HERTFORD — Perquimans County residents are all too familiar with the destruction from hurricanes and tropical storms. And although it's been more than 20 years since Hurricane Isabel roared through the county knocking out power and water infrastructure for days, many residents still remember that storm's impact and aftermath. With those memories in mind, many county residents rushed into action last week to help residents of Rutherford County, one of the 27 western North Carolina hard hit by Tropical Storm Helene on Friday, Sept. 27. ...

Northeast Academy for Aerospace and Advanced Technologies’ new Career Center will be unlike any school experience in the state, says the STEM school’s chief executive officer. “We’re really excited to be able to bring a building of this caliber to the region,” Andrew Harris said Tuesday. “I hear a lot of people say things like, ‘I wish there was more hands-on learning in schools; I wish we really supported trades in schools.’ And schools are doing that, but this center is going to be state...

Northeast Academy for Aerospace and Advanced Technologies’ new Career Center will be unlike any school experience in the state, says the STEM school’s chief executive officer. “We’re really excited to be able to bring a building of this caliber to the region,” Andrew Harris said Tuesday. “I hear a lot of people say things like, ‘I wish there was more hands-on learning in schools; I wish we really supported trades in schools.’ And schools are doing that, but this center is going to be state...

It’s unusual for someone in California to write to a paper in North Carolina but my vote isn’t going to count this November and yours will. So this year, you folks are making the decision for all of us. While I won’t try to tell you who to vote for, I will tell you how to vote: wisely and soberly. Imagine you are on a jury and you have been entrusted with the awesome responsibility of deciding whether someone lives or dies. Put aside your...

Area residents who plan to cast their ballot either by mail or on Election Day, Nov. 5, must register to vote at their county board of elections office by 5 p.m. on Friday. Persons who miss the deadline will still have a chance to register and vote during the state’s 17-day early voting period that starts Thursday, Oct. 17, and continues through Saturday, Nov. 2. Under state law, the regular...

“So what?” According to special counsel Jack Smith, that was Donald Trump expressing his trademark compassion, care and concern for his vice president, Mike Pence, who was being threatened by the Jan. 6 rioters. Of course, it was Trump himself who had endangered Pence with a post on Twitter (now X) saying that Pence lacked the “courage” to do what Trump believed he should have done — block the certification of Joe Biden’s victory. ...

I’ve worked as an official in three elections, including one presidential election. I’ve seen nothing but experienced, dedicated professionals doing their jobs, attending scrupulously to rules and details. Given my positive election experiences, I’m wondering why there’s an intensive effort this year in some states to make voting harder. Could the recent spate of restrictive election laws be inspired by Donald Trump’s 2020 baseless claims of fraud? Possibly. But restrictive...

I reported last week about the decided move of young women to the political left and away from the religious affiliation of their childhood. But these measures, at least in the short run, do not appear to be relevant to the success young women are having in day-to-day living in America. By measures such as work and academic achievement, young women are doing much better than young men. Regarding work,...

CURRITUCK — The Currituck Board of Commissioners didn’t look too far to find the county’s next manager. Rebecca Gay, the county’s assistant manager and interim manager since former Donald “Ike” McRee Jr.’s retirement April 1, has been named county manager, the county said in a press release Tuesday. Bob White, chairman of the Currituck Board of Commissioners, said he expects the board to conduct a formal vote on Gay’s appointment...

Many voters haven’t cast a ballot since our state’s voter ID requirement went into effect in 2023. As you plan to vote in this critical election this fall, please remember to bring your ID with you to the polls. Most of us will simply show our state driver’s license, but many other types of photo ID will be accepted. The N.C. State Board of Elections' website has more information at ncsbe.gov. ...

