July 1 2021 - Vol. 2, Issue 26 - Town Square Delaware
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Community @pg3 Health @pg24
Food & Dining @pg16
Sports @pg27
Education @pg22
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com
July 1 2021 - Vol. 2, Issue 26
Stay Connected @pg30 Government @pg9
Business @pg19 Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 1
Contents
Photo Credit: joann kingsley
Community .................................3
Government ............................... 9
Food & Dining........................... 16
Business....................................... 19
Education................................... 22
Health ..........................................24
Sports............................................ 27
Stay Connected .................... 30
Miss Delawares’ are incredibly bill to help grow trade professions nah’shon “bizzy bones” hyland
accomplished
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 2
Photo credit: brian k. leonard Community Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 3
Community NEW MISS DELAWARE USAs: ONE
WAS SEXUALLY ASSAULTED, THE
OTHER HELPS THOSE WHO ARE
BY BETSY PRICE
A Wilmington teen who talked about being sexually questions out of a fish bowl, and one of hers was about
assaulted by a teacher became Miss Delaware Teen USA whether parents should police their children’s social media.
2021 Sunday, and the new Miss Delaware USA is a medical She said that social media can be a way that children are
student who runs a charity that helps women who have exposed to unsavory and upsetting things. She pointed
been sexually assaulted. out that she herself had been sexually assaulted by a
Sky Knox, who had been Miss Wilmington Teen, and teacher, and she supported parental rights to monitor
Drew Sanclemente, who had been Miss Odessa, will social media and what their children were doing online
compete for the Miss USA Teen and Miss USA titles in as an effort to protect them.
November at the River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa, A former Miss Delaware’s Outstanding Teen, Knox
Oklahoma. graduated with high honors from The Baldwin School,
They were crowned in a fast-moving pageant finals at where she was head of the Black Student Union, Service
the Laird Performing Arts Center at Tatnall School. The League and Student Ambassadors Committee. She will
show combined both contests into one event with active- be going to Cornell University, where she will focus on
wear/swimsuit, gown and interview sections. Africana studies, psychology and communications.
The young women dangled black masks from their arms Knox holds 10 competitive gymnast state and regional
like a trendy bracelet during most of the competitions. titles in Delaware and Pennsylvania, is classically trained
The contestants only wore the masks onstage at the end in violin, piano and vocals, and likes music so much,
when they were all gathered together for the first time. she’s composed pieces she plans to record in the summer
This year’s pageant took place 18 months after Miss and debut in fall. She founded a nonprofit, B.E.S.T., which
Delaware USA 2020 Katie Guevarra and Miss Delaware stands for brave early screening teens, to encourage
Teen 2020 Samantha Repass won their crowns. Both of teens to be their physical and mental best.
them talked during the pageant Sunday about how much She also is the teen program manager at the Teen
Sky Knox, left, is the new Miss Delaware Teen USA and Drew Sanclemente of their work ended up taking place online because their Warehouse in Northeast Wilmington, where she offers
is Miss Delaware USA 2021. Photo by Jessielyn Palumbo Studio reigns coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic. a B.E.S.T program and others.
Knox mentioned sexual assault during the interview
portion of the night. All the contestants pulled two CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 4
Community FROM WILMINGTON
TO BETHANY, YOUR
FIREWORKS GUIDE HAVE A
PLAN FOR
YOUR PAIN
BY BETSY PRICE
Learn the risks
involved with prescription opioids.
Most Delaware places famous for their Fourth of July There won’t be fireworks in New Castle on the Fourth,
fireworks shows have decided the show will go on. Of course, but there will be a symbolic ringing of independence Ask your doctor
organizers will follow the latest pandemic guidelines. bells. Immanuel Church on the Green hosts the free about alternative therapies.
Wilmington will host fireworks starting 9:15-9:30 on event, 1:30-2:30 p.m., which is part of national ceremony
July 4. marking the birth of America. Francis A. Ianni, an Army Decide together
The best viewing location is in Tubman-Garrett Park veteran, will be the keynote speaker. Period attire is invited. on a pain management plan that works for you.
and other Riverfront locations, said Tina Betz, director Fireworks on (or near) the Fourth
of the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs. Bethany Beach’s holiday celebration takes two days. Opioids can be addictive, dangerous, and even deadly.
But they aren’t your only option. You can always talk with
The accompanying recorded music will be played in Fireworks will be at 9:15 p.m. July 5, preceded by music your health care provider and choose a different path.
Tubman-Garrett and partially along the river walk, she said. from local favorite Love Seed Mama Jump at the band- HelpIsHereDE.com can help you start the conversation.
Hockessin will host fireworks at dusk on July 2, thanks stand. The 287th Army Band will perform at 7:30 p.m.
to a groundswell of community support. Hockessin 4th July 4 at the bandstand. There will be no parade.
Festival & Fireworks wrote on Facebook in April that Dewey Beach: “We are doing the fireworks, as in the
fireworks were canceled, but the Facebook page credits past, on July Fourth,” businessman Alex Pires said.
