BY MILES LAYTON
A round-up of all things from God’s country…
Column mentions a death threat, an alligator sighting, and accolades for Judge Harriss and Superintendent Turner.
First, the News and Observer reports that NC Senators saw a death threat posted to social media after passing HB 442 on Wednesday.
The N&O said that it obtained screenshots of since-deleted Facebook posts that said lawmakers deserve to die and that what happened to Melissa and John Hortman, who were shot and killed in Minnesota, can happen in North Carolina.
Republican Senate Leader Phil Berger, who voted for HB 442, told the N&O, “I just don’t want to talk about any law enforcement response to that. It’s the sort of thing that, given what we’ve seen over the past week or so, and given that the post I saw specifically referenced that incident, it’s not something that we take lightly, and it’s something that is an unfortunate consequence of the way people feel free to speak when they can be either anonymous or semi anonymous on social media.”
If I can say something – the regional and state mainstream media are paying close attention to the gathering storm of revolt against this bill that threatens to destroy the shrimp trawling industry. Legislators, especially coastal ones who voted for HB 442, are under fire from their constituents and the communities where they live, like nothing I’ve seen in many, many years. Let’s not let the support for this important issue be undermined and thrown off track by stories like this from the mainstream media.
Eyes on the prize – gathering support in the House that is expected to vote on this issue next week.
If you want to contact your legislators, the General Assembly’s switchboard number is 919-733-4111.
Moving on, an alligator, maybe between four to five feet long, was discovered earlier this week by one of the doors at Mattamuskeet School, which is out of session for the summer. Animal control was called and the critter was bagged, but not without pitching a fit. Photo comes from Mattamuskeet Schools — a great school that recently broke ground for a $36 million makeover. Congrats Hyde County!
For folks who are not from around these parts, yes, there is the occasional alligator, but it’s not like living in Florida where the gators play golf. I think I saw a graphic from the state that says there are upwards of 1,000 alligators, sounds like a lot but it’s not, spread between the southern end of the state and Swan Quarter.
A few years ago, I was told there was an alligator in the Scuppernong River by the I-64 bridge in Columbia, maybe others upriver as you kayak into the interior. I think I saw an alligator lurking near where I was kayaking in the Intracoastal Waterway bordering Hyde and Tyrrell counties, but he kept his distance.
Folks probably have more to worry about from copperheads and water moccasins than alligators. And it is certainly turtle season, so beware of snapping turtles.
Speaking of the ICW, advice to out-of-state boaters — there is no reason to be barreling through the ICW at full speed; you’re going to get where you are going. More importantly, there are all sorts of fallen trees and whatnot, that you may or may not see, in the ICW, so a steady, cautious approach is best when navigating the passageway, particularly that stretch between the Pungo and Alligator rivers. Take time to enjoy that desolate space – nothing for miles but peace and quiet, clarity.
In other news, District Court Judge Meader Harriss recently presented a speech on the “Practical Aspects of Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act” at the NC Association of District Court Judges 2025 Summer Conference held in Asheville. The UCCJEA governs jurisdictional issues in child custody cases that may arise between states. The UCCJEA is a law adopted by most US states that provides a uniform framework for determining which state’s court has jurisdiction over child custody matters, particularly when parents live in different states. It aims to prevent jurisdictional disputes and ensure custody decisions are made in the child’s home state, facilitating the enforcement of custody orders across state lines.
Speaking of the legal system, Kora Hurley reached out to me to ask if the NC Supreme Court would be holding session in the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse — one of only five colonial courthouses in existence and the only one still in use. Every so often, the Supreme Court does hold a session at this historic courthouse. Kora, thanks for your inquiry — answer, per the Court, there are no Supreme Court sessions scheduled in the historic courthouse at this time. On that note, readers, if you have a question or news tip, send it to mileslayton1969@gmail.com
In other news, Perquimans Schools Superintendent Tanya Turner has been named the prestigious NCHSAA Bob McRae Superintendent of the Year. Congrats!
Formerly of Chowan County Schools where Turner did an excellent job as Assistant Superintendent, Pirates’ stole her away from us in May of 2019, but to be fair, she is a PCHS alumnus, Class of 1988, and that’s where she began her teaching career in 1992. By all accounts, Turner has done a wonderful job leading Perquimans County Schools.
Worth noting, since I covered PCHS commencement, PCHS Class of 2025 was awarded $1.8 million in scholarships, with acceptance of more than $760,000; 283 college acceptance letters. Class of 2025 will attend 27 different institutions of higher learning. Athletic Accomplishments – too many to mention, but here’s a few: members of the class of 2025 have contributed to an Eastern Regional Championship in baseball, a State Championship in baseball, participated in state championship track meets all four years, played two state championship volleyball matches, reached the regional championship in women’s basketball, finishing as Eastern Regional Runner-Up, included a teammate who was part of our first ever regional golf championship.
