NEW CASTLE — A medical helicopter crashed Thursday behind a postal facility in a Delaware industrial park, killing the pilot, authorities said.

The Eurocopter EC135, registered to the University of Pennsylvania, crashed just before noon about 1 mile southeast of New Castle Airport.

Delaware State Police spokesman Cpl. Jeffrey Hale said the pilot, 37-year-old Michael R. Murphy of Franklinville, New Jersey, was pronounced dead at the scene.

It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the crash. Hale said the helicopter crashed into a ditch behind a U.S. Post office facility, causing minor damage to an outbuilding and vehicles parked behind the building.

James Salmon, a spokesman for the airport’s operator, Delaware River and Bay Authority, said the helicopter was not engaged in life-saving operations at the time of the crash.

Troopers said Murphy had flown from the Atlantic City Airport and was conducting approach training in the area of the New Castle Airport.

Ryan Dillman, a worker at a nearby business, said that he heard a noise outside that “kept getting stronger and stronger. “

“Right when we looked out, it crashed and exploded. There were flames everywhere, and smoke. My heart dropped,” he said.

Susan Phillips, a spokeswoman for Penn Medicine, said in a prepared statement that the helicopter was operated by Metro Aviation, which provides aviation services for PennStar, the air transportation service for the University of Pennsylvania Health System.

“The pilot of the helicopter was conducting a training flight. No patients or Penn Medicine employees were on board,” Phillips said.

Kristen King Holmes, marking director for Metro Aviation, based in Shreveport, Louisiana, said in an email that the company has sent operations, safety and maintenance personnel to the scene.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with our pilot’s family and the entire Metro Aviation and PennSTAR family,” Holmes wrote.

NEWARK — For the first time in four decades, the University of Delaware has a new head men’s lacrosse coach.

UD announced on Thursday that it has hired Harvard assistant coach Ben DeLuca to replaces Bob Shillinglaw. Shillinglaw retired after 39 seasons as the Blue Hens’ coach.

DeLuca becomes just the ninth coach in the 67-year history of the sport at Delaware, Shillinglaw’s teams won 310 games, made six NCAA Division I Tournament appearances and won 16 conference titles.

“I am so excited to welcome Ben and his family to the Blue Hens family,” said Delaware athletic director Chrissi Rawak. “Ben believes strongly in the pursuit of excellence on and off the field and embodies the core values that drive the decisions we make everyday in Delaware athletics.

“In addition, he brings to us an incredible knowledge of the game of lacrosse and an understanding that the University of Delaware is a very special place. We have such a passionate group of Delaware lacrosse alumni and I know Ben will build a strong connection with them. There is absolutely no doubt that Ben will make our men’s lacrosse program, this department, and this university better.”

Ben DeLuca has coached at Cornell, Duke, and Harvard. During that time he has helped teams to 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a national championship as an assistant at Duke, a national runner-up finish as an assistant at Cornell, and three other NCAA semifinal appearances as a head coach and as an assistant. (UD Photo Services)

DeLuca has coached at Cornell, Duke, and Harvard. During that time he has helped teams to 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a national championship as an assistant at Duke, a national runner-up finish as an assistant at Cornell, and three other NCAA semifinal appearances as a head coach and as an assistant.

“My family and I want to thank President (Dennis) Assanis and Chrissi Rawak for this special opportunity and for the trust they have showed in inviting us to share in their mission to lead the renaissance of this great program together,” said DeLuca. “I am excited and honored to take over a program from someone like Bob Shillinglaw who has meant so much to this university and to the entire sport of lacrosse.”

UD athletic direcror Chrissi Rawak joins new men’s lacrosse coach Ben DeLuca at the Bob Carpenter Center on Thursday.

Following an outstanding playing career for Cornell, DeLuca joined the coaching ranks at his alma mater and served for 14 years, including three seasons as head coach in 2011-13. He then served for two seasons as an assistant coach to John Danowski at Duke in 2014-15 and the last two seasons as associate head coach at Harvard for head coach Chris Wojcik.

Among his fellow staff members at Harvard was former Delaware starting goalkeeper and captain Noah Fossner.

In two seasons at Harvard, DeLuca helped lead the Crimson to a 14-15 record. That included an 8-8 mark in 2016 when the team advanced to the Ivy League championship game after knocking off top-seeded and No. 2-ranked Brown in the semifinals.

That victory was one of three for the Crimson over a nationally-ranked opponent, with Harvard also defeating then No. 4 Duke, 14-9, and then No. 20 Villanova, 13-12. The win over the Wildcats came in the season opener in overtime as the Crimson became just the second team in NCAA history to win three-consecutive games in overtime.

DeLuca came to Cambridge after spending the previous two seasons as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator under Danowski at Duke, helping the Blue Devils to the 2014 national championship and the ACC regular season championship. DeLuca coached four defensive All-American’s in his first season in Durham. Duke also advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2015.

Prior to Duke, DeLuca spent 18 years at Cornell as both a student-athlete and coach, including three seasons as head coach from 2011-13. The Big Red won a pair of Ivy titles with DeLuca at the helm, posting an overall record of 37-11 with a conference mark of 16-2.

Cornell also made two appearances in the NCAA tournament, reaching the quarterfinals in 2011 and the national semifinals in 2013. Twelve student-athletes earned All-America recognition under DeLuca’s tutelage, including Rob Pannell who graduated from Cornell as the NCAA’s career leader in points (354).

A native of Rochester, N.Y, DeLuca is married to the former Laurie Tortorelli, a former All-American goalie for the women’s lacrosse team at the University of Delaware. Laurie was a four-year starter in goal in 1999-2002 and led the Hens to the NCAA Tournament in 2000 and an America East conference title in 1999. She still ranks No. 2 all-time at Delaware with 754 saves and No. 3 in minutes played (3,767).

If Ms. Davis of Ellendale styles herself such an expert on Islam because of one book [“Islam religion is tied with politics and military,” Opinion pages, May 13], maybe she would be interested in adding to her knowledge by checking out pages 155-344 in “The Age of Faith” by Will and Ariel Durant, which is the definitive history of Islam for me.

Those two were quintessential historians not tainted by the hysteria of the present. When she is done, maybe she should step back and realize Islam is being used, as is Christianity, like any other religion to weak political and economic havoc. There are those who are now in power in our government who would return us to the witch-burning, banning books, imprisoning of doctors who support women and isolating the White House from the eyes of the people, good old days of Puritan rule.

Being on a logic-less God-sanctioned mission is bad news for any nation and is not exclusive to Islam. Put Sharia law and very Old Testament law side by side, and be surprised.

I also hope, in her deep study of history, she realizes that the Barbary Pirate incident for which the Marines were created was a purely economic endeavor, and I hope she has read the Treaty of Tripoli which ended it. She will note that its wording says the U.S. in no way is founded on a religion and that Congress and the president signed off on it. The Moslems may have bought slaves from the black chiefs, but they sold them to God-rearing Christians, who took slavery to a whole new level based on the religious strictures of the Old Testament and some strange aside that black skin was the mark of Cain.

Islam has been split so many times and things have been reinterpreted so many times that isolating what Mohammed wrote is as hard as looking for what Jesus really said. History tells us Thomas Jefferson cut up the Bible and pasted together his own take on Jesus’ words, all the while saying no man would know his personal religion. Ben Franklin gave money at his death to all denominations, including Islam.

The Moslem faith is warlike in its verbiage and action because it is comparatively young and was born in one of the harshest places on earth, the desert. Originally, infidels/unbelievers were the animistic Bedouin tribes. The clash between them and Islam could be compared to the clash between the Druids and Christianity.

Never tell me that Christianity, at the age Islam is now, was not as violent, cruel and despicably used for political power supported by the military. Just a note, there are Christians that do not believe in the Trinity, as well. Great tortures were devised in the name of Christ. In recent times, doctors have been shot in their churches and offices by extreme Christians.

I also wonder if Ms. Davis has ever spoken to a Moslem person about our Constitution and how they view it. A rabid, judgmental, holier-than-thou mindset simmers under the surface of our House or Representatives today when a member can say, in regard to health care, people who live a righteous life will not get sick or have pre-existing conditions, or when another member would have children go without school-sponsored lunches to build character and/or teach parents responsibility – suffer the little children!

When Christ fed the masses, I don’t believe he asked for a visa or for proof of character. So much for the Christian bent of our legislators; sounds like evil is in the House.

Religion of many stripes (being on a mission for God) more times than not has always been a shield for political/economic skullduggery powered by fear, with war as its weapon. Any student of the Constitution, such as Ms. Davis, can tell you the Founders left three big clues in the text of that wondrous document concerning religion: Article 2: the oath the president takes does not have “so help me God” in it. The First Amendment itself: guarantees the freedom from religion as much as freedom of religion. And the best one yet, Article 6: “ … no religious Test shall ever” (my favorite word) “be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.” They had lived through the darkness that men are capable of in the name of religion.

I have much more to fear from this fascist president and the swamp he drained into the White House and his blind minions in Congress that will sell our souls and environment to thugs and war criminals from around the world in the name of profit, than [I have to fear from] a bunch of terrorists. Terrorism has many colors, many names and methods.

