Commercial Vehicle Accident Injury Attorneys in Wilmington, NC

Local and state leaders gathered to celebrate Avelo Airlines' newest base in Wilmington.

Avelo Airlines has serviced Wilmington since June 2022, offering one-way flight fares starting at $39. The airline opened its base in Wilmington on Thursday, April 3.

"Welcome home," New Hanover Board of Commissioner Vice Chair LeAnn Pierce said.

The new base includes positioning two aircrafts at Wilmington International Airport and adding three new destinations.

"We want more flights, cheaper fares. That's what Avelo's bringing to Wilmington," Gov. Josh Stein said.

Pierce said Avelo's Wilmington base will allow more people to visit the Wilmington area and support local businesses.

"As our state continues to grow, we're grateful that Avelo is growing with us across our beautiful land. ... Avelo's investment here is going to help even more North Carolinians take flight, for that we're grateful," Stein said.

With having a base at Wilmington International Airport, Avelo plans to create up to 50 new jobs, including customer support, flight attendants, pilots, aircraft technical operations and maintenance, and supervisors.

All Avelo crew for the new base, like the planes, will reside in Wilmington.

"Since 2019, the airport has grown 58 percent," said Jeff Bourk, director at Wilmington International Airport.

The base comes alongside several improvement projects around the airport.

Over the next five years, Bourk said $200 million will be spent on infrastructure improvements to keep up with the growth.

Bourk said Avelo is the first airline to bring low-costs and the first to have a base in Wilmington International Airport.

"Avelo started it all," he said.

Avelo Airlines recently announced four new routes from Wilmington International Airport, expanding service along the East Coast and in the South.

Avelo Airlines now offers nonstop service to 14 destinations from Wilmington. Avelo services the following destinations:

Beginning in June 2025, Avelo will offer twice weekly services to the following destinations on a Boeing-Next Generation 737 aircraft:

Savanna Tenenoff is a reporter for the StarNews. Reach her at[email protected].

All home gardeners, the countdown is on.

The Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Association’s 37th annual plant sale at the New Hanover County Arboretum is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to see you. It will take place starting Thursday, April 10, and will run to Sunday, April 13. Hours are Thursday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

This year’s plant sale will feature over 4,500 perennials, 3,400 annuals, and over 600 hostas and ferns. There will be plenty of native plants for you to choose that promote local wildlife and provide an easy-to-maintain gardening experience for your gardening needs. These plants are well suited to Wilmington's climate and will make your garden blossom. It doesn’t matter if you’re a first-time gardener or a veteran gardener; there will be an abundance of plants to choose from.

There will be plenty of Master Gardeners on hand to offer expert advice to ensure you get the best plants for your garden. Master Gardeners will be especially helpful for first-time gardeners, ensuring they start their gardens with the perfect plants. The plant sale also features Mike Hoffman, an expert machinist. He will only be at this year’s plant sale for one day only — Friday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. So, if you need your tools to be sharpened, be sure to stop by on Friday so your tools are sharpened and ready for the gardening season.

The highly anticipated Seed Swap will also be there every day at this year's plant sale. That means you can switch out old seeds from last season for new, exciting ones that will help bring your gardening dreams to life. This will be a perfect time to switch out those extra seeds for ones that will help your garden thrive. There will be over 600 seed packets to choose from and a chance to discover new seeds that are not available in stores, all while saving money. Even if you don’t have seeds to swap, you will still be able to join in on this thrilling event.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

There will be so much to offer at this year’s plant sale, so you can’t miss out on this once-a-year gardening event.

Madison Treadway is an intern at the New Hanover County Arboretum. The NC Cooperative Extension∣New Hanover County Center is located at the arboretum, 6206 Oleander Drive in Wilmington. The gardens are free and open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reach Treadway at [email protected] or 336-247-6447.

If you’ve ever been bitten by a fire ant, you certainly remember it. Some years back, I didn’t realize I was standing near a mound and suddenly found myself with numerous stinging bites on my foot.

They were not only painful but itchy for days. Benadryl and anti-inch cream helped, but I don’t think I’ll ever forget the incident.

Having been a homeowner here for more than 20 years, I’ve also spent quite a bit of time trying to keep these fierce invaders out of my yard.

