Delaware
Inaugural Inland Bays Oyster Week celebrates Delaware's burgeoning bivalve business – 47abc
SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. – Oysters are the literal bedrock of some of our coastal communities. They’re also an important support for the local economy. And, Delaware is just getting started in making aquaculture a viable industry.
Inland Bays Oyster Week
Tourism and aquaculture officials are kicking off the start of a bright future, by celebrating the first-ever Inland Bays Oyster Week.
“This week is going to be chock full of activities,” said Scott Thomas, Executive Director of Southern Delaware Tourism. “Everything from boat tours, to sip and slurps all around Sussex County, culminating in a seafood festival.”
Thomas says southern Delaware is becoming more of a foodie destination every year. And, with the burgeoning business of aquaculture, now is the time to capitalize.
“Agriculture and tourism are it in Sussex County,” Thomas said. “They’re the main drivers… People who are traveling here are finding that they’re traveling further than their food when they come to eat it. That’s a big deal.”
Open Arms to Aquaculture
About ten years ago, Delaware lawmakers opened the door for the state to get in on the aquaculture game, under the Delaware Aquaculture Act.
Since then, scientists, farmers, lawmakers, and other stakeholders have been working hard at getting the industry going.
“It’s a multi-tiered process that includes collecting the spent shells from the restaurants, and putting them back into the bay,” said Ed Lewandowski of the Delaware Sea Grant College Program at the University of Delaware. “It involves growing seed oysters – the baby oysters and larval oysters – that we do at our pilot-scale hatchery on our campus in Lewes. And, it’s working with the growers to make sure they’re able to market their product.”
The pilot hatchery is the first and only facility of its kind in the First State. Lewandowski says he’s eager to see how business, and the oysters, will continue to grow.
“We have over 350 acres of leasing available, and maybe about a tenth of that is actually occupied at this time,” Lewandowski said. “So, there is tremendous potential.”
Setting Farmers Up For Success
And when would-be oyster farmers do decide to get in the game, the experts at Delaware Sea Grant are ready to help. By the fall, officials say up to 1 million baby oysters will be ready for distribution to growers.
For now, the hatchery is helping to support the industry in its infancy. However, the hope is that private hatcheries will start to pop up. And, the potential there is valuable.
Delaware Sea Grant officials tell WMDT that Delaware’s potential oyster industry could be comparable to that of Rhode Island’s; it’s a $7 million business, supporting more than 200 farmers.
Lawmakers Laud Potential
Lawmakers who sit on the state’s aquaculture task force are also seeing green, both financially and environmentally.
“This is going to be a win-win for our community, our economy, our farmers, and our water quality,” said State Senator Russ Huxtable, co-chair of the task force. “The collaboration between all the parties has been so important to establish good relationships now, and set us up for the future of this industry.”
State Representative Jeff Hilovsky, who is also on the task force, echoed the importance of that partnership.
“They are working out the kind of maybe not-so-great things about government and industry working together,” Rep. Hilovsky said. “They put all that aside to make a commitment to establishing an industry.”
Good For the Gander
Those who have already gotten their feet wet in the oyster game say they couldn’t be more excited. For one thing, oysters are “environmental superheroes,” according to Jordan Nally of Nancy James Oysters.
“Each one filters up to 50 gallons of water a day, improving water quality and creating a healthier ecosystem for countless creatures,” Nally said.
And, oysters are good for the gander. Nally says the beloved bivalves are rich in zinc, iron, omega-3 fatty acids, and the ability to bring people together. Nally, who named the company after his parents, says the shelled superstars are going to be a game changer for many other families like his.
“When you choose to enjoy a Southern Delaware oyster, you’re directly supporting hard-working families like mine,” Nally said.
Del. Seafood Festival Information
Inland Bays Oyster Week ends with the inaugural Delaware Seafood Festival on Saturday, August 10th. You can get in on the tasty offerings and fun activities at the American Legion Post 28 in Millsboro. Admission is only $5.
Wilmington Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old boy Tuesday night in Wilmington’s Hilltop neighborhood.
According to police, the shooting occurred at approximately 8:33 p.m. in the 1600 block of West 5th Street.
