Local

By Megan V. Williams

Wilmington, NC – Wilmington International Airport is dreaming of a crowded Christmas.

Since US Airways announced fare cuts earlier this month, ticket sales out of ILM have increased 11%. The move dropped up the price of walk-up tickets by up to 43%, advance sales are up to 36% cheaper.

Airport Director Jon Rosborough believes US Airways' announcement may have caused some people to change their holiday travel plans.

By Gary Popp

Wilmington, NC – A UNCW student is trying to persuade the university into bringing a Wilmington coffee shop onto campus.

The university is looking to open a coffee shop inside the Randall Library. Graduate student David Harris-Gershon caught wind of the plan and started circulating a petition to bring in Folk's Caf .

More than 700 people have signed the online petition,and Harris-Gershon says opening up the campus to a local coffee shop could boost the university's ties to the community.

By Megan V. Williams

Bolivia, NC – The Brunswick County Sheriff's Department says 80-year-old Lillian Hickman fought back when four masked and gloved men broke down her door Sunday night. The men originally tried to bind Hickman with duct tape, before deciding to lock her in a bathroom, where she called 911 while they robbed her house. Sheriff's officers arrived shortly after the robbers fled with Hickman's purse.

Hickman was left with a black eye from being struck with her door as the men forced their way inside, but did not go to the hospital.

By Megan V. Williams

Wilmington, NC – The vote came down to 4-4, with mayor Ray Pennington breaking the tie in favor of accepting a $1.5 million loan to fund renovations to the Center.

Civic Center Executive Director Richard Scieford estimate nearly 50 people showed up to support his group.

By Catherine M. Welch

Wilmington, NC – District Attorney Ben David says he will continue to seek criminal charges against a former New Hanover County deputy involved in the shooting death of an 18-year-old suspect.

David refused to say what charges he will pursue but says the case against former New Hanover County deputy Christopher Long remains open.

On Tuesday a superior court judge quashed an indictment of second-degree murder after the grand jury foreman testified that he marked the wrong box.

By Megan V. Williams

Wilmington, NC – Thick black mud squelches away from the treads of the city's recently-acquired swamp buggy as it jolts along the watery track use to keep an eye on several thousand feet of troubled sewer line near Hewlett's Creek.

In their now-daily patrols of the line, utilities workers have spotted woodpeckers, hawks, and myriad animal tracks back among the trees.

By Gary Popp

Wilmington, NC – Construction on the new Wilmington Police headquarters is just about done.

The city says the $24-million building has come in under budget.

In January the police department will move from its Red Cross Street location to the new building on Bess Street. Police Chief Ralph Evangelous says the new headquarters will offer more for Wilmington's law enforcers.

By Catherine M. Welch

Wilmington, NC – The Wilmington City Council passed a uniform zoning plan last night for along the Cape Fear River.

The zoning plan known as the Riverfront Mixed Use District applies to riverfront property except for inside Wilmington's Central Business District.

If developers opt into the zoning plan they must fulfill certain requirements, including public access to the waterfront.

Critics of the plan, such as Residents of Old Wilmington President Alice Mitchell, object to height allowances of 15 stories.

By Catherine M. Welch

Wilmington, NC – Cape Fear Community College says it will open up a branch in Surf City next year.

The new Pender County branch will open in January and offer eleven courses.

Surf City mayor Zander Guy says right now coastal residents seeking community college classes have to drive to either Jacksonville or Wilmington.

Guy says plans are in the works to create a larger campus.

He says Surf City is now working on the bane of every college's existence - parking.

By Catherine M. Welch

Wilmington, NC – A revised indictment out of the clerk of courts office shows the foreman of the grand jury checked the wrong box when issuing an indictment of second-degree murder against a former New Hanover County Deputy.

Documents attached to the revised indictment show members of the grand jury called the foreman Monday night after watching media reports that former New Hanover County deputy Christopher Long had been indicted on second-degree murder.