Joe Ciccanti

AAA: Gas Prices Continue to Climb; Delaware’s Average up 28 Cents From Last Week

By Joe Ciccanti / July 23, 2026

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline jumped 15 cents from last week to $4.09. AAA reports that most states are now averaging $4 per gallon or higher. Rising crude oil prices are behind the spike at the pump. Volatility along the Strait of Hormuz and instability in the region have pushed crude…

Highmark Awards $350K in Grants to 11 Delaware Nonprofits Aiming to Improve Health Care Across Delaware

By Joe Ciccanti / July 23, 2026

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is awarding more than $350,000 in grants to 11 Delaware nonprofits through its BluePrints for the Community program. The funding supports efforts to improve healthcare access, reduce health disparities, and strengthen community services — including programs focused on seniors, youth, housing, women’s health, and healthcare workforce development. Highmark says the…

Worcester Emergency Services Invites Residents to Help Update Hazard Mitigation Plan

By Joe Ciccanti / July 23, 2026

The Worcester County Department of Emergency Services is updating the county’s Hazard Mitigation Plan and is asking residents to help identify natural and man-made hazards that could affect the Lower Eastern Shore. Four public meetings are scheduled in Pocomoke, Ocean Pines, Snow Hill, and Berlin during August and September. Assistant Chief of Emergency Management Katy…

Wicomico Sheriff’s Office Issues Scam Alert

By Joe Ciccanti / July 23, 2026

The Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a phone scam in which callers are spoofing the agency’s phone number and posing as sheriff’s deputies. Victims are told there is a warrant for their arrest and are pressured to make a payment to avoid being taken into custody. The Sheriff’s Office reminds residents that…

House Fire in Chestertown, Queen Anne’s County Under Investigation

By Joe Ciccanti / July 23, 2026

The cause and origin of a house fire on Church Meadow Court in Chestertown, Queen Anne’s County, Maryland is under investigation by the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal. The blaze occurred at a two-story, single-family home with a basement. No injuries were reported, but the Fire Marshal’s office reports that 6 adults were…

OABCC Highlights New Delaware Liquor Laws

By Joe Ciccanti / July 23, 2026

The Delaware Office of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commissioner says it’s grateful for legislation approved by the General Assembly this year that expands business opportunities while maintaining liquor regulations and public safety. The new laws create bottle club and special event venue licenses, allow licensed third-party alcohol delivery from package stores, establish regulations for Delta-9…

Delaware Declares Measles Outbreak

By Joe Ciccanti / July 22, 2026

The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is reporting two additional positive measles cases, totaling four in the state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines a measles outbreak as three or more cases of measles that are connected by time and location. Extensive contact tracing is ongoing to identify anyone exposed to…

Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Expand Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities

By Joe Ciccanti / July 22, 2026

Ahead of the 36th anniversary of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), U.S. Representatives Sarah McBride and French Hill of Arkansas introduced the bipartisan Disabled Access Credit Modernization Act, legislation aiming to help small businesses in Delaware and across the country hire and accommodate workers with disabilities. Under the ADA, employers with 15 or…

City of Lewes Earns Improved FEMA Flood Insurance Rating

By Joe Ciccanti / July 22, 2026

The City of Lewes is improving its rating in the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System — moving from a Class 8 to a Class 7, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  Beginning October 1st, 2026, most National Flood Insurance Program policies issued or renewed in Lewes will qualify for a 15-percent flood…

Authorities in Somerset County Investigating Shooting at Somers Cove

By Joe Ciccanti / July 22, 2026

Crisfield Police and the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a shooting that happened Tuesday evening on Somers Cove. Police say officers responded to 141 Somers Cove around 7:23 p.m. after reports of a shooting. A victim was found nearby at 78 Somers Cove suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim was taken to…

Pittsville Man Sentenced To Maximum Penalty Of 35 Years For Sexual Abuse Of A Minor And Second-Degree Assault

By Joe Ciccanti / July 22, 2026

A 51-year-old Pittsville, Maryland man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison after being convicted following a three-day jury trial, of Sexual Abuse of a Minor and Assault in the Second Degree. On July 17th, the Honorable Karen M. Dean, Associate Judge of the Circuit Court for Wicomico County, imposed the sentence, which was…

Wicomico County Reaches Major Milestone in Dredge Management Program

By Joe Ciccanti / July 22, 2026

The Port of Salisbury will be ready for scheduled maintenance dredging, helping protect a key economic asset and support the region’s maritime economy, following the completion of Phase Two of Wicomico County’s dredge material recovery and relocation program. The project moved another 110,000 cubic yards of dredge material from the Sharp’s Point Dredge Management Facility…

Overnight Tractor Trailer Crash East of Selbyville

By Joe Ciccanti / July 22, 2026

Delaware State Police are investigating a tractor trailer crash that occurred overnight east of Selbyville. DNREC Hazmat was also called to the scene. DSP tell the Talk of Delmarva that on July 22nd at approximately 1:00 a.m., a Peterbilt 567 tractor, pulling a diesel fuel tanker trailer, was traveling westbound on West Line Road east…

