News
City of Wilmington News Advisory/Invitation for News Coverage
On Tuesday, December 4 at 10:30 a.m., Mayor Mike Purzycki and City Council Member Zanthia Oliver will recognize and honor Delaware’s oldest African-American owned funeral home—Bell Funeral Home—with the placement of a state historic marker. The event will take place at the Bell Funeral Home located at 909 Clifford Brown Walk. Members of the Bell family […]
City currently seeking proposals to manage Leased Access/Public Access Channel 28
WILMINGTON– This week, the City of Wilmington began soliciting proposals from individuals and entities interested in operating and managing its Public Access and Leased Access (PALA) television station broadcasting on Comcast Channel 28. Managing Wilmington’s leased access/public access television station presents interested parties with the opportunity to not only serve the community by providing valuable […]
Riverside Neighborhood named as 19th Purpose Built Community in United States
Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki was joined this week by Governor John Carney, County Executive Matthew Meyer, City Council Member Zanthia Oliver, the REACH Riverside Development Corporation (RRDC or REACH Riverside) and the Wilmington Housing Authority (WHA) for a major community redevelopment announcement. Expanding on the City’s commitment to partner with local neighbors and community leaders […]
Special committee appointed to review letters of interest, recommend successor for District 1 vacancy
WILMINGTON – A special committee has been convened to review letters of interest from qualified residents seeking to fill the vacant District 1 seat and will ultimately make a recommendation on an appointment to the post. According to the Wilmington City Charter, the President of Wilmington City Council shall appoint the members of a special committee consisting of five members of […]
Chukwuocha resigns to assume seat in Delaware House, Council search for successor begins
WILMINGTON– Nnamdi Chukwuocha today resigned his post as Councilman of Wilmington’s 1stDistrict and will assume the House District 1 seat he won in the Democratic primary election in September. “I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve the City of Wilmington as an elected official,” wrote Chukwuocha in his resignation letter addressed […]
Wall commemorating the history of Wilmington City Council to be formally dedicated
WILMINGTON – Wilmington City Council Member Zanthia Oliver will be joined by Council President Hanifa Shabazz and former Council President Theodore Blunt as they formally dedicate the Wilmington City Council Commemorative Wall. The Commemorative Wall is a collection of photographs of various Council sessions, a historical look of past and present members of Wilmington City […]
City Council now accepting letters of interest for filling District 1 vacancy
WILMINGTON – The Wilmington City Council is now soliciting letters of interest from residents affiliated with the Democratic Party of the city’s 1st District to consider filling the seat to be vacated by Councilman Nnamdi Chukwuocha in November. Councilman Chukwuocha, who won the Sept. 6 Democratic primary election for a seat in the Delaware House of Representatives, […]
Edward L. Loper Sr. is Honored With Ceremonial Street Renaming
Mayor Purzycki recognizes the late Wilmington artist by designating the 1200 block of North Heald Street as “Edward Loper Way” WILMINGTON – Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki was joined today by City Council Members Samuel Guy, Zanthia Oliver and Rysheema Dixon, as well as family and community members to ceremonially rename a street in honor of the […]
Council approves ordinance requiring city eateries to offer healthy beverages as default drink for kids’ meals
WILMINGTON– The Wilmington City Council approved an ordinance that now requires restaurants in the city to offer healthy beverages as the default drink included in kids’ meals sold at a single price. “A major priority included in the Council’s strategic plan is to foster a healthy Wilmington,” said Councilman Vash Turner, 5th District, who sponsored the […]
Delaware Community Court initiative awarded $200,000 federal grant
WILMINGTON – The Delaware State Courts were one of five applicants nationwide announced today by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance, in partnership with the Center for Court Innovation, as a 2018 Community Court Grant Program winner. “This is fantastic news,” said Chief Justice Leo E. Strine, Jr. “We believe our Community […]
