DOVER – On Friday, a Gold Alert was issued for a mssing 21-year-old Wesley College student last seen early Tuesday night.

Erick Acavedo-Palencia left the Malmberg Hall dormitory at approximately 6:12 p.m., wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, black athletic-type pants with a white stripe and white sneakers, Dover Police spokesman Master Cpl. Mark Hoffman said.

Surveillance footage showed him walking toward the nearby intersection of Division and Bradford streets, The missing student who also has a Wilmington residence was described as approximately 6-foot-2, 175 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.

During the investigation, it was learned that Acavedo-Palencia made statements to others causing concern for his health and safety, police said, prompting the Gold Alert.

Police asked anyone with information to assist in locating the student to call 736-7111.

MILLSBORO — Mountaire Farms of Delaware reported to the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Friday that the company’s cleanup of an accidental release of partially treated wastewater Wednesday at Mountaire’s poultry facility, east of Millsboro, has been completed under DNREC’s direction.

Officials say DNREC Groundwater Discharges Section staff were onsite at Mountaire Friday to verify the status of cleanup efforts. Mountaire Farms’ response actions to the release have included continuous 24-hour pumping of the discharged wastewater back into the wastewater treatment system for retreatment; scraping of soils in the area where the release occurred to remove any potential solids; liming of the ground surface once solids are removed; repair of the mechanical component the company reports led to the accidental release, and complete inspection of the system.

DNREC also is requiring enhanced groundwater monitoring by Mountaire in the area of the release to determine if any potential impacts to groundwater have occurred since the release was discovered early Wednesday morning.

Grammy-nominated Robert Randolph and The Family Band will headline this year’s Smyrna at Night event set for Saturday, June 8. (Submitted photo)

SMYRNA — The increasing success of the annual Smyrna at Night townwide block party just got a little bigger Friday with the announcement that three-time Grammy-nominated Robert Randolph and The Family Band will top the list of musical artists at this year’s event.

The funk and soul band is led by pedal steel guitarist Mr. Randolph, who Rolling Stone called one of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time. Jeremy Hebbel, co-owner of Gable Music Ventures, organizers of Smyrna at Night, along with NuPoint Marketing, said the band, known for their lively stage performances, is the perfect headliner for Smyrna at Night.

“They are one of the best live acts I’ve ever seen,” Mr. Hebbel said Friday.

“We look for bands with a lot of energy since this is a huge block party. Their kind of intense, gospel feel really gets you moving. I really can’t think of a better act for this event. We toyed around with bringing in a New Orleans-type horn band but when this suggestion got floated to us, that went out the window fast.”

Mr. Hebbel said the town of Smyrna appropriated a larger than usual budget for this year’s event so they had a bit more money to go out and find an act of this caliber.

“A good friend of ours (Rose Relations) who networks with a ton of national acts assisted us with this one and we lucked out. Sometimes it just comes down to luck.”

The band’s latest release “Got Soul,” nominated for a Grammy in 2017 in the Best Contemporary Blues Album category, featured guest artists like Darius Rucker, Anthony Hamilton and Cory Henry. In the past they have collaborated with artists such as Eric Clapton, Dave Matthews, The Roots and Jack White.

The group has performed at local venues, such as Bottle & Cork in Dewey Beach, but Mr. Hebbel believes this will be the first time they will play a free concert in the area.

This year’s Smyrna at Night will be the first to be held on a Saturday, with longer hours than ever before. It is set for June 8 from 3 to 10 p.m.

“In talking to the mayor and town manager, we decided that the event has grown to the point where we think we can overcome the notion that everybody goes to the beach in the summer,” Mr. Hebbel said.

“Having longer hours and it being on a Saturday will hopefully make setup easier as well.”

As in recent years, 24 acts will play at the event, with six instead of four on the main stage this year and the majority of them playing for a longer time than in years’ past.

Mr. Hebbel said he anticipates getting interest from a wider array of bands looking to play this year. But he still wants to keep the majority of the acts local.

“I’m really proud of the fact that we’ve been able to showcase artists from around the Smyrna, Dover and Middletown area and we intend to keep it that way,” he said.

Mr. Hebbel said he expects another round of band announcements next month.

Last year’s attendance was estimated to be about 7,500 people. This year, Mr. Hebbel says Smyrna at Night should draw about 10,000.

“Now the challenge will be parking and getting people to and from the event. So we’ll be looking at setting up auxiliary parking lots and adding shuttles,” he said.

The increased amount of attendees should add to excitement of the day, Mr. Hebbel said.

“When the crowd is more excited, the artists are more excited and that just adds to their overall performance. And these guys are definitely at the top of their game,” he said.

Chuck Bradner of Harrington took this picture of the sunset outside of Harrington last month.

Readers reacted to an Associated Press story headlined “Amazon decision a win for Democrats’ rising left wing”

• You think that’s a win? They just lost a total of 25k jobs and billions in tax revenue for the state! Amazon also offered to build schools and to repair the subway system! — Dean Grabowski

• It’s like shooting off your foot and laughing about it, saying you don’t need it anyway. — Richard Miller

•Hey, New York. How are you liking what you elected? — Dana Watford Kavanagh

• A lot of them love it actually. — Valina Mua

• Democrats won the battle but lost the war. These days corporate welfare has been the only way to lure new jobs to one’s state. It’s extortion as corporations are playing us. America has socialism for the wealthy and rugged individualism for workers. — Jim Kelley

• Great job New York! They wouldn’t let them unionize anyway. That just lets the corporations make higher profits and the working poor stays just that! — Marie Law

• Most of the people I know who have worked at Amazon would not call it a good-paying job. Nor would they call it a valid career path. — Kevin McCoy

