| outerbanksfreepress.com News from the Outer Banks of North Carolina |
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![]() Glacier in Kitty Hawk |
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| STERLING
SERVICES
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| Outer
Banks Bicycle Riders Pedal while Others Sleep: The 5:30 Crew |
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It’s
5:30 am on the Outer Banks. Most people are sleeping or just getting up
to get ready to work. At the same time 5, 10 or maybe 20 local business
owners, real estate developers, contractors, engineers, doctors, school
teachers and other avid cyclists are preparing to ride 18 miles before
6:30. They meet at the same bench at Food Lion in Southern Shores every weekday morning at 5:30 to ride everything from full on carbon race bikes to trusty old steel framed road bikes. In the true Outer Banks spirit, they ride as a group. Read the complete story |
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| First
Flight High School Student Madelaine Katz Wins Dare County District Championship in Poetry Out Loud Competition ...................... |
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Katz
came out on top in the finals in a tough competition against fellow First
Flight High School student Becca DeLucia and Manteo High School students
Cole Beasley and Kiana Kinsey. Kiana Kinsey was named runner up. |
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Nags
Head Commissioners Say No Referendum Planned for Beach Nourishment....................... |
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| Instead,
some of the ideas that surfaced at a recent commissioners meeting on ways
to get the $36 million needed to pay for beach nourishment on the town's
eroding beaches included charging visitors to park at beach accesses;
charging a flat fee of $1.50 a night for hotel rooms, $10 a week for cottage
rentals and borrowing the money. |
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| Southern
Shores Canal Dredging Project "Going Down the Drain!" |
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| That's
been reported on "Eye
on Dare,” a new Outer Banks political website. With only 7 days
remaining on their original permit, only 1-2% of the canal dredging project
in the town of Southern Shores was reported complete. One town official
said "This project is going down the drain." Southern Shores
has about $1.7 million invested in the project. Although bonded, if the
project fails or is shutdown before completion, turmoil is a likely outcome
for those officials intertwined in the scheme |
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| Outer
Banks Music Showcase Presents: Sick & Tired of Winter |
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Special
Valentine's Day Celebration with Ocean
City Jamboree, February 13th 2010. Come spend your Valentine's weekend
with an exciting show performance by the Ocean
City Jamboree from Ocean City, Maryland. The cast will be here for
one exciting day including two performances (2:00pm & 7:30pm) with
their hit show "Sick & Tired of Winter". This is a brand
new musical stage production reminiscing on the lazy, hazy, crazy days
of summer. This promises to be a foot tappin', finger snappin', belly
laughin', good time. Young and old alike will find themselves singing
along with their mini tribute to the great hit songs of the British invasion,
classic summer hits from the past, and more! Audiences of all ages will
continue to be amazed by the spellbinding wizardry and illusions along
with side-splitting comedy. |
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| Hatteras
Island Residents “Angry and Disappointed” with Dare County Commissioners Actions............ |
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Some
Hatteras Island voters are seeking to change election law so commissioners
would have to be elected by voters living in their own districts rather
than through a county wide vote as presently done. Some Islander’s
site lack of action on beach closures as a major disappointment. |
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| Alligator
River National Wildlife Refuge Red Wolf Howling Safaris Dates for 2010 Season |
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| Date
Day Time 9 June Wednesday 7:00 PM 16 June Wednesday 7:00 PM 23 June Wednesday 7:00 PM 30 June Wednesday 7:00 PM 7 July Wednesday 7:00 PM 14 July Wednesday 7:00 PM |
Date
Day Time 21 July Wednesday 7:00 PM 28 July Wednesday 7:00 PM 4 Aug. Wednesday 7:00 PM 24 Aug.Wednesday 7:00 PM 1 Sept.Wednesday 7:00 PM register at 252.796.5600 |
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| Gun
Stolen from Nags Head Vehicle Able to Penetrate Bullet Proof Vests |
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A
black FN Herstal, 5.7 mm pistol was stolen during a vehicle break-in on
January 26th, 2010 from a vehicle parked on Pine Grove Trail in Nags Head.
