Tar River Times

Tar River Times The Tar River Times is a locally owned and operated newspaper.

The Tar River Times is dedicated to bringing Edgecombe County residents local news through a published weekly newspaper that is distributed on Thursday. Our staff is very dedicated about featuring stories on local people who are making a difference in our county. We want to make a difference in our community and we want our readers to know what is happening with their hometown's government and whe

n events are taking place. We are going to pride ourselves to be the best newspaper in Edgecombe County and as we grow and expand, we are going to bring you more editions each week as time goes on. But for us to do that, we are going to need the community's help by keeping us informed about what is going on in their neighborhood.

01/13/2026

Edgecombe County reports 1st flu-related death

The Edgecombe County Health Department received confirmation that there has been an influenza-related death reported in Edgecombe County.
According to the health department’s press release, the influenza-related death was not pediatric, and to protect the privacy of the family, no further information will be released.
“We are saddened to hear of this flu death in our community. This reminds us that the flu is a serious illness and we must take all precautions to protect ourselves, our families, and those around us. Flu activity is on the rise, and we have not hit the peak season yet. North Carolina has seen a significant increase in flu activity, unfortunately resulting in more adult deaths” stated Michelle Etheridge, Director of the Edgecombe County Health Department.
Influenza is a serious illness caused by a virus. Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, shaking, chills, body aches, and extreme weakness. Flu is very contagious and is spread by an infected person’s respiratory droplets that are released in the air through coughing, sneezing, talking, or laughing. Flu vaccine is the safest and most effective way to protect against flu and is recommended for anyone over 6 months of age. It is particularly important for people at high risk of complications, including pregnant women, people with chronic diseases, young children and the elderly.
Your vaccination also protects people around you that are unable to be vaccinated including babies who are too young to be vaccinated.
In addition to being vaccinated, take everyday preventive measures. These include washing your hands, cough etiquette - covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, staying home from work and out of the public, and keeping your children home from school when sick to reduce the spread of germs.
The Edgecombe County Health Department offers the flu vaccine at both locations in Tarboro and Rocky Mount by appointment or walk-in, Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm. For more information or if you have questions or concerns regarding the flu, please contact the Edgecombe County Health Department at (252) 641-7511 or (252) 985-4100, Monday through Friday.e e

Suspect possessed 25,000-plus child p**n imagesOn Oct. 3, the Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office received a cyber-tip fro...
11/19/2025

Suspect possessed 25,000-plus child p**n images

On Oct. 3, the Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office received a cyber-tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The tip was to alert the Sheriff’s Office of an individual uploading images containing child sexual assault material. This case was assigned to our Internet Crimes Against Children Detective, Sgt Johnson.

On Oct. 6, a search warrant was executed at the suspect’s home located on NC Hwy 33 NW, Tarboro. During the ex*****on of the search warrant a laptop and a thumb drive were seized for forensic examination due to the presence of child p**nography. This laptop and thumb drive were then submitted to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for examination.

A preliminary report from the NCSBI stated there were over 25,000 images identified as obscene material that involved children recovered from the laptop and thumb drive.

After consultation with the District Attorney's Office the suspect, Kenneth Earl Nash (02/15/1955), was charged with 1 count of 2nd Degree Sexual Exploitation of a minor, and 4 counts of 3rd Degree Sexual Exploitation of a minor. He was taken into custody without incident taken before the magistrate and received a $2,000,000 secured bond. During his first appearance Nash’s bond was reduced to $250,000.

The Sheriff’s Office said this is an ongoing case and more charges are expected in the future.e

Edgecombe County Public Schools is thrilled to announce that a three-year, $179,000 STEM Enrichment Grant has been fully...
11/19/2025

Edgecombe County Public Schools is thrilled to announce that a three-year, $179,000 STEM Enrichment Grant has been fully funded by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund!
The grant was written by Brittany White, Science Teacher at Edgecombe Early College High School; Matt Bristow-Smith, EECHS Principal; and Joseph Hayes, ECPS Technology Director
This incredible investment will expand robotics programs across the district and provide major support for our Tar-Robo Turtles team. Their hard work and vision will dramatically increase STEM opportunities for students throughout Edgecombe County.
We are grateful for their leadership, innovation, and commitment to providing hands-on, future-ready learning experiences for our scholars.

(pictured left to right - Mr. Bristow-Smith, Ms. White, & Mr. Hayes)

