Joe Ciccanti

Harrington Man Arrested in Connection to Motor Vehicle Thefts

By Joe Ciccanti / May 30, 2025

An 18-year-old from Harrington–Douglas Moore– has been arrested and a second suspect is still not known after a stolen vehicle was found set on fire and another vehicle theft was attempted at Milford Movies 9 on May 20th. The Milford Police Department began investigating both incidents, with the arson case referred to the State Fire…

Troopers Arrest Felton Man for 5th Offense DUI

By Joe Ciccanti / May 29, 2025

  Delaware State Police have arrested 78-year-old Linwood Lewis of Felton, Delaware, for a 5th offense felony DUI in Felton. According to police, at about 11:19 a.m., a trooper patrolling South Dupont Highway near Main Street in Felton, saw a Nissan Murano with an expired registration. The trooper pulled the Nissan over and spoke to…

Former Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Sentenced to Life Plus 30 Years for Sexually Assaulting Women While on Duty

By Joe Ciccanti / May 29, 2025

A 33-year-old Salisbury man and former deputy with the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office has been sentenced for sex crimes committed while in office. Today, the Honorable S. James Sarbanes, Administrative Judge of the Circuit Court for Wicomico County, sentenced Steven Victor Abreu, to serve life in prison, with a consecutive thirty years, for multiple counts…

Maryland Department of Health Expands Behavioral Health and Community-Based Services for Children and Youth

By Joe Ciccanti / May 29, 2025

The Maryland Department of Health has received approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to expand access to behavioral health and home and community-based services for children and youth. The federal approval is for an amendment to Maryland’s 1915(i) state plan, which gives the state the authority to provide home and community-based services…

Governor Meyer Nominates New Sussex County Family Court Judge

By Joe Ciccanti / May 29, 2025

Today, Governor Matt Meyer announced the nomination of Jennifer Donahue to fill the newly created opening for a judge on the Sussex County Family Court. Donahue’s nomination will require confirmation by the Delaware State Senate. Governor Meyer stated that throughout her career, Jennifer has demonstrated a commitment to helping families and children navigate deeply sensitive,…

Search Warrant in Frankford Leads to Arrests for Drug Offenses

By Joe Ciccanti / May 29, 2025

An investigation into illegal drug distribution on Gum Tree Road in Frankford led to the arrests of 56-year-old Calvin Wescott of Ellendale; 35-year-old Jerome Wescott of Frankford; and a 17-year-old male from Seaford. They face felony drug charges following a search on May 22nd. During the search, officers detained seven people—including the teen suspect—and found…

Delaware State Police Investigating Shots Fired Incident in Millsboro

By Joe Ciccanti / May 29, 2025

Delaware State Police are investigating an incident in which someone fired an unknown number of shots at an occupied home in Millsboro last night. Troopers responded to Patriots Way May 28th around 9:45 p.m. for the report of gunfire. No injuries were reported. So far police have not identified a suspect. The Delaware State Police…

Senators Blunt Rochester, Smith, Rounds Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Spur Economic Development

By Joe Ciccanti / May 28, 2025

U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester has joined two other senators –Democrat Tina Smith of Minnesota and Republican Mike Rounds of South Dakota to reintroduce bipartisan legislation aimed at boosting economic development and improving access to capital. The CDFI Bond Guarantee Program Improvement Act would strengthen and expand the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Bond Guarantee…

MD State Highway Administration Looking to Improve Safety and Ride Quality for Hundreds of Thousands of Highway Users

By Joe Ciccanti / May 28, 2025

The plan is for the improvement of nearly 3,400 lane miles of pavement across Maryland through patching and resurfacing efforts, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration. The improvement efforts are anticipated to take place during Fiscal Year 2026, which begins July 1st. As a result of additional transportation resources provided in Governor Moore’s…

Delaware State Police Arrest Bridgeville Pair for Burglary and Theft

By Joe Ciccanti / May 28, 2025

Delaware State Police have arrested two individuals–33-year-old Robert Layton and 31-year-old Jasmine Rokos both of Bridgeville– for burglary and related offenses after a break-in at a Seaford home. The burglary was reported on May 23rd. Police say the two had forced entry to the unoccupied home. Once inside, the suspects stole electronics, power tools, automotive…

Governor Moore Announces Grants for Maryland Institutions of Higher Learning

By Joe Ciccanti / May 28, 2025

Governor Wes Moore has announced grants for Maryland institutions of higher learning to help address teacher shortage and support displaced federal employees. The Maryland Higher Education Commission will provide $1 million in grants to 11 colleges and universities to support new career paths for displaced federal workers. Institutions receiving awards include: Salisbury University – “USM Consortium…

Large Projects in Downtown Development Districts Awarded Funding Reservations

By Joe Ciccanti / May 28, 2025

The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) has announced that it has awarded $5.5 million in funding reservations to 15 large downtown revitalization projects in Dover, Laurel, Georgetown and Wilmington through Delaware’s Downtown Development Districts (DDD) program. Among the projects receiving investments are Georgetown Apartments and Laurel Redevelopment Corporation. Governor Matt Meyer says that across Delaware,…

Governor Meyer Signs Executive Order Reinvigorating Workforce Development Support

