Eliot Duke

Greensboro

Staff Writer at State Port Pilot

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Articles

Options for Oak Island recreation center reviewed

1 week ago | stateportpilot.com | Eliot Duke

A recent assessment of Oak Island’s recreational facilities produced several options for town council to consider, and none of them proved to be particularly inexpensive. Representatives from HH Architecture, the firm hired by council to conduct an evaluation of the community and rec centers, presented its findings to the board last month in the lead up to a final report.
Extension shares ways to manage Caswell stormwater

1 week ago | stateportpilot.com | Eliot Duke

N.C. Cooperative Extension paid a visit to Caswell Beach Monday morning with some important information the community can use as planting season gets underway. Matt Collogan, a representative from the NCCE Brunswick County Center in Bolivia, delivered a presentation to Caswell Beach commissioners on May 5 highlighting ways homeowners can manage stormwater on their properties.
Jetport plays huge role in battling Lakes wildfire

1 week ago | stateportpilot.com | Eliot Duke

Planes taking off from the Cape Fear Regional Jetport last week flew hundreds of trips over the Boiling Spring Lakes forest fire in an effort to save people’s homes. Over a two-day span, from the onset of the fire on Friday until dusk on Saturday, seven Airvac planes dumped more than 300,000 gallons of water along the fire line separating a smoldering forest and Boiling Spring Lakes houses, including Robin Williams’ soon-to-be log cabin on West North Shore Drive.
Caswell changes affect parking, items left on beach

2 weeks ago | stateportpilot.com | Eliot Duke

Following recommendations from the town’s planning board, Caswell Beach commissioners approved two ordinance changes at their April meeting. Commissioners held separate public hearings for two amendments related to parking in the right-of-way and property left on the beach. The planning board reviewed the ordinances in February and felt some of the language needed clarification.
Oak Island chief formally requests fire tax proposal

2 weeks ago | stateportpilot.com | Eliot Duke

Oak Island Fire Chief Lee Price officially requested on April 8 that town council change the way the fire department is funded moving forward. Price asked council during its monthly meeting to switch Oak Island from a fire fee system to a fire tax as a way to create “a more efficient funding source.” He stated that current fire fees, which generated $2.76 million in the 2024-25 budget year, are maxed out, placing more burden on the town’s general fund.
Residents help map future of Homer Wright Center

2 weeks ago | stateportpilot.com | Eliot Duke

St. James held two public meetings last week in an effort to gain community input regarding the future of the Homer E. Wright Event Center. Representatives from McGill Associates, a Shallotte-based consulting firm that handles recreational planning, oversaw the drop-in style sessions April 21-22 and presented several examples of what similar facilities have done to utilize its space.
Tommy Moose program cares for kids in distress

3 weeks ago | stateportpilot.com | Eliot Duke

Oak Island Moose Lodge No. 2059 hosted a special guest April 16 who was in town promoting a community initiative created to help children in distress. Robert K. Funkey, chairman of the board for the Moose Fraternity, visited the local lodge on Long Beach Road as part of a nationwide tour where he gets to see the communities behind the organization. Funkey met with Oak Island police and fire department members, as well as Lodge 2059 leadership, during his stop that also included a tour of the area.
St. James bridge player celebrates 100th birthday

3 weeks ago | stateportpilot.com | Eliot Duke

Staff WriterWhen Betty Nicolaisen turned 100 years old on April 10, many of her family and friends managed to surprise St. James’ newest centenarian with a cupcake party. Nicolaisen had just finished playing bridge, which is her favorite pastime before being escorted to the room next door where an adoring crowd awaited. “They surprised me, indeed,” Betty said. “This is special.
Officers thanked for saving resident's life

3 weeks ago | stateportpilot.com | Eliot Duke

Oak Island Police Department’s Coffee with a Cop initiative returned April 17 to give the public a chance to meet and greet with local law enforcement in a relaxed setting. The event gave Tom Alderice the opportunity to personally thank two Oak Island police officers who saved his life. On April 1, Alderice suffered a heart attack while playing pickleball on the courts behind town hall and went into cardiac arrest.
Retired Caswell officers receive state honors

3 weeks ago | stateportpilot.com | Eliot Duke

Two former Caswell Beach police officers recently received special recognition from the office of North Carolina Governor Josh Stein. P.J. Connelly, a representative from the governor’s eastern office, presented Sam Massey and Julie Taylor with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine and the Old North State Award, respectively, at the Caswell Beach Board of Commissioners April 10 meeting.