Delaware
Delaware worker’s embezzlement revelation renews interest in inspector general bill
Some lawmakers and open government activists say last year’s theft just coming to light now highlights the state’s lack of transparency with the public.
“The administration should let the public know what’s going on, in terms of a theft of this size of money from the state of Delaware,” said Senate Minority Whip Brian Pettyjohn, a Republican from Georgetown. “Whether it’s a fund that’s contributed to by businesses, or whether it is your general fund money, that’s paid by all taxpayers in the state. When there’s this kind of theft, we should be informed about it.”
The legislation sponsored by State Sen. Laura Sturgeon, a Democrat from northern Delaware, would create an inspector general’s office. The inspector would be charged with investigating state agencies, and the General Assembly, when there’s an allegation of waste, fraud, abuse or corruption. The inspector general would hire a staff of 10 and would be required to be certified in investigation, auditing or evaluation within three years.
Under the proposal, the IG would be independent because it would not be an elected position. A selection panel would provide three names to the sitting governor, who would choose one to nominate for the position. The appointment must be confirmed by the Senate. The IG would serve five-year terms.
Sturgeon said an Office of Inspector General would make incidents like the theft of taxpayer money from the UI trust fund more transparent to the public. She said it would add to the oversight of the attorney general and auditor of accounts, not duplicate them.
“The only way the public ever finds out about an investigation is if it leads to prosecution, and in which case, then you find out whatever comes out during the trial, if there’s a trial,” Sturgeon said. “If they don’t find enough evidence to prosecute, or there is no trial, it’s not like the attorney general then gives a big press release to the public sharing all the information that they gathered in their investigation. It’s just all kept very quiet. So these exact kinds of situations where — but for an Office of the Inspector General — the public may never know what’s happening behind closed doors.”
The sponsor said the office would investigate allegations of misconduct. Sturgeon said the IG would create a report that would be released to the public and posted to its website, but Sturgeon said the reports might not be released right away. Reports would not be created if the office determined there was no wrongdoing.
Sturgeon said the IG will have subpoena power and will be able to obtain documents currently barred from view by the public through exemptions under Delaware’s open records law. However, the new office would be able to exempt information of its own from the public, such as investigative documents.
The Delaware Coalition for Open Government’s John Flaherty said the creation of an IG office will provide a layer of transparency the public lacks due to the amount of information state officials are currently able to shield because of exemptions in the open records law. He said open government advocates have fought for over 20 years to make Delaware’s Freedom of Information Act laws more transparent, only to encounter fierce pushback from government officials.
“[The inspector general’s office] will release a report and that report will have the critical information that we’re looking for,” he said. “We really don’t need to see the specific documents, as long as the substance of those documents are contained in a report released to the public.”
The bill has bipartisan support, including Republicans Sen. Pettyjohn and Rep. Mike Smith. Long-time former Auditor Tom Wagner opposes the concept.
“You’re just creating another office with more overhead,” he said. “And then how do you differentiate between who gets the fraud: the inspector general, the auditor’s office or the AG’s office?”
Delaware
Suspect on the run after armed robbery at Christiana Mall in Newark: Police
One suspect is in custody and another remains on the run after an armed robbery at Christiana Mall in Newark, Delaware, on Saturday night, police said.
Delaware State Police said that Troopers were on scene for a reported armed robbery at around 8 p.m. on Saturday. Since then, one suspect has been taken into custody.
Another suspect — who is believed to be armed — was able to get away and is believed to have fled mall property, police said. He was last seen running near the Cabela’s.
A handgun was found on the suspect in custody, police said. However, no injuries have been reported.
The investigation at the scene is expected to continue a “little while longer” and people are urged to avoid the area.
People around the mall area are being asked to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity as well, police said.
If you think you see the suspect, do not approach and call 911.
Investigators learned the remaining suspect fled mall property in an unknown direction. Troopers are still investigating this incident and several law enforcement vehicles will remain in the area for a little while longer.
We remind the public to remain vigilant and report any…
— Delaware State Police (@DEStatePolice) March 22, 2026
This is a developing story; check back for more updates.
