Local

By Catherine M. Welch

Wilmington, NC – Wilmington's Thalian Association is on its way to becoming the official community theater of North Carolina.

Legislation designating Thalian Association as the state's official community theater has cleared both the House and Senate.

Thalian Association Executive Director Tom Briggs calls the designation an honor.

Clearly we have a lot to live up to know, and we're looking forward to that challenge.

By Catherine M. Welch

Wilmington, NC – Brunswick County is hopping aboard the SABLE helicopter program.

The Wilmington and Leland Police Departments and the Pender County Sheriff's Department are already sharing the helicopter.

The chopper came to the area as part of a federal program that turns over surplus helicopters to local law enforcement. Wilmington Police Chief Ralph Evangelous says each department shares the operating cost.

By Peter Biello

Wilmington, NC – Leland Middle School is discussing a new program for at-risk boys. If approved, the program would support a dozen seventh and eighth grade boys struggling with academic and behavioral problems. Assistant Principal Tracey Coston says the program will teach the same curriculum, but with special attention paid to practical knowledge.

By Peter Biello

Wilmington, NC – The National Hurricane Center is urging residents of coastal states to prepare for a busy storm season. According to a Mason-Dixon poll, 53-percent of coastal residents say they do not feel vulnerable to a hurricane. But Michelle Ubben, spokesperson for the National Hurricane Survival Initiative, says all residents of coastal states should be prepared. She says after a quiet 2006 season, people have been lulled into a sense of complacency, which could be dangerous.

By Catherine M. Welch

Wilmington, NC – Abandoned cottages, bungalows and shotgun homes are on this year's Most Threatened list out of the Historic Wilmington Foundation.

Many of the homes were built between the Civil War and Great Depression. Historic Wilmington Foundation Director George Edwards says historic officials in Wilmington receive up to four requests a month to demolish these kinds of homes. Edwards says keeping these homes ensures diverse neighborhoods.

By Megan V. Williams

Wilmington, NC – In the past few weeks, the news in New Hanover County has been full of sewer bans, sewer expansions, and sewer consolidation. To help sort out the situation, county manager Bruce Shell recently took WHQR through the basics.
*****

Wilmington Sewer Primer: From A to Z

By Megan V. Williams

Wilmington, NC – Welcome to the WHQR whirlwind tour of the Wilmington sewer system. We'll be covering all the biggies: the Northeast Interceptor and the Special Order of Consent, the moratorium and the consolidation. More on all that in a moment. We start, simply enough, with what goes where underground.

By Catherine M. Welch

Wilmington, NC – If you know a young adult who has always wanted to take to the seas, the Captain of the Prince William has a job for them.

Tall ship from Portsmouth, UK seeking North Carolina resident between 16 and 25-years-old to share a ten-day voyage to Norfolk, Virginia.

Sound interesting?

Well, the promoters of the Prince William announced Tuesday that they're seeking young adults to replenish the crew.

By Catherine M. Welch

Wilmington, NC – After hearing about a possible update to WAVE Transit's bus routes, WHQR News Director Catherine Welch decided to see how well the current system fit into her schedule.

By Catherine M. Welch

Wilmington, NC – On Capitol Hill, a veteran's bill sponsored by Congressman Mike McIntyre was passed unanimously in the House.

The bill sponsored by McIntyre will give veterans offices in communities across the country funds to target veterans who have been having problems finding out if they are eligible to benefits.

McIntyre says this will be especially helpful to veterans in areas where services are not easy to access.