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Contact Nagle & Associates for Exceptional Drunk Driving Accident Representation
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Former Insurance AdjusterOVER $750,000,000 IN SETTLEMENTS FOR CLIENTS

Drunk Driver Accident Injury Attorneys in New Bern, NC

Victims of drunk drivers need protection! Drunk drivers case many fatal accidents and serious injuries in North Carolina. Our firm ONLY handles motor vehicle accident cases, and our focus is on serious collisions and significant injuries. Carl Nagle is a former claims adjuster and former insurance company lawyer, and we also have two retired NC State Troopers who work with our firm to investigate crashes, follow drunk driving criminal charges, and pursue maximum payment for injury claims and punitive damages when drunk drivers injure our clients.

We have had multiple high-value cases involving drunk drivers. We have collected punitive damages to punish highly intoxicated drivers. Our sole focus on crash-related injury cases gives us the medical and law-enforcement experience needed to prove your injury case and to investigate the collision and hold the drunk driver accountable. We also offer the lowest legal fee of all North Carolina injury law firms. Our fee is 25% of settlement, while other firms charge 33.3%. We are here now to protect and enforce your legal rights.

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Drunk Driver's Wilfully Endanger Innocent Drivers

You drive responsibly and follow the rules of the road to protect your fellow motorists. But are other drivers doing the same to protect you?

According to the CDC, over 10,000 people lose their lives on American highways and roads due to alcohol-related accidents every year. That averages out to 29 fatalities each day, or roughly one every 50 minutes. In North Carolina, about one-third of all traffic deaths are associated with alcohol-impaired drivers. While DUI injuries and fatalities are declining, causing one injury or killing one person due to negligence is one too many.

Most people understand that it's wrong to drive after drinking - even after one or two drinks. Despite that knowledge, thousands of otherwise responsible motorists have no problem cranking their cars and driving home after drinking. While they may not intend to hurt anyone, this dangerous choice leads to countless injuries and fatalities each year, profoundly affecting the lives of both the victims and the intoxicated drivers, as well as their families.

At Nagle and Associates, we're dedicated to holding drunk drivers accountable for their actions and the pain and suffering they cause their victims. Our drunk driving accident attorneys in New Bern, NC focus solely on representing those injured in such accidents - not those who choose to drive while drunk.

Wilfully Endanger Innocent
Compassion and Commitment

Compassion and Commitment: Protecting the Rights of DUI Victims in North Carolina

It doesn't take a graduate from The Epiphany School of Global Studies near New Bern, NC to know that DUI accidents are both frightening and damaging. One minute, you're driving home from work, thinking about what you and your family will have for dinner. Then, out of nowhere, an intoxicated driver sideswipes you on the highway, forcing you out of control into a ditch. Your car is totaled, your body hurts, and now, your life is forever changed.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an alcohol-related traffic accident, we're here to help. We recognize that this is an incredibly stressful time—one where you'd rather focus on your health and family's peace of mind instead of handling court paperwork, gathering witness statements, and dealing with police, insurance adjusters, insurance lawyers and judges. That's exactly where our extensive experience pursuing drunk drivers comes into play. We've represented DUI victims in a number of different cases, some of which involve:

  • Collisions and Crashes Due to Alcohol
  • Drug-Related Collisions and Crashes
  • Dram Shop and Cases Against Bars That Over-Serve
  • Passenger and Driver Injuries
  • Underage DUI
  • Habitual Drunk Drivers & Punitive Damage Cases
  • DUI Car Crashes
  • DUI Truck Accidents Involving Impaired Commercial Drivers
  • DUI Motorcycle Crashes
  • More

Our experienced DUI litigators have the knowledge and connections to secure the financial compensation you need for all past and future medical bills and lost wages. We also know how to investigate the collision, assemble your medical evidence, validate your threat of litigation, and compel the insurance companies to pay the highest tax-free settlement for your injury claims. When you work with a drunk driving accident attorney in New Bern, NC from Nagle & Associates, you have the best shot at securing a generous lump-sum payment for your financial losses, and for your pain, suffering, and diminished quality of life.

