SOUTHEASTERN NC (WECT) – East Carolina University leaders are considering opening a dental community learning center in Southeastern NC.

According to Kim Smith, the health director at ECU, the university is considering putting a center in either Columbus, Bladen, or Brunswick counties.

Smith says that whichever county ECU ends up choosing, the school will pay for the building, but the county must donate two acres of land.

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WECT) – The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation released its 2012 health rankings for North Carolina and the results are not good for Bladen County.

Bladen County weighs in at number 97 in the list, falling one place from its 96th ranking in 2011.

The report is based on several factors, including lifespan, exercise habits, medical access and similar factors. 

The poor ranking in Bladen County is based in part on obesity, premature deaths and physical inactivity.

Click here to see the specific details for Bladen County.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Bladen County School’s cafeteria managers have been awarded the Golden A for operating first-rate cafeterias, according to the school system’s website.

The Bladen County Health Department Board of Health presented all thirteen school cafeterias with the honor.

According to Bladen County schools, a school cafeteria must score a grade of 97 or above on each inspection made between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012.

This is the third year in a row the school cafeterias have received the Golden A award.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.