StarNews

The Fuzzy Peach, the Wilmington-based frozen yogurt chain, said Monday it had signed franchise agreements for stores in South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Arkansas and West Virginia. Full story...

A fire Sunday morning destroyed a Wilmington duplex in the 400 block of Rutledge Drive. Full story...

Project HEAL, a nonprofit organization that funds scholarships for eating disorder treatment, is hosting a screening of the documentary "Someday Melissa." Full story...

For more than 146 years, the StarNews has been the news leader in Southeastern North Carolina. Our reporters and editors are regularly honored with state, regional and national awards for quality journalism. They are recognized for in-depth local coverage, investigative reporting and innovative approaches to bringing you the latest news, business, sports and culture. Full story...

A teacher has filed a grievance to the New Hanover County Board of Education against New Hanover High School Principal Todd Finn, saying that she feels like she is working in an environment of "abuse and harassment." Full story...

A bond referendum to expand and renovate New Hanover County schools may take longer to appear before voters than originally thought. Full story...

A shooting in Navassa left one man with a bullet wound to the hip. Brunswick County dispatch received a call around 6:30 Thursday that a person had been shot in the 500 block of Plum Street. Full story...

The UNCW athletic department will receive a much-needed financial boost in the 2013-14 academic year. Earlier this month, the UNC Board of Governors approved an athletics fee increase that will funnel an additional $1.2 million into the UNCW athletic budget. Full story...

Bob Gruber, publisher of StarNews Media, will now also oversee the Jacksonville Daily News, JDNews.com and other publications produced by Jacksonville. The StarNews and the Daily News are both owned by Halifax Media Group. Full story...

The New Hanover County Alcohol Beverage Control Board is requesting a significant salary increase for its board members, proposing a doubling of the chairman's monthly compensation to $300 and a $100 increase – to $250 a month – for the board's four other members. Full story...

As the 18-year-old had sex with man after man - 34 in all over a four-day-period - Alexandrea Berte collected the money. Berte, 20, pleaded guilty Wednesday to a federal criminal charge in connection with her involvement in an interstate sex-trafficking scheme that set up makeshift brothels in Wilmington and Winston-Salem. The charge carries a maximum of 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine, according to court documents. Full story...

A new cold storage facility at the Port of Wilmington could help North Carolina catch up to its surrounding states while creating about 110 jobs. Full story...

To Ashley High School teacher Sandra Cecelski, marine science is about more than "fish and whales and things." And with the creation of a new marine science-focused academy in New Hanover County Schools, she's going to help students dive into the subject. Full story...

Four groups in Southeastern North Carolina say they want to open charter schools in the 2014-15 school year – a move that, if approved, would more than double the number of charter schools in the area. Full story...

Consideration of another Cape Fear River crossing is sputtering into gear, and on Wednesday the project was given a healthy shove by the region's Transportation Advisory Committee. Full story...