More Vandalism of Shorebird Closure Fencing

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE - A new act of vandalism/trespass to posted shorebird protection areas has occurred at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, this time on Bodie Island Spit just north of Oregon Inlet. On Sunday, June 22, 2008, Seashore staff discovered damaged fencing and off-road vehicle tire tracks that violated three resource protection areas that were in place south of Ramp 4 towards the inlet.

The violation apparently occurred between the hours of 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 21 and 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 22, 2008. The park ranger who investigated the violation observed one sign destroyed and numerous, obvious tire spin-out tracks in the sand, including zigzagging across the beach, “doughnut” tire marks, and evidence of sand thrown considerable distances from the tire tracks, which suggest the vehicle was traveling at an excessive speed for conditions. At the time of this press release there are no leads to the identity of the vehicle or operator.

The April 30, 2008 court ordered Consent Decree, which resolved a lawsuit related to shorebird and sea turtle protection at the Seashore, requires the National Park Service (NPS) to automatically expand the closure area by 50 meters if a first confirmed deliberate act disturbs or harasses wildlife or vandalizes fencing, nests, or plants. In this case, Seashore staff documented the incident and expanded the closures by 50 meters each as ordered by the Consent Decree. The Consent Decree also requires that if a second such act occurs, the buffer shall automatically be expanded by 100 m. And if a third act occurs, the buffer shall be expanded by 500 m if NPS determines it is necessary to minimize the extent of further disturbance.

“This was an egregious violation, plain and simple,” said Superintendent Mike Murray. “Irresponsible behavior such as this not only puts nesting birds at risk, which under the Consent Decree, leads to more stringent protection, it also reduces access for the many park visitors who do comply with the rules.”

Destruction of government property and entering a resource closure are federal criminal violations, each subject to up to a $5,000 fine and up to six months imprisonment.

What a bunch of idiots! I don't think this is going to help, people. "Spin-Out Tracks" - hmmmmmm, a bunch of drunk visitors, maybe? How about putting some of this energy into working with our park service to create a balance.

Another Food Lion in Nags Head!?

The last of our local grocery stores recently closed, with its space being taken over by a big chain store... now, we have ANOTHER Food Lion on the way!? I have to say, I found this story a little shocking - why in the world do we need another?

THE VIRGINIAN PILOT - Once intended as the site for an Albemarle Health facility, one of the largest undeveloped pieces of property in Nags Head is now planned for a Food Lion supermarket, two banks and some small retail shops.

The preliminary site plan was submitted to the Nags Head planning department on Thursday.

Manteo developer R.V. Owens agreed in March to buy the 10.5 acres from Pasquotank County for $7.25 million.

Owens, the former owner of R.V.'s Restaurant in Nags Head, said he wanted to build a low-impact development that would serve the local community.

"I tried to listen to everybody and what they were saying," he said. "I tried to find a mix that's a good fit for the area."

Located off U.S. 158 between Abalone Street and Baltic Street near Milepost 10.5, the 35,502-square-foot grocery store is to be on the northern end of the tract, with 10 retail shops, from 1,013 square feet to 1,400 square feet, in front.

On the other side, a 9,900- square-foot State Employees Credit Union is to be built on 2.15 acres. In between, there are to be a 3,000-square-foot OBX Bank and parking.

Owens, who also developed the Food Lion plaza in Avon, said there are no retail tenants yet.

"I think we can rent our small shops, because it's great visibility," he said.

Tim Wilson, Nags Head Planning and Development director, said the planning board is expected to review the preliminary plan on July 15. If a completed application is submitted by July 24, the project could be on the planning board agenda on Aug. 19 and to the Board of Commissioners on Sept. 3.

Pasquotank County bought the land for about $1 million in 1984 with the intention of building a regional health care facility. Those plans were abandoned after The Outer Banks Hospital was built.

In 2000, Regional Medical Services Inc., an Albemarle Hospital subsidiary, and representatives of the Outer Banks Family YMCA were negotiating a deal that would essentially trade use of 3 acres of the Nags Head land for space in a planned recreational facility for preven tive and rehabilitative medical care.

The Pasquotank commissioners rejected the proposal, and the Y ended up building about a half-mile down the road.

A Virginia Beach company bid $9.45 million for the property in 2005 and planned to build a hotel, restaurant and time-sharing units. The company terminated the agreement in July 2007 because of the town's density restrictions.

Owens' bid is the first the county has considered since then. He said he expects the deal to close in November.

CDC investigating source of tomato illness

CDC is collaborating with public health officials in many states, the Indian Health Service, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate an ongoing multi-state outbreak of human Salmonella serotype Saintpaul infections. An epidemiologic investigation conducted by the New Mexico and Texas Departments of Health and the Indian Health Service using interviews comparing foods eaten by ill and well persons has identified consumption of raw tomatoes as the likely source of the illnesses in those states. The specific type and source of tomatoes is under investigation; however, the data suggest that large tomatoes, including Roma and round red, are the source.

