VOL. 12 NO. 39
THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2008
50 cents
NEWS HEADLINES Morning Star celebrates anniversary This week, Morning Star Publications celebrates its 12th anniversary. Thank you to the advertisers and readers for making the Seaford and Laurel Star newspapers the largest paid circulation newspapers in western Sussex County. SCHOOL REFERENDUM SET - Laurel School Board votes to hold a tax referendum. The date for the referendum will be set later. Page 3 GOING GREEN - County making effort to recycle office paper. Page 10 STUDENT ACTORS - High school drama club ends the year on a comic note. Page 12 SEEKING ACCREDITATION - Area high school to be visited next week by team from Middle States Association. Page 13
READY FOR A BIG SEASON - Players on the Plymouth Tube Company team enjoy their ride through the Delmar Little League’s parade last Saturday. The league celebrated its 50th anniversary with the parade and opening day ceremony. See additional pictures, page 52. Photo by Mike McClure
BENEFIT AUCTION - Nanticoke Health Services held its annual auction and dinner last week at Heritage Shores, Bridgeville. Some delectable treats were among the auction items. Page 36
INSIDE THE STAR AUTO ALLEY BUSINESS BULLETIN BOARD CHURCH CLASSIFIEDS EDUCATION ENTERTAINMENT FINAL WORD FRANK CALIO GOURMET HEALTH LETTERS LYNN PARKS MIKE BARTON MOVIES
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17 24 32- 35 14 28 55 54 40 36 22 31 53 7
OBITUARIES 26 39 ON THE RECORD PAT MURPHY 21 PEOPLE 16 POLICE JOURNAL 11 PUZZLES 39 52 SNAPSHOTS SOCIALS 53 SPORTS 41 - 48 7 TIDES TODD CROFFORD 25 TOMMY YOUNG 45 54 TONY WINDSOR VETERANS OF WWII 8
State cuts could mean loss of 28 employees in Laurel schools By Mike McClure The Laurel School Board discussed the proposed 10-percent cut in the fiscal year 2008 budget for school districts statewide during its meeting last Wednesday. If the cut goes through, the Laurel School District is looking at operational budget cuts of $185,204
and the lay off of 28 staff members. Acting superintendent Linda Schenck said the state’s budget for FY 2008-2010 was presented at the monthly chief’s meeting and was “very grim.” At the meeting, superintendents were given the task of cutting 10 percent of their budget. The figure started at eight percent and went as high 12
percent before settling on 10 percent. The Delaware Economic Financial Advisory Committee (DEFAC) report indicated that a financial downturn in the state’s economy took place in March. As a result, the state is looking at a projected deficit of $146,290,062 Continued to page five
Scout built prayer garden to get Eagle badge By Pat Murphy James Michael Watts, or L.J., as he is called, is a senior at Laurel High School. He is also the newest Eagle Scout to come from a long distinguished list of area young men who have been involved in scouting. Scouting was started in Laurel around 1911. The ceremony for Watts, who is a
member of Troop 90, was held Sunday, April 20, in the prayer garden he built as his Eagle Scout project at Christ United Methodist Church, Laurel. More than 60 family members and friends attended the ceremony. Former Scout and master of ceremonies Bill Hitch told the audience, “Only one person in four, will become a Scout, but interesting to know is that among leaders in business, religion and
politics, three of four are former Scouts.” Hitch added that two of every 100 Scouts reach the rank of Eagle Scout. They use the skills they learn “sometimes in their lives to save others and many credit it with saving their own life,” he added. The invocation was given by Star Scout Joey Yawn and Watts was introContinued to page four