State of Delaware
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Ceremony honors memories of doomed Challenger crew
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- crying. Hundreds gathered at NASA's "Geez. You never expected it launch site Friday to mark to happen. We never expect the 25th anniversary of the these kinds of things to Challenger disaster, happen, I guess," she said, receiving words of hope from clutching a red rose. the widow of the space Her husband recalled, after shuttle's commander. the initial shock, feeling so The chilly outdoor ceremony badly for McAuliffe's family, drew space agency managers, all present at the launch: former astronauts, past and her husband, two children and present launch directors, her parents. "All I could do family and friends of the was say a prayer for the fallen crew -- and family. And that's what they schoolchildren who weren't should do today, say a prayer yet born when the space for the families." shuttle carrying a high (2 of 2) school teacher from Concord, The Cassidys, wintering in N.H., erupted in the sky. Florida, made a point to be The accident on Jan. 28, 1986 at the ceremony. -- just 73 seconds into So did Peggy Shecket, who flight -- killed all seven on traveled from Cleveland. Her board, including dear friend Judith Resnik was schoolteacher Christa aboard Challenger that McAuliffe. morning. The two women lived June Scobee Rodgers, the different lives back then. widow of Challenger's Shecket was a suburban Ohio commander, Dick Scobee, urged mom with two sons. Resnik had the crowd to "boldly look to become the second American the future," not only in woman in space. But their space travel, but in space bond was strong: Resnik and science education. She invited Shecket to the launch, was instrumental in and she went. establishing the Challenger A photo she took an instant Center for Space Science before the shuttle exploded Education. hangs on her family room wall. "The entire world knew how "I miss her terribly," the Challenger crew died," Shecket said. "At this age, she said. "We wanted the in our 60s, we could have world to know how they lived gone to ladies' weekends and for what they were together. She probably would risking their lives." have had time that she didn't Rodgers and NASA's space have 25 years ago because she operations chief, Bill was so busy." Gerstenmaier, placed a The crew included commander memorial wreath of red, white Scobee; co-pilot Michael and blue-tinted carnations at Smith; Ellison Onizuka, the the base of the Space Mirror first Asian-American in Memorial. The 42-foot-tall space; Resnik; Ronald McNair, gleaming mirrored slab of the second black in space; granite bears the names of McAuliffe; and Gregory Jarvis. all 24 astronauts killed in At the high school in Concord the line of duty over the where McAuliffe taught, years -- 17 of those in U.S. special assemblies were held spacecraft. Friday in her honor. Dennis and Pat Cassidy of Observances also took place Franklin, N.H., blinked back at Challenger Learning tears as Rodgers spoke. Pat Centers across the country. Cassidy recalled the joy she This anniversary comes as felt when McAuliffe was named NASA is winding down the NASA's teacher in space -- shuttle program. The fleet she was so excited, she will be retired after three screamed. When Challenger was more flights this year to the lost, she couldn't stop International Space Station.
Tags: Ceremony, Challenger, crew, doomed, honors, memories
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Delaware budget: Gov. Jack Markell spreads cuts around
Gov. Jack Markell proposed a About 3,500 single adults $3.4 billion budget Thursday receive checks of about $94 a that would close a $216.4 month through the welfare million budget shortfall with program, according to DHSS. spending cuts, efficiencies, The governor cut the program one-time revenue sources and because of a concern that it the first layoffs of his wasn't addressing the root administration. causes of the recipients' Markell's proposed 2012 poverty, Landgraf said. fiscal year budget books $8.2 "I couldn't evaluate what million in savings for cost type of return we got for containment in Medicaid and that investment," Landgraf state worker fringe benefits, said. but doesn't say how those As an alternative, Markell cuts will be achieved. proposed keeping $1.5 million "It looks to me to be very of the general assistance philosophical," said Rep. program intact for DHSS to Ruth Briggs King, R- hire a contractor to connect Georgetown, of the proposed recipients with existing cuts. "But I just don't see social services, Landgraf the substance telling us how said. this is going to be (3 of 3) accomplished." McDowell, whose committee Briggs King is one of 12 will decide the fate of the lawmakers who will begin proposed cut, said he was dissecting Markell's budget "concerned" about gutting the on Monday, when the Joint cash assistance. Finance Committee opens six "It makes me nervous because weeks of public hearings. I do know a lot of people out Lawmakers have until June 30 there, but for that help, to send Markell a balanced would be in dire straits," budget. McDowell said. The Democratic governor said As part of the $100 million the budget can be balanced in cuts, Markell's proposal with no additional taxes. eliminates the state's