Joe Ciccanti

Maryland Department of Health Seeks Public Input on Expanding Nutrition Services Through Medicaid

By Joe Ciccanti / August 19, 2026

The Maryland Department of Health is seeking public input on a proposal to add food and nutrition services to the state’s Medicaid program beginning in 2028. The proposal could provide eligible Medicaid recipients with chronic conditions services such as medically tailored meals and produce prescriptions through Maryland’s HealthChoice program. The goal is to help people…

Worcester County Health Department Announces Funding for Community Tobacco, Cannabis Prevention and Control Projects

By Joe Ciccanti / August 19, 2026

The Worcester County Health Department is making funding available for community programs focused on tobacco control, enforcement and preventing cannabis use among young people. The funding comes through the Maryland Department of Health and Cigarette Restitution Funds, and community-based organizations, churches and other interested groups are encouraged to apply. The funding includes up to $10,000…

UPDATED: Third Suspect Arrested in Fatal 2024 Christmas Eve Shooting in Dover

By Joe Ciccanti / August 14, 2026

UPDATED – 08/14/26 – A 16-year old male has been arrested by Dover Police in connection with the December 24th 2024 shooting that left 14-year old Juwan Walker dead. The shooting occurred on Willis Road – Walker was flown to Nemours Hospital for treatment but died from his injuries three days later. The investigation has continued…

Faster Response the Focus Amid Growing Concerns About Healthcare Workplace Violence

By Joe Ciccanti / August 13, 2026

For healthcare workers facing a threatening situation, seconds can matter. Hospitals have security teams, emergency procedures and de-escalation training—but what happens when an employee needs help right now? One emerging solution is wearable safety technology that can send an alert, share a worker’s location and connect them with help. Tyler Charuhaus, the Director of Client…

National Gas Price Average Climbing Again While local Average Dropped in Last Week

By Joe Ciccanti / August 13, 2026

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is back on the rise after a week of falling prices. AAA reports that today’s national average is back up to $4.07 after dropping to $4.00 on Monday. Crude oil prices are once again in the $80 per barrel range amid continued uncertainty along the Strait…

Delaware State Police Arrest Lewes Man Following Shooting on Hopkins Road

By Joe Ciccanti / August 13, 2026

Delaware State Police have arrested a 41-year-old Lewes man following a fight and shooting that occurred Wednesday afternoon on Hopkins Road. Kenneth Drummond was charged with Assault 1st Degree involving a dangerous weapon and intent to seriously injure as well as Possession of a Firearm During Commission of a Felony–both felonies. He was arrested and…

DHSS: Delaware Childhood Vaccine Guidance Remains Unchanged Following Federal Action

By Joe Ciccanti / August 13, 2026

Delaware’s childhood vaccine guidance and access remain unchanged following recent federal changes to childhood vaccination recommendations, according to the state Department of Health and Social Services. Delaware will continue following its existing routine childhood immunization schedule, with recommended vaccines available through public health clinics. State officials say families should consult their health care providers with…

Delaware Office of Animal Welfare Using Innovative AI Technology from Petco Love Lost to Reunite Lost Pets with Their Families Across the State

By Joe Ciccanti / August 13, 2026

The Delaware Division of Public Health–Office of Animal Welfare is announcing a major upgrade to the state’s lost-and-found pet reporting system through a new partnership with Petco Love Lost. The free nationwide database will become Delaware’s official lost-and-found pet reporting platform. It uses AI photo-matching technology to help reunite lost pets with their owners and…

DNREC Closes Seaford Fishing Pier Based on Unsafe Structural Findings

By Joe Ciccanti / August 13, 2026

DNREC has closed the Seaford Fishing Pier located within the Seaford boat ramp fishing access area on the Nanticoke River after the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife detected structural flaws during an engineering assessment of the pier this week.. DNREC officials say the assessment of the pier, which predates DNREC’s construction upgrades to the…

Delmarva Power Crews Sent to Illinois to Help Restore Power After Severe Storms

By Joe Ciccanti / August 12, 2026

Delmarva Power Crews from the eastern shore of Maryland and the state of Delaware left Wednesday afternoon from Rockville and Newark to travel to Illinois to provide mutual assistance after severe thunderstorms downed trees and damaged infrastructure, leaving 257,000 ComEd customers without power.  The 27 Delmarva Power employees will remain onsite for a week to…

Motorcycle Crash in Milford Turns Fatal

By Joe Ciccanti / August 12, 2026

A 20-year-old Milford man has died following a motorcycle crash early July 31st at the intersection of North DuPont Boulevard and North Walnut Street in Milford. Delaware State Police say Gavin Webb was riding a Harley-Davidson northbound when he ran a red light and collided with a GMC Acadia turning onto DuPont Boulevard. Webb was…

Bill Introduced to Preserve Records for At-Risk Afghan Allies

By Joe Ciccanti / August 12, 2026

Delaware Senator Chris Coons and South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at preserving the military service records of Afghan allies who served alongside U.S. forces during the war in Afghanistan. The ARCH Act would establish a secure Department of Defense system for eligible Afghan allies or their representatives to submit service…

OHS, DPH Highlights Delaware’s Groundbreaking Prehospital Whole Blood Program in New Ambassador of Safety Video

By Joe Ciccanti / August 12, 2026

Delaware officials are highlighting the state’s Prehospital Whole Blood program in the latest installment of the Ambassador of Safety video series. The program allows paramedics and State Police aviation teams to administer whole blood to seriously injured patients at the scene of an emergency. Delaware is the first state in the nation where all prehospital…

Pole Barn Fire in Queen Anne’s County Under Investigation

By Joe Ciccanti / August 12, 2026

A pole barn fire that occurred on Wrights Neck Road in Centreville in  Queen Anne’s County on August 11th at just after 3:00 Am is under investigation. The blaze, which began inside the 120′ X 60′ pole barn caused an estimated $450,000. No injuries were reported. 

