11+ mon, 1+ day ago (274+ words) The Delaware Prescribed Fire Council is hosting a 'Learn and Burn' workshop to raise awareness and teach about prescribed (controlled) fires. Registration for the workshop is now open." DELAWARE -"The Delaware Prescribed Fire Council is hosting a "Learn and Burn" workshop to raise awareness and teach about prescribed (controlled) fires. Registration for the workshop is now open." The free workshop will be held on Friday, January 31st, from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the Redden State Forest in Georgetown." Delaware Forest Service Wildland Fire Supervisor, Sam Topper says demonstrating responsible fire safety is important in teaching people about how it manages forested land. Topper says, "Through smoke management and weather monitoring, it is one of the least intrusive methods that we use in order to sustainably manage our forests in the state of Delaware." During the workshop, participants will learn about the ecological effects…...

8+ mon, 5+ day ago (416+ words) Delaware House Bill 46, introduced by House Republican Bryan Shupe (RD-36), looks to adjust the state's current abortion laws. It would require minors under the age of 16 to receive parental consent for the procedure." DELAWARE -- Delaware House Bill 46, introduced by House Republican Bryan Shupe (RD-36), looks to adjust the state's current abortion laws. It would require minors under the age of 16 to receive parental consent for the procedure." Representative Shupe told WBOC that the state's current laws require minors under the age of 16 to notify their household prior to getting an abortion. The proposal would require parents to also sign off on the procedure." "There are many cases in Delaware where the parent or guardian does not know about the abortion," Shupe said. "This law allows for families to understand what's going on and to have a discussion about that life-changing…...

4+ mon, 3+ week ago (472+ words) DOVER, DE-As Delawareans celebrate the Fourth of July with cookouts, fireworks, and family gatherings, the Delaware Office of Highway Safety is working to keep impaired drivers off the roads through its relaunchedSober Ridesprogram. The initiative, which aims to prevent impaired driving and promote safety during major celebrations, offers $20 ride-share vouchers valid with Lyft or Uber. Jason Coleman from the Delaware Office of Highway Safety says the program gives people a safer way to get home and helps protect everyone on Delaware's roadways. "We know people are going to be celebrating this Fourth of July, and we want people to have a good time." For the first time since the program's relaunch, theSober Ridesinitiative is available on Independence Day. Vouchers opened for reservation at 8 a.m. on July 4 at MySoberRides.com and can be redeemed from noon on July 4 until 3:30 a.m. on July 5. Since…...

1+ mon, 2+ week ago (535+ words) A section of Route 1 closed on October 13th due to bayside flooding.DelDOT. SUSSEX COUNTY, DE -- For a few hours on Monday, October 13th, sections of Route 1 were closed due to bayside flooding, according to DelDOT officials. The road has since been cleared, but, with the storm in the rearview mirror, some people told WBOC they are hopeful state leaders will find solutions to prevent future issues. The highway was closed from the intersection at Fred Hudson Road in Bethany Beach to Tower Road just south of Dewey Beach, according to officials. It is important to note that the flooding was not caused by a dune breach on the oceanside of the road. "This time, it was a result of back bay flooding," Shant" Hastings, DelDOT Secretary, told WBOC Tuesday. "Water was actually coming from the bay and funneling through our drainage…...

1+ mon, 3+ week ago (296+ words) DOVER, Del." -- The Delaware State Police, through the State Bureau of Identification, has launched a new online portal for firearms instructors seeking certification to train individuals applying for a handgun qualified purchaser permit. The Permit to Purchase Firearms Instructor Certification Portal creates a pathway for trainers to become certified to teach the state-mandated firearm safety course required under Delaware's new Permit to Purchase law. To become certified, applicants must review the Permit to Purchase Training Course Guidelines, complete an application through the portal and submit required documents, including: A valid firearms instructor certificate with an expiration date, issued by a nationally recognized organization or a law enforcement agency that meets Delaware POST standards A training course syllabus Once approved, certified instructors will be listed publicly on the Permit to Purchase website. Certified instructors must teach courses approved by the State…...

