Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How Wilmington’s courthouse comfort dog just helped launch a statewide program

Coming up on the Wilmington Patch calendar: Natural Holiday Wreath-making

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Thursday December 11th Patch AM
Thursday December 11th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Morning Wilmington! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Wilmington’s courthouse comfort dog just helped launch a statewide program
  • How could Wilmington’s school district lines be completely redrawn next week?
  • How a new Delaware law could change allergy care for babies

Also on today's calendar: Gingerbread House Creations and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Wilmingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Wilmingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Clouds and sun; windy, colder, with a high of 36 and low of 25 degrees.
  • Friday: Some sun, then turning cloudy, temps: high: 37, low: 26.
  • Saturday: Cloudy; breezy in the p.m., with a high of 42 and low of 27 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Delaware Capitol Police expands Facility Dog Program statewide (wboc.com) — If you or your family need to visit the New Castle County Courthouse in Wilmington, you may now see Vinn, a trained facility dog who comforts children and other vulnerable people during stressful court proceedings. Delaware Capitol Police is expanding this program from Wilmington to every courthouse statewide, letting attorneys, court staff, and families request a facility dog through a simple online form.
   

2. Delaware Explained: What is the Redding Consortium? (spotlightdelaware.org) — Wilmington families face major school changes as the Redding Consortium prepares to vote Dec. 16 on how to redraw district lines serving city students, including possibly removing Christina’s Wilmington “island.” The task force is weighing three sweeping options that could consolidate districts, shift 1,600 students, and reshape how education is delivered in and around the city over the next several years.
   

3. New Delaware Law Aims to Reduce Peanut and Egg Allergies (delawaretoday.com) — A new Delaware law taking effect in January 2026 will require insurers to cover infant-safe peanut and egg allergen supplements, and a Nemours Children’s Hospital pediatrician in Wilmington says early introduction is key to preventing allergies. The measure, praised by national allergy organizations, aims to cut long-term medical costs and stress for Delaware families by focusing on prevention rather than treatment.
   

4. 3 sentenced to prison time - one for life - in alleged gang-related fatal kidnapping (wdel.com) — Federal prosecutors say a Wilmington man’s 2021 kidnapping and killing, linked to alleged gang activity, has resulted in one life sentence and two lengthy prison terms. Wilmington’s police chief and the FBI say the case shows violent offenders targeting city residents will face severe federal penalties and continued cooperation among local and federal agencies.
   

5. Delmarva Catholic Men's Fellowship conference wins approval from Bishop Koenig, set for October 2026 at Saint Mark's High school (thedialog.org) — Catholic men in the Wilmington area will have a new local conference in October 2026, when the Delmarva Catholic Men's Fellowship hosts its first daylong gathering at Saint Mark’s High School. Backed by Bishop Koenig and diocesan leaders, the event will feature talks on faith and “authentic masculinity,” confession, and a closing Mass, with plans for strong parish and student involvement.
   

📸 Around Wilmington

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Wilmington

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Wilmington Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

    Thursday December 11
  • Classes Meet
    International Women's Club of Delaware , 10 Old Church Rd , Wilmington
    9:00 am
  • 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
    Bancroft , 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:

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Honoring Achievement: Secretary Marten Presents Marshall Elementary the Sapphire Award —Christina School District Read on Patch
  • December Christina Board of Education Recap —Christina School District Read on Patch
  • 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
  • Come visit the outdoor light display at the historic Newark Union Church in North Wilmington.
    Inside the church is a delightful Victorian Christmas Village display. There are giveaways for the children. Address: 8 Newark Union Public Road,… (Nextdoor Normandy Manor)
  • Female Chihuahua found in busy Maryland Avenue traffic around 5:50 pm this evening;
    Maryland Avenue and Summit Ave. Took to Faithful Friends in New Castle. No chip, no collar. Thanks to those that stopped to help grab her before she… (Nextdoor Hedgeville)
  • ShopRite Supermarkets posted a job opening for ShopRite - CSA/Carts Clerk in Wilmington. Apply here.
  • PM Hotel Group posted a job opening for Executive Housekeeper | HOTEL DU PONT**PARTIAL RELOCATION ASSISTANCE*** | Wilmington, DE 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 could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Wilmington