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Save the embarrassment. These expungement clinics may help with clearing a Delaware record

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Save the embarrassment. These expungement clinics may help with clearing a Delaware record


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A criminal history, even one stemming from a juvenile arrest or a minor driving violation, can be a lifelong barrier to opportunity for many Delawareans. Whether or not a conviction occurred, a record can follow a person for years, showing up in background checks run by employers, landlords and loan officers.

An expungement offers a way to break that cycle. The legal process removes police and court records from public databases, allowing former defendants to move forward without being required to disclose past arrests or charges.

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To help people navigate that process, several Delaware lawmakers and state agencies are hosting free expungement clinics this fall, offering one-on-one legal counseling to help eligible residents clear their records and reclaim new opportunities.

3 events planned across Delaware

Before the year ends, Delaware residents will have three opportunities to attend an expungement clinic where free, individual legal counseling will be available.

The events are organized in collaboration with the Office of Defense Services, the Delaware Criminal Justice Information System, or DELJIS, and the Delaware Department of Labor’s Advancement through Pardons and Expungement APEX Program. The Office of the Marijuana Commissioner has joined as a new sponsor this year and is contributing up to $5,000 to help cover expungement-related fees.

The sessions are open to individuals with Delaware criminal records. Services are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and advance registration is required.

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Where and how to attend

The Middletown Expungement Clinic will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Whitehall Recreational Center in Sen. Nicole Poore’s district. Registration is available at bit.ly/48gnKto.

The Smyrna Expungement Clinic will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. Nov. 6 at the Duck Creek Regional Library in Sen. Kyra Hoffner’s district. Registration is available at bit.ly/3KaHOn3.

In Sussex County, the Office of Defense Services will host the Life Church Expungement Clinic from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 18 at The Life Church in Laurel. Registration is available at forms.gle/bACj1h1xouk452oz8. For more information, contact Maria Clark at the Office of Defense Services at 302-688-4560.

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Organizers say the goal of these clinics is to help Delaware residents overcome the lasting effects of old criminal records and move toward greater economic and personal stability. They said, by removing barriers to employment and housing, expungements can help people reenter the workforce, support their families and participate fully in their communities.

To share your community news and activities with our audience, join Delaware Voices Uplifted on Facebook. Nonprofits, community groups and service providers are welcome to submit their information to be added to our Community Resources Map. Contact staff reporter Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline.com.



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Delaware

Local police departments earn state accreditation

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Local police departments earn state accreditation


The Delaware Police Officer Standards and Training Commission recently announced that the Dewey Beach Police Department and Rehoboth Beach Police Department have both earned state accreditation from the Delaware Police Accreditation Commission.

As part of the rigorous process, a team of DPAC assessors ensured all accreditation standards were met by completing comprehensive, on-site inspections of each agency, reviewing their policies and procedures for compliance, and conducting interviews with department members. 

“This milestone represents a significant step forward for public safety in Delaware. The initial state accreditation of these police agencies reflects a strong commitment to professionalism, accountability and excellence in law enforcement. I commend each department for their dedication to serving their communities with integrity and for upholding the highest standards,” said Joshua Bushweller, Department of Safety and Homeland Security secretary and DPAC chair.



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DDA inducts three Delaware Century Farms – 47abc

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DDA inducts three Delaware Century Farms – 47abc


Dover, Del. – Three farms, one from each of Delaware’s counties, were inducted into the Century Farm Program by the state Department of Agriculture on Thursday at the Delaware Agricultural Museum.

Each of the family farms has been owned and operated for at least a century. Each received a sign for their farms, an engraved plate and legislative tributes.

In addition to Secretary of Agriculture, Don Clifton, and Deputy Secretary Jimmy Kroon, state Senators David Wilson (R – District 18) and Kyra Hoffner (D – District 14) were also in attendance.

Wright Family Farms are located in Harrington in Kent County. In 1919, the farm was purchased by William Wright. Over a century later, William’s grandson, Ronald, is the owner and his great-grandson, Greg, said he hopes to continue the family legacy by buying the farm from his father. 

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Although the event celebrated each family for their hard work and resilience, it also highlighted the challenges farmers have to surmount to stay in business today, let alone for a hundred years.

“The price of equipment, the price of fertilizer, the price of seed, everything is just gone up,” Greg said. “So, you know, everything’s going up that we gotta purchase just to stay in business.”

Clifton, Kroon and Wilson also echoed difficulties in balancing the need to preserve agricultural land with the need to develop housing and sustainable energy projects like solar power.

“I know housing is very important, and we want people to always have good housing, but at some point, I think you’re going to saturate the area with more houses than you have food to feed these people,” Wilson said.

Kroon also said there are difficulties in keeping future generations motivated to stay in farming.

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“When you think about it in the context of multi-generational farm families, there’s a real long-term challenge where a new generation may think twice about whether they want to keep farming if it’s always a struggle,” he said.

Clifton said farming has always been a challenging way of life, but it has been so since time immemorial.

“These families, their experience shows that they have an appreciation for the way of life and perseverance and that’s to be honored and emulated to the greatest extent possible,” he said.

Greg said he hopes to pass down the way of life so that his family legacy can live on for another hundred years, as well as for other families.

“A hundred years as the same family tilling the land, that’s, you know, that’s an honor right there,” Greg said. “And I hope that more farmers who are close to 100 years old will be doing the same thing. You know, keep it in the family.”

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Investigation underway after man’s body pulled from Delaware River

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Investigation underway after man’s body pulled from Delaware River


An investigation is underway after police said a man’s body was pulled from the Delaware River in South Philadelphia.

According to police, around 9 a.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026, emergency responders pulled an unidentified man from the Delaware River, near the Navy Yard. Medic’s pronounced the man dead at 9:11 a.m.

Léelo en español aquí.

SkyForce10 flew above as police and other first responders were on the scene.

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NBC10

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Police are working to determine the circumstances of the incident and identify the man.

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



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