(Smyrna) – The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) and Delaware State Police will conduct a quarterly test of the Salem/Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations Alert and notification system on Tuesday, October 7, 2014.  Sirens will sound between 9:00am and 11:00am.

The 37 sirens located within ten miles of the Salem/Hope Creek (New Jersey) plants will be activated for three to five minutes.  The siren tests will be followed by a test message of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) on local radio stations.

Sirens that will be tested are the same sirens that would alert the public in the event of an actual emergency at either the Salem or Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations.  In such an emergency, the public would be alerted by the sirens to tune radios to one of the local EAS stations for important emergency instructions.

Dover, DE– Governor Jack Markell has signed a proclamation declaring October as “Children in Nature Month” in Delaware. To mark the designation, DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation and other partners that comprise the Delaware Children in Nature Coalition will offer public programs designed to get children outdoors and into the beautiful fall weather.

“We want Delaware to be a leader in helping children reconnect with nature,” said Governor Markell. “Our vision – and that of the Delaware Children in Nature Coalition – is that this and future generations of Delaware’s youth will have an active and meaningful outdoors experience that leads to better health and a better quality of life for them and their families.“

Children in Nature programs will take place in Delaware’s state parks throughout the month. Events will include the “Crazy Costume Dash” at Lums Pond State Park on Oct.11, and the “Steamin’ Halloween” at the Auburn Heights Preserve on Oct. 26.

Additionally, Oct, 24 will be a free entrance day for families at the Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village in Dover. Another coalition partner, the Delaware Nature Society, will celebrate with the “Harvest Moon Festival” on Oct. 4-5.  A complete list of programs is available.

“DNREC and the other coalition partners’ mission is to improve environmental literacy in our state and create opportunities for children to participate in outdoor experiences,” said DNREC Secretary David Small. “Together, we are promoting healthy lifestyles and providing better access to green space. DNREC, as steward of 100,000 acres of diverse habitat, offers wondrous, safe places to explore, discover and connect children and their families with each other and the environment.”

The goal of the Children in Nature Coalition is to engage children with nature by providing meaningful outdoor experiences.  A statewide plan is being developed that includes environmental literacy and ways to connect Delawareans to their communities and natural resources. Accomplishments to date include the Delaware Greener Schools program, the Nature Nook in the Dover Public Library, field trips for Title I students in Sussex County and others.

Smokey Bear celebrates 70^th year by visiting over 90 First State schools

(Dover) – To honor October as “Fire Prevention Month,” Smokey Bear will visit over 90 Delaware schools to teach children that “only you can prevent wildfires.” Because human activity causes the largest number of forest fires nationwide, Smokey teaches children at a very early age that they should never play with fire or use matches.

During a typical Smokey Bear program sponsored by the Delaware Forest Service (DFS), first-graders learn about how trees provide natural benefits such as oxygen, shade, wood products and wildlife habitat. Then, students learn about how harmful a fire can be to the forest. After discussing how a fire can get started, students watch a brief video about how children playing in the woods discover a box of matches that tempts them to start a campfire. When the “real” Smokey finally appears on the scene, the children are asked to make a solemn pledge to him that they “will not play with matches ever again.” Ashley Peebles, trainer-educator for the Delaware Forest Service, oversees the annual Smokey Bear program. Last year, the DFS presented 78 fire prevention programs to almost 8,000 children.

2014 marks the 70^th Anniversary of Smokey Bear’s introduction as part of a public service effort to prevent forest fires during World War II.  Since he was created in 1944, the Smokey Bear campaign has evolved into the longest running public service campaign in history. Smokey’s first forest fire prevention message remained unchanged for 50 years until April 2001, when the Ad Council updated his message to address the increasing number of fires in the nation’s wildland areas. As one of the world’s most recognizable fictional characters, Smokey’s image is protected by U.S. Federal Law and administered by the U.S. Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters and the Ad Council. Surveys have shown that “Smokey Bear” (not “Smokey the Bear”) is recognized by over 95 percent of respondents.

