Flotsam bottles containing messages are one of those treasures that beachcombers dream of finding. Roy and Ann Huntley of Raleigh, who have a house on Ocracoke and visit frequently, got a longtime wish when they found such a bottle on the beach last November. “I mean, I was pretty excited,” Roy said. “I never found […]
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Stay tuned to Twitter for Pamlico Sound ferry run cancellations
March 9, 2021 | Local News | By: Connie Leinbach | From The: Ocracoke Observer
Last week, the NC Ferry division modified its Pamlico Sound ferry routes due to maintenance issues and alerted the public via Twitter. In the last few days, the Division has tweeted that some runs have been canceled due to low water in the Pamlico Sound, said Ferry Division Spokesman Tim Hass in an interview today. […]
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Hyde schools to return to in-person learning
February 4, 2021 | Local News | By: Connie Leinbach | From The: Ocracoke Observer
Following Gov. Roy Cooper’s call Tuesday afternoon for public schools to reopen, the Hyde County Board of Education voted Tuesday night to authorize in-person learning for both the mainland and Ocracoke. Though Plan B is effective immediately, Ocracoke School is not yet fully open, though one-on-one instruction will be allowed, and mainland schools will open […]
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Dredging in Big Foot Slough off Ocracoke expected to clear the way for more ferries
Dredging in Big Foot Slough in the Pamlico Sound is expected to clear the way for the larger sound-class ferries in the next several days. Kris Noble, Hyde County manager, said in an interview that the side caster dredge Merritt began dredging at 2 p.m. Wednesday. Cost of the project is thanks to a partnership […]
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Ocracoke has first official COVID-19 case
August 25, 2020 | Local News | By: Connie Leinbach | From The: Ocracoke Observer
Hyde County Health Department Director Luana Gibbs today confirmed that Ocracoke has an active COVID-19 case and that the person is hospitalized. Gibbs said she would issue a press release on Tuesday afternoon with the breakdown in cases for Hyde County. According to the Health Department, there are now 79 total cases to date with […]
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Variety Store sets special early hours for COVID-19 high-risk people
May 16, 2020 | Local News | By: Connie Leinbach | From The: Ocracoke Observer | 1
Today, Saturday, May 16, the day visitors are welcomed back to the island, island businesses are getting ready for the season. The Ocracoke Variety Store will be among some businesses that will encourage the wearing of face masks during this COVID-19 pandemic. The store also will institute a special shopping time from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m. […]
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Ocracoke prepares to reopen
May 9, 2020 | Local News | By: Connie Leinbach | From The: Ocracoke Observer
Editor’s note: The Observer will publish a comprehensive list of what’s open and closed in a future post. As of 5 p.m. Friday, Phase 1 of North Carolina’s Stay at Home order became effective, which allows limited opening of businesses. Ocracoke Island is gearing up to receive visitors–May 11 for non-resident property owners and May […]
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Hyde mainland and Ocracoke begin to reopen
May 5, 2020 | Local News | By: Connie Leinbach | From The: Ocracoke Observer
The Hyde County Commissioners Monday night agreed to allow visitors to mainland Hyde starting at 5 a.m. on Wednesday and will work with Dare and Currituck counties to lift the visitor restriction on Ocracoke before Memorial Day, possibly on May 21. Hyde County Manager Kris Nobel will work with the two counties as to the […]
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Food Bank of the Albemarle replenishes Ocracoke
April 27, 2020 | Island Features | By: Connie Leinbach | From The: Ocracoke Observer
The Food Bank of the Albemarle on Friday brought food reinforcements for the Bread of Life Food Pantry. Three trucks, including one refrigerator truck, unloaded more than 20,000 pounds of food into the pantry’s temporary location at the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department. “We were almost out,” said Darlene Styron, vice-chair of the Ocracoke Interfaith Recovery […]
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Hyde commissioners get Covid-19 update, discuss visitor access, approve new tram contracts
April 8, 2020 | Local News | By: Connie Leinbach | 1
As of Monday morning, Hyde County still has not logged a case of the novel coronavirus Covid-19. Hyde County Health Director Luanna Gibbs told the Hyde County commissioners Monday night at their monthly meeting that Hyde was one of 10 counties still without the virus that’s caused a worldwide pandemic, but news reports this morning […]
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