ometown Newspaper Since 1910 .:. e302 til au tPi.. .. 97th Year, 17th Issue ©2006 May 19, 2006 Newark, Del. • 50¢ Up FRONT Wounded soldiers pass through No Newark on cross-country trek Long 475. By CHRISTINE NEFF "We're very honored bottom you've come here," said nights, NEWARK POST STAFF WRITER Funk. "We know what you've done for the country, OST came on two and it means a lot to us." short days wheels; a few on Clifton read a procla­ three. line mation deeming May 11 By JIM STREIT About 20 soldiers injured Soldier Ride Day for the in military conflict in city of Newark. Leroy Esh, District and state grapple NEWARK POST STAFF WRITER Afghanistan and Iraq biked commander for VFW Post with lack of certainty down Newark's Main Street 475 said, a'We appreciate had planned to write this Thursday morning as part what you've done for the By MARY E. PETZAK I column prior to Mothers of a cross-country trek to country, and we'll always be raise awareness and support Day but events of the there to back you up." NEWARK POST STAFF WRITER week delayed it until this for injured service"men and After a quick stop, the issue. Several times since women. Soldier Ride caravan con­ news of my departure sur­ The bikers used equip­ tinued on its trek. Several XACT numbers for any Christina faced, many readers have ment adapted to meet their support vehicles and mov­ EDistrict deficit remained as far offered kind physical needs. Some biked ing vans followed behind away as ever this week even as comments. A few with only one leg, the other the bikers. district administrators and the General specifically men­ having been lost in conflict. On Thursday, Assembly tried to stem the possible tioned my col- ' Several used their arms to the group was to losses. umns about my pedal. Some of the soldiers bike 60 miles into On April 9, Governor Ruth Ann father - our time had visible prosthetics for Baltimore, Md. Minner announced that the state would together in Boy limbs; on others, scars could Other pit stops extend a loan to the district but did not Scouts, the day be seen. planned for last address the amount. "I have committed he dropped dead But these injuries didn't week included to Dr. [Lillian] Lowery my support for a unexpectedly slow the Soldier Ride. the U.S. Naval state-backed, no-interest loan which my in my presence Streit Cyclists were greeted Academy in financial team will work with district in Southwest Thursday morning by a Annapolis, Md., officials to expedite this week to ensure Harbor, Maine, and our cheering Mayor Vance Funk and the Walter that the district will be able to pay its father-son trip to protest the ill and Councilman Jerry war in Vietnam. Clifton, members of See RIDE, 14 See MONEY, 13 ~ In my tales, from time to city staff, merchants and NEWARK POST PHOTOS BY MIKE MARTIN time I have mentioned my members of the VFW }lost. About 20 soldiers injured while serving in Afghanistan mother and this week I want and Iraq made a stop in Newark last week on a cross· to expand on why she is spe­ country trek. Councilman Jerry cial to me. I am no different Clinon, top, read a proclama­ Parade than most readers who each tion froin the c~. Mayor Vance have their own reasons to A. Funk III, middle, veterans; cherish their Moms. merchants and residents greet­ It's not unusual for moth­ ed the riders. Sunday ers and sons to be close. For my mother and me, I think Annual Memorial Day our strongest common bond was that we both are night event honors veterans owls; don't ask us to rise 'early in the morning, but we By CHRISTINE NEFF can stay up until the wee small hours of the night. I NEWARK POST STAFF WRITER retain this ability today. As a youth, late nights at T'S a day to remember, to honor home while my father and and to celebrate. This Sunday, May sisters were asleep afforded 21, Newark will host its annual me countless hours to discuss Memorial Day ceremony and parade. See UP FRONT, 7 The year's events include a visit from Lt. Gov. John Carney at the ceremony for fallen veterans and a parade of more than 75 units. The day starts at 11 a.m. at the Newark Shopping Center, where current military vehicles and equipment will be displayed. At 1 p.m., a memorial cer- See PARADE, 18 ~ 7 99462 00002 3 IN SPORTS: Newark runners second in County track, page 20. • UD baseball heads down the stretch, page 20. PAGE 2 • NEWARK POST • Mw 19,2006 737-0724 • Fax 737-9019 NEWARK POST .:. POLICE BLOTTER Can we help? • Police Blotter is compiled Offices: The paper's offices each week