It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Federal Point Historic Preservation Society gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Carolina Beach, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“My family’s experience has been wonderful with Always Best Care. They are an exceptional team”
“Always going the extra mile making sure my father is being well taken care of.”
“Always best care is a family oriented agency . I am blessed in my heart”
“I am very grateful to work for Always Best Care since year 2019. All office”
“Wonderful company!”
“Always Best Care Senior Services was exactly what our family needed during a challenging time”
“Wow, the virtual reality dementia training is very eye opening. Gives you an idea of”
“Enjoyed taking this virtual trip through the mind of a dementia.”
“This was a very good experience. It changed my mind on a lot of things”
“I had a great experience”
“Great experience! I think everyone who cares for someone with dementia should have this experience.”
“This experience was great. It gave me a different perspective on dealing with dementia. I”
“It was a great experience and it is a eye opener I loved it”
“Very knowledgeable and informative! Definitely recommend”
“Great training”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care provided excellent, diligent, responsive and”
“They helped me with getting a wheelchair! They didn't want anything but to help me”
“I feel so blessed to be served by such caring and helpful people. I had”
“ABC services do an amazing job. They have helped my 90 year old mother in”
“I cannot recommend this service enough. The owner Shawn was wonderful to speak with.”
“These people are Angels. Kathryn was lightning quick with new solutions everytime things changed,”
“Kind aides who were patient and caring with my Mother. Quality service.”
“Excellent! Shawn was a Godsend. He found a great, affordable community for my Mom. We”
“I contacted Shawn when my mother returned home from the hospital. There are so many”
“I would have to say out of all the places I've work ABC is by”
“My family’s experience has been wonderful with Always Best Care. They are an exceptional team of caregivers who really care about the well fare of their clients. They go above and beyond taking care of my parents and have been very professional and dependable. I would recommend ABC to anyone who needs a reliable and competent care team. Karen Lussi”
“Always going the extra mile making sure my father is being well taken care of.”
“Always best care is a family oriented agency . I am blessed in my heart to see the services being rendered to clients. Extra miles taken to make sure every client is well taken care, even in unpleasant weather conditions. The CEO and administrators were out in the snow last week picking up workers who were unsure of driving . I was glad to see this commitment, making sure families could sit back and relax. With no fear, I will recommend Always best to any family who needs awesome care for their love ones.”
“I am very grateful to work for Always Best Care since year 2019. All office staff are great people, very helpful and always treat everyone with love and respect. Definitively it is a bless to work for this agency.”
“Wonderful company!”
“Always Best Care Senior Services was exactly what our family needed during a challenging time with our father. It all began with a fall, followed by an ER visit, and soon after, my sister and I found ourselves flying to NC to care for him and plan the next steps. Kathryn from Always Best Care was an absolute lifesaver! She guided us seamlessly through the process of finding the perfect independent senior living community for our father. Her extensive industry knowledge helped us navigate the additional health services he required with ease. Kathryn went above and beyond, consistently checking in and patiently responding to countless texts and emails from us. Thanks to her support, our father is now thriving in a supportive environment and is healthier than ever. We can’t imagine how we would have managed this journey without Kathryn’s expertise and compassion. Truly an incredible experience!”
“Wow, the virtual reality dementia training is very eye opening. Gives you an idea of what someone living with dementia is like. This is such a horrible disease but this helps care givers understand the disease. Thanks so much!!”
“Enjoyed taking this virtual trip through the mind of a dementia.”
“This was a very good experience. It changed my mind on a lot of things . I didn’t know it was that bad for them and it’s very sad , I will always treat them all with care and love no matter what because there dealing with something that’s really hard to deal with .”
“I had a great experience”
“Great experience! I think everyone who cares for someone with dementia should have this experience.”
“This experience was great. It gave me a different perspective on dealing with dementia. I now know what to do differently when working with my residents. I think A all caregivers should experience this training.”
