Ho-Ho-Ho is an encore presentation for the Christmas season.

DUBLIN– After 17 years, Christmas is not just about the presents under the tree, but also a time to rejoice over the true gift of family and time to reflect on all that has changed.

ELIZABETHTOWN - More candidates have continued to file for office as the filing period for the 2026 primary election has reached the end of the filing deadline Dec. 19.

The 2025 Festival of Trees overall winner was the team from the Bladen County Health Department who, among other creative ornaments had blown-up rubber gloves, masks turned into angels and Bladen County Health Department balloons. The winner of the Grinch Christmas Tree raffle was Linda Carey. All the trees were impressive and will be around through Christmas. The Bladen County Public Library will be closed from Dec. 24 - Dec. 28. Kudos to Sheila Nance BCPL director and her staff for fill the season with color, light and excitement.

CLARKTON - Bladen Community College (BCC) announced a new family centered educational initiative called “Bladen Together.”

DUBLIN - Bladen Community College has announced the addition of a cutting-edge ‘Ambulance Simulator’ designed to elevate Emergency Medical Services (EMS) education by safely replicating the challenges of real-world transport operations.

ELIZABETHTOWN - Since 1947, the Voice of Democracy has been the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW’s) premier scholarship program.

CLARKTON - Bladen Community College is offering a “No-Cost child care Academy” at Booker T. Washington School’s Century Campus in Clarkton.