A WGMD Local News Article
Rehoboth Cancels July 3rd Fireworks
Out of an abundance of caution, the City of Rehoboth Beach has canceled its Independence Day fireworks on July 3rd and the Bandstand Summer Concert Series through the July 4th weekend. All permitted special events scheduled through the holiday weekend are also canceled, and the City is working closely with the event producers to cancel their events.…
Read MoreCape May-Lewes Ferry to Begin Accepting Freight Monday
Today, Cape May – Lewes Ferry (CMLF) officials announce that the Delaware Bay ferry service will be accepting freight for the first time in its history. The new freight pilot program is designed to help customers move packages or materials across the Delaware Bay while minimizing the need for individuals to travel between States of…
Read MoreFurniture stores reopening on appointment basis in Delaware
Furniture stores across the First State are reopening on an appointment basis following a modification to the State of Emergency Declaration that was lobbied by lawmakers in Delaware. House Minority Leader Danny Short appeared on WGMD LIVE with Mike Bradley where he said he and other lawmakers lobbied for leniency for furniture stores to reopen…
Read MoreCarper calls on Treasury Dept. to ensure $500 payments per child in stimulus
Delaware’s U.S. Senator Tom Carper  joined a group of 40 Senators in calling on the Treasury Department to ensure that families who are not required to file taxes and will automatically receive their coronavirus (COVID-19) stimulus payment do not need to wait until next year to receive the additional $500 payment per dependent child that they…
Read MoreDelaware to hold statewide virtual town hall meetings focused on reopening, recovery
Governor John Carney on Thursday announced a statewide public engagement strategy focused on Delaware’s economic reopening and recovery effort amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.  Starting on Monday, the Delaware Division of Small Business and the Delaware Prosperity Partnership will host virtual Recovery Town Halls with members of the General Assembly, small businesses, and local Chambers of…
Read MoreGovernor Hogan Announces World Central Kitchen To Begin Saturday Food Relief Operation at the Camden Yards Sports Complex
At the request of Governor Larry Hogan, the nonprofit World Central Kitchen (WCK) will expand its food relief operation in the City of Baltimore beginning Saturday, April 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lot H of the Camden Yards Sports Complex. Supported by the Maryland Stadium Authority (MSA), WCK’s food relief operation will…
Read MoreMaryland Delegation calls on Trump Admin. to increase federal support for firefighters
Congressional lawmakers in Maryland are calling on the Trump Administration to increase federal support for firefighters amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone (all D-Md.), sent a letter to FEMA Administrator Gaynor…
Read MoreGov Carney Removes Restrictions on Out-of-State Health Care Workers to Assist in COVID-19 Response
Governor John Carney on Thursday issued the twelfth modification to his State of Emergency declaration, which will allow the Public Health Authority to activate more out-of-state health care workers to assist in Delaware’s fight against COVID-19.       Read Governor Carney’s updated State of Emergency. Subject to certain restrictions, the modified declaration allows individuals who previously…
Read MoreDNREC report highlights Delaware’s ‘desire for climate change action’
The theme for the 50th anniversary of Earth Week is climate change and, according to a report commissioned by DNREC’s Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy, 77% of Delawareans see climate change as a serious threat that will harm future generations. The report, conducted by Standage Market Research in partnership with University of Delaware’s Center for…
Read MoreSussex County libraries offering free WiFi for community amid coronavirus crisis
Sussex County libraries are now serving as WiFi hotspots to provide broadband access to the community. Citizens can travel to their local library and connect their devices to the universal “Library-Outdoors” broadcast signal being beamed and advertised with signs outside 14 facilities. Users are reminded to observe appropriate social distancing, maintaining at least 6 feet…
Read MoreEmployee at Lowe’s in Lewes tests positive for coronavirus
An employee at Lowe’s in Lewes has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). WGMD News learned from sources close to the store that an employee had tested positive and that the store was still open. It was at that time that our news department reached out to Lowe’s corporate headquarters who issued a statement saying the…
Read MoreMaryland: Significant Progress, Gov Hogan to Introduce “Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery” Friday
Governor Larry Hogan today officially reopened the Laurel Medical Center in Prince George’s County as part of the state’s COVID-19 hospital surge plan, and announced an expansive contract tracing initiative that will be able to track up to 1,000 cases per day. With significant progress on the four building blocks that are necessary to begin…
Read MoreGov Carney Partners with Health Providers and Sussex Employers on Community Testing Sites & Outreach, Education
