Delaware

Blue Project DE requests support from city council

Published

1 year ago

October 14, 2024

Press Room

Blue Project DE requests support from city council

Blue Project DE is working to establish “Blue Zones” in the state where communities could implement healthier lifestyle choices

In an effort to promote community wellness, Blue Project DE presented information about their program to Milford City Council. Kim Blanch, BSN, RN, a co-founder and Director of Community Outreach at Beebe Healthcare, began by providing statistics on the health crisis in Delaware.

“I’ve been in the population health department now for 10 years and, in my role, have the responsibility of conducting health needs assessment, a triennial assessment followed by a community health implementation or improvement plan,” Blanch said. “And as much great work is being done out there by numerous agencies and organizations, it is really difficult to move the needle on the health of a population.”

According to data provided, 72.7 percent of Sussex County adults and 33.2 percent of children are overweight or obese. In addition, 24.6 percent of adults have diabetes, 36.2 percent have high blood pressure and 7.1 percent have cardiovascular disease. Mental health is also in crisis in the first state. Statistics show 149,000 adults have a mental health condition with 32.8 percent reporting symptoms of anxiety or depression. When it comes to children, 9,000 between the ages of 12 and 17 have depression.

“When you add to that 11.5 percent of families deal with food insecurity, you can understand why healthcare is in crisis,” Blanch said. “Although the health of our community is critical, the cost of an unhealthy community is staggering.”

Blanch explained that healthcare cost $9.1 billion in 2021, up 11 percent from 2020. Insurance claims for Medicaid in Delaware were $2.4 billion and approximately 40 percent of the total operating budget is spent on healthcare. Prediabetes and diabetes cost Delaware an estimated $1.1 billion annually while the group health insurance plan that covers all state employees, families and retirees spent $1.2 billion.

“This is why we developed Blue Zones, a community-led effort that helps people lead longer, better lives by making healthy choices easier,” Blanch said. ‘It is a about conveying health in a framework that supports sustainability. The Blue Zones are based on six areas of the world where people live longer and have improved health outcomes. Loma Linda, California, the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, Sardinia in Italy, Ikaria in Greece, Okinawa in Japan are the original five while Singapore recently came on board.”

In these areas of the world, people not only live longer, they live better in a healthy way. Blanch explained it was not just about living longer, but about healthful longevity. Blue Project DE achieves this with nine key principals.

“We’ve found that lifestyles of Blue Zone centenarians all shared nine commonalities. They all are moving naturally, and they know how to destress. They also eat wisely,” Blanch said. “In Okinawa, they have s saying ‘hara hachi bu’ which means ‘eat until you are 80 percent full” as it takes some time for your stomach to tell your brain it is full. This is a natural part of their culture. Their diet is also plant slanted, not vegan or vegetarian, but more produce and fewer animal proteins.”

Wine at Five is another of the commonalities among those who live longer in Blue Zones. Blanch stated that this would not apply to someone who did not have a healthy relationship with alcohol, but for those who do, having wine with friends at 5 PM creates an opportunity for social connectedness. The United States Surgeon General recently reported that social isolation is detrimental to health which is why one of the commonalities was having the right “tribe.”

“If your three closest friends smoke, chances are you will be a smoker. If your friends are active, there is a greater likelihood you will be active,” Blanch said. “So, choosing the right tribe and having friends or people close to you who have healthy, positive behaviors encourages you to do the same. It is also important to put your loved ones first and have a sense of belonging.”

Blue Zones work to improve well-being in what is known as the “Life Radius.” Evidence shows that people spend 90 percent of their time within a 20-mile radius of their home. Blue Project DE looks at those areas and tries to identify where improvements can be made, whether it is more bicycle and walking paths, a sense of gathering or more areas to purchase healthier food items at a reasonable cost.

“One of the first Blue Zones created in this country was in Albert Lea, Minnesota, 15 years ago. Since implementing the project, they have seen a 49 percent decrease in medical claims for city workers, 2.9 years added to the lifespan of those who participated, a 48 percent increase in tourism and $40 million in grant funding to support the initiative.”

Beach Cities, California, implemented Blue Zones 11 years ago and have seen a 55 percent reduction in childhood obesity, 15 percent drop in overweight or obese adults, 10 percent increase in regular exercise, 17 percent drop in smoking, 12 percent rice in life evaluation and $72 million in savings of medical cost. Fort Worth, Texas, saw a 31 percent decrease in smoking, a nine point increase in residents who exercise for at least 30 minutes three or more days each week, and an increase of 3.7 points in a well-being score index. The NCH Healthcare System, which implemented Blue Zone policies three years ago, saw a 7 percent increase in overall well-being among employees, 54 percent decrease in healthcare expenditures, $27 million reduction in self-insured medical claims and a 40 percent decline in lost workdays due to injury.