“several community partners and representatives” for
their return. It also asks for funding. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE! HELP IS taking control of your pain
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 5
Community CATHOLIC BISHOP’S
ORDINATION MASS JULY 13
TO BE LIVESTREAMED
BY BETSY PRICE
The incoming bishop of It will be only the second time in history that an ordi-
the Catholic Diocese of nation of this type has taken place within the diocese, a
Wilmington will be press release said Wednesday.
ordained and installed on The first was Bishop John J. Monaghan’s episcopal
Sunday, June 13. in a consecration by Cardinal Gibbons of Baltimore on May
ceremony that will be live- 9, 1897, at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Wilmington.
streamed from St. Eliza- All other Wilmington bishops were ordained to the
beth’s Church in Wilmington on the Diocesan Order outside of Delaware or Maryland’s Eastern Shore
YouTube channel. prior to being installed as Bishop of Wilmington.
The Rev. Monsignor William Edward Koenig, vicar In addition to Archbishop Lori, Malooly and Arch-
for clergy for the Diocese of Rockville Centre, New bishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United
York, was tapped as the 10th Bishop of Wilmington on States, will attend along with 20 Catholic bishops and
April 30, 2021. two Cardinals, the diocese said.
He will succeed The Rev. W. Francis Malooly, who The ordination mass also will be live on the Catholic
served since 2008, and tendered his resignation when Faith Network serving New York, New Jersey and
he turned 70, following church tradition. Connecticut, available on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon
Roman Catholics are Delaware’s largest single faith Fire TV, Android or the free CFN app. CFN will also be
group. The ordination Mass and installation is one of encoring the Mass at 8 p.m. that night.
the church’s most elaborate and visual services, partly Additionally, viewers throughout the United States
because of the number of priests, bishops and archbishops and Canada can watch a delayed broadcast on EWTN:
who attend, all decked out in celebratory attire. Global Catholic Network, on Thursday, July 15, at 3 p.m.
Koenig will be ordained to the Order of Bishop by
Archbishop William Lori, metropolitan archbishop of CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
Baltimore.
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 6
Community REMOVE BIRD FEEDERS
UNTIL CAUSE OF MYSTERY 刀攀搀甀挀攀⸀ 刀攀甀猀攀⸀ 刀攀瀀攀愀琀⸀
ILLNESS IS FOUND 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
birds, including 50 reported dead in Delaware.
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
They have been stricken by an unknown disorder
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
characterized by swollen eyes with crusty discharge, as
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℀
well as neurological signs such as erratic flight and
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
stumbling, DNREC said in a press release.
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⸀
DNREC staff has observed similar symptoms in
Delaware’s avian population. 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
Juvenile birds appear to be more affected than adults, 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
with European starlings, blue jays and common grackles 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
as the species most associated with the debilitating 戀攀愀甀琀椀昀甀氀 瀀氀愀挀攀⸀
event, DNREC said.
Delaware’s samples are being sent to the Pennsylvania
Animal Diagnostic Laboratory in New Bolton Center,
Pennsylvania, but no definitive cause has been identified
to date.
Even though the cause is not known, wildlife health
experts believe congregating birds may contribute to its
spread, the press release said.
BY BETSY PRICE
Taking down bird feeders and bird baths will help.
Delaware residents who have bird feeders or bird baths DNREC recommended:
are being asked to take them down until the cause is • Cease feeding birds at feeders and providing water
found for a mysterious illness killing birds in six Mid- in bird baths
Atlantic and Central states. • Before reactivating bird feeders and baths when it is
The Department of Natural Resources and Environ- deemed safe by animal health experts to do so, clean
mental Control said in a press release Thursday that state them with a 10% bleach solution
and federal wildlife experts are investigating reports in
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
at least six mid-Atlantic and Central states of sick song-
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 7
Community WOMAN WHO
DIDN’T CLEAN
HOUSES AGREES
TO MAKE don’t
RESTITUTION
knows what other social media platforms she’s taking
wait.
POWER.
advantage of.”
Losey started her unlicensed cleaning business, Down
& Dirty Cleaning Services, in 2019. When she was indicted
last August, the Department of Justice said she “required
BY KEN MAMMARELLA
clients to pay upfront before receiving any cleaning
A woman who took money to clean houses but never services.…Complaints indicate that Losey failed to
cleaned them has agreed to make restitution, some provide the services and declined to refund payments
victims have been told. But some expect little, if any, when requested.”
money to be returned. The state’s 2020 indictment mentions “multiple counts
They also said that Susan Losey has been charged with of theft with an aggregate loss of approximately $22,000.”
three felonies and has accepted a plea deal. Dianna said that a spreadsheet maintained by the
A spokesman for Delaware Department of Justice’s victims includes more than 100 names, mostly women
consumer protection unit said there is not an approved in New Castle County but also as far as Cecil County. A
plea agreement. “All pleas need to be accepted in court,” Mat private Facebook group that connects them also counts
Marshall said. “We don’t comment prior to that step.” more than 100 members.
“I am very happy that Losey will be held accountable Losey promoted herself as a mother struggling
for her wrongdoings, but none of us expect to actually financially, Town Square Live reported when it broke Enroll now.
see a single dime from her,” said Taya Dianna, one of the news of the case in 2019. “As a former single mom,
more than 100 victims, in a message to Delaware Live. that pulled at my heartstrings,” Dianna said then.
“We are also fairly certain that she continues to
solicit for monetary assistance on Twitter—and who
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 8
Photo Credit: Deb Felmey Government Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 9
Government DELAWARE
MOVES CLOSER
TO NEAR-TOTAL
PLASTIC BAG BAN
“I was like ‘we’ve got to do something about this,’ ”
Morrison said. “So we got on the phone and all this started.”
The new rules will go into effect July 1, 2022.
