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LUMINA NEWS 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

March 24–30, 2016

Volume 15 | Issue 12 | 25¢

luminanews.com

Source: National Weather Service

Miracle Field

Marines march for fallen comrades

Page 6

Thousands race in chilly marathon

Page 7

Unpaid New Hanover County taxes almost $3.9 million

Page 12

Weather swings could keep March temperatures at average

History Channel films at WB

By McCall Reeder Intern

By Pat Bradford Staff Writer

New Hanover County published its 2015 list of unpaid property taxes this week. Delinquent property taxes total more than $3.84 million due on 3,634 properties. Four of the delinquent bills were between $34,000 and $53,150. Thirty of the listings were more than $10,000 in unpaid taxes. On the other end of the spectrum, seven property owners owed between $5 and $6. The list is 578 parcels shorter than 2014. The largest unpaid tax bill was for Joyner Marina LLC, at 401 Marina Street, Carolina Beach, which owes the county more than $53,000. The same company was also the county’s second-largest unpaid tax bill in 2014, owing $51,474. Tax bills are due in early January. The names of property owners who failed to pay their tax bill make the list, which is then published by the tax collector. New Hanover County property taxes are due every year on September 1, but payment can be made until January 5 without penalty. Interest accrues after that. Property owners receive two delinquent notices by mail. Publishing the list every year is required by n See TAXES Page 5

“Six,” a History Channel series about SEAL Team Six, films at a home on Pelican Drive in Wrightsville Beach on Tuesday, March 22. ~ Emmy Errante

After a string of 80-degree days, Wilmington looked set to break March temperature records, but a couple of cold snaps, including one forecasted for this weekend, could keep this monthly temperature within averages. This March’s weather has created record-breaking highs and below-average low temperatures in the same week. The National Weather Service’s records state March 16’s temperature of 88 degrees was the highest the city has seen on that day since 2002. Also, March 11’s high temperature of 86 degrees was an increase over last year’s record-breaking 84 degrees. However, Sunday, March 20’s high of 51 degrees was about 16 degrees lower than the average high. Terry Lebo, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Wilmington, said another cold front will be coming in Friday, March 25, following another week that may be hotter than normal. That front could also create a chance of weekend showers. “The cold front should set us back about to where we should be, after that we’ll be about normal for March,” Lebo said. The high temperatures have been a sneak peek of summer for some beach goers, however. Ayla Jones, a student at UNCW, made the most

Help enlisted to meet April 30 dredging deadline By Emmy Errante Staff Writer

Staff photo by Emmy Errante

Dredging crews pumping sand onto Carolina and Kure’s beach strands are pushing to meet an April 30 deadline, but since they were hindered by weather for 38 days this winter, they’ve enlisted the help of a second dredging company to finish on time. Marinex Construction Co. started the beach renourishment project Jan. 11, and with the help of Norfolk Dredging they expect to finish within the environmental window, which is Nov. 16 to April 30. The window was created to minimize impacts to nesting turtles and birds, Army Corp of Engineers project manager Bob Keistler said.

Bulldozers shape sand piped onto the south end of Kure Beach March 17.

n See DREDGING Page 5

County approves using DOT project money to complete Ogden skate park funding

Finlay wins WB race

By Terry Lane Staff Writer

A state transportation project to extend Military Cutoff road will help complete funding for the proposed Ogden skateboard park after the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners voted this week to use more than half a million dollars from the project for the park. The North Carolina Department of Transportation project would extend Military Cutoff Road to cut across Ogden Park over a bridge spanning Ogden Park Drive, with the state buying the right-of-way for $502,580. The commissioners voted 4-1 on Monday to approve using the DOT funding toward the Ogden Skate Park proposal, with commission chair Beth Dawson saying she opposed dedicating the funds to the skate park until June when the county’s parks and garden department is scheduled to issue a report on county park priorities. Tara Duckworth, the county’s parks and gardens director, said the Parks Conservancy of New Hanover County also raised $60,783 for

Gavin Finlay wins the Wrightsville Beach Marathon on March 20. ~ Emmy Errante

n See SKATE PARK Page 5

Police Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 ­­For the record . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

For daily updates visit LuminaNews.com

n See WEATHER Page 5

Short-term rental forum brings out advocates on all sides By Terry Lane Staff Writer

Across a row of easels at Forest Hills Elementary School, each displaying information about Wilmington’s policies toward short-term rentals, a Post-it Note debate raged over whether the Internet-booked rentals were helping or hurting the city’s downtown and historic district. The sticky notes, part of a citysponsored public input session Thursday, March 22, revealed the wide range of opinions citizens have on the new economy controversy that is creating discord in cities around the world. One note said short-term rentals should be allowed if the property owner lives there, while another advocated regulations. A fair share of notes said short-term rentals should be banned outright, while others warned the Internet would make that exceedingly difficult to accomplish. At issue are the short-term rentals that are booked through Internet sites like AirBnB and VRBO. In December 2015, the Residents of Old Wilmington wrote the city and asked for n See RENTAL Page 5

Lifestyles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Sports/Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

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