Brunsco. Sheriff Hewett Indicted

Brunswick County Sheriff Ronald Hewett was indicted today on three counts of embezzlement and one count of obstruction of justice.

Hewett was temporarily suspended from his post last week when more than 20 of his current and former staff members petitioned to remove him from office. Today Hewett was expected in court to explain why he should remain sheriff.

Read the full story here.

Media ask Brunsco. Commissioners to Open Agenda Meetings

WILMINGTON, NC (2008-03-17) Local media outlets are urging Brunswick County Commissioners to open their agenda meetings to the public.

In a letter delivered to Brunswick County Presiding Chairman Bill Sue, local media outlets urged Brunswick County Commissioners to open their weekly agenda meetings.

Read the full story here.

Feds Set to Reject Center Re-Use Plan

A soon-to-be decommissioned military reserve center near Wilmington's Greenfield Lake may eventually become transitional homeless housing, over the city's objections.

Federal law allows local governments to decide how best to develop surplus military property. But it also requires that homeless services get first consideration unless the city doesn't have a homeless problem or there are more pressing local economic needs.

Wilmington officials last year decided the facility isn't needed for the homeless but the federal government isn't so sure, accusing the city of 'inconsistent reasoning'...

Read the entire story here.

Gov. Easley Sets Special Hearing on Wright

The governor granted House Speaker Joe Hackney’s request to hold the special session next Thursday. That’s when the full House will consider recommendations to kick Wright out of the state house.

Read the full story here.

Wilm. Chosing Convention Center Contractor...

Wilmington may soon have a company to build its convention center, one that already has a history in the region.

J.M. Thompson Company of Raleigh came in with the low bid for the project's construction contract...

Read the full story here.

Lawsuits Against Brunsco. School Board Re-Filed

The attorney for parents accusing Brunswick County Schools of failing to protect their children from predators has re-filed the lawsuits against the School Board.

Last year three incidents of Brunswick County Schools employees having inappropriate relationships with students prompted lawsuits against the School Board.

Read the full story here.

Wilmington Completes NEI Sewer Repairs

Burst pipes are usually the beginning of a city's sewer headache, but this week, a split pipe could herald the end of Wilmington's current round of wastewater woes.

Engineers used a new technique of pipe bursting to install a half-mile of new line along Greenville Loop Road, running the new pipe inside the old and then expanding it. That final section of repairs completes the city's promised improvements to the Northeast Interceptor sewer line...

Read the full story and find more of our sewer coverage here.

Beach Towns Growing Up

Carolina and Kure Beach want to make sure you have a reason to get out of your car before you get to their beaches.

The two towns that make up Pleasure Island are taking an active hand in their future growth, with a focus on developing their commercial areas.

Find the entire story and supporting materials here.

Public Meetings:

Carolina Beach:
Monday: Steering Committee Meeting: 6-8pm
Tuesday: Presentation to Town Council: 6-8pm

Kure Beach
Monday: Public hearing: 6:30pm

Shag Dancers Compete in N. Myrtle Beach

Teams of shag dancers will show off their pivots and duck walks in North Myrtle Beach tonight for the first day of the 25th annual National Shag Championships.

Shag, or beach, music is unique to the Carolinas. A mix of big band swing, R-n-B, and rock-and-roll; the style swept coastal dancehalls in the forties and fifties...

Read the whole story here.

WHQR's Mental Health Care Series, pt I

This morning marks the start of WHQR's month-long exploration of North Carolina's mental health care system. Every Wednesday in March our reporters will bring you the stories of people in different stages of treatment. But we start today with an overview of the system from one of its new co-directors...

Listen to WHQR's interview with Leza Wainwright here.

(you will also find a link to Wainwright's full interview at that site)

Brunsco School Board Approves New Middle School

The Brunswick County School Board voted last night to approve a building contract for a new middle school.

The new Holden Beach Middle School will cost $14.5 million.

Read the full story here.

Vote On Wright's Campaign Status Postponed

The State Board of Elections has postponed a vote that would determine whether it would lift the termination status of State Representative Thomas Wright's campaign.

Read the full story here.

Relaxed Water Rules for Wilmington?

After more than four months on lockdown, Wilmington's lawn sprinklers and swimming pools could soon be back in business if the city approves an easing of its current drought restrictions.

Wilmington's water officials want to redefine entire scale of water regulations, replacing many currently mandatory restrictions with guidelines and more public education...

Read the full story here.