GOVERNMENT RESIDENT DEPARTMENTS facebook twitter youtube Home | News NEWS NEWS NEW PLAYGROUND INSTALLED AT RURITAN PARK Currituck County has completed the installation of a new playground at Ruritan Park in Knotts Island and the facility is now open for public use. The project included the demolition and removal of the old playground and the construction of all new playground equipment. This playground features the latest in equipment upgrades and provides a safe venue for families to enjoy outdoor recreation in Knotts Island. The playground includes slides, swings, climbing features, safety railings, and rubber ground surfacing in the play areas. Overall, the project cost was $150,000. Currituck County is also currently has a project underway to replace the playground at Sound Park. That new playground should be open for public use by the end of the year. The county has nine public parks available, along with the Rural Center which also has a playground. A list of these park locations is available online here. NEWS SAVE THE DATE: TREE LIGHTING AND CHRISTMAS PARADE Currituck County will host the annual holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony and Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. This year’s event features a theme of “A Christmas Fantasy” and will be held in Community Park, in Barco. Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m., with the NC Cooperative Extension Service hosting “Reindeer Games” for guests of all ages at the Extension facility. Cooperative Extension is located at 120 Community Way, Barco, NC 27917. The tree lighting ceremony will be held at 6:30 p.m. The Currituck County Christmas Tree will be placed in the courtyard between the Cooperative Extension Center and the Senior Center/YMCA building. The 28th Annual Christmas Parade is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. The parade begins on College Way in front of the Aviation and Technical Training Center. The parade route will travel along Maple Parkway to Community Way and continue through the YMCA and Cooperative Extension parking lots. Community groups or organizations interested in having a float or participating in the parade may complete an Entry Form: Christmas Parade 12-3-21 Form and return it via mail to NC Cooperative Extension, Attn: Sheila Gregory, 120 Community Way, Barco, NC 27917; or by email to sheila_gregory@ncsu.edu no later than Nov. 27, 2021. Parade entries may choose to enter the optional judging contest for a $20 entry fee. Awards will include 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, and Most Original. Cooperative Extension will also live-stream online the tree lighting and parade on the Currituck Extension YouTube channel. Visit: https://www.youtube.com/c/CurrituckCES, make sure to subscribe and ring the bell so you are notified on Dec. 3. This special event is sponsored by the NC Cooperative Extension Service and Currituck Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #89. If inclement weather occurs, the event will not be rescheduled. NEWS COUNTY REPLACING PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AT SOUND PARK A project to completely replace the playground equipment at Sound Park will begin on Friday, Nov. 12. Currituck County will remove the existing playground and install new equipment and features. The playground area will be closed to the public during the project. Please do not let children play in the work zone and use caution when near this site. All other sections of Sound Park remain open to the public. Demolition of the existing playground will take approximately one week, followed by the installation of new playground equipment as it is delivered. The project is expected to be completed in December. An announcement on the playground’s reopening for public use will be made when the project is finished. Anyone with questions may contact the Currituck County Parks and Recreation Department at 252-232-3007. NEWS BUSINESSMAN PROVIDES LARGE BOOST TO OPERATION SANTA A special “thank you!” goes to local businessman Justin Old, who on October 22, 2021 made a $10,000 donation to Operation Santa! This generous contribution will help many children have a merry Christmas! Operation Santa provides Christmas presents to children of local families and foster children in Currituck County, along with food baskets for senior citizens. Information on how you can participate in Operation Santa can be found here. Mr. Old is pictured with Samantha Hurd, Director of Social Services in Currituck County. DSS administers Operation Santa, so if you have any questions please contact DSS at 252-232-3083. NEWS WATER STAFF WORKING TO PREVENT BACKFLOWS, CONTAMINANTS The Currituck County Water Department is beginning a prevention program to help prevent backflows within the drinking water system and keep out contaminants that may enter the system through cross connections. Currituck County includes backflow and cross connection regulations within the county ordinance and staff is attempting to be proactive in preventing problems that could affect the drinking water for county residents. A new employee, Charles “Chas” Sawyer, has been hired as the Water Department’s Backflow Cross Connection ORC (Operator in responsible charge). Sawyer has more than 10 years experience in municipal water systems and will play a key role in this prevention program. As the ORC, Sawyer will enforce the rules, regulations, and ordinances set by the Environmental Protection Agency, North Carolina Division of Water Resources, North Carolina plumbing code, and Currituck County. He will inspect facilities connected to the system and assess any potential for pollutants or contaminants entering the water system. Some facilities may already have approved backflow devices installed, and Sawyer will ensure that all existing devices are tested and maintained by certified individuals. Backflow is the reversal of the flow of water due to a change in the water system. The most common