🌮 Delaware Taco Festival Takes Over The Riverfront Saturday

☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. The mums look cheerful out front. The weeds look just as proud.

Your 302 Rundown:

• Delaware’s Taco Festival promises food, fun, and fiestas

• Luxury apartments debut at The Press downtown

• New Castle tax bills stuck in court

Let’s get to it

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Learn more or connect with the team by visiting therosaioteam.com.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

🎃 Delaware Today’s fall fun list for kids

If your little pumpkins are itching for adventure, Delaware Today has rounded up 10 family-friendly fall activities worth bookmarking. Highlights include Boo at the Zoo in Wilmington, a Sesame Street–themed corn maze at Fifer’s, a ghost ship tour on the Kalmar Nyckel, and the always-packed Newark Halloween Parade.

The list covers the whole state, from pumpkin picking in Camden-Wyoming to Trunk or Treat at Parsons Farms in Dagsboro. Whether you’re into hayrides, costumed parades, or just finding the perfect pumpkin, there’s something for every age group.

It’s basically your cheat sheet for keeping the kids busy (and sugared up) all October.

🚔 DUI checkpoint coming Friday in New Castle County

Heads up if you’ll be out this weekend: Delaware State Police and the Office of Highway Safety will run a DUI checkpoint on Friday, Sept. 26th, in New Castle County.

Officials say the goal is deterrence, not surprise. They’re reminding drivers that impaired driving can carry steep costs, from thousands in legal fees to losing your license. The checkpoint is part of the state’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.

As fall festivals kick into gear, the message is simple: plan your ride before the first drink.

🎓 UD climbs in national rankings

Blue Hens have bragging rights this fall. The University of Delaware just landed at #43 among public universities in the latest U.S. News & World Report list. Overall, UD sits at #88 among national universities and #55 for best colleges for veterans.

Some programs soared: nursing jumped more than 30 spots to #40, and chemical engineering held strong at #4 in the country. Business, psychology, computer science, and engineering also made the top 100 in their categories.

The takeaway? UD keeps punching above its weight, and it is not just football Saturdays that give Newark something to cheer about.

🏡 Delaware home sales tick up, but buyers take their time

August looked busy on paper: 1,279 homes sold statewide, a 6% bump from last year. But look closer and you’ll see buyers are hesitating. Houses are now sitting for 43 days on average, a 27% increase, as shoppers weigh affordability.

Prices barely moved (median $386,783). Inventory rose 17%, giving people more choices and fewer bidding wars. Pending sales actually dropped 10%, which suggests window-shopping is beating out deal-making.

Shoppers can take their time, but sellers might wait longer for the right offer.

IN BUSINESS

🏢 “The Press” brings 243 luxury apartments downtown

Downtown Wilmington just cut the ribbon on The Press, a $90M project that adds 243 upscale apartments at 801 N. Orange Street, the former home of The News Journal.

Developed by Buccini Pollin Group, the 14-story building includes a pocket park open to the public, private outdoor spaces for residents, and a 4th-floor roof deck with views of the city. It’s part of BPG’s broader push, with more than 1,000 apartments in progress across Wilmington and the STAR Campus.

For the city, it’s another step in reshaping downtown into a place where more people can live, work, and stay put after happy hour.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

🧾 New Castle tax bills stuck in court

If you were expecting your New Castle County property tax bill this month, hold that thought. A lawsuit over the county’s new tax law has likely pushed bills back until late October. The Court of Chancery will hold a one-day hearing Oct. 20 and promises a ruling by the end of the month.

At issue: a law that lets school districts set separate tax rates for homes and businesses. Landlords argue the higher commercial rates add thousands in costs. The county says a delay makes sense to ease taxpayer confusion, but schools worry about missing revenue.

Translation: homeowners may breathe a little easier for now, but the fight over who pays what is far from over.

💼 Newark city manager gets $24K raise

Newark City Council just approved a nearly $24,000 raise for City Manager Tom Coleman, boosting his salary to $207,000. The 13% bump came with his annual review, even as the city faces a multimillion-dollar budget shortfall and a hiring freeze.

Council pointed to Coleman’s big wins over the past year: securing $2.4M annually from taxing UD, $3.5M in state grants, and $350K in savings from stopping UD credit card payments. He also led safety upgrades on Main Street, renegotiated union contracts, and oversaw $18M in ARPA funding.

The raise brings him closer to peers in other Delaware towns, where some managers earn even more. Still, it comes at a time when Newark residents are being warned about possible tax and utility hikes.

