Wilmington, DE February 26, 2019– Delaware Department of Labor, Division of Employment and Training, Office of Apprenticeship and Training has developed a new Registered Pre-Apprenticeship Program to complement its existing Registered Apprenticeship programs. The Office will approve the program providers and will post a list of qualified pre-apprenticeship programs on its website.

Being a part of a Pre-Apprenticeship program is ideal for individuals who lack experience or education, but want to build a solid foundation to start a successful career. As Delaware’s unemployment rate drops, disadvantaged and underrepresented populations will be at a greater risk of being left behind. Pre-Apprenticeship opportunities will allow these populations to gain the needed hard and soft skills for a successful career.

Pre-Apprenticeship Programs refer to a program or set of strategies designed to prepare individuals to enter and succeed in a Registered Apprenticeship Program. Pre-Apprenticeship Programs are designed to:

1. 1. Create a qualified pipeline of individuals ready to become Registered Apprentices;
   2. Expand Registered Apprentices to include underrepresented participants such as non-traditional gender or race/ethnicity, disadvantaged populations, or low-skilled workers; and
   3. Recognize credit for related education or training.

“The creation of this program is another step that the Delaware Department of Labor is taking to assist populations that historically have had barriers to gain entry or advancement in the workforce,” said Stacey Laing, Director of the Division of Employment and Training. “This also provides another tool for businesses to tailor the workforce to better meet their needs.”

Registered Apprenticeship is an effective “earn while you learn” model with a long history of providing career ladders and pathways to the middle class, particularly for the building and construction industry but increasingly in other industries as well. In calendar year 2018, the average starting wage for an apprentice was $14.70/hour ($29,400/year), with wages upon completion averaging at $24.00/hour ($48,000/year). These results demonstrate the advantages a Registered Apprenticeship offers in providing both a significant wage gain and clear career path for entry-level workers.

Quality pre-apprenticeship programs can play a valuable role in preparing qualified entry-level workers for Registered Apprenticeship careers while contributing to the development of a diverse and skilled workforce. Through a variety of unique program designs and approaches, pre-apprenticeship programs can be adapted to meet the needs of diverse populations being trained, the various employers and sponsors they serve, and specific opportunities within the local labor market.

The Pre-Apprenticeship Policies and Procedures, and Application were released on February 15, 2019, and can be found on the website. For more information about the pre-apprenticeship program or how to become a recognized pre-apprenticeship program though the Delaware Office of Apprenticeship and Training, please email apprenticeship@delaware.gov or visit our website https://det.delawareworks.com/apprenticeship-and-training.php.

The Division of Employment and Training provides services enabling employers and job seekers to make informed employment and training choices leading to employment.

Contact: Jennifer Zeberkiewicz

Jennifer.zeberkiewicz@state.de.us

302-761-8002

FELTON, Del. — The Delaware Forestry Association’s 2019 Annual Meeting and Banquet will be held on Thursday, March 21  from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Felton Fire Hall (9 E. Main St., Felton, DE 19943)  Highlights will include the Delaware Tree Farm Committee’s presentation of its 2019 “Tree Farmer of the Year” Award and recognition of 25-Year Tree Farmers. The American Tree Farm System was established in 1941 and is one of the oldest forest landowner organizations. Delaware’s first Tree Farm was certified in 1959; today there are more than 200 Tree Farms covering 20,000 acres.

The DFA will also hold its annual business meeting and elect its 2019 Board of Directors. Tickets are $27 each for adults, $13.50 for ages 6 to 12.

To reserve tickets, please download the 2019 Meeting Registration Form and mail to:

Delaware Forestry Association
P.O. Box 344
Bridgeville, Delaware 19933

For more information contact:
Steve Ditmer (phone: 410-896-9283)

Delaware Forestry Association Scholarship 

Each year, the Delaware Forestry Association will award a $1,000 scholarship to a full-time student who has chosen forestry or a related major and plans to enroll at a two-year or four-year accredited school program.  The application deadline is April 1 and the winner will be notified by May 1. The successful applicant will receive his or her award at the Delaware State Fair on Governor’s Day.