Governor John Carney on Wednesday announced a partnership with the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), the Delaware Emergency Management Agency, the Delaware Department of Agriculture, Westside Family Healthcare, local hospital systems, poultry industry employers, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and trusted community partners to stand up…
Read MoreDPH Update: 269 Additional Positive Cases; 7 New Deaths; 34 Additional Recovered
The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing seven additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals.  All data reported through the daily updates are based on data received as of 6 p.m. the previous day. In total, 89 Delawareans have passed away due to…
Read MoreWorcester County School Board Waives Finals
The Worcester County Board of Education has voted to waive final exams. During Tuesday’s meeting the Board voted unanimously to waive finals for semester two courses and yearlong courses for the 2019-20 school year. Also in a video on the District’s website, Superintendent Lou Taylor told seniors that they will have a part in how…
Read MoreGovernor’s Office Announces Over $130 Million in Funding Amid Coronavirus Response
The Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services, on Friday, announced $132 million in grant funding through fiscal year 2021 to allow for continued operations for law enforcement, youth services, and victim services agencies, protect jobs, and provide direct services to the people of Maryland. The funding plan reserves $85 million in continued…
Read MoreBeing a Nurse on the Front Lines during COVID-19 in Delaware
Editorial by Alexandra Keegan Editor’s Note: Beebe hopes to share stories from the front lines, highlighting team members and sharing their experiences with the community during this pandemic. Tiffany Travis wanted to say thank you. As the coronavirus crisis began to unfold in Sussex County, Beebe Healthcare’s emergency department received many donations of food, snacks,…
Read MoreDelaware Budget-Writers Could Look to Reserves
With Delaware state revenues flagging due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) economic disruption, there is a possibility budget-writers could look to two reserve accounts to bridge a shortfall. The first of these reserves, often referred to as the Rainy Day Fund, is one of the most misunderstood mechanisms in state government. Adopted in 1980, Article 8,…
Read MoreFood Bank of Delaware Drive-Thru Mobile Pantry, Friday, April 24, Sussex Central HS in Georgetown
To help address increased demands for food assistance amidst the coronavirus public health crisis, the Food Bank of Delaware will host a drive-thru mobile pantry in Georgetown next week.Three events are being held — one in each county — to help Delawareans in need. Participants are asked to bring proof of identification and Delaware residency. …
Read MoreSalisbury Career Firefighter Tests Positive for Coronavirus
A career member with the Salisbury Fire Department (SFD) has tested positive for the novel coronavirus Covid-19. The member of the fire department is home, in self quarantine, and adhering to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for individuals who have contracted the disease. Upon being notified of the positive test result the chief’s…
Read MoreDelaware Update to Coronavirus Pandemic – Looking at Unemployment & the Budget Picture
The positive cases of coronavirus in Delaware continue to trend upwards – however the early projections of the number of cases, hospitalizations remain higher than the actual numbers. Governor John Carney stated again that before we can begin recovery – we need to see 28 days of declining cases and a widespread testing program underway. …
Read MoreDPH Update: 186 Additional Positive Cases; 10 New Deaths; 70 Additional Recovered
The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing 10 additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals.  All data reported through the daily updates are based on data received as of 6 p.m. the previous day. In total, 82 Delawareans have passed away due to complications…
Read MoreDSU Establishes Student Emergency Relief Fund
In response to helping its most vulnerable students during COVID-19, Delaware State University started its Student Emergency Relief Fund ten days ago. The Delaware community has already responded in a big way. Nearly $250,000 has already been raised. The goal is $1 million. Bank of America Market President Chip Rossi and his wife Tracy made…
Read MoreDelaware Motorists Can Expect to Soon See Toll Invoices
Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) officials say motorists that have used I-95 and Route 1 over the last month — but are not EZPass customers — can soon expect to receive toll invoices. Shortly after Gov. John Carney announced a State of Emergency more than a month ago, DelDOT shut down cash toll lanes on…
Read MoreDelaware revenue estimates take another hit
The revenue expected to be available to state budget writers took a major hit Monday, dropping by more than $655 million in Delaware. The Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council (DEFAC) issued their latest forecast Monday afternoon. The group predicted the state would have $4.2149 billion available to be budgeted for Fiscal Year 2021, that…
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