When you first reach the final stretch of North 11th Street the road twists down King Street across the railroad tracks revealing Love Grove -- a Wilmington neighborhood rich with history "My grandmother lived out there for many years and now my brother has taken over the property there on King Street," Islah Speller creator and tour guide for Journeys Wilmington African American History Walking and Riding Tours Speller fondly reminisced about childhood visits to her grandmother in Love Grove -- picking berries along the railroad tracks feeling the clay from Burnt Mill Creek beneath her feet and racing with friends past the cemetery 11th Street just before what was formerly the neighborhood's sole entrance "We couldn't go out when the train was coming because we would just look out the screened-in porch and see the train ride down the middle of the street and the house would tremble," Speller said recalling the old railroad that once ran straight through the neighborhood Raised with her parents on Wilmington's Southside Speller affectionately described visiting the natural haven of Wilmington's Love Grove as "the country within the city." Although much has changed since 6-year-old Speller once ran through the streets many longtime Love Grove residents still say it's the enduring quiet they cherish most once home to just a few dozen single-family dwellings While a bridge built in 2018 gave the neighborhood a second entrance and addressed safety concerns it's also spurred on an abundance of new homes constructed as recently as 2023 Now longtime residents adjust with the changes while holding tight the neighborhood's historic roots Less than 10 years ago, Love Grove was only accessible via King Street -- a route frequently blocked by passing or stopped trains along the CSX right-of-way. Since the 1940s residents and community leaders had urged city officials to create a second entrance "We were like hostages," Elder Lynda McMillan longtime resident of Stanley Street and preacher with Spiritual Educational Outreach Ministries said when she sat down with the StarNews at her home in March they couldn't get out of Love Grove and no emergency transportation could get in and that would be blood on somebody's hands." The problem was amplified in June 2013 when six flammable tankers carrying hazardous materials derailed blocking the neighborhood's only access point for more than 12 hours while others grew anxious about health issues and access to care one thing was particularly heartbreaking -- missing her brother's wake in Georgia She eventually managed to leave the neighborhood by driving over a makeshift bridge atop the train tracks despite opposition from officials on scene about another way out of here," McMillan said Located at the intersection of Stanley and Liverpool streets McMillan's house is commonly referred to as the "Praise the Lord House," with its bright orange shutters symbolizing strength McMillan recalled turning to prayer during that pivotal moment in 2013 "The Lord spoke to me in the spirit saying you will be like David that went before Goliath," said McMillan She connected with Ronald Sparks -- engineer former councilmember and advocate for the Love Grove community -- alongside at least six other community leaders they successfully undertook the mission of securing a second entrance for Love Grove A 2004 interoffice memorandum from former city manager Sterling Cheatham reveals $280,000 was allocated in 1996 to fund a second entrance into Love Grove The plan was to construct a two-lane ribbon pavement section from Corbett Street to McRae Street When CSX denied permits for grade crossings city staff met with community leaders and $95,000 of that funding was instead redirected to construct sidewalks widened cross sections and curbing along King Street "I was an engineer for the city of Wilmington .. but nobody would take action on it," Sparks said adding that he went on to become a councilmember in 2007 They were locked in here and couldn't get out Having worked on what he estimates to be around 800 bridges in his career his proposed solution wasn't immediately agreed upon "We had to fight hard to get this," Sparks said The Love Grove community created campaign signs led marches and eventually sat down with councilmembers at McMillan's home Recalling that meeting inside her residence McMillan said she told councilmembers "If the train derails They had to feel what we felt over here," McMillan said you don't know if the train is going to derail you don't know if something is going to explode Ultimately, the Love Grove Memorial Bridge was included and approved by voters as part of the city's 2014 Transportation Bond. After approximately a year of construction the $5 million bridge opened in April 2018 Love Grove, named after the Love Grove Plantation located there before the Civil War, has been home to a predominantly Black community on Wilmington's Northside since the 1920s.   The property was sold or leased as farmland in the 1880s and in 1909 started selling 50-by-100 foot lots priced between $100 and $125 the city of Wilmington tried unsuccessfully to evict community residents to build a sewage treatment facility in the area Nearing the 21st century, Love Grove was comprised of approximately 60 single-family homes, predominantly occupied by Black residents. Train tracks, which cross the King Street entrance to the neighborhood, once extended down the center of the street to a plywood manufacturing plant that was demolished more than two decades ago.  Infill development brought in new homes to Love Grove throughout the 2000s some built by Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity In 2004, city council approved a request for high-density development along 25 acres at the back end of the neighborhood known as Clarendon Park -- a decision opposed by residents In 2023 -- five years after the opening of the bridge -- McKee Homes built a wave of new residences the half mile-long neighborhood houses both longtime residents and newcomers Love Grove is also the location of Archie Blue Community Park the park underwent significant improvements It has served as a gathering place for cookouts community meetings and even a funeral during the COVID-19 pandemic Just a few years after the opening of the Love Grove Memorial Bridge in 2018 straight from that neighborhood right to (North) 23rd Street," Sparks said of Clarendon Park "This last stretch took off after the bridge was completed." but many newcomers in Clarendon Park now cite the location's convenience as a primary draw "When I first came and I saw the bridge I thought 'wow that's so pretty and the area is really nice,'" said Naomi Pyle a renter originally from New York who has lived along Creekfront Drive for approximately a year-and-a-half new residents seem to have mixed opinions on how they describe the area both new and longtime residents agree those in Clarendon Park and Love Grove rarely interact "Safety is occasionally a problem," Pyle said "I will say Wilmington police have stepped up their patrol," adding that she'd also like to see the creation of a community watch The new development and the opening of the bridge has also brought more thru traffic into Love Grove but newer residents near the bridge see it differently "I wish there were speed bumps," Heather Harris who has owned a home along Creekfront Drive for approximately a year-and-a-half Harris said another common issue is a lack of parking which can make getting through the neighborhood streets a problem -- something McMillan has also noticed "That can bring about confusion sometimes because people don't want you parking in their drive .. and there's no place on the street now," McMillan said Though she doesn't believe the addition of new housing has changed the overall culture of the neighborhood McMillan said her main concern is with the density of the new development "I think the houses are too close together," McMillan said that's the only thing I have an issue with." With the area's rapid growth in the last few years it doesn't sound like development in Love Grove is slowing soon What that ultimately might mean for the historic neighborhood and its longtime residents remains uncertain "I get letters and calls and things everyday about wanting to sell (my house,)" McMillan said And I think the lady