• How is costing citizens 25,000 new jobs a win? — Anita Anderson Spangler

• Infighting by the Dems in New York. Gotta love it. — Kevin Reinike

• Win for (Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) maybe. She thinks New York City is handing Amazon 3 billion dollars, that she could spend somewhere else. It’s a tax break. A loss of 25K jobs for NYC. — John P. Leech

• Delaware will welcome Amazon! — Patti Smith

• New York is controlled by radical leftists. What did you expect? — Mark Schmalhofer

• Amazon is one the richest companies in the world, why should tax payers front all the money to build their HQ and give Amazon tax credits over the next 30 years? Has nothing to do with party affiliations, just looking out for public. Let some other state sell their soul to these companies who have no loyalty to local communities. — Sean E Dial

• Good. Yes people would be employed on a marginal level but the whole bidding for amazon’s HQ is a way for the to establish for free. New Yorkers don’t deserve that. Delawareans sure as hell wouldn’t deserve that either. In order to sweeten the incentive, cities are slashing budgets in other areas to pay amazon to locate there. No thanks. Good for NYC for saying no. If Amazon truly wanted to come into a community because they believed it advantageous they should pay into that community via taxes instead of get a five-year tax-free deal, reduced rate, etc. — Danielle Levredge

This is your public forum. We welcome your opinions, which can be emailed to newsroom@newszap.com or posted online under the stories at www.DelawareStateNews.net.

Who is the most powerful woman in Washington, DC? Just forget Fauxcahontas, Kamala, Kirsten, AOC and how soon we forget the once-sacred Hillary Rodham Clinton.. a woman from the past.

You can bet the farm that it is Fancy Nancy Pelosi — the Lady of the House – e.g. House Majority Leader and Speaker of the House. Two heartbeats away from the presidency.

She is always conceiving of one more decisive deception, delaying action or obstruction under the guise of her compassion, caring of our Better Angels and the benefit for America. When she attained her personal goal of returning to the Majority House leadership she knew her time had arrived to attempt to destroy the POTUS. A POTUS she has deplored since his unexpected presidential victory in November 2016.

No Democrat worth their salt (or career) will speak or display a word of disparity against the power will of Madam Pelosi. They know if they should do so their prized political careers would suddenly come to a crashing halt. She is the only House Majority Leader/Speaker of the House who ever dictated the doctrine that any president’s State of The Union address would not be held in HER House. That is a real power play.

She won that round against President Trump and, of course, was praised by her doting Democratic colleagues for her bravery, concern for the human element and the end result. New York Sen. Chuck Schumer was her praise partner in crime. This is not his first political rodeo and Scowling Schumer knows the Lady of the House is a formidable foe. He will NEVER cross that dangerous line of dissension.

Republicans, too, don’t appear at the ready to speak candidly about any disparaging comments or expressions Nancy evokes. Their fear of the woman is most discouraging when seeking a true confrontation to silence the visible Pelosi hatred, obstruction and discrediting of any viable solution to the many problems that need to be addressed in the hallowed halls of Congress.

There does seem that the only person who will express his thoughts, beliefs and major concerns for the security, prosperity and worldly growth for America is President Donald J. Trump. He does not quake with fear in the presence of the Lady of the House. He has dealt with adversaries in the past both in the business and political sectors. Fear is not a word that comes easily forth from the 45th.

He will take on any confrontation either foreign or domestic. Even if they are just down Pennsylvania Avenue. Madam Pelosi may feel secure that she has won the governmental shutdown battle…..BUT the game ain’t over yet! It may be the bottom of the ninth but she will be facing a heavy hitter at the plate.

45th must be adhering to FDR’s wise, encouraging words “There is nothing to fear but fear itself”. This game could go into overtime. Let’s see if Nancy with the smiling face is still showing those pearly whites at the end. The Donald just might know how to play the game to win and send Nancy back to her House despondent, but assuredly, ready to compete once again. Should be an interesting era in American history.

May God always bless the United States of America!

Beverly Monahan
Dover

George Washington’s life was greatly influenced by a school homework exercise which began when he was just 13 years old. He was apparently assigned the task of copying a translation of a 16th Century Jesuit treatise titled “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation.” Washington not only copied the maxims, he lived them.

One way in which the 110 Rules guided Washington was in controlling his famous short temper. Most of the time adhering to the advice worked. But there were a handful of time when the Father of His Country lost it.

Dr. Samuel B. Hoff

To wit, there was the falling out with Alexander Hamilton in 1781 and a well-known 1791 incident which followed a military update being delivered to President Washington.

Another clear indicator of Washington’s adherence to the 110 Rules was his behavior in social situations. Washington went out of his way to make people feel at ease, but was so formal even at rest that some folks did not know how to react.

When Pennsylvania legend Gouverneur Morris once tried to get GW to lighten up by placing his arm around Washington, he was rebuffed in the strongest terms.

Clearly, as both a military and political leader, Washington’s character and personal convictions were noticed and emulated by others. These traits included modesty, courtesy, humility and respect.

For Washington, the 110 Rules were essentially a Code of Honor, one which his contemporaries agreed he followed best.

Though Washington’s reputation was somewhat built on exaggeration and myth, his commitment to the 110 Rules was real. Still, he was human and therefore far from perfect. Accordingly, it is easy to pick apart individual decisions he made as commander of military forces or policy decisions he announced as chief executive. The point is that most people alive during his time and since have marveled at the way Washington acted more so than the consequences of his choices.

Of course, Washington cared about both the appearance and success of his actions, but would not let criticism of the latter impact the former.

Throughout American history, the legacy of the 110 Rules can be assessed by evaluating how they impacted subsequent presidents and U.S. society as a whole.

Along with covering the 110 Rules generally, that will be the purpose of the program at the Old Statehouse on the Dover Green on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Additionally, audience members will have the opportunity to indicate how one or more of the 110 Rules are pertinent to their own lives. The event, sponsored by DSU’s Law Studies Program, the Delaware State Society of the Cincinnati, and the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, is free and open to the public.

