A Calendar of future events will soon complement this compilation of news briefs from the past week. Within this page, you’ll see quick hits in our core categories, plus such topics as Long-Term Traffic Alerts, Charitable Contributions, Delaware People (Promotions and Honors) and Fond Farewells.
GOVERNMENT
Governor John Carney activated 100 service members and more than 40 vehicles from the Delaware National Guard (DNG) on Oct. 9 to augment the Florida National Guard’s response to Hurricane Milton.
The Delaware Department of Labor’s Division of Paid Leave has officially launched the Delaware LaborFirst portal as a convenient service to employers for enrolling in and implementing the Delaware Paid Leave Program. Employers have until Dec. 1, 2024, to enroll in the program or apply for private plan approval. The Division of Paid Leave will also host an informational webinar for employers on Thursday, Oct. 17. So far, over 1,000 people have registered to attend to learn more about Delaware Paid Leave
Delaware has received a $14.3M climate grant to build medium and heavy-duty charging infrastructure along Interstate 95 within state limits. The State received the funding thanks to the “Climate Pollution Reduction Grant” (CPRG) program created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Delaware’s grant portion will also pay for contractual, workforce development, and other related costs. DelDOT will work with the public and stakeholders to determine the best location. The ideal location will reduce the highest emissions pollution while being conveniently located.
The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) has launched its Landlord Incentive Program, designed to enhance housing opportunities for individuals and families holding Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV). DSHA’s HCV program provides housing subsidies to eligible low-income individuals and families to rent existing, privately owned dwelling units from participating landlords. This innovative initiative aims to attract, recruit, and retain landlords in Kent and Sussex Counties, ultimately increasing the number of rental units available to voucher holders. Key features of the Landlord Incentive Program include a sign-on bonus, security deposit assistance, damage claim payments, and vacancy loss payments.
The Delaware State Senate is expanding its ability to serve Spanish-speaking constituents with a new Spanish-language outreach effort. With nearly 10% of the State’s population being of Hispanic descent, the Senate will begin providing Spanish-language constituent services to further connect Spanish speakers with their leaders in the Delaware General Assembly and the services provided by the State government. Spanish speakers will now be able to reach the State Senate through a dedicated phone number and email address and will also be more intentional with sharing important community information in Spanish.
The City of Wilmington has launched its new Wilmington Water Utility website, now live at WilmingtonDEWater.gov. This new platform is designed to make it easier for consumers to manage their accounts; find essential information on ongoing projects; and learn about the city’s environmental efforts.
The Food Bank of Delaware and Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long on Monday donated 18 pallets of bottled water, 1,000+ cannisters of infant formula, and donated meal boxes to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts. The infant formula supply was part of Delaware’s free Infant Formula Distribution Program.
The Wilmington VA Medical Center and VA Clinics in Delaware and southern NJ have changed from a four-digit extension to a five-digit extension. When dialing an extension, it now requires a “3” to be dialed in front of the 4-digit ext. When calling, dial: 1-800-461-8262, then your EXT 3-XXXX. This change is part of a modernization project by the VA Office of Information Technology to enhance our telephone voice system with modern Cisco IP phones, which offer additional telecommunication capabilities and features.
LONG-TERM TRAFFIC ALERTS
The William Winchester Bridge on 4th Street over the Christina River, between Christina Avenue and Swedes Landing Road, will be closed to vehicular and marine traffic from 7:00 a.m. Monday, October 28th, to 3:00 p.m. Friday, November 8th. Pedestrians can cross the bridge while preventative maintenance is done on the structure.
Seashore Hwy (Business Route 404) between Ray Road and Federalsburg Road will be closed from Oct. 21 to Dec. 26 for the replacement of the bridge. This project involves the replacement of the existing rigid frame with a structure at Bridge 3-114. The replacement structure will consist of a concrete rigid frame with concrete wingwalls. Additional work includes the placement of riprap in the stream for scour protection, installing guardrail, and reconstructing the approaches. Detours:
- Drivers on Federalsburg Rd who want to go north on SR 404 BR will turn right on to SR 18, left on to US 13, left on to Newton Road, and then back to SR 404 BR.
- Drivers on SR 404 BR who want to go south will go left on Newton Road, right on US 13, right on to SR 18, right on to Federalsburg Road, and then back to SR 404 BR.
BUSINESS
Le Cavalier is honoring its tradition of afternoon tea at the Hotel Du Pont and the Green Room by rolling out Afternoon Tea earlier this year after previously only being available during the holidays. Afternoon tea will start on October 11 and run every Friday through December 20. Guests can book a French-inspired afternoon tea via Resy.
Bally’s Dover, in collaboration with the Delaware Restaurant Association, hosted a two-day cooking class at the Dover Middle School of Excellence and Innovation in September. The interactive sessions were led by Chef Charles Gibson from Jerry Long’s Meatball and Martinis. Bally’s Dover and the Delaware Restaurant Association plan to offer more cooking classes in local schools.
