Ann McAdams
Investigative Reporter
Wilmington, NC
:no_upscale()/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/raycom/15e70198-3d52-48ab-a083-55e872d30af7.png)
Ann McAdams has worked in the Wilmington television market for more than 20 years. She graduated from Wake Forest University with a BS in Business in 2000, and accepted a job that summer as a general assignment reporter at WWAY. She later went on to serve as the station's evening anchor and investigative reporter.
In 2011, Ann joined the WECT news team as an investigative reporter and fill-in anchor.
Ann was born and raised in Winter Haven, Florida, but made North Carolina home after coming here for college. She is a mother of two.
When she is away from work, Ann enjoys tennis, reading, cooking, and getting together with family and friends. She and her family attend Wrightsville United Methodist Church. She loves to travel, and favorite destinations (so far!) have included Switzerland, Denmark, The Czech Republic, New York City, and Yellowstone National Park.
If you want to reach Ann, email her at: amcadams@wect.com
If you have a story you'd like WECT to investigate, e-mail: Investigate@wect.com
Awards:
1st Place Education, RTDNAC TV Division II, (WECT Investigates: Late School Buses) 2020
2nd Place Political, RTDNAC TV Division II, (Who’s the Boss? Disputed Columbus County Sheriff’s Race) 2019
2nd Place Hard News Feature, RTDNAC TV Division II, (Veteran’s Family Fights to Bring Sister Home), 2019
2nd Place Investigative, RTDNAC TV Division II, (Weak Teacher Background Checks), 2018
2nd Place Consumer/Economic, RTDNAC TV Division II, (Classic Car Tax), 2016
1st Place Investigative, RTDNAC TV Division II, (CFCC President Resigns), 2015
2nd Place Investigative, RTDNAC TV Division II, (New Hanover County Commissioner Spending) , 2015
1st Place Investigative, RTDNAC TV Division II, (Police Stingray Investigation), 2014
2nd Place Investigative, RTDNAC TV Division II, (Public Housing Income), 2014
2nd Place Consumer, RTDNAC TV Division II (High Hospital Bills), 2013
2nd Place Documentary, RTDNAC TV Division II (The State of Education), 2013
1st Place Investigative, RTDNAC TV Division II (Legislative Prison Transfer Requests), 2012
2nd Place Education, RTDNAC TV Division II (Cost of NC Pre-K), 2012
1st Place Investigative, RTDNAC TV Division II (Sen R.C. Soles Saga), 2010
1st Place Investigative, AP Division II (Sen. R.C. Soles Saga), 2009
2nd Place Consumer/Economic, RTDNAC TV Division II (Missing Down Payment), 2009
Honorable Mention, AP Division II, General News, 2008
1st Place Enterprise Investigative, AP Division II (Crowded School Bus), 2004
1st Place General News, AP Division II (HOA fines family for Christmas decorations), 2004
1st Place, Spot News, AP Division II (Crew Survives being stranded at sea), 2001
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/WCX7GUXTANDYPCIUUVDWCZ52TU.bmp)
Shannon Rippy Van Newkirk and Elisha Tucker died at the hands of a serial killer. Their lives were cut short by James Bradley, who in 2013 was released from prison in Wilmington after serving time for the murder of his own 8-year-old step daughter.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/YF35VTJKJZA6NCRUCQPE5GX4RA.bmp)
When the civil case was filed by victims of Mike Kelly, attorneys say Liberty Mutual took “a very hard position that there would be only $4 million of insurance coverage made available.” School Board attorney believes school system purchased significantly more coverage than that.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/KZYY745EJJG7NJXHF6ZHYGZZNE.bmp)
All too often, the person on the other end of that text is not who they are pretending to be. Instead of the trusted source you thought you were communicating with, the person who sent the text may be a fraudster. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says complaints about text scams doubled in 2020 to more than 334,000. Americans who fell for these text schemes lost a whopping $86 million last year.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/CKB5MJNJGFDXDKELJMPHUNCSMQ.bmp)
The lawsuit states Sidbury “repeatedly raised the belt above her head before bringing it down on the girls” and the Minor Child “sustained blows to her midsection, arm, shoulder and legs” before being told to dry their eyes and go out to play with the other children.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/72AVFYPTUFAEJJ24QWXEVDA3YY.JPG)
“The McLambs paid personal bills with church funds (home schooling, traveling, insurance and credit cards)... without the church members knowledge,” the application continues. It also notes that Ransom McLamb was believed to have had a procedure completed in 2018 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC) using church funds.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/HQP3BKAYUNEBTFMMJKVKAC7VXE.bmp)
The suspension came after complaints from law enforcement that Ammons had acted inappropriately at crime scenes and in his interactions with law enforcement. The specific allegations from the suspension letter involved “withholding critical witness information, receiving information about scenes prior to law enforcement and searching and searching scenes without jurisdiction.”