Dr. Samuel B. Hoff, George Washington Distinguished Professor of History and Political Science and Law Studies Director at Delaware State University, will deliver the keynote address at the aforementioned event.

Battling with one branch of government and opening a new confrontation with another, President Donald Trump announced Friday he was declaring a national emergency to fulfill his pledge to construct a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

• It’s sad when a president has to go to such extreme measures, to do something for the country. — Dennis Mehrenberg

• Trump’s wall is such a waste of money. — Karen Welch

• “The Wall” is just a symbol declaring that we as a country are making a stance against cultural integration. The majority of people who support it come from lineage that has always enjoyed a lifestyle that separates their lives from those of different backgrounds. The simple thought of having grandchildren that are not completely of your race, having to share a workspace with people who are different from you, being told that learning the culture of other racial groups is no longer an option but a necessity in today’s world, that not only bothers some people, it scares them. Hatred is harbored in the mind of the fearful. — Ben Reitzes

• He knows exactly what he is doing. He is doing what he was elected to do. Too bad Democrats are too busy hating him to care about what is best for the country. — Kime Rutledge Hill

• He can take the border wall funds from the multi billions they are about to send to Israel. — John Coleman

•To those who are celebrating over this, do bear in mind that this establishes a precedent for future administrations to do similar things when faced with something that they want, but that Congress can’t get their act together to fund. Rejoice now, but don’t complain when a future president does something that you don’t want to have happen. — Brian P Slattery

•Like if a Democrat is elected and there are more mass shootings, so he declares a national emergency to repeal the 2nd Amendment. Or climate change is a national emergency so take away those gas guzzling SUVs. Trump set a very dangerous precedent indeed. — Gary Greer

•While I think your examples are extreme and quite hyperbolic (I would hope that NO president is able to simply abolish any amendment to the Constitution by declaring a national emergency – that would be akin to a coup d’etat), you do make the point that what happened this morning sets the table for more “tit for tat” political shenanigans.

I would think that a national emergency due to mass shootings would perhaps focus money on things like CDC studies on gun violence (you know, the ones that the NRA has fought and paid hard to stifle over the years) and other measures that would actually make us safer without destroying the 2nd Amendment. — Brian P Slattery

• Good luck with that — 30 seconds after he does, an injunction halts such a farce. — Larry Josefowski

• Why should there be an injunction? It’s much more of a national emergency than any of the 10 that President Obama declared. Where was the fake outrage then? — Tom Stevenson

This is your public forum. We welcome your opinions, which can be emailed to newsroom@newszap.com or posted online under the stories at www.DelawareStateNews.net.

I encourage everyone to have an end of life conversation(s), it may take more than one conversation, with their doctor.

It is natural for many of us to avoid talking about the end of life. Thus, we avoid speaking to our doctors about what type of end of life care we would want. However, as hard as it may be speaking with your doctor about your end of life care wishes, it is a critical step in ensuring your wishes are met. We need to have these conversations while we are healthy, prior to an illness or accident strikes. Many studies have shown that a lack of early and continual communication with doctors causes confusion about medical treatments, conditions, and choices that need to be determined.

According to research, as many as three-quarters of physicians whose patients had Advance Healthcare Directives (AHD) were unaware that those documents existed. Only 12% of patients with AHDs had received input from their doctor.

However, studies show that those who had routine conversations with their doctors about advanced care planning had increased satisfaction. Patients who talked with their families or physicians about their preferences for end of life care:

• Had less fear and anxiety.

• Felt they had more ability to influence and direct their medical care.

• Believed that their physicians had a better understanding of their wishes.

• Indicated a greater understanding and comfort level than they had before the discussion.

Do not wait for your doctor to ask about your wishes

Chances are your doctor is waiting for you to start the conversation, and would welcome the discussion. Here are some things to consider when talking to your doctor:

• Let your doctor know that you are completing an Advanced Healthcare Directive.

• Ask them to explain any treatment/ procedure options you find confusing.

• Talk about pain control and symptom management options and let them know your preference between relief of pain or alertness. Ask if they would be supportive in letting you determine when and how much pain medicine or sedation is enough, on an ongoing basis.

• Share your thoughts on what in life is important to you; if you choose quality over quantity of life, let them know.

• Make sure your doctor is willing to follow your Advanced Healthcare Directive. The law does not force physicians to follow directives if they disagree with your wishes for moral or ethical reasons.

• Give your doctor a copy of your completed AHD. Make sure your doctor has the contact information for your appointed health care agent.

Ask your doctor to be honest with you and your family about your prognosis

Let your doctor know that you want them to be open and honest with you about your illness and your prognosis. Some doctors may shy away from letting a patient know they are dying, especially when no one raises the issue. Also, speak with them about the role you want them to play and they can best help you and your family. Some questions to ask are:

• Will you talk candidly with my family and me about my illness?

• Can you give us a heads up on what decisions my family and I have to make?

• What will you do if I have a lot of pain or other uncomfortable symptoms?

• Will you be open about my prognosis and let me know if my treatments stop working so my family and I can make appropriate decisions?

• Will you support my decision to choose palliative and/or hospice care and help me get care?

• Will you remain part of my care team and be available to my family and me for questions?

All of us want to die peacefully but we cannot do it alone. If you want some control over your final days, it is important that you speak to your doctor and family to make your goals and wishes known. Become your own advocate and begin these conversations early on.

Hematologist/oncologist Andrew L. Himelstein, MD, FACP, is medical director of Delaware Hospice

Kathy Trusty stands with materials related to her program “African Americans in the Civil War,” earlier this month at the Dover Public Library. The event was Ms. Trusty’s first presentation in Delaware. (Special to the Delaware State News/Arshon Howard)

DOVER — “You don’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you came from” is a notion that Kathy Trusty lives by.

