Virtual event to connect Veterans to new benefits

Jarek Rutz Government, Headlines

Military families will have a three-day opportunity to explore Veterans benefits and new eligibility requirements at a one-stop-virtual-shop. From Dec. 12 to Dec. 14, between the hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Delaware vets can take advantage of 1-on-1 assistance and can connect with Veterans Affairs, state and community partners to obtain claim status updates, file claims, enroll in …

Stephen Beaudoin will take over as president and CEO of the Music School of Delaware on Feb. 5, 2024. 

Music School of Delaware has new leader after 24 years

Jarek Rutz Education, Headlines

After a quarter century, the Music School of Delaware has a new leader.  Stephen Beaudoin, who’s had decades of work in music, education, business and social impact, has been picked as the school’s new president and chief executive officer. “This opportunity feels very alive to me, and very aligned with my values and the kind of impact I hope to …

The settlement is a result of companies releasing harmful chemicals into the environment.

Ohio chemicals settlement gives $25 million to Delaware

Jarek Rutz Environment, Headlines

The First State is getting $25 million from a newly settled lawsuit in Ohio that triggered a contingency payment to Delaware. Chemours, DuPont and Corteva reached a $110 million settlement in Ohio over  “forever chemicals,” which refer to the release of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from the facilities of those companies. The substances, known as PFAS, have negative environmental impacts. …

Georgetown Elementary School is one of the four schools in Indian River School District to be used as a polling place.

Indian River schools closed for special election; 4 poll sites

Jarek Rutz Education, Headlines

Indian River School District, in the heart of Delaware’s 37th House District, will be closed for a special election in a few weeks. The district announced the closures Tuesday, citing that Delaware law requires public schools to be closed if they are being utilized as polling places for state elections.  Last week, Rep. Ruth Briggs King, a Republican representing the …

The court order is in response to the illegal student loan practices of Prehired.

Delawareans included in $30M Prehired student loan settlement

Jarek Rutz Education, Headlines

The First State is one of 12 involved in a national $30 million order against a student lender for malpractice.  Attorney General Kathy Jennings’ office worked with the federal Consumer Protection Financial Bureau and 11 other states to crack down on the bankrupt student lender Prehired. A Delaware bankruptcy court approved a stipulated judgment that requires Prehired to pay more …

Red Clay and Colonial school districts were the biggest funding beneficiaries of this year's certificate of necessity approvals.

Colonial, Red Clay biggest winners in state funding requests

Jarek Rutz Education, Headlines

The state Department of Education has made some school districts very happy by deeming their requests for state funding necessary to fulfill building projects. For fiscal year 2025, the Department of Education approved 50 certificate of necessity requests, 44 of which involved state funding. They were concentrated in six districts. Districts submit certificates of necessity each year to the department, …

DSU continues to grow in enrollment.

DSU sets record enrollment…again

Jarek Rutz Education, Headlines

For back-to-back years, Delaware State University has a new record for student enrollment.  DSU this week reported an overall enrollment increase of 3.5% from this time last year,  The 132-year-old institution now has 6,451 students, a 23% increase since 2020, making the Dover school the fastest-growing Historically Black College and University in the country. “We have overcome some notable trends …

Lake Como will have a ceremony to commemorate the Pearl Harbor attacks.

Smyrna’s Lake Como to have Pearl Harbor ceremony Dec. 7

Jarek Rutz Culture, Headlines

Lake Como in Smyrna will be hosting a Pearl Harbor day of remembrance on Dec. 7. Veterans from Townsend’s Firebase Lloyd, the town of Smyrna, and Vietnam Veterans of America will commemorate the attack on Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor that triggered America’s involvement in World War II. The free ceremony will have refreshments. It starts at 11 a.m.  The memorial features …

The cost for Thanksgiving dinner in Delaware is higher than the national average.

Thanksgiving dinner costs in Delaware higher than other states

Jarek Rutz Culture, Headlines

First Staters celebrating Thanksgiving might have to pony up more cash to enjoy the holiday. According to the American Farm Bureau, the average cost of this year’s holiday feast for 10 is $61.17 nationally, or less than $6.20 per person.  In Delaware, that cost is $64.05, or less than $6.45 per person. Delaware’s average Thanksgiving dinner costs are similar to …

Sussex Central

Sussex student happy principal fired, wants criminal charges

Jarek Rutz Education, Headlines

The family of a student whose breast was exposed during a fight at Sussex Center High School cheered the firing of its principal and expressed hopes criminal charges will be filed in the case, according to their lawyer. The student, Aniya Harmon, had sued former principal Bradley Layfield, the assistant principal and the district in the case for invasion of …