Delaware
Newark is a Gov. Matt Meyer signature away from being able to levy a per-student tax on UD
Poultry expert talks about popularity of backyard chicken flocks
Georgie Cartanza is the poultry extension agent for the UD Cooperative Extension at the Carvel Research Center in Georgetown.
A per-student tax from Newark on his hometown college is closer to a reality than ever.
The state Senate passed House Bill 34, which would amend Newark’s city charter to allow it to levy a per-student tax on the University of Delaware. UD is the largest university in the state and the economic and cultural heartbeat of Delaware’s third most populated city. There weren’t any ‘no’ votes from any state representative of senator against the bill.
The bill allows the city to levy a tax of up to $50 per-student, per-semester. City officials have long been searching for an additional revenue stream to help with rising property taxes and utility costs. UD occupies nearly 40% of the city’s municipal borders, and it sits on untaxable land. But its students, faculty, staff and their families are the drivers of Newark’s economy.
Now the bill has to be signed by Gov. Matt Meyer. The governor’s office said the legislation is under review, but did not indicate anything further.
Newark Mayor Travis McDermott said this is a long time coming and thanked the bill’s sponsor, Democratic state representative for Newark Cyndie Romer, for her work to get it through.
“I think it’s a piece of the puzzle to achieving equitable funding for the City of Newark,” he said.
The bill has one amendment, deleting the cost of living adjustment made to the tax rate every year, keeping the limit at $50. If signed, it will be up to the city to put this into action.
McDermott said if the bill is signed into law, the city will not rush to levy a tax. After all, graduation is this weekend.
He said the council and city staff will look at what the best rate is and does not think the tax will start at the maximum allowed $50 rate. If signed, the city council will take a look at the rate while formulating next year’s city budget.
“I don’t want to just throw an arbitrary number out and say this is what the fee is going to be,” he said. “I think we need to do an analysis of what the services cost and what would be the appropriate fee to set. So, that’s going to take some work on city staff’s part to see where we want to put that number out.”
At its maximum rate, the city could pull in $2.4 million, which is about a 8% increase in revenue. Utility payments make up 75% of the city’s revenue. It has already hiked property taxes by 7.5% for the 2024-25 budget.
UD’s economic output is indelible. Blue Hens contribute more than $3 billion annually, according to a report in 2022. Despite its output for the city and state, the city only collects around $180,000 from the university annually from deals made in 1965 and 2002.
In an emailed statement to The News Journal on May 23, UD said it shares an interest in Newark’s improvements, financial viability and strength, and that the city’s issues with rising costs reflect its own problems. UD’s focus remains on access to its education.
“We prepare students, including thousands of Delawareans, for success in their professions, communities and beyond,” the university said in its statement. “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.”
Shane Brennan covers Wilmington and other Delaware issues. Reach out with ideas, tips or feedback at slbrennan@delawareonline.com.
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The head of a Delaware County advocacy group has been charged with using opioid settlement funds to coerce sexual favors from women experiencing addiction.
Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer charged Lawrence Arata, executive director of the Opioid Crisis Action Network, with human trafficking, patronizing prostitutes, obstruction of justice and witness intimidation.
“Our investigation concluded that Larry Arata cynically and cruelly misused those funds as leverage to satisfy his sexual desires,” Stollsteimer said in a statement.
Arata turned himself in on Wednesday to the district attorney’s Criminal Investigation Division and later posted bail. No attorney was listed for Arata in online court records and he did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Opioid Crisis Action Network did not respond to a request for comment.
Lawrence Arata, 65, founded the Upper Darby-based organization in 2018 with his wife, Heather Arata, shortly after their son died from a heroin overdose. The Opioid Crisis Action Network pays for treatment and housing for people with substance use disorder.
The organization was a recipient of opioid settlement money from Delaware County as well as the Pennsylvania Opioid Misuse and Addiction Abatement Trust, Stollsteimer said. The Criminal Investigation Division, in collaboration with the Upper Darby Police Department, initiated a joint investigation into Arata after receiving complaints.
“The allegations revolve around Arata receiving sexual favors from clients who are in recovery for drug addictions in exchange for program benefits such as meal credits, gift cards, bus passes, money, rental assistance, and the like,” the affidavit of probable cause reads.
Delaware
State Police Investigating Fatal Pedestrian Crash in Clayton – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware
The Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred this morning in Clayton.
On November 18, 2025, at approximately 10:20 a.m., a Chevrolet Silverado was traveling southbound on Wheatley’s Pond Road near Bryn Zion Road. At the same time, a pedestrian was walking southbound on Wheatley’s Pond Road near Bryn Zion Road, in the southbound shoulder, with his bicycle. The preliminary investigation revealed that the Silverado exited the southbound lane of travel and as a result, struck the pedestrian within the shoulder.
The pedestrian, a 19-year-old man from Clayton, Delaware, was pronounced dead at the scene. His name is being withheld until his family is notified.
The driver of the Silverado, a 64-year-old man from Smyrna, Delaware, was not injured.
Wheatley’s Pond Road was closed for approximately 3 hours while the scene was investigated and cleared.