Patricia Kaminsky
Lewes

EDITOR’S NOTE: The U.S. Marine Corps was established in 1798. The first Barbary War was 1801-1805; the second Barbary War was in 1815. Other hostilities of the U.S.A. vs. the Barbary pirates, 1783-1796, ended by the Treaty of Tripoli, 1796-7, involved some “marines” under the aegis of the War Department, i.e., the Army, aboard naval ships.

Jeremy Ake’s two-run homer in the fifth inning lifted fourth-seeded Delaware to a 5-3 victory over No. 1 Northeastern in the Colonial Athletic Association baseball tournament on Thursday night at Brooks Field.

The Blue Hens (32-21) advance to today’s winner’s bracket final against the winner of Thursday’s late game between No. 2 UNCW and No. 3 William & Mary.

Ake, who finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored, broke a 2-2 tie with his third home run of the season to left.

Also for the Hens, who are 2-0 in the double-elimination tourney, Brian Mayer was 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI, while Nick Tierno went 2-for-3 and Jordan Glover was 2-for-5.

Junior Nick Spadafino (Dover) upped his record to 7-2 after allowing just two runs on five hits over 5.1 innings and striking out six. Reliever Colman Vila gave up only one unearned run over 2.1 innings and Burk FitzPatrick tossed the final 1.1 innings to earn his sixth save.

Blue Hen right-hander and Dover High product Nick Spadafino delivers a pitch during Thursday’s CAA Tournament game against Northeastern at UNC Wilmington. Spadafino started and allowed two hits and two runs while striking out six in 5.1 innings. (UNCW Athletics photo/Joe Browning )

Delaware took advantage of a Northeastern miscue to grab the lead in the second. Doug Trimble reached on a two-out error and consecutive singles from Diaz Nardo (Cape Henlopen), Tierno and Mayer put the Hens on top, 1-0.

Delaware tacked on another run in the fourth when Mayer’s bloop single to right brought home Ake.

Hen third baseman Diaz Nardo, a Cape Henlopen product, looks in toward home plate. (UNCW Athletics photo/Joe Browning)

After Ake’s two-run shot put the Hens back on top, Delaware added to its lead in the sixth. Tierno hit a one-out single and Mayer drove him in with a double to the fence in left.

High school tourneys

Tourney schedules changed by rain: Thursday’s rainy weather caused the rescheduling of several DIAA state tournaments.

• The final round of the boys’ and girls’ tennis state tennis tournaments were postponed until today.

Because of the University of Delaware’s graduation, the finals have also been moved to St. Andrews School in Middletown where the first matches will begin today at 1 p.m.

The defending state champion Caesar Rodney High girls’ squad is in first place with 20 points and has all five entries in the final. Second-place Archmere has 17 points and three entries in the finals, where two points are awarded for a victory.

• The quarterfinals of the DIAA softball tourney were also moved to today. The Milford-at-Appoquinimink contest will still start at 1 p.m. because Milford’s graduation was also postponed until tonight.

• The DIAA girls’ lacrosse state championship game, between Cape Henlopen and St. Mark’s, will now be played on Tuesday at the Delaware Turf Complex at 7 p.m.

• The quarterfinals of the DIAA Division II girls’ soccer tournament were also moved from Thursday to Tuesday night. The semifinals of that tourney have also been moved from Wednesday to Thursday, June 1.

Baseball

Dover, Smyrna pairings changed: The DIAA reshuffled some of the pairings for the baseball state tournament after realizing that Hodgson should have been awarded the No. 13 seed over Dover by a tiebreaker.

The 20-team tourney begins on Saturday with four first-round games at noon.

The No. 13 Silver Eagles will now face No. 20 Smyrna at noon at Middletown with the winner taking on the Cavaliers afterward. Dover, now the No. 14 seed, will play No. 19 Delaware Military at Appoquinimink with the winner taking on the Jaguars in the second round.

College softball

CR’s Burton named All-American: Wilmington University outfielder Rosa’Lynn Burton, a Caesar Rodney High grad, capped her outstanding freshman campaign by being named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II second team All-American squad on Wednesday night.

It is the first NFCA All-American in the Wildcats’ NCAA era while also the first time a student-athlete has earned second-team All-American status in program history. Burton joins alumnae Katie Warrington (2013) and Chelsea Botsch (2015), from Smyrna, as the only other All-Americans for the Wildcats.

Burton led the Wildcats and finished second in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference with a .463 batting average, while also pacing the league with 88 hits, 57 runs, and 41 stolen bases, all of which were single-season program records for the Wildcats. The CACC Freshman of the Year owns a .500 on-base percentage with 12 doubles, seven triples (which are tied for 10th in the NCAA), and a homer for a .616 slugging percentage.

College track & field

Wesley teams make finals: The Wesley College women’s 4×400-meter relay team survived the rainy weather and advanced to Saturday’s finals in the first day of competition at the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

The team of Elizsha Streeter, Briana Artis, Quadira Minus, and Angel Hall finished third in their heat with a time of 3:46.66, which put the Wolverines fourth overall in the preliminary race. The event is being held at the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio.

The men’s 4×100-meter relay team of Patrick Schlosser, Greg Taylor, DaJahn Lowery and Terrance Mack placed 13th in the preliminaries with a time of 41.84 seconds. That time didn’t advance the tandem into Saturday’s final.

The Wolverines continue competition on Friday with Roland Attoh-Okine racing in the prelims of the 60-meter hurdles at approximately 2:30 p.m.

UD’s McGroarty places 29th in NCAAs: Delaware junior distance runner Liz McGroarty opened action at the NCAA Women’s Outdoor Track & Field East Regionals with a 29th-place finish in the 1,500-meter run at the University of Kentucky Outdoor Track & Field Complex on Thursday.

McGroarty ran a time of 4:25.09 to place ninth in her heat and 29th overall, but just missed earning one of 24 spots in the quarterfinals.

Her time of 4:25.09 was only .55 off her career best and just .91 shy of the final qualifying spot.

Delaware will continue action at the East Regionals today when junior Sarah Hillman (Polytech) competes in the discus throw at 2 p.m.

Two-time Grammy winner Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience will perform at the Schwartz Center for the Arts Wednesday night at 7. (Submitted photo/Michael Weintrob)

For over 35 years, Terrance Simien has been spreading the word about zydeco music and his native New Orleans to anyone whose interested.

“Our country has so many different, diverse stories of history and culture and ours is one of them,” he said this week by phone from his home in Louisiana.

“I’ve been playing music for 36 years and since I’ve started playing, there have been so many questions. People seem to be fascinated with the music and eager to learn about its history. I love sharing the music with anyone and everybody who is interested. It’s not only Louisiana history but it’s American history.”

Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience will perform Wednesday night at 7 at the Dover’s Schwartz Center for the Arts.

That morning, he’ll be at Central Middle School performing an educational concert for students starting at 9 a.m. and then at 11:30 a.m., he will hold master classes on zydeco and Creole music for Dover High’s Jazz Ensemble and band.

He and his wife Cynthia created the “Creole for Kidz & The History of Zydeco” performing arts program, which provides informational performances to K-12 students, teachers and parents.

Since it was created in 2001, “Creole for Kidz” has reached nearly 500,000 people in more than 20 states, Mali, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Paraguay, Canada and Australia. They have also created MusicMatters, Inc., a nonprofit organization for education and advocacy.

Mr. Simien, a two-time Grammy Award winner, has performed over 7,000 concerts in more than 45 countries.

“Everywhere we go, we connect with the audience. And I think the reason is the multi-cultural fusion of ideas that’s in the music. They all just come together,” he said.

“It’s also very accessible. People get it right away. When we start playing, they start smiling and dancing.”

Zydeco is a musical genre that evolved in southwest Louisiana by French Creole speakers, which blends blues, rhythm and blues and music indigenous to the Louisiana people.

The fast-tempo sound is characterized by an accordion and washboard instrument called a rub-board.

Born in Mallet, Louisiana, his family is documented as one of the first Creole families to settle St. Landry Parish in the heart of zydeco country.

He counts himself fortunate to have grown up with the music and been mentored by the likes of zydeco greats such as Clifford Chenier, Geno Delafose, Boozoo Chavis and Rockin’ Sidney.

“I was very fortunate in coming into the music at a time when most of the great pioneers were still playing but the music was at its lowest point,” he said.

“But then seeing the change from it just being played in local dance halls to something that was catching on internationally was great. Instead of playing it in dance halls, it was being played at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. For some of those guys, they got to see that happen before it was too late.”

Mr. Simien said that for a long time, zydeco music was “secluded” between Louisiana and East Texas. But in the mid 1980s, that started to change.

He points to Rockin’ Sidney having a hit with the song “My Toot Toot” in 1984; the Dennis Quaid New Orleans-based film “The Big Easy” featuring zydeco music in 1987; and Paul Simon showcasing the genre on his 1986 album “Graceland” as contributing factors in its rising popularity.

“All of a sudden, people were hearing it on the radio and seeing it on the big screen and people really got interested in the music and the culture of the Louisiana Creole and Cajun people. It exploded and it’s still going today,” said the 51-year-old Mr. Simien.