Now, thanks to reporter Gareth McGrath, I find out there are two different kinds of fire ants and they’re crossbreeding to create a more invasive species.

You’re kidding, right? Nope.

In today’s StarNews, Gareth does a great job explaining how fire ants got to North Carolina in the first place and the potential impact of this crossbreeding. He also has some tips on how to combat these nasty pests.

Another interesting read in today’s edition is our MyReporter story from Allison Ballard. One question we hear frequently in the community is why local bars and restaurants don’t offer happy hour drink specials. Allison explains the North Carolina law on happy hours and some other ABC rules.

Allison also has a story in today’s StarNews about the North Carolina restaurants that made Yelp’s list of the top 100 in the country for 2025.

I’m sure the three NC spots on the list are terrific, but I’m pretty bummed that none are in Wilmington. We have an amazing food scene here with some top-notch restaurants. In fact, Olivero recently made USA TODAY’s Restaurants of the Year list for 2025. And Catch made the USA TODAY list last year.

Maybe Yelp reviewers will take notice and we’ll see one of your local favorites in the top 100 next year.

Sherry Jones is the StarNews executive editor. You can reach her at [email protected].

The Black Arts Alliance presents the 22nd annual North Carolina Black Film Festival. The four-day juried festival will be held April 10-13 in Wilmington.

Here's what to know about the North Carolina Black Film Festival.

What is the North Carolina Black Film Festival?

The North Carolina Black Film Festival is produced by the Black Arts Alliance Inc., (a non-profit and registered 501c3). The festival is a four-day juried and invitational festival of independent motion pictures by Black filmmakers. Also, the festival features films on subjects of Black life, urban culture and Black history, showcasing shorts and documentary films. Trophies will be awarded in each category.

What's happening?

Thursday, April 10

The festival will begin with its opening reception ― CineMixer on April 10 at 6 p.m. at the Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College, 703 N. Third St., downtown Wilmington. The evening will include live music from Village Minded, hors d’oeuvres, and will end with two music documentary short films ― "ARP - African Rhythms Power," directed by Nelson Shongo Leoni, and "The Jazz Photographer," directed by Cedric D Ingram.

Friday, April 11

The festivities will continue on April 11 at 5 p.m. at Jengo’s Playhouse, 815 Princess St. Several blocks of shorts, documentaries, narratives, and feature films will be shown. One of the feature films will be "Ghetto Children," directed by Zac Manuel, a coming-of-age documentary about three childhood friends navigating adulthood while each living in the shadows of their famous fathers’ legacies (Cash Money Records’ Juvenile, B.G., and Soulja Slim). The other feature will be "Cotton Candy Bubble Gum," directed by J Pinder. "Cotton Candy Bubble Gum" is a vibrant coming-of-age comedy following 21-year-old Carter as he navigates the complexities of adulthood. There also will be a special community screening of "Life in My Eyes" at 6:30 p.m. at Boseman's Shoes, 4127 Oleander Drive.

Saturday, April 12

Film screenings will take place on Saturday at Jengo’s Playhouse beginning at 10 a.m. and the Black Girls Film Camp returns with a block of films from 10-11 a.m. Black Girls Film Camp seeks to close the representation gap with Black girls in media by cultivating the next generation of storytellers and amplifying their stories. There will be a Cinematography 101 workshop with Isiah Donté Lee, the 2025 Visionary Award in Cinematography Honoree at 11 a.m. at Vue21North, 1002-B Chestnut St. Starting at noon, the focus will shift to a variety of shorts and feature films. Family cinema will be from 1:20-3:05 p.m. featuring age-appropriate films for families.

The festival will honor film producer and animator Bruce W. Smith with the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award in Animation at 6:10 p.m. Smith will share some highlights of his work including the Oscar-winning animated short "Hair Love." There will also be a "fireside chat" with Bruce moderated by North Carolina Black Film Festival operations administrator, Sandra McClammy, The Midday Miss from Coast 97.3 FM. Afterwards, the screening of "Our Movement Starts Here," directed by John Rash and Melanie Ho. "Our Movement Starts Here" is a documentary about a rural community that inspired an environmental justice movement by fighting the state of North Carolina's toxic landfill in 1982.

