Joe Ciccanti

Senator Carper Highlights Critical Tax Code Provisions to Support Working Families

By Joe Ciccanti / June 14, 2023

At today’s Senate Finance Committee hearing “Anti-Poverty and Family Support Provisions in the Tax Code,” U.S. Senator Tom Carper noted the importance of better targeting the Child Tax Credit to reach those who need it most. Carper says the Child Tax Credit as it currently exists does not reflect that principle… Also, during the hearing,…

Traffic Alert: Intersection Improvements at Bay Farm Road and SR 24

By Joe Ciccanti / June 14, 2023

In Millsboro, a closure will go into effect on Bay Farm Road–westbound right-turn movement onto eastbound Route 24/John J. Williams Highway, starting on Monday, June 19th. The closure will continue through Wednesday, June 28th (weather permitting) for intersection improvements. Detour information from DelDOT:  Motorists should take Bay Farm Road to School Lane, followed by a left…

Delaware State Police Arrest Two Following a Shooting in Magnolia

By Joe Ciccanti / June 14, 2023

The Delaware State Police have arrested a man and a woman from Magnolia after a shooting occurred yesterday evening. Police arrested 61-year-old Howard Hampton and 48-year-old Cheryl Brown. The incident happened on Moores Drive. Troopers learned that a 45-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman had been walking on Moores Drive when a white pickup truck began approaching…

Delaware House Passes Tenants’ Right to Representation Bill

By Joe Ciccanti / June 14, 2023

The Delaware House has passed legislation that would give tenants a right to representation in eviction proceedings and other landlord-tenant actions. Senate Bill 1(S) would connect tenants experiencing financial hardship with access to free legal representation. The bill also creates a pre-trial diversion program aimed at resolving landlord-tenant disputes before they reach a courtroom. SB…

Town of Bethany Beach Announces Publication of Newsletters

By Joe Ciccanti / June 14, 2023

In response to a number of requests, the Town of Bethany Beach is once again publishing a newsletter. As of this month–June 2023, the first newsletter of the year has been posted. Although the Town’s website– http://townofbethanybeach.com/–provides a great deal of information, and notices regarding meetings and other timely information are sent to those who…

Maryland State Highway Administration to Begin Milling and Paving Project Requiring Closures of Route 90

By Joe Ciccanti / June 14, 2023

Route 90 in Worcester County will be completely closed in both directions in the overnight hours beginning Sunday June 18th due to a milling and patching project. Starting the 18th, crews will be working along Route 90 (Ocean City Expressway) from Route 50 (Ocean Gateway) to Route 113 in Worcester County. Work is expected to…

Legislation Introduced Proposing Reduction in Prison Sentence, Class Felony Designation for Certain Child Abuse Crimes

By Joe Ciccanti / June 14, 2023

Legislation introduced this week would reduce the mandatory sentence of 5 years imprisonment to 3 years for certain aggravated forms of child abuse in the second degree. House Amendment 1 to House Bill 182 also reduces child abuse in the first degree to a class B felony rather than class A but imposes a mandatory…

Beginning Friday: Parking Restrictions & Heavy Traffic Expected for Ocean City Air Show This Weekend

By Joe Ciccanti / June 9, 2023

The Town of Ocean City will be hosting the O.C. Air Show this upcoming weekend. If you head to that location, you can expect to see heavy traffic delays (both vehicle and pedestrians), restricted parking, and road closures in the downtown areas. Here are the details from the Town of Ocean City: Street Closures The…

UPDATED: DE Senate Passes Legislation to Help Paraprofessionals Become Certified Teachers

By Joe Ciccanti / June 8, 2023

The Delaware Senate passed legislation today to help ease the path for experienced paraprofessionals to become full-time, certified teachers. Sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman, Senate Bill 156 will both assist Delaware schools resolve ongoing teacher shortages and encourage a more diverse teacher workforce. Senator Lockman says rising student enrollment combined with high…

Dover Police Arrest Five Individuals on Firearm Charges

By Joe Ciccanti / June 8, 2023

Dover Police have arrested 5 individuals on firearms charges. The investigation began at 4:00 p.m. yesterday when authorities observed a 17-year-old of Dover who was wanted by Dover Police in the area of 200 West Reed Street. Officers arrested the 17-year-old boy, and four other individuals who were identified as follows: 18-year-old Khalil Smith, 25-year-old…

Beach Replenishment Project to Begin Tomorrow in Bethany Beach

By Joe Ciccanti / June 8, 2023

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will begin a project tomorrow that will replenish the beach and dune in Bethany Beach between Third Street and Wellington Parkway. It is estimated, depending on weather, replenishment will take between 15 to 25 days to complete and will place an additional 320,000 cubic yards of sand on the…

Lewes Woman Charged With 3rd Offense Felony DUI

By Joe Ciccanti / June 8, 2023

Delaware State Police have arrested 52-year-old Laura Wilson of Lewes for felony DUI and resisting arrest following a pursuit that occurred in Lewes overnight. At just before 1 am, a trooper on patrol observed a gray Jeep Grand Cherokee heading westbound on John J. Williams Highway approaching the intersection at Camellia Drive. The Jeep did…

UPDATE: 37th Annual Delaware Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Cancelled Today, June 8th; Originally Scheduled for June 7th – 9th

