NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — K9s with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office are getting in the Halloween spirit.

The Sheriff’s Office is asking people to cast their vote for their favorite K9 in a costume contest.

K9s’s Coast, Skippy, Vera, Bucky, Bane and Hammer are taking part.

You can vote HERE.

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Numerous events to mark the 125th anniversary of a darker part of Wilmington’s history are taking place through late November.

More than 25 engagement opportunities begin October 18th and last through November 28th.

“Talking about an event like the massacre and coup d’état that took place in Wilmington 125 years ago is not easy, but it’s also necessary as part of the healing process,” said Chief Diversity and Equity Officer Linda Thompson. “We are very excited to see a wide variety of events taking place throughout the community, including forums for discussion, documentary screenings, performances and more. There are plenty of ways to get involved and learn about local history and its impact that is still being felt to this day.”

Among the events, Bishop William Barber, former President of the North Carolina chapter of the NAACP, will join local historian Dr. Bertha Todd and others as part of an 1898 Symposium from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 11th at Williston Middle School. The event is free and open to the public.

A full calendar of events for the 1898 commemoration can be found HERE.

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Fire departments in Pender County are conducting hydrant tests over the next two weeks.

All fire hydrants must be flow tested to determine the available water flow and pressures, according to officials. The health of the hydrants is evaluated with a full test, which usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes to complete.

Fire crews say nearby homes should not see a noticeable drop in water pressure. However, there is a chance testing could stir up sediment in the immediate area, which could appear as discolored water. This discoloration consists primarily of harmless silt and air and does not affect the safety or quality of the water.  If this occurs, it is recommended to flush the home’s water system and refrain from laundry until your water runs clear. To flush the water system, simply turn on a cold-water faucet and let it run for 5 to 10 minutes.

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — The Town of Leland has released the feasibility study for a proposed 4,000 seat baseball stadium.

Total preliminary cost estimates for the stadium itself are $59 million, with more than $46 million in other related costs.

The stadium, along with a proposed medical campus anchor tenant, is expected to leverage over 9,950 units of rental and home ownership development, over 400,000 square feet of proposed retail, 650,000 square feet of proposed office, and just under 400 hotel rooms over 20 years. The total expected value of construction for the baseball stadium and the Jackey’s Creek Development at full build-out is estimated to be $2.39 billion.

“A new baseball stadium is proposed to attract visitors and visitor spending from the Town of Leland, Brunswick County, and the surrounding region. The proposed stadium project is expected to increase demand for surrounding development consisting of hotels, mixed-use retail and office space, restaurant, rental and for-sale housing, and medical offices. The venture to bring a minor league baseball team to the region originated as a possible public-private partnership between the Town of Leland, REV Entertainment, and Jackey’s Creek Investors, LLC,” a statement read in part.

A total of 29,695 temporary direct, indirect, and induced jobs are estimated to be created and over $5.1 billion of economic output and labor income generated. As proposed, this project is expected to bring about significant positive impacts to the region and be a major economic driver for job creation and economic output.

According to the findings of the study, the preliminary financial and economic impact analysis indicates that pursuit of the baseball stadium is worth further consideration by the Town of Leland due to the
potential for new investment, new revenues, and numerous economic benefits.

So what’s next?

This is what the study has identified as next steps.

