This story is part of the WHYY News Climate Desk, bringing you news and solutions for our changing region.
From the Poconos to the Jersey Shore to the mouth of the Delaware Bay, what do you want to know about climate change? What would you like us to cover? Get in touch.
The sudden deaths of hundreds of commercial chickens on a farm in Kent County, Delaware were likely caused by the bird flu, according to the Delaware Department of Agriculture.
The birds tested positive for avian influenza at a University of Delaware lab. Samples were sent to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for further confirmation.
More than 120,000 chickens on the farm were impacted by the outbreak, according to the Delaware Department of Agriculture. The majority of those succumbed to the virus, while the remaining birds were euthanized to prevent the spread of disease, a spokesperson said.
The impacted area of the farm, which has not been named, has been quarantined.
The poultry industry is a major contributor to Delaware’s economy, with farms raising more than 200 million chickens a year. In 2022, Delaware’s chicken industry generated $5 billion in poultry sales.
“Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) can be very deadly to domestic poultry, so it is important to quickly stop the spread of the virus,” a spokesperson for the state said in an email.
“As a $5 billion industry, Delmarva has thousands of families that depend upon this business sector for their livelihoods. Strict biosecurity is essential to ensure the virus is not unknowingly transported from farm to farm.”
Avian influenza has been on the rise globally, including in the United States since 2020.
The bird flu is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can spread quickly among flocks of domestic and wild birds, and can also spread by infected equipment and clothing of caretakers.
Nearly 130 million chickens and other poultry have been impacted since the beginning of the current bird flu outbreak in 2022, driving egg prices to record highs.
In recent weeks and months, there have been numerous reports of outbreaks among wild birds and farm animals from Michigan, to Texas to Missouri.
Last week, Delaware announced positive cases among snow geese found at Prime Hook Beach. The public has reported more than 850 wild bird deaths, though the causes have not been confirmed and officials don’t know how many reports are duplicates.
There’s also increased concerns about the spread of bird flu among cattle, prompting the U.S. Department of Agriculture to test milk nationwide. Since March, there have been outbreaks among cattle in 16 states. States, including Delaware and Pennsylvania, have restricted the movement of dairy cattle and are testing their milk.
Last month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency after some of the state’s dairy cows contracted the disease.
On Thursday, the Biden administration set aside an additional $306 million to help combat bird flu.
Delaware Valley picked up five bonus point wins to take a 40-29 home dual win over High Point in Frenchtown.
Luke Cyphert started the dual at 215 with a pin over High Point’s Kaleb DeFalco. Julian Bednar (120), and Tristian Fawthrop (132) also won via pin.
Oliver Paul gave the Terriers (3-0) five points off a 21-6 tech over John McCarthy at 175, Michael Hasson took a 23-7 tech over Tyler Brarman at 144 and state qualifier Sebastian Dobak earned a 7-1 decision over Gerard Empirio at 150. Vincent Rainey outlasted Thomas Jaust at 113 for a 7-4 sudden victory win.
Trey Falkenstein picked up a forfeit at 138 to make it a four match sweep for Del Val between 132 and 150.
Luke Tompkins recorded a pin for the Wildcats (1-1) at 157 while Jack Kitchart picked up a pin at 190. Region 1 third place finisher Gavin Mericle took a 2-1 decision win over Luken Alberdi at 285, Logan Takach recorded a 7-3 decision over Tanner Donaruma at 126 and Jayden Ruplall earned five points at 165 with a 17-1 tech over Rylan Bush.
Primo Maschio won the $110,000 DSBF series championship for sophomore male pacers Thursday at Bally’s Dover
Photos by Quenton Egan Photography
DOVER — Following decisive wins in both preliminary legs, Primo Maschio dug deep to head off Lew Not Lou for a 1:52.3 triumph in the $110,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders’ Fund (DSBF) series championship for 3-year-old male pacers on Thursday, Dec. 18, at Bally’s Dover.
Primo Maschio and driver Trae Porter landed second-over on the first turn behind Shore Not Beach (driven by Pat Berry), who worked to clear early leader Lew Not Lou (Jason Thompson) for the lead at the end of a :27 first quarter. Left uncovered off the first turn, Primo Maschio drove on to assume control of the terms with a circuit to go, and the Badlands Hanover-Primadonna gelding rolled to the half in :55.
Up the backstretch and through the far turn, Primo Maschio faced sustained pressure from Lew Not Lou, who re-emerged from third to force a :28.2 third quarter and pose an even bigger threat off the home turn.
“I was a little worried,” said Porter of Lew Not Lou taking aim at Primo Maschio off the corner. “He got to my saddle pad, but as soon as we got to the top of the stretch, my colt dug in deeper. He’s such a nice horse.”
Primo Maschio kept Lew Not Lou a neck at bay while Shore Not Beach stayed on from the pocket to finish third, just a length shy of the top pair.
Walter Callahan trains Primo Maschio, now a 19-time winner with $414,618 in earnings from 27 career starts, for Forrest Bartlett. As the overwhelming 1-10 favorite, Primo Maschio paid $2.20 to win.
Tommy Denvir scored a game-high 30 points for Delaware Valley in its 61-51 win over Bernards in Alexandria.
Delaware Valley (2-0) led 40-27 at halftime against Bernards.
Lochlyn Marsh scored 12 points for Delaware Valley. Peter Dubljevic had eight points.
Ryan Frame and Richie Jobs each scored 16 points for Bernards (0-3). Ricky Giebel tallied 10 points, five rebounds, four assists and five steals. Casey Hoeckele recorded 12 rebounds with four points and three blocks.
Addy Brown motivated to step up in Audi Crooks’ absence vs. UNI
How much snow did Iowa get? See Iowa’s latest snowfall totals
Elementary-aged student killed in school bus crash in southern Maine
Frigid temperatures to start the week in Maryland
The Game Awards are losing their luster
Nature: Snow in South Dakota
Family clarifies why they believe missing New Mexico man is dead
Nebraska lands commitment from DL Jayden Travers adding to early Top 5 recruiting class
