Zach Solon
Multi-Media Journalist
:no_upscale()/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/raycom/d42b28ba-9984-46f5-961d-755a12e11783.png)
Zach joined the WECT team in January 2021 as a reporter and weekend anchor.
Originally from Montvale, New Jersey, Zach attended the University of Maryland and graduated in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. While in college, Zach interned at SiriusXM and reported for UMD’s Capital News Service, covering stories in and around Washington, D.C.
Zach’s passion for local news coverage has led him here to Wilmington. He looks forward to learning, making new connections, and telling important stories.
Outside of the newsroom, Zach enjoys cooking, watching sports, and playing in a Wiffle Ball league with his friends.
Have a story idea? You can email Zach at Zach.Solon@wect.com and find him on Twitter @zachsolon or Facebook @ZachSolonWECT
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/BQYCCR4PQFFR7OJPFX66BEXK3U.bmp)
New Hanover County’s plan to build a new library and museum in downtown Wilmington is one step closer to becoming reality.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/YLBFQAKLTBA4FB7AJIMJP2CSKA.bmp)
Elijah Donato faces four counts of sex crimes involving children. Prosecutors say the alleged crimes happened while Donato was babysitting a child in Carolina Beach.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/JKWP6W3Y4ZHSHGFKGC6T2MSEBA.bmp)
A more-than-four-mile stretch of road between Market Street and I-140 in Wilmington is now open for drivers.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/QERDRXMM6BAVBCYXNTCKY2IV54.bmp)
The video was posted to social media, but has since been removed.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/AUI4O6F3LNB7ZDBDU4V4OG7H2M.jpg)
A day after this story was initially published, an AT&T spokesperson provided a statement.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/R3IIRO572BD2RFUYLYR5PFHNW4.bmp)
With Governor Roy Cooper’s announcement that he will let the state budget become law without his signature, North Carolina is set to become the 40th state to implement Medicaid expansion.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/2CIJA7GISRGDBFWYY53HDEHOQM.bmp)
A $30 billion state budget proposal has been introduced in the North Carolina General Assembly.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ENGVYUEKYJBY3C22PRUEYPB4W4.jpg)
Here’s a look at the scores for Week 6 of the high school football season.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/LONLITR5CZABJCGNQPLDMKMIGM.jpeg)
A piece of legislation proposed by one of the North Carolina’s top lawmakers could have paved the way for more casinos to open across the state, including one in southeastern North Carolina.
Here’s a look at the scores for week five of the high school football season.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/AIXUGZN2HVG53IUORE2PD2DCIM.bmp)
Hurricane Florence left a trail of destruction as it moved through southeastern North Carolina five years ago.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ODIFRMUOJBCBBEOLTTZFRHP2FE.png)
Cooper visited Mary Washington Howe Pre-K Center Wednesday to announce the funding.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/DPDY4ZN4GRD6RJQQCZ645E5EG4.jpg)
Project Grace, a New Hanover County proposal to built a new library and museum facility in downtown Wilmington, has been in the works for nine years.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/D5ARKXSBVVEHPDNOJF3F7M37GI.jpg)
One driver has been sentenced for involuntary manslaughter, and a former jail employee was sentenced for reckless driving and speeding.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/XN2MBQDFPVFUNIZHEWEQ474U3Q.jpg)
The City of Wilmington has announced work to restore a section of South Front Street to be a brick street will begin Monday, Sept. 18.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/Z6QG5ZS6NJCOLNG2ZC73Z3DWJE.bmp)
Wilmington-based financial technology company nCino has agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit brought by its employees and employees of two other locally-based companies: Live Oak Bank and Apiture.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/ZAO5TVULWVCI5FNWGWEGR3WVIQ.bmp)
Todd and Laura Olson continue their push to convince commissioners in Topsail Beach to rezone nearly 25 acres on the southern end of the island from conservation land to a conditional zoning district.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/TQT5CQERJZHL7H5MRRFOZXCQ3I.bmp)
The Wilmington Police Department is investigating five shootings that happened across the city between August 26 and September 2.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/JTS7GTI425AADNHWB6BHMDWACY.bmp)
After the storm, efforts continue to improve flood resiliency in the Columbus County town and across the state.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/LJGEFRWVTBGTJOSXD67TNVIS6U.png)
On Thursday, Aug. 24, the Wilmington Police Department released traffic camera video of the officer-involved shooting that claimed the life of William Brent Gilmore on Friday, Aug. 18.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/F65GJQ2HOBC5RGI7LY7WAZ4OFA.png)
Spending was highest in New Hanover and Brunswick counties, which had $1.06 billion and $1.09 billion respectively.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/AVCJL5F2UNFHZK3YKQVCU6E4GA.PNG)
According to information from the Department of Labor, Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity was cited for storage of material which created a hazard, and failure to report the death of an employee within eight hours to OSHA.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/OOQOPC3XQBALJLZTYLJW5C4GV4.bmp)
After recent shootings across New Hanover County, local leaders tout the importance of keeping guns away from kids and criminals.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/DNNEMU5H6FCMLPDUHYDKJEZJKQ.bmp)
The 12-story building is the tallest in the city’s skyline.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/CVEUDZQP2ZFONKPMWHNLD7S5AM.jpg)
The North Carolina House of Representatives voted Wednesday to override Governor Roy Cooper’s vetoes on several pieces of legislation, including two bills that opponents say targets transgender children.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/Y7WKL3RFIJFFFJC4BSYMRSKGH4.png)
