DOVER — A 58-year-old woman allegedly known for drinking heavily fell asleep in front of a parked tractor-trailer that later fatally ran over her Monday morning, a Dover Police investigation concluded.

Authorities released details of Pamela Guy’s death on Tuesday, a day after she was found lying dead in a yard in the 200 block of College Road near Conwell Street. Police and medical personnel were called to the scene at approximately 8 a.m., spokesman Master Cpl. Mark Hoffman said.

A few hours after the incident, police issued a news release describing the location of a deceased African-American female in her 50s. The victim was not named pending notification of next of kin and the cause of death was under investigation.

On Tuesday, police said they believed Ms. Guy had been drinking heavily on Sunday and helped the tractor-trailer driver — a 52-year-old Dover man — wash his vehicle. That night, investigation determined, Ms. Guy returned to the area and then slept in front of the vehicle.

Ms. Guy was accidentally killed when the driver began to leave for work Monday morning, according to authorities.

Police found Ms. “Guy was known to drink heavily and often sleep in random spots in the neighborhood.”

Michele C. Staats

DOVER ­— A 46-year-old Dover woman received one year of probation Tuesday following the state’s first conviction under the Delaware Prescription Monitoring Act, but asserted afterward that her quest for justice wasn’t finished.

Former nurse Michele C. Staats (also known as Marvel) claimed she was “railroaded” by witness testimony.

She was convicted of unlawful access to prescription monitoring program information (three counts) and providing a false statement to a law enforcement officer.

The case stemmed from allegations that Staats illegally accessed prescription information while serving as director of nursing at Kent Sussex Community Services, beginning in January 2014 and continuing for 16 months.

On Tuesday, the prosecution alleged that she illegally accessed private patient medical information 48 times.

In announcing the sentence, Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Clark said he didn’t believe prison time — possibly up to 17 years — was appropriate for the violations of public trust and ethical standards as a nurse, along with a lack of information on purported motivation and “surrounding circumstances.”

Also ordered, among other stipulations, was 50 hours of community service.

Ms. Staats, who appeared in court alone on Tuesday, was convicted after a five-day bench trial before Judge Clark. A previous trial before now-retired Judge Robert B. Young was declared a mistrial after one day of testimony.

The monitoring offense was established by the state legislature in 2010. Judge Clark said it was new enough that no sentencing recommendations were available.

Speaking before the court, defense attorney Andre’ Beauregard pointed to a looming appeal based on a previous mistrial, motions to suppress evidence and witness credibility concerns.

He declined comment after sentencing.

Initially struggling to stay composed before the court, Staats said she was “sorry” and had “dedicated my life to two things — being a good mother and nurse.

“I’ve accomplished one but not another,” she said.

Also, the defendant referenced what she described as a decade of supporting substance abuse care and treatment for those in need. Her attorney said she has now “lost everything.”

Before sentencing, Mr. Beauregard pointed to a low-risk assessment for Staats to re-offend. The conviction’s fallout punished her through a loss of career, income, humiliation, and shame, he said.

“The way she was raised, she never thought she’d be part of the system …” Mr. Beauregard said.

“If the court could see into her heart and mind, her pound of flesh has been given many times over.”

‘Denying her responsibility’

Also, according to the attorney, no testimony had shown how any persons were damaged or “hurt in any way.”

Deputy Attorney General Tiphanie Miller — who prosecuted the case with Laura Najemy — maintained the defendant had shown “no remorse or acceptance of responsibility.”

The public and patients were harmed by a loss of trust in the monitoring system, Ms. Miller said, and “the defendant’s only concern is herself. This is embarrassing for her.”

Ms. Miller and Ms. Najemy declined comment afterward and referred questions to Delaware Department of Justice spokesman Carl Kanefsky.

“We have no comment on the sentencing,” he said.

When earlier announcing the conviction, the DOJ said, “Staats, using the login credentials of her employer, accessed the Prescription Monitoring Program information of three people who were not her patients.

“Staats also made several false statements denying her responsibility to investigators.”

The DOJ described the goal of the Prescription Monitoring Act “is to help reduce the misuse and diversion of controlled substances while promoting improved professional practice and patient care.”

The case was prosecuted by the DOJ’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Agent Ray Hancock of the Delaware State Police Drug Diversion Unit was the lead investigator, with assistance from MFCU Special Investigators James Armstrong and Patrick Corcoran.

After Tuesday’s sentencing session ended, Staats said more scrutiny was warranted for an investigator who allegedly “released” over 4,500 names of substance abusers during the case.

“If you ask me, that’s a story that needs to be told,” she said.

DOC probation guidelines

Staats will serve two levels of probation at the same time for 12 months:

According to the Delaware Department of Correction online, “Level II is the standard Probation/Parole supervision program. Offenders on Level II supervision are to meet with their Probation Officer on a regular schedule to comply with contact requirements based on risks/needs assessments.

“Level II Probation/parole Officers serve in the traditional roles of counseling.”

Level III entails “Intensive supervision at least the equivalent of one hour of supervision per day and no more than 56 hours of supervision per week.

“The minimum of one hour of supervision per day is achieved through direct offender contact, collateral contact, verification of each offender’s activities (e.g., residence, employment, training and school), and performance with court-ordered treatment and community service.

“The emphasis is on supervision through increased community contacts.”

DOVER — Republican lawmakers are digging in their heels in budget talks, pushing back against a Democratic majority that favors tax increases and opposes GOP calls for larger cuts in spending.

Republican leaders of the Senate and House on Tuesday announced a series of steps they say will provide “bold and structural reform” in the long term for Delaware’s budget and economy.

Their proposals would enact greater limits on spending, cut portions of prevailing wage and examine Medicaid reform and school district consolidation.

While most of the specific discussion points haven’t been made public previously, they echo common Republican goals: reducing spending and improving government efficiency.

Republicans and Democrats have been meeting for months in an effort to come to an agreement on balancing the budget. But the two sides appear to have reached an impasse for now.

The fiscal year ends June 30 and lawmakers are still facing about a $200 million gap between projected spending and revenue.

Republicans have balked at tax hikes; Democrats, who control both chambers, are resisting large-scale cuts.

Proposals from Gov. John Carney, a Democrat, to raise income taxes by 0.2 to 0.4 percent, eliminate itemized deductions (and increase the standard deduction) and hike the tobacco tax have stalled, with Republicans insisting Democrats make changes to state spending first.

The Republicans may be in the minority, but members still have power: Because tax increases require a three-fifths supermajority, a number that Democrats lack in the Senate, a GOP buy-in is necessary to hike taxes.

“The current proposal from the other side doesn’t have any systemic change. It gets through the 2018 election, which is a great goal, but then we’re going to be back here in January 2019 in the same situation — so we need to do this fiscal framework,” Senate Minority Whip Greg Lavelle, R-Sharpley, said.

Republicans said in a statement that Democrats “want to dictate” and “are not committed to making changes for the betterment of our state.”

House Speaker Peter Schwartzkopf, D-Rehoboth Beach, in reply, blasted Republicans for “leverag(ing) our state budget for an ideological viewpoint.”

“Why do they think they should get something in return for their vote for doing what is in the best interest of our state, the people of our state and to maintain our services?” he said. “We were talking a little while ago and I honestly feel like they’re trying to make us into a third world-type state, where we don’t provide services for our people, where we don’t provide a good education for our kids.”

Republican lawmakers last week made public their proposal to temporarily do away with prevailing wage, which governs what laborers on state-funded construction projects are paid, for counties, municipalities and school districts.

The rest of the items announced Tuesday have already been discussed with Democratic leadership but not formally released to the public.

The Joint Finance Committee cut about $80 million last month before the Democratic leadership decided to cancel JFC meeting early, with Rep. Schwartzkopf saying he did not want to make cuts that might later be undone if a deal to raise revenue is reached.

While Republicans say lawmakers are not even halfway to the needed cuts, Democrats say they have another $95 million in “soft cuts” — areas that lawmakers did not fund but did not have to vote on.

“I’ve never heard that suggested … so if this was a budget gimmick they’re sitting on the whole time, I think they should have been a little more honest,” Sen. Lavelle said when asked about that $95 million. “And if they’re into soft cuts, maybe we ought to figure out what a soft tax increase is.”

Top lawmakers were scheduled to meet Tuesday evening to continue budget discussions, even though the two sides took shots at one another Tuesday.

Gov. Carney said in a statement he hopes lawmakers pass a budget based on cuts and tax increases.

“I’ve been saying for months that we need a long-term budget solution that relies equally on spending cuts and new revenue,” he said. “I agree with legislative leaders of both parties who believe we should address long-term spending issues in areas such as health care and education.

