Rep. Ed Osienski

Do you have an extra fridge or freezer adding to your electric bill? Have you bought a new appliance but don’t know what to do with your old one? Now is the perfect time to retire your aging unit, save energy, and get rewarded!

From now through September 30, City of Newark, Delaware residents can schedule a FREE pickup of a working fridge, freezer, dehumidifier, or window air conditioner, and get $75 for each unit responsibly recycled.

There is a limit of four appliances per household per year. Certain conditions apply. Must be a customer of a participating electric utility to be eligible.

To learn more and to schedule a pickup, call Efficiency Smart at 877-889-3777 or visit www.efficiencysmart.org/appliance-recycling-rewards

Stay on alert! There has been a spike in E-ZPass text message scams designed to trick receivers into paying a fake toll debt.

E-ZPass will NEVER request payment via text message. Do not click on any links or share any personal information.

If you have questions about your E-ZPass account, you can get help by visiting the official website https://ezpassde.com/, calling the EZ Pass Call Center at 888-397-2773, or by visiting one of their four service center locations.

Anyone who receives a suspicious text can file a complaint to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov. When filing, please include the phone number from where the text originated and the website listed within the text. It's advised that receivers delete the scam text immediately after reporting.

Senate Bill 106 was legislation to help improve student attention in the class room which I was happy to co-sponsor.

https://legis.delaware.gov/Search?searchTerm=SB%20106&assemblyId=153

📱 New Personal Electronic Device Policy for 2026-2027

At Christina School District, every moment in the classroom matters. To help protect instructional time, reduce distractions, and support student learning, the Christina School Board approved CSD Policy 02.39 – Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices in May 2026.

Aligned with Delaware Senate Bill 106, the policy establishes clear expectations for the use of cell phones and other personal electronic devices (PEDs) during the school day.
Beginning this school year:
✅ PEDs must be turned off/silenced and stored out of sight unless approved for educational purposes.
✅ Cell phone use is not permitted during instructional time unless authorized by an educator or approved exception.
✅ District-issued 1:1 devices remain the primary technology tools for classroom learning.

We appreciate the partnership of our students, families, and staff as we work together to create focused, supportive, and engaging learning environments.

To learn more about CSD Policy 02.39 visit: https://trst.in/jWo0xM

Paddling in Delaware always feels like a win, but now you can actually earn prizes for your boating fun by participating in Paddle Quest!

The Paddle Quest challenge encourages participants to explore Delaware State Parks by kayak, canoe or paddleboat while promoting safe boating practices. In order to be eligible for prizes, participants must submit a picture of themselves wearing a properly fitted Personal Flotation Device at a qualifying boat launch or boat rental area and visit a minimum of two locations. All entries must be submitted to Paddle Quest by Sept. 1.

Qualifying locations include Delaware Seashore State Park, Killens Pond State Park, Lums Pond State Park, and Trap Pond State Park.

For more details and to submit entries, visit https://www.destateparks.com/paddle-quest

Extreme heat has been a regular occurrence this summer, so it’s important to know where you can go to stay cool and stay safe.

Thanks to this interactive Cooling Center Map, Delawareans can quickly and easily find the closest cooling center in their area.

All you have to do is open the map, zoom to your area, and tap a location to view its address and available information.

🔗 Access the interactive map here: https://bit.ly/DE-Cooling-Map

Literacy Delaware, Inc. is seeking volunteers to support its mission of advancing literacy through training, tutoring, English language acquisition and advocacy for all Delawareans.

No prior experience is necessary. For more information, visit www.literacydelaware.org/tutors, email [email protected], or call 302-658-5624.

Sign up today and help make a difference!

Applications for the Fall EDGE Grant Competition officially open on August 11th!

On that same day, the Delaware Division of Small Business will be hosting an informational webinar for those interested in learning more about this program, including how to apply and what you need to know before getting started.

For additional information and to reserve your spot for the webinar, visit de.gov/edge