12/22/2024

Tarboro brings home another football title

The Tarboro Vikings made their 8th consecutive appearance in the North Carolina High School Association’s State Championship Game on Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium and won 45-24, ending a two-year title game losing streak.
The Vikings (14-1) built an early lead against the Corvian Community Cardinals and never relinquished. The Vikings led 18-3 at halftime thanks to rushing touchdowns from Caiden Everette, Kamerin McDowell-Moore and Mason Satterfield.
Corvian Community found the end zone first after halftime to pull within eight points at 18-10 thanks to a three-yard rush by Alan Jackson Jr. Satterfield added his second score later in the third but the Cardinals came right back with a Noah Best touchdown to make the score 24-17. Best was named the West Most Outstanding Offensive Player and finished the game with 60 rushing yards.
McDowell-Moore took the game over from there, scoring three fourth-quarter touchdowns on runs of 60-, 7- and 40-yards. McDowell-Moore was named the Carolina Panthers Most Valuable Player for the game as he finished with 233 yards and four scores on 20 carries.
Satterfield ended the game with 146 yards on 13 carries and was named the East Most Outstanding Offensive player. Tarboro Senior Cole Craddock was the East Most Outstanding Defensive player as he had 8 solo tackles, two for a loss and nine assisted tackles.
Jackson was named the West Most Outstanding Defensive Player as he had 10 total tackles. He also threw for 213 yards going 18-for-28.
Tarboro finished the year 14-1 and is now 9-6 in NCHSAA Championship Games. The Cardinals ended 2024 15-1 and made their debut in the Championship Game this year.

The NCHSAA is committed to recognizing outstanding sportsmanship in each of our State Championship events. The Association has partnered with the North Carolina Farm Bureau to award a pair of Sportsmanship Awards at each championship event, recognizing players who have demonstrated the ideals of outstanding character and sportsmanship throughout the 2024 season. The winners of the 1A Football NC Farm Bureau Sportsmanship Awards were Chris Gunter from Tarboro and Jayden Summers from Corvian Community.

10/05/2024

Sheriff: SWE game postponed for concerns of violence

Edgecombe County Public Schools announced Friday on social media that the football game between the SouthWest Edgecombe Cougars and North Pitt Panthers had been postponed due to a concern of violence that could have possibly put hundreds of people in danger.
Edgecombe County Sheriff Clee Atkinson told The Tar River Times on Friday that his main concern above everything else was - everyone’s safety.
He said his agency has a concern for violence that had allegedly been mentioned since several shootings had taken place over the course of 24 hours.
“No athletic event of any type is more important than a large group of people’s lives being in danger,” Atkinson said. “I want everyone to remain safe. And that’s the reason I advised Superintendent Dr. (Andy) Bryan it would be in the best interest of everyone to postpone the game.”
The 2A Eastern Plains Conference showdown between the Panthers and Cougars (4-2, 1-1) will be played at a later date.
The newspaper learned about the school district’s decision shortly after it was made, and several people the newspaper spoke with wanted to speak on the condition of anonymity and didn’t want to be identified. The sources said there had been several comments made by certain individuals that was a cause for concern.
There has been multiple shooting incidents that could be linked to the concerns of violence but the Sheriff said he didn’t want to speculate because nothing had actually been reported to his deputies as of 7 p.m.
Sheriff Atkinson was asked about the shooting incidents and the concern of violence, and he explained he couldn’t go into too much detail.
There was a murder in Greenville on Thursday and sources have confirmed that the victim has ties to Edgecombe County. And the person responsible for the crime is from Tarboro.
Since the murder in Greenville was solved, two residences in Edgecombe County have been struck by gunfire. And according to reliable sources a concern for violence is tied to those two incidents and retaliation could have possibly taken place at SouthWest Edgecombe High School on Friday night during the homecoming football game. So to be safe about everything surrounding the concern for violence, the Sheriff decided the homecoming game should not be played for safety reasons.
“When we have concerns of violence with the possible use of fi****ms, as Sheriff, I am responsible for everyone in the county and I’m not allowing anyone to be in harms way if I can prevent it,” the Sheriff said. “Putting hundreds of people in position to possibly be hurt is not the solution. We are about safety in Edgecombe County and we’re gonna make sure everyone is safe.”

12/08/2023

BOIL WATER ADVISORY NOTICE - DUE TO WATER MAIN BREAK - EXPECTED RESTORATION TIME 9AM OF WATER - BOIL WATER AFTER RESTORATION UNTIL ADVIORY IS LIFTED.

ID NO. 04-33-010

System Pressure Advisory!

The water consumers of the Town of Tarboro, in Edgecombe County are experiencing periods of low pressure and outages in the distribution system due to a major leak in the water system. Periods of low or no pressure in the distribution system increases the potential for back siphonage and introduction of bacteria into the water system.

Therefore, the Division of Water Resources advises that when water is restored consumers boil all water used for human consumption (including drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, washing dishes and food preparation) or use bottled water.

Vigorous boiling for one (1) minute should kill any disease-causing organisms that may be present in the water.

This office is strongly urging the water consumers to conserve water whenever possible. This advisory remains in effect until further written notification is issued.

This advisory issued on 12/8/2023 by:

​R. Lindsay Stroud, ORC
​Town of Tarboro Water System
​(252) 641-4284

The Tar River Times newspaper would like to thank the following local businesses, municipalities, and agencies for purch...
12/08/2023

The Tar River Times newspaper would like to thank the following local businesses, municipalities, and agencies for purchasing a Good Luck ad supporting the Tarboro Vikings football program in their quest to bring home another state championship…

Boyd’s Service Station
Overstreet Heating & Air
Sammy’s Wrecker
ACE Home Center
Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office
Jersey Mike’s
ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital
Welcome to Tarboro Magazine
Pizza Inn
Ribeyes Steakhouse
Town of Tarboro
Town of Princeville
Henderson Lumber Company
Gold Buyer
Ben’s Automotive

12/08/2023

TARBORO CHRISTMAS PARADE UPDATE

The Tarboro Christmas Parade has been postponed and will NOT take place on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023 as originally planned, due to inclement weather.

