In a 36-page response filed in court on Tuesday, four attorneys for Governor John Carney from the state’s Department of Justice say there is no legal ground for Hockessin attorney and Mom, Janice Lorrah, to sue over his mask mandate for school children.
The attorneys are asking the court to deny Lorrah’s preliminary injunction.
“Lorrah’s Motion must be denied because the balance of equities weighs strongly against the harm an injunction would cause to the public interest” attorneys argue in the court document, obtained by TV Delmarva.
In the response, attorneys defend Carney’s implementation of the mandate to expire March 31 on the basis that COVID-19 is dangerous, but acknowledge that he has no legal ground to extend past March 2 because of the Emergency Powers Act limit of power expiring on that day.
“The Fourth Revision advised that the Governor intended the mask mandate to be effective until March 31, 2022. However, the Governor acknowledges that the Fourth Revision has no legal effect after March 2, 2022 unless he takes further action. Thus, there is no controversy between the parties on Lorrah’s Date Claim.”
However, attorneys argue that the Governor could simply extend the state of emergency and the date in question would never ripen.
“Emergency powers are not an unlimited form of fiat that allows the executive branch to legislate without regard to procedural and constitutional protections,” Lorrah says in a response filed today in court. “This is not a political point of view; it is a question of fundamental liberties and government overreach.”
Lorrah continues to say that “[Governor Carney] picked the March 31, 2022 school masking end date (beyond the duration of the current State of Emergency and beyond the 180-day limit of the APA emergency rule making authority) hoping that it would go unnoticed and now that his actions have been brought to light, all of the Defendant’s arguments based on post hoc rationalization.”
Governor Carney also contends that Lorrah has no evidence that her or her child has suffered damages because of his mask mandate. In addition, attorneys cite CDC evidence that masks cause no harm to children.
“There is far from a scientific consensus on this difficult and novel issue,” attorneys argue. “Indeed, the CDC continues to recommend “universal indoor mask use for students, staff members, and others in kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) school setting” regardless of vaccination status. The CDC also continues to monitor and analyze research studies, including research indicating that “masks are unlikely to produce serious impairments of children’s social interactions.” The CDC has found that “[t]he limited available data indicate no clear evidence that masking impairs emotional or language development in children.”
Governor Carney’s attorneys also argue that because of the public health risk of COVID-19, the general public far outweigh any individual issues as grounds for dismissal of the suit. They argue that invoking an injunction would “subject Delaware’s school system to undue hardship and risk.” Lorrah contends that due to establishing reasonable probability, the injunction should stand.
A court date is set for Monday, February 28 at 9:00 a.m. at the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center in Wilmington.
The Indian River School board is set to vote on an end to mask mandate on Monday, February 28th at its public meeting.
The meeting will be held at Sussex Central High School at 7:00 p.m. with public comments prior to the vote.
The district would be the second in Sussex or Kent County to decide on whether or not to leave masking at the discretion of parents. The Milford School Board voted on Wednesday to go mask choice by a 6-1 vote. The rule will go into effect once Governor John Carney’s mask mandate is set to expire at the end of March, or sooner.
Cape Henlopen is set to vote on its own local regulation in March.
Bridgeville, DE- Delaware State Police arrested Sherry King, 40, of Seaford, and Keith Morrison,39, of Seaford, after responding to reports of two subjects unconscious in a car in a grocery store parking lot.
On February 23, 2022, at approximately 4:01 p.m., troopers were dispatched to the parking lot of the Bridgeville Food Lion located at 9537 Bridgeville Center. Upon arrival, troopers located a grey Jeep with Sherry King in the drivers’ seat, and Keith Morrison in the passenger seat slumped over, sleeping. After a short period of time, troopers were able to wake up both individuals. Located in plain view inside the Jeep was drug paraphernalia. Troopers conducted a probable cause search, and additional drug paraphernalia and approximately .43 grams of suspected crystal methamphetamine were located. Also located in the area where Sherry was seated was a concealed sword. A computer inquiry was conducted and revealed Sherry had an active warrant out of Pennsylvania for second offense Driving Under the Influence. Both individuals were taken into custody without incident and transported to Delaware State Police Troop 5.
Sherry King
Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony)
Possession of a Controlled Substance
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Sherry was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #6 and released on her own recognizance for the charges. However, she was extradited to Pennsylvania for the pending Second Offense DUI charge.
Keith Morrison
Possession of a Controlled Substance
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Keith was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #6 and released on his own recognizance.
Parents, Teachers, and Concerned Citizens turned out to have their voices heard on student masking in the Milford School District. The Board voted 6-1 to end student masking, effective April 1st or sooner if Governor Carney lifts the mandate …..more details tomorrow.
Updated revisions to the vaccine mandate at Delaware Tech, sent to students on Tuesday afternoon.
On the eve of a planned protest at the Dover campus set for Wednesday morning, Delaware Tech President Dr. Mark Brainard has announced changes to its strict and controversial vaccine mandate that would go into effect on May 1 for summer and fall semester students.
In the email and mandate obtained by TV Delmarva, Dr. Brainard announced changes to the policy that would exempt remote learning and unvaccinated students from the mandate only if they do not come on campus and sign an agreement not to come on campus during the summer and fall semester. Any students who would come on campus needs to abide by the mandate, which still states a student must be fully vaccinated (including booster) with no testing option available.
Enrolling students who are unvaccinated would be required to sign an agreement not to come on campus during the summer and fall semesters. Students who violate the agreement face disciplinary action, which could include dismissal.
“Unvaccinated students who are exempt from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement based on their online status must provide written certification of their agreement to the terms and limitations of this policy as a condition to enroll in summer or fall 2022 programs/classes,” the mandate states.
Dr. Brainard also adds that college services that are not virtual would simply not be available to these students.
“The College offers many student services and resources virtually. However, not all student services and resources are available in a virtual format. As a result, there may be some student services and resources that are not available to students who are exempt from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement based on their online status.”
The move comes after Dr. Brainard announced in January that the school would require COVID-19 vaccination for the summer and fall semesters. The initial announcement required fully remote students and all visitors to be included in the mandate.
Firefly has announced its lineup for the 2022 festival in September, with tickets going on sale this Friday.
The annual music festival, which is held at The Woodlands in Dover, announced the headliners and musical performances on the schedule; with headliners by Halsey, My Chemical Romance, Green Day and Dua Lipa.
Tickets go on sale for this year’s event on Friday at 10:00 a.m. on the festival’s website, fireflyfestival.com. Tickets start at $299 for general admission to $739 for VIP, or you can go the SUPER VIP route starting at $2,699.
Delaware State Police are investigating the shooting death of a 31-year-old Laurel man Sunday night in Seaford.
Seaford Police were called to reports of a shooting in the 1200 block of Norman Eskridge Highway just before 9:00 p.m. on February 20. When they arrived, a 31-year-old victim was found in the parking lot with a gunshot wound.
He was transported to a nearby hospital where he later died.
State police homicide detectives learned that the victim encountered a group of people at the McDonalds drive-thru located at 300 S Dual Hwy, where the victim allegedly got into an altercation that continued after exiting the drive-thru. The victim was shot and the individuals fled.
State Police are asking for the public’s help to solve the active case, and witnesses are asked to contact State Police at 302-741-2730 or Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333.
A former North Laurel Elementary School secretary has been indicted on a pair of felony theft charges.
Delaware State Police arrested 40-year-old Wade Bryan of Laurel, after he was accused of stealing from a 2021 summer and fall pizza fundraiser and Pre-K tuition.
According to the indictment, the school discovered checks for the fundraiser had not cleared parent’s bank accounts and Bryan did not make any deposits. In addition, the fundraising company was improperly given the district’s bank account information to pay for the fundraiser. School officials checked a school safe to discover all the cash was missing and checks were never deposited.
An internal audit led to Bryan as the person responsible for those deposits and accuse his of stealing $3,198.50 in cash from the fundraiser and $1,775 from the Pre-K tuition funds.
Bryan was indicted on February 14 on two counts of Felony Theft Over $1,500. He turned himself in to Delaware State Police and was released on his own recognizance.
Two adults and a juvenile face several drug related charges after the driver was pulled over for speeding.
Harrington Police made the stop on Northbound DuPont Highway on February 19, where officers noticed an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. When officers asked to search the vehicle, the driver – 21-year-old Marcellis Dandy of Dover – allegedly became confrontational and detained after struggling with officers.
A search uncovered 95 grams of packaged marijuana, a digital scale and over $3,000 in cash.
The driver and passengers, Corey Washington and the unidentified juvenile, face several felony drug and conspiracy charges. Dandy also faces Resisting arrest charges. They were arraigned and released on their own recognizance.
Charges:
Marcellis Dandy: Manufacture/Deliver/PWID Controlled Substance, D Felony Conspiracy 2nd Degree, G Felony Resisting Arrest, A Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, B Misdemeanor Speeding
Corey Washington: Manufacture/Deliver/PWID Controlled Substance, D Felony Conspiracy 2nd Degree, G Felony Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, B Misdemeanor
Juvenile male: Manufacture/Deliver/PWID Controlled Substance, D Felony Conspiracy 2nd Degree, G Felony Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, B Misdemeanor
Notice posted by Laurel School District on Monday (Facebook)
The Laurel School District went to virtual learning today, after a reported terroristic threat was made against the school system on social media.
Superintendent Dr. Shawn Larrimore made the announcement in a statement posted to the school district’s website and Facebook page, saying at the time of posting, the threats could not be confirmed as non-credible – so for the safety of students and faculty, the move was made.
In addition, all after-school activities were also canceled. Laurel Police and Delaware State Police are investigating the threats.
46-year-old Edward Martin, of Millsboro, DE – Delaware State Police Dept.
A Millsboro man is behind bars and facing murder charges after police say an argument over a game of pool led to the shooting death of a Lewes man at a bar in Rehoboth.
According to the Delaware State Police Department, the incident occurred around 12:45 a.m., Sunday as troopers responded to reports of a shooting at the Coastal Taproom on John J. Williams Highway in Rehoboth.
Police arrived and located a 41-year-old Lewes man in the bar area suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to Beebe Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
An investigation was launched and police learned the victim and suspect were involved in an argument over a game of pool. During the altercation, police say the suspect pulled out a handgun and shot the victim in the chest.
Through investigative means the suspect, later identified as 46-year-old Edward Martin, of Millsboro, was found driving in the Long Neck area and a traffic stop was conducted. Martin was taken into custody without incident and a search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a the handgun.
Martin was charged with Murder 1st Degree, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon. He was arraigned and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on an $800,000 cash bond.
The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating a house fire that happened on Saturday night.
Fire companies from Indian River, Lewes, Dewey, Dagsboro and Millsboro responded the the fire in the 25000 block of Guinea Hollow Road in Millsboro just after 8:00 p.m. on February 19. Area rescue crews were also on the scene.
According to Indian River Volunteer Fire Company, the original report was a fire in the garage area, but the blaze spread to the home when crews arrived.
No one was reportedly injured. The home is considered a total loss.
Seaford Police have made an arrest in connection with a shooting earlier this month.
Investigators say 36-year-old Eric Jackson of Bridgeville was developed as a suspect in the February 11 shooting at the Meadowbridge Apartments and a warrant was obtained on February 18.
The next day, Seaford Police spotted Jackson leaving the very same apartments, and initiated a traffic stop. He was taken into custody without incident. Officers also uncovered 46 grams of marijuana and a loaded handgun.
In addition to 1st degree attempted assault and firearm charges stemming from the February 11 shooting, Jackson also faces additional charges from his arrest which includes:
Two counts of Possession of a Firearm or Ammunition by a Person Prohibited, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Carry a Concealed Deadly Weapon, Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance.
Jackson was arraigned and lodged in the Department of Corrections on a $201,000 cash bond.
A Hockessin attorney and mother of a student has filed a lawsuit against Delaware Governor John Carney over his decision to extend the school mask mandate until March 31.
Janice Lorrah filed a motion for preliminary injunction on February 15. According to the 43-page court document obtained by TV Delmarva, the injunction calls Governor’s Carney of the mask mandate extension null and void and violates state statutes and due process. The suit cites Delaware’s Administration Procedures Act, stating that the Governor can only enact emergency regulation for 180 days max.
Governor Carney lifted the mandate on February 7, effective for February 11. However, students in school would still be required to mask until the end of March.
“This is not about whether masking is good or bad, or whether masks are even effective, It is about following the rule of law,” Lorrah says in a statement.
Lorrah is the parent of a 6-year-old daughter who attends first grade.
“Someone asked me if I was afraid that my daughter would get COVID,” Lorrah says in a statement. “I’m more afraid of my daughter growing up in a society where due process is ignored.”
We’ve reached out to the Governor’s office for comment and have not heard back. This is a working story and we will update as it progresses.
The case will be heard in-person on February 28 at 9:15 a.m. at the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center in Wilmington.
Milford Police are looking for thieves who made off with cash from a bank ATM machine.
Investigators were called to the Del-One Federal Credit Union at 100 Credit Union Way just after 2:00 a.m. on February 12. The suspects were seen using a green 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 truck and using tools to remove the undisclosed amount of cash from the ATM and fled. Officers later found the truck behind a business and learned that truck was reported stolen from a victim in the Milford area.
Milford Police say the incident is an active investigation and are asking anyone with information to contact them at 302-422-8081, or Crime Stopper at 800-TIP-3333. Tips can also be submitted online at milfordpolicede.org/tips.
Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced the arrest of five Delaware defendants, who are facing 87 felony charges related to the illegal straw purchases of firearms over a two year period.
According to the indictment, the five suspect are accused of purchasing over 60 firearms. Two of those guns were recovered at crime scenes, a homicide in Dover and a suicide in New Castle County.
Investigators say one of the suspects, Keyon Eley, is an admitted member of the Piru 700 Blood gang and purchased 38 firearms across Sussex County from July 2020 to March 2021. Investigators say guns recovered from crime scenes in Baltimore, West Chester (Pennsylvania), Dover and Laurel (Delaware) were traced back to the suspect.
The other suspects include:
Karen Morris and Shane Willey are accused of straw purchasing eight guns, including six in a two-day span. One of those firearms ended up in the hands of a convicted felon with a history of resisting arrest.
Malik Jarvis, accused of purchasing 15 firearms and falsifying information on FFL application. One of those firearms was found at the scene of a suicide in New Castle County in January 2021.
Paige Morris is accused of buying three firearms in April 2021. The purchases triggered a multiple sales report to the ATF. Nine days later, one of the guns purchased was recovered at the scene of a homicide in Dover. Investigators say Morris later admitted to Dover Police that she purchased a gun for herself, her boyfriend who committed the murder, and a friend. Her boyfriend, Riley Braswell, was found in New York by U.S. Marshalls and extradited back to Delaware.
Jennings says the indictments show a need to enact policies that can prevent purchases like these from happening again.
FULL NEWS RELEASE
Guns used in Dover homicide, New Castle County suicide; many remain unrecovered
Attorney General Kathy Jennings joined law enforcement and prosecutors Wednesday to announce that the DOJ has secured 87 felony charges against five defendants who are collectively charged with illegally purchasing and providing to others more than 60 firearms, including guns recovered at the scene of a Dover homicide and a New Castle County suicide.
“This is a close-up, tragic look at the damage that straw purchases do and the support that law enforcement needs in order to keep guns out of criminals’ hands,” said Attorney General Jennings. “These indictments are the result of a lengthy, collaborative investigation by federal, state, and local law enforcement. And while today represents a major step forward for accountability, the fact remains that the guns these defendants illegally purchased have already taken at least two lives. Dozens more are currently unaccounted for and can still do untold harm. We owe law enforcement a debt of gratitude for their work in these cases. We will pursue full justice for the victims of these crimes. And we will continue to fight to enact policies that can prevent these illegal purchases from happening in the first place.”
“Even one gun in the hands of someone prohibited from having it or someone with criminal intentions is too many,” said ATF Baltimore Assistant Special Agent in Charge Andre Miller. “In these cases we see it happened not just once, but numerous times. The threat that poses to public safety is unacceptable and, as evidenced by the fatal shooting of two people, very real. ATF will continue to work tirelessly alongside our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners and prosecutors here in Delaware, using Crime Gun Intelligence and our strong partnerships to identify, prevent, and arrest a straw purchasers.”
The indictments follow a collaborative task force investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with local support from Delaware State Police, Dover Police Department, Laurel Police Department, and local law enforcement in Maryland.
The charges and allegations are as follows:
State v. Keyon Eley
Between July 28, 2020 and March 16, 2021, Keyon Eley, an admitted member of the Piru 700 Blood gang, purchased 38 firearms from five different federal firearms licenses (FFLs) in Sussex County. On February 23, 2021, Laurel Police Department conducted a search warrant for drug activity and located gun boxes for two firearms that Eley purchased, along with a laundry hamper filled with various firearm magazines and ammunition, and two additional empty gun boxes for firearms not purchased by Eley. From May through September of the same year, local police in Baltimore, Dover, and West Chester, PA recovered firearms that were traced back to purchases Eley made. Eley has relinquished two of the 38 firearms he purchased; the remaining 33 are still unaccounted for. Eley is charged with 36 counts of Engaging in a Firearms Transaction on Behalf of Another, each carrying a potential sentence of 0-5 years, and 29 counts of False Statement, each carrying a potential sentence of 0-2 years.
