Delaware
Delaware County crossing guard resigns after attack in Darby Borough, Pennsylvania
Outrage is growing after a school crossing guard was punched and knocked unconscious in front of children earlier this week in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
Darby Borough police said the guard was chased and attacked Monday afternoon while helping students cross the street after school. A driver got out of his car and targeted her after he became angry about having to wait, officials said.
The victim worked for Safe Corridors, a volunteer-driven nonprofit founded in 2012 that provides school support and mentoring. Risa DeSilva-King, the nonprofit’s chief of operations, said Safe Corridors employs about 60 crossing guards across the city of Chester, the borough of Darby and the borough of Sharon Hill.
DeSilva-King said the victim is traumatized and has resigned because she no longer feels safe.
“This is the first time we’ve had a crossing guard intentionally assaulted by a member of the community,” DeSilva-King said. “We were completely shocked, disgusted and dismayed.”
Now, the person stepping into that role said the job feels more dangerous than ever.
“I gotta be visual,” Larry Cottrell, the new crossing guard at the intersection, said. “I gotta constantly look around, my surroundings.”
He’s now working at the same Darby Borough intersection, South 6th and Walnut streets, where the attack happened. Cottrell said the attack is troubling.
“It wasn’t right for the kids to see something like that,” he said.
In response to the attack, Safe Corridors is now working with state Sen. Anthony Williams’ office on proposed legislation that would classify crossing guards as first responders and require a minimum sentence for anyone who assaults them.
“I think the job of a crossing guard can be pretty dangerous, especially depending on the community where that crossing guard is working,” DeSilva-King said.
The organization is also reevaluating safety measures.
“One of the things I learned is that supplying the crossing guards with walkie talkies would be a great start, so they can call in for help,” Jonathan Abdur-Rahim King, the founder of Safe Corridors, said.
DeSilva-King said Safe Corridors provides monthly professional development to its crossing guards and safety advocates.
“I have always instructed our crossing guards to maintain their professionalism,” DeSilva-King said. “That includes not going back and forth verbally with aggressive drivers because that can escalate a situation. Based on my interactions with this crossing guard, as well as my review of the video, this crossing guard was not aggressive with the driver verbally or otherwise. And so this attack was totally unprovoked.”
After school dismissal on Thursday, people in Darby showed support with kind words and appreciation.
“Crossing guards are very valuable to the community,” Tiffany Spisak from Colwyn said. “Not a lot of people respect stop signs, so it’s very important to have crossing guards out there just to make sure the kids are safe.”
Cottrell said he’s prepared if the suspect returns.
“I’ll be waiting for him,” Cottrell said. “If he comes at me like that, I’m going to defend myself.”
Police are asking for the public’s help identifying the suspect. Sen. Williams’ office is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
“Increasingly in our society standards of respect and dignity are collapsing, for a man to hit a woman who is at least six to seven inches shorter and probably close to 100 pounds lighter,” Williams said. “I thought the suspect was cowardly in how he ran away. We need to send a message to a generation that possibly thinks it’s OK to do that, that they need to rethink how they handle their frustrations and how they approach people they have difference of opinions with.”
Delaware
Lavender & Lambs Festival Returns to Brittingham Farms June 27 – Milford LIVE! – Local Delaware News, Kent and Sussex Counties
The Delaware Lavender & Lambs Festival returns to Brittingham Farms on June 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring farm activities, local vendors and seasonal attractions set among blooming lavender fields. (Photo courtesy of Brittingham Farms.)
The Delaware Lavender & Lambs Festival will return to Brittingham Farms on Saturday, June 27, offering a full day of farm-based activities, local vendors, and seasonal attractions set among blooming lavender fields.
Now in its fourth year, the event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the farm, located at 22518 Phillips Hill Road in Millsboro.
Organizers say the festival highlights both the peak bloom of lavender and the farm’s heritage sheep, with activities designed to showcase agricultural traditions and local craftsmanship.
Attendees will be able to take part in u-pick lavender, wagon tours of the farm, colonial-style wool spinning demonstrations, and country line dancing. The event will also feature more than 50 vendors, including local artisans, boutiques, and specialty food producers.
Food and drink options are expected to include food trucks, lavender-themed treats, ice cream, and alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine.
Tickets are available for $12 in advance for attendees ages 10 and older, with day-of admission priced higher. Organizers note that a limited number of early ticket purchasers will receive a complimentary u-pick lavender bundle.
Additional information about tickets and event details is available through Brittingham Farms.
Sara Uzer is a journalist from Sussex County with more than 15 years of experience as a writer, editor, and community advocate. She started her career in Washington, DC and has lived in Sussex County for the past five years.
Looking for a new furry friend? Over 1,000 pets will be waiting to meet you at Brandywine Valley SPCA’s Mega Adoption Event in Delaware.
The event will take place Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Bob Carpenter Center at the University of Delaware in Newark.
Organizers said dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens from BVSPCA and participating partner organizations will be available throughout the event for $35 in adoption fees.
All pets available at the two-day event will be spayed/neutered, microchipped, and up to date on vaccinations.
The event is supported by Best Friends Animal Society, a national nonprofit organization whose goal is to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters and make the country no-kill. No-kill is defined by a 90% save rate for animals entering a shelter.
“Our Megas are such inspiring events, providing a lifeline to so many pets who have lost everything. Seeing these dogs and cats chosen by families eager to give them a new life full of love is what it’s all about,” BVSPCA CEO Adam Lamb said in a news release. “As the largest adoption event in the country, our goal with the size and format is to save even more lives by reaching folks who might not otherwise consider coming to a shelter to adopt.”
“We’re proud to support Brandywine Valley SPCA’s Mega Adoption Event and the incredible impact it has on pets and the community,” said Aurora Velazquez, East Regional Director, Best Friends Animal Society. “Events like this bring people together around the shared goal of helping more dogs and cats find loving homes.”
Organizers said a limited number of early-access fast passes will be available for purchase. If you are a fast pass holder, you will receive entry one hour before general admission on Saturday, June 20.
If you are considering adopting a new pet, please bring a leash and collar for dog adoptions, a carrier for cat adoptions, a valid ID, and the adoption fee.
This event will celebrate the BVSPCA’s 22nd Mega Adoption. Over the years, more than 22,000 pets have been adopted into loving homes.
More details and volunteer opportunities are available at megaadopt.com.
Dewey Beach restaurants and bars on gloomy Memorial Day weekend
As they say at The Starboard, “When it rains, we pour.”
No, Taylor Swift was not in Dewey Beach this weekend.
However, there was a little truth to the rumors that pervaded social media.
Travis and Jason Kelce were invited to a wedding in Dewey this weekend, Starboard owner Steve “Monty” Montgomery said.
“The groom played football with them at Cincinnati and is close with those boys,” Montgomery said.
The Starboard is one of Dewey’s most iconic bars and restaurants and has offshoots across town, such as Starboard RAW and Starboard Sauced.
Montgomery said he did close Starboard RAW for the wedding party May 29, but the professional football-playing brothers and Travis Kelce’s ultra-famous fiancée, Taylor Swift, did not end up attending the wedding.
Reach Shannon Marvel McNaught at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Facebook.
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