Joe Ciccanti

DelDOT to Convert Georgetown and Millsboro Area Intersections into All Way Stop

By Joe Ciccanti / June 1, 2023

The intersection of East Trap Pond Road and Hardscrabble Road in the Georgetown area will be converted to an All Way Stop control with new signs and pavement markings, according to the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT). The work will occur starting at 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Tuesday, June 13th (weather permitting). The…

Salisbury Sees Reduction in Part 1 Crimes Since 2012

By Joe Ciccanti / June 1, 2023

Since 2012, the number of what are called “Part 1” crimes in Salisbury has dropped 45 percent overall, according to the Salisbury Police Department’s 2022 Part 1 crime statistics. Part 1 crime includes the ten most common offenses encountered by law enforcement, including aggravated assault, rape, homicide, arson, human trafficking, motor vehicle theft, robbery, burglary,…

Man Formerly of Salisbury Convicted of Second-Degree Murder for 2017 Slaying of Jaquanta Walton

By Joe Ciccanti / May 31, 2023

Following a 6-day jury trial, Dionte Dutton, formerly of Salisbury, Maryland, was convicted this week of Second-Degree Murder, First-Degree Assault, along with other criminal charges. Sentencing was postponed allowing for a pre-sentencing investigation to be completed. Dutton will remain in custody pending sentencing. On June 10, 2017, Dionte Dutton got into a confrontation with Jaquanta…

Worcester County Fire Marshal Investigating Vehicle Arson Fire

By Joe Ciccanti / May 31, 2023

The Worcester County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a vehicle fire in Berlin that happened before 11:00 this morning at the intersection of Mary Road and Sinepuxent Road. Upon arrival, units observed the flames extending throughout the Ford Transit cargo van that was abandoned on the side of the roadway. Crews worked quickly to extinguish…

24-Year-Old Man Arrested Near Salisbury After Sheriff’s Deputy Catches Him in Apparent Sexual Intercourse With 13-Year-Old

By Joe Ciccanti / May 31, 2023

A 24-year-old man faces sex offense charges after a Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office Deputy caught him having sex with a 13-year-old. The deputy had responded to the location just outside of Salisbury in reference to a suspicious vehicle. Yesterday, Deric James Rust was arrested and transported to the Wicomico County Detention Center. He was originally…

Ocean City, Maryland Police Department Continues to Address Concerns Regarding Homeless Population

By Joe Ciccanti / May 31, 2023

The Ocean City Police Department continues to address concerns in area communities regarding the city’s homeless population. So far in 2023, the Ocean City Police Department has identified 17 individuals experiencing homelessness in the Town of Ocean City. This number fluctuates throughout the year. In 2022, they identified 33 individuals. If you are interested in lending…

Legislation Introduced to Establish Holistic Health Care for Children

By Joe Ciccanti / May 31, 2023

Concerns about the spike in mental health challenges among young people have prompted U.S. Senators and Representatives including Tom Carper and Lisa Blunt Rochester to introduce legislation that aims to establish a holistic approach to children’s health care. The bill would allow for the integration of mental and physical health services for children and youth…

Unnecessary Power Outages Caused by Foil Balloons

By Joe Ciccanti / May 31, 2023

With all the graduations and outdoor events taking place around this time of year, Delmarva Power is issuing a warning about one thing that can put a damper on your celebration, or on those around you– foil balloons. The balloons, also known as mylar balloons, can wreak havoc on the electric grid. Untethered balloons cause…

Three License-Free Fishing Days in Maryland Scheduled for 2023

By Joe Ciccanti / May 31, 2023

All Maryland residents and visitors will get an opportunity to enjoy license-free fishing days on Saturday, June 3rd, Saturday, June 10th, and Tuesday, July 4th. On these days, any individual may catch and possess finfish for recreational purposes in any tidal and nontidal waters of Maryland, according to the state’s Department of Natural Resources. All…

Traffic Alert: Street Closures Today and Tomorrow in Salisbury for Demolition and Clean Up

By Joe Ciccanti / May 31, 2023

As of 8:30 this morning, Salisbury officials are closing roads in the area of a demolition of condemned property. The time frame of the demolition is today and tomorrow, May 31st and June 1st from 8:30 am to 4 pm. Heavy equipment needs to be onsite for this project which means the City will be…

First-Ever Delaware Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice Integration Summit

By Joe Ciccanti / May 25, 2023

The Delaware Judiciary, in partnership with the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), held the first-ever Delaware Behavioral Health and Criminal Justice Integration Summit this week. The purpose of the event was to bring together a broad cross-section of criminal justice, law enforcement and public health professionals to discuss, address and collaborate on…

Millsboro Man Charged with Drug Dealing in Sussex County

By Joe Ciccanti / May 25, 2023

A 43-year-old Millsboro man has been arrested for drug dealing following an extended narcotics investigation. Four months ago, detectives from the Sussex County Drug Unit began investigating Sylvester Weaver, who was suspected of dealing drugs in Sussex County. Yesterday, detectives executed a search warrant at Weaver’s home on Jackstone Way in Millsboro. A search of…

