State Government websites value user privacy. To learn more, view our full privacy policy A lock icon or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the official website To learn more about the sea turtle monitoring that occurs on Masonboro Island Reserve check out this resource: https://arcg.is/104vi10 Wildlife Resources Commission staff monitor the nine miles of Masonboro Island Reserve’s beach for sea turtle nests the reserve documented 42 nests and 45 false crawls A false crawl is when a sea turtle comes ashore to lay eggs but returns to the water without depositing them due to various reasons including visual or noise disturbance or less-than-ideal nesting conditions These crawls look similar to a nesting crawl Five nests were lost entirely to the un-named tropical storm on September 16th as loggerheads are the primary nesters in North Carolina Only two nests were made by green sea turtles The species of turtle can be identified by the track pattern they leave in the sand Loggerhead tracks will alternate their flippers whereas green sea turtles will move their front flippers in unison leaving flipper marks that are in line with each other Multiple turtles this year who nested on the island had track abnormalities you can see the difference between normal and abnormal tracks but judging by the look of the abnormal track with a small indentation along the middle of the crawl it is likely this turtle had some type of flipper injury staff were able to see this individual during a nesting attempt and confirmed that in fact this turtle was missing one of her rear flippers "It's always remarkable to see how determined sea turtles are to nest We've seen that some of those with abnormalities may have to false crawl three to four times before they finally are able to successfully nest!" - Morgan Penrose  This conservation work for protected sea turtles at Masonboro Island is authorized by the N.C Wildlife Resources Commission (ES Permit 24ST21)  Check out this resource to learn more about the sea turtle monitoring that occurs on Masonboro Island Reserve which has been in business since 2020 in The Courtyard at Masonboro shopping center The signage has been taken down at the restaurant and a note on the door simply says ‘Closed.’ Some of the eatery’s social media accounts have also been deleted in recent days Some locals will still remember the Halligan’s Public House restaurant which got its start in 2010 and had the longest run in the space at 3317 Masonboro Loop Road It reopened as Courtyard Grill in 2020 and then re-opened a few months later as Bar Masonboro Recently rebranded The Cardinal restaurant is located across the courtyard and the Masonboro location of The Veggie Wagon is in the same center STAY CONNECTED: Keep up with the area’s latest food news by signing up for the Port City Foodies newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@gannett.com NC (WWAY) — Three people were ejected from their boat Wednesday morning near Masonboro Inlet Sea Tow Wrightsville Beach Captain Ryan Saporito says the organization received a call around 9:30 a.m from a Good Samaritan on land who saw an unmanned 15-foot boat going around in circles Captain Jason Stone with Sea Tow was already used a boat hook to pull the throttle of the boat back into neutral Saporito said a speeding 30-foot boat passed by them One person needed medical attention after being cut Video Central|Live Stream downtown is probably the first area that comes to mind One of the most historic parts of New Hanover County is an area some might think of as the suburbs: Masonboro Roughly consisting of the area between and near Masonboro Sound Round people have been coming here since not long after the founding of Wilmington in the late 1730s Here are a few historic facts about the area near Wilmington that used to be called "Masonborough." It was named for the MasonsAccording to the website of the Masonboro Historical Institute which cites a 1950 essay by Crockette Hewlett whose family provided the name for nearby Hewlett's Creek "The community took its name from the fact that among the first settlers along the Sound-front was a group of Masons who held their lodge meetings on the upper floor of an old house known as the old Lewey house." According to Hewlett's essay on the Masonboro Historical Institute website the Wilmington-based signer of the Declaration of Independence a native of Philadelphia who's credited with being the first writer to have a play professionally produced on the American stage once wrote a poem referencing this area: "O come to Masonborough's grove/ Ye Nymphs and Swains away/ Where blooming Innocence and Love/ And Pleasure crown the day." The congregation at Masonboro Baptist Church on Beasley Road had started meeting by 1856 though the first church building at the church's present site wasn't constructed until after the Civil War A more detailed history of the church can be found at MasonboroHistoricalInstitute.org also known as John Hewlett Cemetery or the Hewlett Burying Grounds has graves dating back to the 19th century The Masonboro Sound Historic District was added to National Register of Historic Places in 1992 Historic structures from the area include the 1835 Hill-Anderson Cottage which was relocated with help from the Historic Wilmington Foundation and the 1924 structure called the Doll House Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInWILMINGTON (WECT) - The Cape Fear Public Utility Authority (CFPUA) has closed a lane on Masonboro Loop Road in Wilmington a southbound lane on Masonboro Loop Road between Mohican Trail and Mako Drive is closed Traffic is shifted to the center lane and northbound traffic is not affected 🚧 LANE CLOSURE ON MASONBORO LOOP 🚧📍 Southbound lane in the 4700 block of Masonboro Loop Road closed🚗 Traffic shifted into center lane⏰ In effect for approximately 6 hours WednesdayDetails: https://t.co/k9082WUV1C pic.twitter.com/FaEjzyibwV The closure is expected to last for around six hours CFPUA says the closure is due to an emergency water main break View the map below for the lane shift information: 🚧 LANE CLOSURE ON MASONBORO LOOP 🚧📍 Southbound lane in the 4700 block of Masonboro Loop Road closed🚗 Traffic shifted into center lane⏰ In effect for approximately 6 hours WednesdayDetails: https://t.co/k9082WUV1C pic.twitter.com/FaEjzyibwV Martha Johnson took one more look at the weather app on her cell phone before putting her kayak in at the public boat launch at the end of Wilmington's Trails End Road With pop-up storms in the general area and the chance of severe weather later in the day she didn't want to get caught out somewhere with little protection and potentially no people to help out someone in trouble "That would not be smart," Johnson said under the blazing mid-June skies But that also was exactly why she was taking the short paddle from the mainland to Masonboro Island "It's like a whole other world out there," she said "You don't feel like you're in Wilmington." What is Masonboro Island?Despite its location directly across from the N.C coast's most urbanized stretch and squeezed between two of the state's most popular beach towns Wrightsville Beach to the north and Carolina Beach to the south Masonboro Island is an amazingly peaceful place which consists of more than 5,600 acres including its marshes has been a protected reserve since the early 1990s Managed by the N.C. Division of Coastal Management the island serves as vital habitat for a myriad of flora and fauna many of which are in decline and have federal protections due to loss of habitat in other areas as development and other human pressures chew up oceanfront property Animals known to frequent the island include nesting sea turtles and shorebirds and even the occasional seal basking on the beach More permanent residents include diamond back terrapins The island's extensive marshes and tidal flats also serve as important habitat and nurseries