Friday, February 3, 2012 - 1:41pm Judge rejects appeal of death row inmate
By Randall Chase, Associated Press
A Delaware Superior Court judge has upheld the conviction and death sentence of a former Dover Air Force Base sergeant who killed his wife to collect on her life insurance policy.
Gary Ploof was convicted of shooting of his wife, Heidi, as she sat in her car in the parking lot of a Dover Wal-Mart in 2001.
Ploof claimed that his wife committed suicide, but store security cameras captured him at the scene.
Ploof argued a laundry list of issues on appeal, including that his lawyers were ineffective and that there were problems with the selection and conduct of jurors.
But the judge ruled this week that none of Ploof's arguments was sufficient to overturn his conviction and sentence.
When you talk to women, their top health concern is breast cancer -- but one doctor at the Go Red for Women roundtable -- says there's a disease more dangerous--
"Their chances of dying of breast cancer is minuscule compared to their chances of dying of heart disease."
The same doctor says many women also assume that since their father had heart disease, they're safe because their females. Not true -- heart disease is genetic and not sex specific.
For these reasons and more, that's why surrounded by supporters in red, Governor Markell signed the proclamation for American Heart Month and stressed the importance of taking responsibility for your own heart health.
"The amazing thing is just how many of the heart attacks that women have are preventable if people make better choices about diet and exercise and lifestyle," says Markell.
That's also part of the reason Markell is proposing all state buildings be smoke-free next year.
Friday, February 3, 2012 - 7:48am "Polar Bear Plunge" in Rehoboth Sunday
By Frank Gerace
Updated Friday, February 3, 2012 - 2:55pm
Want to do something before the Super Bowl this Sunday? How about watching people plunge into cold water for a cool cause?
Special Olympics Delaware's Jon Buzby tells WDEL's Rick Jensen the Polar Bear Plunge raises more money for the organization each year, but more important than that, the event attracts more and more plungers, whom Buzby calls bears.
Buzby's bears, including 9th-year plunger and WDEL Sports guy Sean Greene, will run into the ocean outside the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center around 1 Sunday afternoon, and there are preliminary events including a chili contest and a "cake-off" featuring Dana Herbert of "Next Great Baker" and other contestants from the show.
To find out more about the 21st annual Plunge, click here
Friday, February 3, 2012 - 5:53am Cattle prod found in Milton man's carry-on at BWI
By The News Journal
Updated Friday, February 3, 2012 - 6:05am
A Milton man has been cited with stashing a compact cattle prod in his carry-on luggage at BWI.
The Transportation Security Administration says checkpoint officers discovered the prod in the carry-on luggage of 61-year-old Richard Perrucci. He was headed for Albany on Tuesday. A TSA spokesman says Perrucci surrendered the weapon.
Maryland Transportation Authority police cited Perrucci with carrying an unauthorized weapon prohibited in the airport. Perrucci was able to board his flight.
MTA police say it's not unusual to find weapons in passengers' carry-on luggage.
Friday, February 3, 2012 - 6:31am Seaford man convicted in death of baby daughter
By Associated Press
Updated Friday, February 3, 2012 - 7:53am
A Seaford man has been convicted of murder in the abuse death of his infant daughter.
Jason Gallaway faces 15 years to life in prison when he is sentenced March 23.
The News Journal reports a Sussex County Superior Court jury found Gallaway guilty of the first-degree charge, which carries a stiffer sentence than the second-degree charge the judge had allowed them to consider.
The 32-year-old man's 3-month-old daughter, Marissa, was found unresponsive in his home in December 2010. Officers found the baby on a coffee table, with no pulse.
Friday, February 3, 2012 - 1:41pm Snacking wisely at your Super Bowl Party
By Amy Cherry
The big game between the Patriots and Giants is just a few days away, and you're right on track to lose those five pounds. But Super Bowl Sunday could send you astray.
Between the wings, the pizza, and nachos, you could exceed your 2,000 calorie a day diet within a few bites.
But Maria Pippidis, a family and science educator at the University of Delaware, has some healthful hints.
"Sit away from the food. Don't sit next to the big bowl of chips. If you're the one bringing a snack, bring something that's healthy that you'll know you'll enjoy," says Pippidis.
As for the alcohol, Pippidis says you CAN drink, but in moderation, and she says, choose wisely.
Friday, February 3, 2012 - 5:59pm State Auditor details report on DSU bidding process
By Frank Gerace
Updated Friday, February 3, 2012 - 9:36pm
State Auditor Tom Wagner (R)
Delaware's auditor says Delaware State University officials weren't involved in a kickback scheme connected to no-bid contracts awarded to companies.
All the same, Tom Wagner tells WDEL News a report done by his office found the University's compliance with state law did leave something to be desired.
Wagner says University officials have told him they now have procedures in place designed to ensure the bidding process follows state law, and is transparent.
Thursday, February 2, 2012 - 8:58pm Rakestraw slams media for taking Romney remark out of context
By Frank Gerace
Delaware Republican National Committeewoman Priscilla Rakestraw says she's disappointed, but not surprised, that the media took a recent Mitt Romney comment out of context.
Rakestraw tells WDEL News Romney wasn't really saying he's "not concerned" about the poor.
Rakestraw says she's also disappointed that the Republican Presidential hopefuls have attacked one another in the media, something former President Ronald Reagan would never have done, and always advised against.
Friday, February 3, 2012 - 5:09pm Christina Green's mom to sign book in DE Saturday
By Frank Gerace
Updated Friday, February 3, 2012 - 5:59pm
Christina Green
Her 9-year-old daughter was killed in the shooting spree that wounded Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, and now, Christina Green's mom has written a book paying tribute to Christina.
Roxanna Green says it was hard at first to accept Christina's death, but one night, a vision came to her as she slept.
Christina, whose grandfather is ex-Phillies pitcher and manager Dallas Green, had already shown an interest in politics, and had gone with a family friend to a "meet-and-greet" event hosted by Congresswoman Giffords, whom she admired.
After the shooting, Delaware's state Senate made Christina an honorary member.
Roxanna Green will be signing copies of her book, "As Good As She Imagined", starting at 4 Saturday afternoon at the Christiana Mall Barnes and Noble store.
Saturday, February 4, 2012 - 12:39am Rendell: He and Flyers' Snider bidding for Philly papers
By Associated Press
Former PA Governor Ed Rendell (D)
Former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell and Philadelphia Flyers owner Ed Snider are among six people mounting a potential joint bid for Philadelphia's largest newspapers.
Rendell said Friday that the group also includes New Jersey powerbroker George Norcross.
He says they submitted a non-binding letter of interest Thursday in buying Philadelphia Media Network.
The company operates The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News. Creditors bought it for $139 million in a 2010 bankruptcy sale.
Rendell couldn't confirm a report that two hedge funds now want to sell. But he says a third party has been seeking potential investors.
Rendell says his group is committed to keeping strong newspapers in the community and is less concerned about short-term profits.
He says the group would fight to keep both newspapers open.
Markell said Vilsack shares the "Delaware values" of hard work, cooperation, diligence and focus, and understands the importance of Delaware's 8 billion-dollar agricultural industry to the national economy.
