Delaware
Looking for fall foliage before the official start of the season? Try these Del. parks
2024 fall foliage forecast
Leaf-peeping season is right around the corner. Here’s where you should go for the best fall foliage this year in the United States.
It’s one of the (many) wonderful things about fall − the changing of leaves.
From lush, green canopies to beautiful reds, yellows and oranges, trees in Delaware can put on a pretty spectacular show.
While state residents still have several more weeks − or perhaps longer if the warm weather continues − before the foliage changes become widespread, especially impatient Delawareans may be able to see an early show at two state parks.
Trap Pond State Park in Sussex County and Brandywine Creek State Park in New Castle County were recently voted among the top 100 locations nationwide to view early fall foliage. (Sorry, Kent County.)
ALL THINGS AUTUMN: 🍂🏈🎃 Welcome to our 2024 Delaware Fall Guide 🎃 🏈🍂
Trap Pond came in at No. 32, while Brandywine Creek ranked 64th.
Why Trap Pond State Park for fall foliage?
According to the 3,000-person survey, which was conducted by a Florida Volkswagen dealership in August, the cypress trees in Trap Pond start changing color earlier than most. This gives viewers a “unique early fall experience in southern Delaware,” a news release said.
This isn’t the first time Trap Pond State Park has been named a top spot for foliage.
Last year, Mixbook, a photo book brand, surveyed 3,000 people for their favorite “under-the-radar” destinations where they would like to see fall foliage this year. Out of 150 fall foliage hot spots, three from Delaware made the list − including the Sussex park.
Brandywine Creek State Park also makes early foliage list
Perhaps unsurprisingly, New Castle County’s Brandywine Creek State Park also made the list.
The nearly 1,000-acre park is home to many vibrant maples and oaks, which typically start changing in late September.
The park also made Mixbook’s list of top spots.
Best early leaf viewing nationally
Unsurprisingly, the top three spots for early fall foliage were locations that are nationally known as peak leaf-viewing locales.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee topped the list, followed by Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Third on the list was the Catskill Mountain region in New York.
While Tennessee might be more of a hike for Delawareans to get to, Shenandoah and the Catskills are within driving distance from the First State. Both spots can be reached in three to four hours.
To view the full list of early leaf spots, visit gunthervw.net/the-first-fall.htm.
AUTUMN SHOW: Try Poconos, Catskills for leaf viewing
Got a story tip or idea? Send to Isabel Hughes at ihughes@delawareonline.com. For all things breaking news, follow her on X at @izzihughes_
Delaware
How Delaware fans will get to Philadelphia World Cup matches
Delaware public transit plans for Philadelphia World Cup matches
Hundreds of thousands will visit Philly for the World Cup. Here’s how Delaware riders will get there by public transit.
When thousands of soccer fans descend on Philadelphia for the 2026 World Cup, the trip to the game will begin long before kickoff.
For most Delaware residents relying on public transportation, that journey starts on Amtrak or SEPTA platforms – navigating a transit system preparing for global‑scale crowds.
“Capacity is already sufficient for expected demand and we are prepared to scale operations if needed,” John Golden, a SEPTA senior press officer, told Delaware Online/The News Journal. “Travel demand is expected to be distributed, with many matches occurring during off‑peak commuting periods or weekends.”
More than 500,000 visitors are expected to come to Philadelphia for six FIFA World Cup matches at Lincoln Financial Field and the 39‑day FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill in East Fairmount Park, according to Visit Philadelphia. The events run from June 11 to July 19, with matches in Philadelphia scheduled between June 14 and July 4 – coinciding with the nation’s 250th birthday celebration.
DART said it plans to operate on normal schedules during the World Cup, meaning SEPTA will be the primary public transit option for most travelers heading from Delaware to Philadelphia for the games.
What to know about SEPTA
SEPTA isn’t planning on any baseline service increases on the Wilmington/Newark line or the Media/Wawa line, as both lines have sufficient existing capacity, Golden said. SEPTA will monitor ridership in real time and will be prepared to add additional resources if necessary.
Golden recommends travelers give themselves two hours of travel time.
There are no discount passes, but through a partnership with Airbnb there will be free rides home on SEPTA’s Broad Street Line [B] after all six FIFA World Cup matches in Philadelphia (from NRG Station only), Golden said.
Golden said SEPTA will “maintain a flexible, responsive operating posture to adjust service as needed.”
Additionally, he said they want want locals and visitors to know SEPTA transports about 800,000 riders safely every day throughout the Philadelphia region.
“Planning for FIFA and the other events scheduled for this summer began last year and we are working with other local agencies, including the City of Philadelphia, Amtrak, NJ Transit and others to ensure that everyone’s experience is a positive one, not just during FIFA and America 250 events, but throughout the summer and beyond,” he added. “We encourage riders to visit SEPTA.org, where they will find up-to-date information on schedules, fares, enhanced service, and more.”
