Dover — The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) has reaffirmed that there are no cases of Ebola virus in Delaware. A Kent County child who recently moved from West Africa was evaluated in a hospital for a mild illness over the weekend, but Ebola was ruled out almost immediately as the child had not come in contact with anyone sickened by the Ebola virus. The child also lacked significant symptoms of the disease, and was on the last day of the 21-day incubation period. The child is fully recovered from a mild illness and is expected to be released from the hospital.

Ebola is a very difficult disease to get and may only be transmitted if a person comes in direct contact with the bodily fluids of someone suffering from the symptoms of the Ebola disease. The incubation period, the time in which a person exposed to someone with Ebola will develop the disease, is two to 21 days. The only Ebola case confirmed at a United States hospital is an adult male in Dallas, Texas, who was infected in Liberia.

“Delaware does not have any cases of Ebola,” said Dr. Karyl Rattay, DPH Director. “I appreciate the vigilance of the child’s medical provider to obtain the child’s medical history and alert DPH given the need to carefully evaluate risk for the disease. With global travel, we must always be on alert and ready to screen for such a disease.”

DPH has provided guidance to health care providers and educational institutions, including a message to the public schools today, clearly stating that Delaware has no cases. For further guidance for medical professionals, visit the Delaware Health Alert Network website.  The site contains the medical guidance provided from DPH since the outbreak.

For further information on Ebola virus, visit the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevetion’s Ebola information page.

DPH reminds medical providers to screen for travel history and isolate the patient if Ebola is suspected, and alert the DPH Office of Epidemiology at 888-295-5156 (Monday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.) or 302-744-4700 (after 4:30 p.m., weekends, and holidays).

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind, or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit delawarerelay.com.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, drink almost no sugary beverages.

Wilmington, DE – On a former brownfield site that’s now a WSFS Bank branch location, Governor Jack Markell today signed legislation that enhances the state’s capabilities for transforming environmentally-impaired properties while also better protecting public health and groundwater resources from hazardous releases. Joined by the bills’ sponsors, Senator David McBride (D-Hawk’s Nest) and Representative Debra Heffernan (D-6^th District), and DNREC Secretary David S. Small, Gov. Markell signed into law three bills that made changes in lending and liability language to Delaware’s Hazardous Substance Cleanup Act (HSCA), the Underground Storage Tank (UST) Act and the Jeffery Davis Aboveground Storage Tank (AST) Act.

The three bills, Senate Bill 198 and House Bills 367 and 368 codify lender liability provisions and clarify what lenders need to do to maintain their liability protection. In addition to making a number of technical revisions to Delaware’s HSCA, UST and AST cleanup programs, the bills signed by Gov. Markell ensure that banks and lending institutions are not held responsible for contamination on the site solely because they foreclose or provide the financing on properties that may be contaminated with hazardous substances and petroleum products.

“These new laws represent continued progress to make Delaware a safer and healthier state for residents and businesses, while promoting safe economic development at previously contaminated sites,” said Governor Markell. “To encourage lending institutions to support redevelopment of these sites, we need to ensure that they will not be punished for the pollution that they did not cause. It is the individuals and entities who contaminate our environment who should be held responsible for cleaning up their mess to the greatest extent possible. I thank Senator McBride and Representative. Heffernan for their leadership in ensuring that DNREC continues to have the legal tools needed to protect Delaware’s groundwater resources, which are so vital to our environment and economy.”

The three interrelated bills spearheaded by the two lawmakers also drew praise from the governor as “a collaborative effort involving the business community, industry representatives, legislators, and environmental regulators to protect public health and the environment, especially Delaware’s precious drinking water resources.”

