Local

By Megan V. Williams

Wilmington, NC – North Carolina lawmakers may take the power of permitting landfills away from local governments.

The state is halfway through a one-year moratorium on new landfill construction.

State Representative Carolyn Justice says as part of the ban, the Assembly's Environmental Review Commission is looking at how to change landfill permitting and regulation.

Justice is on the Commission and says the state has been slow to regulate small dumps in the past.

By Megan V. Williams

Wilmington, NC – Wilmington and the owners of the Water Street parking deck are headed back to the negotiating table, again.

The City Council voted last night to restart negotiations with PB&G about the development of its river-view property. The city's original contract with developer Gene Merritt has already gone through four amendments.

By Megan V. Williams

Wilmington, NC – Wilmington's proposed Convention Center has a manager. City Council members Tuesday night approved a five-year contract with the nation's largest convention center management company, SMG of Philadelphia.

City documents show an arrangement in which Wilmington pays SMG a slowly increasing management fee, starting at $100,00 the first year, and going up 3.5% every year after.

Aditionally, SMG may earn an annual incentive fee based on the center's success.

By Megan V. Williams

Wilmington, NC – "Great cities have great parks" - that's the rallying cry of many downtown park supporters. But so far, the city hasn't figured out how to translate such ideals into actual grass and trees. For Parks and Recreation Director Gary Shell, the problem comes down to price.

By Catherine M. Welch

Wilmington, NC – New Hanover County commissioners are expected to decide during their February 5th meeting whether a portion of River Road can be moved to clear the way for a massive development planned for along the Cape Fear River.

Back in 1999, New Hanover County Commissioners re-zoned a nearly 1,400 acre parcel of land for what was then a planned community with 33-hundred homes.

The property has changed hands and now Developer Newland Communities is drawing up plans for a smaller community.

By Catherine M. Welch

Wilmington, NC – New Hanover County commissioners are expected to decide during their February 5th meeting whether a portion of River Road can be moved to clear the way for a massive development planned for along the Cape Fear River. Last week we heard from the county and an ecologist working for the developer.

Back in 1999, New Hanover County Commissioners re-zoned a nearly 1,400 acre parcel of land for what was then a planned community with 33-hundred homes.

By Catherine M. Welch

Wilmington, NC – The annual Martin Luther King Jr. parade rolled down Castle Street in Wilmington Monday, just one of several events marking Dr. King's legacy.

Spectator Bob Thomas says he came to the parade because he believes it's important to celebrate the work of Martin Luther King Jr.

By Megan Williams

Wilmington, NC – Dozens of Police officers were called to 11th and Castle Streets a little after 4pm Monday in response to a fight in progress.

Arriving at the intersection, Wilmington PD Sergeant Duan Ford described what he called a "scary scene" -- the street completely packed with a shifting crowd of onlookers, gathered around the fighters.

By Megan V. Williams

Wilmington, NC – Honks of support and shouted opposition met the half-dozen protesters who stood at the intersection of College and Oleander Sunday with signs urging an end to the war in Iraq.

Wilmington Peace Meetup last demonstrated at this location nearly three years ago. Organizer Steve Lee said the time and place were picked to attract the attention of passing churchgoers

By Megan V. Williams and Catherine Welch

Wilmington, NC – Plans for a new hospital on Market Street... Proposals for a Park in downtown Wilmington... and a stinging surprise on Surf City beaches... all this and more in WHQR's Week in Review.

On Monday night, New Hanover County Commissioners cleared the way for a medical complex in Scott's Hill.

A group of doctors is backing the facility on 50 acres of land on Market Street near the Pender County line.