Delaware
Today in Delaware County history, Jan. 27
100 Years Ago, 1924: The two hundred and twenty-first anniversary of St. Paul’s P.E. Church, Broad and Madison streets, will be observed Sunday. The first service in old St. Paul’s Church was conducted in 1703 on the eve of the conversion of St. Paul. Dean Francis M. Taitt, the rector, will preach a historical sermon at the morning service and hymns composed for the 200th anniversary will be sung.
75 Years Ago, 1949: A human chain of mothers stopped traffic on Chester Pike at Morris Avenue, Crum Lynne, this morning to press their demands for better protection at the crossing. At the same time, a traffic officer was on duty at the Taylor Avenue crossing on the pike, which is directly across the Leiperville School and approximately 200 feet from Morris Avenue. The mothers carrying placards, spread across the pike shortly after 8.30 a.m. and stopped traffic until their children were safely across the highway.
50 Years Ago, 1974: There will be two “final trips” on the Chester-Bridgeport Ferry before it closes Friday night. One will be 7:45 p.m. from Cheser to Bridgeport N.J. and the other will be about 8:15 p.m. from Bridgeport to Chester. Ruben Donovan, ferry manager of the Delaware River Port Authority-owned ferry system, admits to being worried about being inundated by people who want to take “the last ride” on the ferry. “We could have a helluva ruckus,” Donovan said.
25 Years Ago, 1999: A 19-year-old Havertown man stopped for allegedly smoking marijuana in his car was later found in possession of other suspected drugs that fell from his pants at the Newtown Township police station. While searching him at the station, police also discovered a small glassine bag with brown powder in a pen cap inside his pants pocket, police said. While removing his shoes, a small amount of green vegetable matter fell from the bottom of the man’s pants. When he tried to put his pants back on, a large sandwich bag filled with a similar substance fell to the floor.
10 Years Ago, 2014: Sharon Hill’s new council has reversed a decision by the previous council to drop the town’s millage rate by a half-mill, and will meet in February to discuss a new 2014 budget for the borough. Before leaving office in December, the previous Republican-led council had passed the budget after then-Mayor Robert O’Neill broke a 3-3 party-line tie. On Thursday, the now all-Democratic council said it would restore the millage rate to 7.5 mills.
— COLIN AINSWORTH
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons are one of the best stories in college football. Led by Jake Dickert, they have become one of the most formidable teams in the country, capable of beating anyone in the ACC this season.
This week, though, they don’t have to worry about another conference opponent, and instead will turn their focus to the Delaware Blue Hens for their final non-conference game of the season. In what will be an emotional senior day, the Demon Deacons will look to end their final home game on a high note.
So what do the stats say about the Demon Deacons’ chances to end their final home game with a dominant win?
For the Demon Deacons, the defense has been the story of the season. Finding a way to combine talented transfer portal acquisitions with veterans who have been within the program and have the experience needed to give them one of the most lethal defenses, not just in the conference, but in the country as well.
Now, for the Deacs, they get to face a Blue Hens offense that will test strength against strength. They come in with a pass-happy offense, willing to throw the ball, and having to, because of their struggles in the run game. They rank ninth in pass play percentage (58.41), sixth in passes per game (42.4), and fourth in passing yards per game (310.9). Their biggest struggle in the passing game is important, though. They rank 86th in FBS in completion percentage, finding a connection with their receivers only 60.47 percent of the time.
That will play right into the hands of head coach Jake Dickert, whose defense is 13th in the country in opponent completion percentage at a 56.39 percent success rate. They also keep everything in front of them, ranking fourth in the country in yards per pass, forcing their opponents to average only 5.5 yards per attempt. The one knock on the stellar defensive play is their inability to cause havoc, ranked in the 100s in interception percentage and sack percentage.
Finding a way to fight off the pass will be the key in this one, with the Blue Hens showing an inability to run the ball effectively, ranking 100th or worse in yards per rushing attempt and rushing yards per game. Keeping the ball in front of them, and proving to be a ‘no fly zone’ should benefit them, and aid them in yet another win this season.
From Delco to Chesco and Montco to Bucks, what about life in Philly’s suburbs do you want WHYY News to cover? Let us know!
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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