Alamance County Life

Steven Meyers, Jr.

Welcome to Alamance County Life, an investigative local history and documentary podcast hosted by producer and longtime resident Steven Meyers Jr. Across every episode, we pull back the curtain on the documented history, complex legal battles, and enduring legends that have quietly shaped our region—from the banks of the Haw River and Big Alamance Creek to the bustling downtowns of Burlington, Graham, Mebane, and Saxapahaw.  This series digs deep into the multi-layered stories that textbooks often leave behind. We explore five core pillars defining our community's past and present: Crime & Law Enforcement, examining high-profile cold cases, cartel shootouts, civil abatement actions, and wrongful convictions; Controversies & Politics, covering federal investigations, civil rights battles, school district crises, and modern development debates; Historical Figures, tracing the legacies of textile titans, governors, union pioneers, and local heroes; Local Legends & Oddities, separating campfire urban legends from historical realities; and Lost Landmarks, bringing to life forgotten mills, historic railway hubs, and vanished pioneer settlements.  Grounded, honest, and deeply rooted in our local soil, Alamance County Life offers a thoughtful, unfiltered look at the milestones, conflicts, and human stories that forged our home. Subscribe today and join us as we uncover the true history lying just beneath our feet. 

Episodes

  1. 1d ago ·  Bonus

    Badges and Ballots

    Invitations to participate in this discussion were extended to both candidates prior to recording. While neither candidate responded for an interview for this episode, the door remains open for future conversations on the podcast. Welcome back to Alamance County Life. In this special bridge episode, we hit the pavement to support local brick-and-mortar businesses in downtown Graham before diving into a balanced, third-person look at the race for Alamance County Sheriff. Whether you're looking to grab a coffee, check out local listener discounts, or weigh the public records of the candidates, this episode has you covered. Plus, stick around to the end for a sneak peek at our massive upcoming deep dive into Wars and Book Bans. What's Covered in This Episode: Downtown Graham Business Spotlight: Exclusive shoutouts, community perks, and listener deals from local favorites across Court Square.Alpha Tobacco & Vape: Mention the podcast for 10% off your purchase.Shamrock Nutrition: First-time customers get 50% off (half price).The Verdict: Great food on the square and a complimentary apple dessert note for your next visit.Roasted Coffee Depot, Court Square Florist, Doby & Griffis Law Firm, Broadway Bail Bonds & Alamance Bail Agents.Two Men, One Badge — The Sheriff's Race: A non-partisan, observational look at the records, backgrounds, policies, and public controversies surrounding Republican incumbent Terry Johnson and unaffiliated challenger Shannon Long.Voter Resources & Conscience: A bipartisan reminder to check your registration and vote your heart and conscience. For official voter tools, explore the Alamance County Board of Elections Voter Portal and the North Carolina State Board of Elections Voting Portal.Episode 7 Tease: A quick preview of what's dropping next week in Wars and Book Bans.Support local, share the show, and thanks for listening to Alamance County Life! Support via donation Venmo STEVENMEYERSJR or email stevenmeyersjr968@gmail.com re: advertising time on the podcast! Candidate photo credits: 1. alamancecountync.gov/public_safety/sheriffs_office/index.php 2. https://alamancenews.com/elections-director-believes-independent-candidate-for-sheriff-has-met-criteria-to-compete-on-november-ballot/

    Badges and Ballots

  2. Oct 2

    Rustlers and Rezoning

    In this packed episode, we traverse centuries of local history and dive deep into the modern-day headlines defining our community in the fall of 2026. We open with one of the most gripping legal sagas in Alamance history: the complex case of Mark Crotts. Decades after he was notoriously photographed in handcuffs while being escorted by a sheriff's deputy, Crotts is back in the spotlight. Following three intense murder trials in the 1990s and a 2024 Pardon of Innocence from the governor, Crotts has officially launched a federal lawsuit against the local sheriff’s office as of late September 2026. We unpack the dark twists of his wrongful conviction and what his quest for justice means for the future of local law enforcement and the daily hurdles handled by the Burlington Police department. This sets the stage for a look back at the audacious agricultural heist that inspired this episode's title. We revisit the staggering crime where 189 prize Black Angus cattle were stolen from a local pasture. Valued at a massive $370,000, the theft triggered a complex, multi-county investigation that thankfully resulted in the successful recovery of the herd, which was returned to its owners.  Taking a step back in time, our historical segment honors the legacy of notable local figures, specifically Alexander Mebane. We explore the life of the man who left an indelible mark on the region's foundation as a Revolutionary War General and a delegate member of the Constitutional Convention. Mebane also held a prominent federal role as a U.S. Congressman and served as a UNC Trustee.  Continuing our journey into the past, we explore the county's lost landmarks. The episode takes a closer look at Ossipee Village, a historic Holt textile settlement. We delve into the industrial architecture of the area, examining the remains of its classic brick mills and the complex water diversion dams that once powered them.  Finally, we wrap up the hour with an essential update on the controversies and politics currently surrounding the Alamance-Burlington School System. We discuss the highly contentious school rezoning process and the latest ABSS redistricting hearings. We unpack the socio-economic clashes driven by demographic balancing and algorithms, as well as the ongoing debate over the school resource officer role—weighing the need for strict security against maintaining a welcoming campus climate.  ADVERTISE ON ALAMANCE COUNTY LIFE! Email stevenmeyers968@gmail.com

