Labor Day Weekend Is Packed With Traffic Enforcement Activities

Checkpoint Strikeforce, National Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over DUI crackdown, and extra Seat Belt enforcement running over Labor Day weekend

Dover –The National Safety Council estimates 405 traffic fatalities and more than 40,000 injuries will occur nationally from motor vehicle collisions over the holiday weekend this year. This Labor Day weekend, the Office of Highway Safety (OHS) along with multiple police agencies statewide will work tirelessly to make sure everyone travels safely on the roadways this Labor Day weekend and Arrives Alive to their destination.  Enforcement activities include one DUI checkpoint and numerous DUI patrols as part of Checkpoint Strikeforce and the National Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over DUI crackdown campaigns, along with seat belt enforcement patrols to ensure everyone is buckled up on Delaware roadways.

To date there have been 66 fatal motor vehicle crashes in Delaware. Of those 66, 20% were alcohol related and 24% were unbuckled vehicle occupants.

Officers working DUI enforcement last weekend for Checkpoint Strikeforce arrested a total of 10 individuals for DUI.  The officers also issued a total of 6 seat belt citations, 2 child restraint citations, apprehended a total of 3 wanted persons, made 2 drug arrests, 1 underage drinking arrest, and 2 other felony arrests.

One DUI checkpoint is scheduled to take place over the Labor Day weekend along with 28 law enforcement agencies conducting DUI patrols. Checkpoint is scheduled as follows:

Friday August 31st – Wilmington – (DSP & NCCo DUI Task Force) – checkpoint

Select law enforcement agencies will also be conducting overtime seat belt enforcement including the Delaware State Police, Dover PD, Georgetown PD, Milford PD, Newark PD,  New Castle County PD, and Wilmington PD.

Road Safety Tips for Labor Day Weekend.

  1. Check your speed. Plan your route in advance and be prepared to spend more time reaching your destination rather than speeding to get there faster.
  2. Obey intersection safety rules. Motorcyclists, pedestrian, and bicyclist traffic also increases during the weekend. Traffic signals and stop signs are in place to maintain safe roadways for drivers, passengers and pedestrians sharing the road.
  3. Buckle up. All passengers in the vehicle should use seat belts to keep them safe in the event of a crash.
  4. If you are drinking, do not drive. Designate a non-drinking driver or plan for alternative transportation.

For more information on Checkpoint Strikeforce visit www.ohs.delaware.gov, www.DUIRealTime.com and follow regular campaign updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DEHighwaySafe and Facebook www.facebook.com/ArriveAliveDE.

 

 


Attorney General Biden Statement on National Mortgage Settlement Progress Report

Wilmington – Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden issued the following statement in response to today’s report on the implementation of the National Mortgage Foreclosure Settlement that showed that homeowners in the First State have already received $14.3 million in financial benefits from the participating banks:

“This report is a good first step in ensuring homeowners harmed by the housing crisis are receiving the real relief that they need and that the banks are required to provide,” Biden said. “The banks’ numbers indicate that nearly 300 Delaware homeowners have already been helped, but that number can be a lot higher. Delawareans who may be eligible for relief should not wait to be contacted by their mortgage-servicing banks. My office can help Delawareans find out if they are eligible and connect them with resources to apply for relief.” Biden is directing Delaware consumers to the Attorney General’s Mortgage Hotline: 800-220-5424.

The reported $14.3 million in consumer relief represents progress towards meeting the credits required by a settlement reached earlier this year between the federal government, states and the nation’s five largest mortgage-servicing banks (Bank of America, Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase, Ally and Citi). Overall, Biden’s office secured approximately $45 million for Delaware in the settlement, along with important new customer service standards and protections for members of our nation’s military. The $45 million comes in several pieces:

·         More than $32 million that banks will provide to current and former homeowners in the form of credits to reduce principal mortgage loans, extinguish second lien mortgage loans and waive deficiencies in short sales, and to provide refinancing to homeowners who are current on their mortgages but are otherwise unable to obtaining refinancing because they owe more than their homes are worth.  

·         Approximately $2,000 in payments to individual Delaware homeowners who have been foreclosed upon.  Homeowners will be eligible to receive this money without having to release the banks from any liability for wrongful foreclosure. 

·         $8.3 million that banks will pay to Biden’s office related to the multistate release of claims, as well as an additional payment of $2.5 million to settle a portion of the suit Biden filed related to the banks’ conduct related to the Mortgage Electronic Registry Service. This money will be used to fund homeowner assistance programs, educational outreach, support Delaware’s new mortgage mediation program, and fund ongoing and new civil and criminal investigations and cases related to the foreclosure crisis. 

The mortgage settlement monitor’s full report is available for review online at www.mortgageoversight.com.

