The last half of 2003 saw more changes in Bladen's economic base as another major industry-Harriet & Henderson Yarns-closed its doors, laying off its remaining work force.

The company declared bankruptcy in August after selling off or closing many of its plants in the preceding three years. Among the plants it closed before filing for bankruptcy protection was the Clarkton Plant located on NC 211 west of Clarkton.

With the closure of its Bladen Plant in October, Clarkton was left without a major industry. The plant was sold to Sanford-based Frontier Knits; however, the company elected not to reopen the property.

On a brighter note, several smaller industries elected to make Bladen home during the last half of 2003, helping to absorb some of the excess labor force in the county.

The following is a month-by-month review of the events that helped to shape Bladen during the last six months of 2003.

July

Filing for fall elections began on July 7 for elections in Bladen's municipalities. Early filing was virtually nonexistent.

The Bladen County School Board elected to keep the school start, stop times as had been earlier decided despite pleas from the White Lake business community to delay the opening date.

Celebration on the Square capped off Fourth of July activities in Bladen after remnants of Tropical Storm Bill caused little damage in the county earlier that week.

Bladen Community College got final approval for its plan to make capital improvements to its East Arcadia campus. The cost of the improvements would exceed $500,000.

The United States District Court of the Northern District of Georgia approved the bankruptcy sale of the former Alamac Knits plant in Elizabethtown to Peanut Processors of Dublin. The sale was contingent on the bid not being overturned within 30 days from the approval date.

Initial discussions began on the sale of the old Grief Brothers barrel-making facility in Bladenboro to Innovative Machine Technologies.

A grandfather from Richlands-Billy Weston Penny-drowned at White Lake over the Fourth of July weekend while swimming with his grandchild.

Cooperative Extension hired a new Field Crops Specialist, Stephen Fulford, a native of the North Florida area.

Bladen Lakes Community Health Center, a not-for-profit health agency, opened in Dublin. The new clinic offers both medical and dental services.

Well-known Clarkton Mayor Robert Clark died suddenly at his home on July 7. Clark had been active in Democratic Party politics and civic organizations in Bladen County for many years.

An Elizabethtown man, Samuel Lewis, poured gasoline into his home and set it on fire, causing serious burns to his wife, who was trapped in the house. After he turned himself in, Lewis was charged with several felonies resulting from the incident.

Longtime Elizabethtown barber, Reverend Neill Smith, left the shop where he had worked for 28 years to pursue full-time ministry in the United Methodist Church. He had been appointed to pastor the Fair Bluff-Cerro Gordo Charge of the Wilmington District of the UMC.

Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) was discovered in the Bladen County sentinel chicken flock.

Strong winds from a thunderstorm in Elizabethtown toppled the revival tent of Evangelist Jim Whittington shortly after a service concluded. The tent was destroyed; however, no one was injured in the incident.

Bladen County hired a new Library Director, Rhea Hebert, a native of Georgia. Hebert came to Bladen from a library system in western North Carolina.

Andy Clark of Elizabethtown was named Head Football Coach at West Bladen High School. Clark had been employed by the School System for a number of years and had served as an assistant football coach at both East Bladen and West Bladen high schools.

Avicor, Inc., an industry specializing in supporting the U.S. Army opened in the old National Guard Armory in Bladenboro.

The annual Agriculture and Business Expo was cancelled for 2003 after a facility could not be located in which to hold the event.

Arthur Whedbee was appointed Mayor of Clarkton to replace the late Robert Clark. Whedbee had been a member of the Town Council for a number of years.

Harriet & Henderson announced that it had filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection.

Bladen County Hospital hired a new chief executive officer, David Masterson, a native of Virginia. Before coming to Bladen, Masterson had been CEO of a hospital system in Indiana.

An East Arcadia man, Vance Craig Andrews, died when a car fell on him in a junkyard.

A man suspected of robbing the BB&T branch in Clarkton eluded area law enforcement following the robbery.

Heavy rains brought flooding to the Richardson and Butters communities, bringing renewed calls for assistance to stop the flooding that had plagued the communities in recent years.

State Veterinarian confirmed that a horse in Bladen was infected with EEE.

Bladen Community College was designated a Category II school in the N.C. Community College System for the first time. To be designated a Category II school, the college had to have at least 1,500 full-time students.

The Tobacco market opened in Clarkton, but without the familiar sound of the auctioneer. Bids were relayed to the auctioneer with hand-held electronic devices.

August

June Koenig, an employee of Bladen County Department of Social Services, was named Interim Director of the department, replacing Marvin Rouse, who left the department at the end of July to become head of the Edgecombe County DSS.

The Bladen County Hospital Board of Trustees met jointly with the Bladen County Commissioners to discuss the pending transition of the hospital to a critical access facility.

Bladen students headed back to school as schools open on August 6.

More candidates filed for election to municipal offices as filing period neared its end.

Bladen's 12 and under girls won state championship in fast-pitch softball.

Bladen County Water District got $668,000 in a combination grant-loan to fund improvements to the system.