Mayor Purzycki and Council Member Freel Invite Citizens to Recycle Hazardous Waste, Electronic Items and Paper Shredding Materials on Saturday, October 13 at Frawley Stadiu
Mayor Michael S. Purzycki and City Council Member Charles “Bud” Freel today invited citizens to the Wilmington Riverfront on Saturday, October 13, 2018 to dispose of their hazardous materials and electronic items and to securely shred their paper materials. The disposal and recycling event is held each year in October in Wilmington near Frawley Stadium […]
Delegation of Chinese education, government experts visit Wilmington
WILMINGTON – President Hanifa Shabazz was joined by Wilmington Cultural Affairs Director Tina Betz and Tom Ogden, Deputy Chief of Staff for Mayor Michael Purzycki as they greeted a delegation of education experts from Ningbo, China. The delegation was made up of a diverse mix of government leaders in education and foreign affairs, administrators and instructors representing high schools, […]
City Council to begin process of filling Dist. 1 vacancy Oct. 21
WILMINGTON – Beginning Oct. 21, the Wilmington City Council will be soliciting letters of interest from residents affiliated with the Democratic Party of the city’s 1stDistrict to be considered in filling the seat to be vacated Councilman Nnamdi Chukwuocha in November. Chukwuocha, who won the Sept. 6 Democratic primary election for a seat in the Delaware House […]
Pre-Dawn Mosquito Spraying Planned for Southbridge Community Wednesday, September 12
The spraying process is scheduled to take place between 5:15 – 6:15 a.m. The Delaware Mosquito Control Section is planning mosquito spraying to reduce adult mosquito populations in the Southbridge area of Wilmington on Wednesday, September 12, 2018. Weather permitting, the spraying will occur between 5:15 a.m. through 6:15 a.m. on Wednesday morning. If the spraying […]
Discount prescription drug program offered through partnership with Council, National League of Cities
WILMINGTON– The Wilmington City Council is making available its residents discount prescription drug cards and has been partnering with community organizations to help distribute them. Through a partnership with the National League of Cities and the Wilmington City Council, Wilmington residents of all ages can now have access to discount cards, that on average can […]
Councilwoman Harlee calls on police and fire officials for more education, enforcement around fireworks usage
WILMINGTON– Councilwoman Michelle Harlee, 4thDistrict, is expected to introduce a resolution encouraging the Wilmington Fire Department and the Wilmington Police Department to continue to educate the public on dangers of fireworks and requests the agencies provide more enforcement of the restrictions set forth in the Delaware State Code. The National Fire Protection Association found that […]
2018 Peace of the Streets Concert Series Kicks Off This Week, Free Tickets Now Available
WILMINGTON– Councilman Vash Turner and Power 99FM Philly invite you to help promote peace in our communities and will be looking for you to come out to Wilmington Peace on the Street 2018, Wednesday, August 29th from 4-8 pm in Tubman Garrett Park. “Having a safe and secure Wilmington has been one of City Council’s top priorities, […]
Wilmington Community Court Initiative Launched with a Community Resource Center Fair at the Courthouse
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WILMINGTON – As a first step toward launching the Wilmington Community Court – a new kind of problem-solving court – the Delaware Judiciary, in cooperation with the City of Wilmington and other community partners, hosted the Community Resource Center Fair at the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center today. The event was designed […]
Register your child in this FREE kindergarten readiness program and you may be eligible for a free computer and internet service
WILMINGTON– Wilmington City Council President Hanifa Shabazz and Councilwoman Yolanda McCoy are encouraging families to take advantage Waterford UPSTART, a FREE in-home program designed to prepare preschool-age child for kindergarten, using fun approached to reading, math and science. Space is extremely limited – only 100 spots available this year – so families are encouraged to […]
NEW DATE: Health fair to bring awareness to Teen Pregnancy and HIV
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WILMINGTON –According to the National Center for Health Statistics, Delaware ranks 26th in the country for teen pregnancy. With regard to the rate of those living with HIV in the First State, the number is nearly 22 per 100,000 residents. On Saturday, July 21st, I Am My Sister’s Keeper, Inc. (MSK) will […]