Why Choose Nagle & Associates for Your Drunk Driving Case in North Carolina?

Simply put, Carl Nagle and our team of trial lawyers focus exclusively on roadway cases like DUI/DWI accidents. We've obtained millions of dollars for victims just like you, who are forced to suffer due to someone else's extremely dangerous and careless actions. Like Birthplace of Pepsi Cola in New Bern, NC, you can count on us to be there and stand strong when you need us most. Insurance companies cannot dissuade us, and their adjusters and lawyers will not diminish your legal rights!

Additional reasons to consider our drunk driving accident law firm include:

  • Our founder, Carl Nagle, is a former insurance adjuster and former insurance defense lawyer. He understands how insurance companies work to minimize victims' claims, and he knows how to motivate them to pay the highest injury claim settlement. Attorney Nagle's rare insurance-industry experience allows us to take a strong and unique approach to every DUI-related injury case we accept. To date, we've been able to recover over $750 million for our clients.
  • Our drunk driver accident lawyers are committed to providing superior representation and offer services at one of the lowest fees in the industry. We charge 25% of settlement where other NC injury firms charge 33.3%, and we charge 33.3% in litigation where other firms charge 40-44%. With our fee you keep more money when the case closes.
  • When you work with Nagle & Associates, you don't have to worry about paying money upfront for our services since we work on a contingency fee basis. We only get paid when you get compensated.

Wondering whether you qualify for financial help after being hit by a drunk driver? Contact Nagle & Associates today so that we can strategize on how to proceed with your case. Your first consultation is always free.

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Associates Difference

What clients say about us.

Understanding Impaired Driving Laws in North Carolina

Here's a sad fact that may open your eyes: The Tar Heel State has some of the highest rates of DUI accidents in the entire country. According to data provided by the North Carolina DMV, over 11,000 people were arrested for DUI in 2019 alone. Tragically, in the same year, 348 people were killed in drunk driving accidents. 75% of the drivers in those fatal crashes had been charged with DUI before. To help prevent and reduce car wrecks caused by impaired drivers, North Carolina implements strict drunk driving penalties and laws.

In North Carolina, the law establishes that a driver is considered impaired if they are at least 21 years old and have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeding .08. For those operating commercial vehicles, like taxicabs or trucks, the legal BAC limit is lowered to .04. Additionally, there is a strict zero-tolerance policy for drivers under the age of 21. It's also illegal under North Carolina law to drive with any detectable amount of a Schedule I controlled substance in your bloodstream.

Another aspect of law to consider is the North Carolina Exemplary Damages Act. This law permits victims of "willful and wanton conduct" to seek extra financial damages, commonly referred to as punitive damages. However, the laws surrounding punitive damages in North Carolina are fairly restrictive, with many judges looking for multiple DWI offenses before allowing such claims. As a result, your drunk driving accident lawyer from Nagle & Associates will examine the criminal history of impaired drivers along with other wrongful actions to strengthen our case for additional punitive damages.

Having

Does Having a Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in New Bern, NC Actually Help?

In short, yes, having a seasoned North Carolina drunk driving accident injury lawyer by your side helps your case immensely. At Nagle & Associates, we're passionate about protecting your rights and take every step necessary to enforce those rights and pursue maximum payment from the drunk driver, their insurance carrier and any other parties who share liability for your injuries and damages:

  • Investigate the collision & identify all liable parties
  • Ensure that the DUI accident is documented and all evidence is protected
  • Follow criminal charges and do full criminal background check
  • Determine the drunk driver's BAC and whether other drugs are involved
  • Help coordinate health insurance filings and monitor medical recovery
  • Gather all medical records and documentation, including bills and expert statements
  • Assemble and present the most compelling medical case
  • Validate your threat of litigation to motivate the insurance company to respect your case
  • Handle and control settlement negotiations with the at-fault party's insurance provider
  • Push for the highest settlement offer and settle only if the offer is full & proper
  • File suit and bring the drunk driver to trial if settlement offers are not proper

If you've been involved in an accident, you might be recovering from your injuries in Home Place of New Bern in New Bern, NC, dealing with lost wages, overwhelming medical bills, vehicle repair costs, out-of-pocket expenses, and a complex maze of insurance claims. During this challenging time, it's reassuring to know that someone is dedicated to fighting for your rights and seeking the justice you deserve.

