Members of the Home Services Team of Coastal North Carolina (HSTNC), a group of southeastern North Carolina businesses that provide home services such as roofing and appliance repair, recently donated $3,000 to Step Up for Soldiers. The funds were raised through the group’s “Helping Heroes for the Holidays” campaign, during which they contributed $5 for each new customer to Step Up for Soldiers, a New Hanover County-based non-profit dedicated to enhancing the lives of disabled veterans and their families. HSTNC members presented a check to Tom Russell, founder of Step Up for Soldiers, in late January.
Tag Archives: Pender County
Parkin Leads REALTORS® into 2011, Prestigious Annual Awards Announced
WILMINGTON, NC – On Friday, January 7, Karen Parkin of Wilmington’s Best Rentals was officially sworn in as the 2011 President for the Wilmington Regional Association of REALTORS® (WRAR) at the organization’s annual Installation and Awards Banquet.
With Parkin being originally from England, the banquet featured a British theme complete with authentic British cuisine, bagpipes, some attendees in traditional British attire and even a resounding rendition of “God Save the Queen” as the “new queen” and her fellow officers and directors were sworn into office.
Local business group launches “Helping Heroes for the Holidays” to benefit Step Up For Soldiers
Members of the Home Services Team of Coastal North Carolina (HSTNC), a group of southeastern North Carolina businesses that provide home services such as roofing and appliance repair, are in the midst of a campaign entitled “Helping Heroes for the Holidays.” Between now and Christmas, each of the group’s member will contribute $5 for every new customer to Step Up For Soldiers, a New Hanover County-based non-profit dedicated to enhancing the lives of disabled veterans and their families. Step Up For Soldiers is an all-volunteer organization that places special emphasis on helping disabled veterans who were involved in Operation Enduring Freedom and subsequent combat operations. For more information about Step Up For Soldiers, visit http://www.stepupforsoldiers.org.
John Locke Foundation: Wilmington maintains No. 5 spot in annual tax burden ranking
Local taxes and fees in Wilmington topped $2,125 per person in the 2008 budget year, according to a new John Locke Foundation report. That total placed Wilmington at No. 5 in a ranking of the state’s larger cities.
Charlotte topped the rankings again in 2008, followed by Mooresville, Asheville, and Chapel Hill. The list compared 32 municipalities with at least 25,000 residents. Jacksonville, Indian Trail, Thomasville, Fayetteville, and Goldsboro ranked lowest among the larger cities. Jacksonville, at $1,092 per person, ranked No. 32.
Time Warner Inc. Provides 2010 Full-Year Business Outlook
NEW YORK – Time Warner Inc. (NYSE:TWX) today provided its 2010 full-year business outlook. The Company expects its 2010 full-year growth rate in Adjusted Diluted Income per Common Share from Continuing Operations (“Adjusted EPS”) to be in the mid-teens, off a 2009 Adjusted EPS base of $1.83.
February Arts & Cultural Events Observe African-American Heritage
Wilmington, NC – Wilmington & North Carolina’s Cape Fear Coast is among the most historically significant African-American regions in the United States. African-American ancestry is traced back to the 1700’s, and although much important history left no visible landmark, several historical sites still exist, such as the Cape Fear Museum, Bellamy Mansion, and Thalian Hall, as well as churches, cemeteries, homes and historical markers. A new interpretive marker for the Orange Street Landing at Cape Fear site (part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, a National Park Service program) was unveiled in mid-January at the corner of Orange and Water streets. During the month of February, festivals and special events will celebrate Black History Month. Other events that commemorate African-American heritage take place throughout the year.
WRAR – Real Estate Market Makes Significant Strides Heading Into New Year
By Mary Martin, SRS
President, Wilmington Regional Association of REALTORS®
Wilmington, NC – 
Mary Martin, SRS, President WRAR
With the New Year off to a promising start, our local residential market offers some exciting news and trends for both buyers and sellers in the Wilmington area for 2010. During the 4th quarter, our local market showed improvements in numbers of homes sold and seller’s asking price over 4th quarter 2008. These are strong indicators that the housing market is stabilizing and progressing towards a recovery.