backflow incidents occur during events such as breaks to water main pipes, which causes the water system to lose pressure. Some backflow incidents may also be caused by back pressure, which occurs when the pressure on the customer’s water supply is greater than that of the water system supplying the water. Back pressure may be caused by things such as booster pumps or boilers. A cross connection is an actual or potential connection between a potable water supply and a potential source of pollution or contamination. For example, a garden hose placed in a bucket of soapy water as you get ready to wash your vehicle is a temporary cross connection. Examples of permanent cross connections are the water supply to a boiler used to heat a building and irrigation systems for your lawn. Sawyer will visit businesses and county facilities to work with people on understanding backflow and cross connections while performing inspections to ensure that up-to-date backflow preventers are in place and have been properly inspected. Currituck County’s hope is that with the public’s help, we can prevent backflows and cross connections from occurring in the drinking water system. If anyone has questions, please contact the Water Department at 252-232-2769. NEWS FEMA PHASING IN NEW RATES FOR FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM Property owners in Currituck County should be aware that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is updating the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) risk ratings through the implementation of a new pricing methodology called Risk Rating 2.0. FEMA now examines more flood risk variables for properties. These include flood frequency, multiple flood types such as river overflow, storm surge, coastal erosion and heavy rainfall, along with property characteristics such as elevation and the cost to rebuild. FEMA attempts to equitably distribute premiums across all policyholders based on home value and a property’s unique flood risk. Beginning October 1, 2021, new policies within the National Flood Insurance Program are subject to the new rates. Effective April 1, 2022, all NFIP policies will be subject to the new rating methodology. Current National Flood Insurance Program policyholders can contact their insurance company or insurance agent to learn more about how the Risk Rating 2.0 may affect them. FEMA’s Risk Rating website also offers an interactive map and state profiles of projected impacts. Currituck County’s Development Services Department can help provide flood insurance information for local property owners. Contact the county staff at 252-232-3055 to learn more about impacts of Risk Rating 2.0 and how to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program. NEWS MATUSKO FIRST FROM CURRITUCK TO LEAD CLERK’S CONFERENCE The Conference of Clerks of Superior Court in North Carolina has existed for more than 100 years and, for the first time, a clerk from Currituck County serves as its President. Ray Matusko, Clerk of Superior Court, was sworn in as the Conference’s new President during a Sept. 23 ceremony in Beaufort. When the Conference was originally formed in 1917, it was called the Association of Clerks of Superior Court. The association was renamed in 2006 and consists of the 100 elected Clerks of Superior Court in North Carolina. It works to improve public accessibility to courts and serves as a resource for clerks through training, legislative updates, and court administration. Matusko’s appointment as President culminates a five-year commitment in which he has served one year each as Secretary, Treasurer, 2nd Vice President, and 1st Vice President. He was sworn in by Chief Justice Paul Newby of the North Carolina Supreme Court. “I am humbled to be selected by my fellow Clerks of Superior Court to lead our Conference,” Matusko said. “And I’m very proud to be the first Clerk from Currituck County to serve as President.” Matusko has served as Clerk of Superior Court in Currituck for the past 11 years, having first been elected in 2010. The Clerk’s office is responsible for the administrative, clerical, and record-keeping functions of the district and superior court. It has numerous judicial functions, such as matters relating to the probate of wills and the administration of estates. Among other duties, it presides over adoptions and guardianship proceedings, foreclosures, boundary disputes, name changes, and motor vehicle liens. “I have a fantastic staff of dedicated professionals,” said Matusko. “We take great pride in providing exemplary customer service and equal access to courts for the public.” Prior to his election as clerk, Matusko served in the Currituck County Sheriff’s Office. Contacts and friendships he’s formed over time help him now in his current position and he enjoys an excellent working relationship with the Board of Commissioners. Mike Payment, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, attended Currituck County High School with Matusko and has known him for many years. “I couldn’t be happier for Ray. He does a lot for this county and is well-respected throughout the state,” Payment said. Commissioner Kevin McCord has also known Matusko for a long time and worked with him in the Sheriff’s Office. McCord supported Matusko during his election campaigns for Clerk and, like Payment, expressed pride at Matusko receiving statewide recognition. “I’ve known Ray for more than 30 years and he has shown that with hard work, you can do anything,” McCord said. A contingent of Currituck County officials traveled to Beaufort for Matusko’s swearing-in ceremony in a strong display of county support. The group included Payment, McCord, Commissioner Owen Etheridge, Sheriff Matt Beickert, and Interim County Manager/County Attorney Ike McRee. In addition, NC Rep. Bobby Hanig, a former Currituck County commissioner, attended the ceremony as well. “Ray has brought a great deal to Currituck through his service and leadership,” Etheridge said. “And