Insurance

Should You Be Wary of Insurance Adjusters After a DUI Crash?

When you're involved in a drunk driving accident, there's a good chance you'll get a phone call from an insurance adjuster very soon after the accident. Carl Nagle is a former adjuster, and he cautions you that "insurance adjusters are trained to be diplomatic, to earn your trust so you will cooperate with their efforts to underpay your claims". The friendly adjuster is the most dangerous adjuster - they are being paid to oppose your claims, yet they are willing to appear to be friendly and helpful when you are dealing with serious injuries and frightening financial circumstances. Please remember, North Carolina insurance adjusters who handle your claims against the drunk driver who caused your accident have one goal: to minimize the amount of money the insurance company must pay you.

The Truth About DUI Insurance Adjusters

Making a statement or accepting an early settlement offer without first talking to a drunk driving accident attorney in New Bern, NC can lead to significant consequences and a loss of valuable legal rights. Insurance adjusters are skilled at eliciting statements or admissions of guilt that can be used to diminish the value of your claim. That's why it's so important to consult with an attorney before interacting with any insurance claims adjuster. You should also be wary of insurance adjusters because North Carolina follows the Pure Contributory Negligence rule. If an insurance adjuster can claim that you played a role in causing the accident or your injuries, they might attempt to deny your claim entirely.

Fortunately, our strict negligence law does have an exception that applies in cases caused by drunk drivers. In a typical crash case, if you are slightly at fault for the accident, you have no right to present claims or collect for car damage or injury claims. If you are just 1% at fault, you get nothing for your accident claims. However, if a drunk driver is guilty of "gross negligence", the Pure Contributory Negligence rule does not apply. Our legal team can help you win if the insurance company tries to blame you for an accident involving a drunk driver.

We strongly recommend speaking with a DUI accident lawyer before you being cooperating and working with any insurance adjusters or claims representatives. Nagle & Associates' attorneys can guide you through the legal intricacies of filing a claim in North Carolina, ensuring that you fully understand the insurance claim process. We want you to be aware of your legal rights and options.

DUI Insurance Adjusters
North Carolina

Drunk Driving Accident Compensation in North Carolina

In general, the compensation you could receive for damages in an accident claim against a drunk driver is similar to what you might recover in other car accident claims. The amount of compensation you receive is tied to the specific losses you've sustained. If you have been hit and injured by a drunk driver, you may be entitled to compensation for the following:

  • Past and Future Lost Wages
  • Current and Future Medical Bills and Expenses
  • Out-of-Pocket Costs to Receive Medical Care, Hire Home Care Services, Etc.
  • Emotional Distress
  • Pain and Suffering
  • Disfigurement or Scarring
  • Disability
  • Loss of Consortium

In a fatal injury and wrongful death claim, the surviving family members are eligible for compensation for the income and benefits that the deceased would have provided. Family members may also seek damages for loss of companionship and for expenses related to household services. The deceased person's estate should also be entitled to recover costs related to medical bills, funeral and burial expenses, as well as compensation for the pain and suffering experienced by the deceased before passing away.

Accident Compensation
Punitive

Unlimited Punitive Damages in Drunk Driving Accident Cases

As we mentioned earlier, you may be able to recover punitive damages in addition to other forms of compensation. If your drunk driving accident attorney in New Bern, NC provides evidence indicating that the defendant acted in a wanton, willful, or malicious manner, the court may decide to award you and your family punitive damages to penalize the responsible party.

In North Carolina, punitive damages are generally capped at $250,000 or three times the total amount of other damages awarded in your case—whichever amount is greater. However, there is one notable exception to this rule for claims related to drunk driving accidents. If the at-fault driver was impaired at the time of the accident, there is no limit on the punitive damages that can be awarded. It is also noteworthy that if you secure a large verdict against a drunk driver who caused you to be injured, he/she cannot file a bankruptcy and discharge your verdict. Thus, you can pursue collection against the drunk driver's assets for decades after bringing them to trial.

