Joe Ciccanti

Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Improvements Coming to Dover Thanks to Grant Issued to DelDOT

By Joe Ciccanti / June 27, 2024

Dover will see Bike andĀ pedestrian safety improvements thanks to an over $12 million grant issued to the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT).Ā Today, U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons and U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester celebrated the 2024 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant. The $12,250,000 competitive RAISE grant was issued to…

Governor Moore Announces Launch of Cannabis Workforce Development Program

By Joe Ciccanti / June 27, 2024

Governor Wes Moore today announced the launch of the Cannabis Workforce Development Program, the first workforce development initiative developed and administered by a cannabis regulatory agency in the nation.Ā This program, which will prioritize individuals with a history of cannabis-related offenses, is launching after Governor Moore’s historic pardon of more than 175,000 cannabis charges last Monday.…

House Fire in Salisbury Leaves One Occupant Displaced

By Joe Ciccanti / June 27, 2024

The occupant of a home on Coulbourne Mill RoadĀ  in Salisbury is beingĀ assisted by the American Red Cross after an accidentalĀ fire that occurred yesterday afternoon. The fire started on the side deck and was the result of discarded smoking materials.Ā Damage to the one story, wood frame, single family home was estimated to be at $200,000…

Proposed Legislation Urges Establishment of Medical School in Delaware

By Joe Ciccanti / June 27, 2024

Legislation has been introduced urging the establishment of a medical school in the State of Delaware. This House Concurrent Resolution calls for the formation of a formal Steering Group to guide the planning and implementation of a medical school. The bill also encourages the pursuit of partnerships with established medical schools and other medical education…

House Bill 417 Related to Statute of Limitations in Child Sex Abuse Cases Passes DE House

By Joe Ciccanti / June 27, 2024

Legislation pertaining to statute of limitations in child sex abuse cases has passed the Delaware House. If signed into law, survivors of child sexual abuse that occurred in Delaware who have been barred from filing suit against their abusers by virtue of the expiration of the former civil statute of limitations, shall be permitted to…

DART’s Independence Day Schedule

By Joe Ciccanti / June 27, 2024

In Sussex County,Ā DART’sĀ Beach Bus serviceĀ andĀ Route 305 Beach ConnectionĀ will operate on July 4th, with Paratransit service operating complimentary ADA-only service. Aside from the routes listed below for New Castle County, all other DART services will not operate on July 4th. Additional Information from DART First State: DART will offer bus service in New Castle County on…

DSP Investigating Two-Vehicle Fatal Crash in Camden

By Joe Ciccanti / June 26, 2024

The Delaware State Police are investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred this morning in Camden that left one man dead. The crash happened around 5 a.m. According to police, a 2009 Cadillac Escalade was traveling eastbound on Walnut Shade Road, west of Barney Jenkins Road. At the same time, a 2016 Honda Accord was…

DNREC Reminds Drive-On Surf Anglers Reservations are Required for Fourth of July Holiday

By Joe Ciccanti / June 26, 2024

TheĀ Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC)Ā reminds those who plan to drive-on surf fish at one of the seven Delaware State Parks multi-use beaches that reservations are required during summer weekends and holidays. Drive-on surf fishing reservations for Thursday, July 4th, open Thursday, June 27th, at 11 a.m. Drive-on reservations for each weekend…

Ramier Bender Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Armed Robbery and Firearm Use in a Crime of Violence

By Joe Ciccanti / June 26, 2024

Ramier Bender, formerly of Salisbury, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for Armed Robbery and Firearm Use in a Crime of Violence. The Honorable S. James Sarbanes, Administrative Judge of the First Judicial Circuit issued the sentencing last week. Bender pleaded guilty on March 6th of this year. According to the Office of…

Sheriff Joe Gamble and the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office Congratulate Major R. Scott Mergenthaler on Retirement

By Joe Ciccanti / June 26, 2024

Sheriff Joe Gamble and the Talbot County Sheriff’s Office would like to congratulate Major R. Scott Mergenthaler on his retirement from his over fifty-one-year career in law enforcement. They offer a sincere thank you and well wishes for his dedication and professionalism to the citizens of Talbot County for the last eighteen years of service.…

Claymont Man Arrested in Dover for Felony Gun Offenses

By Joe Ciccanti / June 26, 2024

Delaware State Police have arrested a 35-year-old Claymont man at a traffic stop in Dover for felony gun offenses. The arrest happened early yesterday afternoon in Dover. Michael DiRocco faces charges that include Possession of a Firearm By a Person Prohibited for a Prior Felony and Carrying a Concealed Firearm–both of which are felonies. DiRocco…

Philadelphia Man Sentenced to 12 years for Fentanyl Charges

By Joe Ciccanti / June 26, 2024

A Philadelphia man previously arrested and convicted in connection with the 2016 police action Operation Smackdown has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for dealing fentanyl-laced heroin (Tier 2) and possession of cocaine (Tier 1).Ā Al-Ghaniyy PriceĀ was convicted at trial in January of this year for December 2022 offenses; he later pleaded guilty to June…

Manufactured Home Fire in Frederica Leaves Two Critically Injured

By Joe Ciccanti / June 26, 2024

The Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating a manufactured home fire that left two elderly individuals with serious injuries. The fire occurred early this morning in Frederica in Kent County. The fire was reported shortly after 3:00am on Sycamore Dr. in the High Point Mobile Home Park, by a passing motorist. The Magnolia and…

