Donnie Denny — Perquimans County’s singing plumber — has crooned his way into the finals of Oprah Winfrey’s “Karaoke Challenge.

The Elizabeth City Housing Authority has asked Pasquotank County for help repaying an overspent federal grant, but county officials want assurances that steps have been taken to shore up fiscal controls before they agree to help out.

Lauren Strobel first knew she wanted to be an attorney when she was in high school.

That’s why she began taking college courses at both College of The Albemarle and Elizabeth City State University at age 17, graduated from ECSU after three years with a degree in criminal justice, and completed law school at Regent University in nearby Virginia Beach at age 23.

Pasquotank County officials have derided as “crazy” and “capricious” a state Insurance Department ruling that the Weeksville area needs 31 more fire hydrants — at a cost of $92,400 — before homeowners can qualify for lower fire insurance rates.