Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 5:51pm
Westin Wilmington marks construction milestone
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| WDEL's Amy Cherry has the story. |
50 people gather to mark an important milestone in the construction of the Westin Wilmington Hotel.
WDEL's Amy Cherry reports.
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A lot of rain didn't stop construction crews from "topping out" the new 180 room hotel next to the Chase Center.
Under the Americanized Scandinavian tradition, the final steam beam was placed atop the 10-story hotel.
Mike Hare is with the hotel's developer, Buccini Pollin.
"A hotel, which we hope will be a resting place for business travelers and tourists alike and hopefully one that will drive the multi-day business that the Chase Center so richly deserves," says Hare.
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Mayor Williams was on-hand, calling it a great day, though he didn't support the hotel during his campaign.
"We made the right decision, even though I was against it, but ya know, sometimes you learn, and I support this project 150 percent," says Mayor Williams.
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Guests signed the beam before it was placed atop the environmentally friendly hotel.
"It's symbolic of the notion that together we can accomplish so very much as we have repeatedly here on the Riverfront," says Mike Purzycki, Executive Director of the Riverfront Development Corporation.
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The topping out ceremony isn't a ribbon cutting, but it means the hotel can move forward with adding windows and a roof. The hotel hopes to open next year.
"We have a bigger celebration coming in the Spring of 2014," says Hare.
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The Westin Wilmington hotel boasts a state-of-the-art fitness center, restaurant and bar, and indoor pool.
Copyright © Jun 19, 2013, WDEL/Delmarva Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 7:18pm
Del. House approves gender identity bill
| By Randall Chase, Associated Press |
Updated Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 8:38pm
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| Legislative Hall/WDEL File. | The state House has approved a Senate bill outlawing discrimination against transgender people in Delaware.
The bill was approved on a 24-17 vote Tuesday and now goes back to the Senate for consideration of a House amendment stating gender identity may be demonstrated by "consistent and uniform assertion" of the identity or other evidence that it is part of a person's core identity.
The legislation adds gender identity to the list of protected nondiscrimination categories, including race, age, religion and sexual orientation. It also allows for enhanced penalties under Delaware's hate crimes law for targeting someone based on his or her gender identity.
Bill supporters say transgender people are not protected from discrimination based on sexual orientation because they can be straight or gay.
Opponents say the bill is unnecessary and will lead to disturbances by men in girls' restrooms and locker rooms.
Copyright © Jun 19, 2013, WDEL/Delmarva Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 5:36pm
DSP: Smyrna man abused child for more than a year
Updated Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 10:48pm
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| Michael Connor/Courtesy of Delaware State Police | A Smyrna man is behind bars after state troopers say he sexually abused a six-year-old girl for nearly two years.
State police say 30-year-old Michael Connor abused the girl since July of 2011 at his home on the 1400 block of Paddock Road.
Troopers were alerted to the alleged sexual abuse on June 11 after the child told a relative Connor tried to perform a lewd act while they were alone behind a shut door.
When the girl was interviewed by officers, police say she revealed Connor had been abusing her since July 2011 and he was arrested on Monday.
He's in the Howard Young Correctional Institution on $160,000 cash bail.
Copyright © Jun 19, 2013, WDEL/Delmarva Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 10:58pm
Lee, Michael Young lead Phils over Nationals
Cliff Lee struck out nine in eight impressive innings, Michael Young tied a career high with three doubles and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Washington Nationals 4-2 Tuesday night.
Lee (9-2) allowed two runs and five hits to win his fifth straight decision. The three-time All-Star lefty lowered his ERA to 2.53 and helped the Phillies move into a second-place tie with the defending NL East champion Nationals.
Jayson Werth and Jeff Kobernus hit solo homers for Washington.
Ross Detwiler (2-5) took the loss in a game that started one hour, 10 minutes late because of rain. He allowed four runs and seven hits in six innings.
The Phillies have won two in a row over the Nationals after returning from a 3-7 road trip that left them four games under .500.