“If you don’t know your history, you can easily repeat it,” Ms. Trusty said. “Segregation and Jim Crow wasn’t too long ago. If people don’t know about their history, they can fall into the trap of not fully becoming who they are truly meant to be due to not knowing the sacrifices that were made for us to be living the life we’re living today.”

Ms. Trusty is an independent historian and a black history educator. She began this phase of her career in 1997 when she received a grant to document the history of African Americans in Paterson, New Jersey.

In conjunction with the third annual Dover Citywide Black History Celebration, she held a presentation at the Dover Public Library on Feb. 7 titled “African Americans and the Civil War,” which examined African Americans, free and enslaved, and their role in the Civil War during that time.

“It is important history to know,” Ms. Trusty said. “At first, African Americans were not allowed to fight and then they were, as more than 180,000 signed up. “The presentation (is meant to highlight) the challenges they faced and puts a face to soldiers who fought valiantly for the Union’s cause and freedom.”

The event was Ms. Trusty’s first presentation in Delaware. She has been conducting black history presentations, creating displays and producing black history programs for more than 15 years in Paterson, New Jersey.

“I just recently moved to Delaware,” Ms. Trusty said. “Once I got settled, I joined Delaware Humanities and wanted to continue to spread that same message here.”

Ms. Trusty said she’s asked for black history content regularly from educators around the country, as she just recently started focusing on the Civil War.

“When I was living in New Jersey I received a grant to document the history of prominent black figures in Paterson. That was my focus at first.”

Her research led to collaboration with the Paterson Museum on the exhibition, “As I was Saying…” Reflections of African Americans in Paterson. She also collaborated the with the museum on “Silk City Slugger: First in the American League,” an exhibit about Paterson native, Larry Doby, the first African American to play baseball in the American League.

“I just became immersed in learning about our history,” Ms. Trusty said. “Once that was over, I found out that I could teach this history in the schools so I just started contacting local schools in the area and started presenting what I learned.

“It reached a point where I couldn’t go to the schools and present the same information. I had to figure out what I wanted to do next.”

Around that time she said the Civil War was something that always interested her so from there she found a way to present new material.

“I started learning and researching about African Americans in the Civil War,” Ms. Trusty said. “I felt that a lot people would want to know about this aspect of the Civil War, so from there I started to present my findings at different locations.”

The presentation includes repositories including the Library of Congress and the National Archive. It also includes images and different news articles during that time related to the Civil War such as an image of a slave market in Georgia, an advertisement for “Colored Troops,” and pictures of great men who fought in the war.

“I think this information is important for people to know,” Ms. Trusty said. “In June 1864, Congress passed legislation giving black soldiers equal pay. This type of information is something that makes you realize the struggles and sacrifices that were made to get to the point we are today.”

Ms. Trusty said she was nervous during her presentation at the Dover Public Library, but helping people become more knowledgeable about the role African Americans played in the Civil War is all that matters to her.

“It was my first time doing it here in Delaware,” Ms. Trusty said. “There were little jitters there, but I know the material and that’s all that matters. With anything you do no matter how long you’ve been doing it for, you can always get better.”

“This is all I do. This is all I know. As long as I’m able to communicate with the audience and educate them on something they may have not known before lets me know that I’m doing my job right.”

Arshon Howard is a freelance writer living in Dover.

Debris is removed from the site of the Seaford McDonald’s restaurant, which was demolished in early February. A new modern facility will be built at that U.S. 13 and Norman Eskridge Highway location. (Delaware State News/Glenn Rolfe)

SEAFORD — The famous Golden Arches still stand but the building is long gone.

A recognizable landmark that stood along Seaford’s highway commercial district on U.S. 13 for nearly four decades was razed the week after this year’s Super Bowl.

In its place will be a new, state-of-the-art McDonald’s restaurant that will have an extra-special look.

Following debris removal, the hope is the complete build will be completed sometime in late spring.

“We would love to be able to hit the end of May,” said Seaford McDonald’s owner Mike Meoli, whose Meoli Companies owns 18 McDonald’s – nine each in Delaware and Maryland. “So, I would say very late May or the first week of June is where we are looking reopen. It can’t be fast enough from my perspective.”

Everything on site will be completely cleared, including the drive -thru lane. “The only thing that is going to stay is that sign. It will stay right where it is,” said Mr. Meoli.

The new restaurant will accentuate McDonald’s Experience of the Future redesign, featuring modernization and upgrades that have been incorporated at Mr. Meoli’s other restaurants, including Bridgeville and Georgetown.

“We’ll have kiosks. We’ll have the table service. We’ll bring your order out to you,” said Mr. Meoli. “And obviously, all state-of-art new equipment, and side-by-side drive thru.”

And it will feature a special look: McDonald’s “Blade and Ribbon” exterior concept.

“It has differentiating architectural characteristics that are much different than most McDonald’s,” said Mr. Meoli. “It’s a little more expensive, but it’s such an important site. That is the gateway into Seaford. It’s a very high-traffic, high-volume restaurant. I want to go the extra step to make sure we develop that site as responsibly as we should.”

The Golden Arches in Seaford invite patrons to visit the McDonald’s in Bridgeville during construction of a new restaurant at the Seaford site. (Delaware State News/Glenn Rolfe)

“We’re going to bring a beautiful building to much of that corner,” Mr. Meoli said. “The site layout will be completely redone, incorporating the additional property that was behind it and along the north side of the building into one seamless parcel.”

The Seaford McDonald’s was constructed in 1980. Mr. Meoli purchased it in December of 2014.

