Joe Ciccanti

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.…

Governor Carney Nominates Terra Taylor as DOC Commissioner

By Joe Ciccanti / January 16, 2024

Governor John Carney has announced that he intends to nominate Terra Taylor to serve as Commissioner of the Delaware Department of Correction (DOC). Taylor’s nomination must be approved by the Delaware State Senate. Governor Carney says Terra’s years of experience within the Department of Correction— starting from her time as a Probation Officer to Chief of Community Corrections to Deputy Commissioner to Acting Commissioner—make…

Dover Police Investigating Burglary at Area Business

By Joe Ciccanti / January 16, 2024

Dover Police are investigating a burglary that occurred at Love Nails & Spa on North DuPont Highway in the overnight hours Thursday morning. The investigation began just before 10:00 on January 12th, when Dover Police were called to the business. According to the investigation, at 2:08 a.m., the burglar arrived at the business on foot…

AAA Mid-Atlantic: Small Amounts of Snow and Ice Can Cause Big Problems on Roads

By Joe Ciccanti / January 16, 2024

With the region having seen its first measurable snow this season, and more wintry weather expected later this week, Jana Tidwell of AAA Mid-Atlantic says even small amounts of snow and ice can cause big problems on the roadway. on average, about one-third or 32% of crashes during the winter occur in adverse weather or road surface conditions,…

Delaware General Assembly Cancels Tuesday’s Legislative Session Due to Inclement Weather

By Joe Ciccanti / January 16, 2024

Due to the snowfall in Delaware, Senate President Pro Tempore Dave Sokola and House Speaker Valerie Longhurst have announced that today’s session proceedings in both chambers are canceled. The cancellation includes a House Economic Development/Banking/Insurance & Commerce Committee meeting that was previously scheduled for noon today. The House is scheduled to reconvene at 2 p.m. tomorrow– Wednesday, January 17th.…

Office of Vital Statistics in Dover to Close for Renovations

By Joe Ciccanti / January 16, 2024

The Office of Vital Statistics (OVS) in Dover will be closed to the public for renovations beginning February 12th through April 5th, according to The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH). Alternative options to access vital records will be available. During the closure period, Kent County residents will be able to request vital records in…

Alumni seek nominations for 2023-24 Indian River High School Hall of Fame

By Joe Ciccanti / January 16, 2024

Did you know someone who has done extraordinary things for the community and the world? Did that person graduate from Indian River High School? You can acknowledge them and give them a gift they will not expect by nominating them for the IRHS Hall of Fame, which continues to honor alumni who make outstanding achievements…

Governor Moore Announces $150 Million Transportation Budget Restoration to Help Address Critical Needs

By Joe Ciccanti / January 16, 2024

Transportation needs across the state of Maryland would be addressed with Governor Wes Moore’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget proposal, which includes a one-year restoration of $150 million in funding. This funding would continue to help the Moore-Miller Administration move forward with their goals of economic growth and mobility. The action restores funding for transit service,…

DSP Detectives Investigating Shots Fired at an Ellendale Residence

By Joe Ciccanti / January 15, 2024

Delaware State Police are investigating a shooting that occurred last night in an Ellendale neighborhood. Police say that at approximately 10:18 p.m., troopers responded to a home on Candy Lane for a report of shots fired. The home had been struck several times, and police recovered numerous shell casings at the scene. Two adults were…

Food Bank of Delaware Celebrates Grand Opening of New Milford Facility

By Joe Ciccanti / January 15, 2024

The Food Bank of Delaware marked the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service holiday by officially cutting the ribbon on its new 70,000 square-foot facility in Milford this morning. The project took almost three years to complete. The new facility was built to enhance services to residents of Kent and Sussex Counties. More than…

Progress in Plans for New Town Hall, Police Station, and Sussex County EMS Station in Dewey Beach

By Joe Ciccanti / January 15, 2024

In Dewey Beach, plans for the new Town Hall/Police Station/Sussex County EMS Station is moving forward, according to the Town’s Monthly Newsletter. Town Manager Bill Zolper states they hope to have the new Town Hall project out to bid in late spring or early summer, and break ground in the fall of this year. Meanwhile,…

Winter Weather on Delmarva Tonight

By Joe Ciccanti / January 15, 2024

Crews are preparing the roads for some wintry precipitation, which is expected to begin later today and continue through the night and into tomorrow morning. Just how much snow can we expect? AccuWeather’s Joe Lundberg tells WGMD’s Mike Bradley… Lundberg says the farther north and west you go the more snow you’ll see.

Maryland Highway Crews Preparing for Winter Storm

By Joe Ciccanti / January 15, 2024

The Maryland State Highway Administration is pre-treating state-maintained highways in advance of the approaching winter storm. Drivers are encouraged to curtail travel during the storm to allow crews the space to effectively and efficiently treat the roads. This winter storm is expected to begin impacting travel this evening into tomorrow morning.  State Highway Administration crews are carefully monitoring the track of the storm.  Additional Information from the Maryland…

Customers to See Power Cost Increase in Milford Next Month

By Joe Ciccanti / January 11, 2024

Customers will see the new rate on City of Milford utility bills in February. This power cost increase is primarily due to a Delaware Municipal Electric Corporation (DEMEC) budget adjustment. The passthrough results in a 4.8 percent increase in electric bills for the average household and small business accounts in Milford. Commercial accounts in Milford…

Smyrna Man Arrested for Gun and Drug Offenses Following Traffic Stop in Dover

By Joe Ciccanti / January 11, 2024

Delaware State Police have arrested a Smyrna man for gun and drug offenses following a search warrant and traffic stop on Route 13 near Bally’s Casino in Dover. The search warrant was obtained following a several weeks-long drug investigation of 32-year-old Eric Sartin, Jr. of Smyrna, who was suspected of distribution of narcotics. Sartin was taken into…

Governor Moore Issues Executive Order Establishing Cross-Governmental Task Force to Combat Workplace Fraud 

By Joe Ciccanti / January 11, 2024

Governor Wes Moore this week signed an executive order to renew and expand a cross-governmental task force dedicated to strengthening investigations and enforcement of laws regarding workplace fraud. Governor Moore says this order will help ensure that employees receive the pay and benefits they’ve earned while driving fair competition in the private sector. The nine-member Joint…

Power Outages Still Affecting Residents In Aftermath of Storm

By Joe Ciccanti / January 11, 2024

Delmarva Power (Delmarva Connect) and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) are reporting that almost 3,000 customers were still without power as of 10:30 this morning. Service is estimated to be restored to Delmarva Power customers by 11:00 p.m. on Friday. You can get updates by texting ADD OUTAGE to 67972. For more information, go…

UPDATE: Roads Mainly Clear After This Week’s Storm Caused Flooding in Fenwick Island

By Joe Ciccanti / January 11, 2024

UPDATE 1-11-24 –11:20 a.m.–Fenwick Island Mayor Natalie Magdeburger tells the Talk of Delmarva that the road conditions are much better today than yesterday, as much of the water on the roadways has been drained. You might find some puddles here and there but nothing that will impede driving. Earlier Post: This week’s storm caused extensive…