[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6671008,"mediaKeyId","2171650-3324a65ad68ad294d5788d4ae8e9ccb5","parentId",2171650,"title","Onslow County Public Library resumes 'reading dragons' program and branch events for 2025","audioSeconds",220,"startMs",1144000,"endMs",1364000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171650-3324a65ad68ad294d5788d4ae8e9ccb5&start=1144&end=1364","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171650-3324a65ad68ad294d5788d4ae8e9ccb5/thumbnail_1144000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6671008/Onslow-County/North-Carolina/Onslow-County-Public-Library-resumes-reading-dragons-program-and-branch-events-for-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671008-1a6f4a047f6475a803496c1ca292ade8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448296&Signature=h24y5UtHdfnv4BVXEoFea3fTUgdeuNFvNcDfxn4V38MoLEGttnNjzBtbiv1gqfmNRVyYr0zEbNhkPynLQ1cPq-xNR9EPPJ7JCvgIKCfxySSsJ4nItV9m4TwLJ96m3g5ho5tNXbFdZ5ioKy9ogFWlUpIQgzDCLHct47kK940PwhK2s7xlWcZrW5HGWtrvEzKBJzJHYbJZLWZJ-RIOl472MunUgtCRT2dCsOGsk2z76lMl6p4Yj9cTtme2ZxEu~jNk3tkwmAL5R6GAapw5rqRkCk85w77dSWMSge0BbMF3VEwzexmtgGY7nnyYbzUqfzQUB4lcdqqzHb024kpqCNgJOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Onslow County","date","2025-01-03T05:09:56.337Z","article","Tori Parks, a representative of the Onslow County Public Library, said the library's popular \"reading dragons\" program returned for 2025, offering collectible dragon cards and monthly tournaments, and highlighted branch events across the county including back‑to‑school bingo, a weekly adult craft 'Making Time' series in Sneads Ferry, and a Harkers Island boat‑building history program at the Swansboro branch.

Under the reading dragons program, patrons earn one dragon for each 30 minutes of reading; Parks said participants may earn up to four dragons per month. The program includes multiple creature families (dragons and friends such as sphinxes) and offers card‑play tournaments where special edition cards can be won.

Why it matters: Library programs are designed to encourage reading among children and provide community activities for adults and families. Parks also urged residents to download library apps such as Hoopla and Libby, and explained that new devices can be connected with a library card and the last four digits of a phone number to access digital resources.

Branch highlights Parks mentioned include:
• Richlands: back‑to‑school bingo offering school supplies prizes for students returning from winter break.
• Sneads Ferry: \"Making Time,\" a weekly daytime program January–February for adults to work on unfinished crafts (so‑called \"UFOs\" or unfinished objects).
• Swansboro: a Harkers Island Boat Builders program showcasing regional boat‑building history.

Parks noted the library system periodically has Hoopla ‘‘bonus borrows’’ and encouraged patrons to install Hoopla or Libby and use their library card to borrow digital books, audiobooks and children's material.

The segment was informational; no policy changes, budget actions, or new library fees were announced.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Onslow County Today - January 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Tori Parks of the Onslow County Public Library described the return of the library's \"reading dragons\" program (four collectible dragons per month, 30 minutes reading per dragon), branch events such as back‑to‑school bingo in Richlands, a weekly 'Making Time' craft series in Sneads Ferry, and a Harkers Island boat‑building program at Swansboro.","taxTitle","Onslow County, North Carolina","taxId",4261,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6671013,"Onslow County Cooperative Extension expands winter farmers market, offers SNAP acceptance and youth programs",161,739000,900000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171650-3324a65ad68ad294d5788d4ae8e9ccb5&start=739&end=900","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171650-3324a65ad68ad294d5788d4ae8e9ccb5/thumbnail_739000.jpg","/articles/6671013/Onslow-County/North-Carolina/Onslow-County-Cooperative-Extension-expands-winter-farmers-market-offers-SNAP-acceptance-and-youth-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671013-47f7d82bc4121ee40ed7455dbe5dbc88/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448296&Signature=gNQErJEDYGvFQJQ0noJBWDBDPXDJBBZnlvlNZUgYarHBrVyCgNcGv2HnF7ogOkP6uA3XWom2vZaxS0qhZgHXcsAuBr8pLBJ85lO5rU16y06ymx0v-ioOXiFV7aEuYzpQpv~~eieBpc-e~H4E1y82VU9hY7pdnL-AP2Y--TNEt4qibPh96P04nSFBILn7-neQLRaUcE70qQbivHJb2uvBoJ1DDaY-vuqHma24ezLPNhy0qX5a81UIMDOu-LqJPFtMOikxEfvhtibCKfJ8wHX8MLSzNpOL-ty5-igVeRwQ8XZbMP1OHWLUURzEoHBsVueBR87XFy99auT~TguUwzUjFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jessica Gardner, director of the Onslow County Cooperative Extension, told Onslow County Today the Extension is expanding its farmers market season with once‑a‑month winter markets and additional vendors, and that it will accept SNAP benefits during the winter market season.

