North Carolina
North Carolina appeals court upholds Outer Banks bridge plan
A federal appeals courtroom upheld on Thursday the choice by state and U.S. transportation officers to construct a toll bridge connecting North Carolina’s mainland and the northern Outer Banks.
A 3-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court docket of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, agreed with a 2021 trial courtroom ruling that sided with the state Transportation Division, the Federal Freeway Administration and company officers in search of to assemble the Mid-Currituck Bridge.
The proposed 7-mile, $500 million undertaking features a 4.7-mile toll bridge crossing the Currituck Sound between Aydlett and Corolla. Proponents say it could profit Outer Banks residents and vacationers, notably throughout hurricane evacuation. It additionally would ease site visitors on the solely different sound crossing — the Wright Memorial Bridge linking Kitty Hawk and Level Harbor.
Residents’ advocacy and wildlife teams represented by the Southern Environmental Regulation Heart sued in 2019. They argued the companies did not comply with the foundations in making its choice, particularly with the required environmental evaluation.
Writing the unanimous opinion, Circuit Decide Albert Diaz agreed with the choice by U.S. District Decide Louise Flanagan. Diaz wrote the companies did not must file a supplemental environmental impression assertion to the one initially accomplished in 2012 after undertaking funding delays. As an alternative, a press release reevaluation by the companies discovered no vital points.
JUDGE ORDERS MENTAL EVALUATION FOR MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY KILLED A FL LYFT DRIVER
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The plaintiffs argued that sea-level rise and decrease site visitors forecasts for the bridge partly warranted one other deep examination. How the companies examined a “no-build” various to developing the bridge additionally did not violate federal regulation, Diaz wrote.
The Southern Environmental Regulation Heart diminished Thursday’s ruling, saying the 2012 assertion is so outdated that federal rules require further scrutiny. The group mentioned the undertaking value, which it tagged at $602 million, stays unfunded and the undertaking lacks a number of different permits.
“North Carolina has many unmet transportation wants alongside its coast, however the Mid-Currituck Bridge just isn’t certainly one of them.” mentioned Kym Meyer, a Southern Environmental Regulation Heart lawyer who argued the case earlier than the panel in December. “We’ll proceed to work to make sure that North Carolina cash just isn’t wasted on this pricey, unwise undertaking.”
The state Transportation Division did not instantly present a remark Thursday on the ruling. A DOT webpage highlighting the undertaking lists the development begin and completion dates as but to be decided.
The undertaking can be paid for with tolls and different income bonds, state matching funds and federal loans, in accordance with the company.
North Carolina
Thaddeus Dixon Joins in Husky Exodus to North Carolina
In a postseason recruitment that was raw and revealing at times, where decorated cornerback Thaddeus Dixon suggested in social media postings that University of Washington football fans wanted him to come back more than the coaches, apparently received all the assurances he needed at North Carolina.
On Saturday, the senior defensive back from Long Beach, California, told On3 he would join the Tar Heels for his final season of college football, adding to a growing list of one-time UW players and coaches headed to Chapel Hill.
So far, the departing group includes linebacker Khmori House, safety Peyton Waters, wide receiver Jason Robinson Jr., defensive coordinator Steve Belichick and defensive analyst Armond Hawkins, all moving from Montlake to the ACC.
The 6-foot-1, 187-pound Dixon would have given the Huskies three highly accredited corners, joining fellow UW starter Ephesians Prysock and Arizona transfer Tacario Davis, to fill out a secondary that could have had few equals this coming season, and still might.
Dixon reportedly took recruiting visits to Mississippi and North Carolina, and fielded overtures from Michigan, before settling on the Tar Heels.
The disconnect for Dixon appeared to show up when the Huskies landed a portal commitment from the 6-foot-4, 190-pound Davis, a second-team All-Big 12 pick this past season, presumably to take his vacated spot.
The 6-foot-4, 193-pound Prysock and Davis teamed together at Arizona in 2023, with both earning All-Pac-12 honorable-mention accolades.
Dixon originally was supposed to run out of college eligibility when the season ended, hence the Huskies went looking for cornerback help, but the NCAA gave the veteran an extra year when it changed the rules governing players with junior-college backgrounds. He came to the UW from Long Beach Community College.
One of the Huskies’ top individual success stories this past season, Dixon went from a back-up player in 2023 to unseat returning starter Elijah Jackson, who opened all 15 games for the national runner-up team.
Moving into the lineup, Dixon started 12 of 13 games and received All-Big Ten honorable-mention honors for Jedd Fisch’s coaching staff. He had a team-best 10 pass break-ups, an Apple Cup interception and several textbook tackles in the open field. He’s easily made himself into an NFL prospect.