• Identify and quantify available financing tools. As the project is proposed, a preliminary analysis of revenue generated through the 30-year term of the project could be available to fund the stadium and the associated improvements. The Town should explore available public and private financing alternatives for the project to determine how to utilize the potential project and development revenues. As additional development details become available, a more in-depth fiscal and financial analysis should be conducted.
• Evaluate the availability of statutorily available revenue tools. The Town should evaluate all statutorily available revenue tools for a potential fit with the proposed baseball stadium project.
  The Town should learn more about the statewide use of these tools, potential process to implement the tools, and project the potential revenue available based on the estimated development and impact of the project.
• Evaluate impact on Town services. A portion of the identified revenues received by the Town and County from current sources are likely to be used to provide the basic standard services for
  the area. These services include public safety, public education, road maintenance, social services, and other typical local government services. An updated fiscal analysis should be done to determine the impact of the new development on Town services.
• Develop innovative approach for the early years of the project. As more details become available on the financing options for the project, the Town and its project partners should investigate available options for revenue sources to supplement the early years of development, when projected revenues would not yet be realized. Ideas could include public-private partnerships, interlocal governmental agreements, property tax rate adjustments, alternative financing structures, or other similar innovative approaches.
• Further define quality of life benefits of the project. The Town and its partners should further define additional quality of life benefits that are expected to be realized after completion of this project. Quality of life benefits may include increased options for community amenities, desirable entertainment activities, newly available residential options, increased housing market segmentation, or other similar benefits.
• Engage in a public-private partnership. The proposed baseball stadium and anticipated Jackeys Creek Development may benefit from the utilization of a public-private partnership. Project terms including facility ownership, operating entity, and financial aspects of the project requiring participation from both public and private sector partners. The Town of Leland should evaluate the information in this report and explore the next steps to engage with key partners, such as Jackey’s Creek Investors, LLC, and REV Entertainment.

In February, WWAY broke that story that the Texas Rangers and REV Entertainment were exploring a site in Northern Brunswick County to bring a minor league team. In April, Brunswick County pulled out of potentially investing in the stadium.

A spokesperson with REV Entertainment says they are waiting as the town continues their due diligence, but looks forward to the prospect of continuing discussions.

To read the PDF study in its entirety, click HERE.

(CBS NEWS) — GOP Rep. Jim Jordan failed to secure the support needed to win the House speakership in the first round of voting on the floor of the lower chamber Tuesday, forcing additional ballots as Republicans work to elect a permanent leader.

Jordan lost 20 Republicans, winning just 200 votes, falling shy of the 217 needed. Democrats nominated Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who received 212 votes.

Six Republicans voted for former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who was ousted on Oct. 3. Several others voted for Majority Leader Steve Scalise, who withdrew his name from consideration last week, and also for former Rep. Lee Zeldin, a Trump ally who didn’t run for reelection in 2022 when he ran for governor in New York.

Jordan told reporters ahead of the vote that voting would continue “until we get a speaker.” McCarthy had to endure 15 rounds of voting over four days before he was finally elected speaker.

The high-stakes vote was held by roll call, so every member’s vote was read in the mostly quiet chamber, save for some sporadic bursts of applause. Given Republicans’ slim majority, Jordan could not afford to lose more than four votes, which he had lost early in the alphabetical tallying.

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A blood drive is being held next month at the Battleship North Carolina.

Novant Health is partnering with the Red Cross for the blood drive.

The event will take place on November 8th from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

All donors will receive a t-shirt and free entry to return to visit the battleship.

The Red Cross says one donation can save up to three lives.

You can book your appointment HERE.

CASTLE HAYNE, NC (WWAY) — SkyWatch bird rescue recently saved a Great Blue Heron in a tricky situation.

The bird was tangled up in fishing line, stuck in a tree, and dangling for about 12 hours before they were able to get to it.

Some landscapers saw him and were able to cut him down and lay him on the grass. Unfortunately, being too injured and exhausted, he couldn’t walk and laid on the ground all day before a good Samaritan found him and transported him to the Bird Rescue for help.

The Heron had issues related to severe exhaustion, a broken foot, an old injury on his opposing foot that resulted in a massive bumblefoot sore (from the broken foot bone healing crooked), and dehydration.

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a missing man.

Rodrick D. Alford is from Maryland but was arrested for breaking and entering while in the area visiting family to attend a funeral, the Sheriff’s Office says.

Alford’s family says they haven’t heard from him since he got out of jail.

Rodrick is 5′ 2″ tall, with scars on his chest, forearm and forehead.

He was last seen wearing black athletic pants, black shorts worn under the pants and a white T-shirt.

If you have any information, you can contact the Sheriff’s Office at 910-798-4200.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — They are playfully called the “forgotten five”: A handful of toys — the pogo stick, the Fisher-Price Corn Popper, My Little Pony, PEZ dispensers, and Transformers — that regularly approach toybox royalty as finalists for the National Toy Hall of Fame, only to be tossed back on the pile.

For one of them, this is the year they finally make it in. The Hall of Fame is letting fans decide which one.

