Home Care In Townsend, DE

Townsend – Just after 8:30 yesterday morning the Historic Vandyke-Heath House in Townsend burst into flames. A neighbor, Chris Shaffner, that lives near the historic house said she heard an explosion and ran outside to see what was going on.

“The house was in flames”, said Shaffer. She quickly grabbed her phone and called 911 to report the fire. “As I was on the phone with 911, reporting the fire, I noticed that the barn was now on fire as well” added Shaffer.

As fire crews began to respond to the scene she began to document the fire scene with her camera. These are some of the images that Shaffer shared with First State Update:

Update

Townsend – The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office has arrested a 41-year-old, Christopher M. Gregg, on two counts of Arson 2nd degree for the fire this morning on the 300 block of Vandyke Greenspring Rd. He has been arraigned and committed to the Howard Young Correctional Facility in lieu $25,000 secured bail

The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office has said that they have determined that this morning’s house fire in Townsend, DE. was Arson.

The Townsend Fire Company responded to the 300 block of Vandyke Greenspring Rd. shortly after 8:00 am for a report of a house fire. Upon arrival the Fire Department found heavy smoke and fire coming from the residence and a barn located on the property. The fire quickly went to 3 alarms calling several neighboring companies from New Castle and Kent Counties to the scene.

Deputy Fire Marshal’s were called to the scene and have determined that the fire to be an Arson of both the house and the barn.

The fire caused approximately $250,000 dollars in damage to the residence. No Fire Department personnel were reported injured. Residents are being assisted by the Red Cross of Delmarva.

The Vandyke-Heath House, also known as the Jacob C. Vandyke House was built in three stages. The earliest section dates to the late-18th century, and was a 1 1/2-story, three bay log structure measuring 16 feet by 21 feet. It was raised to a full two stories in the mid-19th century and a 2 1/2-story, two-bay frame wing was added. A two-story, two bay addition was built in the late-19th century. It is in the Federal style.

It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.

Original Breaking Post

Townsend – Just after 8:30 this morning fire Crews from Townsend, Middletown, Odessa, Port Penn, Smyrna, Delaware City, Kent County, Galena MD and Cecilton Fire Company responded to the 300 block of Vandyke Greenspring Road for reports of barn on fire.

It’s believed that responding crews found the house and the barn both fully involved upon arrival. At some point during the blaze a third alarm was struck and command called for defensive operations. Firefighters were ordered not enter the structures.

At the time of posting 11:00 crews are still working the scene.

If you took a photo/video of this fire you can message them to us on Facebook. Do not send us photos that you found online. We cannot use them.

Image Credits: NPS, Delaware State Fire Marshal

1:15 p.m., May 5, 2010----A portrait of John G. Townsend, Jr., a prominent spokesperson for farmers and the agricultural industry who served as Delaware governor and U.S. Senator, now hangs in the University of Delaware's Townsend Hall, which bears his name.

E-mail Print Twitter

On April 28, Townsend's grandson, P. Coleman Townsend, Jr., joined friends of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources to unveil the portrait and honor his memory.

Originally named Agricultural Hall, Townsend Hall was renamed in 1983 and dedicated to the memory of John Townsend for his dedication to agriculture and his contributions to state and national government. He served as Delaware's governor from 1916-1920 and as U.S. Senator from 1928-1940.

“Coleman has followed in his grandfather's footsteps as a supporter of agriculture and farmers here in Delaware,” said Robin Morgan, dean of the college. “We are thankful to the Townsend family for their donation and to their longstanding support.”

The portrait was donated by Coleman Townsend and his wife, Susan M. Townsend, both UD graduates. Coleman Townsend, who holds a bachelor's degree in agriculture from UD, is a member of the University of Delaware Board of Trustees.

In addition to service to the University, the Townsends have been involved as trustees in numerous non-profit organizations in the region, including Winterthur Museum and Country Estate, Delaware Art Museum, Delaware College of Art and Design and the Delaware Center for Horticulture.

“The Townsend family has a long, close, and warm relationship with the University of Delaware and I find it all fitting that the portrait of such an advocate for agriculture will hang here in this building,” said Richard B. Carter, author of the book Clearing New Ground, The Life of John G. Townsend, Jr., who gave remarks following the unveiling.

The book -- number five in the Delaware Governor's series published by the Delaware Heritage Press -- details the life of John Townsend from his birth in Worcester County, Md., to his “whirlwind of business activity,” and his political career.

