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Southern Delaware's Georgetown embraces change amid growing population

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Southern Delaware's Georgetown embraces change amid growing population


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A lot has changed in Georgetown over the past two decades. The county seat of Delaware’s southernmost Sussex County has seen its population increase about 60% since 2000. The town’s growth mirrors a burgeoning county and state population and is resulting in a number of changes, including more crowded roadways.

Glendy Vicente, a 24-year-old Latina resident, has grown up with those changes. She fondly remembers streets with farms on one side and houses on the opposite side — a typical example of the rural way of life in Georgetown.

“The last four years, I’ve seen a lot more change,” she said. “I remember growing up, there was mostly forest and fields. There have been a lot of drastic changes between when I was five to now being 24.”

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The once little town that we were, it’s now becoming a little bit more populated with businesses and people,” she said.

Delaware has been on a growing trend, with a consistent 1.2% growth rate every year. It’s the sixth-fastest growing state in the country by percent growth, according to the United States Census Bureau statistics.

In April 2020, the state’s total population stood at 989,946. By July 2022, it had risen to 1,019,459, and more recently, in 2023, the population reached 1,031,890. That’s well above the 2000 population, which stood at more than 786,000.

In April 2020, Georgetown had a population of 7,134, and as of July 2022, the population has increased to 7,662. Georgetown had just 4,798 residents in 2000.

Georgetown Mayor Bill West says the population growth and accompanying development investment is due in part to its central location in Sussex and the opportunities available for success.

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“[Georgetown is] 16 miles from the beach, 16 miles from the southern end of Delaware, 16 miles from the western side of Delaware into Maryland. So we’re 16 miles from anywhere,” he said. “I’ve always been told by the people of Georgetown, ‘Our kids are moving out. There’s no jobs here,’ that ‘They’ve got to go somewhere else to get a good paying job, and there’s nothing for them here.’  Well, I tried to change that by getting the medical fields into Georgetown… to give our kids an opportunity to stay here and have a good paying job.”

Among the new businesses in Georgetown are PAM Hospital, Sun Behavioral, Beebe Hospital, hotels, and the construction of a new family court on Main Street. According to West, Chick-fil-A, Jersey Mike’s, and Popeyes are also expected to soon join the town’s business landscape.

“It’s a two-way street, that’s part of economic development,” said West. “You build and they will come, you build and people from other towns come.”

The influx of new businesses has also led to the expansion of housing options. As a result, the town has a few housing projects on its radar, with a particular focus on aiding those in need. That’s inspired by the success of initiatives like Pallet Village, a group of tiny homes providing shelter for people experiencing homelessness.

“We’re looking at some workforce housing, and we changed some coding to make them closer together so we could get more in there to make it affordable,” he said. “We’re also looking at a section of cottages. [The] small cottages would be a step up from the homeless shelter or ‘the Pallet Village.’”

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Delaware woman charged in Jersey shore hit-and-run that injured 92-year-old man

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Delaware woman charged in Jersey shore hit-and-run that injured 92-year-old man


VENTNOR, N.J. (WPVI) — A Delaware woman is behind bars in connection with a hit-and-run crash in November at the Jersey shore.

(The video in the player above is from previous coverage.)

The incident happened around 6:16 p.m. on Nov. 20 in Ventnor, New Jersey.

READ MORE | Video shows Jersey shore hit-and-run crash that left 92-year-old injured

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Police said the 92-year-old victim was struck at Ventnor and Newport avenues. He sustained serious injuries and was transported to an area hospital.

Investigators said the driver, Leslie Myers, 51, of Weldin Park, Delaware, fled the scene after the crash.

She was arrested Wednesday on charges of assault by auto, leaving the scene of an accident and other related offenses.

Myers is being held in the Allegheny County Jail in Pennsylvania, awaiting extradition to New Jersey.

Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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Delaware announces plan to tackle climate warming emissions

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Delaware announces plan to tackle climate warming emissions


This story is part of the WHYY News Climate Desk, bringing you news and solutions for our changing region.

From the Poconos to the Jersey Shore to the mouth of the Delaware Bay, what do you want to know about climate change? What would you like us to cover? Get in touch.


Delaware’s top environmental regulators have proposed steps to reduce climate-warming fossil fuel pollution, while protecting residents from threats like extreme heat and floods.

