The last 12 months have witnessed news items that were felt around the world, across the nation, and locally here at home.
From conflicts, to fires, to shutdowns, and crackdowns, a lot …
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DOVER – The last 12 months have witnessed news items that were felt around the world, across the nation, and locally here at home.
From conflicts, to fires, to shutdowns, and crackdowns, a lot has happened in 2025.
Locally, the Daily State News has chronicled groundbreaking transformations, inspiring firsts, and historic changes.
Earlier this month, reporters and editors of the Daily State News reflected on the scores of people in our headlines this year.
The task was to identify “25 Delaware Newsmakers in 2025.”
Instead of just people we also considered events and topics that lead many conversations and reporting efforts in the last 12 months.
The following is what was distilled from our debates and discussions.
Let us know your thoughts or ideas of people and things that would have made your top newsmaker list by sending an email to civiltalk@iniusa.org.
Downtown Dover begins to transform
Ground was broken on the Downtown Dover Partnership’s $22 million mobility center on Oct. 14, the first of its large-scale priorities.
As part of the “Transforming Downtown Dover: Capital City 2030” master plan, the parking garage hopes to be a hub of activity that will spur shoppers to return and revitalize the city.
“This is a day of victory,” executive director Diane Laird said. “It’s a celebration for DDP, but truly, it’s a celebration for us all.”
Advocacy groups
Indivisible Southern Delaware has organized rallies along Coastal Highway in Rehoboth Beach most Saturday mornings in 2025 to protest DOGE, ICE and the federal administration. Gov. Matt Meyer, Sen. Lisa Blunt-Rochester and Rep. Sarah McBride have all made appearances. Elsewhere, the Delaware branch of the ACLU had harsh words for the town of Ocean View’s restrictive protest ordinance, and Fenwick Island’s proposal for corporate and LLC suffrage.
Sussex Development
Three major developments along or near Del. 24 dominated the development landscape this year. Cool Spring Crossing includes 1,922 residences and other amenities west of Lewes. The Belle Mead proposal brings nearly 500 housing units and about 75,000 square feet of commercial space near Beacon Middle. Finally, Atlantic Fields. The proposal is for a 665,000-square-foot shopping center planned between Plantation and Mulberry Knoll roads, near Rehoboth Beach. Developers have indicated that Costco Wholesale, Target, Whole Foods and Dick’s Sporting Goods have agreed to locate there.
What are you, chicken?
Two new chicken restaurants — Dave’s Hot Chicken and Raising Cane’s — brought new poultry options to the capital city in 2025.
Dave’s Hot Chicken opened on Aug. 1 to excited crowds, though the event was marred by a disagreement in the parking lot between patrons.
Meanwhile, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers had interested patrons on U.S. 13 backed up when it opened on Oct. 7.
“One of the things that makes Dover so special is its unique blend of being the state capital while still feeling like a close-knit, small town,” said Jason Thompson, of Raising Cane’s.
Veterans’ Advocates
David Skocik, president of the Delaware Veterans Coalition and the Friends of Delaware Veterans, campaigned for creation a Cabinet-level office to serve Delaware’s veterans. House Bill 1, which Gov. Matt Meyer signed into law in August 2025, established the Department of Veterans Affairs, which will centralize and expand services — including benefits assistance, housing support, healthcare coordination and mental-health support — for Delaware’s 70,000-plus veterans.
Retired National Guard Brig. Gen. Karen Berry was sworn in Oct. 1 as Delaware’s first Cabinet-level Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Gen. Berry, who was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1990, retired from the Delaware National Guard in 2023. She most recently had served as director of the Joint Staff for both the Delaware and Connecticut national guards. From July 2016 to October 2017, she served as deputy commander of the 335th Signal Command in Bagram, Afghanistan.
Medical Aid in Dyin
Ronald Silverio, 74, died Jan. 7, 2018, after battling prostate cancer for five years. He had spent his career as a stone mason. Lewes resident Heather Block, 55, of Lewes died of breast cancer March 3, 2018. She had spent 17 years developing and implementing international aid projects in more than 35 countries, including Iraq and Afghanistan.
Both campaigned toward the end of their lives for terminally ill patients to be given medical aid in dying. The Ron Silverio/Heather Block End-of-Life Options Act, signed by Gov. Matt Meyer on May 20, 2025, will take effect Jan. 1. It will allow adults living in Delaware, who are mentally capable of making their own medical decisions and have been diagnosed as having six months or fewer to live, to obtain and self-administer medications to end their lives.
David Anderson
David Anderson
Dover City Councilman David Anderson introduced pedestrian safety ordinance 2025-21 at the end of October, and it has had people debating it ever since.
The ordinance fines people standing on traffic medians, which is often done for panhandling, and those who interact with them.
Since October, people have petitioned against the ordinance, protested outside City Hall and spent hours criticizing it at City Council and Committee of the Whole meetings, saying it is both against the First Amendment and criminalizing the poor.
