A WGMD Local News Article
Racist Comments, Slurs Impair Virtual Legislative Hearing
Racist comments and slurs interfered with a virtual legislative public hearing on reforming the Delaware Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights. According to State Senator Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman, D-Wilmington, someone twice messaged her and other panelists with racist slurs and was thrown out of the virtual meeting. Two others also used racist slurs during public…
Read MoreDel. COVID-19 Case Rates Rise; More Mobile Vax Clinics This Week
Rates of new COVID-19 cases are rising in Delaware. Friday’s reported total of 776 positive cases was the highest for one day since January. The seven-day average of new positive cases is now more than 432, up from 377 the previous week. As of Friday, Delaware Public Health said the Omicron variant was not yet…
Read MoreDNREC Hosts Virtual Hearings On Del. Climate Action Plan
A month after Governor John Carney released a Climate Action Plan for Delaware, Delawareans have opportunities to learn more about its goals and what it means for citizens. The Department of Natural Resources has scheduled two presentations that will review the plan, highlight actions and strategies for minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and examine ways to…
Read MoreRehoboth Commissioners To Discuss Wilmington-Baltimore Ave. Streetscape Concept
Nine months of work have gone into creating a Wilmington – Baltimore Avenue Streetscape concept plan in Rehoboth Beach. Commissioners will be presented with the proposal at a special meeting scheduled for Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. The Rossi Group has been engaging with property owners, business owners, commissioners, city staff and Community organizations since last…
Read MoreSalisbury Launches Tree & Park Item Donation Program
The City of Salisbury is pleased to announce the launch of a tree and park item donation program, which will give citizens a way to memorialize or commemorate a loved one, organization, or special event by installing a tree, bench, or other park item. The tree and park item donation program offers a unique and long…
Read MoreFire Damages Harbor Inn Apartments in Downtown Ocean City
Ocean City firefighters were called just after 10pm for a structure fire at the Harbor Inn Apartments on South St. Louis Avenue. Crews arriving at the scene found fire showing in the 2-story apartment building with exposures and a second alarm was struck. Fire companies from Worcester and Sussex Counties helped to battle the fire…
Read MoreComcast Work Underway in Bethany Beach
Comcast is beginning work in Bethany Beach that will bring the full suite of Comcast services, including fiber optic WIFI, to the community. The estimated completion date for this work, contingent on weather, is late winter or early spring of 2022. Comcast will continue underground installation of fiber optic cabling in Bethany West. The next locations…
Read MoreDE Public Health Emergency Order Extended Another 30 Days
Governor John Carney on Friday formally extended the Public Health Emergency order another 30 days to allow the State of Delaware and medical providers to continue COVID-19 vaccination and testing programs, and issued the following statement: “We’ve made a lot of progress in getting folks vaccinated, but we still have a lot of work to do,” said Governor Carney.…
Read MoreOmicron Variant Confirmed in 3 Marylanders
Governor Larry Hogan today announced that state health officials have confirmed the first three cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) in Maryland residents. The Omicron variant was designated as a variant of concern by the World Health Organization on Nov. 26. The variant’s presence in Maryland was confirmed by the Maryland Department of Health…
Read More5G Poles On Dunes At Dewey Beach To Be Removed
Dewey Beach Town Commissioners have approved an ordinance that tightly governs construction of future 5G cell poles. Also, a class action lawsuit filed last summer against Verizon has been settled. Five poles that were placed on the dunes earlier this year will be removed and relocated. “We’re in a much better spot today than we…
Read MoreBayside Conference Attendance Policy for Winter Sports
Wicomico County Public Schools is excited for the start of the Winter Athletic seasons of Basketball, Wrestling and Indoor Track which will begin competitions during the week of December 6th. As part of our continued efforts in keeping everyone safe during these times, the Bayside Conference members have put in place certain guidelines and restrictions pertaining to attending…
Read MoreBrandywine Valley SPCA Hosts Mega-Adoption Event Sat. & Sun.
