Smoke rises in the pines Monday in a section of the Croatan National Forest after a prescribed burn of 561 acres in the area of Nine-Foot Road and Millis Swamp Road near Newport. The U.S. Forest Service also prescribed a burn of 499 acres off U.S. Highway 70, Hibbs Road and Shaver Road, near Newport. This controlled application of fire is to diminish fuel for wildfires and restore natural ecosystems. Note posted signs and watch for firefighters and personnel in the area. Helicopters assist during the burns, so drone use is prohibited. Photo: Dylan Ray
News Briefs
Journalists society gives Black Hole Award to NC legislature
The Society of Professional Journalists has named the North Carolina General Assembly the recipient of its annual Black Hole Award “for acts of outright contempt of the public’s right to know” in exempting its members from the state’s public records law.
Old Manns Harbor Bridge speed limit to drop to 45 mph
The speed limit will be reduced from 55 mph as soon as Monday while work continues on the $33 million bridge preservation project.
Gullah Geechee Heritage Trail feasibility study input needed
The public can provide input on alternative routes for the Gullah Geechee Heritage Trail feasibility study at one of three events or with an online survey.
Neuse River salinity levels remain higher than average
The Neuse River estuary continues to be saltier than normal, particularly for late winter, according to the latest ModMon Project sampling.
Lingerfelt to direct Coastal Land Trust’s land protection
Lingerfelt has been the Coastal Land Trust’s GIS specialist and land stewardship associate and joined the organization in January 2022.
Elizabeth City to celebrate Max Roach with jazz festival
The Max Roach Centennial Celebration and Jazz Festival set for April 11-13 is being hosted by Elizabeth City State University and funded with a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
North Topsail Beach board of adjustment sets hearing
The town zoning board of adjustment is set to hold an evidentiary hearing on a case of homeowners and their contractor cited for damaging dunes.
Science panel to continue inlet hazard, sea level rise reviews
The Coastal Resources Commission science panel’s virtual meeting March 15 will resume discussions of updates to inlet hazard boundaries and sea level rise data for a report to the commission in April.
Film on climate change adaption screening in April
There is no charge to attend the screening of the film, which focuses on how residents are facing challenges of climate change, but registration is required.
Murphy honors deceased boater Chad Dunn in US House
Rep. Greg Murphy spoke during the morning session to remember the life of the 36-year-old who died Sunday in a boating accident in Oregon Inlet.
Bald Head voters approve bonds for beach work
Bald Head Island voters on Tuesday passed a pair of multi-million-dollar bond referendums to fund a beach nourishment and fill project.
Progress update on Navassa Superfund Site to be held
Government officials will provide an update on the cleanup progress and proposed future plans for land that was the site of a wood treatment plant in Navassa.
Report: Shackleford herd totals 117 horses, mostly female
Of the oldest horses in the herd, those 17 and older, 23 are female and one is male.
Lost fishing gear recovery project begins in southeast NC
The project to collect lost crab pots in waters between Emerald Isle and the South Carolina border began Monday.
‘Frank Stick’s Flat-Tops’ museum’s April 3 history lunch
Outer Banks History Center staff will present the history of Frank Stick’s flat-top cottages of Southern Shores during the program scheduled for April 3 at the Museum of the Albemarle.
