A WGMD Local News Article
Delaware 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…
Read MoreCity employee tests positive for coronavirus in Salisbury
Mayor Jake Day has announced that a municipal employee of the City of Salisbury has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). The employee, a member of the Salisbury Fire Department, currently has a cough but has not exhibited any other signs of symptoms. The employee will remain in home isolation as mandated by the Wicomico County…
Read MoreAction Needed for Social Security Beneficiaries with Dependents & Who Do Not File Tax Returns to Receive $500 Per Child Payment
Social Security beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients who don’t file tax returns will start receiving their automatic Economic Impact Payments directly from the Treasury Department soon. People receiving benefits who did not file 2018 or 2019 taxes, and have qualifying children under age 17, however, should not wait for their automatic $1,200 individual…
Read MoreNew Guidance for Barber Shops and Hair Salons in Maryland
State Senator Mary Beth Carozza is reporting that there is new guidance for Barber Shops and Hair Salons in Maryland. They may only provide services to customers on an appointment basis – no walk-in services and only one customer in the establishment at a time. The services must be necessary for the customer to meet…
Read MoreDOC Announces 1 Additional Positive Coronavirus Test at SCCC
The Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) today announced one additional positive COVID-19 test result, as it surpasses 1,000 daily proactive inmate temperature checks. 136 total inmate COVID-19 tests have been conducted, including 100 proactive tests of asymptomatic inmates. 103 inmate tests have been returned as negative, with 12 pending and 21 positive results. Additionally, the DOC today announced…
Read MoreGov Hogan Announces Arrival in Maryland of 500,000 Coronavirus Test Kits from South Korea
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has announced Operation Enduring Friendship – an effort between Maryland and the Republic of South Korea which has sent 500,000 test kits for coronavirus. The test kits arrived at BWI when the first-ever Korean plane arrived – full of test kits. Governor Hogan believes they will be ready for some recovery…
Read MoreDPH UPDATE:  207 Additional Positive Cases; 5 New Deaths; 29 Additional Recovered
The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing five additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals.   DPH announced on Sunday April 20, that it was shifting to reporting case data earlier in the day to provide information in a more timely manner, and…
Read MoreWorcester County Emergency Services is Collection Donations of Unopened PPE
Worcester County Emergency Services (WCES) is collecting donations of unopened personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE needs include but are not limited to N-95 masks, surgical masks, powered air purifying respirators (PAPRs), impermeable gowns, medical gloves, hand sanitizer, eye protection, flip-down grinding/splash shields, and cleaning supplies/disinfectants. “Donated PPEs are welcome at this time and will be distributed…
Read MoreMaryland Congressional Delegation announces $1.6 million in federal funds for laid off workers
$1.6 million in federal grants will go towards temporary disaster relief jobs for laid off workers in Maryland. The full Maryland congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David Trone, announced $1,665,000 in…
Read MoreGovernor Hogan issues statewide mandatory mask executive order
Governor Larry Hogan has issued a statewide executive order requiring all customers and retail workers to wear masks in the State of Maryland. Effective on Saturday, April 18 at 7 a.m., all Marylanders will be required to wear masks or face coverings when working or patronizing any retail establishments including grocery stores, pharmacies, and convenience…
Read MoreState Rep. Ruth Briggs-King calls on General Assembly to convene amid coronavirus pandemic
Delaware State Representative Ruth Briggs-King is calling on the General Assembly to convene to address critical issues facing the state amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In a letter issued to the public last week, Rep. Briggs-King called on her colleagues to convene amid the crisis, saying “it is time that the Delaware General Assembly meet…
Read MoreDHSS announces three deaths from coronavirus at 24/7 facilities
The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) is announcing three more deaths from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) involving residents or patients at its 24/7 facilities. A 72-year-old female resident from Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill in Smyrna died April 17 at a Kent County hospital and an 81-year-old female resident from the same…
Read MoreDOC Announces 6 Additional Positive Coronavirus Tests
The Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) today announced six additional positive COVID-19 test results, including three asymptomatic inmates who received proactive COVID-19 testing earlier this week. Review an informational chart of positive COVID-19 cases among DOC employees, contracted staff and inmates for each DOC facility by clicking HERE. These latest positive test results include: A Correctional Officer who is assigned to Sussex Community…
