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
Source: National Weather Service
June 30–July 6, 2016
Firefighter, police hires increase departments to full staff
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Volume 15 | Issue 26 | 25¢
Self-guided stormwater runoff reduction tour
Sunset SUP series to raffle off paddleboard
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Law enforcement agencies increase presence for July Fourth By Emmy Errante Staff Writer
By Emmy Errante Staff Writer
After nearly one year of being understaffed, the Wrightsville Beach Police Department became fully staffed last week when two new officers were sworn onto the force. Accordingly, the Wrightsville Beach Fire Department also added a new member to its crew from the town’s lifeguard squad, giving the town’s emergency response service new and experienced personnel as it rolls into its busiest weekend of the year. Wrightsville Beach Police Chief Dan House said the new additions bring the force to its budgeted force of 25 officers. While officers Alexander Melgar and Andrew Terry are now members of the police department, their training isn’t yet over, House said. “There’s another 16 weeks of field training, plus they need to learn our civil citation system, so there’s a lot more still involved,” n See HIRES Page 5
Lifeguard stand memorial honors former guard
By Emmy Errante Staff Writer
The lifeguard stand just south of Crystal Pier marks the spot where the Wrightsville Beach Ocean Rescue squad meets every morning to train together — where bonds of trust and camaraderie are formed over wind sprints and ocean swims. That lifeguard stand now holds even more meaning for the guards because it bears the name of a former squad member who died in a 2013 mountaineering accident. When Wrightsville Beach switched out eight of its lifeguard stands this year, town staff allowed members of the public to sponsor stands for $3,500 each. A few businesses saw it as an advertising opportunity, but Grey Liston’s parents, brother and friends saw it as a chance to honor not only Liston’s life and his four years as a lifeguard, but the lifelong bonds ocean rescue creates. Liston’s memorial plaque on stand No. 12 reads “Stoked to Go Out,” a phrase that describes how he lived his life: enthusiastically and full of activity. During his four years attending UNCW, n See MEMORIAL Page 5
Lumina News file photo
Boaters anchor in Mason Inlet on July Fourth, 2015.
This year’s law enforcement presence around Wrightsville Beach will be larger than ever to keep up with larger crowds expected as, once again, multiple agencies are preparing a joint effort to keep July Fourth celebrations safe in the region. The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office will run an incident command center with the Wrightsville Beach Police Department out of the Wrightsville Beach Coast Guard Station at Wrightsville Beach’s south end. Both departments will bring more manpower than last year: the Wrightsville Beach Police Department just hired two more officers so it is fully staffed at 25 and the sheriff’s office will add 40 deputies. “It’s a larger operation,” said Lt. Jerry Brewer, sheriff’s office public information officer. “But it’s what’s needed … [the crowd] grows every year.” n See FOURTH Page 5
Local paddleboard racer moves into world top 10 By Terry Lane Staff Writer
An adventurous two months of paddling around the United States and Europe have moved a Wrightsville Beach-area athlete into the top 10 of women’s competitive standup paddleboard racers. After spending her late spring competing on a European paddleboard racing tour, April Zilg moved up to No. 9 in the SUP Racer website world rankings, the highest ranking yet for the paddleboard trainer who organizes races in Wrightsville Beach. Zilg placed fifth or better in all four of her races on the 11-race EuroTour circuit, her first international competition since 2013. Zilg described the tour as challenging, noting that each race was approximately the same distance as the noted graveyard course at Wrightsville Beach’s Carolina Cup SUP race. “It’s like the graveyard, every weekend,” she said. “They were long races.” And while most of the racing was on flat water similar to Banks Channel, she had her best finish in the last of the four races. Zilg placed third in the San Sebastian Paddle Tour as the northern Spanish coastal city offered conditions not unlike those of Wrightsville Beach. “I was so happy that it was actually in the ocean and it was windy, so there was wind and swell for me to use,” Zilg said. n See PADDLEBOARD Page 5
Supplied photo courtesy of April Zilg
Paddleboarder April Zilg snaps a photo of herself by Oberhofen Castle in Lake Thoune, Switzerland, on June 1 in between races in Europe. Zilg competed in four races on the EuroTour in May and June, helping her advance into the worldwide top 10 for standup paddleboard racers.
Wilmington boy wants to pay it forward through fundraiser By Elly Colwell Intern
Supplied photo courtesy of Kate Mejaski
Ten-year-old Mack Mejaski, shown with his service dog Monroe, is working with the Cape Fear Rugby Sevens Tournament to raise money and awareness for paws4people.
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When 10-year-old Mack Mejaski struggles with the tics that stem from anxiety attacks, his assistance dog Monroe tackles him with love, lying on top of the Wilmington boy to apply pressure that his mother says calms him. It’s just one of the ways the dog donated from paws4people helps Mack cope with dyslexia, ADHD, sensory processing disorder and anxiety. Now, Mack wants tackle the challenge of helping others with development issues have the
benefits of an assistance dog. During the 42nd annual Cape Fear Rugby Sevens tournament, Mack will help raise money for paws4people while watching his father John Mejaski, known by many as the “Mayor,” compete in the local tournament. “This is the first time Mack’s been able to take the reins with fundraising. It’s been an amazing experience,” said his mother, Kate Mejaski. “He’s doing this to help someone else in the future and he’s been blown away by how generous people are in the community.” n See FUNDRAISER Page 5
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