Mara McJilton

Multimedia Journalist

Wilmington, N.C.

Mara joined the WECT team in May of 2021 as a multimedia journalist/reporter.

Mara grew up outside of Atlanta in Dunwoody, Georgia. She graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a B.S. in Agricultural Communications and a minor in Journalism & Electronic Media. While in college, Mara interned with WATE.

In her free time, she loves to spend time on the beach, with family and friends, cooking in the kitchen, or cheering on Pittsburgh sports teams!

Story idea? Email Mara at mara.mcjilton@wect.com, or you can find her on Facebook or Twitter.

National

8-foot alligator hiding in attic startles home inspector

Updated: Mar. 9, 2023 at 12:42 PM EST

By Mara McJilton and Debra Worley

A home inspector in North Carolina uncovered more than just potential structural issues or code violations this week.

News

‘Rest assured I’m going to do what’s right’: Columbus Co. commissioners appoint acting sheriff after Jody Greene’s suspension

Updated: Oct. 5, 2022 at 4:11 PM EDT

By WECT Staff and Mara McJilton

The Columbus County Board of Commissioners chairman called an emergency meeting to appoint a sheriff following the suspension of Jody Greene.

National

Man struck and killed by lightning while boating off North Carolina coast

Updated: Jul. 6, 2022 at 9:15 AM EDT

By Zach Solon, Mara McJilton and Debra Worley

According to the National Lightning Safety Council, this was the third lightning-related death in the United States this year.

Weather News

Officials identify man that died in drowning at Oak Island beach

Updated: Jul. 3, 2022 at 3:32 PM EDT

By Mara McJilton

There was a fatal drowning just after 2 p.m. on Sunday in Oak Island.

Regional

Demonstrators protest pride storytime event; county officials say there was “no disturbance inside the building”

Updated: Jun. 23, 2022 at 11:23 AM EDT

By Mara McJilton and WECT Staff

Several demonstrators showed up to the Pine Valley branch of the county Public Library during a pride story time event on Tuesday, June 21.

National

‘I felt very unsafe’: Proud Boys show up at children’s library event

Updated: Jun. 23, 2022 at 10:02 AM EDT

By Amanda Alvarado and Mara McJilton

Parents are concerned after a group of Proud Boys showed up a children's library event.

Regional

‘I felt very unsafe’: Parents speak out after Proud Boys show up at children’s library event

Updated: Jun. 22, 2022 at 7:39 PM EDT

By Mara McJilton

Pine Valley Library was hosting a pride story time event on Tuesday evening when a group of Proud Boys, far-right extremists, showed up outside of the event room.

State

Crews continue search for former Chadbourn police chief

Updated: Feb. 22, 2022 at 1:33 PM EST

By Mara McJilton

The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office found Spivey’s truck at the Sand Hills Hunting Club and his boat was found along the Lumber River nearby

Health

More than half of young adults are overweight, study says

Updated: Dec. 21, 2021 at 2:19 PM EST

By Mara McJilton

Health officials recommend 5,000 to 10,000 steps per day. In addition, an average of 150 minutes to 300 minutes of scheduled moderate-to-intense level exercise is recommended, or 75 to 100 minutes if it’s a more vigorous exercise.

National

Kindergartener and second-grader in North Carolina dropped off at wrong bus stop, a few miles from home

Updated: Dec. 17, 2021 at 1:11 PM EST

By Mara McJilton and Debra Worley

Two elementary students in North Carolina were dropped off at the wrong bus stop Monday without much of an answer as to why from the school system.

National

Pregnant woman put on life support soon after emergency C-section due to COVID-19 complications

Updated: Nov. 15, 2021 at 11:52 AM EST

By Mara McJilton and Debra Worley

After delivering a healthy baby girl, Piper, doctors intubated Kathryn Ayres and ultimately put her on life support within 10 days of arriving at the hospital.

News