October 21, 2021
Following one of the deadliest weeks on Delaware roads, DelDOT urges motorists and pedestrians to use extra caution
DelDOT has informed Rep. Gray's office that last week was one of the deadliest weeks the department had on our roadways in recent memory. Nine people lost their lives over those seven days.

These fatalities included two pedestrians, five motorcyclists, and two motorists. According to DelDOT Secretary Nicole Majeski, "While the causes for these crashes are still under investigation, we do know that they occurred under different conditions, roadway types and times of day."

Secretary Majeski further stated, "I want to reiterate the department’s commitment to safety. We are actively working with our partners in law enforcement, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security and the Office of Highway Safety to implement our Strategic Highway Safety Plan that is focused on our eight data-driven emphasis areas and includes a series of engineering, enforcement, and education initiatives that focus on improving the safety of all modes of transportation."

She also said, "We need everyone to do their part to keep our roadways safe. Slow down, don’t drive aggressively or distracted and watch for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists."

Last year 117 people lost their lives in crashes on Delaware roadways. To date this year, there have been 105 fatalities, which is eight more than this same time last year.

October is also Pedestrian Safety Awareness Month. As a reminder to both motorists and pedestrians, please be reminded of the importance of driving attentively and being aware when crossing roads at crosswalks.

Secretary Majeski also stated that over the next six years, DelDOT’s capital improvement program will invest hundreds of millions of dollars in safety projects across the state, which includes intersection improvements, median barrier installation, horizontal curve safety, lighting, mumble strips, installation of high friction surface treatment, separate bike and pedestrian facilities, safe walking and biking routes to schools and safe transit access.
Mandatory 10-digit dialing takes effect on Sunday (October 24th)
Federal communications officials are reminding all Delawareans that they will need to dial the area code and 7-digit phone number on local calls starting Sunday (October 24th).
 
The change is due to a decision made by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) last summer when the agency adopted rules to establish 9-8-8 as the new, nationwide phone number for Americans in crisis to connect with suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors.
 
To ensure that calls to 988 reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, all covered providers are required to implement 10-digit dialing in areas that use 988 as the first three numbers in seven-digit phone numbers. Delaware is one of the areas with a 988 exchange.
 
Beginning Sunday, consumers must dial 10-digits (area code + telephone number) for all local calls. On and after this date, local calls dialed with only 7 digits may not be connected. In such cases, a recording will inform callers that the call cannot be completed as dialed.
News from DNREC: Rosedale Beach boat ramp to close temporarily for repairs
The Rosedale Beach boat ramp and parking lot on Indian River Bay will temporarily close for ramp repairs beginning TODAY (October 21st), DNREC announced this week. The project will include a concrete patch to repair a large crack that runs along the center of the boat ramp. Project completion is anticipated by Friday, October 29th, weather permitting.
 
Other DNREC public boat ramps on or near Indian River and Indian River Bay include the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s Masseys Landing boat ramp and the Division of Parks and Recreation’s boat ramps at Indian River Marina in Delaware Seashore State Park and at Holts Landing State Park.
Selbyville Police and Selbyville Fire Company are teaming up to host a Trunk-or-Treat event on Saturday, October 30th
National Drug Take Back Day will be held on Saturday (October 23rd)
A FREE Recycling & Paper Shredding Event will take place on Saturday (October 23rd) at Long Neck Elementary
The Food Bank of Delaware announces opportunities for virtual and in-person food drives in advance of Thanksgiving
In preparation of the Thanksgiving holiday season, the Food Bank of Delaware is announcing a couple of food drive opportunities for individuals and organizations to host.

This year’s Thanksgiving food drives can be held in a hybrid fashion with opportunities for virtual and in-person food drives or both.

The virtual food drive mirrors an online shopping experience where shoppers can select food items and place them in a shopping cart to check out and make a secure tax-deductible donation to the Food Bank. To start a virtual food drive, please click here.

For individuals and businesses interested in conducting physical food drives, collection barrels may be picked up (participants may also use their own collection boxes), and donations may be delivered to the Food Bank of Delaware in Newark (222 Lake Drive) and Milford (1040 Mattlind Way) Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
 
To ensure your in-person donations can be distributed in time for Thanksgiving, please be sure to deliver the food items by Thursday, November 11th. Items delivered after that date will be distributed through the remainder of the holiday season. To plan an in-person food drive, please click here.
To contact Ron: [email protected]