A WGMD Local News Article
Sen. Chris Coons trolls Russia
Delaware Senator Chris Coons trolls Russia. Along with Senator Marco Rubio, Sen. Coons worked to designate the street in front of the Russian Embassy in Washington DC as “Boris Nemstov Plaza”. Nemstov, a politician and vocal opponent of Vladmir Putin, was murdered a feet away from the Kremlin in 2015. Sen. Coons says the new…
Read MoreDeer population on Eastern Shore drops after suffering virus outbreak
Maryland hunters take down over 86,000 deer during the 2017-2018 hunting season, about 1,000 more than the year before. However, on the lower and mid-shores, the total whitetail deer harvest decreased significantly, with hunters taking down 10% fewer deer. The only county posting an increased harvest was Wicomico with a slight uptick of 3%. However, hunters…
Read MoreMaryland Delegate hopes to stop companies from drilling off the coast
A Maryland Delegate proposing legislation intended to deter any companies from drilling off its coast. The Offshore Oil Drilling Liability Act was introduced by the chairman of the House Environment & Transportation Committee yesterday. The legislation would make companies strictly liable for spills or other damages that result from offshore drilling operations in the state,…
Read MoreFlu cases drop 40%, season coming to an end
The flu season is coming to an end in Delaware. Yesterday, the Division of Public Health announcing the first drop in weekly flu cases in several weeks. For the week ending February 24 there were about 900 lab-confirmed flu cases, a 40% drop in the number of cases from the week before. However, the DPH…
Read MoreDelaware honors the Georgetown Speedway
The Georgetown Speedway will receive a historic marker from the State of Delaware. Built in 1949 by businessman and racing pioneer Melvin Joseph, the track is known across the country for its role in developing the sport of stock car racing. The speedway was sanctioned by NASCAR throughout the 50s and into the 60s, where…
Read MoreMultiple Eastern Shore economic development initiatives win awards
Maryland’s Economic Development Association will be honoring a slew of Eastern Shore initiatives coming up at its annual Awards Ceremony. The Ratcliffe Foundation Shore Hatchery at the University of Salisbury will receive a small community program award for its creation of 179 jobs and $4 million in revenues. The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Experience in…
Read More12 voters pick new commissioner in Bridgeville
Bridgeville voters hit the polls over the weekend to decide who would represent District 3 on the Towns Commission. Bruce Smith defeated Anthony Flowers by a staggering 50% margin of victory, although only 12 people in total showed up to vote. Smith will take the seat from current commission President Patricia Correll, who did not…
Read MoreUSDA creates website to help rural communities deal with opioid crisis
USDA launching a website to help rural communities deal with the opioid crisis. Last week Assistant Secretary for Rural Development Anne Hazlett unveiled a new webpage featuring grants, successful best practices, and other resources local communities can tap into for help in dealing with the opioid epidemic. Hazlett says opioid abuse is an issue of…
Read MorePoplar Street bridge in Laurel closing for rehab work
The bridge over Broad Creek in Laurel will be closed starting March 5th for rehab work. DelDOT announcing the closure of Poplar Street between Old Sailors Road and West Front Street so crews can paint the existing steel and make repairs to the pier and abutment of the bridge. Closure begins Monday, March 5th and…
Read MoreDelaware lawmakers mull raising age to purchase guns
A new bill introduced in the Delaware House of Representatives would raise the minimum age of legally purchasing a gun. Sponsored by Democrat Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf, House Bill 330 effectively raises the minimum age to buy a firearm or ammunition from 18 to 21. People would still be able to give guns to anyone under…
Read MoreMaryland State Senator Wayne Norman dies suddenly over the weekend
Maryland’s General Assembly in mourning after the sudden death over the weekend of State Senator Wayne Norman. Sen. Norman was a Republican representing Cecil and Harford Counties, and died suddenly on Sunday at his home. Governor Larry Hogan called Norman a dedicated public servant, who served his constituents for decades on both the local and…
Read MoreTown of Frederica announces election results
The Town of Frederica went out to the polls this weekend to decide their mayor. Incumbent mayor William “Chick” Glanden defeated challenger Pete Rager for another 2-year term. Glanden won 60% of the 111 votes. There is a re-organization meeting scheduled for later today at 6:30 PM in Town Hall.
