A WGMD Local News Article
Sussex County Tax Bills Coming Your Way
Sussex County tax bills are headed out the door. The County’s Billing Services office has begun issuing bills for the 2021 fiscal year, totaling an estimated $166.3 million in tax revenue. Each August, Sussex County government issues tens of thousands of tax bills for the more than 179,000 parcels in the county, with revenue collected…
Read MoreUPDATED: Two Dead After Crash on Harbeson Road
UPDATED- 11:00 A.M. Wed.- Delaware State Police have released the names of two people killed in a crash on Harbeson Road Tuesday morning. 46-year-old Michelle Esworthy of Joppa, Maryland and 76-year-old Robert Dahms of Spring Grove, Pennsylvania both died at the scene. Police say Esworthy’s car crossed the center line of Harbeson Road and collided…
Read MoreBystanders Rescue Driver From Burning Mail Truck
(Update provided by Delaware State Police Tuesday Morning) A fiery wreck sends three people to hospitals and engulfs a U.S. Mail delivery truck in flames. Delaware State Police say at about 5:19 Monday afternoon, the mail truck was traveling westbound on Laurel Road just east of Prettyman Avenue. For unknown reasons, the mail truck crossed…
Read MoreSen. Carper Cosponsors Theatre Tax Credit Legislation
The struggle is real for theatres and music performance venues which had to close during the pandemic, reopen with only limited capacity, and have hoped to lure a wary public to come back out and enjoy themselves. One venue that has faced such challenges is the historic Milton Theatre. Senator Tom Carper, D- Del., visited…
Read MoreDelaware Housing Assistance Program Reopened – Mortgage and Rental Assistance Because of Pandemic
Governor John Carney and Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) Director Anas Ben Addi on Monday announced the reopening of the Delaware Housing Assistance Program (DE HAP), which provides financial assistance for renters affected by COVID-19, and announced that emergency mortgage assistance is now available for homeowners who have missed payments due to the pandemic. The State of…
Read MorePandemic Silences Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival 2020
The Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival 2020 edition has become another casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizers of the fall festival announced Monday that the decision was made with “deep sadness” and in the interest of the health and safety of music fans, performers, volunteers and stage crews. The Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival often sells out…
Read More97-Pound White Marlin Takes Top Prize at White Marlin Open
The 2020 White Marlin Open was one to remember. Numerous logistical adjustments had to be made due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tropical Storm Isaias discouraged many boaters from entering the water before, during and immediately after the actual event. Much of the action took place in the final four days of the Ocean City event,…
Read MoreWorcester Co. Preserves More Open Space
Worcester County conserves an additional 1,801 acres of land through three new permanent easements this summer. The purchase price was $1.8-million. Two of the properties are in the Dividing Creek Watershed in the Dividing Creek Rural Legacy Area. The third is in the Coastal Bays Rural Legacy Area. Worcester County Environmental Programs and the Board…
Read MoreWorcester Co. COVID-19 Positivity Rate Is Highest In Md.
Maryland’s statewide positivity rate for COVID-19 reaches a new low, and while the rate in Worcester County has begun to level off during the first weekend of August, it remains a concern. Governor Larry Hogan announced Sunday that the state’s seven-day positivity rate for COVID-19 had dipped to 3.75-percent. Hospitalizations for coronavirus had also reached…
Read MorePortion Of Lewes-to-Georgetown Trail To Close Due To Spraying
A portion of the Lewes-to-Georgetown Trail is scheduled to be closed Monday for application of herbicide for vegetation control. DelDOT says the trail will close between Cool Spring Road and Savannah Road from 7:00 p.m. Monday until 5:00 a.m. the next morning. The rain date for this closure and herbicide application is Tuesday August 11th…
Read MoreDE Army National Guard Members Preparing to Deploy to Kosovo
Delaware Army National Guard troops will leave New Castle later this month for deployment in Kosovo. This is in support of NATOs KFOR mission – an ongoing peace-support operation in the region since 1999. Governor John Carney and Delaware’s Congressional delegation were on hand Sunday morning for a deployment ceremony for the over 50 members…
Read MoreStan Mills, Patrick Gossett and Jay Lagree Win Rehoboth Beach Election!
