The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star, Norfolk, VA

From the Mainland...[Derived Headline]

from the mainland to the Currituck coast of northeastern North Carolina, 2007 was a year of change, controversy and optimism.

Fishing On the Outer Banks Damon Tatem

FISHING WAS SLOW along the Outer Banks on Wednesday because of the weather. Strong southeast winds overnight produced rough seas from Corolla to Cape Point. Additionally, sporadic showers convinced most anglers to stay home. An occasional striper was beached in the surf from Corolla to Pea Island, but conditions during most of the day Wednesday kept action to a minimum.

Locals Oppose Navy Airfield

THE NAVY SET OFF a flurry of protests and rallies in September after proposing at least six new North Carolina sites for a jet airfield, including two each in Camden and Gates counties. In the following weeks, hundreds turned out at hearings to speak against locating an outlying landing field near their homes. Seven northeastern counties - Camden, Currituck, Hertford, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Gates and Chowan - have passed resolutions opposing the project.

Boater, 68, Found Dead in East Lake Marsh

The Virginian-Pilot EAST LAKE

Officials Preparing for Drought to Get Worse

By Mike Baker The Associated Press

Quick-Moving Fire Destroys Family Home

By Kristin Davis The Virginian-Pilot

Festival Park Hosts Holiday Fare

DARE COUNTY | Bring the family and celebrate the fifth day of Christmas from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at Roanoke Island Festival Park. The Dudley family of the Guild of St. Andrew from Raleigh will entertain with music and storytelling. Visitors can sample holiday fare, see the performance of "Pants & Poise" and participate in crafts, including candle dipping.

On Feb. 2, Two Animal-Rights Workers Were Found Guilty of Littering...[Derived Headline]

WINTON | On Feb. 2, two animal-rights workers were found guilty of littering, following a 10-day trial in Hertford County. The workers, Adria Hinkle and Andrew Cook, were working for the Norfolk-based organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals when they were arrested in June 2005 after they were seen dumping euthanized animals into an Ahoskie shopping center trash bin.

On Jan. 21, Wal-Mart Closed Its Doors Permanently in Anticipation...[Derived Headline]

ELIZABETH CITY | On Jan. 21, Wal-Mart closed its doors permanently in anticipation of the new Wal-Mart Supercenter opening the next day. Since it was announced in 2004, the Supercenter and other businesses in the Shoppes at Tanglewood shone like a bright beacon to drivers on the otherwise dark U.S. 17 bypass, which cuts through farmland outside Elizabeth City.

In January, State Rep. Howard Hunter Jr. And State Sen. Robert Lee Holloman...[Derived Headline]

In January, state Rep. Howard Hunter Jr. and state Sen. Robert Lee Holloman, both Democrats from Ahoskie, died within a day of each other. Hunter, 60, died at home Jan. 7 of a chronic illness. The following morning, Holloman, 53, died at home after a brief, unspecified illness.

In August, North Carolina Lawmakers Outlawed a Giant Landfill Expected to Earn...[Derived Headline]

In August, North Carolina lawmakers outlawed a giant landfill expected to earn as much as $4 million annually for tax-poor Camden County. On Dec. 3, Waste Industries USA filed suit against the state, saying the new law stopped a project begun in 2002 that had cost more than $13 million so far.

In April, Camden County Commissioners Ended a 3 1/2 -Year Moratorium...[Derived Headline]

In April, Camden County commissioners ended a 3 1/2 -year moratorium on new subdivisions that was enacted after a historic surge of residential growth. Shortly after the moratorium was lifted, the surge resumed with plans immediately submitted for five subdivisions that totaled 2,575 units. Since then, two developments have been pulled from the process.