Newly released health rankings paint a grim picture of North Carolina’s rural Border Belt counties compared to the rest of the state: Residents here are more likely to smoke, be obese, have diabetes, experience frequent mental health issues and die prematurely.

While the first day of summer is still a few weeks away, summer has unofficially begun with temperatures steadily climbing and families and friends flocking to the beaches.

LUMBERTON — Among other local Revolutionary War personalities, Thomas Robeson could arguably be the most instrumental in the formulation of today’s prosperity and freedom.

Staff report

LUMBERTON — Four years of hard work paid off for a Purnell Swett graduate Thursday night when Shakylia Hunt won a new car thanks to her scholastic efforts in the Robeson County Driven 2 Excel program.

LUMBERTON — April was National Poetry Month and to celebrate Robson Community College’s English Department and the Friends of the Arts sponsored the Ninth Annual Poetry Contest.

Newly released health rankings paint a grim picture of North Carolina’s rural Border Belt counties compared to the rest of the state: Residents here are more likely to smoke, be obese, have diabetes, experience frequent mental health issues and die prematurely.

LUMBERTON — Some primary students have shown promise in literacy improvements measured by end-of-year testing, according to the Public Schools of Robeson County.