🌱 Police Search For Missing Man + Wilmington City Council Candidate

Hello, friends! It's me, Lauren Kubiak, your host of the Wilmington Patch newsletter — here to impart all the most important things happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Wednesday: Plenty of sunshine. High: 86 Low: 60.
• Thursday: Plenty of sunshine. High: 86 Low: 61.

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Here are the top three stories in Wilmington today:

1. Wilmington police are searching for a missing man. James Michael McElligot, 41, nicknamed "Hap," has not been heard from since Saturday, Mar. 18. According to police, he is 6’2 tall, has brown hair and eyes, weighs approximately 206 pounds, and travels on foot. If seen, you are urged to call 911. Anyone with any information is asked to call 910-343-3609. (WECT)
2. Marlowe Weldon Foster announced on Tuesday, Apr. 18, that he will run for Wilmington City Council in the upcoming Nov. 7 local elections. Foster says his primary campaign issues are jobs, juvenile crime, and housing affordability. His work background consists of a mix of governmental, nonprofit, and lobbyist jobs, but his most recent role was as Senior Vice President of the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC. He is looking forward to pursuing a role in public office. (WHQR)
3. Thermo Fisher's office building was one of the items discussed during the Wilmington City Council's first public hearing, which was held on Apr. 18. The city intends to combine its administrative offices into the building and offset the anticipated $3 million annual maintenance cost by renting out office space to firms on several floors. Council members are also looking into ordinances to allocate another $270,508 from the Transportation Bonds Contingency: Bike/Ped Project Funds to pay for a contract to improve sidewalks at Oleander Drive, which would add curbing, sidewalks, pedestrian signals, signage, markings, and crossings. Construction is anticipated to begin in mid-May and end in five months if approved. (WECT)

Today and tomorrow in Wilmington:

Wednesday, April 19

• Build-A-Bank Workshop At New Hanover County Public Library (4:30 PM)
• Battleship Yoga At Battleship North Carolina (6:00 PM)
• Tab Benoit In Concert At Brooklyn Arts Center (7:00 PM)

Thursday, April 20

• Messy Hands Toddler Art At New Hanover County Public Library (10:30 AM)
• Wilmington Downtown Tasting Tour At Taste Carolina (2:00 PM)
• Opal Autism Centers Ribbon Cutting At Opal Autism Centers (4:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• The New Hanover County Public Library will host the Cape Fear Fandom Faire from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Apr. 29. This is a free event for all ages and will include local artists, authors, crafters, and creators that will showcase their work. There will also be a cosplay contest, which you can pre-register for starting on Friday, Apr. 21. For more information and to pre-register, contact the New Hanover County Public Library. (New Hanover County Public Library via Facebook)
• The Museums for All program is allowing those who receive assistance through SNAP free access to multiple museums in our area and over a thousand more throughout the United States. The program is partnered with a number of family-friendly establishments, ranging from zoos and science centers to botanical gardens. Some of the museums in the program offer discounted ticket rates instead of free admission, but all the Wilmington museums that participate in the program offer free tickets. Benefits from Museums for All differ by location; therefore, it's advised to check the website for each one before you visit. (WECT)
• Wilmington’s annual Earth Day Festival will be Saturday, Apr. 22 from noon to 6:00 p.m. in Long Leaf Park. The festival will feature environmental information and activities for all ages, live music, and food trucks. This family-friendly event is free. For more information, visit wilmingtonearthday.com. (City of Wilmington, NC Government via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Taxes in Retirement Seminar on April 24th and 26th at Leland Center (April 24)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Wednesday! I'll see you soon.

— 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.