New Medicaid rules near as state warns of coverage losses

ROCKY MOUNT — The City of Rocky Mount has given City Council a comprehensive financial update covering the city's financial challenges, the corrective actions it has taken over the past year, measurable progress, and its priorities for strengthening its long-term financial position, the city said.

The council meeting originally scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26, has been canceled, according to a city notice. The notice did not give a reason.

The city asks callers to Rocky Mount Energy Resources to listen carefully to the updated menu prompts.

The city posted live streams of the Oct. 12 Committee of the Whole meeting at 5 p.m. and the City Council meeting at 7 p.m.

NASHVILLE — The Nash County Board of Commissioners meets at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, at the Nash County Administration Building, 120 West Washington Street in Nashville. The county has posted the meeting agenda. The board's next meeting is at 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 2, in the same building.

The Nash County Planning Board meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, also at the administration building, with its October agenda posted. The board has a special called meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, and the county has posted that agenda as well.

The Rocky Mount Telegram reports that District 5 voters will settle the only contested race for Nash County commissioner.

In Edgecombe County, the Telegram reports that residents will get to weigh in on a proposed rule opposing the sale of kratom products to people under 21. Edgecombe County holds Our County In Your Community at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at Guy E. Barnes Auditorium, 225 Tarboro St. in Rocky Mount. The Edgecombe Board of Commissioners next meets at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, in the Jon Felton Commissioners Room in the Administration Building.

ROCKY MOUNT — Nash County's solicitation for the Nash County Administration Building closes at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, according to the county's bid page.

The City of Rocky Mount is taking bids for pond and fountain maintenance at City Lake Park, closing at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20; an FY27 utility right-of-way mowing (bush hog) contract, closing at 2:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26; a Three-Year Consolidated Plan for FY 2027-2029, closing at noon Tuesday, Nov. 3; and an FY27 contract for cleaning outdoor restrooms in parks, closing at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, according to the city's bid page.

Edgecombe County has requests out for the Edgecombe County Detention Center, parking lot patching, replacement of its Scale Computing hyperconverge system, and grass cutting, vegetative clearing and debris removal at Kingsboro Business Park. It is also seeking proposals for a HOME-ARP program for affordable rental housing and for executive recruitment services to find a deputy director of social services, and has an upset bid opportunity for county-owned property. Deadlines are listed on the county's bid page.

ROCKY MOUNT — NC 581 remains closed in both directions in Nash County from Main Street to U.S. 264 Alternate for emergency road work that began May 6, 2025, and is scheduled to end March 1, 2027, according to DriveNC.

Shoulders are closed for maintenance on U.S. 64 Bypass westbound near Benvenue Road, on U.S. 64 Bypass eastbound near U.S. 64, and on the ramps from U.S. 64 Bypass East to NC 43 and from NC 43 to NC 43, from 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 19, to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, according to DriveNC.

In Edgecombe County, Cherry Hill Church Road is closed at Howell Road for maintenance until 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23. In Nash County, Sykes Road will be closed in both directions from Valleverde Road to West Castalia Road from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, for construction, according to DriveNC.

St. Andrew Street in Edgecombe County will be closed between East Johnston Street and Phillips Street from 4 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, for a fair or festival, according to DriveNC.

RALEIGH — Wake County Government and the Wake County Public School System are working toward a land exchange meant to make more public land available for affordable housing. The Wake County Board of Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding, the next step toward completing the exchange. WRAL reports that the affordable housing plan near Wake schools cleared its first vote.

The parties have identified a possible exchange of unused land co-owned by the county and the City of Raleigh at the intersection of Battle Bridge and Auburn Knightdale roads in Raleigh, and an office building owned by the Wake County Board of Education. The school system also identified surplus and potential surplus properties it would be willing to transfer to the county for affordable housing, in Cary, Morrisville, Raleigh, Wake Forest and Apex.

