Truck Accident Injury Attorneys in Wilmington, NC

Like the rest of the world, the Lower Cape Fear River Basin, a vital ecological and economic resource in Southeastern North Carolina, is facing the growing environmental threat of microplastics. These tiny plastic fragments, less than 5 millimeters in size, are now a ubiquitous presence in the region’s waterways and atmosphere, raising concerns about their impact on both water and air quality.

Microplastics originates from a range of sources, including the breakdown of larger plastic waste, personal care products, industrial processes, with the biggest sources being synthetic fibers from textiles, and road wear on tires. In the Lower Cape Fear River Basin increasing populations growth, tourism, and industrial activity have contributed to microplastic pollution entering both freshwater systems and coastal estuaries.

Once in the water, microplastics absorb toxic chemicals and are ingested by aquatic organisms at all levels of the food chain. These particles not only harm aquatic life through internal damage and chemical exposure but may also pose health risks to humans who consume contaminated seafood. Moreover, microplastics interfere with nutrient cycling and oxygen exchange, further degrading water quality.

Our air quality is also affected. In the Lower Cape Fear region, plastic particles become airborne through runoff, agricultural activity, water movement, and even evaporation. Once airborne, these particles can be inhaled by humans and animals, potentially leading to respiratory issues, inflammation, and long-term health concerns. Microplastics have even been detected in indoor air samples, with household furnishings, especially carpeting and upholstered furniture, acting as additional sources due to the synthetic fibers they contain.

So, what can we do?

To reduce plastic waste, cut back on single-use plastics: choose drinks in glass or aluminum cans, reuse shopping bags, bring your own containers when eating out, and use refillable items whenever possible. To address textile pollution, look for clothing made from natural fibers, install a microfiber filter on your washing machine, and consider replacing wall-to-wall carpeting with wood floors and natural fiber rugs.

Educate yourself and advocate for policies that reduce plastic pollution, including investment in a circular economy that promotes the reuse and recyclability of materials. Choose sustainably made, compostable products when possible, and encourage local governments and universities to invest in infrastructure for industrial composting.

Start small and build on your efforts. Every choice you make contributes to a healthier environment, to a cleaner and more sustainable Lower Cape Fear River Basin.

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

Find out more at: The Environmental Protection Agency Circular Economy Site at https://www.epa.gov/circulareconomy or the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation - Australia at: https://research.csiro.au/circulareconomy/about/.

The N.C. Cooperative Extension Center for New Hanover County 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. Please support the Ability Garden’s 3^rd Saturday Plant Sales. Our next sale is May 17 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the New Hanover County Arboretum Lewis Greenhouse. Shopping with us increases our capacity to bring people and plants together.

Reach Heather Kelejian, New Hanover County Extension Therapeutic Horticulture Agent at [email protected] or 910-798-7660.

Welcome to the Port City Life newsletter with me, John...Owen Hassell, local news editor for the Wilmington StarNews.

Obviously, I'm not fooling anyone to believe I'm John Staton, our Wilmington arts/entertainment/culture guru. Instead, I'll point you to the things we've got on tap for the next few days...some of them picked by John before taking vacation this week.

Weekend weather outlook

We've got seasonal weather through Sunday, with sunshine and high temps in the upper 70s. Sunday could reach 81 with some cloud cover.

Go | See | Do

As John puts it, it's a Mad, Mad, Mad World (of Wilmington) for this weekend. That's because the list of things to do includes some mad awesome bands.

One of those is Mad Gallica, which will have a "rock popera" show at Bourgie Nights on Friday.

If you want more local music, there's also the Port City Roots and Rock Fest with reggae and a Grateful Dead tribute band on Sunday at Broomtail. Just watch your speed.

For more weekend happenings, click on this link.

The Dish with Port City Foodies

Food writer Allison Ballard has the latest on two downtown Wilmington's oldest restaurants serving up new menus and a new look.

She was also at the opening of FedUp Foods. The private label beverage company makes products like kombucha and cold-brew coffee in the former TRU Colors brewery space at 715 Greenfield St. in Wilmington.

