Chilly weather, somber memories and fearful futures are keeping Brunswick County guessing in the last week of September.
As we exit the summer season and begin feeling cooler fall weather, Brunswick residents are honoring the past and fearing what lies ahead.
It has been one year since the Southport community felt silence and sadness from a mass shooting at one of its busiest riverside bars. On Sept. 27, 2026, a tree dedication and prayer vigil were held in honor of those impacted by the shooting.
The day of reflection was one week before the annual U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament, which will be coming back to the city of Southport this week - starting Thursday, Oct. 1 and closing Saturday, Oct. 3. Community Engagement Editor Renee Spencer has
all the tournament details right here.
In the northern portion of the county, the town of Belville has requested a judge dismiss a legal battle initiated by the town of Leland. Leland's town attorney Stephen D. Coggins filed a complaint and associated documents in June challenging several properties annexed into the town of Belville by Belville officials in 2024 and 2026. More about the case and Belville's response can be read here.
Here we grow again
We all know there is a lot of construction going on in the county. From Texas Roadhouse to new grocery stores, the list sometimes seems endless. To keep you in the know of what's growing on, here are some of the top construction projects being built right now.
While a lot of development is happening off U.S. 17 between Brunswick Forest and Mallory Creek, a group of business owners are worried about Leland's Gateway District along Village Road. The business owners are beginning to feel negative impacts of a 13-year-old plan designed to replace existing shops with a Mayfaire-like downtown area.
Let’s get social
For more news about what’s happening in Brunswick County, follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BrunswickToday.
The agenda
A majority of municipal meetings have already happened this week. However, there are a few meetings on the schedule.
The Belville Board of Commissioners meets tomorrow, Sept. 29. Topics of discussion include riverwalk and event updates, a public hearing on zoning ordinance text amendment and more.
The Oak Island Planning Board also meets Sept. 29 at 6 p.m.
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Savanna Tenenoff covers Brunswick County for the StarNews. Reach her at stenenoff@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Southport's healing, Leland's lawsuit and Brunswick's projects
