Brunswick Today Newsletter: The fear of missing out and looking to slow development

Jamey Cross, Wilmington StarNews
Updated ·2 min read
After dismissal on Monday, April 8, 2024, teachers at West Brunswick High School in Shallotte gather outside to check out The Great American Eclipse.
After dismissal on Monday, April 8, 2024, teachers at West Brunswick High School in Shallotte gather outside to check out The Great American Eclipse.

Hello and welcome to the Brunswick Today newsletter brought to you by me, StarNews reporter Jamey Cross.

When the moon's shadow passed over UNC-Chapel Hill in August 2017, I sat with thousands of other students on the quad, donned my ISO-certified eclipse glasses and watched the solar eclipse. The temperature dropped around 15 degrees as the moon blocked the sun's rays for a matter of minutes.

This year, unable or unmotivated to find eclipse glasses, I looked down to observe the eclipse, watching as crescent-shaped shadows appeared through the leaves of the trees outside my house. My brother, however, made sure he had his eclipse glasses this year. However, he texted me after to let me know he had been underwhelmed. He realized that it was the potential FOMO (fear of missing out) more than the event itself that was behind his initial excitement.

Whether they were motivated by FOMO or genuine interested in the rare event, residents across the Cape Fear region went outside to observe April 8th's eclipse. Here's some of our coverage of the event.

Thanks for starting your week with us. Here's the latest in Brunswick County news.

Here we grow again

As always, I have a couple development stories for you. First, a planned development came back before the Brunswick County Planning Board to request an extension. Now, the property -- which is owned by the mayor of Ocean Isle Beach -- will see more homes on the same acreage. Here's what to know.

Now, a move that will actually slow development in Brunswick County, at least for a while: The Brunswick County Board of Commissioners voted to change one piece of the development approval process. While some already-submitted projects will go ahead for approval, the county's planning director said the change will cause a six- to nine-month "lull" in developments later this year. Here's more on the change.

Getting to know Bonnie Therrien

Southport's current city manager is nearing the end of her contract. While the city is already conducting a search for her replacement, the community is rallying around outgoing manager Bonnie Therrien in hopes she'll choose to extend her contract. Here's the story.

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This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Brunswick Today Newsletter