Former school burns,
arson is suspected
ALLENTON — An abandoned school building in Allenton was destroyed overnight Friday in what the local fire chief is saying was arson.
The structure, which sits off of N.C. 211, was fully involved around 11 p.m. Friday and Allenton and East Howellsville volunteer firefghters battled the blaze. The remains of the brick building were still smoking Saturday afternoon.
The school has been closed for some time as it has asbestos and mold. It once was Allenton Middle School. It was also used at one time by Robeson Community College.
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Ceiling collapses
on 8 firefighters
WHITEVILLE — Eight firefighters narrowly escaped injury Tuesday when the ceiling of a burning home collapsed on them.
Firefighters were called to the home on Sam Potts Highway near Whiteville shortly after 4 p.m. The home was engulfed when they arrived.
The single occupant of the home escaped without injury, but firefighters were making a sweep of the house when the ceiling — soaked sheetrock and insulation — fell on them.
All eight got out of the building safely.
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New police chief
expected by May 1
CLINTON — City of Clinton officials hope to have the next police chief in place by May 1 and the hiring process, with a community focus group conducted last week and an advertisement being published this week, is now underway.
At the beginning of January, Clinton Police Chief Jay Tilley announced that he would be leaving in four months, an extended notice to allow for him to assist city managerial staff, as needed, through the process of finding his successor.
Tilley has served as Clinton’s police chief since September 2012. A self-professed “career law enforcement officer,” he came to the Clinton Police Department as captain in 2009 before taking over for Chief Mike Brim three years later.
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Man charged in
Hope Mills murder
HOPE MILLS — A Lumber Bridge man has been accused of murdering an individual at Millstone Shopping Center on Monday at about 9 p.m.
According to a report by the Hope Mills Police Department, Jarred Lamont McLaurin, 29, has been charged with first-degree murder and is being held without bail.
The victim, who has not been identified, was shot near his vehicle in the shopping center located on Camden Road in Hope Mills.
From staff and wire reports.