outerbanksfreepress.com
Npeople Along Outer Banks, North CarolinaWind, Waves and Fisherman in an Suv on a Beach in the Outer BanksWildfoul at Sunset on the Outer BanksSunrise over Outer Banks, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina, USAPeople Along Outer Banks, North Carolina
First Annual Outer Banks Bluegrass Festival
Organizers Drop Planned Show in Downtown Manteo
Due to Dissension Among Business Owners
Business owners were reportedly grumbling about outside food vendors at the event and planned street closures. The 3 day festival is set for the Columbus Day weekend. Promotors are scrambling to find another location on the Outer Banks because bands have been booked and 1,300 festival tickets have been sold in advance.
First Flight High School Boys Basketball Team
Overwhelms Currituck County.......... 55 - 41

Billy Foster high Scorer for First Flight with 18 see box
Woman Artist Who Spent Summer Living in a Tent
with Dog on Ocracoke Island Nurturing Her
Painting Skills Featured Artist in California Art Show
Artist Aimee Had nurtured her successful artistic skills into a career while living with her dog BB in a tent on Ocracoke Island 9 years ago.
Dare County Unemployment Rate Jumps to 15.7% in
December 2011, Highest Rate on Record for December
on State Employment Security Commission Website
The state reports there were 3161 people out of work in Dare County in December, compared to 2449 seeking work in November, representing an increase in the unemployment rate from 11.9% in November to December's 15.7%. According to the State Unemployment Commission website, 333 workers have either given up seeking a job of left the workforce for other reasons since November.
Hyde County reported a 13.2% Unemployment rate in December, a 2.2% increase over the previous month and Currituck County reported a 9.5% rate for December, an increase of 2,3% over the previoue month.
Cost of Cape Hatteras Off Road Driving Permits
Set: $120 Yearly or $50 Weekly, National Park Service
to Ticket Drivers Without Permit Beginning March 15
In addition, drivers will be required to watch a seven-minute educational video at one of three designated visitor centers in the parkwhen they buy their permit.
Outer Banks Residents Report they are Still Caught
in Quagmire of Red Tape, Paperwork &
Misinformation Months After Hurricane Irene
Man Extradited from Africa to Face Charges of
Rape in Duck, Kill Devil Hills & Virginia Beach
Simon Matsoake 37 of Johannesburg, South Africa in being held in Dare County Jail on a $2 million bond after a 4 year effort by local and national authorities to extradite & hold Matsoake accountable for a series of sexual assaults on the Outer Banks & Virginia Beach between the years of 2003 – 2006.
Charges on the Outer Banks are related to sexual assaults that occurred in 2003. In that year Matsoake is accused of raping a woman at 2 am in the morning on a Kill Devil Hills Beach near the waterline and a second rape in the town of Duck. Matsoake is also facing multiple charges of rape in the Virginia Beach area. Police used DNA evidence to link the crimes to Matsoake
Encounter between Judge’s Son & Kill Devil
Hills Police Officers Leads to
Difficulties for Town Officials...........
OBX Highschool Basketball Scores 1/31/12
Pasquotank Boys Edge First Flight 51 - 48

