$19M Youth Development Center Opens In Wilmington

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Not every old-fashioned habit disappeared because it was a bad idea. Some just got replaced by faster, easier ways of doing things. Which one would you most like to see come back?

Source: Delaware Public Media

The Community Education Building opened a new 42,000-square-foot Youth Development Center on Wilmington's East Side. The $19 million facility provides a dedicated space for young people to gather after school, in the evenings, and on weekends.

Inside, the center features a black box theater, a gymnasium, a fitness center, and flexible classrooms available for community meetings. It also houses an early learning component anchored by the YMCA Early Learning Academy.

Staff serve meals after school, mirroring operations at the main building. The space brings partner programming and youth resources directly to the East Side neighborhood.

Source: Newark Post

Retired Newark art teacher Mary Alice Hinerman added a familiar local traffic feature to her portfolio. The long-time resident painted a small acrylic piece depicting the Casho Mill Road clankers, the orange plastic balls suspended over the roadway to deter trucks from hitting the low bridge.

Hinerman, who spent her career teaching at Kirk Middle School, said she tries to paint a local Newark scene each year. She chose the clankers because they make her laugh every time she passes by them. Her painting includes the stone bridge, the orange balls, and the warning sign.

Hinerman displayed the piece in her apartment at the Juniper at Newark senior living complex, where she regularly joined weekly art activities.

Source: Newark Post

Two Philadelphia men surrendered to Newark police after spending more than a year on the run following a vehicle crash into St. John AM Church. The men allegedly drove a stolen car into the building in early 2025 while fleeing from officers.

Both men were charged with multiple offenses, including attempted motor vehicle theft and criminal mischief. The driver also received an assault charge for injuries his passenger sustained during the collision. The pair initially sought treatment at a local hospital but left before detectives could secure arrest warrants.

The historic church completed extensive repairs and renovations following the crash. The updated building features strengthened safety bollards and an expanded lobby designed to protect the main sanctuary from future vehicle impacts.

Source: Spotlight Delaware

A political group called the Statehouse Fund, funded by an organization that has received millions from AI company Anthropic, dropped $500,000 in ads backing incumbent Attorney General Kathleen Jennings in Delaware's Democratic primary. The ads focused on Jennings' lawsuits against the Trump administration and did not mention artificial intelligence.

Challenger Dwayne Bensing accused Jennings of getting too close to companies her office should be watching. Jennings' campaign manager called the attacks "cornball rhetoric" and described the Statehouse Fund as a pro-regulation group. A separate local PAC, Justice For All, also reported spending around $150,000 in support of Jennings.

The Democratic primary also includes Patty Rickman. No Republican had entered the race until Army veteran Dave Graham announced his general election candidacy.

Source: Spotlight Delaware

Delmarva Power filed an appeal in Delaware Superior Court to overturn state regulators' cuts to its interim rate hike. The utility argued the Public Service Commission improperly reduced the temporary price increase by excluding a specific infrastructure charge from its calculations.

The legal challenge follows the commission's decision to approve an interim rate of $34.3 million, which was half of the company's original request. Alongside the appeal, Delmarva updated its overall rate case, seeking a total increase of $75.6 million. If approved, that would mark the largest single rate hike in state history and raise the average customer's monthly bill by about 5%.

A second public comment hearing on the proposed rate changes is scheduled for September 23.

Source: State of Delaware News

Gov. Matt Meyer signed a gun safety bill package in Newark, alongside state officials, lawmakers and advocacy groups. The bills add new state rules for firearm dealers and create more tools for enforcement by Delaware agencies.

One bill requires anyone selling or transferring firearms in Delaware to get a state dealer license through State Police, complete training every two years, install video surveillance and keep detailed records. Another gives people who legally possess unserialized firearms, frames or receivers six months to serialize them through a federally licensed dealer or manufacturer, or make them permanently inoperable.

Source: State of Delaware News

Delaware finalized health insurance rates for the upcoming plan year, with premiums climbing across the board. State officials pointed to local healthcare costs and the expiration of enhanced federal premium tax credits as the main drivers for the increases.

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield received approval for a 17.2% average increase, slightly lower than its initial request. AmeriHealth Caritas will see its rates go up by an average of nearly 14%, while dental plans from Delta Dental and Dominion Dental are also seeing small bumps.

Both insurers will offer multiple comprehensive plans on the state marketplace. Open enrollment for the new plan year begins November 1.

Source: WDEL

State officials continue to study the possibility of bringing passenger trains back to southern Delaware. The review focused on communities south of Wilmington and Newark.

Potential rail routes under consideration would stretch through Kent and Sussex counties. The expanded service could also connect across the state line into Maryland.

On Mondays, opening acts and exhibits are listed here when they debut. After that, you'll find individual dates in the regular Theatre/Arts listings.

A Few Good Men | The Everett Theatre. A production of Aaron Sorkin's debut play following military lawyers who uncover a high-level conspiracy while defending two Marines in Guantanamo Bay. Tickets are $22 for adults and $18 for students. Playing September 11 through September 20.

Forgetful Squirrels Improv | Chapel Street Players. A one-night-only short-form improv comedy show with entirely original, unscripted material. Tickets are $10-$15. Saturday 7:30-9 PM.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. Just things worth knowing. I’ll always flag sponsors clearly.

If your household could use a boost of good energy and a lot of tail wags, this 3-year-old mixed-breed boy is ready to step up to the plate. Cheer is an active, happy guy who thrives on staying busy and making new friends. The shelter team notes that he is a highly dog-friendly pup who genuinely enjoys socializing and running around with his canine peers.

At just over 44 pounds, he is the perfect size for a robust walking buddy or a fun-loving companion for your weekend errands. Plus, his adoption fee is completely waived for military veterans, making him an even more incredible find for those who have served.

Take a drive down to Brandywine Valley SPCA at 290 Churchmans Road, New Castle, to take Cheer for a test walk and see if he is the right fit for your family.

Summer Concert Series: Kategory 5 Band | White Clay Creek State Park. An outdoor concert at the Carpenter Recreation Area band stage featuring a food truck, a beer garden, and a 50/50 fundraiser. Free with paid park admission. Monday at 3 PM.

Music in the Plaza: Fuzaholics | Brandywine Mills Plaza. A live performance by the Fuzaholics band. Tuesday 5-8 PM.

Levitt AMP Wilmington Music Series: Cyrille Aimee/Ben Wendel | Tina Betz Urban Artist Exchange. A free outdoor concert featuring vocalist Cyrille Aimée and saxophonist Ben Wendel. Wednesday 7-8:30 PM.

DJ Jazzy Jeff: Fountain Party | Longwood Gardens. A 90-minute live set by Philadelphia DJ Jazzy Jeff in the Main Fountain Garden, with music synced to the illuminated fountains. Attendees can bring chairs for lawn seating or use the designated dancing area. Tickets are $70 and include all-day gardens admission. Wednesday at 8 PM.

More happenings we couldn’t fit in the newsletter.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. Just things worth knowing. I’ll always flag sponsors clearly.

Monday

81 🌡️ 59 | ☀️ Sunny | 1% | 💨 N 5 mph

Tuesday

84 🌡️ 63 | ☀️ Sunny | 0% | 💨 NW 0 to 5 mph

Wednesday

86 🌡️ 71 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 0% | 💨 SW 0 to 10 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 77ºF. Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

The full events calendar includes live music, festivals, classes, markets, family activities, community gatherings, and dozens more happenings across Northern Delaware.

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