1. Tell us a little about yourself, including the position you are running for and what are your qualifications for the position you are seeking. I am a proud single father of 3 children growing up in the Pender County School System. I am a homeowner and a business owner in Pender County. I am also a volunteer and servant in our community and have been for decades, not just because I am running for office. A graduate of UNCW with 20 years dedicated to law enforcement in

1. Tell us a little about yourself, including the position you are running for and what are your qualifications for the position you are seeking. I am running for Pender County Commissioner, District 4 . I come from a family with a strong military tradition, and after high school I followed that path by joining the United States Marine Corps. I served two tours in Afghanistan as a 1371 Combat Engineer , conducting route clearance, demolitions, and counter-IED operations. Th

As part of the national America 250 commemoration, North Carolina will spotlight its uniquely Scottish-influenced path to independence during the North Carolina First in Freedom Festival , culminating in the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge , February 26–28, 2026, at  Moores Creek National Battlefield .  Fought on February 27, 1776, the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge was a decisive Patriot victory and an early turning point in the American Revolution. T

The Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the United States Secret Service, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, has arrested a Jacksonville man following a multi-agency Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigation.  Brandon Allyn Nelson, 40, of Jacksonville, was arrested on Friday, January 23, 2026, and charged with 10 counts of Felony Second Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor .  Nelson r

Election Date: March 3, 2026 Candidates who responded to the questionnaire* have their names in color and underlined. Click on the name to be directed to their responses. Displayed below are candidates for both Pender and Onslow County elections. Seats for election restricted to one county instead of both will be noted. US Senate Margot Dupre (R) Richard Dansie (R) Donald M. (Don) Brown (R) Michael Whatley (R) Elizabeth A. Temple (R) Michele Morrow (R) Thomas Johnson (R) D

I wanted you to know my goals, my experience and my personal history in my run for Pender County Board of Education District 2. My Goals: More parental involvement and participation in schools and School Board meetings. Focus on academic achievement - no CRT, no DEI in curriculum - improve standardized test scores, emphasize the 3R's. Public safety in schools, on buses and on campus - SRO officers in every school - only 2 unlocked doors, front door and back door, each with ar

The Onslow County Sheriff’s Office is devastated to report the tragic loss of two children following a water-related incident on Sunday.  Around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 9, 2026, deputies responded to Mayberry Lane after receiving a 911 call regarding two 7-year-old juveniles who had fallen into a frozen pond.  Deputies, along with officers from the Richlands Police Department, firefighters from Hargett’s Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department and Back Swamp Volunteer Fir

1. Tell us a little about yourself, including the position you are running for and what are your qualifications for the position you are seeking. My name is Camille Costin Harrell, and I am running for Pender County Clerk of Superior Court. I am a lifelong resident of Pender County. My husband, Randy, and I have been married for 34 years. We have two children and one grandchild. I was raised in a humble home of hard-working parents. By their example, I learned that har

A mushroom that has a link to fairy tales? Could be. In the Chinese Province of Yunnan, the Lanmaoa asiatica mushroom, considered a popular food, has been known to lead to hallucinations of seeing little people if the mushroom is eaten partially uncooked. If visiting this area of China, remember to cook your mushrooms for 15 minutes (or more) to avoid seeing lots of little people, described as tiny elves, that are seen on clothing, walls and furnishings. The most interesting

Cape Fear Community College has entered into a new articulation agreement with Johnson & Wales University, creating clear transfer pathways for culinary students to continue their education and earn bachelor’s degrees in food-focused fields.   The agreement established multiple transfer options for CFCC students pursuing careers in culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, and food and beverage leadership. Through the partnership, eligible CFCC graduates can transfer into the fo

By Tom Dareneau For many, the holiday season means full tables and familiar faces. For others, it can be the loneliest — and hungriest — time of year. Each winter, when the regular Meals on Wheels deliveries pause over the Christmas and New Year holidays, a community effort begins. For the eighth consecutive year, the Coastal Pender Rotary Club has partnered with the Topsail Senior Center and Share the Table to deliver holiday food baskets to local residents in need. This p

1. Tell us a little about yourself, including the position you are running for and what are your qualifications for the position you are seeking. I am Thomas Johnson, and I am running for United States Senate in North Carolina's 2026 Republican primary. My story is one of overcoming. I was born into foster care and adopted at age five, arriving in my new home with a stutter, undernourished, and filled with fear. Through my mother's prayers and my own determination, I rose