Delaware
Woodbridge school counselor named 2026 Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of Year – State of Delaware News
Taylor Richey, a school counselor from the Woodbridge School District, is the state’s 2026 Delaware Behavioral Health Professional of the Year.
Secretary of Education Cindy Marten made the announcement at a statewide banquet honoring the district and charter network behavioral health professionals of the year.
The Woodbridge Early Childhood Education Center counselor said creating a consistent, welcoming and loving environment is essential to building relationships with students. She reflected on her work with a student who eloped, received frequent disciplinary referrals for fighting, was socially withdrawn and was failing academically. After consistent school counseling support, the student began engaging positively with staff and peers and attained honor roll status.
“Not only was this student’s growth shown through increased academics, stronger peer connections, decreased behavior and improved emotional regulations, his story also shaped my practice and demonstrated the power of connection, relationships, and meeting students where they are,” Richey said. “The work I did with this student is a testament to the positive impact of counseling services, enabled me to see the importance of creating an inclusive, safe and loving environment for all students, and empowered me to use more preventative practices in the early childhood setting.”
Her principal, Dane Sears, said Richey approaches her role with a servant’s heart and unwavering commitment to students.
“What makes Taylor’s work especially meaningful is her deep personal connection to our school community,” Sears said. “A Blue Raider at heart, Taylor returned home to serve as a counselor in the same district and school she once attended as a student. She walks the same hallways, now as a trusted advocate and mentor, determined to give back to the place that helped shape her. This connection fuels her passion and strengthens her ability to relate to students and families with authenticity and empathy.”
The Delaware State Behavioral Health Professional of the Year (BHPY) program is administered by the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE). The program recognizes outstanding service by school employees who are health care practitioners or human service providers who offer services for the purpose of improving an individual’s mental health. The Delaware Charter School Network also is invited to participate. Employees considered for the award include:
- School counselors
- School social workers
- Licensed clinical social workers
- School psychologists
- School nurses
From those nominated at a local level, one behavioral health professional of the year moves forward to represent each district or the charter school community in the state program. Each district/charter network winner receives a $2,000 personal award from the winner’s district or charter school. The state program then chooses one person annually to serve as Delaware’s Behavioral Health Professional of the Year. State winners receive an additional $3,000 personal award from DDOE as well as $5,000 to be used for the educational benefit of his or her students.
Find photos and learn more about all the 2026 District/Charter Behavioral Health Professionals of the Year here.
Find video of tonight’s announcement here.
New Fusco’s Water Ice trailer opens in Hockessin
New Fusco’s Water Ice trailer opens in Hockessin
Fusco’s Original Italian Ice, a refreshing, summery Delaware tradition for almost 70 years, is selling its slushy treats at a trailer in Hockessin.
The trailer is parked at the old George & Sons seafood market off Old Lancaster Pike near Hockessin Corner shopping center.
Service started July 13.
The Fusco’s trailer is serving a variety of water ice, ice cream and affogato, the Italian desserts made with ice cream and espresso.
On July 13, the water ice flavors included lemon, Fusco’s original and most traditional taste, along with cherry and mango. Sizes range from $5 for a small cup to $8 for a large. A quart is $10, and it’s $35 for a gallon container.
The ice cream flavors available on July 13 were mint chocolate chip, peanut and rocky road. One scoop is $4, two is $7, and three scoops are $10. Affogato is $9 for a single shot and $11 for a double shot.
The trailer is painted red, white and green, the colors of the Italian flag, and is decorated with newspaper articles about the history of Fusco’s, which was founded by Francesco “Cheech” Fusco and his son Rosario in 1957.
Fourth-generation Fusco’s family member Joseph Staffieri now operates the business. It includes the original stand at 610 N. Union St. in Wilmington’s Little Italy and a storefront at 3926 Kirkwood Highway near Milltown.
Staffieri makes water ice with the same equipment and ingredients, and uses his family’s recipes.
The Hockessin trailer will be serving icy treats daily from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Patricia Talorico writes about food, restaurants and Delaware history. You can find her on Instagram, X and Facebook. Email ptalorico@delawareonline.com. Sign up for her Delaware Eats newsletter.
The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat watch for New Castle County and a heat advisory for the remainder of the state.
The watch and advisory are in effect from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 15.
The forecast for Wednesday is calling for dangerously hot conditions, with heat index values up to 106 degrees possible.
