The op-ed below was submitted by the steering committee of the NC chapter of Writers for Democratic Action. As we commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, communities across the country find their freedom to read threatened, censored, and banned. It is absolutely critical that the unalienable right to read, which goes hand in […] The post The freedom to read appeared first on Ocracoke Observer.

The N.E.S.T. (Network for Endangered Sea Turtles) and the Cape Hatteras National Seashore will host a stunned turtle training session at noon Thursday, Nov. 12, in the Ocracoke Community Center. Patrols on Ocracoke for sea turtles stunned by cold weather typically begin in January, but could start in December, depending on water temperature. If caught […] The post Training for stunned sea turtles set for Nov. 12 appeared first on Ocracoke Observer.

Monday, Nov. 2:Hyde County Board of Commissioners meeting, 1 pm. Community Center and livestreamed on Hyde County Public Information Facebook page. See agenda below. Full packet here.Art Opening at the Kitty Mitchell Studio, featuring paintings byTim Simpson and music by Katy Mitchell & Friends. 5-7 pm Tuesday, Nov. 3:General election day. 6:30 am to 7:30 […] The post Ocracoke events Nov. 2 to 8 appeared first on Ocracoke Observer.

By Connie Leinbach Austin Daniel is collecting a lot of Clam Chowder Cook-off trophies. His “Shut Your Clam Mouth” chowder captured the most votes in the Innovative category. Winners of this fundraising event Sept. 19 for the Ocracoke Community Pool Association were determined by the more than 140 attendees who paid for the chance to […] The post Clam Chowder Cook-Off a hit with islanders and visitors appeared first on Ocracoke Observer.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will open N.C. Highway 12 near the Pea Island Visitor Center at 4 p.m. today (Oct. 29) with a temporary one-lane detour.  When the road reopens, Hatteras Island will be open to visitors with no entry restrictions in place. All traffic will be permitted to access the island. […] The post N.C. Highway 12 to reopen for all at 4 p.m. today (Oct. 29); more ferries scheduled appeared first on Ocracoke Observer.

By Peter Vankevich With North Carolina’s Nov. 3 general election just days away, combined mail and in-person early voting is running ahead of the pace set at a comparable point in the 2022 midterm election, according to On Point Politics’ tracker, which uses state election data. Ocracoke had just two days of early voting, Oct. […] The post Statewide and Ocracoke early voting ahead of 2022 pace appeared first on Ocracoke Observer.

By Sam Walker, SamWalker OBXNews Oct. 28, 2026 NCDOT plans to begin paving a one-lane detour at the Pea Island Visitor Center on Thursday and still aims to reopen N.C. 12 between the Marc Basnight Bridge and Rodanthe at noon Friday. Full two-lane service will come later. The department said Wednesday that installing new sandbags […] The post Paving planned Thursday for Pea Island detour; Friday reopening remains goal appeared first on Ocracoke Observer.

By Connie Leinbach Pat Garber reluctantly left Ocracoke a few years ago but the island has not been far from her heart. A prolific writer about Ocracoke, where she lived from the early 1980s until 2021, Garber has published several books on the flora and fauna of the island as well as chronicles of her […] The post New book shares a walk on Ocracoke’s winter beach appeared first on Ocracoke Observer.

Monday, Oct. 26:WOVV: “What’s Happening on Ocracoke” interview with Congressional District 1 Republican candidate Laurie Buckhout, noon. 90.1 FM and online at WOVV.org. Wednesday, Oct. 28:1718 Brewing Ocracoke: Island Trivia, 6 pm Thursday, Oct. 29:Ocracoke Lighthouse Gallery Open House, 3 to 6 pm, with food, drinks. 20% off all gallery items. See graphic below. 1718 […] The post Ocracoke events Oct. 26 to Nov. 1 appeared first on Ocracoke Observer.

Ornithologist John Weske died on Oct. 18, 2026. For those who did not know him, John he was a legendary figure on the east coast, spending his summers for over 40 years on the road in an effort to band every Brown Pelican, Royal Tern, Sandwich Tern, and Caspian Tern chick from MD to NC. […] The post From the vault: John Weske and his bands of terns appeared first on Ocracoke Observer.