The beginning was shaky and the ending got a bit tight, but, in between, the East Bladen boys’ basketball team controlled play Tuesday in beating Lakewood 56-49 on Patty Evers Court.

BLADENBORO — West Bladen’s Knights clinched the Southeastern Conference championship Tuesday night with an 87-43 boys’ basketball victory over South Columbus. It was the fourth consecutive conference title for Coach Travis Pait’s Knights.

The Elizabethtown girls and Tar Heel boys and girls posted victories Tuesday in Bladen County middle school basketball.

This year, southeastern North Carolina will come alive with history, music, living history, and celebration as communities from eight counties unite for the North Carolina First in Freedom Festival, a week-long commemoration marking America’s 250th anniversary and the pivotal events that helped shape our nation. The festival runs February 21–28, 2026, with activities across the region, featuring a Colonial Faire at Harmony Hall in Bladen County and culminating in the 250th anniversary of the Battle at Moores Creek National Battlefield.

Two of the best football players to don an East Bladen football uniform will have their jersey numbers retired Tuesday, Feb. 10 at a ceremony during the school’s basketball games against Lakewood.

Bladen County voters can begin voting Thursday, Feb. 12 at six locations for candidates in North Carolina’s March primary elections. The early voting period will close Feb. 28.

Members of Bladen County’s business community were walking the red carpet Saturday, Feb. 7 at Cape Fear Vineyard and Winery to celebrate “A Night of Excellence.”

Mark DeLap loves community journalism, loves our community and loves being able to hold a printed newspaper in his hands, scanning the pages and, perhaps, coming away with a bit of an ink smudge on his thumbs.