BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Over $8 million was awarded to over 600 fire departments across the state recently through the 2012 Volunteer Fire Department Fund.

The Fund was created in 1988 to provide dollar-for-dollar matching grants to assist volunteer fire departments, according to a news release from Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshall Wayne Goodwin. A total of $8,717,495.18 was awarded to 644 departments and some of that money is going to Brunswick County. Here’s the list of local grants:

• N.W. Volunteer Fire/Rescue Department, Inc., $24,775.97
• Navassa Volunteer Fire Department, $30,000
• Shallotte Point Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., $11,810.75
• Sunset Harbor and Zion Hill Vol. Fire Department, Inc., $14,105
• Winnabow Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., $30,000
• Yaupon Beach Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., $19,151.67

“I’m proud that so many fire departments are taking advantage of this important grant program. These grants help our volunteer fire departments stretch their budgets to better serve our communities,” stated Goodwin in a news release.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Charlotte Bobcats owner and NBA legend Michael Jordan isn't a doctor, but he played one on a television commercial promoting a local hospital.

Jordan, who grew up in Wilmington and played college basketball at UNC, will be hitting the airwaves in a new commercial next week for Novant Health, which is Brunswick Novant Medical Center’s non-profit parent organization.

The commercial is a part of Jordan's endorsement deal with the Charlotte-based business Presbyterian Healthcare.

Two 30-second TV commercials, three print ads and two posters featuring Jordan as a wannabe surgeon were shot last month, according to a news release. The disclaimer in the commercial reads: “Michael Jordan is not a licensed surgeon. He’s just a big fan of our hospital.” In the posters, Jordan’s oversized hands are shown to promote Novant’s award-winning “washing hands saves lives” effort.

Presbyterian Healthcare will remain the official healthcare provider for Bobcats players and staff, and will supply medical services for all events at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte.

"I have seen the level of care and commitment that the doctors and staff of Presbyterian Healthcare have shown our players and our entire organization," Jordan said in a news release. "I am proud to have Presbyterian Healthcare and Novant Health as part of our team and to aid their efforts in improving the lives of the people in the communities they serve."

OAK ISLAND, NC (WECT) – Business owners in Oak Island are teaming
up to start a club to keep everyone on the same page.

About two dozen business owners met to discuss the possibility
of forming an alliance similar to the one in downtown Wilmington.

They will meet regularly to brainstorm ways to get people
in their doors and to spend money in town.

"This meeting today was to stimulate the business owners and to say
we are here to support you, we're here to back you and they need a voice," said
organizer Neva Cardwell. "We need to keep the motor running and have got to
keep the water coming in."

Organizers say everyone is welcome in the newly organized club.

Their next meeting is scheduled for June 11 at the Rec Center in
Oak Island.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.