A Daily News Service of the North Carolina Coastal Federation More Articles More Articles More Articles More Articles More Articles 04/30/2025 by state and federal representatives about what to expect during hurricane season before it starts during Carteret County’s annual Hurricane Preparedness Expo Monday in Morehead City’s Crystal Coast Civic Center on Arendell Street There is no charge to attend the family-friendly event that organizers say offers a “comprehensive resource event for hurricane preparedness ahead of hurricane season,” which is June 1 to Nov Carteret County Emergency Services, Carteret County government, and the U.S. National Weather Service’s Newport office are coordinating the expo “Preparing for hurricane season is a community effort,” County Emergency Management Coordinator Aaron Stryker said in a release “This expo provides residents with the tools and knowledge they need to protect themselves and their families.” The expo will feature information booths and presentations starting throughout the event from meteorologists such as the Salvation Army and local volunteer groups Warning Coordination Meteorologist Erik Heden will kick off the talks with his presentation “Preparedness for Hurricane Season 2025,” at 9:30 a.m. The North Carolina coast is spectacular! When you purchase a North Carolina Coastal Federation license plate, you help keep our coast healthy and beautiful, and support the nonprofit journalism you’re reading now. Learn more Contact Stryker at 252-222-5841 or email aaron.stryker@carteretcountync.gov for more information The story was compiled by staff members of Coastal Review Winner of seven North Carolina Press Association awards in 2024. © 2025 North Carolina Coastal Federation. All rights reserved.↑ A new state record has been established for the Vermilion Snapper (Rhomboplites aurorubens) according to The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries 4 ounce Vermillion Snapper off Morehead City Shaw was fishing offshore south of Beaufort Inlet in his vessel when the fish took his bait The release states that Shaw started reeling in the fish landing it using his Shimano rod and reel with 65-pound braid Thefish measured 23.5-inches from the tip of the nose to the fork in the tail The fish was weighed in by fisheries staff at the Office of the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries Morehead City Headquarters Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application It is with very heavy hearts that we are announcing our beloved daughter She was an extremely talented artistic young lady with great vision to see beauty in everything around her Megan recently received a degree in graphic design from the University of Cape Town Megan served in the Army National Guard for 3 years and has lived in Oregon Megan found joy in activities such as kayaking Her enthusiasm for the outdoors was evident in her love for hiking and running which led her to establish her own running club Disney and most recently a cruise to the Bahamas Megan was loved by everyone who had the good fortune to become part of her circle she will be sorely missed and thought of everyday Megan is survived by her mother’s Wendy Zimnicki and Sharon Roawden Zimnicki of Morehead City Shane Zimnicki and his girlfriend Jordon Bried of Wilmington Stanley Zimnicki and his wife Amy Burke-Zimnicki of Broad Brook NC and Douglas Roawden of New York; aunts; Holly Weaver and her husband Chad of Bradenton Megan was preceded in death by her grandmothers A gathering of family and friends will be held in her honor from 6 p.m please donate to your choice of a PTSD foundation or Mental Health Foundation Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Morehead city council members unanimously approved an ordinance at their regular April meeting to close off part of a road near MSU's campus Button Place connects Main Street and East Second Street This ordinance will close the portion closest to campus Officials said the goal of this closure is to better direct drivers to a planned larger entrance which will frame the upcoming science center Kim Oatman is the Associate Vice President for Construction and the Chief Facilities Officer at MSU He said smaller entryways like Button Place have proven to be ineffective and confusing for students trying to get to and from Main Street “This is going to be a nice wide entrance that’s safe it has plenty of room for cars to come and go into campus It’ll also connect to an existing road that’s already there that goes up to the bell tower,” said Oatman The plan also proposes nearly 50 new parking spots in the main area Oatman added council members also requested space be left for greenery to balance out the new parking “Some of them were talking about green space we’re actually doing a lot for green space,” said Oatman “This is going to improve the entryway into campus for our students who are coming in They no longer have to go down these little alleyways to get to campus.” Oatman added with the go-ahead from the city now secured construction is set to take place throughout the summer and be completed in time for the fall semester The newly proposed University Boulevard would be one street down connecting East Main and East Second Streets as well as Nickel Place The construction joins multiple other projects in the works on Morehead State University’s campus including the upcoming science building and newly reopened Cooper Hall He was a renowned and much-beloved ornithologist and naturalist who was the author of several books including "A Birder's Guide to Coastal North Carolina" and "Finding Birds in Carteret County" He was the son of Mary Frances Fussell and John Oliver Fussell II A funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM on Wednesday 2024 at Noe-Brooks Funeral Home in Morehead City Burial will follow at Bayview Cemetery in Morehead City The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 3:00 PM on Wednesday Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noebrooks.net Arrangements by Noe-Brooks Funeral Home of Morehead City Click to watch A memorial service to honor James’ life will be held at 7 p.m. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service the service can be viewed through his obituary page on Munden Funeral Home’s website The service will remain on the Funeral Home website for 90 days he proudly served in the Army National Guard James became the proud owner and operator of Doshier Plumbing Inc His dedication and hard work were evident for over 56 years as he helped our community with his skill and knowledge Many people will tell of how he helped them in their time of need James’ life was characterized by his kindness He never met a stranger and had the unique ability to brighten the darkest day and bring a smile to your face As a founding member of Glad Tidings Church James served on the original board as well as many other boards throughout the years He was a faithful and dedicated deacon and was a welcoming usher and greeter whose presence alone brought joy to those around him James was a true servant at church where he gladly dedicated his time and skill assisting in whatever was asked of him whether hunting where he was nicknamed “Ditchdigger” or fishing where he could clean a fish better than anyone He especially cherished the time he spent with his brother at the Oceanana Pier Spending time with his family was his greatest joy He always appreciated and valued his loved ones with family gatherings and grilling out being his most memorable times you knew that he absolutely loved Christmas time Those remaining to cherish his memory are his sweetheart Susan Doshier Todd (Michael) of Greenville Danny Doshier (Julie) and Michael Doshier (Angelia Mozingo) Sammy Doshier of Atlantic Beach; grandchildren and Zane Richards; and great-grandchildren memorial contributions may be made to The Miriam Women of Morehead City died peacefully on Wednesday A celebration of his life will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday Paul’s Episcopal Church in Beaufort with the Rev A small reception will be held after the service followed by the