September 23, 2021 - Vol. 2, Issue 38 - Town Square Delaware
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Community @pg3
Sports @pg25 Education @pg20
Food & Dining @pg12 Government @pg14
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com
September 23, 2021 - Vol. 2, Issue 38
Business @pg10 Stay Connected @pg31 Police & Fire @pg29 Health @pg22
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Contents
Photo by BETH LAYTON BAKER
Community ........................................3
Business ..............................................10
Food & Dining...................................12
Government..................................... 14
Education...........................................20
Health ................................................. 22
Sports................................................... 25
Police & Fire..................................... 29
Stay Connected ............................31
vet fest on Saturday mistakes logging vaccine shots friends shuts out tatnall
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 2
Photo by DEBORAH FELMEY Community Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 3
Community
don’t
wait.
SOMERVILLE MANNING
FORCED TO MOVE build.
Enroll now.
ANNIVERSARY SHOW
BECAUSE OF FLOODING
BY BETSY PRICE
When Somerville Manning Gallery sent out invitations The art inside the gallery was untouched, and most of
to a “surprise exhibition” for its 40th anniversary show, the art outside can be saved. The building—owned by
owner Vickie Manning was hoping to create a little drama Hagley Museum & Library—has been deemed sound
to stir patron interest. by structural engineers.
“Be careful what you ask for, right,” said Rebecca But it has no electricity and is unlikely to for the fore-
Moore, the gallery’s director, on Sept. 16. seeable future, making it difficult to host a public art
Mother Nature handed them plenty of drama when show and necessitating a scramble by Manning and
the Brandywine River flooded its banks Sept. 2 as storms Moore.
from the former Hurricane Ida swept through. The “The turmoil from the last two weeks has been surreal,”
water washed away the gallery’s sculpture garden and Manning said.
rose to the top of the second-floor steps of its Breck’s
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
Mill home.
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Community
Cancer isn’t waiting
FIREFLY’S BACK THURSDAY WITH for COVID-19 to be over.
LIZZO, BILLIE EILISH, VACCINE/ One in three Delawareans will get cancer.
Unfortunately, many have put off their cancer
screenings in the past year. Screenings detect
TESTING MANDATE cancer early, when it’s most treatable. If
you’ve skipped or canceled a screening due
to the pandemic — for breast, cervical, colon,
lung, or prostate cancer — don’t wait one
more day. Call your health care provider to
schedule your cancer screenings today.
If you don’t have a provider, we can help.
If you are uninsured or underinsured,
you may be eligible for free screenings.
To learn more about eligibility requirements
and recommended cancer screenings,
and other information, please visit
HealthyDelaware.org/Cancer.
To schedule your cancer screening by phone:
Call your health care provider, dial 2-1-1,
or speak directly with a nurse navigator at
the health system nearest you, below.
ChristianaCare: 302-216-3557
Bayhealth: 302-216-8328
Beebe Healthcare: 302-291-4380
BY CHARLES MEGGINSON
After taking a year off due to the pandemic, Firefly All attendees will be required to show proof of full
Music Festival is returning to the Woodlands at Dover, vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result for entry
bringing a star-studded lineup headlined by Billie Eilish, to the festival and festival campgrounds.
The Killers, Tame Impala and Lizzo. Photos and digital copies of vaccine cards or recent
The event begins Sept. 23 and runs through Sept. 26. negative COVID-19 tests will be accepted. Home tests
Organizers say the event will happen rain or shine. will not be suitable for entry. Photos of both the front
Forecasts are calling for rain and thunderstorms on and back of vaccine cards must be provided.
Thursday and Friday, and clear skies on Saturday and Negative COVID-19 tests must be taken no earlier
Sunday. Temperatures will be mild, with a four-day low than 72 hours (3 days) prior to first entry into the festival
of 52 degrees and a high of 75 degrees. grounds.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
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Community IN 2022, LONGWOOD WILL BRING BACK
ARTIST WHO ILLUMINATED THE GROUNDS
The exhibition comes as one end of the conservatory
has been dismantled for construction on a grand reimag-
ining that will create a huge new space.
“Returning to Longwood Gardens is a bit like coming
home,” said Bruce Munro. “I am excited to return to
this remarkable place and to share with guests new works
that I hope will inspire them through the interplay of
nature, landscape, and light.”
“Light: Installations by Bruce Munro” will be on view
Thursday through Sunday evenings June 30 through
Oct. 30 next year. Tickets will go on sale March 7. For
more information, go to www.longwoodgardens.org.
Longwood was founded in by industrialist Pierre du
Pont, who wanted to save a collection of historic trees
BY BETSY PRICE from being sold for lumber. Today, its 1,100 acres of
Longwood Gardens will welcome back artist Bruce in Kennett Square that has become world-class horti- dazzling gardens, woodlands, meadows, fountains and
Munro for a garden-wide exhibition June 30 through culture display. more includes signature displays, including A Longwood
October 30, 2022. Highlights will include “Field of Light,” featuring Christmas.
“Longwood is thrilled to present the work of Bruce 18,000 illuminated stemmed orbs lit by fiber optics Munro, who has a dual citizenship with England and
Munro 10 years after the success of his debut exhibition along Longwood’s Large Lake. Munro’s imaginative Australia, is known for producing large immersive
in our Gardens,” said Longwood Gardens President and sculpture will also be sited at the Small Lake, Orchard, light-based installations, which often employ a massing
CEO Paul B. Redman, “Since he first wowed our guests, Chimes Tower and other locations. of components by the thousands.
