SportsPick will go live at 1:30 p.m. at Delaware’s three casinos next Tuesday

WILMINGTON, Del. – At 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 5, Delaware will launch a full-scale sports gaming operation at all three casinos in the state – Delaware Park, Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, and Harrington Raceway & Casino. Betting offered Tuesday will include single-game and championship wagering on professional baseball, football, hockey, basketball, soccer, golf, and auto racing.

The Delaware Department of Finance, in consultation with the Attorney General’s Office, has determined that there are no legal obstacles to moving forward with full-scale sports betting in Delaware following the U.S. Supreme Court decision on May 14 to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. Under state law passed in 2009, Delaware may authorize betting on professional and collegiate sports, with the exception of games involving Delaware-based teams.

To prepare and educate new consumers, the Delaware Lottery has published an online “how-to-bet guide” for SportsPick, the Delaware sports gaming product.

“Delaware has all necessary legal and regulatory authority to move forward with a full-scale sports gaming operation, and we look forward to next week’s launch,” said Governor John Carney. “We’re hopeful that this will bring even more visitors into Delaware to see firsthand what our state has to offer.”

“We have worked closely with Delaware’s three casinos to train lottery and casino staff in preparation for a launch of expanded sports betting, and Delaware is prepared to move forward,” said Rick Geisenberger, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Finance, which oversees the Delaware Lottery. “We will continue to provide public updates and additional information through the Delaware Lottery ahead of next week’s launch.”

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Related news:
Delaware Moving Forward to Implement Full-Scale Sports Gaming
Governor Carney’s Statement on U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Sports Gaming

State Auditor, R. Thomas Wagner, Jr., has released the School Year 2017 – 2018 Statewide Unit Count Agreed-Upon Procedures Reports for Odyssey Charter School, Appoquinimink School District, and Seaford School District.

The Office of Auditor of Accounts (AOA) performed procedures to determine whether Odyssey Charter School, Appoquinimink School District, and Seaford School District properly included selected students in the September 30th Unit Count.

The engagements were performed by AOA in accordance with Government Auditing standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States.

For the full results of the Statewide Unit Count Agreed-Upon Procedures Engagements for Odyssey Charter School, Appoquinimink School District, and Seaford School District, please see the full reports available on AOA’s website auditor.delaware.gov.

If you have any questions, please contact R. Thomas Wagner, State Auditor, at 302-739-5055 or r.thomas.wagner@delaware.gov.

DOVER, Del. — More than 127,000 acres of Delaware farmland are now permanently preserved for future generations, with the purchase of the development rights of 41 farms totaling 3,534 acres. This is the 22nd consecutive year of easement selections by the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation. Many of the farms in this round would not have been preserved without matching funds from multiple sources, including the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), Sussex County Council, and Kent County Levy Court.

“I am proud to announce the largest round of Delaware farmland permanently preserved through the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Program in the last four years. This is a result of federal funding from the Natural Resources Conservation Service and funding from both Sussex County and Kent County,” said Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse. “It is because of the importance that the General Assembly and the Governor’s office have placed on this program and the commitment of our partners in preserving farmland, that we can make it possible to keep Delaware land in agriculture.”

In this round of easement selections, there was one farm in New Castle County, thirty in Kent County, and ten in Sussex County preserved.

The Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation selects those farms approved for easement purchase using an impartial discounted ranking system that maximizes benefits for taxpayers. The Foundation does not own the land, but rather purchases landowners’ development rights and places a permanent agricultural conservation easement on the property. Landowners must first voluntarily enroll their farm into a 10-year preservation district before they can sell an easement. In addition to over 127,000 acres in permanent easements, Delaware’s Aglands Preservation Program has over 45,000 acres of land enrolled in farmland preservation districts.

This year the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is celebrating 25 years of conservation easements, including wetland and agricultural easements. In Delaware, NRCS has provided more than 50 million dollars of funding to help preserve 302 farms and more than 40,300 acres since 1997.

County governments can choose to partner with the state program and add county funds to select properties in their areas, leveraging state resources for the greatest impact. In the round announced today, both Kent and Sussex County governments provided funding to assist with the purchase of development rights for farms in their respective counties.

“Kent County is thrilled to partner once again with the Delaware Department of Agriculture in the preservation of significant productive farmland in Kent County” said County Administrator Mike Petit de Mange. “Through this partnership we are preserving an additional 1,273 Acres of high quality working land in support of our number one industry in Central Delaware. The Levy Court is grateful to our local farmers for their commitment and contributions to the economy and quality of life in Kent County and to their commitment to the Agland Preservation Program.”

Delaware’s statewide program made its first round of easement purchases in 1996, and has since preserved 22 percent of New Castle County farmland, 38 percent of Kent County farmland and 16 percent of Sussex County farmland.