The school system does not have authority to build affordable housing on land it owns, but Wake County Government can. Housing built on the exchanged parcels will be open to any income-qualifying household. In a recent WCPSS employee housing survey, 52% of respondents said they could not afford to live in the county, and 38% said they had considered leaving the school system because of housing costs.

"This partnership is an opportunity to put public land to work to address one of our community’s important needs," said Vickie Adamson of the Wake County Board of Commissioners. "By working together, we can make better use of the properties we own and advance our efforts to create more affordable housing for Wake County residents."

County and school staff will complete assessments and appraisals to decide which properties go into an equitable exchange. Details of each exchange will go to the Board of Commissioners and the Board of Education for final approval before any real estate changes hands, likely before the end of fiscal year 2027. Separately, ABC11 reports that the Tryon Station affordable housing community has opened in Garner.

RALEIGH — Early voting for the 2026 General Election began Thursday, Oct. 15, at 18 sites across Wake County. Eligible voters may use any early voting site in the county through Saturday, Oct. 31. Locations, daily hours, bus routes, a site map and live wait times are posted at WakeVotesEarly.com.

"With 18 early voting sites – the most Wake County has ever offered for a midterm General Election – voters have many options to cast their ballot during the 17-day early voting period," said Wake County Board of Elections Director Olivia McCall. The county says wait times have historically been shortest in the first week, with the busiest periods around weekday lunchtime and in the final days.

Voters will be asked to show an acceptable photo ID; those who cannot may still vote by completing a Photo ID Exception Form. People who missed the registration deadline can register and vote the same day at any early voting site by bringing proof of current residence. Same-day registration is not available on Election Day.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20, and completed civilian absentee ballots must reach the Wake County Board of Elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3. Sealed absentee ballots may be returned at an early voting site by the voter, a near relative, a legal guardian or someone assisting a voter with a disability; drop boxes are not allowed under state law. The board can be reached at 919-404-4040 or [email protected].

RALEIGH — County inspectors checked around 155 food stands, food trucks and tents from Monday, Oct. 12, through the fair's opening day, Thursday, Oct. 15. Every vendor had to pass health and safety checks for food temperatures, clean equipment, sanitary booths and hygiene before getting the temporary permit needed to serve at the fair.

"The fair is one of our most cherished traditions, and as it heads into its 174th year, we’re proud to help keep it safe," said Don Mial, chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners. Vendors with permit questions can call the county at 919-664-7700.

According to DriveNC, all lanes are affected by fair traffic on Trinity Road and NC 54 between Blue Ridge and Edwards Mill roads, and on Blue Ridge and Edwards Mill roads between Wade Avenue and NC 54, through 11 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25. Youth Center Drive between Merritt Street and NC 54 is also affected through 11:30 p.m. that day. Separate construction has closed Blue Ridge Road from Pylon Drive to the Hillsborough Street bridge and from NC 54 to Beryl Road, with both scheduled to end March 31, 2027.

CBS 17 reports that the state auditor is examining delays and rising costs on the Blue Ridge Road project, which would help fair traffic. The News & Observer reports that road and sidewalk work near the fairgrounds is not finished. WRAL reports that the death of an NC State graduate struck by a train has drawn attention to safety needs near the fair.

RALEIGH — The U.S. Department of Transportation has made a set of awards to the N.C. Department of Transportation for multi-use trail renovations at William B. Umstead State Park, according to USAspending.gov. The largest is $1,622,938, or about $1.6 million, with others of $169,391, $96,102, $75,372, $20,538 and $15,659. All list a period of performance starting Wednesday, Sept. 23.

The project, part of the 2026 North Carolina Trail Program through the Division of Parks and Recreation, covers about 13.4 miles of heavily used multi-use trail. The award description says aging and depleted gravel surfacing, worn tread and drainage problems have created a need for systemwide renovation.

Several Wake County companies also received federal health research awards in September, according to USAspending.gov. Civatech Oncology got $1,205,017 for a radiation bandage to treat non-melanoma skin cancer. Mucommune LLC got $1,163,587 for a non-hormonal contraceptive ring and $1,006,467 for CAR-T cell work aimed at lupus. Vast Therapeutics got $1,000,000 for an inhaled drug to treat drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae lung infections.

