Delaware

Delaware weed czar resigns weeks after retail licenses are awarded

Published

11 months ago

January 3, 2025

Delaware weed czar resigns weeks after retail licenses are awarded

Delaware Marijuana Commissioner Rob Coupe will step down later this month as the industry continues its momentum toward opening.

Coupe was appointed by Gov. John Carney and confirmed by the state Senate to be the first commissioner after the use and sale of adult-use recreational marijuana was legalized in 2023. His last day will be Jan. 17, but he said he might use some vacation days before going back to construction as the chief of staff at CRx Construction in Rehoboth Beach.

A few days after Coupe leaves the office for good, Matt Meyer will be inaugurated as Delaware’s next governor.

Coupe was approaching his 40th year in public service. He has held leadership positions with the Delaware State Police, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the Department of Correction, the Department of Technology and Information and the Delaware Department of Justice.

“It seemed like a fitting time to go out,” he said.

Now, the position is back in the hands of the governor. Carney is still in office, but Matt Meyer is set to take over later this month. Despite this, Coupe said Deputy Marijuana Commissioner Paul Hyland will stay in his role while continuing to lead the Office of the Marijuana toward its goal of opening retail locations in the spring.

Coupe said he is proud of how the office has handled the challenge of regulating and guiding the new industry.

“We’ve made a lot of progress,” he said. “It’s been a lot of great partnerships to pull this off.”

A few weeks ago, 15 people were awarded open retail licenses out of 529 eligible applicants. Licenses for open and social equity cultivators, manufacturers and testers have been awarded for every county in the state since October. The state’s medical marijuana dispensaries, which Coupe brought under the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner, are also converting to adult-use recreational retail.

In a statement, Carney thanked Coupe for his service in Delaware.

“As I’ve said before, there are few people across our state who are more well-respected and more committed to serving the people of Delaware, than Rob Coupe,” Carney said. “I knew he was the right person to take on the challenge of serving as Delaware’s first Marijuana Commissioner and he has proven his success leading that Office.”

Shane Brennan covers New Castle County with a focus on Newark and surrounding communities. Reach out with ideas, tips or feedback at slbrennan@delawareonline.com. Follow @shanebrennan36 on X, formerly Twitter.

(This story was updated to add a photo gallery.)

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State Police Investigating Fatal Pedestrian Crash in Clayton – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware

Published

7 hours ago

November 18, 2025

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State Police Investigating Fatal Pedestrian Crash in Clayton – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware

Date Posted: Tuesday, November 18th, 2025

The Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred this morning in Clayton.

On November 18, 2025, at approximately 10:20 a.m., a Chevrolet Silverado was traveling southbound on Wheatley’s Pond Road near Bryn Zion Road. At the same time, a pedestrian was walking southbound on Wheatley’s Pond Road near Bryn Zion Road, in the southbound shoulder, with his bicycle. The preliminary investigation revealed that the Silverado exited the southbound lane of travel and as a result, struck the pedestrian within the shoulder.

The pedestrian, a 19-year-old man from Clayton, Delaware, was pronounced dead at the scene. His name is being withheld until his family is notified.

The driver of the Silverado, a 64-year-old man from Smyrna, Delaware, was not injured.

Wheatley’s Pond Road was closed for approximately 3 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.

The Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information 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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Where can you cut your own Christmas tree? These 8 Delaware farms offer u-pick trees

Published

1 day ago

November 18, 2025

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Where can you cut your own Christmas tree? These 8 Delaware farms offer u-pick trees

Temperatures are dropping and the anticipation of the holidays is taking over, which means Christmas tree hunting is sure to be at the forefront of many people’s minds.

Delaware is home to several Christmas tree farms, and many of them offer homemade wreaths, photo opportunities with Santa and a variety of trees to ensure you find the perfect fit “fir” your home.

To help cross tree hunting off your to-do, we’ve compiled a list of places to get a tree in Delaware this year.

Avoid going home empty-handed by keeping up with your favorite tree farms on their websites or via social media to be notified about stock updates and other announcements.

Where to get Christmas trees in Delaware in 2025

Balsam Acres, Laurel

Balsam Acres in Laurel opens for the season Nov. 22. The farm will remain open through Nov. 23 before closing until Dec. 6. The hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends through Dec. 21, when the operation closes for the season at noon.

Tagging is available. All trees are fir, pine or spruce of various heights and are grown on site. Customers pick the tree and the farm brings it to their vehicle.