Billy Foster High scorer for First Flight with 11 points
Manteo Girls Roll Over Northside 56 - 35
For Manteo, Hope Kennedy high scorer with 20
points & Molly Mcginnis top rebounder with 9
KDH Town Attorney Thrown Out by Newly Elected
Commissioners After Questions of Moral Values..
First Flight Middle School Girls Basketball Team Wraps
Up Conference Play with Perfect 10-0 Record...........
Their Conference championship game is set for Manteo Middle School on Feb. 4. Team members include Tiffany Ostrom, Jordyn Seal, Carly Metcalf, Mary Brogan, Brooke Vuyovich, Nina Perry, Carolina Cowan and Dallas Randall. Back row, Lilly Ramm, Olivia Williams, Alivian Van Lunen, Sara Munson, Audrey Bunn, Annaleigh Hines, Tracy Hargis, Heidi Jacobson and coach Katie Love. source and picture of team
Problems Plague Temporary Bridge Over New Inlet
on Hatteras Island, Forcing State to Seek More Study
on a Proposed 7-mile Bridge from Inlet to Rodanthe
New Inlet was opened by Hurricane Irene cutting off southern Hatteras Island from the mainland
First Flight High School Women's Swim Team
wins Record 8th Straight Conference Match
Burglar(s) Break Into Manteo General
Store for Carton of Cigarettes........
The Town of Manteo reports that a breaking and entering took place at the Stock Aide General store on Budleigh St. sometime between Saturday, January 28, at 8:00 PM & 2:43 AM Sunday, January 29. The front glass door was smashed in and a carton of cigarettes was taken.
First Flight High School Senior Becca DeLucia
Wins First Place in Dare County Poetry Contest
"Dare County Schools 2012 district Poetry Out Loud competition was held on January 12 at The Front Porch Cafe in Nags Head. Coordinated by First Flight High School English Department Chair Amy Powell, the final contestants were First Flight High School seniors Becca DeLucia and Aubrey Butcher, Manteo High School senior Abigael McGaha and MHS junior Paul Davis. English teacher Anna Thomas coordinated POL at MHS this year. DeLucia, a district POL veteran - competing as a sophomore in 2010 - won the contest with classmate Aubrey Butcher coming in as runner-up." source
Man & Infant Sent to Hostital After Car Collides
with Currituck School Bus at Intersection of
South Spot Road & U.S. 158..................
Dare County League of Women Voters to Host
Presentation on Causes, Ecology, & Impact of
Last Summer’s Pains Bay Wildfire on March 22
Manteo Middle School Science Club Makes Field
Trip to Alligator River National Wildlife
Refuge to Learn about Documenting Nature
Cape Lookout Light, Prototype For All Outer Banks LighthousesCape Hatteras IOcracoke Light I Bodie Island Lighthouse, Part of the Cape Hatteras National SeashoreCurrituck Light I
Manteo Resident Pleads Guilty To Child Pornography
Raymond Fitchett 44, of Manteo has pled guilty to charges of child pornography. Investigators report they found more than 3,000 pictures and videos of child pornography in his Manteo home. Fitchett was discovered after he began downloading child pornography from an internet site was was under investigation by national authorities.
Touring Hatteras Island on a BMW Motorcycle
During the Hot Sticky Summer of 2007.Reprint
Feline Hope's Annual Paws for Love Dinner Set
for Sunday February 12th at The Black
Pelican Restaurant in Kitty Hawk, 5:30 pm....
Beautiful Music by Kim Kalman. Silent auction items available. Here is the menu for the night, included is one glass of wine or pre-selected beer. Menu Description:
Appetizer:
Guests may choose one:
• A house salad with dressing of choice
• A cup of clam chowder or soup of the day
Entrees:
Guests may choose one:
• Prime Rib with mashed potatoes and a green bean medley
• Grilled or Blackened Tuna with rice and a green bean medley
• Chicken Marsala with rice and a green bean medley
• Vegetarian Pasta with tomato basil sauce
Dessert:
Guests may choose one:
• Coconut cream pie
• Bailey’s fudge torte
• Key lime pie
A wonderful evening for a great cause. Please mark your calendars, plan to attend and help support Feline Hope Animal Shelter.
$25.00 per person or $45.00 per couple
See Website
Watercolor Paintings by John White During His Journey
to Roanoke Island & Florida in 1585 Considered Some
of the Most Vivid Images of Early Native Americans

Native Americans Fishing Near Roanoke Island 1585?
"From the earliest European exploration of North America, many artists have sketched or painted their view of Native American people. Probably the most vivid images were watercolor paintings by John White, who sailed with Sir Walter Raleigh to Roanoke Island in 1585." See more Jonh White Paintings

Hatteras-Ocracoke Ferry Channel Shoaling Up,
Ferry Boats Scraping Bottom, Problem
Result of Hurricane Irene & Storms.............