Townsend's connection to agriculture began with a move to Selbyville, Del., in 1896 where he started growing strawberries. He moved on to establishing his own bank, the Baltimore Trust Company, helping support farmers in the region.

By the time of his death in 1964 at age 92, Townsend had diversified into poultry, corn, soybeans, and many other crops, growing Townsend, Inc. into one of the largest agribusinesses in Delaware.

The former governor's political career took him through some of the most dynamic times in American history, covering World War I, women's suffrage, education reform, prohibition, improvement of state highways and transportation, and financial recovery following the Great Depression.

Coleman Townsend said, “I hope that the students, faculty, and staff who pass by this portrait will have presence enough to take advantage of all of the great opportunities here and to meet their full potential and dreams the way that this man did.”

The portrait was painted in 1920 by Clawson S. Hammitt, of Wilmington, Del. Hammitt painted portraits that now hang in the U.S. Capitol, the State House in Dover and in other locations at the University of Delaware.

Article by Katy O'Connell Photo by Danielle Quigley

In a small state that already boasts nearly 40 craft breweries, you may think Delaware has hit its saturation point when it comes to suds.

Not so fast.

There are at least nine more breweries either preparing to open or in the planning stage across the state, including at least four preparing to open this summer and fall in Lewes, Georgetown and Townsend.

So grab a pint glass and start practicing: First State beer lovers are about to have more barstools to fill pretty soon.

For a running list of Delaware's breweries, both open and in the planning stages, check out DelawareBeerHistory.com run by Delaware beer historian and author John Medkeff Jr.

Revelation Brewing Co., Georgetown

Nearly five years after purchasing the former 16 Mile brewery at 413 S. Bedford St., Revelation is nearing an opening date for its new production brewery and tasting room. The new location will join Revelation's Rehoboth Beach location with even more outdoor space thanks to a large 2,400-square-foot pavilion built at the front of the Georgetown brewery. With the inside work completed, only the parking lots and sidewalks remain on their to-do list. Expect them to open the doors this summer with a grand opening date to be announced soon.

Shellfish Brewing Co., Townsend

Claws and crafts will coincide at 316 Gray St. soon. The Crab Guys takeout-delivery spot will also house the new Shellfish Brewing Company with the takeout crabs moving outside and the brewery taking over the indoors. Other than that, those behind the project are tight-lipped. They did let out this nugget of info: Shellfish should be open in about 1-1/2 months.

Lewes Brewing Co., Lewes

The brewery under construction at 1145 Savannah Road just received its building supplies last week, only still waiting for the stone that will go around the foundation of the brewery, said David Jones, who owns the brewery with his wife Christine. Once the stone is in, then they can install the siding and windows. Lewes Brewing will be a 10 bbl brewhouse with six fermenters and a pair of Brite tanks. There will also be a 1 bbl system for one-off beers. Speaking of beers, expect everything from IPAs, New England IPAs, and pilsners to lagers, fruited sours and stouts with seasonal beers thrown in. The spot will also have an outdoor beer garden, outdoor deck and indoor seating with a large bar. Food trucks are expected to post up and sell meals to hungry beer-drinkers. Jones hopes to be open this fall.

Southern Delaware Brewing Co. to-be-named location, Millsboro

Last year, SoDel Concepts president and CEO Scott Kammerer told Delaware Online/The News Journal that his company was planning a third brewery in Fenwick Island to go alongside their two other breweries: Thompson Island and Ocean View brewing companies. Well, things have changed. The site for the potential Fenwick Island Brewing Company was not approved and now they are looking for a new location instead, said Nelia Dolan, vice president of the newly formed Southern Delaware Brewing Co., a SoDel spinoff and now home to Thompson Island and Ocean View. Southern Delaware is currently examining the Millsboro area for its third brewery. "There are a couple of sites that we are considering and have been in negotiations with both the landowners and builders," Dolan said. No matter the exact location, it will be a ground-up project, which they hope to get started in late fall with an opening in winter of 2024/2025, she added. The dining room will be approximately 3,500 square feet and will have 220 dining and bar seats. There will also be a beer garden with about 30-40 additional seats, along with outdoor games.

Dog Pirate Beer Co., Lewes

Lewes' Beach Time Distilling co-founder Greg Christmas is getting into beer. Expect balanced English bitters, Belgian saisons and German Hefeweizen instead of an IPA- or sour-heavy menu at the same location as Beach Time at 32191 Nassau Rd. "We're going to do the difficult beers that brewers are afraid of," Christmas said. The final permitting is coming any day now, he added, and an opening date is expected by mid-July.