In addition, a gun case and 3 magazines were also taken during the theft.
Officials report this particular gun poses a special threat to the public
because it is capable of firing rounds that can penetrate Bulet Proof
Vests. |
![]() Typical 5.7 mm FN Hernstal |
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| Arctic Ice Melt to Cost $24 trillion by 2050 | |||
Damage
to result from lost real estate, lost crops, and insurance payouts as
a result of rising sea levels, floods and heat waves. Coastal regions
to suffer worst fate. |
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| Nags
Head Board of Commissioners Seeking $35 Million for Beach Nourishment............ |
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The
Nags Head Board of Commissioners and Mayor approved three
resolutions in an effort to find funding for the Town's local beach
nourishment scheme at their February 3, 2010 meeting. In addition, the
mayor proposed that future maintenance funding include a special assessment
on oceanfront & property owners east of S. Virginia Dare Trail north
of Whalebone Junction and east of S. Old Oregon Inlet Road. |
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| Corolla
Wild Horse Fund Files for Special Use Permit to Operate Horse Tours in Off-Road Area |
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The
organization became the first to file for the permit after Currituck County
adopted an outdoor tour operator ordinance on Sept. 21, 2009 in an effort
to control the number of vehicles in the off road area after traffic complaints
by area residents. |
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| Southern
Shores Fires Town Manager Places Police Chief in Control of Town |
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Southern
Shores mayor and town council votes 5-0 in closed session on Feb 2, 2010
to replace town manager Charles B. Read, Jr., with Police Chief David
Kole, effective immediately. |
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| “The
Vagina Monologues” Feb.
8th 9th & 10th, 2010 in the Outer Banks Brewing Station...... |
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The
Vagina Monologues are used to raise awareness and funds for local organizations
working to end violence against women and girls. Outer
Banks Brewing Station |
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| Cape
Hatteras National Seashore Announces Dates for 2010 Campground Season......... |
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| Oregon
Inlet Fishing Charter Boat Catches 175lb Bluefin Tuna........ |
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| Cape
Hatteras National Seashore Annual Reports for Protected Species; Off-Road Vehicle Management & Negotiated Rulemaking Released |
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| Home Foreclosures Reach New Record in North Carolina | |||
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Foreclosures
filings in North Carolina reached historic proportions in 2009 with 63,341,
an increase of nearly 10,000 over 2008’s 53,960 filings. Locally,
Dare County suffered 1029 foreclosures in 2009 compared to 756 in 2008.
In Currituck County there were 328 foreclosures in 2009 compared to 204
in 2008. Hyde County reported 38 in 2009 compared to 22 in 2008. Tyrrell
County actually saw a decrease, experiencing just 15 foreclosures in 2009
compared to 18 in 2008. Officials with the North Carolina Justice Center
are calling for stronger state and federal response to the epidemic in
foreclosures. |
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| Two
Currituck Men Arrested for Indecent Liberties with Minors.. |
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Lynwood
Lee Jones III, 28, a resident of the 200 block of Baxter Lane in Moyock
and a previously registered sex offender is facing three counts of taking
indecent liberties with a child following a grand jury indictment on Jan.
