Local

The county board called a special meeting on Monday morning to discuss the latest CDC guidance in light of the spread of the Delta variant of Covid-19. The board recommended mandatory vaccines for 'eligible' county employees — and testing and masks for the unvaccinated.

The statues, which date back to 1909 and 1922, were erected during the Jim Crow period by the Daughters of the Confederacy. State law protects them from being removed — but the City of Wilmington found a legal loophole and voted to take them down, with one vocal holdout.

The Delta variant of COVID has made its way to the Cape Fear region, even as vaccinations hover at 50%. With cases on the rise, public health officials are struggling to convince residents to get a shot.

There is no shortage of government meetings this week, dealing with everything from new CDC guidance on masks to rezonings and naming rights for the city's Riverfront Park venue.

New Hanover County has partnered with Cape Fear Collective to distribute $700,000 in American Rescue Plan funding to local non-profits. An awards committee will review applications with an eye towards Covid-related work.

Caroline Morin-Gage is the new executive director of the LGBTQ Center of the Cape Fear Coast. The nonprofit, formerly known as the Frank Harr Foundation, works to create a fun and safe environment for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.

The Guardian ad Litem program is faced with losing a supervisor position due to a major deficit in a federal grant program. Though a federal bill was passed last week to rebuild the fund, and the gap in funding could be covered in the state budget in the meantime, local officials have been preparing for the loss.

The incident took place earlier this month. Two sisters claimed a man and his girlfriend violently assaulted him; the couple, who declined to be interviewed, told police that they were the victims. Police say they were unable to find any third-party witnesses or other evidence, leading them to drop the case.

After hearing a series of public comments — mostly opposed — the Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization voted 7-5 to reject the further exploration of an 'unsolicited proposal' to privatize the operation of a replacement bridge. That leaves the future of the Cape Fear Memorial in serious question but, for now, rules out a toll bridge.

The New Hanover County Sheriff‘s Office along with the District Attorney held a press briefing Wednesday, July 28, 2021, to discuss Saturday’s double homicide from Providence Road. The families of the victims were there — and said they wanted those with information to come forward.