Joe Ciccanti

Update – Suspect Arrested in Connection with Shots Fired Incident

By Joe Ciccanti / August 27, 2025

Delaware State Police have arrested 19-year-old Brandon Carter of Dover in connection with a shots fired incident last month. On July 11th at about 5:20 a.m., troopers responded to Washington Place in Dover for the shots fired report. When they arrived, troopers learned that multiple rounds were fired at an occupied residence. Five adults and…

DelDOT Traffic Alert – All Way Stop Implementations in Georgetown Area

By Joe Ciccanti / August 27, 2025

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) will be converting the two way stop control at the intersection of Sycamore Road / Beaver Dam Branch Road in the Georgetown area to an All Way Stop control with new signs and pavement markings. The work will take place starting at 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Tuesday…

Salisbury Man Sentenced for 2022 shooting into Felton Home

By Joe Ciccanti / August 27, 2025

A Salisbury man has been sentenced for his role in a shooting that happened in 2022. Jared Hopkins, who is 28 years old, was sentenced on August 13th to 55 years of incarceration suspended after 14 years for decreasing levels of supervision. The shots were fired into an occupied home injuring a woman in Felton.…

Legislative Leaders Announce Formation of Special Committees to Investigate Property Reassessment

By Joe Ciccanti / August 27, 2025

House and Senate Democratic leadership have announced the formation of bipartisan Special Committees to investigate the recent statewide property reassessment and consider additional legislative action to improve the process and offer targeted tax relief. The Committees will hold a series of public hearings this fall to examine several topics, including probing the property valuation methodologies…

Maryland State Police Boosting Enforcement Efforts for Labor Day Weekend

By Joe Ciccanti / August 27, 2025

Maryland State Troopers from all 23 barracks across the state will conduct high-visibility patrols from Friday, August 29th to Sunday, August 31st. The State Police Impaired Driving Reduction Effort (SPIDRE) team – a specialized unit trained to identify impaired drivers—will also work to reduce impaired driving-related injuries and deaths. Among the planned initiatives: include troopers…

Seaford Police Investigating Robbery at Lowe’s Parking Lot

By Joe Ciccanti / August 27, 2025

Seaford Police are asking for help in identifying the occupants of a vehicle (pictured below) yesterday, August 26th at 2:45 p.m. The vehicle was involved in a robbery in the Lowe’s parking lot. The vehicle is a red Chevrolet Impala displaying Virginia registration 2135BBM. The rear passenger side tire is a spare. Anyone with information…

40th Annual Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral to be Held Labor Day

By Joe Ciccanti / August 27, 2025

The Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral, now in its 40th year, will be held on Labor Day, Monday, September 1st on the Bethany Beach Boardwalk. This free, family-friendly event begins around 5:30 p.m. at the north end of the boardwalk and features live jazz music and a parade to celebrate the end of the summer season.…

House Fire in Linkwood, Dorchester County–Accidental

By Joe Ciccanti / August 27, 2025

A fire that occurred late yesterday afternoon at a house on Ocean Gateway, Linkwood, in Dorchester County has been ruled accidental. According to the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal, a failure in the bathroom exhaust fan caused the blaze. The occupants were home when the fire occurred. The activation of smoke alarms in…

UPDATED: Funeral Services Held Friday for Former Governor, U.S. Congressman Mike Castle

By Joe Ciccanti / August 22, 2025

UPDATED – 08/22/25 – Funeral services for former Congressman Mike Castle were held Friday in Greenville. Delaware’s Congressional delegation as well as President Joe Biden, former Senator Tom Carper, Governor Matt Meyer, friends and family attended the ceremony at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Church. Castle served in the Delaware State House and Senate, as well…

Governor Meyer Appoints New Board Members To Delaware Prosperity Partnership

By Joe Ciccanti / August 21, 2025

Today, Governor Matt Meyer announced thirteen new appointments to the Delaware Prosperity Partnership Board following its August 18th quarterly meeting, during which new amendments were introduced and passed unanimously to expand the board’s membership to thirty-five and allow the Governor to appoint a designee to serve as co-chair in his place. In doing so, the…

Lieutenant Governor Kyle Evans Gay Continues Statewide Meet & Greet Series

By Joe Ciccanti / August 21, 2025

After launching a statewide meet-and-greet series earlier this year, Lieutenant Governor Kyle Evans Gay will continue to host community conversations through the fall. Her next meet-and-greet will be in Kent County, on Monday, August 25th, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Delaware State Police Museum. Registration is encouraged, but not required.  She wants…

UPDATE: Victim Identified in Fatal Two-Vehicle Crash Near Angola

By Joe Ciccanti / August 21, 2025

UPDATE 08/21/25: Delaware State Police have identified 68-year-old Tracey Harden of Lewes as the woman who died in the fatal two-vehicle crash on Tuesday near Angola. The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant information is asked to contact Master Corporal K. Argo at (302) 703-3264. Information may also be provided…

Senators, Coons, Blunt Rochester & Rep. McBride Celebrate Two Major Federal Investments in Harrington

By Joe Ciccanti / August 21, 2025

U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester along with U.S. Representative Sarah McBride joined state and local leaders to hold a groundbreaking ceremony and celebrate the $3.4 million federal grant they secured through the Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) process for critical infrastructure improvements to Harrington’s Industrial Park, including roadwork and extending sewer and water…

