North Carolina Now; Episode from 1999-06-21

It's Monday, June 21st, tonight moving our state's most famous landmark in North Carolina, now. Hello, I'm Marina Mitre, welcome to North Carolina for this Monday evening. A Monday evening when major international events are either winding down or gearing up in our home state. Remaining golfers and golf enthusiasts have been departing Pinehurst upon yesterday's conclusion of the US Open, which the executive director of the USGA calls an unqualified success. And delegations of athletes from all over the world are arriving in North Carolina for Saturday's start of the 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games. Our program tonight focuses on another major event drawing the nation's attention. This won a bit more subdued but no less compelling than the others.

History is being made on the outer banks after years of controversy. The K-Patterist Lighthouse is slowly making its long-awaited move to safer ground, away from the beach erosion that's threatening the 128-year-old structure. John Arnold reports on the move and the turbulent debate that led up to it. Gray skies and a steady drizzle did not keep curious tourists away from the K-Patterist Lighthouse last week. They watched with anticipation as the tallest lighthouse in the country began its slow retreat from the encroaching sea. Vermont's workers with international chimney corporation have been preparing for this day. Back in March, they moved the keeper's quarters and other buildings surrounding the lighthouse. Then they chipped away the light's granite foundation before lifting it six feet in the air. Now the lighthouse sits on special rollers and is being pushed by hydraulic jacks at a rate of just a couple of inches per minute. Workers hope to have the structure on its new foundation some 2,900 feet away in about four to six weeks.

Right now, I don't know how fast it's going to go. If it's anything like when they jacked it up, it's like watching paint dry. It's very slow. And what takes so long, everybody looks at the average overall. We start going, it'll go pretty fast. Well, for us. It looks like a drag strip down here to be the slowest drag record there is, I think. For those who support this project, it will be a welcome record, especially after the long and arduous battle they fought to make this move a reality. The National Academy of Science first recommended moving the lighthouse more than a decade ago. In the years that followed, the move was endorsed by a research team from North Carolina State University, a number of high ranking political officials, and the National Park Service. The lighthouse was built. They were wise enough to build it 1,600 feet from the ocean, knowing that very islands are mobile and change. And it's now 90 feet. It's been a century, and it's time to do what the builders did.

Put it 1,600 feet from the sea and let another century go by, and then we'll sit here in about 100 years and we'll worry about it again. Federal lawmakers agreed. In 1997, Congress authorized $2 million to begin planning and initial engineering. The project was officially underway, and so was the bitter fight to stop it. If anybody is in doubt on where we stand, we are absolutely opposed to moving the lighthouse. We want to protect it as it is very near. This is the man who led that fight. Hugh Morton, a champion of North Carolina tourism, known for his efforts to preserve other historical landmarks like Grandfather Mountain and the Battleship North Carolina. The Cape Hatteras lighthouse became his number one concern. He wanted to save it as much as anyone, but like others who opposed the move, he said there was a better way to do it. Most people realize that when you're trying to move the tallest brick lighthouse in the world, it's not as simple as some of these other lighthouses that have been moved.

Morton raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and formed the Save the Lighthouse Committee, a group of influential political and business leaders who wanted to keep the lighthouse wherever it stood. The committee feared the lighthouse would collapse and transit. It called instead for a new steel groin to be built perpendicular to the shoreline, which would trap sand and build the beach back up. After months of diligent campaigning, the Save the Lighthouse Committee appeared to be gaining political momentum. But it wasn't enough momentum. Last year, Congress authorized nearly $10 million to move the lighthouse. In January, Derrick County officials and some Hatteras Island residents made a last ditch effort to block the project by filing a lawsuit. But a federal judge refused to stop the move, forcing opponents to concede defeat and allowing lighthouse workers to move pulsing ahead. As work progressed, anticipation grew and grew and grew.

By late May, hundreds of tourists were pouring into the park daily and they were asking a lot of questions. Oh, always. Why are you moving it? And that is because of erosion. Where are you moving it? And that is 2,900 feet southwest. How are you moving it? That question was answered definitively last Thursday, as the lighthouse moved a little more than 10 feet towards its new home. Park Service volunteers estimate that more than 10,000 people visited the park throughout the day for a chance to see history in motion. Park Service holds to have the lighthouse reopen to the public by Memorial Day 2000. And as of noon today, the lighthouse had been moved about 140 feet towards its new home. Well, still a hat on this first day of summer. Look at the history of the Cape Hatteras lighthouse.

