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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

NWS warns of black ice, freezing drizzle on Wednesday night; Winte ...

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

Although the snow finally tapered off on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands on Wednesday afternoon, the National Weather Service (NWS) warned that road conditions would remain hazardous Wednesday night and Thursday due to the potential for black ice. “A Winter Weather Advisory for black ice and patchy freezing drizzle is in effect tonight for Eastern N.C. [...] Local News |  Full Article

Dare County offices to remain closed on Thursday due to winter sto ...

January 22, 2025 | Local News

Due to the significant impacts caused by the winter storm that affected the area overnight, all Dare County offices and facilities will remain closed on Thursday, January 23, 2025. The winter storm brought accumulating snow across the county, as well as icy road conditions and dangerously cold temperatures, making travel and outdoor activity hazardous. The safety of [...] Local News |  Full Article

8.3 inches of snow reported on Ocracoke Island, 8 inches reported ...

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

Click here for the Thursday morning update on road and weather conditions from the National Weather Service. Roughly 8 inches of snow has fallen on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands since Tuesday evening, according to a midday update from the National Weather Service (NWS) Newport/Morehead City office. Per the NWS report, Ocracoke recorded 8.3 inches of [...] Local 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

Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands’ Winter Storm of 2025 in Photo ...

January 22, 2025 | Island Features | By: Joy Crist

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse on Wednesday morning. Video by Janet Morrow Dawson. Hatteras and Ocracoke Islanders were out early Wednesday morning to brave the adverse weather conditions and capture the snow accumulations from the Winter Storm of 2025. The last time the islands saw substantial snow accumulation was back in 2018, when a “Snowicane” hit the [...] Island Features |  Full Article

Black ice will make roads treacherous through Saturday; Winter Wea ...

January 23, 2025 | Local News | By: Joy Crist | 1

Most Outer Banks roadways will remain treacherous through at least Saturday morning, according to a Thursday update from the National Weather Service (NWS) Newport/Morehead City Office. Some melting is expected today, but any wet roads will freeze and ice on Thursday and Friday nights, leading to dangerous driving conditions. “Black ice is very difficult to [...] Local News |  Full Article

OBX Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan draft now available for review ...

January 23, 2025 | Local News

The Outer Banks Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan draft is now available, and public meetings to provide input in Currituck and Dare counties are scheduled for January 28. This plan evaluates our community’s hazard risks and vulnerabilities and establishes goals, objectives, and actions for reducing risk and building local resilience. Take this opportunity to review the plan that [...] Local News |  Full Article

NWS warns of black ice, freezing drizzle on Wednesday night; Winte ...

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

Although the snow finally tapered off on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands on Wednesday afternoon, the National Weather Service (NWS) warned that road conditions would remain hazardous Wednesday night and Thursday due to the potential for black ice. “A Winter Weather Advisory for black ice and patchy freezing drizzle is in effect tonight for Eastern N.C. [...] Local News |  Full Article

Dare County offices to remain closed on Thursday due to winter sto ...

January 22, 2025 | Local News

Due to the significant impacts caused by the winter storm that affected the area overnight, all Dare County offices and facilities will remain closed on Thursday, January 23, 2025. The winter storm brought accumulating snow across the county, as well as icy road conditions and dangerously cold temperatures, making travel and outdoor activity hazardous. The safety of [...] Local News |  Full Article

8.3 inches of snow reported on Ocracoke Island, 8 inches reported ...

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

Click here for the Thursday morning update on road and weather conditions from the National Weather Service. Roughly 8 inches of snow has fallen on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands since Tuesday evening, according to a midday update from the National Weather Service (NWS) Newport/Morehead City office. Per the NWS report, Ocracoke recorded 8.3 inches of [...] Local News |  Full Article

Snowfall projections continue to increase for the Outer Banks; CHE ...

January 21, 2025 | Local News | By: Joy Crist

Snowfall projections continued to increase on Tuesday afternoon, with 4-8 inches or more expected for Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands, according to the latest update from the National Weather Service (NWS). “High confidence remains that we will see an impactful snow storm starting after sunset tonight and lasting through early tomorrow morning. Blowing and drifting snow [...] Local News |  Full Article

Most ORV ramps reopen on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands

January 23, 2025 | Seashore News | By: Joy Crist

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 due to the challenging driving conditions near the entrances to the ramps,” stated the CHNS announcement. “The combination of snow and sand on the beach between ramps 43 and 44 yesterday resulted in at least a half dozen vehicles needing to be towed off the beach, and driving conditions along this route haven't improved much.” Some melting is expected today, but any wet roads may freeze and ice on Thursday and Friday nights, leading to dangerous driving conditions, according to a Thursday morning update from the National Weather Service (NWS). “Slow down and [...] 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

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

Dare County issues updated Public Health Advisory after Buxton Bea ...

