From the Desk of Senator Brent Jackson June 17, 2026 | | |
Dear Friend of Senate District 9,
Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter and staying connected with the latest news from District Nine and our efforts in the General Assembly.
My team and I are committed to serving our community and our state, working hard each day to bring about positive change. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue addressing the important issues impacting our district! Your voices and concerns continue to guide our efforts in the General Assembly, and we remain focused on bringing your priorities to the forefront.
Thank you for your continued support!
Sincerely,
| | |
This week was a busy, yet exciting week in the North Carolina General Assembly. North Carolina law makers were able to get a lot done, including:
SB 1001 โ
Coastal Regulatory Reform Lawmakers continued work on Senate Bill 1001, which would provide coastal communities with additional options to address shoreline erosion and storm damage while supporting long-term coastal protection efforts. This bill was heard this week in the Agriculture, Environment, and Energy Committee.
SB 1009 โ
Senate Bill 1009 would repeal North Carolina's longstanding ban on new hardened erosion-control structures such as seawalls and jetties. The bill would not automatically authorize construction of these structures; instead, it directs the Coastal Resources Commission to establish permitting standards and regulatory guidelines for future projects.
Supporters of the bill say that it would give coastal communities additional options to protect homes, businesses, and infrastructure from severe erosion, while ensuring projects remain subject to environmental review. This bill was heard this week in the Agriculture, Environment, and Energy Committee.
State Budget Discussions Continue-
Budget discussions remained a major focus this week as House and Senate leaders continued negotiations on the state's spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year. Progress was made this week as budget conferees continued discussions and full committee chairs completed much of their work, moving the process closer toward a final agreement between the two chambers.
| | |
We appreciate your time in reading our newsletter and would love to hear your thoughts! What do you enjoy most, and what could we improve to make it more valuable to you?
๏ปฟYour feedback is invaluable in helping us refine and enhance our content. Feel free to share your suggestionsโweโre listening!
| | Invite your Friends/Family! | |
๏ปฟIf you'd like to invite others to receive our weekly district newsletter, you can invite them using the button below!
| |
Bladen County Schools Honors Educators, Retirees, and School Leaders
Bladen County Schools recently recognized outstanding educators, staff members and retirees during its annual Employee Recognition Luncheon held on June 8. The event celebrated the contributions of employees across the district and highlighted those who have demonstrated excellence throughout the 2025-26 school year.
Among the top honors, Tar Heel School Principal Vanessa Ruffin was named Principal of the Year by her fellow principals. Asia Burney of Elizabethtown Primary School was selected as Bladen County Schools Teacher of the Year, while Michaela McKinley of Elizabethtown Middle School earned Beginning Teacher of the Year honors. Mitchell Newkirk of East Bladen High School and Elizabeth Roberson of West Bladen High School were recognized as Co-Career and Technical Education Teachers of the Year.
The district also honored 23 retiring educators for their years of service and dedication to students. Superintendent Dr. Jason Atkinson thanked the retirees for the lasting impact they have made on generations of Bladen County students, noting that their legacy will continue through the lives they helped shape.
In addition to recognizing current and retiring staff, Bladen County Schools announced several leadership appointments for the 2026-27 school year. New principal assignments include John Ammons at Bladen Lakes Primary, David Wimert at Bladenboro Primary, and Heather Thompson at Bladenboro Middle. The appointments will take effect July 1 as the district prepares for the upcoming school year.
Read More
| | | | |
| |
University of Mount Olive Selected for National Precision Agriculture Initiative
The University of Mount Olive has been selected as one of just 15 institutions nationwide to participate in the Agri Spray Drones Academic Partner Initiative, further strengthening its role as a leader in agricultural education and innovation.
Through the program, UMO received an EAVision J150 agricultural spray drone that will be incorporated into the university's Precision Agriculture program. Students will gain hands-on experience with emerging agricultural technology while learning drone operation, maintenance, safety procedures, and FAA certification requirements. The drone is capable of carrying a 20-gallon payload, covering more than 60 acres per hour, and uses advanced LiDAR technology to navigate fields and avoid obstacles.
The new equipment will also support research efforts beginning this summer. Faculty and students plan to study drone applications for cucumber downy mildew control as well as soybean fungicide and insecticide treatments, comparing aerial applications with traditional ground-based methods. Researchers hope the findings will provide valuable information for growers throughout the Southeast.
In addition to classroom instruction and research, the drone will be used during farmer field days, workforce development programs, and the university's annual FFA Precision Agriculture Contest. University officials say the partnership demonstrates UMO's commitment to preparing the next generation of agricultural professionals while helping farmers evaluate innovative technologies that can improve efficiency and productivity.
Read More
| | | |
|
Jones County Upgrades Emergency Communications Equipment
Emergency responders across Jones County will soon begin using new communications equipment designed to improve coverage, reliability and safety during emergency situations.
Jones County Emergency Services recently completed programming 150 new Motorola N70XE radios, which will be distributed to emergency response agencies throughout the county. The new radios replace aging equipment that was approaching the end of its service life and, in some cases, becoming incompatible with current communication systems.
County officials cited longstanding radio coverage challenges in parts of Jones County as a major factor behind the upgrade. The new radios are LTE-capable, allowing responders to switch to the Verizon cellular network if they lose access to traditional radio coverage. While the technology is not a complete replacement for expanded radio infrastructure, it provides an important backup communication option for first responders operating in areas with limited coverage.
