(Smyrna) – As an illustration of how quickly information, whether correct or erroneous, can go viral on the internet, social media sites been buzzing in recent days with rumors that a massive snowstorm will paralyze the mid-Atlantic region during early February.

Gary Szatkowski, Head Meteorologist for the National Weather Service (NWS) in Mount Holly, New Jersey has received inquires about the rumored storm.  Here is his response: “To our emergency management and other key partners, many of you have been asked about a possible monster snowstorm about 10 days from now.  A graphic has also been going around about the same storm showing huge amounts of snowfall in the region.  I have responded on this topic to one state emergency management agency, as well as three county emergency management agencies, who in turn have been dealing with inquiries about this storm.

I have been sending the response below regarding the graphic and am sharing it with all of you now to help you deal with any inquiries.  It’s simply a graphic showing long-range model output.  When you say ‘is there any truth to this’, it depends what you mean.

If you’re asking if it is an accurate depiction of the information contained in a computer model, the answer is ‘yes’.  If you’re asking if you should bet your house on the forecast being right that far out in time, my answer would be ‘only if you wish to be homeless’.

If you’re asking my opinion, it’s a highly inflammatory action on the part of irresponsible people. Although the science of meteorology has made great strides, we have not suddenly developed the ability to forecast blizzards 10 days out.  It’s been a difficult winter for many people.  Exploiting people’s emotions regarding the weather to drive web site visits or Facebook likes is highly unethical & unprofessional.

That’s what’s going on here.

I went on one of the weather discussion websites referenced in the graphic, and that person has already posted an apology with appropriate caveats similar to above.”

The National Weather Service and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) monitor weather conditions.  No one can responsibly or accurately predict, at this time, any weather condition that may occur a week or more from now.

Cathy Rossi leaving to rejoin AAA Mid-Atlantic

Wilmington, DE — Governor Jack Markell announced that his director of communications, Catherine L. Rossi, will be leaving his administration to return to the private sector to assume the role of vice-president of public and government affairs at AAA Mid-Atlantic.  Rossi worked for the organization from 2004-2010 before joining the Governor’s staff.

“Cathy has served me exceptionally well and while I am sorry to see her leave, I wouldn’t stand in the way of an opportunity for her to return to an organization that would like to have her back in an executive capacity,” said Governor Jack Markell. “ I am grateful for Cathy’s service to the state and everything she has done to help me communicate the priorities of my administration and the work we have underway.”

Since joining the administration in February of 2010, Rossi has served as the Governor’s spokesperson and communications advisor, managing communications and relations with the news media.

“Serving Governor Jack Markell has been a privilege for which I remain grateful,” said Rossi.  “I have been able to work with an extraordinary team of true professionals in the Governor’s office, and have benefitted greatly from this experience. At some point, I anticipated I would return to the private sector and I was surprised at this incredible opportunity to return in a new capacity to AAA Mid-Atlantic where an exceptional caliber of professionals exist at all levels of the organization. I welcome the chance to join the AAA Mid-Atlantic leadership team.”

Before joining the Governor’s staff, Rossi worked for six years in public and government affairs at AAA Mid-Atlantic and prior to that, served for seven years as Director of Communications for the Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia.  She spent a long career in radio and television news, including at Fox News in Philadelphia and at First State News/Channel-2 in Delaware, where many people knew her as “Cathy Matusiak.”  Rossi, a native Delawarean, graduated from Endicott College in Beverly, MA and earned her Masters in Organizational Leadership at Wilmington University.

Cathy’s last day in the Governor’s Office will be February 3rd. She will assume her responsibilities at AAA Mid-Atlantic in late February.

Middletown – Attorney General Biden’s office announced today that a Middletown man has been arrested on child pornography charges following an undercover online investigation conducted by the Delaware Child Predator Task Force, with substantial assistance provided by the Middletown Police Department, a Task Force member agency.

During the investigation members of the Child Predator Task Force, Middletown Police detectives, and a uniformed Trooper from DSP Troop #9 executed a search warrant on January 28, 2014 at a residence in the 200 block of Loft Street, Fairways at Odessa National, in Townsend. During the search a person of interest, 18 year-old resident Jeremy J.K. Fiske, was identified and detectives seized multiple computers and other evidence. A forensic preview of the evidence performed at the Middletown Police Department revealed multiple files containing child pornography.