Copyright © Jun 19, 2013, WDEL/Delmarva Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 4:30pm
Md. zoo raises funds for Del. intern who was stuck by lightning
Updated Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 9:10pm
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| Haley Embleton/Courtesy of Plumpton Park Zoo's FundRazr web page. | A Cecil County zoo is raising money for an intern from Delaware who was struck by lightning last week.
The Plumpton Park Zoo, which is located in Rising Sun, Md. is running an online fundraiser for Haley Embleton, a 19-year-old Milford resident who is also a University of Delaware student.
The fundraiser's web page says Embleton was hospitalized and in a coma for several days after being struck by lightning while she was working at the zoo last Thursday.
The zoo says it's collecting funds to benefit Embleton as she recovers and to help cover the costs for her books and tuition when she begins her second year at UD this fall.
The zoo is collecting donations for Embleton on a FundRazr web page.
Copyright © Jun 19, 2013, WDEL/Delmarva Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 10:51pm
Attempted sexual assault in Wilmington
Updated Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 10:55pm
Wilmington police are looking for a man who tried to sexually assault a 16-year-old girl in her own home early Tuesday morning.
It happened some time before 5:12 a.m. at a home on the 3300 block of N. Jefferson Street.
Police say the girl was sleeping on her couch but she woke up and saw a man sitting next to her.
The man then tried to sexually assault the teen but police say he fled when she screamed.
Police say the suspect likely entered the home through an unsecured front door and the crime was an isolated incident with a suspect who may be known to the victim.
The suspect is described as being between 20-30 years old, 5 feet inches 11 inches to 6 feet tall.
Anyone with information can call Wilmington Police or CrimeStoppers.
Copyright © Jun 19, 2013, WDEL/Delmarva Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 11:13pm
Troopers seize heroin after investigation
State troopers have arrested a Wilmington man and allegedly seized drugs from his home.
Police say undercover officers supervised the purchase of 258 bags of heroin from Marquis Norwood during two separate transactions in May.
That led to a search Tuesday at his home on the 600 block of South Van Buren Street, where police say they found 494 bags of heroin in the home's dining room.
Two juveniles in the residence were turned over to a relative.
Norwood is in the Howard Young Correctional Institution on $63,000 secured bail.
Copyright © Jun 19, 2013, WDEL/Delmarva Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 10:58pm
Former UD track coach to launch program at DelTech
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| Photo Courtesy: Delaware Tech | Former University of Delaware cross-country and track coach Jim Fischer has been tapped to start a new cross-country program at DelTech-Stanton this fall.
The 2012 inductee into the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame coached at the University of Delaware from 1982 to 2012 before the University steadily dropped their men's running programs in what the school called "Title IX" based cutbacks.
Despite the tough ending in Newark, Fischer says he made the decision because he just loves coaching.
"I just like to work with people. (If) we get people who are committed to wanting to make themselves better runners, have that experience to go with that education, I think things will work themselves out."
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Fischer thinks he'll have the chance to have a solid in-state recruiting base to try to build up the Spirit's first running squad.
"The high school coaches in Delaware have really done a great job at developing athletes and training them well. We've got people who have been successful on the high school level, so if we get some of those kids who want to go to school at DelTech I know we will be successful."
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The Augsburg (Minn.) College alum came to Delaware after serving for two years as the head track and field and assistant football coach at Concordia (Minn.) College for two years, and was inducted into their Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001. He also serves as an adviser to the B+ Foundation and Delaware Special Olympics.
There will be an information meeting July 8th at 6pm at the Stanton Campus' conference center. Interested runners can contact Susan Pacheco at 302-453-3753 or spacheco@dtcc.edu for more information on the program.
Copyright © Jun 19, 2013, WDEL/Delmarva Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 11:29am
Baby falcons doing well on St. Georges Bridge
Two baby peregrine falcons that were hatched on the St. Georges Bridge are doing well after getting a helping hand.
DNREC says the birds had crash-landed twice this month on the bridge's roadway while attempting their first flight.
Quick thinking by citizens who saw and reported the falcons on the deck and roadbed of the bridge – in passing traffic – triggered a fast response from Division of Fish & Wildlife Enforcement agents who rescued the falcons. A raptor biologist soaked the female baby birds in water so they couldn't fly for awhile after he returned them to their perch on the bridge June 12th.