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/FCUOERJ3CZGPZIFT7SGEFQTWH4.bmp)
A Celebration of Life is being held for Tyler Gilreath. The family also asked anyone with pictures of Tyler to share them with the family.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/PBHAI3J5ONBAPB5B6OT6JU73B4.jpg)
After failing to get a response to an email again asking questions about man impersonating an officer on Wednesday, a WECT news crew went to Navassa Town Hall in person. The building was locked, but a staff member came to the front door, explaining the building was closed “due to COVID-19.”
Court paperwork notes a request that Cinotti be monitored by a GPS tracking device. It notes “the defendant left the jurisdiction and assumed a different identity” after his arrest in July, and has “approached government officials purporting to be an officer of the United States Military. In addition to the current charges, the defendant has posed as a fireman, a military officer, an attorney, and a federal judge.”
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/A2QTWJDJLBCXLLPBTFV3BEWP6I.bmp)
67-year-old Gail Tice was shot three times by her estranged husband, Robert Hewson. He had scaled the fence of her gated community, and was lying in wait when she came downstairs that morning. Just days earlier, Tice had informed Hewson she wanted to end their marriage, and had a restraining order in place against him.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/D7BHAH2ECZF3JMWFTSUQPJW34E.bmp)
The alleged incident happened over a year ago, and was only brought to our attention this week when the inmate wrote to us from his prison cell. The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the arrest of Deanna Olivia Britt of Leland.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/T367WWNR4VCF3KYVQRAP734WQA.bmp)
The primary election to replace US Senator Richard Burr as North Carolina’s delegate in Washington is only six months away. Former Governor Pat McCrory came to Wilmington Wednesday to ask residents here to pick him.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/B4I2XWXB45E2JMEAFH4P5FLADA.jpg)
A hospital board member confirmed Monday afternoon that Chief Operating Officer Andre Boyd and hospital management mutually agreed to part ways.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/B5JECWPXSVBDRLTX3JQ4DOKXYM.png)
Like many health care professionals, Dr. Brian Legere believed the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines earlier this year was a turning point in the pandemic.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/KXAVJ46LBJAWHG2C2TZGGIJFZ4.bmp)
It was the first time a Pender County jury gave a defendant the death penalty in 75 years. It was also the first time now-veteran prosecutor Ben David ever saw a dead body.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/I7DKJTGJXJDYFLESYIPA7OYAX4.jpg)
Even if you are never convicted of a crime, an arrest on your record can negatively impact you for the rest of your life. From limiting your career prospects, to where you can live, and even where you can travel.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/JLLK375FNVA3HK5UVWKKLHFP3Q.bmp)
It’s a heart wrenching dilemma that people across the country are facing all over again. Families separated from one another after a loved one is hospitalized with COVID-19. WECT spoke to one family going through that trauma, worried their father might die alone.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/BD2DSYCZP5E6BPE56EFFE6LYMM.bmp)
"Mr. Taylor agreed to allow detectives to look at the camera footage on his cell phone, but a short time later, revoked consent to do so," paperwork connected to the search warrant reads."Taylor was the only person found inside the residence... that was not harmed. [He] barricaded himself in a bathroom with a shotgun and a handgun, and admitted to detectives that he.... did not call 911."