UPDATED: Dover Police Identify Human Remains Found Near Dover Retention Pond

By Joe Ciccanti / August 11, 2026

UPDATED – 08/11/26 – Dover Police have identified the remains found near a retention pond on August 4th near West North and Banning Streets as 37 year old Tiffany Pendexter of Dover. Police say a grounds maintenance worker found her remains in an overgrown area, which had not been maintained for over a year. The…

AAA: Lower Crude Oil Prices Driving Down Gas Price Average

By Joe Ciccanti / August 6, 2026

AAA reports that the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline fell three cents this past week to $4.06. Crude oil prices are down in the $70 per barrel range amid optimism that the Strait of Hormuz will resume normal operations. Currently, half of states are paying below $4 per gallon on average. Gas…

Governor Meyer Signs Delaware Voting Rights Act

By Joe Ciccanti / August 6, 2026

Governor Matt Meyer has signed House Bill 444, known as the Delaware John Lewis Voting Rights Act, creating new state-level voting rights protections. State officials say the law prohibits voter discrimination, suppression and vote dilution, establishes a process for challenging alleged voting rights violations, and requires language assistance to help expand ballot access. The legislation…

New Delaware Measures Aim to Expand Health Care Workforce, Access to Care

By Joe Ciccanti / August 6, 2026

Governor Matt Meyer recently signed legislation designed to strengthen Delaware’s health care workforce by allowing qualified health professionals to provide more care and creating new pathways into health care careers. State officials say that together, Senate Bill 320, Senate Bill 283, and House Joint Resolution 13 remove barriers that can limit access to care by…

Senator Coons, Colleagues Celebrate Passage of Bankruptcy Relief Bill

By Joe Ciccanti / August 6, 2026

The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed bipartisan legislation backed by Delaware Senator Chris Coons that would expand access to bankruptcy protections for families and small businesses. The Bankruptcy Threshold Adjustment Act of 2026 would permanently restore higher debt limits for Subchapter V and Chapter 13 bankruptcies, allowing more Americans to qualify for streamlined financial relief.…

Maryland Department of Health Expands Free Vaccine Program for Uninsured Adults

By Joe Ciccanti / August 6, 2026

Ten Federally Qualified Health Centers across Maryland have joined the Maryland Vaccine Program, expanding access to free recommended vaccines for uninsured and underinsured adults. Launched last year by the Maryland Department of Health, the program provides vaccines to Maryland residents age 19 and older who lack insurance coverage. The program is supported by $2.8 million…

Senator Blunt Rochester Presses OpenAI and Anthropic on Recent Autonomous Hacking Incidents

By Joe Ciccanti / August 6, 2026

Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester, who is a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today sent letters to Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, regarding recently reported cybersecurity incidents in which the companies’ models gained unauthorized access to the internet, autonomously hacked third party systems, and launched…

Laurel Dance Studio Instructor Arrested for Sexual Abuse and Solicitation of Children in Ongoing Investigation

By Joe Ciccanti / August 6, 2026

Delaware State Police have arrested a 23-year-old Seaford woman for felony sexual abuse and solicitation of teenage children as part of an ongoing investigation. Detectives are seeking assistance in identifying potential victims associated with the investigation.  On August 4th, detectives began investigating this case of sexual abuse and solicitation after learning that Emily Pryor Albino,…

New Town Hall Building Project in Dewey Beach Moving Forward

By Joe Ciccanti / August 6, 2026

Work on the new Dewey Beach Town Hall, including interior improvements, is continuing to move forward. Elevator installation is now underway, with the Town hoping the elevators will be operational within the next three weeks. Town officials anticipate moving into the new building in early to mid-September. In the Town’s newsletter, Town Manager Bill Zolper…

Dover Man Arrested for Multiple Commercial Burglary Incidents

By Joe Ciccanti / August 6, 2026

  Dover Police have arrested and charged a Dover man in connection with three commercial burglary-related incidents over the past week. Investigators say 33-year-old Shawn Jones was identified as the suspect in a burglary that occurred at Kent Liquor Mart, where surveillance video showed a person breaking a glass door with a rock, entering the…

Bipartisan Legislation to Invest in Startups and Entrepreneurs

By Joe Ciccanti / August 5, 2026

A bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. Senate would continue federal support for startups, entrepreneurs, and job creation by reauthorizing the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Build to Scale program through fiscal year 2030. The Build to Scale Reauthorization Act of 2026, introduced by U.S. Senators Chris Coons of Delaware and Todd Young of Indiana, would…