Car thefts and car-related crimes has become a large issue in cities nationwide. (Photo by dardespot/Getty Images)

Wilmington council: Make parents pay for child’s car crimes 

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

The Wilmington City Council is considering making parents pay for damages caused by their minor children who break into or damage cars. Carjacking and thefts of personal belongings in cars has been a major problem in cities across the country, and Wilmington is no exception. Some of this was sparked by a TikTok dare in which people – typically teenagers …

City of Wilmington residency

Wilmington city, council lash out in fight over job residency

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

Mob rule? Or B.S.? A weeks-long debate over Wilmington residency requirements for non-elected city employees has deteriorated into what might generously be described as “frosty” exchanges between Mayor Mike Purzycki and a pair of Wilmington City Council members. After a month of bitter debate, the 13-member council on Nov. 16 passed a five-year residency law for new hires that will …

Some Wilmington City Council members asked Monday for the residency requirement for workers to remain in place.

Wilm. City Council members plead for residency requirement

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

Three members of the Wilmington City Council – including the president –  on Monday protested Mayor Mike Purzycki’s decision to no longer require city residency for current and newly hired employees.  “We have the power to make sure that the residents get to make that decision and that we don’t go from a five-year residency commitment to none,” said District …

Several business groups are in opposition to the ordinance.

Business groups oppose law making them pay for shift changes

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

A proposed Wilmington ordinance that would require employers with 250 or more workers to give a two-week notice and compensation for schedule changes will hurt businesses, employees and city employment, business leaders say. That’s one of the criticisms of Councilwoman Shané Darby’s Ordinance 034, which would apply to retail, hospitality and food service businesses. The proposed law was read to …

James Spadola's nepotism nepotism law was declared defeated.

Nepotism law shot down in Wilmington City Council

Jarek RutzHeadlines, Government

A Wilmington City Council ordinance that would prevent nepotism failed to pass Thursday night after initially garnering strong support in a committee last month.  The ordinance got five yes votes, five no and two “present” votes, meaning it lacked the numbers it needed to succeed. Ordinance 0273, sponsored by Councilman James Spadola, would prohibit members of the council from hiring …

First District Candidates

3 candidates, 3 different visions for North Wilmington

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Voters in Northwest Wilmington, Brandywine Village and Trolley Square will have three choices when they decide who to send to Dover as their next state representative.  They can go with who they know: incumbent Democratic Rep. Nnamdi Chukwuocha.  They can toss Chukwuocha out and promote progressive Councilwoman Shane Darby to the seat.  Or they could do the unlikely and vote …

Black doula Ariandra Clark with patient Adrienne Dawson

Black doulas aim to reduce ethnic birth disparities

Betsy PriceHeadlines, Health

  Adrienne Dawson’s breathing was becoming erratic and panicky as her contractions increased while she labored last month with her first child at Christiana Care. Doula Ariandra Clark leaned over and rested her hand calmly on Dawson’s chest, and they looked into each other’s eyes. “Calm down,” Clark said kindly. If Dawson kept breathing like that, she would pass out, …

Public infighting returns to Wilmington City Council

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Photo/City of Wilmington Wilmington City Council members must hand over all email, phone and text records from Jan. 2021 to March 2022 in response to a Freedom of Information Act request filed by one of their own.  Councilwoman Shané Darby, D-District 2, submitted the FOIA request because she says a group of seven city council members have been holding private …

Fast food 5

Darby ordinance would make Wilm employers pay for shift changes

Charlie MegginsonBusiness, Headlines

Photo/Getty Images Business leaders are lining up in opposition to a proposed ordinance in Wilmington that would require service industry employers to provide two-weeks notice of work schedules and compensate employees when changes occur.  The measure, sponsored by Council Member Shané Darby, D-District 2, aims to provide more schedule stability for hourly workers at retail, hospitality and foodservice establishments with …