Episode Details

Oak Island’s town council just approved High Tide Motorsports, a new UTV rental business run by Dustin Owens, despite concerns it might prioritize tourists over locals. With a fleet of five side-by-sides — and plans to expand with e-bikes and golf carts — the venture aims to boost island mobility, but sparked debate over community impact. Council members worried it could profit off visitors at locals’ expense, while the police chief noted UTVs are safer than golf carts but still risky. To balance interests, strict rules were imposed: vehicle cap, off-site storage, 25+ age requirement, local gas and repair shop use, and any future changes need council approval. Owens also plans to offer residents monthly rentals during off-seasons — a move that could reshape how folks get around, under tight oversight.

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This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.
Sources:
https://www.starnewsonline.com/story/news/local/2026/09/16/oak-island-nc-sets-rules-for-new-rental-vehicle-utv-business/91579852007/

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