entire But to do so, Markell share of the farmland and proposed slashing spending by open-space preservation $100.6 million, with the programs, totalling $20 deepest cuts coming to million. farmland preservation, McDowell, D-Wilmington North, school bus transportation, said he is against higher education and health eliminating those programs. and social services. "If that's a one-year "It's a pretty austere budget, suspension, that's one thing, " said Sen. Harris McDowell, " McDowell said. "Maybe it the new Democratic co- might be better to spread the chairman of the budget- cut over two or three years. writing JFC. Sometimes when you go to zero Markell called the reductions like that, you lose an awful "painful cuts, but necessary lot of infrastructure and cuts." support systems that are hard "This is a difficult but to recover." financially responsible Markell proposed eliminating budget," Markell said. the Board of Parole and Markell said the reductions consolidating its function were necessary to counter into the Department of $106.9 million in increased Correction to save $529,000. costs for Medicaid, the The same proposal went health insurance program for nowhere in the Legislature 194,000 Delawareans who are last year. poor, disabled or living in Markell also wants to make nursing homes. school districts use local Even with cuts, the tax dollars to cover 10 Department of Health and percent of transportation Social Services budget would costs. Currently, the state increase $62.6 million to covers the entire cost of handle additional demand. transporting students to Markell has called on the school. Markell's budget General Assembly to rein in would cut school bus funding employee health insurance and by $7.13 million for the pension costs and the state's 19 school districts. ballooning cost of Medicaid, Charter schools would see which is largely free to their bus funding drop by recipients. $500,000. "We've got to focus in a On the classroom end, Markell serious way on some of these proposes spending an extra $6. costs which are growing so 7 million to hire 100 new quickly, including Medicaid, teachers to handle growth. including taxpayer His plan calls for an contributions for pensions," additional $2.1 million to Markell said. implement full-day (2 of 3) kindergarten in the Christina Markell's budget contains no and Milford school districts specific plan for controlling and $7.5 million for Medicaid costs, yet budgets contractual salary step $5 million in savings. increases for teachers and Some changes, such as adding paraprofessionals. co-pays or limiting coverage, The budget contains no across- could take a year to the-board pay raises for implement and necessitate state workers. Last year, approval from the federal lawmakers restored a 2.5 government, providing little percent pay cut state workers short-term budget relief, took in 2009. said DHSS Secretary Rita The University of Delaware, Landgraf. Delaware State University and Markell has said he wants Delaware Technical & lawmakers to pass reforms to Community College would share state employee health a $6.52 million reduction in insurance and pensions that their annual appropriations. save $100 million over the Under the governor's budget, next five years. Yet his the Bond Bill would increase proposed budget banks on only from $389.7 million to $420.5 $3.2 million of savings in million for capital the first year. improvement and "It doesn't really hit the transportation projects. Richter scale," said House Markell used $41.5 million in Minority Leader Greg Lavelle, cash that normally goes into R-Sharpley. "The work still the Bond Bill to balance the has to be done. Don't put operating budget. away the shovels." The governor's budget Under Markell's 2012 budget proposal also assumes a $75.8 plan, 55 casual and seasonal million increase in tax workers in DHSS would be laid revenue in 2012 from the off to save $2.34 million. If current fiscal year, approved by lawmakers, it according to the Office of would be the first pink slips Management and Budget. Markell will issue since Unlike 34 other states, becoming governor in 2009. Delaware saved about $82.7 The jobs are largely million in federal stimulus temporary employees in state funds from the current fiscal health facilities who have year to apply to the 2012 been kept on but do not budget, Visalli said. receive benefits, Landgraf Schools districts will get said. $27.4 million of leftover Landgraf said the jobs will stimulus funds, while the be eliminated as the remaining $55.3 million will department moves mentally be mostly eaten up by a rare disabled adults from 27th payday the state has to institutional care at the account for next year, Delaware Psychiatric Center Markell said. to community-based housing, It only happens every 11 which will save more money years, but a 27th biweekly over time. payday will fall within the "We see them as a 2012 fiscal year from July 1 supplemental support, not as to June 30, 2012, adding a a necessity," Landgraf said. $54.8 million expense to the The governor followed the budget, Visalli said. recommendation of DHSS and "Last year, we balanced the proposed cutting $3 million budget with the money we had, in cash assistance for adults not the money we hoped for," who are unemployable, Markell said. destitute and often homeless.