Another breakthrough came in 2009 when Disney released the animated film “The Princess and the Frog.” It was set in New Orleans and featured their first black princess.

In the film Mr. Simien performed “Gonna Take You There,” a zydeco-flavored song penned by Randy Newman. He says it’s become a fan favorite among the younger set.

“When we do our educational programs, kids are more aware about the music and the culture from watching the movie. We do that song and all of the kids recognize it and it’s something they can connect with,” he said.

“What a pleasant surprise and an honor to get that call from Disney. It’s such an awesome thing that Disney did. That movie could have been set in any American city but they chose to have it set in New Orleans and it’s something I’m very proud of.”

But perhaps his biggest accomplishment came in 2008 when his band was honored with a Grammy award for their album “Live! Worldwide.” It was the first in zydeco since Rockin’ Sidney received his in 1985.

It was extra special as it was the first Grammy to be awarded in the category of Best Zydeco or Cajun Music Album. He and his wife spearheaded the effort to establish the award.

“I can’t even come up with a word to describe how it felt to win it. But what topped that was when we found we got that category. That’s so rare to be able to do that,” he said.

The category lasted just four years and is now called Best Regional Roots Music Album, encompassing different forms of New Orleans music but also genres such as Hawaiian and polka.

Mr. Simien’s group won a Grammy in that category in 2014 for their record “Dockside Sessions.”

He’s looking forward to next week in Dover, where he can both educate and entertain — as he’s done for most of his life.

“It’s a lot of work and a lot of driving. But it’s a blessing to get on stage and see the people,” he said.

“I enjoy meeting new people and seeing new things. It’s just been a beautiful experience all the way around. I look forward to every gig.”

Tickets for Wednesday’s show are $15 for adults; $12 for seniors 65-plus, military with ID, students and children.

For more information or tickets, visit schwartzcenter.com, stop by the box office Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or call 678-5152.

In the Mood in Dover

In what seems to be an annual tradition now, Dover Downs announced this week that the Glenn Miller Orchestra will bring their classic, big-band favorites back to the Rollins Center on Friday, Oct. 27. Doors open at 6 p.m. for the 7 p.m. show.

Tickets can be purchased online at doverdowns.com or by contacting VIP Services at (800) 711-5882. Prices range from $13 to $18.

First formed in 1937 by Glenn Miller, the orchestra continues to play almost 300 shows per year in front of more than 500,000 people annually.

With a repertoire of more than 1,700 compositions, the Glenn Miller Orchestra’s list of favorites include “Moonlight Serenade,” “In The Mood,” “Tuxedo Junction,” “St. Louis Blues March,” “Sunrise Serenade,” “Little Brown Jug” and “Rhapsody in Blue.”

The orchestra has been led by music director and vocalist Nick Hilscher since January 2012. Mr. Hilscher, who began his professional career in the 1990s as a teenager, has been featured on several albums with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, including “On The Air” and “Steppin’ Out.”

He released his latest solo album “Young and Foolish,” in 2010, which features the music of Nat “King” Cole, Buddy Holly, Roger Miller, Cole Porter, Elvis Presley and Hank Williams Sr.

At the Bandstand

With the Memorial Day weekend upon us, the summer concert season heats up.

Since 1963, Rehoboth Beach has offered free entertainment at the Bandstand for residents and vacationers. This year marks another season featuring shows for all ages every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening beginning at 8.

Performances will kick off with Sons of Pirates on Saturday. Sometimes billed as a Jimmy Buffet tribute band, the group plays the beach music of Buffett, Bob Marley, Zac Brown and splashes in classic hits from James Taylor and more. On Sunday, Desert Highway will perform the music of The Eagles.

The season jumps into full swing on Friday, June 16, with its opening act, The Uptown Band and continues on Saturday, June 17, with a performance by U.S. Air Force Max Impact and Sunday, June 18 with Triple Rail Turn, formerly Philbilly.

This Philadelphia-based country band will also be the headliner for this year’s June Jam in Houston on June 10.

For an event list, visit www.rehobothbandstand.com.

Now showing

New this weekend in theaters is “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales 3D” and the big screen remake of “Baywatch.”

On DVD and download starting Tuesday is the spiritual drama “The Shack” and the comedy “Fist Fight.”

Carl R. Popadick, left, as Capt. Levi “Bluebeard” West and Joel Keener as Capt. Charles Vane get set for the fifth annual Bowers Beach Buccaneer Bash set for Saturday and Sunday at sites all around town. (Delaware State News/Marc Clery)

BOWERS — Most days of the year, Joel Keener of Claymont is an artist and professor at Cheyney University in Pennsylvania. But, every Memorial Day weekend, he becomes mischievous pirate Charles Vane in honor of the rowdy, swashbuckling celebration known as the Bowers Beach Buccaneer Bash.

“Charles Vane was a real pirate in the golden age of piracy in the late 1600s and early 1700s,” said Mr. Keener. “He got his start when folks were salvaging the Spanish treasure ships that sunk in a storm off the coast of Florida. He decided he wanted to be self-employed.”

Charles Vane spent his pirate days up and down the East Coast from Philadelphia (and probably New York) down to the Caribbean, explained Mr. Keener. He was a known associate of Edward “Blackbeard” Teach.

“Charles was partying with Blackbeard and other miscreants of the era. So we know that he spent some time in the Chesapeake and Delaware bays,” said Mr. Keener.

Vane was eventually captured and hung for his crimes in 1721, approximately five years after beginning a life of piracy.

“It was a short career, but an exciting one,” said Mr. Keener.

On Saturday and Sunday, the small city of Bowers will become a pirate haven for the annual festival. Visitors are encouraged to come and “party like it’s 1699!”

The Buccaneer Bash, now in its fifth year, is organized by the Bowers Beach Maritime Museum. Judy Martin, executive director of the museum, said the festival has been rapidly growing since its inception.

“We started out with about 1,000 to 1,500 people coming to the first one,” she said. “Last year we estimated about 6,000 to 7,000 showed up. We’re expecting even more this year if the weather cooperates.”

Creating an extremely loud bang, Eric Mueller of New York, NY fires a grenado – a primitive explosive that was a special weapon of pirates – into the air as he and other pirates ransack the town of Bowers Beach in 2005. (Delaware State News file photo)

Largely orchestrated by the museum, the festival is also made possible by funds from the Kent County Levy Court, Delaware Division of the Arts and the Delaware Humanities Forum. The event pays for itself, and adds funds to the museum’s coffers, said Ms. Martin.

“The festival really has two purposes: to educate the public about the pirates of the Delaware Bay and to raise funds for the museum,” she said.

“It’s taken a while to grow the event and the whole thing is a rather expensive proposition with advertising, bringing in bands and entertainers and food trucks and vendors. But, at the end it helps put a little bit money into the museum.”

Through fundraising efforts and a county grant, Ms. Martin said the museum has recently been able to engage in a few expansion projects.

“It’s a really exciting time for us — we’ve renovated a part of our 104-year-old museum, and last week we just started a new building behind it that will give us a lot more room for exhibits and educational spaces,” she said.

Festival features

Ms. Martin said the event is a family-friendly gathering that’s enjoyable for all ages. There will be a gamut of entertainers, including two pirate bands — The Brigands and Pirates for Sail. The Pirates of Fortune’s Folly, an entertainment troupe, will be performing for visitors as well.

The event is centered around the pirate encampment that will be set up in the city park just west of Clifton Cubbage Drive from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. However, various happenings, demonstrations and performances will be ongoing throughout Bowers. An estimated 35 to 40 “pirates” will be on hand to provide cannon, small firearm and sword fight demonstrations. There will also be cooking, brewing, woodworking, glassblowing, blacksmithing and nautical tool use displays in action.

Workshops on knot-tying skills, the history of female pirates, pirate democracy, pirate weaponry and safety and the mathematics of artillery will be held for visitors’ amusement.

Among the large number of period-appropriate vendors and activities, a little audience-participation theater will be in the air too.

“The first Delaware Militia will be here, and it’s so much fun to watch them interacting — they’ll recruit children

Dressed as “Captain Jack Sparrow”, Gary Crivellano of Easton, PA let visitors to the Bowers Beach Buccaneer Bash board his Black Pearl pirate ship in 2015. (Delaware State News file photo)

from the audience to help fight back the pirates,” said Ms. Martin

“There is always a pirate bar brawl too that happens at our local tavern, The Bayview Inn, around 3 p.m. on Saturday. It’s a big fight that spills out onto the street — the crowd always loves it.”

As a prelude to Buccaneer Bash, around 25 pirate re-enactors will be heading to the 7:30 showing of “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” at the AMC theater in the Dover Mall.

“It’ll be a lot of fun. They’ll be hanging out before the movie in full garb taking pictures with people,” said Ms. Martin.

Feeling like he’s been a pirate ever since he first read Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island” as a boy, Mr. Keener said the history and lifestyle of pirates is fascinating and fun. He enjoys helping the public find that same inspiration at the Buccaneer Bash.

“Pirates have a notorious history, but in a way I admire that kind of wild freedom,” he said. “My favorite part of the festival is just getting the chance to be a full-fledged pirate all weekend and just share the experience with everyone.”

