Author: Island Free Press

The Island Free Press is the first and only online newspaper serving both Hatteras and Ocracoke islands’ locals and visitors. The newspaper made its debut on Sept. 5, 2007 and has grown since then in coverage, content, and popularity with readers on and off the islands. The mission of The Island Free Press is to cover the people, the issues, and the happenings that are constantly shaping our Hatteras and Ocracoke communities.

Author: <span>Island Free Press</span>

Stories by Author: Island Free Press

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OBX Life February 4th, 2023

Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s beach access webpage receives a makeover

The Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s beach access webpage has received a makeover for 2023, with a new look that is designed to make it easier to scan and read on multiple devices. The beach access webpage provides information on seasonal closures and conditions throughout the National Seashore, with information on each ORV ramp from Bodie Island to…Read More from Cape Hatteras National Seashore’s beach access webpage receives a makeover

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Top Stories Visitor Economy January 30th, 2023

Cape Hatteras National Seashore welcomed more than 2.86 million visitors in 2022

While 2021 was a record-breaking year for the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, 2022 was a popular year on Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands as well, with one of the highest numbers of visitors in recent history. Per statistics from the National Park Service, the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (CHNS) received a total of 2,862,844 visitors in…Read More from Cape Hatteras National Seashore welcomed more than 2.86 million visitors in 2022

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News Weather January 28th, 2023

Miss Katie arrives for her first Hatteras Inlet dredging event

Dare County’s own dredge, the Miss Katie, arrived in Hatteras village on Thursday, January 26, in order to conduct maintenance dredging in Hatteras Inlet’s Connector Channel over the next few days. “The dredge is there, and it’s supposed to start working this morning,” said Dare County Waterways Commission Chairman Steve “Creature” Coulter. “We asked for…Read More from Miss Katie arrives for her first Hatteras Inlet dredging event

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Community January 28th, 2023

Really, Really Free Market returns to Avon on February 4

The Really, Really Free Market in Avon is returning for its first market of 2023 on Saturday, February 4, from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the Avon Fire Station. The Really, Really Free Market started more than a decade ago, and became a valuable resource for islanders in need after several historic storms, including…Read More from Really, Really Free Market returns to Avon on February 4

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Weather January 24th, 2023

High winds likely, severe thunderstorms possible Wednesday and Thursday

A strong cold front will impact the Outer Banks Wednesday through Thursday morning, bringing a period of intense gusty winds, as well as the threat of severe weather, according to Tuesday morning’s briefing from the National Weather Service Newport / Morehead City office. A Wind Advisory has been issued for Hatteras and Ocracoke islands from…Read More from High winds likely, severe thunderstorms possible Wednesday and Thursday

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OBX Life January 24th, 2023

Outer Banks Forever announces 2023 projects; invites public to take communications survey

Outer Banks Forever, the official nonprofit partner of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Wright Brothers National Memorial and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, recently shared their upcoming 2023 projects and events, and invites the public to provide feedback on the organization via a communications survey, in a January update. The survey is focused on Outer Banks…Read More from Outer Banks Forever announces 2023 projects; invites public to take communications survey

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Weather January 13th, 2023

Island Free Press: Miss Katie dredge on track to work in Hatteras Inlet by February

As mariners look ahead to the spring fishing tournament season, the Dare County Waterways Commission is hopeful that maintenance issues in Hatteras Inlet finally can be addressed in a timely manner. “We don’t want to wait until the last minute,” Commission Chair Steve “Creature” Coulter said at Monday’s meeting in Manteo. “We want it fixed…Read More from Island Free Press: Miss Katie dredge on track to work in Hatteras Inlet by February

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News January 12th, 2023

Removal of old N.C. 12 pavement north of Rodanthe complete

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) recently completed the pavement removal of a former section of N.C. Highway 12 north of Rodanthe, known as the S-Curves. The roughly two-mile stretch of former roadway is now bypassed by the Jug Handle Bridge, and removing the old section of the highway was the final step in…Read More from Removal of old N.C. 12 pavement north of Rodanthe complete

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Weather January 6th, 2023

Dare County commissioners take steps toward a new beach nourishment study in Rodanthe

The Dare County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved taking steps toward a new Feasibility Study to determine the precise costs of performing a beach nourishment project in Rodanthe at their January 3 meeting in Manteo.  “We have a Feasibility Study from 2013, and obviously, the beach looks a little different since then,” said Barton Grover, Dare…Read More from Dare County commissioners take steps toward a new beach nourishment study in Rodanthe

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Out & About December 17th, 2022

‘It’s a whole new beginning’; Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum is undergoing a transformation

The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum is in the middle of a transformation. The Hatteras village landmark, (which first opened in 2002), was slowly but continually stocked with new exhibits over the past 20 years, but as of early December 2022, the 7,500-square-foot space was a blank slate. Photo by Melanie Schwarzer “The galleries are…Read More from ‘It’s a whole new beginning’; Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum is undergoing a transformation

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