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Boat buying tips to help avoid headaches when on the water

Submitted by Bob Townsend, Co-host of Carolina in the Morning
Friday, May 17th, 2013, 12:30pm
If you are in the market to become a boat owner, there are several important considerations in choosing a vessel.

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WECT) – After a brief cool spell, warm weather has returned to the area -- and that means boat ramps are expected to be busy this weekend, with families heading out for a day on the water.

If you are in the market to become a boat owner, there are several important considerations in choosing a vessel.

"It's a pretty big decision and I would strongly recommend to buy locally to get some dealer support," said Joel Romig, a local boat dealer. "It helps to make the whole boating experience a lot more pleasurable."

Because you want it to be a fun experience for you and your family, purchase a boat large enough to meet your needs, not just what you can afford. By knowing the primary use of the boat, you can narrow down the size of boat you will be happy with.

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WEATHER: Super summery weekend forecast

Submitted by Colin Hackman, First Alert Meteorologist, Reporter
Friday, May 17th, 2013, 7:52am

Ready for the weekend?  It looks like beach goers and pool rats will be excited for the forecast. 

The Bermuda high off of the western Atlantic will continue to keep conditions mostly sunny and mild, however with enough moisture in place, as the weekend rolls on - we will return to the typical summer pattern where an afternoon shower or thunderstorm pops up along the sea breeze. 

Look for an afternoon high today in the upper 80s.

Temperatures will cool slightly (down to the mid 80s) for the weekend, with a bit of a better chance for showers during the early work week.

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Authorities searching for wanted father, daughter accused of incest

Submitted by WECT Web Staff
Thursday, May 16th, 2013, 5:21pm
Robert Lee Earley, Jr. (Source: Pender County Sheriff's Office)

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – A father and daughter are wanted on charges related to incest, according to a spokesperson with the Pender County Sheriff's Office.

Robert Lee Earley, Jr., 51, and his 25-year-old daughter, Natalie Sheree Earley, previously resided in the 100 block of Doe Court in Hampstead.

Robert is charged with the following:

-Incest against a child who is 13, 14, or 15 years old and defendant is at least six years older than the child when the incest occurred

-Statutory rape/sex offense defendant is at least six years older than the child

-Negligent child abuse - serious physical injury

-Incest

Natalie is charged with incest.

Authorities say the pair may be headed to Florida, but they have family ties in Hampstead and Wilmington.

Robert is said to drive a small, red 1993 Mitsubishi pickup truck with an open bed. The license plate number is BDW7514.

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NC agencies to crack down on drunken boating

Submitted by WECT Web Staff
Thursday, May 16th, 2013, 7:49am
North Carolina law enforcement agencies say they will work to crack down on drunken boating as the summer approaches.

CORNELIUS, NC (AP) - North Carolina law enforcement agencies say they will work to crack down on drunken boating as the summer approaches.
    
The "On the Road, On the Water, Don't Drink and Drive" campaign is about to start its third year of discouraging drunken driving and boating.
    
North Carolina Highway Patrol Maj. Patricia Pool says officers need help from the public to prevent injuries.
    
Officers plan sobriety checkpoints and special increased patrols during busy holiday periods. Officers also plan special messaging to boaters and drivers about the dangers of impaired driving.
    
Col. Dale Caveny of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission says officers will be conducting checks to make sure boats have the proper equipment.
    
Caveny says 28 boaters died and 80 other people were seriously hurt on North Carolina waterways.

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WEATHER: Summa-time!

Submitted by Colin Hackman, First Alert Meteorologist, Reporter
Thursday, May 16th, 2013, 7:42am

A mild summer pattern emerges, with high temperatures bumping up to the upper 80s across the region. 

While we will probably fend off showers today, tomorrow that may not be the case - as a sea breeze induced afternoon shower or thunderstorm may crop up.

The pattern changes very little as we move through the next several days with summer like highs in the 80s, lows in the 60s and a slight chances for showers and thunderstorms throughout the weekend.

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Sloop Point VFD put on probation for one year

Submitted by Bailey Hicks on Thursday, May 16th, 7:32 am

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WECT) - The Sloop Point Volunteer Fire Department will be on probation for one year after a recent state inspection.

The department says the probation is due to the fact that they responded to several fire alarms in 2012 with only three firefighters, when the minimum number is four.  

The Chief says the reason for this is because they did not have enough volunteers. Since then, the chief says they have added a full time firefighter during the day to increase staffing.

He says they have not had any alarms with less than four firefighters responding since that hire.

While they are on probation, the chief says they will have to submit paperwork to the state each month.

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WEATHER: Warm and sunny

Submitted by Colin Hackman, First Alert Meteorologist, Reporter
Wednesday, May 15th, 2013, 7:46am

Sunny and mild conditions will be the norm for the next couple of days as Bermuda high pressure sets up shop over the western Atlantic.

Expect to see high temperatures today moving into the mid 80s as a more summer like pattern emerges. 

Plenty of Atlantic and Gulf moisture streams into the region on the west side of the high pressure giving us enough moisture to touch off a sea breeze induced shower or thunderstorm each afternoon as we go through the weekend.

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