Cassandra Nicole Soga, a woman who was charged in a fatal wreck with an EMS vehicle on Aug. 3, died on Aug. 12, according to N.C. State Highway Patrol.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/DRIGXTA6IJCTZLMHJ3YZZNYQFM.png)
According to the District Attorney’s Office, Darryl Warren was indicted by a grand jury on Monday, Aug. 7, for driving while impaired, reckless driving to endanger, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, assault on a female, and carrying a concealed weapon.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/DK5C67YY7BB3FFSYBEAXGDUD3A.bmp)
Barbara Parker says her family was fishing near the pier in Southport over the weekend when her 11-year-old nephew found what appears to be a bone.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/DI77Q6EXUBC5HPTEQ2VGTT4TOY.jpg)
In October of 2020, the Wilmington Police Department charged Freddie Jackson with first degree kidnapping, first degree rape, first degree sexual offense, and common law robbery in relation to the case.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/5FW2ILTLOJCRPGZW55PUU6MFG4.bmp)
North Carolina’s voter ID law will be in effect for this year’s municipal elections.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/VVTJIGAWZFCSNHSKYWFQXW3ELA.jpg)
UNC Wilmington will introduce a new platform to connect student-athletes with opportunities to make money off their name, image, and likeness.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/73RI3FI4ZJG65HFXMPQ2XJHFOA.png)
One 911 caller indicates that the pedestrian and officer were in a truck together before she exited the vehicle and was struck.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/Z5YRWBNBARHURDGIEA4AZJJSRE.png)
Three marines were found inside a car early Sunday morning at the Speedway in Hampstead, according to the Pender County Sheriff’s Office.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/57PKQBHR2NCGRGATMRMUJWLLQQ.bmp)
A shooting that injured four people at the Burger King on South 3rd Street in Wilmington Monday night is just the latest example of violence playing out in public across the city.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/W7ULEY6YZZB4BJULBMIGM7GYTM.jpg)
BCS says they were charged with one count of second-degree exploitation of a minor and nine counts of third-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/HNKCBR63MFGRJLFZCAMQULXSP4.bmp)
Cape Fear Public Utility Authority’s Southside Wastewater Treatment Plant treats up to 12 million gallons each day.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/LZYFFZVOPRAABC7RXJ3VQC3JPM.bmp)
Southeastern North Carolina is feeling the impact of this latest summer heat wave.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/UHF3RMM3UVH5FKC3CQFBTXWWPY.bmp)
Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park, Wilmington’s largest concert venue, has been open for two years as of July 2023.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/LMPX2YQDXNCPJJNTOQU5I4JC2A.bmp)
In the first year of the new 988 suicide and crisis lifetime, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services says more than 65,000 people in the state have reached out looking for help.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/KSFELFHSLVFG7O5KDJ6PXAFKX4.jpg)
Efforts to legalize medical marijuana in North Carolina will likely be on hold until at least next year.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/4NYGGBNL5FHKZDWT6ZXE37F2EQ.bmp)
One man is dead following a police chase in Surf City.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/OO3FLGMPDNED7IN72STSBGIZLA.bmp)
Voters in Pender County approved a referendum last year to obtain general obligation bonds for the new schools projects.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/U74SS4ABLVD2VJ5YSO7OQONMKM.bmp)
The South Brunswick standout is the first high school baseball player from southeastern North Carolina to be drafted in the first round since 2019.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/TRPN76VWCJDZ5PWG5YUBGMGR4I.bmp)
The summertime heat might not feel like the traditional flu season of the fall and winter, but health officials say this does not mean respiratory viruses will go away.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/OA3O4EW6DZBOTIHGG2FU6W2XFQ.jpg)
The suspect’s name and any charges have not been disclosed at this time.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/UO57HDCRWBAVXJIA254KELCOSE.bmp)
Dr. Van Dempsey will leave his position as the dean of UNC Wilmington’s Watson College of Education on July 14, according to an announcement from the university.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/WGH26CTHHJCJNIZUICPNXEAQ5Q.jpg)
One bill would restrict certain gender affirming care for minors, one would restrict discussions of LGBTQ topics in some classrooms and the third would prevent trans girls from competing in girls sports.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/JLCHMTA6TZGG3ITU7ZJ34FPZ3A.bmp)
As thousands of people flock to southeastern North Carolina’s beaches for the Fourth of July, water rescue officials in Oak Island are warning visitors about a series of Portuguese man o’ war sightings and stings.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/NBGRY5JXU5GRTFTRNJOPPZLN2Q.png)
The wildfire began after the burn site of a controlled burn reignited on Thursday, June 15.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/U62ZFKGQQVGILKOXZ5CVR2B4NM.bmp)
Coastal barrier islands are a popular spot to visit during the summer, but help could be harder to find during an emergency.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/CXM372M7GJDWBFY3GV4GDBTIIQ.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/DHDKQ66F3RDZXHVRIRTEL7APII.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/H7WUUANHMJBC7DQC3AX6IIWFSU.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/T3AUQTHH5RCQDITUGWJ3MEIIXE.bmp)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/UQN62HI6H5AYRFZW77G7NCYPEI.png)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/Q2CXVFOA45CEJJDE32AKE2BR6E.png)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/3Y6N5ZZMI5FWZBOPPFZRKSP67Q.png)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/7MLTJKOD6VH5HA4DVNYMN5G4YI.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/TZIVRYUN5RBUHDWON542CS6EYM.jpg)
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gray/Z562CHFWM5BLDEPLYYAAOCXWW4.jpg)