“And I’m ready to move forward — assuming that legislators are just as serious about voting on a responsible, long-term plan to raise revenue. Over the past several months, I’ve talked to Delawareans across our state about our budget challenges, and they understand the need for a balanced solution.”

But the two sides starkly disagree over spending and revenue.

“There is much reform that needs to be done in our state government. In fact, it is urgent,” House Minority Whip Deborah Hudson, R-Hockessin, said.

Republicans want to change areas like prevailing wage and alter the way the state government budgets annually.

A “new fiscal framework” would provide greater stability by controlling spending based on elements like population and economic growth. Delaware currently sets aside 2 percent of all the money it brings in in case revenue falls short of the predicted levels. Republicans want to build on that concept, keeping more money in reserve.

“So you have boom years and bust years, and in the boom years you spend every dime you can get and in the bust years we tax to make up the difference,” Sen. Lavelle said. “And so, the theory is that you figure out some number — and this is not going to be figured out between now and June 30 — and it is an average of these things.

“It could be (the Consumer Price Index), population growth, any number of things and it’s a number. And so, let’s say it’s 2.2 percent, whatever it happens to be, and in the year you have a huge revenue increase for whatever reason, hopefully from economic activity, and that your revenue is actually up 3.8 percent, you would take the 1.6 and put it into a smoothing fund or something like that. So ideally when you’re down below that 2.2 you could bring some money over and make up the difference.”

That idea was mentioned in a bipartisan 2015 report on state revenue, something Republicans noted Tuesday.

The Republicans also want prevailing wage reform, arguing it would free up money for more construction projects because the prevailing wage is often set much higher than what a worker would earn otherwise. The average hourly wage for an electrician, for instance, is $27.24, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

But, in Delaware, under prevailing wage electricians on state-funded construction jobs are paid $66.85.

Other areas Republicans are targeting include school district consolidation and Medicaid reform.

The Republican leadership is seeking to study merging some of the state’s 19 school districts — an idea that has long been talked about but seen little action. Proponents of the plan say it could reduce costs, but others counter it contains hidden costs in the form of “leveling up” teacher pay so educators in what are now different districts would make the same salary in a new consolidated district.

Medicaid, at $767 million in the current fiscal year, makes up almost 19 percent of the state budget. The Republicans’ plans include creating a committee to study fraud, waste and abuse.

Lawmakers still have several weeks to pass a budget, and things could start falling into place once an updated revenue forecast is issued Monday.

But if they don’t, Rep. Schwartzkopf cautioned, the budget will be based mostly off cuts.

“Once we start on it, I can tell you nobody in this building will be answering their phone because they won’t want to hear what’s coming,” he said.

Eli Valenzula secures an American flag to the fence of the crossover near the Dover Air Force Base main gate on Tuesday. (Delaware State News/Marc Clery)

DOVER — There’s just something about the red, white and blue colors of the American flag and what they combine to symbolize that has always brought out tremendous pride for Eli Valenzuela.

HOW TO DISPLAY FLAGS
• Traditional guidelines call for displaying the flag in public only from sunrise to sunset. However, the flag may be displayed at all times if it’s illuminated during darkness.
• The flag should not be subject to weather damage, so it should not be displayed during rain, snow and wind storms unless it is an all-weather flag.
It should be displayed often, but especially on national and state holidays and special occasions.
• The flag should be displayed on or near the main building of public institutions, schools during school days and polling places on election days. It should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
• The flag should never be draped or drawn back in folds. Draped red, white and blue bunting should be used for decoration, with the blue at the top and red at the bottom.
• The flag may be flown at half-staff to honor a newly deceased federal or state government official by order of the president or the governor, respectively.
• On Memorial Day, the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon.

That’s why since 9/11, Mr. Valenzuela has done whatever he can to bring honor to the flag, which he believes was one of the key ingredients that helped bring the nation together in the wake of those unforgettable tragedies.

It’s why today’s annual celebration of Flag Day remains so important to him.

“It’s a time to stop and look at the symbol of freedom, because that’s really what it is,” Mr. Valenzuela said.

He added that he isn’t out looking for accolades when he places an American flag somewhere, such as on both the northbound and southbound fences atop the Old Lebanon Road overpass that crosses Del. 1 and serves the main gate of Dover Air Force Base.

This is just something that has been deeply instilled in Mr. Valenzuela, he says. He wants people to realize what that flag represents — freedom.

“When 9/11 happened it hit me right in the heart,” said Mr. Valenzuela, president and CEO of First State Manufacturing Inc. in Milford. “I knew that I had to do something because the whole country came together after that.

“It’s funny how, after a while, everything just kind of fades away and then we’re killers and murderers and stuff like that. Well, hopefully, something like this kind of switches the tables around a little bit.”

He still vividly recalls Sept. 12, 2001, when he bought two American flags and had his FSM employees sew grommets around their edges before he went out and hung them on the overpass near the air base.

It was the start of what he calls “a lifetime tradition.”

It’s about family and country

People might not recognize the handy work of Mr. Valenzuela, who places American flags all around Kent and Sussex counties and even supplies the flag that flies on the pole as visitors enter Broadkill Beach.

He’s not out seeking credit. It’s just something he enjoys doing with his family and for the love of the country.

Eli Valenzula secures an American flag to the fence of the crossover near the DAFB main gate on Tuesday. (Delaware State News/Marc Clery)

This time, on a hot and humid Tuesday morning, Mr. Valenzuela had his 10-year-old granddaughter, Mia Littlejohn, lending a hand as he made sure the flags near the Air Base were tightly secured.

“It’s just patriotic and I think it’s important that most of the time I come and do this I bring my kids with me,” he said. “It’s important that they see patriotism, the love of our country and the love of our flag.

“My sons, Pedro and Simon, usually go out with me, especially when I have a big flag. I have a big one that you have to put it on the other side (of the overpass fence). You have to climb up a ladder and reach over the side and that’s not a very safe job, but it’s worth it.”

Mr. Valenzuela doesn’t know exactly how many American flags he has put up since 9/11 but said that over that time period, his company has spent at least $2,000 on replacement flags.

“I change them out about every two or three months when they start getting faded out or tattered with the wind and I retire them properly at my house,” he said.

Patriotic background

It’s no surprise that Mr. Valenzuela is so patriotic. After all, he is a veteran of the U.S. Army and many of First State Manufacturing’s biggest contracts are with the military.

First State Manufacturing, which he founded, provides top-quality airplane seats, cushions, covers, carpeting and upholstery for C-5, C-17 and C-130 cargo planes, F-16 fighter jets and V-22 Osprey helicopters, among other aircraft.

Sher Valenzuela, Eli’s wife, said it is that closeness he has developed through all of his experiences with the armed forces that actually even opened her eyes.

“Eli’s dedication has increased my awareness of how many sacrifices our men and women in uniform make,” she said. “We take it for granted how great this country is … and this flag represents everything that has made it great and will keep it great.”

Not everyone’s a fan

Unfortunately, Mr. Valenzuela said, not everyone shares his appreciation and respect for the American flag.

HOW TO PROPERLY RETIRE A FLAG
• When an American flag becomes worn, faded, torn or soiled, it should be retired and replaced with a new flag. There are several ways to respectfully dispose of the American flag without showing disgrace. The most common method is burning the torn or tattered flag in a special ceremony.
• The Veterans Department of Affairs suggests starting by folding the flag in a customary triangle manner. Then prepare a large enough fire space to sufficiently burn the flag completely.
• Next, place the flag in the fire and while it burns, individuals at the ceremony should salute or recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Finally, end the ceremony with a moment of silence and bury the ashes once the flag is completely consumed.

“Here, when I’m putting the flags up a lot of times people will honk and give us the thumbs up, but a lot of times other people will yell at me, ‘Get that (expletive) thing out of here!,” he said.

“So it’s kind of divided. It’s mostly positive, but there are some hard heads out there.”

It’s those so-called hard heads that drive Mr. Valenzuela’s passion even further, pointing to former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick taking a knee before NFL games last season during the National Anthem and not showing respect to the American flag.

“That really did something to me,” Mr. Valenzuela said. “I don’t understand it. If they don’t like it then why don’t they just leave? Be peaceful about it and pack their stuff and go back to wherever they came from or wherever else they want to be.”

He added that a couple of weeks spent in another country might just change their minds about the freedoms that Americans enjoy.

Keeping up with tradition

Mr. Valenzuela isn’t always so vocal when it comes to the American flag and freedom.

