MilfordLive July 27

Milford LIVE Weekly Review – July 27, 2021

Sonja Frey July 27, 2021Milford-live, Weekly Review

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This Week’s Top Stories Include:

Headlines

State Fair opened Thursday with honor-system COVID masking

Culture

Mispillion, Cedar Creek watersheds worth millions for nature alone, study says
Student activist convinces State Fair to build more accessible bathroom
House painter by day. Artist by night. Ellendale artist can’t put down brush

Government & Politics

$80 million Clean Water Act sets up trust to direct cash into projects
Absentee ballot bill saved so it can be voted on again in 2022
Council approves annexation and zoning change request

Education

Kenny elected to board of regional school accreditation group

Health

New daily COVID-19 cases more than double in the last four weeks
Delaware will spend $100 million opioid windfall on treatment, prevention

Police & Fire

MPD to hire full-time Behavioral Health Specialist
Bill to mandate police body cameras signed into law

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Ex-Smyrna detective: 10 years in federal prison for involvement with 16-year-old girl
Michael Kealty of Magnolia, was sentenced Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware to 10 years in federal prison for his crime of coercing and enticing a minor into sexual activity. Shannon T. Hanson, acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced the news, and The Honorable U.S. District Judge Richard G. Andrews issued the sentence. Documents show that Kealty met a 16-year-old girl online and groomed her for six months into producing sexually explicit images and videos of herself. READ: Learn more about state’s horseshoe crabs Thursday Kealty threatened to expose the girl’s images to the public if she did not continue to perform for him, and his Kealty’s online accounts also showed his attempted exploitation of additional, unidentified minor girls, including a 13-year-old. A former detective with the Smyrna Police Department, Kealty was charged in October 2023 with Distribution and Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material. On Oct. 15, 2024, Kealty pleaded guilty to an enhanced charge of Coercion/Enticement of a Minor, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison. “Mr. Kealty betrayed his oath, his badge, and his community by exploiting the most vulnerable members of our community, our children,” Hanson said. “Today’s sentence sends a message that no one is above the law. I commend the FBI for their diligent pursuit of justice in this case and for ensuring that child predators like Mr. Kealty are brought to justice.” This case was investigated by the FBI, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Briana Knox prosecuted the case. “There is absolutely no tolerance for any actions that hurt a child. Kealty’s crimes are especially egregious considering he swore to protect our communities and children,” says Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office. “Delaware is safer with him locked up where can no longer victimize or abuse anyone else.”
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DE Office of Supplier Diversity Launches Online Application Portal
The Delaware Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD) has launched a new online portal to streamline the application process for diverse business and small business certifications. This portal, which can be accessed at de.gov/osd, will make it easier for business owners to submit application materials and information.
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State Police partner with Caesar Rodney SD to build relationships with community
A state law enforcement agency is partnering with a local school district to build the relationship with communities and officers. The Delaware State Police announced the return of the STaRS (State Troopers Actively Reaching Students) program Monday in a collaboration with the Caesar Rodney School District in Wyoming. READ: Indian River referendum fails with 53% voting against tax hike to support district growth Police/community relations “It is important to build and maintain these relationships because DSP is very much a part of the community,” said Troop 3 Commander Captain Andrew Lloyd of the State Police. The STaRS program allows troopers to engage with students, parents, and staff in a way that is different from what they may expect to engage with a state trooper, he said. It’s been active with the State Police’s Community Engagement Unit for several years. “During the visits, troopers have the opportunity to talk to the students, eat lunch with them, read books to classes, and participate in school events,” Lloyd said. The department’s Troop 3 will lead the effort, which aims to building stronger relationships between law enforcement and the community through positive interactions and open communication. Troop 3 officers will be visiting Caesar Rodney schools to engage with students, parents, and staff throughout the school day. The program will be active throughout the rest of the school year with troopers visiting various Caesar Rodney schools several times a week. Troopers are also incorporating extra time at PolyTech and Lake Forest High Schools, and the Delaware State Police’s long-term plan is to incorporate all of the state’s 19 school districts. “Our goal is to foster trust and promote meaningful connections with the students and families to build lasting relationships,” the State Police said in a statement on social media. “We look forward to these important conversations and the positive impact they will have!”