State v. Karen Morris and Shane Willey
Between August 7, 2021 and October 26, 2021, Karen Morris purchased eight firearms, including six in the span of two days, from two FFLs. Following a Task Force investigation, Morris eventually admitted to purchasing all eight firearms for Jeremiah McDonald, who provided Morris the money for the guns. A search of Morris’ cell phone revealed several text messages regarding types of firearms and prices, as well as evidence that McDonald was supplying Morris with heroin. Surveillance footage from one of the FFLs shows Morris and an accomplice, Shane Willey, texting and purchasing the firearms indicated in the text messages on her phone. One of the firearms Morris purchased was found in the possession of Cedrick Fooks, a convicted felon with a history of resisting arrest; the other 7 are currently unaccounted for. Morris is charged with nine counts of Engaging in a Firearms Transaction on Behalf of Another, each carrying a potential sentence of 0-5 years, and five counts of False Statement, each carrying a potential sentence of 0-2 years. Shane Willey is charged with three counts of Engaging in a Firearms Transaction on Behalf of Another, each carrying a potential sentence of 0-5 years, and one count of Conspiracy 2nd Degree, carrying a potential sentence of 0-2 years.
State v. Malik Jarvis
Between January 23, 2021 and February 20, 2021, Malik Jarvis purchased 15 firearms, making false statements to an FFL in order to obtain them. One of the firearms that Jarvis purchased was used in a New Castle County suicide on January 28, 2021 and two more were later recovered in New York, including one seized during the execution of a warrant against a street gang. The remaining 12 firearms are currently unaccounted for. Jarvis faces four counts of False Statement, each carrying a sentence of 0-2 years.
State v. Paige Morris
Paige Morris is accused of purchasing three firearms on April 3, 2021, triggering a multiple sale report to the ATF. The FFL that made the sale informed Task Force officers that two males came into the store to look at firearms but did not make any purchases. Just 15 minutes later, Morris came into the store and purchased the two firearms the men were looking at, along with a third firearm. Surveillance footage from outside the FFL showed the men and Morris arriving in the same car. On April 12, 2021 – nine days after the purchase – a homicide occurred in Dover and one of the firearms Morris purchased was recovered from the scene. Morris subsequently confessed to purchasing the firearms at the behest of her boyfriend, Riley Braswell, and friend Nasir Williams, and purchasing a third firearm for herself. Morris relinquished her firearm to the police. Braswell was charged with Murder First Degree and extradited from New York; Williams was interviewed and admitted to receiving the gun from Morris but claimed that he no longer knew its whereabouts. That firearm is currently unaccounted for. Morris faces two counts of Engaging in a Firearms Transaction on Behalf of Another, each carrying a potential sentence of 0-5 years, one count of Providing a Firearm to a Person Prohibited, carrying a potential sentence of 0-3 years, and one count of False Statement, carrying a potential sentence of 0-2 years.
Deputy Attorney General Lindsay Taylor secured these charges following an investigation led by Special Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Wilmington Field Office, Det. Tim Stock of the Delaware State Police, and M/Cpl. Josh Boesenberg of the Dover Police Department.
A Harrington woman was arrested on child abuse charges after police say she beat a 9-year-old with a belt, so badly that it left bruises.
According to the Harrington Police Department, on Monday, Feb. 14, officers arrested 50-year-old Ericka D. Maddox as the result of a child abuse investigation.
In January, the Harrington Police Department received reports of a possible child abuse at a home on Thorpe Street in Harrington.
During the course of the investigation, with the assistance of the Child Advocacy Center, officers learned that a 9-year-old child was allegedly hit with a belt on multiple occasions by Maddox. Police also determined that the victim sustained bruising after being hit with the belt.
A warrant was obtained for Maddox’s arrest. She later turned herself into the Harrington Police Department. She was processed and arraigned on charged of 3rd Degree Child Abuse and Endangering the Welfare of a Child. She was released on her own recognizance pending a future court appearance.
50-year-old Robert Eye, of Georgetown, DE – Delaware State Police Dept.
Police are searching for a wanted Georgetown man who they say pulled a gun on a local homeowner after he was found inside a camper located on their property.
According to Delaware State Police, the incident occurred Tuesday afternoon when troopers were called to respond to the 23000 block of Asbury Road for a weapons complaint.
Police arrived and learned that a male resident had walked to a camper that was being stored on the property to check on it. When he opened the camper door, he discovered 50-year-old Robert Eye inside.
Robert pointed a handgun at the man, who then ran back inside for cover, according to police. It’s unknown whether Robert stayed inside the camper after the incident or fled the area. He is familiar with the property and has been told before he is not to be there, police emphasized.
Troopers tried to get Robert to exit the camper numerous times but were unsuccessful. A search warrant was obtained and executed on the camper by the Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team. However, Robert was not located inside at the time the warrant was executed.
An arrest warrant was obtained for Robert for the following charges: Aggravated Menacing (Felony), Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony), Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited (Felony), and Trespass 3rd Degree. A computer inquiry also determined Robert has an active arrest warrant out of Delaware State Police Troop 5.
Robert Eye is described as a white male, 50-year-old, 6’00” tall, approximately 196 lbs., brown eyes, and brown hair. He may currently be located in Sussex County.
The incident is being investigated by the Delaware State Police Troop 4 Criminal Investigations Unit. Anyone with information regarding Robert’s whereabouts is asked to contact Det. Dustin Yencer by calling 302-752-3791 or 9-1-1. Information may also be sent to Det. Yencer through the Delaware State Police Facebook Messenger. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.
34-year-old Emmanuel Vargas-Lopez, of Lincoln, DE – Delaware State Police Dept.
A Lincoln man was arrested after police say they found a plethora of drugs in Frederica.
According to the Delaware State Police Department, around 2:16 p.m., Saturday troopers were dispatched to reports of suspicious activity in the 100 block of Holly Drive in High Point Mobile Home Park. The 911 caller was requesting police help remove a man from her property after he failed to leave after being instructed to do so multiple times.
When troopers arrived, police say they made contact with 34-year-old Emmanuel Vargas-Lopez who was still trespassing on the property.
As Lopez was taken into custody, police say he began resisting arrest and tried to head-butt the arresting officers. At the same time, he allegedly attempted to swallow a bag of heroin to destroy evidence.
Lopez was ultimately taken into custody and during a search the following items were located: 102 Oxycodone Hydrochloride pills, 6 Acetaminophen/Xanax pills, 3.46 grams of suspected counterfeit-controlled-substance heroin, 4.48 grams of suspected counterfeit-controlled-substance cocaine, and five crystal rocks suspected to be methamphetamine.
Before Lopez trespassed on Holly Drive, police say he used a firearm while driving past homes in the community and fired two rounds into the air. An examination of the crime scene was conducted, and spent shell casings were discovered in the roadway. In the same area, two individuals were standing outside in close proximity to where the shootings occurred.
Lopez’s vehicle was located parked in the area and two black handguns with extended magazines were observed in plain view, according to police.
Lopez was charged with Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony), Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony), Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited (Felony), Tampering With Physical Evidence (Felony) (Two Counts)- Reckless Endangering Second Degree, Resisting Arrest, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Criminal Trespass Third Degree. He was arraigned and released after posting a $25,601 secured bond.
View of the swing bridge from Overfalls weather camera (overfalls.org)
After months of planning and another couple months of re-planning, the Lewes swing bridge is finally out.
DelDOT was forced to re-plan the removal of the bridge to its new memorial site about a thousand feet down a nearby bike path in December, when the crane brought in wasn’t enough to lift the heavier than estimated bridge. After careful planning and a crane big enough to lift the estimated 30% heavier bridge, crews were finally able to lift it out of its spot just after 9:00 a.m. this morning.
DelDOT says a portion of Gills Neck Road between Schley Avenue and Black Marlin Drive will be closed until 8:00 pm on Wednesday, February 16. A portion of the Junction Breakwater Trail between American Legion Road and Freeman Memorial Highway will also be closed until 8:00 pm on Friday, February 18, 2022, during the removal process.
The $2.2 million decision to move the bridge, which has been a Lewes fixture since the early 1900s, was a project by the Lewes Junction Railroad & Bridge Association and approved by the City of Lewes and DelDOT. Board member Dr. Gary Wray told TV Delmarva in December that it was the rare time all three entities were immediately receptive to saving a piece of history. In addition, moving the bridge to its memorial location was cheaper than demolishing it.
Growing concerns that we may be dealing with a high wind event evolving during the overnight hours on Thursday into the day on Friday. All thanks to a rapidly developing storm system from the Central Plains that will be driving a cold front through the Eastern Half of the nation. Not to mention the very warm temperatures that will be following the upcoming event as well.
850mb Winds: Low Level Jetstream
The main driver for the strong winds we are expecting is the enhancement of the nocturnal low level Jetstream which sits about 5000 feet above the surface. While this area of low pressure continues to strengthen as it crosses into the Great Lakes, the gradient between this area of low pressure and a strong high pressure system off the East Coast will really start enhancing those winds. Forecast models have been quite bold with 70-80kts (80-90 mph) low level jet at 5000 feet which is very strong. Now keep in mind, those winds are pretty high off the ground and unlikely we will see those reaching the surface. With the aid of falling precipitation, we will see some of those stronger winds above he surface to mix down.
With the strong wind energy with that low level jet, no surprise we can see wind gusts 40-55 mph at the surface during the nighttime hours as the cold front edges closer. Winds of this speed can knock down some tree limbs and cause some sporadic power outages at times. Gusty winds will continue throughout the day on Friday even behind the front.
Delaware State Police Troop 7 has issued a Gold Alert for Benjamin F. Williams Jr., 49, of Milton. Williams was last seen on February 14, 2022, at approximately 4:00 a.m., in the area of Harbeson Road, Milton. Attempts to contact or locate Williams have been unsuccessful and there is a concern for his health and safety.
Williams is described as a white male, 5’7”, and weighs 227 lbs. He was last seen wearing jeans, a gray shirt, and black jacket. Williams is currently traveling on foot to an unknown destination.
Anyone with information regarding Williams’ whereabouts is asked to contact Delaware State Police Troop 7, by calling 302-644-5020, 9-1-1, or messaging the Delaware State Police through Facebook Messenger.
Get ready for another extreme weather day here on Delmarva where we are going from spring like warmth straight back to winter in a matter of 12-24 hours. Although snow is in the forecast, we are not expecting anything substantial at all to ruin those holiday plans on Sunday.
With temperatures rising into the mid 60’s on Saturday, a strong arctic front will be moving into the region during the overnight hours allowing temperatures to plummet down to sub-freezing by 7am Sunday. With the interaction of the front, a strong jet stream, and an area of low pressure developing well off the coast will cause a round of snow to develop in the Mid-Atlantic. Depending on the speed and intensity of the precipitation, a Dusting to an inch isn’t out of the question. Now some areas may get 2 inches if they are lucky. By the afternoon hours, snow will move out of the picture with even colder conditions that night.
Surprisingly, we have decent agreement among the model guidance showing rain transitioning over to a period of snow Sunday morning. Some a little heavier solutions but given the warmer ground we will see a little bit of melting. Regardless, we will keep adding to our above average snowfall totals for the season.
Randy Rangel, 26, of Greenwood, DE – Delaware State Police Dept.
A Greenwood man was arrested after police say he crashed into a patrol vehicle while driving drunk down Coastal Highway in Rehoboth.
According to the Delaware State Police Department, the incident occurred around 6:16 p.m., Wednesday troopers were dispatched to a reckless driving complaint on Coastal Highway in Rehoboth.
A white Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck was reportedly weaving all over the roadway before turning into the parking lot of the Fairfield Inn, according to police. The male driver then exited the pickup truck and began vomiting before getting back into the driver’s seat and again began traveling northbound on Coastal Highway.
A trooper responded to the area and located the Silverado. As troopers began to slow in an effort to get behind the suspect vehicle, the operator failed to signal as it crossed into the center lane and struck the rear left of the patrol vehicle with its front right side.
Troopers activated their emergency equipment in an effort to conduct a traffic stop, but the driver, later identified as 26-year-old Randy Rangel, of Greenwood, continued to travel northbound for several hundred more feet before coming to a controlled stop at the entrance to Bethany Blues restaurant.
As troopers approached the truck, Rangel was ordered out of the vehicle. Police say he displayed signs of driving under the influence of alcohol and a DUI investigation ensued. He was arrested at the scene and an inventory search of the vehicle was conducted.
Located in the Silverado were a Smith & Wesson M&P 9mm handgun and a magazine with 11 rounds of ammunition. A computer inquiry revealed that Rangel does not have a permit to carry a concealed deadly weapon lawfully.
Rangel was charged with Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony), Possession of a Firearm While Under the Influence, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Reckless Driving, Failure to Have Insurance ID in Possession, Drive Motor Vehicle at Slow Speed Impeding Flow of Traffic, Driving Across a Median, Driver Must Wear Properly Adjusted and Fastened Seatbelt (Civil Violation), Failure to Remain Within a Single Lane, Failure to Signal, Inattentive Driving, and Parked or Stopped in the Direction of Traffic Flow (Civil Violation). He was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court, issued an $11,650 unsecured bond, and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on a $500 secured bond for an active capias out of Sussex County Court of Common Pleas.
22-year-old Angel Toran and 24-year-old Ny’Jier Murphy, both of Magnolia, DE (Left to Right) – Delaware State Police
A Magnolia couple have been arrested and charged with the murder of their infant child who police say they buried in the backyard of their home after the baby died of severe malnourishment.
According to the Delaware State Police Department, on October 10, 2021, troopers responded to the home of 22-year-old Angel Toran and 24-year-old Ny’Jier Murphy, both of Magnolia, in the 400 block of Lambert Drive with the Division of Family Services (DFS) to check on the welfare of an infant.
DFS received information that an infant possibly died at the home and that the death was unreported to authorities. When troopers initially arrived on-scene, Toran and Murphy were not home but arrived a short time later, according to police.
When troopers made contact with Murphy, a concealed Glock 19 model 9mm handgun was spotted in a holster on his hip. A computer inquiry discovered Murphy does not possess a permit for carrying a concealed deadly weapon in the State of Delaware.
Delaware State Police Homicide and Major Crimes Unit conducted an investigation into the infant’s death which determined Toran gave birth at home to a baby girl in April, 2021 and the child’s birth was never reported to the state.
In mid-September, the baby died at the age of five months old. The death was never reported and the baby was buried on the property. The infant’s body was exhumed from the property on October 11, 2021 and turned over to the Division of Forensic Science for an autopsy to be performed.
Through investigative means, police say the infant was determined to be severely malnourished and succumbed to medical issues associated with malnourishment. As a result, the Attorney General’s Office approved charges for both Toran and Murphy and arrest warrants were obtained for their arrests.
On February 10, 2022, both Toran and Murphy responded to Delaware State Police Troop 3. As Ny’Jier Murphy was notified of his arrest warrant by troopers, police say he resisted arrest and was taken into custody after a brief struggle. Toran was arrested without incident.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Additional charges, including resisting arrest resulting from Murphy’s actions at Troop 3, are forthcoming.
Toran was charged with Murder by Abuse or Neglect First Degree Recklessly Cause Death of Child (Felony) and Conspiracy First Degree (Felony). She was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #2 and committed to Department of Correction custody on a $260,000.00 cash bail.
Murphy was charged with Murder by Abuse or Neglect First Degree Recklessly Cause Death of Child (Felony), Conspiracy First Degree (Felony), and Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony). He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court #2 and was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $270,000.00 cash bail.
NASA and commercial cargo provider Northrop Grumman are targeting 12:40 p.m. EST Saturday, Feb. 19, for the launch of the company’s 17th resupply mission to the International Space Station from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Virginia.
TV Delmarva will be in Wallops Island to bring you live coverage from ground level with this mission
Loaded with more than 8,200 pounds of research, crew supplies, and hardware, Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus cargo spacecraft will launch on the company’s Antares rocket from Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport.
The Cygnus spacecraft, named the S.S. Piers Sellers in honor of the late NASA astronaut who spent nearly 35 days across three missions helping to construct the space station, will arrive at the orbiting outpost Monday, Feb. 21. At about 4:35 a.m., NASA astronaut Raja Chari will capture Cygnus, with NASA astronaut Kayla Barron acting as backup. After Cygnus capture, mission control in Houston will send ground commands for the station’s arm to rotate and install it on the station’s Unity module Earth-facing port.
an investigation from Colgate-Palmolive that will leverage the acceleration of skin aging in microgravity to help create and validate an engineered tissue model to serve as a platform for testing potential products to protect aging skin
a demonstration of a lithium-ion secondary battery capable of safe, stable operation under extreme temperatures and in a vacuum environment
new hydrogen sensors that will be tested for the space station’s oxygen generation system
a system that will test hydroponic and aeroponic techniques for plant growth and will allow scientists to observe root growth through video and still images
The Cygnus spacecraft is scheduled to remain at the space station until May, when it will depart the station, disposing of several tons of trash during a fiery reentry into Earth’s atmosphere.
DNREC’s Earth Day video contest is open to Delaware students and will be judged in three grade categories: K through 4, 5 through 8, and 9 through 12. – DNREC
With Earth Day to be celebrated April 22, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is hosting its second annual video contest to educate and engage young people about the importance of environmental protection and inspire them to become part of the solution to address climate change.
The global theme for Earth Day 2022, “Invest in Our Planet,” is focused on accelerating solutions to climate change, encouraging everyone – governments, citizens and businesses – to do their part. The DNREC Earth Day video contest invites Delaware students to produce and submit a 30-second video to answer the question, “If you were in charge of the world, what actions would you take to improve the health of our planet?”
“Since 1970, Earth Day has inspired environmental activism, and it’s especially important to hear the voices of young people,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin. “This contest is an opportunity for students to continue the legacy of those who came before them, adding their voices to the discussion about the choices we can make to take action on climate change.”