He has also been known to do a mime act where he paints his face like the American flag and mimes out a performance to the Lee Greenwood song, “I’m Proud to be an American,” in honor of the United States military.”

Granddaughter Mia Littlejohn was certainly proud of Mr. Valenzuela as they made sure all of the flags were ready for Flag Day.

They even put a couple of more flags up later in the day on Tuesday on the overpass at the Thompsonville Road exit a few miles north of Milford.

That’s a perfect place, Mr. Valenzuela said, considering Milford is hometown for both his family and his business. That overpass draws the eyes of tons of beachbound traffic in the summer.

Mia Littlejohn said she wants this tradition to continue.

“The American flag is a symbol of freedom,” said Mia, who will turn 11 on June 21. “I’d like to keep putting some of these flags up myself when I get older. It’s an important symbol for our country.”

Annual Blue-White All Star Game

Annual Blue-White All Star Game

Annual Blue-White All Star Game

Annual Blue-White All Star Game

Annual Blue-White All Star Game

Annual Blue-White All Star Game

Annual Blue-White All Star Game

Annual Blue-White All Star Game

Annual Blue-White All Star Game

Annual Blue-White All Star Game

Annual Blue-White All Star Game

Annual Blue-White All Star Game

Annual Blue-White All Star Game

Annual Blue-White All Star Game

DOVER – The top senior lacrosse players in the state squared off on Tuesday night in the boys’ and girls’ Blue-White All-Star Lacrosse Games at Wesley College.

The White squads won both contest, with the girls winning 9-8 and the boys claiming a 12-9 victory.

It was a June day in Philadelphia, perhaps very much like today, that the delegates to the Second Continental Congress voted on a simple motion that created the most recognizable, enduring and powerful symbol of freedom and democracy that the world has ever known.

The motion read as follows:

“Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

That “new constellation” has grown in the 240 years since our forefathers made the Stars and Stripes our flag. The constellation is brighter, and just as we look at the stars above for inspiration, guidance and direction, the world can look to our 50 stars for hope and the promise of freedom.

Rep. William Carson

The same flag that flies over us today flies across the globe, most recognizably on the uniforms of our military service members. They carry our flag on missions of peace, providing aid to stricken people in times of disaster and hardship. And when they must, they carry our flag into battle against those who seek to exploit the innocent and undermine the values of equality and justice.

With our banner on their shoulders, the men and women of our armed forces embody the “new constellation” that was envisioned when the flag was designed.

Recently, it was my honor to help recognize some of those brave Americans who served, as well as those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Last month on the floor of the House of Representatives, I introduced a resolution marking Vietnam Veterans Week, and presented tributes to a group of Delaware Vietnam vets whose service did not end when they returned home and took off their uniforms. They dedicated their lives to honoring their fellow veterans, sheltering them, feeding and clothing them, and making sure they have access to medical care.

To these men and the hundreds of Delawareans like them, the flag of our country also represents a promise to our military veterans: A promise that their fellow citizens will not forget them or the sacrifices they made in our name; a promise to treat them with respect and appreciation, and to ensure that they are cared for in their times of need.

Unfortunately, we have not always lived up to that promise. For that we can only beg their forgiveness, and pledge to them, in the words of the Vietnam Veterans of America, “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.”

Today, we have a new generation of heroes carrying our flag on foreign shores and returning home with wounds from the battles they have fought, both physical and psychological. We must dedicate just as much effort to keeping our promises to these young veterans, as well.

For those Americans who serve in other ways, the flag is a symbol of their commitment to making their state, county, city or town a safer and more peaceful place to live. Sewn on the sleeves of our police officers, firefighters and other first responders, the flag inspires trust in their commitment to be there whenever we may call for them.

When the founders of our nation sat down to create the flag that would stand as the symbol of this new nation, it’s hard to believe that they could have known just how powerful that symbol would become. But they did have hope. They hoped that their “new constellation” of shining white stars on a deep blue field, flanked by those bold stripes, would inspire not only future generations of Americans, but billions of people across the world.

Rep. William J. Carson
Smyrna

Hot Hot Hot! Now we are into the heatwaves of summer and she came in strong.

The water temperatures are still in the mid-60s in the Delaware Bay and the surf.

The inland bays have shot up to 78 degrees in just a few days and dropping to 70 degrees. The fluctuating tides really move the temperatures around in the back bays.

These lower temperatures are helping keep the spring fish around and active. We also have a lot of summer fish now in the mix. Hopefully this cold front moving in will keep it nice for the anglers. The fish are just fine.

The big gator bluefish action has slowed down tremendously from shore. We are still seeing a few catches, but they are random and nothing like a month ago. The summer blues are in the four-pound range and are also random at best for action. Mullet rigs in the surf are working well or if you spot a school moving by start casting spoons.

Melissa Bethard, of Newark, caught this 21-inch, 5.4-pound bass from a Kent County pond while fishing out of her kayak. (Submitted photo)

Cape pier a hot spot

The summer fish are arriving. We are seeing a lot of catches now of small croaker and spot. The heaviest being at the Cape Henlopen fishing pier. Small weakfish or spike trout are hitting along the pier and Delaware Bay beaches. Sand perch, northern puffers, and burrfish are all hitting in the ocean surf and and the bay beaches. Top and bottom rigs with fishbites, clam, squid, cut bait, or live bloodworms is working well. We prefer Diamond State Custom Tackle top and bottom rigs they hold up much better than the “standard” store bought rigs and are available in many shops.

The owner hooks wil last a long time if you take care of the rigs. Wash your gear when you are done for the day, or as soon as you switch out to another rig. The hooks won’t rust either on these rigs and stay very sharp. Surf rigs tend to get dull hooks fast due to pulling them along the sand so much. The cheaper store bought rigs will get dull real quick and the hooks snap readily under pressure.

There is a lot of decent offshore shark action as well as sea bass. Mako and thresher sharks are being brought to the docks. The sea bass are readily filling the boxes on many charter and private boats.

Flounder in canal

Flounder action has been great in the Lewes canal area. Offshore flounder grounds are producing and the inland bays is picking up a little bit as well. Drifting minnows or using gulp is working well. Jigging for flounder is decent action but more work, some prefer the lazy drift of the boat for a more relaxing day fishing. Let the boat do the work you just reel in the fish.

Short striped bass action is decent up and down the coast in tidal creeks and back bays. Some of the these “schoolies” have been close to keeper size. They are hitting bloodwomrs on top and bottom rigs. Anglers using bucktails and swim shads are seeing decent action. There have been some caught in the surf as well on top and bottom rigs.

The C&D canal has a lot of white perch and catfish as well as schooling striped bass or the “shorties”. We call them rats in the surf.

Crabbing has been excellent, lot of steamed crabs hitting the newspaper layered tables.

Big rays are here and hitting everything as far as bait. The bigger chunk of cut bat the more readily you will hook into a big whip tail or a cownose ray. Sharks are hitting the cut baits. If the fact it is all you are catching just change up to top and bottom rigs with artificial baits. They tend to attract less scavengers.

Freshwater action

Freshwater action is hot for bass and pickerel. The action for top water is really good. Some crappie catches here and there, and of course bluegills are hitting readily. Northern snakeheads are feeding heavily and getting more aggressive.

Despite the heat it is great to be outdoors and enjoy the day. Cooling weather is coming, and summer is just getting started.

Rich King’s outdoors column appears Thursdays in the Delaware State News.

NEWARK — At 6-foot-1, 240 pounds, Najee Whitted is a little bigger than your average high school running back.

So he’s had to listen to people tell him for years that he should be a lineman instead.

“I heard that a lot,” said the recent Caesar Rodney High grad. “They were going to put me at linebacker before but I told them I didn’t want to do it.

“I just prove them wrong. I like when people doubt me and then they see that I’m better than what they think I am.”

Whitted’s abilities not only earned him all-Henlopen Northen Division second-team honors at fullback but a scholarship to NCAA Division II Shepherd (W. Va.) University.

Gold players go through warmup drills as they prepare for Saturday’s 62nd Blue-Gold football game at Delaware Stadium. (Special to the Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh)

They’ve also earned Whitted a spot in the 62nd annual Blue-Gold All-Star Football Game, which will be played on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Delaware Stadium. The contest benefits programs for Delawareans with intellectual disABILITIES.

Whitted first started playing football in seventh grade when his family moved to Delaware from Staten Island, N.Y.

The youngster admits that moving from a big city to a relatively rural area was a big adjustment at first.

