🌱 Homelessness Forum + Up To $18M Approved In Opioid Settlement

Hi all. I'm here with your Wednesday edition of the Wilmington Patch newsletter, filled with all the local information you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. High: 70 Low: 57.
• Thursday: Breezy in the afternoon. High: 78 Low: 63.

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Here are the top three stories today in Wilmington:

1. Nonprofit organization Vigilant Hope hosted the State of Homelessness Forum in Wilmington on Monday, attended by more than 200 people seeking to learn more about homelessness in the Cape Fear area. Panelists praised the outreach efforts being made by city and county social workers but criticized county commissioners for making their jobs harder by passing an ordinance that prevents sleeping on county property. According to a presentation by a representative from the Good Shepherd Center, about 150 people are sleeping on the street every night in Wilmington. (WWAY NewsChannel 3)
2. Daja White, a math teacher down the road at Leland Middle School, has been awarded Teacher of the Month by WWAY for her exceptional work in the classroom. She left her engineering career in Raleigh to teach in her hometown and has made a significant impact in just four years, being recognized at both the county and state levels for her achievements. Her dedication to her students has earned her the respect and admiration of her colleagues, and she was presented with a $400 gift card by Fulford Heating and Cooling and Hamilton Realty Group. (WWAY NewsChannel 3)
3. New Hanover County Commissioners have approved a second wave of Opioid Settlement funds, estimated to be between $14 and $18 million, in addition to the initial $26 billion settlement from the largest drug distributor and manufacturer Johnson & Johnson. The agreement holds them accountable for their role in fueling the opioid epidemic. The funds will be dedicated to addressing the epidemic, with 15 percent going to the state and 85 percent to local governments. (WHQR)

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Today and tomorrow in Wilmington:

Wednesday, March 22

• Exhibition: Beyond Beaches – The Art Of BJ Grimmer At Bellamy Mansion Museum (10:00 AM)
• Legally Blonde At Cape Fear Community College (7:30 PM)

Thursday, March 23

• The 10th Annual Wilmington Theater Awards At Historic Thalian Hall (7:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• New homes have been listed for sale in the Wilmington area! Get all the property details at the link. (Wilmington Patch)
• The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office (NHCSO) is seeking the public’s help locating 64-year-old Michael Harvey who was last seen on Mar. 20 near 5129 Exton Park Loop wearing a blue long-sleeve shirt, a gray short-sleeve shirt, and khaki pants. He is described as five feet and ten inches tall, weighing around 185 pounds, with a small build, blue eyes, and short, silver-gray hair, and may be in the Atlanta, Georgia area. Anyone with information should call the NHCSO at (910) 798-4535. (WECT)
• Miracles in Motion Run, Walk and Roll is organizing a 5K and one-mile race on Mar. 25, accessible for all abilities with proceeds benefiting ACCESS of Wilmington, a nonprofit that manages various initiatives including the Miracle League of Wilmington, Recreational Therapy, and Accessible Adventures. Participants can pick up their race packets at Fleet Feet or on the day of the race, and those unable to pick them up in person can register online. (Port City Daily)

You're officially in the loop for today! I'll catch up with you bright and early soon with your next update.

— 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.