Find the answers to all your questions in one place with MyReporter

The StarNews is committed to working for you — our readers — and answering your questions.

That’s why we brought back our popular MyReporter feature, which allows readers to ask questions about the topics they want to know more about. Then the StarNews staff works to get you the answer, which is then published in both our print and online editions.

If you have a question, send an email to [email protected].

So far, we’ve answered questions on a wide variety of topics. Take a look.

Back to its roots

Whether for its interesting form or its unique story, people love this tree in Brunswick County. Reporter Jamey Cross got the story behind this unique tree.

More: What’s the story behind this 800-year-old tree in Brunswick County? | MyReporter

It's roundabout time

The roundabout that will connect Pine Grove Drive to Greenville Loop Road is part of the city of Wilmington’s larger Pine Grove Drive project.

More: When will construction begin on the Greenville Loop Road roundabout? | MyReporter

Turtle talk

This is time of year when talk along the beaches turns to turtles. It's nesting season! Here's what you should do if you see a sea turtle.

Talkin' about turtles: 5 things to know about sea turtle nesting season along the NC coast | MyReporter

Springing into the city

When it comes to Boiling Spring Lakes, people often wonder about the city's namesake spring. Here's what we found out.

More: Where's the spring in Boiling Spring Lakes? | MyReporter

Status update

The StarNews received a question about the status of a burned house on Greenville Loop Road. Here's what we found out about the property.

More: What's the status of the burned house on Greenville Loop? | MyReporter

Take a (side)walk

For those walking along Fifth Avenue, the sidewalk can prove to be difficult to traverse thanks broken pavement and missing panels. But work is scheduled. Here's what we found out about efforts to improve the area.

An update: What's the status of the Fifth Avenue sidewalk improvements? | MyReporter

Getting signals

When it comes to busy intersections, the Wilmington area has more than a few. As more development occurs, people often reach out to ask us how they can get a signal installed near the home. Well, there's a process.

Find out more: Can I request a traffic light at a busy intersection? | MyReporter

Out-of-date plates

If you have been out and about in Wilmington, chances are you've encountered a vehicle with expired tags. But how does enforcement work? Reporter Molly Wilhelm found out.

The answer: How do Wilmington police handle the enforcement of tag compliance? | MyReporter

The end of the road(work)

Wilmington residents say orange barrels have become a fixture at the intersection of Market Street and Military Cutoff Extension. When could the project be completed?

An update: When will crews finish working at Military Cutoff and Gordon roads? | MyReporter

The wait for Royal Farms

About two years ago, the chain announced it was eyeing the Wilmington area. But what is the status of those plans?

We have the answer: Is Royal Farms still coming to Castle Hayne? | MyReporter

Is soccer still a goal for Wilmington?

Will professional soccer come back to Wilmington? A reader asked us that question, and we found the answer.

Here's the answer: Will Wilmington ever get another professional soccer team? | MyReporter

Impact of a bridge toll

While we don't yet know if the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge will be a toll project, some are concerned about the financial impact on low-income residents.

Find out more: How could a bridge toll affect low-income residents in the Wilmington area? | MyReporter

When will it end?

Several StarNews readers asked us to find out when the Market Street median project could come to an end. Find out when that project is expected to conclude and what will happen next in the link below.

Find out more here: Here's an updated timeline for the Market Street median project | MyReporter

The tiny home craze

In the mid-2010s, people began embracing the minimalist lifestyle, and the tiny home craze was born. But where can you build a tiny home in the Wilmington area?

Find out where: Where can I build a tiny home in the Wilmington area? | MyReporter

Still waving more than a decade later

A flag has been waving to passers-by on a busy stretch of highway for more than a decade. But how did it get there? A reader asked, and we answered.

Here's the full story: A flag waves from the banks of the Brunswick River. How did it get there? | MyReporter

Who owns these?

A reader wrote to the StarNews asking who owns these boxes around town. It took a bit of investigating, but we got the answer.