Bruce has gone on to delight audiences across the United Inside the Conservatory, the Exhibition Hall is trans- His work has been shown at the Victoria & Albert
States and around the globe with his imaginative and formed into a shimmering audio-visual installation Museum, London; Waddesdon Manor, the Rothschild
beautiful artwork.” telling the story of Longwood’s waterlilies, using an array Collection, Buckinghamshire; and the Solomon R.
“Light: Installations by Bruce Munro” will feature an of overlapping CDs, while in the East Conservatory a Guggenheim Museum, New York. For more on him, go
entirely new exhibition with eight groupings, some monumental geodesic sphere incorporating 1,820 to www.brucemunro.co.uk.
indoors and some outdoors at the former du Pont estate recyclable bottles will radiate light.
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Community VET FEST TO RECOGNIZE LONGTIME
ADVOCATE SATURDAY
The 10K run starts at 9:30 a.m.; the 5K at 11 a.m.; and 22in22 initiative began in 2015 as a response to this issue.
the award program, Welcome Home program, and Jacob DiSabatino created 22in22 in 2015, when he was
musical program all start at noon. a junior at St. Mark’s High School, as a service project
Welcome Home organization Rosely Robinson said to raise awareness about the fact that 8,000 veterans die
the program is decades late. each year from suicide. The initiative has gained
“This kind of recognition is well overdue for our national attention.
Vietnam Veterans,” she said. “And, considering the DiSabatino, now a 2nd lieutenant in U.S. Army
current anxiety over Afghanistan, the timing could not graduated from The Citadel in Charleston, South
be more appropriate.” Carolina and is stationed in Anchorage, Alaska.
Proceeds go to bring the veteran and civilian commu- Actor Gary Sinise and the late musician Charlie
nities together and to support the non-profit www. Daniels have been part of the program.
StopSoldierSuicide.org. In addition to Delaware, events Vet Fest is an outcropping of the 22in22 program.
are happening around the country as a result of the
Delaware inspiration.
BY BETSY PRICE
Previous honorees of the 22in22 award have included
Vet Fest, an annual event that salutes veterans while retired National Guard General Gen. Francis Vavala for
raising money to help cut suicide rates, will honor a his support of suicide awareness through his tenure, Dr.
Delaware advocate Saturday. Mark Brainard for launching the annual 22in22
Dave Tiberi will be recognized for his support of program at Delaware Technical Community College
veteran causes with the annual 22in22 Award. He was where he serves as its fifth president, veteran/businessman
one of the inspirations for the program. Steve Masterson for his aggressive career support of
“His personal story of triumph and his personal testi- veterans, Yolanda Borttof for her work at the USO, and
mony regarding PTSD and the Vietnam War in his local veteran advocates John Stagliano and Robinson
family are compelling,” said cofounder Brian DiSabatino. for their passionate work with veterans.
“He is a hero to us all.” DiSabatino said statistics show about 22 veterans and
The event will be held Saturday, Sept. 25, from 9 a.m. one active-duty military member each day succumb to
until 2 p.m. at the town of Whitehall. It will include a hidden wounds and commit suicide. In 2015, Delaware
10K and 5K run, parade, and Welcome Home Ceremony experienced 11 veteran suicides, according to the VA’s
for Vietnam veterans. most updated statistics, down from 24 in 2014. The
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 7
Community GRAND, OPERA, SYMPHONY JOIN FORCES
FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA CONCERT
a press release. “After a long break, we can’t think of a Dubbed “the last leading man” by The New York
better way to celebrate—not only our musicians’ return Times, Mitchell is a two-time Tony Award winner whose
to the stage, but also The Grand’s 150th Anniversary.” career includes Broadway, television, film and concert
One reason the group picked Stokes Mitchell was that appearances with the country’s finest conductors and
after he recovered from COVID-19 in spring 2020, orchestras. He received Tony, Drama Desk and Outer
the star would go to his Upper West Side apartment Critics Circle awards for “Kiss Me, Kate” and was
window at 7 p.m. each night and sing a song to honor nominated for a Tony for “Man of La Mancha,” August
first responders. Crowds began showing up to listen. Wilson’s “King Hedley II” and “Ragtime.”
“He’s an amazing talent and he really checks a lot of
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
boxes for a collaborative project between The Grand
and the symphony and OperaDelaware,” said Mark
Fields, executive director of The Grand. “He’s a
Broadway star who’s classically trained, who has
repertoire that’s in the classic repertoire. So he can sing
BY BETSY PRICE
with an orchestra and he can sing with classically
Three of Wilmington’s arts organizations are joining trained singers, and yet he’s also a showman. He knows
forces for a New Year’s Eve gala concert that will feature how to sell a song. He knows how to hold an audience
Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell. with his Broadway experience so it kind of really kind
The Grand Opera House, Delaware Symphony and of folds in every bit of our partnership.”
OperaDelaware will include a champagne toast and The group was interested in him, but after they found
take place at 7:30 p.m., in time for patrons to be home out he sang from his window after having the virus,
by midnight. they were sold.
