November 25, 2023 | By Press Release

CARTERET COUNTY, NC – On Tuesday, November 7, 2023, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) – Wilmington District took a significant step towards ensuring safe navigation and preserving the natural beauty of Cape Lookout National Seashore by awarding a $6,898,500 contract to Next Generation Logistics for the maintenance dredging of the Back Sound to Lookout Bight Federal Navigation Channel and adjacent National Park Service Channels.
This cooperative effort between the USACE, the National Park Service, the State of North Carolina, and Carteret County, NC, reflect…
November 22, 2023 | By Press Release

Pamlico Community College President Dr. Jim Ross, who led the college to national recognition for student success and helped the institution deal with the challenges of both Hurricane Florence and the COVID-19 pandemic, has announced his retirement after more than seven years at the helm.
The Pennsylvania native cited a need to assist his wife, Pam, as she recovers from surgery and aggressive treatments for liver cancer as the reason for his decision to step away.
The Pamlico Community College Board of Trustees voted Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, to accept Ross’s resignation letter and retirem…
November 21, 2023 | By The County Compass

By Mo Howland | News Opinion
NEW BERN – North Carolina residents own a railroad – well, sort of. In 1849 the North Carolina State legislature authorized a private/public partnership to build an east to west railroad connecting the state. Today we have a 317-mile rail corridor that stretches from Charlotte through New Bern (down Hancock Street) to the Port Terminal in Morehead City.
In 1998, all outstanding shares of the railroad were purchased by the State of North Carolina making North Carolina Railroad Company a private business corporation owned by the State. But don’t expect a dividend…
November 21, 2023 | By Press Release

On 11/18/2023 Carteret County Sheriff’s crime suppression unit (CSU) arrested Brandon Scott Hollamon, 42, of Salter Path Rd, Indian Beach on warrants obtained by the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office.
Hollamon was charged with seventeen various counts of promoting prostitution including prostitution of a minor and was placed in the Carteret County Jail under a
$500,000.00 bond.
Since his incarceration Hollamon has been transported back to New Hanover County for his first court appearance. read more…
November 18, 2023 | By The County Compass

System Pressure Advisory
The water consumers of Pamlico County Water System are experiencing periods of low pressure and outages in the distribution system due to a waterline cut. Water department contractors are making repairs to the system. The following areas are covered under the advisory:
Customers on Gibbtown Rd, Alligator Creek Road, Alligator Loop Road, Hwy 55 from Alligator Creek Road to Gibbtown Road. This includes any other adjacent roads.
Periods of low or no pressure in the distribution system increases the potential for back siphonage and introduction of bacteria into th…
November 17, 2023 | By Press Release

On 11/15/2023 Carteret County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Lord Zafir Allah Justice, 49, of Laurel Road, Beaufort for trafficking opium and heroin.
Detectives conducted several controlled purchases of heroin from Justice who was distributing narcotics across Carteret County.
Sheriffs Office street crimes units conducted a vehicle stop on Hwy 101 where Justice attempted to destroy evidence resulting in contamination of the interior of the vehicle as well as himself.
Justice was charged with three counts of trafficking heroin, one count of possession with intent to manufacture, sel…
November 17, 2023 | By The County Compass

The Fossil Floaters (Nutrien) Team
Gold Medallists
1st Place
Fossil Floaters (Nutrien) Time: 1:16.35
2nd Place
Babes in a Boat Time: 1:22.45
3rd Place
Oriental Dragon Masters Time: 1:23.80
4th Place
Jojo Workin’ Fights Addiction Time: 1:25.59…
November 13, 2023 | By Press Release

On 11/13/2023 Carteret County Sheriff’s deputies charged Toby Christian Cox, 40, of Old Pollocksville Road, New Bern, with one-count of Death by Distribution pursuant to an overdose death investigation.
Cox is currently in custody at the Craven County Detention Center, for other charges, and has been previously charged with additional drug offenses by the Sheriffs Office. Cox has been charged in relation to the May 2023 overdose death of 50-year-old Newport resident Paula Kathryn Parson.
Cox is being held on a $250,000.00 bond and scheduled for his first appearance this week. read more…
November 13, 2023 | By Press Release

On 11/13/2023 Carteret County Sheriff’s deputies arrested James Anthony Forbes, 40, of Dusty Trail, Newport.
Forbes was arrested as a result of an undercover investigation by the Sheriff’s Office Crimes Against Children detectives. This investigation began after numerous child sex offenses were reported to the Sheriff’s Office and investigated in partnership with the Carteret County Department of Social Services.
Forbes was charged with two-counts of Statutory Rape of a Child, one-count of a Sex Offense against a Child by an Adult, and one-count of Indecent Liberties with a Child. F…
November 10, 2023 | By Jeff Aydelette

BRIDGETON – “Here, try a sip of this. I think you’ll enjoy it.” You may hear those words, or similar phrases, from congenial marketers like Tony Ursone of Outer Banks Distilling who is eager to reserve time behind the unique and novel ‘taste testing’ counter.
Ursone is absolutely convinced that an opportunity for customers to sample some of his signature brand, ‘Kill Devil Rum,’ while they are in the store will be stupendous.
I asked him to concisely describe what he foresees as the experience: read more…
November 6, 2023 | By Jeff Aydelette

Shelves in place for 22,000 Bottles of Distilled Spirits
CRAVEN COUNTY – Perhaps the nickname came from being a chip off the old block – you see, Chagnon’s father owned and operated three liquor stores in Massachusetts. Fast forward six or seven decades, and now Chip Chagnon serves as the Chairman of the Craven County Alcohol Beverage Control board – ‘ABC’ for short.
He is a walking – and enthusiastic – encyclopedia of liquor retail. So when he pours out some amazing statistics, like his estimate that a fully stocked, state-of-the art (even glistening) new facility might initially display a wh…
November 6, 2023 | By The County Compass

Beginning with the 2023 municipal elections, North Carolina voters will be asked to show photo ID when they check in to vote. Voters who vote my mail will be asked to include a photocopy of an acceptable ID when returning their ballot by mail.
Download the Pamplet VOTER ID 2023
More information from the website…
November 3, 2023 | By Special to the County Compass

By Bill Garrison | News Analysis
Editor’s note: Mr. Garrison is a retired insurance executive from Connecticut, who now lives near Aurora.
In Greek mythology, a powerful opponent of ancient Greece kidnapped a queen, Helen, and imprisoned her in an impregnable fort. In order to free Helen, Greek officials devised an ingenious plan. They would offer a large gift to procure her release!
The greedy enemy accepted the huge gift, and brought it inside the walls of the fort. That night hundreds of Greek soldiers emerged from the gift, which was a hollow wooden horse. The soldiers captured the fort, r…