[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6555298,"mediaKeyId","3845714-e857bc5f3875a031b4bd3570a57f6d5c","parentId",3845714,"title","Northampton Memorial Library launches 2025 'Color Our World' summer reading program, adds braille outreach","audioSeconds",514,"startMs",2596000,"endMs",3110000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3845714-e857bc5f3875a031b4bd3570a57f6d5c&start=2596&end=3110","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3845714-e857bc5f3875a031b4bd3570a57f6d5c/thumbnail_2596000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6555298/Northampton-County/North-Carolina/Northampton-Memorial-Library-launches-2025-Color-Our-World-summer-reading-program-adds-braille-outreach","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6555298-c004d9504bdfb1795647616af67718a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168607&Signature=gn29gKnJprpALx8N5tz5KCUqbYQk1rKt7--IlwT9HFZLCtGEZeKyOjn1w1DiwvcBGsns1gcTSmJpLQ-twuquOQa5pYhpjYUAXxhxRmz7hrXbhHE~3AGaZapY3TXt~zt5C1F9CvDwS~lnXlJ~hO72Wz6k4xbjHpqQfxiXxHmQkaSWBUw2vQdmzBYB7-jmIp0yC5ybwQ4JSikcleSu9ys3HrGVhawnEClWir7tCNWM-B7O-qlLLrXHtBRENKPzDTrxnurNH3fwvDihKvUOCawRtaEwoAMeXiIB55nOC2bgqEtFkqosuJtweAJJwqebSjbL15~4wTQQEKikpBdIe2q6~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Northampton County","date","2025-06-17T11:09:26Z","article","Northampton Memorial Library staff told the Northampton County Board of Commissioners on June 16 about the branch's 2025 summer reading program \"Color Our World,\" which includes 16 activities, nine paid performances and seven movie days.

Branch manager Lillie Purnell said the library's kickoff included a performance by Joy the Clown and a donated lunch from Chick-fil-A of Roanoke Rapids. She described program elements such as a coloring activity table, a \"color our world with kindness\" guessing game and take-home booklets for registered participants. Purnell invited commissioners, county staff and residents to attend events and said the library is active in outreach beyond its 207 West Jefferson Street location.

Purnell also said the branch is partnering with the State Library of North Carolina to provide braille books to the library and to send braille materials into homes of residents with visual impairments. The branch manager said this is the first time she's received a request for braille books and noted the library is expanding accessibility services.

Purnell described additional planned events including a back-to-school gala in August, a fall festival in September and a veterans luncheon; she said Northampton County Schools is partnering on Camp Curiosity and other youth programming.

Ending: Purnell asked residents to follow the library and the Albemarle Regional Library System on social media for program details and to request printed copies of the summer schedule.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commissioners Meeting - June 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Northampton Memorial Library, part of the Albemarle Regional Library System, launched a summer reading program with 16 activities, partnerships for donated lunches and new braille-book outreach for visually impaired children and homebound residents.","taxTitle","Northampton County, North Carolina","taxId",73549,"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},6555302,"Resident urges stronger county protections in draft solar ordinance, citing noise and burning concerns",122,776000,898000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3845714-e857bc5f3875a031b4bd3570a57f6d5c&start=776&end=898","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3845714-e857bc5f3875a031b4bd3570a57f6d5c/thumbnail_776000.jpg","/articles/6555302/Northampton-County/North-Carolina/Resident-urges-stronger-county-protections-in-draft-solar-ordinance-citing-noise-and-burning-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6555302-48d5737160a42e0ac0e078d16cccc1eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168607&Signature=EqvdxLhI4zZLwvs6BJEmYgiW1GP-QOjWbvI0mqAPT5bR66T~5W5G19MlvUz-VU8FlarthFbcZvR7XcGEfUBZPKrACQBLX5xRsFImMXUwttRES50KXEknvmAmi~xHTXV3KyxiC453uWXXWmpF~fPO4JaSTU28ch9Znudb8yCkpm9sN8gN5WlxlZ8HgwbXjixEtUaFWYt7lykoVYqCySFW5IbS1zGUt19EOECP8fEoC7gixTqDc8FgM38B0ShoumiLw79ZM8xD42rac123HKfh4ps5xHJTXfCVEDIpkmWwHhHWZ0cr5MYqTOXu2RiS5-PI1RjhIT-5GdAiaJDo13NMXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the public comment period, Sylvia Vincent told the Northampton County Board of Commissioners she had concerns about a draft county ordinance governing solar farms.

Vincent said crews have brought materials onto sites and that when post installation begins \"it's gonna be pounding and pounding and pounding,\" and she expressed concern that nearly 2,000 acres of work could generate prolonged noise for residents. She also raised questions about waste management in the draft ordinance, asking how the ordinance addresses burning in the community and whether the county's fire marshal would handle burn-policy enforcement.

