Woodbridge High School's FFA took the top spot at the 2018 Forestry Career Development Event (CDE) held in Camden, Delaware this week.  Woodbridge was followed by Middletown, Smyrna, and Sussex Central. Woodbridge will now go on to represent Delaware at the 91st Annual FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis from October 24 to 27, 2018. For the first time, the 2018 challenge included a total of eight middle and high school teams competing in separate events at the same location. Smyrna Middle School's FFA took first place in their event, beating out teams from Walters Middle School (Appoquinimink), Meredith Middle School (Appoquinimink) and Millsboro Middle School.

A partnership with the Delaware State Police and the Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police is helping the Delaware Forest Service reopen its historic picnic pavilion at Redden State Forest that was closed in early 2017 due to persistent illegal activity. The parking lot and rest area – popular with hikers and horseback riders – now features bright lighting, 24-hour video surveillance, and regular patrols by both marked and undercover law enforcement personnel. Along with these enhanced security measures, new signage reminds visitors that the site is closed from dusk to dawn.

In late-June, Delaware’s forests get an annual “physical” or “check-up” – just after spring’s “leaf-out" blankets the state in a wave of green color. Just as people should visit the doctor to be screened for potential diseases, trees are examined with a variety of tools to hopefully spot minor issues before they turn into major ones. Armed with a digital camera, GPS technology, and a tablet equipped with specialized software and satellite data, forest health specialist Bill Seybold boards a small plane for a sky-high view of the First State. The annual aerial survey is specifically designed to detect potential threats that can only be seen from the air. Fortunately, early results from the 2018 aerial forest survey indicate no major outbreaks of tree diseases or insect pests.

For the first time, the Delaware Forest Service (DFS) will issue turkey hunting permits through a separate lottery for the 2019 spring season. Previously, statewide permits were available only through DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife. The 2019 Delaware turkey hunting season runs for four consecutive weeks from Saturday, April 13 to Saturday, May 11, with a special youth and non-ambulatory disabled hunter day scheduled for Saturday, April 6.  State forest turkey permits will be issued for one of four season segments: A (4/13-4/19), B (4/20-4/26), C (4/27-5/3), or D (5/4-5/11).

Ashley Melvin, the Delaware Forest Service's education specialist who directs its successful Smokey Bear fire prevention program, received a Gold Smokey Award in Ohio recently at an annual meeting of state foresters. The award was presented to the Mid-Atlantic Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact's education committee, of which Delaware is a member. The compact is comprised of seven states including Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. In the world of wildfire prevention, there is no greater honor than to receive a Smokey Bear award, especially the national Gold Smokey award. These special awards are reserved for people or organizations that provide sustained, outstanding service, with significant program impact, in the wildfire prevention arena. Honorees demonstrate innovation, creativity, commitment and passion for wildfire prevention.

Shawn Patrick Mitchell of Greenwood, a recent graduate of Sussex Tech who plans to study wildlife and fisheries at Frostburg State University, received the Delaware Forestry Association's 2018 scholarship at the Delaware State Fair last week. Agriculture Secretary Michael T. Scuse and Governor John C. Carney were there to present the ceremonial check to Mitchell as his parents David and Melissa looked on. Once he earns his bachelor's of science degree, Mitchell hopes to be a game warden or park ranger one day.

The Delaware Forest Service is sending a crew of 20 wildland firefighters to the Northern Rockies to help battle wildfires in the West as the National Fire Preparedness Level is now at the maximum of 5 on a 5-point scale. The team is flying from Harrisburg to Missoula, Montana (MSO) on Sunday, August 5. Delaware also sent a crew to the Rocky Mountains on July 3.

DOVER, Del. – The Delaware Forest Service is looking to increase its wildfire crews for the upcoming season through training for new recruits. During the 2018 wildfire season, Delaware sent two full crews out to Colorado, Idaho, and Montana to be first responders. Interested recruits should be over 18 years old, physically fit, motivated, and […]

DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship Nonpoint Source Program is offering a free tree to Delaware residents in partnership with the Delaware Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry program within the Department of Agriculture.