2014 Schedule of Smokey Bear Fire Prevention Programs (subject to change)
Delaware Forest Service contact: Ashley Peebles, 302-698-4551 or Ashley.Peebles@delaware.gov

Social Media: Smokey 70^th Birthday video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfaf0XseVB0

While traveling in the area of Peachtree Run in Camden, Delaware, a Division of Alcohol & Tobacco Enforcement Agent stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. The operator of the vehicle Matthew Trently, 22, of Magnolia was found in possession of an AR-15 assault rifle with a loaded 20 round magazine, brass knuckles, and 106 grams of suspected marijuana along with additional drug paraphernalia. Agents seized the rifle and marijuana along with a small amount of cash. He was placed under a $13,300.00 unsecured bond pending future court action on the above stated charges.

SUSPECT:
Matthew Trently, 22 of Magnolia

CHARGES:
Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Deliver with an Aggravating Factor
Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited
Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Fail to Wear a Seatbelt

BAIL:
$13,300.00 – Unsecured

LOCATION:
US 13 & Peachtree Run, Camden

Greenwood, DE – This morning, Governor Jack Markell joined DNREC Secretary David Small, Division of Fish and Wildlife Director David Saveikis, State Rep. David Wilson, DNREC conservation partners and shooting sports enthusiasts to dedicate a formerly privately-owned shooting sports range and conservation education center near Greenwood as the Owens Station Shooting Sports & Hunter Education Center, downstate Delaware’s first and only state-owned public shooting sports range.

Developed over a period of about 30 years by former owner Bill Wolter, the 104-acre property was purchased by the state late last year and is operated under a public-private partnership between the Division of Fish and Wildlife and two commercial businesses, Owens Station Sporting Clays, which operates the range, and Turtle Creek Retrievers, which offers professional sporting dog training and kennel services. The Division’s Sussex County hunter education courses also are held at the facility.

“Building on Delaware’s great outdoor traditions, Owens Station is an investment in the future of hunting, shooting sports and sporting dogs,” said Secretary Small. “Here, the state can provide hunter and conservation education for generations to come who will continue these traditions, while offering a great downstate location for Delawareans and visitors to practice shooting sports and acquire professional sporting dog training.”

“The state’s opening of Owens Station is a win-win for Delaware,” said Governor Markell. “Not only does the center enrich the great outdoor sporting traditions and destinations of the First State by giving downstate residents easy access to sporting services and ranges, it is also a good investment in our downstate economy, supporting the two businesses onsite, and drawing residents and visitors to the area to support area retail stores, hotels, restaurants and other businesses and related jobs.”

“By applying a public-private business model with the two businesses based here, this investment avoids financial strain on our agency,” added Fish and Wildlife Director Saveikis. “That allows us to maintain and operate this facility as a self-sustaining business, so that we can direct our existingfunding to our other conservation and education programs.”

“Preserving the rich shooting sports and hunting heritage of our state is important for future generations, and Owens Station is a tremendous addition to this area of Sussex County and the state. This picturesque location will encourage all ages to engage in multiple activities, from hunting safety to the enjoyment of recreational shooting activities,” said Rep. Wilson. “I am proud of this acquisition by the State of Delaware and to have served on the Bond Bill Committee that helped make this purchase possible.”

Owens Station Shooting Sports & Hunter Education Center features a circular 60-station sporting clays course, a trap shooting range and “five-stand” warmup range. For more information on Owens Station, click Owens Station Sporting Clays or call 302-349-4334; for more information on professional dog training services at Owens Station, click Turtle Creek Retrievers or call 302-841-0239.

Owens Station joins Ommelanden Hunter Education Training Center and Public Shooting Range in New Castle as the second public shooting sports range administered by DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife.

For more information on the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Hunter Education programs, please click Delaware Hunter Education or call 302-735-3600.