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COA Small Business Center announces free March seminars and workshops

March 14, 2025 | Business Briefs

College of The Albemarle’s Small Business Center is pleased to announce a series of free seminars and workshops this month designed to support small business owners, entrepreneurs, and individuals interested in growing their businesses. Google Tools for Business Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025, 2-3:30 p.m. – Webinar In this session, we explore free and low-cost Google [...] Business Briefs |  Full Article

Waterways Commission voices concern about Rodanthe-Stumpy Point em ...

March 13, 2025 | Local News | By: Catherine Kozak

With a number of Hatteras Inlet projects either cued up or awaiting final permits, the Dare County Waterways Commission on Monday quickly dispensed of its business at a briefer-than-usual meeting at the Dare County administrative building in Manteo. Still, with the June 1 start of the Atlantic hurricane season looming, the panel expressed its uneasiness [...] Local News |  Full Article

NC State’s legendary Sport Fishing School is landing on Hatteras ...

March 12, 2025 | Fishing

 NC State Continuing and Lifelong Education is set to launch the 71st annual Sport Fishing School this June in Hatteras, North Carolina, continuing a transformative educational tradition that spans over seven decades. This immersive five-day program offers participants a comprehensive journey into sport fishing, blending classroom instruction with hands-on training. The program’s unique curriculum combines two days [...] Fishing |  Full Article

Voluntary slow zone in place off Outer Banks after more North Atla ...

March 12, 2025 | Fishing | By: Sam Walker

From SamWalkerOBXNews.com NOAA Fisheries has announced a voluntary slow zone has been implemented off the Outer Banks after endangered North Atlantic right whales were spotted offshore on Sunday. There are approximately 360 individual North Atlantic right whales remaining, including fewer than 70 reproductively active females. Vessel strikes are considered the primary threat to the whales [...] Fishing |  Full Article

Dare County to host household hazardous waste collection May 8-10

March 14, 2025 | Local News | By: Joy Crist

The Dare County Public Works Department will host a three-day household hazardous waste collection event in three separate locations from Thursday, May 8, 2025 through Saturday, May 10, 2025. During this free event, Dare County residents and property owners can drop off a variety of hazardous materials—including motor oil in spill-proof containers, along with paints, polishes, varnishes, fluorescent lightbulbs, [...] Local News |  Full Article

Waterways Commission voices concern about Rodanthe-Stumpy Point em ...

March 13, 2025 | Local News | By: Catherine Kozak

With a number of Hatteras Inlet projects either cued up or awaiting final permits, the Dare County Waterways Commission on Monday quickly dispensed of its business at a briefer-than-usual meeting at the Dare County administrative building in Manteo. Still, with the June 1 start of the Atlantic hurricane season looming, the panel expressed its uneasiness [...] Local News |  Full Article

Contract approved for next phase of Dare County Parks and Recreati ...

March 12, 2025 | Local News | By: Sam Walker

From SamWalkerOBXNews.com The Dare County Board of Commissioners have approved a proposal and contract with McGill Associates—the firm tasked with developing and implementing plans to improve Dare County Parks and Recreation facilities throughout the county—for the second phase of the recently completed Dare County Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment Plan. Nearly 10% of the county’s population [...] Local News |  Full Article

Ocracoke-mainland ferry operations suspended on Tuesday morning, S ...

March 11, 2025 | Local News | By: Joy Crist

1:00 P.M. UPDATE: The Ocracoke-Cedar Island and Ocracoke-Swan Quarter ferry operations have resumed normal operations. The Ocracoke-Cedar Island and Ocracoke-Swan Quarter ferry operations have been suspended on Tuesday morning due to inclement weather, according to an update from the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division. The Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry is running as of 7:30 a.m., however, service may [...] Local News |  Full Article

Public mixed on game land access pass plan during hearing

March 10, 2025 | Local News | By: Trista Talton

From CoastalReview.org Campers, cyclists, hikers, birding enthusiasts and other outdoor recreationalists would be required to buy an annual pass to access game lands in the state under a proposal floated by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. The “conservation access pass” proposal targets those users because they are increasingly visiting game lands and utilizing state [...] Local News |  Full Article

State invites communities, contractors to apply for $8 million in ...

