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 County
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.
State sites offer holiday programs with a little history, education
The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources has a full schedule of holiday events taking place across the state, several of which in eastern North Carolina.
UNCW center awarded grant for flood planning, resilience
The Endowment, established from New Hanover County’s sell of New Hanover Regional Medical Center to Novant Health in 2020, has awarded a $500,000 grant to UNCW’s Center for Marine Science to help enhance flood safety and resilience efforts in the county.
Tuscarora War, hazel eyes: Researcher traces tribe’s lineage
There were numerous factors at play that sparked the Tuscarora War in 1711, historian and descendent Dr. Arwin Smallwood explains the tensions among the tribe that inhabited much of eastern North Carolina and the influx of colonists.
Carnivore blooms
A Venus flytrap shows off its perhaps little-appreciated blooms, which are often overlooked, as compared with the other, better-known, insect-trapping attributes of this carnivorous plant that’s native only to a roughly 90-mile stretch of the North Carolina coast between Wilmington and Morehead City. Photo: Mark Hibbs
Wilmington residents see no good in proposed harbor project
None of the proposed alternatives for the State Ports Authority’s plan to accommodate larger container ships at the Wilmington port would boost the local economy and any benefit would be offset by environmental costs, public hearing attendees said.
Carolina Beach nourishment project kicks off this weekend
Carolina Beach’s federally authorized beach nourishment project scheduled to begin this weekend is expected to continue for the next four to five weeks, depending on the weather.
State accepting comments on proposed harbor dredging
The deadline is Dec. 5 to submit comments to NCDEQ’s Division of Coastal Management on the proposed project to widen and deepen the Wilmington Harbor.
Cape Fear nonprofit writes how-to on growing tree canopies
The Wilmington-based Alliance for Cape Fear Trees has released a 45-page guide to help local governments grow greener, healthier canopies.
Coastal storm brings ocean overwash, erosion to NC beaches
The nor’easter that swept up the East Coast last weekend continues to cause headaches along areas of the Outer Banks, where road crews continue to work to reopen portions of N.C. 12.

