Morning Mosquito Fogging Planned for Southbridge
WILMINGTON – The State of Delaware’s Mosquito Control Section is planning the mosquito fogging to reduce adult mosquito populations in the Southbridge area of Wilmington. Weather permitting, the fogging will occur between 4 a.m. through 5:15 a.m. on Friday, July 13 and on Monday, July 16, 2018. If the spraying is not completed on Friday […]
Council sponsors youth participation with Kalmar Nyckel on upcoming Pirate Festival
WILMINGTON – The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation and Wilmington City Council President Hanifa Shabazz are encouraging citizens to grab their pirate gear and bring the family out to the annual Wilmington Pirate Festival on Saturday, July 7, 2018. The FREE festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kalmar Nyckel Shipyard Campus and […]
More than 300 participate in Wilmington Job and Opportunity Fair
WILMINGTON – The lobby of the Wilmington City/County Building, today, was abuzz with job seekers and employers engaged in energetic exchanges over employment opportunities at the Job and Opportunity Fair. More than 350 members registered to participate in the fair, hosted by Councilwoman Zanthia Oliver and Mayor Mike Purzycki’s office of Economic Development and featured […]
City Council to have Public Hearing on July 12, 2018
Pursuant to Resolution Nos. 18-044, 18-045, and 18-046 City Council public hearings are scheduled to take place on July 12, 2018 at 6:30pm in Council Chambers on the proposed amendments to the Neighborhood Comprehensive Development Plans for Browntown/Hedgeville and South Wilmington and proposed annexation and rezoning of the properties located at 800 South Market Street, […]
Nominations are Open for the 16th Annual Wilmington Awards
The City of Wilmington is soliciting nominations for two separate and distinct awards—the 16th Annual Wilmington Awards and the Access Wilmington Awards. The Access Wilmington Awards recognize individuals in Wilmington who help to open doors and create opportunities for people living with disabilities and their families. The program recognizes individuals in the categories of accessibility to […]
Council President Shabazz releases state audit results of discretionary fund
Wilmington – Wilmington City Council President Hanifa Shabazz this week released the results of an audit conducted by the State of Delaware Auditor of Accounts of the council’s discretionary fund. President Shabazz called for the audit after questions had been raised about a perceived “conflict of interest” surrounding a disbursement made to the Police Athletic […]
Odyssey Charter School celebrates raising $16k for heart health awareness
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WILMINGTON – In recognition of Odyssey Charter School students raising more than $16,800 in an effort to to bring awareness to heart health by raising, the school will be hosting a “Healthy Heart Exercise Extravaganza” later this month. “This is one of those easy projects to support and get behind – when […]
CITY COUNCIL TO HAVE PUBLIC HEARINGS ON JULY 2, 2018
Pursuant to Resolution Nos. 18-033 and 18-034, City Council public hearings are scheduled to take place on July 2, 2018 at 6:30pm in Council Chambers on the proposed amendments to the Neighborhood Comprehensive Development Plan for the East Side Analysis Area and the proposed rezoning of two blocks (seven parcels) of land bounded by Front, […]
Wilmington’s Fiscal Year 2019 Budget is Approved
The balanced budget includes no property tax increase and a 4% water/sewer rate increase; there are no changes from the original budget proposal submitted by the Mayor to Council in mid-March A Fiscal Year 2019 Operating and Water/Sewer Budget was approved tonight by Wilmington City Council by a vote of 9 to 4. The approval […]
Traffic Restrictions Announced for Wilmington Grand Prix on May 18, 19 and 20, 2018
Motorists are advised that traffic restrictions will be in place beginning Friday, May 18 and continuing through Sunday, May 20 as the 12th Annual Wilmington Grand Prix is held. The event, which will be held rain or shine, is the culmination of a weeklong series of events that Mayor Mike Purzycki has proclaimed as ‘Wilmington […]
Cancellation of the previously scheduled public hearings
The previously scheduled hearings (May 17, 2018) has been canceled on the following: Proposed amendments to the Browntown/Hedgeville Neighborhood Comprehensive Development Plan, the proposed amendments to the South Wilmington Neighborhood Comprehensive Development Plan, and Ordinance No. 18-018, which proposes to annex and rezone eight (8) parcels of land.
