Drivers should continue to exercise caution on roadways

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney will lift the Level 1 Driving Warning in New Castle County effective at noon on Tuesday, March 14. The warning has been in effect since midnight. The Delaware National Guard will continue to provide assistance to state and local authorities responding to the winter storm, at the discretion of the Adjutant General.

Full text of the Governor’s order is available below.

Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) crews continue to plow and salt roadways in New Castle County. State officials are monitoring today’s forecast that is producing a wintry mix and wind gusts in New Castle County; and heavy rain and wind gusts in Kent and Sussex counties.

Motorists should continue to exercise caution when driving today, and be on the watch for hazards such as water on roads, icy patches and snow-covered roadways. With the high wind gusts, motorists should be alert and careful for fallen tree limbs and power lines and debris on the roads.

Click here for DelDOT’s full update on road conditions.

The Governor urges media and Delaware residents to continue monitoring social media for updates:
https://twitter.com/JohnCarneyDE
https://www.facebook.com/JohnCarneyDE
https://twitter.com/DelawareDOT
https://www.facebook.com/delawaredot/
https://twitter.com/DelawareEMA

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TERMINATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY
FOR NEW CASTLE COUNTY

WHEREAS, on Monday, March 13, 2017 through Tuesday, March 14, 2017, New Castle County experienced a winter storm with snowfall, sleet, and gusting winds, resulting in decreased visibility and other road hazards that made driving dangerous.
WHEREAS, in light of the foregoing conditions, I declared a State of Emergency including a Level 1 Driving Warning on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at 12:00 a.m. E.S.T.; and
WHEREAS, although cold temperatures and high winds remain, the winter storm that resulted in snow, sleet, and decreased visibility has passed; and
WHEREAS, through the significant efforts of the Delaware Department of Transportation and state and local emergency responders, travel on many Delaware roads is possible again, although not all roads may be passable and motorists should exercise extreme caution; and
WHEREAS, the foregoing emergency has been dealt with to the extent that conditions necessitating a State of Emergency no longer exist.

NOW THEREFORE, I, JOHN C. CARNEY, do hereby declare that:

1. My declaration of a State of Emergency for the State of Delaware dated Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at 12:00 a.m. E.S.T. is hereby terminated as of Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. E.S.T.
2. Pursuant to 20 DEL. C. § 3116(a)(11), the Delaware National Guard shall continue to provide necessary assistance to state and local authorities, at the discretion of the Adjutant General or her designee.

APPROVED this 14th day of March, 2017, at 12:00 p.m.

Level 1 Driving Warning remains in effect

WILMINGTON, Del. – With the winter storm continuing to impact Delaware, State of Delaware offices in New Castle County will be closed during regular business hours — 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Non-essential employees who live or work in New Castle County are not to report to work during this period. Essential employees are to report as scheduled.

Governor Carney’s Level 1 Driving Warning remains in effect in New Castle County. Under a Level 1 Driving Warning drivers are discouraged from operating a motor vehicle on the state’s roadways, unless there is a significant safety, health, or business reason to do so.

The Governor urges media and residents to monitor social media for continuous updates:
https://twitter.com/JohnCarneyDE
https://www.facebook.com/JohnCarneyDE
https://twitter.com/DelawareDOT
https://www.facebook.com/delawaredot/
https://twitter.com/DelawareEMA

Read the latest update on roadway conditions from DelDOT:

Delaware Department of Transportation crews have been working steadily to prepare the state’s roadways for removal of snow and ice. Snow began to fall overnight, and storm activity is expected to last until the late afternoon hours in New Castle County.
DelDOT’s maintenance forces will continue snow removal operations throughout the day. Motorists should continue to exercise extreme caution when driving today, and be on the watch for hazards such as icy patches and snow covered roadways. With the high wind gusts, motorists should be alert and careful for fallen tree limbs/power lines and debris on the roads.
Every effort will be made to keep the state’s roadways open and operating, the public may expect disruption and delays as the storm progresses.

Once primary roads are passable, DelDOT’s crews will move to the secondary roads. Crews may be forced to return to the primary roads even after operations have started on secondary roads, due to the changing of weather conditions.

