Dec. 14-17, 2009
Coastal flood warning for eastern North Carolina, effective 7 this evening until 6 o'clock Sunday morning...Some soundside flooding likely north of Cape Hatteras Saturday afternoon...Rain could turn to wet snow Saturday evening north of Oregon Inlet but no accumulation expected.
Latest National Weather Service Watches, Warnings & Advisories
Judge reverses lower court on release of convicted murderers
The two convicts, who have been serving life sentences, were to be freed from prison at 5 o'clock Monday afternoon under a Superior Court judge's order issued this morning in connection with his interpretation of a murky, 1970s North Carolina law that since has been changed.
But less than an hour before the two were to go free, a state Appeals Court judge stepped into what has become a 'live' law and order drama here in the Tar Heel state. The latest episode...
Basnight questioned about his health
Sen. Marc Basnight of Manteo, the president pro tem of the state Senate and the most powerful man in North Carolina government, suffers from a rare nerve disease that affects his balance and speech, and has fueled rumors he may not run again.
The Senator is shown here with Gov. Beverly Perdue, the second banana, after last November's elections.
“I walk, oh, gosh, about an hour a day, four days a week," he recently told the Washington Daily News of Washington, N.C. “I don’t know if that’s newsworthy, but that’s what I do.”
The newspaper said Basnight's speech "was clear but halting and a bit labored" during its telephone interview. More...
Ever been to Carova?
It's the northern most village on the Outer Banks
Come take a trip with us. We'll cross over the Wright Memorial Bridge to Kitty Hawk and Southern Shores, then travel north on NC 12 to Duck and beyond to the Currituck Outer Banks where the road turns to sand and wild horses roam.
If you have a few minutes to spare, fasten your seat belts and join us...
Comments
Pre-Christmas Cheer:
Storm ravaged NC 12 fully reopened on Hatteras Island
The 1,800 feet of the island's only highway that was washed out or severely damaged by the Nov. 11-12 nor'easter was fully reopened to two-way traffic at 2:15 Friday afternoon.
Pablo Hernandez, state Department of Transportation assistant engineer on the job,
said all the repaving and marking of NC 12 at the Mirlo Beach area just north of Rodanthe has been completed, and all the yellow cones and temporary signs have been removed (as shown in this Friday afternoon webcam photo of the area). Click to enlarge.
Hernandez praised RPC Contracting of Kitty Hawk, the low bidder, for its work on the $439,000 project. Traffic had been one-way through the construction area since Nov. 16.
For four days prior to that, motorists on the island were cut off from the rest of Dare County.
While reconstruction of NC 12 has been completed, other projects continue in the Mirlo Beach area: Replacement of sandbags where the damage occurred will take most of the winter; a $1.4 million project to widen some 2,000 feet of the beach with sand from the Oregon Inlet jetty is expected to resume next month and continue through March.
Fireworks company fined for Ocracoke explosion
A South Carolina pyrotechnics company has been fined by the N.C. Department of Labor for serious violations in connection with the fatal explosion on Ocracoke Island as the fireworks were being unloaded last Fourth of July. Four of the five hired hands on the job died from the blast and the fifth was seriously burned. More...
Frick is returned to his home...
Just in time for Christmas!
But oh what a fine time he had exploring the highways and byways of Kill Devil Hills.
On Wednesday, Dec. 9th, Animal Control Officer Jessica Helms responded to a call about a “big lizard” sitting in the middle of US 158 in front of the Wright Memorial. After rescuing the 4-year old iguana, Jessica learned that “Frick” had been missing from his home in Baum Bay since September 5th. His owners, brother and sister Stuart and Sarah Szymczyk, and iguana brother “Frack” all thought they would never see "Frick" again after all that time.
A merry Christmas for them, and our thanks to Mary Quidley of Kill Devil Hills for the story and photo. (Click photo to enlarge.)
Fire at Kill Devil Hills motel
Firefighters from Colington, Nags Head, Kitty Hawk and Southern Shores joined those from the Kill Devil Hills Fire Department Tuesday afternoon in responding to a blaze at the Wilbur and Orville Wright Days Inn at 201 N. Virginia Dare Trail, the Beach Road.
KDH Fire Chief Doug Penland said that when his men answered the first alarm at 3:21 p.m. they encountered heavy smoke and fire at a cottage with attached garages just south of the main building. They quickly extinguished the blaze, he said, but "there was substantial fire and water damage to the cottage."
