DELMARVA - As we countdown to 2024, WBOC invites you to take a look back on Delmarva’s year and the news we covered across the Peninsula. Here we take a look at the ten most read and watched stories of 2023 on our website and app based on the year’s total page views. For a breakdown of each month’s most popular stories, you can check out our quarterly reviews at the following links: First Quarter, Second Quarter, Third Quarter, Fourth Quarter.
10. UPDATE: Victim Identified in Laurel Homicide
The town of Laurel, DE unfortunately saw multiple incidents of violence in 2023 that resulted in the deaths and injuries of teenagers. Just months after the fatal shooting of rising Laurel High School basketball star Corey Mumford, another 18-year-old was shot and killed in October. The victim, Kylee Robinson, was also confirmed to be a student at Laurel High School. Robinson’s death sparked frustration within Laurel at the frequency of the senseless acts of violence. Recent dress code bans and a revised curfew set to take effect January 1st are hoped to make a positive impact on safety within the community.
9. Business Owners on Ocean City’s Boardwalk Raise Concerns About Oceans Calling
A proposed point of sale system and expected boardwalk closures in Ocean City for the inaugural Oceans Calling Festival gained wide attention this year. Business owners on the boardwalk raised concerns about access to their shops during the festival, as well as being required to use the point of sale system that would possibly grant a portion of proceeds to the event’s promoter. At the time, City Manager Terry McGean assured local businesses they would smooth out any worries before the festival kicked off in September.
Ultimately, some businesses said they saw record-breaking sales during the event, which many considered a success and were already excited to return in 2024. The next Oceans Calling is slated for September 27th-29th, 2024, according to the event’s official page.
8. Multiple Killed in Morning Crash
The beginning of 2023 unfortunately saw numerous deadly crashes across Delmarva, including one in Frankford, DE that took the life of a 28-year-old and his 3-year-old child. Another, on January 17th, resulted in the death of a 27-year-old woman and famed Sussex County wrestler Jamin Pugh. One of Delmarva’s deadliest crashes of the year especially gained significant attention when four people, aged 17, 6, 30, and 40, respectively, died in a Caroline County head-on crash on the morning of January 4th.
7. Don’t Toss Out The Crab Shells
A unique story pairing cutting-edge technology and Delmarva’s beloved crabs drew heavy website traffic in 2023. Scientists at the University of Maryland spoke to WBOC about a breakthrough discovery of how leftover crab shells could be used for renewable energy. Using a substance known as chitosan in crustacean shells, scientists said they can create a zinc-ion battery that’s reportedly safer and cheaper than lithium-ion batteries. In true Delmarva fashion and a reflection of our curiosity and undying love of crabs, the story gained wide traction on WBOC’s website.
6. Reward for Escaped Inmate Increases to $20,000
Drawing our attention west across the Chesapeake in October was the saga of the manhunt for escaped inmate Nasseem Isaiah Roulack in Montgomery County, VA. Roulack managed to evade capture for six weeks following his escape, and authorities raised the reward for any information on where to find him to a whopping $20,000. Roulack was finally found and taken into custody in Fairfax County.
5. Milford Man Arrested on Multiple Drug Charges
On October 10th, police told WBOC they stopped a Honda Accord with alleged equipment violations in a Wawa parking lot in Milford just after 4 p.m. Authorities say they saw evidence of drug use within the car, and the ensuing search led to the discovery of cocaine, heroin, and mushrooms. The suspect, Andre Daniels, 35, gave police a false name, according to the Milford Police Department, and was arrested on various charges including criminal impersonation and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. Police say Daniels already had another active arrest warrant at the time.
4. Recreational Crabbing Regulation Changes in Chesapeake Bay
Yet another crab-related story made its way into the ten most read stories on our website this year. New changes to recreational crabbing in the Chesapeake Bay were announced in February, applying to the upcoming crabbing season in April. Daily bushel limits were reduced to one bushel for the period of April 1-June 30, down from two bushels based on the previous year’s crab survey in Maryland and Virginia. Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources said the limits were needed to keep blue crab populations stable. Whether the revised regulations were effective and will be altered in 2024 remains to be seen.
3. Delaware State Police Conducting Criminal Investigation at Sussex Central HS
One of the most read stories on our app and website was also May’s most popular. WBOC covered a criminal investigation at Sussex Central High School in Georgetown, DE. though it was unclear at the time just who was being investigated and for what. The Indian River School District confirmed to WBOC that staff members had been placed on administrative leave following the unspecified incident. Months later, a former student would file a lawsuit against the school over the incident, alleging her privacy had been violated when surveillance footage showing her exposed breast had been allegedly shared among school staff. In November, Sussex Central’s principal, Bradley Layfield, announced he had been fired, calling the reasons for his termination false and defamatory.
2. Armed Robbery in Ocean City
An incident in Ocean City, MD over the summer garnered particular notice this year, this time an armed robbery in June. Police told WBOC the armed robbery occurred on June 3rd, just after 3:30 p.m., when a man said three men had approached him on Constitutional Avenue, pointed a gun at him, and taken several personal items. The search for those suspects would last most of the summer, finally leading to charges against two men in August. The suspects were also linked to a robbery in Millsboro, DE, and another attempted carjacking in Georgetown, DE, according to police. Both were arrested in Washington D.C.
1. Driver and Tractor-Trailer Recovered After Driving Off Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel
A June crash that led to a tractor-trailer going over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in Virginia was WBOC’s most widely read story this year. The crash unfortunately claimed the life of the driver, Christopher A Scott, age 36, of Henrico, VA. Authorities and first responders recovered both Scott’s body and the tractor-trailer from the waters of the Chesapeake. Both the tragic crash on one of Delmarva’s main arteries and the dramatic extraction of the truck by rescuers held our full and somber attention.
WBOC thanks all of our viewers and readers for turning to our broadcasts, website, app, and our socials throughout the year and for making us Delmarva’s News Leader. We look forward to continuing to bring you the top stories throughout 2024. Happy New Year, Delmarva!
