BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) – State officials lifted a water quality swimming alert at Lighthouse Park on Caswell Beach Road in Caswell Beach on Friday.

Subsequent sampling of the site showed that bacteria levels had dropped below set standards.

Original story:

Water in a portion of Caswell Beach showed high levels of bacteria when tested on Wednesday, which caused the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources to issue a swimming alert.

The alert affects waters at Lighthouse Park on Caswell Beach Road, according to a news release. The sample that was tested had “124 enterococci per 100 milliliters of water, which exceeds the state and federal single-sample standard of 104 enterococci per 100 milliliters for Tier 1 high usage sites.”

People swimming or playing in waters with high bacteria levels have an increased risk of developing gastrointestinal illness or skin infections, the news release stated.

State officials will test the site again on Thursday and the results will dictate further action. A swimming advisory could be issued if the bacteria levels are still high.

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) – The combination of an unseasonably cold air mass, clear skies, and light winds could lead to a widespread frost and possibly some freezing temperatures over southeast North Carolina by early Thursday morning. 

Overnight lows could drop into the 35-40 degree range in the frost advisory area and could go below 32 in isolated spots in the freeze warning area.

Now that the growing season is under way it will be important to protect your delicate plants by covering them up or bringing them inside, if possible. The critical question Wednesday night will be the wind. If it stays in the 5-10 miles per hour range, we may avoid a widespread frost.  If winds are lighter than expected the frost and freeze will be more widespread overnight.

Freeze warning: Bladen, Pender, Duplin, and Onslow counties from 3-8 a.m. Thursday

Frost advisory: New Hanover, Brunswick, and Columbus counties from 3-8 a.m. Thursday

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BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) – The FoodCorps team asks anyone interested to help break ground at an area school garden Saturday, March 31 at Supply Elementary School from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

FoodCorps aims to fight childhood obesity by teaching children about healthy food choices and how to make healthy meals. Through planting a garden, children will learn about different types of crops, soil, harvesting and more.

The student-designed garden at Supply Elementary is the second in area, the first being planted at Snipes Academy in October of last year.

Those interested in coming to the event are asked to bring gloves and a shovel to dig, and garden materials are still needed.

If you’re interested in donating materials, or want to volunteer, contact Sara Quinn at sara.quinn@foodcorps.org or Jane Steigerwald at steigerwaldj@uncw.edu.

For more information on Food Corps, click here visit www.foodcorps.org or www.feastdowneast.org.