There were no injuries involved and the fire, the chief said, was determined by the town Fire Marshal "to be accidental in origin."
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Oops!
Charles Cole of Virginia Beach was about to take off alone from unattended Billy Mitchell Airfield in Frisco on Sunday morning when an alarm sounded aboard his Piper Saratoga. He attempted to abort the take off but said his brakes failed, causing him to veer off the runway into a thicket. No injuries except to the plane, but the airstrip at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore was closed for about four hours.
Life on the wild side...
Tarboro woman stampeded by herd of deer
Michelle Brewer was about to open the jewelry store on Main Street she owns with husband when about nine deer came barreling down the street on Saturday morning.
“I remember seeing them and that was it,” she said. “There was no time to do anything.”
Tony Battle saw what happed from his barber shop across the street. “It was amazing how that deer hit her and picked her up,” he said.
Ms. Brewer though battered and bruised didn't go to the hospital but says she is she is planning to visit her doctor, and also her dentist.
State must refund more than $7 million to Hatteras Electric Cooperative
The cooperative is a non-profit and has been paying sales and franchise taxes under protest for years.
But now a Superior Court judge has ruled that the state must return to money. No word yet on whether the state plans to appeal. More...
Fire closes Fessenden Center for a month
The Buxton center will remain closed through December after a two-alarm fire of undetermined origin early Saturday morning, Nov. 28. The Buxton Volunteer Fire Department got the first call about 2 a.m. and was joined by those from Avon and Frisco when the second alarm was sounded.
Chief Bryan Perry of Buxton said, “I have no reason to believe that it was arson," though speculation swirled that may have been the cause. Another firefighter told us it looked to him as if a smoldering cigarette started the blaze.
Though the interior of the building was not damaged, there was enough residual smoke inside to keep the county-operated center closed, according to county authorities.
24-17 Heartbreaker for Appalachian State
They played a thriller in the snow at Missoula, Montana, Saturday afternoon. The fifth ranked Mountaineers of Appalachian State were tied with the top-ranked Grizzlies of Montana, 17-17, in the last two minutes of their semi-final play-off for the FCS national football championship.
Montana scored a TD with 1:30 left, but Appalachian State drove back only to see a pass from Armanti Edwards in the final second of the game fall short in the end zone. Montana will play Villanova Friday for the championship in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
ECU will meet Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl
East Carolina won its second straight invitation to the Liberty Bowl in Memphis next month by withstanding an aerial barrage by Houston, the nation's top scoring team and topping the Cougars, 38-32, in Greenville Saturday to take its second straight Conference USA championship.
The Pirates (9-4) will take on Arkansas (7-5) of the Southeastern Conference at 5:30 Saturday afternoon, Jan 2, in the Liberty Bowl.
In other bowl games, North Carolina (8-4) meets Pittsburgh (9-3) in the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte, Saturday, Dec. 26, at 4:30 p.m. It will be Virginia Tech (9-3) - Tennessee (7-5) in the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, 7:30 p.m. New Year's Eve, and number 1 Alabama (13-0) will play #2 Texas (13-0) for the national championship in the Rose Bowl at Pasadena, Thursday, Jan, 7, at 8 p.m.
October jobless rate up in Dare County and 73 others
In September the unemployment rate was 6.8% in Dare County, but last month it jumped to 8.6%, according the North Carolina Employment Security Commission. The statewide average was 10.7%, up from 10.4%.
Currituck County continued to have the state's lowest unemployment rate (6%), while Scotland County continued to have the highest (17.2%) closely followed by Edgecombe (17%). Yet, all three counties had increases.
Chowan County was one of only 26 that saw a slight decrease, from a whopping 11.9 to 11.7%. Among others were Hertford, from 9.4 to 9.2% in October; Beaufort, from 11.2 to 11.1%, and Pamlico, from 10.1 to 9.8%.
Among the 74 counties in addition to Dare where unemployment increased from September (in parenthesis) to October were Camden, 7.4% (7.1); Currituck, 6% (5); Edgecombe, 17% (16.4); Hyde, 6.1% (5.9); Pasquotank, 9.3% (9.1), Tyrrell, 9.7% (8.8); and Washington, 11.9% (11.6).
State borrows billions for jobless
North Carolina's high unemployment rate has stuck the state with $1.4 billion in debt ─ money that officials don't know how they'll pay back. More...
