Joe Ciccanti

Worcester County Commissioner Chip Bertino Appointed to MACo Board of Directors

By Joe Ciccanti / December 18, 2024

During the Maryland Association of Counties winter conference in Cambridge earlier this month, Governor Wes Moore installed the MACo Board of Directors for 2025. Worcester County Commissioner Chip Bertino was one of 16 county elected officials from across Maryland to be installed to the board for the coming year. Bertino said the opportunity to serve…

Ellendale Police Investigating Trespassing and Theft Complaints

By Joe Ciccanti / December 12, 2024

The Ellendale Police Department is investigating several trespassing and theft complaints and is asking for the community’s assistance regarding the identity of two individuals. Anyone with information regarding the unidentified males below can contact Chief Bruce Von Goerres at the Ellendale Police Department at 302-422-3584 or The Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.  Any and all…

Joint Operation Leads to Arrest in Fatal Overdose Case

By Joe Ciccanti / December 12, 2024

A joint operation has led to an arrest in a fatal overdose case. In collaboration with the Maryland State Apprehension Team (MSAT), the Ocean City Police Department arrested Elijah Kellam on December 10th in connection with two fatal overdoses in January 2024. The investigation began on January 18th, when officers discovered the bodies of two…

Overnight Boat Fire in Queen Anne’s County

By Joe Ciccanti / December 12, 2024

An overnight boat fire in Queen Anne’s County is under investigation. The fire occurred around 2 a.m. Kent Narrow Way South in Grasonville. According to the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal, the cause was accidental–an unspecified electrical issue. No injuries were reported. The estimated loss is $135,000.   

Delaware State Police Detectives Arrest Teen for Threat Made to Caesar Rodney High School

By Joe Ciccanti / December 12, 2024

Delaware State Police have arrested an 18-year-old for threatening Caesar Rodney High School earlier this week. Police say Malik Cooper of Magnolia was charged for making the threat of violence on Tuesday, December 10th. The School Resource Officer assigned to Caesar Rodney High School on Old North Road in Camden, was contacted about a threat…

Owner of Milford Chiropractic Clinic Pleads Guilty to Federal Health Care Fraud Offense

By Joe Ciccanti / December 12, 2024

  David C. Weiss, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced today that 57-year-old Pierre Charles Moise of Apopka, Florida, pleaded guilty on December 10th to concealing payments he made to patients to attend his chiropractic clinic. The Honorable U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Hall accepted the plea.  Court documents reveal that between January…

Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Address Housing Shortage

By Joe Ciccanti / December 12, 2024

The United States faces a severe housing shortage of 4 to 7 million homes, a crisis the Housing Supply and Innovation Frameworks Act, introduced by Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester and Congressman Mike Flood of Nebraska aims to address. This bipartisan legislation directs HUD to create frameworks for best practices on zoning and land-use policies, serving…

Delaware Governor-Elect Matt Meyer Announces Nominees for Secretary of Finance and the Office of Management and Budget

By Joe Ciccanti / December 12, 2024

Today, Delaware Governor-elect Matt Meyer announced two additional leaders for his administration, with the nominations of Michael Smith as Secretary of Finance and Brian Maxwell as Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Smith, who has long advised senior cabinet members and elected officials, currently serves as Chief Financial Officer for New Castle County.…

Fire at Townhouse Unit in Millsboro; Occupant Found Dead

By Joe Ciccanti / December 12, 2024

One person was found dead in a fire at a townhouse unit in Millsboro. The blaze was reported yesterday, December 11th shortly before 7:30 p.m. The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company and assisting mutual aid fire companies arrived on the scene on Crepe Myrtle Drive–Gull Point. Firefighters found heavy flames coming from a townhouse unit.…

Salisbury Man Convicted of Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Related Offenses

By Joe Ciccanti / December 12, 2024

Following a three-day trial presided over by the Honorable Kathleen L. Beckstead,  Chief Judge of the Circuit Court for Wicomico County, a Wicomico County jury has convicted 59-year-old Alonzo Parker,  Jr. of Salisbury. He was convicted yesterday, December 11th of several crimes including Sexual Abuse of a Minor, four counts of Third-Degree Sexual  Offense, four…

House Fire in Laurel; Occupant in Serious Condition

By Joe Ciccanti / December 12, 2024

The Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating a residential structure fire that was reported on December 11th shortly before 1:30 PM on West 2nd Street in Laurel. Heavy flames were coming from the first floor of the multi-story house. Firefighters rescued a female victim from the second floor. The occupant was transported…

Senator Carper Delivers Farewell Address on the Floor of the U.S. Senate

By Joe Ciccanti / December 12, 2024

Senator Tom Carper–the last Vietnam veteran serving in the Senate, gave his farewell speech from the Senate floor late yesterday: In addition to spending time with family, traveling and exploring more of America, Senator Carper says he will look for new ways to serve the people of Delaware and our country. In his farewell speech…

Fatal Crash in Salisbury Under Investigation

By Joe Ciccanti / December 11, 2024

The Salisbury Police Department continues to investigate a fatal motor collision that occurred on Monday night. According to police, on December 9th at about 8:00 in the evening, officers responded to the area of Priscilla Street and Harrington Street. At that location, an SUV and a motorcycle had been in a collision. Salisbury EMS was…

Governor Moore Announces Launch of Major New Grant Program to Expand Statewide Use of Electric School Buses

By Joe Ciccanti / December 11, 2024

Governor Wes Moore today announced the launch of the Maryland Energy Administration’s new program to expand the number of electric school buses in use across the state.  Governor Moore says electrifying the state’s school bus fleet isn’t just the responsible choice for our environment — it’s also the smart thing for the state’s economic competitiveness…

The DSP Announces Arrival of New Bell 429 Global Ranger Helicopters

By Joe Ciccanti / December 11, 2024

The Delaware State Police (DSP) Aviation Section has announced the acquisition of two state-of-the-art Bell 429 Global Ranger helicopters. These cutting-edge aircraft, designed to save lives and combat crime, touched down in Delaware on December 3rd following a nearly year-long fabrication process in Mirabel, Quebec, Canada, and Piney Flats, Tennessee. After years of operating with…

Governor Carney Announces Next Steps to Expand Access to High-Speed Broadband

By Joe Ciccanti / December 11, 2024

Broadband service will be extended to over 5,600 unserved and underserved homes and businesses statewide thanks to $17.4 million in federal grant funding, which Delaware Governor John Carney and the Delaware Broadband Office announced today. Following a competitive process with 21 proposals from five providers, Comcast and Verizon were selected to deploy high-speed internet infrastructure…

Grease Fire at Apartment in St. Michaels; One Person Sustains Burns

By Joe Ciccanti / December 11, 2024

In Talbot County, a fire that occurred yesterday at a two-story apartment on Plummer Drive in St. Michaels led to one person sustaining burn injuries and an estimated $125,000 in structural damage as well as $75,000 in loss of contents. According to the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal, a person in the kitchen was…

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…