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Today’s edition · Thurs., Nov. 5

School bonds pass in Brunswick County; NCDOT reworks bridge plan

Plus, NCDOT's revised Cape Fear Memorial Bridge design is open for comment through Dec. 4.

The 5AM Leland team2 stories16 sources5 min read

SchoolsTop story

Brunswick and New Hanover voters approved nearly $670 million in school bonds

New Hanover's bond comes with a slow, steady rollout

$320.5 million
approved by New Hanover County voters
2
major projects at most will begin at once in New Hanover
10 years
is the length of the district's sustainability plan

Sources: WHQR, Wilmington Star-News, WECT

Voters in New Hanover and Brunswick counties approved nearly $670 million in school bonds, and both districts are moving into planning. Brunswick County's bond, worth nearly $350 million, will build a new high school and a new elementary school, plus improvements at existing schools, WECT reports.

New Hanover's $320.5 million bond passed too. Superintendent Christopher Barnes said the district expects growth, calling the bond "the first step in a 10-year sort of sustainability plan." The spending could also reach into surrounding communities and the local housing market, WWAY reports.

  • Brunswick bond: nearly $350 million
  • Brunswick builds: a new high school and a new elementary school
  • New Hanover's largest project: a new Trask Middle School
  • New Hanover funds: three installments

The New Hanover improvement plan is set to begin in 2028. In spring 2027, the new school board and the county commission will decide which projects start first.

New Hanover's bond moves from the ballot to construction

  1. Nov. 3Voters approve the $320.5 million New Hanover County school bond.
  2. Spring '27The new board and county commission decide which major projects begin first.
  3. 2028The New Hanover improvement plan is set to begin.

Sources: WHQR, Wilmington Star-News

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Getting Around

NCDOT revised its 135-foot Cape Fear Memorial Bridge design and is taking comments through Dec. 4

If you cross the , you have a new design to weigh in on. NCDOT revised Alternative B, the 135-foot fixed-span option, so a large loop ramp would land traffic on South Third Street instead of Fifth Avenue. The original 135-foot design is no longer being considered, Port City Daily reports. NCDOT is currently considering Alternative A and the revised Alternative B, and WECT covers the updated Alternative B.

The revised Alternative B affects fewer parcels and costs a bit less

63Parcels affected17
$1.03 billionEstimated cost$1.02 billion

Source: Port City Daily

  • Comments due Dec. 4
  • Alternative A: movable span, 65 to 135 feet of clearance
  • Cost: $1.02 billion, per NCDOT estimates
  • Funding so far: $242 million federal, $85 million state

Paying for it is the open question. The legislature would have to approve tolling legislation for an existing road. WWAY covers the revised plan, and WHQR notes NCDOT is not currently considering Wilmington's suggested alternatives.

NCDOT is weighing two bridge designs as comments stay open to Dec. 4

  1. Sept. 14State officials present the initial concepts at hearings Sept. 14 and 15.
  2. Nov. 4NCDOT unveils the revised Alternative B and opens public comments.
  3. Dec. 4The public comment period closes.
  4. FebruaryThe legislature would need to approve tolling of an existing roadway, Carroll said.
  5. Early 2027NCDOT intends to choose a design.
  6. Sept. 2027The $242 million federal grant must be obligated.

Sources: Port City Daily, WECT, WilmingtonBiz

News Notes

Calabash

A new Walmart Supercenter opened Wednesday at 9700 Ocean Highway West, with Wheel of Fortune co-host Vanna White joining the celebration. The store spans 171,000 square feet and includes a pharmacy, deli, Vision Center and Auto Care Center. The Star-News says hundreds of people came out early, some as early as 3 a.m. WWAYTV3Wilmington Star-News

Winnabow

Paws Place has broken ground on its , a two-story, storm-resilient animal shelter designed to withstand extreme weather and rising waters. The rescue has raised $303,750 of its $315,000 goal. WECT

