Joe Ciccanti

Fatal Pedestrian Collision on North DuPont Highway

By Joe Ciccanti / November 20, 2024

The Dover Police Department is investigating a collision that occurred yesterday evening that left a pedestrian dead. Officers responded to the area of North DuPont Highway, just north of Leipsic Road for a report of a woman being struck by a vehicle. The 29-year-old was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash. Initial findings…

Governor-elect Matt Meyer Announces Transition Co-Chairs and Policy Committees

By Joe Ciccanti / November 20, 2024

Governor-elect Matt Meyer this week unveiled his Transition Committee leadership team and outlined his administration’s key priorities for the transition period. Governor-elect Meyer emphasized the values of openness, collaboration, and a commitment to solutions-driven governance.  Additional Details from the Virtual Press Conference: Today, Governor-elect Matt Meyer unveiled his Transition Committee leadership team and outlined his…

UPDATED: Delaware State Police Cancel Gold Alert – Ellendale Woman Located

By Joe Ciccanti / November 15, 2024

Delaware State Police Troop 7 has issued a Gold Alert for 30-year-old Nichole Sellers of Ellendale. She was last seen on November 11th at Royal Farms on Coastal Highway in Rehoboth. Attempts to contact or locate her have been unsuccessful, and there is a concern for her safety and well-being. Sellers is described as a…

Shots Fired Incident in Milford Results in Arrest of Three

By Joe Ciccanti / November 14, 2024

Milford police have arrested three individuals in connection with an incident at Brightway Commons earlier this month. Police say they responded to the location on November 5th just after 7 p.m. and learned that multiple gunshots were heard in the apartment complex.  Officers did locate damage to a vehicle and building on the property.  No…

2024 Sussex County Conservation Poster Contest Winners Announced

By Joe Ciccanti / November 14, 2024

  The Sussex Conservation District (SCD) has announced the winners of the 2024 Conservation Poster Contest, themed “May the Forest Be With You, Always.” A total of 351 entries were submitted in seven grade categories, including digital posters for students in grades 7-9 and 10-12. First-place winners from Sussex County will advance to the state-level…

Dover Area Carjacking Leads to Vehicle Pursuit/Serious Collision

By Joe Ciccanti / November 14, 2024

Dover Police are investigating an armed carjacking that led to a vehicle pursuit and a serious motor vehicle collision in the area of North DuPont Highway and Route 42 in Dover overnight. According to Dover Police, the incident began when two masked suspects, one armed, carjacked a 2013 Honda Accord from a guy yesterday evening…

DART Statewide Service Change to Become Effective November 17th, 2024

By Joe Ciccanti / November 14, 2024

DART Statewide Bus Service Change becomes effective Sunday, November 17th. DTC received feedback from riders and the public through three public hearing workshops held in August, as well as website submissions. As a result of a thorough review of all comments, modifications were made to the original proposal. The route-specific details can be viewed at…

Congresswoman-Elect McBride Announces Chief of Staff Hire

By Joe Ciccanti / November 14, 2024

Today, Delaware’s Congresswoman-elect Sarah McBride announced her first hire for her Congressional office, Roddy Flynn, who will serve as her chief of staff. Flynn currently serves as the Executive Director of the Delaware Broadband Office, a state agency charged with making sure everyone in Delaware has access to high-speed internet. Previously, he served in the Biden/Harris…

Ocean City, MD Police Looking for Woman Wanted for Assault, Malicious Destruction of Property

By Joe Ciccanti / November 14, 2024

In Ocean City, Maryland, police are looking for 35-year-old Lindsay Donophan who is wanted for 2nd Degree Assault, Malicious Destruction of Property, Harassment, Resisting Arrest, and 2nd Degree Escape. Donophan is 5’1 and 125 pounds. If you have information on Donophan’s whereabouts, call your local law enforcement agency. You can submit an anonymous crime tip…

Troopers Investigating Road Rage Incident in Georgetown

By Joe Ciccanti / November 13, 2024

Delaware State Police are investigating a road rage incident involving a gun that occurred yesterday in Georgetown. Police say that the incident happened on November 12th on Springfield Road and Gravel Hill Road in Georgetown. Police say that a Chevrolet Silverado, driven by a 37-year-old victim, was heading westbound on Johnson Road, approaching the intersection…

Survey: Delaware Families Still Struggling with Child Care, Urge Lawmakers to Invest

By Joe Ciccanti / November 13, 2024

Delaware families are calling on state officials to increase childcare investments, citing financial strain and limited access that forces many parents to reduce work hours, accumulate debt, and forgo basic needs. A recent survey from a report by Rodel Foundation of Delaware revealed that 92% of Delawareans view childcare funding as a critical priority, with…

Dover Man Arrested For Robbery

By Joe Ciccanti / November 13, 2024

Dover Police have made an arrest in connection with a robbery that occurred Tuesday evening in the Wawa parking lot. Police investigated and learned that the victim was getting gas when three black males approached him. One of the individuals displayed a firearm demanding that the victim turn over the keys to his vehicle. The…

Successful Thanksgiving Food Drive to Help Fellow Delawareans in Need

By Joe Ciccanti / November 13, 2024

DART’s 27th annual “Stuff The Bus” Thanksgiving Food Drive collected over 15,000 pounds of food.  The week-long food drive took place from November 4th to November 9th at several stores throughout Delaware. John Sisson, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Delaware Transit Corporation stated that the 27th year of Stuff the Bus was another huge success…

