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/JKPT62FLCFG6JK674ALHOFOHUU.bmp)
The potentially dire health impacts are a big reason people are upset with the ad campaign.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/YBKPD76GCRCAXMFJE2H7NKCWVQ.jpg)
“They would wear ski masks, they would cut phone lines, they would kick in the front door and then they would find the people in the house who knew where things of value were hidden. Drugs, jewelry, guns, and obviously money,” District Attorney Ben David recalled. “And they would literally threaten the lives of the people inside those houses.... torture was frequently involved.”
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/QRFZOB6XEZACTAUV56NZOXCJS4.bmp)
Three children were entrapped in this way during the summer of 2021, including a seven-year-old boy who died while using the elevator in an Outer Banks vacation rental home. In other incidents, children have suffered multiple skull fractures, fractured vertebrae, traumatic asphyxia and other horrific and lifelong injuries.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/UX4TAFAEAZA77AMYXVJ3265JO4.jpg)
A judge sentenced Peter Drutchal to 30 years in prison Wednesday, after Drutchal pled guilty to sex crimes he committed against Wilmington children. He also pleaded guilty to the aggravating factor of taking advantage of a position of trust or confidence to commit the offenses. The crimes happened over a span of several years in the 1970s and 1980s, but the now-adult victims only recently came forward.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/R4IYRWXFMJDWHJST7DCP4DHBTQ.jpg)
The Village of Bald Head Island is now requiring all employees to sign a new Technology/Social Media Policy, prohibiting employees from using images of themselves in uniform on their personal pages, or making offensive posts that could interfere with the effective delivery of services by public officials,
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/2VXKH7EOAZEDRBI6OU6JTRCCRM.jpg)
In some neighborhoods, not cooperating with police is part of the culture. Even though residents living in high crime areas are more likely to become victims of crime, or to be impacted by the crime around them, the “don’t snitch” mentality pervades.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/JARIJNWNI5AZPPXG4MZW7V62DY.bmp)
On the surface, it’s a lawsuit about whether girls should be allowed to wear pants at a privately run charter school in Brunswick County. But it’s the potential far reaching impacts from this case that has over a dozen federal judges taking a very close look at the dress code at Charter Day School in Leland.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/WZ4TH3WIVZGTNGJ3CMBSKMSHT4.jpg)
Both of the newer cases remain under investigation. One happened on Halloween in Terrapin Hall. Another was reported in the Cornerstone Hall dorm. That victim said she was assaulted in October, but did not report the crime until November 5.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/QYMSK5OOEJGXPBBZVXH4G6MIBY.jpeg)
While there are no confirmed cases of the Omicron variant in North Carolina, experts believe it may already be here, or will be here within a matter of weeks.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/BDEQT662G5GCPECEYCBONKIY4M.png)
“We believe this trial will take between four and six weeks. It is a big deal and it is very expensive and it’s really not good for anyone,” said Plaintiff's Attorney Joel Rhine.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/YCMY5HHITBCNXONZH64KBHQGUM.bmp)
A Bald Head Island police lieutenant has removed a number of questionable social media posts from his Facebook account, after WECT questioned town leaders about the posts. A concerned citizen and fellow law enforcement officer first contacted WECT about the issue, saying the posts of this officer were damaging to the reputation of law enforcement officials as a whole.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/FO4Z3AWCRVHYPL7KQOEW74JNMM.jpg)
Michelle Hackman was grateful for the help. Now that they have regained access to their accounts, they wanted to share what they learned in case this ever happens to you.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/PUTFE6YXTFECBLEKFGPHCPY5M4.JPG)
The mayor could not say what exactly prompted Jack Hobbs’ termination, but did say it was for cause so Hobbs was not eligible for severance pay.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/XNAVN6VR7BEC5J7XPI23C3V62E.jpg)
In the words of the District Attorney, it was a story that “ripped out the heart of our community.”
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/IXGOKLUZ5RHKHMBOWTIZ33HH3Q.jpg)
Hackman woke up to learn her Facebook page had been hacked. The issue with her personal social media account became a threat to her livelihood when she was shut out of her Facebook business account as well.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/RPGCSSRIAJBP5ARZNUGAOAXPM4.PNG)
The $27 million in settlement money slated for Wilmington and New Hanover County will be used primarily to increase access to treatment, particularly for people who don’t have insurance. It will also be used to expand treatment facilities.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/3UTGK5T7RNAKLOWPZ7GS3CL57A.jpg)
A copy of the contract for the newly hired airport director for Wilmington International Airport shows he will be making more in his first year than the former director was making after 22 years of service to ILM.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/UACCGF53BFAOFFZEQ2EA7K4BD4.bmp)
Effective this fall, state statute no longer requires sheriff candidates to live in the county they wish to serve for a full year leading up to the election. House Bill 312 also disqualifies a candidate from serving if they have ever been convicted of a felony in the United States, even if the conviction is later expunged.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/CGRUV2K2BZG5VB3LLPLYNVO3FU.bmp)
The vote totals are unofficial until they are canvassed by county elections officials.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/WY3UBZHSY5FNXEBSR2RVFOOZM4.bmp)
SQUEAK has been purchased by people wanting to turn Crittendon’s idea into big business. When she announced plans to close the business in June 2021, a consultant asked Crittendon to sell the business instead. Crittendon said yes. The sale closed this fall, and several investors have plans to get SQUEAK on shelves across the nation.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/W7IHSDT6YZHDDOWAZZL6C5F3QY.bmp)
Campus police want students and parents to know there is not a serial sexual predator on the loose. All of the reported assaults involve different victims and perpetrators. “Overall the numbers are similar to last year, but we’ve never had so many in such a short period of time," said UNCW Police Chief Chris Bertram.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/WEMYYOOF5ZBLPEI6B664HXD3XA.bmp)
In a performance evaluation dated February 3, 2021, Airport Authority Chair Donna Girardot wrote, “Julie has come as close as possible to receiving a perfect score for successfully navigating the unprecedented circumstances of 2020.”
/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.