Author: Sam Walker

Lead Reporter

Lead reporter for WOBX, Sam has been covering news, sports and weather on the radio and online in his native eastern North Carolina for over three decades. During storm events and breaking news on the Outer Banks, he makes regular appearances on The Weather Channel and other outlets around the country. Sam can be reached at sam@wobx.com or 252-202-4511.

Author: <span>Sam Walker</span>

Stories by Author: Sam Walker

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Visitor Economy May 30th, 2023

Report: Demand for short-term rentals stronger than ever

A recent report by HNR Hotel News reports that demand is stronger than ever for short-term rentals (STRs). It noted that AirDNA’s latest month market review shows that the summer of 2023 will be the strongest on record. Booked revenues for the summer are already up 15 percent compared to the same time last year. Supply growth…Read More from Report: Demand for short-term rentals stronger than ever

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News May 29th, 2023

Expect one more week of delays in Kill Devil Hills for sidewalk project along U.S. 158

A sidewalk project in Kill Devil Hills that has caused significant traffic backups trying to head south on U.S. 158 and N.C. 12 is expected to be finished by the end of the week. Meanwhile, the Colington Road improvement project in the vicinity of the Croatan Highway/Ocean Bay Boulevard intersection which compounded the delays, is…Read More from Expect one more week of delays in Kill Devil Hills for sidewalk project along U.S. 158

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BIZ May 29th, 2023

Spring business comings and goings across the Greater Outer Banks

OBX Chamber holds ribbon cuttings for Hook Law, Holiday Inn Express-Kitty Hawk, Sandy Paws Pet Care Myra Ladd-Bone, Immediate Past Chairman of the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Broker at Atlantic Realty congratulated Chief Operating Officer Tejal Desai; Shareholder Letha McDowell, CELA; and President Andrew “Andy” Hook, CELA, AEP, CFP for…Read More from Spring business comings and goings across the Greater Outer Banks

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Visitor Economy May 29th, 2023

N.C., Outer Banks travel promoted to international market at U.S. Travel Association’s IPW

Visit NC’s Wit Tuttell, Heidi Walters and Veda Gilbert, members of the Outer Banks Visitor’s Bureau staff, and other partners from around state, attended the U.S. Travel Association’s IPW last week in San Antonio. With COVID-19 restrictions now lifted for entry to the U.S., international tour operators and media met to discuss getting international visitors…Read More from N.C., Outer Banks travel promoted to international market at U.S. Travel Association’s IPW

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Weather May 27th, 2023

Decreasing winds, shower chances over rest of holiday weekend across Greater Outer Banks

A welcome break from the wind, decreasing chances of rain and warmer temperatures are forecast across the Greater Outer Banks for the second half of the Memorial Day holiday weekend. But it will likely still not be the best conditions to sit on the beach, and definitely too dangerous to take a swim in the…Read More from Decreasing winds, shower chances over rest of holiday weekend across Greater Outer Banks

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News May 27th, 2023

State to shut down harvest of striped mullet from early November through end of year

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries announced Friday that the state Marine Fisheries Commission had approved supplemental management measures to address overfishing of striped mullet in state waters, which will impact a popular fish used for bait by coastal anglers. Striped mullet, also known as jumping mullet and finger mullet, are primarily used locally as…Read More from State to shut down harvest of striped mullet from early November through end of year

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Food & Drink May 26th, 2023

The Story of BBQ in N.C. on display at Roanoke Island Festival Park through June 18

The traveling exhibit “The Story of BBQ in N.C.,” is now on display at Roanoke Island Festival Park in downtown Manteo. This free exhibit is open to the public Tuesday – Saturday. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. through June 18, in the Ticket Sales Gallery. “The Story of BBQ in N.C.” explores the emergence of hog cultivation…Read More from The Story of BBQ in N.C. on display at Roanoke Island Festival Park through June 18

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News May 25th, 2023

VIDEO: Bridge along main route from Virginia to Outer Banks fully reopened after quick repairs

Contractors for the City of Chesapeake needed just three days to repair a damaged girder supporting a bridge along the main route to the Outer Banks from Virginia. The underside of of the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal Bridge along the V.A. 168 Bypass/Chesapeake Expressway near Great Bridge was struck by a Norfolk Dredging Company spud…Read More from VIDEO: Bridge along main route from Virginia to Outer Banks fully reopened after quick repairs

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Top Stories Visitor Economy May 24th, 2023

Study of long-term management of Outer Banks visitor economy lays out roadmap for next decade

Following a nine-month-long process, that included public town hall meetings, a poll of residents, focus groups, a task force composed of representatives from a variety of local agencies and the visitor economy industry, the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau has released the findings of a study that lays out a road map for the future of…Read More from Study of long-term management of Outer Banks visitor economy lays out roadmap for next decade

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Multimedia Real Estate May 24th, 2023

VIDEO: Home elevation projects in Dare County funded by FEMA grant program

Dare County has released a new video that highlights a series of house elevations that are currently underway thanks to funding from FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides funding for the elevation of flood-prone structures in order to prevent or reduce flood losses. In August 2021, Dare County received a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance…Read More from VIDEO: Home elevation projects in Dare County funded by FEMA grant program

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