Some of the state's Ferry boats have reported scraping bottom on crossings. Recent water depths in the busy channel indicated 3 ½ feet of water high tide. In a comment about the problem in the Island Free Press, Dare County Board of Commissioner Burrus, a native of Hatteras Island said.“It’s closing up, It’s the most dry land I’ve seen in the inlet in my lifetime." Hurricane Irene and recent storms have been blammed for the problem.
Humpback Whale Spotted Off Virginia Beach
with Fishing Gear Embedded in Skin........
Burglars Strike Real Estate Company
in Kitty Hawk, Take Computers.......
According to a new report in Dare County Crimeline, Atlantic Realty Company in Kitty Hawk reported on January 3rd, 2012 that burglars broke into their business through a rear door during the previous night and took several items including computers. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Line or the Kitty Hawk Police Department directly at (252) 261-3895.
OBX High School Basketball Scores
Manteo Girls Fall to Southside 41 58
Sidney Lewis scored 13, Kaylee Thomas pulled down 5 rebounds for the Redskins..Game played January 24, 2012
Manteo Boys Edge Southside 49 - 47
Hertford County Girls Pound First Flight Girls 29 - 69
Brandi Burden & Camaryn Jones shared top scoring honors with 17 points each for the winning Hertford girls ..Game played January 24, 2012
Hertford County Boys Roll Over First Flight 79 - 47
Shabazz Atkins high scorer for Hertford with 16, Will Davenport high scores for First Flight with 11..Game played January 24, 2012
No scores in yet for the Columbia @ Cape Hatteras Girls & Boys matchups played on January 24,
Boat Company to Set Up New Shipyard in Wanchese
Creating 71 New Jobs Paying Average of $27,093
Per Year Plus Benefits Building Luxury Sailboats
The Gunboat Company based in Newport, RI says the new facility will allow to increase production to meet a growing demand for luxury Sail boats. According to the company's president, the company manufactures and sells the world's leading performance cruising catamarans
Ocracoke High School Basketball Player Echo
Bennink Earns WITN Player Of The Week...
Ocracoke High School girls basketball player Echo Bennink leads the Dolphins in scoring, pouring in more than 20 points per game. In addition to leading the girls basketball team to one of its best starts in years with an overall record of 11-2 and league record of 5-0, the senior maintains a 3.9 grade point average.
Dare County Group Working Toward Abolition of IRS;
Seeks to Replace Federal Income Tax with 23 %
National Sales Tax; Eliminating Current Tax Forms
Manteo Mayor Jamie Daniels & Southern Shores
Mayor Hal Denny Sign Letter in Support
of 3/4 % Increase in Sales Tax.......................
Armed Robbers on the Loose in Eastern NC; Strike
McDonald’s & Little Ceasars Pizza in Elizabeth
City at Gunpoint; Up to $10,000 Reward Offered
Police describe the robbers as tall, lean black males in ski masks. Men fitting this same description were reported to have robbed several businesses in eastern North Carolina in recent days. A Kentucky Fried Chicken was hit in Tarboro Tuesday night, a Kentucky Fried Chicken in New Bern Saturday night and a Bojangles in Snow Hill last Monday.
Former Manteo Police Chief Francis D’Ambra
Announces Candidacy for Seat on the
Dare County Board of Commissioners........
National Park Service Announces Plan Burn of 635
Acres Located West of NC Highway 12, South
of the Bodie Island Access Road and Oregon Inlet
John O'Brien Catches 375 Pound Bluefin
Tuna measuring 84 Inches..See Picture.
Dune Erosion Fence on the Beach in the Outer BanksAerial View of Cars on the Coast of the Outer BanksAerial of Power Boat in Waters off the Outer BanksSunrise at the Outer BanksOuter Banks, North Carolina - Woman on Beach
Buxton Man Busted on Drug Charges
A traffic stop by the Dare County Sheriff’s Narcotics Unit in Buxton on Jan. 22 as part of a narcotics investigation uncovered a quantity of Oxycodone in a vehicle driven by Buxton resident David Kelly Morrison,46. Morrison was charged with possession with the intent to sell or deliver Oxycodone and maintaining a vehicle for the keeping or selling of a controlled substance and was taken to the Dare County Detention Center in lieu of $225,000 bond
Unpaid Bills Lead State Alcoholic Beverage Commission
to Halt Liquor Shipments to Hyde County & Ocracoke
Island; Suggests Merging Operations with Dare County
At issue is $80,000 in unpaid bills, no apparent ABC budget, price discrepancies, inventory mismanagement & no no apparent ABC budget, no schedule of meetings by Hyde County ABC Board to solve the problems,
Superior Court Judge Milton F. Fitch Halts Kill Devil
Hills Town Policy Prohibiting Town Employees from
Taking Complaints About Police Department.........
"Fitch’s order was filed in Dare County the day before an affidavit was filed in Pasquotank County Superior Court calling for an investigation into how District Attorney Frank Parrish handled a police officer’s complaint against Chief Gary Britt."
Hertford County Boys Highschool Basketball
Team Rolls Over First Flight 77 - 44.........
Billy Foster High Scorer for First Flight with 10
3 Pulled to Safety After 26-Foot Sailboat "The Honey
Badger" Runs Aground in Albemarle Sound............
Political Parties Losing Power in Dare County
According to a new report in EyeonDare, Unaffiliated Voters in Dare County now number 8,815, compared to 8,023 Republicans and 10,198 Democrats and are now in a position to control the swing vote in the County.
Town of Duck Crime Blotter Reports 1 Arrest
During Heavy Crime Week of Jan. 9th - 15th
Arrest - NC 12/Sea Colony Drive, Subject issued citation for Carless and Reckless Driving and Failure to Report Accident.
Breaking & Entering/Larceny - 105 Turnbuckle Court, Televisions, game console, and remote stolen from property. No signs of forced entry.
Breaking & Entering/Larceny - 103 Beachcomber Court, Forcible entry made into residence. Electronic items and bedding stolen.
Larceny - 1245 Duck Road (Barrier Island Station), Stuffed animals and t-shirts stolen from health club.
Hit & Run/Damage to Real Property - 1445 Duck Road, Vehicle ran off the road causing property damage and did not stop to report the accident. source: Duck Crime Blotter
Target Daily Deals - Save Over 33% on La-Z-Boy Outdoor Recliners + Free Shipping
Virginia Driver Leads Police on High Speed
Chase through Currituck County.............
Police report Alan Drewery, 47, of Vienna, Va led police on a high speed chase, reaching speeds up to 90 mph, from Virginia through Currituck County and back to Virginia where he was finally stopped by Chesapeake police on Interstate I-464 after his tires were blown out when he ran over a tire spike strip set out be police. Currituck Police attempted to stop Drewery in Currituck after receiving a drunk driver report on his vehicle, however they were unsuccessful and chased him back towards Chesapeake on Route 168 bypass
In addition to charges filed by Chesapeake Police, Drewery the possibility he could be extradited to Currituck County to face more charges. video
OBX Political Blogger's Online Poll Shows
Unhappiness with Dare Commissioners; Problems
with Nags Head Beach Nourishment
Should voters replace Dare Commissioner Allen Burrus this year? Yes 84%. No 15%
Should voters replace Dare Commissioner Mike Johnson this year? Yes 89%. No 15%
Should voters replace Dare Commissioner Richard Johnson this year? Yes 87% . No 12%
Should voters replace Dare Commissioner Warren Judge this year? Yes 76% .No 12%
Is Dare Commissioner Max Dutton doing a good job? Yes = 30%.. No = 69%
Is Dare Commissioner Jack Shea doing a good job? Yes=37%. No= 62%
Is Dare Commissioner Virginia Tillett doing a good job? Yes = 32% . No = 67%
Can "Independent" candidate win election for county commissioner in Dare County? 82%=Yes
Do you believe the shoaling problem at Oregon Inlet is caused by sand from the Nags Head beach nourishment project? 58% = Yes..41% = No
Still Time to Vote

