Injunction Filed to Stop Construction

Feb 22, 1999 Cheryl Roberts UPDATE HATTERAS ISLAND, NC Photo courtesy Bruce Roberts

An injunction to stop work at the construction site at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse was filed in U.S. Federal District Court in Greenville, NC by the Dare County Commissioners along with three private property owners. No date has been set by Judge Terrence Boyle for the hearing.

Updates will be posted as more information becomes available. Meanwhile, the move is continuing well!

Workers have begun coring and mining some of the foundation stone. The picture of the steel beams by the lighthouse shows the beams that will become the steel mat laid on top of the original 1870 wood timber mat to help spread the load of the lighthouse evenly. Movers will dig down approximately six feet and as stone is removed and temporary shoring support is put in its place, these steel beams will be inserted as space opens up. They are welded together to make a uniform mat upon which other parts of the support/lift system will be installed.

To complete this phase of the move takes a great deal of time. Movers work slowly and carefully each step of the way.

Sign Up for Lighthouse Society Announcements
Feb 1, 1999
Staff Report

The Outer Banks Lighthouse Society will update the progress of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse move throughout the Spring ... sign up to receive e-mail updates.

Canine Hope Provides Animal Rescue

Feb 14, 1999
Staff Report
KITTY HAWK, NC

Canine Hope Animal Rescue, Inc. , founded in 1996 by Jim and Kathy Tredway of Southern Shores, North Carolina, is an organization dedicated to providing medical care and finding good homes for dogs and cats with an emphasis on dogs.

Canine Hope has helped find homes for over 170 dogs and cats. Most of these animals were taken in as unclaimed strays or received from owners who could no longer keep them; some were obtained from animal shelters. Dogs taken in by Canine Hope are boarded at local animal hospitals where they receive rabies and other shots, are bathed, spayed or neutered, tested for heartworms (and treated if necessary), and are treated for any medical problems which exist. Volunteers walk and visit with these dogs daily except Sundays.

Lighthouse Foundation Cut Begins
Feb 15, 1999
Cheryl Roberts
UPDATE
HATTERAS ISLAND, NC

As of February 12 the diamond cable saw was put to work to begin the foundation cut. This is the first step to free the tower from its endangered perch in preparation to move it back from the encroaching sea.

Photo courtesy The National Park Service

New Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society Drive
Feb 1, 1999
Staff Report
MANTEO, NC

The Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society has announced a fund raising drive to build a new Visitor's Center / Administrative Complex in Manteo. Memberships in the Society and donations are used to benefit Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge and a host of other programs and activities throughout Northeastern North Carolina as well as fund the construction of the new Center. Contributions may be made on line at the Coastal Wildlife Refuge Society site or by mail:

Photo courtesy Bruce Roberts

The double keepers quarters are showing considerable progress toward readiness for relocation. Movers encountered asbestos last week and due to environmental compliance, the move of this dwelling will be delayed a few more days.

Note the dewatering pipes to the left of the picture.

The new site is an area of 3.1 acres surrounded by natural growth. The light of the lighthouse will gain an advantage at a new height to put the beacon out across Diamond Shoals. A Notice to Mariners for light-out will be issued for March 1st.

The lighthouse will be reopened for full visitation Memorial Day next year. Meanwhile, history is in the making.

For those of you planning to attend the great event while it is in progress, you should be able to see the height of activity between the last half of April and first week of June.

One of the photos shows you the machinery that powers the diamond cable saw (above) that goes around the lighthouse and a second image (below) shows you the first cut that was accomplished at 8:22 AM on February 13, 1999.

Photo courtesy The National Park Service

Preparation of the keepers' quarters continues and both houses are scheduled to be moved within the next two weeks.

Animal Rescue Service ...

Canine Hope helps owners locate missing dogs and helps pay for medical care and treatment for injured or sick dogs and cats where owners need assistance. (This has including spaying and neutering). Canine Hope has helped over 110 dogs and cats in this regard.

Canine Hope also works closely with, and supports the other good work done by, the Dare County Animal Shelter / Outer Banks S.P.C.A. We help with some of the newspaper ads for dogs at the Shelter who are up for adoption.

It is an all volunteer, tax exempt, charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and receives no public funds.

The internet site located at http://northeast-nc.com/caninehope/ provides information about dogs and cats currently available for adoption and contact information. The internet site is provided as a public service by RAI, and is kept current by volunteers as animals become available or find homes.

You can visit Canine Hope on their internet site at http://www.northeast-nc.com/caninehope.