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Leaders in Pa., NJ, Del. honor former President Jimmy Carter after his death

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Leaders in Pa., NJ, Del. honor former President Jimmy Carter after his death


Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100.

Carter, who was also a distinguished Naval officer, author and humanitarian, passed away Sunday afternoon in Plains, Georgia.

Tributes for the longest-lived American president in U.S. history have poured in from leaders across the nation, including politicians in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Take a look at the local reactions below:

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro

Gov. Shapiro ordered U.S. and Commonwealth flags on all Commonwealth facilities, public buildings and grounds across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to fly at half-staff immediately in honor of former President Carter.

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The flags will remain lowered to half-staff until sunset on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2024. Gov. Shapiro invited all Pennsylvanians to participate in the tribute.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker

Mayor Parker ordered all city of Philadelphia flags to be lowered to half-mast. She also posted the following statement on Carter’s death on Facebook.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy

Gov. Murphy released the following statement on Carter’s death:

“President Jimmy Carter was a man whose tremendous faith was equaled by his sense of moral courage and purpose. He saw a nation scarred by Watergate and sought to heal its wounds and restore its faith. He saw the promise for peace in the Middle East and took the first steps toward that elusive goal, including personally brokering a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. He saw a world imperiled by the threat of nuclear war and endeavored to protect it. 

“In addition to his accomplishments in public office, it is what President Carter did when he did not have an official title that has solidified his place among our nation’s greatest citizens. He served in the United States Navy with distinction. And he committed his life after the White House to charitable endeavors large and small to better our world – to promote peace, to fight disease, and to house the homeless, among so much else. 

“We pray that, in rest, President Carter will be reunited with his beloved wife Rosalynn. And we are sending our prayers, as well, to their children Jack, James II, Donnel, and Amy, along with their families, and all who had the pleasure of knowing President Carter through the years.

“In his youth, few probably ever fathomed the lasting imprint this son of Plains, Georgia would leave on the world. He proved that good people, wanting nothing more than to do good, can excel in politics and life. And, as he leaves us, we are forever grateful.”

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Delaware Governor John Carney

“Today, Tracey and I learned the sad news of the passing of former President Jimmy Carter. President Carter was a man of great faith and that faith inspired his service as Governor of Georgia and later as President of the United States. He was perhaps best known for the work he did after leaving office. He was a champion for peace and human rights at home and around the globe and was recognized for his efforts with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. And he inspired many with the work he did for Habitat for Humanity well into his 90s. President Carter truly embodied what it means to be a public servant and we are grateful for the legacy he leaves behind.”

Pennsylvania House Democrats

Pennsylvania House Democratic leaders issued the following statement on Carter’s death:

“President Carter dedicated his life to serving the American people, from his time as a submariner in the nuclear navy to fighting for equality and civil rights as a Georgia state senator and then as governor. 

“As president, he guided the nation past the dark memory of Watergate. Here in Pennsylvania, he was a steady, calming voice during the Three Mile Island crisis. Always an engineer, he was among the first to identify and advance renewable energy policies that, had they been maintained, could have changed the world we live in today. 

“After his presidency, he became a world leader once again in the arena of human rights and democracy, for which he was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize, and for decades, he was the face—and the man swinging the hammer—for Habitat for Humanity.  

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“Please join us in keeping former President Carter’s loved ones in your prayers as our nation mourns together.”

U.S. Senator Tom Carper 

Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) released the following statement on Carter’s death:

“President Carter was a man of unquestionable honor and integrity. From his time as a Navy midshipman to his years providing leadership from the White House, his life was defined by service. I know his legacy will live on with the good and necessary work of The Carter Center. President Carter lived an exceptional life, and our nation is better off because of his exemplary service. Martha and I are keeping his family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.“

Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia CEO Corinne O’Connell

Carter worked extensively with Habitat for Humanity, the nonprofit organization that works to build affordable housing.

Carter first volunteered with the group in Americus, Georgia, in March 1984. Since then, Carter and his late-wife Rosalynn Carter worked with nearly 104,000 volunteers in 14 countries to build, renovate and repair 4,390 Habitat for Humanity homes.

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After his death, Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia CEO Corinne O’Connell released the following statement.

Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia mourns the passing of President Jimmy Carter. During his life, President Carter rose to the most powerful office in the world and yet, remained grounded in his faith and rooted in his humble beginnings. 

President Carter spent much of his time post-presidency dedicated to Habitat for Humanity and helped to build 4,390 homes alongside more than 104,000 volunteers in 14 countries. For decades, he and his wife, Rosalynn, hosted the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project. The project attracts thousands of volunteers and continues to inspire millions around the world each year.

Locally, President Carter and Rosalynn worked alongside Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia staff, volunteers and homeowners to renovate five vacant houses on the 1900 block of Wilt Street in North Philadelphia in 1988 that were sold to first-time homebuyers. 