said something about $160,000 New Hanover County property records currently appraise McMillan's property at $322,500 Love Grove and Clarendon Park continue to see a steady flow of traffic from residents The area even draws in the occasional tourist "There's a lot of people that come and they just take photos of that sign over there that's One Tree Hill Way," said Pyle a nod to the "One Tree Hill" TV series that filmed in Wilmington "At least once a week we'll have people come take pictures at that sign." Molly Wilhelm covers the city of Wilmington and public safety for the StarNews Federal prosecutors claim a former pawn shop on Market Street in Wilmington was part of a multimillion-dollar conspiracy to flip stolen goods Philadelphia residents Larry and Nathaniel Leonard are charged in federal court with conspiracy to sell stolen goods and transportation of stolen property partially using the former business known as Lou’s Jewelry and Pawn in Wilmington The shop has been closed since law enforcement raided it late last year The duo jointly ran three pawn shops: the Wilmington establishment and two other shops in Philadelphia according to charging documents filed in federal court Prosecutors claim the businesses were used to buy and sell new The duo would transfer stolen goods to the Delaware pawn shop as well as one in the Kensington neighborhood in Philadelphia and then sell the goods on an eBay site for their shop in Philadelphia’s Society Hill neighborhood They received their stolen wares from two groups One group traded stolen goods from retailers in the local area like Target The other stole in bulk from around the country Recent: Delaware Department of Correction settles lawsuit over COVID response at Sussex prison The indictment cites text messages in which the duo referred to sources of their stolen goods as “the mooks” and their wares as “mookage.” From November 2019 through the end of 2023 the duo is accused of selling more than $19 million in stolen merchandise Larry Leonard is also charged with money laundering and faces a maximum sentence of 45 years in prison Nathaniel Leonard faces a maximum sentence of 15 years The Leonards have pleaded not guilty and are scheduled for trial in December Two employees of the pawn shops were also indicted on charges of conspiracy and transporting stolen goods Court documents indicate they have struck plea agreements that are sealed from public view Contact Xerxes Wilson at (302) 324-2787 or xwilson@delawareonline.com NC (WWAY) — The Wilmington Police Department responded to a homicide on Friday afternoon units responded to the wooded area at Hurst and Clay Street in reference to a possible medical emergency the WPD Criminal Investigation Division is investigating this case as a homicide WPD is asking anyone with information to call the WPD at (910) 343-3609 or use the anonymous Tip 411 app Video Central|Live Stream Preliminary work on a 1.1-mile extension of a Wilmington boulevard began 25 years ago the new stretch of Independence Boulevard had it going north from Oleander Drive through a mostly wooded section on Empie Park and along some neighborhoods before an intersection with Randall Parkway To help alleviate noise in the neighborhoods concrete walls were made part of the four-lane project Area planners saw the extension as critical to easing north-south travel on College Road and 17th Street The road parallels Forest Hills Drive and Mercer Avenue Stay informed: Accessing local journalism is even easier with the StarNews app "What it should do is allow that traffic access to a major throughfare rather than having to wind through neighborhood streets," said Bill Austin Get your palate ready for freshly grown produce If you're ready for locally grown farm fresh vegetables and fruits check out these returning favorites and new open-air farmer markets in the Wilmington area Let us know by emailing cheryl.whitaker@starnewsonline.com The market is held every Saturday through Nov The market offers locally fresh grown produce and locally homemade baked goods The market is located on Dock Street between Water and Second streets Wilmington (front of Tidal Creek Cooperative Food Market) The market is now open Tuesdays from 4-8 p.m The market provides the best local produce A list of vendors can be found at https://www.thewilmingtonfarmersmarket.com/vendorsandproducts Wrightsville Beach Farmers' MarketOpening day for the Wrightsville Beach Farmers' Market 8 at the Wrightsville Beach Municipal Grounds (adjacent to town hall) No metered parking in the farmers market field Parking is reserved for farmers market patrons only visit https://www.townofwrightsvillebeach.com/183/Farmers-Market Farmers' Market at Poplar GroveThe open-air market at the grove will open for the season on Wednesday The market moves from the top lawn to the lower grounds with room to spread out and enjoy the shade of the Ancient Oaks of Poplar Grove One of the special qualities of the open-air market is you can shop locally Explore the grounds at no charge and explore the 300-year-old historic Due to development on all sides The Stables will remain closed to the public New tastes: Wilmington chef's pop-up has been bringing global flavors to local diners Grocery update: With Publix eyeing downtown Wilmington, here's what's next for the Northside Food Co-op The Carolina Beach Market season begins Saturdays The market offers an abundant selection of fresh and local fruits and vegetables The market is located at South Lake Park Boulevard at Atlanta Avenue the Sunset Beach Summer Market is a bustling market that features local crafters and artists with homemade treasures and original art Ocean Isle Beach Summer MarketThe Ocean Isle Beach Summer Market The One Love Market in Calabash is the newest addition to the 2025 spring and summer market lineup among Brunswick beach towns on the Waterfront (by Angus Steakhouse and Seafood) in Calabash Southport Summer MarketThe Southport Summer Market is sponsored by the city of Southport for local growers and crafters to sell their goods directly to consumers 27 (excluding the week of the Fourth of July) Vendors will be offering a wide variety of farm fresh produce The market operates rain or shine unless determined otherwise by the market committee due to hazardous weather conditions This open-air market is filled with fresh local produce and local vendors who offer arts and crafts Oak Island Farmers and Artisans MarketThe Oak Island Farmers and Artisans Market will be held Mondays at Middleton Park (by the Kevin Bell Skate Park) The outdoor market is located at 4610 E Dolphin Drive The Hampstead Farmers' Market will open for the season Thursday The market features organic food and fresh goods The market is located at Ironclad Golf/Shaka Taco Whitaker covers community news for the StarNews Reach her at cheryl.whitaker@starnewsonline.com I asked readers to weigh in on what kinds of retail businesses we need in the Wilmington area but the store that topped many wish lists is Wegmans I’d personally like to see Wegmans come to Leland since that’s where I live that I’ve never been to one so I can’t speak to the appeal they operate 110 stores across the East Coast “Depending on their location and the timeframe in which they were built our stores have a variety of unique features that help differentiate them from one another,” the website notes A number of people also said we need more art supply stores such as Blick Art Materials and Jerry’s Artarama We do have a vibrant artist community here Other suggestions for retail businesses we need include DSW shoe store More: With New Hanover property at a premium, what keeps big buildings vacant? Then there were a few folks who want businesses we actually already have in the area or used to have here some readers included restaurants – such as Popeye’s and Biscuitville -- on their lists There were far too many recommendations to list them all but I do thank everyone for sharing your ideas with me we certainly don’t want to forget about the many small businesses we have in the Wilmington area They offer a wide variety of products and services and are a great asset to our community More: Wilmington caterer adds sandwiches, more to popular weekly pick-up menu We feature one of those locally owned businesses – Little Pond Caterers – in today’s dining story