The Delaware Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry Program is offering grants up to $5,000 for tree planting projects on public land or to help communities complete a professional tree inventory. The competitive grants – open to all municipalities, homeowner associations, and certified 501(c)(3) non-profits in the State of Delaware – require a 50-50 match in either cash (non-federal funds) or in-kind services, which includes volunteer or staff time, equipment rental, or supplies. Applications will be judged on a competitive basis by a grant committee of the Delaware Community Forestry Council. Eligible projects must be performed on public lands within the community. Priority will be given to first time applicants, Tree Friendly Communities, and applicants that have passed an Urban Tree Canopy Goal Resolution (only applies to Municipalities). Complete details at https://delawaretrees.com.

The Delaware Forestry Association’s 2019 Annual Meeting and Banquet will be Thursday, March 21 at the Felton Fire Hall. Highlights include the Delaware Tree Farm Committee's 2019 “Tree Farmer of the Year” Award and recognition of 25-Year Delaware Tree Farmers. The DFA is also offering its annual forestry scholarship. Application deadline is April 1. Details can be found at http://delawareforest.com

Volunteers are needed to plant 2,000 hardwood seedlings at Blackbird State Forest on Saturday and Sunday, April 13 and 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Two seniors from Middletown High School, Bryan Alberding and Nick Kupsick, are leading the project in cooperation with the Delaware Forest Service and the DNREC Nonpoint Source Program (NPS), which is funding the trees. The project will take place on Blackbird State Forest's Naudain Tract, 2076 Harvey Straughn Road, Townsend, Delaware 19734. The rain date is April 27 and 28, 2019.

The Delaware Forest Service will host its "23rd Annual Fire Camp" event at Blackbird State Forest (502 Blackbird Forest Road, Smyrna DE 19977) on Saturday, March 30 from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The intensive one-day seminar is the capstone of the agency’s wildfire training program to certify its emergency firefighters to meet National Wildfire Coordinating Group standards. State forest visitors should be advised that trail closures and other restrictions will be in effect for the event.

The Delaware Urban and Community Forestry Program has awarded more than $92,000 for 24 tree projects throughout the First State. Over the past 15 years, the annual grant program has provided more than $1.5 million to help communities increase tree canopy and promote the natural benefits of trees: cleaner air and water, increased property values and civic pride, and reduced storm water runoff and flooding.

Middletown High School FFA students won the 2019 “Forestry Career Development Event (CDE),” a challenging test of tree identification skills, forestry tools and knowledge, and math-related abilities. Also participating were teams from Sussex Central High School, Milford High School, and Millsboro Middle School. Each team consisted of four students who answered both individual and team-based questions. Middletown will now represent Delaware at the 92nd Annual National FFA Convention and Expo in Indianapolis that begins on October 30, 2019.

DOVER, Del. — A recent increase in severe deer damage to agricultural crops on two portions of Redden State Forest in Sussex County has created public deer harvest opportunities to assist local farmers. Through a partnership with DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife, the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service is opening specific portions of […]

The Delaware Forest Service (DFS) is accepting applications for its lottery to award state forest permits for the 2020 turkey hunting season, which begins April 11, 2020 and ends on May 9, 2020. A special one-day hunt for youth and non-ambulatory disabled hunters occurs on April 4, 2020. No Sunday hunting is allowed. State forest turkey permits are issued for one of four season segments: A (4/11-4/17), B (4/18-4/24), C (4/25-5/1), or D (5/2-5/9).

The Delaware Forest Service is looking for motivated recruits to enroll in wildfire training classes starting in February at the Delaware Department of Agriculture, 2320 S. DuPont Highway, Camden, DE. There is no cost for training and no previous experience needed. Candidates must be over 18 years of age, willing to learn, physically fit, and able to travel for at least two weeks at a time, usually in the summer months. Attendance at all classes is required for prospective wildland firefighters to achieve “red card” certification from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG). Students can register by filling out the online registration form by January 31, 2020. Complete details are at http://de.gov/wildfire.