Feebs Distilling Co., Milford

It's been 3½ years since Feebs opened and now the distillery at 733 McColley St. is about to get in the beer business. Earlier this month, the Facebook page for Feebs posted a photo of its approval for a brewery or brewpub and added #feebsbeer on the message. "Step one complete!! We are go for step 2," they wrote. No other details were available about the project.

Brewery incubator at The Granery, Milton

A "micro-brewery incubator" is slated to be part of the new 1,350-unit development known as The Granery at the former Draper Farm. Milton approved the annexation of the 450 acres at Sand Hill and Gravel Hill roads last year for the planned community. The builder, Convergence Communities, said in a press release last year that the brewery accelerator "will be a unique feature that helps local brewery entrepreneurs overcome start up costs to build and grow successful businesses." It is still in the conceptional stage and would need to be approved by the town, a project representative said. Construction is planned to begin at The Granery early next year.

Wooden Wheels Brewery, Newark

Last year, the bike shop at Shoppes of Louviers on Paper Mill Road won approval from Newark City Council to add both a microbrewery and tasting room at the longtime service and repair shop. As a host of trail rides, groups gather at the shop after for beer and they want to brew and sell their own to their customers. These days, the shop is working on getting approval on the state level. So when might they be serving their own bicycle brews? Longtime employee Chris Denney says, "We have high hopes for it happening this year, but I would imagine it happens next year."

Big Oyster Brewery at Southern Delaware Golf Club, Milford

Lewes' Big Oyster Brewery has a second location in the works and it will be about 10 miles north in Milford. It will be located at a new golf course named Southern Delaware Golf Club, formerly Rookery North and the Shawnee Country Club before that. Jeff Hamer, owner of Fins Hospitality Group and Big Oyster, says the new restaurant and brewery will be located in the clubhouse and pro shop, currently undergoing a $2 million renovation. Beer will not only be brewed there, but also distributed from the site to wholesalers. Initially, it was going to open this fall, but delays with the golf course now put the opening of both the brewery and golf club in April of 2024. Hamer says Big Oyster fans should expect the same beer and food found at the Lewes location.

Have a story idea? Contact Ryan Cormier of Delaware Online/The News Journal at [email protected] or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier) and Twitter (@ryancormier).

Text messages from Kansas Jayhawks basketball coaches Bill Self and Kurtis Townsend to former Adidas consultant Thomas “T.J.” Gassnola took center stage Monday as a federal court case into college basketball corruption winds down.

Gassnola reiterated Monday that KU’s basketball coaches had no knowledge of his payments to families of two KU players. However, text conversations were presented as evidence by the defense in an effort to show KU’s staff knew about Gassnola’s involvement in recruiting players to the Jayhawks.

The text messages were shown on a screen in the New York courtroom. No recording devices are allowed in the court.

On Aug. 9. 2017, Gassnola texted KU’s assistant Townsend in a conversation about Fenny Falmagne, the guardian of then-recruit Silvio De Sousa, now a KU sophomore. Gassnola told Townsend, “Hit me when you can,” and Townsend replied, “Coach Self just talked to Fenny. Let me know how it goes.”

Gassnola also texted Self, saying he talked with Falmagne. Self asked “we good” over text, and Gassnola replied “always,” saying this was light work and the ball was in Falmagne’s court now.

That same day, Gassnola texted Self to call him when he had five minutes and he was alone. The two had a five-minute, six-second phone conversation. The call was not wiretapped by the FBI nor played in court.

Adidas executive Jim Gatto’s defense attorney, Michael S. Schachter, asked Gassnola on Monday if he could recall what he and Self talked about.

“I don’t,” Gassnola said.

Gassnola, who has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, is a government witness in the case against Gatto and two other defendants, who are accused of wire fraud conspiracy by paying the families of top basketball recruits, which would render them ineligible under NCAA rules and defraud the schools, including Kansas.

Last week, Gassnola testified that he offered Falmagne $20,000 but never paid it, saying he did give him $2,500 so De Sousa could take online classes. Gassnola also has testified during the trial that he paid the family of former KU player Billy Preston $89,000.

Asked by Schachter if Self knew about those payments to Preston’s family, Gassnola testified “Never.”

