Sara Wood

Today the New Hanover County Department of Social Services begins accepting applications for help with heating costs for the winter. Applications will be taken until the end of March or until funding is exhausted.

During a period of terrible racial tension in Wilmington in 1972, 10 civil rights activists -- one white woman and nine African-American men -- were sentenced to prison in connection with the fire-bombing of Mike’s Grocery, a white-owned store on 6th Street in downtown Wilmington. All 10 proclaimed their innocence.

Let the traffic games begin! Grocery chain Trader Joe’s opened last Friday in Wilmington and shoppers looking for good deals may also get caught in parking gridlock.

North Carolina State Senator David Rouzer is calling for a recount in the race for the 7th congressional district. WHQR’s Sara Wood reports the republican made the announcement yesterday, which was the deadline for candidates to request a mandatory recount.

According to the most recent report from the North Carolina Labor and Economic Analysis Division, the state unemployment rate decreased in October. WHQR’s Sara Wood reports it dropped slightly to 9.3 percent.

Three Carolina Beach officials resigned last night during a regularly-scheduled town council meeting. WHQR’s Sara Wood reports the resignations started with Town Manager Tim Owens.

Immediately following Owens’s resignation, Councilmember Lonnie Lashley resigned.  Then Mayor Ray Rothrock stepped down.  Rothrock says even if he stayed on council, his one vote would be futile with the three remaining members.

Last night the race among the 6 New Hanover County commission candidates was close. Voters elected two new commissioners and brought back a familiar face. Chairman Jonathan Barfield earned another term, while newcomer Republicans Woody White and Beth Dawson join the board. WHQR’s Sara Wood reports Dawson is the first woman elected to the commission since 2008.

Dawson captured the second highest percentage of votes, winning a seat with 18 percent. She says she plans to work hard to build consensus, even if the road ahead requires some patience.

After almost a year of negotiations and emotional debate, Wilmington’s 37-million dollar stadium referendum died last night. WHQR’s Sara Wood reports the referendum was defeated in every precinct in the City of Wilmington.

Seventy percent of voters within the City of Wilmington rejected the referendum. But both sides of the issue remained optimistic until the very end. Scott Harry with the Vote No Stadium Tax Committee says voters were heard loud and clear. And now he wants the New Hanover County Commissioners to hear their message, too.