NC State received $1,150,000 for the Southern IPM Center, which coordinates pest management work across the South; $610,000 for the Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank, a food safety program; and $496,174 to monitor an oyster restoration project in Pamlico Sound, according to USAspending.gov.

WILSON — Maintenance work on the interstates around Wilson began Monday, Oct. 19, with the ramp from I-587 Westbound to I-95 Northbound closed in all lanes, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation's DriveNC site. That closure started at 9:50 a.m. and is scheduled to end Thursday, Oct. 22, at 5 a.m.

On I-587 Westbound near mile marker 40, one left lane is closed for maintenance, DriveNC shows. That work started at 8 a.m. Monday, Oct. 19, and is scheduled to run until 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30.

DriveNC also lists shoulder closures at 25 segments in Wilson County. They include spots on I-95 near mile markers 108.5, 119.5, 120.5, 121, 122, 122.5 and 123; on I-587 near mile markers 35 and 37; and on the ramps between I-95 and US 264 Alt. and between I-587 and US 264 Alt.

The shoulder work started at 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 19, and is scheduled to end at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, according to DriveNC.

WILSON — The City of Wilson has six projects out for bids, according to the city and county bid pages this paper checks. Deadlines are posted on the city's own agency page.

Two are stormwater projects in city parks: a rain garden and underground detention at Carolina Street Park, and a rain garden and dry pond at Freeman Park.

The city is also seeking a design-build contractor for a fuel island at its Operations Center, along with construction services for underground distribution and overhead electric distribution and transmission work.

The other two solicitations are an Advanced Metering Infrastructure Pilot and building alterations listed as Cow Barnes St Building Alterations.

WILSON — All lanes of NC 42 remain closed in both directions in Wilson County from Firestone Pkwy. to Whitley Rd. E for construction, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation's DriveNC site.

The closure began Tuesday, Aug. 25, at 7 a.m. and is scheduled to end Monday, Nov. 30, at 4 p.m., DriveNC shows.

GOLDSBORO — QT Corporation, which makes power controls and switchboards for the energy sector, plans to invest $49.2 million and create 188 jobs at a new manufacturing facility in Wayne County, according to an announcement dated Friday, Oct. 9. The plant will be in the Park East Industrial Park in Goldsboro, and construction is expected to begin immediately.

At the new facility the company will manufacture and distribute power control systems and switchboards to customers throughout the United States. QT and its sister company, Epec Solutions, have grown substantially in recent years, driven largely by demand within the renewable energy industry. The company has served the energy industry for more than 30 years.

"Wayne County has been home to our operations, and expanding here was an easy decision," said Jimmy Sauls, president of QT Corporation. "Our new facility at Park East will let us grow our production capacity, bring more of our manufacturing under one roof, and create 188 quality jobs for families in Eastern North Carolina."

Local and state officials welcomed the project, including Joe Daughtery, chairman of the Wayne County Board of Commissioners, state Rep. John R. Bell IV and state Sen. Buck Newton. "Strong infrastructure, a prepared workforce, and collaboration among local, regional, and state partners help make projects like this possible," said County Manager Chip Crumpler.

The company's decision was supported by a partnership that included the N.C. General Assembly, the N.C. Department of Commerce, the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the N.C. Community College System, Duke Energy, North Carolina's Southeast, Wayne County, the City of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College, the Wayne County Development Alliance and the North Carolina Global TransPark Economic Development Region.

GOLDSBORO — Wayne County Commissioner Antonio Williams served on the N.C. Association of County Commissioners' Legislative Goals Committee, which met Oct. 7-8 to help shape the association's plans for state laws over the next two years, the county said. The committee reviewed ideas from six groups covering farming and jobs, county government, health and family services, courts and public safety, schools, and taxes and county money.

