October on Ocracoke is still nice for swimming and especially for fishing. Photo: C. Leinbach
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Tuesday, Oct. 17: The Hyde County Board of Education will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. to review the latest updates and their decision to remain in Plan C. Anyone interested in participating in the public comment segment should email Basnight at sbasnight@hyde.k12.nc.us to be added to the agenda.
Members of the public will be able to view a simulcast of the meeting on the Hyde County Schools Facebook page.
The Ocracoke Waterways Commission will meet via the Hyde County Public Information Facebook page via live feed at 6 p.m. Agenda:
Public Comment
Aids to Navigation Update – USCG
Status of Big Foot Dredging and Outcome thereof – ACOE/NC Ferry
Status of Ferry Operations – NC Ferry
Long-term South Dock Scenarios/Solutions including Relocation – NC Ferry & Commission
Silver Lake Harbor DRAFT Ordinance review and potential approval for submission to Hyde County Commissioners
Raleigh— All North Carolina teachers and parents are invited to attend a free virtual conference on Wednesday, Oct. 28, to help them navigate technology and remote learning.
The REAL 2.0 (Remote Education & Learning) Conference will include sessions by experts in fields including education, mental health and technology.
The from 11:45 to 7:15 p.m. conference is hosted by the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE), a business-led, education nonprofit housed in the Governor’s Office. It will build upon the initial REAL Conference attended by more than 1,300 educators in August to learn about best practices for remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Teachers, parents and students have adapted to new ways of learning throughout the pandemic, and I admire your resilience, creativity and dedication,” Gov. Roy Cooper said about the conference. “Even as we work to get children back into the classroom safely our schools and families need support for remote learning and this conference is one way we’re providing that help.”
Educators from across the state are serving as content advisers for REAL 2.0. Sessions for parents will be available in both English and Spanish, and all sessions will include closed captioning.
For educators, topics covered will include navigating asynchronous learning; how to teach students effective study habits, time management and daily routines for virtual learning; tips and timesavers in Canvas; ideas for getting students motivated during virtual learning; Google Classroom and Google Meets tips and tricks; resources for struggling students; addressing the needs of exceptional learners in the regular classroom; video creating and editing tips; and much more. Exceptional student needs will be addressed throughout the sessions.
For parents, sessions will include: digital literacy; understanding Canvas and Google Classroom; how to support children with autism during remote learning; the college application and FAFSA process; fostering good mental health for parents and their children; and much more.
To attend the REAL 2.0 Conference, register at ncstudentconnect.com up until Oct. 28. Recordings of the REAL 2.0 Conference will be available at the same link following the conference and educators can also view the recordings from the first REAL Conference at the same link.
REAL 2.0 is the second in a series of four virtual remote learning conferences that will be held through Cooper’s NC Student Connect initiative.
The STEM Connect Conference will be held on Nov. 17, for STEM educators to learn best practices for incorporating STEM into the virtual classroom, and the Cultural Arts LIVE Conference will be held Dec. 15 and 16 for arts and humanities educators and their classes.
Silas Trethewey practices his basketball shots every opportunity he can between studies. Photo: C. Leinbach
By Connie Leinbach
Silas Trethewey is too young to know whether he’ll go into the family business, but he got a taste of it during a recent Zoom workshop with several poet laureates.
Silas, 14, and a ninth-grade student at Ocracoke School, is the son of the late poet and professor Eric Trethewey and Kelley Shinn, an Ocracoke-based writer.
Silas also is the half-brother of Pulitzer Prize winning poet Natasha Trethewey, who was named United States Poet Laureate in 2012 and in 2013, and she is a former Poet Laureate of Mississippi.
Silas participated in the 2020 Literary ChangeMakers Virtual Summit in September, featuring North Carolina Poet Laureate Jaki Shelton Green, a frequent Ocracoke visitor, and Chapel Hill Poet Laureate C.J. Suitt.
Also participating via a pre-recorded video was Joy Harjo, the first Native American Poet Laureate of the United States.