DPH Cautions Public to Watch for Rabid Animals During Active Season

By Joe Ciccanti / June 26, 2024

With the weather warming up, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) urges you to take precautions to avoid exposure to rabies and to be on the lookout for rabid animals during this active season. Rabies is endemic in Delaware, meaning it occurs regularly within the state’s wildlife populations. Since 2019, 54 animals have tested…

House Fire in Smyrna Leaves Occupants Displaced, One Firefighter Injured

By Joe Ciccanti / June 26, 2024

Occupants of a house in the Hickory Hollow Development in Smyrna are being assisted by the American Red Cross of Delmarva, and one firefighter is being treated for injuries after a fire occurred yesterday evening. The fire was reported shortly before 10 p.m. in the unit block of Zelkova Road. The fire was placed under…

Fire at Vacant Mobile Home in Caroline County

By Joe Ciccanti / June 26, 2024

A fire that occurred at an abandoned and vacant mobile home on Kibler Road in Greensboro in Caroline County is under investigation. The fire was reported by a passerby yesterday afternoon just before 2 p.m. The houseĀ had been abandoned for over 15 years, according to the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal. The fire…

DE Lawmakers Approve Legislation Offering Protections for Banks, Other Financial Institutions That Serve Licensed Marijuana BusinessesĀ 

By Joe Ciccanti / June 26, 2024

In what State Treasurer Colleen Davis calls “a critical step forward for Delaware’s cannabis industry,ā€ legislation providing protections for banks and other financial institutions that serve licensed marijuana businesses has been approved by Delaware lawmakers. Although marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, Delaware has joined many other states in legalizing it for medical or…

DNREC to Hold Virtual Public Hearing on July 9th to Discuss Proposed Offshore Wind Project

By Joe Ciccanti / June 26, 2024

The Division of Water and Division of Watershed Stewardship will conductĀ a joint virtual public hearing regarding the proposed offshore wind project. The hearing will take place on Tuesday, July 9th at 6 p.m. An information session on Delaware’s regulatory process was held earlier this month in Lewes. At the July 9th meeting, the Division of…

Legislation Creating AI Commission Passes DE House

By Joe Ciccanti / June 26, 2024

Legislation that would create the Delaware Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) Commission has been passed in the Delaware House. The Commission’s task will involve making recommendations to the General Assembly and Department of Technology and Information on AI utilization and safety within the State of Delaware. The Commission also will conduct an inventory of all Generative AI…

Harrington Man Arrested by Lewes Police for Stealing Camping Trailer

By Joe Ciccanti / June 20, 2024

In a joint investigation with Detectives from the Delaware State Police Troop 4, The LewesPolice Department has identified and arrested 53-year-old Paul Rowan of Harrington for a theft of a camping trailer on June 13th. The theft occurred on Kings Highway. Rowan was charged with Felony Theft, Criminal Mischief and Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree, and…

New System of Accountability Announced in Maryland Pertaining to Sexual Assault EvidenceĀ KitsĀ 

By Joe Ciccanti / June 20, 2024

Governor Wes Moore and Attorney General Anthony Brown today announced the launch of a new online system in the state of Maryland to help survivors of sexual assault track evidence anonymously… Governor Moore at the news conference earlier added that this new system will hold law enforcement accountable for effectively and efficiently processing evidence. The…

Delaware Mosquito Control Plans Insecticide Applications This Evening

By Joe Ciccanti / June 20, 2024

Weather permitting; the Delaware Mosquito Control Section plans insecticide application(s) in and near Fenwick Island during this evening–Thursday, June 20th. Spraying will be done to control adult mosquitoes near Selbyville, Frankford, Dagsboro, Millsboro, Georgetown, and Milton. Additional Information from DNREC–Mosquito Control: Application of Zenivex E4 (Etofenprox) with a truck-mounted sprayer to control adult mosquitoes in the following areas:…

Beat the Peak Alert for Choptank Electric Cooperative Members

By Joe Ciccanti / June 20, 2024

Updated for 06/20/24: Choptank Electric Cooperative has issued a Beat the Peak alert for today between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Previous Post on 06/19/24: Choptank Electric Cooperative has issued a Beat the Peak alert for today between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. The Co-op recommends giving your thermostat a break and delaying use of…

Early Morning House Fire in Cambridge Ruled Accidental

By Joe Ciccanti / June 20, 2024

A house fireĀ occurred early this morning on Stone Boundary Road in Cambridge, Dorchester County.Ā The fire at the 1,400 Square Foot structure was ruled accidental and occurred due to open flames/smoking materials in close proximity of combustibleĀ materials. Ā According to the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal, the blaze started inside–in the living roomĀ around 5 a.m.…

AAA Projects Increase in July 4th Week Travel in 2024 Over 2019

By Joe Ciccanti / June 20, 2024

AAA projects 70.9 million travelers will head 50 miles or more from home over the Independence Day holiday travel period. This year’s projected number of travelers for that time period is a 5% increase compared to 2023 and an 8% increase over 2019. AAA Spokeswoman Jana Tidwell says this July 4th week is anticipated to be the busiest…