Gov. Josh Stein and NCDEQ Secretary Reid Wilson this week visited Cape Fear Public Utility Authority’s Sweeney Water Treatment Plant in Wilmington, where they announced a $17.8 million grant from the state to support the replacement and capacity upgrade of one of the utility’s reclamation facilities.
New Hanover County
Construction to resume on I-140 stretch in Brunswick County
Contractors for the N.C. Department of Transportation will resume work on a 6-mile stretch of 1-140 beginning Monday.
CRC OKs bigger sandbag structures at Figure Eight properties
The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission recently granted a variance that allows several Figure Eight Island property owners to have larger than typically allowed sandbag revetments installed along their waterfront properties to hold back erosion.
Vote to name new otter pups at NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher
The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is getting out the vote on names for three otter pups born in December.
Valentine’s Day tree giveaway set for downtown Wilmington
Alliance for Cape Fear Trees will share the love this Valentine’s Day by giving away more than 1,000 native species of trees.
Controlled burn planned for Wilmington park
Between now and early March, the North Carolina Forest Service will conduct a controlled burn of a portion of Halyburton Park in Wilmington as part of an ongoing project to restore longleaf pine habitat.
Millions marked for port, short-line freight rail upgrades
North Carolina Department of Transportation Rail Division officials have announced $16.3 million for freight rail infrastructure improvements that include coastal lines and state port facilities.
Division OKs Corps’ request to pause state consistency review
The N.C. Division of Coastal Management has granted a request by the Corps of Engineers to indefinitely pause the division’s review of whether the proposed project conforms with state coastal management program laws, regulations and policies.
Fort Fisher to observe anniversary of capture during Civil War
During the commemoration Jan. 17, living history displays, artifact highlights and family activities are planned as well as artillery demonstrations.
Annual TreeFest in Wilmington set for Jan. 16-17
The 28th annual TreeFest in Wilmington is scheduled for Jan. 16-17 at the JCPenney atrium in the Independence Mall, where more than a dozen species are expected to be available.
New Hanover decoration recycling program to begin Dec. 26
Live Christmas tree disposal services, many free of charge, are being offered in areas of the lower Cape Fear Region after Christmas day through to January.
Brunswick Nuclear Plant’s sirens to be tested next month
The first quarterly test of Duke Energy’s Brunswick Nuclear Plant sirens is scheduled for Jan. 7.
New Hanover County agrees to purchase, preserve 28 acres
Commissioners have unanimously agreed to a $2.24 million deal that includes two undeveloped tracts across from downtown Wilmington that will remain preserved from development once they are county-owned.
Opponents say river water transfer puts Cape Fear in peril
Fuquay-Varina seeks to transfer 6.17 million gallons per day from the Cape Fear River Basin to the Neuse River Basin to meet the Piedmont town’s projected water demands.
A brief reprieve isn’t lasting protection: Our fight continues
Opinion: While the Department of Interior has excluded the entire Atlantic Coast from its current drilling program — a result of decades of tireless local opposition — it is time to demand permanent legislative protection for our waters before the threat returns in the next five-year cycle.
DOT sets hearing about Independence Boulevard extension
N.C. Department of Transportation officials will take comments and answer questions at an open house before a public hearing scheduled for Monday on the proposed Independence Boulevard extension project in Wilmington.
