
TOGETHER WITH
☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. You're going to look back and question yourself either way. You may as well give yourself something worth looking back on.
Your 302 Rundown:
Peach harvest festival at Milburn Orchards
Newark speed camera logs one ticket every minute
Glasgow Park debuts new playground
Let’s get to it
SPONSORED BY WINTERTHUR
Family Fun at Winterthur: Explore, Imagine, Play & Learn
Enjoy kid-friendly activities, wander the garden, and learn about history while having fun across the Winterthur estate and especially in the award-winning, three-acre children’s garden, Enchanted Woods. Terrific Tuesdays in July and August is a fun-filled way to introduce history, art, conservation, and storytelling to kids ages 3–10 for just $5. And adventure packs filled with guides, stories, and ideas for exploring are free with admission any day you visit.
Come explore this place of enchantment and discovery. Learn more about ongoing and upcoming events.
CANAL QUIZ
🌳 Northern Delaware's Biggest Green Escape
There are plenty of beautiful places to get outside around here, but one park has far more acreage than the others. If you've ever wandered its trails, the answer might come naturally. Let's see how well you know your local parks.
Which local state park is the largest by acreage?
NEWS YOU CAN USE
💰 Nine local projects secure AARP community grants
Source: Delaware Business Times
On Tuesday, AARP awarded its 2026 Community Challenge grants to nine organizations across Delaware. The funding supported quick-action projects designed to improve public spaces, transportation, and digital connectivity for older adults.
The local recipients included state parks, nonprofits, and municipal governments. Funded projects ranged from accessible sidewalks at three Newark parks and new pedestrian signals near the Latin American Community Center in Wilmington, to emergency broadcast upgrades for Radio Rehoboth.
Other grants provided technology classes at a New Castle County senior center and an accessible water station at Cape Henlopen State Park. The Delaware awards were part of an $8.3 million national distribution.
🛝 Glasgow Regional Park opens new playground
Source: Town Square Delaware
A new playground is officially open to the public at Glasgow Regional Park. The play area welcomed its first visitors on July 24, joining the park's recently renovated tennis and basketball courts that opened earlier this spring.
Construction on the county project began last November. The updated space features accessible equipment designed for all ages, poured rubber safety surfacing, shaded areas, and new fencing. The adjacent tennis courts were completely rebuilt, while the basketball courts received a fresh surface.
County Executive Marcus Henry and other local officials will host a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony at the park on August 5 at 10 AM.
IN BUSINESS
🦾 UD receives federal funds for AI rehab
Source: UDaily
The University of Delaware is establishing a new artificial intelligence research institute today with a $21.5 million federal award. The five-year grant from the National Science Foundation creates a hub at the campus Data Science Institute to integrate AI into physical therapy and rehabilitation.
The initiative partners with Delaware State University and several other regional colleges to build technology that assists clinicians. Researchers are developing tools that use patient data to create virtual avatars, allowing physical therapists to test movements and refine treatments before applying them in the clinic.
Early projects focus on neurologic rehabilitation for stroke and Parkinson's disease patients. The institute also plans to roll out certificate programs and summer camps to train healthcare professionals on the new tools.
SPONSORED BY LA FÊTE
🍷 An evening of Italian dining and live entertainment
Sunday, August 2 | 5:30-9 PM
Escape the daily routine and enjoy an evening of timeless Sinatra classics, Italian cuisine, and classic supper club charm. Put on that special dress you've been waiting for an excuse to wear, press the suit, and dust off the fedora for a night to remember.
Your evening includes a three-course Italian dinner. The bar opens at 4 PM for cocktails, dinner seatings are at 5:30 PM and 6 PM, and the live performance begins at 7:30 PM.
Reservations are required in advance, and this event is expected to sell out.
La Fête Restaurant
2530 Concord Pike
Wilmington, DE 19803
302.374.0779
lafetedelaware.com
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
🏫 School tax increase details delayed until fall
Source: Newark Post
Several New Castle County school boards announced recently that they might raise local taxes before the end of the year.
The exact amounts of those potential hikes remain up in the air due to recent delays. The final calculations have been pushed back, leaving property owners waiting for concrete numbers.
Officials said the specific tax figures will not be available until later this fall.
🏘️ Newark weighs zoning changes for middle housing
Source: Newark Post
On Monday, the Newark City Council reviewed proposed zoning changes aimed at encouraging missing middle housing. A state-funded consultant presented ideas to add duplexes, townhouses, and small apartment buildings across the city.
The recommendations included reducing minimum lot sizes and allowing some multi-unit homes to be built without a public hearing. Several council members pushed back on bypassing the public approval process and questioned where multi-plexes belong in existing single-family neighborhoods.
The consultant will draft formal legislation based on the feedback. A public input workshop is planned for this fall, with a final council vote expected early next year.
🏢 Corporate franchise fees anchor Delaware state budget
Source: Spotlight Delaware
On July 27, state officials and business leaders highlighted the financial impact of Delaware's corporate franchise industry on the state budget. The system generated nearly $2 billion annually in recent years, serving as a primary funding source for public services.
Revenue from corporate franchise taxes and business entity fees accounted for roughly a quarter of the state General Fund. This income stream allowed Delaware to operate without a general sales tax and supported education, healthcare, and infrastructure projects. Indirect revenue from unclaimed property and legal services added another $1 billion to the state economy.
Local leaders noted that maintaining the independence of the Delaware Court of Chancery remained a priority as the state faced growing competition for corporate registrations.