For more information on the event or a full list of activities and times, call (302) 335-1556 or search “Bowers Beach Maritime Museum” on Facebook.

Milford High senior Shivon Taylor waves to staff members and students inside Milford Central Academy during the high school’s inaugural graduation march through the district’s schools Thursday. (Milford Chronicle/Jenn Antonik)

Milford Senior High School’s graduation ceremony will begin at 6:15 tonight at Briggs Stadium.

The ceremony, due to inclement weather, was postponed a day.

For additional coverage, visit www.MilfordChronicle.net.

Valedictorian: Alexis Celine Peterson

Salutatorian: Daniel Zang

Class President: Katelyn Brooke Melvin

Vice President: Michaela Reigh Roach

Secretary: Hayden Caroline Shockley

Treasurer: Madison Rae Rogers

Milford High senior and soon-to-be graduate Dominyc Hovington celebrates graduation with lower-level students Thursday during the graduation march. (Milford Chronicle/Jenn Antonik)

Jose Joaquin Alcantara Pena

Steven Alvarado

Bellen Amisial

Margaret Lizbeth Amory

Lucas Sorato Antolini

Steven Tucker Argo

Osvaldo Rafael Arias

Summer Rae Arthurs

Steve Joseph Baird III

Jameshia Lesha Baker

Kyle Garrett Barbutes

Christian Antonio Barron

Robyn Lynn Beard

Emmanuel Sam Beaucejour

Darkenson Berrette

Shelby Renee Blankenship

Brianna Nicole Blessing

Cohen Alexander Bonneville

Prianna K Bookman

Gage Charles Booth

Nia Sidney Bowe

Rajene Meshelle Bowe

Saharra Nicole Daisy Brady

Kiarra Leigh Brittingham

Derrick John Brooks

Christopher Kenneth Brown

Jeffrey Allen Burcham

Adam Joseph Byler

Dillon Gene Bynaker

David Cabrera Jr.

Brianna Leighann Cahall

Nicholas Giovanni Carlino

Miriam Carrillo

Ty Cartigan Cartwright

Katelyn Taylor Casterline

Genesis Jibreel Chamberlayne

Dyaishia Shontae Cherry

Greggory Allen Clark Jr.

Dakota Kay Clayville

Thalia Leticia Collazo Irizarry

Marcus Anthony Correa

Sebastian Cortes Zambrano

Sametone Corvil

Valeria Alexandra Coverdale

Christopher Skye Cranmer

Tovah Noelle Crawford

Alexander Michael Creasey

Jessica Marie Creigh

Hunter Davis Culver

RoseBerline Dalphinis

Keith Dominic Daniels II

Ondrea Monay Daniels

Jace Paul Kenneth Darling

Cole Raymond Davis

Ethan Henry Dehel

Zachary Domercant

William Thomas Dorey IV

Dylan Henry Drain

Tayeler Lashaye Duffy

Jordon Anthony Dutton

Rebecca Claire Eadie

Martine Rosie J. Edmond

Michael Demetrius Edwards

Brittany Ann Eichenberg

Jacqueline E Ellison

Rachel Alyse Esposito

Eshnightder Estime

Hannah Renee Fannin

Skylar Marie Field

Angel Lee Fish

Jacob Paul Fisher

Allison Danielle Fitzgerald

Ricardo Florestal

Joshua Cornelius Fonville

Major Steven Foster

Megan Lynn Fry

Gavin Carlos Garcia

Kayla Marie Garnick

Cross Michael Gerardi

Lahmyere Denijhaye Giddens

Hannah Anne Gordon

Shelby June Grant

Arielle Dae Greczkin

Alante Dy Vine Gunter

Brennan Joseph Hajek

Caleb James Hallman

Bianca Haro Purata

Madison Nicole Hazzard

Ryan Michael Herka

Brielle Katherine Hermstedt

Mark Alan Hollingsworth

Dominyc Javon Hovington

Michaela Lynn Huey

Darrell Issac Hughes Jr.

Steven Allen Hughes Jr.

Ethan Christopher Hurd

Rebecca Ann Hutchinson

Zulmarielys V Irizarry

Lion Lee Jackson

Tyera Ladora Renee Jarrett

Sarah Imad Abdel-Rahm Jarwan

Alexus Renee Jester

Lacole Renee Jester

Joshua Johnson

Kailyn Marie Johnson

Kimberly Elizabeth Johnson

Zachary Thomas Johnson

Zoe Elizabeth Johnson

Ryan P Jones

Steve Joseph

Michael Theodore Judson

Athanasios Sakis Kalesis

Jacob Matthew Kaminski

Imari Rickeal Kane

William Dean Kimmel III

Daniel M Knutsen

Robert V Knutsen

Frederick Jay Kravitz

James Alexander Kucharzyk

Alexis Elizabeth Kuhn

Claire Allyson Landon

Paige Elizabeth Lee

Daphne Elizabeth Leighty

Desieree Olivia Lewis

Vanus Garron Lee Little

Lori Belle Lloyd

Daquan Shamear Owen Lovett

Siara Janet Kaye Lugo

Deanna Paige Maloney

Erin Elizabeth Marker

Julia A Markland

Jordan Lee McDonnell

Carlos Ricardo Melendez

Katelyn Brooke Melvin

Jase Addison Meredith

Joshua Robert Messick

Kaitlyn Elizabeth Messick

Tyra Ronae Mifflin

Ensley Eugene Milton

Matthew Tyler Mitzel

Steven James Moore

Minerva Citlali Morado

Hailey Paige Morgan

Dev’lona Marie Mosley

Hannah Lee Nichole Mosley

Abraham Jacob Ernest Mow

Brad Spence Mundorf

Takoda Deangelo Murphy

Brion Jaylin Murray

Ginny Denise Nicholson

Ivan Vladmir Nochez

Jennie Noel

Amanda Ryan Nordberg

Brandy Alexandri Orta

Shannah Nikole Ortiz

Emely Samantha Perez

Alexis Celine Peterson

Kieran Elizabeth Pheasant

Caleb Lee Pierce

Monique Tashay Pressley

Brianna Danielle Redlich

Dallas Causey Rhodes

Tymire L. Riddick

Michaela Reigh Roach

Amber Rae Roberts

Michael Conway Robertson

Adriana Marie Robledo

Christopher Michael Rodriguez

Carlos Daniel Rodriguez Martinez

Jalyncia Enilda Rodriguez Rosado

Deja Marie Rodriquez Santiago

Madison Rae Rogers

Neishaly Marie Romero Figueroa

Jennifer Morgan Rust

Christopher Matthew Sampson

Amanda Rose Sauer

Donald Raymond Scott Jr.

Kiara Nyja Scott

Wilson Leon Sharp

Hayden Caroline Shockley

Lindsay Rebecca Shockley

Arianna Patrice Silochan

Shelby Marie Simpson

Saffire Lexus Smith Maxwell

Margaret Lois Sollie

Kimberly Johana Sorto Rios

Tea Marie Squillace

Megan Alexis Stevenson

Austin Tyler Stewart

Madison Paige Swain

Shivon Lynese Monque Taylor

Holly Danielle Tesoro

Aaron Robert Thornley

Kaje Toniere Tiggs Reynolds

Malcolm Joseph Tilghman III

Tyler Cristian Timson

Alex Isiah Toledo

Juventino Garcia Torres

Alexis Torres Fragoso

Daniel Lloyd Voss Jr.

Barbara Mary Walker

Bryce Chipman Warren

Mariah Jessica Whaley

Brianna Cheyenne Wilhelm

Kyla Shana Williams

Michael Koichi Wills

Megan Noel Wolfe

Bryan Arthur Wynes

Aide Zamarripa

Daniel Zang

Kaden Jace Zeitler

Three Henlopen Conference players were named to the first team on the All-State baseball team that was released on Friday afternoon.

Polytech’s Carter Chasanov (second base), Sussex Tech’s Anthony Hitchcock (third base) and Laurel’s Perez Nichols (outfielder) were all selected to the first team of the squad, which is chosen by the Delaware Interscholastic Baseball Association.

Appoquinimink’s Ryan Steckline, an All-Stater at both first base and pitcher, was named the state Player of the Year while St. Elizabeth’s Tom Beddow was voted Coach of the Year.

