Enjoy the Fall Weather and the Happenings in the First State

October brings a noticeable shift across Delaware. Cooler temperatures settle in, leaves begin to change and wildlife prepare for the months ahead.

It’s also a great time to experience the outdoors and see how Delaware’s natural spaces change with the season. This month, we’re sharing some of what’s happening across DNREC and a few ways to make the most of fall in the First State.

Two young girls decorate pumpkins at Pond Fest at Lums Pond State Park, which will be held this year on Oct. 10.

Pumpkin decorating is just one of the fun activities available during festivals at
Delaware State Parks this fall. /DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation photo

Join Delaware State Parks for Fall Events Throughout the 17 Parks

This fall, visitors can turn a trip to Delaware State Parks into the ultimate fall road trip with festivities popping up across the state.

Continue reading →

NJ State Parks Extends Trail Accessibility With All-Terrain Wheelchairs

Building on the Department of Environmental Protection’s commitment to making the outdoors more accessible to all, New Jersey State Parks today announced the deployment of five new all-terrain wheelchairs at state parks and historic sites across the state.

The wheelchairs are now available at Island Beach State Park in Ocean County, Liberty State Park in Hudson County, Waterloo Village Historic Site in Warren County, Round Valley Recreation Area in Hunterdon County and Parvin State Park in Salem County.

Continue reading →

Jefferson Health Celebrates 10 Years of Helping Young Adults with Disabilities

As October marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Jefferson Health is celebrating a decade of working with Project SEARCH, an international, work-transition initiative for young adults with autism and other developmental disabilities. Jefferson introduced Project SEARCH at Cherry Hill in 2016 and expanded to Stratford and Washington Township in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

Project SEARCH interns at Jefferson gain hands-on experience and develop job-readiness skills across several hospital departments, including Patient Transport, Food and Nutrition, Storeroom, Environmental Services, and Pharmacy, with some participants landing jobs at Jefferson Health at the completion of their internships.

Continue reading →

CNBNews Photo of the Day: Rainbow Over Nuiqsut Village

Cleary’s Notebook News

NUIQSUT VILLAGE, ALASKA (CNBNews)– Adam Tussey Sr. recently photographed a rainbow hovering over Nuiqsut Village while working nearby. Tussey is employed by Tanco Engineering as operations manager.

Continue reading →

Jim O’Rourke Takes on the NYC Marathon

For Jim O’Rourke, the road to the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon began with a challenge from someone he couldn’t say no to: his daughter, Grace.

An experienced marathoner, Grace was used to seeing her dad cheering from the sidelines at her races. This year, she challenged him to join her. Jim said yes, embracing the opportunity to take on a personal challenge, share an unforgettable father-daughter experience and raise funds for an organization that has been important to him for years, the Turn 2 Foundation.

Continue reading →

2026 New Jersey Nonpublic School Teacher of the Year

South Jersey Catholic Schools is excited to announce that Melissa Brino, vice principal and eighth-grade teacher at St. Mary School, Williamstown, has been named the 2026 New Jersey Nonpublic School Teacher of the Year by the New Jersey Council for American Private Education (NJCAPE).

Brino has been an educator for 25 years, with the last 10 years as a Catholic school educator in the Diocese of Camden. She has been at St. Mary School since 2017.

“Growing up ensconced in the Church, and Catholic school that tied the faith together, with Mass and the sacraments … I always knew I was going to be in Catholic education,” Brino said to the Catholic Star Herald.

Congratulations on this well-deserved award, Ms. Brino!

Read the Catholic Star Herald article here: https://catholicstarherald.org/saint-mary-school-vice…/

Jefferson Health New Jersey Golf Invitational Raises $120,000 to Improve Lives

Picture-perfect weather welcomed golfers recently to Galloway National Golf Club for the 2026 Jefferson Health New Jersey Golf Invitational. The day of friendly competition raised $120,000 to support Jefferson’s mission to improve lives. Since its launch in 2004, the annual event has raised more than $2 million to strengthen programs and services for Jefferson patients, families, and communities across South Jersey. Proceeds help Jefferson advance patient care, education, and innovation.

“The success of this Invitational reflects the generosity and commitment of everyone who participated,” says Larry Slagle, Associate Vice President of Development, Jefferson Health Foundation–New Jersey. “We are grateful to our golfers, sponsors, and volunteers for continuing to support Jefferson’s mission and the communities we serve.”

Cleanup Volunteers Removed 21,000 Pieces of Trash from Delaware Beaches

Volunteers across Delaware joined together on Sept. 19 for the 39^th annual Coastal Cleanup organized by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC). Individuals, families and community groups turned out at more than 45 sites – from Fenwick Island to Battery Park – and removed more than 3,800 pounds of trash from shorelines, wetlands and waterways. More than 1,200 volunteers of all ages signed up for the three-hour DNREC Delaware beautification event.

Continue reading →

Port Industry Supports More Than 580,000 Jobs; Tax Revenue $18.1B

William E. Cleary Sr. | Cleary’s Notebook News

Study Highlights Economic Impact of New York-New Jersey Port Operations and Infrastructure Investments

EDISON, N.J. — The Port Industry of New York and New Jersey supported nearly 580,000 jobs, generated approximately $18.1 billion in tax revenue, and was responsible for $57.8 billion in personal income and $163.7 billion in business income across the region during 2024, according to an economic impact study released in 2025 by the Shipping Association of New York and New Jersey.

BY THE NUMBERS

Continue reading →

Celebrate National Seafood Month

As we welcome autumn, we also celebrate National Seafood Month! Join us all month long to celebrate sustainable seafood with new feature stories, recipes, videos, and more. There’s a lot to celebrate because—aside from being scrumptious—seafood is good for you, good for the economy, and good for the planet!