Find out more: Who owns the PowerGuard boxes outside some Wilmington area homes? | MyReporter

Sheriff's patch

After our story on the Wilmington Police Department's patch, one reader wrote to us to ask about the submarine on the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office patch. It turns out, there's a local connection.

Find out more here: MyReporter: What symbols are included on the New Hanover County Sheriff's Office patch?

Wawas in Wilmington

If you've ever been to the northeastern U.S., chances are you've seen a Wawa. If you've visited one, you may be hoping to see one in the Wilmington area sometime soon. If so, you're in luck.

Find out when: When will Wilmington get a Wawa? | MyReporter

Military Cutoff and Eastwood

While residents are hoping for improvements at this busy intersection near major shopping centers, they have yet to see them. It turns out another project must be completed first.

Find out more: My Reporter: What's the status of roadwork on Military Cutoff and Eastwood Road?

Taking flight

While you can’t book an American Airlines flight to Paris from ILM, the airport still has “international” in its name. The reason has nothing to do with air travel.

Find out why here: MyReporter: What makes ILM an 'international' airport?

Is the show over?

While 2023 marked the end of operations for Wilmington’s AMC theater, readers wanted to know what could be planned for the site. Located at the intersection of two busy thoroughfares—Kerr Avenue and Market Street—the property has many potential uses.

Click here to read more: MyReporter: What could be next for Wilmington's former AMC theater?

Bypass in progress

As the area continues to grow, so does the need for more roads. The Hampstead Bypass aims to ease congestion around the U.S. 17 corridor in Pender and New Hanover counties. When do officials anticipate the project being completed? We have the answer.

Get the latest here: MyReporter: What's the latest on the Hampstead Bypass?

A boom that shakes the room

If you’ve lived in the Wilmington area for very long, chances are you’ve experienced it: a boom that shakes the house and rattles the windows. Old-timers call them “Seneca Guns.”

Click here for more information: MyReporter: What are the Seneca Guns? Could they be earthquake rumbles or ghostly echoes?

Sisterly

Wilmington has four sister cities, and if you want to visit them, you’ll need a passport. Wilmington’s Sister Cities Association promotes global connectivity.

Read more here: MyReporter: What are Wilmington's sister cities?

The buzz on the WPD patch

When thinking about the Wilmington Police Department’s patch, one might picture water, marsh grass and a dock. While all of those are featured on the patch, there’s one more thing you probably wouldn’t think of.

We've got the buzz: MyReporter: Why does the Wilmington Police Department patch include a beehive?

Red light, SafeLight

If you drive in Wilmington very much, you may have received one in your mailbox: a red-light camera violation. If you’ve ever wondered how much the city makes from the program, and which intersection sees the most violations, we can tell you.

Click here for more: MyReporter: Which intersections see the most red-light camera violations in Wilmington?

Caught in a (fly)trap

While you may have enjoyed an adult beverage or two at the popular Flytrap Brewery on Walnut Street, you may not know the Wilmington area is the only place you can find the carnivorous plant after which the brewery is named.

Find out more: MyReporter: Why does the Venus' flytrap only call the Wilmington area home?

Roadkill removal

My heart breaks for the creatures who lose our lives crossing our roads and highways. Removing them from those places is a necessary but dirty job. But whose job is it?

We've got the answer: MyReporter: Who handles dead animals on Wilmington-area roadways?

Hurricanes, tornadoes, and... earthquakes?

While the Wilmington area has experienced more than its fair share of hurricanes and tornadoes, one thing we don’t see many of is earthquakes. But experts say it’s not outside the realm of possibility.

Find out more: MyReporter: Does the Wilmington area experience earthquakes?

Reverse-osmosis on the way

When the StarNews broke the story about Gen-X several years ago, Wilmington area residents began to advocate for safer water. Local officials worked to provide that with reverse-osmosis water filtration systems. Here’s the latest on Brunswick County’s water plant expansion and reverse-osmosis project.

More: MyReporter: What's the status of Brunswick County's reverse-osmosis plant?

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: MyReporter answers readers' questions about Wilmington, NC, topics