Najee Whitted’s abilities not only earned him all-Henlopen Northern Division second-team honors at fullback but a scholarship to NCAA Division II Shepherd (W. Va.) University. (Special to the Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh)

“It’s a lot different,” said Whitted. “In New York there’s a lot going on. Everybody’s outside, there’s a lot of buildings. Here it’s just quiet and everybody’s cool and calm.”

But Whitted is proud to be representing the Riders in the Blue-Gold game. He’s joined by CR lineman Kenneth Shahan, who was a last-minute replacement to the Gold roster this week.

“I’m glad to have somebody else from my school here,” Whitted said at Media Day on Sunday. “I’ve called him like seven times already. I thought I was going to be the only one. Now Kenny’s coming, I feel a little better. He’s just happy that he could be a part of it.”

Clark representing, too

The first Blue-Gold game Greg Clark saw was last year’s.

The Milford High lineman was there to see former teammate Michael Holstein play.

“I remember sitting there in the stands watching the game, like, ‘Wow, I really wish I could do that,’” said Clark.

And, sure enough, here Clark is, getting ready to play for the Gold in Saturday’s game.

The 6-foot-2, 285-pound offensive guard earned his spot after taking first-team all-Henlopen South honors as a senior. He’ll continue his career at Wesley College in the fall.

The Buccaneers went 9-2 this past season but lost to Wilmington Friends, 8-7, in the first round of the DIAA Division II state tournament.

Clark said he’d love to finish his high school career with a victory.

“Every day I wish we could have done that much more to secure a win,” he said. “That’s probably something I’m looking forward to all week — just giving my all, every practice for that Saturday game.”

Extra points

Both squads are slated to scrimmage today at 5 p.m. The Gold will scrimmage at Milford with the Blue scrimmaging at Tower Hill. … There’s at least one high school football all-star game older than the Blue-Gold. The Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas was founded in 1937 and promotes Shriners hospitals. Players from North and South Carolina square off in the contest in December. … The Blue-Gold All-Star banquet will be held Friday evening at Dover’s Modern Maturity Center. … Blue head coach John Reed of Caravel will be joined in the game by son, Jacob, who is a lineman for the Blue. And Reed’s daughter, Hailey, was a cheerleader in the Blue-Gold game last year.

DOVER — Highmark, the lone insurance to file for the 2018 Affordable Care Act Marketplace, has proposed a 33.6 percent increase in costs, Delaware’s Department of Insurance said Wednesday.

The prepared statement from the insurance commissioner’s office said the requested rate increase assumes that the cost-sharing subsidies and individual mandate will not be in place for 2018.

“Highmark BCBSD’s proposed rate will be thoroughly vetted by the DOI and its independent actuaries before a final rate is determined,” the statement said.

In May, Aetna, Inc. announced its plans to withdraw from the Affordable Care Act’s Insurance Marketplace effective Jan. 1, 2018. leaving Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware as the only health insurer to have filed products and rates for Delaware’s 2018 “Obamacare” market.

“Highmark’s proposed rate increase reflects the fact that the Federal Government could cut funding for the ACA by discontinuing cost-sharing reduction subsidies,” said Delaware Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro. “Cost-sharing reduction subsidies are passed on to insurers to assist lower income individuals and families. In addition, it is unclear whether the ACA individual mandate will be enforced next year.

“If the Federal Government fails to live up to its obligations under the law, insurers will likely continue to exit the Marketplace.”

Sen. Tom Carper, D-Del., released a statement critical of the government’s handling of health care for Americans.

“This news makes clear what we’ve known for months — the federal government’s continued sabotage of the Affordable Care Act is creating tremendous uncertainty in our individual insurance marketplaces, Sen. Carper said.

“The result is skyrocketing premiums for hardworking families who may no longer be able to afford coverage. Every American should be able to get to the doctor to stay as healthy as possible and to get treatment when they’re sick, and we in Congress should be doing everything we can to make that possible. Every day, but especially today, my colleagues and I should summon our better angels and work across party lines to make bipartisan improvements to our health care system that improve health outcomes and lower health care costs for all Americans.”

Trinadad Navarro

Approximately 27,000 Delawareans have health insurance through the Marketplace and will be affected by increasing rates and/or insurer withdrawals.

The insurance commissioner’s statement said it is important to note that the proposed rate increase will not apply to Delawareans on Medicaid or those with group or individual policies outside of the Marketplace.

“Without competition from other companies and with the Affordable Care Act’s fate left up to members of the federal government who appear to oppose it, we are in a difficult position,” said Commissioner Navarro. “My job is to pursue premium fairness and increased competition. I will continue to work with Senators Carper and Coons and Congresswoman Blunt-Rochester’s offices to fight for the best interests of the people of Delaware.”

Removing utility poles and burying power lines will improve safety on a dangerous stretch of Hazlettville Road west of Dover, officials said. (DelDOT photo)

DOVER — The latest deadly crash on a sharp curve just west of Dover prompted a multi-pronged approach to avoiding the next one.

While the best remedy for navigating the stretch of Hazletteville Road is remaining within the 35 mph speed zone, the reality of driver behavior required more.

Work began May 31, with the burial of utility cables and removal of two poles scheduled first.

On Feb. 26, a vehicle occupied by two off-duty Dover Police officers swerved off the roadway on the curve, traveled down an embankment and struck a utility pole with the driver’s side door. The 2016 Jeep Wrangler overturned, ejecting the passenger and rolling onto the passenger side before stopping.

The incident at approximately 4:05 a.m. left driver Robert E. DaFonte, 23, of Hartly, and passenger James D. Watts, 22, of Camden-Wyoming dead at the scene. Investigating Delaware State Police determined that Mr. Watts was not wearing a seat belt.

The Delaware Department of Transportation will complete the project by regrading the roadside swale area to lessen the possibility of a vehicle rollover.

According to DelDOT in a news release, state Sen. Dave Lawson, R-Hartly, spurred the project that also included the Delaware Electric Cooperative, Verizon and other utilities.

A plaque and flowers pay tribute to two Dover Police Department officers who died in a single-vehicle crash on Hazlettville Road west of Dover while off duty on Feb. 26. (Submitted photos/DelDOT)

“It’s a bad turn,” Sen. Lawson said. “There’ve been a number of accidents there.

“Removal of the poles will help prevent strikes when people run off the road.”

DEC expected its work to be completed within two weeks, the other utilities within a month.

“I asked to get this project finished before the end of the year, this is very good news,” said Sen. Lawson.

According to DelDOT Transportation Safety spokesman Adam Weiser, “The goal is to provide increased recoverable area so that errant vehicles can regain the roadway without striking fixed objects or overturning.”

Funding for the improvements comes from DelDOT’s operating budget, a spokesman said.

DOVER — Saying they want to further discussions about raising revenue, top Democratic lawmakers are circulating a bill that would raise income taxes on Delawareans and create a new top bracket of greater than $150,000.

The not-yet-filed bill would increase taxes between .15 and .4 percent for existing brackets and levy a 6.95 percent tax on the state’s top earners. Currently, all income above $60,000 is taxed at 6.6 percent.

Supporters say the proposal would help close a budget shortfall and create greater equity in the tax structure, but others feel it is unfair to taxpayers.

Republicans believe the measure would hurt businesses and chase people out of Delaware, and some left-leaning Democrats say the measure hurts the lower and middle classes.

The new bracket of $150,001 and up would impact about 10 percent of taxpayers. The draft bill would go into effect Jan. 1 and bring in about $68 million next fiscal year and $211 million in the first full fiscal year.

The legislation would also raise the age limit from 60 to 65 over five years for pension exclusion eligibility and get rid of itemized deductions while increasing the standard deduction about 54 percent.

“This is the bill that needs to start the conversation, and it’s fluid,” House Majority Leader Valerie Longhurst, D-Bear, said, noting she is open to negotiating changes to it.

The proposal is based off a March recommendation from Gov. John Carney, but it adds a new top bracket.

Gov. Carney, a Democrat, has expressed concerns about pushing businesses and wealthy individuals away if taxes are increased too much. Wednesday, he said his main focus is getting an income tax bill that will pass, and he will back the Democrats’ measure.

“My proposal has always been one that we’ve looked at through the eye of not making us less competitive and one that’s fair and equitable,” he said.

But the measure needs GOP buy-in to pass, and while Democrats appear set on balancing the budget in part with an increase in income taxes, Republicans are resistant.

The proposed tax increase itself may be minor, but it is part of an “accumulation” of higher taxes placed on citizens in recent years, House Minority Leader Danny Short, R-Seaford, said.

House Minority Whip Deborah Hudson, R-Hockessin, agreed, saying: “My district is the more wealthy people, so you might think that they’re not even reading the news and care about this, but they do too, and they’re looking for cuts as well, because they’re familiar with what it takes to run businesses, have cuts, manage your budget.”

