Development 1

New Castle County urged to increase, expand impact fees

Ken MammarellaGovernment, Headlines

New Castle County on Monday was given a draft plan by consultants to expand — and increase — the impact fees charged for development. The county adopted such fees in 1999 to “finance new or expanded infrastructure and service needs for development.” And they have not changed much since. The county’s consultants recommended adding fees to encourage low-income housing and …

Johnathon Drew of Middletown won the New Castle County Boys cross country race photo by Middletown athletics Instagram page

Delaware’s cross country runners prepare for states

Glenn FrazerHeadlines, Sports

It was “unseasonable” Autumn weather for the New Castle County and Henlopen cross country meets over the weekend. The New Castle County meet was held at Winterthur while the Henlopen race took place at Killens Pond, the site for the upcoming state championship meet on Saturday the 12th.  won the boy’s race at Winterthur in a time of 16:09.44, followed …

New Castle County Public Safety Department Recruiting Event

NCC to hold public safety celebration, recruiting event Saturday

Charles MegginsonPolice & Fire, Government, Headlines

New Castle County’s Public Safety Department will hold a celebration and recruiting event Saturday, Sept. 10 at the Christiana Mall. The event will be held between Nordstrom and Cabela’s and will go on from 12 p.m. until 4 p.m.  “We’ll celebrate our public safety, including police, fire, 911 communications, paramedics and the Office of Emergency Management,” said Sgt. Tracy Duffy, …

A student at EastSide Charter being greeted by community members as he enters the building for the first day of school.

A community of suits greet EastSide Eagles on 1st day

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Education

Community members decked out in suits fought a torrential downpour to welcome students back to EastSide Charter School Tuesday morning.  For the seventh year in a row, the charter in northeast Wilmington held its annual Suit Up, Show Up first day, with students walking through rows of professional and other community members there to encourage them.  The students are high-fived, …

Hockessin LIbrary book sale

Hockessin Library shift to quarterly book sale proves popular

Betsy PriceCulture, Headlines

When the Friends of the Hockessin Library decided to cancel their annual book sale, they started having smaller pop-up sales in the library itself. To the members’ surprise, they like it better. Not only do they not have to worry about setting up, running and closing down the sale, which required about 200 volunteers, the new book sales seem more …

New Castle County's latest tax bill

New NCCo bills show new way to figure out taxes

Ken MammarellaGovernment, Headlines

New Castle County’s just-mailed tax bills come with an explanatory letter titled “Local service function tax rates have changed.” People who live in unincorporated parts of the county – and that’s most residents – and businesses in these unincorporated areas “will not see any change to their property tax rate,” the letter says. But it’s a different story for residents …

Claymont Electric Arc Park (Coastal Resilience Design Studio for the Claymont Renaissance Development Corp.)

Claymont eyed for new park with marina, amphitheater

Ken MammarellaCulture, Headlines

  A marina, an amphitheater and 4.4 miles of trails are among the features suggested in a proposal for a large new park in Claymont. “We have a team ready … to make it a first-rate amenity,” said Brett Saddler, executive director of the Claymont Renaissance Development Corp., referring to a group of Delawareans with expertise in the environment, recreation …

243494285 225641549608124 9163269301397677353 n

New Castle County set to approve $54 million in ARPA funds

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

New Castle County Council will vote at its next meeting to send just over $54 million in federal COVID relief funds to the county’s finance office for allocation. The money will go toward affordable housing, wastewater and stormwater management, nonprofit grants and more, according to Brian Cunningham, the county’s director of strategic communications. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, …

Officials gathered Friday for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of Appoquinimink Library in Middletown.

Appoquinimink Library opens with focus on green energy

Jarek RutzDelaware Live, Education, Headlines

After decades of dealing with a teensy library stuffed inside a multi-use building, Middletown on Friday celebrated the opening of Appoquinimink Library, a new 28,000 square foot library and digital center. A small crowd gathered to watch officials cut the ribbon at 651 North Broad St. County Executive Matt Meyer called it a tremendous day for residents in south New …

a man standing in front of a store

State drops McGuiness case to reindict in Kent County

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The Delaware Department of Justice will not pursue its prosecution of State Auditor Kathleen McGuiness in New Castle County, according to a spokesman for the court.  “The State has entered a Nolle Prosequi without prejudice and has indicated it will submit the case involving Kathleen McGuiness to the Kent County Grand Jury on Monday, June 6, 2022,” said Sean O’Sullivan, …