Here’s the Delaware county-by-county forecast for Wednesday:
New Castle County: Highs will be around 99 degrees, with heat index values reaching 106.
Kent County: Highs are expected to reach 100 degrees, with heat index values reaching 108.
Sussex County: Highs will reach 98 degrees, with heat index values around 104.
Delaware beaches: The beaches are not under the watch. Highs will reach 91 degrees.
There is good news for the First State — this is not a heat wave, but rather a one-day issue. Temperatures on Thursday will drop back into the mid-90s throughout the state.
During the last week of June and the first week of July, Delaware was stuck under a heat dome with days of record-breaking heat.
What is a heat advisory?
There are three advisories for heat, according to the National Weather Service:
- Heat advisory: A heat advisory is issued for dangerous heat conditions that are not expected to reach warning criteria. Consider postponing or rescheduling outdoor activities, especially during the heat of the day. If you must be outside, be sure to drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks in the shade. Stay in a cool place, especially during the heat of the day and evening.
- Extreme heat watch: The watch issued when conditions are favorable for an extreme heat event but its occurrence and timing are still uncertain. Plan to suspend all major outdoor activities if a warning is issued. If you do not have air conditioning, locate the nearest cooling shelter or discuss staying with nearby family or friends who have air conditioning.
- Extreme heat warning: The warning is issued when extremely dangerous heat conditions are expected or occurring. Avoid outdoor activities, especially during the heat of the day. If you must be outside, be sure to drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks in the shade. Stay indoors in an air-conditioned space as much as possible, including overnight. Check on family and neighbors.
What are heat-related illnesses?
During extremely hot and humid weather, the body is challenged to cool itself. When the body struggles too much, several heat-related illnesses can occur. According to the National Weather Service, here’s what to watch for:
- Heat cramps: Heat cramps are the first sign of heat-related illnesses. The symptoms include muscle cramps and spasms typically in the legs or abdomen. You should apply pressure on the cramping muscle or gently massage the muscle. The person should also try to sip water unless they are nauseous. If the cramps last more than an hour, the person should seek medical attention.
- Heat exhaustion: A person who has heat exhaustion will sweat heavily, be tired, cool and clammy, have a weak, fast pulse, have muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea, headaches and may faint. Move the person to a cool area, loosen clothes and apply cool wet clothes or have the person sit in a bath. Offer water. If a person vomits more than once or symptoms worsen, seek immediate medical attention.
- Heat stroke: The symptoms of heat stroke include a body temperature above 103 degrees, a throbbing headache, confusion, nausea, fainting or a loss of consciousness. Call 911 or get the person to a hospital immediately.
Who is most vulnerable in the heat?
According to the National Weather Service, heat is among the leading weather-related killers. These are the groups most impacted by high temperatures:
- Young children and infants are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness and death, as their bodies are less able to adapt to heat than are adults.
- Older adults, particularly those with preexisting diseases, take certain medications, are living alone or with limited mobility and are exposed to extreme heat can experience multiple adverse effects.
- People with chronic medical conditions are more likely to have serious health problems during a heat wave than healthy people.
- Pregnant women are also at higher risk. Extreme heat events have been associated with adverse birth outcomes such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and infant mortality, as well as congenital cataracts.
How to stay safe in the heat
While you should remain in an air-conditioned room during the heat wave, if you do go outside you should do the following:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Wear light-colored clothing.
- Cancel outdoor activities.
- Stay in an air-conditioned place, including overnight.
- Check on your neighbors.
- Avoid high-protein foods, including meat. Eating these can increase your body’s heat production.
- Avoid getting too much sun. Sunburns make it harder for your body to cool off.
- Be very careful in cars. Cars heat up extremely fast. Never remain in a parked vehicle with the windows closed, and always be wary of hot metal objects both inside the vehicle (such as seat belt buckles) and outside the car.
Delaware summer getaways from beaches to scenic state parks
From relaxing beaches to scenic state parks, Delaware offers a variety of summer getaways.
It’s a Delaware thing.
At least, that’s the case with some sites and scenes around the First State.
Whether it’s the food (looking at you, Grotto Pizza), attractions, sayings, traditions (yes, we have a Running of the Bull) or landmarks, locals usually have the answers visitors are looking for.