Tags: around, budget, cuts, Delaware, Jack, Markell, spreads
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Delaware roads: Pedestrian dies after being struck by plow
Denise McFadden, an avid that Griner be tested for runner whose name appears in drugs and alcohol, but the results of dozens of area Williams said he has no races, died Thursday morning information that any when a snowplow hit her as impairment is suspected. she walked along Washington McFadden's family declined to Street Extension near Penny speak publicly of the tragedy Hill, about a mile from her Thursday. home. Williams said DelDOT workers McFadden, 51, was walking statewide were affected by toward Philadelphia Pike at the accident, which he said about 6:30 a.m. -- before the was the first injury or sun was up -- when a Delaware fatality caused by a plow in Department of Transportation his 13 years with the plow driven by 37-year-old department. Shawn Griner of Wilmington (2 of 2) struck her, state police said. "It's such an unfortunate and She was pronounced dead at sad thing, not just for the the scene. victim but for a staff person About a foot of snow had that does that kind of work," fallen on New Castle County he said. "It's the one thing on Wednesday and early you hope never has to happen." Thursday, and Griner was Four people were injured among the army of plow later Thursday when a car drivers trying to clear the slid into a DelDOT dump truck roads. on the shoulder of slush- Police said Griner, an covered Del. 1 near St. equipment operator for DelDOT Georges, police said. since January 2005, had been The incident happened about plowing the northbound lanes 10:25 a.m., when Khak Chiev, of Philadelphia Pike and had 34, of Port Penn, was driving turned left onto Washington a 2001 Nissan Xterra north in Street Extension to make a U- the right lane. As he turn and clear the southbound approached the Biddles Corner lanes of Philadelphia Pike. toll plaza, he applied his He turned the six-wheel 1988 brakes but skidded into a Ford truck and its angled 1999 Sterling dump truck that plow at the first break in had pulled onto the shoulder. the median -- just across Chiev and three passengers in from Delaware State Police his car were taken to Troop 1 -- and the truck hit Christiana Hospital with McFadden, police said. injuries that were not life- The road was closed from threatening, police said. The Philadelphia Pike to Mount driver of the dump truck, Pleasant High School as Stephanie Burris, 53, of police investigated. The Dover, was not injured. The crash remains under crash remains under investigation, said police investigation. Master Cpl. Jeff Hale. New Jersey and Maryland Darkness may have been a police both reported plow- factor, Hale said, because related fatalities Thursday. there are no streetlights in Police in Trenton, N.J., said the area. The sun did not 47-year-old Quirino Azcona rise Thursday until 7:14 a.m. fell into a snowbank just Griner had come off a four- before 12:30 a.m. and was hour rest period at 4 a.m., killed by a plow that came said DelDOT spokesman Mike through minutes later. And Williams. He was plowing police in Anne Arundel County, alone and not as part of a Md., said a longtime Johns plow train, he said. Hopkins University fencing Griner now is on leave, coach was killed when he was Williams said, and will hit by a snowplow-equipped remain on leave until he is pickup truck at about 2:36 a. ready to return to work. The m. in Pasadena. The truck leave is not mandatory, didn't stop after striking Williams said. Federal law Richard Oles, 77, police said. and DelDOT policy require
Tags: after, Being, Delaware, dies, Pedestrian, plow, roads, struck
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AG Beau Biden launches probe into abortion doctor’s work in Delaware
WILMINGTON -- Delaware to the bottom of it." Attorney General Beau Biden (2 of 2) said Thursday his office has Last week, Gosnell, 69, was launched a "wide-ranging" arrested and charged with investigation of abortion murder in the deaths of seven doctor Kermit Gosnell -- who infants who had allegedly is facing murder charges in been delivered alive at Philadelphia -- to see if he Gosnell's Women's Medical broke any state laws or Society clinic and were regulations when he was killed by Gosnell or a working at the Atlantic staffer with scissors. Women's Medical Services Philadelphia prosecutors also clinic in Wilmington. charged Gosnell and two "Like most of us, I'm clinic staffers with ties to disturbed by the allegations Delaware in the 2009 death of that were handed up by the a patient who court papers grand jury in Philadelphia," allege was over-sedated and said Biden, referring to a died following an abortion at 261-page report released last Gosnell's clinic. week by Philadelphia District Calls to Atlantic Women's Attorney Seth Williams. Medical Services -- which Biden said his office and appeared closed Thursday Delaware regulators have met because of the snow -- have with Philadelphia prosecutors been referred to Philadelphia to determine if there were attorney Nino V. Tinari, who any criminal acts or has been unavailable for regulatory infractions comment since last week. committed by Gosnell, or Because Gosnell has been those associated with him, in charged with the murder of Delaware. "Baby Boy A," a child "It is under way and has been delivered by a woman who under way," Biden said, first consulted with Gosnell adding the probe dates back at the Delaware clinic, there to at least March 2010, when could be a charge of Gosnell's license to practice accessory to murder, Haley medicine in Delaware was said. suspended in the wake of a According to the grand jury raid on his West Philadelphia report, in 2008, a teenager's clinic. great aunt paid Gosnell $2, Gosnell worked at Atlantic at 500 in cash at Atlantic for a least one day a week for late-term abortion that could years, likely right up until not be performed in Delaware. his license was suspended, Gosnell started the abortion according to the report and by administering labor- Philadelphia prosecutors. inducing drugs at Atlantic Biden's comments came with instructions the following a news conference teenager be taken to the Thursday by Delaware Right to Philadelphia clinic the next Life outside Atlantic Women's day to complete the procedure, Medical Services on Baynard the report says. Boulevard to call for an When Baby Boy A was delivered inquiry. the next day, according to James Haley Jr., a member of the report, he was alive Delaware Right to Life and a until Gosnell slit the boy's criminal defense attorney, spinal cord. said there is "probable The report indicated the cause" in the Philadelphia child was likely too far grand jury report to launch a along for a late-term criminal inquiry in Delaware. abortion under Pennsylvania Delaware Right to Life law. In Delaware, late-term President Nicole Collins abortions are illegal after called on state regulators to 20 weeks. In Pennsylvania, make sure Atlantic and the the cutoff is 24 weeks. state's other two abortion Haley noted the grand jury clinics are meeting safety report claims Gosnell and sanitation standards. defrauded the Delaware Pro- She said she was pleased Choice Medical Fund, an state prosecutors are looking organization that provides into the situation. financial assistance to women "I'm very, very glad to hear seeking abortions in Delaware. they are moving forward and According to the report, they are investigating," she Gosnell would routinely have said. his staff change the Biden declined to say addresses of Philadelphia directly if the investigation patients to indicate they is scrutinizing practices at lived in Delaware and were Atlantic but said his office eligible to have their is "looking at a range of abortions paid for by the issues." Biden said people in fund. his office are concerned by Officials with the fund could things related to Delaware in not be reached for comment the Philadelphia grand jury Thursday. report, "and we want to get
Tags: abortion, Beau, Biden, Delaware, Doctor, Into, launches, probe, work
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Delaware PAL seeks money to pay power bill
The two Police Athletic said. "The county is our main League centers in New Castle tenant and we have a long- County owe $100,000 to term lease with them with no Delmarva Power and have asked escalation clauses for the county for a cash advance inflation. For us to keep to be able to keep the lights going, they have to pay us on and the gymnasiums warm. more or use it less." Officials from PAL and county The parties are currently 10 Executive Paul Clark's years into 40-year leases for administration said the money the sites, acting county is simply an advance on rent Attorney Gregg Wilson said. payments due to PAL from the The county pays about $12,000 county. But Councilman Bob a month for the Hockessin Weiner said the proposal center and about $10,200 a would be an inappropriate month for Garfield Park. That bailout of what he thinks is represents about 34 percent a failing organization. of PAL's income, Riggs said. "The board is like an old- The county uses the boys club that has facilities for a variety of demonstrated an inability to recreational and educational raise money from other programs for children, adults sources and become a and senior citizens. successful ongoing concern," (2 of 2) Weiner said. "Whenever they PAL's request to renegotiate get into trouble, they simply the leases won't be expect the county to ride in considered until Wasserbach like a white knight and come completes his financial to the rescue." review of the centers, Wilson Clark's aides and those on said. the council who support If Wasserbach finds the making the payment to PAL centers have performed poorly, agree with Weiner on one Weiner would like the county thing: the decision on to consider going to Chancery whether to cut the check Court for temporary control should not be made until of the sites until a new county Auditor Rob Wasserbach board of directors could be completes a review of a draft installed. audit PAL commissioned about Wilson and council members its own overall financial Penrose Hollins, Jea Street status. and George Smiley said Wasserbach said his work will Weiner's suggestions are be completed next month. premature. They also are The overdue bill to Delmarva concerned that Weiner could illustrates the tension that be giving the centers a bad has existed between county reputation when it's not and PAL officials for a warranted. couple of years. "There's nothing in the The county has financial record to reflect that problems of its own and anything wrong has been doesn't want to give the PAL taking place in the running centers -- one in Hockessin of the PAL centers," Street and one in Garfield Park -- said. any more than it has to. But PAL board Chairman Vince PAL officials say there are D'Anna said he's optimistic a only two options for the compromise will be reached. centers to continue to "We need money from the operate. The county must give county and the county needs the centers more money, or to use our space for their use the facilities less programs," he said. "A few frequently, so the centers years ago, we got almost no could be rented out to other sympathy from the county. But groups that would pay more to things have been better use the facilities, PAL recently and I think the Executive Director Jim Riggs government understands that said. we need increased rent or "Nonprofits like us are decreased utilization by the hurting everywhere," Riggs county."