The leadership proposal is not the first income tax-raising measure to be considered this year. In April, a bill that would lower rates on most Delawareans and institute two higher brackets while phasing out itemized deductions for top earners was released from committee. However, it has not had a floor vote.

The main sponsor of that measure, Rep. John Kowalko, D-Newark, believes the bill backed by leadership simply continues a “regressive tax structure.”

“I feel I can accurately describe it as unresponsive to our needs and certainly even detrimental to the economy and detrimental to the middle-class taxpayer,” he said.

Rep. Kowalko said he will not vote for the currently unfiled bill.

Legislators have been meeting for months in an attempt to reach a compromise on balancing the budget, but the two parties continue to debate spending and taxation. Republicans want spending reform and say Democrats have been unwilling to consider large-scale changes. Democrats counter Republicans are holding the budget hostage over ideological issues.

Lawmakers met Tuesday and were scheduled to meet again Wednesday evening to continue discussion. The fiscal year ends June 30, leaving the General Assembly eight legislative days to pass a budget.

There’s also the chance, however slim, of a gubernatorial veto: Gov. Carney said he may issue his veto power for the first time if the budget goes against “sound fiscal policy,” although he was careful not to frame it as a threat.

“I’m not going to accept something that uses some kind of gimmick to get us through June 30,” he said. “We’ve got plenty of time between now and then to thoughtfully go through cuts and revenue.”

Proposed income tax hikes

A draft bill would raise income taxes, part of a Democratic proposal to balance the budget. Below are the rates as they would change under the proposal.

$2,001 to $5,000: from 2.2 percent to 2.4 percent

$5,001 to $10,000: from 3.9 percent to 4.2 percent

$10,001 to $20,00: from 4.8 percent to 5.2 percent

$20,001 to $25,000: from 5.2 percent to 5.5 percent

$25,001 to $60,000: from 5.55 percent to 5.7 percent

$60,001 and up: from 6.6 percent to 6.8 percent to $150,000 and a new rate of 6.95 percent at $150,001 and above

Delaware State News photos/Marc Clery

DOVER — The harmonious sounds of nearly 100 instruments still crack through the air and the thumping beat continues to pulsate for the 2017 Blue-Gold All-Star Marching Band.

Band directors Dr. Harvey Bullock Jr. and Josh Palmer wouldn’t have it any other way.

Mr. Bullock and Mr. Palmer are both directing the Blue-Gold band this year, calling it their own personal tribute to their long-time friend and former Dover High band director Lenny Knight, who died on March 14 at the age of 46.

They will lead the band into Saturday night’s 62nd annual Blue-Gold All-Star Football Game, which will be played at 6 at Delaware Stadium.

Mr. Knight had served as the Blue-Gold band director for six-straight years prior to his untimely death.

Delaware State University’s Dr. Harvey Bullock Jr. (left) and Smyrna High School’s Josh Palmer are serving as directors of the Blue-Gold All-Star March Band in tribute to their late friend Lenny Knight. (Delaware State News/Mike Finney)

“Lenny was my brother, I mean we were real close,” said Dr. Bullock, director of bands at Delaware State University. “I’ve known him for over 20-plus years, through Delaware State, through our travels as (high school) band directors in the state, and this is just a great time.

“I feel humbled and honored to be able to come and continue the legacy that he has started with this (Blue-Gold) band and continue to help this band grow and all the things that he stood for with this band. It’s just a privilege.”

Mr. Palmer had the pleasure of being a student under Mr. Knight at Dover High School before eventually growing into a colleague. He is now the band director at Smyrna High School.

He said that every time he directs his musicians that there is always a part of Mr. Knight that comes out.

“I remember going over to (Mr. Knight’s) house and hanging out with him when I was in college,” said Mr. Palmer, who graduated from Dover High School in 2002. “We laughed, hung out, went out to eat. He was just a really great friend and great person.

The Blue-Gold All-Star Marching Band gets in some practice on the football field at Delaware State University’s Alumni Stadium. (Delaware State News/Mike Finney)

“He was a true mentor. A lot of the things that I’m talking about with the kids now are because of things that I learned while talking with him over the years. He was truly a special person.”

Mr. Palmer knew there was a tremendous void left when Mr. Knight died.

“Just after Lenny’s passing I reached out to Samantha Martone, who is the coordinator for the Blue-Gold band, and I told her I know that his passing leaves a hole and I’d be willing to step up if you guys are interested,” he said. “If you want me here, I’ll be glad to be here.

“Then we ended up tag-teaming with Dr. Bullock from Delaware State University, who was also a good friend of Lenny’s. So it has all worked out great.”

Mr. Knight’s legacy will definitely be a big part of Saturday night’s halftime show.

“This show is dedicated to him,” Dr. Bullock said. “All of the music was written by him and we’ll even put some of his favorite dance moves in there.

“It’s just a tragic loss for everybody within the state, but we’re going to make sure that on Saturday we honor him very proper with the Blue-Gold band.”

Mr. Palmer said that he, Dr. Bullock and Mr. Knight were all very connected thanks to their love of music and dedication to instilling a passion for it in their students.

He admitted that Saturday night will be quite emotional for him.

“The show is all his music,” Mr. Palmer said. “We took all arrangements of (Mr. Knight’s) and all of the music in the show is stuff that he put down on paper.

“Then in the show we’re going to spell out his initials as just a nice little tribute. That was one of my biggest pieces in jumping into this was, not only for the cause and everything else, but to have a moment to pay tribute to my friend.”

Mr. Knight loved volunteering for the Blue-Gold Marching Band, which gave him an opportunity to connect with musicians from all over the state.

The Blue-Gold band members consist of ninth through 12th graders and are recommended o participate by their band director/music department chair and school principal.

Mr. Knight’s enthusiasm for his craft came bubbling through before the Blue-Gold game in 2015.

“It’s going to be fun,” he told the State News. “Do not get popcorn or hot dogs until after the halftime show because you might miss something.”

He then added, “Every year is a blessing. I want everyone to look forward to a great show and not just at halftime, in the stands during the game, too.”

Dr. Bullock said that Mr. Knight’s presence could still be felt as the Blue-Gold band practiced together at Delaware State University’s Alumni Stadium on Thursday.

“We’ve been feeling his energy throughout all of the practices that we’ve had,” he said. “His spirit is definitely with this band and it’s going to continue to be with this band for generations to come.”

Samuel “SAM” Carter, left, and Matt “Meeze” Coston, right, of Trio, a group from Dover, hype the crowd up on the North Hub stage Thursday morning at Firefly. (Special to the Delaware State News/Jon Lloyd Jr. )

DOVER — Thursday morning, before the Firefly Music Festival officially opens its gates, is usually a quiet morning. Pre-tanned campers, party-goers and music fans of all stripes taxi in from around the world, to set up for what will be a long four-day weekend of enjoying live music camping and spirits (the feeling kind and the drinking kind).

Kicking off in mild 75-degree, near cloudless weather, hometown Dover hip-hop group, Trio, was one of the first bands to welcome attendees arriving at Firefly’s North Hub camping section. The group played an hour-long set at the top of the bill and will be returning for a second performance on Sunday at 10 a.m. at the South Hub stage.

From beer tent to stage

If persistence is what it takes to make a name for oneself in the music industry, local Doverites Matthieu “Tribe Beats” Howe, Matt “Meeze” Coston and Samuel “SAM” Carter III are well on their way. The first significant leg of their journey has been to go from watching Firefly Music Festival acts from a beer tent they were working last year, to being on stage themselves Thursday morning.

All pursuing hip-hop individually, the three met each other by chance and found “instant chemistry” with one another’s lyrical styles.

“I met SAM through him being featured on some beats I sent this other group. When I heard him, I knew we had to work together,” said Mr. Howe. “I met Meeze at a party we were having. I just put some beats on and he started freestyling over them. We all vibed with each other immediately.”

Although the three originally hail from Oklahoma, New York and Philadelphia, they spent most of their formative years in Dover — Mr. Coston attended Dover High School and Mr. Howe and Mr. Carter went to Caesar Rodney.

Matthieu “Tribe Beats” Howe of Trio performs Thursday morning at Firefly. (Special to the Delaware State News/Jon Lloyd Jr. )

After meeting, they began spending time in Mr. Howe’s home studio writing music and riffing. They collaborated on Mr. Howe’s solo project “Law of Attraction” — released last May, and shortly afterward decided to bill themselves as a three-piece group. Their first live appearance was connected to Afterfly last year, the unofficial Firefly after party. From there they were invited to perform at a venue in Philadelphia.

