BY NICOLE BOWMAN-LAYTON
A round-up of things happening in Northeastern North Carolina …
A recent article in the News & Observer, included an interview with former Edenton Police Chief Henry King. Police chiefs and sheriffs are lobbying state lawmakers to allow veteran officers keep their badges and retirement benefits to help address the staffing crisis many departments face.
According to the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police, of which King is past president, the move would allow departments hold onto experienced leaders.
King is now deputy chief with the Winston-Salem State University Police Department. You can watch a video podcast interviewing King here.
The article notes that in 2024, King hit his 30-year anniversary as a local police officer in North Carolina and had to decide whether to retire or forfeit thousands of dollars a year under a special retirement benefit for law enforcement.
King retired at 51 after deciding it wouldn’t benefit him to stay because he would lose money.
The benefit, “special separation allowance,” kicks in when officers serve 30 years or turn 55 with at least five years of service.
If they retire, they can start collecting the benefit, usually thousands of dollars, until they turn 62. If they don’t retire, they lose part of the benefits.
With about 20 police chiefs around the state expected to retire in the next few years, the North Carolina Association of Police Chiefs is taking action.
The group, along with other law enforcement officials, is pushing for the passage of two companion bills, Senate Bill 320 and House Bill 50, to allow officers eligible for the special separation allowance to defer retirement but not forfeit their eligibility.
A similar bill was introduced last session but didn’t pass.
The entire article can be found, possibly behind a paywall, at https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article305466166.html
We weren’t here for King’s retirement, but we were here when King was hired and for his first few years on the job. I saw him before he left, when we came back during the summer.
His son went to DF Walker with both our sons, but was in a different grade. I remember attending a few events where his department tested new technology. I was a guinea pig when several agencies tested the BolaWrap, which I kept in my work office as a reminder not to get into trouble. King was also out in the community, trying to build partnerships with business owners, school staff, pretty much everyone.
He and current Police Chief David LaFon have similar personalities in that regard. They want the best for their agency and for the people of Edenton.
If either bill becomes law, it could help law enforcement agencies throughout the region that have trouble hiring people.
State taking over buildings
The state of North Carolina could soon acquire two Chowan County buildings directly behind the old courthouse.
During Monday’s meeting, the Chowan County Board of Commissioners approved the contract between the county and state, pending the county attorney’s approval. The contract had been altered several times, and the county is waiting for a revised version from the state.
According to the contract in the agenda packet, the county will give it to the state as a gift, meaning the state will not pay anything. Once the contract is finalized and everything is in order, the contact will be closed in 45 days.
The deal includes the 1825 jail and the 1905 jailer’s residence.
The jail is the oldest documented jail in North Carolina. It was used until the new regional jail (located further down Court Street) was built in 1979-1980.
The Jailer’s Residence is a brick Victorian dwelling. Located between the jail and the Courthouse, the jailer occupied the building until the early 1970s.
We assume the jail and residence will become part of the Historic Edenton State Historic Site properties, which include the 1767 Courthouse (East King Street), James Iredell House (East Church Street), Golden Frinks House (West Peterson Street) and Hayes.
Church seeks input
Edenton Baptist Church wants your input on a program called Helping Communities Thrive.
It is focused on how the congregation can best serve community members who are in need. If you, either with an organization or personally, have an interest in uncovering needs in our community and contributing to the development of actionable answers to those needs, please take a moment to answer the survey. The information will be presented later in the spring. The church hopes to work alongside community members to address some of the needs identified.
To complete the survey, visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_6-XorcYZ69Ujzafai3yzZBHTUXM-wlNfd9CDMhMh3_jGDA/viewform
State to get old county buildings
Hawks picks Mars Hill
John A. Holmes High School’s Cristian Hawks signed his scholarship to play at Mars Hill on Tuesday in the school’s cafeteria.
Hawks plays baseball and football for the Aces. He also participated in several other school organizations, such as FFA.
Mars Hill University is a private school in Mars Hill, near Asheville.
Steamers’ Kids Club
The Edenton Steamers opened registration for its Kids Club. Children who signed up in the past must sign up every year. The opportunity is free for children ages 12 and under.
They will receive a free club T-shirt, four free game tickets, a chance to go to a meet-and-greet event with the players, a discount toward summer baseball camp, and more.
It’s a great way to keep the kids entertained during summer evenings.
For information and to register, visit https://www.edentonsteamers.com/steamers-kid-s-club
Habitat Steward Training
GATESVILLE – North Carolina Wildlife Federation’s Wildlife Habitat Steward Training Certification Program is designed to allow individuals to increase their knowledge and ability to protect, conserve, and restore habitat for local wildlife.
Locally, the course will be held June 6 (8:45 a.m.-4:45 p.m.), June 7 (8:15 a.m.-4 p.m.) and June 8 (8:15 a.m.-3 p.m.) at Merchants Millpond State Park, 176 Mill Pond Rd, Gatesville.
The cost is $85. Registration is due May 16. The application form is at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfcXVpfxrshAn1n4HUrW4_6Z51rCFQKcnnfKDB1J3Mv3zmpiA/viewform online.
For information, email mary@ncwf.org or call 704-965-9307.
Potato Festival coming
ELIZABETH CITY – Mark your calendars! The North Carolina Potato Festival returns to downtown Elizabeth City from May 16 through May 18.
This free, three-day event celebrates the region’s rich agricultural heritage and one of its most famous crop — the potato. Though I think Rock Hock Cantelopes may be more famous.
Organized by Elizabeth City Downtown, Inc., the festival transforms the downtown area into a bustling hub of activity, attracting over 40,000 visitors to the annual event.
Festival Schedule:
Friday, May 16: 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Saturday, May 17: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday, May 18: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Location:
Downtown Elizabeth City, NC. Reference address for parking, 309 S Poindexter St., Elizabeth City NC 27909
One response to “Round-Up: Police Staffing, state takeovers, church survey and local sports”
[…] The Commissioners approved a contract gifting the state of the old county jail and jail keeper’s house, pending the county attorney’s approval. For information, visit a companion story by clicking here. […]