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Gov. Meyer signs bill allowing Newark to tax University of Delaware

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Gov. Meyer signs bill allowing Newark to tax University of Delaware


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  • The tax, capped at $50 per student, could generate $2.4 million for the city.
  • The University of Delaware acknowledges the city’s financial needs and aims to maintain affordable education.
  • The Newark City Council will determine the exact tax rate, considering student-related expenses and inflation.

The city of Newark is now allowed to tax the University of Delaware for every Blue Hen.

Gov. Matt Meyer signed a bill on June 24 amending Newark’s city charter allowing the city to levy a per-student tax on UD, which is by far the largest economic and cultural force in the city. The public university sits on about 40% of the city’s land, but is nontaxable.

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Newark’s government has been searching for new revenue streams amid cost and tax increases. Most of the city’s revenue comes from utility payments, which have increased.

The bill was introduced in January by Democratic State Rep. Cyndie Romer, from Newark. It passed both the House and Senate unanimously.

“We’re happy the governor saw this as fit to sign,” Newark Mayor Travis McDermott said.

The law allows the city to tax up to $50 for every student, which could rake in an additional $2.4 million in tax revenue. The city collects around $180,000 annually from UD from deals made in 1965 and 2002. In addition to being a local pillar, UD is responsible for billions of dollars in statewide economic output every year.

In a statement to the News Journal from May, the University of Delaware said it has a shared interest in Newark’s improvements. It remains committed to access to its education.

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“We are understanding of and sympathetic to the city’s needs, which — in many ways — reflect ours, due to inflation-induced costs and other financial pressures,” the statement from May 23 reads. “Our goal is and remains centered on providing an accessible and affordable pathway to a UD education for our students — those who contribute social, cultural and economic value to the City of Newark.”

It is now up to the City Council to come up with how much they plan on taxing the institution. The new tax rate might not be at the maximum rate, either. McDermott said the council will find out how much the city is spending on students and then find a rate to reflect that, while leaving room for inflation-related hikes in the future.

Hearings to shape the city’s next annual budget are coming up, and this new revenue stream would need to be factored in. McDermott said he wants a tax rate established by the time budget hearings begin, which should be within the next month.

Shane Brennan covers Wilmington and other Delaware issues. Reach out with ideas, tips or feedback at slbrennan@delawareonline.com.

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Delaware

Search Warrants in Dover Lead to Arrests for Drug and Gun Offenses – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware

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Search Warrants in Dover Lead to Arrests for Drug and Gun Offenses – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware


Date Posted: Saturday, December 13th, 2025

The Delaware State Police have arrested 39-year-old Neal Barnes, 52-year-old Anthony James, and 51-year-old Kevin Walker, all from Dover, Delaware, for felony drug and gun charges following three search warrants in Dover.

On December 11, 2025, members of the Kent County Drug Unit executed search warrants at three residences on the 60, 70, and 100 blocks of Vanessa Drive in Dover. The search warrants were obtained following an investigation of Neal Barnes, Anthony James, and Kevin Walker for the distribution of illegal narcotics from their residences. During the search warrants, all three suspects were detained inside their respective homes without incident, and a child was present in Walker’s residence.

During a search of Barnes’ residence, detectives found the following items:

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  • Approximately 2.76 grams of cocaine
  • Approximately 99.76 grams of crack cocaine
  • 9mm handgun and ammunition
  • .38 caliber handgun and ammunition
  • Digital scales
  • Drug paraphernalia

During a search of James’ residence, detectives found the following items:

  • Approximately 19.88 grams of crack cocaine
  • Approximately 52.59 grams of cocaine
  • Drug paraphernalia
  • $2,472 in suspected drug proceeds

During a search of Walker’s residence, detectives found the following items:

  • Approximately .69 grams of heroin
  • Approximately .35 grams of methamphetamine
  • Approximately 11.77 grams of crack cocaine
  • Approximately 31 ecstasy pills
  • Approximately 14 acetaminophen and oxycodone hydrochloride pills
  • Approximately 21 buprenorphine and naloxone sublingual films

Barnes was arrested and taken to Troop 3, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $57,000 cash bond.

