NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – A first look at the early budget recommendations for New Hanover County show several groups missing out on money they've received in the past.

More than 30 non-profits, development groups and economic organizations applied for financial contributions from county government and this year's recommendations from staff are more than $200,000 less than the amount approved by the Board of Commissioners last year.

Kids Making It, DREAMS of Wilmington and Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure are among the list of human service groups with zeros next to their name, according to a draft budget summary.

Several supporters have already emailed commissioners in hopes of restoring the $5,000 given to the Race for the Cure last year. The inaugural event attracted more than 2,000 participants.

A spokesperson said Monday that the foundation looks forward to continuing a relationship with New Hanover County.

WILMINGTON - Earlier this year, Cape Fear Community College opened a new barber training school to provide students with the skills to become a professional barber.

The school is now open for businesses and is looking for clients.

Services include haircuts, beard trimming, hot shaves and more. Services range from $2 for a mustache trim to $16 for highlights. All transations are cash only.

Walk-ins are welcome from Monday - Thursday between 10:30 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. For an appointment, call 362-7692. A full list of services and prices are listed here: http://cfcc.edu/ce/barberschool/services.html.

The CFCC barber school is located in Emerald Square at 3333 Wrightsville Ave.

WILMINGTON - Building a house out of straw might sound like something out of a nursery rhyme, but straw bale house building is a construction technique that is gaining more attention from sustainable home builders because of some distinct advantages over conventional methods.

Straw bale house construction is just one of the sustainability-related topics that will be presented by students at Cape Fear Community College's Sustainability Technologies program later this week. 

Thirteen graduating students from the program will be showcase a number of special projects dealing with energy efficiency, sustainability, and green building technology on Saturday, May 4 at 9:30 a.m. in the BB&T Auditorium in the McKeithan Center at CFCC's North Campus.

This year's event features a diverse group of projects including a the results of an investigation of the plastics recycling industry, straw bale home construction and an industrial energy audit.