January 1, 2025 | Seashore News | By: Joy Crist

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 | By: Joy Crist

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

Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands’ Winter Storm of 2025 in Photos – Part 2

January 22, 2025 | Island Features | By: Joy Crist

Hatteras and Ocracoke Islanders were cautiously out and about on Wednesday morning to brave the adverse weather conditions and capture the snow from the Winter Storm of 2025. The last time the islands saw substantial snow accumulation was back in 2018, when a "Snowicane" hit the Outer Banks in late January. At least 5-6 inches of snow fell on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands overnight, and light snow was still falling from Rodanthe to Ocracoke as of 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The snow is expected to taper off by Wednesday afternoon, but will stick around due to cold temperatures that are expected to linger through Thursday. “It will be dry and cold tonight, and the snow will knock those temperatures down, so driving conditions will remain dicey," said Morgan Simms, meteorologist with the NWS Newport/Morehead City office. “On Thursday, we’ll have a little warmer [weather] over the Oute [...] Island Features |  Full Article

OBCF is offering more than 70 scholarships for Outer Banks student ...

January 19, 2025 | Island Features | By: Joy Crist

Do you know a senior who is looking for a way to help pay for their college education? The Outer Banks Community Foundation (OBCF) manages over 70 scholarship programs for Dare, Currituck, and Ocracoke students, and now is the time to apply, with an application deadline of Monday, February 24. Last year, 92 named scholarships totaling nearly [...] Island Features |  Full Article

U.S. Coast Guard helps release 25 rehabilitated sea turtles into t ...

January 18, 2025 | Island Features | By: Joy Crist

The Network for Endangered Sea Turtles (N.E.S.T.), N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island, and Coast Guardsmen from Station Hatteras Inlet recently teamed up to release a total of 25 rehabilitated sea turtles into the warmer waters of the Gulf Stream, roughly 13 miles offshore. The sea turtles, (which included 24 green and one loggerhead), were recent cold-stunned [...] Island Features |  Full Article

Tickets are still available for the Hatteras Island Oyster Roast o ...

January 17, 2025 | Island Features | By: Joy Crist

Join the North Carolina Coastal Federation for a laid-back oyster roast at Oden’s Dock in Hatteras Village on Saturday, February 15, from 1-4 p.m. Tickets are still available but are going fast, so folks are advised to reserve their spot as soon as possible, because despite the off-season timeframe, the Oyster Roast sells out year after [...] Island Features |  Full Article

Hundreds attend “The Outer Edge” series premiere, Epis ...

January 16, 2025 | Island Features | By: Joy Crist

Hundreds of attendees joined the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau (OBVB) to view three special screenings of “The Outer Edge” film series on Jan. 8-10, at venues in Kill Devil Hills, Manteo and Buxton. Following opening introductions by OBVB Executive Director Lee Nettles, staff, and creative agency partners, the audiences were given a special preview of all [...] Island Features |  Full Article

Dare County releases video highlighting Hatteras Village community

January 15, 2025 | Island Features

Dare County, in partnership with Current TV, has released a new video highlighting Hatteras Village, a small unincorporated community located at the southernmost end of Hatteras Island on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The video, which offers viewers an overview of this historic coastal community nestled between the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and Pamlico Sound, is [...] Island Features |  Full Article

Homeowners insurance rate hikes coming over next two years that are lower than requested

January 18, 2025 | Real Estate | By: Sam Walker

From SamWalkerOBXNews.com A settlement between homeowners insurance companies and state regulators has been reached that will lead to policies costing more across northeastern North Carolina and the Outer Banks over the next two years. And the North Carolina Rate Bureau, which represents companies writing policies in the state, will not be allowed to request an additional increase until June 2027. State Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey touted that he was able to prevent rate hikes requested by the Rate Bureau from topping 45% along the Outer Banks, and an almost 34% increase on the mainland. "I fought for consumers and knocked them back to 7.5% increases (average statewide) over two years with a maximum of 35% in any territory," Causey said. "We consider this settlement a big win for both homeowners and North Carolina.” "This settlement will help insurers in North Carolina continue t [...] Real Estate |  Full Article

Dare County selected to participate in UNC Chapel Hill affordable ...

