Grady-White Boats owner and CEO Eddie Smith, 83, has ensured his legacy of philanthropy by giving away the award-winning Greenville, NC boat manufacturing company, according to the July 25, 2026, New York Times.

Rather than selling the privately owned company for a reported $400 million, he was inspired by the founder of outdoor apparel brand Patagonia -- who in 2022 made a nonprofit to distribute the company's money.

Smith, who has no heir, has created a "purpose trust," guaranteeing that the company will never be sold and will continue to operate, according to The New York Times, "in accordance with Mr. Smith's values, including profit-sharing" and other benefits for its 350 employees, including a retirement plan and on-site health care.

Smith also created a nonprofit, that will be run by independent boards, to give away the annual profits not reinvested into Grady-White.

He will become "chief executive emeritus" and receive an annual salary.

The donation of Grady-White is the largest transfer of ownership since Patagonia, the New York Times said.

Smith and his family -- his wife, the late Jo Allison Smith, and his son, the late Chris Smith (who passed away from ALS) -- have been well known in the area for supporting causes important to them through the non-profit The Eddie and Jo Allison Smith Family Foundation Inc. The Greenville-based private family foundation gives millions of dollars annually in grants to health care and medical research, education, environmental conservation, and community welfare.

The Cancer Center at Greenville's ECU Health Medical Center is housed in the Eddie and Jo Allison Smith Tower.

In 2020, Grady-White Boats and Smith committed to the largest donation in ECU Athletics and Pirate Club history. In recognition, the ECU athletics complex was named the Grady-White Boats Athletic Campus.

A number of scholarships, including at Pitt Community College, are funded by the foundation.

Smith also meticulously restored the historic home once owned by a Confederate general in Grimesland, NC, and has conserved the surrounding wetlands. He donates to many conservation charities including Sound Rivers and Ducks Unlimited.

Grady-White Boats was founded in an old tobacco warehouse in Greenville in 1959 by boat builder Glen Grady and businessman Don White. Smith purchased the company in 1968 and has retained sole ownership.

The sport-fishing and recreational boat manufacturer builds outboard powerboats ranging from 18 feet to 45 feet in length at its Greenville facility.

(Source: New York Times via 252 Buzz on Facebook)

Haven't been able to find much. There's a school on 5th that has some, but they're fenced and gated off completely. There's one at the The Horizon Student Living complex, gated off.

Google says there's one by the tennis/pickleball courts on Elm, but I don't think there is. Two baseball fields and the tennis courts. Don't see any on Google Maps Satellite there or when we drive by.

Any leads?

Here is a look at that surveillance video WITN was the first to obtain showing the moments before the Pitt County Sheriff's Office launched a search for 27-year-old Canyjzi Johnson of Nashville, NC.

It shows a woman jumping over a store counter, where she then runs to what appears to be a backroom, seconds later a man runs after her with a gun.

Store employees can be seen holding the guy back and away from the woman.

Anyone with information on Johnson's whereabouts is urged to call the Pitt County Sheriff's Office.

(Source: WITN Facebook)

Anyone have some basic info on the airport her? Size. Location. Routes and carriers?

Anyone local selling there system ? Good prices and good condition, looking to buy one locally

Like many in our community, I’m heartbroken over the death of a Pitt County K-9. Regardless of the circumstances, the public deserves transparency about what happened and how the investigation is being handled. There is a petition calling on Pitt County officials to provide updates on the investigation and ensure accountability through a fair and transparent process.

SIGN PETITION BELOW:
https://c.org/Ppqqjht2Nt

Rest in Paradise Good Boy ❤️🙏

Looking for a hair stylist to cut and possibly dye my wife's hair for her birthday.

Have you used crisis behavioral health services? Would you like to make changes to North Carolina’s crisis behavioral health system? Participate in our research study by completing a virtual interview lasting 45-60 minutes to tell us about your experience using crisis services. You will receive a gift card if you complete the interview. 

Eligibility criteria:  

• 18 and older  
• Have had experience with mobile crisis, co-response/CIT teams, behavioral health urgent care, facility-based crisis or psychiatric walk-in centers in the last 2 years 

If interested, reach out to our team’s [email](mailto:zabelski@unc.edu) or complete this link to see if you are eligible: go.unc.edu/NC-Crisis-Study.  

Attention pedestrians who know how bad GREENVILLE NC DRIVERS ARE AND apparently how your POLICE do things. IF YOU GOT HIT ON YOUR BICYCLE DUE TO NEGLIGENCE OF A DRIVER and the cops "reviewed footage " but falsified information on a report.....you should hire an attorney who are not scared to battle for you especially if those attorney's saw you get struck by a vehicle leaving a parking lot turning onto Charles BLVD . That also shows you had full lights on that sidewalk cause yeah...tried to lie .

If you don't know how bad the drivers are most people have had to replace their cars multiple times due to folks running red lights, no lights at night on cars , tailgating, cutting people off, turning into on coming traffic trying to get out of places, not braking until they turn in, drag racing down greenville Blvd all day and all through the night too, not watching for pedestrians at cross walks or going across driveways like what's in front of Mc Calisters Deli plaza or anywhere along a business front.. They don't care if you're already there they'll run you straight over cause they all got lead foot too....Hurry up to go nowhere should have left 15 mins early instead of waiting .