Free Scholarships for Philadelphia 76ers Youth Basketball Camp Announced
Mayor Mike Purzycki announced today that FREE scholarships are available for ten Wilmington children between the ages of 7 and 13 so they can attend one of two upcoming basketball camps sponsored by the Philadelphia 76ers. The Mayor today also congratulated the 76ers for their recent playoff win and their quest for the NBA Championship. […]
Traffic Restrictions Announced for Delaware Marathon and Running Festival on April 28 and 29, 2018
Traffic restrictions will be in place this Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29 as the 15th Annual Delaware Marathon Running Festival is held. The event, which will happen rain or shine, includes a full- and half-marathon, as well as a 4-person relay, twilight 5K run, and a kid’s fun run. Participants will gather at […]
Wilmington’s Beautiful City Initiative Continues with a Special Tree Limb Collection Event on Saturday
Mayor Mike Purzycki, Public Works Commissioner Kelly Williams and Director of Parks and Recreation Kevin Kelley announced today the continuation of Wilmington’s Beautiful City initiative with a tree limb collection event to be held this Saturday, April 28. Beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, the Departments of Public Works and Parks and Recreation will team […]
City of Wilmington departmental budget hearings begin next week
Wilmington, Del. (April 6, 2018)–Next week the Wilmington City Council will begin holding public hearings to review budget proposals from each of the city’s departments, which are scheduled to continue throughout the month and into May. The proceedings will kick off Monday, April 9 at 4 pm with reviews of proposed budgets from the Mayor’s […]
WITN-22 Staff Honored by Delaware Press Association and The Photography Gala Awards for Television Productions, Photograph
Wilmington, Del. (March 29, 2018) – Council President Dr. Hanifa Shabazz announced today that several members of the staff of WITN-22, the City’s public television station, will receive honors both from the Delaware Press Association and The Photography Gala Awards. WITN Senior Producer Yesenia Taveras was recognized with the 2018 Best Television Talk Show honor […]
Council Encourages Public to Attend Wilmington Community Advisory Council Launch of 2017 Annual Report and P.O.W.E.R. Campaign
Wilmington, Del. (March 20, 2018) – Council President Dr. Hanifa Shabazz and Council Member Nnamdi Chukwuocha, chair of Council’s Education, Youth and Families Committee, today invited and encouraged members of the public to attend a community mixer being hosted by the Wilmington Community Advisory Council. The gathering will take place on Friday, March 23, from […]
Education, Youth and Families Committee to Receive Presentation on WCAC annual report
Wilmington, Del. (March 12, 2018) – Members of City Council’s Education, Youth and Families Committee will receive a presentation on the 2017 annual report of the Wilmington Community Advisory Council during the committee’s meeting on Wednesday, March 14. The Wilmington Community Advisory Council, formerly known as the CDC Community Advisory Council, is a body comprised […]
City Council expresses sympathy to the family of Wilmington Police Captain Stephen Misetic
Wilmington, Del. (March 4, 2018) – City Council President Hanifa Shabazz, today, expressed sympathy on behalf of City Council to the family of Wilmington Police Captain Stephen Misetic, as well as his entire WPD family. “Throughout his career, Captain Misetic worked hand-in-hand with Council Members and community leaders on numerous initiatives,” said President Shabazz. “He […]
COUNCIL FACILITATES ‘BLACK PANTHER’ SCREENINGS FOR Council partners with City schools to organize special showings of hit film
Wilmington, Del. (February 27, 2018) – City Council this week is partnering with schools throughout Wilmington to facilitate special showings of the critic-acclaimed film ‘Black Panther,’ the newest iteration of the Marvel comic series that carries a powerful message that is resonating with youth and adults alike across the country. Council sponsored private screenings at […]