Delaware's Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program is once gain offering up to $5,000 in matching funds for tree planting or tree management projects on public land or community open space. The competitive grants – open to all municipalities, homeowner associations, and certified 501(c)(3) non-profits in the State of Delaware (including churches and schools) – require a 50-50 match in either cash (non-federal funds) or in-kind services, which includes volunteer or staff time, equipment rental, or supplies. Requests can range from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $5,000 in only one of two project categories: tree planting or tree management (i.e., professional tree inventory, hazardous tree removal, or pruning).  Application deadline is March 6, 2020.

 Prudential Guidelines on Restructuring of Advances by Banks <

Agency: DTCC Closing Date: 5/12/2020

With increasing interest in Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD), many SAS Users want to know what can be done for Visual Analytics reports. In this article, I will explain how to use Python and SAS Viya REST APIs to extract a report from a SAS Viya environment and import it into another environment.

Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery – Using Python and REST APIs for SAS Visual Analytics reports was published on SAS Users.

Ever thought you could help save the rainforest without ever visiting the rainforest? Probably not, but now is your chance, and you can use it as your way to give back this Earth Day. This year, Earth Day celebrations will look different for everyone as we work to find meaningful [...]

Celebrate Earth Day virtually with your teen: Deforestation meets AI was published on SAS Voices by Lucy Kosturko

NEW CASTLE (Oct. 15, 2018) – Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker, a board-certified family physician, has been elected as a member of the prestigious National Academy of Medicine (NAM), Academy President Victor Dzau announced today during the organization’s annual meeting in Washington. Secretary Walker is one of 75 […]

Townsend --

Location: Blackbird Forest Road between Blackbird Station Road and US 13, near Townsend.

Times and Dates: 7:00 a.m. on April 15, 2020 until 3:00 p.m. on April 22, 2020, pending weather.

Traffic Information: DelDOT announces to motorists that Blackbird Forest Road will be closed for the removal and replacement of a crossroad pipe for drainage improvements. [More]

Please be advised that SEPTA Train Service to Claymont and Wilmington will resume daily service effective Sunday, May 10

For more information and schedule details, please visit www.septa.org. 

Thanks for riding!

Even some of the food processing companies have reported that they are not getting the raw material as village panchayats were not allowing anyone to enter to procure such raw materials.

A finance ministry official said some other state governments have also shown interest in borrowing from their respective state CAMPA funds, but refused to name them.

With increasing interest in Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD), many SAS Users want to know what can be done for Visual Analytics reports. In this article, I will explain how to use Python and SAS Viya REST APIs to extract a report from a SAS Viya environment and import it into another environment.

Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery – Using Python and REST APIs for SAS Visual Analytics reports was published on SAS Users.

Kerala High Court on Friday said that the petitioner, seeking directions to allow opening of churches in the state in the wake of various lockdown relaxations, can move a representation for...

A Smyrna man was arrested on drug charges following a traffic stop and vehicle search in Dover conducted by the Delaware Natural Resources Police.

DOVER, Del. – A Dover man was arrested March 3 on multiple poaching and criminal charges following an investigation by DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. On Feb. 15, a Fish & Wildlife officer responded to a complaint near Smyrna regarding a shot fired from a pickup truck toward hunters who were in a field amidst snow goose decoys. The vehicle from which the shot was fired was seen later driving through and making ruts in the field occupied by the goose hunters. Ryan Permelia, 28, was charged with one count each of hunting from a motor vehicle, hunting snow goose without required conservation order season permit, possession of prohibited lead shot while hunting migratory waterfowl, carrying an unlawfully loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, reckless endangering first degree, criminal mischief under $1,000, and criminal trespass third degree. Permelia was arraigned through Justice of the Peace Court 2 and released on his own recognizance, pending a future court appearance in the Kent County Court of Common Pleas.

