This week: An invader with a hero's welcome, and other news

It's a fish state officials want to see dead. Local anglers want to see it on their hooks. Maddy Lauria gives readers the scoop on the invasive snakehead.

From plague to prize: How the conversation is shifting on this invasive species

It’s not often that government officials encourage the public to kill wildlife, but it’s becoming more common as more invasive species take hold. “If you catch a snakehead in Delaware, you should kill it,” the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) says bluntly on…

Delaware IndependentMaddy Lauria

Anglers on their way to fish for snakeheads may see more road work signs in coming years, as the state embarks on a major effort to turn Route 113 into more of a limited access highway.

The plan to transform Route 113

One hobby picked up by more and more southern Delaware residents in recent years is staring at brake lights. Many would prefer to try something new, like getting to destinations on time. That’s a goal the Department of Transportation would like to help with, and among a slew of

Delaware IndependentAndrew Sharp

If they take a detour to avoid traffic, they might come across this new Greenwood business. A local family has teamed up to bring an antique shop back to 13 West Market, which emptied out after a recent fire.

Meet the newcomers to Greenwood’s main street

Greenwood was once a railroad hub, but it looks like it may make its name in the future as a destination for lovers of antiques and collectibles. When it opened two months ago, Greenwood Treasure Trove became the fourth such shop in a town of a little over 1,000

Delaware IndependentAndrew Sharp

We also reported on:

Harrington city manager steps down

About a year and a half after taking his post during a stormy time for Harrington government, City Manager Daniel Tartt has resigned. Tartt, reached by phone, said he’s excited about what’s next, but couldn’t discuss it yet. He also stressed that his resignation was not over any ethical issues

Delaware IndependentAndrew Sharp

After 77 years, Lt. George Johnson is finally home in Seaford

Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated Johnson’s burial place. He is buried near his mother. On a warm afternoon Saturday, Lt. George Johnson was laid to rest at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Seaford, almost 80 years after his death in World War II. Active and retired military from

Delaware IndependentCassidy McGurk

Former Indian River teacher Susan Bunting stepping down as education secretary

Longtime Sussex County teacher Susan Bunting, who has served as Delaware’s secretary of education since 2017, will be stepping down in December, Gov. John Carney announced in a press release on Wednesday. Carney has not yet named a replacement. Bunting has not said what is next for her, but plans

Delaware IndependentAndrew Sharp

In other news

Just look at these photos

We’re always up for showcasing great local photography, and Rehoboth Beach just delivered some of that with the Rehoboth Reflections photo contest for the city's 2022 calendar. The calendar won’t be out until December but you can see the full list of winners here. This is a sample:

Photographers who want to get a head start can make submissions for the 2023 calendar now at cityofrehoboth.com/rehoboth-reflections.

Another upcoming contest is the Delaware Watersheds Photo Contest, hosted by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. This year, photos must be taken in the Chesapeake Bay watershed (your time to shine, western Sussex County). Contest judges will be looking for striking images of Delaware’s waterways, landscapes, sustainable watershed practices, native plants and animals, and agricultural practices. All entries must be submitted by 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26. Facebook voters will pick the winning photograph, and the winner gets a prize pack including a $250 Visa gift card, a Delaware State Parks annual pass for 2022, a print of the winning photograph, a feature published in Outdoor Delaware online magazine, and more. You can fill out the submission form online.

While we’re on the topic of local photography, if you haven’t checked out the Driscoll Drones Facebook page yet, it’s well worth a visit for some impressive aerial photography of the coast.

Halloween is coming, apparently

It’s October, which is when otherwise respectable news organizations start running straight-faced features about the paranormal. We’re not going to feed you baloney about local ghost stories (perhaps fun, but not news) but can give a heads up about some local Halloween-themed events that are real and actually happening.

The Riverfront Theatre in Milford will feature the 1956 movie “The Mole People” Friday and Saturday, Oct. 22-23, as part of the show “Mr. Moribund’s Theatre of Terror.” Along with the film screening, there will be live performances, live music and comedy, contests and audience participation (if you weren’t scared by the other stuff, that last bit should worry you). Tickets are $5 per person and will only be sold at the door. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show begins at 7:30. The show is modeled after classic horror host television programs of the 1950s through today.

The Milton Theatre is holding its annual Zombie Fest on Saturday, Oct. 16, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. It includes an awful lot of people dressed up as zombies, of course, along with makeup stations for those who didn’t come prepared, a KidsFest, freak show acts, costume contests and a zombie walk at 8 p.m. Participants don’t actually have to walk for that; they can bring decorated cars, bikes, scooters or other conveyances. Tickets are $10; students and children can get in free. Find more information and get tickets here.

The Woodbridge High School MCJROTC (Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps) is putting on a Halloween 5K/run/walk on Saturday, Oct. 23. Registration starts at 8 a.m. at the Bridgeville Library, and the run/walk starts at 9. The cost is $20 for advance registrations until Oct. 23, and $25 afterward. The event benefits the MCJROTC and the Greenwood Police Department. Post-race festivities include a Touch-A-Truck and a Trunk-or-Treat. Sign up and find more info here.  

Too soon, but

The town of Greenwood is bringing back the Christmas parade this year, on Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. To participate, print the registration form and return it to town hall.

The deadline to enter is Nov. 24, 2021. It is, of course, way, way too early to be talking about Christmas, but we’ll grudgingly admit that people may need time to prepare awesome floats etc.

PSA

The Division of Public Health has announced the start of flu season. You were allowed to get the flu before, but now it’s official. For more information on where to get a flu shot, visit flu.delaware.gov or call 1-800-282-8672.

Reminders

Apple Scrapple Festival kicks off with a carnival on Thursday night, Oct. 7, then there’s an opening ceremony Friday evening and the Little Miss Apple Scrapple Pageant. Saturday features vendors, live music and a car show, along with the carnival rides and food. On Thursday and Friday, visitors can get a $20 ticket for all the carnival rides. On Saturday tickets are $2 each, or a family pack of 20 tickets for $20 or 40 tickets for $30, per the event website.

As a related aside, the Bridgeville Library will be closed on Saturday and also Monday.

Note: If you're reading this newsletter on our website, you can sign up to get it delivered each week via email.