Tag: north carolina

Youth Gun Epidemic Rose in North Carolina
More than 100 children in North Carolina died from gun-related injuries in 2022 alone, a 147% increase in child gun deaths since 2017, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
A 2023 study from the department’s injury prevention report shows that gun deaths among children aged 0 to 17 have increased every year since 2017. That year, 45 children died from firearm-related injuries. By 2022, the number had climbed to over 100. Most of these deaths were homicides, but unintentional shootings and suicides also played a significant role. In fact, most firearm deaths among non-Hispanic Black, Native American, and Hispanic children were homicides, while suicides were more prevalent among non- Hispanic White and Asian children. The 2023 report is the state’s most recent analysis of childhood gun deaths, although such fatalities have continued.
One of the 2024 fatalities was 5-year-old Karter Rosenboro, who was fatally shot by his sibling in a home north of Greenville. The firearm, a 9mm Taurus handgun, had reportedly been left loaded and unsecured, leading to an accidental discharge. In response to incidents like this, Pitt County Schools have begun educating parents and guardians about safe firearm storage. The school system’s website provides links to resources emphasizing the importance of keeping guns locked, unloaded, and stored separately from ammunition to prevent unauthorized access by children.
Kristen Hunter, public information officer for the Greenville Police Department, says the city has a problem with guns being stolen from unlocked cars, often by juveniles. While the city has not recently experienced any child-related firearm deaths, she said. The Greenville Police Department works closely with East Carolina University Police to educate both the student population and the wider community about firearm safety.
Travis Knight, a 14-year Army veteran and owner of Knight’s Defense, a firearm shop in Sanford near Raleigh offering firearm safety and carry courses, says gun retailers have a role to play in reducing firearm-related incidents involving children. “We practice with dummy rounds and go over the basic use of firearms,” Knight said. “The most important thing I teach my students is how to handle a firearm safely, like always pointing it in a safe direction and keeping their finger off the trigger.”
Although Pitt County does not have the highest rate of child firearm-related deaths in the state, it has seen a significant number of overall firearm deaths. Between 2016 and 2018, the county recorded 55 firearm-related deaths (including adults and children), with a rate of 10.3 per 100,000 residents. By comparison, Robeson County had a firearm death rate of 26.7 per 100,000, with Halifax County close behind at 24.1 per 100,000.
Advocates say one shortcoming is that North Carolina lacks a universal safe storage law. While the state has penalties for allowing minors to access firearms, advocates argue these measures fall short. Efforts to strengthen gun safety laws such as mandating locked storage in homes with children have stalled in the legislative committee or failed to gain enough bipartisan support to pass.
May 8, 2025
North Carolina’s Fastest-Growing County Unveils Transit Plan to Accommodate Population Growth
Wake County’s population is projected to grow faster than any other North Carolina county–nearly 64% over the next 25 years, according to population projections from the NC Office of State Budget and Management.
Updating public transportation and roads has become a primary focus as the county is projected to have 718,826 new residents by 2050.
Lifelong Raleigh resident Whit Hanvey isn’t surprised at the project because the county already “looks so different than it did 10 years ago” and “seems to always be building something.”
Every two years, the Wake County Board of Commissioners sends residents the “Wake Insights” survey, giving residents the chance to share what they feel should be prioritized. The most recent survey had 2,400 responses and included transportation and road infrastructure concerns.
To address those concerns, Wake County is working with the North Carolina Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization to help plan future transportation needs. Wake County Deputy Director Shelby Powell says the adopted transportation plan for the region looks out to 2050 to serve the anticipated population growth. The Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization serves Wake, Johnston, Harnett, Chatham, Granville and Franklin counties but does not have jurisdiction over land use, which affects transportation decisions.
With 12 municipalities making up Wake County, land use decisions are made at the local level–at the city, town or county level. Powell said the organization will work closely with member jurisdictions to make recommendations that are “responsive to being transit-supportive or consider impacts to the road and bike networks as development occurs.”
Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization projects are divided into corridor, hot spot and special studies. Corridor studies aim to improve transportation routes that run across the entire county. Hot spot studies are conducted at a local level where there is excessive congestion. Special studies focus on topics like safety, improvement types, and transit. The planning group compiles information about regional road safety, mass transit, and the transportation needs in vulnerable parts of Wake County.
