENTITY WILL FRAY. >> WE CAN PEOPLE, WE WANT TO GOVERN OURSELF HERE. >> Reporter: THE MAYOR HOPES THIS FIRST EVER CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING WON'T BE THE LAST.

Mayor of East Laurinburg said state should not have revoked charter 

The state of North Carolina will dissolve the town government of East Laurinburg in June. It's one of seven towns whose finances are controlled by a state commission.



East Laurinburg mayor claims NC is wrongfully 'punishing' town after dissolving its charter

A mother and daughter were found dead on Friday night in what police are calling a double homicide.

Police: Mother, daughter found dead at NC home in apparent double homicide

Police car crime scene night

A church in Laurinburg makes collard green sandwiches in great amounts as part of an effort to help provide for the community and raise money for the church.

AND MEAT ALTERNATIVES MORE THAN DOUBLED. YEAST SOARED BY 98% AS PEOPLE PICKED UP BAKING DURING THE PANDEMIC. >>> FOR SOME, IT IS A NEW YEAR'S DAY TRADITION. EAT COLLARDS. OUR TAR HEEL TRAVELER IS ENJOYING A PLATEFUL TONIGHT. WE FIND SCOTT MYSPACEN IN SCOTLAND COUNTY IN LAURINBURG WITH A SANDWICH PACKED FULL OF JUICY HERITAGE. >>> JOSEPH TEMPLE AME CHURCH IN LAURINBURG AND IT IS COLLARD SANDWICH DAY. >> YOU KNOW CAN YOU PUT YOUR COLLARDS BETWEEN THE BREAD. >> Reporter: CORN BADE, CORN BREAD FRITTATAERS. >> THAT IS YOUR COLLARD SANDWICH OR YOU CAN EAT IT JUST LIKE THIS. >> Reporter: COLLARDS AND PEPPERS AND FATBACK. >> WONDERFUL, DELICIOUS. >> Reporter: SOUTHERN,. >> THE SUNSHINE HERITAGE. YES, THAT IS A POPULAR THING IN THIS AREA. >> Reporter: COLLARD SANDWICHES. >> FATBACK. >> Reporter: FAT BACK TOO. >> I LOVE THEM. YOU SMELL IT WHEN YOU COME IN THE DOOR. BUT THEY'RE GOOD. >> Reporter: WHAT A GOOD GATHERING. GOOD PEOPLE. GOOD FOOD. >> I'M 68 YEARS OLD. I LOVE COLLARD SANDWICHES. >> Reporter: THE CHURCH IS MORE THAN 100 YEARS OLD. >> LITTLE CHURCH ON THE CORNER WITH THE BIG HEART. >> Reporter: BIG APPETITE. HOW MANY COLLARD SANDWICHES ARE YOU GOING TO EAT TODAY IN. >> PROBABLY EAT TWO AND ONE DRINK. >> Reporter: IT IS A FUNDRAISER FOR THE CHURCH HERE IN LAURINBURG. >> ANOTHER WAY OF FELLOWSHIPPING. >> YOU GOT TO HAVE FAITH AND WE BELIEVE. >> Reporter: THEY BELIEVE THEIR LITTLE CHURCH CAN STILL FEED THE SOUL. >> IT IS A GREAT CHURCH. IT HAS BEEN AROUND FAY LONG TIME THIS IS HISTORY. >> Reporter: IT IS ALSO REALITY. THE CONGREGATION HAS DWINDLED. MAYBE 40 MEMBERS NOW. AND ONLY HALF OF THEM ACTIVE. >> IT IS SAD AND IT IS NOT JUST US. IT IS REALLY NATIONWIDE PROBABLY. >> I DON'T FULLY KNOW THE SOLUTION TO IT BUT YOU JUST HAVE TO KEEP TRYING. >> Reporter: KEEP STIRRING. >> IT'S POSSIBLE. IT'S POSSIBLE. WE HAVE TO CONTINUED TO REACH BEYOND THE WALLS OF CHURCH. WE ARE ALL GOD'S CHILDREN. >> Reporter: AND SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS A A COLLARD SANDWICH. >> IT IS BRINGING THAT OUT. >> IF WE HAVE COLLARD SANDWICHES IN THIS AREA, I'M GOING TO EAT COLLARD SANDWICHES. >> Reporter: MAYBE MORE THAN ONE. >> THEY'RE WONDERFUL. THEY ARE DELICIOUS AND YOU WILL SEE WHENEVER WE GIVE YOU ONE. >> Reporter: OR TWO. >> AND YOU CAN ALWAYS COME BACK J AND SO CAN THE CHURCH. >> WE'RE HOPING THAT WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE. >> : SO APPRECIATE YOU COMING IN. TAKE CARE. >> THOSE LOOK SO GOOD. THE COLLARD SANDWICH SALE IS AN ANNUAL EVENT TO THE CHURCH AND IN THE PAST, CHURCH HAS MADE ENOUGH MONEY TO BUY A NEW REFRIGERATOR AND PUT IN A NEW