The falcons also survived a strong thunderstorm June 14th and are being helped successfully by their parents.
Copyright © Jun 19, 2013, WDEL/Delmarva Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 4:36pm
Delaware bill encourages overdose reporting
| By Randall Chase, Associated Press |
|
| Legislative Hall/WDEL File | The state Senate has unanimously approved a bill encouraging people to report alcohol and drug overdoses without fear of being prosecuted.
The so-called Good Samaritan bill received unanimous approval in the Senate on Tuesday and now goes to the House.
Under the bill, a person reporting on overdose would be immune from prosecution for certain drug crimes even if he or she has been involved in drug-related activity.
Senators approved the bill only after exempting higher level drug felonies from its immunity protections, a change that critics said seriously weakens the bill and will discourage reporting.
Drug crimes that would be immune from prosecution include illegal possession and delivery of noncontrolled prescription drugs, possession of controlled substances or counterfeit controlled substances, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.
Copyright © Jun 19, 2013, WDEL/Delmarva Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 12:04pm
Appo HS teacher, baseball coach charged with indecent exposure again
An Appoquinimink high school gym teacher and head baseball coach is arrested a second time on charges of indecent exposure.
Police say Charles Word was committing lewd acts in his car while looking at pornography on a laptop at a stoplight at North Harmony and Ogletown Stanton Roads back in early May. A driver alongside Word tells police he was yelling dirty things out his car window.
State Police caught up with Word after finding out he was arrested by Newark Police after he allegedly pulled down his pants on South Chapel Street and asked a woman for directions.
Appo HS placed Word on administrative leave after he was arrested for the first time on May 20th.
Copyright © Jun 19, 2013, WDEL/Delmarva Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 12:27pm
Dogs with rock star names looking for good homes
Updated Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 12:32pm
Three dogs with rock star names are looking for good homes after they were rescued from terrible conditions from a home in Wilmington.
WDEL's Mellany Armstrong reports.
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Fleetwood, Mac and Stevie are doing well after being saved from a horrible place.
"They were found in a basement that was essentially a dungeon for these poor dogs. They were kept in crates. They were all underweight," said Chris Motoyoshi of the Delaware SPCA.
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They also had mange and fleas. Fleetwood didn't even have hair when he was found. The dogs are 2-year-old pit bull-mixes.
"They are all doing fabulous. Despite all they've been through, they are really nice dogs," she said.
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Fleetwood is in a foster home and will be adopted. If you'd like to foster Mac or Stevie, click here.
Copyright © Jun 19, 2013, WDEL/Delmarva Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 11:14am
Man charged with raping teen in Camden-Wyoming
Updated Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 5:14pm
A Camden-Wyoming man is accused of raping a teenager.
The victim, who was 15 at the time of the alleged rapes, tells police 32-year-old Jason Anker babysat her and her siblings on weekends back in 2008 and 2009.
The victim says that's when he began committing lewd acts that became part of an intimate relationship that lasted until she was 17.
Police say a search of Anker's home on the 600 block of Wynn Wood Circle in Camden-Wyoming turned up a plethora of teen pornography
He faces charges of rape in the first-degree and being held on more than a quarter-million-dollars bail.
Copyright © Jun 19, 2013, WDEL/Delmarva Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 10:57am
New program for pregnant teens and dad to catch up on credits
Updated Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 11:14am
Slots are still available in a free summer credit program that helps pregnant teens and teen parents catch up on schoolwork.
Lucy O'Donnell, executive director of the Delaware Adolescent Program Inc., or DAPI, says teen moms and dads can do online classwork on subjects like English, algebra, geometry and history.
"There's been a dire need for pregnant and parenting students to make up credits, because they get behind in their credits, and that's one of the major reasons they drop out of school," she said.
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The teens can earn up to two credits in the 8-week program, and teachers are available on-site at DAPI. Get more information at DAPI.
Copyright © Jun 19, 2013, WDEL/Delmarva Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 10:58am
Wilm PD officer disarms armed teen
A Wilmington Police officer was able to disarm a teen after spotting the suspect acting suspiciously on a city sidewalk.
