Good morning, Dover.

A proposed pop-up park in Dover's Crossgates neighborhood drew divided reactions at a council meeting—neighbors expressed safety concerns about its location near a frequently flooding creek while others supported creating a safe play space under the city's 2026 budget.

The survey will remain open until August 30 to help city leaders decide on next steps.

Dover writer Jordan McClements, a painter and Delaware State University teacher, shared his personal struggle with heroin addiction and loss ahead of International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug 31, urging closer attention to rising overdoses as fewer deaths are reported.

He criticized local politicians for using opioid settlement funds for projects instead of helping the 200 unsheltered Delawareans nightly—calling on the community to act before winter intensifies the crisis.

The Delaware Botanic Gardens approved a Strategic Plan for 2025–2028 to boost sustainable growth and enhance the visitor experience.

The garden partnered with the Delaware Alliance for Non-profit Advancement and gathered input from hundreds of community members.

Faye White hosted her eighth annual Veterans Honorary Dinner on Aug.

23 in Dover — she honored and fed dozens of former service members while remembering her late brother Robert E. Thorne.

Mitsubishi will recall over 91,000 Outlander vehicles because a gas spring cylinder may fail, and they will send repair notices on Oct.

6, while Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz will recall some Jeep Wranglers, Ram trucks and other models to fix problems like a cable issue or loose bolt with free repairs provided—local dealers will help owners check their cars.

Delaware State University enrolled over 1,600 new students for fall 2025 — breaking records in four of the last five years — as hundreds of Delaware Inspire Scholars with a record 3.57 GPA join Hornet Nation on campus.

Delaware's state auditor questioned Congo Legacy Center spending after nearly half of its $475,000 grant went to companies owned by its founder—Ernest 'Sammy' Congo Sr.—without proper documentation and found that $73,000 was not used for a required program coordinator; the state's opioid commission has frozen an extra $80,000 grant and will review all options to address the matter. This review comes after the nonprofit defended the payments as cost-saving measures.

Gov. Matt Meyer announced Monday that Brigadier General Karen A.

Berry has been nominated to serve as Delaware’s first Cabinet Secretary of the new Department of Veterans Affairs, which will offer centralized support for veterans across the state. If confirmed by the state Senate, Berry will lead the agency that brings together benefits, healthcare, housing and mental health services for over 70,000 veterans — a historic shift in state veteran care.

Gov. Matt Meyer signed a law on Aug 22 that removes earnings limits for pensioners reentering the teaching field—this update aims to support educational staffing amid state shortages.

Gov. Matt Meyer signed 11 bills at the Carvel State Office Building to boost public health protections in Delaware—measures include streamlining insurance approvals, lowering prescription costs, and enhancing workforce safeguards to make care more accessible and affordable for residents.

Healthy Kids Running Series Fall 2025

3 PM – 4 PM — John W Pitts Recreation Center — Registration fees apply — Engage kids in a fun five-week running program designed for all youth runners.