[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6509006,"mediaKeyId","5443338-e5320ffe6474e4ef08ae459309e0a519","parentId",5443338,"title","Carteret County commissioners honor retiring District Attorney Scott Thomas and Cape Lookout superintendent Jeff West","audioSeconds",1091,"startMs",417000,"endMs",1508000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5443338-e5320ffe6474e4ef08ae459309e0a519&start=417&end=1508","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5443338-e5320ffe6474e4ef08ae459309e0a519/thumbnail_417000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6509006/Carteret-County/North-Carolina/Carteret-County-commissioners-honor-retiring-District-Attorney-Scott-Thomas-and-Cape-Lookout-superintendent-Jeff-West","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509006-0492d626cbe2daefc200738c4f306318/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178708&Signature=U4Ryiva-x8QvNRdcIe9l7uaHbvOm4AV~IT-q1JeQzamnjTMdk6y-1ZBqkNQe-g5LrQ~9qikpa5n0mnx~L3jK1WR2oiYMD1dmyxC~ge0l6ynjwUsoBgwkYFfTUw9XPfCHx2ysPIbf0MvFSX5ySfJ29qqr7A5wfmvb1Llov482mcw~RYNsIdcGErfD2DItILMzsE5ODAnPSlNGfwv-h4C0PGE28GWledZ84tCQ22t1nSpdyC~g6cI658G8UjtTOQ9RuBsBoNnwVwRdc-aQDzhBqlmJiEF1bmAbiJGzzU-RylP7fL9oArfa1nzy8QAl3zBMAG9Hf74tSUtUCe~udSx6rg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Carteret County","date","2025-07-22T01:26:59.61Z","article","The Carteret County Board of Commissioners recognized two retiring public officials with resolutions and plaques: District Attorney Scott Thomas, who announced he will retire effective Aug. 1, 2025, and Jeff West, outgoing superintendent of Cape Lookout National Seashore.

The board read and presented a resolution honoring Scott Thomas’s more than 28 years in public service, noting his appointment as district attorney in February 2006, five subsequent elected terms and leadership on child‑advocacy centers, substance‑use treatment alternatives and responses to the opioid epidemic. Thomas thanked the board, praised his staff and said Chief Assistant Matt Wareham is seeking appointment to fill the remainder of the term and will file for election.

A second resolution honored Jeff West for roughly 42 years with the National Park Service and for leading Cape Lookout National Seashore since Nov. 12, 2017, including reconstruction after Hurricane Florence and cooperative projects with local partners. West said the award was among the most meaningful of his career and that he plans to remain in the county in retirement and assist where he can.

Commissioner Moore moved to approve both resolutions; Commissioner Walker seconded. The board approved the resolutions by voice vote and presented plaques; several commissioners and community members offered brief remarks of thanks.

Speakers quoted in this article come from the meeting record and include the honorees and commissioners.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Commissioners Meeting - July 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board adopted resolutions and presented plaques recognizing District Attorney Scott Thomas and National Park Service superintendent Jeff West for long public service careers; both made brief remarks.","taxTitle","Carteret County, North Carolina","taxId",58384,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6509010,"Trillium Health Resources outlines services, local programs and tailored‑plan changes to Carteret commissioners",1031,2087000,3118000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5443338-e5320ffe6474e4ef08ae459309e0a519&start=2087&end=3118","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5443338-e5320ffe6474e4ef08ae459309e0a519/thumbnail_2087000.jpg","/articles/6509010/Carteret-County/North-Carolina/Trillium-Health-Resources-outlines-services-local-programs-and-tailoredplan-changes-to-Carteret-commissioners","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509010-703944c95d6ae1e8662886d396379e89/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178708&Signature=ht1p4nd4~KzUCssSF71IMfwRuBP-STS14wUaaexI~fTlfReTiqccYuxH0HaXNo32lFe~VX4BxWV8D5GV6nTKb1F1zB~ofEUixuAICb5s9oCn3kkKwq3F6f8qb30e9blvRhZ3JAk56s-XUPDdAZT-aj7wKoyXjW8vUDCA1n9Rl2G~PNfHQukaq5JckdsS4UrIENpKffvERuQacmiGnC7plj~ZVQILRqgbw7m16nlEg5eJpZ0-Jk1Y0XzkKEcVDKN7csaJ8Egt6k2NLWF7mZCX3g3vjCMMD04fC14M-r2hjlYXiyxvfG6Fbhv28NFLFxWmlcNbfN22hpnvc4xQhGr4eA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Victoria Jackson, regional vice president for Trillium Health Resources, briefed the Carteret County Board of Commissioners on the LME‑MCO’s annual activities and local projects, describing statewide behavioral‑health managed‑care changes and services in the county.

Jackson said Trillium manages services across 46 counties and served 80,019 unique individuals systemwide from July through December 2024; the organization spent more than $802 million on services during that period. Specific to Carteret County, Trillium served 1,834 members in that six‑month window. Jackson explained Trillium’s “tailored plan,” launched July 1, 2024, which integrates management of behavioral health with physical health, pharmacy and non‑emergency medical transportation for people with the state’s most severe behavioral‑health needs.

Jackson and staff described local initiatives: distribution of naloxone and test strips for xylazine and fentanyl in partnership with the health department; a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) resource directory being developed at the request of local advocates; the CHESS Health app (a moderated, evidence‑based recovery support tool available to providers and clients); a small‑business funding pilot to support members seeking self‑employment; and Tula, an assistive‑technology device for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities that monitors vitals and supports independent living.