Tags: bill, Delaware, money, power, seeks
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Delaware drug law legislation clears House panel
DOVER -- Legislation that Although the bill would undo would rewrite Delaware's drug some minimum-mandatory laws, do away with some sentences, some offenses minimum-mandatory sentences, would carry a two-year but stiffen other penalties, minimum but a ceiling of 25 passed a key hurdle Wednesday. years. That would give judges The House Judiciary Committee the flexibility to fashion voted unanimously to release sentences that fit the crime House Bill 19 for action by and the individual. the full House. Its sponsor, "It treats users and dealers Rep. Melanie George, said she differently," said Public will seek to have the House Defender Brendan O'Neill. act on the bill today -- the "It's appropriate that last session day before the dealers should be treated six-week Joint Finance more harshly than users, and Committee break. the bill accomplishes that," George, D-Bear, said she he said. believes there are sufficient (2 of 2) House votes to pass the bill - The bill also would ease - but a vote today could driver's license suspensions hinge on road conditions. for drug offenses from two House Speaker Robert F. years to six months, the Gilligan said he planned on minimum required to qualify speaking with other officials for federal highway funds. around 5 a.m. this morning to Suspensions make it difficult determine whether he will for probationers to hold down cancel the session. jobs. George's bill would repeal Passage of the legislation what Deputy Attorney General would cap a long effort to Richard Andrews, who helped get rid of minimum-mandatory craft the bill, called a sentences, which tie judges' "patchwork" of drug laws that hands and give great have been enacted over the discretion to prosecutors. years. Over the years the effort "The current law does have morphed into HB 19, which was some fairly draconian the product of two years' sentences," said Andrews, who work by a committee that is in charge of criminal included law enforcement, the prosecutions in the state. Attorney General's Office, Andrews called the current the Public Defender's Office system "a rather blunt and Stand Up for What's Right instrument for society to and Just, a reform group. decide who should go to An indication of the bill's prison for how long." prospects came during The bill would replace the Wednesday's committee hearing, current statutes with three when Rep. John L. "Larry" main crimes: drug dealing, Mitchell, D-Elsmere and a aggravated possession and retired police officer, voted possession. for it. The three crimes would have Mitchell, who serves as chief multiple levels of severity, of public safety for Delaware depending on aggravating Technical & Community College, factors such as resisting opposed last year's version. arrest or possessing a He supports this bill. certain threshold weight of Not only is law enforcement drugs. There would be five on board, but so is the drug-weight tiers, with the Senate leadership. Senate lowest weights carrying the President Pro Tem Anthony least severe penalties. DeLuca and Majority Leader Simple possession of small Patricia Blevins are co- amounts for personal use sponsors. would be a misdemeanor.
Tags: clears, Delaware, drug, House, legislation, panel
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Delaware lawmakers hear case for medical marijuana
DOVER -- For years, talk show want to use marijuana legally host Montel Williams has to ease their pain. advocated the legalization of "When you see the pain that medical marijuana, which he these folks are going through uses to manage the every single day, day in and debilitating pain of multiple day out, and you know that sclerosis. there's an opportunity for On Tuesday, Williams appeared them to feel just a little in Legislative Hall to bit better, I can't sit back endorse legislation that and not allow us to try," would legalize medical Keeley said. marijuana in Delaware, while In states where it is legal, keeping it more closely medical marijuana is regulated than other states. prescribed to treat nausea His visit corresponded with and vomiting from the introduction of Senate chemotherapy for cancer, Bill 17, which would make it according to the National legal for patients with a Cancer Institute. Evidence state license and doctor's suggests it can help reduce prescription to possess up to the harmful effects of 6 ounces of marijuana for glaucoma. medicinal purposes. Sen. Liane Sorenson, R- Williams urged lawmakers to Hockessin, said she's co- put aside the decades-long sponsoring the bill because debate about decriminalizing she saw nearly 15 years ago possessing, smoking and how a constituent from a distributing marijuana and socially conservative focus on the documented household coped with cancer medical uses of the drug. treatments by smoking "Let's take the patients off marijuana. the battlefield," Williams (3 of 3) told the full House. "They're "She said she tried all kinds not the problem. They're not of things and this was the the criminals." only thing that gave her an Senate Majority Whip Margaret appetite, got rid of the Rose Henry's legislation -- nausea," Sorenson said. "It named the Delaware Medical got stuck in my mind to keep Marijuana Act -- would allow an open mind about the whole physicians to issue thing." prescriptions to patients On Monday, Williams was in with a state-issued Annapolis advocating for identification card to passage of a proposed medical purchase marijuana from a not- marijuana law in Maryland. for-profit dispensary in each The 54-year-old Baltimore county. native was diagnosed with Marijuana prescriptions would multiple sclerosis in 1999. be limited to people 21 years He became a vocal proponent or older who have HIV/AIDS, of marijuana legalization cancer, glaucoma or a chronic after getting busted for and debilitating disease. The possession of drug bill would let patients paraphernalia in Detroit in designate a caregiver to pick 2003. On Jan. 4, Williams up their medicine from a paid a $484 fine after dispensary or "compassion getting caught with a pipe center," which could only commonly used to smoke dispense three ounces to each marijuana at a security patient every 14 days. checkpoint at an airport in The proposed law would not Milwaukee. allow marijuana to be grown A resident of New York, at the home of a patient or Williams said he has three caregiver. Eleven states cards authorizing purchase of currently allow home medical marijuana in cultivation, according to the California, where he has Marijuana Policy Project, a businesses. Asked by The News Washington, D.C.