    Rustlers and Rezoning

  3. Sep 23

    Silence and Scandals

    In this episode of Alamance County Life, we uncover the hidden histories, political shakeouts, and lingering mysteries that shape our community. From true crime to local legends, we explore the stories people are talking about—and the ones they’ve forgotten. In this episode, we cover: The Highway 54 Cold Case: A look into a decades-old disappearance that still leaves unanswered questions across the county.Burlington City Politics: Unpacking the recent political upheaval and community fallout following the termination of the city manager.The Legacy of William Alexander Graham: A historical profile of the influential North Carolina Governor and his deep local ties.Paranormal College Street: An exploration of the eerie local folklore and unexplained phenomena reported in the area.Haw River's Industrial Rebirth: A tour through the rich history and modern repurposing of a classic 1906 cotton factory.Join the conversation! Share your thoughts on this episode, suggest future topics, and connect with neighbors in the Alamance County Life Facebook group.

    Silence and Scandals

  4. Sep 11

    Stashes and Suffrage

    In this episode of Alamance County Life, host Steven Meyers explores the extreme polarities of our local history and the hidden fractures of our modern era. From the violent enforcement of the interstate drug trade to the complex enforcement of the ballot box, this chapter examines how quickly the ground beneath us can shift. In this episode, we investigate: The Green Level Stash House: The timeline and aftermath of a brutal, close-quarters cartel shootout on Wyatt Road. Felony-Voting Prosecutions: The systemic barriers, legal clashes over criminal intent, and widespread confusion surrounding recent voter disenfranchisement cases. Federal Power: How U.S. Senator B. Everett Jordan permanently altered the economic and geographical landscape of North Carolina through massive infrastructure funding. Blue-Grey Clay Folklore: The cultural impact of the region's geological clay, and the treacherous legends of river bottoms during flood season. Gilded Age Engineering: A step inside an 1879 water-powered brick factory, featuring perfectly preserved, kinetic line-shaft systems. (Plus, stick around until the end for a detailed preview of Episode 5: Silence and Scandals, where we unpack a 1979 cold case resolved by a 2024 DNA breakthrough.)  Episode Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Aaron's Mobile Mechanic & Small Engine. With over 30 years of honest, reliable experience, Aaron brings the shop directly to your home or job site. If it has an engine, he can fix it—from cars and trucks to mowers, chainsaws, and ATVs. Call or text: (336) 954-2526. (Be sure to tell him Steven from Outback sent you, and he will take excellent care of you!)

    Stashes and Suffrage

  5. Sep 7

    Poisons And Pickets

    In this episode of Alamance County Life, we strip away the manufactured TV drama and take a measured, deep-dive look into the true crime, county politics, education, folklore, industrial history, and current public safety news shaping our community. In this episode: The Sweetest Poison: The methodical true-crime story of Blanche Taylor Moore—how a local Kroger cashier used arsenic-laced banana pudding to murder her partners, leading to one of North Carolina's most notorious death row convictions.The Price of the Pickets: An inside look at Sheriff Terry Johnson’s decision to terminate the 20-year federal ICE contract at the Alamance County Detention Center amid rising costs, staffing shortages, and jail overcrowding.The Farmer Governor: The legacy of Haw River native Governor Bob Scott, who guided North Carolina through volatile school desegregation in the late '60s and consolidated the modern UNC System.The Phantom of Williams High: Exploring the decades-old urban legend, flickering stage lights, and phantom footsteps haunting Walter M. Williams High School in Burlington.The Ghosts of Industry: The rise, total abandonment, and modern heritage revival of the historic 105-acre Glencoe Mill Village along the Haw River.The County Blotter: A breakdown of late-August public safety incidents across Burlington, Mebane, and Alamance County, including park indecent exposure charges, a residential shooting on May Drive, a vehicle break-in on Sinclair Trace, a Crime Stoppers appeal in Mebane, and federal movement on local groundwater PFAS contamination lawsuits.Connect & Resources: Community: Join the conversation with your neighbors in the Alamance County Life Facebook group.Tips/Information: Have information regarding the Mebane-area breaking and entering? Contact Crime Stoppers regarding Case #2026-08-251.Song "Don't Pick Up The Knife" performed by Steven Meyers Jr.