Biden also reminded Delawareans that his Office of Foreclosure Prevention and Financial Education continues to be a resource for homeowners in need.   This office helps homeowners understand the foreclosure process, ensures that they know all of their rights and responsibilities, and links homeowners with Delaware’s HUD-certified housing counselors and other state and federal assistance that is available to them, including Delaware’s mandatory foreclosure mediation program.  Biden’s office will hold two foreclosure open houses tomorrow, Thursday, August 30, to provide information to homeowners about the foreclosure process, including possible alternatives to foreclosure and other housing-related issues. These events will be held at:

11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Georgia House Restaurant
119 Main Street, Millsboro

5:30 to 8 p.m.
NCALL Research
336 Saulsbury Road, Dover

For more information about either event, homeowners should call the Attorney General’s Mortgage Hotline at 800-220-5424.

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Flags lowered to half-staff Friday, August 31

DOVER – President Obama on Tuesday ordered American flags at all government buildings and facilities to be flown at half-staff on Friday, August 31 “as a mark of respect for the memory of Neil Armstrong.” In concurrence with the President’s order and as an expression of Delaware’s respect and admiration for the legacy left behind by Neil Armstrong, Gov. Markell has ordered the American and Delaware flags at state buildings and facilities also be flown at half-staff on Friday, August 31.

With the passing of longtime State representative and former Joint Finance Committee Chair Philip Corrozi on Monday, August 27, Gov. Markell has also ordered the American and Delaware flags at state buildings and facilities to remain at half-staff until the close of business on Wednesday, September 5 as a mark of respect for Representative Corrozi and his many years of service to Delaware.


New disposal program offered for old pesticides

DOVER – Delaware farmers and businesses looking to dispose of old pesticides now have a new option.

The Delaware Department of Agriculture is launching a new initiative, the Environmental Sweep Program, to help farmers, commercial pesticide applicators, nurseries, greenhouses, golf courses and pest control companies with unwanted, outdated or cancelled pesticides on hand.

“This program will help both our agricultural and business communities and our environment,” said Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee. “It is an example of the positive partnerships that the Markell Administration has developed to support the business sector.”

The program offers businesses free disposal of pesticides – up to 500 pounds or 50 gallons – which will be picked up on-site by a waste disposal contractor.

“Farmers and business owners often find themselves with significant quantities of old pesticides on hand which they cannot use,” said David Pyne, Pesticides Administrator for the Department of Agriculture. “The uncertainty of legal requirements and the risks of storage or disposal leave them with limited options. This program provides them with a new, safe disposal method.”

Any pesticide product with a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registration number will be accepted, including DDT, chlordane, carbayl, lead arsenate, lindane, dinoseb, calcium cyanide or chloropicrin. Unlabeled pesticides or those not in an original container may need to be sampled before acceptance. Farmers or businesses seeking to dispose of pesticides above the 500 pound or 50 gallon limit may pay a fee to have those products removed.

Waste items such as fertilizer, paint, oil, antifreeze, fertilizer and pesticide mixtures will not be accepted. Residents and homeowners should continue to use disposal programs offered by the Delaware Solid Waste Authority.

Farmers or businesses interested in participating can download and return an inventory form from the Department of Agriculture’s website. Pesticides Section staff will review the inventory and perform an on-site visit. If approved, a waste disposal contractor will contact the owner directly to schedule a removal date.

The Department’s Pesticides Section regulates pesticide distribution, use, storage, sales and disposal in Delaware, focusing on products used to control pests such as weeds, insects, bacteria, fungi or rodents.

 

Contact:
Dan Shortridge
Chief of Community Relations
Delaware Department of Agriculture
302-698-4520


Two noxious weeds targeted by Department of Agriculture

DOVER – Two weeds that have been gradually spreading into Delaware fields and threatening farm crops are now being targeted by the Delaware Department of Agriculture.

The weeds – Palmer amaranth and Texas panicum – have officially been placed on the state’s noxious weed list, which allows officials to begin educating landowners about the best ways to control them.

“Our landowners can now get help to protect their properties from these invading weeds, the start of a solid defense against crop damage that will lower costs for farmers,” said Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee.

In May, the Department of Agriculture issued a proposal to add the weeds to the list, which includes four other species that create problems for Delaware farmers and landowners. The expanded list went into effect Aug. 11.

The new weeds have been problems in the South, but are relatively new to Delaware. Texas panicum grows rapidly and emerges throughout the growing season; Palmer amaranth takes nutrients and moisture from crops and makes harvesting difficult. Palmer amaranth has also become resistant to certain herbicides.

The proposal was backed by the state’s Weed Advisory Committee, which advises the Secretary of Agriculture on weed issues. It includes a farmer from each county, Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Supervisor Todd Davis, and Dr. Mark VanGessel, a University of Delaware Plant and Soil Science professor and extension specialist.

The Department’s Noxious Weed Program assists property owners with management of these weeds by providing information on identification, management and control. The Department also loans herbicide application equipment at no charge to farmers and other qualified landowners, decreasing the cost.

 

Contact:
Dan Shortridge
Chief of Community Relations
Delaware Department of Agriculture
302-698-4520