-based Journal how he obtains advocacy group. marijuana outside of With cannabis now legal for California, Williams invoked medicinal purposes in 15 his Fifth Amendment right states and the District of against self-incrimination. Columbia, Williams said, his "I don't want to set myself celebrity lobbying "has been up to get arrested." hijacked" by opportunists Williams said medical looking to turn marijuana marijuana is not restricted into a cash crop. Many states, to a leafy substance that's including New Jersey, are smoked. It can be distributed wrestling with how to control to patients in the form of a the sale and distribution of liquid or vapor, added to medical marijuana. food or taken as a pill. (2 of 3) "Nobody's talking about the Williams, who has become the fact that it's not going to de facto spokesman for the be people absolutely sitting medical marijuana movement, around smoking a joint," said he's trying to backtrack Williams told lawmakers to states like New Jersey during a news conference. where medical marijuana has "You just have to start been legalized to get tighter educating the public and let controls on the drug so that them know this. This is it gets to patients who need something that is no it. different than your child's In California, Colorado and nebulizer." other states, Williams said, The dispensaries would be "There is a group of people licensed and inspected by the running some of these state Department of Health dispensaries that really and Social Services, and the could care less about medical marijuana sold would likely marijuana, they just care be subject to taxes, Henry about making money." said. "We're small enough to Wilmington resident Joe be able to do it right," said Scarborough, 47, said he's Henry, D-Wilmington East. managed painful HIV treatment Henry introduced the bill for nearly two decades and last year but it went nowhere cancer for four years in part in the Democratic-controlled with the help of smoking General Assembly. She's more marijuana illegally. "The optimistic of its passage side effect that is most this year. risky from marijuana is the "There's plenty of evidence criminality around it," out there that there's a Scarborough said during a medical need under certain news conference with Williams circumstances," said Sen. and Henry. Bruce Ennis, a Smyrna Scarborough noted the Democrat and retired state proposed law would initially police officer. "From what limit each county to one I've seen, it's a lot better dispensary run by a not-for- bill than she's introduced in profit organization to limit the past." the availability of the drug. Henry, chair of the Senate "All of those pot stores you Health and Social Services hear about in California Committee, said her committee opening on every corner, will hold a hearing on the that's not going to happen medical marijuana legislation here," Scarborough said. when lawmakers return to Felons with convictions for Dover in mid-March. violent or drug crimes would Democratic Sen. Michael Katz, be prohibited from dispensing a doctor from Centreville, medical marijuana. said he wants to see Rep. Helene Keeley, D- scientific evidence that Wilmington West, the main medical marijuana can be House co-sponsor, said many safely used before passing of her constituents suffering judgment on the bill. from chronic illnesses or gut- "I'm not ruling it in, not wrenching cancer treatment ruling it out," he said.
Tags: Case, Delaware, hear, lawmakers, marijuana, medical
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Delaware lawmakers hear case for medical marijuana
DOVER -- For years, talk show want to use marijuana legally host Montel Williams has to ease their pain. advocated the legalization of "When you see the pain that medical marijuana, which he these folks are going through uses to manage the every single day, day in and debilitating pain of multiple day out, and you know that sclerosis. there's an opportunity for On Tuesday, Williams appeared them to feel just a little in Legislative Hall to bit better, I can't sit back endorse legislation that and not allow us to try," would legalize medical Keeley said. marijuana in Delaware, while In states where it is legal, keeping it more closely medical marijuana is regulated than other states. prescribed to treat nausea His visit corresponded with and vomiting from the introduction of Senate chemotherapy for cancer, Bill 17, which would make it according to the National legal for patients with a Cancer Institute. Evidence state license and doctor's suggests it can help reduce prescription to possess up to the harmful effects of 6 ounces of marijuana for glaucoma. medicinal purposes. Sen. Liane Sorenson, R- Williams urged lawmakers to Hockessin, said she's co- put aside the decades-long sponsoring the bill because debate about decriminalizing she saw nearly 15 years ago possessing, smoking and how a constituent from a distributing marijuana and socially conservative focus on the documented household coped with cancer medical uses of the drug. treatments by smoking "Let's take the patients off marijuana. the battlefield," Williams (3 of 3) told the full House. "They're "She said she tried all kinds not the problem. They're not of things and this was the the criminals." only thing that gave her an Senate Majority Whip Margaret appetite, got rid of the Rose Henry's legislation -- nausea," Sorenson said. "It named the Delaware Medical got stuck in my mind to keep Marijuana Act -- would allow an open mind about the whole physicians to issue thing." prescriptions to patients On Monday, Williams was in with a state-issued Annapolis advocating for identification card to passage of a proposed medical purchase marijuana from a not- marijuana law in Maryland. for-profit dispensary in each The 54-year-old Baltimore county. native was diagnosed with Marijuana prescriptions would multiple sclerosis in 1999. be limited to people 21 years He became a vocal proponent or older who have HIV/AIDS, of marijuana legalization cancer, glaucoma or a chronic after getting busted for and debilitating disease. The possession of drug bill would let patients paraphernalia in Detroit in designate a caregiver to pick 2003. On Jan. 4, Williams up their medicine from a paid a $484 fine after dispensary or "compassion getting caught with a pipe center," which could only commonly used to smoke dispense three ounces to each marijuana at a security patient every 14 days. checkpoint at an airport in The proposed law would not Milwaukee. allow marijuana to be grown A resident of New York, at the home of a patient or Williams said he has three caregiver. Eleven states cards authorizing purchase of currently allow home medical marijuana in cultivation, according to the California, where he has Marijuana Policy Project, a businesses. Asked by The News Washington, D.C.