Acme will adjust as needed, said spokeswoman Dana
BY BETSY PRICE
Ward.
Dismayed that people don’t seem to be reusing the “Most likely at that point, we will not provide bags for
thicker plastic bags now allowed for retail stores, the free,” she said. “Most likely there will be a fee for all bags.”
Delaware House of Representatives on June 23 voted to Julie Miro Wenger, executive director of the Delaware
ban retail establishments from providing plastic bags. Food Industry Council, said the issue is complicated.
It will update the new bag rule that went into effect Customers haven’t even had a chance to get used to the
Jan. 1, that required large retail stores to stop giving Jan. 1 change, which began when COVID-19 cases were
away flimsy plastic bags and begin dealing heftier bags once again skyrocketing. She believes paper bags are
designed to be reused. Most small stores had been allowed even worse for the environment because they take so
to continue using thinner bags. much fuel to make and transport.
Stores responded by once again offering paper bags “Retailers are great stewards of the environment and
but also heftier plastic ones designed to be used up to we’re certainly all for recycling and reuse,” Wenger said,
125 times, as required by the new rule. “but this is going to put folks into a difficult situation.
However, Rep. Eric Morrison, D-Glasgow, told the Paper bags are going to be more costly for consumers
House that shortly after he took office after being elected and reusable bags are much more costly for customers.”
in November, he went to his local grocery store and was The original version of House Bill 212, sponsored by
infuriated to see the heftier plastic bags being used. Rep. Gerald Brady, D-Wilmington, would have required
“I was walking out and in the trash can in the lobby an even thicker bag than the ones being provided now,
hanging out was one of those bags,” he said. but the amendment wiped out references to plastic bags.
He was so angry he immediately texted House Majority
Leader Valerie Longhurst, D-Bear. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 10Government HOUSE, SENATE SEND LARGEST
BOND BILL EVER TO CARNEY FOR
SIGNATURE
The huge budgets were made possible by an unexpectedly overdue dredging work in our inland bays.”
great flow of revenue in the last year, in the face of the Sen. Dave Wilson, R-Ellendale, served on the Bond
financial turmoil cased by the COVID-19 pandemic. Committee and was pleased with the end-result.
BY CHARLES MEGGINSON
Finance officials said factors contributing to that included “Delaware has a number of infrastructure needs and
Delaware residents will soon see the effects of a $1.35 the huge federal COVID-19 payments, expanded this bond bill more than addresses them, including the
billion spending package was passed Tuesday by both unemployment payments, much larger than expected largest amount of funding toward dredging projects
houses of the General Assembly. personal income tax payments, tax on large employee that I can recall,” Wilson said.
Gov. John Carney is expected to sign it and a $63 million bonuses last year, record real estate transfer taxes and a
Grants-in-Aid bill Wednesday at 1 p.m. in his office, rise in lottery and gambling income. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
after it dusted really well because the building has been “Through this bill, we are making an unprecedented
closed for 15 months, joked Speaker of House Pete investment in Delaware’s future by funding dozens of
Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach. infrastructure projects that will help support our state’s
The bond bill, also known as Senate Bill 200, pays for economy for generations to come,” Capital Improvement
road, school and courthouse construction and other Committee Chairwoman Sen. Nicole Poore, D-New
one-time items such as library upgrades, college campus Castle, said in the Senate.
improvements, state park maintenance and clean water Vice Chairwoman Rep. Debra Heffernan, D-Bellefonte,
programs. It passed unanimously in the Senate and was echoed Sen. Poore’s comments while presenting the bill
close to that in the House. in the House.
The state’s fiscal year ends June 30, with fiscal year “With this legislation, we’re making bigger investments
2022 starting July 1. than ever before in Delaware’s transportation infrastruc-
The Grants-in-Aid bill, which provides funding for fire ture, fulfilling promises to our school districts and
departments, veterans organizations, eldercare centers institutions of higher learning, and supporting economic
and other non-profits handling state programs, passed development and high-quality jobs across our state,”
unanimously in the House. It had been expected to be Heffernan said. “On top of that, this Bond Bill launches
about $55, but legislators used some of the windfall to a transformative new clean water initiative that encompasses
push it further. everything from drainage improvements to long-
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 11Government
YOU’VE BEEN WARNED: WEEKEND
LANE CLOSURES ON DEL.
MEMORIAL BRIDGE
BY BETSY PRICE
A project to paint the Delaware Memorial Bridge got to James E. Salmon, public information officer for the
really bad last weekend. Seven miles bad. authority. And June 2019 was a record month.
The traffic backed up from the project site on the The bridge’s weekday average is 40,000, with 55,000
northbound side, Interstate 295 and then down Interstate on weekends.
95 northbound to around the Route 1 interchange. The authority has scheduled weekend work for July
That’s why the Delaware River and Bay Authority, 9-11, July 16-18 and July 23-25. It is expecting the heaviest
which owns and operates the bridge, is warning drivers traffic to be from noon to 6 p.m. Fridays, 8 a.m. to 5
about potential delays for four more weekends. p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays.
It’s also offering some relief on the July Fourth weekend. It is sparing the July Fourth weekend from construction
The work began last spring, weekdays and weekends, constrictions. From 9 a.m. Friday, July 2, through 9 p.m.
and is planned to go through October. Tuesday, July 6, all work associated with the painting
One northbound lane is closed so a contractor can re- project will be suspended, the authority said, and all
move old paint coatings and apply new primer and paint lanes will be open.
to the side spans of the bridge heading into New Jersey. In August, the work will be weekdays only, Salmon said.
