We start this week with the blatantly obvious: it’s been a long, hot, dry two weeks. But more important than weather small-talk — yes, it is in fact “hot enough” for many of us — are major infrastructure issues brought to the forefront by the recent drought conditions.
Why get into it: why did different counties react differently, and just how close are regional water systems getting to hitting capacity?
Next up: After a week and a half of trying to get Wilmington Police Chief Ralph Evangelous, Wilmington Housing Authority CEO Katrina Redmon, and Wilmington City Council member — not one public official was willing to comment on Evangelous’ call for the shuttering of the city’s housing projects. We get into how that went down, plus we break down what Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo – the only official to weigh in – had to say about the situation.
Also this week: A Pender County Sheriff’s Office detective has been cleared of any wrongdoing after an arrest left a suspect tasered and bruised in the face. It’s the second time this year he’s been involved in a use-of-force investigation — and the PCSO investigation is still ongoing.
Lastly, in beach town news, we take a closer look at just how much revenue Wrightsville Beach makes from parking. (How much? Enough to cut property taxes in half — to rates lower by far than any other beach community around.)
If you missed any of these stories, you can catch up below. Then take a deeper dive with our weekly podcast.
Drought, water shortage puts focus on maxed-out infrastructure in eastern Pender County
Drought update: Here’s the latest on water restrictions and burn bans
Wilmington Mayor addresses public housing issues; Police Chief, Housing Authority CEO won’t comment
Pender County Sheriff’s deputy cleared of wrongdoing in second use-of-force incident this year
Visitors to Wrightsville Beach paying nearly as much in parking fees as homeowners do in taxes
