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Community Foundation Accepting Scholarship Applications

February 24, 2020 | Community News Brief

The Outer Banks Community Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications on its website: www.obcf.org. The application deadline is 11:59 pm, Sunday, March 22. The Community Foundation manages 55 different scholarship programs and expects to award about $173,000 to local students this year. Graduating high school seniors from Dare County, Currituck County, and Ocracoke are eligible [...] Community News Brief |  Full Article

Informational Meeting on Rodanthe Bridge Project Set for March 5

February 24, 2020 | Local News

State transportation officials are inviting people to an informational meeting March 5 on the Rodanthe “Jug Handle” Bridge project, which is under construction on the Outer Banks. The Rodanthe Bridge is a long-term transportation solution to severe storms that cause breaches on N.C. 12. The N.C. Department of Transportation is raising N.C. 12 onto a 2.4-mile bridge that extends [...] Local News |  Full Article

Community Foundation Honors TowneBank and Bob Muller, Announces Ne ...

February 24, 2020 | Community News Brief

The Outer Banks Community Foundation’s membership honored two Champions, elected five board members, and celebrated $1.4 million in grants and scholarships in 2019 at the organization’s Annual Meeting on February 20. The Community Foundation also announced a major new grants initiative at its meeting, the 2020 Vision Grants, which will be launched later in the [...] Community News Brief |  Full Article

State to Review Small Mesh Gill Net Regulations

February 20, 2020 | Fishing

The Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality has directed the Division of Marine Fisheries to conduct a thorough review of the regulations governing the use of small mesh gill nets in North Carolina fisheries. After decades of actions by numerous Marine Fisheries Commissions (MFC), the department, the division and federal agencies, the regulations have [...] Fishing |  Full Article

National Seashore Updates for Ocracoke and Hatteras Islands for th ...

February 20, 2020 | Seashore News

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS) announced several recent updates and news items related to recreational activities and seashore conditions on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands.  News items and events related to the National Seashore for the week of February 20 include the following: Ocracoke Updates Ocracoke Island reopened to visitors in early December 2019. View [...] Seashore News |  Full Article

Starry Nights Hatteras: Mars Explorer Mission Launches from Hatter ...

February 19, 2020 | Island Features | By: Sarah Gannon

The 5th annual Starry Nights returned to our wintery island on Saturday, February 15, at the Hatteras Village Community Building. This year, organizers were seeking volunteers of all ages to participate in astronaut training for the 2020 theme, “Mars Explorer Mission.” The event was sponsored by the Hatteras Village Civic Association, and spearheaded by Alana [...] Island Features |  Full Article

Beachcomber: Hunting for Treasure with Kristin Hissong…VIDEO

February 19, 2020 | Island Features | By: Rory Kelleher

Kristin Hissong is a North Carolina native and UNC Charlotte graduate, an Outer Banks resident of 15 years, and is a dedicated “professional beachcomber.” She has spent more 20,000 hours walking on and shorelines around the Eastern Seaboard, and has collected thousands upon thousands of items from the Atlantic Ocean. For the past five years, [...] Island Features |  Full Article

Community input on temporary travel trailers sought

February 24, 2020 | Local News | By: Connie Leinbach | From The: Ocracoke Observer | 1

Stevie Wilson wants islanders to carefully consider amending the Ocracoke Development Ordinance to temporarily allow multiple travel trailers on properties. Ocracoke County Commissioner Tom Pahl has proposed amending the development ordinance, known as the ODO, in response to the need for temporary housing while the island rebuilds from flooding devastation by Hurricane Dorian. He distributed [...] Local News |  Full Article

Ocracoke Recovery Update: NCDOT sandbag project begins…VIDEO

February 20, 2020 | Local News | By: Rory Kelleher

The N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has startedthe process of adding sand and sandbags to portions of N.C. Highway 12 on Ocracoke Island to address the lingering effects from September’s Hurricane Dorian. The project is designed to protect four segments of the roadway damaged by Dorian and a subsequent storm in November. The project involves [...] Local News |  Full Article

Dare County Schools Closed on Friday, Feb. 21

February 20, 2020 | Local News

Due to the possibility of inclement weather, Dare County Schools will be canceled on Friday, February 21, for all staff and students, per an update from Digital Communications and Middle School Director, Keith Parker. Additionally, all after-school activities scheduled for today, Thursday, February 20, will also be canceled. The After School Enrichment Program will continue to [...] Local News |  Full Article

