News Flash

Pender County Health Department is closely monitoring an increase in measles cases across North Carolina and surrounding states.  No cases have been confirmed in Pender County as of January 26, 2026.

Measles is a very contagious disease caused by a virus.  It can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children. Protect your family and your community.  Measles spreads through the air when a sick person coughs or sneezes. The virus can stay in the air for 2 hours after a person with measles leaves the space. It is so contagious that about 9 out of 10 people who come near a person with measles and are not protected by vaccination will also become infected.  For More Information, Click Here. 

Defend yourself. Sick season is here.

Respiratory illnesses like COVID-19, flu, and RSV are circulating. Learn how to protect yourself and others by reviewing the Sick Season Fact Sheet.

Isolation Guidance for COVID-19, Flu, and RSV

Respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can spread easily, especially when people are symptomatic. Following isolation guidance helps protect your family, coworkers, and the broader Pender County community.

If You Get Sick:

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, the flu, or RSV:

• Stay home and away from others.Avoid work, school, and public spaces to reduce the risk of spreading illness.

• Return to your normal routine when symptoms improve.You may resume normal activities once your symptoms are improving and you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.

• Wear a mask for the next 5 days.Wearing a well-fitting mask after returning to activities helps limit the spread of illness to others, especially those who may be at higher risk.

Stay Informed and Prepared

Testing, vaccines, and additional guidance are available to help you stay healthy and protect those around you.

For more information, visit MySpot.nc.gov.

Together, we can reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses and keep Pender County healthy.

Beginning April 1, 2026, pesticide applicator recertification classes will not be available in Pender County until a new NC Cooperative Extension Agriculture Agent is hired and certified to teach these courses. During this transition period, both private and commercial pesticide applicators in Pender County will need to attend recertification classes offered in neighboring counties in order to earn the credits required to maintain their applicator licenses.

Pender County Cooperative Extension appreciates the understanding and cooperation of the agricultural community during this time and encourages applicators to plan ahead to ensure their recertification requirements are met.

New EPA-Mandated Training Requirement

In addition to routine recertification credits, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has mandated a new, one-time training requirement titled Pesticide Certification and Training. This training is required for all current pesticide applicators to comply with updated federal EPA standards.

Important Details:

• The training is mandatory and approximately 1 hour in length.
• It must be completed by your specific license recertification date.
• In North Carolina, recertification deadlines are:
  • June 30 for commercial applicators
  • September 30 for private applicators(in the year of your current certification)

NC Cooperative Extension is committed to assisting applicators in meeting this requirement. The training is available online and can be completed at your convenience at:

https://go.ncsu.edu/mandatorytraining

After viewing the training video in full, applicators must submit their information to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Pesticide Division using the submission link provided next to the video.

Please Note: You must complete the entire training video before submitting your information.

Pesticide applicators are strongly encouraged to complete this requirement well in advance of their license expiration date to avoid any lapse in certification.

For additional information, please contact the Pender County Extension office at 910-259-1235.

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Structural Pest Control and Pesticides Division and NC Cooperative Extension in Pender County hosted a Pesticide Collection Day on March 4, 2026, providing farmers and homeowners with a safe, responsible way to dispose of old, unwanted, or unused pesticides.

Proper disposal of pesticide products is essential to protecting the environment and preventing accidental exposure. Containers stored in garages, sheds, or barns—particularly in areas without temperature control—can deteriorate over time, increasing the risk of leaks and spills. Pesticides cannot be disposed of on the ground or in household trash destined for landfills. Through state funding, NCDA&CS offers this collection program to ensure these materials are handled and disposed of safely.

During this year’s event, participants turned in 139 pesticide containers totaling 1,323 pounds. These materials will now be properly managed, preventing potential groundwater contamination and eliminating the risk of costly environmental cleanup or structural damage to storage areas.

Pender County hosts this program every two years. The next local collection event is anticipated in March or April 2028. Neighboring counties will hold similar collection events over the next two years.

For a complete schedule of upcoming pesticide collection dates, visit the NCDA&CS Structural Pest Control and Pesticides Division website at:

https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/structural-pest-control-and-pesticides.

Pender County officials continue to communicate with the Town of Holly Ridge regarding the annexation of the former Camp Davis property, which includes approximately 300 acres currently located in Pender County.

In the weeks leading up to the Town of Holly Ridge’s public meeting and vote, the Pender County Manager’s Office communicated with town officials through written and verbal correspondence, as well as an in-person meeting in Holly Ridge. During that meeting, the town shared publicly available information related to the annexation.

Under North Carolina General Statute 160A-31, municipalities may annex contiguous property through a voluntary petition process. Pender County has not issued a formal statement or presentation on the annexation because municipal annexations do not require county involvement, denial, or approval under North Carolina law.

As planning and development discussions move forward, Pender County will continue to work collaboratively with the Town of Holly Ridge on matters of shared interest, including transportation, schools and public safety. At this time, there are no development plans pending with Pender County for the property.

The Pender County Sheriff’s Office is accepting applications for the Citizens Academy. The Academy runs for 7 weeks and meets weekly on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 pm until 8:30 pm. Our next class is being scheduled now for Fall 2025. Dates will be posted soon. 

The Citizens Academy is intended to offer participants an inside look at the many differing aspects of law enforcement. During the Academy, participants will see and participate in presentations from many of the Divisions of the Pender County Sheriff’s Office including 911 Emergency Dispatch, Patrol, Detectives, Civil and Special Operations.  

If interested in attending our next class, please complete an application packet and submit to Sgt. Chester Ward. 

Qualifications

• Complete and sign a SHERIFF CITIZENS ACADEMY application,

• Be at least 18 years of age, 

• Allow a background check, not having any prior felony convictions or any misdemeanor convictions that cause for question the moral character of the applicant 

If you are interested in attending, please download a Sheriff’s Citizen Academy Application and mail, deliver, scan or fax to the following:

 By Mail:

Sheriff’s Citizen Academy

Attn: Sgt. Chester Ward

Pender County Sheriff’s Office

P.O. Box 1449

Burgaw, NC 28425

Scan/Email: 

info@pendersheriff.com

By Fax: 

910-970-1070

In Person: 

Pender County Sheriff’s Office

605 East Fremont St.

Burgaw, NC 28425

Pender County Sheriff’s Office Annex

15060 US Hwy 17

Hampstead, NC 28443

We're hiring the following positions at the Pender County Sheriff's Office. 

Deputy Sheriff positions in the following areas: 

• SRO
• Court Security
• Patrol

Detention Officers

TelecommunicatorsTo apply, please visit www.pendercountync.gov. These benefits are available health, dental, vision, life insurance, optional life and disability insurance plans, flexible spending account, retirement program, 401(k) program, deferred compensation program, credit union membership and an employee assistance program