ELIZABETHTOWN — Bradley Kinlaw, director of Bladen County Emergency Management, brought bad but expected news to the county’s Board of Commissioners — and the public — on Monday.

“We have selected those people who would receive the FEMA grants that would allow us to refurbish, elevate or tear down and rebuild homes affected by Hurricane Matthew,” he explained. “But FEMA has notified us that they have frozen those funds — so we’re in a holding pattern.”

FEMA froze the Matthew recovery monies because they have determined the need is greater in Texas and Florida following hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

In other board action Monday:

— Accepted a donation from Mike Stallings for the construction of a football press box at the Bladen County Park.

— Approved a donation of North Carolina and Bladen County flags to Boost the ‘Boro.

— Gave $200 to the United Way Day of Caring event.

— Approved a request from David Howard, director of the Bladen County Health and Human Services Department, to raise the cost of flu shots.

— Approved a multi-year agreement for tank care maintenance.

— Gave approval on a request by NCDOT for the addition of Gowen Road to the state highway system.

The next meeting of the county commissioners will be Monday, Oct. 2, at 6:30 p.m.

W. Curt Vincent can be reached at 910-862-4163 or cvincent@s24515.p831.sites.pressdns.com.

W. Curt Vincent

Bladen Journal