for a slew of marine life The rich selection of wildlife and habitats on the island has made it an important research spot for scientists who also track and map the physical changes to the island as Mother Nature tailors it to her whims via storms and other weather events "These sites give an opportunity to test new ideas while also providing a system and landscape to study that will remain protected in perpetuity so we learn how to plan for the future with both anthropogenic and environmental changes." Pristine is often a word used to describe Masonboro the largest undeveloped barrier island in Southeastern North Carolina still works with state regulators to manage and protect the island including the private land holdings that remain on Masonboro Another group that works to protect the island and public access to its recreational resources, including camping and surfing, is Masonboro.org So how do you get to Masonboro?Talking about access to Masonboro one thing people notice quickly about the island reserve is it isn't the easiest place to get to And that's what makes it so wonderful to people like Johnson "You have to want to go there," she said as she secured herself into her kayak and fastened her lifejacket They want to experience something different." Masonboro has remained the playground of boaters kayakers and paddleboarders looking to escape the crowds that can make a trip to Wrightsville or Carolina Beach a challenge That's especially true at the island's northern and southern tips which offer the easiest access and many sandy areas to dock boats and wander ashore SHELLFISH DISPUTE: Masonboro oyster farms in violation Because Masonboro is so close and yet so isolated, that can make managing the island challenging − especially for the limited state staff that also manages several other reserve sites in the Cape Fear region including Bird Island near the South Carolina state line and Bald Head Woods on the upscale Brunswick County island that situation came to a head several times during the popular summer holidays − especially Fourth of July − when the north end of the island was overrun with partygoers The sea of humanity left the island's beach and sound areas strewn with trash and lots of stories of unsafe and unsanitary conditions also emerged The resulting outrage prompted officials to crack down on underage drinking and send law enforcement to patrol the island also organized clean-up crews to hit the island the day after the busy holidays to remove trash and try and return the island to its natural state the party-life atmosphere that would sometimes envelop the ends of the island seem to have dropped off quite a bit PARTY DOWN: Masonboro Island sees tamer Fourth of July But the sheer growth in the number of Wilmington-area residents − the Cape Fear region saw its population jump from around 200,000 in 1990 to 436,000 in 2020 and is expected to grow to an estimated 615,000 by 2040 − means more people are "discovering" Masonboro and that's especially true for the island's mid-section that used to see very few visitors who managed the state's southern reserve sites for more than 15 years before joining the N.C Wildlife Resources Commission a few years ago said while the number of visitors has grown over the years the human footprint on the island has remained relatively minimal the human impact on the island is pretty small because 99% of the visitors are respectful and pretty careful even at the north and south ends," Sutton said is another challenge facing the ribbon-thin barrier island one of Masonboro's primary functions is to act as a speed bump and absorb a storm's energy and storm surge before it hits the mainland Unlike most of the other islands in Southeastern N.C. Masonboro is still allowed to fulfill this natural process Developed barrier islands like Wrightsville and Topsail that are now littered with homes and infrastructure need protecting that involves periodic beach nourishments to keep erosion at bay as on the national seashores managed by the federal government farther up the N.C Mother Nature is allowed to mold the island This allows the island to roll over itself as sand is pushed from the oceanside to the soundside creating new habitats in place of old ones and sometimes allowing major changes like inlets and washes to breach the island after powerful tropical storm systems But as human-induced climate change fuels rising seas and stronger storms that natural equilibrium could be disrupted as weather patterns are pushed to the extremes That has led officials to have very preliminary discussions as to whether any steps should be taken to maintain and protect Masonboro although there are no immediate plans to intervene at present which are underway for several reserve sites along the N.C will bring together experts from multiple fields and organizations to see what "This process will give us the opportunity to see if there are feasible studies and on the ground projects that can take place or in some cases let Mother Nature take its natural path," she said "Many factors will come into play during this process but all that comes from this will be thorough and exercised from multiple perspectives to achieve a comprehensive plan that will help us manage these sites into the future." natural when it comes to Wilmington's often hidden Masonboro is just perfect the way it is," she said as she pushed off the dock and prepared to cross the Intracoastal Waterway "We just need to respect it so it stays that way Reporter Gareth McGrath can be reached at GMcGrath@Gannett.com or @GarethMcGrathSN on X/Twitter This story was produced with financial support from the Green South Foundation and the Prentice Foundation The USA TODAY Network maintains full editorial control of the work (This story was updated to correct a misspelling/typo.) most people know Masonboro Island south of Wrightsville Beach as a place you can only get to by boat you could drive your car to Masonboro as long as you didn't mind the risk of getting stuck in the sand which separates Masonboro Island from Carolina Beach to the south Masonboro Island was more or less an extension of Carolina Beach and just like people drive their cars and trucks onto Carolina Beach's Freeman Park today they didn't have to stop at the inlet and could've driven all the way on to what is present-day Masonboro Island In 2010, the StarNews did a story about several old cars on Masonboro's south end that had previously been buried by sand but had MyReporter: Find out about the history of cars on Masonboro Island That story mentioned how Masonboro had once been connected to Carolina Beach and that cars once drove there But it also offered a couple of other theories as to why the cars were there told the paper that to catch large amounts of mullet back in the day some fishermen would use a boat to carry a seine net out into the ocean Both ends of the net would stay connected to vehicles on shore and the vehicles would then reel the net in when it was full of fish The other theory was that surf fishermen drove the cars to Masonboro so that they could more quickly get to areas where the fish might be biting If they saw birds dropping down to catch fish a few hundred yards away having a car might get you there before the fish went somewhere else Masonboro Island: A look at its history and preservation Since moving to the United States from Belfast and London Christina and Christopher Phillips have owned a handful of food businesses they’re in the process of opening an authentic pub in Wilmington they divided time between San Franciso and the East Coast in Davidson and then the Harp & Crown pub near Lake Norman “We weren’t going to open another restaurant They’ve been leaning into a quieter life in the Wilmington area and have visited their apartment on the river often during the past 15 years. They were thinking about a possible pub downtown when they learned about the former Bar