The decision has been made to host the annual Christmas parade the following Sunday, Dec.

All parade entries need to lineup at 4 p.m. and the parade entries will begin moving down Main Street at 5:30 p.m.

Make plans to attend the annual event, which is in its 2nd year of taking place in the evening hours.

10/20/2023

Tarboro employee terminated, charged with financial card fraud

A Town of Tarboro employee was terminated for allegedly compromising utility customers credit card information.
A press release from Town Manager Troy Lewis stated, “The Town of Tarboro was recently contacted by the State Employees Credit Union and informed that a customer believed that their credit card information had been compromised after paying a bill at the Tarboro Town Hall.”
After town staff learned of the alleged wrongdoing by an employee, the Tarboro Police Department launched an investigation into the matter.
Lewis said officers found sufficient evidence to charge the employee with financial card fraud.
Lewis also explained that the employee had been terminated, but didn’t state when the termination occurred.
The manager did added that the investigation is ongoing to see if any other utility customers credit/debit cards were compromised by the former employee.
Based on initial indications there is a limited number of victims, confined to customers of State Employees Credit Union.
Lewis said, “The Town apologizes to the victims in this matter and has put appropriate safeguards in place to ensure this does not happen again.”
If you suspect that fraudulent charges were made on a financial card used in-person at Town Hall since January 2023, you are asked to contact your financial institution immediately.

09/07/2023

Murder-suicide claims Macclesfield couples lives

A female and male were located outside a residence in the 1900 block of Pinetops-Crisp Road early Thursday morning and both had died from an apparent gunshot wound to the head in an odd turn of events.
The Tar River Times learned less than an hour after the 911 call came out that the two people laying deceased in the front yard were 38-year-old Ashley Webb and 39-year-old George Norville, both of Macclesfield. The two had been in a relationship for more than five years according to what the newspaper has since learned.
According to details obtained by the newspaper through radio traffic, just after midnight (12:07 a.m.) Thursday, the 911 communications center received a call from a homeowner on Pinetops-Crisp Road who stated that they saw what appeared to be a body laying in their front yard.
As two deputies were en route to the residence to check the welfare of the person laying in the front yard, they immediately contacted dispatchers when they arrived on scene and told them to get an ambulance headed their way because there were two people suffering from gunshot wounds.
A short-time later, a paramedic arrived and radioed that there were two “Signal 99” and that EMS could slow down. Edgecombe County uses 10-codes for radio traffic, but a “Signal 99” means there is a deceased person that was located when emergency personnel arrived on scene or someone dies after they arrive.
The Tar River Times learned early Thursday morning that Webb and Norville had apparently had a dispute and she left in her vehicle and Norville chased her. When Webb approached the home on Pinetops-Crisp Road she apparently saw there were lights on and proceeded to pull into the driveway. And as she approached the home that is when Norville shot her in the head and then turned the gun on himself, pulling the trigger, killing himself as well.
When law enforcement arrived and began to investigate the incident to determine what had transpired, they located a firearm on the ground beside Norville’s body.
The newspaper has also learned that one of the vehicles at the incident location had a bullet hole in one of the windows.
According to court records there was nothing found that indicated the couple was in an abusive relationship because neither had charges pending against them and there were no prior convictions for either regarding domestic violence.

09/06/2023

Tarboro's place-kicker "WILL" dress out Friday vs. SW Edgecombe

For those of you who are Tarboro Viking fans and follow their football program closely, you are aware that senior place-kicker Oscar Perez-Gaspar was sidelined Friday due to a "so-called issue" with his eligibility after transferring from North Edgecombe.
The fact that it even came into question, when it never should have, means someone with the school district dropped the ball, or for whatever reason, told Coach Craddock he couldn't play due to paperwork not being done properly since he played at North Edgecombe last season.
The Tar River Times learned today (Wednesday, Sept. 6) just before noon that Perez-Gaspar is "in-fact eligible" and will be dressed out Friday to play against SouthWest Edgecombe in the "Function at the Junction" county rivalry game.
According to ECPS's policies, when a student transfers to another school within the ECPS District, and the said transfer is approved by the Edgecombe County Board of Education, the student/athlete is automatically ruled "eligible" to play sports– unless there is a red flag regarding a student's grades. (NO, this is not word-for-word on how this policy is written but gives you an idea on why this was even questioned to begin with)
But rest assure, his grades never came into question, as Perez-Gaspar maintains above a 3.0 GPA.

ECPS Annual Title I Family MeetingEdgecombe County Public Schools will host their Annual Title I Family Meeting, Wednesd...
09/06/2023

ECPS Annual Title I Family Meeting

Edgecombe County Public Schools will host their Annual Title I Family Meeting, Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. The event will be held at the district's Family Resource Center – Bridgers Building, 710 Panola St., Tarboro.
Leaders of the school district want your input!

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