The polls closed today at 6 p.m. The winners of the Rehoboth Beach municipal election for 2020 are: Stan Mills, Patrick Gossett and Jay Lagree. Registered voters for 2020: 1731Number of voters: 325 Number of absentee voters: 1146 TOTAL: 1471 SEATS FOR MAYOR:Paul Kuhns: 587Stan Mills: 876 SEATS FOR COMMISSIONER (TWO):Hugh Fuller: 563Patrick Gossett: 824Jay…
Read MoreSport-Fishing Vessel Burns off Cape May, Smoke Visible for Miles
Fireboats from both sides of the Delaware Bay responded this morning after a 36-foot sport-fishing vessel burst into flames. Smoke was visible for miles when the fire was reported around 9:45 a.m. about six miles off North Cape May. Fireboats from Lewes, Slaughter Beach, South Bowers, Bowers, Little Creek, along with the Coast Guard, came…
Read MoreShop MD Tax-Free Week Begins Sunday; Savings & Scholarships Available
In a year that has been anything but normal, Comptroller Peter Franchot reminds Marylanders that one thing remains the same: Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week begins Sunday, August 9th with big savings for customers, scholarship opportunities for college and trade school students and a catalyst to spur sales for retailers. “This is one of my favorite…
Read MoreSussex Co. Seeks Isaias-Related Damage Reports
The Sussex County Emergency Operations Center is inviting property owners, residents and businesses to submit reports of any damage caused by the wind and rain from Tropical Storm Isaias. Damage reports will be compiled for a possible application for disaster aid. You can visit the Sussex County government website and submit details online about the…
Read MoreMilford Public Schools Plan Six Weeks Of Remote Learning
Milford School District students will be learning remotely for the first six weeks of the school year. The board voted 5-1 to proceed with virtual instruction when the school year starts September 9th. The Delaware State News reports that the board and Superintendent Kevin Dickerson entertained a variety of viewpoints and surveyed district families since…
Read MoreCape Henlopen School District Will Start With Hybrid Instruction
Schools in the Cape Henlopen School District will start the new academic year with a hybrid format. The Cape Gazette reports that the Board of Education voted 5-2 Thursday in support of a recommendation from Superintendent Bob Fulton. Families are able to choose either remote or in-person learning. In-person instruction would be available for elementary…
Read MoreUpdate: 29-Mile Tornado Tore Through Del. Tuesday
The National Weather Service said Thursday that a tornado associated with Tropical Storm Isaias touched down in Dover Tuesday and spun its way along a 29-mile path, carrying its destructive force to Middletown. The EF-1 tornado was estimated to last from 8:55 a.m. until 9:25 a.m. It packed a maximum estimated wind speed of 105…
Read MoreDel. Fall Scholastic Sports Postponed
The Delaware Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Directors Thursday voted to consolidate sports seasons for the coming academic year – a decision that postpones fall sports for months. In a statement, the DIAA said it will work with school administrators, athletic directors trainers and others on specific start dates for seasons. No sports will be…
Read MoreMan Arrested With Weapons, Drug Paraphernalia In Vehicle
A 38-year-old Seaford man is facing weapons offenses following a traffic stop in Bridgeville. Delaware State Police said a trooper on patrol saw a vehicle with a fictitious plate, and the driver was pulled over into a parking lot. Police said the driver, Jason Eskridge, had 82-grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle…
Read MorePolice: Woman Found Dead Under Fallen Tree Branch
Delaware State Police have released the name of a person who was found dead in Milford on North Shore Drive Tuesday. Troopers arrived to the scene after a family member was unable to locate 73-year-old Gloria Babel during Tuesday’s storm. Babel was found under a large branch that had fallen from a tree. Reportedly she…
Read MoreSCI Inmate Dies Of Hypothyroidism, COVID-19 Complications
An inmate at Sussex Correctional Institution has died of complications from COVID-19 and hypothyroidism. The Delaware Department of Correction says 71-year-old Jackie Lovett tested positive for the virus July 5th as part of the state’s mitigation plan after a cluster of cases developed. After that, Lovett was treated at James T. Vaughn Correctional Center’s treatment…
Read MoreRep. Collins Criticizes Extension Of State Of Emergency
A 30-day extension of Delaware’s COVID-19 State of Emergency is not going over well with at least one lawmaker. Governor John Carney signed the fifth extension of the State of Emergency Wednesday. It keeps in place all of the conditions for Phase Two of economic reopening and other health and safety precautions. Carney says coronavirus…
Read MoreRising Virus Positivity Rate Being Watched In Worcester Co.
The State of Maryland is monitoring a rising COVID-19 positivity rate in Worcester County. Locally, the positivity rate has risen sharply in the past week and now stands at 6.43-percent. Statewide, the positivity rate in Maryland had fallen to their lowest levels since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. There have also been rising rates…
Read MoreDover School Heavily Damaged By Tuesday Storm
A school in Kent County sustained heavy damage from Tuesday’s storm. According to the Capital School District, the Dover Fire Marshal has declared William Henry Middle School unsafe for occupancy. The district adds it’s committed to preserving the building. However, roof and water damage will require extensive repairs. The development comes as the Capital School…
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