Albemarle Mental Health was $2 million in debt when state took over
License plate frames now illegal
Frames such as the one pictured here that covers part of the North Carolina license plate became illegal under a new law that went into effect Tuesday, Dec. 1.
State Highway Patrol Troopers said they are taking the new law very seriously. That's because the frames can block important information when police are looking for a specific vehicle.
"As many specialty tags as there are right now, it's hard to see what state they originate from," State Trooper Greg Taylor explained. "Sometimes even if they originate from this state, there are so many varieties it's hard to tell."
Before motorists with illegal plate frames are fined, the new law provides a one-year grace period through the end of next November when they will be given warning tickets. After that, no mercy for those with such frames.
Knotts Island decoy sells for $60,000
That was more than double what was expected for a hand-carved decoy by Lee Dudley, the island's premier carver in the late 1800s and early 20th century, at a recent auction of highly prized collectibles. Details...
Daily Reports
Avalon Fishing Pier Reports
Cape Hatteras Fishing Reports
Oregon Inlet Fishing Reports
Golf Courses, Conditions
N.C. Lottery Results
Things to See and Do:
* Thursdays: Currituck County Yoga Class, classes are held twice weekly, 5:45 - 6:30 p.m. at the Cooperative Extension Building. Call 232-3007 for more information.
* Tuesdays: Bingo, Kill Devil Hills, at the Lions Club starting at 6:30 p.m.
* Wednesdays: Bingo, Kill Devil Hills, at the Colington Fire Department, 6:30 p.m., doors open at 5:30.
Links:
Currituck County
Dare County
- Animal Shelter and Adoptable Pets
- Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station
- Confederate Fortification Markers
- Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
- Lighthouses
- N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island
- Outer Banks History Center
- Outer Banks Visitors Bureau
- Roanoke Island Festival Park
- The Lost Colony
Hyde County
Other links of particular interest:
Eastern Carolina Radio News
N.C. Beach Buggy Association
N.C. Fishing and Hunting Licenses
Ocracoke Newsletter
Outer Banks Free Press
Outer Banks Marinas
Russ's Outer Banks Journal
Southern Shores Times
Thanks for stopping by! Additional comments are welcome below. Sign up for emailed Alerts, if you wish; and please email us any news tips or photos of interest as well as your special event for listing under 'Things to See and Do.'
The Editor
Latest National Weather Service Watches, Warnings & Advisories
Judge reverses lower court on release of convicted murderers
The two convicts, who have been serving life sentences, were to be freed from prison at 5 o'clock Monday afternoon under a Superior Court judge's order issued this morning in connection with his interpretation of a murky, 1970s North Carolina law that since has been changed.
But less than an hour before the two were to go free, a state Appeals Court judge stepped into what has become a 'live' law and order drama here in the Tar Heel state. The latest episode...
Basnight questioned about his health
Sen. Marc Basnight of Manteo, the president pro tem of the state Senate and the most powerful man in North Carolina government, suffers from a rare nerve disease that affects his balance and speech, and has fueled rumors he may not run again.
The Senator is shown here with Gov. Beverly Perdue, the second banana, after last November's elections.“I walk, oh, gosh, about an hour a day, four days a week," he recently told the Washington Daily News of Washington, N.C. “I don’t know if that’s newsworthy, but that’s what I do.”
The newspaper said Basnight's speech "was clear but halting and a bit labored" during its telephone interview. More...
Ever been to Carova?
It's the northern most village on the Outer Banks
Come take a trip with us. We'll cross over the Wright Memorial Bridge to Kitty Hawk and Southern Shores, then travel north on NC 12 to Duck and beyond to the Currituck Outer Banks where the road turns to sand and wild horses roam.If you have a few minutes to spare, fasten your seat belts and join us...
Comments
Pre-Christmas Cheer:
Storm ravaged NC 12 fully reopened on Hatteras Island
The 1,800 feet of the island's only highway that was washed out or severely damaged by the Nov. 11-12 nor'easter was fully reopened to two-way traffic at 2:15 Friday afternoon.Pablo Hernandez, state Department of Transportation assistant engineer on the job,
said all the repaving and marking of NC 12 at the Mirlo Beach area just north of Rodanthe has been completed, and all the yellow cones and temporary signs have been removed (as shown in this Friday afternoon webcam photo of the area). Click to enlarge.Hernandez praised RPC Contracting of Kitty Hawk, the low bidder, for its work on the $439,000 project. Traffic had been one-way through the construction area since Nov. 16.