The contest is open to Delaware students and to be judged in three grade categories: K through 4, 5 through 8, and 9 through 12. Entries must be original, unpublished and created solely by the entrant. All entries must be accompanied by release forms for all students appearing in the video, signed by their parent or legal guardian. The deadline for entries is 4 p.m. Friday, March 18.
Judging will be based on how well the videos represent the following criteria: message/theme, visual effectiveness, originality/creativity and universal appeal. The judging panel for the DNREC Earth Day Video Contest will include at least one professional from each of the following fields: education, journalism, science and videography.
Winners will be announced in an awards ceremony on or around Earth Day. Winners for each category will receive a certificate, a $500 gift card, an annual pass to Delaware State Parks and a prize bag.
Winning videos will be shared on the DNREC website and social media networks. For complete rules and more information, or to submit a video, visit de.gov/earthday. To watch videos from last year, visit the @DelawareDNREC YouTube channel.
Between now and Earth Day, Delawareans will have more opportunities to celebrate the natural world, learn about the science of climate change and take action. To learn more, follow @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
An early morning blaze has destroyed a home in Dagsboro, Delaware.
According to the Dagsboro Volunteer Fire Department, around 12:50 a.m., Thursday crews were called to respond to reports of an active fire at a mobile home located in the 29000 block of Colonial Estates.
When fire crews first arrived on scene, heavy fire could be found emanating from the rear of the home.
Once first responders were able to bring the blaze under control, a search of the home was conducted and thankfully no one was present at the time of the fire.
The remainder of the Dagsboro, Frankford, and Millsboro apparatus arrived on scene with their crews and assisted with advancing a secondary attack line to the exterior of the residence for fire suppression assistance and then began overhaul efforts, according to fire officials.
The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating.
A new study shows buying a home in America is becoming less affordable for the middle class and millennials.
The study was done by the National Association of Realtors and released on Monday by the Wall Street Journal.
According to the study, there were just over 400,000 homes last year on the market that were considered affordable, which is calculated by different income tiers on a 30-year fixed mortgage rate and not spending more than 30% of income on housing costs. The Journal points out that one in every 65 homes were considered affordable in 2021, compared to one out of every 24 homes in 2019.
In addition, the study shows that households earning between $75,000 and $100,000 could only afford 51% of the active housing inventory in December, a 58% drop from the same month in 2019. That’s the second largest drop in all income groups. The largest drop was incomes between $100,000 and $125,000, which was down 63%.
A monthly Fannie Mae poll shows consumer confidence is also down, with only 25% of Americans saying it’s a good time to buy a house, and 69% saying it’s a good time to sell.
Economist predict the housing market will continue to rise, with concerns of added unaffordability among younger home buyers.
Governor John Carney on Monday signed a revision to the State of Emergency, lifting Delaware’s universal indoor mask mandate effective at 8 a.m. this Friday, February 11, 2022.
Governor Carney has also temporarily extended the mask requirement in public and private K-12 schools and child care facilities. That requirement, which applies to children kindergarten-age and older, will expire at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, March 31, 2022.
The temporary extension gives parents time to get their school-age children vaccinated before the expiration of the statewide requirement.
The March 31 date also allows districts and schools time to consider local mask requirements, and gives the Division of Public Health (DPH) and the Department of Education (DOE) time to work with schools on updates to quarantine and contact tracing guidance.
Two people, including a 9-year-old girl, perished in a devastating fire in Little Creek, Delaware.
According to officials with the Little Creek Fire Company, shortly after 12 p.m., Sunday crews were called to respond to reports of an active fire at a home in the 300 Block of Main Street. When fire crews arrived they discovered a two-story home engulfed in flames with heavy fire emanating from the first floor of the structure.
As fire crews arrived and prepared to battle the blaze, officials say one of the residents jumped from the second floor and advised that several people, including a child, were trapped inside.
As first responders worked to treat the victim, fire crews entered the home through a second story window and were able to locate and remove the child from the house.
A total of five victims were transported to Bayhealth Hospital in Dover suffering from smoke inhalation and severe burns. Among the victims was a nine-year-old girl and a 42-year-old woman, both died at the hospital as a result of their injuries.
At least three other victims remain hospitalized in critical condition, two of whom will be transferred to Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland, Pennsylvania.
The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating what caused the fire while damages have been estimated at roughly $100,000.
Wyoming- Delaware State Police are conducting a homicide investigation that occurred early this morning in Wyoming.
On February 6, 2022, at approximately 3:01 a.m., troopers and officers from Wyoming Police Department and Camden Police Department responded to a residence located on South Caesar Rodney Avenue, Wyoming, DE in reference a shooting incident. Responding troopers and officers located a 37-year-old male, lying directly in front of the residence suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was transported by ambulance to an area hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Identification of the victim is pending notification to the next of kin.
The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit took over the investigation of the incident.
There is currently no suspect information available.
This case remains an active and ongoing investigation being conducted by the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Detective Csapo by calling 302-741-2729. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppers.com.
A warning from the CDC today, as a Listeria outbreak takes the lives of two people.
The outbreak is linked to Dole packaged salads that has sickened 17 people with 13 hospitalizations in 13 states, including Maryland.
The CDC is investigating Fresh Express packaged salads, which includes Dole, Ahold, Kroger, Lidl, Marketside, and several other products. The CDC recommends throwing the products out and to clean out refrigerators since the bacteria can thrive and spread to other foods and surface. The investigation stems from an earlier recall in December.
A map of the current outbreak can be viewed on the CDC’s Listeria outbreak website.
Three women are arrested after Police say they broke into a home and assaulted the victim.
Dover Police say a 20-year-old victim, who had a child in the home, heard a loud bang in front of her home around 1:30 a.m. Friday morning.
The three women allegedly broke a window, entered the home and assaulted the victim then fled in a Nissan Altima. Officers ended up pulling the vehicle over a short time later and arrested 26-year-old Tierra Watson, 25-year-old Raven Justice, and 24-year-old Nitajah Mally.
Police say Watson was the driver and was under the influence when she was stopped, while Justice was in possession of a handgun.
The trio face several charges, including burglary and endangering a child.
Tierra Watson (26, Dover) will be charged with the following offenses:
-Burglary 1st Degree -Assault 3rd Degree -Criminal Mischief -Endangering Best place to buy Nandrolone Decanoate Welfare of a Child -DUI and Traffic Offenses -Conspiracy 2nd Degree
Raven Justice (25, Dover) will be charged with the following offenses: -Burglary 1st Degree -Criminal Mischief -Assault 3rd Degree -Endangering Welfare of a Child -Conspiracy 2nd Degree -Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon
Nitajah Mally (24, Dover) will be charged with the following offenses: -Burglary 1st Degree -Criminal Mischief -Assault 3rd Degree -Endangering Welfare of a Child -Conspiracy 2nd Degree
A Farmington man is behind bars today after crashing a stolen vehicle in Milford on Wednesday.
Delaware State Police arrested 28-year-old Levi Collins after sideswiping a 2011 Hyundai Sonata into another vehicle driven by a 23-year-old Hartly woman. Reponding officers say the suspect gave a fictitious name and could provide no documentation. An investigations discovered the vehicle was stolen out of Miami, Florida.
Police placed Collins into custody and taken to Troop 3, where a computer search showed he was wanted for stealing a van from Trinity Wesleyan Church in Dover back in December.
Collins was lodged in SCI on two cash bonds totaling over $5,000 and faces a sleuth of felony charges. Collins was uninjured in the crash, while the victim was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries.
Collins faces the following charges:
Receiving Stolen Property (Felony) Criminal Impersonation Driving While Suspended Failure to have Required Insurance Fictitious Number Plate Failure to Surrender Cancelled Registration Card Failure to Travel Within Single Lane Fail to Drive at Speeds Appropriate for Conditions
Collins was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #2 and issued a $2,503.00 secured bond.
Charges related to the December warrant include:
Theft of a Motor Vehicle (Felony) Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony) Theft Under $1,500 Criminal Trespass Third Degree Collins was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court #2 and issued a $3,001.00 secured bond.
He was committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on the two secured bonds.
legalization of recreational marijuana is closer than ever this legislative session, as a bill has advanced out of committee last week. Advocates are pushing for an April legalization date, but there could be one significant road block – a signature from Governor John Carney.
When asked about his stance during his weekly briefing, it was a very brief response.
“It has not changed” when asked by a reporter about his stance, which in the past was against recreational legalization.
This bill would allow for recreational marijuana to be sold while taxing at a 15% rate in the first state. It passed down party lines in a committee last week and now goes to the house and senate for votes.
If the governor were to veto the bill, a 3/5 majority vote would be needed to override the veto. Advocates say that would mean 25 votes in the house and 13 votes in the senate. Proponents of the measure say the state could get an additional 43-million dollars in revenue each year if legalized and taxed at the proposed 15% rate.
Milford Police are looking for an alleged car thief who stole a vehicle parked at a laundry mat on Tuesday.
Police were called to a coin laundry mat in the 900 block of North Walnut to reports of a stolen 2005 gray Chevy Equinox as the victim was inside the business. The vehicle was left unlocked and running. The suspect was captured on surveillance.
Anyone with information that could help identify the suspect should contact Milford Police at 302-422-8081 or Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333. Tips can also be submitted online at milfordpolicede.org.
A high speed pursuit leads to the arrest of two Baltimore homicide suspects on Tuesday.
Dover Police were tipped off to the location of 26-year-old Cody Fulton and at a home in the Dover East Mobile Home Park on South Little Creek Road. He was wanted in connection to an attempted homicide in November last year.
During a surveillance just after 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, officers attempted to pull the suspect over and a passenger, Hirsi Abdul Budul, when they took off and led police on a chase from DuPont Highway near Fork Branch Road though the town of Cheswold. The suspects were stopped and apprehended without incident when they hit a dead end at the Holly hills Mobile Home Park in Smyrna.
During a search of the vehicle, officers found a stolen handgun, fentanyl, cocaine and oxycodone. Both suspects face a sleuth of drug and weapons charges and were lodged in SCI on cash bond.
Cody Fulton was committed to SCI on a $287,500 cash bond on the following offenses:
-Possession with Intent to Deliver Fentanyl -Possession of Fentanyl -Possession with Intent to Deliver Crack Cocaine -Possession of Crack Cocaine -Possession with Intent to Deliver Oxycodone -Possession of Oxycodone -Drug Paraphernalia -Receiving Stolen Property -Possession of a Firearm/Ammo by Person Prohibited (4x) -Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon -Conspiracy 2nd Degree -Disregard Police Officer Signal -Multiple traffic related offenses
Hirsi Abdul Budul (passenger) was committed to SCI on a $88,000 cash bond on the following offenses: -Possession with Intent to Deliver Fentanyl -Possession of Fentanyl -Possession with Intent to Deliver Crack Cocaine -Possession of Crack Cocaine -Possession with Intent to Deliver Oxycodone -Possession of Oxycodone -Drug Paraphernalia -Receiving Stolen Property -Possession of a Firearm/Ammo by Person Prohibited (4x) -Carry Concealed Deadly Weapon -Conspiracy 2nd Degree
Harrington Police need your help to find a suspect wanted for attempting to cash a fraudulent check.
Police were called to the WSFS bank on Commerce Street in Harrington on a reported attempt to cash a bad check. When officers arrived, they took 23-year-old Rebecca Lankford of Harrington into custody and learned that she reportedly received the check from 21-year-old Jaimere Harrison of Dover to cash and she was to turn the cash over to him.
She was charged with felony attempted theft over $1,500, felony 2nd degree forgery and felony conspiracy. Lankford was arraigned and released on her own recognizance. Harrison is wanted for similar charges.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts should contact Harrington Police at 302-398-4493 or Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333.
The Washington Commanders is now the new name of the team after controversy surrounding its previous name and mascot. Team officials say the new name and brand represents an 18-month long collaboration to come up with a branding to represent the area. As for the new “W” look, the team says it represents military rank insignia and a direction of progress. Of course the burgundy and gold represents the 90-year history of the team.
FULL NEWS RELEASE FROM THE TEAM:
LANDOVER, Md., February 2, 2022 – Today the team has revealed its new name and brand identity, the Washington Commanders. This new identity embodies the most powerful aspects of Washington’s story by paying tribute to the team’s rich history and championship culture, personified by mission-driven players who take command, forge success and break barriers on and off the field. The result of an 18-month collaborative process with fans, alumni, players, community leaders and stakeholders across the D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area, Commanders brings to life the commitment to service and leadership that defines the DMV community. Importantly, the team’s new identity also represents the values that bond the Burgundy & Gold family, including resilience, grit, tradition and unity, and honors the progress and potential of its present and future.
“As an organization, we are excited to rally and rise together as one under our new identity while paying homage to our local roots and what it means to represent the nation’s capital,” said co-owner and co-CEO Dan Snyder. “As we kick-off our 90th season, it is important for our organization and fans to pay tribute to our past traditions, history, legacy and the greats that came before us. We continue to honor and represent the Burgundy & Gold while forging a pathway to a new era in Washington. Today may mark the first day for the Washington Commanders, but we are and always will be Washington.”
The team has also revealed new brand elements, including its primary logo, its word mark and a team crest. The primary logo of the Washington Commanders is a powerful “W.” This symbol carries forward an element of the Washington Football Team chapter in the franchise’s history and acknowledges the team’s deep Washington roots, while the W’s angled cuts, bolded lines and serifs signify forward movement and progress. The slanted elements of the stripes bordering the “W” are inspired by military rank insignia, helping to infuse the familiar mark with elements of the team’s new identity. In the word mark, “WASHINGTON” introduces the tall and proud letters of the team’s name. The cuts of the “C” lead the eye across the mark and the two stripes that frame the name pay homage to the D.C. flag and give the mark a sense of power and authority.
A unique brand element within the NFL, Washington’s crest features core elements of the team’s identity and the franchise’s defining moments. The top left and bottom right quadrants note the year the club was founded in 1932, 90 years ago. The top right quadrant showcases the main logo mark, the “W,” symbolizing the team’s future, and the bottom left quadrant features three stars, representative of the stars on the D.C. flag and the team’s position within the Nation’s Capital. Washington Football highlighted across the top of the crest pays homage to the many historic firsts and iconic legends associated with this Washington team throughout its nearly 90-year tenure in the DMV, and the years 1937, 1942, 1983, 1988 and 1992 written across the bottom commemorate the franchise’s World Championships and Super Bowls. The crest is completed by a gold ring, which represents unity and encapsulates all elements of the brand identity.
To honor the deep legacy of this 90-year-old franchise, the traditional burgundy and gold color scheme will remain at the center of the team’s new identity. The home uniform will also retain the burgundy and gold colors, a specific reference to uniforms of the past.
“Through more than 40,000 fan submissions and countless surveys, focus groups and meetings, this 18-month rebrand process has been a collaborative effort with our fans, alumni, players and local DMV community, all leading to today as we embark on a new chapter in our legacy as the Washington Commanders,” said co-owner and co-CEO Tanya Snyder. “Going into our 90th year, we are excited to celebrate the rich history of the Burgundy & Gold while also paving the way for new traditions as the Washington Commanders.”
Beginning today at 9 a.m., fans can purchase select new merchandise at the Team Store at FedExField and anywhere official fan merchandise is sold online, including the online team store. New merchandise will include t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, sweatshirts for men, women and children, and hats. Also beginning today, fans will be able to preorder the primary burgundy Washington Commanders jersey anywhere official fan merchandise is sold online. The jersey will begin shipping in May.
To continue the celebration of the team’s new identity, starting today a variety of surprise events and experiences will be rolled out around the DMV to bring the new brand to fans in the local community. These live events and digital experiences will include branded cars that will canvas the DMV and surprise fans with visits from alumni handing out swag and new team gear. Trucks featuring jumbo-sized digital screens will also crisscross D.C., Maryland and Virginia while airing the team’s official brand launch film. Additionally, buildings and DMV landmarks will light up across the region with projections of the team name and logo and the burgundy and gold colors, including the DAR Constitution Hall, Union Market, and the Mosaic District.
On Friday, February 4th, the team has invited fans to FedExField to park and party with the Commanders. On this night it will host a Park and Party event presented by Bud Light, featuring tailgating and a showing of exclusive team content and an NFL Films feature on the Super Bowl XXVI Championship team, as well as games, giveaways, food trucks, a mobile Fanatics Team Store, DJ and a brand-themed fireworks show to end the evening. Additional details can be found on WashingtonFootball.com/park-and-party.
Today’s announcement and launch mark the beginning of the next phase of the team’s rebrand process. Over the next two years, the team will work closely with fans to pull forward traditions under a new banner and combine them with new traditions fans will help to create, including bringing back the fight song and designing the second alternate uniform.
For more information on events and activities to commemorate the reveal of the Washington Commanders please visit WashingtonFootball.com/2222. Fans can visit WashingtonJourney.com, powered by VistaPrint, for more details on the team’s full rebrand journey, as well as to see fan-submitted name and logo ideas and the team’s “Making the Brand” content series.
DNREC announced this afternoon that all 17,000 initial annual surf fishing tags have sold out, just hours after going on sale at 10:00 a.m. this morning.
Sales of the off-peak surf tags are still available, which allows for purchaser to fish during certain time periods (week days, non-holidays, ect.).
ORIGINAL STORY
Long lines started early this morning at state park offices across the state, as people pursuit one of 17,000 coveted surf fishing tags this year.
At Cape Henlopen Park this morning, lines of vehicles stretched all the way to the entrance and forced Natural Resource Police to turn away some hoping for a tag. Some of the people we talked to had been waiting in line since 5:30 a.m.