All-State Baseball Team

First team

P-Ryan Bradigan               12           Conrad

P-Billy Sullivan    12           St. Mark’s

C -Brock Nowell 12           Conrad

1B-Ryan Steckline             12           Appoquinimink

2B-Carter Chasanov        12           Polytech

3B-Anthony Hitchcock   12           Sussex Tech

SS-Clayton Hansen           12           Newark

OF-Aidan Riley    10           St. Georges

OF-Javon Fields  11           Appoquinimink

OF-Jake Walls     11           Middletown

OF-Perez Nichols              12           Laurel

DH-Nate McVey 10           St. Georges

U-Joey Silan        11           Caravel

Player of the Year: Ryan Steckline, 12, Appoquinimink

Coach of the Year: Tom Beddow, St. Elizabeth

Ast. Coaches of the Year: John Green, St. Georges; Doug Nowell, Conrad

Second team

P-Zack Miller       12           Salesianum

P-Ryan Steckline               12           Appoquinimink

P-Joey Haass      12           Polytech

C-Zach Miller      12           Salesianum

1B-Cole Garey   12           Polytech

2B-David Mongeluzi         12           Wilm. Charter

3B-Josh Maguire               11           Salesianum

SS-Zack Gelof    11           Cape Henlopen

OF-Luke Oliphant            12           Sussex Tech

OF-Bryce Greenly            11           Milford

OF-Nate Hardcastle         10           Red Lion

OF-Tristan Guild 12           St. Georges

DH-Noah Piper  12           Cape Henlopen

U-Hugh Love      12           Tower Hill

U-Abraham Mow            12           Milford

Honorable Mention

P-David Erickson              11           Cape Henlopen

P-Kyle Maxwell  12           Conrad

P-Jimmy Adkins               12           Delmar

P-Trevor Jump    12           Mt. Pleasant

C-Michael Serafin             12           DMA

C-William Kimmel            12           Milford

1B-Alex Barker   12           Caravel

1B-David Hazelton           12           St. Elizabeth

2B-John Weglarz              12           Appoquinimink

2B-Max Gioffre  11           Archmere

3B-Kevin Buglio  11           Newark Charter

3B-Trey Toppin 12           Sussex Central

SS-Jimmy Adkins             12           Delmar

SS-Zach Lesher   12           Newark Charter

SS-Connor Megginson     11           Hodgson

OF-Maurice Parson          12           Mt. Pleasant

OF-Austin Elliott               11           Cape Henlopen

OF-Michael Sorowice      12           Wilm. Christian

OF-C.J. Deery     10           Hodgson

OF-Nolan Henderson      12           Smyrna

OF-Anthony Madonna     12           Conrad

OF-Oliver Campbell          12           Tatnall

DH-Pat McVey    12           Archmere

DH-Ethan Hurd  12           Milford

U-Avery Tunnell               12           Dover

U-Darin Matthews           12           Howard

U-Devin McClendon         10           Middletown

Ninth-seeded Delmar High knocked off top-seeded Caravel, 7-5, in the DIAA softball state quarterfinals on Friday afternoon.

The Wildcats (16-4) play again today when they face No. 5 Delaware Military (15-5) in the state semifinals. The contest is slated for 12:30 p.m. at Lower Sussex Little League in Roxana.

The defending state champion Buccaneers (11-9) went 0-5 against Henlopen Conference teams this season.

Delaware Military 2, Sussex Tech 0: The Seahawks scored twice in the third inning before holding off the No. 4 RAvens in the state quarterfinals.

Sussex Tech finishes the season at 16-4.

College baseball

Delaware 14, UNCW 8: For the fourth time in the 17-year tenure of Delaware baseball coach Jim Sherman, the Blue Hens will play in the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament championship game after Friday’s win.

The Hens, who are 3-0 in the tournament, struck for eight two-out runs in the sixth inning to take a 13-7 lead. The inning featured six hits, including back-to-back home runs by Brian Mayer and Kevin Mohollen. Mohollen’s home run tied the game at 7-7.

Delaware will play in the finals today 4:30 p.m. at UNC-Wilmington. A Blue Hen loss would force a second game for the title and the CAA’s automatic NCAA Tournament berth.

“Today I saw a bunch of young guys that are resilient, and hungry,” Sherman said. “This afternoon our guys were confident out there. We didn’t get down when they made their run, before we had the eight-run inning, all with two outs. I couldn’t have asked for a better effort from our guys.

“Great job, great effort by the offense and then we got great pitching again from the bullpen. The bullpen did a heck of a job.”

After the Blue Hens loaded the bases with two-outs in the sixth, shortstop Jeremy Ake was hit with a pitch to give UD an 8-7 lead.

Designated hitter Doug Trimble followed with a two-run double that gave UD a 10-7 lead. Following Trimble’s big hit, Nardo drove an RBI single up the middle that scored the Blue Hens 11th run of the ballgame.

The Hens scored their 12th and 13th runs of the game, on a Tierno two-run double. The Blue Hens added the 14th run of game on Patten’s RBI single.

In total, four Hens produced multiple hits including Mohollen and Patten. Jordan Glover, who went two-for-four, stole his league-leading 22nd base of the season.

Mohollen, who went 2-for-3 with four runs scored and two walks, also made a key catch  in the second to keep a run off the board.

Patten, who hit his 14th home run of the season in the first, gave the Blue Hens a 3-0 lead on the blast. Patten drove in four runs and scored twice.

“This team is starting to make a name for themselves,” Sherman said. “They can put a ‘feather in their cap’ by winning this thing. We haven’t won the postseason title since joining the CAA. We’ve had really good clubs throughout the years, as we have the second most CAA Tournament wins since 2002. Now heading into tomorrow we just need to close it out. I’m excited for this group, because they’re all performing so well.”

College football

Ex-Hen Bozick signs with Lions: Former Delaware standout offensive lineman Connor Bozick was signed to a free agent contract by the Detroit Lions this week.

Bozick, a 6-foot-5, 320-pound combination tackle-guard take part in Detroit’s pre-season camp. Former Blue Hen All-American linebacker Paul Worrilow, who played the past four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and played in the Super Bowl this past February, signed with the Lions earlier this spring.

The Lions will begin training camp July 23 in Allen Park, Mich.

“I’m excited to be joining a great organization like the Detroit Lions,” said Bozick. “The coaches here are world-class and I can’t wait to play more football and compete for a spot.”

Bozick was a two-time All-Colonial Athletic Association selection, earning-second team honors in 2016 and third-team honors in 2015, and competed in both the FCS National All-Star Bowl and the Dream Bowl All-Star Game following the season. He also earned the Blue Hen Touchdown Club Outstanding Senior Lineman Award.

A versatile player who competed at both tackle and guard during his career, Bozick appeared in 46 career games with 24 straight starts to finish up his career and never missed a game since his redshirt freshman season in 2013.

College track & field

Hillman fails to advance: Delaware junior Sarah Hillman closed out the season Friday afternoon by competing at the NCAA Division I Women’s Outdoor Track & Field East Regionals at the University of Kentucky.

Competing in the discus, the Polytech High grad did not advance as she fouled on all three attempts and tied for 46th place in the standings. The top 12 finishers advance to the NCAA Championships to be held June 7-10 at the University of Oregon.

A 15th-place finisher at the NCAA Regionals last year, Hillman entered the meet with the nation’s ninth-best throw this season, a school-record toss of 186-2 that would have been good enough to win the event that was captured by Florida State’s Gleneve Grange (184-6) on Friday.

Wesley’s Attoh-Okine reaches finals: Wesley College junior Roland Attoh-Okine hurdled his way to today’s 110-meter hurdle finals on the second day of the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track and Field Championships, held at the SPIRE Institute in Geneva, Ohio.

Attoh-Okine finished second in his heat with time of 14.39 seconds. That time was the fifth-fastest qualifying time amongst all the preliminary heats.

MIDDLETOWN — Without a spectacular season saving catch in the bottom of the seventh inning, the game-winning homer in the eighth wasn’t possible.

And without a clutch, game-tying two-out hit in the top of the seventh before that, those heroics never would have happened.

The visiting Milford softball faced near elimination several times Friday afternoon, and survived with a 6-5 victory over Appoquinimink in the DIAA State Softball Tournament quarterfinals.

Milford advanced to meet Indian River winner in today’s semifinals.

Freshman Macey Myers crushed her second home run of the game in the eighth for the deciding score, which was exciting enough, but it didn’t quite match the drama twice before that.

Trailing by a run and down to one out left in the seventh, Buccaneers’ sophomore Morgan Petty bounced an RBI single up the middle to tie the game at 5-5.

Host Appo (16-4) loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but Milford junior right-fielder Kalaysia Reynolds stretched out and snagged a blooper just inches from the grass to literally save the season.

It was the story of the season for the Buccaneers, who recovered from a 4-4 start this spring to win 12 straight games including the tournament.

The Bucs trailed 2-0 heading into the fifth inning Friday, but tied it with Myers’ first longball and senior Rajene Bowe’s speedy, aggressive baserunning, Bowe began with a bloop hit over the shortstop, stole second and then never slowed down rounding third when scoring on Darby Brennan’s sacrifice bunt for a 2-2 tie.

The deadlock was short-lived, however, after Appo’s Haley Jones slugged a homer over the right-centerfield fence for a 3-2 advantage after five innings.

Down once again, Milford’s sophomore catcher Courtney Kohel responded with a two-run home run, preceded by Petty’s double, in the top of the sixth.

The Bucs lead evaporated in the bottom half when Appo produced two runs on walks by Rachel Durham and Alicia Bruce, an infield error and double by Mallory Weir.

Blue Hen Flight A champion Appo broke up a scoreless game in the second with two runs, keyed by singles from Morgan Widdoes, Tayler Vitola and Andrea Johnson, along with a two-base outfield error.

DOVER — Delaware’s second medical marijuana dispensary opened Friday in Lewes, nearly two years after a first facility opened its doors in Wilmington.

Both dispensaries are operated by First State Compassion Center, which previously won bids with the state.

