Sen. Karen Peterson, 66, announced Tuesday she will not seek re-election. She has pushed for death penalty repeal, a higher minimum wage and criminal justice reform. (Delaware State News/Marc Clery)

DOVER — Sen. Karen Peterson, a Stanton Democrat who has been an outspoken liberal during her 14 years in the Senate, said Tuesday she is not seeking re-election.

She made the announcement at the start of the legislative day, much to the shock of colleagues who were unaware of her plans.

A champion of many liberal causes, Sen. Peterson, 66, has pushed for death penalty repeal, a higher minimum wage and criminal justice reform.

“Karen doesn’t just stand up for what was right, she fights for it,” President Pro Tempore Patricia Blevins, D-Elsmere, said in a statement. “She is among the most articulate, passionate and well-prepared lawmakers that Dover has ever seen and as a result she has moved the needle on so many issues: expanding civil rights, increasing government transparency and protecting children and families.”

Gov. Jack Markell, a Democrat, praised Sen. Peterson in a statement, calling her “an important voice and public servant.”

No one has yet filed to run for the 9th District Senate seat. Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1 in the district.

Sen. Peterson noted that no Republicans have filed in a brief speech on the floor Tuesday, but said she knew it was time to leave.

“The older you get the more you realize that life is short, and there are lots of other things I want to do in life while I’m still able to do them,” she said.

She received a standing ovation after her announcement.

Sen. Peterson said afterward she had been considering retiring for some time. She finally decided recently to “kick back a little and relax.”

“I have a lot of hobbies. I have piles of books to be read that just collect dust because everything I read starts with ‘whereas,’” she joked.

She told her family only hours before she made the official announcement.

While parts of five representative districts reach into the 9th Senate District, none of the five representatives of those localities live in the 9th District and thus cannot run for the seat.

Sen. Peterson said she has “nobody in mind” for the seat.

With her announcement, the General Assembly is guaranteed to have at least two new members next year. Rep. Harold “Jack” Peterman, R-Milford, said earlier this year he is not seeking another term.

Sen. Peterson served as an aide at Legislative Hall in 1969 and spent 28 years with the Department of Labor before departing in 2001. She won the seat after Sen. Thomas Sharp retired in 2002.

On Tuesday Sen. Peterson made her announcement with several family members in the chamber, including her wife, Vikki Bandy. The two were the first couple to have their civil union converted to marriage after same-sex marriage was allowed by state law on July 1, 2013.

“This place has been like a second home to me for nearly 50 years,” Sen. Peterson said on the floor.

Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes, following the debate Tuesday on the Senate floor, said shortly before the discussion he feels the classes of people included in the bill’s proposal are already protected under law.
(Delaware State News/Marc Clery)

DOVER — A bill to guarantee protection against discrimination for people of all races, genders, religions and sexual orientations under the Delaware Constitution was tabled in the Senate due to lack of support Tuesday.

Senate Bill 190, sponsored by Sen. Karen Peterson, D-Stanton, would add to the state constitution a line stating, “Equal protection under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of race, sex, age, religion, creed, color, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.”

In a speech on the Senate floor she cited statistics claiming black men and women are sentenced more often than whites, and women are paid less than men with equal qualifications.

“Neither state nor federal laws nor constitutions offer any redress” for people discriminated against because of their race, gender or sexual orientation, she said.

Discussion was short-lived — after about 15 minutes of Sen. Peterson speaking and Delaware Law School Dean Rod Smolla testifying in support of the proposal, the senator from Stanton requested the measure be tabled.

She said afterward the bill was one vote short.

Because it is a constitutional amendment, two-thirds support is needed. That means the bill would have to pick up some votes from Republicans.

Opponents have said current provisions in state law would make the bill redundant

“I think a lot of people are concerned that under a strict interpretation … that when we talk about gender identity that this could open up girls’ gyms and dressing rooms in schools,” Minority Leader Sen. F. Gary Simpson, R-Milford, said at the committee hearing last week.

Sen. Peterson rejected those charges, accusing the “religious right” of presenting incorrect facts.

“It never ceases to amaze me that people who wrap themselves in scripture have no problem lying or distorting facts to further their agenda of bigotry,” she said.

Because Sen. Peterson called for the bill to be tabled before any discussion could take place, no other lawmakers weighed in on the floor.

Sen. Ernesto “Ernie” Lopez, R-Lewes, said shortly before the discussion he feels the classes of people included in the proposal are already protected.

He also said there hasn’t been enough discussion on the bill, citing the Sunday shooting at an Orlando, Florida, gay bar that killed 49 victims.

“In the wake of Orlando, there should have been a pause and a time for reflection in order to look at what we are doing right and wrong here in Delaware and engage the equal protection conversation from a common center,” he said.

Sen. Peterson, who also announced Tuesday she is retiring from office, downplayed any disappointment. She said the bill could be brought back up by someone else next year if it does not pass this month.

“If the votes turn up for it, I’ll lift it from the table and we’ll vote on it. If not, it’ll stay on the table,” she said.

Other bills

In the House, lawmakers passed bills providing cash assistance to drug felons, raising fees for state wildlife areas and barring workplace discrimination against women who are pregnant or planning to be-come pregnant.

The proposal allowing drug felons to receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds passed unanimously after some discussion.

Currently, only people who have been convicted of drug felonies and welfare fraud are prohibited from the money.

“This is definitely not a handout but a handup,” Rep. Helene Keeley, D-Wilmington, insisted.

The wildlife-fee bill would increase the cost of hunting licenses from $25 to $39.50 for Delawareans and from $130 to $199.50 for non-residents. Other licenses would also go up in cost.

The anti-discrimination proposal is designed to give women privacy over their family planning decisions and prevent bosses from requiring disclosure from employees or potential hires, its proponents said.

All three measures now go to the Senate.

University of Delaware students, from left, Mallory Davis, Jacklyn Rind, Taylor Regan and Matt Oliver hang out in the Firefly RV camping area on Wednesday at The Woodlands of Dover International Speedway. (Delaware State News photo/Marc Clery)

DOVER –– Although the music doesn’t start until 5 p.m. Thursday, that didn’t stop music lovers like Joel Fouschee of Hamilton, New Jersey, from showing up to the Firefly Music Festival days in advance.

“I got here about 10:30 last night,” he said Wednesday afternoon, the first day those with Premier Camping access could get on the parking grounds.

“I wanted to get here in time to get a good spot for the bus.”

The bus he spoke of is an Army green painted school bus he found on Craig’s List a year ago.

“This is the first festival I’ve brought the bus to because I’ve been working on it for a year more or less but this is my third Firefly and I usually stop at a few other festivals each summer,” he said.

The bus was already been a big attraction at the entrance of the camper lot Wednesday, catching a lot of attention.

“There’s already been several people that have come up to me asking about the bus and it’s only about 2 o’clock

FIREFLY DOS AND DON’TS
THE FOLLOWING ARE NOT PERMITTED ON THE GROUNDS OF THE FIREFLY MUSIC FESTIVAL:
Outside food or beverage items
Alcohol or flasks
Ice or ice packs
Coolers
Glass containers
Illegal substances, drugs, or drug paraphernalia
Totems, rage sticks or flags over 12 feet tall. Any of these items that are deemed unsafe or inappropriate, or are being used for purposes other than intended, may be confiscated on site.
Illegal or unauthorized vending
Knives or weapons of any kind
Slingshots
Animals or pets
Flammable lanterns or fire of any kind
Fireworks or any types of explosives
Skateboards, scooters, or personalized motor vehicles
Bicycles inside the festival
Umbrellas of any size
Tents or canopies
Chairs or stools of any type
Wagons or carts of any type
Sports balls
Eye drops
Outside cans or cups
Professional cameras (indicated by a detachable lens)
Professional video or audio recording devices
Lasers or pointers
Chains, chain wallets or spike jewelry
Instruments, megaphones, horns or noise makers
Soliciting
Metal aerosol containers including sunscreen, pepper spray, bug repellent, or spray paint (non-flammable are permitted)
Drones or UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicle)
THE FOLLOWING ARE PERMITTED:
Cigarettes and e-cigarettes
GoPros
Unlimited ins and outs
Digital and point & shoot cameras
Cell phones
Cell phone charger
Sunscreen lotion
Empty refillable, plastic or aluminum bottles and CamelBacks
Small blankets
Non-aerosol bug spray
Strollers
Hula hoops
Selfie sticks

now,” he said.

Other campers played it a little more low key like the Powell siblings –– Alisha, Alexis and Adam along with their friend Caitlin Woods, all from Chichester, Pennsylvania.

