VOL. 14 NO. 52
THURSDAY, JULY 29, 2010
50 cents
News EDUCATION - Laurel school board discusses improvements on state test scores. Page 4 VISITATION - Watermelon Queens will visit the Laurel Auction Market August 5. Page 5 HEROES - Bill Hearn’s service in Laurel continues almost half of a century later. Page 8 POLICE - Suspect in the attempted abduction of an 11-year-old girl is arrested in Seaford. Page 34 SCAMS - Be aware of these five tax scams from the IRS ‘Dirty Dozen’ list. Page 34 ENTERTAINMENT - 50th Annual Threshing show August 6-8. Pge 38
Wheat
TONY - We were too busy playing to notice the hot, humid weather. Page 42
Sports CATHELL Shown (l to r) is the Delmar 10-11 all-star baseball team, which won the Maryland state championship last week in Hagerstown: frontDylan Barlow, Tim Ward, Jimmy Adkins, Hunter Frey, Haley Rogers, Isaac Austin; back- coach Dwayne Austin, Christian Littleton, Taylor Cox, Ben Dashiell, Trey Lecates, Austin Rhodes, and manager Greg Cathell. See story on page 24. Photo by Mike McClure
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CHAMPS - Shown (l to r) is the Laurel Major League all-star softball team, which won the state championship last Saturday and is representing Delaware in the Eastern Rergionals: front- Brooke Jones, Nicole Hovatter, Rachel Davis, Regan Green, Destinee Banks, Kortney Lee; back- coach Scott Hovatter, Alexa Joseph, Shelby Murphy, Savannah Brown, manager Brad Lee, Meagan Joseph, Tristin West, Sara James, Sabrina Savage, and coach Jodi Green. See story on page 24. Photo by Mike McClure
Laurel adds amenities to park By Tony E. Windsor The new boat ramp edition to the Laurel River Park was opened with a ribbon cutting last month. Laurel Public Works Supervisor, Wood Vickers said since the opening even more has been done to add special amenities to the park and boat ramp. During the Monday, July 19, meeting of Laurel Mayor and Council, Vickers told the council that lighting has been completed in the park and it is now well lit at night. He said the Public Works Department has also installed six more park benches, 10 trash cans, six picnic tables and a bike rack. Laurel Mayor John Shwed said he has heard from citizens who appreciate the new boat ramp and park additions. “I had a citizen stop me in town the other day and he told me that the new boat ramp is first class. I think you
(Vickers) and your staff and the state and federal environmental representatives have done an outstanding job.” The boat ramp has a floating dock and fishing platform. It is located at the entrance to the Laurel River Park off West 6th Street and includes a parking lot large enough to house 10 vehicles with boat trailers, along with 10 single vehicle parking spaces. The town provides ongoing operational expenses and services including such things as utilities, repairs and replacement of all lighting, security and grass cutting and trash removal. The project represents a joint effort between the Town Of Laurel, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the federal Division of Fish and Wildlife. In other Laurel Mayor and Council business, a local church is planning a special “back to school” event in
August and made a presentation before the council for approval. The Living Word Christian Center is planning the “Back 2 School Bash,” to be held on Saturday, Aug. 14 from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the corner of Webb Avenue and Seventh Street. Pastor Andre Mollock told the mayor and council that the event will feature a host of family type activities including face painting, games, a jumper and barbecue style food and drinks. Pastor Mollock said the event will also feature free starter book bags with items including paper, pencils and other school supplies. He is also talking with the Laurel Police Department regarding an officer being on hand to give a bus safety and school safety presentation for parents and children. The Mayor and Council approved the event request. A rain date is set for Saturday, Aug. 21.