Delaware

Delaware fireworks bill would toughen penalties for violations

Published

8 months ago

June 8, 2025

Delaware fireworks bill would toughen penalties for violations

A bill making its way through the Delaware General Assembly seeks to toughen the state’s longstanding ban on most consumer fireworks by imposing steeper penalties, regulating sales and funding public education.

Sponsored by Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton and Sen. Majority Leader Bryan Townsend, House Bill 63 aims to clarify existing laws, deter illegal use and give the State Fire Marshal more authority to enforce regulations and prevent fire-related incidents.

If passed, the legislation would be the most significant update to the state’s fireworks laws in years. Violators of the law would be fined up to $1,000. Retailers who continue to operate without a permit could be fined up to $10,000.

Fireworks laws ignored or misunderstood

Delaware prohibits most consumer fireworks, including aerial mortars and bottle rockets. Only sparklers and ground-based fountains are permitted under specific circumstances. These items may be sold between June 4 and July 4, and again from December 1 to January 1. Use of these products is restricted to July 4, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and the third day of Diwali.

Despite annual reminders, officials say many residents remain unaware of the rules, leading to widespread noncompliance and safety concerns.

Under the proposed amendments, anyone caught violating the fireworks ban could face escalating fines of up to $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second and $1,000 or more for subsequent violations. Revenue from permit fees would fund public education and support enforcement efforts.

Fireworks bill targets misleading advertising

Lawmakers also hope to curb confusion caused by aggressive marketing from out-of-state retailers, who promote banned aerial fireworks to Delaware residents through ads on TV, radio and billboards.

If enacted, HB 63 would increase fines for illegal fireworks use and create a permitting system for retailers. Under the new system, sellers would need to register with the State Fire Marshal’s Office, which would oversee compliance and ensure only permitted fireworks are sold.

Retailers operating without required permits would face a fine of $1,000 for a first offense, $5,000 for a second and $10,000 for each additional violation.

Fireworks bill aims to expand public outreach on safety concerns

The legislation also addresses safety concerns related to legally allowed fireworks. According to the State Fire Marshal, sparklers and other ground-based fireworks have caused multiple fires, often due to improper disposal.

Fire officials have warned that smoldering debris can ignite fires hours after fireworks are discharged, especially in trash bins or on rooftops where they may go unnoticed until they spread. This risk increases significantly during dry conditions.

The bill includes provisions to expand public outreach efforts, particularly around safe handling and disposal.

Fireworks legislation faces time crunch, hurdles

The bill has cleared a House committee and is headed to the House floor, where it awaits a full vote. If it passes there, it will move to the Senate. However, both chambers are in recess until Tuesday, June 10, for ongoing Joint Finance Committee hearings.

With the legislative session set to end on June 30, time is running short. Because the bill imposes a new license fee, it will require a three-fifths majority in both chambers to pass.

You can contact staff reporter Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline.com.

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Delaware

Get involved: Budget hearings, port updates, and a county apology?

Published

4 hours ago

February 1, 2026

Press Room

Get involved: Budget hearings, port updates, and a county apology?

Government works best when its citizens are knowledgeable and engaged. Delaware’s government has scores of commissions, working groups, agencies and legislative committees. All must hold meetings that are open to the public. Below we highlight a few of those meetings that are happening this week.

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Delaware

Delaware basketball teams support mental health services in the ‘SL24 Basketball Classic’

Published

16 hours ago

January 31, 2026

Press Room

Delaware basketball teams support mental health services in the ‘SL24 Basketball Classic’

WILMINGTON, Delaware (WPVI) — To honor the life and legacy of Sean Locke, Delaware basketball teams participated in a fundraising tournament.

The proceeds support “SL24: Unlocke the Light,” which brings mental health programming to young people in the area.

“We have three missions, educate, assist and support those young people who are struggling with mental illness. And we help young people find mental health support services,” said Chris Locke, Co-Founder of SL24: Unlocke the Light and father of Sean Locke.

They also support young people through “Sean’s House” and “Sean’s Rooms.”

“These are safe havens where young people can come speak to the Peer24 team that we’ve trained. For them to just be able to open up…and then point them in the right direction so they can get healthy,” said Chris Locke.

The tournament was held at the Chase Fieldhouse in Wilmington.

“Today, if one person talks to an adult… or talks to each other about community and connection and they’re vulnerable, then this is all worth it,” said Sean Locke’s sister and Co-Founder of SL24: Unlocke the Light, Kat Locke-Jones.

“I am incredibly honored that we get to do this work. It is the work of our lifetime because Sean …continues to impact us every single day,” she continued.

For more information, check out the video above.

Also, check out their website.

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Delaware

History from News Journal Feb. 1-7 with bank collapse, rising inflation

Published

1 day ago

January 31, 2026

Press Room

History from News Journal Feb. 1-7 with bank collapse, rising inflation

Excerpts from The News Journal archives from Feb. 1-7 include a sea rescue with a twist in 1926.
A Delaware bank was seeking a bailout in 1976.
Inflation was hitting Delawareans hard in 2006 with hikes in housing, electricity, heating costs, groceries, gasoline and insurance.

“Pages of history” features excerpts from The News Journal archives including The Morning News and The Evening Journal. See the archives at delawareonline.com.

