Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki and Fire Chief John Looney proudly ushered in a new cohort of 15 recruits at the commencement of the city’s 43rd Fire Academy. These aspiring firefighters, representing diverse backgrounds—seven white males, four black males, two Hispanic males, one Asian male, and one white female—emerged successfully from a rigorous selection process among 135 initial applicants earlier this year. Extending congratulations to the recruits for their perseverance through a meticulous screening regimen—comprising a written exam, physical agility test, and interview panels—the Mayo ..read more

Revamped 7th Street Boating and Fishing Area Reopens on the Christina River The community rejoices as the 7th Street Boating and Fishing Area on the Christina River in Wilmington officially reopens its gates. The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), in collaboration with the City of Wilmington, marked the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at John Barbiarz Park, the site of the revitalized facility. Funded primarily by Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Funds and a portion of settlement money from the 2004 Athos I oil tanker spill in the Delaware ..read more

Applications for rising 11th or 12th grade student seat are due May 6, 2024 Governor John Carney has announced the opening of the application period for the student seat on the State Board of Education, with applications due by May 6, 2024. Interested students, who must be rising juniors or seniors in the 2024-2025 academic year, can access the application on the State Board of Education website. Since 2019, Governor Carney has appointed a student representative to ensure that Delaware students have a voice in significant educational decisions. Rising juniors and seniors are encouraged to appl ..read more

Join Mayor Mike Purzycki and Cultural Affairs Director Tina Betz in celebrating the vibrant power of live music at Wilmington’s stunning Urban Artist Exchange (UAE) Amphitheater! The 2024 UAE Summer Music Series kicks off tomorrow, Wednesday, April 24, at 6:30 p.m. with a special event honoring International Jazz Day, featuring the renowned United States Army’s Jazz Ambassadors. Experience the magic of FREE outdoor concerts, starting with the dynamic performances of America’s Big Band, the Jazz Ambassadors, renowned for their mastery of jazz music. The evening will commence with a presentation ..read more

Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki and Chief of Police Wilfredo Campos extend an invitation to the community to participate in the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 27, 2024. Residents are encouraged to bring any unneeded or expired prescription medications to Frawley Stadium on the Riverfront between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., where they will be collected by Wilmington police officers. The initiative, aimed at addressing the public safety risks associated with unused prescription medications, emphasizes the dangers of these drugs becoming ..read more

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in collaboration with the City of Wilmington and the Riverfront Development Corporation of Delaware (RDC), cordially invites the community to attend a public hearing concerning the Wilmington Riverfront Transportation Infrastructure Project (formerly known as the South Market Street Redevelopment Project). This gathering aims to inform attendees about the draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and to gather their feedback. The project aims to enhance transportation infrastructure in the South Market Street Riverfront East area, fostering connectivity and ..read more

Delaware’s Department of Justice has achieved significant convictions, including the state’s inaugural conviction for Deprivation of Civil Rights, against a Delaware State Trooper for assaulting two juvenile victims, announced Attorney General Kathy Jennings on Friday. Dempsey Walters, aged 30, was indicted in September 2023 for assaulting two victims—a 17-year-old and a 15-year-old, with the latter suffering a fractured orbital socket by Walters after he deactivated his body-worn camera. On April 12th, Walters pleaded guilty to Assault 2nd Degree and Deprivation of Civil Rights, both felonies ..read more

The complimentary two-week initiative, orchestrated by police and fire authorities, aims to acquaint youth with the public safety field while fostering relationships. Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki, along with Chief of Police Wilfredo Campos and Chief of Fire John Looney, announced today the launch of applications for this summer’s Youth Public Safety Academy, slated to run from Monday, June 17, to Friday, June 28, with support from JPMorgan Chase. The 2024 Youth Public Safety Academy, open to youth aged 13 to 17, will run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This free program inc ..read more

In Wilmington, DE, as first reported by Bay to Bay News, Matt Meyer, a former public school teacher in Wilmington and leader of Delaware’s largest local government, has unveiled his 23-page education plan, marking the most comprehensive publication in the history of Delaware gubernatorial campaigns. Meyer stands as the sole candidate in the 2024 gubernatorial race to present a policy plan at this stage. Crafted in collaboration with Delaware educators, Meyer’s plan tackles the state’s most urgent education challenges, including increasing investment and equity in school funding, addressing the ..read more

Wilmington Officials Respond to EPA’s Proposed Regulations on PFAS in Drinking Water Wilmington’s Mayor Mike Purzycki and Public Works Commissioner Kelly Williams have issued a statement in response to the recent announcement by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding new regulations for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in drinking water. These regulations, introduced on April 10, include additional measures set to be implemented by April 2029. Mayor Purzycki emphasized the city’s commitment to informing water customers about the EPA’s regu ..read more