Eliot Duke

Greensboro

Staff Writer at State Port Pilot

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Articles

Pickleball tourney kicks off military appreciation

1 week ago | stateportpilot.com | Eliot Duke

St. James American Legion Post 543 turned to a popular local sport to kick off this year’s military appreciation event. Post 543 decided to expand its Military Appreciation Day in 2025 to nearly a full week of activities featuring the Mt. Rushmore of St. James sports: pickleball, bowling, tennis and golf. Pickleball took center-stage on June 8 at the courts off of St. James Drive as more than 50 players signed up to both compete and support the military.
Oak Island switches from fire fee to fire tax

1 week ago | stateportpilot.com | Eliot Duke

Oak Island Town Council approved its 2025-26 fiscal year budget and unanimously passed a motion to switch from a fire fee to a fire tax system at the board’s June 10 meeting. At 16 cents per $100 valuation, Oak Island’s property tax rate stays the same in the $26.3 million budget, but stormwater fees increased slightly and the new fire funding method will result in some residents paying a little more than others.
Oak Island awards $40 million in sand contracts

1 week ago | stateportpilot.com | Eliot Duke

Oak Island Town Council awarded $40 million worth of beach nourishment contracts at its June 10 meeting. After failing to secure any sand in 2024 due to inflated dredging prices, council emptied its beach nourishment fund in a pair of motions involving the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) and an offshore site.
Oak Island Elks dedicate flag pole at ceremony

1 week ago | stateportpilot.com | Eliot Duke

Oak Island Elks Lodge No. 2769 found a way to make this year’s Flag Day celebration at Middleton Park just a little bit more special than usual. On June 13, Elks members ended its annual ceremony by dedicating a new flagpole near the east end of the amphitheater stage.
St. James close to sunsetting one-cent disaster tax

2 weeks ago | stateportpilot.com | Eliot Duke

St. James Town Council approved its 2025-26 fiscal year budget on June 4 and is closer to sunsetting a temporary tax put in place following Hurricane Florence. Council unanimously passed the $5.9 million budget proposal as outlined last month by Finance Director Pauline Haran. The budget maintains a property tax rate of 6 cents per $100 property valuation while funding St. James Fire Department and contributing to the town’s disaster recovery fund.
Caswell may snuff out its beach bonfire permits

2 weeks ago | stateportpilot.com | Eliot Duke

Caswell Beach Commissioners have scheduled a public hearing for later this summer to take another look at whether or not to allow public bonfires. Commissioners approved the hearing for their August meeting at Monday’s agenda workshop following a recommendation from the planning board. Under the existing ordinance, bonfires require a permit issued by the town manager. Bonfires are prohibited during turtle nesting season May 1 through Aug.
Loggerheads open season at Bill Smith Park

2 weeks ago | stateportpilot.com | Eliot Duke

Baseball in Oak Island became a reality June 5 at Bill Smith Park when approximately 2,000 people turned out for the Oak Island Loggerheads’ Opening Night, answering the question of whether or not the local community would support a collegiate summer wooden bat baseball league. Fans of all ages showed up at the recently renovated Loggerheads Field to see Oak Island’s latest addition take on the Shallotte Shallywags in its Old North State League debut.
Three receive Oak Island lifesaving awards

3 weeks ago | stateportpilot.com | Eliot Duke

Oak Island Police Department recently recognized three of its first responders who happened to be at the right place at the right time. On April 1, Master Patrol Officer Todd Holleman and Community Resource Officer Joe Trahey were playing pickleball at the courts behind Oak Island Town Hall when they heard someone yelling for help. They ran over to a nearby court and found Tom Alderice in cardiac arrest and struggling to breathe.
Mayor White throws out first pitch for Loggerheads

3 weeks ago | stateportpilot.com | Eliot Duke

When Oak Island Mayor Liz White steps on the mound Thursday night to throw out the first pitch in Loggerheads history, she will be thinking about more than just delivering a strike to home plate. White’s father, Ray White, played and managed in the New York Yankees minor league system for six seasons, winning several championships while crossing paths with some of baseball’s legendary figures.
Five former Cougar players on Loggerheads roster

3 weeks ago | stateportpilot.com | Eliot Duke |Michael Paul

The Oak Island Loggerheads baseball team will make its debut at 6 p.m. Thursday at Bill Smith Park, competing in the Coastal Division in the Old North State League. Five former South Brunswick High School baseball players are listed on the roster as of May 29: Patrick Boldt (Pitt Community College), Mannix Crawford (Bob Jones University), Banks Hartman (Methodist University), Jaden Marvin (USC Salkehatchie) and Will Lamiman (Greensboro College).