Author: Jeff Aydelette

Known as a referendum. The proposed increase, if approved by a majority of voters, would take the current rate from 6.75 percent to an even 7 percent – possibly boosting county revenues by an estimated $400,000 per year. Back in April, the Pamlico County Board…

Older generations turn out to support Snowden’s K thru 8 AURORA – A quick look along the packed pews of New Growth Unlimited Ministries Church last Thursday evening, Sept. 5, hinted at part of the problem – a dearth of young parents! Grandparents and even…

ORIENTAL – Family-owned small businesses are the backbone of America, especially when second generation owners carry on customer relationships originally forged by their fathers. Brantley Norman, Jr. – along with his mother, daughter, and plenty of family members — now handles the reins of Brantley’s…

In 5-2 vote, Commissioners set higher rate. Riggs & Ollison oppose hike. Voting For Higher Tax Voting Against Higher Tax News Commentary BAYBORO – Citing concerns Monday night that a dreaded hurricane (or two) this season might impale the county’s ‘fund balance’ (government-speak for an…

Vast Tract of Timberland Sprayed with Herbicide STRAIGHT ROAD – Monday night, the Pamlico County Commissioners heard from a trio of concerned citizens who fear that recent spraying on land now owned by International Paper (formerly Weyerhaeuser) jeopardizes wildlife, nearby streams, and possibly humanity. “If…

Edith Adams – a beautiful, talented and brave young black woman – left Oriental in the early 1960s. Bound for New York City, she was full of hope and spirit, eager to pursue her dreams. In March of 1965, things had come together. Her son’s…

Cyberattack on unrelated claims-payer impales cash flow NEW BERN – Hospital officials were in Raleigh Tuesday afternoon and received a friendly reception from a state agency known as the Local Government Commission, which must first give its blessings before units of government and public authorities…

NEW BERN – Breeze Airways, which bills itself as a ‘seriously nice’ airline, received a warm, well-attended Tuesday morning greeting from area VIPs, and future passengers! Turns out Emily Jones, age 11, may well be one of the first to board when Breeze begins flights…

Email comments opposing insurance rate increases All homeowners in eastern North Carolina are urged to submit public comment about staggering proposed insurance rate increases. The North Carolina Rate Bureau recently filed a request with the North Carolina Department of Insurance for an average statewide increase…

BAYBORO – Hard-ball intra-party politics reared its head Monday night as four conservative Republicans on the Pamlico County Commission – Doug Brinson, Candy Bohmert, Kari Forrest, and Missy Baskervill – teamed up to oust fellow Republican Ed Riggs Jr. as Chairman of the seven-member board….

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….

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…