The evening will include music by the symphony, “He’s someone who’s faced this pandemic, and did it
conducted by David Amado, and four soloists singing with humor and creativity and talent,” Fields said.
opera and operetta highlights. The first half of the night will include traditional New
“We are elated to partner with our colleagues at The Year’s concert music, including Viennese waltzes and
Grand Opera House and OperaDelaware to once again polkas. The second half will feature Mitchell and
bring a glittering New Year’s Eve gala to Wilmington,” celebrate Broadway standards through the years. The set
says J.C. Barker, executive director of the symphony, in will be released later.
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Community WILMINGTON TO
PAY FOR 20 TEENS
TO TAKE DRONE,
VIRTUAL REALITY
CLASSES
think that there’s an opportunity here, both from a job
perspective, but also to help teams get into these tech-
BY CHARLES MEGGINSON
nologies and do something great for their communities.”
The city of Wilmington will pay for 20 teens to complete Nix believes that with job creation comes violence
aerial drone and virtual reality training programs. prevention. By providing vulnerable teens this type of
In coordination with Drone Workforce Solutions Drone training, he said he hopes to “remove the guns and give
School, 10 area teens will be selected to participate in a them a drone and give them a purpose in life.”
16-week training course on the operation of drones and To sweeten the deal, graduates of the program will
associated drone technology. also receive six-to-12-week paid internships with strategic
Ten more students will be selected to complete a four- partners.
week course on the use of virtual reality computer tech- Nix said those partners could include realtors, roofers,
nology to create simulated environments. or even municipal and state transportation agencies.
These fields of study are growing rapidly in popularity “What we wanted to do here, besides having the DWS
and open new avenues for a young person’s career devel- Drone School do the training, is to create an opportunity
opment, Mayor Mike Purzycki said in a press release. for them to then transfer what they’ve learned into a
The city is offering the training program in coordina- job,” he said.
tion with Drone Workforce Solutions Drone School, Drone course graduates will also take the Federal
which is owned by Wilmington-area attorney Theo Nix. Aviation Administration’s exam to become licensed
Nix said he was motivated to establish the initiative to drone pilots.
give urban teens a chance they might not otherwise have.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
“It’s been paining me to see what’s going on in our
city and also nationally with our teens,” Nix said. “I
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Photo Credit: fauxels from Pexels Business Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 10
Business RESTAURANTS CUT HOURS AS
STRUGGLE WITH HIRING CONTINUES
jobs or after the extra federal COVID-19 payments ended People who have been working there for a few years
on Labor Day. and are making $18 an hour see newbies coming in at
Coupled with that is the loss of seasonal help—largely $16 and want a raise, he said.
high school and college students and teachers—as they To cope with the manpower shortage, the restaurants
returned to classes and preseason practices for sports are turning to one of the few options they have: Cutting
teams, bands, cheerleading and more. hours and closing for a day or two. Cutting hours helps
“The next six months are going to be really telling,” ease scheduling and overtime problems, and closing for
said Dogfish Head Hospitality GM Ryan Schwamberger. a day or two gives everyone the same day off,
“I think we lost a lot of people out of our industry that, “How many restaurants have you gone to that were
when we were forced to shut down for so long, found jobs closed during the week in the middle of the summer?”
and career paths in other industries and may never come Hammer asks. “There were places in Ocean City that
back, or have no desire to come back to hospitality.” didn’t open up for lunch at all. A lot of restaurants in
He’s hoping the next six months will bring in a new Rehoboth Beach were closed for the day. In Bethany
group of workers. Beach on a Tuesday night, there were seven restaurants
“Really hoping for it,” he said. closed because they couldn’t open seven days a week.”
Diners returned this summer, often exceeding pre- Dogfish Head announced last week that it has reduced
pandemic levels, restaurant owners and managers say. hours at both the Dogfish Head Brewpub, which is open
They say they’ve raised wages substantially, but still seven days, and Dogfish Head’s Chesapeake & Maine,
have trouble hiring, particularly for front-of-house jobs which is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays for the fore-
BY BETSY PRICE such as serving staff, bussers, bartenders and hosts, seeable future.
Jeff Hammer, who runs five Delaware beach restau- which makes handling the crowds difficult. Hammer said he’s going to have to close for a day each
rants, has been running a help-wanted ad in Bethany “I started out hostesses this summer anywhere from week at his five beach restaurants—Fins Ale House in
Beach for more than a month. $14 to $16 an hour that were 14 years old,” Hammer Lewes and Bethany Beach, Fins Fish House and Claws
He’s had two applicants in that time. said. “Our busboys and food runners start out anywhere Seafood House in Rehoboth Beach and Big Oyster
Hammer and other restaurateurs say they’ve seen no from $9 to $11 an hour, plus tips.” Brewery in Lewes.
rise in applications since the state in July required people Those wage rates trigger raises in longer term employees,
receiving unemployment to prove they were looking for including kitchen staff, Hammer said. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 11Photo by deborah felmey Food & Dining Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 12
Food & Dining NEWARK’S PEACH
BLOSSOM EATERY
EXPECTED TO OPEN IN
NOVEMBER
BY PAM GEORGE
At 9 a.m. on a recent Wednesday, Olivia Brinton was Brinton shared a few examples, such as a scrapple
busy experimenting. “I just made my first test batch of sandwich with two over-easy eggs, arugula and hot
pistachio-matcha bear claws,” she announced. pepper jam on rye. The “Greek Freak” is a baguette
The Japanese green tea “looks cool,” she acknowl- sandwich with roasted lamb neck, caramelized onion,
edged, but it can taste, well, grassy and bitter. Brinton’s cucumber-sumac yogurt and herbs. There is an eggplant
solution was a white chocolate glaze. parmesan on ciabatta for vegans made with cashew-garlic
“It’s pretty, sweet and delicious,” she said. “cheese,” Calabrian chili marinara.
