Delaware
New Castle County Council finally votes on data center regulations
Is a data center coming to Delaware City?
A large data center project is in the approval process in New Castle County. County Council is deciding how to regulate them.
New Castle County Council approved regulations on the development of data centers Tuesday night.
They won’t apply to the massive proposed data center complex of Project Washington, which continues to fight through state-level objections.
The County Council meeting was standing room only. The crowd of both construction workers supporting the legislation and community members opposing it spread into the lobby of the Louis Redding City/County Building.
The ordinance requires data centers to have a closed-loop water cooling system to limit its water use and creates a 1,000-foot buffer between data centers and residential areas, with an exception for 500-foot buffers if a development can follow noise regulations. It also defaults to existing county limits on noise and lighting levels.
A unanimously approved amendment from Pike Creek representative Timothy Sheldon clarified that these new regulations count for applications submitted after this gets adopted and approved by County Executive Marcus Henry, unless an existing applicant requests to follow these new regulations.
It passed with 12 ‘yes’ votes, with Councilmember Jea P. Street absent from the vote itself.
This was the only amendment left standing. An amendment from Janet Kilpatrick, representing Hockessin, would have grandfathered existing data centers from the ordinance, clarifying that any pending proposal in the county wouldn’t be affected. Another amendment, from Claymont representative John Cartier, would’ve made the ordinance retroactive to count for Project Washington and others. Both were withdrawn at the meeting in a council compromise.
Project Washington’s plans north of Delaware City kicked local data center dialogue into high gear in 2025. The data center project would include 11 two-story data center buildings surrounded by electrical fields on two large land parcels accessible by Hamburg Road, Governor Lea Road and River Road.
It would be 6 million square feet of data center running 24 hours a day, seven days week.
The project’s developer, Starwood Digital Ventures, pledges job creation and and a colossal injection of tax revenue into the coffers of the county and Colonial School District. They said this will bring about 3,500 construction jobs and retain 700 permanent jobs to keep the facility up and running.
County Council member Dave Carter has spent months drafting the regulations that were voted on during this meeting. This is substitute number three on the original bill from August 2025, including compromises on noise and lighting restrictions. Carter wants sensible data center regulation in the county, and he told Delaware Online/The News Journal in March he thinks Project Washington is a “bad deal” for the state.
He thinks the potential demand on the state’s already strained electrical bid will hurt residents’ bills. He also disputes the developers’ promises on permanent jobs and tax revenue.
“We just have to really be cognizant and thoughtful and make sure that we are ensuring that we protect our communities, and that we manage these things well if they are coming,” Carter said at the meeting.
It hasn’t been an easy sell to the rest of County Council. Council member Janet Kilpatrick, who represents Hockessin, wanted consistent regulations on lighting and noise levels to avoid scaring off potential business. Data centers have sprung up across the country as the highly demanding AI industry exploded in popularity.
“If we don’t have some stability, these people are not going to be able to go through a lender to get money, and so that means that they leave, and I’m sure that there’s a group of people in this room that would love to see them leave, but that’s not how we build economic development,” she said at the meeting. “Part of what we need, in my mind, in economic development is that we have a stable land use code.”
Although this doesn’t apply to the controversial Project Washington, County Council will still have a say on the re-zoning of half of the project’s land. The County Board of Adjustment will also have to approve its electrical switch station, Culver said.
At the meeting, residents showed up with mainly negative comments for Project Washington. But, members of trade unions showed up in support of the project’s potential to create construction jobs.
Starwood Digital Ventures will continue to move through the approval process with no changes to Project Washington, according to Jim Lamb, who is handling media for the project.
“We’re really happy there’s a consensus within the council and it’s a really great opportunity for the residents of New Castle County,” Lamb said Tuesday night.
Now this goes to County Executive Marcus Henry’s office, who can sign or veto these regulations.
Half of Project Washington’s proposed land still needs a re-zone, which requires council approval. The project was stifled by DNREC, who ruled the proposal’s size, use and backup diesel generators violate the decades-old Coastal Zone Act.
