Del. Budget-Writers Boost Rates For Direct Service Professionals

Direct support professionals who serve Delawareans with intellectual and developmental disabilities would be paid more starting in the new fiscal year.The Joint Finance Committee has voted to increase state funding by $16.5-million, which would result in the federal government providing an additional $27.5-million in matching funds. The appropriation in the operating budget would allow the…

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Del. Budget-Writers Restore $500 Senior Tax Credit

Delaware’s senior tax credit will be restored to $500 for the first time in five years, after it was reduced by $100 to help the state address a budget shortfall.The General Assembly’s Joint Finance Committee has voted to restore the $500 senior tax credit. Under the program, homeowners age 65 or over are eligible for…

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Update: Kent Co. Limited State Of Emergency Terminated; Barge Fire Salvage Continues

Memorial Fire Company Station 89 was among local fire companies that responded to a barge fire near Delaware Bay early Monday (photo courtesy of Memorial Fire Company Station 89, Slaughter Beach)

The limited State of Emergency issued for Kent County due to Monday’s barge fire has been terminated.Governor John Carney declared the limited state of emergency to make special resources available to support local emergency management agencies and first responders.The barge carrying scrap metal and old appliances caught fire early Monday morning near where the Delaware…

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DHSS: Del. Overdose Deaths Rose 15% In 2021

Overdoses claimed the lives of 515 people in Delaware in 2021, a record for one year and a 15% increase from 2020.The Delaware Division of Forensic Science annual report also indicates that 425 of those 515 deaths involved fentantyl. That is a slight decrease from the previous year. However, overdose deaths linked to cocaine increased…

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Texas School Slaughter: Delmarva Reaction

Delmarva lawmakers are starting to react to Tuesday’s massacre at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. U.S and State of Delaware and Maryland flags are flying at half-staff until sunset Saturday in memory of the child victims and a teacher who was also killed. At least one police department on Delmarva plans to have officers…

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Raises Approved For Del. State Employees, Retirees

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Members of the Delaware General Assembly’s Joint Finance Committee have approved pay increases for state workers and retirees.State employees on the lower end of the pay scale could receive raises of up to 9%. Raises are at least 2.3%. Education employees would receive a 2% increase.Also, state pensioners would receive an increase of 2-to-3%, depending…

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Gov. Carney Vetoes Recreational Marijuana Legislation

Governor John Carney, D-Del. has vetoed a bill that received final legislative approval that would have removed all penalties for possession of one ounce or less of marijuana by a person 21 years of age or older. Carney released a statement Tuesday to accompany his veto of House Bill 371: 鈥淧ursuant to Article III, Section…

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UD Reinstates Mask Requirement At Indoor Public Spaces

The University of Delaware is reinstating a requirement that masks be worn inall indoor spaces, effective today (Tuesday) at 8:00 a.m.The action is being taken in response to rising numbers of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations around the country. The mandate comes days before UD’s commencement in Newark, where President Joe Biden will address the graduates…

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Eden Woman Quickly Arrested after Kidnapping of 1 Year Old

Saturday afternoon Maryland State Police is Salisbury were called by a mother telling them that her 1 year old child was taken from a home on Rivermere Drive in Eden. The mother went to check on the welfare of the child when 24 year old Kristina Marie Owens of Eden, stole the keys to the…

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Barge Bursts into Flames in Delaware River, Glow Seen for Miles

UPDATE, 5/24/22, 10 AM: A fire that began early Monday morning on a barge in the Delaware River is still not under control, according to the Delaware Emergency Management Agency.The barge was carrying household appliances and scrap metal.The Bowers Fire Company in Kent County, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources…

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Pilot Program Adds Open Captions to Movie-Going Experience

An agreement has been reached between Delaware lawmakers, advocates and Delaware movie theater operators. This agreement will increase access at theaters for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing throughout the state. The Memorandum of understanding outlines a year-long pilot program where theaters will offer regular showings of first-run movies using open captions on the screen.…

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OCPD to Conduct Alcohol Compliance Checks this Summer

The Ocean City Police Department, in cooperation with the Worcester County Health Department, will be conducting alcohol compliance checks during the summer season. This enforcement effort will take place at area bars, restaurants, and alcohol retailers throughout the resort.  The purpose of this operation is to ensure that employees of businesses that provide alcohol are making a…

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Delaware National Guard Activated to Support Stockley Center

Governor John Carney on Sunday issued Executive Order 55 calling out members of the Delaware National Guard to serve on state duty status at the Stockley Center in Georgetown, Del. The Stockley Center is facing staff shortages due to a recent increase in COVID-19 community levels and industry-wide staffing shortages. The Stockley Center is a…

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Sussex County Council to Hear FY 2023 Budget Presentation

The Sussex County Council meets on Tuesday morning at the Council Chambers in Georgetown. County Administrator Todd Lawson and County Finance Director, Gina Jennings will present the FY 2023 Budget to the Council. Once the ordinance for the budget, fees and water and sewer districts are introduced – the ordinances will be set for public…

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Seat Belt Safety Initiative Escalates This Week

The Delaware Office of Highway Safety is taking part in the national Click It or Ticket Campaign, which runs through June 5th and covers Memorial Day weekend.Today (Monday) in particular, law enforcement agencies in several states are taking part in seat belt enforcement and awareness initiatives. 鈥淥ver the past year in Delaware, 49 percent of…

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