By Joe Ciccanti / May 28, 2025

In an effort to help organize and improve job training and education programs across Delaware, Governor Matt Meyer signed an Executive Order establishing the Office of Workforce Development within the Delaware Department of Labor. The Executive Order also reestablishes and streamlines the Delaware Workforce Development Board. The goal is to make sure all Delawareans have…

UPDATED: Delaware State Police Identify Victim in Accidental Shooting in Magnolia

By Joe Ciccanti / May 27, 2025

UPDATED – 05/27/25 – Delaware State Police have identified 21 year old Kendrick Mason of Magnolia as the man who died in the accidental shooting last week in Magnolia.  The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit continues to investigate this incident. Detectives are asking anyone with information regarding this case to contact Detective Bluto at 302-741-2859…

UPDATED: Delaware State Police Identify Victim in Deadly Crash Near Millsboro

By Joe Ciccanti / May 23, 2025

UPDATED – 05/23/25 – Delaware State Police have identified 19 year old Charles Williamson of Dagsboro as the man who died in a fatal crash on Tuesday in Millsboro. ========================================================================= ORIGINAL STORY – 05/21/25 – A 19-year-old from Dagsboro is dead after a two-vehicle crash that occurred late yesterday, May 20th east of Millsboro. According…

Troopers Arrest Rehoboth Beach Woman Following HOA Dispute

By Joe Ciccanti / May 22, 2025

Delaware State Police have arrested a 62-year-old Rehoboth Beach woman following a dispute on Monday with a member of the Homeowners Association and contractors who were clearing ivy on a fence within an easement on Black Duck Reach. According to police, the woman identified as Jennifer August is charged with felony offenses after threatening one…

Hurricane Preparedness Week Promotes Emergency Readiness And Public Safety

By Joe Ciccanti / May 22, 2025

In anticipation of the upcoming hurricane season, June 1st to November 30th, 2025, which forecasters are predicting to be above normal, Governor Matt Meyer has Proclaimed May 26th to May 30th as Hurricane Preparedness Week.  In support of this, The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA), along with state, county and local agencies are helping communities mitigate against threats…

Caroline County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Attempted Murder in Federalsburg

By Joe Ciccanti / May 22, 2025

The Caroline County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an attempted murder that occurred on May 19th in Federalsburg, Maryland. A 16-year-old male, charged as an adult, is accused of stabbing a 20-year-old woman multiple times during an altercation in a parking lot. Both the 16-year-old and another individual charged in the case dropped the victim off…

Gold Alert Issued for Missing 90-Year-Old Rehoboth Beach Man

By Joe Ciccanti / May 22, 2025

Delaware State Police Troop 7 has issued a Gold Alert for 90-year-old Elias Watkins of Rehoboth Beach. He was last seen at his home in Rehoboth Beach overnight May 22nd around 2:00 a.m. Attempts to contact or locate him have been unsuccessful, and there is concern for his safety and well-being. Watkins is described as…

Senators Coons, Barrasso Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Expand Access To Mental Health Services For Seniors

By Joe Ciccanti / May 22, 2025

U.S. Senators Chris Coons and John Barrasso (Republican of Wyoming) have introduced a bill that would expand the number of mental health providers available to Delaware’s seniors. The legislation is called the Expanding Seniors Access to Mental Health Services Act. The bill would improve Medicare beneficiaries’ access to licensed clinical social workers. The bill would…

DART Service Information for Memorial Day

By Joe Ciccanti / May 22, 2025

In Sussex County, DART’s Beach Bus services and Route 305 will operate on Memorial Day, with Paratransit operating complimentary ADA-only service.  All other DART services, fixed route and paratransit, will not operate. DART will offer bus service in New Castle County on several routes (2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 13, 15, 33, 40, 64;)  with all operating…

UPDATE: Gold Alert for Missing Bridgeville Teen–Canceled

By Joe Ciccanti / May 22, 2025

UPDATE: The Gold Alert has been canceled as Madelyn Sanders has been found.   Previous Post: Delaware State Police Troop 5 has issued a Gold Alert for a missing Bridgeville teen–14-year-old Madelyn Sanders. She was last seen on McDowell Road in Bridgeville around 7:00 a.m. on May 21st. Attempts to contact or locate her have…

Delaware Supreme Court to Investigate Alternatives to Bar Admission

By Joe Ciccanti / May 22, 2025

The Delaware Supreme Court has approved a task force, led by Justice Gary F. Traynor,  to explore alternatives to the traditional Bar Exam for admission to the Delaware Bar. The task force will include members from across the legal community, such as public and private attorneys, legal aid organizations, and law schools. This initiative supports…

Flushing, NY Man Pleads Guilty in Connection with Elder Fraud Scam

By Joe Ciccanti / May 21, 2025

A 36-year-old Flushing, New York man has pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for his role in an elder fraud scam targeting older Americans.  The Honorable U.S. District Judge Richard G. Andrews accepted the plea. According to court documents, between at least May 2023 and May 2024, Rakeshkumar Patel, who was in the U.S. illegally, conspired with others…

Salisbury Man Sentenced To 45 Years For Sexual Abuse Of A Minor And Third-Degree Sexual Offense

By Joe Ciccanti / May 21, 2025

A 34-year-old Salisbury man has been sentenced to 45 years in prison in Circuit Court for Wicomico County after he pleaded guilty today to sexual abuse of a minor and two counts of third-degree sexual offense. According to the Wicomico County State Attorney’s Office, Angel Ortega-Gonzalez abused two children in his household between 2018 and…