A WGMD Local News Article
General Assembly reforms Delaware’s bail process
Delaware General Assembly has approved changes to the state’s bail process. The State Senate passed House Bill 204 yesterday 15 – 5. The bill requires courts to use empirical evidence to determine whether a defendant is a risk, limits conditions of release to ensure defendants show up in court, make conditions of release more responsive…
Read MoreSchool Bus crash in Worcester County leaves 1 injured
One person injured yesterday after a Worcester County School Bus crashes. Maryland State Police say around 5:45 PM a school bus was stopped and dropping off students on Route 113 near Porters Crossing Road. A car did not see stopped vehicles and rear ended an SUV in front of it. The collision’s momentum took the…
Read MoreSalisbury Zoo Closed Wednesday
The Salisbury Zoo will be closed Wednesday, January 17, while the new male Andean Bear, Pinocchio is moved from the Zoo’s quarantine facility to his permanent home. The Zoo will re-open once the move is completed but the area around the bear exhibit may still be closed as Pinocchio adjusts to his new surroundings. The Zoo…
Read MoreUPDATED: Sussex County Council Hearing Comment on Special Events Ordinance
UPDATED – 1-16-18 – 5:30pm – The public comment on the proposed Special Events ordinance before the Sussex County Council followed in the same path throughout today’s meeting. Of the 24 people who spoke to the council, no one thought the updated version of the ordinance was better than the original and told the council…
Read MoreFormer Sussex County Councilman Dale Dukes writes letter to county supporting right-to-work
Former Sussex County Councilman Dale Dukes is asking the county council to reconsider its vote against the proposed right-to-work ordinance. Dukes says the council should forget the legality of the issue, which he says “should not be a determining factor” of their votes, and instead focus on what “benefit Sussex county.” The former councilman says…
Read MoreDelaware legislators looking to start ‘Clean Water Trust’
Delaware General Assembly will debate whether or not the state should set up a Clean Water Trust. The proposed legislation says it would set up a dedicated trust fund to help enhance and accelerate Delaware’s efforts in cleaning up contaminated water resources. The funding would come from partially from current sources, as well as an…
Read MoreDewey Beach Commission: Town failed to oversee police department
Dewey Beach is going to start keeping a closer eye on its Police Department. The town commissioners began looking into the department last year after its participation in a national program that distributed surplus military equipment to police came to light. WBOC reporting after investigating the program, town commissioners learned the police department did keep…
Read MoreOcean City issues bonds to fund construction & renovations
Last week, town of Ocean City sold nearly $26 million worth of bonds. According to city officials, 11 prominent national underwriters competed for the bonds. Citigroup Global Market Inc. won the bidding, with a proposed interest cost to the town of just over 2.8%. The city plans to use the funding to finance the expansion…
Read MoreUSDA appoints Delaware’s FSA Committee
USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced a slate of Farm Service Agency State Committee Appointees earlier this month. Perdue says State Committees serve as a liaison between USDA and the producers in each state across the nation by keeping them informed and hearing their appeals and complaints. State committees are appointed for a one year term which…
Read MoreChelsea Manning to run for US Senate in Maryland
Maryland Senator Ben Cardin will have to defend his US Senate seat this year. Over the weekend Chelsea Manning confirmed she is running for the senate seat currently held by the longtime congressman. Sen. Cardin was first elected to the senate in 2007; prior to that he served in the House of Representatives since 1987.…
Read MoreFree manufacturing skills training offered for unemployed workers
Delaware Tech and Delaware Department of Education are offering free manufacturing training skills program for unemployed and underemployed individuals. If selected for the program, you will received 600 hours of training including subjects like CPR, forklift, OSHA and have an opportunity receive nationally-recognized certifications. Interested individuals must attend an information session at the Delaware Tech…
Read MoreMLK Day Celebrations on Delmarva
Local MLK Day celebrations around the peninsula: Delaware State University is holding its 32nd annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Program today. The festivities begin at noon in the Theatre, Education and Humanities building. Free and open to public. Wicomico Youth & Civic Center has 2 events today: 32nd annual Youth Activity presented by…
Read MoreVast majority of public comments oppose DE DOE anti-discrimination policy
