Wilmington, NC News

This week, we close the door on yet another hurricane season. And it’s been quite a year in the Carolinas as far as named storms are concerned.

Remember, a tropical system only receives a name if its winds reach at least 39 mph. This year, only 9 named storms formed.

The seasonal average is 10 to 11. Of the tropical storms that did form, only 3 reached hurricane status, well below the seasonal average of 6.

But the hurricanes that did form were distinctive.

Hurricane Bill was the strongest storm of the season, reaching Category 4 status in mid-August with 135 mph winds. Although Bill’s course kept it offshore for much of its lifespan, it still created rough surf and dangerous rip currents as far south as the Carolinas, prompting dozens of water rescues.

Hurricane Fred spent all of it’s life over open water in early September, never really posing a major threat to any land masses. But Fred did have the distinction of becoming one of only three major hurricanes to form east of 35 degrees west in the Atlantic. After reaching a peak wind speed of 120 mph, Fred steadily weakened due to increased wind shear.

The last of the Hurricanes, Ida, reached its peak intensity in the northwest Caribbean Sea in early November, when winds reached 105 mph.

Ida weakened to tropical storm status by the time it landfalled in Alabama. But the heavy rains from the remnant low made headlines all throughout the southeastern United States. Over 11 inches fell over parts of the East Coast, where the system developed into a full-blown nor-easter. By mid November, the topics were quiet again, and that trend continues to hold.

From reptiles, to school buses, to texting, a number of new state laws go into effect on Tuesday. Many of the new changes affect drivers; one of the biggest changes is no more texting behind the wheel. Violators could face a $100 fine and another $130 in court costs, plus it’s definitely not safe.

Many admit to texting while driving at one time or another.

“I was texting while driving, and I ran a red light on holly tree and was t-boned,” said Wes Hudson of Wilmington.

Even if you’re stopped at a traffic light, after December 1st, if you’re in the driver’s seat, and the car is turned on, texting while driving is illegal.

“I have actually texted while at a stop light, on my motorcycle,” said Chris Ebbe.

The new rule also outlaws e-mailing and surfing the web behind the wheel.

“I have enough trouble driving without talking on my cell phone or texting. I’m not for it at all, I think you should just be driving, that’s it,” said Lila Moeller.

December first calls for some other changes. License plate frames cannot cover the state name, or sticker displaying the year and month on license plates.

Another law gives new car owners a 3-day grace period to register their vehicle and pass inspection as long as they have insurance.

Violators of these new traffic laws will face warnings until November of next year.

Another law requires reptile owners to keep their pets in secured containers and subjects the owners to prosecution if the reptiles escape and attack someone.

Local firefighters spent a day off installing fire sprinkler systems inside twenty-two Habitat for Humanity homes.

By installing a sprinkler system and smoke alarm in your home, you can increase your chances of survival in a fire by 82 percent. It is especially important to think about this time of year because Christmas trees are the cause of many house fires.

Fire and Safety educator Meg Langston said, “We recommend that you have a sprinkler system and the reason for it is - it offers precious moments for family members to get out and be safe. It also helps protect our firefighters because it offers them the opportunity for the fire to be under control by the time that they arrive.”

One sprinkler head puts out 8 to 13 gallons of water per minute.

Investigators have completed autopsy reports involving the death of an Elizabethtown man.

Twenty-two-year-old Caleb Stoker shot and killed 41-year-old Ricky Carroll at Tory Hole Park in October. WWAY was told Carroll did not approve of Stoker dating his daughter.

Elizabethtown police would not release details from the autopsy because of the ongoing investigation. However, Carroll’s mother-in-law told us the family had seen the report.

According to the family, Carroll was shot five times.

Carroll’s daughter, Cristan, has since been granted a protective order against Stoker.