Marc Basnight Bridge receives several 2020 Design Awards

February 18, 2020 | Local News | 2

The new Bonner Bridge replacement recently received several 2020 Design Awards from the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute’s annual contest. Determined by a jury of architects, engineers, and precast concrete producers, judges review construction projects from all corners of North America with an eye on creative and innovative uses of precast concrete. For 2020, the Bonner Bridge [...] Local News |  Full Article

National Seashore Updates for Ocracoke and Hatteras Islands for the Week of February 20

February 20, 2020 | Seashore News

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS) announced several recent updates and news items related to recreational activities and seashore conditions on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands.  News items and events related to the National Seashore for the week of February 20 include the following: Ocracoke Updates Ocracoke Island reopened to visitors in early December 2019. View the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Ferry Schedule.  The first half of the Hammock Hills Nature Trail was recently reopened. The remaining half of the trail will reopen when the boardwalks are fully repaired.  Silver Lake/Visitor Center public restrooms have reopened.  Ocracoke Campground will reopen for the 2020 camping season on Friday, April 10. The campground kiosk was seriously damaged during Hurricane Dorian and will not be open by the beginning of the camping season. Camping reservations can be made at [...] Seashore News |  Full Article

Scott Babinowich hired as the Chief of Interpretation, Education & ...

February 14, 2020 | Seashore News

Scott Babinowich was recently selected for the position of Chief of Interpretation, Education and Visitors Services at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial (Outer Banks Group). He served in an acting role as the Chief of Interpretation, Education, and Visitor Services for six months last year. Scott [...] Seashore News |  Full Article

Superintendent David Hallac invites community to discuss an overvi ...

February 10, 2020 | Seashore News

National Parks of Eastern North Carolina Superintendent David Hallac invites the public to visit with staff on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands, where he will review visitation patterns and park activities during 2019 at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, and Wright Brothers National Memorial. Meeting locations and dates are as follows: • [...] Seashore News |  Full Article

Dorian-related debris stored in the National Seashore set to be go ...

February 6, 2020 | Seashore News | By: Peter Vankevich | From The: Ocracoke Observer

Cape Hatteras National Seashore Superintendent Dave Hallac praised Hyde County and their contractors on the progress removing the demolition debris from the Ocracoke Beach Access parking lot (lifeguard beach). The Seashore also on Tuesday released its 2019 visitor statistics posted below. “I am very impressed with their progress, especially in light of the myriad efforts [...] Seashore News |  Full Article

Cape Hatteras National Seashore receives 2.6 million visits for fi ...

February 4, 2020 | Seashore News

Last year, Cape Hatteras National Seashore (Seashore) received 2.6 million recreational visits for the first time since 2003. Since 2015, the Seashore has experienced a yearly increase in visitation compared to the previous year. 2019 visitation was 0.60% higher than visitation in 2018. Recreation Visits by Year: 2019: 2,606,632 2018: 2,591,056 2017: 2,433,703 2016: 2,411,711 [...] Seashore News |  Full Article

2nd Annual Waterfowl Festival: Birds of a Feather Flock Together

February 25, 2020 | Island Features | By: Sarah Gannon

The 2nd Annual Waterfowl Festival was held this past weekend, February 21 to 23. This year, the festivities were held at three locations in Hatteras Village: the Hatteras Civic Center, which was the main hall with vendors, demos, and a snack counter; Hatteras Island Ocean Center, where children’s activities, and educational events were set up; and the Hatteras Community Building, which housed several displays of decoy collections, wood art, and the United States Federal Wildlife Duck Stamp Art Exhibit. The Hatteras Civic Associations sponsored the event, and estimated that the festival attracted close to 200 attendees this year, even though there was a winter storm the night before the event was scheduled to kick off. The doors opened at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, February 21, as the festivities kicked off at the Hatteras Civic Center with a “Fin, Feather, and Bourbon” dinner. The Hatt [...] Island Features |  Full Article

Beachcomber: Hunting for Treasure with Kristin Hissong…VIDEO

February 19, 2020 | Island Features | By: Rory Kelleher

Kristin Hissong is a North Carolina native and UNC Charlotte graduate, an Outer Banks resident of 15 years, and is a dedicated “professional beachcomber.” She has spent more 20,000 hours walking on and shorelines around the Eastern Seaboard, and has collected thousands upon thousands of items from the Atlantic Ocean. For the past five years, [...] Island Features |  Full Article

Aquarium’s STAR Center reopens to public after mass sea turtle s ...