from reporter Allison Ballard Tommy and Karin Mills have been offering a pick-up menu for years in addition to catering jobs While Meatball Tuesdays has long been a popular offering they’ve recently been experimenting with some new additions Sherry Jones is the StarNews executive editor The restaurant scene in the Wilmington area might slow down (just a bit) during the cooler weather Here's a look at the new eateries that have been added in recent weeks as well as some businesses that have closed Restaurant openings K38 Baja Grill: The newest location of this locally born Cali-Mex brand is now open in the new Carolina Beach mixed-use development, Proximity It joins four other K38 restaurants in Wilmington More: First restaurant opens in new Carolina Beach development Beach Break Donuts: This new spot serves “always hot” doughnuts ice cream and coffee made with water purified via reverse osmosis Shaka-Laka Bowls of OIB: A Brunswick County location of this organic acai bowl cafe They opened mid-April at 11 Causeway Drive in Ocean Isle Beach serving a menu that also includes coconut bowls Crispý Cones: This Shark Tank-approved concept opened its first North Carolina location on April 11 at 120 Market St Warm pastry cones are made to order and filled with soft serve Mi Rey Taqueria & Grill: A Mexican restaurant offering the flavors of Jalisco has opened in a former at 4015 Market St a kids’ menu and specials like al pastor tacos on Tuesdays Casa Encanto: Also new in Mexican restaurants is the latest concept from the El Cerro Restaurant Group It’s in the former Applebee’s space at 5120 New Centre Drive Salty Dogs Cafe and Bark Bar: The former Archibald’s Deli has been rebranded as this pet-friendly spot with a full bar salads and burgers at 2991 Holden Beach Road S.W Grateful Graze: The owner of this charcuterie shop has been working out of the space at 1616 Shipyard Blvd she opened the storefront and started offering a limited lunch menu and graze plates Look for more hours and an expanded menu soon Dockside Seafood House: The owners of this Calabash staple announced they had closed after 70 years of serving great seafood and steaks at 9955 Nance St "This is not just a farewell to a business but a heartfelt goodbye to the countless relationships shared memories and cherished memories that have been built within these walls," the owners said in a letter posted to social media David's Deli & Restaurant: This longtime restaurant that first opened in 1981 is also now officially closed, with a thank you note to customers posted on the door at 1984 Eastwood Road near Wrightsville Beach Owner Doug Efting took over business in 1993 and announced in February that he would close the restaurant in April El Mariscal: This seafood-focused Mexican eatery opened in 2022 at 1319 Military Cutoff Road in Landfall Center as a part of the El Cerro Grande restaurant group Emmanuel Ibarra said that they transferred the staff (and many of the favorite dishes) to the new restaurant Chow Thai: The owners of this Asian restaurant at 5552 Carolina Beach Road in Wilmington posted to social media that they would close due to ongoing financial difficulties “This place has been more than just a business,” the note read Serving you over the years has been an honor beyond words and we are deeply grateful for the support and memories you've given us.”  Golden Dawn Bakers: This bakery located upstairs at Alcove Beer Garden in Wilmington’s Cargo District announced that they would close after four years in business “Thank you to all of our customers who have supported us,” the post read “We’ve made the difficult decision to close the bakery and pursue other opportunities.”  Panacea Restaurant: This restaurant, once an extension of the Panacea Brewing Company kombucha business, is also closed at 4107 Oleander Drive after the business was sold to a new owner last year The kombucha is still flowing at Panacea’s Tiny Tap & Taste at 311 Judges Road in Wilmington 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 Instead of sitting through three light cycles at College and Oleander or creeping past Eastwood on Military Cutoff A north-south line along College Road could connect key spots like Fort Fisher Add an east-west line down Oleander from downtown to Wrightsville Beach More transportation news: Wilmington residents are fighting against a traffic improvement project. Here's why. Our roads are already wide enough in many places to support a streetcar system This isn’t about replacing cars—it’s about having options Young people can get to school or work without needing a car Seniors can get to appointments without relying on someone else Tourism dollars go further when it’s easy to explore A connected light rail system opens up more housing possibilities You can live farther from downtown and still get to work in minutes Want to submit a local op-ed? Wilmington StarNews guidelines for guest columns The question is whether we’ll grow with vision—or with gridlock Chris Buchheit works for the federal government and is a proponent of transformative infrastructure he is a former longtime resident of Wilmington and considers the city his home New homes along Corbett Street in the Love Grove neighborhood have brought in people and families in the once secluded neighborhood Archie Blue Park in the Love Grove neighborhood in Wilmington a lifelong Love Grove resident dedicated to the mentoring the youth in the community and was employed for more than 30 years by the Boys & Girls Club One Tree Hill Way leads residents across the Love Grove Memorial Bridge into the Love Grove area of Wilmington Smith Creek can be seen on both sides of the Love Grove Memorial Bridge that opened in 2018 and leads into the Love Grove neighborhood of Wilmington Homes along Stanley Street in the Love Grove neighborhood in Wilmington Smith Creek can be seen on both sides of the Love Grove Memorial Bridge that opened in 2018 and leads into the Love Grove neighborhood Homes along Stanley Street in the Love Grove neighborhood New homes along Corbett Street in the Love Grove neighborhood have brought in people and families in the once secluded area of Wilmington One Tree Hill Way leads residents across the Love Grove Memorial Bridge into the Love Grove neighborhood of Wilmington played a key role in advocating for the Love Grove Memorial Bridge in Wilmington This photo captures him on-site during the bridge construction The Love Grove Memorial Bridge in Wilmington on March 31 Traffic travels over the Love Grove Memorial Bridge on Tuesday The tracks use to be the only way in or out of the community until the completion of the Love Grove Memorial Bridge The Love Grove Memorial Bridge crosses over Smith Creek on Monday The railroad tracks leading into the Love Grove community on Tuesday The Love Grove Memorial Bridge crosses over marshlands in Wilmington Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInWILMINGTON (WECT) - According to the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office all roads are back open and all evacuation orders have been lifted due to the fire in Boiling Spring Lakes The American Red Cross was helping people who were forced to leave their homes fire officials say the fire is only 10% contained but no longer poses a threat to neighbors The North Carolina Forest Service Incident Management Team will continue to monitor the fire Some residents are calling for stricter enforcement of regulations on motorized vehicles after a child was injured in a New Hanover County park A 5-year-old boy was hospitalized after being struck by a dirt bike while riding a scooter in Smith Creek Park on April 2 according to a news release from the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office he had been released from the hospital but would require in-home care for months An 18-year-old has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury in connection with the incident it sparked conversation surrounding another type of vehicle with looser regulations: electric bikes Electric bikes, commonly referred to as e-bikes, have seen a steep rise in popularity in recent years. Annual e-bike sales surpassed one million in 2022 The increase is evident across the Wilmington area where e-bike riders can be seen traveling down streets and sidewalks Here’s what New Hanover residents are saying More