Masonboro location at 3317 Masonboro Loop Road. They hope to open later this year and photos and memorabilia representing their homeland They’re also currently updating the seating and installing ceiling tiles More: What's new in Wilmington-area restaurants? Here are 15 recent openings and closings like fresh fish and potatoes for the fish and chips made with beer imported directly from Dubin and desserts like sticky toffee pudding and Banoffee pie They’ll also have some other familiar favorites Christopher Phillips is the chef while Christina Phillips has worked the front of the house and then there would be Chris in the kitchen they had another extended travel adventure this time in the British Isles and in Europe Asian and a variety of international dishes have featured prominently on their menus over the years they decided to give people what they want They hope that Wilmington locals will respond favorably to a pub But look for an expanded menu after they open They also want to refurbish the patio and add weekend brunch They’re planning to officially open in December and could offer some soft opening hours in mid to late November Here are some of our most read articles that might interest you NC (WWAY) — Wilmington Police are investigating an armed robbery Police say two men with handguns walked into the Scotchman convenience store in the 4100 block of Masonboro Loop Road around 11:45 p.m and took cash and tobacco products before leaving the area on foot Anyone with information is asked to please call the WPD at (910) 343-3600 or use the anonymous Tip411 app A Daily News Service of the North Carolina Coastal Federation More Articles More Articles More Articles More Articles More Articles 06/27/2024 by State and New Hanover County officials are putting out the word: Be smart during the upcoming July Fourth holiday at the Masonboro Island Reserve The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Coastal Management announced Thursday that it had been working with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office in preparation for the holiday The agencies are urging the public to act responsibly when visiting the research reserve and dedicated state nature preserve in New Hanover County The state coastal agency and the sheriff’s office are working to provide public safety resources and increase public awareness of responsible visitor behavior on the island “Our partnership with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office continues to keep visitors to Masonboro Island Reserve safe,” said Division of Coastal Management Director Tancred Miller “Celebrate responsibly while enjoying Masonboro Island or any of North Carolina’s other Coastal Reserve or National Estuarine Research Reserve sites during the July Fourth holiday.” The agencies said visitors should not attempt the dangerous swim across Masonboro Inlet and should make responsible decisions that limit the impact on natural resources Officials noted that there are limited resources and no available facilities on the research reserve, so before visiting Masonboro Island Reserve or other reserve sites, review visitor guidelines on the reserve’s website Preparedness is key for safety – visitors should carry proper supplies pack out all their trash and keep the safety of other visitors in mind The North Carolina coast is spectacular! When you purchase a North Carolina Coastal Federation license plate, you help keep our coast healthy and beautiful, and support the nonprofit journalism you’re reading now. Learn more The story was compiled by staff members of Coastal Review Winner of seven North Carolina Press Association awards in 2024. © 2025 North Carolina Coastal Federation. All rights reserved.↑ NC (WWAY) — Hundreds of bird species have been spotted in North Carolina and recently an endangered species was seen near Wrightsville Beach Piping Plovers are an endangered species that nest on the beaches of the Great Lakes during the summer before making their way to the southeastern Atlantic region for winter Less than 10,000 individual birds are still alive in the wild and small flocks of 20 to 30 birds have been seen at times in North Carolina including Wrightsville Beach’s Masonboro inlet Lindsay Addison is with the North Carolina Audubon She said it’s great to see piping plovers in the cape fear but people need to be mindful to not bother them “A lot of it just has to do with just giving them some space on the beach and making that they’re not being disturbed by our recreational activities and that way we can all enjoy these birds for years to come,” Addison said Addison says some common ways people can disturb the birds is by letting children and dogs near them so be sure to keep your dogs on a leash ‹ Return to Previous Page David Meehling of Wilmington couldn’t believe his luck on Tuesday after a $1 Cash 5 ticket won him a $200,757 jackpot “I was kind of stunned,” Meehling recalled He bought his lucky ticket from the Masonboro Country Store on Masonboro Loop Road in Wilmington His ticket matched all five numbers in the drawing to win the jackpot The odds of matching numbers on all five balls are 1 in 962,598 “I had to look again to make sure I saw it right,” Meehling laughed He claimed his prize on Wednesday at lottery headquarters and after required federal and state tax withholdings Meehling said he already has plans for his winnings “This will make it a lot sweeter next time.” Cash 5 is one of six lottery games in North Carolina where players have the option of buying their tickets at a retail location or with Online Play through the lottery’s website or the NC Lottery Official Mobile App For details on how $11.1 million raised by the lottery made a difference for New Hanover County education programs last year visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section Odds to win a prize and the top prize vary based on the game or promotion See game or promotion pages for more detail Every effort has been made to ensure that the winning numbers posted on this website are accurate; however no valid claim may be based on information contained herein In the event of a discrepancy between the numbers posted on this website and the official winning numbers the official winning numbers as certified by the Multi-State Lottery Association and/or the NCEL shall control All materials on this Website are owned by or licensed to the NCEL Materials on this Website may not be modified in any way or reproduced or publicly displayed performed or distributed or otherwise used for any public or commercial purpose without the express written consent of the NCEL Play Smart™ term is a service mark of the Illinois Lottery licensed to the NCEL Wilmington has been around for nearly 300 years but most of its neighborhoods are nowhere near that old The names for the Soda Pop and Cargo districts Historic downtown is where things all began of the older neighborhoods in Wilmington are downtown-adjacent Neighborhood on Wilmington's Northside dates to at least the 1850s. For most of its history its population has been predominantly Black but the Masonboro Sound National Register Historic District dates to the 19th century and Masonboro Baptist Church was founded in 1856 which has more recently been called the Brooklyn Arts District people started living in Brooklyn in the 1860s Some of the neighborhood's history is quite dark It was the epicenter of Wilmington's white supremacist-led 1898 coup and massacre Castle Street can be found on some of the earliest maps of Wilmington the historically working-class neighborhood just to the south of Castle between Third and 16th streets Located near where Dock Street turns into Wrightsville Avenue this early Wilmington suburb dates to about 1906 Located north of Market Street and west of Wilmington National Cemetery the oldest houses in Carolina Heights date to around 1908 Sunset ParkSunset Park was originally envisioned as an upper-class