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Proposed bill creates concern in Southport

SOUTHPORT, NC (WECT) – A bill filed in the state House is
creating a lot of concern for town leaders in Southport.

HB 994, co-sponsored by Rep. Rick Catlin (R-New Hanover) and
Rep. Chris Millis (R-Pender), Rep. Paul Stam (R-Wake) and Rep. Paul Luebke
(D-Durham), seeks to make the film production credit non-refundable. 

Film productions would no longer receive a refund from the
state for any income tax credit. Under the proposed bill, the production would
instead be entitled to carry the surplus credit forward for the next five
years, to use against any future tax liability.

One of our area's most popular spots for filming is the city
of Southport.

City leaders say if this bill passes, it would have
extremely negative impacts.

Councilman Buddy Barnes expressed his concern.

Southport dirt could bring the city millions

SOUTHPORT, NC (WECT) – Southport town leaders are in serious
negotiation talks with a company who wants to purchase a large amount of fill
dirt from a parcel of land owned by the city near the Sunny Point Military
Terminal.

The company, Balfour Beatty, was recently awarded a DOT
contract to use the dirt for a road project near the intersection of highways
211 and 133 near Bethel Road.

The majority of the land sits inside the blast zone near
Sunny Point, therefore it cannot be developed residentially or commercially.

If approved, the deal would bring the City of Southport
somewhere between $1.1 and $1.2 million, ultimately to be paid for by the
state.

The land itself totals almost 450 acres.

The land was originally purchased by the city back in 2006
for $2.2 million to use as a sanitary spray field.

Mayor Robert Howard hopes to get some value back on the
city's investment.

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.