PELETIER — The Western Carteret Fire Department responded to a residential blaze in frigid temperatures during an ice storm near Peletier at 7:45 p.m. Friday night, but the owner of the home had mostly put out the fire before the crews arrived.

NEWPORT — Animal care professionals are warning dog owners to make sure their pets are up to date on vaccinations due to an outbreak of canine distemper in the area wildlife population.

EMERALD ISLE — N.C. Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey announced this week the Emerald Isle Fire District has improved from a Class 4 rating to a Class 3.

BEAUFORT — Carteret County Shore Protection Office Manager Ryan Davenport said Thursday the county is still waiting for permits necessary to begin the project to dredge east Taylors Creek and use the sand to nourish the public beach and other areas on Radio Island.

NEWPORT — While weather conditions in Carteret County may not be particularly dangerous as of Friday morning, local NWS meteorologists warn people the worst of a winter storm is yet to come.

MOREHEAD CITY — The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries reminds Carteret County fishermen and others to report any cold-stunned spotted seatrout they may see in North Carolina coastal waters.

CARTERET COUNTY — The following closures and cancellations have been announced ahead of a forecast winter storm Friday through Saturday, Jan. 20-21.

NEWPORT — Firefighters with Morehead City and Broad & Gales Creek fire departments fought a fire at 270 Brant Landing Road for over an hour Wednesday night, preventing its spread, though the house was a total loss.

CARTERET COUNTY — James Burns of Havelock was among many area residents purchasing bags of ice melt pellets Thursday at Lowe’s Home Improvement in Morehead City in preparation for a blast of winter weather expected overnight Thursday and Friday.

Due to the wintry weather and forecast hazardous conditions, Carteret County public schools will operate on a remote learning/remote work day Friday for students and staff.

Editor's note: This article, headline and photo were updated at 6:45 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022 to include the latest forecast.

PELETIER — A Peletier commissioner has posted an online survey in an effort to find out what services residents in and near the town want in the future.

MOREHEAD CITY — With the American Red Cross reporting a crisis shortage of blood, Carteret Community College hosted a blood drive Wednesday at the Crystal Coast Civic Center, with additional drives planned later this month.

BEAUFORT — Several county public schools are included in the US News and World Report’s Best Elementary Schools and Best Middle Schools listings for being in the top 30% in the state and nation for 2022.

CARTERET COUNTY — The county added 392 new COVID-19 cases over the long MLK holiday weekend, with the positivity percent of 23.5% the highest seen in Carteret County during the pandemic.

CARTERET COUNTY — After 17 consecutive months of record breaking occupancy tax revenues from the county’s hotels, vacation rentals and other temporary stays, collections for the month of November came in below what they were the previous year.

NEWPORT — Carteret County residents and visitors may see icy conditions leading to dangerous roads and power outages late Thursday through Friday.

MOREHEAD CITY — Continued education in schools regarding the signs of suicide, domestic violence and bullying are among ways to reduce the number of child fatalities in the county, according to a team of health and social service professionals.

Core Creek UMC

PINE KNOLL SHORES — Town officials are beginning to ease restrictions on public use of town facilities and attendance for municipal meetings.

Editor's note: This article was updated at 11:22 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022, to include information about the announced distribution of free N95 masks.

NEWPORT — Local meteorologists expect a winter storm may hit Carteret County and much of eastern North Carolina Thursday through Friday.

NEWPORT — Jeanne Benedict is carrying on her husband Bob’s legacy, completing his unfinished term as town councilman.