On Dec. 11, the Outer Banks Community Foundation (OBCF) hosted its annual David Stick Legacy Society Luncheon at Basnight’s Lone Cedar Cafe, where Tess Judge was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of North Carolina’s most esteemed honors. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine was conferred to Tess Judge by former [...]
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NC Aquarium Roanoke Island to close Jan. 27-31 for annual maintena ...
January 10, 2025 | Community News Brief
Staff at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island will dive into 2025 with a renewed commitment to animals and visitors. Several priority endeavors include large, multi-day projects that can only be completed while the Aquarium is closed. While the team works on-site to accomplish projects and enrich animal care, the Aquarium will close to [...]
Community News Brief | Full Article
Hatteras UMC will host a free meatloaf dinner at the church on January 22 from 5:30 pm -6:30 pm. It’s a great opportunity to pick up dinner to share with family and friends. There will also be limited seating available at the church for those who want to dine together. To ensure enough meals are [...]
Community News Brief | Full Article
From SamWalkerOBXNews.com After flirting with wintry precipitation the last two storms, it looks like the third time’s the charm for much of northeastern North Carolina late Friday night and into Saturday. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for all of the region except the Dare beaches and Ocracoke, as a low [...]
Local News | Full Article
Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative (CHEC) recently concluded a cost-of-service study, which is conducted periodically to ensure that electricity rates are sufficient to cover the cooperative’s power costs and operating expenses. The cost-of-service study also ensures that rates are allocated equitably between residential and commercial members. CHEC’s rate consultant, along with management, reviewed the results of [...]
Local News | Full Article
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries’ Artificial Reef Program has finalized its five-year timeline for ocean reef enhancements funded by Coastal Recreational Fishing License revenues. The timeline follows public input on reef sites and materials the division received this fall. The Artificial Reef Program plans to complete one project per [...]
Local News | Full Article
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site invites public comments on pre ...
January 8, 2025 | Seashore News
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (Fort Raleigh) invites public comments on three preliminary alternatives for stabilizing approximately one mile of its shoreline. Public comment on the preliminary alternatives is open from Jan. 8-Feb. 7, 2025. Erosion along a section of Fort Raleigh’s shoreline poses a serious threat to potential archeologically significant sites and park facilities. [...]
Seashore News | Full Article
A Cold Weather Advisory has been issued for Hatteras Island, Ocracoke Island, and the northern Outer Banks from 4:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. on Thursday due to minimum apparent temperatures in the low teens, according to an update from the National Weather Service. The public is advised to keep pets indoors as much as possible [...]
Local News | Full Article
Outer Banks Forever, the official nonprofit partner of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial, seeks its next Director to lead it in its mission to protect and enhance these special places, now and forever. Outer Banks Forever is a philanthropic branch of Eastern National (EN), a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization [...]
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From SamWalkerOBXNews.com The North Carolina Department of Transportation has announced construction of a new bridge over the Alligator River between Dare and Tyrrell counties will begin in the next few weeks. A $450 million contract was awarded Wednesday to Skanska USA to replace the 65-year-old swing-span Lindsay C. Warren Bridge with a modern, two-lane fixed-span bridge [...]
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The following is a summary of the January 6 Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting and does not include all items that were discussed. To view the full video of the meeting on Dare County’s YouTube channel, click here. To read the official minutes, click here. The Dare County Board of Commissioners voted to authorize Dare County Finance [...]
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RWS Civic Association launches 2025 Speaker Series on January 13
January 8, 2025 | Community News Brief
On Monday January 13 at 6:30 pm, the Rodanthe Waves Salvo Civic Association will begin its 2025 Speaker Series, with a focus on human trafficking in the Outer Banks and beyond. Steve Vanover, an Advocate for the Outer Banks Hotline, will explain what human trafficking looks like, including labor trafficking. He will be joined by [...]
Community News Brief | Full Article
On Dec. 11, the Outer Banks Community Foundation (OBCF) hosted its annual David Stick Legacy Society Luncheon at Basnight’s Lone Cedar Cafe, where Tess Judge was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, one of North Carolina’s most esteemed honors. The Order of the Long Leaf Pine was conferred to Tess Judge by former [...]
Local News | Full Article
From SamWalkerOBXNews.com After flirting with wintry precipitation the last two storms, it looks like the third time’s the charm for much of northeastern North Carolina late Friday night and into Saturday. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for all of the region except the Dare beaches and Ocracoke, as a low [...]
Local News | Full Article
Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative (CHEC) recently concluded a cost-of-service study, which is conducted periodically to ensure that electricity rates are sufficient to cover the cooperative’s power costs and operating expenses. The cost-of-service study also ensures that rates are allocated equitably between residential and commercial members. CHEC’s rate consultant, along with management, reviewed the results of [...]