committal service at Bayview Cemetery The family will also receive visitors on Friday March 21 from 5:30-7:30 at Noe-Brooks Funeral Home in Morehead City He was a 1965 graduate of West Carteret High School and a 1969 graduate of Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College) George retired from PNC Bank in Morehead City He served on numerous boards and committees over the years and spent countless hours serving on the vestry for St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Beaufort and working for the Core Sound Waterfowl and Heritage Museum in Harkers Island George was a lifelong avid Tar Heel and he passed this love along to his children taking them to as many UNC sporting events as possible and never prouder than when all 3 graduated from there He also was passionate about all things history especially the Civil War and local NC historic sites Music was always a part of his life and he had an extensive album collection including many Beach Music records which were on rotation except when he would tune in to the John Moore radio show He spent many years waking up early to run and was a frequent road race participant throughout the state he transitioned to a walker and especially loved these waterfront walks with his beloved wife George and Patti were high school sweethearts and his devotion to her was noted by all who knew him especially the Dunes Club of Atlantic Beach where for many years he could be found whenever the weather allowed Amanda Dill Schoden (Chris) of Morehead City and George McKinley Dill (Larissa) of Durham; his sister Susan Dill Jones of Clemmons; grandchildren and Violette Leigh Dill; as well as 9 nieces and nephews and a large extended family Patti McKinley Dill as well as his parents memorial donations may be made to St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Beaufort (https://www.eservicepayments.com) or to the Core Sound Waterfowl and Heritage Museum (https://www.coresound.com/ways-to-give) by Mary Grace Armistead & Michelle Pumphrey Carteret County — A nearby city is about to see a significant economic boost as a top software development firm moves its headquarters from Boston to our Crystal Coast This change is expected to create new job opportunities and draw investments to our area Mary Grace Armistead has all the important details City officials have approved two grants to support the necessary changes for the new headquarters The Building Reuse and Infrastructure Grant will provide $140,000 for renovations while the One NC Grant Program will contribute an additional $25,000 for the move who mentioned that this project is projected to bring $2.2 million in economic benefits to the community leading to well-paying tech jobs for the community 21CS is expected to create about 40 new positions in Morehead City providing a great opportunity for our economy and the business making it a very synergistic chance." Morehead City will join that list as the company sets up in the former AmRisc building on Arendell Street The family will celebrate Dean's life privately Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory Terrie passed away on April 28th at Crystal Bluffs Nursing Home after a lengthy illness A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Monday Egbert Catholic Church in Morehead City with Rev Burial will take place at a later date at Lebanon Cemetery in Plains The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Sunday at Noe-Brooks Funeral Home in Morehead City which her parents and siblings also attended She earned her degree as a Clinical Laboratory Assistant in 1967 and went to work at Glynn-Brunswick Memorial Hospital in Brunswick who was working at GA Game and Fish in Brunswick Terrie was a founding member of Crystal Coast Habitat for Humanity and especially enjoyed working at the Habitat ReStore Egbert Catholic Church and could often be found in the kitchen Terrie and Mike started the local Parents for the Advancement of Gifted Education (PAGE) group which staged several years of PAGE Saturdays for the enrichment of local schoolchildren She enjoyed being Props Mistress for many Carteret Community Theatre productions She also loved volunteering at the CHC Cancer Center She was honored with the League of Women Voters Volunteer of the Year award in 2001 Terrie was preceded in death by her beloved husband Mike and her sister Janet Culpepper of Kannapolis Terrie is survived by their daughter Melanie She was the oldest of the six Ratliff children: David (Ellen) of Plains and grandnephews to remember the many Belated Birthday cards with cash Carteret Health Care Cancer Center in Morehead City Fred was known for his joyful spirit and his dedication to serving others He also brought people together by hosting annual block parties with his Bible Study Group Fred extended kindness and support to those in need embodying the values of compassion and service that were central to his life Stephens AME Zion Church of Morehead City.  A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday Stephens AME Zion Church of Morehead City with Rev The family will receive friends from 12:00 to 1:00 on Friday at the church.  Clarence Monroe of Morehead City; two sisters Cornelia Murray of Morehead City; Ethel Hill of Morehead City:   He was preceded in death by his parents Randolph and Julia Tootle; his infant son; four brothers and his sister  Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noebrooks.net Click to watch Bobby had the remarkable ability to bring laughter wherever he went His kindness and generosity were evident in the countless times he extended a helping hand to those in need he was always willing to give the shirt off his back regardless of whether you were on his good or his bad list Bobby managed Hardee’s restaurant in Morehead City where his exceptional people skills contributed greatly to the business He later took on the role of delivering the Carteret News Times in Morehead City Always one to stay busy he then worked at ACE Hardware in Beaufort where he enjoyed interacting with the customers Bobby was an avid NASCAR fan and enjoyed the entertainment of watching wrestling He appreciated a good classic mystery show with "Murder She Wrote" and "Matlock" being his favorite Bobby was a devoted family man who valued his loved ones He will be lovingly remembered as a supportive and loving father Those remaining to cherish his memory are his son NC; his aunt who helped with his upbringing Bobby was preceded in death by his grandparents who lovingly raised him donations may be made to the Carteret County Humane Society Protests have erupted across the country in response to the Trump administration's immigration policies A group opposing recent deportations held a protest along Arendell Street this past Monday and plans another for the upcoming weekend "I had been seeing posts on Facebook of the rallies that they are doing in bigger cities like Houston I just feel like it's the right thing to do." emphasized the importance of standing up for the Latino community in Eastern North Carolina "Business as we are at now to getting a haircut to roofing to cutting grass it's just something that they wanna make better for their life and move forward and to get something as an American dream You can't have a dream without dreamers," Mendez said Sheriff Asa Buck of Carteret County stated that his department has collaborated with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials for decades particularly concerning illegal immigrants who commit crimes in the county "As far as the Carteret County Sheriff's Office is concerned if I got a person in this county who is in the country illegally and breaking the law then I'm certainly going to do what I can to protect my citizens," Buck said "I'm gonna work with federal authorities to get that person my deputies and I will be there to help." In response to fears that residents may have "I certainly don't get the sense that federal authorities are just going to be going into neighborhoods and just asking people for their papers and rounding up people off of farms and off of rooftops and out of business and things like