Importance

The Importance of Evidence Gathering After a Drunk Driving Accident

Like the trees and pathways in Union Point Park near New Bern, evidence serves as a crucial foundation of any drunk driving case. If you're able to do so safely after your accident, capture photographs of the scene, the vehicles involved, and your injuries. This task is easier than it used to be since most of us have smartphones in our pockets.

Try to photograph important details like license plates, vehicle registration, driver's licenses, damage to the vehicles, skid marks, street signs, and more. You can never take too many images at the scene. It's also fine to record a video of the scene and recount what happened. The more you document, the stronger your lawyer's case will be. Be sure to keep track of any personal belongings that were damaged in the incident. This evidence can be integral in illustrating the circumstances and impact of your accident.

In drunk driving cases, our legal team also goes to court in the county where the crash occurred to request Axon/Officer Body Camera footage taken at the crash scene. In most cases, we are able to collect and use this footage. Often their cameras collect footage of the drunk driver slurring their speech, taking field sobriety tests, and showing their level of impairment and carelessness.

Three Ways to Get Compensation in a Drunk Driving Case in North Carolina

Accidents caused by drunk drivers happen when you least expect them. They don't always happen late at night. You could be driving home Saturday morning after eating at Persimmons Waterfront Restaurant in New Bern, NC and get hit by someone who is intoxicated. The suddenness and severity of these car wrecks cause lasting damage, which you should be compensated for accordingly.

The most common way to seek compensation for personal injury or wrongful death resulting from a drunk driving accident is to file a claim against the intoxicated driver. It's important to note that your accident claim is separate from any criminal charges the driver may face. Moreover, you don't have to wait for a criminal charge or conviction to pursue a claim. However, holding the drunk driver accountable may not be your only legal option. To get the full amount of compensation you deserve, all potentially liable parties should be examined. A skilled drunk driving accident attorney in New Bern, NC can investigate the situation on your behalf and guide you through your available options.

1. You Can Sue the Drunk Driver

You might not need to go to court to seek compensation after a drunk driving accident. Typically, the first step is to file a claim with the at-fault driver's insurance company. The insurance provider may try to dispute their liability by arguing that the driver they insured intentionally engaged in reckless behavior by drinking and driving. If this situation arises, your attorney can step in to negotiate on your behalf or, if necessary, file a lawsuit against both the driver and the insurance company.

Drunk Driving Case

2. You Can Sue a Commercial Entity or Business

It may be hard to believe that someone could be under the influence when driving a truck or other large commercial vehicle. Unfortunately, drug and alcohol use among commercial drivers remains a significant issue. Both the driver and their employer can be held liable for accidents caused by impairment. A seasoned attorney can look into the situation to find out if the trucking company neglected to conduct sufficient pre-employment screenings, failed to test drivers for drugs and alcohol, or otherwise acted negligently, leading to the accident.

3. You Can Sue a Social Host or Dram Shop

Dram shop laws hold businesses that sell alcohol accountable for the actions of customers who have been overserved. In North Carolina, these laws also apply to social hosts—private individuals who offer alcohol to their guests—under specific conditions.

Bars, restaurants, and similar establishments can be found liable if they serve alcohol to a customer under the age of 21 in a negligent manner, and that customer subsequently drives drunk and causes an accident. Additionally, businesses are prohibited from serving alcohol to anyone, regardless of age, who appears visibly intoxicated, as this is generally considered negligent service. However, it's important to note that if the overserved customer is 21 or older, the establishment is not held liable in the event of a drunk driving accident.

As a practical matter, you should know that successful host/dram shop cases are rare. We collected a mutli-million dollar settlement on behalf of a grocery store manager who was struck by a drunk driver in Asheville, NC. In that case, the popular restaurant chain served 9 drinks to the drunk driver in just 36 minutes. They then called police on the belligerent drinker, and he fled quickly and caused the collision. The drunk driver's high level of impairment was the key. Drivers must be extremely impaired in these cases, as the host/server has to be aware that the drinker is intoxicated and should not be served. We offer this insight simply to help you plan your legal case. Not every case is a host/dram shop case. However, in extreme impairment cases, steps should be taken immediately to determine where the drunk driver was drinking before the collision occurred.