Gardner said the winter markets are set for Jan. 11 and Feb. 8; regular Saturday markets resume in April. Vendors at the winter markets include multiple meat vendors (beef and pork, including pasture‑raised pork), bakeries including a gluten‑free option, and egg vendors offering chicken and duck eggs. She noted specialty products such as organ meats, tallow and specialty cuts and said vendors sometimes run promotional deals.

Why it matters: Extending market dates and accepting SNAP benefits can increase access to fresh, locally produced food for Onslow County residents and support local farmers during a slower season.

Gardner described Extension programs beyond the market: 4‑H youth programming remains active with livestock projects (dairy, sheep, chicken) and non‑animal activities such as STEM, robotics, cooking, healthy‑living and fiber‑arts clubs. Extension also publishes a monthly \"What's in the Garden\" newsletter, promotes soil testing and seasonal advice, and encourages residents to use the office’s online pages and Facebook for updates.

Practical details provided on the program: the Extension office phone number is 910‑455‑5873, and the office is located at the county government center. Gardner said two online sources are maintained: the county government page and the Onslow County Extension Center page through NC State.

The remarks were part of an informational segment on Onslow County Today and did not represent a change in county policy or a funding appropriation.

","Jessica Gardner, director of Onslow County Cooperative Extension, said the office will hold winter markets Jan. 11 and Feb. 8, will accept SNAP during winter months, and continues a range of 4‑H youth programs and gardening resources.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6671018,"Onslow County Sheriff's Office urges neighborhoods to revive community watch; citizen academy set for Feb. 11",458,158000,616000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2171650-3324a65ad68ad294d5788d4ae8e9ccb5&start=158&end=616","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2171650-3324a65ad68ad294d5788d4ae8e9ccb5/thumbnail_158000.jpg","/articles/6671018/Onslow-County/North-Carolina/Onslow-County-Sheriffs-Office-urges-neighborhoods-to-revive-community-watch-citizen-academy-set-for-Feb-11","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6671018-a865c287d35e019c08e2aaa75f340301/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448296&Signature=ihxg~-crHEQPCngF6~cv3ZC5p49dW0j7uGMu~MszCwRlXOiRBOpGu5Ovk~0dEz8~QdCJEcXihxUsVe79nc8QoZiRSQB-~0nwrwfymCpsKs0wk26i2697aClJBDvouxn4kTsxB53c75YJNokuNcfXd6c76BPLMG~LQ17Ui3snJP6YF-~VD~v6y8TXAyDUXT--ljJ1q6mIcdNVapWU~GsCMZdaDgm0h30L9eNR8h2G4zey31eSFt2iWHQFei9xmlkQzf5fLWVBZ4ld4m3XIOZVc7r7RAUprmIR9tglXoja7x5mznocsYRJtprdDWRFfdqR8J1nWYjMVKyLLm0DDPL7PA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Captain Bruce Dixon, a captain with the Onslow County Sheriff's Office, said the office is stepping up its Community Watch program to help neighborhoods in unincorporated Onslow County deter crime and improve neighbor-to-neighbor communication. He told Onslow County Today the spring Citizen Law Enforcement Academy will begin Feb. 11 and that applications will open in January on the sheriff's office Facebook page.

The renewed Community Watch effort is intended to be “community maintained and a community driven, approach to, deterring crime,” Dixon said on the county program. He described the sheriff's office role as a liaison that offers training, monthly neighborhood statistics and tailored guidance for groups as small as one or two streets.

Why it matters: Onslow County has seen residential growth in subdivisions outside municipal boundaries, and the sheriff's office says neighborhood-organized observation and modern tools such as doorbell cameras and neighborhood social-media pages can expand its reach and help prevent crimes before they spread to new developments.

Dixon described the program's typical components: neighborhood signage, a short class on “best tips and strategies,” and ongoing communication between neighborhood coordinators and the sheriff's office. “If we're operating through a social media website, then we'll provide monthly statistics,” he said, adding that the office customizes support to each neighborhood's needs.

Dixon also pointed to national experience indicating that visible neighborhood organization and signage can make an area a less attractive target. “Statistically, with the sign up and then in the neighborhood, in an active vigilant, thought process, crime within that area has decreased,” he said.

The sheriff's office runs two citizen law enforcement academies each year, Dixon said; the spring session is scheduled to start Feb. 11, 2025. He said the application process will open in January and information will be posted on the sheriff's office Facebook page and distributed through the office's public information officer.

Contact and next steps: Residents who want help forming a Community Watch group can contact the Onslow County Sheriff's Office and ask for Captain Bruce Dixon for assistance. Dixon said he will meet with neighborhoods to guide them through forming a watch, even for small clusters of streets.

The remarks came during an edition of Onslow County Today recorded at Hines Farm Park; they were informational and did not represent a new ordinance, budget vote or change in statutory authority.

","Captain Bruce Dixon told Onslow County Today the sheriff's office is reinvigorating its Community Watch program to help deter crime in growing unincorporated neighborhoods and will open applications in January for a citizen law enforcement academy beginning Feb. 11.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Onslow County Public Library resumes 'reading dragons' program and branch events for 2025

Onslow County Cooperative Extension expands winter farmers market, offers SNAP acceptance and youth programs

Onslow County Sheriff's Office urges neighborhoods to revive community watch; citizen academy set for Feb. 11