March 9, 2025 | Local News

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s (NCDEQ) Division of Coastal Management (DCM) invites communities and contractors to apply to participate in Phases 1 through 4 of the N.C. Resilient Coastal Communities Program (RCCP), which aims to equip communities with additional capability to understand and enhance coastal resilience at the local level. DCM estimates that approximately $2 million [...] Local News |  Full Article

Cape Hatteras National Seashore ranks 35th most visited national park in 2024

March 13, 2025 | Seashore News | By: Sam Walker

From SamWalkerOBXNews.com A new report from the National Park Service ranks Cape Hatteras National Seashore as the 35th busiest national park in the country in 2024. And all three units of the Outer Banks Group of National Parks ranked in the top 15 for the number of visitors to their category of park. Cape Hatteras National Seashore saw 2,762,954 visitors last year, the fourth-busiest ever, a decline of 2.3% from 2023. Seashore visitation numbers are collected by counting southbound vehicles just north of the Marc Basnight Bridge and using a multiplier to estimate the total number of passengers heading south. Those estimates are added to the number of passengers going to Ocracoke Island from Cedar Island and Swan Quarter. The all-time mark for the nation's first national seashore was set in 2021 at 3,206,056, followed by 2022's 2,862,844 and 2,826,169 in 2023. The report also noted 15, [...] Seashore News |  Full Article

Organizations send letter to NPS Deputy Director asking for reinst ...

March 3, 2025 | Seashore News | By: Joy Crist | 3

The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks and the Association of Park Rangers sent a letter on March 3 to Acting National Park Service (NPS) Director Jessica Bowron to initiate action in order to reinstate probationary employees who were recently fired. Bill Wade, Executive Director of the Association of National Park Rangers, confirmed that six [...] Seashore News |  Full Article

Six employees let go from NPS Outer Banks Group; Possible changes ...

February 28, 2025 | Seashore News | By: Joy Crist | 4

Following the February dismissal of approximately 1,000 National Park Service (NPS) employees nationwide, coupled with a February 26 memo from the Office of Personnel Management on the National Workplace Optimization Initiative, questions remain as to how the NPS Outer Banks Group could be impacted in the future. Bill Wade, Executive Director of the Association of [...] Seashore News |  Full Article

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site reschedules shoreline stabiliz ...

February 5, 2025 | Seashore News

Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (Fort Raleigh) has rescheduled its shoreline stabilization public meeting for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. Public comment on three preliminary alternatives for stabilizing approximately one mile of Fort Raleigh’s shoreline is open until Feb. 21, 2025, an extension of two weeks due to a weather-related public meeting postponement. Three preliminary alternatives are available for public comment in the Shoreline Stabilization [...] Seashore News |  Full Article

Outer Banks Forever provides update on Bodie Island Light Station fire

January 30, 2025 | Seashore News | By: Joy Crist

Outer Banks Forever, the official nonprofit partner of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, provided an update in their January newsletter on the Jan. 7 fire at the Bodie Island Lighthouse’s Double Keepers’ Quarters. The organization noted that while remediation efforts were ongoing, the annual lighthouse climbing season, (which is scheduled to start in April), would [...] Seashore News |  Full Article

Visitor facilities at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleig ...

January 22, 2025 | Seashore News

National Park Service visitor facilities at Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore), Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (Fort Raleigh) and Wright Brothers National Memorial will remain closed Thursday, Jan. 23. Fort Raleigh’s shoreline erosion public meeting, originally scheduled for Jan. 23, is postponed—a new date will be announced in the coming days. All off-road vehicle (ORV) [...] Seashore News |  Full Article

All ORV routes temporarily closed on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands ...

January 22, 2025 | Seashore News | By: Joy Crist

As a safety precaution, Cape Hatteras National Seashore has temporarily closed all ORV ramps due to difficult beach driving conditions. The combination of snow and sand has resulted in numerous vehicles getting stuck on Hatteras and Ocracoke Island beaches. At least 5-6 inches of snow fell overnight on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands, and another half [...] Seashore News |  Full Article

Ocracoke Community Pool Association to hold fundraising event on March 23

March 15, 2025 | Island Features

From OcracokeObserver.com The Ocracoke Community Pool Association will hold a “Soup and Sandwich” fundraising event from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 23 in the Community Center. Along with lunch there will be a bake sale and raffles. The proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit the association’s quest to raise enough money to buy land for a community pool — for exercise, recreation, rehabilitation, and, most importantly, water safety, said Grace West, a member of the board of directors. “It is surprising how many people are non-swimmers that both live on and visit Ocracoke,” she said. “The ocean and sound provide boogie boarding, surfing, fishing, kayaking opportunities but not an easy place for people to learn basic water safety.” The pool would provide rehabilitation and fitness opportunities for all ages. The rehabilitation benefits from pool therapy for [...] Island Features |  Full Article

