The Dare County Board of Commissioners will hold its regularly scheduled monthly meeting at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. 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.

View the Agenda: The meeting agenda will be published online at DareNC.gov/BOC by Friday, July 3, 2026.

Stay Informed: Catch the meeting live on Dare County's YouTube Channel, CurrentTV.org or Channel 191 (Spectrum TV). Missed it? Watch on-demand the next day at DareNC.gov.

Public Comment: Speak for up to five minutes at the start of each meeting—either at the Dare County Administration Building in Manteo or the Fessenden Center Annex in Buxton.

Catch the Highlights: Meeting highlights are posted on DareNC.gov after each meeting. To get them straight to your inbox, sign up at DareNC.gov/Subscribe.

For more information about the Dare County Board of Commissioners, visit DareNC.gov/BOC or click the button below.

All Dare County offices and facilities will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2026, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. Offices and facilities will reopen and resume their regular operating hours on Monday, July 6, 2026.

These scheduled holiday closures include the Dare County C&D Landfill, Manns Harbor Transfer Station, Buxton Transfer Station and Manteo Recycle Yard.

Dare County Public Works—which provides trash collection for the unincorporated areas of Dare County as well as the Town of Kitty Hawk—has announced that there will be no changes to the Dare County Public Works trash collection schedule for the week of Independence Day 2026.

All areas whose trash collection and sanitation services are provided by the Dare County Public Works Department will therefore operate on their normal schedule during the week of Monday, June 29, 2026 to Friday, July 3, 2026. 

To view a list of trash collection schedules for the unincorporated areas of Dare County and the Town of Kitty Hawk, please visit DareNC.gov/Trash or click the button below. 

As Independence Day approaches on Saturday, July 4, 2026, and plans for enjoying local fireworks displays, backyard barbecues, and neighborhood celebrations begin to take shape, Dare County officials urge all residents, visitors, and property owners to pay close attention to the local fireworks rules and regulations that are in place throughout the county to ensure everyone enjoys the festivities safely this summer.   

Illegal Fireworks in Dare County

Please be advised that all types of fireworks are illegal in the following areas of Dare County:

• Town of Duck
• Town of Southern Shores
• Town of Nags Head
• Town of Manteo
• Hatteras Island (Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras Village)

Illegal fireworks in the state of North Carolina include devices that leave the ground—such as bottle rockets and mortars—and have a report or “bang.” Examples of these include firecrackers and M-80s. These types of devices are not legally available to purchase or use in North Carolina.

Legal “Safe and Sane” Fireworks in Dare County

“Safe and sane” fireworks are the only type of fireworks that are legally allowed in certain areas of North Carolina where local ordinances don’t prohibit their use entirely. These devices include caps, snakes and glow worms, smoke devices, trick noisemakers, sparklers, and other sparkling devices, such as fountains.

In Dare County, the use of legal “safe and sane” fireworks is only allowed in the incorporated towns of Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills, as well as the unincorporated areas of Roanoke Island and the Dare County mainland. 

To ensure the safety of yourself, your family, your pets, and your property this Independence Day, please plan on leaving the patriotic pyrotechnics to the professionals and enjoying one of the four local fireworks shows that are scheduled to take place in various locations throughout Dare County on Saturday, July 4, 2026 (see below).

As communities across Dare County gather to celebrate Independence Day, this year’s festivities also carry special significance as part of the county’s Dare A250 commemoration, marking the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. These family-friendly celebrations honor our shared history, heritage, and patriotism while bringing residents and visitors together to enjoy a spectacular display of fireworks and community spirit.

2026 Outer Banks Fireworks Shows - Saturday, July 4, 2026

• Downtown Manteo Waterfront
• Avalon Pier in Kill Devil Hills
• Nags Head Fishing Pier
• Avon Fishing Pier 

Hurricane season is underway, and now is the time to make sure you and your family are prepared before a storm threatens the Outer Banks.

Dare County Emergency Management Director Drew Pearson and National Weather Service Warning Coordination Meteorologist Erik Heden will host three free Hurricane Preparedness Forums in July to help residents, property owners and visitors better understand the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season and the steps they can take to stay safe.

Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hatteras Civic Center
(56658 N.C. Highway 12, Hatteras, NC)
Register to attend in person.

Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at 10 a.m. at Kitty Hawk Town Hall
(101 Veterans Memorial Drive, Kitty Hawk, NC)
Register to attend in person.

Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at 2 p.m. at the Dare County Emergency Operations Center (370 Airport Road, Manteo, NC).
Register to attend in person.
Virtual option available. Register to attend virtually.

During each forum, attendees will receive the latest outlook for the current hurricane season, learn preparedness strategies and hear about updates to National Weather Service forecast products. Presenters will also explain why it's important to focus on a storm's potential impacts—such as flooding, storm surge, high winds and tornadoes—rather than relying solely on its hurricane category when making decisions.

At the end of each forum, time will be set aside for a community discussion during which attendees can ask questions and share their concerns and receive guidance directly from local emergency management and weather experts.

All forums are free and open to the public. Whether you're a longtime resident, a new homeowner or frequent visitor during hurricane season, these forums offer valuable information to help you make informed decisions before severe weather strikes.

Avon Beach Nourishment

Dare County’s contractor, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company, completed the beach nourishment project in Avon on Thursday, June 25, 2026, placing approximately 375,000 cubic yards of sand along the beach from just south of Avon Pier to the project’s southern boundary near Greenwood Place. Click here to view the completed project map for Avon beach nourishment.

Buxton Beach Nourishment

Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company has also announced an updated timeline for the Buxton beach nourishment project, with sand placement now expected to begin the week of July 20, 2026.*

This schedule reflects adjustments to the contractor’s construction timeline as the dredge that will perform the work—the Liberty Island—completes repairs and scheduled maintenance before arriving in Buxton.

With beach nourishment in Avon now complete, the contractor has begun to demobilize equipment there and transition to Buxton. Residents and visitors will begin seeing mobilization activities in Buxton over the coming weeks in preparation for the start of beach nourishment. These activities will primarily consist of staging and stockpiling equipment on private lots located along Cottage Avenue, Cape Court and Old Lighthouse Road.

Great Lakes currently expects the dredge to arrive in Buxton in mid- to late July, at which point sand placement will begin. Approximately 2 million cubic yards of sand will be placed on Buxton’s oceanfront beaches over a period of approximately 95 days, depending on weather and ocean conditions.* Click here to view the Buxton beach nourishment project map.

To sign up to receive email updates on the Buxton beach nourishment project, click here. 

For more information about beach nourishment projects in Dare County—including a list of frequently asked questions—visit MoreBeachToLove.com.

Watch. Learn. Stay Connected.

Current TV is pleased to announce the launch of a new monthly video newsletter designed to keep residents, property owners and visitors informed and connected with the latest news, projects, programs and events taking place throughout Dare County. Each edition will feature a collection of some of Current TV’s recently produced videos highlighting the work of Dare County Government, the towns of Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head and Manteo, as well as local educational partners including the College of The Albemarle (COA), the UNC Coastal Studies Institute (CSI) and Dare County Schools.

Current TV serves as a trusted source of local information and programming for the Outer Banks community through Government Channel Spectrum 191 and Education Channel Spectrum 198. From government meetings and public information updates to educational programming and community stories, Current TV helps residents and visitors stay informed, engaged, and connected. The network is made possible through the partnership and support of Dare County Government, Dare County Schools, the UNC Coastal Studies Institute, the College of The Albemarle, and the towns of Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head and Manteo.

Members of the Dare County community are encouraged to sign up for Current TV’s free monthly newsletter to receive a convenient collection of recent videos delivered directly to their inbox. To learn more and subscribe, visit https://currenttv.org/email-signup/ or click the button below.

July is National Parks and Recreation Month!

In celebration of this occasion, Dare County invites residents, visitors and property owners from throughout the community to attend the Dare County Parks & Recreation Department’s Family Fun in the Park Block Party on Friday, July 17, 2026 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

This free family-friendly event—which will feature a cookout, inflatable water slide, games, scavenger hunts and emergency services vehicle displays, among other activities—will take place in a loop along Mustian Street and within Aviation Park in Kill Devil Hills. 

