The News & Observer's stylebook says Down East should be avoided.

The internal guide to proper language usage has been compiled over a period of years and is updated annually in strangely contentious meetings of a panel of copy editors and reporters.

(Dome once unsuccessfully fought new restrictions on the word "schmuck" for far longer than you would think it merited.)

According to the stylebook, the broader definition of Down East is incorrect:

Use sparingly. This term refers to localized regions. Traditionally in this state, "Down East" refers to the eastern part of Carteret County east of the North River and North River Bridge, which does not include Beaufort or Morehead City. For the coastal region or the part of the state east of Interstate 95, use (northern, central or southern) coastal North Carolina or Eastern North Carolina or, if accurate, the Coastal Plain. 

Hat Tip: Steve Merelman 

Previously: Down East Journal host disavows name; small business names Down East; a narrow definition of Down East; do Down Easterners have a lock on the governorship?

How do you define Down East?

One way to determine the boundaries of North Carolina's vaguely defined coastal region is to ask small business owners who have picked the name for themselves.

A search of business names on Google Maps shows Down East Hearing Care, Down East Stained Glass and Down East Kennel & Supply, among many others, in the area east of Interstate 95.

Businesses with the words "Down East" in the name range from Rocky Mount down to Wilmington and are located in Kinston, New Bern, Greenville, Manteo and Morehead City.

That meets the newer, broader definition of the term for the coastal plains of North Carolina. 

A number of "Down East" businesses in Carteret County also meet the narrower definition historically used to describe the home of so-called "high tiders."

Previously: A narrow definition of Down East; do Down Easterners have a lock on the governorship?

Does the Down East have a lock on the Executive Mansion?

With the win last week by Governor-elect Beverly Perdue of New Bern, the state's coastal plain continues its 16-year run of governors.

News stories have casually referred to Perdue and some of her advisers as being from "Down East," but that depends on who is asking.

Traditionally, that appelation referred only to communities east of Beaufort in Carteret County, a distinctive community with its own "high tider" accent and history. (Senate leader Marc Basnight's family is from this region.)

In recent years, however, "Down East" has expanded to encompass most of the area of the state east of Interstate 95, including Rocky Mount, Wilmington, Kinston and Greenville.

That broader definition would also include Wilson, home of former Gov. Jim Hunt; Southport, home of Gov. Mike Easley; and New Bern, Perdue's home. 

A House bill would make it a felony to intentionally starve an animal.

Rep. Pat McElraft, an Emerald Isle Republican, said the bill was inspired by a case in Carteret County a year ago in which a family left three dogs behind when it moved out of a house. Two of the dogs died of starvation by the time police were called a month later.

"They had no excuse for this," she said.

McElraft said the district attorney could only charge the family members with a misdemeanor. The bill would add starvation and dehydration to the list of felony animal cruelty charges.

The bill passed unanimously and now heads to the Senate.