Delaware
Delaware lawmakers revise wetland legislation amid concerns from farmers, developers
Delaware lawmakers are amending a newly introduced measure that aims to provide greater protections for the state’s nontidal, or freshwater, wetlands.
The legislation, sponsored by state Sen. Stephanie Hansen, D-Middletown, comes more than a year after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled certain wetlands are not protected under the federal Clean Water Act.
Delaware is the only state in the mid-Atlantic that does not have a nontidal wetland protection program. Since 1988, there have been six failed legislative attempts to protect these resources in the state.
During a legislative hearing Wednesday, environmental groups said state regulations for nontidal wetlands are long overdue. However, developers and farmers voiced concerns that Hansen’s bill could impact anyone who wants to build on wetlands, or whose property contains wetlands.
Hansen said she believes a substitute bill will address those concerns.
“We already have been able to bring together disparate groups that previously had not been able to come to an agreement, and had not come to the table with a willingness to successfully work together,” she said.
“What we heard today with some of the testimony is we need to bring a few more people to the table, as well, which we are certainly happy to do. And we have a head start on it now.”
Also known as freshwater wetlands, nontidal wetlands are found near inland areas and do not have tidal influxes of water. They can be found in several forms, including depressions, rivers and swamps.
Nontidal wetlands make up more than half of Delaware’s wetlands. However, their acres have reduced over time because of threats such as sea level rise, development and agricultural practices.
Delaware law protects saltwater wetlands. However, the state has relied on federal regulations to manage freshwater wetlands with fewer than 400 contiguous acres.
Since the most recent Supreme Court decision, almost half of Delaware’s nontidal wetlands have been vulnerable to development without oversight.
Hansen’s current legislation would allow nontidal wetlands to be managed under the same program as the state’s saltwater wetlands regulations. Under the bill, developers would be required to prevent impacts to freshwater wetlands.
Hansen introduced similar legislation in 2020 after the federal government rolled back protections for freshwater wetlands, but it did not receive support from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
The Office of the Delaware State Bank Commissioner has approved Capital One’s $35.3bn acquisition of digital banking and payment services company Discover Financial Services and its subsidiary, Discover Bank.
This approval marks a key step towards completing the merger. The deal, valued at $35.3bn, was initially announced in February 2024.
At close, shareholders of Capital One will own around 60% and Discover shareholders will own nearly 40% of the merged entity.
The deal is expected to create the sixth largest bank in the US by assets and a global payments platform at scale.
Planned to be completed in early 2025, the transaction awaits approval by the shareholders of both companies, as well as the Federal Reserve Board and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
As part of the acquisition, shareholders of Discover Financial Services will receive 1.0192 Capital One shares for each share held.
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Capital One founder, chairman and CEO Richard Fairbank said: “Through this combination, we’re creating a company that is exceptionally well-positioned to create significant value for consumers, small businesses, merchants, and shareholders as technology continues to transform the payments and banking marketplace.”
In July 2024, Capital One unveiled a five-year, $265bn community benefits plan tied to the acquisition.
As of 30 September 2024, Capital One Financial reported $353.6bn in deposits and $486.4bn in total assets.
The company is engaged in providing a wide range of financial products and services to small businesses, consumers, and commercial clients through multiple channels.
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McRib sandwich becomes crime fighting tool for Delco officer
A tense encounter for a Delaware County police officer who used an unusual but tasty method to help a disabled man get the help he needed.
PROSPECT PARK, Pa. – A tense encounter for a Delaware County police officer who used an unusual but tasty method to help a disabled man get the help he needed.
The crime fighting tool? A McDonald’s McRib sandwich.
“He was a little bit excited when we got there,” explained Prospect Park Police officer Samuel Willis, when he was dispatched to Witmer Memorial Field for a man causing a disturbance Wednesday afternoon.
Willis didn’t know what to expect when he arrived.
“It was a subject with disabilities and also suffered with some mental health problems,” he said.
Willis says the disabled man, who was with two aides, was in severe mental distress and yelling. But, instead of responding with handcuffs, a stun gun or a gun, Officer Willis offered the man a meal.
“I asked him if I would be able to get him a McRib and maybe some fries, if that would be able to defuse the situation,” explained Willis.
Willis hopped in his patrol car and drove to McDonald’s on Lincoln Avenue to buy the man a McRib sandwich, fries and a chocolate milkshake. He went back to the park and delivered the meal along with some frank conversation.
“I was able to go back, bring the food to him. You know, kind of sit him down and be like ‘Hey listen, you need to treat your aides with respect,’” said Officer Willis.
And that’s all it took. A boneless pork patty smothered in barbecue sauce with a side of compassion.
“At the end of the day, the least force outcome is the best,” added Willis.
His boss, who trains de-escalation techniques, says the interaction was a veteran move by the officer with about two years with the Department.
“I’m extremely impressed by what he did. I’m extremely proud of what he did. You know, it speaks well for the entire police department and I couldn’t be happier with the results,” said Prospect Park Police Chief Dave Madonna.
It turns out, even McDonald’s got into the act. Once they heard the officer was helping someone in need they donated the meal. “I’m really happy to hear that our food can make a difference in somebody’s day,” said McDonald’s manager, Alexis King.
The man was eventually able to get the help he needed and get home safely. As for the limited time sandwich helping law enforcement?
“Hopefully they’ll keep it on the menu longer,” said Madonna.
According to McDonald’s website, the McRib will only be available until January 28th, 2025.
Longwood shimmers in Christmas lights, with new additions on view
A Longwood Christmas – on view through January 12, 2025 – brings bright lights and lush greenery back to the stately gardens. The results of a years-long construction project are also now open. Timed tickets are required and very limited through the holidays but with more availabilty in January.
Going-out-of-business sales are expected to begin at all Big Lots stores – including those in Delaware – in the coming days as the company closes its businesses, according to an announcement Thursday.
The retailer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September and closed 340 stores, though none in the First State. The closures were part of a sale agreement with an affiliate of Nexus Capital Management LP, which Big Lots has since announced likely will not be completed.
The company said it still “continues to work toward” an alternative going concern transaction with Nexus or another party. CEO Bruce Thorn said the closures could be reversed if a company sale is completed.
Big Lots has five Delaware stores located in the Wilmington area, New Castle area, Seaford, Dover and Milford. The stores are still open, and no exact closure dates have been released.
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