DelDOT wants to stress the importance of staying off the roads, if possible, during major storms and slow down when you drive. There is a potential for snow squalls to develop, which could lead to hazardous driving conditions.

DelDOT Transportation Management Center (TMC)
DelDOT’s Transportation Management Center (TMC) and WTMC-1380 AM provides motorists real-time traffic conditions throughout the state.  Motorists can contact the TMC 24/7 to report any travel or traffic related issues at the following numbers:  Dial #77 from any cell phone; (302) 659-4600; or 1-800-324-8379.

DelDOT App
The DelDOT App is available for Apple & Android smart phones and tablets, and can be downloaded free, search for “DelDOT” at the Apple and Google Play stores. With the DelDOT App you can view real time traffic cameras, travel times, delays, advisories, DART’s Real-Time Transit Information, and also listen to WTMC 1380 AM.

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Driving warning begins at midnight, urges extra caution on roadways

WILMINGTON, Del. – With an impending winter storm expected to impact Delaware, Governor John Carney on Monday evening issued a Level 1 Driving Warning for New Castle County effective Tuesday, March 14 at 12:00 a.m., and authorized the Delaware National Guard to assist state and local officials with any necessary response and recovery for this severe winter storm effective Monday, March 13, 2017 at 9:00 p.m.

A Level One Driving Warning means that any person operating a motor vehicle on Delaware roadways must exercise extra caution. Driving is not banned, but nonessential employees (both public and private) are encouraged not to operate a motor vehicle unless there is a significant safety, health or business reason to do so.

Updated information from the National Weather Service indicates the following for Delaware:

New Castle County

• A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from Monday, March 13 at 8:00 p.m. until Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at 6:00 p.m..
• Expect heavy snow and sleet, with snow accumulation 6-10 inches.
• Snow is expected to start between 8:00 p.m. and 10 p.m. this evening, heavy at times after midnight. Snow will mix with sleet between 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., then change back to snow in Tuesday morning.
• A Coastal Flood Advisory in effect Tuesday from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Kent County

• A Winter Storm Advisory is in effect from Monday, March 13, 2017 at 8:00 p.m. until Tuesday, March 14 at 4:00 p.m.
• Expect snow and sleet, with snow accumulation 2-4 inches.
• Snow is expected to start Monday evening between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., change to or mix with sleet and rain Tuesday morning, then back to snow.
• A Coastal Flood Advisory in effect Tuesday from 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

Sussex County

• A Coastal Flood Watch in effect Tuesday, March 14, 2017 from 7:00 AM until 3:00 p.m.
• A High Wind Warning will be in effect Tuesday from 2:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.

The Delaware Division of Public Health reminds residents to protect themselves and animals ahead of the winter storm.

The Governor urges media and residents to check social media for continuous updates:
https://twitter.com/JohnCarneyDE
https://www.facebook.com/JohnCarneyDE
https://twitter.com/DelawareDOT
https://twitter.com/DelawareEMA

Click here for a PDF of the Declaration of a Limited State of Emergency and Level 1 Driving Warning for New Castle County due to a Severe Winter Storm.

Thirty-four talented state employees and their family members were recognized for their art work exhibited at the sixth annual National Arts Program®: Delaware State Employee Art Exhibition reception and awards ceremony held on Saturday, March 4. Featured speakers included the Honorable Secretary of State, Jeffrey W. Bullock and Delaware Division of the Arts Director, Paul Weagraff.

“It’s always refreshing to see our state employees in a new light, putting their talents on display and showing us a side of themselves that we don’t normally see in the workplace,” said Secretary of State Jeffrey W. Bullock. “I look forward to this art exhibition every year and I’m proud to be able to support and recognize the artistic accomplishments of these employees and their families.”

Twenty-eight awards were given out in five categories–Professional, Intermediate, Amateur, Teen (13-18 years old), and Youth (12 years and under). Other distinguished awards included the: Best in Show Award, People’s Choice Award (calculated by most number of “likes” on Facebook), Art Education Award (up to $200 reimbursement for arts instruction and materials), and four new Special Award categories.

Sixteen cash prizes totaling $3,250, 13 Honorable Mention ribbons, and four Special Award ribbons were awarded. Below is a list of all award winners who were recognized at the 2017 reception and awards ceremony.

