Tag: Nanticoke

Jul. 16—NANTICOKE — At a brief meeting Thursday the Greater Nanticoke Area School Board passed a school safety plan that — for now — would still require elementary students to wear masks, approved a one-year Act 93 agreement that gives 14 employees a 2% raise, and for the second consecutive month officially asked long-absent board Member Matthew Landmesser to resign.

Noting the safety plan is “ever changing” but also necessary to qualify for a $7.3 million federal COVID-19 grant, Superintendent Ron Grevera said the plan is to start school Sept. 7 “as close to normal as possible. Nobody is more excited about that than this guy.”

Grevera said most staff and many of the students 12 and over have been vaccinated, with another student vaccination clinic being set up for August. Which means the Education Center and High School are expected to open with no mask requirements, and lunches returning to the cafeteria for all students — elementary students had been eating in their rooms at their desks during the peak of the pandemic. The district still intends to try to maintain three feet of social distance, the current recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

But students in the elementary school will still be wearing masks under current guidance, he said, though that could change either with new guidance from the CDC or state, or with approval of a vaccine for younger children.

The Act 93 agreement covers non-union employees, primarily administrators and staff other than the superintendent. The board unanimously approved the agreement, a sharp contrast to the June meeting where the eight members present split evenly on the motion to approve,

Landmesser was the lone missing member at that meeting, making the tie possible with eight members instead of nine. At that meeting, the board also voted to ask Landmesser…

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Headlines July 13, 2021

Here are some of the top stories we’re following for Tuesday, July 13, 2021.

Damian Giletto, Wochit

He helped bring hope to those in Delaware in need of medical care. 

Dr. Jose Castro Pamintuan, who died last month, leaves a legacy in which he provided new health care opportunities to the people of Kent and Sussex counties, including co-founding Dover’s Hope Medical Clinic. 

“Dr. Pamintuan was one of the primary care volunteer physicians at the Hope Clinic for over 10 years,” said Dr. Vicenta P. G. Marquez, a co-founder of the Hope Medical Clinic. “He was very kind, compassionate and an excellent clinician.”

Though Pamintuan was a cardiologist by training, Marquez said he was a general practitioner at Hope because of their clientele.

“He treated all patients the same way as if they were his private patients,” she said. “Also, he genuinely catered to each patient trying to understand the whole patient – soul, mind and body.”

Born in the Philippines to a school teacher and homemaker, both of whom were also farmers, Pamintuan excelled at San Fernando High School where his obituary said he earned a seat at the University of the Philippines College of Medicine. 

After receiving his medical degree in 1961, he traveled to the United States to further his education, completing a postdoctoral fellowship in…

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A spider hung on the ceiling above my kitchen sink. It was probably there for days, but I only noticed it last Thursday. A similar spider used to hang in the upper corner of my bathroom. It might’ve been the same spider. They certainly look alike: long, thin legs protruding out of a tiny brown body that’s a little bit longer than most daddy long-legs I’ve seen. I took a picture and sent it to my friend, a biologist who specializes in spiders. He said it was a Pholcus phalangioides, better known as a long-bodied cellar spider.

Cellar spiders like to dwell in spaces where there’s not a lot of light and the temperature is around 50 degrees, like basements, caves, and under stones. When one gets inside a house, it makes webs in the corners of ceilings. They don’t bother anyone; they’re good for pest control since they eat small insects and other spiders. I decided this new spider settler can stay for a while.

The spider was gone the next morning. In its place were a tiny spider—leftovers from last night’s dinner, no doubt—and fragments of its web. I started missing the spider until I saw it in the opposite corner of my studio apartment ceiling, minding its own business. Normally I don’t care about insects until they get into my apartment, and then they must die. It’s my small part in contributing to the proud American tradition of protecting one’s God-given private property from outsiders, even if the outsiders were here first.

White people in particular love to dominate other people’s land. The Nanticoke were one of the many tribes that originally inhabited the Delmarva Peninsula, where I live, living peacefully off the land and Chesapeake Bay until Captain John Smith arrived in 1608. At first, the…

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We’re just a few days removed now from the fantastic July 4th holiday weekend. We certainly hope everyone had a great time celebrating Independence Day here in the coastal region.

But the Summer of 2021 rolls on this week with several more fantastic mid-year events planned at and near the Delaware and Maryland beaches.

This week’s featured event actually requires a short drive to the west of the beaches, but is one of the summer’s most highly anticipated annual festivals.

Read more about the 2021 Nanticoke Riverfest festivities below, as well as events in Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Ocean City, Wilmington and more.

And whatever you happen to have planned for this second weekend of July, make it a memorable one while the weather is still warm and the beaches are alive with excitement.

Have a great few days everyone!

NOTE: We also wanted to mention that the popular Funland Amusement Park on the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk will no longer be requiring advance reservations effective Thursday, July 8, and will be reverting back to its long-time practice of selling individual tickets for all rides. Great news!

Nanticoke Riverfest (July 10)

One of the summer’s most popular festivals returns this weekend after a one-year hiatus, when the Nanticoke Riverfest again takes center stage in nearby Seaford.

