Delaware
Autumn’s newest tradition: The Delaware Fall Festival at Battery Park

The story behind the Kalmar Nyckel
Here’s the story behind the Kalmar Nyckel, the Swedish Mayflower of the Delaware Valley. 10/29/24
Sunday’s autumn weather was perfect for the inaugural Delaware Fall Festival.
The event took place at Battery Park in the historic Old New Castle area of New Castle, providing the ideal setting for a community gathering and a worthy cause.
The free event was organized to raise funds and awareness for the New Castle Outdoor Recreation Coalition’s planned expansion of the park’s playground. Phase 2 of the Battery Park Playground Project will feature a replica of the Kalmar Nyckel, the Swedish flagship that brought settlers who established the first permanent European settlement in the Delaware Valley in 1638.
The festival featured live entertainment, children’s activities, and various food vendors.
Renee Duval, a three-year resident of New Castle, attended the festival with her husband and two children. As regular visitors to Battery Park who often stroll the path near Deemers Beach, they were excited to explore the event after hearing about the food trucks, music, and vendors.
Among the vendors was Theresa Batts, owner of Batts Concessions from Hartford County, Maryland, who learned about the festival through social media. She said the timing was perfect. She and her husband prefer to sell on weekends, but it is very hard to find events on a Sunday. And this weekend, they were celebrating their business’s first anniversary. Batts Concessions offered an array of treats, including kettle corn, homemade peanut brittle, various nuts, and cotton candy. When asked how sales were going, Batts replied, “Fantastic. No complaints. We would definitely do it again next year.”
Delaware Fall Festival organizers hope to make this an annual tradition for the historic waterfront community.
You can contact Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline.com.

Delaware
Wilmington mother seeks justice 3 years after son’s murder in Philadelphia

WILMINGTON, Del. (WPVI) — Three years after her son was fatally shot in West Philadelphia, Kameelah Torrance is still searching for answers and justice.
Samyr Walker, 19, was killed on September 4, 2022, while delivering food in his mother’s car. Torrance said Walker’s own vehicle had broken down the night before, prompting him to borrow hers to earn extra money.
“I get a phone call, I’m thinking it’s him,” Torrance recalled.
Philadelphia police said the shooting occurred around 1:45 p.m. at the Chick-A-Boom restaurant drive-thru on 46th Street and Lancaster Avenue. While waiting for his food, Walker reportedly had an interaction with another driver.
“What I’m guessing is maybe he was on his phone and he accidentally tapped the bumper, which is what happened,” Torrance said.
Police said the altercation escalated when gunshots were fired from the suspect’s car as Walker exited his vehicle to retrieve his order. A passenger in Walker’s car also returned fire. Authorities believe the motive was road rage.
According to the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, detectives located the vehicle believed to be involved and interviewed both the owner and the reported driver. However, no arrests have been made.
The DA’s office said it has extended victim support services to Walker’s family and the affected community.
Torrance described her son, affectionately called “Meer Meer,” as “a very happy-go-lucky kid.”
“Every time you see him, he was always smiling, silly, liked to have fun, very family oriented,” said Torrance.
She said the lack of closure has made the loss even harder to bear.
“No closure, sleepless nights, it’s just been horrible,” she said. “It’s not fair that my son is gone and you’re walking around free, freely doing whatever. His life was cut short.”
Torrance said she still texts Walker’s phone number and mourns the future he was denied.
“He won’t be able to get married, have children, become something of himself. He was robbed of that and it’s not fair,” she said.
Police say the investigation remains active and ongoing. Torrance and law enforcement are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Delaware
*Update – Victim Identified* State Police Investigating Fatal Crash in Dover – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware

Delaware State Police have identified 14-year-old Reis Yoc-Santos, of Dover, Delaware, as the teenager who died in the fatal crash involving a school bus and an electric bicycle that occurred Friday afternoon in Dover.
The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information is asked to contact Master Corporal W. Booth at (302) 698-8451. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.
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Delaware
14-year-old boy dead, one teen hospitalized after e-bike runs stop sign, collides with bus in Delaware

DOVER, Del. – A tragic crash involving a school bus and an electric bicycle claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy in Dover.
Deadly collision with bus
What we know:
The crash happened around 4 p.m. on West Lebanon Road as a school bus was turning onto Royal Grant Way, according to police. The electric bicycle, ridden by a 16-year-old with a 14-year-old passenger, did not stop at a posted bicycle stop sign and collided with the bus.
The 14-year-old passenger of the e-bike was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The 16-year-old operator suffered serious injuries. Neither of the teenagers were wearing a helmet, police said.
The bus was affiliated with the Caesar Rodney School District and driven by a 75-year-old man from Magnolia, who was not injured. Twenty-one students on the bus were unharmed.
The road was closed for about four hours for investigation by the Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit. The investigation is still ongoing.
Ongoing questions for authorities
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the crash to come forward. Witnesses can contact Master Corporal W. Booth or send a message to the Delaware State Police.
If you have information, reach out to Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333. Victims and witnesses needing support can contact the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit at 1-800-VICTIM-1.
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