By IRENE NOLAN As requested by the Dare County Board of Commissioners, a bill has been introduced in the General Assembly to give the board the power to increase the sales tax in the county by 1/4-cent to pay for dredging Oregon and Hatteras inlets. The bill, House Bill 388, was introduced yesterday by Rep. […]
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Saltwater intrusion is changing the coast
While the ocean is knocking at the front door of some beachfront homes and hotels in North Carolina, the forests across the Albemarle and Pamlico sounds are retreating from the shoreline. They’re being driven back by saltwater. It’s seeping into the soil and surface waters of the coastal plain. What scientists call “saltwater intrusion” has […]
Island Features | Full Article
Guest Commentary: ‘Socialist’ Senate vs. Metro McCrory
On one side, you have a senator talking about how there are “two North Carolinas” and how it’s time for policy that will bring prosperity to all areas of the state. On the other side, you have a member screaming “Socialism!” Senate Bill 369 would change the way sales tax revenue is distributed among the […]
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ORV routes in front of villages close April 1
As required in the Off-Road Vehicle Management Plan for the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, the temporary closure of ORV routes in front island villages will begin April 1 and continue until Oct. 31. These areas remain open to pedestrian use. The closed ORV routes are: Hatteras Island: 0.1 mile south of Rodanthe Pier to Ramp […]
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UPDATE: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sends dredges to open Oregon Inlet
If shoaling and weather conditions permit, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District will begin emergency dredging operations at Oregon Inlet Wednesday to remove the shoaling that has been obstructing the federal channel passage for commercial fishing vessels. On Saturday, March 28, the U.S. Coast Guard closed the Oregon Inlet waters near the Bonner […]
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Legislative Update: It was raining bills all week
In a week of what for many was an overwhelming amount of introduced legislation – some welcomed, some not so much – one bill, even if not signed into law, provided a brief history lesson. Senate Bill 583 is an attempt to gain state recognition of Juneteenth Observance Day in North Carolina. According to the […]
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The pressure is on the Dare County commissioners
Toward the end of his comments at today’s special meeting and just before the Board of Commissioners voted on a resolution to ask the General Assembly to authorize a quarter-cent sales tax increase without a referendum to pay for inlet dredging, Chairman Bob Woodard asked the sheriff’s deputies in the meeting room to turn out […]
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Outer Banks Angling: Typical March
The weather has proven to be very much as we expect March to be – all over the place. Scattered semi-warm days followed by much cooler days, a day or so of southerly winds, followed by days of northerly wind. Yep. It’s March. Or even better — it’s spring on the Outer Banks. While the […]
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Dare County plans large-item pickup for April
The Dare County Sanitation Department will be conducting a large item household pickup for residential customers only. No commercial business debris will be picked up. Please do not interfere with county employees picking up large items. Materials must be at curbside no later than 6 a.m. on the date of collection. There will not be a second day pickup. […]
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Guest Editorial: Tata’s politics may cost N.C. transportation dollars
N.C. Department of Transportation Secretary Tony Tata has made a nice living from his status as a retired brigadier general. When Tata retired in 2009 after 28 years in the U.S. Army, his former rank and training at The Broad Academy gave him entry into the Washington, D.C. school district. There, he would use his […]
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