All six episodes of the Outer Edge series are now available online

March 12, 2025 | Island Features | By: Joy Crist

 All six episodes of The Outer Edge docuseries are now available on YouTube, featuring spotlights on commercial fishing, Outer Banks creators and musicians, photographers, the wild environment, and the region’s boat building tradition. The six-part series, produced locally by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau (OBVB), is part of the organization’s “ongoing commitment to responsible travel [...] Island Features |  Full Article

Cape Hatteras Secondary School’s Science Olympiad teams exce ...

March 11, 2025 | Island Features

Cape Hatteras Secondary School (CHSS) Science Olympiad teams earned top placements at the Regional Science Olympiad Tournament, held Saturday, March 1, at East Carolina University. This year’s competition was the largest regional Science Olympiad in North Carolina, with more than 20 teams in each division. CHSS students demonstrated exceptional scientific knowledge and problem-solving skills, earning [...] Island Features |  Full Article

Dare County launches new spring gardening tips video

March 11, 2025 | Island Features | By: Joy Crist

Dare County, in partnership with Current TV, has released a new video, “Spring Gardening Tips from the Dare County Extension Master Gardeners,” which is designed to help local gardeners prepare for the spring planting season with expert advice tailored to the unique coastal conditions of the Outer Banks. Hosted by Jenna Livernois, Dare County’s horticulture agent [...] Island Features |  Full Article

Outer Banks Chamber will host virtual session on NC Fortified Roof Program on March 18

March 7, 2025 | Real Estate

Thinking about a new roof? The Outer Banks Chamber will be hosting the March 18th Lunchtime Live Virtual program on the NC Fortified Roof Program. This program will feature Mark Goins, Managing Director of NC Fortified. Mark leads a team of certified Fortified Evaluators dedicated to enhancing storm resilience for NC Coastal communities. We will also have Mark Mueller, owner of Mueller Builders who will lend his expertise and dedication to supporting and strengthening the Outer Banks Community. This virtual event is for Chamber members and the community. This is sure to be an informative session with the opportunity to network virtually with other business members and take away some great information! Thank you to our 2025 Lunchtime Live Sponsor, Major League Builders for their generous support of this program. The session is free to attend; pre-registration is required. Registration f [...] Real Estate |  Full Article

Community encouraged to participate in Housing Survey led by East ...

February 28, 2025 | Real Estate

The Dare Community Housing Task Force is pleased to announce that a team of researchers from East Carolina University (ECU) has launched a new survey to assess workforce housing challenges in the Dare County community. Led by Dr. Misun Hur, Associate Professor in Community and Regional Planning, and Dr. Emily P. Yeager, Assistant Professor in the Department of Recreation [...] Real Estate |  Full Article

ECU is teaming up with Dare Housing Task Force to collect public i ...

February 12, 2025 | Real Estate | By: Joy Crist

East Carolina University (ECU) is partnering with the Dare Community Housing Task Force to better understand community attitudes toward workforce housing, and they are looking for insight and feedback from the Outer Banks community. In this vein, they are hosting of open house sessions, including two on Hatteras Island, and residents can drop by anytime [...] Real Estate |  Full Article

At N.C. Marine Fisheries meeting, commercial fisherman voice frustration with regulation

March 15, 2025 | Fishing | By: Kip Tabb

From OuterBanksVoice.com Facing skeptical and sometimes fiery comments from commercial and recreational fishing interests from Beaufort to the Outer Banks, the North Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission met at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kitty Hawk on March 12 and 13 for the first quarterly meeting of 2025. It was the first time since November of 2018 that the commission has met on the Outer Banks. More than 30 speakers addressed the commission, consistently calling out what they criticized as questionable science and data and the effect it has had on the commercial fishing industry. “Over-regulation has been the default course, and commercial fishermen have borne the front of it,” Joe Romano, a commercial fisherman from Wilmington told the commission. “We called it a death by a thousand cuts, one rule after another, reducing access, increasing cost, driving more water men out of busi [...] Fishing |  Full Article