One issue is a planned change to the SNAP food help program. Starting Oct. 1, 2027, counties may have to pay part of the cost when some SNAP payments are wrong. County leaders say counties should not pay based on error rates they do not control and are asking state leaders to stop, change or delay the rule.

County leaders also want the state to return the lottery share for public schools to 38%, as first set in state law, and let counties use the money for school technology, safety and buildings. Other ideas would give counties more choice in how they use money from county services, which could help expand water and sewer service, and call for money to fix and build water and sewer systems.

"Serving on this committee ensures that the grassroots concerns from right here in our community get a direct seat at the table when the state sets its legislative priorities," Williams said.

The ideas go to the NCACC Board of Directors later this month. County leaders from across the state will vote on the final plan at the NCACC Legislative Goals Conference in Wake County on Nov. 19-20.

GOLDSBORO — Wayne County will sell property for unpaid taxes at a public auction at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Wayne County Courthouse in Goldsboro. Property goes for cash to the last and highest bidder. The county's notice lists Tract 1 at 302 Grace's Farm Rd. in La Grange.

The opening bid will include all delinquent property taxes and the costs of the auction. The winning bidder must put down a deposit of 5% of the bid or $750, whichever is greater, in cash, certified check or money order at the time of the sale. Upset bids are taken up to 10 days after the sale.

The county says location and parcel size information is an estimate and property is sold "as is, where is." Questions go to the Wayne County Attorney's Office at (919) 705-1713 or (919) 705-1971.

GOLDSBORO — E New Hope Rd is closed in both directions between Ervin Dr and Central Heights Rd for maintenance, with work set to end at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, according to DriveNC. Maintenance has also closed Stoney Hill Rd from US 117 to US 117 through 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23.

On US 70 eastbound, all lanes are closed from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Expressway to W Grantham St and the left lane is closed from US 70 E to the expressway, with both scheduled to end May 15, 2028. Starting at 7 a.m. Monday, Nov. 2, DriveNC lists all lanes closed from US 70 E to N Carolina St and the left lane closed from I-795 southbound to US 117 Bypass South.

From Monday, Oct. 26, through 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, crews will have shoulders closed at 10 spots along the US 70 Bypass and its ramps, including near NC 581, Wayne Memorial Dr and N William St, and on ramps from NC 111. The right lane of US 117 northbound between Country Club Dr and O'Berry Road will be closed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27. Longer closures continue on US 13 between W New Hope Rd and Saulston Rd, scheduled through Oct. 1, 2029, and Davis Mill Rd between Black Creek Rd and Turner Swamp Rd, through Feb. 1, 2027.

Wayne County is taking bids for a detention center parking lot until 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, according to the city and county bid pages. The City of Goldsboro is seeking bids for abatement and demolition of Herman Park Center, state and federal lobbying consultant services, and a golf course pump station system, with deadlines posted on the city's page.

GREENVILLE — Residents of Winterville and Ayden can get discounted Uber rides through a new Pitt Area Transit System pilot program, Pitt County announced Oct. 13. The PATS Rideshare program gives eligible riders a voucher that lowers the out-of-pocket cost of qualifying trips within the participating communities.

The program is supported by the Pitt County Transit Innovation Fund and uses a shared-payment model to help offset the cost of eligible rides. Eligible passengers can receive up to $12 in assistance per qualifying ride, according to the county. The release also says any fare above the $15 covered amount remains the rider's responsibility and recommends reviewing the estimated fare in the Uber app before booking.

"PATS Rideshare is committed to helping people access reliable, affordable transportation that connects them to employment, medical appointments, essential services and opportunities in their communities," said Kevin Wallace, Pitt Area Transit System director. He added: "Paratransit customers should continue to use the traditional transportation model."

Trips must meet eligibility requirements, and Ayden and Winterville residents can activate the voucher one of three ways. Full details, voucher instructions and eligibility rules are posted at PittCountyNC.gov/Rideshare, according to the county.