New Child Identification Program in Delaware

By Joe Ciccanti / May 25, 2023

A new partnership between the State of Delaware and the National Child Identification Program will provide Delaware families and law enforcement with new tools to locate missing children. As a result of this new partnership, 156,000 at-home child ID kits will be sent to Delaware families beginning this year. The ID kits will feature an…

MDOT Traffic Alert: State Highway Administration to Begin Pipe Repair Projects Next Week Along Sections of US 13 in Wicomico County

By Joe Ciccanti / May 25, 2023

If you drive on US 13 Business (Salisbury Road) near the ramp to US 50 and Zion Road or on US 13 (Salisbury Bypass) between Johnson Road and Ward Road, you can expect shoulder closures and intermittent lane closures beginning June 1st. The closures are due to two pipe rehabilitation projects. Weather permitting, both projects…

UPDATE: One Person Seriously Injured in Felton Area Accident

By Joe Ciccanti / May 25, 2023

One person is being treated for serious injuries after an accident in the Felton area at just before 6 p.m. yesterday. The collision occurred at the intersection of South Dupont Highway and Reeves Crossing Road in Felton. Corporal Leonard DeMalto of the Delaware State Police tells the Talk of Delmarva that a Ford Focus was…

Maryland State Police to Step Up Roadway Enforcement Efforts This Holiday Weekend

By Joe Ciccanti / May 25, 2023

Maryland State Police will bolster enforcement efforts over the Memorial Day weekend to increase safety on the roads. State troopers from 23 barracks, including members of the State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort Team, known as the SPIDRE team, will be focusing enforcement efforts on impaired driving, aggressive driving, speeding, and distracted driving. Additional troopers…

Cell Phones, Other Personal Electronic Devices to be Allowed in State Courthouses June 1st

By Joe Ciccanti / May 25, 2023

You’ll be allowed to bring cellphones and other personal electronic devices into all state courthouse facilities as of June 1st due to an extension of a branch-wide pilot program that started in February 2022. Restrictions will still be in place on use of the devices in court facilities, and in particular in courtrooms, but this…

Delmar Man Sentenced in Child Pornography Case

By Joe Ciccanti / May 25, 2023

A 35-year-old Delmar, Maryland man pleaded guilty earlier this month to possessing and distributing child pornography. The Honorable W. Newton Jackson, a senior Judge of the Circuit Court for Wicomico County, sentenced Brandon Ehrisman to an active sentence of ten years of incarceration, with five years suspended for Distribution of Child Pornography and two counts…

Six Arrested in One Seaford Residence During Narcotics Search Warrant

By Joe Ciccanti / May 19, 2023

Six people have been arrested on drug charges after the Seaford Police Department with assistance from Delaware State PoliceSORT executed a narcotics search warrant Wednesday at a residence near the intersection of Front Street and King Street in Seaford. During the execution of the search warrant the six were taken into custody inside the home.…

Delaware Senate Passes legislation to Encourage More Investment in Affordable Housing

By Joe Ciccanti / May 18, 2023

A record number of Delawareans are experiencing homelessness, and so the Delaware Senate passed legislation today that encourages more public and private investment in the construction of new affordable housing units throughout the First State. Senate Substitute 1 for Senate Bill 87 would fully exempt affordable housing projects funded by nonprofits and government entities from…

Legislation Introduced Would Cut Prescription Drug Costs for Seniors

By Joe Ciccanti / May 18, 2023

Medicare-only PACE participants will be able to choose between the PACE Part D plan, as currently designed, or a standalone more affordable Medicare Part D plan, under bipartisan legislation introduced today. Senator Tom Carper says The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) Part D Choice Act would give seniors the option to choose…

Criminal Investigation Underway After Dumpster Fire on University of Delaware Campus

By Joe Ciccanti / May 18, 2023

A criminal investigation is now underway by the Delaware State Fire Marshal’s office and University of Delaware Police after a fire was intentionally set in a trash dumpster located behind Smyth Hall on the campus of the University of Delaware around 5:30 p.m. yesterday. Officials remind members of the UD community to be vigilant. If…

DelDOT Traffic Alert: Overhead Sign Work Next Week on Route One–Rehoboth

By Joe Ciccanti / May 18, 2023

Overhead Sign Work will take place next week on northbound Route 1 between Old Landing Road and Munchy Branch Road. Weather permitting, crews will start working at 9:00 pm Monday, May 22nd and finish by 5:00am Tuesday May 23rd. You should expect minor delays and use caution if you plan to drive through that area.

Crisfield Man Arrested for Possessing and Distributing Child Pornography

By Joe Ciccanti / May 18, 2023

Troopers in Somerset County arrested a Crisfield man this morning after an investigation led to evidence of possession and distribution of child pornography. On May 17, 2022, troopers served a search warrant at the home of 25-year-old Daniel Alexander Elliot. A preliminary forensic review of his cellphone revealed numerous images of child pornography which were…

Electrical Malfunction Causes House Fire in Talbot County

By Joe Ciccanti / May 18, 2023

A two-story single-family house on Willis St. in Cordova, Talbot County is damaged as a result of a fire that occurred yesterday evening. An electrical malfunction caused the blaze, which started in the second-floor bedroom, according to the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal. The fire caused an estimated $15,000 in structural damage. Estimated…