Stories by Corinne Saunders | Outer Banks Voice

‘We are trying to change people’s mentality’

How the DelVillars turned an eyesore into Pineapple Beach
By Corinne Saunders | Outer Banks Voice

One recent evening, a man fished from the rock seawall at the newly named Pineapple Beach, located at the northwestern tip of Roanoke Island, next to the William B. Umstead Memorial Bridge, commonly called Old Manns Harbor Bridge. A motorcyclist pulled into the parking area and typed on his phone. Near sunset, a woman parked her car and stepped out to savor the view. Full story

Jul 28


Avid Nags Head waterman dies after contracting bacterial infection in sound

By Corinne Saunders | Outer Banks Voice
Nags Head resident Michael “Mike” Gard, 71, a fondly remembered local business owner and avid waterman, died unexpectedly on July 21, following infection of a cut he got while handling a crab pot in the sound five days earlier. Full story

Jul 25


‘A million dollars well spent’

Dare County Commissioners approve funding for teacher housing
By Corinne Saunders | Outer Banks Voice

The Dare County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted 7-0 at its July 17 meeting to move $1 million from its fund balance to the Dare Education Foundation for expansion of its teacher housing units in Kill Devil Hills. Full story

Jul 18


Dare FY24 General Fund budget up about 5%, no tax increase

Spending increases for schools, employees, cuts in health insurance, recycling costs
By Corinne Saunders | Outer Banks Voice
Dare County’s General Fund operating budget of about $130 million for Fiscal Year 2024 reflects an increase of about 5% from last year’s figure and maintains levels of service with no tax increase. Full story

Jul 13


Duck sets Aug 2. public hearing to define ‘drug paraphernalia sales’

By Corrine Saunders | Outer Banks Voice
At its July 5 meeting, the Duck Town Council voted 5-0 to schedule an Aug. 2 public hearing on a zoning amendment that would define “drug paraphernalia sales” for the purposes of determining how much paraphernalia a business would be allowed to sell if it wanted to operate in the town. Full story

Jul 7


Dare County Schools seek to tackle hiring challenges

Options from hardship loans to health insurance on the table
By Corinne Saunders | Outer Banks Voice
Ideas ranging from tuition and training reimbursements and district-paid health care to hardship loans were floated at the first meeting of the Recruitment and Retention Committee, comprised of three Dare County Schools (DCS) Board of Education members and four DCS staff. Full story

Jun 29


‘They built something from nothing’

Panel discusses movers and shakers in Clark Twiddy’s ‘Outer Banks Visionaries’ book
By Corinne Saunders | Outer Banks Voice
More than 200 people attended a lighthearted event that was both an author reception for Clark Twiddy’s new book, "Outer Banks Visionaries: Building North Carolina's Oceanfront," and a panel discussion with some of the people featured in it at Jennette’s Pier on Thursday, June 29. Full story

Jul 1


OBX Dementia Friendly Coalition celebrates 10th anniversary

Local groups work to aid those with dementia and their caregivers
By Corinne Saunders | Outer Banks Voice
With a smile, Dorothy Hager easily recalls her name, but she needs help from her volunteer caregiver in reciting her age. She turned 90 in May. Hager has dementia, and challenges with memory are characteristic of the degenerative brain disease. Full story

Jun 24


Tshombe Selby headlines third annual Juneteenth celebration in Manteo

By Corinne Saunders | Outer Banks Voice
Tshombe Selby’s soaring voice captivated the approximately 140 attendees and brought unique energy to his rendition of the national anthem during the opening of the third annual Juneteenth celebration on June 17 outside the Pea Island Cookhouse Museum on Sir Walter Raleigh Street in Manteo. Full story

Jun 18


Dare Commissioners allocate $500K for pickleball courts

County facing demands for more playing field space
By Corinne Saunders | Outer Banks Voice
Dare County is putting half a million dollars toward creating new pickleball courts, but it remains to be seen where the courts will be built and how many will be constructed. Full story

Jun 17


In Southern Shores, SAGA’s plan for mixed-use commercial and ‘luxury condos’ sparks a buffer battle

By Corinne Saunders | Outer Banks Voice
SAGA Realty & Construction’s June 6 filing of a site plan application in the Town of Southern Shores for its roughly five-acre tract of land between Martin’s Point Road and Landing Trail in Southern Shores marks a new chapter in a lengthy and winding process—following nearly a year and a half of discussions and meetings. Full story

Jun 14


Nags Head examines unresolved issues with His Dream Center

Distinctive SAGA-owned building appears largely deserted 
By Corinne Saunders | Outer Banks Voice In the past two months, the Nags Head Board of Commissioners has gone into closed session twice with the town attorney to discuss the property known as His Dream Center, located at 205 E. Baltic Street. Full story

Jun 9