January 10, 2025 | Real Estate | 2

The Dare Community Housing Task Force has been selected as one of 22 counties across North Carolina to participate in the innovative “Our State, Our Homes” program, led by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Carolina Across 100 initiative. This highly competitive program will bring together experts, resources and community leaders to tackle the growing challenge [...] Real Estate |  Full Article

Casago to acquire Vacasa through stock purchase, possibly franchis ...

January 6, 2025 | Real Estate | By: Sam Walker | 1

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

Reminder: Dare County property revaluation effective as of January 1

January 2, 2025 | Real Estate

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

Waters close to commercial and recreational spotted seatrout harvest

January 23, 2025 | Fishing

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries will close coastal and joint waters in North Carolina to both commercial and recreational spotted seatrout harvest effective at 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24 due to widespread cold stun events. Cold stuns are natural events that occur when there is a sudden drop in water temperature or prolonged periods of cold weather that makes the fish sluggish. Many fish will die from the cold. Others fall prey to birds and other predators. Studies suggest that cold stun events can have a significant impact on spotted seatrout populations. The division has confirmed significant spotted seatrout cold stun events or water temperatures as recorded by the division’s water temperature monitoring program have exceeded temperature triggers in seven water bodies from the Little Alligator River to the Morehead City area. The division is [...] Fishing |  Full Article

Meet the Outer Banks SPCA Pet of the Week, Kaia

January 21, 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/

Community Care Clinic of Dare will host Health Fair in Buxton on F ...

January 20, 2025 | Community News Brief | By: Joy Crist

The Community Care Clinic of Dare will be hosting a Health Fair at the Fessenden Center Annex Building on Tuesday, February 4, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is free and open to everyone, and includes blood pressure checks, blood glucose screenings, cholesterol checks, and A1C checks (which measures average blood sugar levels), [...] Community News Brief |  Full Article

Meet the Outer Banks SPCA Pet of the Week, Finny

January 13, 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/

Michele White

January 21, 2025 | Obituaries

November 17, 1953 – January 20, 2025 OCRACOKE — Michele White, 71, of Ocracoke, died peacefully at home January 20, 2025, after a short battle with cancer. She was the companion of Barney Bielecki. Born November 17, 1953, she was the daughter of the late Clifton and Maybelle (Noel) Lamb in Oswego, New York. She [...] Obituaries |  Full Article

Daniel Patrick Isbrecht

January 21, 2025 | Obituaries

January 4, 1985 – January 19, 2025 OCRACOKE — Daniel Patrick Isbrecht, born on January 4, 1985, in Greenville, NC, passed away on January 19, 2025, in Ocracoke, NC, at the age of 40. Daniel graduated from Cape Hatteras High School and pursued further education at Cape Fear Community College, UNC-Wilmington, and NC State University. [...] Obituaries |  Full Article

Ed Conjura

January 15, 2025 | Obituaries

Ed Conjura, a man of sharp wit, amazing energy, and a truly remarkable mind, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2025, at the age of 82. Ed lived a life that was anything but ordinary – full of laughter, adventure, and a love of learning. Ed’s academic journey was impressive as it was unique. From [...] Obituaries |  Full Article

Gary Ronald Church

January 14, 2025 | Obituaries

KILL DEVIL HILLS — Gary Ronald Church, 82, died January 9, 2025 in the love and comfort of his Kill Devil Hills home. He was preceded in death by his son, Ronald, both parents, and three brothers. Gary spent his career as a musician – a lead singer in bands that he ran and bands [...] Obituaries |  Full Article

Lola C. Thompson

January 13, 2025 | Obituaries

KILL DEVIL HILLS — Lola C. Thompson, 90, passed way of natural causes January 9, 2025. Lola was predeceased by her husband, Carl Ray Thompson; her son, Carl Robert Thompson; her parents, Gordon and Lena; as well as her three siblings. Lola was born in Ashland, Ohio and grew up in Point Pleasant, WV. After [...] Obituaries |  Full Article

Gary Edward Ferguson

January 9, 2025 | Obituaries

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