Joe Ciccanti

Wicomico Narcotics, Drug Enforcement Administration Charge 39, Dismantle Large-Scale Eastern Shore Drug-Trafficking Organization

By Joe Ciccanti / December 11, 2024

Thirty-nine people accused of a large-scale drug-trafficking ring in on the Eastern Shore were indicted following a five-month combined law enforcement investigation.  The investigation, which began in the spring of 2024 culminated in the indictment. Maryland State Police joined more than two dozen local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in dismantling the sale and…

UPDATED: Wicomico County Sheriff’s Deputy Convicted on Rape & 28 Additional Charges

By Joe Ciccanti / December 9, 2024

UPDATED – 12/09/24 – A five day trial for a former Wicomico County Sheriff’s deputy ended with a conviction on 29 counts – including 1st degree rape and unlawful sexual conduct by a law enforcement officer. Sentencing for 32 year old Steven Abreu has been deferred for the preparation of a pre-sentence investigation report and…

Cars Stolen with Children Inside Rise During Holiday Season

By Joe Ciccanti / December 8, 2024

As cars stolen with children alone inside spike during the holiday season, Kids and Car Safety is calling on families to remain vigilant and never to leave children or pets unattended in vehicles, even momentarily. Over the Thanksgiving holiday break, Kids and Car Safety documented several incidents involving children left alone in vehicles that were…

Troopers Arrest Bridgeville Man for 5th Offense DUI

By Joe Ciccanti / December 5, 2024

Delaware State Police have arrested a 59-year-old Bridgeville man for 5th offense felony DUI yesterday morning near Bridgeville. According to police, yesterday, December 4th, at shortly after 1:30 a.m., a trooper on patrol saw a Nissan Maxima speeding westbound on Seashore Highway near Wilson Hill Road and pulled it over. When the trooper spoke to…

Stolen Vehicle Alert and High Speed Chase in Ocean City, MD Leads to Arrest of Salisbury Man

By Joe Ciccanti / December 5, 2024

A 38-year-old Salisbury man has been arrested following a high-speed chase involving a stolen vehicle. The Ocean City, Maryland Police Department received a License Plate Reader (LPR) alert indicating that a vehicle reported stolen by the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office was entering the town on the Route 50 Bridge. The alert provided officers with detailed…

Maryland State Highway Administration Prepares for Upcoming Winter Season

By Joe Ciccanti / December 5, 2024

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration has completed preparations for the winter season. The Department has announced its comprehensive preparations to ensure the safety of all Maryland road users during the winter season at its annual Snow Show today. Key highlights of this year’s preparations include 386,000 tons of rock salt across 87…

Downtown Footbridge across the Wicomico River–Closed Due to Poor Structural Integrity

By Joe Ciccanti / December 5, 2024

The footbridge over the Wicomico River from Lot 16 to the River Walk Amphitheater has been closed due to safety concerns, according to the City of Salisbury. The bridge has been deemed unsafe after an engineering inspection revealed compromised structural integrity. The City will provide updates when a decision has been made as to how…

UPDATE: Suspicious Activity in the area of Wicomico Middle and High Schools Under Investigation

By Joe Ciccanti / December 5, 2024

UPDATE–11:15 a.m.  The “Safe in Place” has been lifted for the birth to five facility at the BOE, Wicomico Middle School, and High School. The investigation has concluded.       UPDATE–10:15 In Wicomico County the “Safe in Place” has been lifted for the birth to five facility. Wicomico Middle School and High School are still…

Salisbury University to Hold Historic Fall Commencement Ceremony

By Joe Ciccanti / December 5, 2024

The 485 Salisbury University graduates receiving their degrees this month will be part of SU history as the final class scheduled to participate in a Fall Commencement. The event is scheduled Wednesday, December 18th, at the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center. Beginning with the University’s 100th Commencement ceremony in 2025, SU will return to a…

New Laws in MD Take Effect January 1, 2025: Newly Designated Security Guard Employers

By Joe Ciccanti / December 5, 2024

The Maryland State Police Licensing Division reminds individuals or businesses that employ security guard services or employ in-house loss prevention personnel about upcoming changes in Maryland law that become effective January 1st, 2025. Other than those exempt in Business Occupations and Professions Article, §19-101(n), an individual or any business that employs one or more people…

House Fire in Frederica; American Red Cross Assisting the Family

By Joe Ciccanti / December 4, 2024

The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office continues to investigate a house fire that occurred early this morning in Frederica. The fire was reported shortly after 1:00 AM on Johnnycake Landing Road. The Frederica Fire Company along with multiple mutual aid fire companies responded to the scene. When they arrived, they encountered heavy fire coming from…

Maryland Deer Firearm Season Opener Nearly Identical to Last Year

By Joe Ciccanti / December 4, 2024

Maryland hunters reported harvesting 10,889 deer on the opening weekend of the 2024 firearm season from Nov. 30th – Dec. 1st, according to data collected by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The overall deer harvest was nearly identical to last year’s official opening weekend harvest of 10,905 deer. The harvest total included 4,947 antlered and…