Call the Drunk Driving Accident Attorney in New Bern, NC You Can Trust

The laws concerning drunk driving accidents in North Carolina are complex. Determining who is liable, accurately assessing your losses, and pursuing one or more claims for damages can be difficult. Without exceptional legal representation, you might not receive a settlement that reflects what you would collect through a successful trial against the impaired driver who caused your injuries.

However, with Nagle & Associates by your side, you'll have aggressive lawyers, retired State Troopers, experienced medical analysts, and knowledgeable support staff ready to protect and enforce your legal rights. As our client, you will receive individualized attention, empathetic support, and a committed effort to win your case. Most of our cases settle, but we want to settle on your terms - not the discounted terms the insurance company hopes you accept. Call us now for a free consultation by telephone, and we can decide together if you would benefit from our representation. If you need our help, we can begin working for you today.

Free Consultation

Latest News in New Bern, NC

New Bern History Exhibit Finds New Home

NEW BERN, NC. The popular exhibit that wowed thousands at the North Carolina History Center in celebration of the New Bern Historical Society’s 100th Anniversary, has found a new home. It will now grace the walls of New Bern’s DoubleTree Hotel. In partnership with the DoubleTree, the Historical Society has now installed its exhibit “Through the Looking Glass, A Journey with the Storytellers” and it is open and available to the public. This exhibit features hundreds of images from New Bern’s past shari...

NEW BERN, NC. The popular exhibit that wowed thousands at the North Carolina History Center in celebration of the New Bern Historical Society’s 100th Anniversary, has found a new home. It will now grace the walls of New Bern’s DoubleTree Hotel. In partnership with the DoubleTree, the Historical Society has now installed its exhibit “Through the Looking Glass, A Journey with the Storytellers” and it is open and available to the public. This exhibit features hundreds of images from New Bern’s past sharing the stories of many who made our town what it is. You’ll meet folks from Judge Gaston to Abraham Galloway and Gilbert Waters to Miss Gertrude Carraway. You’ll marvel at the many images from our past.

In 2023, the New Bern Historical Society celebrated its 100th Anniversary. After 100 years, the Historical Society has a large collection of images and artifacts of New Bern’s history. Many of these have been hidden for years. After working for three years with the design team from Design Dimension in Raleigh, the exhibit was developed and shared with the public at the Duffy Gallery in the NC History Center. That exhibit came down in January of 2024, but the Historical Society was determined to continue to offer all these wonderful images to the public. The partnership with the DoubleTree has allowed that to happen.

Executive Director Anthony Giardino has pursued this project since taking the post. “This incredible exhibit is the result of years of leadership, planning, fundraising, and a vision to share these images with the New Bern community. Our Centennial Committee, Board of Directors, generous donors, John Haroldson and Rowena Arroza of DoubleTree Hilton, and Design Dimension are the true champions in bringing this vision to fruition. Thank you to all involved!”

Visitors to the exhibit were delighted! “I’m definitely coming back, there’s so much to see!” “This is the best exhibit I’ve seen here!” and “There is so much I never knew, and I was born here!” These are just a few of the comments from the visitor’s book during the exhibit’s 9-month life at the History Center. Now we are thrilled to have this exhibit for years to come on display at the DoubleTree Hilton.

Visitors are welcome to visit the exhibit during business hours at the DoubleTree by Hilton at the New Bern Riverfront at 100 Middle Street in New Bern.

The mission of the New Bern Historical Society is to celebrate and promote New Bern and its heritage through events and education. Offices are located in the historic Attmore-Oliver House at 511 Broad Street in New Bern. For more information, call 252-638-8558 or go www.NewBernHistorical.org or www.facebook.com/NewBernHistoricalSociety.

— Source: New Bern Historical Society

Guardian ad Litem program seeks volunteers

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and N.C. Guardian ad Litem District 4 is raising awareness with events and stressing the need for area child advocate volunteers.The Guardian ad Litem program equips local volunteers to serve abused and neglected children by advocating for their best interest in court, said Antoinette Boskey, district administrator of N.C. Guardian ad Litem District 4.The volunteers are everyday people from all walks of life who are recruited and trained to advocate for children in foster care and ...