11. In a separate matter, Charles William McClendon, 51, a resident of
the 200 block of East Ridge Road also in Moyock was charged with disseminating
obscene material to a minor under the age of 16. McClendon was also a
suspect in a previous child molestation case that was reported on May
8, 2008. Investigators suspect McClendon gave alcohol to the child before
the molestation took place. |
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| Officials
Await Environmental Impact Statement for Currituck Mid-County Bridge................ |
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The
report was supposed to be released last summer, however Turnpike engineers
asked for more time to investigate modifications to the bridge’s
design and introduce a new bridge option, called “Option B”
, a plan engineers believe could save the project a lot of money and work
well with the natural environment. Option B would relocate the bridge’s toll collection booths and move a lot of local traffic onto the new bridge highway. However, many local Currituck residents oppose the new plan, claiming it places environmental concerns over the wants of local residents. |
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Outer Banks Association of Realtors Honored at Membership Meeting in Kitty Hawk.......... |
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Arlene
Price, of Resort Realty was recognized for being a REALTOR® for 25
years by Genelle Carter, 2010 President of The Outer Banks Association
of REALTORS® at the General Membership Meeting held at The Hilton
Garden Inn, Kitty Hawk, NC on Wednesday, January 27th. This honor also
goes to Douglas Langford of Langford & Company, and Maryruth Reiss,
RE/MAX Ocean Realty not pictured. |
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| Winners
Announced for the 32nd Annual Frank Stick Memorial Arts Show............ |
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Despite
the snow, the rain, the wind and the rising tide on Saturday, January
30th, our judges, Michael Dorsey and Mark Phillips were able to view the
show on Saturday to make their decisions. After two hours of deliberations
in the blind judging, they announced their choices. In an unusual twist,
both judges were deadlocked for Best in Show and requested that we offer
two awards and overall awards were given to artists representing many
styles of work. Best in Show Awards sponsored by Marshall Sklar and Saga Construction were awarded to Hanna Jubran for his sculpture "Composition #7” and Fay Davis Edwards for her painting "One Lump or Two: The New Reality.” continued |
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| OBX
Surfer Brett Barley Reaches Semi-Finals of $120,000 Volcom Pipeline Pro............... |
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On
Thursday, Jan. 28, Barley 20 stunned the crowd at North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii,
with a perfect 10, the highest heat score of the event. The Outer Banks
surfer claimed the last semi-final spot in the closing seconds of his
heat, finding a precious barrel at the Backdoor in the 15-foot-plus surf
to earn the score he needed to move into the finals. Barley will be joined
in the semi-finals by Australians Mark Mathews and Anthony Walsh, Ian
Walsh (Maui), Jamie O’Brien, Danny Fuller, John Florence, and Kiron
Jabour. |
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| January, 30, 2010 Outer Banks Snow Storm Pictures | |||
| Kitty
Hawk Town Council Holds Meeting to Discuss Financial Situation of Town.. |
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Town’s
Finance Officer not optimistic for any revenue increases in next fiscal
year. Town discussing changes to employees educational Leave, education
Benefits, and retiree Health Insurance. |
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| Southern
Shores Police Dept. Reports Breaking & Entering Crimes up Over 100% in 2009....... |
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According
to a Police Dept. presentation at the town’s recent retreat, there
were 53 break-ins reported in 2009 as opposed to 23 in 2008. In addition,
arrests were down. In 2008, 4 individuals were reported arrested for the
crime of breaking and entering. During 2009, only 1 individual was reported
arrested for breaking and entering despite a more than 100% increase in
the crime. |
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| Fisherman Falls off Boat, Missing in Atlantic Ocean | |||
Allen
Nelson III, 52, a crewmember aboard the fishing vessel Scarlett Lady fell
overboard on Thursday afternoon Jan. 28 about 66 miles southeast of Beaufort
Inlet . According to witnesses, Nelson was not wearing a life jacket.