Two major transit projects still need approval. The Morrisville Parkway Access Management Study is waiting for approval with hopes of increasing travel routes to reduce congestion in high traffic areas. The U.S. 401 Corridor Study is also waiting for approval. With only one route available to travel from Raleigh to Harnett County, the plan calls for realigning U.S. 401 to provide more choices. The 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan- Roadway Projects lists major road improvement projects that are estimated to be completed over the next 25 years. The projects’ costs range from $5 million to $579 million each, with most projects adding lanes to current roads and expressways to accommodate the expected growth in the region.
Metropolitan Planning Organization executive director Chris Lukasina said projected improvements to NC 540, which is known as the “Raleigh Outer Loop,” have become more expensive because of inflation. The “Raleigh Outer Loop” is the meeting of I-540 and NC 540 and circles around the city of Raleigh.
Phase 1 of the project will extend the Triangle Expressway about 18 miles to open a wider portion of roads. Phase 2 will extend the same expressway another 10 miles toward Knightdale to complete the “Raleigh Outer Loop.” As Wake County becomes the fastest growing county in the state, Lukasina emphasizes that “time is money, with a current estimate of $1.3 billion” for this project.
Improvements to Capital Boulevard began in the early 2000’s and are still ongoing. The project has experienced funding delays that started in 2016 due to an increase in the cost of materials. In 2025, the project is on its fifth round of funding. The county Board of Commissioners has discussed how to obtain funding more quickly, including an added express lane with tolls.
By “dynamically improving the toll rate” area drivers will contribute to the funding shortfall. Lukasina says, “you can’t build yourself out of congestion” and “an express lane provides a reliable travel time.” The added express lane will be available for those drivers willing to pay the extra tolls. Lukasina says adding “community support in our projects” can contribute to speeding up the projects’ timeline.
Wake County officials say they are improving Wake’s transportation services to adjust to the growing population. The goal is to reduce traffic congestion and improve travel times while accommodating current and future residents. A drive through the county reveals these efforts, marked by road closures and neon orange construction signs, as various transportation projects continue.
May 5, 2025
The Challenge of Affordable Off-Campus Housing for ECU Students
In fall 2023, Carol Hernandez transferred from Sandhills Community College to East Carolina University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in photography. She chose to live on campus, but her experience was not what she had hoped for.
Her dorm, Legacy Residence Hall, was one of the oldest on campus. Hernandez said the bathroom conditions were unsettling and there was no proper air conditioning or elevators in the building. She also struggled to connect with her roommate, which sparked her interest in off-campus housing.
Hernandez came up with a plan. She would find a potential roommate to split rent with and get a job to help cover bills. But after researching her options, she realized that apartments were far too expensive. After struggling to find a job and finding no apartments in her budget, she ultimately decided that leaving ECU was the best choice for her.
“Nothing worked out in my favor while I was over there,” Hernandez said. “I felt like any decision that I made to try to better my situation, it just made my situation worse.”
According to the ECU Off-Campus Student Services website, student off-campus housing prices typically range from around $505 to over $1,200 per month, depending on location, amenities and whether the rent is per room or per unit.
In Greenville, Rentable, a platform for finding and listing rental properties, reports an average cost of $700 per month, Apartments.com lists an average of $909 and Apartment Home Living shows an average of $843. While some listings advertise lower rates around $400 to $500, most student friendly options tend to fall closer to the higher end.
In addition to rent, students are responsible for other living expenses such as electricity, water, gas, internet and phone bills. According to Amber Student, a student housing platform, the average monthly cost for utilities ranges from $155 to $160 for an apartment. While higher end student housing typically include utilities in their overall rent, the more “affordable” options typically do not.
Jaliyah Armstrong, a business administration graduate student, said she spent most of her undergraduate years living on campus. For her final semester, she decided to move off campus to get a taste of what it was like to live in her own apartment.
“I told my parents I wanted to move off campus and my mom said she wouldn’t support it unless it was walking distance from campus,” Armstrong said. “So I started looking and the price was very shocking, apartments near campus were way more expensive than I thought they would be.”
ECU Off-Campus Student Services lists Yugo Greenville Campus Towers as one of the closest housing options to campus, with monthly prices ranging from $719 to $1,109 per person. Other nearby options include The Province Greenville, with rents between $720 and $2,960 per bedroom and Proximity at 10th, where rent starts at around $800 per bedroom.
Armstrong chose to live downtown, a 20 minute walk from campus. She works as an International Enrollment & Engagement Office Assistant at ECU Global Affairs, earning $15 per hour. Her monthly expenses include $853 for rent and approximately $300 for other living costs. This brings her total monthly living expenses to around $1,153.
