Today
in Wilmington
Thursday, October 9th, 2025
Good morning, Wilmington. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 9th of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The Hanover Kennel Club will host its 128th and 129th annual AKC dog shows at Legion Stadium this weekend. More than 424 dogs in 113 breeds will compete with judging starting at 9 a.m. each day—spectators may attend free but must not bring their own dogs. WWAY
- ➤ Wilmington Police Department runs the youth program Midnight Basketball at the MLK Center on 8th Street, which has lowered juvenile arrests by providing teens a safe space to connect with officers—Deputy Chief Kelvin Hargrove said the activity builds trust between police and youth. WHQR
- ➤ A Wilmington nonprofit will host its fifth annual molestation survivor walk on Saturday, October 11 at Long Leaf Park starting at 12 p.m.—the event will raise awareness for childhood sexual abuse survivors and finish with a free family cookout featuring live performances and face painting. WHQR
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ One Banana opened a new ripening and distribution center in Wilmington to receive hard green bananas from tropical suppliers before shipping them to local grocers. The facility is near a port and uses sealed ethylene rooms to control the ripening process—room for future expansion and donations to a local food bank has been set aside. WHQR
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The New Hanover County Board of Education voted 5-1 Tuesday on a $320 million bond plan to build new schools and renovate existing ones across the county—safety, technology, and basic repairs were key issues. Board members will present the plan to county commissioners by the end of October so that voters can decide in the 2026 election cycle. FOX Wilmington
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission warned that waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors face a threat from HPAI this fall—confirmed in black vultures and expected to affect the migratory game bird season. Residents are advised to avoid contact with sick birds and properly dispose of carcasses to help prevent the virus's spread. WECT
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor and Columbus County Fire Marshal Shannon Blackman will join local fire departments, Kidde, and the American Red Cross to distribute 1,000 smoke alarms at the Klondyke-Chadbourn Fire Department tomorrow at 11 a.m.—this effort is part of Fire Prevention Week following a deadly August fire that killed four children. WECT
- ➤ New Hanover County will provide administrative management and operational support to the county Board of Elections after director Rae Hunter-Havens retired for health reasons on Oct. 7—she will remain under contract as a consultant until April 1, 2026. WECT
- ➤ Following Director Rae Hunter-Havens’ retirement, New Hanover County is providing administrative support to the Board of Elections—she remains under contract until April 1 to support a fair and secure November election. This measure ensures that the Board has the needed management and operational assistance during the transition. New Hanover County
- ➤ Wilmington council voted to earmark up to $1 million for a new park with one dissenting vote while the proposed location remains unclear. City Manager Becky Hawke said staff will seek a 1:1 match from New Hanover County and pursue grant funding — officials expect further details soon. WHQR
- ➤ Candidates for City Council and Mayor participated in forums hosted by WECT-TV, WHQR Public Media and Port City Daily at the WHQR Studio at 254 Front Street on October 8—council candidates began at 6:00 p.m. and mayoral candidates started around 7:00 p.m., with live streams and recordings available through Election Day. WECT
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ An adult died from flu complications in western NC in the first week of October — the NC Department of Health and Human Services urges residents to get vaccinated and practice good hygiene as RSV cases are predicted to rise. FOX Wilmington
- ➤ At Wilmington Health, Lanie Daniels—a mammographic technologist and breast cancer survivor—speaks on the need for early screenings after finding her own lump in November 2012; she now helps hundreds of women feel at ease before their mammograms. Her personal journey drives her to stress the importance of self-exams and prompt medical care for all women. WECT
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Eric Johnson Concert
7:30-9 p.m. — Kenan Auditorium — Cost info not provided — Experience the musical journey of Eric Johnson across genres.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
2025 Ironman 70.3 North Carolina
Half-day event — Wilmington Beach Academy — Registration fees apply — Experience a scenic triathlon along North Carolina’s beautiful coast with community support.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
If you do what is easy, your life will be hard. If you do what is hard, your life will be easy.
Know who said this? Send us an email!
Reveal the authorAbout Today in Wilmington
Welcome to the Today in Wilmington, your community newsletter that's anything but snooze-worthy, packed with positive, impactful local news + events across the Wilmington, North Carolina community. If you like the Today in Wilmington, support us by subscribing to our email newsletter and sharing us with your friends and family in Wilmington.
Advertising Opportunities
Advertising with us will make sure you stay at the top of everyone's mind—in Wilmington and across North Carolina. You can learn more here. We'll work together to build a custom plan to hit your goals this year.
Alternatively, you can submit events, announcements, real estate listings, and job postings. We'll include them in our newsletter on whichever dates you like.
Community, delivered
Our hyper-local media company activates communities through daily email newsletters that curate the most positive, impactful local news + events – all for free.
Subscribe to Today in Wilmington
A free Wilmington community newsletter.
- Daily local news
- We curate the most positive, impactful local news + events.
- 6AM City
- A publication of 6AM City, the nation's leading local newsletter-first media network. Nominate your city.
© 6AM City Inc. 2025. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy. Terms of Service. Questions? Contact us here
Sitemap: https://todayinwilmingtonnews.com/sitemap