On Aug. 19, 2017 — days before KU Athletics announced a 12-year contract extension with Adidas — Gassnola texted Self to tell him thank you for helping to get that extension done. Self replied via text that he was happy with Adidas and wrote “Just got to get a couple real guys.”

Gassnola responded with a text that said, “In my mind, it’s KU, Bill Self. Everyone else fall into line. Too (expletive) bad. That’s what’s right for Adidas basketball. And I know I’m right. The more you win, have lottery picks and you happy. That’s how it should work in my mind.” Self replied by text, “That’s how ur (sic) works. At UNC and Duke.” Gassnola answered by saying Kentucky as well. “I promise you I got this. I have never let you down. Except (Deandre). Lol. We will get it right.”

Duke's Mike Krzyzewski responds to question about FBI's NCAA investigation during season opening press conference on Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. By Chuck Liddy

In this case, Gassnola was referring to center Deandre Ayton. Gassnola testified Thursday that he felt he let Self down when Ayton chose Arizona instead of KU.

Self, when asked at last week’s KU basketball media day for comment about the federal trial, said: “No I don’t have any response. I can’t talk about that. I’m not meaning to be opaque about this at all. I just feel like … our stance is still the same. We’ll comment when the time is appropriate. The appropriate time is when this is done and that’ll certainly be the case. I’m not going to make comments day to day on what has been said because we’ll know obviously in the next couple weeks what actually this is all about.”

Last week, KU associate athletic director Jim Marchiony said KU Athletics would continue to defer all comment about the federal trial to KU director of strategic communications Joe Monaco. When contacted then, Monaco referred to a previous KU statement from the previous week: “It is not appropriate for the university to comment while legal proceedings are ongoing. As we have said all along, the prosecution has not suggested any wrongdoing by the university or its coaches. We will continue to cooperate as requested throughout the trial.”

On Aug. 26, 2017, Townsend texted Gassnola a message he said was from Falmagne: “Coach has been on the phone with Angola. We are good to go. We will commit tomorrow.” Gassnola testified Thursday that he’d been in communication with Townsend about Falmagne because Falmagne was looking to get Adidas gear for the Angolan national team.

Gassnola said he’d follow up the next day with Falmagne, with Townsend texting him, “Thank you.”

De Sousa committed to KU four days later on Aug. 30, 2017. Gassnola testified Monday that Gatto told him he got a call from Self thanking him after De Sousa committed.

Schachter asked Gassnola if, when he said “follow up” in the text message, if that meant paying Falmagne $20,000.

“I don’t know what I was telling him,” Gassnola said.

Gassnola reiterated on the stand Monday that he was not going to tell Townsend that he was paying Falmagne money. Gassnola also denied again he paid Falmagne $20,000 while stating the only reason he spoke with Falmagne was in regards to helping with Adidas equipment for the Angola national team.

There was also additional evidence submitted Monday that indicated Nicole Player, the mother of the former KU player Preston, conspired to keep the money she received secret from the NCAA and KU.

On Nov. 13, 2017 — three days after KU’s opener against Tennessee State, and the day before the team’s game in the Champions Classic against Kentucky — Preston texted his mother three times, saying: “The NCAA dude just came to my floor. He said something about my car and how it’s bought in FL and all that. Text me back!”

Player responded in a series of four messages: “Tell him you don’t know where it was bought. Your mom and nana handled that. You don’t know. IDC what they say to you.”

The next four words were each in separate texts for emphasis: “YOU. DONT. KNOW. KNOW.”

“GOT YOU,” Preston responded.

Player replied once more: “If they ask you about a person say.. ‘I don’t know’ ... ‘I would have to see their face.’”

Preston, who sat out KU’s first game last season for missing curfew and class, according to Self, was not allowed to play against Kentucky while the school looked into the “financial picture” regarding his vehicle after a one-car accident on campus. Preston sat out the next 16 games after that before turning pro overseas.

Gassnola has finished testifying in the case. Judge Lewis A. Kaplan told the jury Monday that it should be ready to deliberate this week.

Follow @AdamZagoria on Twitter.

Jesse Newell

Jesse Newell covers University of Kansas athletics for The Star.

This story was originally published October 15, 2018, 12:00 PM.

The members of LifeHouse Church knew they couldn’t continue holding services at Everett Meredith Middle School in Middletown after the Appoquinimink District announced the building would be demolished.

But the church’s contingency plan has worked out very well – a new $8 million building with almost 40,000 square feet on 9.9 acres in Townsend.

