Sunday, April 26, 2026

Heads up for pet parents: An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.*

A second-chance blueprint: Kerwin Pittman has acquired the former Wayne Correctional Center and plans to create a reentry campus with housing, jobs, and access to medical care, supporting up to 500 people a year -- see what's planned for reentry.

Custom food fat solutions: Alianza Team has opened a $36.4 million processing plant in Goldsboro, its first in the US, assembling functional fats for nationwide distribution and speeding deliveries to Northeastern US customers -- see how it operates.

Scammers spoof legal warnings: Wayne County’s Clerk of Court warned residents about a text scam claiming a “Final Notice” for unpaid traffic violations and pushing QR scans. Officials say court notices arrive by mail -- read the full story.

The bill everyone over 50 should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half — this free comparison tool makes it easy.*

Retirees are making moves: After gold's best year in nearly five decades, more folks than ever are moving part of their savings into precious metals. Not all of it... just enough to hedge against inflation. AHG put together a free guide that explains how it works -- grab your copy here.*

Need a pho reset: Whether you're dodging dishes or just craving a soothing slurp, Pho House - Goldsboro serves big, aromatic bowls with fresh herbs, tender noodles, and sides that actually taste like a treat. Warm, unfussy, and reliably comforting, it’s the kind of local spot you’ll keep in your weekly rotation.

Find your next pour: Well Travelled Beer is the downtown spot for adventurous drinkers, stocking craft beer, wine, sake, soda, and giftable goodies. Locally grown and veteran owned, they make it easy to try something new, chat with folks who know their hops, and leave with a fridge upgrade.

Midweek flavor upgrade: Between the craft beer, live music vibes, and a menu that swings from pad thai to hibachi and burgers, The Laughing Owl Restaurant is an easy win for a weeknight reset. Plenty of vegetarian-friendly picks, zero stuffiness... just tasty, lively, and local.

That patch of scalp that wasn't there a year ago: It's more common than most folks talk about. Especially in your 50s... hormones, stress, and nutrition all start pulling at hair density at once. Nutrafol is a drug-free daily supplement designed to work on those causes together — and in clinical studies, 93% of women said their hair looked healthier after six months. *Take a look →

The slower you walk, the more it works: Tai Chi walking is trending online. Turns out it's centuries old — slow deliberate steps, paced breath, attention on the body. Thirty minutes a day burns fat, lifts your mood, and builds balance. No gym, no treadmill, no pounding on the joints. Take the quick quiz to see if it fits, then use code BASELOCAL for a discount on the coaching plan. *See how it works →

For women who've been feeling off for years: The fatigue, the weight creeping up, the mood swings, the sleep that won't hold. Turns out most of those "it's just aging" problems are actually caused by hormones, and proper HRT can get you back to feeling like yourself. The catch? You can't get it without a full hormone panel and a doctor who understands what those numbers mean. Most women never get either, but Hone Health gives you both. *See how it works →

Two sprays before bed, no more snoring? It really is that simple. No mouthpiece to wrestle with, no CPAP mask, no nose strips that peel off at 2am. This doctor-developed throat spray has been keeping sleepers quiet for 30 years, and first-time orders are 40% off right now. *See how it works →

Your homeowners insurance has a blind spot: It covers your house if a tree falls on it. It doesn’t cover your furnace when it quits in January, your AC when it dies in July, or your water heater when it starts leaking on a Tuesday. Those are all classified as "normal wear and tear," and they're 100% on you. American Home Shield can help fill that gap for ~$1/day (even if your appliances and systems are really old).*See what it covers →

🌿 First Friday Opening Reception: Native Flora and Fauna @ Arts Council of Wayne County | Friday (5/1) at 6:00 AM – Whether your idea of nightlife is plant IDs or a glass of red, this First Friday opening brings six local artists celebrating the native flora and fauna we trip over on our hikes. Expect thoughtful work, neighborly chatter, and a nice excuse to linger downtown.

🍎 Farmers Market Season @ Farm Credit Farmers Market | Friday (5/1) at 9:00 AM – Farmers market season is back, and so are the heirlooms, honey, and irresistible loaves you swear you don't need. Stroll, sample, and stock up from local growers and makers, while catching up with neighbors. Bring a sturdy tote, a flexible menu, and your produce puns.

🛍 Annual Youth Yard Sale @ The Lord's Vineyard | Saturday (5/2) at 8:00 AM – Head over to The Lords Vineyard on Salem Church Rd for the Annual Youth Yard Sale, where treasure hunters prosper and the kids benefit. Expect tables of everything you never knew you needed, plus breakfast that makes rummaging civilized. Bring cash, a tote, and patience.

🥕 Farmers Market Season @ Farm Credit Farmers Market | Saturday (5/2) at 9:00 AM – Grab your tote bag, farmers market season is back. Fresh, local produce and goods while supporting local farmers and makers, plus the joy of bumping into three neighbors before coffee. Stock up, linger a little, pretend you meant to buy that extra sourdough.

🧘 Yoga and Mimosas @ Arts Council of Wayne County | Saturday (5/2) at 12:30 PM – If you like your downward dog with a side of bubbly, head to the Arts Council for yoga and mimosas, plus massages before and after class. It happens first Saturdays, so you can call it culture, wellness, and social hour, all at once.

🧘 Introduction to Mat Pilates @ Emerge Med Spa & Salon (Pikeville) | Saturday (5/2) at 1:00 PM – If your back has been narrating your life in creaks and sighs, this beginner mat Pilates class is the reset you promised yourself. Low impact, core focused, and posture saving, with just four spots left, $15, and zero judgment. Message to snag one.

This 1,751-square-foot Register plan delivers a split-bedroom layout with 3 beds, 2 baths, and an office. A foyer leads to a cozy living room with fireplace, an eat-in kitchen with granite, tile backsplash, island, and stainless appliances, plus a laundry room. The primary suite boasts a huge walk-in, dual vanity, and separate shower. A covered deck overlooks the .95-acre lot.