Two Teens Arrested in Dover Following Firearm Investigation / Search Warrant

By Joe Ciccanti / August 21, 2025

Dover Police have arrested two teens– 18-year-old Angel Sanabria and a 15-year-old male– following a firearm investigation. Sanabria was taken into custody during a traffic stop near Presidents Drive and Bay Road, where he was found with a handgun despite being prohibited from possessing firearms. The investigation led to a search warrant at a Barrister…

CORRECTION: Delaware State Police Investigating Fatal Pedestrian Hit and Run Crash Near Felton

By Joe Ciccanti / August 21, 2025

CORRECTION:  Evan Young was 36, not 24 as originally stated in the DSP release.   Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian hit-and-run crash that occurred earlier this month near Felton. Police say that on August 1st at about 9:19 p.m., a Ford Transit van was heading westbound on Sandtown Road, approaching John Hurd Road.…

Governor Meyer Signs 10 Public Safety Bills

By Joe Ciccanti / August 20, 2025

Governor Matt Meyer has signed 10 new laws aimed at strengthening public safety, improving mental health resources, promoting nondiscrimination, and expanding protections for victims and communities across Delaware. The legislation includes the creation of a statewide Office of Suicide Prevention, updates to anti-discrimination laws, expanded rights for crime victims and young offenders, and stronger gun…

Search Warrant in Selbyville Leads to Arrest for Gun and Drug Offenses

By Joe Ciccanti / August 20, 2025

Delaware State Police have arrested a 42-year-old Selbyville man for felony drug and gun charges following a search warrant yesterday in Selbyville. On August 19th members of the Sussex County Drug Unit, Sussex County Governor’s Task Force, and Department of Correction – Probation and Parole, executed a search warrant at a residence on Polly Branch…

DelDOT Announces Permanent Closure of Devon Road at Mill Pond Acres

By Joe Ciccanti / August 20, 2025

Devon Road at Mill Pond Acres in the Lewes area will be permanently closed beginning the night of Tuesday, September 2nd as part of Phase 2C of the SR 1 Minos Conaway Road project. According to DelDOT, the closure will occur when the contractor installs a pinned barrier wall as part of Phase 2C of…

UPDATE: Gold Alert Issued for Missing Laurel Woman–Canceled

By Joe Ciccanti / August 20, 2025

UPDATE: The Gold Alert for Chasity Felice, issued by DSP Troop 5, has been cancelled, as she has been found.   Original Post: Delaware State Police Troop 5 has issued a Gold Alert has been issued for 19-year-old Chasity Felice of Laurel.She was last seen on Pine Grove Road in Laurel around 2:00 a.m. (August 20th).…

Dover Police Arrested for Robbery on West Loockerman Street

By Joe Ciccanti / August 20, 2025

Dover Police have arrested a 30-year-old Dover man for a  robbery that occurred on West Loockerman Street last night (Tuesday night). Police say Marquis Boyer-Smith was identified as the suspect after a victim reported being assaulted and having property taken. Officers later located Boyer-Smith and took him into custody without incident. He faces charges of…

Fatal Pedestrian Crash in Dover Involving Two Vehicles

By Joe Ciccanti / August 20, 2025

The Dover Police Department is investigating a crash that resulted in the death of a 44-year-old Dover man. Police say a vehicle had struck a pedestrian on Salisbury Road in the area of Clara Street EXT. He was transported to Bayhealth Kent Campus for treatment. The victim died as a result of the injuries sustained…

Dover Police Chief Denounces “Unsubstantiated” Misconduct Claims, Vows Focus on Crime and Public Safety

By Joe Ciccanti / August 15, 2025

  Dover Police Chief Thomas A. Johnson, Jr. has issued a public statement addressing what he describes as a coordinated effort by a small group of individuals to discredit the department through unsubstantiated claims of police misconduct at Dover City Council meetings. Chief Johnson emphasized that these claims are largely based on hearsay and lack…

UPDATE: DelDOT Toll and Fee Increases, Changes Regarding E-ZPass Start Friday, August 15th

By Joe Ciccanti / August 14, 2025

  UPDATE 08/14/25: The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) reminds drivers that toll increases take effect on Route 1, I-95, and US 301 at 12:00 a.m. on Friday, August 15th. An online toll calculator is available for customers to view the new toll rates for their vehicles when traveling through the state.  In addition to the toll…

UPDATE: Governor Meyer Signs Bipartisan Bill Establishing Office of the Inspector General

By Joe Ciccanti / August 14, 2025

UPDATE 8/14/25:  Today, Governor Matt Meyer signed Senate Bill 4, creating a non‑partisan, independent Office of the Inspector General (OIG). Governor Meyer said this office will strengthen public trust by guaranteeing that Delaware’s government operates with the highest standards of integrity and transparency. Delaware joins the majority of U.S. states in establishing an independent Inspector…

Two Felton Residents Arrested in Royal Farms Shoplifting; Both Held on Additional Warrants

By Joe Ciccanti / August 14, 2025

Two Felton residents have been arrested in connection with a shoplifting on August 8th at the Felton Royal Farms. Police say video surveillance showed 32-year-old Dustin Shayne Jones and 30-year-old Melissa J. Pote leaving the store without paying for merchandise. Both were arrested August 12th during a Delaware State Police traffic stop and charged with…