Charles Megginson April 19, 2022 Government, Headlines
State Sen. Darius Brown has been reinstated as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee and member of the Senate Capital Improvement Committee.
Brown, D-Wilmington, was removed from the Judiciary Committee in May 2021 after being arrested on misdemeanor offensive touching and disorderly conduct charges.
He was removed from the Capital Improvement Committee in Nov. 2021 after a heated altercation with Rep. Melissa Minor-Brown, D-New Castle, who accused him of verbally abusing her.
He was found not guilty on all charges in Jan. 2022.
RELATED: Brown found not guilty on all charges
“As Pro Tempore, I removed him from these committees in the face of the allegations he faced last year, and I have now reinstated him given his acquittal in court and my belief that the terms of these sanctions have been appropriate,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Dave Sokola, D-Newark.
“I want to thank Sen. Kyle Evans Gay and Sen. Marie Pinkney for their time and dedication in filling these roles over the last year. Their service has been exemplary,” Sokola said.
Following the Nov. 2021 verbal altercation with Minor-Brown, Sokola said, “Verbal abuse is abuse, full stop, and it cannot go unpunished. In the Senate, there will be consequences for behavior unbecoming an elected official.”
Charlie Megginson covers government and politics for Town Square LIVE News. Reach him at (302) 344-8293 or [email protected] Follow him on Twitter @cmegginson4.
The National Weather Service is calling for 3-6 inches of snow, with sleet, ice and rain all part of the wintry mix.
A new six-hour Sussex County history and eco tour will give guests a look at the Dupont Nature Center, the Milford Museum, Abbott’s Mill Nature Center and the history of the Mispillion River, which connects them all. Delmarva Discovery Tours of Milford has teamed up with those groups and Chamber of Commerce for Greater Milford to offer a unique tour that allows guests a view of the Delaware’s southernmost county. The tour includes transportation from/to the beach and within a 20-mile radius of Milford, with stops at the three venues for guided experiences. It’s designed for families, small groups, people who love history, birders, small town lovers, those with a shipbuilding interest, day trippers, kids, grandparents — and even people new to the Sussex County area, which is one of Delaware’s fastest-growing population centers. Janis Markopolous of Delmarva Discovery Tours said the eco-tour is partly a collaborative effort to drive more tourism to Milford by focusing on the Mispillion River. “Each venue will have their own talking points,” she said. “We have two Ford Transit shuttles, one seats 14 and one 11. We will meet at the museum for a guided tour and talk along the Riverwalk and around the museum. There will be free time for lunch before we drive to the Dupont Nature Center and, last but not least, to Abbott’s Mill for a mill tour.” At the Milford Museum, guests will hear about the river and how it has changed over the years. “We will talk about the importance of the river in the town’s commerce and industry over time, especially the shipbuilding industry,” said Nicole Rogers, Operations Manager at the Milford Museum. “We also talk about the Native Americans who called the area home before the first settlers arrived in Milford. “This is a fun, casual tour that will not only be informative, but will give those on the tour a new appreciation of the Mispillion River.” After lunch, which is not included in the tour price, guests will go to the DuPont Nature Center, where Lynne Pusey said it is exciting to be part of the new tour. “The DuPont Nature Center is located at the mouth of the Mispillion River, where it empties into the Delaware Bay,” she said. “Many of the ships that were historically built in downtown Milford were brought out to the bay using the Mispillion River.” Participants will learn additional information about the historical importance of the Mispillion River and the unique natural ecology of the Mispillion Harbor, which is known for the large numbers of spawning horseshoe crabs and migratory shorebirds that visit each spring, she said. “The nature center provides an excellent view of the Mispillion Harbor from its observation deck and includes exhibits dedicated to the natural history and ecology of the Mispillion Harbor and the Delaware Bay,” she said. Guests will be given a brief presentation when they arrive and then be allowed to explore the exhibits and aquariums in the center and take some time to view the Mispillion Harbor. The final stop on the tour will be Abbott’s Mill Nature Center. According to Stephen Childers, the experience there will be similar to what the organization offers monthly to the public. “I’ll explain how a mill like Abbott’s would have operated and its historical significance and I’ll operate the millstones using the water powered turbine as we don’t actually grind any grain,” Childers said. “We will do our best to also have our huge Fairbanks-Morse diesel engine running and operating the roller mills. Because I depend on volunteers to run the engine, this may not be possible on every tour. Every family will get a handout that further explains how the mill operated.” The tour price varies depending on the pickup site. It’s $49 for those meeting guides in Milford; $59 for those being transported from Lewes, Rehoboth and Dewey; and $69 for those being transported from Bethany, Millville, Oceanview and Fenwick. That price does not include tips or lunch. The tour now is offered on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during June, July, August and September. The minimum group size for the tour will be seven to eight people. The maximum will be 25. Children younger than 5 are not allowed in the grain mill. Comfortable walking shoes and sunscreen are recommended. Delmarva Discovery Tours also offers brewery tours, winery tours, farm tours, antiquing tours and more. For additional information, call 302-260-9008 or go to www.delmarvadiscoverytours.com.