Last October, Mr. Meoli’s McDonald’s on U.S. 113 in Georgetown celebrated its grand reopening following a modernized makeover.

Upgrades are part of McDonald’s global efforts to modernize.

“Most of the stores are going through that type of remodel like I did in Bridgeville where we gave the outside that new modernized look and we redid the lobby and restrooms. Some stores already have the modernized look but need a new lobby, like Georgetown,” said Mr. Meoli. “And there are a very small percentage of stores that, like Seaford, are just old, and you just need to start over.”

The last Big Macs and Egg McMuffins at the Seaford restaurant were sold Feb. 3.

In the absence of the restaurant at Sussex Highway and Norman Eskridge Highway, customers are encouraged to patronize Mr. Meoli’s Bridgeville McDonald’s, which previously underwent an upgrade.

Customers who frequented the Seaford restaurant may see many familiar faces at Bridgeville and Mr. Meoli’s other McDonald’s.

“We have offered every single employee that is there the opportunity to go to any of the other restaurants. And most of them have done that. There are a few (employees) that wanted to take a long vacation, and plan to come back. Almost all of them are going to our other stores. Bridgeville has a number of them,” said Mr. Meoli.

Transportation is even offered to Seaford employees unable to travel to other restaurants.

“Most of them can get there themselves. If they can’t, we will meet them, and we are providing transportation,” said Mr. Meoli. “We’re accommodating their schedules. We have told them we want to give them the hours they have been used to getting. And we need them, quite frankly. We’re going to open up in June, at the height of our busy season, so we want our folks to come back.”

Because there will be a “few nuances” in the new kitchen with modernized equipment, Seaford employees will undergo training in other stores, Mr. Meoli said. Training is scheduled for May.

A grand opening ceremony will be held, probably a couple weeks after the new Seaford restaurant opens, Mr. Meoli said.

Smyrna Police Department Cpl. Brian Donner reviews an agency social media page last week. “We are now at a point where we can post something to our social media account, and almost expect to begin receiving help within minutes. We do not take this for granted,” Cpl. Donner said. (Submitted photo/Smyrna Police Department)

SMYRNA — How’s this for a vast and quick public reach?

Working a time-sensitive case recently, Smyrna Police requested the public’s assistance through social media.

Within 42 minutes, the post was shared over 1,600 times. By two hours, 70,000 people had viewed/interacted with the post.

The northern Kent County law enforcement agency says Facebook has the largest number of followers, but an active @SmyrnaPD Twitter account produces results too.

“In addition, we are always exploring new avenues to connect with our public,” said Smyrna public information officer Cpl. Brian Donner.

Facebook tips arrive daily, along with “countless” likes, comments and shares, police said,

While Cpl. Donner is primarily responsible for maintaining and checking accounts daily, he said “Our command staff also has access to all of our accounts and can check and maintain them.”

Like calls to the dispatch center, private message tips through social media are received and treated as an anonymous source.

Based on the situation, police may reach out to learn more from their source of contact.

“Depending upon the nature of the case, and the information being shared, we may ask the tipster for clarification or follow up,” Cpl. Donner said.

“We are always careful to let folks know that they absolutely can remain anonymous and refuse/decline to speak with our officers in further detail.

“While we sometimes need more information, every tip received is vetted and investigated regardless of the tipster’s willingness or ability to continue sharing information.”

Smyrna PD’s social media outreach began in early 2014. Since then the responses have provided a wide swath of information.

“We use social media for a wide array of assistance from our community,” Cpl. Donner said. “From posting photos of pets we locate to asking for the public’s help in identifying violent criminals, we are willing to use social media avenues in every way possible.

“Social media has clearly become one of the most widely used forms of communication in our modern society and we would be remiss in our duties if we did not take advantage of it.”

Wide-ranging contacts

The contacts are wide ranging and vary from crime-related to general concerns and needs.

“We receive information and tips of all kinds,” Cpl. Donner said. “When we specifically ask for the public’s help on a case, they are great about getting us real-time usable information. In lieu of specific help, we get lots of general questions ranging from town ordinance questions, to people trying to report real-time police needs to us.”

The “invaluable” nature of social media can’t be understated in Smyrna PD operations, Cpl. Donner said.

“The ability to communicate with a mass of people in just minutes cannot be quantified by numbers or explanation,” according to Cpl. Donner. “The days of distributing ‘Wanted’ posters at the local post office and hoping for a tip in a few weeks are long gone.

“We are now at a point where we can post something to our social media account, and almost expect to begin receiving help within minutes. We do not take this for granted.”

While the Smyrna community has bought into the law agency’s online presence, maintaining momentum isn’t guaranteed without continued attention within the department.

“We know that we can lose that a lot quicker than we have built it up,” Cpl. Donner said. “Therefore we are always striving to remain connected, transparent and caring with our citizens.”

Cpl. Donner has attended two PIO schools and specific trainings/conferences related to social media use in law enforcement are available. The officer described the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association as “very comprehensive and informative and went in depth on using social media.

“Beyond that, the day-to-day operating on social media provides continuing experience and knowledge.”

Social media use by Delaware police continues to grow, and Cpl. Donner has established strong working relationships with Delaware State Police public information officer Sgt. Richard Bratz and Dover PD’s public information officer Master Cpl. Mark Hoffman.

“When we first began utilizing social media, we were one of only a handful of departments in the area doing so,” Cpl. Donner said. “As such, we kind of came in at the ground level and had to build it up from there.

“There have been many times where I have reached out to (Sgt. Bratz and Cpl. Hoffman) or networked with them to get some ideas and assistance.”

Forward thinking

Communication avenues are expected to increase.

“We are always looking at ways to expand upon our social media outreach,” Cpl. Donner said. “If something makes sense logistically, we will try it.

