This week: Protest, conflict and some good news too
Sussex County has had an astonishing influx of new residents, new housing projects and new businesses over the past few decades, and that has, predictably, caused some tension. On Tuesday, some locals took to the Circle in Georgetown to express their displeasure. We talked to the group that organized the protest, along with county leaders.
In parts of southern Delaware that remain rural, and there are quite a few of those, it can be hard to get good internet. But there's good news on that front (especially good for, say, online-only news sites).
The slaying of Delmar Police Cpl. Keith Heacook earlier this year horrified and outraged the community. In Delmar, the tragedy has had some significant ripple effects on local politics. Tony Russo dug into what's been happening and what it means.
On the more uplifting side of things, the Apple Scrapple Festival in Bridgeville is going ahead as planned Oct. 8 and 9. And why would anyone think otherwise? A Facebook event that looked like an official Apple Scrapple page was canceled, leading to online rumors. Have no fear, you can still get your scrapple sandwich and apple dumpling.
If you're reading this newsletter on our website, we recommend signing up for our regular email. It's sort of our "print edition," and helps us bypass the need for social media, which can be an unreliable way to deliver news (see cautionary tale above about Apple Scrapple). Even if you follow our Facebook page, for example, you may not see many of our posts.
In other news:
The 4 Troy Foundation is holding a community day on Saturday, Sept. 25. The foundation was created in memory of former Woodbridge quarterback Troy Haynes, whose fight with cancer inspired the “Fight Like Four” rallying cry. Haynes’ 21st birthday would have been this week. The community day will feature food trucks, inflatables, face painting, a blood drive, a cornhole tournament, basketball contests and more, and proceeds benefit the foundation. It’s being held at Crossroads Community Church, 20684 State Forest Road, Georgetown, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A sort of moving vehicle celebration is coming to Delaware Coastal Airport in Georgetown, with Wings and Wheels on Saturday, Oct. 2. The show includes military aircraft, classic cars, a World War II reenactor encampment, a flour bombing competition, food, crafts, vendors, entertainment and more. Planes on display will include the B-25 Bomber “Panchito”, Fairchild F24 Forwarder, Boeing PT-17 Stearman, Stinson L-5 Sentinel, Cessna O-1 Bird Dog and Aeronca L-16, and you can book a plane or helicopter ride.
A new bill in Delaware aims to allow electric customers a way to save money and invest in solar by subscribing to community solar power projects, Delaware Online’s Sarah Gamard reports. You can't sign up and start saving right away — it will take some time before the solar farms are built. But the bill removes some of the red tape on these kinds of projects.
At the last Woodbridge School Board meeting, board members talked about how happy they were to have children back in school again. President Paul Breeding said he had gotten some pushback from parents on quarantining, though. "I will be right up front, I have had a couple calls from parents because their child has been quarantined; they don't think they should be." But if the Division of Public Health and school nurses recommend a child be quarantined, Breeding said, "they will be quarantined, and that's for safety for everybody ... if we keep our students safe and our staff safe we will have a successful school year."
Those in need of help with food can get support at the Salvation Army at 22318 Sussex Highway in Seaford. The organization serves warm meals Monday to Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and also provides food boxes for Sussex County residents Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Camping, music and food are coming to the Hartley area west of Dover with the 30th Delmarva Folk Festival on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 1-2. You can bring a tent or RV to camp, and bring your own food or buy it from vendors on site. Bring along blankets, chairs and if you want, your own instrument for a Friday night “pick-in” around a campfire. The festival is at 352 Downs Chapel Rd, Clayton, DE. For more information, go to www.delfolk.org/folkfest-2020.
A police-escorted truck convoy will take to the roads on Saturday on a 29-mile route west of Harrington, up to Felton and back down, cheered on by spectators along the route. The event, which has been going on for almost 20 years, supports Special Olympics in Delaware. Trucks depart the Delaware State Fairgrounds at 10:30 a.m., so if you plan to drive through the area that day plan accordingly. In 2020, the convoy included 201 truckers, organizers said.
If you know a high school student who wants to go to college, Delaware Tech’s Upward Bound program may be able to help. It aims to support first-generation college students in math and science fields with free readiness programs. Students can get help with SAT prep and college applications, applying for scholarships, academic counseling and tutoring, and otherwise navigating what can be a daunting process of getting into college and succeeding there. The program targets students in Indian River, Laurel, Seaford, Sussex Central or Woodbridge districts. Find out more about eligibility requirements and apply at dtcc.edu/youth/ubms.
Remember that other vaccine? Beebe Healthcare is hosting free flu vaccine clinics in the area starting Monday and running through Oct. 11. The health care system said demand was greater than supply last year for the vaccines. The CDC recommends the vaccine for everyone 6 months and older, with rare exceptions. More locations will be announced soon.
Current locations:
- Monday, Sept. 27, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Beebe Healthcare Lighthouse Plaza, 19324 Lighthouse Plaza Blvd, Rehoboth
- Tuesday, Sept. 28, 3-6 p.m. First State Community Action Agency, 308 N Railroad Ave, Georgetown
- Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2-6 p.m. Crossroads Community Church, 20684 State Forest Road, Georgetown
- Sunday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Epworth Church, 19285 Holland Glade Rd, Rehoboth Beach
- Monday, Oct. 4, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Beebe Healthcare Lighthouse Plaza, 19324 Lighthouse Plaza Blvd, Rehoboth
- Tuesday, Oct. 5, noon to 6 p.m. Camp Rehoboth, 37 Baltimore Ave. Rehoboth Beach
- Thursday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lewes Senior Center, 32083 Janice Road, Lewes
- Saturday, Oct. 9, noon to 3 p.m. Beebe Lab Express Rt 24 Health Campus, 18941 John J Williams Hwy. Rehoboth
- Monday, Oct. 11, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Beebe Healthcare Lighthouse Plaza, 19324 Lighthouse Plaza Blvd, Rehoboth
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