Corrections & Clarifications
A commitment to accuracy is among the basic tenets of journalism. As outlined in our principles of ethical conduct, we are committed to seeking and reporting the truth in a fair, accurate manner.
That said, even in the best cases, sometimes we make mistakes. We are committed to correcting errors as soon as we can on all our platforms.
To report corrections & clarifications, contact:
- Phone, 1-800-235-9100 or 302-324-2858
- Email, [email protected]
Please indicate whether you're responding to content online or in the newspaper.
The following corrections & clarifications have been published on stories produced by The News Journal's newsroom, beginning May 1, 2019.
April 2023
An April 19 story about a shooting at the Christiana Mall incorrectly stated when the shooting occurred. It was April 8.
November 2022
A Nov. 21 story about Helen's Sausage House incorrectly identified its location. It's in New Castle County.
August 2022
An Aug. 26 story about the death of former state Sen. Richard S. Cordrey incorrectly stated when he died, which was Aug. 21.
An Aug. 19 story about a Wilmington double shooting in the 600 block of N. Washington St. incorrectly stated the number of fatalities. One person died.
July 2022
A July 10 story about a march in Milford incorrectly stated the police agency that shot Lymond Moses. It was New Castle County police.
June 2022
- Haass Family Butcher Shop is located at 3997 Hazlettville Road in Dover. A June 14 story about Father’s Day grilling included an incorrect name for the shop.
April 2022
- An April 6 story about child sex abuse misstated who tracks a case if a licensed teacher in a public school is under investigation. The Department of Education is responsible for following these cases through the investigatory process.
March 2022
- The cutline for the photo accompanying a March 24 story about Delaware taxpayers potentially receiving a $300 direct payment had outdated information. The average price of a gallon of regular gas a year ago was $2.76, according to AAA.
January 2022
- An Open Call column by Delaware Art Museum gave an incorrect birth date for artist Percy Eugene Ricks. Ricks was born in Washington, D.C., in 1923.
November 2021
- A Nov. 25 list of holiday celebrations at the Delaware beaches and a Nov. 26 story about Winter WonderFest gave incorrect hours for the event, which runs 5-10 p.m. daily through Jan. 2.
September 2021
- A headline on a Sept. 12 Open Call column about Second Street Players incorrectly identified the town they group performs in. It's Milford.
- A September 2 story about record flooding in Wilmington incorrectly identified the city's fire chief. His name is John Looney.
July 2021
- A July 2 story about a 22-year-old man fatally shot on Lombard Street in Wilmington gave an incorrect day. The shooting was July 2.
- A July 14 story about Bishop-elect William Koenig incorrectly identified the role Koenig had while working in Rockville Centre, New York. He was ordained as a priest.
June 2021
- A June 27 story from the Daily Times in Salisbury misidentified the body of water a plane crashed into. The crash was in Sinexpuxent Bay.
- A June 14 online story incorrectly stated that nine Republicans voted for a bill to allow no-excuse absentee voting, when in fact 12 Republicans voted for it.
May 2021
- A photo caption published Friday, May 7, misidentified the name of the festival, the date, and the photographer. The band Grace Vonderkuhn will perform at Shady Grove Music Festival on July 10. The photo was courtesy of Jason Lozada/@btswithjason.
April 2021
- In an online April 28 story about the local Jefferson Award finalists, the story misidentified William Gay's wife. Her name is Diane.
- In an online April 26 story about lawmakers promising to crack down on a plastic shopping bag ban incorrectly stated the allowed thickness of plastic bags in Delaware. Bags can be thicker than 2.25 mils, and Democrats want to introduce a bill to ban bags less than 10 mils.
- An article published April 16 on possible rate hikes to insurance for flood-prone homes contained incorrect data. On April 1, FEMA announced a cap of $12,125 on single-family home policyholders under Risk Rating 2.0 – Equity in Action.
- In an online April 16 story on the City of Rehoboth Beach settling a lawsuit about displaying a Nativity scene on public property, the story misstated the terms of the settlement agreement. The crèche that will be on display for 2021 and 2022 is the one that the city purchased last year.
