Joe Ciccanti

Throw Away Dogs Project Mourns Loss of K9 Ender– Awaits Clarity from Ongoing Investigation

By Joe Ciccanti / July 3, 2025

The Throw Away Dogs Project is mourning the loss of K9 Ender, a donated and trained police dog who served with the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office in Maryland. The organization learned of his death from an outside source and is awaiting details from an ongoing investigation. Founder Carol Skaziak emphasized the value and importance of…

Accidental Drowning Deaths of Two Young Children in Caroline County

By Joe Ciccanti / July 3, 2025

The Caroline County Sheriff’s Office has conducted a thorough investigation into the drowning deaths of the two young children, which happened on June 29th. It has been determined that these tragedies were accidental. At about 7:30 p.m. on the 29th, deputies responded to Greensboro Road in Greensboro for the drowning report. When deputies arrived, they…

Act to Amend the Charter of City of Milford Related to City Council Government & Eminent Domain–Signed into Law

By Joe Ciccanti / July 3, 2025

Governor Matt Meyer has signed into law the Act to Amend the Charter of the City of Milford relating to enumerated powers and city council government. The Act to Amend the Charter grants the City Council the power to exercise eminent domain for the purpose of property acquisition, with the exception of land to be…

Salisbury Police Department Request Public’s Assistance in Locating Missing Teen

By Joe Ciccanti / July 3, 2025

  The Salisbury Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating Aliyah Dixon, who was last seen on East Church Street on July 1st, at about 11:00 p.m. Dixon is 14 years old. She is described as being 5’05” and 120 pounds. She was last seen wearing a light gray sweater, jeans, and pink…

DE General Assembly Votes to Establish Auto Insurance Task Force

By Joe Ciccanti / July 3, 2025

Legislation to examine auto insurance rates passed in both the Delaware Senate and the House. Senator Spiros Mantzavinos had introduced legislation that would establish the Automobile Insurance Reform Task Force. This measure is intended to help ratepayers save money and mitigate the financial burden shouldered by low and middle-income families. Senate Concurrent Resolution 111 creates the…

Chicken House Fire in Denton Under Investigation

By Joe Ciccanti / July 3, 2025

The cause of a chicken house fire that occurred yesterday just before 10 a.m. on Tuckahoe Road in Denton, Maryland is under investigation. The blaze, which started in the front portion of the 60′ X 600′ chicken house, caused an estimated 500,000 in structural damage. Anyone with information regarding this fire should contact the Upper…

Troopers Arrest Ellendale Man for DUI and Gun Offenses Following Crash in Harbeson

By Joe Ciccanti / July 3, 2025

Delaware State Police have arrested a 33-year-old Ellendale man for DUI, gun, and crash related offenses following a crash that occurred earlier this week in Harbeson. According to State Police, on July 1st at approximately 8:35 a.m., a Ford F-750 was heading southbound on Harbeson Road north of Lewes-Georgetown Highway. For unknown reasons, the Ford…

UPDATE: Dr. Nikki Miller Named Republican Candidate for State Representative in Delaware’s 20th District Special Election

By Joe Ciccanti / July 3, 2025

UPDATE 7/3/25:   Dr. Nikki Miller has been officially nominated as the Republican candidate for the upcoming special election in Delaware’s 20th District. A longtime educator and community leader, she emphasizes bipartisan, results-oriented policies. Her campaign priorities include traffic improvements, responsive constituent service, protecting farmland, smart growth with infrastructure, and practical solutions to everyday issues. Additional Information:…

DOJ Secures Prison Time for Maryland-Based Home Improvement Contractor for Unfinished Projects in Kent and Sussex Counties

By Joe Ciccanti / July 2, 2025

A Greensboro, Maryland-based home improvement contractor has been convicted and sentenced for felony home improvement fraud. On June 20th, 44-year-old Jeremy Bowen was sentenced to six months in prison after being convicted of three counts of felony home improvement fraud through a guilty plea entered in Sussex County Superior Court. The sentence follows an investigation…

Settlement in Case Against Delaware Contractor Investigated for False Statements and Unlawful Deductions from Payroll Reports

By Joe Ciccanti / July 2, 2025

Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings announced a settlement with Diamond Materials, a contractor found to have made unlawful payroll deductions from workers’ wages on public construction projects. An investigation revealed the company falsely claimed deductions were for worker training benefits, when in fact the money was used to pay for a contractor association membership. As…

Delaware State Senate Passes the Transfer on Death Act

By Joe Ciccanti / July 2, 2025

The Delaware State Senate this week passed the Transfer on Death Act (TODA) 21-0. The Transfer on Death Act introduces non-probate transfer of real estate, which gives real property owners the ability to designate individuals as beneficiaries upon the owner’s passing. The person named to receive the property wouldn’t have any legal ownership until the…

MD State Highway Administration To Begin Repairs To US 50 Bridge Structures In Salisbury

By Joe Ciccanti / July 2, 2025

The Maryland State Highway Administration will begin repairs to two bridges over the Wicomico River on US 50–Ocean Gateway and MD 991 (Main Street) in downtown Salisbury next week, weather permitting. According to MDOT, starting Monday, July 7th at 7 a.m., crews will begin the work on the bridges. The project includes replacing protective structures around…