that." ICE detained 13 illegal immigrants in the Carteret County Jail in the past year Morehead City officials are working towards a compromise on a controversial development proposal for Spooners Creek which was approved by the city council last April which includes adding 82 new homes and 63 boat slips has faced opposition from people living in the area concerned about congestion and the impact on the area's quiet charm "I am not excited about having those added boat ramps and development literally in my backyard." She cited "congestion too many people in a small area" as the biggest drawback city leaders are attempting to raise nearly $7 million to purchase 23 of the 40 acres owned by the developer to transform the land into a conservation park executive director of the Coastal Carolina Federation noting that the area consists of a rare maritime forest and wetlands "We have an opportunity to protect all that and give folks a place for nature trails Morehead City's grants management officer stated that the developers support the city's plan to preserve 23 acres "Place focus on balancing our region's housing needs all the elements associated with a growing city," Jones said She added that no funds will come from the city budget as they are focused on securing grants to buy the land Loynes sees the city's efforts as a positive step "I think that’s perfect." However The city plans to hold a public forum in April to gather community opinions though the exact date has not been announced 2025 at the Yanceyville Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Yanceyville As a long-time resident of Carteret County Egberts Catholic Church for more than 35 years After Ken retired from the United States Marine Corps Ken opened and operated Guppy’s Gallery for over 30 years in Morehead City His quick wit and steadfast love will be greatly missed by all Ken enlisted in the United States Marine Corp in 1966 became an officer in 1968 and served as a helicopter pilot in the Vietnam war Ken rated in numerous helicopter and fixed wing aircraft He earned numerous individual and unit awards including 2 Air Medals awarded for meritorious acts while flying in support of combat actions He was also commissioned as the Aviation Artist for the United States Marine Corp as the Assistant Aviation Safety Officer for the 2 nd Marine Aircraft Wing in June of 1986 MN; sister in-law Dianne of Chippewa Falls WI; and numerous nieces and nephews.  donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://ALZ.org 2025 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Noe-Brooks Funeral Home and Crematory 201 Professional Circle (Morehead City To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Kenneth Allen Fish Click to watch Carteret County — A career fair will take place on February 5 in Morehead City for those interested in starting a fulfilling career with the North Carolina Ferry Division organized by the Ferry Division and NC Works Applications are welcome for all job levels including entry-level parking lot attendants Both temporary and full-time positions are available Benefits of permanent jobs with the Ferry Division include: Ferry Division representatives will be present to accept applications and discuss available positions and career growth This career fair in Morehead City is the second of five events scheduled in eastern North Carolina The first was held in Ocracoke on January 31 Upcoming fairs will take place at the College of the Albemarle in Manteo on February 12 the Southport Ferry Terminal on February 21 and Beaufort County Community College in Washington on February 26 For a listing of the Ferry Division’s job postings, click here For more information or temporary position applications call 252-370-5573 or email FerryHR@ncdot.gov Drug abuse awareness with a side of a free burger In partnership with Hope Mission of Coastal Carolina the Carteret County Health Department Post Overdose Response Team will host the "Safe Summer Cookout" event on Saturday at the Carteret County Health Department in Morehead City The event coincides with National Fentanyl Awareness Day and aims to teach the community about the dangers of fentanyl while supporting families affected by substance abuse all the while getting in touch with local resources on substance use prevention The event is said to also feature raffle prizes educational demonstrations of Narcan administration by Carteret County Emergency Services and personal stories from people whose lives have been impacted by substance use The PORT team is available seven days a week at 252-247-1129 to assist individuals seeking treatment options North Carolina passed peacefully into his Lord's arms on January 16 He was born to the late Margaret King Brown and Andrew Adair Brown on September 19 with summers on his grandfather's working farm at St So many happy days and wonderful memories were made with his eight first cousins The cousins learned work ethics through chores on the farm and people skills through interacting with the patients at St Summers mixed with hard work and play made for a strong foundation throughout life Ray’s first job was a paper route at age 10 growing up quickly there and began to seriously focus on the future He later attended the University of Kentucky where he met the love of his life and future bride They were married for 65 extraordinary years Colonel having served his country bravely and loving every minute he spent flying and moved his family 12 times crisscrossing the country as he was assigned to a new duty station After retiring from the Marine Corps in 1974 Polly and Ray became happy Eastern North Carolina transplants as a McDonald's franchise Owner Operator in Jacksonville It was there that he gave many a young person their first job later launching them on to various careers of their own he would take much satisfaction in their accomplishments He received the coveted Golden Arches and McDonald's Speedy Award and served on the McDonald’s National Operators Board during this time Polly and Ray chose Carteret County as their home graciously giving back to his adopted community He loved cruising along the intercoastal waterway nearly as much as flying through the Carolina blue coastal skies one of his many rescue dogs accompanied him on his jet ski or boat Ray loved Carteret County not just for its immaculate landscape and warm summer air but also for the community filled with so many wonderful people he met along the way Ray was a former member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Jacksonville and a current member of First Methodist Church in Morehead City His wise counsel was sought by many in the family and in business circles good conversationist and an even better listener His quick wit and endless puns kept those near him smiling and in good spirits He could keep confidence like no one else and always found the best in each person he met His life was well lived and will be well remembered Because we have had a wonderful earthly dad our family can relate to our magnificent heavenly Father How grateful we are for this beautiful patriarch and how very missed he will be in our family circle Ray totally lost his ability to walk but never complained He always had an uplifting word for family and friends and a grand sense of humor Residing his last three years at Carteret Landing he was a joy to everyone who knew him there We are forever grateful for the care and loving kindness shown to our father by the wonderful staff at Carteret Landing A special commendation to the private caregivers he had over the years and in this last season He was proceeded in death by his parents Margaret and Andrew Brown and his younger brother Those remaining to cherish his memory are his daughter and Andrew Rangeley Jett (Allison) and four grandchildren: Adair Ann Jett A Celebration of life will be held at First Methodist Church on January 25 Visitation will be held the hour prior to the funeral at 10:00am in the Atrium of the church memorable contributions may be made to the Crystal Coast Hospice House P.O NC 28570 or The Broad Street Clinic 534 North 35th Street A funeral service to honor