But first let's head over to Mitchell Lewis for a statewide news summary. Good evening, Mitch. Thanks, Marina. Good evening, everyone. Topping the news, the State House and Senate are leaving it up to budget negotiators to settle differences and spending packages put forward by the two chambers. Last week, State House and Senate members failed to reach agreement on a $13 billion budget, meaning a compromise package will have to be worked out in committee. One Senate member says her chamber's plan has fewer special provisions and less pork than she's seen in a long time. Other legislators say the similarities among the two plans should make it easier to work out a compromise than in previous years. A group that helped defeat the Wake County school bond issue is now focusing its attention on the UNC system bonds being considered by the General Assembly. North Carolina citizens for a sound economy is calling for a public vote on the university bond issue. The UNC Board of Governors is seeking legislative approval for $4.9 billion to meet construction needs. The university bonds do not need voter approval, but members of North Carolina citizens for a sound economy believe voters should be able to voice their opinions on the issue.

Despite a goal to reduce the amount of trash generated in North Carolina, the volume of waste being thrown out in our state is growing. Officials were hoping to reduce trash in the Tar Heal State by 40% in 2001. Instead, North Carolinians tossed out 6% more trash last year than in previous years. Officials say factors such as economic prosperity, population growth and lower enthusiasm for recycling are all contributing to the increase in waste. One of the most famous symbols of the Special Olympics is making its way to Raleigh. The Special Olympics torch arrived in North Carolina yesterday during a ceremony on the USS Battleship North Carolina in Wilmington. The torch was lighted in Athens, Greece, on May 11th, and was brought overseas in Atlanta. Five torches will be carried through 100 cities across our state before finally arriving in Raleigh on Saturday. And now for a look at tomorrow's weather, highs across the state will range from the mid 70s to low 80s. Most areas can expect partly cloudy skies throughout the day. In business news, another delay is pushing back plans for the opening of a FedEx cargo hub at Piedmont Triad International Airport.

The company had originally scheduled the hub to be completed by 2003. The date was later pushed back to 2004. Company officials now say the opening of the Greensboro facility will likely take place in the year 2005. State revenue officials say stiffer enforcement is necessary if North Carolina is to reap all its entitled to from Internet Commerce transactions. Revenue agents say the state loses up to $155 million a year from uncollected taxes on Internet and catalog sales. The state currently relies on the honor system, leaving it up to buyers to report and pay the appropriate taxes. A House proposal would place a greater demand on consumers by adding a line to state income tax forms to specifically account for Internet purchases. Online sales are expected to reach $11 billion this year and top $84 billion by 2004. North Carolinians don't need to worry about problems with their utilities when January 1st of 2000 hits. According to a report filed with the State Utilities Commission, North Carolina's three major electric companies are ready for the millennium change.

Duke Power, North Carolina Power and Carolina Power in light have spent up to $125 million getting ready for Y2K. None of the companies expect to have any troubles in the new year. The state's latest jobless rate is reporting a slight gain. North Carolina's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate climbed three tenths of 1 percent from 2.8 percent in April up to 3.1 in May. In spite of the rise, the state's unemployment numbers remain less than the national jobless rate of 4.2 percent. The state's increase reflects a decline in total employment of nearly 12,000 jobs. And now for a look at what happened on Wall Street today. If you had chicken pox as a child and are 60 or older,

you're being sought to participate in a major national research study on shingles. Shannon Vickery recently sat down with Dr. Kenneth Schmader of the VA Medical Center to discuss the research. Dr. Kenneth Schmader, thank you so much for joining us. Thank you. To begin with, a lot of people have probably had some experience hearing about shingles at one time or the other, but may not be as familiar with the details of the disease. Can you fill us in on some of those more concrete details of shingles? Sure, shingles is a disease of nerve and skin caused by the reactivation of a virus that caused... It's called ferocelizoster virus, but it's the same virus that causes chicken pox.

We usually pick the virus up when we're young, but it doesn't go away. It stays inside sensory nerves and then comes back years later when our immune system gets weak and reactivates to cause the shingles. Who is typically at risk for getting shingles and why? Well, there are two major groups. One are elderly adults, usually people over the age of 16, 65, because of that waning of their immune system with time. The other major group are patients with suppressed immune systems like people with cancer, as it aids, etc. But the majority of cases of shingles in the United States are in the elderly. At this point in time, once you get shingles, what can be done to help you? That's a great question. What's very important for people to know is if they get shingles, they need to get in their doctor right away, because we do have antiviral medicines that can be effective in reducing the duration of the pain. But they need to get in their body within one, two days at the onset of the rash. But it's important to note, as of right now, there's really nothing out there to prevent shingles. And I know you and your group are looking at a new vaccine that may have some hope for shingles.

