Creators and fans enjoy 'Basement Bash' to celebrate the imaginative spirit. Story and photos by Heath Rumble The creative spirit filled The Amp in the Richards Building during the 'Basement Bash' to close the Fourth Annual Dover Art Week. Dover Art Week, celebrating the local creatives community, got a joyful sendoff at The Amp, a new arts center and performance space that recently opened in the Richards Building on Blackwell Street. The third installment of the "Basement Ba

Latest hands-on Art Week event gives new artists inspiration to create. Story and photos by Heath Rumble Budding sculptors got their hands dirty for a class during Dover Art Week celebrations at the Richards Building. In the historic halls of one of Dover’s oldest buildings, an eager crowd buzzed in anticipation of Sulpture Night during Dover Art Week activities Wednesday night. As organizers, assistants and interns from The Amp — Dover’s new arts center — set up tables and c

Fourth annual festival celebrates the community's creatives and their supporters. Dover Art Week got off to a busy start last Saturday at the Richards Building. By Heath Rumble/Photos by Walter F. Rodriguez The fourth annual Dover Art Week kicked off Sunday afternoon with a sidewalk festival in Meridia Transit Plaza in Downtown. The convergence of artists and musicians, dubbed "Art on Blackwell", represented the creative spirit, with people contributing individual works to co

Margarita Cielo Balbuena released after two months in Elizabeth Detention Center. Margarita Cielo Balbuena (left) is reunited with her sons,Saul and Osmar Ruiz, and husband, Filemon Ruiz Cielo. After two months of incarceration in the Elizabeth Detention Center, Margarita Cielo Balbuena was back where she feels at home -- Tres Hermanos, the Rockaway Mexican restaurant she owns with her husband, Filemon Ruiz Cielo. The couple, detained in a harrowing traffic stop by ICE agents

Town Council members Wittner and Mendez are hosting a 'Know Your Rights' event on Wednesday, June 15. Dover Town Council members Sandra Wittner and Daniella Mendez are hosting a workshop for local residents and members of the local business community to address issues regarding ICE incidents and immigration awareness. They are hosting a "Know Your Rights" workshop to help community members better understand their rights. The goal of this workshop is to provide information and

Hundreds rally at JFK Park to oppose ICE activity in Dover. The no-ICE rally drew a multi-generational crowd. (Photos by DOVERNOW.com) At 11:45 Sunday morning, a young man standing at the southeast corner of JFK Park was managing to coax a semi-melodic tune from a small air horn. He waved a sign that read, "IMMIGRANTS MAKE EVERYTHING GREAT." He motivated passing drivers on Route 46 to honk their horns in solidarity. "I am here to support the community," he said. He didn't wan

The decision says Mayor James P. Dodd's efforts to reorganize the department violated the Chief's contract. Dover Police Chief Jonathan Delaney sued Mayor James P. Dodd for, among other things, defamation and harassment in 2025. (Photo/DOVERNOW.com) Dover Police Chief Jonathan Delaney won a partial victory in his lawsuit against Mayor James P. Dodd in his battle to fight a reorganization of the Police Department leadership. In a dispute that's spiked higher than the 4th of Ju

He and his wife, Margarita Cielo Balbuena, were arrested by ICE agents in Dover on May 23. Filemon Ruiz Cielo and Margarita Cielo Balbuena were sent to Elizabeth Detention Center after being stopped by ICE agents on May 23 in Dover. A Dover man taken into ICE custody with his wife on the way to their Rockaway restaurant was released Monday after more than a month in the Elizabeth Detention Center. Dover residents Filemon Ruiz Cielo and Margarita Cielo Balbuena were taken into

Group celebrates 52nd anniversary with first tree study, community engagement program. Hurd Park is a perfect place to find a leafy spot to enjoy nature. (Photo/DOVERNOW.com) The first year of Kim Phillips’ tenure as the chair of Dover’s Shade Tree Commission is shaping up to be full of firsts for the town. For the first time since it was founded in 1974, the commission has contracted experts to conduct a research study of the trees and vegetation living on town-owned propert

'Unearth a Story' activities and reading challenge runs through August 7. When children read, they get the chance to let their imaginations run wild. (Photo/Liliana Drew) The Dover Free Public Library is opening its doors to all community members interested in a variety of free weekly summer programs. From the Summer Reading Challenge to engaging weekly programs for children, teens, adults, and family-friendly special events, you don't even need a library card. “This summer’s

