A WGMD Local News Article
Wicomico Co. Ramps Up Vaccination Program
Wicomico County, with a rising positivity rate for COVID-19, has begun a vaccination program in accordance with the State of Maryland’s Plan. First to get the vaccine were healthcare front-line staff and first-responders. The Wicomico County Health Department also held drive-through clinics last week for more health workers and first responders. As the county receives…
Read MoreHogan Blasts Continuing Challenge Of Presidential Election Results
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan is criticizing some members of Congress who plan to oppose certification of the presidential election results for, as he put it, making a “mockery of our system and who we are as Americans.” Hogan said in a statement Sunday that President Trump and his team have had every opportunity to provide…
Read MoreCoons, Blunt Rochester, Harris Begin New Terms
A new Congress has been sworn in in Washington. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) have begun their third terms. Also, Congressman Andy Harris (R-Md. 1st) has been sworn in to another term. Harris has held that seat since 2011. “It was an honor to be sworn in today to represent…
Read MoreSchools Return from Winter Break…Most Remain in Remote Learning
DELAWARECape Henlopen District schools reopen on Monday. Before the start of the Christmas break the district switched to remote learning after an increase in positive cases of coronavirus. However district officials plan to begin Monday with hybrid learning – however that could still change. Indian River students also return to classes on Monday, however they…
Read MoreEllen Magee Appointed as Sussex County Register of Wills
As Cyndi Green moves into the District 2 seat on the Sussex County Council this week, Governor John Carney has appointed Ellen Magee to the now vacant Sussex County Register of Wills seat. Under the Delaware Constitution, the governor must appoint a replacement for the row office seat until January 2023 – an election will…
Read MoreWicomico Schools Overhaul ‘Snow Day’ Policy
A snow day will no longer be a snow day in Wicomico County. School officials have adopted a new inclement weather policy that transitions Wicomico County Public Schools students to fully virtual instruction on days when snow or other bad weather might otherwise cancel or delay classes. According to the district, students online would follow…
Read MoreMd. Minimum Wage Goes Up With New Year
The minimum wage in Maryland rises with the start of 2021. Employers must now pay $11.75 an hour if they have 15 or more workers, or $11.60 if they have 14 or fewer employees. Under the law, the minimum wage would go up by 75 cents annually until it reaches $15 an hour by 2025.…
Read MoreFirst Day Hikers Welcome At State Parks
If you are planning to take part in a First Day Hike on New Year’s Day, earlier might be better than later. Rain looks likely for the afternoon. State parks across the nation welcome visitors each January 1st to take to the trails. This year’s hikes will be self-guided. Visitors to Delaware State Parks are…
Read MoreTravel Advisory: Route 24 Delay Near Lewes
UPDATE: 12:38 P.M. – Travelers can expect intermittent lane restrictions on John J. Williams Highway (Route 24) in the area of Mulberry Knoll Road due to repairs to a downed pole. Shawnee Road has fully reopened in the area of Hidden Meadow Lane. (earlier story) Motorists who are out early on New Year’s morning are…
Read MoreDel. Plastic Bag Ban Takes Effect
The new year brings a ban on single-use plastic bags at many Delaware establishments. Delawareans have been encouraged to use reusable bags for grocery shopping. They should be cleaned and disinfected between uses. There are some exceptions: small stores with one or two locations are not subject to the ban on single-use plastic bags, and…
Read MoreFire Causes $100,000 Damage To Salisbury Home
A fire in Salisbury Wednesday morning caused heavy damage to a two-story home that housed two apartments, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office. The blaze on Naylor Street was reported at 10:24 a.m. About 20 firefighters with the Salisbury Fire Department had the fire under control in about 20 minutes. No injuries were…
Read MoreNew Year’s Eve Fireworks Are Back On In OC
Ocean City’s New Year’s Eve fireworks are on. The scheduled display was canceled due to COVID-19 complications last week, and while the official New Year’s Eve celebration is canceled fireworks are once again scheduled to go off at midnight at Northside Park. The town’s tourism website, www.ococean.com, reports Northside park will close at 9:30 p.m.,…
Read MoreDel. Reports 1st Known Flu-Related Death Of Current Season
Delaware’s first confirmed influenza-related death of the current flu season has been reported by state health officials – a 56–year-old Kent County man. Delaware Public Health said Wednesday that the man was infected with influenza B, and had underlying health conditions. “This tragedy reminds us that while we are diligently fighting COVID-19, we cannot forget…