Getting to know Mayfaire before Mayfaire

John dived into the history of a large piece of land off Military Cutoff Road in Wilmington. You might know it as Mayfaire Town Center with an array of shops, restaurants, homes and entertainment options, but not too long ago it was Oak Ridge Farm or Hardy Parker Farm.

Here's more on a place that had roaming giant fields with horses and cattle. And mushrooms?

News you can use

Dredging at Oak Island is providing the beach with some much-needed sand. Gareth McGrath has the details.

Cheryl Whitaker reports both the Wilmington Riverwalk and Carolina Beach Boardwalk ranked among the nation's best in readers' choice voting done by USA TODAY.

We're all seeing the progress on Project Grace downtown. The latest is more money is needed to ensure the work on a new Cape Fear Museum and New Hanover County Library stay on course. New Hanover reporter Daniel Sheehan catches up with Grace's progress.

Let's get social

For updates on food and entertainment stories, follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/StarNewsMedia.

Tell all the people

Forward this newsletter to your family and friends. They can sign up here.

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WBTV) - Pilot error caused a Novant Health helicopter to crash in eastern North Carolina earlier this year, according to a preliminary report released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The medical helicopter crash happened on Monday, Feb. 24, near Sidbury Road in New Hanover County. The crash site was approximately 10 miles from the Wilmington National Airport.

--> Previous: Novant Health helicopter crashes in eastern North Carolina: What we know

According to the report, the helicopter took off from Wilmington’s airport after offloading a patient from a transfer flight and refueling. The flight from Wilmington was destined for Albert J Ellis Airport in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

After lifting off and heading out of the New Haven Regional Medical Center, the pilot told officials he stayed below 600 feet to avoid conflict with departing traffic, as instructed by air traffic control. Afterward, he climbed to 1,000 feet once clearing the airport traffic area.

The preliminary report did not mention any abnormal takeoff issues or issues with the helicopter.

According to the FAA and company records, the pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land, rotorcraft-helicopter, and instrument airplane and helicopter.

While on the way to their base in Jacksonville, the helicopter’s operator was using autopilot and wearing night vision goggles, according to reports.

Reports continued, stating that shortly after reaching 1,000 feet, the goggles mount came off the visor of his helmet and was hanging by the battery pack cord. The pilot then disconnected the goggles from the battery pack and had them in his lap.

The pilot decided to put away the goggles and battery pack in a storage bag, but couldn’t remember if he zipped the case shut or not, according to reports.

At some point, the case rolled off his lap, the pilot reached for it, and as he did, “the helicopter pitched violently forward and started a descent.”

The NTSB said the pilot couldn’t completely regain control of the helicopter, and it crashed.

“[The pilot] remembered the helicopter entering the trees, then at some point, his memory went blank,” the report reads. “He stated that his next memory was of him standing next to the helicopter. He could not remember how he got out of the helicopter, but remembered standing next to it.”

All three crew members aboard -- the pilot, paramedic, and nurse -- reportedly suffered “serious” injuries; however, everyone is OK.

After the crash, reports stated that all three flight members moved to a nearby tree after pulling the instrument console off the flight paramedic to get the person free.

From there, the pilot called for help from his cellphone and sent a PIN of their location, and shortly after, they were rescued.

The paramedic onboard told investigators the flight was uneventful until the pilot’s goggles fell off.

“He offered to help him put them back on. He could not remember what exactly the pilot said to him, but it was similar to, ‘I am going to just take them off because we are not taking another flight,’” the report read.

The paramedic said the pilot took the goggles off and put them in the case just as he said. At that point, the paramedic recalled the helicopter going into a nosedive.

“The pilot pulled them out of the nosedive, and the flight paramedic remembered that it was incredibly dark,” the report read. “He did not see anything for the first couple of seconds. Then he remembered seeing trees and then going into the trees. The pilot said, ‘Hold on guys,’ and he felt the nose of the aircraft go up like the pilot was flaring to cushion the impact.”

The paramedic went on, explaining that he felt “every impact with the trees” and remembered “feeling them hit the ground and the dash coming down on his legs, and mud and water hitting him on the face, and then everything stopped.”

NTSB’s final report will be released in six to 12 months. The full preliminary report can be read below.

Copyright 2025 WBTV. All rights reserved.

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