Delaware
More than 1200 students graduate from Delaware County Community College
MARPLE — On a day that emphasized the power of education to change life trajectories, more than 1,200 students graduated from Delaware County Community College with associate degrees and/or certificates.
On Thursday, May 16, the college held two separate commencement ceremonies.
The morning ceremony was for graduates of the Allied Health and Nursing, STEM, and Workforce and Economic Development divisions, and the afternoon ceremony for graduates of the Business, Computing & Social Science, as well as the Communications, Arts & Humanities divisions.
Both ceremonies were held at West Chester University’s Hollinger Field House.
“While many diverse backgrounds are represented here today, we are united here for one purpose: education. We share the same goal of pursuing better opportunities through education at a more affordable cost,” said Edison Hong of Upper Darby, the student commencement speaker, who is the son of Chinese immigrants. “From my father’s escape during the Vietnam War to my mother’s pursuit of the American dream, their story intertwines with mine, wanting a better life. Their sacrifices resonate within me, and I use that every day to guide me as a first-generation college student.”
Hong, a graduate of Upper Darby High School, earned college credits as a high school student through DCCC’s High School Dual Enrollment Program. He earned his associate degree from DCCC in the fall of 2023 with majors in computer science and business administration and now attends Georgia Institute of Technology, where he is majoring in computer science.
Hong is one of 15 students nationwide to receive the 2024 Hites Transfer Scholarship from Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society for two-year colleges.
He served as president and founder of DCCC’s Computer Science Club, president of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, president of the Business Society, and vice president of the Science Club and the Engineering Club.
“Your ability to overcome life while maintaining high academic standards is remarkable. Community college is and always has been the real standard of success,” said alumnus commencement speaker Frederick Shegog, class of 2020, of Drexel Hill.
Shegog battled homelessness and substance abuse prior to becoming an honors graduate of DCCC and a summa cum laude — highest honors — graduate of West Chester University, where he recently earned a master’s degree in public administration. His stepdaughter Megan Riley is a member of the DCCC Class of 2024.
Presiding over Thursday’s ceremonies was Marta Yera Cronin, the college’s president. A first-generation college student born of immigrant parents, she emphasized the generational impact that education can have on the children, grandchildren and other relatives of graduates.
“Your family members see the effort,” she said. “They see the tenacity it takes to study, often while working a part-time or full-time job to sustain a family, and you become their role model.”
Added DCCC Board of Trustees Chair Kevin Scott, “We commend your perseverance, long hours and nights of study and the sacrifices you have made to pursue your goal of attaining a better life for you and your family.”
Reservations being taken for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame bus trip to honor Charlie Gracie
In honor of his late father, the great rock ‘n’ roller Charlie Gracie and the release of the updated public television documentary, “Fabulous Forever!,” Charlie Gracie Jr., in partnership with his mom, Joan Gracie, will host a bus trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland from Friday, June 28 to Saturday, June 29.
Bus passengers will include DJs Lou Costello, Steve Kurtz, Johnny Midnight of Cruisin’ 92.1 WVLT and other notables.
The late Charlie Gracie, a native of South Philadelphia and a longtime resident of Drexel Hill, was an American rock ‘n’ roll and rhythm and blues singer and guitarist who topped the charts with his hits, “Butterfly” and “Fabulous.” Gracie was a role model who was emulated by many rock ‘n’ roll legends, including Paul McCartney and Graham Nash, among others.
The bus will leave at 8 a.m. Friday from Springfield Country Club on Sproul Road, where permission was given to leave cars, and return there Saturday night, around midnight.
The trip will include seeing the museum’s Charlie Gracie exhibit, with plenty of time allotted to tour the museum, as well as watching the debut screening of the newly updated Character Driven Productions documentary about Charlie Gracie, “Fabulous Forever!” in the museum’s theatre.
Bus fee will run between $75 and $85, depending on number of participants, and the Holiday Inn Express rate for the overnight stay is roughly $160.
For full details or to book a seat, call 610-724-7319.
No Name Pops offer two free concerts this month
The No Name Pops (NNP) will present two free performances in Philadelphia at the end of May. On Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, May 25, The NNP’s Big Band will perform at 9th and Montrose, in the heart of the Italian Market, starting at 11 a.m. On May 30, The NNP Jazz Quintet will perform with guest vocalist Paula Holloway in Dilworth Park, 1 S 15th Street, from 6 to 7 p.m.
During the Memorial Day Weekend concert, planned in collaboration with Di Bruno Bros., guests will be able to enjoy their Italian Market purchases while seated at tables listening to the music of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and more. At Dilworth Park, guests can enjoy the golden era of American music, featuring the timeless hits of George Gershwin and Cole Porter.
“We are thrilled that we have been invited by Center City District and Di Bruno Bros to provide free music to our community, our mission statement in action,” said Matt Koveal, the NNP’s Executive Director.
