Newspapers

We have a variety of newspapers that range from a daily Virginia paper with a North Carolina section to weekly, triweekly, monthly, quarterly, and biannual periodicals with Outer Banks-focused coverage. Writing styles vary in these publications--some are highly editorialized; some take a more laid-back approach; and others adhere to a tighter, stricter journalistic structure. Even though a couple of the smaller papers frequently disregard The Associated Press Stylebook rules, these publications offer a wealth of local information. The pages are loaded with community news--educational, political, environmental, and civic happenings.

The Virginian-Pilot
Nags Head Bureau, US 158, MP 10 Nags Head
(252) 441-1620
www.pilotonline.com

This Norfolk, Virginia-based daily broadsheet combines "big-city paper" experience with local knowledge to cover national news and regional news from northeastern and coastal North Carolina and, predominantly, Hampton Roads, Virginia. The Pilot's total circulation is about 230,000, with close to 18,600 of that number going to the Outer Banks and northeastern North Carolina.

A separate North Carolina section is published daily, with articles and photographs composed by an Outer Banks-based news staff, but this section also includes lots of coastal Virginia news due to our proximity to the state line and the small amount of hard news the Outer Banks generates. (If you're looking for community news such as wedding coverage, civic club updates, job promotions, and social stuff, pick up one of the weekly or tri-weekly publications listed in this chapter.)

The Virginian-Pilot is available at area newsstands and convenience stores for 50 cents Monday through Saturday and $1.25 for Sunday's edition. Home delivery is available by subscription.

The Coast, a free, weekly entertainment and news publication produced by the Virginian-Pilot, is available each weekend at grocery and general stores and other locations throughout the Outer Banks from March through December. It is published monthly in January and February. Winter circulation is 20,000, while height-ofsummer circulation reaches 45,000. The Coast is delivered as part of the Sunday edition of the Virginian-Pilot to North Carolina newsstands and subscribers.

The Coastland Times
501 Budleigh Street, Manteo (252) 473-2105
US 158, MP 7 1/2, Kill Devil Hills (252) 441-2223

Touting itself as the "Journal of the Walter Raleigh Coastland of North Carolina," the Coastland Times has been published since 1935. This local paper is published on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and is available at area newsstands and convenience stores for 50 cents; mail delivery is available by calling the above numbers.

Reporters cover Currituck, Dare, Hyde, and Tyrrell Counties. You'll find the most extensive local classifieds here, including yard sale ads (mostly in Thursday's issue). Pick up this paper for wedding, birth, obituary, reunion, community, and civic club information.

The Outer Banks Sentinel
Central Square, US 158, MP 11, Nags Head
(252) 480-2234
www.obsentinel.com

The Outer Banks Sentinel is a broadsheet newspaper owned by Sentinel Publishing, operating since March 1996. With a circulation of 9,000, it covers news from Corolla to Ocracoke, on Roanoke Island, and on the Dare County mainland.

The Sentinel provides news and features on area personalities, editorials, and columns about the Outer Banks. Insiders laugh themselves silly while reading local humorist Jack Sandberg's satiric column "Uncle Jack." Calendars and listings include information on weather, fishing, tides, surf conditions, entertainment, and community events.

The Sentinel, published every Thursday and Sunday, is sold for 50 cents at area newsstands and bookstores. Mail delivery is available to subscribers.

Ocracoke Observer
P.O. Box 427, Ocracoke, NC 27960
(252) 928-7152

Ocracoke Observer is a tabloid newspaper published once a month for distribution to Ocracoke and connecting points. This free publication is a handy resource for tide charts, cable TV listings, library hours, ferry schedules, and almanac reports. It also includes interesting editorials regarding Ocracoke Island and is available free at Ocracoke retail and grocery stores.

The Island Breeze
NC 12 and Dunes Drive, Hatteras Village
(252) 986-2421

The Island Breeze, a small-town tabloid published by the Virginian-Pilot, comes out monthly January through December. This publication features a variety of folksy, local articles on personalities, businesses, and community-related news. Free, it is available at area shops and restaurants.

ReelFisher News
P.O. Box 1146, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
(252) 261-8210

The ReelFisher News is published four times a year by Gulfstream Graphic Arts & Publishing. It's a free tabloid available at retail outlets throughout the Outer Banks. The paper prints fishing editorials while acting as a directory to area piers, ramps, marinas, and weigh stations.

The North Beach Sun
1106 NC 12, Kill Devil Hills
(252) 449-2222

Covering the northern beaches-predomi nantly, but not limited to, Southern Shores to Corolla-the North Beach Sun is a free quarterly publication. It is available in racks at retail outlets in the beach communities. The tabloid-style paper features recaps and announcements of local events, feature stories, arts articles, a wine column, a spiritual column, tennis tips, and more.

Magazines and Miscellaneous Publications

There are quite a few specialty magazines published on the Outer Banks, though only two qualify as regional publications. They focus on either the specific--fishing, golf, dining--or the general--Outer Banks living. We have included several free guides in this section that contain restaurant and shopping information and coupons to help you stretch your vacation dollars, as well as a fun newsletter from one of our favorite bookstores.

