Hello New Bern! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: I-42 traffic shifts, free life jacket station, and adoptable kittens + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Local businesses feel the impact: I-42 traffic shifts are confusing customers and squeezing James City shops. Parts of East and West Thurman Road remain closed as owners seek better signs while work continues through 2027 -- read how owners are responding.
Boosting local water safety: A new life jacket station will be installed soon at the Pollocksville Boat Ramp, offering free vests to help prevent drownings and improve water safety for boaters across Craven County -- see the new safety station.
Changes ahead for students: Craven County school board voted June 16 to close Craven Virtual Academy effective June 30. Leaders cite lower enrollment and online-learning costs, raising concerns for students with learning challenges -- see the school board vote.
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.*
The bill all retirees 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.*
You've traveled abroad without being able to speak the local language. You can change that in just 10 minutes a day. Most people are holding real conversations within three weeks. In fact, 92% of users improved their proficiency in just two months, with 25 million subscriptions sold -- take 55% off.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC billIf your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Rainy day sanity saver: Little Bee Indoor Playground gives New Bern parents an easy win, with a climb-and-slide structure, bounce area, swing, and two play zones that keep crawlers safe while bigger kids go full zoom. Book it for a birthday or private play date, then enjoy a few blissful minutes of adult conversation.
Florals for your week: From creative everyday arrangements to full event vibes with balloons, rentals and even tuxes, Occasions To Celebrate makes it ridiculously easy to brighten someone’s day or rescue a forgetful moment with same-day local delivery. Weddings, sympathy, new baby, just because... they’ve got your message covered.
Skate break, anyone? This week, rediscover your glide at Rollerland, the local rink with that classic rink energy, good tunes, and just enough nostalgia to make you try a backwards roll. Great for a low-key hang with the kids or a carefree lap with friends.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Need cash but can't take on another monthly payment? This gets you a lump sum from your home's equity with no monthly bill and no interest, because it isn't a loan. Use the funds for anything, whether that's home improvements, paying off debt, or a large purchase, and pay it back by the end of your 30-year term. Checking your offer is easy, fully online, and won't affect your credit score. *See your cash offer →
Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
Carrying $5,000 or more on your cards? Stop the interest charges: A balance that size racks up interest fast, and at today's rates it barely budges no matter how much you pay. This card gives you 0% intro APR until 2028 on balance transfers (made in the first 60 days), with a $0 annual fee. That means almost two years to pay down what you owe with no interest charges. *See if it's a fit →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🍽 Kids Eat Free Wednesdays @ Blackbeard's Triple Play Restaurant & Bar | Wednesday (6/24) at 4:00 PM – Midweek morale boost, ahoy. On Wednesdays at Blackbeard’s Triple Play, kids 10 and under eat free with an adult entree, so your little pirates can plunder nuggets while you enjoy a hot meal, decent service, and a brief ceasefire at the table. Downtown, easy win.
👨 Family Engagement Day @ Broad Street Christian Church | Wednesday (6/24) at 5:30 PM – If your crew needs a screen detox, Family Engagement Day delivers hands-on activities, good food, and actual conversation with people you know. Kids burn energy, adults trade stories, everyone leaves with full hearts, tired legs, and at least one refrigerator-worthy memory.
📖 Story Time @ Brew H2ouse | Thursday (6/25) at 10:00 AM – Story Time is brightening Thursday mornings for the under-5 crowd, with big-kid tagalongs welcome. Think cozy reads, silly songs, and a simple craft, while grown-ups sip coffee, swap survival tips, and remember complete sentences. Low-key, easy entertainment, and a built-in nap trigger.
🎪 Playground Pop-Up @ Little Bee Indoor Playground | Thursday (6/25) at 5:30 PM – Need a plan that counts as family time and retail therapy? Little Bee is hosting a playground pop-up where the kids can play and eat while you browse Violet’s Bow Co and Bo & Co, then pretend this totally qualifies as multitasking. Everyone wins, including your sanity.
🌺 Aloha Summer @ New Bern KOA Holiday | Friday (6/26) – Summer showed up? New Bern KOA is going full island with a pool party, games, crafts, and an ice cream social that costs a couple bucks because adulthood still allows sprinkles. Toss on a lei, skip the yard work, and call it quality time.
👨 Father and Son Breakfast @ Abundant Life Miracle Center Inc. | Saturday (6/27) at 9:00 AM – The annual Father and Son Breakfast is back, a free spread where dads and kids get some real face time off the hardware aisle. Pancakes, bacon, and coffee strong enough to power weekend projects, plus dad jokes, humble brags about lawn stripes, and unhurried catch-ups.
🐱 CCHS Kittens @ PetSmart | Saturday (6/27) at 11:00 AM – Swing by PetSmart in New Bern where CCHS is parading a squad of ridiculously adoptable kittens, and yes, your self-control will be tested. Follow the red flag, pretend you are just browsing litter scoops, leave with a purring supervisor for the sofa.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The New Bern report Weather forecastToday — High: 83°F — Low: 68°F — Precip: 1%
Sunny, with a high near 83. Northeast wind around 6 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 68. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 86°F — Low: 72°F — Precip: 1%
Sunny, with a high near 86. East wind 1 to 9 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 72. This house is wildSet on a private 0.55-acre cul-de-sac lot in Hunters Ridge, this 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath home offers nearly 2,908 square feet of polished comfort. Wood floors, crown molding, granite countertops, built-ins, and a hidden spice rack add character, while the screened porch, stamped patio, fire pit, and mature landscaping make outdoor living feel especially inviting.
Take a peek inside → |
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