In preparation for a severe winter storm set to impact the State of Delaware, Gov. John Carney on Friday issued a State of Emergency in Kent and Sussex counties and authorized the Delaware National Guard to assist state and local officials with any necessary response and recovery. Governor Carney also issued a Level 2 Driving Restriction for Kent and Sussex counties, and a Level 1 Driving Warning for New Castle County, beginning at 10 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 28. “We are anticipating a serious storm, and Delawareans in Kent and Sussex counties should stay off the roadways when the driving restriction goes into effect tonight,” Carney said. “That will help personnel from the Delaware Department of Transportation more effectively clear the roadways, and help us provide services to our neighbors most in need.” The Level 2 Driving Restriction (Kent and Sussex counties) means that no person may operate a motor vehicle on Delaware roadways, except for persons designated as “essential personnel.” Travel on roadways is restricted to certain state employees, emergency workers, first responders, health care workers, utility workers, snow removal operators, private sector food and fuel deliveries, and individuals already approved through DEMA’s State of Emergency Driving Waiver program. The Level 1 Driving Warning (New Castle County) means Delawareans should avoid traveling on roadways, unless there is a significant safety, health, or business reason to do so. All motorists are urged to drive with extreme caution. Areas of coastal Sussex County are predicted to see the most serious impact from the storm, including winds of up to 50 mph, which may lead to power outages. Travel will be difficult as high winds and heavy snow will result in snow-covered roads and limited visibility. If travel is necessary, extra caution and preparations should be taken, such as having a vehicle emergency supply kit. State and local officials are directed to remove abandoned vehicles from roads in affected areas at the expense of the vehicle owner after 10 p.m. on Friday while the driving restriction in Kent and Sussex counties is in effect. Under Delaware Code, failure to obey an Emergency Order may result in a fine of $50 to $500 and/or a prison sentence of up to six months. The State of Emergency authorizes additional resources to assist with winter storm response. The State Emergency Operations Center has been activated. The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) is coordinating the state’s response, including resources from the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), Delaware State Police, Delaware Division of Public Health and Delaware National Guard. The DelDOT snowplow tracker will be active during the storm and is available via the DelDOT smartphone app and deldot.gov, under the interactive maps icon. Additionally, DelDOT also has more than 200 traffic cameras that are available to view road conditions around the state. Winter weather preparedness tips for home and travel can be found at PrepareDE.org. A Code Purple has been declared across the state and shelters are opening to take in Delawareans who are experiencing homelessness. To be connected to Code Purple resources, call Delaware 2-1-1. If you see someone outside who appears to be homeless, encourage them to seek emergency shelter or call a non-emergency police number to alert the police to the situation. How to Prepare Make a Plan, make an emergency kit, and stay informed. Helpful tips are available at PrepareDE.org Ensure that you have non-perishable food, water, and medications to last for several days. Prepare for power outages and have a safe way to stay warm. Monitor the weather through the National Weather Service: weather.gov/phi Monitor the roads through the DelDOT App: deldot.gov/mobile DEMA, DelDOT, and the Delaware State Police will continue to provide updates throughout the storm. Residents are encouraged to monitor local weather through the U.S. National Weather Service Philadelphia/Mount Holly. Sign up for weather-related notifications at de.gov/weather. Click here for a PDF of the State of the Emergency and Level 2 Driving Restriction for Kent and Sussex Counties due to a Severe Winter Storm. Click here for the Executive Order authorizing the Delaware National Guard to assist state and local officials with any necessary response and recovery for this severe winter storm.
