Ocracoke News

A fireworks truck exploded this morning on Ocracoke Island, N.C., injuring five to seven people, a dispatcher with the Hyde County Sheriff's Office said.

A tractor trailer carrying fireworks has exploded on Ocracoke Island, in Hyde County.

Red, white, & blue banners are popping up around the village, as islanders and visitors prepare for Independence Day celebrations.

If your musical tastes lean towards the blues and vintage R&B, then the Kinston library is the place to be this Sunday.

Several ferry runs in the Outer Banks will be suspended until at least Monday while mechanics work on the ferry Carteret, a news release from the North Carolina Department of Transportation said.

High School graduates. Yesterday evening the school gymnasium was crowded with parents, grandparents, other relatives, and members of the community for commencement exercises.

Beginning July 7, travelers planning to take the Swan Quarter to Ocracoke ferry should allow an extra 10 minutes in travel time to reach the ferry terminal in Swan Quarter due to a bridge maintenance project on U.S. 264.

This past weekend was simply packed with good things. The school gym was overflowing for Friday night's pot luck dinner which began at 6:00 pm.

North Carolina's Ocracoke Lighthouse is getting a new look. The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk, Va., reported Monday that the inside of the 65-foot white lighthouse will be closed for up to six months, probably beginning in early August.

Loading... 1 of 7 Click for more From left, Jacob Davis, Doug Davis, and Kendall Davis, from Smithville, Tenn., look up the winding staircase in Ocracoke Lighthouse on Ocracoke Island.

Before WWII Silver Lake Harbor was a shallow tidal creek. Islanders still use the traditional name, Cockle Creek , to refer to the harbor.

We call it the OcraFolk Festival. Posters and banners have been put up all over the village.

Science, technology, classroom management and leadership are just a few of the topics public school teachers can learn more about this summer at the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching.

The figures are in. This year's Fireman's Ball grossed over $60,000.00! After expenses the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department will net about $53,000.00. That is from sales of T-shirts & food, donations made at the Ball, individual and corporate sponsors, in-kind donations, and the two auctions .

The N.C. Department of Transportation is selling advance tickets for the toll ferries that operate to islands along the coast.

School is out for summer, and ita s time for Atlantans to pack their bags and head to the beach.

Maybe once a week or so Lachlan and I will stroll down Howard Street and over to the ice cream and fudge shop at the Community Store Square.

A reader recently asked about island restaurants that will be open on Ocracoke for the 2009 season.

There will be a pig pickin', auctions, and dance, starting at 5 pm at the Community Center.

Published: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 4:30 a.m. Last Modified: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 4:00 a.m. Officials are urging holiday travelers who plan to use the North Carolina ferry system to plan ahead before arriving at the docks.