The Emerald Isle Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K is taking place on October 30, 2021 and there is still time to register as a participant or volunteer. Visit www.emeraldislerun.com for more information.

More than 200 volunteers are still needed for this event, and you can help in a variety of ways. Click the sign up link below to see how you can contribute to this great event.

There is still a need for volunteers! Register to volunteer here: https://rb.gy/yxepek

You can register to run through October 26: https://rb.gy/6yf4yn

Watch one of the marathon's two commercials below. You can find the second commercial on the Town's online platforms.

The Town of Emerald Isle is pleased to announce Trucks & Treats returns on Saturday, October 23. Trucks & Treats is a socially distanced Halloween event that will be held from 10 a.m. until noon at the Eastern Ocean Regional Access (EORA) located at 2701 Emerald Drive.

Preregistration is required, as the event is open to the first 350 children, ages 12 & under, that sign up. To register, parents are asked to contact the Emerald Isle Parks & Recreation Department at 252-354-6350.

In support of National Fire Prevention Week, October 3-9, and to showcase the first responder "superheroes" that keep EI safe, safety is the focus for the month of October. Safety service vehicles from Police, Fire, EMS, Public Works and Beach Safety will be on display.

Each registered child that attends the drive-thru event will receive a promotional Halloween bag stuffed with candy. Three lucky guests will receive a golden ticket in their bag. Based on age, a golden ticket is redeemable for a tablet, Beats Headphones or a drone.

Don't hesitate, be sure to sign-up early. Your little heroes won't want to miss Trucks & Treats in Emerald Isle on October 23 at the EORA!

The Town of Emerald Isle recommends an 8 p.m. curfew for trick or treating this year.

There are a number of safety tips you should keep in mind when going trick or treating. Interim Chief of Police Michael Panzarella goes over this advice in a list you can read here.

You don't have to be a first responder or a superhero to save a life - but you can be somebody's hero when you donate blood.

The American Red Cross is in an emergency appeal, and has a critical need for donations. The next blood drive will be held from 2-6:30 p.m. on Friday, October 15 at the Emerald Isle Community Center, at 203 Leisure Lane.

Help the Town of Emerald Isle and the American Red Cross achieve the donation goal at this blood drive. To schedule an appointment, please visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-red cross.

Watch the video below to see if you recognize any of the Emerald Isle superheroes answering the call to donate blood.

The League of Women Voters of Carteret County (LWVCC) and the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce will host a virtual candidate forum for the mayoral and commissioner candidates in Emerald Isle. This will be conducted live via Zoom on Wednesday, October 13, from 6-8 p.m.

It will also be available on the League’s website and Facebook pages immediately after the forum. This is open to the community. Individuals should submit questions for candidates in advance to: [email protected].

 The forum will begin with panelist introductions followed by pre-screened questions submitted in advance from the audience, posed by the moderator, with timed responses from the panelists. Candidates will also have the opportunity for a 2-minute summary at the end of the forum.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization and has been conducting candidate forums in Carteret County since 1996. These forums are an outstanding way for individuals in Emerald Isle to get to know your candidates in advance who will be making legislative decisions that will impact your lives. The link for the forum is below:

 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83243498991?pwd=cWMwQUI0dFVRZWdtQ0dTcDZPTnRuQT09

For more information, please contact Carol Geer at 252-728-6385 or [email protected].

All questions concerning this event should be directed to the LWV, not the Town of Emerald Isle.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages the informed and active participation of citizens in government. The League influences public policy through education and advocacy.

In an effort to assist local property owners and candidates, the Town of Emerald Isle Planning Department wishes to share the following Public Service Announcement.

The Town of Emerald Isle regulates political signage placement within the Town limits. The following regulations should be adhered to when placing signage for candidates within the Town of Emerald Isle:

(H) Temporary political signs advertising candidates or issues subject to the following conditions:

1. Signs may be placed within the NC 58 right-of-way and within the right-of-way of all Town streets, but permission of the adjacent private property owner is required.

2. Signs must be placed at least three (3) feet from the edge of the street pavement, and shall not be more than forty-two (42) inches higher than the asphalt roadway surface.

3. Signs shall not be displayed earlier than thirty (30) days prior to the start of "one-stop" voting and shall be removed no more than ten (10) days after the election. This year, One-Stop Voting begins on Thursday, October 14.

4. Signs shall not obstruct a driver's sight distance at an intersection or create an unsafe condition for motorists, pedestrians, or bicyclists.

5. Signs shall not be larger than six (6) square feet.

6. Signs shall not obscure or replace other signs.

7. No banners are permitted.

8. No campaign signs are permitted on or in front of Town-owned property, with the exception of Election Day and only in accordance with the guidelines established by the Town and the County Board of Elections.

9. There is no limit on the number of campaign signs, provided that all other regulations are followed.

For information related to NCDOT controlled roadways, please click here to review a 2020 press release:

If you have additional local questions, please contact the EI Planning Department at 252-354-3424 or visit www.emeraldisle-nc.org.

Click here to watch a video from the tournament day. You can find more information about the tournament at emeraldislefishingtournament.com.