Read MoreDPH Update: 215 Additional Positive Cases; 6 New Deaths; 43 Additional Recovered
The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing six additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals. In total, 67 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19.  Individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranged in age from 33 to 98 years old. The most recent deaths…
Read MoreSussex Sees Increase in Infection, but Coronavirus Recovery is in our Future
Governor John Carney during his Friday coronavirus update talked about looking towards recovery. However currently the numbers are not showing any flattening of the curve in positive cases and hospitalizations. The numbers are showing an increase in infection in Sussex County, which Public Health Director, Dr Karyl Rattay says is mostly focused around the poultry…
Read MoreDOC Says Inmate Died From Complications from Coronavirus; 3 COs at Vaughn Test Positive
The Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) announced today that a third COVID-19 test administered on 73 year-old Joseph Russo, who died on Thursday at Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus, was returned positive for COVID-19.  Russo’s cause of death from acute respiratory failure has been determined to be due to complications from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and COVID. Russo was part of a minimum…
Read MoreDPH Update: 248 Additional Positive Cases; 9 New Deaths; 45 Additional Recovered
The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing nine additional fatalities related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is providing an update on the number of positive cases and recovered individuals. In total, 61 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19.  Individuals who have died from COVID-19 ranged in age from 33 to 98 years old. The most recent deaths…
Read MoreSussex County Libraries Offering Wi-Fi Hotspots
All the libraries in Sussex County are now wi-fi hotspots. Users can pick up broadband on their devices by going to their local library and connecting to the universal “Library Outdoors’ broadcast signal. The access will be available from 6am to 9pm daily until further notice. Users are reminded to observe appropriate social distancing…
Read MoreUnemployment Up as Coronavirus Sweeps US & Delaware
As expected, the coronavirus pandemic has caused unemployment to skyrocket – both nationally and here in Delaware.  According to the Delaware Department of Labor, national unemployment rose from 3.5% in February to 4.4% in March – in Delaware it rose from 3.9% to 5.1% with over 24,500 people unemployed. Sussex County unemployment rose from 4.6%…
Read MoreCarper joins Warren, Blumenthal to raise concerns over Trump’s “shadow task force” for coronavirus
U.S. Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.) Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) sent a letter to the White House Designated Agency Ethics Official (DAEO) raising concerns over President Trump who they claim appears to be making decisions based on his advisors’ financial interests. The Senators claim that the President’s son-in-law and senior advisor, Jared Kushner,…
Read MoreDelaware Dept. of Labor says it could be six weeks before unemployment benefits are available
The Delaware Department of Labor said it could take up to six weeks before independent contractors and self-employed workers impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak could apply for unemployment benefits. The recently enacted federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides unemployment assistance to independent contractors and other self-employed individuals. Typically, these workers…
Read MoreMaryland Congressional Delegation announces $2 million in funding for HIV program
Over $2 million in federal funding has been awarded to the Ryan White HIV Program response to coronavirus (COVID-19) in Maryland. The full Maryland congressional delegation, including U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer, Dutch Ruppersberger, John P. Sarbanes, Andy Harris, M.D., Anthony G. Brown, Jamie B. Raskin and David…
Read MoreDPH Update: 61 Additional Positive Cases; 6 New Deaths; 24 Additional Recovered
NOTICE FROM DPH: Due to system processing delays, today’s positive case total may make it appear as though we are leveling out or seeing decreases in the daily case count, however that is not an accurate reflection of the situation in Delaware. The system should be running normally tomorrow and we anticipate seeing a significant…
Read MoreDOC Announces 1 SCCC Inmate & 1 Vaughn CO Test Positive for Coronavirus
The Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) today announced that it has proactively tested an additional 56 inmates for COVID-19. It also announced that a second inmate from Sussex Community Corrections Center (SCCC) in Georgetown has tested positive for COVID-19 and an additional Correctional Officer from James T. Vaughn Correctional Center (JTVCC) has tested positive for the virus. The SCCC inmate who…
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