A long line of people seeking low-digit tags at the Georgetown DMV. (Delaware Department of Motor Vehicles)

Only in the First State: Our obsession with low-digit tags

Ken MammarellaCulture, Government, Headlines

This week is prime time for one of Delaware’s odder rituals: a hunt for low-digit tags. The Delaware Department of Motor Vehicles every year runs an online lottery and in-person release of low-digit tags for motor vehicles. This year’s online lottery drew 17,408 entries and is already closed, but the last two in-person events are Thursday. If you’re interested, you …

The Delaware City Fire Company has invested in ballistic gear and trauma kits.

Del. City Fire trains for shootings, invests in ballistic gear

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Police & Fire

Delaware City Fire Co. wants to make sure the town’s 2,000 residents are protected in the case of an active shooter emergency.  The fire company has been collaboratively training with other state law enforcement agencies, fire departments, Emergency Medical Services and emergency management groups. The first responders said in a press release that additional training is in response to a …

New Castle County is moving forward with a plan to require fire sprinklers in new home. (Pixabay photo from Pexels)

NCCo working to require fire sprinklers in new homes

Ken MammarellaGovernment, Headlines

New Castle County is moving forward with a plan to require fire sprinklers in new townhouses and one- and two-family dwellings. Its planing document cites lots of support, including the Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office, the New Castle County Fire Chiefs Association, the New Castle County Firefighter’s Association, the New Castle County Fire and Ambulance Advisory Board, the Fire Sprinkler …

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to drain a popular fishing pond near Delaware City.

Plan to drain Delaware City pond upsets sportsmen’s group

Ken MammarellaCulture, Headlines

A pond just outside Delaware City is scheduled to be drained and eventually filled with dredging spoils, eliminating a popular spot for fishers and hunters. The Delaware State Sportsmen’s Association says that people learned about the plan in June from a handwritten cardboard sign stating: “Attention: area will be in the process of being dewatered/drained within the next few weeks. …

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 …

Heritage Commission Book of the Week is about Delaware City

Staff WriterCulture, RSS-Culture

“Reminiscence Of A Town That Thought It Would Be A Metropolis: Delaware City, Delaware” presents reminiscences of the late William O. Wingate, who lived in Delaware City and was born in the last quarter of the the nineteenth century. Wingate’s writings were found in the local collection of the Delaware City Library and provides a […] The post Heritage Commission …

Refineries Hero@2x 1400x660 1

Residents can comment on pollution permit for Delaware City refinery

Staff WriterGovernment, Headlines

  Residents have until July 31 to comment on a proposed air pollution permit renewal for the Delaware City Refining Co. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will submit the proposed federal Clean Air Act Title V major source air pollution permit renewal to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for that review before DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin …

Fishermen, scientist praise increased dredging in Sussex waters

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

$16 million has been allotted to help DNREC dredge inland Sussex County waters. Archival photo courtesy of DNREC   Delaware’s inland bays, canals, and waterways are about to become easier to navigate after the General Assembly last month authorized a record $16 million for dredging projects. The hope is that boaters will be able to enjoy more consistently navigable channels …