Updated emergency declaration also bans gatherings of 50+ people statewide, and closes gaming in Delaware casinos WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Monday modified his March 12 emergency declaration to limit Delaware restaurants, taverns and bars to take-out and delivery service only to help prevent spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Governor Carney’s updated emergency […]

To limit the potential spread of the Coronavirus, the Delaware Forest Service is announcing the following actions, effective immediately: The Lodge at Redden State Forest will be closed to the public until further notice. All campsites at Redden and Blackbird State Forests will be closed to the public until further notice. All large gatherings (>25 people) scheduled for any of the State Forests will be cancelled. State Forests will remain open to the general public for the time being for outdoor activities such as hiking, bird watching, horseback riding, etc.

Out-of-state visitors must self-quarantine for 14 days before engaging in fishing, hunting, golf, visiting state parks and wildlife areas.

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Wednesday signed the ninth modification to his State of Emergency declaration, further limiting public gatherings and ordering essential businesses to take specific steps to enforce social distancing and fight the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19). Governor Carney’s modified emergency order limits public gatherings to 10 people through […]

Council Will Include One Health Expert, One Economic Development Expert and Respective Chiefs of Staff from Each State Council Will Develop a Fully Integrated Regional Framework to Gradually Lift the States’ Stay at Home Orders While Minimizing the Risk of Increased Spread of the Virus New Effort Builds on the States’ ongoing Regional Approach to […]

Twelfth modification allows the Public Health Authority to activate additional workers WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Thursday issued the twelfth modification to his State of Emergency declaration, which will allow the Public Health Authority to activate more out-of-state health care workers to assist in Delaware’s fight against COVID-19.        Read Governor Carney’s updated State […]

Operations at the Ferrari factories in Maranello and Modena will resume after the tragic coronavirus lockdown in Italy.

While the factory has restarted operations, it is at a partial stage and same is the case with dealerships.

In order to ensure a safer workplace environment, BMW Chennai plant has implemented several precautionary measures including remodelling of plant layout, individual protective gear for all employees and more.

Hyundai Motor India claims that it is ensuring 100 percent social distancing compliance in accordance with the standard operating procedure. 

Credit and Finance for MSMEs: Nitin Gadkari said that the government has made some decisions to help MSMEs grow in the post-Covid scenario such as increasing their working capital limit by 20 per cent.

A few days ago China sent a survey team to study Mt. Everest, today they reached the Advanced Base Camp at 6,500m (21,300ft). What's interesting about this expedition (besides the scientific work that it will do) is that two photographers, Li Pu and Cai Qing, used two Honor phones to capture some beautiful shots. One of these was the Honor X10 5G, which hasn't been officially announced yet (so these are the first official camera samples from the phone). The five shots have 10MP resolution, since pixel binning was used - the X10 will feature a custom Sony IMX600ysensor with 40MP raw...

After implementing a countrywide lockdown in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indian government has begun to slowly lift its restrictions. These measures forced manufacturers like Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo and vivo to temporarily suspend their smartphone production but with the eased restrictions all four are getting back to normal working conditions. Samsung Noida factory Samsung India issued a statement where it confirmed smartphone production in its Noida factory has already been restarted in limited capacity. Xiaomi also confirmed its manufacturing partner Foxconn has been...

The moratorium means in case of cash crunch in these extraordinary times, you may not pay the EMIs but the bank/FI will not classify your loan as a non-performing asset (NPA).

Investors should continue to invest in small savings schemes as the interest rates are still higher than that of bank FDs. They should look at tax-free bonds and avoid company deposits.

With new developments in technology, it has become easier to get a quick personal loan.

Closing a home loan account involves outstanding loan repayment, signing some forms, request for return of original documents, collecting no-dues certificate as well as the final interest payment certificate.