As the 4th of July holiday weekend approaches, the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) advises motorist to expect heavy traffic volumes on roads throughout the state. AAA Mid-Atlantic is forecasting more than 116,000 Delawareans will travel at least 50 miles during the holiday weekend.

In addition, DelDOT reminds motorists that there will be many pedestrians and bicyclists out and local parades and fireworks displays taking place over the long weekend that will impact traffic.

“No matter how you plan to get around this weekend, doing so safely should be everyone’s top priority,” said Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski. “We want everyone to reach their destination safely as the summer travel season begins and more people are on the roads.”

Motorists can increase their safety, and reduce the risk to others by doing the following:

• Always wear seatbelts
• Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Obey posted speed limits
• Do not drive distracted
• Do not drive aggressively

Following these five rules significantly decreases the likelihood of being involved in a crash as these are the leading cause of crashes involving serious injury or death on our roads. To date, there have been 75 crash-related fatalities on Delaware roads, a 40% increase over the same time period last year.

For residents and guests to eastern Sussex County, DART’s Beach Bus routes will have additional buses running this weekend before and after the fireworks display in Rehoboth and is just $2 to ride one way and parking is free at park & ride locations in Rehoboth and Lewes. DART’s entire 4th of July schedule can be viewed here.

DelDOT also has more than 200 traffic cameras available on DelDOT.gov and the free DelDOT mobile app to view real-time traffic conditions across the state.

The readings will take place on Saturday, July 4, 2020, at 2 and 4 p.m., outdoors in front of The Old State House, located at 25 The Green in Dover, Del. Programs will commence with the ringing of The Old State House bell 13 times in honor of the original 13 states, followed directly by a recitation of the declaration adopted by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. The declaration announced that the American colonies then at war with Great Britain were now independent states and thus, no longer part of the British Empire. The program is free and open to the public. Additional information is available by calling 302-744-5054.

Visitors will listen to the recitation from the Dover Green, located directly in front of The Old State House. In keeping with Gov. Carney’s Phase II guidance regarding the coronavirus pandemic, visitors must maintain at least six feet of physical distance from any individual who is not a member of their household. A cloth face covering must also be worn if maintaining six feet of physical distance between individuals of different households is impracticable.

In addition to the Declaration of Independence readings, The Old State House and the nearby Johnson Victrola Museum, located at 375 S. New St., will be open on July 4 for 30-minute, self-guided tours by reservation only. Old State House self-guided tours are currently available at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Johnson Victrola Museum self-guided tours are currently available at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Call 302-744-5054 for reservations at either venue.

Completed in 1791, The Old State House is one of the earliest capitol buildings in the nation, serving as the home of Delaware’s legislature until 1933 when the General Assembly moved to larger quarters in Legislative Hall. The venerable structure now appears as it would have in the late 1700s during the United States’ critical early years as an independent country. It features a courtroom, governor’s and county offices and chambers for the state’s Senate and House of Representatives. The building is situated on Dover’s historic Green, a public area designated by William Penn in 1683. The Green is a partner site of the First State National Historical Park.

The Old State House is administered by the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, an agency of the State of Delaware. The division enhances Delaware’s quality of life by preserving the state’s unique historical heritage, fostering community stability and economic vitality and providing educational programs and assistance to the general public on Delaware history. The division’s diverse array of services includes operation of five museums which are accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, administration of the State Historic Preservation Office, conservation of the state’s archaeological and historic-objects collections, operation of a conference center and management of historic properties across the state. Primary funding for division programs and services is provided by annual appropriations from the Delaware General Assembly and grants from the National Park Service, Department of the Interior, a federal agency. However, the contents and opinions expressed in the division’s programs and services do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Department of the Interior.

With the 4th of July holiday approaching, DelDOT advises motorist to expect heavy traffic volumes on roads throughout the state this week, with Wednesday, July 3, expected to be the day with the heaviest traffic. AAA is forecasting a record-breaking 48.9 million Americans will travel this Independence Day, an increase of more than four percent from last year. More than 133,000 Delawareans, or 12 percent of the population, are expected to travel at least 50 miles during the holiday.

DelDOT also reminds motorists that there will be many pedestrians and bicyclists out at local parades and fireworks displays over the next several days.

“The 4th of July holiday is when we really see the summer travel season begin and we want everyone to reach their destination safely. With more people on the roads, driving cautiously and responsibly should be everyone’s top priority when they get behind the wheel,” said Secretary of Transportation Jennifer Cohan.

