Latest news with #MillvilleVolunteerFireCompany
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
SMH...Delaware Firefighter Faces Hate Crime Charge After Allegedly Chasing His Black Coworker Around With a Noose, and That's Not All
For over a year, a Black firehouse employee didn't come forth about the torment he experienced from his two white coworkers. Now that the two have been found out, they're facing some serious consequences. The Millville Volunteer Fire Company in Delaware suspended 27-year-old Jay Droney and 23-year-old Jordan Hastings after finding out what they did to a Black employee back in February 2024. According to a charging document released April 16, the employee was working a shift that wasn't typically on his schedule, per Delaware Online. Around dinner time, he made his way to the outdoor grill to make himself something to eat. However, that didn't happen without being allegedly harassed by Droney and Hastings. Court documents say the employee saw the two practicing knots. When the employee began grilling, Droney allegedly walked out the side door swinging an orange rope shaped like a noose. 'Come here, boy!' Droney allegedly shouted before chasing the employee, while making additional racist comments, authorities said. Meanwhile, police say Hastings recorded the whole ordeal. Following the incident, Droney was accused of making even more racist jabs at the Black employee including slurs and cotton field references. None of this came up until earlier this month when the employee finally aired out his grievances, Delaware Online reports. The court documents say Droney wrote a letter to local news complaining about suspicious behavior from the fire company. 'What about all the things [Droney] has done to me?' the employee then asked, prompting others to demand he spill the tea. The reason he was reluctant to say anything about the incident sooner was due to 'not wanting to cause any problems' - a sentiment a lot of Black folks can relate to. Shortly after this, both Droney and Hastings were suspended from Millville, per ABC 7 News. By April 15, the two had warrants for their arrest. The two face charges of a hate crime, second-degree conspiracy and harassment but were released from jail on their own recognizance. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
When drivers should turn on their headlights, according to Delaware law. Safe driving tips
While spring brings warmer weather, it is also known for being rainy. Running errands or commuting to work in inclement weather isn't fun, and it can be made even more stressful by people who don't obey Delaware's driving laws. Particularly when it comes to drivers not using their headlights correctly. Here's a quick refresher on Delaware's law about headlight usage during adverse weather conditions. If you scroll through your social media feeds after a foggy or rainy day, chances are you'll encounter quite a few complaints from drivers about cars failing to use their headlights. In a Reddit thread from mid-April, Delawareans shared their grievances about seeing fellow drivers without their headlights on during heavy rain. 'We've had so many storms lately. A lot of cars on the freeway don't have their lights on in heavy rain. Wipers on should be headlights on,' the author of the Reddit post said. And it's not the only discussion of this kind on the website. Across several posts about headlight usage in Delaware, drivers tell stories about accidents or near-accidents they have either witnessed or experienced in which cars without headlights on were hard to see on the road during foggy mornings, rainy afternoons and other bad weather. 'Not this auto crap. Turn them ON so we can see your taillights. Over half the cars on this morning's commute had no taillights and some didn't even have headlights on,' another Reddit user posted during the winter. Are you part of the Hurricane Katrina disapora? Share your story here. Many states have laws requiring drivers to turn their headlights on during inclement weather, regardless of the time of day. Delaware's law is similar. The Delaware Code states that cars should have their headlights on in the following situations: From sunset to sunrise. During fog, smoke or rain. When windshield wipers are in use because of weather conditions. At any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, people and vehicles on the highway are not 'clearly discernible' at a distance of 1,000 feet ahead. Delaware law classifies driving without headlights in necessary situations as a secondary offense, meaning it is not an infraction that, on its own, will get someone pulled over by a police officer. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't abide by the law. Update: Delaware lawmakers, leaders condemn hate crimes at Millville Volunteer Fire Company Turning headlights on not only helps the driver's visibility but also helps that car be seen by others on the road. Especially vehicles that are grey or silver and may blend into the road during certain conditions. Some car models do not automatically turn on certain light settings and need to be manually chosen. Make sure you know how your car's lights operate to avoid mistakenly driving around without any lights. If you have trouble remembering to manually flick your lights on, a good habit to start is always driving with your fog lights and low beams on. It can't hurt, and it can always help. Note that low-beam headlights are lower in intensity than high-beam headlights. High beams should not be turned on during inclement weather, as they can do more harm than good to other drivers. 'Though it may seem counterintuitive, you should not use high beams in extreme weather conditions,' said AAA. 'This strategy can backfire as the high beams mixed with these conditions will reflect back and cause glare, making it more difficult to see.' A good rule of thumb is to reserve headlights for dark roads with no streetlights, poorly lit urban areas, rural areas and when there is no oncoming traffic, according to AAA. Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys'tal Griffin at kgriffin@ This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: When should you drive with your headlights on in Delaware?
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
Maryland volunteer firefighter accused of chasing colleague with suspected noose in Delaware
CHARLES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) — A Maryland volunteer firefighter was suspended from all department activities after he was accused of committing a hate crime in Delaware last year. According to Delaware State Police (DSP), troopers were contacted by the Millville Volunteer Fire Company administration for an unreported hate crime that was said to have taken place at their station in February 2024. Their investigation revealed that two former volunteer firefighters, Jay Droney, 27, of Millville, Del., and Jordan Hastings, 23, of Delmar, Del., allegedly chased a Millville Volunteer Fire Company employee around the fire station with a rope tied in the shape of a noose. During the incident, Droney allegedly made a racist comment to the employee. While praising Sen. Van Hollen's trip to El Salvador, Marylanders call for Abrego Garcia's release According to DSP, he continued to make racist comments to the person on several occasions after the incident. On April 15, detectives obtained arrest warrants for Droney and Hastings, who both turned themselves in that day. They were charged with hate crime, conspiracy in the second degree and harassment. State police said that Droney and Hastings no longer work at the fire station in Delaware. However, Droney recently joined the La Plata Volunteer Fire Department on April 7 in Charles County, Maryland. The La Plata Volunteer Fire Department said in a post on social media that at the time of Droney's application and onboarding process, officials completed a background check, which did not reflect any indication of pending charges. The department also emphasized that it was unaware of the incident in Delaware. DC area college students have visas revoked by US State Department Fire officials said once they were notified of Droney's arrest, he was suspended from all department activities, effective immediately, pending the outcome of the investigation. Travis Yates, president of the La Plata Volunteer Fire Department, released the following statement on social media Wednesday: The La Plata Volunteer Fire Department takes all allegations of this nature with the utmost seriousness. We do not condone any form of hate, harassment, or behavior that is contrary to the values of public service. Our organization holds its members to the highest ethical and professional standards and remains committed to providing the best emergency services to the citizens of Charles County. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
