OBX News and information.
Original text of news reports may be found in the highlighted links (blue).
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June 2010
"Nights in Rodanthe" house
Serendipity, the house made famous in the 2008 movie "Nights in Rodanthe," was moved from the beach to a location several hundred yards south.
Contractors were able to move the 83,000-pound structure once it was separated from its supports. The house has been renovated and sports new blue
shutters. Serendipity was purchased by a Newton, N.C., couple who wanted to save it from destruction on the eroding beach.
OBX and plastic bags
Banning plastic bags at supermarkets and other big stores on the Outer Banks has made enough of a difference, State Senate President Marc Basnight
believes, that he wants to go a step farther. "This year, I proposed that this law be extended to apply to all businesses on the Outer Banks of Dare,
Currituck, and Hyde counties and apply to plastic bags of all weights – a total ban on plastic bags on our barrier islands.”
Old shipwreck - Whalehead beach
A shipwreck exposed on the beach by winter storms could date to a time of commerce between England and Jamestown in the early 1600s. Possibly the
oldest known wreck on the North Carolina coast, the timbers and construction of the ship are very similar to the Sea Venture, the 1609 flagship of seven
vessels that carried people and supplies to Jamestown, said Bradley A. Rodgers, a professor of archaeology and conservation in the maritime studies
program at East Carolina University.
New Mid Currituck Bridge (Corolla bridge) update...
Last year, the Turnpike Authority determined that the project should be a toll bridge, and earlier 2009,the agency announced it had signed a contract with
ACS, a Spanish construction firm, to build it. A start date for the project — 2010/2011 — and a completion date — 2013/2014 — has also been set. It’s
destination is one of 2 locations; around Timbuck II or between Monteray Shores and Corolla Bay.
WHALEHEAD BEACH, N.C. Nov 2009
Construction on a project to control flooding in Corolla's Whalehead Beach could start in January. Last year, a plan was presented that included removing
the pavement from five cross streets in Whalehead Beach and converting them into basins that would look much like rain gardens. Boardwalks would
span the basins. Phase I is set to begin in January with Coral and Marlin streets. Phase II would start in January 2011 on Tuna and Barracuda streets.
Phase III would begin in 2012 on Mackerel Street.
OBX News Oct 2009
1. Lighthouses turned off for 4 months @ Ocrakoke and Bodie
The National Park Service has announced that mariners will be notified that both lights will be turned off while restoration projects are underway.
Those at Bodie Island, “which are expected to take at least 18 months,” include removal and cleaning of the original Fresnel lens, manufactured in
France in 1871 and one of the few of its type remaining and still in operation. Other projects include strengthening and repair of the 10 flights of stairs
inside the 156-foot lighthouse, the replacement of electrical lines, installation of a fire protection system and repainting of its familiar exterior stripes.
The lens inside the 76-foot tall Ocracoke Lighthouse, built in 1823 for $11,359.35, will remain in place during restoration of its 1864 lens and other work
over the next four months or so. Other projects are repair of the lightning protection system and interior painting. This grand old lady of Ocracoke is North
Carolina’s shortest lighthouse in stature but the oldest still in operation on the east coast. Its predecessor, constructed in 1794, was destroyed by
lightning in 1818.
2. Oct. 2, the 10th anniversary of the historic moving of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse to safer ground. In the summer of 1999, as the ocean was eating
away at its base, the lighthouse was moved 1.600 feet back from its original 1870 location. The move was completed in 23 days, from June 17 to July 9,
after almost six months of preparation.
3. For more than 20 years the maximum building height allowed on the beachfront in Kill Devil Hills has been 42 feet, and 50 feet close by between the
Beach Road and US 158. Ocean front property owners along with developers and others would like to be able to construct taller buildings while still
other residents fear creation of another Virginia Beach in Dare County’s biggest town. Town commissioners are seeking volunteers for what’s called a
Stakeholders Group, a panel of six to eight residents that will, in the commission’s words, provide it “with recommendations that are based on open-
minded and thoughtful dialogue and discourse” from “a diverse group.” The board will go over the applications at its next meeting, Oct. 12, and possibly
appoint its new Stakeholders Group. After that it will be anyone’s guess about taller buildings along the KDH beachfront and nearby area.
July 2010
NC county may say “whoa” to increasingly popular wild horse tours
Due to the popularity of the Wild Horse tours there is a lot of traffic now going to the 4 Wheel area to check out the horses.
The county is considering a moratorium on tours to protect the horses. There are currently, 8 companies with 45 vehicles with county permits to take
tourists to see the 100 or so horses that usually travel in small groups.
Turtle dies in restricted area. It is sad that some people are so inconsiderate and will probably result in further reductions in Beach Driving…
The National Park Service is seeking information about the death of a nesting female loggerhead turtle that was struck and killed by an off-road vehicle
during the night-time hours between June 23 and June 24. The turtle had crawled out of the ocean and attempted to lay a nest on Ocracoke Island. The
turtle was hit and dragged approximately 12 feet, causing fatal injuries to the turtle.
It is believed to be the first time a nesting sea turtle has been killed by an ORV at the Seashore.
Bonner Bridge update
With more hearings set for next week on another environmental study, three congressmen and two U.S. senators have written the secretary of the interior
urging immediate action on a replacement for the Bonner Bridge. “It is essential to businesses, recreation and for safe evacuation of the island during
natural disasters,” they wrote. “We must begin construction of a suitable replacement now.”
New Pine Island development approved
The Currituck County Board of Commissioners has approved the order allowing the issuance of a special-use permit needed by developers who want to
move forward with a high density project on property owned by National Audubon Society, which has contracted to sell the 14-acre oceanfront parcel to the
developer.