Steve Prestipino from Rehoboth Beach was one of those in line early this morning because he missed out on the tag last year.
“One of my kids is sitting by his computer. If this doesn’t pan out and he gets it online, then I can leave,” Prestipino says.
That’s exactly what happened, as Delaware State Park’s site crashed right at 10 A-M, when tags went on sale for online purchase due to the flux of potential buyers. But DNREC says to be patient and refresh for availability.
State park officials tells TV Delmarva News that the offices use the same system as those at home – so your best bet to getting a surf tag is to purchase online. Surf tags were limited a few years ago to combat overcrowding at the beach.
To make up for the demand of drive-on surf fishing, DNREC introduced an off-peak surf tag for those who missed out on last year’s golden ticket. The reaction to the current system is mixed, but Steve says he’s ok with it – but others were not.
“I have two family members, one in law enforcement and another as a paramedic, and they both missed out on tags last year,” another person in line says.
As for some changes those in line would like to see is law enforcement and first responders not needing a surf tag to drive on, which would open up some tag availability. One person recommended tags no longer be limited, but resource officers limit the beach at access points.
As for tag availability at last check prior to this news cast, tags were still available on the state’s website. As of this writing, tags were still available for both resident and non-resident.
STATEMENT FROM DNREC
Delaware State Parks Surf Fishing Permits sold out in one day, after going on sales at 10 a.m. Feb. 1. Off-peak surf fishing permits, which allow fishing all days except summer weekends and holidays, are still available.
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today it has reached its cap of 17,000 Delaware standard surf fishing permits issued for the calendar year. While no more standard surf fishing permits that allow fishing anytime will be sold until the 2023 season, the popular off-peak permits introduced by DNREC last year are still available and allow fishing all days except summer weekends and holidays are still available.
In 2019, the Delaware Parks and Recreation Advisory Council established a 17,000 cap on standard surf fishing permit sales. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation implemented a first-come, first-served cap on the number of permits issued as the most equitable way to serve all beach users, and to manage a limited resource, while also protecting against overcrowding of parks beaches.
Off-Peak Surf Fishing Permits Available
While sales of standard surf fishing permits have ended for 2022, off-peak surf fishing permits are still available. There is no cap on the number of off-peak surf fishing permits, which were piloted in 2021, to be issued.
Off-peak surf fishing permits may be used seven days a week during the off season, which runs from Feb. 1 to May 29 and again from Sept. 6 through Dec. 31. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, off-peak permits may only be used Mondays through Fridays; Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day are excluded. The off-peak permit also allows entry into all Delaware State Parks without paying the daily entrance fee.
The off-peak permit fee for Delaware residents is $70, while the fee for out-of-state residents is $140. Delaware residents age 62 and older will receive a discounted rate of $60.
To purchase an off-peak surf fishing permit, go to www.destateparks.com or visit any park office within Delaware State Parks. Off-peak surf fishing permits also serve as a Delaware State Parks annual pass that provides access to all 17 state parks. Park user fees, including surf fishing permit fees, provide 65% of the Division of Parks and Recreation’s funding, and are used to operate and maintain the parks.
For surf fishing rules, regulations and other important information, go to www.destateparks.com/adventures/fishing.
Anyone concerned about an individual or group in any state park or wildlife area may contact the Delaware Natural Resources Police via Tip411, DNREC’s smartphone app, or by calling the 24-hour DNREC Dispatch Center at 302-739-4580. Tip411 allows the public to easily report concerns. The app is available for free download by searching DENRP via the Google Play Store or the iTunes App Store.
Attorney General Kathy Jennings announces the formation of a Human Trafficking Unit within the state’s Department of Justice.
January was Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and Jennings says the new department will combat and raise awareness to the issue. According to the department, there have been over 50 human trafficking arrests in the state over the last five years. Jennings says that number is just a fraction of the full scale trafficking in the state given the inherently clandestine nature of the crime and the state’s location on the I-95 corridor.
State Representative Kim Williams praised the new task force, saying it will provide a voice to the voiceless. The new unit is already hard at work investigating current cases.
Anyone who suspects human trafficking should contact the national hotline at 888-373-7888 or call 911 if someone is in imminent danger.
Long lines started early this morning at state park offices across the state, as people pursuit one of 17,000 coveted surf fishing tags this year.
At Cape Henlopen Park this morning, lines of vehicles stretched all the way to the entrance and forced Natural Resource Police to turn away some hoping for a tag. Some of the people we talked to had been waiting in line since 5:30 a.m.
Steve Prestipino from Rehoboth Beach was one of those in line early this morning because he missed out on the tag last year.
“One of my kids is sitting by his computer. If this doesn’t pan out and he gets it online, then I can leave,” Prestipino says.
That’s exactly what happened, as Delaware State Park’s site crashed right at 10 A-M, when tags went on sale for online purchase due to the flux of potential buyers. But DNREC says to be patient and refresh for availability.
State park officials tells TV Delmarva News that the offices use the same system as those at home – so your best bet to getting a surf tag is to purchase online. Surf tags were limited a few years ago to combat overcrowding at the beach.
To make up for the demand of drive-on surf fishing, DNREC introduced an off-peak surf tag for those who missed out on last year’s golden ticket. The reaction to the current system is mixed, but Steve says he’s ok with it – but others were not.
“I have two family members, one in law enforcement and another as a paramedic, and they both missed out on tags last year,” another person in line says.
As for some changes those in line would like to see is law enforcement and first responders not needing a surf tag to drive on, which would open up some tag availability. One person recommended tags no longer be limited, but resource officers limit the beach at access points.
As for tag availability at last check prior to this news cast, tags were still available on the state’s website. As of this writing, tags were still available for both resident and non-resident.
Delaware State was one of several historically black colleges and universities in the country to receive a bomb threat on Monday morning.
According to a statement issued by university President, Dr. Tony Allen, he received a call just after 5 A-M about the threat. Students were told not to come to campus until the all-clear was given. State and local authorities searched the Dover campus but found nothing suspicious.
Delaware State was one of five schools to receive a threat on Monday, and that includes Bowie State in Maryland.
Dr. Allen thanked authorities for responding and called out the “bullies” and “fearmongers”. He says that the threats are the most primitive form of racism, a form which is neither new nor unique in this country, and adds they will not be intimidated.
“We shall not be moved from standing sentry beside that open door, nor shall we be confused, intimidated, or bullied into believing anything other than what we are — Americans, learners, teachers, builders — useful and honorable people ready to soar,” Dr. Allen says in the statement.
With warmer temperatures expected today, we will start getting a good melting episode of the snow pack left by the weekend blizzard. With the extra water vapor right at the surface and light winds, we should see some locally dense fog develop tonight. Not just any fog, but freezing fog to be exact. With temperatures expected to drop below 32 degrees tonight, some of those water droplets will freeze on surfaces creating some potential slick travel tomorrow morning.
Here are some tips on driving safely in foggy conditions:
– Slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination.
– Use your low-beam headlights and fog lights if your vehicle has them. Never use your high-beam lights, as they create a glare in the fog and make it harder to see.
– Leave plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
– If the fog is very dense, turn on your hazard lights and find a safe place to park until conditions improve.
Laurel, DE- Delaware State Police arrested Tradon Mccants, 31, of Laurel, Sunday night for home invasion and related charges.
On January 30, 2022, at approximately 8:20 p.m., troopers were dispatched to the 30000 block of Discount Land Rd. for a home invasion in progress. Upon arrival, officers located the male suspect standing inside the residence’s front door. After multiple commands, the male, identified as Tradon Mccants, exited the home and was taken into custody. A search of Tradon’s person was conducted incident to arrested and a concealed folding knife and drug paraphernalia were located. The investigation determined two female residents were inside the home when they heard a knock on the front door. When they went to see who was there, they observed a male subject, later identified as Tradon Mccants, wearing a hoodie and holding a blanket standing outside. Tradon then ran and hit the wooden front door, causing glass on the door to shatter and open quickly, striking one of the females. The two residents ran to a window and climbed out to getaway. They then hid outside as they called 9-1-1 and waited for the police to arrive. When Tradon was in the home, he damaged property inside one of the bedrooms. The female residents were uninjured during the incident. Tradon sustained minor injuries that did not require medical attention. He was transported to Delaware State Police Troop 5 and charged with the following crimes:
Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Burglary First Degree (Felony)
Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon (Felony)
Criminal Mischief Over $1,000
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Offensive Touching
Tradon was arraigned in the Justice of the Peace Court and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $62,200.00 secured bond.
Several area fire crews from Rehoboth Beach, Milton and Indian River were called to put out a blaze in downtown Lewes on Sunday.
Lewes Fire arrived just before 6:00 AM to the structure fire on East 4th Street where crews say the fire was running up the exterior wall of a fire place, just take a look at these incredible pictures taken by Lewes Fire.
Fire crews were able to knock out the blaze in the midst of the weather condition and cold temperatures, and take a group photo as well.
There are no damage estimates and the state Fire Marshall is investigating.
Governor John Carney unveiled his proposed 2023 fiscal year budget for the first state.
In a press conference online last week, Carney unveiled a $4.9 billion budget, a slight increase from the previous year’s budget.
Some of the highlights of the budget includes a 60-million dollar economic investment for transportation infrastructure and graduation lab spaces to name a few. Nearly 340-million dollars towards funding school projects, 20-million towards mental health services in elementary schools, and more.
From the Governor’s Office:
Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Highlights
General Fund Operating budget totals $4.9 billion, limiting growth to 4.6%
Sets aside over $15.2 million in reserves (after projected cash to bond bill and grant in aid)
Appropriates $215 million toward one-time items in a separate supplemental appropriation bill
Takes continued steps toward providing compensation and pay equity for state employees
Increases Opportunity Funding investments in our schools for low-income students and English language learners
Continues investments in clean water, economic development and fulfills our commitments to new school construction in all three counties
Continues to fund secure and modern spaces for Kent and Sussex County courthouses
Preparing for the Economy of the Future
Invests $60 million in economic development, including:
$30 million in strategic fund
$10 million in site readiness
$10 million in graduation lab space
$10 million in transportation infrastructure fund
Environmental Initiatives
Invests $404.7 million in environmental justice, including:
$30 million in aglands preservation and open space
$7.5 million in shoreline and waterway resiliency
$367.2 million in clean water, including federal support from the American Rescue Plant Act
Investing in Delaware’s Children
Invests $339.9 million in funding school projects, including $19.8 million for the Wilmington Learning Collaborative and Redding Consortium
Increases funding by $4.5 million for low-income students and English learner students towards achieving the goal of doubling opportunity funding by 2025
Invests $20.6 million to support mental health service units for elementary schools
Invests millions in Delaware’s higher education institutions including capital improvements, technology upgrades, scholarships, and investments into the Higher Education Economic Development Investment Fund
Supporting Delaware Families
$1.4 million to support extended post-partum Medicaid coverage
$1.5 million for the development of a therapeutic foster care program
Nearly $1 million to support the growth of Delaware Healthy Children Insurance Program (CHIP)
$3.7 million to support expungement programs
Supporting Delaware’s Workforce
Investing $88.7 million in compensation and pay equity to move toward a $15 minimum wage for state workers, increase to merit pay scales or 2% pay increase
Supporting Health Care Workers
$500,000 to increase funding for the Health Care provider State loan repayment program
$300,000 to permanently fund the mental health services loan forgiveness program
Supporting Child Care Providers & Workers
$11.5 million in increased support for child care providers and workers
My poker chips are ALL IN ladies and gentlemen. A major winter storm is coming beginning tonight and going all the way into Saturday Afternoon. Model guidance from last night and this morning has shown a significant shift westward with the track. Coastal Delmarva will be in the hot seat regarding the most significant impacts from this winter storm.
For the first time since January of 2018, we have Blizzard Warnings for Northampton, Accomack, Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset, and Sussex Counties from 7pm Friday until 7pm on Saturday. Winter Storm Warnings are in place for all of Delmarva except for Cecil County in Maryland. There is very strict criteria in place to qualify for a Blizzard Warning. I do think that a expansion westward with the Blizzard Warnings are not out of the question.
Futurecast Radar
Snow will be developing across the region from 5-8pm. And the heaviest will be in place from Midnight tonight through noon Saturday. Significant snowfall rates of 1-3 inches per hour are possible with wind gusts of 40-50 mph. This will create a roadway nightmare on the shore for Saturday morning. Avoid travel at all cost if you can during the height of this blizzard.
Emner Morales-Garcia and Yony Morales-Garcia (Left to Right) – Delaware State Police
Two suspects have been in arrested in connection with a double homicide in Georgetown where police say two men were shot at a local restaurant.
According to Delaware State Police, around 7:28 p.m., Saturday the Georgetown Police Department and troopers responded to El Nopalito Restaurant on DuPont Blvd for reports that two people had been shot at the business.
During the course of the investigation, police say they learned that Yony Morales-Garcia, 22, and Emner Morales-Garcia, 21, both of Georgetown, had been asked to leave the restaurant earlier in the night due to their disorderly behavior and having a dispute with other patrons.
Both suspects reportedly returned to the business, wearing masks, according to police. One of the suspects approached a 31-year-old Armando Vicente Chilel Lopez and removed a necklace from his neck.
Police say the Lopez then lunged at the suspect who stole the necklace, at which time the second suspect, pulled out a handgun from his waistband and shot the victim.
During the course of the suspects fleeing the restaurant, police say the second suspect fired a second round into the dining area which struck a 28-year-old man, later identified as Honorio Velasquez. He sustained a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.
Lopez was transported to an area hospital with a gunshot wound where he later died as a result of his injuries.
Through investigative measures, Delaware State Police and the Georgetown Police Department were able to identify Yony Morales-Garcia and Emner Morales-Garcia as the suspects. On Thursday, January 27, arrest warrants were obtained for the suspects with the charges of (2 counts) Murder First Degree (Felony) , Robbery First Degree (Felony), Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony), Wearing a Disguise During the Commission of a Felony (Felony), Carrying a Concealed Deafly Weapon (Felony), and Conspiracy 1st (Felony).
At approximately 5:30 p.m., a traffic stop was conducted and a search warrant was executed by the Delaware State Police at the 17000 block of Windward Blvd in Milford.
During the stop and the execution of the search warrant, both suspects were taken into custody without incident and transported to Delaware State Police Troop 7 where they were charged and arraigned. Both men were committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution in default of $2,120,000 cash bond.
Delaware Christian employees at Bayhealth had their religious exemptions denied and will face termination if they do not receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
TV Delmarva News spoke to over a dozen employees who agreed to interview on the condition that we protect their identities. Here are some of their stories:
“Why would you blanket no religious exemptions? Our religious letters, mine, was straight from the heart, it’s exactly what I believe,” one employee stressed. “I don’t see how you can be in the medical field and not believe in God, you see miracles all the time. How can you not believe in God?”
“To me, personally, being a Christian, I just feel like we should be able to say what goes into our bodies,” another employee stressed in an anonymous interview. “God created our bodies, so we can fight off infections.”
“We all have our own reasonings when it comes down to religion, and I even denied the flu vaccine for the past few years, and I would have to do is check a box, I had to have no reasoning at all,” another employee emphasized. “When they say that they’re denying it because I didn’t give a good theological reason, I did give a good theological reason and per my rights I shouldn’t have to spell it out, it’s between me and God.”
Another employee, who relocated a far distance across the country seven years ago to take their job at Bayhealth, emphasized how their religious exemption was also denied as a Christian.
“I currently serve in my church as a youth leader and teacher,” the employee said. “I take my faith very seriously, my faith is very authentic, I don’t just use it to gain things in this world, and I do hold my faith in higher regard than my career. I believe a career is important, but I’m not willing to give up my faith or jeopardize what I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Dr. Paul Isaacs, one of the chaplains at Bayhealth Sussex Campus, says he was forced to resign after his religious and medical exemptions were denied.
“This year after I got the flu shot, for the last three and a half months, I’ve had Bell’s Palsy, it’s doing better now but I still struggle with it, my eye won’t shut, I have to keep on protective glasses so I don’t get things in my eyes, I can’t eat right or shut my mouth right, and it’s a challenge,” Dr. Isaacs stated. “They forced me out in the sense that they told me if I don’t get the shot by Thursday I would be fired, so I resigned so I would not be fired. But I resigned under reluctance, and I shared in a letter my convictions about why I have difficulty accepting their decision.”
Dr. Isaacs stressed that both his medical and religious exemptions were denied and claimed the hospital even wanted him to not pray in the name of Jesus.
“I applied for the religious exemption and I was told that because my convictions are not based on my religion, and they never asked what my religion was, I argued from scripture about my faith and about my requirement to be faithful to the word of the Lord and the Lord himself and count on him protecting me, and I was told that’s not a valid religious exemption,” Dr. Isaacs stated. “For instance, I was supposed to pray in the name of Christ, I’m not supposed to say Jesus. That to me is a danger sign. They don’t want you to say the name of Jesus, and I have a problem with that.”
Our news department could not a clear cut answer from Bayhealth as to why the religious exemptions for Christian’s were denied during an interview with Bayhealth’s Vice Presidents of Marketing and Human Resources. Bayhealth also failed to provide the number of religious exemptions that were approved. And interestingly enough, hours after our interview on Tuesday, the following memo was sent to all employees, warning them not to speak to the media.
“Bayhealth employees should not be speaking to the media without approval and coordination with Bayhealth Marketing Communications. This includes all types of media — from print to radio to television.”
When our news department requested the specific policy they referred to in the memo, we were denied access.