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and N.C. Guardian ad Litem District 4 is raising awareness with events and stressing the need for area child advocate volunteers.

The Guardian ad Litem program equips local volunteers to serve abused and neglected children by advocating for their best interest in court, said Antoinette Boskey, district administrator of N.C. Guardian ad Litem District 4.

The volunteers are everyday people from all walks of life who are recruited and trained to advocate for children in foster care and provide a consistent, reliable adult presence for them during a difficult time in their lives.

Boskey said the district needs more Guardian ad Litem child advocate volunteers to help end child abuse and neglect by supporting children and their families.

“Our volunteers’ first priority is to keep families together whenever safe and possible,” Boskey said. “Foster care is only a temporary solution to the problems at hand.

“We need to create long term support networks that work to care for families, make reunification a possibility, and help break the cycle for the next generation.”

Locally, N.C. Guardian ad Litem District 4 served 348 children in the foster care system in Carteret, Craven, and Pamlico counties in 2024, Boskey said. The program currently serves 248 children.

Boskey said that 81 of the children are in need of a child advocate volunteer.

Child advocate volunteers are assigned to one child or sibling group to advocate for their best interest in court, school and other settings.

They get to know the child and everyone involved in their life, such as parents, family members, foster parents, therapists, caseworkers and teachers, to develop a realistic picture of the child’s unique situation.

Volunteers engage those important to the child and family to build a network of support that provides the family with resources for after the case ends.

They also make recommendations to the judge overseeing the child’s case, with the goal of ensuring safety for children and resources for the family.

“There is always a need for more N.C. Guardian ad Litem volunteers,” said Boskey. “By becoming a volunteer, you can take your efforts beyond just awareness and do your part to help support children and families in crisis right here in our community.

“This April, consider stepping up to make a difference by becoming a N.C. Guardian ad Litem volunteer.”

When reunification is not a possibility for the children they serve, Guardian ad Litem volunteers work to find others who provide a positive, healthy and loving environment, which can include relatives, friends or other adults who are important in the child’s life to ultimately keep the child connected to their home community.

“We at N.C. Guardian ad Litem District 4 always hope for the day when Guardian ad Litem, foster care and a national month dedicated to child abuse prevention are no longer needed because all children are growing up safe, secure and supported with their families,” Boskey said. “Until then, we will continue to seek more members of the community to join our growing movement so that we can provide a N.C. Guardian ad Litem volunteer for every child who needs one.”

For more information on N.C. Guardian ad Litem, visit http://www.volunteerforgal.org/.

Area residents can also get involved with N.C. Guardian ad Litem District 4 and raise awareness for child abuse prevention by participating in the district’s special events in April.

The first event, a Child Abuse Prevention Opening Ceremony, is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, at 402 Broad St., in New Bern.

N.C. Guardian ad Litem District 4 will host a Go Blue Day on Friday, April 4. People can join in spreading awareness by wearing blue and posting their Go Blue photos on social media with the hashtag #itisyourbusiness.

N.C. Guardian ad Litem District 4 will also promote child well-being with a pinwheel garden and parade at noon on April 16. Attendees will meet at the First Citizen’s Sculpture Park at the corner of Middle and Broad streets in downtown New Bern.

New Bern Football (2022) Schedule

New Bern BearsVarsity Football New Bern, NC1.4kFollowers22-23Overall11-5Conference4-2 (3rd)NAT Rank93NC Rank12022-23 V. Football...

CPI plans $11 million expansion, adding 45 jobs in New Bern

Chatsworth Products will invest $11 million in an expansion at its New Bern facility that makes IT equipment. The Simi Valley, California-based company expects the expansion to add about 45 jobs to its workforce.Also known as CPI, the 100% employee-owned company manufactures infrastructure hardware and equipment for the information and communication technology industries. It specializes in engineering thermal, power and cable solutions to help power data ce...

