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  • Limited free spays/neuters available throughout February The free-of-charge spay and neuter appointments in February require an application. (Photo by Reddogs/Adobe Stock)

    Some Delawareans will be able to save money and give their furry friends a snip-snip this month. In honor of Spay and Neuter Awareness Month this February, the Delaware Division of Public Health’s Office of Animal Welfare  (OAW) is offering a special opportunity for income-eligible Delaware residents to have their pets spayed or neutered at no cost. The initiative, known as Spay Days, also covers important vaccinations, including rabies and distemper, as well as microchipping, all aimed at ensuring pets lead healthier and safer lives. “Spay/neuter services are essential for improving the well-being of pets and preventing unwanted litters,” said Joanna Miller, deputy director of OAW. “We encourage eligible pet owners to take advantage of this program and show their pets some extra love this month.” READ: March 7: Deadline to file to run in school board elections The program allows qualifying pet owners to schedule appointments at participating veterinary clinics, including Humane Animal Partners, Faithful Friends Animal Society, Forgotten Cats, and Brandywine Valley SPCA. The initiative is part of the Spay & Neuter Program, which was established by the Delaware General Assembly in 2006. This program aims to address the issue of stray and unwanted animals by offering funding to sterilize pets in the following categories: Low-income Delaware pet owners Homeless animals taken in by shelters and rescues Community cats through Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return programs More on spay/neuter initiative  Through this initiative, nonprofit animal welfare organizations can also apply for grants to sterilize homeless animals, with a special emphasis on community cats. Spaying and neutering are widely recognized as the most effective and humane methods for controlling the population of unwanted pets. The operation typically costs a few hundred dollars but can be more than a $1,000. Since the OAW was created in 2013, it has overseen the Spay & Neuter Program, which has made significant progress in reducing pet overpopulation. From 2014 to June 2024, the program facilitated the sterilization of more than 40,000 animals and the vaccination of over 31,000 animals against rabies. With appointments available on a first-come, first-served basis, pet owners are urged to act quickly to secure a spot. For more information, including eligibility requirements and how to schedule an appointment, click here.

  • March 7: Deadline to file to run in school board elections There's a little more than three weeks left to file to run in the 2025 school board elections.

    First Staters hoping to get involved and make an impact in their community schools have until 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 7, to file candidacy in the May 13 school board elections. Criteria for running for a school board seat includes: Be a U.S. citizen and a resident of Delaware and the school district they seek to represent. Be at least 18 years old at the time of the election. Reside in the nominating district if applicable. Not be a paid employee of the school district, as per board regulations. Have no prior conviction for embezzlements “As a local control state, school boards play a critical role overseeing operations in their districts,” said Alison May, public information officer at the Delaware Department of Education. “They hire and supervise the superintendent, who leads the educators and staff of the district. As residents of their districts’ communities, school board members provide important direction to their district administrative teams and help their districts remain responsive to the needs of the families they serve. RELATED: Brandywine, educators strike deal after teachers hit picket lines Candidates must also complete a fingerprinted Delaware and national criminal background check and a Child Protection Registry check. “Sadly, many of Delaware’s school boards place little focus on academics,” said Tanya Hettler, director of the Center for Education Policy at the Caesar Rodney Institute. “This is likely because the schools and districts perform so poorly on the state and national assessments. This has to change. The most important aspect of our schools, academics, is being ignored.” Instead of focusing primarily on sports, extracurricular activities, referendums, ideologies, and even personal arguments, boards need to insist that schools return to the basics, Hettler said. “All Delawareans are eager to see student outcomes improve as educators work to help students recover from some of the worst COVID learning loss in the country,” said Julia Keleher, executive director of First State Educate. “One powerful way to drive progress is to run for school board.” The March 7 filing deadline is rapidly approaching and over tens of thousands of public school families across the state are looking to Delaware’s incredible leaders to step up and turn that vision into reality, she pointed out. “A school board member is in the perfect position to continually remind the rest of the board and administrators that academics needs to be the main focus,” Hettler said. She said it’s also essential that teachers receive professional learning on how to do direct explicit instruction rather than what schools have been doing for two decades which is encouraging the teacher to “guide” the student to find the answers on their own. “This does not work as can be clearly seen from our assessment scores and school board members can help to recommend excellent professional learning based on scientific research,” she said. Keleher said that Delaware is home to talented, dedicated leaders who care deeply about the state’s schools. “With 27 seats open, there are ample opportunities for qualified and committed citizens to serve,” she said. “School boards hire superintendents, set policies that shape teaching and learning, and ensure districts are responsive to their communities. The decisions they make today will shape the quality of our education for years to come. For those ready to step up, Keleher said this is an extraordinary opportunity to make a lasting impact on public education and the future of Delaware’s students. “School Boards are an opportunity to be part of the solution,” said Britney Mumford, executive director of DelawareKidsCan. “Now more than ever, our students need passionate and informed leadership to help get them back on track. School boards set local education policies, establish curriculum guidelines, and determine how resources are allocated. If you want to ensure students receive a high-quality, equitable education, serving on the board gives you the power to advocate for necessary changes.” How to file for school board election Sussex County: 119 North Race Street in Georgetown – (302) 856-5367 – [email protected] Kent County: 100 Enterprise Place, Suite 5 in Dover – (302) 739-4498 – [email protected] New Castle County: Carvel State Office Building in Wilmington – (302) 577-3464 – [email protected] Open school board seats New Castle County Appoquinimink: One at-large seat Brandywine: District A, District B, District E seats Christina: District A seat Colonial: District B, District C, and District D seats Red Clay: District B and District G seats Kent County Caesar Rodney: One at-large seat Capital: Two at-large seats Lake Forest: One at-large seat Milford: One at-large seat Smyrna: One at-large seat Sussex County Cape Henlopen: One at-large, District B, and District C seats Delmar: One at-large seat Indian River: Two seats for District 1, one seat for District 2 and District 4 Laurel: One at-large seat Seaford: One at-large seat Woodbridge: Two at-large seats

  • Delaware LIVE+ Weekly Review – Feb. 9, 2025 Review Feb 9

    Click the image below to read this week’s Weekly Review!

  • ChristianaCare Announces $1.6M Investment in 25 Nonprofits to Improve Community Health ChristianaCare Announces 1.6 Million Investment in 25 Nonprofits in Delaware and Cecil County 4 800x450 1

    In another milestone commitment to community health, ChristianaCare has announced a $1.6 million investment in 25 local nonprofits, unveiling the recipients of its Community Investment Fund during a special celebration at The Ministry of Caring in Wilmington, Delaware. Since 2019, ChristianaCare’s Community Investment Fund has provided more than $5.6 million to 64 organizations, addressing social, [
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  • ChristianaCare Medical-Dental Staff Honors Outstanding Physicians A Raben 0003 800x1198 1

    The ChristianaCare Medical-Dental Staff recently recognized the exceptional contributions and achievements of its members at its annual banquet and awards ceremony at Deerfield Golf Club in Wilmington, Delaware. “Your role in creating a healthier world is more important than ever so that our neighbors and community can flourish,” said Barbara Albani, M.D., president of the [
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