WGMD Fishing Report 4/3/20
Thursday saw small craft advisories up and they will be up again on Friday. Those who fish the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay have some very restrictive rockfish (striped bass) regulations for 2020. Beginning on April 1, it is illegal to catch and release rockfish, period. Exactly how this will be enforced, I do…
Read MoreWGMD Picture of the Day
Karen Haller – Milton – John Milton Statue at the park / Click for full view
Read MoreVaughn Inmates Begin Making Face Masks in Prison Garment Shop
This week, three dozen inmates who are employed in the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center garment shop began producing cotton face masks for the correctional system and first responders as the Delaware Department of Correction steps up to support the First State’s COVID-19 response. These skilled inmate workers normally cut and sew material from large rolls of red and white cotton cloth into…
Read MoreUD Postpones May Commencement
UD postpones May Commencement and University officials are looking for input on alternatives from graduating students. As the uncertainty of the pandemic situation continues to evolve, UD officials are weighing the multiple factors in staging an event as complex as Commencement to determine the best course ahead. While discussions are already underway between administrators and…
Read MoreCORRECTED: DPH Coronavirus Update – 393 Confirmed Cases – 101 in Sussex County
The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) is announcing one additional fatality related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and is providing an update on the number of positive and recovered cases reported in the state. In total, 12 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. There have been a total of six deaths related to long-term care facilities, including…
Read MoreDNREC Updates What’s Open & What’s Closed
While most state parks, nature and wildlife areas continue to stay open for Delawareans during the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” emergency order from Governor John Carney, many amenities are closed. Current closures include campsites, cabins, cottages, yurts and playgrounds, and now, public restrooms will be closed. The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will…
Read MoreGov Carney Issues Community Call-To-Action
Governor John Carney issued a community call-to-action on Thursday, urging all Delaware citizens, businesses and nonprofits to offer their assistance in Delaware’s fight against coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The State of Delaware launched an online tool at de.gov/coronavirus to connect Delawareans offering materials and supplies with organizations, medical providers and others in need of assistance. Click here if you…
Read MoreDFRC Cancels 65th Annual Blue-Gold All Star Football Game
The DFRC has canceled the 65th Annual Blue-Gold All Star Football game scheduled for Friday, June 19. DFRC has made other adjustments to their schedule of events – moving them to later in the year. The DFRC Blue-Gold Sussex Auction originally scheduled for March 28th has been RESCHEDULED for Friday, September 25, 2020. The DFRC…
Read MoreJake Smith Monologue – 04-02-20 – “Positives”
USDA Taking Public Comment on Proposed Revisions to National Conservation Practice Standards
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking public comment on proposed revisions to 49 national conservation practice standards. The proposed revisions are available in the Federal Register now until the public comment period closes on April 23, 2020. The 49 updated national conservation practice standards include: 12 agronomic practices for water quality and erosion…
Read MoreDOJ makes $850 million available to public safety agencies amid coronavirus outbreak
The Department of Justice (DOJ) today announced that it is making $850 million available to help public safety agencies respond to the challenges posed by the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19). The Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump, will allow eligible state, local, and tribal governments to…
Read MoreHighmark waives deductibles, co-insurance and co-pays for in-network, inpatient hospital care for COVID-19 treatment
Highmark has announced that members who require in-network, inpatient hospital care for COVID-19 will not incur any deductibles, co-insurance and co-pays, effective immediately. The decision applies to members with group employer coverage (self-funded groups may elect to opt into the program), as well as ACA and Medicare members. Highmark previously waived out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19…
Read MoreSussex County veteran passes away from coronavirus
An 84-year-old Rehoboth Beach resident and U.S. Navy veteran has passed away due to complications from coronavirus. James Douglas Smith, 84, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away on Saturday, March 28, 2020 at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes due to complications from the coronavirus (COVID-19). Smith proudly served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and…
Read MoreGovernor Hogan takes further steps to support Marylanders amid coronavirus outbreak
Governor Larry Hogan issued two emergency orders to further support Marylanders during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, including the expansion of telehealth services and the designation of disabilities services personnel as health care providers. “As our state faces new and unprecedented challenges, we need to be adaptive, innovative, and inclusive in our response,” said Governor Hogan.…
Read MoreBeebe Healthcare to Host Facebook Live COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall
Beebe Healthcare is inviting the public to a one-hour coronavirus (COVID-19) virtual town hall at 5 p.m. Monday, April 6. Watch the virtual town hall live on Beebe’s Facebook page, or you can dial one of the following numbers, enter the participant PIN followed by # to confirm. Primary line: 415-466-7000 – PIN: 6947511 #…
Read MoreWorcester County closes all non-essential, short-term rentals
Worcester County has declared that all non-essential, short-term rentals in West Ocean City, Ocean Pines, and all other unincorporated areas of Worcester County should be cancelled until the Stay-At-Home order is lifted at the direction of Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. These emergency measures have been implemented to stop the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in…
Read MoreOcean City mourns the loss of longtime Tourism Director
The Town of Ocean City’s Tourism Director, Donna Abbott, passed away today, April 1, after a ferocious fight with cancer. Abbott, who held the position of Tourism Director since 2012, oversaw destination marketing and worked closely with the Town’s advertising agency to promote Ocean City as a premier vacation destination. A native of Cambridge and…
Read MoreWGMD Fishing Report 4-2-20
Wednesday saw gale warnings up for the ocean and small craft advisories up for the Delaware Bay. Over the winter there were some changes to saltwater fishing regulations. First the good news. Black sea bass and summer flounder regulations will remain the same as they were in 2019. You will be allowed 15 black sea…
Read MoreWGMD Picture of the Day
WGMD Throwback Thursday Picture of the Day – by former News Anchor Andrew Koch – at the Extreme Home Makeover Reveal in 2011 when they came to Lewes to build the Jusst Sooupp Ranch on Route 9 / Click for full view
Read MoreGovernor Carney Restricts Gatherings, Requires Businesses to Strictly Comply with Social Distancing
Governor John Carney on Wednesday signed the ninth modification to his State of Emergency declaration, further limiting public gatherings and ordering essential businesses to take specific steps to enforce social distancing and fight the spread of coronavirus (COVID19). Governor Carney’s modified emergency order limits public gatherings to 10 people through May 15, or until the public…
Read MoreSussex County man latest in deaths from coronavirus in Delaware
The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) has announced one additional fatality related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).   In total, 11 Delawareans have passed away due to complications from COVID-19. The most recent death involves an 84-year-old male from Sussex County who was hospitalized and had significant underlying health conditions. To protect personal health information, DPH will not disclose additional information about the individuals who…
Read MoreDART limiting number of passengers on buses to ensure social distancing
DART will institute additional safety measures to ensure social distancing on all of its buses in response to the coronavirus pandemic in Delaware. As of Thursday, April 2, DART will limit the number of passengers allowed on each bus at any given time, based on bus seating capacity. Passenger boardings will be through the rear…
Read MoreJake Smith Monologues – 04-01-20 – “Providential”
eBright Health Partners With Beebe Healthcare To Collect Needed Supplies
The number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Delaware continues to rise, especially in Sussex County. In order to provide needed medical supplies to the healthcare systems in Delaware, eBrightHealth ACO is hosting donation drop-off locations throughout the state. The Sussex County event for Beebe Healthcare will be held Wednesday, April 1 through Saturday, April 4,…
Read MoreIndian River School District to implement remote learning for students
The Indian River School District will implement a remote learning plan for PreK-12 students beginning on Monday, April 20. Instruction will be delivered through a variety of platforms while schools remain closed through May 15 due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. School administrators and staff will be holding remote meetings during the next few weeks…
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