Feb. 2, 1926, The Evening Journal

Captain in Florida saved from ship by Delaware relative

Mrs. Fred Martin of Laurel, wife of Captain Fred Martin, master of the schooner Richmond, this morning received a telegram from her husband stating that he had rescued Captain Roland F. Quillen and wife and crew from the schooner Jacob Hook, abandoned off the coast of Vero Beach, Fla.

A strange coincidence in connection with the rescue is the fact that Captain Martin is the brother-in-law of Captain Quillen.

The Jacob Hook was lumber laden from Beaufort, N.C., to Miami, Fla., where the Quillens are to spend the winter. Mrs. Quillen insisted on making the trip with her husband.

It is supposed the Jacob Hook became disabled in the storm off Florida.

Another unusual coincidence is that Captain Martin until a few months ago was master of the Jacob Hook. When he took charge of the Richmond, he turned the Hook over to his brother-in-law.

Both Captain Martin and Captain Quillen live in Laurel.

Captain Quillen was nominated for State Treasurer on the Democratic ticket several years ago. His brother, John Quillen, is Clerk of the Peace of Sussex County.

Feb. 4, 1976, The Morning News

Farmers Bank gets 3 rescue offers

Three potential investors have expressed interest in providing badly needed capital to the financially troubled Farmers Bank of the State of Delaware.

The bank has asked the state for $10 million to $20 million to shore up its finances after sustaining a $9 million loss in 1975 – chiefly from bad loans.

In a hastily called meeting last night, directors of Farmers heard of feelers from an insurance company, another bank and a wealthy Miami Beach investor with Delaware ties. Directors declined to identify the insurance company or the interested bank. …

Gov. Sherman W. Tribbitt characterized one of the feelers as an offer, and, in a brief appearance at the directors meeting, urged the bank to accept it. It came from Victor Posner, wealthy chairman of the NVF Corp. of Yorklyn. …

Tribbitt said Posner had offered to put up $15 million of his personal funds in exchange for preferred stock in the bank. Tribbitt said the state could find another $5 million from unspent capital improvement and divestiture funds to provide the needed total of $20 million. …

The board meeting was called by eight of the nine directors who represent the state’s interest in the bank. The state already owns 49.3% of the bank’s common stock and is the bank’s largest depositor with more than $100 million currently in time and demand accounts….

Farmers Chairman A. Edwards Danforth has been under fire from legislators since last Wednesday when the bank’s difficulties first were revealed to state officials….

Tribbitt rebuked the Farmers chairman for blaming the bank’s problems on its relationship with the state. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said the major problem was the bank’s real estate loans, Tribbitt told reporters.

The governor said he continues to support divestiture of the state’s ownership in the bank.

A summary of the FDIC examination obtained by The Morning News shows the ratio of problem loans to bank assets had risen to more than double the accepted danger level. …

The bank’s $124 million portfolio of securities – stocks and bonds – was worth $11 million less than the original purchase price.

The FDIC report listed $31.3 million in capital accounts – stocks, bonds and retained earnings – and showed $4.5 million in reserves for loan losses, a total of $35.8 million.

The report showed the bank had $73.1 million in classified assets, mainly problem loans and securities losses. Classified loans amounted to $66.8 million. Of that total, $50.7 million were listed as substandard, $6.3 million as doubtful and $9.8 million as lost.

Farmers Bank acknowledged last night that the bank is in technical default on $9 million it borrowed in recent years to buttress its capital. But Farmers President Edward W. Hagemeyer said the two New York banks that hold the capital notes are not pressing for immediate payment and are allowing Farmers to continue making interest payments.

Feb. 5, 2006, Sunday News Journal

The rising cost of everything: Expect to spend hundreds more a month

When retiree Charles Kolodjeski moved into his Little Heaven manufactured home south of Dover in 1986, his monthly expenses totaled $500.

He estimates he now spends $2,500 to $3,000 a month on food, land rent, gasoline, health care, insurance, utilities and incidentals. …

Like residents across the state, Kolodjeski, 74, is facing even greater cost-of-living increases this year. From gasoline prices and heating bills to health care and housing costs, many Delawareans are going to be shelling out hundreds of dollars more each month.

The extra cost can mean real trouble for many in a state the U.S. Census Bureau estimates had a median income of $50,315 in 2004, with 79,682 of the state’s 830,364 people living below the federal poverty line.

And other increases could be coming soon. Property tax hikes loom in New Castle County, and many school districts are facing shortfalls. State officials are talking about higher tolls and fees for driver’s licenses and car registrations.

Come May, Delmarva Power electricity customers will begin paying nearly 60% more to keep the air conditioning humming.

“No matter how you turn, they get you,” Kolodjeski said. …

Like most, Kolodjeski’s income hasn’t kept pace with rising expenses.

Civilian workers’ wages and benefits rose 3.1% in 2005, the smallest increase in nine years, according to the U.S. Labor Department. Meanwhile, inflation was at 3.5%.

Patricia Parsons, 58, is one of the many not seeing income increase as expenses mount. The Long Neck retiree said her lot rent for her manufactured home rose this year by 37% to $6,200. Neighbors with waterfront lots had 70% hikes, she said.

“A lot of people have walked away. They’ve abandoned their homes,” said Parsons, who supports a bill in the General Assembly to force land owners to justify increases above inflation….

Here are examples of how Delawareans are being squeezed by increasing costs this year compared to one year ago: