Archives: 2008

Retail sales down in Wilmington

videoIf you drive down Eastwood, headed toward Wrightsville beach, you will probably notice giant signs advertising the closing of Linens and Things in Mayfaire. All over Wilmington, and the country, retail sales are down.

Elon Poll: Most in NC support offshore drilling

RALEIGH — An Elon University poll says more than two-thirds of North Carolina adults support drilling for oil off the state’s coast. The poll released Monday found that 69 percent of respondents supported or strongly supported offshore drilling. About one-quarter opposed the idea. The poll found that most people expect the drilling to affect gas prices, with 14 percent expecting…

NC sheriff awaiting Marine’s return from Mexico

JACKSONVILLE — A North Carolina sheriff says a Marine being held on a murder charge in Mexico won’t be singled out when he is returned to the United State for trial. But it still isn’t known when 21-year-old Cpl. Cesar Laurean will be returned to Onslow County to face a charge of first-degree murder in Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach’s death….

Investigators change course in deputy’s death

LENOIR, N.C. — Authorities have changed the focus of their investigation into the fatal shooting of a Caldwell County sheriff’s deputy, moving from a manhunt for the suspect to a search for leads. Det. B.J. Fore, public information officer for the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Department, said Sunday that the command post was being dismantled as officers begin to look for…

Report: Board member steered money near properties

RALEIGH — A state Board of Transportation member who raised funds for Gov. Mike Easley reportedly steered roughly $375,000 in public money to road improvements near properties that he or a son co-owned at the time. The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Sunday that in 2004 and 2005, board member Louis W. Sewell Jr. recommended or voted to spend…

NC lighthouse finalist in restoration poll

MANTEO, N.C. — One of the lighthouses on the North Carolina Outer Banks has been selected as a finalist in a restoration contest sponsored by a window and door manufacturer. Superintendent Mike Murray of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore said the Bodie Island Lighthouse was selected as one of three finalists in the public poll sponsored by JELD-WEN of Klamath…