New Castle County Hope Center

Hope Center plans to face budget questions with facts

Peter OsborneGovernment, Headlines

As homelessness increases in Delaware and COVID-related support dries up, the New Castle County Hope Center plans to roll out its new long-term sustainability strategy in January. It will include a companion dashboard demonstrating how big a dent in the problem the center has made over the past three years. New Castle County purchased the former Sheraton Hotel on Airport …

Retail theft

Stores won’t get a break from rising theft through 2023

Betsy PriceBusiness, Headlines

  Retail theft in Delaware is causing concerns among local families and business owners. The economic impact, according to industry experts, could result in store closings. One mom posting recently in a Delaware moms’ Facebook group described how outraged she was as she stood in a store and watched people grab merchandise and run. A deluge of comments followed with …

The Senior Roll Call Lifeline calls the homes of seniors and disabled New Castle County residents. (Andrea Piaqcuadio studio from Pexels)

Another ā€˜save’ by NCCo Senior Roll Call Lifeline

Ken MammarellaGovernment, Headlines, Health

Every morning, the New Castle County Police Senior Roll Call Lifeline calls the homes of seniors and disabled county residents. On Sept. 20, one call led to finding a 76-year-old woman who’d fallen and couldn’t contact help. The woman, who lives in Heritage Park, off Kirkwood Highway, was sent to Christiana Hospital. That moment was called a ā€œsave,ā€ and it …

pexels karolina grabowska 4386431

Study concludes Wilmington isn’t paying employees enough

Ken MammarellaGovernment, Headlines

Wilmington has released a citywide classification and salary compensation study that recommends increasing pay across the board. The $85,000 project resulted in four reports, for executives and managers, nonunion staff, AFSCME Local 320 and AFSCME Local 1102. Mayor Mike Purzycki is asking City Council to amend the fiscal 2024 general operating budget to include new salary ranges from the study …

The Newark Free LIbrary is being replaced with a new building on the same site.

Ideas for new Newark library sought in 2 town halls, survey

Ken MammarellaCulture, Headlines

Two town halls and an online survey have been announced to collect ideas for the new Newark library. Members of the public are invited to share their thoughts directly with the architectural firm, Quinn Evans, at meetings hosted by the Friends of the Newark Free Library. The first meeting will be 6:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 14 at the Newark Senior …

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 …

Wilmington Loop

Loop coalition: Finish walkable bike trail around Wilmington

Betsy PriceCulture, Headlines

A group of business, community and government leaders would like to see several New Castle County walkable bike trails connected to become a seamless 16-mile Wilmington Loop. Doing so, says leaders of the coalition, would transform the city’s economy and quality of life because it would: Connect communities, jobs, schools, cultural institutions and state and national parks. Create safe paths …

prevailing wage

Contractors: Prevailing wages bill will raise state costs

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

A bill that would increase the prevailing wage for contractors making products offsite is unlikely to be heard in the House after the legislature passed the 2024 fiscal year’s budget on Wednesday. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 102, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend, D-Newark, would require laborers making products away from a building site to be paid …

New Castle County Police are concerned about pop-up parties at county parks.

A pop-up party at a NCCo park? No way, police say

Ken MammarellaGovernment, Headlines

A post-midnight shooting at an illegal pop-up party at Glasgow Regional Park has led New Castle County Police to take ā€œa proactive approachā€ on controlling parties at county parks. The party apparently involved people leaving a Newark hotel and deciding via Instagram to move to Glasgow Park, even though it was closed, according to Cpl. Michael McNasby, a spokesman for …

ev

EV bills inch closer to law as GOP continues opposition

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

Several energy-related bills waltzed through the House Resources and Energy Committee Tuesday, despite Republican opposition. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 7, sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Hansen, D-Middletown, would update the responsibilities of the State Energy Office to include developing the State Energy Plan, the state’s Climate Action Plan, and transitioning Delaware towards more renewable energy. The bill is a …