2018 Delaware Forestry Association Scholarship winner Shawn Mitchell (center) received a ceremonial $1,000 check at the Delaware State Fair joined by (from left) his father David Mitchell, DFA director Brian Michalski, his mother Mellissa Mitchell, Agriculture Secretary Michael Scuse, and Gov. John Carney.

Applicants must show financial need and academic merit.  All applicants shall be in the top 25% of their class in high school, and maintain an acceptable grade point average in college.  The award will be sent directly to the college in which the student is enrolled.  All applicants must submit a short essay describing their personal goals and reason they feel they are deserving of this award.  Applicants may be requested for a personal interview by the scholarship committee.

View the rules and download the 2019 Delaware Forest Association scholarship application

Applications may be mailed to:

Delaware Forestry Association
c/o Sam Topper
Delaware Forest Service
Redden State Forest
18074 Redden Forest Drive
Georgetown, DE 19947

The Delaware Forestry Association is inviting those interested in forestry to join the DFA or renew their membership for 2019. Members can select from one of the five membership categories and use the membership form to register.

• Student $ 5.00
• Harvester $ 50.00
• Individual $15.00
• Corporation $200.00
• Family $25.00

2019 Delaware Forestry Association Annual Meeting Agenda

6:00 p.m. — Registration & Social Hour

Silent Auction … remains open until 7:45 pm

7:00 p.m. —  Buffet-Style Dinner

Fried Oysters, Chicken Salad, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Dumplings, Cole Slaw, Roll, Dessert, and Beverage

8:00 p.m. —  Welcome

• DFA Annual Business Meeting
• Election of 2018-2019 DFA Board of Directors
• Delaware Tree Farmer-of-the-Year Awards
• Delaware Forest Service – Forestry Administrator’s Update

9:00 p.m.  — Wrap-up

Announcement of Silent Auction Winners/Adjourn

• If you can DONATE items to the Silent Auction, please bring them or contact a DFA Board Director
• We will receive 2019 DFA Membership dues at the door, or pre-send them with meeting registration

Reminder for the week: River herring, striped bass, and net fishing below spillway regulations

DOVER – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Feb. 11-17 made 1,668 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 31 citations. Officers responded to 46 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. An increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and Michael N. Castle Trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:

Fisheries Conservation: Unlicensed fishing (1).

Public Safety: Loitering to engage or solicit another to engage in sex (3), possession of marijuana (2), and disorderly conduct (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (14)*, operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (5), destruction of state property (3), unlawful dumping or littering (1), no driver’s license in possession (1), and unregistered vehicle.

*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters, and boaters who comply with and support Delaware’s fishing, hunting, and boating laws and regulations. Citizens are encouraged to report fish, wildlife, and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580 or through the DENRP Tip app on a smartphone, which can be downloaded free of charge by searching “DENRP Tip” via the Google Play Store or the iTunes App Store. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030, going online to http://de.gov/ogt, or using the DENRP Tip app. Verizon customers can connect to Operation Game Theft directly by dialing #OGT.

Are you AWARE?
With spring fishing season ready to gear up, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind recreational anglers that it is unlawful in Delaware to harvest river herring. Signs giving notice of the fishery closure are posted at fishing spots known to hold river herring. Fines for illegal possession of river herring begin at $50 for a first offense, and increase to $100-$500 for a second offense. For more information, click on river herring.

Anglers are also reminded that during spawning season for striped bass in Delaware, which begins April 1 and continues through midnight on May 31, it is unlawful for any person to take and retain any striped bass from the Nanticoke River or its tributaries, the Delaware River and its tributaries to the north of a line extending due east beginning at and including the south jetty at the mouth of the C&D Canal, or the C&D Canal or its tributaries. All striped bass caught in these areas during spawning season must be released, with no harvest allowed. Anglers fishing these areas during the spawning season with natural bait must use a non-offset circle hook with a hook gap of greater than 3/8 inches.