GREENVILLE — The Pitt County Board of Commissioners meets Monday, Oct. 19, at 6 p.m. at the Pitt County Administrative Offices, 1717 West 5th Street. The county calendar lists the meeting as running until 9 p.m.

The Daily Reflector reports that commissioners are set to hear details on the county's current rules for data centers. The paper has also reported that county officials are weighing financing options for a $47 million administrative building.

The county's Human Relations Commission meets Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 6 p.m. in the Eugene James Auditorium, 1717 W. 5th Street. The Planning Board meeting set for Wednesday, Oct. 21, and the Board of Adjustment meeting set for Tuesday, Oct. 27, have both been canceled, according to the county calendar.

Commissioners meet again Monday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m. at the administrative offices. The Soil & Water Board of Supervisors meets Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 9 a.m. at the Pitt County Agricultural Center, 403 Government Circle.

GREENVILLE — Greenville City Council has approved a juvenile curfew for downtown, according to a city announcement posted Oct. 7. The ordinance applies to juveniles under 18 between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., Thursday through Saturday.

The city has also launched FlashVote, a tool for gathering public opinion to help inform city decisions. The city says taking part takes less than a minute.

GREENVILLE — Pitt County is seeking qualifications from environmental consulting firms to provide services under the county's EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant. The work will support environmental assessments, cleanup planning and redevelopment efforts for eligible brownfield sites throughout the county.

Submissions are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, to Kelly Andrews, director of Pitt County Economic Development, 111 S. Washington Street in Greenville. Andrews can be reached at (252) 902-2078 or [email protected] for questions or a full copy of the request. Late submissions may not be considered, the county says.

Other open solicitations, according to the city and county bid pages: a county request for commissioning and construction testing services closes Thursday, Oct. 22, at 3 p.m.; the city's request for janitorial services at the Greenville Aquatics & Fitness Center closes Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 2 p.m.; and the county's call for sealed proposals from pre-qualified general contractors closes Thursday, Nov. 12, at 3 p.m.

The county calendar lists an opioid settlement letter of intent period opening Monday, Nov. 2, at 8 a.m. and closing Wednesday, Nov. 25, at 5 p.m. The county's Oct. 15 job listing includes openings for a deputy sheriff, a detention officer and a health director.

JACKSONVILLE — The City of Jacksonville will run its fall special yard waste pickup on two Wednesdays this month. Customers whose trash is collected on Monday or Thursday will have yard waste picked up Wednesday, Oct. 21. Customers with Tuesday or Friday trash pickup will have their yard waste collected Wednesday, Oct. 28.

The second date is a correction to the October utility insert, which misprinted the pickup as Nov. 28. The city says the special pickup is Oct. 28, not Nov. 28.

City sanitation customers may set out up to 400 gallons of yard debris at no additional charge, which the city notes is twice the regular limit. Bags over the 400-gallon limit will be collected for the normal fee of $3 per bag.

Residents can also still use the city's one free cord of loose limbs in addition to the special pickup. Questions go to the sanitation division at 938-5337 or JacksonvilleNC.gov/Sanitation.

JACKSONVILLE — The Beirut Memorial Observance will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at the Beirut Memorial at Lejeune Memorial Gardens on Montford Landing Road, according to the city's event calendar. The listing runs until 11:30 a.m.

Ahead of the anniversary, the City of Jacksonville, Beirut Veterans and the Onslow Civic Affairs Committee called on businesses and residents to display yellow ribbons to welcome families and survivors to Jacksonville for the 43rd anniversary of the bombing on Oct. 23, 1983. The Daily News reports that yellow ribbons are honoring Beirut veterans.

Students from Northwoods Park Middle School took part. On Oct. 8 they met with Beirut survivors at Lejeune Memorial Gardens to make ribbons and learn the history of the memorial and the bombing. The students and veterans were scheduled to tie yellow ribbons to each of the 273 trees at the Beirut Memorial Grove on Thursday, Oct. 15.

