BY CATHERINE KOZAK BY CATHERINE KOZAK Despite bitter battles on the national political stage, there is no shortage of candidates who put their hat in the ring before state Board of Elections filing closed Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 29. Outer Banks voters will have many choices to make in November, but the number pales compared to […]
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Highway 12 has an uncertain future in an era of rising seas By CATHERINE KOZAK
Traveling along the edge of the continent on a two-lane highway built atop a skinny strand of shifting sand just inches above two mighty bodies of water might sound adventuresome in travel guides. The adventure can turn hazardous on a nasty day in the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge. Sand swirls in angry gusts across […]
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DOT finds scouring problem with one of Bonner Bridge’s pilings
Despite the overall effectiveness of a recent erosion-prevention project at the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge, scouring has become a concern in one section south of the channel span. Despite the overall effectiveness of a recent erosion-prevention project at the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge, scouring has become a concern in one section south of the channel […]
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UPDATE: DOT pushes back a decision on the permanent fixes to Highway 12
While road engineers are still considering whether a proposed 7-mile bridge bypassing a breached area in Pea Island National Wildlife is feasible, the anticipated decision on permanent fixes to hurricane-damaged Highway 12 has been pushed back weeks into February or later. But the state Department of Transportation said the project remains on track. “We’re moving […]
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Problems continue to plague Hyde County’s two ABC stores, including Ocracoke
Liquor deliveries to Hyde County have been halted by the state, the second time in less than two years that unpaid bills have threatened to dry up the county’s booze supply at its only two stores – one on the mainland and another on Ocracoke. “Things look bleak, in my opinion, for this system to […]
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Park Service is working with Avon groups on finishing Little Kinnakeet restoration
One of the most unique and handsome historic structures on the Outer Banks is seldom seen by anybody, including the people who drive by it every day. Little Kinnakeet Life-Saving Station, its watchtower poking up over the brush on the soundside of Highway 12 between Avon and Salvo, has been partially restored and weatherized during […]
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Bill to reserve three species, including red drum, for recreational anglers is back By CATHERINE KOZAK
Red drum, the official North Carolina saltwater fish, could soon be among three finfish that won’t be available to consumers in the state’s fish markets. Whether that is bad or good is a question that has re-energized a spitting match between the state’s recreational and commercial fishing interests over conservation, livelihood and who should have […]
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Bodie Island Lighthouse is set to have restoration completed and will be open for climbing
January 6, 2012 | Local News | By: Catherine Kozak
The first Bodie Island Lighthouse tipped over. The second one was blown up by soldiers. The first Bodie Island Lighthouse tipped over. The second one was blown up by soldiers. The first Bodie Island Lighthouse tipped over. The second one was blown up by soldiers. The first Bodie Island Lighthouse tipped over. The second one […]
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Long-vacant Coast Guard housing has a new owner
Long-vacant housing units at former Coast Guard Group Cape Hatteras in Buxton have been sold to a Virginia Beach family-owned partnership that plans to fix them and rent them. After a nearly two-month Government Services Administration online auction, a $2,625,000 bid was accepted on Dec. 20 from Lee Pontes of Virginia Beach, manager of the […]
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UPDATE: Beach nourishment off the table for long-term Highway 12 fix
Beach nourishment has been essentially taken off the table as a permanent fix at two temporary repairs on the northern end of Highway 12 on Hatteras Island. But a dramatically different alternative that materialized out of the blue is now being considered. At a Dec. 15 meeting of a team of state and federal agency […]
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