See Why We Are Santa’s Favorite Store
Boutique Friday Open 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM Small Business Saturday Open 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
513 Roland Ave Surf City, NC (910) 328-2105 www.shopthebee.com
We will BEE here, with lots of CHEER!
8211 W Market St #BB Wilmington, NC (910) 319-7693
Holiday events Christmas holiday events are beginning across Pender County with tree lightings, parades and more. Read about what’s happening this holiday season in Community News on page 3B.
Volume 45, No. 8
P ST Voice The Pender-Topsail
Happy Thanksgiving
&
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Basketball preview Pender County basketball teams are hitting the hardwood this week and next week to begin their seasons. Read about the teams this week on page 8A.
50 Cents
The Media of Record for the People of Pender County
Commissioners give nod to more money, approve Surf City land purchase
Tree lighting in Surf City
Easement prices push total for school site to more than $1 million By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher
Staff photo by Andy Pettigrew
Olaf the snowman was a big hit with the children at the annual tree lighting celebration at Soundside Park in Surf City Nov. 21. See more photos of the event on page 14A.
Company coming for the holidays?
Five things to do in Pender County with holiday guests By Tammy Proctor Pender County Tourism Director We’re great hosts when it comes to cooking for our guests. Our tables are spread with all the fixin’s’ and the holiday ham or turkey. But how do you entertain your guests after dinner? Pender County is rich in familyaffordable entertainment. Here are five things to do with your out-of-town guests: Be sure to take your weekend guests to the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. The sea turtle hospital offers Saturday
visitation hours just for weekend visitors. Guests will view endangered sea turtles in rehab in the workout pool and sick bay, as well as viewing them in Turtle Bay. Named the North Carolina Visitor Attraction of the Year, guests will enjoy a turtle tour where volunteers are stationed around the facility to answer questions. The admission fee is $5 per adult, $4 for active military, and children are admitted $3 each. The off-season visiting hours are Thursdays and Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. The sea turtle hospital is located on the mainland in Surf City. From NC Hwy. 50 turn right onto Charlie Medlin
Drive. Follow the dirt road to the end of Tortuga Lane. Local’s insider scoop: The sea turtle hospital will be open Friday, Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving as well as Saturday, 1-4 p.m. Moores Creek National Battlefield is Southeastern North Carolina’s only national park. It is the site of the pre-Revolutionary War battle which sent Loyalists retreating. North Carolina was the first colony to declare its independence, before the Continental Congress, and it all started here in Pender County. Moores Creek offers a
Pender County Commissioners approved an increase in funds to finalize the purchase of property for the new Surf City school. The Board approved the increase at Monday’s meeting. Commissioners had previously approved $950,000 for the property, one access, and a portion of another. Burgaw attorney Rick Biberstein, who is representing the Pender County Board of Education in the property purchase, told commissioners an additional $135,000 was needed to purchase three access routes into the proposed school site. The new total approved by the commissioners is $1,085,000. Biberstein said the original plan did not work out due to some legal problems with easements so the School Board had to go back and rework the plans.
“This is a better plan because it provides for less use of wetlands and mitigation, as well as providing better access to the site for busses and parents,” Biberstein said. Commission Chair man David Williams said several other sites had been looked at and this site was still the best. He said when people know government entities are looking to purchase property, the price can often go up. “Given the circumstances, we have to move on,” Williams said. Biberstein agreed with Williams. “None of these sellers fall into the category of people who were trying to sell their land. They were not willing sellers, although they were willing to sell for a price,” said Biberstein. “They had to be persuaded. They didn’t come knocking on our door, and there is a premium to be paid when you are in that situation.”
Burgaw loses finance director to Surf City By Andy Pettigrew Post & Voice Publisher Burgaw finance director Ashley Loftis has taken a new position with Surf City, according to Burgaw town manager Chad McEwen. Loftis, who has been with the town of Burgaw for more than three years, will be the new finance director and assistant town manager of Surf City. Loftis’
last day with Burgaw will be Dec. 11. “She has done an excellent job for the town and we hate to lose her as an employee. We appreciate her hard work while she was with us,” McEwen said. McEwen says the town is looking at several different options to cover the finance
Continued on page 3A
Burgaw Christmas tree lighting
Continued on page 10A
Local gas prices continue to fall From Staff Reports Gas prices continue to fall locally, even as the Thanksgiving travel days approach. Traditionally gas prices rise or remain steady during holiday periods when driving increases. But falling crude oil prices have pushed prices at the pump down just in time for holiday travel. Gas in Burgaw is $2.03 per
gallon as press time this week. One year ago, gas prices averaged about $2.75 per gallon across the state. Gas is $2.09 in Hampstead and $2.07 in Rocky Point at press time this week. Gas prices have slipped below $2 a gallon at several locations in Wilmington. The lowest prices in North Carolina are $1.72 a gallon in Matthews and $1.82 in High
Point. Holiday travelers driving the I-40/85 corridor through the middle of the state will find gas prices as low as $1.95 a gallon in Burlington,
Haw River and Greensboro. Oil prices have been in a free-fall since the summer, with prices dropping from $100 a barrel to the current price of $40 to $45 a barrel. Experts say the reason for falling gas prices is simple economics – a big supply of oil, and a soft The annual Christmas tree lighting celebration in Burgaw world-wide demand. Some ex- will be Nov. 27 at 6 p.m. on the Courthouse Square. Santa
Continued on page 3A
will greet children at the Community House across from the Square.
Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/PostVoice
Push Mowers • Lawn Tractors • Zero Turn Mowers Trimmers & Chainsaws
WHITE TRACTOR CO. INC.
SALES • SERVICE • PARTS • DELIVERY Financing Available
(WY "Y 0ASS 3 "URGAW s
whitetractorcompany.com