The group crafting Delaware Department of Education’s anti-discrimination policy, also known as regulation 225 will meet at the end of the month to discuss their next moves. The controversial policy, which allows students to self-identify their own gender or race, and in some cases, without the knowledge of their parents was put on hold until…
Read MoreUPDATED: Lewes Water Safe to Drink
UPDATED – 10:40am –Â Â Water safe to drink The BPW has received the lab results on the water samples taken from the system. The water is safe to consume. There is no need to continue boiling water.================================================= Lewes Board of Public Works – Precautionary Drinking Water Warning BOIL YOUR WATER BEFORE USING May Be At…
Read MoreSeaford sponsors lunch for farmers to learn about solar energy potential
Today the city of Seaford is sponsoring a lunch for farmers interested in using solar energy. The Solar Lunch and Learn will be held at noon at the Pizza King in Seaford. There farmers can learn about how solar energy can impact their farm’s bottom line and learn about tax benefits, grants, and financing programs…
Read MoreFlu cases rapidly increase in Delaware
Delaware’s Division of Public Health says there has been a significant spike in flu cases over the past few weeks. In the final week of December, officials say lab-confirmed cases of flu increased nearly 50%. Delaware is one of 46 states reporting widespread influenza outbreaks this year, many cases coming since the second half of…
Read MoreUSDA funding available for farmers in Western Sussex County
The USDA has announced funding is available for local farmers participating in its National Water Quality Initiative. The USDA selected the Clear-Brook Nanticoke Watershed as a high-priority watershed in Delaware. USDA hopes program dollars will be utilized by Sussex County farmers to make improvements on their land that will positively affect water quality. The Clear…
Read MoreSussex County hospitals penalized, lose Medicare funding
The three hospitals of Sussex County get penalized by federal regulators for having too many infections and patient injuries. The hospitals will be penalized 1% of Medicare payments. The penalties were created under the affordable care act to improve hospital care; Medicare evaluates over 3,000 hospitals and punishes the worst-performing quarter, even if they have…
Read MoreBridgeville wants your input on its 10-year plan
Bridgeville wants your input on its 10-year comprehensive plan. The town has released an online survey for its residents and others living in the surrounding zip code to take to help develop why, how, and where Bridgeville should grow. The survey is anonymous, can be taken by multiple individuals in a household, and will be…
Read MoreMD House of Delegates overrides paid sick leave veto
The Maryland House of Delegates has over-ridden Govenor Larry Hogan’s veto of a controversial paid sick leave bill. Democrats were able to muster the needed 3/5th majority to overturn the veto—now it heads to the senate, where a close vote is expected. Governor Hogan has released a draft version of a paid sick leave bill…
Read MoreSalisbury posts strongest year of construction since 2007
Last year, Salisbury had its best year for housing construction since the real estate bubble of 2007. In 2017, the city estimates construction projects across the city totaled around $55 million. Mayor Jake Day says a strong economy and incentives for builders were major factors in the strong building report.
Read MoreLewes searching for bands to play Summer Concert Series
City of Lewes is looking for bands to play at its 2018 Summer Concert Series. The city sponsors concerts in the park Tuesday evenings from June to August, and officials are starting to book the summer of 2018. Interested bands can complete a submission form and provide sample clips to be evaluated by the Parks…
Read MoreSerious crash in Milton sends 1 to hospital
Serious car crash near Milton last night. Around 1:00 AM, a serious single vehicle crash was reported. Milton Fire Department responded to the area of Broadkill Road and Clydes Drive to find a person had been thrown from their vehicle. The victim had sustained major trauma, and was taken to the hospital by EMS.
Read MoreDelaware aims to crack down untaxed cigarette sales
In one of the first actions of the new session of the Delaware General Assembly, a committee has passed a bill that would make it a felony to sell untaxed cigarettes in Delaware. Current law sets a maximum penalty of $1,000 and 90 days in jail for selling untaxed smokes—supporters of the change say that…
Read MoreGov. Larry Hogan opposing federal rollback of pollution regulations
Governor Larry Hogan’s administration is voicing opposition to a decision by Trump’s administration to repeal legislation that is aimed at reducing pollution from power plants. Maryland’s Environment Secretary wants the EPA to hold a hearing in the state before the decision is made. The Governor argues the repeal would set back Maryland’s efforts to reduce…
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