Romance & Value Entice Visitors To Wilmington & North Carolina’s Cape Fear Coast
Wilmington, NC – Looking for a romantic winter getaway that won’t break the bank? Consider Wilmington and North Carolina’s Cape Fear Coast, where affordable romance-theme specials and packages are available. Value-minded visitors will find endearing Valentine specials and packages for hotels, B&Bs, attractions, and restaurants on the Wilmington & North Carolina Cape Fear Coast website at www.cape-fear.nc.us/specials/Valentines.html.
Cape Fear Region Closures For MLK Observance
List does not include all closing in the Cape Fear Region
FEDERAL
Offices: Closed
Courts: Closed
Mail delivery: No
STATE
Offices: Closed
Courts: Closed
Wilmington
Offices: Closed
COUNTY
Bladen: Closed
Brunswick: Closed
Trash: Yes
Columbus: Closed
Duplin: Closed
New Hanover: Closed
Trash: Yes
Onslow: Closed
Pender: Closed
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Bladen: Closed
Brunswick: Closed
Columbus: Closed
Duplin: Closed
State Farm May not be the only Insurer to leave North Carolina Barrier Islands
Raleigh, NC – State Farm will drop as many as 1,650 insurance policies on homes located on North Carolina’s coastal barrier islands, according to state officials. They may not be the last Insurer to leave the barrier islands.
Russ Dubisky told Cape Fear Business News, “In order to preserve the financial strength that allows us to fulfill our obligations to policyholders, we made the difficult decision to manage our exposure in these catastrophe prone areas. State Farm is still committed to the coastal areas, and offers full coverage to individuals west of the Intracoastal Waterway. Policyholders on the barrier islands should contact their agent to discuss available options, which may include seeking coverage through the recently stabilized Beach Plan.”
BASE Responds to State Farm Insurance Announcement Concerning Barrier Island Coverage
Wilmington, NC – The Business Alliance for a Sound Economy (BASE) responded to State Farm’s announcement that it will be the next major provider to drop homeowner’s insurance for some eastern North Carolina residents. According to a statement released by State Farm, the insurance giant will be dropping coverage for homeowners on North Carolina’s barrier islands effective this spring. Roughly 1,600 customers can expect to receive a notice that their policy expiring after May 1 will no longer be renewed.
N.C. Court of Appeals Set to Hear Oral Arguments in Case Against Insurance Department Coastal Rate Increases
On Thursday, January 14, 2010, the N.C. Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments in the case of Dare County et. al v. NC Department of Insurance regarding the December 18, 2008 Order where the DOI, at the request of the Rate Bureau, raised coastal insurance rates by as much as 30%.
The questions before the court are:
Burgaw Included in First Round of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants From Federal Stimulus Money.
Burgaw, NC – Gov. Bev Perdue announced that more than $860,700 in federal Recovery Act funding for energy efficiency block grants will help six local agencies create jobs and save on utility and fuel bills. The six grants mark the first distribution of money from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program in North Carolina. Additional grants are expected to be announced in the coming weeks as funding applications are reviewed and acted upon.
What’s Closed on Friday?
COUNTY OFFICES
Bladen: Closed
Brunswick: Closed
Columbus: Closed
New Hanover: Closed
Pender: Closed
STATE
Offices: Closed
Courts: Closed
FEDERAL
Offices: Closed
Courts: Closed
Mail delivery: No
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Bladen: Closed
Brunswick: Closed
Columbus: Closed
New Hanover: Closed
Pender: Closed
Whiteville: Closed
COLLEGES
UNCW: Closed
BCC: Closed
CFCC: Closed
SECC: Closed
REALTOR® from Hampstead, N.C. Wins National Volunteer Award for Helping Abused and Neglected Children
Wilmington, NC – REALTOR® Helen Marotto, a real estate practitioner with EXIT Homeplace Realty, in Hampstead, N.C., is one of five winners chosen by the National Association of REALTORS® as a REALTOR® Magazine 2009 Good Neighbor Awards winner. Marotto was selected for her commitment as a court-appointed advocate helping find permanent homes for abused, neglected and abandoned children in foster care.