“We were all of a sudden a group, so we had to decide what to call ourselves,” said Mr. Howe.

“We decided on Trio because SAM referenced a Trio in some of his lyrics and we just thought it fit well.”

After the success of their two inaugural live performances, they began the quest of getting into Firefly.

“Last year we were just watching the stages thinking, ‘Man, we have to get up there,’” said Mr. Howe.

Mr. Howe’s sister, Leslie Howe had done some photography work for various bands at Firefly and was familiar with a few Red Frog Events’ talent scouts, who produce the event. After courting them with several requests and music demos, the festival organizers offered two hour-long spots to the group.

The group had been busy during the build-up to the event, nearly meeting every day to prepare, they said. They logged several more live performances at various venues, including Wesley College, University of Delaware and World Cafe Live at the Queen in Wilmington — where they met their future manager Shaun Beastley.

“Trio is a group that bridges the gap between the mumble rap and hip-hop,” Mr. Beastley said about what drew him to the group. “They have a very eclectic sound with hip-hop melodies, hooks and delivery.”

They also found time to record an album together called “48 Hours.” They released it for free on SoundCloud in April.

Inspired by Dover

By day, the group members are a Sussex Correctional Institution rehabilitation counselor, a Dover Mall employee and a load master in the Air Force Reserve at Dover Air Force Base. Spending their youth in Dover has informed their lyrics and musical style, they say.

“This is a small town, that’s what inspires me,” said Mr. Carter. “Not many people in the industry are coming from small towns anymore. A lot of them are coming from New York or Atlanta and places like that, and it’s just a different lifestyle here.”

From left, Matt Coston, Matthieu Howe and Sam Carter relax in their Dover studio. (Delaware State News/Marc Clery)

At times, the group pulls themes like poverty from their surroundings.

“Dover can at times have a negative influence. We like to speak on poverty in our music,” said Mr. Coston.

“Mostly though, we’re talking about everyday life experiences. We’re in our 20s, we’re living, we still have bills and everything — we’re just average guys making music. We describe our style as ‘conscious fun.”

The group say they also pull inspiration from other acts such as J. Cole, Mobb Deep, G Unit, Drake, Andrea 3000, Lauryn Hill and Chance the Rapper. Mr. Coston said he’s especially looking forward to seeing Chance the Rapper’s performance at Firefly Saturday.

“It’s really cool that we’ll actually be performing at the same festival with so many of these great bands and musicians,” said Mr. Coston. “We’re going to try to see if we can say ‘what up?’ to Chance the Rapper.”

Trio will be performing again on Sunday at 10 a.m. on the South Hub stage near the speedway’s Miles the Monster statue.

The Firefly Music Festival continues through Sunday in Dover. For more information on the band, search @TrioTings on Instagram and Twitter.

More than 90.000 music fans attended the Firefly Music Festival last year. The gates open today at noon. (Delaware State News file photo/Marc Clery)

More than 140 bands playing on nine stages in four days. That’s what the Firefly Music Festival has become in dear old Dover, Delaware, in this, its sixth year.

This year’s music lineup contains a Nobel Prize winner and an Oscar winner along with a boatload of Grammy awardees.

The event started Thursday night at 5 p.m. when the gates opened to the masses and will close around midnight Sunday.

Last year, 90,000 people traversed the grounds and officials say they are ready for the same amount this year.

As has been the custom in this space for the last several years, here’s an alphabetical look at some of the highlights, musical and otherwise, of this year’s Firefly.

A — AFI, which stands for A Fire Inside, is a California rock band, which has released 10 studio albums, 10 EPs and a live album over the course of the last 16 years.

They first hit the top of the charts with the album, “Sing the Sorrow” in 2003, which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and remained on the chart for 51 weeks, becoming the group’s best-selling release. The singles “Girl’s Not Grey” and “Silver and Cold”, peaked at No. 7 on the America’s Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart.

Their seventh album, “Decemberunderground,” in 2006, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and featured the hit singles “Miss Murder” and “Love Like Winter”.

They play today at 4 on the Main Stage.

AFI, which stands for A Fire Inside, plays the Firefly Music Festival Main Stage today at 4 p.m. (Submitted photo/Jiro Schneider)

B — For those of a certain age, Bob Dylan may be the only act that is recognizable this year.

The 76-year-old music legend became a leader in the fight for civil rights and the anti-war movement in the 1960s with his songs “Blowin in the Wind” and “The Times They Are A-Changin’.”

He’s crossed the musical spectrum ever since in a variety of different genres. His latest album, “Triplicate,” comprises 30 recordings from the Great American Songbook, including “As Time Goes By” and “Stormy Weather.”

Mr. Dylan, who was awarded a Nobel Prize for Literature last year, is in a bit of hot water these days for alleged plagiarism in parts of his recent Nobel lecture. It will be interesting to see if he addresses those concerns Saturday night at 8:30 on the Main Stage.

C — Chance the Rapper, a singer/songwriter, and record producer from Chicago, gained recognition with the release of his second mixtape, “Acid Rap” in 2013.

In May of last year, he released his third mixtape “Coloring Book” to critical acclaim, going on to win three Grammy awards, including one for Best Rap Album.

He’s part of a Saturday night that will see a record three headliners. His set gets underway in the wee hours of Sunday morning at 12:30 on the Backyard Stage. He previously played Firefly in 2014.

D — DJ Jazzy Jeff, known for his partnership with megastar Will Smith, won’t have too far of a drive as he’s now a resident of Bear.

The West Philadelphia native first hit it big with Mr. Smith as they formed the duo DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince with Jeff on the turntable and Will on the microphone.

They received their first Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1989 for “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” and “Summertime” earned them their second Grammy in 1991.

He continues to tour the world and is also an acclaimed record producer. Jazzy Jeff plays The Pavilion at 5:15 p.m. Saturday.

E — Festivalgoers will find a host of good eats this year.

Around 50 food kiosks await the host of hungry music fans. Local folks will recognize venues like Doc Magrogan’s and Grotto Pizza but have other options to choose from, including Vietnamese, Indian, Creole, dumplings, noodles, seafood, pretzels and much more.

As with all of the merchandise and food areas, Firefly is cashless this year. So make sure you have your credit or debit card. You can also use Apple Pay, Android Pay, Samsung Pay or Square Cash.

F — Firefly is priding itself on bing the first fan-curated music festival, taking ideas from musicgoers and putting them into action.

The first attraction inspired by fans is The Fort.

The multi-level bar, built with recycled materials, boasts yard games, food trucks, and upper-level viewing decks to The Lawn and Porch stages. The Fort is the newest addition The Woodlands.

Electronic dance music duo Galantis plays the Backyard Stage Saturday night. (Submitted photo/Katharina Naess)

G — The Grammy-nominated Swedish dance music duo Galantis, consists of producers and DJs Christian Karlsson and Linus Eklöw.

The group’s debut album, “Pharmacy” was released in June of 2015. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Dance album chart on the strength of hit singles like “Peanut Butter Jelly” and “Runaway (U & I).” It went gold in three countries and has streaming numbers upwards of 430 million.

In April of 2016, the pair released the single “No Money,” which became their first single to debut on the US Billboard Hot 100. In August, they released the standalone single “Make Me Feel” for the soundtrack to Netflix’s original film, “XOXO”.

They play the Backyard Stage at 9:45 p.m. Saturday.

H — Hamilton Leithauser is an American singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is the former lead vocalist of the indie rock band The Walkmen, with whom he recorded seven studio albums.

In 2016, he formed Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam with Rostam Batmanglij, formerly of Vampire Weekend, a Firefly veteran group. They released the single “A 1000 Times” in July 2016 and their debut album, “I Had a Dream That You Were Mine,” was released in September.

He performs Sunday at 4 p.m. on the Lawn Stage.

I — Denver’s Illenium, aka Nick Miller, made his official debut into the electronic dance music world in 2013 with the release of his self-titled EP, although he had been working at it since 2008.

In February of 2016, he released his debut studio album, “Ashes.” The album peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums chart and at No. 19 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart.

He’ll be in The Pavilion Sunday at 5:45 p.m.

J — Jared Leto is the first person to receive an Oscar to appear at Firefly. He’ll be here with his band Thirty Seconds to Mars.

Mr. Leto, who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2013 for “Dallas Buyers’ Club,” fronts the progressive rock band that is also comprised of his older brother Shannon Leto and Tomo Milicevic.

They have sold over 5 million albums worldwide and the band’s videos have more than 300 million views on YouTube.

