Joe Ciccanti

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…

Governor Wes Moore Announces $31.5 Million for Ecological Restoration Projects to Improve Water Quality in Local Waterways and the Chesapeake Bay

By Joe Ciccanti / June 11, 2026

Governor Wes Moore today announced the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is awarding $31.5 million in grants from the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund for 25 ecological restoration projects encompassing 188 sites statewide to improve water quality and wildlife habitats. The projects also include work on Eastern Shore waterways, including the Coastal Bays…

Governor Meyer Recognizes Gun Violence Awareness Month, Grants Pardons To Community Leaders Committed To Preventing Violence

By Joe Ciccanti / June 11, 2026

Governor Matt Meyer has issued a proclamation marking June as Gun Violence Awareness Month in Delaware, reaffirming the state’s focus on reducing violence, supporting victims, and strengthening prevention and intervention efforts. During the signing event today, Governor Meyer also granted pardons to two Delaware residents–Cammerin Norwood and Kaligah Parker– saying their work in community service…

Wicomico County Executive Responds to Allegations Involving Her and Sheriff’s Office

By Joe Ciccanti / June 11, 2026

Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano, in a press conference held at the Government Office Building, addressed allegations involving her and the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office stemming from rumors of photographs…   County Executive Giordano called the allegations completely false, saying they are not based on facts or supported by any evidence but are instead a…

DNREC Indian River Dredging Project Near Millsboro to Improve Boater Navigation, Restore Tidal Wetlands

By Joe Ciccanti / June 11, 2026

DNREC is continuing dredging operations on the Indian River near Millsboro as part of a tidal wetland restoration project that will run through March 2027. The work is designed to restore marsh habitat while also improving navigation and boating access in areas affected by sediment buildup and shoaling. DNREC is urging boaters to use caution…

Wicomico County Public Schools Announces School Leadership Changes, 2026-2027 School Leadership Teams

By Joe Ciccanti / June 11, 2026

Wicomico County Public Schools has announced a number of principal and assistant principal assignments that will take effect July 1st for the 2026-2027 school year. A full list of school leadership teams has been released, with one principal position still to be filled and dean of students assignments to be announced later this summer. Additional…

Governor Meyer, DSHA Announce Progress On Kent County Homeless Services Expansion

By Joe Ciccanti / June 11, 2026

Governor Matt Meyer and the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) announced today that they have an agreement in principle with Delaware State University to purchase its Living and Learning Commons in Dover as a site to expand the Hope Center model in Kent County. Governor Meyer had created the Delaware Interagency Collaborative to End Homelessness…

Delaware Bill Seeking to Expand Access to Mental Health Care Passes Senate

By Joe Ciccanti / June 11, 2026

A bill aimed at expanding access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment in Delaware has passed the Delaware Senate. Known as the “Fair Standards in Mental Health Care Act”, the legislation would require insurers to cover all medically necessary mental health and addiction treatment, eliminate certain prior authorization delays, and ensure emergency mental…

Motor Vehicle Crash Involving School Bus and Honda CR-V

By Joe Ciccanti / June 10, 2026

The Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office investigated a motor-vehicle crash involving a school bus and a Honda CRV today. The crash occurred early this afternoon on Old Ocean City Road (Rt.346) at Friendship Road. The bus driver complained of minor injuries and was transported to Tidal Health for treatment. Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis tells the…

Dorchester County Authorities Investigate Report of Police Impersonator

By Joe Ciccanti / June 10, 2026

The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a report of a person allegedly impersonating a police officer during a traffic stop shortly before midnight on June 9th. The victim told deputies they were stopped by a tan Chevrolet Suburban displaying red and blue emergency lights. The driver claimed to be a Cambridge police officer but…

Cooling Centers Activated in Delaware to Provide Relief from the Heat

By Joe Ciccanti / June 10, 2026

With temperatures hitting above 90 degrees for multiple days in a row, the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) has activated its cooling centers for those who need relief from the heat. DHSS facilities are now open as cooling centers starting today, June 10th and will also be open on June 11th and…

Sussex County Land Trust to Celebrate 25 Years of Conservation at Annual Meeting

By Joe Ciccanti / June 10, 2026

The Sussex County Land Trust’s annual meeting will be held on Friday, June 26th… Sussex County Land Trust Executive Director Sara Bluhm tells the Talk of Delmarva that the public is invited at 12:30 PM to hear presentations on highlights regarding the work that has been accomplished in the last 15 months. The organization will…

Delaware Bill Would Allow Medically Disqualified Drivers to Retain Licenses for Identification

By Joe Ciccanti / June 10, 2026

Under current Delaware law, individuals who lose their driving privileges because of a medical condition must surrender their driver’s license and may need to obtain a separate identification card. A bill currently being worked on in the General Assembly would allow them to keep their physical license for identification purposes. They would sign an affidavit…

