Today
in Wilmington
Thursday, January 1st, 2026
Good morning, Wilmington. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 1st of January.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Registration is underway for the 11th Annual Wrightsville Plunge today on Wrightsville Beach, where community members will enjoy costumed Atlantic plunges at noon and 12:30 p.m. plus a ticketed afterparty at South End Surf Shop that supports local youth, with registration including a t-shirt, trucker hat + event access. WWAY
- ➤ Alec Chambers’ funeral is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 9 at Andrews Mortuary + friends will honor him with a memorial skate at Greenfield Skate Park on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. and a petition to rename the park following his fatal crash near Satellite Bar. Port City Daily
- ➤ Wilmington's Healthy Homes Program helped improve 50 households by fixing mold, pests and temperature control (using a $1.5 million grant) after assessing 92 homes, and it wraps up today. WWAY
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ A memorial skate session for late skateboarder Alec Chambers took place on Dec. 31 at Greenfield Grind Skate Park after he died in a car crash near Satellite Bar and Lounge on Dec. 30 (a petition to rename the skate park in his honor was also started). Wilmington Star-News
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Railcrew Xpress will close its Leland office (407 Old Mill Road NE) on Friday, Feb. 27 due to a canceled contract, affecting four workers. FOX Wilmington
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Two local restauranteurs who helped define comfort food traditions passed away in December and left lasting legacies with landmark eateries including Holland's Shelter Creek Restaurant and Sawmill Cafe and Catering (memorial gathering is scheduled Jan. 3 in Maple Hill). Wilmington Star-News
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ A proposal for Darden-Perry Academy, a charter school integrating deaf and hearing students, is under state review in New Hanover County. If approved, the school will serve kindergarten through 12th grade and open in July 2027 at a site along Market Street and New Centre Drive. Port City Daily
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ The North Carolina Chamber of Commerce asked Sen. Tillis to block EPA efforts to set 1,4-dioxane limits after Asheboro’s wastewater facility discharged record levels that raised concerns for the Cape Fear River region; EPA instructions are scheduled for enforcement soon. Port City Daily
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ NCDEQ’s Division of Coastal Management will extend its federal consistency review for the Wilmington Harbor 403 Project until Jan. 19 (originally set for Jan. 5) to allow more time amid local concerns about the harbor deepening plan for larger vessels on the Cape Fear River in New Hanover and Brunswick counties. Port City Daily
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ The YMCA of Southeastern NC is offering a New Year’s membership special—$0 joining fee and no dues until February—to help members build lasting wellness as a community; sign-ups are open from today until January 15. Port City Daily
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Floating Lantern Ceremony
2-7 p.m. — Cameron Art Museum — Free outdoor event — Create and float a lantern while enjoying live music and reflecting on special moments.
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Charleston Cougars at UNC Wilmington Seahawks Women's Basketball
7-11 p.m. — Trask Coliseum — Tickets available — Catch the action as the Cougars take on the Seahawks in a thrilling women's basketball matchup.
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Hampton Pirates vs. UNC Wilmington Seahawks Women's Basketball
7-11 p.m. — Trask Coliseum — $15 — Experience an exciting women's basketball matchup between the Pirates and Seahawks.
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