The Gordons Pond Trail at Cape Henlopen State Park. (Courtesy of DNREC)

Del. State Parks set attendance record: 8 million-plus

Ken MammarellaCulture, Headlines

Delaware State Parks set another attendance record in 2022, with more than 8 million visitors. Attendance at the 17 Delaware state parks has increased each year since 2015. In the past five years, visitation is up 37%. The most visited state park in 2022 was Cape Henlopen, with 1.9 million visitors. Alapocas Run, Auburn Valley, Brandywine Zoo, Fort Delaware and Killens …

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Car dealers absent from gas-powered vehicle ban meeting

Staff WriterHeadlines, Government

During a public meeting on the state’s plan to totally ban the sale of most new gas-powered vehicles by 2035, those opposed to the proposal outnumbered supporters three to one.  There will be another virtual public workshop on the proposed regulations Thursday at 6 p.m. Gov. John Carney announced in March that Delaware would adopt California’s zero-emission vehicle regulations, which …

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State to hold virtual workshops on gas-powered vehicle ban

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Delaware’s environmental protection agency will hold two virtual workshops this week on Gov. John Carney’s proposal to ban most gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035. The meetings will be livestreamed Tuesday and Thursday at 6 p.m. Carney announced in March that Delaware would adopt California’s zero-emission vehicle regulations, which require automakers to deliver an increasing number of zero-emission light-duty vehicles each year …

Cape Henlopen State Park

Under pressure, DNREC scraps Cape Henlopen restaurant plan

Charles MegginsonCulture, Headlines

Delaware’s famous Cape Henlopen State Park will not be the site of a new oceanfront restaurant, officials announced Monday. The decision came after weeks of public outcry, including protests, op-eds in local papers and an organized campaign with yard signs that read, “No restaurant on dunes.” In a press release, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control said …

A doe or female deer in a Delaware field DNREC photo

Several hunting seasons opening, continuing in December

Staff WriterCulture, Headlines

Several Delaware hunting and trapping seasons will open in December, including a special antlerless deer season. The antlerless deer season will open Dec. 10 and extend through Dec. 18, and multiple furbearer trapper seasons will open Dec. 1.  Duck, Canada goose, woodcock, snipe, and other hunting seasons also open during the month. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental …

Delaware low-digit surf tag

Want a low-digit surf fishing plate? Get ready to bid

Betsy PriceHeadlines, Government

 She may sell seashells by the seashore, but sundry surf fishers couldn’t give a sturgeon or swordfish about that. Those men and women only have eyes for a low-digit surf fishing plate that allows them to drive on that seashore to cast their lines from the sand. Starting Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 9 a.m., they have a chance to bid …

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State holds meeting on zero-emission vehicle mandate

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Under a proposed regulation being considered by Delaware’s environmental control agency, all new passenger cars, trucks and SUVs sold in Delaware would be zero-emissions by 2035. The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control held a virtual workshop on the matter Tuesday, yielding varied opinions. Gov. John Carney in March announced that Delaware would adopt California’s zero-emission vehicle regulations, which …

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No cap on next year’s surf fishing tags

Charles MegginsonCulture, Headlines

There will be no cap on the number of surf fishing tags sold next summer, but drive-on beachgoers will have to pay a fee on weekends. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced the change Wednesday. The agency said the change will be piloted for the 2023 surf fishing permit program after record interest in the program …

A Rockford Park new traffic plan is proposed for Rockford Park in Wilmington. (Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control)

Some question need for one-way traffic in Rockford Park

Ken MammarellaGovernment, Headlines

  One exit, two entrances and three one-way streets are planned for Rockford Park in Wilmington. And the 133-year-old park is getting its first designated path for pedestrians and bicyclists. “The goal of this project is to address, and virtually eliminate, any high risk for a pedestrian accident through the section of Park Drive between Red Oak Road and the …

A doe or female deer in a Delaware field DNREC photo

Multiple hunting seasons to open in October

Staff WriterCulture, Headlines

Additional Delaware hunting seasons are set to open in October, including various deer firearm seasons, duck, snow goose and other migratory game birds – as well as the one-day youth-only waterfowl hunt. The youth-only waterfowl hunt will occur on Saturday, Oct. 15, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced Tuesday.  Deer hunting is allowed on all Sundays …