“I think they’d be really happy with it”: Bench honors three Marines who died at Hampstead gas station

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - A bench now stands at the Speedway gas station in Hampstead to honor three Marines who died there in 2023. Loved ones gathered as the bench was unveiled, featuring images of 23-year-old Ivan Garcia, 19-year-old Tanner Kaltenberg and 23-year-old Merax Dockery. “I think they’re beaming. I...

Emergency planning zones around Brunswick Nuclear Plant to change in November

SOUTHPORT, NC (WWAY) — Residents, businesses and schools near the Brunswick Nuclear Plant in Southport are being encouraged to check their emergency planning zone numbers as changes take effect next month. Starting Monday, November 2, Duke Energy will launch an updated interactive map allowing people to enter addresses for...

Development battles, business worries and election season in Brunswick

Development projects, early voting, fatal collisions , business closings and more are pushing Brunswick County residents to the brink as October winds down. While the end of year is slowly approaching, there's still plenty happening across Brunswick as the area continues to rise in development and housing costs . Housing and residential property are not the only costs rising. Southport's historic downtown is changing as buildings change hands and lease rates climb . With local artisan souvenir shop, Duck, Duck, Goose, departing, area business owners are getting anxious. Exclusive look: Who are Brunswick County's highest-paid employees? County planning board members are navigating some changes after three board members stepped away, county officials dispute in court over a denied Green Hill development and a new state law shifts final decisions. In nature news, Environmental Reporter Gareth McGrath dove into a new study finding coastal forest loss along parts of the North Carolina coast are accelerating . Though tourist season has come to an end, some of the county will continue to see visitors. A Brunswick beach has been listed in Southern Living's list of North Carolina’s 10 most beautiful beaches for the fall time. See which Brunswick beach made the list

Brunswick's only Harris Teeter submits plans for expansion

Brunswick County's first and only Harris Teeter is planning an expansion. The town of Leland received a sketch plan showing a proposed expansion of the existing Harris Teeter grocery store and increasing the building's footprint by more than 6,500 square feet. The grocery chain serves as the 50,000-square-foot anchor store to the Waterford Village commercial center off Olde Waterford Way. At the time, company officials said the store marked the chain's entry into a rapidly growing market west of Wilmington. Preliminary plans by Kimley-Horn submitted Oct. 19 show a roughly 6,600-sqaure-foot expansion is proposed. The expansion would extend the building and increase the total retail center building area to nearly 98,000 square feet. Initial coverage of Harris Teeter: Harris Teeter will be built in Leland The proposal also includes site improvements and a reconfiguration of parking areas. Though no major change to overall parking capacity is shown, plans propose cutting parking down from 487 parking spaces to 477 spaces. Waterford Village has evolved into one of the town's primary retail hubs since Harris Teeter's debut there around 17 years ago. Current shopping center tenants include Panera, Wells Fargo, Club Pilates, Jersey Mike’s, UPS Store, and Great Clips, Christopher’s Steakhouse and

‘It’s disappointing’: Political candidates report vandalized, stolen campaign signs in New Hanover Co.

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) - Political signs across New Hanover County have been vandalized or stolen as early voting continues, according to leaders from both the Republican and Democratic parties. Republican Party Chair John Hinnant said signs for Republican campaigns have been spray-painted with a black circle and slash.

Schoolkids saved this WWII battleship from the scrap yard, now she sits in North Carolina

A steel warship longer than two football fields sits on the Cape Fear River in Wilmington, North Carolina. The Battleship North Carolina stretches nearly 729 feet from bow to stern, and you can see her gray hull and towering guns from the downtown riverfront. She fought across the Pacific in...

Former inmates credit Onslow County jail parenting program for family reunions

For Sabrina Hooper and Brian Berman, a 16-week parenting and nurturing class offered inside the Onslow County Detention Center became a turning point they say helped them reconnect with their children and prepare for life after incarceration. The detention center’s START program serves about 60 inmates each day and has...

Veteran says Camp Lejeune victims aren’t pawns to win elections

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (WNCN) — A Marine veteran who helped fight for a law to compensate victims of contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is still waiting for his own settlement more than four years later. Now, he’s speaking out after President Donald Trump suggested those payments depend on Republicans winning the November election. “Trying to […]

ACCESS of Wilmington names Jessie Tait new director of Project SOAR

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — ACCESS of Wilmington has announced the appointment of Jessie Tait as the new program director of Project SOAR, an adaptive sports and recreation program serving veterans and first responders across southeastern North Carolina. Tait, a U.S. Air Force veteran brings extensive experience in veteran advocacy,...

New Hanover County library hosts discussion on 1898 Wilmington coup

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The New Hanover County Public Library hosted a discussion Saturday, led by two students, to raise awareness about the 1898 Wilmington coup and its lasting impact on the community. The event, held at the Pine Valley Library, featured National History Day students Olivia Stetler and...

Emails reveal monthslong dispute behind Wilmington Riverfest’s 2026 cancellation

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - WECT previously reported that Wilmington Riverfest’s board voted to cancel the 2026 festival. Now, emails and records WECT obtained show what led to that decision: a months-long standoff with the City of Wilmington over where to hold the festival. Riverfest dates to 1979 and has...

Gilbert Hadley, Co. D, 37th United States Colored Troops.

On 31 January 1864, Gilbert Hadley enlisted in the United States Colored Troops in Washington, North Carolina. Born in what is now Wilson County about 1844, Hadley likely was enslaved by Thomas J. Hadley III (who held dozens in bondage) or IV. Hadley was mustered into service at Norfolk, Virginia,...

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

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.