Starting on August 1, beach driving permit applications for the 2021-22 season are available online at www.emeraldisle-nc.org/beach-driving. Permits will be available online only for the month of August, then will be available either online or in person at the Police Department, at 7500 Emerald Drive, starting in September.

The official beach driving season begins on Wednesday, September 15th.

Watch the video below for information on the updated application process.

The Town has recently placed a number of beach safety table toppers at high traffic locations across Emerald Isle, that include both the official beach warning flag system and rip current information. If you are interested in displaying some at your business, please contact Anna Smith, Public Information Officer/Town Clerk, at [email protected].

Thank you to our summer communications intern, Paul Fullwood, for his hard work in producing these important safety messages.

Here in Emerald Isle, we are grateful to have wonderful Ocean Rescue Lifeguards and Beach Patrol Officers who help keep our residents and visitors safe. However, it is important to keep your own beach safety in mind and know what to do before heading out to enjoy the sand and surf.

Knowing our beach safety flag colors is key, and keep in mind that the Town's official recommendation is that you do not enter the water at all on red flag days. If you haven't reviewed the Town's official beach warning flag colors and their meanings, now is a great time to review our spring beach safety flag video.

In addition to the physical flags strategically placed across the Town's beach strand and main access points, you can visit the Town's website or free smartphone app to find this information, as well as the official Town of Emerald Isle Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts.

You can view our Beach Safety FAQs on the Town's website. Click here to learn more about RIP currents, and what you should do if you get caught in one.

Two weeks of Junior Lifeguard Camp were successfully held by the Emerald Isle Fire Department's Ocean Rescue team in July. Both camp sessions were four days long, with the first being geared toward 9-12 year-olds, and the second designed for participants ages 13-17.

Participants learned a variety of ocean safety items, including how to spot a rip current and lifesaving measures.

You can watch a video about the first week or second week of the Junior Lifeguard Camp. Stay tuned in Spring 2022 for information on the next round of Junior Lifeguard Camps.

Captain Bruce Norman with the Emerald Isle Fire Department retired on July 13, and was recognized with a series of accolades at the Board of Commissioners meeting, including The Order of the Long Leaf Pine. This prestigious award was signed by Gov. Roy Cooper.

He was joined by his family for his recognition, and received a standing ovation from everyone in attendance. The Town is grateful for Captain Norman and his 31 years of service to Emerald Isle.

Emerald Isle Public Works Department painted a section at the pier earlier this summer to designate where the emergency lane is, to indicate there should be nothing blocking the way between the red poles. Signage has also been placed on the pier about the emergency lane, so it helps the Town's emergency responders easily traverse the beach strand without being slowed down when responding to a call.

The emergency lane is the 20 feet seaward of the dune line, and must remain open for the entire length of Emerald Isle's beach strand. This means leaving it clear of beach gear, personal items and individuals.

A good rule of thumb is if you see tire tracks from where the Town's Beach Patrol, Ocean Rescue Lifeguard and Public Works vehicles have traversed, do not place your beach equipment in that area.

Every second counts when responding to a call, and your help in keeping the emergency lane open is appreciated!

EmeraldFest 2021 is underway at the pavilion stage at the Western Ocean Regional Access, and just four concerts remain! This free concert series takes place from 6:30 - 8 p.m. on Thursdays throughout the summer.

Bring your blanket or chair, and come on out and enjoy some great music with us! No alcohol, please.

2021 EmeraldFest

Thursdays 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the Western Ocean Regional Access

August 5 - Justin Castellano (Eclectic)

August 12 - Scearce & Ketner (Seagrass)

August 19 - Naked Knees (What a Party Sounds Like)

August 26 - The Mad Fiddler (Heartbeat of music)

The new stage was made possible by generous donations throughout the community in memory of Charlie Pake.

The Emerald Isle Fishing Tournament will be held on Saturday, September 18th, and registration is now open.

You can watch a promotional video about this year's tournament, then find additional information and registration forms online at emeraldislefishingtournament.com.

