Good morning, Wilmington.

Humane Animal Partners is joining the 2026 Great American Rescue Bowl Adoption Event from Feb.

4–8. At its Rehoboth Beach center, the promotion (with reduced fees for adult animals and puppies or kittens and a $50 gift for adopters in football jerseys) runs until Feb. 7.

The Delaware Division of Small Business (DSB) will open the application period for the Delaware Grocery Initiative and First State Food System Program on Feb.

20 to help expand access to healthy food in underserved areas. A webinar on Feb. 18 at 12:30 p.m. in Dover will explain the process.

Mayor Carney announced America250 celebrations for July in Wilmington that will feature a citywide toast, dining events + art activities, boxing matches and revamped annual traditions.

Officials also noted the Caesar Rodney statue might join national festivities in Washington.

The University of Delaware restored academic materials on slavery and Newark history yesterday after inadvertently removing student and faculty research during a campus culture initiative (the university apologized for the disruption and will seek campus feedback to improve its strategy).

Delaware’s environmental agency ruled Wednesday morning that Project Washington near Delaware City will not proceed under the Coastal Zone Act because its plan for 516 backup diesel generators exceeds regulatory limits, a decision that may halt the project unless developer Starwood Digital Ventures revises its design or appeals.

Delaware’s lottery for the State Wildlife Area Spring Turkey Season drew the largest applicant pool since 1991, with 992 hunters applying for 540 permits ahead of a season that runs from April 11 to May 10.

DNREC held the lottery Jan. 21 (most permits went to residents) across wildlife areas.

The Delaware Division of Small Business announced a grant program offering $700,000 to support food access projects.

Applications open on Feb. 20 and a webinar is scheduled for Feb. 18 at 12:30 p.m. in Dover.

Wilmington Mayor John Carney has introduced an Office of Community Safety to coordinate violence prevention in hotspots — like the Adams Street corridor — with police, EMS, and other city and state agencies.

The office is expected to be included in the upcoming city budget.

Delaware taxpayers who filed 2025 returns can track their state refund via the taxpayer portal today; the IRS tool updates federal return status 24 hours after e-filing, with refunds arriving within 21 days if error-free.

Councilwoman Shané Darby introduced a resolution urging local officials not to reinstall the Christopher Columbus statue on public property because her constituents say his legacy fails current values.

The statue, removed in 2020 and owned by St. Anthony of Padua Church, has left officials debating its future & next steps.

Delaware officials cleared a key permit hurdle for a new port container terminal in Edgemoor as the Army Corps waived the need for a no‐objection statement from Philadelphia.

Secretary of State Patibanda‐Sanchez said the Corps will now review seawall and river dredging applications to move the project forward.

The Delaware Blue Coats will celebrate Mental Health Awareness Night on Feb.

7 at 6 p.m. as they become the Yellow Jackets in a game against the Wisconsin Herd, and online bids for yellow jerseys will support SL24-UnLocke the Light through Feb. 14.

University of Delaware alumnus Nate Benjamin, as a graduate assistant athletic trainer for the Dallas Cowboys, designs custom cleats for NFL players + his unique work has drawn praise from stars like Dak Prescott.

He plans to expand his craft with new techniques this season.

Middletown High wrestlers won a wrestling tri-meet in Townsend on Feb.

2 and marked their third straight win over rivals from Appoquinimink + Odessa, highlighting their strong performance this season.

The Rock Orchestra

8-10 p.m. — The Grand Opera House — Admission details not specified — Experience a unique blend of classical and rock music from world-class musicians.

Empower Your Wallet: Financial Literacy Workshop

5-7 p.m. — Kingswood Community Center — Free entry — Engage in interactive financial games and learn to take control of your money for a stronger future.

Kieth Nieto Los Moskos Concert

8 PM — El Maguey — Check Tickeri.com for ticket info — Experience the vibrant sounds of Kieth Nieto with Los Moskos live in Wilmington.

Graphic Design Bootcamp in Wilmington

3-9 p.m. — American Graphics Institute — Tuition required — A hands-on graphic design bootcamp to explore modern design tools and techniques.

Arcade Game Night for Age 18+

6-8 p.m. — Wilmington Home Amusements — $5 — Dive into nostalgia with 65+ classic arcade games on free play plus a slice of pizza and a soft drink.