- In an online April 2 story on Democratic bills to expand voting rights, the story initially miscalculated how many votes were needed in the Senate to pass a constitutional amendment. The Senate needs 14 votes, not 15.
March 2021
- In a March 26 story on a homeless veteran honored at his funeral after being found dead in a winter storm, a photo caption in an earlier version of this story incorrectly identified the subject as Edgar Mack. The person in the photo is Sayre Jared Mack, Edgar's grandson.
February 2021
- In a Feb. 18 story on police reform efforts in the Delaware General Assembly, the governor of Pennsylvania was incorrectly identified as Phil Murphy. It is Tom Wolf.
- In a Feb. 17 story about the discovery and return of an old hunting trap tag, the name of Joe Biden's first wife was misspelled. It is Neilia.
- In a Feb. 16 story about the Christopher Columbus and Caesar Rodney statues taken down in Wilmington, the shooting statistics for this year in Wilmington were incorrect. As of Feb. 16, there had been 14 shootings with 18 victims, three of whom died.
January 2021
- The sports calendar in the Jan. 13 edition listed incorrect days for two games. The Ravens play the Bills on Jan. 16, and the Sixers play the Grizzlies on Jan. 16.
- A Feb. 2 online story about a new federal law affecting shell companies incorrectly stated a person was still working at the FACT Coalition, when in fact they had left that organization.
December 2020
- The timing of the Ravens-Cowboys game was incorrectly listed in the Dec. 1-3 print editions after the game was rescheduled. They play Dec. 8 at 8:05 p.m.
November 2020
- In the Nov. 27 print edition, Wilmington City Councilman Vash Turner and Wilmington City Auditor Terrence Williams were misidentified in photo captions for a story about Turner’s ethics violation. This was a production error.
- A Nov. 26 story gave an incorrect location for a Home Depot robbery. It was in Glasgow.
October 2020
- The sports calendar in the Oct. 15-18 print editions incorrectly listed the date of the Philadelphia Union-New England Revolution match. The teams were scheduled to play Oct. 19.
- A story that ran Oct. 12 on page 2 had the wrong number of shooting victims in Wilmington this year. The correct number was 149.
September 2020
- A Sept. 24 story about a vigil held for a 16-year-old killed in a crash incorrectly stated when the crash happened. It was Sept. 23.
- A Sept. 21 story about Scott Walker's campaign signs included an incorrect date for the general election, which is Nov. 3.
- In the Sept. 17 print edition, a Delaware primary results chart incorrectly listed Irwin “I.G.” Burton III and Mark G. Shaeffer under the wrong race. They were running for office in Sussex County Council District 3.
- A Sept. 10 story on grants for nonprofits contained incorrect information. While the website about a new grant program for Delaware nonprofits will go live Monday, Sept. 14, applications will be accepted starting Oct. 5.
- A Sept. 8 story about two women being indicted on hate crime charges related to a "Make America Great Again" hat at the Democratic National Convention incorrectly stated when the women were indicted.
August 2020
- An Aug. 26 story about the Wilmington mayoral debate incorrectly spelled Wilmington Police Chief Robert Tracy's last name.
- The online version of an Aug. 24 story on Newark's new restrictions on gatherings incorrectly stated the penalties for a violation. They are: The first offense can draw a fine of $100 to $500 and 10 to 20 hours of community service. The penalty increases to $500 to $1,000 and 20 to 30 hours of community service for a second offense. Three-time offenders could receive a fine of $1,000 to $1,500. His amendment also removes the criminal charge.
- An Aug. 21 story about a Delaware lottery winner incorrectly identified the location of the Wawa where a winning Lucky for Life ticket was sold.
- In the print edition of the sports calendar Aug. 15-21, the name of Montreal’s National Hockey League team was misspelled. They are the Canadiens.
- In the Aug. 16 edition of the Sunday News Journal, the number published for the Mega Millions Mega Ball drawn Aug. 14 was incorrect. The correct number was 13.
- An Aug. 8 story about the record-breaking tornado in Delaware misspelled Bernardo and Maria Trabel's last name.