Starwood Digital Ventures disagrees, and filed and appeal, saying the state environmental agency didn’t classify the project correctly and said it “solely focuses on alleged environmental risk and worst-case emissions, and does not fairly weigh or explain these countervailing factors in light of regulating criteria.”
The appeal’s hearing is in Dover and begins on March 24.
Shane Brennan covers Wilmington and other Delaware issues. Reach out with ideas, tips or feedback at slbrennan@delawareonline.com.
Delaware
Delaware State Police Announces 2025 Trooper and Professional Staff of the Year – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware
Date Posted: Saturday, April 25th, 2026
The Delaware State Police announced the recipients of the 2025 Trooper of the Year and Professional Staff of the Year Awards during a ceremony on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. To highlight the importance of the event, notable attendees included Governor Matt Meyer, Chief Deputy Attorney General Dan Logan, Department of Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Joshua Bushweller, Colonel William D. Crotty, and Sergeant Shawn Doherty, President of the Delaware State Troopers Association, who all offered congratulatory remarks.
Trooper of the Year
The Delaware State Police Trooper of the Year is awarded annually to one sworn employee who is recognized by their peers as having outstanding character and integrity and whose actions or performance significantly exceeded expectations during that calendar year.
From the twelve nominees, Colonel Crotty and the Executive Staff selected Corporal Robert Prettyman as the 2025 Trooper of the Year for his exceptional efforts and contributions to the Division and the citizens of the State of Delaware.
Trooper of the Year Nominees
Trooper First Class Colin Osler – Troop 1
Detective Justin Adams – Troop 2 Criminal Investigations Unit
Trooper First Class Jonathan Lado – Troop 2 Patrol
Detective Brandon Yencer – Troop 3 Criminal Investigations Unit
Trooper First Class Jacob Pangle – Troop 3 Patrol
Detective Heidi Lingo – Troop 4 Criminal Investigations Unit
Trooper First Class Brian Nieto – Troop 4 Patrol
Corporal Robert Prettyman – Troop 5
Corporal/1 Matthew “Ty” Snook – Troop 6
Corporal/1 Ryan Nowakowski – Troop 7
Corporal Emanuel Velez – Troop 9
Detective Michael Macauley – Headquarters
Professional Staff of the Year
The Delaware State Police Professional Staff of the Year is awarded annually to one employee whose service with the Delaware State Police has been outstanding throughout the course of that calendar year.
From the eleven nominees, Colonel Crotty and the Executive Staff selected Revered Jeffrey A. Miller, Sr. as the 2025 Professional Staff of the Year. Reverend Miller is assigned to Troop 2 and also serves as a Chaplain for the division.
Professional Staff of the Year Nominees
Ms. Mayra Cruz-Chavez – Victim Services
Ms. Ashleigh Haines – State Bureau of Identification
Ms. Sonia Jonas – Troop 3
Mr. Barry Laise – KENTCOM
Ms. Kerry-Gene Lussier – Information Technology
Reverend Jeffrey A. Miller, Sr. – Troop 2
Ms. Heather Neeld – RECOM
Ms. Donna Newth-Showell – Troop 6
Mr. Schyler Outten – SUSCOM
Ms. Nicole Sund – Delaware Information Analysis Center
Mr. Robert Zurlo – Troop 5 Transportation
Additionally, Troopers, Professional Staff, and non-divisional members received several awards for Life Saving, Exceptional Performance, the Superintendent’s Citation, and Valor.
Congratulations to all award nominees and the recipients. Please enjoy the award ceremony highlight video below.
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Celebration Included Historic Marker Dedication and 5K Run
A historic marker was dedicated by the Delaware Public Archives at Fort Delaware for its role in protecting the coast from the Civil War to World War II. Photo by DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation.
As part of the 75th Anniversary of Delaware State Parks, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control launched Fort Fest at the Fort Delaware State Park on April 25-26. The weekend included the unveiling of a historic marker and an inaugural 5K run around Pea Patch Island.
