Local

By Peter Biello

Wilmington, NC – Students at Jacksonville High School have a new option if they want to prepare for the global job market.

The new International Studies Academy provides classes and fieldtrips for students interested in learning about other cultures.

ISA Director Jennifer Ricks says the sixty students currently enrolled will have opportunities to learn about new technology and interpersonal skills, which she says is what employers worldwide are looking for.

By Peter Biello

Wilmington, NC – A half-sized replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall is coming to Columbus County this fall.

The wall is one of two replicas of the Washington D.C. memorial that a small group of veterans rents to communities around the country. One of the replicas spent time in Myrtle Beach last year.

Anita Adams with the Columbus County Vietnam Veterans of America. She says the replica gives those who can't travel to see the D.C. Memorial a similar experience.

By Megan Williams and Peter Biello

Wilmington, NC – Starting today, developers and homeowners who violate North Carolina's Coastal Area Management Act will face higher penalties.

CAMA violations can range from building an unlicensed dock to dredging a waterway without a permit.

The new fines are four times higher than before, with the maximum now set at $10,000 dollars for serious violations.

This is the first CAMA fine increase in 25 years.

By Megan V. Williams

Wilmington, NC – Volunteers visited shelters and searched the woods in three counties last night, trying to capture a snapshot of the area's homeless population.

The annual homeless count helps local agencies set funding priorities for the upcoming year. Volunteers go beyond a simple head count, surveying the people they find about how and when they lost their housing.

By Peter Biello

Wilmington – Construction of a 236-acre housing and shopping development in Wilmington will pick up speed this spring, and nearby residents are bracing for the population boom.

Located off Eastwood Road, Autumn Hall will contain 500 homes and a shopping center similar to the one in Mayfaire.

Both the new houses and the shopping center have nearby residents concerned about traffic.

Jeff Thomas lives on South Cardinal Drive.

By Megan V. Williams

Wilmington, NC – Volunteers will search woods and shelters in three counties tonight, trying to capture a snapshot of the area's homeless population.

The federal government requires this annual homeless count to help local agencies set funding priorities for the upcoming year.

The Southeast Center's Anita Oldham coordinates the count. She says volunteers will visit shelters in Pender, Brunswick, and New Hanover Counties, and roughly a dozen homeless camps.

By Catherine M. Welch

Wilmington, NC – It's been on the table for nearly 20 years and now the final public meetings are taking place on the US 17 bypass in Brunswick County.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation will roll out the maps for residents Thursday night.

The Brunswick leg of the bypass stretches from US 17 just south of Leland to US 421 in New Hanover County.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation projects 94,000 vehicles traveling the road by 2025.

By Megan V. Williams

Wilmington, NC – Mayor Bill Saffo's State of the City address read something like a citywide shopping list.

In the 23-minute speech, the mayor reeled off spending projects that included $6 million to repair the Northeast Interceptor sewer line, an $8.5 million public safety training center; and four million for stormwater projects.

By Catherine M. Welch

Wilmington, NC – A March 3rd court date has been set for the criminal fraud charges filed against State Representative Thomas Wright.

The court trial was set on the same date set for a Joint Ethics Committee evidentiary hearing,the committee is also looking into Wright's campaign finances.

Wright questioned the legality of that committee but co-chair Representative Rick Glazier says it is just as important as the court trial.

By Peter Biello

Wilmington – Camp Lejeune's new base commander starts his first full day on the job Tuesday morning.

Colonel Richard Flatau took control of the Marine base at Monday's change of command ceremony. Flatau served as a commissioned officer for twenty-five years.

Base spokesperson First Lieutenant Craig Thomas says Flatau will spend his first day meeting with staff leaders to learn the state of the base.