Local News | Full Article
The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries’ Artificial Reef Program has finalized its five-year timeline for ocean reef enhancements funded by Coastal Recreational Fishing License revenues. The timeline follows public input on reef sites and materials the division received this fall. The Artificial Reef Program plans to complete one project per [...]
Local News | Full Article
A Cold Weather Advisory has been issued for Hatteras Island, Ocracoke Island, and the northern Outer Banks from 4:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. on Thursday due to minimum apparent temperatures in the low teens, according to an update from the National Weather Service. The public is advised to keep pets indoors as much as possible [...]
Local News | Full Article
Outer Banks Forever, the official nonprofit partner of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial, seeks its next Director to lead it in its mission to protect and enhance these special places, now and forever. Outer Banks Forever is a philanthropic branch of Eastern National (EN), a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization [...]
Local News | Full Article
From SamWalkerOBXNews.com The North Carolina Department of Transportation has announced construction of a new bridge over the Alligator River between Dare and Tyrrell counties will begin in the next few weeks. A $450 million contract was awarded Wednesday to Skanska USA to replace the 65-year-old swing-span Lindsay C. Warren Bridge with a modern, two-lane fixed-span bridge [...]
Local News | Full Article
The following is a summary of the January 6 Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting and does not include all items that were discussed. To view the full video of the meeting on Dare County’s YouTube channel, click here. To read the official minutes, click here. The Dare County Board of Commissioners voted to authorize Dare County Finance [...]
Local News | Full Article
Cold weather that arrived on Tuesday is expected to persist into this weekend, and confidence is increasing that a low pressure system will bring a threat for some light wintry weather across the Outer Banks from Friday night until Saturday, per an update from the National Weather Service (NWS). As of Tuesday afternoon, January 7, [...]
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The Buxton Civic Association (BCA) will host its first-ever annual meeting on Wednesday, January 8, at 7:00 p.m. at the Old Buxton Volunteer Fire Department next to Burrus Field in Buxton. The BCA was formed in April 2024 to advocate for the remediation of Buxton Beach, but has branched out to include more proactive and [...]
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UPDATE: All three Ocracoke Island ferry routes have resumed normal operations as of Tuesday afternoon. The Hatteras-Ocracoke, Ocracoke-Swan Quarter, and Ocracoke-Cedar Island ferry operations have been suspended as of Tuesday morning, January 7, due to windy weather conditions, per an update from the North Carolina Ferry System. Ferry service for all three routes will resume [...]
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A Wind Advisory has been issued for Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands until 7:00 p.m. on Monday due to southwest winds of 25 to 35 mph and gusts up to 50 mph, according to an update from the National Weather Service. Gusty winds may blow around unsecured objects, and may make driving difficult, especially for high [...]
Local News | Full Article
A deceased pygmy sperm whale calf was found washed up on the beach just east of South Beach Road in Buxton on Tuesday morning, January 7, at approximately 8:00 a.m. The whale was discovered by beachgoers who immediately notified the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS). CHNS personnel responded soon after the reported sighting, and removed [...]
Seashore News | Full Article
After observing smoke inside the Bodie Island Lighthouse’s Double Keepers’ Quarters (DKQ), staff from Eastern National – the operator of the building’s retail store – called 911 at around 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 7, to report a potential fire. Upon arriving at the Bodie Island Light Station, the Nags Head Fire Department reported seeing [...]
Seashore News | Full Article
Wright Brothers National Memorial announces eight fee-free days in ...
January 6, 2025 | Seashore News
The Wright Brothers National Memorial will waive its entrance fee on eight days in 2025, including Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January. The eight fee-free days are as follows: January 20: Martin Luther King Jr. Day April 19: Start of National Park Week June 19: Juneteenth National Independence Day August 4: Great American Outdoors [...]
Seashore News | Full Article
Dare County issues updated Public Health Advisory after Buxton Bea ...
January 1, 2025 | Seashore News
The Dare County Department of Health & Human Services has issued a revised public health advisory for Buxton Beach, due to the December 19 reopening of a portion of the beach closure. Following a 60-day interim response action by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS) reopened an approximately two-tenths-of-a-mile section [...]
Seashore News | Full Article
Cape Hatteras National Seashore reports more than 2.67 million vis ...
December 23, 2024 | Seashore News
With 2,678,290 visitors recorded during the first 11 months of 2024, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS) is on track to have another busy year. Per statistics from the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau, CHNS recorded the following monthly totals for 2024: January – 77,193 February – 79,256 March – 154,935 April – 197,239 May – 267,243 June – 404,323 [...]
Seashore News | Full Article
Old Lighthouse Beach reopens to the public, three-tenths-of-a-mile ...
