A few days ago, with my wife and family, I drove along I-77 up into Virginia and turned west on I-81 driving alongside large, luscious, spring green pastures towards historic Abingdon, home of the Barter Theater. From there we made our way to the Washington Springs United Methodist Church in Glade Spring from where my late brother Mike made his home for many years. Gathered there was a large group of friends Mike had made when he lived nearby. ...

When you live far from your hometown, every change in the landscape is more noticeable upon visits back. During my years of living away from Johnson City, one place that I could always count on being unchanged was Earl’s Barber Shop. Somewhere there is a lifelong customer of Earl’s putting off the next haircut until he visits home later this spring. He’ll be shaggy and disappointed, but not surprised. After 67 years of standing behind customers, Earl Rice has retired. ...

Republicans in Martin County and throughout North Carolina will head back to the polls on Tuesday, May 14. While most of the nominees for state and national office were chosen in March, two offices will require runoff elections. Runoffs are an option for candidates by law in cases where no candidate receives more than 30 percent of the vote. Candidates have requested runoffs for the Republican nominees for Lieutenant Governor...

There is a peculiar story unique to Luke’s telling of Jesus’ life. After the resurrection, we know that Jesus revealed Himself to the women who came with spices, but He also converses with loyal friends. I say they are loyal; however, the picture we catch them in looks a little sketchy. They are leaving Jerusalem. Not expecting any more to the story other than Christ’s horrific death two days prior, they head toward a town seven miles away - Emmaus. ...

I entered Bertie High School in the Fall of 1985 with both trepidation and excitement. After spending Kindergarten at C.G. White and spending grades one through eight at Askewville Elementary School, Bertie High at the time was intimidating. There were — if memory serves — 1,200 students at the high school then. While that was a little bit concerning, I was also excited about meeting new people and getting the...

Martin County Schools’ third College and Career Fair, held Wednesday, March 27, perfectly illustrated the district’s goal to provide every student with every possible opportunity. The theme for 2024 — The Game of Life. Students in grades seven through 12 had a chance to check out over 50 businesses and post-high school education opportunities represented onsite. ...

It all adds up — trophies that is. Bear Grass Charter School math teacher Ashley Cullipher recently displayed the trophies that added up to numerous top place finishes. The Bear Grass Charter School math team participated in the East Carolina University Math Competition last month and had an impressive finish once again bringing home awards. ...

The Beta Upsilon chapter of the North Carolina Delta Kappa Gamma service organization for women educators gathered for a breakfast meeting on Feb. 10 at the Heritage House Restaurant in Windsor. President Dr. Phyllis Broughton called the meeting to order with 26 members present representing Martin, Bertie, Gates, Hertford, Tyrell and Washington counties. Melissa Dana, chapter president of the Alpha Omega Chapter of Beaufort County, was welcomed as a guest. ...

While Martin County citizens continue to struggle with healthcare needs and solutions regarding the state of Martin General Hospital have yet to be settled, there is hope on the horizon for those seeking medical attention in Martin County. Agape Health Services held a ribbon cutting ceremony yesterday at their newest Williamston location at 220 Green St. celebrating the reopening of Roanoke River Orthopedics. “Following a period of uncertainty and the...

Trillium Health Resources is a major component in Martin County’s healthcare initiatives and focuses on one of the state’s major health problems, mental health. On July 1, the organization will begin offering tailored plans for members. During Fiscal Year 2022-2023 over 40,000 individuals with severe behavioral needs were served by Trillium Health Resources (THR) in the five regions supported by Trillium, according to Regional Vice President Bobbie Lowe. ...

Two exciting opportunities for farmers are coming up this spring. North Carolina Cooperative Extension is hosting the Northeast NC Livestock Field Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21 at the Tidewater Research Station in Plymouth. Hands-on “in the field” and classroom topics that will be covered during the field day are: introduction to pasture ecology;pasture plants — identification and management of weeds and forages;temporary and perimeter...

On April 4, 2024 the Martin County Sheriff’s Department arrested an individual for the following charges which are statutory rape and sex act: sub or custodian. The individual charged with the above charges was James Edward Tyrrell. Martin County Sheriff’s Office Incidents ...

The next time someone says “Gimme Five!” offer them these five tips that lead to true celebration. Believe everything happens for our greater good. There is a needed lesson in every adversity we encounter. When we learn the lesson, we stop having to deal with that adversity. If we fail to learn it, we get to continue to encounter it. Always ask, “What can I learn from this?” If you...

Martin County baseball traveled to Tarboro on Tuesday, April 2 to play North East Carolina Prep. Martin County came to play ball on Tuesday scoring six runs in the first inning with NECP not scoring any. NECP went with no runs scored for the entire game. Martin county scored two runs in the second inning,...

Both the Bear Grass Charter School baseball and softball teams participated in Easter tournaments. Bears Baseball play in Pitt County Classic On Saturday, March 30 the Bear Grass baseball team faced the Pine Forest Trojans. Bear Grass started the first inning scoring one run with the Trojans not scoring any. ...

Women’s college basketball got record viewers, Dawn Staley is making South Carolina a dynasty, Dan Hurley has led UConn to back to back championships, the NBA and NHL playoffs are set to begin and the NFL draft is two weeks away. It’s a busy part of the sports calendar. Seems like a good time to revisit something that happened a few years ago. Everyone in the national sports media is discussing the topics I mentioned before. I might too, but I would prefer to see...

Having spent the greatest portion of my years as both a layperson and a professional minister allows me an observational perspective of the many strains people endure to live out their spiritual commitments. I have come to realize that it is all too easy to focus our attention on religiously petty matters and disregard spiritually grievous areas. (Not unlike Jesus’ accusation of the Pharisees “tithing the anise the mint and the cumin but omitting the weightier matters of the law, justice, mercy and faith.”) ...

The Jamesville Volunteer Fire Department will soon be getting a new set of keys to a 2007 Chevy Suburban thanks to the town of Williamston and the Williamston Fire Department. Williamston Fire Chief Michael Peaks received a letter from the Jamesville Volunteer Fire Department requesting the Williamston board consider donating that vehicle to their department. The first appeared on the Williamston agenda in February, but was moved to the March meeting. ...

Richard Nathan Harper, 51, of Fairfield, VA passed away Tuesday, March 26, 2024. He was born April 26, 1972, in Alexandria, VA the son of John R. Harper and stepmother Cindy Harper and Rebecca S. Ingram and stepfather Marvin Ingram. Rick will be dearly missed by all. He was a beloved son, father, husband, best friend, and world’s greatest Pop-pop. Surviving are his wife of 2 ½ years, Penny R. Harper; children, Ayana Logan, Alexandrea Marie Harper (Joey Beverly), Hannah Nichole Harper, Jonathan Riley Harper, Anthony Michael Dudley (Allise), Kayla Dawn Angus, and Samantha Ann Thurston (Joshua); grandchildren, Kaylee Nicole Beverly, Amelia Starlett Dudley, Amara Lynn Dudley, Anthony Christopher Dudley, and Michael Wayne Burley; sisters, Lisa Milano (Michael) and Jamie Harper; nieces, Reganne Milano and Ava Milano; many aunts, uncles, and cousins. A memorial service was conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 3, at Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Chapel. Arrangements were handled by Bolling, Grose, & Lotts Funeral Home and Cremation Services. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to please be sent to The Autism Society of Central Virginia.

But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net. And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. - Luke 5: 5-6 There are three very important things revealed in these two verses. First, Peter called Jesus Master. Second he obeyed. Third, blessing came...