neighborhood when the first house there was built in 1912 An influx of shipyard workers in the 1940s brought more of a blue collar identity to the area south of downtown If you live in the Wilmington area you most likely know about historic Oakdale Cemetery the stately Wilmington National Cemetery and the sprawling Greenlawn Memorial Park But there are plenty of other cemeteries in the Wilmington area ranging from the calm and peaceful to the overgrown and kinda creepy Here are five cemeteries of some local interest. For a list of many other Wilmington-area cemeteries not listed here, some of them small and hard to find, check the North Carolina Genealogy Resources website Cemetery in a wooded area off South 17th Street near the Scottish Rite Temple dates to the 19th century. Made up mostly of unmarked graves, about 75% of the 10,000 people thought to buried there are Black. It was protected from development by the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners in 2018 Oak Grove once famously had a grave topped by a bed frame that its inhabitant had been confined to for some two decades Oak Grove: Abandoned cemetery protected by New Hanover County This cemetery in a wooded area near the entrance to Forest Hills Apartments contains the remains of mill workers (and their families) who worked at the Delgado Mills At least one grave marker there is made of glass and burials there were conducted until the early 1980s Burying grounds: Mill workers are buried at Delgado Also known as John Hewlett Cemetery or the Hewlett Burying Grounds gorgeous setting is located behind the church on Beasley Road Masonboro Baptist date to the 1850s and some of the graves are quite old Gone but not forgotten: What's being done to save NC's historic cemeteries Located next to Federal Point Cemetery deep in the woods off Dow Road in Carolina Beach, this is the final resting place of Robert E. Harrill, better known as the Hermit of Fort Fisher, who gained fame for living in the sandy tidal marshes nearby for decades People still come by to put shells on his grave or place change or trinkets in his frying pan News and World Report releases a list of best elementary school rankings every year based on their ability to educate students from all socioeconomic backgrounds Several Wilmington-area elementary schools ranked in the 2025 list based on certain methodology Half of the formula includes assessments of students who were proficient or above proficient in their mathematics and reading/language arts state assessments The other half of the formula incorporated test results in the context of socioeconomic demographics the top-ranked schools are all high-achieving and have succeeded at educating all their students,” according to the U.S More: These Wilmington-area schools are considered low performing, according to recent state data More: These are the top-performing schools in the Wilmington area, according to state data Here’s a look at the Wilmington-area elementary schools that ranked in the top 50 7: Wrightsville Beach Elementary School At Wrightsville Beach Elementary 92% of students scored at or above the proficient level for math while 87% scored at or above that level for reading About 9% of the school’s population is economically disadvantaged 93% of students scored at or above the proficient level for math and 84% scored at or above that level for reading About 17% of the school’s students are economically disadvantaged 22 Union Elementary School At Union Elementary 89% of students scored at or above the proficient level for math and 80% scored at or above that level for reading About 99% of the students at Union are economically disadvantaged 88% of students scored at or above the proficient level for math and 81% scored at or above that level for reading About 16% of the students at Odgen are economically disadvantaged 49: Eaton Elementary School Eaton Elementary has 85% of students who scored at or above the proficient level for math and 76% scored at or above that level for reading About 29% of the school’s students are economically disadvantaged "We are deeply honored by the recognition of our schools by U.S News & World Report on their best schools list," said Christopher Barnes interim superintendent for New Hanover County Schools "This achievement reflects the unwavering dedication and tireless efforts of our incredible teachers and staff whose commitment to excellence shines every day." "It's inspiring to see that 93% of our district's teachers met or exceeded growth expectations and 80% of our schools achieved similar success These numbers are a testament to the strength of our educational community and they motivate us to keep building on this momentum we look forward to reaching even greater heights." The school has 51% of students scoring at or above the proficient level for math and 61% scoring at or above that level for reading About 57% of the school's students are economically disadvantaged NC Coastal Reserve Communications Specialist Each nesting season, from May 1 to October 31, N.C. Coastal Reserve and N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission staff monitor the nine miles of Masonboro Island Reserve’s beach for sea turtle nests the reserve documented 46 nests and 32 false crawls One nest was lost entirely to a king tide event all of the nests and false crawls were made by loggerhead sea turtles 2019 had the most nests on the island since data collection began The graph below compares the data for each year.  The reserve participates in the Northern Recovery Unity Loggerhead DNA Project run by the University of Georgia one egg is sent to a lab to extract the DNA and identify the mother of that nest where researchers and partners can discover where and how often an individual mother nests in the region all sea turtles documented nesting on Masonboro Island were previously entered in the database which means she has likely not nested in the sample area since at least 2011 Her tracks in the sand were relatively small and created many body pits in the attempt to nest She successfully nested five times this summer on Masonboro Island Reserve “Based on her nesting characteristics and emerging in the database for the first time we think she could be a new mother that has started to reproduce and contribute to the population,” Masonboro Island Reserve site manager keep in mind reproductive age is around 30 years old!” This conservation work for protected sea turtles at Masonboro Island is authorized by the N.C Wildlife Resources Commission (ES Permit 23ST21) Welcome Mickeymickey@disney.comManage MyDisney AccountLog OutMan struck by lightning near island off North CarolinaWTVD-APTuesday 2022NC is no stranger to wild weather conditions Severe thunderstorms are just one type of dangerous weather event that happens fairly regularly.DURHAM -- Authorities in North Carolina say a man was struck by lightning near Masonboro Island WECT-TV reports that the man was struck about 3:15 p.m The New Hanover County Sheriff's Office responded with their Marine Unit along with Wilmington Police Department's Marine Unit A spokesperson for the sheriff's office said it's not clear whether the man was on the island or in a boat when he was struck Deputies performed CPR on the man as they were taking him to Bradley Creek Marina to meet emergency medical personnel but his condition could not immediately be determined on Monday SEE ALSO | Thunderstorms in North Carolina: How to stay safe if you're caught in one 07/03/2023 by Visitors to an Independence Day hotspot and state research reserve in New Hanover County are being reminded to heed state guidelines and act responsibly this holiday the largest undeveloped barrier island along North Carolina’s southern coast typically draws large crowds of people during the July Fourth holiday the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management and New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office