December 19, 2024 | Seashore News
Following a recent interim response action by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), and consultations with the Dare County Department of Health of Human Services (DHHS), the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS) has reopened an approximately two-tenths-of-a-mile section of beach starting at the southernmost jetty in Buxton and continuing to the south, also known [...]
Seashore News | Full Article
Record number of sea turtles rescued on Ocracoke Island during col ...
December 12, 2024 | Seashore News
From OcracokeObserver.com The number of rescued sea turtles on the Outer Banks this past week was, well, stunning. A cold spell that dropped water temperatures into the 40s Fahrenheit resulted in hundreds of sea turtles drifting onto the shores of the Outer Banks. Sea turtles are ectotherms, meaning they are cold blooded and can’t regulate [...]
Seashore News | Full Article
Cape Lookout to take cabin reservations, sell vehicle passes Jan. 4
December 12, 2024 | Seashore News
Cape Lookout National Seashore is scheduled to open the Great Island Cabin Camp on March 13, 2025, and operate it through November 29, 2025. Visitors can start making reservations on January 4, 2025, at 10 a.m. (EST). Preseason sales of Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) permits will be available for purchase starting January 4, 2025, at 10 a.m. (EST), and will [...]
Seashore News | Full Article
Ocracoke Light Station renovations continue; equipment delivers th ...
December 9, 2024 | Seashore News
From SamWalkerOBXNews.com Three separate deliveries of construction equipment associated with the lifting of the Ocracoke Double Keepers’ Quarters are scheduled to occur this coming week. During the deliveries, Lighthouse Road—between approximately Loop Road and Martha Jane Lane—will be closed for up to 30 minutes. Loop Road will remain accessible for those looking for an alternate [...]
Seashore News | Full Article
Starry Nights, a celebration of stargazing, returns to Hatteras Vi ...
January 5, 2025 | Island Features
Starry Nights, a celebration of stargazing on one of the darkest stretches of the East Coast, is returning to Hatteras Village on Saturday, February 8, for the second consecutive year in a row. The kid-friendly event returned after a four-year pause in 2024, and it received such rave reviews that organizers are bringing it back for [...]
Island Features | Full Article
Outer Banks non-profits and towns receive $1.16 million in Tourism ...
January 4, 2025 | Island Features
On December 2, the Dare County Tourism Board finalized awards of $1.16 million for twelve local non-profit organizations and governmental entities. The Tourism Impact Grants are for programs and services needed due to the impact of tourism. The expenditures received the unanimous consent of the Dare County Commissioners at its December meeting. Sponsored annually by the Dare [...]
Island Features | Full Article
To help meet diverse needs across the Outer Banks, the Outer Banks Community Foundation (OBCF) awarded $57,500 in Community Enrichment Grants to 10 local nonprofits this quarter. Beach Food Pantry received a grant to increase storage and prep space by 1,200 square feet so that they can continue to provide access to nutritional food to [...]
Island Features | Full Article
From SamWalkerOBXNews.com With the holidays coming to an end, residents are reminded that there are differing policies regarding the disposal of Christmas trees depending on where you live. And there are multiple ways to recycle your tree in a way that benefits the dunes along the Outer Banks, even if you don’t live close by. [...]
Island Features | Full Article
Old Christmas Celebration in Rodanthe will be held on Saturday, Ja ...
January 2, 2025 | Island Features
Rodanthe will once again host a local tradition that’s older than the village itself with the upcoming celebration of Old Christmas on Saturday afternoon, January 4. Old Christmas technically began centuries ago when word finally spread to isolated Hatteras Island that England had adopted the Gregorian calendar in the mid-18th century, (effectively changing Christmas to [...]
Island Features | Full Article
Night Sky: Quadrantids meteor shower, and more highlights for January
December 31, 2024 | Island Features
Look to Orion! Orion is a very interesting constellate for several reasons. It’s probably one of the easiest constellations to find in the winter skies, and the name of its second brightest star is used in the name of two popular movies – (“Betelgeuse” and “Betelgeuse! Betelgeuse!”) – and it contains a lot of interesting [...]
Island Features | Full Article
From SamWalkerOBXNews.com Vacation property management rental companies Vacasa and Casago announced last week they will be merging later this year through a stock purchase that will take the new company private. And more details have surfaced about Casago’s purchase of the company that manages more than 969 properties and employs 223 people on the Outer [...]
Real Estate | Full Article
The Dare County Tax Department reminds property owners that the countywide revaluation of all real estate—including residential and commercial improved properties, as well as vacant land—is effective starting January 1, 2025. Required by North Carolina law to be performed at least once every eight years, revaluation is the process of updating property values to reflect [...]
Real Estate | Full Article
Hyde County homeowners can apply for FEMA grants to raise flood-pr ...
December 22, 2024 | Real Estate
As a result of Tropical Storm Helene, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has opened a grant opportunity for Hyde County homeowners to elevate their houses above base flood elevation through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides funding to local and state governments so they can develop hazard mitigation plans and [...]