Armstrong said she initially thought her financial aid would be enough to cover her expenses. However, once those funds ran out, she was left with no choice but to rely on her credit card to pay her bills.
“Every month I would put the rent on my credit card and then just use my job to help pay it down,” Armstrong said. “It’s still not paid off and at this point I don’t know when it’s gonna be paid off.”
Porschea Perry, a sophomore education student at ECU, said she balances three jobs alongside her classes to cover the costs of school and housing. She said she usually gets paid around $1,000 to $1,200 biweekly, depending on her hours.
Perry said her rent is currently $1,019, up from the original $974 when she first signed the lease, and the apartment isn’t near campus. She said while utilities are included in the rent, expenses like gas, insurance, groceries and other necessities quickly add up.
“There are times when it feels like I might sink,” Perry said. “You never know when prices will suddenly rise or change and that makes it even more challenging.”
Kevin Sutton, director of Financial Wellness at ECU, said in an email, the financial situations students face affect many areas of their lives, including academics and mental health.
Sutton said his organization sees students increasingly seeking independence from their parents and family members as they approach graduation.
”We recommend students have direct conversations with their financial support system,” Sutton said.
Kansas Boykin graduated from ECU with a degree in elementary education and has firsthand experience searching for an apartment both during and after graduating. She said not only is off-campus housing super expensive but some have quality issues.
“Instead of making the places where students live nicer,” Boykin said, “those in charge would rather not fix anything and just have students pay high prices for terrible living spaces.”
Boykin said while she wanted to live off-campus, she knew it wasn’t possible. She thought about getting a job, but her internship, which ran from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., along with classes, took up all of her schedule.
Boykin said even after choosing to stay on campus, she still had the risk of being homeless. She said since her financial aid didn’t cover all of her expenses, she depended on loans to be able to have a place to live.
“I graduated with about $23,000 worth of debt,” Boykin said. “But I think that’s on the lower end because it’s even more for other students, especially if they live off campus.”
The Education Data Initiative, a research group that tracks trends in the U.S. education system, reports that the average student loan debt nationwide is about $38,375 per borrower. In North Carolina, that figure is slightly higher, with the average borrower owing around $38,695.
Betty Curry, an affordable housing advisory commission representative for the town of Carrboro, said in her role, she is focused on promoting housing equity while addressing the deep historical injustices that have shaped the community, especially for Black residents.
Curry said the need for affordable housing in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro area far surpasses what has been developed. She said while recent projects are helping, they struggle to keep up with the rapid gentrification and increasing rents.
“College students face major housing challenges like high rent, limited availability and competition with families,” Curry said. “While the Chapel Hill-Carrboro primary focus is on vulnerable residents and families, students are part of this ecosystem and their needs should be part of the affordable housing conversation.”
Curry said she has seen many cases where residents were living paycheck to paycheck and even a minor incident could lead to eviction. She said homelessness in the community is not the result of personal choices but a reflection of the lack of availability of affordable housing.
“For college students or young people trying to find affordable housing, start early and do your homework,” Curry said. “Get involved, attend town council meetings, learn about local housing policies and advocate for more inclusive solutions.”
May 1, 2025
NC Shelters Overcrowded: Dogs Being Killed at High Rates
Numerous animal shelters across North Carolina are facing severe overcrowding issues with dogs, which has led to skyrocketing euthanasia levels across the Tar Heel state. Though many animal rescue nonprofit organizations work diligently to raise awareness of this issue, too many dogs need shelter, but there isn’t enough shelter space to hold them.
Graphic made by Gabbi Heath through Canva
According to the 2023 Public Animal Shelter Report by the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 8,843 dogs were euthanized across the 10 leading counties in the state for euthanization of dogs. Twenty percent of these took place in Robeson County, the leading county for euthanization in the state. 2024 data has not yet been released.
Located about a 90 minute drive south of Raleigh, Robeson County is a rural area with overcrowded public shelters as well as high euthanasia rates. In 2023, Robeson County Animal Protective Services took in 3,543 dogs according to the state report. Of those, 1,770 were euthanized, according to the same report.
Kate Waller, who lives in a neighboring county to Robeson, belongs to a humane animal trapping and recovery organization where she helps to rescue strays in hopes of finding them a home. When she moved from Virginia to North Carolina, she couldn’t believe what she saw.
