Delaware State Police are notifying Georgetown residents about a homeless sex offender.

41-year-old Edward Thornton is a Tier III or high-risk sex offender.

Thornton is NOT wanted. However, if anyone knows that Thornton is living a home, call police immediately.

UPDATED AT 7:10 a.m.:  The Five-Points intersection is open to traffic but with lane closures.

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6:40 a.m.:  Drivers in the vicinity of Route 9 and Five-Points may be experiencing some delays this morning as the road has been shut down for short time while high-powered wires are strung across the highway.

Just a few minutes ago, we were told by several WGMD listeners that State Police were on the scene and said the road would only be shut down for about 10 minutes or so; of course that’s long enough to back up traffic on Route 1 and Route 9.

Be patient if you’re currently traveling in the area.

Delaware recreational boaters have been asked to play a prominent role in helping to map future recreational Atlantic Ocean use by participating in the 2013 Mid-Atlantic VBoater Survey.

The survey is being conducted via the mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean to gain valuable and viable information about recreational boating activities throughout the region.

Over 5,000 invitations went out to boaters in Delaware earlier this week asking them to take part in the survey; information collected through the survey will be translated into maps and incorporated into MARCO’s online mapping tool to support ocean planning efforts in the region, including Delaware’s Atlantic waters.

Governor Markell will provide remarks this morning at the Capitol Police Awards and Recognition Luncheon at Central Middle School in Dover.

Governor Markell will join with Department of Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Lewis Schiliro, Attorney General Beau Biden, current and retired Capitol Police executive staff and members of the Judiciary  to recognize Capitol Police officers for their service to the citizens of Delaware.  Special recognition will be awarded to those present at the shooting in the New Castle County Courthouse on February 11.

Today’s luncheon gets underway at 11 a.m.

A court-ordered psychological evaluation of a Parksley, Virginia couple charged with setting numerous arson fires in Accomack County over a five-month time span, has determined that the couple IS competent to stand trial.

Virginia State Police say 38-year-old Charles Smith and his 40-year-old fiancé Tonya Bundick are responsible for most of the 77 arsons in Accomack County since mid-November last year; the couple was arrested April 2. According to court documents, Smith told police he deliberately set 52 unoccupied buildings on fire and he says Bundick deliberately set 15 unoccupied buildings on fire.

Meantime, the psychological evaluations found that both Smith and Bundick  suffer from depression, that Bundick sustained verbal and emotional and physical abuse from her father when she was a child and Smith was abandoned by his biological father.

The wife of a Milton pediatrician arrested last August for allegedly waterboarding his 11-year-old step-daughter, agreed in court Friday to plead guilty to child endangerment charges and testify against her husband.

The agreement calls for Pauline Morse to plead guilty to three misdemeanor counts of endangering the welfare of a child and to cooperate with prosecutors and testify against Dr. Melvin Morse; Dr. Morse has pleaded NOT guilty to felony child endangerment and misdemeanor assault charges and he’s denied police claims that he may have been experimenting on the girl. Melvin Morse is set to go on trial June 10.

The Morse's were arrested after the child alleged that her step-father dragged her across a gravel driveway by her ankle last July and held her face under a running faucet at least four times since 2009, causing the water to go up her nose and all over her face while her mother stood by and did nothing to stop the abuse.

Delmar Police today are investigating a Friday afternoon crash between two motorcycles and three cars.

The crash happened around 4:30 p.m. on Route 13.

Police say two people were hurt in the crash. No word yet on their conditions or what caused the accident.

Wherever you go this weekend in Rehoboth and Dewey Beach you’re likely going to find a bargain!  The 30^th Annual spring sidewalk sale is underway.  Carol Everhart, President of the Rehoboth-Dewey Chamber tells WGMD the sidewalk sale takes place from now through Sunday in downtown Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach and along Route 1.  The sale is daily through Sunday from 10am to 8pm – however store hours will vary.

Over the next three weeks – DNREC will be treating 6 downstate ponds for aquatic nuisance weeds that can kill beneficial plants and prevent fishing and boating.  The primary target is hydrilla – which is a non-native plant that came to Delaware through the aquarium trade!  DNREC will apply Sonar, which is an aquatic herbicide to Abbotts and Tub Mill Ponds near Milford, Millsboro Pond, Horsey’s and Tussock Ponds near Laurel and Concord Pond near Seaford.  DNREC’s Fisheries Section has filed a pesticide discharge management plan, but Sonar doesn’t pose any threat to wildlife – including fish and there are no restrictions on fishing or eating fish as a result of the planned treatments.  Signs will be posted in the boat ramp area on the day of treatment and the only restriction is a 30 day restriction for residents on the use of water from the ponds – so if you live beside or directly downstream – don’t use the pond water to irrigate gardens, yards or agricultural lands because of possible damage to plantings.

Next Friday, May 24, will be the first of several closures of offices of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.  This is a result of the government-wide automatic spending cuts that went into effect on March first.  There will be a total of 7 days between May 24 and Friday, August 30 that HUD will be closing its offices nationwide and suspending operations for the day.