see
Coast Guard abandons Search |
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| Dare
County Unemployment Rate Jumps to Record 15.5% |
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This
is an almost 4 point increase over November's 11.6% rate and a new record
for Dare County. Throughout the state, unemployment rates increased in
86 of the state's 100 counties for December. |
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| North
Carolina Unemployment Rate Soars to Historic Highs.... |
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| Katy
Caroline Featured Artist for February at Dare County Arts Council Gallery........ |
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One of the Outer Banks’ most vibrant young artists, Katy Caroline, will have her work featured February 5 – 26, 2010 at the DCAC Gallery, in her show called “Bid in a Box.” This show is an unusual concept where most of the works will be available for blind bidding during the month of February. Why? Katy Caroline wants to be generous to those who have supported her work, so for this limited time she will be offering most her recent works up for auction. Bids range from $20 to $300.00 and sizes range from 5” x 5” to 28” x 59.5”, and this is all original work. You may place your bids throughout the month, with the winners notified at the close of the show. What's more, for anyone who prefers traditional gallery opportunities, you will have that option, too. Continued |
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| Kitty
Hawk Heritage Day Threatened ! Victim of Budget Squeeze. Town Council Members Unable to Find $7,500 Needed to Fund Event |
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| New
Oregon Inlet Bridge Delayed Again; Proposed $50 Per Day Toll Called Offensive |
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| New
Proposed Swan Beach Business District includes Fishing Pier! Issue Comes to Planning Board on Feb 9 |
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Plans
to be unveiled at a Feb 9 Planning Board meeting for the new Swan Beach
development in the Currituck 4 wheel drive area include hotel, bungalows,
chapel, bait shop, gym, and fishing pier. Backers call Commercial development
"Swan Beach Preserve" ! |
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| Manteo
High School Seniors Paul Charron & Bree Tillett Earn Perfect Math scores on SAT II Tests |
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| Outer
Banks Restaurant Owner Mike Kelly's New 7500 Square Foot Home Profiled in "My Outer Banks Home".................... |
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| Corolla
Parents Making Push to Form New State Charter School |
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The
school is expected to consist of students from Kindergarden up to 6th
grade. Those students currently spend up to four hours each day riding
school buses or being driven by parents to schools in Dare County. Funding
for the school would come from county and state budgets through payments
of about $7,000 for each child that attends the new school.. |
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| Currituck
Ponders Elimination of Building Permit Fees in Effort to Increase Constructiona Activity |
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| In
2009 only 159 building permits for new construction were issued, a decrease
of 77% from the peak high of 695 permits issued in 2003. The county’s
Employment Security Commission believes more than 11 percent of Currituck's
total unemployment is from the construction trades and some workers have
been without employment for 2 years and are almost destitute. Officials
believe eliminating building fees may stimulate construction activity
and bring employment to many of those workers. Officials estimate builders
would save up to $1,200 per house if they didn't have to pay for permits.
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| Scientists
Conclude State Meeting with Worse Case Scenario; Sea-Level rise of 4.6 feet in 90 Years...... |
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Scientists
brought together by the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources
in a special meeting in Raleigh recently claim the expected rise in sea
level will overwhelm the Outer Banks and allow the Pamlico Sound to become
part of the Atlantic Ocean in its worse case scenario. The higher ocean
levels will be a social and economic disaster for thousands of residents
living along the Outer Banks and on the mainland. The results of such
a cataclysmic event include loss of Manteo, Nags Head, Kitty Hawk , Hatteras
Island as well as much of the history of the area. In addition, the ocean
will reach deep into the state bringing major climatic changes to much
of the present North Carolina mainland. |
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| Dare County Offering Free H1N1 Vaccinations to Everyone | |||
flu
shots are available during normal business hours at the Health Department
offices in Manteo and Frisco. Call 475-5003 for info |
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| Wood
Sculptures Depicting Cruxification of Christ by OBX Artist Glenn Eure Dedicated at Holy Redeemer by the Sea Catholic Church on Jan. 24 |
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Eure,
who owns the Ghost Fleet Gallery in Nags Head and a member of the church
spent an estimated 150 hours over a 4 year period on each of the 15 wood
relief stations carved from tulip wood and southern yellow poplar that
now decorate the church’s walls |
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| Humane
Society Offering $2500 Reward for Info Leading to the Arrest of Individuals Suspected of Intentionally Breaking Wings of Pelicans... |
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The
Humane Society hopes the reward money will bring in some new leads on
a case that been ongoing for several years. More pelicans have washed
up around Oak Island recently with broken left wings that appeared to
have been snapped over the side of a boat or over a knee. An official
with the Seabiscuit Wildlife Shelter says the birds were in such bad condition
they had to be put down. The illegal actions were first detected about
2 years ago. |
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| Dare
County Officials Report Feeling Good Over Court Challenge Against Coastal County Insurance Rate Hikes |
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| North
Carolina Unemployment Rate Increases to 11.2% in December...... |
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North
Carolina's unemployment rate has held steady near 11% for almost a year.
