Subscribe | Get featured

Hey Twin Counties, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: A film tracing Dr. King’s speech, Amazon’s new delivery stations and jobs, and an autism dance prom party + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around the Twin Counties protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Competition high for water funds: Nashville was awarded a $3 million state loan to rehab its wastewater collection system, part of $472 million approved statewide for 145 projects to strengthen water and sewer infrastructure — get all the details.

Origins of a landmark speech: NC State professor Jason Miller’s film spotlights Rocky Mount’s influence on Dr. King’s I Have a Dream speech, unveiling two never-before-seen photos. It will be screened at Stanford this year — see what the film reveals.

Same-day service expansion: Amazon has opened five new delivery stations across North Carolina, with more than 700 jobs expected. The company also donated to the Tarboro Development Corporation to support rural deliveries — get all the details.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• Sip and paint with new friends
• Book spring mini sessions at Rose Hill
• Grab books at Book Nook bag sale

🫶 We got your back

Fresh sandwich energy: When lunchtime hits, NABS Deli and Coffee Shop rolls out East Coast-style stacks like the Super Reuben and Mondo Meatball, plus house-roasted Ethiopian coffee. Grab it fast or settle in, and let the low-stress, high-flavor vibe boost your week.

Easy outdoor reset: Sunset Park packs the good stuff: an 18-hole disc golf course, skate park, lighted courts, playgrounds, and a boat ramp on the Tar. Mini train, carousel, and splash pad run seasonally, but river breezes and walking loops always deliver, making screen-free movement easy.

Level up family game night: When rainy afternoons or screen fatigue hits, Game Nook has board games, TCGs, minis, and RPGs, plus organized play, rentable tables, and a rulebook library. Pick something new, spark actual laughs, and turn an ordinary weeknight into friendly rivalry.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

📝 Taking Control of Tomorrow: Advance Care Planning @ Edgecombe County Memorial Library (Tarboro) | Wednesday (3/11) at 1:00 PM – Ready to actually plan for the what-ifs, without Dr. Google? This free, plain-English session covers the who, what, when, where, how, and the why of advance care planning. Do your people a solid, and yourself a favor.

⛑ First Aid & CPR Training @ Down East Partnership for Children (Rocky Mount) | Thursday (3/12) at 8:00 AM – Think you’d handle an emergency like a champ, or just locate the dusty first-aid kit? This free FAFOO First Aid and CPR training gets you confident, useful, and quick. Because waiting on luck while someone chokes on a potluck meatball is not a plan.

🎨 Artful Aging @ Roberson Center (Tarboro) | Thursday (3/12) at 1:00 PM – Whether your crafty streak is rusty or you’ve got the steadiest scissors in Tarboro, the E.L. Roberson Center hosts a free arts and crafts class every second Thursday for Edgecombe County seniors. Friendly faces, low pressure, fun. Call or stop by to reserve a spot.

🚜 Farm Fridays @ The Harriet Tubman Freedom Farm (Whitakers) | Friday (3/13) at 8:00 AM – Fridays call for dirt therapy at the pilot farm in Rocky Mount, where locals can volunteer and pitch in on seasonal tasks. Expect weeding, watering, and a stubborn hose or two, plus fresh air, good company, and that earned supper smugness.

🍿 Family Movie Night @ Rock Creek Baptist Church (Nashville) | Friday (3/13) at 6:00 PM – Think you can guess the animated movie that’s not big on feet, stars Channing Tatum, Zendaya, LeBron James, and Danny DeVito, and pairs perfectly with popcorn? Family Movie Night is free, concessions are wallet friendly, and the kids handle the commentary.

🎉 Autism Dance Prom Party @ South Rocky Mount Community Center | Saturday (3/14) at 4:00 PM – Dust off that prom glow, or just the comfy sneakers, and bring the kids to a free Autism Dance PROM Party with Ms. Gigi. Big energy, bigger smiles, zero judgment, just music, movement, and a dance floor where every style counts, including your dad moves.

🚉 Train Station Tour and PRM Membership Meeting @ Helen P. Gay Rocky Mount Historic Train Station | Sunday (3/15) at 2:00 PM – Walk the Helen P. Gay train station and REA bus station with Peter Varney, and hear how the railroad built Rocky Mount, shaped downtown, and spurred restoration. Rain or shine, it’s free, with a Pullman peek, steps, and PRM board vote to keep you honest.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Twin Counties report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 81°F – Low: 61°F – Precip: 8%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. Southwest wind 1 to 7 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 61. South wind around 5 mph.

—

Tomorrow – High: 85°F – Low: 58°F – Precip: 8%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. Southwest wind 3 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across North Carolina but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

Freshly built Cedar Plan with 4 bedrooms up and a 2-car garage. The airy owner’s suite boasts an en suite with garden tub, glass-door shower, and two walk-in closets. Main floor LVT spans an eat-in kitchen with granite, family room, and a flex room with full bath. Upstairs, LVT baths with cultured marble vanities pair with carpeted bedrooms.

Take a peek inside →