Newspapers / The Chowan Herald (Edenton, … / July 22, 2015, edition 1 / Page 1
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/ mn|8*i M * CAR RT L0T**C 002 *om fnfPHERD pruden library 106 W WATER ST EDENTONNC 27932-1854 ,/f-n 482-4418 Wednesday, July 22, 201 5 6AMES START AT 7PMI AT HISTORIC HICKS FIELD NEXT HOME GAMES July 23 Petersburg Generals - Bertie County Night I July 25 Wilmigton Sharks - Daily Advance Night July 28 Holly Springs - ALS /Jim"Catfish” Hunter Foundations Night I July 30 Peninsula Pilots - Vidant Hospital Night I August 2 Petersburg Generals - Sunday Funday Open Door Church Night Call 482-4080 fW M®r» MoMntiM IWWW.EWtfTONSTEAMERS.COM Archaeologists’ toils shrouded in mystery ■ Speculation abounds research connected to ‘Lost Colony’ settlers From staff reports Reports of archaeological crews being hard at work on a rural site in Chowan County have fueled speculation that the research could be related to a decades-old find of a stone pur porting to describe the untimely death of “Lost Colony” child Vir ginia Dare and her father. The research at this time is shrouded in mystery. A local landowner, who spoke on condition of anonymity, con firmed that archaeologists were working at a site on his land. But the landowner said he knew very little about the nature of the research t.Tie archaeologists were conducting. But speculation has been widespread in recent weeks that the archaeological work is focused on pursuit of a lead related to the fate of the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island. In recent years there has been extensive research into the ex istence of European settlement very early on the southwest side of the Chowan River and Albe marle Sound, in the vicinity of Scotch Hall Preserve. That research has led some to postulate that a remnant of the Lost Colony settlers might have lived for a time at that site in Bertie County. Tile connection to Chowan County is based mainly on the discovery in the 1930s of a stone along the eastern shore of the Chowan River near Edenton that purported to describe the death Virginia Dare, her father, Ananias Dare, and more than a dozen other settlers. The stone, which was never fully authenticated but also was never discredited in any of the many scientific tests applied to it by researchers from Georgia’s Emory University, claims that the remains of Virginia Dare and her father were buried four miles east of the river. County closes on sale of historic hotel BY REGGIE PONDER Editor After nearly two years of negotiating the deal. Chow an County has sold its for mer office building on East King Street - and the new owner plans to return the structure to its historic use as a hotel. The sale closed on the afternoon of July 14. Pres ervation North Carolina acquired the property from the county and then resold it immediately to SAGA Construction and Develop ment.. That process allowed for the establishment of historic preservation cov enants that will protect the historic integrity of the building, which previously was known as the Hotel Hinton. County Manager Kevin Howard explained that the comity's goal was to get the building into private hands and to maintain its historic character. County officials arc re lieved that the process is over, according to Howard. Chowan Boiud of Com missioners Chainnan Jeff Smith agreed, “It’s been a long time in the mtiking but we're glad to see thi' project progressing along like it is,” Smith slid. Smith s;ud he believed SAGA’s hotel project would lie excellent for tourism and would lead to a wonderful revitalization of the entire downtown area. Although nothing has been decided for certain, discussions among county commissioners so far has indicated the plan is to have the proceeds from the sale of the building set aside for capital projects. Smith said the goal that county officials had from tiie beginning was exactly what has now happened: To get the building into the private sector and have it lieeome a taxpaying entity. See CLOSES, 4A MORE ON HOTEL INSIDE ■ Biz: Hotel project to cause parking woes - 2A ■ Developer eyes November 2016 opening - 2A ■ Project may honor founding father - 2A STAFF PHOTO BY REGGIE PONDER As Chowan County Manager Kevin Howard (left) watches, Board of Commissioners Chairman Jeff Smith (right) signs documents closing the sale of the former county office building on East King Street — also known as the historic Hotel Hinton building. The county sold the structure to Preservation North Carolina, which in turn sold it to Dare County-based SAGA Construction and Development. Building sale sparks excitement among officials BY REBECCA BUNCH Staff Writer The closing on the Hotel Hinton — nearly two yetirs in the making — has left officials excited about the potential impact of the project on the town’s finances, jobs, tourism and accommoda tion choices. “This will truly be a transformational project, not only for Edenton, but for all of northeastern North Carolina," said state Rep. Bob Steinburg, R-Chowan, an Edenton resident. Mayor Roland Vaughan said he was “thrilled” about the sale and thought it was just the start of good things to come. “1 firmly believe that it will become the cor nerstone of future tourism growth and a busi ness retre;it destination that will benefit our community in many ways,” he said. Vaughan said he had met with the proposed management team for the hotel and had come away impressed. “Their level of expertise and experience was very reassuring,” he said. “1 believe that this fa cility will noticeably enhance Edenton for many years to come, not to mention the job opportu nities and expansion of the tax base that will also occur.” Jennifer Harriss, executive director of Desti nation Downtown Edenton — the town's Main Str eet program — said she agreed with the may or that the impact of the hotel’s presence in the downtown area would be significant. “The hotel will be a game changer for our downtown efforts," she said. “This $15 million project will provide a major boost to our local economy by adding jobs, visitors and tax rev enue.” Harriss added that SAGA has a team of na tionally known architects, engineers, design ers, contract ois and management all working toward a common goal — a hotel that will be come a destination for travelers in and of itself. “This is an important step toward our long term vision for downtown Edenton and an eco nomically robust local economy," she said. See BUILDING, 4A Green algae in local waters not a threat, official says From staff reports While algae spotted in the waterways around Chowan County may be un sightly they are not a cause for concent, according to area Extension Agent Steve Gabel, whose focus is aqua culture. Gabel said the sightings simply mean conditions are favorable for this particular type of blue-green algae that feeds on nitrogen in water ways. When the available nitrogen is used up, Gabel 0 ©2009 The Chowan Herald All Rights Reserved said, this particular type of algae would disappear. Fish kills can also result when algae growth blocks sunlight, (label said. 'typi caily the greatest impact in that situation would lx* on larger fish, while toxins in the water would have a larger effect on smaller spe cies. Gabel said those swim ming in affected areas should exercise caution. Prolonged exposure could cause pneumonia-like symptoms or gastrointesti nal distress. For boaters, he said, the algae would be more of a nuisance th.ui a danger — they’d need to make sure they gave their boats a go<xi wasliing after using them. PHOTO BY MARJIE ANNE HOLLOWELL Clumps of green algae are seen floating in the river near Water Street in Edenton, Monday. BIG ENOUGH TO SERVE YOU... small enough to know you... PI miMT’C MIITIIAI nPlir 323 S- Broad St#p0 Box 209 #Edent°n.NC 27932-0209 *(252)482-2127 DLUUIl I O ITlU I UHL UllUU JG- (J>m) Blount, Sr., R.PH Jenny Blount Williams, Pharm.D. M. Nelson Spear, Pharm. D. _ ___ii '*
The Chowan Herald (Edenton, N.C.)
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July 22, 2015, edition 1
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