For four days prior to that, motorists on the island were cut off from the rest of Dare County.While reconstruction of NC 12 has been completed, other projects continue in the Mirlo Beach area: Replacement of sandbags where the damage occurred will take most of the winter; a $1.4 million project to widen some 2,000 feet of the beach with sand from the Oregon Inlet jetty is expected to resume next month and continue through March.
Fireworks company fined for Ocracoke explosion
A South Carolina pyrotechnics company has been fined by the N.C. Department of Labor for serious violations in connection with the fatal explosion on Ocracoke Island as the fireworks were being unloaded last Fourth of July. Four of the five hired hands on the job died from the blast and the fifth was seriously burned. More... Frick is returned to his home...
Just in time for Christmas!But oh what a fine time he had exploring the highways and byways of Kill Devil Hills.
On Wednesday, Dec. 9th, Animal Control Officer Jessica Helms responded to a call about a “big lizard” sitting in the middle of US 158 in front of the Wright Memorial. After rescuing the 4-year old iguana, Jessica learned that “Frick” had been missing from his home in Baum Bay since September 5th. His owners, brother and sister Stuart and Sarah Szymczyk, and iguana brother “Frack” all thought they would never see "Frick" again after all that time.
A merry Christmas for them, and our thanks to Mary Quidley of Kill Devil Hills for the story and photo. (Click photo to enlarge.)
Fire at Kill Devil Hills motel
Firefighters from Colington, Nags Head, Kitty Hawk and Southern Shores joined those from the Kill Devil Hills Fire Department Tuesday afternoon in responding to a blaze at the Wilbur and Orville Wright Days Inn at 201 N. Virginia Dare Trail, the Beach Road.KDH Fire Chief Doug Penland said that when his men answered the first alarm at 3:21 p.m. they encountered heavy smoke and fire at a cottage with attached garages just south of the main building. They quickly extinguished the blaze, he said, but "there was substantial fire and water damage to the cottage."
There were no injuries involved and the fire, the chief said, was determined by the town Fire Marshal "to be accidental in origin."
.jpg)
Oops!Charles Cole of Virginia Beach was about to take off alone from unattended Billy Mitchell Airfield in Frisco on Sunday morning when an alarm sounded aboard his Piper Saratoga. He attempted to abort the take off but said his brakes failed, causing him to veer off the runway into a thicket. No injuries except to the plane, but the airstrip at the Cape Hatteras National Seashore was closed for about four hours.
Life on the wild side...
Tarboro woman stampeded by herd of deer
Michelle Brewer was about to open the jewelry store on Main Street she owns with husband when about nine deer came barreling down the street on Saturday morning.“I remember seeing them and that was it,” she said. “There was no time to do anything.”
Tony Battle saw what happed from his barber shop across the street. “It was amazing how that deer hit her and picked her up,” he said.
Ms. Brewer though battered and bruised didn't go to the hospital but says she is she is planning to visit her doctor, and also her dentist.
State must refund more than $7 million to Hatteras Electric Cooperative
The cooperative is a non-profit and has been paying sales and franchise taxes under protest for years.
But now a Superior Court judge has ruled that the state must return to money. No word yet on whether the state plans to appeal. More...
Fire closes Fessenden Center for a monthThe Buxton center will remain closed through December after a two-alarm fire of undetermined origin early Saturday morning, Nov. 28. The Buxton Volunteer Fire Department got the first call about 2 a.m. and was joined by those from Avon and Frisco when the second alarm was sounded.
Chief Bryan Perry of Buxton said, “I have no reason to believe that it was arson," though speculation swirled that may have been the cause. Another firefighter told us it looked to him as if a smoldering cigarette started the blaze.
Though the interior of the building was not damaged, there was enough residual smoke inside to keep the county-operated center closed, according to county authorities.
24-17 Heartbreaker for Appalachian State
They played a thriller in the snow at Missoula, Montana, Saturday afternoon. The fifth ranked Mountaineers of Appalachian State were tied with the top-ranked Grizzlies of Montana, 17-17, in the last two minutes of their semi-final play-off for the FCS national football championship.