StarNews: Accessing local journalism is even easier with the StarNews app Residents call for stricter regulationsWhile some residents support an outright ban on e-bikes in parks others believe that the answer is stricter regulation State mandates require riders to be at least 16 years old and wear a helmet Wilmington resident Vickie Spaulding said she would be in favor of raising the age limit “Kids are not responsible and not supervised,” Spaulding said Others said that the technology should be regulated similarly to motorcycles with insurance and registration requirements Some argue that the solution is not establishing new laws but enforcing the regulations already in place All-terrain vehicles and dirt bikes are prohibited from all New Hanover parks "We urge the public to exercise extreme caution when operating any motorized vehicle particularly in areas where children are at play,” Sheriff Ed McMahon said in a statement following the Smith Creek Park incident Wilmington resident Katrina Wojtasinski prioritizes protecting residents’ relationship with natural areas in the debate over e-bikes “Recreation was meant to put us out in nature not kill us in the path,” Wojtasinski said “We have very few places left in the city to go unobscured by traffic and to truly be in nature Parks and trails shouldn’t be a place we have to continue to worry.” Senate majority leader Michael Lee of New Hanover proposed a bill to increase e-bike regulations days before the Smith Creek Park incident sparked local concern which includes a class system already adopted by other states The bill defines Class 1 e-bikes as bicycles equipped with a motor that only assists when the rider is pedaling These bikes have a top speed of 20 miles per hour but have a motor that may propel the e-bike without pedal assistance Motors on Class 3 e-bikes only provide assistance when the rider is pedaling and have a top speed of 28 miles per hour In addition to implementing the class system the bill would allow for increased municipal regulations “A city may regulate the use of electric assisted bicycles on any street road or highway within municipal limits,” according to the bill The bill would allow cities to restrict e-bike usage on multiuse paths Speed limits could be established on greenways or shared-use paths Cities would also be allowed to require the use of a helmet and may impose fines for any violations Some local governments are addressing safety concerns from another angle The town of Wrightsville Beach recently completed an improvement project to provide multiuse facilities on two of the town’s major streets and the pedestrian loop on North Lumina Avenue was expanded to offer more room for pedestrians and bikers Daniel Sheehan covers New Hanover County for the StarNews. Reach him at dsheehan@gannett.com (WECT) - The City of Wilmington Parks and Recreation is set to host ‘A Rose For Mom’ event this week Community members are encouraged to bring mothers the free event will include refreshments and is open to all ages The event is set to take place on May 9 from 10:30 a.m Here are some of our most read articles that might interest you Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInBOILING SPRING LAKES (WECT) - All roads in Boiling Spring Lakes are reopened after closure due to a wildfire in the area “We’re pleased to share that all roads in Boiling Spring Lakes are now open and all evacuation orders have been lifted,” said the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) in a Facebook post there is still an active fire that crews are working on and drivers should continue to use caution in the area NC (WWAY)– A crowd gathered in downtown Wilmington on Saturday as part of a nationwide demonstration tied to International Workers’ Day highlights labor movements and workers’ rights While May Day falls on the first of the month this year The event began with a rally at Innes Park followed by a march through the downtown area said the event was about more than protest we can take to the streets — that’s important — but also we are coming together and we are making community,” Reynolds said “We are forming alliances with organizations that have been here doing work for decades.” Organizers say another protest is planned for June 14 Taking a ride to the hospital in an ambulance will not be cheap in Wilmington an ordinance establishing new rates for ambulance transport was passed unanimously it will cost $1,000 to take an ambulance to the hospital There will be a $25 per loaded mile charge and a $30 charge if you need oxygen the last time Wilmington operated its own EMS services it cost $135 to take a ride to the hospital in an ambulance Mayor John Carney said he will sign the ordinance because it is necessary to launch the service Francis declined to comment on how much they charge for ambulance service A study from FAIR Health in 2022 showed that ambulance rides for basic life support cost an average of $940 nationally Advanced life support ambulance service cost more than $1,200 on average nationally The city is using a third-party company called Speclin to bill for EMS services which will bill customers twice: once up front According to the Mayor's Deputy Chief of Staff Stephanie Mergler in a budget hearing on April 23 Speclin will not do collections and will not send any follow-ups after that MARIJUANA: Legal weed will be allowed in Wilmington. City finally approves where businesses can open MORE ON WILMINGTON EMS: Wilmington Fire Department approved for 30 new firefighters and EMTs "They won't be sending additional notices," she said at the hearing "There will be no penalty and interest applied Nobody will go into medical debt based on this billing." Medicare and Medicaid would be billed first Wilmington's Assistant Budget Director Rob Winkeler said about 98% of the revenue would be from insurance "That doesn't exactly tell you how many people don't have insurance but it does kind of give you a proxy for how much is actually paid from people who don't have insurance so less than 1% of that total," he said at the April 23 budget hearing The city expects to make about $2.5 million in revenue from the charges which is not going to pay for emergency medical services The city expects to make up to $4 million in the next few years The council recently approved the addition of 30 staff members to the Wilmington Fire Department to prepare for the transition Carney's proposed budget for the next fiscal year allocates $4 million for the startup of the essential service Shane Brennan covers Wilmington and other Delaware issues tips or feedback at slbrennan@delawareonline.com The Wilmington Police Department is investigating a homicide after the death of one man officers responded to a wooded area near Hurst and Clay streets in reference to a possible medical emergency according to a news release from Wilmington police The Wilmington Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division is investigating the incident as a homicide police had not released the identity of the victim nor identified any suspects The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Wilmington Police Department at 910-343-3609 or using the anonymous Tip 411 app NC (WWAY) — The Children’s Museum of Wilmington has announced an upcoming celebration for a new mural that has been painted in the port wing of the museum The museum selected local artist and museum guest Stephanie Bagwell for the project Bagwell began her installation process in the middle of April and is set to complete the mural by May 16th A celebration for the new mural is scheduled for Sunday The celebration is open to all members of the community and admission to the museum will be free throughout the hour The Wilmington Police Department identified a victim in a recent homicide case as the man found dead in a wooded area near Hurst and Clay streets on Friday according to a news release on Monday from the Wilmington Police Department Previous coverage: One man found dead in Wilmington, police investigating incident as homicide officers responded to the area in reference to a possible medical emergency according to a prior news release from Wilmington police STAY CONNECTED: Keep up with the area’s latest Brunswick County news by signing up  for the Brunswick Today newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram Savanna Tenenoff covers Brunswick County for the StarNews. Reach her at stenenoff@gannett.com in Wilmington say interviews and deliveries only The store looks to reopen at the location in June Signs on the doors to the former Big Lots at 6832 Market St The Big Lots store on 6832 Market Street in Wilmington at Ogden Plaza seen here just before it closed A store closing banner on the Big Lots location in Southport on Thursday Big Lots at Long Leaf Mall at 4310 Shipyard Blvd is set to graduate from the University of Mount Olive in May with a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling The road to getting her degree hasn't been easy "My journey into mental health work is deeply personal driven by the loss of my 14-year-old cousin to suicide," Nixon said "Her passing ignited a realization in me that we all go through moments in life where we need someone to talk to and that’s where I believe I can make a difference." Nixon once dreamed of becoming a pediatrician But life has guided her toward a path that feels even more fulfilling Nixon worked with children in childcare and elementary schools "I’ve been drawn to those who are often overlooked — the quiet ones and those facing tough backgrounds," Nixon said She's always been curious about the deeper reasons behind their behavior Nixon's pursuit to work in the mental health field is from both personal experiences and a deep desire to make a meaningful impact "It was through my own grief and depression that I realized the importance of reaching out for help — not as a sign of weakness Recognizing that she needed support was a moment of clarity and insight "It wasn’t until I began sharing my struggles that I discovered others were facing similar challenges," Nixon said I openly talk about mental health with my friends and family and it has become an essential part of my journey toward healing and understanding." Nixon worked as a teacher assistant at Wrightsboro Elementary School She continued to work there while attending school which allowed her to gain valuable experience in the classroom when it was time for me to begin my practicum and internship I made the difficult decision to leave that position in order to focus on my professional development in the mental health field," Nixon said her goal was to make a real impact in her community of Castle Hayne "Mental health is often overlooked in the Black community who wants to become the professional that others feel comfortable opening up to She hopes to create a space where young people feel heard and to navigate their challenges with compassion and understanding More: A youth organization with ties to a 100-year-old club in Wilmington is making an impact Nixon had always envisioned working with young children as most of her experience had been with elementary-aged kids and younger Nixon's internship has led her to work with youth and adults "I’ve found a deep passion for serving this population," Nixon said Self-doubting herself was Nixon's biggest challenge: "For so long I needed others (besides my parents) to believe in me but it wasn't about other's opinions it was me believing in me." After Nixon's first semester at Mount Olive she was placed on academic probation after receiving two Bs and a C then she remembers her faith and her personal motto ― "If He brought me to it After that first semester she received only As "My hope is to inspire others to hold on to their dreams and challenge yourself because truly we have no clue what we can do until we take the next step in our journey," said Nixon "One of the most important lessons I’ve discovered is that it’s okay to ask for help." Nixon says this realization has not only shaped my academic path but also how she approaches her work with clients Nixon started to understand that being her genuine self and building authentic rapport is key to making the most meaningful impact I’ve seen how trust and openness can create a safe space for healing and growth," Nixon said Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. One of her long-term dreams is to establish a counseling group for youth — whether on her own or in partnership with others in her community "It’s more than a career; it’s a mission to make a difference and inspire others to do the same," Nixon said One of the great pleasures of living in the Wilmington area is all of the live music we get to enjoy once the weather starts getting warm There's nothing quite like an open-air concert and Southeastern North Carolina has plenty of places to enjoy one from dockside at the beach with a few dozen patrons to big venues packed with thousands of screaming fans From Calabash to Topsail Beach and all points in between here's a look at places to catch an outdoor concert this year a few area concert series had not announced their full schedules but we'll update this story as more information becomes available Super-popular series in a beautiful setting. Concerts run from 6-8 p.m. Fridays and tickets go on sale the Monday before each concert (Tickets for Airlie members go on sale earlier.) Parking is off-site at the Northeast Library with free shuttle service to the concerts starting at 5 p.m and guests can purchase food and beverages July 11: Dubtown Cosmonauts (jam)July 25: British Invaders (British rock tribute)Aug. 8: Cory Luetjen & The Traveling Blues BandAug. 22: Massive Grass (bluegrass)Sept. 12: Courtney Lynn & Quinn (folk)Sept. 26: Oc3ans (rock, R&B)Cameron Art Museum Sunset Performance SeriesConcerts by area acts are held on the grounds of the CAM by the "Boundless" sculpture Christa Gabrielle Faison (violin) is scheduled for May 15 Pleasure Island concert series also features fireworks. Concerts run 6:30-9:30 p.m. Thursdays on the Carolina Beach Boardwalk except where indicated Fireworks on the beach strand start at 9 p.m Free Concert FridayConcert series from downtown beer garden and event space The Eagles' Dare 1,400-seat amphitheater managed by Live Nation has a full summer of concerts by major touring acts Jazz at the MansionConcerts are held at the Bellamy Mansion Museum downtown on the second Wednesday of each month and start at 6:30 p.m which can purchased at the venue on the day of the concert starting at 6 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Cape Fear Jazz Society and the Bellamy Mansion Museum People do, in fact, get down and boogie at this oceanside concert series, held 5-7 p.m. Sundays at Oceanfront Park The Lazy PirateCarolina Beach hotspot has live music multiple times per week on its outdoor stage. Check LazyPirateSportsGrill.com for the schedule 7,200-seat amphitheater managed by Live Nation has a full summer of concerts by major touring acts Carolina Beach spot has been holding concerts on the remnants of the former Center Pier for more than 20 years. Concerts are 7-9 p.m. Thursdays except where noted Weekly outdoor music series at Wrightsville Beach hotspot Bluewater Grill, located right on the Intracoastal Waterway. Concerts are 4-8 p.m. Sundays, free. Full schedule at BluewaterDining.com Carolina Beach spot is a great place to see live music, which is performed on a covered outdoor stage. Music on multiple nights per week all summer long, check schedule for details Sunset Live Music SeriesWeekend concert series at The Boatyard located behind Marina Grill & Tequila's Waterfront just off the Wilmington Riverwalk Concerts in Wrightsville Beach Park are 6-8 p.m. Thursdays rock)July 10: No RegretzJuly 17: Jack Jack 180 (pop Concerts are 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays at Calabash Town Park Concerts run 6:30-8 p.m. Sunday evenings at Bridgeview Park on Holden Beach Oak Island 'Bands by the Beach' Concert SeriesConcerts run 6:30-8:30 p.m. Fridays Also known as the Peggy Hughes Summer Concert Series Shallotte Summer Concert SeriesConcerts runs 7-9 p.m. Thursdays at Mulberry Park Series in downtown Southport holds concerts 6-8 p.m. Thursdays in Franklin Square Park when it was Sundays on Fort Johnston's Garrison Lawn.) First concert is May 29 Concerts are held 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays at Sunset Beach Town Park All concerts will be held 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursdays on the Pender County Courthouse Square Concerts are 6:30 p.m. Fridays at Kiwanis Park, 586 Sloop Point Loop Road in Hampstead Topsail