With three accomplished cornerbacks, the Huskies could have picked two starters and put the odd man out at nickelback.
Dixon clearly wasn’t going to go that route at the UW, likely figuring his past performance should have provided him with more cornerback guarantees.
For the latest UW football and basketball news, go to si.com/college/washington
North Carolina
Bill Belichick's girlfriend seemingly shuts down rumors coach will leave North Carolina for NFL
Bill Belichick’s girlfriend on Thursday seemingly shut down any talk of her boyfriend leaving the North Carolina Tar Heels football program for a job in the NFL.
Jordon Hudson responded to rumors that suggested Belichick had one foot out the door when it came to his Tar Heels gig. Belichick had been rumored to be interest in coaching the Dallas Cowboys, but the head coaching job wasn’t open until he had already committed to North Carolina. CBS Sports reported that Belichick didn’t sign his contract with the school.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
She posted a photo on her Instagram showing the two posing with a football and Belichick dressed in Carolina blue.
“Pictured: two people who are overtly committed to @uncfootball,” she wrote as the caption.
Michael Lombardi, who is the general manager of the North Carolina football program, also threw cold water on the rumors of Belichick jumping back to the pros.
EX-NFL COACH JON GRUDEN RIPS STATE OF COLLEGE SPORTS
“Bill is recruiting in DC today, and Baltimore tomorrow. His focus is on North Carolina football, hiring staff members and developing the team. The NFL isnt a option so please stop making it one. Thank you,” he wrote on X in response to the CBS Sports report.
“The reception towards UNC and Coach Belichick has been amazing from every school we visit. We are going to fight to keep North Carolina players here and bring the best to Chapel Hill,” he added.
Belichick was hired as the Tar Heels’ coach in December. He called the job a “dream come true.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“I’ve always wanted to coach in college football,” Belichick said in his introductory press conference. “It just never really worked out. Had some good years in the NFL, so that was OK. But this is really a dream come true.”
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
North Carolina
North Carolina man arrested for pandering – The Tribune
North Carolina man arrested for pandering
Published 2:19 pm Friday, January 17, 2025
Met up with Scioto County juvenile
A North Carolina man is in the Scioto County jail after he traveled by to Scioto County to meet up with a with a minor and then allegedly took videos of them participating in sexual acts.
Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman said in a press release that his office was contacted on Jan. 13 by a female wanting to report a juvenile runaway. A deputy responded and obtained information and the preliminary investigation revealed the juvenile had been in contact with Braceon Madison, 18, of Laurinburg, North Carolina.
Two days later, deputies got information that the runaway juvenile and Madison were seen at Burger King in Wheelersburg. Deputies found them and the juvenile female was taken to the Southern Ohio Medical Center for evaluation. The initial contact with Madison revealed no probable cause for an arrest.
Deputies obtained all the needed information to continue their investigation and released Madison. The investigation was then turned over to detectives.
As this was occurring, the detectives were contacted and advised that the Madison had shown up at the hospital requesting to see the juvenile. Detectives responded to the hospital and observed Madison walking away as they were nearing the hospital and he was detained.
Detectives interviewed the juvenile and her guardians and they learned that Madison and juvenile met through Facebook on Dec. 24, 2024.
The two remained in contact and Madison traveled by bus from North Carolina to Portsmouth.
Upon his arrival, he obtained a ride to Wheelersburg and was snuck into the juvenile’s residence. The two then took off on foot and they located a building on Ohio River Road where they stayed for a few nights before being found.
Thoroughman said the detectives learned through the investigation that Madison had taken videos and pictures on his phone of a juvenile participating in sexual acts.
On Jan. 15, deputies arrested was Madison and charged him with eight counts of second-degree felony pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor and is currently being held in the Scioto County Jail on a $250,000 bond.
Thoroughman stated that this is still an ongoing investigation that will result in more charges being presented to the Scioto County Grand Jury on a later date.
Anyone with information should contact Detective Sergeant Jodi Conkel at 740-351-1091.
-
Technology1 week ago
Meta is highlighting a splintering global approach to online speech
-
Science1 week ago
Metro will offer free rides in L.A. through Sunday due to fires
-
Technology7 days ago
Amazon Prime will shut down its clothing try-on program
-
News1 week ago
Mapping the Damage From the Palisades Fire
-
Technology7 days ago
L’Oréal’s new skincare gadget told me I should try retinol
-
Technology3 days ago
Super Bowl LIX will stream for free on Tubi
-
Business5 days ago
Why TikTok Users Are Downloading ‘Red Note,’ the Chinese App
-
Technology1 day ago
Nintendo omits original Donkey Kong Country Returns team from the remaster’s credits