Cost of public preschool rivals college tuition

Submitted by Ann McAdams, Investigative Reporter

Thursday, March 8th, 2012, 7:48pm

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - Gov. Bev Perdue recently transferred $9.3 million to the North Carolina pre-K program to make room for 2,000 more children.

If you do that math, that's a staggering amount of money per child -- almost $5,000 each, rivaling the $5,600 annual tuition at UNCW.

NC pre-K helps at-risk 4-year-olds prepare for kindergarten, teaching them social skills as well as letters and numbers, colors and shapes. Most of their parents' incomes fall below the state poverty level.

"It's not a baby sitting service at all," said Dr. Diane Emerson, director of the state's pre-K program in New Hanover County. "We really focus on high academics. Getting students ready for kindergarten."

View Comments | Post a Comment

Need your weather radio programmed?

Submitted by Robb Ellis, Meteorologist

Thursday, March 8th, 2012, 5:43pm

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - As the temperatures begin to climb in Spring, the threat of severe weather increases will be upon us.

The First Alert Weather Team always stresses the need for a NOAA Weather Radio to stay alert for any kind of weather. And we're making sure your radio is programmed correctly.

Our usual "Weather Radio Wednesday" will be held on Thursday this week, at the Walgreens on South College Road in Wilmington. Members of the First Alert Weather Team and volunteers will be there from 4 until 7 p.m. to program radios.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Sen. Goolsby aims to lessen tuition increase burdens

Submitted by WECT Web Staff

Thursday, March 8th, 2012, 5:20pm

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - Senator Thom Goolsby is aiming to give students at UNCW some relief from tuition increases.

Legislators cut hundreds of millions of dollars from state university budgets last year, and UNCW alone was hit with a $16.5 million cut.

Goolsby says there is plenty of room to cut expenses at UNCW without passing a tuition hike along to students.

"I don't want them shedding professors," said Goolsby. "I don't want them jacking up tuition. I want to see that the overhead is cut."

Goolsby says he would like the cuts to focus on the excessive administrative staff, and non-essential university programs, such as the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion.

View Comments | Post a Comment

Teacher assistant suspended from Hoggard High School

Submitted by Debra Worley, Digital Content Director

Thursday, March 8th, 2012, 4:04pm

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – A teacher assistant at John T. Hoggard High School was suspended Thursday pending the outcome of an investigation, according to New Hanover County Schools.

According to a spokesperson for the school district, an incident allegedly occurred at the school Thursday morning involving teacher assistant Joseph C. Brown, Jr.

Brown has been suspended with pay pending an investigation of the alleged incident by the district and the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office.

"While we cannot comment on the specifics of the allegations due to the laws regarding confidentiality of personnel records, we take this matter very seriously," explained Superintendent Dr. Tim Markley. "Once the investigation is complete, we will take the appropriate measures in accordance with New Hanover County Schools' employee disciplinary policies if warranted."

Brown has been employed with NHCS since August 2006.

View Comments | Post a Comment

House fire sparks in kitchen, kills pet dog

Submitted by WECT Web Staff

Thursday, March 8th, 2012, 3:34pm

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - Wilmington firefighters battled a fire reported on Hinton Avenue Thursday morning.

The fire call came in around 9:00 a.m. A spokesman for the fire department says crews got on scene to find smoke showing. According to fire officials, the fire was out by 9:45 a.m.

According to David Hines with the WFD, the fire started in the kitchen and burned long enough to do some serious smoke and heat damage throughout the home.

According to the homeowner, her 13-year-old dog died in the fire. No other injuries were reported.

Hines said damage estimates are $100,000 to the structure and $50,000 to the things inside.

Investigators could not determine the cause of the fire.

View Comments | Post a Comment

NHC Schools to hold 2012 Technology Fair

Submitted by Sarah Crandall, Web Producer

Thursday, March 8th, 2012, 3:11pm

NHC Schools to hold 2012 Technology Fair

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – According to a school spokesperson, the New Hanover County School System will be hosting its 2012 Technology Fair Thursday, March 15, where both students and teachers will demonstrate various ways that technology and education can be utilized for learning experiences.

Some of the technology that will be on display includes iPads, interactive whiteboards and cell phones.

The event is open to the public and is free.

It will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at UNCW’s Warwick Center.

Visitors can park next to Green Track and Field on Hamilton Drive, and a shuttle to the event will also be available.

For more information, call 910-254-4284.

View Comments | Post a Comment

NHC commissioners to discuss fines for 911 misuse

Submitted by Debra Worley, Digital Content Director

Thursday, March 8th, 2012, 12:43pm

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Commissioners in New Hanover
County will consider imposing fines for people who misuse 911 phone calls.

The ordinance would be for people who call in false complaints,
repeated emergency calls, and people who call and reportedly hang up.

Violators would have to pay a $200 fine for the first time,
and a $500 fine for any additional violations of the ordinance.

Emergency Management Director Warren Lee told commissioners
in February that there are numbers people can call for help in a non-emergency
situation. It's important that residents
only dial 911 when there is a true emergency.

View Comments | Post a Comment