“It was a great experience and it is a eye opener I loved it”
“Very knowledgeable and informative! Definitely recommend”
“Great training”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care provided excellent, diligent, responsive and caring home health assistance to my mother who was recovering from an unexpected surgery. They were able to assist on incredibly short notice and made a difficult situation for our family much better. Each of their carers was exceptionally professional and attentive, especially Lori and Kylie who were incredible. I felt safe leaving my loved one in their care and appreciated that they went above and beyond to meet our needs. They provided regular updates to me and my family and made my mother feel so well attended, especially as she needed extra mobility and personal care help. I would absolutely not work with any other company, should we ever need home health assistance again. Highly recommend.”
“They helped me with getting a wheelchair! They didn't want anything but to help me gain my mobility! They are all super nice and very helpful! Give them your trust, they have mine. If I ever need home help, it'll be through them!”
“I feel so blessed to be served by such caring and helpful people. I had to downsize due to an unexpected illness and Always Best Care (ABC) stepped in to make this possible. Kind, compassion, pleasant, friendly, joyful and talented professionals comprise those providing this service. I literally couldn’t have lived for at my assisted living since I had so many hospital visits each week. I didn’t want to go alone to these appointments and this freed my family from needless distress and worry about my wellbeing when they couldn’t be there. I highly recommend ABC since they are an essential component providing excellent and reliable support.”
“ABC services do an amazing job. They have helped my 90 year old mother in law transition into her new home after moving to Raleigh from Winston Salem. She has dialysis 3x a week and they have worked so hard to coordinate a schedule to make sure everything runs smoothly. Sherry continues to amaze me in how she is able to help figure out schedules and provide customer services in a kind and professional manner. We will continue to look to this wonderful service provider as her needs change and feel blessed to have them on site at Atri”
“I cannot recommend this service enough. The owner Shawn was wonderful to speak with. He was sincerely concerned about my mom and our family. He is an excellent listener and introduced me to Paige who is equally wonderful. Together they found a great place for my mother in a very short time. Paige was always available to speak on the phone and addressed my questions or concerns. I would recommend using this service for your loved one. Laura B of Raleigh”
“These people are Angels. Kathryn was lightning quick with new solutions everytime things changed, and things changed constantly. My dad has a chance to live the rest of his life with dignity and my mom has a chance to live a fuller life because of the help we got from Kathryn and this team. They have a great network and valuable knowledge but what observed that makes them invaluable is that they care...and when you are on this situation I found that this is the quality that matters the most. Cannot thank them enough.”
“Kind aides who were patient and caring with my Mother. Quality service.”
“Excellent! Shawn was a Godsend. He found a great, affordable community for my Mom. We are very satisfied with his service and professionalism. He took his time and our requirements and found the perfect place. Highly recommend him and Always Best Care!”
“I contacted Shawn when my mother returned home from the hospital. There are so many options it was confusing for me! Shawn and his team sent me several places to review and then accompanied me to visit independent living facilities. I appreciate the resources and information provided. Shawn, thank you for being focused on our family's needs and sharing your expertise. Your compassion and patience is so very appreciated!”
“I would have to say out of all the places I've work ABC is by far the best place I've worked our boss and staff are everything.????????????????????????????????????????????????????”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Carolina Beach State Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Lake Park Steakhouse or visit Carolina Beach Boardwalk, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Carolina Beach, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Carolina Beach, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Carolina Beach, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
A new subdivision is on its way to Carolina Beach.Fisher’s Reserve, a subdivision consisting of nine lots, received unanimous preliminary approval at a planning and zoning meeting on Feb. 13. The site is a 5.05-acre plot at 1215 Saint Joseph Street and is the first phase of applicant Wescott Butler’s plans for the area. Phase two will add an additional 10 homes to the property. A single-family home is proposed to be demolished to complete the project. Two acres of wetlands on the property will remain undisturbed by the pro...
A new subdivision is on its way to Carolina Beach.
Fisher’s Reserve, a subdivision consisting of nine lots, received unanimous preliminary approval at a planning and zoning meeting on Feb. 13. The site is a 5.05-acre plot at 1215 Saint Joseph Street and is the first phase of applicant Wescott Butler’s plans for the area. Phase two will add an additional 10 homes to the property. A single-family home is proposed to be demolished to complete the project. Two acres of wetlands on the property will remain undisturbed by the project, but the developer has applied for permits to build on the area in the second phase.