Delaware State University (DSU) is making history by becoming the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to own and distribute a clothing line and private label merchandise brand. Select DSU apparel and items are now available on Amazon Marketplace, Walmart.com and online, thanks to a groundbreaking partnership with Everything Collegiate, LLC, a black-owned business based in Atlanta, Georgia.
Caribbean Bush Tea, which offers a wide variety of products from the Caribbean including teas, herbs, spices, sea moss and natural body products to promote selfcare, has opened a new location at 119 South Dupont Blvd in Smyrna.
DoorDash announced a partnership with Wegmans Food Markets, Inc., offering on-demand delivery of fresh groceries and daily essentials from the brand’s locations across the Delaware area. New users to Wegmans can enjoy 40% off all eligible orders of $50 or more (up to $25) with promo code WEGMANS from October 8-October 31, 2024 at all participating Wegmans locations. Additionally, Wegmans stores will also be available on DashPass, DoorDash’s membership program that offers members $0 delivery fees on eligible orders from thousands of restaurants, grocery, and convenience stores nationwide. Terms and conditions do apply.
CHARITABLE
The Food Bank of Delaware has kicked off its annual Thanksgiving food drive two weeks early. Last year, the Food Bank’s on-site Healthy Pantry Centers were utilized more than 46,000 times. You can support the Food Bank of Delaware’s Thanksgiving food drive by hosting an online fundraiser, an in-person food drive; or, according to the press release, doing both. The Food Bank wants all donations to be delivered by noon on Friday, Nov. 8. You can click on this link to learn more.
Grotto Pizza is raising funds for the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition and Meals on Wheels Delaware. The company is partnering with Tito’s Handmade Vodka to donate $1 from the sale of Tito’s Cranberry Punch to Meals on Wheels Delaware between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31. In addition, Grotto Pizza is donating $2 from the sale of every Mama Grotto pizza to the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition. And, by the way, October is National Pizza Month.
The Sussex Conservation District distributed more than 700 native trees in Georgetown on Oct. 12 as part of the Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative (TEDI). TEDI is part of Delaware’s comprehensive plan to respond to climate change. Native trees benefit the local ecosystem by providing habitat for local wildlife, preventing soil erosion, sequestering carbon, and protecting water quality by absorbing runoff. In 2023, SCD gave away over 200 trees in under 30 minutes.
Delaware Park Casino raised $12,000 for Faithful Friends Animal Society during a month-long campaign in August. Throughout the month, guests at Delaware Park had the opportunity to donate to the shelter while learning more about its mission and the animals looking for their forever homes. In addition to the money raised, three dogs found their “furever” homes during the adoption event. Delaware Park will also host a Halloween-themed blood drive on Oct. 18 to benefit the Blood Bank of Delaware.
CULTURE
Wilmington Alliance is excited to announce a new partnership with The Delaware Contemporary Museum. This collaboration, set to commence in October 2024, will see the launch of the innovative “Full Circle” dual residency program designed to amplify the professional growth of local underrepresented artists and foster deeper community engagement. The partnership will integrate Wilmington Alliance’s Artist in Residence program at the Art O Mat (501 W 7th St.) with The Delaware Contemporary Museum’s ARC – Artist in Residence program. This synergy aims to provide four selected local artists with unparalleled opportunities for professional development and community-led experiences.
EDUCATION
Delaware students who wish to apply for a nomination to a service academy have until Oct. 15, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. to do so. Each year, members of Congress nominate young constituents for the opportunity to be appointed to a U.S. Service Academy. The application can be found on the websites of Sen. Tom Carper or Sen. Chris Coons.
Tech Impact, a leading 501(c)(3) that leverages technology to advance social impact and workforce training, today announced its partnership with the Delaware Workforce Development Board and the Delaware Department of Labor to launch a first-of-its-kind career mobility app, Delaware Career Mobility App. The innovative Career Mobility App is designed to bridge the gap between Delaware job seekers and the training programs they need to advance their careers, directly addressing the state’s growing workforce demands.
The application deadline for the 104th Wilmington Police Academy has been extended to Friday, November 1. Additionally, the age limit previously in place for police applicants – which was set at 37 – has been lifted following an agreement between the City and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 1. The starting salary for selected applicants is $65,000, which increases each year to reach $87,929 in year five. There is no residency requirement for new police officers. To learn more about becoming a Wilmington police officer, visit the WPD recruitment webpage. The initial screening process will include a written exam, a physical ability test, and interview panels (including a Chief’s interview).
HEALTH
AstraZeneca’s supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Calquence (acalabrutinib) has been accepted and granted Priority Review in the US for the treatment of adult patients with previously untreated mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grants Priority Review to applications for medicines that, if approved, would offer significant improvements over available options by demonstrating safety or efficacy improvements, preventing serious conditions, or enhancing patient compliance.1 The Prescription Drug User Fee Act date, the FDA action date for their regulatory decision, is anticipated during the first quarter of 2025.