HERTFORD — A Perquimans County pumpkin seller turned a $10 sale into a $150,000 windfall by playing the N.C. Education Lottery’s newest lottery game. Roy Story told state lottery officials Tuesday that someone gave him $10 for a pumpkin he sold them, and that he then used the money to buy a $5 Xtreme Cashword ticket Monday from the Sun Farms store in the 1300 block of U.S. Highway 17 South, Elizabeth City. ...

HERTFORD — A Perquimans County pumpkin seller turned a $10 sale into a $150,000 windfall by playing the N.C. Education Lottery’s newest lottery game. Roy Story told state lottery officials Tuesday that someone gave him $10 for a pumpkin he sold them, and that he then used the money to buy a $5 Xtreme Cashword ticket Monday from the Sun Farms store in the 1300 block of U.S. Highway 17 South, Elizabeth City. ...

CAMDEN — Less than a week after a Shiloh resident surrendered 73 dogs to the SPCA of Northeastern North Carolina, the Camden commissioners have agreed to give $15,000 to the SPCA to help cover the costs of caring for the animals. The Camden Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Monday to allot $15,000 from the county’s contingency funds to the SPCA. The commissioners’ vote followed comments from Lisa Harman-Wakefield, president of the SPCA. ...

MAPLE — Currituck County’s second annual combined aviation and agricultural festival began with a running start on Saturday. This year’s “Planes and Plows” celebration got underway at Currituck Regional Airport at 11 a.m., about 30 minutes after officials wrapped up an awards ceremony for nearly 200 runners who participated in the first-ever Race on the Runway. The race raised about $5,000 for Kids First, Inc. in Elizabeth City. Saturday a...

Hurricane Helene carved a path of unprecedented destruction across six states in our region. We are still assessing our tremendous losses, giving thanks to first responders, celebrating every life that was spared and mourning those who we lost. Now, as we dig out and begin to rebuild, we must take a sober look at what factors caused this devastation. What lessons can we apply from this tragedy to increase our resilience in the face of climate change caused by the burning of fossil fuels over...

In rural North Carolina, more than 3 million citizens are speaking up this election with a strong voice. It is imperative that Democrats not only hear but actively engage with issues essential to our communities — from access to health care, access to healthy food and quality education to sustainable economics through small businesses and farming. Rural communities are great places to live. They offer a quiet, clean environment surrounded by nature, outdoor recreation and good neighbors. However, our communities lack economic opportunities. Our young...

MAPLE — A U.S. Coast Guard senior chief was the overall winner of Saturday’s inaugural Race on the Runway “10K Tarmac” at Currituck Regional Airport. Senior Chief Brian Anderson, who is assigned to the Aviation Logistics Center on the campus of Base Elizabeth City, completed the 10K trail with a time of 42:37.74. Finishing second was fellow Coastie Derrick Andre, 29, with a time of 44:25.50. Cori Purrington finished sixth...

Tina, a North Carolina state employee, has struggled with obesity since her mid-20s. After her son was born, her weight spiraled — high blood pressure, pre-diabetes and a family history of diabetes threatened her health. When she learned that the North Carolina State Health Plan would no longer cover medications used for obesity management, her hope for better health and quality of life was crushed. Earlier this year, the NCSHP voted to discontinue coverage for these critical medications. While the board cited short-term financial concerns...

You can learn a lot about people when they are under stress. We see them at their best — or worst. Hurricane Helene is revealing both. My family has experienced what it is like to be without power, water and refrigeration, with mud and debris in your home. You feel alone, overwhelmed and sad. We have also rejoiced when strangers we never met came to help muck out the house, haul out furniture and belongings that must be discarded, do carpentry work and saw tree...

When the U.S. and France launched a call for a temporary ceasefire in Lebanon on Sept. 26, they were confident that Benjamin Netanyahu backed it. A day later, still in New York for the UN general assembly meeting, the Israeli prime minister approved the airstrike on Beirut that killed the leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah. Many in Lebanon — as well as in Israel, Syria and elsewhere — will not mourn a man with so much blood on his hands. But they are terrified. More...