Delaware
East Coast Has a New Drought Worry
Salty ocean water is creeping up the Delaware River, the source for much of the drinking water for Philadelphians and millions of others, brought on by drought conditions and sea level rise, and prompting officials to tap reservoirs to push the unpotable tide back downstream. Officials say drinking water isn’t imminently at risk yet, but they’re monitoring the effects of the drought on the river and studying options for the future in case further droughts sap the area, per the AP.
- What is the salt front? The salt front, or salt line, is where salt water from the ocean and fresh water meet in the river. That boundary is typically somewhere around Wilmington, Delaware, but the recent drought has pushed it about 20 miles north.
Delaware
Mother African Union Church in Delaware announces temporary worship site a week after massive fire
The congregation of Mother African Union Church in Wilmington, Delaware, now has a temporary place to worship a week after a fire destroyed the historic church last Sunday.
On Sunday, services will be held two miles away at the Congo Legacy Center.
The church, which was founded in 1813, also played a role in the Underground Railroad and the Civil Rights era, according to Congo.
In a post on social media, the church said they are committed to rebuilding.
“The building may have suffered loss, but the spirit of the people still stands strong. We’re not just rebuilding a church. We’re witnessing a Golden Restoration,” the post said.
The Wilmington Fire Marshal’s Office is currently investigating what caused the massive fire.
Raw Video: Rehoboth Beach Memorial Day event
Here are some highlights from an event on Memorial Day in Rehoboth Beach honoring fallen soldiers. 5/27/25
Balloons drift overhead. Bands march and play. Spectators line the streets, watching as the parade rolls by.
For generations, Memorial Day parades have been a fixture in Delaware, with Wilmington’s — the state’s oldest — stretching back more than 150 years.
But a recent video shared on Reddit of Newark’s May 17 parade, showing sparse crowds and few participants, has sparked new questions about turnout. City officials say just 22 groups took part this year, down from 29 a year ago.
“This is just sad,” commented a user under the post.
With parades taking place across Delaware this weekend, some are asking whether these longtime events can keep their footing — and stay relevant in a digital age — at one of the year’s biggest moments for turnout.
Connecting with community
Parades take many forms, from the solemn tone of Memorial Day to the playful Middletown Hummers’ Parade. But at their core, they all share the same purpose: bringing communities together around a common cause.
“It’s so important to permit outreach, and strengthen partnerships within the community,” said Fred Cooke, an organizer for Middletown’s Memorial Day parade. “That’s what allows these things to grow.”
Cooke pointed to Middletown’s Memorial Day parade as a model, where the town brings together local businesses, fraternities and sororities, church groups and others to build a larger community event.
“By tapping into the resources around us, we’ve created a real event,” Cooke said.
Multiple parade organizers attributed the success of these events to their ability to make connections, and stand by them.
“Putting things together and developing these relationships certainly helps,” said Marvin Pedigo, an organizer for Smyrna’s parade slate.
Some lacking turnouts can’t be solved
Those partnerships don’t always come easily. Jayme Gravell, Newark’s chief of community engagement, said the University of Delaware’s student move-out often limits collaboration — and likely contributed to lower turnout this year.
“People are moving out, people are leaving town,” she said. “It’s just hard to draw interest or support when people aren’t here.”
The uncontrollable factor of conflicting events creates a dilemma for parades like the one in Newark. As Cooke pointed out, it’s one that smaller areas of Delaware don’t have to face, giving them an advantage.
The purpose behind a parade can shape its audience. While many are built around celebration, Memorial Day carries a more solemn tone, honoring those who died in military service. For that reason, Pedigo said the Smyrna-Clayton parade focuses less on turnout and more on showing respect for those lost.
“We really only partner with smaller civic organizations, and it’s a smaller turnout,” he said. “The emphasis should be placed on honoring those who fought for this country.”
Both communities pointed to other local parades as proof crowds are still there. Newark’s Halloween parade draws about 50 groups each year, compared to 22 for Memorial Day, while Smyrna’s Christmas parade typically brings in 90 to 100 groups.
“We haven’t seen any kind of dramatic parade fall-off,” Pedigo said. “Just the occurrence of certain circumstances.”
Where will Delaware Memorial Day parades take place?
Three parades will take place across the state this coming week, allowing locals to honor fallen veterans. They are listed below:
- Middletown Memorial Day Parade- Begins at Redding Middle School, 201 New St., Middletown, at 10:30 a.m. May 25.
- Smyrna-Clayton Memorial Day Parade- Parade begins at Market Street Plaza and West Commerce Street, Smyrna, at 10 a.m. May 25.
- Wilmington Memorial Day Parade– Begins at Delaware and Woodlawn avenues, Wilmington at 6 p.m. May 30.
Adam Denn is an intern reporter for Delaware Online/The News Journal. You can reach him at ADenn@delawareonline.com
Saturday, May 23, 2026 1:05AM
WILMINGTON, Del. (WPVI) — A 22-year-old man is facing several rape charges after police say he was in a park in Wilmington, Delaware, after hours with an underage girl.
New Castle County Police announced the arrest of Majdi Jones, of Maryland, on Friday.
Officers were patrolling Banning Park early Wednesday morning when they say they found him in a vehicle with a 12-year-old girl.
Detectives determined that he had been communicating with her on social media.
Jones is being held in jail after failing to post bail.
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