Travel, homes, services and local info

8+ hour, 16+ min ago (740+ words) What's there to do near Delaware between Christmas Day and New Year's 2026? That's a good question. And you have some interesting options. Here's a look at some colorful events that are going down late into the holiday season, and beyond, around the First State. For over 50 years, the miniature Brandywine Railroad has been a popular attraction and offers over 1,000 pieces, including trains, across 2,000 feet of track. The display is full steam ahead and on view right now through the new year. 14 restaurants open Christmas Day: In Delaware Patrons will witness over 500,000 twinkling lights that guide visitors around one of the world's most gorgeous gardens at "A Longwood Christmas," right over the state line near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Admission to the holiday extravaganza at Longwood Gardens (1001 Longwood Road) is by timed admission ticket, with those tickets purchased in advance for a…...

10+ hour, 21+ min ago (99+ words) RALEIGH, N.C. (WITN) - State health officials say flu activity and flu-related deaths are increasing in North Carolina. The Department of Health and Human Services says three new flu deaths were reported last week, bringing the number of deaths this season to nine. Of those, six were 65 years of age or older, and the other three were between 50 and 64. The state says flu activity is surging just as holiday travel and gatherings begin. They say it's not too late to get your flu vaccine. DHHS says last year, the state reported 542 flu deaths....

11+ hour, 10+ min ago (672+ words) CNA Staff, Dec 10, 2025 / 06:10 am Several disability and patient advocacy groups filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Delaware on Dec. 8 alleging that Delaware's new physician-assisted suicide law discriminates against people with disabilities." In May 2025, Delaware passed a bill legalizing physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill adults with a prognosis of six months or less to live. The law, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2026, allows patients to self-administer lethal medication." The 74-page complaint alleges that the new law is unconstitutional under both Delaware and federal law and violates the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause, among other challenges." Plaintiffs include the Institute for Patients' Rights; The Freedom Center for Independent Living, Inc., in Middletown; the Delaware chapter of ADAPT; Not Dead Yet; United Spinal Association, the National Council on Independent Living; and disability advocate…...

12+ hour, 58+ min ago (198+ words) The North Carolina Azalea Festival announced Dec. 10 that Grammy-winning producer, rapper and hip-hop artist Lil Jon will headline a concert in Wilmington for the 79th annual Azalea Festival on Thursday, April 9, 2026. The co-creator of such hit songs as in-da-club saga "Yeah" (with singer Usher and rapper Ludacris) and strip-club anthem "Get Low" (with Ying Yang Twins), Lil Jon, a native of Atlanta who was born Jonathan H. Smith, is known for helping to create the party-happy genre of hip-hop known as crunk. He's often pictured sporting a gold-plated, diamond-crusted grill across his teeth or hoisting a jewel-encrusted "pimp cup." With long braids and a larger-than-life persona, Lil Jon's trademark, throaty yells have been parodied by likes of comedian Dave Chappelle. Lil Jon's Azalea Festival concert is April 9 at Live Oak Bank Pavilion in downtown Wilmington. Gates are 5 p.m. and show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets,…...

1+ day, 18+ min ago (307+ words) Laura A. Carlson, whose specialty is psychology and who previously worked at the University of Notre Dame for 25 years, was appointed president of the University of Delaware, effective Jan. 1. The University of Delaware on Tuesday appointed Laura A. Carlson, who had been serving as interim president, to the permanent post, effective Jan. 1. Carlson came to the school in 2022 as provost after spending 25 years at the University of Notre Dame. She stepped into the interim presidency in July after former president Dennis Assanis announced he was stepping down last June with less than two months notice. The university did not conduct a national search but rather engaged a consultant to help the school evaluate the qualities needed for the next president and assess Carlson's ability to fit the role. "Dr. Carlson has demonstrated a deep commitment to the advancement of our university and…...

1+ day, 2+ hour ago (51+ words) President Donald Trump outlines the violence plaguing Democrat-run North Carolina while addressing a crowd in Pennsylvania. President Donald Trump outlines the violence plaguing Democrat-run North Carolina while addressing a crowd in Pennsylvania. President Donald Trump outlines the violence plaguing Democrat-run North Carolina while addressing a crowd in Pennsylvania....

1+ day, 2+ hour ago (249+ words) Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough said officers at North Forsyth High School in Winston-Salem sought assistance shortly after 11 a.m. "We responded to an altercation between two students," Kimbrough said at a news conference, adding that "there was a loss of life." In an email to families and staff, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools superintendent Don Phipps said one student died and another was injured. Kimbrough said he wouldn't take questions at the news conference, citing the ongoing investigation. Sheriff's office spokesperson Krista Karcher said later that a stabbing had occurred and that the injured person was treated at a hospital and released. No information about potential charges was discussed at the news conference. Kimbrough said in a video posted later on social media that there was no threat to the community. "There are no suspects that we're looking for," he said. "We…...

1+ day, 3+ hour ago (899+ words) Madison County, tucked in the mountains of western North Carolina, has no hospital and just three ambulances serving its roughly 22,000 people. The ambulances frequently travel back and forth to Mission Hospital in Asheville, the largest and most central hospital in the region. Trips can take more than two hours, according to Mark Snelson, director of Madison Medics EMS, the local emergency medical service. "When we get busy and all three of them are gone, we have no ambulances in our county," he said. Snelson and others in Madison County aren't seeking more ambulances. They want a hospital closer than Mission. And the state agrees. In 2022, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services officials said Madison and three other mountain counties needed 67 more acute care hospital beds. The state raised that to 93 beds in 2024, then to 222 by Oct. 15. But the…...

1+ day, 4+ hour ago (332+ words) If you're searching for an easy Delaware trail that works for kids, grandparents, and everyone in between, the Auburn Valley Trail is a perfect pick. This 1.3-mile paved loop sits in Auburn Valley State Park in northern New Castle County, tucked right along the Pennsylvania border. It's an easy outing with just enough interest to keep the whole crew happy. This Is the Most Claustrophobic Hike in Delaware'Would You Try It? Discover the Rhode Island Village That Looks Like a Hallmark Movie Set 5 Trending Rentals in Delaware That People Book on Repeat (And We See Why) The One Thing to Do in Delaware Before the End of the Year The Small Town in Delaware That Feels Like Straight Out Of "The Summer I Turned Pretty' Ready to check it out? Look up the Auburn Valley Trail on AllTrails for current…...

1+ day, 7+ hour ago (170+ words) Delaware Fightin" Blue Hens (2-6) at George Washington Revolutionaries (8-2) BOTTOM LINE: Delaware visits George Washington after Justyn Fernandez scored 23 points in Delaware"s 75-72 overtime loss to the Delaware State Hornets. The Revolutionaries have gone 5-0 in home games. George Washington has a 0-1 record in one-possession games. The Fightin" Blue Hens are 0-3 on the road. Delaware is 2-3 in games decided by 10 or more points. George Washington averages 91.4 points, 15.5 more per game than the 75.9 Delaware gives up. Delaware has shot at a 44.3% rate from the field this season, 0.4 percentage points higher than the 43.9% shooting opponents of George Washington have averaged. TOP PERFORMERS: Rafael Castro is scoring 16.1 points per game with 7.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists for the Revolutionaries. Garrett Johnson is averaging 14.9 points and 4.8 rebounds while shooting 45.5%. Macon Emory is averaging 14.5 points and 7.9 rebounds for the Fightin" Blue Hens. Christian Bliss is averaging 14.4 points....