The Lewes site is located at 12000 Old Vine Boulevard. It is open six days a week from 10:30 to 6:30 weekdays and and 10 to 4 Saturdays.

“Our foremost goal is the care we take of our patients, and that includes having the best medicine and the most caring staff,” FSCC President Mark Lally said in a statement.

“We built our new space focusing on the patient experience, aiming to create a modern, comfortable feel and an environment that enhances patients’ comfort while they safely explore products for their care.”

First State Compassion Centers offer 17 of their own strains of cannabis, as well as capsules, concentrates, oils, tinctures, pre-rolls, topicals, accessories and gear.

According to the company, the most popular strains in Wilmington are Pineapple Fields, Super Lemon Haze, Hollywood Haze, MK Ultra and Kosher Kush.

The Kent County Compassion Center, run by Columbia Care, is set to open in the second half of 2017, according to the state. The location has not been publicly disclosed.

As of January, there were 2,602 active medical marijuana cards held by Delawareans.

Delaware’s medical marijuana program, created in 2011 by the General Assembly, enables patients to legally possess up to 6 ounces and purchase up to 3 ounces every 14 days.

Medical marijuana is not covered by health insurance.

Patients must apply to the Department of Health and Social Services, proving they are residents and possess a doctor’s note certifying they suffer from an eligible condition. Qualifying conditions include cancer, HIV, ALS, PSTD and uncontrolled seizures.

For more information about the two active dispensaries, visit http://firststatecompassion.com.

John Glenn

DOVER — As Air Force officials investigate allegations that inspectors were invited to view the remains of astronaut and former U.S. Sen. John Glenn at Dover Air Force Base, a military mortuary chief said Friday that Glenn’s remains were treated with “impeccable care.”

“He was not disrespected in any way, shape or form,” William Zwicharowski told The Associated Press.

Zwicharowski said he’s proud of the job he and his staff did in caring for Glenn’s remains during the months between his death last December and his burial at Arlington National Cemetery in April.

Air Force officials are investigating concerns raised about management of the mortuary and allegations that inspectors who visited the facility this spring were invited to look at Glenn’s remains, which they declined to do.

Despite repeated requests, the Defense Department on Friday refused to release a memo describing the alleged incident.

Zwicharowski said he also hasn’t seen the memo, or the final report on the inspection, which the mortuary passed with a score of 94 percent.

A horse-drawn caisson carries former astronaut and U.S. Senator John Glenn to his final resting place during the interment ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia in April. Earlier, his casket arrived at Dover Air Force Base and a procession followed from the base through Camden and Wyoming onto Arlington National. (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Zwicharowski also said he’s had no access to the mortuary since Monday, when he was notified that he was under an inspector general’s investigation.

“I was given no reason for the IG investigation,” said Zwicharowski, who is currently reassigned to a community outreach position in the base’s mission support group.

“I didn’t know anything about John Glenn until last night at midnight,” he added, recalling a text he received from a colleague.

Zwicharowski acknowledged asking inspectors if they wanted to view Glenn’s body but said it was a purely professional query.

“It was an honest invitation to see the quality of our preparation of remains. It wasn’t to see John Glenn. If it was John Smith, Private, it didn’t matter … It was to see the care that we had given and the preservation.”

“They’re inspecting the mortuary, and probably 80 or 90 percent of our mission is the preparation of remains,” he added. “… If it was Private Smith, it would never have been an issue. We treat everyone the same in the mortuary. We pride ourselves on that. We don’t care if you’re a janitor or a general.”

A message was left Friday with the Glenn family’s secretary seeking comment.

In a May 11 memo obtained by the Military Times, Deborah Skillman, the Defense Department’s director of casualty and mortuary affairs, described Zwicharowski’s actions as “clearly inappropriate and personally shocking.”

Zwicharowski said he does not recall any negative reaction from inspection team members.

“That’s why I’m in awe…. I didn’t think there was anything wrong with that, obviously. They’re in a mortuary, and they’re inspecting a mortuary,” he explained.

A few days after the inspection, however, Lt. Col. Chip Hollinger, deputy commander of Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations, told Zwicharowski the inspection team mentioned that they didn’t think it was appropriate to invite them to see Glenn’s body.

“It was brought up, and I explained to Col. Hollinger why, and it was solely professional. I saw nothing wrong with it and he never said anything else about it,” Zwicharowski said.

Zwicharowski said he believes he is being targeted with retribution for blowing the whistle on the mishandling of remains at the mortuary several years ago.
“I think it’s continued retribution,” he said.

Zwicharowski and two colleagues received public servant awards from the U.S. Office of Special Counsel in 2012 for pointing out problems at the mortuary.
But Zwicharowski said Friday that morale among mortuary staff was “horrific,” and he described the work environment as “toxic.”

“What we need is less management,” he said. “I’m being micromanaged and told how to embalm bodies by someone who has never touched a body.”

The White House just released a national budget that includes extreme, unprecedented cuts to foreign aid. Congress must say “no.”

Here is just one of the many things on the chopping block: the chance for millions of children to achieve their simple dream of – and their right to – an education. With a staggering 263 million children and youth out of school globally, the White House responds by eliminating the main account funding education. This is outrageous and nonsensical. What is for them a forgettable line-item in their massive budget is the future for millions of people, who just want a chance to go to school.

Growing up as a little girl in a rural African setting was no easy task. I went to school in a time when my community believed girls are born to produce dowry for their parents. I was lucky that my parents, although struggling, understood the importance of education.

When I finished my undergraduate studies, I quickly landed a good job in a technology firm, but I was eager to rewrite the narrative and make my community see the difference education made for me.

So, I founded the non-profit www.mfarijiafrica.org to support other marginalized girls like me in Kenya [to] complete their education. The wake of this new budget is shattering to the efforts that the world has put to move millions of generations forward. This ultimately is taking 1,000 steps farther back than where we began!

The only reason I am a voice for others, rather than a statistic, is because of education. Today, I choose to use this platform to raise my voice, not just for the girls/boys in my village or my community or my country, but for the millions of children all over the world who are out of school, yet, deserve an education. Because, no matter where a child is born, they deserve to live, thrive, receive an education and reach their full potential.

Congress, do the right thing and reject these cuts.

Alice Aluoch
RESULTS volunteer
New Castle

EDITOR’S NOTE: A web search reveals that the Swahili “mfariji” is equal to the English “comforter.”

FELTON — Sophomore starting pitcher Abigail O’Shields turned in a strong performance for Indian River softball, helping the Indians earn a 7-4 upset victory over No. 2-seeded Lake Forest Friday afternoon in the softball state tournament quarterfinals.

The victory, coming three days after No. 10 IR’s 7-4 first-round win over Red Lion, allows the Indians to host No. 11 Milford in this afternoon’s semifinals.

“Lake is such a great team, and it’s hard playing teams we played in the regular season,” head coach Erika Murphy said. “We are a firm believer in that the regular season means absolutely nothing once playoffs start. They’re determined this year and they want it bad, and that’s all you can ask for in a time like this.”

With Kerrigan Simpson in the pitcher’s circle for Lake, Indian River’s lineup managed to get the bat on the ball and put runners in scoring position in the three-run game.

Sophomore first baseman Samantha Mayfield led off the top of the second inning with a double to left field, and scored two batters later on a Braydee Whitman double.

Indian players celebrate their win over Lake Forest in the second round of the state softball tournament at Lake Forest on Friday. (Delaware State News/Marc Clery)

After a 1-2-3 first inning against Lake’s Mya Maddox, Kaitlyn Stahre and Brooke Glanden, IR’s O’Shields ran into some trouble in the bottom of the second inning. With the bases loaded and Lake threatening to score, O’Shields recorded back-to-back strikeouts of Abigail Collins and Grace Aguilar to end the scoring threat.

Indian River’s Samantha Mayfield is all smiles after hitting a home run against Lake Forest

Sophomore catcher Grace Snyder extended IR’s lead to 3-0 in the top of the fourth inning, drilling a two-run homer over the outfield fence.

Aguilar singled in senior catcher Faith Garey in the bottom half of the fourth to cut IR’s lead to 3-1.

Julia Bomhardt led the fifth inning off with a single to center field, later advancing to third and scoring on a Makenzie Collins bloop single to left field.

Lake’s Brittany Baker drove in Kaitlyn Stahre on a sacrifice fly to center field in the bottom of the fifth inning, cutting in to IR’s lead once again.

Indian River went back up three runs in the sixth on a Damya Williams RBI double, scoring senior Madison McGee.

O’Shields retired Lake in order in the bottom of the sixth inning, forcing Garey and Collins fly-outs and an Aguilar groundout.

Indian River’s Abigail O’Shields pitches against Lake Forest

Samantha Mayfield provided Indian River with two additional insurance runs in the top half of the seventh, drilling a Kaitlyn Stahre pitch over the outfield wall.

“We came in with clear heads,” Mayfield said. “We knew that this was going to be a very tough game, but we just know we can play well. And we performed up to our potential.”

Simpson hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning, bouncing a pitch off the scoreboard in left field. But O’Shields recorded the final out on an infield pop-up, sealing IR’s eighth consecutive victory.

