A 39-year-old Wilmington man, accused of illegally selling alcohol, was arrested following a raid at a Wilmington nightclub.

The Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement began its investigation after receiving information that the Caribbean Delight Restaurant located at 1030 South Market Street in Wilmington was operating an after-hours nightclub known as Club Vibes.  Neither the Caribbean Delight or Club Vibes is licensed by the State of Delaware to sell alcoholic beverages.

During an undercover operation, a DATE officer went into the nightclub and purchased an alcoholic beverage at a fully stocked bar.  On August 31, DATE agents with the assistance of the Delaware State Police and Wilmington Police Department executed a search warrant at the Caribbean Delight.  DATE agents seized a large amount of alcoholic beverages along with $7,458 in cash.

DATE agents arrested Gairy E. Brown, 39, of Wilmington and charged him with Selling Alcohol Without a License and Illegal Storage of Alcohol.  Brown was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court #11 and later released.

WILMINGTON, Del. – Today, Governor Jack Markell U.S. Sens. Tom Carper, Chris Coons and Congressman John Carney (all D-Del.), announced a $10 million grant award to the Diamond State Port Corporation from the United States Department of Transportation.

 This TIGER V grant award will fund a project to rehabilitate a wharf dating back to 1923 which serves two critical general cargo berths at the Port of Wilmington and is in urgent need of repair. The cost of the project is $13.4 million, and the Diamond State Port Corporation, which owns and operates the Port, will fund the remaining $3.4 million.

Earlier this year, Governor Markell joined the Congressional Delegation in writing a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in support of this TIGER V grant request from the Diamond State Port Corporation. The Port of Wilmington is critical to the entire region’s economy, and is responsible for more than 4,300 direct, indirect and induced jobs for about 12,500 related jobs annually, as well as $360 million in business revenue and $34 million in state and local taxes. This capital project will dramatically improve and extend the ability of the Port to serve its many customers and ensure its continued role as an economic engine for the state and region.

“This funding is a tribute to the hard work of our federal delegation and the value that the maritime industry places on the Port of Wilmington,” said Governor Markell. “The investments we make in the Port will continue to be an integral part of our strategy to create jobs and grow Delaware’s economy.”

The Port’s grant application was selected for funding from more than 700 applications through a competitive, merit-based evaluation process.

“The Port of Wilmington is vital to the economy of Delaware and the entire region,” said Sen. Carper. “As America’s No. 1 seaport for fresh fruit imports, it supports thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in revenue. The TIGER evaluation process recognized the strong economic value of investing in our port’s infrastructure and the TIGER program continues to offer a strong return for taxpayers on innovative infrastructure investments that help to support our ongoing economic recovery. With this grant, which took an all-hands-on-desk effort to get, the Port is well positioned for the future.”

“The Port of Wilmington and the region’s maritime infrastructure are critical to Delaware’s economic strength,” Senator Coons said. “With two ship berths in need of repair, the Port’s ability to handle more and heavier cargo has been at risk, but this investment in the Port of Wilmington will keep hard-working Delawareans on the job and create new opportunities for urgently needed job growth. There was considerable competition for these TIGER V grants and only the projects capable of creating the most jobs were funded. I am heartened that the potential of the Port of Wilmington to create new jobs was recognized by the Department of Transportation, and pledge to continue working to help more Delawareans benefit from it.” 

“A strong, competitive Port of Wilmington is critical for Delaware,” said Congressman Carney.  “This grant will allow the Port to better meet the needs of its existing customers. It also puts the Port in a better position to compete for new business, which will create jobs for Delaware workers and grow the economy. Investments in infrastructure are investments in the long-term future of our economy.”

“We are delighted to receive this grant,” said Diamond State Port Corporation Executive Director Gene Bailey. “On behalf of our board, and the men and women who work at the Port of Wilmington, I would like to thank Governor Markell, Delaware’s Congressional Delegation and Delaware maritime community for their steadfast and enthusiastic support of our TIGER V application. This award by the U.S. Department of Transportation confirms the importance of our port as a critical transportation asset in the U.S. and as a vital link in the international supply chain.” 

DOVER — A Kent County horse has tested positive for West Nile Virus, the Department of Agriculture announced today.

The horse, which is recovering well, is Delaware’s first confirmed equine case of West Nile Virus since 2003, said Delaware State Veterinarian Dr. Heather Hirst.

“Prevention is key, and effective vaccines are available to help protect horses against these types of diseases,” said Hirst, who heads the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Poultry and Animal Health Section. In addition to this case of West Nile Virus, another mosquito-borne disease, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, was recently detected in a sentinel chicken flock in Sussex County.

“Vaccination is a simple and cost-effective way of preventing these diseases, far cheaper than the cost of supportive care, as there is no treatment,” Hirst said. “Horse owners should take full precautions to keep their horses safe, and be on the alert for signs of infection.”

Unvaccinated horses are at greatest risk of developing clinical signs from both West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), which are spread by mosquitoes and can be fatal. Both horses and humans can contract WNV and EEE if bitten by a mosquito carrying the virus, but it is important to note that the viruses are not transmitted between horses or from horses to people. The viruses normally exist in a cycle between mosquitoes and birds, but occasionally EEE can be transmitted from mosquitoes to mammals.

Hirst said horse owners should contact their veterinarian immediately if they suspect their horse may be showing signs of WNV or EEE. Symptoms of EEE in horses include fever (102.5-104.5°F), loss of appetite, head pressing, depression or personality change, wobbling or staggering, weakness, blindness, convulsions, muscle tremors in the head and neck, and hind-limb weakness. These signs are also consistent with WNV, although a fever may or may not be present with WNV.

Delaware’s last confirmed equine case of EEE was in 2005, and its last confirmed equine case of WNV was in 2003.

Owners should consult with their veterinarians about best WNV and EEE vaccination programs, Hirst said.

To reduce mosquito breeding, the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control advises people to drain or remove items that collect water, such as discarded buckets or containers, uncovered trash cans, stagnant birdbaths, unprotected rain barrels or cisterns, old tires, upright wheelbarrows, flowerpot liners, depressions in tarps covering boats, clogged rain gutters, downspout extenders, and unused swimming pools.

For more information about:

• Mosquito biology/ecology and control – Contact the Mosquito Control Section’s Dover office at 302-739-9917.
• WNV in humans and related medical issues – Contact the Delaware Division of Public Health at 888-295-5156.
• WNV or EEE in horses and equine vaccines – Contact the Department of Agriculture’s Poultry and Animal Health Section at 302-698-4500 or 800-282-8685 (Delaware only).
• West Nile virus – visit the CDC website, www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm

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

Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart announces the retention of Fred Townsend, Esquire as “ratepayer advocate” for the upcoming workers’ compensation rate filing. Pursuant to recently passed legislation Mr. Townsend shall represent the interests of Delaware workers compensation rate-payers during the Insurance Commissioner’s consideration of the rate filing.

A member of the Delaware Bar since 1990, Mr. Townsend served as Delaware’s Deputy Insurance Commissioner from 1995-1999. Since returning to the private sector in 2000, his practice areas have included insurance regulation.

Commissioner Stewart stated that she “is confident that Mr. Townsend’s background, both in the Insurance Department and in the private sector makes him well suited to represent the ratepayers’ interests during this important step of analyzing the workers compensation rate filing”.

Anyone wishing to contact Mr. Townsend should do so via e-mail. Mr. Townsend will be available at ratepayeradvocate@delaware.gov.