The world is a better place because of President Carter, and not just for the homes he had a hand in building. His emphasis on our shared humanity is an inspiration to all. Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia lifts the entire Carter family in our prayers.

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Pennsylvania Gov Josh Shapiro’s neighbor accuses him of stealing land in ‘outrageous abuse of power’

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Pennsylvania Gov Josh Shapiro’s neighbor accuses him of stealing land in ‘outrageous abuse of power’


Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s neighbors are suing the Democrat, accusing him of stealing a slice of their land to erect an eight-foot-high security fence around his private residence in an “outrageous abuse of power.”

The neighbors, Jeremy and Simone Mock, are currently duking it out with the governor in court over a 2,900 square foot parcel of land located between their two homes in Abington, Montgomery County, court papers show.

The Mocks alleged in a lawsuit filed last month that Shapiro and his wife, Lori, unlawfully seized the stretch of land after initial negotiations to buy it from them went up in flames.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s neighbors have accused the Democrat of stealing a slice of their land to erect an eight-foot-high security fence around his private residence. Josh Shapiro / Facebook

Shapiro claimed in a countersuit that he owns the disputed land due, citing an “adverse possession” loophole that makes it his because he has maintained the sliver of property for decades.

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The land-grab tit-for-tat kicked off last year when the Shapiros first sought to erect the huge fence and upgrade security following an arson attack on the governor’s official residence in Harrisburg while they were all sleeping inside on April 13.

Shapiro initially offered to pay the Mocks for the 2,900-square-foot section of land, which he for decades had believed was his, to be able to build the fence, the suit said.

The negotiations, however, fell through when the neighbors couldn’t agree on a price.

The Mocks allege that’s when Shapiro and his wife unlawfully claimed ownership of the property — even planting trees and having State Troopers stationed there.

“What followed was an outrageous abuse of power by the sitting Governor of Pennsylvania,” the Mocks’ lawsuit argues.

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The neighbors claim Shapiro had State Troopers stationed on the property after unlawfully claiming ownership, the lawsuit states. Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Shapiro initially offered to pay the Mocks for the 2,900 square foot section of land, which he had believed for decades was actually part of his own property, but the negotiations fell through, according to the suit. Eastern District of Pennsylvania

“To begin, the Shapiros suddenly claimed, without evidence, they owned the Mock Property through ‘adverse possession’ despite their previous acknowledgments that the Mock Property was owned by no one other than the Mocks and despite having never been awarded the Mock Property through adverse possession by a court,” the court filing states.

The law allows for an occupant to legally acquire the title of someone else’s property if they’ve occupied the area for over 21 years.

The Shapiros purchased their home in 2003 and long believed the disputed 2,900 square foot section of land was part of their property, meaning they had maintained it for more than the required 21 years, their countersuit claims.

As the issue continues to play out in court, Shapiro’s office suggested the entire saga was a political stunt.

“The Governor looks forward to a swift resolution and will not be bullied by anyone trying to score cheap political points, especially at the expense of his family’s safety and wellbeing,” his office told NBC when the dueling suits were filed.

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Funeral arrangements set for Pa. state trooper shot and killed in Chester County

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Funeral arrangements set for Pa. state trooper shot and killed in Chester County


The funeral arrangements for Corporal Timothy O’Connor, who was shot and killed in Chester County on Sunday, have been announced.

The viewing for O’Connor will be Tuesday, March 17, from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Church located at 338 Manor Avenue in Downingtown, Pa., according to the Parkesburg Police Department.

The funeral will be held at the same location on Wednesday, March 18, at 11 a.m., police said.

O’Connor was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Honey Brook on Sunday night. The suspect, Jesse Nathan Elks, took his own life after shooting O’Connor.

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O’Connor was a 15-year veteran of the Pennsylvania State Police who leaves behind a wife, Casey, and a 6-year-old daughter, according to police.

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Fire crews try moving burning barge to shallow water in Delaware Bay

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Fire crews try moving burning barge to shallow water in Delaware Bay


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Delaware, Pennsylvania, and federal agencies have been responding to a barge fire in the Delaware Bay. 

The barge, which is carrying salvage metal, is being moved to shallow water so it can be secured, allowing on-scene responders to extinguish the fire and complete salvage operations, according to a March 10 statement from the Delaware Emergency Management Agency.

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No injuries have been reported as of 1:15 p.m.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) is on scene to perform air monitoring, the statement said.

Responding agencies include the Wilmington Fire Department, Good Will, Leipsic Volunteer, Bowers and South Bowers fire companies. Also there are Delaware State Police, DNREC, New Castle County Office of Emergency Management, Kent County Department of Public Safety, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay.

The Philadelphia Fire Department was enroute.

This is a developing story. Check back with delawareonline.com for more information.

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



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