Therese E. (Bernard) Smith, 97, passed away peacefully on Feb. 8, 2025, at St. Anne’s Retirement Community, Columbia, Pennsylvania, where she had resided for 6 years. She entered hospice there a few months before she passed. Therese was born on August 29, 1927, in Nashua, NH, the 4th of 6 (surviving) children of Regina (Desmarais) and Dosithé Wilfred Bernard. [...]
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The new Slash Creek Bridge in Hatteras Village is expected to open by Memorial Day Weekend, before the summer visitor season reaches its peak, according to an update from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). “We have been delayed due to the uncharacteristically cold weather this winter, delaying some aspects of the project,” said [...]
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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced last week that the Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) members have been selected for the Buxton Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) property, a former Naval facility located at the end of Old Lighthouse Road. The 11 members of the RAB are as follows: Mary Ellon Balance Brett Barley Sheila [...]
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Dare County Schools proudly announces Darren Moore as the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year. Moore, a marketing teacher at Cape Hatteras Secondary School (CHSS), was selected by his peers for his outstanding contributions to the CTE program and his dedication to preparing students for careers in marketing, business, and hospitality. [...]
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From OuterBanksVoice.com The Dare County Tax Appraisal Department has announced that the 2025 revaluation notices containing the updated appraised value for property—as determined by the 2025 countywide revaluation—have been mailed to all Dare County property owners. The total value of those properties, according to the county, is $27,453,300,000 or about $27.5 billion, which represents a 67% gain over [...]
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Anglers who catch Bluefin Tuna and billfishes in North Carolina no longer need to report those catches to the state. As of Tuesday, April 1, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries has discontinued its Highly Migratory Species Catch Card Program. Federal HMS Angling, HMS Charter/Headboat and Atlantic Tunas permit holders [...]
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From SamWalkerOBXNews.com State forestry officials have lifted an open burning ban across North Carolina thanks to recent rainfall, while cautioning we are not out of the woods when it comes to the wildfire threat. The statewide ban went into effect March 21 due to hazardous forest fire conditions, and also applied to all beach [...]
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On the morning of April 1st, 2025, deputies with the Dare County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a breaking and entering in the Buxton area. Upon arrival, the suspect, identified as Taylor Jarvis, had already fled the scene. Following an investigation, deputies gathered evidence to establish probable cause for the suspect’s involvement in [...]
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AVON — Gracie Meekins Gray was called home by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 28, 2025. She was the daughter of the late Alice and Damon Meekins. Gracie spent her early childhood in Norfolk Virginia and later moved to Avon where she graduated high school and met her husband John D Gray. [...]
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March 4, 2025 Breaking and Entering. 7000 block of Martins Point Road, Martins Point. Unknown suspect entered a residence and stole an electronic device. Under investigation. March 8, 2025 Larceny. 50000 block of Timber Trail, Frisco. Subject reported household items stolen after being evicted from the residence. Under investigation. March 9, 2025 Larceny. 200 block [...]
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Frisco Woods Campground to host Easter Egg Hunt on April 19 to ben ...
April 1, 2025 | Island Features
The Frisco Woods Campground will host its 4th Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 19, with all proceeds to benefit the Frisco-Buxton Pathway. The kids’ Easter Egg Hunt will be held in age-specific stages starting at 4:15 p.m., while a second adult Easter Egg Hunt will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday evening. All [...]
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This is M88, a spiral galaxy in the constellation Coma Berenices. M88 has a visual magnitude of +9.4 and is 65 million light years away from us. It was discovered in 1781 by Charles Messier, using a four-inch reflector. Apparently, Messier was working from his apartment in Paris, (which says something about the lack of [...]
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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced last week that the Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) members have been selected for the Buxton Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) property, a former Naval facility located at the end of Old Lighthouse Road. The 11 members of the RAB are as follows: Mary Ellon Balance Brett Barley Sheila [...]
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Dare County Fire Marshal Steve Kovacs has announced that the Burn Ban that was issued on Friday, March 21, 2025 has been lifted for the unincorporated areas of Dare County, effective beginning at 8 a.m. today (Wednesday, April 2, 2025). With the burn ban lifted, residents and property owners in the unincorporated areas of Dare County are [...]
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From SamWalkerOBXNews.com State forestry officials have lifted an open burning ban across North Carolina thanks to recent rainfall, while cautioning we are not out of the woods when it comes to the wildfire threat. The statewide ban went into effect March 21 due to hazardous forest fire conditions, and also applied to all beach [...]
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The N.C Division of Motor Vehicles is set to again extend service hours at its driver license offices beginning next week. On April 7, 42 offices (listed below) will join 50 others opening an hour early at 7 a.m., offering an extra hour of appointments and service time. “I am ecstatic that we are able [...]
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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued the following press release on Monday, March 31. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, announced on Monday that the Restoration Advisory Board membership has been established and the first meeting is scheduled for April 10, 2025, at 6:30 p.m., for the Buxton Naval Facility, a Formerly Used [...]
