🌱 Former Oral Surgeon Awaiting Trial + $25k Grant For Local YWCA

Good morning, everybody! It's me, Lauren Kubiak, your host of the Wilmington Patch newsletter — back in your inbox with everything that's fit to print about what's happening in town these days.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Variable clouds; not as warm. High: 79 Low: 58.
• Thursday: Mostly sunny and nice. High: 80 Low: 58.

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Here are the top three stories today in Wilmington:

1. A former oral surgeon and general anesthesiologist at Wilmington Oral Surgery, Michael Lee Hasson, is facing multiple counts of sexual assault involving more than 20 victims. The alleged incidents occurred between 2009 and 2018 while the victims were under anesthesia. Hasson did not attend his arraignment, and a trial date has been scheduled for Oct. 30, 2023, after his attorney filed a waiver of arraignment. (Port City Daily)
2. The YWCA Lower Cape Fear has been awarded a $25,000 grant from The Catherine Kennedy Home Foundation, Inc. The grant will be used to support the Grandparent Support Network (GSN), which provides assistance to grandparents who are caring for their grandchildren full-time. Through weekly meetings, extracurricular events, and case management, GSN offers education, resources, and respite to over 45 families and more than 120 individuals. (WWAY 3)
3. The Wilmington Police Department has suspended a violent crime detective, Aricka Sidbury, who has been with the team since 2012. The District Attorney, Ben David, sent a letter to the NC Conference of District Attorneys explaining that the investigation is related to financial misconduct. Due to the potential conflict of interest, David has requested the assignment of a prosecutor from the NC Conference of District Attorneys Financial Crimes Unit to handle the case. (WWAY 3)

Today and tomorrow in Wilmington:

Wednesday, May 10

• Outdoor Storytime At NHC Public Library Pine Valley (10:00 AM)
• Baby And Me At Main Library Downtown (2:30 PM)

Thursday, May 11

• Youngish Peer Connections Support Group At UNCW’s Fisher Student Center (5:30 PM)
• Historic Preservation Commission Meeting At City Hall (5:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Meet Jackson, a five-and-a-half-year-old marmalade cat, available for adoption at the New Hanover Humane Society. Jackson is shy, but this big guy's personality is showing more each day. You can meet Jackson from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. (New Hanover Humane Society via Facebook)
• The Healing Place of New Hanover County has announced its grand opening event on Thursday, May 11, which will include an open house, speeches beginning at 10:00 a.m., guided tours from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and refreshments for attendees. The community is invited to join in and explore the new facility. (Wilmington Downtown, Inc. (WDI) via Facebook)
• As hurricane season approaches, New Hanover County Fire Rescue is urging people to take their hurricane preparedness survey to ensure they are ready for any potential storms. By participating in the survey, individuals can provide valuable input that will help the department offer appropriate support and guidance on steps to enhance preparedness. (New Hanover County Fire Rescue via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday. I'll see you around!

— 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.