Chatsworth Products will invest $11 million in an expansion at its New Bern facility that makes IT equipment. The Simi Valley, California-based company expects the expansion to add about 45 jobs to its workforce.

Also known as CPI, the 100% employee-owned company manufactures infrastructure hardware and equipment for the information and communication technology industries. It specializes in engineering thermal, power and cable solutions to help power data centers, in addition to enterprise networking and industrial enclosures. The expansion in New Bern will increase its production capacity and allow CPI to introduce new product lines.

“Chatsworth Products has been delivering innovative data center infrastructure solutions for over 34 years to our global customer base fueled by our employee-ownership culture,” said CEO Ted Behrens in a release.

New positions include machine operators, packers and warehouse staff. Annual wages for new positions will average $50,224, which exceeds the Craven County average of $48,770. The new jobs could potentially create an annual payroll impact of more than $2.2 million for the region.

Chatsworth has had an operation in New Bern since 1993. Chatsworth now employs 230 workers in New Bern, says Jeff Wood, director of Craven County Economic Development. The company expects its investment to grow to $15 million with the addition of 150 jobs within five years, Wood says. Chatsworth has a total 755 U.S. employees and about 60 assigned internationally.

A performance-based grant of $100,000 from the One North Carolina Fund awarded to Chatsworth Products will help facilitate the company’s expansion. Companies receive no money upfront and must meet job creation and capital investment targets to qualify for payment. The company also will receive $50,000 worth of local incentives, Wood says.

CPI operates from multiple sites worldwide, including offices in Mexico, Canada, China, the Middle East and the United Kingdom. CPI’s manufacturing facilities are located in the United States, Asia and Europe. Other U.S. locations include Georgetown and Round Rock, Texas.

Greenville’s Grover Gaming has agreed to sell its charitable gambling division to slot machine manufacturer Light & Wonder for total consideration of as much as $1.05 billion. That includes $850 million in cash upon the deal’s closing, and potentially $200 million more depending on achieving certain financial targets through 2028.

Grover is owned by Garrett Blackwelder, an East Carolina University graduate who founded the company 12 years ago. Employing more than 400 people, the company develops software, the content for games such as Piggy’s Big Break, Video Lottery Terminals, and gaming systems for tribal casinos and charitable gaming jurisdictions. Its more than 10,000 leased electronic pull-tab units in North Dakota, Ohio, Virginia, Kentucky and New Hampshire operate under a recurring revenue model.

The sale price is about 7.7 times the company’s adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of $111 million in 2024, according to Bloomberg News.

Grover is selling about half of its operation, while retaining the rest as an independent entity, company officials said. Blackwelder plans to remain with the company.

Electronic pull-tab devices combine bingo and scratch-off lottery tickets, allowing players to win money if they get the right combination of numbers or symbols.

In 2021, Grover said it had raised more than $200 million for charitable organizations such as the Loyal Order of the Moose, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion, Bloomberg said. The devices are typically located in the lodges of fraternal groups, but some states allow them in bars and restaurants.

Las Vegas-based Light & Wonder said in a statement the purchase will give the company a strong position in a rapidly growing market. It aims to extend its slot-machine titles into online gambling and other types of betting.

Light & Wonder expects the transaction to close by June 30. It was formerly known as Scientific Games before rebranding in 2022.

Grover Gaming employs people in nine states, including a design studio in Wilmington and a software development center in Chicago. Goldman Sachs & Co. is acting as financial adviser to the company.

“Grover Gaming is a leading player in charitable gaming, a category that has experienced significant growth in recent years,” Light & Wonder CEO Matt Wilson said. “This transaction complements our position as the leading cross-platform global games company by adding another compelling regulated adjacency to our profile.”

Blackwelder said, “Light & Wonder is an ideal partner for us, given our similar company cultures and dedication to innovation and customer service.’’

Grover Cheif Development Officer Kevin Morse added, “The real winners are the charities and fraternals in these markets, because of the exciting game content L&W brings to the table. We are excited to see charitable gaming taken to a new level.”

Light & Wonder has a market cap of nearly $9 billion. Shares have gained 5% in the past year and 246% over the past five years.