“Moving forward, our command staff has prioritized social media as one of our foundational pillars that we will rely upon in our day-to-day policing. The expansion of social media as a way of communication does not appear to be slowing down anytime soon.

“It is our job as law enforcement to reflect the wants and needs of our community. If their preferred means of communication is via a social media platform than it is our job to accommodate that.”

A wide range of age groups have taken part in the social media expansion.

“It is generally reflective of the diverse population that we serve,” Cpl. Donner said.

“With that said, it is widely accepted that the younger generations are more active on Twitter, versus the middle- and older-aged folks being more active on Facebook.

“It is also common for people these days to have multiple social media accounts across numerous platforms.”

The social media sites aren’t checked continuously, but citizens needing immediate attention can reach the dispatch center at all times by calling 653-9217 or 911.

Traffic on Del. 1 backed up well south of Frederica Monday morning as commuters dealt with the closure of one lane closed near the Little Heaven project.

FREDERICA — An ongoing construction project in the Little Heaven-Frederica area has slowed northbound traffic on Del. 1 as one lane is closed.

The Delaware Department of Transportation said the lane will re-open at 3 p.m.

DOVER – The search for a 21-year-old missing Wesley College student continued into a seventh day Monday, with police receiving several calls and messages with potential information on the case.

Erick Acevedo-Palencia was seen on surveillance video leaving the Malmberg Hall dormitory early last Tuesday night, but hadn’t been located as of 2 p.m. Monday, Dover Police spokesman Master Cpl. Mark Hoffman.

While police said there was no current indication that foul play was involved, officers were told that the missing student “made statements to others that are cause for concern for his health and safety.”

Detectives received the case shortly after police were initially notified Mr. Acevedo-Palencia was missing. A Gold Alert was issued and investigation continues.

“While we continue to pursue leads, we ask that anyone with information continues to provide that to us,” Cpl. Hoffman said.

Police have been working closely with Wesley College since the investigation began last week. An attempt to reach the school for comment Monday was not immediately successful.

Mr. Acevedo-Palencia was seen leaving the dorm at approximately 6:21 p.m. and headed towards the nearby intersection of Division and Bradford streets, authorities said. He was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, black athletic-type pants with a white stripe and white sneakers.

Police said Mr. Acevedo-Valencia is approximately 6-foot-2, 175 pounds.

Cpl. Hoffman said typical protocols are being used in the investigation.

“A variety of investigative techniques and tools have been used,” he said. “We cannot elaborate on specifics at this time.”

Anyone with information can call 736-7111, private message via social media, or through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 800-TIP-3333 or online at delawarecrimestoppers.com.

Police said missing persons cases are usually resolved relatively quickly and “it is uncommon that they last for a long period of time.

“In 2018, the department handled 279 ‘Missing Person’ calls and in 2017, the department handled 277. Many of these calls are for voluntary runaways of minors and adults, people who escape medical or mental health facilities, juveniles who skip school or don’t return to a guardian, etc.”

WILMINGTON — After almost five days of deliberations the jury returned two full acquittals and two partial acquittals of four inmates charged with perpetrating the 2017 Vaughn prison riot that left Lt. Steven Floyd dead.

Currently on trial are John Bramble, Abednego Baynes, Kevin Berry and Obadiah Miller. They were all accused of riot, assault, kidnapping, conspiracy and murder in connection with the incident.

After announcing they’d reached an impasse on five individual counts this morning, the jury of 11 women and one man delivered their verdicts in open court in the early afternoon. The jury acquitted Baynes and Berry, finding them not guilty of a single count.

Things were a bit more complicated for Bramble and Miller.

Miller was found not guilty of conspiracy and kidnapping but they returned “no decision” verdicts for riot, and two individual counts of murder (felony murder and murder of a law enforcement officer).

Bramble was found not guilty of murder, kidnapping and conspiracy, but the jury returned “no decision” verdicts on assault of correctional officer Winslow Smith and riot.

In a hasty exit of the New Castle County courthouse, the prosecution team of Deputy Attorneys General John Downs, Brian Robertson and Nicole Warner only said: “no comment.”

All four defense attorneys noted their and their clients’ satisfaction with the jury’s decision. As for the “no decision” verdicts, they said they’d have to wait on the Department of Justice’s decision on whether or not to pursue the charges further or drop them.

NEW CASTLE — Tyler Blades knows he only had himself to blame.

He was so overweight because he ate too much.

“I drank probably eight sodas a day,” said Blades. “My breakfast was even outrageous — like four bowls of cereal in the morning.”

As a seventh-grader at Selbyville Middle School, Blades stood a robust 5-foot-5, 267 pounds.

So he wasn’t surprised when a doctor told hem he needed to lose weight.

But the youngster will never forget what she said next.

“To sum it all up, she said, you’ve got thickness in the left side of your heart,” Blades remembered. “‘Your heart’s working way too hard to pump blood throughout your body. If you keep going like this, most likely you won’t be around next year.

“That scared me to death.”

Blades got the message. He started running and, three years and over 100 lost pounds later, he hasn’t stopped since.

Now a sophomore Sussex Central High cross country runner who stands 6-foot, 160 pounds, Blades received the Buddy Hurlock Unsung Hero Award on Monday afternoon.

The downstate runner was one of several award winners honored at the Delaware Sportswriters & Broadcasters Association 70th annual banquet.

Wilmington’s Donte DiVincenzo, the former Salesianum basketball star who netted 31 points for Villanova in the national championship game, won the John J. Brady Award as the state’s Athlete of the Year.

Other award winners were American Legion Post I baseball (Team of the Year); Padua track/cross country’s Marnie Giunta (Tubby Raymond Award/Coach of the Year) and Duffy Samuels (Herm Reitzes Award for community service).

Blades’ sudden passion for running landed him on the Sussex Central boys’ cross country team.