Toys usually are chosen for the annual induction ceremony with input from a panel of historians, educators and other experts. The members vote for their top three out of a dozen finalists that have been selected by an internal committee from among thousands of nominations that come in each year.

But this year, fan voters will pick one of the so-called forgotten five, to celebrate the National Toy Hall of Fame’s 25th anniversary. That’s along with three toys to be chosen in the usual way.

“They’re like Susan Lucci was to the Emmy Awards, or Steve Tasker to the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” chief curator Christopher Bensch said. “Now, one of these five will make the hall and, for the first time, it will be purely in the hands of the voting public.”

Fans can cast one vote per day through Oct. 24 on the National Toy Hall of Fame website.

The winner, along with the other inductees, will be revealed during the induction ceremony on Nov. 9.

Anyone can nominate a toy to the National Toy Hall of Fame. But to be considered, toys must have inspired creative play and enjoyed popularity over a sustained period of time. Last year, the spinning top, Masters of the Universe action figures and Lite-Brite joined past honorees that range from scrounged items like the stick and cardboard box, to store-bought toys that everyone seemed to have, including the Wiffle Ball, alphabet blocks and the teddy bear.

The Fisher-Price Corn Popper, a push toy with colorful balls, has been a repeat finalist for encouraging babies who are learning to walk. My Little Pony mini horses are in the running after outselling even Barbie for several years while at the height of their popularity between 1982 and 1993, according to the Hall of Fame.

PEZ went from being a breath mint to candy bricks served from pop culture-inspired dispensers in 1948. Today, PEZ sells 3 billion individual candies each year and keeps about 60 or 70 dispensers in production, the Hall of Fame said. The pogo stick has kept users bouncing nonstop since it was first patented in the early 1900s. Hasbro’s shape-shifting Transformers action figures also have been in the finals more than once after inspiring comic books, cartoons, and a continuing series of live-action blockbuster films, two of which made more than $1 billion each.

The three other toys to be honored will be chosen from 12 finalists announced last month. The nominees are baseball cards, Battleship, bingo, Bop It, Cabbage Patch Kids, Choose Your Own Adventure gamebooks, Connect 4, Little Tykes Cozy Coupe, Nerf, slime, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Barbie’s boyfriend, Ken.

The National Toy Hall of Fame is located inside The Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York.

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) –This week’s Pet Pal is Apollo, a 3-year-old male American Bulldog mix.

Staff says he’s a real sweetheart and great with other dogs. He also loves the water and needs an active family.

If you would like to adopt Apollo, New Hanover Animal Services is located at 180 Division Drive in Wilmington. County residents can adopt for $70.

If you have a dog at home, a meet and greet is required.

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — With Halloween a little more than two weeks away, the UNCW Theatre Department is prepping for a play that is wickedly theatrical.

The UNCW Theatre Department is rehearsing Dracula by Steven Dietz. It’s being directed by Professor Christopher Marino, who says they’re working to take a fresh approach on the classic story.

PINE KNOLL SHORES (News Release) — Marine mysteries and haunted histories await guests during “Phantom Seas: Legends and Lore” from 9am to 4pm on October 28 at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Visitors will explore a haunted Aquarium featuring mysteries, ghost tales, and folklore from across North Carolina.

During the event, guests will visit a haunted swamp and a mermaid cove. Children of all ages can discover the stories of the Graveyard of the Atlantic and roam the Aquarium. Staff will be stationed around the Aquarium at trick-or-treat booths, carnival games will be available throughout the day, and crafts, animal encounters, and other activities will be available in-between.

“Phantom Seas will create an immersive environment based on North Carolina ghost stories, legends, and folklore. Visitors will be able to explore spooky swamps, a haunted ocean, and connect with stories rooted in North Carolina history,” said Educator Sarah Wright.

Phantom Seas is an event for all ages and will replace the Aquarium’s toddlers-only event, Preschool Pumpkin Patch, and the former Trick-or-Treat: Under the Sea event. Though, there will still be a space for younger children, with the Aquarium’s classroom set-up for them to explore.

“Halloween is a favorite holiday for many people, so we wanted to create an event that would be fun for everyone that walks through our doors,” added Wright. “Phantom Seas has lots of room to grow in the next few years. In the future, we hope to include a theater show, costume contest, and much more.”