The fun begins at the Veterans Drive entrance to Family Recreation Park (between the baseball fields), where participants will pick up a map that can be stamped at each stop and returned when finished for entry to win several prizes. Bring your family, friends, and neighbors for an unforgettable evening of fun and community spirit. This is a free event, and everyone in the community is invited to attend!

Attendees are encouraged to park at First Flight Elementary School, which is located at 107 Veterans Drive in Kill Devil Hills. The parking lot at Family Recreation Park will be roped off for emergency services vehicle displays and pedestrians.

For more information about the Dare County Parks and Recreation Department’s Family Fun in the Park Block Party on Friday, July 17, 2026—including an event flyer, map, and list of participating organizations and activities—please visit DareNC.gov/BlockParty or click the button below.

With the extreme heat forecast across the Outer Banks this month, Dare County is encouraging residents and visitors to take extra precautions. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures and direct sunlight can quickly lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke, particularly for those spending extended periods outdoors.

Whether you're relaxing on the beach, fishing, walking the shoreline or working outdoors, taking a few simple precautions can help you stay safe in the summer heat.

Heat Safety Tips:

Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and don't wait until you're thirsty to hydrate. Avoid excessive amounts of alcohol and caffeinated beverages, which can contribute to dehydration.

Take frequent breaks. If you're exercising, playing games or participating in other outdoor activities, pace yourself and rest in the shade to allow your body to cool down.

Protect those at a higher risk. Young children, older adults and individuals with chronic medical conditions are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. When temperatures exceed 95 degrees, those at higher risk should spend as much time as possible in an air-conditioned environment.

Protect yourself from the sun. Apply reef-safe sunscreen before heading outdoors and reapply every two hours, or more often if you're swimming or sweating. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing and a wide-brimmed hat for additional protection.

Stay informed. Sign up for beach condition alerts at OBXAlerts.com to receive notifications about extreme heat and other beach hazards.

Protect pet paws with the touch test. Before stepping onto pavement or sand, do a quick check. Place the back of your hand on the surface for ten seconds. If it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your pet’s paws.

Remember that hot sand, high humidity and intense sunshine can increase your risk of heat-related illness, even if you're spending time near the water. If you or someone around you experiences symptoms such as dizziness, confusion, nausea, rapid pulse or loss of consciousness, move to a cool location immediately and seek medical attention.

For additional beach safety tips and daily beach condition reports, please visit LoveTheBeachRespectTheOcean.com.

Every community has its historians, but on the Outer Banks, many of those historians are storytellers. Through decades of conversations on television, radio and in living rooms across Dare County, longtime broadcaster Ken Mann has preserved the voices, memories and personalities that make this place unlike anywhere else.

As part of Dare County's commemoration of America's 250th Anniversary, Dare County and Current TV have partnered to create the Dare A250 Storytelling video series—a collection of conversations that celebrate the people, traditions and experiences that have shaped the county's rich history.

In the first installment, Ken Mann shares stories gathered over the years from watermen, lifelong residents, public officials, musicians, visitors and the unforgettable characters who have helped define life on the Outer Banks. Filled with humor, resilience and heartfelt memories, the conversation highlights the independence, resourcefulness and strong sense of community that have sustained generations of people living on a narrow strip of sand between the Atlantic Ocean and the sounds.

These stories are an important part of preserving Dare County's cultural heritage for future generations. Through local legends and personal experiences, viewers gain a deeper appreciation for the people whose lives and stories have become woven into the fabric of the Outer Banks.

Watch this installment of the Dare A250 Storytelling series and discover why the stories passed from one generation to the next remain one of Dare County's greatest treasures.

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

Tuna is a sweet and playful 3-year-old girl who is ready to “reel in” her forever family! She was adopted from the Outer Banks SPCA as a puppy but recently returned when her family could no longer dedicate the time she needed. This fun-loving girl is always up for a game of fetch and will happily chase a ball until she's convinced you've worn out before she has! Tuna also walks great on a leash and appears to be house-trained, making her an easy companion for adventures and cozy days at home.

Are you ready to meet Tuna or other adoptable pets? Stop by the Dare County Animal Shelter, located at 378 Airport Road in Manteo, and click here to watch a video produced by Current TV. For more information, please visit OBXSPCA.org or contact the Outer Banks SPCA at 252-475-5620!

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