Local

By Gary Popp

Wilmington, NC – A series of meetings centered on payday lending services kicks off in Myrtle Beach Thursday night.

South Carolina lawmakers called for the town hall meetings as a way to inform the public about these high interest loans.

The South Carolina AARP's Patrick Cobb says he hopes feedback from these meetings will inform state legislation.

By Gary Popp

Wilmington, NC – Representatives from the North Carolina Attorney General's office will be in Wilmington today to talk with area seniors about how to detect scams.

The event will cover topics ranging from identity theft, mail and charity fraud, and investment scams.

North Carolina Attorney General Cooper says this will be an opportunity for seniors to gather a wealth of information for those looking to ward off scam artists.

By Gary Popp

Wilmington, NC – To commemorate those lost on 9/11 UNCW students held an all day public ceremony on campus on the five-year anniversary.

More than 3,000 American flags were placed on the campus commons lawn. Events organizers say early in the morning nearly 200 students and residents gathered to remember the victims of 9/11.

Ceremony organizer and student Brian Pate, says even a retired NYC fire fighter arrived with his family to remember the day's events.

By Megan V. Williams

Wilmington, NC – The new resolution creates a $500 annual fee for companies operating water taxis from docks along Water Street. Until now, the city had no formal licensing process for boat tours. Parks and Recreation director Gary Shell says he's had two recent inquiries from people interested in starting water taxi services.

Cape Fear Riverboats, which operates the Captain Moffitt and the Henrietta III, is the only company currently using Wilmington's floating docks.

By Catherine M. Welch

Wilmington, NC – The University of North Carolina, Wilmington is expanding programs across the campus and welcoming a record number of students. All while trying to maintain an intimate feel and compete to hold on to faculty.

WHQR's Catherine Welch sat down with UNCW Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo to talk about the university's future.

By Catherine M. Welch

Wilmington, NC – The University of North Carolina, Wilmington is expanding programs across the campus and welcoming a record number of students. All while trying to maintain an intimate feel and compete to hold on to faculty.

WHQR's Catherine Welch talked with UNCW Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo to talk about the university's future.

UNCW open its doors to a record number of students this fall, about 12,000 with a freshman class of under 2,000.

By Catherine M. Welch

Wilmington, NC – The Pender County Office of Emergency Management is beefing up staff as it waits to see whether more rain will push the Northeast Cape Fear River even higher over its banks.

Emergency Management Director Eddie King says he's staffing the 911 Center and putting two water rescue vessels on stand by through Thursday. That's when the National Weather Service predicts the river will rise to more than 17 feet, more than 7 feet over the flood stage.

By Megan V. Williams

Burgaw, NC – The river crested near Burgaw at 16-1/2 feet, exceeding forecasters' predictions. The river isn't expected to recede below flood level until Saturday.

Overflow from the Northeast Cape Fear has closed a section of Highway 53 near I-40, flooding surrounding homes and driving out most residents. On duty at the edge of the water, North Carolina Wildlife Commission Sergeant David Jordan said his big concern on this holiday is recreational boaters.

By Catherine M. Welch

Wilmington, NC – All eyes are on the Northeast Cape Fear River this morning in Pender County where the river is expected to surpass the flood stage by five feet.

The National Weather Service says the Northeast Cape Fear River around Burgaw is predicted to reach 15-and-a-half feet Monday, more than five feet above flood stage.

Mark Bacon is a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Wilmington.

By Megan V. Williams

New Orleans, LA – WHEN JUNE WISCHLER RETURNED TO NEW ORLEANS THIS SPRING A LITTLE BIT OF WILMINGTON CAME WITH HER.

"My plants, my beautiful plants from Wilmington. The one, see the spider plant? My neighbor had a beautiful one like that and she gave me one of the little pups, so that's longevity right there."