Port Penn Interpretive Center to Remain Closed Due to Structural Damage

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control announced today the Port Penn Interpretive Center will not open this summer due to structural damage and safety concerns. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation is in the process of evaluating options to repair the historic structure. The center is typically open on weekends and holidays during the summer.

While recently refreshing the center’s exhibits for the upcoming season, the division discovered issues and ordered a structural study that revealed the building is not safe for occupancy. The study revealed deterioration of the center’s first-floor framing and foundation, with the roof and attic adversely affected by the foundation. Repairs will include a new foundation, replacement of the first-floor framing and moisture mitigation measures to prevent future issues.

The Port Penn Interpretive Center is in the village of Port Penn, about four miles south of Delaware City. When open, the center offers displays and programs that explain the folklife of the historic wetland communities along the shores of the Delaware. Programs and self-guided walking tours featuring the historic homes of Port Penn and the scenic marshlands surrounding the town will resume once the structure re-opens to the public.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov; Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov

###


Heritage Commission Book of the Week is about Delaware City

“Reminiscence Of A Town That Thought It Would Be A Metropolis: Delaware City, Delaware” presents reminiscences of the late William O. Wingate, who lived in Delaware City and was born in the last quarter of the the nineteenth century. Wingate’s writings were found in the local collection of the Delaware City Library and provides a glimpse at life in Delaware City at the turn of the century.
– by William O. Wingate

 

You can view and/or download a PDF version of this book here.

 

 

Find out more about the Delaware Heritage Commission here.

Delaware Heritage Commission Logo

 


State of Delaware Partners with FEMA to Open COVID-19 Testing Center

Testing available by appointment at www.ineedacovid19test.com

DOVER, DE (JAN. 14, 2022) – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) announced today that the State of Delaware is partnering with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to open a free COVID-19 drive-thru testing site from Jan. 17 to Feb. 7, 2022. The site will be hosted at the Delaware City Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and operate on evenings and weekends, six days a week, closing on Wednesdays when DMV has regular evening business hours. Appointments are required for testing at this site. 

Today’s announcement marks a necessary response to the recent surge of COVID-19 cases largely fueled by the Omicron variant, which has resulted in unprecedented demand for COVID-19 testing. Testing demand statewide has nearly tripled since the week before Thanksgiving, with 23,000 tests administered the week prior to Thanksgiving, and 61,000 tests administered last week. The highest demand has been centralized in New Castle County.

“The demand for testing is at an all-time high and our resources are strained. Having this site will serve as a relief valve for our testing partners, particularly in New Castle County,” said DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay. “We appreciate the assistance from our federal partners and the testing staff coming to provide Delawareans with another testing option for the next several weeks to help get us through this surge.”

“We are excited that our Federal partners have provided this testing site that will help us meet the increased demand, said A.J. Schall, Director of the Delaware Emergency Management Agency. “The hours complement other options and help expand evening and weekend availability.”

FEMA has contracted with eTrueNorth to offer testing services that include evening hours and weekends. Individuals will be tested with a PCR shallow nasal swab and results are expected to be returned in 48-72 hours. Appointments will be required.

“FEMA’s Public Assistance Program continues to support COVID-19 expanding hospital capacity as well as other initiatives such as COVID-19 testing, vaccination, personal protective equipment, administration, and surge staffing” said FEMA Regional Administrator MaryAnn Tierney. “FEMA will continue to provide this important resource to help meet public health and safety needs, posed by the pandemic, in an equitable and efficient manner.”

“eTrueNorth has enabled millions of PCR COVID-19 tests across the country since the start of this pandemic. We are so pleased to partner with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the State of Delaware to increase Americans’ access to COVID-19 testing,” said Coral May, eTrueNorth CEO. “These COVID-19 tests are free to individuals. Every individual needs to register at www.ineedacovid19test.com and obtain a voucher for each individual in their family that will be tested.”

The Delaware City DMV is located at 2101 Mid County Drive, New Castle, Delaware. For the first day of operations, Monday Jan. 17, 2022, appointments will be available between 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Following the first day of testing, appointments will be available for the following days of the week:

  • Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays: 5:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
  • Saturdays: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Sundays: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

To make an appointment, individuals must register on the eTrueNorth Covid-19 testing website. Each individual that will be tested must create an account. After completing the initial screening questionnaire, users will schedule an appointment. A confirmation voucher will be provided and should be brought to the testing site. Testing is free and is available for all ages.

Registrants will use their username and password to access test results when they are available. The best way to schedule an appointment time is to visit http://www.doineedacovid19test.com. Those who have questions or need assistance with registering for an appointment, can email COVID19@eTrueNorth.com or call 1-800-635-8611.