The American Red Cross is in an emergency appeal, and has less than 2 days of blood supply on hand. This blood drive will be held from 2-6:30 p.m. on Friday, August 20th at the Emerald Isle Community Center, at 203 Leisure Lane.

To schedule an appointment, please contact 1800-red cross, visit www.redcrossblood.org or call Kristin Willis at 252-341-1325.

Earlier this year, the Emerald Isle Public Works Department rolled out technology that gives Town residents a bird’s eye view where the yard debris trucks are along their routes. This innovating use of ESRI technology, made possibly by independent contractor Greg Flinn, is now an online case study through ESRI publications.

The system allows residents to view the truck routes and see when their yard debris may be picked up by Public Works staff. Depending on various factors, such as distance traveled and the size of yard debris piles, times may vary on a weekly basis.

“This new system will improve our level of customer service, and will aid our staff when filing yard debris pickup reports,” said Artie Dunn, Public Works Director.

The 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season runs through November, and you are encouraged to make your preparations before a storm arrives. Peak season along the North Carolina coast is usually around September.

The Town released a series of hurricane preparedness videos this year to better educate the public on various topics that come to mind when a named storm is potentially heading our way.

You can always find hurricane preparedness information on our website, which includes a registration form for a disaster re-entry permit, in the event you do not have one. You should have your re-entry permit on hand before a storm is coming toward North Carolina.

Emerald Isle EMS provides for special medical care and/or help evacuating during disasters, including hurricanes, to those who are registered under the Medically Fragile List.

It is important to note that this form should be completed and submitted to Emerald Isle EMS well in advance of impending disasters.

This form is available online on the Town's website.

Contact Emerald Isle EMS at 252-354-2249 if you have additional questions, or would like to register with the Medically Fragile list.

Please note, this registration service was previously handled through Carteret County Emergency Services. If you previously signed up through the County, you will need to register with Emerald Isle EMS.

Emerald Isle EMS is offering a subscription program to help offset the cost of an ambulance transport.

There are a few free subscriptions available, thanks to a generous donation by Fortitude Roofing. Call EMS Chief David Jones at 252-354-8595 to claim one during regular business hours, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. The remaining free subscriptions are on a first-come, first-serve basis, so don't delay!

This optional annual subscription of $50 covers the direct costs of ambulance services not paid by your insurance. The $50 covers two people: the head of household, along with one other person. You may include others living in the household for an additional $10 each. Your subscription begins two days after receipt of application, payment, and acceptance by the Town of Emerald Isle's EMS Department and expires on June 30th, 2022. There will be no refunds for cancelled or forfeited memberships.

You can register online for the subscription program or call the EMS Department at 252-354-2249 to complete the information over the phone.

View our video below for additional information about the EMS subscriptions.

Paid Parking is underway at both the Eastern and Western Ocean Regional accesses and will last through September. It is in effect from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily, and is run through NCParkingCo.

Town property owners and long-term residents are able to obtain two free parking passes through the Police Department. You can apply online here, or at the Police Department from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, or 9 a.m. - 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. If you have not yet applied for this permit, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible.

Visit our website to view our Beach Parking 101 release, as well as videos on how to utilize the on-site parking kiosks or the Passport Parking app.

Save time and skip the line when you download the Passport Parking app.

Here are five great reasons to utilize this app:

The Town of Emerald Isle has a number of official online platforms you can use to stay connected to the latest news and see beautiful pictures of our area. You can also view the monthly Board of Commissioners meetings, which are live streamed on our Facebook page. These meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.

Follow us on the following platforms:

Every Friday we share pictures from the community - and we need your help. Send your best Emerald Isle pictures to Anna Smith, Public Information Officer/Town Clerk, at [email protected] for consideration. Please include "Friday Features" in the subject line, and the name of the photographer. Or use #EmeraldIsleNC in your Instagram photos.

Do you own a brick and mortar business in Emerald Isle you would like to see featured in our Business by the Beach series across the Town's social media feeds? Email Anna Smith, Public Information Officer/Town Clerk, at [email protected] for more information on this free opportunity.

These highlights are distributed each Saturday to reach both locals and visitors who are spending time in Emerald Isle.

