Yes or No: Brunswick Co. School Bond Referendum

Three Wilmington roadways to get additional lanes

The N.C. Department of Transportation will widen a handful of New Hanover County roadways as Wilmington’s population continues to boom. With an average of 34 newcomers moving to Wilmington each day, the area’s streets are bracing for sustained traffic spikes in the coming years. NCDOT has dozens of projects in the works to help ease congestion, including constructing several overpasses, replacing the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge and reconfiguring some of Wilmington’s busiest intersections. For some corridors, the fix is a little more straight forward: they will be widened to make room for additional lanes. Some will also be equipped with multi-use paths, serving the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization mission to eliminate traffic-related deaths by 2036. Here are three roadway widenings coming to New Hanover. Gordon Road Construction on the widening of Gordon Road began in spring 2025. The street has an average traffic volume of 21,000 cars per day, according to NCDOT. A 2.5-mile stretch of Gordon Road from I-40 to Market Street will be widened to a four-lane street with a raised median. Additionally, a sidewalk and a 10-foot multi-use path will be constructed on either side of the street. Dedicated turn lanes and additional traffic signals

Former deteriorated Brunswick development pushes to next phase

One of southern Brunswick County's largest residential developments is entering a new phase of growth and partnership after sitting vacant and deteriorated for years. The master-planned community, which sat largely dormant following the 2008 housing crash, has rebounded since its 2024 relaunch and is now moving forward with new homes, amenities and transportation improvements. Ocean Isle Palms has become one of the county's most active residential projects, attracting multiple homebuilders and sustaining sales despite elevated mortgage rates and other market headwinds, according to Drapac Capital Partners representative Katie Fidler. "The project sat blighted and remained an eyesore for nearly two decades but has been completely reborn and is now thriving," Fidler said. Ocean Isle Palms was approved in 2017. Its full build out will bring about 2,750 residential units, as well as commercial and retail uses to the area. The community recently opened The Commons, a pocket park featuring pickleball courts, gathering spaces and a dog park. Work is also underway on The Club, an estimated $8 million amenity center that includes a clubhouse, pool and other resort-style features. Target completion of the facility is the first quarter of 2027, ahead of the spring selling season, Fidler said. Stay in

This Nearly 90-Year-Old North Carolina Burger Joint Now Claims The State’s Best Cheeseburger

Some of the best food in North Carolina comes from places that never felt the need to change. In a small Bladen County town, a burger counter keeps a line moving out the door with a menu so short it fits on a sticky note. There are no fries, no...

Wilmington goes Greek: 3-day drive-thru food festival returns

St. Nicholas’ annual Drive-Thru Greek Food Festival returns this weekend, dishing up Hellenic hospitality and delicious eats from the comfort of your car.

Duplin County road to close for pipe replacement

DUPLIN COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) — The North Carolina Department of Transportation will close part of a road in Duplin County for a pipe replacement next week. On October 26, the portion of Lem Brown Road on either side of Fountaintown Road will close while crews work to install a larger pipe, making the road more […]

Camp Lejeune Marine unit becomes first to switch to missile battalion

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (WITN) - A Marine unit at Camp Lejeune is the first in the Marine Corps to switch from an artillery battalion to a medium-range missile battalion. The 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment switched over on October 9 as part of the Marine Corps’ plan to update its weapons.

Developers ask judge to force Brunswick County to approve Green Hill housing project

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) - The developers behind the Green Hill planned housing development filed a motion Wednesday asking a Brunswick County Superior Court judge to order the county to approve the project, after a July 27 mediation conference failed to produce a settlement. HIC Land, LLC and CLD Engineering,...

Yes or No: Constitutional Amendment to require photo ID to vote

Yes or No: Constitutional Amendment to require photo ID to vote.

Jacksonville Faith & Blue event brings community together for music and fellowship

JACKSONVILLE, Onslow County — The Jacksonville Police Department is inviting the community to an evening of music and fellowship as part of Faith & Blue. The free event is Friday, October 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. on the lawn at the Jacksonville Recreation Center, 100 Recreation Lane. The Discovery Church Band will perform live.