February 11, 2020 | Island Features | By: Kari Pugh | From The: OBX Today

The STAR Center sea turtle hospital at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island reopened to visitors Monday, weeks after a mass stranding of cold-stunned sea turtles overflowed the facility. There are now 88 sea turtle patients in the center’s care. In mid-January, more than 100 sea turtles were found cold-stunned on the Outer Banks [...] Island Features |  Full Article

Browning cautions on lead poisoned eagles

February 11, 2020 | Island Features | By: Michelle Wagner | From The: Outer Banks Voice

A bald eagle remains in critical condition after being rescued in Camden County on Feb. 9 by Hatteras Island Wildlife Rehabilitation’s Lou Browning. Suffering from lead poisoning as well as dehydration and malnutrition, Browning said the raptor has little chance of survival, but is currently being treated in an ICU chamber at his Hatteras Island [...] Island Features |  Full Article

Chicamacomico Banks Fire & Rescue collects more than four dum ...

February 6, 2020 | Island Features | By: Joy Crist | 2

Chicamacomico Banks Fire & Rescue volunteers conducted a recent beach clean-up along a stretch of Rodanthe shoreline that was cluttered with leftover debris from late fall storms. Working over the course of several days, the team of volunteers filled up a total of four dumpsters, and had to utilize an additional 40-yard container provided by [...] Island Features |  Full Article

Hatteras Island Oyster Roast in Pictures: A Chilly but Festive She ...

February 3, 2020 | Island Features | By: Joy Crist

As estimated 500 locals and visitors headed to the edge of Oden’s Dock in Hatteras village on Saturday afternoon to take part in a shell-ebration that has been going strong for seven years. The North Carolina Coastal Federation’s annual Hatteras Island Oyster Roast has become one of the most highly anticipated events of the traditionally [...] Island Features |  Full Article

Ray Gray Classic Draws Big Crowds and Big Support for Surf Club WI ...

April 29, 2019 | Watersports | By: Sarah Rich

The Cape Hatteras Secondary School Surf Club was out in full force at the first annual Ray Gray Classic at the old Cape Hatteras Lighthouse Site on Sunday, and the inaugural event attracted a big crowd of spectators and surfers. The club’s teacher-sponsor, secondary school teacher Clayton Tiderman, formulated the event after multiple requests from [...] Watersports |  Full Article

January was a great month for Outer Banks real estate sales

February 25, 2020 | Real Estate

February 25, 2020, Nags Head - One month into 2020, and real estate in the OBX is thriving!  OBAR has been hearing about how members in sales have been really busy, and now we know why. MLS Director Dan Sutherland has released the January 2020 statistics and the OBX continues to break records. Says Sutherland, "January 2020 saw the highest amount of sales recorded since 2005 with Residential sales up 23% and Lots/Land sales up 33%." In addition, "Under Contract listings jumped 18% compared to this time last year. They even rose 17% since December 2019 which is the highest recorded number since 2013! While inventory for Lots/Land increased an insignificant 1% (a mere 10 units difference out of almost 750) compared to January 2019, Residential dropped significantly by 11% (157 less units)" says Sutherland. Southern Shores and Colington had some positive statistics.  Southern Shores saw a [...] Real Estate |  Full Article

Dare officials concerned about FEMA flood maps

January 10, 2020 | Real Estate | By: Michelle Wagner | From The: Outer Banks Voice

Thousands of properties removed from flood zone Sweeping changes to the FEMA’s revised 2020 flood maps will mean a 41 percent decrease in the number of unincorporated Dare County properties included in the flood zone. And the widespread re-classifications, county officials worry, could tempt some property owners to prematurely drop their flood insurance policies when [...] Real Estate |  Full Article

2018 a strong, successful year for U.S. fishermen and seafood sector

February 24, 2020 | Fishing

In 2018, U.S. fishermen landed 9.4 billion pounds of fish valued at $5.6 billion at ports around the nation—consistently high figures on par with recent years, which bring economic benefits up and down the seafood supply chain, according to an annual report released today by NOAA Fisheries. According to the Fisheries of the United States report, which is compiled by NOAA using data and analysis not immediately available at the same end of a fishing year, U.S. highest value species groups in 2018 included lobster ($684 million), crabs ($645 million), salmon ($598 million), scallops ($541 million), and shrimp ($496 million). Dutch Harbor in Alaska, and New Bedford in Massachusetts, continue to dominate the list of top ports driven by landings of pollock for Alaska (the nation’s largest commercial fishery) and top-valued sea scallops in Massachusetts. "America's fishermen and seafood in [...] Fishing |  Full Article