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Dover Police celebrates graduation of 2025 Municipal Police Academy class
The Dover Police Department proudly announced this week the graduation of the 2025 Municipal Police Academy. 19 recruits from 12 police agencies across Delaware completed the 21-week training program, culminating in a graduation ceremony at Dover Middle School Campus Auditorium. READ: Sussex Conservation District honors 2025 conservation stewardship awardees The ceremony was attended by key figures in law enforcement, including Chief Deputy Attorney General Dan Logan, Dover Mayor Robin Christiansen, and City of Dover Police Chief Thomas Johnson Jr. These distinguished speakers celebrated the recruits’ hard work and dedication throughout their extensive training. During the event, several recruits were honored for exceptional performances in various aspects of police training. Chase Morris of the South Bethany Police Department was awarded the Academic Achievement Award for achieving the highest academic average in the class, demonstrating excellent understanding of course content. Adam Ur from the Dewey Beach Police Department received the Top Shot Award for showing the best marksmanship and firearms safety throughout both day and night firearms training sessions. Isaiah Brown of the Lewes Police Department won the Physical Fitness Award for exhibiting outstanding physical fitness, strength, and endurance during the academy’s rigorous physical training. Sean Holton of the Lewes Police Department was the recipient of the Francis T. Schneible Resiliency Award, named in honor of a late officer who overcame severe injuries to continue his law enforcement career. Holton’s determination and resilience throughout the academy mirrored the strength displayed by Francis Schneible, who served with the Dover Police Department and later the Delaware State Police. Lucas Hudson of the Lewes Police Department, earned the Corporal Thomas Hannon Top Recruit Award, named after a former Dover officer who exemplified dedication and leadership. Hudson was recognized for his exceptional effort and leadership during the academy, offering assistance to classmates and demonstrating a strong work ethic. The graduating class included recruits from various law enforcement agencies, demonstrating the strength of the collaborative effort in police training across the state. Graduates include officers from Dover, Dagsboro, Delaware River and Bay Authority, Delaware State University, Dewey Beach, Laurel, Lewes, Milford, Milton, Millsboro, Seaford, and South Bethany police departments. Complete list of graduates Joshua Heredia: City of Dover Police Department Dylan Allen: Dagsboro Police Department Kyle McCorkle: Delaware River and Bay Authority Tamera Webster: Delaware River and Bay Authority Asa Cross: Delaware State University Police Adam Ur: Dewey Beach Police Department Patrick Marvil: Laurel Police Department David Wyatt: Laurel Police Department Austin Wilson: Laurel Police Department Isaiah Brown: Lewes Police Department Sean Holton: Lewes Police Department Lucas Hudson: Lewes Police Department Samuel Smith: Milford Police Department Timothy Jones: Milton Police Department Gerald Foreman: Millsboro Police Department Alexandro Rodriguez: Millsboro Police Department Samuel Brumbley: Seaford Police Department Kani Kane: Seaford Police Department Chase Morris: South Bethany Police Department This year’s graduation marks another milestone in preparing highly skilled, dedicated individuals to serve their communities across Delaware, reinforcing the importance of comprehensive law enforcement training.
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Police seek public’s help in identifying woman found in Christina River
WILMINGTON– Authorities are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a woman whose remains were discovered along the Christina River earlier this month. According to the Wilmington Police Department, officers responded to the 1100 block of East 7th Street on March 4 at approximately 5:59 p.m. after receiving a report of a deceased person. Upon arrival, officers found the decomposed remains of an unidentified individual along the riverbank. The remains were handed over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Sciences for further examination. An autopsy determined that the victim was a white female, believed to be between 25-35 years old. Investigators suspect she may have been in the river since December. While there were no immediate signs of foul play, officials have not yet determined her cause of death. In an effort to identify the woman, police have released images of two tattoos found on her body. They are urging anyone who may recognize the tattoos or have information about the victim’s identity to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective James Rook of the Wilmington Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division at (302) 576-3621 or via email at [email protected], or you can submit an anonymous tip online HERE.
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