Post & Voice 4.6.17

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Take Me to the Ocean! Beach Towels 50% Off With Any Purchase

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Master Gardener’s sale

The Pender-Topsail

Springtime and warmer weather gets Pender people thinking about growing things. The annual Master Gardener’s plant sale is this weekend. Read more on page 1B.

Volume 47, No. 26

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Thursday, April 6, 2017

After losing to New Hanover Mar. 14, the Topsail Pirates have rolled a four-game winning streak, outscoring opponents 39-5. Read more about the Pirates on page 8A.

disease, chronic lower respiratory disease, unintentional injuries, nephritis and renal diseases, motor vehicle injuries, diabetes, suicide, and Alzheimer’s disease. An overview of the report indicates Pender County has health disparate groups as the unemployed, the uninsured/ underinsured, the elderly population and those without a high school education. Rural communities face a variety of challenges compared to urban areas. Health disparities also exist for residents with disabilities, low income and limited health care access, and those who have responsibilities to care for grandchildren. These individuals are more likely to need public services and support. Pender County has few

Continued on page 3A

Surf City swing bridge lane closures slow beach traffic ists to stay alert and encourages motorists to use alternate routes when possible during this period, drive with caution, obey the posted speed limits, and allow extra travel time. For additional information regarding the dates and times of this bridge closure, please visit http://www.ncdot.gov and click on “Travel & Maps� then, click on Traveler Information Management System and use the dropdown menus for county or route, or call 511 from any phone. For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on Twitter.

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From Staff Reports Plan to take more time getting to the beach on Topsail Island leading up to Easter weekend. The NC Department of Transportation Bridge Maintenance crews will be performing routine maintenance on the Topsail Island swing bridge. With traffic increasing in the holiday season, delays are sure to occur. Weather permitting, crews will close a single lane, alternating north and south lanes through April 13 from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. daily. The NCDOT reminds motor-

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Spring means planting time

County health report shows few changes Pender County Health and Human Services Director Carolyn Moser updated commissioners Monday on the annual county health report. Each year the county completes a state of the county health report, which is an interim report in between the larger community health assessments every four years. “A lot of our data has not changed. We have made good strides in maternal and child health, but not a lot of chronic disease,� Moser said. “Diabetes dropped to eighth as a leading cause of death, and it was higher. We are playing an active role in dealing with opioid abuse in our region.� The top 10 leading causes of death in the county are cancer, heart disease, cerebrovascular

Topsail baseball on streak

The Media of Record for the People of Pender County

Cancer, heart disease leading causes of death

By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher

513 Roland Ave Surf City, NC (910) 328-2105 www.shopthebee.com

Staff photo by Andy Pettigrew

The annual Herb and Garden Fair at Poplar Grove brought out crowds of people and many local growers and greenhouses with all types of plants. See more photos of the event on page 4B.

Kiwanis Club of Hampstead cuts ribbons at park From Staff Reports The Kiwanis Club of Hampstead celebrated 20 years of impacting the community April 1. The Kiwanis Club gathered at Kiwanis Park on Sloop Point Loop Road to commemorate 20 years of community service as well as with two ribbon cutting ceremonies. The first ribbon cutting ceremony was the official opening of the special needs playground. Built with reinvestment dollars from Trillium Health Resources and Pender County, the accessible playground is designed for children with disabilities. Equipment includes a Liberty Swing (for children and adults who use wheel chairs), glider, quad-seater see saw, jungle climber with adaptive seating and entranceway, and a rocking boat – accommodations that provide an opportunity for individuals of all ages and abilities to play together Staff photo by Bill Messer outside. “Trillium is so excited to officially open the playground Officials cut the ribbon to officially open the new in Hampstead and continue making a positive impact on the playground at Kiwanis Park. The new playground has community,â€? says Leza Wainwright, CEO of Trillium. “With equipment for children with disabilities. these new updates, children with disabilities can better enjoy play time with their peers, and family members with dis- and Recreation for the playground at the Hampstead Kiwanis abilities can participate in outside play together. We strive Park. Towns and counties across eastern North Carolina to strengthen the bonds within the community, and this park applied for these grants for playground updates or to build helps eliminate the stigma of disabilities.â€? Push Mowers • Lawn Tractors • Zero Turn Mowers Trillium supplied $550,000 to the Pender County Parks Continued on page 7A Trimmers & Chainsaws

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Rocky Point man charged with sex crimes Photo contributed

TrafďŹ c backs up in Surf City at the swing bridge last week as DOT crews work on the bridge.

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Lewis W. Willoughby Sr.

ITĘźS TIME TO GET -

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From Staff Reports Lewis William Willoughby, Sr., 36, a resident of Rocky Point, was arrested by Pender County investigators Mar. 29 for several sex offense violations involving a 14-year old female.

The arrest was the culmination of an investigation in which the victim reported Willoughby had engaged in sex acts with her over several months. Willoughby was charged with three counts of statutory

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rape of a 13, 14 or 15-year-old and three counts of statutory sex offense of a 13, 14, or 15year-old. Willoughby is currently in the custody of the Pender County Jail under a secured $1 million bond.

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