Motorists can increase their safety, and reduce the risk to others by doing the following:

• Always wear seatbelts
• Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Obey posted speed limits
• Do not drive distracted
• Do not drive aggressively

Following these five rules significantly decreases the likelihood of being involved in a crash as these are the leading cause of crashes involving serious injury or death on our roads. To date, there have been 46 crash-related fatalities on Delaware roads. The state has also seen an increase in fatal motorcycle crashes with eight in May and June. There are nearly 22,000 motorcycles registered in Delaware, and many of these crashes can be prevented through awareness by motorists and motorcyclists following the rules of the road.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility, from drivers and passengers to bicyclists and pedestrians. With basic planning and preparation we can all make sure this is a safe Independence Day celebration for everyone,” said Ken Grant, Manager of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic.

Before getting on the road, motorists can view real-time conditions from more than 110 traffic cameras by using DelDOT’s smartphone application or visiting http://www.deldot.gov. The free DelDOT App is available for Apple and Android smartphones and tablets. Motorists can also listen to WTMC 1380 AM for updates on current road conditions.

Celebrate the 4th with Dover, DE’s unique history! The First State Heritage Park has events planned all day long including a historic Dover scavenger hunt, moon bounces, pony rides, petting zoo, an Old-Fashioned Parade, live music, food and of course… fireworks at 9:20pm.

The First State Heritage Park will have programs running on The Green and around Legislative Mall continuously from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., and visitors are encouraged to begin their day at the First State Heritage Park Welcome Center inside the Delaware Public Archives building adjacent to Legislative Hall to begin their scavenger hunt game.

At 2 pm and 4 pm Delaware will take part in the National Bell-Ringing Ceremony, during which America’s original 13 colonies jointly celebrate the birth of our nation and the Declaration of Independence is read aloud from the steps of the Old State House on The Green.

We hope you all have a safe and happy 4th of July!

Source: Delaware State News

DOVER – The Fourth of July holiday may be a time for food, fun and fireworks for Delawareans, but what’s fun for humans can be dangerous for pets. The Division of Public Health Office of Animal Welfare (OAW) advises pet owners to be aware that fireworks cause many pets to run away, and that holiday foods and heat can be harmful to our four-legged family members.

The loud boom of fireworks can spook pets and cause them to run away. Additionally, parties present many opportunities for cats and dogs to be let in and out of houses or yards by guests. The following tips from the American Veterinary Medical Association can help keep pets are safe from harm during Independence Day celebrations.

• If your pet is sensitive to noises like fireworks or thunder, consult your veterinarian for recommendations on how to ease anxiety caused by fireworks and loud parties. Anxiety medications and treats, “thunder” shirts and behavioral training are all tools to help keep pets calm.
• Leave pets at home if attending gatherings elsewhere. In addition to fireworks, strange places and crowds can spook an animal and cause them to flee.
• Utilize a crate or escape-proof area of the home during parties and fireworks.
• Those who expect guests during the holiday, or any celebration, should inform their company to be mindful of pets when entering or exiting a home or yard to avoid accidental escapes. Place signs on doors and gates that alert guests to be vigilant about pets.
• Tell guests to refrain from sharing food meant for people as these can upset your pets’ stomach, or worse. After any in-home celebrations, check yards for food scraps and fireworks debris that animals may ingest.
• Make sure sparklers, glow sticks, fireworks, charcoal and skewers are out of reach from your pets.
• Stay vigilant about times when pets are outdoors. Pets are safest inside on hot and humid days. If they must be outside, ensure they have access to fresh water and secondary shade apart from dog and cat enclosures, which can become dangerously hot inside.

There are preventive steps owners can take to increase the chance of reunification with a pet that has run away. Make sure your pets have identification tags with current owner contact information. Have your pet microchipped, if they aren’t already. A microchip is an affordable device with owner information to ensure pets can return home if they get out and are found by someone else. Make sure the microchip is registered with up-to-date owner contact information. License your pet. It is the law in Delaware, and if your pet is picked up by animal welfare officers, it is your pet’s free ticket home. License information can be found at petdata/delaware.com.

Owners should have a clear, recent, picture of your pet(s) on hand in case the animal(s) run away. Post a picture, brief description and contact information on social media and make privacy settings accessible to the public so it can be shared and viewed by a larger audience than your contacts. Post bright flyers in your area.

If a pet does escape, post its photo and identifying information on the Office of Animal Welfare’s statewide Lost & Found Pet Registry, at animalservices.delaware.gov. Your pet may have been found by a neighbor or taken to a local animal shelter.

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 http://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, and drink almost no sugary beverages.