WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - Powerball craziness has taken over the country and that was definitely the case for at least one store in Wilmington.

Employees at the Han-Dee-Hugos off Shipyard Boulevard say lots of people are coming in to buy tickets.

The jackpot has swelled to over $600 million dollars.

It's the biggest jackpot since California entered the multi-state game last month and the second highest jackpot of all time.

Odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 175.2 million but several players in Wilmington are still excited about their chances.

"It really is exciting," said George Jones.  "I think it's a good thing even if you don't win, it still gives people hope.  At least it gives people something to look forward to."

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - Members of a committee who studied the future of UNCW athletics say they were disappointed at the absence of the men's basketball program during a student-athlete participation session, according to university officials.

The absence was noted in an 18 page report released Wednesday that ultimately concluded with a recommendation to cut five sports, but not touch men's basketball. No reason was given for the no-show in the report.

Buzz Peterson, the head coach of the Men's Basketball team, refused to explain why his players were not part of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee meeting with the Intercollegiate Athletic Review Committee earlier this year. 

The Women's Basketball team was participating in the CAA tournament at the time and unable to attend.  The university's 17 other teams were represented by two members each.

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – School Resources Officers are a must in New Hanover County Schools, according to a recent security assessment.

Dr. Tim Markley, Superintendent of NHCS, asked URS Corp. for a preliminary recommendation about SROs in time for the budget process.

According to the letter Markley shared with the County Manger and Board of Commissioner Chairman,  URS suggests continuing the support that would stop at the end of this school year.

Each of the 26 elementary schools across the county has its own SRO.

The Board of Education unanimously supported a minimal coverage plan of 11 deputies floating between schools earlier this year.

The preliminary report from URS reads in part

"…the team felt consistently that having the SROs at each of the schools has contributed to the safety, security and well-being of students, faculty and staff."