Police say the officer saw the teen walking quickly behind a woman with his hood covering his face on the 700 block of North Union Street.
The officer followed the teen in his patrol car, watched him go into a store and was waiting when he came out.
The officer questioned the suspect and found that he had a .38 caliber handgun on him.
The teen was taken into custody on weapons possession counts, arraigned, and released to his guardian.
Copyright © Jun 19, 2013, WDEL/Delmarva Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 11:30am
Man shot in leg while standing on Dover corner
A man is shot in the leg in Dover.
It happened early this morning. The 23-year-old man tells police he was standing on the corner of Water Street and New Castle Avenue with a group of friends, when a man in a hooded sweatshirt walked up to him and shot him.
The victim was treated and released from Bay Health Medical Center. Police have no suspects.
Copyright © Jun 19, 2013, WDEL/Delmarva Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 11:33am
Lawyer: Woman buried in Philly collapse lost legs
A woman who survived nearly 13 hours in the rubble of a building collapse that killed six people in Philadelphia has lost both legs at the pelvis.
The woman's attorney tells The Philadelphia Inquire that 52-year-old Mariya Plekan remains hospitalized in serious condition after a brick wall collapsed onto an adjacent thrift store June 5, burying her in debris.
Attorney Andrew Stern says Plekan's lower extremities were crushed. He says she prayed constantly and called for help until firefighters heard her cries and dug her out.
Stern intends to sue.
A demolition subcontractor has been charged with six counts of involuntary manslaughter after police say he was high on marijuana and painkillers while operating heavy equipment just before the collapse.
Copyright © Jun 19, 2013, WDEL/Delmarva Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 6:54am
Police catch suspected burglar on roof of liquor store
A roof doesn't make a good hiding place for a burglar who was trying to break into a liquor store in Wilmington.
Wilmington police say neighbors noticed suspicious activity at BGM liquors at 1035 Lombard Street early Saturday morning.
Police found damage to the front windows from someone who tried to get into the building. They noticed 25-year-old Kendell Gardner of New Castle trying to hide on the roof of the store. The officers ordered him to surrender and took him into custody when he climbed down.
Gardner was arraigned and released on $1,500 secured bond.
Copyright © Jun 19, 2013, WDEL/Delmarva Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 1:41pm
Dover man facing drug charges
A Dover man is free on bail after being arrested on drug charges.
State Police say they capped off a month long investigation Monday night, conducting a search at the Autumn Run Apartments on Webbs Lane.
Police found 6 grams of crack cocaine, 32 Oxycodone pills, $500 in suspected drug money, and other drug paraphernalia.
Jason Robinson, who wasn't home during the search, was arrested without incident when he returned to the apartment a short time later.
Copyright © Jun 19, 2013, WDEL/Delmarva Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 3:27pm
Car burglaries reported in Alapocas
New Castle County Police want to remind you to lock your doors and keep valuables out of sight in your vehicles.
Officers say a number of burglaries from cars took place over the weekend in the Alapocas community and in nearby neighborhoods.
Anyone with any information about the crimes should call County Police.
Copyright © Jun 19, 2013, WDEL/Delmarva Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013 - 11:18am
DE Arts Showcase: Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education
It's an organization designed to help teach the arts, to students and to teachers.
WDEL's Carl Kanefsky has more in your WDEL Delaware Arts Showcase.
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The Delaware Institute for Arts in Education has provided specialized training in the arts for more than 2,000 teachers over the past 20-plus years, all in an effort to bring a greater appreciation for the arts to Delaware's school kids.
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"I think we bring into schools a program in the arts that engages kids, that makes learning fun, that works, I think, on higher thinking skills," says Executive Director Danny Peak.
Peak says the DIAE goes into schools up and down the state in order to enhance arts education. But the key to success is the partnership the group has with existing school staff.
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"We work with teachers to develop lesson plans that get students to actually work with the arts, to actually dabble in the arts, before they actually see these live performances that we bring in," he says.
Danny estimates that more than 65,000 students have taken part, and become able to make a connection between the art work and their worlds.
Copyright © Jun 19, 2013, WDEL/Delmarva Broadcasting Company. All Rights Reserved.
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