Delaware
Hearing March 6 on proposed animal sanctuary in Delaware sparking criticism and support
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Delaware Animal Services and the Office of Animal Welfare urge Delaware residents and visitors to be vigilant of pet abuse this summer by reporting pets left in parked vehicles.
Delaware Animal Services
A proposed animal sanctuary near Hartly has led to a stampede of questions about how many animals and what kind will be housed at the property.
The plan is on the agenda at the Kent County Regional Planning Commission’s public hearing at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 6, at the County Administrative Complex, 555 S. Bay Road, Dover.
The hearing is also accessible by phone by calling 1-408-418-9388 with access code 23399384113 and online with instructions on the county’s website.
First State Animal Center and SPCA is proposing a home for animals like horses and other livestock and a few older dogs, according to John Parana, First State’s executive director.
The residential and agricultural property, about 11.5 acres at 3048 Hartly Road north of Halltown Road, has been donated to the animal center which operates at 32 Shelter Circle, Camden.
The county’s category for this proposed use is “commercial kennel,” and that has probably led to the speculation about what is planned, Parana said.
Some people on social media have said the sanctuary will be housing dozens of dogs, perhaps aggressive dogs, with concerns about all the barking.
“That’s been the major complaint,” Parana said, adding that the animal center has received dozens of phone calls asking if it’s true. It is not, he said.
“We will have primarily larger animals that have been neglected, abused or are in need medical attention and a place to live out the rest of their life quietly,” Parana said. “A lot of them have been used as work animals, but the owners don’t have the resources to care for them anymore.”
County Assistant Planning Director Kris Connelly said the definition for “commercial kennel” comes from the county code: “any building or land used for the housing, breeding, training or care of animals for commercial purposes. This use includes animal hospitals.”
No limit to the number of animals has been specified in the applicant’s proposal, Connelly said.
Parana said about 10 animals will be at the property at any given time, mostly ones referred to First State Animal Center and SPCA by government agencies like the Delaware Department of Agriculture.
At least one caretaker will be at the site 24 hours a day.
“We will have a few dogs, but they won’t be vicious,” Parana said. “They will mostly likely be terminally ill, and we’ll be keeping them comfortable.”
An example would be a dog with diabetes whose owner can’t afford insulin and isn’t available to give the dog shots at the required times.
“People don’t adopt a dog like that,” Parana said.
Another main complaint Parana has seen from opponents to the sanctuary is that it will hurt property values in the area.
“We are working with the county to create a park-like setting,” Parana said. “The property is fenced in now, but the county requires a privacy fence around the entire property and over 200 trees as buffers, and we will do it. We need a place for these animals.”
He said the area near the property has multiple commercial businesses, including a scrapyard, a concrete and asphalt recycling center, an automobile body shop and even an Amish kennel that breeds and raises dogs.
While the staff at First State Animal Center and SPCA has received complaints and has seen social media comments against the proposal, they have also received about 300 comments of support from people who think the sanctuary is a good idea, Parana said.
On the center’s Facebook page, the staff posted “an urgent answer to all the phone calls we are receiving” in response to what they described as “misinformation being spread in the Hartly area.” The post gives information about what First State Animal Center is planning at the sanctuary.
The property is in the county’s 6th District, represented by District Commissioner Paul Hertz, who didn’t immediately respond to a call or email Wednesday afternoon about the proposal.
After the public hearing March 6, the Regional Planning Commission is scheduled to make a recommendation about the animal sanctuary at its business meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 13.
Reporter Ben Mace covers real estate, development and business news. Reach him at rmace@gannett.com.
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During their NFL careers together, Michael Vick connected with DeSean Jackson for 13 touchdown passes in Philadelphia.
The former Eagles teammates will meet up on Thursday, Oct. 30, coaching against one another at Lincoln Financial Field in a showdown between two prestigious Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Jackson is in his first year leading Delaware State (5-3, 1-0 MEAC), while Vick is in his first year with Norfolk State (1-7, 0-1).
Stream Norfolk State football vs. Delaware State live on Fubo (free trial)
“It’s a hell of an opportunity to be across the field from DeSean,” Vick said on Monday, Oct. 27 (via Norfolk, Virginia CBS affiliate WTKR). “That’s what I respect. We’ve worked hard for this and we’ll see how it goes.”
The Spartans fell to South Carolina State, 51-20, last weekend in their MEAC opener, while the Hornets defeated North Carolina Central 35-26.
Here’s how to watch, including time, TV schedule, live streaming info and game odds:
What TV channel is Norfolk State vs Delaware State on today?
Norfolk State vs Delaware State will air on ESPNU in Week 10 of the 2025 college football season. The teams will play at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, with Tiffany Greene (play-by-play) and Jay Walker (analyst) calling the game.
Streaming options include the ESPN app (with a cable login) and Fubo, the latter of which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
Norfolk State vs Delaware State time today
- Date: Thursday, Oct. 30
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
The Week 10 MEAC matchup between Norfolk State football vs. Delaware State is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, Oct. 30.
Norfolk State vs Delaware State predictions
- Prediction: Delaware State 42, Norfolk State 28
Jackson and Delaware State earn a two-touchdown victory over Vick and Delaware State behind a three-touchdown rushing performance from running back Marquis Gillis.
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A criminal history, even one stemming from a juvenile arrest or a minor driving violation, can be a lifelong barrier to opportunity for many Delawareans. Whether or not a conviction occurred, a record can follow a person for years, showing up in background checks run by employers, landlords and loan officers.
An expungement offers a way to break that cycle. The legal process removes police and court records from public databases, allowing former defendants to move forward without being required to disclose past arrests or charges.
To help people navigate that process, several Delaware lawmakers and state agencies are hosting free expungement clinics this fall, offering one-on-one legal counseling to help eligible residents clear their records and reclaim new opportunities.
3 events planned across Delaware
Before the year ends, Delaware residents will have three opportunities to attend an expungement clinic where free, individual legal counseling will be available.
The events are organized in collaboration with the Office of Defense Services, the Delaware Criminal Justice Information System, or DELJIS, and the Delaware Department of Labor’s Advancement through Pardons and Expungement APEX Program. The Office of the Marijuana Commissioner has joined as a new sponsor this year and is contributing up to $5,000 to help cover expungement-related fees.
The sessions are open to individuals with Delaware criminal records. Services are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and advance registration is required.
Where and how to attend
The Middletown Expungement Clinic will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Whitehall Recreational Center in Sen. Nicole Poore’s district. Registration is available at bit.ly/48gnKto.
The Smyrna Expungement Clinic will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. Nov. 6 at the Duck Creek Regional Library in Sen. Kyra Hoffner’s district. Registration is available at bit.ly/3KaHOn3.
In Sussex County, the Office of Defense Services will host the Life Church Expungement Clinic from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 18 at The Life Church in Laurel. Registration is available at forms.gle/bACj1h1xouk452oz8. For more information, contact Maria Clark at the Office of Defense Services at 302-688-4560.
Organizers say the goal of these clinics is to help Delaware residents overcome the lasting effects of old criminal records and move toward greater economic and personal stability. They said, by removing barriers to employment and housing, expungements can help people reenter the workforce, support their families and participate fully in their communities.
To share your community news and activities with our audience, join Delaware Voices Uplifted on Facebook. Nonprofits, community groups and service providers are welcome to submit their information to be added to our Community Resources Map. Contact staff reporter Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline.com.
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