Public Notices

PENDER COUNTY – Pender County Emergency Manager Tom Collins will serve as an expert panelist in the upcoming Disaster Preparedness Forum June 6, 7-9 p.m. in the auditorium of Cape Fear Community College’s Union Station, 502 N. Front St.

“The forum will provide hurricane preparedness information to residents in Pender, Brunswick, and New Hanover counties,” said Collins. “Many of our residents have not experienced a serious hurricane and do not understand the warnings and safety precautions necessary to protect themselves in the event of a hurricane.”

Collins will join emergency managers from the region as well as Steve Pfaff from the National Weather Service, James Jarvis of the Red Cross, and Mark Suddeth, a local storm tracker. Si Cantwell, the community editor at StarNews Media, will moderate.

“Hurricane season will begin June 1,” said Collins. “Now is the time to learn evacuation routes and prepare emergency kits.”

The forum is a community outreach program of the Star News. Admission is free. The public is encouraged to attend and ask questions pertaining to storm preparedness.

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Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail announced at the Pender County Commissioners meeting on Monday, May 7 that Surf City and Pender County will host its Gathering of Friends, March 22-24, 2019.

The Gathering is the annual membership meeting and weekend of excursions for the Friends group that supports the 1175-mile Mountains-to-Sea Trail. The weekend will bring hundreds of visitors from across North Carolina to the area.

The conference will kick off with a Friends’ reception on Friday, March 22 at the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, followed by dinner at the Surf City Community Center. A member meeting will occur on Saturday at the Surf City Community Center. Throughout the weekend, guided hikes and excursions will showcase the natural beauty and special places along the route of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail in Pender and Onslow counties.

Pender County was selected from a group of nine communities from across the state who submitted bids to host the event. The Town of Elkin hosted the event in 2017 and 2018 and found it to be a great opportunity to showcase their region’s natural beauty and hiking trails.

“Staff and board members from Pender County and Surf City have so many fun, creative ideas for activities that we know our members will enjoy,” said Kate Dixon, Friends of the MST’s executive director.  “This will be the first time we’ve held the conference in Eastern North Carolina, and we’re excited to have our members learn more about this special part of the trail route.”

“The Coastal Crescent through Pender County spotlights diversity in scenery, from battlefields, blueberries, and beaches,” said Tammy Proctor, Pender County Tourism Director. “We are pleased to showcase the beauty of Surf City, Historic Burgaw, and the natural resources of our county.”

Friends of the MST is a non-profit whose volunteers support building and maintaining the statewide trail.  The MST crosses North Carolina from Clingmans Dome in the Smokies to Jockey’s Ridge on the Outer Banks.  More than half of the trail is in federal, state and local natural areas with the remainder along roads in rural areas.

In Pender County, the route traverses many special places including Moores Creek Battlefield, Burgaw, the Northeast Cape Fear River, Holly Shelter Game Land and the boardwalks and beach in Surf City.

For more information about the trail, visit mountainstoseatrail.org.

WASHINGTON –  Pender County’s Ghost Walk: Ghosts of Pender’s Past has been recognized with an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo). The awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.

NACo recognized Ghost Walk: Ghost of Pender’s Past, in the Arts, Culture and Historic Preservation, for bringing an innovated presentation of art while spotlighting the county’s culture and history.

“We are honored by this national recognition by NACo,” said Pender County Manager Randell Woodruff. “Ghost Walk: Ghosts of Pender’s Past is a collaboration of our tourism department, Pender County Historical Society, the Historical Society of Topsail Island, Moores Creek National Battlefield, Pender Arts Council, and students and staff from Pender County School District.”

NACo President Roy Charles Brooks said, “Counties seize opportunities to deliver services more efficiently and build stronger communities every day. Achievement Award-winning programs are examples for counties that are determined to enhance services for our residents.”

Nationally, awards are given in 18 different categories that reflect the vast, comprehensive services counties provide. The categories include children and youth, criminal justice, county administration, information technology, health, civic engagement and many more.

NACo will recognize award-winning counties at its 2018 Annual Conference and Exposition July 13-16 in Nashville/Davidson County, Tennessee.

Started in 1970, NACo’s annual Achievement Awards program is designed to recognize county government innovations. Each nominee is judged on its own merits and not against other applications received.