“We bought the tickets on a whim and it’s part of a birthday celebration we were planning for the week,” Alisha said.

The four decided to play their first Firefly safe and arrived on Wednesday afternoon in a rented RV for the weekend instead of roughing it in a tent.

Wednesday night, a Firefly pre-party was planned with DJ sets and a screening of the new Showtime cable series “Roadies.”

The festival will officially kick off Thursday with a New Orleans-like second line parade leading patrons into the festival gates at 5 p.m.

Thousands descended on the Woodlands of Dover International Speedway Wednesday, some of the earliest arrivals coming in around 7 a.m.

“We wanted to be here even earlier, but someone wasn’t ready to go on time,” said 11-year-old Gwen Schaefer of Lancaster, Pa.

She and her dad, Anthony, are ready for their second Firefly and were killing time playing catch with a neon green oversized Frisbee.

“We play a lot of games to keep busy, just the two of us, and even with new people we meet,” Gwen said. “Everyone is so nice here and it’s fun getting to know new people and seeing all the bands too.”

The friendly people are what keeps others coming back.

A group of 20-somethings were back for a third year.

“We’ve all known each other since high school or earlier and this is a good place to hang out and spend some time together,” said John Carson of Dover.

“And it’s all the different people you see,” said Talia Armutcu, also of Dover. “Here there’s only good vibes and everyone is really chill.”

Not only are the people chill, this year’s temperatures are too. The National Weather Service is forecasting highs in the mid-70s with possible rain Thursday and Friday.

If rain does roll in, precipitation is expected to be less than half an inch, with hopefully dryer grounds than last year.

The 2015 festival started with ankle-deep water in some areas, only worsened with a thunderstorm Saturday night, bringing more rain and forcing organizers to call it a night several hours earlier than scheduled.

But Firefly organizer Red Frog reports some improvements have been made this year to improve drainage and prevent standing water at future events.

Bug off

A pest that typically comes with heavy rains, especially resulting standing water, is the mosquito but Firefly’s mosquito control provider, Wilmington-based Mosquito Ranger, doesn’t anticipate any reduced effectiveness of the repellent.

Joel Foushee from Hampton, N.J. places a flag on top of his RV on Wednesday at The Woodlands of Dover International Speedway.

“Last year we saw significant rainfall and didn’t have any problems,” said Mosquito Ranger owner and operator Rick Yates.

“The repellent we use has a sticking agent so regardless of the conditions, you can expect coverage lasting between 10 and 14 days.”

The trees surrounding the Woodlands and the grassy areas within the grounds were sprayed by a team earlier this week with NaturaLawn products. All the products used are organic and include ingredients like peppermint and rosemary oil.

“The main goal of our service is to deny the bugs a place to land and the formula we use confuses and repels the mosquitoes, denies them a place to land and stops new larva from hatching,” Mr. Yates said.

This is the fourth year Mosquito Ranger has provided its services at Firefly.

Thursday at Firefly

The headliner Thursday will be Two Door Cinema Club, an Irish indie rock band, who will take The Backyard Stage at 10:45 p.m.

Only four stages will be open today — The Backyard, The Lawn, The Pavilion and The Coffeehouse.

DJ Felix Jaehn will play an hour set starting at 11 in the Pavilion.

The three-piece alt-pop band Lany, on The Lawn, and the psychedelic folk group Twin Limb, in The Coffeehouse, will kick things off at 5:15 p.m.

Other highlights include Jack Antonoff, of Bleachers and fun, performing a half-hour acoustic set in The Coffeehouse at 10 p.m.

Gates will close at midnight.

Four-day and one-day passes are still available only at fireflyfestival.com.

DOVER — Moms get a lot of attention, and not just on Mother’s Day, says social worker Natasha Simms. That’s not always the case with dads, though.

“It is too often we see negative fathers in the media,” she said. “As a single mother, I’m celebrated all the time, but I don’t see single fathers being recognized.”

So to make sure dads get their due, she organized a father-daughter dance to celebrate dads during Father’s Day weekend.

Fathers and daughters of all ages are welcome to attend the dance on Saturday, the day before Father’s Day. The theme is “A Starry Night,” and Ms. Simms said the room will have an “Enchanted” aura.

Natasha Simms’ father died when she was 6 and his absence inspired her to organize a father-daughter dance at the Elizabeth W. Murphey School. (Submitted photo)

“The fathers and daughters will be blown away,” she said.

There will be music, free pictures, food and giveaways for the dads and daughters to enjoy.

The dance, from 4 to 8 p.m., will be held at the Elizabeth W. Murphey School on Kings Highway in Dover.

“The Murphey School is a home for children, most often, I believe, who are in the custody of the state,” said Ms. Simms, of Dover. “They do a lot of stuff for the kids over there.”

Tickets cost $25 and $5 for each additional ticket. They can be purchased at Unique Hair Creations in Dover and SAS Hair Studio in Smyrna.

Ms. Simms wanted the proceeds to go to the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition since they helped her while she battled breast cancer.

“I was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in October 2012, and my sister was diagnosed three years before I was,” she said. “The breast cancer coalition has done so much for my sister and I. Any proceeds I have are going to them.”

Carlton Wise, of Dover, said the dance is worth supporting.

“We need more events like this period,” he said. “I think it would be something the daughters will appreciate.”

Mr. Wise is taking his 8-year-old daughter Carleya as his date.

“She loves to dance, I love to dance, we’re going to have a good time and enjoy each other’s company,” he said.

Mr. Wise said he enjoys being a true role model to his daughter.

“A lot of people didn’t have fathers in their lives,” he said. “That was a thing for me. I had to make sure when my time came, I played my part to the fullest.”

Ms. Simms also grew up without a dad after her father died when she was 6. The absence of a father inspired her to organize this dance.

“I want the fathers who’ve been in their daughters’ lives to feel appreciated, and I want the fathers who don’t really have an active role in their daughters’ lives to feel motivated,” she said.

Phillip Francis said attending the dance will create memories as well as “a better bond between me and my children.”

The Dover dad said he and his 11-year-old daughter Layla love doing dances like the Nae-nae.

Cory Thomas, also of Dover, said he’s bringing his two daughters to create a moment they will never forget.

“The biggest thing for me is creating the memory,” he said. “I find that when those sad times get you down, you can think of the good times.”

Mr. Thomas said he and daughters — 5-year-old Lynia and 4-year-old Hope — are goofballs.

“We dance a lot in the house, especially my daughter Hope,” he said.

Ms. Simms said the men do not have to be the girl’s biological father to attend.

“Whether you’re a godfather, uncle, stepfather, father figure or father, this event is for you and that special young lady in your life,” she said.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Kristen Griffith is a Dover freelance writer.

DOVER — A resolution introduced in the General Assembly Wednesday urges state officials to block a planned power plant line that is expected to the cost burden on Delaware despite the project primarily benefiting New Jersey.

The project would create a transmission line stretching from the Delmarva Peninsula to the Artificial Island nuclear complex in New Jersey, just across the Delaware River. It is estimated to cost about $411 million.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission denied an appeal from the state, despite opposition to the project from Gov. Jack Markell and the state’s congressional delegation.

The Delaware Public Service Commission judges the increased cost at $4.10 per month for the average Delaware electricity consumer and more for businesses.

Charles “Trey” Paradee

The legislation filed Wednesday, sponsored by Rep. W. Charles “Trey” Paradee, D-Cheswold, states the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control should “deny any and all easement requests by any party related to the Artificial Island transmission project so long as the current cost allocation formula remains in place, or if a new allocation formula that would still place a large portion of the project costs on Delaware customers is enacted.”

“It’s outrageous that Delmarva ratepayers are being ordered to shoulder such a huge burden of the project when they will receive such a small part of the benefits,” Rep. Paradee said in a statement. “This could cost businesses thousands of dollars a month and burden local residents for something that will not benefit them. That’s the definition of a bad deal.”

Concurrent resolutions do not hold the force of law, meaning the proposal introduced Wednesday does not mandate DNREC act.

DOVER — The Senate pushed to today a vote that could extend the length of time for a background check before someone can purchase a gun in Delaware. The bill in question was on the agenda for Wednesday, but after a lengthy discussion on a proposal moving the start of school back, the bill was bumped to Thursday.

The measure, which would require individuals buying a gun wait longer if a background check is not completed within three days, passed the House in April.

The main floor action came on the bill changing the start of the school year, with senators voting 11-10 to move the first day of school for all Delaware districts to after Labor Day.

According to a study from the Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association, Virginia would lose $369 million if its schools were not required to begin after Labor Day.