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/5DROEJAQB5CYHH6BO4LPXMJCQE.jpg)
One year after a prominent Wilmington doctor died during a dental procedure in the care of Dr. Mark Austin, Austin has permanently surrendered his dental license. An investigative panel for the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners found Austin’s actions resulted in his patient’s death.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/EB2QKLI5FBEGPBJ4UP3EGO6GDY.jpg)
Mayor of Navassa, Euless Willis, has been appointed as the acting ‘administrative’ police chief following the departure of the prior chief, as well as every police officer in the town.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/3JXHCERT6REYTGFDDG6BNBUHBI.jpg)
It’s the last thing any of us wanted to see, but the number of people being hospitalized with COVID in the Cape Fear region is way up.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/HVT6KDQ4TFCHLFAM2LAEQEVYQU.jpg)
Responding to complaints WECT received from residents still waiting for a decision, a county spokeswoman says it is normal for a county to have their board sitting to hear appeals through December in a revaluation year.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/FXPM23PZ7BDJDJ5ME5QVMY7ZNU.bmp)
An ACLU attorney says the removal of existing comments, as the WPD did in July, does raise constitutional concerns. Removing the comments also appears to conflict with the City of Wilmington’s social media policy on comments.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/N6UIQRMS3BAWDCY4WUFCAJBEGA.bmp)
Hamilton said she had insurance, but it was not enough to cover the estimated $85,000 in damage to her home. That’s when she learned about Rebuild NC, a state agency that administers federal disaster recovery money to help people impacted by natural disasters.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/3KUGQNFZJRFNNK3FHYG7IZUTQM.jpg)
The amended complaint details two disturbing events where a former teacher of the year is accused of raping a student after drugging him so he could not defend himself.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/NJXKXXSBLJAXFMPNKKZ3WOPIFA.JPG)
Residents contend that allowing a Special Use Permit at this site would set a dangerous precedent for other established residential neighborhoods, and would hurt their property values.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/PHMFOVHJ55AGHG6OS4UE4E3BN4.jpg)
“You haven’t had that 24/7 protection in a number of years, which the criminal element knows,” Sheriff Ingram told the audience. “They know when you have officers here and when you don’t. And when the response times are going to be excessive.”
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/EDWFU7RVY5C2FI4X2NG4Q7N6LE.bmp)
The family of Bri-yanna Williams, one of two people killed over the weekend in a home owned by an executive of TRU Colors Brewery, blames the company owner for her death.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/YXMWOCS7NVFENAZOEW3IH75GYQ.bmp)
In 2004, young women living in Downtown Wilmington were on edge. One woman told police she’d been raped by a stranger who broke into her house and appeared to be homeless. More than half a dozen other women living nearby reported a man fitting the same description had attempted to sexually assault them too.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/RI4ER2YSDJE2VPBNHP5M6364XE.bmp)
Dobson said regulating private elevators is not something he or the governor could do unilaterally. They would need legislation to pass to enact that requirement. Several lawmakers WECT contacted on both sides of the aisle seemed receptive to the idea.
Two Wilmington daycare workers arrested on child abuse charges are off the job, but the state has yet to announce any action against the daycare where they worked. Carr’s Academy on Peachtree Avenue remains open, and continues to be listed as a four star, superior daycare on the state’s website.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/DKTYS74SGZDDLDG7WZ6QO2VMKE.bmp)
An unsolicited proposal at the end of 2020 from a private company prompted this discussion. The private company would like to fund the construction of a replacement bridge and maintain it in exchange for collecting a toll from drivers who want to cross the bridge for the next 50 years. The amount of that toll has not been determined.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/UJXIYV3P2NFYRBUIPOEI6EVV74.jpg)
New Hanover County had seven oral surgeons in 2000, but just six in 2019, despite a huge population surge during that time frame. There were nine oral surgeons working here in 2016, but some left, and some had their licenses suspended.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/YPNEBU4BPNBNPHCRUFIRICXA4Q.bmp)
Officials there have witnessed major development happening in surrounding counties, and want their ordinances updated before any similar construction comes to Columbus County.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/RRCCL2WKRJCJDKKMZDZPVASBVM.bmp)
Hotels at New Hanover County beach towns have been enjoying unprecedented demand this summer, allowing them to charge the highest room rates this area has ever seen.
