Home Care In Morehead City, NC

A cold front sweeping through eastern North Carolina is bringing increasing winds and unsettled conditions to the Newport–Morehead City region on Sunday, January 11, 2026, according to the National Weather Service in Newport/Morehead City. While scattered light showers are occurring this morning, the primary concern later today will be strong northwest wind gusts developing behind the front.

Forecasters expect peak wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph across much of eastern North Carolina this afternoon through early evening. Coastal and Outer Banks locations, including Ocracoke, Hatteras, Rodanthe, and Frisco, may see gusts closer to 40 mph, while inland communities such as New Bern, Jacksonville, Kinston, Greenville, and Plymouth can expect gusts generally in the 30–35 mph range.

These gusty winds may make travel difficult at times, especially for high-profile vehicles on exposed roadways and bridges. Boaters should also exercise caution, as rough conditions will develop quickly on the sounds and coastal waters. Loose outdoor items should be secured to prevent them from becoming airborne.

Temperatures will remain well above average ahead of the front, but cooler air will filter in rapidly late today and tonight. Overnight lows are expected to fall into the 20s inland and 30s along the beaches, marking the end of the recent stretch of mild weather.

Winds are forecast to gradually diminish overnight, improving conditions by Monday morning. While no severe weather is anticipated, the combination of gusty winds and falling temperatures makes this a short-duration but impactful weather event for eastern North Carolina.

Residents are encouraged to stay aware of changing conditions, drive cautiously this afternoon, and monitor updates from the National Weather Service as the front moves offshore.

Job seekers interested in working on North Carolina’s coastal waterways are invited to attend a career fair later this month to learn about opportunities with the North Carolina Ferry Division, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation.

The career fair will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the NC Works Big Rock Career Center, located at 3813 Arendell St. in Morehead City. The event is hosted by the Ferry Division in partnership with NC Works.

Officials said the event will focus on recruiting temporary and seasonal employees for the upcoming summer season. Seasonal workers play a key role in ferry operations and are often given first consideration for permanent positions.

The N.C. Ferry System operates eight coastal ferry routes, with jobs available on vessels, at 13 ferry terminals, and at a shipyard in Manns Harbor.

Applications will be accepted at the event for temporary and seasonal positions across all experience levels, ranging from general utility workers to experienced boat captains. Those interested in permanent employment are also encouraged to attend to learn more about open positions and the requirements for obtaining a Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) or a Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC).

Benefits of permanent Ferry Division employment include competitive salaries, year-round full-time work, health insurance, retirement benefits, and paid vacation, holiday, and sick leave.

The Morehead City event is the first of four job fairs planned across eastern North Carolina. Additional fairs are scheduled for Jan. 21 at the Hatteras Ferry Terminal, Jan. 28 at the Southport Ferry Terminal, and Feb. 4 at the Pamlico River Ferry Terminal in Bath.

For a list of current Ferry Division job openings, applicants can visit the state jobs website to create a profile and apply. More information is available by calling 252-370-5573.

Hundreds of social media comments and dozens of messages to News 12. We are looking into the mounting controversy in Morehead City.

It all revolves around a park concept called “Project Grander.” Both Mayor Jerry Jones and council member-mayoral-candidate Lee Stiles have shared multiple posts on social media.

Racking up a string of comments and stirring a heated debate. At the center of it, the idea of a potential waterfront public park.

Stiles suggests in one post that it will be near the area of Big Rock landing, and may involve purchasing property through eminent domain. We wanted to sort through all of the online clutter and find out what is really happening.

Here’s what we know from the Morehead City public information officer Anna Smith.

In February 2025, the city council directed staff to research a proposed economic development project, focused on the downtown waterfront. This includes contract negotiations for a possible public park to combine and expand existing public space.

She did not share the specific location.

Staff shared updates with the council during closed sessions, as permitted by state law, and most recently during subcommittee meetings and a strategic retreat in December, which lasted over 10 hours.

She says four other public spaces could be sold to help pay for the project, if it moves forward. Smith says no official action was taken during the retreat. Any potential vote requires public input and discussion.

She says an update is planned for the Jan. 13th City Council meeting at 5:30 p.m.

This was the full statement given regarding the project:

In February 2025, the Morehead City Council requested City staff provide information related to recent development encroachments upon the working waterfront of downtown Morehead City. Specifically, a private sale of downtown properties that could potentially allow continued private residential development extending well into the downtown restaurant corridor and reduction of existing public water access points. City staff responded with a proposed economic development project, referred to as Project Grander, to include contract negotiations for a potential public park with water access that would combine and expand existing public park space, while maintaining public waterway access downtown.

City Council entered into closed session meetings, that are permitted by North Carolina General Statutes, due to economic development discussions outlined by State Law. Since then, various communications and discussions have been held with parties connected to the proposed area. On Aug., 6, 2025, City Manager notified City Council that the progress of Project Grander had reached its closed session threshold and future discussions should be discussed in public as required by law.