With pandemic restrictions loosening—and families Motorists may follow the bridge on Twitter @demem-
primed for vax-cations—traffic has soared. In nine days bridge for the latest in traffic information.
so far in June, traffic topped figures from 2019, according
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 12Government
AFTER EMOTIONAL DEBATE, BILL
DEFINING BAIL FOR CLASS A
FELONIES HEADS TO CARNEY
BY CHARLES MEGGINSON
Alleged offenders of certain violent crimes could soon time when some representatives have fought to eliminate
face mandatory minimum bail requirements under a the practice altogether in Delaware.
bill passed by the House of Representatives June 24. Rep. John Kowalko, D-Newark, said that this bill
Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 7 is aimed at reducing would lead to “a new Jim Crow.”
violent crime in two of Delaware’s largest and most One of the bill’s sponsors, Rep. Nnamdi Chukwuocha,
dangerous cities, Wilmington and Dover, by eliminating D-Wilmington, who is Black, disagreed with Kowalko’s
the ability of judges to grant suspected offenders low- or assessment.
no-cash bail while they await trial. “Everyday we have Wilmington police officers doing
Offenses that would require the imposition of cash bail their best, making gun arrests, only to have these individ-
under this law include class A felonies, gun offenses, uals turned right back around into our communities,”
domestic violence offenses, rape, sexual abuse of children, said Chukwuocha.
and reoffending while out on bond. Chukwuocha argued that SB 7 “will address the small
Supporters of SB 7 believe this legislation will end the group of individuals who are wreaking havoc on [Wilm-
“revolving door” of suspected offenders who commit ington]—individuals who were arrested and let right
additional crimes while awaiting trial, partly by providing back onto the street.”
judges with bail guidelines that do not exist now.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
Opponents expressed outrage that legislation increasing
the application of cash bail would be introduced at a
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 13other expenses related to their approved non-degree
Government credit certificate programs, granted they provide industry-
accepted skill training and certification.
Funding for the Elevate Delaware program in House
Substitute 1 for House Bill 166 is capped at $1.5 million
per year for the next three years.
The bills passed both the House and Senate June 24.
There was no comment in the House, but during the
Senate hearing, Sen. Jack Walsh, D-Christiana, said that
the Elevate Delaware Act “supports an environment in
Delaware of worker investment and continuous learning.”
Walsh argued that education investments will result
REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRAT JOIN in increased opportunity for upward mobility amongst
Delawareans.
FORCES ON COMPLIMENTARY BILLS “This helps small employers compete and grow and
helps workers increase their earning capacity and move
TO HELP GROW TRADE PROFESSIONS along their careers,” he said.
Pettyjohn, who requested to be added as a co-sponsor
to the Elevate Delaware Act, said, “We need to provide
BY CHARLES MEGGINSON the people of Delaware the training they need in order
These days, it seems like Democrats and Republicans establish the Focus on Alternative Skills Training to provide for themselves and their families.”
aren’t able to agree on much. Program to help high school graduates pay for an The bills now await Gov. John Carney’s signature.
But on Wednesday, a Republican state senator and approved non-degree credit certificate program.
Democratic state representative combined forces to support Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 65’s FAST Program
each other’s bills and help Delaware grow and support will provide up to $10,000 for tuition and related
the tradespeople it desperately needs. expenses to Delaware residents. Funding is capped at $1
Their complimentary bills—a kind of counterpoint to million a year for the next two years. The FAST Act comes
the money poured into state colleges and their students with a two-year sunset clause, meaning the legislature
—will provide state-sponsored tuition for those who will have to reauthorize the program during the next
want to be trained to work as masons, electricians, General Assembly for it to continue.
plumbers, carpenters, HVAC workers, welders, mechanics, A bill from Rep. Ed Osienski, D-Brookside, will establish
beauticians and more. the Elevate Delaware Act that will provide up to $10,000
A bill from Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, will in payments to Delaware adult learners for tuition and
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 14“We were fortunate this year to be able to produce a
Government very robust Grant-in-Aid package that helps support
many of the organizations that form the bedrock of our
communities across the state,” he said. “The resources in
this bill are going to do a lot of good for a lot of people.”
Sen. Trey Paradee, D-Dover, echoed Carson’s sentiment.
“This legislation will provide much-needed support
to our nonprofit community, which was dealt a serious
fundraising blow by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Paradee
39 NEW NONPROFITS INCLUDED said. “From fire companies and paramedic services to
shelters, substance abuse services and community arts
IN GRANTS-IN-AID BILL HEADED organizations, these organizations deliver invaluable
services to our most vulnerable neighbors and give us
TO CARNEY an unbelieve return on our investment.”