Images of the artwork and reception & awards ceremony can be found on Flickr. The exhibition is open at the Delaware State University Art Center/Gallery until March 13.

2017 National Arts Program Award Winners

Best of Show: Shari Dierkes, Clayton
People’s Choice Award: Harshana Sundaravelu, Middletown
Art Education Award: Harshana Sundaravelu, Middletown

Professional:

• 1st Place: Gregory Thompson, Wilmington
• 2nd Place: Derek Carlson, Dover
• 3rd Place: Alexandra Thomas, Bear
• Honorable Mentions:
  • Chris Green, Altus, OK
  • Carolyn Zwaskis, Wilmington

Intermediate:

• 1st Place: Willow Quillen, Wilmington
• 2nd Place: Matthew Mathias, Newark
• 3rd Place: Thomas Gears, Wilmington
• Honorable Mentions:
  • Dorothy May, Wilmington
  • Kristin McKenica, Wilmington

Amateur:

• 1st Place: Lina Romano, Wilmington
• 2nd Place: Lianmarie Colon, New Castle
• 3rd Place: Nancy Cooper, Newark
• Honorable Mentions:
  • Shelly Alioa, Dover
  • Christopher Deming, Milton

Teen (13-18 years old):

• 1st Place: Emily Torres, age 15, Middletown
• 2nd Place: Robin Land, age 14, Newark
• 3rd Place: Abigail Bucklin, age 15, Rehoboth Beach
• Honorable Mentions:
  • Tatiana Gault, age 17, Georgetown
  • James Stokes, age 15, Newark

Youth (12 years and under):

• 1st Place: Kieran Dallas, age 7, Newark
• 2nd Place: Lenore Duprey, age 5, Wilmington
• 3rd Place: Montana Johannsen, age 9, Clayton
• Honorable Mentions:
  • Beth Chen, age 12, Middletown
  • Terri Crawford, age 12, Dover
  • Kimberly Czepukaitis, age 12, Dover
  • Piper Drace, age 10, Seaford
  • Mia Ericksen, age 8, Smyrna

Special Awards

• Landscape: Barry Eli, Lewes
• Abstract: Amber Scott, Wyoming
• Land Animal: John Waters, Camden
• Sea Creature: Miles Pleasanton, Camden

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Contact: Leeann Wallett, Program Officer, Communications and Marketing, 302-577-8280, leeann.wallett@delaware.gov

From a competitive field of 13 Delaware high school students, Cecilia Ergueta, a junior from Wilmington Friends School, earned the title of 2017 Poetry Out Loud Delaware State Champion at the state finals held in Smyrna, Del. on Feb. 28. The first runner-up was Shalyn Littlejohn from Hodgson Vo-Tech High School and the second runner-up was Sam McGarvey from Tall Oaks Classical High School.

Ergueta’s final recitation, “The True-Blue American” by Delmore Schwartz, earned her high marks with the judges. The full poem can be found on the Poetry Foundation’s website.

For her winning presentation, Ergueta will receive $200 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington with a chaperone to compete at the national championship on April 25-26. Wilmington Friends School will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry materials. Shalyn Littlejohn, the first runner-up will receive $100, and Hodgson Vo-Tech High School will receive $200 for its school library.

The Poetry Out Loud state competition, sponsored by the Delaware Division of the Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation, is part of a national program that encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization, performance, and competition.

To learn more about the State Finalists and for hi-res photos from the event, please see our page here.

About Poetry Out Loud
The Delaware Division of the Arts sponsors the Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest program in Delaware schools and the state finals. Competition begins at the classroom level in the fall and culminates with the state finals each spring. Twenty schools and over 2,000 Delaware students participated in the Poetry Out Loud program in the current academic year. The Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest competition is presented in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. For more details about the partnership and program, see the program overview here.

About the Delaware Division of the Arts
The Delaware Division of the Arts is an agency of the State of Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Funding for Division programs is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. For more information about the Delaware Division of the Arts, visit artsdel.org or call 302-577-8278.

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Contact: Leeann Wallett, Program Officer, Communications and Marketing, 302-577-8280, leeann.wallett@delaware.gov