His first attempt at running a mile lasted 25 minutes. But the 16-year-old from Bethany Beach gradually got his time down to under six minutes.

His goal as a freshman, in 2017, was just to be one of the Golden Knights’ top seven runners and thus be able to run in the DIAA Division I state meet. Blades said he felt “joy” when he accomplished the feat.

It hardly mattered that he finished only 107th out of the 119 runners in the state meet.

“I knew there were a lot of kids that were going to run faster than me,” said Blades. “I looked around and I’m like, ‘I can’t beat any of these kids.’ When we took off, I was like, ‘Yeah, I was right.’ These kids take off and they’re just moving, they’re hauling.

“But, that day, I didn’t care. I didn’t care what place I got, I just wanted to run my heart out and do the best I could,”

And while Blades still has some bigger goals he’d like to accomplish before his high school career is over, his weight loss and good health are their own rewards. The cardiologist’s warning about his dire condition have stayed with him.

“I’m generally a better person — more happy, more open to people,” said Blades. “Honestly, I feel so much better with all that weight off.”

DiVincenzo was already a well-known name around Delaware after he led the Sals to back-to-back boys’ basketball state titles in high school. But he really burst onto the national scene with his performance in Villanova’s 79-62 national-championship game win over Michigan.

The Big East’s Sixth Man of the Year. DiVincenzo went 10-of-15 from the floor, including 5-of-7 shooting from three-point range. It was the most points scored by a reserve in the national finals, earned the junior guard the Final Four MVP award and put him on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Undoubtedly, that performance also had a lot to do with the Milwaukee Bucks taking DiVincenzo with the 17th pick of the NBA draft.

“It was like a fairy tale, unbelievable,” said John DiVincenzo, Donte’s father, who attended Monday’s luncheon with his wife Kathy. “Just being around this young man my whole life, I saw this smile early in the game. I said to one of the parents next to me, ‘Oh my, look out.’ He just preceded to use that talent and that smile just to amaze me and his mom.

“It’s so surreal. He’s just a wonderful young man. And there’s more to come, I believe.”

The Post 1 baseball squad was the first Delaware squad to win the American Legion national title. The New Castle County-based team lost just four games all season and capped off its run with a memorable 1-0 win over Las Vegas in the nationally-televised championship game.

Post 1 had 13 college players on its roster, including six NCAA Division I players.

“On the first day of practice, to a man, we thought we had a chance to go to the World Series,” Post I manager Bent Treml said on Monday. “We were unbelievably talented. … It’s a group that will be remembered forever.”

The Coach of the Year, Giunta has led Padua to six straight Division I girls’ cross country state crowns and eight since 2007. The University of Delaware grad has also guided the Pandas to the last five state titles in Division I girls’ outdoor and field.

Samuels is a former Glasgow High and Old Dominion basketball player who founded Duffy’s Hope, a non-profit organization that works with at-risk youth in Wilmington.

Sports editor Andy Walter can be reached at 741-8227 or walter@newszap.com.

Brian Cameron poured in a career-high 48 points as fourth-seeded Wesley College downed No. 5 Cabrini, 87-69, in the first round of the Atlantic East Conference men’s basketball tournament on Monday evening.

The victory was the first conference tourney win for the Wolverines (13-13) since 2013.

Wesley will play at top-seeded Gynedd-Mercy (17-8) on Wednesday in the AEC semifinals.

Cameron was 17-of-27 from the floor, including 6-of-11 from three-point range and 8-for-10 from the foul line. The junior guard’s previous career high was 39 points against Misericordia on Feb. 2.

Cameron is ranked fifth in Division III in scoring at 25.5 points per game.

The Wolverines led by as many as nine points early in the game only to fall behind by 10 later in the half. They trailed Cabrini, 35-34, at halftime.

Wesley took the lead for good at 43-41 on a layup by Tyrone Craven with 17:21 remaining.

The Wolverines’ advantage was still only 67-65 with 7:01 left before netting 20 of the game’s final 24 points.

Craven, with 13 points, was the only other Wolverine to score in double figures. Craven added 13 rebounds while Cameron had 11.

Wesley split its two games with Gynedd-Mercy this season, losing 85-59 on Jan. 16 before beating the Griffins, 86-83, on Feb. 9. A first-year league, the Atlantic East does not have an automatic NCAA Division III playoff bid this season.

Hens’ DeFreese honored: The Colonial Athletic Association recognized Delaware junior Samone DeFreese as its Player of the Week in women’s basketball.

DeFreese finished a 2-0 weekend for the Blue Hens by averaging 21.0 points and 9.5 rebounds.

The forward collected a career-high 31 points, the most for a Hen since Dec. 2015, in Friday’s win over Northeastern before tallying her third double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds in Sunday’s victory against Hofstra.

DeFreese has helped guide Delaware (12-12, 7-5 CAA) to six wins in the last seven outings.

For the season, she leads UD with 10.9 points and 4.2 field goals made per game and is second with 6.9 rebounds and 27.1 minutes played per contest.

College track & field

CR’s Bendolph wins for UD: Delaware’s women’s indoor track team two more ECAC qualifers at the Princeton Invitational over the weekend.

The Blue Hens now have 10 individuals and three relays making the trip to the upcoming championships.

Halimah Roberson had a leap of 38-5 to grab second place in the event, qualify for ECACs and record the third-best mark in school history. She also teamed up with Naliah Jackson, Bema Kyeadea-Amponsah and Olivia Goncerz to win the 4×400 meter relay with a time of 4:12.51.

Andriene Rose earned her spot with an ECAC qualifying time of 7.73 in the 60 meters to claim second.

Senior Jeanette Bendolph (Caesar Rodney) continued to look strong this season, taking home a wire-to-wire win in the 800 meters, clocking in at 2:15.08.