D.A.’s life will be held at 3 p.m. was the beloved son of Darious Adron "D.A." Ballou Jr He graduated with the Class of 1990 from West Carteret High School where his athletic ability was seen on the football field and in wrestling matches His passion for sports continued throughout his life as he remained involved with the Athletic Department serving as the announcer for football games for over a decade further pursued his love for sports by earning a bachelor's degree in Sports Medicine from East Carolina University He owned Cubbies restaurant for eight years a fun local spot known for its good food and warm southern hospitality He also worked at Cor Supply and Rentals in Greenville where he enjoyed interacting with his customers D.A.’s favorite pastime was being on the water going to Shack and enjoying the beauty of the Crystal Coast Those remaining to cherish his memory are sons Jacob Connor Ballou and Joshua Caden Ballou Susan Frederick and her daughter Daisey of Morehead City and Bethany Ballou; and numerous loving aunts or memorial contributions may be made to West Carteret High School for the Athletics Department It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Seth Zachary Talob A celebration of Seth’s life will be held at 3 p.m. March 21st at Munden Funeral Home in Morehead City The family will receive friends at the Funeral Home following the service Seth was the son of Robert Crawford Talob and Tracy Rose Talob He graduated from West Carteret High School and continued his education at Carteret Community College Seth found fulfillment in his job at Morehead City Country Club where his vibrant personality brought joy to all who met him Seth’s artistic nature was evident in his love for beauty particularly his collection of stylish boots Seth enjoyed playing games and having fun times at the beach with friends always entertained by their curious and playful personalities Seth will be lovingly remembered as a devoted son He will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him Those remaining to cherish his memory are his loving parents Robert and Tracy Talob of Morehead City; sisters Brittany Noelle Talob (Jake Dustin Bakker) of Wake Forest Emmanuel Joshua Talob of Morehead City; grandfather Cade Carmean and Leland Weeks; and his cuddly cat at Carteret Health Care where she was surrounded by her loving family and friends A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held at 2 p.m. In addition to her unwavering love and devotion to her family and friends crafting and cooking for family and friends She loved her church family and belonged to several organizations and charities Joyce leaves to cherish her memory: son James Brown and wife Ronda; grandson Jarad Brown and great-grandchildren Caroline and J.R.; granddaughter Melissa Hoydich and great-grandchildren Jason and Cody; and grandson Mason Brown Virginia “Ginny” Machipness (Jimmy) of Beaufort VA.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews,  Joyce was preceded in death by her husband Normie Lewis and Charlotte Rolison; brother please donate to Martha’s Mission Cupboard and/or Carteret County Humane Society Norfolk Southern Railroad maintenance is causing Arendell St westbound to be down one lane near the 29 St The lane closure will be in effect for approx Morehead City Police are placing traffic cones and signage to alert drivers to merge onto the open lane The family will have a celebration of his life at a later date to the late Ashley Carlton Horne and Lila Cayton Horne Phillip moved with his family to Morehead City at the age of 13 He understood the value of hard work from a young age having contributed to the family tobacco farm on Crab Point Phillip went on to have a long and fulfilling career in Civil Service at Cherry Point where he worked in the hazardous material department.  His life was marked by remarkable creativity and musical talent Phillip was an extraordinarily crafty individual always happy to entertain his family and friends with his musical performances Phillip enjoyed spending his free time tending to his yard and always enjoyed the peacefulness of the water while casting his fishing line whenever able and hard work will be fondly remembered by all who knew him Those remaining to cherish his memory are his loving wife NC and Kathleen Whinkler (Manfred) of Austria; brother TX; 6 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; and numerous loving nieces and nephews.  Phillip was preceded in death by his sisters donations may be made to Carteret Health Care for the Comfort Care Department by Mary Grace Armistead & News 12 Staff A juvenile suspect is facing multiple charges following an incident that led to lockdowns at two Carteret County schools on Friday morning the situation began with an online threat that resulted in a significant police presence at West Carteret High School Parents were notified about the incident around 9 a.m. with Morehead City Middle School parents receiving notifications shortly thereafter Both schools were placed on lockdown due to the social media threat fled from officers in a stolen vehicle near Morehead City Middle School The juvenile suspect was apprehended nearby without incident Chief Communications Officer for Carteret County Schools "We do have school resource officers at every school and our staff trains for situations such as this and so we feel that our students are very safe at this point." The Morehead City Police Department confirmed that the juvenile was not on school property during the incident The suspect has been charged with three felonies: communicating a threat of mass violence on educational property receiving or transferring a stolen motor vehicle the juvenile faces four misdemeanor charges which was the primary reason that the schools are placed on lockdown as a precautionary measure but all students and staff are safe." Authorities have stated that they will not release the name of the juvenile suspect due to their age and parents were able to pick up their children safely passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday A funeral service to honor Dennis’ life will be held at 2 p.m. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m he graduated from Morehead City High School with the Class of 1959 He furthered his education at The Citadel Military College of South Carolina earning his bachelor's degree with the Class of 1963 and later earning his master’s degree in 1974 He valiantly served with the 25th Infantry Division the “Mighty Ninth Battalion” concluded their final tour in 1967 He shared an unbreakable bond with his military buddies Dennis' service was marked by courage and commitment earning him several commendations for his valor including the Silver Star Dennis was well known in our community through his business and his extensive knowledge and willingness to assist his customers made him a trusted resource for many he returned to teaching where he found a renewed purpose (and a bit more patience) in inspiring young minds at Beaufort Middle School His investment in his students and involvement in school activities were a testament to his commitment to education and mentorship Dennis was a faithful and devoted Christian man whose life was grounded in the Word of God He was a faithful member of First Baptist Church serving in various capacities including numerous committees and serving with the Baptist Men’s Group building ramps for invalids He thoroughly enjoyed his Men’s Lighthouse Sunday School Class and their weekly breakfasts at Cox’s Restaurant Dennis’ greatest joy at Church was his time singing in the choir beautiful music and close-knit friendships family and country were beloved traits that will forever be appreciated and treasured by all who had the privilege of knowing him Those remaining to cherish his memory are his loving and devoted wife of 61 years Jennifer Munden Lewis of Morehead City; son-in-law Bill Munden (Nancy) of Newport; sister-in-law Anne Munden of Morehead City; grandchildren Judy Monroe and Nell Glenda Rachide; and nephews Dennis was preceded in death by his brother memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Choir