The grove, at the intersection of US 17, NC 24 and Wilmington Highway across from Camp Geiger, holds 273 Chinese pistache trees representing those who died in Beirut and related incidents. The city planted it as a permanent site after some of the Bradford pear trees first planted along NC 24, Freedom Way, were removed or damaged over time by age and severe weather. Northwoods Park Middle School students helped plant those original trees.

JACKSONVILLE — The Jacksonville City Council holds its regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, in Council Chambers at City Hall, 815 New Bridge Street. The meeting is open to the public and is scheduled to run until 7:30 p.m.

The council will conduct public hearings at that meeting. People who cannot attend may email written comments to the city clerk at [email protected] no later than 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20; those comments go to the council and become part of the meeting record. More information is available from the Planning and Permitting Division at 910-938-5236, Option 2, and questions about special accommodations go to the city clerk at 910 938-5224.

Separately, the city is taking public comment on its draft 2026-2030 ADA Transition Plan, which is available to view online. The plan sets goals and strategies for accessibility in pedestrian facilities, public transportation, city buildings and parks, communication, employee training, emergency services, and planning, design and capital projects.

Comments, recommendations or concerns go by email to the city's ADA coordinator on or before Oct. 30, with "ADA Transition Plan Public Comments" in the subject line. The city says it will review the comments as part of its ongoing review and implementation of the plan.

JACKSONVILLE — The City of Jacksonville is seeking qualifications for a construction manager at risk for the Jacksonville Sports & Events Center, according to the city and county bid pages. The city also has a request for proposals out for Court Street redevelopment.

Other open city solicitations include FY27 fiber installation, a re-bid for traffic signal installation, a revised bid for a second Commons digital sign, a re-bid for mobile home demolition on Branch Drive and part two of a residential rehabilitation at 123 Kitt Drive.

The city is also seeking proposals for financing: one for city vehicles, equipment and software over 59 months and another for city vehicles over 36 months. Onslow County has its own open solicitation, Bid No. IFB 100-27V, with an addendum. Deadlines are posted on each agency's page.

NEW BERN — The Craven County Board of Elections is offering four in-person early voting locations for the November election. Early voting began Thursday, Oct. 15, and runs through Oct. 31.

During early voting, registered voters can vote at any available location. On Election Day, voters must cast ballots at their assigned voting site, according to the county.

Same-day voter registration is available during early voting only. Voters will be asked to show a valid form of photo identification, the county said.

Registered voters may request absentee ballots now. The deadline to request one is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20. Information on early voting, sample ballots, absentee requests and registration is on the Craven County Board of Elections website, according to the county.

NEW BERN — Construction has closed all lanes on parts of SR 1155, the U.S. 70 Westbound Service Road, in Craven County, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation's DriveNC. One closure runs in both directions from Williams Road to the Advanced Auto Parts driveway and another from Williams Road to the DECOY Apparel driveway, both scheduled through Sept. 19, 2027. A third covers the service road from Airport Road to East 70 Fuel Market, scheduled through Sept. 23, 2027.

Lanes are also affected on Williams Road westbound at U.S. 70 Westbound to Old Cherry Point Road, and on Old Cherry Point Road at Williams Road, according to DriveNC.

Several U.S. 70 access points are closed to all lanes, DriveNC shows: the access point from Town Pawn to Mallard Oil Grills & Fireplaces, and westbound access points from Pender Street and from Oak Street to U.S. 70 West, all scheduled through Sept. 23, 2027. Elder Street is closed in both directions from Elder Street to the U.S. 70 Westbound access point through Sept. 25, 2027.

The U.S. 70 Eastbound access point from U.S. 70 East to Brown Drive has been closed to all lanes since June 18 and is scheduled to stay closed until June 18, 2027, according to DriveNC.

MOREHEAD CITY — The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality's Division of Coastal Management announced Oct. 9 that it is pausing its federal consistency review of proposed updates to training activities and operations within the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Range Complex.