“I was totally shocked when I moved here at the disregard for animals,” Waller said. “I’m not saying [Virginia] is perfect and there’s no room for improvement for animal welfare but [North Carolina] is a completely different ballgame.” And in regards to a lack of care for animals, Robeson County was unlike anything she had seen before. “Robeson County is an entirely different planet.”
Increasing euthanasia rates across the state could partially be due to changed lifestyles in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the 2020 Public Animal Shelter Report, 1,212 dogs were euthanized across Robeson County in 2020, yet, shelters in the county saw an approximate 46% increase years after the pandemic.
“Many people adopted animals when in-person roles switched to work from home,” Waller said. “When people had to go back into offices they realized they didn’t have time for a dog.” Waller said as a result, shelters have struggled to keep up with the intake.
Waller said she has rescued over a dozen animals in her lifetime, many of which have been strays. She has also contributed to their food as well as paid vet bills out of her own pocket. Though she has played a crucial role in helping find these animals a home, the crisis has lingered. Shelters are still overcrowded and many of these dogs have nowhere to go.
Many shelters are to the point where they are having to turn away dogs simply because of the lack of space. Waller, who found one stray dog through a humane trap, tried taking the dog to the shelter but was told it was not accepting strays. “They didn’t even offer to scan him for a microchip until I told them to.” Waller said that the shelter often tells her to just leave the dog where she found it when calling about strays. “It is absolute insanity how normalized animal abuse and disregard is, especially in Robeson County.”
The Robeson County shelter did not respond to several requests for comment.
Many factors play a role in shelter decisions about which dogs are going to be put down. The factors vary depending on the shelter’s capacity and can include anything from illness to history of aggression. “Illness definitely [plays a factor],” Waller said. “I would say age only because younger dogs are considered more adoptable to the public.”
Waller is currently fostering a dog from Cumberland County, which has the state’s 10th highest euthanization rate. The shelter originally planned to euthanize the dog due to its heartworm disease if it wasn’t fostered before the end of the stray hold.
Many rural counties lack pet laws, which contribute to the overcrowding and euthanization rates. Currently, many rural areas in the state have no laws against how many dogs a person can own, as long as the dog has food, water and some sort of shelter, and whether that shelter is indoor or outdoors does not matter. Ashley Nichols, who works with the nonprofit organization “Black Dog Club” in Johnston County, is concerned over the lack of laws in regards to pets.
“The animal laws in the state of North Carolina are complete crap,” Nichols said. “My next door neighbor could have eight dogs that are all tethered and as long as they have a doghouse and a bowl of water and food, it’s legal.” Such practices can lead to low human interaction and lack of socialization, which in turn can lead to aggressiveness.
“Unfortunately for those dogs, if they are deemed aggressive with humans or other animals, those are a lot of the dogs you see euthanized first because they are deemed unsafe,” Nichols said.
North Carolina also has no laws requiring the spaying and neutering of animals, which also contributes to overcrowded shelters and high euthanization rates. “There are no spay or neuter laws in North Carolina, so you can have what we call a backyard breeder,” Nichols said. “You can have nine dogs in a yard that aren’t spayed or neutered, and they keep having puppies over and over and there is no law against that.”
Nichols said she works closely with Chuck Lively, the Johnston County Animal Shelter supervisor, to help decrease the overcrowding and euthanization rates there. Nichols said she is a rescue puller, or a person who works with the shelter to help rehome dogs when the shelter gets tight in space. “Chuck will reach out to us and let us know [he’s getting tight on space] and we will actually go to the shelter to save them from being euthanized.”
Nichols says that Lively has been a big help in animal rescue missions. “Chuck has gone above and beyond,” Nichols said. “He works with a lot of different rescues in state and out of state to help with getting dogs out of the shelter and give rescues a chance.”
According to the 2023 Public Animal Shelter Report, Johnston County took in 1,695 dogs, and of those, 739 were euthanized. Lively said that all shelters are facing overcrowding. “The concerns are they [dogs] are not moving out anywhere near the rate they are moving in,” he explained.
Lively said he tries to address these concerns by being more selective about the dogs taken in, but adoptions are still very low. In addition to working with Nichols, Lively also works with SPCA organizations in Wake County to reduce his shelter’s euthanizations but says the number of those groups that have pulled from his shelter has gone down.