The site, which is largely undeveloped, is located between the Hidden Hills and Forest by the Sea neighborhoods of Carolina Beach. Some lots are located within a flood zone and units will need to meet additional requirements to be built. A stormwater basin will be located at the front of the subdivision near Saint Joseph Street.
The surrounding area includes civil war earthworks, or fortifications constructed from dirt, that have been preserved including the Joseph Ryder Lewis Jr. Park. Surrounding properties have also preserved portions of the Sugarloaf Dune. An assessment concluded that no significant archeological features are present on the site.
Multiple residents voiced concerns about the development at the meeting. Ben Venesland, president of the Forest by the Sea homeowners association, expressed concern over continual flooding in the area surrounding the development site. He said there are already several nearby lots for sale that could exacerbate the issue.
“There is already significant long-term potential for increased floodwater issues on Saint Joseph Street,” Venesland said.
He indicated that the community did not want to “become another Canal Drive,” where frequent flooding often leads to road closures. The street has gates that can be lowered to inform drivers of the dangerous conditions.
More on Canal Drive flooding:As seas continue to rise, Carolina Beach mulls solutions to its chronic flooding woes
Venesland suggested several adjustments to the plan to minimize flooding, including using permeable concrete where possible and changing the overall slope of the property. Robin Toone, a resident who lives adjacent to the proposed development, said that he already experiences regular flooding around his home.
“With this site, where is the water going to go?” Toone said. “I think it’s going to go in my backyard.”
The site is designed to contain up to the 90th percentile storm at 3.8 inches of rain, as required by the town of Carolina Beach. The installation of a multi-use path along Saint Joseph will improve stormwater flow along the street. Construction on the project is slated to begin this spring.
Planning and zoning commissioner Ethan Crouch remarked on the benefits of a subdivision over individual lot development. He said that the proposal triggers more stringent requirements than alternative types of development, such as public road and utility improvements.
“This is probably one of the last small handful of parcels that will be able to be developed in this way,” Crouch said. “I think we’re getting some benefits for us as a community.”
A rezoning request for a separate property at 204 Harper Ave. was pulled from the planning and zoning meeting. The applicant had requested to rezone the lot from mixed use to central business district. The town denied a similar request from STL NC, LLC owned by Sally Sturdevant in April 2024.
The property was once home to a single-family house and the Welcome Inn before the structures were demolished in 2023. A new hotel was approved for the site in 2022, but construction did not begin before the permit expired in September 2024.
The rezoning request did not outline specific plans for the property, but central business district zoning would accommodate a variety of uses including bars and commercial parking lots.
Daniel Sheehan covers New Hanover and Brunswick counties for the StarNews. Reach him at [email protected].
Surf fishermen on the North Carolina coast made a catch that would make Capt. Quint proud on Sat., March 15, 2025. The trio were soaking baits on Hatteras Island when they hooked a 12 to 13 foot great white shark, estimated to weigh 1,400 to 1,800 pounds. After a 35-minute battle, the shark was released to live another day (video below).Dan Rothermel, Jason Rosenfeld, and Luke Beard are experienced land-based shark anglers, fishing Cape ...
Surf fishermen on the North Carolina coast made a catch that would make Capt. Quint proud on Sat., March 15, 2025. The trio were soaking baits on Hatteras Island when they hooked a 12 to 13 foot great white shark, estimated to weigh 1,400 to 1,800 pounds. After a 35-minute battle, the shark was released to live another day (video below).
Dan Rothermel, Jason Rosenfeld, and Luke Beard are experienced land-based shark anglers, fishing Cape Point and other area beaches with custom rods designed specifically for the task. They hit the suds with line cutters, pliers, and all the tools they have found they need to safely release sharks over the years — and they often help others that aren’t as prepared. So, when the big white hit, they were ready to bring him in — and get him back out — safely.