are reminding visitors of the reserve to be safe and make sure they leave nothing behind Division and sheriff’s officials warn visitors against trying to swim across Masonboro Inlet and “make responsible decisions that limit the impact on natural resources,” according to a Monday release “Visitor safety is paramount at all of our ten Reserve sites throughout the year and especially at Masonboro Island Reserve during the July Fourth holiday,” Division Director Braxton Davis said in a statement “Through our continuing partnership with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office the presence of law enforcement has increasingly helped limit problems and ensure visitor safety each year.” The island is a dedicated nature preserve and spans more than 5,600 acres It is about 5 miles southeast of Wilmington which is accessible only by boat and does not offer public facilities are encouraged to carry sufficient supplies pack out all trash and be mindful of everyone’s safety For more information and to review visitor guidelines to Masonboro Island Reserve and other reserves, visit website The New Hanover County Board of Education voted to rename Walter L Parsley Elementary School to Masonboro Elementary School at its most recent meeting.  “We asked members of the community to give us their input and that was by far the most common response,” said board member Nelson Beaulieu in a recent phone call “Our policy states that the name has to be geographic in nature so people named it after the road the school is on.” The board had voted 5-1 to rename the school in August following renewed attention toward the namesake’s role in the 1898 Wilmington Coup Parsley was part of the “Secret Nine” that plotted the massacre during which a white mob violently overthrew a biracial Parsley donated the 2-1/3-acre tract of land for an all white school More: Project raising money to honor victims of the 1898 Wilmington Coup More: Should Wilmington school name change due to 1898 Coup connection? who was elected to the New Hanover County Commissioners in November suggesting the school was named after Parsley’s grandson of the same name “What the elder Parsley did and represented is just terrible,” he said at the August meeting “But you can’t punish the rest of his family for the rest of their life I don’t think that it was named after him.” Others on the school board said it wasn’t possible to decouple the elder Parsley’s legacy from the name Outgoing vice-chair David Wortman was not present for the vote Beaulieu said he was pleased with the name change “I’m really glad we were able to get this done,” he said “I think it’s past time.” Reporter Jonathan Haynes can be reached at 910-343-2261 or jhaynes@starnewsonline.com New Hanover County — A man was struck by lightning near Masonboro Island The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office said it happened around 3 p.m The man was pulled onto a boat and deputies started performing CPR He was taken to the Bradley Creek Marina where EMS took him to the hospital NEW HANOVER COUNTY -- In 2015 and 2016 fishermen Al Smeilus and Tim Holbrook made waves when they opened oyster farms in the protected Masonboro Island Nature Reserve Their state-issued leases let them plant oyster seeds on either the marsh bed or in floating cages due to an unforeseen conflict with a state heritage program the men have been told they'll need to clear their farms from the reserve "It's not fair," Smeilus said. "I've probably got about $20,000 of my own time and money invested in there." Smeilus and Holbrook were informed their leases violated the state's Nature Preserves Act While North Carolina allows oyster farms in estuaries throughout the state -- after a rigorous approval process -- Smeilus' and Holbrook's leases were unique in that they were issued within protected parts of Masonboro Sound Division of Marine Fisheries signed off on the leases with the understanding that the farms might actually improve water quality Department of Natural and Cultural Resources) has since alerted them that commercial activity is not allowed within nature preserves and that the farms are not compatible with the preserves act "NHP was not consulted prior to issuance of the above described leases and was not notified of them until November 2016," reads a March 20 letter from DNCR Assistant General Counsel Jonathan Avery "The NHP understands that the individual leaseholders did not intend to violate the Articles of Dedication or the Nature Preserves Act and the staff members do not want them to suffer because of the current situation," the letter continues does not seek (cancellation) of the existing leases during their current term but DNCR and NHP object to any renewal or extension of the existing leases." The Nature Preserves Act was enacted in 1985 and the Masonboro reserve designated in 1987 It's unclear why NHP was not involved in the approval process for the oyster leases and now Smeilus and Holbrook find themselves up a creek wrote in an email that the leases expire in 2021 and the state plans to deny future applications for shellfish leases within reserves Officials with Marine Fisheries and the Natural Heritage Program weren't available for comment Wednesday "It is quite disheartening to spend three years developing a new business in an emerging industry to learn that these things were not worked out in advance," Holbrook said my lease went through a public hearing over two years ago and every agency within the state was well informed." whose organization promotes responsible public use of Masonboro Island said that NHP was alerted to the oyster leases by the N.C "When the Coastal Reserve asked the Natural Heritage program (NHP) for input on oyster leases it seemed unusual and the outcome certainly did not serve the public’s trust," Johnson wrote in an email I remain confident the leadership of the (Department of Environmental Quality) and NCDNCR is caring well meaning and will work hard to resolve the issues created by this situation." The change would not affect other nearby oyster farms that sit outside of the reserve area A full-page ad that recently appeared in the StarNews opposing Masonboro oyster farms the men have about three years to reach a solution with the state before their farms -- which total about 7 acres -- must be removed That is enough time for researchers at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) to complete an ongoing study of how oyster farms effect their surrounding ecosystems -- a study that includes the Masonboro farms and some in Onslow County. In 2016, UNCW received a $673,000 grant for the study from the National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERRS) "The study itself will be sort of concluding for us before their leases are up for renewal," said researcher Troy Alphin "To have this policy come out before our data has come out is a little concerning." Smeilus said he was hopeful that data would have shown his farm was helping filter and enhance the sound "If the study showed that oyster farming was bad for the reserve Holbrook said he has been speaking with Marine Fisheries Director Steve Murphey about his issue formerly led DMF's Habitat and Enhancement division Murphey did not return a request for comment but wrote in June letters to Smeilus and Holbrook that the division would help the men find other sites for their farms "I am encouraged that now with Steve Murphey as director of DMF -- and knowing him to be fair-minded -- that there will be an amicable resolution to what seems to have been an inter-departmental agency conflict," Holbrook said Reporter Cammie Bellamy can be reached at 910-343-2339 or Cammie.Bellamy@StarNewsOnline.com NC (WWAY) — While many local towns held their 4th fo July festivities people also took to the beach to celebrate Dozens of boats anchored offshore and along the beaches of Masonboro Island as hundreds of people enjoyed