COUNCIL CONVEYS TRANSIT REQUESTS TO DART OFFICIALS Council Members issue letter to State officials requesting enhanced security and marketing, benches and shelters, and the relocation of some stops
Wilmington, Del. (February 7, 2018) – Several members of City Council sent a letter, today, to the Delaware Transit Corporation conveying requests on behalf of Wilmingtonians related to the recent bus service changes made by DART. “The service changes that were recently implemented by DART have led to some confusion and frustration across Wilmington,” said […]
COUNCIL ANNOUNCES KICK-OFF OF BUDGET REVIEW SEASON President Shabazz and Finance Chair Freel announce public engagement website, departmental hearings and return of hearing for Council budget
Wilmington, Del. (February 5, 2018) – City Council President Dr. Hanifa Shabazz, today, announced the steps City Council is taking to prepare for the review of the proposed Fiscal Year 2019 annual budget, to include a virtual citizen participation platform and budget hearings open to the public and aired live on WITN 22. One of […]
COUNCIL TO AMEND CITY CODE TO REINSTATE AND STRENGTHEN THE CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION
Wilmington, Del. – City Council President Dr. Hanifa Shabazz, today, announced efforts to protect human rights and address gender-based discrimination in Wilmington by proposing an amendment to the City Code that will reinstate and strengthen the Civil Rights Commission as well as mandate that it uphold the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights […]
COUNCIL’S HEALTH, AGING & DISABILITIES COMMITTEE TO MEET ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24TH
Wilmington, Del – Wilmington City Council President Dr. Hanifa Shabazz and Councilman Ernest “Trippi” Congo, Chair of Council’s Health, Aging & Disabilities Committee, invites and encourages residents to attend the next meeting Wilmington City Council’s Health, Aging & Disabilities Committee. The Committee will meet on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at 5 p.m. in the Council […]
Women of Council Wear Black in Support of #MeToo and #TimesUp Movement
Wilmington, Del. – Council President Dr. Hanifa Shabazz, today, announced that the women of Council, supported by their male counterparts, will wear black for tonight’s regular meeting of Wilmington City Council. The gesture is meant to show support for the anti-sexual harassment #MeToo and #TimesUp movement, sexual assault survivors, as well as to condemn misconduct […]
Wilmington City Council Promotes Literacy and Donates Books as Guest Readers for Wilmington Head Start
WHO: Wilmington City Council President Dr. Hanifa Shabazz, Councilman Nnamdi Chukwuocha (1st District), Councilwoman Zanthia Oliver (3rd District), Councilwoman Michelle Harlee (4th District), Councilman Va’Shun (Turner 5th District), Councilwoman Yolanda McCoy (6th District), member of Council staff, Gina Adams, Executive Director Wilmington Head Start, Kim Winer, Center Manager, Stephanie Burks, Center Manager, Carol Thomas, Center Manager, […]
Council Leadership to Address Outdated Provisions, Language, and References in the City Code
Wilmington, Del. – Today, two of Wilmington City Council’s highest ranking members announced the first in a series of Ordinances designed to clean up the City Code. President Hanifa Shabazz and President Pro Tempore Loretta Walsh will introduce the first of such legislation at the December 7th Council meeting to amend sections of the Code […]
President Shabazz and Wilmington Featured in National Discussion Regarding Public Health Approaches to Reducing Crime
Wilmington, Del. – Last week, during National League of Cities’ (NLC) 2017 City Summit in Charlotte, NC, Wilmington City Council President Dr. Hanifa Shabazz was a featured panelist for a national discussion regarding crime reduction strategies. President Shabazz presented to more than 150 local leaders, from across the country, at a workshop entitled A Public Health […]