Vincent said the draft appeared to require a management plan that would address only 50% of waste; she asked what would happen to the remaining 50% and whether it could be dumped elsewhere. She requested commissioners review the draft carefully \"and make sure that the people in our community are covered.\" The speaker concluded that \"some more work needs to be done with the county ordinance.\" The board acknowledged the comment; no ordinance vote was recorded at the meeting.

Ending: The comments were entered into the public record. The board did not take immediate action on the draft ordinance at the meeting; staff follow-up and potential ordinance revisions would appear on later agendas if the board directs changes.","A resident urged commissioners to strengthen a draft county ordinance on solar farms, raising concerns about noise from pile-driving, waste burning, and whether the county fire marshal and management plans adequately address community impacts.",{"_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},6555306,"Resident raises legal concerns about county tax assessor certification and 2023 reappointment",314,522000,836000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3845714-e857bc5f3875a031b4bd3570a57f6d5c&start=522&end=836","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3845714-e857bc5f3875a031b4bd3570a57f6d5c/thumbnail_522000.jpg","/articles/6555306/Northampton-County/North-Carolina/Resident-raises-legal-concerns-about-county-tax-assessor-certification-and-2023-reappointment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6555306-a6d7b8cd4a238a7a1806b414b94ca523/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168607&Signature=ZUL2R3iaVCeqwsQu2WYOvc6ki4SWV-eGjesPMl8MYXCFyD9kOtk3fojc6jW5LKsaLDVtoVn9DnoxegmXZFH8RYqse06wbISAlNxoWxGtucewMPII2NDoMFC0rMKZN1HMdpCoNUSQ-W3ZT-0HGITfFjcNBC-YkJzOn5FSrg8P7CZLrfpx7ewQVCb3dpJ027W-nBdIfKBMRmjCoVfR4ZtDXVS55vfSy7HdnBkfMIeb0X6s-1gYQCK51iVCTks51X3ZlPOzGdZBUJ7QEy~c355XkP4arSqlw4IWg-AmRQ7Ksa9kl1DFC-JzW5svUhVLOZ-21~6co-aqAuPP-DZZPmfbOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A resident told the Northampton County Board of Commissioners on June 16 that the county's acting tax assessor may not have completed state-required certification and urged the board to act.

Earl Daniels said the county's tax assessor was hired in July 2021 and that, according to a Department of Revenue listing he reviewed, the assessor is shown as an acting assessor. Daniels cited North Carolina law and Department of Revenue certification rules while urging the board to verify whether the assessor met the two-year certification requirement. He said, as read into the record, that \"any person who fails to qualify within 2 years after the date of the initial appointment shall not be eligible for reappointment\" and that the Department of Revenue requires course instruction followed by a comprehensive examination.

Daniels told the board that if the acting assessor did not achieve required certification within the two-year period, \"I can question the validity and the legality of the decision she made regarding assessment of county properties after July 2023.\" He recommended the board take immediate action to rectify the situation if certification documentation cannot be produced.

The statement cited multiple passages of statute and Department of Revenue rules as presented by the speaker; the board did not take an immediate formal action on the allegation during the meeting. County officials present acknowledged the comment and continued to the next agenda item.

Ending: The board did not announce any immediate follow-up action on the public comment during the meeting; the public comment will be part of the meeting record and county staff may be expected to review and respond in future minutes or communications.","During public comment, resident Earl Daniels urged the Northampton County Board of Commissioners to investigate whether the county's acting tax assessor met North Carolina certification requirements and warned that assessments after July 2023 could be legally questionable if certification is lacking.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6555311,"Votes at a glance: fire districts, curbside contract, veterans appointment and proclamation approved",2573,855000,3428000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3845714-e857bc5f3875a031b4bd3570a57f6d5c&start=855&end=3428","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3845714-e857bc5f3875a031b4bd3570a57f6d5c/thumbnail_855000.jpg","/articles/6555311/Northampton-County/North-Carolina/Votes-at-a-glance-fire-districts-curbside-contract-veterans-appointment-and-proclamation-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6555311-1d5dac5fd2a14da817e2e1cdb41cd828/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168607&Signature=KHYtUjyEMb64aRcs8~KWL3sxgfDEhzxFZb6k1h20v5J8MPkQL8sAgcCXGQ0wsiyp9XKlkZBOv7ExpPMgbgFDE-rjL4-3k3Tug5DGXwU6k20SpDLphuf2T6BH1co56VNMwyNTUv5RAej6gtAFqDtr-W0xWkO7sljZJa0ESazNLeSzCraX09jDjfXR5mV1nbP6eXFXBUoSuu15k8l3QXWXB8~A5hHT~HBRU9ycsbdGvlm1Z-peOZkSyhErd3esDKIu9gYQBZxyUZcYzi4uZKJKVNm2HIHb1KOeU73XP4dnEIdEmQs9oj9zbjhNvWLuAfoeZPKXxAPVl2MM7VI5tEZxLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Northampton County Board of Commissioners recorded multiple formal actions at its June 16 meeting. Outcomes listed below were taken from the meeting roll calls and motions.

Conway Fire District — approved
The board voted to establish the Conway Fire District. The approval of the district establishes the district boundaries only; rates will be addressed in the budget approval process.

