DELMARVA - With 2024 just around the corner, WBOC invites you to look back on Delmarva’s year and the news we covered across the Peninsula. This week we’ll revisit some of our most notable and most-read and watched stories of the year by three-month intervals, continuing with the third quarter of the year. You can read about the top stories of the first quarter of 2023 here, the second quarter here, and the fourth here.
July 2023
The second half of the year brought something big to look forward to over the summer with the announcement of the world’s largest rubber duck coming to Crisfield, MD. Though the massive mallard wouldn’t officially arrive until August, the July announcement gained huge attention from our viewers and readers.
World's Largest Rubber Duck website
July also saw two significant drug stories, with a Denton, MD pain management clinic co-owner pleading guilty to illegitimate Oxycodone distribution and the largest-ever fentanyl seizure in Delaware history by the Dover Police Department in Delaware.
The man convicted of the 2022 murder of Wicomico County Sheriff’s Deputy Corporal Glenn Hilliard, Austin Davidson, was also sentenced to life without parole in July. The sentencing proved an emotional and bittersweet conclusion to the trial, for both Hilliard’s family and friends, as well as the community at large.
The most widely-read article in July was fittingly about crabs, though in a distinctly different way. Scientists at the University of Maryland spoke to WBOC about a breakthrough discovery of how to use leftover crab shells for renewable energy. Using a substance known as chitosan in crustacean shells, scientists can create a zinc-ion battery that’s safer and cheaper than lithium-ion batteries. In true Delmarva fashion and a reflection of our undying love of crabs, the story gained wide traction on WBOC’s website.
The month of July wouldn’t be complete on Delmarva without one of the biggest events of the year: The 98th Chincoteague Pony Swim. This year’s swim at the end of July went off without a hitch, with people traveling from near and far to witness the famous annual event unique to the Accomack County Beach Town. WBOC and sister station WRDE joined forces to bring full, live coverage of the swim this year with viewers from across the world.
August 2023
Camden, DE unfortunately saw its share of tragedy in August that garnered wide attention across Delmarva. The first came on August 8th when a 3-year-old child was tragically killed in a hit-and-run crash involving a pickup truck on South State Street. The boy, later identified as Kasai Bull, ran into the road towards the Allen Frear Elementary School according to investigators. Bull was taken to a nearby hospital but died from his wounds. The hit-and-run death would spark protests calling for justice in Delaware, as the 18-year-old driver of the truck had been questioned by police but not taken into custody.
Friends and family honor Kasai Bull with heartfelt homemade signs. (Photo: WBOC)
Echoes of another hit-and-run tragedy also came in August, when Worcester County prosecutors’ case against Tyler Mailloux, the man charged in the hit-and-run death of Gavin Knupp, hit a major and unexpected legal hurdle. On August 18th, a Worcester County Circuit Court Judge ruled the case had been improperly filed in Circuit Court instead of District Court and dismissed it. Prosecutors would later appeal the decision..
Another shocking Camden, DE incident came towards the end of the month when shots rang out at the Camden Redner’s on August 22, leaving one employee wounded. The victim was taken to the hospital and was listed in stable condition, though the search for the shooting suspect would go on for two days. Finally, on August 24th, police arrested a Magnolia, DE man on charges of attempted murder.
Sadly, more crime would dominate online headlines in August, with the most-read instance occurring in Accomack County. After discovering skeletal remains in New Church, VA during a missing person search in June, police launched an investigation spanning both Virginia and Maryland. On August 17th, the Accomack County and Wicomico County Sheriff’s Offices announced the arrest of three Salisbury residents in connection to the found body. All three were charged with felony concealment or destruction of physical evidence.
August did have its more uplifting moments however, especially with the announcement of the Chesapeake Balloon Festival taking off in Talbot County. The Festival hit some choppy air when plans fell through in Worcester County, but organizer Alex Spies managed a last-minute switch to Talbot that was ultimately a success.
(WBOC).
Finally, an initially heartbreaking story turned inspirational when 35 dogs were rescued from “deplorable conditions” in Lewes, DE and taken to the Brandywine Valley SPCA. The SPCA would later announce the dogs had all been placed in loving homes.
September 2023
Many of September’s most popular online stories contained one name that many on Delmarva would come to resent: Ophelia. Our first and only tropical storm of the season made landfall on September 23 and slowly made its way north, bringing flooding and vicious winds to the Peninsula. WBOC’s meteorologists and reporters spread across Delmarva to cover the storm’s many impacts, with viewers and readers keeping a close eye on the numerous weekend closures.
Tropical Storm Ophelia hit Ocean City early Saturday morning, leaving a path of flooding and property damage. (Photo: WBOC)
One unfortunate story especially left viewers and readers stunned in September, with sad news out of Salisbury, MD that a 12-year-old had been charged with the murder of a 2-year-old. The Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office announced the death of the toddler and the multiple charges against the 12-year-old on September 19.
Earlier in the month, on September 2nd, WBOC reported on a $50k judgment awarded to a man who argued the Delaware State Police had violated his constitutional rights in preventing him from warning other drivers of a speed trap near Dover, DE. The incident, caught on cell phone video by Jonathan Guessford on March 11, saw police taking his warning sign reading “Radar Ahead!” and ripping it up. After Guessford was seen raising the middle finger to the officers, he was stopped and cited for “improper use of a hand signal.” The charge was later dropped, and Delaware State Police agreed in September to pay the $50,000 to settle Guessford’s lawsuit.
September also gave WBOC the opportunity to share the Chincoteague, VA story of a disorderly and stubborn stallion named Twist that readers couldn’t get enough of. Twist led the Saltwater Cowboys on a days-long game of cat and mouse, refusing to let the volunteers corral him and his mares for the first fall pickup. The Fire Company also shared news of three of their ponies suffering from pythiosis, sometimes known as swamp cancer, though they remained optimistic about the ponies’ treatment and recovery.
Next: Fourth Quarter Review
Previous: Second Quarter Review
