Md. Emissions Centers Reopen Monday

The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration plans a reopening of all Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program stations, which had been closed during the pandemic.Some of them were also used as drive-through COVID-19 testing locations.The stations will reopen starting Monday, October 19th.Customers who had pending business with the VEIP program have received new dates in the mail.Some vehicle…

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Md. Poll Finds Support For State COVID Response

Marylanders generally have a positive view of the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and the performance of Governor Hogan, according to an independent Goucher College Poll.It found that 82 percent of respondents approve of the Governor’s leadership.The overwhelming majority felt Hogan’s balanced approach to reopening was ‘about right.’69-percent of Marylanders who were surveyed are…

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Rehoboth Beach Encourages A Safe, Healthy Halloween

Rehoboth Beach is encouraging citizens and visitors to enjoy a safe Halloween.In the year of the pandemic, that means that door-to-door trick-or-treating is discouraged under guidance from Delaware Public Health and the CDC – at least not without some modification.Those who want to give out treats are encouraged to find a way to do it…

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Rehoboth Revises Outdoor Dining Guidelines

New guidelines are in place regarding the use of outdoor public space in Rehoboth Beach.Commissioners at a special meeting this week adopted the policy, which requires restaurants to have a ‘straight and continuous minimum of five feet of sidewalk in front of any outdoor seating that must be maintained at all times.’The space should allow…

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Jury Trials Permitted To Resume In Del.

For the seventh time,聽 Delaware Chief Justice Collins Seitz Jr has extended the judicial emergency declared during the pandemic. Courts are moving, however, into a modified phase three reopening Monday. Jury trials are allowed to resume, and courthouses may accommodate up to 75-percent of their capacities. Court staffing levels are increased, and more people are…

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Md. Resumes Allowing Indoor Visitors At Nursing Homes

More than three months after limited outdoor visitation was permitted to resume at Maryland nursing homes, indoor visitation is now being permitted. Governor Larry Hogan announced Thursday that a nursing home without a positive COVID-19 test result within 14 days will be able to accept visitors indoors. Screening procedures and other protocols are also in…

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Del. GOP Outlines Student Learning Improvement Plan

Delaware GOP News Conference

The Delaware Republican Party sees opportunity in the current uncertainty over virtual learning and when students will be able to return for in-person instruction. State GOP Chair Jane Brady outlined several initiatives Thursday at a news conference in Wilmington which she said could help address issues that developed long before the pandemic. “Our objective is…

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Del. Prepares For Pandemic Resurgence

Delaware has a game plan for a resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of the Pandemic Resurgence Advisory Committee presented their final report to Governor John Carney Wednesday. Their efforts focus upon testing, PPE, messaging the public about the importance of masks and social distance, addressing matters of equity and keeping the economy open.

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OC Winterfest Of Lights To Undergo Changes In 2020

Ocean City’s popular Winterfest of Lights will undergo some changes in 2020.With concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, Council members have voted to modify the holiday event at Northside Park.There would be no trams or enclosed tent structures.A new admission process, a modified Santa area, a new retail location, additional holiday mini-attractions and other adjustments are…

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Several Long-Term Care Facilities Face COVID-19 Outbreaks

Outbreaks of COVID-19 in several Delaware long-term care facilities are being investigated by public health officials. One facility affected is Country Rest Home in Greenwood, where 18 residents and 14 staff members tested positive. Staff members may include health care and non-health-care personnel such as vendors and others who may not work there full time.…

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Sussex Co. Library Expands Services Monday

Sussex County libraries are offering more services that were suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting Monday, the three County-owned libraries at Greenwood, Milton and South Coastal will make computers available, by appointment only with a one-hour time limit. Computers will be sanitized after each use. Visitors will have their temperature checked, and masks will be…

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Md. Looks To Resume Scholastic Sports Oct. 7th

Sports will return to Maryland schools starting Wednesday, October 7th. Governor Larry Hogan and state Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen Salmon made the announcement Thursday in Frederick. They say discussions involving the State Board of Education, the 24 school jurisdictions, parents and the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association led to a plan to resume…

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Mobile Drive-Thru Food Pantry In Georgetown Today

The Food Bank of Delaware brings another drive-thru mobile pantry to Sussex County today (Friday).Identification and proof of Delaware residency are required.The mobile food pantry will start at 11 a.m. at Crossroad Community Church on State Forest Road in Georgetown.Visitors are asked to clear space in the trunk or back seat of the vehicle to…

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UD Cuts Back To Avoid $250-Million Budget Hit

The University of Delaware is cutting costs as it anticipates a heavy budget hit due to factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic. UD President Dennis Assanis said Thursday the University had no choice but to turn to personnel actions, which include voluntary retirement incentives, voluntary schedule reductions, periods of unpaid leave and other measures. These…

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Salisbury Sanitation Employee Tests Positive For COVID-19

A City of Salisbury employee who works in the sanitation collection division has tested positive for coronavirus. City officials say as a precaution one other employee has also been quarantined due to the possibility of exposure. Also, all sanitation employees will be tested. Salisbury Director of Field Operations Tom Stevenson says operations have already been…

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COVID-19 Church Restrictions Cause New Concern

Legal representatives for The Committee to Save Christmas take issue with the latest modifications in Governor John Carney’s COVID-19 State of Emergency. The group calls it a ‘reopening of the war on churches.’ Provisions in the Executive Order earlier this month reinstitute a requirement that a pastor, speaker or singer wear a mask when facing…

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Salisbury Imposes New Limits On Crowd Sizes

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Salisbury is taking steps to reduce the spread of coronavirus, as the positivity rate for COVID-19 in Wicomico County has reached seven-percent. Effective Wednesday at 5:00 p.m., indoor gatherings within Salisbury city limits are capped at 15 people, and outdoor gatherings will be limited to 50 people. This restriction covers parties, cookouts, and social gatherings…

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Cape Henlopen Education Association Votes “No Confidence” In Reopening Plan

The Cape Henlopen Education Association’s membership has voted “no confidence” in the Board of Education and the Superintendent’s reopening plan and timetable for the new school year. Cape Henlopen Education Association President Lacey Brown says in a statement that the union had multiple discussions about the reopening plan which was adopted August 6th. The statement…

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“Super Spreader” In Bridgeville?

A large Labor Day weekend event on Redden Road near Bridgeville has drawn the attention of state health officials and Governor John Carney. Videos and photos of the concert and rodeo event depicted many people close together, not wearing masks. The size of the crowd has been estimated at 2,000. 鈥淚 was very disturbed by…

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Gov. Hogan Optimistic After School Visit In Caroline Co.

The first day of school is an eventful one in Caroline County, which, like many other systems, starts the year with a goal of bringing students back into buildings for some in-person learning this fall. Governor Larry Hogan visited North Caroline High School Tuesday, along with State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen Salmon. Already, Caroline…

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SCI Inmate Dies Of COVID-19 Complications, Other Factors

A Sussex Correctional Institution inmate with underlying health conditions and complications from COVID-19 has died at Kent General Hospital. 55-year-old Charles R.J. Patterson was from Frankford and had been serving a sentence for his 7th DUI conviction. He tested positive back in July. The Department of Correction says Patterson was the only SCI inmate who…

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