Aug 2010
Bonner Bridge Replacing the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge is critical. It was built in 1963 and expected to last 30 years. Work on a new bridge
was planned to begin in 2010, but environmental issues have repeatedly delayed construction. If you support the replacement please
contribute to comments.
If you like the 4 wheel area you’re not alone. Carova Beach has been selected as one of the top ten secluded beaches in the United States.
Link to article
Mortgage Interest Rates
Conforming loans (under $417k) 80%LTV 30 yr fixed, 1 point 4.25% apr
Conforming loans (under $417k) Investment 75% LTV 30 yr fixed, 0 point 4.875% apr
Jumbo (over $417k) 30 yr fixed, 0 point 5.5% apr (max of $1.5M unless buying a primary residence)
Need work done?
Neighbor Scott Trust your home with Neighbor Scott… Pressure Washing, Pool and Yard Maintenance
Interior Painting, “After Storm” cleanup 252-256-3674
Fred’s Repair All kinds of construction, painting and repair jobs… 252-202-5530
Home Staging Call 252-722-1341 Stage 1 “stage it right, the 1st time”
July 2010
Purple Martins
Join a sunset cruise to see the amazing spectacle of more than 100,000 purple martins flying into their roost at the old Manns Harbor Bridge. Cruises
aboard the 65-foot “Crystal Dawn” are scheduled for Saturday, July 24 and Saturday, July 31. $30 per person. • Full refund if cancelled by weather. • Depart
at 6:00 p.m. from Crystal Dawn dock at Pirate’s Cove Marina, Nags Head-Manteo Causeway. • Return at approximately 10 p.m. Light refreshments
available (or bring your own). Use credit card or Paypal instant transfer at www.purplemartinroost.com Or send your check to: Coastal Carolina Purple
Martin Society, Inc PO Box 172 Manns Harbor, NC 27953 Call (252) 394-6205 for further information, and to let us know if you will be paying by check via
mail.
Herbert C. Bonner Bridge
Replacing the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge NOW is critical. When built in 1963, the bridge had a life expectancy of 30 years. Replacing this vital link to
Hatteras Island on the Outer Banks of North Carolina is now 17 years overdue. Work on a new bridge was planned to begin in 2010, but environmental
issues have repeatedly delayed construction.
National Flood Insurance Program
Congress has extended the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through September 30th. The bill is retroactive and will cover the lapse period
from June 1, 2010, to the date the law is enacted.
Congress has passed a bill extending the Homebuyer Tax Credit closing deadline to September 30, 2010. This is a huge win for REALTORS® and
homebuyers, and NAR worked closely with members of Congress to make it happen.
The extension applies only to transactions that had ratified contracts in place as of April 30, 2010, and have not yet closed. There will be no gap between
June 30 and the date the President signs the bill into law.
Sept 2010
Mortgage rates are at their lowest in more than 50 years !
McLean, VA – Freddie Mac (OTC: FMCC) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), and for
yet another week, fixed-rate mortgages reached record lows, as did the 5-year adjustable rate in this survey. (The 30-year fixed-rate
survey began in 1971, the 15-year began in 1991, and the 5-year adjustable in 2005.) freddic mac
For Buyers it really is a time to buy.
For Sellers although there appears no improvement in SOLD prices, more people should be interested in buying at these rates.
Hurricane Season
Earl came and went with minor damage to the Outer Banks.
We're still in Hurricane season, but hopefully they will continue to leave us alone. The media gets a lot of attention, but the information provided
was not accurate regarding evacuations and the extent of the storm... such is entertainment ! For better information call your favorite agent !
I am an a volunteer with the Emergency Management team in Dare County... and I do get better data.
One important item to note... Insurances are not underwritten when storms enter a "box" defined roughly from Cancun to Virgin Islands, and North
to Norfolk. So, closings can get delayed at this time of year due to the proximity of storms. See chart
Vintage bikes ready for coast-to-coast Cannonball
Dating to 1915 and earlier, the bikes began arriving this week for the Motorcycle Cannonball, a cross-country endurance run that sets out
Friday from the Wright Brothers National Memorial. “This is the first time it’s ever been done,” said Felicia Morgan, a motorcycle enthusiast who
was recruited as director of communications for the event.
Sept 27, 2010
Corolla Wild Horses Protection Act
Fox News posted an article online about (NC-3) bill, H.R. 5482, the Corolla Wild Horses Protection Act. The bill directs the Secretary of the
Interior to enter into an agreement with the Corolla Wild Horse Fund in Currituck County and the state of North Carolina to provide for the
management of wild horses. The bill would guarantee a herd of no less than 110 free-roaming wild horses. link
A tight economy apparently hasn’t discouraged people from vacationing on the Outer Banks
Vacation rental receipts hit an all-time high in Dare County during July, and August is likely to show similar results when the numbers
come in later this month. The Dare County Visitor’s Bureau reported that rentals of cottages, hotel rooms, bed-and-breakfast
accommodations and camping sites brought in $101,783,465, a 16 percent jump over last July ... link
Plan would cap home sizes on Currituck OBX
A 23-bedroom, 13,461-square-foot resort mansion in Corolla may be one and done, based on an outline of possible changes to the Currituck
County's development ordinance. It's the first top-to-bottom rewrite in 21 years. The proposed changes, released last week, could restrict the
size of houses on the Currituck Outer Banks to 5,000 square feet, protect trees older than 50 years to preserve the rural character of the
community and require developers to hold neighborhood meetings. read more