Rachael Champlin, another Johnston County resident, said she is aware of the concern and has adopted rescue dogs. “Adoption is far better because you’re giving an animal in need a forever home,” she said, adding that she wishes she could adopt more. “It breaks my heart when people get dogs for holidays and three months later they are back in the shelter.”
Lydia (left) and Dobby (right) napping together
Photo contributed by Racbael Champlin
Maria Gambler, who lives in Columbus County, adopted a dog in December. According to the 2023 Public Animal Shelter Report, Columbus County was the fourth highest county for dog euthanization across the state. “I believe many people don’t fully understand the responsibility that comes with having a pet, and it’s heartbreaking that some get pets without knowing how to take proper care of them,” Gambler said.
Orin, a Labrador mix enjoying their new home
Photo contributed by Maria Gambler
The ongoing issue with overcrowded shelters is also partially due to the high adoption fees. In North Carolina, adoption fees can vary from $30 to $400, depending on the location, and vary depending on the need for vaccinations, microchipping, spay and neutering. This doesn’t even begin to include the expenses needed to take care of a dog after the adoption process. This is why Columbus County resident Simona Fritz could not afford to adopt a dog, even though she wanted to. “I have tried adopting, but $350 and up is just too much for an average family to afford, which leads to overcrowding.” Fritz says the fee isn’t necessarily unreasonable due to the cost of feeding and caring for the animals in shelters, but the cost could worsen the overcrowding problem.
Though many factors come into play in overcrowded shelters and the high euthasia rates across the state, the lack of spay and neuter laws seems to be the main concern among those who work in shelters or the animal rescue community.
“If there were more spay and neuter laws and it was enforced, I don’t feel our shelters would be nearly as crowded as they are,” Nichols said. Lively added that North Carolina would not have such high rates if people would spay and neuter their dogs.
April 24, 2025
A Quiet Epidemic: The Rise of STIs in North Carolina
North Carolina has seen an alarming increase in sexually transmitted infections over the past decade, particularly among those ages 15 to 24 in rural areas posing the biggest risk. In 2023 alone, the state reported over 26,000 cases of gonorrhea, with those disproportionately occurring in rural areas, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
A combination of limited healthcare access, inadequate transportation, and lack of comprehensive sex education contributes to this public health crisis. Many rural areas lack nearby clinics, and young people often struggle with the cost and management in seeking care. As a result, infections frequently go undiagnosed and untreated, increasing the risk of long-term complications and further transmissions, according to the Health and Human Services department.
Dr. Kristina Simeonsson, a public health professor at East Carolina University and pediatrician, connects rising STI rates to modern hookup culture and the stigma surrounding sexual health. “The use of dating apps has given more people access to partners they didn’t have before,” she explains. She adds that because young adults engage in risky behaviors and conversations surrounding sex are often stigmatized, this often leads to young people avoiding seeking care, even when something is wrong.
Image from CDC about Sexually Transmitted Infections
The problem is compounded by the fact that many STIs are asymptomatic. “Most STIs are spread when people don’t have symptoms and assume they’re in the clear,” says Brian Cavanaugh, a sexual health professor at East Carolina University. “That’s why regular screening is so important, especially in communities where access to healthcare is already limited.”
Cultural barriers and medical mistrust further isolate young people from essential resources. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that young people of color in rural areas often face providers who lack cultural competence or awareness of their specific needs.
To combat the growing STI crisis, organizations like the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina are taking action. Their SYNC (Sexual Health for Youth in Care) program provides free, evidence-based sexual health education to teens in out-of-home care across the state. Health officials and educators emphasize the importance of expanding access to screening services, improving transportation to healthcare facilities, and implementing sex education programs that reflect the realities rural youth face.
2023NorthCarolina-STD-SurveillanceDataTablesFinal (1)Download
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has called for more resources in underserved areas, while public health advocates continue to push for better education, outreach and culturally competent care.
As rates continue to rise, experts say addressing the gaps in care and communication could help reduce infections and protect long-term health outcomes, especially for young people in rural communities who remain the most at risk.
2023NorthCarolina-STD-SurveillanceDataTablesFinal Download
April 19, 2025
Inside the World of Moth.Doodlez
On a calm Saturday afternoon inside HK Tattoo in Greenville, a client prepared to get her dream tattoo: a “Bulbasaur” from the beloved Pokémon franchise. The soft hum of the tattoo gun filled the air as it glided across the client’s forearm, bringing a cherished part of their childhood to life. In just an hour or two, what had once been an image on paper became permanent art on skin. The studio transformed into a quiet space of trust, creativity and a little pain, but for most customers it was all worth it to see the final result.