Outer Banks Community Foundation shares highlights from annual meeting

March 14, 2025 | Community News Brief

By Tatum Clements for Outer Banks Community Foundation Bright blue skies lining the ocean’s horizon were the perfect backdrop for the 150+ civic leaders, nonprofit professionals, and donors who attended the Outer Banks Community Foundation’s (OBCF) Annual Meeting at Jennette’s Pier on Friday, March 7. The meeting began with positive messages from the Community Foundation’s Board [...] Community News Brief |  Full Article

Meet the Outer Banks SPCA Pet of the Week Mia

March 11, 2025 | Community News Brief

Meet the Outer Banks SPCA pet of the week, courtesy of their latest video produced by Dare County’s CURRENT TV. For more information on this pet, and the many other Outer Banks pets currently up for adoption, visit the Outer Banks SPCA website at https://www.obxspca.org/, or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/obxspca/

NCDEQ now accepting grant proposals to address flood resiliency, w ...

March 11, 2025 | Community News Brief

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Division of Water Resources is now accepting proposals for projects that address flood reduction or flood resiliency in key river basins in the state. In addition, DWR is also accepting proposals statewide for projects that address stream restoration, water-based restoration and water management. In response to a $5 [...] Community News Brief |  Full Article

Community Health Fair and Pop-up Library will be held in Rodanthe ...

March 9, 2025 | Community News Brief | By: Joy Crist

The Community Care Clinic of Dare will be hosting a Health Fair at the Rodanthe Community Building on Monday, March 10, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event is free and open to everyone, thanks to support from Outer Banks Health, and includes blood pressure checks, blood glucose screenings, cholesterol checks, and A1C checks. (which [...] Community News Brief |  Full Article

NCBBA makes donation to Hatteras Island Futbol Club

March 8, 2025 | Community News Brief | By: Joy Crist

Continuing a wave of recent donations to Hatteras Island organizations, the North Carolina Beach Buggy Association (NCBBA) recently made a $1,500 donation to the Hatteras Island Futbol Club, which teaches soccer to local children, and has more than 100 young players participating in the program Hatteras Island Futbol Club has been in existence in some way, shape, [...] Community News Brief |  Full Article

Joshua Leigh Whitehurst

March 14, 2025 | Obituaries

WANCHESE — Joshua Leigh Whitehurst, age 46, died Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Chesapeake Regional Medical Center. Joshua was born September 15, 1978 in Norfolk, VA. He was preceded in death by his mother, Susan Marie Bunch Skinner. He loved the beach and enjoyed cooking. He is survived by his father, Floyd E. Whitehurst of [...] Obituaries |  Full Article

Kathleen A. Maurer

March 11, 2025 | Obituaries

Kathleen “Kathy” A. Maurer, 88, passed away peacefully on March 8, 2025 in Nags Head, NC. Kathy was born on April 30, 1936 in Bayonne, New Jersey. She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Catherine Reid; her husband, Frederick John Maurer; and sister, Joanne ‘Reid’ Fox. Together with her husband, Kathy raised [...] Obituaries |  Full Article

Paul Alfred Byberg

March 11, 2025 | Obituaries

NAGS HEAD — Paul Alfred Byberg, 86, passed away peacefully on March 8, 2025, in Nags Head, NC. Paul was born on November 14, 1938, in Ridgway, PA. He is reunited with his parents Wern and Clara Byberg and his daughter, Suzanne Harman. Paul graduated from Cooley High School, Detroit, MI in 1957. He attended [...] Obituaries |  Full Article

Rebecca Jean Riffe Bowman

March 7, 2025 | Obituaries

October 31, 1964 – March 1, 2025 KILL DEVIL HILLS — Rebecca “Becky” Jean Riffe Bowman, 60, of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina passed away peacefully with her family by her side on March 1, 2025. She was born on October 31, 1964, in South Charleston, WV and was the daughter of Franklin Delano Riffe [...] Obituaries |  Full Article

Elaine McMichael White

March 7, 2025 | Obituaries | By: Donna Barnett

August 22, 1960 – February 28, 2025 NAGS HEAD — On Friday, February 28, 2025, Elaine McMichael White passed away peacefully at home during her battle with cancer. From Pennsauken, New Jersey, Elaine was the only daughter of the late Wallace and Elaine McMichael (neé Daisey). Elaine will be greatly missed by her devoted husband [...] Obituaries |  Full Article