The event is free and included with the regular admission ticket and membership reservations made for that day. Those interested are encouraged to purchase online tickets and membership reservations in advance to secure their time spot.

For more information, visit the aquarium’s website.

JACKSONVILLE (WWAY) — Benjamin Mills is an Eagle Scout candidate with Boy Scouts Troop 597 out of Jacksonville. As part of his Eagle Scout project, Mills is collecting items for distribution at Onslow Community Outreach’s annual Christmas Cheer drive. With the help of the community, Mills hopes to boost his donation.

A freshman at Dixon High School, Mills has been a lifelong Boy Scout and wants to give back to others. One way he is fulfilling this is through a partnership with One Place, an Onslow County non-profit aimed at strengthening systems of care for children and families. Mills is collecting new and gently used books and new bike helmets for families who are eligible for this year’s Christmas Cheer program.

The drive will also offer these families food for the entire household and gifts for children twelve and under, and provide assistance for teenagers seventeen and under, if resources are available. Christmas Cheer is able to provide these services thanks to the charity and goodwill of community members, like Mills.

If you are interested in being a part of Mills’ project – and helping him spread his own Christmas cheer – donations are being accepted through early-November. He also welcomes cash donations to put towards the purchase of these items.

For more information, email Benjamin Mills at christmasforkids23@gmail.com.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden ‘s 2024 campaign launched an account on Donald Trump ‘s Truth Social on Monday, attempting to poke online fun at the Republican candidate he may well face again in next fall’s election.

Under the handle @BidenHQ, the campaign posted: “Well. Let’s see how this goes. Converts welcome!” It began its time on Truth Social by following just one account: Trump’s.

The former president has built a commanding early lead in the Republican primary, setting up a potential 2020 rematch, despite Trump being indicted in four separate cases and facing 91 criminal charges.

Biden’s campaign noted its move on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, writing, “We just joined Truth Social, mostly because we thought it would be very funny.”

It added, “Follow us there for truths and retruths or whatever they call them.” A senior campaign aide said their joining might make Truth Social a little fun.

It’s not the first time the Biden campaign has attempted to troll conservatives online, coopting their messaging and online spaces. In July, it turned a clip of staunch Trump supporter and Republican U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia comparing Biden to Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson into an online ad.

After the first Republican presidential debate in September, Biden’s campaign posted on X a video of one of Trump’s rivals, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, suggesting that the former president’s administration grew federal deficits exponentially and contributed to current rising inflation rates. That ran under the phrase, “ Couldn’t agree more.”

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY)–Two state transportation departments, and officials from Brunswick and Horry counties, coming together to discuss a project to make traveling between the two counties more efficient. 

North Carolina and South Carolina Departments of Transportation want to extend Carolina Bays Parkway, or SC 31, from SC 9 in Horry County, South Carolina, across the North Carolina state line to US 17 in Brunswick County. 

Engineers say the extension would provide a more direct flow of traffic to and from the Grand Strand and help ease congestion and delays through cities and towns along the route. 

 Ocean Isle Beach Mayor Debbie Smith was at the meeting, and says this project has been a long time coming. 

“I just think it would be great for transportation up and down the east coast. It’s one of the biggest bottle necks in my opinion. It will certainly be very important to us as the whole county grows for evacuation, and to travel to other places,” said Smith.  

There are 3 proposed routes for the Carolina Bays Parkway Extension. NCDOT and SCDOT are working with the Grand Strand area transportation study to determine the best route. 

Funding for the project, which has a price tag of more than 550-million dollars, has not been secured.

“Part of what they talked about today was cutting it up into sections so that they can get it started. They certainly don’t have the money to build the whole thing because of the hefty price tag. But they can tackle it in sections,” said Smith. 

The first section was proposed at today’s meeting.

There is no firm timeline for the project at this time.

WHITEVILLE (WWAY) —  The Whiteville Police Department is partnering with Columbus Regional Healthcare System (CRHS) to host a Wellness Health Fair on Friday, October 20th from 1 pm to 4 pm. The fair will set up grounds at the Vineland Station at 701 S Madison Street in downtown Whiteville.

