ENC Regional News

A new music park has broken ground in Kinston and will be the centerpiece for the eight county African American Music Trail.  Construction has started at the site, which is located on the corner of South Queen and Springhill streets.  When finished, the music park will feature a 12-foot high by 23-foot wide sculpture documenting famous local musicians such as Maceo and Melvin Parker.  Executive Director of the Kinston Community Council for the Arts Sandy Landis says the park will also have a place where musicians can perform impromptu shows.

In early April, the Ferry Division of the North Carolina Department of Transportation began installing new toll booths at three ferry terminals along the Neuse and Pamlico Rivers. In preparation for new ferry tolls going into effect July 1st, the Ferry Division began installation on Monday along the Bayview-Aurora and Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach ferry routes.  Steve Abbott, Communications Officer for the Ferry Division, says they lowered the cost of the installation by constructing the toll booths themselves.

Following a 6 month break in construction of the Buddy Phillips Bridge, the project is back on track.The 12 million dollar bridge replacement crosses the New River on US 17 business in downtown Jacksonville. The 800 foot, 4-lane bridge replacement was halted because the original contractors, Intercoastal Contracting of Castle Hayne, filed for bankruptcy.  Smith-Rowe LLC is being subcontracted to finish the last leg of work. Project Manager for the Buddy Phillips bridge Thomas Barton says construction started last month.

 Audio FileEast Carolina University has announced a conference alignment for all sports.Edit | Remove

 Audio FileEast Carolina University has announced a conference alignment for all sports.Edit | Remove

INTRO – A Federal Highway Administration grant is expected to deliver big savings to the state’s ferry fleet. George Olsen has more.

 Audio FileA UNC School of Public Health study indicates the spreading of treated municipal sewage sludge may be causing human illness. George Olsen has more.Edit | Remove

The Greenville City Council recently signed legislation endorsing an interstate loop that would aim to make Eastern North Carolina a hot spot for outside developers and manufacturers. 

Fire managers with the U-S Forest Service were alerted to the fire around 9:30 Sunday night located near Highway 24 and Nine Mile Road. As of yesterday evening the 553-acre fire was 60 percent contained. About 20 firefighters with the U-S Forest Service, state Forest Service, volunteer fire departments and other agencies have been working on containing the blaze. No injuries or property damage has been reported. Roads in the forest are open. Fire managers are investigating the fire that they believe was started by humans. I’m George Olsen.

Crews are on site today repairing a water main that caused a 20 foot wide sinkhole in Havelock. Jared Brumbaugh reports.

The incident occurred when a connection between an old water line and a newer pipe gave way around 7 pm last night.  The sudden release of water created a sinkhole  20 feet across and 15 feet deep near the bridge on Pineview Street and Joe’s Branch.  Public Information Coordinator with the city of Havelock Diane Miller says crews were at the site today pumping water from the problem area to initiate the repair.