Montana scored a TD with 1:30 left, but Appalachian State drove back only to see a pass from Armanti Edwards in the final second of the game fall short in the end zone. Montana will play Villanova Friday for the championship in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
ECU will meet Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl
East Carolina won its second straight invitation to the Liberty Bowl in Memphis next month by withstanding an aerial barrage by Houston, the nation's top scoring team and topping the Cougars, 38-32, in Greenville Saturday to take its second straight Conference USA championship.The Pirates (9-4) will take on Arkansas (7-5) of the Southeastern Conference at 5:30 Saturday afternoon, Jan 2, in the Liberty Bowl.
In other bowl games, North Carolina (8-4) meets Pittsburgh (9-3) in the Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte, Saturday, Dec. 26, at 4:30 p.m. It will be Virginia Tech (9-3) - Tennessee (7-5) in the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta, 7:30 p.m. New Year's Eve, and number 1 Alabama (13-0) will play #2 Texas (13-0) for the national championship in the Rose Bowl at Pasadena, Thursday, Jan, 7, at 8 p.m.
October jobless rate up in Dare County and 73 others
In September the unemployment rate was 6.8% in Dare County, but last month it jumped to 8.6%, according the North Carolina Employment Security Commission. The statewide average was 10.7%, up from 10.4%.
Currituck County continued to have the state's lowest unemployment rate (6%), while Scotland County continued to have the highest (17.2%) closely followed by Edgecombe (17%). Yet, all three counties had increases.
Chowan County was one of only 26 that saw a slight decrease, from a whopping 11.9 to 11.7%. Among others were Hertford, from 9.4 to 9.2% in October; Beaufort, from 11.2 to 11.1%, and Pamlico, from 10.1 to 9.8%.
Among the 74 counties in addition to Dare where unemployment increased from September (in parenthesis) to October were Camden, 7.4% (7.1); Currituck, 6% (5); Edgecombe, 17% (16.4); Hyde, 6.1% (5.9); Pasquotank, 9.3% (9.1), Tyrrell, 9.7% (8.8); and Washington, 11.9% (11.6).
State borrows billions for jobless
North Carolina's high unemployment rate has stuck the state with $1.4 billion in debt ─ money that officials don't know how they'll pay back. More...
Albemarle Mental Health was $2 million in debt when state took over
License plate frames now illegal
Frames such as the one pictured here that covers part of the North Carolina license plate became illegal under a new law that went into effect Tuesday, Dec. 1.State Highway Patrol Troopers said they are taking the new law very seriously. That's because the frames can block important information when police are looking for a specific vehicle.
"As many specialty tags as there are right now, it's hard to see what state they originate from," State Trooper Greg Taylor explained. "Sometimes even if they originate from this state, there are so many varieties it's hard to tell."
Before motorists with illegal plate frames are fined, the new law provides a one-year grace period through the end of next November when they will be given warning tickets. After that, no mercy for those with such frames.
Knotts Island decoy sells for $60,000That was more than double what was expected for a hand-carved decoy by Lee Dudley, the island's premier carver in the late 1800s and early 20th century, at a recent auction of highly prized collectibles. Details...
Avalon Fishing Pier Reports
Cape Hatteras Fishing Reports
Oregon Inlet Fishing Reports
Golf Courses, Conditions
N.C. Lottery Results
Things to See and Do:
* Thursdays: Currituck County Yoga Class, classes are held twice weekly, 5:45 - 6:30 p.m. at the Cooperative Extension Building. Call 232-3007 for more information.
* Tuesdays: Bingo, Kill Devil Hills, at the Lions Club starting at 6:30 p.m.
* Wednesdays: Bingo, Kill Devil Hills, at the Colington Fire Department, 6:30 p.m., doors open at 5:30.
Currituck County
Dare County
- Animal Shelter and Adoptable Pets
- Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station
- Confederate Fortification Markers
- Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum
- Lighthouses
- N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island
- Outer Banks History Center
- Outer Banks Visitors Bureau
- Roanoke Island Festival Park
- The Lost Colony
Hyde County
Other links of particular interest:
Eastern Carolina Radio News
N.C. Beach Buggy Association
N.C. Fishing and Hunting Licenses
Ocracoke Newsletter
Outer Banks Free Press
Outer Banks Marinas
Russ's Outer Banks Journal
Southern Shores Times
Thanks for stopping by! Additional comments are welcome below. Sign up for emailed Alerts, if you wish; and please email us any news tips or photos of interest as well as your special event for listing under 'Things to See and Do.'
The Editor
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