Local

For the first time, all Brunswick County elementary students can enjoy a free, daily breakfast at school. Last semester, kids qualified for either free, reduced or paid meals, depending on their families’ economic situations. Thanks to some state and federal reimbursement, as well as a unanimous School Board decision, the most important meal of the day is now an equal-opportunity affair. While few students took advantage of breakfast when school resumed last Thursday, WHQR’s Katie O’Reilly reports that the school district expects participation to take off this week.

Wilmington may be among the first communities nationwide to pioneer a health care program integrating primary and behavioral care. New Hanover Regional Medical Center is working with Wilmington’s Coastal Horizons Center to develop a plan to divert those patients suffering mental health crises from the hospital ER to the nonprofit treatment center. Among other benefits, WHQR’s Katie O’Reilly reports that this partnership could cut down on overcrowded emergency room traffic.

It’s time to renew those resolutions to eat wisely and move more. Since 2007, five local companies have been helping their employees realize these goals—with help from the American Heart Association’s Fit-Friendly Workplace Program. These worksites receive resources and guidance from the Association to help create a culture of wellness. And 2014 is looking to be an especially healthy year—WHQR’s Katie O’Reilly reports that four additional local employers are jumping on the Fit-Friendly bandwagon.

Today is the last chance to pay the usual admission to movies, museums and cultural events. Effective New Year’s Day, the State General Assembly is imposing a 4.75% privilege tax on admission to such entertainment—which includes a host of nonprofit events.

Charitable giving in North Carolina is down compared to last year. 

College students will fork over a little more money for food on campus in 2014.  Starting January 1st, one school exemption for institutions of higher education goes away.

Even though City of Wilmington offices are closed until December 27th, trash service will run on a regular schedule.   Here are a few useful reminders for that post-holiday trash.

Nonprofits around the region are grappling with the meaning of changes to state tax laws that go into effect January 1st. 

Non-profits in the Cape Fear region are scrambling to figure out what changes to state tax laws will mean for them. 

The first attempt to recover the Bald Head Island ferry that slammed into a sand bar yesterday has failed.  At 10:30 AM, which was high tide Wednesday morning, crews tried to re-float the 64-foot passenger vessel “Adventure”.