“Historic releases of petroleum products and other hazardous substances have emerged as a major cause of groundwater contamination in the State,” said DNREC Secretary David Small. “It’s noteworthy that the Governor’s signing these bills today at the location of a former service station, where petroleum releases impacted soils and groundwater in the area. As with many complex groundwater contamination sites, this site is still undergoing remediation after almost two decades. Yet through the collaborative effort between a business developer and DNREC’s Tank Management and Brownfield Development Programs, the site was safely cleaned up to support redevelopment, bringing new business opportunities and jobs to the Brandywine Hundred area. These new laws support the repurposing of environmentally-impaired properties into safe, viable and thriving business sites.”

The HSCA Bill (SB 198) sponsored by Sen. McBride addresses issues raised by the Delaware Bankers Association along with suggestions made for the Governor’s Executive Order 36, which called for review and reform of all state regulations for better efficiencies in state government. The HSCA bill codifies lender liability provisions to ensure that banks are not held responsible for contamination on a site solely on the basis of providing financing for its redevelopment. SB 198 also allows DNREC to directly pay consultants working for a brownfield developer, with the developer’s consent – in addition to the current system where DNREC reimburses the developer for their payments to the consultant. The bill also makes HSCA enforcement consistent with other Department code and allows DNREC to issue a Secretary’s Order, followed by a public hearing (if requested), rather than requiring a hearing prior to issuing an order.

Senate Majority Leader McBride championed Delaware’s original  brownfields bill that passed in 2004, and which he said has succeeded beyond his hopes. A 2010 University of Delaware study found that each dollar invested in brownfields showed a return on investment of $17.50. “Brownfields are an important, but still underdeveloped resource for Delaware and, for all of us who want to see brownfields converted to new, productive uses, this is an important change in the law. I think we all hope it will encourage more development on these sites,” said McBride, who championed the new law. “It will encourage banks to make the loans needed to redevelop brownfields by not holding them liable for contamination and will allow the state to directly pay consultants working with businesses to redevelop these sites.”

The UST Bill (HB 367) sponsored by Rep. Heffernan also addresses lender liability in addition to clarifying who is responsible for releases from underground storage tank systems. The other major change is to the responsible party liability provisions by making the responsible parties who benefited from operation of the facility pay for the cleanup.  Along with technical edits, the bill clarifies DNREC’s right to access a property to confirm suspected releases and allows the Department to require an environmental covenant be placed on a property where residual contamination is left in place that might require additional remediation if the property is converted to another use.

The UST Bill (HB 367) sponsored by Rep. Heffernan also addresses lender liability. In addition the bill ensures that there will always be a responsible party who can be found liable to pay for a release from an underground storage tank. This will save taxpayer dollars and help ensure that the polluter pays for the cleanup. It will also assist in ensuring that abandoned gas stations enter Delaware’s successful Brownfields Program. The bill also clarifies DNREC’s right to access a property to confirm and clean up suspected releases. Additionally, it enables DNREC to require that an environmental covenant be placed on a property where residual contamination is left in place that might require additional remediation if the property is converted from commercial to residential land use.  

“When a gas station owner walks away from a property without removing the underground storage tanks or doing the necessary cleanup, it  becomes a problem for the community,” said Rep. Heffernan. “Leaking underground storage tanks are still considered a major  threat to our groundwater, and vapors from petroleum spills can release carcinogens to our indoor air. In Delaware, we need to do everything  we can to hold owners and operators who caused these releases liable for paying for the necessary environmental cleanups.

The AST Bill (HB 368) also sponsored by Rep. Heffernan provides similar environmental cleanup liability protections for lenders who foreclose on properties that contain ASTs, and also sets forth the criteria and process for lenders to maintain this liability protection. HB 368 also corrects a previous omission by specifying a timeframe for DNREC to file an environmental lien with the Recorder of Deeds.

“I’m very proud of these bills and the quality work of everyone who worked on them,” Rep. Heffernan said. “It took a true partnership between the business community, DNREC,  and the Attorney General’s office to get all of these bills done in one session. I’m glad they were all presented to the legislature together, which allowed us to take a holistic look towards improving how environmental cleanup work is done in Delaware.”