Jackson named Melissa \"Missy\" Reese as the county’s community liaison and recognized local CFAC (Consumer, Family & Advocacy Committee) representatives Frank Messina and Crystal Foster for advocacy work. She encouraged residents and county staff to use Trillium’s 24/7 crisis line for behavioral‑health emergencies and noted a member services line that operates Monday–Saturday, 7 a.m.–6 p.m. Jackson offered her contact information for local officials and staff to reduce reliance on centralized call centers.

Commissioners asked questions about access, local provider networks and the transition plan for foster‑care specialty services slated for December 1 (statewide foster‑care management by Blue Cross Blue Shield, as identified by state DHHS). Jackson said implementation issues and lessons learned from the tailored‑plan rollout have been recorded and will inform future changes.

Speakers quoted in this article are taken from the presentation and public record.","Trillium Health Resources told the county it served 1,834 local Medicaid members July–December 2024 and highlighted programs including naloxone distribution, a TBI resource directory and the CHESS Health recovery app.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6509015,"Carteret County commissioners deny rezoning request for Laurel Road parcel after widespread public opposition",3142,3147000,6289000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5443338-e5320ffe6474e4ef08ae459309e0a519&start=3147&end=6289","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5443338-e5320ffe6474e4ef08ae459309e0a519/thumbnail_3147000.jpg","/articles/6509015/Carteret-County/North-Carolina/Carteret-County-commissioners-deny-rezoning-request-for-Laurel-Road-parcel-after-widespread-public-opposition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509015-c3b605a8e355b3521c87713c8c9e4118/orig.mp4?Expires=1771178708&Signature=lRV3~rpqXCOB520XabGLpVV6y0kOtrR~Xo2BrTMC8mX449e16AqZQncErWi~EIA0hFXI6~vW0SWXNOWR~Fwc1S5c8SNbzKkatbzGlr~DYfCQLAiNW3YmNxB7AHPqRzfr5puqY913e5wrhrYXGi1VUguxaKj50BBMwCALadWVwuOyLYg9zTKhCU8v2nlONFIaBGKUDf3VzpN2dxJG2kgKN-UJzDRhrcQfU~~BJbUJblNtFpN7zthLW7BAopcJ5g3v7TNrH08RQpRuSKr5WUxMdU8rjRX8EaMewTiBBwpvJdwCGzyLEQLsGf7hm1q4cEQQ7ILHFZqwNIQDWRxs-cViCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Carteret County Board of Commissioners on Monday denied a request to rezone a 15.62‑acre parcel on Laurel Road from R15M (single‑family residential) to B1CC (general business, conditional), after residents, local advocates and several commissioners raised concerns about flooding, runoff and what they called potential “spot zoning.”

The planning department presented the application for property owner Leslie Hawes, represented by applicant Jeff Pilcher. Greg Hartman, interim planning director, said the conditional zoning would have limited uses to mini‑storage buildings, storage for overnight recreational vehicles and campers, a contractor’s office and a boat storage yard; the applicant also agreed to a 20‑foot vegetative buffer around residential districts, double the county minimum. Hartman told the board the planning commission voted 6–0 on June 9 to recommend approval after the applicant reduced proposed storage buildings from 38 to 18 and provided a septic denial letter and soil report.

Opponents—dozens of Laurel Road and North River residents who gathered at the meeting—said the parcel sits in a low‑lying area and that raising building pads would increase runoff onto neighboring properties. Residents submitted a petition opposing the rezoning and described repeated flooding along Laurel and Merriman roads. Trey Rivenbark, who described his work in land management and stormwater, said the parcel sits near six‑foot elevations while properties farther east fall to about four feet or less and that raising several acres for building pads could worsen drainage for downstream neighbors. Kelly Garvey, executive director of Lighthouse Environmental Partners, said community flood‑resilience planning is underway in the area and urged the county to consider that work before changing zoning for the parcel.

Applicant Jeff Pilcher said soil testing showed the site would not support septic systems and that conditional commercial uses appeared the least intrusive option; he also said he agreed to a larger vegetative buffer. Several residents, including Tabby Nance and Juanita George, told commissioners they view the request as spot zoning that would erode the rural, residential character of Laurel Road.

Commissioner Waldrop moved to deny the rezoning; Commissioner Shands seconded the motion. Commissioners cited the danger of spot zoning and incompatibility with surrounding land uses when adopting a statement of inconsistency with the county land‑use plan and with neighboring properties. The board did not place a roll‑call tally in the public record during the voice vote; the motion carried and the rezoning request was denied.

The planning commission’s record, included in the application packet, shows staff recommended approval based on the applicant’s revised plan and the offered conditions. Commissioners who opposed the rezoning said the community’s sustained public comment swayed their votes. The applicant told the board he had not yet purchased the parcel.

Next steps: the denial preserves the property’s R15M zoning. The applicant may revise or withdraw the request; any future rezoning request would require renewed review by planning staff, public notice and another hearing before the planning commission and the board.

Speakers quoted or referenced in this article are drawn from the meeting record and include planning staff, the applicant and public speakers who identified themselves at the podium.","The board voted to deny a conditional rezoning of a 15.62-acre parcel on Laurel Road from R15M to B1CC following extensive public comment citing flooding, runoff and spot‑zoning concerns; the planning commission had recommended approval.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Carteret County commissioners honor retiring District Attorney Scott Thomas and Cape Lookout superintendent Jeff West

Trillium Health Resources outlines services, local programs and tailored‑plan changes to Carteret commissioners

Carteret County commissioners deny rezoning request for Laurel Road parcel after widespread public opposition