MOREHEAD CITY — State recreational water quality officials Tuesday lifted a water quality swimming advisory at a sound-side site in Carteret County.

BEAUFORT — The Carteret County-Beaufort Airport Authority last week adopted the 2020-21 fiscal year budget for Michael J. Smith Field Airport in Beaufort. 

MOREHEAD CITY — With Fourth of July celebrations set for Saturday, Carteret County officials are encouraging residents to stay safe, wear masks in public places and practice social distancing and other precautionary measures due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

HARKERS ISLAND — Shortly after 1 a.m. Thursday, a sailboat captain anchored in Cape Lookout Bight called 911 to report a fire on a former U.S. Coast Guard station dock. Officials are still investigating the cause of the blaze.

BEAUFORT — A Christian ministry that helps those struggling with substance addiction is moving one of its thrift stores into the former Walgreens at 1710 Live Oak St.

BEAUFORT — Despite the novel coronavirus pandemic, the church bell of historic Ann Street United Methodist Church will ring out 13 times Saturday to celebrate the Fourth of July and to honor the American colonies.

BEAUFORT — Town commissioners adopted a fiscal 2020-21 budget Thursday that holds the current 46-cent tax rate, though the board acknowledged it will mean an increase for many property owners.

BEAUFORT — After suffering engine failure, the pilot of a small plane told the News-Times he safely landed the aircraft on Bird Shoal Friday.

MOREHEAD CITY — An advisory against swimming was posted Wednesday at a soundside site in Carteret County, where state recreational water quality officials found bacteria levels in the water that exceed state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality standards.

Editor's note: This article was updated Tuesday, June 23, 2020, with more information. 

BEAUFORT — Though no one spoke during the formal public hearing on Beaufort’s fiscal 2020-21 budget held via Zoom Monday, residents and others still have time to make their voices heard.

BEAUFORT — Ahead of Monday’s 4 p.m. public hearing on the town’s fiscal 2020-21 budget, staff has provided three new tax rate scenarios in addition to the town manager’s proposed 40.68-cent rate.

MOREHEAD CITY — Hundreds of boats took to the waters off Morehead City and Beaufort in a show of support Saturday for President Donald Trump, the same day he later held an indoor campaign rally in Tulsa, Okla.

CARTERET COUNTY — Mayors of four Carteret County towns are among others in the eastern part of the state who signed a letter asking U.S. Senator Thom Tillis, R-N.C., for assistance to address revenue shortfalls resulting from the novel coronavirus pandemic.

BEAUFORT — With the countywide property revaluation showing considerable changes to the tax base, Beaufort property owners face a proposed 40.68-cent ad valorem property tax rate in fiscal year 2020-21.

BEAUFORT — The Carteret County-Beaufort Airport Authority has awarded a contract for the site work for a new fuel farm at Michael J. Smith Field Airport in Beaufort.

BEAUFORT — In a statement Wednesday, the town of Beaufort said an alleged Facebook post from an employee alluding for others arm themselves in the wake of a nearby peaceful protest does not reflect the views of the Beaufort Fire Department or the town.

BEAUFORT — County Fire Marshal Eddie Lewis reported the cause of a fire Sunday at 1300 Ann St. in Beaufort “was determined to be from smoking (cigarette materials).”

BEAUFORT — A moderate-sized group of demonstrators gathered peacefully on the Turner Street bridge Tuesday evening, joining a nationwide movement protesting police brutality against black people.

BEAUFORT — The Beaufort Historic Preservation Commission will review a slew of requests when it gathers electronically Tuesday.

BEAUFORT – Multiple units reported to a structure fire at 1300 Ann St. in Beaufort around 1:10 p.m. Sunday.

BEAUFORT — Those headed to downtown Beaufort to dine, shop and visit this summer will likely avoid paying for parking the remainder of the season.

BEAUFORT — Furthering the organization’s mission of healthy living, the Olde Beaufort Farmers’ Market is providing free masks to the public each Saturday morning and collecting donations for area hunger charities.

BEAUFORT — The Carteret County Board of Commissioners is looking into a potential merger of the county’s water and sewer system with Beaufort’s system.

BEAUFORT — With several major hurricanes over the past few years, Beaufort reports eight new properties are considered “repetitive losses” for flood insurance purposes.