Photos from the event

(Wilmington, DE) – In his weekly message, Governor Markell discusses ongoing efforts to address drug addiction and its impact on individuals and families in Delaware.
“By treating addiction as the disease that it is, rather than just as a crime to be punished, we will save lives and we’ll put more people on the road to a recovery that allows them to contribute their talents to our state,” said Governor Markell. “That will keep Delaware moving forward.”
Every week, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube: http://youtu.be/-ewvhI6xFgE
Delaware.Gov: http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
By email: Please contact our press team to subscribe to our press list
Facebook: www.facebook.com/governormarkell
Twitter: www.twitter.com/governormarkell

You may view the Governor’s Weekly Message Transcript:  Addressing Drug Addiction Through Support, Treatment

-Long-term listing of museum events also included-

(DOVER, Del.—Oct. 1, 2014)—During the month of October 2014, the Zwaanendael Museum, located at 102 Kings Highway in Lewes, Del., will present two special programs focusing on different aspects of the history of Delaware’s Cape Henlopen region. Both programs are free and open to the public. For additional information, call 302-744-5055.

On Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the museum will present the program “His Majesty’s Sloop of War DeBraak,” a day-long slate of maritime-history and -archaeology activities held in conjunction with Lewes’ annual Boast the Coast maritime festival. Among others, museum activities will include block-and-tackle demonstrations and a 2 p.m. presentation on the wreck of the DeBraak, a British warship that was escorting and protecting a convoy of British and American merchant ships en route to the United States when it was capsized and lost off Cape Henlopen on May 25, 1798. The remains of the ship’s hull and associated artifact collection have been curated by the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs since they were acquired by state of Delaware in 1992.

On Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014, the museum will present a walking tour that explores the unusual tombstones of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church cemetery in Lewes. Held in the spirit of the Halloween season, the tour, entitled Mysteries of History,” will depart from the Zwaanendael Museum at 2 p.m.

The Zwaanendael Museum was built in 1931 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the state’s first European colony, Swanendael, established by the Dutch along Hoorn Kill (present-day Lewes-Rehoboth Canal) in 1631. Designed by E. William Martin (architect of Legislative Hall and the Hall of Records in Dover), the museum is modeled after the town hall in Hoorn, the Netherlands, and features a stepped facade gable with carved stonework and decorated shutters.

Zwaanendael Museum exhibits and presentations provide a showcase for Lewes-area maritime, military and social history. Current exhibits include “A Seaborne Citizenry: The DeBraak and Its Atlantic World” which tells the DeBraak story, and “Delaware and the War of 1812” which examines the service and sacrifice of Delawareans of 1812 to 1815, and the important role that the state played in a conflict that helped shape the development of the United States as a nation.

Following is a long-term schedule of Zwaanendael-Museum-sponsored special events. Unless otherwise noted, all programs take place at the Zwaanendael Museum located at 102 Kings Highway in Lewes, Del. Museum hours from April 1 to Oct. 31 are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. From Nov. 1 to March 31, museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free for all events listed. For additional information, call 302-645-1148.

Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014
“His Majesty’s Sloop of War DeBraak.” Held in conjunction with Lewes’ annual Boast the Coast festival, the event will feature a day-long slate of maritime-history and -archaeology activities including block-and-tackle demonstrations and a 2 p.m. presentation on the DeBraak shipwreck. 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014
“Mysteries of History.” Walking tour explores the unusual tombstones of St. Peter’s cemetery in Lewes. Tour leaves from the museum at 2 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014
“Delaware’s Decades—the 1970s: ‘Coastal Zone Act of 1971.’ ” Lecture by Kevin Coyle, principal planner for the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, on the landmark state-legislation that limited industrial development in Delaware’s coastal areas. Part five of an eight-part series exploring decades in Delaware’s history. 2 p.m. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than Nov. 6, 2014.

Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014
Dutch-American Heritage Day. Learn about the contributions that the Dutch have made to the economic, social, political and cultural life of Delaware and the United States. Program will include a lecture by Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs archaeologist Craig Lukezic. 2 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014
“Hospitality Night.” 1920s holiday-themed program featuring festive décor, music, demonstrations and seasonal refreshments. 6–9 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014
“Tour Zwaanendael Museum.” Enjoy the museum’s festive holiday-décor. Event held in conjunction with the Lewes Historical Society’s Christmas Tour of Lewes. 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015
“Delaware’s Decades—the 1980s: ‘Salvage of His Majesty’s Sloop DeBraak.’ ” Lecture by Claudia Leister, executive director of the Milford Museum. Part six of an eight-part series exploring decades in Delaware’s history. 2 p.m. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than Jan. 5, 2015.

Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015
“Delaware’s Decades—the 1990s.” Program description TBA. Part seven of an eight-part series exploring decades in Delaware’s history. 2 p.m.Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than Feb.2, 2015.

Saturday, March 14, 2015
Delaware’s Decades—the 2000s. Lecture by Bill Ayrey, lab manager and company historian from ILC Dover, who will discuss the future of space travel and space suits from the early 2000s to the present. Eighth and final installment of a series exploring decades in Delaware’s history. 2 p.m. Free admission but, due to space restrictions, reservations are required by calling 302-645-1148 no later than March 2, 2015.

Thursday–Saturday, April 9–11, 2015
Lewes Tulip Festival. City-wide series of activities celebrating Lewes’ Dutch heritage including Dutch games, crafts and a display of Delftware ceramics at the Zwaanendael Museum. Sponsored by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce. Downtown Lewes. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. 302-645-8073.

Saturday, April 18, 2015
Dutch-American Friendship Day. Discover Delaware’s Dutch roots and learn how that connection is alive today.10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 25, 2015
King’s Day. Celebration of the birthday of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands in a program that will also explore royal titles and Delaware’s Dutch connection. 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

 -End-

Contact:
Jim Yurasek
Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs
Phone:  302-736-7413
E-mail:  Jim.Yurasek@delaware.gov
Web:   http://history.delaware.gov

DOVER – In his weekly message, Governor Markell highlights a new partnership in Delaware focused on reducing college remediation rates.

“Delaware must be a leader in addressing this challenge and we’re taking an important step this year by launching a new math course in three high schools,” said Governor Markell. “It’s designed with input from our higher education community, so that we can guarantee that if students successfully complete the course, they will be able to earn credits for all of their math courses in our colleges.”

Every week, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube: http://youtu.be/gXOyuJUCrS4
Delaware.Gov: http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
By email: Please contact our press team to subscribe to our press list
Facebook:  www.facebook.com/governormarkell
Twitter:  www.twitter.com/governormarkell

FULL TEXT OF MESSAGE

We’re proud Delaware has been recognized for eliminating obstacles for students who want to attend college. But that effort will only produce the results we want if students successfully complete their post-secondary education. Thanks to a partnership with our colleges and universities we now have data to understand better than ever the academic obstacles facing students who pursue a two or four year degree.

One pitfall is clear: too many students are required to enroll in “remedial courses” to relearn what they should have mastered in high school. They invest time and money in those courses, but earn no college credit, making no progress towards graduation. Unsurprisingly, these students have higher college costs and are far less likely to earn a degree. Nationally, only a quarter of community college students who take a remedial course graduate within eight years. This problem is pervasive nationwide, affecting as many as fifty percent of students at some schools. The numbers are highest for low-income students and students of color.

Delaware must be a leader in addressing this challenge and we’re taking an important step this year by launching a new math course in three high schools. It’s designed with input from our higher education community, so that we can guarantee that if students successfully complete the course, they will be able to earn credits for all of their math courses in our colleges. We must expand this program and continue working on solutions to end the dead-end cycle of remediation for Delaware students.

By ensuring Delaware students arrive at college ready to pursue a degree without paying to repeat high school classes, we’ll keep Delaware moving forward.