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Area teachers invited to Education Fair at UNCW

Area teachers invited to Education Fair at UNCW

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) — Communities in Schools of Cape Fear is hosting its eight annual Education Fair at UNCW’s Warwick Center from 2 until 5 p.m. on Thursday, August 11.

New Hanover, Pender, Brunswick and Onslow county teachers are invited to attend the free fair, according to a news release.

The fair will reportedly include vendors from continuing studies, scholarships and mini-grant programs.

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Boiling Spring Lakes deaths are from natural causes

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) — A father and son died of natural causes and were found by police on North Lake Road around noon on Tuesday, according to Sgt. Rick Spencer with the Boiling Spring Lakes Police Department.

John Nestor Wilson Jr., 84, died from prostate cancer, but the Boiling Spring Lakes PD believe Wilson had developed other cancers as well. Greg Blackburn Wilson, 47, died from an existing mental condition and complications associated with that condition. Officials say the men did not die on the same day.

Officials found the bodies after receiving a call on Monday from an out-of-town relative. The family member was concerned about the pair because they were not able to be reached.

Copyright 2011 WECT. All rights reserved.

New hospital welcomes first set of twins

New hospital welcomes first set of twins

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) — It only took four days for the Brunswick Novant Medical Center to be open in Bolivia before a mother gave birth to twins.

Bruce and Brittany Long of Boiling Spring Lakes were the first parents to welcome twins to the facility on Wednesday, August 3, according to Amy Myers with Brunswick Novant.

The first twin, Lexie Ann, was born at 12:11 p.m. and reportedly measured 20 inches. Her brother, Michael Allan, was born two minutes later and measured 20.5 inches. Each of the babies weighed in at 6 pounds, 6 ounces.

Celebrity Chef Paula Deen to raise money for BCC

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) - Celebrity Chef Paula Deen will help Brunswick Community College raise money later this year.

The Foundation Board plans to hold a fundraiser on Saturday, October 15th for student scholarships.  Paula Deen, a star on the Food Network, will attend a VIP light luncheon.  She will also spend some time with folks at Odell Williamson Auditorium later that afternoon.

The VIP luncheon event will cost you $500.  You'll be able to eat at the luncheon, two autographed Paula Deen's Southern Cooking BIBLE book and VIP seating for the event.  Only sixty people will be allowed to take part in the VIP event.

You can get a premier ticket for $150.  That will include one autographed Paula Deen's Southern Cooking BIBLE book and premium seating for the event.  That's limited to 120 people.

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Simmons withdraws from council race in Oak Island

Simmons withdraws from council race in Oak Island

OAK ISLAND, NC (WECT) - Reece Simmons withdrew from the Oak Island town council race Tuesday.

Simmons was one of five candidates for three open positions to lead the southern Brunswick County community.

Currently running are Danny Lee Kiser, Mary Snead, Jeff Winecoff and Bettie Thorne.

Copyright 2011 WECT.  All rights reserved.

Text alert accidentally sent at BCC Tuesday

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) – School officials are saying campus lockdown alert at Brunswick Community College was a mistake.

BCC President Dr. Susanne Adams takes school safety very seriously.  She's a graduate of Virginia Tech and said that's partially a reason for her dedication to campus safety.

"When the incident at Virginia Tech occurred it really came home to me and certainly the safety of our students is the most important thing," said Adams.

An emergency alert text message was sent around 10:00 Tuesday morning reading: "Code Red.  Campus wide lockdown."  The text warned people to get to a safe place and remain there until the situation was clear.

Campus police said they were training and a system malfunction caused the text to go to fitness and aquatics members.  No students or faculty members received the accidental alert.

A second message was reportedly sent out later reading: "All clear."

Brunswick Co. had 19 fatal car accidents in 2009

Brunswick Co. had 19 fatal car accidents in 2009

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) — Brunswick County had 19 fatal car accidents in 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

With records dating back to 1994, the NHTSA is reporting that more Americans die in car crashes in August than any other time of the year. More than 2,800 people died during the month in 2009, the most recent year in which data was compiled.

According to the NHTSA, 1.09 people were killed per every 100 miles traveled, just slightly up to September, the second deadliest month, at 1.08 fatalities per 100 miles.

Their report shows that traveling on the weekends is the most risky with a total of 5,786 fatalities on Saturday in 2009 and 5,004 on Sunday. Most accidents on those days happened between midnight and 3 a.m., according to the data. The safest day to travel is Tuesday, according to the NHTSA data.