Farmer’s honey

positive for GenX

ST. PAULS — A Robeson County farmer who produces honey from his own bee hives was informed this week that the chemical GenX was found in his product that far exceeded the state’s health goal.

The unidentified farmer’s honey, tested by Gel Labs, showed the chemical at 2,070 parts per trillion. The state’s health goal is 140 ppt.

GenX is produced by Chemours at the Fayetteville Works plant off N.C. 87 along the Bladen and Cumberland border. The company has been the focus of a six-month investigation and numerous private wells, the Cape Fear River and other groudwater sources have shown to be contaminated with varying degrees of GenX.

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Body found in

Maxton is ID’d

MAXTON — A body found Monday night in woods off Alma Road has been identified as Braxton Chavis Jr., who was 55 years old.

The investigation, which will include an autopsy to determine the cause of death, is ongoing.

Deputies found the body after the Sheriff’s Office received a call Monday from Braxton Dewayne Chavis, who told the 911 dispatcher he believed his father had been kidnapped.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office at 910-671-3100 or Sgt. Brandon Patterson at 910-737-5097.

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Columbus County

No. 1 for opioids

WHITEVILLE — More opioids are prescribed in Columbus County than anywhere else in North Carolina.

In a county opioid forum at Southeastern Community College last month, a sheriff’s narcotics officer said 141 pills per person per year are prescribed in the county — and that is only through legal medical channels.

It was also shared that Southeastern North Carolina is the hardest hit area of the state when it comes to opioid abuses.

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County supports

road naming

CLINTON — The Sampson Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution supporting naming a portion of N.C. 24 — an approximate 3.5-mile stretch bypassing north of Roseboro — as “LCDR Rufus Geddie Herring Highway” to honor Herring, a war hero, active citizen and successful businessman born and raised in Roseboro.

Herring served in World War II as a naval officer in the Pacific Theater, and was presented the Congressional Medal of Honor for heroics during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

Herring was also a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

— From staff and wire reports.

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