Silas didn’t feel intimidated about being in the presence of poetry luminaries as much as the exercise of sharing his innermost thoughts, a hallmark of poetry.
“I kind of went in there with the expectation of not really saying anything because I was kind of nervous about it,” Silas said. “I went out of my comfort zone a little bit.”
At this point, fiction writing is more up his alley, but he enjoyed the Saturday afternoon workshop more than he realized.
“I enjoyed it, but it’s easier for me to write fiction because you can create a similar story and you still share the same thoughts but you don’t really have to say that what you’re experiencing is true,” he said.
His mom, Kelley, noted that even though the COVID-19 pandemic is preventing people from congregating, the virtual world is a way to experience new things, often free of charge.
“That was one that easily presented itself because it’s Jaki and her affinity for Ocracoke,” Shinn said about the event. “Here’s a chance to get off island right here at home and to be exposed to some pretty cool people.”
Silas and Ocracoke students are navigating the new world of virtual learning just like the rest of the country. While he has only four classes, he has more homework.
One of his classes this semester is gym and Coach Adam Burleson, the school’s athletic director, is finding ways to keep the youngsters moving.
“They do different workouts, or different exercises or activities after each Zoom,” Burleson said during one of his six-mile morning walks around the island. “And they share it with me either in an email or their health activity tracker on their phone. They’re supposed to be traveling at least 10,000 steps a day.”
Now students have to report on what they’ve done.
“They’re way more responsible for their actual learning than they’ve ever been,” he said.
Burleson said the school year so far is going well with the adjustments the staff has had to make.
Adam Burleson, aka ‘Coach B,’ stops to chat about virtual gym class while getting his own exercise in. Photo: C. Leinbach
“We’ve made some adjustments to elementary and middle,” to try to lessen the Zoom time. With high school, because of online classes and the Beaufort Community College classes, we have to follow that traditional model.”
Hyde County schools are following Plan C for instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic, which requires online learning only.
But with the slowing of the virus, Gov. Roy Cooper in September announced that North Carolina elementary school grades Kindergarten through fifth grade may now choose plan A, or in-school learning, for operations as soon as Oct. 5.
“The Hyde County Board of Education stated in making their original decision that we were going to be under Plan C through the end of the first nine weeks, which is in October for all our schools, but that they would review the current data during their regular monthly meetings and make adjustments to that plan when appropriate,” said Steven Basnight, superintendent of Hyde County schools.
When the school board approved Plan C, Hyde had 36 COVID-19 cases, but since then the number has risen to more than 125.
“Just like so many of our teachers, administrators, students, and parents it remains our desire to have all of our students back in their classrooms with their teachers as quickly as possible and in the safest, most welcoming environment possible,” he said.
The Hyde County Board of Education will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. Tuesday to review the latest updates and their decision to remain in Plan C. Anyone interested in participating in the public comment segment should email Basnight at sbasnight@hyde.k12.nc.us to be added to the agenda.
Members of the public will be able to view a simulcast of the meeting on the Hyde County Schools Facebook page.
The remains of a duplex where the fire appears to have originated. Photo by Don Bowers/Island Free Press
From our news services
Dare County Emergency Management has confirmed that four people died in an early Friday morning fire in Buxton that sent two others to the hospital.
Names of the deceased are being withheld, pending notification of their next of kin.
The fire happened in the Cottages at the Cape neighborhood, which was once part of military housing dating back to 1958 for Naval Facility Cape Hatteras.
“Thoughts and prayers are with all who have been impacted by this tragic fire, especially those that lost loved ones,” said Drew Pearson, Dare County Emergency Management Director. “We thank all those that answered the call, from the 911 call takers to each and every first responder, numerous volunteers and the fire investigators for their tireless efforts.”
Crews from Buxton Volunteer Fire Department assisted by Avon, Hatteras and Frisco Volunteer Fire departments responded to reports of visible flames coming from a residence at 46110 Cape Hatteras Lane shortly after 4 a.m. on Friday.