The highlight of this annual event is the popular float-in, which begins at 8:30 a.m., on Saturday, July 10. So grab an intertube or anything else that floats on the water and join hundreds of other festival goers on a long and relaxing float down the Nanticoke River.

In addition to the wildly popular float-in, other entertainment and activities planned throughout the day include a performance by the Nanticoke Indian Dance Troupe, several musical performances, a large car show, a children’s area, a “hidden idol” activity,…

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Oyster House Park, at the site of the old J.B. Robinson Oyster House in Seaford, is now open on the Nanticoke River.

The first of four construction phases was recently completed, allowing the public to access an extended riverwalk, fishing nooks, entertainment deck, short-term boat docking facilities and a kayak launch.

“This investment will not only draw people to the waterfront to enjoy the natural beauty of the river but also to Seaford’s downtown businesses,” said Seaford Mayor David Genshaw. “We believe this park will have a significant economic boost to not only our downtown but will also impact future investments along the waterfront.”

DOWNSTREAM: New park coming to Seaford is one-of-a-kind on the Nanticoke River

Future construction phases, to be completed over the next five years, include:

• Phase Two: Construction of 75-seat amphitheater and overflow lawn with room for 200, which will tie into the entertainment deck. Landscaping and water quality enhancement projects.
• Phase Three: Construction of visitors center, a scaled-down replica of the J.B. Robinson Oyster House. Building will include restrooms, information and historic exhibits and space for meetings, classes and similar events.
• Phase Four: Construction of a pavilion and a “tribal council ring” for Nanticoke Indian ceremonies, as well as path and walkway improvements. 

RELATED: Work begins on Seaford’s eco- and family-friendly Oyster House Park

The $1.2 million project will focus on enhancing access to both the Nanticoke River and the city of Seaford along the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail (also known as the Chesapeake Trail).

It’s funded by a mix of government and nonprofit money, with the Chesapeake Conservancy playing a pivotal role.

MORE: Why are songbirds dropping dead in Maryland, Delaware and West Virginia?

Neighbors helping neighbors after tornado damages homes in Milford

Shannon Marvel McNaught covers Sussex County and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com.

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Jul. 3—NANTICOKE — State Sen. John Yudichak Wednesday said the strength of Pennsylvania’s technology infrastructure directly impacts our ability to compete for private capital investment, attract new companies, and create 21st century jobs.

Yudichak, I-Swoyersville, said the state is failing to attract major data center developers.

“That’s because our tax policy is driving development and private capital to other states,” Yudichak said. “The passage of the state budget demonstrates Pennsylvania is stepping up and competing for high-wage technology jobs, and establishing an economic game plan to attract the world’s tech giants to Pennsylvania.”

Yudichak announced that several initiatives in the 2021-2022 state budget package will help Luzerne County and northeastern Pennsylvania continue to recover from the economic impact of COVID-19 by setting the stage for private sector job growth.

Earlier this year, Yudichak was named the Chairman of the Senate Community, Economic & Recreational Development Committee, which has broad oversight of the Commonwealth’s community and economic development programs.

Yudichak said he collaborated with State Rep. Donna Oberlander and Sen. Scott Hutchinson — the primary sponsors of legislation to provide a sales and use tax exemption for the development of computer data centers — to form a coalition of organized labor and the technology industry that successfully advanced House Bill 952.

Yudichak said the legislation will position Pennsylvania to compete for billions of dollars and thousands of jobs in the construction of enterprise data centers.

Local Share Account — Luzerne County

As part of the Fiscal Code (HB 1348), Yudichak said changes are being made to the Luzerne County Local Share Account Program. He said the changes will create an innovative public-public partnership between the Commonwealth and Luzerne County to fund much needed public infrastructure projects that will improve public safety and enhance the county’s ability to attract large economic development projects.

Story continues

Local Resource Manufacturing Tax Credit Changes

As part…

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What began as a standalone community hospital on East Mountain Drive in Plains Twp. has transformed into a regional medical center with a mission to make better health easier for residents of Luzerne County and beyond.

Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

Its history traces back to 1981 when three hospitals merged into the one that would modernize health care delivery in Northeast Pennsylvania.

Originally NPW Medical Center, a consolidation of Nanticoke, Pittston and Wyoming Valley hospitals, the health care facility was renamed Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center shortly after opening, as Geisinger joined the collaboration after Nanticoke’s withdrawal.

Geisinger recently received five-star status from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid as it celebrates its four decades of service to the community.

It is the highest quality and patient safety score bestowed by the organization, putting the medical center among the top 14% of hospitals in the country.

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, the rating is based on five categories: mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience and timely and effective care.

Dr. Karlyn Paglia, chief medical officer at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, said Geisinger Wyoming Valley is the only CMS five-star hospital in Northeast Pennsylvania.

“We are proud to provide care of unsurpassed quality to residents of the region,” Paglia said. “With a full spectrum of services available to our patients and members, we look forward to caring for our community for many more years to come.”

