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After Ida, researchers call for infrastructure changes along the Brandywine

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After Ida, researchers call for infrastructure changes along the Brandywine


Among the recommendations outlined in the report include a number of infrastructure improvements, such as repairing or removing some dams, upgrading stormwater infrastructure and elevating homes along the Brandywine.

“We’re not going to solve flooding,” said Seung Ah Byun, executive director for the Chester County Water Resources Authority. “It’s going to happen, and it’s a matter of being prepared and making sure people are out of harm’s way as much as we can.”

Rain events in the region have become more intense as a result of climate change. Climate scientists expect the trend to continue, putting an increasing number of residences and businesses at risk for flooding. Currently, 5,000 residents live along the Brandywine’s floodplain.

Flooding in the upper reaches of the Brandywine watershed is exacerbated by the area’s sloping topography, creating a funnel-like shape in the watershed closer to the Pennsylvania-Delaware state line and generating more stormwater runoff in the area.

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Though flood control facilities in the region can store more than 5 billion gallons of flood water, the study’s authors say it’s not enough to protect communities from major storms. So, they evaluated some of the factors that make the Brandywine vulnerable to flooding, and collected 1,500 comments from the public and stakeholders to help draft recommendations to reduce the impacts of storms.

The authors found 60% of the dams, culverts and bridges along the Brandywine exacerbate flooding because they are undersized or damaged. The report recommends further studies to determine whether some of these structures could be repaired, removed, or in some cases, modified to store higher volumes of flood waters.

Other infrastructure improvements outlined in the study include upgrading failing stormwater basins, and replacing impervious areas with vegetation to help prevent stormwater runoff.

The study recommends several other changes to protect people and property, including implementing additional restrictions on development in sloping areas, elevating homes and flood proofing businesses.



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Delaware

Local police departments earn state accreditation

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Local police departments earn state accreditation


The Delaware Police Officer Standards and Training Commission recently announced that the Dewey Beach Police Department and Rehoboth Beach Police Department have both earned state accreditation from the Delaware Police Accreditation Commission.

As part of the rigorous process, a team of DPAC assessors ensured all accreditation standards were met by completing comprehensive, on-site inspections of each agency, reviewing their policies and procedures for compliance, and conducting interviews with department members. 

“This milestone represents a significant step forward for public safety in Delaware. The initial state accreditation of these police agencies reflects a strong commitment to professionalism, accountability and excellence in law enforcement. I commend each department for their dedication to serving their communities with integrity and for upholding the highest standards,” said Joshua Bushweller, Department of Safety and Homeland Security secretary and DPAC chair.



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DDA inducts three Delaware Century Farms – 47abc

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DDA inducts three Delaware Century Farms – 47abc


Dover, Del. – Three farms, one from each of Delaware’s counties, were inducted into the Century Farm Program by the state Department of Agriculture on Thursday at the Delaware Agricultural Museum.

Each of the family farms has been owned and operated for at least a century. Each received a sign for their farms, an engraved plate and legislative tributes.

In addition to Secretary of Agriculture, Don Clifton, and Deputy Secretary Jimmy Kroon, state Senators David Wilson (R – District 18) and Kyra Hoffner (D – District 14) were also in attendance.

Wright Family Farms are located in Harrington in Kent County. In 1919, the farm was purchased by William Wright. Over a century later, William’s grandson, Ronald, is the owner and his great-grandson, Greg, said he hopes to continue the family legacy by buying the farm from his father. 

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Although the event celebrated each family for their hard work and resilience, it also highlighted the challenges farmers have to surmount to stay in business today, let alone for a hundred years.

“The price of equipment, the price of fertilizer, the price of seed, everything is just gone up,” Greg said. “So, you know, everything’s going up that we gotta purchase just to stay in business.”

Clifton, Kroon and Wilson also echoed difficulties in balancing the need to preserve agricultural land with the need to develop housing and sustainable energy projects like solar power.

“I know housing is very important, and we want people to always have good housing, but at some point, I think you’re going to saturate the area with more houses than you have food to feed these people,” Wilson said.

Kroon also said there are difficulties in keeping future generations motivated to stay in farming.

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“When you think about it in the context of multi-generational farm families, there’s a real long-term challenge where a new generation may think twice about whether they want to keep farming if it’s always a struggle,” he said.

Clifton said farming has always been a challenging way of life, but it has been so since time immemorial.

“These families, their experience shows that they have an appreciation for the way of life and perseverance and that’s to be honored and emulated to the greatest extent possible,” he said.

Greg said he hopes to pass down the way of life so that his family legacy can live on for another hundred years, as well as for other families.

“A hundred years as the same family tilling the land, that’s, you know, that’s an honor right there,” Greg said. “And I hope that more farmers who are close to 100 years old will be doing the same thing. You know, keep it in the family.”

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Investigation underway after man’s body pulled from Delaware River

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Investigation underway after man’s body pulled from Delaware River


An investigation is underway after police said a man’s body was pulled from the Delaware River in South Philadelphia.

According to police, around 9 a.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026, emergency responders pulled an unidentified man from the Delaware River, near the Navy Yard. Medic’s pronounced the man dead at 9:11 a.m.

Léelo en español aquí.

SkyForce10 flew above as police and other first responders were on the scene.

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Police are working to determine the circumstances of the incident and identify the man.

This is a developing story; check back here for updates.



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