YO U R C O A S TA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R S I N C E M AY 2 0 0 2
September 6 - September 12, 2018
Volume 17 | Issue 36 | 25¢
Source: National Weather Service
luminanews.com
Real Estate Trends
Weekly police report
Page 2
Page 3
Tourism Spending by Domestic Visitors Increases in New Hanover County and Statewide New Hanover County Reports 7th Consecutive Record-Breaking Year By Keaton Smith Intern
As part of a statewide trend that showed tourism grow more than 4 percent across North Carolina last year, Wrightsville Beach continued to be a leader in tourism growth, including registering a nearly 9 percent increase in hotel tax collection for June 2018. “When revenues are up, it not only means more jobs and a better quality of life for our local citizens, it also means more money to fund beach renourishment,” said Kim Hufham, President and CEO of the New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority. Fiscal year-end totals from July 2017 to June 2018 for Wrightsville Beach room occupancy tax totaled $1,342,945, representing a 2.40 percent increase over prior fiscal year. June 2018 room occupancy tax collections for Wrightsville Beach totaled $220,326, representing an 8.70 percent increase over the prior year. “We are pleased to report that tourism spending and direct tourism employment for New Hanover County increased in 2017, representing our seventh-consecutive record-breaking year,” Hufham, said. “Based on ROT reports for fiscal year July 2017 through June 2018, countywide collections were up 3.52 percent over the prior year, setting a new ROT record for the seventh consecutive year, with over $12.9 million in collections.” New Hanover County maintains its rank as No. 8 among North Carolina’s 100 counties in tourism expenditures, with a county-wide economic impact from domestic travel estimated at approximately $578.22 million, representing a 4.32 percent increase over 2016 n See TOURISM Page 2 expenditures.
Staff photos by Terry Lane
‘I Do’ by the Sea With beachgoers looking on, Tiara and Charles Blosser, both of Wilmington, tie the knot during an outdoor wedding by Johnnie Mercer’s Pier as the sun set on Sunday, Sept. 2.
Coast Guard, partner agencies crack down on illegal charters in South Carolina, Georgia
Flotilla organizers encouraging boat entries, seek other prize money sponsors While organizers seek to encourage entries for boats, the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla has again secured the Blockade Runner as the host site for the Captain’s Party the Friday before Wrightsville Beach’s annual boat parade. The Blockade Runner is again the host sponsor of the flotilla, though organizers are still seeking a
CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Coast Guard and partner agencies increased patrols to deter illegal charter operations in South Carolina and Georgia during Operation PAX Defender, a week-long Coast Guard initiative to prevent illegal charter operations during the holiday weekend. During the operation, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Coast Guard boat crews from Station Charleston, Brunswick, and Tybee Island increased patrols to deter illegal charter operations which included: • 16 boardings throughout South Carolina • 10 boardings throughout Georgia • A total of two non-illegal operation violations by South Carolina DNR • One illegal passenger operation violation by South Carolina DNR • Walked the docks of four Charleston marinas
"While the results of this weekend's operation highlight the successful efforts of multiple Coast Guard crews and state and local partners throughout the region, illegal charter operators should know that our teams are on patrol 24/7," said Cmdr. Kevin Beck, Prevention Department Head, Sector Charleston. "As always, we will continue to ensure commercial charters are in compliance with safety regulations and pursue enforcement penalties, when necessary. It is imperative that everyone who is looking to charter a vessel understand that they are fully within their right to verify that the operator has a USCG's captain's license and that the vessel has current safety certificates if it is required to be inspected." In the weekend prior to Operation PAX Defender starting, Miami-based Coast Guard units terminated n See CRACK DOWN Page 2
grand prize sponsor for the parade’s $5,000 grand prize for best boat. Atlantic Marine has donated half of the prize money, as organizers said they are seeking one more sponsor to contribute to the prize money. The Captain’s Party, which will take place on Friday, Nov. 23 at the Blockade Runner, will
WB Fire Department to host 9/11 observance on Tuesday The public is invited to attend a Wrightsville Beach Community 9/11 Observance at the Wrightsville Beach Public Safety Building at 3 Bob Sawyer Dr. on Tuesday 9/11/2018 beginning at 9:45 AM. Firefighters and Police Officers will be performing a brief ceremony to honor the civilian, ems personnel, firefighters and police officers lost on that tragic day on September 11, 2001 in New York, Washington, DC and Shanksville, PA. This observance is jointly sponsored by the Wrightsville Beach Fire Department and the Wrightsville Beach Police Department. The service should culminate at approximately 10:10 AM.
Wilmington Boat Show returns this weekend The Wilmington Boat Show returns for the third straight year Sept. 7-9, at the Port City Marina, Pier33 and the Wilmington Convention Center. The show will feature more than 70 different boat lines, including skiffs, cruisers, sailboats, fishing boats and yachts.
Police Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Area Briefs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fishing Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
For daily updates visit LuminaNews.com
Find us on Facebook facebook.com/LuminaNews
3 3 5 6
Follow us on Twitter @luminanews
LUMINA N EWS LuminaNews.com YO U R C O A S TA L C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R S I N C E M AY 2 0 0 2