Joe Ciccanti

Maryland State Police to Increase Patrols This Holiday Weekend

By Joe Ciccanti / December 20, 2023

Starting Friday, Maryland State Police will increasing patrols, which will continue through Christmas weekend as millions of Marylanders are expected to hit the highways. State troopers from all 23 barracks will focus on impaired, aggressive and distracted driving while conducting saturation patrols on roads with high DUI incidents. Enforcement is bolstered by funds from the…

City of Milford Invites Public to Marshall Street Bike Path Striping Project Open House

By Joe Ciccanti / December 20, 2023

The City of Milford will host a Marshall Street Bike Path Striping Project Open House on Tuesday, January 23rd from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The Open House will take place at the Public Works Facility on180 Vickers Drive. Representatives from the City will be available during the two-hour period to answer questions regarding the…

Senator Carper Announces Service Academy Nominations

By Joe Ciccanti / December 20, 2023

Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper, who is a retired Navy Captain and the last Vietnam veteran serving in the U.S. Senate, announced the names of his service academy nominees for the Class of 2028, bringing these Delawareans one step closer to joining the ranks of America’s military officers. Senator Carper says he is proud to…

Travel Volume Increase Expected This Holiday Season

By Joe Ciccanti / December 20, 2023

With the Christmas and New Year’s upon us, more and more people are deciding to travel. Jana Tidwell–Manager of Public and Government Affairs at AAA Mid-Atlantic tells the Talk of Delmarva’s Jake Smith what travel will be like this holiday season for Delawareans…. Overall, the highest air travel volume on record is expected, and airports…

City of Salisbury Advises Drivers to Plan Routes That Avoid Flooding on Route 13

By Joe Ciccanti / December 20, 2023

Due to the massive rainfall over the weekend, Route 13 in Salisbury — in the area of the Priscilla Street and Northwood Drive intersections — continues to remain flooded and impassable. The City of Salisbury is monitoring the situation, but the flooding is expected to continue over the next few days, so the road will…

Seaford Man Arrested for Home Improvement Fraud

By Joe Ciccanti / December 14, 2023

Delaware State Police have arrested a Seaford man for home improvement fraud. Yesterday, a Bridgeville man contacted State Police to report the fraud. During the investigation, troopers learned that Derek Green, owner of Mason Construction LLC, had previously agreed to build a sunroom addition on his house and the construction was supposed to start in…

Legislation Introduced Would Limit Ammunition Accessibility in Retail Stores to Prevent Theft

By Joe Ciccanti / December 14, 2023

Legislation introduced today by Delaware Representative Kim Williams would require retailers to keep ammunition locked up or only accessible by store employee assistance. Representative Williams says the legislation–House Bill 270–is commonsense and constituent focused legislation, adding that retail ammunition theft has a documented history in the First State. This bill aims to protect all communities…

Delayed Work Near Lewes Area Subdivision to Take Place Next Week

By Joe Ciccanti / December 14, 2023

DelDOT has provided a new time frame in which lane closures will be in effect on Beaver Dam Road due to work related to an area subdivision. Expect delays on Beaver Dam Road between the Roundabout for Anchor Run Subdivision and Stockley Road. The updated days on which the work will take place are Wednesday,…

Update on the Easton Airport Airfield Modernization Program

By Joe Ciccanti / December 14, 2023

Progress continues in the Easton Airport Airfield Modernization Program. Easton Airport Manager Micah Risher provided the public a detailed update–explaining explains the program’s primary goals, the scheduling process, operational impacts, funding, public awareness, and environmental benefits. In terms of scheduling, Mass earthwork will begin in January which involves transitioning soil, which is estimated at 400,000 cubic…

Permit-to-Purchase Handgun Bill Released from House Appropriations CommitteeĀ 

By Joe Ciccanti / December 14, 2023

The House Appropriations Committee has released legislation that would add Delaware to a growing list of states requiring residents to complete a firearm training course and obtain a permit before purchasing a handgun.Ā Most Delawareans could obtain a permit to purchase a handgun if they have completed an approved firearm training course in the last five…

Senator Carper Calls on Colleague to Release Holds on Confirming Military Nominations

By Joe Ciccanti / December 14, 2023

Senator Tom Carper this week delivered a speech on the Senate Floor to protect military families and ensure U.S. national security. Senator Carper talked about the need to confirm outstanding military promotions and called on Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama to lift his hold on the remaining 11 officers in high level positions. Earlier this…

Convicted Sex Offender Sentenced to 18 Years for Attempted Enticement of a Minor to Engage in Illegal Sexual Activity

By Joe Ciccanti / December 13, 2023

55-year-old Samuel Charles Hardeman, of Easton, Maryland, has been sentenced to 18 years in federal prison, followed by lifetime supervised release, for attempted coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in illicit sexual activity.Ā U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III today issued the sentencing. Hardeman had a previous federal conviction in a 2002 case…

Maryland Revitalization Program Awards to Bring $5.7 Million to Community Development Projects on Eastern Shore

