Jones-Onslow EMC receives award recognizing North Carolina service

In a surprise presentation, Gov. Pat McCrory (right) presented Onslow County art instructor Beth Howard (left) and Ron McElheney (middle), former CEO of Jones-Onslow EMC in Jacksonville, with the coveted Order of the Long Leaf Pine in recognition of service to the state. Howard has won 21 Bright Ideas grants from Jones-Onslow EMC, funding learning projects that have reached more than 20,000 students. Photo credit: Lauri Crowder, Onslow County Schools.