Main bill sponsor Sen. Gerald Hocker, R-Ocean View, cited the report in his arguments, but other lawmakers doubted the benefits and questioned whether school would now stretch several weeks longer into June.

Despite the apprehension, the proposal passed, with all Republicans and two Democrats voting in favor. It now moves on to the House.

Election fireworks

Wednesday also saw a partisan dispute involving lawmakers and Election Commissioner Elaine Manlove.

In a surprise announcement that has little recent precedent, General Assembly Republicans announced shortly before a committee hearing on Ms. Manlove’s reappointment they would not be supporting her.

“Simply put, the elected Republican members of the General Assembly have no confidence in Commissioner Manlove’s ability to fairly and impartially fulfill her duties, and we feel that this is one position where both parties should have confidence,” the Republican members of both the Senate and House wrote in a letter to Gov. Markell. “With a new governor coming into office next year, we feel as if this is a great opportunity for us as a state to wait until 2017 for a new commissioner to be nominated, and the sense of fairness and impartiality restored.”

During the Senate Executive Committee hearing, Senate Republicans questioned Ms. Manlove for about 20 minutes, asking about the efficiency of the state’s campaign finance reporting system and the impartiality of the Department of Elections.

Although the Senate voted to confirm her, every Republican member of the chamber either voted against or avoided taking a stand when it came time for a vote by the entire chamber. There was no discussion on the subject of her reappointment in the full chamber.

Gov. Markell, in a letter responding to Republicans, defended Ms. Manlove and pointed to changes made during her nine years in charge of the department.

The state is among the best in the nation at registering voters at the Division of Motor Vehicles, has a voter-friendly online system and has saved money through steps taken under Ms. Manlove, he wrote.

He also noted the letter was submitted just one day before Ms. Manlove’s reappointment was scheduled to be voted on, although Republicans said they had been talking with the governor’s staff and Democratic lawmakers on the issue for weeks.

“I want to reassure you that I take your concerns very seriously and that I remain happy to talk with you or the commissioner about the circumstances giving rise to your concerns,” the governor wrote. “But at this late hour and after considering the achievements above and Commissioner Manlove’s years of service in this office, I am not willing to withdraw my nomination at this time.”

Bob and Eva King pray for the victims of the nightclub shootings in Orlando during a prayer vigil held on The Green in Dover on Wednesday. (Delaware State News/Marc Clery)

DOVER – Scattered raindrops falling from a gray sky fit the mood perfectly as several dozen community members gathered on The Green Wednesday for a prayer vigil for the 50 people who died and others that were injured in last weekend’s massacre in Orlando, Fla.

“God is crying,” said Ellen Witko, pastor of the People’s Church of Dover. “In a time of grief we need to mourn together and we need to show up for each other to show that we’ll work through this together and, hopefully, change

Darleen Aragon reads five of the 50 victims’ names from the nightclub shootings in Orlando during a prayer vigil held on The Green in Dover on Wednesday.

things.”

Pastor Witko and Jon Rania, the Lay Ministry Associate at Dover’s Christ Episcopal Church, invited members throughout the community to gather and offer prayers to the victims – and the shooter – and their families that were touched by the tragedy.

So just after the clock hit noon on Wednesday, bells from the Liberty Bell on The Green, the Old State House and at all of the churches downtown, struck a somber note 50 times. The chilling sound of the bells reverberated throughout downtown and seemed to hang in the thick atmosphere.

Around 50 people that were gathered on The Green stood somberly in the drizzle, reflecting on the senseless loss of life.

“We joined with other churches downtown in tolling our bells 50 times, one for each slain, including the man who was hurting enough to do this senseless act,” said Reverend Douglas Griffin, of the Presbyterian Church of Dover.

Reverend Griffin added that he didn’t think twice against joining others in the non-denominational interfaith prayer vigil for the 50 people that were shot and killed by Omar Mateen at the Pulse, a gay dance club in Orlando, Fla.

Prayer vigil for the victims from the nightclub shootings in Orlando held on The Green in Dover on Wednesday.

“It is just the shock and the horror of this senseless act of violence against LGBT and our desire to stand in solidarity with the community – the LGBT community – and all the people that desire peace,” he said.

After the bells rang out, Pastor Witko spoke of the tragedy and the need for people to come together and grieve.

Suzanne Schwarz, a member of the People’s Church of Dover, then spoke an opening prayer for the victims of the tragedy, before more prayers and tributes followed.

“It meant a lot,” Ms. Schwarz said. “This is my own community, as well, that was hardest hit so it meant a lot for me to see all the people come out and honor those that we lost.”

Frances P. Johnson, of the Wesley United Methodist Church, recited Psalm 139 from the Bible in memory of the victims, including verses 13 through 16 which reads:

“For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.

Pastor of the People’s UCC Church, Ellen Witko at prayer vigil for the victims from the nightclub shootings in Orlando held on The Green in Dover on Wednesday.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from you,

when I was being made in secret,

intricately woven in the depths of the earth.”

Susan Frey and Rev. Douglas Griffin pray for the victims of the nightclub shootings in Orlando during a prayer vigil held on The Green in Dover on Wednesday.

Several members of the community then read off the names of five victims and their ages, which was easily the most poignant moment of the prayer vigil.

A moment of silence followed before Pastor Witko led those in attendance in singing “We Shall Overcome,” a protest song that became a key anthem of the Civil Rights Movement.

The moment that made it all so real to Camden’s Crystal Meredith, an intern at Delaware State Parks who rang the Liberty Bell on the mall 50 times earlier, was when all of the names were read off one by one.

“The realization set in for me when I started hearing the bells from all different directions and then it became more concrete when we came up here and they were praying,” Ms. Meredith said. “Then, just the amount of people’s names and their ages …

“When I heard that one person was 22-years-old, that’s a life cut short. You just passed the threshold of 21 and you’re able to enjoy something like the Pulse Club. And to have that cut short is a terrible thing because they missed out on more than just that kind of experience – they missed out on a good life.”

From left, Justice James T. Vaughn Jr., left, Justice Randy J. Holland and Chief Justice Leo E. Strine, Jr., listen to oral arguments in the Rauf vs State of Delaware. The court is weighing whether Delaware’s death penalty statute is constitutional in light of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down part of Florida’s death penalty sentencing scheme. (Pool photo by Jason Minto/The News Journal)

DOVER – After two sides argued their cases Wednesday morning, justices on Delaware’s highest court departed to consider the constitutionality of the most severe punishment of all – death.

The Delaware Supreme Court is weighing the merits of a judge’s role in capital punishment sentencing and how it relates to the right to a jury trial.

“We understand how important this is (to all you),” said Chief Justice Leo E. Strine Jr. before exiting the packed courtroom with his four Supreme Court colleagues.

The issue arose after the U.S. Supreme Court determined in January that Florida’s death penalty statute was unconstitutional and that “the Sixth Amendment requires a jury, not a judge, to find each fact necessary to impose a sentence of death.”

After the ruling, all death penalty trials in Delaware were stopped until more clarity was brought to the state’s process and how it relates to the constitution.

According to the Supreme Court in an order, there are over two dozen capital cases pending in Superior Court, four scheduled for trial, in less than 120 days.

Santino Ceccotti prepares to address the Delaware Supreme Court in the Rauf vs State of Delaware. The court is weighing whether Delaware’s death penalty statute is constitutional in light of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down part of Florida’s death penalty sentencing scheme. (Pool photo by Jason Minto/The News Journal)

Questions to the court were raised in the currently pending murder case of Benjamin Rauf.

On Wednesday, attorneys presented their beliefs before the court in a scheduled 60-minute session, at times engaging in question and answer discussions with the justices.

Since a jury decides whether a case is death penalty eligible in Delaware, the state maintains that constitutional requirements are currently met. Deputy Attorney General Sean Lugg argued for the state on Wednesday.

Mr. Lugg said Delaware’s sentencing scheme, which was revised in 2002 in response to a previous U.S. Supreme Court ruling, meets all of the elements outlined by the Supreme Court in the Florida decision, according to the Associated Press.

“The fundamental right to a jury is provided by the Delaware statute,” he said.

The court is expected to issue its ruling within 90 days, the AP said.

Mr. Lugg said Delaware’s sentencing scheme, which was revised in 2002 in response to a previous U.S. Supreme Court ruling, meets all of the elements outlined by the Supreme Court in the Florida decision.

“The fundamental right to a jury is provided by the Delaware statute,” he said.

In Delaware, judges have the final say on whether a death sentence is ordered; a jury must find at least one statutory aggravating factor unanimously and beyond a reasonable doubt to make a defendant death penalty eligible.

