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Today's News

  • Commissioners tap courthouse security as goal for upcoming fiscal year

    BOLIVIA—As elected clerk of court, Jim MacCallum oversees the Brunswick County Courthouse, including its security.

    During the second day of Brunswick County commissioners’ two-day budget and goals workshop, MacCallum said courthouse security was a major concern.

    “One duty of the clerk of court is the clerk of court is the overseer of the courthouse. Occasionally I say the general manager, and that includes the building itself,” MacCallum said.

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  • Brunswick County to get new firing range

    BOLIVIA—Brunswick County Sheriff John Ingram has been running a tight ship.

    In addition to saving more than $137,000 in taxpayer money by using volunteers for clerical and other duties at the sheriff’s office in Bolivia and two substations, a federal inmate-housing program has brought in more than $500,000.

    “Our volunteers have been able to supplement things,” Ingram told county commissioners at their two-day budget and goals retreat in Bolivia.

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  • Commissioners consider capital improvement projects

    BOLIVIA—Brunswick County commissioners will decide on several potential capital improvement projects and how to finance them for the upcoming fiscal year in the coming months.

    During county commissioners’ two-day budget and goals retreat last Wednesday, Feb. 15, and Thursday, Feb. 16, Brunswick County Finance Director Ann Hardy presented commissioners with a list of possible projects.

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  • County to reignite fire oversight committee

    BOLIVIA—Brunswick County commissioners and emergency officials want to a reignite a fire department protection oversight committee that has been dwindling the past few years.

    At Brunswick County commissioners two-day budget and goals retreat last week, commissioners asked Brunswick County Emergency Services Director Anthony Marzano to present information about re-establishing the fire department protection oversight committee.

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  • Commissioners OK changes to employee, spouse healthcare benefits

    BOLIVIA—Brunswick County commissioners have agreed to tweak the county’s healthcare coverage for county employees and their spouses to keep healthcare costs in line.

    During their two-day budget retreat last Wednesday, Feb. 15, and Thursday, Feb. 16, county human resources director Debbie Barnes presented commissioners with options to curb rising healthcare costs.

    Since the county went to a self-insured model last year, Barnes said commissioners could enact policies or changes to stabilize rising healthcare costs.

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  • Brunswick County loses out to Georgia in Caterpillar deal

    Brunswick County has come up short in luring another major industry to the county.

    Just months after losing the bid for Continental Tire and its estimated 1,300 jobs to Sumter County, S.C., in October, Brunswick County lost a bid for Caterpillar Inc. and its estimated 4,000 jobs. Caterpillar Inc. will locate in Georgia.

    Brunswick County Economic Development Director Jim Bradshaw said Brunswick County was eliminated from Caterpillar’s search Feb. 7.

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  • Attorney disputes DA’s claims about officer shooting

    Attorney Mark Lewis has taken issue with a press release District Attorney Jon David issued last week, clearing a sheriff’s deputy of any wrongdoing in a December 2011 shooting.

    Last week, David cleared Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Brian Tully, saying his actions in a Dec. 26, 2011, shooting were justified and “the need for deadly force was authorized.”

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  • VIDEO INCLUDED: Open meetings violation one cause for Warren’s removal

    BOLIVIA—Of the items considered for DSS chairman and county commissioner Charles Warren’s removal from the DSS board Monday night, commissioners heard evidence about the DSS board’s open meetings violation on Dec. 13, 2011.

    At that meeting, board member David Grimes read, at Warren’s direction, a statement saying the reason for going into closed session was N.C. GS 143.318(a)3 and (a)6, to consult with an attorney and to discuss personnel, respectively.

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  • Beacon to honor community members with First Amendment award

    SHALLOTTE—In honor of Sunshine Week, The Brunswick Beacon will honor a community member or members for commitment to freedom of information and the First Amendment.

    Sunshine Week is an annual event created by the American Society of News Editors. This year, it will take place March 11-17, and, in keeping with the Beacon’s commitment to freedom of information, we want to recognize a community member who has stood up for freedom of information.

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  • Brunswick County Sheriff's Office crime report

    Brunswick County Sheriff’s deputies investigated the following incidents last week, which are taken directly from sheriff’s office incident reports:

    •Burglary and vandalism on Harbour Edge Drive in Supply; suspect forcefully entered victim’s back door, damaging screen door and glass door.

    •Burglary, larceny and vandalism on Southport-Supply Road in Southport; suspect entered victim’s business, damaging the walls and electrical wiring. The suspect reportedly stole money, a digital camera and a camera system DVR.

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