🧘 Mandatory yoga continues at Ferris School
Source: Spotlight Delaware
Charlene Sams leads a mandatory yoga program for teenagers at the Ferris School for Boys in New Castle County. The classes operate inside the juvenile detention center's library, where youth participate in breathing exercises, stretches, and meditation.
Sams uses the 10-week curriculum to help incarcerated youth build emotional regulation skills. The initiative operates with support from local officials and extends to other regional correctional and recovery facilities. Instructors focus on teaching participants how physical stress responses work and how to manage them.
Sams wraps up sessions with her current cohort at Ferris in three weeks. She also provides training for juvenile probation staff across the county.
💵 Delaware paid leave distributes $7.6 million
Source: WDEL
Delaware's Paid Leave program reached the six-month mark this week, and the state tallied up the initial payout numbers on Tuesday.
During its first half year of operation, the division processed and paid more than 1,700 claims. Those approvals resulted in over $7.6 million in total benefits distributed to workers.
📸 Newark speed camera logs 1,500 daily citations
Source: WDEL
Newark's relocated speed camera on Capitol Trail logged an average of 1,500 citations a day following its move in early June. City Manager Tom Coleman reported the figures to the city council, noting the system caught roughly one violation every minute.
The camera triggers a citation when vehicles travel at least 11 miles per hour over the posted 35 mph limit. Base fines begin at $31, with revenue covering administrative costs before flowing to the Delaware Office of Highway Safety.
Newark also secured permission to install a business-district camera on Main Street. If implemented, that system requires a smaller buffer, issuing tickets for speeds just six miles per hour over the local limit.
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THE HAPPENINGS
Thursday
Family Fun Night | Brandywine Zoo. Special evening zoo hours featuring games, activities from local vendors, and $1 hot dogs. Tickets are $2 at the gate; free for members and children 2 and under. Thursday 5-7 PM.
Sculpture Garden Happy Hours featuring the Arnold Hurtt Funk Factory Band | Delaware Art Museum. A rhythm and blues set by the Arnold Hurtt Funk Factory Band. The evening includes a cash bar, local food trucks, lawn games, and arts and crafts vendors. Thursday at 5 PM.
Summer Concert Series: Flatland Drive Bluegrass Band | Bellevue State Park. An outdoor bluegrass performance at the Bellevue Bandshell for the 39th annual Summer Concert Series, featuring local food trucks and space for picnicking. Thursday at 6:30 PM.
Thurston Howell: Premier Yacht Rock Spectacular | Elkton Music Hall. A live set from yacht rock tribute band Thurston Howell featuring 1970s and 80s soft-rock hits by artists like Toto, Steely Dan, and Hall and Oates. 21+. Thursday at 8 PM.
The Greatest Rips: A Tribute to Sublime | The Queen Wilmington. A tribute concert celebrating the 30th anniversary of Sublime's self-titled album, featuring sets by local bands Spokey Speaky, The Full Carbon Get Up, Vanylla Godzylla, and The Low Sundays. Each group performs a mix of Sublime hits and deep cuts alongside their own original music. Thursday at 8 PM.
Friday
Live in the Beer Garden: Acoustic Duo 3 West | Longwood Gardens. A live set of contemporary hits and timeless classics in the Beer Garden with Victory Brewing beers and food for sale, free with Gardens admission; timed tickets required. Friday 6-8:45 PM.
Concerts in the Courtyard: Parlour Noir | Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art. An outdoor performance by Parlour Noir, a Philadelphia swing band playing traditional jazz from 1922 to 1945, with food and drinks available for purchase. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door, with member discounts available. Friday at 7 PM.
Splitting Vision - Lowball - Idly | Kennett Flash. A live concert featuring performances by Splitting Vision, Lowball, and Idly. Tickets are $15 to $18. Friday at 8 PM.
Saturday
Peach Paradise Harvest Party | Milburn Orchards. A summer harvest festival featuring live music by Brett Sutton, hayrides, pie-eating contests, and an ice cream-making demonstration. Admission is $8 for ages 2 to 59, and $4 for ages 60 and older. Saturday at 10:30 AM.
Echoes: Pink Floyd Laser Extravaganza | Delaware Theatre Company. A 10-member ensemble performs a Pink Floyd tribute concert spanning the band's classic albums, accompanied by a live laser and video production. Tickets are $35 to $45. Saturday at 8 PM.
Sunday
39th Annual Clifford Brown Jazz Fest Day 1 | Rodney Square. The opening day of Wilmington's annual outdoor jazz festival honoring trumpeter Clifford Brown, held on Rodney Square. Free. Sunday at 3:30 PM.
Summer Concert Series: Exit 93 | Bellevue State Park. An outdoor performance by local artists at the Bellevue Bandshell as part of the 39th annual concert series. Attendees can bring a picnic or purchase meals from local food trucks. Sunday at 6:30 PM.
More happenings we couldn’t fit in the newsletter.
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FORECAST AT A GLANCE
Thursday
82 🌡️ 66 | ⛅ Partly Sunny | 7% | 💨 NW 10 to 15 mph
Friday
86 🌡️ 68 | ☀️ Sunny | 0% | 💨 NW 0 to 5 mph
Saturday
88 🌡️ 70 | ⛅ Partly Sunny | 3% | 💨 S 0 to 10 mph
Sunday
84 🌡️ 69 | 🌧️ Rain Showers | 41% | 💨 S 0 to 10 mph
💧🌡️ Water temperature = 75ºF Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.
THE NOT SO SHORTLISTS
🗓️ Looking for more than the handful of events featured above?
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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