Public Comment Sought on Outer Banks Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan

We need your help! For the past 10 months, Dare and Currituck Counties have been preparing an update to the 2015 hazard mitigation plan. This planning process is required to remain eligible for federal FEMA disaster funding and to help the Outer Banks region to become more disaster-resistant through implementation of sound mitigation projects.

This updated plan focuses primarily on natural hazards such as coastal storms, flooding, tornadoes, etc., but also includes some technological (human-caused) hazards.

The public is invited to review and comment on the draft 2020 Outer Banks Region Hazard Mitigation plan by going to www.obx-hmp.com and providing your comments and feedback by January 31, 2020.

32nd Annual Outer Banks Senior Games Registration

Registration for the 32nd Annual Outer Banks Senior Games opened on Thursday, January 23, 2020. Registration is open to artists and athletes over the age of 50.

The Outer Banks Senior Games competition will be held April 20 through May 2, 2020. Top competitors will qualify to compete in the 2020 State Finals held in Raleigh in September. Participants can register for the Outer Banks Senior Games online or print a registration form available at DareNC.com/seniorgames. Registration forms are also available for pick up at the Thomas A. Baum Senior Center in Kill Devil Hills, the Dare County Center in Manteo, and the Fessenden Center in Buxton.

Deadline for the early bird registration is February 14, 2020, and the cost is $10 for up to four events. General registration will continue through March 13, 2020, and the cost is $15. Registration forms must be filled out and received at the Baum Center by 5:00 p.m. on March 13, 2020.

Opening Ceremonies will be held on April 24, 2020 at the Baum Center. The Outer Banks Hospital Health Fair will begin at 8:00 a.m., followed by Opening Ceremonies at 11:30 a.m. For more information on the Outer Banks Senior Games, please visit DareNC.com/seniorgames.

Escape a Vape Events

Luka Kinard, a North Carolina teen, began vaping at the age of 14 and quickly became addicted. Once an honor roll student and athlete, he quickly lost sight of his everyday interests and moved his focus to Juuling. Luka experienced mood swings and behavior changes along with financial challenges as he tried to feed his addiction. His mother Kelly, worked diligently to find help for her son. After attending a rehabilitation treatment facility in California, Luka and his mom began the fight against youth vaping and nicotine addiction. Now speaking nationally and sharing his story, Luka is working tirelessly to inform the public about the dangers of vaping. Luka’s story has been featured on Today, NBC News, the Wall Street Journal, and Inside Edition.

The 2019 National Youth Tobacco Survey shows that youth e-cigarette rates are at alarming levels. Compared to 3.6 million youth users in 2018, now more than 5 million youth are current e-cigarette users. In addition, the majority of users reported Juul as their usual brand.

In efforts to educate the community and address vaping concerns, Dare County Department of Health & Human Services, Saving Lives Task Force, Breaking Through Task Force and Albemarle Regional Health Services have worked with other community partners to bring Luka and Kelly Kinard to Dare County for Escape a Vape events in February.

These events are free and open to late elementary, middle, and high school aged youth and adults. Adult and youth attendance together can start important conversations to prevent or intervene in youth substance use. Three events will be hosted from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm on the following dates:

February 4 at Cape Hatteras Secondary
February 5 at First Flight Middle School
February 6 at Manteo Middle School

Each event will have giveaways, food, and prizes. Adults can enter to win a 40 inch Smart Roku TV and youth can enter to win a pair of Beats Wireless Headphones. In addition to Luka and Kelly, the event will feature a health fair before and after the keynote speakers with a variety of community health and wellness resources for youth and adults.

Registration is encouraged but not required. Call 252.475.9375 or visit darenc.com/EscapeAVape for more information or to register to attend the event.

Dare County Personal Property Tax Listing Form 2020

Tax listing forms have been mailed from the Dare County Tax Listing Office. North Carolina General Statute 105-274 requires that all property, real and personal, within the jurisdiction of the state is subject to taxation unless it has been specifically excluded by statute.

Furnishings in a rental home, aircraft, boats, boat motors, jet skis, mobile homes, golf carts, non-tagged motor vehicles, and multiyear and permanent plate tagged vehicles and trailers (i.e., boat, utility, and animal trailers) are considered personal property. These items must be listed for personal property taxation during the regular listing period which is January 1 through February 18. Please complete the front of the tax listing form and mail or deliver the form to the Dare County Tax Department by February 18, 2020, to avoid penalty.

If you do not receive a tax listing form by February 1, please contact the Dare County Tax Listing Office at 252.475.5958 or 252.475.5965.