Moth tattooing a rib piece
The artist behind the needle: Moth.Doodlez, a Greenville tattoo artist known for their colorful, anime-inspired and illustrative style. Their journey into tattooing began at East Carolina University’s College of Business. “Although my degree is in business, my entire life has been a pursuit of art,” said Moth, who goes by Moth.Doodlez and uses she/they pronouns and declined to give a last name. From glassblowing and painting to ceramics and sewing, they explored every form of creative expression they could find.
“What led me to tattooing specifically is my background as a cosplayer,” they add, referred to as the act of dressing up as a character from a work of fiction. Today this cosplayer with a degree in entrepreneurship has become one of five go-to artists at Harm the Karma Tattoo, bringing beloved characters from shows like “Pokémon” and “Gravity Falls” to life?
The entrance of Harm the Karma in Downtown Greenville
Moth works tirelessly to bring their clients’ vision to life. They ask about inspiration, preferences, and limitations, adjusting designs based on what can realistically be done within a given timeframe. “I go through a checklist: no tangent lines, proper color theory, and at least one-third of the design has black ink or shadows,” they explain.
Moth tattooing the side of a customer’s head
Some tattoos stand out more than others. “My most memorable ones were the circle I gave my future mother-in-law, and a client who’s been with me since the beginning,” they say. “I tattooed a perfect circle on her ribs, which is notoriously difficult, and I still get invited to family functions!” they said, laughing. “As for the other client, I was only two months into tattooing when she first came to me. I’ve done over a dozen pieces for her since, and her joy and excitement make me incredibly happy. She still chooses me to be her artist.”
Beyond the art, Moth has made it clear that their studio is a safe and welcoming space for all. “Around the time of Trump’s election, many of my queer friends were facing physical and verbal assault from emboldened voters,” they say. As someone who identifies as queer, Moth made a choice: her space would be different. “I refuse to tattoo anyone who expresses homophobia, sexism, xenophobia or transphobia,” they say. “At the very least, I knew I could create an LGBTQIA+ safe space to let others in town know they’re not alone.”
Moth’s impact isn’t just felt through her clients; it resonates in the tattoo community itself. “They take art seriously, but doesn’t take themselves too seriously,” says Stephanie, who declined to give a last name who goes by batbitepiercings on Instagram, a body piercer who works alongside Moth at HK Tattoo. “From coming in groggy in the morning to being the energy unicorn of the shop, there never seems to be a dull moment when she’s here.” She adds that Moth does a great job at interacting with other artist at the shop. “Her ability to reach out to other tattooers and book guest spots all over is incredible. I’m an introvert, so seeing her talk to people like it’s nothing, it’s awesome.”
In a small city like Greenville, where creativity can sometimes feel limited, Moth finds a way to shine. They share some of their dream projects that are high on their tattoo wish list: “I would love to do a large back piece featuring the legendary ‘Johto Pokémon Ho-oh’ and ‘Lugia’ in a traditional Japanese style, or a Wonderland or deep-sea girl ‘Hatsune Miku’ half sleeve.” From colorful anime characters to intricate designs, Moth.Doodlez’s tattoos are works of art.

April 19, 2025
ECU Students Get Clarity on High February Bills From Greenville Utilities Commission
Many ECU students living in off-campus houses were shocked when they opened their February utility bills, which were substantially higher than they had expected.
The bills came from the Greenville Utilities Commission, which is responsible for providing the City of Greenville and 75% of Pitt County residents with electric, water, sewer and natural gas services. Students at East Carolina University started to raise concerns when they noticed their February utility bill was noticeably higher than their previous month’s bill. Many students live in homes in a neighborhood located north of campus called “The Grid.”
Many students who have rented the same homes for the past two years said they noticed their gas usage nearly doubled in February when compared to February 2024. Water, electric and sewer usage all remained relatively the same. They knew this because Greenville Utilities Commission provides customers with an assortment of data that includes all previous billing statements and usage.
Jordan Reid, an ECU student, provided a summary of her utility statements since moving in August 2023 to her Fifth Street house. In February 2025, her gas usage had showed a 72% increase when compared to February 2024. While her home includes six residents, each had to pay about $30 more that month. A nearby ECU student, Hailey Wilkes, said she found herself paying about $50 more that month, as her utility bill is shared among fewer roommates.