In Florida, judges had the responsibility to find any “aggravating factors” that qualify it for possible capital punishment sentencing.

Assistant Public Defender Santino Ceccotti argued for the appellant.

“The Sixth Amendment requires not a judge, but a jury, to find each fact,” he said.

The scene outside

Outside the courthouse on The Green, a sign-holding Sandy Nelson of Dover stood with at least 25 supporters of death penalty repeal.

“I don’t want people being killed, they might be proven innocent later in life,” she said. “I’m doing my small little part to support this cause.”

Making her weekly trip north to join other repeal supporters, Seaford resident Barbara Malone said, “It’s imporant to be out here because I have a son and two grandsons and our boys are at risk.

Delaware Deputy Attorney General Sean Lugg addresses the justices on Wednesday. He said the state’s death penalty meet all the elements outline by the U.S. Supreme Court. (Pool photo by Jason Minto/The News Journal)

“I believe it’s important to reform the criminal justice system in many ways. The death penalty is really a harsh and inhumane way to punish people.”

Horace Knight Jr., of New Castle, believes repeal forces have exhibited a consistent presence that’s being heard by the state’s key decision makers.

“I feel like we have a consistent presence and there’s always movement in the discussion,” he said. “We’ve formed strong coalitions and now the case is being heard in the Supreme Court. I believe progress is being made but it will not come quickly.”

After his cousin was murdered, Mr. Knight said, he became Delaware coordinator for the Murder Victims’ Families for Reconciliation organization designed to support those who have lost a loved one.

“The death penalty does not provide closure for one family, it only extends the suffering of another,” he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

I had a blast fishing the tournament with my friends. We helped raise money for a great organization, and had a blast doing it.

Cast For A Cure is a team surf fishing tournament held annually in Delaware. Proceeds go to the Tunnel Cancer Center Special Needs Fund.

We had two teams for Lewes Harbor and, if we were scoring the amount of fish caught, Gary Basehore would have killed it. He caught a hundred sand perch. Mike Basehore, Ed Borys, and Tyler Speraw had the same action, a lot of small unscoreable fish.

The food on the beach and off the beach was excellent. We always eat well when we fish or hang out.

The excitement was extended to Sunday for the awards ceremony at Delaware Distilling Company. No one knew the winners yet, that would not be tallied until the next day. Rumors were it was close. We had a great buffet at Delaware Distilling Company and  the awards were announced. The second place winner was team “3 Guys And A Girl” with 77 points. Third place was a three way tie, between, teams Retired, Working, and Learning, Red Dog, and Team Lil Angler II.

Congratulations to all of the teams. Over the years, since we are not washing our lucky shirts, we may not have company in a couple of years.

Fishing report

The surf has been decent some days and quiet the next. The heat waves don’t help.

The tournament had three beaches covered and the fishing was tough for sure. A lot of people didn’t land much fish at all.

Big bluefish action is about done since the water is warming up fast. Eventually, it will just be the summer snappers. Same for the striped bass that is pretty much over until the fall run.

Kingfish action is decent, with a lot of small perch and spotted hake. I fished the entire tournament with fishbites, they were catching fine, just small kings, they will get bigger.

There have been some citation sizes caught.  Still seeing a lot of burrfish in the mix with northern puffers. Skates, digs, big rays, and sharks are a given this time of year.

Flounder action at the old grounds and reef sites is picking up and will continue to do so.

The inland bays are getting better and so is the Lewes Canal and Broadkill River. A lot of small croaker and weakfish around Broadkill beach and other Delaware Bay beaches are hitting bloodworms and fishbites. They are small for keepers but several have been caught in the 15-inch range. There were some in the five-pound range around the Delaware Bay and still are out there, somewhere.

Crabbing is excellent and the pots are filling up nicely.  Those summer snapper blues carcasses make great crab bait for traps.  Add some chicken to keep the crabs interest for a long soak. When your trap is out of bait, crabs will leave the trap, they have little to do all day but keep moving around until they find a way out. They don’t know they are in a crab trap, they just eventually find the way out because they lost interest in the food at the center of the trap. They are looking for their next meal.

Off shore action has been awesome for yellow fins and mahi.  Lot of wildlife being seen at sea, even a whale shark. Marlin action is picking up and when the weather allows boats are loading the boxes.  Cobia are starting to show up in the Chesapeake Bay.

Short striped bass action is decent at night at Masseys Landing. Lures like small poppers or small swims shads are great, but sand fleas will really catch ‘em up. Get about half a bucket at the beach. Use the fleas like you are feeding pigeons. Chum up the water with a few fleas, then throw one in on a hook. No weight, just let it live line so to speak. The rockfish will slam the flea in no time. This also works well at the Indian River Inlet. There have been a few large bass at the inlet but all have been in the release size for the slot limit.

Brooke Beam put up some pretty impressive numbers in her four seasons on the Indian River High girls’ soccer team.

The recent IR grad finished with 109 goals and 45 assists.

But perhaps Beam’s most telling statistics were that the Indians went 57-15 with back-to-back trips to the DIAA Division II state finals during her career.

All those numbers added up to Beam being ranked as the No. 2 girls’ soccer player in the state this year by the Delaware’s coaches association.

Only Padua senior Mackenzie Scully, the state Player of the Year, was rated ahead of Beam on the First XI, which tops the girls’ soccer All-State squad.

Three Henlopen Conference players were ranked among the top 11, with Beam joined on the team by Caesar Rodney’s Aleya Cummings and Dover’s Katie Ford.

Padua, which won its fifth straight Division I state title, had four selections on the Top XI.

As a senior, Beam tallied 27 goals and 19 assists for the Indians, who went 16-3. She was named the state’s Player of the Year by Gatorade.

Of IR’s 15 losses during Beam’s career, six were against perennial Division I state power CR with four more coming to Division II state champion Caravel.

She has received a scholarship to Richmond, where she’ll continue her career in the fall.

“Brooke has been a go-to player all four years of her varsity career at Indian River,” said Indians coach Steve Kilby. “We will be hard pressed to replace her game-changing abilities, finishing and distribution skills on the field.

“Brooke has been a selfless leader at IR and has led by example constantly.”

Like Beam, CR’s Cummings — who was ranked third in the state — had a big impact on the Riders’ success during her career.

In her four seasons, CR went 63-10-1, reaching the Division I finals three times and making the semifinals in her freshman year. Of those 10 losses, seven were against Padua.

In a career in which she netted 112 goals and 47 assists, Cummings was at her best as a senior when she scored a state-record 51 goals to go along with 10 assists. She’s headed for Wesley College in the fall.

“She got better each season,” said Riders coach Darrell Gravatt. “This season was her best. I thought she was the best dribbler, one-v-one, in the state. Aleya meant a lot to the program.

“She helped our team win the Henlopen Conference the last two seasons and get to the state finals the last three years in a row. Her play was instrumental to that success. She was a leader on and off the pitch. She is an excellent student and a superb role model for other student-athletes to emulate.”

Rated seventh in the state, Ford was also a big scorer for Dover, which qualified for the Division I state tournament. The senior netted 37 of the Senators’ 52 goals this spring and was second on the team in assists.

Ford will join Cummings at Wesley College this fall.

“Tireless worker with great speed and a nose for the goal,” said Dover coach Paul Booton. “She is blessed with a tremendous shot and a willingness to do whatever it takes to win.”

Recent discussions surrounding the Artificial Island (AI) transmission project have been filled with misunderstandings regarding the cost impact to Delawareans. As the state’s public utility regulatory agency, the Delaware Public Service Commission (PSC) is eager to correct the factual record, provide perspective on our involvement in the process, and restate the overarching issue that exists in the method for assigning the costs of the AI project.

First, the facts: The AI project consists of a transmission line to be built across the Delaware River, from the Artificial Island nuclear complex in New Jersey to a substation to be built near Odessa.

Substation work at the New Jersey nuclear complex and other improvements are also included. The construction is split among three different entities: LS Power, Pepco Holdings (the parent company of Delmarva Power), and Public Service Electric & Gas (PSEG). The original cost estimate, approved by PJM, for total construction was $275 million.

So far, Pepco Holdings and LS Power have not changed the PJM cost estimates. However, the initial cost estimate by PJM for PSEG’s portion of the work was $137 million and, although relied upon by the PJM Board for project approval, was subsequently increased by an additional $135.3 million by PSEG in March 2016.

