The Delaware Roundup, a compilation of news briefs from across the state from the past week, is published every weekend. Send submissions for News Briefs and Calendar items to [email protected]. If possible, please forward submissions within the email or in a Word document.
LEADING OFF: DART statewide services, both fixed route and paratransit, will not operate on Thanksgiving Day. SEPTA Wilmington/Newark Line will operate on a Weekend/Holiday schedule. Train passengers are encouraged to purchase their train fares in advance. For the Friday after Thanksgiving, DART will operate regular service on both fixed route and paratransit. Please visit SEPTA.org, for any schedule updates for the Wilmington/Newark Line.
BUSINESS
FurBaby Pet Resort has added a third location in Easton, MD, to its locations in pet care and boutique services in Milford and Rehoboth Beach.
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Energize Delaware and the Food Bank of Delaware unveiled a fleet of four electric vehicles and accompanying EV charging stations today. The $300,000 investment from Energize Delaware enables the Food Bank to replace four aging, gas-dependent vehicles and reduce its carbon footprint. Energize
Two-year-old Penelope “Penny” Pratz of Wilmington has been named the Volleyball Ambassador for the 2025 Easterseals/CAI Volleyball Challenge, which will take place on March 8, 2025, at the University of Delaware’s Carpenter Sports Building (26 N College Ave, Newark, DE 19711). To donate to Penny’s Volleyball team, go to: https://tinyurl.com/35dwhmyk.
West End Neighborhood House opened “their House” on Nov. 23 to 545 families who may not have a traditional Thanksgiving meal. While West End did not prepare a meal for all the families, they did provide the turkey, rolls, dessert, and other tasty treats for families to prepare their own meals.
Mountaire Farms’s Selbyville team joined co-workers from three North Carolina locations to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their signature holiday giving event – Thanksgiving for Thousands – where hundreds of employees and volunteers will gathered to pack 38,000 complete meals for families in need.
Wilmington City Councilwoman Zanthia Oliver teamed up with Dave Tiberi, president of Donate Delaware, to provide critical medical supplies and equipment to seniors served by the Ministry of Caring. This partnership aims to bring joy and relief to 30 seniors in need through the “Christmas in November for Seniors” event at the Ministry of Caring’s Sacred Heart Village II location. Seniors received essential items such as medical beds, wheelchairs, walkers, canes, toiletries, and more to improve their quality of life.
The 3rd Annual Hammer Down Breast Cancer tournament raised $3,000 for the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition. The event was organized by Chris Holdridge and sponsored by the Born to Game store in Middletown and the 21st Legion Wargaming nonprofit organization.
Peco Energy Company donated $10,000 to the Homecoming 250 Navy Marine Corps (Homecoming 250) organization to support its upcoming Navy & Marine Corps 250th Celebration, which will take place in Philadelphia, Camden, New Jersey, and along the Delaware River in October and November 2025.
EDUCATION
The Goldey-Beacom College Center for Professional Development and Partnerships, led by Dr. Deanna Merritt, convened educators, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore and discuss the transformative role of digital technology in expanding global education access in early November. Guest speakers at the inaugural Advancing Digital Learning Symposium addressed important topics including the basics of practical uses and ethical guidelines to the more complex topic of how to apply trauma-informed approaches in online learning. Attendees discussed foundational aspects of using Artificial Intelligence (AI), including the challenges and benefits of AI in education, the need for responsible and innovative use, and the initial resistance that many institutions are experiencing.
The Center for Global Programs & Services at the University of Delaware will (or did, depending on when you read this) host its 11th annual Thanksgiving Dinner for international students and scholars this Sunday, Nov. 24. This will be (or was) the largest event ever, with an expected 500 guests. This annual event has become an important tradition among UD’s international community, as they are far from home and are less likely to be able to travel to be with family during the one-week break. It is also an opportunity to experience a quintessential American holiday.
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Senator Gerald Hocker (R-Ocean View) was re-elected as Republican Leader, while Senator Brian Pettyjohn (R-Georgetown) was re-elected as Republican Whip by the Senate Republican Caucus.
The City of Rehoboth Beach has been awarded the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the fourth year in a row. This year’s award recognizes the city’s 2025 fiscal year budget.
Marker Dedication Photo (left to right): Stephen Marz, Director & State Archivist, Delaware Public Archives; Deacon Dorothy Guy, Pastor Deborah Lewis, Elder Janet Bratten and Elder Ralph Bradley of the Mount Olive Holiness Pentecostal Church; Representative William J. Carson and Kent County Levy Court Commissioner Joanne Masten.