On their arrival at the scene, police say they located the 16-year-old with at least one gunshot wound and transported him to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
This incident remains under investigation.
Police did not share whether there have been any arrests in connection with the shooting or a possible motive.
Wilmington Police encourage anyone with information about this incident, contact Detective Justin Wilkers at (302) 576-3634. Information can also be sent to Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, or Delawarecrimestoppers.com.
The Wilmington Police Department (WPD) Victim Service Unit and Youth Response Unit are available to provide information and support to victims, children, and families affected by this incident.
The Victim Service Unit can be reached at (302) 576-3622, and the Youth Response Unit can be reached at (302) 576-3183.
NEW CASTLE COUNTY, D.E, – Two 17-year-olds, Cara and Nathan, were struck and killed while walking on South Dupont Highway, according to Delaware State Police. Police say the driver did not stay at the scene, but investigators have now arrested a suspect.
Community mourns teens killed on South Dupont Highway
What we know:
Delaware State Police say the crash happened around 1:10 a.m. last Sunday while Cara and Nathan were walking an e-bike in or near the left lane of southbound Dupont Parkway near Denny Lynn Drive. Police say the driver initially stopped but then left the scene.
Troopers later arrested 23-year-old Nizaiah Ellis during a traffic stop and say the car had damage consistent with the crash.
Police say the two teens were headed to Cara’s house to leave for a trip with her family later that day.
Family and friends gathered Tuesday for a memorial to remember Cara and Nathan.
“It’s still new. It comes in waves but sometimes you just feel paralyzed and numb,” said Rachel Roderick and Heather Feeley, the teens’ mothers.
“I want others to hug their babies extra tight. Take so many photos you don’t know what to do to them. (Say yes to your kids more.)” said Roderick and Feeley.
“Forgiveness would have been easier had he not left our babies. Left. So senseless,” said Cara’s mother, Heather Feeley.
Roderick said, “It’s beautiful. The love is what’s keeping us going. The support of the community.”
The teens’ lives and dreams remembered
Cara graduated high school a year early and was a student at Del Tech, hoping to become a cosmetologist.
Nathan would have been a senior in high school this fall and wanted to own a mechanics business working on boats, motorcycles and cars.
Family and friends described the teens as kind and deeply loved.
“They were so kind. They loved everyone as is displayed here today. No one was not a friend and they loved each other immensely,” said Feeley. “They both touched so many lives and I don’t even think they realized how big of an impact they left on everyone,” said Roderick.
Kaelynn Miller, one of Cara’s best friends who helped organize the memorial, said, “Kara and Nathan never deserved this. If anyone is listening to this they weren’t just a person. The people you took were some of the most genuine souls out there.”
Today would have been Cara’s 18th birthday. Parents said the two were dating at the time of their deaths.
A GoFundMe has been set up for Cara’s family and Nathan’s family.
What we don’t know:
Police have not released further details about the investigation or any potential charges for the driver.
Additional information about the ongoing case has not been provided.
The Source: Information from Delaware State Police and interviews at the memorial.
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Willie Bonds has tendered his resignation as warden of the George W. Hill Correctional Facility in Delaware County after less than six months running the prison.
“The resignation was submitted due to a personal family matter and an opportunity to pursue other career interests,” said Michael Connolly, communications director of Delaware County, in a written statement.
The Delaware County Jail Oversight Board named Bonds the warden in February. He took over for interim warden David Mascollino, who spent five months on the job.
Mascollino had stepped in following the resignation of warden Laura Williams in August 2025. Bonds will remain in his current role until the county implements a succession plan.
“While the County was looking forward to his continued good service, County leadership respects his personal decision and is immensely grateful for his work on behalf of our residents, the incarcerated population, and the dedicated staff of George W. Hill,” Connolly said.
The county will name an interim warden and work with the prison’s leadership to identify a permanent replacement, Connolly said.
“As this process moves ahead, Delaware County remains committed to continuing its efforts to build George W. Hill into a facility that every resident can be proud of and continuing the major investments and upgrades to the facility already well under way,” he said.
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