“So, how did they do this? Albert Lea added over 10 miles of new sidewalks and bike lanes where they saw a 38 percent increase in trail usage. Beach Cities secured funds to create a more walkable, bikeable and connected community with students walking 423,000 miles over the course of one school year with the new Walking School Bus Routes,” Blanch said. “Fort Worth received $6.2 million to create Safe Routes to School infrastructure and new tobacco policies eliminated smoking in city parks. Southwest, Florida, implemented 62 policies to improve the environment, reduce tobacco use and increase access to health food.”

Five Sussex County municipalities will participate in the project which will begin with an Ignite Assessment. This is a preliminary community assessment with focus groups and presentations. The next step would be to obtain community input, create a well-being measurement and begin recruiting volunteers. The blueprint for healthy living will be implemented next with an effort ti engage people while also impacting policy to drive change.

“Mark [Whitfield] and I saw this presentation at a SCAD meeting and I wanted Kimberly to come present this to council because, as she said, from our perspective, it is about making beneficial, healthy choices easier and accessible,” Councilman Jason James said. “It’s about enhancing the quality of life for our citizens. Many of the things listed are connective sidewalks, walkability, community gardens established through the city, these are all things we’ve been working on. I believe this would be a great alignment.”

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Delaware

Rehoboth cancels 2026 Polar Bear Plunge after major snowstorm

Published

5 hours ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Rehoboth cancels 2026 Polar Bear Plunge after major snowstorm

Rehoboth Beach has canceled the upcoming 2026 Lewes Polar Bear Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge as the Sussex County resort town continues dealing with the aftermath of last weekend’s snowstorm, organizers of the annual Special Olympics fundraiser said on Feb. 26.

“Rehoboth Beach is navigating significant challenges because of the snowstorm,” a Special Olympics Delaware email announced. “At present, the boardwalk and all beach crossings remain snow covered and many sidewalks throughout downtown Rehoboth are as well.”

The plunge and 5K had been rescheduled to March 1 after severe weather conditions in late January caused it to be moved from its original Feb. 1 date.

The plunge will not be rescheduled for this year.

Last weekend’s storm brought nearly 2 feet of snow to parts of Sussex, closing hundreds of roads when trees and wires were downed. There were also power outages across the county, including Rehoboth Beach which had to restore power to its wastewater treatment facility.

Plunging for a cause

The polar bear plunge is one of Special Olympics Delaware’s more popular fundraisers, drawing more than 4,000 participants last year.

In recent years, the event has been bringing in more than a million dollars for Special Olympics Delaware. Last year, plunge events drew $1.3 million, just shy of the record-breaking $1.5 million raised in 2024.

Alex Seymore, Special Olympics Delaware’s director of digital media, said the organization had already raised more than $1 million from this year’s event.

“We expect a small impact,” Seymore told Delaware Online/The News Journal. “But again, we’re showing that we’ve raised over a million dollars.

He added they are reviewing how the cancelation will impact them and their services.

“It’s been just a couple hours, so we’re not completely positive how it will impact things in the long run,” he said. “We’re thankful for everybody that’s helped raise this money through this time.”

What is still occurring

While the plunge and 5k and been canceled this year, there are other indoor events that will continue as scheduled:

Feb. 27

4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – pick up packets and souvenir sales for the Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach.

Feb. 28

noon to 2 p.m. Fire & Ice in the Atlantic Sands Ballroom, 1 Baltimore Ave, Rehoboth Beach.
2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Restaurant chili contest.
4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – pick up packets and souvenir sales for the Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach.

Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.

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Delaware

Trump Accounts for kids; are they available in Delaware?

Published

17 hours ago

February 26, 2026

Press Room

Trump Accounts for kids; are they available in Delaware?

President Donald Trump touted his Trump Accounts for kids platform during his State of the Union address Tuesday, Feb. 24, months before the savings account program goes live this summer.

Roughly 63% of parents open bank accounts for the newborns and young children according to The Financial Brand, showing that in general, opening a bank accounts for your child is a good idea.

But what, exactly, are Trump Accounts for kids, and does it make sense for you to open one for your child? Here’s everything you need to know.

Trump Account for kids explained

The IRS explained in a memo Trump Accounts will be available for any children under 18, with $1,000 seed money available for newborns and very young children.

That account will be seeded with federal government funds.

“A Trump account is a type of traditional individual retirement account that is established for the exclusive benefit of an eligible individual and that is designated at its establishment as a Trump account,” read the IRS’ Trump Accounts memo. “Upon an election under the pilot program, $1,000 is paid by the Secretary to the Trump account of an eligible child.