“I was just going one at a time — one inning at a time — and my defense played great behind me,” O’Shields said. “They made some great plays.”

MIDDLETOWN — Not only did the Caesar Rodney High girls’ tennis team have three champions on Friday, the Riders made sure to bring home some extra hardware.

Caesar Rodney won the DIAA girls’ team tennis championship for the second year in a row after the final day of play on Friday, hosted by St. Andrew’s School. It is the third title in the last four years for the Riders.

“It means a lot to us,” said No. 3 singles player Nora Frederick, who won an individual championship too. “We all work hard during the offseason and the regular season. We know we had a great opportunity and we didn’t want to let it go.”

Caesar Rodney was represented in the championship match of each of the five brackets. Along with Frederick’s victory at No. 3 singles, the Riders swept the doubles competition with wins by No. 1 doubles team Katherine Tamesis and Micaela Thorogood, while Piper Casey and Chloe Manguba were winners in No. 2 doubles competition.

“They’ve been strong all year,” said CR coach Zach Taylor of his doubles teams. “They’re really aggressive at the net. The biggest thing for both teams, is their chemistry. They each work really well together as a team. They complement each other really well.”

Members of the Caesar Rodney girls tennis team celebrate with the trophy after winning their second straight state championship on Friday at St. Andrew’s. (Delaware State News/Tim Mastro)

In the boys’ brackets, Tower Hill won the team championship with a perfect score of 30.

The Hillers won every division and were followed in the team standings by Caesar Rodney. CR finished second with 16 overall points and made a pair of finals.

Caesar Rodney’s top two players, sophomore Rishi Gundakaram and junior David Haynes were runner ups at No. 1 singles and No. 2 singles respectively.

“We’ll take second-place because Tower Hill just had a phenomenal team this year so finishing second is good for us,” said CR boys’ coach Jim Harvey. “Our kids played really well and we made Tower Hill hit a lot of tennis balls, there were no quick games.”

Frederick’s match at girls’ No. 3 singles was the longest of the day, taking nearly two hours despite only needing two sets.

The first set was back-and-forth until Frederick was able to edged out a 7-5 result. It allowed her to settle down and close out the second set with a 6-3 victory.

“It was a really intense match,” Frederick said. “The first set I wasn’t playing as well as I could have, I was playing too safe. I knew after I won the first set, I had to go for my shots because I did not want to split sets.”

“Nora did a great job,” Taylor said. “She’s been steadily progressing as the year has gone on. I’m glad that all her work and effort got rewarded because she deserves it.”

The Riders girls were also led by No. 1 singles player Halle Parker, who finished second in her bracket. Natasha Sijan forced a third set in her championship match at No. 2 singles before settling for second-place to help CR earn the team title.

Taylor said the back-to-back titles have been building for quite a while as most of these players are following in the footsteps of their older brothers and sisters who have won championships at Caesar Rodney.

“A lot of them have had siblings who played here so they followed them from a really young age,” Taylor said. “I’ve known some of these girls since they were in fifth or sixth grade so to see them now winning matches in high school is pretty rewarding.”

DOVER — Four golfers, including a pair from the always formidable Caesar Rodney High School golf team, staked their claim to the individual crown at the Henlopen Conference Golf Championship Tournament on Friday.

However, after a winner-take-all playoff hole, it was Milford junior Kyle Strassle who stood on top of the pack after he birdied the par-four first hole at Maple Dale Country Club while the other three contenders each encountered some difficulty.

Difficulty was the key word on the par-72 course on a wind-whipped day following a night of soaking rain.

Strassle, CR teammates Vincent Alois and Devin Sanders, and Polytech’s Connor Young both finished an 18-hole round with five-over par scores of 77.

But it was Strassle who managed to stand out on the playoff hole. He finished the hole in three strokes, including a clutch second shot that left him with a title-clinching two-foot putt for birdie.

CR’s Akia Pavey watches his ball sail down the 5th fairway at Maple Dale Country Club Friday. In the background are Delmar’s Helen Wilson and Brady Lingo of Sussex Tech. (Special to the Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh)

“I got a little nervous when the ball couldn’t be found after I hit my tee shot, but then the second shot was a great shot out of the hazard for an easy-birdie putt and I was shaking a little bit there, but I made it,” Strassle said.

Senior Kyle Satterfield watches his drive from the 1st tee Friday.

His second shot proved to be the difference as he managed to hit the ball from the hazard about 60 to 70 yards to a couple of feet from the cup.

“The front nine I was six-over and the back nine I was one-under and that was the second best score I’ve had,” said Strassle. “The front wasn’t good but the back was good and I brought it all together at the end.”

While they were unable to pull out the individual victory, Alois and Sanders did manage to lead Caesar Rodney to its eighth-consecutive team championship in the Henlopen tournament.

“It was pretty exciting,” said Alois, a junior. “I had the adrenaline flowing, but it was fun. There’s a lot of pressure when you have everyone watching you and following you.

Cape Henlopen senior Matt Zehner watches his shot from the 1st tee.

“The water was a little bit of a challenge. I had a couple of balls find some puddles, but the course plays hard normally.”

Akira Pavey carded an 82, Kyle Satterfield and Matt Miller turned in rounds of 83 and Isabella Moyers shot a 92 for the Riders, who finished with a team score of 319, a distant 24 strokes ahead of runner-up Polytech’s runner-up total of 343.

Sanders, a senior, said playing at Maple Dale served as a nice tune-up for the DIAA State Golf Tournament, which will take place at the same course next Tuesday and Wednesday.

“We battled and I’m happy with the score,” he said. “Hopefully, we can do better in the states next week. It was good practice for us.

Helen Wilson of Delmar putts on the 5th green.

“I’m happy with this team. We just have a close bond and we practice together and go out to eat and spend time with each other and go to each other’s houses. I’m going to miss it (when I graduate).”

Polytech’s Jackson Cecchett finished in fifth place with an 81.

“We had a good day as a team in some pretty tough conditions,” said Polytech coach Steve Yiengst. “I think we actually finished closer to Caesar Rodney than we did when we played them nine holes earlier in the year.”

A total of 35 of the 80 golfers who competed in the tournament finished with a score of 100 or worse.

“The wind was tough but I think the wetness of the course was even more difficult,” Strassle said. “There were just clunky shots all over the place and it was a little harder to control.

“I’m really happy that I was able to bring it all together there at the end.”

DOVER — Less than 24 hours after the city’s most recent shooting incident, law enforcement officials took a public stand against the continuing violent trend that’s far outpacing the past two years.

Dover Police Chief Marvin Mailey and Mayor Robin R. Christiansen announced aggressive plans to face a pace of shootings that will shatter last year’s mark if not stopped.

“We will do whatever it is we have to do to keep our children, our families safe and all innocent bystanders safe,” Mr. Christiansen during a Friday morning news conference at City Hall.

“We have come to a point in time that we will be saturating neighborhoods that have proven to be dangerous to the safety of our children and the communities in which they reside.”

Several times Friday, Mr. Christiansen referenced a “zero tolerance” policy for all laws in the city, including loitering, drunken behavior, and drug activity.

Dover Police Chief Marvin Mailey, left, and Dover Mayor Robin Christiansen discuss recent crimes in Dover on Friday at Dover City Hall. (Delaware State News/Marc Clery)

Also, Chief Mailey said, “There are several gangs in the City of Dover. We’re aware of them and we’re monitoring them.”

Investigating officers routinely have been stymied by a lack of victim and witness cooperation during recent incidents, authorities said.

“When our officers respond to a shooting scene, sometimes within seconds of it occurring, and every person claims to have seen nothing, it severely hurts our ability to solve those crimes,” Chief Mailey said.

“The majority of the time, the victims themselves, refuse to cooperate with our investigations. Someday, someone will be hurt that you know.

“It will be your mother, father, brother, sister, son, or daughter. At some point, when you do not share what you know … this will weigh on your conscience and I pray that someone would speak up before it is too late or before it’s really hits home and affects your family.”

As of Friday, there had been 23 shootings in 2017. There were 40 and 39, respectively in all of 2016 and 2015.

On Thursday, police investigated a report of multiple shots fired at approximately 12:19 p.m. in the first block of S. New Street, the area of several violent events in the past several weeks.

According to police, an occupied vehicle’s front windshield was struck by a single bullet. The round came from a vehicle that was seen fleeing by downtown surveillance cameras and parking in the area of Fulton and New streets. No injuries were reported.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and asked anyone with information to contact the Dover PD at 736-7130. Callers may remain anonymous. Tips can also be submitted to law enforcement through tip lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, online at www.tipsubmit.com or through the Dover PD MyPD Mobile App.

During the news conference, Chief Mailey guaranteed that the source of all tips received will remain anonymous.

Other recent shooting incidents include:

• On Wednesday afternoon, two 28-year-old men were struck by gunfire in the Capital Green neighborhood. They suffered non-life threatening injuries.

• Early Tuesday morning, a 27-year-old man was shot in the leg in the area of Walker and Saulsbury roads.  The victim’s injuries were considered non-life threatening, according to authorities.

The injured man would only say he was shot near the 7-11 at the Hamlet Shopping Center, police said. He arrived at the hospital at approximately 12:30 a.m.