Paws Place has raised $303,750 of its $315,000 goal

$303.8KRaised toward the Sanctuary Shelter goal

Source: WECT

View as table
Value
Raised toward the Sanctuary Shelter goal$303.8K
Fundraising goal$315K

Veterans Parade

The Southeast North Carolina Veterans Parade returns to downtown Wilmington Saturday, Nov. 7. It begins at 11 a.m. on North Third Street, from Hanover Street to Market Street. WWAYTV3

Manatees

If you spot a manatee, marine experts ask you to report it, and about 100 sightings are reported along the coast each year. UNCW's Dr. Tiffany Keenan said experts start to worry as water temperatures drop to about 68 degrees. WECT

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Asked

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Asked

Are you headed to the Veterans Parade in downtown Wilmington on Saturday?

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Today’s puzzles

A new puzzle in each one every morning, played right here.

All 13 games

Quoted

The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.

— Sylvia Plath

Things to Do

Things to Do

Leland, NC

Thursday, Nov. 5

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Around the Block

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Lost and found

💔 ANOTHER CAT KILLED ON LANVALE ROAD — PLEASE SLOW DOWN!

“💔 I’m making this post with tears in my eyes and a very heavy heart. Early this morning, I came across yet another black-and-white cat that had been struck and killed on Lanvale Road in Leland. This makes the THIRD black-and-white cat I’ve personally had to remove from this road in just the past couple of months…”

— A neighbor, Lanvale Rd

40 likes · 23 comments

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The Wrap

A piece of Civil War history turned up in Carolina Beach. Cape Fear Explorers member Jacob Obriant uncovered several pieces of artillery, including a naval artillery fuse dated 1864 that still shows a naval anchor and the letters "ORD.D," short for Ordnance Department. Not a bad day's dig.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Brunswick County voters approve $349.6 million school bond

Read yesterday’s edition

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Every source in this edition16 links · 8 outlets
  1. The Weather Channelweather.com
  2. WWAYTV3wwaytv3.com
  3. WECTwect.com
  4. WHQRwhqr.org
  5. Wilmington Star-Newsstarnewsonline.com
  6. Port City Dailyportcitydaily.com
  7. WECTwect.com
  8. WilmingtonBizwilmingtonbiz.com
  9. WWAYTV3wwaytv3.com
  10. WHQRwhqr.org
  11. WWAYTV3wwaytv3.com
  12. Wilmington Star-Newsstarnewsonline.com
  13. WECTwect.com
  14. WWAYTV3wwaytv3.com
  15. WECTwect.com
  16. Leland events calendar5amlelandnc.com

Past issues

  1. Wed., Nov. 4Brunswick County voters approve $349.6 million school bond
  2. Tues., Nov. 3Election Day: Polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
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5AM Lelandto me · Thurs., Nov. 56:00 a.m.

School bonds pass in Brunswick County; NCDOT reworks bridge plan

Plus, NCDOT's revised Cape Fear Memorial Bridge design is open for comment through Dec. 4.

The TLDR

  1. Brunswick and New Hanover voters approved nearly $670 million in school bonds
  2. What should the bond money tackle first? Tell us
  3. NCDOT revised its Cape Fear Memorial Bridge design; comments close Dec. 4
Read this edition

More stories this week

From 5AM Leland’s other editions

All the news
SchoolsBrunswick County voters approve the $349.6 million school bondIf your family's schools run from Leland Middle to North Brunswick High, this one's for you. Brunswick County voters approved a $349.6 million school bond Tuesday to pay for new schools and facility improvements as the county keeps growing.Wednesday’s editionRead Election DayPolls are open today until 7:30 p.m. for the 2026 midterm electionsIf you haven't voted yet, today's the day. Port City Daily's voter guide links free candidate questionnaires for races in New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties, including U.S. House District 7 and the N.C. General Assembly.Tuesday’s editionRead

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