Laurinburg church provides community staple collard green sandwiches

Downtown Laurinburg is transformed into a Winter Wonderland each year. Scott Mason, our Tar Heel Traveler, shows us all the wonderful sights in his report.

Downtown Laurinburg gets into Christmas spirit with trees, lights, festive spirit

A landmark restaurant in Laurinburg caught fire two weeks ago and destroyed nearly the whole building. But not all of it. There is a chance General McArthur's could re-open in some fashion. Scott Mason, the Tar Heel Traveler, shows us why it was a great place for the community.

Tar Heel Traveler revisited: Landmark Laurinburg restaurant was staple of community

Flames swept through General McArthur's Restaurant on Barnes Bridge Road in Laurinburg over the weekend.

Historic BBQ restaurant in Laurinburg damaged by fire

Robert Malloy became Laurinburg's first black police chief in 1989. He retired in 2007 and spends much of his time now writing poetry. 

Poetic justice: Former police chief writes poems about law, life

Richmond Mill Lake in Scotland County on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018 (Video courtesy Mindy Mejia)

Richmond Mill Lake

Richmond Mill Lake in Scotland County on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018

Floodwater washed an SUV off a road in Scotland County. The driver, who tried to escape, was killed.

Floodwater washes away SUV, killing driver

A driver on the way to the hospital is stopped by WRAL's Sloane Heffernan to before she attempts a dangerous maneuver on a flooded North Main Street in downtown Laurinburg.

Driver enroute to hospital rerouted to avoid flooding in downtown Laurinburg 

Downtown Laurinburg Detour

A citizen cautioned WRAL's Sloan Heffernan to stay off the sidewalk along North Main Street in downtown Laurinburg due to the crumbling asphalt weakened by flooding.

Laurinburg Coverage

Tar Heel Traveler: Laurinburg-Maxton Airport

Tar Heel Traveler, plane graveyard at the Laurinburg-Maxton Airport

NC high school band director accused of sexual relationship with a student

Mayor of East Laurinburg said state should not have revoked charter

East Laurinburg mayor claims NC is wrongfully 'punishing' town after dissolving its charter

Police: Mother, daughter found dead at NC home in apparent double homicide

Laurinburg church provides community staple collard green sandwiches

Downtown Laurinburg gets into Christmas spirit with trees, lights, festive spirit

Tar Heel Traveler revisited: Landmark Laurinburg restaurant was staple of community

Historic BBQ restaurant in Laurinburg damaged by fire

Poetic justice: Former police chief writes poems about law, life

Richmond Mill Lake

Richmond Mill Lake

Floodwater washes away SUV, killing driver

Driver enroute to hospital rerouted to avoid flooding in downtown Laurinburg

WRAL's Sloan Heffernan cautioned to stay off sidewalk as asphalt crumbles from flooding