Latest news with #DelawareDepartmentofTransportation
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Popular festival in Wilmington canceled days ahead of event. Organizers cite safety concerns
The 5th annual Brandywine River ShadFest, scheduled for May 18 in Brandywine Park, has been canceled due to ongoing construction under the I-95 bridge, organizers announced. The Delaware Department of Transportation began the project in October 2024 to repair and paint the underside of the bridge spanning Brandywine Park. With work expected to continue through fall 2025, organizers cited safety concerns and disruption to the event experience as reasons for the cancellation. While alternative locations were considered, organizers decided that maintaining the event's traditional venue in Brandywine Park was important for community accessibility and programming, particularly the popular fishing lessons. According to organizers, ShadFest is Delaware's largest environmental festival drawing more than 2,000 attendees, including over 1,000 children. The free event raises funds for the Brandywine River Restoration Trust, which works to restore shad migration to the river and provide environmental education to underserved youth in Wilmington. Activities have included fish seining demonstrations, fish printing, a shad obstacle course and hands-on environmental exhibits. The event was founded in partnership with the Brandywine Conservancy, Hagley and the University of Delaware Water Resources Center. Past festivals have featured more than 25 participating organizations, including the Delaware Nature Society and the Sierra Club. Organizers say ShadFest will return in 2026. You can contact staff reporter Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@ This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Popular Wilmington festival ShadFest cancelled for 2025 season
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wildfire burning in South Jersey, as wind gusts carry smoke for miles
The Brief A large wildfire is burning at Fort Mott State Park, in Salem County, New Jersey. The fire was sending huge plumes of black smoke into the air and could be seen for miles. PENNSVILLE, N.J. - A wildfire began burning in Fort Mott State Park Saturday afternoon, sending fire crews into thick, black smoke in order to wrestle the situation under control. The National Weather Service issued a special weather advisory earlier Saturday, alerting residents of low humidity and high wind gusts, which often leads to increased fire danger. What we know A wildfire broke out at Fort Mott State Park around 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The National Weather Service posted about it to social media saying it was visible on local radar. Huge plumes of thick, black smoke could be seen for miles and was picked up on Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) cameras. The backstory Saturday morning, the National Weather Service warned of an increased fire risk throughout the region, while also posting a Red Flag Warning for all of Delaware, due to strong winds expected for the day. Winds were blowing about 25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph Saturday afternoon, which humidity was low. As the strong winds continued to blow from the northwest, the smoke was blown across Salem and Cumberland County. Dig deeper The strong wind gusts likely a contributing factor to some of the power outages PECO experienced in the afternoon. Around the same time that the fire started, close to 1,000 people were without power in southeastern Pennsylvania. Meanwhile, all of New Jersey is listed in various stages of drought conditions, and with all of South Jersey experiencing severe or extreme drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Consequences Ultimate Doppler Radar picked up the smoke. It looked like a big storm on the radar, which just goes to show how widespread the smoke was and that the fire was producing so much of it. What's next The N.J. Forest Fire Service was on the scene. They alerted the public to the situation saying 25 acres were burning with no containment and 12 structures were threatened. They did say no roads were affected.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
'Blizzard Wizard' among winners of Delaware's 'Name That Snowplow' contest for kids
The Delaware Department of Transportation delivered the news to the winners of the 'Name That Plow' contest with a visit by a snowplow and driver at their schools Jan. 28 and 29 and Feb. 5. The fourth annual contest invites students in kindergarten to fifth grade to participate in celebrating the work of DelDOT's snow removal crews by thinking of creative names for the department's plow trucks in each county. The contest is open to individual students and entire classes. This year's top entries were all group efforts. The 2025 winners are: Sussex County, 'Blizzard Wizard' by John M. Clayton Elementary, Frankford, in the Indian River School District Kent County, 'Plowana' by Fairview Elementary, Dover, in the Capital School District New Castle County, 'Ctrl Salt Delete,' a pun on the computer keyboard keys 'ctrl,' 'alt,' 'delete,' by Jennie Smith Elementary, Ogletown, in the Christina School District More on winter weather: What Delaware law says about driving with snow, ice on your car 'We love seeing the creativity of Delaware's young minds in this contest,' said DelDOT Secretary Shanté Hastings in a press release. 'Our snowplows and employees have been busy this January with back-to-back storms, and these clever names are a great way to honor their hard work and dedication to keeping our roads clear and safe.' DelDOT has more than 400 pieces of snow removal equipment and is responsible for treating and plowing almost 14,000 lane miles of roads. For more information, see the DelDOT Snow FAQ webpage. A snowplow tracker is also available for people to find where the plows are during winter storms on and the DelDOT mobile app. Reporter Ben Mace covers real estate, development and business news. Reach him at rmace@ This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: 'Blizzard Wizard' among winners of DelDOT 'Name That Snowplow' contest