Delaware
5 Best Natural Wonders To Visit In Delaware This Year
Delaware’s best natural wonders feature everything from tidal salt marshes to large saltwater lagoons. For starters, visitors can kayak along quiet bays in Trap Pond State Park or even stroll wide Atlantic beaches at Cape Henlopen State Park, while spotting migratory birds. Speaking of birdwatching, Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge is nationally recognized for its birdwatching and has been designated a Globally Important Bird Area. Each of these destinations highlights a different side of the state, showing how Delaware packs a surprising variety of natural environments into a compact area.
Cape Henlopen State Park
At more than 5,000 acres, Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes, where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, is one of Delaware’s favorite outdoor escapes. You’ll find a stretch of natural coastline shaped by wind and tides, with rolling dunes, maritime forest, and wide beaches along the cape. Deauville Beach is perfect for swimming, sunbathing, or beachcombing, with lifeguards on duty during the summer. For walking and biking, you can follow a network of trails, including the approximately five-mile Gordons Pond Trail along a large saltwater lagoon. One of the park’s most special spots is The Point, which is closed during spring and summer to protect nesting and migrating shorebirds.
Cape Henlopen is also part of the Delaware Coastal Heritage Greenway, a scenic route celebrating the natural and cultural history of coastal Delaware. You can visit the Seaside Nature Center, with tanks and exhibits showcasing local marine life, or explore the Fort Miles Museum & Historical Area, where World War II-era bunkers, artillery, and observation towers overlook the water. For overnight stays, the park offers a year-round campground for tents and RVs, as well as cozy cabins. Rates and reservation rules vary by season, so check the Delaware State Parks website for current availability.
Entrance fees are charged from March 1 through November 30. For ocean parks, it costs $10 per Delaware-registered vehicle and $20 for out-of-state vehicles. Annual passes are also available if you plan to visit multiple times during the season.
Trap Pond State Park
Trap Pond State Park, in Laurel, about 35 miles from Cape Henlopen State Park, is a Delaware natural area covering around 4,000 acres. At its heart is the roughly 90‑acre freshwater Trap Pond, surrounded by some of the northernmost naturally occurring baldcypress trees in the US. The pond was created in the late 18th century by damming a stream to transport timber and power a sawmill. After a flood in the 1930s drained it, the Civilian Conservation Corps rebuilt the dam. Today, the area supports a rich wetland ecosystem, where you can spot birds like great blue herons, warblers, and kingfishers.
In 2026, you can paddle a canoe or kayak along more than nine miles of water trails through the cypress swamp. On land, hiking and biking trails, such as the nearly five-mile Bob Trail loop, take you through wetlands and forests. Bike rentals are available in the summer, the best time to visit. Stop by the Baldcypress Nature Center to explore exhibits on local plants and animals, including a 500-gallon floor aquarium and a life-size model of a baldcypress tree. You can also camp year-round in tents, RVs, cabins, or yurts, with reservations recommended.
Entrance fees are $5 per Delaware-registered vehicle or $10 for out-of-state vehicles through November 30. If you arrive on foot or by bike, it’s $2 per person. You can also get an annual pass for multiple visits throughout the season.
Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge
Another natural wonder to visit is the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge near Smyrna, which stretches eight miles along the Delaware Bay. Covering more than 16,000 acres, the refuge protects one of the largest remaining tidal salt marshes in the mid-Atlantic. You’ll also find meadows, rivers, ponds, woods, swamps, and fields that support a wide variety of wildlife, which you can spot along the scenic 12-mile drive, open a half hour before sunrise and a half hour after sunset. March and November are the best times to see waterfowl, while May is the peak concentration of shorebirds.
Other highlights include 30-foot observation towers, fishing at Pasture Point Pond, and short walking and biking trails such as the Bear Swamp Trail and Forest Discovery Tree Trail. There’s also a visitor center with interpretive displays and exhibits, an auditorium showing nature films, and a gift shop.
The refuge entrance fee is $4 per vehicle or $2 per person if you arrive on foot or by bike. You can also pick up an annual pass for unlimited visits, and select federal passes, as well as discounts for military members and seniors, are accepted. For nearby accommodations, you’ll find options ranging from budget-friendly inns to full-service hotels, including Bally’s Dover Casino Resort, all just 10-20 minutes away.
