A WGMD Local News Article
Update: Lewes Beaches Will Be Guarded Starting Memorial Day Weekend
Lifeguards will be on patrol at Savannah Beach and Johnnie Walker Beach in Lewes this summer, after all. According to Lewes officials, the announcement earlier this month that the city could not find enough lifeguards came to the attention of North Shores Beach Patrol Captain Kent Buckson. Buckson, previously the longtime captain of the Rehoboth…
Read MoreDHSS: Del. Overdose Deaths Rose 15% In 2021
Overdoses claimed the lives of 515 people in Delaware in 2021, a record for one year and a 15% increase from 2020.The Delaware Division of Forensic Science annual report also indicates that 425 of those 515 deaths involved fentantyl. That is a slight decrease from the previous year. However, overdose deaths linked to cocaine increased…
Read MoreTexas School Slaughter: Delmarva Reaction
Delmarva lawmakers are starting to react to Tuesday’s massacre at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. U.S and State of Delaware and Maryland flags are flying at half-staff until sunset Saturday in memory of the child victims and a teacher who was also killed. At least one police department on Delmarva plans to have officers…
Read MoreRaises Approved For Del. State Employees, Retirees
Members of the Delaware General Assembly’s Joint Finance Committee have approved pay increases for state workers and retirees.State employees on the lower end of the pay scale could receive raises of up to 9%. Raises are at least 2.3%. Education employees would receive a 2% increase.Also, state pensioners would receive an increase of 2-to-3%, depending…
Read MoreDeadline to Change Party Affiliation for DE’s September Primary is Friday
Delaware’s primary election is September 13, but if you want to change your party affiliation ahead of the primary – you have only until Friday, May 27 to make the change. Delaware’s primary election on only for those who are registered as Democrat or Republican – anyone who is independent or registered to a third…
Read MoreProposed FY 23 Budget Unveiled to Sussex County Council
Sussex County is keeping its financial boat balanced and afloat, even in spite of record-level national inflation and uncertain economic waters ahead. Sussex County officials on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, unveiled the proposed $294.1 million budget for Fiscal Year 2023 to fund a variety of local services, including 911 dispatchers, paramedics, and local libraries, as…
Read MoreGov Carney Issues Limited State of Emergency for Kent County Due to Barge Fire in Delaware Bay
Update, Wednesday morning: A fire on a barge being towed up the Delaware River with a cargo of scrap metal and old appliances has been extinguished.According to the U.S. Coast Guard, Northstar Environmental and Marine Services has been contracted to assess the integrity of the vessel and to manage salvage operations. A 500-yard safety zone…
Read MoreGov. Carney Vetoes Recreational Marijuana Legislation
Governor John Carney, D-Del. has vetoed a bill that received final legislative approval that would have removed all penalties for possession of one ounce or less of marijuana by a person 21 years of age or older. Carney released a statement Tuesday to accompany his veto of House Bill 371: 鈥淧ursuant to Article III, Section…
Read MoreMd. House Republicans To AG Frosh: Consider Suing Biden Administration
Protect Marylanders, is the essence of a message from the Maryland House of Delegates Republican Caucus to Democratic Attorney General Brian Frosh. In a letter, the GOP Caucus urges Frosh, a Democrat who is not seeking reelection this year, to utilize power granted under the Maryland Defense Act of 2017 to curb practices and policies…
Read MoreUD Reinstates Mask Requirement At Indoor Public Spaces
The University of Delaware is reinstating a requirement that masks be worn inall indoor spaces, effective today (Tuesday) at 8:00 a.m.The action is being taken in response to rising numbers of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations around the country. The mandate comes days before UD’s commencement in Newark, where President Joe Biden will address the graduates…
Read MoreGov. Hogan, Comptroller Franchot Call For Each Other To Act To Hold Off Md. Gas Tax Hike
Motorists in Maryland are facing a gas tax increase that would take effect July 1st, but Governor Larry Hogan said Monday that State Comptroller Peter Franchot could take action to halt the increase or minimize its impact.The Republican Governor is calling upon the Democratic Comptroller to use ‘every legal and regulatory power’ at his disposal…
Read MoreBarge Bursts into Flames in Delaware River, Glow Seen for Miles
UPDATE, 5/24/22, 10 AM: A fire that began early Monday morning on a barge in the Delaware River is still not under control, according to the Delaware Emergency Management Agency.The barge was carrying household appliances and scrap metal.The Bowers Fire Company in Kent County, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources…
Read MorePilot Program Adds Open Captions to Movie-Going Experience
An agreement has been reached between Delaware lawmakers, advocates and Delaware movie theater operators. This agreement will increase access at theaters for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing throughout the state. The Memorandum of understanding outlines a year-long pilot program where theaters will offer regular showings of first-run movies using open captions on the screen.…
