Latest Articles

Former Governor Jim Holshouser passed away today at First Health of the Carolinas Medical Center in Pinehurst after a period of declining health.
The Saturday (6-8-13) front page and Sunday (6-9-13) editorial of the Washington Daily News is a fine example of how facts can be misinterpreted and spun to fit a political agenda.
Beaufort County Community College has announced its registration schedule for the Basic Law Enforcement Training Night Academy for the Fall 2013 Semester.
A bill to create an independent Public Charter Schools Board represents an unprecedented attempt to supplant the power of the State Board of Education...
Governor Pat McCrory and North Carolina Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker announced today that GE Aviation, a global leader in jet engine and aircraft system production, is pursuing a major advanced manufacturing expansion at four facilities in North Carolina.
North Carolina legislators can maximize their flexibility for tax reform and unanticipated Medicaid spending by using a "reverse logrolling" approach to the final state budget deal. That's the conclusion of a new John Locke Foundation Spotlight report.
It's interesting that they are finally noticing The Rural Center 26 years after its establishment while the GOP controls the state's executive and legislative branches.
The North Carolina Senate Finance Committee today introduced a tax reform package that eliminates the corporate tax, lowers and flattens personal income taxes, and eliminates the sales tax on food.
The Vidant Beaufort Hospital Volunteer Department recently awarded scholarships totaling $4,800 to 10 local students for their service to the hospital.
Governor Pat McCrory signed Executive Order 15 today to temporarily waive vehicle size and weight restrictions so utility and repair crews can more easily maneuver throughout the state to restore power from Thursday's storm.
We read that the Anointed One's administration is opening a "criminal Investigation" into who leaked the classified documents related to the federal government tracking Americans' phone calls and emails. (Another of Bispo's Laws at work: When in doubt, ATTACK)
This week, I voted against the House version of the budget. This was a very difficult decision but it came down to one primary issue, the future of our rural communities.

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Government

For Immediate Release:

Statement from Governor Jim Holshouser's Family

Governor Jim Holshouser's family asked that the Office of Governor McCrory release the following statement on its behalf:

Southern Pines, NC Governor Jim HolshouserFormer Governor Jim Holshouser passed away today at First Health of the Carolinas Medical Center in Pinehurst after a period of declining health. Holshouser was elected in 1972 as North Carolina's 68th governor and the first Republican governor since 1896. He was the youngest NC governor ever elected and the last NC governor not eligible to run for a second term. Holshouser remained an active public servant until just a few weeks ago as a member of the Board of Governors for the University of North Carolina system, the National Mortgage Settlement task force, and the Public Policy and Affairs group with the law firm of Nexsen Pruet.

Holshouser conti... (read more)
Publisher's note: The author of this post is Dan Way, an associate editor for the Carolina Journal, John Hood Publisher.

State constitution places State Board of Education in charge of K-12, critics say

RALEIGH A bill to create an independent Public Charter Schools Board represents an unprecedented attempt to supplant the power of the State Board of Education and may violate the state constitution, critics of the proposed legislation say.

"I don't know of any effort in the history of the state, certainly not since the current constitution was written, to try to usurp the State Board of Education's authority like this," said Jeanette Doran, executive director and general counsel of the North Carolina Institute for Constitutional Law.

If Senate Bill 337 were passed, "I would be stunned if this was not the subject of litigation," Doran said. "I do know of at least three individual... (read more)

Op-Ed & Politics

Publisher's Note: This article originally appeared in the Beaufort Observer.

The Saturday (6-8-13) front page and Sunday (6-9-13) editorial of the Washington Daily News is a fine example of how facts can be misinterpreted and spun to fit a political agenda. Had informed sources been interviewed the Daily News would at least have had more than one opinion. Within both articles there was only one set of opinion. They came predominately from one source: The Beaufort County Sheriff's Department. I guess the Daily News and the Sheriff knows all there is to know about electrical systems and their maintenance.

There was an electrical problem in the jail. Now the Sheriff and the local mullet wrapper think we should build a new jail. The idea seems to be "if it is old or needs repair" we throw it away and buy a new one. The majority of the county commissioners have allowed the Sheriff to do ... (read more)
Publisher's note: The author of this post is Dan Way, an associate editor for the Carolina Journal, John Hood Publisher.

State constitution places State Board of Education in charge of K-12, critics say

RALEIGH A bill to create an independent Public Charter Schools Board represents an unprecedented attempt to supplant the power of the State Board of Education and may violate the state constitution, critics of the proposed legislation say.

"I don't know of any effort in the history of the state, certainly not since the current constitution was written, to try to usurp the State Board of Education's authority like this," said Jeanette Doran, executive director and general counsel of the North Carolina Institute for Constitutional Law.

