Local

By Catherine M. Welch

Wilmington, NC – UNCW's Assistant Men's Basketball coach has resigned after a little more than three months on the job.

Chuck Benson says he's leaving for an assistant coaching job at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson, Tennessee.

Back in April, Benson was the first hire by Seahawks head coach Benny Moss.

By Catherine M. Welch

Wilmington, NC – Governor Mike Easley says he will sign legislation removing specific goals for the North Carolina Department of Transportation when it comes to contracting work out to minority and women-owned businesses.

The North Carolina Black Leadership Caucus is urging Easley to veto the bill, which removes the 10% and 5% goals for contracting work out to minority and women-own businesses.

Wilmington, NC – Governor Mike Easley signed the landfill moratorium into law in a room at Cape Fear Community College overlooking Brunswick county, site of one of the state's most contentious waste disposal battles.

The proposed Hugo Neu landfill in Navassa is one of five applications statewide frozen by the law.

Easley says while some of the projects may have merit, the state needs more time to develop a coherent policy on proposed landfills.

By Carrie Wellman

Wilmington, NC – Passengers flying out of Wilmington International Airport should expect heightened security due to an alleged terrorist plot in London to blow up U.S.-bound planes.

Although Wilmington is not a national hub, airport director Jon Rosborough says increased security precautions are underway at ILM.

He says cars are prohibited from lingering at the curb for pick-ups and drop offs, and beefed up security inside the airport may slow down the boarding process.

By Catherine M. Welch

Wilmington, NC – The University of North Carolina, Wilmington launched a new program delivering graduate science courses for middle and high school science teachers.

It's the first program in the state focused on giving science teachers a boost in knowledge.

The courses are open to current teachers, professionals from the science field moving into teaching jobs, and graduate students working toward a teaching degree.

By Megan V. Williams

ICW, New Hanover County – The radio on detective Morrissette's console blares out the normal chaos of law enforcement - attempted break-ins, car crashes, and fights. But those troubles are a world away from the sparking waves of Mott's Channel off Wrightsville beach. Where Morrissette's attention is currently on a pair of dolphins cresting in the shallows.

By Carrie Wellman

Wilmington, NC – An intense thunderstorm roared through southeastern North Carolina late Tuesday afternoon, leaving flooded streets, power outages, and fallen trees in its path.

Wind gusts reached 49 mph, and more than two inches of rain pelted rush hour traffic as the quick, hard-hitting system rolled through Wilmington.

Progress Energy says 6,700 homes were without power, but crews had most of the lights back on within 45 minutes.

By Catherine M. Welch, Megan Williams

Wilmington, NC – The Department of Health and Human Services has refused an application to turn Southport's Fort Johnston into a homeless shelter.

The decision released Monday blocks Fellowship Deliverance Ministries of Georgia from taking over the waterfront property.

An HHS spokesperson says it declined the application because the group failed to explain how it would staff the shelter, provide services and manage the property while out of state.

By Catherine M. Welch

Wilmington, NC – Work will soon begin to replace the control system on the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge.

The state has now awarded a $5.4 million dollar contract on work that will begin later this month, and wrap up 18 months from now.

The control system lifts the bridge for river traffic.

Lannie Wilson of the North Carolina Board of Transportation says this is the first electrical upgrade for the 37-year-old lift span bridge.

By Catherine M. Welch

Wilmington, NC – Wilmington's Good Shepherd Ministries says its food pantry is getting bare.

Executive Director Katrina Knight says the supply usually gets thin around October, but a growing demand along with the newly added dinner meal has caused the agency to run low earlier.

She says short supplies hit all food agencies in the summer when people are on vacation and out of their usual routines.