Delaware

Delaware Governor Vetoes Physician-Assisted Suicide Bill

Published

2 months ago

September 20, 2024

Delaware Governor Vetoes Physician-Assisted Suicide Bill

Bishop William E. Koenig of the Diocese of Wilmington praised the governor’s move in a statement.

The governor of Delaware, John Carney, used his executive power on Friday to veto a bill that would have legalized euthanasia in the First State.

Carney, the outgoing Democratic governor, rejected House Bill 140 a week after it made it to his desk. The proposed law, commonly referred to as a physician-assisted suicide law, would have allowed terminally ill people with less than six months to live to request and take medication to end their lives.

The bill passed both houses of the Delaware State Assembly in the spring. The state House of Representatives approved the proposed law by a 21 to 16 vote on April 18. The state Senate passed the legislation by the narrowest of margins — 11 to 10.

Carney released a statement on Friday after he issued his veto, noting that he “consistently opposed a state law that would allow physician-assisted suicide. … I am fundamentally and morally opposed to … enabling someone, even under tragic and painful circumstances, to take their own life.”

“I still don’t believe a firm consensus has been reached on what is a very difficult issue — in Delaware or nationally,” he added.

The governor — who had recently secured the Democratic Party’s nomination to become the next mayor of Delaware’s largest city, Wilmington — cited the official position of the American Medical Association that laws like the one just rejected in Delaware are “fundamentally incompatible with the physician’s role as healer.”

Bishop William E. Koenig of the Diocese of Wilmington, which covers the entire state of Delaware and the eastern shore of Maryland, praised the governor’s move in a statement.

“I want to express my sincere appreciation to Gov. Carney for vetoing H.B. 140,” he said “… I also want to thank the thousands of Catholics and others of goodwill who helped with their prayers and efforts to protect the elderly, ill, and disabled of our community.”

The bishop also underlined that “all human life is created in the image and likeness of God and must be protected, especially the most vulnerable.”

During a July 2024 panel discussion, Matt Vallière of the Patients’ Rights Action Fund spotlighted that if Delaware and Massachusetts rejected their proposed laws legalizing assisted suicide, it would be “three years in a row with no new legal states [permitting physician-assisted suicide].”

Massachusetts’ bill failed to clear the legislative session in 2024, which ended at the end of July.

Evangeline Bartz of Americans United for Life, who also took part in the panel, noted there have been 11 other states that rejected euthanasia: Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

Ten states — California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington — and the District of Columbia have “medical aid in dying” (MAID) laws that allow assisted suicide.

Pope Francis reaffirmed the Catholic Church’s condemnation of euthanasia in a message to an interfaith symposium on palliative care earlier in 2024: “I would point out that authentic palliative care is radically different from euthanasia, which is never a source of hope or genuine concern for the sick and dying.”

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Delaware

Here are 9 holiday light shows to catch this season in the Delaware, Philadelphia region

Published

8 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Here are 9 holiday light shows to catch this season in the Delaware, Philadelphia region

From walks to drive-thrus, there are plenty of opportunities to catch a holiday light show this season.

Various shows and events are taking place throughout Delaware and across the Philadelphia region this year.

Here are nine holiday light shows to check out:

Longwood Gardens

Spectators of the holiday light show at Longwood Gardens are in for a special treat this year as “A Longwood Christmas” kicks off amid the opening of “Longwood Reimagined.”

The expansion features new spaces like the West Conservatory, which will offer new areas to deck out for the holidays.

Longwood Gardens, located near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, launched its holiday light display on Friday, Nov. 22, and it will run daily through Jan. 12. To make a reservation, visit the sprawling garden’s website.

Address: 1001 Longwood Road, near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

Website: longwoodgardens.org

Yuletide at Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library

Holidays at the Winterthur Museum on Route 52 features twinkling lights adorning the woodlands, a large-scale gingerbread house and an 18-room dollhouse, according to the museum’s website.

The holiday display will be open to the public starting Saturday, Nov. 23, and will run through Sunday, Jan. 5.

You can purchase tickets online or by calling the museum at 800-448-3883.

Address: 5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, Delaware

Website: winterthur.org/

Holidays at Hagley

Get a glimpse of Hagley Museum and Library around the holidays with a holiday home and garden tour.

The site features a gingerbread house contest, Santa day, holiday night tours and more.

The holiday experience at Hagley runs from Sunday, Nov. 29 through Wednesday, Jan. 1. Purchase tickets online to schedule your holiday tour.

Address: 200 Hagley Creek Road, Greenville, Delaware

Website: hagley.org/

Drone show at the Riverfront

The Wilmington Riverfront during the evening hours of Friday, Dec. 6, will host a drone holiday light show.