A fireman in the Carver's Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Billy Shackleford, and his family lost all of their belongings in a fire that swept through their residence on Figure 9 Road.

Bladenboro got approval to begin a $1.7 million project to update its aging sewer system.

A Council man, Jonathan Bo Drye, was arrested after the Bank of America branch in Elizabethtown was robbed.

A scientific team drilled wells in Bladen to map aquifers under the county.

Law enforcement officers uprooted a "major" marijuana crop near Tar Heel Landing.

The Bladen County Commissioners agreed to purchase the old Greif Brothers plant in Bladenboro and lease it to Innovative Machine Technologies. The company is a partnership headed by Bladen County businessman Gene Brisson.

Bladen's jobless rate topped out at its highest point of the year-7.7 percent.

A ruptured gas line in Bladenboro forced the evacuation of Bladenboro schools. No one was injured in the incident.

Bladen Community College's budget for fiscal year 2003 - 2004 was set at nearly $12 million, its highest ever.

A 19-year-old Bladenboro youth, Christopher Pirkle, died after being shot at a late-night, early-morning party near Dublin.

Both Bladen County high schools-East Bladen and West Bladen-opened their football seasons with a win.

Vulcan AMPS, Inc., a maker of large mobile generators, announced that it had selected the Elizabethtown Industrial Park as the plant where it would assemble its products.

The SAT scores of Bladen students increased by 30 points for the testing cycle.

September

Bladen County Hospital scheduled a series of community meetings to explain the upcoming conversion to critical access and to give the new CEO an opportunity to meet the folks around the county.

Bladen County Deputy Sheriff Sgt. Eric Bryan was honored for heroism for his actions following a Post Office robbery in mid-2002. Bryan received serious gunshot wounds in the incident.

A longtime Bladenboro business, Fishers Men's Store and The Ladies Shop, closed after operating for many years. The business had roots dating back to the Great Depression era.

Harriet & Henderson announced the pending sale of it remaining Clarkton plant to Frontier Knits of Sanford.

White Lake appointed Sgt. Bruce Smith as its interim police chief.

A new full service medical clinic and pharmacy opened for employees of Smithfield Packing Company's Tar Heel Plant and other Smithfield affiliate companies.

East Bladen High School's football team got off to a hot start, which included beating longtime nemesis Clinton High School.

Bladen County Schools received news that the system's ABC scores were up for the year.

Willa D. Williams, a Vocational Business teacher at East Bladen High School, was selected as the school system's Teacher of the Year.

Bladen residents prepared as Hurricane Isabel bore down on county. However, the storm caused limited damage across county, as rains are less than usual for a hurricane and the eye of the storm passed east of the county.

The East Bladen High School football team beat its cross-county rival, West Bladen, as the team continued to improve as the season progressed.

A Bladen couple, James and Beverly Hester, lost their lives in an early morning accident on Center Road.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT) announced that Bladen would get 14 projects in the N.C. Moving Ahead program.

Bladen County's National Guard Unit learned that it will be mobilized in early October to begin training for eventual deployment to the Middle East.

East Bladen High School's football team held on to its unbeaten record by narrowly defeating South Columbus High School.

Bladen sent help to counties in northeastern North Carolina that were hit hard by Hurricane Isabel.

Interim Police Chief Bruce Smith was named new Police Chief of White Lake.

Bladen's jobless rate dropped by more than a percentage point to 6.5 percent.

October

East Arcadia's Volunteer Fire Department got a clean bill of health after being inspected by the Fire Marshal's office of the North Carolina Department of Insurance.

Bladen Community College got high marks on its performance audit for 2003. The college had had several discrepancies on the previous audit that had been corrected before the 2003 audit.

An election flyer thrown out around residences Elizabethtown just prior to the election had many residents concerned. The flyer-dubbed "the orange sheet" because of its color-pushed the candidacy of a slate of candidates and snubbed others.

Clarkton began a beautification project to establish a park with funds raised in memory of former Mayor Robert Clark.

Bladen County Hospital converted to a critical access facility on October 1. The switch to the new designation was virtually transparent.

Attorney Scott Ussery narrowly defeated incumbent Richard Glenn for a seat on the Elizabethtown Town Council in an election marred by the introduction of a flyer around the town just prior to the election. The flyer supported Ussery's candidacy. Kenneth Kornegay was reelected Mayor and Council members Rufus Lloyd and Russell Priest were reelected.

The Bladen County School Board approved the construction of additional facilities at the athletic fields of East Bladen and West Bladen high schools.

Federal Emergency Management Agency teams visited the county to assess damage caused by Hurricane Isabel. Many Bladen residents filed for disaster assistance following the storm.

Harriet & Henderson closed is last plant in Clarkton after selling the facility to Sanford-based Frontier Knits. The closure put 130 more textile workers out of work. The plant's closure left only one major textile operation in business in the county-M.J. Soffee's Bladenboro plant.

The Morris family of Bladenboro took home 10 ribbons in the pumpkin and collard competitions at the 2003 State Fair. Among their ribbons were four first place ribbons, including best all around pumpkin and collard.