the warm waters spending the day on the island has become an annual tradition ”Just coming out here and sitting in back and just enjoying watching all of our friends it was kid-free but now a lot of it is a place that I can bring my family to continue making memories with them.” one group was there to make sure the island stayed free of trash Over 60 volunteers from Masonboro.org came out to the island to hand out trash bags and pick up any trash left behind The organization was started by a group of boaters after a large party in 2007 left trash strewn across the beach Tom Hackler is the organization’s president He said the group does more than just clean up after people we promote responsible use of the island,” Hackler said “We’re trying to protect access to the island we just come over and pass out trash bags and we talk to youth It’s really more about being involved in the community.” While some of the volunteers were new to the group this year others like Paul Mazzola have been helping out for years Mazzola said there had been a chance the island would be closed to visitors due to the trash problem and had been coming to the island for years and just wanted to make sure the island stayed open to recreational use throughout the year,” Mazzola said So we just decided to help join that to make sure the island stayed open.” This is the 15th year Masonboro.org has held its 4th of July clean-up event Unlock this page—subscribe now or sign in for instant access! West: Hunting tactics to put blackpowder deer on the ground Brantley Ward killed his first turkey in Nakina, NC (Columbus County) in late April 2025 […] Sean Watson and Kyle Warren doubled up with two hammers from Columbus County, NC. Both birds had a 10 7/8-inch beard and 1 1/2-inch spurs. […] John Snead got it done on opening day of 2025, killing this gobbler in Cumberland County, NC. […] You must be logged in to post a comment If you've been to Masonboro Island near Wilmington recently you might've seen a strange (and smelly) sight.  According to a post from mid-March on WBlivesurf.com a website run by the Sweetwater Surf Shop that mostly reports on how good the waves are the whale washed up on Masonboro last month "and is well along in the decomposition process." uninhabited and protected barrier island located between Wrightsville Beach and Pleasure Island People often boat or paddle to the island to surf or camp.  A photo posted Wednesday to the Facebook page of Wrightsville SUP (stand-up paddle boarding) showed a picture of a five-and-a-half foot surfboard next to the carcass that was about half the size of the whale's tail.  Jarrod Covington is the owner of Wrightsville SUP, which does paddleboard rentals, lessons, tours and more He travels to Masonboro often to surf and said he first saw the whale carcass which is on the north end of Masonboro about 500 yards from the jetty near Wrightsville Beach, a couple of weeks ago he took the picture he posted to Facebook The dead animal is about 20 yards from the water at low tide but it's probably at least partially in the water at high tide.  "There are some good-sized bite marks" on the whale "It didn't smell as nearly as bad as you'd imagine" at first, Covington said but the smell has gotten stronger as the weather has gotten warmer.  More: Man dies after a shooting in Northside neighborhood in Wilmington More: One person is dead after a parking lot accident at Wilmington hospital Novant Health NHRMC Large marine mammals that are wash up dead or become stranded fall under the oversight of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration The NMFS has a Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program The WBlivesurf.com post identified the dead animal as "a young humpback whale," and warned potential surfers that the decomposing mammal could attract sharks and other marine life looking for a meal.  communications specialist with NOAA Fisheries and the U.S said this particular case has already been reported But people can always call the 1-877-WHALE-HELP hotline (877-942-5343) to report dead or injured marine mammals More: Tooth believed from 1928 beached whale could come home to Wrightsville Beach It's not the first time a whale has washed up on the shores of a beach in New Hanover County. Back in 1928, a 54-foot, 50-ton sperm whale later named Trouble washed up on Wrightsville Beach The beast's skeleton now hangs in the N.C Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh.  And while Trouble's jawbone went missing back in the day — one family told the StarNews in 2021 that it has what it thinks is one of the whale's teeth — it's important to note that nowadays, marine mammals are federally protected by laws even after they're dead Taking home any part of the whale on Masonboro as a souvenir would be illegal Contact John Staton at 910-343-2343 or John.Staton@StarNewsOnline.com.  Closed indefinitely says the sign on the pro shop door Nobody is making a birdie or bogey anytime soon — yet the attorneys are busy The golf course at Masonboro Country Club at The Cape has been vacant since mid-September when Hurricane Florence slammed into Wilmington While residents and property owners are hopeful they will have a golf course again they have banded together in the meantime to protect the existing green space and prevent the owner from developing the property and adding housing “When there were first rumors and discussions well over a year ago that Mr (Ladd) Nelson (course owner) wanted to try and develop the property we retained a law firm of Shipman and Wright,” The Cape HOA vice president Bill Conley said “They have been working with us and discussed legal positions with us that they believe present significant impediments if not preventing it from developing it all.” Although the course at Masonboro was struggling before the doors were shuttered the closure is the second blow to golf in the central and southern portions of New Hanover County in the last 15 months leaving Beau Rivage as the only open course in that end of the county Area businessman Ladd Nelson formed Southern Destiny LLC in September 2006 and two months later purchased the course formerly known as The Cape for $2 million from Thomas Wright Davenport Efforts to reach Southern Destiny LLC were unsuccessful Legal representatives for the group declined to comment Wednesday when approached following a hearing regarding the proposed development to the New Hanover County Technical Review Commission The old course at The Cape closed shortly after the purchase and Bob Moore “What this screamed for was a total renovation,” Moore told the StarNews in 2008 “Almost a start over … What we have to do is adapt our design from a standpoint of playability and strategic value.” Nelson spent millions of dollars transforming The Cape into Masonboro Country Club which was intended to be a private upscale country club However the course opened in the heart of the recession with initial greens fees in the $75 range nearly double to most of the area's non-private competition The renovation included an upgraded driving range and practice area and later a clubhouse with bar and grill The new Masonboro course looked nice but was extremely difficult for golfers of any skill level Several holes featured narrow fairways bordered by large mounds funneling shots to hidden hazards Well struck tee shots on the 10th hole vanished into the golfing ether Losing a sleeve (or two) of balls was par for the course During a pro-am there in 2011 only one pro in a 25-man field shot lower than 77 in calm conditions When the Carolinas PGA Senior Championship was held there later in the year the course was set up much shorter than usual - 5,700 yards - each day to avoid embarrassing the field “I’ve heard it directly from employees at Masonboro who were in a position to know,” Conley said “Weekend golfers would come here and play and say this golf course is too hard.” the course at Masonboro