Boys’ basketball

St. Georges Tech 78, ECHS@DSU 61: The Hornets had a three-game winning streak snapped to drop to 10-9.

Girls’ basketball

Caesar Rodney 44, Delaware Military 19: The Riders out-scored the Seahawks by a combined, 30-8, in the second and third quarters to put away the victory.

Trinity Wailes netted a game-high 11 points for CR, which finished the season with a record of 6-14.

Ursuline 43, Dover 25: Tamyah Jones netted a game-high 14 points for the Senators in the non-conference loss.

The Raiders built a 32-18 lead going into the fourth quarter.

Dover is 9-10 going into Wednesday’s regular-season finale at Polytech.

Sussex Central students participating in the tribute to Aretha Franklin included Easla Wescott, left, and student producer D’Naya Hopkins. (Submitted photo)

GEORGETOWN — Sussex Central High School’s drama program will pay tribute to “The Queen of Soul.”

The Take Two Drama Club on Wednesday, Feb. 20 will present “A Tribute to Aretha Franklin,” focusing on the life and incredible body of work of the amazing singer who passed away in August 2018.

Created and performed by the students of Sussex Central High School, the tribute will feature readings about Ms. Franklin’s life and work, as well as singing, dancing and instrumental music from the songbook of “The Queen of Soul.”

The Feb. 20 performance will begin at 7 p.m. at the Centre for Visual and Performing Arts at Sussex Central High School, located at 26026 Patriots Way in Georgetown.

Admission is free but donations will be gratefully accepted in support of future Take Two/SCHS educational and dramatic events.

Concessions and drinks will be available at a separate cost.

Ms. Franklin, an American singer, songwriter, civil rights activist and musician, recorded 112 charted singles on Billboard, including 77 Hot 100 entries, 17 top-10 pop singles, 100 R&B entries, and 20 chart-topping R&B singles in becoming the most charted female artist in history.

The Take Two Drama Club is an independent non-profit club and drama boosters organization that supports the production of plays and musicals for the students of Sussex Central High School and the surrounding communities.

All ticket proceeds go directly back into the production of future shows and to supporting the students of Sussex Central in studying and creating theatre.

Anyone wishing to support the drama program with a donation is asked to contact advisor David Warick at david.warick@irsd.k12.de.us.

Admittedly I am not much of a baseball fan these days, even after Little League, Pony League and a run at high school baseball. That baseball was very elusive when I was at the plate.

But the recent death of Frank Robinson revived some really great memories about the Robinson Boys — Frank and Brooks — and the rest of the Baltimore Orioles cast during their heyday(s).

At least in my memory, they were a talented defensive team anchored by the incomparable Brooks Robinson at third, Luis Aparicio at short and Paul Blair patrolling center. With Jim Palmer and Dave McNally pitching, they could and did shut down opposing teams. On the offensive side they were fearsome with the Robinsons, Boog Powell and a host of others playing both “long” and “short” ball to win. Were they Baltimore’s equivalent of the Yankees’ “Murderers Row”? Perhaps not, but still murderously intimidating to opposing pitchers and fun for a young guy to watch.

It was indeed a pleasure for me to finally realize that Frank Robinson’s positive impact went far beyond his playing days. In MLB management circles, Robinson was the equivalent of Jackie Robinson when almost a generation later he became the first black “skipper” in the major leagues.

Frank Robinson earned two World Series rings for wins in 1966 and 1970 while an Oriole. For this and other highlights while a player, he commanded fan respect if not adulation. For his groundbreaking managerial debut, he earned an enduring legacy as a baseball pioneer and icon.

People like Frank Robinson will always be missed — but remembered.

Dan Cannon

Seaford

Readers reacted to a recent Letter to the Editor headlined “The nightmare of Nancy”

• All elected officials should be an extension of their voters. She has lost focus of that and is working on her personal agenda. She single handedly has prevented success more than anyone. Overall, she is a burden to America. This is why term limits needs to happen.— Stacy Johnson

• Except that her constituents like what she does. — Benjamin Black

• She’s the only chance left to keep the GOP from running this country right into the ground. We’re almost there already! — Rick Reed

• She isn’t afraid to release tax returns, unlike Trump. Why can’t Trump release his health records? All the other presidents, including Republicans, have done it. — Allan Ramnath

• Nancy Pelosi is getting blamed for bullying the bully. How ironic. — Josephina Duckery

• Oh my. Just don’t know where to begin to comment on this ludicrous opinion. First, the fact check is in order. Pelosi is the Speaker of the House. She is not the majority leader of the Democratic Party in the house. That job belongs to Steny Hoyer of Maryland. Next, Pelosi has played 45 like a violin and will continue to do so because she is a better politician, with years of experience on him. Third, all Democrats are not just happy with her they were thrilled, almost giddy. She shovels him some manure and he steps in it every time. He is NEVER going to get the best of her, no matter how hard he tries. He is just not smart enough. He should be trembling in his shoes right now as he awaits her next move. No doubt it will be a doozy. For god sake, dig up Nixon. He would be more effective. — Don Reppy

• Thank God he won. He stands between us, socialism and all-out civil war. — Dana Watford Kavanagh

• Democrats are so dumb they can’t see that she, Chuck, AOC and the rest are destroying their own party. — Iam Wright

• Nancy Pelosi is a strong woman that won’t back down, just who we need to combat #45! — Steve Newman

• I have seldom agreed with Pelosi during her political career however at this juncture she is the only congressional leader with the guts and gumption to stand up to the brat in the White House and defend the Constitution — and that is great for America. — Joe Bernard

• She’s Trump’s worst nightmare. A woman with power. — Michael Jack Johnson

This is your public forum. We welcome your opinions, which can be emailed to newsroom@newszap.com or posted online under the stories at www.DelawareStateNews.net.