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Local News

  • Overtime on top of sheriff’s list to address in next fiscal year

    BOLIVIA—Overtime is an issue Sheriff John Ingram wants to address in the next fiscal year.

    “An area that consumes overtime is the courthouse,” Ingram told county commissioners during last week’s budget workshop.

    Ingram said an additional need in the courthouse is another bailiff due to the increase in court activity.

    The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office has seven full-time deputies who work the courthouse, but they still worked 1,297 hours of overtime in 2012 at a cost of $41,600.

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  • Salary study doesn’t impress some county commissioners

    BOLIVIA—A newly released salary study says county employees are paid 8 percent less than those in comparative markets.

    But restructuring suggestions don’t have the full support of county commissioners.

    County officials contracted Evergreen Solutions to review employee job classifications and salary ranges last year. They received the results at their budget retreat Feb. 28.

    The review received support of only three commissioners—chairman Phil Norris, Scott Phillips and Frank Williams.

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  • Parks and Rec expect squeeze play on ball fields for travel teams

    BOLIVIA—Commissioners may have to decide who’s on first at county baseball fields.

    At the county budget retreat last Wednesday, parks and recreation director Jim Pryor said an issue is arising at county parks where travel baseball teams want more field access.

    He said he began to see travel teams becoming an issue five years ago, but it appeared to be squashed due to the economy.

    “The economy must be picking up because (the issue is back),” Pryor said.

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  • County approves school fund agreement for two more years

    BOLIVIA—Brunswick County commissioners’ first decision on the 2013-14 budget continues its fund agreement with the Brunswick School system.

    The county board had its annual budget workshop Feb. 27-28, but didn’t wait until June to make a commitment to fund the school system.

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  • Proposed fire tax could replace fire fees

    BOLIVIA—County commissioners are looking for a better way to finance fire departments.

    At the county’s annual budget workshop Feb. 27, the county board mulled options to end fire fees that are paid to fund fire departments.

    “I’ve discovered over the years the disparity of funding,” chairman Phil Norris said.

    Norris emphasized commissioners are in the early stages of looking at the issue and don’t intend to make a change in the next fiscal year without deliberation.

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  • County considers broadcasting meetings, hiring public information officer

    BOLIVIA—Brunswick officials plan to reach a broader audience in 2013.

    County administrators told county commissioners during the budget workshop Feb. 27 their goals for the next fiscal year include televising public meetings and potentially hiring a public information officer.

    County manager Marty Lawing said the staff has researched online streaming meetings.

    “I can tell you from our research, 52 of 100 counties (in North Carolina) have their meeting videos on their website,” he said.

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  • Citizens, businesses honored by Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce

    A new Citizen of the Year, Business of the Year and Employee of the Year were honored during the Second annual Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce’s Chairman’s Gala Friday night at Stone Chimney Place in Supply.

    “Our future’s so bright. (That’s) the theme for 2013. The chamber has kicked off the new year with many exciting ideas and projects on the horizon,” president Shannon Viera said.

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  • Community mourns loss of caregiver, friend

    HOLDEN BEACH—As the first doctor at Brunswick Hospital in 1977, Dr. Mushtaq Khan touched many lives in the area.

    A retired general surgeon, Dr. Khan practiced in Brunswick County for more than 34 years.

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  • Teen missing two years; reward offered

    It’s been almost two years since 15-year-old Rachel Natacha Owens got off the school bus at South Brunswick High School and into a small, dark-colored car. No one has heard from or seen her since.

    Rachel would now be 17 years old. A $500 reward is offered for information on her whereabouts.

    Investigators with the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office recently formed a major crimes unit. One of the first cases the newly formed unit has been revisiting is Rachel’s disappearance.

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  • Sewer assessments set for Sunset Beach

    SUNSET BEACH—As the town nears the last of its sewer meetings with the county, a per-parcel assessment of $5,303.53 has been set for Sunset Beach.

    Sunset Beach Town Councilwoman Carol Scott said at the town board’s meeting Monday that if total payment is made within 30 days of receiving the bill, there would be a 5 percent discount. For a 10-year payoff, there’s a finance charge of 3.95 percent.

    “You’re paying in on the outstanding amounts each year,” Scott said.

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