Goldman Sachs & Co. acted as financial adviser to Grover Gaming, and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is serving as a legal adviser.

Why Nicholas Sparks Loves His North Carolina Hometown—Plus His Favorite Things To Do There

The best-selling author shares secrets for experiencing his beloved home like a local.In This ArticleBefore he became a New York Times best-selling author, Nicholas Sparks was a pharmaceutical rep. In the early 1990s, his employer transferred him to North Carolina. Unfamiliar with where he might want to live, he...

The best-selling author shares secrets for experiencing his beloved home like a local.

In This Article

Before he became a New York Times best-selling author, Nicholas Sparks was a pharmaceutical rep. In the early 1990s, his employer transferred him to North Carolina. Unfamiliar with where he might want to live, he visited the city of New Bern in eastern North Carolina. After attending a Christmas flotilla and finding himself smitten with the small-town charm, Sparks made the move to New Bern, the state’s first capital city and the birthplace of Pepsi-Cola. Thirty years later, he still calls New Bern home. The place has left such an impression on Sparks that he even chose to set some of his most popular novels (including A Bend in the Road, The Return, The Wedding, and most notablyThe Notebook) in the town.

What To Do

When guests come to visit, whether relatives, friends, or colleagues, the first thing Sparks does is take them on a tour of the historic downtown district, saying “I have in fact done a few of the historic tours in my past, so I now provide my guests a personal tour. I’m a small town guy, so I love the historic area and the downtown. I think it’s beautiful."

For those who aren’t lucky enough to get a private tour from Sparks himself, he suggests taking an organized tour of the historic area, or exploring on your own using the city’s self-guided tour resources. One highlight of any tour is Tryon Palace, the first capital of North Carolina, and its accompanying North Carolina History Center where you can learn more about the state’s history.

Where To Eat

Sparks loves a number of restaurants in New Bern. His top picks when he’s deciding on somewhere to take his guests for lunch downtown include The Chelsea Restaurant, Morgan’s Tavern & Grill, Cypress Hall Kitchen + Bar, or Captain Ratty’s if he’s in the mood for seafood. He notes that all are reasonably priced and have great food. One thing he says everyone must try? Mema’s Famous Strawberry Cake at Cypress Hall.

“It’s a recipe that the chef’s grandma made for the first year of the restaurant, maybe longer, maybe less,” says Sparks of the uber-popular strawberry and vanilla cake.

Festivals To Attend

Another part of living in New Bern that Sparks cherishes is the city’s enthusiasm for festivals. Some of his favorites are MumFest in October, Coastal Carolina Flotilla and Parade in December, and the Shriner’s Parade in January. “The town goes all out for those kinds of things,” he says of the town’s healthy calendar of special events.

Where To Unwind

New Bern was built at the confluence of the Neuse River and Trent River, and the easy accessibility to water is something that Sparks has always admired about his hometown.

“When I'm in the mood to just unwind, I'll go up Brice’s Creek on the jet ski or in the boat. It changes with the seasons, and it's just beautiful,” he says. “It's really easy to just kind of float along up there and think to yourself, ‘This hasn't changed in 300 years or more.’”

While Sparks says the views admittedly don’t have the majesty of panoramic vistas you’ll see out west in places like the Grand Canyon or Grand Tetons, he maintains that his little corner of the world is “pretty darn beautiful in its own special way, especially around sunset.” “There are few places like it,” he says.

When asked where he enjoys reading a book in New Bern, he says his favorite spot, aside from his own backyard, is Union Point Park, which is located at the point of the Neuse and Trent Rivers. “There's shade and there’s a gazebo,” he says. “It’s a beautiful place to sit. Another place I go is the Cedar Grove Cemetery or the cemetery at Christ Episcopal Church, under the trees with the Spanish moss.”

Sparks loves to end his days by sitting on his back porch, “watching the play of light as it changes over the course of a day into evening.” And once the sun goes down, there’s still more to see. “You see a lot of stars here and shooting stars,” he says. “It's got its charms when you sit out and hear crickets, and there’s fireflies too. You just kind of let the day happen to you. It's very peaceful, and it's very beautiful.”

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