This “update” in cost estimates increased the total project cost to around $410.5 million. PJM is now exploring ways with PSEG to help minimize that increased cost. The PSC has expressed concerns to PJM regarding the process for developing cost estimates for recommendations and ultimate approval by the PJM Board. PSC Chairman Dallas Winslow was able to forge an agreement among all of the PJM states to register their concerns with the PJM Board in a letter dated May 13, 2016.

PJM is the operator of the wholesale electricity grid in the mid-Atlantic region. Under Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authority, PJM is the responsible operator of the wholesale electrical transmission grid in the mid-Atlantic and must manage and maintain reliability of the system. The PSC has no regulatory authority over PJM.

Jurisdiction over cost allocation for PJM-approved transmission projects rests with FERC. The cost for the main portion of the project is allocated on the basis of how the energy flows on the new line.

It is no surprise that energy would flow from the generating station to users on the Delmarva Peninsula if that is where the line is built. It is also no surprise, then, that a transmission line built from the generator into New Jersey or Pennsylvania, which could also solve the plant stability issue, would have energy flows and costs assigned to those electricity zones instead.

The Delmarva Peninsula does not need this line or the related generation to maintain a reliable transmission grid or to serve customer load. This flow-based cost allocation process works well for 99.9 percent of transmission line improvements. However, there were two projects (AI being one) out of over 1,200 PJM projects for which the flow-based allocation was unrelated to the need for the project, creating an unjust, unreasonable, and unduly discriminatory cost allocation.

The question on everyone’s mind is “What will electricity customers have to pay?” Such cost calculations have been a significant source of confusion. Knowing that the project continues to evolve, the current approved cost allocation method approximates 86 percent of the total project costs, roughly $354 million, would be charged to Delmarva Peninsula electric customers over the life of the project.

Adding that into rates will result in a 53-percent increase in transmission costs (not the overall bill) for all Delaware electricity customers (including municipal and Delaware Electric Co-op customers). PSC staff have calculated a “worst case” cost for customers at $1.43 per kilowatt of peak demand (paid by Delaware, Maryland and Virginia electricity customers).

The actual cost to any particular customer will depend on peak use. A typical residential customer with a 2.8 kilowatt peak demand would see an increase of about $4.10 per month. Business and industrial customers would see substantially more, depending on their individual peak demand.

Secondly, some have wondered where the regulators have been during this process. Simply put, PSC staff and the commission have been involved from the beginning. The PSC actively engages in FERC and PJM issues on behalf of Delaware ratepayers on a regular basis, although much of this work occurs behind the scenes. As noted above, the PSC regrettably does not have jurisdiction over this process.

That jurisdiction rests with the FERC. Despite this, the PSC has been actively involved in the AI issue since 2013. At the first opportunity for comments to PJM on what is now the AI project in June 2014, comments were sent to PJM expressing concerns that costs “could be significant to Delaware ratepayers.” Letters written from the PSC, along with several other supporting documents regarding the AI project, can be found on our website at http://depsc.delaware.gov/ai_project.shtml.

Until PJM made its formal filing of the AI project with the FERC, the PSC had no legal proceeding in which to fight the cost allocation to Delaware.

At the first opportunity to make a legal challenge, the PSC, with the Maryland PSC, filed a complaint at the FERC on August 28, 2015. Initial signs were hopeful when FERC’s order set the case for further investigation and technical conference, but unfortunately, despite efforts of many agencies, FERC denied the complaint on April 26, 2016.

Press releases were sent throughout the process. The next avenue of legal recourse available was the filing of a request for rehearing at the FERC, which asks them to reconsider their previous order.

The request for rehearing was filed on May 23, 2016, and it is currently pending. That filing has been supported by Gov. Markell, our congressional delegation, our local legislative leaders, and many other agencies, associations and individual businesses, including LS Power. On Tuesday, June 7, 2016, the PSC approved a Maryland and Delaware letter to the PJM Board seeking their formal support for a rehearing at FERC.

The PSC is exhausting all possible avenues to appeal this unjust, unreasonable, unduly discriminatory and arbitrary allocation of costs to the Delmarva Peninsula, and Delaware in particular. We will continue to alert the public through press releases, social media, and updates to our website regarding any progress on our efforts.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Robert J. Howatt is the executive director of the Delaware Public Service Commission.

DOVER — In an all-star game like this, they’re just playing for fun, of course.

But when it’s the bottom of the ninth inning, one team is clinging to a one-run lead and the bases are loaded, those competitive instincts still kick in.

“That instinct of wanting to win definitely came into place,” said Cape Henlopen High pitcher Riley Shields.

So it was actually with a little bit of drama that Gold shortstop Kendra Ziemba of Hodgson raced back into short leftfield to snare a line drive and preserve the Gold’s 6-5 victory in the Blue-Gold All-Star Softball Game on Thursday night.

The Blue had already scored twice in the ninth and still had the bases loaded with only one out. But Shields got a strikeout for the second out before Ziemba made the nice running catch on a ball hit by Middletown’s Sarah Adkins for the final out.

“We were thinking that it was going to fall in and we would have a chance to at least tie it up,” said Lake Forest’s Ashlie Tatman, one of the Blue coaches. “But the girl that was playing short (Ziemba) has really good range and grabbed it.”

“Your heart just stops,” the Gold’s Rosa’lynn Burton said with a smile. “You still want to win.”

Burton, of Caesar Rodney, was named the Gold MVP. The third baseman used her speed to spark the Gold’s 11-hit attack, reaching base three times with two hits, two stolen bases and two runs scored.

In the fourth inning, Burton reached base on a bunt single, stole second and then came all the way home when she tagged up on a flyball and the Blue committed a throwing error.

Then, in the sixth, Burton beat out an infield single and scored all the way from first on a two-run single from Padua’s Kierstin Fallers.

“I started running and I said, ‘Well, I don’t think I’m going to stop anyway,’” said Burton, who will play for former CR coach Mike Shehorn at Wilmington University next year. “I might as well get on my high horse. I just go all out.

“You hit it on the dirt and you start running — that’s all I know,” she added.

Trailing 1-0, the Gold tied the contest in the third when CR’s Mirabella Klebart walked and eventually scored when Sussex Tech’s Sarah James lined an RBI single to left.

Sussex Tech’s Taylor Collins scored on a fielder’s choice in the fifth before the Gold opened up a 6-2 advantage with three runs in the sixth.

Fallers’ two-run single was the big hit in the inning which was capped off by an RBI double from Polytech’s Whitney DeMora.

James, who scored a run in the sixth, allowed only one run while pitching the first four innings for the Gold.

Shields picked up where James left off, taking a 6-3 lead into the ninth. In one stretch Shields retired seven straight batters.

But, in its final at-bat, the Blue strung together singles from Brady Keeler (Woodbridge), Ky’Lesha Neal (Indian River), Blue MVP Lauren Maichle (Delaware Military) and Daniela Solis (Wilmington Christian) to mount its comeback.

Shields, who struck out four, hung tough, however. Drama or not, she said she enjoyed the experience.

“I just wanted to get people out and the rest would fall into place,” Shields said about the ninth. “Both teams did great. It was definitely a lot of fun. Meeting new girls and playing with them was definitely a great experience.

“Everyone was saying before the game, we didn’t want to lose our last high school softball game. It’s definitely nice to get that win.”

“I didn’t really know most of the girls on the team so it was pretty cool meeting them for the first time and seeing their skill set,” said Lake Forest’s Tatman. “There’s a lot of talented girls on this team and the Gold team, as well. I just think it was a very fun evening for a lot of the girls to come together and play one last time.”

The Liverpool-based band, The Wombats, will take the Main Stage at the Firefly Music Festival today at 2:15 p.m. and perform a follow-up show at the Toyota Tent at 5:30 p.m. (Submitted photo/Matilda Finn)

DOVER –– The Liverpool-based rock trio The Wombats will be first to take the Main Stage at Firefly today during their U.S. summer festival swing.

The Wombats might bring to mind the image of a fuzzy Australian marsupial but the band chose the name in a last-minute bind.

“We just needed a name, something that we could put on a poster and wombats just kind of started as a joke,” said bassist Tord Øverland Knudsen this week while traveling. “We said we’d get around to changing it later but never did.”

Although Mr. Knudsen plays bass and sings backing vocals, he started working with music at age 6 with the cello, followed by the bass at 13 and guitar and keyboard later on.

His two bandmates are well-versed musicians as well –– each learned to read and play music during childhood and pursued their passion at the Liverpool Institute of the Performing Arts.

Mr. Knudsen was born and raised in Norway but moved to the UK to attend the institute where he met Wombats’ frontman Matthew “Murph” Murphy.

