Joe Ciccanti

Milford Man Arrested for New Home Construction Fraud

By Joe Ciccanti / January 19, 2024

Delaware State Police have arrested a 36-year-old Milford man for new home construction fraud. On July 28, 2023, a Virginia couple contacted DSP to report the fraud. During the investigation, detectives learned that Steven Rowan, owner of Sussex Building LLC, had signed a contract with the elderly couple in January 2022 to build a new…

Senator Chris Coons Joins U.S. Senator and Two U.S. Representatives in Introducing Carbon Dioxide Removal Legislation

By Joe Ciccanti / January 19, 2024

Legislation introduced this week by U.S Senators Chris Coons and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island as well as and U.S. Representatives Paul D. Tonko of New York and Scott Peters of California would require the Department of Energy to make investments to support purchase of innovative carbon removal services and combat climate change. Senator Coons says this legislation– Carbon Dioxide Removal…

New Food Bank of Delaware Facility in Milford Now Open and Operating

By Joe Ciccanti / January 19, 2024

The Food Bank of Delaware officially cut the ribbon on its new 70,000 square-foot facility in Milford this week. Kim Turner of the Food Bank tells the Talk of Delmarva… She adds that the Food Bank of Delaware’s first culinary and warehousing and logistics training classes start on Monday, January 29th. To learn more about…

Governor Moore Signs Executive Orders Establishing the Governor’s Offices to Support Children and Combat Crime

By Joe Ciccanti / January 19, 2024

Governor Wes Moore has signed two executive orders reaffirming the Moore-Miller administration’s commitment to fighting child poverty and public safety throughout Maryland. The executive orders establish the Governor’s Office for Children and the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy. The Governor’s Office for Children will drive a holistic, coordinated approach within state government and across public and private sectors at the federal,…

Delaware Unemployment Rate Remains Steady

By Joe Ciccanti / January 19, 2024

Delaware’s seasonal adjusted unemployment rate in December, 2023 was 4.2 %, unchanged from November, 2023. The rate was 4.6% in December, 2022. According to the report, 21,700 Delawareans were unemployed in December, 2023 compared to 23,000 in December, 2022. The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.7% in December, 2023–unchanged from November the same year. in December,…

Higher Expected Snowfall Amounts Shift Southward

By Joe Ciccanti / January 19, 2024

The Delaware Emergency Management Agency has passed along information from the US National Weather Service in Philadelphia/Mount Holly, saying the expected heaviest snowfall amounts have shifted slightly southward. The greatest amounts are now expected near northern Delaware. Snowfall amounts were also increased by 1-2″ across southern Delaware. A Winter Storm Warning was added to Kent…

Disruption of Water Service in Georgetown Neighborhood due to Water Leak

By Joe Ciccanti / January 19, 2024

Those who live on West Adams Street in Georgetown will experience a disruption of water service due to an unexpected water leak in the area. The water department is working to repair the leak as quickly as possible. Once the leak is repaired the water will be restored. Those with any questions or concerns can…

Marydel Man Arrested for Attempted Burglary at Marydel Firehouse

By Joe Ciccanti / January 19, 2024

Delaware State Police have arrested a 23-year-old Marydel man for an attempted burglary at the Marydel firehouse.  Police arrested Daniel Santangelo at a traffic stop on Wednesday. Police say that on December 29th just before midnight, troopers were called to the Marydel Fire Company and learned that several firehouse occupants saw someone running away when…

Accidental House Fire Displaces Resident in Dorchester County

By Joe Ciccanti / January 18, 2024

The American Red Cross is assisting the displaced occupant of a house in Dorchester County following a fire that occurred this afternoon. The blaze occurred in a two story, wood frame, single family home on Old House Point Road– Fishing Creek. A malfunctioning kerosene heater caused the fire, which started on the kitchen floor. According…

Salisbury Man Sentenced for Armed Robbery

By Joe Ciccanti / January 18, 2024

The Honorable Kathleen Beckstead, Chief Judge of the Circuit Court for Wicomico County, Maryland today sentenced 54-year-old Milton Lee Harmon, Jr. of Salisbury to 16 years in the Division of Corrections. Ten years of that sentence will be without possibility of parole. Harmon was convicted by a Wicomico County jury on December 6th of Armed…

Legislation Introduced to Guide Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Delaware

By Joe Ciccanti / January 18, 2024

With the explosion in the development and use of Artificial Intelligence in the last year, lawmakers announced today new legislation aimed at harnessing the potential of AI while ensuring its safe and responsible utilization within Delaware. Sponsored by State Representative Krista Griffith, House Bill 333 would create the Delaware Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) Commission, a formal body…

Share of $4 Million USDE Grant to Increase First-Year Student Success at Salisbury University

By Joe Ciccanti / January 18, 2024

Salisbury University will receive $216,000 over the next four years to increase retention and success for first-year students, thanks to a nearly $4 million Postsecondary Student Success Grant from the U.S. Department of Education to the University System of Maryland (USM). Its share of the grant is dubbed “Maryland’s ABCs for Student Success: Advising, Belonging…