According to Bayhealth, employees must receive their first shot of either Pfizer or Moderna no later than Thursday the 27th , if not they will have the option to take the Johnson and Johnson before a deadline next month of Febraury 28th.
Seems like every weekend this past month we are talking about another snow threat one after another. The only difference is that this one could become a powerful low off our coasts going into Friday and Saturday. With this being the end of the active weather pattern and signs showing for the persistent eastern trough will come to close with a more zonal flow (west to east parallel motion of the jet stream). Ensembles have been very persistent about a coastal low about 200 miles offshore with explosive development (aka bombcyclone) scenario with a rapidly intensifying oceanic storm that moves across the Gulf Stream. And some of these low placement strengths are nothing to take for granted. A good 80% of them are below 986mb pressure levels when its off our coast. By the time it’s off the coast of Cape Cod we are talking down into the 970s.
Major Global Model Outputs For This Storm
With a bit of surprise, there is actually some good agreement between the 3 major global models regarding this storm. ECMWF/GFS/CMC/ICON are on the table for a rapidly intensifying storm off our coasts this coming weekend. The biggest difference is how far offshore will it actually be. Every model without a doubt has a round of snow to the region but how close that low is will make a major difference. CMC/ICON are the most offshore out of the bunch with some light precipitation to the region and then dumping over coastal New England. GFS model coming in at 12z is a little bit westward giving Delmarva a good hit with snow. And then the big elephant of the group the ECMWF and the ensembles being very aggressive with a the furthest west solution giving all of Delmarva a major winter storm. And the ECMWF has been very consistent with that. Some of the ensembles give historic levels of snow but that’s extremely far fetched in my opinion.
Overall do I think we have a explosive developing oceanic storm? That’s on the increase for sure to close out the weather pattern. It’s going to be a matter of how close will this get to our coast will make the big difference. We have the cold air in place ahead of this system to begin with. It’s something that we will be keeping an eye on this week.
At least one person has been hospitalized after a police chase led to a serious crash near Ellendale.
According to first responders with the Ellendale Fire Company, around 7:48 a.m., Sunday crews were called to respond to a motor vehicle crash with injuries on Route 113, just north of Beach Highway. Emergency personnel responded and found that a pickup truck had been involved in a police chase and struck the back of a work van while speeding in an attempt to evade police.
Crews worked to stabilize and secure the vehicles and treat patients on scene. One person was transported by an Ellendale ambulance to Bayhealth Medical Center, and two others were assessed and released on scene.
A double homicide investigation is underway in Georgetown after police say two armed suspects shot two men at a restaurant after they were told to leave.
According to Delaware State Police, around 7:28 p.m., Saturday the Georgetown Police Department and troopers responded to El Nopalito Restaurant on DuPont Blvd for reports that two people had been shot at the business.
During the course of the investigation, police say they learned that a group of Hispanic males had been asked to leave the restaurant earlier in the night due to their disorderly behavior and having a dispute with other patrons.
Two of the men that were previously asked to leave returned to the business, both wearing masks, according to police. One of the suspects approached a 31-year-old man and removed a necklace from his neck.
Police say the victim lunged at the suspect who stole the necklace, at which time the second suspect pulled out a handgun from his waistband and shot the victim.
During the course of the suspects fleeing the restaurant, police say the second suspect fired a second round into the dining area which struck a 28-year-old man. He sustained a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.
The 31-year-old victim was transported to an area hospital with a gunshot wound where he later died as a result of his injuries.
The suspects have only been described as two Hispanic males.
The case remains an active and ongoing by the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Detective Grassi by calling 302-365-8441 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or http://www.delaware.crimestoppers.com.
Delaware Tech announces a strict proof of vaccine policy, effective for the summer and fall semesters.
The policy was emailed to all students on Friday and obtained by TV Delmarva.
“As a result of the recent holiday surge, Delaware has experienced record-high COVID incidence and hospitalization rates, crippling our health care systems statewide. Last week, four of our health care systems announced that they are operating under Crisis Standards of Care protocols because they are “stretched beyond capacity.” For these reasons, the College will require vaccinations for all students registering for summer and fall classes,” college President Mark Brainard says in the email.
Students will be required to show proof of vaccination registering for summer and fall classes. In addition any parent or visitor to the college will also be required to show proof of vaccination, beginning May 1. Online-only students are also required to show proof.
“This would include parents attending new student orientations, registrants for personal interest courses, and members of the public attending meetings and conferences. Additional information about how to prove vaccination status will be shared soon, so stay tuned,” Brainard says.
The new policy does allow for accommodations due to medical conditions or “sincerely held” religious belief.
Delaware Tech has been requiring vaccine records or a weekly COVID test for employees since September 2021. This mirrors a policy enacted by the University of Delaware in December 2021, which required all students to show proof of vaccine and booster shot to attend the spring semester.
“With record-high case numbers and the highly transmissible omicron variant, we had to take action to implement the most effective means necessary to protect the health and safety of our faculty, staff, students, and community stakeholders. Not only is this a top priority for us as we adhere to our mission of putting students at the center of everything we do, but it is also our duty and responsibility as a community partner,” Brainard says.
Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank Pittsburgh) recently announced $1.075 million in Home4Good funding awarded to programs across the state working to reduce homelessness.
The funding will be used to address three key areas: homelessness diversion, rapid re-housing and innovation. Grants were awarded to 13 programs from 10 Delaware organizations, including Brandywine Counseling and Community Services; Catholic Charities, Inc.; Family Promise of Northern NCC; Ministry of Caring, Inc.; People’s Place II; Salvation Army; The Way Home; West End Neighborhood House, Inc.; and YWCA Delaware, Inc.
Home4Good grants are supported by the following FHLBank member financial institutions: Arch Reinsurance Company; Artisans’ Bank; Community Bank Delaware; County Bank; Del-One Federal Credit Union; Dover Federal Credit Union; First Citizens Community Bank; Fulton Bank, N.A.; Genworth Life Insurance Company; Life Insurance Company of North America; Meridian Bank; Millers Capital Insurance Company; NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company; NY Life Insurance & Annuity Company; QBE Insurance Corporation; Santander Bank, N.A.; Stepping Stones Community Federal Credit Union; Technology Insurance Company, Inc.; Tuscarora Wayne Insurance Company; Wesco Insurance Company; and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB.
“I applaud the many partners who are helping our neighbors find shelter,” said Sen. Tom Carper, “and thank FHLBank Pittsburgh, the Delaware State Housing Authority, and their members and housing partners for coming together to help families in our great state receive housing funding and services.”
“Every Delawarean should have a place to call home, and this funding is one of the most crucial ways to make sure we accomplish that,” said Sen. Chris Coons. “Home4Good strengthens our existing resources and infrastructure by supporting organizations that are already doing great work to assist those in our state facing homelessness.”
“We know that far too many Delawareans are experiencing homelessness in our state,” said Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester. “This Home4Good funding will be instrumental in helping Delaware organizations continue to provide support and resources to individuals and families experiencing homelessness across the state. I’m grateful to the Delaware State Housing Authority and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh for recognizing the need for more funding to these organizations in order to reduce homelessness across our state and help Delawareans get back on their feet.”
Home4Good was established by FHLBank Pittsburgh and has been combined with DSHA funds to combat homelessness with the support of FHLBank member financial institutions. The funding is distributed as grants to organizations that help individuals retain or find housing, provide supportive services or address other unmet needs within the existing homeless provider network. Home4Good is one of several ways that FHLBank partners with its members to provide needed funding and support communities.
“We’re honored to be a part of this initiative and proud to support the organizations working to address homelessness through a multitude of different approaches,” said DSHA director Eugene R. Young, Jr. “From rapid re-housing to innovation, each program plays a valuable role in ensuring Delawareans have access to housing opportunities and support services.”
If you plan to hit the state parks or drive on the beach for some fishing, mark your calendars for these important dates to pick up those permits.
DNREC announced it is selling surf fishing tags beginning on February 1, with state park permits on February 15. Sales start at state park offices and online at 10:00 AM for both dates.
If you plan to get a tag, be ready to wait in line for one as demand for surf tags soared last year and were sold out within minutes. Demand for surf fishing tags forced Governor John Carney to issue an additional 1,000 tags back in April after the initial 17,000 tags were sold out in 2021. Demand for surf tags caused long lines at each state park office when additional tags were released.
If lines aren’t your thing, there’s the online option. Surf tags and permits will also be available online at www.destateparks.com. DNREC says this is the preferred method to purchase because of the rise in COVID cases, but those purchasing at state park offices are required to wear a mask and social distance.
As for why passes and permits are being sold later than usual this year, DNREC says it is due to chain supply issues.
We are looking at a light snow event right along a arctic frontal boundary during the daytime hours on Thursday. We will begin the morning with temperatures well into the 30’s to near 40 degrees but will be quickly dropping throughout the day. Most locations will start off with some rain showers before transitioning over to snow by the mid morning hours. Temperatures will kick down sub freezing and a light accumulation snow is in the forecast. The greatest accumulations will be across north and western Maryland where as much as 3 inches is possible. Across areas of Delmarva a nice swaft of 1-2 inches is not out of the question. Further south in the Virginia counties will see a dusting to a inch where rates will be on the light side. For those down there you will have to wait until Saturday for a more substantial snow ahead.
The Delaware Forest Service is now seeking entries for its annual Arbor Day Poster Contest, open to all K-5 public, private, homeschool, after-school, and other organized youth groups. Designed to increase student knowledge about trees and forest resources, the contest is a great way for students to learn about the role trees play in our communities and their direct impact on Delawareans’ health and well-being.
This year’s theme, “Trees Are Terrific…for Today and Tomorrow!” highlights the long-lasting impact of planting a tree and the benefits it continues to provide to our community.
2022 marks the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day, the holiday that celebrates planting trees!
Arbor Day is Friday, April 29.
Posters will be judged on originality, use of theme, neatness, and artistic expression. Each winner receives a gift card, a tree-themed book, and a tree planting at their school. Twelve winners will be selected, one from each county in four grade categories: kindergarten, grades 1 and 2, grades 3 and 4, and grade 5. All participating classes receive free loblolly pine seedlings delivered to their school, just in time to celebrate Arbor Day!
The 12 winners will be invited to the annual Statewide Arbor Day Celebration hosted by Governor Carney. A tree planting ceremony will also be scheduled at each winner’s school to celebrate Arbor Day. The deadline to register is March 9, with entries submitted by April 1.
Planting a tree is a fun activity we can enjoy today, knowing that the tree will continue to improve our lives over time. Trees planted throughout our communities not only provide beauty but help shade our streets and schoolyards and create habitat and food for wildlife. Trees planted today will also be terrific “tomorrow” as they improve air quality, muffle noise, moderate air temperatures, filter run-off into streams and rivers, and reduce energy consumption.
Let’s first begin with the snow threat going into Thursday morning. We will be having a arctic front that will be slowing sinking southward across the Mid-Atlantic taking temperatures in the 40’s down to subfreezing. In addition with a transition of rain to snow behind that front with a weak disturbance riding along this front. Some of the high resolution model guidance have a good agreement that a changeover is expected during the morning hours Thursday.
Cluster of Models Regarding The Snow Threat Thursday Morning
Now i don’t expect anything significant regarding accumulations with this one but some could pick up a light accumulation. Especially those further north on the shore. We could be looking at some slippery travel in the area during the morning commute Thursday. Colder temperatures will continue to plummet throughout Thursday into Friday just in time for the second and maybe even more significant threat.
Arctic Front Settling Thursday-Friday
When the passes through we are going to see a fresh supply of arctic air with temperatures dropping down into the teens Thursday night and really struggling to get anywhere near 30 on Friday. This is setting up the stage for round number 2.
Model Solutions Regarding Snow Threat Friday-Saturday
Now this is where the really messy situation begins. Unlike the last bigger snow threat to Delmarva, we have some of the best model consensus I have seen in quite some time which made it easy. Well it’s back to the confusing nightmare once again. So let’s break things down into groups.
ECMWF/ECMWF ENSEMBLES/UKMET/NAM
This group is the very aggressive solutions where we are showing a January 3rd snowstorm repeat across much of the region. Snow and a lot of it too. With the phasing of two jet streams allowing for a low to develop down in the Gulf Of Mexico and move off the Carolina coast. With a strong 1038mb high to north keeping that fresh arctic air locked in. This is a snow lovers dream with a textbox major snowstorm for the Mid-Atlantic. The EURO model has been very persistent with this solution for the last several days but for awhile it was alone in that matter. The recent NAM model even though its not out far enough to really see the impacts, but its very aggressive and further northwest. UKMET has a limited amount of products we have access too but its also following the more northwest solution. Now going into the ensembles, there is a very tight agreement in low placements with the 52 members of this model. With some heavy hitting more reliable models getting on board with this solution, it’s something to take note of for sure.
Messy Solution With Multiple Energy Pieces Not Phasing
GFS/RGEM/CMC
Now this group of models keeping all the pieces of energy separate with a much weaker and suppressed solution. We are going to have model runs like because there is so many different pieces these models are going to have to figure out what to do with them. Not 1, or 2, but 3 vort maxes in play. I’m going to be honest especially with the GFS model, It’s creating some very unrealistic movements with that northern piece of energy near Ohio by ejecting that straight east even though its pashing with that southern one near the Gulf States. Can that still happen? Of course but it’s on the low end of my scale right now. We really need a aircraft to sample the upper atmosphere in the next day or so to be ingested to these models so we can get a bit of better censuses. They did this for the storm occurring for MLK day and that’s why we had a major shift in the track to being much more inland.
Overall Thoughts
As it stands now for Friday into Saturday, we have a lot time to work out the kinks and we are going to be seeing some back and forth movement with solutions until we get these pieces of energy into range of observational data and or a aircraft to do research into the atmosphere the next 24 hours. I will be keeping a very close eye on this one that’s for sure.
One person is dead following a devastating fire that tore through a home Monday night in Ocean City, Maryland.
According to the Ocean City Fire Department, shortly before 10:50 p.m., crews were alerted to respond to reports of a working fire at a home on 9000 block of Elm Street. Fire personnel arrived and worked to extinguish the blaze.
As fire crews searched the smoke-filled structure, officials say they located a man dead inside the home. The home has been declared a total loss and was not equipped with working smoke alarms.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
A 13-year-old girl has died following a serious crash near Millsboro.
According to the Delaware State Police Department, the crash occurred around 1:11 p.m., Monday as a 2006 Jeep Liberty, operated by a 17-year-old girl from Frankford, was traveling northbound on Hollyville Road, approaching the intersection at Harmony Cemetery Road. At the same time, a 2016 Freightliner flatbed truck was traveling southbound in the same vicinity. For unknown reasons, the driver of the Jeep lost control of the vehicle, crossed into the southbound lane, and began rotating in counterclockwise rotation, exposing the passenger side.
Police say the driver of the Freightliner, a 26-year-old Salisbury, Maryland man, applied the brakes in an attempt to avoid a collision, but the front of the truck struck the passenger side of the Jeep. After impact, the Jeep was forced off the west side of the road. The Freightliner was redirected off the west side of the road and struck a tree.
The driver of the Jeep was transported to Beebe hospital and treated for minor injuries. There was a 13-year-old girl in the front seat. She was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The road was closed for over three hours while the investigation was completed and the roadway was cleared.
Not only we have to deal with some heavy rainfall, a little bit of snow for the northern areas of Delmarva and the Maryland Western Shore. There’s an event that is sleeping under the radar that has my full attention. When that low starts dropping below 990mb, that low level jet stream is very strong being pulled into this surface low.
70-80kt Winds at 850mb ( Low Level Jet)
Anytime I start seeing winds at 5000ft getting over 60kts, I get a bit uneasy in the damaging wind department. This is a long fetch stream of onshore winds we are talking about from the Gulf Stream. There is going to be a lot of wind energy pushing on the east side of this low. And it’s all onshore flow too. There’s more issues with this as well.
NAM and GFS Surface Wind Gusts Forecast
Winds at the surface are showing widespread wind gusts of 40-60 mph from the east and southeast. Another problem surfaces as well. We have a high tide cycle that’s expected during the evening hours Sunday Night. To add more salt in the wound, this weekend is a full moon as well. So take 40-60mph surface winds, plus onshore flow, plus a high tide cycle, and a full moon, it’s not going to be a fun time for a coastal locations this weekend. Strongest winds appear to be in a window from 8pm Sunday until 4am Monday.
Already a few tidal forecast in the region showing Moderate Flood Stage forecasts like this one in Crisfield. So we really got to watch our coastal regions Sunday night for flooding concerns.
A very dynamic storm system is on the way for the Eastern US going into this weekend. Widespread areas of heavy snow, freezing rain, sleet, and rainfall are all on the table stretching from the deep south all the way into New England. A classic Miller-B type of Nor’easter.
500MB Pattern
Storms that come in from the west (up the Ohio Valley) are usually referred to as “Miller Type-B” storms. These storms produce precipitation in the Midwest/Ohio Valley and have a defined surface low that is moving toward the Appalachian Mountains from the west. As these storms approach the mountains, they lose their coherent/compact surface low center and the low re-develops along the East Coast. When this re-development (a.k.a. “center-jump”) happens, the storm can still produce snow over all of the state.
NAM Forecast Regarding Ice Threat
With a storm diving straight from Canada across the Northern Plains will run directly into the sub-tropical jet-stream. Tapping into moisture from the Gulf of Mexico to really give some power to this low. I have a big concern for those in the Western Carolina’s and Northern Georgia regarding the ice threat. With cold air damming present along the Appalachians and the arctic high to the north, this is not a good situation for residents in the Southeast US.
