NEWS (DO NOT CHECK)
DE Senate Introduces Bill to Amend State Constitution on Voting
Legislation to amend the Delaware Constitution in relation to absentee voting has been introduced in the General Assembly. Senate Bill 3 is the first leg of a constitutional amendment that would eliminate the limitations on when an individual may vote absentee and authorizes the General Assembly to enact general laws providing the circumstances, rules, and…
Read MoreDE Senate Passes Resolution Urging Congressional Delegation to Support Bill to Deschedule Marijuana
The Delaware State Senate passed Senate Resolution 11 Thursday. This resolution urges Delaware Congressional Delegation to support legislation to deschedule marijuana. This would remove marijuana from Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act, which is intended for exceptionally dangerous substances with high potential for abuse and no medical use. The resolution passed with a 15…
Read MoreUPDATED: MSP Trooper Shot During Traffic Stop Near Vienna; 1 Suspect Dead & 2 Arrested
UPDATED – 03/10/23 – The Maryland State Trooper who sustained multiple injuries after being shot on the scene of a traffic stop on Route 50 in Wicomico County on March 6, 2023 is identified as Sergeant Brooks Phillips, an 18-and-a-half-year veteran of the Maryland State Police, assigned to the Easton Barrack. He received medical treatment…
Read MoreSalisbury Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Armed Robbery
A Salisbury man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison – with 5 years of that sentence without the possibility of parole. Senior Judge of the Circuit Court for Wicomico County sentenced 25 year old Kendal Smiley last week after his jury conviction in January of armed robbery, 1st degree assault and weapons offenses.…
Read MoreMore Jobs in January, but Sussex Unemployment Increased
There were over 14,000 more jobs in Delaware in January than a year ago – and 2300 more jobs than in December! Delaware’s unemployment rate held steady at 4.6% – while the national unemployment rate dropped a tenth of a percent to 3.4%. In Sussex County – the unemployment rate increased from 4.5% in December…
Read MoreTesting Audio for TSOJ
Completion of White Creek Priority Dredging Project Delayed Until Fall, 2023
Due to contractor delay, the White Creek priority dredging project in Sussex County will not be completed this season. The project was initially scheduled for completion March 31 to comply with existing seasonal dredging restrictions established to protect wildlife and natural resources. Although dredging was scheduled to begin in early 2023 to avoid any conflict…
Read MoreUPDATED: Bridgeville Man Charged in Murder at Heritage Shores
UPDATED-03/9/23–1 pm–The Delaware State Police have charged 53-year-old Robert Franks for the murder of his wife Cynthia Moss-Franks, which occurred in February. Franks had been awaiting extradition to Delaware from Pennsylvania. Today, state detectives from the Department of Justice Extradition Unit transported Franks from Philadelphia to Troop 2. Franks is charged with Murder First Degree and is now…
Read MoreResidential Structure Fire in Ocean Pines Ruled Accidental
An investigation into a fire that occurred on Hickory Way in Ocean Pines yesterday shows evidence that the blaze was accidental from improperly discarded smoking materials. The Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department responded to the reported fire at 4:49 PM. Upon arrival, crews reported smoke showing from the two-story single-family home and requested assistance from…
Read MoreMaryland Retains AAA Bond Rating
Maryland State Treasurer Dereck E. Davis announced today that the three major bond rating agencies have reaffirmed the state’s AAA bond rating and noted a “stable outlook.” Treasurer Davis will preside over his second competitive sale of state General Obligation Bonds on March 15, 2023. Maryland is one of only 13 states to hold the…
Read More60-Year-Old Man Sentenced for Sexual Abuse of Minor and Assaults
An Associate Judge of the Circuit Court for Wicomico has sentenced 60-year-old Reginald Wallace to 35 years in prison for sexually abusing a minor and assaulting two others. Wallace pleaded guilty on November 16, 2022, to Sexual Abuse of a Minor, Sexual Offense in the Third Degree, and two counts of Assault in the Second…
Read MoreDelaware Public Service Commission Approves Decrease in Delmarva Power’s Natural Gas Costs
Heating costs often account for the biggest portion of your utility bill, but some modest help is on the way thanks to the Delaware Public Service Commission’s approval of a 23% decrease in Delmarva Power’s natural gas costs, effective April 1st. Due to a warmer-than-expected winter and lower-than-forecasted natural gas prices over the past several…
Read MoreOvernight Fire in Preston, MD Under Investigation
The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating an overnight fire in Preston in Caroline County, Maryland. Fire officials report no deaths or injuries to humans from the blaze, but seven cats and one lamb are unaccounted for at the site. The State Fire Marshal’s office estimates the damage to the wood frame outbuilding to…
