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Jacksonville High School - Mackenzie Morrow
BIOGRAPHY: My name is Mackenzie Morrow and I attend Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Jacksonville allows me to take International Baccalaureate classes alongside AP courses. While attending Jacksonville, I am also duel-enrolled at Coastal Carolina Community college. After graduating high school, specifically 13 days after, I am going to attend the U.S. Naval Academy to play Division One soccer. For those who are unaware, after I graduate from college, I must serve five years in our Nation’s Navy. I am unsure what I am going to major in, however, I am currently leaning towards oceanography or cyber security. Soccer has played a huge role in my life and is one of the main reasons why I am attending the Naval Academy. I have played on the Wilmington Hammerheads Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) team since my 8th grade year after switching from my local Jacksonville Area Soccer Association team. ECNL is an extremely high-level soccer league that has paved my way with various Division One opportunities that I am extremely grateful for. Though I had choices, the Naval Academy was the obvious fit for my academic and athletic goals. I know that the Academy is going to equipe me with the skills to receive a PhD in geoscience, after serving Our Country, while also playing highly competitive Division One soccer.
Alpha Kappa Alpha hosts first "Kentucky Derby Day Party"
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated – Tau Omega chapter – is getting ready for the races. The event will be held at Sturgeon City in Jacksonville at 3 p-m Saturday. This is the sorority’s first Derby party and will raise money to help with programs. It’s open...
Man charged with statutory rape following investigation by Pender County Sheriff's Office
A Rocky Point man has been arrested following a brief investigation by the Pender County Sheriff's Office Special Victims Unit and the Support Division School Resource Officer Unit. According to a post on the Pender County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, on Wednesday officers charged Antonio DeJesus Martinez Hernandez, 30, with...
Croatan hands Dixon first league loss of season 8-7, snapping Bulldogs' 16-game winning streak
OCEAN — The Croatan and Dixon softball game on Thursday night had a little bit of everything. Dixon (16-4 overall) entered the game on a 16-game winning streak and stood undefeated in 3A Coastal Conference play with a 7-0 mark.
NEW INFO: Troopers now say light-colored SUV killed woman in Carteret Co. hit-and-run
CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) - State troopers now say a light-colored SUV struck and killed a woman Friday night in one Eastern Carolina county. Cierra Bergins, of Sneads Ferry, was walking when she was hit on Tootle Road, just outside of Morehead City, around 8:20 p.m. The Highway Patrol originally...
Camp Lejeune confirms Marine was killed in parachute accident last week
CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) - Camp Lejeune now says a Marine who died last week was in a parachute mishap. Sgt. Colin Arslanbas died late Thursday night in Carteret County. The Marine was part of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit’s Composite Unit Training Exercise. The Naval Safety Command says...
Police seek public's help to identify vehicle break-in suspect
The Onslow County Sheriff's Office is requesting the public's help in identifying a person of interest regarding a vehicle break-in and larceny incident. Law enforcement say the incident happened on March 20 in the Palisades Apartment Complex in Sneads Ferry. Police obtained video surveillance that shows an unknown male using a stolen credit card at the Scotchman Exxon on Highway 24 / Highway 172 around 5:11 in the morning.
Family reacts to sentencing of man who killed toddler in 2020
JACKSONVILLE, Onslow County — A former Camp Lejeune Navy Corpsman was sentenced to 10 to 13 years in prison for the second-degree murder of his fiancé's two-year-old daughter, with the family claiming justice was not served. Ricardo Montesinos maintained an emotionless expression both as the judge read his...
Family of slain roommate reacts to convicted murderer's sentencing
JACKSONVILLE, Onslow County — The victim's family shared their thoughts after a murder sentencing on Wednesday. A judge sentenced a Jacksonville woman, Melissa Tobarsalas to up to 32 years in prison. She pled guilty to murdering her roommate, 68-year-old James Nuell in 2021. After waiting for two and half...
Restaurants, coastal organizations highlight importance of recycling oyster shells
SURF CITY, N.C. (WECT) - In the state of North Carolina, it is actually illegal to just throw away your oyster shells. They need to be recycled and there are plenty of places to do that after your next oyster roast at home. If you’re eating out at a restaurant,...
Vote: StarNews Student of the Week April 29-May 3
The latest nominations for the StarNews Student of the Week are in, and now it's time for you to pick the best of the best. Participating high school principals, teachers and guidance counselors in New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender counties nominated students they say have shown outstanding academic achievement and made a difference in their schools and communities.
Hampstead man sentenced after attempted purchase of shotgun as a felon
NEW HANOVER COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) - A man was found guilty of firearm offenses after an attempted purchase of a shotgun from a local pawn shop. Michael Vaughn, 51, of Hampstead was charged with attempted possession of firearm by convicted felon and providing materially false information to a firearms dealer. He was sentenced to 8-19 months in prison and 36 months of supervised probation.
Woman charged in 2021 murder of roommate pleads guilty, is sentenced
JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — The woman charged with killing her roommate in 2021 pleaded guilty on Wednesday to second-degree murder. Melissa Tobarsalas was arrested on Oct. 3, 2021, and charged with the murder of James Wesley Nuell, 68. Signs of a physical altercation were found and an investigation began, which initially led to her being […]
Family reacts to sentencing of man who killed toddler in 2020
JACKSONVILLE, Onslow County — A former Camp Lejeune Navy Corpsman was sentenced to 10 to 13 years in prison for the second-degree murder of his fiancé's two-year-old daughter, with the family claiming justice was not served. Ricardo Montesinos maintained an emotionless expression both as the judge read his...
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