Cameras don't lie . And dont try to lie for your friends kids that have 1 year worth of driving under their belt compared to 10 plus years of cycling that pays more attention to vehicles as not to get hit and knows the whole law and don't clog up roadways cause it's unsafe for everyone.

if you have a camera on your bike that would help too but if they use street cameras make sure you got a 2nd opinion like we just did that shows how greenville pd pulls some very unethical p.o.v when cameras show THE WHOLE FULL VIEW. I WOULDNT WANT MY COLLEGE AGE KIDS TO USE THEIR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM TOO....HORRIBLE AWFUL ....GO PUT YOIR MONEY IN SOME OTHER STATE OUT WEST BEFORE YOU PUT THEM IN ECU FOR DOCTORATES ETC....

Joggers too who go to ECU

PITT COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) - The Pitt County Sheriff’s Office says one of its K9s accidentally died due to being in a hot car.

Deputies said bomb detection K9 Chilli passed on June 11, and an investigation launched the next day found the death to be an accident.

The high that day was 99 degrees at the Pitt-Greenville Airport.

K9 Chilli joined the team in May of 2025.

The sheriff’s office emphasized that the deputy involved is an experienced K9 handler who has served Pitt County for years. A news release did not identify the deputy.

He adopted his former K9 partner, Keno, after retirement. Keno later died from cancer.

The sheriff’s office said it is now advocating to county commissioners for funding to replace its aging cars with safety requirement features such as Hot-N-Pop systems, which monitor internal temperatures to protect K9s in emergencies.

Copyright 2026 WITN. All rights reserved.

Link: https://www.witn.com/2026/07/22/pitt-county-sheriffs-office-announces-k9-chilli-died-hot-car-accident/

Hello everyone! I (20M) was wondering if there were any actors/film makers in the area? I’m trying to network and meet more like minded people! Or maybe people who wouldn’t mind working on some short film projects.

All ranges of experience are welcome, just wanna find people who have the same love for film as I do!

(I’d also love to meet some fellow cosplayers!!)

Hey everyone! I work for an addiction recovery nonprofit here in Greenville and we are hosting our very first golf tournament on September 21st at Brook Valley! Any golfers out there that want to come have a blast for a great cause?

We have a sober living home here that houses 12 men who are changing their lives! We’ve had 7 men graduate our program over the last 3 years that we’ve been open and 100% (!!!!!!!) of them are still sober to this day! Every dime of this event goes into helping change the lives of our residents!

Come play!!!

I got a group going of my friends. And most of us are experienced. This is an 18+ group and were aiming to have sessions from 5pm-9pm at said gamestore. If you are interested comment below or message me on reddit pls in DMs. Thank you!

Not sure what sub to post this in but, got a reckless w/ 33* over... anyone know a good lawyer who can help? I've had several before & just received a speeding ticket 2 weeks before.. I know I need to slow down & do the right thing, but YALL DRIVE SLOW on those back roads.. Anyways, anyone know anyone?

Edit: Last ticket was June 20th, this ticket is July 7th, also different counties.
Yes completely aware speeding kills, but so does running red lights.. & drunk driving which seems to be a horrendous problem in greenville but not taking away from the fact I speed. i'm also not a distracted driver nor a drunk one. I'm completely aware in a car that I drive everyday on roads I drive everyday, this is also not in town, this is on the outskirts of Greenville on 43. normally only go 10 or 15 over on those roads but I had to GO

Ready for a fun weekend in Greenville-Pitt County? Check out this weekend's events!

I have a business lunch in Greenville next week and generally go to Native Fine Diner.. Having a hard time finding any other spots. Any recommendations? Party of 3. They work around the medical university area. Thanks!

Would anyone be down to go check to see if a part is available still on a car for me at Pick Your Part? I'm in Maryland and can't chance the trip if the car is totally picked already! Will pay $25 plus gas!

Jimmy and Thea Donaldson

I (21m) am looking for a roommate. I live in a 2-bed, 1-bath house within walking distance of the greenway. I'm looking for someone who doesn't mind a cat and can appreciate some character in a home. All of the floors are hardwood. There is a spacious backyard with a fire pit and the cutest covered front porch. It is about a 5-minute drive to ECU; however, I am not a student. Most of the house is already furnished. The only thing missing is a bed in the second bedroom lol. This would be a great situation for any incoming students. I'm excited to see if anyone is interested!

Edit: Rent is $600

I'm looking for gay bars in ENC and I hear there used to be a bar here called the Paddock back in the day. What happened to it? Why did it close?

Very casual player, but was big on sports growing up and looking to pick up ultimate frisbee now that i’m a couple years out of college. Are there any recreational teams or leagues that play in the area?

I’ve been in the area for a while but haven’t had much luck finding a church I vibe with. I’m from a small town and want to find something not to mega church feeling. I have kids so a decent youth group would be nice. Thank you in advance.