Bank’s initiative

to be big boost

LUMBERTON — The recent decision by BB&T to raise its minimum wage from $12 to $15 an hour and give $1,200 bonuses to employees who have not received them historically will benefit “the majority” of the bank’s 550 or so employees in Robeson County.

Citing federal tax reform adopted last week that drops from 35 to 21 percent the nation’s corporate tax, BB&T said it would give 27,000 “associates” the pay hike, effective on Monday, which is the first day of 2018, and the one-time bonus to be paid in January.

The company also said it would set aside $100 million for charity, making the total investment one of $152 million.

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MLK Jr.’s niece

to speak Jan. 6

FAYETTEVILLE — Alveda Kind, an evangelist, author and political activist as well as the niece of the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and daughter of his younger brother, will speak at the St. Ann Catholic Church in Fayetteville in January.

King will speak at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6, as part of the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture Series at the church on North Cool Spring Street.

The public is invited, and admission is free.

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Cooper appoints

Kirby as judge

CLINTON — Local attorney Albert David Kirby Jr., who has served Clinton and Sampson County over the years, has been appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper to fill the Superior Court judge vacancy left with the sudden passing of Judge Doug Parsons.

Kirby’s will serve as a Superior Court judge in Judicial District 4A, serving Sampson, Jones and Duplin counties.

A Sampson native and Clinton High School graduate, Kirby has been a public servant and attorney for more than 25 years. He served as the board attorney for Clinton City Schools for two decades and has represented District 5 on the Sampson County Board of Commissioners for the past seven years.

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Police officers

hop on bicycles

WHITEVILLE — Police Chief Jeff Rosier said his department has initiated a new bicycle patrol program after hearing from the community and discussing the program with officers. The bikes hit the streets earlier this month.

The department purchased refurbished bikes for the patrols, as well as high-visibility safety uniforms and specialized equipment. A number of officers have also been selected to participate.

— From staff and wire reports.

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