The confection may be on the menu at The Peach The eatery is not Brinton’s first entrepreneurial en-
Blossom Eatery at 76 E. Main St. in Newark. Owners deavor.
Brinton and Samantha Ross hope to open in the old In 2017, she and Joe Lins opened Little Goat Coffee
Pachamama space before November. Roasting Co., a coffee shop and micro-roastery also in
The restaurant will serve breakfast and lunch and Newark. Although the business sells coffee and baked
offer baked goods and carryout. And if the bear claws goods to customers, it is not a restaurant.
are any indication, the menu will be far from ordinary. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 13Photo bybrian k. leonard Government Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 14
Government MISTAKES LOGGING VACCINE SHOTS MAY
MEAN DELAWARE UNDERREPORTED NUMBERS
BY BETSY PRICE
One in three people who try to use the state’s DelVAX a couple of hours and asked him to send a copy of the
system to find proof of COVID-19 vaccination either original vaccine card, which listed the shots for both
can’t find any records or find records are incomplete. him and his wife on the same page before he got his own
There are enough people who discover missing shots card. Within two hours, he got an email back saying it
in the system the First State uses to track immuniza- had been fixed. He checked, and it had.
tions that Delaware may not be reporting the extent of Lagana started calling family and friends to warn
those fully vaccinated, said James Talbott, director of them to check. All six of the people he called either
the Delaware Health Immunization Program. couldn’t find their cards or the cards were incorrect.
“I think you could say that we’re underreporting a bit, Then Lagana posted on Next Door, a neighborhood
but I don’t think it’s that much, where it’s going to make social media platform, about what happened. About
a big difference,” Talbott said. half of those who responded said their information was
DelVAX, or the Delaware Immunization Information incorrect, too.
System and Registry, tracks all state immunizations, not As the Next Door conversation veered into various
just COVID-19. But it’s repeatedly cited in state press political agendas, nurses got involved in the conversation The DelVAX system requires an email or telephone
releases describing the numbers of those vaccinated. and said people didn’t need the information in the number that can be used to send a code so someone can
How many people are actually vaccinated is one of the system and that most facilities giving shots only go by type it into a verification form before being allowed to
issues now perplexing Tom Lagana, an electrical engi- the vaccine card. access their own records. Many people don’t have an
neer living in North Wilmington, since he discovered “Well, what if you’ve lost your card,” Lagana asked. email or a phone listed, which means they can’t get to
shots were missing from both his and his wife’s cards. Talbott said there are many reasons that information their records because they can’t get the access code.
They had wanted to get in line to receive a third booster may not be found or easily found in the DelVAX system. When numbers are listed, it sometimes is a home
shot when Lagana realized he couldn’t find his card. Sometimes, the information just wasn’t sent to the phone, which can’t be used to send the code via text, he
His wife suggested he try the DelVAX system, which system. Sometimes people got a first or second shot out said. The best practice, Talbott said, is to use a cell phone
the state has been publicizing as a way to get a copy of a of state, and systems there don’t talk to DelVAX. number because that allows the state to text information.
lost vaccine card. People being vaccinated may use their nicknames The DelVAX user interface instructs anyone whose
At first, Lagana couldn’t find his card in the system, instead of the name on a driver’s license, making it hard vaccination record isn’t there or isn’t complete to first
so—as requested online—he sent an email to DelVAX to match, he said. A name could be misspelled by the reach out to whatever agency administered the shots
explaining the problem and telling them when he and person recording the information. (In the beginning of and ask them to resend the information.
his wife were vaccinated. Somebody got back to him in mass vaccinations, that was often a volunteer). CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 15Government CARNEY SEEKS FEDERAL
DISASTER DECLARATION 刀攀搀甀挀攀⸀ 刀攀甀猀攀⸀ 刀攀瀀攀愀琀⸀
FROM BIDEN 䬀攀渀渀礀 䘀愀洀椀氀礀 匀栀漀瀀刀椀琀攀猀 漀昀 䐀攀氀愀眀愀爀攀
挀愀爀攀 愀戀漀甀琀 琀栀攀 攀渀瘀椀爀漀渀洀攀渀琀⸀ 䤀渀猀琀攀愀搀 漀昀 甀猀椀渀最
㘀㔀 䬀 猀椀渀最氀攀ⴀ甀猀攀 瀀氀愀猀琀椀挀 戀愀最猀 愀 眀攀攀欀Ⰰ 漀甀爀
挀甀猀琀漀洀攀爀猀 栀愀瘀攀 栀攀氀瀀攀搀 甀猀 爀攀搀甀挀攀 漀甀爀 瀀氀愀猀琀椀挀
眀愀猀琀攀 琀漀 樀甀猀琀 Ⰰ㔀 爀攀甀猀愀戀氀攀 戀愀最猀 愀 眀攀攀欀℀
圀攀 氀漀漀欀 昀漀爀眀愀爀搀 琀漀 挀漀渀琀椀渀甀攀 氀漀眀攀爀椀渀最
琀栀愀琀 渀甀洀戀攀爀 眀椀琀栀 漀甀爀 挀甀猀琀漀洀攀爀猀밂 猀甀瀀瀀漀爀琀⸀
吀栀愀渀欀 礀漀甀 昀漀爀 礀漀甀爀 挀漀洀洀椀琀洀攀渀琀
琀漀 爀攀搀甀挀椀渀最 瀀氀愀猀琀椀挀 眀愀猀琀攀 椀渀 漀甀爀 挀漀洀洀甀渀椀琀礀Ⰰ
洀愀欀椀渀最 漀甀爀 眀漀爀氀搀 愀 挀氀攀愀渀攀爀Ⰰ 洀漀爀攀
戀攀愀甀琀椀昀甀氀 瀀氀愀挀攀⸀
BY CHARLES MEGGINSON
Gov. John Carney on Sept. 17 sent a letter to President the eastern portion of Wilmington, as well as pockets
Biden requesting a Major Disaster Declaration following along the Brandywine Creek from Talleyville through
flooding caused by Tropical Depression Ida. Edgemoor.
