Partnership with Bloosurf aims to eliminate broadband deserts in Kent and Sussex Counties

DOVER, Del. — The Delaware Department of Technology and Information (DTI) Chief Information Officer James Collins, joined by Bloosurf, LLC Founder and CEO Vincent Sabathier and his team, announced a partnership to provide affordable wireless broadband in targeted, rural areas of Kent and Sussex Counties.

Last July, Governor John Carney and DTI issued a Request for Proposals to provide wireless broadband internet service to unserved and underserved residents and businesses in rural areas, and set a goal to eliminate broadband deserts in those regions within 24 months. DTI estimates target areas include approximately 127,700 homes and businesses in the rural parts of Sussex and Kent Counties. DTI will provide funding for startup costs of approximately $2 million to design, build, operate and commercialize a wireless network. DTI has placed prioritization on low-cost services for low-income families to enable them to take full advantage of the internet.

“Delawareans use the internet every day to search for jobs, acquire new skills, help their children do their homework, and run their businesses,” said Governor Carney. “High-speed broadband connectivity is essential for all Delaware families to succeed in today’s economy. This initiative will connect Delawareans in rural areas that have long been underserved by high-speed internet service – or not served at all. We are pleased to be moving forward with this partnership, and look forward to additional progress.”

“Technology is a part of nearly everything we do, making access to broadband as necessary as other public utilities in order for our state to thrive,” said CIO James Collins. “Without it, kids can’t do their homework and businesses are unable to operate effectively in the information age. The Carney Administration has made it a priority to bridge both the accessibility and affordability gaps of high-speed broadband to ensure that all Delawareans benefit from the unprecedented access to information and collaboration technology affords.”

“Bloosurf is honored to join forces with the State of Delaware and DTI in the important fight against the digital divide,” said Bloosurf CEO Vincent Sabathier. “Bloosurf will leverage DTI funding, DivComm towers, its know-how, its assets and its strategic partnerships to design, deploy and operate a LTE- advanced network. This network will significantly enhance coverage and speed in rural areas. We will also work closely with the State to make this new service affordable to low-income families.”

The first phase of Delaware’s broadband efforts focused on increasing fiber infrastructure. The state’s initial financial contribution of about $1.5 million resulted in over $30 million in private investment and 700 miles of fiber. Delaware’s broadband “backbone” features high capacity fiber-optic lines that run the length of the state from Wilmington to Georgetown, and from Seaford to Lewes, improving internet reliability for consumers and increasing internet access speeds by as much as 10 times since 2009. This current phase of the project is focused on fixed wireless solutions provided by public–private partnership opportunities to capitalize on the strengths of the both sectors to address gaps in broadband availability throughout Delaware.

For more information about Delaware’s broadband expansion efforts, please visit dti.delaware.gov.

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Reminder for the week: Crabbers should review regulations before placing pots

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 May 20-26 made 3,888 contacts with anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 110 citations. Officers responded to 157 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. A 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

• On May 24, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Mary M. Cain, 38, of Houston, for one count each of trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area, possession of drug paraphernalia not marijuana related, possession of marijuana – civil, possession of heroin, and two counts of possession of an opium or derivative at Coursey Pond near Felton. Cain was arraigned at Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7 and released on her own recognizance pending a future court date.

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

Fisheries Conservation: Possession of undersized blue crabs (10), possession of sponge crabs (2), no Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number (22), unlicensed fishing (9), and possession of undersized white perch (1).

Boating & Boating Safety: No life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (8)*, operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (5), operating a personal watercraft without required life jackets (6), no throwable life preserver aboard as required for vessels 16 feet long or longer (1)*, operating an unregistered vessel (1), operating a vessel without a vessel registration card in possession (3), no boating safety certificate (5), allowing use of non-compliant vessel (3), no navigation lights (2)*, and operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol (1).

Public Safety: Possession of drug paraphernalia not marijuana related (1), possession of marijuana – civil (1), possession of heroin (1), and possession of an opium or derivative (2).

Other: Operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1)*, trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (23)*, and parking violation – no stopping, standing, or parking (2).

*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?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind recreational crabbers to review state regulations governing blue crabs, including the required use of a turtle by-catch reduction device in recreational crab pots. Turtle by-catch reduction devices are available at many tackle shops where crab pots are sold.