The playground at the Morehead City Park has officially reopened Director of Parks and Recreation for the city of Morehead said the park was named in honor of Wylie Wilson Hamilton said Wilson was a prolific member of the community and naming the playground after him just seemed like the right way to honor his memory he thought enough of the city and the park that he actually left some money in his estate when he passed in honor of him and what he did for the park what he did for this country and what he did for this community we wanted to leave something to remember him by,” said Hamilton The main attraction of the new playground is the new ADA compliant and handicap accessible crumb-rubber surface Hamilton said this surface is better than wood chip and other alternatives because it is a solid surface which cannot be washed away by rain and does not collect water which will keep children safer as they play but will soon undergo landscaping and receive additional recreation pieces peacefully went to be with his Lord on January 26 2025 after a courageous battle with Lewy Body Dementia Demus was a faithful Christian who served the Lord and supportive; a true friend and a true Southern Gentleman where he grew up with his brothers Bryant and Keith he worked for a local park tending the animals and driving the park train for the kids he enjoyed working with teens and playing music for their entertainment Demus served in the U.S Air Force which included a year in Saudi Arabia he was stationed at McCoy Air Force Base in Orlando Demus and Carol separated and remained friendly co-parents beyond their divorce Demus attended and graduated from Elon University in 1964 he worked as a personnel manager for Burlington Industries He enjoyed annual trips to his alma mater for homecoming games and festivities where he and his beloved Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity brothers reminisced and shared many memories Demus and his brother Keith owned and operated a seafood business in Atlantic Beach He later joined Ellen in the operation of their real estate business in Atlantic Beach for 35 years Demus served on the City Council of Morehead City for 20 consecutive years he received the NC Loyal Order of the Longleaf Pine award Demus was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Morehead City He served on various committees at First Baptist Church for many years He taught Sunday school and served as a trustee He was a faithful member of the Lighthouse Sunday School Class and later joined his wife as a member of the Faith and Fellowship Sunday School Class Julia Heisey; great grandchildren: Bayleigh He is also survived by several beloved nieces The family extends great appreciation to Carteret Home Health and Hospice Maxim Healthcare Services A private graveside service for the family will be held in Burlington A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church in Morehead City at 1:30 PM with Pastor Nate Leonard presiding or donations in Demus’ memory can be made to First Baptist Church Benevolence Fund  Arrangements by Noe-Brooks Funeral Home 03/26/2025 by A state Department of Transportation crew works high above the Newport River Tuesday inspecting the underside of the Morehead City-Beaufort high-rise bridge next to the state port. Traffic delays were expected through Friday on this part of U.S. Highway 70 as one lane of travel was planned during daylight hours, or 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Track progress online His love for photojournalism began in high school where Ray worked as a photographer and cartoonist for to the school paper After receiving a degree in photojournalism at Randolf Technical Institute he moved to the Crystal Coast to become the chief photographer and eventually photo editor during his 15 years at the Carteret County News-Times He has accrued more than 20 North Carolina Press Association awards in photojournalism and continues his work documenting and preserving the residents and their lives along the Southern Outer Banks He lives in Beaufort with his wife and daughters passed away peacefully at his home on Monday A service in remembrance of his life will be held at 7 p.m. Gus graduated from Morehead City High School and furthered his education at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill where he received his Bachelor of Arts in English in 1958 Gus stayed in Vance Dorm in the same room as the esteemed author Gus received a Juris Doctorate from Wake Forest University and went on to practice law for over 50 years in Morehead City He was deeply committed to serving his community and found great fulfillment in his legal practice Gus also found time to immerse himself in the many activities he loved “Gus would claim anything that hit the ground whether he shot it or not!” Gus also enjoyed Carolina Basketball and often told the story of how he was at UNC when they won the National Championship in 1957 when they defeated Wilt the Stilt and the Kansas Jayhawks Gus was among the first to show Franklin Street how to celebrate a Carolina win Gus loved playing cards and always enjoyed shopping for his beloved wife Gus enjoyed being around his family and friends Gus was most content when those he loved were happy he was known to show up with freshly made club sandwiches or hot dogs and chili sharing whatever he had made and they were blessed with 58 years together before her passing Andrew’s Episcopal Church where he served as a lay reader Gus will be remembered as a generous man who consistently served his community and those in need and he was always an advocate for the underdog Louis James "Buddy" Davis and wife Pat and William John "Johnny" Davis and wife Kathy; sisters-in-law Rachel Waters Craddock and Helen Waters Bass; nieces Armstrong Williams takes on the news of the week and asks the questions you want answered. 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Morehead City authorities search for man after physical dispute at local Walmartby News 12 Staff Carteret County — Law enforcement here in the east are seeking the public's help in identifying a person involved in a physical altercation Monday afternoon Officials say the suspect and a victim were involved in a verbal argument which escalated into a physical altercation around 1:00 pm at the Morehead City Walmart They say the unknown individual invaded the victim's personal space The suspect then struck the victim in the head before fleeing the scene in a white Hyundai Ascent The vehicle also featured a roof rack and out-of-state license plates The last three letters on the plate may be "NDL," and it was last observed traveling west on NC Hwy 24 The suspect is described as a white male with a thin build and gray hair He was last seen wearing khaki pants and a black hooded sweatshirt If you have any information about this individual please contact Detective Lopez at the Morehead City Police Department by calling 252-726-3131 01/03/2025 by This story has been updated to include funeral arrangements wildlife enthusiast and conservationist John Oliver Fussell III is being remembered for his decades of contributions to raising awareness of often-overlooked environmental issues affecting the North Carolina coast who studied zoology at North Carolina State University His fellow environmental advocates and scientists have shared their fond remembrances in the days since Fussell’s death who retired last year from his role as park ranger and historian at Fort Macon State Park shared some details with Coastal Review on Fussell’s early work Fussell first held an internship at the park in summer 1974 studying the Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area and its resources and doing preliminary work to lay out a nature trail he was hired under the Comprehensive Employment Training Act Manpower Program both to provide a “State Parks ‘presence’ at the Natural Area during the construction of the Marine Resources Center,” now the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores he established a half-mile trail through the maritime forest along the northeast corner of the tract to the