The Bladen County Commissioners approved some changes to the county's zoning ordinance that had become effective earlier in the year.

Cypress Creek Baptist Church celebrated its 150th Anniversary at its annual Homecoming.

June Koenig was selected to become the county's new Social Services Director. Koenig had been serving as Interim Director since the departure of former director Marvin Rouse.

Bladen County Cooperative Extension hired two new agents-Angela Redinger and Becky Spearman. Redinger was hired to head the 4-H program and Spearman was hired as Livestock Agent.

Bladen was one of three counties selected to receive a $2.5 million grant over a five-year period to help at-risk children.

Bladen County Commissioner Margaret Lewis Moore was selected to become a member of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners' Education Steering Committee.

November

The Bladen County Commissioners voted to franchise two ambulance companies after deferring the decision several months.

The Elizabethtown Town Council took no action on a proposal to change the town's election system to one requiring a simple plurality.

Both Bladen high schools earned births in the state football playoffs. East Bladen's team completed the regular season undefeated.

Write-in candidate Angela Pruitt Allen unseated longtime incumbent Mayor Phillip Allen to become Tar Heel's new mayor. Incumbents won all other seats in municipal elections around county.

Bladen County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Byron Lawson announced his plan to retire on December 31; however, he agreed to remain on contract through June as the School Board looked for a replacement.

Health officials urged residents to get flu shots as flu epidemic broke out in the western United States.

NC Department of Transportation officials held a community meeting to explain a plan to redesign the intersection at NC 87 Bypass and Peanut Plant Road. The meeting resulted in officials finding a possible alternative to the plan.

A Bladenboro youth, Justin Faust, died after being hit by a car while riding his bicycle on NC 131, south of Bladenboro.

East Bladen's football team began its playoff run by defeating Croatan High School in the first round. West Bladen's team was eliminated in the first round by Richlands High School.

Harrells Christian Academy won the state NCISAA State football championship.

A rare plant, the threadleaf sundew, was found in Jones Lake State Park.

A Bladen County youth, Scott Beasley, won a world title in an halter showing event of the Palomino Horse Association. He is the son of Ray and Jo Dee Beasley.

East Bladen High School's football team continued its quest for the state championship by beating Richlands High School handily in the second round of the playoffs.

A contract worker at Smithfield Packing Company's Tar Heel Plant died after falling into a vat of toxic material.

East Bladen's football team beat Greene Central High School in third round of playoffs.

Bladen County Hospital announced plans to open a new consultation center in the building, which formerly housed Bladen Medical, Surgical Center.

A home invasion near Clarkton led to a manhunt for suspects. Suspects in the case were later arrested.

December

The Bladen County Commissioners chose Commissioner Lewis Tatum to serve as the board's chairman in a close vote. Commissioner Margaret Lewis Moore led an effort to elect Commissioner Billy Ray Pait instead. Commissioner Greg Taylor was elected Co-Chairman in another close vote.

East Bladen High School's football season came to an end as the team lost in a hotly contested regional final game that saw Southwest Onslow High School, the eventual State Champion, come from behind to narrowly win the game.

The Bladen County Commissioners approved a measure that would allow the Department of Social Services to purchase computers and install Internet capability at all positions in the department.

Bladen Community College got approval from the Bladen County Commissioners to lease mobile classrooms to accommodate the growing student population at the school.

Clarkton resident Wanda Little died after being hit by a car in front of her home in Clarkton. Her husband, William Jack Little, was also struck but survived the accident.

Clarkton farmer and businessman Woodrow Marlowe purchased the former Clarkton Plant of Harriet & Henderson. Marlowe stated that he had purchased the plant as a future investment and for a place to store cotton bales. Harriet & Henderson closed the plant early in 2003.

A flu vaccine shortage had state and local health officials worried.

The state Department of Health and Human Services announced the availability of additional flu vaccine for the at-risk population. Also negotiated purchase of FluMist for healthy individuals between the ages of 18 months and 49 years of age.

Longtime Bladen County Director of Revenue Betty Smith announced plans to retire at the end of December. The Bladen County Commissioners appointed another longtime employee of the department, Marguerite Coble, as Interim Director.

Bladen County Hospital announced plans to lease the Jones Store Building, adjacent to Bladen Fitness Services, to accommodate its growing physical therapy program and for classroom space.

The weak economy of the past two years increased welfare rolls in the county.

Conversion to critical access status improved bottom line at Bladen County Hospital, but lagging cash flow continued to plague the institution.

Bladen County's Cooperative Extension office hired a new horticulture agent, Corey Crabtree.

Elizabethtown Baptist Church presented a Singing Christmas Tree program, the first such program ever presented in the county.

The Angel Tree program to provide gifts for children in Bladen's foster care system had a record year.

Two Bladen residents died in area wrecks during the Christmas weekend. Mis'chel Hall, who died in a wreck just inside the Columbus County line, was the reigning Homecoming Queen at West Bladen High School.

Post Christmas trash pickup around the county brought fewer problems than in previous years.

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