Autumn Arch Welcomes Archie’s Pizza To The Taproom

☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. The most interesting people are still figuring it out. They’re never finished, just evolving, learning, unlearning, and finding beauty in the in-between.

Your 302 Rundown:

• Autumn Arch expands with its own pizza kitchen

• Barclays buys Wilmington-based Best Egg to grow U.S. operations

• ChristianaCare launches region’s most advanced medical helicopter

Let’s get to it

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NEWS YOU CAN USE

Archie’s Pizza joins the Autumn Arch family

Autumn Arch Brewery is expanding its neighborhood footprint. Archie’s Pizza opens this Saturday, November 1, right next door and connected to Autumn Arch Brewery.

Customers can order pizza directly from their table in the taproom or use a new self-serve kiosk. It’s the same founders and the same local focus, now with fresh dough in the mix.

Beer and pizza under one roof. Simple, local, and bound to be busy.

🚁 ChristianaCare adds cutting-edge medical helicopter

ChristianaCare has unveiled a new Airbus H145 D3 helicopter, the first of its kind in the region. The advanced aircraft enhances ChristianaCare’s LifeNet air medical program, which serves patients across Delaware and nearby states.

The H145 D3 features a five-bladed rotor and upgraded engines that improve power, reduce vibration, and increase reliability. Those upgrades are crucial for critical care transport. ChristianaCare operates one helicopter from its Newark campus and another from Delaware Coastal Airport in Georgetown.

With this addition, the health system is expanding access to rapid emergency care when every second matters.

📸 Newark Arts Alliance showcases local photographers

The Newark Arts Alliance just opened a new exhibit featuring winners from its Plein Air Photography Challenge. The contest invited photographers to capture Newark’s outdoor scenes between Sept. 1 and 12, with top entries chosen by a panel of local pros led by Dave Shoemaker.

Twenty-six standout photos are now framed and displayed in the gallery, while all 126 submissions appear in a digital slideshow. A public reception is set for Nov. 14 from 6 to 8 p.m., where visitors can vote for their favorites before the show wraps up Nov. 21.

Afterward, the space will transform into the annual holiday art market starting Nov. 23. Read more from the Newark Post.

📚 Delaware libraries now offer free therapy sessions

Delaware’s public libraries are doing more than lending books. They are now connecting residents to free mental health care through a new statewide program. The initiative offers up to two free online therapy sessions each month for adults and teens through September 2026, using licensed clinicians on a secure virtual platform.

Many libraries now have private telehealth kiosks and rooms where residents can meet with therapists or healthcare providers. The program also includes help with Medicaid, food benefits, and job resources.

By turning libraries into wellness hubs, Delaware is making care more accessible for people who need privacy, internet access, or extra support.

IN BUSINESS

💰 Barclays to buy Delaware’s Best Egg for $800 million

Global banking giant Barclays plans to acquire Wilmington-based Best Egg for $800 million, expanding its foothold in U.S. consumer lending. Best Egg, launched in 2013, has issued more than $40 billion in personal loans to over two million customers through its online platform.

The company, known for helping borrowers improve their credit profiles, will continue operating under Barclays after regulatory approval, expected in 2026.

For Delaware’s fintech scene, the deal is a big win that highlights the state’s ongoing role as a hub for financial innovation.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

🔒 Delaware’s handgun permit law begins next month

Starting November 16, Delaware residents will need a state-issued permit to buy or transfer a handgun. WHYY reports that the new system requires a firearm safety course, fingerprinting, and a background check before approval. Once submitted, the State Bureau of Identification has up to 30 days to process each application.

Officials say the law is designed to improve gun safety and reduce illegal sales, while critics argue it restricts access and may cause temporary delays in purchases.

With training courses filling up fast and the application portal about to launch, the countdown to Delaware’s new permitting system is officially on.

⚡ Delaware explores small nuclear power

A new state task force is looking into whether small modular reactors, or SMRs, could help meet Delaware’s rising energy needs. Spotlight Delaware reports that the bipartisan group of lawmakers, regulators, and energy experts met this week to study the safety, cost, and feasibility of these compact nuclear systems.

SMRs are built in factories and shipped to sites, making them cheaper and faster to construct than traditional reactors. Supporters say they could help stabilize the grid as energy demand grows, while critics raise concerns about cost, regulation, and waste.

It’s early days, but the discussion could shape how Delaware powers its future.

🏘 Newark OKs 13 more townhouses near UD

Another batch of student housing is coming to Church Street. Newark City Council approved a plan by developer Kevin Heitzenroder to replace three older homes with 13 new four-bedroom townhouses. They’ll join the existing Cleveland Station complex, where rents run up to $4,550 a month.

Council praised the project as a model for Cleveland Avenue’s future: walkable, modern, and less party-prone than old rentals. Some locals, though, lament losing another piece of the historic School Hill neighborhood, once home to Newark’s first Black councilman, George Wilson.