75 District — approved
The board voted to establish the 75 Fire District.

Solid-waste curbside pickup contract (GFL) — approved
The board approved a contract for curbside pickup with GFL, the low bidder on an earlier request for proposals. County staff said the pricing contained in the contract is included in the adopted budget. County staff and the finance officer reviewed the contract before presentation.

Veterans Advocacy Commission appointment — confirmed
The board confirmed the unanimous recommendation of the Veterans Advocacy Commission to appoint Charles W. Yale Sr. to that commission.

Proclamation: Martha Ella Jacobs Ward — adopted
The board adopted a proclamation recognizing Martha Ella Jacobs Ward on her 100th birthday and declared a day in her honor in Northampton County and Rich Square.

Votes and formal actions were taken by voice vote; the meeting record indicates unanimous approval for the items above unless otherwise noted.","At its June 16 meeting the Northampton County Board of Commissioners approved two fire districts, awarded a curbside solid-waste contract to GFL, confirmed a veterans commission appointment and adopted a proclamation honoring a centenarian.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6555315,"Northampton County adopts FY 2025–26 budget, board splits 4-1 after debate over audits and services",930,983000,1913000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3845714-e857bc5f3875a031b4bd3570a57f6d5c&start=983&end=1913","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3845714-e857bc5f3875a031b4bd3570a57f6d5c/thumbnail_983000.jpg","/articles/6555315/Northampton-County/North-Carolina/Northampton-County-adopts-FY-202526-budget-board-splits-4-1-after-debate-over-audits-and-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6555315-2a702073e94730f2331754a5afc2f5b8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168607&Signature=HQ1NuEu3zw1ukdoYHSBfBwYncIDjtzZG84P4AhuUfeUtSc4ZwyM488ZsWRHWEouquMhJ-Hgcn4vVLySNjV4LpFI~upel6wwF1ZxiLr2~5k2Ds~-iiuRN0dS45Ssua4y489EzYwJJgttB0XwgDvBx0L5eAY7sxI5FVddSXy6Loji76ZiZPG-vEQrGhCmqsk1liEJ6QYYbSlKmv3eLf5aJoCK3NPkQiiP90IWX7DqUuehRvodVcc4Z5TtkaFeHBoX9LbftPFBoIM53xGy8R~Ft2FQ0QSDO6qoNItu1NJC0gwWJh2rqkYu2pKR8hHWoGLWZBVGrVufB9HvcVqBAJXiz1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Northampton County Board of Commissioners approved the fiscal year 2025'6 budget at its June 16 meeting by a 4-1 vote.

The budget vote followed extended discussion among commissioners and public speakers about the county's recent audit, animal shelter capacity and how emergency medical services are listed in the proposed ordinance. A commissioner noted they could not, \"in all honesty, go along with the budget tonight,\" and said multiple outstanding concerns about audit corrections and transparency remained, leading to the lone recorded opposition. The tally recorded at the meeting was four in favor and one opposed; one commissioner temporarily experienced a sound problem during the roll call and their vote was recorded as in favor after the issue was resolved.

County staff presented the budget as ready for adoption and stated that previously scheduled work sessions had informed the document. Commissioners discussed specific line items including ambulance services, which appear in the budget document under the heading \"ambulance\" with a figure discussed in the meeting as $4,600,000 (as shown in the printed ordinance), and support for volunteer fire departments and expanded veteran services.

During the public and commission discussion, commissioners and staff raised the county's capacity to house animals. A staff speaker said the county's current shelter can accommodate approximately 8 to 12 dogs; the meeting record indicates two officers and one supervisor staff the shelter. Commissioners said a prior attempt to build a new shelter had an estimated project cost of $4,400,000 and later estimates that exceeded the planned budget, requiring a return to the drawing board if the board seeks to expand the facility.

A commissioner also said concern remained about a prior audit and whether its corrections had been communicated to all commissioners. Multiple commissioners said the county is working to complete the 2024'5 audit in advance of state deadlines and reiterated plans to provide additional information as they finish year-end close work.

Outcome and next steps: The adopted budget will be implemented for fiscal year 2025'6. Commissioners said they expect continued follow-up on audit corrections, animal shelter planning and EMS budgeting in future meetings.

Ending: County officials said the county will continue work on audit closeout and invited residents to raise further questions with county staff.","The Northampton County Board of Commissioners approved the county's fiscal year 2025–26 budget on June 16, 2025, by a 4-1 vote after commissioners and residents questioned audit corrections, animal shelter capacity and emergency services line items.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Northampton Memorial Library launches 2025 'Color Our World' summer reading program, adds braille outreach

Resident urges stronger county protections in draft solar ordinance, citing noise and burning concerns

Resident raises legal concerns about county tax assessor certification and 2023 reappointment

Votes at a glance: fire districts, curbside contract, veterans appointment and proclamation approved

Northampton County adopts FY 2025–26 budget, board splits 4-1 after debate over audits and services