Ice Cream Festival Returns With Fireworks

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☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. Some people own boats. The rest of us are available whenever you are, Kristen.

Your 302 Rundown:

Let’s get to it

The Newark Independent Film Festival returns August 13-15 with three days of films, filmmakers, and stories you won't find at the multiplex. From local voices to international talent, the festival brings independent cinema from around the world to Newark.

Screenings take place at Chapel Street Players' state-of-the-art theatre, creating an intimate setting where audiences can experience fresh perspectives and creative storytelling. It's one of the few opportunities in Delaware to see this kind of work on the big screen.

Save the dates, grab your tickets, and see what independent filmmakers are creating beyond Hollywood.

Time to test your Delaware knowledge with a question that's ripe for guessing. One of these fruits has been officially recognized by the state.

Source: DNREC

State wildlife biologists are asking Delaware residents to keep an eye out for wild turkeys this summer. The annual productivity survey relies on volunteers to record and report any birds they spot while going about their daily routines.

The observation period runs from July 1 through August 31. When volunteers see a flock, they are asked to log the date, location, and the number of adult males, adult females, and young birds. Sightings can be submitted directly through the state wildlife website.

Biologists use the collected data to track population trends and monitor reproductive health. This information will eventually help guide future conservation and hunting management decisions across the state.

Source: Delaware Online

Wilmington resident Dan Stabb stepped onto national television this week with an appearance on the NBC game show Password. The local contestant shared the stage with host Jimmy Fallon and celebrity guest Mike Mizanin, better known as WWE wrestler The Miz.

Stabb brought a specific background to the screen that aligned with the episode. He is the director of Fearless Improv in Wilmington, giving him experience with unscripted banter.

He also previously worked as a manager for the East Coast Wrestling Association. That local wrestling connection provided common ground with his celebrity counterpart during the broadcast.

Source: Delaware Online

A local historian located a piece of Wilmington history in a downtown cemetery squeezed between ChristianaCare and Interstate 95. Author William Knightly identified the specific resting place of a Revolutionary War legacy that had been hidden under an unassuming patch of grass.

The small burial site is known for its weathered headstones from both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. For over a century, the exact location of this specific grave remained unknown to the city.

Knightly used his research to finally map the site. The discovery brings new clarity to the historic graveyard, which sits quietly amid the noise of modern highway traffic and hospital sirens.

Source: State of Delaware News

Ten museums across Delaware joined a nationwide initiative offering free admission to active duty military personnel and their families. The local sites rolled out the Blue Star Museums program for the summer season to waive entrance fees for service members.

Participating locations include popular spots like Winterthur, the Delaware Art Museum, Mt. Cuba Center, and the Hagley Museum. The waiver covers the military member and up to five family members, provided they show a valid military identification card at the ticket desk.

The free admission period runs through September 9, and additional cultural sites can still join the roster as the summer continues.

Source: State of Delaware News

State emergency officials announced plans for a quarterly test of the Salem and Hope Creek nuclear plant alert system. The Delaware Emergency Management Agency and state police scheduled the drill for the evening of July 7.

The test involves 37 sirens located within 10 miles of the New Jersey facilities. The alert zone covers areas from Delaware City west to Middletown and south to Woodland Beach. Residents in these areas will hear a steady tone lasting three to five minutes.

Following the siren activation, local radio stations will broadcast a test message through the Emergency Alert System. Officials conduct these routine checks to monitor the equipment used during actual emergencies.

Source: Town Square Delaware

A Wilmington engineering manager faces federal charges today for an alleged insider trading scheme involving a nuclear reactor. A federal grand jury is charging Casey Muggleston with one count of securities fraud and four counts of insider trading.

Prosecutors say Muggleston used confidential internal updates about his energy company restarting a dormant nuclear facility to buy hundreds of call options in 2024. When the company publicly announced the restart and a power purchase agreement with a major tech firm, he sold the options for nearly $1.5 million.

The company is not named in court documents, though the timeline matches Constellation Energy reopening Three Mile Island. Muggleston faces up to 25 years in prison for the securities fraud charge.