Real Estate | Full Article
Dare Community Housing Task Force releases 2024 report with resear ...
December 18, 2024 | Real Estate
The Dare Community Housing Task Force met on December 16, and voted unanimously to adopt a final report documenting their research, findings and recommendations. The final report includes statistical information on home values and local salary information as well as a set of recommendations that the group will focus on in 2025. Following the vote [...]
Real Estate | Full Article
Outer Banks Association of REALTORS® installs 2025 Leadership Tea ...
December 17, 2024 | Real Estate
The Outer Banks Association of REALTORS® (OBAR) celebrated and inducted its new Board of Directors at the annual REALTOR® Ball last week. The event marked the official transition of OBAR’s leadership, elected at the Annual Meeting in October. Christi Bryant of Keller Williams – Outer Banks officially stepped into her role as the 2025 President [...]
Real Estate | Full Article
NC Aquarium Roanoke Island to close Jan. 27-31 for annual maintena ...
January 10, 2025 | Community News Brief
Staff at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island will dive into 2025 with a renewed commitment to animals and visitors. Several priority endeavors include large, multi-day projects that can only be completed while the Aquarium is closed. While the team works on-site to accomplish projects and enrich animal care, the Aquarium will close to [...]
Community News Brief | Full Article
Hatteras UMC will host a free meatloaf dinner at the church on January 22 from 5:30 pm -6:30 pm. It’s a great opportunity to pick up dinner to share with family and friends. There will also be limited seating available at the church for those who want to dine together. To ensure enough meals are [...]
Community News Brief | Full Article
RWS Civic Association launches 2025 Speaker Series on January 13
January 8, 2025 | Community News Brief
On Monday January 13 at 6:30 pm, the Rodanthe Waves Salvo Civic Association will begin its 2025 Speaker Series, with a focus on human trafficking in the Outer Banks and beyond. Steve Vanover, an Advocate for the Outer Banks Hotline, will explain what human trafficking looks like, including labor trafficking. He will be joined by [...]
Community News Brief | Full Article
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/
The Dare County Sheriff’s Office issued the following press release on Tuesday, January 7, about an ongoing phone scam that is affecting Dare County residents. A scam using Deputy’s names from the Dare County Sheriff’s Office is currently going around once again, regarding missed court dates and money needed to keep the called party out [...]
Community News Brief | Full Article
The Cape Hatteras Elementary School (CHES) publishes a monthly newsletter called The Storm Report for students, parents, supporters, and friends. The newsletter is a nod to the school’s mascot, the Cape Hatteras Tropical Storms. The newsletter covers everything from upcoming special events to recent initiatives in art, technology, music, media, and more. It is a [...]
Community News Brief | Full Article
It is with great sadness we announce the death of Gary Edward Ferguson of Nags Head, North Carolina. Gary passed away on December 12, 2024 after sustaining a severe brain injury. Gary was born on June 23,1950 in Wilmington, Delaware, to Elizabeth Anne and Cecil Ferguson, Jr. After graduating from Stephen Decatur High School in [...]
Obituaries | Full Article
KITTY HAWK — Margaret Ramsey “Peggy” Roughton passed away of natural causes January 6, 2025 at her Kitty Hawk, NC home. Peggy was 93 years old. She was born in Mount Carmel, PA, the daughter of the late William and Mary Ramsey. Peggy was active, extremely smart, and a kind and loving wife and mother. [...]
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February 24, 1946 – January 7, 2025 NAGS HEAD — Donna Lee Price Savage passed away peacefully on January 7, 2025, in Nags Head, NC, at the age of 78. Born on February 24, 1946, in Lancaster, PA, she was the daughter of the late Katherine Fletter Price and Arthur Price. She was also preceded [...]
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KITTY HAWK — Kerrie Jean Lanigan Daly, 56, of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, passed away unexpectedly on January 8, 2025. Kerrie was born on May 15, 1968, in Greenlawn, New York, to Donald and Edna Lanigan. Kerrie graduated from SUNY Binghamton with a degree in political science and earned a paralegal certificate from The George [...]
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KILL DEVIL HILLS — Megan Elizabeth Zobel was born on July 4, 1994 as a beloved daughter to Reid and Linda passed away on January 2, 2025. As the oldest sister to Hannah, Katelyn, David, she always loved her family- growing up playing barbies and dress up. Megan loved music and singing- from a young [...]
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BUXTON — Nancy Ellen (Cooke) Giannotti, born June 25, 1937, in Lawndale, NC, is now praising Jesus in heaven having passed away peacefully at the age of 87 in Greenville, NC, on January 4, 2025. Nancy was a rare gift in this world, to know her was to see the love of Jesus. Growing up [...]
Obituaries | Full Article