🌱 Patch AM: How did Wilmington’s port deal become a $100 million warning sign?

Hi there, Wilmington! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How did Wilmington’s port deal become a $100 million warning sign?
• Why disability advocates went to Wilmington to fight Delaware’s new law
• How a stolen handgun stop unfolded on West 4th Street

Today's riddle: What did the alien say to the puzzle? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Breezy; a little p.m. rain, with a high of 40 and low of 30 degrees.
• Thursday: Windy with clouds and sun, temps: high: 37, low: 25.
• Friday: Some sun, then turning cloudy, with a high of 40 and low of 29 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Inside Delaware's $100M Port Audit: Auditor Lydia York Explains What Went Wrong (detvch.com) — Delaware’s state auditor is unpacking a nearly $100 million write‑down tied to the Port of Wilmington, raising serious questions about how this major local asset has been managed. The interview highlights alleged transparency lapses, unused oversight tools, and environmental concerns, all involving large sums of public money. Wilmington residents are urged to watch and stay engaged as the fallout unfolds.
   

2. Federal lawsuit attempts to overturn Delaware End-of-Life Options Act (wdel.com) — A group of plaintiffs challenging Delaware’s new Medical-Aid-in-Dying law gathered in Wilmington this week, arguing it could endanger people with disabilities and non-terminal conditions. Their federal lawsuit claims the End-of-Life Options Act violates constitutional protections and disability rights laws, even as the statute is set to take effect statewide on January 1.
   

3. Stolen Gun Discovery Leads to Arrest After Wilmington Police Street Encounter (mychesco.com) — Wilmington police say a 19-year-old was arrested after officers on patrol near West 4th Street and Delamore Place recovered a loaded stolen handgun with an obliterated serial number. The case, tied to a weapon reported stolen from Pennsylvania, underscores the department’s ongoing focus on gun investigations and targeted enforcement in city neighborhoods. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
   

4. The REAL story of Santa with local author, Mike McGrew on the latest Catholic Forum (thedialog.org) — A new Catholic Forum episode from the Diocese of Wilmington spotlights local author and retired school psychologist Mike McGrew discussing his children’s book about the real story of St. Nicholas. Wilmington‑area listeners can catch the interview by podcast, YouTube, or radio, all debuting this week. It’s a faith‑focused, family‑friendly option for residents looking for seasonal inspiration.
   

📸 Around Wilmington

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Wilmington

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Sunday December 14

• Snow Queen 2025 - Sunday Afternoon
  Laird Performing Arts Center, 1501 Barley Mill Rd, Wilmington
  2:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Thursday December 11

• The Producers Resource Group
  NCCCC , 920 Justison Street , Wilmington
  11:30 am
• Holiday Business After Hours
  New Castle County Chamber of Commerce , 920 Justison Street , Wilmington
  5:00 pm

Thursday December 18

• Bayard School Winter Concert
  Bayard , 200 S DuPont St , Wilmington
  7:00 pm
• Pritchett Academy Winter Concert
  Bancroft , 600 East 7th Street , Wilmington
  7:00 pm

Friday December 19

• Forgotten Cats's Middletown PetSmart Cat Adoption Event Dec. 19-21
  Middletown PetSmart , 421 Middletown Warwick Drive , Middletown
  10:00 am

📣 Wilmington Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday December 10

• Classes Meet
  International Women's Club of Delaware , 10 Old Church Rd , Wilmington
  9:00 am
• Ribbon Cutting: WoodSpring Suites Wilmington Riverfront
  New Castle County Chamber of Commerce , 600 A Street , Wilmington
  12:00 pm
• Rockwood Book Club
  Rockwood Park & Museum , 4651 Washington Street Extension , Wilmington
  6:00 pm

Thursday December 11

• The Producers Resource Group
  New Castle County Chamber of Commerce , 920 Justison Street , Wilmington
  11:30 am
• Holiday Business After Hours
  New Castle County Chamber of Commerce , 920 Justison Street , Wilmington
  5:00 pm
• CSD Special Education Parent Advisory Council Meeting
  Bayard , 1015 Church Road , Newark
  5:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Wilmington PatchAM possible:

• Dogtopia of Wilmington — (475) 338-3501
  Dogtopia – Dog Daycare, Boarding, Spa & Wellness
• Champion Force Athletics — (800) 940-7469
  Join Champion Force Cheer - Classes Starting at $10

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Debbie Kearns Named as DSEA Teacher of the Month for December 2025 —Christina School District Read on Patch
• Watch the Full Video - CSD School Board Town Hall —Christina School District Read on Patch
• SEPAC Meeting December 11, 2025 —Christina School District Read on Patch
• #ChristinaCelebrates: Delaware Day & Pearl Harbor Day —Christina School District Read on Patch

• Repost!!!!
  Missing Child Syncere snuck out the house at around 3am early Tuesday morning. He is 13 years old! Hes about 5’6” 130 lbs He hasn’t been going to… (Nextdoor Bellefonte)
• FOUND DOG IN FELTON 12/07/25
  My daughter found a small dog on the back roads in the Felton area. It was running down the middle of the street, cold, and scared. No collar. Dirty… (Nextdoor Marshallton Village)

• The Salvation Army Eastern Territory posted a job opening for Janitor in Wilmington. Apply here.
• L Brands, Inc. posted a job opening for Seasonal Retail Sales Associate-CONCORD MALL in Wilmington. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Wilmington here.

Ok Wilmington! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I come in peace. You come in pieces.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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