“I met Murph through a mutual friend and we went out one night, ended up deciding to play together so we did a few times and it was pretty fun so we decided to start a band,” he said.

They soon picked up fellow Liverpool student Dan Haggis in 2003 and the three have recorded three studio albums since taking them on tour all across Europe, Australia and now the U.S.

“After each album, we’ve gone on tour to support it and this summer we’re doing the U.S. festival circuit,” Mr. Knudsen said.

“The festivals have gone great so far and it’s fun because the crowds are a lot bigger. There’s people who are already fans and people who are just checking us out that we can win over,” he added.

After their 2:15 Main Stage performance today, the Wombats will be heading to the Toyota Music Den for a 30-minute set in an intimate show across from the Porch Stage.

“Small shows are fun because there’s not that massive gap between you and the audience like on a big stage,” Mr. Knudsen said.

Despite having three successful albums that have sold 1 million copies worldwide, screaming fans and YouTube videos with more than 6 million views, the band always keeps the focus on the music.

“Our focus is the music and gigs,” Mr. Knudsen said. “The music is what we enjoy. It’s great to see people liking our videos, but the music is first and everything else comes second.”

Most of the Wombats’ tunes starts simple, usually with some three-part harmonies then continues to grow.

“We like to experiment a lot with different instruments, different sounds,” he said. “And for our third album (2015’s “Glitterbug”), I think we were able to take a lot from the second album and perfect it.”

While the three musicians are off the road, each returns to his home and for Mr. Murphy, home is Los Angeles, Mr. Haggis considers London home and Mr. Knudsen retreats to his roots in Oslo.

“It’s nothing new for us. We’re used to being spread out,” Mr. Knudsen said. “We know how to use the internet and use it a lot.”

The three frequently exchange ideas with one another online then flesh out ideas, rehearse and record together –– the past two recordings were done in LA.

Like last year, Firefly Music Festival officials are expecting 90,000 people to pass through the gates this weekend. (Submitted photo/Firefly Music Festival)

It may be hard to believe but this is the fifth year for the Firefly Music Festival.

What started out as a three-day event that drew about 30,000 music lovers to the Woodlands of Dover International Speedway has turned into one of the biggest festivals of its kind in the country.

Last year saw 90,000 visit us and officials are expecting the same amount of folks this year.

The festival got underway Thursday night but today marks the first of three full days of music and fun.

With that in mind, let’s dive into our annual alphabetical look at the sights and sounds of Firefly 2016.

A — Born Rakim Myers, rapper A$AP Rocky is a member of the hip hop group A$AP Mob, from which he got his name.

His first two albums “Long. Live. A$AP” and “At. Long. Last. A$AP” both debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and have received critical acclaim.

He’s also a fashion icon, having this week become the face of Dior’s fall campaign.

He plays The Backyard Stage Saturday at 9:15 p.m.

B — Blink-182 plays The Main Stage Sunday at 6:45 p.m.

A key band in the pop punk movement, Blink-182 has been through many changes over the years. These days, only one original member, bassist and vocalist Mark Hoppus, is still with the group.

He is joined by drummer Travis Barker and guitar and vocalist Matt Skiba.

The band’s seventh studio album “California” is set for release July 1.

Mr. Barker will also play a set on drums at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Treehouse Stage, which has been expanded this year to accommodate more people than in years past.

C — Speaking of stages, The Coffeehouse, which is sponsored by Stubhub, will be in full force this year offering intimate performances by more than 20 artists, many of whom are playing fuller sets on other stages.

The alternative rock band Guster will be the last act on the stage tonight at 9:15 and Firefly veterans Silversun Pickups play it Saturday at 8:15 p.m. Four half-hour sets are also on the docket Sunday.

In addition, StubHub will be giving out VIP upgrades through its StubHub Snapchat handle, allowing fans to make customizable mugs, as well as providing coffee, free Wi-Fi and other amenities.

D — Deadmau5 will have the honor of playing the latest set on The Main Stage in Firefly’s history.

Otherwise known as Joel Zimmerman, Deadmau5, the producer and DJ, will deal out his electronic dance music Saturday night/early Sunday from 12:45 to 2 a.m.

His first single in two years, “Snowcone,” was released last month as a digital download.

E — Earth Wind & Fire, the band on the bill with the longest musical history, will light up The Backyard Stage Sunday night at 8 p.m.

Founded in Chicago by the late Maurice White in 1971, Earth Wind & Fire has built an R & B legacy paralleled by few.

Expect to hear familiar hits by longtime members Philip Bailey and Verdine White such as “September,” “Boogie Wonderland,” “Shining Star” and “After the Love Has Gone.”

F — Florence + The Machine are Saturday’s other headliner on The Main Stage Saturday, kicking off its set at 10:15 p.m.

The English indie rock band, lead by Florence Welch, hit the ground running with its debut album “Lungs,” which was one of the biggest selling albums of 2009-10.

The group’s third album, “How Big, How Blue, How Wonderful,” was released last year to critical success.

A video of Ms. Welch performing a mini concert for a young fan in hospice who had to miss the band’s Austin, Texas, show due to her illness recently went viral.

G — There is plenty of grub to be had at Firefly this year.

Officials say patrons can expect healthier options, including vegan, gluten free and vegetarian choices.

Local favorites such as Grotto Pizza and Doc Magrogan’s will be on hand along with Chipotle, Graze, Southern Soul and many others.

H — There is also plenty of hops to be had with The Brewery and The Beercade.

Another local favorite, Dogfish Head, will be front and center in the open-air Brewery, serving up Firefly Ale, a Dogfish Head Pale Ale specially brewed for the festival, and some of its other headliners.

The Beercade will test your skills at pinball, Skee-Ball, foosball and other arcade games, while you sip on cocktails and beer.

I — Isaac Gracie will be one of four acts to play The Coffeehouse at 6:45 p.m. Sunday.

Mr. Gracie is a British singer-songwriter and guitarist who has been described as a mixture of Jeff Buckley and Radiohead.

His newest EP “Songs From My Bedroom” was released in March.

J — You’ll have two chances to catch Jeremy Loops on Saturday — at 2 p.m. at The Backyard Stage and 4 p.m. at The Treehouse Stage.

He is a South African pop singer-songwriter with the real name of Jeremy Hewitt.

He released his debut album “Trading Change” in 2014.

Kings of Leon play Friday night, making up for last year’s show that was canceled due to the weather. (Submitted photo)

K — Kings of Leon is back for another try this year.

The Nashville rock band had its set wiped out last year when torrential rains evacuated the grounds on the Saturday of the festival.

The three-time Grammy winners last put out an album, “Mechanical Bull,” in 2013 but say they are expected to record this year.

They play The Main Stage tonight at 10:45.

L — Ludacris, aka Chris Bridges, brings his rap persona to The Lawn Stage Sunday at 12:30 p.m. He was originally supposed to play tonight but a change was announced Thursday.

He first gained acclaim in 2000 with his debut album, “Back for the First Time” and has gone on to record hits including “Stand Up,” “Get Back,” “Number One Spot,” “Money Maker” and “My Chick Bad.”

On the big screen, he’s known for acting roles in the Oscar-winning “Crash” and the “Fast and Furious” series.

M — Mumford and Sons help see The Main Stage out Sunday night at 9:15.

The British rock band, which started off with a bluegrass folk sound, has gone more electric in recent years.

Marcus Mumford will bring the British folk rock band Mumford and Sons to the Firefly Music Festival, closing the event the night of June 19. (Submitted photo/Michael Muros)

Its last two albums “Babel” and “Wider Mind” both debuted at No. 1 with “Babel” the fastest-selling rock album of the decade.

Electronic music group Major Lazer officially closes out the festival Sunday with a set from 10:45 p.m. to midnight.

N — Night Riots play The Backyard at 3:45 p.m. today and then 8:45 at The Treehouse.

The alternative power punk band draws its influences from a varied source including The Cure, U2, Bruce Springsteen and INXS.

Its biggest hit “Contagious” is off their 2015 album “Howl.”

O — Of Monsters and Men hit The Backyard Stage at 7:15 tonight.

The five-member folk-pop group from Iceland, which played Coachella earlier this year, was featured in this season’s “Game of Thrones” on HBO as musicians.

The band has also played some recent dates with Firefly headliner Florence + The Machine.

P — Campers will want to make good use of The Post this weekend.

Located in several spots around the campgrounds, The Post will feature bathrooms, charging stations for electronic devises, ice kiosks and information to get you through the weekend.

