Town commissioners have given unanimous approval to a plan to hold a $7.3 million bond referendum in November to replace the damaged fishing pier.
Spotlight
Southern flounder: Warmer seas may skew iconic fish’s future
Guest commentary: Southern flounder are unusually sensitive to climate change because water temperatures during their juvenile stage determines whether they develop as male or female — and the implications are stark.
Hurricane Erin to remain offshore, coastal NC to feel impacts
The center of Hurricane Erin is expected to remain offshore, but forecasters expect eastern North Carolina to see coastal flooding, tropical-storm-force winds, overwash and beach erosion.
Cape Lookout Lighthouse set for $15 million renovation
The 163-foot-tall tower will soon shed its distinctive black-and-white diamond pattern, expose its red bricks not seen since 1873 and don newly refurbished ironwork, safety improvements and breathable paint as part of the preservation effort.
Efforts to curb flooding at battleship memorial yield results
Land around the Battleship North Carolina and its parking area is recreating itself, luring birds, diminishing flood frequency, and providing what the museum’s leaders hope to become a living lab.
No easy fix for Boiling Spring Lakes’ ongoing dam troubles
Officials in the small Brunswick County city thought the structure damaged by Hurricane Florence had been repaired, but a June storm proved otherwise and residents’ anger and frustration are boiling.
Waves again reveal Buxton pollution; Corps vows removal
“We are dedicated to finding the petroleum contamination and removing it,” said Army Corps of Engineers District Commander Col. Ron Sturgeon earlier this week.
Fledgling commercial fisheries group looks to boost industry
The North Carolina Coastal Counties Fisheries Coalition, formed in response to the recently proposed ban on shrimp trawling in state waters, met for the first time this week in Morehead City, drawing numerous state and local elected officials.
Coastal North Carolina’s fossil record reveals giant ‘hell pigs’
A recent study published by Cambridge University Press finds that the “exceedingly rare” land mammal fossils from 20 million years ago that were found near Maysville fill “an important gap in our knowledge of this time interval and paleogeographic region.”
Amid backlash, Dare board retains Buxton Woods restrictions
Commissioners approved a text amendment allowing the requested construction but kept longstanding protections around the Buxton Woods Reserve on Hatteras Island.
Proponents of Leland flood zone rules say it’s a moral issue
Advocates of the Brunswick County town’s proposal to strengthen and expand flood zone building rules say officials must ensure they are not putting property owners, emergency personnel in danger.
Father-son fishing duo establish state records for two species
Jody Hopkins and his son Oden of Grimesland established state records for a channel scabbardfish and a spinycheek scorpion fish while fishing 33 miles off Ocracoke.
Center for Biological Diversity sues feds over red wolf listing
The nonprofit conservation group is challenging the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, alleging it acted illegally in deciding to continue classifying the critically endangered population of red wolves as “nonessential,” a designation of lesser protections.
Group forms to represent commercial shrimpers’ interests
The new coalition is to defend and protect the state’s commercial fishing fleet and industry and was spawned by the recent fight over shrimp trawling in North Carolina’s inland and nearshore coastal waters.
First turtle patrol beach sweep nets 120 pounds of trash
More than 120 pounds of trash, predominately plastics, were picked up off Holden Beach’s ocean shore during the Holden Beach Turtle Patrol’s first beach sweep.
Global wetlands loss strips trillions in economic benefits
An intergovernmental report concludes that if the world’s wetlands continue to vanish and deteriorate it may equate to tens of trillions in economic loss.