Extra police patrols will be added to both the B Line trains and stations to get riders home safely and SEPTA encourages riders to utilize the SEPTA Transit Watch App, where they can report safety and security issues discreetly.
Getting around in Philly
Once you manage to get to Philadelphia, the city’s convention and visitors’ bureau offers some suggestions on how to navigate the City of Brotherly Love.
- Take some comfortable shoes and walk in Philadelphia, which has consistently ranked as one of USA TODAY’s Most Walkable City to Visit in the country.
- There’s biking. No worries if you didn’t bring yours, Philadelphia has the Indego program – an around-the-clock bike-share program that provides thousands of classic and electric-assist bicycles at more than 250 stations around the city. Riders must be 14 or older to ride classic bikes and older than 15 to ride the electric bikes. Costs vary by the type of bike and the amount of time needed to use them.
- Don’t want to sweat? There’s SEPTA, which offers an expansive network of subways, buses and regional trains with one-way fares starting at just $2.90.
- Uber and Lyft are the go-to ride share services in Philadelphia, but you want to make sure you have these mobile apps installed with your payment information stored.
Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.
Delaware
The best Delaware high schools for athletes? According to one study, these are top 25
Tucked away on the East Coast, one of the smallest states has had a sizeable impact on the national sports scene.
Elena Delle Donne, one of the GOATs of women’s basketball, dominated the hardwood as a high school athlete, breaking Delaware’s points record. Chris Godwin, who has been a Pro Bowler and won a Super Bowl, was a top WR recruit and won two championships as a Delaware high schooler. Delino DeShields, a former MLB player, committed to LSU for both baseball and football.
Home to just 99 schools over its 2,489 square miles, Delaware has produced quite a bit of talent. Which high school is best for athletes?
That’s what one survey attempted to answer. Niche used survey results from students and parents and data from the U.S. Department of Education to rank the top 25.
Without further ado, see them here.
25. Indian River High School (Dagsboro)
Total number of sports: 19
24. Delaware Military Academy (Wilmington)
Total number of sports: 22
23. Howard High School of Technology (Wilmington)
Total number of sports: 16
22. Brandywine High School (Wilmington)
Total number of sports: 25
21. Delmar High School
Total number of sports: 14
20. Sanford School (Hockessin)
Total number of sports: 22
19. Mount Pleasant High School (Wilmington)
Total number of sports: 23
18. Appoquinimink High School (Middletown)
Total number of sports: 21
17. Concord High School (Wilmington)
Total number of sports: 25
16. Paul M. Hodgson Vocational Technical High School (Newark)
Total number of sports: 19
15. Caesar Rodney High School (Camden)
Total number of sports: 20
14. Ursuline Academy (Wilmington)
Total number of sports: 14
13. Dover High School
Total number of sports: 19
12. Tower Hill School (Wilmington)
Total number of sports: 23
11. Conrad Schools of Science (Wilmington)
Total number of sports: 25
10. Cape Henlopen High School (Lewes)
Total number of sports: 21
8. Smyrna High School
Total number of sports: 21
8. Middletown High School
Total number of sports: 21
7. St. Andrew’s School (Middletown)
Total number of sports: 22
6. Saint Mark’s High School (Wilmington)
Total number of sports: 28
5. The Tatnall School (Wilmington)
Total number of sports: 22
4. Archmere Academy (Claymont)
Total number of sports: 24
3. Caravel Academy (Bear)
Total number of sports: 16
2. Padua Academy (Wilmington)
Total number of sports: 16
1. Salesianum School (Wilmington)
Total number of sports: 15
Delaware
*Update – Suspect in Custody* State Police Investigating Home Invasion in Georgetown – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware
Date Posted: Friday, May 29th, 2026
The Delaware State Police have arrested 44-year-old Robert Berry from Millsboro, Delaware for a home invasion that occurred in Georgetown.
On May 15, 2026, at approximately 10:30 a.m., troopers responded to the 24000 block of Lawson Road in Georgetown for a panic alarm activation reported by a home security vendor. Troopers arrived and learned that the 83-year-old female victim had activated her panic alarm after an unknown male suspect, forced his way into her home as she opened her front door. Once inside, the suspect pointed a handgun at her and demanded to see another unknown person he believed was inside the residence. The victim was able to lock herself in a bedroom and activate her panic alarm while the suspect searched through the residence before leaving in an unknown direction. The victim was not injured.
Through investigative means, detectives identified Robert Berry as the suspect and obtained a warrant for his arrest.
On May 28, 2026, Berry was arrested and taken to Troop 4, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $166,000 cash bond.
- Attempt to Commit Robbery 1st Degree (Felony)
- Home Invasion Burglary 1st Degree (Felony)
- Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
- Possess, Purchase, Own, or Control a Firearm/Destructive Weapon if Previously Convicted of Two Violent Felonies on Separate
Occasions (Felony) - Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
Disclaimer: Any individual charged in this release is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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