The state’s Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control on Wednesday released its 2025 Climate Action Plan. The nonbinding proposal outlines a path to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, as required by the state’s Climate Change Solutions Act.

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Officials said Delaware residents continue to experience the impacts of climate change including severe storms like the 2021 Hurricane Ida, which forced people out of their homes, with some remaining unhoused a year later. In addition, sea level rise and beach erosion has flooded coastal communities and damaged critical infrastructure.

“Flooding, extreme storms and heat damage infrastructure that wasn’t built to withstand these conditions, including our energy systems,” said Susan Love, the agency’s climate and sustainability section administrator. “Sea level rise is drowning wetlands and uplands, and impacting water quality and availability. Damage from storms has increased costs for infrastructure and insurance coverage, and all of these impacts can negatively impact human health as well.”

Recommendations include strategies to reduce emissions from vehicles, industrial activities and electricity production — the source of the state’s top climate emissions.

The plan, which builds on similar goals set in 2021, comes as President Donald Trump’s administration has cut clean energy funding and prioritized U.S. reliance on fossil fuels.

“There is no doubt that the reduced funding in a lot of these areas from the federal government makes these goals and strategies harder to implement,” said DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson. “It is up to us to keep trying to work towards them, even knowing that it’s going to be a little harder to do without the federal resources that even a year ago we thought we could count on.”

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Delaware officials plan to promote public transit, electric vehicles and clean hydrogen

The plan calls for increased bus and train ridership while improving access to electric vehicles and charging stations. Though lawmakers repealed a mandate that would have required manufacturers to produce a set number of electric vehicles, DNREC wants to expand programs that incentivize the optional sale of electric vehicles.

However, Love emphasized the state “can’t EV our way out of transportation emission.”

“A lot of work needs to be done as well to reduce the amount that we drive vehicles, by good land use choices, mass transit and making it easier for people to walk, bike and roll to their destinations,” she said.



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Can you legally ride e-bikes and scooters in Delaware

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Can you legally ride e-bikes and scooters in Delaware


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Sure, cars and motorcycles are popular ways to get around. But if you can’t afford either one, an electric bike might save the day like Delaware’s own Superman.

Then again, is it legal to cruise around on an electric bike or electric scooter in Delaware?

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Here’s a guide to help you stay out of trouble when traveling in the Small Wonder:

What are Delaware laws for riding electric bikes?

An electric bicycle may be ridden anywhere bicycles are allowed (unless posted otherwise), which includes streets, highways, roadways, shoulders and bicycle lanes.

Delaware prohibits anyone under the age of 16 from operating an electric bicycle, which features pedal assist only and tops off at 28 mph.

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Difference between electric scooter, triped and moped explained

A motorized skateboard or scooter is any vehicle with two wheels on the ground, handlebars and a hand-controlled throttle or brake, designed to be stood or sat upon by the operator, according to Delaware law.

While mopeds and tripeds are similar in design and size, mopeds have two wheels and tripeds have three wheels.

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Where can you legally ride motorized vehicles?

Delaware law states that motorized skateboards or scooters can be used on public streets or highways as long as they are in the neutral position or the powertrain function is disengaged. However, in Newark, you can be fined $100 for riding motorized scooters on streets and sidewalks.

Mopeds and tripeds are prohibited on interstates and operating railroads, according to the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles.

Do you need insurance for a triped or moped?

No motor vehicle insurance is required for operating a moped or triped, according to the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles.

What rules are there for riding a scooter?

Delaware state law states that a person cannot operate a motorized skateboard or scooter while under the influence of alcohol or any drug.

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Are there license and registration requirements for electric bikes?

If you want to operate scooters, they must be tagged and registered by the Division of Motor Vehicles, and the operator must have a valid driver’s license.

The Delaware DMV states that a basic driver’s license is required to travel with a moped or triped on public roadways.

The state of Delaware does not have any licensing or registration requirements for electric bikes.

Who can legally ride an electric scooter?

The minimum age to operate a scooter is 16.  No person under 12 can operate a scooter unless they are under adult supervision or a parent or legal guardian.

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Is there a law for wearing a helmet on a motorized scooter or skateboard?

To operate a motorized skateboard or scooter, bicycle-type helmets are required for those under 16, according to Delaware State law.

If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters



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