Firs are $12 per foot; pines and spruces are $8 per foot. Wreaths are available for $30, along with greens for decoration at $2 per pound.

To keep your tree healthy, the farm offers the following advice:

Place the cut tree in water as soon as you get home, and always keep the water replenished

Check daily to make sure there is still water in the stand

If using a water additive, add it to the initial dose of water

Do not expose the tree to extreme heat from electric heaters, wood stoves, heat vents, radiators or other appliances.

Don’s Tree Farm, Greenwood

Don’s Tree Farm in Greenwood opens on Black Firday at 10 a.m. Tree racks will be stacked and the Christmas shop will be fully stocked with holiday items. A limited amount of 10-foot-tall Douglas and Fraser trees are available, so arrive early if you want one.

Santa Claus will be on site every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and a new train display is available for children to enjoy.

Gaines Christmas Tree Farm, Harrington

Gaines Christmas Tree Farm in Harrington, founded in 1996, opens for business Black Friday and prides itself on delivering the freshest, Delaware-grown trees to customers and cutting only when a selection is made.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays after Black Friday through Dec. 7. Hours after early December will depend on availability, but Gaines warns that this year was a poor growing season.

Note that buyers are not permitted to cut their own trees with a chainsaw. Sales are cash only.

Dyer’s Tree Farm, Dover

Dyer’s Tree Farm in Dover does not have a set opening date; contact the farm for appointment times prior to Black Friday. After then, business hours are from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays; and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Tagging can be done at any time during daylight hours.

All trees up to 8 feet tall are $48, with trees beyond an extra $5 per additional foot. Payment is by cash or check only.

The farm will cut down the tree for you, but you can elect to dig a tree for an additional $5 fee, after which the farm will fill the hole.

McCarthy Tree Farm, Middletown

McCarthy Tree Farm in Middletown opens Thanksgiving weekend Nov. 29 at 10 a.m. The farm is open until 4 p.m.

While you’re searching for a new tree, be sure to greet the new “kids” on the farm: Donkey, also known as Sadie, and Lampie, a miniature pony.

Coastal Christmas Trees, Milton

Coastal Christmas Trees in Milton opens for the season Nov. 28 at 9 a.m.

Christmas trees and handmade wreaths are available, along with warm drinks while you browse. Fraser fir, Douglas fir and Concolor fir tree varieties are available.

Once the holiday season is over, Coastal Christmas Trees offers a tree disposal service. Call them at (302) 278-8822 for more information.

Coleman’s Christmas Tree Farm, near Odessa

Coleman’s Christmas Tree Farm in Odessa opens for cut-your-own Christmas trees the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Families can pick a tree to cut down or choose from a selection of fresh pre-cut trees. Baling service is available for $5 per tree. Admission and parking is free. Payment is cash or check only; an ATM is located in the gift shop.

Weather permitting, free hayrides to the Christmas tree fields are offered daily. Santa Claus will be at Coleman’s most weekends throughout December for free photos. Call ahead to check scheduling.

Hundred Acre Farms, Smyrna

Hundred Acre Farms in Smyrna offers pre-cut and cut-your-own Christmas trees this holiday season. A limited number of wreaths will be available, too.

The farm is open for tree tagging Nov. 22 and Nov. 23. Tree cutting and sales will begin on Black Friday, lasting until the farm is out of inventory. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting.

Tree varieties are white pine, Douglas fir, Norway spruce and scotch pine, priced at $14 per foot with a 4-foot minimum. Not that tree heights vary and that not all varieties will be available in the 5-foot-and-up range. Holiday wreaths are 12 inches and priced at $25.

Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys’tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com.

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UPDATE ADVISORY: Permit to Purchase – Instructor Guidance Clarification – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware

Published

2 days ago

November 17, 2025

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UPDATE ADVISORY: Permit to Purchase – Instructor Guidance Clarification – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware

Date Posted: Monday, November 17th, 2025

This advisory updates and clarifies the Delaware State Police news release issued on October 6^th, 2025, regarding the Permit to Purchase Firearms Instructor information.

What’s new/clarified for instructors

Instructor pre-approval is optional. If you choose not to seek pre-approval, course compliance will be confirmed during the applicant’s permit review.
Instructor Portal is live: Permit to Purchase Instructor Portal
Pre-approved instructors who meet statutory requirements will appear on the public list of approved providers.
Helpline hours:
Training course requirements are defined in Delaware Code Online

Call to action for instructors: Review the Training Course Guidelines and, if desired, submit the optional pre-approval via the Instructor Portal.

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