A Pembroke man was taken into custody Tuesday, Feb. 17 after allegedly stealing two vehicles, including a Bladenboro patrol vehicle, and resulting in lockdowns of Dublin area schools, according to the Bladen County Sheriff’s Office.

Zion Ellison scored the winning basket in the final seconds Tuesday giving Bladenboro a 31-29 win against Nakina in a Bladen County middle school boys’ basketball game played inside Willis Nance Jr. Gymnasium.

BLADENBORO — Trinity Strickland sparked a 9-2 South Columbus spurt that carried the Lady Stallions to a 40-37 victory over West Bladen in the opening round of the Southeastern 3A/4A/5A Conference Girls’ Basketball Tournament.

The Bladen County Recreation Department has several program registration drives underway for youngsters and adults. The registration deadline for most programs is Feb. 27.

The 82nd Airborne Division All American Band and Chorus and East Bladen High School band performed Thursday, Feb. 12 at Bladen Community College as part of the celebration of America’s 250th anniversary.

Bladen County took an exciting step forward in preserving and promoting its rich heritage with the official launch of the Explore Here Bladen County Digital Historical Tour on February 14 during the Outdoor Expo at Camp Clearwater. The announcement marked a significant milestone in the county’s participation in the commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary and showcased a new, technology-driven way for residents and visitors to experience local history.

The East Bladen boys’ and girls’ basketball teams won Monday in the Carolina Conference tournament. Both advance to Wednesday’s semifinals at Union High School against top-seeded East Columbus.

The Bladenboro boys and girls, Elizabethtown girls and Tar Heel boys and girls won Monday in Bladen County middle school basketball games.