Get to know our hardworking Town staff! Each Tuesday you can find our latest staff feature across our social media feeds. We appreciate all they do, and want to shine a spotlight on their accomplishments.

Here are the four employees recognized in July:

The Emerald Isle Golf Cart Safety, Rules & Regulations Class is available online. Click on the link below to learn more and save $25 off your registration/ renewal.

Please read the presentation carefully, as there will be a short test at the end. Participants must receive a score of 80% accuracy (or greater) to receive a discount of $25 off the 2021 Golf Cart Registration.

Once you submit the test, you will receive a confirmation email with your results. Please download and save your results. Then, attach the results to your online renewal application/ new application. Be sure to check the Golf Cart Safety Class Discount option on the GC application in order to upload your results and receive the $25 discount. Thank you and good luck!

Let’s talk safety for turtles, both on sea and land.

There is a frustrating pattern of sea turtle nest tampering and sea turtle harassment this season. Not just here in Emerald Isle, but in other areas on the Atlantic coast as well. Please leave identified nests and sea turtles alone.

Aside from the fact that sea turtles are endangered and we, as turtle volunteers, work hard to protect them, it is illegal to tamper with sea turtle nests and/or sea turtles. It is against the law to tease, torment or touch an adult sea turtle that has hauled out of the ocean to deposit a clutch of her eggs into a nest she digs. There is a fairly hefty fine if you are caught doing anything to sea turtles or their nests! (Dale Baquer photo)

If you are lucky enough to see a sea turtle come onto the beach, please be quiet so as not to scare the turtle back into the ocean. Please quickly call 252-354-2021 and report the location of the turtle. Please keep pets leashed, quiet and at a safe distance from the nesting turtle. Sit back and quietly watch the amazing process, but no flash photography at all! Allow the female turtle to complete her task and allow her plenty of room to return to the ocean. She has worked hard and it very tired. She just wants to get back into the water and rest.

Sadly, land turtles are not given as many protections as sea turtles. You, however, can protect them instead. Please don’t fall prey to folks that let you, or your children, ride larger sized land turtles. Regardless of what is said, these creatures are not physically intended to be mini ponies to paint, ride or stand on. Please don’t pay or donate any money to anyone you see using/allowing these poor animals to be injured for human entertainment. The only way to stop this practice is to quit paying these people who use turtles to make money for themselves.

Enroll in Connect to Save and receive a free smart thermostat

CCEC has expanded the benefits of its Connect to Save initiative by offering free ecobee3 lite smart thermostats to members who enroll in the program by Aug. 31.

Members will receive free installation and an annual $50 incentive for complete participation in the Connect to Save program. In addition to a free smart thermostat, members can receive $50 for installing a smart water heater control on their electric water heater through the program.

After free, professional installation, the Connect to Save program will minimally adjust your thermostat during times of high energy demand. This small action multiplied across thousands of homes will create big savings on wholesale power costs, which benefits the entire cooperative membership. For more information and to enroll, visit www.connecttosavenc.com.

CCEC Member Calendar Contest

Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative wants to feature our members' best photos in our 2022 wall calendar. Submit high-quality digital photos depicting the cooperative’s service area. Fourteen photos will be selected. The winning photographers will be entered in a drawing for a $100 gift card. Hurry! The deadline is Aug. 15. Get details at: www.ccemc.com/PhotoContest 

Greetings from Bogue Banks Water! 

Hurricane season is upon us, and while we pray none of them come our way, it does pay to be prepared! If we do need to evacuate, please remember to turn your water off at the street. Downed trees and other storm events can cause breaks in the water lines in your yard, so this is the best way to minimize that water loss and damage.

 

We appreciate your patience with our confusing customer portals. Please know that we understand the confusion and are in process of getting this cleared up for you (and us!) Things should be simplified in the next few weeks.

Finally, please make sure that we have your current contact information. With all the upgrades and system works in progress, it is extremely important that we can reach you to keep you informed of water outages, and other potential issues. Sometimes we need to notify you sooner than the postal service can get to you. You can do that from our website: boguebankswater.com.

Thank you for being our valued customer! We appreciate you!