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Southport fire department gets $66K for new equipment

Congressman Mike McIntyre was in town Tuesday to deliver a $66,500 check for the Southport Fire Dept.

SOUTHPORT, NC (WECT) - Firefighters in Southport will soon be better equipped to keep you and your home safe.

Congressman Mike McIntyre was in town Tuesday to deliver a $66,500 check for the Southport Fire Department.

The money comes from a $70,000 federal grant. The fire department has agreed to pay the additional difference of $3,500.

Fire Chief Greg Cumbee says the money will be used for operations and safety improvements including new equipment for firefighters.

The grant money will be used to purchase new turnout gear: including helmets, coats, pants, boots, gloves, and a hood to protect the face and neck.

According to Chief Cumbee, each set costs approximately $2,800.

Typically the fire department can only budget enough money to buy two sets per year. This grant will allow them to buy about 30 new sets.

Students to respond to disaster in life-like drill

Students to respond to disaster in life-like drill

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) – The Teen Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) from Brunswick County Early College High School will participate in a life-like disaster drill Friday.

EMS supervisors will create a disaster scenario to which the students must respond. CERT members will not know the specifics of the drill before the event.

All students have been trained in the basics of disaster preparedness, including fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.

This is the third year CERT members will participate in the disaster drill. In the past, students have been challenged with tornadoes, collapsed buildings, and missing persons.

The drill will take place Friday on the campus of BCC, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Students will meet with EMS after the drill to debrief.

Copyright 2013 WECT. All rights reserved.

BEMC awards sports camp scholarships to local students

BEMC awards sports camp scholarships to local students

News Release from Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation:

SUPPLY, NC (April 29, 2013) – Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation is awarding two local students Touchstone Energy Sports Camp scholarships to summer basketball camps at two of the state’s largest college campuses.

Clara Elizabeth Tyson of Leland Middle School will attend the N.C. State Women’s Basketball Camp, and D’Kwanshe Stanley of Shallotte Middle School will attend the Roy Williams Carolina Basketball Camp, both on full scholarships from BEMC.  Clara is the daughter of Beth Tyson. D’Kwanshe is the son of LaChella and Joseph Stanley.

Deputy involved in weekend accident, everyone okay

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) – A deputy with the Brunswick County Sheriff's Office was involved in an accident this weekend.

According to a spokesperson for the office, Deputy Zachary Stanley was involved in a wreck at Kirby and Boones Neck Roads Saturday morning.

The sheriff's office said it appears Stanley hit the other vehicle on the passenger side.

No one was seriously injured, and everyone involved is okay.

Sheriff Ingram said it was an unfortunate accident that could have been a lot worse, and he's very glad both parties are okay.

Copyright 2013 WECT. All rights reserved.

Uncovering grave sites to honor fallen veterans

Steven Thomas and his partner Austin Foshe sweep the cemetery for fallen veterans

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) - A teenager from our area is literally uncovering grave sites to
earn his eagle scout badge and honor fallen veterans at the same time. 

Steven
Thomas is a 17 year old high school senior from Southport.  He comes from a military family and has
always dreamt of serving his country. 
He's been a member of the boy scouts since he was 5 years old and served
as a leader for 4 years in the JROTC program at South Brunswick High
School.   Both his grandfather and his
great grandfather served in the US Army. 
Coming from a long line military war veterans, Thomas always knew his
path in life. 

Water quality swimming alerts lifted

State recreational water quality officials announced Friday that water quality swimming alerts that were issued Thursday for two sound-sites in Brunswick County have been lifted.

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) – State recreational water quality officials announced Friday that water quality swimming alerts that were issued Thursday for two sound-sites in Brunswick County have been lifted.

The sites affected had included Dutchman Creek Park on Fish Factory Road on the mainland side of Oak Island and the Cape Fear River at the beach area adjacent to the Southport Municipal Pier, according to a spokesperson for the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries.

Thursday, water quality tests had showed that there was too much bacteria in that area. However, sampling Friday showed that the bacteria levels at the sites have now dropped below the state and Environmental Protection Agency's standards.

Copyright 2013 WECT. All rights reserved.

Free 5K to fight obesity

Free 5K to fight obesity

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Brunswick County is hosting a free 5K Saturday to raise awareness of obesity and offer solutions.

Since we can fight against the obesity epidemic for free, the county decided to make the race free.

Everyone is invited to walk, jog, bike or run in the race Saturday morning.  The 5K starts at 9:00 a.m. in Holden Beach under the bridge.

You can register on the day of the race or online at www.sportoften.com (keyword) SEARCH 5K!

The SEARCH 5K is a free event held twice annually under the Holden Beach bridge.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.