Maryland Department of Health Launches New Cannabis Public Health Data Dashboard

By Joe Ciccanti / November 13, 2024

The Maryland Department of Health today announced the launch of a new tool to help navigate the public health impacts of cannabis use. The Maryland Cannabis Public Health Data Dashboard provides a user-friendly and easy-to-understand visualization of cannabis trends before and after the legalization of adult-use cannabis in the state. The Maryland Cannabis Public Health…

Delaware State Police Detectives Arrest Camden, DE Man for Murder

By Joe Ciccanti / November 13, 2024

Delaware State Police have arrested a 63-year-old Camden, Delaware man for murder. Gregory Bratcher was taken into custody on November 8th and charged with 1st Degree murder and Strangulation–both felonies. Bratcher was arraigned by Kent County Superior Court. He is now at Sussex Correctional Institution on a $1,000,000 cash bond. According to police, on June…

Shed Fire in Queen Anne’s County Caused by Electrical Malfunction

By Joe Ciccanti / November 13, 2024

A fire that occurred early yesterday afternoon inside of a shed on Hillside Road in Chestertown, Queen Anne’s County was caused by an electrical malfunction. One person sustained thermal burn injuries to the face while attempting to extinguish the fire but refused treatment. The structural damage is estimated to be around $15,000.    

Governor-elect Matt Meyer Names Three to Key Leadership Positions

By Joe Ciccanti / November 13, 2024

Governor-elect Matt Meyer today announced three senior appointments who will lead key roles in his incoming administration. Vanessa Phillips has been named Chief of Staff, Wilson Davis will serve as Chief Legal Counsel, and Evelyn Brady will lead as Transition Director.   Vanessa S. Phillips, Chief of Staff: Vanessa S. Phillips, Esquire, currently serves as New…

UPDATED: Additional Arrests in Salisbury Assault & Hate Crime

By Joe Ciccanti / November 9, 2024

UPDATED – 11/08/24 – A dozen suspects have now been arrested in connection with an assault that occurred in mid-October at Salisbury University.   Police have arrested the following on charges of First Degree Assault, False Imprisonment, Reckless Endangerment, and Hate Crime charges, and are currently held at the Wicomico County Detention Center waiting to be…

Skunk Tests Positive for Rabies in Wicomico County

By Joe Ciccanti / November 7, 2024

Today, a skunk tested positive for rabies in the area of State Street in Sharptown. The Wicomico County Health Department is advising all residents to be aware of their surroundings and avoid contact with all wild or stray animals.  Additional Information from the Wicomico County Health Department: Rabies is a preventable viral disease that exists…

Milton Police Looking for Man Wanted on Charges Related to Domestic Incident

By Joe Ciccanti / November 7, 2024

The Milton Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating Tyler Michael Houchens in reference to a physical domestic incident resulting in multiple charges. Anyone with information on Houchens’ whereabouts should call the Milton Police Department at 302-684-8547 or call 911.

Approved Holidays for Dorchester County Landfills & Transfer Stations

By Joe Ciccanti / November 7, 2024

At its November 4th, 2024 meeting, the Dorchester County Council approved that the County landfills and transfer stations will be closed on all County observed holidays. This will begin with the 2024 Thanksgiving holidays and all approved holidays thereafter. A list of the observed holiday closures includes: Thanksgiving Day, November 28th Friday, November 29th Christmas…

Dover Man Arrested for Illegal Drug Dealing and Prostitution Following Months Long Joint Investigation

By Joe Ciccanti / November 7, 2024

Dover Police have arrested a 62-year-old Dover man for illegal drug dealing and prostitution that was occurring at a residence associated with James Paz in the unit block of South State Street. The Dover Police Department’s Drugs, Vice and Organized Crime Unit (DVOC), the Delaware State Police Human Trafficking Unit, and the FBI Delaware Violent…

Food Bank of Delaware to Hold Mass Drive-Thru Distributions

By Joe Ciccanti / November 7, 2024

The Food Bank of Delaware will hold mass drive-thru distributions in each county prior to the Thanksgiving holiday starting on Tuesday, November 19th. The first one is scheduled for Tuesday, November 19 starting at 8:30 a.m. at Dover Motor Speedway. The distribution event in Sussex County is scheduled for Friday, November 22nd starting at 8:30…

Delaware’s Education Savings Plan Earns Silver Rating

By Joe Ciccanti / November 7, 2024

The DE529 Education Savings Plan, Delaware’s tax-advantaged program designed to help pay for higher education expenses, received “Silver” status from Morningstar, the country’s most widely cited and influential investment plan rating group. This is the second consecutive year DE529 received the rating after being upgraded from “Bronze” status in 2023.  State Treasurer Colleen Davis says with…

Smyrna Police Make Arrests in Elementary School Child Endangerment and Abuse Case

By Joe Ciccanti / November 7, 2024

Smyrna Police Investigators have concluded their investigation into child abuse/neglect allegations that began in February 2024, with the arrests of three women this week. This long and detailed investigation, conducted in partnership with the Delaware Department of Justice and with the cooperation of the Smyrna School District, has revealed accusations of a pattern of abusive…