was in poor condition according to residents and a golfer could play a round with a cart and get a hot dog in the grill room for less than 30 bucks The homeowners discussed purchasing the golf course from Nelson but those negotiations went nowhere Nelson did not personally interact with the board hardly ever,” HOA president Dave Echerria said “I had a lot of communication with Freddy Parlier Weeks after the hurricane when it became clear there were not really steps being taken to reopen the course Parlier started discussions with the board to see if we would consider removing our objections to Mr The course was in the commercial real estate listing in September 2017 with an asking price of $3.8 million for the 150-acres which prompted the property owners to retain legal counsel including a tract that runs parallel to River Road Shipman argued that such development would not only eliminate valuable green space — as it encompasses holes 2 through 4 and No 6 on the golf course — it would also further exacerbate a taxed stormwater drainage told the TRC that water enters homeowners’ garages when an inch or two of rain falls and streets flood at high tide under a full moon He said adding five or six million square feet of impervious surface would be equivalent to adding “gasoline to the fire.” what Shipman described as an administrative decision but reiterated that the ownership must clear hurdles related to density flooding and road access before any development project can begin the Cape homeowners are determined to fight any plans for development maintain the scenery and wildlife anticipated when they purchased their homes The golfers are also forced to find a new place to play The men’s golf association has decided to remain together They’ll travel and play as a group at area courses a day or two a week with the Wilmington Municipal Golf Course benefitting from Masonboro’s misfortune on Tuesdays The men’s and women’s golf associations have 80-100 members combined are the only public golf courses in New Hanover County The only driving range is located at Beau Rivage A federal change of heart means Wrightsville Beach will be allowed to take sand from Masonboro Inlet for its delayed beach nourishment project But that doesn't mean the fresh sand − already several years late − will be coming any sooner than after this hurricane season although it will be likely cheaper than plans by the Army Corps of Engineers to pump material from an offshore sand source especially the section between the town's two piers will have to weather another hurricane season before it gest a fresh injection of sand WEATHERING THE STORM As NC prepares for hurricane season, how do birds and sea turtles handle storm strikes? Why was Wrightsville's nourishment project delayed?Since the 1960s Wrightsville Beach has dredged sand from Masonboro Inlet which separates the beach town from undeveloped Masonboro Island every three years to boost its engineered beach to better deal with the daily and larger erosion events tied to hurricanes and nor'easters But in 2021, the U.S. Department of the Interior announced it would start enforcing a rule that prohibits sand from federally designated Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) zones being used for projects outside the zone The CBRA zone designation is meant to prohibit expenditure of federal dollars on projects in hazardous coastal areas and Masonboro Inlet is in one of those zones The federal government pays for two-thirds of Wrightsville Beach's nourishment project Washington's decision enraged local officials and left Wrightsville Beach scrambling to find another sand source Last month the corps announced it was issuing an "emergency exception" to allow Wrightsville Beach to circumnavigate the CBRA ban and use sand for its beach from its historical Masonboro Inlet borrow area "It became clear this year that in order to get a robust project on the beach as quickly as possible while minimizing other risks, the inlet source was the best alternative and use of this rarely-used exception was acceptable," said David Connolly, spokesman for the corps' Wilmington district But Connolly added this was a one-time exception with any future beach nourishments having to meet the same criteria if the New Hanover County town wanted to use sand from the inlet again local officials are pleased with the corps' decision U.S. Rep. David Rouzer who had called the Biden administration's new interpretation of the CBRA rule unfair since the town had been using Masonboro Inlet as a beach sand source since the 1960s "applauded" the emergency exception decision SAND FIGHT Wrightsville Beach wants Masonboro Inlet sand for nourishment. Feds say birds need it more "A long-term fix is imperative for protection from storm damage as well as resiliency and to protect our local economy," the Wilmington Republican said in a statement Rouzer has submitted a bill in Congress that would allow beach towns to keep using historical sand sources within CBRA zones Wrightsville Beach Mayor Darryl Mills also praised the corps' decision "This is a common sense decision that squares completely with the spirit and intent of the Coastal Barrier Resources Act," he said in a statement Environmentalists have said using sand from CBRA zones for beach nourishments violates the spirit of the law and keeps protected areas protected as important coastal habitats and as vital buffers for communities facing increased risk from stronger storms fueled by climate change Assuming the project doesn't run into anymore regulatory or financial hurdles the corps expects the nourishment to take place between November and March 2024 − two years after it was scheduled to take place Reporter Gareth McGrath can be reached at GMcGrath@Gannett.com or @GarethMcGrathSN on Twitter This story was produced with financial support from 1Earth Fund and the Prentice Foundation The USA TODAY Network maintains full  editorial control of the work Residents say they're resolved to fight a rezoning that would nearly triple the density allowed on a narrow strip of land in the heart of Myrtle Grove which proposes 84 townhomes and 10 single-family homes on the nearly 15-acre tract at 5304 Masonboro Loop Rd. brings the density needed to address a shortage of housing in New Hanover County Welcome to the Port City's latest dispute pitting developers against residents a surging population against a decreasing number of affordable homes and the need for more infrastructure against environmental preservation Earlier this week a community meeting to discuss plans for the Masonboro Loop project drew more than 50 residents It became contentious at times with residents talking over members of the development team and disputing information presented Zimmer Development Company is asking New Hanover County to rezone the land from its current single-family residential zoning to a zone that allows for higher density residential development the rezoning would allow nearly three times the current density Zimmer Development Company is behind several Wilmington-area projects including Mayfaire and Belle Meade apartments along Carolina Beach Road area residents expressed concerns about an array of issues including how the project would impact traffic on an already congested Masonboro Loop Road and how it would affect existing stormwater and drainage problems in surrounding areas More: A sprawling parking lot no more: Former Galleria by Wrightsville Beach to be redeveloped Stay Connected: Like the Growth and Development Facebook page for all of the latest development news in the Cape Fear region. Howard Fineman has lived in Masonboro Harbour a neighborhood directly across Masonboro Loop Road from the proposed development site he said he's become a "prisoner to traffic" as the number of cars have climbed. Fineman said he avoids driving Masonboro Loop Road altogether during morning and afternoon rush hour and he's worried