Sunday, April 13

The festival will close with an award ceremony honoring cinematographer Isiah Donté Lee with the 2025 Visionary Award in Cinematography on April 13 at the Cameron Art Museum, 3201 S. 17th St. The festival will also present awards for best documentary, best short and best feature. The closing film will be "Minnie Evans: Draw or Die," directed by Linda Royal. The documentary explores the inspirational life and artistic mastery of one of the most important African-American artists of the 20th century.

Tickets

For tickets, passes and the complete festival schedule, visit www.BlackArtsAlliance.org.

Cheryl M. Whitaker covers community news for the StarNews. Reach her at [email protected].

MedNorth Health Center

MedNorth Health Center recently announced the election of Sonya Peele as Board Chair. Peele is the chief executive consultant of Work it Girl Coaching & Consulting.

Peele, a multinational award-winning sales and marketing executive, has more than 30 years' experience in the healthcare, pharmaceutical and business industries. Peele has experienced great success as a sales trainer, facilitator, director, manager and entrepreneur.

New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority

The New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority recently announced three staff changes at the Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau. Megan Buchbinder has been hired as executive vice president of Marketing and Strategy for the Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau. Also, two members of the Convention & Visitors Bureau’s Sales and Services team have been promoted. Molly Johnson, who previously served as the director of convention sales, has been promoted to the role of vice president of sales and services. Ashley Ackary, who previously served as the visitor services/sales coordinator, has been promoted to sales manager.

Buchbinder was hired in March 2025 to fill the position of Shawn Braden, who retired earlier this year. Buchbinder duties will include strategic direction and development of marketing programs, overseeing media planning, creative development, website content and functions, collateral development, and research initiatives. Buchbinder is currently enrolled in the Destinations International Certified Destination Management Executive program which is the tourism industry’s highest individual educational achievement.

Johnson, CMP-Fellow, joined the Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau in 2015 and now has more than three decades of experience in the hospitality industry with experience in sales and operations.

Ackary joined the Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau in 2021 after graduating from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Ackary's duties will include handling the North Carolina State Associations, Government, Education and Religious markets.

The New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority, d/b/a Wilmington and Beaches Convention & Visitors Bureau, markets and develops the county and its communities’ leisure and group travel experiences for economic growth and quality of place.

Community Association Management Services

The Community Association Management Services recently promoted Nealie Williams to vice president of business development. She has served as the director of business development since 2020. Williams joined Community Association Management Services and the community management industry in 2014 and has held roles as a client services representative, business development coordinator, executive assistant, and team lead for Community Association Management Services business development and onboarding operations.

Wilmington Food Bank’s branch new president & CEO

The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina recently welcome its new president and CEO Amy Beros to Food Bank's Wilmington branch. Beros, a longtime anti-poverty advocate, returns back to her home city to take the reins of the hunger relief organization.

Town of Wrightsville Beach hires new communications manager

The town of Wrightsville Beach recently hired Bailey Hartsell as its new communications manager. Hartsell will lead the town’s communication efforts, ensuring transparent, timely, and effective engagement with residents, businesses, and visitors. She has experience in public service, community engagement and strategic communication and have a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communication and political science from Randolph-Macon College.

New agents join Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage

Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage recently welcomed five agents to different offices in the Wilmington area.

Melissa O'Dell, a resident of Hampstead, joined the Hampstead office. O'Dell is a second-generation realtor. Her early exposure to the industry inspired her to pursue a career helping people navigate the buying and selling process.

Danielle Tarabiya joined the Autumn Hall office in Wilmington. With a background in IT project management and a Bachelor of Science in business administration, Tarabiya is excited to help people realize their dreams of homeownership.

Lora Price joined the Carolina Beach office, bringing years of experience in retail management. Price excels in communication, organization, and customer service.

Ashley Heath joined the Hampstead office. A former real estate paralegal, Heath has lived in Surf City for the past five years.

Jennifer Mullen joined the Topsail office after working as an administrative assistant for top producing Sea Coast agent. A Jacksonville native, Mullen is passionate about helping others find a place to call home.

Cheryl M. Whitaker covers community news for the StarNews. Reach her at [email protected].