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The National Association of Counties (NACo) unites America’s 3,069 county governments.  Founded in 1935, NACo brings county officials together to advocate with a collective voice on national policy, exchange ideas and build new leadership skills, pursue transformational county solutions, enrich the public’s understanding of county government and exercise exemplary leadership in public service.  Learn more at www.naco.org

In accordance with the Public Water and Sewer System Development Fee Act, also known as House Bill 436, Pender County is seeking public review and comment on an analysis that has been prepared by Stantec Consulting Services Inc. which analyzes the maximum fee the County may charge for System Development Fees on new water and sewer connections.

This report presents the results of the comprehensive study, including background information, legal requirements, an explanation of the calculation methodology employed, and the results of the analysis. This analysis is strictly for water and sewer System Development Fees that are designed to recover the cost of water and sewer capacity collected from new connectors to each system. This analysis does not include the evaluation of water and sewer rates paid monthly by existing customers.

A paper copy is available at Pender County Utilities, 605 E. Fremont Street, Burgaw, NC 28425.
This analysis is open for public comment for a period of 45 days and expires on Friday, June 22, 2018. Consideration of adopting the fees will take place on July 2, 2018 at the Pender County Commissioner’s Meeting.

Written comments can be submitted to Pender County Utilities prior to June 22, 2018 by mailing to:

Margaret Gray, Utilities Director
Attn: System Development Fee Comments
605 E. Fremont Street
Burgaw, NC 28425

Or by email to:

mgray@pendercountync.gov

Scallywags Weekend has several components – a movie night, a pirate encampment, a low country shrimp boil, Pirate Olympics, a scavenger hunt, Blackbeard’s Market, and rides aboard The Raven and a Pirate Show at The Raven!

The weekend will kick-off Friday, May 4, with the Pirate Encampment and the movie, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales at Soundside Park. The movie will begin around 8:15 p.m. Bring your blanket or lawn chair. Jack Sparrow and pirates will join us before the movie, so be sure to bring the camera or smartphone.

Saturday’s events include rides aboard The Raven, a Pirate Show at The Raven, firing demonstrations by the pirates camped at Soundside Park, Pirate Olympics, Blackbeard’s Market, a low country shrimp boil, and more!

Saturday’s events begin with a bang as Surf City Mayor Doug Medlin fires the cannon at Soundside Park, 10 a.m. Living Series Demonstrations will be given by the pirates. And what pirate would be complete with parrots? See the parrots and play games.

Meanwhile, speaking of games, the Historical Society of Topsail Island will host Pirate Olympics. Get your team of four family and friends to compete. Spectators are welcomed! The Olympics begin at 10 a.m. but you must register to compete before 9:30 a.m. (online registration is available on the HSTI website). The games will be hosted by the Topsail Beach Town Park Center.

Also in Topsail Beach, visit Blackbeard’s Market for a wide variety of vendors.

On Saturday, the Greater Topsail Area Chamber of Commerce and Topsail Steamer will serve up lunch and dinner with a low country shrimp boil for only $20 a plate at Soundside Park from noon – 6 p.m.

Don’t miss the Scavenger Hunt! Businesses will be listed on a special poster for our visitors who are encouraged to find their treasure in our local business.

The Hampstead Methodist Church’s Boy Scout Troop will serve Pirate Grub and Gold Doubloon Pancakes at the Surf City Welcome Center from 8 – 11 a.m.

The Scallywags Weekend planning committee will met Monday, April 30, at noon, at the Greater Topsail Area Chamber Conference Room.

Visit The Scallywags Weekend Events Page on Facebook by clicking the icon below:
 

NCDOT Bridge Crews will close Azalea Drive beginning on Tuesday, April 23, 2018 through Friday April 27, 2018 at 5:00 pm. The closure is necessary due to heavy rains in the area that was already narrowed to one lane for a planned pipe replacement.

Weather permitting, the closure will end on Friday, and crews will return to a single lane closure in order to complete the project.

Please direct your questions to Larry King at 910-296-8730.

The NCDOT reminds motorists to STAY ALERT, 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 lane 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.

PRESS RELEASE

April 23, 2018

For Immediate Release

Contact  Matthew Woods, 910-283-5591 x2222

Currie, NC– Moores Creek National Battlefield is proud to announce that the park’s two main visitor use facilities, the primary Visitor Center and the recreational use Patriots Hall Community Center are now opened to the public.

The Visitor Center has been closed since mid-November due to construction updates on the 1950’s facility. The center received a new metal roof and updated flooring that will help to extend the life of this 60 year old structure. The Visitor Center will resume normal operational hours: the facility is opened Wednesday – Sunday, 9 am – 5 pm; it is closed along with the rest of the park on all Federal Holidays.