Delaware State Police Issue Gold Alert for Missing Magnolia Man

By Joe Ciccanti / July 2, 2025

Delaware State Police Troop 3 has issued a Gold Alert for 31-year-old Peter Davis, 3rd of Magnolia. He was last seen on Daffodil Lane in Magnolia on June 25th. Attempts to contact or locate him have been unsuccessful, and there is a concern for his safety and well-being. He is described as a black man,…

Record-breaking 4th of July Holiday Car Travel Numbers Across the United States and Delaware

By Joe Ciccanti / July 2, 2025

If your commute feels a bit slower today, there’s a reason. With the Independence Day holiday this week, AAA is projecting a spike in travel — meaning more congestion on the roads. A record-breaking 72.2 million travelers across the US, including more than 203,000 Delawareans, are expected to travel 50 miles or more for the…

Delaware Senate Passes $6.5 Billion Operating Budget with Bipartisan Support

By Joe Ciccanti / June 26, 2025

With bipartisan support, the Senate voted to pass a $6.5 billion operating budget for FY 2026 and a $37 million supplemental budget package today, June 26th. The budget for FY 2026, which spans July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2026, includes support for state workers, substantial investments in health care, and significant resources to strengthen…

UPDATE: Gold Alert for Missing Dover Woman–Canceled

By Joe Ciccanti / June 26, 2025

UPDATE: The Dover Police Department is canceling the Gold Alert for Samantha Levering. She has been located and is safe. The Dover Police Department has issued a Gold Alert for Samantha Levering of Dover. She was last seen at 12:45 p.m. in the area of 128 McKee Road Dover, DE. Attempts to contact her have…

Pre-Authorization Reform Bill Passes Delaware General Assembly

By Joe Ciccanti / June 26, 2025

A bill that would streamline pre-authorization requirements in Delaware, also known as prior authorization, to create a more efficient process that allows for better access to timely health services has passed the General Assembly and now heads to Governor Matt Meyer’s desk. Pre-authorization is a process by which providers are required to request approval from…

Salisbury Man Sentenced for Firearm/Drug Trafficking, Manufacture of Cocaine and Related Offenses

By Joe Ciccanti / June 26, 2025

A 43-year-old Salisbury, Maryland man pleaded guilty in the Circuit Court for Wicomico County to one count of firearm/drug trafficking, one count of manufacturing cocaine, and one count of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine, as well as two counts of reckless endangerment. The Honorable Karen M. Dean, Associate Judge of the…

Maryland State Police Seek Public’s Help in 1989 Cold Case Homicide of Colleen Powell West

By Joe Ciccanti / June 26, 2025

Maryland State Police are seeking help from the public for information related to the cold case homicide of a 26-year-old woman in Wicomico County in 1989. On September 9, 1989, Colleen Powell West was found dead in a remote area along Bear Swamp Road near Wango, Maryland. She was last seen alive on the evening…

Maryland Department of Health Announces Preliminary State Prevention Plan and Firearm Violence Data Dashboard

By Joe Ciccanti / June 26, 2025

The Maryland Department of Health’s Center for Firearm Violence Prevention and Intervention has released a Preliminary State Plan and a new Firearm Violence Data Dashboard as part of a public health approach to reducing gun violence. The State Plan outlines key goals, including analyzing Maryland’s firearm policies and programs, improving access to firearm-related data, enhancing…

DART First State Independence Day Schedule

By Joe Ciccanti / June 26, 2025

With the Fourth of July approaching, you may need information on available DART transportation services.  In Sussex County, the Beach Bus services and Route 305 will operate on Independence Day, with Paratransit operating complimentary ADA-only service. All other DART services, fixed route and paratransit, will not operate. With the free DART Transit app, you can plan your trip,…

Legislation Regulating Limitations that Counties Can Impose Upon Marijuana Sales– Passes Delaware House

By Joe Ciccanti / June 26, 2025

A bill that limits the restrictions a county may impose on the operation of marijuana establishments has passed the Delaware House and is now ready for Governor Matt Meyer’s signature. House Majority Whip Ed Osienski issued a statement on the successful passage of Senate Bill 75– stating that the intent of passing legislation that legalized…

Two Arrested; Charges Pending for Another Following High-Speed Pursuits and Reckless Driving of Stolen Vehicles in Kent and Sussex Counties

By Joe Ciccanti / June 25, 2025

  Two individuals have been arrested and another will face criminal charges following pursuits involving two stolen vehicles on Friday morning. According to State Police, on June 20th at about 5:00 in the morning, troopers spotted two Maryland-registered Hyundais—a Santa Fe and a Sonata—reported stolen that morning, traveling south on Bay Road near President Drive…

DSP Troopers Arrest Man for 9th Offense DUI following Traffic Stop in Dover

By Joe Ciccanti / June 25, 2025

Delaware State Police have arrested 61-year-old Magnolia man for his 9th DUI felony offense. Police arrested Anthony McLeish following a traffic stop in Dover on Saturday. According to State Police, McLeish exhibited multiple signs of impairment and failed Standardized Field Sobriety Tests. When the trooper attempted to arrest him, McLeish fled on foot but was…

Mosquito Control Insecticide Application Planned in Milford Area, Western Sussex County Today

By Joe Ciccanti / June 25, 2025

The Delaware Mosquito Control Section plans the following insecticide application(s) during the evening hours today, Wednesday, June 25th–weather permitting. The application with a truck mounted sprayer will be done to control adult mosquitoes in Milford as well as near Seaford, Bridgeville, Greenwood, Harrington, and Felton. All insecticides to be used are registered with the USEPA…