Escape short-lived

for Robeson inmate

LUMBERTON — A Robeson County jail inmate accused of murder has confessed to faking a shoulder injury and using a handcuff key to make his short-lived escape.

Vayshawn McLean, 20, was returned to jail without putting up a fight. An investigation continues to determine how McLean got the key.

After his arrest McLean, 18 at the time, was charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, armed robbery, attempted aggravated assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. He was jailed under a $461,000 secured bond.

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Bridge to close

for replacement

RED SPRINGS – A bridge replacement project will require N.C. 211 to close on Tuesday, Jan. 2, over the CSX railroad south of Red Springs.

A detour will send most traffic onto McQueen and Lewis McNeil roads. Truck traffic should take Shannon Road and N.C. 71.

The road is scheduled to reopen in spring 2019.

Crews for BMCO Construction Inc. of Lumberton will replace the 81-year-old bridge, after the N.C. Department of Transportation awarded a $4.8 million contract in the fall.

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PETA urges probe

of pig killing

CLINTON — An animal activist group is calling for a criminal investigation into a recent incident at Smithfield Foods in Clinton, which resulted in the U.S. Department of Agriculture ceasing to assign inspectors for slaughter operations at the plant until corrective actions were taken.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent a letter Monday to Clinton Police Chief Donald Edwards calling for an investigation and potential criminal charges against “Smithfield Farmland Corp.” and the worker responsible for repeatedly striking a pig in the head with an automatic gate at its slaughterhouse and knocking the animal’s head against concrete.

***

Man is charged

after home burns

BOLTON — The resident of a home that burned in Bolton on Monday has been charged with resisting, obstructing and delaying officers, as well as damage to government property.

Nicholas Smith was taken into custody at the Bolton park, a few hundred yards from his mother’s home along Green Swamp Hwy. South. Smith was charged after allegedly attempting to fight with officers, and damaging a patrol car while he was in custody

— From staff and wire reports.

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