Here are 10 things only Delaware locals understand:
The hype on Grotto Pizza
If you’re visiting Delaware, there’s a good chance you’ll pass a Grotto Pizza during your trip. With 16 locations statewide, the “legendary swirl” has been a Delaware staple since 1960, when a slice cost 20 cents and a whole pie was $1.60.
What sets Grotto Pizza apart is its use of mild cheddar instead of the traditional mozzarella found at most pizzerias. First-time visitors might also notice the unique look: rather than spreading sauce directly on the dough, the cheese is added first, with the sauce swirled on top.
Low-digit license plates are considered symbols
When Delawareans see a low-digit license plate, they know that the vehicle is of status in the state. If your plate is 86,999 or lower, you are eligible to order a black-and-white porcelain plate instead of the standard blue-and-gold.
These plates are so in demand in Delaware that the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles runs an online lottery for low-digit tags every year. These plates are signs of status, family heirlooms and financial investments and can sell for up to $2 million.
The scrapple stigma
Pork scraps, organ meats, and trimmings? You heard it! Delawareans praise the traditional Pennsylvania Dutch breakfast food “scrapple.”
While Delaware didn’t invent scrapple, the state has long embraced it as a staple. The dish is deeply rooted in Delaware’s history and is celebrated each year at the Apple Scrapple Festival, which honors two of the state’s major agricultural products.
With such a strong local legacy, it’s worth trying scrapple at a diner before judging its bold flavor.
‘The shore’ vs. ‘the beach’
When Delawareans say they’re going to “the shore,” don’t assume they mean Delaware. The phrase typically refers to the beaches in New Jersey.
In fact, Delaware residents are so particular about the distinction that the state Senate passed a bill in 2003 designating the coastline as the “Delaware Beaches.” With its own stretch of shoreline, locals want their beaches to stand apart from those in neighboring states.
The Running of the Bull isn’t only in Spain
The famous “Running of the Bull” takes place each July in Spain during the Festival of San Fermín, where runners sprint alongside bulls along a roughly half-mile course.
While Delaware doesn’t have free-roaming bulls, the state hosts its own version each summer in Dewey Beach. During the “Running of the Bull,” participants chase a bull mascot down the beach. Hosted by The Starboard, this year’s event marked its 29th anniversary on June 27.
The du Pont legacy
Often described as Delaware’s “First Family,” the DuPont Co. and family have been a part of Delaware’s identity since 1802, when E.I. du Pont established a gunpowder plant on the Brandywine.
Descendants of the formerly “du Pont” family still reside in Delaware, and most of the family’s previously owned properties are now operated by nonprofits and opened to the public.
Some of the estates connected to the family’s legacy include:
Longwood Gardens
Winterthur Museum Garden & Library
Mt. Cuba Center
Hagley Museum and Library
The many state parks
Many visitors may overlook Delaware’s natural beauty. This year, Delaware State Parks celebrates its 17 parks, developed over the past 75 years.
Each park offers something unique, from acres of open meadows to a natural rock-climbing wall and everything in between. With parks spread across the state, it’s not uncommon for locals to have visited several of them.
Tax-free shopping
Delaware is one of the few states with 0% sales tax on all retail purchases. Out-of-state visitors from neighboring states utilize this, which draws big crowds.
In Delaware, there’s only one notable mall, as stores in the Concord Mall continue to close. That said, locals know exactly when to avoid the Christiana Mall, which draws shoppers not only from Delaware but from surrounding states and becomes a major retail hub during peak times.
Know your ‘blue hens’
When a local says, “Let’s go, Hens!” you may be confused. In Delaware, this phrase, and similar ones, refers to the University of Delaware as a blue hen is the university’s mascot. The saying is said throughout the First State among students, alumni and fans.
You may be wondering why a blue hen is the school’s mascot – it honors a famous Revolutionary War regiment from Delaware. Bonus, you can visit the University of Delaware’s campus and see “real” blue hens!
Movie filmed in Delaware
The iconic film “Dead Poets Society” was filmed at several locations across Delaware.
Shot over three months from November 1988 to January 1989 and starring Robin Williams, the movie used sites including St. Andrew’s School, the Everett Theatre, New Castle, Westover Hills and Middletown.
Lauren Lingle is an intern with Delaware Online/The News Journal. Contact her at @llingle@gannett.com
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