rescue dog

Rescue dog on its way to be named official state animal

Betsy PriceGovernment & Politics, Headlines

The Delaware General Assembly did not go to the dogs Wednesday. The dogs came to them. Four lucky pooches who were up for adoption or had been adopted from shelters sat through part of a Senate hearing and then part of a Senate Session as Senate Bill 37, which would make the rescue dog the official state animal, passed in …

House Administration Committee meeting

Bill to create Delaware inspector general moves forward

Ken MammarellaGovernment & Politics, Headlines

A bill to establish an “independent and nonpartisan” inspector general’s office moved forward Wednesday in a Delaware House committee. The House Administration Committee also moved along a bill to encourage filming in the state by offering tax credits. The committee started discussion to create a constitutional right of a clean environment, but, citing time, continued discussion to Thursday’s committee meeting, …

bridge 1

Delaware Memorial Bridge sets a record for September traffic

Ken MammarellaGovernment & Politics, Headlines

Delaware Memorial Bridge (Delaware River and Bay Authority) The Delaware Memorial Bridge this year set a record for September traffic, the Delaware River and Bay Authority announced, with 1,506,880 vehicles. Continued strength in commercial traffic and passenger car volumes offsets weakness in daily commuter numbers, with so many people still working from home. “The Delaware Memorial Bridge has now set …

a car parked on a city street

Newark assessing pavement conditions on all city streets

Ken MammarellaGovernment, Government & Politics, Headlines

Newark is inspecting street quality throughout the city. (City of Newark) Newark is performing a citywide pavement condition assessment and inspection project through Nov. 22. ARRB Systems will gather pavement condition data on all city-maintained roadways. The city will use this data to identify the streets most in need of repairs and to develop a multi-year paving and preservation plan. …

Sharon Hughes

Newark Councilwoman Sharon Hughes, 68, dies

Ken MammarellaGovernment & Politics, Headlines

Sharon Hughes (Newark photo) Newark Councilwoman Sharon Hughes passed away unexpectedly on Saturday at Christiana Hospital. The two-term council member was 68. “Linda and I are in shock and devastated by the loss our friend Sharon. She was a humble and committed public servant and respected throughout Newark,” Mayor Jerry Clifton said in a statement released by the city. “I …

a group of people in front of Delaware Legislative Hall

General Assembly eases restrictions, allowing 25 people in gallery for sessions

Betsy PriceGovernment & Politics, Headlines, Health

A few members of the public will be allowed to sit in the gallery during General Assembly Sessions.   With the Delaware General Assembly in the last month of its regular session, rules have been changed to open Legislature Hall in Dover to the public in a limited way. The statehouse will require the public to sign up to reserve …

Claire DeMatteis smiling for the camera

Correction commissioner to quit to oversee state stimulus funding

Betsy PriceGovernment & Politics, Headlines

Claire DeMatteis   Delaware Correction Commissioner Claire DeMatteis is leaving her job to become special assistant to the governor, a press release said Friday. In that capacity, she will oversee management of the federal stimulus funding received by Delaware and also assist with crisis management projects across state government. The job does not require Senate confirmation. DeMatteis previously had been …

vaccineinjection 2

Republican bill would stop UD, DSU, DelTech requiring vaccines

Betsy PriceGovernment & Politics, Headlines, Health, Schools

A bill filed by a Millsboro Republican would stop state agencies from requiring vaccines. File photo. A Republican representative has filed a bill that would prevent Delaware colleges and universities from insisting students be vaccinated to return to campus this fall. House Bill 209 filed by Rep. Rich Collins, R-Millboro, would forbid state or local governments including any entity receiving …

carneymassvaccination 1

State auditor plans to track how Delaware spends COVID cash

Betsy PriceGovernment & Politics, Headlines

Gov. John Carney posted this photo of the Delaware City DMV and one of the state’s first mass COVID-19 vaccination events in the winter.    State Auditor Kathy McGuiness announced recently that she hopes to answer questions about how county and local governments and school districts will spend the $1.2 billion in federal COVID-19 funds by tracking the expenditures. “One …

a person standing in front of a building

Purzycki hints Caesar Rodney statue will return to square

Betsy PriceGovernment & Politics

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki celebrates opening of Rodney Square splash pad fountains   As Wilmington officials celebrated the continued refurbishment of Rodney Square, Mayor Mike Purzycki said future changes may include the return of the statue of Declaration of Independence signer Caesar Rodney. “One of these days we might find a statue back here,” Purzycki said at the end of …