Join us on a slow summer morning for a European-inspired picnic at Rockwood Park & Museum.

Presented by Coastal Alchemy & Scout Café in collaboration with Rockwood Park & Museum, this curated outdoor gathering brings together coffee, pastries, charcuterie, florals, art, and community on the historic grounds of one of Wilmington's most beautiful parks.

Guests are invited to relax beneath the trees, stroll the gardens and scenic pathways, browse local vendors, and enjoy a leisurely morning at their own pace. Bring your own blanket or lawn chairs, or reserve one of the limited curated picnic setups inspired by European summer picnics.

Admission includes a complimentary canned cold brew from Scout Café. Additional food, beverages, pastries, charcuterie, and floral offerings will be available for purchase throughout the event.

Sunday, July 19 | 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
Rockwood Park & Museum
4651 Washington Street Extension, Wilmington, DE

Learn more and reserve your spot.

Source: Spotlight Delaware

A state bill requiring local governments to allow denser housing like townhomes and apartments cleared the Delaware Senate and headed to the House for a final vote. The legislation needed a two-thirds majority to pass, setting up a tight floor vote that required bipartisan support.

Local municipal and county officials pushed back against the measure, arguing it overrides local zoning control and ignores specific community infrastructure limits. Meanwhile, builders and healthcare organizations backed the proposal, citing a severe shortage of homes that working residents can reasonably afford.

Governor Matt Meyer signaled his support for the zoning changes, leaving the ultimate fate of the legislation in the hands of House lawmakers.

Source: WDEL

A proposed amendment to the Delaware Constitution to protect same-gender marriage fell short in the State House on Tuesday. The measure needed 28 votes to pass but only secured 24, with 14 lawmakers choosing not to cast a vote at all.

State Representative Claire Snyder-Hall, the bill's sponsor, changed her vote to a "no" at the last minute in a procedural move to keep the legislation alive. During the floor debate, some opponents argued that these rights are already protected under existing state law passed in 2013. Other lawmakers cited strong opposition from their constituents.

The legislation returned to the State Senate, leaving only three legislative days in the year's session.

Source: WDEL

Newark City Council voted Monday to convert six vacant part-time parking ambassador roles into two full-time positions. The city made the change after noticing a sharp drop in parking citations and enforcement hours over the past year.

Officials noted that part-time enforcers experienced heavy turnover and often avoided working during popular events. By switching to full-time staff, Newark expected to save roughly $20,000 while securing coverage for evening and weekend shifts. Parking enforcement hours fell to 998 this past May, down from over 1,500 hours the previous year.

City staff indicated they might request additional full-time conversions if more part-time vacancies open up before the fall budget cycle.

Source: WDEL

Traffic fatalities on Delaware roads climbed higher in the first half of the year. State transportation officials reported 54 crash-related deaths as of June 23, marking a 23% increase from the same point last year.

Vehicle occupants accounted for the largest share of those numbers, with 30 deaths recorded. Crashes involving vehicles leaving the roadway also saw a jump, while bicycle fatalities rose from one to four. Pedestrian deaths dropped slightly compared to early 2025.

Transportation officials asked drivers to slow down, buckle up, and drive sober to help reduce crashes. The state noted these statistics were unofficial and subject to change as investigators completed their reviews.

Source: WDEL

Delaware lawmakers approved legislation restricting the sale of dogs and cats in retail pet stores. The measure is now awaiting a signature from Governor Matt Meyer.

The bill prohibits most retail locations from selling the animals, allowing them instead to partner with shelters to showcase pets for adoption. Existing stores with a retail dog outlet license for at least a year are exempt if they meet specific sourcing rules. These locations must use breeders with clean federal inspection records and publicly disclose their information.

The bill tasks the Office of Animal Welfare with enforcing the law, with violations carrying a $500 penalty per offense. If signed, the rules take effect six months after enactment.