Great Model Conesus On Track Today
With the energy associated with this system now over land on the West Coast, we are getting a fairly firm track on where this system is going to go. Unfortunately those on Delmarva hoping for another big snowstorm, this is not the one. With a track of the low pressure right over the Peninsula, a lot of warm air will surge in. Although areas may start off as a snow/sleet mix will change over to all rain once the low pressure center gets closer. Our friends on the Maryland Western Shore will have a little bit longer duration of snow and sleet thanks to Cold Air Damming before they will change over to all rain as well.
Snow Depth Forecast
Those who live along the Appalachian mountains in Western North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, and Central PA are in for a doozy of a snowstorm Sunday and Monday. Widespread areas of 6 plus are definitely likely. Areas like Washington DC through Frederick Maryland could sneak in some light accumulations at the start being turning into a sloppy mess once temperatures start rising above freezing when the low approaches.
Beebe Healthcare has implemented a postponement of all non-emergency surgeries and procedures starting Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022.
The healthcare organization is taking these difficult measures so that staff and beds can be reassigned for inpatient care. This is directly related to the continued surge in COVID-19 positive patients that require hospitalization and care.
Previously, Beebe only postponed elective procedures that required an overnight stay.
Beebe is facing significant pressures on staff, care teams, and providers with this latest surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations.
“Right now, it’s more difficult than ever to deliver healthcare,” said David A. Tam, MD, MBA, CPHE, FACHE, President & CEO, Beebe Healthcare. “Our emergency departments and hospital are past capacity. We are making operational adjustments to keep up with the growing demand for healthcare in Sussex County, but this is not sustainable.”
Certain procedures and surgeries will continue, including those that screen for progressive diseases such as cancer that could have longer term consequences if not identified for patients. Examples include colonoscopies, biopsies, and endoscopies, as well as access to dialysis.
Patients will be contacted by their surgeon’s office, and Beebe’s multidisciplinary team will continue to evaluate cases daily for the health of all patients.
Beebe is not yet at the stage where we are forced to adopt Crisis Standards of Care. However, the situation is critical and can change at any moment. Omicron, for those who are vaccinated and received a booster, tend to present milder symptoms. But this is not what Beebe is seeing in the hospital for those who are unvaccinated.
“People are very sick. This is a heartfelt ask to our community to assist us during this unmatched surge,” Dr. Tam said. “The fluid nature of this pandemic, the plateauing of vaccinated people in our community, and the national staffing shortage, all combine to make it extremely difficult to predict when we could move into another standard of care.
“We are concerned for our community, our patients, and our staff. The situation is serious. It is critical that you wear your mask, wash your hands, avoid crowds, keep your distance and get vaccinated and boosted. We implore you, again, to understand and take action. Please. The time is now.”
Donald W. Demby and Elijere Ingram (Left to Right) – Delaware State Police Dept.
A pair of Kent County men were arrested and charged with multiple drug-related felonies after police say they were found with heroin, crack cocaine, over 140 MDMA pills, and other drugs in Dover.
According to the Delaware State Police Department, on Tuesday, Jan. 11, a search warrant was executed at a residence in the 200 block of President Drive. As a result of the search, police say the following items belonging to 41-year-old Elijere Ingram, of Dover, were located inside: 330.15 grams of marijuana, 2.43 grams of heroin, 3.61 grams of crystal meth, drug paraphernalia, and approximately $711 in suspected drug proceeds.
When troopers initially responded to the home, Ingram, 44-year-old Donald Demby, of Magnolia, and a 40-year-old Magnolia man were located in the front yard.
Discovered on Demby’s person were 149 MDMA Pills, 13.89 grams of cocaine, 64.39 grams of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and $482 in suspected drug proceeds, according to police.
Both Ingram and Demby were taken into custody without incident and transported to Delaware State Police Troop 3. The 40-year-old Magnolia man was not charged with any crimes.
Ingram was charged with Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance Tier 2 Quantity (Felony), Two Counts- Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony), Possession of a Controlled Substance Tier 2 Quantity (Felony), Possession of a Controlled Substance Tier 1 Quantity (Felony), Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was arraigned and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $16,700 cash bond.
Demby was charged with Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony), Possession of a Controlled Substance Tier 3 Quantity (Felony), Possession With Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance Tier 2 Quantity (Felony), Possession of a Controlled Substance Tier 2 Quantity (Felony), Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was arraigned and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $46,000 cash bond.
Many models have trended with a storm system riding up the Eastern Seaboard thanks to the added ingest from an aircraft last night sampling the atmosphere on the West Coast. This created a big shift in the over track and unfortunately for snow lovers, not in a way that favors Delmarva.
GFS timeframe showing Snow/Mix changing to rain across the region
With a low pressure track right over the Peninsula, We will start out with a snow/sleet mix and eventually all locations will be changing over to rain. Delmarva will see that transition fairly quickly but those across the bay on the Maryland Western Shore. They are looking to see a longer duration in the snow & sleet part of the storm thanks to cold air damming along the Appalachian mountains. Eventually they will also change over to rain.
ECMWF/CMC/GEFS all following suite to the blend
With agreement from the ECMWF, CMC, and the GFS Ensembles following the same path, it’s looking that areas of Delmarva will be going from a extremely cold Saturday to a very chilly rain on Sunday. There is still several days away for this storm to be in the region but its not very often / likely these will trend eastward to favor our snow lovers here on the shore.
Seaford City Councilman James King (left) – Seaford City Mayor David Genshaw
Seaford Councilman James King is speaking out, blasting Mayor David Genshaw and questioning if there’s a quid pro quo after the Attorney General’s Office announced it was suing the city over a controversial abortion-rights ordinance that Councilman King claims the Mayor spearheaded as a result of his own personal agenda.
Speaking to TV Delmarva News exclusively Wednesday morning, Councilman King, who voted no on the ordinance, expressed grave concerns over the potential ramifications of the lawsuit, including over $10,000 of taxpayer money that King says has already gone towards funding the ordinance as of Dec. 14, 2021.
“This, in my opinion, is more of a personal agenda, and it’s unfortunate we’re using the people of Seaford, and the resources, to drive this agenda and it’s very unfortunate,” King said. “As of December 14, we had over $10,000 tied up in this ordinance, and people may say ‘oh, well ya know that’s not a lot of money’ well, I can tell you that $10,000 that the city has funded up to that point, the city has paid our City Solicitor, that’s taxpayer dollars that’s been funding this.”
Councilman King stressed that the funds that have already been used to push the ordinance are the result of an un-budgeted expense and a waste of taxpayer dollars and valuable resources.
“It’s very sad when your AG’s office has to step in, again, and sue one of their own cities,” King stated. “We’re using taxpayer dollars and resources to fund this, and at the end of that what does that look like? Dave [Mayor Genshaw] has a history of this, with right-to-work we’ve seen it, spending money and passing an ordinance and then the state stepping in and saying ‘those behaviors are illegal’ we can’t do that. We’ve seen this before, it’s dangerous behavior.”
Following the passage of the ordinance and the announcement of the lawsuit, concerns have grown within the city over the potential cost of fighting such a lawsuit and, according to Councilman King, the Attorney General’s Office has already requested the city reimburse them for legal expenses.
“It puts everybody at risk, and the Attorney General Kathleen Jennings, in the briefing they put out yesterday, they are asking for the reimbursement of legal fees,” King stressed. “My conversation, early on, with my peers and our City Solicitor, is what that looks like.”
Mayor Genshaw has continuously defended the ordinance and touted the possibility of a private donor funding the legal expenses for the city to fight for the lawsuit. Councilman King took issue and questioned the legality of such a notion that an anonymous individual could provide funding for a municipality to cover legal expenses related to such a controversial issue.
“Dave [Mayor Genshaw] is saying ‘hey, you know what, we’ve got this magical donor that’s willing to pick up all the expense, and that whole conversation didn’t feel right, so I’m like ‘who is this person, is it a quid-pro-quo? What are they trying to get out of this?’ And he’s like, look I’ll tell you this information, but you got to be sworn to silence, secrecy, and I’m like, man, that’s not what we’re elected for, I’ve got constituents, people in the community that are asking who this person is, and if you’re going to tell me and you’re asking me to be silent with that information, then don’t tell me.”
Councilman King continued to question the reasoning behind even considering to allow a private citizen to anonymously fund such an effort, raising several questions, including how much money the person is considering funding and why they would need to be kept anonymous in the first place.
“Everybody has a right to know who that is, why are they funding it, and what’s the endgame for them, and then of course how much they’re willing to fund,” King stressed. “You’ve got the AG’s office suing, asking for our fees reimbursed, so what are you going to deplete resources, reserves, for legal fees that aren’t going to amount to anything.”
TV Delmarva News was provided the following email that shows Mayor Genshaw was willing to provide the identity of the donor on the condition that his colleagues keep the individual’s identity anonymous.
“This is a humble person and has asked that I not share their name publicly,” Mayor Genshaw’s email read. “If you need to know, I am happy to share it with you privately and will ask you honor this person’s request to remain anonymous.”
TV Delmarva News has reached out to Mayor Genshaw for comment and is awaiting a response.
After twice warning the City of Seaford that it was considering an ‘anti-choice ordinance’ that state insists is contrary to law, Attorney General Kathy Jennings moved forward with the lawsuit Tuesday. The ordinance, passed on December 14 and scheduled to become effective on January 22, would force anyone who has a surgical abortion at an “abortion facility” or a miscarriage at a “health care facility” to have the fetal tissue interred or cremated at their own expense, despite potential hardships that the state says patients would face and the preemption under state law.
“It brings me no joy to sue one of our own cities,” said Attorney General Jennings, “but three councilmen backed by dark, outside money have left me with no choice. The law is clear: Seaford’s ordinance is precluded by State law. This ordinance is part of a national wave of anti-abortion policies funded by extremists who would have our country dragged fifty years into the past. Left unchecked, it threatens serious, irreparable, and unconstitutional harm. And at the end of the day, it will amount to little more than an expensive publicity stunt.”
On August 24, Planned Parenthood of Delaware confirmed that it was opening a new clinic in Seaford, the first such clinic in Sussex County since a Rehoboth Beach location closed in September 2011, and only the second clinic on the Delmarva Peninsula south of Dover. Protests were already taking place regularly at the Seaford site when, on September 28, Seaford City Council reviewed a draft of the anti-abortion ordinance. City Council scheduled a vote on the ordinance on October 12, but delayed that vote after the Attorney General and the ACLU of Delaware raised concerns about its constitutionality.
On December 14, council passed the ordinance with a promise that an anonymous outside donor would fund the defense against the State’s coming lawsuit. AG Jennings and the ACLU of Delaware immediately issued statements that they intended to file litigation. Later that same month, councilmembers voted to “stay enforcement” of the ordinance, but not the ordinance’s effectiveness. Unlike a judicial stay, the AG’s office says council can lift its own self-imposed “stay” at any time, with minimal notice, and enforce the ordinance immediately.
The Department of Justice argues that Seaford’s ordinance is thoroughly preempted by state law, not only under specific laws (including state regulation of the treatment and disposition of human remains and pathological waste, including fetal tissue), but also under laws pertaining to healthcare facilities generally and on reporting spontaneous fetal death and induced termination.
The lawsuit seeks a declaration that the ordinance is invalid and a preliminary and permanent injunction prohibiting the lifting of the Seaford’s temporary stay of the enforcement of the ordinance, or prohibiting the ordinance’s effectiveness and enforcement. An accompanying Motion for Expedited Proceedings requests that the Court schedule a hearing on the State’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction within the next 90 days.
While we are still awaiting an official response from Mayor Genshaw, the City of Seaford did issue the following press release Wednesday afternoon responding to the announcement of the lawsuit:
City Solicitor Dan Griffith stated “there are at least 13 states that require fetal remains to be cremated or buried; and the US Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of these laws, saying that the government has a legitimate interest in the disposal of fetal remains.” Seaford’s uses the same language as these laws cited above. The City of Seaford has always recognized it cannot enact any Ordinance which is contrary to State law and has repeatedly invited the State to participate in the process, with no success. Seaford has done everything possible to avoid litigation. The City Council, by majority vote, tabled the Ordinance when the State requested it. In addition, the City Solicitor provided the legal basis for its authority to enact the Ordinance when the State requested it. It should also be noted, most recently, the City stayed enforcement of the Ordinance, when the House Majority Leader announced she was working with the AG on legislation which would address this. The City desires not to litigate over an ordinance, whose enforcement has been stayed pending action by the General Assembly. Solicitor Griffith stated “We anticipate that the lawsuit will be dismissed as moot (because the Ordinance has been stayed) so that the General Assembly can address this issue. It is disappointing that the AG is using our overcrowded court system and taxpayer money to pit governments against each other.”
The Delaware State Senate Republican Caucus issued a statement Wednesday morning disagreeing with Governor John Carney’s mask mandate implemented earlier this week, requiring facial coverings in all public indoor spaces statewide.
“We disagree with these measures. We are approaching the two-year anniversary of the first state of emergency’s installment and during these two years, the General Assembly has been left out of the decision-making process,” the statement read. “We feel strongly that the legislature has a responsibility to provide a balance to the executive branch of government, a balance that has not existed during the pandemic.
“We are not against the use of face-coverings, vaccines, or any other preventative measure against COVID-19. What we are against is the government, specifically one of three supposedly equal branches of government, solely dictating how citizens should live their lives. Delawareans should be able to decide what is best for them and their families. It is imperative that the General Assembly be more involved when it comes to decisions like these and we must consider legislation that will enable the legislative branch – the branch that represents the people – to be a true balance to executive power in Delaware.”
Governor John Carney on Monday signed a revision to the State of Emergency declaration, requiring masks in all indoor public settings, including convenience stores, grocery stores, gyms, restaurants, bars, hair salons, malls, and casinos.
“Our hospital systems are facing a crisis-level situation with record numbers of Delawareans seeking emergency care. We need all Delawareans in the fight as we face this winter surge of COVID-19 to make sure our hospitals are not overrun,” said Governor Carney. “I know we’re all exhausted by this pandemic. But at the level of hospitalizations we’re seeing, Delawareans who need emergency care might not be able to get it. That’s just a fact. It’s time for everyone to pitch in and do what works. Wear your mask indoors. Avoid gatherings or expect to get and spread COVID. Get your vaccine and, if eligible, get boosted. That’s how we’ll get through this surge without endangering more lives.”
Governor Carney also announced that the mask requirements in K-12 public and private schools and child care facilities, which had been set to expire in early February, will be extended.
70 additional members of the Delaware National Guard have also been deployed to assist with non-clinical operations inside Delaware hospitals statewide, beginning Tuesday.
In total, more than 300 members of the Delaware National Guard are assisting with COVID-19 response efforts – including support at vaccination and testing locations, help with PPE distribution, and hospital assistance. Roughly 110 members of the Guard – separate from the 70 members deployed on Monday – are training to serve as certified nursing assistants in health care settings statewide to take pressure off hospital systems.
There’s no official word at this time on how long the mask mandate will remain in effect.
Like I was mentioning yesterday, we are heading into a fairly volatile pattern to finish out the month of January. With the Polar vortex anchoring around the Hudson Bay, this will allow a persistent long wave trough across the Eastern half of the nation. And boy these long range models are showing a train of them to say the least. As of now there is no one solution in this matter. In fact there is two scenarios in which this system will go.
Vorticity Forecast
First off, This piece of energy will be associated with the northern stream jet-stream coming down from Canada. Which normally our coastal storms like to be coming from the sub-tropical jets stream from the south. But being this is diving deep down into the Gulf States, Its going to pay the southern stream a visit.
Here’s the two scenarios we are looking at right now.
Two possible outcomes for this storm the 16-17thECMWF showing a suppressed solution
Here’s the two possible outcomes I am seeing so far. All depends on two factors, one with the energy diving southward and becomes very suppressed by a strong area of high pressure over the Northeastern United States (Option 1). This will keep the storm very far south delivering some light snow to areas of the deep south. And a much weaker solution.
GFS showing a major storm with scenario 2
Option two would be a large snowstorm to start back over towards Missouri, plowing for the deep south and then intensify rapidly as a sub 980mb low off of our coasts. The high pressure system suppress the storm to the south and a very steep ridge over the western US allowing this piece of energy to become “negative tilted”.
Both options are possible at this time, we just need to see more consistency in either direction to know that this is a false alarm or we got another big storm on our hands down the road.
Governor John Carney on Monday signed a revision to the State of Emergency declaration, requiring masks in all indoor public settings, including convenience stores, grocery stores, gyms, restaurants, bars, hair salons, malls, and casinos.
The mask requirement takes effect at 8 a.m., Tuesday, January 11. Also on Monday, Governor Carney announced plans to extend the school and child care facilities mask requirements, and deployed additional members of the Delaware National Guard to assist with non-clinical operations inside Delaware hospitals.
“Our hospital systems are facing a crisis-level situation with record numbers of Delawareans seeking emergency care. We need all Delawareans in the fight as we face this winter surge of COVID-19 to make sure our hospitals are not overrun,” said Governor Carney. “I know we’re all exhausted by this pandemic. But at the level of hospitalizations we’re seeing, Delawareans who need emergency care might not be able to get it. That’s just a fact. It’s time for everyone to pitch in and do what works. Wear your mask indoors. Avoid gatherings or expect to get and spread COVID. Get your vaccine and, if eligible, get boosted. That’s how we’ll get through this surge without endangering more lives.”
Governor Carney also announced that the mask requirements in K-12 public and private schools and child care facilities, which had been set to expire in early February, will be extended. The extension will ensure that Delaware students can attend school in-person without consistent disruptions.