    Poisons And Pickets

  6. Aug 27

    Power and Shadows

    Welcome back to Alamance County Life. In this episode, host Steven Meyers Jr. pulls back the curtain on the constant friction between the visible power that built our region and the dark secrets hidden in its shadows. In This Episode: The Village and the Mayor: We dive deep into the sweltering summer of 1990 to examine the haIunting, unsolved murder of Pamela Hoy, exploring how political gravity and jurisdictional turf wars severely crippled the investigation.Iron Arteries & Populist Champions: Discover the brutal, iron-forged 1855 origins of the North Carolina Railroad repair shops that birthed the city of Burlington, and the legacy of agrarian populist Governor W. Kerr Scott.Monsters in the Mud: We venture into the murky, flood-prone banks of Goat Island along the Haw River to uncover the terrifying, generations-old lore of the 'Chris-Chris' monster.Monuments and Tear Gas: A stark look at the modern civil rights flashpoint at the historic Graham courthouse, detailing the intense October 31, 2020, protests, emergency interventions, and the deep divides within the community.Community Events: Your weekly rundown of local happenings, including the 4th Fridays Concert Series in Burlington, the Mebane Farmers Market, Saturdays in Saxapahaw, and North Carolina's Ugliest Dog Pageant.Connect with the Community Join the conversation, share your own local historical insights, and stay up-to-date with your neighbors by joining the Alamance County Life Facebook group.

    Power and Shadows

  7. Aug 20

    Roots and Rebellions

    In this inaugural edition of Alamance County Life, join us on a captivating journey through the industrial origins, local folklore, and landmark civic struggles that have shaped our region. We begin by travelling back to 1837 to trace the founding of the Alamance Cotton Mill under the unyielding vision of Edwin Michael Holt, before exploring the sweeping modernization driven by Governor Thomas Michael Holt. Downriver at the historic Glencoe Mill village, we untangle a long-standing local urban legend, separating sensational campfire myth from a poignant historical reality regarding congenital dwarfism and defensive property actions. Moving into the modern era, the program explores how local prosecutors deployed civil nuisance abatement laws to shutter notorious vice venues in unincorporated corridors, specifically targeting The Paradise Club and Dockside Dolls. We then offer a measured review of the high-stakes controversies surrounding the Alamance County Sheriff's Office, detailing the federal Department of Justice investigation into unconstitutional checkpoints and traffic stop disparities targeting Hispanic drivers. Finally, we bring our focus bang up to date by examining the current infrastructure breaking point in the county, specifically the recent unanimous vote by county commissioners to enact a one-year moratorium on data centre development, alongside the mounting community concerns over a proposed 1,000-home development in Lower Alamance County near Saxapahaw that lacks municipal water and sewer access. A thoroughly grounded, evocative exploration of the past and present, we do hope you will settle in and join us.

    Roots and Rebellions
  • 7 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to Alamance County Life, an investigative local history and documentary podcast hosted by producer and longtime resident Steven Meyers Jr. Across every episode, we pull back the curtain on the documented history, complex legal battles, and enduring legends that have quietly shaped our region—from the banks of the Haw River and Big Alamance Creek to the bustling downtowns of Burlington, Graham, Mebane, and Saxapahaw.  This series digs deep into the multi-layered stories that textbooks often leave behind. We explore five core pillars defining our community's past and present: Crime & Law Enforcement, examining high-profile cold cases, cartel shootouts, civil abatement actions, and wrongful convictions; Controversies & Politics, covering federal investigations, civil rights battles, school district crises, and modern development debates; Historical Figures, tracing the legacies of textile titans, governors, union pioneers, and local heroes; Local Legends & Oddities, separating campfire urban legends from historical realities; and Lost Landmarks, bringing to life forgotten mills, historic railway hubs, and vanished pioneer settlements.  Grounded, honest, and deeply rooted in our local soil, Alamance County Life offers a thoughtful, unfiltered look at the milestones, conflicts, and human stories that forged our home. Subscribe today and join us as we uncover the true history lying just beneath our feet. 

Information

  • Creator
    Steven Meyers, Jr.
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Alamance County Life