Good morning Wilmington!

Well, this isn’t your typical neighborhood watch update: a black bear was spotted roaming through Ogden. A local Redditor caught the moment on camera (link below). It’s not unheard of in our coastal woods — but it is a wild reminder to keep an eye out.
🔗 Here’s the photo

In today’s Port City Pulse:

• Final Honors at Sea

• Bridge tolls are on the table

Final Honors at Sea: Wilmington-Based Reef Offers Veterans a Lasting Memorial

[WHQR] The Veterans Memorial Reef off Wilmington’s coast provides a unique, eco-friendly way to honor veterans by placing their remains in underwater memorial markers. Founded in 2019, the reef has already hosted 30 veterans' ceremonies and offers the full military honors one would expect at Arlington—including honor guards, taps, and bagpipes. Located at the historic “Five-Mile Boxcar Reef,” the site not only honors service but helps expand the marine environment. Families can join charter boats to witness the ceremonies, and each plaque is placed facing the sunrise.

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Cape Fear Bridge Funding Gap May Mean Tolls Ahead, But Debate Continues

[WECT] Drivers could one day pay a toll to cross the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, as regional leaders voted 8-4 to keep the toll option on the table to help fund its billion-dollar replacement. While federal and state funds cover $327 million, a significant shortfall remains. Some local leaders, including Wilmington Councilmembers Luke Waddell and Kevin Spears, oppose the toll—citing affordability concerns and precedent. Supporters say the vote doesn’t lock in tolling, but allows continued exploration while seeking better funding alternatives before construction begins.

Read More »

News Roundup

Local News

• The NC Wildlife Resources Commission is urging residents to take steps to protect livestock and poultry as warmer months bring black bears out of hibernation. Tips include using electric fencing and removing food sources like birdseed and pet food.
  WECT

• Venus flytraps, native only to a small region of the Carolinas, are under threat from poaching, development, and environmental changes, according to a Carolina Beach State Park ranger. Visitors are reminded it's illegal to remove them from the wild.
  WECT

What Might Surprise You

• A Department of Veterans Affairs contractor with ties to Dogecoin was fired after publicly discussing his work promoting crypto initiatives within federal systems. The VA stated he was not authorized to speak on their behalf.
  GovExec

• France plans to ban smoking outdoors in most public places, including beaches, parks, and near schools, in a sweeping public health move announced by the French health minister.
  France 24

National News

• Hawaii has passed a new tax on hotel rooms and vacation rentals to raise funds for climate change response and disaster resilience. The 7.25% surcharge is expected to bring in tens of millions annually.
  ABC7

World News

• Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan have been charged in the UK with rape, human trafficking, and other serious crimes against multiple women, in addition to ongoing sex crime charges in Romania. A European arrest warrant had previously been issued, and the Crown Prosecution Service has now formally confirmed the charges. The Sun

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