Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why a Wilmington car theft suspect reportedly dialed 911 on himself
And on the Wilmington Patch calendar - Hanukkah Fest | Let There Be Light
Coffee in hand, Wilmington? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Why a Wilmington car theft suspect reportedly dialed 911 on himself
- What serious allegations now involve a major law firm’s Wilmington office?
- Who secretly paid off this Wilmington mom’s Christmas layaway bill?
Also on today's calendar: Christmas Day Bash! and 6 more events.
Find out what's happening in Wilmingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Wilmington? Post it to Wilmington photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Wilmingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Cold with clouds and sun, with a high of 32 and low of 22 degrees.
- Wednesday: Breezy and not as cold, temps: high: 45, low: 24.
- Thursday: Some sun, then clouds, with a high of 49 and low of 44 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Stupid Criminal: A Guy Called the Cops After the Car He Stole Got Towed (swag1049.com) — Police say a man in Wilmington was arrested after he allegedly called officers to ask about belongings left in a car that had been reported stolen and later towed. The vehicle’s owner told police it disappeared while warming up outside, and officers eventually found it at a tow lot with the caller’s items still inside. 
2. Former DLA Piper Associate Accuses ‘High-Ranking Firm Partner' of Assault (law.com subscription) — A former associate has filed a lawsuit alleging she was sexually assaulted by a former DLA Piper partner at the firm’s Wilmington office, with additional alleged violence later at her home. The suit claims a hostile work environment and retaliation, while the firm says it investigated a reported relationship earlier this year and will respond through legal channels.
3. Christmas miracles for shoppers, Tim Hortons arrives, football leaders (delawareonline.com) — A Wilmington single mother working seasonally at Burlington had her $110 layaway balance for her young daughter’s clothes and shoes secretly paid off by an anonymous stranger, turning a routine workday into an unforgettable Christmas surprise. The newsletter also highlights Delaware holiday lights, Hanukkah basics, and a seasonal guide for Christmas and New Year’s activities across the state.
4. DNREC Adds New Leaders to Delaware State Parks (delaware.gov) — New leadership appointments at Delaware State Parks include oversight of Wilmington State Parks and the Wilmington/Alapocas Run complex, which shape many local outdoor spaces residents use daily. Several longtime staff members were promoted to regional and superintendent roles, including at Brandywine Zoo and nearby parks, signaling potential fresh ideas for programming, conservation, and visitor experiences across northern Delaware.
5. Delaware's new U.S. attorney says his leadership will be 'apolitical' (delawareonline.com) — Delaware’s new U.S. attorney, Ben Wallace, a Charter School of Wilmington graduate, says he plans to run the office “by the book” and keep it apolitical despite national controversy over Trump administration appointments. Wallace, a Republican and longtime prosecutor, emphasizes violent crime reduction while inheriting sensitive cases ranging from gang murders to immigration-related litigation.
📸 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 ★
- Hanukkah Fest | Let There Be Light
101 Garden of Eden Rd, Wilmington
10:00 pm
Wednesday December 17
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Rockwood Chair Yoga
Rockwood Park & Museum , 4651 Washington Street Extension , Wilmington
9:00 am - Pritchett Academy Winter Concert
Bancroft , 600 East 7th Street , Wilmington
7:00 pm - Bayard School Winter Concert
Bayard , 200 S DuPont St , Wilmington
7:00 pm - Forgotten Cats's Middletown PetSmart Cat Adoption Event Dec. 19-21
Middletown PetSmart , 421 Middletown Warwick Drive , Middletown
10:00 am - An Evening with Sam Sussman at Huxley & Hiro
Huxley & Hiro Booksellers , 601 N Market St , Wilmington
6:00 pm - Brandywine Holiday Festival of the Arts
Chase Center on the Riverfront , 815 Justison St , Wilmington
10:00 am - DCM OPEN 10a-3p
Delaware Children's Museum , 550 Justison St , Wilmington
10:00 am - Christmas Day Bash!
Dogtopia of Wilmington , 2101 Concord Pike , Wilmington
9:00 am
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Wednesday December 24
Thursday December 25
📣 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
- Hiking Group
Rockford Park , Lookout Dr , Wilmington
9:30 am - DHSS/DSS BENEFITS CASEWORKER IN THE LIBRARY
Wilmington Public Library Lobby - Information Table
9:15 am - December Closing Days
International Women's Club of Delaware , 10 Old Church Rd , Wilmington
10:00 am - Pop-Up at WBW – Dark Star BBQ
Wilmington Brew Works , 3129 Miller Rd , Wilmington
5:00 pm
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
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
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Christina School Board Listening Session - Dec 15 for REACH Families & Staff —Christina School District Read on Patch
- FOUND!
Chica is home safe and sound! Please help: missing brindle greyhound. She slipped the gate this morning and hasn't been found. Greyhounds can cover… (Nextdoor Hillcrest-Gordon-Phillips) - Update: Their home has been located.
Found 2 pups. Willow Run. Please reach out of they are yours. It's soo cold out (Nextdoor Willow Run Wilmington De)
- ABM Industries posted a job opening for Warehouse Janitorial Cleaner in Wilmington. Apply here.
- Delaware Staffing posted a job opening for Housekeeper 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 don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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