Watha election results
Mayor
- Marion Knowles, Jr. – 88.89%
- Write-ins: 11.11%
Town Commissioner (3 seats)
- Amos David Garriss, Jr. – 29.63%
- James F. Pierce – 29.63%
- Needham C. Hall – 22.22%
- Joseph Craig – 18.52%
Village of St. Helena election results
Mayor
- Robert M. Barnhill – 88%
- Write-ins: 12%
Council
- Jimmy Davis – 40.70%
- Neil Benton – 38.37%
- Jim Miliam – 19.77%
- Write-ins: 1.16%
Atkinson election results
Mayor
- Jack Turner – 94.59%
- Write-ins: 5.41%
Alderman – Ward 3 (1 seat)
- Elaine Clark Stealer – 80.56%
- Write-ins: 19.44%
Alderman Ward 4 (1 seat)
- Write-ins: 100%
Topsail Beach election results
Town Commissioner (3 seats)
- Julian Bone – 18.51%
- Grier Fleischhauer – 17.71%
- Ed Broadhurst – 17.44%
- Bobby Humphrey – 17.04%
- William Johnson – 15.05%
- Ray Strader – 14.25%
Surf City election results
Town Council (2 seats)
- Doug Medlin – 42.88%
- Michael H. Curley – 42.71%
- Martha (Marti) Quinn – 13.39%
- Write-ins: 1.02%
Burgaw election results
Mayor
- Kenneth T. (Pete) Cowan – 53.89%
- Elaine B. Tyson – 46.11%
Town Commissioner (2 seats)
- Howard N. Walker, Jr. – 52.44%
- Janet L. (Jan) Dawson – 46.70%
- Write-ins: 0.86%
Town Commissioner (unexpired term ending 2011 – 1 seat)
- Louis (Sonny) Davis – 99.18%
- Write-ins: 0.82%
Municipal Election Day
Municipal elections were held today throughout southeastern North Carolina. We will post results from key races as they come in.
REALTORS® Provide Funds for Affordable Housing
(Left - Right) Kathleen Riely – WRAR Governmental Affairs Director, April McDavid – 2009 WRAR President, Jody Wainio – 2009 WRAR Board Director & Past Chair of Partners for Affordable Housing Committee, & Toronya Ezell – AHCSENC Chairman.
Wilmington, NC – The American Dream of owning a home will come true for more area residents thanks to a $1,250 contribution to the Affordable Housing Coalition of Southeastern North Carolina (AHCSENC) made by Wilmington Regional Association of REALTORS® (WRAR) and a $1,250 matching grant awarded by Homes4NC, the North Carolina Association of REALTORS® Housing Opportunity Foundation.
Tropical Storm Danny Moves Towards Northeastern US
A tropical storm watch is in effect for the North Carolina coast from cape
lookout northward to duck, including the pamlico and albemarle sounds. A
tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible
within the watch area, in this case, within the next 24 hours.
Interests elsewhere from the carolinas northward to new england and the
canadian maritimes should monitor the progress of danny. Additional watches
and warnings may be required for portions of this area later today.
American Heart Association Announces New Corporate Relations Director
Ashley Miller has joined the American Heart Association as director of corporate relations for New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender Counties.
Miller, formerly director of business development with Intracoastal Realty Corporation, will be instumental in developing and implementing the goals fo the AHA and will be responsible for the Start! Cape Fear Heart Walk.
Miller, a Wilmington native, recieved a BA in social work from East Carolina University.
