Joe Ciccanti

Residential Outbuilding Fire in Caroline County Under Investigation

By Joe Ciccanti / June 25, 2026

A fire that occurred at a residential outbuilding/barn in Caroline County on Bridgetown Road in Henderson early yesterday afternoon is under investigation. The cause and origin of the blaze is not known at this time. Damage was estimated at $50,000. Five farm raised ducks perished in the fire. Anyone with information regarding this fire should…

Delaware Student Delegation Excels At SkillsUSA National Conference

By Joe Ciccanti / June 25, 2026

Delaware students brought home six national championships at the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta earlier this month, also earning 44 industry-recognized Skill Point Certificates. According to the Delaware Department of Education, a record 119 students and advisors represented the First State, demonstrating the knowledge, technical skills, and professionalism that prepare students…

Maryland Transportation Authority Alerts Public to Text Scam

By Joe Ciccanti / June 25, 2026

If you’re a Maryland resident who has received a text claiming you owe money for unpaid tolls or traffic violations, it’s a scam. Maryland does NOT send text messages demanding toll payments. You are reminded not to click links or share personal or financial information. Report scam texts at IC3.gov.   Image from the Maryland…

Progress Made on New Dewey Beach Town Hall and Public Safety Building

By Joe Ciccanti / June 25, 2026

In Dewey Beach, the new Town Hall & Public Safety Building (Phase I) is progressing well with painting, flooring, and carpet currently being installed. The contractor thinks town officials may be able to move in around August 1st, according to a statement from Town Manager Bill Zolper in the Town’s Monthly Newsletter. Once they have…

Firearm Safety Bill Passes Delaware Senate

By Joe Ciccanti / June 25, 2026

A bill related to firearm safety has passed the Delaware Senate and now awaits the governor’s signature. House Bill 141, the primary sponsor of which is State Representative Kimberly Williams, requires firearm buyers to review and sign a Firearm Responsibilities Notice before purchasing a gun. The notice, to be developed by the Department of Safety…

Traffic Stop Leads to Felony Drug/Weapons Charges

By Joe Ciccanti / June 24, 2026

A 35-year-old Laurel man was taken into custody after police officers conducted a traffic stop related to a suspected DUI investigation. The traffic stop was conducted on June 19th shortly before midnight. A records check revealed that  Joe Smith had two active capias warrants. When officers informed him of the warrants and attempted to take…

Worcester County Drinking Water Quality Reports Available Online

By Joe Ciccanti / June 24, 2026

Worcester County’s 2026 Drinking Water Quality Reports are now available online. Also known as Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs), these annual reports inform residents and visitors alike about local drinking water sources, water quality testing results, and how the County works to provide safe, reliable drinking water. The link is: https://www.worcestermd.gov/departments/publicworks/water/quality. Residents served by Worcester County…

Delaware Fireworks Bill Passes Senate

By Joe Ciccanti / June 24, 2026

A Delaware bill aimed at tightening fireworks laws has passed the Senate. Officials say the state’s current regulations have led to widespread confusion, with many people using fireworks outside legally permitted days without realizing they are breaking the law, while others face penalties too small to deter violations. The result has been ongoing neighborhood disturbances,…

Dover Woman Charged in Unlicensed Wine Operation

By Joe Ciccanti / June 24, 2026

The Delaware Division of Alcohol & Tobacco Enforcement (DATE) has arrested a 60-year-old Dover woman on charges stemming from an unlicensed wine manufacturing operation conducted through Pale Moon Wine LLC. The investigation began after the Maryland Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Commission notified DATE that products from Pale Moon Wine LLC were being sold at establishments…

DNREC Asks Public to Report Sightings of Wild Turkeys During Annual Survey

By Joe Ciccanti / June 24, 2026

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is once again asking Delawareans to help with the state’s annual wild turkey productivity survey. The survey helps DNREC wildlife biologists monitor turkey populations and reproductive success across the state, helping ensure the continued success of Delaware’s wild turkey restoration efforts. From July 1st through August 31st,…

Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Protect Americans from Foreign Scammers

By Joe Ciccanti / June 24, 2026

U.S. Representatives Sarah McBride of Delaware and Mike Lawler of New York have introduced the bipartisan Stop Scamming Americans Act, aimed at helping U.S. diplomats identify and combat overseas scam operations that target Americans. McBride says the legislation would hold foreign governments accountable when they enable criminal organizations that steal personal and financial information, often…

AAA: Nearly 209,000 Delawareans Expected to Travel for Independence Day Holiday

By Joe Ciccanti / June 24, 2026

AAA projects that nearly 209,000 Delawareans will travel 50 miles or more during the Independence Day holiday period, about the same as last year. The holiday travel period runs for nine days, from Saturday, June 27th through Sunday, July 5th. The vast majority of travelers — nearly 185,000 Delawareans, or more than 88% — are…

Delaware State Police Arrest Two Following Pursuit in a Stolen Car in Kent County

By Joe Ciccanti / June 19, 2026

Delaware State Police arrested 19-year-old Aveion Edwards-Thomas and a 16-year-old male, both of Philadelphia, following a pursuit involving a stolen vehicle in Kent County Wednesday night. Troopers spotted a Nissan Altima reported stolen in Pennsylvania traveling on South Dupont Highway near Walnut Shade Road around 8:30 p.m. When officers attempted a traffic stop, the vehicle…

