Archive - Apr 7, 2011

A judge today set a $500,000 bond for Allen "Frog" Strickland, the Columbus County teen accused of vandalizing the law office and home of Sen. R.C. Soles over the weekend among other offenses. Within 90 minutes of the hearing ending, Strickland was already out of the Columbus County jail, according to a booking officer, who said a local bail bond company posted the bond. Full story...

"Pirate Nation" is strong in Wilmington despite the presence of UNCW. In fact Wilmington is one of East Carolina's largest alumni bases. Football coach Ruffin McNeill stopped into town on Thursday to visit members of the Wilmington Pirate Club. Full story...

A member of the Tar Heel Fire Department has died from injuries suffered in a car accident on the way to an emergency. Bladen County Fire Marshal Bradley Kinlaw said the firefighter was David Hunsinger Jr., the son of Tar Heel Fire Chief David Hunsinger Sr. Full story...

The Coast Guard Cutter Diligence has some company along the riverfront this weekend. The tall ship Lynx arrived in Wilmington this afternoon. Full story...

The Coast Guard Cutter Diligence is in port and open to the public this weekend for the Azalea Festival. Full story...

Ilario Pantano claims the president of a puppy rescue group is harassing him and his family and has thrust his Labradoodle puppies into a political battle. Full story...

WWAY's mobile app for Blackberry joins the iPhone and Android versions that rolled out earlier this year. Full story...

Queen Azalea Heather French Henry's grand tour of Wilmington today included a visit to the Battleship North Carolina for the 70th anniversary of its commissioning and 50th anniversary of coming to the Port City. But the real celebrities of the event were the men who served our country aboard the battleship during World War II. Full story...

For years Wilmington residents have wanted a Whole Foods grocery store. Today it appears the upscale, natural food grocery store is on its way - reports the Greater Wilmington Business Journal. Whole Foods will enter the Wilmington market in 2012 or 2013, according to two sources with knowledge of the deal. The store will be located in the space currently occupied by Lowe’s Foods on Oleander Drive next to Independence Mall, one of the sources said. Lowe’s is scheduled to close this Saturday. Full story...

It's a celebration 200 years in the making. Today Whiteville residents got together to celebrate the town's bicentennial. Full story...

Danny McBride, star of HBO's "Eastbound & Down," gives a sneak peak at Season 3. The first season was filmed mostly in Wilmington. Full story...

UNCW is heading back to court. A federal court of appeals ruled to send Dr. Mike Adams's lawsuit against the UNCW back to court to settle his First Amendment retaliation claim. Full story...

The city’s downtown on-street parking will be free starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 8, and all day on Saturday, April 9 for Azalea Festival activities. Full story...

The 58th Annual Azalea Garden Tour starts tomorrow morning at Greenfield Lake. Along the landmark's banks is a tranquil spot. Full story...

Historic homes come in many different styles and all sizes. You can find them all over our town, and see several on this weekend's Historic Home Tour. Each home has its own story and its own personality. The Thomas C. Miller House is no exception. Full story...