Wilmington Area Local Happenings – February 2024

I hope you had a fantastic Valentine’s Day! In addition to training for the Wilmington Half Marathon with my daughter, I have been culling local and national news articles for you, and want to share some that I find interesting and/or important. The days are getting longer and the first flowers are blooming in Wilmington – daffodils, camellias, and what I think are flowering cherry trees. It’s cold right now, but warming up next week!

Update on the Wrightsville Beach dredging project: Although I don’t have an article to share with you, I can tell you the dredging project is well underway! The beach has been expanded signficantly between Tower 7 and the Johnny Mercer Pier. As of yesterday, the crews were working north of the pier. It makes a huge difference and creates a lot more room to enjoy being next to the ocean. And makes it a lot easier to run on as well!

Wilmington Marathon

The Wilmington full and half marathon is this weekend on February 24, 2024! Both races start at the Johnny Mercer Pier on Wrightsville Beach at 6:30am. There are many spectator spots along Eastwood Rd and then at the finish downtown at Live Oak Pavilion. The half marathon course is point to point, running from the ocean to the Cape Fear River. The full marathon follows the same course to the half marathon end, then winds around Greenfield Lake, around downtown Wilmington, and back to the same finishing point. My daughter and I plan to run and it will be her first half marathon. Come on out and cheer on the runners! https://wilmingtonncmarathon.com/

Wilmington Airport to Receive $4M for Improvements

Wilmington airport is one of four airports in North Carolina to receive federal grants for improvements. The grants are going to airports experiencing an increase in demand for air travel. Read more here: https://coastalreview.org/2024/02/wilmington-airport-to-receive-4m-for-improvements/

The North Carolina Coastal Federation

The 10th year of the NC Coastal Federations Lost Fishing Gear Recovery Project is coming to an end, and usable, tagged lost gear is ready to be reclaimed. 50 commercial watermen and women collectively spent nearly 150 working days on the water throughout January retrieving lost crab pots from the sounds. Read more here: https://islandfreepress.org/fishing-report/50-commercial-watermen-and-women-help-with-10th-annual-lost-fishing-gear-recovery-project/

Will Wilmington’s West Bank Ever Be Developed?

Read more here: https://www.starnewsonline.com/story/news/local/2024/02/12/will-wilmington-ncs-west-bank-ever-be-developed/71153416007/

Younger Buyers Want Baby Boomers to Update Their Homes

Millenials are worried they will inherit properties in need of major updates and renovations. Read on to decide whether or not you agree. https://www.nar.realtor/magazine/real-estate-news/younger-buyers-want-baby-boomers-to-update-their-homes