Alapocas Run State Park
Just outside Wilmington, you can explore one of northern Delaware’s most unique natural landscapes at Alapocas Run State Park. The park now covers about 359 acres, but it started much smaller. When the area first opened as Alapocas Woods in 1910, it included only about 123 acres before gradually expanding into the larger park you can explore today.
The park’s biggest natural highlight is the striking blue-gray rock formations that rise above the wooded banks of Brandywine Creek. While there, take in the views while hiking or biking along scenic paths, including sections of the Northern Delaware Greenway Trail, which passes through the park along the creek. Spring and fall are the best times to visit, when the weather is mild, and the surrounding forests are full of seasonal color. Other things to discover there include the Can-Do Playground and the historic Blue Ball Barn, which houses the Delaware Folk Art Collection and hosts community events during the warmer months.
Entrance fees are similar to those of other Delaware state parks, such as Trap Pond State Park. While the park doesn’t offer lodging, you can find plenty of accommodations nearby, including Homewood Suites by Hilton Wilmington Downtown and The Westin Wilmington.
Fenwick Island State Park
At Fenwick Island State Park, Delaware’s southernmost beach sits along a narrow barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and Little Assawoman Bay, offering one of the state’s most scenic coastal landscapes. The park protects a quiet stretch of shoreline that remains relatively undeveloped compared to surrounding beach towns.
The best time to visit is late spring through early fall, when you can stroll through the dunes or enjoy water activities on the bay, including kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing. On the ocean side, you can swim, relax in the sun, or try surf fishing, with lifeguards on duty during the summer months. Mobi-Mat mats help make the beach more accessible for wheelchair users, and beach umbrellas and chairs are available to rent during the busy season.
Fenwick Island was named for colonial landowner Thomas Fenwick in the 1600s, and the legend says that pirates once used the surrounding bays as hiding places. The land later became part of Delaware’s state park system in 1966. Today, there’s no campground or lodging on-site, but accommodations in Fenwick Island, such as Fenwick Shores, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, as well as options in nearby Ocean City, are convenient places to stay.
In Delaware, you can step into a variety of landscapes without traveling far. You might paddle through quiet cypress swamps at Trap Pond, watch shorebirds in tidal salt marshes at Bombay Hook, or walk wide beaches along the Atlantic at Cape Henlopen and Fenwick Island. Trails take you through forested creek valleys, while boardwalks and observation towers bring you closer to wildlife. Some areas invite active adventure, while others encourage slow, reflective moments. These natural wonders let you experience Delaware’s diversity firsthand, from its inland wetlands to its coastal shores.
Delaware
Delaware County uses AI traffic cameras to ease congestion on Lancaster Avenue
RADNOR TOWNSHIP, PA. – Radnor Township is turning to artificial intelligence to help manage traffic along Lancaster Avenue, a route notorious for daily backups.
Township officials say the newly expanded AI-driven traffic light system aims to keep cars moving more smoothly during peak hours.
Additional intersections added
Timeline:
The project, which began in 2020 with seven intersections including the Route 76 interchange, has entered its second phase. This week, seven additional heavily traveled intersections along Lancaster Avenue, including the complex six-leg Sproul Road intersection, were brought online.
What they’re saying:
Township engineer Stephen Norcini told FOX 29’s Shawnette Wilson that traditional solutions, like adding lanes, are difficult in the area. Instead, the AI system relies on cameras and sensors to collect real-time data, feeding it into algorithms that adjust green light timing based on traffic conditions, he said.
“There are conflict monitors so that you don’t get green all around,” Norcini noted.
Local residents, long accustomed to congestion, are hopeful. Dorothea Davis, who commutes daily along Route 30 in Radnor, said, “Traffic is crazy, especially as the weather warms up. If they can regulate the lights to keep traffic moving smoothly, I’m all for that.”
Township leaders are optimistic that AI technology will provide a noticeable improvement for drivers along Lancaster Avenue in the coming months.
The Source: Information from Shawnette Wilson’s report.
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