DNREC Investigating Release of Unknown Amount of Hazardous Chemical

By Joe Ciccanti / June 10, 2026

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) is reporting that there has been a release involving an unknown amount of anhydrous ammonia into the air from Perdue Foods on North Dupont Boulevard in Milford. The release occurred yesterday evening June 9th at around 8:30 PM.Ā  This chemical is considered to be hazardous…

UPDATED: Delaware State Police Identify Victim in Single-Vehicle Fatal Crash on Oak Road in Bridgeville

By Joe Ciccanti / June 5, 2026

UPDATED – 06/05/26 – The Delaware State Police have identified 17-year-old Kensley Ramirez-Ramirez of Lewes as the person who died in the fatal crash Thursday morning on Oak Road in Bridgeville. ========================================================= ORIGINAL STORY – 06/04/26 – The Delaware State Police are investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash that occurred this morning on Oak Road in…

Capitol Police Investigating Death in Woods Behind Dover DMV

By Joe Ciccanti / June 4, 2026

The Delaware Capitol Police are conducting a death investigation in a wooded area behind the Dover DMV, located at 303 Transportation Circle in Dover. Shortly before 10 a.m. on June 4th, Capitol Police officers responded to the area after being notified by Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) employees that members of a state service agency…

Gas Price Averages Drop for Second Straight Week

By Joe Ciccanti / June 4, 2026

Drivers have been experiencing some relief at the pumps in recent days. The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is down 18 cents since last week to $4.24, according to AAA. This marks the second straight week of decline. Pump prices are cooling off as the price of crude oil remains below $100…

Ozone Levels Prompt Code Orange Alert for Delaware

By Joe Ciccanti / June 4, 2026

Delaware is under a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day on Friday, June 5th due to hot temperatures, sunshine, and light winds that are expected to increase ozone levels. A Code Orange means air quality may be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, older adults, and people with heart or respiratory conditions. Officials recommend that…

Joint Statement Issued on School Bus Driver Alcohol Investigation

By Joe Ciccanti / June 4, 2026

Worcester County officials have released a joint statement regarding an investigation into a school bus driver accused of consuming alcohol before transporting students on April 24th. Investigators determined the driver consumed two alcoholic beverages before driving one student route, but prosecutors declined to file charges, citing insufficient admissible evidence after delays in reporting and problems…

DE Office of Vital Statistics Moving to Another Building; Services Temporarily Affected

By Joe Ciccanti / June 4, 2026

The Delaware Office of Vital Statistics is moving to the James Williams State Service Center. Beginning today, long form certificates will not be available until the move is complete, according to the Delaware Division of Public Health. Other OVS services will remain available at the Jesse Cooper Building from today, June 4th to 15th. The…

Firearms Investigation in Dover Leads to Arrest

By Joe Ciccanti / June 4, 2026

Dover Police have arrested 19-year-old Elijah Johnson on firearms charges following an investigation that began after officers observed a person carrying a firearm on surveillance video near State Street Alley. Police identified Johnson as the suspect and took him into custody Monday, June 1st on South Governors Avenue, where they say he was found with…

Assault Investigation Leads to Barricade Incident Near Pittsville

By Joe Ciccanti / June 4, 2026

A 16-year-old juvenile was taken into custody following an assault and barricade incident on Wednesday June 3rd at a home on Morris Road near Pittsville, according to the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies say the juvenile allegedly assaulted family members before barricading himself in a bedroom and reportedly possessing a firearm. Specialized law enforcement teams…

Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office Conducts Firearms Investigation Involving Two Students at Wicomico Middle School

By Joe Ciccanti / June 4, 2026

Two Wicomico Middle School students are facing charges following a firearms investigation. The Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office learned that one of the students–a 15-year-old male–allegedly stole a firearm from a Virginia residence, brought it to Wicomico Middle School on June 1st, and transferred it to a 14-year-old male student. Deputies recovered the stolen firearm at…

Maryland State Police Investigating Fatal Crash In Worcester County

By Joe Ciccanti / June 3, 2026

Maryland State Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred yesterday evening in Worcester County. Police say the driver–identified as Gregory Roth, a 79-year-old man from Ocean City–was the sole occupant of a Nissan Altima, which was involved in the crash. He was pronounced deceased on the scene by EMS personnel from Berlin. Investigators of…

FY27 Worcester Budget Maintains 81.5 Cent Property Tax Rate, Increases Education Funding by 8 Percent

By Joe Ciccanti / June 3, 2026

Worcester County Commissioners have approved a nearly $300.2 million Fiscal Year 2027 budget that increases funding for education, public safety, and county employees while keeping the property tax rate at 81.5 cents per $100 of assessed value and the local income tax rate at 2.25 percent. The budget includes a record boost for the Board…