Porch pirates steal from many people year-round, not just before Christmas. (Element5 photo from Unsplash)

Worried about porch pirates? Here’s what to do

Ken MammarellaCulture, Headlines

Security footage from a doorbell camera led New Castle County Police in November to charge a Newark man with stealing packages delivered to other people’s homes. The case involving suspect Michael McKamey, a 58-year-old from Newark, is sadly all too common and of special interest during the holiday gift-buying season. County police investigating thefts in Bellemoor and Maryland Park Apartments …

Stephen Beaudoin will take over as president and CEO of the Music School of Delaware on Feb. 5, 2024. 

Music School of Delaware has new leader after 24 years

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

After a quarter century, the Music School of Delaware has a new leader.  Stephen Beaudoin, who’s had decades of work in music, education, business and social impact, has been picked as the school’s new president and chief executive officer. “This opportunity feels very alive to me, and very aligned with my values and the kind of impact I hope to …

holiday pop-ups Klondike Kate's

Take a look at these 10 Delaware holiday pop-up bars

Pam GeorgeCulture, Headlines

It’s holiday pop-up season, and celebrants can never get enough holly, bells and elves. But festive décor is no longer limited to malls and retail stores.  Restaurants are also sprinkling holiday cheer in their communities. Jingle Bar at Grain Craft Bar + Kitchen  Last year, the holiday theme was limited to the Delaware Avenue restaurant’s rear patio, which has an …

DNREC regulations electric vehicles

DNREC finalizes EV regulations. Critics are not impressed

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

DNREC has finalized state regulations about electric and other zero emission vehicles it says will help Delaware achieve lower air pollution caused by light- and medium-duty cars,. Instead of demanding that by 2035 all new car sales in Delaware must be electric, the program will end in 2032 when sales are expected to hit 82%. That will address many of …

The settlement is a result of companies releasing harmful chemicals into the environment.

Ohio chemicals settlement gives $25 million to Delaware

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Environment

The First State is getting $25 million from a newly settled lawsuit in Ohio that triggered a contingency payment to Delaware. Chemours, DuPont and Corteva reached a $110 million settlement in Ohio over  “forever chemicals,” which refer to the release of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from the facilities of those companies. The substances, known as PFAS, have negative environmental impacts. …

New Castle County Hope Center

Hope Center plans to face budget questions with facts

Peter OsborneGovernment, Headlines

As homelessness increases in Delaware and COVID-related support dries up, the New Castle County Hope Center plans to roll out its new long-term sustainability strategy in January. It will include a companion dashboard demonstrating how big a dent in the problem the center has made over the past three years. New Castle County purchased the former Sheraton Hotel on Airport …

The WLC is prioritizing the nine elementary schools included in the signed agreement before scaling its programs.

WLC will focus on tasks at hand, not expanding to other schools

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

The new head of the Wilmington Learning Collaborative pushed back Tuesday night on suggestions that the new agency expand to include more city elementary schools. “This is a long journey, this is going to take many years to get our schools where they need to be,” said  Laura Burgos, the group’s executive director.  That’s not going to happen by adding …

Longwood Christmas 2023

Here’s how Longwood created its retro Christmas display

Betsy PriceCulture, Headlines

Longwood Gardens planners kicked around the idea of a retro Christmas display for years before debuting it this holiday season. “I think everybody’s nostalgic around the holiday season,” said Jim Sutton, Longwood’s display designer. “Christmas is one of those times where it’s sort of a melding between what’s old and what’s new. A lot of people pull things out and …

The future of Great Oaks will be announced Dec. 14 by Education Secretary Mark Holodick.

Great Oaks Charter likely to get one last chance

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Great Oaks Charter School has been given one last chance by a state agency focused on ensuring the accountability of Delaware’s charter schools. The Wilmington charter, which serves a student body that’s 97.24% minority students, received a promising decision in Tuesday’s Charter School Accountability Committee final renewal meeting. The committee voted to recommend the renewal of Great Oaks – with …

Georgetown Elementary School is one of the four schools in Indian River School District to be used as a polling place.

Indian River schools closed for special election; 4 poll sites

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Indian River School District, in the heart of Delaware’s 37th House District, will be closed for a special election in a few weeks. The district announced the closures Tuesday, citing that Delaware law requires public schools to be closed if they are being utilized as polling places for state elections.  Last week, Rep. Ruth Briggs King, a Republican representing the …