Monday’s revision to the State of Emergency also eases State regulations to allow and incentivize recently-retired educators to return to the classroom as substitute teachers in an effort to keep children in school.
Both the public and school mask requirements apply to anyone kindergarten age and older. Children aged 2-5 are strongly encouraged to wear masks in public indoor settings, including schools and child care facilities. Children under 2-years-old should not wear masks due to the risk of suffocation.
Masks are not required outdoors or while eating or drinking in restaurants and bars, but otherwise should be worn. Churches and other houses of worship are exempted from the mask requirement.
Businesses responsible for indoor settings open to the public are encouraged to provide disposable masks to customers who don’t have them – and to post signage about the indoor mask requirement.
Also on Monday, Governor Carney deployed 70 additional members of the Delaware National Guard to assist with non-clinical operations inside Delaware hospitals statewide, beginning Tuesday.
In total, more than 300 members of the Delaware National Guard are assisting with COVID-19 response efforts – including support at vaccination and testing locations, help with PPE distribution, and hospital assistance. Roughly 110 members of the Guard – separate from the 70 members deployed on Monday – are training to serve as certified nursing assistants in health care settings statewide to take pressure off hospital systems.
We went from a extremely warm month of December, to now a January with a vengeance. With 2 snow events in our books and one being the biggest snowstorm in 4 years. We are not going to be done with those snow chances to finish out the month of January. The tropospheric polar vortex will remain quite dominate across Canada with a constant serious of troughs throughout the eastern half of the nation. With the polar vortex hanging around the Hudson Bay, this will allow several short waves to dip down from the Northern Plains all the way to the East Coast.
ECMWF EPS 500mb Heights
We are looking at a text book setup for cold and stormy across the eastern half of the nation. Strong ridging across the Pacific Northwest. Ridging over Greenland to act as a block for the persistent troughing across the Eastern US. This created the perfect Rossby Wave pattern for those who love the cold and snow. What is a Rossby Wave anyway? Rossby waves, also known as planetary waves, naturally occur in rotating fluids. Within the Earth’s ocean and atmosphere, these waves form as a result of the rotation of the planet.
Two sets of Omega Blocks across the Northern Hemisphere pattern. (Omega blocks get their name because the upper air pattern looks like the Greek letter omega (Ω). Omega blocks are a combination of two cutoff lows with one blocking high sandwiched between them.) This keeps these patterns locked in for an extended period of time. Like in this instance for the rest of the month. Get ready to see more arctic outbreaks and snow chances this month going forward. Several storm signals are becoming apparent beginning the 15th through the 26th.
Delaware State Police are investigating after a home was shot up in Lincoln.
According to the Delaware State Police Department, the incident occurred around 1:55 a.m., Sunday when troopers were dispatched to the 19000 block of Bunting Avenue for reports that gunfire had struck a home.
Police arrived and learned that three adult residents were inside the home when an unknown suspect shot one round at the house.
A bullet entered the home through an exterior wall into a bedroom where one of the residents was sleeping and continued traveling through an interior wall, according to police. The round became lodged in a hallway ceiling.
None of the residents were injured during the incident.
The shooting remains under investigation and anyone with any information is urged to contact police.
35-year-old Jeremy Showell, of Laurel, DE – Delaware State Police Dept.
A Laurel man was arrested on three counts of felony assault after police say he fought three state troopers, punching each of them in the head as he resisted arrest over a warrant issued for shoplifting.
According to the Delaware State Police Department, shortly after 8 p.m., Wednesday troopers responded to reports of a domestic incident at a home in the 28000 block of Seaford Road.
Troopers arrived and were advised that 35-year-old Jeremy Showell was acting disorderly in the home and had an active warrant from Laurel Police Department for shoplifting.
Police located Showell in the backyard, at which point police say he was advised that he was being placed under arrest, but failed to comply with commands to place his hands behind his back.
Showell was again directed to put his hands behind his back, at which time police say he initially appeared to comply, but instead punched a trooper in the face with a closed fist, causing a minor injury before he fled on foot from officers.
Police say Showell failed to comply with commands to stop running, and the trooper deployed his divisionally issued taser, which was ineffective.
Troopers again tried to take Showell into custody, at which time police say Showell punched another trooper in the face with a closed fist, causing minor injuries. Again, attempts to get Showell to comply were unsuccessful and he continued to resist arrest, according to police.
Police continued to try and take Showell into custody when he allegedly punched a third trooper in the head with a closed fist, causing minor injuries.
The three troopers were finally able to take Showell into custody and did not require medical attention.
Showell was transported to Delaware State Police Troop 5, where he was charged with three counts of 2nd Degree Assault and Resisting Arrest with Force. He was arraigned and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on $32,500 cash bond.
Warning issued on the City of Milford’s Facebook page after customers reported getting scam calls to pay or get disconnected.
A potential scam call to warn Milford residents about – and it’s not the first time.
The City of Milford is warning residents about a scam call from individuals claiming to be with the town’s public utilities. In the call obtained by TV Delmarva, an individual with a thick foreign accent demands a payment of $150 during the call or their electricity will be cut off.
In a Facebook post, the City of Milford tells customers who get this call to just hang up and to always call its own customer service number at 302-422-6616 to confirm service or disconnection status. This is not the first time customers have had to deal with scam calls.
Back in August, Milford Police issued its own warning after customers reported similar scam calls involving Delmarva Power partnering with the city’s utility. This prompted a warning from Milford Police, stating that the City of Milford’s electricity is an independent entity and is not working with another agency to collect any such fees.
Two children, ages 14 and 7, were killed this afternoon in a serious, head-on crash near Seaford.
According to the Delaware State Police Department, the crash occurred around 12:33 p.m., Thursday as a 2009 Nissan Altima, operated by a 53-year-old Seaford man, was traveling southbound on Atlanta Road. At the same time, a 2018 Kia Soul, driven by a 36-year-old Seaford woman, was traveling northbound on the same road in the area of the Nissan.
For unknown reasons, police say the driver of the Nissan crossed the double solid yellow line and struck the Kia head-on in the northbound lane of travel. The driver of the Nissan was properly restrained and airlifted to an area hospital where he was admitted in serious condition.
The driver of the Kia was properly restrained and transported by ambulance to an area hospital, where she was admitted with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Kia driver’s 14-year-old daughter was properly restrained in the left rear passenger seat. The driver’s 7-year-old son was properly restrained with a backless booster seat in the right rear passenger seat. Unfortunately, due to injuries sustained during the collision, the juveniles were pronounced dead at the scene.
Delaware State Police extend their condolences to the victims’ families during this difficult time. The Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit asks if anyone witnessed this collision to please contact Cpl/2 Ryan Albert at (302) 703-3266 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.
Delaware State Senator Darius Brown has been found not guilty.
Senator Brown was in court Wednesday for the first day of his trial on charges that he assaulted a woman at a restaurant in Wilmington. He was charged with offensive touching and disorderly conduct after he allegedly struck a woman he had been dating periodically over the course of the past 12 years.
Prosecutors say Brown hit the woman with an open fist and threw a drink in her direction this past May after the two allegedly got into an argument over a Facebook post that showed her with another man.
Several witnesses testified that they heard the commotion in the restaurant and saw a visibly upset Brown, but no one reportedly witnessed him physically hitting the victim. A video was also played in court that did not show the actual assault, but instead reportedly showed an obstructed view of the incident with Brown’s back facing the camera.
According to prosecutors, Brown reportedly felt bad about the altercation and anonymously sent white roses to the woman which was later traced traced back to Brown.
The verdict was announced Thursday afternoon and Brown has been acquitted of all charges.
Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash in Felton.
According to Delaware State Police, the incident occurred shortly after 11 p.m., Wednesday as a 2011 Nissan Rogue was traveling southbound on South DuPont Highway in the left lane, just north of Peach Basket Road.
At the same time, a 55-year-old Harrington woman was near the center of the left lane when the Nissan struck her with its front bumper.
The vehicle continued southbound a short distance and stopped in the left lane of South DuPont Highway, just south of Peach Basket Road.
The 55-year-old Harrington woman was dressed in dark clothing and was not carrying a light. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 17-year-old driver is also from Harrington. She was uninjured during the collision.
South DuPont Highway was closed for approximately three hours while the crash was investigated and later cleared.
Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases in the state, Delaware Tech students at all campuses will not be returning to the classroom until January 22.
Students were originally scheduled to return next week. But in an email to students (obtained by TV Delmarva), college President Dr. Mark Brainard says with the stress on health care systems statewide and hospitalizations at an all-time high, the health and safety of students was a top priority.
In addition, many in-person classes will convert to virtual and only limited lab programs will remain in-person.
“To protect our College community, we will convert many spring semester classes originally planned in a hybrid or in-person format to be delivered synchronously online,” Dr. Brainard says. “This means students will attend class virtually (via Zoom) on the originally scheduled days and times. A limited number of lab and skill-based courses will be conducted on campus as originally scheduled. They are in the following program areas—allied health, nursing, automotive/diesel, aviation, HVAC, engineering, upper-level science, culinary, applied agriculture, and English as a second language (ESL).”
With classes starting later this month, the semester will end on May 14 and spring break is scheduled for March 14-18. The summer semester has also been delayed until May 24.
“Like you, we are disappointed and frustrated that the current health crisis continues to disrupt college operations for our students and faculty. However, these schedule changes are the best way for us to preserve the spring semester and our academic year. As a community partner, we must do all we can to prevent further spread of this virus, which is why we made this decision to protect the health and safety of our students, their families, and our College employees.”
21-year-old Jhareed Alexander Ayers – Delaware State Police Dept.
Delaware State Police are searching for a Sussex County man wanted in connection with a home invasion where he allegedly beat and robbed a man in Lewes.
According to the Delaware State Police Department, the incident occurred on December 16, as 21-year-old Jhareed Alexander Ayers was involved in a home invasion on Needle Drive in Lewes.
A 57-year-old male was held at gunpoint and then physically assaulted during the home invasion before an undisclosed amount of money was stolen from the home, according to police.
Three juveniles were present inside the home during the incident and were not injured. The 57-year-old male victim received minor injuries but did not require medical attention.
As a result of this incident, Jhareed is wanted for Home Invasion Burglary First Degree (Felony), Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony), Conspiracy Second Degree (Felony), Aggravated Menacing (Felony), Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited (Felony), Theft $1,500 or Greater (Felony), Assault Third Degree, and three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
On December 22, police say Jhareed was involved in another incident, this time on Duffy Street in Rehoboth Beach, trying to locate an acquaintance. When unsuccessful, he pointed a firearm at an individual outside and demanded they help him find the person.
When Jhareed was unsuccessful in locating the individual, he fled the area. The victim was not injured. As a result of the incident, Jhareed is wanted for Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony (Felony), Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited (Felony), Offensive Touching, and Aggravated Menacing (Felony).
Jhareed also has an active capias for Failure to Pay out of Sussex County Court of Common Pleas.
Jhareed is described as a black male, 5’9″, 180 lbs., black hair and brown eyes. Police say he is possibly in the Cool Springs area.
Anyone with information regarding Jhareed’s whereabouts is urged to contact Delaware State Police Troop 7 by calling 302-644-5020 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.
We are not finished with the snow just yet. With a decent snow cover still on the ground to this date, more will be added beginning tomorrow night into the morning hours on Friday. This should not be a significant event like we saw on Monday, but enough to cause some roadway problems going into the Friday morning rush hour.
Risk Analysis Regarding Snow & Travel Over The Next 3 Days
With light to moderate accumulations on the table, there will be an area of sleet especially near Salisbury, Ocean City, and the Pocomoke City regions where temperatures will be flirting with the 32 degree mark. Locations further north will start out between 32 and 34 degrees before dropping down below freezing, once the precipitation arrives. Another instance of Dynamic Cooling will take place. This will be fairly wet snow just like last time, and it should not have a problem sticking to roadways.
If it wasn’t enough after our past major winter storm, more snow is looking to pay a visit once again overnight Thursday into Friday. Now do not start going into a frenzy thinking its going to be repeat with blizzard conditions, crazy thundersnow, and over 1 foot accumulations. This one is a very quick mover riding along the northern jet stream, not from the subtropical jet. So a massive amount of moisture will not be fed in from the Gulf of Mexico.
Different Model Solutions For Thursday Night into Friday
This storm system will be following a similar path like a clipper system would by riding along the northern jet stream. Ejecting down from the central plains moving due east. At this time this area of low pressure plans to slide just south of the Mid-Atlantic region. (If it didn’t then I would be wasting my time even talking about this) Model guidance has been fairly consistent of the low transferring to the coast near Virginia(Miller B). With the cold air already in place and the help with the current snowpack will help keep surface temperatures lower as well. RGEM/GFS has been the more robust solutions with new accumulations of around 6 inches. While the ECMWF/NAM giving us a nice additional 2-4 inch spread.
Like i mention at this time it does not appear to be a extremely impactful system, but regardless looking to possibility bringing some more of the white stuff later this week. Still have plenty of kinks to work out and to wait for more of the short term model guidance to take a stab at this one going forward.
A Felton man has died after his car ran off the road and struck a tree.
According to Delaware State Police, the crash occurred just before 7 a.m. Monday as a 55-year-old Felton man was driving a 2003 Jeep Cherokee eastbound on Firetower Road, just east of Berrytown Road.
For unknown reasons, the driver exited the north edge of the roadway and entered a ditch.
The Jeep traveled a short distance before the front center of the vehicle collided with a large tree.
The driver was not properly restrained and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The road was closed for around three hours while the crash was investigated and later cleared.
Snow continues to blanket Sussex County as TV Delmarva News receives reports of several crashes and countless incidents of disabled vehicles as road conditions increasingly deteriorate across Delaware.
A layer of ice and snow created hazardous driving conditions Monday morning all the way from central Kent County to the southernmost portions of Sussex County.
On Route 113 southbound, heading from Milford to Georgetown, TV Delmarva’s Colin Walls was out and about to get a real-time view of road conditions and encountered multiple crashes, including an incident at the Redden Road intersection where a car appeared to have slid off the road and hit a utility pole.
Further north, in Kent County, road conditions rapidly deteriorated on Route 1 south of the toll plaza as snow continued to fall, multiple vehicles pulled over with their hazards displayed. TV Delmarva News also received reports of a crash on southbound Route 1 near Route 8 due to icy conditions.
Just off the highway, in Camden-Wyoming, there were several reports of disabled vehicles and at least one report of a serious, and possibly fatal crash on southbound Firetower Road near Berrytown Road where a car reportedly ran off the road and struck a tree, causing the vehicle to be engulfed in flames with reports of someone trapped inside.
In Sussex County, a mix of snow and ice created hazardous conditions on Route 1 near Milton where there were reports of a serious crash in the area of Deep Branch Road and Broadkill Road. Shore News Beacon reports that the crash involved two vehicles, one of which was reportedly lodged under a tanker truck.
As road conditions continue to deteriorate as snowfall estimates rise across the state, motorists are advised to slow down and adjust their driving to the conditions, leaving plenty of space between other vehicles as stopping distances increase greatly on snow-and ice-covered roads, allow for extra time to reach destinations, and give snow plows plenty of room to work.
Expect snowfall rates of up to two inches per hour through the rest of the morning which will combine with increasing winds to produce near zero visibility at times.
The DelDOT snow plow tracker will be active during the storm and is available via the DelDOT smartphone app and www.deldot.gov under the interactive maps icon. DelDOT also has more than 200 traffic cameras that are available to view road conditions around the state.
A Georgetown teen has died following a serious crash near Milton.
According to the Delaware State Police Department, the crash occurred around 7:55 a.m., Saturday, January 1, as a 2012 Chevrolet Sonic, operated by a 17-year-old male from Georgetown, was traveling westbound on Lewes-Georgetown Highway (Route 9), just west of the intersection at Hudson Road.
At the same time, a 2018 Kia Optima sedan, driven by a 30-year-old Lewes man, was traveling eastbound in the same vicinity.
For unknown reasons, police say the Chevrolet crossed over the continuous left-turn lane and into the eastbound lane, directly into the path of the Kia, resulting in a head-on collision in the middle of the eastbound lane.
After impact, the Chevrolet came to rest in the continuous left-turn lane, facing west. The Kia rotated violently clockwise and slid off the roadway, coming to rest on the roadside.
The 17-year-old driver of the Chevrolet, later identified as Ryan Carbajal, was properly restrained at the time of the crash but was pronounced deceased at Beebe Medical Center.
The 30-year-old operator of the Kia who was also properly restrained was transported to Beebe Medical Center with serious injuries.
The roadway was closed for approximately three hours while the investigation was completed and the roadway was cleared.
Snowfall Forecast Valid For Monday (Subject To Change)
Do not let these warm conditions fool you of the arctic snap that’s on our doorsteps today. With a very significant shift in the forecast trending towards the potential biggest storm in the region since 2019. Around this time in 24 hours, we will see a 30-35 degree temperature drop once the arctic front settles in from the north to the region.
Futurecast Radar
The main focus mechanism will be a lobe breaking off from the Sub-Tropical Jet Stream that will begin to interact with the stalling out arctic front. The thermodynamic difference along this front will help generate a strong baroclinic forcing. An area of low pressure will begin to intensify later this evening and track just off the coast of the Carolinas. Moisture will then start running into the arctic air mass (overrunning) creating a fairly narrowband of moderate snow to overspread areas from central Virginia into the Delmarva region.
