Joe Ciccanti

Delaware State Police Arrest Two Men for Felony Drug Charges Following Traffic Stop

By Joe Ciccanti / January 25, 2023

Two men are at Sussex Correctional Institution following a traffic stop yesterday morning in Dagsboro. State Police say 32-year-old Tevin Smith of Ellendale and 35-year-old Brian Bell of Wilmington face several drug-related charges. During the traffic stop at Nine Foot Road west of Blackberry Road, troopers smelled marijuana coming from the car, and they asked…

Update on Easton, Maryland Airport Runway Improvement Project

By Joe Ciccanti / January 25, 2023

Easton Airport has now moved into the project design phase of the Airfield Modernization Program, which includes runway expansion. During the January 19, 2023 Easton Airport Advisory Board meeting, AECOM Project Manager Derek Hollinger provided the public a detailed overview. The recorded presentation preserves that portion of the meeting for further public review. The video…

DNREC Funds New Electric Vehicle Fast Charging Stations

By Joe Ciccanti / January 25, 2023

Electric vehicle drivers will have more opportunities to charge up along Delaware roads thanks to grants awarded to several businesses and one Delaware municipality. DNREC is funding the 14 new electric vehicle fast charging stations. Users will be able to access the chargers 24 hours a day and pay a fee for powering their vehicles.…

Salisbury Man Arrested for Thefts from Motor Vehicles

By Joe Ciccanti / January 25, 2023

A 51-year-old Salisbury man is in jail for thefts from motor vehicles that occurred on January 14-17. According to the investigation, Little Price Brooken is charged with using the stolen credit cards at numerous locations throughout Salisbury. One of the incidents occurred on Snow Hill Road where US currency and a credit card was stolen.…

Legislation to Expand Affordable Housing Access for Low-Income Families in Rental Assistance Program

By Joe Ciccanti / January 25, 2023

With many people struggling to find affordable housing and the rising cost of living,Ā eligible low-income families will have increased housing choices under legislation that Senators Chris Coons and Kevin Cramer (N.D.) have reintroduced. The Choice in Affordable Housing Act, which aims to improve the federal government’s largest rental assistance program, will also give families improved…

DelDOT Traffic Alerts: Upcoming Area Road/Turn Lane Closures

By Joe Ciccanti / January 25, 2023

The southbound right turn lane from Mount Joy Road to Westbound Route 24 in the Millsboro area will be closed for over a week due to road work. The work begins on February 6th. DelDOT expects the project to be completed by 15th, depending on the weather. Emergency vehicles only will have access to make…

AAA Booking 150% More Flights; Cruising, Tours, International Travel All Trending Upward

By Joe Ciccanti / January 25, 2023

While the Covid-19 pandemic put a damper on many travel plans, people are now making up for those restrictions. AAA Mid-Atlantic Spokesperson, Jana Tidwell says travel bookings continue to climb and that there is not only pent-up demand, but the dollars saved during the pandemic are now being invested in more extravagant travel. As an…

Sentencing in Salisbury Area Assault Case

By Joe Ciccanti / January 25, 2023

21-year-old Nashala Williams has been sentenced to 15 years in jail for assaults that occurred while on the road. On September 19, 2022, Williams pleaded guilty to First Degree Assault, Second Degree Assault, and Illegal Possession of a Regulated Firearm. According to the State’s Office for Wicomico County, on February 28, 2022, Williams rear-ended a…

UPDATE: Victim Identified in Laurel Area Fatal Crash

By Joe Ciccanti / January 25, 2023

UPDATED–1/25/23 9:35 am–Delaware State Police have released the name of the 21-year-old who died in a crash involving a school bus Monday afternoon. In their news release, they mistakenly identified this person as a woman.Ā The driver of the Honda Civic–Taylor Maurer of Millsboro–was pronounced dead at the scene. UPDATED – 1/24/23 12:10pm ā€“ A crash between…

UPDATE: Dover Police Make Arrest in Connection With Manchester Square Area Shooting

By Joe Ciccanti / January 25, 2023

UPDATE: An investigation into a shooting that occurred in the Manchester Square area has led to the arrest of 19-year-old Alexander Singletary of Dover. The investigation began on January 12th. Singletary is currently at Sussex Correctional Institute on charges that include second-degree assault and second-degree conspiracy. Original WGMD post from January 13th, 2023 A shooting…

UPDATED: Six Now Arrested for Dog Fighting in Seaford

By Joe Ciccanti / January 20, 2023

UPDATED – 1/20/23 – A sixth man has been arrested in connection with the Seaford dog fighting incident earlier this month. The Office of Animal Welfare arrested 45 year old Ronnell Jacobs of Laurel with 3 felony counts related to dog fighting and 2 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. Jacobs was arrested January 12 and…

Economic Growth, Teacher Pay Among Topics in Governor Carney’s State of the State Address

By Joe Ciccanti / January 19, 2023

Delaware Governor John Carney delivered his 2023 State of the State Address this afternoon from the Senate Chamber in Legislative Hall. Among the topics Carney addressed included the previous decline in the workforce in Seaford which had ripple effects through all of Sussex County, but he expressed optimism in current efforts to bring new economic…

