USS Gravely Commissioning

WWAY has won five North Carolina Associated Press Broadcast News Awards. Chief Meteorologist Jerry Jackson led the way with two, including BEST WEATHER in North Carolina. Full story...

The upper part of the mast on the destroyer Gravely broke off Sunday while the warship was underway off the northern Florida coast, the US Navy has confirmed. Full story...

Together, the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County paid $50,000 to help fund the USS Gravely Commissioning. But city and county leaders say their slim budgets might not be able to support other groups looking for a boost. Full story...

Organizers for the Gravely Commissioning have turned in their "expense report" to the city and county. Full story...

Organizers for the Gravely Commissioning and the 11-day party centered around the event told a local newspaper this week that it would be able to provide expense reports on how it spent at least $50,000 in tax payer money by today. Full story...

Many local politicians have said the money was well spent, and will bring in more than was handed out in sales and room occupancy taxes. Tuesday, New Hanover County Commissioner Jason Thompson told a local newspaper that "the people who can't see that are shortsighted with ignorance and spite and can't look at the common good." Many took that to mean ANYONE who didn't agree with Thompson on that fact was "ignorant". But when we asked him Wednesday who specifically he was talking about, he narrowed it down... Full story...

When asked about approving $25,000 in local tax money to help throw an 11-day party for the Gravely Commissioning, New Hanover Co. Commissioner Jason Thompson told a local newspaper Tuesday, "The people who can't see that (the benefits of the ship's visit) are shortsighted with ignorance and spite and can't look at the common good." Full story...

Viewer Mark Todd shot this video of the Gravely as it headed down the Cape Fear River. As it neared Snow's Cut, a sailboat got a little too close. Full story...

If you missed any of our coverage of the USS Gravely and its commissioning, or would like to have a copy of it, here is your chance. You can order a copy of our special coverage of the Gravely on DVD. Full story...

The USS Gravely is back at sea, and ready to start its career. Full story...

After a week in port, the Navy's newest destroyer officially joined the US fleet Saturday morning. Don't miss the re-airing of our special report on the USS Gravely Commissioning, Monday night at 7:00 on RTV 3.2 Full story...

After three years of building, a week of celebrations and the largest commissioning ceremony a Navy Destroyer has ever seen, the USS Gravely is ready for action. Full story...

The USS Gravely is not the only thing named after Adm. Samuel Gravely. There's also a school where he lived in Northern Virginia. Full story...

Burnett Boulevard will be closed to through traffic on Saturday, November 20, 2010 from 7:00 a.m. until approximately 2:00 p.m. Everyone attending the commissioning should use Shipyard Boulevard to enter the State Port. Law enforcement officers will direct motorists to the parking areas for the event. Signs also will be posted. Full story...

During a lunch hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, sailors young and old compared military life. They found both similarities and differences. Full story...