If authorized, the declaration would provide the state “These events were not only historic in the context of
with federal financial resources for both the public and Delaware weather and climate but also came at a time
individuals to deal with clean-up and recovery. when the state’s resources have been severely strained
The Delaware Emergency Management Agency, city by the COVID-19 pandemic and our ongoing recovery
of Wilmington and other partners have spent the past efforts following Tropical Storm Isaias,” Carney wrote
two weeks surveying damage in neighborhoods affected in the letter.
by the storm to support the request for federal assis- Carney said those factors exacerbated the storm’s
tance, according to a press release from the governor. impact and created a complex recovery situation that
The storm caused unprecedented flooding along the has “pushed the state’s capabilities to their limits.”
Brandywine River. Severe damage was inflicted upon
residential and commercial structures and vehicles in CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 16Government GOP’S JULIANNE MURRAY
TO RUN FOR AG ON LAW-
AND-ORDER PLATFORM
Even so, Murray said she believes Delawareans want
an AG who will work with law enforcement to keep violent
criminals off the street.
“They want an attorney general who will protect their
rights and freedoms rather than attempt to take them
away and impose a ‘woke’ agenda,” she said.
Murray called incumbent AG Kathy Jennings, who is
a Democrat, an “activist general” who believes law en-
forcement officers are the problem, not criminals.
She cited a June 2020 letter sent by the Delaware
Fraternal Order of Police, State Troopers Association
and Police Chiefs’ Council which criticized Jennings for
declining to prosecute protestors arrested following the
George Floyd shooting in Minneapolis.
BY CHARLES MEGGINSON “It is extraordinarily sad that our police have no
confidence in the person who is supposed to be the top
Sussex County attorney and former Republican gu- cop,” Murray said. “This has to stop. Our activist general
bernatorial candidate, Julianne Murray, announced her politicized the office by not prosecuting violent protesters.”
candidacy for attorney general Sept. 16 in front of the She said she would take a different approach if elected
Wilmington Police Department. by siding “with the victims of crimes—not the criminals.”
Murray said her candidacy was the first step in an Murray said the effects of Jennings’ “activism” have
“important quest to make the streets and neighbor- become increasingly evident in Wilmington.
hoods all over Delaware safe again.”
Murray isn’t new to politics. In 2020, she ran for CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
governor against Gov. John Carney, who defeated her
by 20 points—or about 102,000 votes.
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 17Government
STATE TO INVEST $110 MILLION HIGH SCHOOL
OPEN HOUSE
IN EXPANDING BROADBAND Sunday, October 18, 2021
10:00am - 1:00pm
‘THE LAST MILE’
BY CHARLES MEGGINSON
VIKING FOR A DAY
COVID-19 funds will pay for a $110 million Delaware Carney said that because internet access has become
You are invited to feel the energy
investment aimed at guaranteeing high-speed broadband so integral to modern life, he decided to make the $110
of VKNation as a Viking for a Day.
internet access for every home and business in the state. million project his first major announcement relating
Viking Visits begin October 4th.
The expansion project, announced Sept. 16 by Delaware to ARP funds.
lawmakers in Bridgeville, will be paid for using funds Currently, about 11,600 Delaware homes and busi-
allocated by the American Rescue Plan Act. nesses lack access to high-speed broadband service.
Delaware received nearly $1 billion from the federal Delaware had 443,195 homes, as of 2019.
HIGH SCHOOL
stimulus package. The broadband infrastructure project will target in-
Gov. John Carney said that the “digital divide” became vestments to areas currently unserved or underserved PLACEMENT TEST
especially apparent during the pandemic. and will prioritize projects that achieve “last mile” November 13, 2021 8:30am
“One of the things that we have learned over the last connections to households and businesses. November 14 12:00pm
year and a half is something that we already knew, which State Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, whose dis-
is increasingly, broadband internet access is important to trict includes many areas identified as high-speed internet
our families, our students and our businesses,” Carney deserts, said the issue was one he became passionate
said. “We have deserts across our state, particularly here about long before he joined the General Assembly.
in Sussex County.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 18Government WILMINGTON OFFERS PLUMBING,
ELECTRICAL HELP FOR RESIDENTS
WITH FLOOD DAMAGE
“That is why it’s imperative homeowners now reach may be contacted by a representative from a participating
out to the city through the 311 system so that individual organization who will determine if they are able to help.
household problems can be assessed and so funding can The Crisis Cleanup Hotline will remain open with
be provided for necessary inspections and repairs,” he said. extended hours until Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, though residents
People who need help mucking out or dealing with can call and leave a message at any time.
debris should still call the Crisis Cleanup Hotline at This hotline does not provide help with social services
1-844-965-1386, he said. such as food, clothing, and shelter.
