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Ancient awareness: Moon phases and when to plant each crop
Human activities, including the chosen dates for religious holidays, animal behavior and the movements of all the water on the planet are in some way tied to our cyclical views of our nearest celestial neighbor, and so are our planting schedules.
Spotlight
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First document to declare independence celebrated in Halifax
The first official action taken toward Independence by any colony was commemorated this past weekend with numerous dignitaries and more than 300 turning out for “Halifax Resolves Days.”
News Briefs
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Wilmington officials request ideas for new public park
The city of Wilmington is hosting a public engagement on May 2 to gather ideas on the design, amenities, and overall vision for its next public park.
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Carteret to host free disposal of household hazardous items
Carteret County residents will have an opportunity to dispose of small quantities of common household hazardous items for free on Saturday.
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Wildlife officials offer tips to deter, not attract, black bears
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, in partnership with BearWise, has hot tips on how to look for and reduce potential attractants for black bear as they become more active now through the fall.
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For the next two years, plan on lane closures at U.S. 17 bridge
While traffic will continue to flow over the bridge, the preservation project on the 16-year-old structure isn’t expected to be complete until summer 2028.
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Fort Fisher Aquarium set to close for renovation, expansion
The N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher, the state’s southernmost aquarium, is closing May 26 for a major renovation and expansion project, construction of which is expected to take about 30 months.
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Special Coverage

America’s 250th Celebration
This July Fourth, the United States will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Coastal North Carolina sites and residents played an outsized role in the Revolution. Explore their history.
News & Features
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Topsail Islanders amp up calls for hold on new shellfish leases
Densely allocated shellfish leases and the resulting conflicts and complaints have prompted a yearslong pause on new leases in New Hanover County and other nearby waters, and Topsail Island officials say a temporary moratorium on new leases is also needed in Stump Sound in Onslow and Pender counties.
Science
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Scientists record female sperm whales assisting in calf’s birth
A research team was working the summer of 2023 off the coast of Dominica when they made the “impossibly rare” observation of a mother sperm whale giving birth and the newborn assisted by the other whales in taking its first breath, all while recording their underwater vocalizations.
Commentary
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Ancient awareness: Moon phases and when to plant each crop
Human activities, including the chosen dates for religious holidays, animal behavior and the movements of all the water on the planet are in some way tied to our cyclical views of our nearest celestial neighbor, and so are our planting schedules.
Our Coast
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First document to declare independence celebrated in Halifax
The first official action taken toward Independence by any colony was commemorated this past weekend with numerous dignitaries and more than 300 turning out for “Halifax Resolves Days.”
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Ocracoke decoy festival to highlight Eddie O’Neal’s carvings
Lifelong waterman and islander Eddie O’Neal is the featured carver for this year’s Ocracoke Island Waterfowl Festival Friday and Saturday in the Ocracoke School gym.
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Dare’s A250 Faire to honor ‘Liberty, Legacy and Lift-Off’
Dare County’s A250 Committee has planned two celebrations for Saturday in Manteo as part of its commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Featured Photo
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Mr. Blue has eyes for you
A brightly hued eastern bluebird peeks out from a knothole in a tree at the Dare County Arboretum and Teaching Garden in Kill Devil Hills. Male bluebirds tend to draw attention to themselves at their nest cavities in this way to lure potential mates, according to Cornell Lab. Dare County Extension Master Gardener volunteers maintain the arboretum garden at 300 Mustian St. Photo: Kip Tabb