“Sussex County supports the agriculture sector and is excited to partner with the State to help preserve our number one industry,” said Sussex County Administrator Todd F. Lawson. “Because of these efforts, ten farms representing 780 acres will be preserved in Sussex County, ensuring the long-term viability of agriculture in our State.”

The Foundation’s Board of Trustees includes representatives from agriculture and state agencies. Trustees are: Bob Garey, chairman; Bill Vanderwende, vice-chairman; L. Allen Messick Jr., treasurer; William H. “Chip” Narvel Jr., secretary; Secretary of Agriculture Michael Scuse; State Treasurer Ken Simpler; Secretary of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Shawn Garvin; Peter Martin; Theodore P. Bobola Jr.; Robert Emerson; and Janice Truitt.

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Media Contact: Stacey Hofmann, 302-698-4542, stacey.hofmann@delaware.gov

(Smyrna) – While tropical storms and hurricanes can occur without regard to the calendar, the official start of the hurricane season is June 1.  The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its forecast for 2018 a week ago, predicting a near to above average season, anticipating 10-16 named storms, 1-4 of which should achieve hurricane status.  One storm, Alberto, has already affected Mexico and the Southeastern and Midwestern regions of the United States.

Now is the time for Delaware residents and property owners to prepare for any storms that could affect Delaware during this storm season.  Actions taken now may help protect lives, and minimize property damage in the event a tropical storm or hurricane touch the state.  With the advice of “Make a Plan – Make a Kit”, here is what to do:

• Prepare a Home Emergency Kit. Important items to include are water – a gallon per day for each person living in the house for three days (example: 4 residents=12 gallons); non-perishable food  (3-day supply); battery-powered or hand-cranked radio with NOAA weather band; flashlights or battery powered lanterns; first aid kit; manual can opener; and cell phone chargers.  Prescription medications should be kept up to date.
• Know your potential evacuation routes. If instructed to evacuate your home, do so quickly.  Plan now where you will go if instructed to evacuate.  Options may include the home of a friend or relative who lives outside of the affected area, or an out-of-town hotel.  Emergency shelters should be considered as a last resort.  To help plan your evacuation routes, check this section of the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) website https://deldot.gov/information/projects/tmt/evac_map.shtml.
• If evacuating, remember to take proof of residence such as a utility bill along with you as this may be the only way that law enforcement officials will allow you to return to the evacuated area.
• Establish a family communication plan. Emergencies don’t always happen when the entire family is together at home, so set procedures on how family members will communicate where they are and let friends and loved ones know they are safe.
• Don’t forget your pets. Make sure you have emergency supplies of food and water for them also, and include household pets in your evacuation plans.
• When the possibility of a storm is being talked about, make sure you stay current as to the latest forecast and storm track. Local television and cable stations, along with local radio can keep you informed.
• As a storm approaches, check on neighbors who may have functional needs or are elderly. Make sure they are prepared for the storm or if they need to evacuate.

Remember, it doesn’t matter how many storms are anticipated to occur this year, it only takes one to hit Delaware to affect your family and home.  Officials remind people who live in areas that could be impacted by a tropical storm or hurricane to prepare as if they are going to be hit.

There are additional ways to get ready for hurricane season.  For more information and checklists of items for emergency kits, visit www.preparede.org, or www.ready.gov.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recommends, ‘If you care, leave them there’

DOVER – Whether in their own backyards or while taking a walk outdoors, Delawareans are likely to encounter young wildlife this time of year. While some young animals appear to be abandoned, usually they are not. In most cases, their mothers are watching over them somewhere nearby and waiting for you to move on. The Division of Fish & Wildlife reminds well-meaning Delawareans that when encountering young wildlife, regardless of species, the best thing you can do is to leave the animals alone.

Many wildlife species, including white-tailed deer, leave their young while they forage for food, visiting the young only a few times a day. This tactic, in addition to the young’s natural instinct to lay quietly while waiting for its parent to return, actually helps protect the young from predators by drawing less attention to them.

Removing or handling wildlife in any way can be harmful to both humans and wildlife. Precautions to take with both juvenile and adult wild animals include:If you see a young wild animal alone, watch from a distance to see if its mother returns, which could take several hours.

• Be aware that wild animals can be unpredictable and sometimes dangerous, especially if they are in pain.
• Wild animals can carry parasites or diseases that can affect you or your pets, such as fleas, ticks, or rabies.
• Remember that it is illegal to raise or keep any wild animal in Delaware.

If a young wild animal appears injured or you are certain its parent is dead, please contact the Division of Fish & Wildlife during business hours Monday-Friday at 302-739-9912, or after hours and weekends at 800-523-3336, to determine the appropriate course of action, not only for your own safety, but also to help ensure the best possible outcome for the wild animal. Taking a wild animal from the wild is almost certainly ensuring it will not survive, so DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife advises, “If you care, leave them there.”

Follow the Division of Fish & Wildlife on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DelawareFishWildlife.

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 48, No. 141