Recently, it was noted that Project Grander was discussed at an open meeting; the Morehead City Council’s Annual Strategic Retreat held on Dec. 18-19, 2025, at the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. This meeting was open to the public and advertised according to state statutes. The meeting was advertised under the Public Notices portion of the City’s website, posted on the bulletin board at City Hall, and shared with the City's Sunshine List.

While the Council was asked for their general consensus on pursing various items, no formal action was taken at this goal setting meeting. At this retreat, City Council was presented with an option to consider four other public spaces throughout the City that could be sold to reduce potential tax burden on citizens and provide a funding option should Project Grander proceed. Similarly, the City's upcoming Parks and Recreation Master Plan is reviewing all public parks and properties for Council consideration.

Since then, there have been occasional progress updates regarding the Project Grander concept to Council during regular public subcommittee meetings, and most recently, at the strategic retreat.

City Council has been vocal about their desire for additional parks and recreation opportunities and efficiencies for our residents, to include protecting our public waterway access points and the threat of private development upon those public spaces. This proposal, which aims at properties along the downtown waterfront, would address potential residential encroachment and those threats specifically upon the working waterfront.

To date, there has been no formal action regarding this proposal and there will not be without public input. Project Grander is anticipated to be discussed at the regular Morehead City Council Meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13. As always, these are open to the public and City residents are encouraged to attend. Meetings are held in Council Chambers, on the second story of City Hall at 1100 Bridges St. For those who are unable to attend, a rebroadcast of the meeting with subtitles will be available online the following evening.

We reviewed the Morehead City Plan 2032.

Under the recommendations section, it was adding 2 or 3 new parks, but all outside the downtown area, and into neighborhoods. There was no mention of a waterfront park in the vision at the time.

Plus, the entire statement from Morehead City officials, and an audio recording from the retreat.

Remember, this is happening in less than 2 months until the mayoral runoff between Jones and Stiles. We plan to be at the city council meeting next week to see if action is taken on the future of this project.

If you have something you want the News 12 Investigates team to look into, call, text, or e-mail us, as we hold the powerful accountable.

MOREHEAD CITY, Carteret County — A proposed waterfront public park known as 'Project Grander' is drawing scrutiny in Morehead City, as newly released audio reveals city leaders discussed using eminent domain and selling existing parks to help pay for the plan.

The project has fueled a heated public debate, particularly on social media, where Mayor Jerry Jones and Council Member-Mayoral Candidate Lee Stiles have shared multiple posts regarding the proposal, prompting dozens of comments both in support and against the idea.

The city council strategic retreat was held on December 18-19 and open to the public. The more than 10 hours of audio from the retreat, along with meeting materials, were released after a News 12 Investigates inquiry.

“Project Grander is no longer closed session,” City Manager Christoper Turner said. “We are looking at the long-term vision of having that location be a tournament-central spot for the city.”

According to Turner, the vision involves creating a waterfront park stretching from South Eighth and Shepard Streets to Evans Street.

“I know some people feel we shouldn’t have gone after it because we knew in advance we weren’t going to get it,” he said. “Those voices are wrong.”

Turner said the area near Big Rock Landing hosts more than 80 special events each year, many of them fishing tournaments.

“It’s more than just Big Rock,” Turner said. “It’s providing waterway access, wharf access and a communal location at tournament central. This is tournament central.”

City officials estimate 'Project Grander' would require more than $4 million to acquire the property. Turner said some landowners are willing to lease property to the city and Big Rock organizers are likely to donate their land.

However, he said the owner of the RedFish Grill property, Lyndia Purifoy, is not willing to sell.

“She is not in favor of selling that property to the city because she feels it is a legacy gift to family members,” Turner said. “I respect and understand that.”

City Attorney Derek Taylor said in the retreat audio that Purifoy’s refusal could lead the city to pursue eminent domain — the government’s authority to acquire private property for public use by paying fair market value without the owner’s consent.

City council directed staff to research possibilities for the project in February 2025.

“Because Ms. Purifoy says no, that’s a fight,” Taylor said. “We’re going to have a fight, and that fight is going to be a taking.”

Taylor estimated the legal process could cost around $200,000 and take several years.

“This is going to be a process to get this last piece of dirt we have to have, which is where RedFish is,” he said. “I figured 200 grand, but it’d probably be a little less.”

To offset potential costs, city leaders also discussed selling four existing city-owned parks including Mitchell Village Park, Piney Park, Snookie Wade Park, Curb Market. Turner described those properties as underutilized and said they do not generate revenue for the city.

“It actually helps the Project Grander effort,” Turner said. “But even if we decide to cease or pause Project Grander, we’re still going to ask you to take a look at some of those parks and recreation properties that are underutilized.”

Although city officials said no formal action was taken during the retreat, Taylor asked council members whether they supported continuing to explore eminent domain for the RedFish Grill property. The vote was 3-2 in favor.

In the audio from the retreat, Turner told council members the loudest critics do not represent the majority of residents.

“It is the voices that are not loud — that do not show up and do not post on Facebook — that I have to listen to,” Turner said. “It is the voices of the 9,000 other than the 100 or 150 who are loud and screaming on social media and don’t show up to a meeting that I have to think — they’re silent for a reason.”

City leaders said any official decision requires public discussion and a formal vote.

An update on 'Project Grander' is scheduled for the Jan. 13 City Council meeting at 5:30 p.m. Morehead City Hall is located at 1100 Bridges Street.

The News 12 Investigates Team reached out to Purifoy’s family and RedFish Grill for comment and had not received a response as of publication.

Statement from Morehead City:

In February 2025, the Morehead City Council requested City staff provide information related to recent development encroachments upon the working waterfront of downtown Morehead City. Specifically, a private sale of downtown properties that could potentially allow continued private residential development extending well into the downtown restaurant corridor and reduction of existing public water access points. City staff responded with a proposed economic development project, referred to as Project Grander, to include contract negotiations for a potential public park with water access that would combine and expand existing public park space, while maintaining public waterway access downtown.

City Council entered into closed session meetings, that are permitted by North Carolina General Statutes, due to economic development discussions outlined by State Law. Since then, various communications and discussions have been held with parties connected to the proposed area. On Aug., 6, 2025, City Manager notified City Council that the progress of Project Grander had reached its closed session threshold and future discussions should be discussed in public as required by law.

Recently, it was noted that Project Grander was discussed at an open meeting; the Morehead City Council’s Annual Strategic Retreat held on Dec. 18-19, 2025, at the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. This meeting was open to the public and advertised according to state statutes. The meeting was advertised under the Public Notices portion of the City’s website, posted on the bulletin board at City Hall, and shared with the City's Sunshine List.

While the Council was asked for their general consensus on pursing various items, no formal action was taken at this goal setting meeting. At this retreat, City Council was presented with an option to consider four other public spaces throughout the City that could be sold to reduce potential tax burden on citizens and provide a funding option should Project Grander proceed. Similarly, the City's upcoming Parks and Recreation Master Plan is reviewing all public parks and properties for Council consideration.

Since then, there have been occasional progress updates regarding the Project Grander concept to Council during regular public subcommittee meetings, and most recently, at the strategic retreat.

City Council has been vocal about their desire for additional parks and recreation opportunities and efficiencies for our residents, to include protecting our public waterway access points and the threat of private development upon those public spaces. This proposal, which aims at properties along the downtown waterfront, would address potential residential encroachment and those threats specifically upon the working waterfront.

To date, there has been no formal action regarding this proposal and there will not be without public input. Project Grander is anticipated to be discussed at the regular Morehead City Council Meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13. As always, these are open to the public and City residents are encouraged to attend. Meetings are held in Council Chambers, on the second story of City Hall at 1100 Bridges St. For those who are unable to attend, a rebroadcast of the meeting with subtitles will be available online the following evening.

If you have something you want the News 12 Investigates Team to look into, you can call, text, or email us as we hold the powerful accountable.

Call/Text: (252) 571-9209

Email: [email protected]

North Carolina’s Crystal Coast wakes up to a crisp but calm Monday as cool air drifts inland from the water. Jackets stay zipped early, and docks feel quiet under clear skies as the first full workweek of 2026 gets underway.

According to the National Weather Service in Morehead City, temperatures start near 40 degrees this morning before rising steadily under sunshine. Highs reach around 60 this afternoon, with light winds turning southerly. Roads remain dry, but early commuters may notice a chilly bite near open water.

Conditions improve quickly through midday. Sunshine dominates, making outdoor errands comfortable by afternoon. Tonight stays mostly clear with lows near the low 40s, keeping frost concerns minimal along the immediate coast.

Tuesday continues the warming trend. Highs climb into the mid-60s with partly sunny skies and a light southwest breeze. That wind picks up slightly during the afternoon, especially near the beaches, though no travel issues are expected.

By Wednesday, January warmth becomes more noticeable. Afternoon temperatures approach the upper 60s, feeling more like early spring than midwinter. Nights stay cool but not cold, helping prevent fog or freeze issues for early drives.

Thursday brings another pleasant day with highs near 67 and plenty of sun. The mild stretch peaks Friday, when temperatures reach around 70 degrees under mostly cloudy skies. A slight uptick in humidity hints at a pattern shift heading into the weekend, with rain chances increasing later.

Meteorologists say this warming trend reflects a broader push of above-average air across the East Coast this week. While winter storms affect northern states, eastern North Carolina stays quiet and mild.

Enjoy the break from winter coats while it lasts. How does the warmer January weather compare to what you’re used to along the coast?

Five Day Weather Outlook for Morehead City, North Carolina

Monday: Sunny and cool early, high near 60°Tuesday: Partly sunny and warmer, high near 65°Wednesday: Partly sunny, mild, high near 67°Thursday: Mostly sunny, comfortable, high near 67°Friday: Mostly cloudy and warm, high near 70°