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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.”

Rising concerns over bird flu

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 Marijuana Commissioner Rob Coupe will step down later this month as the industry continues its momentum toward opening.

Coupe was appointed by Gov. John Carney and confirmed by the state Senate to be the first commissioner after the use and sale of adult-use recreational marijuana was legalized in 2023. His last day will be Jan. 17, but he said he might use some vacation days before going back to construction as the chief of staff at CRx Construction in Rehoboth Beach.

A few days after Coupe leaves the office for good, Matt Meyer will be inaugurated as Delaware’s next governor.

Coupe was approaching his 40th year in public service. He has held leadership positions with the Delaware State Police, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the Department of Correction, the Department of Technology and Information and the Delaware Department of Justice.

“It seemed like a fitting time to go out,” he said.

More: Delaware’s marijuana industry lottery winners begin to navigate uncharted waters

Now, the position is back in the hands of the governor. Carney is still in office, but Matt Meyer is set to take over later this month. Despite this, Coupe said Deputy Marijuana Commissioner Paul Hyland will stay in his role while continuing to lead the Office of the Marijuana toward its goal of opening retail locations in the spring.

Coupe said he is proud of how the office has handled the challenge of regulating and guiding the new industry.

“We’ve made a lot of progress,” he said. “It’s been a lot of great partnerships to pull this off.”

A few weeks ago, 15 people were awarded open retail licenses out of 529 eligible applicants. Licenses for open and social equity cultivators, manufacturers and testers have been awarded for every county in the state since October. The state’s medical marijuana dispensaries, which Coupe brought under the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner, are also converting to adult-use recreational retail.

More: Delaware awards 15 retail licenses for marijuana dispensaries

In a statement, Carney thanked Coupe for his service in Delaware.

“As I’ve said before, there are few people across our state who are more well-respected and more committed to serving the people of Delaware, than Rob Coupe,” Carney said. “I knew he was the right person to take on the challenge of serving as Delaware’s first Marijuana Commissioner and he has proven his success leading that Office.”

Shane Brennan covers New Castle County with a focus on Newark and surrounding communities. Reach out with ideas, tips or feedback at slbrennan@delawareonline.com. Follow @shanebrennan36 on X, formerly Twitter.

(This story was updated to add a photo gallery.)

SHARON HILL, Pa. (WPVI) — Leaders in Delaware County gathered on Thursday to condemn an alleged racist attack in Darby Township back in late November.

State lawmakers, members of county council, local police, and the Delaware County Black Caucus were all in attendance.

“We will not tolerate this type of behavior in Darby Township without a consequence,” said Darby Township Police Chief Mike Sousa.

The man at the center of the investigation is former Sharon Hill Assistant Fire Chief John Romano.

Sharon Hill Council President Tanya Allen said Romano has been suspended by the fire company’s Board of Trustees, and the borough has also severed ties.

“Our community and our neighbors deserve to feel comfort and safety when thinking about a first responder coming and what perspective that person has of them,” Allen said.

The borough also released the following statement on December 31 at https://sharonhillboro.com/about-us/news/statement-from-sharon-hill-borough-council/

The victim says the attack began as Romano blocked traffic on Hook Road loading trees onto a truck in front of J&P Fence, a business he once owned, according to someone who works there.

Drivers were honking their horns and the victim says she was second in a line of seven cars.

She says Romano let the first car pass, but when she went to drive by, Romano used his truck to stop her.

An affidavit alleges he hurled racial slurs and epithets and shot video of her license plate.

Romano now faces charges of disorderly conduct, harassment, terroristic threats, and ethnic intimidation. Police confirm there is body camera video of the incident.

“The officers that were involved were shocked as much as I was shocked after reviewing it and brought it right to my attention and the charges were filed. It was pretty cut and dry and that easy,” said Chief Sousa.

Action News tried to reach Romano at home for comment but no one answered the door. Another worker at J&P Fence told Action News Romano hadn’t worked there for months.

During Thursday’s press conference, State Senator Anthony Williams was critical of Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer’s absence despite being invited.

“I’m saying this with yes, a level of frustration and anger because this same person has come to our community, specifically African Americans, on a number of occasions saying look, I need us to change how Delaware County is viewed. You’re not changing a damn thing when you’re not here!” Williams said forcefully.

During his own news conference, Stollsteimer condemned Romano’s alleged actions and called them heinous but cited the ethics of his position for not attending.

“My understanding from the letter Senator Williams sent to me was they were going to call on an economic boycott of the defendant’s alleged business. I cannot be party to that,” Stollsteimer said. “My ethical duty is to make sure that I am only saying statements related to the facts of the prosecution.”

Stollsteimer went on to say, “My number one duty, unlike a politician who can stand at a press conference and say whatever they want, I actually have a responsibility to make sure something happens, something, in this case, positive happens for the community and that is he is held accountable for the hatred he showed to the victim.”

On Thursday, Stollsteimer also shot back over criticism from Williams of his decision not to release the video it at the time.

“Absolutely not. That is evidence of a crime. It’s not a prop for a press conference, it is evidence of a crime and I would be outside of my ethical duties as district attorney. There is no legitimate law enforcement purpose to release to the public that video evidence until such time as he has gone through the criminal justice process,” Stollsteimer said.

Romano has a preliminary hearing in Delaware County on February 18.

A hearing with the Sharon Hill Fire Company regarding his suspension is also set for February.