Christmas Bird Counts will be held on Portsmouth Dec. 30 and Ocracoke Dec. 31 and will be entered into the NC Bird Atlas, in its first of a five-year project to gather information about the state’s bird populations.
News Briefs
Four ferry routes to run on reduced schedules Dec. 24-25
Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach, Hatteras-Ocracoke, Southport-Fort Fisher and Currituck-Knotts Island ferry routes will be on a reduced schedule Dec. 24-25.
NC public safety secretary now FEMA deputy administrator
Erik Hooks, North Carolina’s previous secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security adviser, has been sworn in as FEMA’s new deputy administrator.
State reminds public of blue crab harvest closures
Annual blue crab harvest closures will take place early next year in North Carolina waters to help end overfishing.
NC, Ohio to celebrate 118th anniversary of first flight
Nonprofits in North Carolina and Ohio that celebrate aviation history are joining together to celebrate Friday the 118th anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ first flight.
Coast Guard oversees removal of grounded shrimp trawler
The Coast Guard is working with the owner of a shrimp trawler that ran aground Dec. 7 to remove the vessel.
Severe drought conditions cover half of NC, including coast
Nearly all coastal counties are experiencing severe drought conditions and officials warn the dry conditions could continue through winter.
Mountains-to-Sea Trail friends to be under new direction
Brent Laurenz is joining the Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail nonprofit organization as the new executive director.
Wright Brothers Memorial to host first flight anniversary
Wright Brothers National Memorial and the First Flight Society are celebrating the 118th anniversary of Wilbur and Orville Wright’s first heavier-than-air, controlled, powered flight.
Wind leasing draft environmental assessment up for review
Federal regulators are asking for public comment on a draft supplemental environmental assessment related to proposed wind energy leasing options off the coast of North Carolina.
Brunswick County deputy manager to transition to new role
Steve Stone, who has been serving as Brunswick’s deputy county manager, is to begin as county manager in January.
Residents can weigh in on Topsail Island resiliency needs
An open house is set for next week to give the public a chance to hear about and share their thoughts on climate change and resiliency issues on Topsail Island.
Coastal towns receive grants for bike, pedestrian planning
Shallotte and Wilmington have been selected for state grants to help with bicycle and pedestrian planning.
Coast Guard rescues four from disabled trawler near Duck
Coast Guard rescuers hoisted four fishermen Tuesday from a disabled fishing vessel.
Albemarle museum invites teens to become junior docents
Teens can spend the summer learning about regional history and sharing it with others as a Museum of the Albemarle volunteer.
Dare awards $26M bid for Avon, Buxton nourishment
A nearly $26 million bid was awarded Monday to Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Co. for the 2022 Avon and Buxton beach nourishment projects.