Maurice Pritchett, Sr. Academy opened Friday to a huge, lively crowd. (All photos from Jarek Rutz/Delaware LIVE News)

Pritchett Academy opening rocks Wilmington with celebration

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Hundreds of Wilmingtonians screamed the last name of a local legend in a “call and response” rhythm on the corner of East 7th and North Lombard streets Friday afternoon. Speakers screamed “Maur-ice” as the crowd howled “Pritch-ett” back to celebrate the opening of the first school in the city of Wilmington in five decades. Longtime Wilmington educator Maurice Pritchett Sr., …

absentee voting

Republicans block absentee ballot change by refusing to vote

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

Delaware House of Representatives Republicans blocked an attempt to alter the constitution’s rules on absentee voting by refusing to vote on it. Senate Bill 3, sponsored by Sen. Darius Brown, D-Wilmington, would have eliminated limitations imposed in the state constitution about when an individual could vote. It also would allow the General Assembly to set rules governing absentee ballots and …

Food desert

Move to help state eliminate food deserts heads to House

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

A proposal to launch a three-year pilot program focuses on eliminating food deserts in Delaware has broad support as it heads to the Delaware House of Representatives. The goal is to provide health food options for people who now don’t have much access to fresh fruit, vegetables and meat and tend to survive on fast food and other readily available …

A possible state initiative would address Delaware's food deserts. (Photo by Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College)

Senator: State needs food desert map, grocery store aid

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

A senator representing Wilmington wants the state of Delaware to crack down on food scarcity and hunger. Senate Bill 254, sponsored by Sen. Darius Brown, D-Wilmington, creates the Delaware Grocery Initiative. That group would direct the Office of State Planning Coordination to study food insecurity in urban and rural food deserts. Per the bill, “food deserts” are census tract that …

Brandywine Village

Brandywine Village promotes itself with new welcome center

Ken MammarellaCulture, Headlines

Brandywine Village, a community just north of downtown Wilmington that traces its European roots back to about 1640, is boldly doing something about its future: running its own welcome center. “We hope through history that we will encourage economic development,” said Brandywine Village resident Peg Tigue, who’s orchestrating the effort. “There’s so much to be proud of here.” Welcome centers …

SB 211 now must pass the House to become law, making DIAA adopt javelin as an event.

Bill making javelin DIAA event moves on; some coaches object

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

A bill that would permit scholastic track and field competitions to include the javelin event passed the Senate Tuesday – although some coaches are not happy with the idea. Senate Bill 211, sponsored by Sen. Darius Brown, D-Wilmington, forces the Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association adopt javelin as an approved event for all DIAA-sponsored track and field competitions. The bill passed …

TSD Review Nov 2

TownSquareLIVE Weekly Review – November 2, 2023

Sonja FreyTown Square Live, Weekly Review

This Week’s Top Headlines Include: Pantries, food drives spread the spirit of Thanksgiving Darius Brown: City’s Three Rivers area seeking development UD rally calls for ceasefire in Gaza, justice for Palestine UD launches graduate certificate on artificial intelligence View from the Baseline: First round of playoffs Click on the image below to view the PDF Sonja Frey

2nd Senate district Three Rivers area Darius Brown

Darius Brown: City’s Three Rivers area seeking development

Betsy PriceHeadlines, Business

Companies looking to grow a business in the MidAtlantic need look no farther than Wilmington’s Three Rivers region for available real estate and for a community that will support a business and help it grow. That’s the message Sen. Darius Brown, D-Wilmington, will highlight Wednesday, Nov. 1, in his Opportunity LIVES Here symposium at the Chase Center on the Riverfront. …

Booster seats, beer gardens, banking discussed in Senate

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

Child booster seats and beer garden workers  had two things in common Thursday: Bills involving each were on the Delaware Senate’s agency, and both passed handily. Senate Bill 68, sponsored by Rep. Kyle Evans Gay, D-Arden, would require children under 2 years old and under 30 pounds to be seated in a rear-facing seat with a 5-point harness.  Children under …

The Senate voted unanimously on almost every bill Thursday. (Pexels)

Senators unanimously agree on 14 of 15 bills Thursday

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

It was a day of unanimous votes for the Delaware Senate Thursday, with 14 of the 15 items  passed without any ‘no’ votes. Sen. Darius Brown, D-Wilmington, was the only legislator to vote against House Substitute 1 for House Bill 34, a law that would require school boards from district and charter schools to hold public comment on each agenda …