It will feature health and first responder booths, a “Battle of the Badges” competition, and a pumpkin decorating contest aimed at raising cancer awareness. The organization will also take time to recognize cancer survivors.

For more information on the fair and other upcoming events, visit the City of Whiteville’s website.

 

 

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — UNCW is formulating a long-term comprehensive campus master plan and they want to hear from the public.  

University officials plan to engage students, faculty, staff, alumni and other stakeholders through a campus master plan survey, a feedback form and forums. 

Over the past decade, UNCW has grown into a national research institution of more than 18,000 students and launched several new academic programs to meet the growing needs of the region and state. To plan for projected growth over the next 10 years, the university is formulating a new long-term comprehensive campus master plan to address facilities and space.

The UNCW 2024 Campus Master Plan will create a framework to guide decision-making involving the physical campus. Informed by the university’s strategic plan, Soar High, Soar Far, Soar Together, the campus master plan will advance four strategic pillars – unparalleled opportunities, nationally prominent programs, community commitment and world-class operations and infrastructure.

“As we developed our Soar Higher Strategic Plan, we realized who we are now and who we will become in the future is up to the Seahawk community,” said Chancellor Aswani K. Volety. “UNCW’s most important asset is its people, and the campus master plan focuses fully on the continued success of our students, faculty and staff.”

As part of the process, university officials plan to engage students, faculty, staff, alumni and other stakeholders in various ways, including a campus master plan survey, future forums and through a feedback form. By providing multiple avenues of engagement, campus and the broader community can share their visions for UNCW’s future.

University officials have developed five principles to provide focused strategies for the campus master plan:

• Cultivate a sense of belonging for all campus users
• Promote interdisciplinary collaboration
• Enhance UNCW’s identity within the community and region
• Optimize use of space and resources
• Elevate campus experience

Focus areas of the master plan include Chancellor’s Walk, Campus Commons, Veterans Hall and the Nest area. It will also examine the campus edge and gateway locations along College Road and the athletics zone, which would include the concept of an alumni/welcome center.

“The UNCW master plan is a forward-thinking, innovative plan that ensures the campus is utilizing its space efficiently and effectively,” said Student Body President Cody Brandon. “Input from students, faculty, staff, administration and community members is vital to the formation and declaration of the master plan as it allows these folks to have their voices heard in the process that will shape the next 10 years of UNCW’s campus community.”

The Campus Master Plan process began in March 2023 with numerous meetings with campus and community constituents. More information about the plan can be found on the UNCW 2024 Campus Master Plan website.

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — New Hanover County commissioners met Monday morning to talk about land on the west side of the Cape Fear River.     

Developers have had their eye on this area for several years. 

“We were authorized today to move forward with working with the planning board, with stakeholders, with the public and really shaping what those policies look like,” New Hanover County Planning and Land Use Director, Rebekah Roth, said. 

But some elected officials are still hesitant about the uncertainty the project presents.  

“I think we need more discussion and certainly some more study,” New Hanover County Commissioner, Rob Zapple, said. 

On Monday, commissioners voted in favor of allowing staff to continue a study on developing land across the river from Downtown Wilmington.  

New Hanover County Commissioner, Rob Zapple, said one of his biggest concerns is how the land may look a few years from now.  

“I think that there’s a historical and aesthetically pleasing and cultural value to the basic view that we have now,” Zapple said. 

Zapple said at this time, there’s just too much uncertainty which would be a risk for the county.  

“If we touch it and we allow it, we own it. We’ve gotta be able to get Sheriff’s over there, Fire and Emergency Rescue. All of that comes with a price tag, a hefty one,” Zapple said. 

Rebekah Roth is the county’s Planning and Land Use Director of the West Bank Proposal.  

She too voiced concerns that some commissioners and the public may have.  

“There are some challenges that it faces today and there’s some challenges that it might face in the future so that’s really what we’re gonna be working with in this next step — is how do we minimize that impact and that risk for the members of the community,” Roth said. 

Roth said she’d like to see an update on the land use plan and ordinances within the next 6 months. 

She said that time frame depends on conversations to be had and the board’s willingness to move forward. 

