Today
in Wilmington
Saturday, October 4th, 2025
Good morning, Wilmington. Here's your local news at a glance for Saturday, the 4th of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Riverfest will return to downtown Wilmington tomorrow with vendors, food trucks and a drone show along the riverwalk. The street fair will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday — featuring a car display, kid zone, band performances and a BMX bike show. WWAY
- ➤ Lulu and Randy are energetic 11-year-old dogs from the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Animal Shelter who should be adopted together. The shelter at 180 Division Drive offers adoption Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.—it will host a Rabies Clinic today from 9 to 11 a.m. WECT
- ➤ Domestic Violence Shelter and Services hosted a Silent Witness Exhibit in Wilmington to honor victims of domestic violence with life-size figures—each showing a story of loss that was read aloud. Officials say the event aims to raise awareness after 155 domestic violence homicides were recorded in our state last year and that more awareness events will follow later this month. FOX Wilmington
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Friends of the Arboretum will host the 29th annual Art in the Arboretum event on October 11 and 12 at the Arboretum on Oleander Drive + featuring new youth art programs. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and features about 90 artists and food trucks + live music to support local art efforts. New Hanover County
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The New Hanover County School Board approved a $230M renovation plan for New Hanover High School with board chair Melissa Mason saying the decision had been long awaited—this move marks a major step toward updating the school. WECT
- ➤ UNCW is requiring reservations on the campus spirit rocks starting Monday, Oct. 6 at 8 a.m. after a conflict over a rock painted with Charlie Kirk’s image led to unrest — students now must request via the Campus Reservation System 48 hours ahead and paint within a 24-hour window. Port City Daily
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Mail-in voting for the November Municipal Elections begins today for all registered voters. Voters must request their absentee ballots by 5 p.m. Oct. 21 — ballots must be returned by the time polls close on Election Day, Nov. 4. WECT
- ➤ Crews will break ground next week on a $6.03 million project to fill sidewalk gaps along 2.6 miles of Wrightsville Avenue between Independence Boulevard and Hawthorne Drive—improving pedestrian access by adding ADA ramps, sidewalks, and a roundabout at Wallace Avenue. When construction begins, the project will also connect to the Gary Shell Cross-City Trail and River-to-Sea Bicycle Route—and residents should expect intermittent lane closures near Wallace Avenue and Hawthorne Drive during work hours from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. WECT
- ➤ On Friday, Governor Josh Stein signed Iryna’s Law—named for Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska, who was killed on a Charlotte train in August—that limits cashless bail and requires extra mental health checks for many violent offenders. He said the law will help courts better review bail decisions while he criticized parts that could lead to harsh measures. FOX Wilmington
- ➤ New Hanover County will open its new downtown library branch on Monday at 2 p.m.—a key part of Project Grace that has been in the works for nearly a decade— and the 98,000-square-foot facility offers modern spaces for children, teens and adults with updated reading rooms and computer labs. WHQR
- ➤ Kelly J. Roberts Jr, a senior security engineer, is running for one of three Wilmington City Council seats on Nov. 4, 2025 and he is promising to reduce crime, ease traffic with intelligent systems & improve safety downtown while addressing the unhoused population. Port City Daily
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ AdventureCORPS will host the Cape Fear marathon & half-marathon on Bald Head Island on Oct. 26, starting at the Old Baldy Lighthouse at 10 a.m. Runners can choose the 26.2-mile race or 13.1-mile route with check-in at Jules’ Salty Grub on Oct. 25 from 6 to 7 p.m. and on race day from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., and a post-race party is planned there. WECT
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The 502s Concert
6-7:30 p.m. — Greenfield Lake Amphitheater — $25+ — Experience the energetic beach folk sounds of Florida's
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DUBTOWN COSMONAUTS Live Dock Party
6-10 p.m. — Marina Grill — Free entry — Experience high-energy tunes from the beachy Dubtown Cosmonauts in a festive dock atmosphere.
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Gunhild Carling Concert
7-9 p.m. — Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts — Tickets available — Experience the swinging jazz standards of Swedish musical sensation Gunhild Carling live in concert.
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Phantogram Concert
6:00-7:30 p.m. — Greenfield Lake Amphitheater — Cost info not provided — Experience the genre-defying sounds of experimental band Phantogram in a beautiful lakeside setting.
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Mike Oregano Live Performance
6-10 p.m. — Fermental Beer & Wine — Free entry — Experience a unique one-man band act blending Jazz and Rock in an unforgettable performance.
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Eric Johnson Concert
7:30-9 p.m. — Kenan Auditorium — Cost info not provided — Experience the musical journey of Eric Johnson across genres.
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Big Gigantic Live Performance
5:30-7:30 p.m. — Greenfield Lake Amphitheater — Ticket prices vary — Experience the unique blend of electronic dance music with live instruments by Big Gigantic.
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TreeHouse! Live at The Reel Cafe
7-10 p.m. — The Reel Cafe — Get your tickets now — Enjoy a fantastic show with TreeHouse! and special guest Rockstead on the rooftop.
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Lighthouse Beer and Wine Festival
12:00 – 3:00 p.m. — Live Oak Bank Pavilion — Admission includes sampling glass — Enjoy a fun-filled festival with over 300 beers, 100+ wines, and live music.
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Tedeschi Trucks Band Concert
7-8:30 p.m. — Live Oak Bank Pavilion — Ticket prices vary — Experience the soulful sounds of the legendary Tedeschi Trucks Band live in Wilmington.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Help others achieve their dreams and you will achieve yours.
~ Les Brown
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