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Hearing March 6 on proposed animal sanctuary in Delaware sparking criticism and support

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Hearing March 6 on proposed animal sanctuary in Delaware sparking criticism and support


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  • The proposed animal sanctuary is on about 11.5 acres of donated land on Hartly Road.
  • First State Animal Center and SPCA plans to provide a home for about 10 animals at a time, mostly older horses and livestock along with a few dogs.
  • A public hearing on the plan is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, March 6 at the Kent County Regional Planning Commission meeting in Dover.

A proposed animal sanctuary near Hartly has led to a stampede of questions about how many animals and what kind will be housed at the property.

The plan is on the agenda at the Kent County Regional Planning Commission’s public hearing at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 6, at the County Administrative Complex, 555 S. Bay Road, Dover.

The hearing is also accessible by phone by calling 1-408-418-9388 with access code 23399384113 and online with instructions on the county’s website.

First State Animal Center and SPCA is proposing a home for animals like horses and other livestock and a few older dogs, according to John Parana, First State’s executive director.

The residential and agricultural property, about 11.5 acres at 3048 Hartly Road north of Halltown Road, has been donated to the animal center which operates at 32 Shelter Circle, Camden.

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The county’s category for this proposed use is “commercial kennel,” and that has probably led to the speculation about what is planned, Parana said.

Some people on social media have said the sanctuary will be housing dozens of dogs, perhaps aggressive dogs, with concerns about all the barking.

“That’s been the major complaint,” Parana said, adding that the animal center has received dozens of phone calls asking if it’s true. It is not, he said.

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“We will have primarily larger animals that have been neglected, abused or are in need medical attention and a place to live out the rest of their life quietly,” Parana said. “A lot of them have been used as work animals, but the owners don’t have the resources to care for them anymore.”

County Assistant Planning Director Kris Connelly said the definition for “commercial kennel” comes from the county code: “any building or land used for the housing, breeding, training or care of animals for commercial purposes. This use includes animal hospitals.” 

No limit to the number of animals has been specified in the applicant’s proposal, Connelly said.

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Parana said about 10 animals will be at the property at any given time, mostly ones referred to First State Animal Center and SPCA by government agencies like the Delaware Department of Agriculture.

At least one caretaker will be at the site 24 hours a day.

“We will have a few dogs, but they won’t be vicious,” Parana said. “They will mostly likely be terminally ill, and we’ll be keeping them comfortable.”

An example would be a dog with diabetes whose owner can’t afford insulin and isn’t available to give the dog shots at the required times.

“People don’t adopt a dog like that,” Parana said.

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Another main complaint Parana has seen from opponents to the sanctuary is that it will hurt property values in the area.

“We are working with the county to create a park-like setting,” Parana said. “The property is fenced in now, but the county requires a privacy fence around the entire property and over 200 trees as buffers, and we will do it. We need a place for these animals.”

He said the area near the property has multiple commercial businesses, including a scrapyard, a concrete and asphalt recycling center, an automobile body shop and even an Amish kennel that breeds and raises dogs.

While the staff at First State Animal Center and SPCA has received complaints and has seen social media comments against the proposal, they have also received about 300 comments of support from people who think the sanctuary is a good idea, Parana said.

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On the center’s Facebook page, the staff posted “an urgent answer to all the phone calls we are receiving” in response to what they described as “misinformation being spread in the Hartly area.” The post gives information about what First State Animal Center is planning at the sanctuary.

The property is in the county’s 6th District, represented by District Commissioner Paul Hertz, who didn’t immediately respond to a call or email Wednesday afternoon about the proposal.

After the public hearing March 6, the Regional Planning Commission is scheduled to make a recommendation about the animal sanctuary at its business meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 13.

Reporter Ben Mace covers real estate, development and business news. Reach him at rmace@gannett.com.



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Suspect on the run after armed robbery at Christiana Mall in Newark: Police

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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.

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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.

This is a developing story; check back for more updates.





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5 Best Natural Wonders To Visit In Delaware This Year

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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

A view of the beach at Cape Henlopen State Park. By Dough4872 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikipedia.

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.

Silhouette of the lighthouse and wild birds during the sunset at Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes, Delaware.
Silhouette of the lighthouse and wild birds during the sunset at Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes, Delaware.

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.

Fort Miles Museum, Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes, Delaware.
Fort Miles Museum, Cape Henlopen State Park, Lewes, Delaware. Image credit refrina via Shutterstock

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

 Reflected fall foliage at Trap Pond State Park in Delaware.
Reflected fall foliage at Trap Pond State Park in Delaware.

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.

Trap Pond State park on a beautiful fall day.
Trap Pond State Park on a beautiful fall day.

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.

Trap Pond State Park.
Trap Pond State Park.

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

The beautiful scenery of the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, in Kent County, Smyrna, Delaware.
The beautiful scenery of the Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, in Kent County, Smyrna, Delaware.

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.

Canada geese in migration at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Delaware.
Canada geese in migration at Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Delaware.

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

Fall at Alapocas Run State Park, Wilmington, Delaware.
Fall at Alapocas Run State Park, Wilmington, Delaware.

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.

Alapocas rock climbing wall in Alapocas Run State Park in Delaware.
Alapocas rock climbing wall in Alapocas Run State Park in Delaware.

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.

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Fenwick Island State Park

Beach at Fenwick Island State Park.
Beach at Fenwick Island State Park. (Image Credit: Patrick Nouhailler, via Wikimedia Commons)

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.

Looking south at Fenwick Island State Park beach.
Looking south at Fenwick Island State Park beach. Image credit: Conn, Kit via Wikimedia Commons

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.



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Delaware County uses AI traffic cameras to ease congestion on Lancaster Avenue

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Delaware County uses AI traffic cameras to ease congestion on Lancaster Avenue


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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The Source: Information from Shawnette Wilson’s report.

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