When the fish hit, Beard took the rod. An initial jump led the group to believe it might be a white early in the fight, and the shape of the dorsal fin confirmed it as the fish got closer. About 35 minutes later, the big shark was in the wash, just steps from dry ground.
Once it was near, the crew sprung into action. Beard has caught and released hundreds of sharks over his decades on the water targeting them, and the rest of the crew was also experienced. They released the shark in about a minute.
“It’s a federally protected animal, so you have to release it as fast as possible,” Beard told the Island Free Press. “You can’t be scared of the fish. It’s definitely fishing at the next level, so you have to know what you’re doing, or learn from people who know what they’re doing.”
The crew typically tags the sharks they catch so they can be tracked by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), but they didn’t attempt it with the big white. Great whites are a protected species, so they prioritized a speedy and safe release. They felt they would have needed to pull the shark up on the beach to safely tag it, and were worried it would take too long to get it back in the ocean. Plus, there’s the logistics of trying to move a 1,200 pound animal.
So, they cut the hook, and spun it toward deeper water. The shark swam off, and is presumably making its way down the Hatteras shoreline. Though they can’t be sure, the group of anglers believes this may be the first great white caught on the island. Even if it isn’t, the size might make it the biggest. It certainly was the catch of a lifetime for the anglers.
Joe has been fishing for longer than he can remember, cutting his teeth on striped bass, weakfish, summer flounder and other inshore favorites. He later took to freshwater fishing with smallmouth bass becoming a favorite, though he enjoys pursuing panfish, trout, and just about everything that swims. After receiving a degree in Wildlife Management from the State University of New York, he spent about a decade working in natural resource management for state and federal agencies including the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He then began a career in written communications, writing for some 35 publications and serving as executive editor for Field & Stream and Salt Water Sportsman before joining the Wired2fish team.
SOUTHEASTERN N.C. (WECT) - Over the past winter, three separate beach towns had to postpone beach renourishment projects because of sky-high bids.In Kure Beach, the cost of the bid was almost more than double what they anticipated. Town leaders expected for the project to cost $19.6 million, but the bid came back at $37.5 million.In Carolina Beach, Mayor Lynn Barbee ...
SOUTHEASTERN N.C. (WECT) - Over the past winter, three separate beach towns had to postpone beach renourishment projects because of sky-high bids.
In Kure Beach, the cost of the bid was almost more than double what they anticipated. Town leaders expected for the project to cost $19.6 million, but the bid came back at $37.5 million.
In Carolina Beach, Mayor Lynn Barbee said they went through a similar situation, writing in a Facebook post in December 2024:
“The only bid for 2025 beach nourishment was nearly double the government estimate. This will mean that beach nourishment will not occur before November 2025. The Army will rebid the project.”
In Oak Island, town council also chose to postpone the project for a year following high bids from dredging companies.
Dave Connolly, the Chief of Public Affairs for the US Army Corps of Engineers, told WECT in a phone call that it’s an issue of too many beach nourishment projects and not enough dredging companies. This stark difference between supply and demand is what’s leading to those expensive bids.
Another concern that’s been new to 2025 is potential funding cuts. Because these projects are expensive, several beach towns rely on federal funding or grants to pay for the projects. However, the Trump Administration has said it is prioritizing cutting back on government spending and has announced a variety of funding cuts to different agencies. Some of those have impacted North Carolina, with local USAID workers losing their jobs and the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge Replacement project being put on pause.
Federal funding has been vital to several beach renourishment projects in the past. Most recently, the federal government gave Wrightsville Beach a $21.6 million boost towards its renourishment project.
WECT asked Connolly if any of the federal funding freezes have impacted beach renourishment so far. He told us in a statement that none of the federal funding freezes or cuts have impacted their beach renourishment projects so far.
“All of our current projects with federal funding we previously secured are still in the works. There are no immediate impacts. We will have to adapt and be flexible with whatever orders and new policies come down.”
There are a few renourishment projects in the Cape Fear region that are currently ongoing.
Surf City has a dredging project that’s expected to be completed by the end of March. This project is being paid for with state and local funding. However, the town has a much larger beach renourishment project coming up later this year. 65% of the beach renourishment project’s funding is supposed to come from the federal government.
