LATEST NEWS

The University of North Carolina System has awarded nearly $29 million to expand nursing education at 12 public universities and North Carolina’s Area Health Education Centers. The grants are part of a groundbreaking effort to address the nursing workforce shortage in North Carolina. Like many states across the country,...

A teenager died from drowning at Ocean Isle Beach on Sunday. Ocean Isle Beach Mayor Debbie Smith confirmed the girl's death to WRAL News. First responders arrived around 12:26 p.m. to help the girl, who was caught in a rip current. Several others attempted to help her. The girl was...

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - New Amazon series The Runarounds is set to begin filming Thursday, July 18, in Wilmington, according to the city. According to Amazon, The Runarounds will be an eight-episode series that “follows a tight-knit group of young adults from all walks of life who come together to form a rock band the summer after graduating from high school.”

OAK ISLAND, N.C. (WECT) - On Thursday, July 18, the Oak Island Planning Board is set to discuss height limit exceptions and maximum home sizes. The existing town rules defines a sing-family dwelling as a detached building up to 4,000 to 5,000 square feet. The proposed amendments would change the...

WILMINGTON — It was a night of electric euphoria at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. Philadelphia jam band The Disco Biscuits played the amphitheater for the first time on July 14. Allen Aucoin (drums), Marc “Brownie” Brownstein (bass guitar, vocals), Jon “The Barber” Gutwillig (guitar, vocals), and Aron Magner (keyboards, synths, vocals) blend psychedelic rock, electronic music, soul, blues, jazz and classical music into one sound.

OAK ISLAND, N.C. (WECT) – The Town of Oak Island announced that a house move is set for Wednesday, July 17, at 10 a.m. from Ocean Drive to NE 10th Street. “During this time, traffic will be HEAVILY impacted along ALL of E Oak Island Drive, particularly from Sellers Street to NE 9th Street. Officers will direct traffic as the home is moved; however travel along E Oak Island Drive should be avoided during this time if possible. If traveling this area, please be patient, follow the directions of officers, and DO NOT SPEED when using side streets as detours,” a town announcement states.

Leamon “Lee” Buchanan, born on August 18, 1968, in High Point, N.C., decided to take his final fishing trip on July 4, 2024, in Bolivia, N.C. Lee spent 20 years of his life ensuring folks stayed cool as an HVAC specialist with Superior Mechanical in Randolph County. He knew his way around a condenser coil like nobody’s business. Preceded in death by his son, Jacob Denver Buchanan, and his father, Earnest Buchanan, Lee leaves behind a loving family who will miss his quick wit and hearty laugh. Surviving him are his devoted wife, Robin Buchanan; his mother, Mildred Buchanan of Supply, N.C.; his brother, Gerald Buchanan of Supply, N.C.; his son, Leamon W. Buchanan, Jr.(Kaleigh); his daughter, Samantha Leigh Benton; and his grandchildren, Jayden, Harper, Aspyn, and Leamon III. Lee’s family is planning a memorial service at a later date. Arrangements in the care of Coastal Cremations of Carolina Shores.

Jennie Ann (Romaniello) Harjes Gregory, a long-time resident of Sunset Beach, N.C., beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away on July 4, 2024, at the age of 86. She is survived by her step-daughter, Judy; daughter-in-laws, Jill and Lori; grandsons, Ian, David Jr., and Reilly; granddaughter, Jessica; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is predeceased by her parents, Dominick and Rose (Cavaliero) Romaniello; sister, Katherine; brother, Andrew; husband, John; sons, Keith and Brian; step-sons, John Jr. and David; and several nieces and nephews. Jennie will be remembered for her friendly demeanor, unwavering integrity, and quiet strength with which she faced life’s challenges. Her kindness and generosity touched the lives of everyone she met, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of her family, friends, and community. Jennie’s legacy of love, kindness and compassion will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to have known her. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered always. A funeral Mass was held on July 15th at 10 a.m. at Saint Brendan’s Church with a Celebration of Life to follow at the Pink Palace in Sea Trail, Sunset Beach. Donations may be made in Jennie’s name to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America at hdsa.org.

David P. Keefe LELAND, NC — David Paul Keefe (88) of Leland, NC passed away at home surrounded by his family on December 18, 2023. He was a long-time resident of Waterbury, Vt until retiring to North Carolina in 2007. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 am on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Waterbury, Vt. A reception will follow at St. Leo's Parish Hall.