Absolutely. You're absolutely right. There is no way to prevent shingles. And in fact, there's no good way to prevent the long-lasting pain, either. So we've been developing a vaccine called the Varicella Zoster Virus vaccine to see if it can boost immunity and hopefully prevent shingles in the elderly. Tell us a little bit about what your study entails. And especially in regards to looking at whether or not this vaccine is truly effective in preventing shingles. Yes. The name of the study is the Shingles Prevention Study. And it's run by the VA Cooperative Trials in conjunction with Merck, who makes the vaccine, and also in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health. And the study is designed to see if the vaccine, which is very similar to the vaccine we use to prevent chickenpox in children, will prevent shingles in the elderly. And basically, we're recruiting folks to either get the vaccine or placebo to see if it will reduce shingles, in particularly shingles pain. Who are you looking for to participate in this study?

That's very simple. Anyone over the age of 60 who has not had shingles? And who would not, besides folks who have not had shingles, anyone else not a good person to get involved in this study? Yes. Mainly people have had shingles before. If you've had shingles, then you're not eligible for the study. It's important to remember this is to prevent shingles. If you've already had it, you've had your boost. How about other diseases? Do they need to worry if they've had, perhaps, anything that may have suppressed their immune system, cancer, any other diseases like that? Absolutely. If someone has problems with their immune system, like cancer, then they would not be eligible for the study. If someone out there is thinking, this is something I'm interested in, and I would like to learn more. What can they expect if they are to call you and find out about the study? What's next? Well, we'd love to hear from them, and it's a very simple study. It's actually quite easy. There's a two-hour visit where we educate them about the study in shingles, and they get a shot, either the vaccine or placebo, and that's basically it. If they get the vaccine, are there any risk involved?

Up to 25% of people can develop some redness or swelling where the injection site is. About 1% can develop a low-grade fever, and around 1% might develop a little rash where the injection site is. So far in our testing the vaccine, and we've had it done in over a thousand older adults, we haven't found any serious adverse effects at all. How many people are you looking for, especially here in North Carolina to be a part of the trials? Well, in North Carolina, we're looking for 1,800 people, and nationally, 37,000. I mean, this is a landmark study to see if we can basically wipe this virus out. What would it mean to have a vaccine for shingles? It would mean the relief of suffering for countless hundreds of thousands of people who are developing the post-ipedic neurology now. It would be a great boom to older adults who have to put up with this painful and miserable condition. And not only that, we know the vaccine prevents chickenpox and children. Well, if this vaccine works in older adults, we'll have basically neutralized this virus in human beings, and that's exciting.

That is exciting. How prevalent is shingles, especially in the older population in America? There are about 850,000 cases of shingles each year in the United States, and most of those are in elderly adults. And perhaps, of that number, maybe 100,000 to 150,000 cases of long-lasting post-ipedic neurology or chronic pain. For someone who is interested in getting involved in the study, how much time are they going to have to devote? Well, really, just a couple of hours of one day to get enrolled in the study. And then we follow up over the phone, so we ask people to call in and a regular interval. If they can't call, we call them over the time. There is a three-year follow-up from the time they're in the study. And finally, Dr. Schmader, what is it specifically that you're going to be looking for to determine for sure that this vaccine works against shingles? The main thing we're looking for is to see if it prevents pain. We really want to make sure that it doesn't, that it prevents pain. We also want to see if it can prevent shingles altogether.

And we're hopeful that it can, because we know it can boost the immune system. We know it's safe. It's easy to use. Now we just got to find out afterwards. Well, it sounds like you are embarking on a very interesting study. And Dr. Schmader, we certainly appreciate you sharing some of this information with us tonight. Sure. Thank you, Miss Vickery. We really appreciate it. And if you are 60 or older and would like to participate in the study, or if you would like additional information, you can call 1-877-274-4645. Well, the K-Patterist lighthouse slowly and carefully inches its way into the future. We'd like to step back for a moment and recount the monument's past. Producer Scott Marsh brings us this retrospective as told by Shannon Vickery. For 130 years, it has stood rooted and immovable through violent storms, earthquakes, fandalism, and the relentless erosion of the coastline it was built to protect.

