A WGMD Local News Article
Questions Arise About Public Comment Ahead Of Md. Special Session On Redistricting
Marylanders have the opportunity to testify during a General Assembly special session next week, but one group says the process of submitting comment is not very inviting. Governor Larry Hogan Thursday encouraged support for the fair maps he has transmitted to the Maryland General Assembly on behalf of the Maryland Citizens Redistricting Commission. “Gerrymandering has rightly been…
Read MoreUpdate: Weighty Matters Postpone Transport of Lewes RR Swing Bridge
For the time being, the historic Lewes Railroad Swing Bridge is staying in the spot where it’s been since 1916: at the Rehoboth-Lewes Canal. According to DelDOT, after a day of work Wednesday to prepare for its removal, the contractor determined that the crane would not be able to lift the bridge safely. The bridge…
Read MoreDel. Looks To Make Solar More Affordable For Low-to-Moderate Income Households
Delaware low-to-moderate income homeowners may get assistance with the expense of installing solar panels, which previously may not have been affordable. The Department of Natural Resources is inviting applications from contractors who are interested in participating in a two-year pilot program that would serve at least 50 clients per year. DNREC said it will lead…
Read MoreDel. Creates Community Mental Health Services Fund
Delaware plans to create a community-based mental health services fund, utilizing money from the American Rescue Plan Act that was passed earlier this year. Governor John Carney said Wednesday that the fund will help providers of community health care services, non-profits and faith-based institutions provide services in their communities. Such organizations may apply for funding…
Read MoreMd. Expands Capacity To Track COVID-19 Variants
Maryland is expanding its capacity to track and detect variants of COVID-19, such as the omicron variant which has now shown up in California. Governor Larry Hogan spoke during a news conference Wednesday, and said it remains the case that the most important thing Marylanders can do to maintain immunity against the virus and variants…
Read MoreGov. Carney Sued Over COVID-19 Policies That Impacted Religious Activities
A lawsuit centered around religious freedom in Delaware has been filed against Governor John Carney in the Court of Chancery. Two pastors in New Castle County claim the Delaware Constitution states that the government can never violate religious freedom for “any pretense whatsoever,” but Carney implemented what they call a pandemic lockdown of Delaware churches…
Read More2022 Del. Parks Passes, Surf-Fish Permits On Hold
The sale of 2022 Delaware State Parks passes and surf fishing permits is being held up by supply chain disruptions. The Department of Natural Resources said Wednesday that 2021 surf fishing permits will be valid at surf fishing beaches through January 31st. It’s not certain when the new passes and permits will arrive. Permits that…
Read MoreSalvation Army of Del. Sees Heavy Surge In Requests For Assistance
The Salvation Army of Delaware has seen requests for assistance jump by more than 155-percent since the start of the pandemic. Salvation Army Delaware State Coordinator Major Tim Sheehan told WGMD News Thursday that the annual Red Kettle fundraising campaign is crucial. He added that contributions stay within the county. “What we’ve seen with the…
Read MoreDel. Electric Co-op Refunds $4-Million In Capital Credits
Delaware Electric Cooperative is refunding $4-million in capital credits among more than 64,000 member-owners of the co-op in December. Checks or billing credits will be made available for those who had an active DEC account in 2010. Those who no longer are served by DEC will receive a check for their portion of the retired…
Read MoreMd. State Police Warn Drivers Not To Leave Running Vehicles Unattended
Starting your vehicle and leaving it alone to warm up… it’s not a good idea, according to Maryland State Police. It’s also illegal. According to the Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council, a car is stolen every 49 minutes in Maryland.50-percent of vehicles had the keys inside, and 60-percent were unlocked. If a vehicle is running…
Read MoreSussex County Council Approves Millsboro Fire Company Sub-Station
The Sussex County Council had a short meeting this week. The meeting started, as always, with public comment. The President of Delaware Manufactured Housing Owners Association, William Kinnick, told the Council that DNREC is not communicating with anyone as well as it should. Kinnick’s primary concerns are water and sewage and he doesn’t want to…
Read MoreDOC Expands Visitation to Include Children & Youth Under Age 18
As COVID-19 vaccination expands to children and as aggressive COVID-19 mitigation measures continue across Delaware’s correctional system the Delaware Department of Correction (DOC) announced today that effective immediately in-person inmate visitation at all DOC facilities has been expanded to include children and youth under the age of 18. Visiting children must be accompanied by an…
Read MoreDTC Holds Virtual Hearings Dec. 8th On Proposed DART Bus Service Changes
Changes to DART Statewide Bus Services are contemplated to take effect next March. Delaware Transit Corporation has scheduled two virtual public hearing workshops via Zoom to get input and accept comments from the public. The virtual hearings are scheduled for next Wednesday December 8th between noon and 1:00 p.m. and again between 6:00 p.m. and…
Read MoreMd. Addresses Concern About Omicron COVID-19 Variant
With growing concern about the Omicron Variant, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said Monday that the state’s COVID-19 Response Team is monitoring the situation. “While there is still much unknown about the Omicron variant and how it will spread, the most important thing Marylanders can do right now is to get vaccinated or get a booster…
Read MoreDel. Makes Grants Available For Clean Water Projects
Grant money is flowing into clean-water-related projects in The First State. According to the Department of Natural Resources, more than $1.23-million in non-point source pollution grants have been made available to Delawareans, government agencies and conservation districts in all three counties. Money comes from the federal Clean Water Act. A wide range of projects have…
Read MoreLaurel Christmas Parade Delayed Until Mon. Dec. 6th
The Town of Laurel Christmas Parade will be postponed for a few days because of postseason high school football. The Christmas Parade originally scheduled for Friday December 3rd will instead take place Monday December 6th at 7:00 p.m. Town officials said they were attempting to notify applicants for the parade as soon as possible. Laurel…
Read MoreLewes Traffic will be impacted as Historic Lewes Railroad Swing Bridge is Moved on Wednesday
The Lewes Junction Railroad & Bridge Association (LJRBA) is excited to announce that the historic Lewes Railroad Swing Bridge will be lifted out of the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal, where it has resided since 1916, on December 1 at approximately 1:00 p.m. The removal is necessary due to settlement that has occurred in the foundation resulting inthe…
Read MoreDover Downs Hotel & Casino Changes to Bally’s Dover Casino Resort
Bally’s Corporation today officially kicked off its rebranding of Dover Downs Hotel & Casino by changing the property’s name to Bally’s Dover Casino Resort and implementing its all-new Bally Rewards players club program. In December, the exterior and interior signage, Bally’s dice, cards, gaming chips, table game layouts will be updated. George Papanier, President, Retail,…
Read MoreSelbyville Library Forgives Late Fees, Fines
The Selbyville Library plans to forgive and forget fees and fines, some of which go back three years. The Board of Commissioners and Library Director Kelly Kline announced that policy Monday, saying it’s part of a growing trend around the country. The ‘gift’ of sorts to the community amounts to more than $3,900. Kline said…
Read MoreSussex County Council Meeting To Start at 12:30, 1 PM Public Hearing Scratched
The Sussex County Council meets this week – however the meeting will not start until 12:30pm. The Council has a short meeting agenda, however there are multiple items on County Engineer Mans Medlarz agenda. There were 4 public hearings scheduled for the afternoon session, however the Change of Zone No. 1937 filed on behalf of…
Read MoreTiny Homes Considered For Homeless Shelter In Sussex Co.
A non-profit will seek approvals and permits for its proposal to create temporary sleeping quarters for homeless people, including children. The cabins are manufactured by a company in Washington State. The Springboard Collaborative is working with Conley’s Church in the Lewes-Angola area, which said it has sufficient space on its property, and is looking for…
Read MoreCrash Near Laurel Leaves One Dead
Delaware State Police continue to investigate a crash that left one person dead. Police were called to Sycamore and Beaver Dam Branch Roads near Laurel just after 2:30 Friday afternoon for a two vehicle crash. Police say a pickup truck driven by an 18 year old man from Salisbury was westbound on Sycamore Road and…
Read MoreWicomico Co. Council Schedules Public Hearing On Redistricting Proposal
Wicomico County Council has set Tuesday, December 7th for a public hearing to consider a recommendation of the redistricting committee. The committee has approved a proposed map of councilmanic districts to reflect the results of the 2020 census, for the 2022 election. The public hearing will be held at the Wicomico County Government Office building…
Read MoreBlack Friday, Small Business Saturday Ignite Holiday Shopping Season
The day after Thanksgiving begins the holiday shopping crunch, although Black Friday deals have been available for weeks now. Small businesses also welcome your dollars, especially on Small Business Saturday. At the Crossroads of Delmarva, many Downtown Salisbury businesses are offering special deals as well as special discoveries Saturday. An artists’ market will also be…
Read MoreMd. To Distribute 500,000 At-Home Test Kits For COVID-19
Maryland plans to distribute half-a-million take-home COVID-19 test kits. The Maryland Department of Health said this week that kits will be made available free of charged through local health departments. Caroline County, for example, will have the at-home tests available at the local public library or at two community food pantries. Each kit contains two…
Read More