Joe Ciccanti

DNREC Asks Public to Report Sightings of Wild Turkeys During Annual Survey

By Joe Ciccanti / June 24, 2026

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is once again asking Delawareans to help with the state’s annual wild turkey productivity survey. The survey helps DNREC wildlife biologists monitor turkey populations and reproductive success across the state, helping ensure the continued success of Delaware’s wild turkey restoration efforts. From July 1st through August 31st,…

Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Protect Americans from Foreign Scammers

By Joe Ciccanti / June 24, 2026

U.S. Representatives Sarah McBride of Delaware and Mike Lawler of New York have introduced the bipartisan Stop Scamming Americans Act, aimed at helping U.S. diplomats identify and combat overseas scam operations that target Americans. McBride says the legislation would hold foreign governments accountable when they enable criminal organizations that steal personal and financial information, often…

AAA: Nearly 209,000 Delawareans Expected to Travel for Independence Day Holiday

By Joe Ciccanti / June 24, 2026

AAA projects that nearly 209,000 Delawareans will travel 50 miles or more during the Independence Day holiday period, about the same as last year. The holiday travel period runs for nine days, from Saturday, June 27th through Sunday, July 5th. The vast majority of travelers — nearly 185,000 Delawareans, or more than 88% — are…

Delaware State Police Arrest Two Following Pursuit in a Stolen Car in Kent County

By Joe Ciccanti / June 19, 2026

Delaware State Police arrested 19-year-old Aveion Edwards-Thomas and a 16-year-old male, both of Philadelphia, following a pursuit involving a stolen vehicle in Kent County Wednesday night. Troopers spotted a Nissan Altima reported stolen in Pennsylvania traveling on South Dupont Highway near Walnut Shade Road around 8:30 p.m. When officers attempted a traffic stop, the vehicle…

Delaware Senate Unanimously Passes FY 27 Budget Bills

By Joe Ciccanti / June 19, 2026

The Delaware Senate has voted to approve a $6.99 billion operating budget for Fiscal Year 2027, which includes funding for state employee and retiree compensation, public schools, healthcare services, public safety programs, and other statewide operations. The budget provides a 3% raise for state employees and additional pay increases for educators, while also supporting state…

AAA: National Gas Price Average Drops Below $4/Gallon

By Joe Ciccanti / June 18, 2026

Drivers are getting a break at the pump as the summer travel season heats up. For the first time since March 30th, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is down to $3.99. This marks nearly 4 straight weeks of declines. Crude oil prices are down as the U.S. and Iran reach a…

Delaware State Police Arrest Bridgeville Man with Stolen Gun and Drugs in Kent County

By Joe Ciccanti / June 18, 2026

Delaware State Police have arrested a 26-year-old Bridgeville man for felony gun and drug charges following a traffic stop Tuesday in Camden. On June 16th, at approximately 5:00 p.m., members of the Delaware State Police Kent County Special Investigations Unit were patrolling Berrytown Road near Willow Grove Road when they saw a Dodge Durango commit…

Maryland Board of Public Works Approves Funding for Somers Cove Marina Improvements

By Joe Ciccanti / June 18, 2026

The Maryland Board of Public Works has approved funding to support the construction of bulkheads, piers, storm drains, utilities, and a boat ramp at Somers Cove Marina. This Marina plays a vital role in Crisfield and for Smith Island. Senator Mary Beth Carozza, who wrote a letter in support of the funding prior to approval,…

Tipped Worker Tax Relief Measure Clears Delaware House Committee

By Joe Ciccanti / June 18, 2026

A bill providing state tax relief for tipped workers has cleared a House committee. The proposed legislation, sponsored by State Representative Jeff Hilovsky, would allow eligible workers to deduct up to $15,000 in tip income from their Delaware state taxes. The tax break would sunset at the end of 2029 unless renewed. House Substitute 1 for House…

DNREC Opens New Delaware Environmental Laboratory in Smyrna

By Joe Ciccanti / June 18, 2026

DNREC opened the new Delaware Environmental Laboratory near Smyrna today with a ceremonial ribbon cutting. This state-of-the-art facility features scientific analysis of emerging contaminants such as PFAS, water quality testing and early detection of human and animal diseases in Delaware. Participants in the ceremonial ribbon cutting included DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson along with representatives of the state’s…

AAA: 72.2 Million Americans Expected to Travel over July 4th Week – Slightly Higher than 2025

By Joe Ciccanti / June 18, 2026

With the United States of America’s 250th anniversary as well as the 4th of July falling on a Saturday this year, we can expect very heavy trafffic during that holiday period. Jana Tidwell, who is the manager of public and government affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic, tells the Talk of Delmarva travelers are planning accordingly….  …

Gunfire Strikes Occupied Home and Unoccupied Vehicle in Dover

By Joe Ciccanti / June 18, 2026

The Dover Police Department is investigating a shooting that damaged a home and vehicle in Barrister Place on Wednesday night. Officers responded to the area for a report the shots fired at approximately 11:31 P.M. Police say an unoccupied vehicle had been struck by gunfire and an occupied home was struck 2-3 times. There were…