The radios also include enhanced personnel tracking features, enabling emergency responders to quickly locate team members who activate emergency alerts while in the field. Jones County Emergency Services will conduct training sessions in the coming weeks to familiarize personnel with the new equipment and its capabilities.
The upgraded radios will be distributed to numerous public safety agencies across the county, including fire departments, EMS agencies, law enforcement, public works and the health department. County officials thanked the Jones County Board of Commissioners for supporting the project and its continued commitment to public safety.
Read More
| | | | |
| | |
Pender County Museum Preserves Local History and Heritage
The Pender County Museum continues to serve as a valuable resource for preserving and sharing the countyโs rich history. Located in Burgawโs oldest brick building, a former private residence built in 1917, the museum houses hundreds of artifacts that tell the story of Pender Countyโs people, communities, and traditions.
Since opening as a museum in 1979, the facility has collected exhibits covering military service, education, medicine, agriculture, and everyday life throughout the county. Permanent displays include artifacts connected to Camp Davis, the World War II anti-aircraft training base that once operated along the Pender-Onslow county line, as well as historic school photographs, medical exhibits, and collections of period clothing.
Visitors can also explore exhibits highlighting the countyโs communications history, including a vintage wall-mounted telephone and a 1956 Pender Telephone Company directory. Another notable exhibit honors local historian Mattie Bloodworth, whose 1947 book History of Pender County helped document and preserve the countyโs early history.
Behind the museum, a barn houses hundreds of antique farming tools that provide a glimpse into Pender Countyโs agricultural heritage. The museum will also feature a special exhibit, "Deep Blue Roots: The Early History of Blueberries in North Carolina," during the N.C. Blueberry Festival on June 19-20. Following the festival, the exhibit will be relocated to the museum for continued public viewing.
Located at 200 W. Bridgers Street in Burgaw, the Pender County Museum offers free admission and welcomes visitors throughout the year, helping ensure local history is preserved for future generations.
Read More
| | | |
|
Sampson Community College Students Featured in Local Art Exhibition
Current and former Sampson Community College students are showcasing their artistic talents in a special exhibition at the Victor R. Small House in Clinton. The exhibit, titled "Ways of Seeing," features artwork from more than a dozen student artists alongside pieces by SCC art instructor and local artist Josiah King.
The exhibition opened with a public reception and will remain on display through July 9. Organized in partnership with the Sampson Arts Council, the show provides students with a unique opportunity to display their work in a professional gallery setting while connecting with the local arts community.
King, who has taught art at Sampson Community College for several years, said one of the most rewarding aspects of the exhibit was seeing former students continue to create art long after leaving the classroom. He noted that many of the pieces on display were created independently, demonstrating the lasting impact of artistic education and personal creativity.
The exhibit highlights the important role arts programs play in fostering talent, confidence, and self-expression. Through partnerships like this, Sampson Community College and the Sampson Arts Council continue to provide opportunities for emerging artists to share their work with the community while strengthening the county's growing arts culture.๏ปฟ
Read More
| | | | | Agriculture Spotlight: North Carolina Honey Finds New Markets | |
North Carolina's beekeepers continue to play an important role in the state's agricultural economy, supplying honey that is used in a growing variety of products beyond the traditional honey jar. One example is Durham Distillery's Krupnikas Honey Liqueur, which incorporates locally sourced wildflower honey from beekeepers across North and South Carolina.
Each batch of the specialty liqueur uses approximately 300 pounds of honey, creating an additional market for honey producers while showcasing the versatility of one of North Carolina agriculture's most valuable pollinator-supported commodities. The product highlights how farmers and beekeepers can benefit from value-added partnerships that connect agriculture with the food and beverage industry.
Honey production not only supports rural economies but also reflects the critical role pollinators play in North Carolina agriculture. From fruits and vegetables to specialty crops, many agricultural products depend on healthy bee populations. Partnerships like those between local beekeepers and North Carolina businesses help strengthen demand for honey while promoting the importance of pollinators to the state's agricultural success.
๏ปฟ
As National Pollinator Month continues, stories like this serve as a reminder that North Carolina's beekeepers contribute far more than honey aloneโthey help support the productivity and sustainability of agriculture across the state.
Read More
| |  | Historical Spotlight: North Carolina's Plank Road Boom | |
Before railroads and modern highways connected North Carolina, muddy and poorly maintained roads made travel difficult across much of the state. In the 1850s, North Carolina embraced a new transportation innovation known as the plank road. Built from wooden planks laid across a prepared roadbed, these roads provided a smoother and more reliable route for moving people and goods.
The state experienced what became known as "plank road fever," with 84 chartered plank roads and nearly 500 miles of wooden highways constructed between the late 1840s and the Civil War. The most famous was the Fayetteville and Western Plank Road, which stretched 129 miles from Fayetteville toward the Piedmont and remains the longest wooden highway ever built. The roads helped farmers transport crops to market and improved connections between rural communities and commercial centers.
Although plank roads were an important step forward, they proved expensive to maintain and quickly faced competition from expanding railroad networks. By the time of the Civil War, many had fallen into disrepair. Even so, the plank road movement represented one of North Carolina's earliest large-scale efforts to improve transportation infrastructure and support economic growth across the state.
Title: Historical Spotlight: North Carolina's Plank Road Boom
Read More
| | | | | |
