Boots and Blessings

Good Morning, Leland, Winnabow, Belville and more! Happy Hump Day!

In today’s LLLLeland:

• Fill the Boot for the Winnabow Volunteer Fire Department

• Habitat for Humanity to Hold Wall Blessing Ceremony for New Home

• Transportation Tax Takes Effect

THE NEWS

Fill the Boot for the Winnabow Volunteer Fire Department

Fill a boot this Thursday and Sunday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

The Winnabow Volunteer Fire Department is hosting a boot drive to raise funds for essential equipment needed to serve the community. With the support of local businesses Raceway (6230 Ocean Hwy E) and Han-Dee Hugo’s (6170 Ocean Hwy E), donations will go toward outfitting volunteer firefighters—an effort that costs approximately $29,000 per firefighter, excluding annual training. This includes $5,000 for protective gear and $24,000 for critical tools such as thermal imagers, radios, air packs, and more. The department will share information next month about the cost of fire engines. Special thanks were given to Lieutenant Butchello and Firefighter Shepherd for their participation. (Facebook)

Habitat for Humanity to Hold Wall Blessing Ceremony for New Home

Habitat for Humanity is hosting a Wall Blessing ceremony on July 3 at 10 a.m. for the Wright Family in Shallotte, as they progress toward homeownership through the nonprofit’s affordable housing program. The community is invited to write messages, prayers, and encouragement on the home's walls before construction continues. Executive Director Jason Gaver described the event as a meaningful tradition that unites the community in support of the family’s journey. The ceremony will take place at 409 Gray Bridge Road SW. (WECT)

Transportation Tax Takes Effect

A new North Carolina Transportation Commerce Tax takes effect today, adding a small fee to rideshare and taxi trips to help fund state road projects. The tax is 1.5% for exclusive rides and 1.0% for shared rides—amounting to about $0.10 to $0.15 on a $10 fare. While the state sees this as a way to fund infrastructure, Lyft criticized the move for placing more financial burden on consumers amid rising costs, calling for insurance reform. Uber expressed support for the tax, citing collaboration with state lawmakers. Taxi companies must register with the Department of Revenue to report the tax. (WECT)

WHAT’S HAPPENIN’

Trivia Night at BBX Thursday

Brunswick Beer XChange (BBX-Bottle Shoppe) in Leland hosts a fun night of trivia every Thursday at 113 Village Rd. The two-hour event is open to the public and features rotating food trucks from the ILM area offering a variety of options each week. Prizes are awarded to both first and second place winners.

Do you have an event? Reach out to us! [email protected]

WEATHER

Monday

88 🌡️ 77 | ⛅ | 5% | 🌬️ SW 12 mph | Humidity 76%

Tuesday

84 🌡️ 74 | ⛈️ | 60% | 🌬️ SW 7 mph | Humidity 77%

Thank you for taking the time to read this issue of Live, Laugh, Love Leland!

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See you tomorrow!