Rosaline Ann (Cruse) Gualardo, born March 9, 1934 in Altoona, Pa. passed away peacefully at her home in Carolina Shores, N.C. on July 3, 2024. She was preceded in death by her parents, Versal E. Cruse and Ruth E. (Claar) Cruse, and a brother, Robert Cruse (Mary Zabala). She is survived by her loving husband of 67 years, Joseph B. Gualardo; daughter, Darcy Ann Tomko (Robert); and son, Samuel Joseph Gualardo (Pamela); grandchildren, Melissa Rose Triplett (Ryan), Matthew Robert Tomko (Desiree), Alexi Rose Neal (Kurt), and Zachary Joseph Gualardo (Dalton); great-grandchildren, Gavin, Makenna Rose, Amelia, Gabriel, Jaxson, Layne, Colson, Baylee Rose and Alaina; brother, Kenneth Cruse (Isabele); nephews, Denny, Shane, Dale; and nieces, Robin and Stacy. A memorial mass will be held on Friday, September 13, at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church, 5101 Ocean Highway West, Shallotte, N.C.

Mary Lichok, 79 of Calabash, N.C. passed away at Universal Health in Bolivia on Friday, July 5, 2024. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Paul. She is survived by her siblings, Delores, Audrey and William. No services are planned at this time. Arrangements are in the care of Coastal Cremations of Carolina Shores.

Richard Kevin Biancardi, age 75 of Calabash, N.C., went home to his merciful Savior on July 2, 2024. Rich was born in Astoria, N.Y. on September 12, 1948 to Joseph and Hazel “Mickey” Biancardi. Rich was preceded in death by his parents and uncle, Francis Biancardi. Survived by his beloved wife of nearly 37 years, Rosemary; former wife Janice Hagman; sons Joseph (Rhonda) and Mark Biancardi; daughter Christine (Jason) Proell; grandchildren Matthew, Marissa, Mira, Vidal, Ezekiel, Gisela, Jillian and Crosby; brother Robert (Teresa); sister Patricia (Alexander) Raffaele; brother Joseph Biancardi (fiancé Angel Hiatt); step-mother Marquita Biancardi; sister-in-law Jennifer (Matthew) Foreman; many nieces, nephews and dear friends. A Celebration of Life will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 24, at Thistle Golf Club, 1815 Olde Thistle Club Road, Calabash, N.C., 28468, with visitation one hour prior. Arrangements in the care of Coastal Cremations of Carolina Shores.

Ina Elizabeth Moore King of Wilmington, N.C. passed away on July 9, 2024. Ina was born on October 10, 1937, in Wilmington. She was the 6th of 9 children born to Julius Gilbert Moore and Agnes DeNicola Moore. Ina grew up in the Wrightsboro community on Oakley Rd. She was a graduate of New Hanover High School. After high school, she held various bookkeeping positions. Ina worked for New Hanover County Finance Dept., where she worked until leaving to open King’s Appliances. Ina and her late husband, Mitchell, pursued their dream of running King’s Appliance in the community of Supply, N.C. where Mitchell grew up. They shared this dream and made it a reality until Mitchell’s passing in November 1988, Ina maintained this dream after Mitchell’s passing until she retired. After retirement, Ina rejoined the work force and worked as a DWI coordinator for Southeastern Mental Health in Brunswick County District Court for many years. Ina grew up in and was a member of Wrightsboro Baptist Church. Once Ina and Mitchell moved to Brunswick County, she became a member of Supply Baptist Church, where she was a Sunday School teacher. Ina is survived by two brothers, Arthur Moore (Barbara) and Lloyd “PeeWee” Moore (MargaretAnn), all of Castle Hayne; She is also survived by her grandson, Cameron King of Wilmington; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Julius Gilbert Moore, and mother, Agnes DeNicola Moore; her husband, Mitchell King, her daughter, Michelle King; her siblings, Regina McKeithan, Dolores McGee, Edna Warner, Anna Mintz, Julius Moore, and Gilbert “Buddy” Moore; her brothers-in-law, Marvin McKeithan, Joe Mintz, and Johnny Warner; and her sister-in-law, Betty Moore. The funeral service will be private at Greenlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Ocean Isle Beach town staff recently updated commissioners on the proposed Jinks Creek Maintenance Dredging Project, including funding details and the board’s options to move forward or not. The Ocean Isle Beach Board of Commissioners during its June 11 meeting discussed the updated projected project cost, time frame and...

OCEAN ISLE BEACH, N.C. (WECT) - A teenager drowned in Ocean Isle Beach on early Sunday afternoon, July 14, according to town Mayor Debbie Smith. Smith says the incident happened around 12:30 or 1:00 p.m. The mayor says three teenagers got caught in a suspected rip current. Two of the...