The Wilmington community celebrated the topping off of its first new school building in decades. (Jarek Rutz/Delaware LIVE News)

First new Wilmington school in 50 years topped off with joy 

Jarek RutzEducation, Headlines

Dozens of Wilmington elementary school students chanted “raise it up” and a drum team played while the ceremonial last beam on the first new city school in 50 years was lifted into place by a construction crane. The new $84 million Bancroft School in Christina School District, which will span several blocks in Wilmington, is expected to open for students …

Trevor Yealy, head of Avelo's strategy & planning, announces the airline's expansion at ILG. (Jarek Rutz/Delaware LIVE News)

Avelo Airlines to add 9 routes, 4 states in June

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Business

Avelo Airlines was supposed to start expanding its destinations from Wilmington Airport in a year or two, but instead, it nearly tripled its routes in less than 90 days of service.  Local, state and airline officials held a press conference Thursday morning to announce that the airline is adding nine new nonstop destinations spanning five states: Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, …

Delaware broadband internet service

State to push federal program that helps pay internet costs

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

Delaware officials are mounting a campaign to tell lower-income families about a federal program that can cut their costs for broadband internet service. The Affordable Connectivity Program, established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will provide eligible households a monthly discount of up to $30 on their internet bill and a one-time $100 discount toward a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. …

Wilmington crime

Wilmington police chief selected to lead St. Louis PD

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki hasn’t yet said how the city plans to replace police Chief Robert Tracy, who on Tuesday was selected to lead the St. Louis, Missouri Police Department. Tracy’s selection as the Gateway City’s top cop was announced by St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones Tuesday morning. It’s the first time in the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s 214-year …

Wilmington crime

Wilmington police chief to step down

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The city of Wilmington is in need of a new top cop. Police Chief Robert Tracy has been selected as a finalist to become police commissioner in St. Louis, Missouri, he announced Monday night. Whether or not he gets the job, Tracy will leave the Wilmington Police Department, the mayor’s office confirmed Tuesday. It’s not clear when Tracy plans to …

Wilmington Police Department Community Fairs

Wilm. PD hopes weekly walks will address social, health needs

Charlie MegginsonHeadlines, Government

Wilmington police officers will take weekly walks through the city to engage with residents and distribute information about social services, Mayor Mike Purzycki announced Wednesday. The initiative aims to address unmet social service and public health needs in Wilmington neighborhoods, according to the mayor. “Our police officers have demonstrated time and time again that if they have an opportunity, beyond …

Walsh 2

Longtime Wilmington Councilwoman Loretta Walsh dead at 73

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Longtime Wilmington City Councilwoman Loretta Walsh has died. She was 73. First elected in 1985, Walsh served on City Council until 1997 and again from 2004 until Oct. 6 of this year, when she resigned citing health concerns.   Prior to entering public office, Walsh became the first woman to serve as chief deputy in the New Castle County Sheriff’s Office. …

EastSide Charter STEM hub

EastSide celebrates Barclays $1M donation for STEM lab

Jarek RutzEducation, Headlines

Plans were unveiled Monday for a $22 million STEM hub at EastSide Charter, partly paid for by a $1 million donation from Barclays US Consumer Bank. “What’s unique about this opportunity is that there are corporations that have already partnered with us,” said Aaron Bass, chief executive officer at EastSide, “to make sure that there is job training, internships and …

Wilmington Police Department Community Fairs

Wilmington PD hopes to unite police, community with 3 fairs

Charlie MegginsonCulture, Headlines

The Wilmington Police Department hopes to build stronger relationships with community members by hosting three community resource fairs throughout the month of September.  The fairs will build off the success of the National Night Out, an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships.  The events will feature police officers representing a range of assignments and positions as well as partner …

Delaware Museum of Nature and Science opening

Newly opened Museum of Nature, Science to get $500,000 from county

Jarek RutzCulture, Headlines

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the reimagined Museum of Nature and Science, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer told the crowd that his administration is going to propose a $500,000 grant for the institution. “Everything we do in county government right now – similarly to what’s going on in the city of Wilmington – is about diversity, equity and inclusion,” …