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Wrightsville Beach Coast Guard station accepts new response boat

The Coast Guard Station at Wrightsville Beach received a new 45-foot Response Boat-Medium Tuesday.  (Source: DVIDS)

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WECT) – The Coast Guard Station at Wrightsville Beach received a new 45-foot Response Boat-Medium Tuesday. According to a news release, it's the 126th boat in a fleet of 170 being delivered to the service.

A spokesperson for the Coast Guard said the new RB-M will replace the fleet of 41-foot Utility Boats and other non-standard boats being used at stations across the country.

The new vessel tops out at speeds of 49 mph and can get the crew to the scene faster. It also has a full cabin to protect crew members from the elements and provides heating and air conditioning.

According to the Coast Guard, primary missions for the RB-M include search and rescue, security missions, and defense readiness and marine environmental protection.

The crew is currently in training to be qualified on the new boat.

Copyright 2013 WECT. All rights reserved.

WEATHER: More showers

More showers are on tap throughout the day today as a meandering, slow moving cold front moves toward the Carolina coast. 

Our daytime high temperatures will move into the mid 80s under mostly cloudy skies.  With tons of moisture in place, wherever showers pop up we will likely see some locally heavy downpours. 

While severe weather isn't necessarily going to be an issue, some flash flood warnings have indeed popped up to our south and west this morning, so keep an eye to the First Alert radar if you have outdoor plans at any time today.

Wednesday conditions will clear some progressively throughout the afternoon as the front pushes southeast and high pressure begins to build in from the north. 

High temperatures will run a few degrees cooler into the low to mid 80s.  The drier air will move into the region making conditions a bit nicer for the end of the week with humidity noticeably lessened.

Expect delays at the Wrightsville Beach Drawbridge

Expect delays at the Wrightsville Beach Drawbridge

News Release from the NC DOT:

RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Transportation has issued an approved house move permit to transport a structure within New Hanover County at Wrightsville Beach, and travelers should anticipate brief travel delays at the drawbridge on Wednesday afternoon and on U.S. 74 on Thursday morning as a result of the move.

The structure will be transported by a floating barge along the Intracoastal Waterway and will require the Wrightsville Beach drawbridge to be raised beginning at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19 until the transition under the bridge is complete. Drivers should be prepared for the bridge to be open longer than usual during this time.

WEATHER: Afternoon showers and T-storms

WEATHER: Afternoon showers and T-storms

Decent shower chances today – particularly this afternoon - as moisture streams ahead of a slow moving system. 

As the afternoon heating gets steaming - our shower and thunderstorm chances will ramp up. 

Look for highs to be seasonable, into the mid 80, with about a 50% chance at shows during the afternoon and early evening.

A similar forecast will continue into Tuesday and Wednesday with warm temperatures and unsettled afternoon conditions. 

Rain chances look to improve into Wednesday as a slow moving, weak cold front makes its way across the Carolinas.  Highs will be slightly cooler and conditions cooler as we head into the weekend.

Copyright 2013 WECT. All rights reserved.

House to be moved by barge

House to be moved by barge

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WECT) - A historic beach cottage is being saved from demolition – but first, a barge is going to move it to its new location.

The Palmgren-O’Quinn house, built in 1946, will be transported from its current location on South Channel Drive to the Wrightsville Beach historic square on West Salisbury Street. 

There, it will become a coastal education center and regional office for the North Carolina Coastal Federation.

The 'Perfect Summer' to air in July

The Perfect Summer was mostly shot in the Wrightsville Beach area with local actors and crew.

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WECT) – The locally shot film, The Perfect Summer, will air sometime in July, according to the director's Facebook post.

The Perfect Summer is an original movie made for UP, formerly known as GMC.

Filming began in early May of this year.  It took a total of three weeks to shoot the film.  It is currently in post production, but sources say it will make the July air date.  Exact date still to be determined.

The Perfect Summer was mostly shot in the Wrightsville Beach area with local actors and crew.  The film stars famed actors, Eric Roberts, Sydney Penny and Jason Castro.

Roberts is known for numerous films such as The Dark Knight and The Expendables.  Penny currently lives in Wilmington and is best known for her role in All My Children.  Castro is best known as an American Idol contestant in 2002.

WEATHER: Intense heat and storms

High temperatures are expected again this afternoon ahead of a potent cold front.  Mid 90s are expected with triple digit heat index values possible. 

Current timing has the system moving in to the region late Thursday (after dark) into the overnight hours on Friday.

The Storm Prediction Center has us under the slight chance for severe weather, but by the time this line gets to the heavily populated areas in eastern North Carolina. 

Strong straight line winds appear to be the biggest threat, but we will have to monitor the possibility of hail and isolated tornados as well.  So as this system progresses southeasterly through our region, the storms may lose some of their potency.

Drier and somewhat cooler air is expected from Friday through Sunday with highs in the mid to upper 80s.  Another cold front approaches Tuesday