Farm Equipment and Road Safety Topic of Concern for Farmers in Delaware

By Joe Ciccanti / January 18, 2024

A single accident involving farm equipment could be devastating to both the farmer and the other driver, according to farmer and Kent County Farm Bureau President Jim Minner. He says it only takes seconds to have a deadly accident and urges motorists that when they see equipment on the road to reduce their speed. Minner…

DelDOT Traffic Alert: Laurel Area Road Closure Next Week

By Joe Ciccanti / January 18, 2024

In the Laurel area, Dogwood Lane between Old Hickory Road and Airport Road will be closed starting on Monday, January 22nd and continuing through Friday, January 26th -weather permitting- for the installation of a crossroad pipe, according to the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT). Detour Information: Detour: Motorist traveling southwest on Dogwood Lane will be detoured south on Old…

Governor Carney Postpones State of the State Address

By Joe Ciccanti / January 18, 2024

Governor John Carney has postponed the State of the State Address due to illness. The Governor has a fever and mild symptoms but is in good spirits. The Governor’s State of the State Address will be rescheduled and announced at a later date.

Coastal DE Towns Protest Against Beach Replenishment Cost Initiative That Would Affect Beachgoers; Suggest Alternatives

By Joe Ciccanti / January 18, 2024

Will beachgoers in Delaware see charging for beach access–beach tags or passes? Will they be charged higher parking and shuttle fees? That is what the Association of Coastal Towns communities of Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, South Bethany and Fenwick Island are trying to stop from happening. The initiative that they say DNREC…

Two Delaware Bills Aims to Bring Accountability, Transparency to Campaign Finance Contributions and Reporting

By Joe Ciccanti / January 17, 2024

Today, state Representative Eric Morrison filed two bills aimed at increasing public trust and providing accountability and transparency to candidate campaign finance reporting. HB 291 would make it easier to identify illegal campaign contribution activity by requiring a donor’s employer names and job titles in campaign finance reports, prevent candidates from donating prohibited contributions to charitable…

Twenty-five Semifinalists Announced for Honor of Wicomico Teacher of the Year

By Joe Ciccanti / January 17, 2024

Twenty-five educators from Wicomico County Public Schools have been named semifinalists for Wicomico Teacher of the Year, and have been celebrated in their schools. They now begin the extensive judging process that will lead to the naming of the next Wicomico Teacher of the Year this spring. Semifinalists will participate in a scored Fishbowl public…

Reform Bills in Delaware Seek to Increase Accountability for Conduct, Spending

By Joe Ciccanti / January 17, 2024

House and Senate Republicans are sponsoring three measures requiring lawmakers to be more accountable for their conduct and spending decisions. • House Bill 261 seeks to establish the Office of Legislative Ethics for the General Assembly to ensure that valid allegations of wrongdoing by state legislators are thoroughly investigated. State Representative Mike Smith says his…

Delaware State Police Announce Promotion of Captain Christy Ballinger to the Rank of Major

By Joe Ciccanti / January 17, 2024

Colonel Melissa Zebley, Superintendent of the Delaware State Police, has announced the promotion of Captain Christy Ballinger to the esteemed rank of Major. Assuming the role of Administrative Officer for the division, Major Ballinger brings a wealth of experience, dedication, and exemplary leadership cultivated over her illustrious two-decade career within the Delaware State Police. Over the…

Suspended DATE Officer Facing Multiple Felonies in cigarettes-for-drugs Scheme

By Joe Ciccanti / January 17, 2024

A suspended officer with Delaware Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement faces five felony charges and one misdemeanor charge following a joint investigation by DATE and Delaware State Police. The felony indictment was secured against 33-year-old Joseph Dominic for trading DATE-controlled cigarette cartons to a third party for drugs and money, according to the Delaware Attorney General’s Office.…

Worcester County Board of Education President and Vice President Re-Elected; Students Honored at BOE Meeting

By Joe Ciccanti / January 17, 2024

At the Worcester County Board of Education meeting this week, during the annual reorganization, Todd Ferrante was re-elected to serve as President and Bill Buchanan was re-elected to serve as Vice President for the calendar year. Also at the meeting, student athletes were honored for their performance during the Fall 2023 sports season and the Math Team…

City of Milford invites Public to Springboard Village Public Hearing

By Joe Ciccanti / January 17, 2024

Milford City Council will hear a presentation on Monday, January 22nd from Springboard Collaborative about their plans to bring one of their villages to the City. The public is invited to make public comments at the City Council meeting beginning at 6pm. Springboard villages stabilize and engage those experiencing unsheltered homelessness and economic hardship throughout Delaware, according…

Distracted Driving and Occupant Protection Enforcement Effort in Delaware Underway

By Joe Ciccanti / January 17, 2024

Over the next several weeks, law enforcement is increasing patrols on Delaware’s roadways to address the issue of distracted driving and to make sure occupants in vehicles are buckled up. The Delaware Office of Highway Safety is working alongside state and local law enforcement with the Occupant Protection and Distracted Driving high visibility enforcement effort…

Maryland Department of Transportation Moves Forward with Plan to Expand State’s Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

By Joe Ciccanti / January 16, 2024

Soon, you’ll see more electric vehicle infrastructure throughout the state of Maryland as the Maryland Department of Transportation charges forward with those plans. The department today issued a Request for Proposals that could provide up to 40 new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations as part of Maryland’s plan for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program.…