A city press release said flooding brought on by the For other assistance or to help:
remnants of Hurricane Ida affected as many as 275 Food or social services—Please contact the Social
property owners, both commercial and residential. Services Call Center at 302-571-4900. Deaf or Hearing-
While utility service has been restored to about half of Impaired individuals can call 7-1-1 and give the Customer
BY BETSY PRICE the affected properties, quite a few households continue Service Call Center number. Residents should continue
The city of Wilmington is offering plumbing and to experience plumbing as well as electric and gas issues. to call 9-1-1 in an emergency.
electrical help to residents dealing with the aftermath of Residents have many ways to access help. DEMA Flood Cleanup—The Delaware Emergency
the Sept. 2 flooding. The city’s Crisis Cleanup Hotline is supposed to serve Management Agency’s Flood Assistance Program,
Specifically, the city will provide funding to home- as a clearinghouse for all the muck out, tear out and funded by the state’s Emergency Management Resilience
owners for certain essential services, including: remove water. Those who call can be connected with Fund, will provide cleanup services for qualifying
• Plumbing/mechanical work for the restoration of local volunteer groups that may assist with cutting fallen households through the Milford Housing Development
gas service; trees; removing drywall, flooring and appliances; tarping Corporation. These services may include mucking,
• Electrical inspections; roofs; and mold mitigation. removal of damaged drywall, moisture control of
• Damage to HVAC systems, hot water heaters, and The work will be provided by volunteers at no cost to affected areas, minor structural repairs and insurance
electrical panels. the resident. Team Rubicon, a national disaster response deductable assistance. Apply by calling 844-413-0038.
To access the help, homeowners must call the city’s organization made of military veterans, has teams in
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
3-1-1 service line to arrange the funding. Mayor Mike the area.
Purzycki said officials know there are people having Service is not guaranteed and resources are limited.
trouble, but don’t know how to reach them. Residents must provide information to the hotline and
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 19Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels
Education
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 20Education 一漀 戀愀挀欀礀愀爀搀 最愀爀搀攀渀㼀
一漀 瀀爀漀戀氀攀洀⸀
䬀攀渀渀礀 䘀愀洀椀氀礀 匀栀漀瀀刀椀琀攀猀
漀昀 䐀攀氀愀眀愀爀攀
欀渀漀眀猀 琀栀愀琀 攀瘀攀爀礀漀渀攀 眀椀渀猀 眀栀攀渀 眀攀
攀愀琀 氀漀挀愀氀㨀 眀攀 最攀琀 昀爀攀猀栀Ⰰ 栀攀愀氀琀栀礀
昀漀漀搀 眀栀椀氀攀 猀椀洀甀氀琀愀渀攀漀甀猀氀礀 猀甀瀀瀀漀爀琀椀渀最
氀漀挀愀氀 昀愀爀洀猀 ☀ 戀甀猀椀渀攀猀猀攀猀⸀
DELAWARE LAW FIRM WILL PAY 圀攀밂爀攀 瀀爀漀甀搀 琀漀 戀爀椀渀最 漀甀爀 挀甀猀琀漀洀攀爀猀
栀椀最栀ⴀ
栀椀最栀ⴀ焀甀愀氀椀琀礀Ⰰ 昀爀攀猀栀 瀀爀漀搀甀挀攀
FOR LSAT TESTS, TUTORING FOR 昀爀漀洀 漀甀爀 挀漀洀洀甀渀椀琀礀 瀀愀爀琀渀攀爀猀⸀
DSU STUDENTS
BY CHARLES MEGGINSON
Delaware law firm Morris James has donated $10,000 cost them as much as $500, which is a steep ask for
to Delaware State University to pay for law school appli- young people from low-resource families, many of whom
cants’ law school admission tests and prep courses. are already working one or two jobs to stay in college.”
The donation may not have a lot of zeros after it, but Senior Political Science major and Law Studies minor
it’s targeted at helping the state’s only Historically Black Emily Campanelli noted that she often hears law studies
College and University solve a specific problem: Helping students worrying about how to pay for the LSAT.
minority students who often don’t have a lot of financial “For way too many students the cost can be a huge
assets pay for courses and test they need to succeed in law. barrier to continuing on to law school, sometimes serious
“This is huge for our students,” said Kimeu Boynton, enough to make them give up their dreams,” Campanelli
law studies director in DSU’s Department of Sociology said in a press release. “This is a huge win for all of us.”
and Criminal Justice. “Fees and prep courses can easily
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 21Photo Yan Krukov for pexels Health Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 22
Rattay, director of Public Health, in the press release.
Health “We know the Delta variant is particularly contagious
and vaccination is really our best chance at protecting
ourselves. We look forward to ACIP’s recommendations.”
When the situation is more defined, qualifying indi-
viduals who previously received two doses of Pfizer will
be able to get a booster dose from a variety of places.
DELAWARE COVID-19 CASES They include participating medical providers, pharmacy
or the DPH Standing Vaccine clinic at the Blue Hen
RISE AS FDA RECOMMENDS Corporate Center, Georgetown Plaza, Canby Park in
Wilmington or University Plaza in Newark.