FORT MILL, S.C. (AP) — Ed Currie, the South Carolina hot pepper expert who crossbred and grew the Carolina Reaper that’s hotter than most pepper sprays police use to subdue unruly criminals, has broken his own world record with a pepper that’s three times hotter.

Pepper X was publicly named the hottest pepper in the world on Oct. 9 by the Guinness Book of World Records, beating out the Reaper in Currie’s decade-long hunt to perfect a pepper that he says provides “immediate, brutal heat.”

Currie said when he first tried Pepper X, it did more than warm his heart.

“I was feeling the heat for three-and-a-half hours. Then the cramps came,” said Currie, one of only five people so far to eat a entire Pepper X. “Those cramps are horrible. I was laid out flat on a marble wall for approximately an hour in the rain, groaning in pain.”

Heat in peppers is measured in Scoville Heat Units. Zero is bland, and a regular jalapeno pepper registers about 5,000 units. A habanero, the record-holder about 25 years ago, typically tops 100,000. The Guinness Book of World Records lists the Carolina Reaper at 1.64 million units.

Pepper X’s record is an average of 2.69 million units. By comparison, pepper spray commonly holstered by police is around 1.6 million units. Bear spray advertises at 2.2 million units.

Pepper X has been in the works since Currie last set the hottest pepper record in 2013 with the Carolina Reaper, a bright red knobby fruit with what aficionados call a scorpion tail. The goal was to offer an extremely hot pepper flavored with sweetness.

Pepper X is greenish-yellow, doesn’t have the same shelf appeal and carries an earthy flavor once its heat is delivered. It’s a crossbreed of a Carolina Reaper and what Currie mysteriously classifies as a “pepper that a friend of mine sent me from Michigan that was brutally hot.”

The chemical in peppers that causes the burn, called capsaicin, resides in the same family as arsenic, but is much milder and not dangerous unless pounds of it are consumed. Even so, the minds of humans and other mammals perceive capsaicin as a threat and send a strong burning signal to the body. Because birds don’t have the same reaction, they are able spread pepper seeds while sparing the plant.

The burning sensation spurred in humans also releases endorphins and dopamine into the body. Currie, who went all in to growing peppers after kicking drug and alcohol addictions, considers that kick a natural high. He shares his peppers with medical researchers, hoping they can use them to cure disease and help people who suffer chronic pain or discomfort.

For Currie, having the hottest pepper in the world has been a two-decade obsession. It took 10 years to get Pepper X from the first crossbreed experiment to the record, including five years of testing to prove it was a different plant with a different fruit and documenting its average heat over different plants and generations.

“We covered the genetics, we covered the chemistry, we covered the botany,” he said.

Currie, who is s trying to build an empire of hot pepper sauces through his PuckerButt company, said he also learned plenty of business lessons during the past decade. While the Carolina Reaper drew much attention, much of it was not proper — or profitable.

Currie allowed people grow the peppers without protecting his ideas. His lawyers have counted more than 10,000 products that use the Carolina Reaper name, or its other intellectual property, without permission.

Currie is protecting Pepper X. He said no seeds will be released until he is sure his children, his workers — many of whom are on their second chances like him — and their families can fully earn the rewards of his work.

“Everybody else made their money off the Reaper. It’s time for us to reap the benefits of the hard work I do,” Currie said.

That work includes dozens of fields across York County, secret greenhouses where Currie works on peppers to prevent them from being stolen and a PuckerButt store in Fort Mill where Currie works on dozens of sauce ideas that range from mild to blazing hot. He also sells his peppers to companies worldwide.

Challenges involving extremely spicy foods have made headlines after a chipmaker pulled its products following a teen’s death.

Currie wants people to eat peppers and thinks they can benefit from the rush that comes after the burn. He calls most hot pepper challenges stupid and cautions pepper peekers against being overly ambitious and reaching too quickly for a Carolina Reaper or Pepper X.

“You build up a tolerance,” Currie said, later hinting that more pepper heat may be bubbling up from the fields, labs and chillers that he won’t let fans, reporters or even the bankers helping his business expand see.

“Is this the pinnacle?” Currie said of Pepper X, a mischievous smile warming his face. “No, it’s not the pinnacle.”