Bald Head Island is also in the middle of a beach renourishment project. This project is also being partially funded by the federal government, with $4.5 million coming from them.
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The owners of the popular, and long running, The Silver Dollar bar in Carolina Beach have been busy in recent months. They purchased the former Nauti Dog restaurant next door at 5 Cape Fear Blvd. last year. And they’ve been building up, too.This weekend, following the annual Steve Haydu St. Patrick's Lo Tide Run on March 15,...
The owners of the popular, and long running, The Silver Dollar bar in Carolina Beach have been busy in recent months. They purchased the former Nauti Dog restaurant next door at 5 Cape Fear Blvd. last year. And they’ve been building up, too.
This weekend, following the annual Steve Haydu St. Patrick's Lo Tide Run on March 15, The Silver Dollar will once again host a Lo Tide After Party. There will be live music, satellite bars serving green beer and food from Nollie’s Taco Joint and Hook’s Hot Dogs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Attendees will also be able to take a look at what the ownership team, which includes Lee Levinson and former Carolina Hurricane’s player Bates Battaglia, has been up to.
Mitchell McDowell and Katie Pettengill are managing the new projects. Saturday, March 15 will be the opening of the rooftop bar that has been under construction since the fall, Pettengill said.
“We’ve been calling it Top Dollar,” she said. “Or High Dollar.”
Look for an outdoor deck, covered seating, and great people watching.
They also anticipate that the Sand Dollar Sports Bar next door will have some soft opening hours until there’s a grand opening, which is now planned for April. The Sand Dollar will have a full bar but will specialize in tequilas. The onsite kitchen will be serving an express menu from Nollie’s including tacos and quesadillas.
Pettengill said that Levinson approached her at the right time for the project. She had sold her restaurant Salt Fish in Carolina Beach and was looking to move to the western part of the state. But this seemed to be the right fit, she said.
The Silver Dollar, established in 1957, is billed as the oldest bar in Carolina Beach. Dava Villapiano and Faye Britt bought the bar at 3 Cape Fear Blvd. in 2000 and put it on the market in 2022. It’s located near the Carolina Beach Boardwalk Pavillion and other boardwalk businesses like The Tropical and Britt’s Donuts.
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Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at the StarNews. You can reach her at [email protected].
A Figure Eight Island home owned by a former North Carolina coach is back on the market.Mack Brown, who was let go as the University of North Carolina football coach in November 2024, has put his New Hanover County beach home on the market. Brown and his wife, Sally, purchased the home in May 2022 for $10 million.The five-bedroom, 5,701-square-foot oceanfront house at 260 Beach Road North is listed for $12.75 million. It's currently the second most-expensive New Hanover County home on the market, with a sale pending on another ...
A Figure Eight Island home owned by a former North Carolina coach is back on the market.
Mack Brown, who was let go as the University of North Carolina football coach in November 2024, has put his New Hanover County beach home on the market. Brown and his wife, Sally, purchased the home in May 2022 for $10 million.
The five-bedroom, 5,701-square-foot oceanfront house at 260 Beach Road North is listed for $12.75 million. It's currently the second most-expensive New Hanover County home on the market, with a sale pending on another Figure Eight Island house at 7 Sounds Point Road for $12.9 million.
Brown is also selling his Chapel Hill house at 330 Tenney Circle, located less than a mile from campus. It's listed at $6.6 million.
Brown, the winningest coach in program history, has two stints as UNC football coach. He led the Tar Heels from 1988-97 before taking the head job at Texas, where he won a national championship. He came out of retirement to lead UNC again from 2019-24.
Bill Belichick, who won six Super Bowls as coach of the New England Patriots, was named the new UNC football coach in December 2024.
While the home price is among the highest in New Hanover history, it's not the most expensive. A Figure Eight Island home on 102 Beach Road South in July 2024 sold for $13.9 million, believed the largest-ever sale in the state.
Daniel Sheehan covers New Hanover and Brunswick counties for the StarNews. Reach him at [email protected].
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