Astronaut Christina Koch hasn’t seen her hometown of Jacksonville since her last pass over the N.C. coast aboard the International Space Station, but she says that view is seared in her memory.
Plans to Expand Limestone Quarry Stalled
Martin Marietta’s plans to expand its limestone quarry in Rocky Point, a move that would affect dozens of acres of wetlands and other waters, are on hold as state regulators await additional information from the corporation.
Water Plant Operators On Seven-Day Stays
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority officials is stationing staff at its water treatment plants for weeklong periods and provided campers for their long stays to protect the safety of operators and Wilmington’s drinking water.
GenX: Looking Closer At Chemours’ Plan
While Chemours says it’s in compliance with state laws and a 2019 consent order, comments collected by NCDEQ show many are unsatisfied with the response by the company responsible for PFAS contamination in the Cape Fear region.
State Bars CPI From Discharging Bottom Ash
In a win for concerned area residents, CPI USA North Carolina is subject to new restrictions and monitoring and reporting requirements as conditions for renewing the national discharge permits for the company’s small power plant in Brunswick County.
North Topsail Mayor Drops Appeal, Resigns
Four-term North Topsail Beach mayor Dan Tuman has dismissed his appeal against the N.C. State Board of Elections and resigned as mayor, as Joann McDermon is set to be named winner of the November race.
US Clean Water Rule Repeal Set to Take Effect
Special Report: The repeal and replacement of the Obama-era Waters of the United States rule under the Clean Water Act will soon go into effect, putting North Carolina’s wetlands and fisheries in peril, but challenges are expected.
Move On to Take Over River Locks, Dams
The Fayetteville Public Works Commission was expected to submit a letter of intent this month to take ownership of three Cape Fear River locks and dams now owned and managed by the Army Corps of Engineers.
Rezoning Request For Sand Mine Tabled
The Pender County Planning Board has tabled indefinitely a rezoning request for hundreds of acres proposed to be a sand mining site in Hampstead.
Corps Pulls Sunset Beach Dredge Application
The Army Corps of Engineers has withdrawn Sunset Beach’s permit application for dredging Jinks Creek because the placement area for sand removed from the channel has not been determined.
Navassa History Misunderstood: Planner
Navassa town planner Barnes Sutton, who has spent the last two years trying to balance growing the small town while preserving its history and heritage, says much of that history has been obscured.
‘Where I’m Supposed to Be:’ Navassa Planner
After spending most of his childhood bouncing from one military base to the next, Barnes Sutton, Navassa’s planning director, says the largely African American community is the place to settle and put down roots.
Pender Sand Mine Rezoning Request Delayed
The Pender County Planning Board has tabled its consideration of a controversial rezoning request that was set for Tuesday until April, when the meeting can be held in a space with larger capacity.
State Extends Time For Input On New IHAs
The Division of Coastal Management has added another month for public comments on proposed redrawn inlet hazard area boundaries and associated development rules that have some beach towns concerned.
Sunset Beach Threatens to Take $1.2M Lot
Sunset Beach has sued the new owner of a $1.2 million oceanfront lot near Tubbs Inlet, saying it’s considering taking the land via eminent domain and building a public parking lot and access.
Heritage Center Would Boost Pride: Mayor
Navassa Mayor Eulis Willis says the state’s first Gullah Geechee cultural heritage center planned for the former Kerr-McGee site in town would be a welcome source of community pride.
