Wilmington North Carolina News

Campus clean-up nears $140 million after Hurricane Florence WILMINGTON — As rebuilding continues at the University of North Carolina Wilmington after Hurricane Florence, campus leaders are trying to take future storms into account. Chancellor Jose Sartarelli gave an update on recovery efforts at Thursday’s Board of Trustees meeting. A preliminary cost estimate came to $139.6 million campus-wide, with $59.1 million of that coming from the storm’s damage to science building Dobo Hall alone. Vice Chancellor for Business…

MEXICO BEACH, Fla. (AP) — More than a week after Hurricane Michael slammed into the Florida Panhandle, authorities are reporting three more deaths from the Category 4 storm as residents returning to their homes try to piece together their lives from the rubble left by strong winds and storm surge. Michael slammed into Florida’s Panhandle with 155 mph (250 kph) winds on Oct. 10, retained hurricane-force winds as far inland as southern Georgia, and also…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter North East Volunteer Fire Department (Photo: WITN) WALLACE, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina volunteer fire department which helped save more than 100 people after Hurricane Florence says it could use some help. WITN-TV in Greenville reports the North East Volunteer Fire Department outside of Wallace in Duplin County had 5 feet of water inside its station due to Florence, and 23 of the 28 firefighters who work at the…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter People walking along riverfront in downtown Wilmington. (Photo: WWAY) WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Getting Wilmington’s tourism industry back on track after Hurricane Florence may sound like a challenge, but New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority has a plan. A presentation was held at the Wilmington Convention Center Wednesday morning. – Advertisement – Tourism Development Authority President Kim Hufham says part of the game plan includes promoting positive stories of…

‘Return to Tree Hill’ will be be held this weekend at the Wilmington Convention Center WILMINGTON — For a few days in September, it seemed as though Hurricane Florence would wash out what has proven to be one of the city’s most lucrative new attractions — the “One Tree Hill” fan convention. Held bi-annually at the Wilmington Convention Center and organized by EyeCon Conventions, the event brings together stars of The CW’s locally filmed series…

Lee looking to stave off challenge from Peterson NEW HANOVER COUNTY — Until early October, as the region prepared for and then dealt with the impact of Hurricane Florence, the race between N.C. Sen. Michael Lee and challenger Harper Peterson had been mostly civil, focused on issues and free of direct negative attack ads between the candidates. The gloves have since come off. Some outside groups had attacked Lee, a Republican appointed in 2014, beginning…

By Hunter Ingram StarNews Staff Tuesday Oct 16, 2018 at 10:48 PM Oct 16, 2018 at 10:48 PM Wilmington City Council approved $8.5 million in Hurricane Florence recovery unding for debris cleanup, repairs and employee compensation. WILMINGTON — The city is digging a little deeper into its pockets to approve more Hurricane Florence recovery funding. At their meeting Tuesday, the Wilmington City Council unanimously approved $8.5 million in relief funding, an additional appropriation that comes two weeks after the council approved $9 million for debris cleanup efforts. In total, the city has…

The storm claimed two lives in Duplin County, and damage was so extensive in the rural county that schools are still closed.

The General Assembly is expected to take up the Hurricane Florence disaster assistance package on Monday evening. RALEIGH — State lawmakers convened Monday to approve a $794 million package of Hurricane Florence disaster relief. This would be in addition to the $56.5 million allocated by that the General Assembly and governor allocated nearly two weeks ago. Most of the money is coming from a $2 billion “rainy day fund” that the legislature has built up…

General Assembly RALEIGH, NC (AP/WWAY)  – North Carolina legislators are spending $400 million to speed up recovery from Hurricane Florence and setting aside another $450 million for upcoming needs, temporarily setting aside the sharp partisanship that’s typified government. Legislators on Monday approved a second emergency spending plan a month after Florence slammed into the state. Lawmakers set aside $50 million to match federal disaster relief funds during a special session last week. – Advertisement – The…

Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) –  For the first time since the storm, the board of the biggest event in Wilmington, the North Carolina Azalea Festival, met Monday to talk about the 2019 NC Azalea Festival. The conversation for festival committee members centered as much around the welfare of volunteers impacted by the storm as much as it was about returning to the planning board. – Advertisement – This year will…

The General Assembly is expected to take up the Hurricane Florence disaster assistance package on Monday evening. RALEIGH — State lawmakers convened Monday to approve a $794 million package of Hurricane Florence disaster relief. This would be in addition to the $56.5 million allocated by that the General Assembly and governor allocated nearly two weeks ago. Most of the money is coming from a $2 billion “rainy day fund” that the legislature has built up…

Funding moving through the House and Senate Monday night.