☀️ Newark lands $250K to explore solar future

Newark just scored a $250,000 grant to study clean energy options like rooftop solar panels and battery storage. The money will fund a feasibility study, community workshops, and talks with commercial developers about potential projects.

If the city identifies a solid plan, it could be eligible for another $2 million to bring a project to life. The funding comes from the Inflation Reduction Act and is managed by the Coalition for Green Capital, which is seeding green investments across the country.

It’s an early step, but Newark is signaling that clean energy is on the agenda.

📡 Delaware completes $63M radio upgrade

After eight years and $63 million in work, Delaware has finished a major overhaul of its emergency radio system. The project replaced the state’s aging 800 MHz network with a new platform that supports clearer, more reliable communication for police, fire, and EMS.

The upgrade included reprogramming 18,000 radios across the state and introducing laptops for field use. Officials say the change moves Delaware “from an antiquated system to a state-of-the-art platform,” giving first responders a more dependable lifeline during emergencies.

🔥 Delaware burning ban ends Oct. 1

Fall means fire pits, and Delaware is officially lifting its summer ban on open burning. Starting Oct. 1, residents can legally burn yard waste like branches and brush through April 30. Just remember: leaves, grass, trash, and household junk are always off-limits.

DNREC limits each fire to about 27 cubic feet of material, and you’ll need to burn between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. They also ask that you call your county fire board before lighting up, and keep a hose or buckets nearby. Campfires and cooking fires? Still good year-round.

Mark your calendar if you’ve got brush to clear.

THE HAPPENINGS

Thursday

Sip & Stroll at the Brandywine Zoo – Enjoy an evening walk through the zoo with live music by Gunpowder Lane, food from The Stand, and local craft drinks at this family-friendly happy hour. Thursday, September 25th from 5–7:30 PM

Friday

Check out the Not So Shortlists for more events!

Saturday

Tree Festival at Mt. Cuba Center – Celebrate the changing seasons among the fall foliage with hayrides, live music, native plant sales, and autumn-inspired family fun. Saturday, September 27th from 10 AM–6 PM.

Art on the Green at Battery Park – This annual open-air arts and crafts fair features handmade goods, food vendors, and local artisans set against the scenic Delaware River. Saturday, September 27th from 10 AM–4 PM.

Family Fun Day with Spotlight Delaware – Spotlight Delaware hosts a full day of free, family-friendly activities across Wilmington and Historic New Castle, with special programs at museums, gardens, and wildlife centers. Saturday, September 27th from 10 AM–4 PM at various locations in New Castle County, DE. Check the link for site-specific hours and activities.

Annual Art & Craft Show at Woodside Farm Creamery – Browse local art and handmade crafts while enjoying some of the area’s best homemade ice cream at this community favorite. Saturday, September 27th from 11 AM–5 PM.

Designer Bag Bingo at Exceptional Care for Children – Try your luck in 20 rounds of bingo for a chance to win designer handbags from top brands, plus raffles, door prizes, and a 50/50 drawing. Saturday, September 27th at 11 AM. Proceeds support programs for children with complex medical needs.

Delaware Taco Festival at Tubman Garrett Riverfront Park – Tacos, tequila, and lucha libre take over the Riverfront at this lively food and entertainment fest featuring 25+ taco vendors, live music, games, and more. Saturday, September 27th from 12–8 PM.

Belgian Beer Fest at Historic Penn Farm – Sample from more than 30 Belgian brews, from Chimay to Gulden Draak, while soaking up the atmosphere of this annual outdoor tradition. Saturday, September 27th from 1–5 PM (VIP entry at noon).

Sunday

Delaware Bridal & Wedding Expo at the Chase Center – Meet top wedding professionals offering everything from gowns and venues to photographers, menus, and honeymoon ideas all in one place. Sunday, September 28th from 1:30–5 PM.

Wagon Rides at Bellevue State Park – Take a scenic ride through Bellevue’s beautiful grounds with a private wagon available for groups. Sunday, September 28th with rides at 3 PM, 5 PM, and 7 PM.

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

FORECAST AT A GLANCE

Thursday

78 🌡️ 66 | ⛈️ Rain & Thunder | 69% | 💨 S 11 mph

Friday

81 🌡️ 63 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 17% | 💨 NW 7 mph

Saturday

78 🌡️ 64 | ☁️ Cloudy | 22% | 💨 ENE 7 mph

Sunday

77 🌡️ 63 | 🌦️ Scattered Showers | 40% | 💨 NE 6 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 71ºF 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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