WILMINGTON, NC (2008-01-31) A half-sized replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall is coming to Columbus County this fall.
The wall is one of two replicas of the Washington D.C. memorial that a small group of veterans rents to communities around the country. One of the replicas spent time in Myrtle Beach last year.
Anita Adams with the Columbus County Vietnam Veterans of America. She says the replica gives those who can't travel to see the D.C. Memorial a similar experience.
"This replica, as well as the one in Washington, has been referred to as the healing wall," Adams says, "and I think it just kinda brings some peace of mind to those who did serve there."
Adams says the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall will be free for the public during the second week of October. She says the group is putting up 14-thousand dollars to bring the "Moving Wall."
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Developers Break Ground at Autumn Hall
Construction of a 236-acre housing and shopping development in Wilmington will pick up speed this spring, and nearby residents are bracing for the population boom...
Read the full story here
Three Counties Count Homeless
Volunteers in Pender, Brunswick, and New Hanover Counties visited shelters and searched the woods in three counties last night, trying to capture a snapshot of the area's homeless population.
The annual homeless count helps local agencies set funding priorities for the upcoming year. Volunteers go beyond a simple head count, surveying the people they find about how and when they lost their housing...
Read the full story here.
The annual homeless count helps local agencies set funding priorities for the upcoming year. Volunteers go beyond a simple head count, surveying the people they find about how and when they lost their housing...
Read the full story here.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
DOT Seeks Input on US 17 Bypass
WILMINGTON, NC (2008-01-29) It's been on the table for nearly 20 years and now the final public meetings are taking place on the US 17 bypass in Brunswick County.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation will roll out the maps for residents Thursday night.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation will roll out the maps for residents Thursday night.
The Brunswick leg of the bypass stretches from US 17 just south of Leland to US 421 in New Hanover County.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation projects 94,000 vehicles traveling the road by 2025.
The Meeting
Thursday January 31, 2008
Thursday January 31, 2008
Open House: 4:00 - 6:30pm
Presentation: 7:00pm
North Brunswick High School
114 Scorpion Drive, Leland
The Maps
Click here for the map of Segment A
Click here for the map of Segment B1
Click here for the map of Segment B2
Click here for the map of Segment B3
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Do you have insight or expertise on this topic? Please email us, we'd like to hear from you. news@whqr.org.
Everything from Sewers To Submarines in Wilmington State of the City Address
WILMINGTON, NC (2008-01-29) Mayor Bill Saffo's State of the City address read something like a citywide shopping list.
In the 23-minute speech, the mayor reeled off spending projects that included $6 million to repair the Northeast Interceptor sewer line, an $8.5 million public safety training center; and $4 million for stormwater projects.
But the big issue in Saffo's address wasn't about spending, but saving. Wilmington has to find $4 million in budget cuts after New Hanover County's recent discovery that it miscalculated tax revenues.
"This was an unfortunate error, yet we will focus our energy and attention to solve this problem as we have done with our sewer system. It will not be easy and tough decisions will have to be made this council. But we will make them."
Saffo elaborated, "It will not be easy and tough decisions will have to be made. But we will make these tough decisions and re-do this budget. We look to control expenses, use reserves, live without some things in order to rebalance the budget."
In the 23-minute speech, the mayor reeled off spending projects that included $6 million to repair the Northeast Interceptor sewer line, an $8.5 million public safety training center; and $4 million for stormwater projects.
But the big issue in Saffo's address wasn't about spending, but saving. Wilmington has to find $4 million in budget cuts after New Hanover County's recent discovery that it miscalculated tax revenues.
"This was an unfortunate error, yet we will focus our energy and attention to solve this problem as we have done with our sewer system. It will not be easy and tough decisions will have to be made this council. But we will make them."
Saffo elaborated, "It will not be easy and tough decisions will have to be made. But we will make these tough decisions and re-do this budget. We look to control expenses, use reserves, live without some things in order to rebalance the budget."
Saffo also highlighted a number of ongoing city projects. Talking about the city's takeover of trash pickup last year, Saffo noted that complaints have dropped 78% and recycling has increased by roughly 10%.
The speech concluded with a look forward, as Saffo listing his priorities for the city in the coming year.
Those projects include "transferring work on our sewer system to the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority; the on-going drought in our region; the challenge to meet our commitment to provide city employees with badly needed pay raises; even as we face another budget shortfall..."
One forthcoming event Saffo lingered on was the May commissioning of the new USS North Carolina, a Virginia class nuclear attack submarine. While plans for the event have been ongoing, the mayor raised its profile tonight by announcing that the Secretary of the Navy, Donald Winter, will give the keynote address.
As he did last year, Saffo closed his address with the Athenian oath, reciting: We transmit this city not only, not less, but greater and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us.