Read MoreLegislation Filed in Delaware Would Require Medicaid to Cover Doulas Services
With the aim of reducing pregnancy-related complications and health disparities, particularly in Black women, lawmakers in Delaware have filed a bill that would require Medicaid to cover doula services provided to expectant parents beginning next year. House Majority Whip Melissa Minor-Brown is sponsoring House Bill 80, which would require that doula services be covered by…
Read MoreIncreased Police Patrols to be Conducted in Ocean City, MD Due to St. Patrick’s Day Festivities
If you live in or plan to visit Ocean City, Maryland this week and next, you can expect to see additional Ocean City Police Department officers on patrol, along with Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and Maryland State Police. A collective 84 hours of specialized enforcement will be conducted in the Town of Ocean City from…
Read MoreElevated Risk of Fire Spread in Delaware and Maryland Eastern Shore
The National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey is issuing a warning about an elevated risk for fire spread this afternoon across much of Delaware and the eastern shore of Maryland. A combination of low relative humidity, a strong northwest wind, and relatively dry fine fuels will contribute to the increased risk. The northwest…
Read MoreEighteen Students from Wicomico Public Schools Named Finalists in 2023 Young Authors’ Contest
After receiving hundreds of submissions from talented writers, the Eastern Shore Literacy Association (ESLA) has announced the finalists in the 2023 Young Authors’ Contest, including 18 students from Wicomico County Public Schools. Placement awards will be announced at the ESLA’s Young Authors’ Award Ceremony, which will take place in Holloway Hall Auditorium at Salisbury University…
Read MoreFire at Home in Salisbury Under Investigation
The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of a fire that occurred on Hammond Street in Salisbury yesterday afternoon. So far, they know that the blaze started on the back deck of the two story wood frame single family home. No deaths or injuries resulted, but the fire caused thousands of dollars…
Read MoreMan Sentenced in Connection with Firearm and Drug Trafficking Crimes Faces 25 Years of Incarceration
Following a two-day trial, a Circuit Court Associate Judge sentenced 31-year-old Kyle Carey to 25 years in prison. Carey’s conviction includes Possession of a Firearm in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime, Illegal Possession of a Regulated Firearm, along with drug offenses. Carey will have to serve five years of his sentence without the possibility…
Read MoreMaryland Lawmakers Propose Legislation to Combat Violent Crime Crisis
The Joint Republican Caucus in Maryland held a news conference earlier this month to highlight legislation which would help combat Maryland’s violent crime crisis. Maryland Delegate Wayne Hartman (of District 38C–Wicomico and Worcester Counties) tells the Talk of Delmarva 92.7 and 98.5 that one of the key bills that is being proposed is House Bill…
Read MoreSussex County Council Introduces Ordinance to Establish Removal Procedures for Members of Appointed Boards, Commissions, Advisory Committees
The Sussex County Council has introduced an ordinance related to the Removal Procedures for members of appointed boards, commissions and advisory committees. This ordinance was in response to the discussion during the February 28th meeting on the Code of Conduct Rules and Ethics Training and two people, who at the time, had not signed the…
Read MoreHB 1 the Marijuana Bill Passes in the DE House
House Bill 1, which would legalize a personal use quantity of 1 ounce or less of marijuana was voted today in the Delaware House. There was quite a lot of discussion with the bill’s sponsor, Edward Osienski, as well as some Q&A with the past president of the Medical Society of Delaware, Dr David Henderson,…
Read MorePat Emory to Take Over as Director of DNREC Fish and Wildlife
Pat Emory has been named the new Director for DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife. Emory has served his entire career with DNREC – most recently as Director of the Division of Community Affairs. He steps into the seat held by former Director David Saveikis, who has retired after 40 years with DNREC and Director…
Read MoreFire on Cornwall Road in Rehoboth Beach Accidental
Delaware State Fire Marshal has determined a fire that damaged a home on Cornwall Road at the Rehoboth Beach Yacht & Country Club this morning was accidental. Rehoboth Beach firefighters were called just after 10am and found smoke and fire coming from a two story home. The residents were home at the time and able…
Read MoreLaurel Man Charged with 3rd Felony DUI after Traffic Stop
A Laurel man has been arrested after a traffic stop in Laurel Monday night. Delaware State Police stopped the driver of a pickup truck for not wearing a seatbelt and noticed signs of impairment when the trooper contacted him. A DUI investigation was started and 58 year old Dale Wilson arrested. A search of his…
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