There are quite a few specialty magazines published on the Outer Banks, though only two qualify as regional publications. They focus on either the specific-fishing, golf, dining-or the general-Outer Banks living. We have included several free guides in this section that contain restaurant and shopping information and coupons to help you stretch your vacation dollars, as well as a fun newsletter from one of our favorite bookstores.

The Edge Outer Banks
Outer Banks Press
P.O. Box 2829, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949
(252) 261-0612, (888) 261-4411
www.outerbankspress.com

The Edge Outer Banks is a slick, four-color annual magazine focusing on the entire Outer Banks with brief forays into surrounding geographical areas. This regional magazine is distinctive for its quality, both in appearance and in lively editorial content. Readers of this publication will find informative, entertaining articles on aviation, food and wine, architectural design, golf, high-energy recreation, and area destinations. Everything about the Edge is cutting-edge: design, photography, art, and editorial. It's available at area retail outlets and grocery stores for $4.00, or by subscription by calling or e-mailing Outer Banks Press.

Sportfishing Report
P.O. Box 3806, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948
(252) 473-1553
www.sportfishing-report.com

Sportfishing Report was first published in the winter of 1991 and has gradually expanded from an Outer Banks-only magazine to include the coastal areas from Virginia Beach to Georgia. Readers of this bimonthly publication find informative saltwater fishing tips; profiles and history of surf, sound, and sea venues; plus product reviews and information on shows and tournaments. Gorgeous color photography brings the fishing experience into your living room. The magazine is available at most local news and magazine stands, or by subscription. For information, call or visit the Web site.

The Hatteras Monitor
P.O. Box 364, Frisco, NC 27936
(252) 995-5378

The Hatteras Monitor, a news magazine, is published 10 times a year, March through December, and is filled with historical stories and photographs, real estate planning, fishing reports, poetry, environmental news, a telephone guide, a visitors' guide and map, community news, and want ads for Hatteras and Ocracoke islands. Copies are distributed, free of charge, throughout Hatteras Island.

The Beach Book
Central Square, US 158, MP 11, Nags Head
(252) 480-2787, (800) 844-3128
www.beachbook.com

Our first "local" phone book is full of local information. Owners Jeff Graham and Tom Chisholm host an art contest each year to determine the next year's cover design and highlight artwork by local children throughout the book. The phone book includes a vacation guide and restaurant menu section; articles on history, nature, and flight; information on first aid, governing officials, and hurricane preparedness; maps; and a calendar of events. Business as well as residential phone numbers are listed for Coinjock, Mamie, Corolla, Duck, Kitty Hawk, Southern Shores, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head, Manteo, Hatteras Island, and Ocracoke Island. Free copies of the Beach Book are available at either the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce or at the Beach Book offices.

Big Game Tournaments Magazine
Pirate's Cove Yacht Club
Nags Head-Manteo Causeway, Manteo
(252) 473-3906, (800) 537-7245

This free magazine covers offshore Gulf Stream fishing from a tournament angle. It features Pirate's Cove Yacht Club-sponsored and North Carolina Governor's Cup tournament schedules, rules, and guidelines and their histories. The tournaments are nonprofit, charitable functions. You can pick up a copy of Big Game at the Pirate's Cove Yacht Club's Ship's Store.

