Connect with us

Delaware

Thinking of living off the grid? Here’s where the First State ranks

Published

on

Thinking of living off the grid? Here’s where the First State ranks


play

If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life in favor of taking in fresh air and wide-open spaces, you’re not alone.

According to Nature’s Generator, more than 250,000 residents in the United States currently live off the grid.

Advertisement

A recent BusinessElectric.com study, which revealed the top 150 places in the United States to live off the grid, included all three Delaware counties, as voted on by 3,000 Americans.

Here’s what each county has to offer for off-the-grid living.

More: Delaware camping guide: 7 campgrounds to visit in Delaware, camping tips and tricks

Best places to live off the grid in Delaware

  • Sussex County (No. 20) – Just off the Atlantic Ocean, the First State’s southernmost county is ideal for beachgoers and nature lovers alike. The county spans roughly 938 square miles, and is known as Delaware’s largest county geographically, according to the county’s website. The county is home to a wide range of seaside resorts – including notable locales Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island – and known for its arable land, which is perfect for farming. The county also has a wide range of state parks and protected lands, including , Delaware Seashore State Park, Cape Henlopen State Park and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, which offer many outdoor recreational activities. Georgetown is Sussex County’s largest city, which spans nearly 4.1 square miles and has a population of 7,662 residents as of 2022.
  • Kent County (No. 57) – Considered central Delaware, Kent County is considered by many to be a blend of historical and modern-day, family-friendly living. The county homes several museums including First State Heritage Park and the Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village. There are also many state parks, including Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Bowers Beach and Killens State Park, which offer multiple outdoor activities including camping, hiking, fishing and bird-watching. Residents can also visit Spence’s Bazaar & Flea Market or Fifer Orchards to pick out homemade goodies and fresh produce. Dover, the state capital, is considered Kent County’s largest city, spanning 23.97 square miles and is home to 39,403 people as of the 2020 U.S. Census.  
  • New Castle County, western region (No. 122) – The northernmost county of the First State, the western region of New Castle County provides residents both the opportunity to explore the big city and small towns. Alongside Lums Pond State Park, other regions worth exploring include Cedar Swamp Wildlife Area and Augustine Beach and Wildlife Area. Wilmington is the county’s largest city, with a population of 70,898 residents as of the 2020 U.S. Census and spans 6,510,38 square miles.

What is off-the-grid living?

As Nature’s Generator explains, off-the-grid living is often defined as severing ties with public utilities, including electricity, gas and water, and instead generating these resources using renewable energy such as solar or wind power and water collection or filtration.

To put it simply, living off the grid means cutting off local utilities and similar resources and embracing self-sufficiency and resilience.

Advertisement

What are the pros and cons of off-the-grid living?

While many point to self-sufficiency, financial independence and reducing one’s carbon footprint as empowering, making the decision to live off the grid does have its drawbacks.

Which Delaware communities are growing the fastest

In addition to making significantly high investment costs in resources like solar panels, water collection systems and battery storage mechanisms, there is also a lot of work involved and a greater risk of social isolation and being without electricity or water for several days.

But many do credit how living off the grid with saving money, encouraging a more sustainable lifestyle and providing a deeper connection to natural surroundings.

Advertisement



Source link

Delaware

Where to find warming centers in Delaware during freezing temps

Published

on

Where to find warming centers in Delaware during freezing temps


play

As temperatures fall, the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services will open multiple warming stations to provide shelter for anyone in need starting Jan. 28.

These stations will offer Delawareans “a safe, warm space to get relief from the cold,” according to a post from the department on the social media platform Facebook issued Jan. 27. 

Advertisement

Temperatures through Jan. 30 are expected to be below freezing, with another chance of snow predicted for this weekend, according to a recent National Weather Service report.

The warming centers will include facilities located in all three counties, including Wilmington, Dover and Georgetown.  

Here’s what Delawareans should know. 

