Cape Lookout National Seashore officials began Friday gradually increasing public recreation opportunities, including reopening restrooms and offering limited ferry service through the park’s concessioner.
News Briefs
Pine Knoll Shores Mayor Dies Thursday
Pine Knoll Shores Mayor Ken Jones died Thursday at the age of 61.
Florence Relief Spending Plan Input Sought
The state Division of Marine Fisheries is accepting comments until May 28 on a draft spending plan for $7.7 million in federal fisheries disaster aid for seafood businesses that lost revenue because of Hurricane Florence.
Outer Banks Parks Visitor Services to Increase
More services will be available to Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial visitors starting May 22.
Hatteras-Ocracoke Route Service Increases
The North Carolina Ferry Division will increase service between Hatteras and Ocracoke from seven to 15 departures per day starting Wednesday in preparation for the Outer Banks communities reopening this weekend.
Corolla Beach Parking Permit Pickup to Start
Pickup for parking permits for the four-wheel drive beach in Corolla will begin Thursday at the Moyock Welcome Center or the Corolla Visitors Center.
Hands Across the Sand to Go Online
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hands Across the Sand will be online this year and will be live-streamed on Facebook starting at noon Saturday.
Wilmington Gets $3.6M for Drainage Repairs
Wilmington is being reimbursed more than $3.6 million by the state and FEMA for Hurricane Florence-related drainage repairs.
NPS Seeks Input on Oregon Inlet Dredging
The draft of the Finding of No Significant Impact, or FONSI, for dredging of Oregon Inlet with a Dare County dredge is available for public review for a 15-day period, Cape Hatteras National Seashore announced Monday.
CARES Act Marks $5.5 Million for NC Fisheries
North Carolina’s seafood industry is marked to receive nearly $5.5 million in federal assistance to help offset losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Military Through the Ages Event Goes Online
Moores Creek National Battlefield is offering online the May 23 Military through the Ages event that includes a timeline of military weapons and living history demonstrations.
Coastal Communities Adjust Restrictions
Towns and counties along the coast are adjusting restrictions related to COVID-19, including allowing short-term rentals and opening beach accesses and public parking.
Interior Secretary Bernhardt Visits NC Coast
Interior Secretary David Bernhardt visited the Bodie Island Lighthouse Thursday as part of a regional tour of national parks and refuges to promote President Trump’s “Opening Up America” guidelines to safely access public lands.
New Hanover Museum to Document COVID
Cape Fear Museum of History and Science is seeking objects, photographs and documents that show the many aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the lives of people in the Lower Cape Fear.
State Parks Trails, Restrooms to Reopen
North Carolina State Parks announced this week that on Saturday most trails and restrooms will reopen at all state parks that have been closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Outer Banks to Lift Visitor Restrictions
Dare, Hyde and Currituck counties announced that visitor restrictions will be lifted May 16, following the governor’s announcement that the state will transition Friday to Phase 1 of slowly easing certain COVID-19 restrictions.