“We just prayed for direction when seeking land, and this property was available at that time,” said LifeHouse lead pastor Mark Lashey. “Because it was a commercial property, it had access to the utilities we needed.”

The church started the fundraising campaign a few years ago and received donations of $2 million from the congregation, then secured a bank loan for the rest. Groundbreaking was in April 2019.

The new building opened in August 2020 at 101 Karins Boulevard, off of Summit Bridge Road, at the entrance to the Townsend Village II neighborhood – bringing the congregation full circle from its beginnings in the pastor’s home nearby.

“In 2010, we started Bible study in my home in Townsend Village I,” said Lashey.

As attendance grew, the group moved to the Townsend Fire Hall in February 2012 and then to Everett Meredith Middle School six months later where the combined attendance at Sunday services climbed to over 800 last year.

When coronavirus restrictions started in March and Meredith Middle School was closed, the church started online services. The congregation added in-person services outside at the property LifeHouse owns near the new church. LifeHouse plans to sell that neighboring property, about 11 acres.

Lashey said since the new building opened, Sunday attendance has rebounded to about 850 combined at three services.

“A good number of our congregation for a variety of reasons – a compromised immune system, their age – are still livestreaming the services from home,” said Lashey. “But a significant number have been able to come back and because of the growth in the area we have a lot of new families attending. So our overall numbers are about the same, but we’ll be so glad when everybody can come home.”

Because of coronavirus capacity restrictions, reservations are required for the three Sunday in-person services at 8:15, 10 and 11:30 a.m. Although the sanctuary has 650 seats, attendance at each service is capped at 325.

LifeHouse Church is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention; however, the church chooses its pastor, owns its buildings and assets, and determines its programs and policies. Lashey said the SBC provided guidance and encouragement during planning and construction of the new church. The affiliation also allows LifeHouse to participate in missionary programs around the world.

Features of the building

“With the main entrance, we wanted it to be all glass, see-through, because it can be intimidating coming to a new place,” Lashey said. “We wanted people to see what’s going on inside before they open the door.”

He said the “Hello and Welcome Center” at the entrance makes it clear for newcomers where to go for information.

“One big must-have for us was the entrance corridor,” he said. “When we were meeting at the school, we didn’t have a big lobby, so while we were excited to receive and welcome people, it was kind of crowded and chaotic. Now we have space for everyone to spread out and talk as they arrive.”

Lashey said the sanctuary has “state-of-the-art” sound and lighting.

“We are so grateful that we were able to use the school, but we had to set up and tear down every week. It was a challenge. We all did it together, and it was great, but having our own home is such a blessing, with a facility that’s designed specifically for worship,” he said.

The new building includes a large room for youth meetings that can also be for fellowship and dinners, along with smaller conference rooms and a cafe? that looks like a real coffee shop.

“We feel so grateful for what God has already done, and we’re so excited because this new building will give us so many more opportunities to be a blessing to the community and further the Gospel,” Lashey said.

Children’s wing and early childhood center

The director of the LifeHouse children’s ministry, Letitia Britton, said, “The greatest opportunity the new building provides is to be able to minister not just one or two days a week, but six days a week.”

That’s because the church opened an early childhood center Jan. 4 on weekdays with a preschool and before- and after-school care for children up to fifth grade.

“Everything was delayed in starting the early childhood center because of the pandemic, but what it allowed us to do is look at what schools were doing with hybrid and virtual classes and pattern our programs around the needs of families,” said Britton.

On Sundays, Lifehouse offers programs for infants to high school students. Children up to fifth grade meet during the 8:15 a.m. service. Middle and high school students meet during the 10 a.m. service.

Wednesday lessons at 6:30 p.m. are available for students through high school age, and a meeting for college students is on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m.

The church serves students with special needs, and is developing a program for children with autism.

“We believe in inclusion,” said Britton.

Children with autism attend class with all students in their age group, but when an activity happens that may be an upsetting trigger – for example loud singing with lots of movements – children with autism can go to a different supervised room that is more quiet and soothing.

While the new building means more rooms for children’s classes, it’s also given teachers more time to spend on lessons compared to meeting at the school where they had to bring in supplies, rearrange tables and chairs, then pack everything up at the end of class.

“Being able to use that time we were using to set up and tear down, to have that time to minister, is so valuable,” said Britton.

For more information, see the church’s website, lifehousemot.com, or call (302) 464-1035.