Worcester County Commissioners Elect New President and Vice President

By Joe Ciccanti / December 4, 2024

The Worcester County Commissioners elected Commissioner Theodore J. Elder to serve as president and Commissioner Eric J. Fiori to serve as vice president of the board. Commissioner Elder, who represents the Western District (District Four), was elected to the Worcester County Board of Commissioners in 2014 and is currently serving his third term. Commissioner Fiori,…

Shooting Investigation in Salisbury; Evidence Recovered

By Joe Ciccanti / December 4, 2024

The Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an incident in which two individuals were reportedly shooting at each other in the area of Rockawalkin Ridge Road. It was also reported that a Wicomico County School bus was in the vicinity at the time of the shooting. The Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that no students…

House Fire in Easton, MD Ruled Accidental

By Joe Ciccanti / December 4, 2024

A fire that occurred at a single family house on Glebe Road in Easton, Talbot County late yesterday afternoon was ruled accidental. According to the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal, the owner of the property was cooking on a grill located adjacent to the exterior of the dwelling. During the course of utilizing…

MD Natural Resources Police Toy Drive Underway for 2024 Holiday Season

By Joe Ciccanti / November 27, 2024

The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) is conducting its annual “Boatload of Toys” holiday gift drive at several locations across the state in advance of the 2024 holiday season. NRP officers are collecting donations of new, unopened toys for local children in need. The program is part of the national United States Marine Toys for…

Attorney General Brown Offers Tips for Consumers to Shop Secure This Holiday Season

By Joe Ciccanti / November 27, 2024

As Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday approach this holiday weekend, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown is urging consumers to remain vigilant and steer clear of common holiday shopping scams. With fake websites designed to steal personal information and misleading online ads, the risk of fraud increases during this busy holiday shopping season.…

Wilmington Man Linked to Regional Fraud Offenses Arrested in Townsend Case

By Joe Ciccanti / November 27, 2024

Delaware State Police have arrested 42-year-old Wendell Bowser of Wilmington, Delaware, for multiple felony fraud-related offenses that occurred in Townsend earlier this month. He has also been linked to similar incidents in the region including in Delaware, Virginia, and North Carolina. During the police investigation, troopers learned that Bowser tried to purchase a residence in…

2025 Delaware State Parks Annual Passes, Surf Fishing Permits to Go on Sale Dec. 3rd

By Joe Ciccanti / November 27, 2024

DNREC announced today that 2025 Delaware State Parks annual passes and surf fishing permits will go on sale starting at 8 a.m., Tuesday, December 3rd. Annual passes and surf fishing permits may be purchased at any state park office and at DNREC’s Dover campus Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Passes and…

UPDATED: Seaford Woman Arrested in Dewey Beach for Disorderly Conduct & Resisting Arrest

By Joe Ciccanti / November 27, 2024

UPDATED – Long was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest   A 60-year-old Seaford woman has been arrested following a situation last night involving disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. The incident happened at 1400 Coastal Highway. As Police approached a vehicle operated by 60-year-old Crystal Long, she displayed aggressive and irate behavior, yelling at…

Dover Man Injured in Area Shooting

By Joe Ciccanti / November 27, 2024

Dover Police are investigating a shooting that injured a 34-year-old Dover man last night (November 26th). Officers responded to East Water Street at around 7 p.m. after receiving several calls for shots fired in the area. As officers arrived they found the victim with multiple gunshot wounds to his torso and lower body. He was…

UPDATE: Maryland Lifts Statewide Ban on Outdoor Burning; Burn Ban Updates for Wicomico and Worcester Counties

By Joe Ciccanti / November 21, 2024

Following a review of weather and ground conditions, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources has lifted a statewide ban on open-air burning that was implemented to prevent the spread of wildfires across the state. Following recent precipitation and a forecast of continued normal weather patterns for this time of year, the Maryland Forest Service determined the…

Board of Commissioners Continue Burn Ban in Somerset County

By Joe Ciccanti / November 21, 2024

Upon the advisement of the fire chiefs, The Board of Commissioners in Somerset County will continue the imposed moratorium on all outdoor burning until further notice. The ban applies to all outdoor ignition sources including campfires, bonfires, fireworks, leaf, brush, grass and trash burning and other similar methods of open incineration. Cooking with contained barbecue…

Announcement of $1.8 Million Investment to Bolster Cybersecurity Training at Every Maryland Community College

By Joe Ciccanti / November 21, 2024

Governor Wes Moore today announced a $1.8 million award to BCR Cyber and the Maryland Association of Community Colleges to bolster Maryland’s cybersecurity talent pipeline. The announcement was made during a ribbon cutting at Howard Community College. The funding, secured in partnership with U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, will help make Maryland more…

Maryland State Police Urge Vigilance Against Telephone Scams Related to Bitcoin and Gift Cards

By Joe Ciccanti / November 21, 2024

Maryland State Police at Salisbury Barrack have recently received reports for fraudulent activities requesting individuals to buy gift cards and disclose the card numbers. Maryland State Police remind you to exercise extreme caution when receiving phone calls or electronic notifications from sources about purchasing or using gift cards or depositing money into a Bitcoin ATM to…