The $63.2 million grant package includes:
• $7.9 million for one-time community organization
BY CHARLES MEGGINSON
support;
• $13.9 million for emergency medical services;
On the heels of the largest bond bill in state history record $1.35 billion bond bill and generous Grants-in- • $897,294 for senior centers, eldercare, and aging
being passed by the General Assembly Wednesday, the Aid bill possible. services;
State Senate rubberstamped a $63.2 million grant Finance officials had expected to have to tighten the • $2.2 million for the arts, historical and cultural
package, closing out a markedly peaceful week of state’s belts for the Fiscal Year 2022, which starts Thursday, organizations, and tourism;
budget discussions. as the state came out of the COVID-19 pandemic. • $4.2 million for disability, health, and labor
The FY 2022 Grants-in-Aid bill includes funds for fire Instead, it ended up with $1.2 billion in surplus funds, organizations;
companies, ambulance services, senior centers, veterans’ thanks to fees and taxes paid by corporations headquar- • $5.5 million for family and youth services;
organizations and community groups, many of which tered in Delaware, huge federal COVID-19 payments, • $1.2 million for alcohol and substance abuse
handle state programs such as daycare, afterschool care expanded unemployment payments, larger than expected organizations;
and senior citizen programs. personal income tax payments, taxes on large employee • $6 million for neighborhood and community services;
This year’s bill allocates funding to 39 nonprofit agencies bonuses from last year, record real estate transfer taxes • $ 7.1 million for fire company equipment maintenance,
and community organizations that were not included in and a rise in lottery and gambling income. training, and operation;
last year’s legislation, according to Scott Goss, commu- Rep. Bill Carson, D-Smyrna, who serves as co-chair • $431,348 for veterans organizations
nications director for the Senate Democratic Caucus. of the Joint Finance Committee, celebrated the passage Carney is expected to quickly sign the legislation.
The state’s surprisingly flush finances made the of the bill.
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 15Photo Credit: J&J Photography Food & Dining Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 16
Food & Dining
PIZZA & SUSHI: PIZZERIA MAKI
MARRIES TWO TAKEOUT
FAVORITES UNDER ONE ROOF
BY PAM GEORGE
Many foods complement each other. Take, for instance, Meanwhile, the demand for takeout sushi also increased
peanut butter and jelly, burrata and tomatoes or chocolate during 2020, according to The Wall Street Journal. In the
and pretzels. last three months of 2020, sushi was the most searched
Most people, however, wouldn’t dream of pairing pizza takeout cuisine on restaurant-reservation platform
and sushi. But in Greenville, that’s about to change. Tock Inc.
Pizzeria Maki recently opened in One Greenville Pizzeria Maki offers several kinds of sushi and pizza,
Crossing, which is already home to BBC Tavern & Grill both traditional and pushing the envelope
and the Wine & Spirit Co. of Greenville. The new restaurant Pizzeria Maki is in the space formerly occupied by
is devoted to takeout-and-delivery only, although there Quill’s Bunches, a flower shop. As a result, it underwent
are some seats outside. a total renovation—“right down to the studs,” said general
The restaurant enters the marketplace when consum- manager Matt Hans, a seasoned hospitality veteran.
ers are comfortable with takeout, delivery and the tech- “We redid everything.”
nology that fuels them both. The kitchen has the bulk of the space.
Indeed, in 2020, independent pizza operators on Slice, Open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week,
an online ordering marketplace for pizzerias, doubled Pizzeria Maki specializes in 12-inch pies, many of which
weekly sales from $2,000 to $4,000 on average, according have fanciful flavors.
to a BTIG report.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 17Food & Dining
BALITMORE FOODIE INFLUENCER
HEADING TO WILMINGTON
BY DANIEL LARLHAM JR.
Social media influencer The Rideshare Foodie will be He has has partnered with the Greater Wilmington Depot, but said he wasn’t then able to explore all Delaware
in Wilmington this week on a mission to sample classic Convention and Visitors Bureau as a part of an ongoing had to offer.
and unique Delaware dishes. campaign to invite social media influencers to the area While Jones’ itinerary hasn’t been settled by Visit
From Tuesday through July 6, Kreskin Jones, known with hopes that the experiences shared online will bring Wilmington, he wants to try some of Delaware’s dis-
by his internet alias The Rideshare Foodie will be in in traffic from the surrounding area. tinct dishes, such as The Bobbie, the signature Capriotti’s
Delaware as a part of his U.S. tour designed to open people Jones himself hails from Baltimore, where as an Uber sandwich that’s like Thanksgiving dinner on a bun.
to dining and travel experiences around the country. and Lyft driver he became more attuned to how much Jones also wants to try places cooking something
His most recent trip took him from Alaska and Seattle influence food plays in travel and relationships. Since unique, like the chocolate chili he has seen on one menu.
along a drive to New York, from which he’ll be traveling starting his Rideshare Foodie social media posts, he’s
to Wilmington. gained 17,400 followers on Instagram and 4,000 on Facebook.
“I want to provide a reason for people to get out and The Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors
get more experiences,” Jones said. “I’ve found that the Bureau hopes that fact will encourage more people in
best way to do that is through food.” the region to drive to Wilmington.
One of Jones’s road trip surprises has been how little Wilmington is not virgin territory for Jones. He lived
people knew about the things to do near them, he said. in the area for a time and worked at the Claymont Home
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 18Photo Credit: fauxels from Pexels Business Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 19
He retired in July last year, and they started planning
Business their next move. Once they found the spot, they put
their Carpenter’s Row home on the market and sold in
one day for a cash offer. They rented another spot until
their move.
Among the achievements she’s proudest of Willoughby
cites lobbying to get funding restored in the Grants-in-
FOCUS ON BIDEN INTEREST, Aid bill in 2017 after it was wiped out for all three counties,
meaning she and all her employees would be out of jobs.
HISTORIC NEW CASTLE PART OF “I lived in Dover, basically,” Willoughby said. “And,
you know, I thought that was tough but COVID defi-
NEW TOURISM DIRECTOR’S PLAN nitely was a lot tougher, mentally and physically.”