For those unable to access the site due to transportation or other barriers, they are encouraged to take advantage of the hundreds of testing sites statewide and at-home test options, which can be found at de.gov/gettested.

Evening & Weekend Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing. Delaware City DMV, Jan. 18-Feb. 7, Mon-Tue-Thu-Fri: 5:30 pm-11:30 pm; Sat: 8 am-4 pm; Sun: 10 am-6 pm. Appointments Required. Questions? COVID19@eTrueNorth.com or 1-800-635-8611. Evening and Weekend Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing, Delaware City DMV, Starting Monday, Jan. 17, 2-8 pm. Appointments Required. Questions? COVID19@TrueNorth.com or 1-800-635-8611. Evening and Weekend Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing, Delaware City DMV, Starting Monday, Jan. 17, 2-8 pm. Appointments Required. Questions? COVID19@TrueNorth.com or 1-800-635-8611. Evening and Weekend Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing, Delaware City DMV, Starting Monday, Jan. 17, 2-8 pm. Appointments Required. Questions? COVID19@TrueNorth.com or 1-800-635-8611.


DNREC awards $150,000 to Delaware City for enhancing education, city’s restoration work, and recreational opportunities

DNREC Logo – The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has awarded $150,000 to Delaware City to be used to improve recreational facilities, study and develop a plan to improve energy consumption, and develop rain gardens and bio swales at the city’s community center, DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin announced today. “The funds will focus on green technology, energy conservation, and environmental projects that will benefit Delaware City and surrounding areas,” Secretary Garvin said.

The funds will help Delaware City pave its Community Center parking lots and basketball court. This, along with incorporating rain gardens around the property, will greatly improve the water quality at the facility and reduce stormwater runoff. Using pervious pavement for the parking lot and basketball court will allow the rainwater to be absorbed back into the city’s groundwater. In addition, both surfaces are more than 20 years old and are starting to create safety concerns. The Community Center houses the Delaware City Library, Police Athletic League Center, Reedy Point Players community theater group, and various classes offered through New Castle County.

A comprehensive energy audit to be performed on the Town Hall and Community Center will identify areas where improvements can be made to conserve energy. Both buildings are more than 60 years old, with minimal capital upgrades over the years. Energy conservation measures will also complement a solar farm installed several years ago on property donated to the city by PBF Energy, and help to maintain Delaware City’s commitment to the environment and fiscal responsibility.

Renovations include multiple phases that will occur over the next year. Included in this plan are:
• The basketball court at the 7th Street Park, utilizing pervious pavement;
• Performance of energy audits on all city-owned property and development of a plan to improve efficiencies and reduce energy consumption;
• Rain gardens and bio swales to be incorporated into parks and community center properties; and
• A city-wide paving assessment to explore options for additional pervious pavement.

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

-End-


DNREC Recycling Program offers compost bins for sale online at discount price for pickup at three locations statewide

DOVER – DNREC’s Recycling Program within the Division of Waste & Hazardous Substances is offering compost bins that can be pre-ordered online at a discount price of $50, half the retail price of the bins. The bins must be picked up by the purchaser at any of three locations: Dover, Lewes, and Delaware City.

Locations, dates and times for pick up for the discounted compost bins are:

Dover – Saturday, April 27: Pick-up location adjacent to the Delaware Solid Waste Authority (DSWA) collection event at the Blue Hen Corporate Center, 655 S. Bay Road (8 a.m. – Noon). Pre-order deadline for Dover pickup is April 21.

Lewes – Saturday, May 11: Pick-up location at the DNREC Lewes Field Facility, 901 Pilottown Road, Lewes, DE 19958 (8 a.m. – Noon). Pre-order deadline for Lewes pickup is May 5.

Delaware City – Saturday, June 8: Pick-up location adjacent to the DSWA collection event at Fort DuPont State Park on the corner of Old Battery Lane and Hall Road (8 a.m. – Noon). Pre-order deadline for Delaware City pickup is June 2.

Orders for discounted compost bins must be placed online at www.enviroworld.us/delaware, with major credit cards and PayPal accepted.

Bins must be picked up between 8 a.m. and noon at each location – during which time DNREC’s Recycling Program will be onsite to provide assistance ensuring that Delawareans can use their new backyard compost bins for successfully converting organic waste to compost. These compact compost bins can quickly turn food scraps and yard waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment that replaces traditional fertilizers to produce healthier plants and vegetables in home gardens.

To learn more about composting in Delaware please visit: https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/waste-hazardous/recycling/composting/. For more information about DNREC’s Recycling Program within the Division of Waste & Hazardous Substances, please contact Don Long by email Donald.long@delaware.gov or by calling 302-739-9403 (option 4).

Vol. 49, No. 52