Delaware's liquor stores are facing tough times. Addie Olichon photo from Pexels.

Is the party over for Delaware liquor stores?

Ken MammarellaBusiness, Government & Politics, Headlines

Liquor stores that boomed during the pandemic, when so many Delawareans were sheltering at home, are now reporting declines in revenue. “Everyone I’ve talked to is down” in revenue, said Edward Mulvihill, who networks a lot as president of the Delaware Small Beverage License Council and a board member of American Beverage Licensees. He’s also the fourth-generation owner of Peco’s …

Delaware's Robbie Jester Chopped

Dela-brity Chef Robbie Jester is back on TV

Pam GeorgeCulture, Headlines

If you peruse the list of upcoming Food Network programs, you might see a familiar name on the list of “Chopped” contestants. Wearing a red chef’s coat, Robbie Jester of Pizzeria Mariana in Newark stands behind the signature basket of mystery ingredients. Jester is one of the 16 chefs competing on “Chopped Battle Italiano,” which will debut on Tuesday, May 28. Chefs Scott Conant, …

hospital

State moves to control hospital budgets to lower health costs

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

Delaware’s hospitals soon could be governed by a politically appointed state board charged with examining and approving hospital budgets and invested with the power to demand changes and punish those that don’t meet its guidelines. House Bill 350 would create the Diamond State Hospital Cost Review Board under the Department of Health and Social Services. It will try to keep …

briege

Memorial Bridge ‘dolphins’ designed to stop ships like Dali

Peter OsborneGovernment, Headlines

Could it happen here? That’s the question Delawareans have been asking since watching the horrific images of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsing after a cargo ship rammed it last month. There are no guarantees, but efforts have been underway for 10 years to protect the Delaware Memorial Bridge from ships even larger than the Dali, which hit the Key …

The partnership for mental health support is between ChristianaCare and the Wilmington Police Department.

Wilm. Council approves $363K for mental health services on cop responses

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Police & Fire

The Wilmington City Council approved a resolution Thursday night that pairs mental health clinicians with police officers to respond to calls for service to support individuals experiencing a crisis.  Resolution 0413, sponsored by Councilwoman Yolanda McCoy, District 6, authorizes the Wilmington Police Department’s grant application to the Delaware Criminal Justice Council in the amount of $363,000.  The funds will be …

Delaware's 2024 school board elections are Tuesday, May 14.

19 to compete for 8 seats in May 14 school board elections

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

In a light year for school board races, 19 candidates are vying for eight open seats across eight of the state’s 19 school districts. This year’s election is Tuesday, May 14, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Last year, 43 candidates ran for 23 vacancies across 16 school districts. In 2022,  42 candidates competed for 19 open …

Pettinaro Management is donating 30 acres on the west side of Hercules Road in Mill Creek to New Castle County for a park. Ken Mammarella photo.

Exclusive: 30-acre park off Hercules Road in the works

Ken MammarellaCulture, Headlines

New Castle County is on its way to being given 30 acres for a park in the Mill Creek area. The land is part of a country club known as Hercules when it opened in 1937 (that’s why the road it’s on is called Hercules Road) and then Delaware National before being sold, with housing planned. “The project was approved …

McDonald's wants to reduce drive-thru backups when it rebuilds its Concord Pike restaurant. Ken Mammarella photo

New McDonald’s on Concord Pike rethinks busy drive-thru

Ken MammarellaBusiness, Government, Headlines

McDonald’s wants to rebuild its Concord Pike restaurant, destroyed by fire in January, in a way that will reduce a drive-thru line that often backed up onto the busy highway in Talleyville. The plans will be discussed at a meeting at 6 p.m. April 11, at the Talleyville Fire Company. “A plan is being prepared for submission that would three …

chaddsford

ChaddsFord Winery is seeking a buyer for 42-year-old business

Rich SchwartzmanCulture, Headlines

It’s been 12 years since Eric and Lee Miller retired from the ChaddsFord Winery. Now, the Petrillo family of New York, the remaining founders and owners, are looking to sell. The asking price for the 5-acre property on Route 1 in Pennsylvania is $4.5 million. The property is just over the state line from New Castle County. If — when …

Don Patton resigned from the Wilmington Learning Collaborative Monday.

Don Patton steps away from WLC, group seeks another extension 

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

One of the champions of improving education in Delaware is resigning from the Wilmington Learning Collaborative’s governing council. Don Patton, who started both positions in 2022, says he needs to focus on his elected position as president of the Christina School District Board. Also Tuesday night, Laura Burgos, executive director of the collaborative, had some pointed  words about the state …