The New Bern Historical Society is looking for a few good ghosts. Whether you are a spirited novice or have lots of ghostly experience, the Historical Society wants you to portray the historic characters in this year’s Ghostwalk. Ghostwalk brings to life noted personalities from New Bern’s past right in the very locations they may have been seen. There’s no need to worry though, all the apparitions in these stories are from the pages of history, not from science fiction. Each year a new and different batch of spirits appear. Auditions will be Thursday, Aug. 2, at 6:00 p.m. at the Attmore-Oliver House at 511Read More →

Audiences filled the auditorium quickly for Curator Jim Hodges’ “New Bern Then and Now” presentation, so much so that the New Bern Historical Society decided to do another encore. Aug. 8 will bring another opportunity to see and hear this popular lecture filled with photos and images from New Bern’s history. Hodges explains many of the “Used to Be’s” in New Bern. Captain Ratty’s used to be Duffy’s Drug Store, Morgan’s used to be True Tread Tires, First Citizens Bank sits where used to be the Hotel Queen Anne. This popular speaker will reveal the past and current status of more than 30 New BernRead More →

The Lifetime Learning Center at Craven Community College (Craven CC) will host a performance by the North Carolina Baroque Orchestra (NCBO) on Friday, Aug. 3. The performance will be led by conductor Frances Blaker and take place at Orringer Auditorium, located on the New Bern campus. NCBO will present a program called “Fiori del barocco: Flowers of the Baroque” as a finale to the ensemble’s second annual orchestral retreat. Composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Evaristo Felice Dall’Abaco, Antonio Vivaldi and more will be featured in a concert of baroque gems played on period instruments. Formed by sisters and musical collaborators Frances Blaker and BarbaraRead More →

NCDOT is advising motorists traveling on U.S. 17 in Jones County of a Road Closure/Detour beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday July 13, which is expected to last through 11 p.m. on July 15. This detour is part of the U.S. 17 Bypass project, and the impact on through traffic is expected to be high. Motorists travelling North on U.S. 17 will be routed onto the detour in Maysville using White Oak River Road, to Pole Pocossin Road, to Lee’s Chapel Road, and back onto U.S. 17 in Pollocksville. Motorists travelling South on U.S. 17, will be routed onto the detour at Lee’s Chapel RoadRead More →

The North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association, creator and host of the annual NCRLA Chef Showdown presented by Got to be NC Agriculture, announced the 21 chefs selected to compete in its third annual cooking competition. Among those selected is Antonio Campolio of Persimmons Waterfront Restaurant in New Bern. The chefs and pastry chefs, all based in North Carolina, advance after cooking up the highest-rated dishes across three regional competitions. The main NCRLA Chef Showdown event takes place on Monday, Aug. 27, at Aria at Founders Hall in the Bank of America Center in Uptown Charlotte, N.C. From the Persimmons website: At the age of 12, ChefRead More →

For soldiers wounded in battle in the Civil War, the outcome was often grim. For soldiers wounded in World War II, the outcome was far different. Renowned historian Ed Bearss was with the 3rd Marine Raider Battalion in the invasion of Guadalcanal and the Russell Islands, and the 1st Marine Division in New Britain. In 1944, Bearss was severely wounded by Japanese machine gun fire and spent 26 months recovering in various hospitals. In his 12th annual visit to New Bern, Bearss will discuss medical conditions over the years and the possible outcome if he had suffered his extensive injuries during the Civil War. SeeRead More →

Mayor Dana Outlaw declares the first and second motions dead based on lack of seconds. Alderman Sabrina Bengel promptly followed up with another motion that passed on a 4-1 vote.   Newly elected aldermen outvoted their more senior colleagues on Tuesday, initiating a more lenient utility rate deposit policy that takes effect July 1 but is not retroactive. On Alderman Sabrina Bengel’s motion and Alderman Jameesha Harris’ second, the board voted 4-3 for the revised policy, which states: Per fiscal year, deposits will not be assessed on the first payment arrangement.  Payment arrangements may be billed as installments.  No late penalties or fees will beRead More →

More than 700 educators, business leaders, and elected officials filled the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center on Tuesday afternoon for the sold-out Partners In Education Spring Luncheon. The annual event helps raise money for Craven County schools through PIE grant programs. The organization, Partners In Education is the local education foundation for Craven County Schools.  PIE awarded more than $170,000 through a variety of grants and programs during the 2017-18 school year, PIE President Ervin Patrick said. Dr. Cecil Staton, Chancellor of East Carolina University, served as keynote speaker. John Bircher, attorney with White & Allen, and a 1988 graduate of West Craven High School,Read More →

Note: Links expire when next agenda is posted CITY OF NEW BERN BOARD OF ALDERMEN MEETING JUNE 12, 2018 – 6:00 P.M. CITY HALL COURTROOM 300 POLLOCK STREET 1. Meeting opened by Mayor Dana E. Outlaw.  Prayer Coordinated by Alderman Odham.  Pledge of Allegiance. 2. Roll Call. 3. Request and Petition of Citizens. This section of the Agenda is titled Requests and Petitions of Citizens.  This is an opportunity for public comment, and we thank you for coming to the Board of Aldermen meeting tonight to share your views.  We value all citizen input.Speaker comments are limited to a maximum of 4 minutes during the public comment period. Read More →

Today during a special announcement at New Bern High School, Steve Tapley was named the new head football coach. Prior to his arrival at New Bern, Tapley coached the offensive line for four years while serving as the Run Game Coordinator, Offensive Coordinator, and Assistant Head Coach under Ron Turner at Wilkes Central High School in Wilkesboro, N.C. During those years several Eagles posted record numbers.  In each season an Eagle rusher gained more than 1,000 yards, with three players gaining more than 2,000 yards rushing. In their most productive season, the Eagles gained over 3,000 yards on the ground while giving up only 6Read More →