Founded in 2023, The No Name Pops is a versatile ensemble composed of the former musicians of The Philly Pops with a mission to deliver authentic, exceptional musical experiences in the Philadelphia region. Drawing from Philly’s rich symphonic pops legacy, the NNP melds tradition with an innovative approach unbound by musical genre for concert experiences that will entertain and empower the entire community.
The No Name Pops respects the rich legacy of the music of Peter Nero, Grammy Award-winning pianist and conductor who launched Pops music in Philadelphia for over three decades. Led by accomplished conductors and featuring world-class soloists, The No Name Pops continues to captivate audiences with its vibrant and diverse repertoire. For more information, or a list of upcoming performances, visit http://www.nonamepops.org.
Bonner-Prendie Classes of ’69 and ’74 hold reunions
Monsignor Bonner-Archbishop Prendergast High School, Class of 1974 is planning a 50th reunion at Paxon Hollow Country Club, Broomall.
It is set for Friday, Sept. 27 from 6 to 10 p.m.
The reunion committee is searching for current email addresses to send out notices with the details. Class members are asked to send name and email address to: Bonnerprendie50threunion@gmail.com.
Bonner-Prendie Class of 1969 will hold its 55th reunion also at Paxon Hollow Country Club.
It is set for Sunday Sept. 29 from 3 to 7 p.m.
The ticket price is $69, which includes food and an open bar. There is a limit of 250 tickets to be sold and no tickets will be sold at the door.
Checks can be made out to MBAP Class of ’69 and mailed to 403 N. Lansdowne Ave. Drexel Hill, PA 19026.
Springfield Township Library offers programs on houseplants, Civil War medicine
Springfield Township Library will present an in-person houseplant workshop, “Leafy Characters,” at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 11.
“Leafy Characters” will help anyone who doubts their green thumb.
Amanda, from a local nursery will teach participants some house plant basics, plant propagating, different house plants and their needs and more. Participants will leave the program with more knowledge.
Space is limited and registration is required at www.springfieldtwplib.com.events.
The library will also present a program on “Civil War Medicine with the Mutter Museum,” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 18.
Everyone is welcome to learn from an educator at the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia about the role and practice of medicine in the Civil War. A description of the impact this era plays on modern medicine will also be discussed. Some examples of Civil War medical inventions include ambulances and specialty medicines.
This event is via Zoom only. Registration at www.springfieldtwplib.com/events is required to obtain the Zoom link.
Readers can send typed community news press releases and photos to Peg DeGrassa at pdegrassa@21st-centurymedia.com.
Foreclosure filings climbed in April, with Delaware, South Carolina, and Florida emerging as the nation’s primary hot spots for distressed property activity.
Across the U.S., foreclosure rates are up 18% from a year ago, according to the latest data from ATTOM. And in the last month, there were a total of 42,430 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings. The total includes default notices, scheduled auctions, and bank repossessions. While that might seem high, it’s down 8% from March.
Meanwhile, foreclosure starts were up 12% from a year ago, while completed foreclosures increased 42%.
“Foreclosure activity continued its gradual trend higher in April, with both foreclosure starts and completed foreclosures posting annual gains,” said Rob Barber, CEO of ATTOM.
“While overall filings declined from the previous month, the year-over-year increases suggest lenders may be working through distressed inventory as higher borrowing costs and affordability challenges impact some homeowners.”
Nationwide, 1 in every 3,388 housing units had a foreclosure filing in April, according to the firm’s latest report.
“Even so, foreclosure activity remains significantly below pre-pandemic levels,” said Barber.
ATTOM’s report incorporates documents filed in all three phases of foreclosure: default and notice of default; notice of foreclosure; and real estate-owned or REO properties, defined as properties that have been foreclosed on and repurchased by a bank.
Worst foreclosure states
The state with the worst foreclosure rate in April 2026 was Delaware, with 1 in every 1,739 housing units there showing a foreclosure filing.
In Delaware, the median listing price is $500,000 and homes stay on the market a median of 48 days, according to Realtor.com® data.
“Delaware’s high foreclosure rate is partly a math problem,” said Hannah Jones, senior economic research analyst at Realtor.com. “With a relatively small number of total housing units, it doesn’t take many filings to produce an alarming per-unit figure, so the rate overstates how dire conditions are for the average Delaware homeowner compared to a larger state with far more absolute filings.”
Even so, Jones says there is real underlying stress.
“Delaware recently completed its first comprehensive property tax reassessment in roughly 40 years, and many homeowners saw their tax bills jump, which pushed some over the financial edge,” she says.
Delaware real estate agent Jennifer Allan tells Realtor.com that overall housing costs and the rising cost of living also contribute to escalating foreclosure rates.
“In addition to taxes, Delaware has seen a sharp increase in overall housing costs over the last several years—not just mortgage payments, but also insurance, HOA costs, and general cost-of-living pressures,” she says. “Those rising ownership costs are becoming difficult for some households to absorb.”
Behind Delaware on the list of states with the highest foreclosure rates is South Carolina (1 in every 1,745). It has a median listing price of $365,000, with homes staying on the market a median of 54 days.