The Delaware State Police Troop 3 Collision Reconstruction Unit continues to investigate this crash. Troopers ask anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information to contact Master Corporal W. Booth at (302) 698-8451. Information may also be provided by sending a private Facebook message to the Delaware State Police or contacting Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-847-3333.
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and need assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit / Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the Victim Services Unit at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.
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Greenville’s iconic Janssen’s Market offers tastes of holiday foods
Greenville’s iconic Janssen’s Market offers free tastes of its holiday foods
Temperatures are dropping and the anticipation of the holidays is taking over, which means Christmas tree hunting is sure to be at the forefront of many people’s minds.
Delaware is home to several Christmas tree farms, and many of them offer homemade wreaths, photo opportunities with Santa and a variety of trees to ensure you find the perfect fit “fir” your home.
To help cross tree hunting off your to-do, we’ve compiled a list of places to get a tree in Delaware this year.
Avoid going home empty-handed by keeping up with your favorite tree farms on their websites or via social media to be notified about stock updates and other announcements.
Where to get Christmas trees in Delaware in 2025
Balsam Acres, Laurel
Balsam Acres in Laurel opens for the season Nov. 22. The farm will remain open through Nov. 23 before closing until Dec. 6. The hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends through Dec. 21, when the operation closes for the season at noon.
Tagging is available. All trees are fir, pine or spruce of various heights and are grown on site. Customers pick the tree and the farm brings it to their vehicle.
Firs are $12 per foot; pines and spruces are $8 per foot. Wreaths are available for $30, along with greens for decoration at $2 per pound.
To keep your tree healthy, the farm offers the following advice:
- Place the cut tree in water as soon as you get home, and always keep the water replenished
- Check daily to make sure there is still water in the stand
- If using a water additive, add it to the initial dose of water
- Do not expose the tree to extreme heat from electric heaters, wood stoves, heat vents, radiators or other appliances.
Don’s Tree Farm, Greenwood
Don’s Tree Farm in Greenwood opens on Black Firday at 10 a.m. Tree racks will be stacked and the Christmas shop will be fully stocked with holiday items. A limited amount of 10-foot-tall Douglas and Fraser trees are available, so arrive early if you want one.
Santa Claus will be on site every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and a new train display is available for children to enjoy.
Gaines Christmas Tree Farm, Harrington
Gaines Christmas Tree Farm in Harrington, founded in 1996, opens for business Black Friday and prides itself on delivering the freshest, Delaware-grown trees to customers and cutting only when a selection is made.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays after Black Friday through Dec. 7. Hours after early December will depend on availability, but Gaines warns that this year was a poor growing season.
Note that buyers are not permitted to cut their own trees with a chainsaw. Sales are cash only.
Dyer’s Tree Farm, Dover
Dyer’s Tree Farm in Dover does not have a set opening date; contact the farm for appointment times prior to Black Friday. After then, business hours are from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays; and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Tagging can be done at any time during daylight hours.
All trees up to 8 feet tall are $48, with trees beyond an extra $5 per additional foot. Payment is by cash or check only.
The farm will cut down the tree for you, but you can elect to dig a tree for an additional $5 fee, after which the farm will fill the hole.
McCarthy Tree Farm, Middletown
McCarthy Tree Farm in Middletown opens Thanksgiving weekend Nov. 29 at 10 a.m. The farm is open until 4 p.m.
While you’re searching for a new tree, be sure to greet the new “kids” on the farm: Donkey, also known as Sadie, and Lampie, a miniature pony.
Coastal Christmas Trees, Milton
Coastal Christmas Trees in Milton opens for the season Nov. 28 at 9 a.m.
Christmas trees and handmade wreaths are available, along with warm drinks while you browse. Fraser fir, Douglas fir and Concolor fir tree varieties are available.
Once the holiday season is over, Coastal Christmas Trees offers a tree disposal service. Call them at (302) 278-8822 for more information.
Coleman’s Christmas Tree Farm, near Odessa
Coleman’s Christmas Tree Farm in Odessa opens for cut-your-own Christmas trees the Friday after Thanksgiving.
Families can pick a tree to cut down or choose from a selection of fresh pre-cut trees. Baling service is available for $5 per tree. Admission and parking is free. Payment is cash or check only; an ATM is located in the gift shop.
Weather permitting, free hayrides to the Christmas tree fields are offered daily. Santa Claus will be at Coleman’s most weekends throughout December for free photos. Call ahead to check scheduling.
Hundred Acre Farms, Smyrna
Hundred Acre Farms in Smyrna offers pre-cut and cut-your-own Christmas trees this holiday season. A limited number of wreaths will be available, too.
The farm is open for tree tagging Nov. 22 and Nov. 23. Tree cutting and sales will begin on Black Friday, lasting until the farm is out of inventory. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather permitting.
Tree varieties are white pine, Douglas fir, Norway spruce and scotch pine, priced at $14 per foot with a 4-foot minimum. Not that tree heights vary and that not all varieties will be available in the 5-foot-and-up range. Holiday wreaths are 12 inches and priced at $25.
Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys’tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com.
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