Newspapers

Magazines and Miscellaneous Publications

Television

Radio Stations

Online Media and Internet Service Providers

		Television WITN P.O. Box 775, Manteo NC 27954 (252) 473-4705 WITN is an NBC affiliate based in Washington, North Carolina, and it's the only TV station that has made the commitment to place a full-time news bureau on the Outer Banks. WITN's local reporter and bureau chief, Aaron Tuell, is always on the go, tracking stories. Monday through Friday you can see his local reports on the CNN Headline News station every half-hour, at 24 and 54 minutes past each hour. Tuell's reports are also aired on WITN, broadcast throughout eastern North Carolina. NBC national news picks up Tuell's reports when something nationally newsworthy occurs on the Outer Banks. Charter Cable Television NC 12, MP 10 1/2, Kill Devil Hills (800) 955-7766 This company supplies cable TV service for most of the Outer Banks, except Ocracoke Island. Most motels, hotels, and cottages have cable connections. Some add special features such as HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, or Disney Channel. Charter also offers pay-per-view movies, sporting events, and concerts with proper equipment obtained from the company. Charter service includes The Weather Channel, one of the most-watched stations on the Outer Banks; Beach Channel 12, with information on restaurants, real estate, and recreational opportunities; and Government Access Channel 20, with programming by the local townships. Digital cable access is available; call for details.
		Radio Stations Radio began on the Outer Banks when Reginald Fessenden sent the first transmissions between two 50-foot towers, one near Cape Hatteras and the other on Roanoke Island, in the early 1900s. He continued his mission, sending waves across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe. Sixty-eight years later, the first Outer Banks radio station, WOBR-1530 AM, went on the air, joined three years later by WOBR-95.3 FM. We now have nine local stations featuring country, gospel, album and alternative rock, adult contemporary, and oldies formats. One company owns four of these stations. Since the FCC opened new frequencies in the mid-1980s, radio stations have multiplied, creating a highly competitive field when it comes to maintaining listeners and obtaining advertising dollars. Several local stations have informative talk shows once a week that share information on community events such as upcoming symphonies, art shows, entertainment, plays, and more. We have one Christian station on the AM frequency and two stations that unfailingly cover live local high-school basketball. Formats often shift annually as stations try to capture listeners and as the music world evolves on a national level, but the primary listening target is the adult population ranging from age 25 to 54. National Public Radio is broadcast to transmitters in Manteo and Hatteras from Chapel Hill. WOBR-95.3 FM US 158, MP 10 1/2, Nags Head (252) 449-8331 This station features album-oriented rock. The music is speckled with frequent weather reports, public service announcements, and morning surf reports. WOBR is owned by East Carolina Radio, Incorporated. The contest and request line is (252) 473-2444. WOBX-98.1 FM US 158, MP 10 1/2, Nags Head (252) 441-1024 OBX 98.1 plays adult contemporary hit radio. Mornings kick off with Rick Dees from 5:00 to 10:00 A.M.Local and national news segments are aired throughout the day. WZPR-92.3 FM, WYND-97.1 FM, WFMZ-104.9 FM 637 Harbor Road, Wanchese (252) 475-1888 WZPR plays the Top 40, while sister station WYND pleases the easy-listening crowd and WFMZ spins classic hits. WRSF-105.7 FM US 158, MP 10 1/2, Nags Head (252) 441-1024, (800) 553-DIXI Dixie 105.7 plays "today's hottest country" and airs local and world news and weather broadcasts. The contest and request line numbers are (252) 441-4566 and (800) 422-3494. WVOD-99.1 FM 637 Harbor Road, Wanchese (252) 475-1888, (252) 473-9863 (request line) This station, known as The Sound, broadcasts from a studio on the Manteo waterfront. Announcers play a varied format centering around alternative music. The Sound features a Coastal Calendar airing area events, reports on fishing, surf conditions, weather, and hourly national news. Local news is broadcast several times a day. The Sound is a source for information on local school closings, lost pets, and road conditions. WCXL-104.1 FM 104 Radio Road, Powells Point (252) 491-9295 This 100,000-watt boomer of a station, Beach 104, covers the Outer Banks and Hampton Roads with adult contemporary music. Every morning on this station Best Buys on the Beach auctions local goods and services for a fraction of their regular prices. WCXL also offers regional and national news and fishing and farm reports. WERX-102.5 FM US 158, MP 10 1/2, Nags Head (252) 441-1025, (888) 75-SHARK If you like oldies, The Shark supplies plenty of hits from the 1950s, '60s, '70s, and '80s to accompany you on your trip down memory lane. Couple this with their Charlie Byrd Beach Blast on Sunday from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M., and you'll never want to come back. Killer classics air right after Byrd's segment until midnight. CNN, regional, and local news air daily. Traffic updates and seasonal fishing reports round out their Good Times-Killer Oldies format. The Shark is owned by East Carolina Radio, Incorporated. WUNC 90.5 and 91.9 FM (919) 966-5454, (800) 962-9862 WUNC is a National Public Radio station based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The station has two transmitters on the Outer Banks, one in Manteo and one in Buxton. Most local announcements are for the Triangle area, but Outer Banks weather and public service announcements get coverage. Two music shows air on the weekends: Back Porch Music (bluegrass) and Thistle and Shamrock (Celtic music). The news and talk lineup includes, among others, BBC World News, Morning Edition from 5:00 to 9:00 A.M., The Connection, Fresh Air, Talk of the Nation, All Things Considered, Marketplace, and The State of Things, a show covering issues in the state of North Carolina. On the weekends look for special shows like Car Talk, The People's Pharmacy, and A Prairie Home Companion.
		Online Media and Internet Service Providers Beach Access (252) 441-1521 (voice line) (252) 480-0817 (modem line for users only) www.beachaccess.com Beach Access is a 56K and ISDN Internet provider that also offers Web design services, hosting, and domain name hosting. Call for rates and information. Aginet Second Floor, La Isla Bakery Ocean Plaza, US 158, MP 4 1/2 Kitty Hawk (252) 255-5557 www.aginet.com Aginet provides Internet service ranging from T-1 lines to 56K dial-up service, including ISDN service. Weekly accounts are available. They also operate three Cybercades on the Outer Banks at the locations listed above. The Cybercades are set up so that anyone can come in, establish an account, and use the Internet. Cost is $10.00 an hour or $6.00 for a half hour. Locals set up an account for $30 a month. Beachlink 3915 Welch Street, Kitty Hawk (252) 261-0744, (800) EAT-SPAM www.beachlink.com Beachlink provides 56K and broadband connections, technical support, and vacation accounts. Soundwaves, a division of the company, provides custom design programs.