Advertisement

Delaware warming stations

New Castle County 

Canby Park Office, 1920 Maryland Ave., Wilmington

Churchman’s Corporate Center, 84 Christiana Road, New Castle

Claymont State Service Center, 3301 Green St., Claymont

Kent County  

James W. Williams State Service Center, 805 River Road, Dover 

Smyrna State Service Center, 200 South DuPont Blvd., Suite 101, Smyrna

Advertisement

Sussex County 

Anna C. Shipley State Service Center, 350 Virginia Ave., Seaford

Laurel State Service Center, 31039 North Poplar St., Laurel

Thurman Adams State Service Center, 546 S. Bedford St. Georgetown

Delaware warming station hours

Stations will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 28. Stations will remain open throughout the remainder of the week, through Jan. 30.

Advertisement

These centers will provide space to residents in need of “a safe, warm place to go,” according to the Facebook post. 

How to stay warm

With winter now in full force, residents are urged to take the necessary steps to stay safe as the weather turns cold. 

This includes making sure your homes “can be safely heated” and you always have crucial items on hand in case of an emergency, including non-perishable and pet foods, water and medicine.   

Delawareans are also encouraged to have a driving kit in their car this winter.   

Advertisement

Items should include blankets or sleeping bags, extra warm clothing, first-aid supplies, drinking water and shelf-stable food items like protein or energy bars and trail mix.   

Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact for Delaware Online/The News Journal. If you have a tip or a story idea, reach out to her at omontes@delawareonline.com.     



Source link

Continue Reading

Delaware

Delaware Senate Democrats oppose more ICE funding after Minneapolis shootings

Published

on

Delaware Senate Democrats oppose more ICE funding after Minneapolis shootings


What are journalists missing from the state of Delaware? What would you most like WHYY News to cover? Let us know.

Delaware’s congressional delegation is calling President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown lawless and vowing to oppose more money for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The effort to vote down additional DHS funding this week comes after two U.S. citizens were fatally shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents, respectively, this month in Minneapolis. Renee Nicole Macklin Good, a 37-year old mom, was killed Jan. 7, and Alex Pretti, a Veterans Affairs intensive care nurse, died at the hands of federal officers last week.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware said federal agents are wreaking havoc on all Americans, and that this is a pivotal moment for the country.

Advertisement

“It is incumbent upon all of us to do whatever we can in this moment,” she said. “Delawareans, we’re known as a state of neighbors, and I hope that that sentiment stays with us and spreads across the country, because we need it now more than ever.”

The Trump administration, as well as the president himself, have blamed the victims for their deaths. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called Good a “domestic terrorist.” She said Pretti was “brandishing a weapon,” although bystander video shows Pretti holding a cellphone and trying to help a woman who had been pepper sprayed. Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino said Pretti intended to “massacre law enforcement agents.”

DHS received $75 billion in the massive tax and spending bill Republicans passed this summer, known as the “one big, beautiful bill.” Senators are currently scheduled to vote Thursday on six “minibus” appropriation bills to fund the government. If those fail, a partial government shutdown could begin as soon as midnight Friday. Senate Democrats want the DHS funding bill to get a separate vote from the other bills.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Delaware

Delaware needs to take care of littering

Published

on

Delaware needs to take care of littering


A letter to the editor expresses a reader’s opinion and, as such, is not reflective of the editorial opinions of this newspaper.

To submit a letter to the editor for publishing, send an email to viewpoints@capegazette.com. All letters are considered at the discretion of the newsroom and published as space allows. Due to the large volume of submissions, we cannot acknowledge receipt of each submission. Letters must include a phone number and address for verification. Keep letters to 400 words or fewer. We reserve the right to edit for content or length. Letters should be responsive to issues addressed in the Cape Gazette rather than content from other publications or media. Letters should focus on local issues, not national topics or personalities. Only one letter per author will be published every 30 days regarding a particular topic. Authors may submit a second letter within that time period if it pertains to a different issue. Letters may not be critical of personalities or specific businesses. Criticism of public figures is permissible. Endorsement letters for political candidates are no longer accepted. Letters must be the author’s original work, and may not be generated by artificial intelligence tools. Templates, form letters and letters containing language similar to other submissions will not be published.



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending