Joe Ciccanti

Governor Moore Announces Appointment of Kathryn Thomson as Acting Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation

By Joe Ciccanti / December 18, 2025

Governor Wes Moore has announced the appointment of Kathryn B. “Katie” Thomson as acting secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation. Thomson will assume her post on January 7th. Thomson earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and her law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Katie Thomson brings more than 30 years…

Delaware State Police Arrest Two for Stolen Vehicle, Drugs

By Joe Ciccanti / December 18, 2025

Delaware State Police have arrested a Salisbury woman and a Seaford man in connection with a stolen vehicle and drug offenses on Tuesday in Seaford. According to police, while a trooper from Troop 5 was patrolling Concord Road in Seaford on December 16th at about 8:15 p.m., the officer stopped a 2009 Lincoln MKS that…

Delaware State Police Investigating Home Invasion in Seaford

By Joe Ciccanti / December 18, 2025

Delaware State Police are investigating a home invasion that occurred on Tuesday in Seaford. On Wednesday, December 17th at about 1:30 p.m., troopers responded to a residence on Rocky Road for a welfare check. A concerned relative, who had been unable to contact the homeowner, made the request. When troopers arrived, they talked to a…

DE Lawmakers Introduce Bill That Would Create Primary Process for Special Elections

By Joe Ciccanti / December 18, 2025

Delaware Lawmakers have introduced bipartisan legislation, House Bill 183 (S), to require special primary elections for filling vacancies in the Delaware General Assembly, allowing voters rather than party officials to select nominees for the special general election. Representative Mara Gorman said the bill ensures voters have a direct role in choosing who fills vacancies, creating…

Attorney General Jennings Announces Federal Judge’s Decision Regarding SNAP Enforcement Dispute

By Joe Ciccanti / December 18, 2025

Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced that a federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from imposing fines on states over SNAP program operations. The ruling allows SNAP benefits to continue for lawful permanent residents, including former refugees and asylees, while the case continues. Jennings said the court order ensures Delawareans can continue receiving food…

Delaware Lawmakers to File Legislation to Limit State Support for Airlines Involved in Deportation Flights

By Joe Ciccanti / December 18, 2025

Delaware lawmakers plan to introduce legislation this week that would restrict state incentives and resources for airlines involved in deportation flights conducted without a judicial warrant or due process. Sponsored by Senator Ray Seigfried and Representative Mara Gorman, the bill would limit state agency cooperation with such airlines at facilities including Wilmington Airport and bar…

The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office Warns of Fake Arrest Warrant Scam

By Joe Ciccanti / December 18, 2025

The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about an increase in fraud schemes involving fake arrest warrants. Scammers are impersonating law enforcement, sometimes using the real names of deputies or supervisors, and claiming there is a warrant related to missed court dates or jury duty. Victims are pressured to make immediate payments using gift…

Delaware Safety Council Receives $55,000 in Grants for Safety and Technology Upgrades

By Joe Ciccanti / December 17, 2025

The Delaware Safety Council has received two grants totaling $55,000 to support expanded accessibility and technology upgrades. A $26,000 Welfare Grant will fund enhancements to the Circle of Safety Defensive Driving Course, including live narration and a sign-language version to better serve the hearing-impaired community. In addition, a $29,000 capital grant from Crystal Trust will…

Governor Moore Announces $10M Community Business Initiative

By Joe Ciccanti / December 17, 2025

Governor Wes Moore has announced the launch of the Maryland Community Business Compass, a new data platform designed to help local entrepreneurs more quickly access information, capital, and support to start and grow businesses in high-need communities. The governor also announced $10 million in new investments aimed at supporting fresh food retailers and child care…

Delaware State Police Arrest Smyrna Man in Dover on 5th DUI Offense

By Joe Ciccanti / December 17, 2025

Delaware State Police have arrested a 62-year-old Smyrna man for a fifth-offense felony DUI and related traffic charges after police spoke with the driver of a disabled vehicle Monday night in Dover. Troopers were dispatched to the area of Fast Landing Road and East Denneys Road where they located a Dodge Grand Caravan stopped in…

Governor Moore Announces $69.5 Million in Awards for Statewide Community Revitalization and Economic Development

By Joe Ciccanti / December 17, 2025

Governor Wes Moore has announced nearly $70 million in Fiscal Year 2026 awards to support six state revitalization programs administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Funds for 226 projects and activities that will be provided to directly support local revitalization goals in Maryland’s disinvested communities across the state. Awards through the…

Two Racoons in Ellendale Area Test Positive for Rabies

By Joe Ciccanti / December 17, 2025

The Delaware Division of Public Health is warning those who live near Reynolds Pond Road in Ellendale that two racoons have tested positive for rabies. The racoons involved were sent to DPH Laboratory, where testing confirmed both animals had rabies. DPH strongly urges any residents in this area who believe they may have been bitten,…

Worcester County Commissioners Appoint Jackie Cutlip to Fill Board of Education Vacancy

By Joe Ciccanti / December 17, 2025

The Worcester County Commissioners have appointed Jackie Cutlip to the Board of Education (BOE) to fill the remainder of a four-year term through November 2026. This vacancy was created by the resignation of Katie Addis. Cutlip, who has owned and operated Bayside Boat Rentals in Ocean City with her husband since 1999, was appointed to…

UPDATED: Delaware State Police Investigating Fatal Two-Vehicle Crash in Hartly

By Joe Ciccanti / December 12, 2025

UPDATED – 12/12/25 – Delaware State Police have identified 77 year old Jeffrey Holloway of Dover as the man who died in a fatal crash Wednesday morning in Hartly. ============================================================== ORIGINAL STORY – 12/11/25 – Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal crash involving two vehicles yesterday morning in Hartly. According to police, on December…

Suspect Arrested Following Assault at Matapeake Elementary and Middle School in Queen Anne’s County

By Joe Ciccanti / December 11, 2025

UPDATE: The suspect has been taken into custody. Police remain on scene as the investigation continues.   Previous Information from early this afternoon 12/11/25: A lockdown has been initiated by the School Resource Officer following an assault that occurred on the campus of Matapeake Elementary and Middle School in Stevensville in Queen Anne’s County, Maryland. The individual involved…

Statements Issued After Federal Court Strikes Down Trump Administration Wind Permit Freeze

By Joe Ciccanti / December 11, 2025

A coalition of 18 attorneys general, led by Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings, won a lawsuit overturning the Trump Administration’s January freeze on all federal permitting for wind energy projects. On December 7th, a federal judge in Massachusetts vacated the freeze, calling it arbitrary, capricious, and unlawful. The coalition argued the halt disrupted states’ energy…

Salisbury Zoo Welcomes New Spectacled Owl

By Joe Ciccanti / December 11, 2025

The Salisbury Zoo has announced the arrival of a new male Spectacled Owl named Bosque — Spanish for “forest.” Bosque, just over 1 year old, has joined the Zoo’s resident female, Luna, age 28.  Visitors can now see Bosque and Luna on habitat and learn about the species’ role in tropical forest ecosystems. Through conservation education and…

Maryland Senate Republicans Reelect Senators Hershey and Ready to Caucus Leadership

By Joe Ciccanti / December 11, 2025

At its recent caucus meeting, the Maryland Senate Republican Caucus unanimously reelected Senator Steve Hershey (District 36, Upper Shore) as Senate Minority Leader and Senator Justin Ready (District 5, Carroll County) as Senate Minority Whip for the 2026 legislative session. Hershey and Ready have served together in Senate leadership since 2022. As the General Assembly…

Wicomico County Awarded Airport Improvement Grant

By Joe Ciccanti / December 11, 2025

Wicomico County has been awarded a $95,000 FY26 Airport Improvement Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to support critical infrastructure improvements at the Salisbury–Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport. This grant award, issued to the County of Wicomico and shared with the Office of Representative Andy Harris, will fund Phase 1—design…

Fatal Industrial Accident Under Investigation in Wicomico County

By Joe Ciccanti / December 10, 2025

An investigation is underway into the death of an 81-year-old man–Paul  Wayne Jones– after the excavator he was operating was found submerged in a pond on private property in Fruitland. The Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office responded yesterday, December 9th, after the property owner discovered Jones’s vehicle but could not locate him. A dive team later…

Bill Introduced to Repair Infrastructure, Bridge Communities

By Joe Ciccanti / December 10, 2025

In an effort to ensure more neighborhoods are vibrant and safe– contributing to healthier lives and creating more opportunities for American families, U.S. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester, Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Reverend Raphael Warnock of Georgia today introduced the Restoring Essential Public Access and Improving Resilient (REPAIR) Infrastructure Program Act. The bill would reauthorize and expand the…

AG Jennings Informs Customers About Accessing $700 million Google Settlement

By Joe Ciccanti / December 10, 2025

Attorney General Kathy Jennings is informing consumers about how to receive payments from a $700 million Google settlement that Delaware helped secure with 52 other attorneys general. The settlement—awaiting final court approval on April 30th, 2026—will return money to consumers who made Google Play Store purchases between August 2016 and September 2023 and were harmed…

Facility Dog Program in Delaware Courthouses Expands to Kent and Sussex Counties

By Joe Ciccanti / December 10, 2025

The Delaware Capitol Police is now offering its Facility Dog Program in all Delaware courthouses by expanding services to Kent and Sussex counties. The program pairs specially trained dogs with dedicated handlers to comfort vulnerable populations and reduce anxiety. Facility dog services can be requested by filling out the form at courts.delaware.gov/aoc/facilitydog.aspx   Delaware Capitol Police…

Maryland State Police Collecting New, Unwrapped Toys During Holiday Season

By Joe Ciccanti / December 10, 2025

Maryland State Police barracks across the state are accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys to support children and families in need during the holiday season. All across Maryland, barrack lobbies will be used as welcoming drop-off locations. All collected toys will be distributed to community organizations, local partners, and programs around the state. You are…

Delaware Officers Honored for Exceptional Investigations and Community Impact

By Joe Ciccanti / December 10, 2025

Delaware Crime Stoppers, in partnership with the Delaware Association of Chiefs of Police, has honored the state’s top law enforcement officers for their investigative work and community service in 2025. The annual awards—recognizing excellence in major case investigations, victim support, and community impact—highlight exceptional officers and troopers from agencies statewide, including Smyrna Police, Delaware State…