Dare County EMS, the Dare County Sheriff’s Office, Hatteras Island Rescue, Kill Devil Hills Fire Marshal, and the American Red Cross were also on scene to assist.
The fire caused severe damage to neighboring residences on Cape Hatteras Lane.
Investigators from the State Bureau of Investigation, Office of the State Fire Marshal, the Dare County Sheriff’s Office and the Dare County Fire Marshal assisted by Buxton firefighters continue to investigate the cause of the fire.
Updates will be provided by the Dare County Fire Marshal’s office as additional information becomes available.
Screenshot from Brett Barley video from Buxton as the Navy detonated a device found on the beach. Photo courtesy of OBX Today
From our news sources
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Detachment Norfolk from Naval Station Norfolk Friday successfully detonated a WWII-era bomb on the Buxton beach shortly after 12:30 p.m.
The three-person team reported that the concussion, set off by a combination of explosives, made a dull thud and sent up a 60-foot plume of smoke and sand around 12:30 p.m.
The U.S. Navy EOD unit had buried the unexploded 100-pound aerial bomb from the World War II era deep in the beach near the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Beach Access parking area.
Cape Hatteras National Seashore maintenance staff worked to cover the hole. The perimeter was removed and all areas of the beach have reopened.
“Cape Hatteras National Seashore appreciates the significant efforts and expertise provided by U.S. Navy EOD Detachment Norfolk,” said David Hallac, Superintendent, National Parks of Eastern North Carolina. “Their immediate response helped protect visitors and nearby structures.”
The Navy had originally planned to detonate the device Friday morning, but a large fire in Buxton delayed that plan.
View a video of the detonation here, courtesy of OBX Today.
The Island Free Press reported earlier that Hatteras Island resident Michele Quidley was walking her dog near the Old Cape Hatteras Lighthouse site and Buxton Beach Day Use Area when her dog noticed an object high on the shoreline.
Some beach visitors got a little too up close and personal with what turned out to be a still live World War II-era bomb. Photo by Pam Smith Murray photo, courtesy of OBX Today
“When we reached it, I thought it was a log,” she said, “but then I realized it was made out of metal.”
When Quidley got a little closer and saw the unusual tail at the end of the object, (which resembled the end of an ordnance or torpedo), she called the authorities and stayed near the site until they arrived.
“I was worried about just leaving it there, because there are a lot of visitors on the beach, and I didn’t want kids to play with it, or someone to accidentally pick it up and take it home as a souvenir,” she said.
She called the National Park Service, and then reached out to the Dare County Sheriff’s Office dispatch center, noting that John Conner of the Buxton Volunteer Fire Department was the first to arrive at the scene.
This is not the first time a potential unexploded ordnance has washed ashore on Hatteras Island. The Outer Banks played a key role in World War II, as German U-Boats lurked just off the coast, earning the area the nickname of “Torpedo Junction.”
Officials today said that members of the U.S. Coast Guard and their families were involved in an early morning fire in Buxton that injured two people, while four others were still missing Friday evening.
“With great sadness, I have confirmed that the family of one of our active duty members is currently unaccounted for,” said Capt. Matt Baer, Commander of Sector North Carolina. “Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers while we investigate this incident with local authorities.”
Volunteer fire departments from Buxton, Hatteras and Frisco responded shortly after 4 a.m. to the 46000 block of Cape Hatteras Lane after a caller reported that flames were visible at one home.
Dare County EMS was also dispatched to the scene and took two individuals to the Outer Banks Hospital in Nags Head.
A second alarm went out shortly after, and additional units responded to the scene.
Residents in the area state that they were awakened by an explosion at around 5 a.m., followed by some pops, before the fire progressed quickly. Firefighters were at the scene well into Friday afternoon working to extinguish hot spots.
“In addition to the individuals currently unaccounted for, three other Coast Guard members and their families were displaced by the fire,” Baer said. “They are currently in a safe shelter location.”