However, Councilman Anderson says it is all about keeping both pedestrians and drivers safe, as the medians are not meant to have people standing on them.
Ordinance 2025-21 will be voted on at the Jan. 12 City Council meeting.
Norman Barlow
Norman Barlow
Harrington city manager Norman Barlow has been working to bring the city’s industrial park to fruition. Officials broke ground Aug. 20, 2025, at the future industrial park site in southeast Harrington and the city now is trying to obtain some required studies before beginning to install infrastructure there. Mr. Barlow started working for the city’s Public Works Department in 1991, then joined the police force and became its chief in 2009, a post he held until 2021. He has served as city manager since February 2022 and currently also is leading the police department. In addition, he is Kent County sheriff.
CJ Bell
CJ Bell
Among other accomplishments, the Delaware Division of Small Business Director expanded and modernized the EDGE grant program.
The division also noted that Mr. Bell led a “Race to $14M” funding initiative and launched the Delaware Grocery Initiative. Also, he contributed to the development of a statewide childcare business resource guide.
Additionally, Mr. Bell oversaw extensive statewide outreach and small business engagement and strengthened internal operations.
Tabitha Gott
Tabitha Gott
Ms. Gott was elected Smyrna’s mayor on April 29 after previously serving on Town Council.
Around the time of election, she expressed the importance of transparency and reviewing Smyrna’s town charter, which hasn’t been revised since 2003.
The mayor prioritized building Smyrna’s relationship with nearby Clayton and Kenton communities. She created Unity in the Community program to connect the town’s organizations.
Rob Herrera
Developer Rob Herrera is spearheading an economic develoment revival in Seaford with the Nylon Capital Center.
DAILY STATE NEWS FILE PHOTO/GLEN ROLFE
Robert Herrera, founder of The Mill in Wilmington and partner at 9th Street Development Company, is bringing renewed life to Seaford with Nylon Capital Center/Seaford Innovation Project. Seaford plans include a downstate version of The Mill, a co-working space and small business incubator, plus other major campus components TidalHealthand Delaware Technical Community College. BrightBloom and Community Bank Delaware opened earlier this year.
Mike Hines and the Look
Mike Hines sings with his band during an event last year. DAILY STATE NEWS FILE PHOTO
DAILY STATE NEWS FILE PHOTO
Mike Hines and The Look — including original members Dave Simmons and Dean Teat — celebrated their milestone 40th anniversary with a concert at Fire & Ice at Bally’s Dover on Aug. 30, 2025.
“I think that we treat people well,” the singer explained. “We stay engaged with the audience. We try to entertain them, and we don’t make it look like we’re the stars, and they’re the audience. ... It’s like we’re doing it together.”
That kind of interaction, along with vibrant performances, earned Mike Hines & The Look a 2022 induction into the Delaware Rock & Roll Society Hall of Fame.
Chalay Horne
Chalay Horne, a 2016 graduate and former drum major at Dover High School, came full-circle last year when she was hired to become the music director for the Senator Band last year. GREATER DOVER INDEPENDENT/MIKE FINNEY
GREATER DOVER INDEPENDENT/MIKE FINNEY
Chalay Horne made history in the Dover High School music department for the second time in 2025.
Last year, Ms. Horne was hired by the Capital School District as the first Black female band director in Dover High history.
As a Senator student, the 2016 graduate of Dover was part of the first female drum major duo at the school – along with her friend Natasia Nealous – as a senior.
“It has been really, really fun,” Ms. Horne said, of her experiences with the Senators. “I didn’t think it would be this early in life but I’m very, very blessed to have this job.”
DeSean Jackson
Delaware State football coach DeSean Jackson is lifted up by his players after the Hornets’ 27-20 win over Norfolk State in Lincoln Financial Field. DELAWARE STATE ATHLETICS PHOTO
Andy Walter
The former NFL star led the Delaware State University Hornets to a record of 8-4 this past fall in his first year as a college football coach. That was the program’s best record since 2007.
Jackson signed a new contract exactly one year after he was first interviewed for the job at DSU.
DelState ended the season playing South Carolina State for the MEAC title and a berth in the Celebration Bowl. The Bulldogs won the contest, 28-17.
Coach Jackson’s stature also brought more attention to DSU, with the Hornets playing Norfolk State at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field in a nationally-televised game.
In the two previous seasons, DelState went a combined 2-21 and had been winless in MEAC games.
Kathy Jennings
Kathy Jennings
FILE PHOTO COURTESY OF DELAWARE
Since January, Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings has joined several state coalitions, suing the Trump administration over issues regarding food benefits, wind energy projects, reproductive rights and more.
The AG has seen several successes in court as well, with one of the most recent being a $150 million emissions fraud settlement with Mercedes-Benz USA and Daimler AG.
Thomas Johnson Jr.
Thomas Johnson Jr.