As the weather differs, students understand that each month’s bill will fluctuate, and no billing statement will be the exact same as another. Yet, many students say none have been as dramatic as their February 2025 charge. In the winter, gas usage is always greater than other months due to increased use of heating systems.
Concerned about the increase, Reid asked GUC to ensure her home was billed correctly. A GUC customer service representative told her that the bill was correct, “and gas was working overtime everywhere because of the recent snow.” On Jan. 22, Greenville got 2.7 inches of snow, according to WITN News. This was the only snow during the February billing period.
GUC Communications Manager Steve Hawley said students’ bills went up because of the colder temperatures. The average temperature for this year’s February billing statement was 10 degrees colder than last year’s, Hawley said, adding, “the colder it is outside, the harder heating systems have to work.”
According to the minutes of the Jan. 16 GUC Board of Commissioners meeting, commissioners voted to extend GUC’s gas supply contract and re-calculate the rates. Hawley confirms that “rates will not go up because of this contract,” which was “extended for another 6 years.”
March 20, 2025
Decreased Childcare Subsidies Strain Families in Pitt County
Pitt County Human Services Center. Photo by Darian Hale
Darian Hale/ 3/18/25 Unfurls
Many families in Pitt County face the harsh reality of not being able to obtain financial help with childcare. Pitt County offers an abundance of childcare centers but little help to afford them.
Families in need often turn to government childcare subsidies to be able to afford childcare and work, but many in Pitt County are not getting that assistance.
Subsidies are a lifeline for many parents, guaranteeing their kids’ well-being while they work or go to school.
Yet, many families in Pitt County are waiting to receive assistance, with some waiting as long as 18 months.
This jeopardizes parents’ need for employment, leaving homes with one parent depending on one sole income.
And the list is getting even larger for those who need subsidies. “Our waitlist is larger than ever and is increasing,” said Tawni Mosley, director of the Nancy W. Darden Child Development Center at East Carolina University.
The requirements for subsidies are also tough for parents who are already balancing work and other obligations.
One such parent is Daneshia Nichole, a mother of five in Pitt County, who said the requirements are difficult and the process is slow.
“Honestly, getting childcare subsidies is a hassle; so many requirements are needed,” Nichole explained. “And if you make a certain amount or miss one day, when you go (to) get in the program, well, they can end up throwing that possibility of subsidies out the window.”
For four years, the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education has documented a steady decline in low-income North Carolina families receiving childcare subsidies.
The number of Pitt County families being helped has also dropped.
In 2021-2022, 3,595 children in Pitt County were potentially eligible for subsidized childcare assistance, but only 1,590 children, or 44% of those eligible, received assistance, according to state data.
However, by 2022-2023, even fewer children were helped. Although the number of eligible children in Pitt County stayed the same at 3,595, only 1,498 children actually received childcare assistance, or only 41.67%.
The situation worsened in 2023-2024. The number of potentially eligible children in Pitt County jumped to 8,984, or more than double the number from the year before.
However, funding for the subsidies increased only slightly, from $12.3 million in 2022-2023 to $12.6 million in 2023-2024.
Parents in need noticed things getting worse.
“I find it strange that help in receiving childcare subsidies has gotten harder,” Nichole said. “I know something was going on in 2023; I feel it could be mismanagement or stricter requirements.” Nichole said she has received childcare subsidies in the past, but obtaining subsidies now has become more difficult.
During 2023-2024, only 1,813 Pitt County children received assistance, or just 20.18% of those who were eligible.
This is less than half of the share of eligible children who received help in 2021, showing a clear decline in access to subsidized childcare.
Despite more funding being available in 2023-2024 compared to previous years, fewer children are receiving the assistance they need.
And the gap between the number of children who need help and the number who get it is growing.
Statewide, the trend is similar. In 2023-2024, North Carolina had over 448,000 children eligible for subsidized childcare, but only 64,333 children, just 14%, were receiving assistance.
The sharp decline in the percentage of eligible children in Pitt County and across the state receiving childcare subsidies is a growing problem for low-income families, especially with the cost of childcare rising.
According to the NC Department of Health and Human Services, the cost of childcare for just an infant and 4-year-old can be as much as $17,593 for one year.
The purpose of childcare subsidies is to help families deal with the growing expense of daycare. According to the North Carolina Market Rate Study, subsidies can vary from $500 to more than $1,000 per month, depending on the age of the child and the kind of care required.
According to a 2022 report for the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Childhood Education, the average cost of infant care in North Carolina was between $480 and $730 per month, and is higher today.