By Joe Ciccanti / June 8, 2023

UPDATE 6/8/23: Due to the air quality alert and health concerns, the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics scheduled for today, has been cancelled. The ceremony at Legislative Hall has been moved indoors into the lobby of the building. This will not be a formal ceremony, but instead will be an opportunity for Special…

Magnolia Man Arrested for Shots Fired in Dover

By Joe Ciccanti / June 8, 2023

An investigation by Dover Police into reports of shots fired after midnight Tuesday morning on May 16th has led to the arrest of 29-year-old Roger Barlow. Police were able to identify Barlow after detectives released photographs of him on social media platforms. U.S. Marshals First State Fugitive Task Force took Barlow into custody at a…

18-Year-old Arrested in Ocean City After Stabbing Incident

By Joe Ciccanti / June 8, 2023

Ocean City, Maryland police have arrested an 18-year-old for a stabbing that occurred on June 7th in the area of 81st street at just after midnight. Officers found the male victim with stab wounds to the forearm and hip area. Ocean City EMS responded and rendered emergency medical care. The victim was transported to TidalHealth…

Unhealthy Air Quality–in the Red Zone Today in Delaware; Improvements Projected for This Weekend

By Joe Ciccanti / June 8, 2023

Smoke from wildfires in Canada is causing poor air quality in several regions of the United States. Angela Marconi, director of the DNREC Division of Air Quality tells the Talk of Delmarva that they have been seeing PM–particulate matter– levels in the red zone in Delaware… She says they recommend limiting both time outdoors as…

Easton, MD Man Arrested for Malicious Burning

By Joe Ciccanti / June 7, 2023

A 42-year-old Easton, Maryland man is in custody for malicious burning among other charges. The Easton Volunteer Fire Department yesterday responded to the University of Maryland Shore Medical System on South Washington Street after items were set on fire adjacent to the building. Fire Department personnel responded and quickly extinguished the flames. Upon reviewing surveillance…

Wicomico County Council Approves $193 Million Dollar Budget – 6 Percent Salary Increases for County Employees

By Joe Ciccanti / June 7, 2023

The Wicomico County Council has approved the Fiscal Year 24 Budget. Some of the major highlights of the FY 24 budget include a 6% pay increase for most County employees and a higher wage scale for sworn law enforcement officers as part of an amended Collective Bargaining Agreement. The $193 Million Dollar Budget, which is…

Snow Hill Woman Wanted for Burglary, Home Invasion

By Joe Ciccanti / June 7, 2023

The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office is looking for Maquia Tene Briddell who is wanted on an active Arrest Warrant– charged with Burglary 1st, 3rd, 4th and Con-Home Invasion. Her last known address was 500-25 Maple Street, Snow Hill, Maryland. Briddell is 41 years old. Her birthday is July 4th, 1981. She is black, 5’05 and…

Lincoln Man Arrested for DUI, Receiving Stolen Handgun Following Vehicle Pursuit in Smyrna Area

By Joe Ciccanti / June 7, 2023

Delaware State Police have arrested a 34-year-old Lincoln man following a vehicle pursuit in the Smyrna area last night, in which the driver ended up losing control of the vehicle and crashing into a ditch. Troopers observed signs of impairment on Miguel Fantauzzi-Rivera, and a DUI investigation ensued. A subsequent search of his vehicle led…

Air Quality Alert Issued Across MD Eastern Shore

By Joe Ciccanti / June 7, 2023

The Maryland Department of Environment has issued an Air Quality alert across Maryland Eastern Shore. An air quality alert means that Fine Particulates concentrations within the region may approach or exceed unhealthy standards. Additional Details from the Wicomico County Health Department:People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens – take any of…

Two Arrested in Dover on Drug, Firearm Charges

By Joe Ciccanti / June 7, 2023

Two men both of Dover have each been arrested in separate cases on drug and firearm charges. Police arrested 32-year-old Orlando Batson following a traffic stop Monday afternoon. The investigation began when members of the Drugs, Vice and Organized Crime Unit, along with the Street Crimes Unit, observed Batson downtown in the area of South…

Threats Made on Facetime Leads to Arrest of Glen Burnie Resident; Lockdown Protocol at UMD Shore Medical Center

By Joe Ciccanti / June 7, 2023

A 44-year-old Glen Burnie resident has been arrested for displaying a handgun on Facetime and threatening the lives of two individuals. A valid protection order through Caroline County existed between one of the individuals and Martin Jay Coleman. Police yesterday had responded to Washington St. at the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center at Easton,…

Delaware Child Safety Seat Legislation Passes House

By Joe Ciccanti / June 7, 2023

Delaware legislation pertaining to child safety seats that was introduced on April 19th has passed the State House. Senate Bill 68 revises the safety seat requirements which currently requires an “appropriate” car seat or booster. This Act removes the existing fine for the first offense and requests law enforcement to provide a referral to the…

UPDATED: Phone Scam in Maryland Involving Police Impersonators is Again Active

By Joe Ciccanti / June 2, 2023

Original Story – 03/15/23 – Maryland State Police is warning citizens about a phone scam involving police impersonators. The scam is currently active in Maryland. Citizens have reported that callers contact them claiming to be state troopers or police officers. They try to get financial information or money from the citizens. The impersonator tells them…