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DNREC opens new Delaware Environmental Laboratory

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DNREC opens new Delaware Environmental Laboratory


DNREC opened the new Delaware Environmental Laboratory near Smyrna today with a ceremonial ribbon cutting for a state-of-the-art facility that features scientific analysis of emerging contaminants such as PFAS, water quality testing and early detection in Delaware of human and animal diseases. DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson led the cutting. Celebrants, left to right, were: DNREC Deputy Secretary Dayna Cobb, former DNREC Secretary Shawn Garvin, Sec. Patterson, Delaware Environmental Lab Director Ashley Kunder, former DNREC Secretary Christophe Tulou, former DNREC Secretary David Small, State Senator Stephanie Hansen, US EPA Region 3 Deputy Administrator Catherine Libertz, State Sen. Kyra Hoffner, Kate Rohrer representing US Senator Chris Coons, and John Gentile, representing Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester.  /Delaware DNREC photo

 

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s Delaware Environmental Laboratory has opened near Smyrna, providing a state-of-the-art facility to test water quality, chemical contaminants including per- and poly fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and conduct molecular and microbiology. DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson was joined today for a ceremonial ribbon cutting by representatives of the state’s congressional delegation, state legislators, former DNREC cabinet secretaries and organizations that depend on the environmental lab for scientific analysis.

The new lab replaces a facility that has operated since 1983 in a converted 19th-century cannery that serves as DNREC’s headquarters building in Dover. The spacious new lab building will house up to 24 scientific, technical and support staff. With its strategic location adjacent the state Department of Health and Social Services Public Health lab, the Delaware Environmental Laboratory will perform testing in support of environmental and public health programs focused on detection of human and animal diseases, as well as environmental emergency response, education and training. The new facility is the third environmental lab in the state’s history.

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Construction of the Delaware Environmental Laboratory was supported by a combined $29.7 million from the American Rescue Plan Act – funded by President Joe Biden and Congress – and state funds.

“DNREC’s lab has done amazing work in the last 40 years but did so in spaces that looked like a middle school science classroom, so it definitely needed an upgrade,” DNREC Secretary Patterson said. “The new modern, environmental lab will provide optimum conditions for the skilled and dedicated staff DNREC depends on to help protect the health and safety of Delawareans and our environment, with greater capabilities for addressing environmental and public health challenges of today and into the future.”

Beyond the lab’s expanded capabilities for analytical testing and applying scientific expertise, the proximity between the new DNREC laboratory and the Division of Public Health lab will enable the state to benefit from support between technical experts, materials and supplies when critical situations arise, such as preventing disease outbreaks on coastal beaches or helping mitigate accidental industrial releases of toxic substances or the impacts of pollutants – with both labs focused on underserved or at-risk communities throughout the state.

DNREC expects the new facility to encourage continuing innovation from the various specialized sections of the lab in meeting global environmental and public health challenges of the times, with PFAS and other contaminants of emerging concern among the priorities. The new Delaware Environmental Laboratory continues to increase DNREC’s analytical testing capability. The lab has established new testing capabilities for PFAS, emerging contaminants and other specialized testing, such as environmental DNA. Beyond meeting DNREC’s analysis needs, the Delaware Environmental Lab also serves organizations such as the Center for the Inland Bays, the Delaware River Basin Commission, the U.S. Geological Survey, Delaware Geological Survey and the University of Delaware.

“The opening of our new environmental laboratory represents a significant investment by the state,” said Delaware Environmental Laboratory Director Ashley Kunder. “This strengthens our ability to provide high-quality scientific data that state agencies and policymakers rely upon to make informed decisions and protect our natural resources. Most importantly, this laboratory reflects our commitment to the citizens of Delaware. This new facility supports our talented group of scientists and technical professionals, thus strengthens our ability to deliver timely, accurate, and defensible data. We are excited to begin this new chapter and look forward to meeting our mission of protecting public health and the environment.”

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About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Water manages and protects Delaware’s water resources.
For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X or LinkedIn.

Media Contact: Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

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Delaware

Power outage number tops 13,000 in Delaware County as storm hits

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Power outage number tops 13,000 in Delaware County as storm hits


Storms hit Saturday shortly before 3 p.m. in Delaware County with limbs down on lines, wires down, plus lightning strikes, and quickly nearly 8,000 PECO customers were without power.