More than 500 dogs and cats are available for adoption this weekend during the Brandywine Valley SPCA Mega Adoption event. According to BVSPCA, it will be the largest adoption event in the country. Large and small dogs, puppies, kittens, cats and seniors will be waiting to be brought home. All pets have been vaccinated, spayed…
Read MoreDSU Reports Record Enrollment In Fall ’21
Delaware State University reports record enrollment during the Fall 2021 semester. The total student body of 5,649 surpassed the previous record that was set in 2019 by more than 500 students.According to DSU, records have also been achieved in the categories of undergraduate students, graduate students, freshmen, international students and online students. The growth accompanied…
Read MoreQuestions Arise About Public Comment Ahead Of Md. Special Session On Redistricting
Marylanders have the opportunity to testify during a General Assembly special session next week, but one group says the process of submitting comment is not very inviting. Governor Larry Hogan Thursday encouraged support for the fair maps he has transmitted to the Maryland General Assembly on behalf of the Maryland Citizens Redistricting Commission. “Gerrymandering has rightly been…
Read MoreUpdate: Weighty Matters Postpone Transport of Lewes RR Swing Bridge
For the time being, the historic Lewes Railroad Swing Bridge is staying in the spot where it’s been since 1916: at the Rehoboth-Lewes Canal. According to DelDOT, after a day of work Wednesday to prepare for its removal, the contractor determined that the crane would not be able to lift the bridge safely. The bridge…
Read MoreDel. Looks To Make Solar More Affordable For Low-to-Moderate Income Households
Delaware low-to-moderate income homeowners may get assistance with the expense of installing solar panels, which previously may not have been affordable. The Department of Natural Resources is inviting applications from contractors who are interested in participating in a two-year pilot program that would serve at least 50 clients per year. DNREC said it will lead…
Read MoreDel. Creates Community Mental Health Services Fund
Delaware plans to create a community-based mental health services fund, utilizing money from the American Rescue Plan Act that was passed earlier this year. Governor John Carney said Wednesday that the fund will help providers of community health care services, non-profits and faith-based institutions provide services in their communities. Such organizations may apply for funding…
Read MoreMd. Expands Capacity To Track COVID-19 Variants
Maryland is expanding its capacity to track and detect variants of COVID-19, such as the omicron variant which has now shown up in California. Governor Larry Hogan spoke during a news conference Wednesday, and said it remains the case that the most important thing Marylanders can do to maintain immunity against the virus and variants…
Read MoreGov. Carney Sued Over COVID-19 Policies That Impacted Religious Activities
A lawsuit centered around religious freedom in Delaware has been filed against Governor John Carney in the Court of Chancery. Two pastors in New Castle County claim the Delaware Constitution states that the government can never violate religious freedom for “any pretense whatsoever,” but Carney implemented what they call a pandemic lockdown of Delaware churches…
Read More2022 Del. Parks Passes, Surf-Fish Permits On Hold
The sale of 2022 Delaware State Parks passes and surf fishing permits is being held up by supply chain disruptions. The Department of Natural Resources said Wednesday that 2021 surf fishing permits will be valid at surf fishing beaches through January 31st. It’s not certain when the new passes and permits will arrive. Permits that…
Read MoreSalvation Army of Del. Sees Heavy Surge In Requests For Assistance
The Salvation Army of Delaware has seen requests for assistance jump by more than 155-percent since the start of the pandemic. Salvation Army Delaware State Coordinator Major Tim Sheehan told WGMD News Thursday that the annual Red Kettle fundraising campaign is crucial. He added that contributions stay within the county. “What we’ve seen with the…
Read MoreDel. Electric Co-op Refunds $4-Million In Capital Credits
Delaware Electric Cooperative is refunding $4-million in capital credits among more than 64,000 member-owners of the co-op in December. Checks or billing credits will be made available for those who had an active DEC account in 2010. Those who no longer are served by DEC will receive a check for their portion of the retired…
Read MoreMd. State Police Warn Drivers Not To Leave Running Vehicles Unattended
Starting your vehicle and leaving it alone to warm up… it’s not a good idea, according to Maryland State Police. It’s also illegal. According to the Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council, a car is stolen every 49 minutes in Maryland.50-percent of vehicles had the keys inside, and 60-percent were unlocked. If a vehicle is running…
Read MoreSussex County Council Approves Millsboro Fire Company Sub-Station
The Sussex County Council had a short meeting this week. The meeting started, as always, with public comment. The President of Delaware Manufactured Housing Owners Association, William Kinnick, told the Council that DNREC is not communicating with anyone as well as it should. Kinnick’s primary concerns are water and sewage and he doesn’t want to…
Read MoreDOC Expands Visitation to Include Children & Youth Under Age 18
As COVID-19 vaccination expands to children and as aggressive COVID-19 mitigation measures continue across Delaware’s correctional system the Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) announced today that effective immediately in-person inmate visitation at all DOC facilities has been expanded to include children and youth under the age of 18. Visiting children must be accompanied by an…
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