Cherry Point requested the pause Oct. 2 to finalize more documentation, including the purpose and need for a proposed 500-foot buffer and the timing and duration of intermittent closures of portions of the Neuse River between Bombing Targets 9 and 11. The state's review will determine whether the proposed project in Carteret and Pamlico counties is consistent with the enforceable policies of North Carolina's Coastal Management Program.

The division held a public hearing Sept. 29 in Morehead City. Seven members of the public attended, and six commented. Written comments were accepted through Oct. 15 and are being collected for release, according to the state.

Once Cherry Point submits its additional information, the division plans to seek further feedback from stakeholders and state resource agencies, particularly on the timing and duration of the closures. It will decide then what additional public engagement opportunities will be offered.

NEW BERN — Craven County posted a regular Board of Commissioners meeting agenda on Friday, Oct. 16. The board's next evening regular meeting is 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, at the Administration Building, 406 Craven St., according to the county calendar.

WCTI reported earlier this month that Craven commissioners were to weigh next steps on a $3.5 million revitalization grant.

In the city, WCTI reports that New Bern aldermen reviewed an infrastructure plan, a feral cat census and a strategic plan.

WCTI also reported that the Craven County Community Foundation awarded nearly $256,000 to 36 organizations.

DURHAM — Duke lost 20-24 to North Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 17, at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium, leaving the Blue Devils at 4-2. Duke had also lost 25-28 at Georgia Tech on Oct. 10. Duke's athletics department described the game as a comeback effort that fell short.

According to the scoring summary, North Carolina scored on a 28-yard field goal by Rece Verhoff, a 5-yard pass from Billy Edwards Jr. to Jordan Shipp and a 4-yard run by Demon June. Duke's points came on a 9-yard fumble recovery by Andrew Pellicciotta, field goals of 22 and 21 yards by Gavin Strange and a 7-yard pass from Walker Eget to Nate Sheppard.

UNC's athletics department credited a touchdown by Jaylen McGill and an interception by Dopson with clinching the game. McGill's score came on a 24-yard run, with Verhoff adding the kick.

Duke plays at Virginia at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, and is scheduled to host Boston College on Oct. 31. North Carolina hosts Syracuse at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at Kenan Stadium.

CALGARY — The Carolina Hurricanes lost 2-3 at the Calgary Flames on Sunday, Oct. 18, at Scotiabank Saddledome, according to the team's official schedule. A day earlier, on Saturday, Oct. 17, Carolina won 3-2 at the Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre.

Before the weekend, the Hurricanes had won 3-2 in overtime at Philadelphia on Oct. 3, 6-4 at Montréal on Oct. 6, 7-2 at home against Vancouver on Oct. 8, 5-2 at Chicago on Oct. 10, 4-1 at Philadelphia on Oct. 11 and 4-2 at home against Washington on Oct. 13. Carolina opened the regular season at Lenovo Center by losing 0-1 in overtime to Florida on Sept. 29 and 2-5 to Washington on Oct. 2.

ABC11 News reports that captain Jordan Staal is expected to miss one to two months with a torn calf muscle.

The Hurricanes play at the Vancouver Canucks at 10 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Rogers Arena.

BIRMINGHAM — East Carolina lost 17-30 at UAB on Thursday, Oct. 15, at Protective Stadium. ECU's athletics department reported that the game went to overtime.

According to the scoring summary, Emory Williams threw touchdown passes of 3 yards to Ray Ray Joseph Jr. and 0 yards to Dawson Quarterman, and Noah Perez kicked a 43-yard field goal for ECU. UAB scored on three Jonah Delange field goals, of 41, 26 and 50 yards; touchdown passes from Ryder Burton of 17 yards to Braylon McReynolds and 6 yards to Roderick Robinson II; and an 80-yard interception return by Delvon Gulley.

The Pirates had beaten Rice 28-12 at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Oct. 10. ECU plays at Memphis at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. The men's basketball team opens with USC Upstate at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, and the women host Charleston Southern at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, both at Minges Coliseum.