💊 Delaware law removes medical debt from credit reports

Medical debt will no longer weigh down Delawareans’ credit scores. A new state law that took effect this week ensures that unpaid medical bills cannot be included on consumer credit reports. Governor Matt Meyer said the change will help families recover financially after illness or injury.

The law, sponsored by Sen. Spiros Mantzavinos and Rep. Kim Williams, passed unanimously in the General Assembly. It builds on a partnership with the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt, which will use $500,000 in state funds to erase up to $50 million in medical debt for more than 17,000 Delawareans.

For many households, it means a fresh start and a chance to rebuild credit without the burden of unexpected medical costs.

💳 Delaware rent reporting pilot shows credit boost

Delaware’s rent reporting pilot is helping renters strengthen their financial footing. The statewide program allowed participants to have their on-time rent and utility payments included in their credit scores. The results were encouraging, with an average nine-point increase and 14 percent of renters moving from subprime to prime lending categories.

The Delaware State Housing Authority and the Office of Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay led the initiative, which offered a full year of free reporting along with credit tools and optional financial coaching. About one in four participants chose to keep reporting payments after the pilot ended.

The program is giving Delawareans a practical way to build credit and take steps toward homeownership.

THE HAPPENINGS

Thursday

DelArt Nights: 6th Annual Día de los Muertos – Delaware Art Museum. Celebrate this colorful Mexican tradition with live music, dance, art, and community as you honor loved ones through ceremony and creativity. Thursday at 4 PM. Free admission, with food and drinks available for purchase.

City Sounds: Downtown Block Party Series at The Sold Firm – Celebrate Halloween week in downtown Wilmington with a high-energy evening of Afro hip-hop beats from Hermy Potter, hosted by Charlie! Thursday from 5–8 PM. Free and open to the public, this block party brings music, art, and community vibes to The Sold Firm Art Gallery.

Tailgate Tour: All Hallows’ Eve – Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library. Take a twilight walk to some of Winterthur’s eeriest corners with guide Tyler Johnson, then relax at a secret tailgate spot with food, drinks, and good company. Thursday from 6–7:30 PM.

Annual Halloween Parade – Courthouse Museum – A New Castle tradition returns as the city celebrates Halloween with costumes, community spirit, and cash prizes for standout participants. The parade begins at St. Peter’s School parking lot and proceeds down Delaware Street. Thursday at 6:30 PM. Free to attend, sponsored by the New Castle Hundred Lions Club

Friday

Halloween Creep Skate at The Patriot Ice Center – Glide into spooky season at the 6th Annual Creep Skate, featuring giveaways, glowsticks, candy, and a rinkside photo booth to capture your creepiest memories. Friday from 7–9 PM. Tickets are $15 in advance or $17 at the door; skate rentals $4.

Saturday

Litter Cleanups with the Brandywine Zoo – Brandywine Zoo. Pitch in to help keep Wilmington beautiful during this community cleanup hosted by the zoo’s staff. Saturday from 8–9:30 AM. All supplies are provided; just bring comfortable clothes and a willingness to make a difference.

Goldey-Beacom College Alumni Craft Fair – Goldey-Beacom College – Spend the day exploring handmade jewelry, cozy knitwear, homemade treats, and unique artwork at this annual craft fair hosted by the GBC Alumni Association. Proceeds benefit student scholarships and campus programs. Saturday from 10 AM–4 PM. Free admission.

Nature Play Day – Mount Cuba Center. Spend the day outdoors exploring, painting pumpkins, flying kites, and enjoying hay wagon rides through the meadows. Saturday from 10 AM–4 PM. Food and drinks available for purchase; included with general admission.

Ridiculously Funny at Theatre N – Get ready for a night of nonstop laughs as Too Crazy to Quit brings Ridiculously Funny to Wilmington’s Theatre N. Hosted by Belynda and Madinah, this show features double headliners Elijah the Barber, the King of Barbershop Talk Comedy, and O.C. Diesel from the Laugh Therapy Comedy Tour. Saturday at 8 PM (doors at 7:30). Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door.

Sunday

Steamin’ Day – Marshall Steam Museum at Auburn Heights. Ride in antique autos, hop aboard historic steam trains, and explore the grand 1897 Marshall mansion during this family-friendly open day. Sunday, November 2. Fun for all ages, from toddlers to train buffs.

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

FORECAST AT A GLANCE

Thursday

65 🌡️ 48 | ⛈️ Thunderstorms | 95% | 💨 SE 16 mph

Friday

58 🌡️ 44 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 4% | 💨 W 20 mph

Saturday

61 🌡️ 41 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 3% | 💨 W 15 mph

Sunday

57 🌡️ 38 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 12% | 💨 WNW 9 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 62ºF Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

THE NOT SO SHORTLISTS

• 🥳 Casual Plans

• 🌽 Farmers Markets

• 🧒 For the Kids

• 🧘 Health & Wellness

• 🎶 Live Music

• 🎭 Theatre/Arts

• 🎨 Workshops & Classes

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