Clothing Our Kids Awarded $10,000 From the Freeman Foundation’s FACES Program

By Joe Ciccanti / June 18, 2026

Clothing Our Kids of Sussex County has received a $10,000 grant from the Freeman Foundation’s FACES Program. The nonprofit spends more than $156,000 annually on new school clothing for local children, and officials say the grant will help provide complete clothing packages for up to 34 students, with each child receiving a complete package that…

Town Hall to Focus on Healthcare Access and Services in Georgetown Area

By Joe Ciccanti / June 17, 2026

State Representative Valerie Jones Giltner will host a healthcare town hall on Monday, June 22nd, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sussex Academy of Arts & Sciences, located at 21150 Airport Road in Georgetown. The event will feature a panel discussion with local hospital systems on planned innovations aimed at addressing gaps in healthcare…

Cocaine Trafficker Sentenced for Distributing 956 Kilograms of Cocaine Along East Coast

By Joe Ciccanti / June 17, 2026

A Queens, New York man has been sentenced to 275 months in federal prison for his role in a coast-to-coast cocaine trafficking conspiracy that supplied drugs to Delaware and other East Coast states. Federal prosecutors say 65-year-old Brahmananda Prasad transported cocaine from California to New York and distributed cocaine to multi-kilogram sub-distributors in New York…

New Law Expands Hunting Opportunities in Delaware

By Joe Ciccanti / June 17, 2026

A new law signed by Governor Matt Meyer expands hunting opportunities in Delaware by allowing Sunday hunting for all game animals and game birds during established hunting seasons. Private landowners and public agencies may still decide whether to permit Sunday hunting on their properties. House Bill 278, backed by the bipartisan Delaware Sportsmen’s Caucus, passed…

Driver Hospitalized Following Crash in Salisbury Area

By Joe Ciccanti / June 17, 2026

Maryland State Police continue to investigate a crash that occurred earlier this morning at Route 50 and Naylor Mill Road near Salisbury. At approximately 7 a.m., troopers from the Maryland State Police Salisbury Barrack responded to the scene. MSP tells the Talk of Delmarva that the preliminary investigation indicates a Hyundai Sonata was stopped at…

Overnight crash and Fuel Spill in Seaford Area

By Joe Ciccanti / June 17, 2026

The Talk of Delmarva has learned details about a crash that occurred overnight –about 12:30 AM on June 17th in Seaford. State Police say  Volvo tractor and trailer was traveling eastbound on Stein Highway near Dulany Street. Police investigated and learned that the trailer disconnected from the tractor and the driver tried to slow down…

Delaware Senate Advances Utility Oversight Bill

By Joe Ciccanti / June 17, 2026

Following hours of debate, the Delaware Senate has advanced Senate Bill 326, which seeks to strengthen oversight of public utilities by limiting their ability to pass certain non-mandatory capital investment costs on to customers. The measure would increase transparency in utility billing, require regular audits by the Public Service Commission, and place restrictions on expenses…

DNREC Offers Expanded Assistance for Farmers Due to Significantly Increased Reports of Deer Damage

By Joe Ciccanti / June 17, 2026

DNREC has expanded its deer damage assistance programs in response to increased reports of crop losses caused by deer across Delaware. The agency is now offering expedited enrollment in the Extreme Deer Damage Assistance Program (EDDAP), allowing qualifying farmers to seek relief immediately without first completing certain paperwork requirements. Under EDDAP, hunters may harvest antlerless…

Choptank Electric Cooperative Issues Beat the Peak Alert for this Afternoon

By Joe Ciccanti / June 12, 2026

Choptank Electric Cooperative has issued a Beat the Peak Alert for Friday, June 12th between 3 and 6pm as high temperatures are expected to push our peak energy use over the top today.  Please conserve energy now to keep costs lower! Delay use of unnecessary lights and appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines and clothes dryers during…

Delaware Senate Passes SB 332 to Clarify Transferability of Special Vanity License Plates

By Joe Ciccanti / June 11, 2026

A bill sponsored by State Senator Brian Pettyjohn pertaining to vanity license plates has cleared the Delaware Senate and now heads to the House. Senate Bill 332 would clarify that existing special vanity license plates may be transferred between owners as a gift or through a sale without being considered a new issuance by the…

AAA: Gas Prices Fall for Third Straight Week

By Joe Ciccanti / June 11, 2026

Prices at the pump have fallen for the third straight week. Delaware’s gas price average has dropped 46 cents in three weeks. In the First State, the average price at the pump for a gallon of regular is $3.88 today, down 14 cents in the last week. The South Jersey gas price average is $4.10…

UPDATE: Salisbury Mayor Responds Amid Collective Bargaining Dispute

By Joe Ciccanti / June 11, 2026

  Salisbury Mayor Randy Taylor has written a letter to City residents to address concerns with the petition effort regarding the recent vote to to repeal the city’s labor code, eliminating collective bargaining rights for city employees, including police officers and firefighters.  Mayor Taylor stated that AFSCME funded out-of-state contract workers to assist with the…

Worcester County Burn Ban Continues

By Joe Ciccanti / June 11, 2026

Worcester County officials are reminding residents and visitors that the countywide burn ban issued on May 4th remains in effect until further notice. The ban was implemented due to continued dry conditions, below-normal rainfall, and declining groundwater levels that significantly increase the risk of rapidly spreading outdoor fires. Since the burn ban was enacted, fire…