Author: Special to the County Compass
With More People, Look For Our Area To Be Forever Lost
By Ed Terry | Guest Commentary I will start with, I do not have a degree in economics or political science. I am just a retired working man living on a fixed income who loves Pamlico County (but not as much as when it was…
Building Vandemere’s Future Together: The Heritage Connection Trail
By Sandra Snipes, Mayor Vandemere has always been defined by its people—by the families who have worked its waters, farmed its land, and cared deeply about this place we call home. As generations evolve and change becomes inevitable, preserving and sharing our history becomes even…
Officials Rely on Property Tax to Close Gap
By Paul Slobodian Editor’s note: Mr. Slobodian is a Pamlico County resident who closely monitors the fiscal condition of local government. Over the past five budget cycles, Pamlico County has quietly undergone one of the most significant fiscal expansions in its recent history. What began…
ALERT! Rural Coastal Pamlico County Area — NC Senate Renews Push for Ferry Tolls
By Ken Heath, Chairman | Pamlico County Commission EASTERN NC – With the primary over, the NC Senate is pushing forward on its plan to impose new ferry tolls on routes that have ALWAYS been free – Hatteras-Ocracoke, Cherry Branch-Minnesott (key for Pamlico County), Currituck-Knotts…
Work of Mental Health Visionary to Continue
Mary Houston-Harvey dies, age 80 Herewith a proposal to create a prototype for an entirely new type of mental health facility/community using current healing modalities that balance body, mind and spirit providing a safe, healthy, healing environment for children and teenagers from 10-18 who have…
Partnership, Planning & Progress Determine Aurora’s Future
By Curt Hendrix, Mayor | Town of Aurora, NC Aurora is a town with deep roots, resilient people, and a strong future. As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, we are reminded that communities like ours are the heart of the American story — places…
Heart-Felt Letter For RFK, Jr.
ORIENTAL, NC – My name is Mary Houston-Harvey. I am writing to share with you a one-page proposal for DANI’s (Developmental And Nutritional Integration) Haven. This is an initiative designed to create a safe, healthy, spiritually supportive environment for children who face mental and emotional…
REPENT DEVIL! THANK YOU, ANGEL — Woman, age 91, Harassed At Gas Station
By Ivia Ward I would like to say a few words to the young man that demanded me to buy him some gas at an area gas station a couple of weeks back. You was so rude and demanding. You followed me from my car…
‘Gentleman’s Chair’ in Oriental — Classic Traditional Barbering
A new chapter in traditional barbering is opening its doors with the arrival of The Gentleman’s Chair Barber Shop, owned and operated by Christopher Gilbert. More than just a place for a haircut, the convenient location looks out over the town’s popular waterfront, and is…
My Battle with Government Over Sudden Loss of Wegovy Medication
By Douglas Helvie | U.S. Navy Veteran (Ret.) NEW BERN – In August, 2019, I had bariatric surgery after years of battling with chronic weight issues. For personal history, I stopped drinking alcohol in 1987, when I was 27. I have never used illicit drugs,…
Aurora Designated Historic District
Volunteers known as ‘PARTP’ (Partnership for Aurora & Richland Township) recently announced success from a two-decade quest to have the downtown of Aurora designated as an official Historic District. The effort was revived and energized in April of 2024 as a key task in the…
Nonprofits Hobnob Over Lunch
By Katie Shorter More than 40 Pamlico County nonprofits representatives attended a complimentary luncheon honoring their commitment to serving local residents. As part of its mission to support nonprofits delivering services to Pamlico County residents, fellow nonprofit Imagine Pamlico hosted “Pamlico Proud: A Celebration of…










