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Don't forget to set your clock ahead an hour before you go to sleep tonight

Submitted by WECT Web Staff
Saturday, March 10th, 2012, 4:49pm
Don't forget to set your clock ahead an hour before you go to sleep tonight

WASHINGTON (AP) - Watch out - it's that time again; not a minute to spare.

Well, actually, there are 60 of them, meaning an earlier-than-usual rise-and-shine time Sunday.

At 2 a.m. local time Sunday, daylight saving time sends standard time to the bench until the fall.

Turn that clock ahead before slipping under the covers Saturday night. Don't bemoan one night of 60 fewer minutes of sleep; there's the promise of many months ahead with an extra hour of evening sunlight.

Not every place makes the switch. The exceptions are Hawaii, most of Arizona (Navajo Indian territories do observe the change), Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Marianas.

Standard time returns Nov. 4. Two days later, it's election time.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Spring into gardening at the Poplar Grove Plantation

Submitted by Caraline Waldrep, Traffic Reporter
Friday, March 9th, 2012, 11:52am
Spring into gardening at the Poplar Grove Plantation

HAMPSTEAD, NC (WECT) – You know spring is here when the Poplar Grove Plantation presents its annual Herb and Garden Fair.

This event will take place Saturday, March 24 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Sunday, March 25 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. This is one of the area’s largest garden show and it offers everything from spring plants to fresh local vegetables you can grow.

Over a dozen nurseries selling organic plants, edible flower plants, bonsais, bedding plants, native trees, topiaries, and much more will be available, according to a news release.

Educational classes by expert Meg Shelton of Shelton Herb Farms will be available for the whole family to enjoy. These classes will help you shed light on how to  find the southeastern gardener in you.

For more information or to see the complete itinerary for this event, go to www.poplargrove.com.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.

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Storms bring heavy rain, lightning to Wilmington

Submitted by Robb Ellis, Meteorologist
Friday, February 24th, 2012, 9:44pm
Storms bring heavy rain, lightning to Wilmington

Heavy rain, lightning and gusty winds rolled across southeastern North Carolina on Friday evening.

In Wilmington, Weather Network Reporter Ashleigh Bennet recorded this video of lightning and thunder.

 

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Wilmington considering changes to recycling carts, pickups

Submitted by Justin West, Assignment Manager
Monday, February 20th, 2012, 4:10pm
Wilmington considering changes to recycling carts, pickups

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – The City of Wilmington is considering expanding its use of recycling for residents.

The Public Works Department has proposed buying 20,000 roll-out carts that would be used only for recycling. These roll out carts would replace the small red bins that are currently in use and would be the same size as normal trashcans.

The City would change recycling pickup from once a week to once every two weeks to save money. The Public Works Department estimates that it will see a $50,000 a year increase in its budget for the first five years while it pays off the cost of the carts. Starting in the sixth year, the Department could save as much as $190,000 a year.

These changes to recycling could increase recycling in the city by as much as 20 percent. Raleigh and Fayetteville have recently made similar changes to their recycling programs.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.

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Green Schools Awards return; $1,000 prize on the line

Submitted by Ashley Barker, Community Web Producer
Friday, February 17th, 2012, 11:06am
Green Schools Awards return; $1,000 prize on the line

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – A program that dates back to the early 1980s is returning to New Hanover County soon.

Keep New Hanover County Beautiful announced on Wednesday that the Green Schools Awards are returning with a $1,000 first-place prize on the line.

Schools that win the award will receive a banner to display in their school and cash prizes to further their green initiatives, according to a news release. In addition to the $1,000 first-place prize, $500 will be given to the second-place winner and $250 will go to the third and fourth place schools.

All of the winners will also be invited to an awards ceremony to be held in June.

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Christmas tree recycling ends on Wednesday

Submitted by Ashley Barker, Community Web Producer
Tuesday, January 31st, 2012, 12:18pm
Christmas tree recycling ends on Wednesday

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – New Hanover County residents can begin recycling used Christmas trees on Monday, Dec. 26.

The New Hanover County Environmental Management Department is offering three locations for residents living outside the city limits to take their trees. Here are the locations:

  • Ogden Park, near baseball fields
  • Myrtle Grove Middle School
  • New Hanover County Landfill, on U.S. Hwy. 421 North

The program will last through the month of January, with the last day being on Feb. 1.

Officials advise residents to remove all decorations and lights prior to dropping off their trees and stack the trees in a single row.

Copyright 2011 WECT. All rights reserved.

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River may not meet the region’s needs within 30 years

Submitted by Ashley Barker, Community Web Producer
Tuesday, January 17th, 2012, 11:02am
River may not meet the region’s needs within 30 years

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – The Wilmington City Council will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 17.

Here are some items of interest from the meeting’s agenda:

  • Honoring of the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra’s 40 years of service
  • Authorizing submission of grant application to the N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund for $200,000 to help fund the construction of the Gary Shell Cross City Trail
  • Resolution authorizing sale of 209 South 13th Street property for $13,000 and the 720 South 10th Street property for $12,000 to Ritz Development
  • Agreement to landscape around the “Welcome to Wilmington” sign near Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway and South College Road
  • Purchase of an excavator for $182,613 to remove debris and clear storm drains
  • Declaration of equipment as surplus property to be sold (Ford Crown Victoria vehicles, a concession trailer, a dump truck, a horse trailer, two Dodge Ram trucks, copiers, etc.)
  • Declaration of 12 Remington 870 shotguns as surplus property to be sold to Wilmington Police Department personnel for $100 each; the buyers will be chosen by a random drawing
  • CFPUA projects that the region’s water needs will approach the maximum safe allocation from the river within 30 years. A feasibility study to address long-term needs and alternatives will be discussed.  
  • A public hearing will be held to discuss the annexation of property totaling 26.57 acres at 7910 Market Street
  • Discussion of a special use permit for a 221-space commercial parking lot at 2120 South 17th Street by New Hanover Regional Medical Center
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