And if a family has more than one child needing care, the cost can skyrocket.
Subsidies vary by a family’s income and household size, with subsidies potentially helping families to pay for all or a portion of childcare expenses.
“If the federal government doesn’t have the funding, this reduces the number of children that can be served,” said Mary Perkins-Williams, a Pitt County commissioner and Department of Social Services board member.
Perkins-Williams added that recent job growth means more people going to work, and they need someone to look after their children – but only for a few years.
“Often it is only the children in age groups from infants to toddlers. By age 5 they are at public school, and the burden lessens on the parents,” said Williams.
Overall, the number of low-income families receiving help paying for childcare has dropped by half over a four-year period in North Carolina.
Some of this has to do with cuts in federal funding for childcare after 2021. During the COVID-19 pandemic, $1.3 billion in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act went to childcare subsidies.
These funds allowed North Carolina’s childcare infrastructure to continue running through the pandemic. Although these funds were set to sunset in 2023, they were extended until June 2024.
Now, however, federal funds for childcare in North Carolina have fallen to around $400 million, which is given to the state and then filtered through the 100 counties.
“As of August 2024, counties were advised to implement a waiting list for childcare. This is due to no longer receiving (American Rescue Plan) funds,” said Deidire Hill, the North Carolina program manager for childcare subsidy and employment services.
The federal funding is not just for parents in subsidy programs but also to help pay childcare workers.
This leaves childcare centers raising the cost of childcare even more and sometimes closing altogether.
Such closures burden low-income families, and when they look for help in paying for the increased cost, some counties have no help for them.
“At this time, the county does not have funding for childcare subsidies. This is not just in Pitt County; this is statewide,” Hill explained.
“Only a few counties currently have funding, so there is a waitlist for those that may be eligible.”
The option for parents is to sit and wait hopefully for the funds to be available, but many are worried.
“We need to get this fixed. I think we really need to have more evaluations of our applications when we apply. I fear the federal government, though, will ignore us struggling families,” said Nichole.
As of now Nichole is still on the waitlist along with the other families still hoping to get subsides.
Perkins-Williams added that she wishes Pitt County could do more, “but currently we can only evaluate cases for families and wait for these funds, especially at the local government level.”
March 18, 2025
Data Shows Pedestrians Take Risks on Greenville Roads
Greenville ranked fifth in reported car crashes among all North Carolina cities with populations topping 10,000 in the two most recent years statistics are available.
The only cities that outranked Greenville were Greensboro, Lumberton, Charlotte and Asheville, according to crash data from the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles.
Kristen Hunter, public information officer for the Greenville Police Department, said the city’s rapid population growth is one factor in its number of car accidents, but the city’s engineering division has been part of a task force to try to drive those numbers down.
In 2023, the North Carolina DMV reported 12,938 car crashes, 32 of them fatal, and 3,282 non-fatal injury crashes. In that same year, drivers experienced 3,309 car crashes in Greenville. Of that number, 10 were fatal, while over 1,000 resulted in injuries.
That same year, 41 pedestrian accidents happened in Greenville, with five resulting in fatalities. In Winterville, the next town over, only three pedestrian accidents and one fatality were reported that year.
Hunter said that, on average, Greenville Police respond to about 400 accidents a month. Areas in Greenville that are common for accidents are on Greenville Boulevard. The intersection of Arlington Boulevard and Fire Tower Road is the highest location for crashes in Greenville.
Five-year comparison for pedestrian crashes in Greenville. Information provided by Kristen Hunter.
As for pedestrians, most pedestrian accidents happen near the East Carolina University campus on 10th Street, Hunter said. Improvements have been made in recent years with the addition of crosswalk lights and pedestrian signals, but “pedestrians have to use those in order for them to be effective,” Hunter said, adding that pedestrians should cross streets only on crosswalks and use the signals. Pedestrians should also make eye contact with drivers before crossing the road to ensure safety.
A student crossing the crosswalk on East 10^th Street outside of Umstead Residence Hall.
Chapel Hill, home of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, experienced far fewer pedestrian accidents than Greenville, even though it is also a college town and has far more students. In 2023, according to data from the North Carolina DMV, Chapel Hill had 23 pedestrian crashes. Of those 23, all resulted in injury, and one resulted in death. According to data from the North Carolina 2023 Traffic Crash Facts, Chapel Hill had a total of 3,845 crashes.
March 18, 2025