Archive - Feb 26, 2013

A court hearing involving a pair of lawsuits over the maps drawn by Republicans for North Carolina's congressional and legislative districts is over. The panel of three Superior Court judges heard about 10 hours of testimony over two days before going home Tuesday. They didn't immediately issue rulings over whether the maps are lawful or should be struck down. It's unclear when the judges will have their decisions. Full story...

A federal judge has ordered a North Carolina poultry processor to pay a $150,000 fine for sending untreated wastewater containing blood and turkey parts directly to a city treatment plant. Full story...

Progress Energy says operators declared an "unusual event" at the Brunswick Nuclear Plant in Southport today. The power company says it was caused by a freon release from an HVAC chiller on the plant's unit 2 turbine building roof. Full story...

A new irrigation well on Westbrook Ave. and Military Cutoff Road in Wilmington is already causing problems for customers. They say it's keeping them from using the water in their homes. CFPUA says it's received multiple complaints about the quality of the water and is trying to figure out what's going on. Full story...

There are still questions tonight why a man accused of hitting and killing a woman in a suspected drunk driving crash Friday was not in jail for previous crimes. Pierre Walker had twice been convicted of DWI this month alone and was on probation in at least three counties. Full story...

We are quickly approaching the sequester deadline set to hit Friday. If the deadline hits without lawmakers reaching an agreement, the nation will be forced into billions of dollars in automatic spending cuts. Full story...

One of the two southbound lanes on Market Street in Wilmington will be closed from 9 until 11 a.m. Wednesday, weather permitting. Full story...

The Azalea Festival is almost here, and kids are already talking about their favorite part of it all through artwork. Elementary and middle schoolers submitted 286 masterpieces to the Azalea Festival Children's Art Contest. The festival recognized 32 of the young artists this morning. Full story...

The next election for US Senate in North Carolina is still more than 20 months away, but a challenger officially joins that race tomorrow in Wilmington. Full story...

Have you ever seen a hat on a moose or a bat? How about a wham-boozle or galatamarat? And who could forget about that Cat in the Hat? Dr. Seuss had a whole lot of hats, and they're on display at the Gallery at Racine. Full story...

A flipped truck caused a headache and heavy traffic this afternoon for drivers heading toward Wilmington from Brunswick County. Full story...

Family and friends said goodbye to a UNC student who died over the weekend. Stedman Gage, 22, was honored today at a memorial service at St. James Episcopal Church. Full story...

More than a week after a customer was robbed while standing in line at a Wilmington fast food restaurant, a suspect is in custody. Full story...

More than two years after fire destroyed their church, a Leland congregation is ready to rebuild. Blackwell AME Zion Church burned down in the early morning of September 19, 2010 Full story...

Last year, not a single vehicle from Honda made it onto Consumer Reports’ annual Top Picks list. This year, three models from the automaker—the Accord, CR-V and Odyssey—have earned positions in the list, which has new winners in seven of its ten categories. Two sister vehicles, the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ, tied in the Sports Cars category. Full story...