Patriots Hall, another 1950’s structure, also known as a Mission 66 building, was in serious need of renovations and updates when Hurricane Matthew hit the area in 2016. The facility received 3 feet of water and forced the structure to close to the public. After numerous projects to repair the flood-damaged facility, and after many updates, including the installation of an HVAC system, this community building is now once again open to the public and available for rental. Many locals can recall family reunions, gatherings, and parties in this facility. The park is now taking Special Use applications to reserve this facility for your upcoming event.

For more information on these facilities, or to reserve Patriots Hall, please contact the Chief of Interpretation at Matthew_Woods@nps.gov.

PRESS RELEASE

April 23, 2018

For Immediate Release

Contact Pender County Manager Randell Woodruff, 910-259-1200

PENDER COUNTY –  Pender County Commissioner David Williams will serve as an expert in the upcoming Cape Fear Forward, a panel on economic development on Wednesday, April 25, 5-7 p.m. in the auditorium of Cape Fear Community College’s Union Station, 502 N. Front St.

Williams will join Scott Satterfield of Wilmington Business Development, Natalie English of Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, Scott Custer the president of Live Oak Bank, Dr. Adam Jones from the UNCW Cameron School of business regional economist, and Velva Jenkins, from Brunswick Community College’s VP for Continuing Education, Economic & Workforce Development on the panel.

“I consider it an honor to be asked by Chairman George Brown to serve on this regional panel,” said Williams. “I’ve worked on several committees which encourage economic development.”

Williams said Pender County has experienced a surge in economic development recently, with the addition of FedEx, Empire Distributing, and Acme Fish.

The forum is a community outreach program of the Star News.

For more information regarding the forum, please call Pender County Manager Randell Woodruff at 910-259-1200.

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HAMPSTEAD – Let’s play ball! It’s that season – spring – when youth from four-year old t-ball players to senior leagues take to the fields at Hampstead Kiwanis Park.

New to Smith Field is a press box, thanks to an $8,000 contribution from the American Legion Post 167 in Hampstead. Recently a plaque was installed on the side of the press box to acknowledge the contribution of the local post.

“One of our four pillars in the Legion is Youth,” said Jim Williams, who oversees the athletic committee in the local American Legion. “We sponsor at least one baseball team per season.”

This year the post will sponsor a junior team for ages 13-17. Smith Field, a lighted field, is the team’s home field.

Pender County Commissioner David Williams said the press box is a welcomed addition to Smith Field.

“It’s a multipurpose press box,” David Williams explained.

“The upper level is a press box and the lower level is storage,” said Jim Williams. “We will use one section of the lower level to sell snacks and drinks during games.”

Jim Williams said the Legion sponsored team will play against eight to 10 teams during the baseball season.

Admission to see the games are $5. Proceeds are used to fund Legion projects in the community.

“They play seven inning games. We hire professional umpires,” said Jim Williams. “We start every game with the American Legion creed, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the National Anthem. Our goal is to teach good sportsmanship.”

Williams said the head coach is Chris Bass and his assistant coach is Matt Floto. Fathers often help too. The junior team is for youth ages 13-17.

Try-outs for the American Legion team is April 29, 2 p.m. at Smith Field in Hampstead Kiwanis Park. The cost is $150 per player. Anyone with questions regarding the try-outs should call 704-906-9501 or email Williams.202@charter.net.

“The next project is a scoreboard and a public-address system,” said Jim Williams.

Commissioner David Williams said community contributions which benefit our parks are deeply appreciated. Donations, such the one made by Pluris for lighting at Smith Field, are community investments, he added.

“Our community is invested in our youth,” he added.

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Resource Conservation Workshop (RCW) – June 24 – 29

The Resource Conservation Workshop is sponsored by the NC Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts in conjunction with the NC Division of Soil and Water Conservation, NC State University Crop and Soil Science Department, and the Soil and Water Conservation Society Hugh Hammond Bennett Chapter.

The Resource Conservation Workshop is a weeklong workshop and involves study and hands on participation in a wide range of conservation topics. Students are housed at NC State University campus dormitories under the guidance of live-in counselors. In order to achieve success, students should come prepared to meet the primary objective of the workshop — learning about natural resources and their management in today’s global environment. Awards and scholarships can be won and are presented to students under several awards programs.

For more information, please feel free to navigate to the RCW Home page or the RCW General Information page.

If you have any questions, please call our office at 910-259-9123#3 and ask for Priscilla, or send an email to ppierce@pendercountync.gov.