BOOSTER VACCINES FOR SOME Right now, Delawareans who have certain immuno-
compromising conditions including those who have
received organ or stem cell transplants, are undergoing
BY BETSY PRICE treatment for HIV or cancer, or who are taking medica-
Delaware is now seeing 472 new COVID-19 cases per A total of 1,913 Delawareans have died due to compli- tion that suppresses the immune system, are currently
day, up nearly 100 per day since last week’s 389 on the cations from COVID-19. Thirteen deaths were reported eligible to receive a third dose of either Pfizer or
same day, thanks to the Delta variant. in the past week, five of which were from a review of Moderna vaccines.
As Delaware’s case load continues to rise, the federal vital statistics. Public Health also is encouraging providers to
Food and Drug Administration vaccine advisory com- The FDA recommendation said people who need a consider whether those who reside in long-term care
mittee voted on Sept. 17 for booster shots for people 65 booster of Pfizer vaccine should get it six months after facilities and seniors, especially those who are over age
and older and those at risk for severe illness if they get they receive their second dose. The recommendation 85, should receive a third dose.
COVID-19. said health care workers and others at high risk for On Sept. 17, the Centers for Disease Control and
In its weekly update, the Delaware Division of Public occupational exposure should get booster, too. It did Prevention said 77.4% of Delawareans ages 18+ have
Health said all but one of the 244 samples that tested as not define what it meant by high risk for several illness. received at least one dose of the vaccine. Among Dela-
a variant were identified as the Delta strain. The state Those who took Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines wareans 12+, 568,719 have received at least one dose of
lab each week randomly chooses positive tests to see are not included in the recommendation because of a the COVID-19 vaccine, and 512,701 Delawareans are
what variants show up. lack of available data. fully vaccinated.
There have now been 127,222 positive cases among The panel also refused to OK booster shots for Public Health said there have been 2,900 breakthrough
Delaware residents, the state said. everybody 16 and up, limited it to those 65 and older or cases of COVID-19, which equals six-tenths of 1% of
Of current cases, 259 individuals are hospitalized, an with health issues. vaccinated individuals. Of those 53 involved hospital-
increase of seven from last week. Forty-two of the hos- “We are encouraged by this news and optimistic that izations and 31 have died.
pitalized persons are critically ill, an increase of four a booster dose will increase protection for many
from last week. Delawareans from severe COVID-19,” said Dr. Karyl
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 23Health
CAT FOUND NEAR BATTERY PARK
TESTS POSITIVE FOR RABIES
BY BETSY PRICE
The latest animal in Delaware to test positive for rabies The state this year has found 13 animals with rabies:
is a calico cat found near Battery Park in Old New Castle. one dog, one raccoon, one skunk, one deer, one fox,
The cat, which appeared to live or spend time between three cats (including this one), and five bats. The state
West Ninth Street and West Third Street there, already only announces cases in which humans could have been
is known to have come into contact with four people in contact with the animal.
and a dog before testing positive Sept. 9. Public Health recommends that individuals take the
The state would like anyone else may have been following steps to prevent rabies exposure:
scratched, bitten or come in contact with the animal to All dogs, cats, and ferrets six months of age and older
call their doctor or the state rabies program. are required by Delaware law to be vaccinated against
The cat was orange, black and white, according to the rabies by a licensed veterinarian.
Delaware Division of Public Health. Pet owners can reduce the possibility of pets being
The people who came in contact with the cat have exposed to rabies by keeping them indoors and not
started treatment for rabies exposure. letting them roam free. It is especially important for pet
Contact the state Rabies Program at 302-744-4995. owners who do allow their cats to roam outdoors to
Anyone in the area who thinks a stray cat might have vaccinate their pets.
bitten their pet should call their private veterinarian for
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
examination, treatment and to report the exposure to
the Delaware Department of Agriculture.
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 24Photo by nick halliday Sports Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 25
Sports FRIENDS SHUTS OUT TATNALL
UNDER THE LIGHTS
Tatnall’s defense was able to keep Friends off the score-
board the rest of the quarter, but late in the second quarter
Friends would strike again.
Friends would drive the ball 67 yards then cap it off
with a 5-yard run by Osinachi “Osi” Chukwuocha mid-
way through the quarter. Then with just four seconds
left in the half Tatersall would punch it in from yards
yards out giving the Quakers a 21-0 lead at half.
Both teams’ defenses held strong in the third quarter
as both teams were held scoreless. Then early in the
fourth quarter Tatersall on defense this time busts
through the line on a fourth down getting a hand on
the punt to block it, then had the presence to pick up the
loose ball and return it for a touchdown 28-0 Friends.
Then late in the fourth Chukwuocha would find pay
dirt from two yards out, scoring his second touchdown
of the game.
Osi led Friends on the ground gaining 246 yards in
the game while scoring two touchdowns. Tatersall
BY NICK HALLIDAY
would account for three touchdowns on the day, passing
Wilmington Friends traveled to Tatnall and kept Friends however was not intimated. They played spoiler for one, running forone, and blocking a punt on the
Tatnall scoreless under the Friday night lights. Tatnall Friday night as their defense kept Tatnall off the score- defensive side of the ball for another one.
football normally plays on Saturdays but for one night a board shutting out Tatnall 35-0. For the second week in The Quakers improved their record to 2-0 on the
season they rent some lights and have a Friday night game a row the Quakers defense has kept their opponents out season with the 35-0 victory. They will host Tower Hill
under the lights. On our show Coach Avery McMullin of the end zone. Last week Friends defeated Delmar 40-0. Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
during our interview told us that the whole school gets The offense also continued putting up points while the Tatnall drops to 0-2 on the season with the loss. They
into the Friday night game not just the players. We were defense kept their opponents scoreless. will host St. Elizabeth Saturday at 2 p.m.
told on the show that they asked all the fans to come Friends scored on its first drive when Rob Tattersall
wearing black to create a blackout for the game. hit Jaden Willie in the flat for a 10-yard touchdown pass.
