Listen • 49:56
On the latest edition of our new program, The Newsroom, host and WHQR Managing Editor Benjamin Schachtman sits down with Wilmington City Councilman Kevin Spears to discuss affordable housing (or, rather, the lack of it), creating jobs, and systemic racism.
Then, WECT investigative reporter Ann McAdams discusses the history of the complicated and disturbing lawsuit against the New Hanover County Schools district, and what might be next.
And, a deep dive into Wilmington s affordable housing crisis, featuring in-depth reporting by WHQR’s own Rachel Keith and Rachel Lewis Hillburn.
Want the show as a podcast? Find it on Spotify, iTunes, and Stitcher.
Expert on trauma discusses why some sexual assault survivors wait years to come forward
Why some sexual assault survivors wait years to come forward By Ashlea Kosikowski | April 15, 2021 at 3:07 PM EDT - Updated April 15 at 5:10 PM
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - New allegations of sex crimes against students at New Hanover County Schools sent shockwaves through our community over the past few weeks.
Since 2018, five coaches, educators or administrators have been charged with sex crimes involving underage students.
While she could not comment on the specifics of either of these cases, Chelsea Croom, from The Rape Crisis Center of Coastal Horizons Center, Inc., said it is not rare for a rape survivor to come forward years or even decades after the assault.
New Hanover County School Board chair addresses recent arrests of educators for alleged sex crimes
School board members react to recent arrest of former coach By WECT Staff | April 13, 2021 at 7:18 PM EDT - Updated April 14 at 12:36 AM
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Following the arrest Monday of a former Hoggard volleyball coach accused of sex crimes, New Hanover School Board chairwoman Stefanie Adams addressed the public at a meeting of the Board of Education Tuesday night.
“First, I want to offer my sincerest condolences to the Bostian family. David Bostian was an educator with decades of experience, but more importantly he was a father and a husband. I can’t imagine what his family is going through at this time but I have seen the outpouring of support by the community and I know that they will continue to do so as those close to David Bostian try to navigate through this difficult time,” said Adams. “Second, when it comes to the allegations against David Bostian and
Listen to the story here.
Against the backdrop of recent arrests of former employees of New Hanover County Schools, the Board of Education worked through a number of issues Tuesday evening including the request to change the name of Laney High School’s football stadium, which has been discussed for over a year.
Board Chair Stefanie Adams started the meeting by addressing the two former staff members David Bostian and Ronnie Lynn Strickland. They are accused of sexually abusing former students.
“All of our educators need to know what the expectations are when it comes to reporting anything they see or hear as it relates to student safety, and then, if someone violates those expectations, everyone needs to understand, they will be held accountable.”
Timeline shows Strickland removed from duties before end of volleyball season
Timeline of Ronnie Strickland investigation By WECT Staff | April 14, 2021 at 5:35 PM EDT - Updated April 14 at 11:57 PM
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - A timeline of events released by New Hanover County Schools Wednesday shows 67-year-old Ron Strickland, the former volleyball coach recently accused of sex crimes with two students, was removed from his duties two weeks before the end of the season.
On January 14, 2021, New Hanover County Schools notified law enforcement after a tip was discovered on social media; Strickland was removed from his duties January 15.
According to the Hoggard Volleyball schedule, the team had a home game January 14, which Strickland apparently coached. The team had an away game January 16.