38th Annual Mid-Atlantic Chevelle Car Show | North East Community Park. A showcase of classic American muscle cars featuring restored 1964-1987 Chevelles, Malibus, and El Caminos. The gathering highlights regional automotive history and celebrates the 60th anniversary of the 1966 Chevelle. Friday & Saturday 8 AM - 4 PM.

Sculpture Garden Happy Hours: The Honey Badgers | Delaware Art Museum. Live music from folk duo The Honey Badgers in the sculpture garden, alongside a cash bar, local food trucks, lawn games, and craft vendors. Free. Thursday at 5 PM.

Sunset Social: Milburn's After Hours | Milburn Orchards. An adults-only evening at the farm with live music from Shannon Tingley, sunset hayrides, a photo station, and BIG BackYard activities. A cider bar serves hard cider and beer, with food for sale. 21+. Thursday 6-9 PM.

Summer Concert Series: John Flynn | Bellevue State Park. A live outdoor performance by John Flynn at the Bellevue Bandshell as part of the 39th annual concert series. Attendees can pack a picnic or purchase food from local food trucks. Thursday at 6:30 PM.

Twilight on the Terrace | Mt. Cuba Center. Evening garden access with free tours and live Motown soul from Wilmington's Best Kept Soul, a six-piece band. Food trucks, beer, and wine are for sale; no outside alcohol. Tickets are $20. Friday 5-8 PM.

Rumble in Rodney | Chase Fieldhouse. A USA Boxing-sanctioned amateur competition with 12 to 15 bouts featuring the area's top boxers, plus live music, food for sale, and appearances by past boxing greats. Moved indoors due to weather. Friday 5-9 PM.

Comedy Night! Last Laugh @ the Flash featuring Lexis Shardé w/ Shevaun Brannigan & Chica Loca | Kennett Flash. A stand-up comedy showcase featuring sets by Lexis Shardé, Shevaun Brannigan, and Chica Loca. Tickets are $20 to $23. Friday at 8 PM.

Ice Cream Festival | Rockwood Park & Museum. An annual outdoor festival celebrating New Castle County history, with local ice cream and food vendors, handmade crafts, historical demonstrations, museum tours, live music, kids' activities, and fireworks. The event has drawn between 5,000 and 15,000 attendees in past years. Saturday 1-9 PM.

Killer Hits: An Upscale 80s Themed Murder Mystery Dinner | Newark Country Club. An interactive 1980s-themed murder mystery dinner where guests gather clues and question suspects to solve a staged killing, with a three-course plated dinner and complimentary bar included; costumes encouraged, and the two best-dressed guests each win a $100 Visa gift card. Tickets are $135. 21+. Saturday 6-9:30 PM.

Provisions at the Ponds | Mt. Cuba Center. A progressive tasting walk through six garden stations, each pairing a signature cocktail with a chef-curated tapas plate and behind-the-scenes notes from staff on spaces like the trial garden, meadows, and ponds. Includes a commemorative tasting glass and garden admission. Tickets are $99, $89 for members. Ages 21 and over. Moved to its rain date. Sunday 5-8 PM.

Live in the Beer Garden: Nicole Zell | Longwood Gardens. An acoustic singer-songwriter set by Nicole Zell in the Beer Garden, with Victory Brewing craft beers and casual food available for purchase. Free with garden admission; timed tickets required. Sunday 6-8:45 PM.

Summer Concert Series: The Jimmies | Bellevue State Park. A live outdoor concert at the Bellevue Bandshell featuring local band The Jimmies. Picnics are welcome, and locally owned food trucks are available on-site. Sunday at 6:30 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.

Thursday

87 🌡️ 67 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 10% | 💨 S 0 to 10 mph

Friday

87 🌡️ 68 | ⛈️ Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms | 31% | 💨 SW 0 to 5 mph

Saturday

83 🌡️ 67 | 🌧️ Rain Showers | 87% | 💨 E 0 to 5 mph

Sunday

86 🌡️ 66 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 9% | 💨 NE 0 to 5 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 71ºF 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.

Submit an event →

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