 
OBX Runners: 6th Annual Sweetheart 8k &1Mile
Race Set for Feb. 11, 2012 Start Time 9 a.m
The Outer Banks Running Club proudly presents the 6th running of the Sweetheart 8k &1miler on Saturday, February 11, 2012. Race starts at 9 a.m. at the George Washington Creef Memorial Park in downtown Manteo.

As in the past, there will be "sweethearts team" prize (combined time of registered team) a "one mile timed run" (starting 5 minutes after the 8k) and a "WALKERS DIVISION" with an award for the fastest walker in the 8K.

Awards will be presented to the first place female, male, walker, and sweetheart team. Awards will also be presented to the first three 1 miler finishers.

NEW!!! This year's race will benefit the Outer Banks SPCA! Donations of food, cleaning supplies, and bedding will be accepted. A complete list of items needed will be forthcoming. SOMETHING DIFFERENT! There will be no t-shirts for this race (DON'T PANIC), but there will be some awesome swag! One size fits all!

Registration: www.fsseries.com

Pricing: 1 miler - $5.00 (no swag)
8k - under 18- $10.00
8k - OBRC members- $20.00
8k - nonmembers-$25.00

SPACE IS LIMITED TO 150 PEOPLE FOR THE 8k. Please register early to save your space and get your swag!

