Team of the Week: East Columbus Gators pull off big upset over North Duplin

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The East Columbus Gators are making a statement on the high school football field, earning this week’s WWAY Team of the Week honors after snapping a two-game losing streak with a 23-8 upset victory over North Duplin. The Gators entered Friday night’s matchup...

Thursday Roundup: West Bladen JV football team wins finale

SOUTHPORT — Gaston Russ scored four touchdowns, including a 90 yard kickoff return for a score, Thursday, Oct. 29 as the West Bladen junior varsity football team defeated South Brunswick 32-6 to close its season. The Knights (6-3, 4-0 Southeastern) won their final five games by a combined score...

“Measure of Safety”: New Hanover County Schools board votes to fingerprint more than 2,000 employees

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - The New Hanover County Schools board voted to require fingerprinting for more than 2,000 employees who were hired before the district added the requirement in 2022, according to Superintendent Dr. Christopher Barnes. The board added fingerprinting in 2022 while the district was being sued. The district...

Three undefeated ENC teams eye perfect regular seasons

The final Friday night of the high school football regular season is approaching, and three undefeated public school teams in Eastern North Carolina are looking to enter the playoffs with perfect records. J.H. Rose, Northside of Jacksonville and Northside of Beaufort County are all undefeated heading into the final week,...

SCC Program Receives Five-Year Federal Grant

Southeastern Community College’s Educational Talent Search program has secured a five-year federal grant renewal that will expand services, introduce new student support initiatives and increase access to college and career readiness opportunities across Columbus County. The renewed grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Education in partnership with the...

Brunswick Community College awarded $600,000 for heavy equipment training

BOLIVIA, NC (WWAY) — Brunswick Community College has been awarded a $600,000 grant to launch a heavy equipment operator training program in partnership with Southeastern Community College. The funding comes through the North Carolina Community College System’s 2026 High-Cost Workforce Start-Up Grant initiative. BCC says the regional partnership is...

BCC lands $600K grant to launch heavy equipment program

BOLIVIA, N.C. (WECT) - Brunswick Community College (BCC) will launch a Heavy Equipment Operator Training Program in January 2027 fueled by a $600,000 state grant. In partnership with Southeastern Community College, the program will prepare students for high-demand careers in construction and infrastructure. BCC said the new program will provide...

City school board OKs improvement plans

Representatives from Sampson Middle School and Clinton High School presented their school improvement plans to the Clinton City Board of Education Tuesday, outlining efforts to strengthen classroom instruction, improve student achievement and increase family involvement. Both plans received unanimous approval. The presentations focused on measurable academic goals for the coming...

Monday Roundup: East soccer advances; middle school volleyball opens

Ishaq Algozy scored on a penalty and assisted on goals by Landyn Scott and Andrio Garcia on Monday, Oct. 26 as East Bladen shut out East Columbus 3-0 in the first round of the Carolina Conference boys’ soccer tournament. The third-seeded Eagles (13-8-1) are scheduled to host No. 2...

Cardinals triumph over Vikings in ENC high school football GOTW

GREENVILLE, N.C. (WITN) - Jacksonville traveled to D.H. Conley on Friday for our ENC high school football game of the week. The two came into Friday 2-1 in conference in the Big Carolina 6A/7A. The pair stayed close for the first quarter before running back Amari Pearson helped the Cardinals...

Cape Fear Community College retires research vessel for reef use

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Cape Fear Community College is retiring its research vessel and donating it to the state to serve as an artificial reef. The R/V Cape Hatteras served as a floating classroom for marine technology students for more than a decade. On Sunday, students and staff returned from their final training voyage on the ship.

Yes or No: Brunswick Co. School Bond Referendum

Ashley extends win streak to 4 in win over West Brunswick, 33-6

SHALLOTTE, NC (WWAY) — Ashley football continued its momentum into this game, defeating West Brunswick 33-6 to extend its winning streak to four games. The Screaming Eagles got on the scoreboard early as Jahmeer Damon took a pop pass, made several defenders miss and scored a touchdown to give Ashley a 6-0 lead.

‘Limits our options’: Proposed federal internet cuts threaten rural southeastern NC schools

COLUMBUS COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) - While internet access is an everyday norm, it remains a heavy financial burden for school districts. For many rural schools in our region, a federal program called E-Rate helps shoulder that cost, but that critical funding may now be in jeopardy. Since Congress approved the...

Isenhour Moves From Marketing to Business Administration Instructor

After helping tell Southeastern Community College’s story for nearly three years, Hannah Isenhour is beginning a new chapter at the college as a full-time Business Administration instructor. Since joining SCC’s Marketing and Communications Department in November 2023, Isenhour has played a key role in promoting the college’s programs, supporting...

Football: Lewis-Gary scores 6 TDs as East Bladen outscores Union 49-34

ELIZABETHTOWN — It was Senior Night at East Bladen’s Lenon Fisher Stadium. It was a junior that played a major role in giving those seniors a win in their final regular season game. Jayden Lewis-Gary ran for six touchdowns and 230 yards Friday, Oct. 23 as the Eagles...

UNCW weighs tuition hike as students describe financial struggles

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — College students are already feeling the financial pressure of higher education costs, and some University of North Carolina Wilmington students could face another expense as university leaders consider a potential tuition increase. UNCW’s Board of Trustees discussed the possibility of increasing in-state undergraduate tuition by...

Search begins fornew SCC president

With longtime Sampson Community College President Dr. Bill Starling preparing to retire next spring, the college’s Board of Trustees has begun the process of finding his successor, establishing a formal search committee, gathering community input and launching a recruitment effort extending beyond North Carolina. Board of Trustees Chairman Chuck...

East Columbus pulls off upset victory over North Duplin, 23-8

COLUMBUS COUNTY, N.C. (WWAY) — The East Columbus Gators pulled off an upset Friday night, defeating the North Duplin Rebels 23-8 at home. East Columbus entered the matchup with a 3-5 record, while North Duplin came in at 5-2. The Gators faced an early scare when quarterback Demetrius Dexter lost the football after taking a hit from a North Duplin defender. The Rebels nearly recovered the fumble, but East Columbus’ Christan Norton was there to recover the ball and keep possession for the Gators.

Kimberly Gold to lead James Sprunt during presidential search

KENANSVILLE — James Sprunt Community College (JSCC) has named Kimberly Gold its interim president, effective Nov. 2. Gold will serve full time on campus in Kenansville while the college conducts a presidential search for its next permanent leader. “I am confident that her extensive experience, collaborative leadership style and...