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Severe weather is possible for eastern North Carolina on Monday night, March 31, according to an update from the National Weather Service (NWS). The main hazards will be damaging wind gusts of 60 mph or more, large hail, and an isolated tornado. While severe weather will be possible across all of eastern N.C., the best [...]
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From SamWalkerOBXNews.com A hearing has been scheduled for this fall on a request by companies that offer auto insurance in North Carolina for another rate hike, two years after a settlement was reached on an increase of 4.5% in each of the last two years. State Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey has set September 22 as [...]
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Researchers with North Carolina State University (NCSU) are asking Hatteras and Ocracoke Islanders to assist with an ongoing study on adaptation challenges and strategies by filling out an online survey. “The study seeks to understand the relationships between residential connections and preferences for adaptation strategies that may reduce future storm-related flooding on Hatteras and Ocracoke [...]
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A state transportation contractor plans to start construction next week to improve the five-lane section of U.S. 64 between the Melvin R. Daniels Bridge (Little Bridge) and the Washington Baum Bridge in Dare County. The Raleigh-based Fred Smith Company will begin a milling and resurfacing operation on April 2 between the two bridges in order [...]
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Robin Daniels Holt has been digging into Hatteras Island history for well over a decade. A descendant of the Daniels of Wanchese and the Midgetts of Hatteras Island, her passion for research started when she was instrumental in the local efforts to restore the Salvo Community Cemetery. “When I became involved in the cemetery, I [...]
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As work continues to replace transmission poles on Hatteras Island, drivers may experience brief traffic delays on N.C. Highway 12 in Avon, according to an update from Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative (CHEC). “Our contractor, River City Construction, continues to make good progress on the replacement of nearly 60 transmission poles across the island,” stated the [...]
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From SamWalkerOBXNews.com While much of North Carolina received some rainfall over the last several days, the statewide ban on open burning remains in place due to continued dangerous weather conditions. The ban also applies to all beach fires on the Outer Banks. The N.C. Forest Service said nearly 1,100 wildfires have been reported across the [...]
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After an extensive executive search, Outer Banks Forever, the official nonprofit partner of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site and Wright Brothers National Memorial, has selected Bryan Burhans as its next Director. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead an organization that has been doing such great work in our community for the past six years,” said Burhans. [...]
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Newly uncovered issues may delay completion of Cape Hatteras Light ...
March 29, 2025 | Seashore News
As intensive work continues to restore the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, new issues have been uncovered near the top of the tower that may delay the completion of the years-long project. “There is always the potential for unknown conditions to surface during repair projects for historic structures, and the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse project is no exception,” [...]
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NCBBA will host Adopt-a-Beach and Adopt-a-Highway clean-ups on Mar ...
March 18, 2025 | Seashore News
The North Carolina Beach Buggy Association (NCBBA) will hold its first Adopt-a-Beach clean-up of 2025 on March 22, and its first Adopt-A-Highway (AAH) clean-up of 2025 on April 12, and everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate in either event, or both. “Join the team – Be an active volunteer member,” stated the NCBBA in [...]
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Cape Hatteras National Seashore ranks 35th most visited national p ...
March 13, 2025 | Seashore News
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 [...]
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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 [...]
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Six employees let go from NPS Outer Banks Group; Possible changes ...
February 28, 2025 | Seashore News
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 [...]
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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 [...]
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Outer Banks Forever provides update on Bodie Island Light Station fire
January 30, 2025 | Seashore News
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 [...]
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The Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS) has reopened ORV ramps 2 and 4, most Hatteras Island ramps, and all Ocracoke Island ramps, according to a Thursday afternoon update. “After assessing conditions this morning at ramps 43 and 44, a decision was made to keep these two ramps closed to ORVs for the next 24-48 hours [...]
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Hatteras Island Community Strings students will host a Spring Concert on Tuesday, April 15, at 6:00 p.m. at the Avon Volunteer Fire Department Station. The concert will showcase the nearly two dozen students who are receiving lessons with musicians Jessie Taylor and Lou Castro, and will feature a range of instruments including violin, ukulele, and guitar. [...]
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Ocracoke Alive will host second annual Ocracoke Earth Day Weekend ...
March 31, 2025 | Island Features
Nonprofit organization Ocracoke Alive will be hosting the second annual Ocracoke Earth Day Weekend Celebration will be on April 11-13. Throughout the weekend, attendees can choose from a variety of indoor and outdoor activities designed for all ages, including nature walks, history talks, nature crafts, live music, stargazing, a beach litter pick-up, and informative discussions on sustainability and [...]
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Outer Banks Community Foundation Awards Over $70,000 in Community ...
March 28, 2025 | Island Features
The Outer Banks Community Foundation (OBCF) has awarded $71,992 in Community Enrichment Grants to 10 local nonprofits in its first grant cycle of the year, funding projects that support youth, preserve history and bring arts and culture to communities across the Outer Banks. “Our Community Enrichment Grants are all about investing in the nonprofits that [...]
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Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands’ newest weekly summertime market, the Tri Villages Market, is returning in 2025 for its third year in a row, solidifying a new tradition for the Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo communities. Though the northern Hatteras Island villages had a seasonal market years ago, the Tri Villages Market was a first for the [...]
