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

Pender County Cooperative Extension is urging residents to remain alert following reports that unsolicited seed packets are again being mailed to U.S. addresses. In 2020, mysterious packets of seeds originating from China were sent to households across the country. In early 2026, the Texas Department of Agriculture confirmed that similar shipments have resumed, with 16 known seed packets recently delivered to locations across Texas. At this time, no seed packets have been re

I only have one question coming into this new year - who exactly thought a McDonald's McRib was really made of ribs? Is a lawsuit necessary to bring to light that we live in a society that enjoys foods made by machines and shaped in a pleasant way? Nonsense. Do better people. Were you one of the hundreds of people that plunged into the Atlantic Ocean for the Dolphin Dip or the Shrimp Dip on New Year’s Day? Bravo to you if you took the dip! This year our area celebrated th

– Free interactive tool helps North Carolina residents assess current habits, build personalized plans to improve brain health — Visuals: Healthy habits stock photos courtesy of the Alzheimer’s Association The Alzheimer’s Association – Eastern North Carolina Chapter is encouraging all North Carolina residents to try its new Brain Health Habit Builder , a free web-based tool designed to empower individuals to assess their current habits and take proactive steps to improve t

Volume VI, Issue 1 is now released! Click on "Click to View" to enlarge the e-newspaper copy or Click Here . If the above two links do not behave nicely on your device(s), please click the button below to access our PDF version! Please be aware that there may be some images or other items used in our newspaper program that may not appear correctly with the PDF version compared to our viewer above. Volume 6, Issue 1 features articles written by Dorothy Royal, Kim McGahey, Kara

On December 17th, the United States Senate passed Congressman Rouzer’s (R-NC-07) legislation, H.R. 474, the Lumbee Fairness Act . This legislation grants full federal recognition to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, marking a historic milestone in the Tribe’s generations-long pursuit of recognition. The Lumbee Fairness Act was included in S.1071, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and now heads to the President’s desk for signature. “Today is truly a great a

The Onslow County Sheriff’s Office has made an arrest following an extensive investigation into the death of a juvenile that occurred in December 2025. Around 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 11, 2025, deputies responded to a 911 call about a missing child at 236 Old Timber Road in Jacksonville. Shortly after deputies arrived, they found a 16-month-old boy unconscious and submerged in water inside a container on the front porch of the home. Deputies and Emergency Medic

By Joanna Cho I am writing to emphasize the value of sports and reading in our community. Both activities can greatly benefit children, teens, and even adults of our area. According to ISM Sports, “Sports encompass much more than mere recreational activities; they are an integral part of our lives, shaping individuals and communities. They provide a platform for individuals to showcase their skills, compete, and connect with others with similar interests. Moreover, sports c

Kellum Deputies with the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office have arrested three additional suspects related to a fatal assault that took place on December 22nd. Radford III Bobby William Kellum, 21, of 201 Dale Drive, of Jacksonville , is charged with assault, inflicting serious injury and received a $10,000 unsecured bond. Anderson Kelvin Treymaine Anderson, 30, of 1506 Onslow Pines Road in Jacksonville , is charged with felony obstruction of justice, simple assault