• At approximately 4:48 a.m. last Saturday, a home in the 300 block of North Bradford Street was shot nine times. Seven people were inside at the time and no injuries were reported.

Two black males were seen running from the scene and fled in a dark colored SUV, possibly a Cadillac Escalade, a witness told police.

• Last Friday, a 23-year-old man was wounded in the foot in a drive-by shooting in the 1400 block of South Farmview Drive at approximately 6:18 p.m. A silver Chevrolet Impala circled around and the gunfire resumed, police said, and the victim returned fire. The residence was struck by several rounds.

• On May 17, a 22-year-old man suffered a graze wound to his head and gunshot wound to his hand in the 200 block of North New Street. He was treated for non-life threatening injuries at the hospital.

A home was also struck by one round at approximately 9:27 p.m., police said.

• On May 15, a 22-year-old suffered a non-life threatening gunshot wound to the lower body in the first block of South New Street. Officers responded to a shots fired report at roughly 2:14 a.m.

• On May 2, a vehicle’s driver’s side window was shattered when struck by a bullet in the first block of South New Street at approximately 10:02 p.m. The driver was uninjured and did not see the source of the gunshot.

• On April 26, a residence in the first block of South New Street was shot at approximately 3:02 a.m., along with an unoccupied vehicle. No injuries were reported.

MIDDLETOWN — Hardly anybody expected Dover High’s baseball team to be contender this spring.

So the fact that the Senators won their second Henlopen Conference title in the last four years was a big accomplishment.

But making another run in the DIAA state tournament proved to be much more difficult for Dover as the 13th-seeded Senators went down quietly, 8-0, to No. 19 Delaware Military in the tourney’s first round on Saturday afternoon.

The loss ends a streak of four straight appearances in the state semifinals for Dover (13-6), which was shut out for only the second time this season.

Seahawk pitchers Matthew Danz (6 innings) and Matthew Kohan (1 inning) limited the Senators to just three hits. Dover beat Danz and DMA, 4-3, in the first round of the tournament in 2015.

“He threw well,” said Dover coach Dave Gordon. “He had us guessing a little bit and his fastball got up on us. He did well. Hats off to him.”

Dover pitcher Cameron Turner (left) Òhigh fivesÓ with his infield before throwing the first pitch in game Saturday against Delaware Military Academy. (Special to the Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh)

“The kid threw well but we just didn’t come out and hit,” said senior Cameron Turner.

The Senators’ four pitchers — Turner, Hiram Davis, Andrew Carney and Michael Carrington — did pretty well themselves, limiting DMA (10-9) to just four hits. But the Seahawks found ways to manufacture runs and take control early.

Diver first baseman Michael Carrington looks for a call from the umpire after pickoff attempt in game with Delaware Military Academy Saturday. Seahawk Jacob Hudson was ruled safe on the play.

After scoring twice in the first inning, DMA erupted for five runs in the third to open up a gaping 7-0 advantage. The Seahawks sent 10 batters to the plate in the inning while taking advantage of two hits, an error, two walks, a hit batter and a fielder’s choice.

“The ball bounced the wrong way a couple times for us,” said Turner. “We got some tough breaks. (But) it bounces our way sometimes.”

“It’s just unfortunate,” said Gordon. “We talked about it. In a tournament, you can’t make mistakes like that and we made them. They capitalized.”

Even if the Senators had beaten DMA, they faced a big challenge on Saturday.

Under the new tourney format, the winner had to turn around and play third-seeded Appoquinimink on its home field 45 minutes later. The formast was put in place so four more teams can make the tournament.

Considering Dover pitcher Davis had to leave Saturday’s game because of an injury, Gordon said the Senators really would have had their hands full if they had to play again.

“I’m all for getting more teams in because I think there’s a lot of good baseball teams in the state,” said Gordon. “I think they could tinker with it a little bit.

“I mean, look, they beat us,” he said, gesturing towards DMA’s bench. “They don’t get to celebrate. They’ve got to play again.”

Dover third baseman Jared Hickox was unable to get high enough to pull down a throw trying to nail DMAÕs Michael SerafinÕs advance to third in the first inning.. Scarfin scampered home after the ball went out of bounds.. Special To The Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh

Of course, that was something the Senators didn’t have to worry about on Saturday.

Still, all things considered, Dover couldn’t walk away from the season too disappointed. This was the Senators’ eighth straight state tournament appearance.

“I’m very proud,” said Gordon. “At the beginning of the year, it was all about carrying the torch and keeping this momentum going. I felt like we did that. We were Henlopen Conference champs in a very tough conference.

“I think I come back with an excellent group of kids again next year. We’re going to get healthier and I’ve got some good kids down on JV. We’ll get it all together and try it again.”

“That’s big,” Turner said about the Henlopen title. “Everybody said we lost everybody. We proved some things. We wanted to prove more but things happen.”

Dover’s Madison Brengle rallied for a 1-6, 6-3, 13-11 victory over Julia Goerges at the French Open on Sunday.

Goerges, from Germany, is ranked 51st in the world while Brengle is No. 82.

The match lasted two hours and 47 minutes. Leading 40-30, Brengle finally took the deciding point with a backhand winner.

Brengle is next slated to play Switzerland’s Timea Bacsinszky, who currently holds the No. 31 ranking.

Madison Brengle

Baseball

Cape game at Frawley: Eighth-seeded Cape Henlopen High will face No. 1 Conrad as part of a DIAA baseball state quarterfinal doubleheader at Frawley Stadium on Tuesday.

The Vikings will face Conrad at 4 p.m. with Newark Charter taking on Caravel at 7 p.m. Cape is the only Henlopen Conference team remaining in the tourney.

College track & field

Wolverines make All-American: The Wesley College women’s 4×400-meter relay team of Elizsha Streeter, Quadira Minus, Angel Hall and Briana Artis as well as Roland Attoh-Okine attain All-American status on the final day of the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field National Championships.

The event was held at the SPIRE institute in Geneva, Ohio.

Attoh-Okine finished fifth in the 110-meter hurdle finals with a time of 14.32 seconds to collect his first outdoor All-American honor. Attoh-Okine is a two-time indoor All-American in the 60-meter hurdles.

The women’s quartet placed sixth in the 4×400-meter relay finals, clocking in at 3:45.81. It is the second time the group has recorded outdoor All-American status. The relay team has also notched All-American accolades twice in the indoor 4×400-meter relay.

Delaware National Guard Adjutant Gen. Carol Timmons with Gov. John Carney. (Special to the Delaware State News (Gary Emeigh)

DOVER — There’s nothing dated about how Adjutant General Carol A. Timmons describes the Delaware National Guard roots in the nation’s history.

Two-thirds of its members are part-timers, fulfilling their duties when called upon. It’s been that way for over two centuries and still quite relevant.

“It may sound a bit corny, but the purpose is to continue the great legacy of militia and how this country was founded,” she said.

“People step up to meet the needs of our nation. When you don’t have a standing Army that could be of much larger size, you have the National Guard and Reserves to take on certain responsibilities that the country needs.”

Carol Timmons

Brig. Gen. Timmons has risen through the ranks for roughly 40 years, ascending to replace retiring Lt. Gen. Francis D. Vavala in February.

“His vision is my vision, which is the only reason I took the job,” Brig. Gen. Timmons said last week.

“He really took the Air National Guard and Army National Guard and created a joint service. Our synergy allows us to utilize the strengths of the Army and Air Force, who are on different missions, with different cultures as a joint task force.”

According to Brig. Gen. Timmons, her predecessor “left me a gem, a prize. My goal is to continue to let it grow and mature.”

While the National Guard is steeped in tradition, it’s also moved toward inclusion to not overlook the talents and passion of any citizen who didn’t fit previous personal profiles.

That’s personified by the 59-year-old Brig. Gen. Timmons, the Delaware National Guard’s first female commander who has been with her wife Dr. Lynn Wass for 30 years.

At age 5, she dreamed of becoming a pilot and cleared any and all hurdles to become just that for both the Army and Air Force, along with flying commercially.

Her introduction to flying a C-130 in 1978 confirmed “This is what I want to do. I can’t explain why that is, but it’s a very true passion.

“I just enjoy getting in an airplane and being very mission oriented.”

Brig. Gen. Timmons served in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Joint Guard, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. A Bronze Star award in 2008 resulted from her leadership while commanding a combat deployment to Afghanistan.

Yes, she is an example of just how important diversity can be.

This is the same person who became the first woman to umpire Little League baseball games in her New Castle home as a teenager.

“I think it’s critical to talk about because there is still a cultural impact in high school about what young ladies can do and how they can lead,” she said.

“Some barriers still exist so there remains great need to talk about the importance of being more open to acceptance for all.”

When announcing his decision — confirmed by the Delaware Senate — to promote Brig. Gen. Timmons, Gov. John Carney said she “is the right person to take on the vitally important tasks of leading our Guardsmen, and making the right decisions for the future of the Delaware National Guard.”

Taking the lead for the National Guard, the Adjutant General wants to work with the governor and Office of Management and Budget to “look at where to take incremental cuts to be good stewards of the taxpayers money.”