Full Story at CDC Website

Heat wave breaks nc records

AP Story at WAVY TV 10

AccuWeather was reporting "RealFeel®" temperatures of around 112 today! Hoping to see a break tomorrow with temperatures expected to be only in the upper 80's.

Crews continue to battle wildfire

The Associated Press

COLUMBIA, N.C. - Crews continued building containment lines around a massive wildfire burning in a sparsely inhabited rural area of eastern North Carolina on Monday.

Fire trucks were getting ready in case the fire made a run at a populated area, a spokesman said.

The fire is moving northeast into a section of the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, said spokesman Jody Brady of the North Carolina Forest Service.

About 130 fire trucks from 30 fire departments have gathered at a school in case the fire nears homes.

Brady said the fire wasn't expected to threaten buildings for a couple of days.

As of Sunday evening, the fire had burned 32,556 acres, or more than 50 square miles, since it was started by lightning June 1. Officials say it is 40 percent contained.

The fire has been battled by more than 250 people, mostly from the state forest service and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, which owns the refuge.

An air tanker, three helicopters, a scout plane, 34 pieces of heavy equipment and other vehicles are involved in the effort, which has cost more than $1 million so far.

Gov. Mike Easley declared a state of emergency last week for Hyde, Tyrrell and Washington counties.

Spokesman Bill Swartley of the North Carolina Forest Service said firefighters also plan to pump water from Lake Phelps onto smoldering peat fires burning in the ground.

Health officials have been warning people with breathing problems to stay indoors, away from smoke, or leave the area if possible. Last week, when winds were stronger, smoke could be detected as far away as Richmond, Va.

Smoke from Hyde County fire impacting Outer Banks

WITN News

Ponzer, NC -- North Carolina Division of Forest Services says the fire jumped containment lines last night and has engulfed some 9,500 acres of woods in Hyde and Washington counties.

Public information officer Ned Berg tells WITN News that the fire jumped lines around 6:00 p.m. Tuesday night and headed toward Lake Phelps. Berg says the fire has now tripled in size from Tuesday. Lightning started the fire Sunday.

In Washington County, a state of emergency remains in effect. That means evacuees must remain evacuated. Fire crews are "backburning" at Evans Road near Lake Phelps to try to contain the fire.


Washington County manager David Peoples says the evacuations are at Newland Road and Shore Drive in the southern portion of Lake Phelps. Peoples says 39 homes are in danger.

A change in the wind direction may have saved those homes, Peoples said Wednesday morning. The fire made it to Lake Phelps Tuesday night. Peoples said the mile-wide fire was moving fast, at a rate of one mile per hour Tuesday night. One thousand acres in Washington County burned, as of 2 a.m. Wednesday.

N.C. Division of Forest Services spokesman Brian Haines tells WITN News that the fire last night jumped containment lines and "made a five mile run". The fire has also now spread into the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.

Haines says they have 100 firefighters battling the blaze, brought in from across the state. They are also looking at bringing a plane in from Florida to help as well.

The change in wind direction is good news for the homes in Washington County, but bad news, Peoples added, for Tyrrell County.

Currituck County officials now are warning those on the Outer Banks that smoke from the fire could impact them. Citizens are advised to be cautious when outdoors, and remain indoors if having difficulty breathing.

Full Story: WITN

Alleged child molester tracked down in Kill Devil Hills

WVEC News

MORGANTON, N.C. -- An alleged child molester, on the run for four years, admits to abusing boys while working as a recruiter for the Eastern Burke County Rescue Squad.

“Very apologetic to all victims involved,” said Richard Murphy to reporters as investigators took him into the Burke County Sheriff’s Office Friday.

From 2003 to 2004, Murphy was a recruiter for the rescue squad. He had access to schools.

“He was sexually molesting young boys and he had two residences during the time that this was going on,” said Sheriff John McDevitt.

Murphy’s job was to recruit junior volunteers for the rescue squad. The alleged abuse took place in his Burke County homes.

“Since 04’ we’ve identified five victims,” added McDevitt.

Murphy’s alleged victims were young men, ages 13 to 15. McDevitt is positive more victims will now come forward.

“The fact that he was in the school system, this is not something you do in '03 and '04 and stop doing,” McDevitt said.

When Murphy found out he was under investigation, he fled to the Outer Banks and changed his name to Trevor Dale Fury.

“He had bragged that the name he changed his name to was a comic book character,” said McDevitt.

Agents with the State Bureau of Investigations tracked Murphy down in Kill Devil Hills.

“He’s 58 years old now. We want to keep him off the street for the rest of his natural life,” McDevitt added.

Investigators told WCNC that Murphy has a graveyard tattoo on his back. The head stones have names. At least one of the names belongs to one of Murphy’s alleged victims, according to investigators.

Murphy could face as many as 50 charges.

Full Story: WVEC

UPDATE 6/4/08: More info at Virginian-Pilot