Read MoreDel. Allocates Funds From Opioid Impact Fee
Delaware has begun to distribute hundreds of thousands of dollars collected through an opioid impact fee that the state began to charge makers of opioids that are sold in Delaware under a law that was signed in June 2019. $700-thousand have now been allocated to several programs that help people who struggle with addiction issues…
Read MoreWorcester Co. Schools To Resume Hybrid Instruction
Worcester County Public Schools plan to resume the school year Monday, January 4th with a return of small targeted groups of students for in-person instruction. Superintendent of Schools Lou Taylor said teachers and staff members have been trained for their specific roles and responsibilities regarding health and safety, and the school system is confident that…
Read MoreWounded Milford Police Officer Heads Home After Rehab
A Milford Police officer who was shot several times during a task force’s attempt to arrest an attempted murder suspect along Coastal Highway three weeks ago is back home. Senior Corporal Timothy Webb was escorted Wednesday from a Dover rehabilitation facility to his home as he continues his recovery. Webb spent two weeks at the…
Read MoreDel. Judicial Emergency Extended Until Feb. 3rd
Delaware’s Judicial Emergency during the COVID-19 pandemic has been extended for another 30 days. Chief Justice Collins Seitz Junior has extended the emergency ten times since the start of the pandemic. Delaware Courts are still at Phase Two of reopening. Jury trials are still suspended. Some proceedings are still taking place, and the use of…
Read MoreMd. Boosts Low-Income Energy Assistance Programs
Maryland is making more than $154-million available to help people who are having trouble paying their utility bills. Governor Larry Hogan said Wednesday that’s a 40-percent increase from the last fiscal year. Money goes toward three relief programs that assist Marylanders in dealing with current and past-due bills for heat, electricity and natural gas. “Too…
Read More2021 Brings New Hunting Seasons In Del.
2021 brings the arrival of more hunting seasons to Delaware. Firearm deer hunting seasons will start on various dates depending on the firearm used. Several other hunting and trapping seasons also will continue in 2021. Hunters should be aware of all license, training and limitation requirements. For more, CLICK HERE DNREC released this hunting season…
Read MoreDel. Chancellor Andre Bouchard Announces Retirement
Chancellor of Delaware’s Court of Chancery Andre Bouchard plans to retire effect April 30th, 2021. Bouchard announced his decision to Governor John Carney and to judicial colleagues Tuesday. Bouchard called Chancery Court a “revered place with a 228-year tradition of excellence.” He added that what makes it special are the people, “who dedicate themselves to…
Read MoreMd. Directs COVID Relief Toward Agriculture, Seafood Industry
Maryland farmers, producers and watermen that have been impacted by the pandemic could be eligible for COVID relief funding. Governor Larry Hogan said Tuesday that the targeted relief of more than $9-million comes from a $600-million economic relief packaged announced by the state during the pandemic. The Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Department of…
Read MoreDel. Plans For Next Phase Of COVID Vaccination Program
Delaware Public Health has finalized a recommended plan for the next phase of its COVID-19 vaccination program. Phase 1-B, as it will be known, will seek to vaccinate people age 65 and older as well as frontline essential workers. Such workers could include first responders, educators and school staff, and people who work in food,…
Read More2 Rehoboth Employees Test Positive For COVID; City Hall Closed
Rehoboth Beach officials said Tuesday that two city employees have tested positive for coronavirus, and as a result Rehoboth Beach City Hall will be closed until Monday, January 4th. The two employees last worked Tuesday, December 29th at City Hall. The city staff will self-quarantine as the building and offices are deep-cleaned. City employees are…
Read MoreUnemployed During The Pandemic? Guidance From DOL:
The Delaware Department of Labor says it’s actively working to implement provisions of a new COVID-19 relief bill, which extends certain federal unemployment benefits available under the CARES Act. The $300 per week benefit would be provided by the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Program. Specifics as to exactly how it will work are still unknown. The…
Read MoreOC Buses Will Be Free Thursday
Riding the bus will be free in Ocean City on the final day of 2020. Ocean City buses will run New Year’s Eve from 6:20 a.m. Thursday until 1:00 a.m. Friday. Later New Year’s Day, service will resume with a special offer to ride all day for three-dollars. Buses will run every 20 minutes Thursday…
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