Final Report for 7 Mile Currituck Bridge; Completion
2017, Cost: $1/2 Billion +, Toll, Up to $27 One Way
2 Men Arrested After Volunteer Firefighter Spots
Them Stealing Flat Screen TV from KDH Home
Kill Devil Hills Police have charged Gerald Harbison and James Bowden with breaking into a home in the east 200 block of First Street. Charges are pending on a third man. The men were spotted leaving the resdence with a flat screen TV by a KDH volunteer firefighter..more Outer Banks Crime Links
First Flight High School Principal Says IPads Better
than Textbooks in Class; Thinks We’ve been Behind
in the Tools We Use to Educate Students for Years
First Flight High School principal Arty Tillett reports in a new article in Nighthawk News that using iPads instead of textbooks in class would be better and that as soon as next year, students could be using iPads or another technology in classes. Tillett. “I think we’ve been behind in the tools we use to educate students for years.” However, not all of the teachers in First Flight agree. Mathematics teacher Rich Hoffman was reported saying “I don’t like the idea of using iPads for math; you can never replace a piece of paper, a pencil and the power of the students’ brain completely.”
US Park Service Awards $1.89 Million Contract
to Complete Bodie Island Lighthouse Restoration
Bodie Island Lighthouse, Part of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore
Bodie Island Lighthouse
Buy This at Allposters.com
Repairs to the historic 156 foot tall lighthouse constructed in 1872 near Oregon Inlet have been awarded to United Builders Group in New Bern, North Carolina. Repairs will consist of restoration of deteriorated metal; components on the lantern level (support beams, masonry, railing/ladder); Replacement of galley cornice segments; Painting of interior and exterior masonry; Replacing windows and glass on lantern level; Repairs to the Oil house marble floor and roof; installation of new windows; installation of fire suppression system; repairs to electrical power & Installation of stair strengtheners
63 Inch Bluefin Tuna Caught 1/2 Mile from Shore
During Outer Banks Charter Fishing Trip..........
Letter to the Editor: Dare County
Judicial System Favoritism........
On Tuesday January 17, 2012 I witnessed the prejudice and bias that exist in our judicial system. Wondering why four of us were kept waiting for our turn for hearing, it became evident about 12:00PM that the DA was waiting for the plaintiff and officer to show up, even though they had the same information and responsibility as the defendant. When they did not appear a new date was set for the hearing. Now if the defendant were a “no show” what would have happened – a warrant for his arrest would have been issued. Is this equal protection under the law and justice for all; certainly not in Dare county. Once again this shows power gains favoritism........ William Strange, New Bern
see more letters to the editor
Reconstructed Hut, Roanoke Island, North CarolinaEnglish Colonists Landing on Roanoke Island, 1587Richard Grenville Attacking a Native American Village, Roanoke IslandInhabitants of Roanoke Island Stage an Annual Play, the Lost ColonyRoanoke Island, North Carolina - The Lost Colony Replication, Indian Scenes
Sandy Semans, Outer Banks Sentinel Editor Seeking
Dare County Commission Seat as Independant........
Semans is circulating petitions in an effort to gather enough signatures to have her name placed directly on the November ballot as a independant candidate for the county commission seat for District 1. Running as an independant will allow Semans to bypass the primary election
Armed Woman Confronts Kill Devil Hills
Police in Effort to Commit Suicide......
Officials report the woman, who has a bipolar and dissociative disorder was armed with a pistol and shotgun and was attempting to force an encounter with police officers that would result in her death, also termed "suicide by cop." The unidentified woman was taken to the Outer Banks Hospital for a mental evaluation and possible commitment to a psychological facility.
Fugitive Arrested in Kitty Hawk is Suspect in
2 Maryland Home Invasions & Sexual Assault
Kevin Ray 33, of Fort Washington Md. was arrested on Jan. 14 in Kitty Hawk as a suspect in 2 Maryland home invasions. In one invasion, Ray is accused of armed robbery of a woman in her garage in Wheaton, MD. In the second home invasion, Ray allegedly went into a Bethesda, Md. home where he tied up residents & sexually assaulted the housekeeper. Ray was discovered in Kitty Hawk when he used a credit card belonging to one of his victims. Ray is charged with robbery, first degree sex assault, use of a handgun in the commission of a felony, and first degree assault and is currently in custody in North Carolina pending an extradition hearing.
Unlocked Cars Burlglarized in Nags Head
Nags Head Police report they are investigating several vehicle breaking and entering incidents that occurred in the Nags Head Pond neighborhood in the early moring hours of Sunday January 8, 2012. Several unlocked vehicles were entered by an unknown suspect looking for cash or coins that were left in the vehicles. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Nags Head Police Department at 252-441-6386.
Local Runner Donates $100 Outer
Banks Half Marathon
Prize Money
Local resident Zach Miller 21, set a personal record in the Gateway Bank Outer Banks Half Marathon. He was the first Dare County Male to cross the Finish line in the November event. Zach is donating the $100 prize money to the Remotely Operated Vehicle Club at First Flight High School. Zach is a 2008 graduate of FFHS and is currently attending Florida Institute of Technology. Way to go Zach! The Gateway Bank Outer Banks Marathon is promoted by Outer Banks Sporting Events. OBSE donates 100% of proceeds to the Outer Banks Relief Foundation and the Dare Education.
Cape Lookout Light, Prototype For All Outer Banks LighthousesCape Hatteras IOcracoke Light I Bodie Island Lighthouse, Part of the Cape Hatteras National SeashoreCurrituck Light I
Contact the Editor at
editorobfp@gmail.com
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outerbanksfreepress.com