The psychedelic band Quilt play twice at Firefly. (Submitted photo)

Q — Quilt, a four-piece psychedelic indie-rock band from Boston, will be playing Firefly twice Saturday — on the The Lawn Stage at 2 p.m. and The Coffee House at 4:45 p.m.

The band’s third album “Plaza” was released in February and the group has toured all over the world.

R — Folk-based singer-songwriter Nathaniel Rateliff plays The Main Stage at 2:45 p.m. Sunday and later that day at 7:30 in The Coffeehouse.

The native Missourian has come to prominence in recent years with his band Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats.

Billboard Magazine has dubbed the unsigned singer-songwriter a “must hear.”

S — The California-based pop-folk duo Strangers You Know kick off Saturday on The Lawn Stage at 12:30 p.m.

It released its latest EP “Loosen Up The Leash” on March 11, which features the single “Used.”

The single has seen support from SiriusXM’s AltNation, featuring it on its Advanced Placement show, as well as Spotify and LA’s Alt987fm, which recently featured Strangers You Know as the May Artist in Residence.

T — Teen Men bring a Delaware influence to Firefly, playing The Lawn today at 12:45.

From Wilmington, Teen Men’s music is a mix of psychedelic guitar, keyboard, samples and electronic.

The group performs in concert with homemade videos synchronized to the music.

U — Like Thursday, rain is in the forecast for today but the rest of the weekend looks great, a far cry from last year’s wet weather.

As a reminder, no umbrellas are allowed inside the festival.

V — Taking a break from the music? How about some volleyball?

Two courts will be in the North Camping Hub of the camping area. The courts will feature tournaments and prizes from Visit Delaware, along with giant Jenga, bocce ball, sand soccer and more.

W — The White Panda makes a return trip to Firefly, playing from 1 to 2 a.m. early Saturday in The Pavilion.

Called “a veritable party-mashup machine” by Entertainment Weekly, The White Panda’s high-energy dance music comes complete with C02 effects, projection design and digitally mastered panda masks.

X — Toyota will have an interactive (e)xhibit running throughout the festival season, which launched at Stagecoach in Indio, California last month and will continue at Firefly this weekend.

The social campaign benefits VH1 Save The Music Foundation, a national nonprofit organization committed to restoring music education programs in America’s public schools. A $30,000 donation will be given to a designated school, chosen at the end of the six-festival run.

Y — Still want to get some exercise in? The Hub camping areas offer yoga classes each morning to help stay in shape or get ready for another big day.

Z — You’ll perhaps want to catch some zzzzs throughout the day and The Hammock Hangout is the place for that.

Always a popular place, you’ll find a few throughout the grounds where you can take a load off.

For more information and tickets, visit fireflyfestival.com.

Now showing

New in theaters this weekend is the animated “Finding Nemo” sequel “Finding Dory 3D” and Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart in the action-comedy “Central Intelligence.”

On DVD and download starting Tuesday are the comedies “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2” and “The Brothers Grimsby” and the horror film “The Forest.”

DOVER — Citing past reliability of confidential informants and confirmation of details provided, a judge on Wednesday affirmed the validity of two search warrants obtained during a Dover drug investigation in September 2015.

Alleged drug dealer Jeffrey L. Crippen sought to suppress evidence connected to search warrants at a residence on Village Drive in Dover and a cellphone recovered during the operation.

While Mr. Crippen argued that insufficient information was present to establish probable cause, Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Clark cited four confidential informants’ tips on cocaine sales allegedly involving the defendant.

At the same time of the sales, Judge Clark noted, police monitored and observed the controlled purchases, and conducted an independent investigation that brought Mr. Crippen’s eventual arrest on Sept. 21, 2015.

Mr. Crippen believed some facts presented to a magistrate were “stale” after occurring more than a year before, the opinion stated and “much of the allegations were of potential, yet irrelevant criminal conduct and prior bad acts were an attempt to influence the neutral, independent and detached magistrate.”

Judge Clark referenced case law that “a tip from a confidential informant can provide probable cause, if the totality of the circumstances demonstrates the tip’s reliability.”

The Supreme Court found in one case that probable cause existed “primarily because of a tip from a past-proven reliable confidential informant,” according to the order.

In the case against Mr. Crippen, Judge Clark opined that “sufficient details corroborated the various tips from confidential informants, to bolster information provided by the past-proven reliable informants under the totality of the circumstances.”

A recent controlled purchase, along with corroboration and link of Mr. Crippen to the residence nullified any staleness claim, according to Judge Clark.

Regarding the cellphone, Judge Clark ruled it “was found in the master bedroom, at the time the defendant was attempting to flee, placing the defendant in the same room as the cellphone, at the same time.”

According to the order, law enforcement located 5.2 grams of cocaine in a vehicle outside the residence, a digital scale and other drug paraphernalia located on a pantry shelf, along with a stolen firearm.

The Community Education and Health Fair was held Thursday at the Modern Maturity Center in Dover.

More than 60 vendors, representing everything about staying healthy, took part in the event.

Scott Phillips of Camden shows off a peace sign he drew on a ball at the VH1 Save the Music event in the Toyota tent at Firefly at The Woodlands of Dover International Speedway on Thursday. (Delaware State News/Marc Clery)

DOVER –– Toyota and VH1 are in the second year of a partnership to keep music in schools through the Save the Music program and is collecting motivation for younger generations at music festivals like Firefly.

“We like to meet the consumer where they are, and being able to give music fans the voice to share what music means to them while doing so, is our ideal scenario,” said Steve Appelbaum, national manager, engagement marketing, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. Inc.

Firefly attendees started with green stress balls on Thursday to create the bottom lines of the mosaic which features trees inspired by the Woodlands with Firefly’s trademark green and blue balloon in the center.

“Basically I design a different mosaic for each stop and we use the balls to make the final product,” said Rachelle Flata, a graphic designer from the Toyota/VH1 partner Bagavagabonds.

Ms. Flata not only designs the mosaics but puts each ball in place as more and more are written on to create the final product.

The mosaic, measuring about 10 feet by 10 feet should be completed by the time the festival ends on Sunday.

“Instead of writing something, I decided to draw a heart and peace sign because that’s what music means to me,” said Camden resident Scott Phillips while using a marker on a green ball.

Others waited in line to pen simple words like “energy” and “motivation” while others chose statements like “music allows me to express my emotions.”

Firefly is the fourth stop on the summer festival journey which will end in Chicago. When the journey ends, the mosaics from each festival will be put on display and one lucky school will be awarded $30,000 to either reinstate or improve its music program.

The VH1 Save The Music Foundation was founded in 1997 and has since restored instrumental music education in public schools across the country. It’s donated more than $52 million to 1,964 schools, impacting the education of 2.6 million students.

The students from this year’s award-winning school will receive not only financial support but a live performance by an artist associated with Toyota music.

The Toyota Music Den shared with VH1 presents 30-minute sets by Firefly artists every night of the festival. The shows are small and intimate as the tent only accommodates one or two hundred people.

The Toyota Music Den is located across from the Porch Stage in the Woodlands. Attendees are encouraged to fill out balls for the mosaic and post theirs on social media using #ToyotaGiving to raise awareness about the effort.

“There’s an organic element to raising awareness about this campaign, primarily through on-site activations and the foot traffic of festivalgoers,” Mr. Appelbaum said.

DOVER — For the second day in a row, the Senate pushed back a vote on a gun-control bill.

House Bill 325, which would increase the length of time for a background check before someone can purchase a firearm in Delaware, has been delayed to Tuesday. It was originally slated for two days ago but has now been moved twice. Both gun-control and gun-rights activists were in the chamber for the vote Thursday.

Currently, anyone seeking to buy a firearm in Delaware must undergo a background check through the FBI. While the vast majority of requests are approved, if no answer is given to the gun dealer within three days, he or she has permission to sell the gun.

The proposal would change the limit to 30 days.

Seven amendments filed Thursday would weaken the bill, although it appears Democrats have conceded a change to the wait time is necessary to garner the needed votes in the Senate.

Two amendments from Democratic senators would lower the wait to 25 and 20 days respectively, while a Republican-backed proposal would change it to seven.

If the bill passes with an amendment, it will have to return to the House, which it passed in April.

Clash over infrastructure trust fund

Republican senators are accusing members of the majority of violating state law and breaking promises after a vote on a bill that would give some Department of Transportation workers hazard pay.

Senate Bill 168 would provide hazardous-duty pay to DelDOT employees who work on roads, but a discussion on the proposal quickly turned into a dispute over state spending and funding mechanisms Thursday.

Several Republican senators said they believe the bill falls under a provision passed last year, which requires all measures that would spend Transportation Trust Fund money on anything but infrastructure projects, bond interest and DelDOT’s operating expenses receive support from three-fourths of the members of each chamber to pass.