A state historic marker was unveiled on April 25 at Battery Park in Delaware City. It highlighted Fort Delaware’s role in protecting the ports of Philadelphia and Wilmington since the mid-1800s. The fort also housed more than 33,000 Confederate soldiers and political prisoners during the Civil War. About 2,400 Confederate soldiers died there, with many buried at Finn’s Point National Cemetery in New Jersey.
Through advocacy efforts led by the Fort Delaware Society, the fort became the second state park in Delaware in 1951. It is located on Pea Patch Island, which can only be accessed by boat, and offers programs highlighting its rich past throughout the spring, summer and fall. It also includes the Pea Patch Island Nature Preserve, which features a heronry, an important migratory bird habitat along its marshy shore, which draws thousands of people annually to see unique species.
During this year’s opening weekend, Fort Delaware will debut Charge the Fort on April 26, a 5k run across the island managed by Race Roster. This unique event was limited to 150 participants. The race will begin and end at the fort and traverse both ends of the island. Awards will be given to top male and female finishers, masters divisions, walkers and the top three finishers in each age group. Participants had to be 13 and older and minors had to be accompanied by a participating adult to take part in the race. No spectators will be allowed on the island on race day due to capacity issues.
Reenactor groups will also be present at Battery Park in Delaware City on race day.
Fort Delaware is one of several former military installations in the Delaware State Parks system that demonstrates the importance of the First State in defending the nation. Those parks include Fort DuPont in Delaware City and Fort Miles in Lewes.
For more information about Fort Delaware, visit the destateparks.com/park/fort-delaware/ webpage. For more information on the Charge the Island 5K race, visit the Race Roster website.
About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo and the Indian River Marina. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.
Celebrating A Milestone Year
Delaware State Parks is celebrating 75 years of outdoor adventures and lasting memories. What began in 1951 with three parks has grown into a system that now includes 17 state parks, 22 nature preserves, the Brandywine Zoo and the Indian River Marina — together protecting more than 27,000 acres. In 2026, the division will honor the people, parks and partners who built this legacy and invite visitors to join in inspiring exploration, discovery and a deeper connection to the outdoors for generations to come.
Media contact: Beth Kuhles-Heiney, elizabeth.kuhlesheiney@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov
Delaware
Photo Gallery: Smyrna Boys Lacrosse vs Sussex Central – Milford LIVE! – Local Delaware News, Kent and Sussex Counties
The Smyrna boys lacrosse team earned their fifth win of the season with their victory over Sussex Central on April 22.
Smyrna junior Elijah Mann wins the faceoff for the Eagles.
Eagle senior Tannin Bell streaks down the field with the ball in hand.
Sussex Central senior Jaden Nock looks for a passing lane as Smyrna junior Drew Marks defends.
Marks attempts to get around Golden Knight senior Peyton Conaway.
Smyrna freshman Aiden McLaughlin shoots toward the top right of the cage from close range.
Sussex Central goalie Shane McCray concentrates on making the save on a high shot.
McCray defends another shot from the Smyrna offense which scored a season high 22 goals.
Jaden Nock defends Smyrna junior Grayson Judy away from the cage.
Smyrna senior Jake Supinski surveys the field.
Sussex Central sophomore William Laird works on getting the ball into the offensive zone while being defended by freshman Aiden McLaughlin.
Smyrna senior Braeden Marshall throws a pass to a teammate.
Sussex Central junior Giovanni Gargano awaiting the pass from fellow senior Gavyn Weatherley.
Weatherley shoots past the Smyrna defense. The senior scored the Golden Knights only goal.
Sussex Central junior Cooper Altemus celebrates with Weatherley after the goal.
Smyrna goalkeeper Colin McGowan looks for a teammate to pass too after making a save.
Drew Marks makes a leaping attempt at a goal for Smyrna.
Shane McCray makes the leaping catch to stop a Smyrna goal.
Smyrna juniors Drew Marks and Michael Pierson celebrate on the field. The Eagles are 5-3 this season.
All photos courtesy of Dave Reeder.
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