In this century, it has become an icon, and this states most beloved symbol. Presently, the K-Patterist lighthouse faces what may be its greatest challenge, a controversial attempt to preserve for the 21st century this magnificent artifact of 19th century technology. In March of 1867, two years after the conclusion of the Civil War, Congress appropriated $75,000 to construct a new lighthouse at K-Patterist, replacing an older beacon that had proven woefully inadequate at guiding seafarers around the treacherous waters of diamond shoals. The lighthouse board declared that quality is a much greater object than price, in building such a massive structure. The foreman appointed to the job was Dexter Stetson. Construction began in November of 1868. Dexter Stetson was an engineer working for the lighthouse board, and when he came down, he had a set of plans for what the lighthouse board wanted him to build. Because there were no roads, because there were no railroads in this area,

everything had to come down by ship, and because there's no harbor right here, everything had to come down, go around diamond shoals, go down to Hatter's inlet, and then transferred onto smaller ships that would sail on the backside of the island in the sounds. In several cases, there were ships that were bringing bricks that sank or overturned, and the project was delayed. It was definitely not the easiest place to build a lighthouse. Stetson and a small crew of locals accomplished the monumental task in two years, suffering outbreaks of malaria in near starvation in the process. In the fall of 1870, the lighthouse was crowned with the finest lamp money could buy, and the Hatter's light was heralded as the most imposing and substantial brick lighthouse on this continent, if not the world. Built of granite, brick, mortar, and iron, the lighthouse was not only imposing, but beautiful as well. One of the distinctive features of the Cape Hatter's lighthouse is its base. You've got brick and granite that form a decorative base that you don't see on a lot of other lighthouses,

most other lighthouses that have painted designs start right at the base. Right at ground level, but we've got this decorative base here that really is very distinctive. The granite steps lead you up to a pair of bronze doors where you go inside, which brings you to the marble tile floor. A good deal of what you see inside the lighthouse is iron work. The staircase is made out of iron, the container for the oil for the clockwork mechanism is iron. The rails that carried the clockwork weights are iron. It's either raw iron or cast iron, we have both in this structure. Ascending the cast iron staircase of America's tallest brick lighthouse, one is struck by the ornate beauty of the iron work. The interplay of shadow and light as it filters through the raw iron window frames, and the clockwork elegance of the lens motor, house below the cupola, that is the Hatteris lights crowning glory.

Cast iron, wrought iron and glass, compose a delicate pinnacle, held aloft by a massive iron balustrade. 200 feet above the base, one need only peer over the railing to perceive the danger that has long threatened this historic tower. In 1870, the shoreline was a full 1600 feet from the lighthouse, but the tower's location on low flat sand subjected it to flooding during violent storms. This was but one of the challenges faced by lighthouse keepers and their families. Extreme isolation required the utmost in self-sufficiency. Aside from maintaining the light, the keepers and their wives raised livestock and crops for food. Painted and repaired the keepers quarters as well as the tower, gave academic and religious instruction to the children. And out of necessity, practice medicine in times of sickness. The keeper though, the principal keeper, was probably regarded as an officer would be in the military, rather than as an enlisted man.

So the job of principal keepers at the Hatteris lighthouse was one of respect in the community. Principal keeper, Uneca Jeanette, maintained the light from 1919 until the beacon went dark in 1936. By that time, the sea had encroached to within 100 feet of the lighthouse. The proud brick lighthouse was shuttered and replaced by a black skeletal tower in the nearby town of Bucston. Now dark, the Hatteris lighthouse suffered from neglect. It's precious for now lens was ruthlessly dismantled piece by piece by vandals and thieves. But as time marched forward, the ocean retreated and the lighthouse was reopened by 1950. By now, roads and bridges were bringing tourists by the thousands. And the Cape Hatteris lighthouse became established as the major landmark that it is today. The Cape Hatteris lighthouse has been nominated for landmark status, which is about as high as you can go as a historic site. And so when it gets to a new location, it will become a national historic landmark.

I mean, that puts it up in the category with the statute of liberty. Instantly, the park service has plans to furnish the keeper's house back to the 1920 time period. And that will be the first time that you'll be able to go back to the Hatteris lighthouse and see it as it was. I mean, the park service hopes to put a first-order lens back into the Hatteris lighthouse. And you'll get a chance to see somebody in a lighthouse service uniform. And that, to me, is the way the lighthouse should be presented. It's stepping back in time that way. I think it's not so much that we're losing by going back. But that we're gaining because we're going to get back to like it really was. The Cape Hatteris lighthouse is one of seven lighthouses left standing intact along the North Carolina coast. As our program for tonight, please make plans to be with us throughout this week. A good deal of our focus over the next few days will be on two important labor issues, one facing U.S. airways and the other facing field crest cannon. Also later in the week, we'll bring you the story of a young Charlotte playwright,

whose student play was snobbed in her hometown, but celebrated in New York. Until tomorrow, enjoy your evening. Good night, everyone. .