Contractors making improvements on the Emerald Isle Bridge will resume work beginning Oct. 4, weather permitting.

The work, which will require a lane closure, is part of a project continuing from last year to preserve the bridge against the harsh saltwater environment and ultimately extend the life of the bridge.

Motorists should expect a lane closure between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Monday through Friday; however, lane closures could be installed on Saturday or Sunday night if work during the week is delayed due to weather. Contractors will use flaggers at the ends of the work zone to direct traffic.

The department plans to continue work through May but will send regular updates as the schedule will change.

While a lane may not always be closed during the permitted times, drivers should anticipate this pattern and plan ahead as their commute may take longer than normal. NCDOT urges drivers to also use caution and remain alert around the bridge.

All questions and comments about the project should be directed to NCDOT.

For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.​

The Town of Emerald Isle is pleased to announce the addition of more cameras on the official Emerald Isle, NC app and website.

Visitors on either online platform can now view beach cameras at both the Western and Eastern ocean regional accesses, as well as their parking lots.

The first three camera feeds revealed earlier this year by the Town, which shows traffic going to and from the B. Cameron Langston Bridge and down Coast Guard Road, have proven to be very popular.

These live camera feeds can be found on the free Emerald Isle, NC app from the App Store or Google Play, or on the Town's website here.

The Town would like to thank NCDOT, Pro AV/Crystal Coast Wireless and Video Solutions, The Islander Hotel & Resort and Holiday Trav-L Park for their roles in making these traffic cameras possible.

Download the free Emerald Isle, NC app and receive a free donut from Flip Flops Donut Shop!

Download the Town's official app to your smartphone, visit Flip Flops Donut Shop at 7702 Emerald Drive, Suite D, and show them the app to receive one free Bogue Beach donut. This delicious treat features a maple glaze and cinnamon sugar. There is a limit of one free donut per customer.

On the Emerald Isle, NC app, you can check out our beach warning flag color of the day, view our variety of beach and traffic cameras and the Bogue Inlet Pier Cam, read the latest Town news, view upcoming events, find restaurant and shopping suggestions and more.

Download the app today on Google Play or the App Store.

Thank you to Flip Flops Donut Shop for working with the Town of Emerald Isle!

Beach driving season is underway, and permits are available either online at www.emeraldisle-nc.org/beach-driving or in person at the Police Department, at 7500 Emerald Drive.

Due to the high volume of permit applications, same day service cannot be guaranteed. Those who apply will receive an email or phone call when their permit is ready to pick up.

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

The Town's 20 USLA-certified lifeguards concluded the 2021 season along the beach strand on September 30th.

The team aided the public at lifeguard towers at the Western and Eastern ocean regional accesses, as well as during their frequent patrols across the Town's 12 miles of beach strand.

Although the Ocean Rescue Lifeguards are off the beach strand for the year, the beach warning flag will continue to be in place in October, as long as the National Weather Service continues to issue rip current risk forecasts.

Do you know what the various colored flags represent? Our lifeguards explain in this video. You can always see the flag colors on the Town's website and app.

The 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season continues through November, and you are encouraged to make your preparations before a storm arrives. It has been an active Atlantic season, and so far, there have been 20 named storms this year.

The Town released a series of hurricane preparedness videos this spring 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. These permits are issued through the Police Department. If you do not currently have your permit on hand or need a second copy, you can apply online or call the Police Department at 252-354-2021.

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. If you or your family member are not already on this list for the year, please take the time today to register.

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.

The Emerald Isle Public Works Department painted a section at the pier where the emergency lane is, to indicate there should be nothing blocking the way between the red poles. This Town guidance is valid year-round, as our Beach Patrol and Public Works teams will continue to be present on the beach throughout the fall and winter.

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.

This video explains 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, do not place your beach equipment in that area.

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 improves our level of customer service, and aids our staff when filing yard debris pickup reports,” said Artie Dunn, Public Works Director.

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, Town Clerk/Public Information Officer, 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, Town Clerk/Public Information Officer, 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.

If you have updated information on your Emerald Isle business from the past year, please email Anna Smith for updates on the Town's website and app.

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 employees who were recognized in August:

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!

Limited time offer! Enroll in Connect to Save and receive a free Google Nest Thermostat and Google Home Mini.

The idea behind Connect to Save is simple: When we work together to manage energy use, we can keep costs low for the entire community. With Connect to Save, everybody wins!

Order today! Supplies are limited. Enroll online at marketplace.connecttosavenc.com or call 844-755-SAVE.

Greetings from Bogue Banks Water Corporation!

Fall is marching on in and refreshing cooler temperatures are coming soon. As many of you plan for next year's summer season, please keep water conservation in mind.

Yards full of native plants and ornamental landscaping require little to no watering all year long. If irrigation is used, make sure to have a working rain sensor, use low flow heads, and only water once the grass shows signs of drying out. Often times, 2-3 times per week is plenty. In the coming future, we will be drilling new wells to extend the life of the existing reverse osmosis treatment plant and to move closer to a second reverse osmosis water treatment plant. This will enable us to provide closer to 100% of our service area RO water during the high demand summer months.

As always, we appreciate each one of you, our valued customers. Stop by and see us when you are in the area!