State and county officials joined Mount Olive Holiness Pentecostal Church members in Smyrna to celebrate the installation of a new State of Delaware Historical Marker. The structure at 139 N. East Street in Smyrna was originally built in 1876 by members of the Centennial Methodist Episcopal Church, and then served as the meeting place for St. John’s Masonic Lodge No. 7 from 1918 to 1935. Since 1935, it has been the home of the Mount Olive Holiness Pentecostal Church congregation, which continues to worship there today.
The Delaware Forest Service (DFS) offers Delawareans a unique job opportunity for the Summer 2025 fire season, where individuals can join the Delaware Wildland Fire crew and travel nationwide on fire assignments. While no prior experience in firefighting is necessary, anyone interested in joining a wildland fire crew must be over 18 years old and physically fit. Crew members need to be able to travel for at least two weeks, typically in the summer. The Delaware Forest Service will offer its 2025 initial training, which will span five days over three weekends in January, February, and March 2025. Upon successfully completing all coursework, participants will be eligible for their “red card” certification from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG). Attendees must register by January 13, 2025, using the online registration form. Complete details are available at de.gov/firecrew.
FOOD & ENTERTAINMENT
The 2025 Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport, a one-price ticket that provides access to 12 of Greater Wilmington’s top cultural attractions, is now on sale through the Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau. The discount-priced passport is available at www.visitwilmingtonde.com/passport/ and the Bureau’s Visitor Center, 920 Justison Street, Suite 5, on the Wilmington Riverfront. Passports are valid from May 24, 2025 to October 31, 2025. This gives users five months to explore the attractions at their own pace. And before you ask, no, we’re not sure why they’re not valid until the end of May.
HEALTH
300 resident and fellow physicians at ChristianaCare Health Systems filed on Thursday for a union election with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to gain recognition of their union with the Committee of Interns and Residents (CIR/SEIU). If successful, the Delaware housestaff would make history as the first group of resident physicians in the state of Delaware to unionize. The unionizing residents, who work mostly in Christiana Hospital in Newark and Wilmington Hospital in Wilmington, say that they hope to make improvements to their working conditions that will in turn improve patient care.
Nemours Children’s Health is bringing its industry-leading pediatric cardiology care to Sussex County with the opening of Nemours Children’s Health at Beebe Healthcare Selbyville, a new cardiac specialty care clinic. The state-of-the-art outpatient clinic is located within Beebe Healthcare’s primary care facility at 36450 Tidal Road, providing critical access to high-quality cardiac care for children in and around Selbyville.
SPORTS
The YMCA of Delaware has launched the new Junior Blue Coats Basketball League, a youth basketball program for players ages 5-14 in partnership with the Delaware Blue Coats, the G League affiliate of
the Philadelphia 76ers. The season begins on January 6, 2025, and will run through March 15, 2025, across participating YMCA of Delaware locations (Bear-Glasgow, Brandywine, Middletown, and Western Family in Newark). Participants will receive a reversible Junior Blue Coats jersey, discounted tickets to Delaware Blue Coats games, the opportunity to participate in an exclusive basketball clinic hosted by the Blue Coats, and entry into the popular YMCA Ennis Basketball Tournament on March 15. The cost is $175 for YMCA members and $220 for non-members.
PEOPLE
Dover Motor Speedway President and General Manager Mike Tatoian was named Promoter of the Year by Speedway Motorsports for his and his team’s efforts around civic and government relations, for hosting one of the biggest events of the year for Speedway Motorsports, and for their tireless commitment to creating a remarkable fan experience for each person who visits the Delaware track.
Tracey Quillen Carney is the 2024 recipient of the Valerie Biden Owens Woman of Power and Purpose Award presented by the Biden Institute in the Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration at the University of Delaware.
Governor John Carney will nominate the Honorable Bonnie W. David as vice chancellor of the Court of Chancery; Judge Eric M. Davis to be reappointed to the position of Judge of the Superior Court; Judge Paula Terese Ryan to be reappointed to the position of Judge of the Family Court; Commissioner Paraskevi K. Wolcott to be reappointed to Commissioner of the Family Court; and Commissioner Sonja Truitt Wilson to be reappointed to Commissioner of the Family Court. The Governor has called an Extraordinary Session of the Senate to consider the nominations on Dec. 16.
Jeffrey Lebovitz is the new executive vice president and chief financial officer at Wilmington-based Delphi Financial Group, an insurance holding company whose subsidiaries are focused on retirement services, employee benefits and specialty property-casualty coverages.
Austin Calaman, the Lewes Board of Public Works general manager who has led the agency through several large projects and emergencies, has resigned to take the role of director of utilities for Swatara Township, near Harrisburg, PA, to be closer to family.
Alec Crichton, PT, DPT, has been named the new clinical director at Aquacare – Milford. Crichton is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who has worked with Aquacare for more than a year at the Lewes office on Route 24.
Share this Post