🌱 More Nonstop Florida Flights + Wilmington Expo Gets Special Guest

Hi all. Lauren Kubiak here with your weekend edition of the Wilmington Patch newsletter. Keep reading to find out all the most important things happening in our community, including updates on these three stories.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Breezy with increasing clouds. High: 76 Low: 66.
• Saturday: Windy with a heavy t-storm. High: 78 Low: 51.

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Here are the top three stories in Wilmington today:

1. New nonstop flights are being added from Wilmington International Airport as new services to West Palm Beach and Tampa, Florida have been added to the slate. In addition to these routes, two more nonstop routes are being added for the summer to Orlando, bringing the weekly total in Orlando to four. The new Orlando and West Palm Beach route will begin on Jun. 22 and Tampa on the 23. Booking is available online starting at $29 for a one-way ticket. Since Avelo launched in 2021, it has been expanding nonstop and hopes to continue to grow over time. (Greater Wilmington Business Journal)
2. Tomorrow, the Wilmington Geek Expo will be featuring special guest John Wesley Shipp mostly known for his roles in "The Flash" and locally shot "Dawson's Creek." Shipp plans on meeting with fans, taking pictures, and answering questions throughout the expo. Remember this is happening tomorrow from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Wilmington Convention Center. (WECT)
3. Sean Boston, 31, has been sentenced to at least six years in prison for raping a teenage victim in 2021. Boston pled guilty to second-degree rape in New Hanover County Superior Court, the incident happening in the summer of 2021 when the victim's mother was at work. Along with Boston's sentencing of 72 to 147 months in prison, he will also have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. (WWAY NewsChannel 3)

From our sponsor:

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Today and tomorrow in Wilmington:

Friday, March 31

• Party in the Back Mullet Pageant - Bill's Brewing Company Tap Room (6:00 PM)
• Kelly G - Grand Cru (7:00 PM)
• Vegas Mcgraw: Tim McGraw Tribute - Thalian Hall (7:30 PM)

Saturday, April 1

• NHCS AIG FAMILY DAY - Emsley A Laney High (10:00 AM)
• J Candeed - Port City Produce (4:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Earlier this week, the Wilmington Police Department Museum and Education Center had its grand opening ribbon-cutting event! Keep your eyes on social media for the video recap coming soon, and make sure to stop by for a visit! (Wilmington, NC Police Department via Facebook)
• If you have been waiting for the amazing donuts from Britt's Donuts, the time has finally come, as the seasonal shop is opening today with limited hours. Take a look here for hours this weekend, and be sure to drop in for this sweet seasonal treat. (Visit Wilmington, NC and Beaches via Facebook)
• The Wilmington Fire Department is now taking applications for Junior Fire Academy sessions for summer 2023. If you know a high schooler interested in becoming a firefighter and learning life-saving skills, share the information! (Wilmington, NC Fire Department via Facebook)
• A recent study by BeenVerified found that, despite rising rates of catalytic converter thefts in the U.S. in 2022, North Carolina saw an overall decrease in incidents between 2021 and 2022. Visit the link for more statistics on catalytic converter thefts in the Tar Heel State and across the United States. (BeenVerified)

You're officially in the loop for today. I'll see you around!

— Lauren Kubiak

About me: Lauren is an Editor for Lightning Media Partners. She graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s in journalism. She was previously a full-time editor at an association management firm, editing peer-reviewed nursing journals, textbooks, and newsletters.