The arrest of two daycare workers on child abuse charges left parents across Wilmington concerned for the well-being of their own children in daycares all over town.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ZEMA26KPNJDV3AQ32VERBL6GSM.bmp)
The insurance company for the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office just agreed to pay $6 million to settle a lawsuit filed by residents accusing deputies there of using excessive force. $6 million is the maximum payout allowed under the insurance policy carried by the sheriff’s office.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/QGVTQGQBM5BIZOVC2N6C6X44YA.jpg)
WECT is attempting to verify information presented in a series of anonymous letters, alleging that a now-high-ranking official at the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office (NHCSO) helped cover up a teacher sex scandal in the school system, and that another deputy engaged in improper activity with minors himself.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/RXU536NHHRDFFA22DYZ62X5CTE.jpg)
A series of anonymous letters questioning the behavior of two high ranking members of the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office have gotten the attention of the Sheriff, school administrators, and the attorneys involved in an ongoing lawsuit against the New Hanover County School Board. The letters allege suspicious behavior by the law enforcement officers at critical times in the teacher sex abuse scandal, and imply they helped make sure allegations of improper teacher behavior did not result in criminal charges.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ZXH3PAMPABBHVITXUVVIKPG24I.jpg)
A civil lawsuit against Kelly and the New Hanover County School Schools System, filed by some of the victims from the criminal case, is now proceeding through the court system. Other former students who did not participate in the criminal proceedings against Kelly have since come forward to allege he also abused them, and joined the list of plaintiffs in the civil suit.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/P7BBW2T6JVCTVOH4LEGBWF3FLI.jpg)
After 22 years of service to the Wilmington International Airport, Julie Wilsey has been voted out of her job by the Airport Authority. The move came as a surprise to many, and the Airport Authority isn’t explaining its decision.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/24BQW7EDXZETNNM2SCO44FCUQI.bmp)
While it’s still unclear exactly what kind of discrepancies created the financial uncertainty for the county, the county’s finance director, Bobbie Faircloth, was suspended from her job in March.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/CZM6P2HYYFCFDBOBH4SA6TSNCY.bmp)
Potential sticking points in the budget included a proposed raise for commissioners, a significant raise for teachers, and a property tax increase for residents.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/JN7G6UTAVZG2DJRWNI5QQEDNXI.jpg)
Over the past several weeks, WECT has been contacted by numerous viewers with concerns that their insurance providers now considered their physicians to be out-of-network providers since Novant took over operations at New Hanover Regional Medical Center.
More people, especially in homes along our coast, are choosing to install residential elevators. The trend has elevator inspectors and mechanics raising concerns about what they consider to be a growing public safety hazard: residential elevators in North Carolina are effectively unregulated.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/2FJ3Q5XQLVD3XBI22MI5BPCPLA.jpg)
Despite the renewed concerns, there appears to be little to no progress in the plans to permanently fix the problem.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/HA2QGXCQCJGZXCH2QIH7LEAZZA.bmp)
Nearly 20 years after her disappearance, Kynande Bennett has yet to be found. The four-year-old South Carolina girl was reported missing by her parents Sept. 29, 2002. They said she’d been kidnapped from the Whiteville K-Mart.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/LNUZPWBTXZFHXCG657XG4JQAOI.jpg)
Numerous shootings - at least three of which were deadly - at an apartment complex near a public park in Whiteville have attracted the attention of City Council and the District Attorney. They are exploring options to improve security around the park, and crack down on the apartment complex owners.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/NKJPVRUU3FB3VCBPVVO3BASQJA.jpg)
“I am not a rapist,” an exasperated Soller can be heard saying on the interrogation tape. “I’m not that kind of guy,” he added, noting that he was a married father of five when he says the consensual one night stand happened.
The victim in a high profile rape case took the witness stand Monday to testify against the man who she says raped her 25 years ago. When North Carolina began testing backlogged rape kits a couple of years ago, her kit got a match to a Florida man named Wayne Soller.