Delaware’s COVID-19 new cases, percentage of cases testing positive and hospitalizations all continue to fall, as the state widens ways to get vaccines near your home. Of note: No additional deaths were reported in the last week, with 1,679 Delawareans having died from the virus. As of Thursday, the state has had a total of 109,501 positive cases of COVID-19 among residents, but the seven-day average of new positive cases decreased to 30.6. The percentage of all tests that were positive is down to 1%, a drop from last week’s 1.7. In addition, only 26 people are hospitalized because of COVID, down 25 from last week. Four are critically ill, down nine from last week. The spread of variants continues low, with most of the mutant cases being the British strain. The Delaware Public Health Laboratory has sequenced 3,127 specimens for COVID-19 variant strains to date, including 75 within the past week. The Indian strain, which health officials fear because is it more infectious, decimated India and has spread quickly in England, still is showing only 11 cases. More, however, are likely to be circulating, because not all positive cases are sequenced to find the origin of the infection. DE Wins! Prize winners in the state DE Wins! contest have claimed a lot of prizes. While not all have agreed to be be publicly identified, two more $5,000 dollar prize winners, two winners of an Annual Park Pass from Delaware State Parks, and the winner of a Funland Prize Package have claimed their prizes. Also, Logan Crotty of Lewes won the Shorebirds Prize Package and Theresa Preston of Millsboro won the Kent County Vacation package. Ten winners will be drawn for next week’s drawings. Prizes offered include another Funland and Shorebirds Prize Package, more state park passes, $5,000 to two winners, free tolls for a year and a Sussex County vacation package. The only thing Delawareans need to do to be entered is to have been vaccinated in Delaware on or after May 25 if you are 18+. Vaccination update As of Friday morning, 975,511 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been given, according to the state’s immunization information system, DelVAX. Among Delawareans ages 12+, 495,985 have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 423,804 Delawareans are fully vaccinated. Of those, there have been 383 breakthrough cases of COVID-19, less than one-tenth of 1 percent. Where to be vaccinated DMV sites The state’s Community Health Services section will offer Pfizer vaccine to all ages 12 and older at: Dover DMV – Mondays, 9 a.m. – Noon. Georgetown DMV– Tuesdays , 9 a.m. – Noon. Delaware City DMV – Fridays, 9 a.m. – Noon. Mobile Vaccine Units in underserved areas The Delaware National Guard will use medically trained staff to offer Pfizer vaccine for ages 12+ and the J&J vaccine for persons 18+ in these communities: Monday, June 21: Sparrow Run Park, Newark, 10 a.m. – noon; Glasgow Trailer Park, Newark 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 22: Manchester Square, Dover, 10 a.m. – noon. Wednesday June 23: Southbridge: Elbert Park, Wilmington, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Adams Street basketball courts, Wilmington, 2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 24: Kirkwood Park, Wilmington, Noon – 4 p.m.; Seaford Marketplace, Seaford, 10 a.m. – noon and 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Friday, June 25: Autumn Arch Beer Project, Newark, 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.; Glasgow Farmers Market, Newark, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. New Castle County In addition to pharmacies, health centers and hospitals, vaccines can be found at these places. Delaware Tech Wilmington (300 N. Orange St., Wilmington 19801) Pfizer Available. Click here to choose your date and time. Saturday, June 19 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Juneteenth, Charles E. Price Memorial Park (955 Levels Road, Middletown) No Appointment Required. Sunday, June 20 from 1 p.m. through 3rd inning: Wilmington Blue Rocks vs. Brooklyn Cyclones (Frawley Stadium, 801 Shipyard Drive, Wilmington) Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson Available. No Appointment Required Wednesday, June 23 from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.: Main Street Alfresco on Main Street Newark (Main Street, Newark Pfizer available. Click here to choose your date and time. Thursday, June 24 from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.: Community Youth Resource Fair – Kirkwood Park (11th & Spruce Streets, Wilmington) Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson Available. No Appointment Required. Friday, June 25 from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Glasgow