Other Delaware crabbing regulations include:

• A Delaware recreational fishing license is required for crabbing.
• The recreational daily limit on blue crabs is one bushel per person.
• Minimum “keeper” size for male blue crabs and immature female crabs with the V-shaped apron is 5 inches, measured across the shell from point to point.
• Mature female crabs, identified by the U-shaped apron, are exempt from the minimum size of 5 inches because many females reach maturity at a smaller size.
• Mature female blue crabs bearing eggs, known as sponge crabs and recognizable by the orange eggs visible under the apron, may not be taken and must be returned to the water immediately.
• Recreational crabbers may use any number of single, baited hand lines, trot lines (a longer weighted line with a series of baited points), or pull traps. Standard size and possession limits as noted above apply.
• Recreational crabbers may not use, place, set, or tend more than two crab pots.
• Recreational crab pots must be tended by the owner at least once every 72 hours and must be marked with white buoys with the owner’s name and permanent mailing address.
• Recreational crabbers are prohibited from selling blue crabs; only commercially-licensed crabbers are permitted to offer blue crabs for sale in Delaware.
• Crabbing or fishing off courtesy docks at state-owned boat ramps is prohibited.
• To avoid being cited for littering, gather up leftover bait, bait containers, crab lines, and other trash for proper disposal. Fish & Wildlife fishing areas and wildlife areas are “carry in, carry out” for trash.

For more information on crabbing in Delaware, click on 2019 Delaware Fishing Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk, and from license agents throughout the state.

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: Sgt. Brooke Mitchell, 302-382-7167, or Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913

BETHANY BEACH – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife announced today that the boat ramp at Sassafras Landing, located within the Assawoman Wildlife Area, will be closed from Monday through Thursday during a three-week period beginning Monday, June 3. The temporary closure is needed to provide construction access for a shoreline stabilization project. The Sassafras Landing boat ramp will be open with limited parking Friday through Sunday during this time period.

The shoreline stabilization project will protect an adjacent pond managed for freshwater plants attractive to water birds, and will stabilize and enhance the shoreline with native marsh plants. A series of 50- to 100-foot long rows of rocks will be placed in the water parallel to the shoreline, with clean sand placed between the rock and the shoreline where native marsh grasses will be planted to protect the shoreline and provide valuable wildlife habitat. The project will decrease wave energy to reduce shoreline erosion. The rock rows will have small gaps installed to allow fish and terrapin passage.

The boat ramps and crabbing piers at both Mulberry and Strawberry Landings within the Assawoman Wildlife Area will be open during the construction project.

For more information, please call the Wildlife Section at 302-739-9912.

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

A Queens, NY man has pleaded guilty to a Wilmington homicide. In September 2017, Wilmington Police responded to a shooting and found Allen Melton of Wilmington suffering from gunshots to his torso and legs. Multiple witnesses reported that Sandy Lashley, 31, and a female accomplice, Latesha Favors of Wilmington, started an altercation with Melton’s girlfriend on Cedar Street and that when Melton attempted to break up the altercation, Lashley shot him multiple times and fled with Favors. Melton was later pronounced dead at Christiana Hospital. Lashley pleaded guilty to Murder Second Degree and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony and faces sentencing by a Superior Court judge in July. Favors is still wanted by police for her role in the initial physical altercation with Melton’s girlfriend. Deputy Attorneys General Cari Chapman and Anna Currier secured Lashley’s plea with assistance from paralegals Jaime Prater and Julie Caputo, Special Investigator Cliff Dempsey, social worker Kristen Fluharty-Emory, and Wilmington Police Detective Tom Curley.

An anonymous tip about a man with a gun led Dover police to into a foot pursuit, and a Dover man to prison. Abdulwahhab Tillery, 33, pleaded guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited and Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon in Superior Court. Acting on a tip in November 2018, police used electronic surveillance in the area of Reed Street And South Governors Avenue, and while doing so, saw Tillery go to a trash can, retrieve a gun and hide it in his sweatshirt. When police approached Tillery ran, throwing a 9-mm handgun into a yard in the 100 block of South Governors Avenue as he tried to escape. A judge sentenced Tillery, barred from having a gun because of previous convictions for Drug Dealing and Attempted Robbery First Degree, to 15 years in prison, followed by 6 months of either home confinement or work release then 1 year of probation. Deputy Attorneys General Nicole Hartman and Sean Motoyoshi prosecuted the case.

(Smyrna) – Hurricane season officially begins on June 1, and homeowners, renters, and business owners should take the time now to prepare for what could come at any time.  The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released its outlook for 2019, leaning toward a near-normal season with nine to fifteen named storms, two to four of which could be major hurricanes.  The NOAA outlook is for overall activity and does not predict possible locations of landfall.

While the predicted number of named storms is “near-normal”, Delaware Emergency Management Agency Director A.J. Schall repeats the adage; “It only takes one.”  Director Schall reminds Delawareans that the best way for people to prepare for the possibility of a tropical storm or hurricane impacting the state is to know their risk of flooding, stay informed through weather apps on smart phones and weather radios, have an evacuation plan and a family communication plan, purchase flood insurance, and prepare an emergency kit for home, work, and vehicle.

Storm forecasting capabilities have improved in recent years through computer modeling, satellite imagery, and other technological advances, but it remains more important than ever for individuals to be prepared, in order to protect their families and property.  For further tips on how to prepare, visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes.