RCC approves contract for Gold
LUMBERTON — The trustees of Robeson Community College on Monday officially approved Kimberly Gold as the college’s fifth president.
Gold, who was selected from 30 applicants, is replacing Pamela Hilbert, who retired at the end of June. Gold currently serves as executive vice president and chief academic officer at Isothermal Community College in Spindale, a position she has held since 2014.
Gold’s contract, which was approved by RCC trustees on Monday, will run from Jan. 1, 2017, to June 30, 2019, Sammy Cox, chairman of the board of trustees, said that Gold’s base salary is based on the state rate — about $148,500. She is also receiving a $15,000 local supplement, Cox said.
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Jones, Benton dismiss charges
ELIZABETHTOWN — Misdemeanor assault charges have been voluntarily dismissed in Bladen County against Brendon Jones and Tim Benton, two candidates for the District 46 House seat, stemming from a pre-election incident at Bladenboro’s Beast Fest on Oct. 29.
Jones, the Republican nominee for the seat, defeated Democrat Benton in the Nov. 8 election.
Jones and Benton took out warrants against each other through the magistrate’s office, but each dismissed the charges this week.
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Architect cuts plans for new school
WHITEVILLE — The firm designing the proposed new high school for Whiteville provided the City School Board with a trimmed down version of the preliminary plan Monday.
Paul Bony of LS3P gave a brief presentation to the city board at its regular November meeting. The new proposed guidelines cut costs from $73,378,810 to $49,024,636.
Under the proposal, Legion Stadium would continue to host the Wolfpack football and baseball teams, but a soccer/track facility with field house would be built at the new site. The current soccer/track area would be converted into parking.
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Christmas event set for Dec. 1
CLINTON — “Christmas in the City,” the event that kicks off the holiday season locally, will take place just a week after Thanksgiving this year, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1, in downtown Clinton.
The festivities kick off at 5:30 p.m. with the Clinton Community Christmas Tree Lighting at the tree park behind the Clinton City Market on Lisbon Street, with Mayor Lew Starling and Miss North Carolina McKenzie Faggart doing the honors.
The event also brings back Snowzilla, a giant inflatable snow mountain free to all participants who wish to climb it.
From staff and wire reports.