-based Journal how he obtains advocacy group. marijuana outside of With cannabis now legal for California, Williams invoked medicinal purposes in 15 his Fifth Amendment right states and the District of against self-incrimination. Columbia, Williams said, his "I don't want to set myself celebrity lobbying "has been up to get arrested." hijacked" by opportunists Williams said medical looking to turn marijuana marijuana is not restricted into a cash crop. Many states, to a leafy substance that's including New Jersey, are smoked. It can be distributed wrestling with how to control to patients in the form of a the sale and distribution of liquid or vapor, added to medical marijuana. food or taken as a pill. (2 of 3) "Nobody's talking about the Williams, who has become the fact that it's not going to de facto spokesman for the be people absolutely sitting medical marijuana movement, around smoking a joint," said he's trying to backtrack Williams told lawmakers to states like New Jersey during a news conference. where medical marijuana has "You just have to start been legalized to get tighter educating the public and let controls on the drug so that them know this. This is it gets to patients who need something that is no it. different than your child's In California, Colorado and nebulizer." other states, Williams said, The dispensaries would be "There is a group of people licensed and inspected by the running some of these state Department of Health dispensaries that really and Social Services, and the could care less about medical marijuana sold would likely marijuana, they just care be subject to taxes, Henry about making money." said. "We're small enough to Wilmington resident Joe be able to do it right," said Scarborough, 47, said he's Henry, D-Wilmington East. managed painful HIV treatment Henry introduced the bill for nearly two decades and last year but it went nowhere cancer for four years in part in the Democratic-controlled with the help of smoking General Assembly. She's more marijuana illegally. "The optimistic of its passage side effect that is most this year. risky from marijuana is the "There's plenty of evidence criminality around it," out there that there's a Scarborough said during a medical need under certain news conference with Williams circumstances," said Sen. and Henry. Bruce Ennis, a Smyrna Scarborough noted the Democrat and retired state proposed law would initially police officer. "From what limit each county to one I've seen, it's a lot better dispensary run by a not-for- bill than she's introduced in profit organization to limit the past." the availability of the drug. Henry, chair of the Senate "All of those pot stores you Health and Social Services hear about in California Committee, said her committee opening on every corner, will hold a hearing on the that's not going to happen medical marijuana legislation here," Scarborough said. when lawmakers return to Felons with convictions for Dover in mid-March. violent or drug crimes would Democratic Sen. Michael Katz, be prohibited from dispensing a doctor from Centreville, medical marijuana. said he wants to see Rep. Helene Keeley, D- scientific evidence that Wilmington West, the main medical marijuana can be House co-sponsor, said many safely used before passing of her constituents suffering judgment on the bill. from chronic illnesses or gut- "I'm not ruling it in, not wrenching cancer treatment ruling it out," he said.
Tags: Case, Delaware, hear, lawmakers, marijuana, medical
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Horror of cop’s death revisited
Sobbing on the witness stand, bringing many in the a Georgetown man told Monday courtroom to tears as it of how he held the dying Chad traced the route Spicer was Spicer in his arms and felt carried by following a trail his life began to drain away. of blood droplets on the road. "He was just trembling, his Spicer's parents, Ruth Ann body was trembling," said and Norman, sat close Udibel Ventura Sanchez, a together, his arm around her former resident of Rosa shoulders. Street, stopping frequently (2 of 2) to wipe his tear-filled eyes Defense attorney Dean Johnson with a white handkerchief. raised questions about how "You could hear he was trying Powell fell off the porch of to breathe, but because of the Savannah Road house where the blood, you could hear he he was arrested. The defense was choking. ... You could team previously argued that tell he was dying. It sounded his statements to police terrible." should be excluded because Ventura's testimony about the Powell had been beaten, aftermath of the fatal kicked, punched and stun- shooting in September 2009 gunned by police officers, was the first in a series of but later withdrew the motion. quavering chins and choked-up In Powell's booking voices during the second day photograph taken after his of the capital murder trial arrest, he had clear marks on of Derrick Powell, accused of his face -- bruises, gunning down the Georgetown scratches, cuts and large red police officer in September splotches on his left 2009. cheekbone and forehead. A string of police officers State Police Cpl. Danielle from around the county Rementer testified that she testified about the chaos and saw Powell fall from the search for suspects that porch area in front of the evening around the Kimmeytown house's main door while he neighborhood, with several was in handcuffs, but having to pause to regain couldn't tell what made him their composure. fall because she was standing Ocean View Police Chief Ken too far away. McLaughlin, who previously "Can you tell me how someone worked with Spicer's partner, can be arrested by that many Shawn Brittingham, choked up policemen and, by himself, as he described how he met fall off the front porch?" Brittingham standing on the Johnson asked. street. "He was distraught, The trial will resume at 9 almost in a daze," McLaughlin this morning in Sussex County said. "He was very emotional - Superior Court with Parker - he gave me a hug at one still on the stand. The trial point in time. He had a lot before Judge T. Henley Graves of blood on his hands." is expected to last at least Sgt. John Tyndall, a member four weeks. of the Georgetown Police Powell has been charged with Department who was off duty first-degree murder in that day, had a catch in his Spicer's death, and second- voice as he recounted getting degree assault in wounding a cell phone page through the Brittingham, as well as fire company -- where he is a burglary, resisting arrest, volunteer -- about a attempted robbery, reckless helicopter landing. endangering and possession of Heading to the fire station, a firearm during a felony. he heard the news over the Powell was taken into custody radio that a police officer a few minutes after the had been shot. "908-3 had shooting. He was found just been shot in the face," holding a 9 mm pistol, a Colt Tyndall said, using Spicer's model 2000 semiautomatic with police identification number. a live round in the chamber The second day of testimony and three in the magazine, a also included the screening state police homicide of a 14-minute crime scene detective testified at video shot by state police Powell's preliminary hearing Detective Rusty Parker, in September 2009.
