ANNEXATION

City council unanimously approves annexation, needs second vote. Wilmington City Council unanimously approved a request for voluntary annexation Tuesday night, but the vote to bypass a second reading of the issue did not pass unanimously.

Opinion: Berger’s threat on annexation suits no ‘compromise.’ State Senate leader Phil Berger would do well to remember that these days, as one of two heads of what is still the most powerful branch of government in North Carolina, he totes the proverbial gun.

Davidson elections board sets date for de-annexation hearing. The Davidson County Board of Elections will hear an annexation challenge from Lexington city officials on Jan. 27 —– the same week that a court in Raleigh hears motions in the city's suit that's seeking to overturn the state's new annexation law.

GENERAL

Can Ballantyne become its own town? Should Ballantyne break with Charlotte to be its own town?

Opinion: In the 2011 legislature, words didn't mean much. With a new year beginning, here’s some advice for the Democrats of the N.C. House: Go study your N.C. Senate counterparts. And here’s some advice for Republicans of the House: Go study your Senate counterparts.

Saffo: "Bridge to nowhere is no more." Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo says the city has secured an easement in front of the Autumn Hall housing development, which will allow the Gary Shell Cross-City Trail to be connected from Halyburton to the Wrightsville Beach bridge.

Town redesigns website, becomes ‘townofdavidson.org.’ The town of Davidson has a new look and a new name on the Web.