The free holiday light show will take place on the Riverwalk. For more information about the event, visit the Riverfront’s website.

Address: Michael S Purzycki Riverwalk in Wilmington, Delaware

Website: riverfrontwilm.com/event/drone-light-show

Shady Brook Farm

If you are willing to take a drive for a holiday light display, look no further than Yardley, Pennsylvania’s Shady Brook Farm.

You can drive through the holiday show yourself or take a wagon ride through. The holiday festivities begin Saturday, Nov. 23 and run through Jan. 5, 2025. Ticket prices are per vehicle and vary depending on the day of your visit.

The farm also features Santa’s Village with gifts, treats, firepits and a Candy Cane Lane walk-through.

Address: 931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley, Pennsylvania

Website: shadybrookfarm.com

Gift of Lights Dover

The Dover Motor Speedway will once again host its drive-thru holiday light show this year.

Tickets are priced per carload at $35 per car and $60 per bus or limo.

Address: 1229 Persimmon Tree Lane, Dover, Delaware

Website: giftoflights.ticketspice.com/gift-of-lights-dover

The Brandywine Railroad

Since 1972, the Brandywine Railroad has displayed model trains, including locomotives, passenger and freight trains, and trolleys as part of its annual holiday display.

The display also features interactive options like “push buttons and foot pedals” so visitors can engage with the train setup.

The holiday display began on Saturday, Nov. 16, and runs through Jan. 5. For more information visit the Brandywine Museum of Arts’ website.

Address: 1 Hoffman’s Mill Road, Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania

Website: brandywine.org/museum

Holiday Lights Express

Take a festive ride on 100-year-old heated coaches through the Red Clay Valley to see homes decorated for the holidays.

The Wilmington & Western Railroad hosts one-hour evening train rides during the month of December. To purchase train tickets, visit the venue’s website.

For a visit from Santa Claus, be sure to reserve train tickets for the Santa Claus Express.

Address: 2201 Newport Gap Pike, Prices Corner, Delaware

Website: wwrr.com/ride/events/holiday-lights

NOËL at Nemours Estate

Experience the holidays at the Nemours Estate by touring the 77-room mansion, chauffer’s garage and gardens adorned in twinkling lights.

The estate also will feature live music performances throughout the season.

The festivities at the Nemours Estate began Tuesday, Nov. 19 and will extend through Sunday, Dec. 29. Purchase tickets on the estate’s website and reserve your visit.

Address: 1600 Rockland Road, Rockland, Delaware

Website: nemoursestate.org

Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com. Follow her on X at @mandy_fries.

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Delaware

Dolgeville vs Delaware Academy

Published

16 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

N. Scott Trimble

High School football 2024 Class D playoffs: Dolgeville vs. Delaware Academy

Dolgeville battles Delaware Academy at Cicero-North Syracuse Friday, November 22, 2024 for the Class D playoffs. (N. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.com)Get Photo

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Delaware

The Delaware Springboard Villages to build a new community center – 47abc

Published

24 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

The Delaware Springboard Villages to build a new community center – 47abc

GEORGETOWN, Del. – The Delaware Springboard Villages announced Friday, that they would be breaking ground on a new community center. Co-founder of the organization, Jeffrey Ronald thinks this new center will bring more unity into the neighborhood.

“Breaking ground on this community center is not just for the participants of the Springboard Village. It’s for the broader Georgetown community where they will have access to job training, life skills like financial planning, communication skills, and healthcare.”

The state-of-the-art facility will feature computer labs, a telehealth conference room, staff offices, and a commercial kitchen. These resources will help guests toward self-sufficiency.

Executive Director, of Springboard Delaware, Judson Malone thinks this can be life-changing for those in need.

“It gives them a completely new perspective, and it is incredible when people come from the woods. It’s almost transformational, their whole outlook changes, and so the community center is going to build on that.”

According to Springboard Delaware, nearly 25% of guests have gained full employment. Around one-third have transitioned to permanent housing. Ronald is excited about the future of the Springboard Villages.

Governor-elect, Matt Meyer supports the organization. Ronald believes this will only grow stronger. “Matt Meyer who spearheaded the Hope Center, has been to the Springboard Village. He has kindly declared, and we think wisely declared, that he wants to replicate this model across the entire state. Hoping to help disadvantaged Delawareans build a better life.”

The villages are located on the property of the First State Community Action Agency behind their Georgetown headquarters. It houses up to 40 individuals.
It is the expectation they come in with a plan to find full employment.

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