On February 11, 2026, Patrol Deputies with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop in the Chocowinity Area. During their investigation, K9 Athos was deployed and detected the presence of narcotics. The driver, identified as 28-year-old Raimelle Andres’ Peterson, was detained for a probable cause search of the vehicle. Drugs and a handgun were found during the subsequent search, and Peterson was placed under arrest. Peterson attempted to dispose of concea

On February 1, 2026, Deputies with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office responded to a structure fire near the intersection of NC Highway 99 South and Marslender Road in Belhaven. The structure was uninhabited and completely burned, leaving only a brick foundation and metal roofing material. The fire was deemed suspicious, and Detectives responded to process the scene. During the investigation, Deputies discovered footprints in the snow near the scene. Additionally, seve

The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office has received several questions and requests for information regarding an Animal Neglect and Abuse case that was reported in 2024. On September 10, 2024, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office responded to a property, located off Sidney Rd. in Belhaven, to assist Beaufort County Animal Control with an Animal Cruelty investigation. Beaufort County Animal Control responded to the property after receiving a report from a concerned resident regar

On Tuesday, December 30, 2025, an employee of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office reported seeing a social media post alleging they were involved in animal neglect. Upon the employee self-reporting the allegations made against them, an investigation was initiated immediately, and the employee was placed on administrative leave pending the results of the investigation. The incident allegedly occurred in Pitt County where the employee resides. Sheriff Scott Hammonds notif

Winter weather doesn’t end when the snowfall stops. In fact, some of the most dangerous driving conditions appear after the snow has cleared, when roads look passable but remain unpredictable and hazardous. The North Carolina Department of Transportation continues to clear the roadways in Beaufort County. Primary roadways, such as US17, US264, and NC33 have greatly improved. With that said, most secondary roads are still covered with snow and ice, especially in shaded areas

On February 2, 2026 at 11:02am, Deputies and Officers with the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office and Washington Police Department responded to a Domestic Dispute between a mother and son at a residence in the 2000 block of West 5th Street in Washington. When Deputies arrived, they learned that 35-year-old Mason Banks Brown of Washington NC, had assaulted his elderly mother. When confronted by Law Enforcement, Brown charged a Deputy with a knife. Tasers and pepper spray were

February 3, 2026 at 14:00 From Beaufort County Emergency Services: Our office would like to provide you all with a brief update on our county’s efforts to recover from our recent winter storm, and share information related to our forecasted weather pattern for the next 10 to 14 days. Current Recovery Efforts Road Clearing • DOT and municipal staff are diligently working to clear our roadways of accumulated snow and ice. Our primary roads (Hwy 264, 17, 33, 32, 92 etc.) are m

As we head into tonight, temperatures are plummeting well below freezing. Any remaining snow from today will refreeze, and black ice will form quickly—especially on bridges, overpasses, elevated roads like the Hwy 17 bypass, and untreated surfaces. Travel will be extremely dangerous tonight and into the early morning hours. If at all possible, stay home and off the roads. If you must travel, go slow, increase following distance, avoid sudden stops/turns, and assume ice is pr

Here is the latest update from Beaufort County Emergency Services. There were no major changes with this morning’s update. Beaufort County is expected to receive between 8 and 12-inch of snow over the next 24 hours and remain below freezing through Monday afternoon with windchills of 15 degrees or less. We encourage everyone to make any last minute preparations, to include trips to the grocery store, hardware store, etc. before noon today as conditions will quickly deterio

On January 23, 2026, Investigators with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit along with Agents with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigations and Pitt County Sheriff’s Office, arrested 40-year-old Cornelious Antoine Keyes of Stokes, NC on multiple drug charges. This arrest stemmed from Investigators and SBI Agents conducting two search warrants on residences belonging to Keyes. As a result of this investigation, Deputies seized 192 grams of fentanyl, 137 g

Here is the afternoon update from Beaufort County Emergency Services. This afternoon’s update included minor adjustments to snow accumulations, as forecasters continue to try and identify where the heaviest bands of snow will set up. However, most of Beaufort County continues to be included within the 8-to-12-inch forecast range. Again, regardless of these or future adjustments to snowfall totals, we are still expected to receive “Major Impacts” (Treacherous driving conditio

Here is the latest updated from Beaufort County Emergency Services: This morning’s update included minor adjustments to snow accumulations, with Beaufort County forecasted to receive between 8 and 12 inches. However, regardless of these or future adjustments to snowfall totals, we are still expected to receive “Major Impacts” (Dangerous driving conditions, closures, disruptions with normal daily activities, etc.) from this weekend’s winter weather. Expected Hazards to Prepa

January 29, 2026 at 16:39 From Beaufort County Emergency Services: This afternoon’s update continues to indicate “Major Impacts” (Dangerous driving conditions, closures, disruptions with normal daily activities, etc.) from this weekend’s winter weather with Beaufort County currently forecasted to receive 10 and 14 inches of snow. Changes to our previous briefings have been highlighted below. Snowfall Accumulations • Our area is currently forecasted to receive between 10 and

On January 10, 2026, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office responded to a larceny at Saint John Free Will Baptist Church in Blounts Creek. Deputies learned the church’s air-conditioning unit was stolen. On January 14, 2026, deputies responded to Saint Matthew's Free Will Baptist Church Aurora in reference to larceny and property damage. Deputies learned the church’s air-conditioning unit was damaged and the copper components were removed. The church’s electrical panel box

With a winter storm approaching and frigid temperatures expected to last into next week, Sheriff Scott Hammonds reminds everyone of the ACE of Hearts Initiative — protecting Animals, Children, and the Elderly. These populations are especially vulnerable during extreme winter weather. Now is the time to prepare. Please take advantage of the time ahead of the storm to ensure pets have warm shelter, children are properly clothed, and elderly family members and neighbors have hea

From Beaufort County Emergency Services: This morning’s update transitioned to concerns for “Major Impacts” (Dangerous driving conditions, closures, disruptions with normal daily activities, etc.). It will likely be this afternoon before we receive specific accumulation details. Changes to our previous briefings have been highlighted below. Probabilities of Major Impacts • We now have a 70 to 80% chance of experiencing ““Major Impacts” over the weekend, with a 90 to 100% cha

January 28, 2026 at 17:08 US National Weather Service Newport/Morehead City NC Winter Storm This Weekend For more graphics visit: https://www.weather.gov/media/mhx/LatestBriefing.pdf Tends have been increasing for SIGNIFICANT amounts of snow. This is expected to be a mostly snow event Localized blizzard conditions POSSIBLE along the coast

In the past month, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Patrol and K9 Division have arrested 10 people in the county on felony drug charges. These arrests are the result of proactive patrolling, performing traffic stops, utilizing K9’s, and the execution of a search warrant. Illicit drugs seized off the street as a result of these arrests include 102 grams of cocaine, 12 grams of methamphetamine and 17 grams of fentanyl. Those charged with drug felonies are identified as: • Ch