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Local News

  • Hearing on landfill expansion continued until March 29

    BOLIVIA—The evidence has been presented. Closing arguments have been heard.

    Now, after months of hearing evidence and arguments, members of the Brunswick County Planning Board will decide whether to grant the county a special exception permit to expand the county’s construction and demolition landfill.

    Planning board members will deliberate and possibly make a decision at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 29, at Brunswick County commissioners’ chambers in Bolivia.

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  • Storm Spotter training this week in Shallotte and Southport

    Anyone interested in becoming a trained storm spotter through the National Weather Service is in luck.

    This Thursday, March 22, National Weather Service warning coordination meteorologist Steve Pfaff will conduct two storm spotter training sessions in Brunswick County.

    The first will be at 3 p.m. at the Brunswick County EMS building on Naber Drive in Shallotte, and the second session will be at 7 p.m. at the Progress Energy Visitors Center on River Road in Southport. The event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.

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  • Planning board tables request limiting sweepstakes locations

    BOLIVIA—Members of the Brunswick County Planning Board have tabled a request to amend the county’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) to limit future locations of sweepstakes businesses.

    The Alliance of Brunswick County Property Owners Association (ABCPOA) has requested amending the UDO to prohibit sweepstakes establishments within 1,500 feet of a residence or a residential community.

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  • County’s unemployment rate for January: 13 percent

    RALEIGH—Statewide unemployment dipped slightly in January to 10.2 percent.

    But here in Brunswick County, unemployment is up.

    The county’s January unemployment rate was 13 percent, up from 11.9 percent in December 2011, and up from 12.2 percent in January 2011.

    Commerce officials said “seasonal factors” contributed to the spike in unemployment in 95 of the state’s 100 counties.

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  • Ocean Isle Beach man sentenced for abusing teenager with Asperger’s syndrome

    BOLIVIA—After a three-week jury trial in Brunswick County Superior Court, an Ocean Isle Beach man was convicted for sexually abusing a teenager with Asperger’s syndrome.

    Matthew Kevin Yow, 40, of Ocean Isle Beach, was convicted last Monday, March 12, of two counts of indecent liberties with a child and two counts of disseminating obscenity, District Attorney Jon David said.

    The incidents occurred over a period of time in 2006 and 2007, David said.

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  • SUNSHINE WEEK: Public computer quiet as a mouse in Sunset Beach

    SUNSET BEACH—It was set up as a way for the town to reach out to citizens and keep them informed. But a simple computer terminal in the lobby at Sunset Beach Town Hall has drawn little to no interest.

    In fact, town receptionist Judy Presnell says not one person has stopped by town hall to use the computer since it was installed last August.

    Most people already have computer access, says Presnell, who is responsible for logging people in at the front desk.

    And out-of-towners tend to bring their own laptops as well, she said.

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  • County and BOE emails: Yours for the reading

    At the Brunswick County complex in Bolivia public access to emails, which are public record, is available through email terminals.

    Both the county and the board of education have email terminals.

    The county set up its email terminal in spring 2009 in response to a suggestion by local media outlets.

    “Prior to the email terminal, if there were any requests we made them available,” said Steve Stone, assistant county manager. “We discussed the best way and decided on a public terminal.”

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  • A keeper of public records who gets it right

    Editor’s note: The Beacon recognizes Brenda Clemmons, Brunswick County Register of Deeds, as a public official who does it right. Each month without a request, Clemmons mails the Beacon an income and expense report. She said the report is mailed to several media outlets, the county finance office, the county manager and county commissioners.

     

    A keeper of public records who gets it right

    By Rachel Johnson

    Staff Writer

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  • Ocean Isle residents oppose stormwater changes

    OCEAN ISLE BEACH—After hearing opposition from residents during the public comment portion of Tuesday’s board of commissioner’s meeting about proposed stormwater modifications along Scotland Street, commissioners decided to set a special meeting.

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  • Rally for a Cure at WBHS

    SHALLOTTE—West Brunswick High School is rallying for a cure.

    Two weeks ago, WBHS students and staff kicked off Relay for Life season with an educational assembly where students heard personal stories from families who have lost loved ones to cancer.

    The event was the result of a student’s senior project that revealed many students were unaware of what Relay is all about.

    “We really wanted to educate the kids as to what Relay is,” said Chellie McDowell, WBHS secretary. “I think we got their attention.”

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