The North Carolina Coastal Land Trust has announced the successful acquisition of a breathtaking 2,921-acre property in Hyde County.

“This significant achievement, completed on March 28, 2024, marks a momentous step forward in conservation efforts in coastal North Carolina,” stated a news release from the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust.

The property, formerly held by the Glenn R. Currin and Sue A. Currin Revocable Trusts, boasts an impressive 50 miles of waterfront spanning Abel, Spencer and Rose bays. Its diverse ecosystems include pristine coastal marshlands, pond pine woodlands, oak hammocks and a substantial 215-acre waterfowl impoundment, making it a haven for a wide array of wildlife species.

“We are excited to have protected this spectacular property, which serves as a vital habitat for coastal wildlife,” remarked Harrison Marks, executive director of the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust. “We extend our gratitude to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission for their invaluable partnership and to the generous funders whose support made this conservation endeavor possible.”

Recognized by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program as one of the state’s premier areas for biodiversity and wildlife habitat, the property is home to numerous species of waterfowl and shorebirds, including the American black duck and various sandpipers. It may also provide refuge for imperiled wildlife such as the eastern black rail and northern big-eared bat, both federally listed as threatened species.

“Situated within the Swanquarter/Gull Rock Wetlands Significant Natural Heritage Area, its expansive coastal marsh plays a crucial role in protecting inland areas from storms and helps sustain local fisheries that are important for the local economy,” noted the release.

After completing the purchase, the Coastal Land Trust transferred the property to the State of North Carolina to be managed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission as part of the Gull Rock Game Land. “The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is committed to enhancing habitat for native wildlife on this property including management of vegetation and water levels in the 215-acre wetland impoundment,” stated Ben Solomon, assistant chief and land acquisition manager of the Wildlife Resources Commission. “We look forward to opening it for public hunting opportunities in the future.”

The acquisition of this property was made possible through the support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, N.C. Land and Water Fund, Fred and Alice Stanback, and the Eddie and Jo Allison Smith Family Foundation, Inc.

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• Sullivan’s contract is up when National Women’s Soccer League season ends
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By Kathryn Batte

Published: 12:44 BST, 8 May 2024 | Updated: 12:44 BST, 8 May 2024

Manchester United are leading the race to sign Republic of Ireland international Denise O’Sullivan from North Carolina Courage.

The midfielder is out of contract when the National Women’s Soccer League season ends in November and would be available on a free transfer in January.

But Mail Sport understands United are expected to make a bid for O’Sullivan this summer.

The 30-year-old, who is a lifelong United fan, has previously been offered a new contract by her current club but it is thought she is open to the move.

Mail Sport reported in December that multiple clubs across Europe were interested in O’Sullivan ahead of her contract expiring this year.

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Manchester United are leading the race to sign Denise O’Sullivan from North Carolina Courage

The midfielder is out of contract in November but the Red Devils will make a bid this summer

O’Sullivan has over 100 caps for the Republic of Ireland and would add some experience to United’s midfield.

During her time at the Courage, she has won two NWSL Championships, two Challenge Cups and three NWSL Shields.

O’Sullivan has previously played in the WSL, having joined Brighton on loan in 2020.

The move came about in order for her to be available for Ireland’s rescheduled Euro 2022 qualifiers, as travelling back and forth from the US would have forced her to undergo three separate two-week periods of quarantine within nine weeks.

O’Sullivan started her career with local Irish side Wilton United before spells with Peamount United and Cork City.

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She enjoyed three successful years with Glasgow City between 2013 and 2016 before making the move across the pond to join Houston Dash.

In 2017, she made the switch to the Courage but has had loan spells with Canberra United and Western Sydney Wanderers.

OXFORD, Ala. (WBRC) – Oxford police say they arrested a man accused of abducting a 16-year-old girl from North Carolina. Investigators say the man and the teen are second cousins and knew one another.

On Friday, May 3, the Oxford Police Department were notified by the sheriff’s office in North Carolina about a 33-year-old man named Richard Maybach, who had potentially abducted a 16-year-old girl from the area.

“The information we received again from Cabarrus County was that they were traveling in a rented white BMW SUV, they had a Nevada tag which officers were able to locate,” says Sgt. Butler.

While on patrol, Oxford investigators say Maybach vehicle was spotted at a local motel on South Quintard Avenue in the Oxford area.

“Officers were able to make contact with Mr. Maybach at a motel here in town, the Rodeway Inn. They were able to take him into custody and also secure the girl who was in good condition,” says Sgt. Butler.

Helping agencies in the North Carolina area, Sgt. Butler says law enforcement work together as part of a team, and that team stretches across the country.

“For law enforcement agencies to communicate with each other is vital for us to be successful in our rolls and our responsibilities in law enforcement by using different technologies and ways to communicate with one another, and be able to recover a missing juvenile potentially abducted from another state,” says Sgt. Butler.

Oxford investigators say the girl was sent to Children’s Hospital in Birmingham for evaluation and later picked up by her parents. Richard Maybach is waiting to be extradited back to North Carolina.

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