salt marsh along the sound and back,” Branch explained The trail was named the Hoffman Nature Trail in honor of Alice Green Hoffman the relative of the Roosevelt family who had owned and managed the large tracts of land on Bogue Banks from which the Theodore Roosevelt Natural Area had been donated he worked at Fort Macon State Park as an interpreter to give nature and history programs at the park year-round “In addition to giving the usual history guided tours and slide shows at the fort Fussell also began giving bird and nature walks to the public He also created a birding checklist for the park he worked sorting through and cataloguing museum artifacts at the park,” Branch said adding that Fussell left the park in 1978 for other pursuits but returned periodically over the years to take birding groups around the park Coastal Review contributor and former Hammocks Beach State Park superintendent Sam Bland said he first met Fussell in summer 1978 when both were working at Fort Macon State Park “John was the historian/naturalist and I was a park attendant,” Bland said “I was envious of John as he was always out giving tours of the fort or taking people on nature hikes while I spent most of my time mowing the mosquito-infested grasses of the fort But we did get to spend some time birding together and he introduced me to the painted buntings He was a birding mentor to many and I think that is when he was happiest Bland said he considered Fussell to be a friend their relationship was more on a professional level “During my years at Hammocks Beach State Park we would collaborate to conduct bird surveys on Bear Island and the surrounding marshes for any birding identification or related questions he would give me a call to see if I had seen a species of bird that he had recently seen further up the coast,” Bland explained he would quiz me about details as he wasn’t going to consider it a confirmed sighting unless he was sure John wanted to know if I had seen them off of Bear Island But it took some convincing to reassure John that I had actually seen this specific species.” Bland also noted that while well known as an ornithologist Fussell was also a skilled botanist who would arrive at first light on the days of planned maintenance and cleanups at the Hoop Pole Creek nature trail in Atlantic Beach to put flagging tape on the rare plants to make sure they didn’t get trimmed and were protected protection and restoration of our coastal resources His ornithological and botanical surveys were instrumental in documenting our natural coastal heritage especially during times of rampant development His knowledge was an invaluable resource that will be greatly missed,” Bland said Southern Environmental Law Center Senior Adviser Derb Carter shared on an online birding forum that with Fussell’s death North Carolina had lost a “giant in the birding community,” of which he had been a fixture for 60 years “He knew the birds and every birding corner along his beloved NC coast like no one else,” Carter posted referencing Fussell’s book published in in 1994 by the University of North Carolina Press “Birder’s Guide to Coastal North Carolina” which “remains the definitive guide.” Carter noted that Fussell “cared deeply” about protecting important habitats and as an accomplished naturalist contributed his knowledge and observations to the identification and preservation of lands by state and federal agencies and conservation organizations Among Fussell’s many contributions to promoting birding in the state Carter explained that Fussell regularly volunteered to lead birding field trips for Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count Wings Over Water Wildlife Festival on the Outer Banks “The one thing you could almost be certain of on one of John’s trips is you were going to get your feet soaked within the first hour John would take the long way through the marsh or tidal flats on the chance of flushing a rail He led Morehead City’s Christmas Bird Count for more than 60 years and participated in the counts in Wilmington and Masonboro Island or snow he would be dropped off on the north end (of Masonboro Island) by boat first thing in the morning and walk the eight and a half miles to the south end to be picked up late afternoon.  The gulls and pelicans will be looking for him on Saturday and will miss him “I first met John some years ago when he led a spring walk for the N.C Coastal Land Trust through Springer’s Point on Ocracoke Island —  not for birds but to point out the native plants of which seemed to have an equal amount of passion,” Vankevich said “He was a gracious field trip leader.” In recent years, Fussell frequently visited the massive wetland restoration project at North River Wetlands Preserve in Carteret County documenting the changing bird communities as the wetlands are restored The preserve is a 6,000-acre restoration project of the Coastal Federation When recognized in 2017 by the North Carolina Coastal Federation with a Pelican Award “For Enduring Commitment to Preserving the Spectacular Natural Heritage of Our Coast,” he said that for many years he focused on environmental issues for which his involvement is disproportionately important “Issues that I know a lot about but which are mostly ignored by the general environmental community,” he explained “I have mostly focused on protecting rare plants and habitats in a major reserve of native biodiversity in our backyard Fussell told Coastal Review at the time that he spent countless hours documenting the amount and numbers of rare plants in the Croatan National Forest, and sometimes their disappearance, and then getting that information on the radar screen by providing it to the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program and the U.S to make sure information did not get ignored or forgotten “I find it rewarding to find that if you persevere sometimes you can make a difference,” Fussell said Fussell worked with the Coastal Federation on an effort to protect what is now Hoop Pole Creek Preserve area in Atlantic Beach from a massive development project “That effort turned out to be ultimately successful and it was a major milestone in the development of the Coastal Federation as an important factor in addressing environmental issues I found out that sometimes you can make a difference,” Fussell said in 2017 There was an outpouring of condolences and memories on the birding forum after Carter’s announcement wrote that he joined Fussell on Sunday morning birding trips “What really struck me about John were two things Firstly he wore his vast knowledge so lightly He never bragged and was always wanting to learn,” McGregor wrote he could ask questions like few I have met He would quiz me about my research on red-cockaded woodpeckers asking questions that really made me think I think the questions were coming from his desire to know more and understand better rather than to demonstrate my lack of knowledge and understanding it was these things made spending time birding with JF such a joy He was a thoroughly decent bloke and the world is a poorer place without him.” who worked for the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program said on the forum that he and Fussell were in some of the same classes at N.C State University in the late 1960s and early 1970s “He was the premier naturalist for 50+ years for the central NC coast,” LeGrand explained “Not just with his knowledge of birds but also of botany and various other biological sciences especially from his beloved Croatan National Forest.” LeGrand added that Fussell’s 1994 guide “was a birder’s ‘bible’ and is still useful today” because so many public sites have not substantially changed since and got to learn so much from him,” he said Bob Lewis of Durham called Fussell “one of the giants” of North Carolina birding of the last 50 years previously with the National Audubon Society said on the forum that with the death of Fussell “North Carolina has lost a great person in the bird world.” Golder said he came to know Fussell in the mid-1980s as part of North Carolina’s early waterbird surveys “I consulted him often in