Proud family, friends, teachers, and community celebrate Class of 2026 Photos by Jack Ponzoni Valedictorian Mubashur Ahmed gives his speech to the crowd at the Dover High School Commencement. The Dover High School Class of 2026 celebrated its path to educational growth and personal enrichment on June 18. DOVERNOW.com contributing photographer Jack Ponzoni captured moments from the celebration: Dover High School students and the assembled crowd stand for the Pledge of Allegia

Former Parking Enforcement Director facing allegations in the 2025 Town Council election. Fernando Barrios hasn't worked at Dover Town Hall for months. (Photo/DOVERNOW.com) Former Dover Parking Enforcement Director Fernando Barrios is facing charges of “attempted election fraud through false voter registration” in the 2025 First Ward general election. According to the investigation and a complaint filed by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office of the Public Integrity & Acc

No layoffs included in the deal, which will raise average homeowner's taxes $183 for year. John Mooney, independent auditor for Dover, steps to the podium to answer council members' budget questions. (Photo/DOVERNOW.com) The Dover Town Council approved the 2026 municipal budget on Tuesday, roughly three hours after getting the okay from the state of New Jersey. Mayor James P. Dodd, as well as professionals working on behalf of the town, deliberated on the merits of thelegisl

Pick the perfect spots to have fun and celebrate the beautiful game. If you can't make it to a stadium, Dover's bars and restaurants offer ideal spots for watching the matches.(Photo/Igor Batista) “Olé, Olé, Olé...” Local restaurants and bars will be brimming with energy and excitement this World Cup summer. DOVERNOW checked in with all of them to share the events and specials they’ll offer to futbol fanatics as the action unfolds. Here’s the view from the hotspots that retu

The loss of 2026-27 state funding forces Superintendent Luis Jaime, the school board, and taxpayers into difficult decisions. The school budget issues will still force some of Dover's youngest students to be bused to out-of-town schools. (Photo/DOVERNOW.com) Dover Schools Superintendent Luis Jaime said the nearly $2 million cut in state aid to the district’s budget for the 2026-27 school year left him in shock. “I was expecting a reduction. I was not expecting a $2 million re

RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center brings the soccer world to Morris Township. The sprawling performance center offers every amenity to help Red Bulls players reach and maintain their peak athletic efficiencies. (Photo/Red Bulls) Under a gray sky accented by a biting wind and a threat of rain, several hundred people await the official ribbon-cutting of Red Bull New York’s state-of-the-art training center. Among the dignitaries and sponsors sit soccer icons Jürgen

Big D’s Hot Dog truck has been a community staple for 20 years. Dominick Angelone shares stories from his room with a view. Dominick Angelone has been feeding Dover and making friends for 20 years. (Photos/Jon Esquivel) Dover’s open doors make everyone hungry. From the smell of Colombian coffee and fresh pastries mixing in the morning mist to hot tacos and empanadas in the afternoon or grilled fish and meat, the streets are full of delicious restaurants. But some days you jus

All-women Dover Town Council bloc paves way for November race. Candidates (left to right) Elizabeth Tapia, Alice Plastoris, Krista Seanor, and Sandra Wittner captured a lopsided victory in the June 2 Democratic primary. (Photo/Team Dover) Sandra Wittner, Krista Seanor, Alice Plastoris, and Elizabeth Tapia announced in March that they had formed "Team Dover" to run together for the Dover Town Council. On Tuesday, they took the first step toward that goal with an emphatic victo

Town Council approves fireworks budget, tax hike, and plan to sell lots. Dover Council approved the fireworks budget, so the only concern is whether the skies will be clear on the 4th of July. (Photo/Jobert Enanmo) There were fireworks at the May 26 Dover Town Council meeting – just not the kind that have been set off at past sessions. Council approved a contract to pay $38,084 to Schaefer’s Fireworks for the town’s annual fireworks display to celebrate the 4th of July. The c

Photos show agents struggling with Filemon Ruiz Cielo and Margarita Cielo Balbuena on Saturday morning. Osmar Ruiz reaches for his father, Filemon Ruiz Cielo, who is held down by three ICE agents. (Photo/Karol Ruiz) Dover residents Filemon Ruiz Cielo and Margarita Cielo Balbuena were taken into ICE custody around 10 a.m Saturday near the intersection of Park Avenue and Hillcrest Avenue. Margarita Cielo Balbuena, right, records her husband, Filemon Ruiz Cielo, being restra