Pre-pandemic, the bureau had a budget of $1.8 million
and a staff of nine full-time and one part-time workers,
with a contracted accountant. Now the budget is
BY BETSY PRICE
$800,000 and the staff is five and the accountant.
The outdoing executive director of the Greater Wilm- a University of Delaware Blue Hen, plans to tackle that One passion that Willoughby is passing on to Boes is
ington Convention and Visitors Bureau has a parting is through collaboration. the need for signage that directs people to entertainment
wish: That residents of Delaware come to appreciate and “There are a lot of us here in the city working on the venues, historic sites and even hotels and restaurants.
embrace all the things they can see, do and experience shared mission of economic development, because at She remains frustrated that regulations mean there is
in the First State. the end of the day that’s the achievement of bringing in no opportunity for that on I95 as it passes through Del-
Sometimes, said Sarah Ridgway Willoughby, “It seems more tourists,” she said. aware’s biggest city.
like our residents just did not love Wilmington, or New As she works to strengthen the bureau’s brand message, “We have hotel signs at most of the exits, but not going
Castle County, even some parts of Delaware. I think she hopes to help develop a strategic plan that would set into Wilmington,” she said. “Nobody knows there’s a
that’s been my biggest frustration because there’s so the foundation for working together and combining Hotel du Pont. Nobody knows that there are places to
much to offer and it seems like more Wilmingtonians resources with agencies such as the Delaware Prosperity go and do anything in Wilmington, and part of that is
and Delawareans think it’s greener in Philadelphia and Partnership, the State Chamber of Commerce, state all because you’ve got to have the hospital signs, which
greener in Baltimore., D.C., New York, and don’t have tourism office and her counterparts in Kent and Sussex doesn’t leave that much square footage to put more signs
the love and compassion for their own area.” counties. if you really get down to it.”
It’s something she’s worked to change, and a mantle Willoughby, who led the bureau for 12 years and her She’s studied the handbooks regulating the signs and
that her successor, Jennifer Boes, will take up when Wil- husband, Gary, are moving to the Crystal Lake area of can’t find a way around them.
loughby officially left the job Wednesday, June 30. Florida, swapping four seasons of changing weather for
One way Boes, who was born in Georgetown and the eternal summer in the Sunshine State. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
attended Sussex Central High School before becoming
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 20Business
PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURER
COULD BRING 500 NEW JOBS TO
MIDDLETOWN
BY BETSY PRICE
A pharmaceutical company that contracts to develop to come to the First State. The company was approved
and manufacture drugs is building a state-of-the-art to receive grants from the Delaware Strategic Fund by
campus in Middletown that is expected to open in 2024 the state Council on Finance Development.
and have about 500 jobs by 2026. “This is an investment in good jobs that will drive
The campus will be on 190 acres and is now in its initial economic growth in southern New Castle County and
phase, said a Monday press release from WuXi STA and across Delaware,” said Gov. John Carney in the press
the Delaware Prosperity Partnership. release. “This campus will build on our strength in bio-
Ultimately, Wu-Xi STA could expand its campus to pharmaceuticals—and it’s only possible because of
include 1,000 workers. Delaware’s world-class, innovative workforce.”
It will be near Middletown’s one million square-foot The new Wu-Xi STA plant will be its second in the
Amazon fulfillment center, Datwyler Sealing Solutions’ U.S. It now has eight worldwide, including several in
200,000 square-foot Middletown manufacturing plant China. It develops pharmaceuticals and provides man-
and Breakthru Beverage’s new 285,000 square-foot ufacturing solutions for more than 470 partners worldwide,
headquarters. covering small molecules and novel molecular modalities
The press release did not say how much the company such as oligonucleotide, peptide and various complex
plans to spend or what kind of concessions Delaware, conjugates.
New Castle County or Middletown is giving the company CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 21Photo Credit: mentatdgt from Pexels
Education
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 22Education 20 EDUCATORS TO VIE FOR TITLE
OF TEACHER OF THE YEAR
The 2022 District/Charter Teachers of the Year are: • Polytech: Debra Castille-Hall of Polytech High
• Appoquinimink: Amanda Binkley of Odessa High (English)
(engineering and computer science) • Red Clay Consolidated: Matthew Marion of Linden
• Brandywine: Jahsha Tabron of Brandywine High Hill Elementary (music)
(special education) • S eaford: Melissa Pinkerton of Seaford High (English)
• Caesar Rodney: Karine Scott of Simpson • Smyrna: Lauren Mohamed of Sunnyside
Elementary (physical education) Elementary (music)
• Cape Henlopen: Maura Johnson of Shields • Sussex Tech: Stephanie Pegelow of Sussex Technical
Elementary (third grade) High (English)
• Capital: Morgan Jewell of Hartly Elementary • Woodbridge: Kira Wagar of Woodbridge High
(kindergarten) (English)
BY BETSY PRICE
• Charter Network: Diana Magaña of Las Américas
ASPIRA Academy (third grade Spanish immersion)
The 20 Delaware teachers nominated to compete for • Christina: Carla Probst of Downes Elementary
the Delaware Teacher of the Year Award cover kinder- (fourth grade)
garten to high school and special education to engineering. • Colonial: Robert Poore of Southern Elementary
They were chosen by local schools, school districts (physical education)
and charter schools from the state’s 10,000 public school • Delmar: Sonja Warner of Delmar High (mathematics)
teachers because of their ability to inspire students with • Indian River: Haley Mears of East Millsboro
a love of learning, among other things. Elementary (special education)
In October, one will take over the state title from 2021 • Lake Forest: Clarence ‘Clay’ F. Beauchamp II of
Delaware Teacher of the Year Kimberly Stock, an English Lake Forest South Elementary (kindergarten)
language arts and English learner teacher at McKean • Laurel: Jessica Pajda of Laurel High (social studies)
High School in the Red Clay Consolidated School District. • Milford: Sarah Simon of Morris Early Childhood
Stock, whose own inspiring story of adoption under- Center (kindergarten)
lines her determination to help her students, ran for and • New Castle County Vo-Tech: Dustin Craighton of
was elected a member of the Brandywine School Board St. Georges Technical High (science)
in April.