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 26Sports
WILLIAM PENN FORCES LATE
TURNOVERS TO DEFEAT CAPE
HENLOPEN
BY NICK HALLIDAY
The fireworks began on the opening kickoff and the The excitement started on the opening kickoff when
Colonials and Vikings kept that pace throughout the Cape Henlopen’s Maurki James returned the kick 80
game totaling 90 points between them and the teams yards for a touchdown. Hank D’Ambrogi’s kick was no
combined for 761 yards in total offense. good and the Vikings took an early 6-0 lead.
In the end, two Cape Henlopen turnovers led to scores William Penn answered on its first drive of the game
for William Penn and the Colonials left Legends Stadium when Jacob Tiberi connected with David Dunston for a
with a 52-38 win in a Class AAA non-district contest. five-yard touchdown pass. Jordan Jones added the PAT
“This is the most exciting football game I have ever and the Colonials led 7-6 with 8:33 to play in the first
been a part of in my coaching career, let me tell you quarter.
Cape is a very good 0-3 team,” William Penn head coach CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
Matt Sabol said.
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 27Sports DELAWARE LIVE STREAMING
SCHEDULE WEEK 3
BY NICK HALLIDAY
St. Marks at Padua Volleyball, Tuesday 7 p.m. Delmar at Milford Football, Friday 7 p.m.
The reigning state champions traveled to Padua which Delmar come into this game with a 1-1 record. It
is #1 vs #2 from our top ten rankings. Both teams come suffered a loss in its season opener as it went north to
into this game 3-0 on the season. play Wilmington Friends. It rebounded last week with a
nice win at home over Red Lion. Milford is sitting at 2-1
Caesar Rodney at Smyrna Football, Thursday 7 p.m. on the season and is coming into this game after suffer-
Surprisingly both teams come into this game with ing a loss last week to Lake Forest. Both of its wins have
losing records. Smyrna is 1-2 on the season suffering its come to out of state opponents this season Cambridge-
first lost to a nationally ranked Bergen Catholic, then South and North County out of Maryland.
last week to our #1 team Middletown 28-14. Its only win
came in a 56-6 romp of Arundel High Schoool out of Newark at St. Marks Football, Friday 7:30 p.m.
Maryland. Caesar Rodney has lost all three games this Newark has a 1-1 record on the season. It suffered a
season suffering loses to Hodgson, St Georges, and most loss last week to Concord, but won its season opener
recently, Appoquinimink. against Christiana. St. Marks suffered its first loss of the
season last week as it faced a tough Woodbridge team.
It is now 2-1 on the season as it defeated AI duPont and
Red Lion in their previous two games.
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 28Photo by Styves Exantus from Pexels Police & Fire Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 29
Police & Fire WILMINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT
UNION LEADER SENTENCED FOR
CHILD PORN
arrive at his house, a press release said. He deleted the Kik prepubescent children,” said Brian A. Michael, special
application—a messenger and group chat application agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations,
that Leonetti had used to chat in a group dedicated to Philadelphia.
pedophilia and onto which Leonetti had uploaded a He pointed out that even though Leonetti will go to
video of child pornography, a press release said. jail, “the lives of these children have been tragically
In the cellphone’s “Notes” application, investigators impacted by the defendants’ actions. No sentence will
found links to folders associated with cloud-based file reverse the physical and mental abuse that they have
storage services Dropbox and Mega. The contents of some endured. “
of these links contained additional child pornography. Homeland Security investigated the case, and Assistant
The child pornography found on the defendant’s cell- U.S. Attorney Graham L. Robinson prosecuted it.
phone and in the linked folders included depictions of This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood,
prepubescent minors engaged in various sexual acts a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child
BY BETSY PRICE
and the lascivious exhibition of their genitals, the press sexual exploitation and abuse. It was launched in May
A former union president of the Wilmington Fire release said. 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S.
Department has been sentenced to 60 months in prison Leonetti retired from his firefighter’s post in early Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and
after pleading guilty to possessing child pornography. 2021. In published news reports, he blamed post- Obscenity Section of the Department of Justice, the
Joseph J. Leonetti, Jr. was also given five years of traumatic stress syndrome for his addiction to porn, project marshals federal, state and local resources to
supervised release after he completes his sentence by saying it began after a woman and her grandchild were better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who
Chief Judge Colm F. Connolly on Sept. 15. killed in a fire not long after the department lost three exploit children via the Internet, and to identify and
According to public documents, law enforcement firefighters on the job. rescue victims.
officers seized Leonetti’s personal cell phone June 19, In a press release, U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss said For more on the project, go to www.justice.gov/psc.
2020, and found videos and cached images of child his office is committed to protecting children, without
pornography. A cache is a storage location that collects regard to the occupation or power of the wrongdoer.
temporary data for easy retrieval. “Mr. Leonetti, while in a position of trust as a firefighter
Investigators also found that Leonetti had deleted ev- and union president for the Wilmington Fire Department,
idence from his phone when he saw law enforcement possessed sexually explicit photographs and videos of
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