Delaware
Former Delaware House Rep. John Viola, who served Newark, Bear, dies
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Former House Rep. John Viola passed away, according to a social media post from his daughter and a statement from Delaware House Democrats.
Viola represented parts of Newark and Bear from 1998 until the time he left office in 2020. He was 75 years old.
His daughter Andria Bennett, who is also a former state representative, posted about Viola’s death on Facebook on Feb. 15, saying, “my best friends, my favorite person, my safe place, my ride or die, MY JV left us and my heath is absolutely shattered.”
House Democratic leadership released a statement on Sunday afternoon remembering Viola as a “dedicated public servant in every sense of the word.” The statement referenced his time in Dover, in the Air Force and as a volunteer firefighter.
“Whether in Legislative Hall or in everyday life, John showed up every day with the same purpose: to help people and make life a little better for others,” the statement by Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown, Majority Leader Kerri Evelyn Harris, and Majority Whip Ed Osienski said.
Viola himself served as House Majority Whip from 2013 to 2017. He lost a primary election in 2020 to current Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton by 43 votes.
He and his daughter, Bennett, were the first father and daughter to serve in the state House of Representatives at the same time.
Delaware
State Police Arrest Magnolia Man for Pointing Gun at School Bus – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware
Date Posted: Friday, June 12th, 2026
The Delaware State Police have arrested 62-year-old Charles McCombs, of Magnolia, Delaware, for aggravated menacing after he pointed a gun at students on a school bus.
On June 9, 2026, at approximately 8:00 p.m., the School Resource Officer assigned to Polytech High School was notified by school administration of a cell phone video that showed a man pointing a gun at students on a school bus. During the investigation, detectives learned that earlier in the day, while traveling on Peachtree Run near Millchop Lane in Magnolia, a student on the school bus sprayed water from a water gun at a man riding a Can-Am Spyder motorcycle while it was next to the bus. After the being sprayed with water, the motorcyclist yelled at the students, pulled a gun, and pointed it at the school bus as it drove away.
Through investigative means, detectives identified the suspect as Charles McCombs and obtained a warrant for his arrest.
On June 11, 2026, McCombs was taken into custody without incident and taken to Troop 3. He was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $48,000 secured bond.
- Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
- Aggravated Menacing (Felony) – 6 counts
Disclaimer: Any individual charged in this release is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Delaware
Third Circuit Dismisses Delaware Appeal in DHS Records Clash
A federal appeals court will no longer hear a dispute between Delaware and the Department of Homeland Security over a subpoena for wage data from 15 businesses in the state.
The case is moot after Delaware officials turned over relevant employer records on May 28, Delaware Department of Justice attorneys told the US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in an unopposed motion Thursday to dismiss the appeal.
The Third Circuit granted that motion the same day.
Delaware’s Department of Labor had opposed the DHS subpoena aimed at work-site enforcement investigations. State officials, including Gov. Matt Meyer (D) and …
Delaware
City of Wilmington moves forward with evicting homeless park residents
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The city of Wilmington said Thursday that homeless residents of Christina Park must be gone by sunset Monday. Then, officials said they will erect a perimeter fence to block anyone from entering the site.
Wilmington officials issued eviction notices last month to park inhabitants about a month after requiring them to use city tents. The first tents were flimsy and failed during their first night in use after an overnight downpour, prompting the city to purchase sturdier replacements for residents.
When asked at a news conference whether park residents have been informed about the sunset deadline for leaving, Daniel Walker, Mayor John Carney’s deputy chief of staff, said they told the park’s site manager, the Friendship House, a local nonprofit.
Local housing advocate Meryem Dede, who heads the nonprofit TideShift Justice, said communications from the city have been changing day to day.
“The biggest thing is there’s just mass confusion in the park on what’s happening,” Dede said.
Carney’s office is highlighting the number of homeless park residents it says it is working to place in temporary housing or treatment programs.
Walker said out of 85 park residents, it has placed, or is trying to place, about 52 people in some kind of temporary housing or treatment program. City and Friendship House staff say park residents have been connected to beds at the New Castle Hope Center, a New Castle motel, as well as other shelters and treatment programs. A few people have also found permanent housing or plan to stay with family or friends.
Walker said that leaves 31 residents, with 12 of those interested in supportive services. But that still leaves 19 people who he said don’t want to leave the park.
Carney said they are trying to convince them to leave by the deadline.
“What we have to offer is better than a tent in Christina Park, and so getting people to make that choice, to take that step, is a big deal,” he said.
Those who fail to leave the park could face arrest. But Carney and other city officials would not spell out how they will get people who don’t want to leave to depart without the use of force.
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