Delaware
Thousands of chicks found abandoned in USPS truck in Delaware have been adopted by families, farms
Thousands of chicks found abandoned inside a postal service truck for three days have gone to new homes, according to the Delaware shelter that had cared for them, with the last batch picked up on Thursday morning.
All the surviving birds, estimated as more than 5,000 chickens — it was too hard to get a specific count — plus some others like turkeys and quails, were primarily adopted by local families, rescues and farms, according to First State Animal Center and SPCA.
The chicks were part of a 12,000-bird shipment left unattended in a truck at a Delaware mail distribution center. Trapped in high temperatures without food or hydration, thousands died, according to the state Department of Agriculture. The U.S. Postal Service has said it is investigating the “process breakdown” that occurred.
For more than two weeks, the surviving birds had been cared for at an overwhelmed First State Animal Center and SPCA, said John Parana, executive director. As a no-kill operation, the shelter would not take adopters planning to use the birds for meat, Parana said. Some of the adopters took hundreds at a time, hoping for egg-laying hens, while others took them as pets.
Stephanie Bruzdzinski adopted a handful of chicks after her daughter learned about their situation.
“She was very upset and wanted to help out,” said Bruzdzinski, who was similarly shocked when she heard the news. “She doesn’t like when things aren’t getting taken care of.”
The birds originated from Pennsylvania-based Freedom Ranger Hatchery’s weekly bird shipment to clients around the country, and due to biosecurity concerns, the hatchery cannot take the chicks back, a company spokesperson said.
Delaware elected officials push back on rising prices
Gov. Matt Meyer called out Delmarva for “overcharging Delaware families” in his January State of the State speech. He has also urged the Public Service Commission to reject the utility’s rate requests.
“Rate increases far beyond inflation are unacceptable,” he said. “Delmarva’s out-of-state shareholders should not take advantage of Delaware’s families working to make ends meet. We must hold monopolies accountable.”
Democratic members of the Delaware General Assembly also sent a letter in February to the commission, calling for Delmarva to resubmit its December rate increase request so it falls under a law that took effect in January that gives the commission greater scrutiny over rate increase requests.
The state lawmakers also noted that Delmarva has sought three electric base rate adjustments over the past five years and asked the commission to reject the current rate case so the company would have to resubmit the request.
“We cannot reward Delmarva investors with such high returns on the backs of our constituents,” the letter stated.
Beal said they appreciate the governors in the states that use the PJM grid focusing on the supply costs and the need for more generation, which he said was the true driver of these significant increases for customers. He argued that they work on the delivery side to keep costs down.
“Our company’s been around since 1909,” he said. “Not all of our equipment is that old, but we certainly have some aging equipment. Over 50-year-old transformers that are really at the end of their life, and you want to make sure that you’re replacing this equipment in a planned manner, versus a catastrophic failure of equipment.”
Assistance programs to help low- and moderate-income households
Wilmington resident Alan Shores said he has tried to apply for help as his average monthly bill has gone from around $200 a month to about $500. Shores depends on monthly disability payments and said he’s struggling to afford his prescription medication because of the rising cost.
“I’m tap dancing as fast as I can, trying to pay this stuff, and I just can’t,” he said. “It’s because of this electric bill. Once that electric bill went through the roof, I’m like, ‘What do I do?’”
Beal said they are adding $500,000 to the $6.5 million customer relief fund created last year. Past-due gas and electric customers who have a household income between 60% of the state median income and 350% of the federal poverty level could be eligible for a $500 credit.
The utility also offers payment arrangements and budget billing, and it directs customers to financial assistance offered by charitable organizations.
Bucks County gas prices rise sharply
As the war in Iran deepens, gas pump prices in Bucks County have risen.
A conflict on the other side of the world is hitting your wallet in Delaware.
Prices for gasoline have soared since the start of a war involving the U.S., Israel and Iran that began on Feb. 28. The national average gas price is $3.45 per gallon for regular, according to automotive, travel and insurance company AAA. It was $2.89 per gallon one month ago.
Delaware’s average price is lower than the national average at $3.36 per gallon, a steep hike from $2.88 per gallon a month ago, according to AAA data.
Delaware is small so average prices for regular gasoline are pretty stable from county to county. Sussex and Kent Counties sit at $3.37 per gallon and New Castle County is at $3.35 per gallon.
The current average prices per gallon, according to AAA, are:
- Regular: $3.365, up from $2.886 one month ago
- Mid-Grade: $3.916, up from $3.487 one month ago
- Premium: $4.191, up from $3.785 one month ago
- Diesel: $4.545, up from $3.856 one month ago
In a March 5 press release, AAA said there is usually a jump in prices in the spring, but the last time prices rose this sharply was in March 2022 when the war between Russia and Ukraine broke out.
Shane Brennan covers Wilmington and other Delaware issues. Reach out with ideas, tips or feedback at slbrennan@delawareonline.com.
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