Monday is the kick off for National Safe Boating Week.  DNREC and Coast Guard officials will kick off the week at the Lewes Public Boat Ramp.  While this is National Safe Boating Week – this also kicks off Delaware’s busiest boating season.  DNREC and Coast Guard officials will be on hand at the Lewes Public Boat Ramp to highlight the importance of following safe boating practices, wearing a life jacket and more.  You might also take a tour of the new Enforcement boat.

Ocean City Police were called to the area of Rusty Anchor Road early Wednesday morning when a citizen spotted three men tampering with parked cars.  Police spotted two men and as they confronted them – one man ran.  One of the suspects, 25 year old Harry Holmes of Clarksburg, Maryland, resisted arrest and was eventually subdued by an officer with a taser.  The second man is Holmes’s 22 year old brother, Christopher.  Police determined the brothers were staying in the 94^th Street area and victims determined that at least 2 vehicles were entered.  Harry is charged with assault of a police officer and resisting arrest – both are charged with 2 counts of being rouge and vagabond. Police remind citizens to report suspicious activity – and remember to lock your vehicles and don’t leave valuables in plain view. 

22 year old Delmar Cubbage was let out of prison on May 2^nd but never registered on his release as a sex offender.  He was wanted by the Worcester County Sheriff’s office and turned himself in to deputies on Thursday.  He’s now being held in the Worcester County jail.

Police in Newark are investigation into a robbery at the Domino’s Pizza on East Cleveland Avenue.  Police say a man entered the store with a handgun and demanded cash from the employees and left with the cash.  A police K-9 search turned up nothing.  The suspect is about 5’ 9” to 5’ 11” and wore a black jacket, pants, cap and grey sneakers with lime green accents.  He also wore a black mask.  Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers.

The Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council will meet on Monday to discuss the state’s overall financial condition.  This will be the next to last meeting before state lawmakers finalize the budget, grant in aid and bond bills by the end of June.  The meeting is Monday at 3pm at the Buena Vista Conference Center in New Castle.

The 4 teens who kidnapped an 89 year old Lincoln woman have all been indicted as adults.  Officials in the AG’s office tell WGMD that Rondaiges Harper has filed for a reverse non-amenable hearing – which could send his case back to Family Court, but that no date for that hearing had been set as of earlier this week.  Phillip Brewer is not entitled to a reverse non-amenable hearing because he was previously adjudicated as an adult.  Jackeline Perez, Junia McDonald have not yet filed a petition as of earlier this week.   All 4 are charged with 1^st degree kidnapping and initial case review hearings for the 4 defendants are scheduled for Monday in Superior Court, Georgetown.  

The Libertarian Party of Delaware will be meeting in Dover for its annual convention this weekend.

The party’s convention will be held at the Kent County Theater Guild on Roosevelt Avenue on Saturday. The party will elect officers, and members will get updates on federal, local and state legislation. Among the speakers will be Dr. Vince Schaller, the owner of Hockessin Walk-In Medical Care, and Wendy Jones of the Sussex County Libertarian Party. Dr. Schaller will be talking about how the Insurance Commissioner’s office is working against small, local insurance companies, while Jones will be talking about alternative energy.

The convention will run from noon to 4.

State Police need your help to find the suspect who took items from the CVS Pharmacy in Stanton last Tuesday just after noon.  Police say the man took over $800 worth of Gillette Razors from a display and left the store and got into a red or orange Dodge Neon or Chevy Cobalt.  The suspect is white, about 25 to 30 years old.  He’s about 5’ 10” to 6-feet tall with a large build and wore a maroon hooded sweatshirt, green cargo pants and a blue baseball cap.  Anyone with information – call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.  

The Breakers Hotel & Suites at the corner of Second Street and Maryland Avenue in Rehoboth Beach has exterior hallways that are exposed to the elements. Hotel owner Gene Lankford says his hotel has always been a summer hotel. However, with more people coming to town during the shoulder seasons, Lankford wants to attract some of them to stay at his hotel.

Lankford applied for a loan through the Small Business Administration's 504 loan program. He got a loan for about $4.5 million through Wells Fargo Bank, and got some help from Senator Tom Carper's office in filling out the paperwork during the financing process. Lankford took advantage of the 504 Refinance Program that allows businesses to refinance existing loans and debt to get a lower, more stable interest so they can undertake projects that will help them grow. The Breakers is undergoing a renovation project to enclose its rooms to make it more attractive to people who want to come to Rehoboth during the offseason. The project is expected to be completed around June 15. After that, the hotel will hire five new housekeepers and front-desk staff.

Senator Carper says the SBA 504 loan program doesn't cost taxpayers any money, and even pays for itself through fees that are collected with the guaranteed loan. Carper says the program that the Breakers took advantage of ended last year. However, he says legislation has been introduced in the Senate by Mary Landrieu (D-LA), the chair of the Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, to renew the refinance program and extend it for five more years. Carper explained that access to private capital is just one of the things businesses need in order to grow and thrive.

The Delaware Association of School Administrators announces that the 2013 Elementary School Principal of the Year is Laura Schneider.  Schneider is in her 5^th year as the school’s principal and through her leadership the school has earned a “Superior” rating in the state’s accountability system.  The National Distinguished Principals program recognizes principals who set high standards for instruction, student achievement, character and climate for students, families and staff in their learning community.