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 23Photo credit: Delaware Division of Public Health - DPH Facebook Health Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 24
Health e B r e a s t Canc
er
r
30
Co
a
aw
Celebrates
alit
De l
ion
years
of service
COVID NUMBERS SKITTER
AROUND AS VACCINATIONS RISE
The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition (DBCC) has been connecting
and supporting breast cancer survivors, and their families in
communities across Delaware for over 30 years!
TO 69.4% OF ELIGIBLE DBCC offers breast cancer survivors a variety of resources including:
financial aid, personalized support, health programs, activities, and
events with other breast cancer survivors to foster healing and recovery.
BY BETSY PRICE
Delaware’s average of new positive cases dropped to Vaccinations
20.6%, a full 10 percentage points down from last week, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data
as the number of vaccinated people creeped closer to shows 69.4% of Delawareans have received at least one
President Biden’s goal of 70% of those eligible for shots. dose of the vaccine. It still leaves thousands to make
The Delaware Division of Public Health also said Biden’s Fourth of July goal. The Delaware Breast Cancer
Friday that 13 deaths were reported last week, 11 of As of Friday morning, 990,742 doses of vaccine had As I sit here today in the
Infusion Dept. hooked up Your outreach is
Coalition helped me with
gift cards for food, clothes for
to an IV for Cycle 6 of
them from a review of vital statistic records. So far, 1,693 been administered in Delaware. Among Delawareans chemo, I cannot find the
amazing and
impactful. Thank
my daughters, a cellphone to
keep in contact with all of my
words to express the you for bringing
Delawareans have died from the virus. 12+, 501,422 have received at least one dose and 432,948 relief and gratitude I feel
knowing I don’t have to
your energy and
doctors, I was blessed to also
receive Thanksgiving meals
your passion about and a beautiful fruit basket.
In its weekly summary of case information, the state Delawareans are fully vaccinated. worry about how the
mortgage and other
breast cancer
awareness to our They also helped me with
resources to help pay my bills.
said 109,636 cases of COVID-19 have been diagnosed DE Wins! bills we discussed
will be paid for.
organization. The amount of support they
give me is unlimited.
among Delaware residents and the seven-day average of Next week is the final week of the DE Wins! vaccine
tests that were positive rose slightly to 1.1%. There were incentive program weekly drawings. Twelve total winners
23 people hospitalized because of the virus, down four will be drawn. To learn more, volunteer, or to donate to
support DBCC's work in our communities visit: debreastcancer.org
from last week, with six in critical condition. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 25Health
CARNEY ENDS WEEKLY PRESS
CONFERENCES ABOUT COVID-19
BY DANIEL LARLHAM JR.
In Gov. John Carney’s last weekly COVID-19 press Factors that could affect that included disruption in
briefing, state officials announced that the average life health care, disruption in disease management and the
expectancy has gone down because of the virus and that inability to access behavioral health services because of
pharmacies have been doing a larger part of vaccination the pandemic.
over the last month. The best way to improve life expectancy right now,
Carney said last week that with a rising number of Rattay said, is to get fully vaccinated. In Delaware, where the state randomly tests positive
vaccinations and declining number of cases, and with A.J. Schall Jr. director of Delaware Emergency Man- cases to see which variant it is, the state has only identified
his emergency order expiring in July, it was time to end agement, revealed that pharmacies have been doing a 13 cases in 3,100 tests. The most common variant has been
the weekly briefings. much higher number of vaccinations compared to the the Alpha variant from the United Kingdom at 933 cases.
He said Wednesday the state needs about 1,500 more state during the last month. Last week the state sequences 62 cases of coronavirus,
people to reach President Joe Biden’s goal of vaccinating In the last week, 71% of vaccinations given have been 42% came back positive for some form of variant.
70% of its population. The Centers for Disease Control and through pharmacies while the state did 8% of the Rattay said that the best way to protect oneself from
Prevention said Monday that 69.8% of all Delawareans ages vaccinations through 90 smaller vaccination events the variants is to become fully vaccinated, as individuals
18 and older have received at least one dose of vaccine. across the First State. with only one dose are still susceptible to the Delta variant.