As a result of the investigation detectives arrested Fiske on January 28 and charged him with 25 counts of Dealing in Child Pornography. He was arraigned via videophone by JP Court #2 and was taken to James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in lieu of $500,000 cash bail.

The Delaware Child Predator Task Force investigation continues. A booking image of Fiske is attached.

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(Smyrna) – The shelf life of Potassium Iodide (KI) tablets previously distributed in Delaware and eight other states has been extended for an additional six months from the current expiration date of February 2014.  The extension was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and communicated to Delaware officials.  The affected KI tablets are 130 mg strength, manufactured by iOSAT™.  The February 2014 expiration date is printed on the packaging.  Residents who work or reside within the ten-mile Emergency Planning Zone (EPZ) surrounding the Salem/New Hope Nuclear Generating Stations and who possess the affected KI tablets should hold on to them until new tablets are issued,

KI is a stable product when stored according to label directions, and with proper storage, FDA officials say, expired lots can be safely used up to six months after the manufacturer’s labeled expiration date.  That would allow the KI tablets to be used as late as August 2014.  Potassium Iodide tablets should be stored in the original, unopened packaging, protected from light and kept dry.  Tables should be stored at 68-77° Fahrenheit (20-25° Celsius).

Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) officials note that new supplies of KI are expected to be delivered to the state around April of this year, and distribution will be scheduled when the new tablets are received.  Those who live or work within the ten-mile radius will be notified in advance of the distribution.  The public will also be informed through traditional and social media notices.

DEMA and the Delaware Division of Public Health periodically distribute Potassium Iodide to individuals who reside and/or work within the 10-mile EPZ.  The tablet distribution began when the State of Delaware chose to participate in a program initiated by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

KI does not protect against external radiation, but can help protect the thyroid gland from ingested or inhaled radioactive iodine that might be released into the environment in a radiological emergency.  Potassium Iodide is one of the precautionary measures outlined in Delaware’s emergency plans for response to a radiation emergency.  The primary method of protecting EPZ residents and workers is evacuation, but potassium iodide may offer an additional level of protection from radioactive iodine.

In the event of a radiological emergency, state and local officials will inform the public through an Emergency Alert System (EAS) message broadcast on local radio stations.  Those messages will include instructions on how affected residents should respond, as well as directions to evacuation routes and emergency reception centers.  The instructions will also inform the public when and if KI tablets should be taken – residents and workers within the EPZ should not use the KI until instructed.

For more information about the Potassium Iodide (KI) Distribution Program in Delaware, call the Delaware Emergency Management Agency Radiological Emergency Planning Section at 302-659-3362.

The essence of the American dream is that while we are not guaranteed equal outcomes, we are guaranteed equal opportunities to achieve our potential. We can make those opportunities a reality for all of us by building a budget that reflects our values.

The budget my administration presented this week adheres to the value of fiscal responsibility, continuing an approach that has earned our triple-A credit rating by using only 98 percent of available revenues and sustaining our rainy day fund. At the same time we must invest in areas we know are critical to creating economic opportunity now and for generations to come. The budget funds innovative education and job training to strengthen our workforce; research that spurs innovation and economic development; stronger transportation and water infrastructure that’s necessary for our businesses’ success and a high quality of life for all of our people; and programs to give our most vulnerable citizens a better chance. Making those necessary investments requires hard choices, including a mix of cuts and new revenues to support our priorities. I hope you will take the opportunity to review these proposals on my website.

If we’re going to have a lasting impact in creating opportunities for our fellow citizens, we must take the same challenge President Kennedy issued in Delaware just over 50 years ago when he dedicated the new highway running from Wilmington to Baltimore. He recognized that the highway was created because of a commitment made years earlier. And he called on Americans to “begin things which will make this country a better place to live in for the rest of this century.” By strengthening our infrastructure, spurring innovation, and supporting a quality workforce, we’ll build on the things that make our state a better place and we’ll keep Delaware moving forward.