The National Weather Service is ramping up its forecast for heavy weather for Hatteras and Ocracoke islands over the weekend, including northwest winds gusting upwards of 45 to 55 mph, likely soundside flooding, possible ocean overwash, high seas, and 1 to 2 inches of rain with locally heavier amounts. According to the NWS forecast discussion, […]
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The story of North Carolina Esso No. 1
Recent news stories about the beginning of oil and gas exploration off the North Carolina coast reminded me of an article I wrote 15 years ago for another publication. Most people are surprised to hear that almost 70 years ago, there was an attempt to find oil not only right here on Hatteras Island but […]
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Hatteras Island’s out-of-this-world tourist attraction
The silver reflective surface is throwing back the rays of the sun. From the windows that encircle the saucer shape, alien faces peer out. Suddenly a green man appears, crouching in the doorway. Cue the opening to a classic 1950s horror and science-fiction TV show and a narrator in the background saying, “It is an […]
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A frightful forecast for the weekend
According to the forecast from our local National Weather Service office in Newport, N.C., we are in for a rather frightful weekend on Hatteras and Ocracoke islands. The meteorologists warn of rain, wind, minor soundside flooding, and cold temperatures with a coastal low that will form Saturday into Sunday. And, as if that wasn’t enough, […]
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Coast Guard needs help identifying suspected hoax caller…WITH AUDIO
Coast Guard Sector North Carolina personnel are requesting assistance from the public in identifying a suspected hoax caller who may have made seven false distress calls during the past two years in the vicinity of New Bern. During the months of September through December of 2012-2013 and September through October of 2014, a similar male voice broadcast similar […]
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Judgeships crowd the ballot with candidates
For people who enjoy voting, North Carolina’s upcoming election promises to be a real treat. Federal, state and local offices are on the ballot. There’s no more straight-ticket voting for party candidates, so voters will have to (or get to) pick their favorite in each and every race. What’s more, the ballot is loaded with […]
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Seashore’s seasonal ORV routes reopen Nov. 1
Beginning Nov. 1, seasonal ORV routes will reopen in Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Some ORV routes may be temporarily closed due to a few remaining resource closures for sea turtle nests. The seasonal ORV routes on Hatteras and Ocracoke islands reopen on Nov. 1 at 12:01 a.m. (or 7 a.m. if posted sea turtle nests […]
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52-inch red drum takes first in annual NCBBA tournament
The drum fishing was really hot as the sixth annual North Carolina Beach Buggy Association Red Drum Tournament got underway in the early morning hours of Thursday, Oct. 23, on Hatteras Island’s northern beaches. A cold front had just passed through the area, temperatures were cool, and the wind was blowing at 25 to 30 […]
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We are not alone: Preservation vs. Recreation
This is another in a series of blogs looking at issues at other national parks in light of the ongoing disputes here at Cape Hatteras National Seashore about access to our beaches. Most issues here at the seashore eventually boil down to the interpretation of the dual mission of the National Park Service, which is […]
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New research about pirate myths to be presented at Ocracoke Jamboree
New research by author-historian Kevin Duffus has revealed that the positive identity of an African-American member of Blackbeard’s crew provides evidence about the infamous pirate’s identity and origin. Contrary to popular myth, Caesar, who was one of six African-American slaves in Blackbeard’s crew, survived well beyond the rest of the crew, said Duffus, author of […]
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