🌱 Cape Fear Region Documentary + School Installs 660 Solar Panels

Hello, everybody. I'm back with your fresh edition of the Wilmington Patch newsletter. Here's all the local news you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Humid with rain and a t-storm. High: 77 Low: 65.
• Saturday: Mostly cloudy and warmer. High: 83 Low: 66.

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Here are the top three stories in Wilmington today:

1. A documentary called "Shew's Natural Treasures: The Coastal Plain of Southeastern North Carolina" will premiere at the University of North Carolina Wilmington this weekend, directed by Jesse Bradley and produced by a group of students and staff. The film explores the importance of the unique ecosystem in the Cape Fear Region and how these spaces can be preserved. The screening will be held at Lumina Theater on Apr. 30 and followed by a Q&A session with Roger Shew. (WWAY NewsChannel 3)
2. Glow Academy has installed a 300-kilowatt solar system consisting of 660 solar panels across three of its buildings. The project was completed in partnership with Cape Fear Solar Systems and is one of the largest solar systems in New Hanover County, North Carolina, and the largest on a school in the eastern part of the state. The solar panel installation is expected to generate 410,000 kilowatts of clean energy annually, helping to reduce the school's carbon emissions by over 639,000 pounds each year, equivalent to removing 65 passenger vehicles from the road annually, powering 56.5 homes, and planting 4,800 trees. (WWAY NewsChannel 3)
3. Kshaun Ahmad Williams, an 18-year-old accused of bringing a gun to gym class, has appeared in court and prosecutors have requested a $1 million bond. If Williams makes the $25,000 bond, he will be placed under house arrest and only be allowed to leave to go to work or participate in the nonprofit LINC. Meanwhile, school district leaders are discussing safety in schools, including metal detectors or clear backpack policies, and the county has offered $1 million in funding to improve security in schools. (WECT)

Today and tomorrow in Wilmington:

Friday, April 28

• Comedian Adrienne Iapalucci At Dead Crow Comedy Room, Lush Lounge (7:00 PM, 9:30 PM)

Saturday, April 29

• Live Music: Doug McFarland At End Of Days Distillery (6:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• YoBre’z Frozen Dessert Bar has closed after the owner, Breon Jaquel Williams Tyson, was arrested on Apr. 20 on charges of indecent liberties with a child and second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor. Tyson had just opened the newest location of YoBre’z on April 12 at 9 Lake Park Blvd, and he also owns two other locations of the shop in Jacksonville and Maysville. (StarNewsOnline.com)
• Jimmy's Bike Drive, with the help of Academy Sports + Outdoors and Cape Fear Cyclists, donated $6,500 to provide bicycles and helmets for the Bicycle Rodeo with Williston Middle School, where safety courses were set up and run. The New Hanover County Sheriff's Office expressed gratitude to the community for coming together to provide the students of Williston Middle a great day of festivities. (New Hanover County Sheriff's Office via Facebook)
• Are you looking to fill your social calendar this week? Check out the list of events happening in and around Wilmington this week at the link! (WWAY NewsChannel 3)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Friday. I'll see you soon!

— Lauren Kubiak

About me: Lauren is an Editor for Lightning Media Partners. She graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s in journalism. She was previously a full-time editor at an association management firm, editing peer-reviewed nursing journals, textbooks, and newsletters.