the decades thereafter about various areas of the coast He was always glad to chat and would share the unwritten history of the regular birds and the rarities at the site Birders visiting the coast from other states would often call my office seeking information about where they could see a particular bird John’s book- A Birder’s Guide to Coastal North Carolina -was (and remains) the source for finding birds on the coast I always recommended John’s book and occasionally received a call back from folks impressed with the thorough and detailed information His funeral will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8, at Noe-Brooks Funeral Home and Crematory in Morehead City Editor Mark Hibbs contributed to this report Jennifer Allen graduated from Appalachian State University in 2002 and picked up a second degree from UNC-Charlotte the following year She joined the staff of the Carteret County News-Times in Morehead City in 2005 and completed her master's at UNC-Wilmington in 2008 Jenn spent nine years writing and editing at the News-Times before joining the staff at the Town of Beaufort in 2014 where she served as public information officer and town clerk Jenn came aboard as assistant editor for Coastal Review She has also written for Our State Magazine and other regional and statewide publications She lives in Morehead City with her husband James and their pups A funeral service to honor Shirley’s life will be held at 2 p.m. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church the service can be viewed through her obituary page on Munden Funeral Home’s website She was a cherished member of the First Methodist Church in Morehead City for over 30 years and a devoted hairdresser for more than four decades at her salon the Mane Event.  Shirley was known for her kindness and generosity She loved to cook and entertain guests in her home always ensuring that those around her felt welcomed and cared for Widely known for her famous variety of Biscotti cookies she made Thursdays extra special by sharing dinner with family and friends Shirley believed in paying it forward and lived each day with love and selflessness.  she embraced adventure as the first mate on their boat She was also a dedicated partner in helping him at the Sanitary Restaurant where her squash casserole and stuffed potatoes became local favorites she proudly earned the title of “Funnel Cake Queen.” She loved gardening and growing delicious vegetables Her warmth and love touched the lives of so many and her memory will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of those who knew her Those remaining to cherish her memory are her loving husband and David Hoopengardner (Kathy) of Elysburg Jade White and Kenton Robinson; and many nieces flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to First Methodist Church NC 28557 or The American Heart Association A Celebration of Life will be held at First Methodist Church the family will gather to receive visitors at 3:00 p.m He was the son of Dykeman Waldron Baily Jr He is survived by three children and their spouses IV (Loretta); eight grandchildren and their spouses Willis Baily (Collette); and eleven great grandchildren Buddy was a lifelong resident of Morehead City He always believed anything beyond the Carteret County line was a foreign country and wondered why anyone would ever want to leave Hunting remained a family affair throughout his life until he became the great grandfather hunting with his young great grandchildren he enjoyed the camaraderie of many friends and family members on the hunts He started out with whatever he could find until he worked his way up to sailing a 20-foot spritsail skiff He pestered the old captains on the Bogue Sound shores to learn everything he could but he came out with the trophy more often than not He designed and built a fiberglass version of the spritsail skiff on the theory that if the sailskiff was lighter he took to building exquisite models of many of the boats he owned or that had been owned by his mentors over the years He was surrounded by family and friends his entire life The highlight of his week was church on Sunday and being with his church family He was secure in his faith and looked forward to his life in heaven The family requests that donations be made to the First Methodist Church in his name is announcing Marissa Moore as its new Executive Director Moore has a great amount of nonprofit experience and leadership to the organization having worked for the New Bern Historical Society and the Armed Services YMCA previously with a background in marketing & advertising and volunteer experience for the organization Moore will oversee the strategic direction and community partners to provide leadership in Downtown Morehead City to optimize economic and cultural opportunities in a welcoming environment and encourage community engagement and participation Moore graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a B.S in History and is currently working towards her MBA with Trident University Online passed away peacefully at Carteret Landing in Morehead City A celebration of his life will be held at St The family will greet visitors in the parish hall afterward.  he graduated from Perquimans High School and earned a BA in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1953 he maintained active membership in the Pi Kappa Alpha Tau Chapter Dick later completed the Louisiana State University School of Banking of the South in 1965 which laid the foundation for his distinguished career in banking and finance Dick will be best remembered as a quick-witted man with a knack for storytelling that always commanded attention His lifelong passion for boating was matched by his deep devotion as a husband He also generously shared his talents through active civic service Dick’s professional career began at Wachovia Bank & Trust Co (now Wells Fargo) followed by a brief period at the WJ Bateman Insurance Agency in Tarboro He then joined North Carolina National Bank (now Bank of America) he served at Planters National Bank in Rocky Mount holding positions including Executive Vice President Dick was instrumental in collaborating with Bob Mauldin President and CEO of Peoples Bancorporation for the successful merger of Planters National Bank with Peoples Bancorporation—to form Centura Banks Dick subsequently served as Chairman & CEO of Centura Banks (1990–1993) and as Chairman of the Executive Committee (1993–1995) He served as President of the NC Bankers Association and was later inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2010 His civic service included positions on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of NC Citizens for Business and Industry; as President and Trustee of the NC Symphony Society; and as a Trustee of Peace College He contributed to the National Development Council served on the Board of Visitors at UNC Chapel Hill and was Chairman of the NC State Education Assistance Authority he was a Trustee of NC Central University and Chairman of the Craven County Industrial Development Commission Dick was honored with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine served on the Disciplinary Hearing Commission for the NC State Bar and was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow He also served the State of North Carolina as State Budget Officer and as Chairman of the North Carolina State Ports Authority relocated to Pine Knoll Shores and later Morehead City where he continued to serve the community by joining the boards of the Beaufort Historical Association the Carteret County Economic Development Council Francis by the Sea in Salter Path and later St Andrews Episcopal Church in Morehead City.  Mary Futrell Utz and son-in-law Charles Monroe Utz Samuel “Sam” Richard Utz of Arlington and Kathryn “Katie” Clark Utz of Wilmington Jonas Richard Futrell and Alice Elliott Futrell.  