Sounds Concert SeriesConcerts are 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the Topsail Beach Town Center That's right: it's almost time for those small flying annoying insects ― mosquitoes Here's what you need to know about mosquitoes Mosquito season in the Wilmington area typically begins in early spring and continues through the warm months until late October or November New Hanover County consumer horticulture agent and Master Gardener program coordinator A Frisbee or a plastic bottle cap can hold enough water to support mosquito breeding The National Pesticide Information Center suggests you do the following to control mosquitoes: Stay indoors in the early mornings and evenings when mosquitoes are most active.Install or repair screens on windows and doors.Use mosquito netting to cover beds and other areas.Find and remove any puddles of water or standing water around your home to reduce breeding sites.Mow your lawn often and keep plants trimmed low in your yard.Puncture unusable tires in the yard to prevent pools of water from forming inside them.Wipe out your birdbath every few days The eggs can get stuck to the bottom and survive dry periods.Maintain your swimming pool to prevent mosquito breeding Report abandoned pools to your local health department.Make sure gutters and ditches are draining properly.If you have ponds you can stock ponds with mosquito eating fish.What steps to take before going outsideTo protect yourself from mosquitoes the National Pesticide Information Center suggests the following: Here's a bit about mosquitoes from the National Pesticide Information Center: NC (WWAY) –The Church of the Good Shepherd unveiled a new historic plaque from the Historic Wilmington Foundation on Sunday recognizing the church’s more than 100-year presence in Wilmington was built in 1911 and previously held a russet plaque which marks structures between 75 and 99 years old The new black plaque signifies buildings at least 100 years old and includes a reference to Saint Cecilia The Historic Wilmington Foundation has awarded more than 700 plaques to buildings across New Hanover Pender and Brunswick counties that meet age and preservation criteria “We advocate and educate people on historic preservation and that’s an important part of Wilmington — the fabric of Wilmington really is its history and so the plaques help tell people that story,” Stolz said “Our black plaques represent structures that are a hundred years old or older and so today we dedicated the black plaque in honor of the church.” The Foundation’s offices are located on the church property in Burton Whiteside Hall The church is also scheduled to host the Port City Music Festival on June 6 NC (WWAY) — A federal jury convicted a man on drug and weapons charges Wednesday the Wilmington Police Department conducted a traffic stop of Anthony Travis Slaughter After a police K9 positively alerted on the vehicle a police search uncovered approximately two pounds of marijuana along with marijuana packaging and a digital scale in the car Police also located a loaded firearm under the driver’s seat Slaughter was prohibited from possessing a firearm based on seven prior state felony convictions for drug and violent crimes These include a conviction for common law robbery as well as multiple convictions for selling heroin Slaughter faces at least five years and up to life in prison when he is sentenced in August 2025 Speaking of favorites, another way to “vote” for restaurants is to leave positive reviews. We took at look at the revolving, evolving list of eateries that won Diners Choice Awards from the Open Table reservation site More: Who has the best shrimp and grits in the Wilmington area? Vote for your favorite restaurant If you’ve driven by one of the area's popular Irish restaurant recently, you probably know something is up. Well, as it turns out, the longtime owners of this neighborhood hangout have passed the business on to a new owner Many things will stay the same – like the staff – but a new look is coming The restaurant is closed until renovations are complete Already open, though, the first restaurant to open in the Proximity mix-used development in Carolina Beach. It’s the first of what will be four (or five?) food businesses. Read more here More: Wilmington Irish pub and restaurant to get a new life with new owner More: Wilmington-area chefs, pastry chefs and bartenders in statewide culinary competition Follow Port City Foodies on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/portcityfoodies and on Instagram at @port_city_foodies Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here New for-rent single-family homes at Banton Village slated for fall move-ins Center Park Group a premier general contractor and home builder specializing in build-to-rent (BTR) development and construction services across the Southeast is excited to announce development at Banton Village in Navassa with vertical construction expected to start this summer and first move-ins this fall this latest BTR community will feature 72 single-family homes upon completion Banton Village is the latest addition to a growing portfolio of successful Carolina projects where Center Park Group has served as the general contractor partner for Maymont Homes Previous collaborations include Surfside Retreat in Myrtle Beach South Carolina and Hanahan Commons in Hanahan “We are excited to partner once again with Maymont Homes this time on a project in North Carolina,” said Jason Esposito CEO and managing partner of Center Park Group “This project is a testament to the strong relationship we’ve built with the Maymont team and we appreciate their continued trust in us as a partner.” Homes at Banton Village will offer five floor plan options ranging from three-to-four bedrooms with spacious primary suites chef-inspired kitchens and private yards with patios These pet-friendly homes will blend contemporary style and everyday functionality subway tile backsplashes and energy-efficient appliances Situated in northern Brunswick County near Interstate 140 and Highway 74 residents at Banton Village will enjoy convenience to the Wilmington Riverwalk and a variety of other popular dining On-site community amenities will include manicured walking paths and open green spaces As the region experiences impressive growth and transformation, Banton Village reflects a shared commitment to delivering high-quality homes that offer both modern living and lasting value to residents. To learn more about Banton Village or join the VIP list for the latest pricing and availability updates, visit www.BantonVillage.com BTR developers interested in partnering with Center Park Group should call 843-800-5311 or visit www.CPBuilderServices.com Center Park Group is a premier builder of high-quality single-family detached and attached housing communities investment-grade residential developments tailored to client needs Leveraging a blend of commercial and residential construction expertise Center Park ensures operational efficiency enhancing communities while creating value for investors For more information about Center Park Group, visit www.cpbuilderservices.com or call 843-800-5311 © Copyright 2012 - 2023 | citybiz | All Rights Reserved WHQR's Sunday Edition is a free weekly newsletter delivered every Sunday morning. You can sign up for Sunday Edition hereand find past editions here As some of you might have seen, earlier this week I posted on Facebook that there’s “enough friction between [them] to cook a pork roast.” Both candidates later denied there was any tension, telling Connor Smith at WECT that they’re longtime friends at least for Saffo – who I think is magnanimously putting a good face on things But I should also clarify what I meant by my post I don’t have it from Saffo or Barfield on the record that there’s any personal animus but that’s kind of immaterial – what’s interesting for this race is that they’re generating a massive amount of friction in the local Democratic Party I can see Saffo and Barfield are already splitting the party they’re very similar – both relatively moderate Democrats compared to the party’s more liberal-progressive voices both with deep fundraising connections in the real estate and development industries and both with significant name recognition I’ve seen Saffo criticized for the