If Senate Bill 337 were passed, "I would be stunned if this was not the subject of litigation," Doran said. "I do know of at least three individual... (read more)

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Community

Two candidates for Sheriff, one incumbent and one challenger, in King County, Washington both want to legalize marijuana. Their argument: for the kids.

The Seattle Times reports that both incumbent Sheriff Steve Strachan and his challenger John Urquhart both desire to decriminalize marijuana use. The argument that legalization and then regulation plus taxation would limit the access to kids is where both candidates agree.

“With alcohol being highly regulated, we’re able to have a more reasonable discussion about it, in societies and in our families. If we treat marijuana like people are already informally treating it, you can make choices based on boundaries set by parents… (Currently) people are sort of winking at it. It lives it this kind of limbo –- its illegal, but also not. I think discussions will lead to better outcomes than the really ambiguous, confusing messages ... (read more)

Business

For Immediate Release:

Project would create 242 new jobs and bring a capital investment of $195 million over the next five years

Raleigh, NC Governor Pat McCrory and North Carolina Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker announced today that GE Aviation, a global leader in jet engine and aircraft system production, is pursuing a major advanced manufacturing expansion at four facilities in North Carolina. The project would create 242 new jobs and bring a capital investment of $195 million over the next five years.

GE Aviation would produce engine components made of advanced ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials at a new facility located next to the existing GE Aviation machining plant in Asheville. This technology will result in enhanced performance and improved durability of engines, which translates into lower fuel and maintenance costs for customers. The project would also increase ... (read more)

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The Region

Press Release:

Thinking of a career in law enforcement?

Beaufort County Community College has announced its registration schedule for the Basic Law Enforcement Training Night Academy for the Fall 2013 Semester.

The deadline to submit all required paperwork in the 16-week academy is Monday, Aug. 5. Class will begin on Thursday, Aug. 15.

Students will attend class 6 to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday on the BCCC campus as well as some weekends, according to BLET Director Larry Barnes.

BCCC offers the BLET program accredited by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission and the North Carolina Sheriffs' Commission. It is designed to give students the skills needed for entry-level employment as law enforcement officers with state, county or municipal law enforcement or private enterprise. Successful completion of a BLET academy also fulfills 18 hours or on... (read more)

The Arts

Where Were you When Osama bin Laden Died?

I know where I was when Osama was killed by Seal Team 6. It was a Sunday night in North Carolina, and I was no closer to that cathartic event than was Barack Obama.

In short in total reality, we (Americans) are mostly all far removed from the indelicacies of terrorists, terrorism, and those good heroes that protect us from it. "Zero Dark Thirty" is about those who tread in dark places for the common benefit of all. It is a terrible place, a pitiable existence for this new patriot, made worse by the conflicts of an American society that tends to channel, and reward, the better angels of its citizenry, but these patriots: the foreign service of intelligence and super soldiers of the special variety endure it nonetheless. This film is their story, a veritable thank-you note for all they do, and all they have done that makes it possible for ... (read more)
Love is Many Things, Although ...

They say love can make you a little crazy. And the movie begins by showing how 2 people are living proof of that. Pat (Bradley Cooper) loves his wife, Nikki. But after he came home unexpectedly and caught her in the shower with another man, he nearly killed him. As part of a plea bargain, he agreed to spend 8 months in a psychiatric ward and take medication for his bipolar disorder. During that time, he became determined to win his wife back through hard work and selfless acts.

Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence, Academy-award winner) loved her husband. And after he died in a tragic car accident she felt responsible for him being out driving at the time and she sank into a deep funk - interrupted only by frequent, meaningless sex.

The title of the movie is "Silver Linings Playbook" and that's because Pat is determined to find the silver lining in ... (read more)

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Living

For Immediate Release:

(Washington, N.C.) The Vidant Beaufort Hospital Volunteer Department recently awarded scholarships totaling $4,800 to 10 local students for their service to the hospital. To be eligible for the scholarship the student must serve as a volunteer at the hospital for at least three summers and work at least 34 hours each summer.

During the summer months, Vidant Beaufort Hospital is supported by a group of junior volunteers called "volunteens." These dedicated students provide a great service to the hospital and patients as well as get a first-hand look at the health care industry. According to Jan Hamblin, Manager of Volunteer Services at the hospital, "our junior volunteers do so many things to help our hospital staff and patients. They do anything from discharging patients, delivering various items throughout the hospital, to certain clerical duties. It i... (read more)

Announcements

Mrs. Gloria S. Sawyer, age 63, a resident of 6863 Free Union Church Road, Pinetown, died Tuesday, March 27, 2012, at her home.

Arrangements will be announced by Paul Funeral Home of Belhaven.... (read more)

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