from the files of the 5-year-old Newark man struck the bicycle and he was are located conveniently in Newark Police Department, New Ajwas killed Friday, May thrown onto the shoulder. Suite 206, Madeline Crossing, Castle County Police and the Cyclist 2, after a crash involving O'Neill's truck continued 168 Elkton Rd., Newark, DE Delaware State Police by the two vehicles, said Delaware State over the concrete divider and 19711. Office hours are 8:30 newspaper staff. killed· Police. into the eastbound tum lane, a.m. to 5 p.m . weekdays. Police said troopers responded said police, and the front of the' to Old Baltimore Pike in the area Chevrolet struck the rear comer Phone: (302) 737-0724 on Old of Albe Drive for the accident of a Chevrolet Silverado enter­ Facsimile: (302) 737-9019 Man robs around 6:45 a.m. A bicyclist ing the turn lane. O'Neill and the e-mail: [email protected] Baltimore riding in the shoulder of Old driver of the Silverado. Michael To subscribe: Call 737-0724 or Wachovia Baltimore Pike turned into the Williams, 43, of Middletown. 1-800-220-3311. To begin a path of a Chevrolet 1500, driven were not injured, said police. Pike by Christopher O'Neill, 18, of The bicyclist, Thomas convenient home~delivery sub­ bank here Newark, said police. Police said Muzzleman, 45, of Newark, was scription, simply call. O'Neill steered to the left and taken to Christa.na Hospital emer­ To place a classHied or display N unknown suspect robbed braked to avoid hitting the bicy­ gency room where he later died ad: Call 737-0724 or 1-800- A the Wachovia Bank on clist, but the front of the truck from his injuries, said police. 220-3311. South College Avenue on Friday, May 12, at 3:32. p.m., said HE STAFF of the Newark Post T Newark Police. theft and conspiracy, said police. Dodge Durango. The front of Police said the victim, a 20-year­ is eag~r to assist readers and Police said a white male in advertisers. Reporters, writers, Police said Everett and Castagna the Durango and rear of the bus old Wilmington man, said he was editors and salespeople can be his late 20s, described as 6' and were charged with underage con­ became imbedded under the rear approached by two white men contacted as listed: weighing 210 pounds, entered sumption of alcohoL portion of the bus, said police. who wrestled him to the ground the bank and handed a female To report additional thefts or The bus driver, Robert and took an undisclosed amount James B. Streit, Jr. is the pub­ teller a note demanding money. lisher of the Newark Post. He sets property damage, call 573-2800. McComas, 23, of Wilmington, of money from his pockets. The policies and manages all depart­ The teller· complied, giving the was transported to Concerta suspects fled the area in a white ments in the Newark office. Call him suspect an undisclosed amount Newark man Medical Labs and treated for a Honda Accord, said police. at 737-0724. of money. He then fled the area, minor back injury. Police said The fIrst suspect was described Christine Neff is the news said police. killed in crash they do not know if Pratt was as 15 to 18 years old, wearing Newark Police and the editor. She leads the day-to-day A 44-year old Newark man wearing a seatbelt at the time of a red shirt and black fitted cap. Delaware State Police responded operation of the newsroom. Call her died Wednesday morning, May the crash. Suspect two was described as a at 737-0724. to the scene and searched the area 10, after his vehicle rear-ended a Alcohol was not a factor, said white male 18 to 20 years old, without finding the suspect. No Marty Valanla prepares the school bus stopped at a Chapman police. with . a goatee, said police. The sports pages of this newspaper. one was injured. Road traffic light, said the victim was not hurt during the The sports editor is seldom in Anyone with information Delaware State Police. Robbery in store lot robbery, said police. the office, however, he checks in should contact Sgt. Rick Williams Newark Police are asking for frequently. leave messages for at 366-7110, ext. 141. Police said James Pratt Jr. was Marty at 1-800-220-3311. pronounced dead at the scene. Newark Police are investigat­ anyone with information to con­ Pratt, said police, did not real­ ing a strong-armed robbery that tact Newark Police at 366-7111 Mary E. Petzak is a staff occurred Tuesday, May 16, at or call Delaware Crime Stoppers reporter and specializes in educa­ Indecent exposure ize the bus, unoccupied by stu­ dents, was stopped at the light 1:51 a.m.