Neal Barnes

 

 

 

 

 

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  • Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Tier 3 (Felony)
  • Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tier 3 (Felony)
  • Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony)
  • Possession of a Firearm/Destructive Weapon if Previously Convicted of a Violent Felony (Felony) – 3 counts
  • Possession of a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone without a Prescription
  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

James was arrested and taken to Troop 3, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $146,000 cash bond.

Anthony James

 

 

 

 

 

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  • Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Tier 3 (Felony)
  • Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tier 3 (Felony)
  • Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Tier 2 (Felony)
  • Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tier 2 (Felony)
  • Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Walker was arrested and taken to Troop 3, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $39,500 secured bond.

Kevin walker

 

 

 

 

 

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  • Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Tier 2 (Felony) – 2 counts
  • Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tier 2 (Felony) – 2 counts
  • Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance (Felony) – 2 counts
  • Possession of a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone without a Prescription – 5 counts
  • Endangering the Welfare of a Child by Committing a Drug Offense with a Child in the Dwelling
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Disclaimer: Any individual charged in this release is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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PennDOT, hardware stores prepare for first snow of season in Delaware Valley

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PennDOT, hardware stores prepare for first snow of season in Delaware Valley


PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Crews and customers across the Delaware Valley are gearing up for the region’s first accumulating snowfall of the season, expected late Saturday into Sunday morning.

PennDOT says it has more than 100,000 tons of salt ready and plans to deploy over 400 trucks across the region for this event.

Road crews began brining operations Friday, which will continue through the weekend with plowing on Sunday.

READ MORE | Accuweather Alert: Light snow to blanket the region Saturday night into Sunday morning

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“Maybe 1 to 3, maybe a little bit more depending on how the storm tracks,” said Brad Rudolph of PennDOT.

He added that timing is key with the snow beginning to fall on Saturday night, while many may be out and about, and with thousands expected to travel to Lincoln Financial Field Sunday for the Eagles game against the Raiders.

Preps underway for first snow of the season in Delaware Valley

“People are going to travel, they’re going to need to take it slow. We’re going to push back snow from travel lanes, we’ll make the roads passable. They may not be completely clear of snow and ice, something to consider,” Rudolph said. “We expect this storm to push out relatively early Sunday, well before that Eagles game, but we still might have some cleaning up to do. We’ll be working long after this snow is done.”

At Stanley’s Hardware in Roxborough, workers spent Friday unpacking boxes and moving thousands of pounds of salt and other supplies to fill commercial and individual orders.

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“Our aisle is filled right now. We have tons of skids of rock salt, ice melter, shovels,” said Joe Jaconski of Stanley’s Hardware.

Customers were already stocking up.

“We have food, we have shovels, just had to get some salt just to make sure we’re keeping the sidewalks nice and safe for everyone,” said Matt Skomsky of Roxborough.

Customers were steady at Stanley’s Friday, and business is expected to pick up through the weekend, but managers say don’t wait to get ready.

“I recommend just being ahead of it. Try to beat the storm because when the storm comes, it gets very busy in here-the lines wrapped around,” Jaconski said.

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PennDOT urges drivers to keep their distance from plow trucks and check the forecast before heading out.

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Done Deal: 695 Delaware Avenue – Buffalo Rising

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Done Deal: 695 Delaware Avenue – Buffalo Rising


Ellicott Development has expanded it local property portfolio. Ellicott’s 4628 Group Inc. purchased 695 Delaware Avenue on Wednesday for $1.025 million. Fred Kaplan Living Trust was the seller. The 8,454 sq.ft., three-story barn-like structure with mansard roofed addition is occupied by media production and marketing firm Crosswater Digital Media. It was the home of WKBW radio for a number of years. The property totals 0.4 acres in size with a large parking lot fronting Delaware Avenue.

The property is bookended by the Westbrook Apartments and Wilcox House apartment buildings, both ten-story structures. It sits across the street from 700 Delaware, the former Computer Task Group Building Ellicott purchased in 2018 and is now occupied by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.



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