“South Carolina’s foreclosure pressure is largely a consequence of its own growth,” says Jones. “Rapid in-migration drove home prices well beyond what local income levels could support, and many buyers who purchased near the peak of that appreciation, with elevated mortgage rates on top, are now left with high monthly payments and little equity cushion. When financial stress hits, those homeowners have limited ability to refinance or sell their way out.”
In third place is Florida, with 1 in every 2,092 housing units there showing a foreclosure filing. Florida has a median listing price of $426,000, with homes staying on the market a median of 74 days.
“Florida homeowners are being squeezed from multiple directions simultaneously,” says Jones. “Homeowners insurance premiums have surged dramatically in recent years due to climate and storm risk, and property taxes have climbed alongside rapidly appreciated home values.”
Jones adds that Florida also has an unusually high concentration of condo owners, who face not only mortgage payments but rising HOA fees—expenses that get passed directly to unit owners.
“Together, these stacking costs have made monthly homeownership burdens unsustainable for a growing number of residents,” she says.
Rounding out the top five states for foreclosure rates are Indiana (1 in every 2,129) and Illinois (1 in every 2,262).
The median listing price in Indiana is $299,900, with a median time on the market of 44 days. In Illinois, the median listing price is $312,423, with 38 days on the market.
Indiana real estate agent Fred Krawczyk of Fred Krawczyk & Associates—who specializes in short sales—tells Realtor.com, “After COVID, we had artificial appreciation here in Indiana, and people were pulling out money and refinancing. As a result, I’m getting one to two foreclosures a week right now.”
Metros with the most foreclosures
Among metro areas with populations above 500,000, Lakeland, FL, recorded the highest foreclosure rate in April, with one filing for every 1,221 housing units.
In Lakeland, the median listing price is $335,000 and homes stay on the market a median of 75 days.
Following Lakeland is Columbia, SC (1 in every 1,287) and Charleston, SC (1 in every 1,483).
Columbia has a median listing price of $300,000 and a median time on the market of 43 days. In Charleston, the median listing price is $499,945, with 44 days on the market.
Rounding out the top five are Bakersfield, CA (1 in every 1,566), and Cape Coral, FL (1 in every 1,628).
The median listing price is $403,995 in Bakersfield and $399,600 in Cape Coral.
The median time on the market is 48 days in Bakersfield and 82 days in Cape Coral.
“There is definitely an element of people in certain parts of Florida who bought too high during the pandemic real estate boom and now need to sell and find themselves essentially upside down,” says Florida real estate agent Cara Ameer with Coldwell Banker.
Salesianum’s James Dempsey breaks down win in NCCo boys 1,600
Dempsey won in 4:11.24, which moved him to third on the state all-time performance list.
The Padua and Tatnall girls and the Middletown and Saint Mark’s boys will defend their state titles at the 2026 DIAA Track and Field Championships on May 15 and 16 at Dover High.
Here is a look at the history of the meet with the most recent champions.
Which school has won the most Delaware outdoor track and field state championships?
With 21 Division I titles, Salesianum has won the most boys outdoor track and field state championships. Padua has won 25 state championships, including 23 Division I titles.
Who are the winningest Delaware high school outdoor track and field coaches?
Tatnall’s Patrick Castagno has led the most state championship teams with 12 girls titles and four boys titles. Padua’s Marnie Giunta has won 13 girls state titles.
Brandon Holveck reports on high school sports for The News Journal. Contact him at bholveck@delawareonline.com.
Delaware
Buffalo woman pleads guilty to charges in connection with vandalism at The Terrace at Delaware Park
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A Buffalo woman has pleaded guilty to charges in connection with vandalism at The Terrace at Delaware Park in October 2025.
The Erie County District Attorney’s Office announced that 40-year-old Stacy M. Matthews pleaded guilty before Buffalo City Court Judge Rebecca Town to one count of fourth-degree criminal mischief and one count of endangering the welfare of a child.
Erie County District Attorney’s Office
According to the DA, on October 16, 2025, Matthews drove six juveniles under her care to a business on Lincoln Parkway, and the juveniles, between the ages of 10 and 16, intentionally vandalized outdoor furniture and windows, causing approximately $2,000 in damage to the property.
The DA said that as a condition of the plea, Matthews signed a Confession of Judgment to pay $2,000 in restitution to the victim. Matthews faces a maximum of 364 days in jail when she is sentenced on June 9, 2026 and a temporary order of protection, issued on behalf of the property owner, remains in effect.
7 News spoke with Mike Shatzel, co-owner of The Terrace at Delaware Park, where the vandalism occurred, last October.
“It’s just disturbing that people have nothing better to do than come and just destroy things,” Shatzel said in October.
You can watch our previous story below.
WATCH: The Terrace at Delaware Park vandalized multiple times over the last two weeks
The Terrace at Delaware Park vandalized multiple times over the last two weeks
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