Brunswick Co. Homeless Coalition hosting drive-through ‘Soup-to-Go’ event

The Brunswick County Homeless Coalition is hosting a drive-through ‘Soup-to-Go’ event during National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.

‘I’ll never forget’: Lejeune Memorial Gardens honors lives lost during Beirut Bombing

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - Veterans and family members gathered at the Lejeune Memorial Gardens to honor the lives lost during the Beirut Bombing in 1983. Friday marked the 43rd anniversary of the bombing in Lebanon, where 241 U.S. service members, including 220 Marines, lost their lives after a suicide bomber drove into the U.S. Marines barracks. Many of the Marines were from Camp Lejeune.

Two Navy veterans paired with service dogs aboard Battleship NC

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Two Navy veterans were paired with custom-trained service dogs Friday during a ceremony aboard the U.S.S. Battleship North Carolina. The Wilmington-based nonprofit Canines for Service presented service dog Basil to veteran Patrick Walker, and service dog Bogey to veteran Anne Leanos. The organization trains each dog to meet the specific physical or psychological needs of its assigned handler.

Camp Johnson opens 24/7 mail center for service members

How do parcel lockers support 24/7 access for service members?. Why was the Secure Delivery Center established for unaccompanied service members?. Unaccompanied Marines and Sailors at Camp Johnson can now pick up their mail and packages around the clock. The Camp Johnson Military Post Office opened the first Secure Delivery...

Haunted library event planned in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Onslow County — The Onslow County Public Library is inviting families to explore Victorian-era mourning traditions during a special after-hours event Friday, October 23. “Victorian Mourning After Hours: A Haunted Library Experience” begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Main Library in Jacksonville, 58 Doris Avenue East. Visitors...

A Wilmington entertainment district could get more parking

A proposed project may help quench a thirst for more parking spaces in Wilmington’s Soda Pop District . Additional parking in the district that got its name from a former Coca-Cola bottling plant could become a real thing. Plans for a Soda Pop District parking expansion project were submitted to the city Sept. 23 by owner and developer Cuadra Capital, a Charlotte-based real estate investment firm. The proposal calls for the expansion and improvement of an existing parking lot at the corner of North 10th and Market streets, according to a project narrative submitted by Bolton & Menk, the Wilmington engineering firm serving as a consultant on the project. The proposed improvements would expand the existing parking lot and add new storm drainage infrastructure. Counting parking spaces Under the proposal, more than 30 parking spaces would be added to the site bounded by Market and Princess streets and North Ninth and North 10th streets. The project, which is under review by the city, would add 31 standard parking spaces, two Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant spaces, two electric vehicle spaces and four bicycle spaces on 0.7 acres within a total parcel area of 2.28 acres, according to the site plan. With

NCDOT: Abrupt end to 16th Street lane tied to Cargo District safety project

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - An abrupt lane drop on South 16th Street that drivers say is causing confusion and close calls is part of an ongoing state highway safety project in the Cargo District, according to the N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT). The third lane on South 16th Street ends...

Former Marines denied hearing after alleging DOJ lowballed them in Camp Lejeune settlements

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - An attorney for a group of former Marines and their families says they’re running out of legal options after four federal judges denied separate motions for hearings to challenge settlement payouts offers tied to water contamination at Camp Lejeune. Attorney James Foster represents six former...

CFCC’s R/V Cape Hatteras to become artificial reef off Wrightsville Beach

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Cape Fear Community College plans to donate its longtime research vessel, the R/V Cape Hatteras, to the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries for use as an artificial reef. The vessel is currently on its final student training voyage and is expected to return Sunday,...

Guide to the 2026 Holiday Season across the Cape Fear region

SOUTHEASTERN N.C. (WECT) - From tree lightings to holiday parades and Santa sightings, here’s your ultimate guide to celebrating the holiday season across southeastern North Carolina. NEW HANOVER COUNTY. City of Wilmington Holiday Parade. The City of Wilmington’s 23rd annual Holiday Parade is hitting the streets on Nov. 29...