Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Wright Brothers National Memorial museums and the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site visitor center reopened this weekend after being closed since March 17 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
News Briefs
Trump Expands Offshore Drilling Moratorium
President Trump signed an order Tuesday to expand a moratorium on offshore drilling off Florida’s Gulf Coast to include the Atlantic coasts of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.
State Environmental Commission to Meet
The public can listen by phone or online this week when the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission meets.
Disaster, Parks Funding In COVID-19 Relief Bill
The N.C. General Assembly approved a coronavirus relief package Thursday that also includes hurricane, tornado and earthquake assistance as well as parks funding, before adjourning Friday.
Seafood Company Treasurer Pleads Guilty
Jeffrey A. Styron, treasurer of the corporate board of officers for Garland F. Fulcher Seafood Co. Inc., pleaded guilty Thursday to directing his company to falsely label hundreds of thousands dollars’ worth of foreign crabmeat as “Product of USA.”
NC Aquariums to Reopen Sept. 14
The North Carolina Aquariums at Fort Fisher, Pine Knoll Shores and Roanoke Island will reopen to guests Sept. 14 after being closed since March 17 as a precaution to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Basnight Bridge Traffic Disruptions Expected
There will be short traffic interruptions on the Marc Basnight Bridge over the next two weeks while NCDOT conducts a survey and scan of the structure.
Moores Creek to Reopen Visitor Center
Moores Creek National Battlefield, the site of the first significant victory for the Patriots in the Revolutionary War, will reopen its visitor center Tuesday .
Beaufort, Southport Museums to Open
The North Carolina Maritime Museums in Beaufort and Southport will both open Thursday after being closed due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Cape Hatteras Extends Lifeguard Season
Cape Hatteras National Seashore will continue stationing lifeguards through the end of September at Coquina Beach Access on Bodie Island, Frisco Beach Access on Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Beach Access.
Federation to Receive Debris Removal Grant
North Carolina Coastal Federation will receive a $121,090 grant to help with the removal of at least 20 abandoned and derelict vessels from estuaries in the northeastern part of the state.
PFAS Testing Seminar Series Begins Sept. 18
The North Carolina PFAS Testing Network will host on Zoom Sept. 18 the first in a series of online research update and discussion seminars planned for month and next.
Surfalorus Film Fest Kicks Off Sept. 24
The ninth annual Surfalorus Film Festival Sept. 24-27 on the Outer Banks and online features 15 films, interviews and Q&As with various filmmakers, surfers and surf culture figures, including the cast of Netflix’s “Outer Banks.”
Coastal Resources Commission to Meet
The state Coastal Resources Commission will meet by video conference to consider updates on the shellfish lease program, Coastal Habitat Protection Plan revisions and rule-making recommendations.
Comments on Havelock Bypass Plans Needed
NCDOT is looking for feedback by Sept. 14 on two proposed alternatives for a U.S. 70 improvement from Havelock Bypass to Thurman Road in Craven County.
New Bern Kicks Off Resiliency Planning Effort
New Bern staff and officials are calling for public input on a resiliency plan and flood mitigation effort, which kicks off with a virtual public meeting Sept. 10.