Two Central Delaware Teen Girls Arrested in Wilmington for Stealing Vehicle

By Joe Ciccanti / January 19, 2023

Two teen girls–one from Magnolia and the other from Milford–are charged in connection with a motor vehicle theft that occurred overnight in Wilmington. Police also arrested 18-year-old Sherron Elam-Coursey of Wilmington. Just before 2 a.m., troopers responded to the Wawa on Ogletown Stanton Road in Wilmington and learned that a 21-year-old woman parked her car…

Former Pro Wrestler’s Daughters Recovering After Fatal Crash in Laurel

By Joe Ciccanti / January 19, 2023

The Laurel community is grieving following a major fire and a fatal two-vehicle collision that occurred this week. One of the drivers who passed away in the crash was a former pro wrestler known as Jay Briscoe–38-year-old Jamin Pugh of Laurel. His daughters– ages 12 and 9- were passengers in Pugh’s pickup truck. They are…

Salisbury Man Convicted of Armed Robbery, Assault

By Joe Ciccanti / January 19, 2023

A Salisbury man has been convicted of armed robbery and first-degree assault among other charges, following a two-day jury trial. The charges stem from an incident On March 13, 2022, in which Kendal Lee Smiley stole a silver handgun from a relative and walked a short distance to the Pizza City located on Carroll Street…

Continued Road Closures, Investigation into Massive Fire in Laurel

By Joe Ciccanti / January 19, 2023

The investigation continues into the commercial building fire on East Market Street in Laurel the other night. The site included residential areas as well. However, no occupants were in the building at the time. State Representative Tim Dukes tells WGMD’s Mike Bradley… According to the state Fire Marshal’s Office, damage is estimated to be around…

Latest Updates, Talk of Urgency Surrounding Increased Overdose Deaths in Delaware

By Joe Ciccanti / January 19, 2023

Delaware officials this week led a community response briefing to discuss worrisome trends regarding drug use. Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long, along with top leaders from the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) and Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security (DSHS) provided the latest information about suspected drug overdose deaths in the state.…

Dover Man Wanted for Robbery Arrested in Separate Trespassing Incident

By Joe Ciccanti / January 19, 2023

A 22-year-old man Milford Police were looking for in connection with a robbery that occurred October of 2022 has been arrested by Dover Police following a trespassing complaint yesterday evening. Police were called to a home on Lamplighter Lane late yesterday for the reports of people trespassing. That’s when officers took Chaz Johnson into custody…

Delaware Legislation to Increase Post-Pandemic Related Unemployment Relief Passes House

By Joe Ciccanti / January 19, 2023

Claimants receiving unemployment benefits in relation to the Covid-19 situation might see their weekly compensation amount go up soon. This legislation, which has passed the House, provides post-pandemic related relief to both claimants receiving unemployment benefits and employers who are assessed unemployment taxes. This bill will increase the maximum weekly benefit amount payable to claimants…

Details Released Pertaining to Police Use of Deadly Force Investigation

By Joe Ciccanti / January 18, 2023

The Delaware Department of Justice has posted information on a police use of force investigation in connection with incidents that occurred on March 19,2022 in the area of the Starboard Restaurant in Dewey Beach. The report pertains to the fatal use of force by Dewey Peach Police Department against Rodney K. Robinson.Ā The DOJ’s report concludes…

UPDATE: Bicyclist Identified in Fatal Accident

By Joe Ciccanti / January 18, 2023

Delaware State Police have released the name of the bicyclist who died after getting hit by two vehicles in Harrington, Delaware earlier this week. Police have identified the bicyclist who died asĀ 65-year-old Michael G. Smith of Harrington. Original Story: January 17, 2023/Mari Lou Delaware State Police are investigating a crash Monday evening at Route 13…

Lewes Man Arrested for Shooting in Bear, Delaware

By Joe Ciccanti / January 18, 2023

Delaware State Police have arrested 40-year-old Michael Ruduszewski of Lewes, DE for assault second-degree and related charges following a shooting incident that occurred on New Year’s Day. Police say the 45-year-old man who was shot in the upper extremity drove himself to the Emergency Room. The incident occurred at the Express Food Mart on Pulaski…

Fatal Head-On Collision Between Two Pickup Trucks in Laurel

By Joe Ciccanti / January 18, 2023

Two adult drivers are dead and two girls–ages 12 and 9 are in critical condition following a two-vehicle crash that happened just after 5 p.m. yesterday in the area of Laurel Road west of Goose Nest Road. Police say the driver of one vehicle was headed westbound on Laurel Road while another was going east…

Dead Humpback Whale Washes Ashore at Assateague Island National Seashore

By Joe Ciccanti / January 18, 2023

Humpback Whale Photo from the National Park Service

UPDATE: Commercial Building Fire in Laurel Under Investigation

By Joe Ciccanti / January 18, 2023

Fire investigators are still trying to determine the cause and origin of a massive fire that occurred in downtown Laurel overnight. Shortly before 1 a.m., The Laurel Fire Department received a report of the blaze on East Market Street. Firefighters arrived and found heavy smoke and fire coming from the commercial structure, which ended up…