Tags: Death, Horror, revisited
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DelDOT’s future looking grimmer
Estimated shortfalls in state could understate pressure on road and transit funds DelDOT's programs. Officials deepened Monday in new DelDOT now see shortfalls growing to reports on budget scenarios. $140 million or more by 2016, In one increasingly likely with new calls on state funds case, revenues would fall arriving regularly. about $90 million short of Project at UD As if to need next year alone if underscore that point, the lawmakers decline to again University of Delaware shift unclaimed financial indicated Monday that it assets, or escheats, to the might seek $25 million in Transportation Trust Fund. state aid over several years Gov. Jack Markell is eyeing for transportation-related escheats as a possible source work at a planned research, for a proposed new manufacturing and educational Infrastructure Trust Fund to complex on the site of the support economic development former Chrysler assembly initiatives. plant in Newark. The grim picture emerged on a Although plans remain rough, day when DelDOT Secretary 10,000 to 15,000 people could Carolann Wicks continued work at the complex in coming damage control and a decades. Many would have to management shakeup triggered come and go by train or bus, by revelations about using facilities yet to be questionable and costly budgeted or built. agreements involving "The rail improvements developers and politically [needed] are huge, huge," connected figures in southern Wicks cautioned. "If you look Delaware brought to light in at that plan, it can't a series of News Journal succeed without the rail. stories. There's just not enough road A review ordered by Markell around there. It's got to be recommended the reforms and based on the rail side of the led to the departure last house, and it's a six-figure week of two top managers in problem." DelDOTs planning and real Wicks later said that new estate section. On Monday, Newark transit facilities and Wicks proposed new track work would cost in regulations that would assure excess of $100 million, a more public and legal figure that would support scrutiny for deals on land creation of a major regional secured far ahead of state commuter rail hub -- but one needs. that is not now in any long- The regulatory change would range budget. require independent Lawmakers formed the task appraisals and legal reviews force last year and set a for contracts to keep land March 31 deadline for reports open and undeveloped before on ways to balance the trust- final decisions on right-of- fund budget. Members are way needs. It also would expected to work through a require disclosure of list of alternatives in purchase and reservation coming weeks, ranging from details in contracts signed raising motor fuel taxes, by DelDOT and the property highway tolls and motor owner. vehicle fees to shifting some Wicks also proposed clearer- DelDOT operating expenses cut requirements for review back to the General Fund and budget and increasing fares "Our goal is to make DelDOT's for public transit. real estate policies as Both Wicks and Delaware transparent, consistent, cost Economic Development Office effective and fair as they Director Alan Levin said they can be. These regulations are were caught off guard by the an important part of that university's $25 million need effort," Wicks said in a at the Chrysler site, brought written statement. up during a briefing on Wicks' proposal for new real redevelopment plans. Levin estate regulations on Monday did say that the plan needs followed the recent release transportation improvements of a 53-page report by to support new jobs. Markell's staff focused Other revenues could be found mainly on agreements for the Trust Fund, Levin involving land along a U.S. added, including possible 113 study corridor that led leasing of state assets to to deals that paid developers private businesses. State millions to forgo officials have suggested long- construction on projects term private operation of I- pending a final decision on 95 or Del. 1 in the past. the highway route. Experts "If we could take an asset said the projects could not that we're not maximizing the have been built anyway value of today and possibly because of the recession. lease that and get the (2 of 2) benefit today and build a Later in the day, Wicks told better Delaware, it's a task force studying something we need to look at, Transportation Trust Fund " Levin said, "but that's not revenues that even the latest without its pain and not long-range budget estimates without its controversy."
Tags: DelDOT, future, grimmer, looking
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