Delaware Senate Unanimously Passes FY 27 Budget Bills

By Joe Ciccanti / June 19, 2026

The Delaware Senate has voted to approve a $6.99 billion operating budget for Fiscal Year 2027, which includes funding for state employee and retiree compensation, public schools, healthcare services, public safety programs, and other statewide operations. The budget provides a 3% raise for state employees and additional pay increases for educators, while also supporting state…

AAA: National Gas Price Average Drops Below $4/Gallon

By Joe Ciccanti / June 18, 2026

Drivers are getting a break at the pump as the summer travel season heats up. For the first time since March 30th, the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline is down to $3.99. This marks nearly 4 straight weeks of declines. Crude oil prices are down as the U.S. and Iran reach a…

Delaware State Police Arrest Bridgeville Man with Stolen Gun and Drugs in Kent County

By Joe Ciccanti / June 18, 2026

Delaware State Police have arrested a 26-year-old Bridgeville man for felony gun and drug charges following a traffic stop Tuesday in Camden. On June 16th, at approximately 5:00 p.m., members of the Delaware State Police Kent County Special Investigations Unit were patrolling Berrytown Road near Willow Grove Road when they saw a Dodge Durango commit…

Maryland Board of Public Works Approves Funding for Somers Cove Marina Improvements

By Joe Ciccanti / June 18, 2026

The Maryland Board of Public Works has approved funding to support the construction of bulkheads, piers, storm drains, utilities, and a boat ramp at Somers Cove Marina. This Marina plays a vital role in Crisfield and for Smith Island. Senator Mary Beth Carozza, who wrote a letter in support of the funding prior to approval,…

Tipped Worker Tax Relief Measure Clears Delaware House Committee

By Joe Ciccanti / June 18, 2026

A bill providing state tax relief for tipped workers has cleared a House committee. The proposed legislation, sponsored by State Representative Jeff Hilovsky, would allow eligible workers to deduct up to $15,000 in tip income from their Delaware state taxes. The tax break would sunset at the end of 2029 unless renewed. House Substitute 1 for House…

DNREC Opens New Delaware Environmental Laboratory in Smyrna

By Joe Ciccanti / June 18, 2026

DNREC opened the new Delaware Environmental Laboratory near Smyrna today with a ceremonial ribbon cutting. This state-of-the-art facility features scientific analysis of emerging contaminants such as PFAS, water quality testing and early detection of human and animal diseases in Delaware. Participants in the ceremonial ribbon cutting included DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson along with representatives of the state’s…

AAA: 72.2 Million Americans Expected to Travel over July 4th Week – Slightly Higher than 2025

By Joe Ciccanti / June 18, 2026

With the United States of America’s 250th anniversary as well as the 4th of July falling on a Saturday this year, we can expect very heavy trafffic during that holiday period. Jana Tidwell, who is the manager of public and government affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic, tells the Talk of Delmarva travelers are planning accordingly….  …

Gunfire Strikes Occupied Home and Unoccupied Vehicle in Dover

By Joe Ciccanti / June 18, 2026

The Dover Police Department is investigating a shooting that damaged a home and vehicle in Barrister Place on Wednesday night. Officers responded to the area for a report the shots fired at approximately 11:31 P.M. Police say an unoccupied vehicle had been struck by gunfire and an occupied home was struck 2-3 times. There were…

Clothing Our Kids Awarded $10,000 From the Freeman Foundation’s FACES Program

By Joe Ciccanti / June 18, 2026

Clothing Our Kids of Sussex County has received a $10,000 grant from the Freeman Foundation’s FACES Program. The nonprofit spends more than $156,000 annually on new school clothing for local children, and officials say the grant will help provide complete clothing packages for up to 34 students, with each child receiving a complete package that…

Town Hall to Focus on Healthcare Access and Services in Georgetown Area

By Joe Ciccanti / June 17, 2026

State Representative Valerie Jones Giltner will host a healthcare town hall on Monday, June 22nd, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sussex Academy of Arts & Sciences, located at 21150 Airport Road in Georgetown. The event will feature a panel discussion with local hospital systems on planned innovations aimed at addressing gaps in healthcare…

Cocaine Trafficker Sentenced for Distributing 956 Kilograms of Cocaine Along East Coast

By Joe Ciccanti / June 17, 2026

A Queens, New York man has been sentenced to 275 months in federal prison for his role in a coast-to-coast cocaine trafficking conspiracy that supplied drugs to Delaware and other East Coast states. Federal prosecutors say 65-year-old Brahmananda Prasad transported cocaine from California to New York and distributed cocaine to multi-kilogram sub-distributors in New York…

New Law Expands Hunting Opportunities in Delaware

By Joe Ciccanti / June 17, 2026

A new law signed by Governor Matt Meyer expands hunting opportunities in Delaware by allowing Sunday hunting for all game animals and game birds during established hunting seasons. Private landowners and public agencies may still decide whether to permit Sunday hunting on their properties. House Bill 278, backed by the bipartisan Delaware Sportsmen’s Caucus, passed…