Do you remember where you were when America celebrated its 200th anniversary, in 1976?

For many, it was a moment of pride, reflection and shared national celebration. As our country approaches its 250th anniversary, the Dare A250 Committee is working diligently to ensure this historic milestone is just as meaningful and unforgettable.

Visit DareA250.org to stay connected and informed throughout this once-in-a-generation celebration. Sign up for the monthly A250 newsletter (with the next issue to be released on January 5, 2026) to receive updates on upcoming events, special features and opportunities to participate. Learn more about the Dare A250 Faire, an experience that will bring our history to life on the iconic grounds of the Wright Brothers National Memorial. The website also highlights numerous ways to get involved in this yearlong commemoration, whether as a volunteer, vendor or sponsor.

In addition, DareA250.org features engaging historical spotlights that explore the people, places and moments that have helped shape both Dare County and the nation. Visitors can also enjoy exclusive video content and explore a comprehensive calendar of A250-themed events and community gatherings happening throughout the year.

Join us as we honor the past, celebrate the present and look toward the future in the “Land of Beginnings.”

The Dare County Board of Commissioners will hold its regularly scheduled monthly meeting on Monday, January 5, 2026 at 9 a.m. The meeting will take place in the commissioners meeting room, which is adjacent to the Dare County Administration Building located at 954 Marshall C. Collins Drive in Manteo.

Click here to view the agenda packet for the Monday, January 5, 2026 meeting.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Closures
All Dare County offices and facilities will also be closed on Monday, January 19, 2026 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Offices and facilities will reopen and resume their regular hours of operation on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Trash Collection Schedule Changes
In addition, Dare County Public Works—which provides residential and commercial trash collection for the unincorporated areas of the county as well as the Town of Kitty Hawk—has announced a revised trash collection schedule for this  holiday week. To view the revised schedule, visit DareNC.gov/PublicWorks or click the button below.

The Dare County Tax Department would like to remind property owners that 2025 tax bills for real estate, business personal property and individually owned personal property must be paid by January 5, 2026 in order to avoid becoming delinquent and accruing interest. Taxes on real estate, business personal property and individually owned personal property are due each year on September 1 and become delinquent after January 5 of the following year. 

Dare County tax bills can be conveniently paid online, as well as by phone, by mail or in person. Visit DareNC.gov/Tax for detailed information on how to pay via these methods—or to pay your 2025 tax bill online before the January 5, 2026 deadline. 

Dare County is dedicating to pursuing delinquent accounts with professionalism and compassion, working closely with taxpayers to assist in resolving any outstanding balances. If you anticipate having any difficulty paying your tax bill, assistance is available. For more information, please contact the Dare County Tax Collections Office at 252-475-5952 or TaxCollections@DareNC.gov.

The Dare County Library is pleased to announce that the Dare County Extension Master Gardeners Winter Speakers Bureau Series resumes this month, featuring a fresh lineup of free programs covering important topics—and providing key tips—that will help make your garden thrive on the Outer Banks! 

Each program within the 2026 Winter Speakers Bureau Series will be held beginning at 11 a.m. on select Wednesdays in January, February and March. Programs will be offered both in person at the Kill Devil Hills Library (400 Mustian Street) as well as virtually via Zoom. Presentations will last approximately one hour, and participants can choose to attend one or all of the programs that are of interest to them. 

There is no charge to attend these programs; however, registration is required whether participants plan to attend in person or virtually. For more information, or to register to attend a specific program, please click the program link(s) in the list that follows.

Wednesday, January 14, 2026: "Plants that Survive & Thrive on the Outer Banks"

Wednesday, January 28, 2026: "Gardening on the Outer Banks in a Changing Climate"

Wednesday, February 11, 2026: "Using Native Plants to Attract Birds"

Wednesday, February 25, 2026: "Weeds: Love Them, Leave Them or Kick Them Out!"

Wednesday, March 11, 2026: "Shade Gardening on the Outer Banks"

Wednesday, March 25, 2026: "Talkin' Tomatoes"

Questions?
Visit DareNC.gov/Enrichment or call the Kill Devil Hills Library at 252-441-4331. 

Do you know someone in Dare County who has generously given their time, energy and talent to assist others in our community by serving as an outstanding volunteer? Don’t forget to nominate them by 5 p.m. on January 31, 2026 for North Carolina’s prestigious 2026 Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards, which honor individuals and groups from the public, private sector and nonprofit sector who have made a significant contribution to their community through volunteer service. 

Volunteers can be nominated for their service in a variety of categories, including veteran/military, youth, seniors, animals, education, environmental, disaster, health and human services, etc. Nominations will be submitted to the county award coordinator, who will then present the nominations to a committee that will review the nominees and select the top 5 volunteers for Dare County.  

Nominations are strongly encouraged to be submitted online but can also be submitted by downloading a nomination form in Microsoft Word and returning it to Dare County award coordinator Shannon Glaser (954 Marshall C. Collins Drive, P.O. Box 1000, Manteo, NC 27954). The deadline to submit nominations for the 2026 Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards is 5 p.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026. For more information, please visit DareNC.gov/GovernorsAward.

Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Robert L. “Bob” Woodard, Sr. will deliver the annual State of the County presentation on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant, located at 705 S. Croatan Highway in Kill Devil Hills.

The cost to attend the 2026 State of the County event is $10 per person, which includes a full breakfast provided by Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant, as well as attendance to the chairman’s State of the County presentation.

Advance registration is required in order to attend the event on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Registration for the 2026 State of the County will open on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

Dare County, in partnership with Current TV, has launched a new video highlighting the America 250 (A250) events and activities that are scheduled to take place throughout Dare County in celebration of our nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026. As the “Land of Beginnings,” Dare County plays a unique role in America’s story, and this video introduces how the community will honor its history, celebrate its present and inspire future generations through a yearlong series of commemorative programs, events and educational initiatives. 

To learn more or get involved, visit DareA250.org. To view the video on Dare County’s YouTube channel, please click the button below. 

Dare County, in partnership with Current TV, has released a new video detailing the proper procedures for Christmas tree disposal throughout the unincorporated areas of Dare County, as well as the towns of Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head and Manteo.

To view the video on CurrentTV’s YouTube channel, please visit YouTube.com/DareCounty or click the button below.

Meet Dasher, Duckie and Goose, our Outer Banks SPCA Pets of the Week! These three siblings are approximately six months old, and although they can be a little shy at first, they are warming up quickly and have plenty of love to give! We can't wait to see them thrive in a forever home where they can truly become part of the family!

Click here to watch a video produced by Current TV, or stop by the Outer Banks SPCA, (which is located within the Dare County Animal Shelter at 378 Airport Road in Manteo) anytime during the hours listed below for a meet and greet!

Outer Banks SPCA Adoption Hours:

Monday to Friday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. for naptime)
Saturday & Sunday: By appointment only
Phone: 252-475-5620