PENDER COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) – The NCACC County Risk Pool will cover defense costs for an ongoing First Amendment lawsuit involving Pender County and a local newspaper.
In a June 3 press release, the county said it recently learned the risk pool amended its decision and would provide funding for the county’s defense in the case.
The lawsuit was filed in July 2025 by Pender-Topsail Post & Voice owner Andy Pettigrew against Pender County and three county commissioners, Chairman Randy Burton, Vice Chair Brent Springer and Commissioner Jerry Groves…