Also, as fish begin entering the spillways this spring, anglers are reminded that using any type of net to catch fish in tidal water within 300 feet below a dam or spillway is illegal, with the exception of using a landing net on a fish caught with hook and line.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DEFWNRPolice/.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Twitter, https://twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

Contact: Lt. John McDerby, 302-354-1386, or Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913

Prosecutors also secure guilty pleas to drug, weapons, and rape charges

The New York man who shot and killed a Hockessin man was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Deputy Attorneys General Brian Robertson, Cari Chapman, Matthew Keating, and Abby Adams prosecuted the case against Benjamin Rauf, 29, of Westerlo, NY. In August 2015, Shazim Uppal, a law school classmate of Rauf, was found dead after being shot multiple times while sitting in his parked car on Saint Claire Drive not far from his home in Hockessin. Earlier this month, Rauf pled guilty to Manslaughter and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony. A Superior Court judge sentenced Rauf to 15 years in prison, followed by 6 months of home confinement or work release, then 2 years of probation during which Rauf must complete 100 hours of community service each year involving either youth outreach or legal training to assist the less privileged. Paralegals Kim Moro and Kelly Drzymalski, and social worker Crystal Pitts assisted with the case. Retired New Castle County Police detective John Ziemba was the Chief Investigating Officer.

A large-scale heroin dealer in the Riverside section of Wilmington pled guilty to several charges related to a criminal enterprise involving drugs and guns. Deputy Attorneys General Mark Denney and Erika Flaschner secured the plea from 29-year-old Kiayre Braxton to Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Racketeering, Drug Dealing Heroin (Tier 4 or higher), and 3 counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony. In February 2018, police alleged Braxton was continuing the heroin sales of a criminal network and executed a search warrant at his home, finding 50 logs of fentanyl-laced heroin and 3 firearms. Based in part on previous convictions on other distributing heroin charges, a Superior Court judge sentenced Braxton to 24 ½ years in prison, followed by 6 months of home confinement or work release, then 2 years of probation. Detective Steven Barnes of the Wilmington Police Department, Detective Mark Hogate of the Delaware State Police, Special Agent Shawn Haney of the FBI, and parelegal Shanaya Eyong worked tirelessly to secure this result.

Deputy Attorney General Rebecca Anderson secured a guilty plea from a Milford man who raped a woman in her own home. Kamau Graves, 31, pled to 2 counts of Rape Third Degree and 1 count of Possession of a Deadly Weapon During the Commission of a Felony. In October 2018, Graves went to the victim’s Milford home saying he was looking for her boyfriend. When learning the boyfriend wasn’t there, Graves asked to use the bathroom, then, threatening the woman with a knife he took from her kitchen, raped her. A Superior Court judge will sentence Graves in April following a pre-sentence investigation. Social Worker Carla Ennals assisted with the case.

A 33-year-old Seaford man pled guilty to charges connected to the rape of a minor. Deputy Attorney General Casey L. Ewart secured the plea from Harry Dwain Croft to charges of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child and Rape Third Degree for repeatedly engaging in sexual activity with a teenager from the middle of 2017 into 2018. A Superior Court judge immediately sentenced Croft to 4 years in prison including the completion of the Transitions sex offender program, followed by 10 years of probation. Croft must also register as a Tier 3 sex offender and wear a GPS monitoring bracelet upon his release from prison. Administrative Specialist Angelique Waters, Paralegal Veronica McKain, and Victim/Witness Social Worker Carla Ennals at the Department of Justice assisted with the prosecution of this case, which was investigated by Lieutenant Robert J. Legates of the Millsboro Police Department.

With tax season well underway, Division of Revenue officials are noting an uptick in Delaware returns reporting overstated Delaware income tax withholding. The appropriate amount to report is limited to the total in Box 17 of the W-2 form provided by your employer (or the sum of those amounts if you have multiple employers), plus any state income tax withholding reported on a Form 1099-R.

Division of Revenue Director, Jennifer R. Hudson, Esq. noted “We are reviewing all returns that have overstated withholding, and they may be treated as fraudulent returns.”

Overstated withholding can be a sign of fraud, and returns with higher amounts than usual are being treated as suspicious. That means these returns will be pulled for review, extending the length of time required to process your return – and potentially delaying your refund.

If you have questions about the appropriate amounts to report, please contact the Division of Revenue Public Service area at 302-577-8200, or 1-800-292-7826.