he is right there with his staff every day in getting the job done.” Ray Matusko, accompanied by his wife Lori, is sworn in by NC Chief Justice Paul Newby. L-R: Ike McRee, Owen Etheridge, Renee Etheridge, Paul Newby, Mike Payment, Ray Matusko, Kevin McCord, Bobby Hanig, and Matt Beickert. Citizens may find more information on services provided by the Clerk of Superior Court office here. NEWS HEALTH & WELLNESS EVENT AT CURRITUCK SENIOR CENTER The Currituck Senior Center will host its annual “Health & Wellness” event on Wednesday, October 13 from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm. The Currituck Senior Center is located at 130 Community Way, Barco, NC, 27917. Vendors will be present to share valuable information with local senior citizens. Participants can learn about beneficial services for seniors from several agencies, including Medicare, Red Cross, Emergency Management, Emergency Medical Services, Albemarle Hopeline, and Currituck Public Library. The Currituck Sheriff’s Office will provide a medicine drop for citizens to deposit any unused medicine, which will be safely discarded. Participants can also learn about the programs and activities offered at the three Senior Center locations in Currituck County. Flu shots will be available during the event, which will also include door prizes. Everyone who registers by October 8 will also receive a free boxed lunch. Contact the Currituck Senior Center for registration at 252-232-3505. * This year’s event will take place in the dining room to allow for space to social distance at your own comfort level. Masks are recommended but not required. NEWS COVID BOOSTER SHOT CLINIC SCHEDULED Albemarle Regional Health Services (ARHS) will host a special clinic to provide Pfizer booster shots in Currituck County on Thursday, October 7 at Community Park, by the YMCA facility at 130 Community Way, Barco, NC, 27917. This clinic will be held from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in a drive-thru format. Participants must: Be a resident of or work in one of the eight counties served by ARHS. Bring their vaccine index card with them to the clinic to receive a booster. Only those who received their second dose of Pfizer at least six months ago will be eligible for a booster. The Pfizer booster recommendations are as follows: People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after they have completed their full series of Pfizer shots. People aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after they have completed their full series of Pfizer shots. People aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks. People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks. Appointments: ARHS will accept appointments at local health departments for individuals needing a Pfizer booster. Appointments are also accepted for individuals who need their first or second dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine, and for the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Appointments for local citizens can be made at the Currituck Health Department, at 252-232-2271. ARHS also continues to offer third doses for individuals who are severely immunocompromised. Third doses have been approved for both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines and should be administered 28 days following the second dose. At this time, Pfizer is the only vaccine that has been approved for a booster dose. Anyone with questions may contact the Currituck Health Department at 252-232-2271 or the main ARHS facility in Elizabeth City at 252-338-9355. For information on the COVID vaccine and statistics for North Carolina, visit the NC Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). NEWS CURRITUCK RECEIVES $1M GRANT TO ELEVATE HOMES The State of North Carolina and FEMA have approved a hazard mitigation project grant of $1,040,864 to improve disaster resilience in Currituck County. The grant will be used to pay for the elevation of seven flood-prone homes in Corolla, Grandy, Barco, Moyock, Grandy, and Currituck. Funding from FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program became available as the result of a federal disaster declaration following Hurricane Florence in 2018. Because the homes are located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, they have a history of flooding from hurricanes and other storms. Elevating the homes to the Base Flood Elevation plus local freeboard requirements will help prevent the costly repetitive cycle of flood damage and repairs. The elevated structures will be placed on a range of possible foundations, specified by a licensed professional engineer during a feasibility study, and may include piles, columns, curtain walls with footings or concrete masonry units. “Currituck County is pleased to accept Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds on behalf of these deserving families,” said Donald I. McRee, Jr., Interim County Manager/County Attorney. “The mitigation of repetitive loss properties is a priority of both the Outer Banks Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan and State of NC Hazard Mitigation Plan, and we are grateful for the opportunity to enhance our community resilience to coastal hazards.” FEMA funds 75% of project costs, with the remaining 25% funded by the state. The Hazard Mitigation Grant program funds projects that help create long-term solutions to reduce risks from repetitive hazards, such as flooding. More information on North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Florence and other natural disasters is available from the NC Department of Public Safety. Post Navigation « Older posts QUICK LINKS Community Events Calendar Departments Employee Resources Employment Opportunities Risk Management Website Disclaimer NEWSLETTER SIGN UP Name (required) * Email (required) * SEND CONTACT US Name (required) * Email (required) * How can we help you? (required) * SEND Privacy Policy Disclaimer Contact Us ©2017 Currituck County