Today, October 15, 2026 at approximately 2:00 p.m., the Delaware Department of Elections (DOE) received and opened a letter which was discovered to contain a white powdery substance. Staff members followed security and USPS postal instructions on handling suspicious mail. The mail piece was isolated, staff members were decontaminated and evacuated, HVAC system was shut down, and law enforcement, state and federal partners have arrived at the office and are conducting the investigation and testing.
All election offices statewide have sent their non-essential state employees home in an abundance of caution.
Additional information will be provided to the public as the response continues.
Over 60,000 trees have been planted in the last three decades. This reforestation partnership with Delaware Nature Society has resulted in over 107 acres of former agricultural fields surrounding the original Middle Run forest converted into new, young forest.
Middle Run Natural Area is the largest of the Countyโs 251 parks and parcels, measuring 890 acres that stretch from Paper Mill Road, to Polly Drummond Hill Road, to Possum Park Road, nearly reaching Kirkwood Highway. Hikers and bikers enjoy the 17 dirt trails that wind through 15 miles of property. Birders appreciate the 227 different types of birds that frequent the area, along with white-tailed deer, rabbits, raccoons, red foxes, and turtles.
Alt text: Photo of a large group of volunteers planting trees in a field. Overlaid text: Middle Run Tree Planting, Middle Run Natural Area Edited to re-add photo