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11+ hour, 56+ min ago (602+ words) For the second consecutive year, Delaware County Council is enacting a double-digit property tax hike on homeowners. The Delaware County courthouse in Media, Pennsylvania is home to the Delaware County Council. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY) Delaware County Council voted 4-1 Wednesday evening to adopt the 2026 budget, establishing a 19% property tax increase. The average Delaware County homeowner will see their monthly tax bill rise about $16, or an annual increase of $188 for the average home valued at $255,000. Wednesday's vote marks the second consecutive year of a significant real estate tax bump. For elected officials voting in favor of the new budget, closing the county's long-standing structural deficit was not optional, even if it meant upsetting residents who felt the tax hike was too burdensome. "I don't see what we can do today absent making this increase to ensure that we are on solid footing,…...

18+ hour, 22+ min ago (754+ words) Questions are mounting surrounding the deadly shooting of a North Carolina police officer after it was recently revealed that he shot the man accused of his murder. Benji Martin Jr., 29, is facing murder charges for the shooting death of 59-year-old Officer Roger Smith. According to local news outlets, Smith was working at the WakeMed Garner Healthplex the morning of Nov. 8 when Martin was admitted to the emergency room. The 29-year-old was suffering a mental health breakdown in the emergency room when staff called security to intervene. At that point, Smith stepped in, but the confrontation somehow escalated into a shooting in which Smith and Martin both suffered gunshot wounds. "Get the F-ck Out of Here!!: Two White Men Chase Down and Corner Black Worker with Pickup Trucks in California Neighborhood Smith died, but Martin survived his injuries. Martin was unarmed…...

19+ hour, 34+ min ago (352+ words) As a person who writes lots of articles for this news outlet, there are stories that come very easily, write themselves almost, and stories you struggle with. I had a story I struggled with this week, about classic Wilmington indie rock band Glow in the Dark Scars, which recently ended a 15-year hiatus of playing live shows. Anyway, there's more info on the band and my story below if you want to see how you think I did. Now let's see what else is up this weekend. After last weekend's chilly washout, this weekend should be sunny and clear, with highs in the upper 50s and low 60s Friday and Saturday. Things will take a turn on Sunday, with a good chance of morning rain before temps plummet Sunday night. This weekend might mark the peak of the holiday season in Wilmington for…...

20+ hour, 44+ min ago (98+ words) Authorities say a man that stabbed a Ukrainian refugee on the Charlotte light rail car in August appeared in federal court today. They also gave details about the suspect in a second unrelated stabbing on the light rail that occurred last week. Authorities say a man that stabbed a Ukrainian refugee on the Charlotte light rail car in August appeared in federal court today. They also gave details about the suspect in a second unrelated stabbing on the light rail that occurred last week. Federal authorities give update on recent attacks on commuter trains in Charlotte, North Carolina...

1+ day, 30+ min ago (368+ words) Delaware gets a bowl game appearance in its first FBS season, and Louisiana has a chance to finish off its year in style. Here's the CFN 68 Ventures Bowl preview and prediction. The 68 Ventures Bowl is in its fifth name change since kicking off in 1999 and becoming the GMAC Bowl. Delaware vs Louisiana: 2025 68 Ventures Bowl Preview and Pick How To Watch Delaware vs Louisiana Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2025 Why Delaware Will Win The passing attack can bring the production. The Blue Hen defense isn't anything amazing - it will give up passing yards as quickly as it gets them - but the offense will happily get into a shootout. Why Louisiana Will Win The Ragin' Cajun offense is able to move in a hurry. When it gets into a groove, it gets defenses on their heels, and it usually finds ways to win. The…...

1+ day, 2+ hour ago (37+ words) The United States will play Senegal in a friendly on May 31 at Charlotte, North Carolina, in the Americans' next-to-last game before their World Cup opener. The U.S. has four games remaining before co ......

1+ day, 8+ hour ago (925+ words) Some Brandywine school board members pushed back on the proposed redistricting, vowing to lobby state lawmakers against moving forward. File - Delaware state Sen. Tizzy Lockman and former state Attorney General Matt Denn, co-chairs of the Redding Consortium for Educational Equity (WHYY News file) The Redding Consortium for Educational Equity is set to decide next week on a concept to redraw school district boundaries in the city of Wilmington and northern New Castle County. But intense opposition is mounting by those opposed to changing the lines. The consortium is a state group created in 2019 tasked with redrawing lines for the school districts currently serving the city of Wilmington and northern New Castle County. Redding co-chairs state Sen. Elizabeth "Tizzy" Lockman and former state Attorney General Matt Denn have been presenting the redistricting choices to school districts throughout December. But hundreds of…...

1+ day, 9+ hour ago (183+ words) Sponsored by Delmarva Power The Delaware Department of Corrections announced the first four inmates have graduated from the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center from the Tattoo Artist Career Pathway Program. Department officials describe the program as an "innovative vocational training program designed to develop a marketable skill, achieve industry recognition, and get practical hands-on experience that puts them on a path to a long-term career." Tattoo program students began training with 24 weeks of classroom instruction and practice, where officials say the classes emphasized health, safety, proper use of tools, artistic design, and tattooing technique. This cohort completed classroom training in late 2024 and have been apprenticing under close supervision inking tattoos for inmate customers in the prison's tattoo studio in 2025. The studio is located in converted storage space on the prison campus, according to officials. The graduates had a inaugural graduation celebration…...

1+ day, 19+ hour ago (488+ words) DELAWARE " Animal rights organization PETA is pushing for Delaware to create a law mandating three daily dog walks from dog owners in the first state. PETA's founder, Ingrid Newkirk, sent a letter to Delaware state legislators urging them to draft legislation mandating these daily dog walks, with one of which is required to be at least one hour long. The idea has left many dog owners skeptical. For Anne Crank, daily walks with her dog are already routine, but she says the decision should remain a personal one. "Walk your dogs, play with your dogs, they need it," she said. But she added that creating a mandate goes too far. "When I first heard it, I thought it was a joke. I don't know how it can be implemented. Some people can't walk their dogs three times a day, or…...

1+ day, 20+ hour ago (254+ words) DELAWARE, Ohio (WSYX) " The attorneys for an assistant Delaware County prosecutor, who has accused a common pleas court judge of sexual assault, now want the visiting judge hearing the case to be disqualified. The attorneys for the woman, whom we are not naming, have asked the Ohio Supreme Court to disqualify retired Franklin County Judge Richard Frye. The assistant prosecutor has accused Delaware County Judge James Schuck of forcing her to perform sexual acts in his chambers back in May. There is an active criminal investigation into Schuck over the accusations. That is being handled by the Montgomery County sheriff's office. In November, the woman asked for a civil protection order to keep Schuck away from her. Frye was called in to preside over the case and granted a preliminary protection order. They also question why Schuck allowed the hearing…...