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Construction on the expansion of the Carolina Beach skate park is scheduled to begin in January.

Fundraising efforts were led by a skatepark subcommittee that created a series of Sk8 Festivals starting in early 2022. The events were designed to bring the community together to enjoy the CB Skatepark and all that surrounds the skateboarding scene, including music, art, and food.

“We might not get the chance to improve or update the skatepark for another 15 years, so we are aiming to get the whole master plan done with this expansion,” explained Hahn. “We will continue to fundraise till we hit our goal or Artisan has to move onto their next park.”

The proposed plan doubles the size of the existing park which now gets crowded during popular times of the day. This plan expands the park’s concrete features to include multiple areas so skateboards, BMX bikes and scooters can all ride more safely at the same time.

New skate features such as street skating obstacles, a mini bowl and a pump track are planned along with dedicated areas designed for relaxing, spectating and hosting more skate festivals. Repairs will also be done to the 15-year-old park during the project.

The full master plan expansion costs $475,000. The Friends of Carolina Beach Parks and Greenways Committee has raised over $207,000 plus the Town of Carolina Beach has dedicated $175,000 which has the current total standing at $382,000.

With additional sponsors, in-kind donations and continued efforts, the Friends of CB hopes to raise the remaining $93,000 by the end of the year.

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A person was killed in a house fire early Monday morning.

A Columbus County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a structure fire on Ruth Drive south of Chadbourn.

The Fire Marshall was called and a body found in the fire.

The identity of the person hasn’t been released pending an autopsy.

This case is still under investigation.

(CBS NEWS) — Moselle, the South Carolina estate that was home to the Murdaugh family prior to attorney Alex Murdaugh’s murder of his wife and son, is back on the market, with the 4-bedroom home listed for $1.95 million.

The listing is a carve-out of the Murdaugh’s larger estate, which sold for $3.9 million earlier this year and included 1,700 acres. But the new offer only includes 21 acres and the primary Murdaugh residence, the Moselle Estate House, which the listing says could serve as a “a family residence or compound” or allow new buyers to engage in “equestrian pursuits, [a] hobby farm, or just a weekend retreat destination.”

The kennels, where Alex Murdaugh, once a prominent lawyer in South Carolina, killed his wife and younger son, aren’t included in the new sale, according to listing agent Crosby Land Company.

Murdaugh was convicted in March of killing his wife Maggie Murdaugh and son Paul at the rural estate, which was purchased earlier this year by James A. Ayer and Jeffrey L. Godley, according to a land deed. The proceeds of that initial sale went to the Murdaugh family’s surviving son, Buster, and victims of a 2019 boat crash involving Paul, reported the Greenville News, citing a settlement approved in January by a South Carolina judge.

“The Moselle Estate House listing consists of the 5,275 square-foot estate house and 21 acres of land,” Crosby Land Company said in a Monday statement sent to CBS MoneyWatch. “Beyond the stately brick columns at the property’s entrance awaits a long, impressive oak-lined driveway leading to a quintessential southern vision of the classic and traditionally styled home with stunning high-end features such as pine flooring and sportsman’s room.”

The Moselle estate, custom-built in 2011, includes top-of-the-line appliances, a billiards room and custom gun cabinets, according to the listing.

All potential buyers must be pre-approved for purchase before visiting the home for a showing, Crosby Land Company said.

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Brunswick County man faces several charges after he allegedly shared explicit photos.

The Bladen County Sheriff’s Office arrested Colby Edward Dent, 28 of Ocean Isle, on Friday.

Investigators say this arrest is tied to an ongoing investigation in which Dent sharing explicit photos.

He is charged with two counts of Felony Disseminate Obscenity, Felony Installing Photo Device In Room, Felony Peeping Into a Room and Creating Photo, two counts of Felony Possessing Photo Obtained by Peeping Violation and Cyberstalking.

He was held in Bladen County Detention Center under a $25,000 secured bond.

OCEAN ISLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — A portion of the Odell Williamson Bridge will close daily this week.

One eastbound lane of the bridge across the Intracoastal Waterway will be closed from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. each day through Friday.

Crews will be conducting routine inspection work during the closures.

Officials say the work is necessary to ensure the safe travel of vehicles.