“It’s disingenuous to taxpayers when you raise taxes on them with the promise that you’re going to use that money for specific things and then literally the very next year, you start spending that money on other stuff. Literally, the very next year!” said Sen. Colin Bonini, R-Dover, referring to increases in Division of Motor Vehicles fees approved in 2015 to raise money for road projects.

Democrats rejected the argument, saying the bill does not directly appropriate funds but only allows employees to receive hazard pay. The funds themselves will be distributed later as part of a separate process, main sponsor Sen. Bryan Townsend, D-Newark, said.

However, the hazard pay, which the Controller General’s Office estimated would cost about $2.5 million per year, would come from the trust fund, according to DelDOT.

A Senate attorney testified the bill did not need a three-fourths vote, much to the consternation of members of the minority party.

The bill passed 13-8. Sen. Catherine Cloutier, R-Arden, was the only Republican voting in favor of the proposal.

Afterward, Republican senators blasted Democrats, and Sen. Bonini said members of the two parties distrust one another.

DOVER — Inside the campsites at the Woodlands of Dover International Speedway, the excitement was palpable between people of all ages as they prepared mentally and physically for the adventure that is the Firefly Music Festival. Laughter and smiles were everywhere and campers could be seen sitting by the gates to ensure they were the first to get in. By 5 p.m. on Thursday, the festival welcomed music lovers with open arms as it began its fifth year in Dover.

To help open the gates and kick off the festival, Firefly enlisted the talent of the New Sound Brass Band, a group based out of Philadelphia. With their energy and sounds, the group led a traditional New Orleans second-line march through the non-traditional campgrounds of Firefly.

As tents, lawn games, tarps and cars created a maze in an already filled campsite, guests were drawn to the makeshift streets by the sound of New Sound Brass. Cheers, dancing and selfies were common throughout the performance, and soon enough, the band had a massive following as campers followed the self-proclaimed music of “destructive elegance” to the festival entrance.

“We were really pumped just to be a part of it, but after we’ve seen the energy that everybody has out here, we’re on, like, a thousand right now,” said band member Dan Gould. “We are over the top, over the moon excited about all of this.”

For many, this second-line march marked the beginning of their very first Firefly experience.

“We’ve always been trying to come. It’s just never in the right time when we were able to and we ended up having the option to come this year,” said Philip Wadsley of New Castle. “We’re really looking forward to seeing what they have. We definitely want to check out The Beercade.”

The Beercade is a venue that combines two popular items: beer and arcade games. In between musical acts, guests are encouraged to test their skills at pinball, foosball and other arcade favorites while enjoying a cold drink. Other options to unwind include the ever-favorite Hammock Hangout, The Brewery and The Thicket, which is a silent-disco-themed dance area.

This is also the first year for Felicia Walker of Philadelphia, who is also looking forward to the Beercade and the large selection of bands that will be performing. “I was really excited about all of [the camping] and I still am, aside from the musical acts, which I’m totally pumped for also,” she said.

With the entrances now officially opened, guests, decked out in their best festival-wear, tromped through the mud from the earlier Thursday rain and accepted their shoes’ fates as ruined all in the name of music.

The music at Firefly doesn’t stick to just one style. It covers a vast array of genres that, in turn, appeal to a vast array of fans. Bands play in a large concert format, with as many as five bands performing at the same time across the festival grounds.

Highlighted musicians range from Blink 182 to Earth, Wind and Fire to Mumford and Sons, although some mentioned Thursday that they were simply excited to see new bands and learn more about new artists and new styles of music.

Between the line-ups, the activities and the atmosphere, it seems that Firefly has gained a following and still gives people a reason to return, even after five years.

“I’ve always liked the way it was,” said Alyssa Sanders of Dover. Ms. Sanders has been to every Firefly since its inaugural year in 2012 and has not gotten bored with the experience.

“I hope nothing is that different because I’ve always liked it. I’ve seen it grow in people, artists, stages and now the activities this year.”

Thursday evening welcomed guests who gathered at the Lawn, Backyard, Pavilion and Coffee House stages to sing and dance along with the acts of Lany, Arkells and Robert DeLong.

More stages will be open today as the festival gets going at noon, including the Main Stage, where Kings of Leon will headline tonight.

The headliner for Thursday, Two Door Cinema Club, finished off the night, sending the crowd out on a high note and setting the tone for the rest of the weekend.

With three more full days of the festival, guests still have plenty more to enjoy.

Lexi Coon is a freelance writer living in the Camden area.

Today at Firefly

The main gates will open at noon for the first of three days of at least 12 hours of music.

Wilmington’s Teen Men will kick it off at 12:45 p.m. on The Lawn Stage.

Main Stage acts include The Wombats, Saint Motel, Fitz and The Tantrums, Ellie Goulding and Kings of Leon at 10:45 p.m.

Other big acts include Flogging Molly on The Lawn Stage at 7:15 p.m. preceded by Guster at 5:15.

Of Monsters and Men play The Backyard Stage at 7:15 p.m. followed by Tame Impala at 9:30 p.m.

June Jam headliners The Heydaze will be at The Porch at 3 p.m. while The Moth and The Flame plays The Treehouse starting at 12:15 a.m.

Single-day tickets are still available by visiting fireflyfestival.com.

PHILADELPHIA — When Delaware South loaded the bases with no outs in the seventh, its goal of making it to Citizens Bank Park seemed to be getting closer and closer.

But what followed were nine straight outs with no more hits or base-runners.

The Delaware South squad fell to the Philadelphia Catholic League 5-2 on Friday at FDR Park in Philadelphia as it was eliminated from the 31st annual Carpenter Cup Classic.

The downstaters could not put the ball in play during the seventh inning rally with less than two outs when they trailed 3-2.

Seaford’s Justin Gary led off with a single, Polytech’s Miguel Rivera was hit by a pitch and Smyrna’s Nolan Henderson also singled to load the bases. Then Philadelphia Catholic struck out the next two batters before Smyrna’s Ryan Seymour gave one a ride to deep center, but it was tracked down by the center fielder.

“That seventh inning was difficult, especially with bases loaded no outs and you can’t convert a run,” said Delaware South manager G.L. Jefferson of Sussex Tech. “But at the end of the day you can’t be upset with the kids. They battled, they played well throughout and all in all it was a good game for us.”

Delaware South was coming off its first win in the tournament since 2006. The team, made up of baseball players from Kent and Sussex counties, as well as St. Georges and Appoquinimink High, knocked off Berks County (Pa.) on Tuesday, 10-3.

While there was a taste of disappointment in their mouths, the players were glad to represent the lower half of the state after the 10-year drought.

“Everybody believes that Northern baseball is better in Delaware and I hope we proved everyone wrong,” said Garrett Lawson of Dover. “We were real good this year in the South with a lot of good players and a lot of good talent, we showed that and showcased our skills to everybody who doubted us.”

Jefferson, who has been involved with coaching Delaware South for eight years, said he hopes the strong showing in this year’s event will encourage more high school ballplayers to try out for the team in the future.

“You see how the other coaches here treat the Carpenter Cup and it’s impressive,” Jefferson said. “To be honest, some of that has fallen off in Delaware. But, hopefully the win that we had will help enrollment as far as the Carpenter Cup goes in years to come.”

Philadelphia Catholic never trailed in the contest, scoring three runs in the top of the third after three singles, a walk and an error.

Delaware South got one back in the bottom half of the inning when Appoquinimink’s Brett Willett doubled to score Polytech’s Carter Chasanov. It added another in the fourth when Smyrna’s Jared Gillis singled and eventually scored on a fielder’s choice.

There were plenty of opportunities to tie the game aside from the bases loaded rally in the seventh. Delaware South had runners on second and third with two outs in the fourth, but had the runner at third picked off by the Philadelphia Catholic catcher.

It was the second time Delaware South made the final out of the inning at third base.

“There were some things that just didn’t go our way and that sometimes happens in the game of baseball,”  Lawson said.

Lawson threw a pair of scoreless innings for Delaware South with four strikeouts, while Polytech’s Joey Haas also kept Philadelphia Catholic off the board for two innings.

Philadelphia Catholic scored twice in the top of the eighth, capitalizing on an error and a wild pitch for a pair of insurance runs, and Delaware South went down in order during the eighth and ninth innings.

“It was a close game,” Jefferson said. “We were in the game the whole game. Us winning and staying competitive with these teams shows we’re right along the same lines. I think it did a lot for the kids that played in the games and a lot for Delaware.”