The State Port Pilot Blog

Raymond Gregory Walker, who usually goes by Greg, has been missing since Nov. 15, and the Oak Island Police Department is looking for help locating him.

Walker is 57, and he is a white male approximately 5’8” tall, weighing 150 pounds. He is balding, with gray hair and a bushy gray beard and mustache.

Anyone with any information about Walker is asked to call detective Kristy Cox or Sgt. Tony Burke at the Oak Island Police Department, (910) 278-5595.

A boil water notice for all residents of Brunswick Forest in Leland was rescinded Saturday, December 20.

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Residents might be wondering what happened to the charming old Southport Christmas wreaths that used to hang on the lampposts in Southport. The city decided to retire them, and by law was required to do so with a publicly advertised process.
There were 50 available and people or businesses could bid on one or all. There was a possibility a speculator or another municipality would bid on all 50 and they would leave Southport forever. Therefore, I structured a bid to still allow individuals to “win” wreaths through the advertised bid process.

These wreaths have been sold and are on display across town now. Merry Christmas!

Steve Simon

Monday’s severe traffic gridlock in Southport and along Long Beach Road was the result of a highway contractor’s error and is not expected to happen again, a state transportation official said Tuesday.

Although the construction project on Long Beach Road at Fish Factory Road will create congestion through Christmas, a significant traffic jam occurred Monday when work was done in the roadway at the wrong time, said Jon Roan, assistant district engineer for the state Department of Transportation. Drivers reported delays of more than one hour as they attempted to leave Southport on North Howe Street-N.C. 211.

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A former employee with the Brunswick County Department of Social Services was arrested Tuesday and charged with obtaining property by false pretenses. April Shawnette Stuckes, 33, of Wilmington, is accused of defrauding more than $135,000 in benefits from the agency over three years. Stuckes was fired in April of this year. A joint investigation by the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Department and the State Bureau of Investigation led to charges against Stuckes, and against six others who illegally received benefits.

Sheriff’s detective Vince Saponaro said Stuckes set up fake files for receiving Work First benefits and used the agency’s P.O. Box to receive the checks. She then allegedly cashed the checks at a store in Wilmington and kept the money. Stuckes previously worked in the Richmond, Va., area, and she allegedly took a list of clients with her when she left; she used real names and information from the list to create fake files in Brunswick County. Stuckes is also accused of setting up files for her boyfriend and other friends, allowing them to receive benefits while demanding half the money in return as a kickback.

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A Supply man was critically injured in the accident Wednesday at the second bridge to Oak Island construction site. Ricky Bryant was in surgery last Wednesday afternoon, Oak Island mayor Johnie Vereen said. Vereen said he did not know the nature of the man’s injuries. Bryant was airlifted to New Hanover Regional Medical Center after he was injured when a concrete girder fell from its supports.

The town will cooperate in any way possible as investigations into the accident continue, Vereen said. Investigations will be ongoing by staff with OSHA, Lee Construction of the Carolinas and N.C. Department of Transportation, he said.

Each year, Santa comes to Southport to illuminate Dosher Memorial Hospital’s tree for the holidays. On Wednesday, December 3, the hospital staff needs lots of children to help light the tree with Santa’s “magic dust.”

Following the tree lighting, gather for pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus (parents–bring your camera) and enjoy fun activities with Santa’s elves. When you’re done, nibble on delicious sweet and savory snacks and enjoy some holiday grog. Also, Santa always has some fun goodies for the kids.

The tree lighting ceremony will be at 6 p.m. Snacks, activities and pictures with Santa will be from 6:15 to 8 p.m.

This free event is part of the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas by the Sea festival. For more information on upcoming events, visit www.christmasbysea.com.

South Brunswick’s victory over Orange last Friday night booked them a trip to Marshville where the Cougs will face Forest Hills. Marshville is the home of Randy Travis and a foul-smelling turkey processing plant, but they play tough football at Forest Hills. The Yellow Jackets finished the regular season 8-3, and they duly roughed up Richlands in the first round of the postseason 31-13, and followed that impressive outing with a 26-12 win over Cardinal Gibbons in the second phase.
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N.C. Center for Missing Persons has issued an amber alert for Chesney Anne Gaskin, last seen north of Wilmington in Sampson County.

Chesney Anne Gaskin is a 3-year-old white female standing two-feet, six-inches tall and weighing 30 pounds. Chesney has shoulder length straight red hair and blue eyes. Chesney was last seen wearing yellow pajamas. Chesney was last seen with Danielle Star Simpson. Ms. Simpson is described as a 24-year-old white female standing five-feet, five-inches tall and weighing 135 pounds. Ms. Simpson has blonde hair and green eyes. Ms. Simpson was last seen wearing a white shirt with blue jeans and an army jacket. Ms. Simpson was last seen driving a gold 2001 Chevy Malibu with WA license plate number 113 YAE.

If you have any information regarding this abduction please contact the Sampson county sheriff’s office at 910-592-4141 or 911or * HP

Kevin Holden, Brunswick County’s jail administrator, resigned effective Monday. Capt. Holden supervised the detention center since May of 2000.

His resignation came after an incident at the jail Oct. 4. About 8:30 p.m. that day, a prisoner was injured in the jail. Holden was notified about the incident about 9:30 p.m., sheriff John Ingram said, but was not told he had to go to the jail. Holden did respond to the jail about 12:15 a.m., Ingram said. Holden was placed on administrative leave the following week, though he was not part of a State Bureau of Investigation into the prisoner’s injury.

Ingram gave little detail about Holden’s resignation, saying only that it was given for “personal reasons.” Ingram said there had been an internal investigation following allegations of inappropriate conduct but said he could not discuss the details.

For more on this story, check Wednesday’s edition of The State Port Pilot.