Read MoreDNREC: Volunteers still needed for annual Beach Grass Planting
This weekend’s Nor’easter shows just how important dunes are in protecting the coastline from battering waves. However, beach grass is just as important in keeping the dunes intact. Later this month, DNREC is planting dune grass at 5 locations along the coast for their annual Beach Grass Planting. Volunteers will help fortify dunes at Cape…
Read MoreGeorgetown chicken plant slapped with $84,000 in fines & fees
Perdue chicken plant in Georgetown has been slapped with over $84,000 in fines and fees for wastewater violations. DNREC issued the penalty over the weekend, saying it relates to a three month period in 2015 when the Georgetown plant dumped water with excessive volumes of ammonia, nitrogen, and bacteria into the Savannah Ditch. The plant…
Read MoreInternational trade war could make its way to Delaware farms
An international trade war may make its way to Delaware. Last week, President Donald Trump announced a new tariff on steel and aluminum imports, targeting industries dominated by China in recent years. According to The Wall Street Journal, China may respond by curbing imports of soybeans. Last year China bought $12.4 billion of American soybeans…
Read MoreIllegal charter boat busted in Lewes
DNREC Fish & Wildlife Police bust an illegal fishing operation. According to police about a week ago they wrapped up an investigation into an illegal charter boat operation in Lewes. As a result they arrested Leonard Karpen of Middletown for three counts of unlicensed fishing. Karpen pled guilty to the charges, paid a $400 fine,…
Read MoreMillsboro Firefighters Battle Early Morning Blaze
Fire crews from Millsboro were called for a structure fire just after 9:30pm in the area of Hudson and Indian Town Roads west of Millsboro. Crews arriving at the scene found flames coming from a vacant building. Firefighters from Gumboro, Frankford and Dagsboro also responded.
Read MorePeak Winds During Storm
Some of the peak wind gusts recorded around the peninsula Friday include: 70 mph Chincoteague 66 Lewes 62 Ocean City 62 Dover 61 Salisbury Winds Saturday will blow from the north northwest at 15 to 25 miles per hour.
Read MoreCheaper power bills coming to Delmarva Power customers
Cheaper power bills coming to Delmarva Power customers. The utility company issuing a final report on their electric supply auction, which has providers competing against each other for the right to supply electricity to Delmarva Power. Four companies won the contracts during two separate auctions in November and January. Delmarva Power says based on the…
Read MoreRehoboth Beach ups its parking permit fees
Rehoboth Beach ups its parking fees. The Cape Gazette reporting City Council approving increases across the board, from upping daily passes $5, weekly passes $20, and Deauville Beach seasonal permits jumping over 300% from $75 to $250. Also, extra permits issued to rental properties will increase from $30 to $100 each. Commissioner Lisa Schlosser thought…
Read MoreDE Senate Candidate lobbies federal delegation to decriminalize opioids
In Delaware — a candidate for US Senate is lobbying congress to decriminalize opioids. Kerri Harris, who is challenging longtime Senator Tom Carper to a primary later this year, says she is organizing a trip to Washington D.C. later this month to lobby the states federal delegation ask for increased funding for addiction services, more…
Read MoreFlags flying at half-staff in honor of Rev. Billy Graham
Flags across Maryland and Delaware will be lowered to half-staff today in honor of Reverend Billy Graham. President Donald Trump ordered American flags lowered at federal buildings throughout the day today, and accordingly Governors Larry Hogan and John Carney ordering flags on state properties be lowered as well. Graham’s funeral service is being held at…
Read MoreMeeting to address concerns about water quality in Sussex County
After recent discoveries of contaminated water near Millsboro and in the Town of Blades, water quality is a bubbling issue throughout Sussex County, especially for people relying on private wells for their drinking and cooking water. Tonight there is a public forum in Millsboro to discuss how you can be sure you’re water is safe.…
Read MoreUPDATED: Search ends for passengers of Ocean City plane crash
UPDATED 3/16:Â Maryland State Police abandoning their search for victims in a plane crash in the Atlantic off Ocean City. Police began their search after being notified of the plane crash March 1st. They found an oil slick about a mile and a half off the coast, and a 5 mile debris field underwater. Dive teams…
Read MoreDNREC holding ‘living shoreline’ workshop for Contractors, Landscapers, Engineers in Lewes
Next week in Lewes, DNREC is sponsoring living shoreline workshops for engineers, contractors and landscape professionals interested in learning about the popular and eco-friendly shoreline management technique. Topics include site evaluation, design, permitting, and site visits. Living shorelines are engineered using plant material, shellfish, and sand to prevent erosion, reduce wave energy, trap sediment and…
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