By Joe Ciccanti / December 13, 2023

Eight Eastern Shore counties have received a combined $5.7 million through Maryland’s seven State Revitalization Programs for 31 projects and activities that promote community development and economic growth. The announcement comes from The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). The seven programs will support revitalization and redevelopment projects and activities including: business expansion…

Vehicle Crashes into Tree in Worcester County; Driver Killed

By Joe Ciccanti / December 13, 2023

An Ocean City, Maryland woman is dead after a single-vehicle crash this morning on Route 50 at the intersection of Caleb Road. The crash occurred around 11:30. According to a preliminary investigation, the vehicle that the person identified as 74-year-old Linda Jean Hopkins was driving had been heading westbound on Route 50 when the vehicle…

DE Department of Agriculture Adds New Test Options and Increases Fees for Seed Lab

By Joe Ciccanti / December 13, 2023

Beginning January 2nd, the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s seed laboratory will offer additional testing service options to assist producers. For the first time since 1999, DDA is increasing fees for services performed by the DDA Seed Lab. The laboratory has not changed its fee structure in 24 years; however, the rising costs of testing supplies…

Wrongfully Convicted Man Awarded Compensation by Maryland Board of Public Works

By Joe Ciccanti / December 13, 2023

The Maryland Board of Public Works has approved compensation for a man, who, in 1993, was wrongfully accused and convicted of attempted rape and then unjustly imprisoned for four years. The determination of injustice came about after parallel cases surfaced. Under the Walter Lomax Act, the compensation was approved, which Maryland Attorney General Anthony G.…

Worcester County Schools Outperform State According to Latest School Report Card Data Released

By Joe Ciccanti / December 13, 2023

The Maryland State Department of Education released its annual update to the Maryland Report Card website today, containing performance data for every school in the State, including eleven schools in Worcester County.Ā  In that county, 73 percent of eligible schools earned a four-star rating, and the remaining were designated a three-star status. In looking at…

FY 2025 Grant Applications for Delaware Arts & Community-Based Organizations, Schools

By Joe Ciccanti / December 13, 2023

The Delaware Division of the Arts has opened its annual online application process for grants for arts programming and projects taking place during fiscal year 2025 (September 2024 – August 2025). Applications will be submitted through the smARTDE online system and are due by 4:30 p.m. EST on Friday, March 1, 2024. If you are…

Traffic Alert: Repair of Water Service Temporarily Shuts Down Church Hill Avenue in Salisbury

By Joe Ciccanti / December 13, 2023

As a part of the City of Salisbury’s efforts to improve, repair, and maintain the water distribution system, a water service repair is being conducted on Church Hill Avenue between Richwil Drive and South Schumaker Drive. Church Hill Avenue is impassable today along that particular stretch. The road closure applies to all through traffic and…

Parking Regulations, Dogs on Beach up for Discussion and Possible Vote at This Month’s Dewey Beach Town Hall Meeting

By Joe Ciccanti / December 13, 2023

Parking regulations will be up for discussion and a possible vote at the last Dewey Beach Town Council meeting of the year–on December 15th at 3:30 p.m. According to the Town’s monthly newsletter, the discussion will include a variety of potential scenarios, including but not limited to a cost increase of the parking permits and/or…

Caroline County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Theft Case

By Joe Ciccanti / December 13, 2023

The Caroline County Sheriff’s Office s requesting any information you might be able to provide regarding a theft that occurred earlier this month. 25510 Bee Tree Road in Henderson is the location of the reported theft. The victim told deputies that his two Everstart batteries, numerous electrical wires, and 160 gallons of diesel fuel were…

Three People Injured in Two-Vehicle Collision in Rehoboth Area

By Joe Ciccanti / December 8, 2023

Three people are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries after a two-vehicle collision early yesterday morning. Sgt. India Sturgis of the Delaware State Police tells the Talk of Delmarva that a 54-year-old man from Rehoboth Beach was driving a red Ford Escort west on Sea Blossom Boulevard, next to CVS. He attempted to cross over Coastal…

Salisbury Man Convicted of Armed Robbery

By Joe Ciccanti / December 7, 2023

A Wicomico County jury has found 54-year-old Milton Lee Harmon Jr. of Salisbury guilty of Armed Robbery and related charges. The one-day trial yesterday was presided over by the Honorable Kathleen L. Beckstead, Chief Judge of the Circuit Court for Wicomico County. Harmon is being held in custody pending sentencing. The trial stems from an…

Food Bank of Delaware to Host Drive-thru Mobile Pantries for Delawareans Next Week

By Joe Ciccanti / December 7, 2023

The Food Bank of Delaware will hold mass drive-thru distributions next week in each county. The first one is scheduled for Monday, December 11 starting at 9:00 a.m. at Crossroad Community Church in Georgetown. On Wednesday the 13th at 9:00 a.m., the distribution location will be in Kent County at the Dover Motor Speedway. To…

Proposed ATF Rule Aims to Reduce Illegal Gun Trafficking

By Joe Ciccanti / December 7, 2023

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown joined a multistate coalition of 21 Attorneys General including Delaware supporting a proposed Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Rule that would reduce illegal gun trafficking by ensuring that more gun sales are subject to background checks. Following the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the…