First for October 27, 2017

Five years later
Delaware dodged a bullet when the impact of Hurricane Sandy was finally tabulated. As we studied the impact in Delaware and New Jersey, we found over the years just how vulnerable we are, both off the Atlantic coast and in the Delaware Bay.

Thurgood Marshall leader
Delaware’s higher education system is about to change with the announcement this week that Dr. Harry Williams, the president of Delaware State University will leave his post in January to become the head of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. The fund helps students as well as represents a network of historically black colleges and universities. First was in Washington Monday night when the announcement was made.

First Person: Delaware’s tech scene
We’ve discussed several times over the years here on First about the growing presence of a tech scene here in Delaware. An event last weekend and one coming up next week in Wilmington could add to that growth. For our First Person segment this week we welcome Zack Seward, a familiar face and voice from his time at WHYY and now with the group Technical.ly Philly. Also here is Ben duPont who was part of the tech competition known as Open Bracket.

First Experience: Halloween house
Jim Bell really likes Halloween. But when the trick-or-treaters were out, cars kept running the stop sign outside his Dover home, so he took matters into his own hands. For five years, the Bells have used elaborate Halloween decorations to get people to slow down for a look. We stopped by the house for a look ourselves in this week’s First Experience.

SoDel Success
The death of Delaware restaurateur Matt Haley was unexpected and left many wondering about the future of his culinary empire. But more than three years after Haley’s death, the company he founded, SoDel Concepts, is thriving and celebrating the opening of its tenth restaurant in Southern Delaware.