Latest News

Habitat for Humanity, Blenheim Homes partner on new dwelling in Simonds Gardens

Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County completed a new home in Simonds Gardens in the Route 9 Corridor between New Castle and Wilmington. The new home was a collaborative effort with the homeowner, Habitat NCC, Wells Fargo, Blenheim Homes, and New Castle County.It's the first-of-its-kind partnership between Habitat NCC and Blenheim Homes, under the Moderately Priced Dwelling...

Amtrak reports corridor ridership rising above pre-pandemic levels

Amtrak reported a strong recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic on its Northeast Corridor route that has stops in Wilmington and Newark, DE. In fiscal 2023, more than 28 million customers rode Amtrak nationwide, fueled in part by growth on the Northeast Corridor (NEC), where ridership is booming and consistently exceeding pre-pandemic levels since early summer. The growth...

Lung Association praises clean vehicle standards, but sees need for stricter mandate

The American Lung Association praised a decision by Delaware Department of Natural Resources Secretary Shawn Garvin to adopt clean vehicle rules that set a target of 82% zero emission vehicle sales by 2032, while also requiring cleaner internal combustion engines. Garvin released his decision on Wednesday following a sometimes heated hearing process. The Lung Association would have preferred...

Cape May-Lewes ferry operator to hold virtual public hearing on rate hike plans that include family discounts

The Delaware River and Bay Authority will hold a virtual public hearing to discuss proposed fare changes at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry.   The changes to be considered are fare hikes to reflect inflationary pressures and selected fare decreases to encourage family and muti-trip travel from the two stops. “We typically introduce a fare change every other year, which...

My take: For UD athletics, it was ‘go big or go home’

News about the University of Delaware joining Conference USA exploded online beginning on Monday when reports that a deal was near. The report was confirmed the next day (See story below). There were mixed emotions among some about joining a conference that's unknown in these parts to all but die-hard college sports fans. Its members are scattered around the country and...

Wilmington Council President Congo fires back at mayor’s criticism of conduct during residency ordinance hearing

(Editor's note: Wilmington Council President Ernest "Trippi" Congo issued the following after Mayor Mike Purzycki criticized the actions of some council members, alleging bullying and other behavior regarding a vote keeping a five-year residency requirement. The mayor allowed the ordinance to go into effect without his signature. Congo has clashed with the mayor on policing and other matters. Congo...

From Export Delaware – Derco’s story

Derco USA is a Newark-based fabricator of custom conveyor belting for various industries, including bakery, agriculture, automotive, and more. The story of how this business grew to national recognition in the industry starts with its owner, Paul O’Connor. O’Connor served two years in the Army and nine years in the National Guard. When he came out of the service, he launched...

DNREC announces regulations that stop short of California electric vehicle mandate

The Secretary of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources is issuing clean vehicle regulations that are less strict than the controversial 2035 California standards. The regulations require automakers to deliver more zero-emission vehicles for sale in Delaware. Zero-emission (ZEV) options that include battery-electric, plug-in hybrid electric, and fuel-cell vehicles. Starting with model year 2027, 43% of new cars...

Ohio ‘forever chemicals’ settlement triggers an additional $25 million for Delaware

Chemours Company, along with DuPont and Corteva, Inc., settled an agreement with the State of Ohio for $110 million to resolve claims associated with manufacturing and selling per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The agreement triggered an additional $25 million for Delaware under a contingency in Delaware's 2021 settlement with the same companies. "We are thrilled that our forward-thinking settlement...

Addiction treatment resource center opens in Glasgow

In partnership with Impact Life, another behavioral health nonprofit organization, atTAcK addiction opened its first storefront resource center at Peoples Plaza in Glasgow. The behavioral health resource center, staffed by new center manager Leah Parrack and atTAcK addiction volunteers, will offer services for individuals and their families, including harm-reduction resources, a connection to treatment or recovery services, and educational,...

University of Delaware to join Conference USA

As expected, the University of Delaware will join Conference USA as a full-league member effective on July 1, 2025. Reports of the change surfaced on Monday. "UD ranks among the nation's leading public research institutions and is recognized nationally for delivering exceptional professional outcomes for our students," University of Delaware President Dennis Assanis said. "Joining Conference USA will present opportunities...

Ceremony marks completion of Claymont train station

A ceremony was held Monday to mark the completion of the Claymont Transportation Center. Government officials joined lead contractor Wagman at the event. Attendees included state and local officials and the state's Congressional Delegation. SEPTA train service will begin on Dec. 4. The project is the cornerstone of the revitalization of Claymont, a former steel mill town off interstates 495...

My take: About Avelo’s service moves

For a time, during the Thanksgiving holiday, airline service from Wilmington Airport (ILG) appeared to again be on the ropes. Published reports indicated that Avelo Airlines temporarily cut service to two warmer Florida destinations during January and February. That wasn't true. It is possible that the two cities briefly dropped off the website during scheduling updates and the writing process. It came on...

Media note: News Journal puts office space up for lease

Office space at Gannett's News Journal/Delaware Online building on Basin Road is up for lease. A listing on the LoopNet site, shows 90,000 square feet available. The listing does not include the production site, which prints multiple Gannett newspapers in the region. As little as 5,000 square feet is available. An upstate New York real estate firm is listing the building,...

Wilmington Mayor blasts actions of some council members while allowing employee residency requirement to remain

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki has allowed an ordinance requiring employees to live in the city for five years after being hired to go in effect while saying that some council members intimidated opponents. After struggling to find local residents to fill positions, the city had not been enforcing the ordinance and earlier getting the Delaware General Assembly the power to...

Reports: UD in talks to join Conference USA, pay $5 million application fee

ESPN reported today that the University of Delaware is slated to join Conference USA and make a long-rumored move to the Division 1 (FBS) major college ranks in football. The sports network reported that sources indicated an agreement could be announced in the coming days with a two-year transition in football to the conference. UD is currently in the Coastal Athletic...

Personnel file: Nov. 27, 2023

Smith named LYCRA CEO The LYCRA Company announced that Gary Smith was appointed chief executive officer, effective November 27. LYCRA is a maker of fabric used in sports, beachwear, and other applications. Smith will replace Dean Williams, who has served as acting CEO since August. Williams will continue as chief financial officer and assist with the transition. Smith has more...

December webinar to outline Delaware export marketing grant program

Export Delaware has announced The Compass Grant, a new program from the Delaware Department of State designed to help Delaware small businesses sell their products worldwide. A webinar on December 12 will outline the program. You can Register here Delaware small businesses may apply for a Compass Grant to support international travel or business development activities. This grant...

Gas prices remain stable during holiday period

Delaware gas prices remained stable following a run-up before the Thanksgiving holiday. AAA reported the price at the pump for regular dropped by a penny from a week ago, about a nickel below a month earlier, and nearly 40 cents lower than a year ago. Delaware briefly saw $3 a gallon gas in November before the recent jump. That led...

AstraZeneca launches digital products, services business

AstraZeneca launched Evinova. Evinova is offering globally-scaled digital products and services to the life sciences and healthcare as artificial intelligence (AI) moves into the mainstream. AstraZeneca is based in Cambridge, UK, with a U.S. headquarters, logistics and packaging operation in northern Delaware. At last report, the company employs 1,500 in Delaware. Evinova will place a priority on market...