The fire happened in the Cottages at the Cape neighborhood, a privately owned combination of one single family home and 22 duplexes that offer year-round housing for 15 families and weekly rental of an additional 30 units.
“Members trained in critical incident stress management are currently en route to support those impacted by this tragedy,” Baer said. “We are also working with the Coast Guard Foundation and other organizations to further support our members and families during this difficult time.
“The Coast Guard is a small organization. This tragic incident impacts not only this family, crew and station, but various members, families and units throughout the Coast Guard.”
The Dare County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating.
The residential house fire in Buxton early this morning (Oct. 23). Photo by Edwin S. Grosvenor courtesy of Island Free Press.
From our news sources–updated 9:45 a.m.
A multi-residential fire along Diamond Shoals Drive on Buxton has delayed the detonation today of a WWII era bomb found Thursday on the beach there.
According to a press release from Dare County, four individuals remain unaccounted for and Dare County EMS transported two individuals to the Outer Banks Hospital in Nags Head for care.
Volunteer fire departments from Buxton, Hatteras and Frisco responded shortly after 4 a.m. when a caller reported that flames were visible at the structure.
A second alarm went out shortly after, and additional units responded to the scene. Fire crews remain actively engaged with the response at this time.
The Dare County Fire Marshal will be investigating the cause of the fire. Dare County will issue updates as more information is known.
The Cape Hatteras National Seashore issued a press release that the exploding of the unexploded ordnance (UXO) until later this morning or early afternoon. A specific time has not been set.
A U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit out of Norfolk, Virginia, will do the detonation.
The unit has established a half-mile safety perimeter around the unexploded ordnance, described as a 100-pound aerial bomb from the World War II era, buried in the beach near the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Beach Access parking area.
The Village Thrift is giving away all its stuff again on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 1 to 3 p.m. Photo: C. Leinbach
The giveaway of items at the Village Thrift on Ocracoke will be open for one last day on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m.
The “everything must go” free giveaway was held Monday through Thursday and Felicity Gage, one of the managers, said they will do one last day on Saturday.
“We did get rid of a lot of stuff, but there are a lot of clothes,” Gage said, noting that they found a lot of nice clothes in the upstairs. “Its worth coming in and digging.”
There also are still books, dishes, lamps, clothing and shoes, seasonal decorations (Christmas, Easter and July 4), and general bric-a-brac.
The Ocracoke Youth Center Board, which ran the shop, recently decided to shut it down due to the limitations imposed by the COVID-19 until a future date when a possible new location will be rented.
A live WWII ordnance discovered Thursday on the Buxton beach will be exploded at 9 a.m. Friday. Photo courtesy of NPS
From our news services
Ocracoke Island residents and visitors might hear a loud explosion on Hatteras Island Friday at 9 a.m. as the U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit detonates a live WWII-era bomb that was discovered today on the beach.
The unit out of Norfolk, Virginia, confirmed this afternoon that the object discovered earlier on a Cape Hatteras National Seashore beach in Buxton is a live military ordnance.
The EOD unit established a half-mile safety perimeter around the unexploded ordnance (UXO), described as a 100-pound aerial bomb from the World War II era, deep inside the beach near the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Beach Access parking area.
The unit will detonate the ordnance around 9 a.m.
No damage to nearby structures is expected; however, Buxton residents and visitors may hear the detonation.
The following areas are closed until the EOD unit detonates the UXO and determines that the entire perimeter is safe: Cape Hatteras Light Station grounds and parking area Old Cape Hatteras Lighthouse parking area and beach Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Beach Access and parking area Buxton Beach Access and parking area
Due to the sound the detonation may make during the early morning hours, Dare County plans to send out a mass phone notification warning to all nearby residents and visitors at 8:30 a.m. Friday.
“The discovery of old military devices is not uncommon along the Outer Banks,” National Parks of Eastern North Carolina Superintendent David Hallac said. “Cape Hatteras National Seashore visitors should always be on the lookout for beach hazards, especially during and after periods of rough surf.”