Andy Carter, president and CEO of the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania, said Geisinger is a “leading contributor to health care and insurance coverage” throughout much of the state.

“Geisinger has fostered innovation and played a central role in improving access to quality health care,” Carter said. “They are one of the nation’s few fully integrated health systems that brings insurance…

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The Lower Sussex Little League District 3 Senior All-Stars won their games over Nanticoke and Laurel, 12-1 and 15-3, on Monday, June 2.

Coastal Point photos • Jason Feather

Every year around this time, the Little League All-Star circuit begins, and it’s generally a safe bet that the District 3 softball titles will come through Lower Sussex Little League.

Such was the case on Monday, June 28, when the LSLL Senior League girls swept their way to yet another district championship with wins over Nanticoke/Laurel by scores of 12-1 and 15-3.

Megan Daisey picked up the win in the circle for the first game, and Kinsley Hall was victorious in Game 2. Neither struggled to stay ahead of the N/L hitters from start to finish.

Offensively, LSLL banged out 14 hits in Game 1, with Laniya Lewis and Jaya Shaub the big blows as each slammed home runs over the outfield fence. Shaub’s solo blast was the lone run scored for the locals in the third inning. Lewis drove her shot high and deep into the trees in center field for a three-run bomb in the fourth.

Hall went 3-for-3 in the game, with three singles and three runs scored. Shaub finished up the game 3-for-4, with a pair of singles in addition to her home run and scored three runs. Logan Marvel was 3-for-4, with two singles and a double.

In the nightcap, Hall did it from the circle and at the dish, helping her own cause going 4-for-5 with an inside-the-park home run, in addition to her three singles and four runs scored. Izzy Wade also scored four runs for the winners and finished 3-for-4, with a double and two singles. Shaub once again swung a big bat, going 4-for-5…

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The Nanticoke Indian Powwow is moving to Hudson Fields in Lewes for its 43rd year.

Held off Route 24 in Millsboro until now, the event celebrates the unique cultural traditions of the Nanticoke Indian Tribe. It attracts thousands of people annually, including many other East Coast tribes.

“It’s a time the Nanticoke tribe or any tribal community celebrates heritage, comes together as a renewing and refreshing of our spirits, remembers our ancestors,” said Chief Natosha Harmon Carmine. “We’re also teaching our children our culture and our traditions and sharing them with the public at large.”

Carmine is the first female chief of the Nanticoke Indian Tribe, beginning her tenure in 2016. She said they planned to move the powwow to Hudson Fields last year for “exposure and accessibility” purposes, but the event was canceled due to COVID-19.

HISTORY: Nanticoke Indians once owned the land around Cypress Swamps

The Nanticoke Indian Tribe is one of two state-recognized Native American tribal communities, along with the Kent County-based Lenni Lenape.

There were about 200 Nanticoke warriors living with their families along the Nanticoke River in when it was sailed by Capt. John Smith in 1608, according to the tribe’s website. The Nanticokes eventually dispersed after European colonization, but a number of them moved east and settled near on the Indian River near Millsboro.

Today, about 500 Nanticokes reside in Sussex County, the website says. 

WATCH: Native Americans on Maryland’s Shore: A peek into a little-known culture

THINGS TO DO: A summer bucket list for Delaware: Don’t miss these 16 experiences in 2021

This year’s powwow will take place from 4-8 p.m. to Friday, Sept. 10; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11; and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12.

Events include a pig roast, vendors, drumming and dance sessions. Keith Colston will emcee, Urie Ridgeway will serve as arena director, and Keith Anderson and Adrienne Harmon will be the head dancers….

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Nanticoke — Without comment, both before and after the Thursday’s monthly meeting, the Greater Nanticoke Regional Board of Education voted 8-0 to ask member Matthewland Messer to resign. The board also approved a final 2021-2 budget that would raise taxes by up to 4.5% in the state, but keep most of the $ 2.2 million fund balance intact.

Landmesser missed multiple consecutive meetings, Has dealt with police accusations of invasion privacy.. State school law allows the school board to remove members who were absent from two consecutive meetings, but there are exceptions that obscure the matter, said district solicitor Vito De Luca after the meeting. I said in. The code looks clear, but there was a state Supreme Court ruling that created a gray area as to why people were absent from the meeting.

If Landmesser agrees to resign, the board has the option of appointing a replacement to meet his term. But DeLuca didn’t say what the board’s options would be if it didn’t resign.

The final budget will maintain the 4.5% property tax hike that was in the final budget approved last month and raise the tax rate to 12.4473 mils. Gristmills are taxed at $ 1,000 or $ 1 for each assessed asset value.

The final budget differs from the proposed budget in one important way. It is the amount of reserves spent to balance income and expenses. Business consultant Tom Melone said the district found a variety of savings in supply purchases, medical expenses and elsewhere, combined with additional revenue from federal subsidies, with a balance of approximately $ 2.2 million.

Conclusion: The $ 34.8 million spending plan requires only about $ 197,463 from reserves, and most of the cash balance could remain intact by the end of the…

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