Home & Garden

Applications for heating bill assistance accepted Thursday

Submitted by Ashley Barker, Community Web Producer

Wednesday, November 30th, 2011, 11:36am

Applications for heating bill assistance accepted Thursday

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) - New Hanover County residents who need help on this year's heating bills can start applying for assistance on December 1. Low Income Energency Assistance Program (LIEAP) applicants should be aware of changes in the program this year, though.

Households will no longer automatically receive a LIEAP check in February, according to a news release. Payments will be paid directly to the heating provider, such as your power, gas, or fuel oil company.

The application period is from December 1 to January 31, 2012. Priority will be given to the elderly population, 60 and above, and disabled persons receiving services through the North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services. Applications are available at the New Hanover County Department of Social Services, located at 1650 Greenfield Street.

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Set your clocks back an hour tonight, change your smoke alarm batteries

Submitted by Ashley Barker, Community Web Producer

Saturday, November 5th, 2011, 3:08pm

Set your clocks back an hour tonight, change your smoke alarm batteries

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Daylight saving time ends this weekend, which means we all will have an extra hour of sleep!

Don’t forget before you go to bed tonight to set all of your clocks, watches, microwaves and ovens back one hour. Most smart phones will adjust on their own at 2 a.m. on Sunday, so you don’t have to worry about them.

[Check out this video by Ellen DeGeneres to help people remember the difference between falling back and springing forward.]

As you change your clocks, the local fire departments are reminding folks to also change the batteries in all smoke alarms.

David Hines, with the Wilmington Fire Department, provided the following tips to help ensure your family receives a life-saving warning if a fire starts in your home:

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Low income energy assistance program available

Submitted by Tom Cheatham, News Production Supervisor

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011, 10:36am

Low income energy assistance program available

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"Beauty spots" attract attention in Wilmington

Submitted by Heather Setzler, Executive Producer, Theater/Arts Reporter

Tuesday, November 1st, 2011, 10:23am

"Beauty spots" attract attention in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - Three areas in Wilmington are being recognized for their curb appeal.

The Civic Improvements Committee of the Cape Fear Garden Club has announced three winners of the first ever “Beauty Spot Outstanding Landscape Award.”

Carrabba’s Restaurant on Market Street was selected in the business category. The Village at Mott’s Landing on Sanders Road won in the category of Neighborhood Entrance. Joseph Pawlik was the residential winner for his home at 302 S Second Street.

Winners were selected from a pool of nominations for attractive landscaping along street fronts.

Each winner will be recognized on Thursday, Nov. 6. They will each receive a Beauty Spot sign to be placed within the landscaping and displayed throughout the fall season.

The Village at Mott's Landing (Source: Cape Fear Garden Club Civic Improvements Committee)

Carrabba's (Source: Cape Fear Garden Club Civic Improvements Committee)

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Laptop on bed sparks early morning fire

Submitted by Will Tapper, Reporter

Monday, October 31st, 2011, 4:45pm

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) - Many of us are guilty of leaving a cell phone or a laptop sitting out to charge on a bed or sofa. Doing that cost some Wilmington residents some precious belongings.

“Our whole second story is covered in black soot,” said Stephen Vorwerk. “We have no clothes, no mattress, no pillows, no bed sheets, nothing. It’s all gone just from leaving a computer plugged in and charging."

Around 2 a.m. Sunday, Vorwerk’s house that he rents with his brother and a few other roommates caught fire.

He said the fire started because his brother left his laptop charging on his bed overnight. He said no one was home when the fire started in their Bonham Avenue house.

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UNCW official to discuss Venus flytrap with local students

Submitted by Ashley Barker, Community Web Producer

Tuesday, October 11th, 2011, 6:11am

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) — Lucas Ansbach, from UNCW, will give a presentation on the life cycle, conservation and methods to protect carnivorous plants to first grade students at Bradley Creek Elementary School.

Ansbach’s presentation will focus on the Venus flytrap and will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 11, according to New Hanover County Schools.

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City of Wilmington completes debris pickup, NHC still working on unincorporated areas

Submitted by Ashley Barker, Community Web Producer

Monday, September 26th, 2011, 4:10pm

City of Wilmington completes debris pickup, NHC still working on unincorporated areas

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) — The City of Wilmington has completed yard debris pick up left behind from Hurricane Irene. The City and contracted crews picked up 76,000 cubic yards, according to Malissa Talbert.

DRC Emergency Services, New Hanover County’s debris removal contractor, has collected 24,146 cubic yards as of Monday, Sept. 26 from roads in the unincorporated area, according to Mark Boyer with New Hanover County.

The second and final pass through the county began today in the southern unincorporated area. After it’s completed, the contractor will return to the northern area for the final collection.

Private roads will also be addressed during the second pass in addition to the state-system roads.

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