Good morning, Leland.

Feast Down East received a three-year, $150K grant from the Camber Foundation to support its operating needs, boost the food hub, mobile market, and farm programs in Burgaw and Wilmington + help local farmers grow sales.

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare is hosting two holiday events to fund care programs — a gala on Dec.

5 at Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center and a tree festival from Dec. 7 to Jan. 3 at Discovery Bay in Independence Mall — to support hospice, palliative care and other services.

Novant Health lowered its employer retirement match from 6% to 4% effective Jan.

1, 2027 as rising labor, supply, and care costs prompted the change (employees received updated benefits details in an Oct. 6 letter).

North Carolina will ban lithium-ion batteries from state landfills on Dec.

1 so residents must use designated collection sites + officials warn that improper disposal may cause overheating and fires.

North Carolina lawmakers passed a bill to suspend the gas tax until the end of November and sent it to Gov. Stein’s desk.

The bill may lead to lower prices, although local stations might not immediately pass on the full tax break.

Bazar will host a community blood drive tomorrow from 12:30 to 5 p.m. at 421 College Rd (donors will receive a $15 e-gift card) as it teams up with the American Red Cross.

The American Red Cross is sharing fire safety tips during Fire Prevention Week (Oct.

4-10) and advising residents to practice escape plans, test alarms, and keep cooking and heating areas safe for their families.