500mb Vorticity Forecast ECMWF
Excellent agreement between all model consensus
For a rare set of parameters, there has been exceptional agreement between ALL model guidance regarding several inches of snow to the region. Some big contenders like the ECMWF (European model) showing some fairly significant snow to the region. GFS being the most robust out of all them showing a foot plus. Although that’s being really extreme and not likely at this time, but we have a great average of 4-8 blend with all the guidance at this time. Subject to chance of course for the difference in small fluctuations on axis and location.
Winter Storm Warnings / Winter Weather Advisories
I get a lot of questions and concerns when it comes to the sudden temperature drop and ground temperatures. On the first onset of precipitation, intensity will be key. Just because we were in the 60’s the last few days, falling snow can quickly cool off ground temperatures with the heavier intensity of snowfall. Same with roadways. Snow will be beginning to fall during the pre dawn hours and continue into the afternoon hours.
Let’s not forget the night after if we have snow cover on the ground. With the arctic air mass settling in and fresh snow cover, temperatures will tank significantly during the overnight hours with clear skies. The snow will act as a blanket keeping the ground temperatures from warming the surface air temperature. Think of it like a cooler with ice in it, the air above the ice is extremely cold but underneath is above freezing. Depending on snow depth covering the ground, temperatures could drop down into the single digits.
We will continue to provide updates on this potential winter storm going into tomorrow.
Confidence is increasing for snow on Delmarva Monday Morning
Going to be in for some wacky weather over the next 36-48 hours. First off off we are dealing with very mild temperatures in the 60’s before a arctic front passage pushing through Sunday evening. The arctic front will push through dropping temperatures down below freezing and then stall just south of the Delmarva region. A piece of southern stream energy with the sub-tropical jet will begin to interact with the arctic front having a redevelopment of precipitation and amplification of an area of low pressure to move off the Carolina coasts.
Different Model Solutions For Monday Morning
A good blend of different solutions showing that areas of central and southern Delmarva to pick up a light accumulation of snowfall. Some extreme solutions like the RAP and GFS showing a significant snowstorm to the region with several inches of snowfall but I’m going against that extreme. But i would not doubt some light accumulations are not out of the question.
A Millsboro teen has been arrested and charged with 1st Degree Murder Blades, Delaware.
According to the Delaware State Police Department, around 10:49 p.m., June 19 troopers were dispatched to a shots fired complaint in the area of E. 4th Street in Blades.
During the investigation, troopers discovered a 20-year-old male lying on the side of the road with an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Detectives identified the suspect an obtained a warrant for his arrest. On Thursday, December 30 troopers responded to the Ferris School, a secure facility where the suspect was currently being held.
At the facility, the juvenile male was charged with Murder 1st Degree, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Robbery 1st Degree, and Possession of a Firearm by Person Prohibited. He was arraigned in the Family Court and remained in the custody of The Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services on $130,000 cash bond.
Governor John Carney held a press conference Thursday afternoon where he issued a State of Emergency for Delaware in response to the surge of COVID-19 cases.
The State of Emergency, which will be formally issued and take effect Monday, will enable 100 service members of Delaware’s National Guard to work as certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in skilled nursing facilities to care for patients currently in Delaware hospitals.
“Members of our Guard and frontline health care workers continue to step up time and time again. We need all Delawareans and Delaware businesses to step up and help us get through this winter surge,” Governor Carney said. “At the State level, we are focused on reducing the strain on our hospitals this winter, and getting even more Delawareans vaccinated. I especially want to thank all of Delaware’s health care workers who continue to work on the front lines of this crisis. The best thing we can do to support them is to remain vigilant – and do what works. After two years of this pandemic, we all know what to do. Mask up in public places to protect yourself and vulnerable family members. Get your vaccine. And get a booster if you’re eligible. That’s the best way to prevent serious illness and hospitalization.”
Governor Carney and the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) also formally extended the Public Health Emergency order another 30 days to allow the State of Delaware and medical providers to continue COVID-19 vaccination and testing programs.
Delaware State Police are investigating a bank robbery that occurred Wednesday morning. On December 29, 2021, at approximately 10:40 a.m.,
Delaware State Police responded to the Artisans Bank located at 35696 Atlantic Ave, Millville, for a report of a robbery. The investigation determined a male suspect entered the bank, approached a bank teller behind the counter and displayed a note demanding money. The bank teller complied, and the suspect fled the bank on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash, northbound across Atlantic Ave.
The suspect was described as a white male wearing a dark-colored jacket, dark pants, with a mask and a beanie hat. No one was injured during this incident and there are no surveillance photographs available at this time.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation should contact Detective Yencer with Delaware State Police Troop 4 Criminal Investigative Unit by calling 302-752-3791. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com .
If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll-free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1-800-842-8461). You may also email the unit Director at [email protected]
X-rays from space bombard Earth on a daily basis. The sources and characteristics of these X-rays are not clearly understood.
A January 2022 NASA sounding rocket mission called the Diffuse X-rays from the Local galaxy, or DXL, hopes to shed light on the sources of soft X-rays that hurtle towards Earth from elsewhere in our galaxy.
DXL will launch on Black Brant IX sounding rocket between 10 p.m. EST January 4 and 2 a.m. January 5, from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Backup launch days are January 5-17. The launch of the two-stage rocket may be seen by residents in the mid-Atlantic region.
Live coverage will begin at 9:40 p.m. EST on launch day on the Wallops YouTube site. The NASA Wallops Visitor Center will not be open for this mission.
While not harmful to humans on Earth, soft X-rays can make changes in the Earth’s ionosphere which can disturb radio communications and the accuracy of GPS navigation systems. They have lower energy as compared to hard X-rays, which are used in imaging for medical applications.
“Very low energy diffuse X-rays from space are believed to come from two sources,” said Massimiliano Galeazzi, the principal investigator for the DXL mission from the University of Miami, Florida. “The first source is located outside our solar system and is generated by remnants of multiple supernovae explosions forming what is now called the Local Hot Bubble region of our galaxy. The second source is within the solar system and is generated by the solar wind charge exchange. DXL seeks to gain a better understanding of the nature and characteristics of these sources.”
This will be the fourth flight of DXL. The first flight in 2012 confirmed the Local Hot Bubble as a source of these X-rays. Data from the flight indicated that only about 40 percent of the soft X-ray background originates within the solar system, which means the LHB is the dominant source.
Dajuan Sheppard, 20, Millsboro, DE – Seaford Police Dept.
A Millsboro man was arrested after police say a traffic stop turned up drugs and a firearm in Seaford.
According to Seaford Police, around 1:44 p.m. on Christmas Eve, officers tried to pull over 20-year-old Dajuan Sheppard, for driving on a suspended license.
Sheppard would not pull the car over and a short chase ensued that ended on Beech Street with his arrest.
Police say Sheppard was found to be in possession of a loaded 9 mm handgun and a search of the vehicle turned up 46 grams of marijuana.
Sheppard was arraigned on a slew of charges and committed to the Department of Corrections in lieu of more then $67,000 cash only bail.
Ronald Donaway, 74, Millsboro, DE – Delaware State Police Dept.
New, disturbing details were revealed through court documents in the case of 74-year-old Ronald Donaway, a Millsboro man charged with brutally murdering his ex-wife.
According to court documents, Donaway told police “kill me now, because I will not surrender my weapons.”
Police made contact with Donaway as he tried leaving Abbys Way in Bridgeville where he allegedly fired multiple rounds into the home of his 70-year-old ex-wife, Hilda Donaway, who, according to the arrest warrant, was found on the kitchen floor with apparent gunshot wounds to her head and upper body.
The incident occurred around 6:18 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 22 when police were called to the 11000 block of Abbys Way for reports of a shooting. The investigation revealed Ronald Donaway showed up at the home, which was occupied at the time by his ex-wife Hilda and her 23-year-old grandson. The grandson was able to flee the scene through a bedroom window and was uninjured.
While outside, Donaway began shooting with a rifle into the windows of the living room, kitchen, and bedrooms.
Several neighbors called police when they heard the gunfire ring out and, according to the arrest warrant, witnessed Ronald Donaway firing rounds from the rifle into the home.
Ronald Donaway tried to flee the scene in his vehicle, according to police, but was stopped at the entrance of the community. According to the arrest warrant, when police approached him they noticed visible signs of blood on his hands.
“I killed her, what are you going to do,” Donaway told police as they approached the vehicle, court documents revealed. He then got out of the car and told troopers “kill me now, because I will not surrender my weapons.”
Donaway was taken into custody. While on the way to the police station, court documents reveal that Donaway made several statements to police, all of which were caught on mobile video, including “go ahead and kill me, shoot. I was planning on dying here with her tonight.”
Police would later interview the grandson who, according to the arrest warrant, said that his grandfather threatened to kill both him and his grandmother on numerous occasions. He then told police that his grandfather would show up at the home multiple times for no apparent reason, and that he owned several firearms, including an AR-15 rifle.
The gunshots and evidence collected at the scene are consistent with an AR-15 rifle, according to court documents, that is the weapon believed to have been used in the murder. The firearm was found in the front passenger seat inside the vehicle that Ronald Donaway was driving.
Ronald Donaway has been charged with Murder First Degree (Felony), Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony), Home Invasion (Felony), and Reckless Endangering First Degree (Felony). He was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court #3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution in default of a $900,000.00 cash bond.
(Left to Right) : Joshua Daniels, 25, of Lincoln, DE – Malik Rothwell, 24, of Ellendale, DE – Delaware State Police Dept.
Two men were arrested after police say they attacked two people early Christmas morning outside the Big Chill Surf Cantina in Rehoboth.
According to Delaware State Police, the incident occurred around 1 a.m., Saturday, December 25 as troopers were dispatched to the Big Chill Surf Cantina on Coastal Highway for reports of a fight in progress.
Police say initial reports indicated that two individuals were struck in the face with a pistol and one suspect fired a weapon.
The suspects reportedly fled the scene in a red Mitsubishi Outback SUV before troopers arrived, according to police.
As a trooper was traveling southbound on Coastal Highway, the suspect’s vehicle was spotted turning onto Coastal Highway as they left the parking lot of the Big Chill Surf Cantina. Troopers initiated a traffic stop and a strong odor of marijuana was detected.
As trooper’s approached the vehicle, the front seat passenger, 25-year-old Joshua Daniels, of Lincoln, exited the vehicle. When police tried to take him into custody, he tried to flee and reportedly resisted arrest.
Daniels was taken into custody and searched, at which time police say they located a 9mm bullet.
At the same time, the rear passenger, 24-year-old Malik Rothwell, of Ellendale, exited the vehicle and was unsuccessful in trying to flee the scene, according to police. He was apprehended and placed under arrest.
Once the suspects were in custody, a search of the vehicle was conducted and police located a Ruger EC9S 9mm semiautomatic handgun with 8 9mm rounds in the gun’s magazine, approximately 6.02 grams of marijuana, a Colt Detective Special .38 special revolver containing 5 loaded .38 special rounds, a .38 special casing, and 0.077 grams of Heroin.
Police launched an immediate investigation which they say discovered that a 23-year-old female and 23-year-old male were leaving the Big Chill Surf Cantina when they were confronted by Daniels and Rothwell. An argument ensued, which resulted in Daniels striking the male victim in the head with a closed fist multiple times.
As the female victim tried to break up the fight, Daniels began physically assaulting the female before Daniels and Rothwell brandished firearms, at which point police say they pointed it at them and threatened to kill them, according to police.
Daniels then allegedly struck the victims in the face with the handgun. During the fight, police say Rothwell pointed a gun in the air and fired one round before the suspects fled the scene in the red SUV, which police later stopped.
Daniels was charged with three counts- Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony), Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited (Felony), two counts- Assault Second Degree (Felony), two counts- Aggravated Menacing (Felony), Conspiracy First Degree (Felony), Terroristic Threatening, Resisting Arrest, and Possession of Marijuana- Civil Violation. He was arraigned and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on $84,100 secured bond.
Rothwell was charged with three counts- Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony), Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited (Felony), two counts- Reckless Endangering First Degree (Felony), two counts- Aggravated Menacing (Felony), Conspiracy First Degree (Felony), Terroristic Threatening, Resisting Arrest, Possession of a Controlled Substance, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was arraigned and committed to the Sussex Correctional Institution on a $107,200 secured bond.
Ronald Donaway, 74, Bridgeville, DE – Delaware State Police Dept.
Delaware State Police have released the mugshot of the Bridgeville man charged with the murder of his ex-wife who police say he shot and killed after he fired multiple rounds from a rifle into her home.
According to Delaware State Police, around 6:18 p.m., Wednesday troopers were dispatched to the 11000 block of Abbys Way for reports of a shooting.
The investigation revealed 74-year-old Ronald Donaway showed up at the home, which was occupied at the time by his 70-year-old ex-wife and her 23-year-old grandson.
While outside, Donaway began shooting with a rifle into the windows of the living room, kitchen, and bedrooms. The 70-year-old woman was struck by gunfire in the kitchen where she died from her wounds.
As Donaway was shooting into the home, the grandson fled out a bedroom window to escape and was uninjured.
Police say Donaway entered the home for a short period of time and then fled the area in a black Kia.
As troopers were responding to the scene, a traffic stop was conducted on Donaway’s vehicle at the entrance of the community and he was taken into custody without incident.
Donaway was charged with Murder First Degree (Felony), Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony), Home Invasion (Felony), and Reckless Endangering First Degree (Felony). He was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court #3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution in default of a $900,000.00 cash bond.
A Millsboro man has died following a serious crash where a car ran off the road and struck a tree near Georgetown.
According to Delaware State Police, the crash occurred around 1:36 p.m., Thursday as a 2002 Honda Civic was traveling westbound on Vaughn Road, approaching a sharp right curve. For unknown reasons, police say the driver, a 42-year-old Georgetown woman, failed to negotiate the curve and exited the south edge of the road before swerving right in an attempt to re-enter the roadway.
As the Civic re-entered Vaughn Road, the driver overcorrected to the left, and the car began skidding and ran off the north edge of the road. The vehicle then continued to slide through the grass, and the front of the car struck a tree.
The driver was not properly restrained at the time of the crash and was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries.
A 31-year-old Millsboro man, who was seated in the front seat and was not properly restrained at the time of the crash, was transported to an area hospital where he died from his injuries.
A 53-year-old Georgetown man was seated in the back seat and also was not properly restrained at the time of the crash. He was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries.
The crash remains under investigation by the Delaware State Police Troop 7 Collision Reconstruction Unit. Any witnesses are asked to contact Cpl/3 Kenneth Argo by calling 302-703-3264 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.
Vaughn Road was shut down for over four hours while the crash was investigated and later cleared.
Richard Howard, 37, Frankford, DE – Delaware State Police Dept.
A Frankford man was arrested after police say he threw a cell a phone at this stepfather and then assaulted troopers when they tried to arrest him.
According to Delaware State Police, around 9:15 p.m., Wednesday troopers were dispatched to the 34000 block of Echo Ct. for a domestic related complaint.
Police arrived and determined 37-year-old Richard Howard had thrown a cell phone at his stepfather, causing a minor physical injury.
When two troopers assigned to Delaware State Police Troop 4 tried to take Howard into custody, police say he resisted arrest with force.
During a significant struggle, police say troopers were struck multiple times by Howard causing minor injuries before eventually being taken into custody. The troopers did not require medical attention and Howard was not injured during the altercation.
Howard was charged with Resisting Arrest With Force (Felony), Two Counts- Assault Third Degree, and Offensive Touching to Law Enforcement. He was arraigned and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $7,000 secured bond.
With two days to go before Christmas, the Salvation Army of Delaware says their annual kettle campaign is a little behind this year.
Salvation Army Delaware Coordinator, Major Timothy Sheehan, tells TV Delmarva News that Kent and Sussex Counties are roughly $15,000 behind last year’s total, with New Castle behind about the same amount as well. He adds that there’s been a larger need this year due to the pandemic and recent economic downturn for larger items, such as utilities and rent.
While there hasn’t been any unusual donations yet, Major Sheehan says about this time of year a few Red Kettles get mysterious, highly collectable and rare gold coins in a protector with a note thanking the Salvation Army for helping the community. He calls it a “Willy Wonka getting a golden ticket” moment and says it hasn’t happened in Delaware yet.
Major Sheehan says donations can be made at www.salvationarmydelaware.org. The website has a kettle for each county, so donors can choose where their money goes. The Red Kettle campaign will help 500 kids in Sussex County this year, with 400 kids getting gifts in Kent County.
“When you put change in, change comes out because it can change someone’s life.” Major Sheenan says.
A Millsboro man has been arrested on murder charges after police say he shot his ex-wife as he fired multiple rounds from a rifle into her home.
According to Delaware State Police, around 6:18 p.m., Wednesday troopers were dispatched to the 11000 block of Abbys Way for reports of a shooting.
The investigation revealed 74-year-old Ronald Donaway showed up at the home, which was occupied at the time by his 70-year-old ex-wife and her 23-year-old grandson.
While outside, Donaway began shooting with a rifle into the windows of the living room, kitchen, and bedrooms.
The 70-year-old woman was struck by gunfire in the kitchen where she died from her wounds.
As Donaway was shooting into the home, the grandson fled out a bedroom window to escape and was uninjured.
Police say Donaway entered the home for a short period of time and then fled the area in a black Kia.
As troopers were responding to the scene, a traffic stop was conducted on Donaway’s vehicle at the entrance of the community and he was taken into custody without incident.
Donaway was charged with Murder First Degree (Felony), Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony), Home Invasion (Felony), and Reckless Endangering First Degree (Felony). He was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court #3 and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution in default of a $900,000.00 cash bond.
At the time of this release, there is no mugshot available.