The new rate surpasses the previous peak of 11.1 % reached in May, 2009.
Data for counties were not released. Dare County experienced a 11.5% unemployment
rate in Nov. 2009 and that figure is expected to be passed when the new
data is made public. |
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| Famous
Chef, Ed Brantley, and Wife Heba Salama, to Teach Healthy Cooking Techniques at Annual Outer Banks Taste of the Beach on March 11-14...... |
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Ed
and Heba will host the opening reception, teach healthy cooking classes
and act as celebrity judges at the Grand Finale Taste of The Beach Expo.
More than 20 Outer Banks restaurants are expected to compete for the 1st
ever TOBY Awards. Awards include "Best Booth Presentation,"
"Best In Show" and "Peoples Choice." Ed Brantley is
a graduate of Johnson and Wales College of Culinary Arts in Charleston,
South Carolina and currently teaches European Cuisine at the Arts Institute
of Raleigh, North Carolina. The couple gained fame as weight loss winners
on the television show "The Biggest Loser" by losing a combined
total of 277 pounds. Heba became the first woman to win the "at home"
prize of $100,000 for the highest percentage of weight lost overall and
her husband, Ed, finished the season in second place. |
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| $4.9
Million in Recovery Act Funds Awarded to Build New Visitor Center and Headquarters at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge |
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| Seal
Takes Up Residence near the Wash Woods Life Saving Station in Corova.............(Pictures) |
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According
to a new study by the US Energy Department's National Renewable Energy
Laboratory, the effort would require a $90 billion in investment to build
22,000 miles of new high-tech power lines to carry the electricity to
cities in addition to the actual wind turbines that would be needed. Wind
turbines would be placed throughout the eastern USA grid extending from
the Plains states to the Atlantic Coast and south to the Gulf of Mexico.
Most of the big wind farms would be concentrated off the Atlantic Coast
from Massachusetts to North Carolina and in Midwest states from North
Dakota to Nebraska and into Kansas. |
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Ocean
Surface Temperatures 2nd Warmest on Record for December According to New NOAA Report......... |
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Report
Highlights: "The global ocean temperature was the second warmest
on record, behind 1997. The temperature anomaly was 0.97 degree F above
the 20th century average of 60.4 degrees F. The combined global land and ocean surface temperature was the eighth warmest on record, at 0.88 degree F above the 20th century average of 54.0 degrees F. The global land surface temperature was 0.63 degree F above the 20th century average of 38.7 degrees F - the coolest December anomaly since 2002." source |
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| Kill
Devil Hills Homeowner Returns Home and Surprises Burglar......... |
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"On
January 12th, 2010, a homeowner in the 1100 block of 4th Street in Kill
Devil Hills returned home to find a burglar inside his residence. The
suspect fled before he could be apprehended, however a description and
physical evidence was obtained. The suspect stole several rolls of coins
and collectable coins, including a proof set. Anyone with information
should contact Crime Line or the Kill Devil Hills Police Department at
(252) 449-5337."
Dare Community Crime Line |
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| Bert
Thomas of Kitty Hawk Catches 47 lb Citation Striper |
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| Dare
County High School Band Students Make History |
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A
record 9 Dare County students placed in the Symphonic Band to qualify
for auditions in the All-State Band: Morgan Leatherwood and Lucy Mason,
Gage Clawson, Caroline Lowcher, Mei Mei Cook, Nick Nelson, and Becca DeLucia,
and Abby Gray and Andrea Hueck. Earning a seat in the All-State Band is
the highest achievement for a public school band student in North Carolina. |
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| Nags
Head Ocean Rescue Division Seeking Lifeguards for 2010 Summer Season....... |
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| Hatteras
Island Surfer James Brett Barley Has a New Blog |
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| New
Movie Tells the Story of the Pea Island Surfmen |
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"Rescue
Men: The Story of the Pea Island Surfmen" is scheduled to premiere
on 27 February 2010, 7:30 PM at Roanoke Island Festival Park. see
movie trailer |
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Scientists
Conclude Forum With Message: Rising |
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A
panel of scientists ended a two-day forum in Raleigh, North Carolina on
Friday, Jan. 15 with a sobering message for residents of the Outer Banks
on the effects of rising seas on the coastline. They predicted a moderate
sea level rise for the next 25 years which will then begin to accelerate
causing an increase of sea level by as much as 4.5 feet by the year 2100.