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You can hear the State of the City address by clicking on the audio file at the top of this article. Read the mayor's complete speech here
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Do you have a comment on this story or expertise on this topic? Please email us, we'd appreciate hearing your thoughts: news@whqr.org
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Wright's Court Date Set for March
WILMINGTON, NC (2008-01-29) A March 3rd court date has been set for the criminal fraud charges filed against State Representative Thomas Wright.
The court trial was set on the same date set for a Joint Ethics Committee evidentiary hearing,the committee is also looking into Wright's campaign finances.
Wright questioned the legality of that committee but co-chair Representative Rick Glazier says it is just as important as the court trial.
Glazier says it's likely the Joint Ethics Committee will move its hearing to avoid conflicts with the Wake County trial.
Wright is accused of illegally obtaining or misusing more than $350,000 dollars in campaign contributions.
Wright has maintained his innocence, saying he is guilty of nothing more than sloppy bookkeeping.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Camp Lejeune Gets a New Base Commander
Camp Lejeune's new base commander starts his first full day on the job Tuesday morning.
Colonel Richard Flatau took control of the Marine base at Monday's change of command ceremony. Flatau served as a commissioned officer for twenty-five years.
Base spokesperson First Lieutenant Craig Thomas says Flatau will spend his first day meeting with staff leaders to learn the state of the base.
"After he's becomes acclimatized, I'm sure he's going to want to make some changes and make this base his own," says Thomas. "But the first step is to come in and listen to what's going on. If it's not broke, there's no reason to fix it."
Flatau replaces Colonel Adele Hodges as base commander. Thomas says Hodges will be remembered as a warm-hearted leader who could make tough decisions.
"The great thing about Colonel Hodges is not only did she provide a vision of what she wanted our Marines to do, but she led by example," says Thomas. "She would get out there and volunteer. She was constantly in the community going to meetings."
Hodges was the first colonel to serve as base commander, a position formerly reserved for generals. She's also known as the "hugging" commander. Thomas says she's as tough as she is kind.
Colonel Richard Flatau took control of the Marine base at Monday's change of command ceremony. Flatau served as a commissioned officer for twenty-five years.
Base spokesperson First Lieutenant Craig Thomas says Flatau will spend his first day meeting with staff leaders to learn the state of the base.
"After he's becomes acclimatized, I'm sure he's going to want to make some changes and make this base his own," says Thomas. "But the first step is to come in and listen to what's going on. If it's not broke, there's no reason to fix it."
Flatau replaces Colonel Adele Hodges as base commander. Thomas says Hodges will be remembered as a warm-hearted leader who could make tough decisions.
"The great thing about Colonel Hodges is not only did she provide a vision of what she wanted our Marines to do, but she led by example," says Thomas. "She would get out there and volunteer. She was constantly in the community going to meetings."
Hodges was the first colonel to serve as base commander, a position formerly reserved for generals. She's also known as the "hugging" commander. Thomas says she's as tough as she is kind.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
10-4, It's A Convoy Down Highway 17
It's already clogged with commuters and now large convoys of military supply trucks will roll down Highway 17 between Jacksonville and Wilmington. The Marines say the trucks will run during the day on Monday, January 28th and Tuesday the 29th.
Bursts of 75 trucks at a time along with escort vehicles will move supplies from the Camp Lejeune Marine Base to the Port of Wilmington. The heavy lift vehicles will take the 17 bypass to avoid traffic in downtown Wilmington.
The Marines plan to load equipment onto ships at the Port of Wilmington and set off for Afghanistan. Marine Spokesperson Captain Kelly Frushour says drivers who see the convoy should exercise caution.
“We ask motorists to please be patient when following and be careful when passing the military vehicle. They will be escorted and assisted by government vehicles with flashing yellow lights, so you really won’t be able to miss us.”
Frushour says once the ships are loaded, it will take thirty days to reach central command in Afghanistan.
Bursts of 75 trucks at a time along with escort vehicles will move supplies from the Camp Lejeune Marine Base to the Port of Wilmington. The heavy lift vehicles will take the 17 bypass to avoid traffic in downtown Wilmington.
The Marines plan to load equipment onto ships at the Port of Wilmington and set off for Afghanistan. Marine Spokesperson Captain Kelly Frushour says drivers who see the convoy should exercise caution.
“We ask motorists to please be patient when following and be careful when passing the military vehicle. They will be escorted and assisted by government vehicles with flashing yellow lights, so you really won’t be able to miss us.”
Frushour says once the ships are loaded, it will take thirty days to reach central command in Afghanistan.
Maiden Post
Hello and welcome to the WHQR News blog.
Here you will find news stories that air on 91.3 WHQR in Wilmington, NC. Some of the stories will even have extra information that didn't make it on the air.
Find out more about us at whqr.org.
Here you will find news stories that air on 91.3 WHQR in Wilmington, NC. Some of the stories will even have extra information that didn't make it on the air.
Find out more about us at whqr.org.
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