Read MoreOCPD to Conduct Alcohol Compliance Checks this Summer
The Ocean City Police Department, in cooperation with the Worcester County Health Department, will be conducting alcohol compliance checks during the summer season. This enforcement effort will take place at area bars, restaurants, and alcohol retailers throughout the resort. The purpose of this operation is to ensure that employees of businesses that provide alcohol are making a…
Read MoreDelaware National Guard Activated to Support Stockley Center
Governor John Carney on Sunday issued Executive Order 55 calling out members of the Delaware National Guard to serve on state duty status at the Stockley Center in Georgetown, Del. The Stockley Center is facing staff shortages due to a recent increase in COVID-19 community levels and industry-wide staffing shortages. The Stockley Center is a…
Read MoreDM In OC; Alanis, The Lumineers Also To Perform At Inaugural Oceans Calling Fest
The line-up has dropped for the first Oceans Calling music festival in Ocean City.During the three-day event this fall, performers include Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds, O.A.R., The Lumineers, Alanis Morissette, Cyndi Lauper, Cage the Elephant, Jimmy Eat World, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Big Head Todd and the Monsters and more. Several celebrity chefs will…
Read MoreSussex County Council to Hear FY 2023 Budget Presentation
The Sussex County Council meets on Tuesday morning at the Council Chambers in Georgetown. County Administrator Todd Lawson and County Finance Director, Gina Jennings will present the FY 2023 Budget to the Council. Once the ordinance for the budget, fees and water and sewer districts are introduced – the ordinances will be set for public…
Read MoreSeat Belt Safety Initiative Escalates This Week
The Delaware Office of Highway Safety is taking part in the national Click It or Ticket Campaign, which runs through June 5th and covers Memorial Day weekend.Today (Monday) in particular, law enforcement agencies in several states are taking part in seat belt enforcement and awareness initiatives. 鈥淥ver the past year in Delaware, 49 percent of…
Read MoreUpdate: Talbot Co. Board Of Education Selects New Schools Superintendent
Update: The Talbot County Board of Education has appointed a new Superintendent of Schools.Dr. Sharon Pepukayi is scheduled to start July 1st, pending the finalization of a contract and approval of the Maryland State Superintendent of Schools.Pepukayi was one of four finalists for the position. She is currently an assistant superintendent for the Appoquinimink School…
Read MoreDPH UPDATE: Covid-19 Cases Increasing in DE; Flu Season Still Here
The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) reports an increase in COVID-19 cases since the previous聽monthly COVID-19 update聽released on April 22, 2022.聽While COVID-19 cases are increasing in Delaware, hospitalizations and deaths remain significantly lower when compared to the winter聽surge.聽DPH continues to encourage Delawareans to get tested if they exhibit symptoms of COVID-19聽or have been exposed…
Read MoreDART Beach Bus Begins Service Monday
Dump the pump, bypass the traffic congestion, ditch the parking fees and DART to the beach! The 2022 summer beach season is right around the corner; DART鈥檚 daily Beach Bus service will be on the road ready to provide a convenient, safe and clean ride to visitors and residents. On Monday, May 23, buses will start running…
Read MoreLewes Line Begins Service at 8:30 Monday Morning
The Mayor and Council of Lewes will kick off the Lewes Line Monday morning at 8:30 at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal in Lewes. The Lewes Line is a pilot seasonal transit program to move residents and visitors to key locations throughout Lewes. This will help alleviate parking and traffic congestion on local streets and…
Read MoreDead Man Found in Hurlock House Fire
Maryland State Fire Marshal investigators say a portable air conditioning unit failed in a home on Delaware Avenue in Hurlock is the cause of a fire that left a 74 year old man dead. Firefighters arriving at the scene just before 1pm Friday, found fire on the first floor and located the victim in the…
Read MoreDE Unemployment Unchanged, Sussex County Unemployment Sees Decrease
Delaware’s unemployment rate in April remained unchanged at 4.5% – while the national average remained steady at 3.6% However the number of jobs increased by 8000 and Delaware’s Labor Force Participation rate was 61.2% – a large increase from April of 2020 when it dropped to 59.4% – the lowest point on record. Sussex County…
Read MoreIID Report in Fatal Wicomico County Police Pursuit Crash Released
The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Office of Attorney General today released its investigative report of the October 21, 2021, fatal police pursuit crash in Wicomico County. On October 21, 2021, at approximately 10 p.m., Salisbury Police Department Officer Christopher Denny observed a car at the intersection of Delaware Avenue and West Salisbury Parkway in…
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