There was an accompanying deluge as well in parts of the county, with many low-lying areas flooding. The power outage number continued rising to 10,365 by 3:10 p.m., and to over 13,000 by 3:30. By 4 p.m. that number began to decline.

The first lightning strike dispatch was to a house in the 100 block of Edgewood Avenue in Haverford Township, and crews were dispatched minutes later to the Five Guys on Town Centre Drive in Concord Township.

Crews arriving on both scenes reported nothing was evident, but they would investigate further, according to radio traffic.

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Fire stations were also sent to a water rescue in the 2800 block of East County Line Road in Haverford. Police arrived first and reported that half the vehicle was underwater. The officer soon located the driver, who had gotten out and made it to safety, according to radio traffic.

Police, fire and ambulance dispatches continued rapid fire at 3:30 p.m. PECO was asked to respond to numerous locations. Numerous alarm calls were also received at the county communications center.

A National Weather Service-issued severe thunderstorm warning was in effect for eastern Delaware County until 3:30 p.m. There was also a flash flood warning for the same area until 6:45 p.m.

One rainfall measurement was available at 3 p.m. That was St. Davids, where 0.71 inch of rain was recorded in less than 45 minutes, eventual reaching eight-tenths of an inch.

The Philadelphia International Airport recorded 0.32 inch of rain.

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Sunny skies were expected to dominate the weather for the workweek, with high temperatures rising into the 90s on Wednesday and likely to stay there at least through Friday.



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New information on “sophisticated cybercriminal attack” against Delaware County

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New information on “sophisticated cybercriminal attack” against Delaware County


Saturday, July 11, 2026 1:40PM

New information on "sophisticated cybercriminal attack" against Delaware County

MEDIA, Pa. (WPVI) — There is new information about what is being called a “sophisticated cybercriminal attack” against Delaware County.

According to officials, hackers were able to gain limited access to the county’s network and some of the data stored on it.

They are working with cybersecurity experts to learn the extent.

The sheriff’s office, district attorney, libraries and county council have all been dealing with disruptions since the attack on June 26.

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The county’s internal networks are now up and running, and work is still ongoing to reinstate external-facing county services.

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Investigation underway after controversial traffic stop in Delaware

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Investigation underway after controversial traffic stop in Delaware


DOVER, Del. (WPVI) — Delaware State Police are investigating a controversial traffic stop making the rounds on social media.

The video shows a trooper forcing a woman out of her car, slamming her to the ground, punching and tasing her.

It happened on July 7, in Dover, Delaware.

But Delaware State Police say the video doesn’t tell the whole story. They released a statement to provide what they call necessary context and clarity.

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State police say the woman, identified as 38-year-old Sierra Hopkins, was initially pulled over in the area of S. Bay Road and Lafferty Lane in Dover for having suspended tags, no car insurance, and no driver’s license.

She was issued citations and let go, but then stopped again minutes later by the same trooper on E. Lebanon Road, who decided to follow protocol and have her car towed.

State police say he did this because Hopkins had been cited for the same violations five days earlier.

Things quickly escalated during this stop, with police stating she refused to leave her car, resisting, kicking and scratching the trooper in the face.

It all happened while several juveniles were in the car.

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“This is such a vulnerable and tender moment… I’m sure her children were present, which brings another cause of concern because that’s trauma,” said Fleur McKendell, President of Delaware NAACP State Conference.

McKendell says her organization is pushing for a full and thorough investigation.

“It’s really deeply concerning. It’s evoked a lot of strong emotions from myself, my organization, as well as the public. I think it’s important to understand the full context of the content we have viewed before reaching conclusions, so I’m very eager to review available video footage and the circumstances that preceded and occurred during that incident,” says McKendell.

Delaware Governor Matt Meyer is also weighing in on this confrontation.

He released the following statement to Action News:

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“Every law-enforcement officer is entrusted with a duty to protect, to serve, and to uphold the dignity and rights of every person, in every community. Policing relies on trust. That trust is not automatic; it is earned every day through mutual respect, integrity and transparency. The people of Delaware deserve transparency, and this administration will not turn away from that responsibility.”

Hopkins was later charged with assault of a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest; driving without a license, endangering the welfare of children and other registration violations.

State police did not mention the current status of the trooper.

Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.



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