purchase of the former Thermo Fisher building and “overdevelopment” in the city I’ve seen Barfield take flack for his vote to sell New Hanover Regional Medical Center to Novant and for not being vocal enough on the Board of Commissioners I’m not saying the criticisms on social media are all articulate and accurate – but they’re a fair indicator of some of the headwinds both candidates may face I’ve also seen a fair amount of exasperation online (and heard more of the same I’ve heard calls for a more progressive candidates – and also fears that Republicans will take advantage of a divided Democratic vote That is what has generated the pork-roasting heat here and presented the Republican party with an opportunity to eat the Democrat’s lunch New Hanover County Democratic Party Chair Jill Hopman said as much noting that it was “entirely shortsighted” to run two Democrats for mayor Hopman tried to dissuade Barfield from running suggesting he could instead retake the county commissioner seat he just narrowly lost in November Barfield didn’t take her up on it (although he could still run for county office if he’s unsuccessful in this year’s election With two Democrats running for mayor, and likely four (or more) Democrats running for three city council seats, the party is for the second time planning a straw poll – basically a quasi-primary election with party officials voting Hopman introduced the first straw poll in 2023 to narrow four candidates – incumbent Kevin Spears specifically about Hopman’s inclusion of votes from outside the city limits She argued these represented volunteers who would be crucial in the campaign; critics felt it watered down the influence of city voters was pushed off the party’s slate and lost after running essentially independently the 2023 straw poll was very effective: Democrats swept the city council race there are also two Black candidates for city council – newcomer Chakema Quintana a community advocate who runs Live Oak Bank’s Channel – and Barfield has publicly said he feels the poll may effectively scuttle one of their campaigns argues that the community is absolutely in a place where voters could “elect two people of color to city council this cycle as long as they do not run against each other.” It’s worth noting that the poll will come at the end of a longer endorsement process which starts (now) with candidate questionnaires and I can say candidates had to face tough policy-minded questions that I think shed some good light on how they’d perform as council members.) Then if there are still more Democratic candidates than seats essentially to talk the weakest candidates into stepping back and workshopping their platforms for a future race It’s not known yet if all the Democratic city council candidates will participate In addition to calling the poll “divisive” – when he spoke to me he stopped short of calling it racist although others have made that criticism – Barfield also claimed that because Hopman had tried to talk him out of running unless Saffo or Barfield have a sudden change of heart the 2025 race for mayor of Wilmington is gonna be Thunderdome: Two men enter and it might not be all men (which would come as a relief to those who criticize what they see as the region’s “Good Old Boy” network) It will be interesting to see if there are any dark horse candidates out there but I’ve also heard many of the usual Republican suspects named over the last week or two: New Hanover County commissioners Dane Scalise and LeAnn Pierce (who was previously Carolina Beach’s first female mayor) influential conservative Woody White (who recently moved back into city limits) and of course City Councilman Luke Waddell who some have held up as the future of the local Republican party have made any serious moves toward running has been cautious even about running for council reelection in large part because his wife is due to give birth to their second child any moment now you could see why conservatives would be chomping at the bit In past years, Republicans haven’t made a serious run at Saffo. Many watched with interest when he faced fellow Democrat Devon Scott in 2019 (Scott was later disgraced, pleading guilty to sexual assault) when Saffo faced former Democratic mayor Harper Peterson local GOP donors threw their financial support decisively behind Saffo This year those donors might sit it out – or they might support their own candidate as much fun as it is for journalists and political junkies What’s important is this election will serve as a referendum on how Wilmington has been growing and developing over the past two decades and there will be important decisions about how a new chief – likely to be sworn in before the election in November – will be both supported and held accountable Both the police and fire departments are dealing with recruiting and retaining crises A new city manager is set to be hired and it will be important to ask how council and mayor plan to establish and steer that relationship And there are the perennial struggles over growth and development: the nostalgia for the sleepy beach-adjacent-town days of yore is strong urban workforce to have the amenities and entertainment of a proper metropolis Will we build out our skyline or hold the line against development Add to that the ongoing debates that come with growth discussions about public transportation and affordable housing These are crucial questions for those running for council but I think even more so for mayoral candidates the mayor is really just a seventh council member – with a gavel It’s not just their executive powers during an emergency it’s their soft power to negotiate compromise on council to wield the bully pulpit responsibly and effectively this election will be Thunderdome – but I hope folks can see beyond that perhaps the excitement of a title fight will engage more residents It would be nice to see better voter turnout than the meager showing in 2023 We've still got a long way to go to November – UNCW track and field added seven performances to the program's all-time top 10 lists during the East Coast Relays the final regular season meet before the Coastal Athletic Association Outdoor Track and Field Championships "Tremendous track and field weekend," head coach Jeff Klaves said "We truly were sharpening our models and we're working on some of those fine tuning details before heading into the outdoor championships in less than two weeks I'm really proud to coach this team and see where this team is going This is where we start reaping the reward of all that hard work and discipline We're going to refocus here and get back to practice and then we'll go lay it all on the line at the CAA Outdoor Championships." Cameron Wright improved on his sixth-best time in program history in the 110-meter hurdles by four-tenths of a second with a time of 14.06 in the prelims and the finals The junior placed sixth in the prelims and finished ninth in the finals a few hours later on Saturday On Friday, junior Bailey Tart set the fourth-best outdoor pole vault in program history with a mark of 3.82 meters (12-6 1/4) to finish eighth Tart surpassed Ashley Wildhaber's leap of 3.81m (12-6) in 2003 to slide into fourth place In the 400-meter dash on Saturday, freshman Ella Jane Osada set the program's sixth-fastest time of 55.99 to finish 17th. Osada almost broke her teammate Nasiah Ferguson's 2022 freshman record (55.92) On Saturday, freshman Lucas Smith jumped from 10th to sixth all-time in the 400 with a time of 47.38 to finish 10th Smith fell just shy of tying the program's freshman record of 47.28 Owen Marish ran 1:51.80 in the 800 on Saturday to pass Max Mittelman (2011) for sixth all-time in program history On Friday, junior Chad Hillman moved from eighth to seventh in the men's 400 hurdles running a personal best of 52.39 seconds to finish sixth He exceeded Chris Felmet's time of 53.15 back in 2011 Freshman Makaila Williamson ran 11.93 on Saturday in the 100 to add her name to the program's top 10 list with the eighth-fastest time in team history Miles Higgins the CAA's runner-up in the javelin last season finished second on Saturday with a throw of 65.45 meters (214-8) in his final attempt Higgins recorded his season best of 65.52 meters at the UNCW Seahawk Invitational to kick off the season Jordyn Robbins fell just short of her