FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 25, 2026 CRSWMA Employee Helps Bring Moving Tractor-Trailer to Safe Stop on U.S. 70 NEW BERN, N.C. — Coastal Regional Solid Waste Management Authority (CRSWMA) employee Russell Brock took action Thursday to help bring a moving tractor-trailer to a safe stop on U.S. 70 after encountering the vehicle traveling erratically while law enforcement worked to stop it. The tractor was operated by one of CRSWMA’s contracted transportation providers and was pulling a CRSWMA-owned trailer. CRSWMA uses contracted transportation providers to supplement its own drivers in transporting municipal solid waste from its transfer stations to the Tuscarora Landfill. Brock, while driving a CRSWMA tractor-trailer, was traveling east on U.S. 70 toward Newport when he encountered the tractor-trailer weaving across the roadway with multiple Craven County Sheriff’s Office deputies responding to the incident. Brock, who is also a volunteer firefighter with Jasper Township 9 Volunteer Fire Department, received information through firefighter communications that the driver of the tractor-trailer was reportedly unresponsive. He recognized the CRSWMA trailer and the tractor as one operated by a CRSWMA contracted transportation provider and contacted CRSWMA management to report the situation. As the incident continued, Brock, while in communication with law enforcement, moved his vehicle ahead of the tractor-trailer. When he came alongside the vehicle, he observed the driver slumped in the driver’s seat while the tractor-trailer remained in motion. Brock stopped his own vehicle ahead of the tractor-trailer, exited and approached the moving truck. He climbed onto the tractor using the driver’s side mirror and attempted to communicate with the driver. The driver was responsive but appeared disoriented and indicated that he was unable to stop the vehicle. Brock was able to open the cab door, enter the tractor, turn off the ignition and engage the vehicle’s braking system, bringing the tractor-trailer to a stop. During the incident, responding law enforcement officers worked to control traffic behind the tractor-trailer and protect other motorists as efforts were made to safely stop the vehicle. “We are incredibly thankful this incident ended without a more serious outcome,” said Bobby Darden, Executive Director for CRSWMA. “Russell encountered an unpredictable and dangerous situation and took action to help bring the vehicle to a stop. We are proud of his willingness to act when help was needed, and we are equally grateful to the law enforcement officers and emergency responders whose efforts helped protect the traveling public throughout the incident.” CRSWMA plans to formally recognize Brock for his actions once all details of the incident have been confirmed. ###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 25, 2026 CRSWMA Aware of Incident Involving Contracted Transportation Provider NEW BERN, N.C. — The Coastal Regional Solid Waste Management Authority (CRSWMA) is aware of an incident involving a vehicle operated by one of its contracted transportation providers while hauling a CRSWMA trailer. CRSWMA is currently working to gather accurate information regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident and is in communication with the appropriate parties. We are grateful for the response of the law enforcement and emergency personnel who assisted. The safety of our employees, contractors, and the traveling public is extremely important to CRSWMA. Additional information will be provided as appropriate once details of the incident have been confirmed. ###

Calling all volunteers! We are still looking to fill a few spots for our 4th Annual Truck or Treat at the Tuscarora Landfill! For more info, visit bit.ly/TruckorTreat2026Interest or email Somer Peede, Outreach Coordinator, at somer@crswma.com

Calling all volunteers! We are still looking to fill a few spots for our 4th Annual Truck or Treat at the Tuscarora Landfill! For more info, visit bit.ly/TruckorTreat2026Interest or email Somer Peede, Outreach Coordinator, at somer@crswma.com

What is that drone doing at the landfill? It’s not delivering packages. And yes, that really is a very long “straw.” This week, our engineering consultants from LaBella Associates were on site conducting routine gas well inspections. As part of their work, they’re also using specialized drone technology from Sniffer Robotics to collect air samples over the landfill. These surveys give us another tool for monitoring landfill gas and helping ensure our systems are operating as designed and meeting environmental requirements. Modern landfills involve a lot more technology, engineering and environmental monitoring than you might think. We’re always looking for better ways to understand what’s happening at our facility and keep a close eye on the environment around us.

It's that time again! Join us, Twin Rivers Paddle Club, Sound Rivers, and Craven County Clean Sweep, for a river sweep on Saturday, September 19th from 9-12pm. We will put off at the access behind the City of New Bern Parks and Recreation building, located at 1307 Country Club Road, New Bern, NC. Bobby Cahoon Construction has graciously agreed to provide overflow parking, if needed. Thank you to all of our partners! Thanks to Sound Rivers, we have a few kayaks available for volunteers to borrow. PLEASE fill out the sign-up form here https://soundrivers.org/event/craven-county-clean-sweep-river-sweep-3/ so we can prepare for the number of volunteers.

Wishing a very happy back-to-school season for our two summer employees! Conner and Clayton, thank you for all your hard work around the landfill this summer. From weed-eating in 90 degree heat, to learning to work on machines, and working hard to keep the landfill clean and litter-free, you two have upheld a high standard of excellence. We wish you the best in your future endeavors!

🌎 It's World Nature Conservation Day! Today, we put our partnership with the North Carolina Coastal Federation into practice by delivering two full #OysterShellRecycling containers to their North River Preserve. What happens next? The shells are spread out to cure in the sun, then bagged and returned to the water where they become the foundation for new oyster reefs. Those reefs provide habitat for marine life, improve water quality, and help protect our shoreline. One small favor can make a big difference: Please keep trash out of oyster shell recycling bins. Every bottle cap, plastic cup, napkin, and piece of fishing line has to be sorted out by hand before the shells can be used. The photos show just a small sample of what volunteers encounter, and every bit of contamination adds time and effort to the recycling process. Thank you to everyone who recycles their oyster shells correctly and helps us keep this valuable resource out of the landfill. Together, we're giving yesterday's oysters a second life while protecting North Carolina's coast. 🦪 #WorldNatureConservationDay #OysterShellRecycling #RecycleRight #ProtectOurCoast #NorthCarolinaCoast #Conservation

How’s everybody’s garden looking these days? It’s HOT, we haven’t had much rain, but our CoastalGrow Compost helps retain moisture for these long spells without rain! We are eating a tomato sandwiches at the office today. A southern specialty! Drop your pics below ⬇️

Yesterday was one of our favorite days of the year! We were able to award THREE recent high school graduates from Craven County Schools, Pamlico County Schools, and Carteret County with $1,000 scholarships to support their studies in environmental science fields. Congrats to Kristen Drone, Jonah Rose, and Bethany Copeland!