Father's Complaints Prompt Inspection of Ft. Bragg's Barracks

WILMINGTON, NC (2008-04-30) A father who complained about his son's living conditions in a Fort Bragg barrack has sparked a national campaign to inspect Army barracks across the country.

Ed Frawley was visiting his son as he returned to Fort Bragg from Afghanistan, when he took pictures of his son's barrack.

Those pictures, some of which featured mold, peeling paint, and a clogged drain, appeared in a slideshow on YouTube.

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Oyster Shell Recycling Increasing in Pender County

WILMINGTON, NC (2008-04-22) More oyster shells in Pender County are being put back into the ocean for the next generation of oysters than previous years.

When put back into the ocean, the shells serve as a bed where new oysters can grow.

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Camp Lejeune Kicks Off "Operation Change Out" for Earth Day

WILMINGTON, NC (2008-04-22) Five military bases across the Carolinas celebrated Earth Day today by switching out light bulbs.

The Secretary of Energy joined Marines at Camp Lejeune to replace incandescent light bulbs with more efficient ones.

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NH County Board of Elections Prepares for National Spotlight

WILMINGTON, NC (2008-04-14) The New Hanover County Board of Elections expects record turnout on the May 6th primary and is planning carefully to avoid mistakes while underneath the national microscope.

Voter Registration in North Carolina ended last Friday, but Bonnie Williams with the New Hanover County Board of Elections says voters, registered or not, can vote early during the one-stop voting period.

Read the full story here.

Hewett Receives Pay While Suspended

WILMINGTON, NC (2008-04-13) Brunswick County Sheriff Ronald Hewett has received his first paycheck while suspended.

Hewett, who makes $108,000 a year, was temporarily suspended last month after several of his current and former employees petitioned to remove him.

Read the full story here.

Cpl. Cesar Laurean Caught in Mexico

WILMINGTON, NC (2008-04-11) The Marine accused of killing a pregnant fellow Marine has been captured in Mexico after running from authorities for more than three months.

Police arrested Corporal Cesar Laurean last night in the small western Mexico town of Tacambaro.

Read the full story here.

Ohio Congressman Calls Marine Response "Inadequate"

WILMINGTON, NC (2008-04-10) The Ohio Congressman for the district where murdered pregnant Marine Maria Lauterbach's family lives says the Marine Corps' response to his questions about her death is "totally inadequate".

Ohio Congressman Michael Turner asked the Marine Corps last month what it did to protect Lance Corporal Maria Lauterbach after she was allegedly raped by fellow Marine Corporal Cesar Laurean.

Read the full story here.

Suspended Sheriff's Salary in Question

WILMINGTON, NC (2008-04-02) Brunswick County has until next week to decide whether it will pay suspended Sheriff Ronald Hewett his salary during his suspension.

Brunswick County policy does not allow suspended employees to receive pay unless they are elected officials, like the sheriff. But North Carolina's state constitution says employees can only be paid for services rendered.

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Brunsco. Democrats say it's too soon to replace Hewett

WILMINGTON, (2008-04-01) The Brunswick County Democratic Party says the County Commissioners' vote to find a replacement for Sheriff Ronald Hewett is premature.

Brunswick County Commissioners voted last night to ask the Brunswick County Democratic Party to nominate a replacement for Hewett within thirty days.

Read the full story here.