Christiana Care President and CEO Dr. Janice Nevin will receive the Medal of Honor – atTAcK addiction’s highest honor – at the organization’s ninth annual Be a Hero Gala on Oct. 17 near Newark. During Dr. Nevin’s tenure, ChristianaCare initiated Project Engage, an early intervention program linking patients suffering from substance use disorders with community treatment programs, and has fostered a workplace culture that reduces the stigma associated with the disease of addiction.
AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo’s supplemental Biologics License Application (sBLA) for Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan) has been accepted and granted Priority Review in the US for the treatment of adult patients with unresectable or metastatic HER2-low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-) or HER2-ultralow (IHC 0 with membrane staining) breast cancer who have received at least one endocrine therapy in the metastatic setting.
DELAWARE PEOPLE
Jennifer L. Cohan has been named president of the Associated Builders and Contractors, replacing Edward Capodanno, who is retiring after 32 years of service. Cohan has previously served as the CEO of Leadership Delaware and Cabinet Secretary for the Delaware Department of Transportation.
Marie Wenzel, MSW, LSW, is NAMI Delaware‘s new chief executive officer. NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Delaware is one of 700 state organizations and affiliates that comprise the largest grassroots mental health service organization in the United States. With more than 40 years of service to Delawareans with mental illness and their families, NAMI Delaware provides peer support and peer education, training, advocacy, and affordable housing. Wenzel, a Claymont resident, joins NAMI Delaware from her previous role as executive director of Hand2Paw in Philadelphia. Her experience in providing mental health services, housing, and community engagement is expected to help the organization increase its services to those living with mental illness throughout Delaware.
Linda Eirhart has been appointed the Alice Cary Brown Director of the Garden at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library. Eirhart has been at Winterthur since 1986 in a variety of roles and was most recently director of horticulture and senior curator of plants since 2014.
Andre Boyd, FACHE, has been named regional president and CEO of Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic and Holy Cross Health in Maryland. Boyd, who will begin his new role on Jan. 6, 2025, will oversee a portfolio of regional health facilities, including Saint Francis Hospital in Wilmington.
Delaware Technical Community College’s Stanton and Wilmington campuses honored Yvette Santiago, director of community engagement at Nemours Children’s Health, for her commitment to the Hispanic community and culture across Delaware at its 15th Annual Hispanic Heritage Month Honoree Celebration on Oct. 3. Santiago has dedicated her 34-year career of advocacy and leadership in education, juvenile and social justice, and healthcare to ensuring children, families, and communities in the Delaware region can achieve their highest potential.
The Honorable Kathleen M. Vavala was publicly sworn in for her first term as Judge of the Superior Court of Delaware on October 10. Judge Vavala was appointed to the Superior Court of Delaware by Governor John C. Carney in May 2024. Before joining the bench, Judge Vavala joined the private practice of Tybout, Redfearn & Pell. She then became Disciplinary Counsel for the Delaware Supreme Court for 11 years, handling lawyer fitness and discipline cases in state and federal trial and appellate courts. Judge Vavala was also a deputy attorney general for the Delaware Department of Justice for 10 years, serving in the Criminal, Family, and Fraud Divisions as trial counsel and in various leadership positions.
FOND FAREWELLS
Retired Supreme Court Justice James T. Vaughn, Jr. passed away on October 10 at age 75. Chief Justice Collins J. Seitz Jr. praised Justice Vaughn saying, “When he retired less than two years ago, I said the Court would miss Justice Vaughn’s hard work, steady hand, and unflappable nature. That has proven to be true. Justice Vaughn has left an indelible mark on Delaware’s legal landscape. The Delaware Supreme Court and Superior Court are grateful for his long service to the citizens of Delaware.” Justice Vaughn, 75, first joined the bench in 1998 as the Resident Judge for Kent County Superior Court. He was later elevated to the position of President Judge of Superior Court in 2004. Gov. Jack Markell then appointed him to the Supreme Court in October 2014 and he retired from the bench in May 2023.
Theodore W. Becker of Lewes passed away Oct. 6 at 75. One of many people who issued statements about Ted’s passing, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester said, “Whether serving as a member of Lewes City Council, Mayor of Lewes, or commissioner of the Delaware River and Bay Authority, Mayor Becker was deeply committed to giving back to the city and state that gave him so much pride throughout his life. I had the pleasure of working with Mayor Becker on initiatives to strengthen our water infrastructure, expand the Cape May-Lewes Ferry system, and protect our environment. He always provided wise counsel on improving the quality of life for our residents – a shared goal of ours. Beyond policy, I’ll miss celebrating the Fourth of July and attending local events with him in Lewes each year.”
Ronni Kate Cohen of Claymont passed away September 30. She was an elementary school teacher for 33 years in both Claymont and Wilmington, Delaware. During this time, she started a bank for the students in association with the Wilmington Trust and this model is now used in 20 schools in Delaware. She was named the Delaware Teacher of the Year in 2000. After retirement, she was named the executive director of the Delaware Institute of Financial Literacy. She also received the Freedoms Foundation Leavey Award for private enterprise education.
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