that adding more housing will only make the traffic worse "You have no idea how dangerous Masonboro Loop Road is." The recent construction of Trinity Landing a more than 220-unit senior housing complex just down Masonboro Loop Road Randall Millis worries about more traffic. But Millis who lives within 500 feet of the proposed project also has concerns about the project's impact on existing neighborhood infrastructure including a sewer lift station near the intersection of Greenville Loop and Masonboro Loop Roads and they've worked on it I don't know how many times over the years," he said. "How's that going to impact the sewer and stormwater drainage?" a traffic and stormwater engineer addressed some concerns from the neighborhood but attendees questioned the traffic counts presented while others said they felt the development team wasn't fully prepared for the meeting "I don't think they realized the kind of pushback they were going to get," Millis said Zimmer Development Company's director of development told those at the meeting that plans weren't "set in stone." "This is the first step in the process," he said after the meeting. "What we presented tonight is a first pass Little engineering has been done to this point." Cathy Foley's neighborhood backs up onto the piece of land being eyed for the project Just days after learning about the proposal Foley went house to house in her neighborhood gathering signatures on a petition opposing the rezoning.  Foley said she had more than 300 signatures from those in surrounding neighborhoods If the land was developed in its current single-family zoning Foley said she would be more supportive of the change She's heard from neighbors who have said they will move out of the neighborhood if the project is approved "Had there been a townhouse development directly in back of me when I was buying this house I would not have purchased the house," she said But Foley added that she felt the developers had heard and understood her concerns and those of her neighbors Tucker reiterated that the proposed townhomes are aimed at addressing the area's shortage of middle-market housing and were deemed by Zimmer Development Company as compatible with the surrounding neighborhood He said the development team will take concerns about traffic stormwater and density into consideration as they adjust the proposal They intend to hold a second community meeting before formally submitting their plans to New Hanover County's planning department the plans need approval from the county's technical review committee The land rezoning will need approval from the New Hanover County Planning Commission and the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners Fineman told developers that area residents would remain in opposition to the proposed townhome project and the increased traffic and density it would generate "We all sit here and we know that Zimmer has deep pockets but we've got deeper resolve," he said to applause from his neighbors. "The vast majority of us agree that we're going to fight every step of the way." Reporter Emma Dill can be reached at 910-343-2096 or edill@gannett.com It was a July Fourth gathering (or a few of them) that led to the creation of Masonboro.org 15 years ago the uninhabited island between Wrightsville Beach and Pleasure Island became a go-to place for boaters and revelers celebrating Independence Day As a result of the bow to stern traffic in the waters around Masonboro Island the crowds produced thousands of pounds of trash and disruptions to the unique ecosystem Although the nine-mile-long property is state owned it led to some concerns that public access could be curbed as a result Jack Kilbourne and Haywood Newkirk started a cleanup effort “I was worried that the state would make choices about July 4th that would affect the people that use the island the other 364 days of the year,” said Richard Johnson, one of the original founders of Masonboro.org More: Wrightsville Beach can now use Masonboro Inlet sand to nourish its beach. So what changed? Masonboro.org grew from there They’ve also developed a good partnership with the N.C Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve System Elizabeth Pinnix is the Reserve’s Southern Sites manager who oversees four properties in the area “We basically do work that involves everything with the site -- visitors species monitoring like sea turtles and shore birds One key is to balance the needs of the many groups that use the island Pinnix is hoping to have a better way to quantify how many people visit the island But with 5,600 acres and many ways to access them “But we know the number is increasing,” she said “Just look at what has happened in the county and the city of Wilmington in the past 10 years.”  They try to create that balance with a series of laws and regulations like designating certain areas for sea turtle and shore bird nesting and requiring dogs to be on a leash so as not to disturb them Between 2009 and 2016 they say they've removed about 5,000 pounds of trash left on the island each year The organization also hosts an annual fundraising event with donations from local businesses and an oyster roast for volunteers with Masonboro.org working with Reserve and other partners to offer a STEM-based educational program and a visit to the island for local fifth-grade students with the help of sponsors like Duke Energy and the Landfall Foundation “One goal is to make sure Masonboro is there for future generations,” Johnson said “So we have to teach those future generations to appreciate it.”  More: From boats to beaches, challenges facing sea turtles as nesting season starts in NC They recently ferried their 10,000th student to Masonboro and now make a point to offer the opportunity to every New Hanover County school “We’re basically a fundraising arm now to keep this going,” said Tom Hackler “And I think we’ve done a good job of educating people about the importance of taking their trash with them if they come to the island.”  The amount of trash produced over the Fourth of July weekend has dwindled in recent years Hackler said increased law enforcement presence has helped plus recent holiday numbers were affected by the COVID pandemic and bad weather I think this will be a bellwether year,” he said Conditions of local waterways mean that Masonboro could see more boat traffic and visitors this season And they plan to continue to be an active community voice in Masonboro's future “I don’t know if any of us are truly prepared for what we have coming,” Pinnix said “This is truly a dynamic place that is always shifting.”  Allison Ballard can be reached at aballard@gannett.com The North Carolina Coastal Reserve consists of 10 sites Many birds call at least one of the 10 sites home while many others use them as resting stops along the Atlantic Flyway the nine-mile stretch of beach was home to many nesting shorebirds walked the nine-mile beach of Masonboro Island multiple times a week to collect statistics on the reserve site’s nesting shorebirds Using her detail-oriented eyes and binoculars She recognized that the work is challenging especially once she sees a chick that she has been observing finally fly for the first time!  Her work focused specifically on monitoring the reproductive success of the American Oystercatcher Due to the vulnerable location of its nests it has experienced historically low reproductive success By monitoring nest success each shorebird nesting season we can better understand population trends and changes in nesting preferences that help inform management strategies and protected areas Though American Oystercatchers are the most abundant species viewed at Masonboro Island Reserve other species nest on Masonboro Island as well Kaitlyn did spot some Black Skimmers later in the season who seemed to be setting up a small colony they left after a couple of weeks without actually nesting or raising young Learn More