- An Aug. 6 story about Delaware's alcohol industry misspelled Harry Wachtel's last name.
April 2020
- The caption on a photograph that ran with an April 16 story misidentified the fruit that Charlie Smith and Matt Smith were picking at their Bridgeville farm. They were picking apples.
- An April 29 story incorrectly stated State Farm's auto insurance policies during the coronavirus pandemic. State Farm Fire and Casualty Co. is distributing a credit equal to 27.5% of a policyholder’s premium from March 20 to May 31. State Farm Mutual will distribute a dividend of approximately 25% of a policyholder's premium from March 20 to May 31 through the Good Neighbor Relief Program.
March 2020
- A March 19 story about how to apply for unemployment contained an incorrect email address to ask questions. The correct address is [email protected].
- An opinion piece in the Tuesday, March 17 edition by Samuel B. Hoff, headlined “Yuengling beer and Hershey’s chocolate – imperfect together,” should have referred to Yuengling as a legendary Pottsville, Pennsylvania, brewery.
- A March 5 story about sign spinner Imeer Dorsey has been corrected to show that he is paid for his work for Liberty Tax.
- In the March 7 print edition, the name of our new monthly series featuring bartenders was wrong on the Saturday Life cover. The correct name is “Tales from the Rail.” This was a production error.
- In the March 8 print edition, the page topper for Page 22A was misspelled. It should have said: Delaware Science Olympiad Competition. This was a production error.
- A March 19 story, which also appeared in The News Journal on March 20, about how to apply for unemployment contained an incorrect email address to ask questions. The correct address is [email protected].
- A March 26 story about Delaware's first two coronavirus deaths incorrectly stated the location of the nursing home of the second victim. The Little Sisters of the Poor Jeanne Jugan Residence is in Ogletown.
February 2020
- A Feb. 1 print edition story misstated the amount won after taxes for a $50,000 Powerball ticket due to an editing error. The two people who won will take home $19,000 each.
- In the Feb. 10 and 11 print editions, the calendar on page 2 of the Sports section gave an incorrect start time for the Delaware Blue Coats game on Thursday. The game against the Stockton Kings starts at 7 p.m.
- In the Feb. 18 print edition, Elena Delle Donne's last name was incorrect in a 1A promotion. This was a production desk error.
- A Feb. 19 story about the girls basketball all-decade team should have stated that Adrianna Hahn was the last four-time all-state selection. Elena Delle Donne and Khadijah Rushdan were both four-time first-team selections during their standout careers in the 2000s.
- A Feb. 26 story misstated the number of U.S. aircraft located by a team of UD researchers. Project Recover has found 28 U.S. aircraft, leading to the recovery of close to 90 soldiers missing in action.
January 2020
- A Jan. 1 story about a youth minister gave an incorrect name for the business where Jakai White was shot. It was the Christiana Skating Center.
- A Jan. 2 about ChristianaCare's newest hospital gave an incorrect name for the facility. It is ChristianaCare, Union Hospital.
- A Jan. 2 article about the Route 9 Master Plan contributed its development to the wrong group. It was created by WILMAPCO’s Monitoring Committee.
- A Jan. 8 article about a pedestrian killed by an automobile in New Castle misspelled the victim's name. It is Levon Stewart.
- A Jan. 16 article about a fatal crash involving a school bus near New Castle gave an incorrect date for the crash. It happened on Jan. 9.
- A Jan. 21 article about approval of a bill to photograph drivers who illegally pass stopped school buses gave incorrect details that lead to the naming of the legislation. The student was thrown to the ground while trying to board a bus as it was hit by another vehicle.
- A Jan. 27 article about the Old Mill Landing development in Sussex County misstated the approval process. The decision on approval lies solely with the county's Planning and Zoning Commission.
December 2019
- A Dec. 30 story about a new clinic in Seaford was updated to clarify that the owner of the clinic speaks Haitian Creole.
- A Dec. 26 story about a new bag policy at the Wilmington library that the homeless says targets them was updated to correct who operates the library.