New State Historical Marker Unveiled in Greenwood

By Joe Ciccanti / July 19, 2026

The Delaware Public Archives on Friday unveiled a new State of Delaware historical marker on North First Street in Greenwood. The Talk of Delmarva’s Joe Ciccanti has more…    

National Gas Price Average Inches Back Toward $4 per Gallon

By Joe Ciccanti / July 16, 2026

AAA reports the national average for a gallon of regular gasoline went up 10 cents since last week to $3.94.  Instability along the Strait of Hormuz is contributing to the increase at the pump and pushing crude oil prices toward $80 per barrel. Most states are still averaging less than $4 per gallon. Earlier this…

Governor Meyer Signs Executive Order Strengthening Conflict-of-Interest Standards for Unclaimed Property Task Force

By Joe Ciccanti / July 16, 2026

Governor Matt Meyer has signed an executive order strengthening conflict-of-interest standards for executive branch members serving on Delaware’s Unclaimed Property Task Force. The order requires those members to certify they have no financial interests related to Delaware’s unclaimed property industry and calls for public disclosure of conflict-of-interest information. Governor Meyer says the goal is to…

NO BOSS Act Introduced to Help Laid-Off Workers Start Businesses

By Joe Ciccanti / July 16, 2026

Laid-off workers could have an easier path to starting a new business while continuing to receive unemployment benefits under the bipartisan NO BOSS Act introduced by U.S. Senators Chris Coons, James Lankford of Oklahoma, and Jon Husted of Ohio. The legislation would modernize the Self-Employment Assistance program, allowing more workers to pursue entrepreneurship without giving up…

UPDATE: Code Red Air Quality Action Day

By Joe Ciccanti / July 16, 2026

UPDATE: 07/16/26: 2:15 PM: Delaware will remain under a Code Red Air Quality Action Day on Friday as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to impact the state. Officials say lingering smoke and pollutants will lead to unhealthy levels of fine particle pollution, with sensitive groups most at risk. Air quality is expected to gradually improve…

Police Investigating Burglary, Property Damage at Church in Dover

By Joe Ciccanti / July 16, 2026

Dover police officers are investigating a burglary at a church where damage was discovered inside the building. The investigation revealed that someone entered New Jerusalem Baptist Church on Jerusalem Way sometime between 12:35 AM and 1:20 AM on July 15th and significantly damaged a security gate, a sanctuary door, and a window. A fire extinguisher…

Beat the Peak Alerts Issued During Today’s Extreme Heat

By Joe Ciccanti / July 16, 2026

Delaware Electric Cooperative has issued another Beat the Peak alert for today from 4–6 p.m. Choptank Electric Cooperative’s Beat the Peak period is from 3 to 6 PM today. Reducing your electricity use during these peak hours can help lower wholesale power costs, which helps keep electric rates more affordable. DEC encourages members to take…

Maryland Community Health Resources Commission Awards $7.5 Million to Expand Health Care Access

By Joe Ciccanti / July 16, 2026

Governor Wes Moore has announced $7.5 million in grants through the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission to fund 14 community-based health care projects expected to serve more than 12,000 Marylanders. All grants will support communities with high rates of childhood poverty, aiming to expand health care access, reduce health disparities, and improve health equity in…

Delaware OHS Urges Riders and Drivers to Stay Alert Following Recent Motorcycle Crashes

By Joe Ciccanti / July 16, 2026

After one motorcyclist was tragically killed and two others were seriously injured in separate crashes across Delaware within a 24-hour period, the Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is urging both motorcyclists and drivers to stay alert and share the road responsibly as motorcycle travel increases during the peak summer riding season. Jeffrey Horvath, deputy…

Ocean City, MD Police Officer on Administrative Leave Amid Delaware State Police Investigation

By Joe Ciccanti / July 16, 2026

The Ocean City Police Department has been informed that Corporal Benjamin Berry is involved in an investigation being handled by the Delaware State Police. Corporal Benjamin Berry was placed on administrative leave with pay for an unrelated internal matter at the beginning of June. Upon learning of the Delaware State Police’s Investigation, a second administrative…

Worcester County Encourages Residents Awaiting Tax Bills to Use Online and In-Person Options

By Joe Ciccanti / July 15, 2026

Worcester County Government is aware that some property owners have not yet received their 2026–2027 real estate tax bills by mail and is actively working to determine the cause. Property owners who have not yet received a bill do not need to wait for a mailed copy to review or pay their taxes. Tax bills…

Heat Wave Brings Focus on Energy-Saving Tips, Programs

By Joe Ciccanti / July 15, 2026

With yet another heat wave blanketing the area, Delmarva Power is advising customers about their voluntary energy-efficiency programs, including Energy Wise Rewards, which helped reduce electricity demand during the Fourth of July heat wave. Senior Communications Specialist for Delmarva Power, Mary Oakey tells the Talk of Delmarva about this option for customers… She adds that…