season best of 45.59 meters (149-7) throwing 45.48 meters (149-2) to finish fourth to carry momentum into the conference championship meet Bryson Robinson recorded his best jump of the season on Friday leaping 7.19 meters (23-7 1/4) to finish 10th The Seahawks will compete at the Coastal Athletic Association Outdoor Track and Field Championships Thanks for visiting Game Recap: Softball | 5/3/2025 4:38:00 PM | Brandon Sans Thanks for visiting Match Recap: Men's Tennis | 5/3/2025 1:20:00 PM | Tyler Kish the 2025 Coastal Athletic Association Champions 26 Georgia 4-0 in the first round of the NCAA tournament on Saturday afternoon at J.W had its nine-match win streak snapped and finished the season 12-8 The Bulldogs entered the regional as the No 2 seed and played their 20th match of the season against a nationally ranked opponent Georgia started strong with two doubles wins on courts two and three In No. 1 doubles, Jordi Domenech and Joseph Wayand went toe-to-toe with No Domenech and Wayand entered the regional with an 8-1 record and seven straight victories The Seahawks' top pairing trailed 4-3 in a tight battle before the match went unfinished Georgia quickly extended its lead to 2-0 with a 6-0 6-4 win against Wayand to give the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead Georgia clinched the match in No. 3 singles after No. 50 Paulsell won the battle of ranked players by outlasting No. 104 Sam Nicholson 6-4 Senior Harold Huens led his match against No tying for 14th all-time in program history Trey Mallory, also a senior, led his match on court four 7-6 (3), 0-2, and Lukas Steffen (6-2 4-6) just began a third set on court five as play ended Thanks for visiting The Dive is a free weekly newsletter jointly published by WHQR and The Assembly. You can find more information and subscribe here There are two narratives about Wilmington’s dysfunctional police department and Donny Williams a native son of the public housing project Creekwood has spent nearly five years since 2020 trying to reform a systemically racist police force despite being consistently undercut by insubordination Williams has overcorrected for past injustices inappropriately injected race into staffing and policy decisions and has grown paranoid and controlling as chief as is often the case with stories like this The city has spent considerable resources dealing with discord in the department That includes a $75,000 third-party investigation looking into allegations of harassment and mismanagement by Williams City Manager Tony Caudle has refused to release that final report But it is difficult to believe the report gives WPD since the city followed up with at least $45,000 in consulting work to help improve department management the North Carolina Police Benevolent Association released a survey of 115 sworn officers The survey did appear to underrepresent Black officers who made up 4% of survey respondents but have historically made up around 10% of the force it’s a fair sampling of the department’s rank-and-file officers As WHQR reported earlier this week nearly three-quarters of officers said the working environment was poor and just 7% said they’d recommend WPD as a “good place to work.” Some of that clearly comes from issues impacting law enforcement nationwide including complaints about pay and concerns that understaffing compromises officer and public safety also stems from specific concerns about WPD leadership Over 80% of officers said Williams used unfair promotion policies and had created a “racial divide” in the department Black community members have repeatedly and strongly suggested allegations against Williams are racially motivated, even an echo of the 1898 coup and massacre Williams himself has called some of his critics racist But it’s hard to square the survey results with Williams’ assertion last year that criticisms come from “pockets of racism,” not the whole department, a point he literally begged reporters to include in their articles “I’m just begging you to judge them by the color of their hearts not the color of their skin,” Williams said of his department and criticism of Williams is, in fact then the city has a police force staffed predominantly by racists But it seems something else is going on here Racism is very likely part of the dysfunction at WPD but poor policy and mismanagement are also to blame The city’s posture on WPD has been to put its head between its knees, declining to comment despite spending over $100,000 on the problem. Both Caudle and Williams are set to retire in the coming months and several city staffers have told me on background the city hopes the issues will blow over or at least improve with new leadership The organization has no love for Williams and is angling for a hand in reforming WPD and picking the next chief but I also agree with NCPBA that the “best way to validate” their survey is to release the city’s third-party investigative report the next batch of city leaders—and the general public—would have a clearer view of what’s gone wrong at WPD New Hanover County Schools appears poised to receive less than it’s asking for from the county this year–a lot less The district wants $27.4 million on top of its normal operating budget to fund staff raises The county is ready to contribute $6.5 million Like everyone else, the county is facing inflationary and economic pressures as it shapes its budget. Commissioners are whipping out red pens to try and get staff’s recommended 35-cent tax rate closer to revenue neutral Given that backdrop, the two organizations are also dealing with trust issues. The school system nearly went broke last year and county leaders have questioned how the situation got so out of hand many school leaders feel the county has underfunded the district for years The county has looked to offset some of the district’s funding requests to other sources, like the New Hanover Community Endowment or a potential bond next year. A big-package bond would certainly help alleviate things, but earning voters’ approval is a risk: In 2022, county voters shot down a transit tax to fund transportation projects Commissioner Rob Zapple described the schools’ facilities staff as having an “empty bench” and said he wished he were more comfortable giving them more money County manager Chris Coudriet said he didn’t believe the school district had the capacity to actually execute on the capital support it’s requesting: “Do I believe there is a workforce that could bid and mobilize and do $19 million worth of work over a dozen different projects Democratic school board members Judy Justice and Tim Merrick disputed characterizations of the district’s inability to execute projects School facilities have been “underfunded for decades,” Justice wrote on a post “As a result our schools are literally falling apart.” District spokesperson Anita Baggie acknowledged its central office has undergone restructuring but said it remains “fully capable of managing capital projects effectively.” Researchers conducted genetic testing on shrimp sold in Wilmington-area restaurants (Courtesy SEAD Consulting) A firm conducted random genetic testing of shrimp sold by Wilmington-area restaurants earlier this month and the results are unsettling: Of the 44 randomly selected seafood establishments 25 explicitly misrepresented their shrimp to be local The results are according to research commissioned by the Southern Shrimp Alliance and conducted by SEAD Consulting The Southern Shrimp Alliance calls the restaurants’ 77 percent fraud rate alarming and disappointing they not only damage consumer trust–they undercut the local shrimping economy and culture,” John Williams North Carolina doesn’t have seafood labeling laws to compel restaurants to accurately disclose whether shrimp are wild-caught The Southern Shrimp Alliance says the activity could still be considered fraudulent under federal law citing the Federal Trade Commission’s rules that businesses should avoid outright lies and misleading advertising The report didn’t disclose which restaurants failed its testing but did single out the 10 good actors: Princess Seafood A spokesperson for the group said the 34 restaurants that misrepresented their product are likely not the only ones and that follow-up testing is expected The page you are looking for no longer exists Thanks for visiting