November 2019
- A Nov. 25 story on a shooting on Washington Street in Wilmington was updated to reflect a Delaware Online/News Journal database statistic that 100 people had been injured in Wilmington gun violence in 2019.
- A Nov. 13 print edition recipe for beef and vegetable soup called for an incorrect amount of buckwheat groats. The recipe should have said 1 cups.
- A Nov. 6 opinion column misstated the number of jobs and job seekers in the country. It should have read 6.9 million jobs, and 6.3 million workers seeking jobs. It also misstated the authors of a new book about Delaware's Pathways program. Robert Schwartz and Amy Loyd are co-editors of "Career Pathways in Action: Case Studies from the Field."
- A Nov. 1 story about a murder trial for a shooting in Bear incorrectly stated the relationships of the three people involved. The shooter, Kevin "Chevy" Miller, said he was having a sexual relationship with a woman who had a child with the victim, Jeremiah “Farmer” MacDonald.
- A Nov. 3 story on shootings in Wilmington incorrectly stated the number of incidents. The number given was the number of shooting victims.
- A recipe for baked spaghetti pie in the Nov. 6 print edition omitted what to do with the reserved pasta water. The water can used to thicken the sauce if needed.
October 2019
- An Oct. 7 story about a murder plea by Michael C. Moore of Seaford misstated the length of Moore's sentence. He will spend 22 years in jail.
- An Oct. 16 story about a man's death after a crash in Bridgeville misidentified the victim as the driver of the vehicle and incorrectly stated where he is from. Joao Ferraz was a passenger and is from Rockville, Maryland.
- An Oct. 21 story misidentified the school Natalia Ferrara attends and the dates for fundraising mud runs. She is a Wilmington University student, and the dates for the 2020 mud runs have not been set.
September 2019
- A Sept. 23 story about spotted lanternflies incorrectly defined the quarantine area for the insect in Delaware. The story has been updated to reflect the correct area: all portions of New Castle County north of the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal.
- A Sept. 23 story about a crash that led to a pedestrian death misspelled the name of the victim, Jennay Reader, of Newark. The story has been updated to reflect the correct spelling.
- A Sept. 16 story about Joe Biden's experience with a Wilmington resident nicknamed "Corn Pop" has been updated to reflect the man's correct last name. It was William L. Morris.
August 2019
- A story in the Tuesday, Aug. 26 edition of The News Journal about a guilty plea by an Elkton truck driver in a fatal crash included the wrong charge. Anthoni Lewinson pleaded guilty to operating a motor vehicle causing death. His sentence could include suspension of his commercial driver's license.
- Stories about children killed in a fire in Long Neck, Delaware have been updated to use the correct spelling of the twins' last name, Marchuk, and Skylar Marchuk's first name.
June 2019
- A story about a Delaware war veteran who turned 102 included an incorrect date for when Germany surrendered in World War II. That occurred on May 7, 1945.
- A list of local Fourth of July events included information for events in Laurel, Maryland, not Laurel, Delaware. The information has been updated.
- A June 12 article on the conversion of streetlights to LED in Wilmington misstated how a conversion of streetlights owned by Delmarva Power would be paid for. No decision has been made on how to pay for such a conversion.
May 2019
- The headline on a 1A story about the murder trial of a Vaughn Correctional Center inmate on Wednesday incorrectly stated the type of weapons found. This was due to an editing error at our design studio.
- The name of a Wesley College commencement speaker was listed incorrectly in a photo gallery posted on May 11. The correct name is Kelsey FitzPatrick.
- The headline and some details reported in an Associated Press story published online May 12 were incorrect. The story detailed the upcoming trial of Rodney West.
- A story about parking in Rehoboth that published May 1 has been updated to reflect that parking meters in Lewes are active until 8 p.m.
- A May 17 story about girls soccer has been corrected to show that Charter of Wilmington won a state title in 2005.
- A June 6 story about a Delaware war veteran who turned 102 included an incorrect date for when Germany surrendered in World War 2. That occurred on May 7, 1945.
Thank you for reading! Follow us on Twitter @delawareonline and consider a subscription to support local journalism.