On July 24, the Dover Police Chief received a vote of no confidence from Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 15. An investigation by 21st Century Policing Solutions is ongoing.
In an opinion piece in the State News on Sept. 15, chief Johnson said his goal since arriving in 2020 remains the same - “[T]o to strengthen both safety and trust because Dover’s future depends on both.”
Also, he pointed to working “to strengthen the bonds between officers and the community.”
Rep. Sarah McBride
State Rep. Sarah McBride speaks at the No Kings rally in Georgetown.
DAILY STATE NEWS/GLENN ROLFE
Sarah McBride, who served for four years in the Delaware State Senate, in November 2024 became the first openly transgender person ever to be elected to Congress. Since starting her term Jan. 3, 2025, as Delaware’s only member of the U.S. House of Representatives, she has been active on issues ranging from artificial intelligence, background checks for all firearm purchases and equal opportunity for investors to the nursing shortage and anti-LBGTQ violence.
George Meringolo
George Meringolo is the founder of Little Living LLC.
DAILY STATE NEWS/GLENN ROLFE
George Meringolo, a retired businessman has beaten cancer, is the founder and president of Little Living LLC, a nonprofit that is seeking to provide tiny, small-scale homes as an affordable housing solution. A prospective project has been presented before the Georgetown town council that would bring 22 tiny homes to Market Street in Georgetown.
Gov. Matt Meyer
Gov. Matt Meyer
Gov. Matt Meyer began his first term in January. A former math teacher, he declared that Delaware was in a literacy crisis in February and implemented the state’s Early Literacy Plan in October to help teachers fund literacy projects they need for their students.
Further, Gov. Meyer has helped to erase $19 million in Delawareans’ medical debt so far, with a total goal of $50 million. He has also created new state offices through executive orders, such as the Office of Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety, the Office of Workforce Development and the Delaware Council on Farm and Food Policy.
Dawn Mitchell
Dawn Mitchell
Ms. Mitchell, founder of Doggone Happy Animal Rescue, received the 2025 Stars of Delaware Person of the Year.
She was honored on Sept. 4 at a celebration at King Cole farm hosted by the Daily State News.
According to a Daily State News story, since starting her nonprofit, Ms. Mitchell has rescued and rehomed over 8,000 dogs. Her commitment requires long days, nights and weekends to ensure a better life for dogs with special needs and, ultimately, for the people who adopt them.
Julianne Murray
Julianne Murray
Julianne Murray announced Dec. 12 that she was stepping down as the acting U.S. attorney for the District of Delaware, citing political differences. Ms. Murray served as chair of the state’s Republican Party before taking the federal role in July. She was appointed by U.S. attorney general Pam Bondi and, after her interim term expired in November, became acting U.S. attorney. Ms. Murray ran for Delaware Governor in 2020, losing to Gov. John Carney. In 2022, Ms. Murray ran for state attorney general but lost to current Attorney General Kathy Jennings.
Fred Neil
Councilman Fred Neil is running for reelection in the 3rd District. DAILY STATE NEWS/KAITLYN CUPELLI
DAILY STATE NEWS/KAITLYN CUPELLI
Dover City Councilman Fred Neil made history in April, as the oldest councilman in the state to both serve on a council and be reelected. Mr. Neil, 92, was then appointed Council President the following month.
Originally a reporter in Baltimore, Mr. Neil joined Dover City Council in 2015 at the age of 82, to advocate for senior citizens’ rights.
Kevin Sipple
Kevin R. Sipple has 38 years of county government experience.
PHOTO COURTESY OF KELLY PITTS
Mr. Sipple was named as the new Kent County administrator in February after serving in an acting position since Sept. 2024.
In his role, the State News reported, Mr. Sipple is responsible for day-to-day operations of the county; he’s a liaison between the county government and the Levy Court commissioners; and he oversees all of the departments, from planning to public works.
Mr. Sipple said, in part, “My most important accomplishments this year focused on maintaining continuity and stability in County operations while advancing several major initiatives.”
Jody Sweeney
Jody Sweeney
Kent County Levy Court Commissioner George “Jody” Sweeney first got people talking in September, following comments on his Facebook page regarding Republican personality Charlie Kirk and some remarks to his constituents, which his fellow commissioners voiced concerns with.
As a result, Commissioner Sweeney was removed from his assigned committees and liaison roles at a Nov. 19 Levy Court meeting.
While some applauded the move, others worried that it was a violation of Commissioner Sweeney’s First Amendment rights.
Stephen Wilson
Dover head coach Stephen Wilson calling in plays in the final seconds of the DIAA championship game with Sanford. SPECIAL TO THE DAILY STATE NEWS/GARY EMEIGH
Stephen Wilson, who recently started his 18th season as Dover’s head basketball coach, has seen his teams win at least 19 games in five of the last seven campaigns. In those five seasons the Senators are a combined 107-13. That stretch includes three trips to the state finals.