They will play Sunday night at 6:45 on the Main Stage.

K — Kesha has been going strong since the release of her debut album “Animal” in 2010. That year she was declared Billboard’s Hot 100 Artist and her debut single, “TiK ToK,” was named Billboard’s No. 1 Hot 100 Song.

She has had eight consecutive Top 10 hits, including four No. 1 singles, which also included “Timber,” a multi-platinum award-winning collaboration with Pitbull.

She has written all of her own music, as well as songs for artists including Britney Spears, Ariana Grande, The Veronicas and Miley Cyrus.

Kesha recently hit the news when comedian Jerry Seinfeld refused to hug her at a red carpet event. Her last time in Kent County was in 2014 when she played the Delaware State Fair.

She performs on the Lawn Stage Saturday at 9:45 p.m.

L — A non-traditional rapper, Lil Dicky’s first commercial album, “Professional Rapper,” debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 200 and No. 1 on both the comedy and rap charts in 2015.

He came to prominence in 2013 with the release of the music video to his song “Ex-Boyfriend,” which went viral with more than 1 million views on YouTube in 24 hours.

He hits the Lawn Stage tonight at 7.

The British rock trio Muse plays Firefly Sunday night at 9:15. (Submitted photo/Gavin Bond)

M — Headliner Muse closes out the Main Stage Sunday at 9:15.

The English rock band consists of Matt Bellamy, Dominic Howard and Chris Wolstenholme. Their last album, “Drones,” was released in June of 2015 and debuted at No. 1 in 21 countries around the world. It was their first No. 1 album in the United States. The album spawned the No. 1 hit “Dead Inside,” and the band went on to win its second Grammy Award for Best Rock Album in February of 2016.

They have released seven studio albums, selling upwards of 20 million albums since their debut in 1994.

N — The New Zealand indie electronica band The Naked and Famous made a splash in 2010 with their album “Passive Me, Aggressive You,” with hit singles such as “Young Blood,” “Punching In A Dream and Girls Like You.”

Their followup album “In Rolling Waves” was released in 2013, followed up by “Simple Forms” in 2016.

They play Saturday at 7:15 p.m. on the Lawn Stage.

O — Known for their imaginative music videos, the power-pop quartet OK Go won a Grammy Award in 2007 for their video “Here It Goes Again.”

Their fourth and most recent album “Hungry Ghosts” was released in 2014 on their own label Paracadute.

OK Go will play tonight at 9:30 on the Lawn Stage.

P — The electronica dance duo, who also dabbles in hip hop, Phantogram has released three studio albums “Eyelid Movies” in 2009, “Voices” in 2014 and “Three” in 2016), four EPs and eight singles.

They are set for Sunday at 8:15 p.m. on the Backyard Stage.

Q — Hip-hop DJs Quitehype, of Philadelphia, will wrap up the first Northeast Rising Showcase in the campgrounds.

The showcase will feature musical acts from the area 150 miles around Dover. Thirteen acts will play both Saturday and Sunday in the campgrounds. Saturday, they will set up in the North Hub and Sunday in the South Hub.

The schedule starts at 10 a.m. both days and wraps up with Quitehype at 6 p.m.

R — Busta Rhymes, the veteran rapper and music producer, is known for his off-the-grid style and intricate performance patter. He has received 11 Grammy Award nominations for his music.

Hits include “Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check”, “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See”, “Dangerous”, “Gimme Some More”, “What’s It Gonna Be?” with Janet Jackson and “I Know What You Want” with Mariah Carey.

He performs Sunday on the Main Stage at 1 p.m.

S — StubHub Live: The Coffee House will feature intimate sets from main stage acts throughout the weekend. From O.A.R., Bob Moses and Hamilton Leithauser to Salt Cathedrals and Magic Giant, a total of 15 acts will take to the coffee house stage throughout the festival’s four days.

Tyler Joseph of Twenty One Pilots performs during the 2014 Firefly Music Festival. (Delaware State News/Marc Clery)

T — Twenty One Pilots is back for the third time and this year as a headliner.

The indie-pop duo exploded in 2015 with their album “Blurryface,” which generated a series of hits, including “Tear In My Heart,” “Ride,” the crossover smash, “Stressed Out,” which reached No. 1 on the Alternative Songs, Pop Songs and Adult Pop Song charts while earning Platinum certifications in Australia, Canada, Finland, Italy and the Netherlands.

The Grammy Award-winning band is the first rock act in 25 years to land three top-five songs on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart in one year.

They perform tonight at 10:45 on the Main Stage.

U — Ultimate Frisbee and a variety of sports will be yours to play this weekend as Firefly will offer three-hour mini tournaments this year.

Capture the Flag and kickball are also on the agenda. Wednesday and Thursday saw soccer and flag football.

You can register your team or yourself at fireflyfestival.com or just show up and see if there is still room to play.

V — VIP passes are still available for $699 for the weekend or $249 for a one-day pass.

Passes include VIP viewing at all stages, private restrooms, exclusive dining options available for purchase, access to VIP hospitality tent at The Lawn, private cash bars and all areas available to general admission.

W — The Grammy Award-winning R&B singer The Weeknd’s ‘Trilogy” album reached platinum status in the U.S. and Canada in 2013 and debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard Top 200.

In 2015, he released his critically-acclaimed album “Beauty Behind The Madness,” which featured hit singles such as “The Hills”, “Can’t Feel My Face” and “Earned It.” It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200.

The headliner plays the Main Stage Saturday night at 11.

X — With his mix of electronic pop, hip-hop and soul music, Quinn XCII had a big 2016. In January of last year, his collaboration with ayokay, “Kings of Summer,” soared to No. 1 on the Spotify Global Viral Chart where it spent three weeks. His follow-up collaboration with producer Illenium, also at Firefly this year, “With You,” also went No. 1 on the HypeMachine Popular Chart and reached No. 20 on the Spotify Global Viral Chart.

He will play the Porch Stage Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

Y — Youth is on the mind of Firefly producer Red Frog Events, which has partnered with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital since 2010, raising over $13 million.

In January 2013, Red Frog Events committed to raising $25 million for St. Jude and obtained naming rights to the “St. Jude Red Frog Events Proton Therapy Center” that was completed in 2015 in Memphis.

Festivalgoers can donate to the cause throughout the grounds.

Z — Looking for zzzzs? Formerly called The Hammock Hangout, The Nook is a place to relax with an area nestled in the woods.

Guests are invited to set up their own hammocks, grab one that’s already set up or take advantage of the new seating options.

Gates open today through Sunday at noon and close at 2 a.m. tonight and Saturday and midnight Sunday.

General admission passes are still available at $129 for a single day and start at $319 for the weekend.

To get tickets and see the whole schedule, visit fireflyfestival.com.

Now showing

New this weekend in theaters is the underwater suspense-thriller “47 Meters Down,” the Tupac Shakur biopic “All Eyez on Me,” the animated “Cars 3D” and the comedy “Rough Night.”

New on download and DVD starting Tuesday is the family film “A Dog’s Purpose,” “Life” with Jake Gyllenhaal and “Sleepless” with Jamie Foxx.

Karen L. Brooks

DOVER — A Smyrna School District employee and fire company official waived preliminary hearings in separate sexual-related felony cases Friday morning and the matters were then transferred to Superior Court.

Karen L. Brooks, 38, of Dover, was charged with two counts of fourth-degree rape/sexual intercourse with a victim under 18 after an alleged inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old boy in April.

According to Smyrna Police in court documents, Mrs. Brooks met the youth when he managed the Smyrna Middle School track team that she coached.

Upon learning of an investigation, the Smyrna School District placed Mr. Brooks — an Educational Diagnostician, working in the Special Services department at Smyrna Middle School — on paid leave on May 15. The status changed to unpaid administrative leave when she was arrested, officials said.

Mrs. Brooks did not attend Friday’s Court of Common Pleas hearing and entered her waiver through attorney Alex Funk.

John A. Metheny Sr.

Darren Weiford

Earlier Friday morning, John A. Metheny Sr., 72, of Hartly, waived a preliminary hearing connected to claims that he allegedly groped a 17-year-old female several times, beginning in November 2016. He was charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child by the Delaware State Police.

According to State Police, some alleged incidents occurred at the Hartly Volunteer Fire Company, where Mr. Metheny serves as vice president. He is also treasurer for the Delaware Volunteer Firefighter’s Association.

An appearance for Darren Weiford, 21, of Dover, was postponed for a week when he wasn’t transported to the Kent County Courthouse by the Delaware Department of Correction. Mr. Weiford was charged with first-degree murder after Amber Buckler, 20, of Dover was found shot to death at the First State Inn on June 1.