Community Foundation Accepting Scholarship Applications

February 24, 2020 | Community News Brief

The Outer Banks Community Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications on its website: www.obcf.org. The application deadline is 11:59 pm, Sunday, March 22. The Community Foundation manages 55 different scholarship programs and expects to award about $173,000 to local students this year. Graduating high school seniors from Dare County, Currituck County, and Ocracoke are eligible [...] Community News Brief |  Full Article

Community Foundation Honors TowneBank and Bob Muller, Announces Ne ...

February 24, 2020 | Community News Brief

The Outer Banks Community Foundation’s membership honored two Champions, elected five board members, and celebrated $1.4 million in grants and scholarships in 2019 at the organization’s Annual Meeting on February 20. The Community Foundation also announced a major new grants initiative at its meeting, the 2020 Vision Grants, which will be launched later in the [...] Community News Brief |  Full Article

Meet the Outer Banks SPCA Pet of the Week, Gracie

February 18, 2020 | Community News Brief

Meet the Outer Banks SPCA pet of the week, Gracie, courtesy of their latest video produced by Dare County’s CURRENT TV. For more information on Gracie, 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/  

Dare County Schools Teacher and Principal of the year…VIDEO

February 17, 2020 | Community News Brief | By: Sam Walker | From The: OBX Today

The 2020 Dare County Schools teacher and principal of the year both come from Cape Hatteras Secondary School of Coastal Studies. Art Teacher Justin Paxton was selected to serve as this year’s District Teacher of the Year. Paxton’s community mural art project has inspired many students, teachers, and business leaders to get involved in the [...] Community News Brief |  Full Article

Michael Patrick Nolan

February 19, 2020 | Obituaries

March 26, 1956 – February 18, 2020 Michael Patrick Nolan, 63, of Manteo, NC died Tuesday, February 18, 2020, at his home. Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.

Alba Marie DiFabio DelVacchio

February 13, 2020 | Obituaries

KILL DEVIL HILLS — Alba Marie DiFabio DelVacchio, 97, of Kill Devil Hills, NC died Wednesday, February 5, 2020, at Vidant Medical Center, Greenville, NC. Born in Philadelphia, PA on January 7, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Cecelia Filippone and Pierino DiFabio. An avid reader, Alba enjoyed playing bridge, working on several [...] Obituaries |  Full Article

Vernon James Gilbert

February 13, 2020 | Obituaries

March 30, 1962 – February 9, 2020 WANCHESE — Vernon James Gilbert, 57, of Wanchese, NC passed away on Sunday, February 9, 2020, at his home. He was a successful boat builder and business owner of Blue Devil Boatworks, LLC. Born in Virginia Beach, VA on March 30, 1962, he was the son of Mary [...] Obituaries |  Full Article

Zeblin Vance Midgett

February 13, 2020 | Obituaries

CPO Zeblin Vance Midgett, USN, Retired, 92, of Virginia Beach, VA, formerly of Kill Devil Hills, NC, passed away Saturday, February 8, 2020, at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. Born in Manteo, NC on December 17, 1927, he was the son of the late Ruth Partridge Midgett and Mahlon Midgett. A veteran of the Korean [...] Obituaries |  Full Article

Joyce Councill Price

February 13, 2020 | Obituaries

KILL DEVIL HILLS — Joyce Councill “Ciccy” Price, 83, a long-time resident of Colington Harbor, Kill Devil Hills, died peacefully on Sunday, February 9, 2020 after a brief illness.  Born and raised in Southampton County, VA, Joyce was the daughter of Janey Turner and Lawrence Wester Councill. While a nurse at Our Community Hospital in [...] Obituaries |  Full Article

Arlene Donahue Williams

February 10, 2020 | Obituaries

AVON — Arlene Janet Donahue Williams, 93, died Saturday, February 8, 2020, peacefully at home with family at her side. Arlene was the daughter of Errold and Hilda Donahue of Bethel, ME.  She was born December 22, 1926 in Albany, ME.  She graduated from Gould Academy and was the mother of eight children and homemaker.  [...] Obituaries |  Full Article