During the briefing, Dr. Karyl Rattay, director of the Schall said demand for the vaccine has dropped As of Tuesday, the state is currently seeing 19 new cas-
Delaware Division of Public health, pointed out that significantly from its peak a few months ago. He also said es per day and a 1% positive test rate. State stats show
nationwide, life expectancy has dropped by almost two pharmacies are recognized by the public as a provider 1,036,548 doses of vaccine have been given and 485,432
years, largely because of the virus. Average life expec- of vaccines, especially when it comes to flu. Delawareans have been fully vaccinated.
tancy went from 78.7 in 2018 to 76.9 in 2020, the most Rattay said the Delta variant of COVID-19, which has
significant drop since the World War II. revved up in several states with large unvaccinated
The decline was worse in minority communities. In populations, hasn’t taken root in Delaware so far. Health
Black communities the average life expectancy went officials say it is more infectious and more dangerous.
down 3.25 years while in Latino communities it dropped Los Angeles has asked those vaccinated to return to
by 3.88 years. wearing masks because of fears of it spreading.
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 26Sports Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 27
Sports
BONES HYLAND REPS DELAWARE
PROUD AT NBA COMBINE
一漀琀栀椀渀最 戀爀椀渀最猀 愀
BY PATRICK GARYANTES
昀愀洀椀氀礀 琀漀最攀琀栀攀爀
氀椀欀攀 愀 最漀漀搀 洀攀愀氀⸀
While NBA fans got themselves ready for the Conference for tweets from some of them!
Finals this week, most of Delaware and fans of lottery One NBA scout on Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland at the
bound teams turned their attention to the NBA Draft combine:
Combine. The six-day event started Monday, June 21 • “This kid just played his way into the first-round
䘀愀洀椀氀礀ⴀ漀眀渀攀搀 ☀ 漀瀀攀爀愀琀攀搀 昀漀爀
and ran through Sunday June 27, in Chicago. and he is not done yet…he could be the biggest
The story of the week has been Delaware’s own Nah’Shon riser in this year’s draft class.” #NBA #NBADraft 洀漀爀攀 琀栀愀渀 ㈀㔀 礀攀愀爀猀Ⰰ
“Bizzy Bones” Hyland and his tremendous performance #NBADraftCombine — Brett Siegel (@BrettSiegel- 䬀攀渀渀礀 䘀愀洀椀氀礀 匀栀漀瀀刀椀琀攀猀
during drills and scrimmages. NBA) June 24, 2021
The national hype train started up Thursday after- • VCU’s Bones Hyland is showing out in the first
漀昀 䐀攀氀愀眀愀爀攀
noon when Bones lit up scrimmage #1 at the Combine. NBA Draft Combine scrimmage of the day, which 愀爀攀 栀漀渀漀爀攀搀 琀漀 瀀爀漀瘀椀搀攀 漀甀爀
He scored 17 points, pulled down 6 boards, and dished is a continuation of the last month. He’s had a tre- 挀漀洀洀甀渀椀琀椀攀猀 眀椀琀栀 琀栀攀 昀漀漀搀 琀栀愀琀
out 4 assists. Those numbers were the most impressive mendous pre-draft process so far.
out of any of the other prospects in either scrimmage Was told Hyland was the best player on the floor at
戀爀椀渀最猀 礀漀甀爀 昀愀洀椀氀礀 琀漀最攀琀栀攀爀⸀
The performance put Bones in the “riser” category his workout with the Celtics last week.
according to multiple national draft experts. See below
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
Town Square LIVE @TownSquareLive TownSquareLive.com 28Sports SALLIES, UD STAR HINTON BACK FOR
SECOND STINT FOR BLUE ROCKS
BY PATRICK GARYANTES
The list of Delaware high school stars in Major and Batters only hit .189 and he flashed a nice 1.27 WHIP
Minor League Baseball increased last week when former (baserunners per innings pitched). That performance
Salesianum and University of Delaware star Kyle Hinton got Hinton promoted to Wilmington by the end of his
signed with the Washington Nationals. draft year.
Hinton, a former 16th round pick for the Kansas City In 2019, the right-handed hurler saw his first full season
Royals in the 2018 MLB Draft, returned to his hometown in professional baseball for the Lexington Legends,
Wilmington Blue Rocks last week. single-A affiliate of the Royals. Hinton pitched 58 innings
“I grew up going to a lot of Blue Rocks games,” he said. of relief over 36 appearances.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be with the Blue Once again, batters struggled to put hits together off
Rocks with two different organizations.” the righty, posting only a .185 batting average against.
After recording a 3.28 career ERA in his first two Hinton struck out 60 batters opposed to only letting up
professional seasons, over 90.2 innings, Hinton, much 38 hits. He did suffer from some shoddy defense, as he
like a ton of minor leaguers, was left off an affiliated allowed 12 unearned runs throughout the year.
roster in 2020 due to the restrictions of the COVID-19 Hinton appeared in his first game this week for the
pandemic. Blue Rocks, allowing four runs in 0.2 innings. However,
This year, he found early season success with the Hinton and the Blue Rocks will look to bounce back
Southern Illinois Miners, a member of the Frontier League. this week at Hudson Valley.
While with the Miners, Hinton struck out 17 batters, “It’s awesome getting to come back home and play in
with a 1.86 ERA over 9.2 innings in 8 appearances. front of family and friends especially now because my
Clearly the stuff is still present post-pandemic and the wife is pregnant,” he said. “So I get to be home with her
Nationals struck a deal with Hinton. through that.”
Looking a little deeper into Hinton’s two-year stint in The Blue Rocks were at Hudson Valley for the remainder
the Royals farm system, Hinton shows potential as a of the week, and returned home this week. This week
nice back end of the bullpen prospect. In 2018, he struck they opened a home series against the Rome Braves.
out 46 batters over 30.2 innings and saved six ball games
in seven opportunities while in rookie ball. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE!
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