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Outer Banks youth sailors make waves with regional regatta victory ...
March 26, 2025 | Island Features
This past weekend, a team of young sailors from Hatteras Island and First Flight High School JV teams sailed their way to a first-place win at the Northpoints #7 Regatta in Columbia, South Carolina. Facing off against 10 established teams from renowned sailing regions like Charleston and Savannah, the Outer Banks team had a lot [...]
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Ever since the Cape Hatteras Secondary School’s (CHSS) theater program was revitalized in 2022, every production has grown in scope and ambition. Last year, the theater program and the CHSS Drama Club reached several new milestones. They were asked to perform an encore performance of “The Little Mermaid” at First Flight High School, due to [...]
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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 [...]
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Thinking about a new roof? The Outer Banks Chamber will be hosting a March 18th Lunchtime Live Virtual program on the NC Fortified Roof Program at 12 p.m. 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. The [...]
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From SamWalkerOBXNews.com Dare County property owners will see a significant increase in their real estate values when the 2025 revaluation notices are mailed out at the end of this month. According to Dare County Tax Assessor Hosea Wilson, the overall countywide change in the tax base is estimated to be 67%, increasing from $16.4 billion [...]
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ECU is teaming up with Dare Housing Task Force to collect public i ...
February 12, 2025 | Real Estate
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 [...]
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From OuterBanksVoice.com The nearly hour-long presentation of the Dare Housing Task Force’s recent 2024 report at the Feb. 3 Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting did more than lay out the daunting obstacles to home ownership in Dare County. It also triggered an extensive discussion on how to get community buy-in for that elusive goal [...]
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Parent University Night kickoff event to be held on Tuesday, April 8, at 5:30 p.m. at COA-Dare Campus in Manteo The Dare County Library, in collaboration with Manteo Elementary School and College of The Albemarle (COA)’s Dare County campus, is pleased to announce the launch of “Parent University Night,” a new community initiative designed to empower [...]
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The Really, Really Free Market is returning to Avon on Saturday, April 5, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the Avon Fire Station. The Really, Really Free Market started more than a decade ago and became a valuable resource for islanders in need after several historic storms, including Hurricane Isabel in 2011, and Hurricane [...]
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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/
Registration for summer programs at the Fessenden Center opens on ...
March 25, 2025 | Community News Brief
Registration for summer programs at the Fessenden Center opens on Wednesday, March 26, at 8:30 a.m. and will remain open until a program is full. Folks can register in person at the Fessenden Center in Buxton or online by using the registration platform at DareNC.gov/Register. Available programs include Fundamentals of Swimming Safety, Mural Maker Art [...]
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/
Keeper James Charlet book launch “Sensational Wrecks and Heroic ...
March 23, 2025 | Community News Brief
Prepare to embark on an extraordinary journey as we unveil the much-anticipated 2025 release of Sensational Wrecks and Heroic Rescues by the United States Life-Saving Service, Globe Pequot Press. This is the sequel to my 2020 Globe Shipwrecks of the Outer Banks: Dramatic Rescues and Fantastic Wrecks in the Graveyard of the Atlantic. It promises [...]
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Therese E. (Bernard) Smith, 97, passed away peacefully on Feb. 8, 2025, at St. Anne’s Retirement Community, Columbia, Pennsylvania, where she had resided for 6 years. She entered hospice there a few months before she passed. Therese was born on August 29, 1927, in Nashua, NH, the 4th of 6 (surviving) children of Regina (Desmarais) and Dosithé Wilfred Bernard. [...]
Obituaries | Full Article
AVON — Gracie Meekins Gray was called home by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 28, 2025. She was the daughter of the late Alice and Damon Meekins. Gracie spent her early childhood in Norfolk Virginia and later moved to Avon where she graduated high school and met her husband John D Gray. [...]
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March 13, 1952 – March 24, 2025 KITTY HAWK — Wallace Raymond “Ray” Miller, 73, of 109 Mill Point Road, Kitty Hawk, died Monday, March 24, 2025, at Currituck Health & Rehab Center in Barco, NC. Mr. Miller was born in Elizabeth City, NC, son of the late Mac Miller and Betsy S. Miller. He [...]
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October 9, 1957 – March 26, 2025 KITTY HAWK — William Dennis Twiford, 67, of Kitty Hawk, NC, passed away peacefully at his home on March 25, 2025. Born on October 9, 1957, Dennis was a proud lifelong resident of the Outer Banks, tracing his family roots back eight generations to the 1600s, from Corolla [...]
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July 7, 1972 – March 23, 2025 KILL DEVIL HILLS — Patrick Herman Hughes III, born on July 7, 1972, in Brooklyn, New York, passed away on March 23, 2025, in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, at the age of 52. Raised in the heart of Brooklyn, NC, Patrick was a devoted son to his [...]
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June 13, 1948 – March 26, 2025 OCRACOKE — Janice Sue Crawford O’Neal, 76, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at ECU Health Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family. Born on June 13, 1948, in Oklahoma, Sue was the cherished daughter of the late Jack and Betty Crawford. She was a devoted [...]
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