6+ mon, 6+ day ago (481+ words) As Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, Delaware beaches are filling up'not just with people, but with horseshoe crabs and shorebirds, too. MILFORD, DE- As Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, Delaware beaches are filling up'not just with people, but with horseshoe crabs and shorebirds, too. At the DuPont Nature Center on Friday, dozens of people gathered to learn about the ancient creatures that return to Delaware's shores each spring. Kayla Gonzon, with the DuPont Nature Center, led the season's first public presentation. She said each year, tens of thousands of horseshoe crabs come ashore to spawn. "The horseshoe crabs come up here every season around every year around this time. So May and June to lay those eggs. And then those shorebirds come and they eat those eggs." The Delaware Bay is home…...

7+ mon, 1+ week ago (454+ words) House Bill 119, introduced Tuesday in the Delaware General Assembly, aims to safeguard access to diverse books and educational materials in public schools and libraries. DOVER, DE- House Bill 119, introduced Tuesday, aims to safeguard access to diverse books and educational materials in public schools and libraries. The legislation would require libraries and public schools to establish a clear process for reviewing and addressing challenges to materials, ensuring that books are not removed due to an author's background or views. The bill, known as the Freedom to Read Act, is sponsored by Rep. Krista Griffith (D'District 12). It would require schools and libraries to adopt clear guidelines for curating their collections, with protections in place for educators and librarians who manage them. Supporters say the legislation is a direct response to a surge in book bans across the country and is meant to…...

7+ mon, 13+ hour ago (447+ words) For nearly a century, Delaware's historical markers have helped preserve the stories of the people and places that shaped the First State. Now, those familiar blue signs are getting a new look. DOVER, DE- For nearly a century, Delaware's historical markers have helped preserve the stories of the people and places that shaped the First State. Now, those familiar blue signs are getting a new look. On Tuesday, the Delaware Public Archives unveiled a redesigned version of the state's historic markers that will be used for all new signs moving forward. The new design features the Delaware state seal at the top, can hold up to 630 characters, and weighs approximately 165 pounds. For nearly a century, these markers have helped tell the story of the First State'highlighting significant people, places and events. Stephan Marz, with the Delaware Public Archives, says these…...

8+ mon, 3+ week ago (440+ words) DOVER, DE- The 8th annual RASCL Summit was held Wednesday in Dover, where experts gathered to discuss the growing climate challenges facing Delaware. The conference highlighted rising sea levels, extreme weather, and increasing temperatures, providing a platform to present data and trends while emphasizing the urgent need for adaptation and mitigation strategies. Danielle Swallow from Delaware Sea Grant expressed concerns over the state's climate future. "We are already seeing increases in high tide flooding, saltwater intrusion into infrastructure, drought, and extreme heat. These trends are fairly concerning." Delaware, the lowest-lying state in the U.S., is experiencing sea level rise at twice the global average, with experts predicting that high tide levels could rise by a foot in the next few decades. Swallow warned that this data poses a threat to areas, especially those along the coast. "In low-lying areas, you're going to…...

5+ mon, 3+ week ago (443+ words) DOVER, DE-The Delaware Department of Corrections is shifting its K9 program away from traditional patrol work and focusing entirely on detecting drugs, electronics, and other contraband inside state correctional facilities. Five new dogs " Boone, Radar, Ricky, Rico, and Gunner " are the latest additions to the team, participating in an intensive 12-week training program as part of the department's new canine transition initiative. Michael Merson, Deputy Warden of Special Operations, says the state's 28 K-9 units have traditionally included both patrol and detection dogs. "Historically, the K-9 program for the entire state of Delaware, Department of Corrections has had a blend of both single-purpose detection dogs and patrol dogs," Merson said. That model is now changing as the department responds to a troubling rise in contraband incidents " both in Delaware and nationwide. Greg Dean, the Statewide K-9 Supervisor, says the department has seen a clear increase…...