contributions may be made to the Futrell-Mauldin Community Foundation and/or Carteret Community Foundation Andrews Episcopal Church – Capital Campaign The family extends its sincere appreciation to the dedicated and caring employees at Carteret Landing and Gentiva Hospice; and with special thanks to Ellen Maready and Leigh Fulcher for their compassion and care NC — A software company is relocating their headquarters to Carteret County Governor Cooper announced that 21st Century Software Technologies will be investing $455,000 to move to Morehead City North Carolina’s economy is now at the forefront of innovation,” Governor Cooper said “Morehead City will welcome 21CS with a growing tech industry that will continue to fuel job creation and economic opportunity for generations to come.” it will create job opportunities here in Carteret County The company is planning to employ 25 people and was founded in 1992 They are a leading software developer with locations across the US they specialize in the development of mainframe products that ensure data protection while maximizing performance marketing and technical support operations Governor Cooper also stated in the release that the company will create new jobs in engineering and software support in particular offer a unique combination of a business-friendly government affordable living and an outstanding quality of life,” said Eddy Ciliendo Annual wages for the new jobs will average $87,920 which exceeds the average in Carteret County of $41,149 these new jobs may potentially create an annual payroll impact of $2.2 million for the region annual wages for new positions will average $87,920 exceeding the Carteret County average of $41,149 These new jobs could potentially create an annual payroll impact of $2.2 million for the region The software company was awarded a performance-based grant of $25,000 by the One North Carolina Fund to assist will relocation A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m at First Methodist Church in Morehead City 1940 to Gordon Oliver Thayer and Ann Campbell Thayer of Braintree with his primary education at Thayerlands and high school at Thayer Academy where his father was Headmaster and mother taught music and choir He received a bachelor’s degree from Gettysburg College where he met his future wife and the love of his life He earned his Master of Science degree in biology from Oberlin College where he received a scholarship to Woods Hole Institute on Cape Cod for the summer of 1963 There he worked on the importance of microscopic marine algae (phytoplankton) a scientific area that became the subject of both his master's and PhD research projects He earned his PhD in Zoology from North Carolina State University in 1969 Gordon’s PhD research was conducted at the US Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency's laboratory on Pivers Island in Beaufort While Gordon was completing his dissertation he was hired by NOAA and continued his research there for the next 36 years also publishing over 85 papers in peer-reviewed books and journals He was recognized with several awards including two United States Department of Commerce Bronze Medal Awards and the NOAA Distinguished Career Award for excellence in scientific research and scientific administration He was internationally recognized as a world expert on seagrass ecology and its restoration Gordon maintained partnerships with universities throughout his career serving on graduate committees of numerous master's students and PhD candidates He was an Adjunct Professor at North Carolina State University and mentored graduate students from UNC Wilmington and the University of Southern Mississippi In 1990 he was asked to co-organize the NOAA Restoration Center centered in Silver Spring and served as its first Director and then as Science Coordinator for many years During his career he conducted research along the east coast from Chesapeake Bay to Florida Bay the latter following the Kuwait Oil spill during the first Gulf War Following his retirement from the Beaufort Laboratory in 2005 he was offered a contract position with NOAA as the Coordinator and Senior Scientist at the NOAA Kasitsna Bay Laboratory in Seldovia A quote from Gordon: “It's been a good run throughout my career at Beaufort; great people to work with and for and I feel as though I contributed to science in a meaningful way.” Gordon loved being with his wife and visiting their son whether it was during the summer at the beach or family camping trips in the cold of November and his first thoughts were always of and for them solving puzzles and searching out clues in locations throughout the Carolinas as well as all around the US when they traveled Traveling throughout our United States was one of his great passions as well as participating in his kids’ and grandkids’ activities such as scouts Community involvement was important to Gordon a long-time parishioner of First Methodist Church and a member of the Morehead City planning board Gordon was preceded in death by both parents He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years their son Ronald Gordon Thayer and wife Kristen Dye (Kikki) of Mt and Emmy; their daughter Megan Thayer Guard-Pikulik and husband Kenneth Charles (Ken) of Apex and grandchildren Jackson and McKenna; brother Bruce Campbell Thayer and wife Pamela Jenness of Mirror Lake NH; sister-in-law Sharon Victoria Mayes of Largo He also leaves nieces Cadence Anne Proctor We want to extend our appreciation to all for your kind words and support during this difficult time We are especially indebted to the compassionate and excellent care provided to our family by the staff of both Gentiva Hospice and Home Helpers of the Crystal Coast Memorial contributions may be made to First Methodist Church (900 Arendell Street NC 28557) or Rotary Club of Morehead City (PO Box 1863 A memorial service to honor Sally’s life will be held at 2 p.m. January 18th at Reece’s Chapel Baptist Church She was a remarkable woman whose strong will and loving spirit touched the hearts of many Sally shared a beautiful journey of 48 years with her beloved husband cherishing her family and her precious fur babies Her dedication to her loved ones was evident in all that she did Sally found fulfillment in her role as a secretary and treasurer contributing to the success of the business alongside her husband and her brother and sister-in-law Sally cherished every moment spent at the Cape She took advantage of every opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery Those remaining to cherish her memory are her brother Troy Morris III and wife Yvonne of Morehead City; brother-in-law Jack Hunter of Morehead City; sisters-in-law Alice Hardesty of Newport and Jeanette Deibert (Glenn) of Fayetteville; many loving nieces and nephews; and her 3 adorable fur babies Sally was preceded in death by her beloved husband donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association VA 22116 or to Reece’s Chapel Baptist Church Reverend Leonard described the night of the crash in March and Selwyn—planned to drive out of Crystal Coast Plaza onto Highway 70 32-year-old Cody Schulz from Goldsboro ran a red light in his 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee colliding with the Leonards' Toyota Tacoma The impact left one of their children with serious injuries and Reverend Leonard with broken bones The driver now faces second-degree murder charges recalled that he woke up five days later in the hospital to learn of his wife’s fate “There’s really no words to express losing your wife and your best friend and the mother of your children,” he said “I’m very proud of him because he experienced the most trauma of any of us of the wreck itself I’ve been told that he climbed out of the window and was asking for help,” Reverend Leonard shared The Leonard family found strength through their community and faith “Any of us could list 100 things that God could have done or didn’t do,” Reverend Leonard said “but I come back to what God didso that Suellen passes through death to eternal life.” to provide comfort to others who have lost loved ones in Morehead City is temporarily closed while repairs are being made after an early morning electrical fire Morehead City Fire-EMS crews to the fire Thursday morning Officials say that crews were able to control the small fire within minutes with only minor damage