Forensic vehicles park on Leipsic Road near Dover Friday after a Firefly Music Festival camper found a body in a wooded area near the festival. (Special to the Delaware State News/Jon Lloyd Jr.)

DOVER – The Delaware State Police are conducting a death investigation after human skeletal remains were located Thursday night in a wooded area near the ongoing Firefly Music Festival.

Authorities said Friday that preliminary investigation determined that at approximately 7 p.m., human remains were discovered by a person walking through the wooded area east of Leipsic Road near Marley Lane. According to the Associated Press, the person, who is attending Firefly, contacted troopers and notified them of the discovery, authorities said. Detectives responded to the wooded area and confirmed them to be human skeletal remains.

State Police spokesman Sgt. Richard Bratz said the skeletal remains were  not discovered on the grounds of the Firefly Music Festival.

The Delaware Division of Forensic Science was contacted and is currently assisting with the investigation. The identity is currently unknown. The investigation into the death is in its early stages as troopers continue to collect and analyze evidence at the scene.

Police asked anyone with information to contact Detective D. Blomquist at 698-8426. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333, online at www.delaware.crimestoppersweb.com, or by sending an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “DSP.”

PHILADELPHIA — Four pitchers made sure Delaware South is one win away from Citizens Bank Park.

Delaware South combined for 18 strikeouts and a one-hitter for a 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia Public League in its opening game of the Carpenter Cup at Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park on Friday afternoon.

Delaware South advanced to play Inter-AC/Independent (Pa.) Monday at 2 p.m. also in FDR Park. The semifinals and finals are contested at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies.

The first six innings belonged to Appoquinimink pitchers Ryan Steckline and Brady Stamper, who went three innings each. Newark Charter’s Sean Kelby threw the seventh and the eighth before Smyrna’s Jeremy Carrow came on in the ninth.

Carrow, who just finished his junior year, capped it by striking out the side in order in the ninth.

“They pitched a one-hitter today, they did great,” Carrow said. “The whole pitching staff did good. I had to up the tempo, keep it going.”

Steckline, who is signed to play for Monmouth University next season, struck out six while Stamper, a Liberty University signee, followed with five strikeouts in his three innings of work.

Kelby then struck out four during the seventh and eighth innings.

It is only the fourth one-hitter in the history of the tournament, which began in 1986 and features teams from New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. The last one-hitter was in 2014 by Berks County (Pa.).

“We knew we had some strong pitchers and that’s what we wanted to do,” said Lake Forest High’s Corey Wyatt, who is coaching Delaware South this year.

“We have some All-State pitchers and guys going Division I so we kind of let them ride it. I feel bad that not all of our pitchers got in there, but those dudes are horses. We rode them to the next round.”

Delaware South took the lead 2-1 in the top of the sixth inning on a sacrifice fly by Middletown’s Jake Walls. It would add on two more in the seventh thanks to an error and Dover’s Mike Carrington’s sacrifice fly.

Delaware South, made up of high schoolers from Kent County, Sussex County, Middletown-area schools and Newark-area public schools, also scored in the top of the first on two errors by Philadelphia Public.

Philadelphia Public’s lone hit came in the bottom of the first by Anthony Brown, who plated its only run of the game.

This is the second consecutive year Delaware South won its first-round game, after a 10-year drought. It was eliminated in the 2016 quarterfinals by the Philadelphia Catholic League team, one game short of Citizens Bank Park.

“That would be amazing to play there,” Carrow said. “I’ve never been to a pro stadium before so that’d be fun.”

“It would be awesome for all of us,” Wyatt said. “Just stepping on that field is a dream come true for coaches and players. We asked for a four-game commitment and that’s our belief that we can get to that round. That’s what we’re hoping for.”

NOTES: Delaware South improved its all-time record in the tournament to 13-23. Delaware split into two teams, North and South, in 1993. … Ten of the Delaware South players are recently graduated seniors. Only 12 players are from the Henlopen Conference. … Milford’s Abraham Mow tripled in the fourth inning for Delaware South and Appoquinimink’s Joe Weglarz doubled in the sixth but neither scored. … Zach Lesher, from Newark Charter, is on the Delaware South roster. His father former Major Leaguer Brian Lesher played in the Carpenter Cup for Delaware North. … Delaware South’s jerseys have “DG” above the numbers on the back to honor former Philadelphia Phillies manager and Delaware native Dallas Green, who died in March. … The semifinals are scheduled for Friday, June 23 at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. with the championship game at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 24.

NEWARK — Last fall was a pretty good one for downstate football teams.

For just the second time, Henlopen Conference squads swept both the Division I and II state titles.

Now downstate’s top senior players will try to cap off the year with one more victory in Saturday night’s 62nd annual Blue-Gold All-Star Football Game.

Pre-game ceremonies start at 5 p.m. with kickoff slated for 6 p.m. at Delaware Stadium in Newark.

The contest, which benefits programs for Delawareans with intellectual disABILITIES, has raised over $6 million in its history.

New Castle County’s Blue team has won two years in a row after snapping the Gold’s four-game winning streak. But this year’s Gold roster includes players from both state champions — Smyrna and Woodbridge — as well as Division I runnerup Middletown.

Jim Adkins (1) of Delmar with the Gold team during a workout at the University of Delaware in preparation for the 62nd Blue-Gold Football Game. (Special to the Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh)

There are a total of 12 Gold players who took part in state championship games last December. The Blue has just three.

The Gold also has the coaching staff from two-time defending Division I state champion Smyrna, led by head coach Mike Judy.

Gold head coach Mike Judy of Smyrna at Gold team practice at the University of Delaware. (Special to the Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh)

And while there’s no way Judy can duplicate the Eagles’ fast-paced, high-risk approach with only one week of practice, he still wants the Gold to be as aggressive as possible.

“We don’t have much time,” Judy said early in the week. “What you put in is going to be very small but we’re going to try to get really good at it.

“The thing is, we’ve got these next couple days to really evaluate some of these kids up-close and personal. And if we find out a kid can do something, we’re going to put it out there.”

Gold quarterback Nolan Henderson, from Smyrna, is no stranger to this offense, of course. The Delaware-signee is the state Offensive Player of the Year.

Henderson will have three All-State receivers to throw to in first-teamer Anthony DelPercio (Middletown) along with second-team picks Brion Murray (Milford) and Michael Credle (Glasgow).

The Gold also has Woodbridge’s Leah Styles, the state Co-Defensive Player of the Year, and Middletown’s Chris Weatherford, the state Lineman of the Year.

One staple of Smyrna’s approach is its willingness to regularly try onsides kicks. Judy said onsides kicks are legal in the Blue-Gold game.

Shymere Vessels of Woodbridge at Gold team practice at the University of Delaware. (Special to the Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh)

“I don’t know if that’s what we’ll do but we’ll definitely be going for two, I can guarantee you that,” he said. “We’re going to let it all hang out and have fun. … We’re going to make sure that everybody has fun and that we do some things that are going to showcase some of the kids’ talents.

“There’s some hidden gems on this team that people don’t know about. And we’re going to make sure that people know about them. That’s what we’re going to try to do.”

Extra points

Wesley College has at least eight future Wolverines playing in today’s game. … Veteran coach Mark DelPercio, who stepped down as Middletown’s head coach in the offseason to pursue opportunities in Texas, will be a Gold assistant. … The other Gold assistant coaches are Eston Ennis (Laurel), Mike Marks (Smyrna) and Dan Wagner (Smyrna). … Blue QB Billy Sullivan of St. Mark’s was drafted as a pitcher by the Phillies on Wednesday. … The other state Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Concord linebacker Avery Roberts, won’t be in the game after graduating early. He already took part in spring practice at Nebraska.

Jerren Carter of Smyrna at Gold team practice. (Special to the Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh)

A number of awards were presented at the Blue-Gold All-Star banquet on Friday night. Among the winners were: Jeff & Denny Schwartz Band Award-Megan Shockley (A.I. du Pont); Bob Carpenter Memorial Award-Blue, Elizabeth Smith (Caravel), Gold, Lindsay Shallis (Sussex Tech); Outstanding Cheerleader-Blue, Victoria Spinelli (Padua), Gold, Kirstyn McNamara (Sussex Tech); Barb & Winnie Spence Hand-in-Hand Award-Blue, Molly Burke (Hodgson), Buddy: Brandon Pietlock; Megan Lynch (Concord) and Alexa Crowell (Brandywine), Buddy: Gia Marquez; Gold, Lindsay Shallis (Sussex Tech), Buddy: Avary Cannon.