In addition, when the ocean breaks through the Outer Banks, Pamlico Sound
will become part of the Atlantic Ocean threatening current marine plants
and animals that now develop in the current brackish water. Scientists
estimate 2,300 square miles of land would either be underwater or subjected
to frequent flooding. The panel urged the state to build more monitoring stations, track the rising oceans and develop long range plans to deal with the loss of land. |
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| State
Farm Insurance to End Homeowners Insurance on Outer Banks, Calls Risk to Company too Great ! |
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The
company announced it will drop nearly 1600 policies that were to renew
on May 1st. Calls risks too great to continue offering policies in coastal
areas of North Carolina and other states. Company officials say the barrier
islands present a geographic threat and they need to protect the company's
financial strength. |
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| Cape
Hatteras and Cape Lookout National Seashores Nominated for Marine Protected Area Status......... |
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| Dare
County School System Offering Substitute Teachers Employment in Child Nutrition for $8.64. per Hour..................................... |
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| See All Dare County School System Job Openings | |||
| Nags
Head Police Arrest Virginia Man Driving Stolen Vehicle, Find More Stolen Property from Other Vehicle Break-Ins |
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Joshua
Adam Brooks, 21, of Brambleton, VA was pulled over in Nags Head, North
Carolina on January 11, 2010 and arrested for driving for driving a stolen
vehicle. A search of the vehicle discovered stolen property from vehicles
that were broken into earlier on W. Morning Dove Street and S. Pamlico Avenue in Nags Head. Brooks was charged with 2 counts of Breaking/Entering to vehicle, 2 counts of Misdemeanor Larceny, 2 counts possession of stolen property, and 1 count of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. More charges are expected to follow. He was also wanted on two outstanding warrants for probation violation |
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| Home Foreclosures Up Sharply in Dare County | |||
1,029 forclosures were reported in Dare County during 2009 compared to
756 during 2008. Across the state of North Carolina, a record 63,341 home
foreclosures were reported during 2009. source |
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| Kill Devil Hills Police Continue Hunt for Killer | |||
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Police Seeking 2 Men, One Missing Shoe After Nags Head Robbery..... |
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In
a robbery reported on December 19th, 2009 approximately $4700 was taken
from a woman making a night deposit at the RBC Centura Bank in Nags Head.
The suspects were described as hispanic with the following details: Suspect
#1; 5’8” tall, 150 pounds, dark knit winter cap, scarf over
lower half of face, tan jacket, dark jeans, spoke in a Spanish/Mexican
accent. Suspect #2 was wearing a dark jacket, dark pants, scarf covering
face, dark knit winter cap. A shoe from one of the suspects was recovered
from the scene.
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![]() Robbery Suspect's Missing Shoe. Crime Line Offers Cash Rewards of up to $1000 for Tips that Lead to Arrests..... |
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If
you are familiar with anyone who wears these types of shoes, please call
Crime Line (252 473 3111) or the Nags Head Police Department (252) 441-6386.
There
have also been More than 170 Residential Burglaries Reported in Dare County
over Past 3 Month Period, |
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| Guest
Column: Offshore Drilling could Ruin Dare’s Economy, Comments Needed Now! By MATT WALKER & JOHN WASNIEWSKI |
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On
Sept. 21, the U.S. Department of Interior will accept the final public
comments concerning energy development along mainland America’s
Outer Continental Shelf. That leaves Dare County citizens only a few days
to voice their opposition to petroleum exploration off North Carolina’s
coast. Why should we say no? It simple. While some may think offshore oil promises new jobs and income in a time of financial hardship, it actually threatens our county’s sole economic engine of a clean coastline, which already employs more people and generates more revenue in our county alone than petroleum ever can for the entire state. Continued |
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