“An eligible child means a qualifying child who is born after December 31, 2024 and before January 1, 2029, who is a U.S. citizen, and for whom no prior pilot program election has been made.”

The Trump Accounts website confirms parents do not need to make a contribution, but can deposit up to $5,000 a year into the interest-bearing account.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in comments published Jan. 28 a single $1,000 deposit into a Trump Account at birth should grow to an estimated $500,000 by the age of retirement.

When will Trump Accounts for kids lunch, and can I apply in Delaware?

Trump Accounts for kids will go live on Monday, July 5, and parents in Delaware are allowed to apply for the nationwide offering when it opens.

Until then, you can visit the Trump Accounts website to add your name to the email list to get an update when the service goes live.

The IRS and U.S. Department of the Treasury released Trump Accounts guidance you can read before opening an account.

Problems with Trump Accounts for kids

While opening a Trump Account for your child may seem a good thing, TIME uncovered a few problems with President Donald Trump’s namesake account service.

“The program may be open to every child, but its benefits will flow overwhelmingly to families with the means to contribute thousands of dollars a year. What could have been a leveling tool instead risks becoming a widening wedge between the haves and the have-nots,” read a portion of TIME’s take. “For a family living paycheck-to-paycheck that is unable to add anything beyond the government’s $1,000 seed deposit, the balance reaches just $5,839 by age 18. “

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies echoed much of that sentiment, and said Trump Accounts for kids will have the opposite effect from its stated goals.

Damon C. Williams is a Philadelphia-based journalist reporting on trending topics across the Mid-Atlantic Region.

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Delaware

Will Delaware see a wet spring after its snowy winter? What to know

Published

1 day ago

February 25, 2026

Press Room

Will Delaware see a wet spring after its snowy winter? What to know

Delaware has faced a snowy winter with multiple major winter storms hitting the state.

While the winter has been volatile, spring might be a little less so. AccuWeather is predicting fewer tornadoes in the United States this spring, but there’s still the possibility of strong storms and flooding throughout the country.

A fast exit from La Niña could result in a weaker upper-level jet stream overall this spring, AccuWeather predicted. This situation reduces the conditions that produce tornadoes. However, the conditions support lines of thunderstorm capable of producing damaging winds and repeated rounds of flooding down.

“There may be fewer tornadoes reported compared to last year, but that does not mean this will be a quiet severe weather season,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex Duffus said in a new release. “There is an increased likelihood of severe thunderstorms packing damaging wind gusts and heavy downpours. Flash flooding is a big concern this year.”

According to AccuWeather, the peak time Delaware will see severe weather will be in May.

Are there tornadoes in Delaware?

Funnel cloud over Frankford, Delaware, June 30, 2025

The National Weather Service did not confirm a tornado touched town.

While tornadoes in Delaware are rare, they do happen. Last year, there were two confirmed tornadoes in Delaware – one near Bethel and the other near Frankford.

Since 1954, there have been 80 tornadoes in the First State, leading to 78 injuries and three deaths.

The busiest tornado seasons were in 2020 and 1992 when six tornadoes hit the state. The early 1990s saw an increase in tornadic activity as 17 tornadoes hit the state between 1992 and 1995.

National Weather Service Delaware spring forecast

The National Weather Service is predicting equal chances that Delaware will either have above normal or below normal temperatures during the spring. The Maryland and Virginia portion of the Delmarva peninsula has a 33% to 40% chance of seeing a warmer than average spring.

In terms of precipitation, Delaware has an equal chance of having above normal or below normal temperatures during the spring.

What’s the difference between a watch, warning and emergency?

With spring quickly approaching, it’s a good time to brush up on spring weather terms. According to the National Weather Service, these are some of the different alerts.

Severe thunderstorm watch: A watch means thunderstorms are possible in the area. Watch areas are generally large. People in the areas should pay attention to weather reports and changing conditions.
Severe thunderstorm warning: A severe thunderstorm has been spotted in your area or is tracking toward your area. People should take shelter and pay attention to weather reports and changing conditions.
Tornado watch: A watch means tornadoes are possible in the area. The areas are generally very large. When a watch is issued, it means it’s time to prepare for a potential storm and keep an eye on weather reports in case conditions change.
Tornado warning: A funnel cloud or tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. You should seek shelter. Move to an interior room of your home on the lowest floor and avoid areas with windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle or outdoors, move to a shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.
Tornado emergency: A tornado emergency is the National Weather Service’s highest alert level and is issued when a violent tornado has touched down in the watch area. The tornado is a severe threat to human life and property, with catastrophic damage confirmed. Immediately seek refuge in the safest location possible.

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