Island Free Press

The Island Free Press is the inaugural online newspaper dedicated to the residents and visitors of both Hatteras and Ocracoke islands. Launched on September 5, 2007, it has expanded its reach, content, and readership over the years. The primary goal of The Island Free Press is to report on the individuals, topics, and events that continuously influence the communities of Hatteras and Ocracoke.

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Oyster Roast on May 10 will benefit the Frisco-Buxton Pathway

1 week ago | islandfreepress.org | Joy Crist

The community is invited to an oyster roast on Saturday, May 10, at the Frisco Woods Campground, with oysters, barbecue, Lost Colony Beer, a bounce house, and live music, which will all combine to raise funds for the Frisco-Buxton Pathway. The Oyster Roast is from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and is $40 for adults and $20 for children, with day-of-event prices increasing to $45 and $25.
Dare County Mathletes Continue to Shine at State Mathematics Competition

1 week ago | islandfreepress.org | Joy Crist

Seven Dare County students placed in the top 10 in their divisions at the North Carolina State Math Contest, following strong performances at the regional competition. Ten regional finalists from First Flight Middle, First Flight High, Manteo Middle, and Manteo High School competed in Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 contests at Fayetteville State University on April 30.
After nearly 70 years, a message in a bottle finds its way back to its original Hatteras owner

1 week ago | islandfreepress.org | Joy Crist

Mike Garrett was walking his dog in his Hatteras Village neighborhood when he noticed a small bottle bobbing in the nearby creek. Made of glass and resembling a typical medicine bottle, the container would oddly make a brief appearance and then be pulled back under the water. “The bottle kept popping up, and then I realized that a crab was grabbing it, and it would disappear again,” said Garrett.
Ocracoke Island-wide yard sale will be held May 17

1 week ago | islandfreepress.org | Joy Crist

The Ocracoke Civic & Business Association will host their Spring Ocracoke Island-Wide Yard Sale on Saturday, May 17, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., with a rain date scheduled for Sunday, May 18. This is the perfect opportunity for visitors to discover new treasures, and for Ocracoke Island residents and participants to lighten their load. Items to be sold include crafts, home goods, tools, furniture, artwork, clothing, toys, decoys, jewelry, accessories, and more.
Cape Hatteras Hurricanes advance to second round of state playoffs

1 week ago | islandfreepress.org | Joy Crist

After winning 10-2 in an away game on Tuesday evening against Wilson Prep Academy in Wilson, N.C., the Cape Hatteras Secondary School’s varsity baseball team will advance to the second round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) state playoffs.
$242.87 million budget proposed for Dare County in Fiscal Year 2025-26

1 week ago | islandfreepress.org | Sam Walker

From SamWalkerOBXNews.comDare County Manager Bobby Outten presented a budget proposal for the fiscal year that starts July 1 to county commissioners on Monday that totals $242,865,850. The spending plan also sets the base property tax rate at a revenue-neutral level of 26.32 cents per $100 valuation. While the tax rate is much lower than what was charged in 2024, the recently completed revaluation showed the value of properties throughout Dare County increased by an average of 67%.
Park Service investigating overnight break-in of Bodie Island Lighthouse

1 week ago | islandfreepress.org | Sam Walker

From SamWalkerOBXNews.comThe National Park Service has opened an investigation into an unauthorized entry of the Bodie Island Lighthouse between Monday evening and Tuesday morning. Details about the break-in were not released due to the ongoing probe of the case, according to a statement from Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Anyone with information related to this incident are asked to contact the National Park Service’s Investigative Services Branch (ISB).
Dare County’s Jack Scarborough named Communications Director of the Year

1 week ago | islandfreepress.org | Joy Crist

At the Opening Awards Ceremony of the 2025 N.C. Public Safety Communications Conference on May 5, the NC Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) honored Dare County’s Jack Scarborough with the award for Communications Director of the Year. The North Carolina APCO is a leading advocate for public safety communications professionals across the state, and is dedicated to fostering excellence, innovation, and collaboration in emergency communications.
Cape Hatteras varsity baseball team advances to state playoffs

1 week ago | islandfreepress.org | Joy Crist

The Cape Hatteras Secondary School’s varsity baseball team has advanced to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) state playoffs for the first time since 2019, and for the third time in the past 10 years. The Cape Hatteras Hurricanes will travel to Wilson Prep Academy in Wilson, N.C., for the first-round matchup on Tuesday, May 6.
Community Health Fair and Pop-up Library will be held in Buxton on May 6

1 week ago | islandfreepress.org | Joy Crist

The Community Care Clinic of Dare will be hosting a Health Fair at the Fessenden Center Annex Building on Tuesday, May 6, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.The event is free and open to everyone, and includes blood pressure checks, blood glucose screenings, cholesterol checks, and A1C checks (which measures average blood sugar levels), thanks to support from Outer Banks Health. Other nonprofit organizations will also be in attendance, which includes the Dare County Library.