Park, New Castle County Farmers Market (2275 Pulaski Highway, Newark) Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson Available. No Appointment Required. Kent County Delaware State University (1200 N. DuPont Highway, Dover) Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson Available. Click here to choose your date and time. Saturday, June 26 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.: African American Festival (Legislative Mall, 410 Legislative Ave., Dover) Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson Available. No Appointment Required. Sussex County Delaware Tech Georgetown (21179 College Drive, Georgetown) Pfizer Available. Click here to choose your date and time. Saturday, June 19 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Riverwalk Farmers Market (5 S. Walnut St., Milford) Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson Available. Click here to choose your date and time. Saturday, June 19 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Richard Allen School Juneteenth Celebration (316 S. Railroad Ave., Georgetown) Pfizer Available. No Appointment Required. Saturday, June 19 from 3 p.m. – 9 p.m.: Hudson Fields Beer Garden (29763 Eagle Crest Road, Milton) Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson Available. Click here to choose your date and time. Thursday, June 24 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Rehoboth City Hall (229 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach) Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson Available. Click here to choose your date and time. Saturday, June 26 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Riverwalk Farmers Market (5 S. Walnut St., Milford) Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson Available. Click here to choose your date and time. Saturday, June 26 from 3 p.m. – 9 p.m.: Hudson Fields Beer Garden (29763 Eagle Crest Road, Milton) Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson Available. Click here to choose your date and time. Pop-up COVID-19 testing New Castle County Monday, June 21 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Hockessin United Methodist Church (7250 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin) Register: delaware.curativeinc.com Monday, June 21 from 10 […]
After breaking attendance records in 2021, Delaware State Parks is on pace to set another visitor attendance mark by the end of 2022, DNREC announced Friday. In 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation had 47,250 active annual passes that allow daily entry into Delaware State Parks compared with 61,744 in 2021, a 31% increase. As of April 30, 39,959 individuals had purchased an annual pass within the first two months of sales – surpassing the 39,568 passes purchased by the same date in 2021 despite two fewer months of sales. Park passes typically go on sale in December, but sales for 2022 were delayed until February due to nationwide supply-chain disruptions. Visitation to Delaware’s 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo has increased by 30% in the last five years, from 6.1 million in 2017 to 7.9 million in 2021, and is up 78% over the last decade. “The incredible interest our Delaware State Parks have experienced since the start of the pandemic is here to stay. Like never before, the public recognizes the many benefits the nation’s best state parks offer for our health and wellbeing,” said DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin. “I am incredibly proud of how our parks staff continues to meet the challenges that come with increased demand and usage of all our venues and amenities.” Usage on some park trails has increased more than 70% during the pandemic, boat rentals at the inland pond parks increased by 24%, and the state-owned Deerfield and Garrison’s Lake golf courses saw record-breaking numbers of rounds of golf played with an increase of 37%. Visitation to the Delaware State Parks beaches also grew, causing parking lots at Cape Henlopen, Delaware Seashore and Fenwick Island state parks to reach capacity, resulting in 69 lot closures in 2021. While it is common for day-use parking lots at beach parks to reach capacity on busy summer weekends, 16 of the lot closures in 2021 occurred on weekdays. Camping and cabin reservations at Delaware State Parks have increased more than 30%, with 153,582 nights booked in 2021 compared to 117,471 nights booked in 2019. While summer has historically been the most popular time to camp in Delaware State Parks, camping and cabin reservations during the off-season started to increase in fall 2020 and continue to trend upward.
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